The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-27
THE SAN JUAN DIFFICULTY.
Reply Of Governor Douglass TO General
Harvey.


Harvey.
Governor Douglass has sent the following reply to Gene
ra Hrneys to the protest made by the former
regard to the occupation Of San Juan
.vicroFuA, Vancouver Island August 10, 1889.
BR1GApHR GENERAL WILLIAM 5. HARSEy COMMANDING The
TRooPs THE DEPARTMENT OREGON
DEAR SR-On the evening of the 10th instant had the
August 6, 1850
In reply thereto, must thank you for the frank
straightforward manner in which you communicate 70 me
your reasons for occupying the island of San Juan in the
aro Archipelago, with portion Of the military forces OF
fhe United States under your command
am glad to hear that you have done under jnstruc
tons from the President Of the United States Military
Commander Of the Department of Oregon, and not by
direct authority enanating from the Cabinet ~ Washing
You state that the which induced you to take
that the insults and indignitics whchShe r
fish authorities Of Vancouver Island and the.esahsh
ment Of the Hudsons Bay Company have-recentlyofer
ed 70 American citizens residing on the lsand-of San
juan by sending British ship OF war from Vancouver
Island convey the Chief Factor Of the Hudson Shay
Company San Juan, for the purpose Of seizg Anne
riCan citizen and Transporting him to Vancouver Island
TO be tried by British laws
will explain for your information that the agents Of
Che Hudson's Bay Company hold no official position in
Vancouver Island nor exercise official power autho
ry and entirely distinct from the officers of the
executive government as any of the other inhabitants
Of Vancouver Island. To the reported outrage Anne
Yican citizen beg give the unhesstating
qualified denial None Of Her Maesty's ships has
been convey the chief factor any other officer
Of the Hudsons Bay Company TO San Juan for the pur
pose Of Selling American citizen, has any attempt
ever been made 10 seize any American citizen and to
transport him orcbly to Vancouver Island tor trial.
represented by you.
Up very recen, period but American citizen has
been resident san Juan About the commencement Of
the present year few American citizens began 10 squat
upon the island and upon occasion complaint was
mitted against bis property by an American citizen,
but no attention was paid TO that complaint, out of
fideration and respect TO the friendly government to
which the alleged offender belonged and whose citizens
think ii cannot be denied have always been treated
with marked attention by all the British authorities in
these parts. With reference TO San Juan particular
have always acted with the utmost caution prevent
80 far as might lie in my power, any i'll feelings arts
ing from collisions between British subjects and American
citizens and have in that respect cordially endeavored to
carry out the views of the United States government
exsressed in despatch from Mr. Marcy dated 18th July
1855, 10 her Maestys Minister at Washington copy Of
which herewith enclose for your information, as pre-
sume that the document cannot be in your possession
1Ihis despatch was published in the BULLETIN Of August
1l9 Following the dignied policy recommended by that
despatch, should, in any well grounded of
plant against an American CITIZEN have referred the mat
ter to the federal authorities in Washington Territory,
well assured that wrong had been committed reparaon
would have followed.
Ideepy regret that you did not communicate with me
for information upon the subject of the alleged grievance
You would then have learned how unfounded was the
complaint and the grave action you have adopted might
have been avoided also deeply regret that You did not
mention tho matte verbally to when had the plea
sure Of seeing at Victoria last month for few words
from me would am sure have removed from your mind
any erroneous Impressions and you would have ascer
taned personally from me how anxious had ever been
70 the utmost Of my power with the officers
o. the United States government in any measure which
mgh, be mutually beneficial TO the citizens Of the
countries
Having given you a distinct and emphatic denial OF the
circumstances which you alege induced you TO occupy
the island OF San Juan with United States troops having
shown that the you assign do not exist and
having endeayored assure YOU of nv readiness on ali
occasions TO act for the protection OF American citizens
and for the promotion Of their welfare, call upon
you sir II not as matter OF right as a matter Of
justice and Of humanity to withdraw the troops now quar-
tered upon the island Of San Juan for those troops are not
pfraIf .rf txa pfarffrn aftr
British authorities and their continuance upon an Island
the sovereignty of which in dispute, only is mark
of discourtcsy 10 friendly government but complexities
10 undue degree the settlement in amicabe manner OF
the question Of sovereignty and s also calculated pro-
woke collision between the military forces of two ffiend
JAMS DOUGLAS.
AFFAIRS AT SAN JNAA.
correspondent. Of the San Francisco HefGia writing
from Victoria, August IS, says -
The excitement regarding the San Juan sland difficulty
has nearly ceased Meantime the America troops he
island are quietly erecting their winter quarters and
tending the Line Of their iortications number Of sap
were landed on the island by the Northerncr togethe
with large quantity OF stores &c have seen gende
man who arrived from the slaad this morning and he
says everything quiet The Satellite lies at anchor In
the harbor, and the American and English officers
con Territory, visited the island during week and re-
viewed the nine companies soldiers now stationed there
An Iyaton was sent him by Captain Provost come on
board the Satellite and dine with him. which he accented
site for town has been laid out, already quite
number OF little houses nave been built, and they are
doing brisk business there. believe every acre of
land the island has been selected located By Anne
sicans except that portion occupied by the HudsouBay
Company a sheep station.
correspondent OF the Victoria Gasfe writes from san
Juan August d.
The mail steamer Julia arrived here this morning
<Angust 23) at O'Clock, from Semahnoo and all
the ports OF the Sound, bringing some munitions pro
visions and other freight 10 the United states
At Camp r .rr Ills ES's sans a@
at about 8 a. H., an Aid of Colonel Casey appeared
70 nye the presence Of bis Exoelency NJ the camp