, 1859-12-02

which should enklnde within every American heart,
that will feed the blush Of indignation mantle bis
cheek, as be reads the words which convey to him
the intelligence Of this great nations humiliation for
by such name alone can we designate the result Of
Gen. SCOTS mission.
With the exception Of one solitary company Of IN.
fantry, all the American troops have been removed
from the Island IN dispute and amongst those gallant
men who thus forced 10 retire from the enemy IA
the yalorous Pickett, who, with a handful Of men,
noby withstOod his ground in the face Of British men
ol-war He, too, Is forced todeyer up, in measure,
his arms and position, 70 suDserve British Interests
and British diplomacy. Doubtless, when Capt. Pick.
EFT refused to leave the Island Of San Juan at the
quest Of a British Commissioner, who was invested
with power gotten up, specially for the occasion, he
committed a mortal offence against Gov. Douglas, and
i Is but natural to presume, that his removal from
the Island was accomplished at that individuals die
tation.
But, as II the censure passed upon Gen. Harney by
the removal Of the American troops from San Juan
not sufficient to appease the wrath Of Gov. Doug
las, and the rest Of her Brttanc Maesys loyal sub
jects II Is even contemplated TO punish The people Of
this State and Washington Territory for their audacty
in supporting such measures as have been taken to
protect American interests on the North Pacific, by
abolishiRg the Military Department Of Oregon, and
again merge Il with that Of California Portland
DAILY advertiser.
SAN JUAN DIFFrcULrY-Inasmueh as some CORES.
pondentto the San Francisco papers has refected-if
not condemned-the course Gen. Haney pursued in
relation to the difficulty, aud nasmuch Gen. Scott
has visited that point and concluded armistce we
deem it proper 70 refer to few facts which have
TO our knowledge in relation thereto In the first
place, II Gen. Harney was right in ordering Capt
Pickett to occupy that island with his company, he
has been fully justified BY Cen Scott as the latter has
left company Of s. troops there 10 continue the
occupation made by Gen. Harney. II Gen. Harney
wrong first then Cen Scott is wrong last for the
simple That the latter has left the island lust as
the former left it before threats were made by the
British authorities, and British cannon pointed to ex
termination Of our troops.
It is fair TO presume that Gen. Harvey would never
have placed more than a single company of u S.
troops upon San Juan Island bad not the whole force
aud power Of the British navy, supported by almost
the entire military strength OF British Colnmbia as
sembled in front Of Capt Picketts camp and peremp-
torly ordered the evacuation, with threats OF exter-
minatiOn in case Of refusal Then 1t was that Gen.
Hamey sent forward formidable force to protect the
honor of the American flag which he had hoisted on
the Island Of San Juan, believing It to be American
soil Therefore, repeat that Gen. Scott has com
mtted an error in leaving one company on that isl.
and or that Cen Harney was right in its occupancy
by the same number Of U. S. troops which Scott has
left to protect It from British aggression.
There is one feature in this matter that we are at
loss To account for and that is that Capt Pickett was
not left in command Of the U. s, post on San Juan.
He was the first to occupy, and during the time Of his
command, was the last $50 far as we can learn) 10
falter In the discharge Of bis duty to his flag or his
country. When threatened by an overwhelming force
and bullied by John Bulls impudence, he stood firm
and obeyed the orders Of his superior officer
He not only did right but calamity and won for him
self the respect Of all American citizens It may be
that Capt Pickett not the choice Of Gov Douglas
to command the U. s. troops to be LEFT on San Juan
Island by Gen. Scott. But we can hardly believe that
Gen. Scott-that war-wOrn veteran that faithful OH
GER and the greatest captain Of the age-woud listen
to the advice or lend willing ear for a single mo-
ment, or be Influenced in the least by Gov. Douglas
upon this subject -OTegoidR.
MILITARY MATTERS have heard It rumored
within the last day or two that Cen Scott has ad
yised Gen Harney that the President would relieve
him Of the Command OF the Department of Oregon
1t Is also reported that the Commander inChef has
privately given Gen. Hamey permission to report At
s.. Louis, Head Quarters, Department Of the West
We hope there may be no foundation for either re
port Should Gen. Harney be relieved Of the com.
mand Of this Department, the order will be received
with sincere regret by the public Of Oregon and
Washington, as well as majority Of the forces
under him. Without veniuring an opinion Of the
wisdom or efficiency Of Gen. Hamey's military
movements generally, (oI which we are not quail
fed to judge or Of his course in the San Juan bus
ness, Ito which he will owe bis removal II removed
II must be admitted that his services 10 the country
have been varied and important in other Affairs for
which he merits and eceives the thanks Of the pub
lie. Since he has been in command here, he has or,
dered surveys, which have been made Of several
routes between the Columbia river and the Valley Of
Great Salt Lake, which greatly reduce the practical
routes Of travel and open vast facilities for the ncom
ing OF emigration to this State and the adjoining Ter
period, Oregon will supply the Commercial wants Of
Utah. He has also ordered a survey OF the william.
cite river from its mouth to Portland for the purpose
Of deepening the channel for ship navigation; and
should be remain in the Department, he would nc
doubt consummae this and other works of great pub
lie utility.
Another current umOr is, that Gen. Scott has an,
nounced his intention Of advising the Government to
break up the Department of Oregon, and merge 1t In
10 that Of California, We are inclined TO discredit
this report; and that II true, the intended
recommendation will not be complied with by the
President This Department so far as concerns the
internal protection Of the country, is far import
ant than that Of California; and II is not, we think
any more likely TO be stricken from our military sys-
TEN. Besides, its disruption will be opposed by civil
influences and considerations more potent than the
as his opinions known TO be Ia the military affairs
Of the country But, said, we discredit the re-
port that Gen. Scott will recommend the dissolution
OF the Department Of Oregon.-Portiand Times.
LATEST FROM san JrAN IsLAND-U. s. GOVERN.
MENT SECOND BEsT.-Sunday we received direct advi.
from San Juan. Gen. Scott does not appear to be
helping the San Juan difficulty much but rather is in
volvng interest there to such an extent and in
such manner that American rights may be seriously
affected by his mission to this coast He has declared
In favor Of joint occupancy Of the Island until the
termination OF negotiations which gives advantage to
the British authorities and depreciaes our title IN
der this decision troops cannot be employed TO de.
end our own citizens against the Northern Indians or
abulueh IAg AAHuleuNG VI bllhhu SUBJECTS
Gen. Scott has ordered alt American troops of the
Island except company, and supplanted the gal.
liant Capt. Pickett with another officer The Artillery
Is ordered back to Fort Vancouver and the Infantry
TO Forts Steilacoorn, Bellingham and Townsend.
1t Is Tumored that Cen Scott has informed General
Haney that the British Government intend to demand
his (Harney's) instant removal from the command Of
the Department Of Oregon. Gen Scott therefore sup-
gets to Gen. H. to leave by his own act TO save the
President the embarrassment of removing him.
The step most important TO the people of Oregon
and Washington, next 10 partial surrender Of the dis
puted Island Is Gen. ScOtts expressed intention TO
urge upon the President the breaking up Of the Mill
ary Department Of Oregon and merging It in that OF
California This movement would probably please the
British But It is not presumed that the people for
whom the Department created will consent to run
the risk Of any more Indian wars and British en-
croachments until their present claims are adjusted
and their protection in future amply guaranteed.
This San Juan affair was in posture most favorable
10 claim Of title, before the arrival Of Gen. Scott
The American Commissioner had expressed himself
most thoroughly convinced OF our right We had
possession, and everything seemed in a fair way Of
terminating in our favor
1t is little singular that the President should have
sent man Of Cen Scott's advanced and conservative
years. and personal enemy to Gen. Harvey, (for
there exists bitter feud between these two Generals
Of long standng) to adjust controversy so delicate
and important both to the character OF the Admin