Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Labouchere, Henry 20 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 11583, 110.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (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 reports that he was requested by Commander Swartwout of the U.S. Navy to help locate murderers of a man near Seattle. Douglas declined to help but offered advice in tactics and to uphold the
Extradition Treatyif the murderers were to hide in the British territories.
The minutes acknowledge and approve of Douglas’s actions.
Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere approving the
courseDouglas took in his dealings with the American Navy, as well as a copy of Swartwout’s letter to Douglas requesting assistance in the arrest of some indigenous men accused of murder.
No. 25
1. I have the honor of enclosing herewith a copy of a
communication which I lately received from Commander Swartwout,
commanding the naval Forces of the United States within the Straits of
Juan de Fuca, reporting that an American citizen had been cruelly
murdered by the natives near the town of Seattle, and requesting my aid
and assistance towards arresting the
the murderers. The letter was
delivered by Captain Swartwout in person, and he also informed me that
the murder was committed on the 3rd of this present month.
the murderers. The letter was
delivered by Captain Swartwout in person, and he also informed me that
the murder was committed on the 3rd of this present month.
2. For obvious reasons I declined interfering with the arrest of
the murderers, except in the case of their taking refuge within the
British settlements, when I agreed to sanction the execution of any
process issued by the Magistrates of Washington Territory and embraced
by the provisions of the Extradition Treaty.
3. I also made it obvious to Captain Swartwout that the moral
effect of the punishment on the Indian mind would be altogether
destroyed if the arrest were made by the British authorities, and I
advised him to chase the murderers to
to their homes, and to arrest them if
necessary in the midst of their friends being the course which in every
attempt on the lives of British subjects we have been compelled to
resort to.
to their homes, and to arrest them if
necessary in the midst of their friends being the course which in every
attempt on the lives of British subjects we have been compelled to
resort to.
4. He did not however seem disposed to follow my advice; and I
presume the Indians have made their escape. I am convinced that none of
them have been seen, or heard of in this quarter; especially as I have,
on all occasions, warned the Natives, that offenders against the laws of
the United States, are not to seek harbour in the British settlements.
If permitted to do so, they might be claimed by the United States'
authorities, and their arrest on British Territory, would most certainly
embroil us with their friends.
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
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 reply, Labouchere to Douglas, No. 2, 7 January 1857.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Commander S. Swartwout, USS Massachusetts, to Douglas, 4
October 1856, requesting assistance in the arrest of some Indigenous men for murder.