<persName ref="prs:douglas_j"><surname>Douglas</surname>, <forename>James</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:labouchere_h"><surname>Labouchere</surname>, <forename>Henry</forename></persName> 20 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 11583, 110. Douglas addressee Labouchere

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Douglas, James to Labouchere, Henry 20 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 11583, 110.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/V56025.html. CO 305:07 CO 305 7 11583 110 25 V.I. 1856 received 29 December co_305_07_00111r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Despatch to London. Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), 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.

Douglas reports that he was requested by Commander Swartwout of the U.S. Navy to help locate murderers of a man near Seattle. Douglas declined to help but offered advice in tactics and to uphold the Extradition Treaty if the murderers were to hide in the British territories.

The minutes acknowledge and approve of Douglas’s actions.

Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere approving the course Douglas took in his dealings with the American Navy, as well as a copy of Swartwout’s letter to Douglas requesting assistance in the arrest of some indigenous men accused of murder.

 Douglas, James
Victoria Vancouver's Island
Labouchere, Henry Inserted revisionDesc with @status="unproofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
No. 25 11583, CO 305/7, p. 110; received 29 December
Victoria Vancouver's Island
20th October 1856 Sir

1. I have the honor of enclosing herewith a copy of a communication which I lately received from Commander Swartwout, commanding the naval Forces of the United States within the Straits of Juan de Fuca, reporting that an American citizen had been cruelly murdered by the natives near the town of Seattle, and requesting my aid and assistance towards arresting thethe murderers. The letter was delivered by Captain Swartwout in person, and he also informed me that the murder was committed on the 3rd of this present month.

2. For obvious reasons I declined interfering with the arrest of the murderers, except in the case of their taking refuge within the British settlements, when I agreed to sanction the execution of any process issued by the Magistrates of Washington Territory and embraced by the provisions of the Extradition Treaty.

3. I also made it obvious to Captain Swartwout that the moral effect of the punishment on the Indian mind would be altogether destroyed if the arrest were made by the British authorities, and I advised him to chase the murderers toto their homes, and to arrest them if necessary in the midst of their friends being the course which in every attempt on the lives of British subjects we have been compelled to resort to.

4. He did not however seem disposed to follow my advice; and I presume the Indians have made their escape. I am convinced that none of them have been seen, or heard of in this quarter; especially as I have, on all occasions, warned the Natives, that offenders against the laws of the United States, are not to seek harbour in the British settlements. If permitted to do so, they might be claimed by the United States' authorities, and their arrest on British Territory, would most certainly embroil us with their friends.

I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient humble Servant James Douglas Governor The Right HonbleHonourable Henry Labouchere Esqre Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State For the Colonial Department.
Mr Merivale Acknowledge & approve the Govrs proceedings? VJ 30 Decr HM D 30 JB Jan 3 HL 4
Draft reply, Labouchere to Douglas, No. 2, 7 January 1857.
Commander S. Swartwout, USS Massachusetts, to Douglas, 4 October 1856, requesting assistance in the arrest of some Indigenous men for murder.