Colonial Despatches

Mr Elliot
It will be observed that the For: Office does not ask the Duke of Newcastle to write to Govr D. Though I think we may feel quite sure that Govr Douglas will act with circumspection in a matter of this sort and in obedience to the instructions he has already recd (see Circular and end of 16 May/61) an expression of the Duke of Newcastle's hope that Mr Douglas will exercise due vigilance in preventing the violation of the Queen's Proclamation may not be misplaced.

I should think that stringent instructions ought to be addressed to Governor Douglas, directing him to use every effort in his power to prevent any Privateers or vessels of war being fitted out from Vancouver Island and from British Columbia for the service of either of the belligerents? We may perhaps add that with reference to the Circular Instructions of 16 May 1861 and to Governor Douglas's answer, the Duke of Newcastle cannot doubt that he will already have felt the propriety of this course, but that adverting to the recent rumors, the Duke of Newcastle has thought it right not to omit repeating directions to him to adhere strictly to the duties of neutrality and to prevent the unlawful equipment at a British Port of any vessel destined for warlike purposes?

In answer to the Foreign Office, we might inform them of the Instructions which were issued on the 16 May 1861 and of Governor Douglas's answer that he had duly conformed to the same, and might then enclose a copy of the further directions now given to the Governor?

Lyons to Earl Russell, 7 April 1863, forwarding copy of a note from W.H. Seward, U.S. Department of State, regarding reports of an attempt to outfit a ship in Vancouver Island for use as a privateer for the Confederate States.

Seward to Lyons, 31 March 1863, calling the attention of the British government to the incident as noted above with a view to preventing similar incidents in the future.

Lyons to Seward 2 April 1863, advising that copies of his note had been forwarded to London and to Vancouver Island.

Lyons to Douglas, 2 April 1863, forwarding copy of the note from Seward.

Lyons to Russell, 17 April 1863, forwarding correspondence relative to the issue and stressing the apprehension of the American government that such incident should not be repeated at any British Colony in the neighbourhood of the U.S.

Seward to Lyons, 15 April 1863, forwarding a telegram from the Collector of Customs at San Francisco, for transmission to the colonial authorities in London.

Telegram, T.E. Rankin, Collector, to [Seward], received 15 April 1863, reporting the Collector at Puget Sound advises of plans by "active" Secessionists for fitting out privateers at Victoria.

Telegram, Lyons to W.L. Booker, British Consul at San Francisco, no date, asking that he write at once to Douglas on the subject and to ask for assurance that "all vigilance will be used to discover & frustrate any such attempts."

Lyons to Seward, 16 April 1863, advising that copies of his letter and enclosures would be forwarded to London and Vancouver Island, and informing that instructions had been telegraphed to Booker to commence communication with the governor on the subject.

Lyons to Douglas, 16 April 1863, forwarding copy of Seward's letter and its enclosure and stressing the importance of reassuring the Americans as soon as possible that the incident would not be repeated.

Elliot to Hammond, 11 May 1863, advising that the Governor had already been instructed on the subject, but that a further reminder would be sent that he should do all in his power to ensure the colonies "adhere strictly to the duties of neutrality."

Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 15, 8 May 1863.