<persName ref="prs:seymour_f"><surname>Seymour</surname>, <forename>Frederick</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:cardwell"><surname>Cardwell</surname>, <forename>Edward</forename></persName> 31 August 1864, CO 60:19, no. 10594, 95. Seymour addressee Cardwell

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 31 August 1864, CO 60:19, no. 10594, 95.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B64230.html. CO 60:19 CO 60 19 10594 95 30 B.C. 1864 received 17 November co_60_19_00096r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Despatch to London. Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).

This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.

Seymour reports on a meeting with Fraser River Indians on Queen Victoria’s birthday. About 3500 people attended the meeting. Seymour also submits an address signed by 55 Stó:lō chiefs to the Queen as well as his address to the delegation.

 Seymour, Frederick Cardwell, Edward Added abstract. Inserted revisionDesc.
No. 30 10594, CO 60/19, p. 95; received 17 November 31st August 1864 Sir,

On the departure of Sir James Douglas, who had been known by the Indians as a great Chief, the principal Authority in this territory, for upwards of forty years, an impression was allowed to arise among them that their protector was withdrawn and would have no successor. The Fraser River Indians uttered many lamentations over theirdeserted deserted condition, and it became desirable for me to make myself known to the natives and show them that I had succeeded to all the power of my predecessor and to his solicitude for their welfare. With this object I invited the Catholic priests and others to bring in all the Indians who were willing to come to New Westminster and meet me on the Queen's birthday.

2. About three thousand five hundred attended the Summons. They came by water, and the priests marshalled the procession of canoes, which formed an extremely striking scene as they roundeda a point of the Fraser and approached my house. The Indians sang a Catholic hymn until they passed under my windows, when they cheered vociferously. They landed at the site selected for a Public Park, where luncheon was provided at the expense of the Government. I joined them in the afternoon when the enclosed addresses were exchanged between the Chiefs and myself.

3. The day was observed as a holiday by all, and passed off with perfect tranquillity. For the following week the shopsin in New Westminster were constantly filled with eager purchasers, and then the Indians began to return home, their canoes loaded with goods. On my recent tour in the interior the Chiefs who had spent Her Majesty's birth day at New Westminster everywhere came forward to give me a respectful and friendly welcome. I am now as well known on the Valley of the Fraser and the Thompson as my predecessor—No white man better in the Bella Coola and Chilicoten Country.

4. The Native gathering, probably the largest ever seen on this side of the Rocky Mountains was themore more interesting and important from the fact that all were then excited by the recent intelligence of the terrible massacre of our Countrymen at Bute Inlet, and vague rumours were in circulation of a general insurrection of the Indians being imminent. But the aspect and behaviour of the thousands who came to New Westminster was reassuring, and I may mention that on the day after the celebration, when the Theatre at the Camp was burnt down, the Indians proved their good will towards the Government by bringing out from Town andworking working, one of the fire Engines gratuitously. As the Natives returned home they seldom failed to give farewell cheers as they passed my house.

5. I regret that unavoidable circumstances growing out of other and very different transactions with the Indians, prevented my earlier forwarding the enclosed speeches, which show good feeling to exist, in this neighbourhood, at least, between the Natives and the immigrants.

I have the honor to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Frederick Seymour
Mr Elliot Acknowledge? VJ 19 Nov
I think that this despatch might be acknowledged with some expression of approval of the kind disposition shown by the Governor towards the Fraser River Indians, and of his endeavour to make them receive with satisfaction his accession to the Government. TFE 21 Novr EC 23
Address, Assembled Indian Chiefs of the districts of New Westminster, Fort Yale, Fort Douglas, and Lillooet to Seymour, no date, expressing welcome and their sense of loyalty to the Queen and her admiministration in the colony, 55 Stó:lō chiefs represented.
Seymour to "My Indian Friends," responding to the address and promising that "good Indians" will be treated well by the administration, and that "bad white men" and "bad Indians" would be treated accordingly.
Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 45, 26 November 1864, acknowledging "with satisfaction" receipt of Seymour's despatch.