Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Shepherd, Captain, HBC Governor John to Labouchere, Henry 19 February 1856, CO 305:7, no. 1679, 254.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (5), Other documents (1).
Shepherd writes to Labouchere transmitting a letter and the extract of another letter from Douglas regarding the “hostilities now prevailing in American Oregon between the Indian Tribes and the American Settlers.”
The minutes acknowledge a report from the HBC regarding the death of Slaughter and his men.
Enclosed is a draft from the Colonial Office to Hammond; a letter from Douglas to Smith reporting his belief that a “large body of regular troops on the Columbia” will not intimidate the First Nations; the extract noting Slaughter’s murder; and three other documents discussing transport of ammunition via the Otter and the Traveller.
Shepherd to Labouchere
Hudson's Bay House
19th February 1856
Sir,
With reference to Mr Merivale's letter of the 4th Instant,
and my reply of the 7th on the subject of the hostilities now
prevailing in American Oregon between the Indian Tribes and the American
Settlers, I have now the honour to transmit Copy of a Letter received
from Governor Douglas under date 11th December, and Extract of Letter
from the same gentleman dated December 19th, conveying further
information upon that matter.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The date of the Governor's last despatch is the 13 Decr. The only additional fact now reported to the H.B.Co is the destruction of Capn Slaughter U.S. Army & some of his men by the Indians. This must have occurred between the 13 & 19th Decr. Communicate this event to the F.O.
The date of the Governor's last despatch is the 13 Decr. The only additional fact now reported to the H.B.Co is the destruction of Capn Slaughter U.S. Army & some of his men by the Indians. This must have occurred between the 13 & 19th Decr. Communicate this event to the F.O.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 28 February
1856, forwarding the enclosures.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Douglas to William G. Smith, Secretary, Hudson's Bay Company, 11
December 1855, reporting the arrival of a large body of regular troops
on the Columbia but doubting they will make much impression on Indigenous forces, who "will have
to be rooted out by such men as formerly composed
our trapping parties, who would plunge into the Mountains or Forests
without Tents or food, or cumbrous Commissariat, carrying only their
rifles, a good supply of Powder and Lead, and a Blanket to cover them at
night. With such a force, the Indians would soon be compelled to submit,
or be entirely destroyed."
Extract, Douglas to Smith, 19 December 1855, reporting the
attack and murder of Captain Slaughter and a party of American
soldiers by the Indigenous forces of Washington Territory.
Minutes by CO staff
This is fresh.
ABd
21 F
C.H. Mason, Acting Governor of Washington Territory to Douglas,
10 November 1855, acknowledging receipt of fifty arms and a quantity of
ammunition via the Traveller.
Douglas to James Tilton or Officer Administering the Government
of Washington Territory, 19 November 1855, advising that the
Otter had been dispatched to Puget Sound with a supply of ammunition.
Mason to Douglas, 23 November 1855, reporting the arrival of the
Otter and her cargo and advising of the current situation in
Washington Territory.