, 1859-12-09
PUGET SOUND HERALD.
STEILACOON. W. 7, FRIDAY, DEC. O. 1859.


SUPREMACY OF SAN JUAN ISLAND.
A large and enthusiastic meeting Of the Amer
lean settlers upon San Juan Island was held at
the warehouse Of Baker Roberts, in the town
Of San Juan, on Friday evening" the 18th No
vember, 1859.
On motion Of s. D. Williams, ESQ.,, the meet
ing was organized by the selection Of James How.
ard, Esq, Chairman, and Geo. w. Wiley, Sccre-
tary.
The object Of the meeting having been stated,
Messrs. 5. d. Williams, Fitch, Wiley, and Paul
X. Hubbs, Jr., were appointed q committee to
drah resolutions expressive Of the sentiment Of
the meeting.
The following preamble and resolutions were
reported by said committee:
WHEREAS: We, the American residents and
settlers upon the Island Of San Juan, do firmly
and consciencously believe said Island Is part
Of Washington Territory, being east Of the boun-
daTy line between the United States and the
British Possessions, contemplated by the treaty
of 1886, viz: "thrOuah tie middle Of the chan
NeI rhieh separates Ms Continent from pdnc0u-
0ers LsLdRd," and by acts Of the Legislative
Assembly Of said Territory, constituted portion
Of The county Of Whatcom; and
WHEREAS: So believing, we have settled upon
said Island as = portion Of the public domain Of
the United States; and
and, in vessel Of the Hudson's Bay Company,
did recently attempt to remove from said Island
(within American jurisdiction and subject to
American law) an American citizen, amenable
only 10 American law, for the purpose Of trying
him by Court Of Vancouver's Island; and
WHEREAS: The said Governor OF VancOuver's
Island, Immediately thereafter, caused to be dis
patched British vessels Of war, to over-awe our
people, and occupy said Island; therefore
Resolved, That the course Of Gen WIN. s.
Harvey, U. s. Army-the able, distinguished
and popular commander Of the military depart.
ment Of Oregon, in promptly ordering company
Of regulars to occupy said Island as American
soil was demanded by the exigencies Of the
case. That said act meets our heartiest apprO-
bation, and entities him TO the gratitude Of every
American, for thus asserting our clear and un-
questionable right and title 70 soil guaranteed to
US BY treaty-c0nirmed TO us by occupancy and
long continued assertion Of jurisdiction.
Resolved, That the Island Of San Juan Is ours
by position, ours by necessity, ours by every
claim which can confer sovereignty.
Resolved, That Cen Harney's subsequent
course, in supporting American supremacy, was
wise, prudent cOnciliatOry, truly patriotic, and
at the same time the readiest solution Of pro
blem which for years might otherwise have been
. matter Of contention; engendering difficulties
between the two great powers Of the earth. That
his conduct must meet at the hands Of the Amer
lean Government and the people, the commcn-
dation and approval so richly deserved
Resolved, That the course Of the officers and
men Of the army, occupying said Island, entitle
them to our warmest thanks and admiration.
Resolved, That the title set up by Great Brit
ain-tO justify an invasion-Of American soil, to
kidnap and try by foreign court an American
citizen--the attempted occupancy by British
heet, blOckading the port Of San Juan-is futile
and preposterous in the highest degree. Geog.
raphy and photography clearly point out the
boundary line defined by the treaty. That the
channel Of the Canal de Haro is the one alone
therein referred 10. straghtest and most direct
mach the wider, deeper and the better Of navi-
cation as proven by the soundngS There can
be no doubt Of the American title That the
doubt if any exist Is entirely dispelled by the
language Of the treaty, surrendering as much Of
VancOuver's Island as lies south Of the forty
niuth parallel to Great Britain. That such was
che meaning Of the treaty, and such has ever
since been recognized, in the erection Of c0un-
ties in the State Of Oregon and the Territory Of
Washington, aud the exercise Of judicial jurlsdic-
ton for years over said Island.
The meeting was ably and elOquently addressed
by Messrs Fitch and Wiley, when the above res
Olutions were unanimously adopted.
On motion, the proceedings were ordered 10
be published in the Territorial journals.
On motion, adjourned.
JAMES HOwARD, Chairman.
Geo W. Wiley, Secretary.