Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Cardwell, Edward to Kennedy, Arthur 31 August 1864, NAC RG7:G8C/04, 264.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
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.
Cardwell informs Kennedy that he is aware of the
recent dreadful massacre of a Road partyat Bute Inlet and that he trusts Kennedy will
moderate any tendencytowards retaliatory violence which may be
converted into a Tribal War.
No. 34
Downing Street
31 August 1864
Sir,
The recent dreadful massacre of a Road party in British Columbia by
the Chilcoaten Indians has naturally given rise in the Colony under
your Government to the same feelings with which the intelligence was
received in BritishColumbia
Columbia. I think it well therefore to convey to you
the caution which on the first receipt of the melancholy tidings I
expressed to Governor Seymour.
Columbia. I think it well therefore to convey to you
the caution which on the first receipt of the melancholy tidings I
expressed to Governor Seymour.
One of the consequences of such an occurrence is to give rise to a
spirit of retaliation, which may easily be carried beyond the limits of
law, of Justice,or
or of policy. I am satisfied it will be your care to
moderate any tendency of this nature, and so to avert the risk which
would otherwise result that an isolated outrage might be converted into
a Tribal War. I need not impress upon you what the experience of every
civilized Community settled in the neighbourhoodof
of savage races so
abundantly demonstrates, that the utmost vigilance is requisite to avert
these dangers whenever unprovoked aggression has given rise to the
necessity for just and salutary chastisement.
or of policy. I am satisfied it will be your care to
moderate any tendency of this nature, and so to avert the risk which
would otherwise result that an isolated outrage might be converted into
a Tribal War. I need not impress upon you what the experience of every
civilized Community settled in the neighbourhoodof
of savage races so
abundantly demonstrates, that the utmost vigilance is requisite to avert
these dangers whenever unprovoked aggression has given rise to the
necessity for just and salutary chastisement.
Governor Kennedy, C.B.