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 23 March 1859, CO 305:10, no. 4812, 65.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Douglas reports on the “plunder” of the American vessel “Swiss Boy” by the First Nations people of Barclay Sound.
The minutes “Copy” for the Foreign Office.
Enclosed is a draft from the Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 20 May 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures.
No. 8
23 March 1859
I have the honor to lay before you the following circumstances
in connection with the plunder of the United States Merchant
Brig "Swiss Boy" by the Indians of Barclay Sound on the South
west coast of Vancouver's Island, into which place the "Swiss Boy" entered, in a waterlogged and unseaworthy condition.
2. I
2. I believe the Master of the "Swiss Boy" has proceeded to
Washington, with a view of making an attempt to establish a
claim against Her Majesty's Government for the loss of his
vessel, and I am therefore anxious to place you in possession of
the facts of the case, with the least possible delay.
2. I believe the Master of the "Swiss Boy" has proceeded to
Washington, with a view of making an attempt to establish a
claim against Her Majesty's Government for the loss of his
vessel, and I am therefore anxious to place you in possession of
the facts of the case, with the least possible delay.
3. On or about the 18th Ultimo, I received a statement from
Mr David K. Welden, the Master of the "Swiss Boy," a copy of
which forms Enclosure No 1, detailing the circumstances of the
abandonment and plunder of his vessel. To this I returned an
answer (Enclosure No 2), acquainting him that Her Britannic
Majesty's Ship
Ship "Satellite" would proceed to Barclay Sound, to
enquire into the case and to restore to him his vessel and
property, and that a passage for himself and crew would be
provided in the "Satellite." This offer he refused to accept,
as will be seen from his Letter, dated 22nd February, Enclosure
No 3. On the 23rd February I received a further letter from
Mr Welden, Enclosure No 4, stating that he held himself
in readiness to proceed in any vessel that might be despatched to
investigate the case, to this I replied by Enclosure No 5,
referring him to the former letter addressed to him, but he did
not avail himself of the opportunity offered him for receiving
his property, for altho' there was ample
ample time for him to find
his way on board the "Satellite," he did not make his
appearance, but allowed her to depart without him, and the same
day, the 24th of February, he quitted this place in the mail
Steamer for San Francisco.
Ship "Satellite" would proceed to Barclay Sound, to
enquire into the case and to restore to him his vessel and
property, and that a passage for himself and crew would be
provided in the "Satellite." This offer he refused to accept,
as will be seen from his Letter, dated 22nd February, Enclosure
No 3. On the 23rd February I received a further letter from
Mr Welden, Enclosure No 4, stating that he held himself
in readiness to proceed in any vessel that might be despatched to
investigate the case, to this I replied by Enclosure No 5,
referring him to the former letter addressed to him, but he did
not avail himself of the opportunity offered him for receiving
his property, for altho' there was ample
ample time for him to find
his way on board the "Satellite," he did not make his
appearance, but allowed her to depart without him, and the same
day, the 24th of February, he quitted this place in the mail
Steamer for San Francisco.
4. The requisitions I made to the Senior Naval Officer for the
assistance of a vessel of war to investigate the alleged
outrages, form Enclosures No 6 and 7.
5. On the 11th of Instant the "Satellite" returned to
Esquimalt, and I forward herewith the Report, Enclosure No 8,
made upon the case by Captain Prevost, which goes very fully
into the matter, and would appear conclusively to shew that the
the
"Swiss Boy" was unseaworthy before she left Port, and was most
improperly overladen. The fact of the first may be judged from
some specimens of her timbers forwarded by Captain Prevost, and
sent herewith, and the proof of the latter rests upon the Report
of the Officers appointed by Captain Prevost to hold a survey
upon the vessel, vide Enclosure No 12.
the
"Swiss Boy" was unseaworthy before she left Port, and was most
improperly overladen. The fact of the first may be judged from
some specimens of her timbers forwarded by Captain Prevost, and
sent herewith, and the proof of the latter rests upon the Report
of the Officers appointed by Captain Prevost to hold a survey
upon the vessel, vide Enclosure No 12.
6. It will be seen that the cargo of the "Swiss Boy"; Timber,
remained untouched on board the vessel at the time of the
"Satellite's" visit, and that the property stolen by the natives
consisting mainly of the personal effects of the Master and
crew, was recovered by Captain
Captain Prevost, and there being no
person authorized to take possession of it, was placed in a hut,
under the charge of one of the Chiefs where, I have no doubt it
will remain undisturbed for any length of time.
Captain Prevost, and there being no
person authorized to take possession of it, was placed in a hut,
under the charge of one of the Chiefs where, I have no doubt it
will remain undisturbed for any length of time.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not in file.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 20 May 1859,
forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures.