The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-29

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Sam Juan .anatr- Gen. Joseph

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From Washington 7erritOry--1nc
Safs Juan affair Gen. Joseph
Lane.
Correspondence OF the Ashland Union.
HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,, a
%OLYMpIA, w. I. January 8, 1S60:]
L send you herewith a copy of the San Juan
Resolutions, which passed both Houses by ac-
clamation. They faithfully represent the pub
, lie sentiment of Washington and Oregon
The interests of this North West coast are
! deeply involved in this San Juan question, for
if Gen. HARVEY be removed, and this De-
~partment merged into that of California, there
will be great danger of a recurrence of the
scenes of 1855 and '56. But the resolutions
speak for themselves. We have every conf
dence in the wisdom of the administration,
and believe that our interests, as well as those
of the entire Union will receive protection.
The Democratic party of the Pacific States
and Territories, are regarding with greatin-
terest events relating to the forth coming NOM
i%nationsa at Charleston. IF Gen. JOSEPH LANE,
of Oregon, should receive the nomination, he
will rally around him a force and enthusiasm
such as no man has been enabled to command
Since ANDREW CAChSON T6Ilr6Q from The pO-
litical contests of the country. We cannot be-
lieve that Judge DOUGLAS can so far recover
his position in the Democratic party as to stand
the remotest chance of the Charleston nomiua-
tion-as in all the late contests in California,
Oregon, and in this Territory. the Democratic
Party have been compelled to fight the Anti
Lecompton Douglas faction equally with the
Black Republicans and Know-N othings-and
in every contest the Democracy have achieved
brilliant triumphs over their combined forces
But here are our resolutions
RELATIVE TO THE SAN JUAN AZ.
FAIR.
WHEREAS, 1t has come to our knowledge
that attempts are making, or will be made, to
merge the military department of Oregon into
the department. of the Pacific, and in case this
is not effected to cause Brigadier Gen. VIM. S.
Harvey to be removed from command; and
WHEREAS, we believe that said department
was established for good and sufficient reasons,
which reasons still exist in as full force as
when said department was established; the inte-
rior of our territory being still occupied by nu-
merous tribes of Indians, only restrained from
hostilities by the presence of large bodies of
troops, and our frontier being still liable to
murderous incursions of powerful and savage
hordes of Indians living upon a foreign soil; and
WHEREAS, experience has shown that, in. or
der that these troops may act promptly and eff
fciently for the protection of our territory, it
is necessary that the headquarters of the de-
partment should be of convenient access, which
/ would not be the case were it removed to the
State of California; and
WHEREAS, Gen. Harvey in all his official
acts while in command of this military depart
wont hu profootiDn nc from Indians donaa-
tic and foreign; securing and maintaining peace,
by revoking those unlawful military orders I'M
der which an attempt was made to exclude our
citizens from portions of our Territory, which,
under the laws were open to settlement; open
ing communications between different portions
of the Territory; protecting emigration by pla-
cling troops on the Island of San Juan, an is
land which is as unquestionably American soil
as any other portion of our Territory; for the
protection of American settlers again t foreign
Indians, and against attempted acts of foreign
iur~isdiction-has deserved and secured the en-
tire confidence of the people of this Territory.
Therefore, be it
ResolUed, 1st. That we, the Legislative AS
sembly of the Territory of Washington, earn
estly and respectfully protest against any change
by which the military department of Oregon
shall be merged into any other department, and
against its head quarters being removed.
M ILCSOEUSI, Auu d W. lOopCOtidiy uhN I
earnestly solicit the President of the United
States to continue the present able, experience
ed, and prudent officer BRIG. Gen. Harney) in
command of said military department.
Resolued, 3rd. That we firmly believe Gen.
Harvey has acted in a prudent and proper man
ner in placing a military force on the Island
of San Juan, for the protection of American
citizens from foreign savages and wanton ag-
gressions of foreign officials:
First-Because the Island is clearly ours un-
der a fair construction Of the treaty.
Seeond-Because said Island is within the
military department of Oregon; it having been,
by an act passed i'm 1854, at the first session of
the Legislative Assembly of this Territory,
made a part of the organized County of What
com, which act was duly submitted to THE Con-
gress of the United States, az by the organic
act is required, and has not to this day been
disapproved, and is still the law of the land;
and
Third--Because, at the time, the circum-
stances of the case required that a military
force should be placed there.
!. Resolued, 4th. That Gen. Harvey, having
rightfully placed a military force upon said Is
would have been ~recreant to his trust had
failed to support it. with all the power at his
command, when it was threatened with an at
ia K by a foreign nation.
- Resolved, 5th. That having the fullest con
fdence in our title to the Island, our right
should be maintained at all hazard.
Resozved, 9th. That we most respectfully ask
the proper authorities to revoke the odious
order placing San Juan Island Ga por-
ton of Whatcem county, under military rule.
ResolUed, 18th. That we have the fullest con-
fdence that the President of the United States
will act justly and firmly in the premises, and
American rights will be fully vindicated
by him.
Resozred, 9Th. That copies of these r~esolu
tions, duly signed and certified, be sent to our
Delegate in Congress, to be by him submitted
to the President of the United. States. And
also to Gen. w. S. Harvey.