, 1891-12-26

tANLO AI0u VI II pluOO NAOOVO lAO AoAh
of some stone chimneys. These storekeep-
ers bought their goods in Portland and The
Dalles; they would pay no duty to our GUS
toms, and Judge Cox could not enforce the
payment. That winter a commissioner was
appointed by each Government, and they
met near OSoyoos Lake some time in April,
1851. | was at that time custom house
officer on Osoyoos Lake, having received
the appointment from Gov. Sir James
Douglas, in that year. [ rode over frequent
OF an afternoon to see the commissioners,
as their work seemed to- be principally done
at night. Each party had one astronomer.
At the end of six weeks or so, their work
was completed, and the decision was that
the Americans were right to a foot. The
Bcitish then commenced to pull down their
stone monuments, but they could not putup
the treesfthat were cut down for 100 feet Ill
width along the survey line, ard to this
day any one may see the two avenues cut
through the forest, each 100 feet wide, rum
ming parallel and over 300"yards apart. Of
course this can only he seen where the lines
run through belts OF timber.
The whole thing was kept very quiet, and
there are few living to-day who know any
thing of the mistake, and during these 80
years | have never once seen it mentioned
in any newspaper, but, nevertheless, it is
true; and if any party doubts this state
ment [ will agree to show him the 100 foot
cuts through the timber and also the de
molished stone monuments, and falling to
do so I will forfeit $500.
AS sOOn as The boundary line was settled
the merchants of american Town found
themselves in trouble, for the miners who
had bought their goods would not pay their
bills. The merchants applied to Cox
to aid them in collecting their money, but
the Judge refused to nave anything to do
with the matter. seeing that they had
bought their goods in the United States
and had paid no duty thereon. Although
the miners were making from eight to fifty
dollars perday to the hand, still they would
not pay these American storekeepers, and
gave as a reason that the goods they had
sold them were struggled.
It is supposed that there fully 5000 men
ih the Rock Greek and boundary Creek
mines in 1860, but at the time the boundary
line was settled in, 1861, l think there were
not more than 200 mt n left OH both creeks.
Now, were these two mistakes made, or
did the British Engineers first make the
mistake ut Point Roberts, and carry it
through for fully 200 miles? My belief is
that there was only one mistake made, and
it was made at the starting place-vlz
Poiat Roberts-and that the whole bounda-
ry line is wrong clear through from there to
Osoyoos Lake.
The British Engineers claimed that their
~-ipstrnmentS got out of order at ONE inter
venIng spot between Point Roberts and
Boundary Creek, bnt | think it more likely
they made the mistake at Point Roberts
the starting place, in which case, nc doubt,
Ensign Edward Moalrs Is correct, and the
boundary line OF Blaine is 800 yards north
of the 49th patallel.
I have often talked to the late Judge
Haynes, of OSoyoos Lake, but he, like my
self, could never ascertain, where it was
made, or how far the commissioners went
back on the boundary line to rectify it.
On q propec re-surVey would the United
States governments give it back to us, or
WOULD they, claim that 80 years of peaceable
possession gave them a right to it?
The American engineer who laid out the
town of Blaine openly stated that the most
of the town was in British territory, and it
is an open secret amongst the population
ofthe thriving little community that they
are living OH British soil. I think this strip
of land, $50 yards wide and about 200 miles
long, is well worth looking after, and [
trust some Of your numerous readers who
possess any information concerning the
subject will come to the front with it and
make it public, so that ultimately the pro-
per authorities will be compelled to take
cOoniZance Of the matter.