The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-15
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1852
Ifanything could reconcile us to the violation
nf the HnRAT maxim

Ifanything could reconcile US to the violation
of the HoRATIAN maxim
mist dignus rindice nod.sn
of which the Administration was guilty, in
sending General SCOTT to the Pacific coast, to
settle question of disputed boundaries with the
local authorities of Vancouver's Island, it would
be the safe return of the gallant veteran, in i'm
proved health, and with the satisfactory intelli-
gence that the whole matter in dispute has passed
beyond the jurisdiction of the sword into the safer
region ofdiplomacy, and isin fair way towards an
amcable adjustment. The measures by which
General SCoTT was enabled to accomplish this
happy result appear to have been as obvious and
simple, as the time consumed in their consumma-
ton was brief On the 2sh of October, the
General arrived at Port Townsend from San Fran
cisco, and Immediately opened correspondence
with Governor DOUGLAS at Victoria, through his
Aide-de-camp, Col. LAY. The negotiations pro
crossed so rapidly, that the 18th of November the
General proceeded to San Juan in the UNITED
STATES steamer Massachusetts,, and, on the follow
ing day, ISSUED a general order arresting the
work on the Notifications commenced by General
HARVEY, commanding the heavy guns on the
Island to be replaced on board of the Massachusetts,
and REMINDING eight of the nine companies oil
troops stationed at San Juan to the posts to which
they had previously belonged. One COM
pany of Infantry retained for the pro-
lection of American settlers on the island against
the Indians and the American Justice of the
Peace and Inspector Of Customs remained, with the
acquescence of the English authorities, and the
mutual understanding that they represented no
claim to exclusive possession of the island, pend
ing negotiations, and that the jurisdiction of the
former should extend only to American citizens
an English Magistrate being deputed to exercise
similar functions for the benefit of his own coun-
trymen. Thus all danger of further complications
is, for the time, removed, and the spark of war;
which General HARVEY had so industriously en-
deavored to blow into flame, effectuaIly extin-
guished. What the disposition of the latter officer
had been, may be best inferred from the extent
of the warike preparations which were made and
making by his order At the date of General
SCoTTs arrival there were stationed on the island,
detachmentS Of the 4th and 9th Infantry, and Bird
Artillery numbering, in all, nine companies. There
was ia construction redoubt mounting eight guns
-24-pounders taken from the Observation-Disclosures
which the inhabitants of the island have given the
name of HARNEY's Folly-a title sufficiently indi-
cative, we should think, of the little sympathy
felt by the settlers with the extreme and aggressive
measures adopted by HARVEY. The satisfaction of
the troops at being relieved from their dsagreeabe
duty does not seem to have been disguised The
course of the British authorities both civil and mill
tary, was frank and conclatory. Governor DOUG
LAS welcomed Col LAY TO his own house, and
showed him his correspondence with HARVEY, his
letters from the Home Government, and from Lord
Lyons, and his own order-book A full exposition
of the ideas of Her Maiesty's Cabinet was thus had
In return, Col. LAY stated the amicable views
and wishes of our own Government. The result
of this frank and cordial interchange of senti-
mens was the adoption by General SCOTT of the
measures above mentons d-the island beng in
effect left in the joint occupation of both Gov
ernments, and the question of ownership reserved
for future consideration. Whether, to attain this
apparently simple result, it was necessary to send
the Commander-in-Chief of the American Army
all the way to Vancouver's Bay, is question
about which people will have their own opinions.
Ours we have taken the liberty to express, and
have no hesitation in adding, that the PRESIDENT
might with just as much proprety have directed
General SCoTT, had he been at home, to assume
the command of the file of Marines detailed to
force the doors Of the Engne-house in which
Brown and his party took refuge at Harper's
Ferry. However, We do not wish to appear
hvrercrtical, and as the General has returned
home, safe and sound, after travelling thirteen
thousand miles-a greater distance than half around
the globe-since the Goth of September, we will
content ourselves with Observing that it is the
least courtesy due to the high rank, venerable
years. and exalted services of this distinguished
soldier, that he should not again be summoned to
perform labor so fatiguing, at least, not until
some more important question shall require his
help towards its solution.