Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pakington, Captain John Somerset 11 November 1852, CO 305:3, no. 933, 147.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents
(3), Marginalia (14).
Douglas’ letter to Pakington contains an update on the “vast mineral wealth,” namely coal, found in the Nanaimo area, the need for clergy in the colony to combat excessive drunkenness, and the
circumstances regarding the murder of Peter Brown. Douglas also reports his provisional appointment of a Collector of Customs.
The minutes address each point made in Douglas’ letter, and mention the significance of Indigenous peoples' involvement in coal
extraction in Nanaimo.
The enclosures include a draft reply to Douglas, a draft forward to the HBC regarding the need for clergy in the colony, and a draft
forward to the Admiralty regarding the discovery of significant coal seams in Nanaimo. There is also a letter from Douglas to Kuper regarding the murder of Peter Brown, and a reply from Kuper offering his assistance in the matter.
[No. 8]
1 2
Sir
I had last the honor of addressing you on the 27th August, and
have now to report that the ‸grain crops in the several Districts of this
Colony were secured in good condition. The wheat land generally yielded
a fair return, averaging about 23 Bushels to the acre, but the oats were
thin and deficient both in grain and
straw, in consequence of a
remarkably dry summer, which also greatly injured the potatoe and other
green crops. Those useful esculents have however been raised in
sufficient abundance to meet the wants of the Colony, and even to afford
a quantity for exportation, but I have ascertained that there is a
deficiency of bread stuffs, which must be made up by
timely importations
from abroad.
Ansd 10 Feb/53. — Extract to Hudsons Bay Compy 14 Feb/53
﹏﹏﹏"﹏﹏﹏ Admiralty ﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏ " ﹏﹏﹏"
﹏﹏﹏"﹏﹏﹏ Admiralty ﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏ " ﹏﹏﹏"
I reported in my last letter the important discovery of Coal lately made
on Wentuhuysen Inlet, or more properly speaking Nanaimo Harbour, on the
east coast of Vancouver's Island. The researches since made by
the Miners of the Hudson's Bay Company have confirmed the opinion then
formed of the vast mineral wealth of that District of Vancouver's
Island. About 1 1/2 miles from the great bed mentioned in my last
letter the natives, who are now indefatigable in their researches for
Coal, lately discovered a magnificent seam over 6 feet in depth,
cropping to the surface on New Castle Island, where several thousand
Tons of Coal may be procured without the trouble & expense of Mining.
Such places are left entirely to the Indians, who work with a surprising
degree of industry, and dispose of the Coal to the Agents of the
Hudson's Bay Company, for clothing and other articles of European
manufacture. The Miners of the Hudson's Bay Company have carried down a
shaft, at a short distance from the coast, and struck the great seam, on
the 6th Inst at the depth of 48 feet below the surface, an event
which has diffused a general feeling of satisfaction in the Colony as
every inhabitant naturally takes a lively interest in the success of an
undertaking on which the prosperity of the country, and in a great
measure, his own private interests, so much depends.
2 4
We have received no intelligence from Queen Charlotte's Island
since my last communication, and I have not heard of any vessel
proceeding thither from the American Ports in Oregon. The excitement
with respect to the Gold products
of the Island was still, by our last
advices very great in California; but I am of opinion that no vessels
will be despatched to that quarter, until spring, as the cold and stormy
climate of the coast in winter is now well known, both in Oregon and
California, and will probably have the effect of detering ship owners
from adventuring their property at that dangerous season of the year.
3 5
In respect to the administration of public affairs in the Colony I
have nothing very important to relate. The Government has ‸been hitherto
carried on by the Governor and a Council of three Members, as it was not
considered expedient to enter upon the subject of legislation nor to
call General Assemblies of the Free holders until the population
increases, and there be a sufficient number of persons of education and
intelligence in the Colony, to form the Members of such assemblies. In
the administration of Justice, we follow the Laws of England which
provide fully for every emergency that has yet arisen.
I would except from that remark a local Law regulating the
importation and sale of Spirits, which was passed during the
administration of my Predecessor in Office and was intended to
discourage the Sale of intoxicating drinks, which are the bane of the
settlement and the great source of poverty and crime. That Law had a
salutary effect for a time, and until the settlement of the American
side
of the Straits of De Fuca, where there is no restriction on the
sale of Spirits, when the Law became a dead letter, in consequence of
the facility with which it could be evaded and Spirits introduced
clandestinely into the settlement. Drunkeness is now the crying and
prevalent sin of this Colony, and will I fear continue to be so, until a
better and more respectable class of people are sent to the Country, or
a improvement takes place in the moral tone of the great bulk of
the present population.
4 6
2
There is no want more severely felt at present than the services of
an earnest and zealous clergy, and Her Most Gracious Majesty, could not
in my opinion Confer a greater or more lasting benefit upon Her Colony
of Vancouvers Island, than by making an immediate provision for the
moral and religious instruction of Her faithful subjects
in this part of
the world. The Colonists being with few exceptions of the poorer
classes, and destitute of means, stand greatly in need of the fostering
care, and material aid of the mother country, or I should not have drawn
your attention to these wants at present.
H.B.Co7
Our relations with the
Native Tribes, continued in the most
satisfactory state up to the 5th Inst, when an event occurred which I
fear may lead to serious difficulties with the Cowegin Tribe. The event
of which I have reference is the foul and wanton murder
murder of Peter Brown a
servant of the Hudson's Bay Company, by some Cowegin Indians, at one of
the Company's sheep stations, about 5 miles distant from this place,
under circumstances of great atrocity. In such cases we are naturally
led to suspect the existence of some exciting cause, of some previous
injury or provocation, that has tempted the untutored mind of the Savage
to commit a fearful crime, but after the closest investigation of that
case I have not been able to discover any mitigating circumstance
whatever, which can be urged in extenuation of its guilt. The murder of
Peter Brown may be therefore regarded in the light of a mere wanton
outrage, as this unfortunate victim, of savage treachery was known to be
a remarkably quiet and inoffensive young man, the only son of a
respectable widow in Orkney.
3
5 8
The circumstances attending the murder are detailed in my
correspondence with Captain Kuper of Her Majesty's Ship "Thetis" now
fortunately stationed in the neighbouring Port of Esquimalt, of which I
herewith transmit a copy, and I feel gratified in reporting, for your
information, that he has promised to cooperate with this Government, by
means of the force under his command in the measures that may be adopted
for bringing the criminals to justice. It is reported that they have
fled towards the Nanaimo Country, with the intention of taking refuge
among their friends in that quarter, and a force will be sent as soon
soon as we collect the means of transporting it, to that part of the coast, to
apprehend them wherever they may be found, as the peace and quiet of the
Colony will be best preserved by bringing them to justice with as little
delay as possible. Messengers were despatched to the Cowegin Chiefs on
the 7th Inst to demand the surrender of the criminals, and they
have just returned accompanied by Soseeah the Chief, who possesses the
greatest degree of influence with that people.
6 9
I had a conference with him to day on the subject of the murder,
and he expresses the utmost regret, that such an unhappy event should
have taken place, as his people are not disposed to quarrel with the
whites to whom they are under so many obligations, and he assured me
that all his Tribe, with the exception of one little party called Thlim
Thlimelits1, who are related to one of the assasins have
resolved to give up the murderers, and should the latter attempt to
screen them from justice, the rest of the Tribe are not disposed to aid
or assist them in any manner in resisting the Queen's authority.
This is so far satisfactory, as we are desirous as far as possible
to prevent the effusion of blood, and to avoid implicating the Tribe in
the guilt of individuals, acting without their knowledge or consent.
The Thlim Thlimelits may also see the folly of taking part with the
murderers, and shun a contest, which would be disagreeable to us, and
calamitous to themselves.
7 10
I shall do myself the honor of advising you from time to time of
our proceedings, which I trust will soon be brought to a satisfactory
issue.
I beg also to communicate for
your information, that I have found it
necessary, with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint an
Officer bearing the Title of "Collector of Her Majesty's Customs for
Vancouver's Island." No salary is attached to the Office; as from the
circumstance of there being no Customs dues levied in this Colony, its
present duties will not be onerous, and will chiefly consist of entering
and granting clearances to vessels arriving at, or leaving the Ports of
Vancouver's Island. and of causing the observance of Port regulations
and the laws relating to the domestic or foreign trade of the Colony.
Mr James Sangster, a gentleman of worth & experience, has been
provisionally appointed until Her Majesty's pleasure is known.
4 11
Minutes by CO staff
1. Should the passage I have marked regarding the Coal be sent
to the Admiralty and the Hudson's Bay Company?
2. The passage about the establishment of a Clergy shd I think
be sent to the H.B.Co, who were written to lately on this very
point; but, if I remember right (their ansr is in circulation) they
rather evaded coming to any conclusion; & perhaps they might be pressed
more vigorously this time.
3. The proceedings for avenging the murder of Peter Brown do
not seem to call for any remark at present.
4. The appointment of the Collector of Customs will, I suppose,
be approved.
ABd
29 Jany
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Colvile, Hudson's Bay Company, 14
February 1853, forwarding extracts of the despatch respecting the
need for clergy in the colony.
Draft, Colonial Office to Hamilton, Admiralty, 14 February
1853, forwarding extract of the despatch relating to discovery of
coal mines.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
I beg to communicate for your information that a foul and wanton
murder was committed on the 5th Inst by two Indians of the Cowegin
or Nanaimo Tribe, at a herding station about 5 miles distant from this
place.
The unfortunate victim of savage treachery by name Peter Brown was
in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, a native of Orkney, and was
a remarkably well conducted and inoffensive young man.
The circumstances attending this tragic affair as gathered from the
statements of James Skea, the fellow shepherd of Brown are as follows.
In the morning of the 5th Inst four natives two men and two
women, arrived at the station, and entered the house in their usual
quiet and friendly manner. Such visits being matters of daily
occurrence excited no attention, and shortly afterwards Skea drove the
sheep out to pasture leaving Brown and the natives in the house. It was
near mid day when he returned to the station, and discovered to his
great horror and surprise the lifeless remains of his fellow shepherd
who had been murdered in his absence extended on the ground a few yards
from the House. The body was still warm though life was extinct and
death had evidently been caused by several gunshot wounds which had
pierced the chest and must have produced immediate death. The door of
the house was found open and many articles of property including two
Guns and four Blankets were missing having been carried off it is
supposed by the murderers. A fine Bag, Looking Glass a wooden Comb
and pipe of Indian manufacture which the assasins had left behind in the
hurry and alarm of their retreat were also found in and about the House
a fact which adds strength to the conviction arising from other
circumstances, that the deed was committed by the natives, who had
called at the station that morning and who had afterwards decamped with
their booty. One of these parties is well known here, and I have no
doubt his accomplices will soon be discovered.
from the House. The body was still warm though life was extinct and
death had evidently been caused by several gunshot wounds which had
pierced the chest and must have produced immediate death. The door of
the house was found open and many articles of property including two
Guns and four Blankets were missing having been carried off it is
supposed by the murderers. A fine Bag, Looking Glass a wooden Comb
and pipe of Indian manufacture which the assasins had left behind in the
hurry and alarm of their retreat were also found in and about the House
a fact which adds strength to the conviction arising from other
circumstances, that the deed was committed by the natives, who had
called at the station that morning and who had afterwards decamped with
their booty. One of these parties is well known here, and I have no
doubt his accomplices will soon be discovered.
The Criminals have fled to the Nanaimo Country, and our great
anxiety at present is to secure and bring them to justice, a measure
absolutely necessary for the prevention of crime.
There is no reason to suppose that they were acting with the
knowledge or in concert with any other Members of their Tribe, who have
on all occasions evinced the most friendly disposition towards the
whites.
We have therefore, and for reasons of public justice and policy, as
not wishing to implicate the whole Tribe in the guilt of a few, nor to
furnish a motive powerful enough, to induce the several branches of the
Tribe, through a sense of common danger, to unite
in a league, offensive
and defensive against the whites, thought it proper, in the first place,
to despatch a message to the chiefs of the Cowegin Tribe demanding the
surrender of the Criminal. and should that measure fail in its object I
shall be under the painful neccessity of sending a force to seize upon
the murderers wherever they may be found.
in a league, offensive
and defensive against the whites, thought it proper, in the first place,
to despatch a message to the chiefs of the Cowegin Tribe demanding the
surrender of the Criminal. and should that measure fail in its object I
shall be under the painful neccessity of sending a force to seize upon
the murderers wherever they may be found.
In that case I shall be compelled to make a requisition on you for
a sufficient force to carry out the measures necessary for the defence
and protection of this Colony, and I communicate thus early with you in
order that you may be aware of my intention.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Footnotes
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