Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, John Henry
to Grey, George 16 April 1851, CO 305:3, no. 3118, 368.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), 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 acknowledge Blanshard's resignation as governor of Vancouver Island. Pelly then endorses Douglas as a suitable replacement, and then speaks to the confusion surrounding the finances
of Blanshard's passage back to England.
In the minutes, among other things, Blackwood notes that Pelly should be informed of the Queen's endorsement of Douglas as governor. Merivale considers Douglas's appointment a matter for Grey's consideration, but believes it has advantages. Hawes suggests that the HBC's intentions for the colony should be better understood prior to appointing Douglas. Finally, Grey advises that he will submit Douglas's name to the Queen for approval.
Included in the file is a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Pelly, which confirms that Grey is prepared to submit Douglas's name to the Queen for approval.
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Mr Hawes' letter of the
7th Instant 〜1 transmitting copy of a Despatch from Governor Blanshard
tendering his resignation of his office, and
communicating that Her Majesty had been graciously pleased to accept the same, and
enquiring whether the Hudson's Bay Company had any Gentleman to recommend for the Situation. ⎯
3Ansd 30 April/51
In answer to this enquiry, I have to state that the Governor and Committee consider
that in the present state of Vancouver's Island as respects the Native Indians and the white population it is of importance that
the Governor should possess some
some experience in conducting the requisite intercourse with the Indians and for this
and other reasons they have requested me to recommend James Douglas Esqre Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company and Manager of their affairs in the Island as well qualified to fill the Office.
some experience in conducting the requisite intercourse with the Indians and for this
and other reasons they have requested me to recommend James Douglas Esqre Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company and Manager of their affairs in the Island as well qualified to fill the Office.I take this opportunity of stating that the Governor and Committee are surprised at
the observations made by Mr Blanshard respecting the conduct of the Company towards him which they feel to be unjust
He was offered a passage in one of the Company's Ships, but
declined it, and preferred proceeding by the Steam Packet to Chagres and
thence by Panama to the Island. ⎯ The Governor and Committee understood that this course was to be at his own expence,
and when a Bill for £100
was drawn upon them by him from Jamaica, it was referred to
to his own
relations in London. ⎯ But afterwards on hearing from him that there was
some misapprehension respecting the expence of his journey by the route which he had taken, he was informed
that the amount was placed to his
credit, and he must have been in possession of this decision at the date of his letter
vizt 18th November 1850
to his own
relations in London. ⎯ But afterwards on hearing from him that there was
some misapprehension respecting the expence of his journey by the route which he had taken, he was informed
that the amount was placed to his
credit, and he must have been in possession of this decision at the date of his letter
vizt 18th November 1850It was necessary to import provisions from the Oregon Territory and
elsewhere, cultivation on the Island at that time being insufficient for the supply of the Company's Establishment there,
and the prices may have
been high but the Governor and Committee are confident that neither the
prices of provisions, nor of European Articles were enhanced or "run up"
by the Company as alleged by Mr Blanshard who in point of fact had a
Seat at the table kept at the Company's Establishment
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Despatch from Governor Blanshard of which a copy was transmitted to Sir J Pelly on the 7th instant is in circulation.
The Despatch from Governor Blanshard of which a copy was transmitted to Sir J Pelly on the 7th instant is in circulation.
2 If Lord Grey […] adopts the recommendation of Mr Douglas for the
Office vacated by Mr Blanshard I presume steps should be taken for
informing […] Sir J. Pelly that the Queen has approved of the nomination of that Gentleman, & for making out his appointment.
3 I suppose it will hardly be thought expedient for this Office to
be[…] the medium for prolonging the Correspondence between the Governor, & Company on differences
[…] which have no public importance ABd 17/4. and which we are not likely to reconcile.
ABd
17/4.
Mr Hawes
This is a question for Lord Grey's consideration: there are of course many obvious advantages in the appointment of Mr Douglas, but it will be regarded as a complete surrenderx of the Island to the Company.
This is a question for Lord Grey's consideration: there are of course many obvious advantages in the appointment of Mr Douglas, but it will be regarded as a complete surrenderx of the Island to the Company.
HM
Apl 17
A 18
xI fear this is true. And I think before assented to, some
understanding might be come to as to what the H.B.Cy intended to do towards Colonizing the Island. If the Cy wd or cd undertake
this suddenly, I shd have little doubt it wd be best promoted in their hands. I confess this may be doubtful.
There being no means of providg a salary for a Govr except
from the Compy I see no possibility of makg any other arrangement
than that *here proposed. ⎯ Say that I will submit Mr Douglas's name to the Queen & let the necessary steps be taken for makg out the appointt.
G.
24
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 30 April 1851, advising that Grey was prepared to submit to the Queen "the name of Mr James Douglas as Governor of Van Couvers Island."
Footnotes
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