Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Molesworth, Sir William
8 November 1855, CO 305:6, no. 380, 152.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (1).
Douglas writes to Molesworth to report on, among other lesser points, the state of the US war with Indigenous
groups, and the “difficult game to play” to ensure that the HBC avoid hostilities
from both parties.
The minutes laud Douglas’s bravery and resolve, comment on the reported historical peace between Indigenous
Peoples and the HBC, blame “the Yankees” for the recent war, and suggest that Douglas be given the resources required to “meet the difficult circumstances in which he
may be placed.”
The first of the five documents included in the file is a draft letter from Merivale to Colvile, which forwards a copy of Douglas’s despatch; the second is a letter by Tilton, which discusses the severity of the “Indian War
” and asks for assistance, with enclosures; the third is a letter from Tolmie to Tilton, which advises Tilton to request assistance from Douglas; the fourth and fifth are letters from Douglas to Tilton, both of which detail the limits of assistance Douglas can provide.
No. 24
I have nothing of much importance, respecting this Colony, to
communicate, except the pleasing facts, that peace and quietness reigns
within its limits, and that an abundant harvest, has yielded a bountiful
supply of food for the consumption of the white population.
Those blessings we have been taught to appreciate, by the
deplorable state of American Oregon, which is nowinvolved
involved in a
disastrous war, with the native Tribes of that country, who appear to be
animated with a rancorous hatred of American domination; and they have
conducted their hostile attacks with a degree of skill, courage and
success, that fills every heart with dismay, and has so much intimidated
the settlers, that they have altogether forsaken the open country, and
abandoning their property and habitations, have taken refuge with their
families, in the sea coast towns. Many unfortunate persons have
nevertheless been slain, and much property destroyed.
involved in a
disastrous war, with the native Tribes of that country, who appear to be
animated with a rancorous hatred of American domination; and they have
conducted their hostile attacks with a degree of skill, courage and
success, that fills every heart with dismay, and has so much intimidated
the settlers, that they have altogether forsaken the open country, and
abandoning their property and habitations, have taken refuge with their
families, in the sea coast towns. Many unfortunate persons have
nevertheless been slain, and much property destroyed.
The latest accounts from Oregon, report that Major Haller's
detachment of United States Troops, had been compelled to retire before
the Indians, and were hotly pursued by the enemy, to one of their
military stations, on the Columbia, and that another detachment of 240
regulars and volunteers, under the command of Captain Maloney, U.S.
Army, were surrounded in a mountain pass, and nearly all destroyed. It
is also reported that the hostile Indians aremaking
are making descents by all the
passes from the mountains, into the settled country. Those disasters
tell seriously against the American cause, for besides the direct loss,
they serve to teach the Natives their own power and strength, and
inspire contempt for a foe, whom they have beaten with impunity from the
field. With the excitement of victory they have also tasted the sweets
of plunder, and I conceive will never return to a state of peace, until
they have been signally punished. I hope they will receive a timely
check, or the evil spirit may spread among the aboriginal population of
the British Territory, which is far more ignorant and barbarous, and in
point of numbers is, as five to one, compared with the Native population
of American Oregon. In that case we would have to bear the brunt of an
Indian war, which I trust a kind Providence may avert until we are
better provided with means, to encounter so dangerous an evil. I am of
opinion that there must have been somegreat
great mismanagement on the part
of the American authorities, or it is hardly credible that the natives
of Oregon, whose character has been softened and improved by 50 years of
commerical intercourse with the establishments of the Hudson's Bay
Company, would otherwise exhibit so determined a spirit of hostility
against any white people.
are making descents by all the
passes from the mountains, into the settled country. Those disasters
tell seriously against the American cause, for besides the direct loss,
they serve to teach the Natives their own power and strength, and
inspire contempt for a foe, whom they have beaten with impunity from the
field. With the excitement of victory they have also tasted the sweets
of plunder, and I conceive will never return to a state of peace, until
they have been signally punished. I hope they will receive a timely
check, or the evil spirit may spread among the aboriginal population of
the British Territory, which is far more ignorant and barbarous, and in
point of numbers is, as five to one, compared with the Native population
of American Oregon. In that case we would have to bear the brunt of an
Indian war, which I trust a kind Providence may avert until we are
better provided with means, to encounter so dangerous an evil. I am of
opinion that there must have been somegreat
great mismanagement on the part
of the American authorities, or it is hardly credible that the natives
of Oregon, whose character has been softened and improved by 50 years of
commerical intercourse with the establishments of the Hudson's Bay
Company, would otherwise exhibit so determined a spirit of hostility
against any white people.
I have been led to make those remarks in consequence of a
communication which I lately received from Major Tilton, Acting Governor
of Washington Territory, dated Olympia November 1st, and enclosed
therewith a note from William Fraser Tolmie Esqre, acting agent for
the Puget Sound Company's settlements, within the American Territory,
copies of which I herewith transmit for the information of Her Majesty's
Government.
The object of those communications is to represent the danger, to
which the American settlements in Puget Sound are exposed, from the
attacks of the hostile Native Tribes, and to solicit aid, and assistance
from this Government. [Marginal note: Has not the HBC still an
interest there? HM See p. 7]
With a deep feeling of sympathy for a christian people, so
unfortunately situated, I responded to the call for assistance by
immediately sending asupply
supply of fire-arms and ammunition; I would also
have despatched one of the Hudson's Bay Company's Steam vessels, into
Puget Sound, had any of them been within reach, but it so happened that
they were both absent, and have not yet arrived.
supply of fire-arms and ammunition; I would also
have despatched one of the Hudson's Bay Company's Steam vessels, into
Puget Sound, had any of them been within reach, but it so happened that
they were both absent, and have not yet arrived.
The object I propose to accomplish by sending a Steam vessel to
Puget's Sound is to deter the coast Indians from uniting with the Confederate, and to extend our
protection, as far as
available to any unfortunate settlers, who may be exposed to the fury of
the savages, but we would of course not engage in hostilities with the
Natives, nor take any part in a war, which is not waged with us, against
natives, however barbarous, that are on terms of amity with our country;
and who entertain a high degree of respect for the British name.
Another object I have in view is the protection of the Hudsons Bay
Company's settlements in American Oregon, which the hostile Tribes, out
of a friendly feeling have hitherto respected.
The
The Americans are disposed to ascribe their immunity from attack to
other motives, and the mob have gone so far as to accuse the Company's
servants of maintaining a secret correspondence with the natives, and
affording them encouragement and support.
I wish by exerting all our influence in mitigating the horrors of a
cruel war, and by shewing the native Tribes, that we do not approve of
their conduct; to convince the American population, that their
suspicions against the Company's servant's are groundless, at the same
time, I do not wish to incense the Native Tribes, or to become a party
in the war. It is I confess a difficult game to play, but the same
course of policy was adopted with success during the Cayuse War, when we
were enabled to save many valuable lives, and otherwise to render
essential service to the country. I trust therefore that my proceedings
will meet with the approbation of Her Majesty's Government.
The Hudson's Bay Company'sFort
Fort at Nisqually, Puget's Sound, was by
last accounts, a few days old, crowded with the wives and families of
American Refugees. The loss of life has been very great in Washington
Territory, and the Indians are becoming every day more active and
daring.
Fort at Nisqually, Puget's Sound, was by
last accounts, a few days old, crowded with the wives and families of
American Refugees. The loss of life has been very great in Washington
Territory, and the Indians are becoming every day more active and
daring.
The Americans are also very unpopular with the Indian Tribes
inhabiting our frontier country, and from a feeling of sympathy with
their race, they exult in the successful exploits of the Oregon Tribes,
but their sympathy has not as yet taken a practical form, and I shall
not fail to use every exertion to restrain and prevent any open
interference on their part with the affairs of other nations.
The Right Honble Sir William Molesworth Bart
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Should, unhappily, the spirit of hostility displayed by the Native Indians in American Oregon extend itself to the adjoining British Territory I regret to say that the Settlement is totally destitute of a military force, and that due presence of a ship of War cannot be relied upon. There is no doubt that in such case Mr Douglas, who is an extremely brave man, & of a energetic character will do all that is in his power to put down any attack. I presume that this desph should be [or] a copy shd be sent to the H.B. Company for information.
Should, unhappily, the spirit of hostility displayed by the Native Indians in American Oregon extend itself to the adjoining British Territory I regret to say that the Settlement is totally destitute of a military force, and that due presence of a ship of War cannot be relied upon. There is no doubt that in such case Mr Douglas, who is an extremely brave man, & of a energetic character will do all that is in his power to put down any attack. I presume that this desph should be [or] a copy shd be sent to the H.B. Company for information.
ABd
17 Jany/56
Mr Labouchere
In the vast extent of territory with which the H.B.Co. have to deal, not one case of serious hostile collision with the native races has become known to this department in my time. On the other hand, the opposite side of the geographical line, which politically divides their territory from that of the US has been the scene of constant wars, massacres, & violence—not in Oregon only, but on the Eastern side of the Rocky mountains also. The discipline & uniformity of action which the system of a close corporation enforces seem to constitute the only means of maintaining peaceful relations between Europeans & natives for any length of time.
In the vast extent of territory with which the H.B.Co. have to deal, not one case of serious hostile collision with the native races has become known to this department in my time. On the other hand, the opposite side of the geographical line, which politically divides their territory from that of the US has been the scene of constant wars, massacres, & violence—not in Oregon only, but on the Eastern side of the Rocky mountains also. The discipline & uniformity of action which the system of a close corporation enforces seem to constitute the only means of maintaining peaceful relations between Europeans & natives for any length of time.
This being so, it seems a little hard that they should be drawn, by
calls for their assistance, into the quarrels
of their Yankee
neighbours, in which one can have little doubt that the Yankees are
really the aggressors. And I should have doubted the policy of sending
the steamer to Puget's sound: but the truth is the Company have
establishments there, on American ground, which they are endeavouring by
treaty with the U.S. Government to dispose of, but hitherto without
effect. This a little accounts for the mission of the steamer in
question. I think however Mr Blackwood's minute may be followed?
of their Yankee
neighbours, in which one can have little doubt that the Yankees are
really the aggressors. And I should have doubted the policy of sending
the steamer to Puget's sound: but the truth is the Company have
establishments there, on American ground, which they are endeavouring by
treaty with the U.S. Government to dispose of, but hitherto without
effect. This a little accounts for the mission of the steamer in
question. I think however Mr Blackwood's minute may be followed?
HM
Jan 17
I think the answer should be in the terms proposed by Mr
Blackwood, adding that I place reliance in the discretion & energy of
the Governor to meet the difficult circumstances in which he may be
placed. I wish a copy of the Governors despatch to be Made for
Circulation.
HL
J 19
Copies given to Lord Sandon for the Queen & for Circulation.
VJ
22 Jan
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to A. Colvile, Hudson's Bay Company, 4 February
1856, forwarding copy of Douglas's despatch.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. James Tilton, Adjutant General and Acting Governor of Washington
Territory, to Douglas, 1 November 1855, advising of the serious nature of the "Indian War" and asking for assistance, with
enclosures.
1.1 William Fraser Tolmie, Agent for the Puget Sound Company, to
Tilton, 1 November 1855, advising that in view of the uncertain loyalty
of coastal First Nations, he should apply to Douglas for assistance.
