The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06

In acknowledging the iCSV't
day of Mr.. Marcy's note, the bI'ush Mih,s'
ter expressed his entire concurrence I'm 'he
propriety Of the course recommended 10 lh'
Governor of Washington Territory by your
fNr Nnrcy's) Instructions 10 that officer"
and stating that he had "iost no time IN trans
ni,tipc n COPY Of that document 20 the Gov
ernor General of British North America. %
and had earnestly recommended to his EX-
cellency to take such measures as TO him may
appear best calculated 10 secure, on the part
OF the British local authorities and the in
habitants Of the neighborhood Of the line in
question, the exercise of the same spirit al
torbearance which is inculca;ed by you (Mr.
Marcy on the authorities and citizens OF the
United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith o!
this arrangement until the 9th Of July last.
when Gen. Harvey paid visit to the Island.
He found upon il twenty-five American resi-
dents with their families, and also an estab-
lishment Of the Hudson's Bay Company for
the purpose of raising sheep. \ short time
before his arrival one Of these residents had
shot an animal belonging TO the company,
whilst trespassing upon his premises. i0i
which, however, he offered 10 pay twice IL
value; but that was refused. Soon after
"the chief factor of the company at Victoria,
Mr.. DalleS. son.in-law of Governor Douglas.
came to the Island in the British slooP-oi'
war Satellite. and threatened 20 take this a.
meriean citizen (Alr. CUTTER by force to We
toria. TO answer for the trsspass he had COM
mitted. The American seized his ride, ana
told Mr.. Dalles II any such attempt was
made no 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.. Hubs, to place force gpon the
island, TO protect them from the Indians as
well as the oppressive interference OF the au-
thorities Of the Hudson Bay Company at Vic
toria, with their rights as American citizens
The General Immediately responded to this
petitiOn, aud ordered Capt. Geo. 4. Pickett,
0lh infantry, "to establish his company on
bellevue, or San Juan Island, on some suita-
bic position near the harbor at the southeast
ern extremity" This order was promptly
obeyel, and a military post was esiabhhed al
the place designated. The force was after
wards increased, so that by the last return tie
whole number OF troops then on the island
amounted in the aggregate TO COL men.
Whilst / do not deem IL proper on the
present occasion TO 90 tuItAcr into the sub
icct, and discuss the weigh; which ought to
be attached 20 the statements OF the British
colonial Authorities con,esiing the accuracy o!
the information on which the gallant Gencr-
al acted, IL was due 20 Him thar should thus
present his own reasons fer issuing the order
TO Capt. Pickett. From these lis quite clear
his object was to prevent the british author
tiles on VarcouyGr's Island from exercising
jurisdiction over American residents on the
r. -. T.., ell To- Nfraf
against tie incursions OF the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger OF
collision between the parties was aprehendcd.
The British had a large naval force in the vi.
entity and it ia an act Of simple justice TO the
admiral on that station 10 state that he wisely
and discreetly logbo.e TO commit any hostile
act, but determined TO refer the whole affair
10 his Government and await their insiruc-
tons.
This aspect Of the matter, in my opinion,
demanded serious attention. II would have
been great calamity for both nations had
they been precipitated into acts OF hostilitynot
on the QUESTION of title to the island, but
merely concerning what should be is condi- !
ton during the intervening period whilst the |
two governments might be employed in set |
tliug the question TO which OF them it be-
longs. For this reason Lieutenant Gen. Scott /
was despatched on tho l7th September last |
TO Washington Territory, 70 take immediate /
command OF the Quilted States forces on the
Pacific 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 and
the British Minister, and thus 20 preserve the
peace and prevent collision between the Brit
ish and American authorities pending the ne
between the two governments.
Entcrtaining no doubt Of the validity OF our
title, 1 need scarcely add that, in any event,
American citizens were 10 be placed on a
footing at leaSt as favorable as that Of British
suhiects, il being understood that Captain
pickett's company should remain on the Is
land. IL is proper TO observe that, consider
ing the distance iron the scene OF action, and
in Ignorance Of what might have TRANSFERRED
on the spot before the Generals arrival, II |
was necessary to leave much to his discretion,
and am happy to state the event has proven
that this discretion could not have been en-.
trusted to more competent Lands. General
Scott has recently returned from his mission,
having successfully accomplished It's Objects
and there is no longer any good reason to APP
prehend collision between ths forces OF The
two countries during the pendeaey OF the ex-
istins negotiations.
Merieaa AGdirS.
regret to inform you that there has been
no Improvement in the affairs OF Mexico since /
my last annual message, and am again o5liS- /
ed TO ask the earnest attention OF Congress In
the unhappy condition OF that republic.
The constituent Congress Of Mexico, which /
adjourned on the l7th Of February, 1857,
adopted constitution and provided for a
popular election. This took place in the fol- |
lowing July tlS57). and General Comoniort
was chosen President, almost without oppo-
sition. At the same election a new Congress
was chosen, whose first session commenced
on the 10th OF September, 1857. BY the con-
tti,ution of 1857 the Presidential term was to
tcgin on the 1T OF December, 1857, and con-
tinue for four years. On that day General
Comonfort appeared before the assembled
Congress in the city Of Mexico, took the oath
TO support the new constitution, and was du-
ly inaugura,ed as President. Within q
month afterwards he has been driven from
the eapi.al, and a military rebellion had as
signed the supreme power of the Republic 10
Gen. Zuloaga. The constitution provided
that in the absence ofthe President his Office
stuld devOlye upon the Chief Justice OF the
Supreme Court, and Gen. Comontort having
left the country, this funetionary, General Jul
ares, proceeded to form, at Guanajuaio, q con-
stitutional government. Before this was
officially known, however. at the capital, the
government Of Zuloaga had been recognized
BY the entire corps, inclusins'ihe Minister OF
the United States, as the de lacto government
of Mexico. The constitutional President
nevertheless, maintained his position with
frmness, and was soon established with ms
cabinet at Vera Cruz. Meanwhile, the gov
a 49,. -. stlv rrsistcl in