Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, Sir John Henry
to Pakington, Captain John Somerset 26 March 1852, CO 305:3, no. 2534, 438.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Pelly sends Pakington a copy of McNeill’s report, which discusses the HBC’s intention to investigate the source of the gold
discovered in possession of aboriginal people at Haida Gwaii, and the potential for establishing a trading post there.
The minutes conclude that although the HBC has exclusive trading rights at Haida Gwaii, the company does not have territorial rights, which means that any attempts to extract
gold will not be protected by British forces. Pakington also defers Pelly’s request for a meeting to Desart.
Of the two enclosures, the first is a draft to Pelly, which requests that he meet with Desart on the matter of HBC’s gold prospects at Haida Gwaii, and the second is McNeill’s letter to Douglas, which describes his expedition to Haida Gwaii.
Hudson's Bay House
March 26, 1852
Sir,
The Hudson's Bay Company in the course of their trade with the
Natives of Queen Charlotte's Island on the North West Coast of
America—a trade to which they have an exclusive right under a Grant
from the Crown dated the 13th May 1838—having discovered that the
Natives were in possession of specimens of gold ore which they said were
found on the islands, lately sent a small expedition thither under the
command of Mr McNeill a Chief Trader in the Company's service, to
make the necessary investigations respecting this discovery and to
establish a trading post.
I have the honour to enclose herewith for the information of Her
Majesty's
Majesty's Government, Mr McNeill's Report of his proceedings, and
shall feel obliged if you will grant me an interview with the view of
considering what steps should be taken for obtaining the gold and
particularly for preventing Citizens of the United States from
trespassing on Her Majestys possessions and infringing the rights of the
Hudson's Bay Company.
Majesty's Government, Mr McNeill's Report of his proceedings, and
shall feel obliged if you will grant me an interview with the view of
considering what steps should be taken for obtaining the gold and
particularly for preventing Citizens of the United States from
trespassing on Her Majestys possessions and infringing the rights of the
Hudson's Bay Company.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Sir John Pakington has lately written to the Admiralty to know whether any vessel of War can be detached from the Squadron in the Pacific to Queen Charlotte's Island to afford protection to British interests. The ansr has not yet been recd.
Sir John Pakington has lately written to the Admiralty to know whether any vessel of War can be detached from the Squadron in the Pacific to Queen Charlotte's Island to afford protection to British interests. The ansr has not yet been recd.
The Company must not expect the Govt to protect them in their
gold explorations. Sir John Pelly asks Sir J. Pakington to
give him an interview.
ABd
27/3
Lord Desart
The H.B.C. have under the annexed grant of 1838 the exclusive right of trading with Indians in the North West Territories, of which Q. Charlotte's Island is an appendage. But they have no territorial rights there or anywhere West of the Rocky Mountains. Consequently they have I apprehend no more right to blast rock or extract gold than any other of the Queen's subjects would have. and though I do not suppose it would be at all desirable to interfere with their operation, they clearly cannot themselves interfere with others. Sir J. Pelly may probably have some plan to suggest at this proposed interview, but none occurs to me.
The H.B.C. have under the annexed grant of 1838 the exclusive right of trading with Indians in the North West Territories, of which Q. Charlotte's Island is an appendage. But they have no territorial rights there or anywhere West of the Rocky Mountains. Consequently they have I apprehend no more right to blast rock or extract gold than any other of the Queen's subjects would have. and though I do not suppose it would be at all desirable to interfere with their operation, they clearly cannot themselves interfere with others. Sir J. Pelly may probably have some plan to suggest at this proposed interview, but none occurs to me.
HM
Mh 28
I concur generally on the above minute, but the matter demands
much consideration & enquiry.
D
M 31
Write accordingly to Sir John Pelly & as to [an] interview, say
my time is at present very full, but Lord Desart will see him.
JSP
31
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 6 April 1852, asking that he arrange an appointment with Lord Desart to discuss the matter.
Minutes by CO staff
I do not understand Sir J. Pakington to wish that any question
should be entered into in this draft as to the right of the Co. to dig
for gold in Q Ch. I. as they only represent it as an experiment. It
may be necessary to take into consideration hereafter, & therefore I
noticed it.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
McNeill to Douglas, 20 November 1851, describing his
recent expedition to Queen Charlotte Island in search of gold.