Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 1 June 1866, CO 305:28, no. 6751, 382.
Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 1 June 1866, CO 305:28, no. 6751, 382.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
No. 35, Separate
1st June 1866
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 12
dated 6th April 1866 referring to the proceedings of Captain Turnour
of Her Majesty's Ship "Clio" against Indians at Fort Rupert in
December last.
A short narrative of theseproceedings
proceedings (as far as they are within my
knowledge) will I trust to some extent, if not altogether, excuse me
for having omitted to report them.
proceedings (as far as they are within my
knowledge) will I trust to some extent, if not altogether, excuse me
for having omitted to report them.
Towards the end of November or beginning of December 1865 Captain Turnour (I believe) received instructions from the Government of
British Columbia to proceed to the north coast of that Colony to apprehend and bring to justice some
Indians accused of murder.
Having
Having visited Metlacatla for that purpose he ascertained that the
accused belonged to the Fort Rupert tribe of Indians, and he
accordingly went there to arrest them.
Captain Turnour had
no instructions from this Government, nor was I aware of his
intention of going northward or visiting any part of this Colony till
I received his report dated 29th December 1865 (herewith).
A
A subsequent interview with Captain Turnour did not add to the
information contained in that Report.
The "Statement of Lieutenant Carey R.N. H.M.S. "Clio" (herewith) was
handed to me by Lieutenant Hankin, Superintendent of Police, after I
had seen Captain Turnour, and I believe contains an accurate account
of the affair.
I may here remark that the Fort Rupert Indians are aturbulent
turbulent tribe
and have on several occasions given much trouble.
turbulent tribe
and have on several occasions given much trouble.
I therefore on consideration of the facts before me, expressed my
thanks to Captain Turnour for the service he had rendered to this
Government, and more particularly to Lieutenant Carey to whose
coolness and forbearance I attributed the absence of bloodshed.
The Chief "Jim" and Indians brought down by the "Clio," I liberated
and sent back to FortRupert
Rupert with a suitable caution, there being no
legal case against them, and considering they had been sufficiently
punished.
Rupert with a suitable caution, there being no
legal case against them, and considering they had been sufficiently
punished.
These proceedings having been initiated by, and undertaken on account
of the British Columbian Government, I presumed they would have been
fully reported,
and that it was inexpedient for me to do so on a part of them only,
but on future occasions I will in obedience to your instructionsreport
report as directed.
report as directed.
I cannot close this communication without recording my opinion that
sound policy and humanity demand vigorous measures to prevent whiskey
selling—a course in which all influential and well disposed Indians
would assist, were there suitable resident Agents of the Government
to encourage and assist them.
The miscreants who carry on the "whiskey trade" are a disgraceto
to
humanity whatever nationality they profess.
to
humanity whatever nationality they profess.
I shall have occasion to bring this subject under your notice at an
early period.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I do not see that any thing practical arises on these papers.
I do not see that any thing practical arises on these papers.
The evil of whiskey selling to the Indians has formed the subject of
complaint by this Office, and by the Governor, but the present Ho:
Assembly of V.C.I. do not see this question from the same point of
view. Probably a differently constituted legislature will
take a
decided line.
take a
decided line.
ABd
14 July
I know nothing on wh it is more hopelessly difficult to form a
judgment than a European account of the Grounds on wh strong
measures were taken agst savages. I see no ground for assuming that
Capt Turnour was wrong.
I would be inclined to say that Lord C. would cordially support the
Governor in any well considered measure for preventing the sale of
spirits to the Indians.
FR
16/7
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
N.B. Turnour to Kennedy, 29 December 1865, reporting that "in
consequence of the Indians at Fort Rupert having threatened my men, I
burnt the Ranch to the ground, destroyed about one hundred canoes and
a quantity of spirit."
Statement of Lieutenant Carey, R.N., H.M.S.
Clio, reporting on his landing at Fort Rupert to apprehend
three Indians accused of murder and the subsequent altercation with
the natives.
Kennedy to Turnour, 5 January 1866, expressing thanks for
the actions of his men at Fort Rupert and "the effective manner in
which you punished the turbulent tribe of Indians residing there."
