Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Blanshard, Governor Richard
to
Grey, Third Earl, Henry George 4 August 1851, CO 305:3, no. 8963, 28.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents
(1), Marginalia (4).
Blanshard writes to Grey to forward a report on the conflict at Nahwitti, and speculates that the recent naval assault has reduced risks of Indigenous aggression
at Fort Rupert.
I have the honor to forward for your information the report made to
Captain Fanshawe of HM Ship "Daphne" by Lieutenant Lacy of the Daphne,
who commanded a party sent to apprehend the murderers of the
British
seamen at Newitty, on the 19 July last; the tribe at first fired on the
boats, but fled when the party landed, Lieutenant Lacy did not pursue
them owing to the nature of the ground but the other Indians represent
the dispersion of the tribe as complete, this was effected without loss
and the wounds of the two seamen
seamen are slight. A most beneficial effect
has been produced on the tribes in the neighbourhood who had previously
caused much alarm among the Hudson's bay company's servants, and
endangered the safety of the post at Fort Rupert, for the future I trust that place will remain in Safety which it did not appear
to be before —
seamen are slight. A most beneficial effect
has been produced on the tribes in the neighbourhood who had previously
caused much alarm among the Hudson's bay company's servants, and
endangered the safety of the post at Fort Rupert, for the future I trust that place will remain in Safety which it did not appear
to be before —Minutes by CO staff
The Admy reported in February last the proceedings which were adopted by Captn Wellesley of HMS. Daedalus with reference to the
murder of three British Seamen in or about the month of Sept 1850. The
Governor's present Report relates to new murders committed on British
Seamen on the 19h of July last, 1851.
Lieut Lacy of HMS Daphne appears to have pursued and dispersed the
tribe by which these murders were committed.
This must have produced
a good effect.
a good effect.But it is apparently at variance with the instructions which Lord
Grey issued — on the first transaction — See those Instructions annexed.
So little is said by the Governor on the subject, that it becomes
somewhat difficult, if not hazardous to censure or approve his
proceedings and those of the Naval officers.
PS
25 Oct
Acknowledge & say that without farther fuller informatn it is impossible for me to assess judge of the propriety of these proceedings & refer to my despatch of the 20th of March for an explanatn of the general views of H.M's Govt on the subject of the protectn to be afforded against the Indians to Bsh subjects. —
G.
29
Other documents included in the file
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th Inst in consequence of which, I, the same might, despatched the boats of the ship under
the command of Lieutenant Lacy to endeavour to arrest the murderers and I enclose herewith a copy of that Officers
Report of his proceedings whilst so employed,
Footnotes
- This addressee information appears at the foot of the first page of the despatch.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.