Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 21 January 1859, CO 60:4, no. 2740, 79.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (3), Marginalia (1).
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 describes the condition of the gold in the mining fields around Lytton. He includes a specimen sample. Douglas also reports that due to
the coldness of the weathermining operations have been suspended.
The minutes forward Douglas’s report to Parliament and send the gold sample and weather report to the Geological Society.
Enclosed is a packet containing specimens of gold from various districts along the
Fraser River; a draft from Merivale to Murchison, Museum of Practical Geology, forwarding specimens of gold; draft from Merivale to Murchison with extracts from Douglas’s despatch; and a draft reply from Lytton to Douglas acknowledging receipt.
No. 79
Victoria Vancouver's Island
21 January 1859
I have lately received intelligence from Mr Assistant
Commissioner Travaillot dated "Lytton" 19th December 1858,
by which it appears that the miners in that district had
generally suspended work in consequence of the
the coldness of the
weather, for the 20 days preceeding the date of his letter.
the coldness of the
weather, for the 20 days preceeding the date of his letter.
2. The rapid transitions in the temperature during that
time were remarkable. On the 10th of December the
Thermometer fell to Zero Faht; a change occurred on the
evening of the 13th, when the Mercury rose to 48o and
up to the 19th it was ranging from 46o to 52o—and
not over half an
an inch of snow had fallen at "Lytton", or in
the neighbouring districts South of Fraser's river previously
to the 19th of December.
an inch of snow had fallen at "Lytton", or in
the neighbouring districts South of Fraser's river previously
to the 19th of December.
3. Fraser's river has set fast with ice at several points,
but not continuously at and near "Lytton," and pack horses had
crossed in safety with their loads, from side to side, upon the
ice. But that appears to have been rather a consequence
consequence of drift
ice from the upper part of the river accumulating at those points
than from the degree of cold about "Lytton," the climate of
which is pleasant and temperate, the weather being generally clear
and dry, in so remarkable a degree, that from the 24th of
August last,
there had not been, in all, more than twelve hours
rain, or snow up to the date of
of Mr Travaillot's letter, (19th
December.)
consequence of drift
ice from the upper part of the river accumulating at those points
than from the degree of cold about "Lytton," the climate of
which is pleasant and temperate, the weather being generally clear
and dry, in so remarkable a degree, that from the 24th of
August last,
Curious: the popular [whim?] being that this is a rainy climate.
of Mr Travaillot's letter, (19th
December.)
4. The few miners remaining in the upper country were well
supplied with food by the Harrison's River Road; and since my
last report, no difficulties whatever had occurred, Either with
the white or indian population.
5. Reports Continue to arrive respecting the rich deposits
of Gold, on and about Bridge
Bridge river: a lump of pure Gold weighing
One and a half ounces was lately found in the deposits of that
stream, and the Gold generally is coarse and lumpy, not requiring
Quicksilver for its separation from the soil.
Bridge river: a lump of pure Gold weighing
One and a half ounces was lately found in the deposits of that
stream, and the Gold generally is coarse and lumpy, not requiring
Quicksilver for its separation from the soil.
6. It is believed that men are able to make there, from
five to six dollars a day with the cradle, and that they will
clear much larger sums
sums by means of sluices: there will therefore,
no doubt be a great rush of people, to that part of the country
in the Spring.
sums by means of sluices: there will therefore,
no doubt be a great rush of people, to that part of the country
in the Spring.
7. I have lately received a sample of Gold found at "Stonia",
a point on Fraser's River five miles beyond the Hudson's Bay
Establishment of Alexandria, about 400 miles distant
from the Sea Coast. And it is further supposed, on very probable
probable
grounds that the whole course of the River, to its sources in the
Rocky Mountains, contains deposits of Gold. This idea, applied to
the tributaries of Fraser's River, as well as to the main stream,
opens a dazzling prospect to the miner, of the most Extensive
Gold region in the world, and will soon fill the country with
people, when it is made accessible by a system of passable roads.
probable
grounds that the whole course of the River, to its sources in the
Rocky Mountains, contains deposits of Gold. This idea, applied to
the tributaries of Fraser's River, as well as to the main stream,
opens a dazzling prospect to the miner, of the most Extensive
Gold region in the world, and will soon fill the country with
people, when it is made accessible by a system of passable roads.
8. I herewith
8. I herewith do myself the honor of forwarding that specimen
of Gold, together with specimens procured from Bridge River,
Thompson's River, Harrison's River, and other parts of the country
which have been partially explored.
8. I herewith do myself the honor of forwarding that specimen
of Gold, together with specimens procured from Bridge River,
Thompson's River, Harrison's River, and other parts of the country
which have been partially explored.
Minutes by CO staff
Lay before Parlt, though it may be right to enquire for how long
we are to continue this practice of communicating papers to
Parlt concerning B. Columbia.
Extract about the gold with the samples to the Geological
Society in Jermyn Street.
And I think that part wh relates to the character of the
climate might be sent to the Geographical Socy?
C
Mch 17
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Packet containing specimens of gold from various
districts along the Fraser River.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Sir R. Murchison, Museum of Practical Geology,
24 March 1859, forwarding specimens of gold.
