Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-19
RICHMOND WHIG.
THE SAN JUAN DISPUTE
FURTHER COMMENTS OF TIE ENGLISH PRESS
From ths london Times. Sent. 30.

From the london Times, Sept 20.
The American officer, Gen. Iarney, who has commit
ted this induced probably by the expectation
that IL would make him great Harrison jackson and
Taylor were raised 70 the Presidency by their warlke
exploits. The commander who rescued n Hungarian
since from Austrian brig would propaby
have been started for the high office If he had only
taken the precaution of firing into his enemy. What
question, then that f Harney had been superior an
encounter with the Britisbcrs he would have sure
Of great position in his native State IL not in the
councils of the federatong Gov Douglas has probably
deprived the bold commander of his mered reward by
not sending against San Juan force small that il
could have been readily repulscd and left the gallant
American free TO give glowing nartve of his brilliant
exploit. We have every hope that President
Bnchanan-a man of sense and judgment-wl the
necessity OF treating this subject in proper and
leaving the Pacific boundary the two nations to
the decision of diplomacy. We suppose that the
Americans however elaed their presumed victories
over the English on American questions will think them
selves powerful enough to withstand the arguments that
could be brought against them IL England peaceful
enough while the sembance of legality s observed we're
to learn that the Republic disposed neither
cedc negotiate No kind Of Boosting or hectoring
l., We hope likely TO have any effect the Govern
ment of this country. We have Welded than we
ought on many American questions simply because n g
public opnisn Of the country be enlisted these
patry disputes while the dcStines Of the world are being
decided at our doors But there has probably vet
been an instance of spot in dispute betu the two
nations which has been violently seized one of them
on the sole responsibility Of inferior officer Such an
act requires an explanation from the Government
clare that Gen Harvey acted without his sanction and
that the position of matters has been in changed
by this appeal to main force. OF the Island itself
know nothing believe that the possession of
II Is OF much value TO either party though is certainly
worth more to US than il he the Americans But
the seizure Is obviously only the expression of feeling
which exists among the American authorities and settlers
In those parts They believe that audacity and assum
ton will prevail justice and moderation aud that
England being too much bound up in the manufacture OF
Americas stap" fabric, Englishmen will be afraid to
avenge any indgnity To put end 10 such notions i
the bounden duty of State like ours and though We
shonld deptecate strongly approach to
an nrcndy attitude think the duty of the British
Government TO support its rights undeierred by the bra
vado of ambitious officer.
From the Shipping Gd.ehs.
Gen. Harvey knows well enough that the island he
has seized upon lies properly within that boundary but
lac avas himself of the indetermnate of the sur
vey In order to take strong position in reference to
the new gold discoveries and if he has
the wishes of the Cabinet of Washington he has contrv
ed To rane bis conduct in singular accordance with it,
neral policy ia the West. We do not of course ap
prhend that anything like serious misun derstanding
can arise between the two Gov in consequence
OF this san Juan affair IL will he laid to the account of
the Ashhurton Treaty and the imperfect survey on which
it, provisions but shall be sonnet what srpriscd
Il II turns out that Gen. Harney has acted his own mo-
ton in this matter and that his disavowcd by
Government whose policy he appears have
SO correctly aud to have carried out faithfully.