Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Gray, Nutter
to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 26 July 1853, CO 305:4, no. 7591, 301.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Gray writes to Newcastle to convey that Gray had received a letter from his brother, Francis Gray, that states that he and his partners, Easterby and Rooney, had discovered coal on “Queen Charlotte's Island.” Gray adds that he will forward more detailed information as it arrives, and that he hopes
his statement will secure his brother “any benefit that may accrue from this discovery.”
In the minutes, Blackwood asks to acknowledge Gray’s letter, and to add that the government is in no way obligated to pledge an advantage
to Francis Gray and his associates simply because his brother addressed Newcastle.
Included in the file is a draft letter, from to the Colonial Office to Gray, that advises that the government “declines to enter into any obligation” to Francis Gray and his partners for their “alleged” coal discovery.
Gray to Newcastle
I take the liberty to inform your Grace that in a letter from my
Brother Francis Gray dated 16 May 1853 San Francisco, he states that he
and his partners Anthony Easterby and Matthew Rooney discovered a Coal
[Coal underlined by CO staff] Mine in Queen Charlotte's Island.
Unfortunately the letters of the 1st May containing the full
particulars of this discovery have not come to hand, but immediately
they arrive I will forward
them to your Grace.
them to your Grace.
I have taken the liberty of making this statement to your Grace in
order to secure to my Brother Francis Gray and his partners any benefit
that may accrue from this discovery.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Acke receipt adding that the Govt will not in any way regard themselves as under an obligation to give Messrs Gray &c any advantage over other applicants, if there be any, to work this Coal alleged to have been found in Queen C. Isld
because of this Letter
which has been addressed to the Duke of Newcastle?
Acke receipt adding that the Govt will not in any way regard themselves as under an obligation to give Messrs Gray &c any advantage over other applicants, if there be any, to work this Coal alleged to have been found in Queen C. Isld
because of this Letter
which has been addressed to the Duke of Newcastle?
ABd
28 July
Surely this relates to the gold discovery of which we heard
so much a little time ago. If so the answer would be that the proposal had been declined.
so much a little time ago. If so the answer would be that the proposal had been declined.
HM
Jy 28
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Gray, 2 August 1853, advising that the
government "declines to enter into any obligation to give your Brother
and his partners any advantage over other applicants, if such should
offer, to work the Coal alleged to have been found."