No. 29
31th October 1856
Sir
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 15, of the 23rd of August, in reply to my communication No 11 of the 19th of May last, reporting the assistance which I had afforded to Governor Stevens, in repressing the Indian war in American Oregon and I observe with a feeling ofManuscript imageof the highest gratification that Her Majesty's Government entirely approve of my conduct on that occasion.
2. The sum which I advanced on that and a previous occasion, mentioned in my Despatch No. 9 of the 10th of April last, amounting to 7000 Dollars, being at 50d exchange equal to 1458.16.8, has not yet been repaid, a circumstance which puts me to inconvenience, as to the great injury of my private fortune, I am otherwise exposed to much expense through my official position in this Colony.
3. In those circumstances I must beg to appeal for relief to Her Majesty's Government to the extent of assuming the loan to Governor Stevens, as a public debt, and authorising me to draw upon the public Treasury, on that account forManuscript imagefor the sum advanced to him, with interest at 6 per cent, from the date of Mr Stevens bonds. This would be a great accommodation to me, while Her Majesty's Government, will not be exposed to loss, as the payment of the bonds is certain, though deferred for the time.
4. Trusting that you will take my request into favourable consideration.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor

The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
The Govr asks the Imperial Govt to assume as a public debt the loan he granted to the American Govr Stevens. His conduct in assisting Govr Stevens was generally approved & there would therefore seem to be sufficient grounds for referring this Desp: to the F.O. & recommending that the United States Govt should be applied to, to redeem the Bonds given by their Officer for assistance rendered to him in the execution of his public duty?
VJ 14 Jan
Mr Ball
I think this should be done at once? The Governor deserves all encouragement.
HM Jan 15
JB 16 Jy
I quite concur. Write at once.
HL 18
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 22 January 1857, forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration.
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Draft reply, Labouchere to Douglas, No. 12, 16 July 1857.