Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 13 March 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6169, 154.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1), Marginalia (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 forwards
a Resolution passed by the Legislative Council praying that some protection be furnished by the Mother Countryand references a despatch from Lytton
which expressly states that two Gunboats will be ‘fitted for Service in British Columbia.’Elliot’s minute expresses his inability to
understand why we were so anxious to Colonize British Columbia & Vancouverand his belief that the two colonies
must unavoidably be for us the weakest, if not the most useless,and he gives a number of reasons the request should be denied. Cardwell minutes for the Admiralty to be informed that he does not
expect the Navy to maintain the police of B.C.and that he will discuss the matter in person upon Seymour’s imminent arrival.
No. 24
13th March 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to submit a Resolution passed by the
Legislative Council praying that some protection be furnished
by the Mother Country to this Colony. As the local funds will
not allow of our asking for Troops upon the usual conditions,the
the Council prays that a sufficient portion of Her Majesty's
Pacific Squadron be permanently in the Fraser and on the Coast
of British Columbia to meet any sudden emergency that may arise.
the Council prays that a sufficient portion of Her Majesty's
Pacific Squadron be permanently in the Fraser and on the Coast
of British Columbia to meet any sudden emergency that may arise.
2. I have been greatly struck since my arrival in this
Colony with the change of policy adopted towards it by Her
Majesty's Government. Formerly every thing was done to afford
protection against Indians or Alien immigrants. Now the Colonists,
considerably reduced in number, are left almost entirelyto
to
depend upon their own resources. I would venture to call your
attention to Sir Edward Lytton's despatch of 1st July 1858,
marked "Confidential," with its enclosure from the Admiralty.
To that of 30th July, marked No. 5, No. 30 of 16th October,
No. 55 of 16th December, No. 61 of 30th December, No.
30 of 10th March 1859, which expressly states that two
Gunboats will be "fitted for Service in British Columbia,"
The Duke of Newcastle's despatch No. 31 of 21st October 1859.
to
depend upon their own resources. I would venture to call your
attention to Sir Edward Lytton's despatch of 1st July 1858,
marked "Confidential," with its enclosure from the Admiralty.
To that of 30th July, marked No. 5, No. 30 of 16th October,
No. 55 of 16th December, No. 61 of 30th December, No.
30 of 10th March 1859, which expressly states that two
Gunboats will be "fitted for Service in British Columbia,"
The Duke of Newcastle's despatch No. 31 of 21st October 1859.
3. When the outbreak ofthe
the Chilicoten Indians took place last
year much time was lost in obtaining assistance from Esquimalt.
the Chilicoten Indians took place last
year much time was lost in obtaining assistance from Esquimalt.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The Admiralty have been very shuffling about affording naval protection to B. Columbia. Sir E. Lytton insisted on some Gun boats & adequate help being afforded to the Colony by the Admiral on the Station, but the place has virtually been neglected. I think that the Admy ought to be desired to pay more attention to B.C. though as to "permanently" keeping there a sufficient portion of the N. Pacific Squadron I should hold that requirement to be out of the question. See 6170.
The Admiralty have been very shuffling about affording naval protection to B. Columbia. Sir E. Lytton insisted on some Gun boats & adequate help being afforded to the Colony by the Admiral on the Station, but the place has virtually been neglected. I think that the Admy ought to be desired to pay more attention to B.C. though as to "permanently" keeping there a sufficient portion of the N. Pacific Squadron I should hold that requirement to be out of the question. See 6170.
ABd
4 July
See minute annexed.
TFE
4 July
Mr Cardwell
I am so obtuse that I never could quite understand why we were so anxious to Colonize British Columbia & Vancouver, and I certainly always felt that inasmuch as for practical purposes they are the most inaccessible spots on the Globe to either British Forces or Immigrants, they must unavoidably be for us the weakest, if not the most useless.
I am so obtuse that I never could quite understand why we were so anxious to Colonize British Columbia & Vancouver, and I certainly always felt that inasmuch as for practical purposes they are the most inaccessible spots on the Globe to either British Forces or Immigrants, they must unavoidably be for us the weakest, if not the most useless.
I am not surprised therefore that when we have established
this Colony there, the Governor should find himself obliged
to point out that he is very vulnerable.
But I own that I cannot much sympathize with the complaints
about want of support from the Navy. Something about Naval
aid may have been said at the formation of the Colony. But
a greater number of encouragingthings
things were then said, than
probably anyone would now repeat, about the sword, and the
shield, and other figurative attributes of Great Britain.
things were then said, than
probably anyone would now repeat, about the sword, and the
shield, and other figurative attributes of Great Britain.
The truth seems to me to be this. We are beginning now
to deny that any Colonies ought to look for purposes of internal
defence to even the Military forces of this Country, which
formerly were assumed as matter of course to be available for
that purpose. Surely it would be inconsistent if we took
that opportunity of contending that the
Navy ought to be made subservient to internal security,
when that doctrine was never entertained even in the days most
favorable to undertaking Colonial protection.
The business of theQueen's
Queen's Ships is to protect British
commerce and repel Foreign enemies. But the Fleet would have
enough to do if it should also be required to maintain the
internal tranquillity of the Colonies.
Queen's Ships is to protect British
commerce and repel Foreign enemies. But the Fleet would have
enough to do if it should also be required to maintain the
internal tranquillity of the Colonies.
There is probably a little local jealousy in this matter.
Vancouver affords, I believe, the finest Harbor on the Coasts
of the Pacific, and our Squadron in that Ocean frequents
Vancouver because it is for it's own advantage. But the
access to the Fraser is detestable: we nearly lost a sloop
there lately, and I do not see that we could reasonably urge
the Admiralty to be often sending their vessels into a perilous
and intricate navigation, in order to coerce the Indians or
to impress the European neighbours of British Columbia.
TFE
7 July
To Admiralty, with [blank]
stating that I do not expect the Navy to maintain the police of B.C.;
that Governor Seymour is on his way to this country, and that when I
have seen him, I will communicate further on the subject: that
meanwhile some general instructions might perhaps be given to
Admiral Denman, acquainting him with the Resolutions of the
Council, & desiring him to consult their wishes as far as the
other duties of the Station will permit.
EC
28 Augt
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Resolution of the Legislative Council, 20 December 1865, asking
the imperial government to station a portion of the pacific squadron
permanently in the Fraser River.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to Secretary to the Admiralty, 9 September 1865,
forwarding copy of correspondence relating to the naval defence of
the colony, and recommending that general instructions be given to
Admiral Denman to consult the wishes of the colony when possible.
Minutes by CO staff
[Minute on above:]
Mr Elliot
I think that these despatches might be sent to the Admy in pursuance of Mr Cardwell's minute on 6169. The sending of them to the Admy will not conflict with the decision, whatever is may ultimately be, on the question, awaiting Govr Seymour's arrival, as to the question of a Colonial Vessel.
I think that these despatches might be sent to the Admy in pursuance of Mr Cardwell's minute on 6169. The sending of them to the Admy will not conflict with the decision, whatever is may ultimately be, on the question, awaiting Govr Seymour's arrival, as to the question of a Colonial Vessel.
ABd
7 Sepr