New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-09-07


song the boundary in qgestlon similar course, un;u
The line can be established. In that way, sincerely
hope oil collision may be avoided
TIE INVASION OF SAN JUAN ISLAND.
Corresrord.u-e u The San Francisco Times.
VICTORIA, V. l., Aug. I, 1859.
You are. perhaps, aware before this tnat while you
hay beep absorbed in political controversies at home,
or watching he events of the crest world IN the iaF
East. wsr with all its attendant evils, has been
tbre ate sir . rs here 10 the distant North
Some weeks ago, came to this port on the United
States steamer Massachusetts,, Gen Harvey. HIS aEri
val wa acknowledged by salute, and, after days
sogurn as the guest Of Gov. Douglass he passed by
on tie other side.
A few Gays after the Generals departure FOR Puget
Sound our town was thrown INTO the greatest excie-
melt by the news that company of American troops
had seized the disputed island of San Juan, sni that
barracks were being established upon i. No one
knew by whom the act was authorized, and especaly
did certain chiyalIc Americans, WIN hhloustefinS
proclvites, seem not TO care. Then commenced bus-
tetpg ard bOvisDg on both sides, the American
popustor wa1ed rampant, usual on such occasions
and the British indignant. Numerous i!vey discus
sions sprung up among groups OF citizens al inc
street corueis a1d Il considerable quantity OF the
Kpe'e English demolished on both SIDES.
Very soon vessels for tho conveyance OF passengers
To the seat of war we're in demand Small boats were
chartered for the trip aud ieveral steamboats, depart
cd with visitors, both English and American, to the
island Of San Juan, a distance OF fifteen or twenty
mics from this place. Two Of the English vessels
Of from EsQunalt HaTDOr nul gone over on the
fist reception of the news. Most of those who went
to the i.land did So perhaps through curiosity; but
Others, 10 doubt, went determined to lend hand to
their sIeciye countries II their services we're need
ed. In the hGTbor 81 san juan were found beside
several British men-ofwar, the L. 5. ships Msssa-
chusets, Shubrick, and revenue-odtter from Puget
SouId. company Oi American soldiers, TO the num-
Der Of forty nity mad taken possession of the island
anu quite body indicated their intention to keep it,
a. Wi. be seen by the FOL owing order, which was
posted il vs,iops places about the island.
MILITARY Posi- san JraS ISLAND w: To-
In con puce with orders, ard instruction: from the ecu
rsi Con mspdug Military Pos viii be- established on ts
H. All inhabitants leland requested 70 repor.
once tie Commsndigs Officer il Of any lncuon OF tho
North Indians that h. AXE such step he may deem
-, Il Pis,T, ,SJ ,ae @cggn9 81 re- ,' n,, than
those The United sate Colr except such he'd by
virtue Of said a", viii be- re- gzsd or aow.d on US lsnd
JAMES W FoHsyTa "a Lieut. sh Infantry Pos: Adjataat
II will be observed from the this order that il
Ignores the Treaty and Boundary Commission and adj
nis Of compromise; il, therefore, proves to have
had 10 higher authority than Gen. Harvey, aud any
concession Is hereafter made, it viii atOrd another
ample of the reckless manner in which fllbustering
American citizens eopar1ze the peace, snd compro'
IN sc tie honor Of their country.
From the first, II appears that the Brtsh desired TO
avoid collision, As their ability AT any moment to
take the Island, can scarcely be doubted; their
wish 10 gain JOINT military occupation Of the island
with troops until ord n could be received from the
effect having been made rejected; but, il is be-
leyed vii yet be acceded 10. II is unnecessary to re-
peat that such concession is made, after wha, has
passed, II viii he dastaroy compromise of the cOun.
try's honor.
Affairs hsve rested in this plight with little change
during the past week 4 smaU company or tSo from
toTt Bellughsrl hsye been sidsi to the American
forces, and number OF Americans have gone from
this place, and " ashineon Territory with the avowed
intention Of settling San Juan. a British vessel Of
war brought down come sappers and miners from
Fraser River few days since AID renewed the request
to LAID their forces, but refused. They had not
Landed at the last accounts AID matters remained ia
stGtu que.
On Wednesday, Gov. Douglass Issued protest
against tie occupation of San Juan Island by the
Americans and declared the Island 20 belong 70 her
majesty, Qreen Victoria. His Excelency also sent
message 10 the Vancouver Legislative Assembly yes
erdsy, il which is declared that the British frees
viii be landed the island. Ii such be their nten-
ton, a collision seems inevitable.
The disputed Island lies northwestery from the
entrance 70 Puget Sound and the main lani Of Wash
irg'on Territory, in the vicui y of Port Tornsend-
the broad ard beautiful Strait of Fuca being between
Sailing from the Sound 10 Victoria, the Fuca
San Jaan appears to be part Of Vaucouvers leland
and the disputed channel cannot be distinguished until
you nave come down opposite its mouth or junction
with the Strait.
Notwithstanding the treaty and the loud talk that
ls made about the commanding importance OF san
Juan 10 the Americans, Il naturally belongs to the
Brlsb and i7 of Infinitely grester value to then thsnto
=
TO the Gulf OF Georgia, Fraser River and British CO.
lumbia-mJsty British water and British possessions.
II this channel IL By the treaty, determined 70 be the
boundary lie, il only gives Is a small island Of small
value, with no other advantages, a. We OWL nothing
north Of il; while 10 them il is the doorway 70 al
their possessions. THIS is no reason, however, why
the United States should not have the leland by any
righ, Il belongs TO her; but if John Bull goes 70 war
for this island Il s be because 5 Of crest value 20
him and if Jonathan backs ont, e. he usually does il
will be becsu:e il is 70. Of much value 10 him and bis
master. kirg Cotton and Lord Democracy tell him i
Is not in the ght direction 70 be worth fighting for.
Considerable i'll feeling appears TO nave arisen
among people e. Victoria in consequence Of this
movement Of Gen. Harvey TIL Vlci0rsa Gazette,
having assumed position upon the subsc. which il
deemed there a. Be an American view" Is sssailed
severely by several English writers in The Col0aia.
ne F'0Aeer and Dem0crGt comnenis the ac,ion Of
Harvey Il iaklrg possession Of San Jnan Island.
II says:
The treaty il based upon the principle that eli
ouh OF the parallel Of 40 United SAFES territory
ana ne deviation made simply TO give Vancou.
yer lsiend-oniy very small portion Of which was
tuih 81 u 81 psralletO that country which had the
me continued directly across t. would have Owned
lie greater part of it. IT. then the question were one
Of doubt e. to the proper channel consideration az
the intent Of the treaty must solve that question in ia
Sor Of tie United STATES. But il j. rot question upoo