Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 19 February 1859, CO 305:10, no. 3827, 54.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (3).
Douglas complains of recent settlements on San Juan Island built by American “squatters”. He requests that the British and American governments
work together to remove these “squatters” until sovereignty over the San Juan Islands is settled.
The minutes forward Douglas’s report to the Foreign Office.
Included in this document is a draft from the Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 11 April 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch, with explanation, for their immediate attention;
a draft reply from Lytton to Douglas, 30 April 1859, acknowledging receipt of Douglas’s report; and a draft from Carnarvon to Douglas, 10 June 1859, forwarding correspondence between the British ambassador at Washington and General Cass regarding American citizens on San Juan.
No. 6
19 February 1859
I have the honor to communicate for your information
circumstances which have lately come to my knowledge respecting
the proceedings of certain American Citizens in regard to the
Island of
of San Juan, part of the disputed Territory in the
Archipelago de Arro.
of San Juan, part of the disputed Territory in the
Archipelago de Arro.
2. As the question of Sovereignty was not until lately
discussed, I have always treated that Island as a dependency of
Vancouver's Island, and a part of the British Dominions,
according to the instructions contained in Secretary Sir George
Grey's Despatch No 4 of the 21st September 1854, a copy of
which is herewith enclosed for ready reference. I moreover
appointed John Charles Griffin, Esquire, Justice of the Peace
for that District, with authority to Keep
Keep the Peace, and to
punish offences within the jurisdiction of that office.
Keep the Peace, and to
punish offences within the jurisdiction of that office.
The Hudson's Bay Company also formed an extensive stock farm on
the same Island, and which they still maintain.
4. Our occupation of the Island has therefore been general and
complete, as well as undisturbed by Citizens of the United
States.
5. A number of American Citizens have, however, lately employed
a person to make Surveys, and to plot out certain parts of San
Juan Island, (including the portions of the lands enclosed and
cultivated by
by the Servants of the Hudson's Bay Company,) for the
purpose of settlement, and there is no doubt that the whole
Island will soon be occupied by a squatter population of
American Citizens, if they do not receive an immediate check.
by the Servants of the Hudson's Bay Company,) for the
purpose of settlement, and there is no doubt that the whole
Island will soon be occupied by a squatter population of
American Citizens, if they do not receive an immediate check.
6. This movement has, I have no doubt, been commenced by some
designing person exciting and working upon the minds of ignorant
masses, with the view of hastening the settlement of the
Boundary question, and fortifying the claims of the United
States Government.
7. The course is one full of
of danger, and I fear that Her
Majesty's Government would not approve of my adopting measures
for the summary and forcible ejection of squatters, while the
question of sovereignty remains avowedly in dispute; at the same
time circumstances may call for decisive action.
of danger, and I fear that Her
Majesty's Government would not approve of my adopting measures
for the summary and forcible ejection of squatters, while the
question of sovereignty remains avowedly in dispute; at the same
time circumstances may call for decisive action.
8. I have no hopes of inducing the Governor of Washington
Territory to take joint measures with me to prevent any
occupation of San Juan and the other Islands of the Arro
Archipelago, pending the question of sovereignty.
I
9. I would recommend in the juncture an arrangement being
entered into, having for its object the preservation of peace,
and embodying as a condition of primary importance, that Great
Britain and the United States will unite in preventing the
settlement of the Islands in question, by ejecting squatters,
until the line of Boundary is definitively traced and it is
decided to which Power they of right belong.
9. I would recommend in the juncture an arrangement being
entered into, having for its object the preservation of peace,
and embodying as a condition of primary importance, that Great
Britain and the United States will unite in preventing the
settlement of the Islands in question, by ejecting squatters,
until the line of Boundary is definitively traced and it is
decided to which Power they of right belong.
10. Such an understanding between the two Countries will
prevent much future evil; but whether such a measure may be
adopted or not, I
I trust I may be favored with immediate
instructions for my guidance in respect to any proceedings which
it may be desired I should take for the preservation of the
rights of the British Crown.
I trust I may be favored with immediate
instructions for my guidance in respect to any proceedings which
it may be desired I should take for the preservation of the
rights of the British Crown.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
It would be very desirable to send this report to the Foreign Office at an early period so as to enable us to ansr the Governor by the Mail of the 16th inst. The proposal he submits seems to me, at least, prudent & advisable.
It would be very desirable to send this report to the Foreign Office at an early period so as to enable us to ansr the Governor by the Mail of the 16th inst. The proposal he submits seems to me, at least, prudent & advisable.
ABd
11 Apl
HM
Apl 11
Other documents included in the file
Draft,
Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 11 April 1859,
forwarding copy of the despatch, with explanation, for their
immediate attention.
