Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-01-06

preparation act of the Sd March last 1t is be-
lieved that these steamers are worth more than
their cost, and they are all now usefully and ac
lively employed in the naval service.
| The appearance of so large force. fitted out
in such prompt manner, in the far distant wa
ters of the La Plata, and the admirable conduct
of the officers and men employed in it, have had
happy effect in favor of our country through
out all that remote portion of the world.
( Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia, as we'll as with all other governments
on the continent of Europe, unless we may except
that of Spain, happily continue to be of the most
friendly character.
! In my last annual message presented a state
ment of the unsatisfactory condition of our rela-
ton with Spain; and regret to say that this
has not materially improved. Without special
reference to other claims, even the "Cuban
claims, I" the payment of which has been ably
urged by our ministers, aud in which more than
a hundred of our citizens are directly interested,
remain unsats6ed notwithstanding both their
Justice and their amount ($128,6 35 54) had been
recognised and ascertained by the Spanish gov
eminent ITSELF
! again recommend that an appropriation be
made ''to be paid to the Spanish government for
| the purpose of distribution among the claimants
in the Atnlstad case" In common with two of
|
is required by our treaty with Spain of the 9th
October, 1895. The failure to discharge this OBJ
legation has been employed by the cabinet of
Madrid as reason against the settlement of our
| claims.
J need not repeat the arguments which urged
IN my last annual message in favor of the acqui-
sition of Cuba by fair purchase. My opinions on
that measure remain unchanged. I, therefore,
again invite the serious attention of Congress to
this Important subject. Without recognition of
this policy on their part, it will be almost impos
slble to institute negotiations with any reasona-
BILE prospect of success.
Until recent period there was good reason to
believe that should be able to announce to you
on the present occasion that our difficulties with
Great Britain, arising out of the Clayton and Bull
wer treaty, had been finally adjusted in man
ner alike honorable and satisfactory to both par
ties. From causes, however, which the British
government had not anticipated, they have not
yet completed treaty arrangements with the re-
publics Of Honduras and Nicaragua in pursuance
of the understanding between the two govern
ments. 1t is, nevertheless, confidently expected
that this good work will ere long be accomplish
! ed.
Whilst indulging the hope that no other sub
ject remained which could disturb the good un-
Outstanding between the two countries, the ques-
ton arising out of the adverse claims of the par
ties to the Island of San Juan, under the Oregon
treaty of the 18th of June, 1885, suddenly as
sumed threatening prominence. In order to
prevent unfortunate collisions on that remote
frontier, the late Secretary of State on the 18th
July, 1855, addressed note to Mr.. Champion,
then British minister at Washington, commune
eating to him copy of the instructions which
he Mr. Marcy had given, on the 14th July, to
Gov. Stevens, of Washington Territory, having
| q to
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 dis
puted grounds which are calculated to provoke
any conflicts, so far as it can be done without i'm
plying 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 attempt 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.. Marcy's note, the British minister express
ed.his entire concurrence Gin the propriety of
the course recommended to the governor of WASH
ington Territory by your Mr. Marcy's] instruc-
tons to that officer" and stating that he had
''lost no time in transmitting copy of that doc
ument to the governor-ge of British North
America" and had earnestly recommended to
his Excellency to take such measures as to him
may 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
incucated by you Mr.. Marcy on the authorities
aud citizens of the United States"
Thus matters remained upon the faith of this
arrangement until the 9th July last, when Gen.
Harvey paid a visit to the Island He found up
on it twenty American residents with their
families, and also an establishment of the Hud
sons Bay Company for the purpose of raising
sheep. A short time before his arrival one of
these residents had shot an animal belonging to
the company whilst trespassing upon his premi-
ses, for which, however, he offered to pay twice
its value but that was refused. Soon after "the
chef factor of the company at Victoria, Mr. Dali
les, son-in-law Of Gov Douglas, came to the Is
land in the British sloop of.war Satellite. and
threatened to take ''this American (Mr Cutlel)
by force to Victoria, to answer for the trespass
he had committed. The American seized his ri
fe and told Mr.. Dalles if any such attempt was
made be would kill him on the spot. The affair
then ended"
Under these circumstances the American set
tiers 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 as we'll as the oppressive inter-
terence or the autnOrltleS or the Hudson Bay
Company at Victoria with their rights as Amer
lean citizens The General Immediately respond
ed to this petition, and ordered Captain George
E. Pickett, 9th infantry, ''to establish his compa
ny on Bellevue, or San Juan island, on some suit
able position near the harbor at the southeastern
extremity" This order was promptly obeyed
and military post was established at the place
designated. The force was afterwards increased
so that by the last return the whole number of
troops then on the island amounted in the ag-
gregate to SOL men.
Whilst l do not deem it proper on the present
occasion to 60 further into the subject, and dis
| cuss the weight which ought to be attached to
the statements of the British colonial authorities,
contesting the accuracy of the Information OF
which the gallant General acted it was due to
him that should thus present his own reasons
for issuing the order to Capt. Pickett. From
these it is quite clear his object was to prevent
the British authorities on Vancouver's island
| from exercising jurisdiction over American resi-
dents on the Island of San Juan, as we'll as to
protect them against the incursions of the Indi-
| ans.
| Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region, and serious danger of col
lsoi< hot, kho, loJ