Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 6 September 1856, CO 305:7, no. 10152, 94.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (2).
Douglas informs Labouchere of his return from “Cowegin” territory where, with an expeditionary force provided by Admiral Bruce, Douglas apprehended the man accused of “maiming Thomas Williams with intent to murder.” The man was found guilty and executed “in the presence of
his Tribe.”
Douglas also “greatly admired” the landscape of the Cowichan Valley noting its “beauty and fertility.”
The minutes recommend that this report be approved and sent to the Admiralty; but
the Colonial Office stresses that “only under peculiar circumstances” could the government
approve of armed forces be sent “among Indians.”
Enclosures include a copy of this despatch for John Shepherd of the HBC and a draft reply from Labouchere to Douglas approving of Douglas’s actions.
No. 21
I have to announce, for the information, of Her Majesty's
Government my return, this day, from "Cowegin", with the expeditionary
force placed at my disposal by Rear Admiral Bruce for service in the
Cowegin country.
We succeeded after much trouble in securing the person of the
Indian, who lately attempted to take the life of Thomas Williams, the
natives themselves
themselves having been prevailed upon to seize and deliver him
into our hands.
themselves having been prevailed upon to seize and deliver him
into our hands.
He was tried before a special court convened on the spot, and was
found guilty of "maiming Thomas Williams with intent to murder," an
offence which the statute 1st Victoria chapt. 83 section 2. considers
felony, and provides that the offender should suffer death.
He was accordingly sentenced to be hanged, and the sentence was
carried into effect, near the spot where the crime was committed, in the
presence of his Tribe, upon whose minds, the solemnity of the
proceedings, and the execution of the criminal, were calculated to make
a deep impression.
The Cowegin Tribe can bring into the field about 1400 warriors but
nearly 1000 of those were engaged upon an expedition to Fraser's River,
when we entered their country. About 400 warriors still remained in the
valley, nevertheless no attempt was made, except a feeble effort, by
some of his personal friends, to rescue the prisoner or
or to resist the
operation of the law.
or to resist the
operation of the law.
The troops marched some distance into the Cowegin valley, through
thick bush and almost impenetrable forest. Knowing that a mere physical
force demonstration would never accomplish the apprehension of the
culprit, I offered friendship and protection to all the natives except
the culprit, and such as aided him or were found opposing the ends of
justice. That announcement had the desired effect of securing the
neutrality of the greater part of the Tribe who were present, and after
we had taken possession of three of their largest villages the surrender
of the culprit followed.
The expeditionary force was composed of about 400 of Her Majesty's
seamen and marines under Commander Mathew Connolly and 18 Victoria
Voltigeurs, commanded by Mr McDonald of the Hudson's Bay
Company's service.
My own personal staff consisted of Mr Joseph McKay and Mr
Richard
Richard Golledge, also of the Hudson's Bay Company's service, and those
active and zealous officers were always near me, in every danger.
Richard Golledge, also of the Hudson's Bay Company's service, and those
active and zealous officers were always near me, in every danger.
In marching through the thickets of the Cowegin valley the Victoria
Voltigeurs were, with my own personal staff, thrown well in advance of
the seamen and marines, formed in single file, to scour the woods, and
guard against surprise, as I could not fail to bear in mind the repeated
disasters, which, last winter, befel the American Army, while marching
through the jungle against an enemy much inferior in point of numbers
and spirit, to the Tribes we had to encounter.
I hope I may be permitted to recommend that very talented and
active officer Commander Mathew Connolly to Her Majesty's Government,
for promotion, as I should really be wanting in justice to his
extraordinary merit were
were I to refrain from urging this request as a
personal favour to me.
were I to refrain from urging this request as a
personal favour to me.
I may also remark for the information of Her Majesty's Government
that not a single casualty befel the expeditionary force during its
brief campaign, nor was a single Indian, the criminal excepted,
personally injured, while their property was carefully respected.
The expedition remained at Cowegin two days after the execution of
the offender, to re-establish friendly relations with the Cowegin Tribe,
and we succeeded in that object, to my entire satisfaction.
I greatly admired the beauty and fertility of the Cowegin valley,
which contains probably not less than 200,000 acres of arable land. I
shall however address you on that subject, in a future communication.
Trusting that my proceedings on this occasion may meet with the
approbation of Her Majestys Government
Government.
Government.
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.
Minutes by CO staff
I think so but the despatch shd be cautiously worded showing
that it is only under the peculiar circumstances of the case that H.M.
Govt can approve of an armed expedition being sent among Indians.
JB
10 N
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to John Shepherd, Hudson's Bay Company, 19
November 1856, forwarding copy of the despatch.
