Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Demers, Modeste to Hawes, Benjamin 26 August 1850, CO 305:2, no. 7234, 347.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
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.
Demers declares to Hawes his appointed position as Bishop of Vancouver Island, he then solicits for funds toward
the poor Mission of Vancouver's Island.
In the minutes, Blackwood suggests that Demers be informed that Parliament has not allotted funds for a Vancouver-Island Bishop, and that Demers should address the HBC on the matter, as it falls to them to provide for this and related concerns. Elliot, Hawes, and Grey sign thereafter.
This file encloses a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Demers, which advises that he address his request to the HBC.
I have the honour to inform you that I am a British
subject, being born in Canada, and that on the seventeenth day of July
one thousand eight hundred and forty six I was nominated and since have
been consacrated Roman Catholic Bishop of Vancouver's Island.
I have the happiness to be one of the two first Missionaries sent out to Oregon where I have performed the
sacred duties of the Ministry among the French Canadians and the Natives of that country for ten years.
2Ansd 12 Sept/50
Besides Vancouver's Island I am Administrator, pro tempore, of two
other Dioceses which are first: Queen Charlotte Island, including the
Sea Coast North to the Russian Settlements; second, New Caledonia.
No doubt but you know that a certain number of Canadians, after
leaving the Hudson's Bay Company's service have been settling with their
families in the Wallamet Valley which now belongs to the United States.
On my leaving Oregon some of them were telling me they would willingly
go and settle on Vancouver's 
Island, would the Company allow them to do
so. I have great reason to believe that the establishment of a Catholic
Mission on the Island will cause many of them, as well as those that
will be let free, to settle on it: which they would not do if they had
no prospect of having Clergymen amongst them.
Island, would the Company allow them to do
so. I have great reason to believe that the establishment of a Catholic
Mission on the Island will cause many of them, as well as those that
will be let free, to settle on it: which they would not do if they had
no prospect of having Clergymen amongst them.The state of things being so I will now take the liberty to expose
to you my present situation: in the whole territory committed to my
care their are about fifty thousands of Indians, of whom I may say four
thousands are already enrolled under the sacred banner of Christianity.
Having not a single Missionery to help me I saw the necessity of
coming over to Europe to find the means to bring a certain number of
Clergymen that would devote themselves and follow me; a passage for each
one of them will cost me seventy five pounds. Nothing is done yet, I
have got no house, no place of worship put up . . .
These informations may lead you to the object I have in view in
giving them: I am aware 
that several Roman Catholic Bishops in the
British possessions are allowed a yearly some of money by Her Gracious
Majesty's Government; a motive that encourages me in asking for the same favour, and I am in hopes that it will be extended to the
poor Mission
of Vancouver's Island, where nothing shall be spared of what can promote
the welfare, both spiritual and temporal of Her Majesty's subjects in
that remoted part of Her Dominions.
that several Roman Catholic Bishops in the
British possessions are allowed a yearly some of money by Her Gracious
Majesty's Government; a motive that encourages me in asking for the same favour, and I am in hopes that it will be extended to the
poor Mission
of Vancouver's Island, where nothing shall be spared of what can promote
the welfare, both spiritual and temporal of Her Majesty's subjects in
that remoted part of Her Dominions.Please lay this letter before His Lordship the Minister of the
Colonies.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
your most humble and obedient
Servant
+ Mod. Demers R.C. Bishop
of Vancouver's Island.
9 Buxton St Spitalfields, London
August 26th 1850
your most humble and obedient
Servant
+ Mod. Demers R.C. Bishop
of Vancouver's Island.
9 Buxton St Spitalfields, London
August 26th 1850
Minutes by CO staff
1Mr Elliot
I think the writer should be informed that Parliament has made no provision for the maintenance of a R.C. Bishop at VanCouver's Island, & that it is necessary that he should address himself on topics relating to the interests of that Settlement on this object to the Chairman of the Hudson's Bay Company, as the management of it's affairs belong to that body.
I think the writer should be informed that Parliament has made no provision for the maintenance of a R.C. Bishop at VanCouver's Island, & that it is necessary that he should address himself on topics relating to the interests of that Settlement on this object to the Chairman of the Hudson's Bay Company, as the management of it's affairs belong to that body.
ABd
30/8.
(He was mentioned to me formally by Mr Quillin, a respectable old Priest from Canada.)
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Demers, 12 September 1850, advising that he should address his request to the chairman of the Hudson's Bay Company.