Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Addington, Henry Unwin
to Merivale, Herman 14 October 1852, CO 305:3, no. 9322, 348.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Addington sends Merivale a copy of Aikin’s report on the Thetis’ arrival at San Francisco, by way of Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island.
The minutes discuss Kuper’s account that though minerals exist at Haida Gwaii “in great abundance,” there is likely less gold than had been previously estimated.
Foreign Office
October 14th 1852
Sir,
I am directed by the Earl of Malmesbury to transmit to you, for the
information of Secretary Sir John Packington [Pakington], the
accompanying Copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Consul at San
Francisco, reporting the arrival at that Port of Her Majesty's Ship
"Thetis," from Vancouvers and Queen Charlotte's Islands, and giving the
the
substance of information brought by the Commander and Officers of that
Vessel, respecting the existence of Gold in the latter Island.
the
substance of information brought by the Commander and Officers of that
Vessel, respecting the existence of Gold in the latter Island.
Herman Merivale Esq
&. &. &c
&. &. &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The accounts received from Captain Kuper through the Admiralty do not corroborate the statement as to "the certainty of vast quantities of gold" existing in Queen Charlottes Island. But that gold & other minerals are to be found there admits now, I believe, of no question. I should hardly think it is worth while sending this to the Hudson's Bay Compy—our usual place of reference.
The accounts received from Captain Kuper through the Admiralty do not corroborate the statement as to "the certainty of vast quantities of gold" existing in Queen Charlottes Island. But that gold & other minerals are to be found there admits now, I believe, of no question. I should hardly think it is worth while sending this to the Hudson's Bay Compy—our usual place of reference.
The last Report we received, & which came from Capn Kuper
himself, informs us, as Mr Blackwood has said, that the actual amount
of gold found has been very limited.
Put by.
JSP
19
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Aikin to Malmesbury, 30 July 1852, reporting the arrival of
the "Thetis" from the Queen Charlotte Islands and the probability that
"minerals there exist in great abundance."