Separate
10 June 1862
No information of a reliable or very definite character respecting the auriferous deposits on Stickeen River has been received since the date of my Despatch to Your Grace marked "Separate," of the 21st of January last.
2. The adventurers,toManuscript image to the number of one hundred and fifty men, were, by late accounts, encamped at Point Rothsay near the entrance of the Stickeen, awaiting the disappearance of the ice. They had tried for gold at several points higher up the Stream, in every instance with a favourable result, and it appears that they were generally satisfied with their prospects.
3. They had met with no molestation whatever from the Native Indian Tribes; and IinferManuscript image infer from a communicatiion of the 7th of April, addressed to me by the present Stickeen Chief, "Shakes," that the Miners continue to maintain a kind and friendly intercourse with the Natives; so far therefore as regards the security of the former from Indian aggression, their position is most favourable.
4. Many small Vessels are still fitting out at this place with supplies and passengers for Stickeen; and I trust we shall soon receive intelligence as to the true character and value of the country as aproductiveManuscript image productive gold field.
5. I have not hitherto deemed it necessary to take any overt steps for the Government of the Stickeen Country, and I am in daily expectation of Your Grace's instructions on the subject.
6. I herewith enclose a copy of a portion of Vancouver's Chart of the North West Coast, on which I have traced the position of the Stickeen River, shewing its course to a distance of 30 Miles from the Coast, and also a sketch of thesameManuscript image same portion of the River on a larger scale, shewing the main channel and depth of water up to that point.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
and humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
Ack. and refer the Govr to the recent Despatch of 26 of July?
VJ 5 Augt
FR 5/8
CF 6
N 7
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Note in file: "Two documents, (1) Sketch of the Stickeen River, west of British Columbia; (2) Copy of a portion of Vancouver's chart of the North West Coast, (north and west of B.C.) being fos. 252, 253 of C.O. 60, have been removed to the Map Room. Map Roof Reference MPG 648, November 1950, D.B. Wardle."
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 138, 16 August 1862, which points Douglas to a "an order in Council providing for the Administration of Justice in the Stekin Territories."