, 1859-10-14

force as an invasion Of American territory"
that, whilst he was aware he could not
hope for success with such disparity of
forces, still he deemed it an important duty
to make the best resistance that lay in his
power" And yet, this officer, who showed
himself the man for the emergency, and
who, whilst no acted with unhesitating
6rmness, at the same time conducted his
intercourse with the English naval officers
with such marked courtesy as to win their
approval and esteem, is SHesred at by
SeHlliOH, who seems, throughout the whole
Of the affair, to be regretling he is not Of
English birth, though far ahead Of them
in bis denunciations Of his own people. 1t
is fortunate for the honor of the country,
that he was not entrusted with the posi-
tipn in which Capt p. was placed.
+, I One word with regard to the occupation
ohthe Island, as there seems to be a very
general error in attributing The cause Of it
to the threatened attempt at the appre-
hension Of an American citizen. 1t was a
foregone conclusion long before that occur
renee. Ithad been urged for some months
previous, that San Juan was essential as a
military post. commanding the Sound in
front, and the inland waters towards Bel
lingham Bay-that troops placed there
would be better able TO protect the set
tiers from the incursions Of the northern
Indians as it was the stopping place for
these marnuding bands, and from whence
they issued TO commit their depredations
That was the true cause Of its occupation,
though other incidental circumstances,
doubtless had their weight in proving its
necessity. There never was a reasonable
doubt in the Generals mind, noF that Of
any other intelligent man, who had ever
Investigated the matter, that San Juan
Bland was American soil Mr.. Benton,
chairman Of committee on Foreign Affairs
in the u s. Senate, was the organ of the
Interpretation of the treaty. 1t was not
as an exponent Of bis own views, but in bis
official capacity, be stated to the Senate
the views Of the contracting powers, as
expressed through the British Minister,
Mr.. PAcKENHAM, on the one side, and the
Secretary OF State, Mr.. BUCHANAN on the
other, that the Canal dc Haro was the
channel that marked the boundary between
the British possession Of Vancouver's Isl
and, aud the American continent. Much
Of the indignation eVinced by the English
on VancouVer's Island was due entirely to
their ignorance Of this fact Had they been
aware that this was the true state Of affairs,
instead Of deeming our occupancy Of the
Island unwarrantable, they would have as
loudly condemned their own authorities for
attempting to claim that, to which they
had not the fainiest right II
No American officer can for moment
admit It as disputed territory. Were there
shadow Of a doubt, then there would be
Justification; whilst none exists VIC can
only look upon it as the assurance Of CO.
Ionial Official, who will hot be sustained
by the home authorities.
Aud yet this writer has the cooIness to
assert that mo man of intelligence sustaips
Gen. Harney, or "H.," as he Familiarity
terms him, in his rash and foolish produc.
ton, "thinks there will be joint occupancy, j"
how like thunder, will the news received
by the last mail fall upon bis ears, and
with what surprise will he learn that the
ground has been assumed by our govern
ment, that the occupancy of the Island
"admits of no compromise, it being fully
satisfied the island belongs to the United
States, ,")-"that the opinion Of the army