Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
FitzGerald, James Edward
to Merivale, Herman 14 February 1848, CO 305:1, no. 343, 501.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (8), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Fitzgerald writes to Merivale in order that his observations on the colonization of Vancouver Island be put before Grey. Fitzgerald comments on a range of subjects, from the pragmatics of coal extraction to the politics
of population management.
In the extensive minutes, Blackwood finds coal interests at the heart of Fitzgerald's letter, while Merivale believes Fitzgerald wishes to glean Grey's plans in advance of forging a "scheme" of his own, to which Blackwood responds in favour of Fitzgerald, whom he considers "energetic & enthusiastic."
This file encloses a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Fitzgerald, which advises that Grey is prepared to receive further details on Fitzgerald's intentions.
343 N America
British Museum
Feby 14. 1848.
Dear Sir,
With reference to the conversation I held with you on the 12th
instant, I have the honor to submit the following observations; and to request that you will
bring them under Lord Greys notice, at your Earliest Convenience.
The Govt of the United States of America has entered into a
contract with a commerical house in New York, by which the latter
undertakes to convey the Mails, for a period of ten years, by means of
Steam Vessels, between Panama and the Columbia River, and the
intermediate ports of Pt St Blas,
Mazetalan, Acapulco, San
Francisco, Monterey, &c. There are three steamers of 1000 tons each now
building at New York for the purpose, and it is said they are to be
completed in December next. In order to perform this contract a supply
of 20,000 tons of Coal will be required, yearly. The New York company
offer to contract with an English House for this supply of coal to be
sent from England.
3Ans"d 24 Feb / 48.
The Pacific Steam Navigation Company
have two Steamers continually running from Valparaiso to Panama; touching at all intermediate ports.
It is said this Company is willing to contract for a supply of 2000 Tons
of Coal annually, to be landed at Panama. Moreover, the supply of coal
required by her Majesties Steamers in the Pacific Ocean, will it is
probable, continually increase.
have two Steamers continually running from Valparaiso to Panama; touching at all intermediate ports.
It is said this Company is willing to contract for a supply of 2000 Tons
of Coal annually, to be landed at Panama. Moreover, the supply of coal
required by her Majesties Steamers in the Pacific Ocean, will it is
probable, continually increase.It is obvious that all this coal could be supplied at a far
lower cost from Vancouvers Island than from England.
For a statement of the nature and Capabilities of the coal in
Vancouvers Island, I beg to refer you to a dispatch from Rear Adml
Sir G. Seymour, Enclosing a letter from Commander Gordon, of HMS.
Cormorant, dated sometime in Feby 1847. which is in the Admiralty.
It is now proposed to form a Company to work the Coal in
Vancouvers Island.
It is necessary however, in the first place to know upon
what terms her Majesties Govt will grant the right of working the
coal.
In the second place; it will be obvious to Lord Grey, that an
undertaking Such as
that contemplated will involve the necessity of
transporting a large population of English to Vancouvers Island. The
number of Seamen alone will be considerable, and the population
necessary to produce food for their subsistence must also be numerous:
besides it is probable that any depot for shipping in this situation
would attract considerable numbers of whale ships to the Island. It is
plain, then, that, in the event of the proposed Company being formed,
Vancouvers Island will become the resort of a considerable number of Her
Majesties subjects; and that it will be essential to the comfort and
convenience of the population, and to the Security of the speculation,
that a Government should be established on the Island contemporaneously with the first formation of the Colony. It will therefore be very
desirable to know Lord Greys views on this point.
that contemplated will involve the necessity of
transporting a large population of English to Vancouvers Island. The
number of Seamen alone will be considerable, and the population
necessary to produce food for their subsistence must also be numerous:
besides it is probable that any depot for shipping in this situation
would attract considerable numbers of whale ships to the Island. It is
plain, then, that, in the event of the proposed Company being formed,
Vancouvers Island will become the resort of a considerable number of Her
Majesties subjects; and that it will be essential to the comfort and
convenience of the population, and to the Security of the speculation,
that a Government should be established on the Island contemporaneously with the first formation of the Colony. It will therefore be very
desirable to know Lord Greys views on this point.Lastly, apart from the profit to be gained by working the
coal, of which, from the Statements here given, there seems to be a
reasonable prospect, Lord Grey is aware that there are various reasons
why a colony in that Part of British America is desirable. I shall not
trouble you with any remarks on this head, as I have fully stated the
case in a letter to Mr Hawes dated 11. June 1847. It is a matter for
his Lordships
consideration whether the establishment of a colony could not be most readily effected
through the agency of such a company as
that now proposed &. whether (referring to my letter of 11. June) it would
not be wise to grant the whole Island to such a company binding them by
their charter to effect the colonization in a certain Manner
consideration whether the establishment of a colony could not be most readily effected
through the agency of such a company as
that now proposed &. whether (referring to my letter of 11. June) it would
not be wise to grant the whole Island to such a company binding them by
their charter to effect the colonization in a certain MannerI am not able at present to state who will be the principal parties
in forming this company. When the time shall arise I hope such names
will appear as shall place the scheme above the risk of failure.
The possibility of forming a company at all will, however, depend
on the view Lord Grey may take of the above questions
Herman Merivale Esqe
&c &c &c
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale.
This Letter contains suggestions for the working of the Coal at Vancouver's Island through the instrumentality of a Company which has to be established, and submits the expediency of establishing a Govt over that Island. I annex Mr Fitzgerald's former Letter — & the answer returned to it, which will enable you to form an opinion on the proposals.
This Letter contains suggestions for the working of the Coal at Vancouver's Island through the instrumentality of a Company which has to be established, and submits the expediency of establishing a Govt over that Island. I annex Mr Fitzgerald's former Letter — & the answer returned to it, which will enable you to form an opinion on the proposals.
ABd
16/2/48.
Mr Blackwood
Will you be so good as annex also the papers relative to the negociation with the Hudson's Bay Co. as to Vancouver's Island which I had the other day; if they are returned to your department
Will you be so good as annex also the papers relative to the negociation with the Hudson's Bay Co. as to Vancouver's Island which I had the other day; if they are returned to your department
HM
2/16
The papers in question have just been sent back to me & I annex them.
ABd
16.
343.
48
Mr Hawes
This is a renewal of an application made by Mr
Fitzgerald to you some months ago. The circumstances which his letter discloses respecting the possible use to which the discovery of coal may be turned are corroborated by Mr Cunard's recent application on the same subject, & may seem to deserve consideration. But you will see Mr Fitzgerald is anxious to draw from Lord Grey some general indication of his Lordship's views about the colonization of Vancouver's Island, before he
communicates on his part the names & characters
of the gentlemen with whom he proposes to associate himself & the details
of their scheme — land I have not experience enough in negociations of this
description to suggest whether any such indication as he requires should
be afforded or not.
You will see also by 259 N. America that according to Mr
Blackwood's Minutes we are
still awaiting some renewal of the proposals
made by the Hudson's Bay Company. You will remember that their
first proposal was with reference to this very island & the adjoining
Coast: that the consideration of it was adjourned for a legal opinion,
whether they could take grants of land West of the Rocky Mountains or
not: That the law advisers thought they could: that the negociations
are consequently renewed: that
Sir H. Pelly then made a proposal which
was rejected as far exceeding the bounds of any grant which the Crown
would be disposed to make: & that he promised to renew the application
for a more limited tract of land. Whenever he does make another
application, it will probably embrace Vancouver's Island. And perhaps considering the applications which are made & likely to be made in other
quarters Sir H Pelly may be reminded that this matter has awaited his
further moving since the 25th of last March?
still awaiting some renewal of the proposals
made by the Hudson's Bay Company. You will remember that their
first proposal was with reference to this very island & the adjoining
Coast: that the consideration of it was adjourned for a legal opinion,
whether they could take grants of land West of the Rocky Mountains or
not: That the law advisers thought they could: that the negociations
are consequently renewed: that
Sir H. Pelly then made a proposal which
was rejected as far exceeding the bounds of any grant which the Crown
would be disposed to make: & that he promised to renew the application
for a more limited tract of land. Whenever he does make another
application, it will probably embrace Vancouver's Island. And perhaps considering the applications which are made & likely to be made in other
quarters Sir H Pelly may be reminded that this matter has awaited his
further moving since the 25th of last March?HM
Feb. 16.
343. N. America
Lord Grey,
Feb 17/48 The object of this Letter appears to me to elicit from Ld Grey some expression of opinion in favor of the Colonization of Vancouvers Island, a favorite scheme of Mr Fitzgerald.
Mr Fitzgerald I think singularly qualified to take an active
part in such an
enterprise. He is energetic & enthusiastic, a quality most valuable in an undertaking
of this kind.
enterprise. He is energetic & enthusiastic, a quality most valuable in an undertaking
of this kind.Having a sanction from Ld Grey, I have no doubt he would endeavour
to form an association for the purpose.
I hardly think however that more can be said in reply, than that Ld
Grey
will be ready to consider any practical plan, supported by parties
of respectability & sufficient means to make success probable, which
Mr Fitzgerald can lay before his Lordship.
will be ready to consider any practical plan, supported by parties
of respectability & sufficient means to make success probable, which
Mr Fitzgerald can lay before his Lordship.I agree with Mr Merivale that the Hudsons Bay Cy should be
reminded of his intention to submit a
plan.
plan.But I think that plan will be based upon some advantage to the H.B.
Compy. I think however their cooperation may be of advantage & as I have I think said before,
there is I believe a Company already formed,
having Capital, the Pugets Sound Company (?) so I am opinion that
Mr Fitzgerald might usefully be referred to Sir J. Pelly.
I shd be disposed to give a good Municipal Charter or
Constitution to the Settlers & let them manage for themselves.1
See my note on the Margin of Mr Blackwood's memorandum sent to
me two days ago — The answer suggested by Mr Hawes may be returned to
Mr Fitzgerald —
2
G.
18/
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Fitzgerald, 24 February 1848, advising Grey would be prepared to consider any plan submitted upon receipt of more detailed information.
Minutes by CO staff
I am very anxious that this Coal shd be worked, & therefore
though this letter is quite right as an official answer to the
applicatn, it wd I think be advantageous that Mr Hawes shd
or Mr Merivale shd see Mr Fitzgerald upon the subject
& that he shd be put in communicatn with Sir John Pelly. —
Footnotes
- This minute entry appears on the first page of Blackwood's minute, above.
- Though no signature is given for this minute, it is presumed to be Blackwood's.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.