Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Phinn, Thomas to Merivale, Herman 8 November 1856, CO 305:7, no. 10166, 151.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (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.
Thomas Phinn furnishes the Colonial Office with a report by Rear Admiral Bruce on the
result of an expedition against the Cowegin tribe.
The minutes note that Douglas has already reported on this matter minus one detail about the accused tried by a
jury composed of expedition officers.
Phinn to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to
transmit to you, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, a
copy of a letter from Rear Admiral Bruce, reporting the result of an
expedition against the Cowegin tribe 
of Indians at Vancouver.
of Indians at Vancouver.
Herman Merivale Esqr
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
We have already received this account from the Govr. The only additional particular appears to be that the Native who was executed for attempting the life of the British Settler was tried by a jury composed of the officers of the expedition. Put by?
We have already received this account from the Govr. The only additional particular appears to be that the Native who was executed for attempting the life of the British Settler was tried by a jury composed of the officers of the expedition. Put by?
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. H.W. Bruce to Ralph Osborne, Admiralty, 6 September 1856,
enclosing accounts of an expedition against the Cowichans and reporting
on the results.
1.1 Commander M. Connolly to Bruce, 6 September 1856, giving an
account of the expedition, and enclosing a copy of the orders he
had read to the men at the outset.
1.1.1 Connolly to members of the expedition, 31 August 1856, memorandum giving orders and instructions for their conduct when the
tribe was encountered.