Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Birch, Arthur Nonus to
Carnarvon, Earl 26 October 1866, CO 60:25, no. 12136, 190.
Abstract
Birch, Arthur Nonus to
Carnarvon, Earl 26 October 1866, CO 60:25, no. 12136, 190.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
No. 69
26th October 1866
My Lord,
I have the honor to report that the Western Union Telegraph
Company have made great progress during the present season in
constructing the Line of Telegraph through this Colony.
2. At the close of theSeason
Season of 1865 the line was completed
a short distance beyond the Town of Quesnelmouth on Fraser River.
From this point Northwards to the Russian American territory the
Country through which it was intended to construct the Line of
Telegraph was almost unknown and the Indians of that portion of
the Colony were generally considered hostile to white men.
Season of 1865 the line was completed
a short distance beyond the Town of Quesnelmouth on Fraser River.
From this point Northwards to the Russian American territory the
Country through which it was intended to construct the Line of
Telegraph was almost unknown and the Indians of that portion of
the Colony were generally considered hostile to white men.
3. With the experienceof
of the insurrection of the Chilicoten
Tribes, caused by careless indifference and the ill treatment of
the Indians by the labourers employed in making a Pack Trail, I
was anxious if possible to establish some law and order in the camp
of the working party, consisting of 150 men, selected to construct
the line northward through the wildest portion of the Colony,
reported to contain a large native population.
4. In
of the insurrection of the Chilicoten
Tribes, caused by careless indifference and the ill treatment of
the Indians by the labourers employed in making a Pack Trail, I
was anxious if possible to establish some law and order in the camp
of the working party, consisting of 150 men, selected to construct
the line northward through the wildest portion of the Colony,
reported to contain a large native population.
4. In conversation with Colonel Bulkley the representative
of the Western Union Telegraph Company on the Pacific Coast, I
suggested the advisability of a Government Agent being attached
to the working party to obtain information of the Country and
act on behalf of the Government in any matters connected with
the Native tribes. Colonel Bulkley gladly acceded to my
suggestion, offering onbehalf
behalf of the Company to defray all
travelling expenses and to contribute one half the salary of the
Officer I might select.
behalf of the Company to defray all
travelling expenses and to contribute one half the salary of the
Officer I might select.
5. I was fortunately enabled to procure the services of Mr
T. Elwyn to proceed with the constructing party as Government
Agent, acting as a Magistrate of the Colony. Mr Elwyn was formerly
a Stipendiary Magistrate but resigned the Public Service withthe
the
intention of farming. During the Expedition against the Chilicoten
Indians he was second in command of the Volunteer Force and has
always been successful in his treatment of the Indian Tribes. I
have now the honor to enclose copy of report from Mr Elwyn on
the conduct of the Indian Tribes and the nature of the country
through which the line of Telegraph passes.
the
intention of farming. During the Expedition against the Chilicoten
Indians he was second in command of the Volunteer Force and has
always been successful in his treatment of the Indian Tribes. I
have now the honor to enclose copy of report from Mr Elwyn on
the conduct of the Indian Tribes and the nature of the country
through which the line of Telegraph passes.
6. At the request of theSuperintendent
Superintendent of the Company Mr
Elwyn remains in charge of the party wintering on the Stikeen.
He will continue to hold and act upon his Commission as a
Magistrate without entailing any expenditure from Public Funds.
Superintendent of the Company Mr
Elwyn remains in charge of the party wintering on the Stikeen.
He will continue to hold and act upon his Commission as a
Magistrate without entailing any expenditure from Public Funds.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Acknowledge & express satisfaction at the progress in the construction of this line of Telegraph? The project, as you are aware, is to establish telegraphic communication thro' Asiatic Russia, so as to connect existing European & American lines. The line is to run through Russian America & B. Columbia.
Acknowledge & express satisfaction at the progress in the construction of this line of Telegraph? The project, as you are aware, is to establish telegraphic communication thro' Asiatic Russia, so as to connect existing European & American lines. The line is to run through Russian America & B. Columbia.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, T. Elwyn to Colonial Secretary, 4 September 1866, reporting the
progress of the construction party and relations with the Indians.
Copy, Elwyn to Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, no date,
reporting on the nature of the country over which the telegraph was
being constructed (16 pages).
