Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 28 July 1868, CO 60:33, no. 9906, 9.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (1).
Seymour forwards reports regarding potential Fenian actions against British Columbia. Seymour describes a Fenian
plotto abduct Seymour and how Seymour, with the help of Hastings, intends to respond to the potential Fenian actions against the colony. Cox’s minute describes the reports Seymour forwarded and suggests seeing a
previous communication from Mr Pemberton.Elliot’s minute suggests approving of Seymour’s response to the Fenian threat in British Columbia. Blake’s minute suggests seeing
subsequent Admy/13555.Included documents describe the potential for Fenian attacks in Victoria and responses from Seymour and volunteers in Victoria.
Separate
Victoria
28th July 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to forward copies of certain reports from the
Police Magistrate of this town respecting the supposed
intentions of the Fenians against it. Warningswere
were also received
on the same subject from Her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco.
were also received
on the same subject from Her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco.
2. Before leaving New Westminster I received several anonymous
letters warning me of the existence of a plot to carry me off,
and though I took no notice of them the Victoria Volunteers sent
the telegram, copy of which I enclose and Admiral Hastings
ordered, though unsolicitedby
by me, an Officer and twenty Marines
to be ready for Service at New Westminster.
by me, an Officer and twenty Marines
to be ready for Service at New Westminster.
3. The Government House at Victoria where I now reside is
isolated on the top of a hill not a mile from the sea, in full
view of the American shore. It is about four miles from
Esquimalt where the ships of war lie and, therefore, there would
be no practical difficulty in carrying out any designswhich
which the
Fenians might entertain against me as representing the British
Government. Under these circumstances, and with the advice of
the Executive Council, I have accepted Admiral Hastings' offer
of a Guard for Government House, or rather for myself, and am
about to build a small guard house at the Expense of the Crown Fund.
which the
Fenians might entertain against me as representing the British
Government. Under these circumstances, and with the advice of
the Executive Council, I have accepted Admiral Hastings' offer
of a Guard for Government House, or rather for myself, and am
about to build a small guard house at the Expense of the Crown Fund.
4. I trust that YourGrace
Grace will approve of these arrangements.
Grace will approve of these arrangements.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Reporting Fenian proceedings at San Francisco—see previous communication from Mr Pemberton in the Govrs 8826 herewith.
Reporting Fenian proceedings at San Francisco—see previous communication from Mr Pemberton in the Govrs 8826 herewith.
CC
10 Sept
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
A.F. Pemberton, Police Magistrate, to Colonial Secretary, 25
June 1868, regarding the threat of Fenian attack on Victoria.
Telegram, B.W. Pearse, Captain of Victoria Volunteers, to
Seymour, 6 March 1868, offering their services.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, Confidential, 16 September
1868 conveying Buckingham’s approval of how Seymour intends to respond to the Fenian threat in Victoria.