The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-11
Boupdary Disputes With OR Korfberp
Ksiebbor5. Settled apd Unsettled.
csss,nssd fsem Page =.

same. and threatened 70 proceed against
him - . tfespasaer h casa 81 his refusal
10 comply with his demand Pickett after
wards fmmortalfsed himself by leading the
Confederate troops In their great charge
On the bloody fed Of Gettysburg, out he
fifsf gained renown BY his defiance Of the
BFiftsh Hon On Gan Juan island. He said
In effect 70 the agent Of the Hudson Bay
Company and Afterwards 70 the captains
Of the British wauhips Tribune. Piumpef
anA Satellite. that he came TO occupy the
Island with his command pursuant to an or
der from his commanding general. and that
ne would remain there until recalled By the
same authority. and he gave them ali
plainly to understand that IN attempt to
place Bfsftsh military force on the Island
would surely precfpatate q conflict. for he
would not consent TO even q temporary
Joint military occupancy. nor recognise any
governmental bower upon the island. save
the government OF the United States The
movements Of the British feet indicated .
purpose TO drive Pickett from the island
but Gen. Harvey. although an old man,
was not afraid 70 shoulder the responsible
fty OF meeting a8gressions In a way that
might pTecipifate q war with Great Brit
ain. He met the demonstrations OF the
Meet By sending larger body OF troops to
tho 6And under command Of Col 0tlaD
Casey. who. after the landing OF HE COM
Mand. sent an apology to the commanding
omcsr OF the British vessel for not having
landed under the guns OF their ships, pro-
testing that no dlacourtesy was intended,
but a storm had made Il necessary to land
on the opposite side OF the Island. In this
situation matters remained until Gen.
scott. under instructions from the presi-
Gent, arranged for the joint military occu-
pancy Of San Juan island. which continued
until the final termination OF the dispute
Under provision Of the treaty of wash.
ineton. made In the year 1871. the question
OF the proper construction Of the treaty OF
1875 a. TO the water boundary between our
territory and British Columbia was sub
mitted TO Emperor William d. Of Germany
for his decision a. Arbitrator. and his de-
chioa, rendered in ls73. was In accordance
with the plain words and meaning OF the
treaty ~ everybody had understood It.
from the time II was agreed to. that 10 10
sAy. the American title to San Juan island
and the whole OF the Haro archipelago
WAS aMTmed. After the emperor's decision
had been announced and duly certified to
the two governments. nothing remained to
complete the Adjustment OF the boundary
question except for the British soldiers to
Withdraw from San Juan island, but they
seemed to have invited themselves to attn
tarry on American soil. for they did not
move until Elisha p. Ferry, governor OF
Warrington territory. notified them firmly
ana peremptorly to withdraw Il was q
game Of blum from the start. ana = Il
amazing that the British ministry should
have ever been induced by the Hudson Bay
Company to play with such a hand.
nave spoken Of tho policy Of the Hud-
son Bay Company prior to the treaty of
IssS. 70 Keep Americans from gaining
fpothold north OF the Columbia river. I
WI now cite one instance showing tAs b.
m hA sksS. =
towards American immigrants. Ia the
fall OF 1874 large party Of Americans ar
nv4q ara camped at Washoue1l, On Ire
nesth ntde Of the river, above fancoutef.
The party included number OF the most
prominent figures In pioneer history.
among them being George Bush. from
when Bush prairie, In Thurston county.
took its name: Mr.. Jesse Ferguson. who. I
am glad TO say. Ii now with as on fhis
platform. and Col. Michael 7. Simmons.
Bnsh was a colored man. but very intelli-
gent and thrifty. and . generous charac-
ter. he had rendered valuable financial aid
to some OF his fellow travellers on the four.
ney. and he always commanded the re-
fpect OF those who knew him He came to
Oregon. expecting 70 enjoy greater privi-
leses than were usually accorded to the
people Of his race in Missouri. II was his
intention to accompany his friend Sim
mons to tho Rogue river valley, in South
ern Oregon. and settle there. but he found
himself prescribed by an act OF the pro-
vtsional legislature. forbidding negroes
ana mulattoes from living in Oregon. Sim
mons. for one. Was not willing to desert
him under the circumstances, and he de-
cided to reconnoiter Puget sound, with
view TO changing the destination Of his
party and settling In this region. should
the country appear TO be inviting Acting
on this impulse. ne applied to the Hudson
Bay people ut Vancouver 10 rent a house
fer his family TO live In during the winter
He was received with courtesy, but he
did not get the house. Tho company's
agent would have treated him generously
rs they did all newcomers. II his dessina-
ton had been any where south of the river.
bur they refused natiy to shelter his fam
tiy uniess he would abandon the idea Of
coming 10 Puget sound. Simmons at once
comprehended the reason for heir atti-
tude. and his ressolnte spirit was aroused
The fact that the company objected 10 the
presence OF Americans on the north side
OF the river was In his estimation an adai-
t!onal reason for executing his purpose
He resolved to come. and come he t!4 For
lack Of provisions and facilities. he failed
In his first attempt 10 cross from the Cow
li,x river 20 the keadwaters of Puget
Sound, cut undaunted, ne persevcred and
finally. in the fall Of iSs5. he and hts party
orercame all obstacles and made the first
settlement at and near Tumwater. All
honor Is due 10 Simmons and Bush ana
Ferguson. and the intrepid pioneers OF their
class who rendered services 60 our coun-
try OF the greatest importance. by refusing
20 he crowded gu, of any part OF Oregon
territory. They left our statesmen no pre-
text Cor surrendering Puget sound. on the
ground Of exclusive occupa ncy OF IN. eoun-
try by British subjects. Tia afministra-
ten at Washington could not haul down
tire Stars and Stripes after the pioneers
/ hal set our flag on these xheres
Happily the greed Of the Hudson Bay
| Company has ceased 20 menace the peace
| 90 nations, bat all disputes with cur north-
| ern neighcors over boundary lines have
| not yet been settled. In the year 1851 we
| purchased Alaska ana all i;s coast line.
! islands hays and iniess. with a clear ard
| undispute3 title. and tse boundary be-
/ tween that country and British Columbia
! clearly defined by The convention between,
/ Russia and Great britain. made In the year
| issS Ne question as 20 the proper con-
/ ssrsletion OF the treaty or location % the
boundary had ever been suggested ard ex-
/ elusive possession vas given 70 us peace
I ably, AMI We retained & peaesshly unfil