Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Addington, Henry Unwin to Merivale, Herman 26 April 1852, CO 305:3, no. 3513, 323.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Addington sends Merivale a copy of Aikin’s letter to Palmerston regarding the discovery of gold at Haida Gwaii.
The minutes discuss the role that the HBC will likely assume regarding trade at Haida Gwaii. Merivale notes Pelly’s requests to the Foreign Office for dealing with American trespassors to Haida Gwaii.
This file encloses Aikin’s letter to Palmerston regarding the discovery of gold at Haida Gwaii.
I am directed by the Earl of Malmesbury to transmit to you, for the
information of Secretary Sir John Pakington, the accompanying copy of a
Dispatch from Her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco, containing
Information respecting
respecting the discovery of Gold in Queen Charlotte's
Island, and respecting the proceedings of Parties who have visited that
Island.
respecting the discovery of Gold in Queen Charlotte's
Island, and respecting the proceedings of Parties who have visited that
Island.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
If the Foreign Office (which can be ascertained by personal enquiry) should not have communicated the enclosed report to the Commercial Marine world through L[l]oyd's I am rather of opinion this Office ought to take that step. I know no other use to which this information can be applied, having little doubt that the Hudson's Bay Company are already apprized of the fate of their vessel "The Una". A copy of the report can however be sent to them if you think it necessary.
If the Foreign Office (which can be ascertained by personal enquiry) should not have communicated the enclosed report to the Commercial Marine world through L[l]oyd's I am rather of opinion this Office ought to take that step. I know no other use to which this information can be applied, having little doubt that the Hudson's Bay Company are already apprized of the fate of their vessel "The Una". A copy of the report can however be sent to them if you think it necessary.
ABd
28/4
Lord Desart
I
forwarded some papers on this subject the other day. Sir J. Pelly, the Govr of the Company, has since called on me. He is anxious for
two things, 1. The presence of a vessel of war off Q. Charlotte Island:
2. A grant or licence to the HBC to work the gold in Q Ch. Island:
not an exclusive licence or monopoly, but simply a permission from the
Crown. He thinks this would be a sufficient guarantee to enable them to
prevent trespassing by Americans or keep it within some bounds. I annex
a newspaper & some observations by HM's Consul in the Sandwich Islands
with which Mr Addington of the Foreign Office has favoured me.
I
forwarded some papers on this subject the other day. Sir J. Pelly, the Govr of the Company, has since called on me. He is anxious for
two things, 1. The presence of a vessel of war off Q. Charlotte Island:
2. A grant or licence to the HBC to work the gold in Q Ch. Island:
not an exclusive licence or monopoly, but simply a permission from the
Crown. He thinks this would be a sufficient guarantee to enable them to
prevent trespassing by Americans or keep it within some bounds. I annex
a newspaper & some observations by HM's Consul in the Sandwich Islands
with which Mr Addington of the Foreign Office has favoured me.
What is the question raised by these papers. [Fn. This minute has
been subsequently crossed out.]
been subsequently crossed out.]
JSP
4
Sir J. Pakington,
No immediate question. I sent them on in order to shew the general urgency of the case, & also the information which the For. Office have on it. Communicate the inclosed report to the H.B.C.
No immediate question. I sent them on in order to shew the general urgency of the case, & also the information which the For. Office have on it. Communicate the inclosed report to the H.B.C.
It does not seem to me more is necessary.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Aikin to Palmerston, Foreign Office, 1 March 1852, providing
the same information, obtained from Staines and two English
sailors, regarding the discovery of gold in the Queen Charlotte Islands,
as he provided to Rear Admiral Moresby.