Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Russell, John 21 September 1855, CO 305:6, no. 10889, 148.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1).
Douglas writes to Russell to acknowledge receipt of correspondence on the subject of the status of
reciprocal neutralitybetween the
Russian American Companyand the HBC, with particular respect to
the north west coast of America.Douglas believes that the government’s information will assuage fears in
the Colony,and increase its protection.
A minute asks that Douglas’s despatch be forwarded to the War Department.
No. 20
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordships Despatch No 2
of the 20th of June last; transmitting the copy of a letter with its
enclosures, addressed by the Earl of Clarendon, to the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, relative to the arrangement entered into
with the Russian American Company, for the reciprocal neutrality of the
two nations, so far as regards the possessionsand
and ships of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and the Russian American Company, on the north west coast
of America.
and ships of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and the Russian American Company, on the north west coast
of America.
I have to thank your Lordship most sincerely for your kindness in
forwarding those Documents, which contain information of a nature so
very important to the material interests of the inhabitants of this
Colony, and which will moreover have the effect of allaying their fears
and inspiring confidence in the wisdom and foresight of the measures
adopted by Her Majesty's Government for the protection of this Colony.
I shall therefore make the substance of those Documents known to the
public.
The Right Honble Lord John Russel [Russell]
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.