Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Addington, Henry Unwin
to Merivale, Herman 14 June 1853, CO 305:4, no. 6160, 174.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Marginalia (1).
Addington, on behalf of Clarendon, writes to Merivale on matters to do with the British/United States boundary, and, among other points,
on the sovereignty of the Islands in the Canal de Arro and an “alleged violation of British Territory on the West Coast of Vancouver's Island.” To close, Addington conveys Clarendon’s opinion that British territory was, indeed, violated, and that Douglas should follow Newcastle’s advice on how best to maintain “British Rights in such Territory from Foreign Aggression.”
The minutes discuss issues of boundary and sovereignty, with emphasis on the “Arro Islands,” the ownership of which, Merivale asserts, “can only be settled by a fresh convention or by arbitration;” moreover,
he wonders if American trade with Aboriginal groups on the west coast of Vancouver Island constitutes a violation of British territory. Finally, Newcastle asks that Clarendon be kept apprised of the matter, and that he consider carefully the issue of territorial
violations.
Addington to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Foreign Office,
June 14th 1853
Sir,
I have laid before the Earl of Clarendon your Letter of the 11th
of April last, forwarding Extracts of a Despatch from the Governor of
Vancouver's Island respecting a Claim made by American Citizens on
behalf of the United States to the Sovereignty of the Islands in the
Canal de Arro; and relating to an alleged violation of British Territory
on the West Coast of Vancouver's Island.
With regard to the Islands in the Canal de Arro, I am directed by
Lord Clarendon to refer you to my Letter of the 10th of February
1848, transmitting a Copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Minister atWashington
Washington, reporting a conversation with Mr Buchanan, then Secretary
of State of the United States, upon the expediency of defining the
Boundary between the British and American Territories in the Gulf of
Georgia and Fuca's Straits, and also to my Letter of the 21t of
November 1849, stating that the Government of the United States proposed
to lay before Congress at its next Session the proposal of Her Majesty's
Government to appoint a Commission to mark the Boundary in Question; and
I am to add that no further Report has been received from Mr Crampton
on this subject.
Washington, reporting a conversation with Mr Buchanan, then Secretary
of State of the United States, upon the expediency of defining the
Boundary between the British and American Territories in the Gulf of
Georgia and Fuca's Straits, and also to my Letter of the 21t of
November 1849, stating that the Government of the United States proposed
to lay before Congress at its next Session the proposal of Her Majesty's
Government to appoint a Commission to mark the Boundary in Question; and
I am to add that no further Report has been received from Mr Crampton
on this subject.
It appears to Lord Clarendon that if the matter be of importance
and that the affair requires accordingly to be settled, Mr Crampton
should be instructed again to call the attention of the American
Government to it; but if not, I am to suggest, for the consideration of
the Duke of Newcastle, that it might be well not to add another Question
to the many now pending and not likely soon to be arranged.
2nd point.
With respect to the violation of Territory which is undoubtedly
British, and to which there is no disputed claim to Sovereignty, Lord
Clarendon is of opinion that the Governor of Vancouver's Island should
take such steps as
as the Duke of Newcastle may think proper for asserting
and maintaining British Rights in such Territory from Foreign
Aggression.
as the Duke of Newcastle may think proper for asserting
and maintaining British Rights in such Territory from Foreign
Aggression.
H. Merivale Esq.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
As the Governor's promised second desph (see 3851) respecting the Sovereignty of the Arro Islands has not arrived we can hardly say whether the question is at present of such importance as to demand being pressed on the attention of the American Govt. But judging from what we now have before us I should conceive that the matter might be postponed, according to the wish of Lord Clarendon, without any serious inconvenience arising.
As the Governor's promised second desph (see 3851) respecting the Sovereignty of the Arro Islands has not arrived we can hardly say whether the question is at present of such importance as to demand being pressed on the attention of the American Govt. But judging from what we now have before us I should conceive that the matter might be postponed, according to the wish of Lord Clarendon, without any serious inconvenience arising.
On the 2nd point, the violation of B. Territory, I presume the
Governor should be instructed to show a decided front against foreign
aggression.
ABd
16 June
Mr Peel
1. I remember that on looking with Mr Laurence at the maps I felt satisfied that this question of boundary, whenever it becomes important, can only be settled by a fresh convention or by arbitration. The point is by no means clear. But wait for the Governor's next despatch?
1. I remember that on looking with Mr Laurence at the maps I felt satisfied that this question of boundary, whenever it becomes important, can only be settled by a fresh convention or by arbitration. The point is by no means clear. But wait for the Governor's next despatch?
2. The For. Office has not answered our second question—perhaps
we did not put it clearly. What we wanted to know is, whether for
Americans to trade with Indians on the W. coast of Vanc. I. is to be
regarded as a "violation" of our territory—on which point I think
instructions to the Governor should be explicit. The fishing within 3
miles is, I conclude, admittedly contrary to the existing relations
between the countries.
HM
June 16
Ld Clarendon should be informed that a further communication
shall be made to him on the first point as soon as further despatches
are received from the Governor and in the mean time no steps will be
taken in the matter as recommended by him.
The second point should be again placed before him fully & clearly
with a request for careful consideration.
N
17