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 16 July 1862, CO 60:13, no. 8653, 277.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (2).
Douglas writes to Newcastle to forward copies of “several important communications” from the Cariboo's “Assistant Gold Commissioners." Douglas relates among other things the “richness of the Mines,” the lack of roads and food,
and the “sheer destitution” that has forced “four hundred” miners, of the 4,000-5,000
in the region, to leave. Douglas complains that BC's growth out-paces the government's capacity to raise commensurate funds for colonial
infrastructure.
The minutes agree that Douglas has received much assistance already from the British government; Blackwood suggests that Douglas “enact a Proclamation ordering the performance of Statute labor on the roads” and
Newcastle adds that Douglas's despatch “means 'give us help from home'—i.e. tax the starving people of Lancashire
for the benefit of men of their own class who are making thousands of pounds in a few months!”
The file includes five documents: the first three are reports from the Carriboo's assistant gold commissioners; the fourth is a draft letter from Elliot to Hamilton, Treasury, which forwards Douglas's despatch for information; the fifth is a draft reply from Newcastle to Douglas, which acknowledges receipt of Douglas's despatch and forwarded reports.
Separate
16 July 1862
I have the honour to enclose for the information of Her
Majesty's Government, copies of several important communications,
received this day, from the Assistant Goldcommissioners
Commissioners for the
Carribou District, reporting on the present condition of that Gold-field.
Commissioners for the
Carribou District, reporting on the present condition of that Gold-field.
2. The almost impassable state of the roads beyond Williams Lake, and the high price of food and of all other necessaries of life, are, as Your Grace
will learn from these reports, of great
detriment to the Country; and I add with the deepest regret, that
it is wholly out of my power for want of money to undertaketo
to a
greater extent than is now being effected, the removal of obstacles
so fatal to the growth and prosperity of the Colony.
to a
greater extent than is now being effected, the removal of obstacles
so fatal to the growth and prosperity of the Colony.
3. While these Reports prove the vast extent and richness of
the Mines, that thousands of people may be employed in rendering
them productive, that they cannot be fully developed without a
larger population than the Colony yet possesses, that labour and
capital areessential
essential for that purpose, and that every individual
miner is really of value to the Country, we receive the painful
announcement that upwards of four hundred able-bodied men have
been driven from the mines by mere inability to procure subsistence
during the time required for testing, and getting their claims
into working order.
essential for that purpose, and that every individual
miner is really of value to the Country, we receive the painful
announcement that upwards of four hundred able-bodied men have
been driven from the mines by mere inability to procure subsistence
during the time required for testing, and getting their claims
into working order.
4. I am using every effort, and taxing the uttermost farthing
of the local revenueto
to remove these obstacles to access, which
so greatly enhance the price of all the necessaries of life in
British Columbia. I have endeavoured and find it impossible to
raise money in this Colony at any rate of interest less than 18
per cent per annum, and the Attorney General is now amending the
"Loan Proclamation" as suggested in Your Grace's Despatch of the
13th May No 123, and I trust it will be ready toforward
forward by
the next mail. In the meantime, until the aid expected from that
measure arrives, we shall struggle with the difficulties that
beset the Colony in the best manner we can.
to remove these obstacles to access, which
so greatly enhance the price of all the necessaries of life in
British Columbia. I have endeavoured and find it impossible to
raise money in this Colony at any rate of interest less than 18
per cent per annum, and the Attorney General is now amending the
"Loan Proclamation" as suggested in Your Grace's Despatch of the
13th May No 123, and I trust it will be ready toforward
forward by
the next mail. In the meantime, until the aid expected from that
measure arrives, we shall struggle with the difficulties that
beset the Colony in the best manner we can.
5. Mr Elwyn's Report is chiefly remarkable for its revelations
respecting the extraordinary richness of the mines, especially
"Cunningham's Claim", which surpasses every precedent of California
Gold Mining. In another letter, not transmitted with thisDespatch
Despatch,
he reports the discovery of a Quartz Reef on Lowhee Creek, a
circumstance which I mention from its being the first auriferous
quartz in situ discovered in this Colony.
Despatch,
he reports the discovery of a Quartz Reef on Lowhee Creek, a
circumstance which I mention from its being the first auriferous
quartz in situ discovered in this Colony.
6. Mr O'Reilly in his Report estimates the number of men in
the Carribou Gold field at between four and five thousand, and that
four hundred have been lately compelled to leave those Mines from
sheer destitution. He also reports the discoveryof
of a new Gold
field on North River to the eastward of Quesnelle Lake, which
promises to be a most valuable acquisition to the Colony.
of a new Gold
field on North River to the eastward of Quesnelle Lake, which
promises to be a most valuable acquisition to the Colony.
7. The same Report is corroborated by Mr Commissioner Ball,
in the accompanying letter from Lytton. He also states that the construction of the public Roads is progressing satisfactorily,
and mentions other circumstances, which may be interesting to HerMajesty's
Majesty's Government.
Majesty's Government.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I am at a loss to know how the Secretary of State or any authority in this Country can help the Colonists in this matter. HM Govt have rendered all the assistance in its power by sending out a body of highly skilful R. Engineers, who were to make themselves serviceable in the construction of roads, and by sanctioning a loan of money for the use of this very auriferous Country. The rest, as it seems to me, must be done by the Community. The Govr is not a man apt to be appalled at the difficulties, and generally finds his way out of them. I am therefore rather surprised that it has not occurred to him to enact a Proclamation ordering the performance of Statute labor on the roads, alleging that the law of self preservation requires the measure. The Magistrates wd not have the power to enforce the Law I admit if it was decidedly resisted, but they might by persuasion induce the miners to devote some of their time to the construction of trails, witht which it seems that they are in a fair way of perishing.
I am at a loss to know how the Secretary of State or any authority in this Country can help the Colonists in this matter. HM Govt have rendered all the assistance in its power by sending out a body of highly skilful R. Engineers, who were to make themselves serviceable in the construction of roads, and by sanctioning a loan of money for the use of this very auriferous Country. The rest, as it seems to me, must be done by the Community. The Govr is not a man apt to be appalled at the difficulties, and generally finds his way out of them. I am therefore rather surprised that it has not occurred to him to enact a Proclamation ordering the performance of Statute labor on the roads, alleging that the law of self preservation requires the measure. The Magistrates wd not have the power to enforce the Law I admit if it was decidedly resisted, but they might by persuasion induce the miners to devote some of their time to the construction of trails, witht which it seems that they are in a fair way of perishing.
ABd
1 Sep
I should simply acke receipt, & should send to the Treasury for their information.
TFE
1 Sept
This evidently means "give us help from home"—i.e. tax the starving people of Lancashire
for the benefit of men of their own class who are making thousands of pounds in a few months!
Acke.
for the benefit of men of their own class who are making thousands of pounds in a few months!
Acke.
N
1
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Thomas Elwyn to Colonial Secretary, 15 June 1862, reporting
on the extensive and rich gold fields in the Alexandria district.
P. O'Reilly to Colonial Secretary, 28 June 1862, reporting as noted above.
H.M. Ball to Colonial Secretary, 6 July 1862, reporting from Lytton on the status of road construction and the formation of pack trains to carry freight
to the mines in the Cariboo region.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 8 September 1862, forwarding
copy of the despatch for information.
