Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 20 October 1864, CO 60:19, no. 11919, 364.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
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.
Seymour sends his commendations for Lieutenant Hugh Stewart and Lieutenant Henry Towry Cooper for their support in his
expedition against the Chilicoten Indians.He reports that the Admiralty had promoted Stewart and recommends that Cooper also be given a promotion. The Colonial Office forward Seymour’s letter to the Admiralty.
Separate
20th October 1864
Sir,
With reference to my despatch No. 37 of the 9th September,
I would venture to bring under the notice of Her Majesty's
Government the Services rendered to this Colony by Lieutenant
Hugh Stewart of Her Majesty's Ship "Sutlej," and Lieutenant
Henry Towry Cooper of the Royal Marines. These Gentlemen
accompanied me through the whole of the arduousexpedition
expedition against the
Chilicoten Indians and shared in all its dangers and privations.
expedition against the
Chilicoten Indians and shared in all its dangers and privations.
2. Lieutenant Stewart has recently been favorably brought
under the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
by Rear Admiral Denman on account of his good conduct in the
fight with the Indians at Clayoquet Sound, and has, I am
happy to see, received, at least temporary promotion. Under
these circumstances I would more especially direct attention
to the great merits of Lieutenant Cooper. He was employed
generally as an Officerof
of the Volunteer party, and had generally
the roughest work assigned to him, such as the command of the
advanced guard when marching through the forests of the Chilicoten
Country, where every shrub might conceal an Ambush, or else in
difficult duties such as that of following the Indians to the
shores of Lake Capano, where the Volunteers had to subsist
for eight days upon six days rations. Though it rained during
the greater part of the time and the party were under orders
not to light a fire which might have revealed their presenceto
to the Indians, Lieutenant Cooper evinced the utmost cheerfulness
throughout, and obtained the full confidence and regard of the
men who served with him.
of the Volunteer party, and had generally
the roughest work assigned to him, such as the command of the
advanced guard when marching through the forests of the Chilicoten
Country, where every shrub might conceal an Ambush, or else in
difficult duties such as that of following the Indians to the
shores of Lake Capano, where the Volunteers had to subsist
for eight days upon six days rations. Though it rained during
the greater part of the time and the party were under orders
not to light a fire which might have revealed their presenceto
to the Indians, Lieutenant Cooper evinced the utmost cheerfulness
throughout, and obtained the full confidence and regard of the
men who served with him.
3. If a step in promotion could be given to Mr Cooper it
would afford great satisfaction to myself and to the inhabitants
of this Colony with whom he is extremely popular.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
A copy of this Desp: bearing testimony to the Services rendered by Lieut. Stewart & Lieut. Cooper should I conclude be sent to the Admiralty?
A copy of this Desp: bearing testimony to the Services rendered by Lieut. Stewart & Lieut. Cooper should I conclude be sent to the Admiralty?
