Shepherd to Labouchere
Hudson's Bay House
19th February 1856
Sir,
With reference to Mr Merivale's letter of the 4th Instant, and my reply of the 7th on the subject of the hostilities now prevailing in American Oregon between the Indian Tribes and the American Settlers, I have now the honour to transmit Copy of a Letter received from Governor Douglas under date 11th December, and Extract of Letter from the same gentleman dated December 19th, conveying further information upon that matter.
I have the honour to be Sir
Your mo: obedient Servant
John Shepherd
Depy Govr

The Right Honble Henry Labouchere
&c &c &c
Colonial Office
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
The date of the Governor's last despatch is the 13 Decr. The only additional fact now reported to the H.B.Co is the destruction of Capn Slaughter U.S. Army & some of his men by the Indians. This must have occurred between the 13 & 19th Decr. Communicate this event to the F.O.
ABd 21 F
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HM F 22
Draft.
JB 23 F
HL 23
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 28 February 1856, forwarding the enclosures.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Douglas to William G. Smith, Secretary, Hudson's Bay Company, 11 December 1855, reporting the arrival of a large body of regular troops on the Columbia but doubting they will make much impression on Indigenous forces, who "will have to be rooted out by such men as formerly composed our trapping parties, who would plunge into the Mountains or Forests without Tents or food, or cumbrous Commissariat, carrying only their rifles, a good supply of Powder and Lead, and a Blanket to cover them at night. With such a force, the Indians would soon be compelled to submit, or be entirely destroyed."
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Extract, Douglas to Smith, 19 December 1855, reporting the attack and murder of Captain Slaughter and a party of American soldiers by the Indigenous forces of Washington Territory.
Minutes by CO staff
This is fresh.
ABd 21 F
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C.H. Mason, Acting Governor of Washington Territory to Douglas, 10 November 1855, acknowledging receipt of fifty arms and a quantity of ammunition via the Traveller.
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Douglas to James Tilton or Officer Administering the Government of Washington Territory, 19 November 1855, advising that the Otter had been dispatched to Puget Sound with a supply of ammunition.
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Mason to Douglas, 23 November 1855, reporting the arrival of the Otter and her cargo and advising of the current situation in Washington Territory.