Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Labouchere, Henry 31 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 348, 121.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (2).
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 in regard to a loan he gave Isaac Stevens to help repress the
Indian War in Oregon Territory.He claims that the debt has not been repaid which has resulted in a
great injury to [his] personal fortune.Douglas hopes that he can
draw upon the public treasuryas he considers it a
public debt.
In the minutes, the Colonial Office acknowledges that Douglas’s actions were
generally approvedand that
the governor deserves all encouragement.They decide to enlist the Foreign Office to put some pressure on the American government for repayment.
Enclosed is a draft from Merivale to the Foreign Office forwarding the despatch as well as a draft reply to Douglas forwarding him the FO’s response.
No. 29
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch
No 15, of the 23rd of August, in reply to my communication No
11 of the 19th of May last, reporting the assistance which I had
afforded to Governor Stevens, in repressing the Indian war in American
Oregon and I observe with a feeling of
of the highest gratification that
Her Majesty's Government entirely approve of my conduct on that
occasion.
of the highest gratification that
Her Majesty's Government entirely approve of my conduct on that
occasion.
2. The sum which I advanced on that and a previous occasion,
mentioned in my Despatch No. 9 of the 10th of April last, amounting
to 7000 Dollars, being at 50d exchange equal to 1458.16.8, has not
yet been repaid, a circumstance which puts me to inconvenience, as to
the great injury of my private fortune, I am otherwise exposed to much
expense through my official position in this Colony.
3. In those circumstances I must beg to appeal for relief to Her
Majesty's Government to the extent of assuming the loan to Governor
Stevens, as a public debt, and authorising me to draw upon the public
Treasury, on that account for
for the sum advanced to him, with interest at
6 per cent, from the date of Mr Stevens bonds. This would be a great
accommodation to me, while Her Majesty's Government, will not be exposed
to loss, as the payment of the bonds is certain, though deferred for the
time.
for the sum advanced to him, with interest at
6 per cent, from the date of Mr Stevens bonds. This would be a great
accommodation to me, while Her Majesty's Government, will not be exposed
to loss, as the payment of the bonds is certain, though deferred for the
time.
4. Trusting that you will take my request into favourable
consideration.
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
Mr Merivale
The Govr asks the Imperial Govt to assume as a public debt the loan he granted to the American Govr Stevens. His conduct in assisting Govr Stevens was generally approved & there would therefore seem to be sufficient grounds for referring this Desp: to the F.O. & recommending that the United States Govt should be applied to, to redeem the Bonds given by their Officer for assistance rendered to him in the execution of his public duty?
The Govr asks the Imperial Govt to assume as a public debt the loan he granted to the American Govr Stevens. His conduct in assisting Govr Stevens was generally approved & there would therefore seem to be sufficient grounds for referring this Desp: to the F.O. & recommending that the United States Govt should be applied to, to redeem the Bonds given by their Officer for assistance rendered to him in the execution of his public duty?
VJ
14 Jan
Mr Ball
I think this should be done at once? The Governor deserves all encouragement.
I think this should be done at once? The Governor deserves all encouragement.
I quite concur. Write at once.
HL
18
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 22 January 1857,
forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration.
