Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 21 November 1868, CO 60:33, no. 102, 459.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
Seymour acknowledges receiving correspondence from the Colonial Office regarding Captain Allen’s promotion and remarks on the current ranks of the officers commanding the British
and American garrisons on San Juan Island. Seymour encloses his public and confidential replies to the correspondence on the disparity
of rank between the American and British commanders on San Juan Island from
Her Majesty's Minister at Washington.Seymour describes the current atmosphere on San Juan Island. Cox’s minute suggests sending Seymour’s despatch to the Foreign Office. Blake’s minute suggests seeing
subsequent 123/537 Novr 30, 1868, Confl/834 Dec 14, 1868.
No. 121
Victoria
21st November 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have had the honor to receive Your Grace's despatch No. 82 of
the 2nd October enclosing a correspondence relative to the
promotion to therank
rank of Major of Captain Allen in Command of
the United States Troops at San Juan and the propriety of his
retaining that Command with his new rank.
rank of Major of Captain Allen in Command of
the United States Troops at San Juan and the propriety of his
retaining that Command with his new rank.
2. The case appears to be virtually settled by the Brevet Rank
conferred on Captain Delacombe, the English Commandant, as
Communicated to me in Your Grace's despatch No. 83 of 2nd
October. TheAmerican
American Garrison is now under the command of
Captain Nickerson.
American Garrison is now under the command of
Captain Nickerson.
3. I enclose copies of my replies both Public and Confidential
to the representations made to me on this subject by Her
Majesty's Minister at Washington.
4. The utmost good feeling prevails between the two camps and
the Island is making greatprogress
progress under military law and the
absence of taxation. The settlers number between four and five
hundred.
progress under military law and the
absence of taxation. The settlers number between four and five
hundred.
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Seymour to Edward Thornton, H.B.M. Minister at Washington, 1
November 1868, regarding the disparity of rank of the British and
American commanding officers on San Juan Island.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office, 19 January
1869, forwarding copy of the despatch for information.