Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 22 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6420, 554.
Abstract
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 22 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6420, 554.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
No. 62
22nd May 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to forward Copy of the latest report
which has been received from the Kootenay Gold Mines. The
financial Statements alluded to have not reached me.
2. Mr Young's report refersto
to a winter of unprecedented
severity coming upon a Mining community but a few Months
established on the Kootenay. While I regret the privations
which have been suffered, I allow myself to think that the
next winter will find the people better prepared in every
way to endure its rigour, should it even, contrary to all
suppositions, prove as severe as that from which we are just
emerging. It is clear from all reports that Gold is plentiful
on the Kootenayand
and Columbia, and that the Country, unlike the
Cariboo district, is admirably adapted for farming purposes.
to a winter of unprecedented
severity coming upon a Mining community but a few Months
established on the Kootenay. While I regret the privations
which have been suffered, I allow myself to think that the
next winter will find the people better prepared in every
way to endure its rigour, should it even, contrary to all
suppositions, prove as severe as that from which we are just
emerging. It is clear from all reports that Gold is plentiful
on the Kootenayand
and Columbia, and that the Country, unlike the
Cariboo district, is admirably adapted for farming purposes.
3. You will be gratified to see how well conducted the
Mining population continues to be.
4. Mr Young's report mentions anticipated arrivals
of pack trains and goods from different places, but I am
sorry to say that every one of these places is in the United
States. This dependence of our new Gold fieldsupon
upon foreign
markets is an unconvenience to the Government and a loss to
British Merchants. I am happy to say, however, that I have
now succeeded in opening the trail over the Cascade Mountains
at Hope. You may judge of the nature of the Country when I
say that, in this latter part of May, the road has, for many
miles, still seven feet of snow on either side. By the end of
July I expect to have the trailcompleted
completed through British
Territory from the Fraser to the Kootenay.
upon foreign
markets is an unconvenience to the Government and a loss to
British Merchants. I am happy to say, however, that I have
now succeeded in opening the trail over the Cascade Mountains
at Hope. You may judge of the nature of the Country when I
say that, in this latter part of May, the road has, for many
miles, still seven feet of snow on either side. By the end of
July I expect to have the trailcompleted
completed through British
Territory from the Fraser to the Kootenay.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
See my note about the property of the Dane. We might send a copy of the enclosure to the Land Bd for infn. Some of the infn may be useful to introduce into Land Bd reports or Colonization Circulars.
See my note about the property of the Dane. We might send a copy of the enclosure to the Land Bd for infn. Some of the infn may be useful to introduce into Land Bd reports or Colonization Circulars.
ABd
10 July
Mr Blackwood
Send the enclosure to the Land Board as suggested.
Send the enclosure to the Land Board as suggested.
About the Native of Sonderburg, I think that we had
better tell the Governor that if he will remit his property
to the Crown Agents,steps
steps will be taken by this Department
to ascertain the most convenient manner of conveying the money
to the family of the deceased at Sonderburg.
steps will be taken by this Department
to ascertain the most convenient manner of conveying the money
to the family of the deceased at Sonderburg.
When the money comes, we can tell the Foreign Office for
what place it is destined, and can ask them to inform us of the
most convenient method of providing for it's payment. There
may be a British Consul at or near the place.
TFE
11 July
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
W.C. Young to J.C. Haynes, J.P., Sooyoos Lake, 3 April
1865, reporting events in the Kootenay district, including notification
of the death of a Danish miner.
