<persName ref="prs:kernaghan_w"><surname>Kernaghan</surname>, <forename>William</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:lytton_egeb"><surname>Lytton</surname>, <forename>Edward</forename> <forename>George</forename> <forename>Earle</forename> <forename>Bulwer</forename></persName> 20 July 1858, CO 6:28, no. 7172, 166. Kernaghan addressee Lytton

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Kernaghan, William to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 20 July 1858, CO 6:28, no. 7172, 166.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B586KE02.html. CO 6:28 CO 6 28 7172 166 B.C. 1858 registered 21 July 1858 co_6_28_00174r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Correspondence (private letter). Minutes (2).

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Kernaghan warns the CO that if Vancouver Island remained under HBC rule its inhabitants will be debarred from the benefits of the Reciprocity act and that the island will be abandoned when the United States chooses to do free trade with the proposed colony of New Caledonia. He relates a dubious story of the HBC putting a price on the head of company deserters. Kernaghan also asks for an appointment in the new colony.

The minutes doubt that Kernaghan will get an appointment but will answer him that his name will be included in a list of the great number of applicants.

 Kernaghan, William
Colonial Office
 Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer Inserted revisionDesc with @status="unproofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
Kernaghan to Lytton 7172, CO 6/28, p. 166; registered 21 July 1858
Colonial Office
20 July 1858 Sir,

When in California in Jany 1851 the officers of the U.S. Steam Frigate "Massachusets" assured me, incredible as the statement may be, that the Officers of the Hudson's Bay Co at Vancouvers Island had offered the Indians so much a head, dead or alive, for any of the Co's hired servants, who might attempt to escape to California, where wages then were about £20 a month, while their contracts were about £26 pr annum. Four of the Cos servants did hide themselves in empty water casks & thus escaped without the knowledge of the Steam Ship's officers.

They also told me their ship lay close to the beach when the Coals are dug out or mined & though officers of the Co were sent with the Steamer to get the price of the quantity of Coals taken on board, the Indians, claiming the Coal as their property, would not allow the Co's officers to be paid but to save bloodshed were paid themselves in dollars & blankets by the Ship.

Should Vancouver's Island continue under the Co's rule, its inhabitants will be debarred from the benefits of the Reciprocity act with the neighboring Territories & States, while those of the new Colony will have all the privileges of it. This would cause the Island to be in a great measure abandoned as the States would charge duties of 20 to 30 pct on its produce while that of New Caledonia would be free.

Having visited all the Cities of Canada this Spring—public opinion there is against the renewal of the exclusive privileges or lease of the Co in 1859—that GovtGovernment having noticed the Co to surrender all they held under them in 18 months.

I would beg to Offer my services to her Majesty's govtGovernment for an appointment in the New Colony referring to the Rt Hon. J. Whiteside, J. Wynne MP, Hon Col Cob, Mr W.S. Lindsay MP, on this side & in Canada to the Hon Mr Alleyne M.P.P., Col Playfair M.P.P, Mr Brown M.P.P. & Mr Dawson, M.P.P.

I am your obedient [humble servant] [Wm. Kernaghan] To the Rt Hon. Sir Edw Bulwer Lytton Bart Colonial Sect.
Acke. receipt; & state that Sir E. Lytton regrets that he will not have the means of complying with the writer's wish for an apptment in New Caledonia. ABd. 20 July. HM Jy 16
The writer is a man who has given us information on several occasions and is tolerably acquainted with the country in question. I think the best answer wdwould be to tell him that his name shall be noted, but that from the great number of applicants and the small number of appointments to be made Sir E. Lytton fears that there will not be much chance of complying at present with his request. Annex draft. C. July 22.