Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-09-09

number oil VSitOTS III lllc Hoi'dIiIH ti'l> >c't-
son, vet the cool weather and il:c general good
health prevailing throughout The South, viii
cause many to return TO their Southern homes
earlier than usual to enjoy tie peace and plenty
that seems to prevail throughout orr highly
favored country. EicHN"ND.
The Island Of San Juan taken possession Of by the
American Soldiers under Gen. Earncy-Groat Ex
element and spack Of War.
Bv the arrival Of the steamers Pacific and
Northerncr We haze full intelligence cOnccrnin.
the difficulties about the invasion OF San Juan
by the American troops. The following letter
IN the San Francisco Times explains the
whole matter:
TIE INVASION OF SAS JrAN ISLAND
VICTORIA. V. l.. Aug. :. lsj?.
Editor Daily Times You are perhaps, aware
before this, that while you have been absorbed
in political controversies at hohlr. or watching
the events Of the great world in the far East
war, with all its attendant evils has been Threat
ening us here i'll the distant North
Some weeks ago came to this port, on the /.
s. $ Massachusetts, Gen. lIarney His arrival
was acknowledged by salute, and, after
days sojourn as the guest Of Gov. Douglas hc
passed by on the other side
a few days after the Generals departure for
PUGET Sound, our town WAS thrown into the
greatest excitement by the news that compa-
ny of American troops had seized the disputed
island of san Juan, and that barracks were be-
ing established upon it. Noonc knew by whom
the act was authorized, and especially did ccr
tain chivalric Americans, with fillibnsterng
procliviteS, seem not to care Then commenced
clustering and bl0viating on both sides, the
American population waXcd rampant as usual
on such occasions, and the British indignant
Numerous lively discussions Sprang up among
groups Of citizens at the street corners. and Il
considerable quantity Of the Kings English
was demolished on both sides.
Very soon, vessels for the conveyance of
passengers to the seat Of war. were i'll demand
Small boats were chartered for the trip, and
several steamboats, departed with visitors, both
English and American TO the Island of San
Juan, distance of fifteen or twenty miles from
this place. Two Of the English vessels of war
from Esquimalt harbor, had gone over on the
first reception of the news. Most Of those who
went to the island did 81, perhaps. through
curiosity; but others, no doubt. went determined
to lend hand to their respective countries, il
their services were needed. In the harbor of
San Juan were found. besides several British
mcnofwar, the L. :. ships Massachusetts,
Shubrick. and n Revenue cutter from Puget
Sound. \ company of American soldiers, 10
the number of forty or fifty, had taken Posses
sion of the Island, and quite boldly indicated
their intention To kccpit, us will he seen by the
following order, which was posted in various
places about the Island:
MILITARY po-r, s,y Jr.> Is-ASr W. T.,
Jrii .iIn l>.?. !
IgI. n.
I. IN compliance Hh orders and Instructions from The
eu,I al Commanding, Military Post s b. established on
this Island, whatever site tlc Commanding officer may
select.
H. AL the nlabitnn;, Of the Island requested to
port the Commanding Officer in % any H..
cur,ion 81 the Northern lnanSO that he may TAX" such
steps he may deem necessary TO prevent any future
i'll Til. being United States Territory no L,w.. other
than Il, ,c 81 the United State. Courts except such
held Icy virtue OF sa iaws viii lie recognized or allow
rs, Iy order Of CAPTAIN pIcKFy.
JAWS ". roH>IrH,
~ Lieut.. ?h Infantry, Pos, Ajjn,sn'.
1t will be observed from the tore Of this or
der that it ignores the treaty ard boundary
commission, and admits Of 10 compromise; il,
therefore, it proves to have had no higher au
thoritv than General IIarncv. and any conces
sion is hereafter made. it will afford another
example of the reckless manner in which
iilibustcrng AnYrican citizens jeopardizc the
peace and compromise the honor of their
country.
From the first it appears that the British
desired to avoid Il collision, as their ability, az
any moment, to take the island can scarcely he
doubted 1t was their wish to gain u Joint
military occupation Of the island with our
troops. until orders could Lc received from the
heads of the two governments. A proposition
to that effect having been made. was rejected
but it is believed will yet be accedcd to. 1t is
unncccs ,ary to repeat that. il such a conccS-
sion is made. after what huS passed, it will be
a dastardly compromise Of the country honor
Affairs have rested in this plight, with little
change, during the past week. y snail compa-
ny or two from Fort Belngham. have been
added to the American forces, anil number
of Americans have gone from this place, and
Washington territory, with the avowed inten-
ton Of settling at San Juan. y British vessel
of war brought down some sappcr> and miners
from Fraser river few days since and renew
ell the request To land their forces. but were
refused They had not landed at the last ac-
counts. and matters remained in statu ono.
On Wednesday, Gov Douglass issued pro-
test against the occupation OF San Juan Island
by the Americans, and declared the Island to
belong to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria
His Eycellency also sent I message 10
the Vancouver Legislative Assembly ycstcr
day in which it is declared that the British
forces will be landed on the island If such
be their intention, collision seems inevitable
The disputed island lies Northwesterly from
the entrance to Puget Sound and the mainland
of Washington Territory in the vicinity of Port
Townsend the broad and beautiful Strait of
Fuca being between. Sailing from the Sound
to Victoria across the Fuca, San Juan appears
to be part Of Vancouver's Island and the
disputed channel cannot be distinguished until
you have come down opposite its mouth or
junction with the Strait
Notwithstanding the treaty, and the loud talk
that is made about the commanding importance