Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer to Douglas, James 30 December 1858, LAC RG7:G8C/6, 523.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
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.
Lytton enquires if Douglas finds it
feasibleto settle the indigenous population of British Columbia
permanently in Villages.Lytton believes that
with such settlement, civilization at once begins.
No. 62
Downing Street,
30 December 1858
Sir,
With reference to my Despatches of this day's date on the present
condition of British Columbia, I wish to add a few observations on the
policy to be adopted towards the Indian Tribes.
The success that has attended your transactions withthose
those Tribes
induces me to inquire if you think it might be feasible to settle them
permanently in Villages; with such settlement, civilization at once
begins. Law and Religion would become naturally introduced amongst the
Red Men and contribute to their own security against the aggressions of
Immigrants and while by indirect taxation on the additional Articles
they would purchase they would contribute to the Colonial Revenue, some
light and simple form of direct taxation the proceeds of whichwould
would be
expended strictly and solely on their own wants and improvement, might
obtain their consent.
those Tribes
induces me to inquire if you think it might be feasible to settle them
permanently in Villages; with such settlement, civilization at once
begins. Law and Religion would become naturally introduced amongst the
Red Men and contribute to their own security against the aggressions of
Immigrants and while by indirect taxation on the additional Articles
they would purchase they would contribute to the Colonial Revenue, some
light and simple form of direct taxation the proceeds of whichwould
would be
expended strictly and solely on their own wants and improvement, might
obtain their consent.
Sir George Grey has thus at the Cape been recently enabled to
locate the Kafirs in
Villages,
1
and from that measure, if succeeding
Governors carry out, with judgment and good fortune, the designs
originating in the thoughtful policy of that vigorous and accomplished
Governor, I trust that the posterity of those long barbarous populations
may date theirentrance
entrance into the pale of civilized life.
entrance into the pale of civilized life.
Footnotes
- = Indigenous peoples policy Sir George Grey (1812-98) was appointed governor of Cape Colony and high commissioner in South Africa in 1854, having served previously as governor of South Australia, 1841-45, and New Zealand, 1846-54. Grey believed the Kafirs (Bantu speaking Africans, also called Xhosa) should be assimilated into "civilized" white culture. He therefore promoted involvement of blacks in the local economy and encouraged white settlers, mostly Germans, to migrate to British Kaffraria, which was constituted as a crown colony without any legislature whatever. The British government rejected Grey's plans and recalled him in 1859. Grey was reappointed in 1860 but remained at the Cape only for a year before returning to New Zealand. Laura, add notes for citation. Cf. minutes on ?? above.