Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Grey, George 1 February 1855, CO 305:6, no. 3936, 15.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Other documents (2).
Douglas writes to Grey to reiterate his concern that Vancouver Island is without defences against a possible Russian attack, and advises that any defensive
forces sent to the Island should be under Executive Government control, to prevent any untimely departures.
The first of the two documents included in the file is a draft letter from the Colonial Office to the War Department, which forwards a copy of Douglas’ despatch and suggests that the Hudson’s Bay Company comment on the
probabilityof a Russian attack on Vancouvers Island; the second is a draft reply from Russell to Douglas, with minutes from Merivale and Ball, which acknowledge that Douglas’s fears are justified, and that the HBC be consulted.
No. 49
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 1
Military of the 5th of August last, in reply to my letter No 27 of the 16th of May, and I observe that Her Majesty's Government do not
consider it advisable to adopt the measures which I then recommended for
placing Vancouvers Island in a condition to repel any hostile attack,
deeming that the directions given by theLords
Lords of the Admiralty to the
Admiral on the station to cause the Island to be frequently visited by
the ships of war, under his command, will suffice for the protection of
the Colony.
Lords of the Admiralty to the
Admiral on the station to cause the Island to be frequently visited by
the ships of war, under his command, will suffice for the protection of
the Colony.
I trust you will not consider the remarks I have to make on that
subject irrelevant. I coincide in the opinion expressed in your
Despatch that the presence of a small defensive force whether naval or
military will be a sufficient protection for the Colony, but to answer
that purpose effectually, the force ought I conceive to be attached to,
and at the disposal of the Executive Government, otherwise it may be
withdrawn when such aid is most urgently wanted.
With the exception of a very brief visit from the Fleet, on its
return last summer from the expedition against the Russian settlement of
St. Peter and St. Pauls, this Island has not been visited by Her
Majesty's Ships, at any time, since the declaration ofwar
war against the
Emperor of all the Russias.
war against the
Emperor of all the Russias.
We have thanks to Providence not been molested in any manner by the
enemy. The Hudson's Bay Company's Fur Ship laden with a cargo valued at
from 60,000 to 80,000 Sterling, sailed from Victoria for the Port of
London, on the 13th of last month, the coasting vessels belonging to
the Colony, have been all equally fortunate up to this time. I do not
indeed apprehend any danger for our ships, except from the attacks of
privateers.
The inhabitants of this Colony feel alarmed at their generally
unprotected state, and have made repeated appeals to me for protection.
Though I have done every thing in my power, which can serve to
allay their fears, or to add to their security, I am often placed in apainful
painful position, it being a difficult matter situated as I am without
means of any kind, except such as are procured on my own responsibility,
to discharge the duties naturally expected of me, in a manner
satisfactory to myself, or to the Public.
painful position, it being a difficult matter situated as I am without
means of any kind, except such as are procured on my own responsibility,
to discharge the duties naturally expected of me, in a manner
satisfactory to myself, or to the Public.
I shall nevertheless continue to exert every nerve to protect life
and property, and as an encouragement, I have made known to the people,
at large, the kind intentions of Her Majesty's Government expressed in
your Despatch, to afford constant and efficient protection to the Colony
through the visits of Her Majesty's Ships of war.
The Right Honble Sir George Grey 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
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Colonel Mundy, War Department, 10 May
1855, forwarding copy of the despatch and suggesting that they seek
information from the Hudson's Bay Company as to the probability of a
Russian attack on the colony.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Ball
It must be remembered that this little settlement lies very near the coast of the Russian possessions in Nth Ama of the condition of which our knowledge is I believe very small indeed. Their fears therefore are not unnatural, and possibly not ill founded, & the War Dept should therefore I think be requested to pay its best attention to the subject.
It must be remembered that this little settlement lies very near the coast of the Russian possessions in Nth Ama of the condition of which our knowledge is I believe very small indeed. Their fears therefore are not unnatural, and possibly not ill founded, & the War Dept should therefore I think be requested to pay its best attention to the subject.
HM
Apl 26
I concur. At the same time I think that it may be well to take
some step for the purpose of obtaining reliable information as to the
probability of attack from the side of Russian America and as to the
real condition of that territory. Such information wd most naturally
be sought from the Hudson's bay Company who are deeply interested.
These papers shd be considered along with those relating to the
Govt of the Island.
JB
27 Ap
To be returned to me when copied for War Dept.
JB
27 Ap
