Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 23 August 1859, CO 60:5, no. 10049, 71.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (3), Marginalia (5).
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 provides a lengthy report on
the state of British Columbia,which, among other subjects, discusses roads, finances, mining, and the expected arrival of
the two Gun Boats,announced in earlier correspondence, noting that
Those vessels would be of incalculable advantage to the Country; its coasts might then be explored, settlements formed and protected from Indian violence, in a manner which with my present means is simply impossible.Blackwood minutes that Douglas's
report is highly satisfactory. I trust it is not too good to be correct.
No. 207
Having been much occupied of late with the affairs of
Vancouver's Island, I have not, in my last Despatches, adverted
to the state of British Columbia. That Colony is making
satisfactory progress.
2. The great enterprise of
of the season, the Wagon Road from
Douglas through the valley of the Harrison River to the upper
Fraser, beyond the mountains, has been necessarily retarded by
the withdrawal of the Royal Marines for service on the Island
of San Juan, but the work is still being prosecuted by a
Detachment of Royal Engineers under the command of Captain
Grant. That force is however insufficient to make much impression
this season, on a work of such magnitude; winter will in all
probability find us unprepared, and we shall have
have again to
encounter the arduous task of feeding the mining population of
the interior, by packing provisions on mules, over the present
road, a process so expensive as materially to add to the cost
of living and consequently notwithstanding their large earnings,
the miners are, from positive inability to live, compelled in
great numbers to abandon the country.
of the season, the Wagon Road from
Douglas through the valley of the Harrison River to the upper
Fraser, beyond the mountains, has been necessarily retarded by
the withdrawal of the Royal Marines for service on the Island
of San Juan, but the work is still being prosecuted by a
Detachment of Royal Engineers under the command of Captain
Grant. That force is however insufficient to make much impression
this season, on a work of such magnitude; winter will in all
probability find us unprepared, and we shall have
have again to
encounter the arduous task of feeding the mining population of
the interior, by packing provisions on mules, over the present
road, a process so expensive as materially to add to the cost
of living and consequently notwithstanding their large earnings,
the miners are, from positive inability to live, compelled in
great numbers to abandon the country.
3. Money is greatly wanted for carrying on that indispensable
work, which might be completed for the sum of Thirty Thousand pounds
(£30,000).
The export duty, as soon as it can be imposed, will help the revenue.
4. That sum I have no
no doubt could be easily raised by way
of loan either in England, or in this Country, provided its
repayment were guaranteed by Parliament, and I would beg to draw
the attention of Her Majesty's Government to that subject in
order to procure the necessary aid for accomplishing an enterprise
worthy of our Country, and removing the great impediment to the
development of the Mining Regions of British Columbia. Its
influence in promoting the prosperity of the Country would be
incalculably great, and it would lead to so large an
an increase of
the public Revenue as soon to repay the preliminary outlay.
no doubt could be easily raised by way
of loan either in England, or in this Country, provided its
repayment were guaranteed by Parliament, and I would beg to draw
the attention of Her Majesty's Government to that subject in
order to procure the necessary aid for accomplishing an enterprise
worthy of our Country, and removing the great impediment to the
development of the Mining Regions of British Columbia. Its
influence in promoting the prosperity of the Country would be
incalculably great, and it would lead to so large an
an increase of
the public Revenue as soon to repay the preliminary outlay.
5. On the contrary without such facilities of access, the
Country will have to struggle on amidst the discouragements of
poverty and distress.
6. The Mule Road from Fort Hope to Boston Bar has been recently
completed, and will be of great advantage to that district of the
Country.
7. Much is also required to be done in improving the road from
Fort Yale by the passes of Frasers River; in short on all sides
is the helping hand of Government urgently required
required in opening
a free access into a Country whose resources are probably greater
than our most sanguine speculations ever contemplated. Every
step in advance confirms that opinion, and reveals more distinctly
the auriferous wealth of the Country.
required in opening
a free access into a Country whose resources are probably greater
than our most sanguine speculations ever contemplated. Every
step in advance confirms that opinion, and reveals more distinctly
the auriferous wealth of the Country.
8. My advices from Fort Yale are up to the 17th of August.
Mr Commissioner Sanders reports that the miners are almost
without exception, doing exceedingly well, and in the newly
discovered diggings at Quesnel's River, are making on the average
one ounce of gold to a man per diem.
9. Those accounts are confirmed by numberless letters from
persons in the interior to their former partners or friends in
in
the Fort Yale District, exhausting all their powers of persuasion
to induce them to join them at Alexandria.
in
the Fort Yale District, exhausting all their powers of persuasion
to induce them to join them at Alexandria.
10. Mr. Cox a Revenue Officer employed in the District of
Thompson's River, reports that the miners in that part of the
Country are making very large wages, and mentions that one
company of five men were procurring by Sluices an aggregate
return of from
Two Hundred and Fifty ($250), to Three Hundred Dollars ($300) a
day; and others with the cradle were averaging each from
Ten ($10) to Twelve Dollars ($12) a day.
11. The newly explored tract of mining country about
about
Alexandria and Quesnel's River is reported to have more of
the general features of a Gold country than any yet known part
of British Columbia. The miners appear fully satisfied on that
point, and of the auriferous character of the soil in the valley
of Frasers River. Already are Hydraulic Mining Associations
forming, who expect to derive considerable profit by that process,
from Benches and flats which cannot at present be worked to
advantage for want of water.
about
Alexandria and Quesnel's River is reported to have more of
the general features of a Gold country than any yet known part
of British Columbia. The miners appear fully satisfied on that
point, and of the auriferous character of the soil in the valley
of Frasers River. Already are Hydraulic Mining Associations
forming, who expect to derive considerable profit by that process,
from Benches and flats which cannot at present be worked to
advantage for want of water.
12. The Miners on Frasers River have been much delayed this
Season by the high state of the water, which has now Subsided
Subsided,
and they have resumed work with great spirit.
Subsided,
and they have resumed work with great spirit.
13. Ditch owners, on the other hand have already felt the
want of water, and complain that the streams from which they draw can
hardly supply one fourth of the usual and requisite quantity of water.
14. Much anxiety has been expressed by the miners generally
on the subject of Banks of Deposit, which are greatly needed
in every District of British Columbia. The Miners' only alternative
at present being to bury his gold dust for security, which is
known to be the general practice in Frasers River; but were
Banks of Deposit established, they would willingly pay a monthly
per centage
per centage on any sums they might deposit.
per centage on any sums they might deposit.
15. I have long been convinced of the value and importance
of such institutions. But without the assistance of men of tried
integrity and business habits, no such scheme could be carried
out with advantage to individuals or to the public.
16. The Country is everywhere in a perfectly tranquil state.
17. A body of nearly one hundred gold miners sailed from
this place on the 27th July to explore the gold fields of
Queen Charlotte's island, and I trust this little
little band of
Pioneers will meet with the success their enterprise deserves.
The expedition was equipped entirely at their own expense. I
promised however to exempt the party from all taxes for six
months to come, and to allow them certain privileges in respect
to quartz claims, not inconsistent however, with the provisions
of the general mining regulations which I propose shortly to issue.
little band of
Pioneers will meet with the success their enterprise deserves.
The expedition was equipped entirely at their own expense. I
promised however to exempt the party from all taxes for six
months to come, and to allow them certain privileges in respect
to quartz claims, not inconsistent however, with the provisions
of the general mining regulations which I propose shortly to issue.
18. I also promised to protect them in the prosecution of
their enterprise as far as the means at my disposal allow, and
in fulfilment of that promise I have made a requisition on Rear
Admiral Rear
Admiral Rear
Admiral Baynes
Baynes, for the assistance of a Ship of War to visit the
place where they intend to form their settlement.
Baynes, for the assistance of a Ship of War to visit the
place where they intend to form their settlement.
19. If that attempt proves successful the result will be
highly important for the Colony, and Queen Charlotte's Island,
which abounds in minerals, and its coasts with fish, will soon
become the resort of many flourishing settlements.
20. I am looking forward with great anxiety for the arrival
of the two Gun Boats
which Her Majesty's Government announced in
your Despatch No 30 of the
of the 10th March, it was intended to place
them at my disposal for the defence and protection of this Colony.
Ask the Admy if they are gone. I do not recollect hearing that
they had.
of the 10th March, it was intended to place
them at my disposal for the defence and protection of this Colony.
21. Those vessels would be of incalculable advantage to the
Country; its coasts might then be explored, settlements formed
and protected from Indian violence, in a manner which with my
present means is simply impossible.
22. The late numbers of the Victoria Gazette
are herewith transmitted for
for your information.
Nos 8 to 26 of the Victoria Gazette. July 12 to Augt 23.
for your information.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This report is highly satisfactory. I trust it is not too good to be correct. The Govr wants much help from this Country, but will it not be better to let him distinctly know that with such advantages as the Colony possesses, the Community must rely on it's own vigor to achieve success.
This report is highly satisfactory. I trust it is not too good to be correct. The Govr wants much help from this Country, but will it not be better to let him distinctly know that with such advantages as the Colony possesses, the Community must rely on it's own vigor to achieve success.
Shall any enquiry be proposed to the Admy abt the
Gunboats?
ABd
12 Oct
Duke of Newcastle
I have noted in the newspapers attached, some points not adverted to by the Governor, & which may be of interest, now that public attention is directed to this question.
I have noted in the newspapers attached, some points not adverted to by the Governor, & which may be of interest, now that public attention is directed to this question.
1. Country land is now selling in Vanc. I. at the upset
price of a dollar (4s2d). I was not aware of this lowering.
The newspapers had better go to the Land & Em. Office for
information on this & other points.
Inferior Land only under special arrangement. Reported by the
Governor.
2. The mining "population" of Fraser River, i.e. the balance
of those who stay against those who return, estimated in June at 4000.
3. Meteorological journals give a most favorable idea of the
climate. It is clear that the summer in Vanc. I. & the coast of B. Col.
instead of being the dripping season we had imagined, is much drier than
in England.
4. They have got up a "Reform Association" at Queensborough.
I have always wondered, & thought it rather a singular sign of
the times, that Sir E. Lytton's bold measure in starting this
Colony without any political rights whatever had hitherto
engendered so little opposition.
5. The question of incorporation between V.I. & Brit.
C. is being much discussed, 
and "Cassandra" writes furious letters
against it; one of her reasons being the extensively practical
one, that Vanc. I. now gets much of its business done by B.
Columbian officials whom it does not pay.
and "Cassandra" writes furious letters
against it; one of her reasons being the extensively practical
one, that Vanc. I. now gets much of its business done by B.
Columbian officials whom it does not pay.
6. In No 24 of the Victoria Gazette is a letter signed
"Amor de Justicia" which gives a notion of the American view of
the treaty question as to S. Juan.
HM
O 13
These newspapers are very interesting. It is strange that
the Govr has given no intimation of the reduction of the price
of land, the E. Comrs may perhaps be able to explain it.
I am not sure of this.
I think an answer in the sense indicated by Mr Blackwood is
required.
N
16
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Emigration Commissioners, 9 November 1859,
forwarding a copy of the despatch and draft reply for information.
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 31, 21 October 1859, on the expected arrival of promised gun boats
for the service of British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
It is desirable to let the Governor know the state of the case.
ABd
20 O
Other documents included in the file
*
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 33, 28 October 1859, noting various considerations and concerns on the development and finances of British Columbia.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Note in file: "Folios 897-106v not photographed,
Victoria Gazette, No. 8, 12 July, to No. 14, 26 July; No. 24,
18 August and No. 26, 23 August 1859;
Steamer Victoria Gazette, 20 August 1859."