Colonial Despatches

Despatch to London. Minutes (2), Other documents (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.

Seymour acknowledges receiving Carnarvon’s despatch regarding on the subject of the sale of Spirituous liquors to the Indians in Vancouver Island and informs Carnarvon that the Indian liquor law of the Mainland [has been extended] over the whole Colony of British Columbia. Cox’s minute suggests informing the Hudson’s Bay Company that the the Indian Liquor Law of the mainland has been extended to Vancouver Island. The included document describes correspondence to the Hudson’s Bay Company advising that the British Columbia Indian liquor law had been extended to include Vancouver Island.