Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Carnarvon, Earl 5 January 1867, CO 60:27, no. 1992, 10.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (6), Other documents (1).
Seymour forwards copies of correspondence, between himself and “the Senior Naval Officer,”
on San Juan Island, regarding British and American military tensions during San Juan Island’s joint occupation. Elliot’s minute suggests that Blackwood send Seymour’s despatch to the Foreign Office and defer to Stanley’s judgement on the timing of any future agreements with the United States. Included
documents describe a British marine who deserted to the US, previously, and is now
serving in the American Camp.
Confidential
5th January 1867
My Lord,
I have the honor to forward Copy of letters which I have
addressed to the Senior Naval Officer in reference to a verbal
communication he made to me. My letter will explain the whole
caseas
as far as it is known to me.
as far as it is known to me.
2. I think it most advisable to promote in every way the
good feeling which has so long prevailed between the English and
American garrisons on the Island of San Juan and which would
seem to be disturbed at present.
Minutes by CO staff
If Lord Carnarvon should decide on enquiring of the F.O.
whether Lord Stanley wd think the present an opportune
time for endeavoring to settle the San Juan question these
papers might be sent to the F.O. in demonstration of the
embarrassing points which are apt to arise, at any moment,
between the British and United States Authorities on the Island.
ABd
26 Feb
The San Juan affair has been an unfortunate one, and
the protracted joint occupation of the Island must always
be attended with hazard. On the other hand there has hardly
been a moment for some years when the question could be
mooted with any prospect of a conciliatory spirit on the
part of the Americans. If the expected Commission on the
claims arising out of the Civil War proves successful, it
may possibly evoke a better spirit and a more favorable
chance than at present of dealing satisfactorily with the
San Juan question.
With reference to thelast
last letter from the Foreign Office
dated the 6th July 1864 send them the present letter for
consideration?—and (perhaps) add that the protracted joint
occupation of San Juan must always be attended with
inconvenience and risk of misunderstanding, but that Lord
Stanley will have the best means of judging whether the
present or a later time may afford the best prospect of
arriving at some satisfactory agreement with the Govt
of the United States on the manner of providing for the
settlement of the claims of the two Countries?
last letter from the Foreign Office
dated the 6th July 1864 send them the present letter for
consideration?—and (perhaps) add that the protracted joint
occupation of San Juan must always be attended with
inconvenience and risk of misunderstanding, but that Lord
Stanley will have the best means of judging whether the
present or a later time may afford the best prospect of
arriving at some satisfactory agreement with the Govt
of the United States on the manner of providing for the
settlement of the claims of the two Countries?
TFE
27 Feby
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Seymour to Captain R.B. Oldfield, Senior Naval Officer,
3 January 1867, regarding a British marine who deserted to the United
States some years previously, now serving in the American camp.
Captain Bazalgette, British Commander, to Captain Grey, United
States Commander, 29 December 1866, asking that a deserter, George
Hughes, currently serving in the American camp, be turned over.
Other documents included in the file
Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 5 March 1867,
forwarding correspondence on the San Juan issue and recommending
that an early opportunity be taken for resolving the ownership
question.