No. 219.
Mr. Evarts
to Sir Edward Thornton.
Washington, April 10, 1879.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a dispatch, dated the 16th of March last, has been received from the consul of the United States at Victoria, Vancouver’s Island, which is accompanied by a communication addressed to that officer by Commander H. Holmes à Court, commanding [Page 491] Her Majesty’s ship Osprey, in relation to the situation of affairs at Sitka.
In view of the threatening attitude assumed by the Indians in that vicinity toward the white inhabitants of Sitka, it was deemed advisable to appeal to the captains of any of Her Majesty’s ships at Esquimault, that being the nearest point where a man-of-war of any nationality is stationed, for immediate assistance in order to prevent an attack upon the town, which had been threatened by the Indians. On the 1st of March the Osprey reached Sitka, and her commander reports that the arrival of that vessel changed the aspect of affairs, the fear of an immediate attack having passed away. On the 2d of the month above named the revenue steamer Oliver Wolcott arrived from Port Townsend, and it being understood that she alone was inadequate for the proper defense of the place, and that if the Osprey left that port affairs would resume their former condition, the commander of that vessel decided to remain until the arrival of the California, by which ship further assistance was expected.
Commander à Court expresses his firm conviction that in the presence at the port of Sitka of the Osprey and Oliver Wolcott a most serious calamity was averted.
The Government of the United States, fully appreciating the action taken by Commander a Court in the premises, is desirous that an expression of its best thanks for the same maybe communicated to Her Majesty’s Government, with the request that an acknowledgment on the part of this government of the important service rendered on that occasion may be made to the above-named officer.
I have, &c.,