Douglas, Chief Factor Governor Vice-Admiral Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 5 November 1858, CO 60:1, no. 536, 366.

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Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 5 November 1858, CO 60:1, no. 536, 366.

Abstract

Despatch to London. Minutes (3).

This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.

Douglas acknowledges the receipt of the letter from Chesson of the Aborigines Protection Society and promises that the Native Indian Tribes are protected at the utmost extent of his current means.

The minutes print for parliament.

No. 17

Victoria Vancouver's Island

5 November 1858

Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 12 of the 2nd of September last, transmitting to me a copy of a letter from the Aborigines Protection Society, invoking the protection of HerMajesty's

Majesty's Government on behalf of those people. 1

2. While you do not wish to be understood as adopting the views of the Society, as to the means by which that may be best accomplished, you express a wish that the subject should have my prompt and careful consideration, and I shall not fail to give the fullest effect to your instructions on that head, as soon as the present pressure of business has somewhat abated. I may however remark, that the Native Indian Tribes are protected in all their interests to theutmost

utmost extent of our present means.

I have etc.
James Douglas
Governor

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Merivale
Should the substance of Par: 2 be communicated to the Aborigines Protection Society?

VJ 17 Jan

Not necessary I think. This will be sufficient to furnish an answer to any questions on the subject in Parlt.

C Jany 18

Print for Pa[r]l.

EBL 19

Footnotes

= Aborigines Protection Society (Lytton to Douglas CO 398/1, p. 65, 2 September 1858). The enclosure, n.d., appears in British Columbia, Papers Connected with the Indian Land Question, 1850-1875 (Victoria: Government Printer, 1875). The Aborigines Protection Society was formed in England in 1837 by Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, a well-known advocate of the abolition of slavery who headed a royal commission that year to inquire into the treatment of native populations in various British colonies. The Society sought to improve the conditions of natives in British colonies, while encouraging evangelicalism. By the 1840's, the Society concerned itself with the effect of colonial self-government on natives. See Raymond M. Cooke, British Evangelicals and the Issue of Colonial Self-Government, Pacific Historical Review, 34 (May 1965): 127-40. See also Aborigines' Protection Society, Aborigines' Friend and the Colonial Intelligencer, January-June 1859 (London: Aborigines' Protection Society, 1859). Better reference ??