Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 15 July 1857, CO 305:8, no. 8657, 108.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5).
Douglas reports on the “auriferous character” of the Cariboo region; gold has been found, he informs, but there is “yet a degree of uncertainty respecting
the productiveness of those gold fields.” Douglas adds that the Indigenous population is determined to “resist all attempts at working
gold in any of the streams flowing into Thompson River,” from a desire to mine the metal themselves and from a “well founded impression”
that this would affect the annual salmon run. Douglas worries that American prospectors may “endanger the peace of the country” and enquires
if “the Natives are entitled to the protection of Her Majesty’s Government.”
The minutes discuss whether the British Treasury should pay from the military appointment
to the Cariboo region, or, because the land is still licensed to the HBC, if the HBC should cover the expenses.
They agree to talk to the HBC and “Put by” until more “definite information” arrives.
No. 22
1. I have the honor of communicating for your information the
substance of advices which I have lately received from the interior of
the Continent north of the 49th Parallel of latitude, corroborating
the former accounts from that quarter, respecting the auriferouscharacter
character of certain Districts of the country on the right bank of the
Columbia River, and of the extensive table land which divides it from
Fraser's River.
character of certain Districts of the country on the right bank of the
Columbia River, and of the extensive table land which divides it from
Fraser's River.
2. There is however as yet a degree of uncertainty respecting the
productiveness of those gold fields, for reports vary so much on that
point, some parties representing the deposits as exceedingly rich, while
others are of opinion, that they will not repay the labor and outlay of
working, that I feel it would be premature for me to give a decided
opinion on the subject.
3. It is however certain that Gold has been found in many places
by washing the soil of the River beds, and alsoof
of the mountain sides;
but on the other hand the quantities hitherto collected are
inconsiderable and do not lend much support to the opinion entertained
of the richness of those deposits, so that the question as to their
ultimate value remains thus undetermined, and will probably not be
decided until more extensive re-searches are made.
of the mountain sides;
but on the other hand the quantities hitherto collected are
inconsiderable and do not lend much support to the opinion entertained
of the richness of those deposits, so that the question as to their
ultimate value remains thus undetermined, and will probably not be
decided until more extensive re-searches are made.
4. A new element of difficulty in exploring the gold country has
been interposed through the opposition of the native Indian Tribes of
Thompson's River, who have lately taken the high handed, though probably not unwise course, of expelling
all the parties of gold diggers,
composed chiefly ofpersons
persons from the American Territories, who had
forced an entrance into their country. They have also openly expressed
a determination to resist all attempts at working gold in any of the
streams flowing into Thompson's River; both from a desire to monopolize
the precious metal, for their own benefit, and from a well founded
impression that the shoals of salmon which annually ascend those rivers,
and furnish the principal food of the inhabitants will be driven off,
and prevented from making their annual migrations from the sea.
persons from the American Territories, who had
forced an entrance into their country. They have also openly expressed
a determination to resist all attempts at working gold in any of the
streams flowing into Thompson's River; both from a desire to monopolize
the precious metal, for their own benefit, and from a well founded
impression that the shoals of salmon which annually ascend those rivers,
and furnish the principal food of the inhabitants will be driven off,
and prevented from making their annual migrations from the sea.
5. The officers in command of the Hudson's Bay Company's Postsin
in that quarter have received orders carefully to respect the feelings of
the Natives in that matter, and not to employ any of the Company's
Servants, in washing out gold without their full approbation and
consent.
in that quarter have received orders carefully to respect the feelings of
the Natives in that matter, and not to employ any of the Company's
Servants, in washing out gold without their full approbation and
consent.
There is therefore nothing to apprehend on the part of the Hudson's
Bay Company's servants, but there is much reason to fear that serious
affrays may take place between the natives and the motley adventurers,
who will be attracted by the reputed wealth of the country, from the
United States possessions in Oregon, and may probably attempt to
overpower the opposition of the natives by force of arms, and thus
endanger the peace of the country.
6. I beg to submit, ifin
in that case, it may not become a question
whether the Natives are entitled to the protection of Her Majesty's
Government; and if an officer invested with the requisite authority
should not, without delay, be appointed for that purpose.
in that case, it may not become a question
whether the Natives are entitled to the protection of Her Majesty's
Government; and if an officer invested with the requisite authority
should not, without delay, be appointed for that purpose.
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Governor again (see 5815/56) renews his suggestion for the establishment of some authority in the Upper Columbia District, whh shall be able to preserve order amongst expected gold diggers, & between them & the Indians. Any Officer, or force stationed there wd have to be paid by the British Treasury, for which Parlt would have to be applied to. The Appointment of a Protector of Indians without a sufficiency of men under him wd be of little avail.
The Governor again (see 5815/56) renews his suggestion for the establishment of some authority in the Upper Columbia District, whh shall be able to preserve order amongst expected gold diggers, & between them & the Indians. Any Officer, or force stationed there wd have to be paid by the British Treasury, for which Parlt would have to be applied to. The Appointment of a Protector of Indians without a sufficiency of men under him wd be of little avail.
ABd
19 S
Mr Labouchere
The region referred to is within the North West Territory, over which the H.B.Co. possess the exclusive right of trade, under license, until 1859. If the Governor's request for the appointment of a British officer in that country were acceded to, there would be nothing unreasonable in saying that the HBC, who at present derive the sole & exclusive advantage from that country, should pay him so long as their license is maintained. But it is impossible to consider these questions in a mere insulated way. If any interference is to take place, I believe it will be necessary to except this district out of the renewed license: to form it into a colony: and to incur the cost of the necessary first establishments. If this extension of dominion is not worth our while, then the proposal must be rejected or at least adjourned until more definite information of the real importance of this gold field reaches us.
The region referred to is within the North West Territory, over which the H.B.Co. possess the exclusive right of trade, under license, until 1859. If the Governor's request for the appointment of a British officer in that country were acceded to, there would be nothing unreasonable in saying that the HBC, who at present derive the sole & exclusive advantage from that country, should pay him so long as their license is maintained. But it is impossible to consider these questions in a mere insulated way. If any interference is to take place, I believe it will be necessary to except this district out of the renewed license: to form it into a colony: and to incur the cost of the necessary first establishments. If this extension of dominion is not worth our while, then the proposal must be rejected or at least adjourned until more definite information of the real importance of this gold field reaches us.
HM
S 21
HL
23
I think that this question shd be postponed till we receive
more definite information.
HL
S 30