, 1860-01-13
Resolutions Relative to The Sau Juan Affair

Resolutions Relative 10 The Sau Juan Affair.
WHEREAS, 1t has come 10 our knowledge
that attempts are making, or will be made,
to merge the military department of Ore.
gon into the department Of the Pacific, and
in case this is not effected to cause Briga-
der Gen. VIM. S. Harney TO be removed
irem command; and
WHEREAS, We believe that said depart
ment was established for good and sufficient
reasons, which reasons still exists in as fall
force as when said department was estab-
lished; the interior of our territory being
still occupied by numerous tribes of Indians,
only restrained from hostilitics by the pres
enee of large bodies Of troops, and our from
tier being still liable 10 numerous incnrsiops
Of powerful and savage hordes of Indians
living ,rpon foreign soil; and
WHEREAS, Experience has shown that,
in order that these troops may act promptly
and efficiently for the pro cction Of our
territory, it is necessary that the head
quarters Of the department should be of
convenient access, which would not be tho
case were it removed 10 the State OF Cali
fornia; aud
WHEREAS, Gen Harvey Ia all lis Official
acts while in command of this military de-
partment-by protecting us from Indians,
domestic and foreign; securing and main
tanning peace, by revokiug those uuRwlnl
military orders under which nm attempt
was made TO exclude our citizens from por.
tions Of our territory. which, under the laws,
were open to settlement; opening commu-
uications between different portions of the
territory; protecting emigration by placing
troops on the Island Of San Juan, an island
which is as unquestionably American soil
as any other portion Of our territory; for
the protection of American settlers nganst
foreign Indians; aud against attempted acts
Of foreign jurisdiction--has deserved aud
secured the entire confidence Of the people
Of this territory. Therefore, be it
ResOired, lst That we, the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory Of Washington,
earnestly and respectfully protest against
any change by which the military depart
ment of Oregon shall be merged into any
other department. or its headquarters be-
ing removed.
ResOlred, 3D. That we we'rcspeclfully aud
earnestly solicit the President of the Uni
ted States to continue the present able,
experienced, and prudent officer brig.
Gen. Harney) in command of said military
department
Resolred, 3d. That we frmly believe
Gen. Harney has acted in prudent and
proper manner in placing military force
on the Island Of San Juan, for the protec-
tion of American citizens from foreign saw
ages aud wnntOn nggressions of foreign Of
6cialS:
lSt--Because the Island is clearly ours
under fair construction of the treaty.
2d-Because said Island is within the
military department Of Oregon; i; having
been, by nm act passed in 1854, at the first
session of the Legislative Assembly of this
Territory, made part of the organized
County Of WbatcOm, which act was duly
submitted to the Congress Of the United
States, as by the organic act is required,
and has not to this day been disapprovcd, |
and is still the law Of the land; aud
3d-Because, at the time, the circum-
stances Of the case required that a military
force should be placed there
Resolved, 4th. That Gen Harney, hav-
ing rightfuly placed a military force upon
said Island, would have been recreant to
his trust had he failed TO support it with
all the power at his command, when it was
threatened with an attack by foreign na.
tion.
ResOlred, 9th. That having the fullest
confidence in our title to the Island, our
right should be maintained at all haznrd. |
ReSolred, 9th. That VIC most respect
fully ask the proper authorities to revoke
the odious military order placing San Juan
Island (aPortion Of Whatcom county, un-
der military rule
Resolred, 7th. That we have the fullest
confidence that the President of the Uni
ted States will act justly and firmly in the
premises, aud that American rights will be
fully vindicated by him.
Resolred, 9Th. That copies Of these res
olutions, duly signed and certified, he sent
to our Delegate in Congress, to be by him
submitted to tho President of the United
States. And also to Gen. W. S. Harney.
llrm aAnrrtisrmrnts