Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 30 July 1864, CO 305:22, no. 8755, 377.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
Kennedy forwards newspaper clipping announcing the discovery of gold in Sooke. Blackwood minutes that this is
great news from [Vancouver Island]. If the discovery proves valuable, the Colony and the Crown Revenue will largely benefit.
No. 47
30th July 1864
Sir
Impressed with the singular ignorance of the resources of the
interior of this Island, which prevailed on my assuming Office, I
felt the great necessity of some organized system of exploration.
In the then existing temper of the Legislative Assembly, and their
opinion recorded in Resolutionstransmitted
transmitted by my Predecessor that the
Crown Lands were "valueless," I was unwilling to apply to the
Legislature for funds to carry out my views.
transmitted by my Predecessor that the
Crown Lands were "valueless," I was unwilling to apply to the
Legislature for funds to carry out my views.
In this juncture I found some public spirited Gentlemen connected
with the trade and commerce of the Colony willing to aid me in this
matter on my undertaking to contribute two dollars from Crown
Revenue, for every one which was raised by public subscription.
A
A Committee was formed, subscriptions raised, and a party organized
and despatched on the 8th June last.
It is not my intention in this hastily written Despatch to go into
details. I may, however, state generally that although a portion
only of the south Eastern part of the Island has been examined, the
results have been very satisfactory, and a considerable quantity of
good agricultural land discoveredabounding
abounding with game and many
fur-bearing animals. I will at a later period furnish you with a
detailed account of the proceedings of the exploring party.
abounding with game and many
fur-bearing animals. I will at a later period furnish you with a
detailed account of the proceedings of the exploring party.
My object in at present addressing you is to give the earliest
information of alleged gold discoveries
in the Sooke River District about 20 miles to the Westward of
Victoria, and with this view I enclose a copy of the Report of the
leader of the exploring party, Mr RobertBrown
Brown, a gentleman in whose
intelligence and veracity I have every reliance.
Brown, a gentleman in whose
intelligence and veracity I have every reliance.
A considerable number of people have already left Victoria for the
Sooke District. I have sent an Acting Gold Commissioner, and issued
such Rules and Regulations as are necessary for the present to insure
order and protect the public interests.
The District where these alleged discoveries have been made is
unsurveyed and unoccupied,and
and I have therefore marked it on the
Maps, and notified it as a Crown Reserve to be dealt with as may be
hereafter found expedient.
and I have therefore marked it on the
Maps, and notified it as a Crown Reserve to be dealt with as may be
hereafter found expedient.
I may observe that a yield of one quarter of that obtained at Cariboo
would be more profitable to the miners at Sooke, owing to its
proximity to this City, the cheapness of provisions as compared with
the prices at other diggings and the easy access by land and by
water.
I will keep you informedof
of any further discoveries which may be
made.
of any further discoveries which may be
made.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
This is great news from VanC. Island. If the discovery proves valuable, the Colony and the Crown Revenue will largely benefit. Further reports will be sent by the Governor. In the mean time send a copy of this desph to Land Board for infn. See 8759 (since brought to me).
This is great news from VanC. Island. If the discovery proves valuable, the Colony and the Crown Revenue will largely benefit. Further reports will be sent by the Governor. In the mean time send a copy of this desph to Land Board for infn. See 8759 (since brought to me).
ABd
19 Sep
Yes. Vide 8759.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Clipping from unnamed newspaper, no date, containing government
proclamations respecting the gold district at Sooke, acquisition of
licenses, extent of claims, and
appointment of Richard Golledge as Gold Commissioner.
