Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Molesworth, William 13 December 1855, CO 305:6, no. 1481, 187.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (3).
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 Molesworth to inform Molesworth that the Otter has been sent to Washington Territory to assist
the American Settlements in Puget Sound.Douglas then reports on the
Indian warfarein the Puget Sound area.
In the minutes, Merivale asks that the Foreign Office receive copies of Douglas’s correspondence; Blackwood and Labouchere advise that further correspondence be sent, which they list, respectively.
The file includes six documents, which all concern the US-Indigenous conflicts in
and around Puget Sound, and some discuss Douglas’s response to the same.
No. 32
Since my communication of the 8th of Ultimo, I have carried into
effect, the intention therein expressed of despatching one of the
Hudsons Bay Company's Steam Vessels (the "Otter") with a further
quantity of Ammunition for the use of the Government of Washington Territory, and herewith is transmitted for the information of her
Majesty's Government, a copy of the letter which I addressed, on that
occasion, to theOfficer
Officer Administering the Government of that Territory,
and also his replies to that, as well as to the letter which I addressed
to him on the 6th of November, of which I had the honor of transmitting a copy with my letter to you of the 8th of November last.
Officer Administering the Government of that Territory,
and also his replies to that, as well as to the letter which I addressed
to him on the 6th of November, of which I had the honor of transmitting a copy with my letter to you of the 8th of November last.
I feel a high degree of satisfaction, in reporting to you, that the
visit of the "Otter" to the American Settlements in Puget Sound, was
appreciated, equally by the Executive Officers and the people at large.
A large force of regular Troops have now arrived in the 'Columbia,'
from San Francisco, and reinforcements of Troops with munitions of War,
have also been sent into Puget Sound. Those measures have compelled the Indians to abandon the open country, and to retire
into the fastnesses
of the mountains. It will be an enterprise of time and difficulty to
drive them from thence, while they can, at pleasure, fall upon any part
of the settledCountry
Country which remains unprotected.
Country which remains unprotected.
The horrors of Indian warfare are forcibly exhibited in the tragic
events detailed in the Puget Sound Newspapers. The American Settlements
on the White River were lately attacked by a small force of Natives, and
entirely destroyed; neither man woman nor child having escaped the fury
of the savage foe; and the remains of the poor murdered victims, were
found exposed and mutilated in the most atrocious manner: an act of
barbarity which will bring upon them a fearful retribution.
The Native Tribes of this Colony continue their usual quiet and
friendly demeanour, and have not given any cause of complaint.
The Right Honble Sir William Molesworth 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
Acknowledge & express satisfaction: and I think also send to the
For. office for information?
HM
F 14
I think that the Foreign Off shd also have copy of 380 with the
enclosures.
JB
16 Feb
See also 1478.
HL
18 F
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 26 February 1856, forwarding copies of
despatches reporting on events in Washington Territory.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. C.H. Mason, Acting Governor of Washington Territory, to Douglas,
10 November 1855, acknowledging receipt of the arms and ammunition and
reporting on recent proceedings in defence of the territory.
2. Douglas to Major J. Tilton, Officer Administering the Government
of Washington Territory, 19 November 1855, advising that the Otter
had been sent into Puget Sound.
