Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 10 April 1856, CO 305:7, no. 5814, 25.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (6), Marginalia (2).
Douglas writes that the Governor of Washington Territory has “repeatedly” asked for “supplies
of clothing and munitions of war” for use during the Indian War in the Oregon Territory.
Douglas “sent a quantity of ammunition and clothing to the amount of 3465 dollars” with his
“own private funds.” Douglas writes of the dangers posed by the aboriginals in Puget Sound and how they “inspired general terror” during the ongoing “Indian Wars.” He states
that the aboriginals in the territory are “vigilantly watched.”
Minutes discuss whether the Hudson’s Bay Company should be sent half or the whole
despatch, as well as whether to forward a copy to the Foreign Office.
No. 9
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 1st of March
last, in respect to the war, which the United States are now carrying on
against the native Indian Tribes in American Oregon, repeated
applications for supplies of clothing and munitions of war, have been
made upon me by Mr Stevens Governor of Washington Territory as may be
observed by reference
reference to the copies of his letters to me, which are
herewith transmitted for your information.
reference to the copies of his letters to me, which are
herewith transmitted for your information.
The security offered by Governor Stevens for the payment of those
supplies was not of such a nature as to induce the Agents of the
Hudson's Bay Company, or any other party here, to advance the necessary
funds, and it was therefore out of my power to meet his views on a very
extensive scale. However as a mark of courteous sympathy I purchased
and sent a quantity of ammunition and clothing to the amount of 3465
dollars, with my own private funds, leaving the payment for his
settlement in any manner that will secure me from loss. Should there be
any difficulty in the re-payment of the loan so made, I presume that Her
Majesty's Government, will use their influence in protecting my
interests
interests in that particular instance,
seeing that it was owing to my official position, as the representative
of Her Majesty in this Colony, that I was required to succour a
Christian people in their peculiarly distressed circumstances, an act of
kindness, which they moreover may have it in their power, on some future
occasion, to return with interest.
interests in that particular instance,
If requisite this might be done perhaps through the Foreign Office.
I will take the liberty of drawing your attention more particularly
to Governor Steven's communication No 5 dated 17th February,
respecting the visits of the Northern Indians, inhabiting the British
coast, to the American Settlements in Puget's Sound. The periodical
migration of those wild hordes is without question a source of disquiet
and a national grievance.
Their presence inspired general terror and not without cause, as
there is no restraining principle in their minds, and they have no
scruples about
about committing acts of murder or rapine, whenever there is a
prospect of escaping with impunity.
about committing acts of murder or rapine, whenever there is a
prospect of escaping with impunity.
They are accused, and probably with justice, of having committed
many crimes in American Oregon, which I can only regret, without having
the power of preventing, or of punishing the criminals; who do not live
within the jurisdiction of this Colony.
It is not improbable that the United States, may, sooner or later
make a demand for satisfaction, in consequence of their depredations, in
which case I conceive Her Majesty's Government, will have to take one of
two courses, either to compel those savages to remain in their own
country, or to permit the United States to levy war upon them, within
the British frontiers.
Those points certainly involve grave questions of national right
right, and may lead to serious discussion with the United States.
right, and may lead to serious discussion with the United States.
It may also be observed on the same subject, that the northern Indians are attracted
to the American settlements entirely by the hope
of gain, and provided a respectable naval force is maintained in Puget's
Sound, to prevent plundering, and the inhabitants are careful not to
employ them as labourers, I may venture to predict, that with the
removal of the powerful incentive, which takes them thither, their
visits to Puget's Sound will soon entirely cease.
Copy to Hudson's Bay Co.
The aspect of affairs in American Oregon, so far as respects the Indian war, is not materially altered since my last report.
The
Americans have taken the field in force, and with considerable means,
but are constantly eluded by the rapid and dextrous movements of the natives, who
perfectly understand the advantages of
of Parthian warfare,
and deal their blows with merciless severity on the undefended
settlements, which exhibit a striking picture of the horrors of Indian
war.
of Parthian warfare,
and deal their blows with merciless severity on the undefended
settlements, which exhibit a striking picture of the horrors of Indian
war.
Many of the Northern Tribes, who lately visited this part of the
Colony have since the date of my last communication, left the
settlements, and returned to their own country, and the excitement among
the Colonists, in respect to the danger of being attacked by those
savages has subsided.
One riot only occurred during the great concourse of Indians at
this place, and that arose out of a gambling quarrel among themselves,
and ended rather seriously for the parties concerned, one man having
been killed in the affray, and many severely wounded. I made it a point
to call both parties to account for the disturbance, and took
took advantage
of the circumstances to urge their immediate departure from the Colony,
and they, accordingly left a few days afterwards.
took advantage
of the circumstances to urge their immediate departure from the Colony,
and they, accordingly left a few days afterwards.
In all other respects the Indians have been quiet and well behaved,
and have given no cause of complaint. The number of those Indians in
the settlements though much reduced is still considerable, but their
movements are vigilantly watched, and the outlying dwellings are
regularly visited by parties of militia, and otherwise every thing in my
power is done, that can tend to promote the safety and comfort of the
people.
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. Isaac I. Stevens to Douglas, 7 February 1856, asking him to
furnish supplies of "powder, lead, sugar, coffee, pork, clothing, candles,
soap, tea" for the volunteer troops as required by Commissary and
Quartermaster R.S. Robinson.
4. Douglas to Stevens, 7 March 1856, advising that he had purchased
some "sugar, coffee, and the Number of Blankets wanted, with a supply of
Gunpowder and Lead, out of my own private funds, . . . with a view of
meeting your pressing necessities, leaving the payment for your
settlement, in any manner, that will secure me from loss."
5. Stevens to Douglas, 17 February 1856, advising he had received
reports that the Haida, Bella Bella, and Tsimpsian would dispatch 16 war
canoes south as soon as the winter breaks, "five of which will attack
Bellingham Bay." He requests Douglas "keep one of your Steamers plying in the vicinity of these Indians . . . communicate
any information you may learn of their movements."
