Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-14
RICHMOND WHIG
THE SAN IuAN QUESTION.

n " III M " IN ~ w H "
THE SAN JUAN QUESTION.
Gen. Hsrnsys Aggrsssion-Hs must be Recalled dn'
DisavoYed-' The 7hxndsrer" HoSiiny-Engians
Called upon to RePsi Insults.
(y.on ths London Times OffIth ult)
There il no class Of her citizens OF which America ha
better to be proud than Of the officers OF her ar
NV Educated for the part, in the delightful and
romantic solitude of West Point shut out from the busy
world around them by gigantic chain of mountains on
the Que side and the crcng course OF the Hudson on
the other aud subjected TO discipline which teaches
them to command themselves and Others the officers o
the American army join TO full share OF the national
intelligence amount Of modesty and gentleness which
We may be permitted TO say is not quite SO universal
among their fellow counrymen some other moe bril-
liant qualities. In the pursuance OF profession pecui-
ary arduous and iremunerated, possessed OF know
ledge which, according TO the European system Is SUBJ
divided among half dozen services thoroughly under
standing the duties of infantry and cavalry officers, eI-
ceent arterists aud admirable engineers the officers
of the American army among the brsvest the most
enduring aud the accomplished OF their profession
We hare N too had ample reason 10 respect mer
skill aud daring, aud while We have often had but TOO
much reason TO complain Of the treatment we have re-
ceyed from statesmen who have soughtto improve their
political position by pandering TO some popular pru-
dice against this country have had every reason to
be satisfied with the gentlemAnke and considerate con-
duct the officers OF the American army.
Ii has been however at last our misfortune to light
upon signal exception, In who. it is quite evil
dent will leave nothing untried in order to embro the
United States With nation which feels the hearuest
good will towards them, aud has other desire than
that they should 60 on increasing year by year. aud
working out the destiny which partial Fortune has
served 10 them if they will only be content with it,
We cannot in the conduct Of the American Gov
ernment or Of its military Indersalways with the
exception of General Harney-the slightest wish dis
turb the good understanding which has hitherto so hap
ply prevailed between gland and the United States
on the western side Of the American Continent. But
General Harney chose seize upon island whiah had
hitherto remained in undispued possession, and the
American claim 10 which We we're perfectly willing TO
consider and discuss in the most amicabe IL.
Sas permitted u md troops upon and to take armed
possession OF the Island OF Slu Juan. on a pretence
which he himself forced 90 admit to be utterly
groundess and this at a time when owing to
90 xering numerical superiority the officer who offered
"a this uuprovoked insult entirely at mercy
While he sez d by armed violence the subject Of con-
tention, We contented ourselves with simple remon-
STRANGE and negotiation thus giving the conclusive
proof Of our determination that If offences did cone
they should not come through Us.
The Government of the President met us il must be
allowed in a conciatory spirit. l did not indeed do
shat the occasion really demanded-reca and dislvow
General Harney, but il did the next best thing-i'
sent ou: General Scott officer deseryedly looked
up to by his fellow countrymen, covered with laurels
won in many we-coatested field, aud possessing that
moderate and conclatory spirit which Is so often the
compartment of true bravery General Scott feeling,
Se suppose from his Instructions difficulty 10 absc-
utey overruiDg General Harneys iladvsed aggression
offered jost occupation Of the Island Of San Juin-n
offer which, though at first declined afterwards
aing to act upon. At this the northern point
Of the Island Of San Juan occupied by British and
the southern by an Americas force with interval OF
fifteen miles between them Interval however not su,-
IN Of nd
good Offices Ills state OF things is intoerabe Gen.
arney and he is evidently rscking his invention for
some uehod by which he may put end TO it. He has
removed the American officer in command, who, it
seems has English proclyilies and has replaced him
by commander of q very different characteristic same
gentleman whom he selected his instrument when he
frs: seized upon the island aud Who moreover seems
TO have been removed from his post by General Scott
the request of the British authorities.
Thus having carefully selected his Instrument the
General mex. proceeds look about foE of quar-
rel lie issues his instructions TO his officer copy OF
which he transmits TO tie English Admiral aud in which
he repudaie altogether the propositions Of Gen. Sco
for joint occupation. He asserts that troops
permitted land the island whereas il is notorious
that the superiority OF force entirely side and
declares that inasmuch the Legislature OF Washington
Territory has been good to include the island sill
IN dispute within the county of Whatcom any attempt
ignore this sovereignty will be attended with dcporabe
consequences. These proceedings, We must add in
direct ADDICTION to the instructions OF the Comman
dern-Chie and the sen iments OF the Pretd binselt
Who wishes that the status of either party should remain
unchanged until the question to the property in the
island shall be finally decided.
That is all know at present, but is only too evil
dent that General Harm seeSing or occasion of Of
fence against and stop be not put to his miseheVoms
career he s probably iapolgs troubles from
GicA there isH Be 40 honorable escape except through
The portals ofks Temple of Janus. We anxious and
we have no reason be ashamed Of being always
ious to preserve the very best understanding with the
United States. Our Interests private and public, our
common origin, our common freedom all plead strongly
for forbearance The United States have repeay done
to this country things which other Government 10 the
world could have veutured on with mpunity. Even in
this have n the interest OF peace submit ted TO
insult which has been little Calling national
pride Nobody could have said that acted without
plee justification if We had refused to permit the United
States seize the subject Of dispute while the dispute
itself still undecided; but now at any rate have
reached the limit at which will not say motives
will be misconsrued but courage will be very justly
suspected
We have endured all that the extreme desire for
peace could call upon TO endure We now called
upon show that have the courage TO repe as well
as the moderation TO overlook an insult The American
Government has thought fl: most unfortunately, to
tain 10 bis command that General whose cupabe breach
OF the duty, which he owed TO his country on the first
occasion and of the obedience due bis commanding Of
second, nave reason 10 uOuOI
he Is bent on creating breach between the countries
That portion Of his instructions in which he contends
that the rights of Great Britain disposed Of by the
nsolen usurpaon Of a subordinate American Assembly,
aud menaces violence II the usurpaton be not respected
is gross insult to this country wantonly perpetra ed
by an officer to whose known ilwill the very delicate
relations between England and the United States have
been intrusted.
We have a right to demand that officer whose con-
nuance in com nand has been proved be Inconsistent
with good understanding between the two nations shall
be at once recslled aud have, sides right TO in
sist that: now that America repudates joint occupation
during negotiations and trea only present by suffer-
ance her forces shall be Withdrawn from the island to-
rether with our own and the whole matter left treaty
and if this may not be- the arbitration Of Third Pow
er We cannot bring ourselves to believe that terms
reasonable can be rejected We do not desire for
ment to insist upon the superiority Of the resources Of
which at this moment dispose. The island itself would
not be worth onehundredh part Of the losses and caam
ties that must from the interruption for single
week of good understanding between the two countries
but there Is thing dearer than ease and wealth.
and that thing Is national honor. We haze not called
forth our young from tie peaceful GvocdiOas Of or
dinarv life aud pat i' their hands, IA order 10
hi6it 10 hea in return for their heroic Efforts The speetd-
Gle Of country ,hieh has respect for herself and in
vitss her tasnsss the Injuries she dares not repsi
Correspondence Of The London Times.