Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 1 October 1864, CO 305:23, no. 10589, 292.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (transcribed) (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents
(2), Marginalia (1).
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.
Kennedy forwards two reports from the Commissioners of the Indian Reserve at Victoria and one from the Superintendent of Police at Victoria regarding the Songhees community. Kennedy calls the Songhees reserve
a disgrace to humanityand asserts that the Songhees should be
removedfrom Victoria to
a more suitable locality.Kennedy further remarks that Protestant and Roman Catholic missionaries make
zealous efforts to improve the condition of the Indians, and in many cases with success, but their good intentions and teaching are neutralized by unprincipled whiskey sellers, and the want of local Magistrates and Police to put a stop to these breaches of the law.
No. 80, Miscellaneous
1st October 1864
Sir
1. Having brought the present condition and future management of the
Indian population of this Colony under the consideration of the local
Legislature, I deem it my duty also to bring the subject under your
notice.
2. For the present I will merely submit the papers named in the
margin
as affording some indicationof
of the degraded and drunken
habits of the Indians in the immediate neighbourhood of Victoria, and
to justify the Measures which I trust the local Legislature will
enable me hereafter to adopt.
Report of Commissioners of Indian Reserve, Victoria, 27th May 1864.
Report of Commissioners of Indian Reserve (Supplemental), 1st June 1864.
Superintendent of Police, 21st June 1864.
Report of Commissioners of Indian Reserve (Supplemental), 1st June 1864.
Superintendent of Police, 21st June 1864.
of the degraded and drunken
habits of the Indians in the immediate neighbourhood of Victoria, and
to justify the Measures which I trust the local Legislature will
enable me hereafter to adopt.
3. The policy heretofore pursued in dealing with the Indian Tribes
in this and the neighbouring Colony, may have been at one time
expedient, but is certainly no longer necessary or possible having
regard to their own welfare or the safety of the settlers and traders
brought in contactwith
with them.
with them.
4. I am not without experience in dealing with savages, and have
been much in contact with the Indians in our North American Possessions.
5. The measures necessary to their successful government are simple,
and not difficult of adoption, if the local Legislature afford me the
means of carrying them out.
6. They must be secured in the possession of their lands, and
prohibited from alienating them except for a fair consideration, and
through the intervention of the Government.
7. They
7. They must be treated with scrupulous truth, justice, and
unflinching firmness. Magistrates, or Protectors, to whom they may
look with confidence for punishment or redress must be appointed and
stationed where necessary. Whiskey selling by which unprincipled
traders realize a profit of five or six hundred per cent must be
suppressed. All Indian crimes and troubles may be traced to this source.
8. Murder
inter se must betaken
taken cognizance of and dealt with according
to law.
taken cognizance of and dealt with according
to law.
9. I think a great mistake has been made in permitting an Indian
settlement to grow up and continue in juxta-position with a city like
Victoria, and a still greater error has been committed in leasing a
portion of their Reserve, thus mixing the two Races together to the
great degradation of the one, and the demoralization of both.
10. The present Indian Settlement at Victoria, is a disgrace to
humanity, and I cannot learnthat
that any effective measures have been
taken to prevent the shameless prostitution of the women and
drunkenness of the men who live mainly by their prostitution.
that any effective measures have been
taken to prevent the shameless prostitution of the women and
drunkenness of the men who live mainly by their prostitution.
11. The Indians must be removed from this locality, and the proceeds
of the Reserve judiciously managed will more than suffice to supply
them with all necessaries in a more suitable locality. Most of these
matters will require legislative assistance and sanction and I will
from time to time keep you informed of what hasbeen
been done.
been done.
12. The Indians are fully competent to appreciate justice and
humanity, but while they are managed like wild beasts they will not
cease to be ferocious and dangerous.
13. Protestant and Roman Catholic Missionaries are making zealous
efforts to improve the condition of the Indians, and in many cases
with success, but their good intentions and teaching are neutralized
by unprincipled whiskey sellers, and the want of local Magistrates
and Police to put a stop to these breaches of the law.
I
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Governor Kennedy has lost no time in turning his attention to the deplorable state of the Indian population. Acknowledge & express a hope that the Legislature will enable him to carry out the measures he proposes for improving these conditions?
Governor Kennedy has lost no time in turning his attention to the deplorable state of the Indian population. Acknowledge & express a hope that the Legislature will enable him to carry out the measures he proposes for improving these conditions?
VJ
18 N
Mr Cardwell
Some civil general answer should, I think, be returned, but I would not introduce anything into the despatch about the action of the Legislature.
Some civil general answer should, I think, be returned, but I would not introduce anything into the despatch about the action of the Legislature.
Now that we have two trained Governors in these Colonies accustomed
to a sense of responsibility, we receive accounts which make one
imagine that Sir J. Douglas has earned his honors rather cheaply.
Some of the despatches from B. Columbia by the present mail imply
that there has been a good deal of neglect and laxity there.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, E.G. Alston to Acting Colonial Secretary, 1 June 1864, forwarding
report from Alexander Garrett to be used as a supplement to the report
of commissioners of Indian reserve.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Report of Commissioners of Indian Reserve at Victoria, 27 May 1864
We have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
2nd instant requesting information on several points connected with
the management of the Indian Reserve at Victoria and to report for the
information of His Excellency The Governor as follows
1. The Commissioners derive their authority from a Commission
under the Public seal of the Colony nominating them "to
be Commissioners for the Management of the Indian Reserve at Victoria
to do and execute all such things pertaining to that Office as shall be
by proper authority directed and required especially giving to them or
any two of
them power to grant leases of the said Reserve and recover and
receive such Rents therefor as to them or any two of them shall deem
expedient the same to be duly accounted for and paid to the use of Her
Majesty Her Heirs and Successors and applied to and for the benefit of
the Indians or for such other purpose as shall be by the authority
aforesaid directed in that behalf."
them power to grant leases of the said Reserve and recover and
receive such Rents therefor as to them or any two of them shall deem
expedient the same to be duly accounted for and paid to the use of Her
Majesty Her Heirs and Successors and applied to and for the benefit of
the Indians or for such other purpose as shall be by the authority
aforesaid directed in that behalf."
The Commissioners (whose services are gratuitously rendered)
conceive that a general and unrestricted authority was thus given to
manage the Reserve in any way they thought fit for the benefit of
the Indians. No particular mode was pointed outnor
nor any terms or
conditions directed to be inserted in the Leases.
nor any terms or
conditions directed to be inserted in the Leases.
2. We have had under our consideration from time to time many
plans for the amelioration of the Indians but have found it impossible
to carry them out from various circumstances among which may be
mentioned the following
The debased character of the people. Their immoderate use of Ardent
spirits all attempts to prevent which have proved unavailing. The want
of funds to defray the expense of carrying out Plans for their
improvement such as—Teaching them Trades—Building proper
Houses—Placing them out at service—providing Police and establishing
other usefulregulations
regulations—all which we conceive it possible to
accomplish.
regulations—all which we conceive it possible to
accomplish.
We consider the present mode of managing the Reserve as
necessarily imperfect and unsatisfactory and believe that little
permanent good can be accomplished for the Indians so long as they
occupy their present position. But to do away with the Reserve against
their Will without finding some other convenient place upon which to
settle them would be attended with serious consequences, for besides
the breach of faith involved in removing the Songas Tribe from Victoria
the question arises "what is to be done with the hordes of Indians who
annually visit Victoria for the purposes of trade service &c?
The
The Law prohibiting the Sale of spirits to Indians brings them
into contact with White Men of the very worst character from whom they
can readily obtain an unlimited supply, not of pure spirit, but of
adulterated and poisonous liquors, which hitherto from the want of a
sufficient force it has been found impossible to check. We do not
however advocate the Sale of spirits to Indians without any
restrictions. The Reserve is a constant scene of drunkeness and
disorder and we are strongly convinced of the necessity of placing a
sufficient police there permanently forthe
the purpose of maintaining
order and if possible of preventing the Sale of adulterated liquors.
the purpose of maintaining
order and if possible of preventing the Sale of adulterated liquors.
3. We think that the summary jurisdiction of Magistrates in cases
of crime committed by Indians might be greatly increased with much
advantage.
[4.] Mr Pemberton, who, as Police Magistrate, has had upwards of
Six years experience has found that petty crimes committed by Southern
Indians (viz the Songas, Cowichan and Sooke Tribes) are fewer as
compared with those of the Northern Tribes (the Hydahs SimpseansFort
Fort
Rupert &c) in the proportion of about One to Fifty. This he
attributes to the fact that the Southern Indians from constant
intercourse with the white population have become more civilized than
their Northern bretheren. The Songas Indians living on the Reserve and
who alone have any right of occupation numbered in April last including
children 285 while the Northern Indians include about 200 which number
however is at times greatly increased and occasionally as high as 1500.
Fort
Rupert &c) in the proportion of about One to Fifty. This he
attributes to the fact that the Southern Indians from constant
intercourse with the white population have become more civilized than
their Northern bretheren. The Songas Indians living on the Reserve and
who alone have any right of occupation numbered in April last including
children 285 while the Northern Indians include about 200 which number
however is at times greatly increased and occasionally as high as 1500.
5. It having become necessary to raise a Revenue for thepurpose
purpose
(amongst others) of shewing the Indians an intention to benefit them on
the part of those who hold the Land appropriated for them, no other way
presented itself than that of Leasing the Reserve—which has been done
to some extent on very advantageous terms. The proceeds or a part of
them have been applied towards furnishing the Indians with Clothes and
provisions at Christmas in each year. Hence the items in the account
already furnished. A survey of the Reserve was rendered necessary
before it could be leased.
We
purpose
(amongst others) of shewing the Indians an intention to benefit them on
the part of those who hold the Land appropriated for them, no other way
presented itself than that of Leasing the Reserve—which has been done
to some extent on very advantageous terms. The proceeds or a part of
them have been applied towards furnishing the Indians with Clothes and
provisions at Christmas in each year. Hence the items in the account
already furnished. A survey of the Reserve was rendered necessary
before it could be leased.
[6.] We are of opinion that as soon as the funds can afford the
outlay much good (though probably only temporary) might be effected by
1. The maintenance of an efficient Police on the Reserve.
2. The support of a School-Master whose duty it will be (amongst
other things) to superintend Industrial training, to impart moral and
religious instruction and to provide situations for those Indians who
may be desirous of entering service.
3. The building of convenient dwellings.
4. By enforcing regulations to ensure cleanliness anddecency
decency.
decency.
7. We beg to enclose return of all Lots leased, the extent, to
whom and upon what terms as requested.
8. In conclusion the Commissioners submit that some good has been
gained by the present Management of the Reserve inasmuch as the
hitherto savage Tribes have been taught to respect the Laws and to
submit to rule which some years ago they would have resisted, and also
evidence has been given to them of an intention on the part of the
Government to administerfor
for their benefit as far as possible the trust
imposed upon it.
for their benefit as far as possible the trust
imposed upon it.
To The Colonial Secretary
&c &c &c
&c &c &c
Alexander Garrett to Commissioners of Indian Reserve, 1 June 1864
Report as to the Social condition of the Songas Indians
The moral and social condition of all the Indians resident at
Victoria is extremely bad.
This arises mainly from the following causes:
1. From the natural tendency to evil of the savage mind the
natives copy with extreme facility the vices of their civilized
neighbours.
2. They are drawn toward ruin with resistless power by the strong
temptation held out to them in the gains of prostitution, and the ease
with which they obtain a large amount of intoxicating drink.
3. There is no effective check put upon the vicious tendencies of
the natives or the corrupting influences of the Whites.
There are no police stations upon the Reserve to enforce the Law
or maintain the peace. Indians may reel about drunk by the dozen fight
in bands of Twenty, Fifty or even a Hundred and consume liquor by the
Cask or Can, without the Police authorities being aware that any such
disgraceful and dangerous conduct is being carried on.
4. There is no Industrial School in which the young might be
taught useful trades and if one were provided by
benevolence there is
no authority by which to enforce attendance.
benevolence there is
no authority by which to enforce attendance.
Thus the Indians are literally compelled by the very misfortune of
their position rapidly to deteriorate in moral and physical energy and
well being. The time thus seems to have arrived when a very decided
Indian Policy should be inaugurated and firmly adhered to.
I beg respectfully to submit the accompanying outline of a Scheme
for Indian Improvement.
To The Commissioners of the Indian Reserve
Outline of Plan for the Improvement of the Songas Indians
-
1. Social Amelioration
- 1. Lay out in Lots the Site of an Improved Village.
- 2. Let all the Indians desirous of better houses be assisted with Two thirds of the Lumber required provided they themselves supply the remaining third.
- 3. Let a Carpenter be employed to Superintend the erection of the buildings and to assist the Indians generally in the construction of their dwellings according to a fixed Plan.
- 4. Endeavour to encourage habits of Industry by offering
rewards
for the best samples of vegetables &c raised in their gardens. - 5. Appoint one or two Sanitary Officers (Whites) who shall see to the general cleanliness of the place, the removal of all nuisances and the preservation of order good and decency.
-
2. Education
-
1. Industrial Training
- (a) Appoint a person or persons capable of giving instruction in Needlework and as many useful trades as can be afforded.
- (b) Supply the materials and pay a small amount of wages for the work done.
- (c) Sell the goods produced
and place the proceeds in the general
Fund. - (d) Render every boy and Girl between the ages of Ten and Sixteen who shall refuse to attend and be found habitually idle liable to be punished as a vagrant.
-
2. Intellectual Training
- (a) Appoint a Schoolmaster whose duty it shall be to attend to the Intellectual culture of the Industrial classes as well as all others.
- (b) Let such rewards as may be deemed fit be bestowed half yearly upon those Scholars whose attendance, progress and conduct may be most meritorious.
- (c) Let the School be examined every half year
by the
Commissioners or other proper parties and their opinion of its
condition and efficiency recorded.
-
1. Industrial Training
-
3. Government
- 1. Let the system of Native Government existing be recognized by the Appointment of those Chiefs whose conduct may be good as Police Officers paying them reasonable wages for their services so long as they behave well.
- 2. Let these Officers distinctly understand that it is their duty
to assist the Government in every way in support of the Laws, to report
all cases in which the Law is violated and to minister to the
suppression of crime and the advancement
of prosperity and peace. - 3. Let English Law in all cases be strictly enforced for the suppression of drunkenness Offences against Public decency and all other crimes.
- 4. Let the Sanitory Officers be empowered to act as Police.
-
4. Supervision
Let the whole be under the supervision of the Resident Missionary Clergyman who will communicate with the Commissioners upon any points of importance which may arise.
Horace Smith to H. Wakeford, 21 June 1864
I beg respectfully to call the attention of His Excellency the
Governor to the insecure state of the various districts of this Colony.
At the present time the settlers have no protection from the
incursions of Indians, nor have the Indians any protection against the
encroachments of white men.
The lowest class of Society from Victoria infests the coast
supplying spirits to the Indians and carrying on other nefarious
pursuits, to the great demoralization of the Indians, and to the
serious danger and annoyance of respectable settlers.
His Excellency has expressed a wish that I should always keep
myself fully informed of everything occurring in the districts, but at
present my means of obtaining such information are very
slow and
unsatisfactory and I would therefore respectfully request His
Excellency forthwith to appoint Magistrates and Constables in such
districts as most need them.
slow and
unsatisfactory and I would therefore respectfully request His
Excellency forthwith to appoint Magistrates and Constables in such
districts as most need them.
