The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-03

manned which could disturb the good understan ding
between the countries the question arising of
the adverse claims of the parties to the Island of San
JUAN under the Oregon treaty of the 18th of june 1885,
suddenly assumed threatening prominence. In order
to prevent unfortunate collisions that from
tier the late Secretary of State the 18th July 1855
addressed note to Mr. Champion then British minister
Washington communicating to him a copy of the in
sructions which he (Mr Marcy had gveR the l4h
of july Gov Stevens of Washington Territory hav-
ing special reference to unprecedented difficulty
between citizens and the British subjects the
Island of San Juan" To prevent this, the governor
instructed "that the officers of the Territory should
| abstain from all acts on the disputed grounds which
| calculated to provoke any conflicts, far it
be done without implying the concession to the author
premises. The title ought 10 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 receipt the next day of Mr.
Marcys note the British minister expressed his entire
sin the propriey ofthe recommended
to the governor of Washington Territory by your Mr.
Marcys] instruction to that officer and stating that
he hau "lost nc time in transmitting copy of that
document to the governor general of British North
America and had earnestly recommended to his
Exceilency take such steps him appear best
calculated TO secure, on the part of the British local
authorities and the inhabitants of the neighborhood of
the line in question: the exercise of the spirit of
forbearance which is inculcated by you TMr Marcy
the authorities and citizens of the United States.
| Thus matters remained upon the faith this arrange
ment until the 9th July last, when Gen. Harvey paid
visit the Island. He found upon five Ameri
residents with their families, and also establish
ofthe 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 its value but
that refused Soon after 1.-THE chief factor of the
company at Victoria Mr. Daes son-inlaw of Governor
Douglas, to the Island in the British soop-ofwar
Satellite, and threatened to take hs American (Mr
Cutler by force Victoria to for the respass
he had committed. The American seized his rife and
told Mr. Dalles ifany such attempt made he would
| kill hir, the spot. The affair then ended"
| Under these circumstances, the American settlers
presented petition to the General "hrough the United
States inspector of customs Mr. Hubbs to place force
upon the Island to protect them from the Indians as
well the oppressive interference of the authorities Of
the Hudson Bay Company at Victoria with their rights
as American citizens" The General Immediately
responded to this petition, and ordered Captain George
f. Pickett, 9th infantry, to establish his company
Bellevue, San Juan Island, suitable position
the harbor at the southeastern extremity" This
order promptly obeyed, and a military post was
established at the place designated. The force
afterwards increased; that by the last return the
whole number of troops then the island amounted
in the aggregate to 691 men.
Whilst do not deem proper the present occasion
go further into the subject and discuss the weight
which ought to be ached to the statements of the
British colonial authorities contesting the accuracy Of
the information which the gallant General acted it
due to him that l should thus present his own
for issuing the order to Captain Pickett From
these it is quite clear his object to prevent the
British authorities Vancouvers island ON exercising
jurisdiction American residents the island of
San Juan, as well as to protect them against the
incursions of the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for time throug hout
that region and serious danger of collision between the
parties apprehended. The British had large
naval force in the vicinity; and is but of simple
justice to the admiral that station to state that he
wisely discreetly forbore any hostile act
but determined to refer the whole affair to his govern
ment and await their instructions.
This aspect of the matter in my opinion, demanded
serious attention. 1t would have been great calamity
both nations lad they been into acts Of
hostility not on the question OF title to the island but
merely concerning what should be its condition during
thenervenng period whilst the two governments might
be employed in settling the question to which OF them
it belongs. For this reason Lieutenant Cen Scott
despatched the 18th September last to Washington
Territory to take immediate command of the United
States forces the Pacific should he deem this
necessary The main object of his mission to carry
the spirit of the precautionary arrangement between
the late Secretary cfState and the British minister and
thus the peace and prevent collision between
the British and American authorities pending the
negotiations between the two governments. Entertaining
doubt of the validity Of our title, l need scarcely
add that, in any event, American citizens to be
placed footing at least favorable as that of
British subjects it being understood that Capt Pickets
company should remain the island. 1t is proper to
observe that considering the distance from the
of action and in ignorance of what might have
pired the spot before the Generals arrival, it was
necessary to leave much to his discretion and | am
happy the has proven that this discretion
could not have been ntruted to competent hands.
General Scott has recently returned from his mission,
having successfully accomplished its objects, and there
is no longer any good reason to apprehend collision
between the forces of the two countries during the
tendency of the existing negotiations.
regret inform you that there has been improve
ment in the affairs of Mexico since my last annual
message, and | again obliged to ask the earnest
attention of Congress to the unhappy condition of that
I republic.
The constituent Congress of Mexico which adourncd
the 18th of February, 1851 adopted constitution
and provided for popular election This took place
in the following July, 1851 and General Commonfort
was chosen President almost without opposition. AT
the same election new Congress chosen, whose
first session commenced the 10th September 1857.
By the constitution of 1857 the presidential
begin the LIST of December 1851 and continue for
four years On that day General COmonfort appeared
before the assembled Congress in the city of Mexico
took the oath to support the constitution, and
duly inaugurated President, Within month
military rebellion had assigned the supreme power
the republic to General Zuloaga. The constitution
provided that in the absence of the President his oc;
should devove upon the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, and, Gen. Comonfor having left the country
this functionary, General Juarez proceeded form
Gnanajuato, constitutional government. Before this
was officially known, however, at the capital, the
government of Zuloaga had been recognised by the
entire diplomatic corps, including the minister of the
United States as the de tacto government of Mexico
The constitutional President nevertheless maintained
his position with hrmness, and established
Nth his cabinet Vera Cruz. MEANWHILE the govern
ment of Zuloaga earnestly resisted in many parts
the republic, and even in the capital. portion of the
army having pronounced against it, its functions were
declared terminated, and assembly of citizens
invited for the choice of a President. This
assembly elected General Miramon but that Office,
repudlaed the plan under which he chosen, and