Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes to Douglas, James 15 October 1853, LAC RG7:G8C/1, 141.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
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.
Newcastle writes to Douglas on the subject of the
condition of the Colony,which Douglas had reported on earlier. Newcastle praises Douglas’s report on several fronts, which include the following: Aboriginal relations, and temperance; the administration of justice; the request to use ship’s carpenters and seamen to build naval storehouses; the news of increased trade; and, finally,
the generally prosperous and contented condition of the Settlers.
No. 10
Downing Street
15th October 1853
Sir,
1 I have received your Despatch No 8, of the 28th July last,
reporting on the condition of the Colony under your Government.
2 I approve your views with regard to thecourse
course to be adopted in
our dealings with the Native Tribes. The interference of the local
Government in the concerns of these People must be cautiously exercised.
It would clearly be most unwise and impolitic, to involve ourselves in
their domestic feuds, of which, as you justly observe, it is impossible
for us to understand the real merits.
course to be adopted in
our dealings with the Native Tribes. The interference of the local
Government in the concerns of these People must be cautiously exercised.
It would clearly be most unwise and impolitic, to involve ourselves in
their domestic feuds, of which, as you justly observe, it is impossible
for us to understand the real merits.
3 I am glad to learn that owing to the regulations of the Hudson's
Bay Company the Nativeshave
have been prevented from acquiring a taste for
spirituous Liquors. I trust they will continue to remain free from this
destructive and demoralizing vice.
have been prevented from acquiring a taste for
spirituous Liquors. I trust they will continue to remain free from this
destructive and demoralizing vice.
4 With respect to the administration of Justice, I have already
confirmed the provisional appointments to the Magistracy reported in
Your Despatch No 5 of the 11th April last. I am glad to learn
from your present Despatch that the effect of these appointments has
been to ensure to allclasses
classes of the Community a regular and impartial
administration of Justice.
classes of the Community a regular and impartial
administration of Justice.
5 I have caused your suggestion for the employment of the
Carpenters and Seamen of Her Majesty's ships stationed at Vancouver's
Island in the erection of Store Houses for the use of the Navy to be
submitted for the consideration and decision of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty.
6 In conclusion I have to express my satisfaction at your reportof
of the progressive increase in the export Trade of the Colony and in the
generally prosperous and contented condition of the Settlers.
of the progressive increase in the export Trade of the Colony and in the
generally prosperous and contented condition of the Settlers.