No. 64
5 January 1859
Sir
I beg to enclose for the information of Her Majesty's Government copy of an important communication worthy of confidence though the writers name is, for obvious reasons, with held.
The communication refers to Mr Nugent late Special AgentManuscript imageAgent for the United States at this place and points out the particular designs which the writer discovered he had in view.
I forward this document rather as an illustration of the ideas floating in the mind of the simple American, who talks with confidence of the realization of such visions than with the view of creating alarm.
Mr Nugent would no doubt have protected to the best of his ability the interestsManuscript imageinterests of his country and countrymen in British Columbia and he might have succeeded in exercising a pernicious influence over the latter, and have excited a spirit of disatisfaction with the established regulations of the country; but I conceive that nothing more serious could have occurred; as there are resources at our disposal, sufficient to meet any emergency that may have arisen; and I feel satisfied that as long as we hold, with a firm hand, and superior force, the avenues to British Columbia, no other powerManuscript imagepower can wrest it from our grasp.
I have etc.
James Douglas
Governor
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
We know nearly as much of Mr Nugents' character as this tells us but it confirms previous information.
I think it may as well go to the F.O. with reference to former correspondence?
C March 1
EBL March 1
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Secret communication relative to Nugent's designs, unsigned, received in Fort Langley, 19 November 1858.
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 10 March 1859, forwarding the despatch and enclosure for information.