Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Phinn, Thomas
to Merivale, Herman 25 February 1856, CO 305:7, no. 1862, 143.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2).
Phinn writes to Merivale ensuring that the President was despatched to Vancouver's Island for defense and protection. Phinn suggests that there should be “defences on shore & some armed force on the Island” because he believes that “it is impossible for any naval force” to protect the
whole Island.
The minutes agree that the HBC needs to recognize that the safety of the settlement
depends on Douglas’s “firmness and discretion” towards the First Nations because there is no military
defense.
Phinn to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
25 Feb'y 1856
Sir,
Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your
letter of the 23d Instant, with its inclosures, relative to the
defenceless state of Vancouver's Island, & suggesting the expediency of
stationing a Ship of war there; I am commanded by my Lords to acquaint
you, for the
the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, that the
President Frigate was some time ago despatched by the Commander in Chief
in the Pacific to Vancouver's Island, & that his attention has been
already called to the danger in which the British settlements at that
Island may be placed. My Lords would suggest, however, that measures
for providing some defences on
on shore & some armed force on the Island
should be taken, as it is impossible for any naval force to undertake
the whole protection of that large Island.
the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, that the
President Frigate was some time ago despatched by the Commander in Chief
in the Pacific to Vancouver's Island, & that his attention has been
already called to the danger in which the British settlements at that
Island may be placed. My Lords would suggest, however, that measures
for providing some defences on
on shore & some armed force on the Island
should be taken, as it is impossible for any naval force to undertake
the whole protection of that large Island.
Herman Merivale Esqre
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This will, I presume, be regarded as sufficient; the reports from the Governor down to the end of Decr giving a more satisfactory account of affairs in the Settlement.
This will, I presume, be regarded as sufficient; the reports from the Governor down to the end of Decr giving a more satisfactory account of affairs in the Settlement.
ABd
27/F