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LAST PHASE OF OREGON BOUNDARY 189

States of America, a demand which as a British subject, acknowledging no authority except that emanating from his own government. . . refuses to pay." We may infer that the incident was not without some passion when we read further :

"Mr. Barnes and his followers during Mr. Griffin's ab- sence, and while his servants were, with one or two excep- tions, dispersed at their several occupations did abstract a number of valuable sheep, which they put into boats, and were about to depart with the same when Mr. Griffin returned and demanding restitution of his property was menaced with violence and put in danger of his life." Mr. Douglas thinks it would be a great injustice to assume that the authority 'to levy Taxes on British subjects residing on the Island of San Juan" had been given by Governor Ste- vens ; it would "prove an ungracious requital for the kindness with which you generously vindicated, at Washington, the cause of truth and justice when a groundless charge was brought against the character of this Government." He hopes the Governor will prevent such acts in the future as they "must ultimately lead to dissension and bloodshed." He claims sov- ereignity for Great Britain :

"The Island of San Juan has been in the possession of British subjects for many years, and it is with the other Islands of the Archipelago de Arro declared to be within the Jurisdiction, of this colony, and under the protection of British Laws. I have also the orders of Her Majesty's Ministers to treat those Islands as part of the British Dominions." Nevertheless there seemed to be some doubt, for he adds :

"Wisdom and sound policy enjoin upon us the part of leaving the question to the decision of the Supreme Gov- ernments, and of abstaining from enforcing rights, which neither party is disposed to acknowledge." Dissension would "be productive of the most serious evils," as "both countries will suffer from the absence of that whole- some control which now holds the native Indian Tribes in check." Despite the claim to absolute sovereignty he proceeds :