Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pakington, John Somerset 2 August 1852, CO 305:3, no. 9399, 123.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (3), Marginalia (16).
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 Pakington on a number of issues, notably, on the Thetis’ deployment to the area to protect British interests, and the complexities of trade
with the United States. Further, Douglas reports on a council appointment, growth in the colony, relations with Indigenous
peoples in the area, and harvest yields.
The minutes propose that a steam vessel be sent to protect the colony; Blackwood orders that the information regarding trade with the U.S. be forwarded to the Foreign Office.
[No. 6]
2nd August 1852
To the Right Honble Sir John S. Pakington
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Sir,
Extract 3.4.56.7 paragraphs
also Extract part of paragraph
No 7
also Extract part of paragraph
No 7
Sir,
I had the honor on the 26th Ultmo of receiving your
communications,
numbered 1 and 2 of the 11th and 18th March
and with the former a Warrant under the Royal Sign Manual, appointing
Mr Roderick Finlayson to be a member of Council of Vancouver's Island. I have duly signified Her Majestys Will and pleasure to that
gentleman, and shall forthwith swear, and admit him as a Member of
Council
The instructions
contained in your letter of the 18th March
in reference to the admissibility of Indiantestimony in the Law Courts
of this Colony, shall be communicated for the guidance of the
Magistrates and Officers, who may be entrusted with the administration
of the Laws.
2
I observe with
much satisfaction that you have directed the
attention of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to the subject of
stationing a vessel of war off Queen Charlotte's Island for the support
of national rights, and the protection of Her Majesty's subjects trading
to that quarter.
We3
4 4
The danger is not however completely removed, as rumours are still
abroad of parties forming in California and Oregon for the avowed
purpose of working the Gold Mines, and any prospect of success will set
them all in motion.
The
5
6
Colony, and I am in
hopes, that Her Majesty's Government will take a favourable view of that
measure. In that event I will submit for your consideration that a War
Steamer of small force would be the most useful and effective Vessel
that could be employed on this coast, as besides the celerity and
certainty of her movements she could with less risk and far more ease
than a sailing vessel, visit the numerous Bays and Inlets where
prohibited vessels may be concealed.
7 5
[…] 6
from the nearest British posession and separated
from the Mother Country by half the circumference of the Globe, it has
no available outlet for its productions, consisting of Salt-fish, Deals,
Limestone and Spars for Masts, which with the exception of the last will
do little more than defray the expensive transport to Great Britain.
Added to that disadvantage the Colony has to sustain a competition with
the American settlements in Oregon, whose staple exports are similar to
those of Vancouvers Island, and
This is one of the points to be discussed in the approaching
negotiation with the U. States. Send this passage to the F.O.
ABd
19 Octr
upon the staple exports of this country.
Enterprise therefore languishes and unless some steps are taken to
mitigate as far as possible, those disadvantages, the Colony will never
prosper, and the labouring classes will seek employment in the
neighbouring settlements of Oregon. Much I conceive may be effected in
that way by encouraging the export of spars for the supply of the Royal
Navy, which this Island produces in great abundance, and of the very
best quality. I herewith enclose a document containing a description of
a lot of spars prepared for shipment by Mr Brotchie a British
subject; who has been nearly two years a resident on this Island, andwho
who after devoting his whole time and spending all his means in the
prosecution of that enterprise can find no sale for his property, which
is therefore in danger of being destroyed by fire and other accidents.
who after devoting his whole time and spending all his means in the
prosecution of that enterprise can find no sale for his property, which
is therefore in danger of being destroyed by fire and other accidents.
I beg to recommend the case of Mr Brotchie to your
consideration, as I have no doubt the Lords ‸Commissioners of the
Admiralty would find it of advantage to order a contract to be made with
him for any number of Spars, required for the public service, this
besides rescuing a worthy and enterprising man from ruin, would give an
impulse to industry and be the means of calling into exercise a branch
of trade which may leadto
to very important results, as concerns
the
future interests of the Colony.
to very important results, as concerns
the
future interests of the Colony.
8 8
9 9
10
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Submit this to Mr Merivale on his return to Town. In the meanwhile, send, I think Paragraphs 31, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to the Admiralty, and recommend, if that be Sir J. Pakington's view, the employment of a Steam ‸instead of a Sailing Vessel for the protection of British interests off VanCouver's and Queen Charlotte Island. There is Coal on the spot, and with such active competition as the Americans at Oregon it seems to me that any assistance we can give in the development of the resources of a British Possession, and one so situated as this is ought to be afforded. It having been decided that a vessel of war is always to be stationed there it is surely best to have one of the most useful sort.
Submit this to Mr Merivale on his return to Town. In the meanwhile, send, I think Paragraphs 31, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to the Admiralty, and recommend, if that be Sir J. Pakington's view, the employment of a Steam ‸instead of a Sailing Vessel for the protection of British interests off VanCouver's and Queen Charlotte Island. There is Coal on the spot, and with such active competition as the Americans at Oregon it seems to me that any assistance we can give in the development of the resources of a British Possession, and one so situated as this is ought to be afforded. It having been decided that a vessel of war is always to be stationed there it is surely best to have one of the most useful sort.
A considerable portion of Par: 7 should, I think, be communicated
to the F.O. with reference to their late enquiry as to the subjects
which it will be necessary for the British Negotiator to discuss with
the American Envoy.
I approve of Mr Blackwood's suggestions.
JSP
22
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"An Account of Spars belonging to Captn Brotchie on hand
at Beaver Harbour," dated Fort Victoria, 22 March 1851.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Addington, Foreign Office, 29
October 1852, forwarding extract of the despatch.
Draft, Colonial Office to Hamilton, Admiralty, 30 October
1852, forwarding extracts of the despatch and recommending the
choice of a steamer as requested by Douglas.
Footnotes
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