Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
5 October 1859
I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, the accompanying copies of Despatches from Captain Prevost, upon the subject of the recent occupation of the Island of San Juan by United States Troops.
I am etc.
E. Hammond
P.S.Manuscript imageP.S. I am to add that Her Majesty's Government have approved Captain Prevost's determination to hold no further communication with the United States Commissioner.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
There is nothing new in these papers, but they incontestably demonstrate the great prudence & forbearance of the English Naval Officers in circes of great difficulty & excitement.
ABd 11 Oct
HM O 12
N 17
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Captain Prevost to Earl of Malmesbury, Foreign Office 3 August 1859, reporting the occupation of San Juan Island by American troops, and subsequent action by British forces in the area, with enclosures (seven pages).
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General order regarding the establishment of a military post on San Juan Island, 27 July 1859, by order of Captain Pickett.
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Douglas to Prevost, 30 July 1859, asking him to immediately contact Archibald Campbell, the U.S. Boundary Commissioner, regarding the circumstances of the occupation.
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Prevost to Campbell, 1 August 1859, describing his efforts to contact Campbell, and providing details of a meeting with Pickett (ten pages).
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Prevost to Campbell, 31 July 1859, enquiring into the circumstances of the occupation and urging the "adoption of some instant measures calculated to prevent any untoward & lamentable crisis."
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Prevost to Malmesbury, 6 August 1859, forwarding copies of correspondence with Campbell, with detailed comments on the situation and expressing dissatisfaction with Campbell's position on the occupation.
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Campbell to Prevost, 4 August 1859, declining to answer queries on the circumstances of the occupation or challenge the actions of the military authorities of Washington Territory, and admonishing Prevost for the tone and intention of his correspondence.
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Prevost to Campbell, 4 August 1859, asking that he join in a protest against the military occupation of territory whose sovereignty was in dispute.
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Campbell to Prevost, 5 August 1859, referring to his previous communication which outlined his own views of the duties of the joint commission.
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Prevost to Campbell, 4 August 1859, advising that he did not consider Campbell's letter of 4 August in any sense an answer to the queries contained in his own letter of 31 July.