History of British Columbia (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894-01-01. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. A COLLISION PREVENTED BY GOVERNOR DOUGLAS. Viscount Milton, writing on this subject, says: "The governor at Victoria received information of the hostile occupation of the island from Mr. Griffin, and the excitement on the receipt of the intelligence was great. It is due entirely to the temper and judgment of Governor Douglas that a collision did not at once ensue. He immediately placed himself in communication with Captain Prevost, the British commissioner, and, at his request, the latter went to San Juan in the hope of finding Mr. Campbell, the United States commissioner. On landing, he had an interview with Captain Pickett, who declared he was merely acting under orders, that he would prevent any inferior force landing, would fight any equal force, and would protest against any superior force being landed. He stated that he did not know whether the orders under which he acted came originally from Washington, but took it for granted they did, or General Harney would not have taken so decisive a step." Interview With Captain Pickett.--Captain Prevost then left, and reported to the governor, who, after consultation with Admiral Baynes, concluded that the case required further consideration before consenting to land an equal force upon San Juan or establishing a joint occupation on the island. He, however, directed Captain Hornby, commanding her Majesty's ship Tribune, to communicate with the officer in command of the detachment of the United States troops which had landed on the island, to inquire of him the number of troops under his command, with a view to landing an equal force of British troops, if deemed expedient. Captain Hornby, therefore, on the 3rd of August, having arrived at the island, proposed by letter that a meeting should ...