Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hammond, Edmund to Merivale, Herman 19 January 1859, CO 6:30, no. 173, 46.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Other documents (2).
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.
Hammond forwards a letter from Napier regarding a conversation he had with General Cass about
the sale of ammunition by the Hudson’s Bay Company to Indian Tribes at war with the United States.
The minutes regret that the HBC will likely not be compensated for losses incurred during the Washington Territory
Indian Wars.
Enclosed is Napier to Malmesbury informing him that the American Secretary of State has been informed that the British
government did not approve of the HBC’s sale of ammunition to Native Americans and that he recommended that the HBC return,
without any demand for remuneration,to the US Army, stolen cattle purchased from Natives; Carnarvon to Berens forwarding the despatch; and a reply from Merivale to Hammond forwarding a letter from the HBC on the subject.
Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
With reference to your letter of the 23rd of November, I am directed by the Earl of Malmesbury to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, a copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty’s Minister at Washington reporting a conversation
with General Cass relative to the sale of ammunition by
by the Hudson’s Bay Company to Indian Tribes at war with the United States.
by the Hudson’s Bay Company to Indian Tribes at war with the United States.
H. Merivale Esq.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
It does not seem probable that the Hudson’s Bay Co. will get compensation for losses sustained by them during the hostilities between the Americans and the Indians. The hostilities are now over.
Copy to Hud. Bay Co.?
It does not seem probable that the Hudson’s Bay Co. will get compensation for losses sustained by them during the hostilities between the Americans and the Indians. The hostilities are now over.
Copy to Hud. Bay Co.?
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
1. Napier to Malmsbury, 20 December 1858
Washington Dec 20 1858
My Lord,
In conformity with the […] of Y. L.’s Instructions No 181 of the 25th Ulto I have stated to General Cass that H. M.’s Govt disapprove of the sale of powder by the Agents of the Hudson’s
Bay Co to the Indian tribes recently at war with the U. S. as well as of the purchase by
the same parties of animals or other property stolen from the federal forces by the
savages.
I also explained to the Secretary of State that as the agents of the Hudson’s Bay
Co scattered in
in distant and unprotected parts might incur the hostility of the Indians by cessation
of their previous commerce, H. M.’s Govt trusted that the property of the Co would be protected by the U. S. forces and that the Co would be indemnified by the U. S. for any losses which they might incur through compliance
with the wishes of the federal authorities. I added that I trusted the agents of thee
Hudson’s Bay Co would be reimbursed for the expense which they might have incurred in the purchase
and sustenance of mules or other animals obtained from the Indians and surrendered
to the Officers of the U. S.
in distant and unprotected parts might incur the hostility of the Indians by cessation
of their previous commerce, H. M.’s Govt trusted that the property of the Co would be protected by the U. S. forces and that the Co would be indemnified by the U. S. for any losses which they might incur through compliance
with the wishes of the federal authorities. I added that I trusted the agents of thee
Hudson’s Bay Co would be reimbursed for the expense which they might have incurred in the purchase
and sustenance of mules or other animals obtained from the Indians and surrendered
to the Officers of the U. S.
The Secretary of State being uninformed of the transactions alluded to
to I placed in his hands for his perusal the correspondence between Colonel Clarke
of the U. S. Army and Mr. Graham of Fort Vancouver inclosed in Y. L.’s despatch.
to I placed in his hands for his perusal the correspondence between Colonel Clarke
of the U. S. Army and Mr. Graham of Fort Vancouver inclosed in Y. L.’s despatch.
General Cass promised to give the subject his best attention and communicate with the Secretary
of the Interior.
I must, however, submit to Y. L. that I do not anticipate that the Federal Govt will
recognise the indemnity for damages incurred in the manoeuvre above mentioned. The Govt of the U. S. does not recognise its liability to indemnify
American citizens for loss suffered in border warfare and I presume that Congress
would not easily vote money for the satisfaction
satisfaction of a foreign corporation when their own Countrymen remain uncompensated.
satisfaction of a foreign corporation when their own Countrymen remain uncompensated.
In regard to the repurchase by the military authorities of the stolen animals bought
by the agents of the Company from the Indians I conceive that as they were bought
with a full knowledge that they had been stolen and bought apparently on the territory
of the U. S. it might be more dignified in the Hudson’s Bay Co to restore them to the U. S. Army without any demand for remuneration. I will however
endeavour to promote the views of the Co as far as I can do so with propriety.
As
As the hostilities have now terminated the trade in ammunition may be renewed without
offence and I trust that the establishments of the Co on either side of the line have not been brought into any collision with their Indian
customers.
As the hostilities have now terminated the trade in ammunition may be renewed without
offence and I trust that the establishments of the Co on either side of the line have not been brought into any collision with their Indian
customers.
I have etc.
(signed) Napier
(signed) Napier
[…]Malmesbury
