Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 3 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6397, 402.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), 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, and offers support for,
a Resolution passed by the Legislative Council of this Colony, requesting that the Imperial Government may be solicited to pay one half of the expenses of the expeditions despatched against the Chilicoten Indians.Blackwood’s minute suggests rejecting what he refers to as
a monstrous proposal.
No. 39
3rd May 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to forward Copy of a Resolution passed
by the Legislative Council of this Colony, requesting that the
Imperial Government may be solicitedto
to pay one half of the
expenses of the expeditions despatched against the Chilicoten
Indians last summer under the circumstances detailed in my
despatches mentioned in the margin.
Those expenses amounted in round numbers, to seventeen thousand
pounds (£17,000). A very heavy outlay
for a young Colony with a decreasing Revenue.
to pay one half of the
expenses of the expeditions despatched against the Chilicoten
Indians last summer under the circumstances detailed in my
despatches mentioned in the margin.
Govr to Secy of State
No. 7, 20th May 1864
No. 25, 30th Augt "
No. 37, 9th Sepr "
No. 56, 4th Octr "
No. 58, 7th Octr "
No. 69, 23rd Novr "
No. 10, 25th Feb. 1865
No. 7, 20th May 1864
No. 25, 30th Augt "
No. 37, 9th Sepr "
No. 56, 4th Octr "
No. 58, 7th Octr "
No. 69, 23rd Novr "
No. 10, 25th Feb. 1865
2. The Council rely mainly on the fact that these great
expenses fell upon theColony
Colony "in the consequence of the
actions of persons living out of the Colony, and over whom
the Government of British Columbia had no control."
Colony "in the consequence of the
actions of persons living out of the Colony, and over whom
the Government of British Columbia had no control."
3. The timely display of energy on the part of the
Colonists perhaps prevented a general rising of the Indians,
which would have dragged Her Majesty's forces ultimately
into the struggle. It might be well to make some public
acknowledgmentof
of your approval of the self reliance displayed
by so small a community under such peculiar difficulties,
immediately after the withdrawal of all Imperial assistance.
On this ground I beg to recommend the prayer of the Council
very respectfully for your consideration.
of your approval of the self reliance displayed
by so small a community under such peculiar difficulties,
immediately after the withdrawal of all Imperial assistance.
On this ground I beg to recommend the prayer of the Council
very respectfully for your consideration.
4. It is with extreme satisfaction, but without any
overweening confidence in the future, that I mention that
since the events of the lastsummer
summer, I have had no intelligence
of any outrage, even of the most trifling description, having
been committed by the Indians on the white men in the vast
territory comprised within this Colony.
summer, I have had no intelligence
of any outrage, even of the most trifling description, having
been committed by the Indians on the white men in the vast
territory comprised within this Colony.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
To me it appears that this is a monstrous proposal. The road, though certainly made by road makers of V.C. Island was for the benefit of B. Columbia and of Commerce in general: & it is absurd to say that the expense of the Expedition fell upon the Colony "in consequence of the actions of people out of it." The B.C. Authorities must have sanctioned the under-taking.
To me it appears that this is a monstrous proposal. The road, though certainly made by road makers of V.C. Island was for the benefit of B. Columbia and of Commerce in general: & it is absurd to say that the expense of the Expedition fell upon the Colony "in consequence of the actions of people out of it." The B.C. Authorities must have sanctioned the under-taking.
ABd
10 July
Mr Cardwell
This will be a subject for your consideration.
This will be a subject for your consideration.
TFE
17 July
Regret that it is not in my
power to hold out any hope that
this expenditure can be in any part defrayed by funds to be
voted for that purpose by the Imperial Parlt.
power to hold out any hope that
this expenditure can be in any part defrayed by funds to be
voted for that purpose by the Imperial Parlt.
EC
17
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Legislative Council to Seymour, 21 December 1864, forwarding
resolution requesting that the home government be asked to defray
half the cost of the expedition, signed by A.N. Birch, Presiding
Member.
