Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, John Henry
to Grey, George 11 February 1851, CO 305:3, no. 1322, 360.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (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 with reference to one of Blanshard's earlier letters. Pelly sends on an extract from Douglas regarding the murders, by
the natives of the northern part of Vancouver's Island,of three HBC
deserters.
The minutes discuss some particulars of the murders, the protection of the settlers,
and the
disposition & number of the natives.
This file encloses an extract of a letter from Douglas to Barclay, which describes the murder of the three seamen who deserted the Norman Morrison.
With reference to the letter of Governor Blanchard dated the 18th August last, a copy of which was communicated to me by
Mr Under Secretary Hawes under the date of the 30th November, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith an extract of a
letter received by the Company from Mr Douglas, the officer in charge
at Fort Victoria, giving an account of the murder of three seamen,
deserters from one of the Company's ships, by the natives of the
northern part of Vancouver's Island.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
If Admiral Moresby has been able to send any vessel to VanCouver's Island perhaps the death of these men may have been […] effectually enquired into:; but otherwise it would seem as if the Settlers had not much chance of protection from the Hudson's Bay Company, who have, I believe, no military or other force in the Settlement.
If Admiral Moresby has been able to send any vessel to VanCouver's Island perhaps the death of these men may have been […] effectually enquired into:; but otherwise it would seem as if the Settlers had not much chance of protection from the Hudson's Bay Company, who have, I believe, no military or other force in the Settlement.
ABd
15/2
This is very probable from the accounts lately received of the
disposition & number of the natives. The present case however is only
that of the murder of three […] seamen who were trying to escape from their
ship, in a part of the island distant from that occupied by the Company.
HM
F 15
Put by.
G.
15
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, Douglas to Barclay, 5 October 1850, describing the murder of the three seamen who deserted from the Norman Morison.