Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, John Henry
to Grey, George 2 December 1850, CO 305:2, no. 9802, 333.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), 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 to Grey to confirm the receipt of Hawes's previous letter that enclosed a copy of a despatch from Blanshard—which included information on the murder of three British subjects at Fort Rupert. Pelly reports that Douglas has not since mentioned the murders in his correspondence to the HBC, and, he provides an extract from Douglas that discusses Fort Rupert, and the restoration of order there. Finally, Pelly requests that naval vessels should be instructed to make frequent trips to the Island to, presumably, maintain order.
In the minutes, Jadis asks whether or not to acquiesce to Pelly's call for an increased naval presence on Vancouver Island, or to provide an equivalent force. Grey asks to acknowledge Pelly's letter, and to stress the need for
more permanentprotection than the occasional Navy visit.
This file encloses a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Pelly, which asks for measures the HBC plans to adopt in order to protect Vancouver Island's settlers.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Hawes's letter of the 30th Ult. enclosing a copy of a Despatch from Mr Blanshard
Governor of Vancouver's Island dated the 18th August, and requesting
me to furnish your Lordship with
any information which it may be in the
power of the Hudson's Bay Company to afford on the subject of the
melancholy occurrence reported by Governor Blanshard, the murder of
three British subjects by the Indians in the neighbourhood of Fort
Rupert at the northern end of the Island.
1Ansd 11 Dec/50.
The Hudson's Bay Company have received from Mr Douglas their principal Officer at Fort Victoria a letter dated 17th August in
which no mention is made of such an occurrence. I enclose an extract
from that letter containing all the information which he gives respecting the state
of affairs at Fort Rupert, and what he was doing for the purpose of restoring order.
If no instructions have yet been given that one of Her Majesty's cruisers in the Pacific
should visit Vancouver's Island, I would take the liberty of suggesting that the Admiral on that Station be instructed
to cause frequent visits to be made to the Island by the cruisers.
The Right Honble.
The Earl Grey
The Earl Grey
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale.
Should the Admiralty be requested to give directions as suggested at the close of this letter? Govr Blanshard states that he is in expectation of the arrival of a Ship of War, — but the Settlement appears to be more in want of some permanent protective Force, such as an efficient Body of Constables —
Should the Admiralty be requested to give directions as suggested at the close of this letter? Govr Blanshard states that he is in expectation of the arrival of a Ship of War, — but the Settlement appears to be more in want of some permanent protective Force, such as an efficient Body of Constables —
Acknowledge — & point out to the H.B. Co that there appears to be
an absolute necessity for some more permanent protectn than they can expect to have from the occasional visits of on of H.M.'s ships & request to be informed whether they contemplate adoptg any measures with that view? —
G.
9/
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, Douglas to Barclay, Secretary, Hudson's Bay Company, dated Fort Victoria, 17 August 1850, reporting on conditions at Fort Rupert.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 11 December 1850, asking what measures they planned to adopt for protection of settlers at Vancouver Island.
Footnotes
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.