last, to the surprise of the British inhabitants, who were threatened with violence and put in danger of their lives by Sheriff Barnes and his followers. Under these alarming circumstances all business was for the time suspended, and the flocks dispersed and driven into the woods for safety, to the serious loss and detriment of the British inhabitants.

In my communication of 7th May last, I transmitted with Mr. Griffin's report a copy of a letter which I addressed to the governor of Washington Territory in respect to the outrage committed by Sheriff Barnes on that occasion, and I now herewith forward the answer to that communication, for the purpose of establishing the fact, through the avowal of Governor Stevens, that "Mr. Barnes is the sheriff of Whatcom county," and that, as such, he would have been supported by the whole authority of the executive in the act, as Mr. Stevens further declares that "it would become the duty of the governor to sustain him to the full force of the authority vested in him in proceeding to collect taxes, should he be resisted in such an attempt," even on the island of San Juan; and the reason given in defence of such a course on the part of the governor is, that "by act of the legislative assembly of the Territory of Washington to organize the county of Whatcom, the island of San Juan is included within the bounds of that county." It appears by that extract of Governor Stevens' letter that he takes for granted that the acts of the legislative assembly of the Territory of Washington confers on the United States a substantial right to that part of the British dominions; and, moreover, that enforcing the payment of taxes levied on behalf of the United States on British subjects there residing, is a part of the proper duties of the executive officer of that government-a principle which I conceive to be false and dangerous in its operations.

The amount of damages claimed from the United States, as you will observe by Mr. Griffin's statement, is £2,990 13s.-a moderate estimate of the losses inflicted, and much less than a court of law would in such cases award to the sufferers.

I have, &c.,

W. J. SMITH, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

J. DOUGLAS.

Statement and valuation of sheep, the property of the Hudson's Bay Company, forcibly seized and carried off on March 30, 1855, by Ellis Barnes, sheriff of Whatcom county, Washington Territory, aided and assisted by the armed posse of said county, in the name and behalf of the United States of America; and of losses resulting from the violent acts of the said Ellis Barnes, in consequence of the flocks being driven into the woods and there destroyed by beasts of prey, and through other causes.

Number of sheep missing in consequence of the flocks having been driven into the woods:

156 Southdown ewes, at 33s. 4d.. 63 Southdown lambs, at 15s...

86 Cheviot ewes, at 33s. 4d..

23 Cheviot lambs, at 15s.

25 Leicester ewes, at 33s. 4d.

56 Merino ewes, at 50s. 6d.

Cost of collecting and resorting flocks:

Hire of 10 men for 8 days, at 12s. 6d. per diem..............

Hire of steam vessel Beaver for protection of property under my charge.. Pay of 8 men for 8 days, hired to protect the property in my charge, at 12s. 6d. per diem.

Incidental losses through derangement and suspension of business in consequence of Sheriff Barnes' violent acts..

Total....

CHARLES J. GRIFFIN.

SAN JUAN, July 26, 1855.

I hereby certify that this is the signature of Charles John Griffin, and that he is a person worthy of credit.

JAMES DOUGLAS, Governor of Vancouver's Island.

HUDSON BAY HOUSE, December 6, 1855. MY LORD: With reference to the deputy governor's letters of the 11th and 24th of July, and Mr. Hammond's replies of July 13th and August 2d, I have now the honor to enclose a copy of a letter just received from Mr. Douglas, governor of Vancouver's island, dated Victoria, September 28, 1855, covering an account of the damage caused to the Hudson's Bay Company by the unjustifiable proceedings of the United States authorities in the isle of San Juan, together with a copy of the further correspondence on the subject between Mr. Isaac Stevens, governor of Washington Territory, and Governor Douglas. I have to beg that your lordship will call upon the government of the United States to reimburse the Hudson's Bay Company for the illegal acts of their officers. I have, &c.,

A. COLVILE, Governor.

Earl of CLARENDON, K. G., &c., &c., &c.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

JULY 30, 1856.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. COLLAMER made the following

REPORT.

[To accompany Bill S. 417.]

The Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred the petition of Jacob Hall, make the following report :

Jacob Hall, in 1854, contracted to convey the mail from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fé, New Mexico, for four years, at the compensation of $10,990 per annum. The Indians on this route were then at peace. Soon after, they became hostile, and have continued in that state with each other and making depredations on the whites to this time. Mr. Hall has performed his service with great efficiency, but has been compelled, in consequence of this condition of the Indians, very greatly to increase his force for the service at greatly increased expense, to an amount, as shown, of much more than double his compensation, and has suffered great loss.

In 1855, Congress, in view of these considerations, increased his pay to $22,000 for the year ending August, 1855, at the same time providing that the Postmaster General might, with the consent of said Hall, annul his contract The difficulties continuing, said Hall applied to the Postmaster General to annul the contract. But he, in view of the public service, declined to do it, and said Hall has continued, with great difficulty and expense, to perform the service.

The committee are of opinion that said Hall should receive for this service and for his losses the same amount for the year ending August 18, 1856, as was allowed him by Congress for the previous year and on the same condition; and they report a bill accordingly.