b. From same, August 12, covering correspondenca with Admiral Baynes; c. From same, August 14; d. To same, August 16; e. From Governor Gholson, August 11; and f. To Mr. Campbell, August 16. 12. Same to the Adjutant General, August 25, 1859, with enclosures— a. From Governor Douglas, August 13; b. Reply, August 24; c. Governor Douglas's message; d. Debate thereon; e. Article from the "British Colonist." 13. Same to same, August 29, 1859. 14. Same to General Scott, August 30, 1859, enclosing letters from Colonel Casey, August 22. 15. Same to Colonel Casey, September 2, 1859. 16. Same to General Scott, September 14, 1859, enclosing a. Affidavit of Mr. Hubbs; b. Affidavit of Mr. Cutler; c. Letter from Mr. Hubbs. 17. Governor Gholson to General Harney, August 21, 1859. 18. General Harney to Mr. Floyd, October 10, 1859, enclosing letters— a. From Mr. Campbell, August 14; b. From same, August 30. 19. General Scott to the Adjutant General, October 22, 1859. 20. Same to same, October 26, 1859. 21. Same to Mr. Floyd, October 27, 1859. 22. General Harney to General Scott, October 29, 1859, enclosing letter from Colonel Casey, October 28. 23. General Scott to Mr. Floyd, December 8, 1859, with enclosures— a. Letter to Governor Douglas, October 25; b. Memorandum by Colonel Lay, October 26; c. From Governor Douglas, October 29; d. To same, November 2; e. Projet of settlement; f. From Governor Douglas, November 3; g. To same, November 5; h. Special Orders, November 5; 2. From Governor Douglas; j. From same, November 7, with enclosure; k. To Governor Douglas, November 9, with enclosure; 7. To Captain Hunt, November 9; m. To Colonel Casey, November 9; n. General Thomas to General Harney, November 9; o. General Scott to General Harney; and p. Special Orders. 24. General Harney to General Scott, November 17, 1859. He [the President] has instructed me to say to you that the officers of the territory should abstain from all acts on the disputed grounds which are calculated to provoke any conflicts, so far as it can be done without implying the concession to the authority of Great Britain of an exclusive right over the premises. The title ought to be settled before either party should exclude the other by force, or exercise complete and exclusive sovereign rights within the fairly disputed limits. Application will be made to the British government to interpose with the local authorities on the northern borders of our territory to abstain from like acts of exclusive ownership, with the explicit understanding that any forbearance on either side to assert the rights, respectively, shall not be construed into any concession to the adverse party. By a conciliatory and moderate course on both sides, it is sincerely hoped that all difficulties will be avoided until an adjustment of the boundary line can be made in a manuer mutually satisfactory. The government of the United States will do what it can to have the line established at an early period. I am, sir, your obedient servant, His Excellency I. I. STEVENS, Governor of Washington Territory, Olympia. 2. Mr. Marcy to Mr. Crampton. W. L. MARCY. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 17, 1855. SIR: I am under some apprehension that collision may take place between our citizens and British subjects in regard to the occupation of the disputed points along the line between Washington Territory and the British possessions on the north of it. In the hope of avoiding such a difficulty, I have, by the direction of the President, addressed a letter to the governor of that Territory on the subject, and herewith furnish you with an extract from it. I presume that the government of Her Britannic Majesty will be willing to recommend to her subjects along the boundary in question a similar course until the line can be established. In that way I sincerely hope all collision may be avoided. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, sir, the assurance of my high consideration. JOHN F. CRAMPTON, Esq., &r., &c. 3. General Harney to Colonel Casey. W. L. MARCY. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENnt of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, W. T., July 18, 1859. SIR: By Special Orders No. 72, herewith enclosed, you will perceive the General Commanding has withdrawn the garrisons from Bellingham and Townsend, and has placed the steamer Massachusetts under your orders for the better protection and supervision of the waters of Puget Sound. To carry out these instructions with more effect, the General Commanding desires me to communicate to you the following directions: The steamer Massachusetts will proceed without delay to Bellingham, to be used in establishing company "D" 9th infantry on San Juan Island; after which she will convey company "I" of the 4th infantry to Steilacoom, when the company you assign for service on the steamer will be embarked under your supervision. Article 37, general regulations: Troops on board of transports will, as far as Ex. Doc. 29-10 practicable, govern in the disposition of the company on board. As no surgeon is available for the ship, medical attendance will be obtained at Fort Steilacoom or San Juan Island, when required; medical supplies, however, with directions for use, will be furnished by your medical officer for such probable cases of danger as will require immediate attention.. After the ship has received the necessary stores and supplies, she will be instructed to cruise in the Sound among the islands frequented by the northern Indians, who will be warned not to come into any of the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States, which embraces all the islands and currents to the east of the Straits of Haro. Any opposition by these Indians will be speedily checked, and the requirements of these instructions will be maintained by force, if necessary. The ordinary rendezvous of the steamer Massachusetts, for wood and water, will be San Juan Island; and should the commander of that island desire the assistance of any force from the ship for purposes connected with the defence of the isl und, the officer in command of the ship will be instructed to furnish the force and co-operate with the troops in all measures requiring its safety and protection. At the end of every two months the ship will visit Fort Steilacoom to obtain supplies, and for the muster and inspection required by the regulations. The command on the steamer Massachusetts will be borne on the post return of Fort Steilacoom, as a component part of its garrison. In the ordinary cruising of the Sound, the ship will be propelled by sail only, but at least four days' fuel for steam will be kept constantly on board, to be used whenever necessity requires celerity of motion. The ship will visit the lighthouses on the Sound in her cruises, and furnish them any protection that may be needed. As the ship is mounted with eight thirty-two pounders, and the proper ammunition has been provided, the crew will be instructed, under the direction of the master of the vessel, in their use, to obtain the most efficient action from all parties in cases requiring it. Whenever circumstances occur requiring a deviation from the tenor of these instructions, you are authorized to use your own discretion and judgment in the matter, reporting the occurrence to this office. The General Commanding is pleased to communicate his confidence in the zeal, energy, and intelligence you exercise in the discharge of your duties to the service, and he rests assured the details transmitted in this communication will be rendered with satisfaction and advantage to such worthy qualities. I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. PLEASONTON, Lieut. Colonel S. CASEY, 4. General Harney to Captain Pickett. HEADQUARTErs Department of Oregon, Fort Vancouver, W. T., July 18, 1859. CAPTAIN: By Special Orders No. 72, a copy of which is enclosed, you are directed to establish your company on Bellevue or San Juan Island, in some suitable position near the harbor at the southeastern extremity. The General Commanding instructs me to say the object to be attained in placing you thus is two-fold, viz : First. To protect the inhabitants of the island from the incursions of the northern Indians of British Columbia and the Russian Possessions. You will not permit any force of these Indians to visit San Juan Island or the waters of Puget Sound in that vicinity over which the United States have any jurisdic tion. Should these Indians appear peaceable you will warn them in a quiet but firm manner to return to their own country, and not visit in future the territory of the United States; and in the event of any opposition being offered to your demands, you will use the most decisive measures to enforce them; to which end the commander of the troops stationed on the steamer Massachusetts will be instructed to render every assistance and co-operation that will be necessary to enable your command to fulfil the tenor of these instructions. Second. Another serious and important duty will devolve upon you in the occupation of San Juan Island, arising from the conflicting interests of the American citizens and the Hudson's Bay Company establishment at that point. This duty is to afford adequate protection to the American citizens in their rights as such, and to resist all attempts at interference by the British authorities residng on Vancouver's Island, by intimidation or force, in the controversies of the above-mentioned parties. This protection has been called for in consequence of the chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, Mr. Dallas, having recently visited San Juan Island with a British sloop-of-war, and threatened to take an American citizen 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 authorized to construct such temporary shelter as the necessities of the service demand. Any materials, as doors, window-sash, 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 interests 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 harbor. I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Captain 2d Dragoons, Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Commanding Company D 9th Infantry, Fort Bellingham, Puget Sound. * 5. General Harney to General Scott. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF OREGON, * * * * * * 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 com manding 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 southeastern extremity one of the finest harbors 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. Twentyfive 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-in-law of Governor Douglas, came to the island in the British sloopof-war Satellite, and threatened to take one of the Americans by force to Victoria, for shooting a pig of the company. The American seized his rifle and told Mr. Dallas if any such attempt was made he would kill him on the spot. The affair then ended. The American offered to pay to the company twice the value of the pig, which was refused. To 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, The ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL, Brigadier General, Commanding. Headquarters of the Army, New York City. 6. Mr. Drinkard to General Harney. WAR DEPARTMENT, September 3, 1859. SIR: Your despatch of the 19th of July last, addressed to the General-inchief, has been forwarded to this Department, and laid before the President for his consideration. The President was not prepared to learn that you had ordered military pos session to be taken of the island of San Juan or Bellevue. Although he believes the Straits of Haro to be the true boundary between Great Britain and the United States, under the treaty of June 15, 1846, and that, consequently, this island belongs to us, yet he had not anticipated that so decided a step would have been resorted to without instructions. In cases respecting territory in dispute between friendly nations it is usual to suffer the status of the parties to remain until the dispute is terminated one way or the other, and this more especially while the question is pending for decision before a joint commission of the two goveruments. If you had good reason to believe that the colonial authorities of Great Britain were about to disturb the status, by taking possession of the island and assuming jurisdiction over it, you were in the right to anticipate their action. The President will not, for the present, form any decided opinion upon your course on the statement of facts presented in your despatch. He will await further details, which he expects to receive from you by the next steamer. He is especially anxious to |