Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 22 January 1859, CO 60:4, no. 2741, 89.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Douglas forwards Moody’s report that riots at Fort Yale and Hill’s Bar have been
quelled.He also reports that troops from the Satellite and Plumper have been dispatched to Fort Hope to confront
any factious opposition.
The minutes commend Douglas’s handling of the situation but wonder if the one hundred police officers requested
are now necessary.
No. 80
The mail steamer having just arrived, and being about to
leave again almost immediately for San Francisco; I hasten to
communicate for your information that letters arrived
arrived last night
from Lieutenant Governor Moody, dated Fort Yale 17th Jany.
reporting that the difficulties at Fort Yale and Hills Bar were
for the present quelled.
arrived last night
from Lieutenant Governor Moody, dated Fort Yale 17th Jany.
reporting that the difficulties at Fort Yale and Hills Bar were
for the present quelled.
2. The Lieutenant Governor, has nevertheless ordered the
detachment of Marines and Seamen, from the "Satellite" and
"Plumper" which I had informed you had been forwarded by the
latter vessel to Fort Langley
to
to proceed onwards, to Fort Hope, whither they have gone on
the Steamer "Enterprise" to the number of 100 Seamen and Marines
besides the Company of Royal Engineers which accompanied Colonel Moody.
Vide Despatch No 77 28 January.
to proceed onwards, to Fort Hope, whither they have gone on
the Steamer "Enterprise" to the number of 100 Seamen and Marines
besides the Company of Royal Engineers which accompanied Colonel Moody.
3. The force is therefore capable of overwhelming any
factious opposition, that may be offered to the enforcement of the Laws.
4. The state of feeling among the miners generally is of the best
description, and their numbers
numbers are now so much reduced, that the
danger of any insurrectionary movements on their part, is not imminent.
numbers are now so much reduced, that the
danger of any insurrectionary movements on their part, is not imminent.
P.S. I forward herewith numbers of the Victoria Gazette of the
dates
11 Jany 59
13 "
15 "
18 "
20 "
22 "
13 "
15 "
18 "
20 "
22 "
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Governor wd seem entitled to commendation for his vigorous measures. If there had been any disposition to resist the Law, or make a disturbance up the Country this display of force wd help materially to repress it.
The Governor wd seem entitled to commendation for his vigorous measures. If there had been any disposition to resist the Law, or make a disturbance up the Country this display of force wd help materially to repress it.
The force at the Command of the Governor, which he
so promptly handles, 
induces the question whether he really
can require the 100 Police men he has asked for. They were
asked for in consequence of this reported out-break, which
turns out to be none at all. I think we should not be ready
to concede all this New Colony will want & solicit. I admit,
however, that there will be a great influx of Immigrants in
the Spring, when order will be requisite. But they must keep
order amongst themselves—& motives of interest & self
preservation will lead them to adopt measures themselves for
that purpose. Lord Naas has not yet ansd the reference
made to him as to a supply of Constabularies from the Irish
force. When he does ansr it, the Govr is to be asked 
if he
can pay for them. The ansr will probably be in the negative,
& he will have to fall back on his own resources.
induces the question whether he really
can require the 100 Police men he has asked for. They were
asked for in consequence of this reported out-break, which
turns out to be none at all. I think we should not be ready
to concede all this New Colony will want & solicit. I admit,
however, that there will be a great influx of Immigrants in
the Spring, when order will be requisite. But they must keep
order amongst themselves—& motives of interest & self
preservation will lead them to adopt measures themselves for
that purpose. Lord Naas has not yet ansd the reference
made to him as to a supply of Constabularies from the Irish
force. When he does ansr it, the Govr is to be asked 
if he
can pay for them. The ansr will probably be in the negative,
& he will have to fall back on his own resources.
Meanwhile acknowledge with satisfaction & approval?
C
Mch 17
About the Police I shall send another minute. This may be
acknowledged briefly.
EBL
Ap 1
