Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Burdett-Coutts, Angela Georgina to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 16 April 1859, CO 60:6, no. 4415, 398.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (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.
Coutts expresses her concern that William Walker, an infamous American filibuster, may be heading to British Columbia.
The minutes
thank her for the troublebut see no reason to alert the Foreign Office.
Coutts to Lytton
I am much obliged by Your explicit Letter. I am glad to find
You do not have office & hope Your Health may soon be benefitted. I
should not trouble you now, but that I have been much pressed to
point out to You, a circumstance which has arrested the attention of
some 
very intelligent Gentlemen here, who have paid considerable
attention to the American Policy. There appeared in the Times of
last Monday or Tuesday, I think, a small paragraph to the effect that
the well known
Walker had reached California in disguise & these Gentlemen
have connected this singular circumstance with
possible intentions 
in British Columbia on the part of the
Americans—with or without direct support from their Govt. With,
a War, probable in Europe—Indians not wholly quiet & recent disturbances
in British Columbia where there are few Troops the movement would not be
unfavourable—of its likelihood I can of course form no opinion. If
the various pieces of intelligence respecting Walkers movements in this
guise be important 
the circumstance has most probably attracted
the attention of HM Govt. Still as it was named to me so seriously
by persons of intelligence & judgement & I should be very sorry for
the Bishop of Columbia to find Walker amongst his Parishioners
I thought I would bring it privately under Your notice but this letter
requires no answer & pray do not reply in any way.
very intelligent Gentlemen here, who have paid considerable
attention to the American Policy. There appeared in the Times of
last Monday or Tuesday, I think, a small paragraph to the effect that
the well known
Walker had reached California in disguise & these Gentlemen
have connected this singular circumstance with
possible intentions 
in British Columbia on the part of the
Americans—with or without direct support from their Govt. With,
a War, probable in Europe—Indians not wholly quiet & recent disturbances
in British Columbia where there are few Troops the movement would not be
unfavourable—of its likelihood I can of course form no opinion. If
the various pieces of intelligence respecting Walkers movements in this
guise be important 
the circumstance has most probably attracted
the attention of HM Govt. Still as it was named to me so seriously
by persons of intelligence & judgement & I should be very sorry for
the Bishop of Columbia to find Walker amongst his Parishioners
I thought I would bring it privately under Your notice but this letter
requires no answer & pray do not reply in any way.
Minutes by CO staff
Lord Carnarvon
Civility to Miss B. Coutts might perhaps make it proper for your Ldship, in Sir Edward's absence, to thank her for the trouble she has taken in directing the attention of HM Govt to the alleged movements of Walker—the Fillibuster, and If you thought it worth while, which I do not myself, you could send a copy of her Letter to the For: Office.
Civility to Miss B. Coutts might perhaps make it proper for your Ldship, in Sir Edward's absence, to thank her for the trouble she has taken in directing the attention of HM Govt to the alleged movements of Walker—the Fillibuster, and If you thought it worth while, which I do not myself, you could send a copy of her Letter to the For: Office.
I will write to Miss B Coutts. I hardly think that it is
necessary to send a copy to the F.O.
C
Apl 30