Sept. 26, 1859: Another outrage in the San Juans
Stories from our pages over the last 150 years.
The steamer Caledonia, Capt. Broderick, left here yesterday with a considerable number of our citizens on an excursion to San Juan.
On her arrival, Paul K. Hubbs, Jr. Esq., Deputy Collector or Inspector of Customs came on board and informed Capt. B. that neither passengers nor freight were allowed to land except the vessel had a permit from the Custom House at Port Townsend.
She consequently came to anchor instead of going up to the wharf. A boat coming alongside, the passengers entered it, and went ashore without leave. They were informed that it would be overlooked this time, but if repeated the laws would be enforced.
Some degree of regret was manifested by the army officers and Mr. Crosbie, magistrate, at the occurrence. But there is no doubt the authorities are determined to insult and outrage our rights to every extent in their power.
Truly they have good reason to believe they may do it with impunity, when we reflect on the course our government has pursued. It may however be the wisest course to forbear for the present. But nothing short of the entire removal of every Yankee soldier from the Island, and the removal of Hubbs and Harney from their positions, and an ample apology for driving away our fishermen, and stopping our vessels from landing, should be insisted on.
In the course of the next six weeks we may hope to hear from England, and with our dispatches we trust will come their order to provide winter quarters elsewhere. The men who have tried to embroil their government unnecessarily with a foreign and friendly power, will then be left to the oblivion in which their lot was cast before the present unwarrantable occupation was made. -- The British Colonist
