The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-24

vailed 10 the probable immediate consequences OF the
step, and especially TO the action the British authorities
would take in the matter Shortly after the landing OF
American troops report circulated that joint
patton had been agreed upon and there are still thosr
who predict that an agreement to that effect will be
arrived at But the satisfaction resulting from Al. ~
nouncement Of summary settlement Of the diff nntw had
scarcely become general when the statement as
dcted since that time the public mind oas nssn Eea,
in fevcrish state by the conflicting rnrs TINT bons
prevailed from day TO day. The rrotest of Governor
Douglass, which according to us shouId have been
hnal ssep ~ .ne mater sS Jar the action Of authorities
Assembly, in which v as stated that British troops would
DC anaea On ae .siand; and to the latter document and
sasue UNIV discussions In council the present inque
The question it stands is very simple one and can
only be complicated by action based prejudice and pas
Sion The American occupation Is accomplished fact;
cannot be prevented recalled by any steps the
part Of British authorities; and although temporary
dress may be had by collision, no remedy can be OBJ
famed oy such aconsummatlon And action that might
have been excusabe in the heat of the rs excitement
has passed since the inception Of the difficulty No good
can possibly result from measures that win lead TO COLI
son while the harm that win follow is ucalculable. The
matter must ultimately be settled by the two governments
is il not then clearly the duty Of the authorities here 10
allow to be presented in shape which will admit of
anicabc Adjustment If hasty action be taken now, war
win exist before the British government has inform
ed by its officials here OF the alleged aggression which has
led TO such result. Can il for a moment be supposed
that policy will be approved by that government which,
extended would give every colonial Governor the right
tonvoive the nation in hosttes with previously friendly
NO JOINT OCCUPATION
From the Pioneer and Democrat {W. IT, August 13
II is well understood that all efforts of the Commission
ers 10 settle the dispute about the right to San Juan had
proved perfectly fruess The ultmatum of their nstruc
tons left the matter still bone Of national strife and
ienuon General Harney will employ if necessary, all
bis force to maintain military possession Of the island in
defiance Of the British men of war; and think he will
rican and British arms.
We firmly believe that representative Of British au
thorty should be permitted for moment upon that soil,
n,pi,,a n~s.se dor
believe the floating Of British colors token Of Br
sh occupancy the island Of San Juan Offensive in
vasive and entirely unjustifabe But while maintaining
these views, the matter is in the hands of the Commits
soners hereas both sides will be heard by the two
governments-et US await their action in the premises,
ana let not our people by any acts either with British
sdents or with those usurpng authority there entangle
ana render the question more complicated.
CALL OUT THE MILITIA
From the British Coonst, August 221
We know no movement better calculated to unite the
various elements Of the British population in this Colony
ton made in the Assembly organize the militia One
moiey perhaps Of all British subjects here from the
United Kingdoms the other from the British North Amer
can provinces and other Colonies BY organizing the mill
tia it would be known who are British subjects and who
are not The occasional meetings for drill would have its
social advantages, and besides, foster healthy national
feeling.
Both desirable, and both would have a good ten
dency. Hence the movement deserves encouragement
from the powers that be- We do not believe that the
time required for drill would be generally felt bur
densome tax but that cordial assent would be gwen
possible contingency arising from unsettled relations
with the United States, making it necessary call the
militia into active service, il is advisable precauon
ary measure against Indian outbreak The extension
OF our settlements, the encroachment their hunting
and fishing grounds, the altered policy relation to pun
shment for crime the chances of collision greater
every day. We are unwise we expect to live always at
peace with them. Then to be ready 10 protect our
hearhs against ruthless attack from savages is
nehty Duty and in organizing the militia we but follow
the dictates OF seh-preservation.
COMMISSIONER cAMPBELL AND THE SAN JUAN DIFF
GUILTY,
The British Colonist OF the Sd inst has an article head
ed Boundary Commission, in which certain structures
err Mr.. Campbell, at San Juan Island accusing him Of
using undue influence chief f the United States Boun
dary Commission with Cen Harney, TO bring about the
United States,
In ,astice to Mr. Campbell we state, from reliable nfor
nation, that he knew nothing of the movements of Gen.
Harney Capt Pickett under orders nor has he
been officially informed Of H. except through Capt Pickett
The responsibility Of the whole matter rests on Gen.
Harney, and him alone He decided to protect the
Americans the island after hearing their position
his recent visit He takes the position that the British
authorities of Vancouver Island forfeited any claims to
treaty stipulatons by attempting to take an American
citizen from the island to Victoria for trial.
Captain Provost, the commander Of her Britannia Ma
jesys ship Satellite, on his visit to San Juan Island i'm
medatey after the arrival Of Captain Pckcs commando
disposed to much importance to himself, and
did not treat Captain Pickett with that courtesy and
sidcraton to which he is entitled officer Of the Ameri
y
he had been placed by Gen. Harney When Captain Pre-
visited the Shubrick afterwards in San Juan harbor
Commissioner Campbell told him be had been wanting in
courtesy TO Captain Pickett Captain Provost appeared
surprised and changed his towards that officer
and is very evident, and may be relied upon that the
British presses now attacking Commissioner Camp
bell for the purpose Of covering the conduct of Captain
Provost The whole course Of the British authorities in
the matter Of these disputed islands has been arrogant and
insulting to the American government.
joint commission appointed to run the boundary
The American Commissioner had full powers and discre
ton to run the boundary line according to the treaty
The British Commissioner did not have such powers and
discretion but the treaty construed for him. and he
had positive orders not to give up portion Of the disputed
territory.
Whilst the question being arbtrated and arranged
the British authorities Of Vancouver Island undertook
decide by FORCE and they committed the high handed
outrage Of endeavcrng TO seize American citizen and
take him to Victoria to try him for alleged violation of
British law.
We thank God we have in the commanding officer Of
the Department Of Oregon, man equal to any and all
emergencies in the protection Of American citizens this
Northwest coast And will say to cotemporary Of
the Coontd and to British officials generally, that not
whstandng their Ganges their Tribune, their Satellite,
and their Piumper have fears that American rights
will be tried with hereafter in this quarter.