Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 2 April 1867, CO 60:28, no. 5073, 2.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
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.
Seymour discusses the presence of a law in British Columbia enabling the governor to declare martial law and provides a detailed example of tension
between
Chilcoten Indiansand white settlers, which resulted in the hanging of indigennous leaders, where martial law was not required. Gairdner’s minute suggests keeping things
as decided on the recent Ceylon Dispatch for considerationand that
the Eastern Dept should see it.Rogers minutes that
Mr Seymour managed this Indian business with great…judgement.
No. 51
2nd April 1867
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Circular
despatches of the 26th and 30th of January, on the
subject of the proclamation of Martial Law. The latterdespatch
despatch states that you are not aware whether any law
authorizing the proclamation of Martial Law by the Governor
exists in this Colony.
despatch states that you are not aware whether any law
authorizing the proclamation of Martial Law by the Governor
exists in this Colony.
2. There is no law authorizing any such proclamation
here, but I shall not shrink from accepting the grave
responsibility of proclaiming Martial Law should imperative
circumstances require it.
3. I may mention thatin
in May 1864, when the massacre by
the Chilicoten Indians of a Road party at Bute Inlet was
followed by the extermination of the whites from the sea to
the Upper Fraser I did not think it necessary to proclaim Martial
Law. Two strong and efficient bands of Volunteers were started
from Cariboo and New Westminster respectively but every man
was sworn in as a special Constableand
and the Chiefs, two
experienced Magistrates, were appointed Commissioners of Oyer
and Terminer in order that a legal trial might be afforded to
any prisoners taken. As an additional precaution I accompanied
the New Westminster party myself. Though a valuable life was
lost in skirmishing with the natives, and several wounds received
the prisoners when driven to
surrender weretried
tried by the Chief Judge of the Colony and a Jury. None
but the Chiefs were executed. Six were hung at Quesnelmouth, and one at
New Westminster. A total immunity from Indian disturbances since then
has been the consequences of our proceedings.
in May 1864, when the massacre by
the Chilicoten Indians of a Road party at Bute Inlet was
followed by the extermination of the whites from the sea to
the Upper Fraser I did not think it necessary to proclaim Martial
Law. Two strong and efficient bands of Volunteers were started
from Cariboo and New Westminster respectively but every man
was sworn in as a special Constableand
and the Chiefs, two
experienced Magistrates, were appointed Commissioners of Oyer
and Terminer in order that a legal trial might be afforded to
any prisoners taken. As an additional precaution I accompanied
the New Westminster party myself. Though a valuable life was
lost in skirmishing with the natives, and several wounds received
the prisoners when driven to
surrender weretried
tried by the Chief Judge of the Colony and a Jury. None
but the Chiefs were executed. Six were hung at Quesnelmouth, and one at
New Westminster. A total immunity from Indian disturbances since then
has been the consequences of our proceedings.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Keep as decided on the recent Ceylon Dispatch for consideration when the answers generally have been received, but in the mean time the Eastern Dept should see it?
Keep as decided on the recent Ceylon Dispatch for consideration when the answers generally have been received, but in the mean time the Eastern Dept should see it?
GG
28 May
Mr Seymour managed this Indian business with great [illegible]
& judgement.