Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Douglas, James to Grey, Henry George 11 February 1852, CO 305:3, no. 3778, 91.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (10), 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.
Douglas writes Grey to inform him that the Cadboro has returned successfully from its expedition to recover the items
plunderedfrom the wreck and crew of the Una at Neah Bay. Douglas asserts that his government did not approve of the
barbarous actsthat the expedition committed against the allegedly involved tribe-members.
The minutes suggest that Douglas’ despatch be forwarded to the HBC, and discuss whether he has the authority to grant land licenses on Haida Gwaii.
[No. 2]
Her Majestys principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
My Lord
It is with much satisfaction that I have to report to your
Lordship the return of the Schooner "Cadboro"
to this place, on the 7th Inst, with the force lately despatched
to Neah Bay, to demand satisfaction of the Natives of that place, for
the plunder of the "Una", and the maltreatment of her crew, as
communicated in my letter of the 29th January. ⎯
The expedition produced the desired effect of alarming the Natives, who
made every concession and reparation in their power. They expressed
regret for the misconduct of that part of the Tribe which had been
almost exclusively concerned in plundering the "Una", and readily
restored every article of value which remained in their possession.
The Chief or principal person of the Tribe, who it appears was
absent when the "Una" was wrecked evinced his good will in every
possible shape, and vigourously exerted his authority in compelling the
restitution of the property. Mr Dodd the Commander of the
Expedition, ascertained that he had punished the plunderers of the "Una"
with more severity than was called for, by the circumstances, previous
to the "Cadboro's" arrival in Neah Bay; having caused ten of the number
to be shot, and one, who was accused of being the party who set the
vessel on fire, to be burried alive. Those barbarous ‸acts were however,
neither demanded nor approved by us, and were the result of their own
influenced deliberations.
with more severity than was called for, by the circumstances, previous
to the "Cadboro's" arrival in Neah Bay; having caused ten of the number
to be shot, and one, who was accused of being the party who set the
vessel on fire, to be burried alive. Those barbarous ‸acts were however,
neither demanded nor approved by us, and were the result of their own
influenced deliberations.
This affair which might have proved troublesome and expensive has
been therefore quietly settled, by a simple demonstration, without any
direct act of hostility, on the part of this Government, though it has
made a deep impression on the minds of the Natives who were intently
watching our proceedings.
I have the honor of transmitting herewith duplicate of my letter
of the 29 Ultmo and
Have the honor to be
Your Lorship's
Most obt. humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor Vancouvers Island
Your Lorship's
Most obt. humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor Vancouvers Island
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
If this information is to be relied on it wd seem that the natives at Neah Bay have paid a severe penalty for molesting a British Ship. But it is not improbable the chiefs may have intentionally misinformed the Officers of the "Cadbro. At all events there seems no corroborating proof in this desph of the fact related.
If this information is to be relied on it wd seem that the natives at Neah Bay have paid a severe penalty for molesting a British Ship. But it is not improbable the chiefs may have intentionally misinformed the Officers of the "Cadbro. At all events there seems no corroborating proof in this desph of the fact related.
Send a copy to the Hudsons' Bay Co—and acke rect?
Mr Merivale.
I have just received the accompanying Papers from Mr Blackwood. If the Draft despatch to Govr Douglas is approved it will be necessary, in pursuance of the Minutes on 6104 Van Couver's Island, to consult the Treasury as to granting licences, and I have therefore, to save time prepared & forward a Draft for approval.
I have just received the accompanying Papers from Mr Blackwood. If the Draft despatch to Govr Douglas is approved it will be necessary, in pursuance of the Minutes on 6104 Van Couver's Island, to consult the Treasury as to granting licences, and I have therefore, to save time prepared & forward a Draft for approval.
VJ
2 Augt/52
Mr Jadis Elliot
With the alterations or rather additions I have made it appears to me
these drafts will answer the purpose quite well. I think however the
Admiralty should also be apprised, & perhaps the best way will be only
to send a copy with a draft stating that these are the instructions
"which Sir J.P. proposes to issue" and without calling for any answer.
Perhaps Mr Jadis will add a draft to this effect, & then the papers
can go to Sir J.P. at once, without returning to me.
With the alterations or rather additions I have made it appears to me
these drafts will answer the purpose quite well. I think however the
Admiralty should also be apprised, & perhaps the best way will be only
to send a copy with a draft stating that these are the instructions
"which Sir J.P. proposes to issue" and without calling for any answer.
Perhaps Mr Jadis will add a draft to this effect, & then the papers
can go to Sir J.P. at once, without returning to me.
HM
At 4
Mr Merivale
It appears to me that one Capital point is omitted in these instructions to the Governor on the subject of Queen Charlottes Island. He is told nothing at all about Land or rather he is merely told that he has power to grant Land, and ‸that he will sufficiently know what form he is to use for the purpose. It seems to me in the first place that he
he ought to be
strictly prohibited from making any free grants of Land, and secondly it
must be decided whether he is equally to be prohibited from disposing of
property in Land on any other terms. Is not the subject one on which we
ought to seek the aid of the Land Board?
It appears to me that one Capital point is omitted in these instructions to the Governor on the subject of Queen Charlottes Island. He is told nothing at all about Land or rather he is merely told that he has power to grant Land, and ‸that he will sufficiently know what form he is to use for the purpose. It seems to me in the first place that he
he ought to be
strictly prohibited from making any free grants of Land, and secondly it
must be decided whether he is equally to be prohibited from disposing of
property in Land on any other terms. Is not the subject one on which we
ought to seek the aid of the Land Board?
T.F.E.
16 Augt
Mr Elliot
I scarcely think the matter ripe for the Land Board. It seems to me that the best course will be simply to inform the Governor that he is not to make any grants of land, nor allow its occupation except by tenants liable to dispossession, until he has reported on the state of things in the island & received further instructions from Government.
I scarcely think the matter ripe for the Land Board. It seems to me that the best course will be simply to inform the Governor that he is not to make any grants of land, nor allow its occupation except by tenants liable to dispossession, until he has reported on the state of things in the island & received further instructions from Government.
HM
Augt 18
(Page 8 of despatch
Sir J Pakington
The minute overleaf seems to have escaped your notice. If it is approved, an alteration of some importance will have to be made in the draft Instructions, which I have accordingly made for approval, in p. 8.
The minute overleaf seems to have escaped your notice. If it is approved, an alteration of some importance will have to be made in the draft Instructions, which I have accordingly made for approval, in p. 8.
I quite Concur in
the alteration. —
the alteration. —
JSP.
25
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Pakington to Douglas, No. 5, 27 September
1852 (extensively revised), on the wreck of the Una, on mineral and land rights on "Queen Charlotte's Island," the limits of Douglas's authority to grant land and licenses, and more.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Commission for Governor Douglas as Lt Governor of Queen Charlotte Island being, I believe, now ready it is necessary [to]
furnish him with
general instructions for his guidance, and answer certain questions
which he has raised in his last despatches, but which have not been
ripe for decision until now.
The Commission for Governor Douglas as Lt Governor of Queen Charlotte Island being, I believe, now ready it is necessary [to]
furnish him with
general instructions for his guidance, and answer certain questions
which he has raised in his last despatches, but which have not been
ripe for decision until now.
I have carefully perused the correspondence in which we have been
engaged for some time past with the different Depts of Govt Sir
JohnSir
JohnSir
John
Pelly and the Govr himself, and, I have prepared this draft which
if it should not fully meet yr views, or be incorrect on legal
points, will ‸perhaps nevertheless afford you some assistance in
preparing a draft 3more to the purpose.
Pelly and the Govr himself, and, I have prepared this draft which
if it should not fully meet yr views, or be incorrect on legal
points, will ‸perhaps nevertheless afford you some assistance in
preparing a draft 3more to the purpose.
ABd .
Footnotes
- Text is located in the left margin and runs perpendicular to text. Part of first line is cut off and not legible. Part of the last line is written over part of the addressee. See image scan.
- Possibly Latin for "see."
- There is a diagonal line through the text here. Its purpose is indeterminate. See image scan.
- This text, as well as the text that follows, actually appears at the top of the preceding draft reply. See image scan.