Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes to Douglas, James 21 October 1859, LAC RG7:G8C/2, 114.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Newcastle confirms receipt of correspondence on
the occupation of the Island of San Juan by the United States Troops,pointing out that
the fact of the overwhelming force of the British Navy, which was so rapidly summoned to the spot, as compared with the force of the United States, removed any possibility of misunderstanding the reasons of Her Majesty's Government for adopting the moderate course of remonstrance instead of violent measures.
No. 18
Downing Street
21 October 1859
Sir,
I have received your despatch of the 22nd August No. 41, with
enclosures, containing further details as to the occupation of the
Island of San Juan by the United States Troops.
I have nothing to add on this occasion to the instructions, or to
the opinion which I conveyed to you, on the part of Her Majesty's Government, in my
despatch of the 29th September on the general
question which has been raised by General Harney's proceedings. But in consequence of the opposite views to which your despatch refers
as being entertained by Admiral Baynes and yourself in regard to the policy which you think ought to have been pursued towards
the Americans, I must point
out to you that
that the fact of the overwhelming force of the British Navy, which was so rapidly
summoned to the spot, as compared with the force of
the United States, removed any possibility of misunderstanding the
reasons of Her Majesty's Government for adopting the moderate course of
remonstrance instead of violent measures.
the opinion which I conveyed to you, on the part of Her Majesty's Government, in my
despatch of the 29th September on the general
question which has been raised by General Harney's proceedings. But in consequence of the opposite views to which your despatch refers
as being entertained by Admiral Baynes and yourself in regard to the policy which you think ought to have been pursued towards
the Americans, I must point
out to you that
that the fact of the overwhelming force of the British Navy, which was so rapidly
summoned to the spot, as compared with the force of
the United States, removed any possibility of misunderstanding the
reasons of Her Majesty's Government for adopting the moderate course of
remonstrance instead of violent measures.