No. 12
28th February 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to forward a report from Mr O'Reilly, Gold Commissioner of Cariboo East, respecting the affairs of his district in 1864.
[2.] I shall hope shortly to have sufficient leisure toreportManuscript image report to you fully respecting the condition of the Gold Mines during the last year, their present state, and future prospects. The first will not show much cause for satisfaction. The rigour of the Winter leaves but little to be said respecting the Second, but as regards the future I may say that the prospects are promising. Rich diggings, which seem capable of furnishing occupation for many thousands of men, are being discovered on several creeks between the Kootenay Mines in theSouthManuscript image South and those of Cariboo in the North. It appears as if the whole intervening country for four or five hundred miles will prove richly auriferous. It is not uncommon at the Kootenay and the North Bend of the Columbia for Miners to make from fifteen to twenty pounds a head a day, not from the accidental discoveries of nuggets but from the fair working of their claims.
I have the honor to be,
Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Acknowledge receipt. Send copy to Land Bd for information—in case of enquiries being made there by intending Emigrants.
ABd 15-5
TFE 15/5
CF 16
EC 17
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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P. O'Reilly to the Colonial Secretary, 5 January 1865, reporting as per despatch.
Other documents included in the file
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Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 20 May 1865, forwarding copy of the despatch and report for information.
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Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 22, 19 May 1865.