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Public Offices document
Hammond, Edmund to Merivale, Herman 1 February 1856, CO 305:7, no. 1008, 162.

Abstract
Public Offices document. Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (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.
Hammond forwards to Merivale a copy of Banister’s letter with information relative to American designs on Vancouver's Island.
The minutes direct a copy to the HBC to calm any apprehensions raised by the writer; acknowledge the HMS Trincomalee docking on Vancouver Island and the President’s arrival in October. The minutes agree that no aggressive proceedings have been adopted by the First Nations against the Vancouver Island colony.
Enclosed are two documents discussing the Indian wars between the First Nations and American settlers in Oregon and the repercussions on Vancouver Island residents.
Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Foreign Office
February 1 1856
Sir,
I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, a Copy of a Letter and of its Enclosure, which has been addressed to His Lordship by Mr Banister, relative to AmericanManuscript imageAmerican designs on Vancouver's Island.
I am, Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant,
E. Hammond

H. Merivale Esqre
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Merivale
Send copy, I suppose, of the enclosure to H.B.Co; & it might be mentioned perhaps by way of calming any apprehensions raised by the writer of the enclosure, who puts no date of month to his Letter, that H.M.S. "Trincomalee" was at V.C. Island in Sepr & that the President was Expected there in Octr. The War Dt has moreover, on our solicitation, requested the Admy toManuscript image instruct the Senior Naval Officer on the Station to cause that Island to be more frequently visited by Men of War.
ABd 4 Feby/56
From 380/56 you will notice that no aggressive proceedings had been adopted by the Indians against the British Settlement down to the 8 Novr last.
ABd
HM F 5
JB 8 Feb
HL 9 Feby
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
1. Thomas Banister to Clarendon, 29 January 1856, enclosing the extract below and agreeing that the Americans might attack Vancouver Island to prevent the Hudson's Bay Company from providing further arms and ammunition to the Indigenous forces.
Manuscript image
1.1 Extract of letter to Banister, no signature, dated San Francisco 1855, discussing "the Indian wars" in Oregon and the possible repercussions upon Vancouver Island, which is in danger both from the Indigenous forces and from the "hatred and jealousy" of the American citizens in Washington Territory.