Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Gray, Nutter
to Pakington, Captain John Somerset 19 August 1852, CO 305:3, no. 7949, 524.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Gray writes to Pakington to request a lease of land at Haida Gwaii, in order to extract gold that has been allegedly found there.
The minutes propose that all requests for land leases on Haida Gwaii be suspended until the government makes a firm decision land rights.
Being deputed by my Brother Francis Gray, and his partners Ant[on]y
Easterby and Matthew Rooney, British Subjects & Merchant Traders
resident in San Francisco, California, to state that on the 23rd of
June 1852, Matthew Rooney discovered a vein of Goldbearing Quartz in
Queen Charlotte's Island, situate in a Bay called by the natives Gold
Harbour, in Latitude 53o 1' North, Longitude 131o 119' West or
thereabout, bearing S.W. by S. 3/4 So. from the eastern headland of the
entrance of the Bay, and N.W. by W. 1/4 W. from an Island situate in the
head of the Bay, on which they have erected a house. The said Quartz
Vein extends from the beach inland in a S. S. Westerly direction, and as
it can only be worked by the outlay of large capital, in regular mining
operations and the application of powerful machinery, I have been
directed to apply to you for the grant of a lease to Francis Gray,
Anty Easterby and Matthew Rooney, of such a portion of the land in
the said Gold Harbour Bay as will include the gold vein for a sufficient
length to warrant them in making the necessary outlay; the lease
reserving to the Crown such Royalty or Dues as may be customary or
fairly proportioned to the circumstances of the case. The limits or
boundaries which I would propose for the area to be granted, are as
follow, a length of 800 yards on the course of the vein and
a breadth of 200 yards, being 100 yards on each side of the vein.
entrance of the Bay, and N.W. by W. 1/4 W. from an Island situate in the
head of the Bay, on which they have erected a house. The said Quartz
Vein extends from the beach inland in a S. S. Westerly direction, and as
it can only be worked by the outlay of large capital, in regular mining
operations and the application of powerful machinery, I have been
directed to apply to you for the grant of a lease to Francis Gray,
Anty Easterby and Matthew Rooney, of such a portion of the land in
the said Gold Harbour Bay as will include the gold vein for a sufficient
length to warrant them in making the necessary outlay; the lease
reserving to the Crown such Royalty or Dues as may be customary or
fairly proportioned to the circumstances of the case. The limits or
boundaries which I would propose for the area to be granted, are as
follow, a length of 800 yards on the course of the vein and
a breadth of 200 yards, being 100 yards on each side of the vein.
I have letters in confirmation of the facts which I have stated,
and also an attestation signed by Geo. Aiken [Aikin] Esre her
Majesty's Consul at San Francisco.
I am personally known to,
4
John Gurney Hoare Esqre, Banker,
62 Lombard St.
James Cunliffe Esqre, Banker,
24 Lombard St.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This letter was kept back until some decision should be adopted on the course to be taken on lands in Queen Charlottes Island. I believe that the proposal now to be submitted to Sir John Pakington is that no grants or leases should be made. If so the Draft submitted herewith in case Sir John adopts the proposal, would seem the proper answer?
This letter was kept back until some decision should be adopted on the course to be taken on lands in Queen Charlottes Island. I believe that the proposal now to be submitted to Sir John Pakington is that no grants or leases should be made. If so the Draft submitted herewith in case Sir John adopts the proposal, would seem the proper answer?
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Gray, 28 September 1852, advising that
the government did not intend to make any grants of land in Queen
Charlotte Island, but that "instructions will shortly be sent
out to the Governor authorizing him to grant licences to persons
to search for gold."
Minutes by CO staff
Submitted for consideration. See Minute on the Letter within.