, 1859-08-12

VancouIeris Island, almost direct sogtl
iline fromi DE pOiqi cpiatitqtiag be wes
,erminatlonof the 49lk parsllel, uscd as
north boundary, huviug much the larses
body OF waller, as settled by all The Hydro
gnphic parties who have examined it,--ii
the channel through which the boundary
line, by the terms Of the treaty, must run
and the American side Of the question il
the emily tenable one consistent with goOt
sense, right reason, and fair construction
tofiauguage.
Over this land VIC have heretofore ex
ercised Territorial Jurisdiction. While thi,
Territory was yet part Of Oregon, in tht
winter Of 1929, the Legislature created
the county of Island, clearly defining its
western boundary 10 be the Canal de Haro,
That act, then matter for the approval
Of the national Congress, is still in force,
for Congress never disapproved it, and
hence il is notice of our occupancy to the
whole world. In,ls54 the Legislative As
sembly Of the Territory Of Washington, in
creating the county Of Whatcom, re-nssert-
ed the same position, aud established the
west boundary Of that county 10 the middle
Of the channel Of the Canal de Haro; and
till now the Islands in dispute have been q
part Of our Territory, included within that
county-and never has this act been disnp.
proved by Congress, (Which has the au-
thority to disapprove Of our Territorial
legislation), nor by any officer of our Gev.
crnment. But another fact, still more i'm
portant, has been the creation Of the Office oI
Inspector Of Customs for that Island, and
bis Official action there since the establish.
meht Of Port Townsend as the Port Of Entry
fort bis collection district. ..r ....
Within the past few weeks our military
have occupied it, aud by order of Gen
HAREEY military post has been established
there. Our assertion Of title and suprema-
cy has been continuous from the rati6ca.
iion Of the treaty till now. The Islands
have been included within our national and
territorial domain. by series of acts show.
ing the exercise Of sovereignty over the
land, and until recently without any pre-
tence Of adverse claim .' H
We firmly believe that no representative
Of British authority should be permitted
for moment upon that soil, if his pres
enee there was to indicate British domin-
ion. We believe that the floating of Brit.
ish colors as token Of British occupancy
over the Island Of San Juan, offensive, in,
vasiFe and entirely unjustifaLIe. But while
maintaining these views, as the matter is
in the hands Of Commissioners herc-aS
both sides will soon be heard by the two
Goyernments-let Us await their action in
the premises, and let not our people by any
acts, either with British residents or with
those usTping authority there, entaDgle
and render the question more complicated.
Consistently with national bouor, there
can bc but one decision Of this arrogant
pretenee Of Great Britain, and We are con.
fdeat that our Government win never
peaceqbly yield IN inch Of soil to this shal-
low, absurd and .preposterOOs claim Of a
power, who for hundreds Of years have
pursued the policy Of claiming strong and
important military and naval stations, grid
ling the earth with her stropgholds, as wit.
ness Gibraltar, Malta, Singapore, the Falk.
land Isles; the Bahamas, and more lately
the Island Of Perrin in the Persiun Gulf
and now the Island of San Juan, which
the LOAdOn TIEes calls the Cronstadt Of
the North Pacific. With weak and second
rate powers, these jewels Of their crowns
have been ravished by diplomacy or force
II remains TO be seen il the Government
Of these United States ore of the SAME
complexion, or il wo are the legitimate
sons of the men Of 'T6 and 'l2 soho kneu,
their rights, and k1lOtciHg dared n,aintGir
them" \