Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 4 June 1861, CO 60:10, no. 6744, 264.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1).
Douglas writes to Newcastle to report in detail on a recent trip to the British Columbia interior, where he observes “scenery of the grandest description.” Douglas discusses the state of settlement along and around his route, the need for roads,
and the locations of high-yield gold deposits, which are in the Cariboo Region, largely.
The minutes ask that Douglas's despatch be shown to Parliament.
Separate
4 June 1861
Since my departure from Victoria on the 10th May, I have visited in succession the towns of New Westminster, Hope, Yale,
and Lytton from whence I have now the honor of addressing Your Grace.
2. It is not necessary to trouble Your Grace with remarks on
the condition of those townswhich
which all exhibit a satisfactory degree of progress, yet nothing more than was anticipated
from
the quiet and prosperous state of the Colony.
which all exhibit a satisfactory degree of progress, yet nothing more than was anticipated
from
the quiet and prosperous state of the Colony.
3. The most interesting feature about New Westminster, are the newly formed lines of road through the densely wooded country North of that
Town, which has induced settlers to turn their
attention that way and will probably lead to the rapid extension
of settlement, in the direction of Burrards Inlet. A similar result, in promoting early settlement, is anticipatedfrom
from
another new line of road which is being formed on the left bank
of the Fraser, commencing a little below New Westminster and
running in a Southerly direction towards the frontier. The
forrests opposite the Town are beginning to yield to the
woodman's efforts, and one enterprising proprietor Mr Brown, has discovered on his ground, a large tract of excellent land, which certainly cannot
be surpassed in point of fertility or quality of soil.
from
another new line of road which is being formed on the left bank
of the Fraser, commencing a little below New Westminster and
running in a Southerly direction towards the frontier. The
forrests opposite the Town are beginning to yield to the
woodman's efforts, and one enterprising proprietor Mr Brown, has discovered on his ground, a large tract of excellent land, which certainly cannot
be surpassed in point of fertility or quality of soil.
4. Many land claims have been taken by settlers along the Fraser, yet inmy
my progress from New Westminster to Hope, there
was scarcely a trace of improvement or any observable inroad
on the forest. The Pre-emption Act is however beginning to work
its effect, and will, as I confidently believe, ere long, make
a decided change on the face of the country.
my progress from New Westminster to Hope, there
was scarcely a trace of improvement or any observable inroad
on the forest. The Pre-emption Act is however beginning to work
its effect, and will, as I confidently believe, ere long, make
a decided change on the face of the country.
5. Several industrious settlers probably about 80 in number
have taken land around Hope and Yale, and are toiling assiduously
in clearing and preparing the soilfor
for crops. The carriage road
from Hope towards Shimilkomeen of which about 12 miles are now
open to travel, is a great accommodation to settlers who eagerly
grasp at every improvable piece of land to which it gives access.
for crops. The carriage road
from Hope towards Shimilkomeen of which about 12 miles are now
open to travel, is a great accommodation to settlers who eagerly
grasp at every improvable piece of land to which it gives access.
6. Captain Grant with a detachment of 80 Royal Engineers
under his command, and about 80 Civilian labourers, is employed
in the formation of that road, which we hope to complete before
the return of winter, providing alwaysthat
that the public revenue
continues in a prosperous state, and our funds do not in the
mean time fall short.
that the public revenue
continues in a prosperous state, and our funds do not in the
mean time fall short.
7. I am especially anxious for the completion of that highly
important work so valuable as a military road leading towards the
frontier and as an outlet for the trade of the most fertile
agricultural districts of the Colony, and from discoveries which
are being continually made, probably the most auriferous. Every
successive discovery indeedtends
tends to confirm the impression that
the Gold Fields which have been struck at Rock Creek and Quesnel River or Caribou are but two points in a range of auriferous mountains containing incalculable wealth,
which, commencing at
Rock Creek N. Lat. 49 W.L. 118.30 run almost due north between Great Okanagan Lake and the Columbia River to Latitude 51 and
from thence along the North River in a North by West direction
through the Quesnel and Carriboo Country to thebanks
banks of the Fraser River N. Lat. 54 W.L. 123 a total distance of nearly 330 miles, a theory which if correct
opens a magnificent vista of future greatness for the Colony.
tends to confirm the impression that
the Gold Fields which have been struck at Rock Creek and Quesnel River or Caribou are but two points in a range of auriferous mountains containing incalculable wealth,
which, commencing at
Rock Creek N. Lat. 49 W.L. 118.30 run almost due north between Great Okanagan Lake and the Columbia River to Latitude 51 and
from thence along the North River in a North by West direction
through the Quesnel and Carriboo Country to thebanks
banks of the Fraser River N. Lat. 54 W.L. 123 a total distance of nearly 330 miles, a theory which if correct
opens a magnificent vista of future greatness for the Colony.
8. We saw very little mining between Hope and Yale, the miners
having been generally driven from their claims by the high state
of the River.
9. Entering the passes of the Fraser beyond Yale we pursued
our route over the new road amidst scenery of the grandestdescription
description. Mountains rising to the skies on both sides of the narrow pass, and
immediately beneath the Fraser frantically tearing its way in foaming whirls, convey a faint idea of the scene.
Neither are softer features wanting, every spot of earth being prolific of vegetation
and the mountain sides covered with the most beautiful flowers.
description. Mountains rising to the skies on both sides of the narrow pass, and
immediately beneath the Fraser frantically tearing its way in foaming whirls, convey a faint idea of the scene.
Neither are softer features wanting, every spot of earth being prolific of vegetation
and the mountain sides covered with the most beautiful flowers.
10. Settlers, true to their instincts, have followed the new
road even into thepasses
passes and are bringing every spot of tillable
land into cultivation. At the Great Falls two adventurous
Frenchmen have built a Kiosk and laid out a pretty little garden
for the entertainment of visitors. The traveller has no reason
to dread a journey through this part of British Columbia, as at
every few miles, is to be found a way-side inn, with refreshments
of every kind.
passes and are bringing every spot of tillable
land into cultivation. At the Great Falls two adventurous
Frenchmen have built a Kiosk and laid out a pretty little garden
for the entertainment of visitors. The traveller has no reason
to dread a journey through this part of British Columbia, as at
every few miles, is to be found a way-side inn, with refreshments
of every kind.
11. The new road onFraser
Fraser River from Spuzzum to Quayome runs
along the face of frightful precipices but is nevertheless perfectly
safe for horse and mule travel.
Fraser River from Spuzzum to Quayome runs
along the face of frightful precipices but is nevertheless perfectly
safe for horse and mule travel.
12. There is a great deal of good mining ground between Yale
and Lytton and the miners of the district have displayed an unusual
degree of skill and enterprise in conducting water to their claims
by means of canals and viaducts, from the distant mountains.
13. One of these works called the "Poor Man's Ditch" theproperty
property of Mr Melodey and three other natives of Ireland who came
to this Colony in the year 1858 entirely without capital and commenced their career as simple miners, is seven miles
long, and
has cost them about 15000 dollars. These persons have another
expensive work of the same kind on Van Winkle Flat which now yields them a very handsome income.
property of Mr Melodey and three other natives of Ireland who came
to this Colony in the year 1858 entirely without capital and commenced their career as simple miners, is seven miles
long, and
has cost them about 15000 dollars. These persons have another
expensive work of the same kind on Van Winkle Flat which now yields them a very handsome income.
This is not a solitary instance of successful enterprise, as
almost all their contemporaries who have remained in theColony
Colony
since the year 1858 are now possessed of wealth and position, and considering the advantages offered
to emigrants, one only regrets
that a greater number of Her Majesty's subjects have not made
British Columbia their home.
Colony
since the year 1858 are now possessed of wealth and position, and considering the advantages offered
to emigrants, one only regrets
that a greater number of Her Majesty's subjects have not made
British Columbia their home.
14. Much remains to be done for the improvement of this part
of the Colony. A carriage road from Quayome to Lytton is the work that demands our more immediate attention. Its importance is evident
and the people of Lyttonhave
have, almost to a man, come forward with a Petition praying that it be made without
delay, and a further tax levied on goods carried inland to defray its cost, which
will probably not fall short of £10,000.
have, almost to a man, come forward with a Petition praying that it be made without
delay, and a further tax levied on goods carried inland to defray its cost, which
will probably not fall short of £10,000.
15. I propose leaving this place today for Cayoosh by the Buonaparte River, the great stock range of the Colony, where I expect to meet with many settlers.
16. I would also inform Your Grace that we are daily receiving
the most extraordinary accountsof
of the almost fabulous wealth of the Antler Creek and Carriboo diggings. Mr Palmer a respectable merchant who arrived the other day from that part of the country
with nearly 50 pounds weight of gold, which he kindly allowed me
to examine, assured me that these accounts are by no means exaggerated.
As an example of the extraordinary wealth of the country he mentioned
that four of his friends who are associated in a mining company, were
making regularly from 16 oz to 37 oz of gold a day, being 4 oz to
9 1/4 oz each; by "fluming"another
another company of four men washed out with cradles, in his presence, 36 oz of gold
in one day, and
the yield of ordinary mining claims is from 20 to 50 dollars a day
for each man employed.
of the almost fabulous wealth of the Antler Creek and Carriboo diggings. Mr Palmer a respectable merchant who arrived the other day from that part of the country
with nearly 50 pounds weight of gold, which he kindly allowed me
to examine, assured me that these accounts are by no means exaggerated.
As an example of the extraordinary wealth of the country he mentioned
that four of his friends who are associated in a mining company, were
making regularly from 16 oz to 37 oz of gold a day, being 4 oz to
9 1/4 oz each; by "fluming"another
another company of four men washed out with cradles, in his presence, 36 oz of gold
in one day, and
the yield of ordinary mining claims is from 20 to 50 dollars a day
for each man employed.
17. The gold in Carriboo is not confined to the Rivers. It
is found in the Gulches and Table land 300 and 400 yards from the
Rivers and much beyond their highest levels. About a foot of
gravel overlies the bed rock of light colored shale extremely soft
or in miningphrase
phrase "rotten", where the gold is found in the rents of the shale. He says there
are mountains of quartz, and he is of
opinion that some of the richest quartz leads in the world, will
be found there.
phrase "rotten", where the gold is found in the rents of the shale. He says there
are mountains of quartz, and he is of
opinion that some of the richest quartz leads in the world, will
be found there.
18. Mr Barnston another respectable traveller from Carriboo,
corroborates Mr Palmer's testimony, and adds that he never before
saw a class of men more elated with their prospects than the miners
of Quesnel, they look to a successful season and expect to leave
the country in the autumn with their fortunesmade
made. He feels
assured of the almost fabulous wealth of the country, ordinary
claims pay 50 dollars a day to the hand, and he knows one company
of four men working on Antler Creek, who each receive 1000 dollars
a week from their mining claim.
made. He feels
assured of the almost fabulous wealth of the country, ordinary
claims pay 50 dollars a day to the hand, and he knows one company
of four men working on Antler Creek, who each receive 1000 dollars
a week from their mining claim.
19. The testimony of other persons is confirmatory of these
extraordinary statements, a private note dated 28th May 1861
from Mr Nind the Assistant Gold Commissioner for Quesnel River
Districtshas
has the following remarks: "The news is still good from above. We have the right
thing at Carriboo." So that all things
considered, I see no reason for doubting the correctness of the
current reports, and I am sorry indeed that so small a portion of
that wealth should at present be reaped by Her Majesty's subjects.
has the following remarks: "The news is still good from above. We have the right
thing at Carriboo." So that all things
considered, I see no reason for doubting the correctness of the
current reports, and I am sorry indeed that so small a portion of
that wealth should at present be reaped by Her Majesty's subjects.
