, 1860-01-13
THE sAN IuAN QUESTION.

| Herald and London Iim6S IN rcIatlon theI'tV'
The Herald says the President, in his Message,
will vindicate our right to the Island.
The proposition submitted by Lieut.. Gen. Scot!
TO Gov. Douglas was as follows;
"Without prejudice to the claim Of either ma
ton TO the sovereignty Of the entire Island Of
San Juan, now in dispute, il is proposed that each
shall occupy portion Of the same by detach-
mcnt Of infantry, rihemcn, or marines, not eA-
ceeding one hundred men, with their appropriate
arms, only for the equal protection Of their re-
spective countrymen on said Island in their per-
sons and property, and to repel any descent on
the part Of hostile Indians"
Gen Scott added in his note that any addition
or modification suggested by Gov. Douglas would
meet with respectful consideration.
Lieut. Colonel Lee returned the following r.
ply; ~. NJ,
authorizes me to say, having yet had 90 time to
consider the proposition offered by Lieut.. Gen.
Scott, nor to consult with his Official advisers
here, he is at glance satisfied that no obstacle
exists to completely Smicable and satisfactory
adjustment continuing throughout the period Of
diplomatic discussion respecting the title Of the
Island Of San Juan, either upon the plan sugges-
ted BY Gen Scott or some other that may b. mu-
tually agreed TO after ADJUSTMENT
A copy Of this memorandum was retained by
Gov. Douglas, after being read and approved by
him, and signed by LieuL COL Lay.
In our Ioreign policy, the Presidents Message
will give the trst place to ths San Juan question,
which is at this moment in an irii.aLng position.
During the last Administration an understanding
was established between US and England that
neiiher Government should exclusively occupy
San Juan until depending question Of its dOmin-
ion was settled. fg.sq .g.a. s..i3 irat
Gen. Harvey, either from some ambiguity in
his instructions OF from not understanding them
clearly, took pos ,sion Of tho Is and. THIS step
caleu out from Lord John Russell dispatch 70
Lord Lyons, which was communicated by diree-
ton 70 Gen. Cass stating England held undispu-
ted right TO the Island and would insist upon lis
recognition by this cOnntfy.o gngt,b gaa- b..
This ill-adyised dispatch has complicated the
question materially We cannot Withdraw un-
der is implied threat, and the President will set
firth our right 70 the Island IN the clenst and
most disiinyt maLnr, and advise Congress that
they Be maintained. g ASea ieeS s44E 8f'f
M. Buchanan, says the New York ,HcraIS,
will, in his mss,age, carefully and conclnsively
vindicaie our title % the Island, and that his
views upon hie subject viii Be opposed to any
recognition Of the pretension Of England the
intelligent reader viii perceive that this question
, Is atlengih reduced to . very hne and critical
point Agreat concession Of friendship and peace
Has made 10 England IN the Oregon treaty; in
departing from that straight line Of 40 deerees
% as to give her the whole Of Vancouver Z Island
and II man channelaround the southern end Of
T. She can hardly, therefor, expcctour Govern
mept % admit her claim 70 another Island which
clearly lies outside Of the object and intentions
tie treaty Of 1876 ~ u . II
The disputed little Island, in q military Or
commercial point fsieW. may bo of snail import.
nnce; bat the principle involved Is tho same
as L i involved the great Island Of Vancouver.
And the Administration even to the extremity q
war with The most formidable naval power ii
the world, win udhore 70 Il The Admlnislra-
ton. IS We are informed, win take the GROUND
indicated and thus the beIieeront Palmerslon
may be brought TO . proof Of bis metlle. The
"incVitnblo war predicaled on the Oregon oucsl
ton. in lei5. BY Gen. Cas-, was ayerted by the
treaty Of 1876. We surrendered then All that
could In reason Be demanded fof the sake ol
peace. Now the concession must come from
The other side IN the surrender Of an impud6nl
claim, q this new speee Of war nay e1pandinto .
cloud dafhoning the whole horizon. - siidigI
Upon this issue the county win sustain fhd
Administrator, peace Of war; and tho nllerna.
England. : -
The london Tina, anon the, sanl .Juss am,
Guilty, enlaFgrs upon ne general conviction thai
~ os'4'sn An''''a and England 4 impossible
~. -. so.o ,,,,,,,.,,,,,. .,.,., ., ,., u.
their own truth n prsctcs buf bere ~ osrs ~
which tend 70 their own practical refuiation.
We sincerely hope that The different readings ol
ihe axiom that war with England and America
ll1lk6 X = ''''-'' -''sA = ~
The editorial silsr polntipr ont iu,no,,.,..
q San Juan 70 England. and he impe-sibii;t,