Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Osborne, Ralph to Peel, Frederick 19 May 1853, CO 305:4, no. 5349, 118.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (9).
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.
Osborne writes to Peel, on behalf of the Admiralty, and for Newcastle's information, to forward correspondence from Moresby, with related enclosures, on the subject of Vancouver Island and the “Queen Charlotte Islands.”
The minutes note that many of the enclosures attached to Moresby’s correspondence are largely redundant, save a report of the
piratical attackof the Susan Sturges, and Cooper’s inflammatory report on the
State of the Colony.The remainder of the minutes debate on how best to respond to Cooper’s report, which lists complaints against the
Governor & Company.Newcastle agrees with Merivale’s suggestion that said correspondence should be
put buy.
This document contains a plethora of enclosures, which range in subject from survey
duties, HBC steamers, Peter Brown’s murder and reprisal for the same, the capture and plunder of the Susan Sturges, Cooper’s complaints of a lack of proper administration of justice in the colony, a report
on an expedition against Aboriginal groups, and more.
Osborne to Peel (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send
you herewith, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, Copies of a
Letter from Rear Admiral Moresby, dated the 29 March, No 20, and of
its enclosures, relating to Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands.
Minutes by CO staff
This letter was received here on the 20th but was returned to
the Admiralty, the enclosures being incomplete.
Mr Merivale
All that is new to us in these papers are the reports of the piratical attack of the Indians on the American Schooner "Susan Sturges"—with which we have no concern—and Mr Cooper's representations of the State of the Colony. The Govt have so little hold over the Governor that it is idle to give him instructions—which he is without the means of enforcing, but perhaps it might be
insisted on with the Company that
a more effective establishment shd be kept up for the admn of
justice. Should Mr Cooper's Letters be sent to the Compy?
All that is new to us in these papers are the reports of the piratical attack of the Indians on the American Schooner "Susan Sturges"—with which we have no concern—and Mr Cooper's representations of the State of the Colony. The Govt have so little hold over the Governor that it is idle to give him instructions—which he is without the means of enforcing, but perhaps it might be
insisted on with the Company that
a more effective establishment shd be kept up for the admn of
justice. Should Mr Cooper's Letters be sent to the Compy?
ABd
31 May
Mr Cooper writes to Capt. Kuper a description of the misconduct
of the Governor & Company, & leaves it to Capt. Kuper to bring it
before the authorities here—this is evading the general rule that such
complaints should be made through the Governor, & bringing on us all the
difficulty which such evasions are apt to produce, if we take any notice
of it. Although therefore there is every probability that there is
ground for some at least of the statements which it contains, I hardly
see what use can well be made of it.
At the same time it would be wrong to take no steps to bring such
complaints to a fair test. Perhaps the best way would be to write to
Mr Cooper referring to his letter to Captn Kuper & calling upon
him to make his complaint in the usual official form.
N
7
I have kept this by me some time with other Vanc. Id papers. I
suppose it is not intended by the Duke of Newcastle that we should write
direct to Mr Cooper? and if through the Governor, we are making
perhaps an improper use of his letters. I should be inclined to
suggest putting by.
After reading 6979 (just received) I am quite willing to "put by."
N
16
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1.1 Kuper to Moresby, 9 December 1852, reporting on his proceedings
at Vancouver Island and enclosing letter from Douglas.
1.2 Kuper to Moresby, 4 February 1853, reporting on the arrest and
execution of the murderers of Peter Brown, printed below, with
enclosures from Matthew Rooney, James Cooper, and Douglas.
1.2.1 Rooney, master of the Susan Sturges to Kuper, 21
December 1852, reporting the capture and plunder of the
Susan Sturges.
1.2.2 Cooper to Kuper, 3 January 1853, complaining of a lack of
proper administration of justice in the colony and airing other
grievances against the Hudson's Bay Company.
1.2.3 Cooper to Kuper, 3 January 1853, enclosing a document signed by a Mr. Charbouruo and Buzie Batineau, 29 December 1852.
1.2.3.1 Document signed by Charbouruo and Buzie Batineau, witnessed by James Cooper and Thomas Cooper, 29 December 1852, attesting to the fact that they had been forced by Douglas to abandon their employment to join an expedition against the Indians.
1.3 Douglas to [Moresby], 8 December 1852, thanking him for the
assistance provided by Captain Kuper and expressing the hope that
another vessel would be sent to relieve her upon her departure.