The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-30
THE SAN JUAN DIFFICULTY.


REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The President will communicate to-day 10 the Senate
compliance with resolution adopted by that body on the
9th inst report from the Secretary of War transmitting
the papers relating to the recent difficulties at San Juan
Island They include quite extended correspondence
of which lay before readers the principal points
rs follows
The first Of these papers Mr. MArcy's despatch TO Go.
Stevens, Of Washington Territory, dated the 18th
July 1855. Negotiations were then on foot which ermi
mated in the organization Of joint commission to settle
the disputed question of boundary between the Terri
tory Of Washington and the British possessions; and this
despatch has an important bearing upon the case as en-
bodyng the same policy that has been pursued by the
present administration The officers Of the United States
directed to abstain from all acts on the disputed
grounds calculated to provoke Conflicts far can be
done without concedng the exclusive right of Grea, Br
tam over the premises, and unit, the title is settled
neither party TO exclude the other by force or TO exer
else exclusive sovereignty within those limits but this
mutual ferbearance is to imply concession either
side.
On the 18th Of July, 1859, Brigader General Harvey
commanding the military department Of Oregon, ordered
CAPTAIN George Pickett Ninth Infantry to take post With
his company the Island Of San juan for the purpose
Of protecting the inhabitants from the incursons Of the
Northern Indians and to prevent any interference by the
British authorities with the American citizens residing
there.
This order Is based upon petition signed by twenty
two Americans stating their defenceless condition and
their continual apprehension Of attack by the hostile
Indians at whose hands they had suffered many outrages
General Harneys despatch Of July 10 the orr
GIN Of the recent difficulties with the colonial authorities Of
Great Britain An American had, AFTER refusal by the
huason BAY Companys agent 10 secure pig belonging
ne company from respassing his fields, shot the
animal The next day Mr. psies, chief factor Of the
hadson FAY Company, visiting the island in British
man otwar attempted 70 arrest the. American for the
purpose Of taking him 70 Victoria for trial The American
resisted and sexng his rife threatened 70 shoot Mr..
Dahes ne attempeed to take him. These facts were
represented to General Harvey by the United Stae In
eptctor OF customs at 0n Juan led 70 The decided
action on the part OF the General above referred TO-
On the Sd Of September Mr. Drinkard then Acting
Secretary Of War communicated to General Harncv the
surprise felt By the President that he should without in
structons, have taken military possession of dIsouted
island at the very time when joint com mission az the
two governments was engaged settling the title II the
British authorities had attempted to disturb the status OF
asire he right 70 anticipate their action but the
Presden. reserves decided opinion upon his course I'M
I'll the receipt Of more definite intelligence BE Is es.
pcaly anxious know whether the General had before
hc,Ig, Consulted With Mr. Campbell, the Commissioner on
the pant Of The Duties States.
Al the date o General aarneys despatch Of the TN OF
Apgrs, three British vessels Of had been despatched
10 the island While Captain Pickett had been reinforced
by three companies OF artillery, with their gnns The op
poscg forces fortunately confined their operations