No. 92
4 February 1859
Sir,
I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your information a report from the Lieutenant Governor, dated the 28th January 1859, recommending as a site for the seat of Government in British Columbia a position about 10 Miles below theManuscript imagethe new Town of Langley, on the north bank of Fraser's River.
2. The Lieutenant Governor has entered fully into the consideration of the military features of the position, which he believes to be of rare strength and value, and also that, apart from those advantages, the actual spot itself is well adapted for a city of magnitude; in consequence of there being deep water close along an extended line of shore for the anchorage of sea-going vessels of any burden; an abundant supplyManuscript imagesupply of water for household purposes; and good drainage.
3. The views which the Lieutenant Governor has so ably developed, generally coincide with my own impressions on the subject, and I am satisfied of the soundness of his conclusions. I have therefore authorized the immediate Survey and sub-division of the site recommended in his report into building Lots of the ordinary dimensions, for sale; and the work will be commenced with all convenient despatchManuscript imagedespatch.
I have etc.
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
This choice of Colonel Moody for the site of the Capital town of B. Columbia sounds very satisfactory. The spot, first chosen, & where the sales of Land took place, which produced so much money, was very unfavorable inasmuch as the River was in the rear & in the military point of view exceedingly unsafe. Before approving this solution it wd be well perhaps to communicate the report of the Colonels to the War Office in case Genl Peel shd have any observns to offer to us which cd be of use. Copy to Queen & print for Parlt.
ABd 29/3
I am very glad the two are agreed about it, as it is just one of the points on which a difference of opinion might have been expected. For the Queen?
HM Mh 30
See 3267.
C Mch 31
EBL Ap 1
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Carnarvon (in the absence of Lytton) to Douglas, No. 71, 24 May 1859.
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Draft, Merivale to War Office, 12 April 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch for observations.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Moody to [Douglas], 28 January 1859, recommending the site for the capital.
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 4 February 1859, CO 60:4, no. 3266, 118. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B59092.html.

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