Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 22 July 1856, CO 305:7, no. 9300, 59.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (2), Marginalia (4).
Douglas writes to Labouchere discussing the minutes from the June council on Vancouver Island. Douglas also mentions the movements of “northern savages” to the Colony; that no Admiralty
ships have arrived when expected; and the discovery of “some very fine specimens of
scale Gold” in the Fraser River.
The minutes question the legality of Douglas’s motions; mention that he “has been requested not to blend different subjects in
the same despatch;” discuss the expected arrival of the Admiral; and suggest that
the portion of the letter regarding gold be copied to the HBC.
Enclosed are four documents - two draft replies, one from Elliot to Shepherd, the other a reply from Labouchere to Douglas; the council minutes; and a proclamation from Douglas regarding a General Assembly.
No. 15
I have the honor of enclosing herewith Minutes of the proceedings
in the Council of Vancouver's Island on the 4th and 9th of June
last. I stated in my communication of the 7th of June the subjects
which had been laid before the Council on the 4th of that month. The
propositions in respect to the convening and constitution
constitution of the
Assembly were approved and passed without alteration, at the meeting of
the 9th of June.
constitution of the
Assembly were approved and passed without alteration, at the meeting of
the 9th of June.
In order to suit the circumstances of the Colony, the property
qualification of Members was limited to the ownership of 300, of
freehold estate or upwards.
To have fixed upon a higher standard of qualification, would
have disqualified all the present representatives,
leaving no disposable persons to replace them, and it appeared to me
impolitic, as well as unconstitutional, to dispense altogether with the
property qualification.
How can this be legal.
You will observe by the said Minutes that absentee Proprietors of
Freehold estates are allowed to vote through their resident Agents or
Attorneys, after the example of British Guiana.
The division of the settlements into four electoral Districts,
admits of a more
more equal representation, and has given more general satisfaction to the Colonists,
than a single Poll opened in any one District.
more equal representation, and has given more general satisfaction to the Colonists,
than a single Poll opened in any one District.
The electors are so few in number that the returns were mere
nominations in all the Districts, with the exception of Victoria, where
the contest was stoutly maintained by no fewer than five rival
candidates.
The elections are now over, and the Assembly is convened for the
12th day of August next.
Since I had last the honor of addressing you, my time and attention
have been seriously occupied in providing for the peace and security of
the settlements, in consequence of the great numbers of northern
savages, who have been, this season, crowding into the Colony.
The presence of those people has excited a well grounded apprehension of
danger in the minds of the Colonists; but I am thankful that
that they have
hitherto been kept under proper restraint. Our situation may however be
compared to a smouldering volcano, which at any moment may burst into
fatal activity.
Anxiety on the score of the Indians.
that they have
hitherto been kept under proper restraint. Our situation may however be
compared to a smouldering volcano, which at any moment may burst into
fatal activity.
None of Her Majesty's Ships have yet arrived here, as we
expected from Admiral Bruce's last communication.
It may probably interest Her Majesty's Government to learn that
some very fine specimens of scale Gold have been lately discovered in
one of the Tributary Streams of Fraser's River, at a considerable
distance from the sea coast.
Gold. On the continent.
The persons who made the discovery propose to continue the search
for gold, as soon as the river which, was then in a swollen state, falls
to its lowest level, and I will do myself the honor of informing you of
the result of their explorations. The search for Gold has not been
continued with activity on Vancouver's Island, neither does it appear
that the Gold District
District in the Upper Columbia, referred to in my letter
of the 16th April last, has been found productive, as the ascertained export of Gold from that quarter for
the last five months is only about 220 ounces.
District in the Upper Columbia, referred to in my letter
of the 16th April last, has been found productive, as the ascertained export of Gold from that quarter for
the last five months is only about 220 ounces.
The high state of the auriferous mountain streams, usual in the
early months of summer, may probably have hindered the miners from
working with their customary activity, but whether that or the limited
extent of the gold District, be the real cause of their want of success,
is a matter of conjecture, as I have received no reliable information on
the subject.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Copy to the Hudson's Bay Co of so much as relates to the convening of the Assembly & the Gold finding.
Copy to the Hudson's Bay Co of so much as relates to the convening of the Assembly & the Gold finding.
2. Governor Douglas has been requested not to blend different
subjects in the same despatch.
3. The Admiral on the Station was expected to be at VanCouver
the end of July.
ABd
15 Octr
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to John Shepherd, Hudson's Bay Company, 23 October
1856, forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Proclamation issued by Douglas, 16 June 1856, convening of General
Assembly.
Minutes of Council, 4 June and 9 June 1856, as per despatch.