Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Labouchere, Henry 13 October 1857, CO 305:8, no. 11372, 245.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (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 reports that the colony is
in a state of profound tranquilityand that there is
an abundant stock of foodfrom the harvest. He also relates his decisions concerning the manhunt for Isaac Ebey’s murderers.
The minutes note that they already received
intelligenceof Ebey’s murder from the HBC but will copy Douglas’s despatch to the FO and approve his
proceedings.
Enclosed is a draft from Merivale to Hammond forwarding a copy of the despatch; a draft reply from Labouchere to Douglas approving his
proceedings;a letter from Mason to Douglas, enclosing minutes of a public meeting at Port Townsend and asking Douglas to use his best efforts to procure the murderer of Ebey; the minutes of a public meeting held at Port Townsend to consider the measure for their safety and means of apprehending the murderers of Ebey; and a letter from Douglas to McMullen stating
it may not be in [his] powerto procure the arrest of Ebey’s murderer.
No. 30
1. I have much satisfaction in communicating for your information
that this Colony continues in a state of profound tranquility; that the
Native Indian Tribes are quiet and well disposed; that the harvest has
been housed in good condition, and though the grain crops are not soheavy
heavy as in the year 1856, that there is nevertheless an abundant stock
of food in the settlement for the consumption of the year.
heavy as in the year 1856, that there is nevertheless an abundant stock
of food in the settlement for the consumption of the year.
2. In connection with the state of this Colony I beg to enclose
herewith copy of a correspondence with the Governor of Washington
Territory, relative to outrages committed on citizens of the United
States, by the native Indian Tribes of the north west coast in and north
of the British Possessions, and my reply thereto.
3. You will observe that I did not for obvious reasons entertain
Acting Governor Mason's application for assistance.
4. It is a matter of difficulty to arrest a murderer in his own
country and without careful management the attempt is almostcertain
certain to
involve the assailants in hostilities with the Tribe at large, and the
consequences will necessarily become very serious.
certain to
involve the assailants in hostilities with the Tribe at large, and the
consequences will necessarily become very serious.
5. The Indians who murdered Mr Ebey are reported to be natives
of the Russian American Territory and are consequently not within the
jurisdiction of the Law Courts of this Colony.
6. I have therefore recommended to the Executive of Washington
Territory that a well equipped force should be despatched without delay,
for the purpose of discovering the retreat and effecting the arrest of
the murderers; and that in the case of the expeditionary force, being
opposed, that they should make reprisals on the property and persons of
the Tribe at large.
7. Indian outrages shouldin
in all cases be promptly and severely punished, otherwise neither life nor property
will be secure, and the
country will become intolerable as a residence for white settlers.
in all cases be promptly and severely punished, otherwise neither life nor property
will be secure, and the
country will become intolerable as a residence for white settlers.
8. I was lately favored with a short visit from Governor McMullen,
who proposed that the forces of the two Governments should be united for
the purpose of undertaking a joint expedition against the northern
Indians, but I was necessarily obliged to decline his proposal.
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
We have already received the intelligence of the Murder of Mr Ebey thro' the Hudson's Bay Company. Copy to the F.O. with reference to former correspondence & approve the Govs' proceedings?
We have already received the intelligence of the Murder of Mr Ebey thro' the Hudson's Bay Company. Copy to the F.O. with reference to former correspondence & approve the Govs' proceedings?
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 30 December 1857,
forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. Acting Governor C.H. Mason, Washington Territory, to Douglas, 26
August 1857, enclosing minutes of a public meeting at Port Townsend and
asking Douglas to use his best efforts to procure the murderer of I.N.
Ebey and his great influence "to prevent these merciless savages from
entering the jurisdiction of the United States.
1.1 Minutes of a Public Meeting held at Port Townsend 15 August
1857, to consider the measures for their safety and means of apprehending
the murderers of Ebey, at which it was agreed to hold ten native
prisoners hostage and resolved "to shoot or execute all Northern Indians
found in our waters." Transcribed below.
2. Douglas to Governor McMullen, 9 October 1857, stating "it may
not be in my power" to procure the arrest of Ebey's murderer "nor prevent
the annual migration of the Northern Indians" into American territory,
but that he would try to "induce them to suspend their visits to the
white settlements and to remain quietly in their own country."
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Copy
As a public meeting composing the citizens of the lower part of the Sound held at Port Townsend the 15th day of August 1857, for the purpose of taking into consideration measures for their future safety, and devising some means for the apprehension of the murderers of Col: I N Ebey of Whitby Island and to consider what steps should be taken in relation to a number of Northern Indians held in custody by the citizens of the lower part of the Sound.
On Motion. The Honble F.A. Chenoweth was called to the chair and Thomas Cranney was appointed to Secretary. On Motion of Dr. McCurdy the Honble Mr Smith was called in to state the object of the meeting. Mr Smith came forward and in a few brief and pertinent remarks explained the object
of the meeting. Mr Smith came forward and gave his views at length in relation to the course to be pursued
by the citizens to prevent any further incursions by the northern Indians which
which were heartily approved by the meeting. On motion of A.M. Miller, Col: Wm. H Wallace was called on to address the meeting— Col: W came forward, and made a few brief remarks and moved that the prisoners held in custody
be brought before the meeting. Motion carried, and the prisoners (18) eighteen were
brought in. Col W. then moved that the Inspector of San Juan Island state for what purpose one of the prisoners came to Port Townsend—
which were heartily approved by the meeting. On motion of A.M. Miller, Col: Wm. H Wallace was called on to address the meeting— Col: W came forward, and made a few brief remarks and moved that the prisoners held in custody
be brought before the meeting. Motion carried, and the prisoners (18) eighteen were
brought in. Col W. then moved that the Inspector of San Juan Island state for what purpose one of the prisoners came to Port Townsend—The Inspector then came forward and explained satisfactorily to the meeting the object
for which he came to Port Townsend whereupon on motion Col W. the prisoner was released, with instructions never to return to our Territory under
pain of death. On motion of M.H. Frost, one of the prisoners JM Polk was released with similar instructions.
On motion of Mr Gibbs resolved that the remaining Indians now in custody held under suspicious circumstances
be detained 
detained to answer the action of a meeting to be held six weeks hence, that in the
meantime the Governor of this Territory be requested to make a requisition on Governor Douglas of Vancouver Island for the delivery of the murderers of Col. I. N. Ebey, and to inform him that these Indians are held as hostages, for their delivery and
will be executed on failure to return the criminals.
detained to answer the action of a meeting to be held six weeks hence, that in the
meantime the Governor of this Territory be requested to make a requisition on Governor Douglas of Vancouver Island for the delivery of the murderers of Col. I. N. Ebey, and to inform him that these Indians are held as hostages, for their delivery and
will be executed on failure to return the criminals.On motion of J. S. Smith— Resolved that it is the deliberate sense of this meeting,
and the duty of all good citizens hereafter, to shoot or execute all Northern Indians
found in our waters, as we regard them as our enemies and murderers and enemies.—
On motion of J S Smith— Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to communicate with the Executive of our Territory, and to make known
to him the sentiments of this meeting, whereupon the chair appointed J.S. Smith, W.T Sayward and D Howe.
On motion of Dr. McCurdy. Resolved that all other countries on the Sound be 
be requested to cooperate with this meeting in driving all Northern Indians, both
men and women from our borders—
be requested to cooperate with this meeting in driving all Northern Indians, both
men and women from our borders—On motion. — Resolved that JJH Van Bokkelen. AA Plummer and GW Ebey be appointed to take charge of the prisoners now held in custody.
On motion— Resolved the proceedings of this meeting be printed in the
Pioneer & Democrat.