, 1860-02-03

y
ments with the Republics Of Honduras and
u Nicaragua, 10 pursuance Of the understand
ing between the two Governments ltis
nevertheless confidently expected that this
good work will, ere long, be accomplished.
THE SAN JUAN ISLAND MATTER. <
Whilst indulging the hope that no other
subject remained which could disturb the
good understanding between the two coun-
tries, the question arising out of the ID
verse claims Of the parties TO the Island of
San Juan, under the Oregon treaty Of the
18th of June, lS46, suddenly assumed q
threatening prohineHce. In order 70 pre-
vent unfortunate collisions on that remote
frontier, the late Secretary Of State, on the
18th Of July, 1855, addressed a note to
Mr. CHAMPION, then British Minister at
Washington, communicating the iustru-
tions which he Mr. Marcy bad given, on
the l4lh of July, to Gov Stevens Of WISH
ingtOn Territory, having Especial reference
to an apprebended conflict between our cit
izens and the British subjects on the Island
Of San Juan. laaa VI Ia s.l lin'
To prevent this, the Governor was iE-
structed that the officers Of the Territory
should abstain from all acts on the dis
puted ground which are calculated to pro
woke any conflicts, so far as it can be done
without implying tbe concession TO Ahe an-
thorties Of Great Britain Of an exclusive
right over the premises The title ought
10 be settled before either party should ut-
tempt to exclude the other BY force, or ex-
ercise Of complete and exclusive sovereign
rights within the disputed limits"
In acknowledging the receipt, on the
next day, Of Mr.. Marcy's note the British
Minister expressed bis entire concnrrence
in the propFiety Of the course recommended
to the Governor Of Wasbingtop Territory
BY your Mr. Marcy's instructions to- that
oficerh and stating that be had 'lost no
time in transmitting q copy Of that docu-
ment To the Governor General Of British
North America and bad earnestly reg
commended to bis Excellency to take snch
measures as TO him may appear best ealcu'
lated TO secure on the part Of the British
local authorities, and the inhabitants IN the
neighborhood Of the loe 10 question, lho
exercise Of the same spirit Of f0rbearance
which Is inculcated By yonr Mr.. Marcy on
the authorities and and citizens Of the Unh
ted ssatesp sp.nl
as@aK HOW rms now. HAPPENED as q
Tins matters remained, upon The faith
Of this arrangement, until the 9th July last,
when Gen. Harney paid a visit 10 the isl-
and. He found upon it 20 American resi-
dents with their families and also 40 estab
lishment Of the Hndson's Bay Company for
the purposes Of RAISING sheep. A short
time before his arrival one Of these resi-
dents had shot an. animal beloning 70 the
Company whilst trespassing upon bis prem
ises, for which, however, he offered 70 pay.
twice is vnlue, but that was refused Soon
after, the chief factor Of the Company At
Victoria, Mr.. Dallas, sonin-law Of Gov.
Douglas, came 70 The island in the British
sloop of-war Saieills and threatened to
take this American [ Mr.. CUTLERY BY force
to Victoria, 70 answer for the trespass he
had committed. The American seized bis
rife. and told Mr.. Dallas that II any such
attempt was made he would kill him on
the spot. The affair then ended
Under these ecircumstances, the American
settlers presented petition to the General
through the United STATES Inspector Of
Customs, Mr. Hobbs, to place q force upon
the Island, to protect them from the In
dians as well as the oppressive interference
Of the authorities Of the Hudsou's Bay Go.
at Victoria, with their rights as American
citizens. The General Immediately respond
ed to this petition and ordered Capt Geo.
Pickett, 9Th Infantry, 10 establish bis coc-
panyOn Bellevue or San Juan Island, on
some suitable position near the harbor a.
the southeastern extremity. This order
was promptly obeyed. and q 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
aggregate to 6sl men.
Whilst do not deem L proper on the
present occasion 10 20 further into the sub
iect and discuss the weight which ought 70
be attached to the statements Of the British
Colonial authorities eoniesting tho accuracy
Of the information on which the gallant
General acted, Il was due 70 him that ]
should thus present bis oWn reasons for H.
suing the orders 10 Capt Pickett From
these il Is quite clear that his object was to
prevent the British authorities on Vaneou-
yer Island from exercising Jurisdiction over
American residents on the island Of San
Juan, as wen as to protect them against the
ineursiOns Of the Indians r ~
Much excitement prevailed for some time through
out that region aud serious danger ol collision hetwrcn
the pirties was apprehcnded The British bad large
naval force 10 The vicinity and L y an act Of 1Q's
Justice % tho Admiral on that station % liaie aI
wisely and dscrpetly iorpboro . commit eef hoat,s
act but determined 70 refer tht whole 1uAr % hls
4 goyernmeut and await their Instructions
THE N-ssioN OF gEsEnaI SCOTT, nsisla
This aspect Of the matter. in ny opinion dem.naed
serious atteutioa Il would have beeua Ecat calamity
for both nations had thcy been into act
lOf hostlity NOT about The question o. tla 70 ne
isand INT merely concerning The Intervening period
WhSf ne two governments mlshtbe employed N 81
tnr ne question 70 which of chan 4 beongl. For
thiS reason lieut. General Scott was dcapalchld, on
me l7th Of September last 20 Washlnglon Territory
70 take immediate command o. Ithe United States lorco
: On ne Pacific Coast should b deem thl necessary
Ths main object Of bis mission 70 carry out thl
spirit q the precautionary ariangomeni between ~
late Secretary Of state and The British hul-fi .nd