Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pakington, Captain John Somerset 27 August 1852, CO 305:3, no. 10199, 134.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Other documents (4), Marginalia (15).
Douglas’ letter to Pakington details a canoe expedition up the Haro Straight, intended to confirm reports of coal found in Nanaimo, and notes the need for an updated survey of the region. Douglas also confirms the arrival of the Thetis to Esquimalt, and the lack of further gold found at Haida Gwaii.
[No. 7]
Hudsons Bay
Copy to }for inform 29 Nov/52
highRGeograph Soc.
Copy to Admiralty for [...]
Ansd 18 Dec/52. 6
mediumminutes mediumto Hudsons Bay Comp 27 Dec/52.
Copy to }for inform 29 Nov/52
highRGeograph Soc.
Copy to Admiralty for [...]
Ansd 18 Dec/52. 6
mediumminutes mediumto Hudsons Bay Comp 27 Dec/52.
Sir,
1 5
result of my observations, in
the course of that Journey.
2
and frequent calms, which occur in those narrow
waters. A correct survey of those channels will remove many of the
difficulties, that would at present be experienced by sailing vessels
navigating those straits, and should Her Majesty's Government, at any
time direct surveys to be made in this quarter I think the Arro
Archipelago will be found to have peculiar claims to their attention, as
there is a prospect of its soon becoming the channel of a very important
trade.
3 6
They live in several villages each having a distinct chief, or headman2, who cannot be said to rulethe
the community which acknowledges his
supremacy, as there is no code of laws, nor do the chiefs possess the
power or means of maintaining a regular government; but their personal
influence, is nevertheless very great, with their followers. The
Cowegins are a warlike people mustering about 500 fighting men, and the
total population is about 2100 Souls.
the community which acknowledges his
supremacy, as there is no code of laws, nor do the chiefs possess the
power or means of maintaining a regular government; but their personal
influence, is nevertheless very great, with their followers. The
Cowegins are a warlike people mustering about 500 fighting men, and the
total population is about 2100 Souls.
They were extremely friendly and hospitable to our party, and gave
us much information in regard to the interior of the country; which by
their report appears to be well watered, and abounding in extensive
tracts of arable land.
The Cowegin River rises in a Lake within a few hours journey of the
Salt-water arm of Nitinat (Barclay's Sound) on the west coast of
Vancouver's Island, and is navigable for canoes to itssource
source. Those
Indians partially cultivate the alluvial Islands near the mouth of the
River, where we saw many large and well kept fields of potatoes, in a
very flourishing state, and a number of fine cucumbers which had been
raised, in the open air, without any particular care.
source. Those
Indians partially cultivate the alluvial Islands near the mouth of the
River, where we saw many large and well kept fields of potatoes, in a
very flourishing state, and a number of fine cucumbers which had been
raised, in the open air, without any particular care.
4 7
5 8
falling with a gentle slope, in
others presenting precipitous cliffs towards the sea.
6
We entered into immediate communication and found them very
friendly and disposed to give every information, we desired, in regard
to all matters concerning their own affairs, and the country which they
inhabit.
They live chiefly by fishing, andalso
also grow large quantities of
potatoes, in fields which they have brought into cultivation near their
villages. Those are built chiefly on a river, named "Nanymo" after the
Tribe, which falls into the Inlet, and is navigable for Canoes to the
distance of 40 miles from the sea coast. Food is cheap and abundant,
and we were plentifully supplied with fresh salmon, and excellent
potatoes during our stay there.
also grow large quantities of
potatoes, in fields which they have brought into cultivation near their
villages. Those are built chiefly on a river, named "Nanymo" after the
Tribe, which falls into the Inlet, and is navigable for Canoes to the
distance of 40 miles from the sea coast. Food is cheap and abundant,
and we were plentifully supplied with fresh salmon, and excellent
potatoes during our stay there.
7 9
beholding, so huge a mass of mineral
wealth, so singularly brought to light by the hand of nature, as if for
the purpose of inviting human enterprise, at a season when coal is a
desideratum in the Pacific, and the discovery can hardly fail to be of
signal advantage to the Colony. The two other seams which we examined,
were about 3/4 of a mile distant from the former, and measured
respectively 3 inches and 20 inches in depth, and are valuable cheifly
as indicating the direction of the beds.
There is every reason to believe from the appearance of the
country, and its geological phenomena, that Vancouvers' Island about
Wentuhuysen Inlet, is one vast coal field, and if that conjecture be
correct the progress of the Colony, will be rapid and prosperous;
notwithstanding the many adverse circumstances, which have hitherto
retarded the development of its resources.
8 10
It is therefore of the very greatest importance to the trade of
this colony that the Canal de Arro, should be explored, and a correct
survey prepared as soon as possible, shewing thesoundings
soundings, shoals and
anchorages where ships may bring to, in calms, or during the continuance
of adverse winds; and I beg most earnestly to recommend that measure to
your consideration; especially as Her Majestys Government, would thereby
render an essential service not only to this Colony, but to the general
interests of trade and navigation.
soundings, shoals and
anchorages where ships may bring to, in calms, or during the continuance
of adverse winds; and I beg most earnestly to recommend that measure to
your consideration; especially as Her Majestys Government, would thereby
render an essential service not only to this Colony, but to the general
interests of trade and navigation.
9
10
11 11
The Hudsons Bay Company have also sent a small body of Miners to
examine the coal beds and to commence immediate operations there.
12 12
Charlottes Island. The gold diggings in
that quarter have not been productive this season, which has not however
altered the general opinion entertained as to its wealth in the precious
metals; the Adventurers ascribing their late want of success simply to
the circumstance of the true beds not having been discovered.
Fine specimens of lead and copper ore, have also been procured on
Queen Charlottes Island, which, in a commercial view, gives it an
additional value.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale:
This is, I think, the most favorable report the Govt have recd
concerning the products of VanCouvers Isld & Queen Charlotte Island.
The Governor, who is also Agent, or Factor to the H.B.Co will, in all
probability have ‸given his ‸other Employers the same information as he
has done to the Govt but lest he should not have been so
communicative to the Co perhaps a copy of this desph had better be
sent to them.
Send copy also to Admiralty, and Geographical Society; and Land
Bd.
Shew this to Mr Arrowsmith, who has, of course, had
very limited
means of acquiring geographical knowledge concerning the part of the
world explored by Governor Douglas.
It appears to me that the Company ought to survey the rivers, &
places mentioned in this Despatch as they will derive all the principal
advantage from correct information in the river & sea Navigation: but
if they will not, or ought not to undertake this service then I think
for the sake of British interests, & the extension of Commerce in a
quarter of the Globe which at no distant time will be of importance of to
the Mother Country the Admiralty should be desired to make the
Survey.
Survey.
I do not think the attention of the Govt of this country of this country3 has
been sufficiently directed to the fact of the very great importance, of
which the possession of Queen Charlottes & Vancouvers islands may have
to this country.
Whatever be the event of the rumoured [...] and partially proved,
discovery of gold in the former—the possession of coal in 'Vancouvers
island'—a solitary instance along the long line of coast of the two
Americas (as far as we have yet discovered), together with its favorable
position as regards Pt Francisco & the whole Western coast of N America
ought to make it the centre of the Pacific commerce.
D
16
Communicate as proposed by Mr Blackwood, & I think a suggestion
should be made to the Admiralty as to surveying the navigation.
JSP
16
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Chairman of the Hudsons Bay Company, 27
November 1852, forwarding copy of the despatch.
Minutes by CO staff
Similar letter to the President of the Royal Geographical Society.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Hamilton, Admiralty, 27 November
1852, forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration.
Minutes by CO staff
(I am to speak to Sir J. Pakington shortly about printing any of
these papers for Parliament, at least so much as relates to
Q Ch. Id.)
Other documents included in the file
Footnotes
- This date is apparently incorrect. The correct date is 2 August.
- It is possible that the writer intended this to read "head-man," but upon further research, and as indicated by the image scan, it is more likely that the hyphen indicates a line-break in the middle of the word. See image scan.
- The words "of this country" are repeated. See image scan.
- Parts of this text are written within a stamp. See image scan.
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