Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 9 February 1859, CO 305:10, no. 3272, 16.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (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.
Douglas forwards correspondence with the House of the Assembly. He points Lytton particularly to the subject of the First Nations’ reserve and the attempts of people
to purchase this land.
The minutes suggest that any funds derived from the sale of
Indian Reservesbe put towards the
educationof First Nations children.
Included in this document is Correspondence between Douglas and House of Assembly from August 1858 to February 1859; and a draft reply from Lytton to Douglas urging Douglas to use
liberality and justicein any decision concerning First Nations in British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
No. 4
9 February 1859
I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your information
my correspondence with the House of Assembly of Vancouver's
Island on the public business of this Colony.
2. The subjects referred to in that correspondence are not of
an important nature with the exception of
of that marked Letter I
dated 5th February 1859 which touches on the subject of the
land reserved near to the Town of Victoria for the benefit of
the Native Indian Population.
of that marked Letter I
dated 5th February 1859 which touches on the subject of the
land reserved near to the Town of Victoria for the benefit of
the Native Indian Population.
3. Attempts having been made by persons residing at this place
to secure those lands for their own advantage by direct purchase
from the Indians, and it being desirable and necessary to put a
stop to such proceedings, I instructed the Crown Solicitor to
insert a public notice in the "Victoria Gazette" to the effect
that the land in question was the property of
of the Crown, and for
that reason the Indians themselves were incapable of conveying a
legal Title to the same, and that any person holding such land
would be summarily ejected.
of the Crown, and for
that reason the Indians themselves were incapable of conveying a
legal Title to the same, and that any person holding such land
would be summarily ejected.
4. In my communication before referred to you will perceive
that I have informed the House of Assembly of the course I
propose to adopt with respect to the disposal and management of
the Indian Reserve at Victoria, that is, to lease the land, and to apply all the proceeds arising thereupon for
the exclusive
benefit of the Indians.
5. I have but little doubt that the proposed measure will be in
accordance with the views of Her Majesty's
Majesty's Government, and I
trust it may meet with their approval, as it will confer a great
benefit on the Indian population, protect them from being
despoiled of their property, and will render them self
supporting, instead of being thrown as outcasts and burdens upon
the Colony.
Majesty's Government, and I
trust it may meet with their approval, as it will confer a great
benefit on the Indian population, protect them from being
despoiled of their property, and will render them self
supporting, instead of being thrown as outcasts and burdens upon
the Colony.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Might it not be desirable to suggest to the Governor that in any funds acquired from the Sale of Indian Reserves—which it may be intended to appropriate to the service of the Indians—a good portion should be set aside for the purpose of a school for the education of the
children; & also earnestly to impress on him a
caution against any feeling growing up amongst the Indians of
relying exclusively on the Govt for support & maintenance
whereby they would become useless to themselves, and an
encumbrance to the Community.
Might it not be desirable to suggest to the Governor that in any funds acquired from the Sale of Indian Reserves—which it may be intended to appropriate to the service of the Indians—a good portion should be set aside for the purpose of a school for the education of the
children; & also earnestly to impress on him a
caution against any feeling growing up amongst the Indians of
relying exclusively on the Govt for support & maintenance
whereby they would become useless to themselves, and an
encumbrance to the Community.
As V. Couver's Isd and B. Columbia advance in prosperity they
should not overlook the civilization & interests of the Indian,
which so far as I can see can be best promoted by the
establishment of industrial & educational Schools for the
younger members of that race.
I quite agree with Mr Blackwood.
C
Mch 31
Mr B's minute is [admissable?] approved.
EBL
A/1
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Correspondence between Douglas and House of
Assembly from August 1858 to February 1859 (30 entries, 53 pages).
