Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-09-10

We have full intelligence concerning The
difficulties about the invasion of san Juai
Island, by the American troops. The follow.
; ing letter i'll the San Francisco Times, cx.
plains the whole matter;
THE INVASION or SAN JUAN ISLAND.
Verona, v. l., Aug. I.
You are, perhaps, aware before this that
while you have been absorbed in political con
trOversies at home, or watching the events OF
the great world in the far East war, with all
its attendant evils, has been threatening us
here in the distant North.
Some weeks ago, came to this port, on the
Z. s. Massachusetts, Gen. Harvey. Ills ar
rival was acknowledged BY y salute, and, after
days soiounl as the guest Of Gov. Douglas,
he 'passed by on the other side.
A few days after the Generals Il sparture for
Puget Sound, our town was thrown into the
greatest excitement by the news that com
pary Of American troops had seized the dis
puted island of San Juan, and that barracks
were being established upon it. No one
knew by whom the act was authorized, and
| especially did certain chivalric Americans
with iillihustering proclivities seem not TO
care Then commenced clustering and beyi-
ating on both sides, the American population
waNcd rampant, as Usual on such occasions
and the British indignant. Numerous lively
discussions sprung up among groups of citi-
2ens at the street corners, and considerable
quantity Of the Kings English was demolish-
ed on both sides.
4 passengers TO the seat of war were in demand.
4 Small boats Were chartered for the trip, and
several steamboats, departed with visitors.
i both English and American, TO the Island of
san Juan, a distance Of fifteen or twenty miles
/ from this place. Two of the English vessels
of war from Esqumalt haibor had gone over
on the first reception of the news. Most of
those who went to the Island did so, perhaps.
through curiosity; but others, no doubt. went
determined to lend n hand to their respective
countries, if their services were needed. In
the harbor OF San Juan, We're found, besides
several British men-ot-war, the ". s. ships
Massachusetts, Shubrc and revenue cutter
from Puget Sound A company of American
soldiers, to the number of forty or fifty, had
taken possession ofthe Island, and quite boldly
Indicated their intention to keep it, as will be
seen by the following order, which was posted
in various places about the Islands
MILITARY Posi-, SAN JUAN ISLAND.
w. T., July 9th, 1859
[OnierS No. IL
j. In compliance with orders and instruc.
tions from the General Commanding, Militia
~ Post will be established on this Island. on
select.
II. All the inhabitants of the Island are
requested to report at once to the Command
ing Officer in case of any incursion of the
Northern lndians--so that he may take such
steps as he may deem necessary to prevent |
any future recurrence of the same.
Ill. This being United Statcs Territory. no
laws, other than those of the United States,
nor Courts, except such as are held by virtue
OF said laws, will be recognized. BY order,
Capt. PicKEy.
1t will he observed, from the tone of this
order, that it ignores the treaty and Boundery
Commission, and admits of no compromise
if, therefore, il proves to have had, no higher
authority than General Harvey, and any con
cession is hereafter made, il will afford ano-
ther example of the reckless manner in which
administering American citizens eopardize 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,
at any moment to take the Island can scarcely
be doubted it was their wish to gain a Joint
military occupation Of the Island with orr
troops, until orders should be received from,
the heads of the two Governments. A pro
position to that effect having been made. was
rejected; but il is believed will yet be acceded
to. 1t is unnecessary to repeat that, il such i
a concession is made, after what has passed I
it will be dastardly compromise OF the coun.
tly's honor.
Affairs have rested in this plight, with little |
change, during the past week. A small com
pany or two from Fort Bellinghaln have been
added to the American troops and n number
OF American forces, and number of Americans |
have gone from this place and Washington |
Territory, withthe avowcd intention ofsettlinr /
at San Juan. British vessel of war brought T
down some sappers and miners from Fraser
River few days since, and renewed the 70.
quest to land their forces, but were refused.
They had not landed ut the last accounts. and
matters remained IN stair quo.
On Wednesday,, Governor Douglass issued
protest against the occupation of San Juan
Island by the Americans, and declared tle H.
land to belong to Her Majesty. Queen Victoria
Ills EXcellency also sent the enclosed message
TO the Vancouver Legislative Assembly YES
terday, III which it is declared that the British
forces Will be landed on the Island. If such
pc their intention, a collision seems inevita-
bic.
The disputed Island lies northwesterly from
the entrance to Puget Sound, and the main
land OF Washington Territory, in the vicinity
OF Port Townscnd-the broad, beautiful Strait
OF Fuca being between. Selling from the
Sound to Victoria across the Fuca San Juan
ii.
and the disputed channel annotbedistinguisL-
ga 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 i'm I
portance of San Juan to the Americans. IL i
naturally belongs to the British, and ii of in y
lnltely greater value to them than the United j
states. The channel in dispute is the cate 10 y
lie Gulf of Georgia, Fraser River and British
British water and British n
possessions. If this channel is by the treaty
determined to be the boundary line IL onI,
lives us a small Island of small value. Will
10 advantages, as we own nothing north of il. y
While to them it is the doorway to all their
There is no reason however, WHY the ITnited
tates should not have the Island, If by anv 7
lght it belongs to her; but if John Bull goes Il
. war for this Island it will be because IL il I
great value to him; and ii Jonathan backs Il
ut, as he usually does, it will be because Il :.
OF much value to him, and his master
ing Cotton and lord Democracy tell him II Il n
OF III the right direction to be worth iightiug L
II. ee
Considerable i'll feeling appears to hive =
risen among the people ut Victoria. in con.
,,quellce OF this movement of General Harnev. Il
he Victoria Gazette, having assumed n nosi- y
on upon the subject which is deemed there n
DC an American VIEW is assaulted severe IL
~ several English writers in the Colonist to,
The Pioneer and Democrat commends tbe ~
ton ofGeneral Harvey in taking possession y
San Juan Island. ali
dul
W W man named Blight, seeing swarm of bees G,