Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer to
Douglas, Sir James 1 July 1858, CO 410:1, 128.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Confidential
1 July 1858
In transmitting you the Copy of a letter addressed to this
Department by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to
inform me of the steps they propose to take in consequence of the gold
discoveries on Fraser's River, I wish to add, for your particular
information, that I have ascertained by communication with the Admiralty
that the Officers commanding Her Majesty's Vessel at Vancouver's Island
will be directed to give you all the support in their power and to
render their crews, and more especially the Marines, serviceable as far
as circumstances will allow, if the Civil Government should require a
force to maintain order among the adventurers resorting to the Gold
Fields. But it will be necessary to be very cautious in employing them,
on account of the obvious danger of desertion.
to
inform me of the steps they propose to take in consequence of the gold
discoveries on Fraser's River, I wish to add, for your particular
information, that I have ascertained by communication with the Admiralty
that the Officers commanding Her Majesty's Vessel at Vancouver's Island
will be directed to give you all the support in their power and to
render their crews, and more especially the Marines, serviceable as far
as circumstances will allow, if the Civil Government should require a
force to maintain order among the adventurers resorting to the Gold
Fields. But it will be necessary to be very cautious in employing them,
on account of the obvious danger of desertion.
Her Majesty's Government feeling the difficulties and the critical
nature of your present circumstances
have not hesitated to place these
considerable powers in your hands, but they rely upon your forbearance,
judgment and conciliation to avoid all resort to Military or Naval
force, which may lead to conflict and loss of life, except under the
pressure of extreme necessity. Still less need I impress upon you the
importance of avoiding any act which directly or indirectly might be
construed into an application of imperial resources to the objects of
the Hudsons Bay Company in whose service you have so long been engaged.
Even the suspicion of this, however unfounded, would be eminently
prejudicial to the Establishment of civil government in the Country
lying near the Fraser's River, and would multiply existing difficulties
and dangers. All claims and interests
must be subordinated to that
policy which is to be found in the peopling and opening up of the new
country with the intention of consolidating it as an integral and
important part of the British Empire.
have not hesitated to place these
considerable powers in your hands, but they rely upon your forbearance,
judgment and conciliation to avoid all resort to Military or Naval
force, which may lead to conflict and loss of life, except under the
pressure of extreme necessity. Still less need I impress upon you the
importance of avoiding any act which directly or indirectly might be
construed into an application of imperial resources to the objects of
the Hudsons Bay Company in whose service you have so long been engaged.
Even the suspicion of this, however unfounded, would be eminently
prejudicial to the Establishment of civil government in the Country
lying near the Fraser's River, and would multiply existing difficulties
and dangers. All claims and interests
must be subordinated to that
policy which is to be found in the peopling and opening up of the new
country with the intention of consolidating it as an integral and
important part of the British Empire.
It is possible that by personal influence and conciliatory
communications with such of the leading men amongst the American
Immigrants as appear to be of good intention or respectable bearing, you
might induce them to co-operate with you in preserving order amongst
their countrymen, and to lay aside any feeling of prejudice or mistrust
with which they may have entered the territory.
I have etc.