Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Wodehouse, John to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 11 June 1868, CO 60:34, no. 6119, 254.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Wodehouse transmits a letter extract from Tolmie regarding
the right of British vessels to [have] free access to the Stikine River inAlaska. Wodehouse describes article 6 from the treaty between Russia and Britain as evidence supporting the right of British vessels to access the Stikine River. Wodehouse requests Buckingham
to obtain for the Company relief from the grievance complained of in Mr Tolmie's letter.Cox’s minute suggests seeing
12847 from F.O.Holland’s minute suggests sending the despatch to the Foreign Office and comments on the opinion of the Queen’s Advocate. The included document describe how British ships are being forced to pay a fee at Sitka while traveling to British Columbia on the Stikine River.
Kimberley to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
Hudsons Bay House
London
11th June 1868
London
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith an extract of a letter
received from the principal officer of the Hudson's Bay Company
in British Columbia, dated Victoria, Vancouver's Island 29th
April 1868, on the question of the right of British vessels to
free access to the Stikine River in the Territory, recently
ceded by the Russian Government to the United States.
By the 6th article of the Convention between Great Britainand
and
Russia dated St. Peter[s]burgh 16/28 February 1825, it is
provided—
That the subjects of His Britanic Majesty, from whatever
quarter they may arrive, whether from the Ocean or from the
interior of the Continent, shall for ever enjoy the right of
navigating freely and without any hindrance whatever, all the
rivers and streams which in their course towards the Pacific
Ocean may cross the line of demarcation upon the line of Coast
described in Article III of the present Convention,
and the Company presume that there can be no doubt that this
Article is binding on theUnited
United States as the present possessor
of the Territory.
and
Russia dated St. Peter[s]burgh 16/28 February 1825, it is
provided—
That the subjects of His Britanic Majesty, from whatever
quarter they may arrive, whether from the Ocean or from the
interior of the Continent, shall for ever enjoy the right of
navigating freely and without any hindrance whatever, all the
rivers and streams which in their course towards the Pacific
Ocean may cross the line of demarcation upon the line of Coast
described in Article III of the present Convention,
and the Company presume that there can be no doubt that this
Article is binding on theUnited
United States as the present possessor
of the Territory.
I am therefore to request that you will move His Grace the Duke
of Buckingham and Chandos to take steps to have this matter
brought under the consideration of the United States Government
and to obtain for the Company relief from the grievance complained
of in Mr Tolmie's letter.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
This should go (I presume) to the Foreign Office, as it is to be brought under the notice of the US Govt. The Queen's Advocate's opinion is I fear somewhat adverse to the view taken by the Hudson's Bay Compy.
This should go (I presume) to the Foreign Office, as it is to be brought under the notice of the US Govt. The Queen's Advocate's opinion is I fear somewhat adverse to the view taken by the Hudson's Bay Compy.
HTH
13/6
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, W.F. Tolmie, Chief Factor, to W.G. Smith, Secretary,
Hudson's Bay Company, 29 April 1868, complaining that British
ships were being required to pay "a light due of $150 00/100 each
trip" to the Americans
at Sitka while enroute to British territory on the Stikine River.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office, 25 June
1868, forwarding copy of the letter and enclosure for consideration.