Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-04

Mr.. Champion, then British minister at Washing
ton communicating to him a copy of the instruc-
tons which he mr.. Marcy had given, on the l4th
july to Gov. Stevens, of Washington Territory,
having special reference to an "apprehended con-
flict 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 dispu-
ted grounds which are calculated to provoke any
conflicts so far as it can be done without implying
the concession to the authorities of Great Britain
of an exclusive right over the premises The title
ought to be settled before either party should at
tempt to exclude the other by force or exercise
complete and exclusive sovereign rights within the
fairly disputed limits"
In acknowledging the receipt on the next day of
Mr. Marcys note. the British minister expressed his
entire concurrence "in the proprety OF the course
recommended to the governor of Washington Terri
tory by your Mr. Marcy's] instructions to that 9TH
GER" and stating that he had los no time in trans
hitting a copy of that document to the governor
general of British North America" and had learn
estly recommended to his Excellency to take such
measures to him may appear best calculated to
secure on the part of the British local authorities
and the inhabitants of the neghborhood of the line
in question: the exercise of the spirit OF for
5earance which is nculcated by you Mr. Marcy on
the authorities and citizens of the United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith of this ar
rangement until the 9th July last when Gen. Har-
ney paid visit to the Island. He found upon it
twenty-five American residents with their families,
and also an establishment of the Hudson's Bay
Company for the purpose of raising sheep
short time before his arrival of these residents
had shot animal belonging to the company, whilst
trespassing upon his premises, for which, however,
he offered to pay twice it's value; but that
fused. Soon after the chief factor of the compa-
ny at Victoria Mr.. Dalles, son-in-law Of Governor
Douglas came to the Island in the British sloop-of-
war Satellite, and threatened to take this Ameri-
(Mr Cutler) by force to Victoria to answer for
the trespass he had committed The American
seized his rife and told Mr. Dalles if any such at
tempt 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 customs, Mr.. Hubbs, 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 Vic
tOlia with their rights as American citizens" The
General Immediately responded to this petition and
ordered Capt. George L. Pickett 9th infantry, "to
establish his company on Bellevue, or San Juan isl
and on some suitable position near the harbor at
the southeastern extremity" This order prompt
ly obeyed, and military post was established at
the place designated The force was afterwards in
creased, that by the last return the whole num-
Der of troops then on this island amounted in the
aggregate to 691 men,
Whilst do not deem it proper on the present oc-
casion to go further into the subject and discuss the
weight which ought to be attached to the state
mens of the British colonial authorities, contesting
the accuracy of the information on which the gal
liant General acted, it was due to him that should
thus present his reasons for issuing the order
to Capt. Pickett. From these it is quite clear his
object to prevent the British authorities on Van
couvcr's island from exercising jurisdiction over
the American residents on the Island of San Juan,
well as to protect them against the incursons of
! the Indians
Much excitement prevailed for some time through
out that region, and serious danger of collision be-
! tween the parties apprehended The British
had large naval force in the vicinity and it is but
an act of simple justice to the admiral that sta
ton to state that he wisely and dscreetly forebore
to commit any hostile act but determined to refer
the whole affair to his government and await their
instructions.
This aspect of the matter in my opinion, demand
ed serious attention. 1t would have been great
calamity for both nations had they been preciptated
into acts of hostility not the question of title to
the island, but merely concerning what should be
its condition during the intervening period whilst
the two governments might be employed IN settling
the question to which of them it belongs For this
reason Lieut.. General Scott was despatched, on the
! 18th September last, to Washington Territory to
| take immediate command of the United States for
ces OH the Pacific coast should he deem this neces-
sary. The main object of his mission to carry
out the spirit of the precautionary arrangement be-
tween the late Secretary of State and the British
minister, and thus to preserve the peace and prevent
collision between the British and American authori-
| ties pending the negotiations between the two gov
ernmentS. Entertaining no doubt of the validity OF
our title, need scarcely add that in any event,
American citizens were to be placed on footing at
least as favorable that of British Subjects it be-
ing understood that Capt Pickett's company should
remain the island. 1t is proper to observe that
considering the distance from the scene of action,
and in ignorance of what might have TRANSFERRED on
the spot before the Generals arrival it was neces.
sary TO leave much to his discretion, and am hap.
ply to state the event has proven that this discretion
could not have been intrusted to more competent
hands. Gen. Scott has recently returned from his
mission, having successfully accomplished its OBJ
jccts and there is no longer any good reason to ap
prehend collision between the forces of the two
countries during the tendency of the existing ne,
gotiations
regret to inform you that there has been no i'm
provement the affairs of Mexico since cy last an
nual message and am again obliged to ask the
earnest attention of Congress to the unhappy condi
ton of that republic.
The constituent Congress of Mexico, which ad
journed on the 18th of February, 1857, adopted a
constitution and provided for popular election
~, 81
General Comonfort was chosen President, almos,
without opposition At the same election new
Congress was chosen, whose first session common
ced on the 10th of September, 1851 By the con
stitution of 1857 the presidential term was to begin
on the LIST of December, 1851 and continue o.
four years. On that day Gen. Comonfort appeared
before the assembled Congress in the city of Mexico
took the oath to support the constitution, and
was duly inaugurated as President Within 9
month afterwards he had been driven from the can
ital, and military rebellion had assigned the SUI
preme power of the republic to Gen. Zuloaga The
constitution provided that in the absence of the Pres
ident his office should devove upon the Chief Jus
hce OF the Supreme Court, and, General Comonfor
having left the country, this functionary. Genera
Juarez, proceeded to form, at Guanajuato, consti
tutional government Before this was officially
known, however, at the capital, the government O
zuloaga had been recognised by the entire diplomat
&c corps including the minister of the United States
as the de tacto government of Mexico The consti
tutlOnal President nevertheless maintanad bic NJ.