New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-09-22
From the North Pacific.

Affairs on the disputed Island OF San Juan re-
mained much in the condition previous accounts left
them, except that a number Of British men-of.war
were in the neighborhood, and Gen. Harvey had
strongly reinforced the troops originally stationed
there, The Victoria Gazette says:
On the 18th inst. Col. Casey and Capt. Pickett
dined on board the Tribune, and the best feeling
seems to exist between the officers shore and those
on ship board. The impression was general that
nothing was to be done on the part OF the British
authorities until the Home Government could be
communicated with.
Under date Of the 22d ult., correspondent Of the
Alta California writes from Victoria:
Orr war excitement has all cooled down-Governor
Douglas having backed down entirely from carrying
out His becose message, which course he was doubt.
less induced to pursue through the wise counses OF
Admiral Baynes. But for the opportune arrival OF the
latter veteran, there is but little doubt that the two
nations would have been plunged into war and the
thauks of the two countries would have been due to
the blunders of Gov. Douglas and the Vaccinations
of the Hudson Bay Company The latest advices
(per steamer Ranger from Bellevue yesterday show
that the American forces, consisting of five COM
panes Of infantry and four of artillery, are in undls
puted possession of the disputed territory. Ii. M. s.
Satellite, Capt. Provost, remains at anchor in the
harbor Of San Juan, Bellevue, and the Americans
busy engaged in building barracks and in forfy
ing the place. That Island is the most important
in the whole Washington archipelago, and must be-
long to the Americans it is to their interests
in this quarter to possess it than it is to the British
There need be no fighting about it; little frmness
shown by Administration at headquarters, will do
all the business. In the meantime, matters remain
all quiet until the Home Governments are heard
from.
Gen. Harvey has written the following pointed let
ter to Gov. Douglas:
HEAD QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF ORKGoS,l
Fort Vancouver, W. T., Aug. 6, 1888 :
Island, etc Vice Admiral Of the same 'D,' = -
Sir: have the honor to inform you of the receipt
OF an official copy of protest made by you to the
occupation of San Juan Island in Puget Sound, by o
company of United States troops under my COM
mand.
The aforesaid copy was furnished by Capt. Horribly,
of Her Majesty ship Tribune, to the United States
officer in command at San Juan Island Capt. George
Pickett, Of the 9th Infantry of the American Army,
together with communication threatening a joint
occupation of the San Juan Island by the forces of
Her Majestys ships Tribune, Plumper, and satellite,
now in the harbor of that Island by your orders.
As the military commander of the department of
Oregon, assigned to that command by the orders of
the President of the United States, have the honor
to state for your information, that by such authority
Invested in me, placed military command upon
the Island Of San Juan to protect the American ct
zens residing that Island from the insults and indg
mites which the British authorities of Vancouver
Island and the establishment of the Hudson Bay Com
pany have recently offered them, by sending British
ship.of.war from Vancouver Island, to convey the
chief factor of the Hudson Bay Company to San
Juan for the purpose of seizng an American citizen
and orclby transporting him to Vancouver Island to
be tried by British laws.
l have reported this attempted outrage to my Gov
ernment and they will, doubtless, seek the proper
redress from the British Government. In the mean
time, have the honor to inform your Excellency,
shall not permit repetition Of that insult, and shall
retain command on San Juan Island to protect its
citizens in the name of the United State, until re-
ceiye further orders from my Government.
1have the honor to b., very respectfully.
Brigader General, U. 8. Army, Commanding.
To this Gov. Douglas replies in rathera lengthy
letter, stating that the agents of the Hudson Bay
Company hold no official position in Vancouver's
Island nor exercise any official authority, denying
positively the alleged outrages upon Americans, and
regretting that Gen. H. did not better inform HIM
self regarding the matter, by communicating with
Gov. D. previous to taking SO decided step as the
occupation of the Island His letter closes with the
following paragraph:
Having given you distinct aud emphatic denial
Of the circumstances which you alege induced you to
occupy the Island of San Juan with United States
troops; having shown you that the reasons you as
sign do not exist and having endeavored to assure
you of my readiness on all occasions to act for the
protection of American citizens and for the promo
ton of their welfare, must call upon you, SIR if
not as matter of right at least matter of JUS
tce and humanity, to withdraw the troops now quar-
tered upon the Island Of San Juan for those troops
are not required for the protection of American cit
zens against British authorities, and their continu-
ance upon an Island the sovereignty of which is in
dispute, not only marked discourtesy to friendly
Government, but complexities to an unusual degree
the settlement in an amicable manner of the question
of sovereignty, and is also calculated to provoke
collision between the military forces of two friendly
nations, in a distant part of the world.