recently visited San Juan Island with a British sloop of war, and threatened to take an American by force to Victoria for trial by British laws. It is hoped a second attempt of this kind will not be made; but to insure the safety of our citizens, the General commanding directs you to meet the authorities from Victoria at once, on a second arrival, and inform them they cannot be permitted to interfere with our citizens in any way. Any grievances they may allege as requiring redress can only be examined under our own laws, to which they must submit their claims in proper form. "The steamer Massachusetts will be directed to transport your command, stores, &c., to San Juan Island, where you are authorised to construct such temporary shelter as the necessities of the service demand. "Any materials, as doors, window-sashes, flooring, &c., that can be rendered available, will be taken with you from Fort Bellingham. To secure to your command the vegetables of your garden, a small detachment will be left to gather them when grown. "The General commanding is fully satisfied, from the varied experience and judgment displayed by you in your present command, that your selection to the duties with which you are now charged will advance the interest of the service, and that your disposition of the subjects coming within your supervision and action will enhance your reputation as a commander. "In your selection of a position, take into consideration that future contingencies may require an establishment of from four to six companies, retaining the command of the San Juan harbour. "I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "A. PLEASONTON, "Captain 2nd Dragoons, Acting Assistant "Captain George Pickett, "Commanding Company of 9th Infantry, Fort "Bellingham, Puget Sound." On the same date, General Harney notified to Colonel Silas Casey the changes he had made in the disposition of the troops under his command, and directed that the northern Indians should be warned not to come into any of the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States, which (as he alleged)" embraces all the islands and currents to the east of the Straits of Haro." General Harney did not communicate with General Scott until the 19th of July, when he wrote a letter to him containing the most extraordinary mis-statements, and containing charges against Mr. Dallas which he did not attempt to authenticate; nor did he give Mr. Dallas an opportunity of denying them. The following is an extract from this letter:(1)— "Head-quarters, Department of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, W.T., July 19th, 1859. "SIR,-On the morning of the 9th instant I left Victoria and visited Bellevue, or San Juan Island, about ten miles to the east of Vancouver's Island, on the opposite side of the Straits of Haro. This island is fifteen miles long and five or six broad. It contains fine timber, good water and grass, and is the most commanding position we possess on the Sound; overlooking the Straits of Haro, the Straits of Fuca, and the Rosario Strait, it is the most suitable point from which to observe and prevent the northern Indians from visiting our settlements to the south of it. At the south-eastern extremity one of the finest harbours on this coast is to be found, completely sheltered, offering the best location for a naval station on the Pacific coast. The Hudson's Bay Company have an establishment on this island for the purpose of raising sheep, which they export at eight dollars a head. (1) American State Papers, p. 147. Twenty-five Americans, with their families, are also living upon the island, and I was petitioned by them, through the United States Inspector of Customs, Mr. Hubbs, to place a force upon the island to protect them from the Indians, as well as the oppressive interference of the authorities of the Hudson's Bay Company at Victoria with their rights as American citizens. Mr. Hubbs informed me that a short time before my arrival the chief factor of the company at Victoria, Mr. Dallas, son-inlaw of Governor Douglas, came to the island in the British sloop of war, Satellite, and threatened to take one of the Americans by force to Victoria for shooting a pig of the Company's. The American seized his rifle, and told Mr. Dallas if any such attempt was made he would kill him on the spot. The affair ended. The American offered to pay to the Company twice the value of the pig, which was refused. prevent a repetition of this outrage I have ordered the company at Fort Bellingham to be established on San Juan Island for the protection of our citizens, and the steamer Massachusetts is directed to rendezvous at that place with a second company to protect our interests in all parts of the sound. "I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, To "Brigadier-General Commanding. "Assistant Adjutant-General, "Head-quarters of the Army, New York City." Captain Pickett was directed to land on the island of San Juan by an order dated (as already noticed) on the 18th of July. Strange to say, no official account of his landing appears in the documents furnished to the Senate; and the first notice of his having landed is to be found in a letter addressed to him by Mr. Griffin, the Hudson Bay Company's agent, dated the 30th of July. It was as follows :(1)— (1) American State Papers, p. 153. "Bellevue Farm, San Juan, July 30, 1859. "SIR,-I have the honour to inform you that the island of San Juan, on which your camp is pitched, is the property and in the occupation of the Hudson's Bay Company, and to request that you and the whole of the party who have landed from the American vessels, will immediately cease to occupy the same. Should you be unwilling to comply with my request, I feel bound to apply to the civil authorities. Awaiting your reply, I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, "CHAS. JNO. GRIFFIN, "Agent Hudson's Bay Company. "Capt. Pickett, &c." To this Captain Pickett replied in the following :() 66 Military Camp, San Juan, W.T., July 31, 1859. "SIR,-Your communication of this instant has been received. I have to state in reply that I do not acknowledge the right of the Hudson's Bay Company to dictate my course of action. I am here by virtue of an order from my Government, and shall remain until recalled by the same authority. "I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "GEORGE E. PICKETT, "Capt. 9th U.S. Infantry, Commanding. "Mr. Chas. J. Griffin, "Agent Hudson's Bay Company, San Juan Island, W.T." On the same date this officer enclosed the letter received by him from Mr. Griffin, and a copy of his reply, in the following letter, addressed to Colonel Casey (2) "Military Camp, "San Juan Island, W.T., July 30, 1859. "MY DEAR COLONEL,-I have the honour to enclose you some notes which passed this morning between the Hudson's (1) American State Papers, p. 153. (2) Idem, p. 152. Bay authorities and myself. From the threatening attitude of affairs at present, I deem it my duty to request that the Massachusetts may be sent at once to this point. I do not know that any actual collision will take place, but it is not comfortable to be lying within range of a couple of war steamers. The Tribune, a 30-gun frigate, is lying broadside to our camp, and from present indications everything leads me to suppose that they will attempt to prevent my carrying out my instructions. "If you have any boats to spare, I should be happy to get one, at least. The only whale boat we had was, most unfortunately, staved on the day of our departure. "We will be very much in want of some tools and camp equipage. I have not the time, Colonel, to make out the proper requisition, but your Quartermaster can send us some of those articles as will be of great service. "I am, sir, in haste, ever truly, your obedient servant, "G. E. PICKETT, "Lieut.-Colonel Casey, 9th Infantry, Commanding, "Fort Steilacoom, W.T." "P.S.-The Shubrick (1) has rendered us every assistance in her power, and I am much indebted for the kindness of her officers." On the 31st Colonel Casey forwarded the three last letters to head-quarters, Department of Oregon, in a note written by himself, in which he said, "the authorities on the other side are trying to bluff a little, but I do not apprehend anything serious." On the same day he sent another company of troops to reinforce Captain Pickett on San Juan Island.(2) (1) The Shubrick was a vessel used by Mr. Campbell for the purposes of the survey. (2) American State Papers, p. 151. |