Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, Sir John Henry
to Pakington, Captain John Somerset 3 May 1852, CO 305:3, no. 3779, 447.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Pelly writes to Pakington to request a packet sent by Douglas, and a copy of a letter written from Douglas to Moresby on American activities at Haida Gwaii.
The minutes discuss the military and jurisdictional need to legally protect British
interests at Haida Gwaii.
Of the two enclosures, the first is Douglas’ letter to Moresby on American interests in the discovery of gold at Haida Gwaii; the second is the Colonial Office’s draft to Hamilton, which forwards Douglas’ aforementioned letter, along with a request to the Admiralty to dispatch a warship
to Haida Gwaii, and grant its Commanding Officer a Commission of the Peace.
Sir J.H. Pelly presents his compliments to Sir John Pakington,
and begs to hand him a packet addressed to the late Secretary for the
Colonies which has been received today from the Governor of Vancouver's
Island, and also the copy of a letter from the Governor to Rear Admiral
Moresby, relative to the proceedings and views of American Adventurers
in regard to Queen Charlotte's Island.
Hudson's Bay House
May 3rd 1852
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
In the despt recd yesterday the Governor mentioned having applied to the British Admiral in the Pacific for protection for british interests at Queen Charlotte's Island. I really think it is time some vigorous proceedings should be taken by the British Govt to maintain order in this distant place, & establish regulations concerning the gold mines. The Island is within Canadian Jurisdiction, and properly speaking a communication should be addressed to Lord Elgin on the subject.
In the despt recd yesterday the Governor mentioned having applied to the British Admiral in the Pacific for protection for british interests at Queen Charlotte's Island. I really think it is time some vigorous proceedings should be taken by the British Govt to maintain order in this distant place, & establish regulations concerning the gold mines. The Island is within Canadian Jurisdiction, and properly speaking a communication should be addressed to Lord Elgin on the subject.
In the meanwhile I must continue of opinion that the Admiralty
should be specially ordered to send a Ship of War there, the Captain
thereof having a Commission of Justice of the Peace, or there will be
great disorder & discredit ensuing in the place.
ABd
4 May
This is already under Sir J. Pakingtons' consideration. This
letter is nearly the same with the dispatch which has been sent by us to
the Company, & this crossing of the
same information is rather
inconvenient. It is evident that prompt action is needed if there is to
be any. A naval force might be sent. and no party might be allowed to
work the quartz without licence from the District Govr. But whether
foreign vessels could be prevented from touching at Q. Charlotte's Id
consistently with present navigation acts & treaties, I am not so sure.
same information is rather
inconvenient. It is evident that prompt action is needed if there is to
be any. A naval force might be sent. and no party might be allowed to
work the quartz without licence from the District Govr. But whether
foreign vessels could be prevented from touching at Q. Charlotte's Id
consistently with present navigation acts & treaties, I am not so sure.
HM
May 4
Exceptional cases may always be warranted by circumstances. At
the same time any other expedient would be preferable.
D
5
Answer that this subject has been previously brought under my
notice & that I have submitted questions connected with it for the
Consideratn of the Foreign Office & the Admiralty.
JSP
6
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Douglas to Moresby, 29 January 1852, describing how
the discovery of gold on Queen Charlotte Island had prompted interest amongst parties of American adventurers.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Hamilton, Admiralty, Immediate,
13 May 1852, forwarding copies of Douglas' despatches and letter to
Moresby that "render it imperative that warship be sent to Queen Charlotte
Island" and requesting the Admiralty to instruct the Rear Admiral on the
Pacific Station to "despatch such a force . . . as their Lordships may
consider adequate for the service," and that the officer in command
should be provided with a Commission of the Peace.
Minutes by CO staff
(This I presume is for the information of the Admiralty. The
Commission would require to be prepared here, & needs a little
consideration.