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 8 August 1859, CO 305:11, no. 9570, 29.
Abstract
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 8 August 1859, CO 305:11, no. 9570, 29.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (16).
No. 31
8 August 1859
In continuation of my Despatch No 30 of the 1st Augt I have
the honor to acquaint you that after mature reflection, and with
every deference to the opinion
opinion of the council I had called,
upon the subject of the occupation of the Island of San Juan by
a body of American Troops, I came to the conclusion that I could
not abandon the Island to such an occupation, and I determined
to land a body of British Troops so that the occupation might at
least be a joint one.
opinion of the council I had called,
upon the subject of the occupation of the Island of San Juan by
a body of American Troops, I came to the conclusion that I could
not abandon the Island to such an occupation, and I determined
to land a body of British Troops so that the occupation might at
least be a joint one.
2. For this purpose I addressed a letter of instructions to
Captain Hornby of Her Majesty's ship Tribune, a copy of which I
I
enclose, but I regret to say that Captain Hornby did not deem it
advisable to carry out those instructions, for the reasons which
will be found detailed in his report.
I
enclose, but I regret to say that Captain Hornby did not deem it
advisable to carry out those instructions, for the reasons which
will be found detailed in his report.
3. I cannot but regret that circumstance for I feel satisfied
that the absence of a movement of this kind has only increased
the confidence of the occupying party; and it places me in a
difficult position, for so much time having elapsed, the
carrying out of the movement at
at this period, deprives it of most
of its force.
at this period, deprives it of most
of its force.
4. I shall therefore now act as circumstances may demand.
5. The greatest excitement has arisen all over the Country, and
rumours are rife that a large body of men are arming in
Washington Territory, and Oregon to move Northward to assist, if
need be, in the protection of their Flag.
6. I am happy to say that
that Admiral Baynes arrived at Vancouver's
Island in Her Majesty's Ship Ganges on the 5th Instant, so that
the Naval force, now on the spot, consists of Her Majesty's
Ships "Ganges", "Pylades", "Tribune", "Satellite" & "Plumper."
that Admiral Baynes arrived at Vancouver's
Island in Her Majesty's Ship Ganges on the 5th Instant, so that
the Naval force, now on the spot, consists of Her Majesty's
Ships "Ganges", "Pylades", "Tribune", "Satellite" & "Plumper."
7. I forward the undermentioned Documents all having bearing
upon the subject under discussion.
Copy of a message I addressed to the Legislative Council and
House
House of Assembly—Enclosures No 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Copy of a Report from Captain Prevost dated 5th Augt forwarding correspondence with the United States Commissioner, Enclosure Nos 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
House of Assembly—Enclosures No 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Copy of a Report from Captain Prevost dated 5th Augt forwarding correspondence with the United States Commissioner, Enclosure Nos 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
I trust you will pardon the brevity of this Despatch, but the
departure of the mail being earlier than was anticipated, I am
much pressed for time.
I
I have etc.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
I do not know whether Your Grace had seen this? I had not. It
shews that the abandonment of the plan of sending soldiers was
not exactly the Governor's own act. I have slightly modified
the draft answer accordingly.
HM
S 28
I had not seen this when I wrote my Minute. It is singular that
the Governor should have been so strongly in favour of an "act
of vigor" which both the Military and Naval Men seem to have
deprecated.
This and the other despatches on the subject and a copy of my
answer should be sent to the F.O.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Douglas to Captain G. Hornby, 2 August 1859, directing him
to land a body of troops on San Juan to establish a joint occupation.
Proclamation by Douglas, 2 August 1859, formally protesting
the military occupation of San Juan by the Americans and
declaring "that the Sovereignty thereof by right now is and
always hath been in Her Majesty Queen Victoria."
Hornby to Douglas, 4 August 1859, explaining why he had
decided not to land troops on the island, and forwarding copies
of his communication with Captain Pickett, commanding the U.S.
troops.
Newspaper,
The Victoria Gazette, 6 August 1859.
Copy of orders issued by Pickett on 27 July
1859, signed by J.W. Forsyth, 2nd Lieutenant, 9th Infantry.
Notice dated 1 August 1859 signed by Henry R. Crosbie,
Justice of the Peace, Whatcom County, certifying that William
Smith and Isaac E. Higgins had been appointed as constables on
San Juan.
W.L. Marcy, U.S. Secretary of State, to J.F. Crampton,
British Minister at Washington, 17 July 1855, transmitting
extract of letter to I.I. Stevens, Governor of Washington Territory.
Captain James C. Prevost to Douglas, 5 August 1859,
enclosing copies of his correspondence with Archibald Campbell,
U.S. Boundary Commissioner.
Campbell to Prevost, 4 August 1859, declining to respond to
Prevost's inquiries in an earlier communication, and refusing
to "intermeddle" in the affairs of the military authorities
of Washington Territory.
People in this document
Baynes, Rear Admiral Robert Lambert
Crampton, John Fiennes Twisleton
Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes