The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-04
by the cabinet of Madrid as a reason against

urged in my last annual message in favor of
the acquisition of Cuba by fair purchase. My
opinions on that measure remain unchanged
| L, therefore, again invite the serious attention
OF Congress to this important subject. With
ont recognition of this policy on their part,
it will be almost impossible to institute nego-
fiations with any reasonable prospect of sue
cess.
| Until a'recent period there was good rea-
son to believe That | should be able to an
nounce to you on the present occasion that
our difficulties with Great Britain, arising out
of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty, had been
finally adjusted in a manner alike honorable
and satisfactory to both parties: From causes
however, which the British government had
not anticipated they have not yet completed
treaty arrangements with the republics of
Honduras and Nicaragua, in pursuance of the
understanding between the two governments
| 1t is, nevertheless confidently expected that
! this gooi work will ere long be accomplished.
| Whilst indnlging the hope that no other
subject remained that could disturb the good
understanding between the two countries; the
question arising out of the adverse claims of
the parties to the island of San Juan. under
the Oregon treaty of the 18th of June, SAG,
suddenly assumed a threatening prominence
In order to prevent the Unfortunate collisions on
that remote frontier. the late Secretary of State
on the 18th July, 1855. addressed a note to
Mr. Crampton then British minister at Wash
ington communicating to him copy of the
instructions which he IMr. Marcy had given
on the 14th July, to Gov. Stevens, of Washing
ton Territory, having special reference to an
"apprehended conflict between our citizens
and The British subjects on the Island of San
juan" To prevent this, the governor was
instructed '!that the officers of the Territory
should abstain from all acts on the disputed
grounds which are calculated to provoke any
conflicts, SO far as it can be done without i'm
plying concession to the authorities of Great
Britain of an exclusive right over the premises.
The title ought to be settled before either
party should attempt to exclude the other by
force, exercise complete and exclusive
sovereign rights within the fairly disputed
limits
In acknowledging the reoei7t on the next
day Mr.. Marcy's note the British minister ex-
pressed his entire con on;urreDca sin the prepri-
ETY. of the course recommended to the COVER
nor of Washington Territory by your Mr..
MarCy'sl instructions to that officer" and sta
ting that he had 'lost Nc time in transmitting
copy to the governor-general of British
North America and had "earnestly recon
mended to his E,icellency to take such meas
ures as TO him may appear best calculated to
tiles and the inhabitants of the neghborhood
of the line in question: the exercise of the same
spirit of forbearance which is inculcated by
you MIR. Marcy] on the authorities and citi-
zens of the United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith of
this arrangement until the 9th July last when
Gen. Harvey paid visit to the Island. He
found upon it twenty-five American residents
with their families, and also an establishment
of the Hudsoh's Bay Company for the purpose
of raising sheep. short time before his ar
rival one of these residents had shot an ami
nal belonging tc the company, whilst trespas-
! sing upon his premises, for which, however,
he offered to pay twice its value; but that was
refused. Soon after s'the chief factor of the
company at Victoria. Mr.. Dallas, son -in-law of
! Governor Douglas, came to the Island in the
British sloop OF war Satellite, and threatened
to take "this American nr. Cutler) by force
to Victoria, to answer for :he tresspass he had
committed. The American seized his rifle
and told Mr.. Dalles if any such attempt
was made he would kill him on the spot
The affair then ended"
Under these circumstances, the American
settlers presented petition to the General
Through the United States inspector of Gus
toms, Mr.. Iubbs, to place a force upon the
island to protect them from the Indians as
we'll as the oppressive interference of the arl-
thorities OF the Hudson Bay Company at Vic
toria with their rights American citizens.
The General Immediately responded to this
petition. and ordered Captain George L. Pick
EFT, 9th infantry, "to establish his company on
Bellevue, or San Juan island, on some suitable
position near the harbor at the southeastern
extremity" This order was promptly obeyed
and the military post established at the place
designated. The force was afterward increas-
ed, SO that by the last return the whole mum
Der of troops then on the island amounted in
aggregate to 69I men.
Whilst do not deem it proper on the pres
ent occasion to go further into the subject and
discuss the weight which ought to be attached
TO the statements of the British colonial au-
thorities, contesting the accuracy of the infor-
nation on which the gallant General acted, il
was due to him that | should thus present
his own reasons for issuing the order to Cap
tain Pickett. From these it is quite clear
his object was to prevent the British author,
tiles on Vancouvers island from exercising
jurisdiction over American residents on the
island of San Juan, as well as to protect them
against the incursionS of the Indians.
| Much excitement prevailed for some tins
throughout that region, and serious danger o.
collision between the parties was apprehended
The British had large naval force in the vicin
ity; and it is but an act of simple justice to
the admiral on that station to state that he
wisely and discreetly forbore to commit any
hostile act, but determined to refer the whole
affair to his government and await their in
structions.
This aspect of the matter, in my opinion de-
manded serious attention. 1t would have
been great calamity for both nations had
they been precipitated into acts of hostility
on the question of title to the island, bu
merely concerning what should be its condi
ton during the intervening period whilst the
two governments might be employed in set
tling the question to which of them it belongs
For this reason Lieutenant General Scott was
despatched on the 18th September last tc
Washington Territory to take immediate com
mand of the United States forces on the Pa
cific coast should he deem this necessary
The main object of his mission was to carry
out the spirit of the precautionary arrange
ment between. the late Secretary of State anG
the British minister. and thus to preserve tn,
peace and prevent collision between the British
and American authorities pending the nege
tiations between the two governments. En-
, tertainirg doubt of the validity of our title
need scarcely add that, in any event, Amer
, lean citizens were to be placed on a footin!