Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
February 1 1856
Sir,
I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, a Copy of a Letter and of its Enclosure, which has been addressed to His Lordship by Mr Banister, relative to AmericanManuscript imageAmerican designs on Vancouver's Island.
I am, Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant,
E. Hammond

Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
Send copy, I suppose, of the enclosure to H.B.Co; & it might be mentioned perhaps by way of calming any apprehensions raised by the writer of the enclosure, who puts no date of month to his Letter, that H.M.S. "Trincomalee" was at V.C. Island in Sepr & that the President was Expected there in Octr. The War Dt has moreover, on our solicitation, requested the Admy toManuscript image instruct the Senior Naval Officer on the Station to cause that Island to be more frequently visited by Men of War.
ABd 4 Feby/56
From 380/56 you will notice that no aggressive proceedings had been adopted by the Indians against the British Settlement down to the 8 Novr last.
HM F 5
JB 8 Feb
HL 9 Feby
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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1. Thomas Banister to Clarendon, 29 January 1856, enclosing the extract below and agreeing that the Americans might attack Vancouver Island to prevent the Hudson's Bay Company from providing further arms and ammunition to the Indigenous forces.
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1.1 Extract of letter to Banister, no signature, dated San Francisco 1855, discussing "the Indian wars" in Oregon and the possible repercussions upon Vancouver Island, which is in danger both from the Indigenous forces and from the "hatred and jealousy" of the American citizens in Washington Territory.