Pennell to Under-Secretary of State
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
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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John Work, senior member of council, to Maitland, 21 May 1861, approving of Robson's proceedings.