Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 5 February 1862, CO 60:13, no. 3914, 53.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Douglas comments on, and forwards to Newcastle, a report, prepared by Begbie, reviewing the road network in the interior of British Columbia. Blackwood minutes Elliot to print Begbie's report
when the oppy occurs,and to request that Douglas thank Begbie
for this valuable contribution to the geographical knowledgeof the colony.
No. 7
5 February 1862
I have on this occasion the honor of forwarding a very
valuable report from Mr Begbie the Judge of British Columbia
submitting his observations on the state of thecommunications
communications
through the interior of the Colony from Lytton and Lillooet
to the Gold Fields on and about Antler Creek in the Caribou
Country a distance of nearly 500 miles from the Coast.
communications
through the interior of the Colony from Lytton and Lillooet
to the Gold Fields on and about Antler Creek in the Caribou
Country a distance of nearly 500 miles from the Coast.
2. The judicious selection of roads, being an object of
vast importance to the Colony, is a subject which cannot be
too carefullystudied
studied, and is naturally viewed with profound
solicitude by this Government.
studied, and is naturally viewed with profound
solicitude by this Government.
3. I consequently feel deeply obliged to Mr Begbie for
this useful contribution to our local information.
4. It is probable that the routes now in use from Lytton
and Lillooet to Alexandria will be established as a permanent
thoroughfares—for they notonly
only traverse, and open to
settlement the most extensive farming districts of the Colony,
but are less obstructed by snow during the Spring and Winter
months than the other known routes.
only traverse, and open to
settlement the most extensive farming districts of the Colony,
but are less obstructed by snow during the Spring and Winter
months than the other known routes.
5. That question cannot however be considered as finally
settled, while any part of the country remains comparatively
unknown inwhich
which category may be placed the extensive Districts
beyond Lytton and Lillooet which have not been examined with
such a degree of care and attention as fully to establish the
relative merits and defects of the several routes.
which category may be placed the extensive Districts
beyond Lytton and Lillooet which have not been examined with
such a degree of care and attention as fully to establish the
relative merits and defects of the several routes.
6. Mr Begbie's report is therefore very acceptable and
has been forwarded to the Commissioner ofLands
Lands and Works for
his information.
Lands and Works for
his information.
7. Mr Begbie's account of the enormous sums realized by
the Miners at Caribou is highly interesting and I would especially
call the attention of agriculturists to the price of grain at
"Williams" and "Beaver Lake"—i.e. 10d a lb for Oats and
1s/3d & 1s/6d a lbfor
for Barley and also to
Mr Begbie's remarks on the
character and productiveness of the soil as exemplified by the
crops of the few farms which have been brought into cultivation.
for Barley and also to
Mr Begbie's remarks on the
character and productiveness of the soil as exemplified by the
crops of the few farms which have been brought into cultivation.
8. With such prospects in view I hope that many of Her
Majesty's British subjects may be induced to visit thisColony
Colony
and to make British Columbia their home.
Colony
and to make British Columbia their home.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Acke, & request the Governor to thank Judge Begbie for this valuable contribution to the geographical knowledge of the interior of B. Columbia.
Acke, & request the Governor to thank Judge Begbie for this valuable contribution to the geographical knowledge of the interior of B. Columbia.
Print this when the oppy occurs. Send copy to L.
Emign Board.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 10 May 1862, forwarding
copy of the despatch for information.