<persName ref="prs:smith_wg"><surname>Smith</surname>, <forename>William</forename> <forename>G.</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:fortescue"><surname>Fortescue</surname>, <forename>Chichester</forename></persName> 28 October 1857, CO 305:8, no. 9836, 339. Smith addressee Under-Secretary of State

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Smith, William G. to Fortescue, Chichester 28 October 1857, CO 305:8, no. 9836, 339.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/V575MI08.html. CO 305:08 CO 305 8 9836 339 V.I. 1857 received 29 October co_305_08_00339r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Public Offices document. Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).

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.

Smith writes on behalf of the HBC to the Colonial Office regarding the murder of Isaac Ebey by Northern (British) Indians. The HBC expressed their regret that this incident will likely disturb the peace which has hitherto prevailed on the Northern side of the Boundary line.

 Smith, William G.
Hudson's Bay House
Fortescue, Chichester Inserted revisionDesc with @status="unproofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
Smith to Under-Secretary of State 9836, CO 305/8, p. 339; received 29 October
Hudson's Bay House
October 28, 1857 Sir

I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company to transmit, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, the accompanying Extract from a letter recently received from the Governor of Vancouver's Island, communicating the fact of an attack having been made by some Northern (British) Indians on the house of Colonel Ebey (late United States Collector of Customs) on Whidby's Island, Washington Territory, which resulted in the murder of that gentleman.

In communicating the above circumstance the Governor and Committee desire me to express their regret that this unfortunate occurrenceshould should have taken place, as it appears likely to disturb the peace which has hitherto prevailed on the Northern side of the Boundary line.

I have the honour to be Sir Your obedient Servant W.G. Smith SecycompanySecretary The Under Secretary of State &c &c &c Colonial Office
Mr Fortescue Acke. Communicate to the Foreign Office.

This is an unfortunate occurrence but it is not in the power of the British Authorities, few as they are in this Settlement, to control the Indians living within their territories, any more than the Authorities of the U. States can control the Indians who reside on their lands. Hitherto the British Indians have been well behaved. But there always exist grounds of apprehension on account of these savages, against whom we have no military, or other force save a few constables to oppose, when our people are attacked.

ABd 30 Octr CF 31
Acknowledge & express regret—& desire that every effort shd [be] made to discover & punish the offenders. Communicate to Foreign office. HL 1
Draft, Elliot to Smith, 9 November 1857, expressing regret at the murder.
Draft, Elliot to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 9 November 1857, forwarding copy of the letter and enclosure.
Extract, Douglas to Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, 13 August 1857, reporting that a group of "Northern Indians" had murdered Ebey "and carried off his head as a trophy. His wife and family fortunately escaped . . . by concealing themselves in the neighbouring forest. This affair will lead to something serious."