Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
O'Brien-Stafford, Augustus Stafford to Merivale, Herman 14 May 1852, CO 305:3, no. 4249, 249.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Other documents (1), Marginalia (2).
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.
Stafford informs Merivale that correspondence regarding Naval reinforcements in Queen Charlotte Islands have been forwarded to Moresby, for his
information and guidance.
The minutes discuss the legal, political, and economic uncertainties surrounding the
Queen Charlotte Islands, particularly, in light of Douglas’ relationship with the HBC.
This file encloses a letter from the Colonial Office to Addington, which asks that Douglas and Moresby be given instructions on the landing of foreign vessels on Queen Charlotte Island.
In return to your Letter of the 13th Instant with its several
enclosures on the subject of sending a Naval Force to Queen Charlottes
Island for the security of British Interests and for the upholding of
National Rights, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of Secretary Sir John
Pakington that Copies of your Letter and its enclosures have been sent
to Rear Adml Moresby, Commander in Chief of Her Majestys Ships and
Vessels on the West Coast of America for his information and guidance.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Coupled with the direction contained in the Foreign Office Letter of ‸8 May I presume we may rely on some force being sent to Queen Charlotte's Isld. It would, however, have been more satisfactory to have been enabled to inform the Governor, & the Hudson's Bay Company what description & what extent of force the Admiralty thought the Admiral on the Station would have the means of detaching to this Island.
Coupled with the direction contained in the Foreign Office Letter of ‸8 May I presume we may rely on some force being sent to Queen Charlotte's Isld. It would, however, have been more satisfactory to have been enabled to inform the Governor, & the Hudson's Bay Company what description & what extent of force the Admiralty thought the Admiral on the Station would have the means of detaching to this Island.
2 Perhaps you will ansr
Sir J. Pakington's question in
4097
touching the legality of seizing American Vessels. The Letter to the
Admiralty was duly sent. This is the ansr to it.
Sir J. Pakington's question in
4097
touching the legality of seizing American Vessels. The Letter to the
Admiralty was duly sent. This is the ansr to it.
3 With regard to the civil measures proper to be taken for
the protection of private persons at Queen Charlotte Island would it not
be the most simple course (since you think Canada will be indifferent on
the subject) to instruct the Governor of VanCouver's Island to give the
Officer Commanding the Queen's Ship a Commission of the Peace to decide
complaints brought before him
and preserve order. And the Governor
might accompany it with some instructions which, being so near the scene
of action, he is perhaps more calculated to give than the Govt at
home.
and preserve order. And the Governor
might accompany it with some instructions which, being so near the scene
of action, he is perhaps more calculated to give than the Govt at
home.
ABd
15 May
Lord Desart
2. As to the second question, move Ld Malmesbury to say whether in his opinion any, & what, instructions should be given to Govr Douglas, or to Adm. Moresby, as to the seizure of foreign vessels, or in any way preventing their landing parties on the island.
2. As to the second question, move Ld Malmesbury to say whether in his opinion any, & what, instructions should be given to Govr Douglas, or to Adm. Moresby, as to the seizure of foreign vessels, or in any way preventing their landing parties on the island.
3. The Governor of Vancouver's Island cannot grant Commissions of
the Peace in Q. Charlotte's Island. It is out of his Commission. The
Crown can grant such commissions under 1 & 2 Geo. 4. c. 66. sec. 10.
notwithstanding the concurrent power which is vested in the Governor
Genl. The difficulty is, to know to whom they should be granted as
we cannot foresee what officers Adml Moresby will detach there. I
think Sir J. Pelly might be consulted on this point. for I am not sure
whether the existing commissions do not run through the "Indian
territories" generally. and whether Mr Douglas the Governor of Vanc Is. has not such a Commission already. I have written a line privately
to Sir J. to ask this.
Answered by Sir J. Pelly that he is aware of no such commissions.
I think it might also be advisable to give Govr Douglas a
separate
Commission as Lieut Gov. of Q. Charlottes Island, of the same
form with that which Mr Enderby holds in the Aucklands, & Capt.
Moody formerly held in the Falklands. I annex the former for reference.
I believe these Commissions give no very definite legal powers. But
they give a character, which is perhaps nearly as valuable. It must be
remembered that Mr Douglas is a servant of the H.B.Co. and there will
be great jealousy of these or any other powers confided to him. But I
believe this will be a better alternative than sending out a Lt
Govr on purpose.
Commission as Lieut Gov. of Q. Charlottes Island, of the same
form with that which Mr Enderby holds in the Aucklands, & Capt.
Moody formerly held in the Falklands. I annex the former for reference.
I believe these Commissions give no very definite legal powers. But
they give a character, which is perhaps nearly as valuable. It must be
remembered that Mr Douglas is a servant of the H.B.Co. and there will
be great jealousy of these or any other powers confided to him. But I
believe this will be a better alternative than sending out a Lt
Govr on purpose.
H.B.C. to be informed of the steps now taken?
HM
May 15
Would it not be possible (in answer to Lord Malmesbury's 2nd
question) to send out a certain [number] of commissions of the Peace for
Queen Charlotte's island to Adm Moresby—for him to fill in the names?
I believe it is not in the Crown's power to issue Commissions
in blank.
D
16
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Addington, Foreign Office, 26 May 1852, asking what instructions should be given to Douglas or Moresby
with respect to dealing with foreign vessels landing on Queen Charlotte
Island.