The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-10-22
The Occupation Of San Juan Isiand---!:s
True Cause.


We have obtained, from reliable source
an interesting statement OF the facts to
which Gen Harney briefly alludes. 1t
Seems that Mr. Griffin. Hudson Bay Com
plnys employee and Justice Of the Peace
at San Juan, had IA lot OF Sandwich Island
ho1s-aIiimals noted for their predatory
haD Is and a pee ulisr facility for eett ne
through almost any kind OF hedge or fence.
Some Of these quadrupeds had trespassed
upon the farm of Mr.. Cutler, an American
settler, and rooted up his potatoes. lie
notified their owner of the fact, and an
nounccd his intention OF shooting any OF
them that might repeat the offence MIR.
Griffin paid 10 heed to the warnl ~, and
the consequence was that Mr. Cutler shot
boar. He Immediately informed Mr. q.
Of what he had done. and offered to pay a
fair price for the animal; but Griffin refu-
sed. saving the matter would be otherwise
settled.
The next step was the arrival of two
members of the Executive Council of Van
couver on the island (Messrs Fraser and
Dalias) who oall.d on Mr.. Cutler, and in
formed linn that he had commit ed a hem
Gus offence. for which he was liable TO trans
p"rtation; but after some talk, offered to
compromise the matter for Sle0. This Cut
itI tscilHf'i- subsequently. a. liIdH-oi-Ndi
was sent To the island, with orders to ar
rest Cutler, and bring him to Victoria for
trial; Iut he evaded seizure by keeping
out Of the way He then drew up q p.ti
ton 10 Gen. lIarney, which being signed
by other residents on the island, caused
the occupation. 1t i disputed at Victoria
that r.-sssi If ,ro- 10 seize Mr. Cutler was
sent hut not denied that the Hudson Bay
/ srnf frtl.
and We do not doubt it. il places the Bel
l"yue matter IN a Lew light, by making
British authorities the til>t TO violate the
neutrality OF thc island
We learn further. that it i due alone To
the wise. oonc.iatory and sensible course
ot the br i.sh Admiral Raincs. that Gov.
Douglas was not permitted 20 pr"cipitatea
collision between the t,yo governments in
connection with tiIi- affair 1t : currently
reported ana generally believed ln Veto
IA. that on the day when the Governor
presented his aadtr-- u the Assembly. III
which he declared that the British troops
aios'R b" landed upon San Juan Island. he
had air : given orders Tor thi, war
Ike demonstrators Fortunately. AdmI--
raj Eaiue- arrived Tia" next day III the Can
- w.,h 100 men Upon hcius made ac-
guainted With the facts "f the case. he pro
c-eded to inform the Governor that hlS IL
tie OF Vice Admiral vas honorary merely,
and gave him 10 nigh, nor power L. direct
the movements of Her Britannia Naie,tys
h!oci in ca-c Of such character and i'm
portance a. this.
TIe Admiral also took the ground that
san Juan Island ou.d not he held TO be
B-.L territory. the invasion Of which
cOuli and should be resisted 10y the Colo
NAL Government. lie maintained that it
Wa "a territory q" Gto,rs. and that there
fore the question which tfeU. liaruey had
raised wa- an international question. 10 be
settled ~ the two Governments In this
view of tie subject declaring that he
would wait orders from hI> Government.
aud not r"s..y pcIp"tratr an act oi war
RumoT also attribute, II him the declara-
t'ou that a single broad~ide from his ship.
directed against the United States force ON
the island. uuuld COS; more than the whole
couutry ! worth.
Thus it VIII h. seen that no.withstand-
in. tl- intense bitterness ut feeling which
prevails hciw~.,n thu a.ih~r~nt- "t t,so par
ti'-- IT,. dispute nearest 10 the scene OF
difficulties. there l. no danger that an arm
ID struggle VIII Jc .tcc.. plated u.on u