Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Frederic 28 December 1866, CO 60:26, no. 12277, 24.
Abstract
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Frederic 28 December 1866, CO 60:26, no. 12277, 24.
Public Offices document.
Minutes (7), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to send you herewith, for the information of the Earl of
Carnarvon an Extract from a Letter dated the 24th Octr
last, addressed to Vice Admiral Denman by the Officer
Commanding HM Gun Boat "Forward," reporting his proceedings
in visiting the Northern Settlements of British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
An Agent of the Hudson's Bay Co complained that
some Indians had been insolent and turbulent. The Commander
of a Gunboat, who was on a tour of inspection, gave them good
advice. The paper is only sentfor
for information, and I
suppose that it may be put by?
for information, and I
suppose that it may be put by?
TFE
4 Jany
The Officer in question seems to have very vague notions
on the subject of Martial Law—and the penalty wh he
proposes to inflict for matricide is not less irregular.
Is it usual to call for the intervention of ships of
war to maintain order amongst these tribes? And if so
are there no instructions given for the guidance of
the officers? If not mischief may some day arise in such cases.
I sd like to know what has been the practice.
C
5 Jany/67
The only mode by which the Indian tribes on the
Coasts & living up the arms of the Sea and Rivers
of B.C. & V.C.I. can be reached & kept in some sort
of order is by sending gun boats to visit them
occasionally. It is manifestly impossible for the
police of the Colonies to undertake this work. Hence,
from the establishment of B.C. & V.C.I. as Colonies,
parties from HM Ships have been employed on the
Service. Hitherto no contre tems [temps] has occurred.
They have usually executed their mission with discretion
and success. Instructions from the Senior Commanding
Officer are always provided; & sometimes we receive
copies of them: sometimes not. There are no standing
Instructions that I know of. They are special, & applicable
to the particular mission on which the Naval Officer is sent.
occasionally. It is manifestly impossible for the
police of the Colonies to undertake this work. Hence,
from the establishment of B.C. & V.C.I. as Colonies,
parties from HM Ships have been employed on the
Service. Hitherto no contre tems [temps] has occurred.
They have usually executed their mission with discretion
and success. Instructions from the Senior Commanding
Officer are always provided; & sometimes we receive
copies of them: sometimes not. There are no standing
Instructions that I know of. They are special, & applicable
to the particular mission on which the Naval Officer is sent.
Lieut Denny's notions of Martial Law seem indeed
obscure. As this Officer is likely to be employed again
on a similar service it might be as well to call the
attention of the Admy to the passage which Yr Lordship
has noticed, &, if the Lts Law is inaccurate,
request that a caution may be given not to him only, but to
any Officer sent to look after the Indians against
transgressing the Authority committed to him.
ABd
7 Jany/67
Yes—it will be as well to write as Mr Blackwood proposes.
C
7 Jany
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, D.A.A. Denny to Vice Admiral Denman, 24 October 1866,
reporting on encounter with Indians, and in particular his proposed
use of martial law on an Indian accused of matricide.
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Blackwood
I have lately read in the newspapers some instructions respecting "Martial Law" recently issued to Naval Officers by the Admiralty.
I have lately read in the newspapers some instructions respecting "Martial Law" recently issued to Naval Officers by the Admiralty.
Mr Elliot
We have not recd from the Admy the recent instructions referred to by Mr Macdonald. But it seems that last summer we recd from the Admy the Instructions I send you herewith in print.
I should say that these instructions by no means
supercede the necessity of writing to the Admiralty to caution
Officers in their proceedings in places where Martial
Law has not been proclaimed.
We have not recd from the Admy the recent instructions referred to by Mr Macdonald. But it seems that last summer we recd from the Admy the Instructions I send you herewith in print.
I should say that these instructions by no means
supercede the necessity of writing to the Admiralty to caution
Officers in their proceedings in places where Martial
Law has not been proclaimed.