Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Wodehouse, John to Merivale, Herman 10 November 1859, CO 305:12, no. 11291, 361.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (5), Other documents (2).
Wodehouse forwards copies of correspondence on the ongoing
occupation of the Island of San Juan.
Wodehouse to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
10 November 1859
I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, copies of a despatch and its inclosures from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, containing the
instructions which have been sent by the United States' Government to
General Scott and Governor Gholson with respect to the occupation of
the Island
Island of San Juan, and reporting a conversation which Lord Lyons
had held with General Cass thereupon.
Island of San Juan, and reporting a conversation which Lord Lyons
had held with General Cass thereupon.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The American Government have refused to accept the compromise offered by HM's Govt for the settlement of the boundary, vizt that the line should be drawn along the middle channel which divides the group of Islands.
The American Government have refused to accept the compromise offered by HM's Govt for the settlement of the boundary, vizt that the line should be drawn along the middle channel which divides the group of Islands.
The U.S. Govt propose a joint military occupation of St Juan by the
two governments until the question of title is decided.
HT Irving
12 Nov
On this point ought not some Instructions to go out to our officers
on the spot? In future I shd suppose that they 
ought to be apprized
of the substance of the Instructions given by the U. States Govt.
ought to be apprized
of the substance of the Instructions given by the U. States Govt.
This remark would apply to the Naval Commander in Chief, as well as
to the Governor of Vancouver's Island.
The Govr must be informed of the answer to Ld J.Rs
despatch of August last as promised in my despatch after hearing of
the U.S. occupation of S: Juan.
He must also be informed of the proposal of the U.S. (or rather their
acceptance of our proposal) for a joint occupation pending the
settlement of the question of title, and he must be instructed that
upon such proposition being made to him by Genl Scott he is to adopt
it, placing in the Island a force equivalent to that retained by the
U.S.
N
15
Duke of Newcastle
Should a copy of this despatch be sent to the Foreign office, for information?
Should a copy of this despatch be sent to the Foreign office, for information?
HT Irving
17 Novr
Yes.
Other documents included in the file
Draft,
Elliot to Wodehouse, 24 November 1859, forwarding copy of despatch
sent to Douglas on the subject of San Juan Island.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Lyons, British Minister at Washington, to Russell,
25 October 1859, reporting the refusal of
the U.S. government to accept the middle channel as the boundary, but
their willingness to establish a temporary joint occupancy until the
sovereignty of San Juan Island was settled, with enclosures.
General Cass, U.S. Department of State,
to Lyons, 22 October 1859, reaffirming America's right
to the island, but expressing a desire to avoid any conflict in
settlement of the dispute, with enclosures describing
instructions sent to American officials in Washington Territory.
W.R. Drinkard, U.S. Acting Secretary of War, to General Scott, 16
September 1859, providing background information and detailed
instructions of his role in regard to the San Juan Island dispute
(fifteen pages).
Cass to Richard D. Gholson, Governor of Washington Territory, 15
September 1859, advising of the appointment of Scott and asking
that he cooperate fully with the general.