Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Macfie, Matthew to Fortescue, Chichester 13 December 1864, CO 305:24, no. 11597, 284.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (4), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Reverend Macfie informs Fortescue that he has returned to England after five years in Vancouver Island and British Columbia as an agent of the British Colonial Missionary Society and announces his intention to write a book of
Classified informationregarding each colony’s resources. He requests to view Colonial Office records and to be provided with photographs of the Sooke gold mining district. The Colonial Office denies his request.
Macfie to Under-Secretary of State
13th December 1864
To the Under Secretary of State
for the Colonies
Sir,
Sir,
I have recently returned to this country after a residence of five
years in the above Colonies,
as agent of "the British Colonial Missionary Society," and am now
Engaged in preparing a book containing Classified information
respecting their resources collected during the period referred to.
I have already had opportunities of perusing all Parliamentary
documents relating to these Colonies that were published to the close
of 1862. As my work is intended to be a faithful account of the
Condition and Prospects I am anxious that it should contain the most
recent information. I have applied for the blue books referring to
Vancouver Island, and British Columbia, that have been published,
since the close of 1862, at the London Institution and
British Museum but these documents I was informed had not been
received there.
As the forthcoming volume is designed for the public it will, it is
hoped, be of service to those distant parts of the Empire. May I
respectfully beg that you will do me the favor of allowing me to
examine at the Colonial Office or grant me facility to peruse
elsewhere the official papers relating to these Colonies published
since the close of 1862? May I also request Permission to obtain a
copy of the photographs of the Sooke Gold mining district which I
understand have been sent to the Colonial Office by Governor Kennedy
of Vancouver Island within the last few months?
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
This gentleman called here and asked to see any Report from the Govr on the Sooke gold Mines, or any diagrams or plans of the Mines. I explained to him that I was not at liberty to shew him any public documents—that there were no plans of the Mines sent over, but merely photographs of the Gold districts. Nothing has been printed since 1862.
This gentleman called here and asked to see any Report from the Govr on the Sooke gold Mines, or any diagrams or plans of the Mines. I explained to him that I was not at liberty to shew him any public documents—that there were no plans of the Mines sent over, but merely photographs of the Gold districts. Nothing has been printed since 1862.
VJ
17 Decr
I should ackge his letter and express regret that as no papers
relating to Vancouver Island and British Columbia have been laid
before Parliament since 1862, Mr Cardwell has no means of supplying
him with any of later date than those which he has already seen. The
Photographs (it should add) to which he alludes consist merely of
landscapes which it is not in Mr Cardwell's power to present to any
private person for the purpose of publication.
TFE
19 Decr
I wd send him a civil reply saying that there wd be
[any disputin?]
to shew him anything that cd be properly be communicated.
EC
24
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
TFE
6/1