[1111, CO 305/1, p. 427; received 5 June
]
1111. N. America
26 Pall Mall
Tuesday
30th May 1848.
Sir
In accordance with your request that I should transfer to paper
the subject of our conversation on Saturday with regard to the
advantages or disadvantages that would accrue to a colony on
Vancouver's Island, under the jurisdiction or superintendence of
the Hudson's Bay Company I beg to submit the following.
Having during my late period of Service in the Pacific been for
upwards of two years em-
ployedemployed on that part of the North West Coast
generally known as the Hudson's Bay Territory, the greater part of which
has been spent within all disinterested
individuals who have had an opportunity of visiting not only these
regions, but their Settlements in Hudson's Bay and on the Red River.
There has always appeared to me an overbearingly illiberal
usurpation of power on the part of the H.B. Co to which every better
feeling has invariably been Sacrificed, and which has rendered their
line of conduct in many instances most irregular and unjustifiable,
however necessary this System may have been found when dealing with
Savages, it could not but prove repugnant to the feelings of the
Colonists. And the facility which in this case would be offered them of
leaving the island, would doubtless be taken advantage of, and the
Colony after dwindling into insignificance would become but another
dependance wholly at the mercy of the Hudsons Bay Co.
That this powerful Company have the ability to form advantageous
Settlements in these unfrequented parts, there is not a doubt, but when
their trade is wholly carried on with the Aborigines, is it to be
supposed, that they would aid in the advancement of civilizationwhen when
from time immemorial, it has been proved that the progress of the one has
ever been made at the expence of the other? And should the Natives
cease to exist, why, their occupation is gone. It is only a natural
conclusion then to arrive at that the efforts which the Hudsons Bay
Company are putting forward to obtain either a direct or indirect
influence in Vancouvers Island are with the Sole motive of protracting
to as late a period as possible a monopoly which they have so long
enjoyed, and which could not benefit the country, the only object of
establishing a Settlement in Such a distant quarter. The Puget's Sound
Company are doubtless equally anxious for Hudsons Bay jurisdiction but
it must be at the same time remembered that these two Companies are so
wholly incorporated in each other, and their interests are mutually
blended, their object being to engross all those other available Sources
of revenue to which the free trade is not im-
mediatelyimmediately applicable.
Were it necessary to corroborate what I have now stated, I might
quote instances which have come under my immediate observation but I believe it to be unnecessary as there has never been but one opinion on the subject.
With regard to the Natural advantages of the island, my impression
is that they are highly favourable for the establishment of a Colony, the climate is a most desirable one, and comparing it, with that of this
Country in-
finitelyinfinitely more equable, it is as healthy as could be wished for
and seems to Suit the European Constitution admirably, and though fever
and ague are very prevalent on the main land yet from the absence of low
and marshy ground they are unknown here. Water however is not wanting
and can always be obtained in sufficient quantity, as a proof of which
there are beaver on the island, whose aquatick propensities are too well known to be commented on.
To give a correct description of the island would entail a task,
which I do not hesitate to confess I am incompetent of performing, as its
interior has never been explored, and in fact it has only been
penetrated at one point to the extent of twenty miles, the shores
however have been very frequently visited, in the course of trafficking
with the Indiansand2. and from such sources of information a very Satisfactory conclusion may be arrived at.
Vancouver's is an island about two hundred and fifty miles long, and sixty five its extreme breadth at any part, although in many places it
does not exceed the half of that, in its general appearance it is
mountainous and thickly wooded, the Western or sea coast being the most
precipitous
As the Straits of de Fuca are entered its wild aspect gradually
diminishes until within some fifteen or twenty miles of Victoria the
Company's only Settlement on the island — here it presents a most favourable view, the dark pine forest giving way to plains and open park
land studded with fine oaks, this continues with some exceptions along
the Coast bordering the Canal de Arra and gulph of Georgia running up in
a North Westerly direction offering many eligible spots for agricultural
operations. The Navigation here is considered difficult at times even
for Steam vessels, owing to the rapidity and irregularity of the
currents, but when it is remembered that Vancouver found his way through
here in Safety, it cannot be doubtedbut but that these difficulties will
dissapear before advancing civilization and science. To compensate
however for the Casual disadvantages in the navigation the whole coast
abounds in most excellent harbours which can scarcely be equalled in any
island of Similar extent, and where the most Secure inlets are wanting
numerous Small islets afford the Mariner a safe anchorage and protection
from the weather. With regard to the minerals as yet coal is only known
to exist here, but sanguine hopes are entertained that there are others,
lead and tin having been discovered in Queen Charlottes island which is little more than a degree to the Northward —
The coal was quite accidentally discovered from the vein having
been seen on the beach at low water, a quantity of this although taken
almost from the surface has been satisfactorily tried on board the
Company's Steamer Beaver on several occasions, the situation of this
mine is about twenty-five miles from the entrance of Queen Charlottes
Sound, and could be reached by sailing vessels with perfect ease,
entering from the Northward. The timber which is here to be met with
consists almost ex-exclusively of the gigantic pine in different varieties.
There are also oak ash and such other trees as are to be met with in
this country, although they bear but a small proportion. The pine is
most available for ships spars and the more Northerly the climate the
more valuable they are.
I have as yet said nothing about the Soil there are conflicting
opinions as to its being very available for agricultural purposes and I
have very lately seen it publically stated, that there was such a thin
surface over rock as to render it perfectly unavailable, but I think
that, that is rather a sweeping assertion. That the ground is in many
places stony there is no doubt but with a little labour they can be
removed, and there remains as rich a soil as the farmer can desire.
So little being known of the interior of the island as I have
already observed, it would be difficult to form a very correct estimate
of the number of its inhabitants, but from the knowledge of the
existence of nine tribes on the coast, averaging Seven hundred men to a
tribe, a sufficiently ac-
curateaccurate approximation may be arrived at, by stating the wholeto to amount to about ten thousand which however I should
think it did not exceed. They are for the most part generally friendly
to Strangers, although not wholly perhaps to be depended upon, yet a
simple demonstration of force has always been found to keep them in
check. They subsist chiefly on fish, but likewise take a great quantity
of game, all of which are easily procured and are in great abundance;
they even venture after the whale in their light canoes and that animal
frequents the Straits of de Fuca, and gulph of Georgia during the
Season, great numbers are caught, I was informed on good authority, as
many as a hundred had been taken during the year. This of Course has
been found a very productive sport.
The subject of transporting emigrants across the isthmus of Panama,
having been suggested as a less expensive method than Conveying them
around Cape Horn, I would beg to observe as far as my experience allows
me that the latter must certainly prove the more economical of the two.
Allowing fifty days as the passage of a Sailing vessel from England to
Vera Cruzand3. and that from Panama to Vancouver's Island to be sixty which would be the probable amount taking into consideration the prevailing
winds, add to which ten days occupied in transporting the Emigrants and
their baggage across the isthmus — the amount would be one hundred and
twenty. Now the whole journey round the Cape would scarcely occupy more
than one hundred and forty, this certainly would show a saving of
twenty days, but when taking into consideration the expences of
Conveyance overland, and the two sets of vessels which it would of
course require, independently of no small inconvenience to the Emigrants
attending their trans-
hipmenttranshipment, I doubt not but that the longer route would eventually be the more preferable
I have the honour to remain
Sir
Your most obedt Servt
Adam D. Dundas
Lieutt R.N.