Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Labouchere, Henry 7 December 1857, CO 305:8, no. 1621, 257.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (9), 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 informs the Colonial Office that the repayment of a loan given to Governor Stevens
has not been as yet repaid.He thanks the CO and FO for their assistance in the matter but must
again appeal to [their] aid and protection.
The minutes forward a copy to the FO and note that it has been two years since the
loan was issued which would not be
very encouraging to English officers who may be inclined to help the US Government in pecuniary scrapes.
Enclosed is a draft from Merivale to Hammond forwarding a copy of Douglas’s despatch to the FO and asking that the necessary steps be taken to obtain a return
of the funds; a draft reply from Stanley to Douglas; and nine correspondences between Douglas and Washington State officials concerning financial support for supplies and military efforts against
hostile Indians.
No. 33
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No
12 of the 16th of July last, transmitting copy of a letter from the
Foreign Office, relative to the repayment of the sum of money advanced
by me to Governor Stevens for the prosecution of hostilities against the
Indians of Washington Territory.
I
2. I feel greatly obliged for the trouble you have so kindly taken
in pressing the United States Government for the immediate re-payment of
that loan, though I observe with regret that the money has not been as
yet repaid, and by Lord Napier's correspondence, it further appears that
Governor Stevens had not, up to the date of Mr Drinkard's letter
reported the transaction to the War Department.
3. That omission may have arisen from accident or oversight on his
part; but in a matter of so much importance, involving the honor of the
Government represented there ought to have been no omission, so
seriously compromising my interests, as I had certainly a right to
expect both the early repayment of theloan
loan made, and the thanks of the
Government whose distress had been so seasonably relieved.
loan made, and the thanks of the
Government whose distress had been so seasonably relieved.
4. I transmit herewith a copy of my correspondence with Governor Stevens on the subject of that loan, which will make known the
distressing circumstances as respresented in the letter of Governor Stevens and his Agents, under which I was induced to make that advance
when no other aid could be obtained.
5. Governor Stevens having been removed from Office, has left this
country or I should have addressed him on this occasion.
6. I again appeal to your aid and protection in that matter which
I leave entirely in your hands.
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
Copy to F. Office requesting Lord Clarendon to take such steps as may appear proper to his Lordship for procuring reimbursement. And acquaint the Govr.
Copy to F. Office requesting Lord Clarendon to take such steps as may appear proper to his Lordship for procuring reimbursement. And acquaint the Govr.
ABd
16 F
It is nearly two years since Governor Douglas made this advance out
of his own private funds. I must say such delay is not very encouraging
to English officers who may be inclined to help the US Governmt in
pecuniary scrapes. It might be as well to speak privately to the F.
office about this case, & ensure its being attended to.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 25 February 1858,
forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures and asking that
the necessary steps be taken to obtain a return of the funds.
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. Isaac I. Stevens to Douglas, 7 February 1856, asking him to
furnish supplies of "powder, lead, sugar, coffee, pork, clothing, candles,
soap, tea" for the volunteer troops as required by Commissary and
Quartermaster R.S. Robinson.
3. R.S. Robinson, Commissary and Quartermaster, Washington Territory,
to Douglas, 1 March 1856, urgently requesting supplies for the immediate use of the volunteer forces now in
the field against "hostile Indians."
4. Douglas to Stevens, 6 March 1856, stating that the Hudson's Bay Company and other merchants were unwilling to furnish supplies for scrip, and suggesting
he
and recommending he draw bills of exchange on the United States treasury
for the supplies required.
5. Douglas to Stevens, 7 March 1856, advising that he had purchased
some "sugar, coffee, and the Number of Blankets wanted, with a supply of
Gunpowder and Lead, out of my own private funds, . . . with a view of
meeting your pressing necessities, leaving the payment for your
settlement, in any manner, that will secure me from loss."
7. Stevens to Douglas, 9 March 1856, explaining that scrip was not
territorial by nature but issued upon the authority of the highest
federal officer, and that by law he could only draw upon the U.S.
Treasury for sums already appropriated by Congress, whereas emergency
expenditures by crip would be paid from subsequent appropriations from
Congress, even should the officer issuing the scrip be removed for
failing to show just cause for the emergency.
8. Robinson to Douglas, 2 May 1856, advising that Stevens had
furnished him with sufficient scrip to pay for the supplies previously
furnished and that "events have transpired in Washington City, evidencing
certainty of appropriations being made the present session of Congress."
