waters are, but am of opinion, however, that they have concluded to wait for further instructions from higher authority before violence is attempted. However, it is a wise maxim to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. I shall accordingly direct the four companies of artillery at Steilacoom to join me at once.

"In a former communication I asked for five companies and an engineer officer, with a detachment of sappers. I would like to have them sent round on board the United States ship Active, which Captain Alden has kindly placed at my disposal for carrying this despatch. The services of the engineer officer and the detachment of sappers would most probably be required but a short time. We are encamped in rather an exposed situation with regard to the wind, being at the entrance to the Straits of Fuca. The weather, at times, is already quite inclement. To maintain the object of our occupation I do not, however, from my present information, think it advisable to change my position. I have enclosed a requisition for 'Sibley' tents, with stores and quartermaster's stores, which I would like to be forwarded by the Active on her return. I have also enclosed a requisition for subsistence stores, which should be sent to Fort Steilacoom as soon as they can be supplied from San Francisco. In view of the possible contingencies of the service, it was my intention to draw from Steilacoom, as a depôt, supplies as they would be needed. The Massachusetts landed her guns and ammunition yesterday. I have directed that she leave to-day for Port Townshend, and bring all the supplies from the port to this point, leaving there a sergeant and two men to take care of the public buildings and garden. I shall place the 32-pounders in position as soon as possible. With our present appliances, I find them rather difficult to "Very respectfully your obedient servant, "SILAS CASEY,

manage.

66

"Lieut.-Col. 9th Infantry,

"Commanding troops on San Juan Island.

Captain Pleasonton, A.A. Adjutant-General, "Head-quarters, Department of Oregon, Vancouver, W.T."

On the 16th the following instructions were forwarded to him in reply :(1)

"Head-quarters, Department of Oregon, "Fort Vancouver.

"COLONEL,-The General commanding has received your reports of the 12th and 14th instant, and accompanying papers, and instructs me to reply as follows:

"The supplies and stores required for the command of San Juan Island will be forwarded as soon as practicable; the camp and garrison equipage will be shipped on the Active.

"The course pursued by you in ordering the four companies from Steilacoom to San Juan Island is approved.

"A detachment of engineers will be sent you by a small steamer; in the meantime have platforms made for your heavy guns, and cover your camp as much as possible by intrenchment, placing your heavy guns in battery on the most exposed approaches; the howitzers to be used to the best advantage with the troops, or in the camp, according to circumstances.

"Select your position with the greatest care to avoid the fire from the British ships. In such a position your command should be able to defend itself against any force the British may land. The General has requested a naval force from the senior officer on the coast, and has notified General Clarke, as well as the authorities at Washington, of the existing state of affairs on the sound. Troops and supplies will be sent to you as fast as they can be collected.

"The General regrets, under all circumstances, your visit to Esquimault harbour to see the British Admiral, but is satisfied of your generous intentions towards them. He instructs you for the future to refer all official communication desired by the British authorities to these head-quarters, informing them at the same time that such are your orders. It is almost needless to inform you that the subjects of Great Britain on San

(1) American State Papers, p. 168.

Juan Island will be treated with the same consideration and respect that is shown to our own citizens.

"I am, Colonel, very respectfully,

"Your obedient servant,

"A. PLEASONTON,

"Captain 2nd Dragoons, A.A. Adjutant-General. "Lieut.-Colonel S. Casey, 9th Infantry, commanding "United States troops, San Juan Island, Puget Sound."

In the meantime, on the 14th of August, Mr. Campbell, United States Commissioner, sent a mild remonstrance against the violent measures of the military authorities, which had probably taken a more serious turn than he had at first anticipated, writing to General Harney in the following terms()

"Steamer Shubrick,

"San Juan Harbour, August 14, 1859.

"MY DEAR GENERAL,-Captain Alden is about to leave the harbour of Fort Vancouver, with despatches from Colonel Casey, and I take the opportunity of dropping you a line in relation to the state of affairs resulting from the landing of troops on the island of San Juan.

"When I learned from Captain Pleasonton that Captain Pickett's company was ordered to San Juan, I thought it was a very proper movement for the protection of American settlers from northern Indians, and from the interferences of the Hudson's Bay Company's agents, who had recently been threatening to take one of the settlers to Victoria for trial; and I did not anticipate from it any serious objection on the part of the British authorities of Vancouver's Islandcertainly no forcible opposition-troops at various times heretofore having been sent there at intervals, in small detachments, for the protection of the settlers against the Indians.

(1) American State Papers, p. 187.

"But I happened to be making an exploration of the archipelago at the time Captain Pickett arrived, and for several days after he landed I was anchored in this harbour; and I soon saw that it was going to produce great excitement, unless managed with great discretion.

"Before I saw Captain Pickett's instructions, I did not suppose it possible that any collision could arise between the United States and the English troops, and I took it for granted that his duties would be confined to the objects specified hereinbefore. While the boundary line still remains unsettled, and the commission appointed to determine the boundary line still existed, I did not suppose any resistance would be made by Captain Pickett to the landing of the British troops, if they thought proper, as a matter of protection to English subjects on the island, to station a force on the island. It did not seem to me, under present circumstances, that we should be justified in going to the extent of refusing to allow them to land troops for peaceable purposes. I found that Captain Pickett had different views, derived from your instructions, which he confidentially showed to me. I perceived that they were susceptible of the interpretation he gave them, though they were not directly mandatory on the subject; and supposing it possible, if not probable, that you might have received instructions from the War Department for the occupation of the island, I felt a delicacy in interfering further in the matter, lest I might be disturbing plans well considered by you, and determined on by the Government. At the same time, as I had no intimation on the subject from the State Department, I felt considerably troubled lest there might be some misunderstanding.

"I was called upon officially by my colleague, Captain Prevost, the British Commissioner for the settlement of the water boundary, to take steps individually, or in concert with him, to protest against the armed occupation of the island, it being intimated that British troops would be landed. As I did not consider it my duty as Commissioner to interfere with the operations of the military forces of either Government, I

declined to take the steps indicated. Thus far no serious results have followed from the presence of troops on the island; but there is a good deal of excitement among the authorities of Vancouver's Island, and, doubtless, a great deal of mortification; and, if I may be permitted to advise, I would recommend caution, so as to prevent, if possible, any collision, which, I think, under no circumstances ought to be allowed to occur.

"However certain may be your conviction that the boundary line according to the treaty should run down the Canal de Haro-and I have never hesitated, when asked, to say that such is the ground I have taken as Commissioner, and that in this, I believe, I will be supported by the Government-still the question has not been authoritatively decided; and unless you have some intimation from the War Department which has governed your actions, I fear that the decided action you have taken in declaring the island American territory may somewhat embarrass the question. I shall be greatly relieved to learn that you have some authority from the Government for the decisive step you have taken, though I do not pretend to ask or desire the information in my official capacity. I thought it possible, if you had no directions from home, that you might be in error on some point regarding the joint commission, and therefore have taken the liberty of letting you know that it still exists, notwithstanding the slow progress made in settling the boundary question.

"I presume Colonel Casey has fully informed you of everything that has taken place since my arrival, and therefore I need say nothing further.

Hoping you will excuse the liberty I have taken in writing you thus freely, I am, my dear General, very respectfully and truly, your obedient servant,

“ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.

"Brigadier-General W. S. Harney,

"United States Army."

General Harney replied as follows:(1)

(1) American State Papers, p. 169.

T