Colonial Despatches

Public Offices document. Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).

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.

Shepherd writes to the Colonial Office informing them of Douglas’s report on the outrage committed by an Indian on Thomas Williams and the Steps for arresting the offender proposed to be taken by Governor Douglas in conjunction with Admiral Bruce.

In the minutes, the Colonial Office observes that the Hudson’s Bay Company had not heard the result of Douglas’s proceedings in the matter.

Enclosed is a report from Douglas to the secretary of the HBC on the wounding of Thomas Williams, a squatter in the Cowichan district, and his proposed measures to bring , the accused, to justice.