<persName ref="prs:pelly_jh"><surname>Pelly</surname>, <forename>John</forename> <forename>Henry</forename> </persName> to <persName ref="prs:pakington"><surname>Pakington</surname>, <forename>John</forename> <forename>Somerset</forename></persName> 3 May 1852, CO 305:3, no. 3779, 447. Pelly addressee Pakington

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Pelly, John Henry to Pakington, John Somerset 3 May 1852, CO 305:3, no. 3779, 447.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/V525HB11.html. CO 305:03 CO 305 3 3779 447 Memo V.I. 1852 received 4 May co_305_03_00456r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Public Offices document. Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).

Pelly writes to Pakington to request a packet sent by Douglas, and a copy of a letter written from Douglas to Moresby on American activities at Haida Gwaii.

The minutes discuss the military and jurisdictional need to legally protect British interests at Haida Gwaii.

Of the two enclosures, the first is Douglas’ letter to Moresby on American interests in the discovery of gold at Haida Gwaii; the second is the Colonial Office’s draft to Hamilton, which forwards Douglas’ aforementioned letter, along with a request to the Admiralty to dispatch a warship to Haida Gwaii, and grant its Commanding Officer a Commission of the Peace.

 Pelly, John Henry
Hudson's Bay House
Pakington, John Somerset Inserted revisionDesc with @status="proofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
3779, CO 305/3, p. 447; received 4 May

Sir J.H. Pelly presents his compliments to Sir John Pakington, and begs to hand him a packet addressed to the late Secretary for the Colonies which has been received today from the Governor of Vancouver's Island, and also the copy of a letter from the Governor to Rear Admiral Moresby, relative to the proceedings and views of American Adventurers in regard to Queen Charlotte's Island.

Hudson's Bay House
May 3rd 1852
Mr Merivale In the despt recdreceived yesterday the Governor mentioned having applied to the British Admiral in the Pacific for protection for british interests at Queen Charlotte's Island. I really think it is time some vigorous proceedings should be taken by the British GovtGovernment to maintain order in this distant place, & establish regulations concerning the gold mines. The Island is within Canadian Jurisdiction, and properly speaking a communication should be addressed to Lord Elgin on the subject.

In the meanwhile I must continue of opinion that the Admiralty should be specially ordered to send a Ship of War there, the Captain thereof having a Commission of Justice of the Peace, or there will be great disorder & discredit ensuing in the place.

ABd 4 May
This is already under Sir J. Pakingtons' consideration. This letter is nearly the same with the dispatch which has been sent by us to the Company, & this crossing of the same information is rather inconvenient. It is evident that prompt action is needed if there is to be any. A naval force might be sent. and no party might be allowed to work the quartz without licence from the District GovrGovernor. But whether foreign vessels could be prevented from touching at Q. Charlotte's Id consistently with present navigation acts & treaties, I am not so sure. HM May 4
Exceptional cases may always be warranted by circumstances. At the same time any other expedient would be preferable. D 5
Answer that this subject has been previously brought under my notice & that I have submitted questions connected with it for the Consideratn of the Foreign Office & the Admiralty. JSP 6
Douglas to Moresby, 29 January 1852, describing how the discovery of gold on Queen Charlotte Island had prompted interest amongst parties of American adventurers.
Draft, Colonial Office to Hamilton, Admiralty, Immediate, 13 May 1852, forwarding copies of Douglas' despatches and letter to Moresby that "render it imperative that warship be sent to Queen Charlotte Island" and requesting the Admiralty to instruct the Rear Admiral on the Pacific Station to "despatch such a force . . . as their Lordships may consider adequate for the service," and that the officer in command should be provided with a Commission of the Peace.
(This I presume is for the information of the Admiralty. The Commission would require to be prepared here, & needs a little consideration. HM