The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-24


American ports? These questions COM
piicated the collection of duties at the Gus
tom-house in Port Townsend. The col
lector of customs finally located q deputy
inspector on San Juan island to observe
and keep an account of all goods and
dutiabie effects that might be landed for
the English or Americans.
Henry Weber. an American, was first
appointed deputy collector for the island;
then Oscar 0lney; and lastly, just before
the time OF the i'm bTogiio, Paul X. Hubbs,
jr. The constant insecurity of life 10
American citizens living on the island
from Northern Indians, natives OF British
and Russian possessions. disguised our
deputy collectors; they were repeatedly
obliged to seek shelter and protection
with Charles John Griffin, the Hudson
Bay Company's agent, who unhesitatingiy
accorded it. Our agents did not banker
after this station and each one soon after
his appointment resigned.
On one occasion, Paul K. Hubbs, jr.,
called upon the writer in person, soon
after his company U, Fourth infantry
was located. 1856. near the village Of Port
Townsend to report his very narrow escape
from Northern Indians who had fired
upon him while lying upon his bed
in mis- own house. and through the
got away. He considered his life
on the island insecure, while hostile
Indians were permitted to land on 1t. The
steamer Sea Bird, from San Francisco,
had Just arrived from Port Townsend, and
was chartered. The captain, also owner,
Familiarity known as Bully Wright" was
not acquainted with the waters of Puget
sound; and the late captain. then Lieu
tenant James Selden, United States reve-
nue. marine. kindly volunteered TO pilot
the steamer into San Juan harbor. The
late Colonel Robert n. Scott, "Our Bob"
then second Lieutenant of the company,
with small detachment of soldiers, was
detailed to proceed on board for duty on
San Juan island. To have proper knowl-
edge of the island, and the necessity for,
and sufficient number for guard duty, etc.,
the writer awaited himself of the oppor-
tunity and accompanied his lieutenant.
The insubordinate Indians, seeing United
States soldiers landing to protect the
deputy collector, instantly fled and moth
ing more has, since then, been heard of
them.
THE BOUNDARY LINE COMMISSION.
The promise of Mr.. Marcy ito have the
line established at an early period" now
began to bear fruit. In 1879 Mr.. Archl-
bald Campbell was appointed United
States commissioner to establish the
northwest boundary line between the
United States and the British possessions:
On the part of Great Britain Captain Pre-
vost royal navy, commanding her mai
esty's corvette Satellite, was commissioned
to establish the water boundary from the
forty-ninth parallel to the middle of the
Straits of Fuca, assisted by Captain
Richards, royal navy, commanding her
majesty's steamer Plumper, and Major
Hawkins, royal engineers, to determine
and mark the forty-ninth parallel.
These commissioners had met and pre-
sented their credentials. Mr.. Campbell's
fully empowered him to establish the en-
tire line. Captain Prevost's was defective
in this that he would receive further in
structions from the minister of foreign
affairs. Mr.. Campbell requested copy of
these subsequent Instructions, but Captain
Provost respectfully declined to make
them public. After much delay, Mr..
Campbell procured a copy through the
secretary of state, Lewis Cass, under Presi-
dent Buchanan, who applied for them
through our minister in England, Mr.
George n. Dallas. These instructions
limited Captain Prevost's authority to
provisional lines, subject to approval of
the foreign office, in the boundary of Haro
archipelago, and more particularly San
Juan.
In tho meantime the Satellite and
Plumper were occupied in surveys of the
coast line and photography of the islands
in dispute. While thus engaged it was
ascertained that the channel between San
sufficiently so Tor the deepest draft YES
sells, and its course from the Gulf of
Georgia to the Straits of Fuca was almost
due south, agreeing with the language of
the treaty better than either channel in
dispute, The British commission there
upon waived their pretentions to the ISL
ands east OF this channel (since named
the Washington channeD.
The writer understood Mr.. Campbell to
say that the British commission were
ready TO yield San Juan island ("the
fairly disputed grounds'') for Point Rob-
erts; but the biographer of Life of Gen.
eral Harvey" says it was the islands east
of the Washington channel which they
proposed IN exchange for Point Roberts.
Mr.. oAMpBELL's HEADQUARTERS.
The boundary commissioner, Mr.. Camp
bell. had located his camp at Semiahmoo,
very near the forty-ninth parallel. Mr..
Warren tbrother of the late gallant and
brilliant Gouyerneur X. Warren, of the
engineer corps, L. S. A., and major gem
erat United States volunteers) was his
secretary, and Lieutenant John G. Parke,
United States Typographical engineers,
tduTing the war of secession major gem
eral of United States voiunteers) was his
astronomer. Captain Dickinson Wood
ruff, Ninth infantry, with his company,
was attached to these headquarters for
their protection. The civilian employees
were spread along the forty-ninth parallel
IN small parties 10 cut away the brush and
trees. They required small detachments
ofthe soldiers Tor their safety, which took
all of them away from camp at times. be-
ing more needed on the line, and left our
commissioner camp unguarded, except
when the Shuhrick was in the harbor
This steamer Shubrick, the lighthou
tender on this coast, was placed at Mr..
Campbelfs service, in which he could
move around; he frequented Fort Town
send on her,and there awaited his Eastern
mails. Mr.. Campbell became aware of
his insecurity in camp without guard on
Witnessing a murder by Northern Indians
in plain view from his tent.
GENERAL HARSsY's VISIT To THE SOUND.
The old United States steamer Massa-
chusetts having been transferred from the
United States navy 20 the quartermaster's
department for military seryice-chiehy
for patroling the waters of the Sound and
removing Northern Indians beyond our
hnes-was ordered to Fort Steilacoom.
there to await the arrival of Brigadier
General William $. Harvey, United States
army, commanding the Department OF the
Columbia, with his staff, Captain Alfred
Pleasanton, acting assistant aajutant gem
efai. and Captain Rufus Ingalls,, assistant
quartermaster (both of whom during the
war of secession rose TO high rank and
were highly distinguished.
The general and his stan reached Fort
Steiiacoom and after his inspection en-
barked for and visited Fort Townsend.
made brief stay, then steamed of Tor
Fort Bellipgham, arriving there that even
ing. He was entertained on shore at Sc
homo by Hon. T. Z. Fitzhugh aud his
staff, accompanied Captain George f.
Pickett, Ninth infantry thero of the Con-
federate storming party July 3, 1888. at
Gettysburgl 10 his post, Fort Beliingham,
three or four miles of, 10 lodge. captains
n.