Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 February 1854, CO 305:5, no. 4064, 33.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Other documents (2).
This despatch is missing from the file, and this transcription is from British Columbia
Archives transcripts. Douglas writes to Newcastle to acknowledge Newcastle’s approval of Douglas’s “dealings with the Native Tribes.” Douglas then discusses “Magistracy” appointments, and that Newcastle’s expected despatch, with confirmations of said appointments, is yet to arrive due
to a mutiny aboard the Colinda. Finally, Douglas reports on the reserve of “20 acres of land,” in Esquimalt Harbour, as a site for naval storehouses.
The first of the two documents included in the file is a draft letter from the Colonial
Office to the Admiralty, which forwards an extract of Douglas's despatch; the second is a draft reply from Newcastle to Douglas, which reports that Newcastle has forwarded to the Admiralty an extract, on the construction of naval storehouses,
from Douglas’s earlier despatch.
No. 6
[Note in file:]
Missing
No 4064. Despatch, Feb. 28/57 [54], No 6
"Native Tribes &c"
[Following text is taken from PABC transcripts:] 28th February 1854
My Lord Duke,
1. I have the honor to acknowledge your Despatch No 10 of the
15th October 1853.
2. I observe with great satisfaction that your Grace approves of
the course we have adopted in our dealings with the Native Tribes, which
has so far worked remarkably well, and also that the regulations of the
H.B. Co. which have prevented the natives from acquiring a taste for
spirituous liquor, have met with your Grace's approval, a circumstance,
which will induce me to maintain those regulations in full force.
3. I observe also that your Grace has confirmed the provisional
appointments to the Magistracy, reported in my Despatch No 5.
I regret to say that your Despatch confirming those appointments,
has not yet arrived here, in consequence I presume of the non arrival of
the "Colinda", by which that, and other packets from Her Majesty's
Government have been forwarded. That vessel was sent out last year on
the part of the H.B. Co. with Emigrants for this Colony and we have
lately heard that the Master had put into the Port of Valdivia in
consequence of a mutiny on board wherefore it is quite uncertain when
she may arrive in the Colony. The transmission of intelligence by the
Panama Mail route is so much more expeditious and certain that I trust
your Grace will excuse me for recommending that mode of conveyance in
preference to any other for the communication of Her Majestys
Government.
4. I also observe that your Grace has caused the suggestion
offered in my letter for the erection of Store Houses in the Harbour of
Esquimalt, for the use of the Navy, to be submitted for the
consideration and decision of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I trust their Lordships will take that suggestion into favourable
consideration, and in order that nothing may be wanting on my part
towards carrying it into effect, I have caused a reserve to be made of a
valuable lot containing 20 acres of land, situated in that part of the
harbour, which Her Majesty's naval officers have recommended on account
of its security from storms, and the convenience it offers in all other
respects for shipping, and which is moreover well adapted in point of
surface for the proposed erections.
The closing remarks of your Grace's despatch have afforded me the
greatest satisfaction and I hope that all our proceedings may equally
meet with approbation of Her Majesty's Government.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke
Your Grace's most obedient humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor Vancouver's Island
My Lord Duke
Your Grace's most obedient humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor Vancouver's Island
His Grace The Right Honble The Duke of Newcastle
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Captain Hamilton, Admiralty, 23 May 1854, forwarding extract of Douglas's despatch.
