Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, John Henry
to Grey, George 24 October 1851, CO 305:3, no. 9024, 403.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Marginalia (1).
Pelly writes to Grey to acknowledge the receipt of documents on Vancouver Island, and, in particular, a memorial that reports on the alleged mistreatment of Muir at the hands of the HBC. Pelly asserts the impartiality of the HBC, and its servicemen, on all matters of justice. Finally, Pelly dismisses the alleged discontent expressed by the passengers of the Tory at their squalid accommodations.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under Secretary Hawes's letter of the 10th Instant transmitting, for any observations which the Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company may have to offer, a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island enclosing the Copy of a Memorial addressed to him by Andrew Muir complaining of ill treatment received from the Company's Servants at that Settlement.
I shall not trouble Your Lordship with any observations on the
Statements contained in the
by Her Majesty in the Governor of the Colony, and there are no persons in the Company's
service, I may venture to assure Your Lordship, who would not render every assistance in their power to the Governor in administering justice impartially to
all.
2
Memorial, but I cannot understand why the
complaint was not heard and decided on by Governor Blanshard, as all judicial authority is vested byThe Governor explains that the reason why he did not decide Muir's case was because considerable damages were claimed, & it did not admit of being
summarily disposed of.
by Her Majesty in the Governor of the Colony, and there are no persons in the Company's
service, I may venture to assure Your Lordship, who would not render every assistance in their power to the Governor in administering justice impartially to
all.With respect to the accomodations for the Passengers for the
Ship "Tory" on their arrival, I beg to state that enquiry will be made
on the subject; but so far were the passengers from being discontented
with their treatment that, in consequence of the reports sent home by
them, several applications have been made by their friends here for
permission to go out to join them.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I doubt whether this will be considered an entirely satisfactory answer: though possibly it is the sort of explanation expected from the Company. With regard to the question raised by the Governor as to the appointment of a paid magistrate it might be the wisest plan to wait the arrival in this Country of Mr Blanshard, from whom some personal information on the subject of the state of the Settlement will be obtained, before any decision is formed.
I doubt whether this will be considered an entirely satisfactory answer: though possibly it is the sort of explanation expected from the Company. With regard to the question raised by the Governor as to the appointment of a paid magistrate it might be the wisest plan to wait the arrival in this Country of Mr Blanshard, from whom some personal information on the subject of the state of the Settlement will be obtained, before any decision is formed.
ABd
27/10.
O 27.
It is to me unsatisfactory. The suggestion of Mr Blackwood is perhaps the only one. It must not be understood however that Ld Grey is satisfied with the Explanation, if it can be called such, afforded by
the H.B.Cy. Is it worth while letting the Company know, that Ld
Grey […] expects the arrival of the Govr & therefore abstains from ruling
further upon the case?
Put by for the present. ⎯
G.
29
Footnotes
- This addressee information appears at the foot of the first page of the despatch.
- The following marginilia is in reference to a section of text marked with a curly brace; see image scan.