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.
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the Duke of
Newcastle that the Senior Officer of Her Majesty's Ships at
Esquimalt, Commodore the Honble J. Spencer, has reported in
a Letter dated the 3rd April, No 14, that HM's Ship
"Devastation" hadbeen been despatched by him to Kittimatt from whence
she was to proceed to Fort Simpson, with a view to checking the
large illicit trade in spirits carried on with the Indians on the
North Coast of British Columbia. Commodore Spencer also states
that the Lord Bishop of Columbia had applied to him for a Passage
in the "Devastation" and that he had directed him to be receivedon
on board.