Seymour, Governor Frederick to Grenville, Richard 31 July 1867, CO 60:28, no. 8803, 327.

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Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 31 July 1867, CO 60:28, no. 8803, 327.

Abstract

Despatch to London. Minutes (5), Other documents (2).

Seymour announces that the Cariboo district appears to be in a state of insurrection as the Police Magistrate cannot enforce the law and asks for military force and that Seymour is travelling to the Cariboo. Seymour notes that Hastings’s has informed Seymour’s government that Hastings’s cannot provide support in the Cariboo. Elliot’s minute speculates about the disturbance. Buckingham minutes that the Admiralty should be copied on the despatch. Blake minutes that subsequent 92 & 93/9638-9 and 93/9639, 92/9638 & 99/10373 should be seen. The included document is a telegram stating that Hastings is at liberty to send assistance in case of necessity.

Separate

31 July 1867

My Lord Duke

It is with sincere regret that I announce to Your Grace that the Cariboo district appears to be in a state of insurrection. The Police Magistrate writes to inform me that he is utterly powerless to enforce the law & applies for a force of Marines from Her Majesty's ships. I wish to carry on the Civil Government as long as I can by civil force, & proceed today to

Cariboo. The distance is nearly five hundred miles & I may be prevented by distance or restraints from communicating with Your Grace for some time to come.

I have not yet formally applied to Admiral Hastings for assistance, but he has stated to my Private Secretary, who is now in Victoria, that his instructions would prevent his detaching any force from his ships for a place so remote as Cariboo.

The Police Magistrate leaves us in ignorance as to the present state of things