Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Cardwell, Edward to Seymour, Frederick 14 March 1865, NAC RG7:G8C/12, 100.
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.
Cardwell requests that Seymour enquire after the fate of Captain Venables, who
disappeared suddenly from New Westminsterand whose family believes that
he may have met with some violent death in British Columbia, or possibly may still be alive in the hands of the Indians.
No. 14
Downing Street
14th March 1865
Sir,
I have recently received an enquiry relative to the fate of Captain
Venables who is represented to have disappeared suddenly from New
Westminster, it is supposed about the month of August last.
His relatives are very anxious to obtain tidings of his fate; they
fear that he may have met with some violentdeath
death in British Columbia,
or possibly may still be alive in the hands of the Indians.
death in British Columbia,
or possibly may still be alive in the hands of the Indians.
I have to request that you will cause enquiries to be made in the
Colony, and that you will furnish me with any information on the subject
which you may be able to obtain.