The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-18
The New Dispute with Engla nd-The
Mission of General Scott to the Pacific

Mission of General Scott to the Pacific.
General Scott arrived in this city from Wash
ington yesterday, and Immediately proceeded
to West Point where he intends remaining with
this daughter, Mrs. Col. Scott, until Monday,
when he will return to this city, and on Tues
day embark on board the steamship North Star
for California and Oregon. The General will
be accompanied to the Pacific by Colonel L.
Thomas, Assistant Adjutant General, and
Colonel G. W. Lay, as military private secre-
| tary. No doubt large concourse of citizens
will greet the gallant veteran on his departure
from our eastern shores to look after affairs on
the western slope of our continent.
The occupation of San Juan islands by the
armed forces of the United States under the
command Of General Harvey, the presence in
the Straits of accommodating British naval
force, and the sudden departure of General
Scott TO the scene Of action, in view ofpossible
difficulties a.;A;-ey --..I. occupation, give
temporary, possibly they may give permanent
importance, to the islands of San Juan.
Let us see how the matter stands
The dispute with regard to the northern
boundary Of Oregon was settled by adopting
the forty-ninth parallel Of latitude, and the act
of Parliament defining the Territory of New
Columbia, or Caledonia, presented the follow
ing outlines of that colony. 1t was to comprise
all such territories within the dominion of
her Majesty as were bounded to the south by
the frontier Of the United States of America,
to the east by the watershed between the
ctr y1yhsc int }ho
Oceans, to the north by the fifty parallel of
north latitude, and to the west by the Pacific
Ocean, and shall include Queen Charlotte's
islands, and all other islands adjacent excepting
vancouver's island" Now, Queen Charlotte's
islands are to the north Of Vancouver's island
the lower point Of the three, Graham, Moresby
and Provost, being at 50 degrees north latitude
Vancouver's island, at its northern extremity.
does not reach beyond 81 degrees, and is di-
yided from the main land by the Gulf of Geor-
gia and Queen Charlottes Sound.
The islands of San Juan are at the southern
extremity Of Vancouver's island, and in no way
adjacent to Queen Charlotte's islands. On the
contrary, they lie fertysmiles westward of Vic
toria, and separated from the territory of the
United States by only about half that distance.
Thus, the new colony excluded in terms the
islands of San Juan.
Now, according to all precedent, they belong
to the nearest main land, and not being ada
cent to Queen Charlotte's islands, but several
hundred miles south, are, by the express act OF
Parliament alluded to, excluded from the new
British colony of Columbia, or Caledonia. 1t is
evident, therefore, that England did not claim
it, and, geographically, thus excluded by act
of Parliament from its territory, belong to
the United States. Politically, the possession
of the San Juan islands would give the pre-
ponderance of territory in Vancouver's Straits
to the English, and in a military point of view
the command Of them.
In an English map now before us we perceive
they are claimed as British property. This is
nothing new. We have seen such maps before.
As far as we can fairly Judge from the docu-
ments before us, our claim is rightful one,
and will be insisted on. General Scott is no
doubt fortified with the proper evidence, and
will be able TO make correct " deduction of
fitlev