Brown to Colonial Office
               
            
            
               
               
                     Lyneal, Ellesmore, Salop
                     
                  
               12 May
               
               Sir,
                
            
            
               I am writing a little narrative of an Expedition which the
               Government of 
British Columbia sent in 
1864 into the NW district
               of that Country in quest of Chilcoatin Indians who had
               perpetrated murders of Colonists at 
Bute Inlet
 & 
Bella Coola.
               It is a sort of Colonial & Missionary narrative.  I was there at
               the time as clergyman under the Bishop of Columbia & with the
               sanction of the Governor, prepared the Indians, when caught &
               convicted, for the last penalty of the law.
               
 
            
            
               I much desire to know if there exists any Blue book relating to
               the subject; or failing that, any Blue book on the Geography of
               the North Western District of 
British Columbia, with maps—& I
               should feel greatly obliged to you if you could tell me where I
               could get it.
               
               I may mention that I had the honour of writing a prize Essay on
               
British Columbia
 in 
1862 which received the thanks of the
               Government and 50£.
               
               I have the honour to be Sir
               
               Your obedient Servant
               
               
R.E. Lundin Brown
               
               (Vicar of Lyneal cum Colemere)
               
               
               Minutes by CO staff
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                     I think he might have copies of these despatches, although even
                     at this distant date their publication may anger those who think
                     it criminal for white men to defend themselves against coloured
                     savages.  If there is no Blue book containing maps, & we cannot
                     refer him to any sufficient information as to the geography of
                     the country in the proceedings of the Geographical Society or
                     elsewhere we might tell him that he can inspect the maps
                     attached to the dph of Sept 1864 and take tracings here if he
                     desires.
                     
                  
                  
                   
               
               
                  
                  
                     This application reminds me of one of the

 great defects in this
                     office—namely the want of good modern maps of our colonies—all
                     that we have seem to me to be of an
                     antiquated description & very inefficient
                     when reference to them is necessary.  I suppose however, we must
                     be content & that unless any colony chooses at
                     
its own expense
                     to make & present us with a map of itself, we shall never get
                     any more.  I agree with 
Mr Herbert's minute.
                     
 
               
               
                  
                  
                     I would let him inspect any map or tracing which we have got &
                     take a copy of it if he wishes:  but I would not let him read or
                     give him copies of the Despatches.
                     
                  
                  
                     The maps here put me in mind of those I used to have in my room
                     at the F.O. which seemed to have been made in the last century.
                     
                  
                  
                   
               
               
                  
                  
                     When 
Mr Brown has been answered as above refer this to 
Mr
                        Robinson for a circular requesting the Colonies to state what is
                     the best map containing most recent information & whether it is
                     purchaseable in London & if not requesting them to send such maps
                     for the use of this office pointing out the obvious
                     
                     advantage to the Colony of our having the most correct maps
                     procurable.
                     
 
                
            
            
               Other documents included in the file
               
               
                   
                     
                     
                        Meade to 
Brown, 
24 May 1871, advising that they
                        had two maps that he might want to inspect and copy at
                        the colonial office.
                        
 
                     
                     Minutes by CO staff
                     
                     
                        
                        
                           When he calls he
                           may as well be shewn the Parl: Pap: tho' probably he knows them.
                           
                        
                        
                         
                      
                   
               
                
            
            
               Other documents included in the file
               
               
                  *
                  
               
                
                  
                  
                     Draft circular, 
Kimberley to all colonies, 
6 June 1871, asking
                     to be supplied with their most recent maps,
                     or to be advised whether such maps
                     could be obtained in 
London.
                     
 
                  
                  
                     Circular, 
Kimberley to approximately one dozen colonies (not
                     including 
British Columbia),
2 January 1873, reminding them of the
                     request made in the circular of 
6 June 1871.