The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-01-05


! derstanding between the two governments: II is
nevertheless, confidently expected that this GOOD
work will ere long be accomplished
Whilst induIging in the hope that no other sub-
iect remained which could disturb the good under
standing between the two countries, the question
arising ont of the adverse claims of the parties Ia
the island of San Juan under the Oregon treaty O,
the 18th June 1916, suddenly assumed threaten
! ing prominence. In order to prevent unfortunate
collisions on that remote frontier, the late Secre
try of State, on the 18th of july 1885, addressed
note to Mr.. Champion, then British minister al
Washington, communicating to him a copy of the
instructions which he. (Mr. Marcy, had given on
the l4th of July, to Governor Stevens, of Wash
ingten Territory having especial reference to an
"aDprehended conflict between citizens and the
British subjects on the island of San Juan'' To
prevent this the Governor was instructed THAT the
officers of the Territory should abstain from all
acts on the disputed grounds which are calculated
to provoke any conflicts, so far as it can be done
without implying the concession 70 the authorities
of Great Britain of an exclusive right over the
premises. The title ought to be settled before Ell
ther party should attempt to exclude the other by
force, exercise complete and exclusive sover-
eign rights within the fairly disputed limits. -
! In acknowledging the receipt on the ext day of
Mr. Marcy's note the British minister expressed
his entire concurrence 8" in the propriety of the
| course recommended to the Governor of Washing
ton territory by your Mr. Mardy instructions to
that oicer,' and stating that he had 'ost no time
|
Governor General of British North America" and
had earnestly recommended to his excellency to
take such measures as to him may appear best cal
culated to secure the part of the British local
authorities and the inhabitants of the neighbor-
hood of the line in question, the exercise of the
same spirit of forbearance which is incucated by
YOU (Mr Marcv) on the authorities and citizens OF
the United States. so so lrr Hlrf
Thus matters remained upon the faith of this
arrangement until the 9th of July last when Gen
| 10 fha- -fela
upon it twenty five American residents with their
families, and also establishment of the Hudson's
Bay Company for the purpose ofraising sheep. A
short time before his arrival one of these residents
had shot an animal belonging to the Company,
while trespassing upon his premises, for which
however, he offered to pay twice its value but that
was refused Soon after the chief factor of the
Company at Victoria, Mr. Dalles, son-in-law of
Governor Douglas, came to the island in the Brit
ish slOop-of.war Satellite and threatened to take
this American (Mr. Cutler) by force to Victoria,
to answer for the trespass he had committed.
The American seized his rifle and told Mr.. Dalles
| if such an attempt made he would kill him on
the spot The affair then ended" 'iiiti
Under these circumstance the American settlers
presented petition to the General Through the
United States inspector of customs, Mr.. Hubbs, to
place force upon the island to protect them from
the Indians as well as the oppressive interference
| of the authorities of the Hudson Bay Company at
Victoria with their rights as American citizens" ("
The General Immediately responded to this petit
ton. and ordered Cagt George E. Pickett 9th In
| fantry F" to establish his company on Bellevue or
San Juan island some suitable position the
harbor at the southeastern extremity" This order
was promptly obeyed and military post was es-
tablished at the place designated The force was
afterwards increased so that by the last return the
whole number of troops then on the island amoun-
ted in the aggregate to 6sl men.
| Whilst do not deem it proper on the present
occasion to 90 farther into the subject and discuss
the weight which ought to be attached to the state
ments on the British colonial authorities contest
ing the accuracy of the information on which the
| gallant General acted it was due to him that
| should thus present his own reasons for issuing
the order to Capt Pickett. From these it is quite
clear his object to prevent the British author
titles on Vancouver's island from exercising juris-
diction over American residents on the island Of
| San JUAN as well as to protect them against the
| incursions of the Indians.
Much excitement prevailed for some time
throughout that region and serious danger of col
| lision between the parties was apprehended The
British had large naval force in the vicinity and
it is but an act of simple justice to the Admiral
that station to state that he wisely and dscreety
forebore to commit any hostile act but determined
| to refer the whole affair to his Government and
await their instructions sefii 534f 81.
This aspect of the matter, in my
opinion, demanded serious attention.
1t would have been great calamity for
Doth nations had they been precipitat-
ed into acts of hostility not on the
question of title to the island, but
merely concerning what should be it's
condition during the intervening period
whilst the two Governments might be
employed in settling the question to
which of them it belongs. For this
reason Lieutenant General Scott was
despatched on the 18th September last
to Washington Territory to take i'm
mediate command of the United States
forces on the Pacific coast should he
deem this necessary. The main object
of his mission was to carry out the
spirit of the precautionary arrange
ment between the late Secretary of
State and the British minister, and
thus to preserve the peace and prevent
collision between the British and Amer
ican authorities pending the negotia-
tions between the two Governments.
Entertaining no doubt of the validi-
ty of our title, Ineed scarcely add that,
in any event, American citizens were to
be placed on footing at least as fav-
orable as that of British subjects, it be-
ing understood that Captain Pickett's
company should remain on the island.
1t is proper to observe that, consider
ing the distance from the scene of ae-
tion, and in ignorance of what might
have transpired on the spot before the
Generals arrival, it was necessary to
leave much to his discretion, and am
happy to state the event has proven
that this discretion could not have been
intrusted to more competent hands.
Gen, Scott has recently returned from
his mission, having successfully accom-
plished his object, and there is no long
er any good reason to apprehend col
lison between the forces of the two
countries during the pendenoy of the
negotiations. ~
/ regret to inform you that there has
been no improvement in the affairs OF
Mexico since my last annual message
and am again obliged to ask the ear.
nest attention of. Congress to the un
happy condition of, that republic.
The Constituent Congress Of Mexico
which adjourned on the 18th Of Febru-
ary, 1857, adopted constitution, and
4 provided for popular election. This
took place in the following January
Qs57) Gen. Commonfort was chosen
President almost without opposition
At the same election new Congress