Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pakington, John Somerset 2 March 1853, CO 305:4, no. 5423, 8.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (transcribed) (2), Other documents (1), Marginalia (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.
Douglas writes to Pakington to discuss, first, the practical and administrative transfer of former-Govenor Blanshard’s official correspondence and related documents. Second, Douglas notes Pakington's approval of Douglas’s earlier
proceedings in the settlement of the difficulty with the Songies Indians,and that he will be careful to avoid further
collisions.Finally, Douglas confirms the receipt of the
Book of Regulations for the guidance of the Governor's of Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions,and submits that he will study, as instructed, the rules on correspondence intended for the Secretary of State.
In the minutes, Blackwood observes that Blanshard did not, in fact, leave Douglas copies of his former correspondence with the Secretary of State, said to be lost
crossing Panama, and that Douglas should receive copies of Blanshard’s correspondence with the Colonial Office.
Of the two enclosures, the first is a list of official documents, transferred by Blanshard to the Council of Vancouver Island; the second is a draft reply, from Newcastle to Douglas, regarding the transfer Blanshard’s correspondence.
No. 2
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of
the 2nd of August, with copy of a letter from Mr Blanchard
[Blanshard] late Governor of Vancouver's Island, in reply to your demand
calling upon him, to deliver to the Colonial Office, copies of his
correspondence with the Secretary of State, while holding the Office of
Governor of Vancouver's Island.
2. I observe that Mr Blanchard remarks in his reply, that Copies or originals of his whole official correspondence,
as Governor of
Vancouver's Island, were left by him amongthe
the documents, which on his
retirement he transferred to the Council of which Mr Douglas was the
Senior Member, and that if now missing they must have been abstracted
since that transfer.
the documents, which on his
retirement he transferred to the Council of which Mr Douglas was the
Senior Member, and that if now missing they must have been abstracted
since that transfer.
3. The means are fortunately at hand of relieving the Council from
the imputation of permitting documents to be abstracted from the public
records, and with that view I herewith transmit an attested copy of a
list, drawn up in Mr Blanchard's own hand, of the Official papers,
which he transferred to the Council when that body was by him first
appointed, on the day preceeding his departure from Victoria.
That list was bound up with the official papers, and was then compared
and found to agree with them before the Council adjourned.
List of documents transferred to Council.
It was remarked at the time that the Governor's correspondence with
the Secretary of State, was not among the documents transferred; but the
Council having no official authority, beyond that derived from the
Governor's appointment, did not consider it proper to call for other
papers. I also beg to draw yourattention
attention to the fact, that no mention
is made in the list of such correspondence.
attention to the fact, that no mention
is made in the list of such correspondence.
4. I trust that the evidence of his own list will satisfy Mr
Blanchard, that he labours under a singular mistake with respect to the
correspondence in question, which was assuredly never delivered to the
Council.
5. I learn with much satisfaction from your Despatch, that my
proceedings in the settlement of the difficulty with the Songies Indians
have met with your approval, and I beg to assure you that I shall be
careful to avoid collisions, and as far as may be possible to cultivate
the friendship of all the Native Tribes.
6. I have also received the Book of Regulations for the guidance
of the Governor's of Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions, forwarded with
your Despatch, and observe that you have directed my attention to the
Rules laid down in the 6th Chapter, as to the manner in which the
correspondence with the Secretary of State should be conducted, and my
attention shall
be directed to that subject in future.
be directed to that subject in future.
The Right Honorable Sir John S Packington Bart
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I think Mr Blanshard ought to be furnished with Governor Douglas' distinct repetition of his assertion, supported now by proof, that Mr Blanshard did not leave behind him copies of his correspondence with the Secretary of State but as it is alleged that he has lost his papers in crossing the Isthmus of Panama it will be of no use to pursue the correspondence with him. The best thing will be to send Mr Douglas copies of his Predecessor's despatches to this Office.
I think Mr Blanshard ought to be furnished with Governor Douglas' distinct repetition of his assertion, supported now by proof, that Mr Blanshard did not leave behind him copies of his correspondence with the Secretary of State but as it is alleged that he has lost his papers in crossing the Isthmus of Panama it will be of no use to pursue the correspondence with him. The best thing will be to send Mr Douglas copies of his Predecessor's despatches to this Office.
ABd
24 May
So remit.
TFE
24/5
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
List of Official Documents, transferred by Governor Blanchard to the Council of Vancouvers Island, 30 August 1851
Despatches from Lord Grey
Instructions etc.
Acts relating to Vancouver's Island
Letters from War office with Instructions
do Admiralty. Act for suppression of Piracy etc.
Letters from Dr Helmken
Wellesly's
Admiral Moresby's
Fanshaw's
Correspondence relative to Colonial accounts January & February 1851.
We hereby certify that
The above is a true copy of the list of Official documents,
transferred by Governor Blanchard to the Council of Vancouvers Island,
on the 30th day of August 1851; the said list being written in his
own hand.
Other documents included in the file
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Sir,
I have received your Despatch No 2, of the 2n March in which you state that neither the copies nor the originals of the Despatches
which your Predecessor addressed to this Department, are to be found amongst the records
of the Vancouver Island Govr .- To supply this deficiency I handout herewith copies of all the Despatchesfrom
