Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, John Henry
to Grey, George 26 May 1849, CO 305:2, no. 4688, 281.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), 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.
Pelly writes Grey on the Admiralty's intention to send a steam ship and sloop of war to Vancouver Island, for survey purposes. Pelly reports that the ships have yet to be sent, and that time is pressing to do so, especially
in order to deter the
turbulent and evil disposedAmerican interests from gaining sway, and ground, in the area.
The minutes indicate that the Admiralty's delay is explained more by lagging protocols than negligence. Merivale suggests that the HBC's
real objectis to protect their Columbia River interests over any on Vancouver Island.
This file encloses a copy of land-claim resolutions adopted by American citizens the
previous year, an extract of a letter form Ogden and Douglas on HBC/U.S. Tensions, and a draft letter form the Colonial Office to Pelly that suggests the HBC communicate their concerns to the Foreign Office.
On the 25th October last Mr Under Secretary Hawes informed me by Your Lordships direction, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty intended to send a Steam Vessel and a Sloop of War to Vancouver's Island for the purpose of general Survey and careful examination.
Finding that up to the present time nothing has been done towards carrying their Lordships
intention into effect, I feel it my duty to draw Your Lordship's attention to the
subject, the more particularly as from the extracts, which I have the honor to enclose,
of a letter from the Company's officers in charge at Fort Vancouver, accompanied by a copy of Resolutions adopted at a meeting of American citizens held
in the neighbourhood of
Nisqually, there is reason to fear that unless the turbulent and evil disposed are overawed
by the presence of a British Ship of war, very serious consequences will ensue.
2Ans"d 4 June/49.
Nisqually, there is reason to fear that unless the turbulent and evil disposed are overawed
by the presence of a British Ship of war, very serious consequences will ensue.Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Should the Admiralty be requested to state whether they have made any alteration in the intention announced so long ago as Octr last of sending some of the Queen's Ships to VanCouver's Island. The probability is that the Commodore Rear Admiral on the Station has recd the necessary instructions, but that there has not been sufficient time to report the measures he has taken on the subject.
Should the Admiralty be requested to state whether they have made any alteration in the intention announced so long ago as Octr last of sending some of the Queen's Ships to VanCouver's Island. The probability is that the Commodore Rear Admiral on the Station has recd the necessary instructions, but that there has not been sufficient time to report the measures he has taken on the subject.
ABd
28/5
Mr Hawes
This communication is rather important, but it looks as if the HBC's real object was rather the protection of their interests in the Columbia River than that of the new establishment in Vancouver's Island, which does not seem to be in any way menaced by these proceedings of the American settlers in Oregon. But unless some steps are taken by the U.S. government to complete its proposed purchase of the Company's property on the Columbia, international difficulties seem likely to arise. These papers seem of a might be sent to the F.O. but, I suppose, the Company will take care to communicate in that quarter whatever they consider important. To the Admiralty, with inquiry as suggested by Mr Blackwood?
This communication is rather important, but it looks as if the HBC's real object was rather the protection of their interests in the Columbia River than that of the new establishment in Vancouver's Island, which does not seem to be in any way menaced by these proceedings of the American settlers in Oregon. But unless some steps are taken by the U.S. government to complete its proposed purchase of the Company's property on the Columbia, international difficulties seem likely to arise. These papers seem of a might be sent to the F.O. but, I suppose, the Company will take care to communicate in that quarter whatever they consider important. To the Admiralty, with inquiry as suggested by Mr Blackwood?
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 4 June 1849, suggesting that the company should communicate their concerns to the Foreign Office.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, Resolutions adopted by a meeting of American citizens,
Newmarket, Lewis County, 5 November 1848, complaining of certain
practices and land claims of the "Puget Sound Agricultural Society."
Extract of letter from Peter Skene Ogden and James Douglas, 1 October 1848, describing the difficult relations between the Hudson's
Bay Company and the American settlers on the Columbia River and urging
that a British vessel be stationed in the vicinity to provide a show of
force.
Footnotes
- This addressee information appears at the foot of the first page of the despatch.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.