Smyrna times., 1859-09-15
The Disputed Boundary.

Recent intelligence from the Pacific has fur
ushed the staple for some newspaper spccula
tion as to the probability of another boundar
dispute with England. The North America
says: By the treaty of June Is, 1916, whcI
Mr.. Louis McLanc negotiated under the in
structions of Mr. Buchanan, as Secretary O
State, it was stipulated as follows:
"Article l. From the point OF the forty
ninth parallel of north latitude, where the
boundary laid down in existing treaties anC
conventions b3tween Great Britain and the Uni.
ted States terminates, the line OF boundary be.
tween the territories of her Britannia Ma lesty
and those of the United States shall be contIn-
ued westward along the 49th parallel of north
latitude, to the middle Of the channel which
separates the continent from Vancover's island,
aud thense southerly through the middle of sa id
channel aud of Fuca straits to the Pacific
ocean. Provided, however, that the navga-
ion of the said channel aud straits south of the
forty ninth parallel of north latitude, remain
free and open to both parties"
When this treaty was made, Vancover's ISL
and was occupied by British Subjects and tho
the boundary li0e, as thus determined, would
hive cut Off portion of the island, winch was
south of the forty-ninth parallel, the entire
possession Of it was conceded by the Polk Ad-
ministration. The exact line described by the
treaty has never yet been run to the satistac
ton of both governments. The respective
commissioners lett the present question substan-
tally open. Two channels were found between
the continent and Nancouvers island, both
leading into the straits of .Fuca, as described
in the tfealy-the strait Of Rosario, narrow
channel nearest the main l4ad, and the canal
De IIaro, which is wider, and better, and nearer
10 Vaucover's island. Great Britain claims
that The strait Of Rosario being the channel
nearest the nlain land, is that contemplated by
the treaty. The American claim rests upon
the De IIaro channel," as it is commonly
known. The difference between the two claims
is that, in the one case, the island OF San juan
now in controversy, goes to England; and III
the other to The United States.
The strip of territory has been in dispute
ever since the Oregon treaty, and jointly Occu-
pied by British and Americans, without any Sc
rlous interruption. 1t is probable that the dis
every Of gold at Fraser river has given an in.
creased importance to the island Of San Juan,
with its fine harbnr and position, to both sides,
and each has endeavored to get exclusive pos
session. A military post was established there
by Capt. Pickett, through the orders of Gen
Hrney. on the 9th of July, the force under
The command of the former being moved up
from Bellngham By for that purpose, and no
lice issued Of exclusive possession. In week
afterwards Gov. Douglas, of the colony of Van
cluvers Island, published formal protest
against this act of occupation, and sent mes
srge to TIE legislature recitpg the facts. Bri-
lsh and American vessels Of war, also, imme-
diateiy repaired to the point Of interest, but
the officers on both sides seemed to vie with
each other 10 acts of friendly intercourse.