The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-10-15

1t would seem from the protest OF the
British Governor, Douglas which We hno
in the San Francisco Bulletin, OF Sept. 9th,
that the occupation of the Island by thu
forces of the United States, involves much
grayer question than has hitherto been sup
posed. Tee general impression heretofore,
was, that United States troops were sent to
San Juan merely to afford needed protec-
ton from Indans--or, at most, with view
to making an issue which should facilitate a
speedy solution of the Boundary Question
pending between the Governments Of Great
Britain and the United States. 1t now APP
pears that Gen. Harney's interference in the
matter was prompted by the purpose Of pro-
tecting American citizens settled upon the
Island from "insults and indignities which
the British authorities of Vancouver Island
have recently offered them.''
The following is a brief statement of the
facts to which Gen. Harvey briefly alludes.
1t seems that Mr.. Griffin, Hudson's Bay
Company's employee and Justice Of the
Peace at San Juan, had lot Of Sandwich
Island hogs-animals noted for their preda-
tory habits and a peculiar facility for get
ting through almost any kind of hedge OF
fence. Some of these quadrupeds had tres
passed upon the farm Of Mr.. Cutler, an
American settler, and rooted up his pota-
toes. lie notified the owner Of the fact,
and announced his intention OF shooting
any Of them that might repeat the offence.
Mr.. Griffin paid no heed to the warning, and
the consequence was that Mr.. Cutler shot a
boar. He Immediately informed Mr.. Griffin
what he had done, and offered to pay fair
H. EriU se1
saving the matter would be otherwise set
tied.
The next step was the arrival Of two
members of the Executive Council Of Van
couver, on the Island, (Messrs Fraser and
Dallas who called on Mr.. Cutler, and in
formed him that he had committed a helm
Gus offence, for which he was liable to trans
portaton; but, after some talk, offered to
CONFRONT c the matter for 800. This,
Cutler declined. Subsequently, Il man Of
war was sent to the island, with orders to
arrest Cutler, and bring him to Victoria
for trial but be eyaded seizure by keeping
out Of the way. He then drew up petition
to Gen. Harvey, which, being signed by
other residents Of the island, caused the
occupation. 1t is disputed at Victoria that
Il RESET ofrar 70 seize Mr.. Cutler was sent:
but not denied that the Hudson Bay Com
pany's vessel was. Ii this story is true,
and we do not doubt it, it places the Belle
vue matter in new light, by making the
British authorities the first to violate the
neutrality of the island.
1t is said to be due, alone to the wise,
concliatory and sensible course Of the
British Admiral Banes, that Gov. Douglass
was not permitted to preciptate n collision
between the two governments in connection
with this affair. II is currently reported,
and generally believed in Victoria, that Oh
the day whnu the Governor presented his
address TO the Assembly, in which he de-
carrd that the British troops should be
landed OF San Juan Island, he had already
given orders for thu, warMHc demonstration
Fortunately, Admiral Baiues arrived the
next day in the Ganges with 100 men. Upon
being made acquainted with the facts Of the
case, h. proceeded to inform the Governor,
that his title OF Vice Admiral was honorary
merely, and gave him no right nor power 10
direct the movements Of Her Britanic Maj
e>tv's iln"t in II case Of such character and
importance as this. The Admiral also took
the ground that San Juan Island could not
be held 10 be BRITISH territory, the invasion
Of which could and should be resisted Il,
once Iv the Colonial Government. lie
malntailel that it WAS territory IN dispute,
and that therefore, the question which Gen.
Harvey had raised, was an international
question, to be settled by the two govern
ments. In this view Of the subject, the
Admiral cmphot;cal.y refused to Interfere.
DECLARING that he would await orders from