Hammond, Edmund to Merivale, Herman 12 January 1858, CO 305:9, no. 507, 356.

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Public Offices document
Hammond, Edmund to Merivale, Herman 12 January 1858, CO 305:9, no. 507, 356.

Abstract

Public Offices document. Minutes (2), Other documents (4).

Hammond forwards letters from the HBC to Merivale concerning the expected Emigrations of the Mormons to Her Majesty’s possessions in Oregon. He adds that it will be in Labouchere’s discretion whether the Royal Navy would be employed in resisting the invasion.

The minutes approve the HBC’s draft letter to Douglas and proposes to send the draft as well as Hammond’s letter to the Admiralty for consideration stating they would be glad for assistance in resisting Mormon emigration.

Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere to Douglas briefing him on the Mormon concern; a draft from Merivale to Hammond reporting the need for more detailed instructions to the governor, and forwarding a proposed draft despatch for approval; a draft from the CO to Shepherd forwarding a copy of the despatch sent to Douglas; and Labouchere to Head transmitting correspondence with the HBC.

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Foreign Office

January 12th 1858

Sir

I have laid before The Earl of Clarendon your letter of the 7th Instant inclosing a copy of a Letter from the Hudsons Bay Company inclosing the Draft of a Despatch which they propose to address to the Governor of VanCouvers' Island on the subject of the expected Emigration of the Mormons from the Territory of Utah to Her Majesty's possessions in Oregon;and

and I am directed by His Lordship to request that you will state to Mr Secretary Labouchere that he concurs in the terms of the proposed despatch.

I am to add that it will be for Mr Labouchere to consider whether in the event of the Mormons carrying out their supposed intention, the Hudson's Bay Company should not beaided

aided by Her Majesty's Naval Forces in resisting the invasion.

I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble
Servant
E. Hammond

H. Merival Esqre
&c &c

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Merivale
Approve the draft letter from the Company to Govr Douglas? The question of resisting the invasion of the Mormons by means of a Naval force remains for consideration.

VJ 14 Jan

Mr Merivale
Perhaps we may send to the Admiralty the Company's draft

Instructions and this letter from the Foreign Office and say that in the event of the Mormons carrying out their supposed intention Mr Labouchere would be very glad that any of HM's vessels which might be within reach should aid the Company in resisting the Immigration of these people?
If the Mormons do cross the frontier—an event on which one can now hardly speculate as probable—it will in all likelihood be by some route far in the interior, out of the reach of the Admiralty. But the presence of a vessel might be useful to give general support & confidence to the Governor of Vancouver's Island on such a contingency occurring.

HM Jan 14

Other documents included in the file

Draft reply, Labouchere to Douglas, No. 4, 1 February 1858.

Draft, Merivale to Hammond, 22 January 1858, reporting the need for more detailed instructions to the governor, and forwarding a proposed draft despatch for approval.