Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hawes, Benjamin to
Carnarvon, Earl 30 April 1859, CO 60:6, no. 4447, 277.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Hawes acknowledges receipt of the Under-Secretary’s forwarding of Douglas’ despatch concerning “a site for the seat of Government” in the Fraser River district and Moody’s report on the area. Hawes regrets that Moody’s report does not contain a sketch or plan that could have afforded a better understanding
of “the particulars averted to” but judges that Moody’s conclusions seem “sensible and well-judged.”
The minutes agree to forward to the War Office a sketch Blackwood had received from Moody in a private correspondence.
Enclosed in the document is Talbot to Blackwood, 14 May 1859, explaining that the sketch has been shown to Sir John Burgoyne and that he approves of the proposed site.
Hawes to Under-Secretary of State
War Office
30 April 1859
Sir,
I am directed by Secretary Major General Peel to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter, of the 12th Instant, covering
the copy of a despatch, and of its enclosure, from the Governor
of British Columbia, respecting a site for the seat of Government
in that Colony; and I am to observe that it is to be regretted
Lieutenant Governor Moody's Report is unaccompanied by any plan
or sketch, which, if only sufficient to mark the locality in a
very slight degree, would have afforded a more perfect
understanding
understanding of the particulars adverted to: but, so far,
however, as can be judged from a written description, the
conclusions, in the Report, seem very sensible and well-judged.
understanding of the particulars adverted to: but, so far,
however, as can be judged from a written description, the
conclusions, in the Report, seem very sensible and well-judged.
Minutes by CO staff
Lord Carnarvon
See minute, as to the name of the new Capital on 3267.
See minute, as to the name of the new Capital on 3267.
Colonel Moody has sent me, in a private Letter, a sketch of
the locality round the proposed capital. Wd yr
Lordship like to refer it to the War Office before writing to
the Governor on the subject. I annex the sketch.
ABd
2/5
C
May 2
Other documents included in the file
The sketch from Moody which you sent me of the proposed
site for the Capital of B. Columbia, has been shewn to Sir
John Burgoyne who states that "it confirms his impression
from the written descriptions that the site cd not be
better chosen on Military grounds, assuming, as must no
doubt be the case, that it must be connected 
with the Fraser River."
with the Fraser River."
No alteration of our Letter of the 30th ult.
(herewith returned with the sketch) is deemed necessary.