Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-01-07


best calculated 10 srcure, on the part Of
The British local authorities and the n,
habitants Of the neighborhood Of the line
lin question, the exercise Of the same spirit
Iof forloarance wliish ls,ineplcaled BY you
(Mr. Marcy on the anlEofilies and citizens
Iof the United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith
Iof this arrangement until the 9th OF duly
last. when Gen. Harvey paid visit Is
the Island. He found upon il twenty
five American residents with their fami-
Ilies, and also an establishment Of the Hud-
son Bay Company for the purpose Of sais,
ling sheep. A short time before his arrival
one of these residents had shot an animal
belonging to the company, whilst trespas-
sing upon his premises, for which, ,wher.
ever, he offered TO pay twice its valae -
but thai WAS refused. Soon after, the
chief actor of the company at Victoria,
Mr.. Dalles, son in-law of Gov. Douglas,
lcame TO the Island in the British alpop.pf-
war Satellite, and threatened to take this
American (Mr. Cutler by forcc TO Victo-
ria, to answer for the trespass he had COM
United. The American seized his rifle, ard
told Mr. pales that If any such attempt
was made lie would kill him on the spot;
The affair then ended"
Under these circumstances The Amett.
can settlers presented a petition to the
General through the United States In-
spector Of Customs, Mr.. Hubbs, TO place
forco upon the island, to protect them
from the Indians as well as the oppressive
interference Of the authorities OF lie Hud-
sons Bay Cbinpany at Victoria with their
rights as American citizews." The Gen
Ieral Immediately responded to this petit
ton, ard Capt Geo. f. Pickett, 9th In
fantry, was ordered "to establish hiscons.
'pany on Bellevue, on Gan Juan Island, oil
some suitable position near the harbor at
the Southeastern extremity This order
was promptly oboyed, and military poct
was established at the place dtsignatcd.-
The force was afterwards increased, sothat,
10y the last return, the whole number Of
troops then on the island amounted 70
col men,
4
Whilst 10 nct deem it proper ON tho
present occasion 10 gosunher into the sub
ject, and discuss the weight which ough,
to be attached 10 the statements Of the
British colonial authorities, contesting the
accuracy Of the information on which the
gallant General acted, it was due to him
that should thus present his own reasons
for issuing the order TO Capt. Picket
From these il is quite clear bis object was
10 prevent British authorities on Vancou-
yre Island from exercising jurisdiction ogeE
American residents on the Island Of San
Juan, as well as to protect them against
The incuysions Ct the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some
time drought that region, and serious
danger OF collision between the parties wcs
The British had large
naval force in the vicinity; and il is an act
of simple Justice TO the Admiral TO state
that be wisely and difcreetlv forebore TO
commit any hostile ae', but determined to
refer the whole affair to his gosethsneni
and await their instructions.
The aspect Of the matter, in my opiu.
ion, demanded serious attention. II wod
have been a great calamity for both ma
tiorsha they been prccipitated into acts
Of hostility, dot on the question Of the title
TO tie island, bu. merely concerning wha
shoullsstc its condition during the inter
yeuinc pcr'ol whilst the two governments
might te employed in settling the question
to y hich of them it belongs. For ibis rca-
son Lieutseant General Scott was dis-
patched On the 10th September last to
Washington Territory TO take immediate
command of the United States forces on
the Pacific coast should he deem this nee
cssary. The main Object OF his mission
was 10 carry out the spirit Of The rrecau-
tionary arrangements between the late
Secretary Of State and The British Ministe.
and thus to prevent collision between the
British and American authorities pending
the negotiation between tie two govern.
ments. Entertaining no doubt Of tho
validity Of our title | need scarcely add
that in any event, American citizens were
TO be placed on iccting at least as favor
allie as that Of BRITISH subjects, il being
sl.at Capt P.ckett's company
should remain on the islsod. II is proper
10 observe that, considering the dislanco
from the scene Of action, and in ignorance
81 what might have iranspired on the spot
Def re the Generals arriyrl, L was ncces-
sary to leave much to his discretion, esd /
am happy to state tbs event bias proven
mat this discretion could mot have been
entrusted to more competent hands.
Gen. Scott has recently returned from
his mission; having successfully accom-
plished its object, and there i no longer
any gool reason 70 appr.lerid collision
the fgrc,s OF The Two countries
during the pendency Of the existing nego-
iatioLs.
MExIco.
] regret 10 Inform yoh that there has
'een DO improvement in the affairs OF Mex
co since ny last anaasi message andI am
gain obliged to ask the earnest attention
# Congress TO the unhappy condition Of
bat republic.