, 1860-08-10
The San Juan Question.

The London Times has resumed its belI.
cose vein and rips up the San Juan ques-
tion with even more than the usual maliV-
nifty Of that paper when discussing Amer.
eau questions 1t insnltingy demands the
recall of Brigader General Harney, aud
uses language toward that distinguished
officer, in bis official capacity, that can Ouly
be construed as threats against the United
States. 1t is matter for regret that Gen.
HOrney has already been recalled by our
Government, whether permanently or not,
we are not advised; but it is evident to our
comprehension that the Times was fully
advised Of the fact that Gen. Harvey was
about to leave the Oregon Department, at
least temporarily. Several months ago the
newspapers of this city published the intel
ligence that Gen. Harney had sought and
obtained leave Of absence, and the Tines
has undoubtedly seized upon the circum-
stance to make it appear that he had been
recalled by the Government in token Of itS
controversy. In no instance has the Gov
ernment of the United States sigui6ed any
disapprobaiion of the conduct Of General
HaEney in -the San Imam Affairs -bnt ou the
contrary, Mr.. Drinkard, in his letter TO
Gen. Harney, dated, War Department,
Sept. g. 1859, used the following language:
If you had good reason to believe that
the Colonial authorities of Great Britain
were about to disturb the Status Ly taking
possession Of the Island and assuming juriS-
dicton over it, you were right 10 anticipate
their action. -
In the mean time care ought to be taken TO
apprise the British authorities that possess
ion has thus been taken only with the view
Of protecting the rights Of our citizens on
the Island, and preventing the incursions
OF Northern Indians into our Territory, etc.
To this letter Gen. Harney replied BY
document signed by twenty-five well known
and highly respectable American on San
Juan, detailing a number Of murders com
mitted by the Northern IndiAns--Ameri-
can citizens being the victims = besides
other documents proving beyond doubt
that the British authorities had already
laid virtual claim to the possession Of the
Island, and had endeavored to exercise
that claim by force, aud furthermore, that
the Hudson. Bay Co. had Severa times
Threatened to "send the Northern Indians
down upon the Americans and drive them
from the Island" Gen. Harvey very just
ly added: ITO attempt to take by On
armed force, on American citizen from our
soil is an insult to our flag, and an outrage
upon the rights of our people, that has
reused them to a bigh state Of iDdigDation."s
1t is useless for the London Times 10 va
por and growl about this matter, for We
can not believe that our Government will
prove SO recreant TO its own dignity as to
remove Gen. Harney, at least until the
merits Of the controversy b einally decided
We cannot easily forget the conduct Of the
British Government toward Mr.. Champion,
whose censurable procedure in enlisiing
troops in the United States for the British
service, was Immediately rewarded, upon
his compulsory withdrawal from the United
States, with the appointment Of Minister
TO Russia. Neither can we forget the
fact, that in every single instance that the
United States Government has been insult
ed by British eficer, aud bis reproOf de-
manded, the officer committing the outrage
has either been promoted or his conduct ln
some manner indorsed by the British Gov
ernment. We firmly believe that the Gov
erumeut will retain Gen. Harney in the
command of the Oregon Department
San Francisco Herald.