, 1860-03-16

eral Scott a wish that he would proceed to
Washington Territory, to assume, If neces-
sary, the immediate command Of the Unit
ed States forces on the Pacific coast. Mr.
Drnkard's despatch of the 10th Of Septem-
Der, expresses to General Scott the grati6.
cation felt by the President at the alacrity
with which he responded to this wish. The
Presidents main object is to preserve peace
and prevent collision until the question of
title can be adjusted. Following on Mr..
Marcy's instructions to Governor Stevens,
joint military occupation should be pro-
vided during the intervening period, under
su b guards as will secnre tranquility with
cut interfering with our rights. In this
view, the President sees no objection TO the
plan proposed by Capt Hornby; provided
the citizens of both countries are placed
upon an equally favorable footing. In the
possible, though improbable, contingency
of an outbreak having occurred aud blood
having been shed before the Generals arri-
val, " the President" concludes the des-
patch, "feels "a Just confidence, from the
whole tenor Of your past life, that you will
not suffer the national honor to be tarnish-
ed. If we must be forced into a war by
the violence of the British authorities,
which is not anticipated, we shall abide the
issue, as best we may, without apprehen-
sion as 10 the result"
General Harney's despatch of August
18th states that the British force had been
increased to FIVE ships, mounting 1871 guns,
and 2, lao men, while the United States
troops had been strengthened by the arri-
val of four companies, making eight in all
the whole under the command Of Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Casey. Before his arrival, the
British had threatened to land and drive
Captain Pickett from his position, but the
Captain warned them that, no matter how
overpoworiDg their force might be, he
should resist to the last any such attempt
With this despatch/is communicated let
ter from Governor Gholson, assuring Gen.
Harvey of the cooperation of the people Of
Washington Territory; and also one dated
August l6, from the General to Mr. Camp
bell, United States Boundary Commission
er, advising him of what had taken place
On the 25th August, Genetal Harney
communicated to the War Department a
letter from Governor Douglas Of the 18th,
and bis reply Of the Gath Of that month
The Governor positively denies that Brit
tish man-of-war was ever sent to convey
any officer Of the Hudson Bay Company to
San Juan for the purpose of arresting an
American, or that any attempt has been
made to seize one of our citizens and take
him TO Vancouver Island for trial. He ex-
plains that he has cordially endeavored to
carry ont the views expressed in Mr.. Mar
cy's despatch above cited, and that he
should accordingly have referred any well
grounded complaint against an American
living on the island to The federal .authori-
ties of Washington Territory. Having
thus shown that the reasons which led to
1.-THE occupation do not exist, he hopes Gen
eral Harney will withdraw the troops,
whose presence on the disputed ground is
a marked discourtesy and complicates the
peaceable settlement of the question. In
reply, General Harney says, that, although
the Governors explanation removes the
Impression Of direct participation by the
British authorities in the insults and indg-
mites offered to our citizens at San Juan,
| it affords no assurance that the acts which
caused the Misunderstanding will not be
repeated. After what has taken place, be
does not feel authorized 10 withdraw the
| troops, until instructed by the President.
On the 29th August, having seen, for
fhe FIRST time, copy Of Mr.. Marcy's de-
spatch, General Harney assures the De-
partment that his eouduct has been in
strict accordance with tue views therein
expressed; that he had carefully -abstained
from all cause Of offense, and that it was
not until the repeated outrages of the
Northern Indians, instigated, he alleges,
by the Hudson Bay Company, aud the at
tempted abduction Of ON American citizen,
had convinced him that the British author
ilies were acting in bad faith, that he had
taken decided steps. lag,
General Harney's despatch Of August
Both, states the strength Of Lieutenant
Colonel Casey's command at San Juan at
46l men, consisting Of FIVE companies Of
infantry and three Of artillery, and a de-
tachment Of sappers and miners, with eight
80 FOUNDER guns. The troops had taken
up commanding position in au entrenched
camp.
/ OH Tue 17tH CtpteuloelJ OSnSIdl AldIuey
transmitted affidavits Of Paul K. Hubbs,
United States Inspector Of Customs at
San Juan, and Lyman A. Cutler, the pig
slayer. Mr.. Hubbs testi6es to the facts
connected with the origin OF the difficulty,
as we have stated them, mentioning, how
ever, that the vessel which brought Mr.
Dallas was not the British man-of-war, but
the Hudsons Bay Company's steamer Bea-
uer. Mr.. Cutler states, in addition, that
the British sloop-oEwar Satellite arrived on
the same day as Captain Pickett, having
on board magistrate, as was generally
believed, for the purpose Of arresting him,
it being understood that the officers of the
ship had instructions to cooperate with
the magistrate if required. General Har.
ncy, commenting on these afidaVits, makes
some severe remarks upon what he calls
Governor Douglas "aimsy evasion Of the
. ltapfs y