Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-19

IN acknowledging the receipt On the next day OF Dir.
Maicys note the British minister expressed his entire
concurrence in the propcty OF the recommended
to the governor of Washington Territory 10y your Mr..
Marcys instructions to that officer and stating that he
had lost time in transmitting copy of that document
to the governor general of British North America and
had earnestly recommended to his Exceency to take
such measures a to him appear best calculated to
secure, the part of the British local authorities and
the inhabitants of the neghborhood of the line in qucs-
ton the exercise OF the same spirit OF orbearance which
is incucacd by you Mr.. Marcy the authorities and
citizens of the United States.
Thus matters remained upon the faith OF this arrange
ment until the 9th July last when Gen. Harvey paid a
visit to the Island. He found upon it twenty five Amer-
residents with their families and also establish
Of the IIudsons Bay Company for the purpose Of
raising sheep short time before his arrival one Of
these residents had shot animal belonging to the
pany VIII al trcspassng upon his premises for which how
ever he offered to pay twice its value but that
fused Sonp after 1.-The chief factor of the company at
Victoria Mr. Dlllc5 son naw Of Governor Douglas
to the Island i'll the British soop.owar Satellite
and threatened to take this American lMr. Cutler by
force 10 Victoria To for the rcspss he had
mttcd The American seized his rifle and told Mr. DaI-
Is if any such attempt was made lie would kill him OH
the spot. The affair then ended
Under these circumstances, the American settlers pre-
scented petition 10 the General Through the United
States inspector Of customs, Mr.. Hubi to place force
upon the island to protect them from the Indians well
the oppressive interference of the authorities OF the
HUDSON Bay Company at Victoria with their rights ms
American citizens The General Immediately responded
to this petition and ordered Captain George T. Pickett,
9Th infantry establish his company on Bellevue,
san Juan island, suitable position the har
Dor ut thu southeastern extremity This order
promptly obcyo, aud military post was established at
the place designated The force afterwards increased
81 that by the last return the whole number OF troops
then the island amounted in The aggregate to G9l men.
Whilst DO not deem il proper on the present occasion
IA rrtI, int he jprt he
which ought Ia he attached 10 the statements Of the British
colonial authorities cocstln1 the accuracy OF the ntor
nation which thr gallant General acted it was due To
him that should thus present his reasons for issuing
the order to Captain Pickett From these it quite clear
his object to prevent the British authorities on Van
couves island from exercising jurisdiction over Ameli
residents the Island Of san Juan, as we'll Us to
project Ihpn against tie incurslonS at tile indians
Much excitement prevailed for time throughout
that region and serious danger OF collision between the
parties anprehended The British had 10 &c naval
force in the vicinity and is but Of simple justice
the admiral that station to state that he wisely and
dscrcctl orboe to commit any hostile act, but deter.
mined to rccr the whole affair to his government and
await their Instructions.
This aspect of the matter, in my opinion demanded
serious attention. 1t would have been great calamity
for both nations had they been prcc pitacd into acts OF
hostility the question OF title to tue island but
merely concerning what should be its condition during the
intervening period whist the two governments might be
employed ia settling the question to WHICH OF them II
luiuIgs. Ior tins reason Lieutenant General scott was
ie.ultched on the lTh September last to Washington
Territory 10 take immediate command OF the United
States forces the Pacific coast should he deem this
necessary. The main object OF his mission was to carry
the spirit Of the prcc tiOnary arrangement between
the late Secretary of State and the British minister, and
thus preserve the peace and prevent collision between
the British and American authorities pending the negoa-
tons between the two govegnmeHt.. Entertaining no
doubt cI the validity OF Our title need scarcely add
that in any event American citizens were to be placed
on a footing at least Us favorable as that Of British sub
ect il being understood that Captain Pickett company
should remain the island II is proper to observe that,
considering the distance from the scene OF action, and IN
ignorance OF what might have tansped on the spot be
fore the General arrival il plS necessary to leave much
Ills discretion and an happy to state the event has
proven that this discretion could not have been lntrustcd
to more competent hands General SCOTT has recently
returned from lis mission having successfully accom-
pised lis objects, and there no longer any good reason
to apprrhend collision between the forces OF the two
countries during the pcndcncy ot the existing neso-
tatiUns
regret To inform you that there has been improve
ment in the Affairs Mexico since my last annual ines
sage, and am again obliged to ask the earnest attention
OF Congress to the unhappy condition OF that republic
The constituent Congress of Mexico, which adjourned
on the 18th OF February 1857, adopted constitution
and provided for popular election This took place in
the following July, 1851, and General Comonfort was
chosen President, almost without opposition. At the
same election Congress was chosen, whose inst
session commenced the 10th OF September, 1857.
By the constitution Of 1851 the presidential tenn was t.
begin on the l,t OF December 1857. and continue for
four Years. On that day General Comonort appeared be-
fore the assembled Congress in the city of Mexico, took
the oath to support the new constitution and was duly
ntugurael President Within i month Afterwards
lie had boeu driven from the capital, and military lc.
bcon had assigned the supreme power OF the republic
to General Zululga The constitution provided that III
the a,seuce OF the President his Office should devOlve
upon the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Cen
Conontor having lett the country, this tuncilonary,
General Julrez proceeded to form, at Guinajuato
constitutional government Before this was officially
known however, the capital, tho government OF Zulo.
aga had bee recognised 10y the entire diplomatic corps,
nculng the minister Of the United States, - the de
flctD government OF Mexico The constitutional Presi-
dent nevertheless maintained his position with nntsi
and vas soon established with his cabinet ut Vera Cruz
Meanwhile the government of ZuloaSa WAS earnestly Ie
sisted in many parts o. the republic aud even IN the cap
al portion OF the army having pronounced against IT,
its functions declared terminated, and an assembly
of citizens was invited the choice Of new President
This assembly elected General Miramon, but that officer
repultcd the plan under which he was chosen, and Zn-
oagn was thus restored to his previous position He
sumc,l it, however only withdraw from it, AMI Mira
mon having become, by his appointment, president
Substitute continues, with that title, at the head Of the
nsurgcnt patty
In nv last annual message communicated to Con.
grcss the ccun, ,mccs under which the late Minister Of
the United States suspended his official relations with the
central government and Withdrew from the county 1t
was impossible maintain friendly intercourse with
government like that III the capital under whose usurp-
ell authority wrongs constantly committed but never
redrcssed Had this been established government,
with It's power extending. by the consent Of the people,
over the whole Of Mexico resort to hostitcs against it
.l..l,,