, 1859-08-19
Cow Douglas Message on the san Juan
ImbrOgliO,

GOyEH,olDsr HoUsE. VICTORIA; Aug. ,, 1859.
ID he Legislative Council and House Qf Assembly Of
de Colony Qf Vancouver Atand y
GDrLMEN-I have 10 communicate, for your infor.
nation the intelligence Of the landing Of detach-
ment Of United States troops on the Island OF San
Juan, ayovedy (see enclosures Nos. and y for tue
purpose of forming military poet and Of asserting
the sovereignty Of the United States 70 that Island
Having received no information from any quarter that
the United States ever contemplated taking military
possession Of any part Of the disputed territory wl
the boundary line remained unsettled, am forced u
believe that the late unwanantable and discourteous
nct 90 contrary 20 the usages Of civilized nations has
oiginatedin error, and been undertaken without the
authority Of that Government. That impression Is
oorroberated by letter "a copy Of which is here en-
elosed) irom the Hon W. L. Marcy, Secretary Of the
United States. dated Washington, 18th July 1856 To
her MAjesty's Minister at Washington, which con
tains instructions from the President OF the United
States 70 The Governor Of Washington Territory, and
displays, in the eearest manner, the oOnoiliatory and
moderate views entertained by his Government on the
subject Of the disputed territory.
Though the right Of Great Britain to all the Islands
situated 10 the westward Of Vancouver or Rosario
straits is 10 minds, clearly established by the lst
article Of the Treaty Of le46 and though those Isl.
ADDS have, since the foundation OF this Colony zen
considered as a dependency Of Yaneouvers Island il
a vel known 70 you gentlemen, that, out Of respect
% the construction that has been put upon that Tea,
ty BY the Government Of the United States we have
ahstaned from exercising exclusive sovereignty over
them. Convinced that any assumption on either side
O eAcA4aNe B1t 70 te ulapuleQ erltOry would sim
ply be fruitess and mischevous waste Of energy,
neither detracting from adding force to tie claims
Of either nation wise and eonsidente policy enions
upon us the part Of leaving so important national
question for settlement by the proper authorities and
Of avoiding complications foreign to the views and
wishes Of, and probably embarrassing TO- both Gov.
eFnments. Immediately being Informed Of The
landing Of the United States troops at San Juan her
hajesty's ship Tribune, under the command Of Can
tain Horribly, was dispatched to that quarter, ana
soon after detachment Of Royal Engineers and Row
q Marine Light Infantry. were ordered from New
Westminster, by her Msjesty's ship Piumper, Can't
Richards and those troops will te landed at san Juan
% protect the lives and property Of British subjects
1on VIII observe, gentlemen, from enclosure No. /.
nat that the captain in command Of the United States
Detachment OF troops in public notice dated 27th Of
July, assumes the exercise Of exclusive SOVEREIGN
rights in the Island Of San Juan while the President
Of the United States altogether disclams such prien
sons and seeks at most continue the oipt rgbt Of
sovereignty and domain in common with Great Rrt
ain. We may presume from that Circumstance tbat
the notice In question was framed ia ignorance of b
intentions Of the United States Government and that
TIE pretensions set forth will not be maintained IN
tsrtaning sueh opinions. have not failed " impress
en- her Majesty's Naval officers stationed al San
JhaD the desire Of her Majestys 9vernment 10 avoid
every coarso which may unnecessarily involve the
suspension q the amicable relations subsisting be-
tween Great Britain and the United States at the
same time, those Ocers have been instructed and are
prepared 70 assert the rights and 70 maintain the
honor and dignity Of our Sovereign and her domin.
Ions have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most
obedieni servant,
JAMES DOUGLASS.