Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/217



LAST PHASE OF OREGON BOUNDARY 207

/as the Secretary had regard for his "known high character There were, unfortunately, other subjects in dispute be- tween these two officers, and something like a quarrel ensued. Late in 1859 or early in 1860 Scott wrote very strongly to the Adjutant-General. He said:
 * and distinguished services," and Pickett was again removed.

"In dismissing this most nauseating subject [court- marshalling of an officer for alleged insubordination], I beg permission to add, that the highest obligations of my station compel me to suggest a doubt whether it be safe in respect to our foreign relations, or just to the gallant officers and men in the Oregon Department, to leave them longer, at so great a distance, subject to the ignorance, and caprice of the present head-quarters of that depart- ment." 39

It was not until June, 1860, however, that the recall was issued. The sympathy of the people in Washington Territory was strongly with Harney, as is shown by resolution passed by the legislature.

WHO WAS TO BLAME/*

The rebuke to Geneql Harney seems to have been de- served. Both sides, of course, wCTe^Emmng title, but the

real status was that neither government was to take action implying sole sovereignty until the Commission issued its findings. On the basis of the Hudson's Bay pig affair Iferpqy seized the territory and proclaimed through Pickett that "no laws other than those of the United States, nor courts except such as are held by virtue of said laws, will be recognized or allowed on this island." He

he consult with GammisMOncrjIaiPpbell. Pickett evidently felt the weakness of his case wnen, as he plainly says, he "en- deavored to impress them [the three British captains] with the idea that [his] authority [came] directly through [Har- ney] from Washington." In the same communication we have this:

39 Ex. Doc. No. 65, 3fitii Cong., lit Sf. pp. 190-1.