, 1860-06-15
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Historical, Geographical and Statistical
by THE GATHERER.

The Gulf of Georgia and Strait of Juan
de Fuca are connected by two ship chan
nels called Canal de Haro and Rosario
Strait. Between these channels are a
great unmber of islands, one of the largest
Of which is Bellevue or San Juan, claimed
by both the United States and Great Brit
ain, according to their respective interpre-
tations of the treaty of 18th June, 1916,
defining the northwestern boundary be-
tween the two governments. Within the
last year this question of title has been
brought particularly before the public in
consequence of company of United States
troops having been stationed upon the
island by order of Gen. HARNEY, command
ing the Department of Oregon, for the pro-
lection Of American citizens resident there
on, against the frequent incursions Of the
Northern Indians, and the threatened seiz-
ure of citizen of the United States by or
der of a Colonial Governor of Great Brit
ain, which order was attempted to be en-
forced by chief factor Of the Hudson Bay
Co. in person, backed up by an English
man-ofwar.
The official correspondence in reference
to these matters has been published by or
der Of Congress, and such portions Of il as
is deemed necessary to an understanding
Of the immediate causes which led to the
recent diliculties,-by those who have not
had the opportunity Of seeing or reading 1t
elsewhere-is here given.
The Island of San Juan being within the
limits of this Territory, the recent transae-
tions become portion Of its history, and
we prefer referring TO them in connection
with a description Of the harbors, bays,
and islands in that quarter, rather than
again alhding to it 4; -
CITIZENS OF SAN JUAN ISLAND ASK PROTECTION
OF GENERAL HARVEY.
SAN Juan ISLAND, July IL, 1859.
To GENERAL HARVEY
The undersigned, American citizens on
the island Of San Juan, would respectfully
represent That in the month of April, in
1858, the house of the United States in
spector of customs for this Island was at
tackled and fred into in the night by a
party Of Indians living on this Island, and
known as the Claims, and had it not been
for the timely aid Of the Hudson Bay Co.,
the inspector would have fallen victim to
their savage designs. To the month Of
July following we found on the beach,
close TO the aforementioned Indian-camp,
the bodies Of two white men, apparently
Americans, who had, when found, cotton
cords about their necks which had been
used to conceal them u9der water. Last
fall another daring murder was committed
in the middle Of the day, and in plain sight
Of US all here, without the slightest chance
Of our rendering them assistance. Only 10
days ago another body was found on our
shore which had been the victim OF foul
play. Inclusive with the above dangers
that we are exposed to from our neigh6or-
ing Indians, we are continually in fear OF a
descent upon US by the bands of marauding
northern Indians, who intest these waters
IN large numbers, and are greatly retard-
ing the progress of the settlement Of this
island. According to the treaty concluded
June Is, 1916, between the United States
and Great Britain, (the provisions OF which
are plain, obvious, and pointed 10 US all
here) this and all the islands east of the
Canal de Haro belong to us; we therefore
claim American protection in our present
exposed and defenceless position With a
view Of these facts, and for the essential
advantage of having this and the surround
ing islands Immediately settled, we most
earnestly pray that you will have stationed
on this Island a sufficient military force to
protect US from the above mentioned dan
gers until we become sufficiently strong to
protect ourselves.
]. M. Hagyaret, Samuel McCauley, J.
+, Higgins Chas. H. Hubbs, L. A. Cut
lar, VIM. Butler, j. D. Warren, H. Whar
ton, jr., John Witty, B. S. Andrews, Jobr
Hunter MacKay, Noil Ent, Michael Far
ris, George Perkins, Alex Mcdonald, Pc
ter johnson, Angus Mcdonald, William
smith, Charles Mccoy, D. W. Oakes, P
\. Hubbs, jr., Paul K. Hubbs.