The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-19

between the islands, giving all of Vancou-
yer to Great Britain. There was some mis-
understanding from the wording or the
treaty, which OF two channels the line
should follow, aud accordingly San Juan,
the largest and most fertile island In the
Archipelago de Haro, was claimed by both
countries. The territorial government or
Washington asserted that San Juan be-
longsd to the territory. and attempted to
collect taxes on property OF the Hudson
Bay Company situated on the island. The
factor in charge informed the assessor that
the island belonged to Her Majesty Queen
Victoria, but the sheriff of the territory
levied on some sheep and sold them for
taxes. The Hudson Bay Company then ap-
pealed to the British minister at Washing
ton, d. c., and in 1859 a boundary com
mission was appointed to determine the line
between the two countries.
While the commission was at its work
Lyman A. Guitar, one of the American
occupants of the island, was greatly an
noyed Dy the depredstions in his garden Of a
boar belonging to the Hudson Bay Com
pany. Guitar demonstrated with the officers
of the company; but obtaining no relief,
he took she case into bis own hands and shot
the animal The next day the oompany's
chief factor, Mr.. Dallas, appeared in the
steamer Beaver and tried to arrest Guitar
and take him TO Victoria for trial. Guitar
picked up his gun, pointed 1t at the officer,
and said they might take him to Victoria,
but they would have to kill him first. Dallas
did not care TO precipitate a contest then
aud there and so he went back to Victoria
empty handed.
The attempt of the English to exercise
jurisdiction on the island reused the wrath
of Brig. Gen. William s. Harney, then
commanding the Department of the Colum-
bia, and he sent Capt. Pickett with a COM
pany OF infantry to protect the interests Of
the American residents on San Juan. The
British replied by dispatching three vessels
to the scene-the Tribune, the Plumper,
aud the State Hite-which had been lying
at Victoria.
This was in August, 1859. A boat from
the Tribune landed Capt. Hornby-after-
ward Admiral-and several other officers Of
the vessel. They were met by Capt. Pick
EFT, who was cool and courteous.
The Englisho Tain said: ~ have LOO
men on board the ships ready to land to-
night"
The reply Of Capt. Pickett was; Gap
tain, you have the force to land, but IL you
undertake 1t will fight you as long as
have a man."
Hornby answered: "Very well, shall
land them at once"
"If you will give me forty weight hours"
continued Pickett, It'll l hear from my
commanding officer, my orders may be
counterm6AuoQ. II you w uoVt you uast
be responsible for the blood that follows"
mot Que minute" was Hornby's retort.
The Englishmen went back to ths vessel,
and Pickett gave orders for the drawing of
his men in lines on the hill facing the beach,
where the English would have to land. His
directions were to fire, one-third at time,
at close range, and then fall back. He
added: 1--WE will make Bunker Hill of
it, and don't be afraid of their big guns"
In less than fifteen minutes the men were
in line six PAGES apart on the hill, every set
tier on the island volunteering to reinforce
| the regulars. The boats OF the English YES
sci were lowered, but the sailors and ma
rines were not Landed.
For several days the Americans slept on
their arms, bus the English made no at
tempt to land, aud the affair was finally ad-
justed peacefully. In 1861 the Emperor of
Germany, as arbitrator, decided that San
Juan belonged to the United States.
Capt. George E. Pickett after ward be-
came a major general in tho confederate
army. With hat and sword in hand he led
one of the storming columns till he fell shot
| through the right side.