The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-11-13
OUVER TERRITORY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 49, 1879

Sd. ''To adopt the more liberal con-
struction, and hold that the land was
occupied rs missionary station
within the meaning of the act is,
think, but reasonable and proper, and
thls Is evidently the view taken of it
by Congress, when they subsequently,
passed the act of June l6, 1860, (l2.,
section ll4), to pay the Methodist
Society fora portion of land.
+. 81 am of the opinion that the
occupation and general boundaries
(Which were merely ideal until the
survey of 1850 embracing, as they
did, more than go acres, were sutlic-
lent to establish the claim to the full
quantity granted by the act.r
After this most excellent prelimi-
nary, which suits the st. James AS
well as the Methodist Mission, the
Hon. Secretary gives his official de-
cision as follows.
In my opinion the society (Metho-
dist is entitled to the land included
in the survey of 1850, as shown by
the map, less 373 and IA fraction acres,
included in the military reserve, paid
for by Congress.
(Signed) G. DELANo, Secretary.
BY the forgoing decision, the whole
Methodist claim is officially acknow-
LEGGED. But, in order 10 give Il dccs-
ion 50 favorable tOthc Methodist soci-
ETY., the secretary of the interior was
Obliged to contradict and reject the
argument approved by Hon. Cowen
refusing, on one hand, to acknow-
/ ledge the right of the whole Catholic
claim, list, because the land was not
set forth 10y specific boundaries before
Aug. II, ISIS; 2d, because it was not
| included in enclosure; Sd, because but
4 small portion of the claim was inn
proved on Aug. II, lsiS. Whereas,
on the other side, the Methodist claim
Is acknowledge; lst, though the land
was not set fort by specific boundaries;
2d, though ii was not included in the
enclosure; Sd, though but small por-
ition of the claim was improved on
| Aug. II, 1913; showing thereby that
| the tribunal of the department of the
| interior, in two identical eases, used
two weights and two measures; the
one against the Catholic church, and
the other in favor of the Methodists.
Ii. The last endcaVor to obtain re-
dress took place in March, 1877, as
follows: ~ it happened some years
since that secretary OF the interior
Hon. Harlan reviewed the decision
of one of his predecessors in the same
department and reversed it, | tried
also to obtain Il review of the decision
concerning our claim, on the ground
that the decision was evidently
tainted with unfairne,s and parti
alitY. But my request was not favor
ably received.
=. such j. the abridged history of
st. Jamc>' Mission Claim. II shows
clearly that il i~ not an easy task to
obtain for Catholic missions an inn
partial decision or equal justice.
Is. 1t Is reported that the right of
the mission is acknowledged by the
authorities ut Washington. Yet, un-
fortunately, after sixteen years of
effort on my part, there is no sign
that the incalcalublc wrong done to
the church will he soon redressed.
However, the sketch here set forth
shows that the Bishop of Nesqualy
and Very Rev. Father Brouilict, his
agent at Washington, have neglected
nothing, and have done all in their
power to defend the clear, ample and
complete title OF 1t. james Mission
Claim. and to obtain The acknow-
Judgement of the title of mission
established and confirmed by Con-
greS- thirtN-one wears ago.
From 1919 the military authorities
have occupied more than two-thirds
Of the section without any indemnity
To- the mission. Thanking you for
your Kindness, remain with best
regards, \. VI. 4. BLANCHEr,
First Bishop of Ne-qualy.