Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 14 September 1859, CO 305:11, no. 10760, 178.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Douglas forwards
a Memorial…by a Committee composed of some of the most respectable inhabitants of Vancouvers Island,to address
the subject of the occupation of the Island of San Juan by detachments of United States Troops.
No. 48
14 September 1859
I have the honor to forward herewith to Your Grace a Memorial
this day handed to me by a Committee composed of some of the
most respectable inhabitants of Vancouvers Island upon
upon the
subject of the occupation of the Island of San Juan by
detachments of United States Troops.
upon the
subject of the occupation of the Island of San Juan by
detachments of United States Troops.
2. Their representations being made in most respectful
language, and they having on all occasions evinced the most
loyal and patriotic spirit, I feel assured that Your Grace will
receive their Memorial with your usual kindness.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
As this Memorial is addressed to Lord John Russell—to whom as S.S. for For: Affairs the Memorialists have perhaps thought that their sentiments on the San Juan Affair would be more correctly expressed—than to the Col: S. of State—I conclude that to his Lordship this desph should be sent in copy, with the enclosure in original.
As this Memorial is addressed to Lord John Russell—to whom as S.S. for For: Affairs the Memorialists have perhaps thought that their sentiments on the San Juan Affair would be more correctly expressed—than to the Col: S. of State—I conclude that to his Lordship this desph should be sent in copy, with the enclosure in original.
ABd
1 Novr
The address of the Memorial is clearly informal. Memorials from
the Colonies can only be addressed to, and treated by, the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
[Granted?]
in the ordinary course of business this despatch and its enclosure
would be sent to the Foreign Office, like all other matter
bearing on the difference about San Juan.
It is perhaps not quite an unimportant question whether this
Memorial should be merely acknowledged, or whether some short,
reassuring answer should be returned.
TFE
1 Nov
Request Ld J. R.s opinion (its being addressed to him) what
ansr shd be returned.
N
2
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Memorial of inhabitants of Vancouver Island to Lord John
Russell, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, no date,
stressing the importance of retaining San Juan Island as a
British possession, signed by John Work and 144 others
(signatures do not appear in file).
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 7 November 1859,
forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosure for opinion.
