Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Shepherd, Captain, HBC Governor John to Labouchere, Henry 9 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 9179, 384.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (2).
The minutes require a copy of these letters sent to the Foreign Office and wonder
if the American government will consider expanding the Reciprocity Treaty to Vancouver Island “taken alone.”
Enclosures include: a draft reply from Elliot to Shepherd acknowledging the receipt of his despatch; a letter from Elliot to Hammond with copies of the despatch for the Foreign Office; Douglas to the HBC agreeing with Sir George Simpson’s views on the dangers of the Reciprocity Treaty for the Northwest Coast but arguing
that Vancouver Island would derive “an incalculable amount of benefit” from being included in the treaty;
and a letter from Douglas to the HBC reporting on the naval ships in the colony.
Shepherd to Labouchere
Hudson's Bay House
9th October 1856
Sir
I have the honor to enclose for your information Extracts of
letters lately received from Governor Douglas, dated Victoria,
Vancouver's Island, 4th and 13th August, which I trust you will
consider satisfactory.
Minutes by CO staff
I should doubt the Amn government caring about extending the
Reciprocity Treaty to Vancouver's Island taken alone.
Reciprocity Treaty to Vancouver's Island taken alone.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 24 October 1856, forwarding copy of
enclosure relating to the reciprocity issue.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. Extract, Douglas to Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, 4
August 1856, agreeing with Sir George Simpson's views on the dangers of
reciprocity for the Northwest Coast but arguing that Vancouver Island
would derive "an incalculable amount of benefit" from being included in
the treaty.
2. Extract, Douglas to Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, 13
August 1856, reporting on the disposition of naval ships in the colony.