Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Hamber, Fred M. to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 14 October 1858, CO 60:3, no. 10582, 176.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (5), Other documents (1).
Hamber outlines a proposed line for steam communication between Vancouver Island and the Fraser River gold fields.
The minutes are unsure how a government department can help with a purely commercial
enterprise.
Hamber to Lytton
Octr 14 1858
To the Right Honorable
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton Bart
Her Majestys Secretary of State
for the Colonies &c &c
Sir,
Sir,
A Company has been formed for the purpose of establishing Steam
Communication between Victoria or the Harbor of Esquimalt, in
Vancouver's Island and the Fraser River.
The route proposed will be from Victoria and other ports in
Vancouver's Island, to Albert City at the mouth of the Fraser
River, British Columbia, thence to Fort Langley and onwards to the
Falls at Fort Yale on the same river and to such other places as
may hereafter be agreed upon.
When the River Traffic has been fully established it is intended to
organise Mule Trains for continuing the passengers and goods
traffic from the Company's boats to the chief Mining Districts.
Previous to an immediate application to the Public it is deemed
advisable to consult the wishes of the Government and to ascertain
to what extent the
Company may be able to calculate upon its
countenance and support.
Company may be able to calculate upon its
countenance and support.
The establishment of this Company was suggested by persons on the
spot, well acquainted with the country, before the receipt by the
Government of the despatch of Governor Douglas of the 8th of May
last, in which his Excellency states:
To effect that object it will be requisite to facilitate by every
possible means the transport of passengers and goods to the
farthest navigable point on Frazer River, and the obvious means of
accomplishing that end is to employ light Steamers in plying
between and connecting the port with the falls of Frazer's River,
distant 130 miles, from the discharge of that river into the Gulf
of Georgia those falls being generally believed to be at the
commencement of the remunerative gold diggings and from thence the
Miners would readily make their way on foot, or, after the summer
freshets, by the river, into the interior of the Country.
By that means also the whole trade of the gold regions would pass
through Frazer's River and be retained within the British Territory
forming a valuable outlet for British manufactured goods and at
once creating a lucrative trade between the mother country and
Vancouver's Island.
Subsequent reliable advices tend to confirm these views and
establish the importance of the gold discovery, and the necessity
for keeping open the navigation of the Frazer River.
With this view I am desired also respectfully to request that I may
be favored on behalf of the Company with an appointment of a time
when it will be convenient for you to receive a deputation from
them upon the subject.
The names of the Gentlemen forming the deputation will be
previously forwarded in accordance with what I believe is the usual
practice.
Minutes by CO staff
I do not see what possible "countenance and support" H.M. Govt
could or ought to give to a purely commercial enterprize: but
having in view the great probable advantage which would flow from
the establishment of a Steam Company to run from Victoria—VanC.
Id—to and up the Frazer's River I should be disposed to suggest
to Sir Edward that it wd be very proper to inform the Deputation
that tho' this Office cannot give the "countenance" wished for we
will readily show any responsible Member of the Co all the
documents we possess from the Governor wh wd aid them in their
project.
ABd
16 Octr
(See Minute annexed.
TFE )
The whole value of a proposal of this kind depends upon the
question whether the parties are substantial and likely to be well
informed on the prospects of their enterprise, or whether they are
mere adventurers wishing to start a Company for purposes of
speculation. Which may be the case in this instance. I have no
knowledge.
It will be for Sir E.B. Lytton to decide whether he thinks fit to
grant them an interview. If he does, our letter need sayno
no more.
no more.
If he does not, I do not think that I should expressly refuse
"Countenance", which, if not a very definite is at least not an
immoderate request. What I should say to them would be that the
project which the writer describes is a commercial undertaking
which must depend on private enterprise and in which it would be
beyond the province of any public Department to
interpose, and
therefore that Sir E.B. Lytton can merely state that if an
efficient and successful line of Steam Communication should be
established between Vancouver's Island and the Frazer River, H.M.
Govt would be very glad of the result.
interpose, and
therefore that Sir E.B. Lytton can merely state that if an
efficient and successful line of Steam Communication should be
established between Vancouver's Island and the Frazer River, H.M.
Govt would be very glad of the result.
I do not think that it would be advisable to offer to these private
persons an inspection of our reports from the Governor.
TFE
18 Octr
Sir Edward Lytton
Will you give an interview?
Will you give an interview?
C
Oct 19
