Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-12-08
The oensure Of General Harvey.

, The censure Of General Harvey.
The following is the official letter,
which, by order of the President, was
to-day addressed to Gen. Harney:
Having given most careful exam
ination to all the events which have
lately occurred in the Department of
Oregon, and to the explanation of his
conduct therein submitted by General
Harvey to this Department, the Secre-
tary of War feels it his duty to express
his disapproval of the orders issued by
General Harncy, under date of April
10th, 1860, by which Captain Pickett
was placed in command of Camp Pick
cit. A question having arisen between
the Governments of the United States
and Great Britain as to the sovereignty
of the island of San Juan, and danger
being anticipated to the friendly rela-
tions of the two countries from the con-
dition of affairs upon the island itself,
General Scott was sent, on the 10th Of
September, 1859, empowered by the
Government of the United States to
make such temporary arrangements as
would avoid all collision, until the whole
matter had been amicably adjusted by
the diplomatic action of the two nations.
In pursuance of these powers, General
Scott repaired to San Juan, and having
taken the steps which he deemed ad-
visable, returned, leaving with General
Harvey, for his guidance and instruc-
ton, letters and orders of the following
dates: November 5th and 9th, 1859.
The essential points Of these instruc-
tions and orders were, first, the remov-
al of the larger part of the United States
force on San Juan Island: second, the
retention of one company Of United
States troops, under Capt. Hunt; third,
the special injunction of Gen. Harvey
to remember that the sovereignty of the
Island is still in dispute between the
two governments, and until definitely
settled betwcee them, that British sub
.jccts have equal rights with American
citizens on the Island, accompanied by
copy of Gen. SCOTS assurance to
Governor Douglas of his intentions to
instruct our commanding officers on the
Island to allow no person claiming ro
be functionary OF Washington Terri
tory, to interfere with any British sub
'ect residing or happening to be on the
same Island whilst it shall remain in
dispute between our respective govern
ments. In opposition to these instrue-
tions, Gen. Harvey removed Capt. Hunt
and substituted Capt. Pickett in his
place, issuing at the same time to Capt.
Pickett the following order:
Third-Under the organic act of the
Congress of the United States for the
establishment of the Territorial govern
mcnt of Washingto the first Legisla-
tive Assembly Of 1854 passed an act
including the Island of San Juan us a
part of Whatcom county. This act
was duly submitted to Congress-, and
has not been disapproved. It is, there
fore, the law of the land. You will be
obliged consequently to acknowledge
and respect the civil jurisdiction of
Washington Territory in the discharge
of your duties in San Juan, and the
General commanding is satisfied that
any attempt of the British commander
to ignore this right of territory will be
followed by disagrccablc results out of
his power to control.
The Secretay of War disapproves this
order of Gen. Harvey, in violation of
the order of Gen. Scott, and Of the
agreement between the two Govern
mcnts respecting the island of San Juan,
which might have been attended by
disastrous consequences. At the same
time, whilst expressing his disapproba-
ton he has no doubt Of the good inten-
tions Of Gen. Harney in the premises;
and from his known high charactcrand
distinguished services he is not disposed
to be severe in his condemnation.
JOHN B. FLoYD,
Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Oct. Goth, 1860.
sS-
nI- When Bishop Leighton was one
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