Private
New Westminster
24th January 1868
My Lord Duke,
With reference to my Private despatch of the 26th of June 1867, in which I report on the state of things then existing along our North West Coast and the territorynowManuscript image now called Alaska, I have the honor to forward a report of certain disturbances which have occurred at Sitka. Your Grace will recollect that I foretold an early collision between the new proprietors of the land and the Indians. I need hardly say that I regret that the natives should have used the English Flag as a sign of their opposition to the American Authorities. If our Flag is so attractiveevenManuscript image even beyond our frontier, to the Indians, the reasons may perhaps be found in the extract I enclose of Colonel Scott's report to his superior officer.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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CC 18/3
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Put by.
I am afraid that the bright picture of British policy drawn by Capt Scott as shewn in the "Alta California" will not long apply. Such things may happen under the rule of a Company but can hardly last long I am afraid under rule of a Colonial Govt.
FR 18/3
CBA 20/3
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But why not?
B&C 20/3
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Because a Colonial Govt cannot permanently control a free Anglo Saxon population, without a degree of support from Home, wh England will no longer afford—hardly with that support. And Anglo Saxon settlers uncontrolled by Govt have too little patience with savages not to involve themselves, when they are strong enough in bitter & bloody quarrels—wh eventually ends in the extermination of the natives when they are weak enough to be exterminated.
Also because nothing (as I believe) but a close system impracticable in such a really free country will keep out spirits.
FR 21/3
B&C 23/3
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Newspaper clipping British Colonist, 4 January 1868, "Later from Alaska," describing incident noted in despatch.
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Newspaper clipping, San Francisco Alta California, 31 December 1867, reporting favourably upon British Indian policy on the northwest coast.