Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 25 September 1867, CO 60:29, no. 10907, 227.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Seymour asks Buckingham for instructions on how to respond to the US purchase of Alaska from Russia. Seymour states that, until instructed otherwise, he will observe
the Convention between Great Britain and Russia, signed at St Petersburgh February 28/16 1825, as in force, but with … the United States … as one of the High Contracting Parties.Rogers’s minute agrees with Cox that Herbletes
Treaty shd be recast.Buckingham’s minute confirms Cox’s suggestion to send the despatch to the Foreign Office.
Confidential
Victoria
25th September 1867
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace has as yet given me no instructions in regard to
the conduct I am to pursue in consequence of the alteration in the
situation of the Colony,caused
caused by the Session of Russian
America to the United States.
caused by the Session of Russian
America to the United States.
2. Your Grace cannot fail to observe from other despatches
transmitted today that the subject is one which I cannot well
avoid. I believe I may consider the Convention between Great
Britain and Russia, signed at St Petersburgh February 28/16
1825, as in force, but withthe
the simple substitution of the United
States for Russia as one of the High Contracting Parties.
the simple substitution of the United
States for Russia as one of the High Contracting Parties.
3. This is the course I shall pursue until otherwise directed.
Minutes by CO staff
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 19 November 1867,
forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration.