Speculators Send a Surveyor to San Juan, and a Boundary Dispute Turns Hot

A few weeks ago we alluded to the subject of the disputed islands in the Archipelago, and the uneasiness for an early adjustment of the northern boundary between the United States and British America. This is a question of paramount interest to Washington Territory and to the United States at large, and consequently one which commands our earnest and watchful attention. The following paragraph from the Victoria Gazette of Feb. 17 we publish as an interesting item in connection with this question:

We understand a number of Americans residing in Victoria, and at other places on the Sound, have sent a surveyor to San Juan island—in dispute between the United States and British Governments—for the purpose of preempting, and according to the preemption laws of the United States, following [the belief] that said island will be declared American territory. It is looked upon as a speculation [in which] little is [risked], and in one of [the chances] the profit large. It is likely, unless the boundary question is soon settled, trouble may grow out of these movements.

The value and importance of this single island of San Juan, in the Archipelago, in a national as well as territorial point of view, can scarcely be estimated. It commands the Canal de Arro, being situated at its southern extremity, covering and protecting all the other islands in this group. It is some twelve miles in length and about four miles wide, containing sufficient farming and grazing land, to say nothing of its fishing facilities, to support a large settlement. We are not surprised at the movement indicated in the above quoted paragraph, nor indeed are we sorry to see it, as it may tend to hasten the settlement of the question of jurisdiction, [without] which no more [harmony] should be [expected] between Great Britain and the United States.