Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Stanley, Lord Edward Henry 26 July 1858, CO 305:9, no. 9253, 125.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (10), Other documents (1), Marginalia (2).
Douglas reports that since the “Satellite” has “detached” to Vancouver Island from the mouth of the Fraser River, canoes and other small craft have “stealthily entered and ascended” the Fraser without a customs permit. Douglas regrets he does not have a “permanent force” for the “protection of the Revenue Laws
of the country.”
Douglas announces the appointment of land commissioners, Justices of the Peace and a Revenue
Officer which he plans to pay from “revenues raised” in British Columbia. He enumerates the mining population at “9000 white miners” with others arriving
soon. Also, Douglas hopes for a road through the valley of Harrison River.
The minutes decide to pay the seamen of the “Satellite” and “Plumper” more money to protect British interests in BC. They generally approve of all of Douglas’s actions but are concerned that he has set up a monopoly of the sale of mining tools
for the HBC which “has been repeatedly observed objectionable.”
Enclosed are eight documents of correspondence between Douglas and the Royal Navy stationed on the coast concerning protection of the Fraser River; an excerpt from the "Victoria Gazette" respecting the gold mines; and a draft from
Lytton to Douglas “generally” approving his actions.
No. 31
1. I have the honor of transmitting herewith copies of
correspondence with Captain Prevost of Her Majesty's Ship
"Satellite" touching the enforcement of the Revenue Laws and
License regulations applicable to Fraser's River.
2. Your Lordship will observe that he has onall
all occasions
cordially responded to my demands, and given such aid and assistance in
carrying out the views of this Government, in preventing the lawless
intrusion of foreign ships, and people, into Fraser's River; as was
consistent with the nature of his instructions from Her Majesty's
Government and the demands upon his time, of the special service on which
the "Satellite" was detached to this coast.
all occasions
cordially responded to my demands, and given such aid and assistance in
carrying out the views of this Government, in preventing the lawless
intrusion of foreign ships, and people, into Fraser's River; as was
consistent with the nature of his instructions from Her Majesty's
Government and the demands upon his time, of the special service on which
the "Satellite" was detached to this coast.
3. In consequence however of the frequent, and for the reasons
before stated, necessary absence of the "Satellite" from Fraser's River,
there have been many evasions of the law, by means of canoes and other
small craft, which havestealthily
stealthily entered and ascended Fraser's River,
without a Customs Permit, or the pre-payment of a month's advance on the
mining Licence of each miner as required by the existing regulations.
stealthily entered and ascended Fraser's River,
without a Customs Permit, or the pre-payment of a month's advance on the
mining Licence of each miner as required by the existing regulations.
4. I therefore much regret that I have not a permanent force
under my control for the protection of the Revenue Laws of the
country; as they would, in that case, produce a return far
exceeding the expense of maintaining such a force, besides
upholding the moral influence of Her Majesty's Government.
5. The regulations we have established, and which we seek to
enforce in the Fraser's River District, are only such ashave
have reference
to my instructions from Her Majesty's Government; and to the rights of
the Crown with respect to minerals in their natural place of deposit.
have reference
to my instructions from Her Majesty's Government; and to the rights of
the Crown with respect to minerals in their natural place of deposit.
6. I will for your Lordships information concisely enumerate
the objects we wish to attain through those regulations. In the
first place I have, distinctly, and to all applicants for land,
refused the grant of any rights of occupation; in accordance
with the instructions from Mr Secretary Labouchere, as detailed
in his Despatch No 4 of the 1st of February
1858;1
and also with the view of preventing the confusion and numberless evils
that have, in all cases, grown out of the practice of squatting on
Crown Lands or the Lawless occupation of acountry
country.
country.
If the Govr strictly adheres to this paragraph there will
be no persons to turn out & dissatisfy when the R. Engineers or any
Govt Surveyors begin surveying land for sale. The sooner that
work is commenced the better. ABd.
2ndly I have endeavoured to protect the trading rights of the
Hudson's Bay Company as by Law established.
3rdly I have established the system of issuing licences for
digging Gold, the charge for each mining claim of 25 feet river frontage,
or 20 square feet of river bar or dry diggings, being fixed at 21s/-
or 5 dollars a month, the revenue derived from this source being held for
the benefit of the Crown. There are also regulations respecting the
draining of water ponds; and working quartz veins, which will I trust
hereafter yield a large amount of revenue for the Crown.
7. To carry those objectsinto
into effect I have appointed the following
officers.
into effect I have appointed the following
officers.
The Govr has already reported the appointnt of
[these Gentlemen?].
Assistant Commissioners of Crown Lands
O.T. Travaillot Thompson's River
Justices of the Peace
George Perrier District of Fort Yale
Revenue Officer
and others will be appointed as soon as fit and trusty persons can be
found to fill those offices, with credit and respectability.
8. I propose to pay those officers out of the Revenue raised in
this country.
9. With the exception of the aid received from Her Majesty's ship
"Satellite," operating on the sea coast, I have had no military force
whatever to employ in the interior of Fraser's River, which isnow
now
occupied by a population little short of 9000 white miners; and hundreds
of other persons, are travelling towards the gold mines, and preparing to
join them.
now
occupied by a population little short of 9000 white miners; and hundreds
of other persons, are travelling towards the gold mines, and preparing to
join them.
10. The country nevertheless continues quiet, and notwithstanding
our want of physical force I have not scrupled, in all cases, to assert
the rights of the Crown, and to enforce the Laws of the land, for the
punishment of offences, and we have, thanks to the Almighty, encountered
neither resistance, nor opposition in the discharge of those sacred
duties.
11. To supply the mining population of Fraser's River with food, we
have licensed two American Steam vessels to ply upon the waters of
Fraser's River, and one of those vessels hassucceeded
succeeded in reaching the
"Falls" or Fort Yale, about one hundred and thirty miles from the
discharge of the Fraser, into the Gulf of Georgia.
succeeded in reaching the
"Falls" or Fort Yale, about one hundred and thirty miles from the
discharge of the Fraser, into the Gulf of Georgia.
12. The Agents of the Hudson's Bay Company have laid in large
quantities of Mining Tools and provisions for the use of the
miners, which they supply at merely remunerative prices, greatly
to the advantage and satisfaction of the mining population.
13. Notwithstanding the great number of people assembled in
Fraser's River, it does not appear that there has been a large production
of gold, as most of the River "Bars" are still inundated; nevertheless
the miners have unwavering faithin
in the richness of the country, and are
in great spirits, in anticipation of an early fall in the River.
in the richness of the country, and are
in great spirits, in anticipation of an early fall in the River.
14. I have accounts of 5000 ounces of gold dust, which have been
actually exported from Fraser's River since the month of May last, and we
have estimated that as much as half that quantity has been carried away
in small quantities, by return miners; comprising as I believe the whole
export of gold dust for that period.
15. We are therefore led to believe that the Miners are hoarding up
their gold dust, either from not being in immediate want of supplies or
more probably from not knowing how to remit, or where to place it in
security, and for that reason, among many others, I am considering the
ways and means of having their earnings conveyed to the seacoast
coast under
government escort, and placing them in charge of a public Treasurer,
until they are called for by the depositers; the conveyance, and other
expenses to be defrayed by a charge on the deposits.
coast under
government escort, and placing them in charge of a public Treasurer,
until they are called for by the depositers; the conveyance, and other
expenses to be defrayed by a charge on the deposits.
16. The advantages expected from that measure are manifold; we
hope, for instance, to draw the gold by that means, to this Colony, from
whence; instead of being exported to other countries, it will find its
way to England, in return for our own home manufactures.
17. Another important object, I have in view, is the improvement
of the internal communications of the country, which at present are, for
all practical purposes, nearly inaccessible, beyond Fort Yale, in
consequence of a range of mountains, running north and south, which there
interpose an almost insurmountablebarrier
barrier to the progress of trade.
barrier to the progress of trade.
18. To the eastward of that range of mountains, the country is
open and comparatively level, and the construction of good roads
would be a matter of easy accomplishment, in fact it is even at
present almost everywhere accessible for pack horses.
19. It is therefore evident that the construction of a good road
through that mountain barrier, though passable in the first instance only
for pack horses, would be of prodigious advantage to the country, and
such a road might, I think, be carried through the valley of Harrison's
River, at a moderate expense, to a point near the Great Falls of Fraser's
River, to the eastward of the mountains in question,from
from whence the
country is easy of access; and should no instructions, militating with
that design, be in the mean time received from Her Majesty's Government,
I will probably make the attempt in course of the present summer.
from whence the
country is easy of access; and should no instructions, militating with
that design, be in the mean time received from Her Majesty's Government,
I will probably make the attempt in course of the present summer.
20. I am, not without cause, looking forward most anxiously to
receiving your instructions, respecting the plan of Government for
Fraser's River. The torrent of immigration is setting in with impetuous
force, and to Keep pace with the extraordinary circumstances of the
times; and to maintain the authority of the Laws, I have been compelled
to assume an unusual amount of responsibility. I trust however from the
present hasty review of the reasons whichhave
have influenced my public
measures, that they will meet with the approval of Her Majesty's
Government.
have influenced my public
measures, that they will meet with the approval of Her Majesty's
Government.
The Victoria
Gazette2
of the 24th of Instant, which I herewith transmit will give much
interesting information respecting the gold mines, and other public
matters.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Governor's notions as to the exclusion of foreigners & foreign Ships from the River Fraser, and on the trade rights of the Hudson's Bay Company continue the same as usual. But they will be considerably altered on receipt of Sir E. Lytton's despatches on those points. Refer the Governor to those despes to which there is nothing to be added on this occasion.
The Governor's notions as to the exclusion of foreigners & foreign Ships from the River Fraser, and on the trade rights of the Hudson's Bay Company continue the same as usual. But they will be considerably altered on receipt of Sir E. Lytton's despatches on those points. Refer the Governor to those despes to which there is nothing to be added on this occasion.
2. With respect to the force which he regrets he does not
possess, whereby he would be enabled to prevent the infraction
of the Revenue Laws, remind him that any such force must be
constituted in the Colony—that it must for all ordinary purposes be a
civil force—& that he will remember that in this country the military
are not resorted to for the infraction of Customs Laws.
He will find the vessels employed will give him the requisite moral
support & if needed practical assistance.
3. Approve the Governor's decision as to the prevention of
Squatting, (Par: 6.) & his refusal for the present to sanction
the occupation, i.e. grants of Crown lands.
4. Approve the apptments reported in Par: 7 but only provisionally.
5. I think that, as regards the rest of [the] desph, the
Govr's proceedings may be approved generally, with the reservation of
Par: 12 which seems to imply that the H.B.Co have been given the
monopoly of the sale of Mining tools & provisions—as has been repeatedly
observed
objectionable, & has been disapproved.
objectionable, & has been disapproved.
6. Request the Govr to send home full, & frequent reports indeed
to write by each mail, to add a Newspaper when it contains anything that
he thinks will afford interesting information to H.M. Govt, and to
communicate to Sir Edward the extent of the receipts & expre of this
new Colony to the latest period. I should expect that we shall certainly
receive such an account of the ways & means of B. Columbia by the end of
Decr or early in Jany/59.
ABd
11 Sepr
I agree with Mr Blackwood, only with doubt as to one point. I
do not think there is much use in telling Govr Douglas that the
force to protect the customs revenue must be raised in the colony.
The thing cannot at present be done. If the diggings succeed, useful
men will not stay on the coast to look after the Customs. If they fail,
which begins to look possible enough, such men will not be wanted, &
their maintenance in the winter a burden. The best rough expedient for
the moment seems to be the giving the Satellite & Plumper's marines an
extra allowance. I wish there were more of them.
As regards appointments, State that the gentlemen he may have
appointed provisionally such as Collector of Customs, a Treasurer &c who
are about to be supplanted by persons from this Country, he will no doubt
find some other means of securing to the public service. Call on him to
state such places as he proposes to create & for which persons from
England may be filled. State that it is of great importance to the
general social welfare & dignity of the Coly that some gentlemen
should be encouraged to come from England, not as mere adventurers, but
professionally engaged—perhaps Stipendiary Magistrates or Gold
Commrs. Observe that while it is quite natural that the Servants of
the H.B. Compy should from their knowledge of business their
abilities &c have a very fair claim to consideration and share in the
patronage, yet that great caution should be shewn, in not giving any
appearance of undue favour or clubiness to the Servants of that Company;
& that [half line off microfilm] should be understood it is still more
desirable that some appointments should be made from England.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Douglas to James C. Prevost, Captain HMS
Satellite, 15 May 1858, advising his services would be required to
uphold customs laws and the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company in
the Fraser River region.
Douglas to Prevost, Point Roberts, 21 May 1858, stating his
intention to appoint a collector of customs in Fort Langley and asking
that a detachment of soldiers be sent to the area to help him assert his
authority.
Prevost to Douglas, Point Roberts, 22 May 1858,
informing of his proposed course of action in the Fraser River region.
Douglas to Rear Admiral Baynes, Commander in Chief, 12 May 1858,
forwarding copy of despatch and asking that he provide a force sufficient
"to aid and assist in maintaining the Queens Authority until further
instructions are received from England."
Victoria Gazette, 24 July 1858, as per despatch.
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
As Sir Edward Lytton has given me a blank signature for this draft of a despatch, which
is to be despatched this Evening, I will thank you and
Lord Carnarvon 1st to give it, in his absence, yr special
attention.
As Sir Edward Lytton has given me a blank signature for this draft of a despatch, which
is to be despatched this Evening, I will thank you and
Lord Carnarvon 1st to give it, in his absence, yr special
attention.
Footnotes
- Labouchere to Douglas, 1 February 1858, No. 4, CO 410/1, p. 120 .
- . The Victoria Gazette first appeared on 25 June 1858, edited by H.C. Williston and C. Bartlett and published by James W. Towne & Co. of San Francisco. From 25 June to 28 October, it appeared five days a week as the Daily Victoria Gazette. Abel Whitton purchased the paper from Towne on 1 September 1858, and from February to November 1859, he also published a weekly version. Although the editors sought to avoid taking sides on political issues, being generally content to support the administration of Douglas and the H.B.C, until the dispute over the San Juan Islands erupted in 1859 and they promptly took the American side. The paper was renamed on 5 December 1859 to the New Victoria Gazette and appeared three three times a week until 30 July 1860 when it again reverted to a weekly. Unable to retain subscribers, it published its final edition on 29 September 1860. See J. Forsyth, The Pioneer Press of British Columbia, BCHA, First Annual Report and Proceedings (1923): 22-28.
People in this document
Baynes, Rear Admiral Robert Lambert
Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer