Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes to
Douglas, Sir James 29 September 1859, CO 410:1, 223.
Abstract
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes to
Douglas, Sir James 29 September 1859, CO 410:1, 223.
Despatch from London.
Marginalia (1).
Confidential
D[owning] S[treet]
29 September 1859
Sir,
I have to acknowledge your [BC] Despatch of the numbers and dates
noted in the Margin,
received by the Mail just arrived, and which relate to the landing of a
party of United States Soldiers, under the Orders of Gerneral Harney,
upon the Island of 
San Juan, the dominion over which forms a part of the
boundary question now under discussion between the Governments of the
two Countries.
No. 30—1 Aug, 1859;
No. 31—8 Aug, 1859;
No. 33—12 Aug, 1859;
No. 34—12 Aug, 1859.
No. 31—8 Aug, 1859;
No. 33—12 Aug, 1859;
No. 34—12 Aug, 1859.
San Juan, the dominion over which forms a part of the
boundary question now under discussion between the Governments of the
two Countries.
It is with much concern that Her Majesty's Government have received
the intelligence of this unjustifiable proceeding, which appears to have
been as unnecessary for the protection of American Citizens, as it was
unprovoked by any act of the Colonial Authorities of Great Britain.
Her Majesty's Government fully approve of the Message which you
addressed on this subject to the Legislative Council and House of
Assembly of Vancouvers Island which is at once dignified in its tone,
and conciliatory towards the Government of that Republic whose Citizens
have acted with such want of courtesy to a friendly Nation. They 
also
feel it to be a cause for satisfaction, that your original intention of
sending British troops to the Island for the purpose of a joint
occupation was not carried out. Such a measure might have led, at the
moment in question, to farther disagreements or even to collision.
also
feel it to be a cause for satisfaction, that your original intention of
sending British troops to the Island for the purpose of a joint
occupation was not carried out. Such a measure might have led, at the
moment in question, to farther disagreements or even to collision.
I have to instruct you not to withdraw from San Juan the Gentleman
whom you have sent there to act as a Magistrate. But it is necessary
that you should impress on him the necessity and duty of cautiously
forbearing from all acts which may lead to hostile manifestations by the
United States Officer. You are also not to land troops in the Island,
or to take any farther steps, without instructions from this Department
or from Lord Lyons, unless the Americans should endeavor to remove by
force the British Magistrate from the Island, or 
unless such steps
should be required for the protection of the lives and property of
British subjects.
unless such steps
should be required for the protection of the lives and property of
British subjects.
I transmit to you Copies of the correspondence which has taken
place on this subject between Her Majestys Government and Lord Lyons:
and you shall receive farther instructions, as soon as an answer arrives
from Washington to Lord John Russell's Despatch of the
24th August last.