Year: 1872

one hundred and ten degrees above zero.
with the accompanying dust.


But the 96th anniversary of the day
upon which the Independence of the
United States of America was declared
has come and gone, and left US as it
found Us:


Condemned in business or in arts to
drudge and to work our way along 6
best we can until another anniversary Of
the same event comes around. What il
to occur in the interim within the boun-
daries of our vast domain, outside Of
the usual routine of affairs, we are not
permitted to know, but we will proba-
bly, be safe enough if we continue our
trust in the Lord and ke.p our powder
perfectly dry. But let us hope that Di-
vine Providence will so steer our Gov
ernment Craft as to run it clear of ad-
versity's lee shores, whereon many a
ship of State has been busted since the
world began. And let US also hope that
the great Sovereign of the universe will
:" let us have peace with all other folks,
that our powder may not be wanted to
kill anybody, and only be in demand for
use in the ordinary business avocations
Of the population. If there be speck
Of war in any direction from the City Of
Washington, let somebody spit big
splash Of tobacco-juice right plump on
it an. put it out at once. Since Cap
tain Grant has taken back his demand
against Mrs. Johny Bull for "conse-
quential damages, our relations with
the Queen of all the Britishers wear q
more pacific and good-natured aspect,
and the probability is that all our unset
tied affairs with Mrs. Bull will be adjust
ed without the use of any explosive
agencies. The alabama question
has been SO long on the tapis that it has
become stale and fat. If we get the
damages, letting the '' consequential
adjunct slide, we will be lucky.


Referring to pending negotiations
with the British Government upon un-
settled affairs, reminds me of the San
Juan question, upon which I have felt
d good deal of interest. have all the
time feared that our Government was
not properly awake to the importance
Of the San Juan question. hope that
the Government will not allow our side
of the controversy to suffer for the want
of defence before the high Arbitrator
believe the old King will decide impair
TALLY, and our succe-s depends upon .
fair and full represen 'ation Of the ques-
ton before him. The island of San
Juan is beautiful, valuable and invit-
ing spot of earth. was struck with its
beautiful appearance when up in its
vicinity year and half ago. The
right of our Government to the island I
believe to be clear, and can only hope
that it will be awarded to it.


When the Northwestern Boundary
question was being considered under
the administration of President Polk,
was 49th parallel man, not having had
any correct knowledge of the geographic
cal features of the northwest country,
Its mild climate and rich productive soil.
and last though not least, of the bauble
pretentions of the Hudson Bay Compa-
ny. But having had, of late, a personal
view of the country in question, am
free to confess that I have--no3 that
it is too late-been converted into "a
40 man, good and strong. The so-called
Hudson Bay Company, and the
Puget Sound Agricultural Company"
was only one company, with pair Of
names for purposes Of deception and
fraud. It was altogether a regular land
grabbing concern, and as complete q
humbug of the kind as ever existed any
where. Puget Sound Agricultural
Company, forsooth Never cultivated
a single acre of ground, and prevented
everybody else from SO doing as far as it
was in their power so to do. This in
formation gathered from the English
settlers themselves in British Columbia.
who made bitter complaint about it.
Much of the land and the best of it =
lying between the city of Victoria and
the harbor of Esquimalt, is now preten-
ded to be owned by the Hudson Bay
and Puget Sound Agricultural Compa-
nies. and held at prices which actual
cultivators cannot afford to pay. When
there. wondered why it was that most
of the land lying between the two places
above named should remain in an uncul-
tivated state, and was informed that
these humbug Agricultural Companies
were the only preuentiues of its cultiva-
ton.


But the 49th parallel has been adopt
ed as the boundary line on this side Of
tie continent between Her Najesty's
Dominions and the possessions of Uncle
Sam, and hence my $40 sentiment
amou1ts to nothing in the premises
now. Give us San Juan, Mr.. King Will
liam. and l will pledge my honor never
to stick my fork either in your own
Royal Highness or the Northwest Boup.
Diary question again. SLurcE Fo1x.