Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Smith, William G. to Fortescue, Chichester 28 October 1857, CO 305:8, no. 9836, 339.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), 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.
Smith writes on behalf of the HBC to the Colonial Office regarding the murder of Isaac Ebey by
Northern (British) Indians.The HBC expressed their regret that this incident will
likely disturb the peace which has hitherto prevailed on the Northern side of the Boundary line.
Smith to Under-Secretary of State
Hudson's Bay House
October 28, 1857
Sir
I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay
Company to transmit, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere,
the accompanying Extract from a letter recently received from the
Governor of Vancouver's Island, communicating the fact of an attack
having been made by some Northern (British) Indians on the house of
Colonel Ebey (late United States Collector of Customs) on Whidby's
Island, Washington Territory, which resulted in the murder of that
gentleman.
In communicating the above circumstance the Governor and Committee
desire me to express their regret that this unfortunate occurrenceshould
should have taken place, as it appears likely to disturb the peace which
has hitherto prevailed on the Northern side of the Boundary line.
should have taken place, as it appears likely to disturb the peace which
has hitherto prevailed on the Northern side of the Boundary line.
Minutes by CO staff
This is an unfortunate occurrence but it is not in the power of the
British Authorities, few as they are in this Settlement, to control the
Indians living within their territories, any more than the Authorities
of the U. States can control the Indians who reside on their lands.
Hitherto the British Indians have
been well behaved. But there always
exist grounds of apprehension on account of these savages, against whom
we have no military, or other force save a few constables to oppose,
when our people are attacked.
been well behaved. But there always
exist grounds of apprehension on account of these savages, against whom
we have no military, or other force save a few constables to oppose,
when our people are attacked.
Acknowledge & express regret—& desire that every effort shd [be]
made to discover & punish the offenders. Communicate to Foreign office.
made to discover & punish the offenders. Communicate to Foreign office.
HL
1
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 9 November 1857,
forwarding copy of the letter and enclosure.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, Douglas to Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, 13
August 1857, reporting that a group of "Northern Indians" had murdered Ebey "and
carried off his head as a trophy. His wife and family fortunately
escaped . . . by concealing themselves in the neighbouring forest. This
affair will lead to something serious."