Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Labouchere, Henry 29 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 347, 117.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (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.
Douglas updates the Colonial Office on the status of the gold fields in the
Upper Columbia River district.He reports that the number of prospectors is currently
limitedas the indigenous population is
hostileto American citizens. He says,
the persons at present engaged in the search of Gold, are chiefly of British origin and retired servants of the Hudson’s Bay Company.Douglas relays reports of
considerable quantitiesof gold being found and holds
sanguine hopesthat the gold fields will yield similar
stores of wealthas California.
The minutes acknowledge Douglas’s account.
Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere acknowledging Douglas’s report.
No. 28
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No
14, of the 4th of August, communicating the arrival of my Despatch No
10, of the 16th of April last, in which was reported the discovery of
Gold within the British Territory, in the Upper Columbia River district.
2. I have since the date of that letter
letter, received several other
communications from my correspondent, in that part of the country, who
however scarcely makes any allusion to the subject of the Gold
discovery, but I have heard through other almost equally reliable
sources of information, that the number of persons engaged in gold
digging is yet extremely limited, in consequence of the threatening
attitude of the Native Tribes, who being hostile to the Americans have
uniformly opposed the entrance of American citizens into their country.
letter, received several other
communications from my correspondent, in that part of the country, who
however scarcely makes any allusion to the subject of the Gold
discovery, but I have heard through other almost equally reliable
sources of information, that the number of persons engaged in gold
digging is yet extremely limited, in consequence of the threatening
attitude of the Native Tribes, who being hostile to the Americans have
uniformly opposed the entrance of American citizens into their country.
3. The people from American Oregon are therefore excluded from the
Gold District, except such, as resorting to the artifice of denying
their country, succeed in passing for British Subjects
Subjects. The persons at
present engaged in the search of Gold, are chiefly of British origin and
retired servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who being well acquainted
with the Natives, and connected by old acquaintanceship and the ties of
friendship, are more disposed to aid and assist each other in their
common pursuits, than to commit injuries against persons or property.
Subjects. The persons at
present engaged in the search of Gold, are chiefly of British origin and
retired servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who being well acquainted
with the Natives, and connected by old acquaintanceship and the ties of
friendship, are more disposed to aid and assist each other in their
common pursuits, than to commit injuries against persons or property.
4. They appear to pursue their toilsome occupation in peace and
without molestation from the Natives, and there is no reason to suppose
that any criminal act, has been lately committed in that part of the
country, nor indeed do I apprehend any difficulty in preserving order
among those men, so long as the heterogeneous population of American
Oregon are excluded
excluded from the gold district.
excluded from the gold district.
5. It is reported that gold is found in considerable quantities
and that several persons have accumulated large sums by their labour and
traffic, but I cannot vouch for the accuracy of those reports, though on
the other hand, there is no reason to discredit them, as about 220
ounces of Gold dust, has been brought to Vancouver's Island direct from
the Upper Columbia, a proof that the country is at least auriferous.
From the successful result of experiments made in washing gold from the
sands of the tributary streams of Frasers River, there is reason to
suppose that the gold region is extensive and I entertain sanguine hopes
that future researches
researches will develop stores of wealth, perhaps equal to
the gold fields of California.
researches will develop stores of wealth, perhaps equal to
the gold fields of California.
The geological formations observed in the "Sierra Nevada" of
California, being similar in character to the structure of the
corresponding range of mountains in this latitude, it is not
unreasonable to suppose that the resemblance will be found to include,
auriferous deposits.
6. I shall not fail to furnish you with full and regular accounts
of every event of interest, connected with the gold district, which may
from time to time occur.
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
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