Pennell, Henry Cholmondeley to Fortescue, 1st Baron Carlingford Chichester 15 July 1861, CO 305:18, no. 6402, 17.

XML | Preceding document | Next document | Cite this document

Public Offices document
Pennell, Henry Cholmondeley to Fortescue, Chichester 15 July 1861, CO 305:18, no. 6402, 17.

Abstract

Public Offices document. Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (5).

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.

Pennell forwards Newcastle a number of documents describing the conflict between HMS Forward and First Nations near Nanaimo stemming from Laurel's fraudulent sale of whiskey diluted with salt water.

Pennell to Under-Secretary of State

Admiralty

15 July 1861

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies a Copy of a letter dated the 24th May last No 142 from Rear Admiral Sir Thos. Maitland, and of its enclosures, reporting the proceedings of Her Majesty's Gun Boat Forward, in an attack upon the Hydah Indians who had committed several depredations upon the Settlers in Vancouvers Island, and had also plundered the Schooner "Laurel".

I am etc.
H.C. Pennell
Pro Secy

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Elliot
No report of this affair from the Govr who was absent at the time of its occurrence. The naval party seems to have acted judiciously & well.

ABd 17/July

Mr Fortescue
We shall doubtless hear of this from the Governor hereafter. Meantime put by?

TFE 16/7

CF 18

N 19

Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)

Maitland to Secretary to the Admiralty, 24 May 1861, forwarding copy of report by Lieutenant Charles Robson, commander of the gun boat Forward, and related correspondence.

Robson to Maitland, 20 May 1861, reporting his proceedings at Nanaimo and Admirals Island in the pursuit of "a large party of Northern Indians" accused of theft.

W. Hales Franklyn, Justice of the Peace, Nanaimo District, to Robson, 16 May 1861, reporting the plunder of several homes on Salt Spring Island by "a party of Hydah Indians," and requesting his assistance in arresting the same.

Statement of Jefferson, Skidegate Nation chief, respecting the plunder of a schooner and a house on Salt Spring Island, sworn by John Sabiston, Interpreter, before Franklyn, 19 May 1861.