BRITISH COLUMBIA. (From the Times' Correspondent.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1285, 6 January 1860, Page 1

BRITISH COLUMBIA. (From the Times' Correspondent.)

kj ,_ Victoria, Vancouver's Island, Aug. 13. In my last letter I reported the outrage recently committed by the armed occupation by American forces of the Island of S*n Juan, close to Vancouver's Idand, claimed by Britain and long occupied by British subjects. He force first landed on the island was only G6 men and a few officers, ' two field pieces, ammunition, and stores. This force was soon insreased. From time to time within the last fortnight bodies of soldiers and additional quantities of ammunition of vrar and of stores have been brought to the island from Oregon and Washington territory, which have raised the force to #4^o men, besides a " Colonel and his Aids," four captains, three or more lieutenants, with a battery of eight 82-pounder guns, six field pieces, great quantities of powder and shot, and of stores, and a body of labourers to assist in erecting barracks. These forces are now fortifying themselves in a strong position on elevated ground, which commands the harbour on the east side of the island, called Griffin Bay, six of the 32-pounders being so placed as to "command the anchorage, and the other two turned westward, - and commanding the waters beyond and in front of the , United States' troops." The orders of the American general who started this expedition are, to resist all opposition, and to keep possession of the island at all hazards. The confidence inspired by the completeness of these military arrangements seems to have encouraged private enterprise into a bit of keen and prompt speculation. On American authority we are informed that " the place already presents quite an active, businesslike appearance. A beautiful site has been selected for a town, and several buildings- are being erected. Land is to be had for the taking by the squatters, encouraged '" to occupy the island" by the military authorities ; and it is supposed " that all the available^ land is already taken up." From Oregon, the Washington papers, and other American sources, we learn that soldiers are on the way and about to be despatched, which will swell the force on the island of San Juan to 2000 men ; that General Harney, the American Commander-in-Chief, is also on his way to the same destination ; that he is speeding the "fiery cross" before him, in having "given orders to call on the Governor of Washington territory for volunteers ;" that an overland express has been despatched to California for still more troops and for two men-of-war, " where," (in California) it is significantly added, " there are five regiments ;' aud, finally, and to crown the preparations, that Captain Woodruffs company at Seinamhoo, in British Columbia, will probably be sent to San Juan. This is the Land Boundary Force, acting under the commission descnbed in my last letter, which one would suppose only a very pressing emergency would recall from its peaceful labours. We are are also furnished at this conjuncture, for our edification and comfort, with a list of the American squadron in the Pacific — viz., one steam frigate and four •loops of war, carrying together 114 guns, 1193 men, and 95 officers. If the new steamer, the Merrimac, which was lately at Callao, in Peru, and which, it was conjectured, might have been ordered home, is still on the station, she will add 40 guns, 482 men, and 38 officers to the present force of the squadron, and which is just about to be reinforced by the steam frigate Lancaster, the Roanake, and another vessel, which have been ordered to this coast. The American navy can hardly be said to be represented at all in this neighborhood at present. The state of affairs which existed on the Island of San Juan in 1855 has been continued unaltered. No land has been sold, donated, or promised, and no further settlojnent than then existed has been made or Attempted. The understanding then established between the two Governments has been scrupulously observed by Great Britain and her subjects. In this state of affairs, without any notice whispered, | without any complaint preferred, and without wailing 'for a settlement of the question of sovereignty, the invasion is suddenly and secretly made, accompanied by a band of armed " citizens" of the neighbouring tern1 tory as volunteers, whom the officer in charge of the tnilitaiy liberally invited to help themselves to locacations of land wherever their choice might lead them, and to whom he promised protection in their squatter rights. The officer in charge of the detachment of United States troops loses no time in explaining his position. It needs no commentary of mine to show that all these insolent proceedings are in violation of the arrangement made with the United States Government. The press of Oregon and Washington has been kept very well informed of all the proceedings in ad vance. It has been enlisted as an auxiliary of this enterprise. The press gives an unhesitating and unanimous approval to all General Harney's proceedings. He it Just the man for the people, and the general for the occasion. From what I have learned of him, his character may be summed up in one word, — he is recklett. The only point upon which the press and private parties differ is as to whether this general is acting of his own volition, or upon the orders of his Government. It is idle to speculate upon this point. Having detailed so much of the proceedings of our neighbours, I must now in a few words state what has been done on our part. The Governor's views were embodied in the message which he addressed to the House of Assembly and the Legislative Assembly. The House, in an addiess to the Governor, earnestly calls upon him to impress upon the Home Government the necessity of demanding the immediate withdrawal of the American troops from the island so dishonourably invaded ; of demanding redress for the wanton and insulting conduct complained of ; and of strenuously, and at all risks, maintaining her Majesty's right to the island in question, and to the other islands in the Archipelago. The House has since entertained a pro- . ject for raising a militia in the colony. The views of the Legislative Council will be seen from a copy of their gnawer to the Governor's message enclosed. The Governor from the first took the view that General Harney acted without instructions from the Government at Washington. The first natural impulse would be to repel force by ' force. Thu course would involve great responsibility and might lead to grave consequences, without perhaps leading to » decision of the point in dispute. Although the Governor might have been justified in coming to the conclusion that the amicable mutual arrangement of neutrality had been broken on the part of the United States by the hostile action of one of their officers, yet he determined to maintain the arrangement of neutrality on the part of his own Government in its integrity, and to take no itep which would " provoke a conflict" if it could be avoided without dishonour. This resolution was strengthened by the fact that the force at his disposal was overwhelming. In truth this circumstance of itself grtatly increased his reluctance to proceed to extremities. £»The colonists are u&animous in their condemnation of the conduct of General Harney, which could not fail to stir up feelings of animosity between them and the resident Americans at a time when the most friendly relations existed. The Americans are in a large majority at Victoria. They all wiih success to the general's enterprise, for accession of territory is dear to the American heart; but moit of them think he was precipitate. The British subject*, while willing and ready to rue to a man to resist aggression, have the good sense to commend the conduct of the executive in shaping a •course which ought to prevent » collision between the troops of the two nation*. At the same time there ia a j very general feeling, of dissatisfaction entertained against the Governor for, not having landed English troops on th* island " to be equal with the Americans.' As 'a general principle this sentiment .has much force and reason. People cannot well endure that ' the Ame- :' rican* should be allowed to have it all their own way /when they are 10 clearly in the wrong. y- r "From all I can learn, there it nothing to complain of -v in!* 31 * 1 bearing or conduct of the American officer! ita- ;„ tdpned on the island. They are merely carrying out the of their chief ; and they are said to have dis : : ,-played^njiderable tact and ability, blended with couri''K *^b»^ r6r 6 performance' of the* dutier. W^^ai^tothe -value ■of our" colonies, I would mention, ' pf-Eaquimalt is considered by ' the best in the , world, — euy fetofitweM'b'y night" ai wettij* by day, secure 'and com|®|!awaipu»,: t and^o easily defended that a moderate outlay g^K^linikeat'jecuw ; againitill th« risks of an attack. entamc* if resisted, whilt

it is well suited for dockyard*, and commands the neighbouring coasts. 2. It is not only the best, but the only good harbour on the whole west and north-west coast of the Pacific, from sCape Horn northward* to Sitka, except San Franoisco. < ' 3. If, by any fatality, we should part with it or lose it, wo would not, in case.of war, have a spot in which to repair a single ship in the whole length of the Pacific within the immense space I have just mentioned. Its value to us is incalculable, and enhances a hundredfold the value and advantages of the island of Vancouver, in which it is, providentially, placed. 4. Both Vancouver's Island and British Columbia are surrounded by numerous and good harbours. Their coasts afford the best fisheries in the whole Pacific in abundance and quality, of fish. They are close to the North Sea whaling ground. And, with the growth of Victoria, now rising into importance without any forcing of patronage, but from eligibility of situation and a free port, there is no question but this eligibility of situation will attract the whaler* to Esquimalt (the port of Victoria), and that the whaling station will remove from the Sandwich Islands as soon as a town shall arise which will afford facilities for the refitting of ' ships, the sales of cargo, and the operations of exchange. The position insures this result. 5. Both colonies have a healthy climate, abundance of timber, for which Australia and the South Coast of the Pacific afford good markets, and fertile soil ; and British Columbia is one yast field of minerals, — gold, silver, iron, copper, lead, cinnabar, and coal ; while in Vancouver's Island the gold fields are said by competent judges to be more extensive even than those of England. This island abounds in minerals also. Gold exists in Victoria itself. 6. Then there is Queen Charlotte's Island, one of our dependencies, lying close by, rich in gold, and covered with timber. 7. Besides the vast resources of these colonies, which afford profitable openings for the redundant population iof the .mother country and investments for its spare 'capital, then: geographical position renders them of the highest political importance to England. In fact, if she either loses them, or keeps them and does not strengthen them, she will not only lose her moral influence but she will be helpless in this part of the world. With two such aggressive despotisms on either side, America on the south, and Russia on the north, she would be swept out of the Pacific. To prevent the possibility of such a catastrophe they must be made the stronghold of her naval^supremacy in this ocean. 8. And, looking into the future, if the much-talked of interoceanic railroad is ever completed, it is not imreasonable to expect that much of the commerce of Asia and Europe.may pass through these colonies should circumstances close the other overland route through Egypt. This expectation gains strength from the fact that a highway for such a purpose would pass from ocean to ocean througl^British territory. Now, if you believe with me, that these colonies are worth the cost of protecting them, I trust you will bear with me while I attempt to explain, in a few lines, how I think they can be so strengthened as to be invulnerable, without considerable expense. Two things are wanted — first, to make Esquimalt the station of our Pacific squadron ; and secondly population from the mother country, and from the other colonies that can spare emigrants. The propriety, and now the necessity of the change of location are so apparent, that I believe our naval officers all admit it. I know that some of them do. Fridat, August 27. — On the 22nd, news of peace between" France and Austria reached this place from California. This has raised the spirits of the colonists to a high pitch, because it gives them assurance that the home Government will now be more free to act with vigour in asserting the rights of the nation in this quarter. Within the last few days the American forces at San Juan have been increased to seven hundred men, and additional stores have been landed, and the camp has been removed to a still stronger position, within rifleshot distance of the Hudson's Bay Company's buildings at Bellevue. No further action has been taken by the British authorities. The news from the gold mines continue favourable. Considerable quantities of " dust" are being exported, and trade is brisk. A' vein of gold bearing quartz has just been discovered at Victoria. It " crops out" under Beacon-hill, in the public park, and extends along the shore of Fucaa Straits under the sea. Its value has not yet been ascertained. The colonists are getting up a memorial to the home Government on the subject of the San Juan occupation.