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36th Gonqbess, ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ( Ex. Doo. 
 
 lat Session. ) \ No. 77. 
 
 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 LETTER 
 
 waoH 
 
 THE SECRETARY OF STATE, 
 
 TBtUrewrmo 
 A r&port relative to the occupation of the istand of San Jttan. 
 
 hiuji 28, I860.— Lktd upon the toble, and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Dkpabtmekt op State, 
 
 Washington, April 23, 1860. 
 
 Sir: In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representa- 
 [lives of the tJth Instant, I transmit a copy of the report of Henry R. 
 >0!ibio, esq., relative to the occupation of the island of San Juan. 
 I ha' 3 the honor to be your obedient servant, 
 
 LEWIS CASS. 
 Hou. William Pennington, 
 
 Simker of the House <f Representatives. 
 
 Mr. Croshie to General Cass. 
 
 Washington, D. 0., April 3, 1860. 
 
 Sm: hi complifince with your request, I transmit herewith a com- 
 nuiiicution embodying the facts and occurrences with regard to the 
 kcoupation oC the island of San Juan. 
 I liiwe the honor to be, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 
 
 HENRY R. CROSBIE. 
 IIoii. Lewis Cass, 
 
 Secretary of State. 
 
 Tlic first permanent occupation of the island of San Juan was 
 ffected on the 13th day of December, 1853, by the landing from the 
 luilsoii's Bay Company's steamer "Beaver" of aflockof 1 SOOsheep, 
 hhr charge of Mr, Charles J. Griffin, then a clerk, now a chief 
 pier ill th(» company's service, and who has ever since remained on 
 V' ii^liiud in chiirgo uf their property and interests. The place had, 
 Hever, been frequented the three previous years as a fishing station ; 
 
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 2 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 the fiflhinp parties were re«pectively under charge of Meflsrs. Simp, 
 son and McDonald, both clerks in the company's service. They 
 occupied the inland simply the few weeks of the salmon seaHon 
 abaiidonins? it iis noon aa thsit was over. 
 
 No English settler or colonist hart ever been on the '(ilaud, and no 
 occupation or ol;»im was attempted to be set up previoua to the vear 
 1S53. In the suiumer of that year the propriety <»f cli iminj; und oc- 
 cupyinjx it was discussed by the chief factors of the Hudson's Biiv Com- 
 pany at Victoria, and having determined on doing so, Mr. McDoimltl, 
 the same who hud been in eliarge of the fishing parties for th« two 
 previous years, wus desigjiiited as the person to open a sheep farm, 
 an<l thns make the claim through the company in behalf of the Eng. 
 Hsh government. This was determined in the month of July. Dclaw. 
 however, arose till tlio early part of I)eceiuber, when, on the arrival 
 of Mr. Griniu from Fort Simpson, it was deemed that he was a nioro 
 suitable person, and be was accordingly forthwith despatched to .Sao 
 Juan for that purpose. 
 
 Oil learning of this invasion of American soil, J. M. Ehey, the 
 collector of customs for the Puget's Souiul district, at once iiotifioil 
 Goveriutr Dtniglas that the sheep were liable to seizure for beiiij: 
 brought within the jurisdiction of his custom-house without pa_viii<' 
 duty. Govcinor Douglas thereupon claimed it as British soil, and 
 appointed Mr. Grilliu a stipendiary magistrate for the island of San 
 Juan, as a dependency of Vancouver's island, thus extending the 
 English laws over the island. 
 
 The United 8tates collector having no means of enforcing the col- 
 lection of the customs- — there was at tliat time no revenue cutter in the 
 district, or other available force — protested against the action of Gov- 
 ernor I)i)Uglas. notil'ying him that eventually this unjustiliablo iiitiii- 
 (siou would have to bo accounted for. He also appointed a United 
 States iuspei'tor of customs to remain on the island, directing liim to 
 keep an accoiuit of all goods and dutiable effects that might he landed 
 by the Englisli. Shortly afterwards a complaint was sworn to apiiibt 
 Mr. Webber, tlie inspector, by Captain Sangster, the collector of Van- 
 couver's island, and on that complaint, the purport of which was the 
 very absurd one of calling himself a custom-house officer, a warrant 
 was issued. Captain Sangster himself, acting as constable, placed his 
 hands on Wi'lil)er's shoulder, and attempted to arrest him in the 
 Queen's nanu-. Wclibcr declined to obey the arrest, threatenini,' to 
 shoot the first man who interfered with him in the possession of his 
 rightful liberty, saying, first, that he had committed no crime; and. 
 sociiiiilly. that he was (ju American soil, and would not recogni/.c their 
 .ight to issue any process against him. The warrant of arrest is still 
 in Mr. Webber's posaessio;'. The constable having iiiiiuled it to him, 
 on his re()n('st to sec it. he retained it as ]iroof, should there be any 
 necessity for such, of the strange and absurd course of conduct pur- 
 su(m1 I>y the Hudson's Bay Company and the English eoloinal authori- 
 ties of A^anconver's island. 
 
 JI'-. Webber rcmnineil on San Juan about a year, but was force 1 at 
 last to leave on account of the daily insecurity of his life from the 
 
 ,.ii 
 
ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 8 
 
 i:e of Messrfl. Simp* 
 y's Bervice. They 
 tho BalmoQ seaHon, 
 
 Q the 'li'.AiMl, and no 
 previous to the year 
 of ch iminK uinl oc- 
 sHuJsou'hBuv Com* 
 ^ HO, Mr. McDoiiuli!. 
 parties for the two 
 ) open ii wheep farm, 
 \ behiilf of tho En;;- 
 ith of July. Deliivii. 
 when, on the arrival 
 1 tliut he wan a more 
 ;h dcsputelied to San 
 
 oil, J. M. Ehey, the 
 trict, at once notiliiMl 
 to seizure for beiii;.' 
 louse without paying: 
 t as British soil, and 
 for tho island of San 
 thus extending tlje 
 
 of enforclnj:^ tlie col- 
 1 revenue cutter in the 
 
 ist the iiction of Gov- 
 
 uujustiliable iiitru- 
 
 appointed a United 
 
 1(1, directing liiin to 
 
 lilt might 1)0 landed 
 
 was sworn to apiiiijt 
 the collec'orol' Van- 
 
 ort of which was the 
 •>o oilicer, a warrant 
 
 constable, placed his 
 ivrrest him in the 
 •rest, threatening to 
 ho possession of his 
 tted no crime ; and, 
 1 not rec(),i2;ni/,e their 
 •ant of arre>t is still 
 ii<;' handed it to him. 
 should there be any 
 irse of conduct pur- 
 lish colonial authori- 
 
 but was forced at 
 jf his life from the 
 
 northern Indians, on several occasions having to seek the eludtor of 
 the Hudson's Bay House, at one time remaining several days within 
 their cnclosuro without during to go out. 
 
 He was succeeded in office by Oscar Olnoy, who left from the same 
 reason after a few months, and he in turn by tho present insitoctor, 
 Panl K. Ilubha, jr., all of whom hiive ut ditferent times been com- 
 iielled temporarily to avail themselves of the prote:,aon of Mr. Grinin, 
 tbe IIudsoa'8 Bay Company's ai^ent, and which, in justice to him, I 
 millet ."ay was always freely accorded. 
 
 Thisfeelin;^ of iustHHjrity, however, effectually prevented the settle- 
 ment (tf the island, which would otherwise, from its position and its 
 a;:rieu!tural avdantayes, been years ago almost entirely taken up by 
 farmers. 
 
 it the first session of tho le,ij;Islativo assembly of Washinj^ton 
 Territory, in 1854, tho upper pitrt of Island county, which, by its 
 or'aiiization in 1852 by the Ore;^on lej^islature, iiududed within its 
 boundaries the islands of San Juan, Lopoz, Orcas, Blakely, Decatur, 
 and J»ha\v, was organized into tho new county of Whatcom. 
 
 The ussessment of Sun Juan was mitde with tho other parts of tho 
 county tho same year, but the enfon-oment of the tax was not made 
 till March 18, 1855, when the sherilV, iu pursuance with the require- 
 ments of tlio law iu such cases, seized thirty-odd sheep on the Hudson's 
 Bay Company's farm, and sold them to the highest bidder, the ])ay- 
 meiitiif tho taxes duo the county having been refused by Mr. Gritlin. 
 
 It i.s for this seizure the Hudson's Cay Company have had the 
 a5?r.raiico to present a claim lhn)U,:j,h the British minister to the State 
 De KU'tnient for the moderate sunt of nearly $15,000. As a more full 
 au(, coniplete answer to this extravagant claim, to show how out of 
 all pni|)orti(»u to the damage incurred is the amoimt claimed, I annex 
 herewith a review of the report of G()vernor Douglas published in 
 tliP "Pioneer and Democrat." at Olympia, Washington Territory, 
 .\liril;{(>, 1S5S. 
 
 WliatciMii county never relinquished her claim, and tho taxes were 
 re;:nlarly assessed each year, tlnnigh no attempt was again made to 
 enforce t!ie;n, in the strong hopes that prompt and ertergetic steps 
 would be at once taken by the government to prevent any further 
 neee-sity of having thus rigidly to assert her rights. The county 
 autlioritie-i, in order to prevent any collision or dilHcnlty, which they 
 -aw \V(iu!d be inevitable shouM tlioy i'ollow tiieir iiiu;;'iiial deterniina- 
 lion, contented themselves by simply each year miking the annual 
 a,<sessnieiit, feeling confident that in the end the rightful dues would 
 be j):ii(l, loiikinj;- i'orward to a speedy settlement of their undoubted 
 right of soverei;i'nty over th(^ island. 
 
 The ;:anic was also the course of conduct pursued by the custom- 
 housL' inspector, he merely taking an account of the vessels arriving 
 and the goods landeil. 
 
 The last assessment was made on the 20th of May, 1859, at which 
 time there was die the county 8035. There were 4,500 sheep, 40 
 head (d' cattle, live yoke of oxen, 35 horse.J, and 40 Iin-x dn (he isloiid, 
 'he pi'o[iorty of the company, with about 80 acres fenced and under 
 
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 ISLAND OF SAK JUAN. 
 
 tbreo wore naturalised Atnoricnn citi^en8, and exerciHod their rijrhts 
 as HUch nt the torritorinl election held oii the second Monday in July 
 last, at which time there were twunty-uine actual settlers on the 
 ibland. 
 
 The request was made by the American settlers, as early m Mav 
 to Oenenil Harney to give them a email force, say a detachment of 
 twenty men — .somothin;; that would give them a fooling of secnritv. 
 aa continued apprehension was equally as bad as actual danger ; it Iwd 
 prevented the settlement of San Juan and the adjoining isolated 
 iHlund.H for years, this being the stopping place or point of departuro 
 from whence the northern marauding Indians issued to commit thoir 
 depredations. Already several murders had been committed iij the 
 neighborhood, some of them quite recently, and they claimed ttnit 
 proteetion which citizens had a right to demand of their governmfiut. 
 lie Was urgently asked to visit the island, to view its resources iind 
 its advantageous position. Ho did so on his inspecting tour, a few 
 weeks liiter, of the military posts on tho sound after his return from 
 a visit to Va. cmver's island. 
 
 The settlers afterwards drew up tho request in writing, which they 
 had bolbro verbally made, and forwarded for his action thereon. At 
 the same time he was also informed of the expectation of the settlers, 
 that one of their number would be arrested by the English authori- 
 ties. 
 
 In accordance with this request, General Harney placed upon the 
 island Captain Pickett's company of the 9th infantry. Troops had 
 previously been sent there in small detachments to inquire into out- 
 rages coininitted. What was asked was permanent protection, and 
 not an occasional visit of an inadequate force at long intervening 
 periods. Not the most remote idea was entertained by the settlers 
 that the thus atVording them the jtrotection to which they were entitled 
 was to be made tho excuse for the excitement so very unnecessarily 
 created by the indiscreet action and demonstration made by Governor 
 I)ouglas. Tliey the less a])prehende(l it because those of their own 
 number who had been thrown most in contact with the English 
 authorities were convinced that the English themselves did not con- 
 Bcientionsly believe they had any legitimate right whatever to the 
 island. It had simply been located on by tiie Hudson's B.iy Company, 
 to give to a shadowy claim the substance of an occupation, hoping 
 that they would bo left undisturbed in possession long enouixh to 
 dignify the pretence into something like a right — a mere stroke of 
 colonial policy, perhaps successful from its very audacity. By claim- 
 ing all tiio isliuuls to the Rosario straits, rather than have any difficulty 
 — and we wlm-c to be compelled to believe, if possible, we were on 
 the verge of it — a compromise would be eirected by the adoption of 
 Washington channel, a narrow strait between the islands of San Jinn 
 and Lopex;, in some parts a scant quarter of a mile across, and tho 
 surrender to them of Point Roberts, at the mouth of Fniser river, 
 
ISLAND OF SAM JUAN. 
 
 potatoes. There 
 ution, beaideR Mr. 
 ) white, and those 
 rciHod their rij^hta 
 id Monday in July 
 lal settlers on the 
 
 I, R9 early as May, 
 ly a detachment of 
 \3cling of secnrity. 
 tual danger ; it hud 
 adjoining isolated 
 point of departuro 
 od to commit their 
 11 committed in tlie 
 thoy cliiimed tb;it 
 f their government, 
 w its resources and 
 pocting tour, a few 
 fter his return from 
 
 writing, which they 
 action thereon. At 
 iition of the settleri", 
 the English authori- 
 
 ney placed tipon tiie 
 fiintry. Troops had 
 to inquire into out- 
 went protection, uud 
 [it long intervening 
 ineil by the scttleH 
 .h they were entitled 
 very unnecesfiwily 
 made by Governor 
 those of their own 
 with the English 
 iselves did not con- 
 ht whatever to the 
 lou' s B.iy Company, 
 occupation, hoping 
 )i-i long enough to 
 
 , ;i mere stroke of 
 
 idacity. By chum- 
 
 1 l»avo any difficulty 
 
 [ossible, we were on 
 
 by the adoption of 
 
 islands of San Ju:in 
 
 lile across, ami the 
 
 [tk of Fraser river, 
 
 thus ohtaining the most valuable of tbe islands — indeed the only one 
 tbev cared about. These are known to have been their hopes and 
 expVrtations ever since thoy took the bold Htep of occupying San Juan. 
 The name day that Captain Pickett landed, her Britannic Majenty's 
 gbip "J^atellitc" came into the harbor of Pan Juan and landed Major 
 De Conrcy sis the EngliNh stipendiary magiHtrate. At the time the 
 "?iitellite" left Victoria it wan not known that there were any 
 American troops on the island or to bo placed there. Captain Pre- 
 vost, tlie conimiMulcr of the ''Satellite, ' stated that it w:\h not oven 
 known at Victoria unch a movement was cont«!mplatod. He had come 
 over by direction of the colonial governor to instal the English magis- 
 triUe ill lii;^ position as the civil oflicial of the islujitl. 
 
 N many false statemetits have been publiHhed in the "London 
 Times," \vhich are somewhat oflicial in their nature, being written by 
 Jlr. Donald Fniser, a member of tlio executive council of A^ancouver's 
 i^Iauil, and which are taken for the true history of the -affair, instead 
 nf heing, as they most generally are, exactly the reverse, that I dcera 
 it nnipcr here to say, in contradiction of some of those misrepresenta- 
 tions that no American magistrate, or any otlier civilian whatever, 
 citnie with Captain Pitikett. As the magistrate of Whatcom county, 
 on mv arrival in the steamer "Constitution," on the 2!>th Jiil}', I 
 Clinic merely for a temporary visit; finding there was an English ofli- 
 cial claiming to be the civil authority of the island, I remained as 
 such on the part )f the United States. I did so in accordance with 
 rnv own jml.unicnt of what was my duty in the premises, informing 
 tlic Eiiirlisli niaglstrate that whilst I could not lor a moment achnowl- 
 edge ho had any right whatever to exercise any magisterial functions 
 on the island, and tlie attempt to execute any process he might issua 
 wouhl bo at once promptly met, yet I felt sure that, taking into con- 
 siJiM'ation the disastrous consequences that might ensue by a collision 
 on the part of the civil authority, he would do whatever lay in his 
 po'.ver to avoid so deplorable a result. By direction of Governor 
 Douglas the British naval force were to ob ; any commiind or rcqui* 
 sitiiMi tliat ho might make upon them for asM,;' nice. 
 
 Major do Courcy realizcul the responsibility of his position, and 
 acted thnmgliout the whole difliculty w ith a (liscretion and good feel- 
 ing wliicli teink'd very much to preserve quiet and peai'e. That ho 
 Wiisuppoiiitoil for the ex])ress purpose of seeing British laws enforced 
 upmi the island is beyond doubt. His commission is dated July 26, 
 1S")9, and he was notided that he M-as to be appointed nearly a month 
 previous. Those are facts that cannot be disputed. 
 
 Governor Douglas's jotter to General Harney is not correct in two 
 e?>"iitial piiiiits; one with regard to Mr. Dallas, and the other as to 
 the iiitcinhMl atteinjjt to a]iprelieiid an American citi/en. 
 
 Ml'. Dalhi^j, it is true, did not coiiie over in a nnm-of-war; he canio 
 nvi!' ill the Uuilsoii's Bay Conijtaiiy's steamer "Boaver;" nor could 
 he have known till after his arrival, as the occurrence had taken place 
 hut a lew hours previous, anything with regard to the dilliculty. His 
 suhs(,'i|UL'iit indiscreet conduct, and the controlling influence he pos- 
 
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 6 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 sesHeR over Qovornor Douglas, is the whole cause of all the trouble 
 on thut Mcoro. 
 
 Mr. DuUiiti ifl not a rhiof factor; liii« powers are much mons oxien. 
 Bive. Ho in one of the ilirectort* of tho Huilson'o Bay Cuni|i!iiii'. aud 
 has extrjumliimry powern pnuitcd liini l»y the compiuiy, m will Ik woen 
 by hirt coinmissudi. So far from not bclii}? connected with tho ^.'ot. 
 erniiicitt, h« has* hccn over ninco hi» rcsidonro on Vunconvor'H isi;in(J 
 — for nearly the last two yearn — a nu'iuber of the exee»tive Cdiuicil 
 M it* also Mr. Donald Fruscr, who wag with htiu at tho time uliove 
 alluded to. 
 
 Immediately on )m return from San Junii, tho appointinent of a 
 in;i;4istrato for the island was determined on, and the agent of the 
 Htidson'M Bay Cotnpaiiy was directed to lodj^e n complaint aj^'ainst tlw 
 arty referred to, not only on the ground of tho killi ig of tho aninml, 
 ut also as ti trespass upon lands beloiit^ing to tho company, in iiddil 
 tion to which he was direi-ted to proceed a}:;ainst any otlior of the sei- 
 tiers that he mi;;ht deem interfered with his slieep runs, or M'lierovcr 
 he mij^ht think proper to place his flocks or other stock. 2'ltis cannot, 
 with tiiith^ be ifi->ite<l. 
 
 As tiiat would leave it nt tho option of tho ugont to cliiiin the 
 wh(»K» island, or, to the same eflect, all the grazing jxirtions, the result 
 would have lieen, if etiforced, t!ie removal of all the settli'is. 
 
 The only inference that cau he drawn is, had there hren no pmha- 
 hility of at once an active resi>stanco to the execution of process, the 
 original intention would have heen carried tmt. 
 
 The govijrnor says further, in his letter, that had there hecii nny 
 Conii)laint against an American citizen, he should have refcrnMl it to 
 Anieiican authorities, and that he paid no attention to a coiapliiiiit 
 which was made hy an English subject upon one occasion, out oi re- 
 spect to the friendly government to which the alleged olVeiulcrbcloiigi'fl. 
 Thoroughly conversant with the occurrences that have taken place on 
 San Juan from lN,">3 to the present time, 1 am, in common with other 
 residents of the island, at a loss to know to what or Avhoni he iillmles. 
 Tlkiit he does not hesitate to take notice of exceedingly IVivoloiis cdin- 
 plaints, the oJie he forwards to General Scott with regard to thu line 
 and imprisonment of a man who was engaged in the nefarious tnillic 
 of liquor to Indians is in itself an evidence. The reply to his coiuiiiii- 
 nication is hereto appended. 
 
 'J'he island of San Juan does not command, as has boon asserted, 
 the entrance to the harbor of Victoria, nor tho passage northward to 
 the settlements in British Coliunbia. 
 
 It is not in any maimer, nor could it by any means of oflence or de- 
 fence become, essential in a military point of view to tho protection 
 of either of the llritish colonies. Tiie entrance to the harbor of 
 Victoria is lull eighteen miles from tlie nearest portion of San Juan, 
 and the Canal del Ilaro has a width of over seven miles. It is the 
 only one of the elanniels that is over a cannon shot across. 
 
 Their claim is based upon the statement that in ohlen tinier tho 
 captains of their brigs and trading vessels more fretpiontly used the 
 llosario straits; that it was more IVetjuently used is owing to the lact 
 
 ■'■iJ 
 
 #*i* 
 
ISLAND OF SAM JUAN. 
 
 of all the trouble 
 
 much mnri) cxten- 
 Bay Conipiuiy, jiud 
 any, m will lu witn 
 ctt'd with the ^,'ot. 
 Vancouvor'n isUnc! 
 cxcmtive cimupil, 
 at the timu uliove 
 
 appoiiitiriont of a 
 itl the iij:;L'nt of the 
 (inphuiit iigdiiist \ht 
 illi igof till! aiiiiiml, 
 li coju|)!iny, ill mldi' 
 my otlior of tin.' sel- 
 p runs, or M'horovcr 
 itock. This cannot, 
 
 agent to cliiiin the 
 
 ; portions, the result 
 the setth'i'M. 
 horo been no prola. 
 iitiou of pvocort.'S the 
 
 >;i<l there been iiny 
 
 1 hiive veferred it to 
 
 tion to !i eoinphiiut 
 
 occasion, out et' re- 
 
 MlolVcnderbcleiigeil. 
 
 hiive tatcen jiliu'*' on 
 
 common witli other 
 
 or Avhoni lie iilludcs, 
 
 'iiif;"ly frivolous om- 
 
 \\ regard to tliu fine 
 
 the nefarious tnillic 
 
 reply to his eouiuiu- 
 
 Is has been assorted, 
 lassage northward to 
 
 lana of offence or de- 
 l\v to the protection 
 Ic to the harhor of 
 lortion of San Juiin, 
 
 Ml miles. It is the 
 
 lot across, 
 in olden times the 
 
 |lVe(pieiitly used the 
 
 lis uwing'to tlio fact 
 
 of til p C'anwl 'h»I Hrtrn, which Ih 'ii reiility htit n continnntion of the 
 StnitMof Funi, beiii^ a hroiul, detip nrnj of tlio sea; in ciiso of advorso 
 wiiiils or calm* tho atichorii^e w«k both dillic iilt to roacih, and whon 
 foinid iitforded hut pf)or hohiinj^ ground, wliorcaH RoHario mtraits in a 
 mii'h ruirroWiT channel, in some parts not two miles across, and af- 
 f(»rihil everywhere seeuro anchorage. Yet on this flimsy pretext of 
 tlu' iiftiim and caution of fludson'H Bay (company captains, who wero 
 well aware if theylost a vessel their employment ceas(>d, is based their 
 olniia that the Rosario straits is the channel designated as tho boun- 
 dary hy the treaty of lH4f), notwithstanding the fact that in all tho 
 dijciissioiis in the United States .Senat(^ at the time of its ratification 
 thi' Canal del Ifaro was especially allud(Ml to as the boundary. 
 
 From Victoria to Fraser river, by the way of Itosario Htraits, is 
 miirly twenty miles further than by the Canal del Ilaro. The stoara* 
 ern and other American Vesscds, during tin* Fraser river excitement, 
 went aftill nearerpassage inside <»f Saturna island, called the "Active 
 Pass," hut which the British wurveying steamer "IMumper," that 
 came out eighteen months after tho United States coast survey steamer 
 '•Artivo" had surveyed and named tho same — indeed went through 
 it with the sailing directions of the ''Active" — very coolly puts down 
 on the chart as the "Plumper Pass," a piece of approj»riation that 
 resomhles only their claim to the islands. 
 
 In lS4fi the vessels owned by the Hudson* .s Ray Company, inde« 
 pendent nf their sliips Itringing their supplies direct from Englaml 
 iind returning with furs, wore the steamer "Beaver," tho briga 
 "Miiry Dare" and "Cadhoro," and tho schooner "Una." 
 
 The "Heaver" W(^iit up north as far as Sitka, supplying the 
 northern posts and trading with tho Russian Indians; the "Mary 
 Dare" and " Una" traded to the Sandwiidi Islands, whilst tho 
 "Cadhoro" was more especially for tho posts on Fraser river and 
 Piiu'et's Sound. 
 
 The "Beaver" used the Canal del Uaro, as did also the "Cad- 
 horo," when she had a leading breeze. One of the passages out of 
 the Canal did Ifaro into the Gulf of Georgia is named the Cadboro 
 pnssage. All of the vessels had been years employed in the fur 
 trailo; the 'R'aver" since ts;};'), the first steamer ever on the Pacific, 
 and the "Ca.litoro" as far back as 182!). 
 
 The isjiiiul of Sun Jti in is nineteen miles long, with a width of 
 seven miles, containing about 50, 000 acM'es of land. The soil is 
 fertih'. There are on it miiiy prairies, and, as the woods have not 
 that thick matted uiid(M"growtli so common to the Ore.nin coast, is 
 easy of access in all directions. The causes before assii:iied are the 
 only reasons why it has not betMi before entirely occnjiieil. 
 
 There is but a small band of Indians residing on the island — a part 
 of tlie Lummi tribe of Bellingham Bay. The Sanicli and Co\vit(diiiis, 
 ot Vaiieouver's island, both large tribes, frequent it in great nnniliers 
 during tlie lishing season in summer. The Sanicdi are a tribe whoso 
 winter eampiiig grounds adjoin the town of Vii'toria. 
 
 As their hind is (if great value, and exceeilingly desirable as a con- 
 tinuation of the water front of the town, the motion was made some 
 
ISLAND OF SAM JOAIT. 
 
 ii?.fH 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 it 
 
 
 ''p 
 
 '.' 
 
 '?! 
 
 ' 
 
 'i 
 
 ? ' 
 
 'i\ 
 
 
 id 
 
 "1 ■ 
 
 ^f'; 
 
 f 
 
 
 months Rince in the coloniul h'^'f^^'iture, a\u\ ^'ravoly diHciisMod, to re. 
 DiDvy tlieiti from Vittoriii as Hcrioiusly iiitt'rr»'iiii},' with tlic intcicHt:* 
 of the coniiniiiiity, iiiid locate tliciu |H'riiiaiu'iitly on tlio island of Smi 
 Juan. It was iiitro<luct'd and tirj^cd mainly liy tlio H[»(!iikir, |)|- 
 IIclcncliLMi, n .son-in-law of tlio fjovi'inor. Parties of the IUll,i.|i(.|];|o 
 Will>aul\H-cliini-zi-anrt, Ilydor, StickeiiH, und Tonjj;aH, constaiitlv vi.Mt 
 the island, Tho three last trihcH are the most dangt'idHH (',| nH 
 thou^^U iu)ne are to he trnnted ; they live far to tho north. Tho 
 Ilyders are IVom Qneen Charlotte islanil; the Stickens and Tcni'in 
 from th(! Unssian possesptions. it is these northern Indians thut keep 
 tho uhole upper part of the sound in a state of continual dreiid. Tluir 
 canoes are lar^re, carrying ^t!nerally from 20 to •'>() paddles, soiiii;. 
 timeH double that nundiur, all hein^- well armed, each caiioc Imvinir 
 UD arm-ehest, in which thero is stowed a gun for each man, in addj. 
 tion to the one heside him for immediate use. They niovt; ninidlv 
 from point to point, await a favorable (»pportunity to commit u doiav- 
 Uation, and then puHJi at onco for their liomos. What conduct's in 
 some manner to the protection of the settlers is, that tin- tribes uftlio 
 sound are t)ur outposts of alarm; lietween them there is always im 
 open war, though, as tho northern Indians are bold and reiuarkublv 
 athletic men, having a siiigidar rcsend)lnnce to the Tartar rauo in 
 complexion and appearance, they never attack them unless in nuali 
 greaier uiunbers, and oidy then when at a great disadvantiigo. 
 
 A.s they never have been punished for tlii'ir dejjredations, eacli ycur 
 they iiu'ri'ase in boldness and numbers. 'J'lie Slickens are tliu In- 
 dians who committed the murders in IJellingham Day in 1854, aiid a 
 branch of the tribe called the Ka-acks, the murder of Colonel EIkv, 
 in the summer of 1850. 
 
 The heads of the persons murdered are always carried ofT ns tro- 
 phies, around which, on their arrival amongst their tribes, arc jili'- 
 formed ceremonies similar to the scal|) dance of the plains. 
 
 From the admiralde manner in which the Hudson's IJav Cuiiiiiaiiv 
 have managed the Indians — treating them with kindness, iuhI at the 
 t-ame time with great (irmness; just so sure as they conuaittcil mi 
 outrage on persons or property, just so sure were they certain tn W 
 promptly punished, never allowing that terrible delay of wliicli unr 
 frontier settlers have so bitterly experienced its evils, to rob the ex- 
 ample of its proper eilect, but doing whatever they (U'cnied justitc iv- 
 quired at once, and thoroughly, thus insuring to their agent: iiiul 
 employes, even in the most distant and isolated regions, entire 
 security— one of their munber could go anywhere through tlie niost 
 warlike of the tribes or renuiin in their neighborhood luinailestotl, 
 whilst an American dared not trust himself in their vicinity, except k 
 deceiving them as to his nationality. The Hudson's Hay Cemiiiiiiy 
 servants could remain in safety on San Juan: the Americans euuM 
 not. The question resolved itself into whether the island wastobu 
 abandoned or the settlers protected. 
 
 mi 
 
(I'tMliitloiis, each vi'iir 
 
 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 9 
 
 [Plont'or and Domocrat, 0)ym|ii«, W. T., Frldiiy, Aiirll SO, 1858.) 
 
 JifiJij h the rt'port vjton thf rhihnu for tfawiKjcfi a/isotst'd hi/ Governor 
 
 Doiiijhut^ Victoria, V. I. 
 
 JJtiiti'im'iit nui\ valiiiitinii of sli('(>j), tlio property of tlio HikIhoii'h Buy 
 ('niiiPiinv, I'lirt'ilily hcI/cmI mul Ciirriod nil", on Murcli .'{(), \HFt^}, Ity KIlis 
 ]};iiiiis, slit'ritV ol' Wliiitfojii county, Wiisliiiif^toii Territory, airlcd iiiid 
 as.''ist('(l l>y tlio iiniitMl posso of Hiiid county, in the nnnw iind htdiidf of 
 till' UiiitcMl StiitcH of Anioricii, niid of Ioshoh rcsnltin;? from tlic vio- 
 liiit lilts of tlic said KllJH IJarncs, in coiiscrnicncc of tlw^ ilocks hcinpj 
 (hiviii into tlio woods, and there dewtroyed l)y beasts of prey, nnd 
 tiinniu'h other cniiHOS. 
 Ciiiricd otVI'V SherilV Barnes and i)o.s80, of Whatcom comity : 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 12 rlioice Sontlidown raniH, at X20 240 8 
 
 8 Clioviot rams, at €20 100 
 
 C Leicester rams, at £25 150 
 
 8 iiieriiio rams, at £25 200 
 
 Nuiiiher of sheep missinp; in consecpienco of the ilocks 
 liiivin^' heen driven into the woods : 
 
 Idi; SiMithdown ewes, at S.Ts. 4(^ 200 
 
 (!;! Southdown hunbs, at 15s 47 
 
 8li Cheviot owes, at 32.v. 4d 143 8 
 
 2;; Cheviot iambs, at 15,s- 17 5 
 
 25 Leicester ewes, at ;};}«. \d 41 l;} 4 
 
 5(1 inoriuo ewes, at 50.s. Gd 141 8 
 
 Cost of coih'cting and restorin;;' Hock : 
 
 Iliiv of 10 nu'n for 8 (hiys, at 12.v. Vul per diem 50 
 
 Hire iif steaiu-vessel "IJeaver," for protection of prop- 
 erty under my char^i'o 500 
 
 Pay Ill's men for 8 days, hired to protect tlif property 
 
 in uiy cliarLic, at 12.s'. iUl. ]»er diem 40 
 
 Lh iileutal hisses thron,u;li the deran;:;emcnt and stispon- 
 sidu of business in consequence of Slierilf IJarnes's vio- 
 liiit acts 1,000 
 
 Total 2.090 1.-} 
 
 "f.'. 
 
 kr'--r 
 
 'a::M 
 
 CHARLES J. GRIFFIX. 
 
 Sax .TrAN, July 20, 1855. 
 
 1 herel)y certify that this is the siji'nature of Charles John GrlHin, 
 mul tliat he is a person wurthv of credit. 
 
 JAMES DOUGLAS, 
 Governor of Vamvuvcr s Maud. 
 

 J *■' 
 
 i' '' 
 
 * 1 4 
 
 ■if 
 
 ] 11 
 
 
 ,if 
 
 fr^ 
 
 \\ 
 
 I 
 
 V 
 
 r. 
 
 10 
 
 I8:.ANU or SAN JUAN*. 
 
 Hudson's I'>av IIousio, Drmnhcr (!, IH')'). 
 
 iMv liOKi) : Willi rcrcrciicc lo tlic deputy p)V(!ni()r's loKi^rs of i],,, 
 lltli ami •JItli (il'-Fiiiy, iiiid .Mr. lljiiiiiiioiMrs of July IM ami Aii^iisl ' 
 J have I III' Immir Id ciirlnsc a copy ol" a icllcr jiisl received froiii .Mr 
 J)(.ll^la^■, j;'overiior of V^aiicoiiver's island, dated Victoria, Seplciiili,.]. 
 2S, IS,"),'), eoveriiii;' an accoiiiil (pftlie daiiiaj:,'e caused to tlic iliii|s,ii|\ 
 Jlay C'oiiipaiiy h\ l!i(> unjust ilialile proceediuj^-s of the United Htatos 
 authorities in the isle ol" San .Inaii, lo;:,'ether with a copy ol" Uu' I'm'tlifr 
 eoi respondenee on the snliject lietweeii me, Isaac Stevens, };()Vernii-of 
 Washini^ton Territory, and (lovernor J)ou;;las. I Imvo to Ix".- (||,|[ 
 youi' iordship will call upon the j^jovernnient of the United Stales to 
 reiniliursi' tin- Hudson's JJay Coiniiany for the illegal acts oC theii' 
 olliecrs. 
 
 I have, ttc, 
 
 A. COLVILLE, Govinm. 
 
 Earl of Ci..\ui;.\i)()X, K. (,\, (('•(•., <('•('., ih: 
 
 "We p\ddisli the above liill of pai'liculars that it may be seen "liv all 
 ac(piainted witli the lads what an e^'rej^iaous swindle lias hceii at- 
 teiniiteil. We duubt whellier, ill the hl>l(iry (d' the many ellorls to 
 delVi.ud tli(> United States treasury, then- has been a siii,L;'I<> instaiuv 
 cli;ii'acteri/eil by siudi cool as>uraiiee aslli(> present idVort el' (Joveiiior 
 I>ou,u'las, (if N'aiicoiiver's island : he claims the sum of C2,0!IO l.'js',, 
 lieaily .^l.").00(>. as daimi:i,'es en aecdunt ol'tiie si'i/.ure of Mr. r.arii s, 
 slierill" el" Whatcom coniily, of certain sln'cp, to pay the taxi's ijne 
 I'rom the per>ons and U|ion the property on San .luan or rx'llcviio 
 island. 
 
 A simple statement id tlie I'aets is all that is necessary to show tlie 
 fraud atlein|)ted and the falsehoods perpetralt'd in tlie bill roiulcml 
 by the Hudson's IJay Company thnui^h tlii'ir aL;'ents. 
 
 'I'he lirsl lei;islalure id' Washiiiii'ton Teiritory, on the or^aiiizatinii 
 o[' AVIiatcom county, inciiided San .Fuan island within its boiniilaiic^:: 
 the (pieslion was not raised as to the Ie.i;'alily of its beiii^' williiiioiir 
 territory; every honest, sensible, disinterested man, even on the Kii;:'- 
 lish side, acknowleil)j;ed that. In the adjust meiit of the Orc^dii (lis|iiite 
 the parallel id' 111 was adopted as the coi. promise; the line was ilo- 
 flecled on striking;' the dull' ol" (leoruia, so as not to sepanitu llie 
 jurisdiction n[' N'ancouver's island. The paralhd of I!) of iinrili 
 latilnde carried out as ih" boundary would have included within "Ur 
 limits the principal settlement on Vancouver's islaiiil. tlie most valii;;li!e 
 p(M'lionol' that island, '['he only just interpiet:ition, tliereferc, tliit 
 can be u'iven to the treaty — its clear inti.'iit and nieaniii.L;" — is that all 
 land south of ■11)'^. with the exception of Vancouver's island, lu'l- 'i:> 
 to the Uniteil Stati>s. 'i'he (pieslion is not on the relative lucrir- "t 
 cither oiu> channel ( i- the othoi-; the lu'arest (dianiicl on \'aiii'iiiiv> ',•> 
 islaml. wluMlier u is best (a.- it happens to be) or worst, is ihc liiii'"t 
 ije]iaratioii, es[iecially as, by all international law, islands not spL'rial!)' 
 
 J 
 
ivvmhcv (i, 18;')'). 
 luir's K'tlci's 1)1' ilio 
 
 i;'. iuiil Aii;;usl 2, 
 received IVnin Mr, 
 ietoria, Septeinln.'!' 
 h1 1() the lliKlsuu'ti 
 
 ilie United Stutos 
 eojiy of the I'lirlliLT 
 tevcns, };'i)veriie'uf 
 I have to he^- tliat 
 e United States to 
 .legal aets of thi.iv 
 
 ILliE, Guvcrnor. 
 
 \\\:\y lie seen iiy all 
 ivimlh' has heeii at- 
 
 the many elloi'ts to 
 ■en a sinj^'le instaua' 
 i( eiVort of Governor 
 .nni of C2,n!IOl:U,, 
 /.lire of Mr. P.aviM's, 
 j)ay the taxes iliio 
 
 1 .luan iir IJellcvue 
 
 fcessary to show !lie 
 n tlie l>ill rendrral 
 lilts. 
 
 on the or^'uiii/.iitinii 
 
 hill its boimdarii's; 
 
 lits lieinu; within mir 
 
 In, even nil the Kn-- 
 
 [ the ()i-e,i;'on(hsi'iite 
 
 i(>; tlie line was ilo- 
 
 ,1 to separate tlio 
 
 d of IS) of north 
 
 jinelnded within mir 
 
 Id. the most valn;:l'!o 
 
 inn. tlierefofi', lint 
 
 ieanin;j;— is that all 
 
 ler's island, hci m:> 
 
 relative merit- "I 
 
 |i,d nil \';nifiiuv. r> 
 
 worst, is the liii' 'I 
 
 Islands mt ^[kMIj 
 
 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 11 
 
 (le-i'iiateil and set apart aro appurtenant to tlio adjacent continent 
 
 ani 
 
 I ,,,,/ to aiinllior island 
 
 ircseiil l']n;_'lisli coniniissioner, a liipdi-tor 1, lioiioraldc; uMMitle- 
 liian, I -|i. I'ialiy appointed to examine and adjmiieate the dispute in 
 tji,, |,i;iili r of tlie island, and not likidy to surrender an iota of his 
 Mv's riLihts, at- once, after an examinalion of the suhjecl, will, 
 
 (•(II n I 
 
 we il'il 
 
 ili| lint, coneeih- oiir eiaiin lo ,San .liiaii is a just om 
 
 T 
 
 lere- 
 
 ii'c tlie slierilV wa* simply [)i"rforniiii,t;' his duty in collectini;-. ac- 
 cord;;;!;' lo l;i\v, the lax of his county, and in consequence the Jliid- 
 i;oii'> "nv t'oiiipaiiy liavt' no (daiiii lor dama,L;'es ; on the contrary, aro 
 still iiidel'leil to Whatcom county a consideriible sum for arrinirs of 
 
 II' :!ie\ ;ire williiii our domain they must abide liy the law of tlie 
 lain! ill eoiiiiiinn with every citizen o\ tiie United St;it(!s. it cannot 
 lie irnied unjust, since it was not ii speiuai fax levied upon them. It 
 ike on all, whether national or ibrt/iLin. If Ihev wen^ not wil- 
 
 l;iii- .;■ 
 
 Iiim' 1.1 ;ihh!e by it they had only to remove from within our borders 
 lo he free from its action. 
 Tl:.' (|ue.-tioii, and the only (piestion, in th(> all'air is, wdiether le- 
 
 Iv till! ;dier u was ii 
 h 
 
 1 the iietiial dis(diar'i'i' of his dutv. If h 
 
 e W;iS, 
 
 llicn iiiere wa.-, no (laiii;i,!J,'e; i 
 
 he w;isnot, then wli;it amount of dai 
 
 wa: ;ii'lii;illv dom 
 
 evnli ;iri 
 
 ? Th;it 1 
 
 le \v;is 
 
 in the discdi 
 
 ir^'e oi Ins (iiu 
 
 ii;!-'0 
 , the 
 
 i^ the f;iel of his beili^' the duly (deeled ;iiid ([indilied shorin" 
 of \VIi;;ieom county, and lh;it v"^;!!! .Iiiuii island is a jiart of that county. 
 But ilial till' fr;iiid m;iv be seen ill all its bciiriii^^s, we will 
 
 Ullieniil ol losf 
 
 actually incurred. The sherill' took with him a po-s 
 
 -tate the 
 
 •se 
 
 CQlti:iul"''< Oil iii'oceei 
 
 liiiii' to hail .luan ishiiul t( 
 
 lect the tax due, as 
 
 lie v,;is iiil'oriiied its collcclion would be resisted, lie thend'nre nuti- 
 tied iinit. ill |»m-siiaiiee of law, he should seize and sell sullieient jirop- 
 erly, lo the lii,t;'liesl bidder, to satisfy the dein;ind. Trevious In doing 
 i<(), liiiwever, desirous by every pro[)er means to prevent liilliculty, 
 he. ;;iiil others with him, advised Mr. Cirillin, tlu! agent in tdiarge, to 
 lieep in or ])ay the t;ix under protest ; that the tax was 
 
 either lild tile 
 
 (•(.iisiire ot lib 
 
 employers of the lludsnn's Ihiy Comiiany. Mr. (Ji-illin 
 
 WoiiM li;i\i' (lone so hut ti'oin posiii 
 
 ve orders from the (diitd" factor, 
 
 G 
 
 everiior l)oii-las, w lii(di he dare not disol 
 
 )ev, 
 
 II 
 
 IS orders were to 
 
 resist the collection oi the lax with all the force at his cnmniaiid. lie 
 
 saw, hew ever, it wniild be usidi 
 
 as th 
 
 e slier 
 
 iff was (h'termined to 
 
 I'Xeiiite his duly ;it all ha/.iirds. Had (Jovernor Douglas hinisidf been 
 ]iro>eiil (and it was a matter of regnd that he was not instead of Mr. 
 Gri!li;i) the result would have been tlies;im(>. On Mr. (Iriiliii rid'using 
 veil under protest, he w;is ashed when' the llixd^s 
 n the other side of the island. The p;irty 
 
 M li"\ tile t;ix. e 
 
 Well 
 
 II 
 
 e s;ih[ tiic\' Were o 
 
 lien lell til 
 aiiil 
 
 e >lli'| 
 
 iir, stating lliev would next morniiiLr seize the 
 
 lice 
 
 ami >eil theia in the iii;iiiiier prescribed by hiw. They, however, re- 
 tun, rd ;i 1.1 lilt three o'(dnck ill I he nini'iiinLL' and found iie;ii' Mr. (! lilllii'.s 
 
 ,, y.if 
 
 A- * 
 
 ! i 
 
 n 
 
 l;iwliiliy due, and as a public ollicer Ik; was compidleil to tlu' cniirso 
 lie li;ol l;ikeii; they appreidateil tlu' uii[)leas;intness of his position, 
 and would dn evervthing consistent with dutv to I'vvo him from the 
 
 .-.. -V :?K:ir.> 
 
f 
 
 12 
 
 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 I 
 
 ) ; 
 
 m 
 
 - 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 " 1 
 
 I 
 
 
 : i 
 
 K 
 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 .«> 
 
 K- 
 
 ' ( ' 
 
 : :^ 
 
 
 
 ■ ^.' 
 
 k 
 
 ■ \ , 
 
 
 1 
 
 1*; 
 
 1, 
 
 
 .• ''« 
 
 ."if;. 
 
 '1^1 
 
 .1 J v; 
 
 
 ) Xi 
 
 i:i 
 
 : I.: 
 
 i/'i;. 
 
 ;■ -I 
 
 i!#^::R^'^ 
 
 house forty-five rams in a pun, wliicli wore immotliiitely seized, und 
 about uooii were sold to tlie liigliest bidder. 
 
 Wliilst the i)urc'hiisers Avere securing? tlieir rams, and had tdken 
 some thirty-four of tbem to rlie boat, leaving:,' one of tlie postio in 
 charf;-e, some of tlie slieplierd.-i rode up and f^'ave tlie " shepherd's 
 call." Tiie rams, obeying the well-known signal, jumped tlu; pen 
 and ran away. 
 
 The whole damage, then, if any, can only be the thirty-four mm;^ 
 and nothing else. So far front, the sheep being driven into tlie irauds. 
 theJInc/iS were neither seen nor sought for. 
 
 The claim for hire of the steamer "Beaver" is an item wLirh in 
 itsi'lf is sullicieiit to stain|) the whole afi'air as an unmitigated fraud. 
 The "Beaver," so far from being a hired steamer, is, as every one 
 knows, the property of the Hudson's Bay Company. Besides wliicli 
 she did not come to the island. She steamed up, it is true; canio out 
 two or three miles from Victoria harbor and then returned. By tlm^ 
 time, Avhoever was in charge had come to the conclusion that it was 
 better not to interfere with a slieriH' in the discharge of his duty. 
 Since then Governor Douglas has been very profuse in his abuse 
 terming all concerned " filibusters and sheep-stealers." Were they 
 so in his opinion, why did ho not give orders for the "Beaver" to 
 overtid<e them and capture them? The truth is, the governor hiiusdf 
 was more than doubt I'ul of the propriety of his own course. 
 
 Hire of eighti'en men sixteen days, at 12«. Qrt. — say three ddllars 
 per diem ! Anolher absurdity. The Hudson's Bay Compjiny oniiilov 
 Indians at from two to three blankets per month. Their slieplierd's 
 pay is .£17 per anum. Their bailiffs, as was shown by a contract 
 lately exhibited in court at Olympia, only get £G0 per aiinuui. Mr, 
 Grillin, the agent, received but XlOO per annum. 
 
 The lumping charge of XI, 000 is only equalled by the keeper of a 
 tavern who entertained one of the Bonapartes in his travels, and who, 
 the next morning, al'ter footing up the bill as largely as possible, not 
 making it reach beyond eighty dollars, put down "twenty dolliirs for 
 kicking iq) a grand fuss generally," with the idea all that would be 
 looked at was the aggregate, and not the items. 
 
 The statement of Mr. Grillin was made by Governor Douglas's 
 direction, and iloubtless his own individual specification. It was most 
 proliably merely signed by Mr. Grillin al'ter l)eing thus drawn up by 
 direction of (Jovernor and Chief Factor Douglas. 
 
 Governor Diaiglas is a partner in the concern, and, as the claim 
 over and above the cost and expense of the thirty-four ranis is a clear 
 profit, will be the largest gainer by the transaction. 
 
 Tlu'i), also, Mr. Colville claims on behalf of the Hudson's Bay 
 Company. The Hudson's Bay Company is a trading company, and 
 by llu' very tenet of its charter is prohibited from agricultiind pur- 
 suits. To obviate that dillieulty the Pnget's Sound Agricultural Com- 
 pany was organized. Yet this elaim is not on liehalf of the I'ugefs 
 Sound Company — an agricultural and stock-raising association— but 
 of the Hudson's Bay Conii)any. 
 
 The fact of the whole matter is. Governor Douglas, anxious to gain 
 
 A 
 
 ft 
 
ISLAND OF SAN .lUAN. 
 
 13 
 
 liatoly seized, uud 
 
 IS, and had t,\ken 
 le of the pesse in 
 ! the " she,)herd's 
 il, jumped tho pen 
 
 le thirty-lnur niras, 
 'iven into the. urmh, 
 
 an item which in 
 unmiti,t5ated fraud. 
 •, is, as every one 
 ly. Besides whicli, 
 it is true; caniu out 
 
 returned. Ey tlia^ 
 nehision iliat it was 
 Lihavgo of his duty, 
 ofuse in his abuse, 
 ders." Were they 
 .1- the "Beaver" to 
 tho governor himself 
 wn course. 
 '. — say three dolhirs 
 lay Compiiny enijiloy 
 Their shepherd's 
 lown by a eontniet 
 per annum. Mr, 
 
 by the keeper of a 
 
 [lis travels, and who, 
 
 ely as possible, not 
 
 twenty dollars fur 
 
 :a all that wouhl be 
 
 S-ovornor Douglas's 
 at ion. It was most 
 thus drawn up by 
 
 and, as the claim 
 -four rain> isuilear 
 
 |)n. 
 the Hudson'.-^ Hay 
 llin^- company, ami 
 111 agricultural pur- 
 ll Ai;-ricultural C<m- 
 jhalf of the Pup't's 
 (ig association— but 
 
 [las, anxious to gain 
 
 niic little notoriety with his govornmont, claims a part of tho soil of 
 'lis territory as belonging to the British government; lands, under 
 cover of night, a flock of sheep on San Juan island, which, so far 
 froin Iteiiig a worthless island, as ho represents, contains sevcralthou- 
 saiid acres of fertile land, and which ho himself had intended, in caso 
 the claim was made good, to purchase for his own individual use. 
 
 The (luict occupancy in frustrated by tho authorities of the county 
 collecting the claim for taxes. Ho then lays claim for damages. What 
 those dfunages are wo have all seen; what Mr. Douglas alleges them 
 to 1)0 the written documents exhibit. We had always believed that 
 i',1 dealing with Englishmen we had to deal with a frank, outspoken 
 iicoplo. If our opinion is correct, then Governor Douglas docs not 
 ',1 this aifair exhibit the characteristic fair-play of an Englishman. 
 He savs that the amount claimed is a less danmge than Avould be 
 granted in a court of law. He seems to labor under the impression 
 that boldness of assertion will stipply paucity of facts. So far from 
 it, if that bill of particulars was sworn to in any court, either in the 
 United States or England, it would render the individual so swearing 
 subject to the penalties for perjury, and all others connected there- 
 with accomplices in tho endeavor to obtain money under false 
 pretences. 
 
 ["Altft Californian."] 
 
 A. G. Dallas, chief officer of the Hudson^ s Bay Company^ 8 territory. 
 
 Alexander Grant Dallas, now residing in Victoria, and eon-in-law 
 of Governor Douglas, has been for more than a year the chief oflicer 
 of the Hudson's Bay Company in Ainerica, and he governs a domain 
 almost as extensive as that of tho United States. His powers are 
 almost absolute ; at least, they are very great. The following is a 
 copy of Mr. Dallas's commission : 
 
 To Alexander Grant Dallas, esquire, hereby appointed president of 
 
 council: 
 
 By virtue of the charter to up given by King Charles the Second, 
 by his letters patent, under the great seal of England, bearing date 
 the second day of May, in the twenty-second year of liis reign, we do 
 hereby appoint you, Alexander Grant Dallas, to preside at all councils 
 ivbich shall or may bo held within our Territory of Rupert's Land, or 
 within the territory compreheiuled under the grant of exclusive trade 
 with the Indians in parts of North America, and bearing date the 
 thirteenth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, 
 as well as in all other places where trade is carried on by the said 
 governor and comi)any, until yt)U receive advice to the contrary. 
 
 You are therefore, in virtue of this commission, to do and perform 
 all such duties as are now or hereafter may be performed by a presi* 
 
 •I 
 
 11 
 
 if-' < "S 
 
 •f 
 
 *•'<"■ <>^ 
 
 .-,J 
 
14 
 
 ISLAND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 Ill 
 
 5 ' 
 
 ) ■H.r 
 
 1:1 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 
 I 
 
 lit 
 
 dent of ronncil abroad. And we do Iioreby direct all our j^'ovcrnors 
 cliicl" liu'torn, cliief tradei's, and all other servants, to obey nil jjuch 
 orders as yon may think proper, nnder the anthority of this eoininis- 
 sion, to ix'iVii them, as president aforesaid. And yon arc to observe 
 and ibllow snch orders, from time to time, as yon shall receive from 
 tlu! j^'overnor and Company of Adventnrers of Enj^land, tradinj^- into 
 Hndson's Bay, or our suceessors for the time bein^\ 
 
 Givon nndcr onr common seal at our house in London, this 18th 
 day of October, 1858. 
 
 Bv order of the governor, deputy governor, and committee, 
 'l^i^. s.| THOMAS FRASEU, 
 
 Secrdary. 
 
 San Juan Island, W. T., 
 
 November 30, 1859. 
 
 Sir : In answer to the com))laint made by William Moore, of alleged 
 injtistice received at the hands of the civil authority of Washinfrton 
 Territory, and forwarded Ity Governor Douglas, on the ground that 
 the comphiinant is a British subject, I have to state that some sixteen 
 months since this man was sick and destitute at Wiiatcom, and was 
 taken carc^ of by the authorities at that place at an expense tn the 
 county of nearly three Inindrt'd dollars, Mo then claimed to be an 
 American citizen, and so far from al)andoning that claim, during the 
 latter part of July and the earliest part of August, Avhen tliere wa? 
 serious apprehension of a collision, made himself extremely u^^efid in 
 obtaining and conveying information with regard to tlie l']ii2,'li;;Ii 
 movements. It was on account of the services thus rendered that I 
 requested Colonel Casey that he should have the privilege of stopping; 
 within tlie military reserve or confines of the camp for tlie purpose 
 of selling bis vegetable and other commodities, which request was 
 gi'anted on assurance being given that he would not sell any liquor 
 to the soldiers. Shortly afterwards representations were made tome 
 from all (piarters — the camp, the Hudson's Bay Company employe?, 
 and the citizens — that Moore was selling large quantities of liquor, 
 both to soldiers and Indians. On a complaint made to that eflecta 
 warrant was issued for his apprehension. lie was convicted iiminly 
 on the evidence of his own partner. After trial he was reniiitiili'il to 
 the guard-bouse for sentence next day, at twelve o'clock, for safe- 
 keeping. His eflects were taken in charge by the Hherilf. It was 
 entirely o]itional with tli(> prisoner to ])ay the faie of fifty dolkir* and 
 costs, or to be subject to imprisoinn(Mit for the usual lunnberof ilays. 
 He chose the former, and was discdiarged. The penalty amounted in 
 all to sixty-live dollars, and not st venty-five dollars, as he has falsely 
 sworn. On bis discharge be expressed his extreme penitence, and 
 Bhowei] its utter insincerity by engr.ging the very next day more 
 extensively in the traflic than before, and I was again called upon to 
 issue a warrant, to avoid the service of whicdi he lleti the isliiiid. 
 
 1 have gone into details further than necessary, although the rigljt 
 
 J.^-iJ; 
 
ISLAND OF SAN J (TAN. 
 
 15 
 
 , all anr <:;ovcrnnrs, 
 rt, tt) obey siU such 
 ity of tluH cominis' 
 you arc to oljsurve 
 I shall rccL'ivo from 
 igland, trailing into 
 
 I London, tlurf 18th 
 
 il committee. 
 S FllASER, 
 
 Stcrdary. 
 
 fD, W. T., 
 
 uvemhev 30, 18')9. 
 
 iim Moore, of alleged 
 ority of War^liin^ton 
 on the gronml that 
 >tc that some sixteen 
 t Whatcom, and was 
 vt an expense to the 
 len claimed to be an 
 hat claim, (hiring the 
 nst. wlxMi tliei-c wa? 
 extremely n<oM in 
 ;ard to the En,2;li5h 
 thus rendered that! 
 privilc,L!;o of stopping 
 luup for the; purpose 
 ,, which request was 
 not soil any liquor 
 bus were niiule to me 
 Company employe?. 
 quantities of liquor, 
 ,nade to that ofl'ecta 
 as convicted mainly 
 lie waj» reinaniled to 
 ve o'clock, for ^afc- 
 the bheriif. It was 
 ,e of fifty ilollars and 
 Uial numhiT of 'lays. 
 penalty amounted in 
 irs, aa'lie has falsely 
 .cmo penitence, and 
 ,-ory next day more 
 i^'aiu called upon to 
 , lied the i>hiii'l- 
 ■, although the nglit 
 
 of imiuiry ceases from the fact that the man, to my own knowledjijo, 
 hiis for the last two years claimed to bo an American citizen, in order 
 to show that the whole complaint wan simplj' "a made up case." 
 
 The "injustice" in this matter m evidently against the law and 
 not the individual. 
 
 To those who have seen the intoxication prevalent amongst the 
 huliiuis mi the island for tlie last few months, and the groat trouble 
 and iiniioviinci; tiiat has arisen entirely from that cause, the complaint 
 must secia more than an absurdity, and I cannot refrain from ex- 
 nressin;^' uiy utter astonishment that Governor Douglas should hnvo 
 forwarded it, the more so from the fact that there was an English 
 ma.:'istratk3 on the island, Major de Courcy ; in addition, there were 
 i\l>ii Captain Prevost, conunanding IT. B. M. ship "Satellite," and 
 Jh'. Uriiliii, the agent of the Hudson's Bay Company, either of whom 
 couM have furnished a true version of the affair ; indeed, the British 
 mniiistnite was tlie source from wdience this complaint should liave 
 orii'inated, as lie was placed on the island for the avowed purpose of 
 seeing' that the rights of British subjects were not infringed u|)(Ui. 
 
 I take pleasure here in stating that so far from captiously endeavor- 
 in!; to thwart my efforts in preserving quiet and order, ^Major De 
 Couirv has doiu! whatever lay in his power to assist me. When a 
 similar com[daiiit was made to him by a person engaged in the same 
 trade as Moore, he replied that "he came to the island for the pur- 
 pose of scoiug the laws enforced, and not to assist in breaking them 
 bv throwing a shield around those engaged in illegal traflic." 
 
 Ill reviewing the transaction, all that I can blame myself with is 
 the nli^lakell leniency of not iiiilicting a penalty more in proportiou 
 to tlic mischief created. 
 
 Vcrv respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 HENRY R. CROSBIE, 
 
 His Exeellericy R. D. GiioLsox, 
 
 Giivcntor uf }i''ashinyfon Territory. 
 
 P. S.— As an evidence of how little just cause Governor Douglas 
 has to take exception to any of my ollicial acts, I enclose herewith 
 letters from Colonel Casey and Captain Pickett, the military com- 
 urniilors of the island. 
 
 This coniplaiiit seems as much a matter of astonishment to the 
 IviLilish ollieials that I have alluded to as it is to myself. It is too 
 pliiinly put in as "a set-off" to that against the colonial authorities. 
 The governor is determined to make trouble if he possibly can effect it. 
 
 H. R. C. 
 
 San Joan, W. T., Augmt 12, 1859. 
 
 Hear Sir: I take great pleasure in expressing my thanks for your 
 
 assistance during the past two weeks, and also that 1 consider* our 
 
 pivsLMit position without a contiict in a great measure due to your 
 
 nrlunity and judicious uuuiagcmont of what might have become seiioUii 
 
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 16 
 
 ISLA.ND OF SAN JUAN. 
 
 affairs. As a civil official you have been of material service, not nnlv 
 in supporting me, but in maintaining the supremacy of the Uiiiteil 
 States over what is most undoubtedly our own soil. 
 Very truly, your obedient servant, 
 
 GEO. E. PICKETT, 
 
 Captain dth lu/antnj. 
 Hon. H. R. Crosbib, 
 
 San Juan, W. T. 
 
 San Juan, W. T., November 15, 1859, 
 Since the 10th of August last, I have been in command of the Uniteil 
 States troops, who held the military occupancy of the island of San 
 Juan. During this time II. R. Crosbie, esq., held the office of justice 
 of the peace on the part of the Territory of Washington. 
 
 Collision with the British naval forces, to arrive from the threutoiied 
 conflict between the civil authorities of the island, has at times boon 
 quite imminent. 
 
 That no such collision has taken place is, in my opinion, due. in 
 part, to the prudent, conciliatory, and patriotic manner in which Mr. 
 Crosbie has performed the duties of his office. • 
 
 SILAS CASEY, 
 Lieutenant Colonel dth Infantry, 
 
 Commanding on San Juan Island. 
 
 . ■ I : ■ 
 
 14 
 
 'S:!; 
 
 1> l] 
 
 lli: 
 
 i K 
 
 iiiiJiiife . M.!'-... 
 
Grial service, not onlv 
 emacy of the Uiiite;i 
 yil, 
 
 PICKETT, 
 
 iptain 9th In/antnj. 
 
 Vovemher 15, 185!), 
 mmand of the Unitcl 
 of the isliiml of San 
 
 d the office of ju,stico 
 hington. 
 
 ' from the threatoiied 
 d, has at times been 
 
 my opinion, due-, in 
 aanner in wliich Mr, 
 
 EY, 
 
 h Infantry^ 
 
 I San Juan Island.