Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 14 March 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6170, 162.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (2), Marginalia (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.
In regards to his recent despatch concerning the Legislative Council’s request for
increased naval protection, Seymour makes some confidential observances on
the defenceless state of the Colonyand the dangers that he feels are posed by the Collins Telegraph Company’s proposal to
import from six hundred to one thousand men . . . [some of whom] have served in the American Army.While Elliot minutes his support of Seymour’s concerns regarding the telegraph company, he stands by his earlier opinion that the request for naval support be denied. Cardwell minutes that
all this tends to show the desirability of reuniting these two Colonies.
Confidential
14th March 1865
Sir,
With reference to my despatch No. 24 of yesterday's
date, I wish to make some remarks on the defenceless state
of the Colony, which you might perhaps not wish to see in
a public despatch.
2. Beyond the few oldguns
guns mounted in some of the
almost dismantled Hudson's Bay forts, there is not a cannon
in the Colony. The salutes I alluded to in some of my
despatches as having been fired in my honor were simply loud
explosions, of gunpowder placed between two anvils, one of
which on each occasion was blown into the air. I was recently
visited by the United States sloop of War "Shubrick," and had
to send to request the Commander not to salute as I had not
the means of returning the compliment. There appearslikely
likely
to be a rush of many thousands of American citizens to our
newly discovered gold fields this year and we shall have to
rely exclusively on moral influence for their control.
guns mounted in some of the
almost dismantled Hudson's Bay forts, there is not a cannon
in the Colony. The salutes I alluded to in some of my
despatches as having been fired in my honor were simply loud
explosions, of gunpowder placed between two anvils, one of
which on each occasion was blown into the air. I was recently
visited by the United States sloop of War "Shubrick," and had
to send to request the Commander not to salute as I had not
the means of returning the compliment. There appearslikely
likely
to be a rush of many thousands of American citizens to our
newly discovered gold fields this year and we shall have to
rely exclusively on moral influence for their control.
They have never yet misconducted themselves.
3. I need scarcely remind you that we have but a
permanent white population of about three thousand, surrounded
by Indians to the number, it is estimated of forty thousand.
4. But the most important consideration which I would
ventureto
to bring before you, is that steps are now being taken
for the construction in this Territory of the Telegraph which
is to connect the United States with Russia. It hardly rests
with me to point out the closeness of the friendship which,
it is believed on the Pacific, unites those two Countries,
but it is obvious that in the event of our unhappily being at
war with either power, it would be most important for that
power to keep up its telegraphic communication.The
The one with
America. The other with Asia and Europe as the case might be.
This in the present condition of things might be effected at
once by an attack on British Columbia.
to bring before you, is that steps are now being taken
for the construction in this Territory of the Telegraph which
is to connect the United States with Russia. It hardly rests
with me to point out the closeness of the friendship which,
it is believed on the Pacific, unites those two Countries,
but it is obvious that in the event of our unhappily being at
war with either power, it would be most important for that
power to keep up its telegraphic communication.The
The one with
America. The other with Asia and Europe as the case might be.
This in the present condition of things might be effected at
once by an attack on British Columbia.
5. The Collins Telegraphic Company have the right to
erect blockhouses and forts within this Colony for the protection
of the Company's Servants, against the native tribes. The
Director of the Company here, Colonel Buckley, is an Officer
of the UnitedStates
States Engineers. He proposes to import from
six hundred to one thousand men for the construction of the
line and for its proper defense. Of the few men who have
already arrived several have served in the American Army and
it is probable that the interior of the Colony will soon be
virtually in their hands.
States Engineers. He proposes to import from
six hundred to one thousand men for the construction of the
line and for its proper defense. Of the few men who have
already arrived several have served in the American Army and
it is probable that the interior of the Colony will soon be
virtually in their hands.
6. Under these circumstances I venture to support the
prayer of the Legislative Council that some portion of Her
Majesty's Navalforces
forces be stationed, when not required
elsewhere in the Fraser.
forces be stationed, when not required
elsewhere in the Fraser.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Cardwell
The facts mentioned here by Governor Seymour about the American old Soldiers who are coming in to make their telegraph, and are to have a right of lodging themselves in block houses for security appear rather striking.
The facts mentioned here by Governor Seymour about the American old Soldiers who are coming in to make their telegraph, and are to have a right of lodging themselves in block houses for security appear rather striking.
In other respects and as to his appeal for protection
by the presence of Naval forces, I have submitted what I
have to say on 6169.
TFE
6 July
Copy to F.O. for Ld Russell's information. All this
tends to show the desirability of reuniting these two Colonies.
EC
28 Augt
Other documents included in the file
Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 6 September 1865,
forwarding copy of the despatch for information.
