The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-09-24
A sPEck OF WAR on THE NORTHPAcIFIC


AsPEck OF WAR on THE NORTH PACIFIC
The latest news from the vicinity OF Pu-
gets Sound, is to the effect, that the British
Governor of vancouver's Island (Douglas)
had issued protest against Gen. Harney's
occupation of the island of San Juan, and
had sent message to tho Vancouver As
sembly, declaring that the British forces
would be Immediately landed at San Juan.
There is also a rumor that the British
had attacked the Island, and in the course
Of sharp conflict, thirty American troops
had been killed.
That our readers may correctly under
stand the position of parties on the North
Pacific Coast, at this time, it is necessary,
that they should have some particulars re-
specting the taking possession Of the British
claimed Island of San Juan, by American
soldiers, under command of Gen. Harvey.
In brief, they are as follows: Early in July
Gen Harvey arrived at Victoria, on the
steamer Massachusetts,. His arrival was
acknowledged by salute, and he became
the guest of Governor Douglas. Gen. II.
soon left for Puget Sound, and in few
days after, Victoria was thrown into great
excitement, by the news that company of
United States troops had seized the disputed
Island of San Juan, and that barracks were
being established upon it. No one knew by
whom the act was authorized, and especially
did Americans, with fiilibustering proclivi-
ties seem not to care. The American pop
ulation waxed rampant, the British indg-
nant. A demand for vessels to convey
passengers to the seat of war, sprung up,
the distance from Victoria being about 20
miles. On the first reception Of the news,
two of the English vessels of war from
-Esquimault harbor, proceeded to San Juan
and Joined three or four other British men
of-war in the harbor. The United States
ships Massachusetts, Shubric, and Revenue
Cutter from Puget Sound, composed the
American fleet in the harbor of San Juan.
A company Of American troops who took
possession Of the Island, numbered but 40
or 80, quite boldly indicated their intention
to keep it by posting the following order in
various places about the Island:
MILITARY Posi-, SAN JUAN ISLAND,
W. I. July 9th, 1859.
Order No. l..
l. In compliance with orders and instruc-
tons from the General Commanding, a Mil
itary Post will be established on this Island,
on whatever site the Commanding Officer
may select.
.. All the inhabitants Of the Island are
requested to report at once to the Comman-
ding Officer, in case of any incursion of the
Northern Indians-so that he may take such
steps as he may deem necessary, to prevent
any future occurrence of the same.
3. This being United States Territory, no
LAWS. other than those Of the United States,
nor Courts, except such rs are held BY vir-
tue of said laws, will be recognized or al
lowed on this Island.
BY order of CAPTAIN PICKEY.
JAMES W. FoRsYTu.
II Lieut.. 9th Infantry, Post Admit.
The order ignores the Treaty and Bound
arv Commission, ard admits Of no compro.
mise. 1t is stated that the British desired
to avoid a collision, and proposed IL joint
military occupation Of the Island, until or.
ders could be received from the heads of
the two Governments. The proposition
was rejected, and a small company or two
from Fort Beilinsham, were added to the
American force. \ number Of Americans
from Victoria and Washington Territory
had also proceeded to San Juan, with the
ayowed intention of settling there. A Brit.
ish vessel Of war from Fraser River, had
arrived with some sappers and miners, but
they were no, permitted by the Americans
to land -
Tho British Governor, Douglas, issued
pro !amation against the occupation of San
Juan, by the Americans, and declared the
Island to belong to Queen Victoria. lie
also sent messenger to the Vancouver
Legislative Assembly, in which he declared
that the British forces should be landed on
the Island. This gives some probability to
the rumored collision.
The island in dispute lies north westerly
to Puget Sound and the mainland of Wash
ington Territory in the vicinity Of Fort
Townscnd-thc broad and beautiful Strait
Of Fuca being between. The movement. of
Gen. Harvey has created much excitement
at Victoria, and his conduct is assailed Sc
vercIy by the British press. The Victoria
Pioneer, however, commends the action of
Gen. Harvey, in taking possession of San
Juan Island, and says:
The Treaty is based upon the principle
that all South of The parallel of forty nine,
was United States Territory, and the deva-
ton mad Esimply to give vancouver's
Island-d ery small portion Of which
was South Hat parallel-to that country
who, hid the line continued directly across
it, would have owned the greater part Of it.
If, then. the question were one of doubt, as
to the proper channel, n consideration Of
the intent Of the treaty, must solve that
question in favor Of the United States. But
it is not question upon which doubt
should be permitted to exist The Canal
dc Haro is the broadest, deepest, and most
direct channel from the Straits of Fuca into
the Gulf of Georgia. And this would not
be questioned were it not for the interme.
date islands. To England they are valuable,
as well for the land, of which there is much
that is of a superior quality on some of the
islands, as also that they are supposed to
command the southern entrance to the Gulf
of Georgia. TO us, they are necessary as a
military post, being the only place suitable
for the protection of our people from the
hordcs of Northern Savages, from whom
we have alrerdy suffered, and from WHO
threatened attacks, many of our settlements
down the Sound are kept in continual alarm.
San Suan is just the place for post. The
Indians must pass within striking distance,
in coming to and returning from the settle
mcnts.
Gen. Harvey, no doubt, views it in this
! light, and has ordered the establishment Of
the post there, as he would on any other
n ,~tion of American soil Wo honor him