Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Grey, George 7 March 1856, CO 305:7, no. 3970, 13.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (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.
Douglas writes to Sir George Grey with a copy of a petition for a ship to be sent from London to protect the colony
on Vancouver Island.
The minutes suggest a reply stating that the President was sent to Vancouver Island and agree to send copies to the Admiralty.
Enclosed within this despatch are two draft replies - one from Labouchere to Douglas and one from Merivale to Secretary of the Admiralty - and the signed petition from the Vancouver Island inhabitants.
No. 4
I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a petition, which was
presented to me yesterday, by a deputation of the most respectable
inhabitants of this Colony, praying that I would make a formal
application that
that one of Her Majesty's ships should be sent here, for
their protection.
that one of Her Majesty's ships should be sent here, for
their protection.
In my Despatch No 3 of the 1st of Instant I communicated my
opinion in respect to the state of the Colony, and the causes which
exist for alarm on the part of the inhabitants, and will only remark in
regard to this petition that its object appears to be just and
reasonable, and therefore I recommend it to the attention of Her
Majesty's Government.
The Right Honble Sir George Grey Bart.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Answer that in the month of Feby last Mr Labouchere, forseeing the importance of protecting the Settlement, requested the L.C. Admiralty to despatch a Ship of War there, & that "the President," frigate having in consequence been ordered to repair to V.C.I. Mr Labouchere trusts that the apprehensions of the Colonists as to an attack upon them by the Indians will be removed.
Answer that in the month of Feby last Mr Labouchere, forseeing the importance of protecting the Settlement, requested the L.C. Admiralty to despatch a Ship of War there, & that "the President," frigate having in consequence been ordered to repair to V.C.I. Mr Labouchere trusts that the apprehensions of the Colonists as to an attack upon them by the Indians will be removed.
ABd
6/5
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Petition from inhabitants of Vancouver Island to Douglas, 6
March 1856, as per despatch (17 signatures).