
================================================================================
FILE: 1860-01-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607001.txt
================================================================================

No. 1

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 220
of the 14th September forwarding an application from
Mr James Cooper, Harbor Master, for an increase of salary.

I request that you will inform Mr Cooper that in the present
financial position of British Columbia it is
not in my power to accede to his application.

With regard to the question of Mr Cooper's residing in
British Columbia, I refer you to my despatch of the
5th September, marked
Confidential, which has been crossed by your despatch now under
acknowledgement.



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FILE: 1860-01-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607002.txt
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No. 2

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 212 of the
8th September enclosing a letter from Colonel Moody requesting that a
Commissariat Officer may be sent out to British Columbia at an early
date to undertake the charge of all matters connected with Commissariat
expenditure.

I have referred the subject to the Secretary of State for War, who
agrees with me in thinking that there is no necessity at present for
sending out such an Officer, and that Captain Gosset who combines with
the appointment of Treasurer that of Commissariat Officer to the Royal
Engineers
may very well continue to perform the duties which you report
that you have provisionally assigned to him.



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FILE: 1860-01-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607001.txt
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No. 1

With reference to your despatch No. 47 of the 12th September
last, and my answer of the 1st ultimo relative to the erection of Public
Buildings in Vancouver's Island, I now transmit you copy of a letter
from Mr Berens commenting on your despatch on behalf of the Hudsons
Bay Company and of the answer which I have caused to be addressed to that
gentleman.

You will observe that it is necessary that your report on the whole
subject should be full and explanatory, as the matter is one involving
serious considerations.

You will also observe strictly the caution expressed in that
letter, and let it be fully understood that Her Majesty's Government are
not prepared to recognize any private ownership of soil in Vancouvers Island by the Company by any title anterior to the grant. It must rest
with the Company to take such steps, in vindication of such supposed
title, as they may think proper.

You will further furnish me with as little delay as you
conveniently can, with a report in which the land claimed by the Company
in Vancouvers Island by anterior title is distinguished from such land
as they may have acquired, in their private capacity and in accordance
with the land Sales Regulation, since the date of the grant. On this
subject I have to refer you to your despatch of 15 July 1858, containing
a Return of "land sold to any individual or Company" in which the
Hudsons Bay Company appear as purchasers of several specified lots.



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FILE: 1860-01-02_Romaine_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD01.txt
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Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, copies of two Letters from Rear Admiral Baynes, dated the 26th Octr and 9th Novr last, No 167 and 179,
relative to the Island of San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-01-04_Berens_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605MI01.txt
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Berens to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo
wherein you say that you send me enclosed a copy of Governor
Douglas's dispatch upon the subject of reducing the price of Land in
Vancouvers Island. This enclosure however appears to have been omitted
as it did not accompany your letter consequently I am unable to give
you any opinion upon it.

In reference to the question as to whether our people are receiving
money paid for land I am not aware that any public lands have been
disposed of since the 31st of May last nor can I conceive that such
should have been the case as Mr Dallas has been frequently
instructed that no legal Titles could be granted either by the Government
or ourselves until the reconveyance of the Colony shall have been
effected. I am also under the impression that since the 31st of May
being the termination of our exclusive license of trade the Affairs
of the Colony have been entirely separate from those of the Hudsons
Bay Company. In reply to your question of allowing the Governor to
sell the Land and account to HM Government

*

for the proceeds pending the Question of
rightful ownership I am now preparing to answer to the letter of the
Duke of Newcastle of the 30th Decber last in which this subject
must necessarily be fully adverted to and which I hope to be able to
forward to your office very shortly. Should you however upon the
perusal of it consider that there [be] any subject upon which you
desire further information I shall be very glad to supply it.



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FILE: 1860-01-05_Berens_to_Newcastle_B605MI01.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr
Under Secretary Merivale's letter of the 30th ultimo in
reference to the claims of this Company to Lands in British Columbia.

With a view to obtaining a decision on the subject from
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council I will as early
as possible submit for Your Grace's consideration a statement
of the facts on which this Company consider their legal title

to the lands in question to rest; it being understood of
course that the decision of the Judicial Committee shall be
binding on both sides, and that if it should turn out that the
Government have taken possession of any lands or buildings
which may be found to have been the property of this Company
the same shall either be restored or a proper compensation
made in respect of them.



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FILE: 1860-01-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607002.txt
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No. 2

With reference to your Despatch, No. 42, of the 27th of August, I
transmit to you herewith, for your information and guidance, the Copy of
a letter from the Secretary of State for War requesting that the
necessary details may be furnished of the expenditure which has been
incurred upon Barracks or upon other Services which are chargeable
against Imperial Funds.



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FILE: 1860-01-06_Murdoch_and_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN01.txt
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Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 29th ultimo enclosing one from
the Foreign Office, in which it is suggested that Emigration to Vancouver
Island might be successfully promoted by making free grants to British
subjects of 25 Acres each.

2. A free grant to such an extent could of course offer no
temptation to any person above the rank of a Laborer. It amounts to
the gift of that which, at the present moment, might be purchased
from the Hudsons Bay Company for £25 and from individuals probably
for less, and which will be purchaseable from the Crown for £12.10
when hereafter the price in Vancouvers Island is assimilated (as it
must be) to that in British Columbia. But to obtain this grant a
Laboring man with a family proceeding from this Country would, as we
pointed out in our report of 24th November last, have to undertake a
voyage of 4 or 5 months duration at an expense of about £75. It is
superfluous to observe that none of the laboring population of this
Country are in a position to incur such an expense out of their own
means. And even if persons of a somewhat superior class such as
Artizans

and skilled Laborers could be tempted to Emigrate by the prospect of
obtaining Land on easy terms we apprehend that the expense of the
voyage to Vancouvers Island would be conclusive against their
proceeding thither, since for a fourth of that sum they could pay the
expense of their passages to and purchase an equal quantity of Crown
Land free of all conditions in Canada, New Brunswick or Nova Scotia.
In Canada moreover they might obtain free grants of 100 acres each on
certain lines of road opened up by the Provincial Government, on
conditions of Settlement of no very onerous nature. For a statement
of those conditions we would refer to page 43 of the enclosed
Colonization Circular,

*

and we may add, as bearing on this subject, that we have reason to
believe that even these Grants, advantageous as are their terms and
situation, have not been extensively taken up.

3. But if the Laboring Class and Artizans are not to be tempted to
Vancouvers Island by small free grants still less likely is it that
any effect would be produced on persons of larger Capital. In every
system of free grants for the promotion of Settlement some
restrictions must be imposed to prevent the immediate alienation of
the land, otherwise it will fall into the hands of Land jobbers.
But Capitalists will not submit to such restrictions except in return
for some more considerable and obvious advantages than could be
expected from small free grants. If, therefore, Capitalists will not
spontaneously proceed to Vancouvers Island we do not think that the
proposed Free Grants will attract them.

4. Nor do we think that an increase in the size of the grants would
have any effect. The obstacles as regards the laboring population
would remain the same. The drawback to the investment of Capital in
the Island is the want of Labor, and that drawback would be increased
instead of diminished by a scheme which would convert any Laborers
who might reach the Island into Landowners. Except indeed under the
peculiar conditions of the Canadian grants all Colonial experience is
against such a system. The effect of it is to produce a dispersion
of the population, to discourage cooperative labor, and to preclude
the social and moral advancement of the settlers.

5. Nor are these the only objections which occur to us. Although we
are satisfied that such grants would not induce either capitalists or
Laborers to proceed from this Country to Vancouvers Island, they
might, if they had any effect at all, attract settlers from the
neighbouring States of the Union. In that case it would be difficult
to distinguish between the loyal subject of the British Crown and the
Native or naturalized Citizen of the United States. It is perhaps
beyond our Province to suggest the question whether if Americans
cannot be excluded from Vancouvers Island it is desirable to place
them under any disabilities as compared with British subjects. But
we may observe that the recent legislation of Canada, which has the
best means of forming a judgment on the point, has proceeded
apparently on the principle of leaving no ground for regret or
discontent in any Foreigner who may settle within that Province.

6. Upon the whole we feel bound to state that in our opinion the
proposed Free Grants of 25 Acres each would have no effect in
inducing Settlers from this Country to proceed to Vancouvers Island,
and that they would not promote the object which the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs has in view.



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FILE: 1860-01-07_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607003.txt
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No. 3

I transmit to you herewith the copy of a letter which has been
addressed to this Department by Captain Clarke R.E. late Surveyor
General of the Colony of Victoria, accompanied by a proposed scheme
for
the disposal of the Crown Lands in British Columbia.

My attention is at present occupied in the consideration of the
best means by which the Country Lands of the Colony can be made more
readily available than is the case at present for occupation by
Agricultural Settlers, and I shall be glad if in the meantime you will
give your consideration to the scheme suggested by Captain
Clarke and
will furnish me with the opinion which your experience and local
knowledge may lead you to form of its applicability to the circumstances
of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-01-07_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607003.txt
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No. 3

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 50 of the
22nd of October last forwarding Petitions from Inhabitants of
Vancouver Island and from the House of Assembly praying for an alteration
in the present land system of the Island. I await the report which you
propose to furnish on this subject.



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FILE: 1860-01-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V61004.txt
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No. 4

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date of your
Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on the other side
hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-01-09_Arbuthnot_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE01.txt
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Arbuthnot to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your Letter of the 31st Ultimo, enclosing
a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia,
stating the grounds which necessitate the addition of the
Salary of Colonel Moody, as Commissioner of Lands and Works in that Colony, to the other advances made by Her Majesty's
Government in aid of British Columbia; I am directed by the
Lords Commissioners of

Her Majesty's Treasury, to acquaint you,
for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that: They will not object to the payments that have been made on account
of Colonel Moody's Salary, in the Capacity above mentioned, being considered for the present as advances for British Columbia.

As soon as the Accounts have been received of the Expenditure
of the several sums for which Bills have been drawn by the
Treasurer, Captain Gosset, Their Lordships will be able more
clearly to ascertain the amounts advanced for services, other
than Military, for this Colony.

In the mean time, They would

observe, with reference to
the 8th Paragraph of the Governor's Despatch, that Sundry
sums have been advanced on account of the Civil Establishment
of the Colony, vizt for the Passages of the Judge, Inspector of
Police and other Officers, which sums appear in the Account of the
Payments by the Paymaster General, already furnished to His
Grace's Department.



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FILE: 1860-01-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60001.txt
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No. 1

I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your Grace's
information, a Report with Maps, of a Journey made by Lieut
Palmer, R.E., from Ft Hope to Ft Colvile in September 1859.



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FILE: 1860-01-09_Hill_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605MI02.txt
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Hill to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honour to inform you that, under the regulations recently
laid down by this Department, the Correspondence for Van Couver's
Island and British Columbia is forwarded to its destination viâ
the United States and Panama, when not specially directed to be sent
by the West India Packet.

It has, however, been brought to my notice that a Bag of Despatches
for Van Couvers Island is frequently received at this Office from the
Colonial Office without anything on the address to indicate the route
by which it is intended that it should be sent; and, according to the
above regulations the Bag should of course be forwarded by way of the
United States. But, as it is usually received here on the Evening
previous to the departure of the West India Packet, it is presumed to
be intended for conveyance by that means.

I have thought it right, therefore, to call your attention to the
circumstance, and to request that, if it is intended that the
Despatches from the Colonial Office for Vancouvers Island and British
Columbia should be forwarded by the British Packets viâ
St Thomas and Panama, and not through the United States, such
Despatches may in future be specially addressed to be sent "by West
India Packet".



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FILE: 1860-01-10_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607004.txt
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No. 4

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 55 of the
9th of November last, enclosing copies of your correspondence with
Lieut. General Scott, commanding the United States Army relative to
the adjustment of the difficulties which have arisen from the occupation
of the Island of San Juan by the Troops of the United States Government.

It is only necessary for me to refer you, in answer, to the
authority which I have already conveyed to you by my despatch of the
16th of November last, to act upon any proposition which might be made
to you by General Scott for a joint military occupation of the Island,
and I have no doubt that in accordance with that authority you will have
arranged matters with General Scott.



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FILE: 1860-01-10_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607004A.txt
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[Please note that the images associated with this transcription are from letter-book copies of the original correspondence (from CO 410),
whereas the transcriptions appear to have been made from RG7 G8C originals, and so include other information that does not appear in the letter-book page-images.
Images of the originals will eventually replace the letterbook copy images.]

Confidential

I transmit to you herewith for your confidential use, in order that
you may be in possession of all that passes between H.M. Government and
the Government of the U. States, relative to the joint occupation of the
Island of San Juan, the
enclosed copies of two letters from the Foreign Office
enclosing copies of the recent correspondence with H.M's
Minister at Washington on the subject.



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FILE: 1860-01-12_Barnard_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AG01.txt
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Barnard to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The enclosed particulars

*

of Stores shipped [via?] "Robertson"

to Vancouvers Island having been transmitted by the
War Department to this Office for Insurance, I have the honor to
request that you will favor me with the instructions of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle as to the Insurance of the Articles, which have not been ordered by The Agents General.



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FILE: 1860-01-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60002.txt
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No. 2, Financial

I have the honor to transmit for Your Grace's information
a Return of the value of Imports and Customs Receipts at New Westminster,
British Columbia, for the twelve months ending with the
31st day of December 1859.

2. Your Grace will observe that this Return shews an
increase in Customs Receipts for the December quarter,

of 103 1/8 per cent as compared with the March Quarter,

of 42 1/2 per cent as compared with the June Quarter,

of 16 1/4 per cent as compared with the September Quarter;

The total receipts for the twelve months being £18,464.0.0

3. The duty of Twelve Shillings per ton on Goods and wares
carried from New Westminster to all other places in British
Columbia, came into operation on the 1st day of January 1860. It
is estimated that the duty will produce about £8,000 per
Annum, provided there be no increase of trade; and should trade
increase at the same ratio as last year, the revenue derived
from it will be in excess of that sum.

4. I trust it will soon be in my power to present to Your
Grace a statement of theentire public Revenue collected for the
past year in British Columbia, which will probably be over Fifty
Thousand pounds.



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FILE: 1860-01-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60003.txt
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No. 3, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to enclose herewith for your Grace's
consideration, copy of a letter I have received from Colonel
Moody on the subject of Captain Grant's travelling expenses
in England, when on Colonial Service.



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FILE: 1860-01-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60001.txt
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No. 1

Mr Pemberton the Colonial Surveyor of Vancouvers Island, having
applied to me for leave to absent himself from the Colony on urgent
private business, I have the honor to inform your Grace, that I have
granted him leave of absence for 8 months, in accordance with his
request.

2. I have informed Mr Pemberton that his salary would cease from
the date of his quitting the Colony.

3. With reference to any future appointment Her Majestys Government
may contemplate, I have much pleasure in recommending Mr Pemberton
for confirmed appointment as Colonial Surveyor, his application to
business, activity, and assiduity deserve my commendation, and
render him in my opinion a valuable public officer.



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FILE: 1860-01-13_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE02.txt
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Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to Messrs Cox and Co for Col: Moody
the sum of £300 for Salary due for the quarter ended 30th
Septr 1859, as requested in your letter of the 7th Inst.



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FILE: 1860-01-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60004.txt
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No. 4, Military Expenses

Colonel Moody commanding the Troops in British Columbia,
having made Requisition upon me for the sum of about Three
Thousand Five hundred pounds (£3,500) on Military Account, I have the
honor to acquaint 
Your Grace, that not having Funds in the
Colonial Chest to meet this demand, I have instructed the
Treasurer to procure the above named sum, by Bills on Her
Majesty's Paymaster General, and I trust your Grace will be
pleased to obtain the necessary authority from the Lords
Commissoners of the Treasury for the Bills presented on this
account to be paid when they become due.

2. With reference to your Grace's Despatch No 20 of the
7th September, I will at the earliest opportunity communicate
to your Grace a statement in reference

to the amounts of
Regimental pay, included in the drafts on Her Majesty's Paymaster
General for the Military Expenses of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-01-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60005.txt
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No. 5

In my report on the affairs of the Colony of British Columbia
of the number and date noted in the margin,

*

I did myself the honor of laying before your Grace a statement of the
expense, 
inconvenience, uncertainty and delays to which emigrants were
exposed in making purchases of land in that Colony.

2. I also stated that the Government Surveys could not
keep pace with the demand for public land, and I might moreover
have added that the expense of moving Surveying parties of the
Royal Engineers to the various points where land is required
for settlement and cultivation, would probably exceed the money
value of the land sold.

3. I at the same time, informed Your Grace that in order
to remove so pregnant

a cause of complaint and to facilitate
settlement, and promote the lawful acquisition of unsurveyed
agricultural land, pending the operation of the public surveys,
I had authorized the occupation of land to the extent of 160
acres with a preemption right, by any person immediately
occupying and improving such land, and agreeing to pay the
Government price, not exceeding Ten Shillings an acre, whenever
the land is surveyed and Title granted.

4. I now forward herewith, a Proclamation giving to my
previous instructions the force of Law, and also providing for
the purchase,

with the same limitation of the ultimate price,
of larger tracts of unsurveyed country land, in addition to the
land preempted, as may be desired by persons of larger means;
it being in that case, also provided in order to guard against
the mere speculative holding of land, that Five Shillings an
acre is to be paid down, and the residue at the time of Survey.

5. This Act has been reviewed with much anxious consideration,
and every precaution has been taken to adapt its machinery to
the state of the Colony, and to divest it of unnecessary forms,
expense, and delay.

6. The District Stipendiary Magistrates will record the
application for land, and immediately report the same to the
Commissioner of Lands and Works, and to the Colonial Secretary,
so that it will not cause any further drain on the funds of the
Colony.

7. The object of the measure is solely to encourage and
induce the settlement of the Country; occupation is therefore
made the test of title, and no preemption Title can be perfected
without a compliance with that imperative condition.

8. The Act distinctly reserved, for the benefit of the

Crown,
all Town Sites, auriferous land, Indian Settlements, and public
rights whatsoever; the emigrant will therefore on the one hand
enjoy a perfect freedom of choice with respect to unappropriated
land, as well as the advantage which is perhaps of more real
importance to him, of being allowed to choose for himself, and
enter at once into the possession of land, without expense or
delay; while the rights of the Crown are, on the other hand,
fully protected, as the land will not be alienated, nor Title
granted, until after payment is received.

9. The system will, I trust, have the effect of enlisting
the sympathies, and letting loose the energy, intelligence, and

activity of the whole emigrant population upon the public domain,
adding daily to its value, while it is to be hoped the people
themselves will become more and more attached to the soil, and
more studious to acquire property in land rendered valuable by
their own labour.
Thus men who have no serious intention of settling in the Country,
and others who, on their first arrival, have not the means of
buying land, become in the end devoted settlers, and in their
capacity of producers and consumers, valuable contributors to
the public Revenue.

10. Other good effects are expected to result from the
operation of the Act; there is for example, every reason to

believe that it will lead to the more rapid colonization of
the Country; and to greater economy in its Survey, which can
be effected hereafter, when roads are made, at a much smaller
cost for travelling and conveyance, than at the present time.

11. The District Magistrates are authorised in all cases
of dispute about land to proceed immediately in a summary way,
to settle boundaries, to restore possession, to abate intrusions,
and to levy such costs and damages as they may think fit, a
course, which I believe will have the happiest effect, in
preventing litigation, and private acts of violence for the
redress of grievances; and to guard

against injustice on the
part of the Magistrate, an appeal from his decision may be
carried to the Supreme Court of the Colony.

12. I have only further to Express a hope that the measure
may meet with the approval of Her Majesty's Government.



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FILE: 1860-01-16_Berens_to_Newcastle_B605MI02.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have now the honor to transmit herewith a statement of
the grounds upon which this Company claim the lands and
buildings in their occupation in British Columbia; and for the
purpose of the matter being brought under the consideration
of the Judicial Committee, I shall be happy to put our
Solicitor in communication with the Law Officers of the
Crown as soon as your Grace has had an opportunity of
considering

the statement now sent, and whether it can be
arranged that a joint statement can be agreed upon or that
each party shall furnish its own.



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FILE: 1860-01-16_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI03.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Mr
Under Secretary Merivale of the 7th instant in reference to the land
claimed by this Company in Vancouver's Island, irrespective of what
they acquired by purchase under the Grant made to them by the Crown
of that Island.

I am surprised to learn from that communication that the claim which
this Company make to the land acquired by them at a period antecedent
to the Grant should be considered by your Grace as new, inasmuch as
it has been the subject of frequent communications between this
Company and Her Majesty's Government, and their title to it has been
expressly recognized.

Indeed, as your Grace will not fail to observe the letter of the 7th
September 1846 from the then Governor of this Company to Earl Grey
referred to in Mr Merivale's letter distinctly brought under the
notice of Her Majesty's Government that this Company did then already
possess an Establishment on the Southern point of Vancouver's Island.
Not only is that fact distinctly stated, but it is further mentioned
that they were annually enlarging that Establishment and their
enquiry want merely to know whether they would be confirmed in the
possession of such lands as they might find it expedient
to add to those already possessed, it never having been supposed
for a moment that any doubt existed as to their right to hold what
they were then in possession of.

Indeed they could not at that time have entertained any such doubts,
as it was only a few months before that Her Majesty's Government had
expressly protected them in the enjoyment of similar rights in that
part of the Oregon Territory which was found to belong to the United
States.

*

The answer received from Mr Under Secretary Hawes merely raised the
question whether this Company could in point of law hold in their
Corporate capacity any lands within the Dominions of the British
Crown Westward of the Rocky Mountains, the Under Secretary stating
that the answer to that enquiry might perhaps relieve his Lordship
from the difficulty which he then felt in returning a definitive
answer to the application made to him.

The opinion of the law Officers of the Crown was subsequently taken
upon that point, and terminated, as your Grace is no doubt aware in a
distinct opinion that the Company could legally hold such
possessions, and the Grant of the Island of Vancouver was the
consequence.
**

The subject of the lands claimed by this Company was again brought
under the attention of the Colonial Office in a communication from
the Governor of Vancouver's Island to Earl Grey bearing date the
28th April 1851 and which was communicated to this Company by Mr
Under Secretary Merivale in a letter dated the 3rd September
1851. Governor Blanshard then called the attention of Her Majesty's
Government to what he termed "the large tract of land called their
Reserves of about 30 Square Miles in extent."

Under date the 10th September 1851 the then Governor of this Company
in answer to this communication stated that at the period referred to
by Governor Blanshard it was thought that the Fur Trade branch of the
Company would require a considerable quantity of land in addition to
that which they possessed before the conclusion of the Boundary
Treaty in 1846 and he went on to state that when it was found that
the land occupied by the Fur Trade at Fort Victoria before 1846 was
considered by Mr Douglas to be sufficient for the Company's purposes
the Company had reduced the sum which it had been proposed to advance
for expenditure on Public Buildings to £2,000 instead of £4,000.

In a subsequent letter from the Governor of this Company to Earl Grey
dated the 7th November 1851 in reference to a communication
received by the Colonial Office from Rear Admiral Moresby on the
subject of the Hudson's Bay Company's Reserves of Land round Fort
Victoria he refers to the previous letter of the 10th September as
shewing that the quantity of Land reserved for the purposes of the Fur
Trade instead of being 20 Square Miles was not likely to exceed 6,
and that this land was in the Company's possession before the
division of the Country by the Boundary Treaty with the United
States, and he adds that should any addition to the quantity be
required the Company would pay for it as other Settlers did.

The receipt of this letter was acknowledged by Mr Under Secretary
Peel under date the 20th December 1851 and, as from the terms of
this letter Lord Grey did not appear to have adverted to the
distinction between Lands which the Company might acquire after the
grant to them of the Island and those which they claimed to have been
previously possessed of, Sir John Pelly the Governor in replying to
it, under date the 14th January 1852 stated as follows

With respect to the Reserves of Land concerning which your Lordship
wishes for more particular information I have to state that by the
last Mail Mr Pemberton the Colonial Surveyor has sent home surveys
of the land which the Fur Trade of the Hudson's Bay Company propose
to take, but has omitted to distinguish that which they possessed
previously to the Boundary Treaty from the whole quantity. The
former will be made over to them without purchase, and for any
addition thereto they will have to pay 20/- per acre, as all other
Setters do.

On this subject it is hardly necessary to do more than refer your
Grace to a letter addressed by the Secretary of this Company to the
Secretary of the Government Emigration Board under date the 21st
January 1859 which goes in detail into the whole matter and as the
title of the Company to these lands is in the result clearly
recognized I have the honor to send herewith a copy of that
communication which I trust will remove the doubts your Grace has
expressed as to the right of the Company to retain this land.

Your Grace will I think be satisfied that not only is the claim now
under discussion not a new one but that attention was called to it so
long ago as in the year 1846 and that after a very full discussion
and examination of the subject—the title of this Company has been
fully recognized. Indeed attention was also called to it when under
date the 24th February 1858 the then Governor of this Company
furnished to Mr Labouchere the then Colonial Secretary a statement
of the sums for which they claimed repayment as expended upon
Vancouver's Island and as the value of their Establishments property
and effects thereon. In that statement an item of land (3084 acres)
for the Reserves in question was introduced and attention was
specifically called to it by a note at the bottom to the following
effect—

The Land comprising 3084 Acres having been possessed by the Hudson's
Bay Company as Fur Trade Reserves previous to the Grant of the Island
in 1849 it will have to be considered whether the price to be paid
shall not be the Current Value of the Land instead of the fixed price
of £1 per acre.

***

Under these circumstances I entertain a very confident hope your
Grace will be of opinion that no attempt should be now made to
disturb this Company in the possession of property which they have so
long enjoyed with the full knowledge and sanction of the Government
for the time being.



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FILE: 1860-01-16_Blake_to_Newcastle_B606B02.txt
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Blake to Newcastle

As Your Grace is Colonial Secretary, I venture to ask you for
the following information namely—If there is a police force
organized or about being organized in Vancouver Island or British
Columbia.

My reason for asking is that I am about to retire from the Irish
Constabulary for the purpose of Emigrating either to British Columbia
or Australia And I would like to know in case I select British
Columbia, if I would have

any chance of employment as a police-man
there.

Please to let know, in case there is Such a force in existence,
if I would be eligible to an appointment in it, or if I could get an
appointment before going out.

I have just completed a period of Eight years in the
Constabulary and can get the best of characters from the Officers
that I served under.

I have a good deal of experience as a police-man, having Served
in different Counties. And I am well acquainted with all the duties
of the Force.

I have reason to think that there is Such Force, as I allude to
in existence as I saw it announced some time ago in the public Press
that Sub Inspr Brew of this force was appointed to be Inspector
General of Constabulary in British Columbia.

I hope the importance of this matter to Me will be a Sufficient
excuse for the liberty I take in addressing Your Grace.



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FILE: 1860-01-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60006.txt
================================================================================

No. 6

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date,
of Your Grace's Despatches of the Numbers and dates, as noted
on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-01-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60007.txt
================================================================================

No. 7, Miscellaneous

I have the honor of receiving your Grace's Despatch No 21
of the 2nd November last calling upon me to forward certain
vouchers connected with the expenditure incurred for 
Buildings
erected in Vancouver Island for the North American Boundary
Commission.

2. In reply thereto I beg to acquaint your Grace that the
said Vouchers were forwarded to the War Department on the 13th
September last, and that I have received an acknowledgement
thereof from that Department.



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FILE: 1860-01-16_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE03.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury having
had under Their consideration Mr Elliot's Letter of the
5th Instant, enclosing a copy of a Despatch from the
Governor of British Columbia forwarding a suggestion by the
Treasurer of that Colony, that the Governor should receive
a Travelling Allowance, at the rate of £5 a day, during
the periods for which he may be absent on Official Duty,
from the Seat of

Government, I am directed by their Lordships
to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle,
that, in the opinion of this Board, it will be better to
postpone fixing a rate of allowance for Travelling, until
some experience shall have been obtained of the Cost of
Travelling in British Columbia; and that the system of
furnishing accounts of actual Disbursements made by the
Governor, should be persevered in, until sufficient data exist
for establishing a daily rate.

The instance of Ceylon, quoted as a parallel case, can
hardly be so considered, having reference to the amount of
pomp and display inevitable in such a Country.



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FILE: 1860-01-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60002.txt
================================================================================

No. 2

I have duly received Your Graces Despatch No 20 of the 2nd November,
enclosing Copy of a correspondence between the Colonial Office and
the War Department, relative to the erection of a Naval Powder
Magazine in Vancouvers Island, and I have the honor to inform Your
Grace that I have issued instructions to Colonel Moody, to take the
requisite measures to carry out this matter.



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FILE: 1860-01-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60003.txt
================================================================================

No. 3

I have the honor to transmit herewith, copy of a Proclamation
declaring Fort Victoria a free Port of Entrance and Clearance, for Ships
and Goods, which has this day been issued, according to the
instructions in your Graces Despatch No 4 of the 22nd July last.



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FILE: 1860-01-18_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605WA01.txt
================================================================================

Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 5th instant, transmitting for the consideration of
Mr Secretary Herbert the Copy of a despatch from the
Governor of British Columbia forwarding an application from
the Royal Engineer Officers in that Colony for payment of
the cost of certain property lost in the Transport "Briseis,"
and requesting to be informed whether there is any

general
rule in force regulating the payment to Military Officers of
compensation for personal property lost on board Government Transports.

In reply I am to acquaint you, for the information of
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle that, under the provisions of
the War Office Regulations of 1848, compensation is only
granted for the actual loss of the Military equipment of an
Officer, and that in no case is a claim for the loss of
personal private property recognised.

I am to add that by Article 10, page 90 of

the said
Regulations, an Officer is required to insure his baggage
or articles of equipment when sent in a ship in which he is
not himself a passenger.



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FILE: 1860-01-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607004.txt
================================================================================

No. 4

I have to request that you will inform Colonel Moody that the
Paymaster General has been authorized to issue the Salary of that
Officer for the quarter ended the 30th of September 1859 to his
Agents Messrs Cox & Co.



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FILE: 1860-01-20_Paget_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD02.txt
================================================================================

Paget to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 5th Instant, on the subject of reserving
for Naval purposes the Ground, Buildings &ca at Esquimalt,
Vancouvers Island, purchased for the North American Boundary Commission, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that they would wish
that this property at Esquimalt Harbour should be transferred to them for Naval purposes when no
longer required for the use of the Surveying party under Colonel Hawkins.



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FILE: 1860-01-21_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607005.txt
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No. 5

Having referred to the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury your
despatch No 226 of the 25th of October last, I have to acquaint you
that their Lordships have informed me that in their opinion it would be
better to postpone fixing a rate of allowance for your travelling
expenses during the time that you might be absent from the Seat of
Government on official duty, until some experience shall have been
obtained of the cost of travelling in British Columbia; and that the
system of furnishing accounts of actual disbursements made by you should
be persevered in, until sufficient data exist for establishing a daily
rate.

The instance of Ceylon quoted as a parallel case can scarcely be so
considered when reference is had to the amount of Pomp and display
considered indispensable in the latter Country.



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FILE: 1860-01-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607006.txt
================================================================================

No. 6

With reference to your despatch No 227 of the 25th of October last
forwarding an application from the Royal Engineer Officers in British
Columbia for payment of the cost of certain property lost in the
Transport "Briseis" in 1858, I transmit to you, herewith, the copy of a
letter from the War Office stating that in no case is a claim for
compensation for the personal private property of a Military Officer,
lost on board a Government Transport recognised; and that by the War
Office regulations of 1848 an Officer is required to insure his baggage
or articles of equipment when sent in a ship in which he is not himself
a Passenger.

You will be good enough to communicate this decision to Colonel Moody for his information.



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FILE: 1860-01-23_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI04.txt
================================================================================

Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a Letter from Mr
Under-Secretary Merivale under date the 30th ulto, in reference to
the reconveyance to the Crown of the Island of Vancouver, under the
terms of the Grant to this Company of that Island of the 13th
January 1849.

Although this Company have never received what might be considered to
be a formal notification of the intention of the Crown to resume
possession of the Island in the terms of the Grant it has always been
considered that the Letter of Mr Under-Secretary Merivale to Captain
Shepherd the late Chairman of this Company of the 20th January 1858,

*

did, in point of fact, amount to a Notification of such intention.
In accordance with that understanding, the Company have considered
their interest in the Island under the Grant to have ceased on the
31st May last, after which time, as your Grace has been already
apprized, the Officers of this Company have been instructed to
abstain from supplying the means which might be required for the
purposes of the Colony, and from disposing of any of the Land.

In my letter of the 16th July last, referring to the termination of
the Company's Interest in the Island, I took occasion to call your
Grace's attention to the inconvenience experienced from the present
anomalous position of affairs there, arising from the fact that while
it is considered that the beneficial interest in the Island (subject
to the payment of the advances made by this Company) is in the Crown,
the legal title, from no reconveyance having yet been executed, is in
this Company, so that there is at the present moment no party
competent to dispose of Land in the Colony.

**

If Her Majesty's Government are not at present prepared to call for a
Reconveyance of the Island, this Company will be most desirous to
assist in putting an end, as far as practicable, to the existing
inconvenience by concurring in an arrangement that the Governor
should now be empowered to dispose of the land, receive the proceeds
of it, and account for it to the Crown, as was heretofore done by
this Company; but they think that before such an arrangement is
entered into, their claims for advances clearly ascertained, and long
since communicated to the Government, should be satisfied.

With reference to the expenditure in searching for Coal at Fort
Rupert, this Company will be prepared to assent to the terms proposed
in Mr Under Secretary Merivale's letter, vizt to receive from Her
Majesty's Government one half only of that outlay namely
£6,234:12:10.

There are but two other items. The first is the balance of
£8,505.6.11 due for advances up to the 31st December 1857, on
account of the Colony.

The Government has, from time to time, been furnished with
particulars in regard to this expenditure, but in order that Your
Grace may have the matter fully before you, I have now the honor to
send, herewith a statement, from the commencement, shewing how that
balance is arrived at, and should it be considered necessary to go
into further details, the Books of the Company, made up here from the
Accounts furnished from the Colony, are open to inspection and I
should hope, therefore, that there will be no difficulty in settling
the amount payable to the Company under this head.

The other item of £25,550 for the cost of sending out and maintenance
of Emigrants to Vancouver's Island, during the years 1848 to 1854
inclusive, is made up from the Accounts in this Country and, for your
Grace's information, I have the honor to send herewith, a statement
shewing how it is arrived at. The detailed particulars with the
names of all the Settlers sent out can be furnished if required.

I would venture therefore to suggest that the Government should now
settle the three Claims here referred to, upon this Company, giving a
legal Authority to the Governor, under the sanction of Her Majesty's
Government, to grant Conveyances of any land which he may dispose of
and to account for the proceeds to Her Majesty's Government, this
Company receiving an Undertaking that any further sums that may be
due to the Company for advances in the Colony, subsequent to the date
to which the Colony account is brought down, should be made good on
the formal reconveyance to the Crown of the Island.

I may add that no further claim can arise in respect of Emigrants
sent out. All therefore that will be necessary will be that the
Government should be furnished with the further Accounts of this
Company shewing their additional receipts and expenditure on account
of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-01-24_Bethell_to_Newcastle_V605LW01.txt
================================================================================

Bethell and Atherton to Newcastle

We were honored with Your Graces commands signified in Mr Merivale's
letter of the 31st December ulto stating that he was directed by
Your Grace to request that we would favor you with our opinion on the
following question.

Whether, on the repurchase of the soil from the Hudson's Bay Company
being effected, the public lands of the Colony, and the revenue
arising therefrom, will be at the disposal of the Legislature (the
title to the lands of course remaining vested in the Crown) under its
general powers?

Or, whether the public lands will be subject to the management of the
Crown, and the revenue derivable therefrom at the disposal of the
Crown, as a separate fund from the ordinary revenue of the Colony?

In obedience to such commands we have taken the above question into
consideration and have the honor to Report

That, on the repurchase of the soil from the Hudson's Bay Company by
the Crown being effected, the public lands of the Colony and the
revenue arising therefrom, will not be at the disposal of the
Legislature, under its general powers: but that such Lands will be
subject to the management of the Crown; and the revenue derivable
therefrom at the disposal of the Crown, as a separate fund from the
ordinary revenue of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-01-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60008.txt
================================================================================

No. 8, Miscellaneous

I have the honor of transmitting herewith for Your Grace's
information, the copy of a Report from Mr Ball, Assistant
Gold Commissioner 
for the District of Lytton, on the State and
prospects of the Gold Regions of British Columbia, situated in
the valley of Fraser's River and its tributary streams, between
Lytton and Quesnel River.

2. Mr Ball's Report is a reliable source of information,
and compared with the accounts of adventurers who have mined in
that part of the country, moderate in the description of its
auriferous wealth.

3. The extent of country over which the "Blue Lead" of
Quesnel's River has been traced exceeds 300 square miles; and
should it be continuous, as 
it has proved equally rich wherever
struck, its wealth must be fabulous.

4. A detachment of 30 Chinese miners arrived yesterday,
being it is supposed the pioneers of a large immigration of that
people for British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-01-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60009.txt
================================================================================

No. 9

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch No 22, of the 19th September, and in reference thereto,
to express my satisfaction at hearing that Her Majesty's Government

had sanctioned the establishment of an Assay Office in British
Columbia, in consequence of suggestions contained in several
of my Despatches.

2. My opinion still remains unaltered, that it is a measure
that will prove in many respects, of great advantage to the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-01-24_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605WA02.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of the 5th instant
intimating the wish of the Duke of Newcastle that Captain
Lempriere R.E. should, in consequence of his promotion,
be withdrawn from British Columbia, and suggesting that the
vacancy occasioned among the Subalterns of the Party of
Royal Engineers in the Colony should not be filled up:

I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert to transmit to
you, for the information of His Grace, the enclosed copy
of a letter received from the Horse Guards, stating that the
General Commanding in Chief sees no objection to this
proposal. Captain Lempriere will be recalled accordingly.

I am to add that the date of this Officer's promotion
to the rank of 2nd Captain is

the 20th June 1859.



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FILE: 1860-01-25_Booth_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605TA01.txt
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Booth to Under-Secretary of State

Referring to the letter from this Department of the 12th October
last on the subject of the Lanterns and Apparatus for the Lighthouses
at Vancouver's Island, and also to your letter of the 6th Instant
transmitting Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of that Colony
relating to the Lightning Conductors required for those Lighthouses I
am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade
to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the Duke of
Newcastle that the required Works and Stores (as per annexed List
and Bill of Lading) have been forwarded to the Governor in the Ship
"Grecian" which vessel sailed for Vancouver's Island on the 21st
instant.

It will be seen from the annexed list that in addition to the works
of the lanterns and Apparatus my Lords have caused to be forwarded
Oil and Stores sufficient for the exhibition of the lights for one
year.

As regards the Lightning Conductors my Lords have not sent the length
of rod requested by the Colonial Surveyor as it is not necessary that
a Conductor should extend from the top of the Lantern into the water.

The Conductor should be screwed to the base of the Lantern and when
it reaches the ground it should be carried under ground to a distance
of ten or fifteen feet, the plate of copper at the end being buried to
a depth of two or three feet and if a wet spot can be found, it
should be selected for burying the plate.

One hundred and eighty feet of Copper rod has been forwarded which it
is considered is ample for both Lighthouses.

The end fittings for the rods of both Lighthouses have also been sent
together with Lewises for fixing the Rod to the stone work of the
Towers.

My Lords have in accordance with the request of the Governor engaged
the services of two Persons as Lightkeepers.

George Davies and William Roberts the men engaged have proceeded to
their duties by the Grecian.

Both men are competent to superintend the fitting of Lanterns and
Lighting Apparatus and my Lords have therefore considered it
unnecessary to send out a third person expressly for that purpose as
requested by the Governor.

George Davies has been engaged at a Salary of One hundred and fifty
pounds (£150) per Annum and William Roberts at a Salary of One
hundred pounds (£100) per Annum and the conditions of their
respective engagements are set forth in the enclosed Agreements which
I am to request may be forwarded to the Governor in original.

The two men embarked on board the "Grecian" on the 21st Instant and
their pay in accordance with their Agreements commences from that
date.

George Davies has been paid thirty seven pounds ten shillings
(£37:10:0) and William Roberts twenty five pounds (£25:0:0) as three
months advance of their Salaries and their passage by the "Grecian"
has also been paid.

It will be seen from the Agreement with George Davies that my Lords
have consented to advance the money required for the conveyance of
his wife and three children to Vancouvers Island in the "Grecian".

The sum agreed upon for the conveyance of the Wife and three children
is Seventy three pounds ten shillings (£73:10:0) half of which sum is
to be paid in this Country and the other half in the Colony.

The sum of thirty six pounds fifteen shillings (£36:15:0) has been
paid by the Board of Trade in accordance with the above Agreement and
I am to request that the Governor may be instructed to pay the
remaining half (thirty six pounds fifteen shillings) (£36:15:0) on
the arrival of the wife and Children in the Colony and to deduct the
whole of the money so advanced (Seventy three pounds ten shillings)
(£73:10:0) from the pay of George Davies in accordance with his
agreement.



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FILE: 1860-01-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60010.txt
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No. 10

I have duly received your Grace's Despatch No. 27 of the
29th September, on the subject of establishing an Assay Office
in British Columbia, and transmitting for my information, copy
of

a correspondence between the Treasury and the Colonial Office,
shewing the arrangements which it is intended to adopt for
carrying the measure into operation.

2. I have the honor to inform your Grace that it is my
intention to proceed with the erection of the necessary buildings,
furnaces, &c &c, as 
soon as I am furnished with plans of
the same.



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FILE: 1860-01-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60011.txt
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No. 11

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch of the 21st October No 32 informing me that the
Master of the Mint has been authorized to carry into effect
arrangements for 
the establishment of an Assay Office in
British Columbia, and enclosing copy of a letter from the
Treasury with an annexure stating that Mr Bacon and Mr
Hitchcock had been engaged as Melters.



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FILE: 1860-01-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60004.txt
================================================================================

No. 4

With reference to my Despatch No 63 of
the 17th of December last,
Communicating for Your Grace's information, that by a recent
Proclamation, the House of Assembly had been dissolved, and that
Writs for another election would issue without delay; I have now
further to inform Your Grace with reference to the Same Subject, that
the intention expressed in that Despatch was duly carried into
effect; the Writs for the new election having issued forth on the
30th of December.

2. The Elections have Since taken place, and returns been received
from all the Districts Except that of Nanaimo, shewing the election
of the following Members for the House of Assembly.

Victoria Town Geo. H. Cary Esqre, Attorney General

Selim Franklin, Esquire

Victoria District
Wm F. Tolmie, Esquire

H.P.P. Crease, Esquire

Alfred Waddington, Esquire

Esquimalt Town
Geo. T. Gordon, Esquire

Esquimalt District
Jno Helmcken Esquire

James Cooper, Esquire, Harbor Master

Sooke District
W.J. Macdonald, Esquire

Salt Spring Island District
J.J. Southgate, Esquire

Lake District George Foster, Esquire

Saanich District

John Coles, Esquire

Nanaimo District no return received

3. There was a close canvas and a keen contest in nearly every
District represented, and it is gratifying to observe that the
returns exhibit the names of so many of the most intelligent and
respectable gentlemen in the Colony.

4. The House will meet on the 21st day of February next, and it is
my intention to bring forward at an early period of the session, the
question of providing for the Civil List of the Colony; and also to
ascertain the sense of the House with respect to the disposal and
application of the proceeds arising from the Sale of Crown Lands,
which it may be advisable to transfer to the Colony, provided the
Legislature undertakes to defray all the expenses of Government.

5. All such questions will, however, be reserved and Submitted for
the decision of Her Majesty's Government, which may be assisted by
knowing the wishes and intentions of the Colonial Legislature.



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FILE: 1860-01-25_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO01.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the 24th Instant, I am directed by Lord John Russell, to request that you will inform the Duke of Newcastle
that His Lordship is of opinion that the Stores destined for the use
of the Oregon Boundary Commission should be insured.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-01-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60012.txt
================================================================================

No. 12, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No. 35 of the 9th November, acquainting me, that on
the application of Messrs Cox and Co., you had requested the
Lords Commissioners of the 
Treasury to direct payment to them,
as agents for Colonel Moody, of the salary of that Officer as
Commissioner of Lands and Works, for the quarter ended 30 June
1859, and to inform your Grace that I have communicated this
information to Colonel Moody.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-01-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60013.txt
================================================================================

No. 13

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch of the 30th September No 28 informing me of a claim

of Forty seven Pounds thirteen shillings and ninepence (£47.13.9)
made by the Admiralty on account of Stores supplied to Captain Grant R.E.
and of Your Grace's request to the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury to repay this sum to the Admiralty from the vote taken
by Parliament for British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-01-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60014.txt
================================================================================

No. 14

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch of the 22nd September No 23, enclosing a Copy of the
Colonial Estimates which have been voted

by Parliament for the
year ending 31st March 1860 and containing at page 3 a vote
for British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-01-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60014CO.txt
================================================================================

Confidential

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch of the 5th September last upon the subject of the
non-residence in the Colony of British Columbia of the Officers
who have been appointed by the Crown to conduct its affairs.

2. I need scarcely say, that as a general principle, I fully
agree with your Grace as to the

advantages attending a residence
in the Colony, but circumstances have however compelled me to
retain hitherto at Fort Victoria some of the principal Officers of
the Government of British Columbia, and I would long 'ere this
have reported to your Grace any reasons for adopting such a
measure, had I not been under the impression that the whole
circumstances were well known, and understood by Her Majesty's
Government.

3. The day after the arrival of Mr Begbie, the Judge, he
accompanied me to British Columbia, and after his return to Victoria
he was of the greatest assistance to me in discharging the functions
of Attorney General, which

Office he kindly fulfilled with the
concurrence of Her Majesty's Government. Since the arrival in
Victoria of the Attorney General Mr Begbie has passed long
periods in, and has been on circuit over the greater portion of
British Columbia, and his personal communications to me upon his
return have been most valuable, and have assisted me materially
in framing laws, and in adapting the general systems of Government
to the actual requirements of the people. Mr Begbie has but
recently returned from an extended circuit, and I do not think
that his absence from the Colony under existing circumstances
has in any way proved injurious; although it certainly has formed
a subject

of remark to a discontented few whose only business it
is to cavil at everything.

*
Mr Begbie is however on the point of proceeding to British Columbia
to take up his permanent residence there.

4. Your Grace is well aware that I constantly require the
Colonial Secretary to be with me, and the same remark applies to
the Attorney General.

5. With regard to the Treasurer, it is probably more for the
convenience of the service, and for the benefit of the Colony of
British Columbia that he should at present and probably for some
little time to come reside at Victoria, but I

beg Your Grace will
receive my assurance that so soon as I am satisfied that his stay
here is detrimental to the public Service, I will instantly require
him to proceed to British Columbia.

6. I do not presume to enter more fully into particulars,
for the opinion I have given accords with that already expressed
by Your Grace in previous Despatches referring to the Colonial
Secretary and to the Treasurer; and I doubt not Your Grace will
readily understand of what little assistance would the Attorney
General be, unless he be near to me.



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FILE: 1860-01-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60005.txt
================================================================================

No. 5

I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch No 14 of the 20th of October last, Conveying to me the instructions of Her Majesty's Government with respect to providing
means for defraying the expense of the Civil Administration of
Vancouvers Island.

2. I beg to assure Your Grace in reply that I was not unprepared for
the instructions I have now received, and that the measures reported
in my Several Communications noted in the margin,

*
**

for Extending
Parliamentary franchise; creating new electoral Districts in order to
ensure a full representation of the people; dissolving the late House
of Assembly on account of its not imposing taxes for the Support of
Government, and Calling another House with larger views, are
preparatory Steps in the plan of providing for the service in
question; and I am of opinion that the Colony is now capable, without
overtaxing its financial resources, of defraying the ordinary and
regular Expenses of her Government.

3. In that case however the Legislature will no doubt make an urgent
appeal for the Control and entire disposal of all monies arising from
the Sale of Crown Land, and other Sources of revenue; and I shall
feel much obliged if Your Grace will inform me, as soon as may be
convenient whether Her Majesty's Government will sanction such
arrangement, providing the Colonial Legislature undertakes to defray
the expense of the Civil List, by which I mean payment for Services
of a permanent nature, such as the salary of the Governor, Chief
Justice, Colonial Secretary, Treasurer, Attorney General, and other
officers engaged in the administration of the Civil Government of the
Colony; and providing that such payments, whatever their amount may
be, Shall be fixed by law, and not merely placed on the Estimates for
the Year.

4. I have further to assure Your Grace that I will not fail to
prepare an estimate of the Salaries to be paid, and of the expense of
the Civil administration of the Colony, and to urge its acceptance by
the Legislature at an early period of the approaching session; and it
will then, I trust, be in my power to carry on the Government as you
have directed, without the aid of the Civil officers of British
Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-01-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60006.txt
================================================================================

No. 6, Miscellaneous

Feeling assured that any enterprise exercising an influence in
Extending Settlement and developing the resources of Vancouvers
Island will possess an interest with Your Grace, I venture to transmit
a correspondence with Mr Edward Stamp acting for himself and for
persons in England with whom he is connected regarding a plan for
establishing a powerful saw mill capable of delivering 50,000 feet of
lumber daily; a fishing and fish-curing establishment; a patent slip
capable of accommodating vessels up to 2000 tons burthen, and other
projects which will no doubt result in the formation of a large
Settlement on the West Coast of Vancouvers Island: the chief object
of the association being to export timber in large quantities to
China, Australia, the Sandwich Islands, South America, and other
countries on the Pacific.

2. The many attractive inducements for Settlers and for the
investment of capital created by the Laws of the United States, had
at one time, nearly made Captain Stamp decide on carrying out his
scheme in Washington Territory; but he has now happily abandoned that
intention in consequence of the tenor of the Communications which I
deemed it proper to address to him in reply to his application for
assistance.

3. His demands (one excepted) were fortunately reasonable, and such
as could be granted without difficulty; being

1st The right of selecting a Site for the purpose of forming
the proposed establishment.

2nd of acquiring as much land as might be wanted in the
vicinity of the saw mill, and the price which he would be required to
pay for the land.

3rd An
exclusive license for cutting timber on Crown Land near the Saw
Mill.

4th That the Establishment should be declared a Port of
Entry.

4. As no part of the West Coast of Vancouver's Island, where the
proposed settlement is to be formed, is surveyed, it was agreed that
he should be at liberty to acquire any quantity of land in that part
of the Colony under 15,000 Acres, at a fixed price not in any case to
exceed £1 per acre, that being the highest price charged for Country
land, subject however, to a reduction should the price of country
land be lowered before the purchase is completed.

5. The exclusive license to cut timber on the lands of the Crown
near the Saw Mill, was not conceded; but I agreed to make the
settlement a Port of Entry, on condition of his being prepared to
account to the Treasury for the whole amount of Fees collected on
Shipping, without any deduction; and I prescribed as a final
condition, and a guarantee that there would be no failure in carrying
out the arrangement on his part, that he should place permanent
improvements upon the land to the Extent of Seven Thousand, Five
Hundred Pounds (£7500), within the Year 1860.

6. I trust this Enterprise may succeed, and that the arrangement
with Mr Stamp may meet with Your Grace's approval.



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FILE: 1860-01-27_Begbie_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B606B01.txt
================================================================================

Begbie to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am advised by private sources of the pressing necessities that
exist in British Columbia for the rapid opening up of roads to the
Mines. The length of road completed during the Year 1859 is 7 Miles.

The Upper Country contains at present very few miners—they fly
from high prices; they are ready to pay $2 a lb: for flour, they fly
from starvation—there are no roads. The trails are scarce passable
in Winter by any powers of endurance.

Provisions which cost last summer 4s/- to 8s/- pr lb.
at Alexandria cost last Winter the same sum at Cayoosh & the
Fountains 200 miles on the coast side of Alexandria. That 200 Miles
would not merely add, in Winter, a dollar or two to the price per lb:
which is all the effect it produces in summer. In Winter it prevents
all access.

Without roads there can be no population: no fixed population at
all, and little even of a migratory sort & that of the least revenue
paying character; without population there can be no Revenue.

I am willing to undertake the opening up of a Road on a line to
be fixed by the Government from a Terminus at Douglas to a Terminus
at Cayoosh to be constructed at my own expense, to be equal at least
to the 7 Miles made last Year by Capn Grant & to be all finished
in 1861 provided that

1stly It remains the only route to the Mines.

2ndly I have the right to take toll for 5 Years from
completion of Road to the satisfaction of the Government according to
Captn Grants sample.

These tolls & other conditions I am quite prepared to state at
once on learning that such proposals meet with your approbation and
if agreed to I am prepared immediately to proceed with operations.
The Roads could only be finished in 1861 supposing an arrangement be
made without delay as the mileage cannot be completed in One Year.
The position & means of the Contractors in this country interested
with me in this matter will afford ample guarantee for the
satisfactory completion of the Contract proposed if Captial &
experience can ensure success.



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FILE: 1860-01-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60015.txt
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No. 15

I have the honor of transmitting herewith, copy of a
Proclamation, issued on the 20th day of January instant,
authorising the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to sell

Town and Suburban lots, and agricultural lands, which have
been offered for sale at public auction and remain unsold,
at the upset price.

2. It was intended to convey such powers to the Commissioner
of Lands and Works by the Proclamation regulating the sale of
Public Land, which issued on the 14th day of February 1859,
but it appearing doubtful whether the powers in question have
been actually conveyed by that instrument, in consequence of
the expression "Except as aforesaid" in the 4th clause of
that Act,

it was deemed advisable to remove the doubt, and to
issue the present Proclamation.



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FILE: 1860-01-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60006CO.txt
================================================================================

Confidential

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Graces
Confidential Despatch of the 16th November last, informing me that
the Government of the United States had declined to accept the
compromise of the question of Title to the Island of San Juan,
proposed by Lord John Russell's Despatch of the 24th of August, and,
in forwarding me a copy of the instructions issued to General Scott
by the Government of the United States, directing me to place upon
the Island a force Equivalent to that retained by the United States.

2. Immediately on receipt thereof I communicated with Rear Admiral Baynes, the Naval Commander in Chief, and on the following day he
called upon me. I laid before him Your Graces Despatch, and after
consultation, we mutually agreed, that as all was quiet at San Juan,
and as the next Mail (which is expected in the course of a few days),
would bring intimation of General Scott's arrival at Washington, and
probably some Communication from Lord Lyons which might affect the
proceeding, it would be advisable to defer carrying out the
instructions of Her Majesty's Government, until after that Mail had
been received; which arrangement I trust may meet with Your Grace's
approval.



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FILE: 1860-01-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60007.txt
================================================================================

No. 7, Civil

I have the honor of Enclosing herewith for Your Grace's information,
a report from the Reverend Edward Cridge, Superintendent of Public
Schools, on the State of the Fort Victoria District School; and I have no
doubt it will prove interesting to Your Grace.

2. Mr Cridges reports on the State of the Craigflower and Nanaimo
District Schools will also be forwarded to your Grace as soon as I
receive them.



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FILE: 1860-01-28_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605TE01.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 22nd Octr last, I am commanded
by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you
that the Paymaster General has been authorized to accept & pay a Bill
drawn by James Douglas Esqre, Governor of Vancouvers Island, for
the sum of £2000

*

for the Service of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-01-30_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO02.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 18th
Instant, inclosing Copies of Governor Douglas' correspondence with
General Scott respecting the temporary adjustment of the question
respecting the Island of San Juan.

I am to state to you, in reply, for the information of His Grace The
Duke of Newcastle, that Lord John Russell considers that Governor
Douglas has acted in conformity with his Instructions which did not
authorize his consenting to a joint occupation of the Island of San
Juan. Her Majesty's Government, however, being anxious to maintain
the most amicable Relations with the President of the United States,
and feeling the difficulty in which the President was placed by the
acts of General Harney, consented as the Duke of Newcastle is aware,
sometime ago to the principle of joint occupation.

Lord John Russell has in consequence given to Lord Lyons and the
Board of Admiralty Instructions of which Copies have already been
sent to the Colonial Office: The question of civil and criminal
Jurisdiction does not appear to have been satisfactorily treated by
General Scott, and the settlement of this question in conformity with
the principle laid down by Secretary Marcy will no doubt engage the
attention of The Duke of Newcastle.



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FILE: 1860-02-01_Booth_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605TA02.txt
================================================================================

Booth to Under-Secretary of State

Referring to the Vote of last Session of Seven Thousand Pounds
(£7000) for the erection of Lighthouses in Fucas Straits and
Esquimault Harbour Vancouvers Island, I am directed by the Lords of
the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to acquaint you that the
Governor of that Colony has drawn on the Board of Trade on account of
that Vote for the sums of Eight hundred pounds (£800) and Seven
hundred pounds (£700) making in all One Thousand five hundred pounds
(£1500) and to request that you will move His Grace The Duke of Newcastle to instruct the Governor to furnish the Board of Trade,

*

in accordance with the letter from the Treasury to the Colonial Office
of the 4th August 1859 with an Account of the Expenditure to the
latest date together with the Vouchers.

For the information of the Governor My Lords direct me to state that
the expenditure incurred by the Board of Trade in this Country for
the supply of the Lanterns Apparatus &c is as follows.

Race Rocks Light

£ s d

Messrs Wilkins Contract for Lantern 844. 9. 6

do do Framework 371.17. 0

Messrs Chance's do Optical Parts 1030. .

Esquimalt Harbour Light

Messrs Wilkins Contract for Lantern 229.10. 0

Messrs Wilkins Contract for Framework &c 72.18. 7

Messrs Chance's do Optical Parts 89. .

Messrs Wilkins Acct for lightning Conductors 52.16. 3

3 Months Salary advanced to George Davis

and Wm Roberts 62.10. 0

Passages of George Davis, William Roberts

and Wife and 3 Children of George

Davis in "Grecian" 99.15. 0

Shipping agents Commission of 2 1/2 per

Cent on ditto 3. 8. 3

Freight of Lanterns &c in "Grecian" 189.19. 6

Oil & Lighting Stores about 220. .

__________

£3266. 4. 1



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FILE: 1860-02-01_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605WA03.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

In compliance with the request contained in your letter
of the 29th Octr last, I am directed to transmit
to you 100 Lithographed copies of the Plans which accompany
the Report by Lieutenant Palmer R.E. of his explorations in
British Columbia.

The remaining 100 copies applied for will be forwarded
to

you without delay.



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FILE: 1860-02-01_Pennell_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD03.txt
================================================================================

Pennell to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, an Extract of a letter dated the 12th May last, No
71, from Rear Adml Baynes, also of a further letter from that
officer, dated the 14th November last, No 182 respecting the
defences of the Harbour of Esquimalt, Vancouvers Island, in the event
of Naval Establishments being formed there.



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FILE: 1860-02-02_Cotterill_&_Sons_to_Newcastle_V606C01.txt
================================================================================

Cotterill & Sons to Newcastle

We should be much obliged if your Grace would be pleased to direct
one of the Gentlemen in your Grace's Department to inform us what are
the Laws affecting the Sales and Mortgages of Lands in Vancouvers Island
and British Columbia—some of our Clients being interested in landed property there.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607005.txt
================================================================================

No. 5

With reference to your despatch No. 52 of the 5th November last,
I have to acquaint you that The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
have informed me that it is their wish that the Ground, Buildings &c,
at Esquimalt, purchased for the North American Boundary Commission
should, when no longer required for the use of the surveying party
under Colonel Hawkins, be transferred to their Lordships for Naval purposes, and I have to instruct you, in compliance with their
Lordships desire, to transfer this property accordingly.



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FILE: 1860-02-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60016.txt
================================================================================

No. 16, Miscellaneous

With reference to your Grace's Confidential Despatch of
the 29th July last, I have the honor to inform your Grace,
that I have drawn on Her Majesty's Paymaster

General, for the
sum of Two Thousand Three Hundred and Ninety Five Pounds (£2395),
being the amount of salary due to me as Governor, from the
2nd September 1858, to the 31st December 1859, at £1800
per annum; and I have to request your Grace will be pleased to
obtain from the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury,

for the
Bill presented on this account, to be paid when it becomes due.



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FILE: 1860-02-03_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE04.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 24th Ultimo,
upon the subject of the inadequacy of the present salary of
the Governor of British Columbia, and Vancouver's Island,
and recommending that an allowance of £1200 should be made
to him in reimbursement of the expense he has been compelled
to incur during the last year, in maintaining his position
as Governor of

those Colonies; I am directed by the Lords
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, to acquaint you,
for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that They are
of opinion that, in the present uncertain state of the
Finances of British Columbia, it would be unadvisable, and
probably difficult, to fix a permanent amount for the
Salary of the Governor of that Colony and Vancouver's Island.

Under the circumstances stated in the correspondence
enclosed in your Letter, Their Lordships will not object to
Governor Douglas being authorized to appropriate the sum of

£1200 out of the Revenues of British Columbia, as an
Allowance for the year ending the 31st December, leaving
the question of the amount of his salary, for the future,
to be hereafter considered, with reference to the
circumstances of the Colony and the cost of living.



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FILE: 1860-02-03_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO03.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 16th ultimo
and I am to state to you, in reply, for the information of His Grace
The Duke of Newcastle, that Lord John Russell thinks that the Despatch
of General Cass to Mr Dallas of the 20th of October respecting the
San Juan question, and His Lordship's replies thereto,
Nos 114 and 123 of the 29th of November and 16th of December last,
may be communicated as confidential papers to the Governor of
Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1860-02-03_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607007.txt
================================================================================

No. 7

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 223, of the
19th of October, forwarding an Application from Captain Lempriere R.E.
to be allowed the same rate of Colonial Pay as is granted to the other
Officers of his rank in 
British Columbia.

I enclose for your information Copies of a correspondence between
the War Office and this Department, from which you will learn that
Captain Lempriere will, in consequence of his promotion, be withdrawn
from British Columbia, and that with a view to diminish the cost of the
Engineer party, it is not intended to fill up the vacancy amongst the
Subalterns which has thus arisen.

Until his recall shall reach the Colony, Captain Lempriere
should receive the same rate of Colonial pay as other Officers of
his present rank, and I have accordingly to authorize
you to issue it to
him from the date of his promotion, Vizt—the 20th June 1859.

You will communicate this Despatch to Colonel Moody.



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FILE: 1860-02-03_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607006.txt
================================================================================

No. 6

With reference to my Despatch No. 17, of the 21st of October, and
to previous correspondence respecting the Lighthouses to be erected at
Vancouver's Island, I transmit for your information the copy of a letter
from the Board of Trade relative to the apparatus and Stores for the
Lighthouses, and reporting the engagement of two Persons as Lightkeepers.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-04_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO04.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Despatch from
Lord Lyons, Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, reporting his
having informed General Cass that Her Majesty's Government were
satisfied with the provisional arrangement in regard to San Juan
entered into by General Scott.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607007.txt
================================================================================

No. 7

I have to acquaint you that the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury
have apprized me that Their Lordships have instructed the Paymaster
General to accept and pay a bill drawn by you for £2000 as signified in
your despatch No. 42 of the 27th of August last, for the erection of
barracks consequent upon the occupation of San Juan by United States Troops.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60017.txt
================================================================================

No. 17, Military Expenses

Colonel Moody, commanding the Troops in British Columbia,
having made Requisition upon me for the sum of about Fourteen
Hundred pounds on Military account, as described in the Margin,

*

I have the honor to acquaint

Your Grace, that not having funds
in the Colonial Chest to meet this demand, I have instructed
the Treasurer to procure the above named sum, by Bills on Her
Majesty's Paymaster General, and I trust your Grace will be
pleased to obtain the necessary authority from the Lords
Commissoners of the Treasury, for the Bills presented on
this account to be paid, when they

become due.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-06_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607008.txt
================================================================================

No. 8

I have to acquaint you that the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs instructed Lieutt Colonel Hawkins to make arrangements for
proceeding to Washington by the Packet of the 27th Ultimo, and on his
arrival there to place himself under the Orders of Lord Lyons.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60018.txt
================================================================================

No. 18, Miscellaneous

Many questions have lately arisen on account of the claims
of the Hudson Bay Company to the lands contiguous to their
Forts on the lower parts of Fraser River, and difficulties
are now felt

in consequence of those claims not being determined,
in fact the progress of settlement in some of the Towns, is
retarded from this cause; I would therefore very respectfully
submit the matter to your Grace, and with reference to my
Despatch of the 31st May 1859 No. 161, and more particularly
with regard to the last paragraph, would request Your Grace to
favor me

with such instructions, that I may be enabled definitely
to settle the boundaries of the Company's claim at Langley, Hope,
and Yale, and thus fix the exact limits of those Towns.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-07_Murdoch_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN01.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 20th ultimo
enclosing a Despatch from Mr Douglas, the Governor of
British Columbia, in which he reports the results of a tour
he has recently made through the Colony, and the arrangements
which he has adopted for facilitating the settlement of some
persons desirous of purchasing Land.

2. Governor Douglas' tour extended up the Frazers River
to Spuzzum about 150 Miles from its mouth. He reports that
the Land on the banks of the Frazer which rises in successive
terraces, evidently the former bed of the river, is everywhere
highly auriferous—that 71 ozs of gold dust had been taken
out of a claim at Boston Bar near Fort Yale, by three men, in
24 hours, that on Quesnel River, a tributary of the Frazer
apparently about 400 Miles from its mouth, alluvial diggings
of extraordinary value have been discovered on which as much as

£40 a day is said to have been made "to the hand"—that Gold
has been discovered on the Frazer as far as it has been prospected
viz 150 Miles beyond Fort George which appears to be 80 or
90 Miles beyond the junction of the Quesnel River, making,
therefore, a distance of about 620 or 640 miles from its mouth,
and that there are clear indications of Gold on the Western
slopes of the Rocky Mountains and all along the course of the
River from its source in those Slopes, and probably in almost
every part of the Colony. He states that the

"Gold Fields Act"
which came into operation in August last had given general
satisfaction, but that the claims prescribed by it were found
too small and that in this respect it would require amendment.
*
The inconvenience will admit of remedy as soon as
the "Mining Boards," constituted under the Act with power to
make Bye Laws, have been elected, and in the meantime the
assistant Gold Commissioners have been authorized to give relief
in cases of hardship, and to allow Miners

in special cases to
hold more than one Mining Claim.

3. The Gold searching is principally carried on by
Sluicing, which is effected by means of ditches constructed
with great skill and sometimes of great length, one of them
being 5 miles long through a very difficult Country. The
Miners between Forts Hope & Yale are said to be 600, between
Yale & the Fountain 800 and about Alexandria and Quesnel River
1000, making in all 2400. We do not, however, understand whether
this is the whole number engaged in gold searching

as no account
is given of any who may be employed between the Fountain and
Alexandria. The export is estimated at £14000 a month or
£168.000 a year exclusive of that in the hands of the Miners.
The White population of the Colony amounts to 5000 Men, with
scarcely any Women or Children. The people, however, in the
Towns are well conducted. Divine service is regularly
performed by resident Clergymen, and there is an almost
entire absence of crime.

4. The great drawback to the

Colony is the entire
absence of an Agricultural class. At a late Sale of Country
Land at New Westminster only four lots were sold and those at
the upset price. Applications were, however, made to the
Governor at Douglas and Hope by persons who were disposed
to settle, for permission to occupy Land with a right of
preemption at a future time at the upset price of 10s/- an
acre. As there was no surveyed Land in these districts, and
as the Governor was extremely anxious to encourage Settlement,
he acceded to these applications, and addressed

a Circular
to the Assistant Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hope, Yale,
Douglas, Lytton and Cayoosh, directing them to permit British
subjects and persons who have recorded their intention of
becoming British subjects, to occupy tracts of unsurveyed Crown
Lands, not being Town sites or Indian Villages, and not
exceeding 160 acres, with a promise that they shall be
conveyed to the occupant at 10s/- an Acre as soon as surveyed.

5. In this measure Governor Douglas has carried out
the intention which he expressed in

his despatch of 4th
July last, to establish a temporary system of occupation with
preemptive rights. In the report from this Board of 23rd
Septr last the objections to such a system were stated,
and it was suggested that it would be better to take off a
portion of the Surveyors from the survey of New Westminster
and employ them on Country Lands, than to enter on a system
which cannot do otherwise than lay the seeds for future
disputes, litigation and waste. We continue to adhere to
the opinions there stated, and we, therefore, think it matter
for regret that Governor Douglas should have

adopted the
course he now reports. Without denying that under the
peculiar circumstances of British Columbia, it may be more
important not to discourage persons disposed to settle on
the Land, than to maintain strictly the rule which forbids
the sale or grant of unsurveyed Crown Land, we think that the
relaxation of that rule should have been restricted to the
absolute necessity of the case, and should not have been
made general with a view to invite Settlers. Probably the

effect will not be sufficiently extensive to create any very
serious difficulty, but we would suggest that Governor Douglas
should be recommended to withdraw the general Instructions
which he has issued and should not sanction the grant of
unsurveyed Land on preemptive right except on special application.

6. If the above arrangement should fail to attract
Settlers Governor Douglas proposes to adopt the Canadian
system of free grants on condition of improvements, we
have no information as to

the success of the recent Settlements
attempted in Canada on this system. But as the experience
of that Colony would be very valuable and instructive for
other Colonies we would suggest that the Governor General
should be requested to send home any information at his
command on the subject.

7. Governor Douglas states that great exertions are being
made to open up roads, and that it was expected that by this
time a pack road along the left bank of the Frazer would be
open to Lytton,

from which there is a natural pack road by
the Coutounais pass to the Red River settlement, so that
if the Canadian Government would open a road from Lake
Superior to the Red River, the communication between Canada
and British Columbia would be completed, that a Settler
might then leave the Red River in the spring and reach B.
Columbia in the Autumn, that this had been repeatedly done
by parties of Red River people and that he had been assured
by one of those persons that except the Coutounais pass

the whole distance might be traversed with Carts. It may
perhaps be right to communicate this information to the
Governor of Canada, but with reference to the nature of
the Country lying between the Western limits of Canada &
the Rocky Mountains, and especially between Lake Superior
& the Red River Settlement, the evidence given before the
Committee of the House of Commons

*

on the Hudsons Bay
Company in 1857 is not encouraging.

8. In conclusion Governor Douglas

states that the
value of imports in the quarter ending 30th Sepr
was 207.848 dollars, that the Customs receipts were
£5.202 being an increase of £960 over the preceding
quarter and that large sums had been received from sales
of Land & other sources of revenue of which he would send
accurate returns on a future occasion.

9. Upon the whole this account of the Colony may be
considered as very satisfactory.



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FILE: 1860-02-07_Murdoch_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN02.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of the 4th instant enclosing a
letter addressed to the Duke of Newcastle by the Governor of the
Hudsons Bay Co on the subject of the amount to be paid to the
Company on the retransfer of Vancouvers Island to the Crown, and
desiring us to report to His Grace, as early as possible, the amount
which, in our opinion, it would be advisable to submit for the
sanction of Parliament this year.

2. The claim of the Hudsons Bay Company has now been reduced to
three items vizt

£ S D

Balance of expenditure for public

Works & Establishments 8505. 6.11

Cost of sending out Settlers 25550. 0. 0

Half the expense of searching for

1; Coal at Fort Rupert  6234.12. 3

1; 40289.19. 2

3. To enable us to form an opinion on the point referred to us we
directed our Accountant to attend at the Hudsons Bay House this
morning and to ascertain, so far as was possible in the cursory
examination which the time permitted, that the above claims were
supported by the Books of the Company. He has reported to us that
the Officers of the Company afforded him every facility for
inspecting their books, that the Books appeared to have been very
carefully kept, and to support the claims put forward by the Company.
Of course, however, so hurried and general an examination cannot be
accepted as a guarantee of the correctness of the separate items of
the account, should H.M. Government think it necessary to scrutinize
them in detail.

4. Assuming, however, that such a scrutiny is not intended, the
expenditure for sending out Emigrants and for Searching for Coal at
Fort Rupert, amounting together to £31.784.12.3 may be considered as
admitted claims. But the balance due on account of expenditure for
public works and Establishments amounting to £8505.6.11 is made up
only to the end of 1857, and our Accountant considers that there is
reason to believe that the Land Sales and other sources of Revenue in
the two following years will have left a surplus of Revenue over
expenditure sufficient, not only to extinguish the Balance against
the Crown at the end of 1857, but to throw the balance the other way.
Under these circumstances it appears to us that it will be sufficient
to apply to Parliament during the present year for a sum not
exceeding £25,000, leaving for adjustment, whenever the complete
accounts shall be sent in, the further claims of the Crown on the
Company on account of the Local Revenue on the one side and the
expenditure on public works and establishments on the other up to the
close of 1859.



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No. 8

I transmit for your information a Copy of a letter from Mr Begbie
stating the conditions on which he is willing to undertake the opening
up a road in British Columbia; and I have to request that you will
furnish me with a report upon the subject to which it relates.

In sending you this Communication however I do not intend to
express my sanction of a close monopoly of a road as proposed

by Mr
Begbie, a measure which in my opinion would, in such a Country as
British Columbia, be open to grave objections.



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No. 9

With reference to previous instruction I transmit for your information and guidance a Copy of a letter
from the Marine Department of the Board of Trade relative to the expenditure of the sums voted for the erection
of Light Houses in
Fucas Straits and Esquimalt Harbour.



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FILE: 1860-02-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60019.txt
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No. 19

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date
of your Grace's Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as noted on
the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-02-08_Paget_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD04.txt
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Paget to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to my Letter of the 20th ultimo in reply to yours of
the 5th on the subject of reserving for Naval purposes the ground,
Buildings &ca at Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver's Island; I am
commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to transmit
herewith, copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes dated the 14th
November last No 183 on this subject, and to acquaint you, for the
information of His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, that my Lords agree
with Admiral Baynes, that it would be very desirable that the
Admiralty should become possessed of the Land he refers to vizt
about Fifty acres marked Indian Reserve on the enclosed Plan, and
Inskip Island, and my Lords desire me to state, that they would be
glad to be informed, if his suggestion could be carried out upon
reasonable terms.



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FILE: 1860-02-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60008.txt
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No. 8, Financial

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Graces Despatch
No 23 of the 1st December, referring me to your Graces Despatch of
the 20th October last, for instructions on the subject of meeting
the cost of the Civil Establishment of Vancouvers Island, and
informing me that your Grace will shortly give full and definite
instructions upon the important constitutional and financial
questions referred to in my Despatch No 46 of the 12th September last,

*

and expressing your satisfaction with, and approval of, the other
proceedings reported in my said Despatch, and I feel much gratified
at this kind expression of Your Graces opinion.



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No. 9, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to forward for Your Grace's information the Report
of a Journey to Fort Simpson, Queen Charlotte's Island, the Nass River, and other parts of the North West Coast, performed in the
summer and autumn of 1859, by R.W. Torrens late Captain in Her Majesty's 55th Regiment, giving interesting descriptions of the
Countries visited, with an account of their auriferous and mineral
productions.

2. Mr Torrens is not in the service of, nor in any way connected
with the Government; but has kindly placed his Report at my disposal
for the information of Her Majesty's Government, for which he has
received my warmest thanks.



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Confidential

I have had under my consideration your despatch marked confidential
of the 24th of October requesting that the condition on which by my
despatch of the 29th of July, I sanctioned an annual addition of
£1,200 to your Salary might be dispensed with.

I have to inform you that in the present uncertain state of the
finances of British Columbia, H.M's Government consider

that it would be
unadvisable and probably difficult to fix a permanent amount for the
salary of the Governor of that Colony and Vancouver Island, and I regret
therefore that I can only authorize you to appropriate the sum of £1,200
out of the Revenues of British Columbia as an allowance for the year
ending the 31 of December last, leaving the question of the amount of
your salary for the future to be hereafter considered with reference to
the circes of the colony and the cost of living.



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FILE: 1860-02-13_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607009A.txt
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[Please note that the images associated with this transcription are from letter-book copies of the original correspondence (from CO 410), whereas the transcriptions appear to have been made from RG7 G8C originals, and so potentially include other information that does not appear in the letter-book page-images. Images of the originals will eventually replace the letterbook copy images.]

Confidential

With reference to my Despatch of the 19th Ultimo I transmit for
your Confidential use copies of a further correspondence between H.M's
Government and the Government of the United States on the question now
pending with respect to the Island of San Juan together with a copy of
a despatch subsequently received from Lord Lyons reporting the
substance of a conversation he had had with General Cass on sending him
the proposal of H.M's Government for the Settlement of the Oregon
Boundary question.



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FILE: 1860-02-14_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI05.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under Secretary
Merivale's letter of the 7th instant in reference to the lands in
Vancouver's Island claimed by this Company as having been possessed
by them prior to the Grant of 1849, and I assume that the only
question now to be considered is whether the recognition by Lord Grey
of the Company's claim to that land extended to the possession by
this Company of an absolute property in the land in question, or only
to their right to possess it during the continuance of the Grant made
to them of the entire Island.

I think I shall have no difficulty in satisfying your Grace that the
claim of this Company which was brought under the consideration of the
Colonial Office, first in 1846, and afterwards more particularly in
the year 1852, referred solely to an absolute right to the property
in question, and that no other right was ever contemplated on the
part of this Company or understood by the Colonial Secretary.

The land in question was originally taken possession of by this
Company for the purposes of the Fur Trade, and your Grace will not
fail to observe that in the letter from Sir John Henry Pelly to the
Colonial Secretary, of the 14th January 1852, he mentions that Mr
Pemberton, the Colonial Surveyor, had sent home surveys of the Land
which the Fur Trade of this Company had proposed to take, but that he
had omitted to distinguish what they possessed previous to the
Boundary Treaty (that is to the year 1846) from the whole quantity,
and he goes on to State that the former will be made over to the
company,
without purchase and that for any addition thereto they would
have to pay 20/- per acre as all other Settlers do.

Now it is quite clear that by the payment of 20s/- per acre, the
party paying it acquired the absolute fee-simple of the land
conveyed, and it is equally clear that Sir J.H. Pelly in his letter,
treated the title of the Company as the same in both cases, only that
in the one case the purchase money was to be paid, but in the other
no purchase money was required, as the company's title was founded
upon a previous possession—a title which had been already recognized
as giving the right to the fee-simple in the case of the land
occupied in the Oregon Territory prior to the Boundary Treaty.

Sir J.H. Pelly's letter of the 4th February in the same year in
reply to one from Mr Under Secretary Peel of the 2nd of that month,
is equally clear upon this point, as he there states distinctly that
the Company claimed these lands as theirs without purchase, and he
pointedly refers to the lands at Fort Victoria, in Vancouver's
Island, where an establishment was formed in the year 1843.

Your Grace will observe that no suggestion whatever is offered that
the title put forward on behalf of this Company had any connection
with the termination of the Grant of the Island; but on the contrary
it is clearly referred to as conveying the same rights as would have
been acquired by absolute purchase, and indeed, if the title of this
Company to these Lands had not been so unequivocally admitted by Lord
Grey in the correspondence in question, this Company would at that
period have paid the purchase money for the Land they then held,
rather than have sacrificed the large outlay they had already made
upon it. Besides this, Your Grace will also find that in a letter
addressed to Sir John Pakington on the 24th of November 1852, not
only is an intimation given that the Company were in possession of
this Land under the sanction of Her Majesty's Government (referring
to the previous correspondence with Lord Grey), but it is distinctly
stated that they had actually sold portions of it to some of their
retired servants who had settled upon it. Of course any such sale
could only be a sale of the absolute fee simple, but to put the
matter beyond all doubt, this Company are registered as the Owners of
this Land, precisely in the same manner as they and all others are,
of land acquired by purchase since the date of the Grant and they
have from time to time disposed of portions of it to parties who are
now registered as the Owners.

I would venture again to call your Grace's attention to the letter
from the Secretary of this Company to the Secretary of the Government
Emigration Board of the date of the 21st January 1859 which really
seems to me to remove all doubt upon the subject.

I trust therefore that there will now be no hesitation on the part of
the Government in recognizing the right of this Company to this Land,
without any reference to the Judicial Committee.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60020.txt
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No. 20, Miscellaneous

Not being in possession of the Extradition Treaty of 1842, with the
United States of America, I have to request that Your Grace will kindly
direct a copy of that document to be

forwarded for my information.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60021.txt
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No. 21

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir Edward Bulwer
Lyttons Circular Despatch, of the 8th April 1859, together with six
copies of the Mercantile Navy

List 1859 enclosed therewith.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60022.txt
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No. 22

I have the honor to acknowledge your Grace's Circular Despatch
of the 29th November 1859, enclosing for my information copy of
a correspondence between the Colonial Department and the

Foreign
Office, relative to extending the interpretation of the convention
of 1843 between the French and English Governments, for the
Extradition of Criminals, to the case of Criminals under sentence,
as well as persons charged with offences but not yet tried.

2. I have also, to thank your Grace, for the Extradition
Treaty of 1843, of which

previously I had no copy.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60023.txt
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No. 23, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to forward herewith for your Grace's
information, a Register and Diagram, containing the observations
made at the Royal Engineer Observatory at New Westminster, for
the month

of November 1859, on the temperature and density of
the atmosphere, and other interesting Meteorological Phenomena,
illustrative of the Climate of that part of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60010.txt
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No. 10

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Graces Despatch
No 15, of the 20th October 1859, approving of the proposed Sale of
certain inferior land in the neighbourhood of Victoria, at a reduced
price and of the intention of keeping open the Cowitchen and Nanaimo
Valleys for Settlement, as reported in my Despatch No 25 of the 15h
July 1859.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE05.txt
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Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that a Bill has been presented at the
Office of the Paymaster General, for the sum of £250, drawn
by Mr W.A.G. Young, for the Governor of British Columbia;
and I am to request that you will move the Duke of Newcastle to
inform Their Lordships whether Mr Young has

been authorized
to draw Bills for the Governor of the afore-mentioned Colony,
and whether His Grace would recommend that this Bill should
be accepted.

An early reply is requested.



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FILE: 1860-02-15_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607009B.txt
================================================================================

[Please note that the images associated with this transcription are from letter-book copies of the original correspondence (from CO 410), whereas the transcriptions appear to have been made from RG7 G8C originals, and so include other information that does not appear in the letter-book page-images. Images of the originals will eventually replace the letterbook copy images.]

Confidential

I transmit for your informn a copy of despatch from H.M's
Minister at Washington reporting his having informed General Cass that
H.M's Government were satisfied with the provisional arrangement in
regard to the occupation of San Juan entered into with General Scott.



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FILE: 1860-02-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60011.txt
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No. 11

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's Despatch
No 24 of the 1st December last, transmitting Copy of a letter from
the Hudson Bay Company, enclosing one from Mr Dallas their Agent at
this place, upon the subject of the repayment of the outlay I had
incurred in erecting Public Offices in Vancouver's Island.

2. In reference thereto Your Grace remarks that the circumstances
stated therein agree with the supposition originally formed by Your
Grace that it was in the first instance intended that the cost of the
buildings should be borne by the Mother Country, as coming within the
Kind of expenditure incurred by the Hudson's Bay Company during their
tenure of the Island; and your Grace therefore requires me to furnish
some further explanation of the matter, and that I shall apprize you
of the extent of the land surrendered to the Company's Agent to meet
his advance, and of the mode in which the price obtained for it was
realized.

3. Having already in my Despatch No 47 of the 12h September 1859,
stated at some length to Your Grace the reasons which compelled me to
institute measures to provide necessary and fitting accommodation for
the transaction of the public business of the Colony, and of my
inability to carry out my original intention of raising the requisite
funds by the Sale of an allotment of Government reserved land, through
my not being qualified to grant a Title; and also of the arrangement
I consequently entered into with the Agent of the Hudsons Bay Company
to surrender the land on condition of his placing at my disposal for
the erection of the Buildings the sum of money obtained by the Sale,
I will not again touch upon these points, but will endeavor to lay
before Your Grace such further information as I trust may disabuse
your mind of the idea that I ever contemplated that the cost of these
Buildings was to be ultimately
"repaid" by the Mother Country.

4. Your Grace will not fail to observe that in the letter of Mr
Dallas of the 14h September 1859, no mention whatever is made of the
land surrendered by me, but one would be led to infer that I had
pressed upon him to advance the sum of about Twenty seven Thousand
Dollars from the general funds of the Hudsons Bay Company, without in
any way making provision for that sum being, almost before it was
required, paid into their hands. Mr Dallas states that he advanced
the money on condition that it should be passed by me "as coming
within the head of sums expended by the Company during the period of
their grant of the island."
If by this Mr Dallas considered that I proposed the entire Advance
should be repaid by the Home Government he was very much mistaken. I
had no objection to the amount being charged under the head of Sums
Expended for Colonial purposes—indeed after the arrangement I had
made to surrender the land, it was most desirable that it should be
so—but it was my full intention that the money raised by the Sale of the land should be
accounted for, and should appear per contra; and therefore
although the expense of the Buildings was in reality borne by the
Colony—or more properly
the Crown—yet no actual repayment would be required to meet
that expense.

5. I forward herewith a plan of the reserved portion of ground in
question. The whole piece contains an area of 2 Acres, 1 road, and
19 2/10 perches. The part surrendered to the Hudson Bay Company as
before described contains 1 Acre, 3 Roads, and 19 4/10 perches, being
the lots numbered on the plan from 1595 to 1626—except Lots 1603 and
1605 on which at present stand two Government Buildings, one being
the Post Office. There now remains of the original allotment about 1
road, and 39 8/10 perches, occupied by the two Buildings just
mentioned, and by the Police Court, Gaol and Yard, as exhibited by
the plan.

6. The site was surveyed under the direction of the Colonial
Surveyor, and sold after due notice at public auction to the highest
bidder, and payment for the same was made into the hands of the
Cashier of the Hudsons Bay Company.

7. I trust that this additional explanation may serve to place Your
Grace in possession of the precise facts of the case, and that it may
be satisfactory to you.

8. Before concluding I would desire to remark that I believe the
correspondence enclosed by Mr Dallas in his letter of the 14h
September and to which Your Grace adverts, in no way bears upon the
case in point. Those applications to Mr Dallas for money were
simply to meet small items of current expense, most of which were
incurred before the 30th May 1859 and which under the state of things
existing, I had no other means of defraying.



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No. 24, Ecclesiastical

In my Despatch No 224 of the 18th October last, reporting
to your Grace on the state of British Columbia, I took occasion,
while adverting to the existing means of moral

and religious
instruction in the Colony, to inform your Grace that Divine service
was regularly held in the several Towns of Lower British Columbia,
by resident Clergymen, and that the almost total absence of crime
went far to shew how usefully, and extensively, the influence of
their teaching is felt.

2. It did not however occur to me, to inform your Grace

at
the same time, that I had on the part of this Government done
everything in my power to promote the good cause, by encouraging
the residence of an ordained and educated Clergy in British Columbia.

3. Having no authority to apply any part of the Public Revenue
to the aid and support of Churches, there was little in my power to
bestow, beyond the sincerest sympathy and advice, in aid of the
zealous

Clergy of the Church of England, and the Methodist
Episcopal Church, who first entered the field of Missionary
labour in British Columbia.

4. I did not however hesitate to assign to the Clergy of
those persuasions respectively, on their application, a Church,
School, and Dwelling House site, forming a block of four building
Lots, or about one acre of Land, in extent, in all

Towns where
they resided. Thus free grants to that extent, viz., one acre,
have been made for the use and benefit of the Church of England,
and of the Methodist Episcopal Church, respectively, in the Towns
of Yale, Hope, Derby, Douglas, and New Westminster, as a small
return for the valuable services rendered to the country by the
Clergy of those Churches, who have hitherto received no other
compensation from the Government.

5. I have to request

Your Grace's sanction for those grants,
and authority to continue the same practice in all other Towns
of British Columbia, where ordained Ministers of the Gospel may
think proper to take up their residence, and further, seeing that
one of the duties most deserving the attention of Government, is
to provide means for the moral and religious training of the
people, I would take the liberty of

recommending to Her Majesty's
Government, that free grants of One hundred acres of rural land,
should be made in aid of every Cure, formed in British Columbia,
provided they be not otherwise supported at the Public expense,
and there be a resident Clergyman, and a place of Christian
Worship erected.

6. A grant of Land to that extent would not be burdensome
to the Colony, and would nevertheless form an attractive

inducement, for Christian Churches to devote their attention
to the Country, until population increases, and other provision
is made for the maintenance of a Christian Clergy, and the
erection of places of Christian Worship.

7. It is not my intention to advocate the establishment of
a dominant and endowed Church, as that object could not be
accomplished without

injustice, in a country to which persons
of all religious persuasions are invited to resort, but I
conceive it would be advisable to extend in the manner before
indicated, the protection and support of Government, to the four
grand denominations of Christians, viz. the Church of England,
the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Roman Catholic

Churches, which
are all represented by classes of the population in this Colony.

8. I shall be glad to receive the instructions of Her
Majesty's Government on this subject.



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FILE: 1860-02-17_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60012.txt
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No. 12

In reply to your Grace's printed Circular Despatch of the 19th
November 1859 I have the honor to return herewith enclosed, the
required answers to the specific inquiries of the Post Master General
relative to the Delivery of Letters from house to house in Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1860-02-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60025.txt
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No. 25, Civil

The desire manifested on the part of Her Majesty's Government
for the improvement and well being of the aboriginal races of
British Columbia, induces me to lay before Your Grace the enclosed
interesting correspondence between the Reverend Edward

Cridge,
District Minister of Victoria,
and Mr William Duncan, an
exemplary and truly worthy gentleman, who has, for some years
past, been devotedly labouring with a wonderful degree of energy
and perseverance as a Christian Missionary among the Indian
population, at, and about Fort Simpson.

2. The facility with which Mr Duncan has acquired the Native
language, and succeeded in winning the confidence and attachment
of the Natives, is a proof of the good sense, kindness of heart,
and talent which he has brought to the task; while the very
marked success of his efforts as a religious Teacher

gives rise
to the gratifying hope that the Natives will yet, through God's
blessing, be rescued from ignorance, and assume a respectable
position in British Columbia.

3. Mr Duncan proposes to found a Missionary settlement for
Indian converts in an eligible situation, about twenty miles south
of Fort Simpson, (probably Port Essington), a plan which meets
with my entire approval.

4. I therefore, with Your Grace's sanction, intend to reserve
several hundred acres of land in that neighbourhood, to enable
Mr Duncan to carry this useful and benevolent plan into effect.

*

5. I would submit with respect to all land reserved for Indians, the advisability of withholding from them the power to
sell or otherwise alienate the Title, as they are yet so ignorant
and improvident that they cannot safely be trusted with the
management or control of landed estate, which, if fully conveyed
to them, would soon pass into other hands.

6. I would therefore recommend as a safe and preferable
course, that such reserves of land should be conveyed to the
Governor of the Colony for the time being, in trust for the use
and benefit of the Indians,

leaving no power whatever in them to
sell or alienate the estate.

7. Should those measures meet with Your Grace's approval, I
have to request the sanction of Her Majesty's Government for
carrying them into effect.



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No. 9

I have had the honor to receive your despatch No. 231 of the 10th
of November acknowledging some despatches from my Predecessor on the
disposal of land in British Columbia. No practical question is raised
by this communication and it is unnecessary for me to enter further into
the particular question to which it relates.

But I may take the present opportunity of cautioning you (although
the caution is perhaps unnecessary) that in transmitting to you, in my
recent despatch No. 3 of the 7th of January, Captain Clarke's scheme
for the disposal of lands, you are not to suppose me to have done so as a
preliminary towards carrying such a scheme

into execution by the
instrumentality of an Order of Her Majesty in Council. I think that the
subject is not one fit to be dealt with by that authority, and that any
attempt to frame in this Country regulations entering so much into
detail would be misplaced.

My object was merely to put you in possession of the views of a
gentleman of great ability, who formerly occupied a high position in
Australia and enjoyed the confidence of the Colonists, upon the best
means of meeting difficulties such as he had himself encountered in
administering the affairs of a rapidly growing Colony, in order that you
might have the benefit of his experience; you will be able to judge for
yourself how far the principles embodied in

his scheme would be of any
assistance to you in British Columbia, subject of course, in case you
approve those principles, to all modifications of detail which the
difference of local circumstances might require.



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Confidential

With reference to my despatch of the 6th Feb No 8, I transmit
for your information a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at
Washington reporting his further communication with General Cass on the
question of appointing another Commissioner for the North West Land
Boundary Commission in the place of Mr Campbell.



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FILE: 1860-02-20_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE06.txt
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Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 16th Inst.,
relative to a Bill drawn by Mr W.A. Young, Colonial
Secretary in British Columbia, for the sum of £250; I am
directed by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury,
to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle,
that the Paymaster General has been instructed to accept and
pay the Bill in question.

I am to add that the Bill is stated to be drawn for the
service of the Government of Vancouver's Island, and that
Their Lordships presume that it has reference to some
expenditure distinct from the service of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-02-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607010.txt
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No. 10

The Lords Commissoners of the Treasury have applied to me for
information respecting a bill for £250 presented at the Office of the
Paymaster General and drawn by Mr W.A.G. Young for the Governor of
British Columbia.

In the absence of any report from you I conclude that the drawer of
this bill is Mr Young, the Colonial Secretary of your Government, and
that it is drawn on account of his half years salary; I have therefore
authorized the payment of it. But I must call Your attention to the
irregularity of this proceeding.

I am not aware that Mr Young
possesses any authority to draw Bills on your account, and the Colonial
Regulations, to which I beg to refer

you for your future guidance,
distinctly provide that all Bills for Civil Salaries or for other
services, the expense of which is defrayed from the Parliamentary Grant,
are to be drawn by the Governor, and the Secretary of State and the
Paymaster General are to be regularly advised of such Bills.

You will call upon Mr Young for an explanation of the
circumstances under which he drew this Bill, and report them to me.



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FILE: 1860-02-21_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_for_the_Colonies_B605WA05.txt
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Hawes to Under-Secretary for the Colonies

I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert to transmit
herewith 100 Copies of a Sketch Map of British Columbia
by Lieutenant Palmer R.E., in addition to 100 already
forwarded, which have been lithographed in the Topographical
Branch of this Office in compliance with the request of the
Secretary of State for the Colonies of 29th October 1859.
The original Plan is also returned.



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FILE: 1860-02-21_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605WA04.txt
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Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert to transmit
herewith 100 copies of a Sketch Map of British Columbia,
by Lieut. Mayne R.N., which have been lithographed in
the Topographical Branch of this Office, in compliance
with the request of the Secretary of State for the Colonies,
of 29th Oct 1859. The original Plans and Report are
also returned.



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FILE: 1860-02-21_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607010.txt
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No. 10

I have to acknowledge your despatch No. 64 of the 17th of
December last, informing me that under the legal difficulty which at
present impedes the grant of land in Vancouver Island you had authorized
the Colonial Surveyor as a provisional arrangement to permit settlers to
occupy certain lands situate within the surveyed districts of Vancouver
Island, with a preemptive right.

I approve of this measure as the best course which was probably
open to you under the circumstances.

At the same time I have to inform you that I am in correspondence
with the Hudsons Bay Company as to the best mode of terminating the
uncertainty which now prevails, by obtaining from them authority to
enable you to sell the waste land, under a provisional arrangement as
to the proceeds between the Crown and the Company, until the claims of
the latter are fully adjusted and the repurchase effected.

And I hope to be enabled very soon to give you instructions on
this head.



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FILE: 1860-02-21_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607010A.txt
================================================================================

Confidential

With reference to my despch. of this days date, approving of the
measures you have recently taken for granting occupation without
purchase of certain lands situate within the surveyed districts of
Vancouver Island, I think it may be desirable to send you
confidentially the enclosed copy of an opinion obtained for the Law
Advisers on the question, to whom the right of disposing of the
proceeds of the sale of public land will belong, when the rights of the
Hudsons Bay Co have ceased. The opinion has of course no practical
application until that event may take place. But it is as well you
should be early informed on the subject as I believe that discussions
respg. it have already taken place in the Legislature of the Island.



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FILE: 1860-02-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60026.txt
================================================================================

No. 26, Military Expenses

Colonel Moody commanding the Troops in British Columbia,
having made Requisition upon me, as by letters herewith enclosed,
for the sum of about Two Thousand Three hundred Pounds (£2300), the
details of which

are noted in the margin,

*
I have the honor to
acquaint your Grace that not having funds in the Colonial Chest
to meet this demand, I have instructed the Treasurer to procure
the above named sum by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General,
and I trust your Grace will be pleased to obtain the necessary
authority from

the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury, for the
Bills presented on this account to be paid, when they become due.



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FILE: 1860-02-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607011.txt
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No. 11

I have had under my consideration the copies of the Acts of the
Legislature of Vancouver Island transmitted in your despatch No. 60 of
the 26th of November last.
I am prepared to submit these Acts for Her
Majesty's confirmation, but in order to enable me to take this course
it is necessary that I should receive them duly authenticated by the
proper officer with the Seal of the Colony affixed to each.



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FILE: 1860-02-24_Cox_&_Co._to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B606C02.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Merivale

We have the honor to enclose the usual Certificate of the
existence of Colonel R.C. Moody, Royal Engineers, on 31st December
1859 and to request that the usual Warrant may issue to HM's
Paymaster General for the pay of that Officer, as Commissioner of
Works, British Columbia, for December quarter.



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FILE: 1860-02-24_Tennent_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605TA03.txt
================================================================================

Tennent to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for
Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th Instant
transmitting by direction of the Duke of Newcastle a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia in explanation of a statement made in his previous Despatch of the 23d March 1859 relative to the Bonding System in Californian Ports.

I am to state that My Lords are of opinion that it would be desirable
to communicate the substance of Governor Douglas' Despatch to the Chambers of Commerce but before doing so they would be glad to know whether the Duke of Newcastle sees any objection to such a course.



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FILE: 1860-02-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60027.txt
================================================================================

No. 27, Financial

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch of
the 28th of October 1859, No 33, in reply to my Despatch of

the 23rd of August, No 207, reporting upon the State of
British Columbia.

2. I regret to learn that there is no prospect of any
assistance being afforded to the Colony by the Mother Country,
towards raising a loan for the immediate prosecution of the
urgently required work of opening Roads, and by so doing,
hastening the settlement of the Country and securing its
prosperity, but Your Grace may rest assured that no effort
shall be wanting on my part to effect that desirable

object
to the best of my ability, with the means at my command. The
want of available funds will retard the development of the
Country, but nevertheless my unceasing solicitude will be to
meet, and if possible to overcome, the difficulties which
present themselves on every side.

3. I notice that Your Grace remarks upon the little progress
that has been made in opening the communications with the interior,
and that from the large expenditure incurred it was supposed that
a

route would have been opened which would have rendered the
upper Country more accessible.

4. I have not failed in former Despatches to represent the
great natural difficulties which check the development of the
Colony, and that they can only be overcome by much labour, at
great expense, and in course of time; and in proportion as we
have the means so can the Country be opened out, and increase
in prosperity. The Country through which the communications
have to be made, is perhaps the most rugged

and impracticable
in the world, and the cost of the work commensurably great.
However, notwithstanding the natural obstacles presented by the
line of road, we have succeeded through the agency of Civil
labour, in opening Pack trails through the Cascade range of
mountains, both from Yale and Douglas, and by these routes
supplies have been thrown into the interior. Other pack trails
are in course of construction, and I have never ceased by every
means at my command to endeavour to prosecute the indispensable
work of opening the communications; and

although my hands are
cramped for want of means, and although the task is one replete
with difficulties, I do not despair of being able in time to
attain the consummation so much desired.

5. The great object which the Government has now in view,
and which the wants of the Country imperatively demand, is the
immediate prosecution of the improvement of its commercial
thoroughfares by the conversion, whenever practicable, of the
pack trails into waggon roads. On the Harrison
Lillooet road, which enters the mountains

at Douglas and emerges at Cayoosh, a
distance of 110 Miles, it is estimated that a reduction of Three
Hundred Dollars a ton, may by this means be effected, making a
clear gain, to that extent, on all goods carried to the upper
Country. With a view of further illustrating that point I will
here exhibit the distances from Fort Victoria to Alexandria, and the
enormous cost for transport on each Section of that Road:

Victoria to Douglas...166 Miles, Conveyance per Steamer

- Cost per ton.........................£25.

Douglas to Cayoosh...100 Miles, Land Transport Chiefly

- Cost per ton........................£360.

Cayoosh to Alexandria..210 Miles, Land Transport Entirely

- Cost per ton........................£440.

It is evident that the wealth of the Country, however great,
cannot support so expensive a system of transport. The charge
for packing attests at once the want of competition, and the
difficult nature of the Road, and no other means is open to the
Government but to induce competition by improving the communications,
so that Waggons may be substituted for pack Trains.

6. Your Grace will therefore I doubt not readily appreciate
the urgent necessity which exists for some energetic action to
dissipate the enormous cost of transport, and this can only be
attained by at

once undertaking the improvement in the roads.
I was directed by the Despatches of Sir Edward Lytton, Nos 30
and 31 of the 16th of October 1858, to rely entirely upon
Colonel Moody and the Royal Engineers under his Command, for the
great work of opening the communications of the Country. Experience
has proved that the Force in question is utterly unable to grapple
with the great difficulties with which it has had to contend, or
to make any perceptible impression upon the rugged mountain passes
which lead into the interior. Knowing therefore that if I relied
alone upon the Royal

Engineers the day would be far distant when
this much desired end could be attained, I have felt it imperative
on me not to delay longer in the employment of civil labour, and
failing assistance from Her Majesty's Government, I have resorted
to the expedient of levying a Tax of £1 Sterling upon all pack
animals leaving Douglas and Yale, in order to raise the funds
necessary for the Expenditure required.

7. I enclose to Your Grace herewith, a copy of the Proclamation
imposing the Tax. The proceeds of the Tax will be devoted wholly
to the improvement

of the roads, and although for the present
increasing the cost of food by about one cent and a half per pound, will
I feel sure, in the course of but a few months be the means whereby a
wholesale reduction will be effected in the transit expenses.

For the moment the Tax is unpopular in the Colony—as indeed
are all Taxes everywhere—but the necessity is urgent, and I feel
confident that in a short time the benefits arising from the Tax
will be so apparent, and will come so truly home to those

upon
whom it at present falls, that the measure will hereafter be as
much extolled as it is now deprecated.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-25_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607012.txt
================================================================================

No. 12

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 63 of the
17th December, reporting the dissolution of the Assembly of Vancouver Island, and transmitting copies of your correspondence with that House
on the affairs of the Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-02-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607011.txt
================================================================================

No. 11

With reference to your despatches Nos 201 and 206 of the 16th
and 18th of August last, I transmit fifty copies of the Map which
accompanied Lieutenant Mayne's

Report, and also fifty copies of the
Plans explanatory of Lieutenant Palmers explorations in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-02-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60028.txt
================================================================================

No. 28, Military

I have the honor to transmit herewith for your Grace's
information, a letter I have received from Colonel Moody,
recommending the

construction of a Military Road from New Westminster to Burrards Inlet.

2. I have requested Colonel Moody to defer taking any
steps in the matter, until I can lay the same before your
Grace, and receive your instructions thereon.



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FILE: 1860-02-28_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607012.txt
================================================================================

No. 12

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 241 of the
23rd of December
enclosing a copy of a letter from Colonel Moody relative to the portions of land which it may be desirable to reserve in
Burrards Inlet for Naval purposes.



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FILE: 1860-02-29_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO05.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your Letter of the 22nd instant
respecting the Land and Buildings purchased for the use of the Oregon
Boundary Commission, and I am to state to you, in reply, for the
information of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that the Land and
Buildings in question are actually the property of the Foreign
Office, and that Lord John Russell will be willing to transfer them
to the Admiralty as soon as the labours of the Commission are
concluded, but that His Lordship cannot, at present, fix a time for
this transfer.



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FILE: 1860-03-02_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI06.txt
================================================================================

Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Merivale's letter of
the 23rd ulto., in which he informed me that your Grace has proposed
to the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury that a vote should be
taken this year for £25,000, in order to [that]
the application of a sum,
not exceeding that amount, to the payment on account of the sums due
by Her Majesty's Government to this Company on the surrender of
Vancouver's Island, leaving for adjustment, whenever complete
accounts shall be sent in, the further claims of the Crown, or of the
Company, on account of the local revenue on the one side, and the
expenditure on public works and establishments on the other, down to
the close of the Grant.

When I ventured to suggest, in my letter to your Grace of the 23rd
January last, that if Her Majesty's Government were not at present
prepared to call for a reconveyance of the Island, this Company would
be willing to concur in an arrangement by which the Governor should
be empowered to dispose of land, to receive the proceeds of it, and
to account for the money to the Crown, I certainly expected that Her
Majesty's Government, if it adopted the suggestion, would at the same
time have agreed to the condition which was annexed, namely, that the
whole of the advances already clearly ascertained, and long since
communicated to the Government, should be satisfied. I was the more
confident that this proposition would have been agreed to in its
integrity, because I am not aware that more complete accounts can be
furnished than those which have already been transmitted to the
Government, and which have since been examined by Mr Lewis, the
Accountant of the Emigration Board, who attended at this Office for
the purpose. If any further information on the subject should be
considered necessary, it would be convenient that I should be made
acquainted with the nature of it.

Although, however, the terms upon which I proposed that the power of
conveying land should be conferred upon the Governor of Vancouver's
Island have not been fully agreed to by your Grace, I am not
disposed, on the part of this Company, to reject your Grace's
proposition of receiving £25,000 on account of those advances, and I
am therefore prepared to receive that amount to account, and to grant
the authority to the Governor to make grants of land, on the express
understanding that the authority to dispose of land will not embrace
any of the lands belonging to, or which have been registered as
belonging to, this Company, whether they now hold them in their own
possession or have disposed of them to third parties.

*

Towards the end of his letter Mr Merivale states that your Grace is
not aware of any objection to the principle of the Company receiving
such an undertaking as is specified in my letter of January 23rd,
but that you are not certain as to what "advances, made or to be
made", the passage is intended to refer. In reply I have merely to
state that the "advances" referred to, have only been such as were
considered necessary for the purpose ot the Government of the Colony,
and that so far as is known to us, they were never made excepting on
the pressing demands of the Governor, who in some instances made use
of funds belonging to this Company which happened to be under his
control without previously consulting the Company or obtaining their
approval of the purposes for which he used them.

I had hoped that this Company would have been put in funds to meet, a
portion at least of, these additional advances from the receipts for
land disposed of by them prior to the determination of the Grant to
them of the Island, but I regret to find by a communication recently
received from the Colony, that Governor Douglas has taken possession
of those further payments and applied them for the purposes of the
Government, so that the sum expected to come to the credit of the
Government from that account will be greatly diminished.

Before closing this letter I beg to remind your Grace that the amount
claimed by this Company, for which the detailed accounts were
rendered on the 23rd ulto. is £40,289.19.9, of which your Grace
proposes to pay £25,000 to account. These advances extend over a
series of years, and I would beg leave to submit, that on the balance
which will remain after payment of the £25,000, as the delay is in
order to meet the public convenience, this Company is entitled to
charge interest at the usual rate, dating from the period at which
the accounts were rendered.

I have the honor to offer my own thanks, and those of my Colleagues,
for the communication of the Copy of Governor Douglas's despatch to
your Grace, dated December 17th 1859, and of the answer which your
Grace proposes to make to that communication.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-02_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60029.txt
================================================================================

No. 29

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date
of Your Grace's Despatches of the numbers and dates as noted on
the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-03-02_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO06.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a note from General
Cass to Mr Dallas dated the 4th Ultimo, in reply to the Despatch
from Lord John Russell respecting the question of San Juan, of which
a copy was transmitted to you in my letter of the 30th of December
last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-03_Murdoch_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN02.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 24th instant
transmitting for our information extracts of letters received
from Capt Clarke R.E. formerly Surveyor General of Victoria,
pointing out the course to be adopted for allowing Settlers
in British Columbia to occupy and cultivate Crown Land before
it has been surveyed.

2. In obedience to the directions

in the last paragraph of
your letter we return the sketch of an Order in Council which
accompanied Capt. Clarke's second letter. As this sketch had
been referred for Governor Douglas' report we abstain from
offering any observations on it. But we may be allowed to
point out that an arrangement which might be inevitable in
Victoria, where the population rose in less than two years from
77,000 to 157,000, would not have the same justification in B.
Columbia, where at the latest date the

population did not exceed 5,000.



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FILE: 1860-03-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60030.txt
================================================================================

No. 30, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No. 37 of the 23rd December last, forwarding for my
information copy of a letter from Colonel O'Connor, who contemplates

settling in British Columbia, and in reference thereto, I beg to
acquaint your Grace that I will afford every just facility to
Colonel O'Connor in the purchase of land, and render him any
service in my power to enable him to carry out his project of
settling in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-03-07_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607013.txt
================================================================================

No. 13

With reference to my despatch No. 5 of the 2nd of February I
transmit for your information copies of a correspondence with the Board
of Admiralty relative to the transfer of the Land and Buildings at
Esquimalt Harbor to the Naval Department when no longer required for
the use of the Oregon Boundary Commission:
and also with respect to an Indian Reserve of about 50 acres which the Lords Commissioners
are desirous to possess.



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FILE: 1860-03-08_Booth_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605TA04.txt
================================================================================

Booth to Under-Secretary of State

Referring to the last paragraph of the letter from this Department of
the 25th Janry
last relating to the payment of the passages in the
Ship "Grecian" of the Wife & Children of George Davies, one of the
Lightkeepers proceeding to Vancouver's Island I am directed by the
Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to request that you
will move His Grace The Duke of Newcastle to cause instructions to be
forwarded to the Governor of that Colony to pay on the arrival of the
above persons at Vancouver's Island the sum of Thirty Six Pounds,
Fifteen Shillings (£36.15/-) to Messrs Samuel Price & Co at
Vancouver, being the balance due for the above passages.

I am to add that the Brokers of the "Grecian" have requested
that this money may be paid to their Agents, Messrs Price & Co,
& not to the Captain of the Vessel.



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FILE: 1860-03-08_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE07.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 3rd Instant, I
am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to Messrs Cox & Co on behalf of
Col Moody RE, Commissioner of Lands in British Columbia,
the sum of £300 being the amount due to him for Salary in
respect of the Quarter to 31st December last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-08_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO07.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your Letter of the 2d Instant,
suggesting with reference to the observations contained in the
Despatch from Governor Douglas, of which a Copy is inclosed, whether
it would not be advisable that the Civil Officers on both sides
should be withdrawn from the Island of San Juan, which should be
placed under Martial Law.

I am to state to you, in reply, for the information of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle, that Lord John Russell questions the expediency of
disturbing the present arrangement; 100 marines will soon be
established on the Island, and the British Magistrate will be
protected.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60013.txt
================================================================================

No. 13, Legislative

I have the honor to communicate for your Grace's information that the
Legislature of this Colony did, according to Summons, Commence its
session on the 1st day of the present month, an event which
attracted much public interest and attention.

2. I forward herewith a Copy of a Message to the Legislature which I
delivered on that occasion.

3. It distinctly announces, according to your Grace's instructions,
the decision of Her Majesty's Government requiring Vancouver's
Island, like other British Colonies, to provide for the expenses of
its own Civil Government, and to that extent, to be self
supporting—and then proceeds to point out, in succession, the
measures which appear to be requisite, in those circumstances, for
the development of its resources and its growth in wealth and
population.

4. I have strenuously recommended in the Message that powerful
inducements should be held out for the encouragement of Emigrants
from the United Kingdom, as the distance of this Colony from Great
Britain, the Character of the Country, Chiefly forest land and
expensive to clear, and the great facilities afforded to emigrants by
other British Colonies, and by the Government of the United States,
would, without such inducements, effectually divert emigration from
Vancouver's Island.

5. The cheap and easy acquisition of public land, and the formation
of safe and convenient roads are the measures, in addition to the
system of Free Trade and other advantages secured to the Colonists,
on which I rely for the progress of the Colony in wealth and
prosperity.

6. I trust that the measure advocated and the general tenor of the
Message, may meet with your Grace's approval: it touches upon no
right or prerogative of the Crown, and yet leaves room for the free
expansion of settlement and Communal industry.

7. The newly convened Assembly consists of 13 Members whose names
will be found in a statement accompanying this Despatch.

8. Mr John Sebastian Helmcken, the former Speaker, has been again
chosen for that Office.

9. Copies of the address from the Legislative Council and House of
Assembly in reply to the Message are also herewith forwarded.

10. The House will soon take up the serious business of the session
and their proceedings will be duly reported for your Graces
information.



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FILE: 1860-03-10_Romaine_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605AD01.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letters of the 11th August
and 22nd October last respecting a promise of extra Pay
and allowances alleged to have been made to the Detachment
of Royal Marines sent from China to Vancouver's Island, I
am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to
transmit herewith for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle, a copy of a letter dated the 3rd January last
from Colonel

Holloway, late Commanding the Brigade of Royal Marines in China and I am to acquaint you that My Lords
have stated to Captain Magin—in charge of the Detachment, that they disapprove of his line of conduct with regard to
the extra Pay & Allowances, as it does not appear that there
were sufficient grounds for his assuming that either he or
his Detachment were to receive them. My Lords have also
informed Colonel Holloway

that he was injudicious in making any remarks upon the subject to the Detachment—much inconvenience having arisen in consequence.



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FILE: 1860-03-12_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607013.txt
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No. 13

With reference to my despatch No 8 of the
6th of February, I
transmit, for your information, a copy of Instructions addressed by Her Majesty's Minister at Washington to
Lieut: Colonel Hawkins for that Officer's guidance in the execution of his duties
as Commissioner for
marking out the Land Boundary between Her Majesty's Possessions and those of the United States.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60031.txt
================================================================================

No. 31, Military

The Acting Colonial Commissary having made Requisition
upon me, as by letter herewith enclosed, for the sum of Two
Thousand Five hundred Pounds, being the necessary outlay in
the Military

branch of that Department for the 1st quarter
of the present year, I have the honor to acquaint your Grace
that not having funds in the Colonial Chest to meet this
demand, I have instructed the Treasurer to procure the above
named sum, by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General, and
I trust your Grace will be pleased to obtain the necessary
authority from the Lords Commissioners

of the Treasury, for
the Bills presented on this account to be paid when they become due.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-13_Mitchell_to_Newcastle_V606M01.txt
================================================================================

Mitchell to Newcastle

Having a wish to settle as an agriculturist in Vancouvers Island,
will your grace permit me to enquire what facilities the Goverment

afford to bona fide settlers in that colony, for the acquirement of
land &c? and whether the joint interests of the British Government &
the Hudsons Bay Coy. are likely soon to cease—and the island to be
placed under the same regulations as the adjoining colony of
Columbia. [One line cut off microfilm] me with a copy of the
suveyor's reports and Index maps of the districts [of] Victoria,
North & South Saanich; Lake; Esquimault; Metchosin; Highland, &
Sookes, already survey[ed]?

I shall also deem it a favour to be informed whether the Governor is
making or about to make Roads on the survey'd districts, & where? and
whether it is the present intention of the Goverment

to assist emigration to this colony & Columbia.

My sole object being to gain all the information necessary to enable
me to decide on the prudence of any proposed step. I trust your grace
will not think me intrusive. All the information likely to be of
service will be fully appreciated by



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-13_Wodehouse_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO08.txt
================================================================================

Wodehouse to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, for the
information of His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, a copy of an
instruction respecting the question of San Juan which was sent to
Lord Lyons by the last Mail in answer to the Despatch from General
Cass to Mr Dallas, of which a copy was forwarded to you in Mr
Hammond's letter of the 2nd Instant.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60032.txt
================================================================================

No. 32

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date
of your Grace's Despatches of the numbers and dates as noted on
the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-03-14_Moody_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V606M03.txt
================================================================================

Moody to Under-Secretary of State

I have the honour to enclose for the information of the
Secretary of State Duplicates of two letters dated 13th Inst
addressed by me to HE the Governor of this Colony and
of Vancouver Island in reference to the joint military occupation of
the disputed group of Islands in the Gulf of Georgia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-14_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607013A.txt
================================================================================

[Please note that the following confidential letter has not yet been vetted against its corresponding image scan, which was not available at the time of this writing. It did not appear in the CO410 image collection.]

Confidential

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential
despatch of the 18th of December describing the plan of operations
which you thought it would be advisable to adopt for the protection of
the colonies under your government in case of hostilities between this
country and the United States.

Though the prospect of those hostilities is now removed, I am glad
to have received your suggestions which I have communicated to the War
Dept as affecting the question of the defence of that quarter of
British North America.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-15_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI07.txt
================================================================================

Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Mr
Merivale of the 12th Instant, in which he informs me that your
Grace, after reconsidering the question with respect to the rights of
the Hudson's Bay Company over certain lands held by them in
Vancouver's Island, can only abide by your conclusion previously
announced, namely, that an authoritative decision on the subject
should be obtained from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Such being your Grace's determination, it only remains to myself and
my Colleagues to submit. We are consequently ready to take such
steps as may be necessary in order to bring the subject, with as
little delay as possible, before the Judicial Committee; and if the
statement already prepared and submitted to your Grace with reference
to the land in British Columbia be approved of, an addition can be
made to it as regards the Land in Vancouver's Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-15_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607014.txt
================================================================================

No. 14

With reference to my Despatch No. 6 of the 13th February I
transmit a Copy of a letter from the Board of Trade and I have to request
that you will pay the sum of thirty six pounds fifteen shillings on
account of the passages in the ship "Grecian" of the wife and children of
George Davies one of the Lighthouse keepers proceeding to Vancouvers Island to the Agents of the Vessel, Messrs Price & Co.



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FILE: 1860-03-16_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE08.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 9th Inst.,
Enclosing a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of British
Columbia, forwarding a Proclamation imposing a Toll on goods
wares and merchandize taken from New Westminster to any part
of the Colony; I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury, to acquaint you, for the information of
the Duke of Newcastle, that They would observe that the Toll
that has been

imposed by the Proclamation, appears to be
high; but as it is stated that the Tax has not excited any
discontent among the Proprietors of the Steam Vessels, Their
Lordships see no reason for interfering with the Enactment.

They presume that the Governor has made the necessary
arrangements for the improvement of the Navigation, to
which object the Tax in question is to be applied.



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FILE: 1860-03-16_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE09.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In compliance with the request contained in Mr Elliot's
Letter of the 14th Instant, I am directed by the Lords
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you,
herewith, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle,
Copies of two Statements which have been received from the
Paymaster General, dated respectively the 31st October
last and the 10th Instant, being in continuation of
the Statement forwarded

in Their Lordship's Letter of the
1st February 1859, of all advances and payments on
account of British Columbia, together with an abstract thereof.

In the absence of any Accounts from British Columbia,
Their Lordships are unable to determine how far the
total amount of the advances and Payments are chargeable
upon the Parliamentary Grant.

They consider that the payments, amounting to £4,000,
on account of the occupation of the Island of San Juan,
as well as the Regimental Pay of the Royal Engineers sent out
to the Colony, are recoverable from the War Department.

They are also of opinion that the payment

of £1,800
to the Master of the Mint, on account of the preliminary
expenses of the Assay Office, should be considered as an
advance to be hereafter repaid out of the local Revenue of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-03-16_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605WA01.txt
================================================================================

Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

With reference to your letter of 19th October 1859, containing a
request from the Secretary for the Colonies that some Plans of
Districts in Vancouver's Island should be lithographed in the
Topographical Department of the War Office, and 300 copies furnished
for the use of the Colonial Office.

I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert to forward 200 Copies of the
Plans in question, in addition to 100 Copies which have been already
furnished. The original Plans are returned herewith.



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FILE: 1860-03-17_Murdoch_and_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN03.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 8th instant, enclosing a letter
from the Governor of the Hudsons Bay Company on the subject of the
payment to be made to the Company during the present year, on account
of the amount which will be due to them on the resumption of
Vancouvers Island by the Crown.

2. Mr Berens expresses some disappointment that the claim of the
Company against the Crown being upwards of £40,000, it should not be
proposed to pay during the present year more than £25,000. But he
announces his intention to receive that amount on account, and to
give the Governor of Van Couvers Island the necessary authority to
make grants of Land, on the understanding that such grants are not to
embrace any of the Lands claimed by the Company.

3. In respect to the amount to be repaid immediately to the company
it is only necessary to observe, that we suggested the sum of £25,000
because the account of expenditure on public works &c had only been
furnished to the end of 1857, and because it was known that
subsequent accounts had been received, and our Accountant, on his
inspection of the Company's books, cursory as it was, saw reason to
believe that subsequent transactions have thrown the balance in favor
of, instead of against, the Crown. It appeared to us better to limit
the immediate payment within what under any circumstances would
probably be shown to be due to the Company, than to pay a larger sum
of which a portion might have to be hereafter recovered. If the
Company are now prepared to furnish complete accounts of the
expenditure on public works &c, we are aware of no reason why the
accounts should not be at once closed.

4. In regard to the authority conveyed to the Governor to grant
land, the reservation of all lands claimed by the Company, the
validity of which claim is now we believe under legal investigation,
appears reasonable.

5. With reference to a claim for interest on "advances" put forward
in Mr Beren's letter of 23rd January last, on which further
information was requested, Mr Berens states that the advances in
question were such as were considered necessary for the purpose of
the Government of the Colony, and that, so far as is known to the
Company, they were never made except on the pressing demand of the
Governor. It appears to us that before this claim is decided on it
will be necessary to have some more specific statement of the
advances in question and the dates and occasions on which they were
made—in order that, if it should appear advisable, the Governor may
be consulted as to the validity of the claim.

6. In conclusion Mr Berens points out that the sum due to the
Company on accounts already furnished is £40.289.19.9, and claims for
the Company interest on the difference between that sum and the
£25,000 about to be paid them, on the ground that the delay is in
order to meet the public convenience. This claim does not appear to
us tenable. The accounts furnished by the Company are not in a form
to allow their immediate settlement—since until they are completed
it is impossible to ascertain whether any and what balance will be
due to the Company beyond the sum now to be paid them. The delay,
therefore, is caused by the incompleteness of these accounts and not
by any consideration of public convenience. As far as the public is
concerned it would, we apprehend, be more convenient to discharge the
whole debt at once and obtain in consequence the retransfer of
Vancouvers Island. But Her Majesty's Government have no power to
accelerate the rendering of the Company's accounts and are not,
therefore, in any way responsible for the delay.



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FILE: 1860-03-17_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607015.txt
================================================================================

No. 15

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 1 of the
12th of January reporting that you have granted leave of absence for
eight months to Mr Pemberton the Colonial Surveyor of Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1860-03-18_Hammersley_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V606H01.txt
================================================================================

Hammersley to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Will you pardon my troubling you? I am distressed [to] hear from
the Parents of a young man who is in Vancouvers Island, that many
of the letters [they] write to him,
never reach him. I have just heard of the arrival
there of my Nephew [the] Bishop of Columbia, & he does
not mention having received any letters from home—& I have
written regularly ever since he left England.

Will you kindly tell me how you direct your Official letters? I have
put on mine—
Vancouver's Island
via New York, & Panama

I paid 1/2/2.

I hope you have good accounts of Mrs Merivale & that she will return
in improved health.



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FILE: 1860-03-19_Bethell_and_Atherton_to_Newcastle_B605LW01.txt
================================================================================

Bethell and Atherton to Newcastle

We were honoured with Your Grace's commands, signified
in Mr Merivale's letter of the 6th of February ultimo,
stating that he was directed by Your Grace to request that
we would take into consideration the annexed letter from the
Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company to Your Grace with the
statement of the "Claims of the Company to Lands in Columbia"
thereunto annexed, and advise Your

Grace as to the best course
to be adopted, under the following circumstances, viz—

The correspondence between the Hudson's Bay Company and the
Colonial Office ending with the letter from the Colonial Office
of the 30th December last would shew that it was desired
to obtain a decision from the Judicial Committee of the question,
whether the Company had, or had not, any right of property in
lands situate within the Colony of British Columbia, of which it
had obtained no grant from the Crown, nor any Title from private
owners,

but which it alleged itself to have occupied, for
purposes connected with the Fur Trade, which it was incorporated
to carry on.

Mr Merivale was pleased to favor us with an explanatory
statement of the claims of the Hudson's Bay Company to the lands
in question, and of the Title of the Crown thereto.

Mr Merivale was further pleased to add that he was
directed by Your Grace to request our Joint opinion on the
following questions:

1. Had Her Majestys Government so far as the facts before
us disclosed, sufficient

grounds for contesting the claim of
the company to ownership in fee simple, or in any other form
of property known to the Law, of the lands specified in the
accompanying statement, and occupied or used by them before
the Treaty of Oregon?

2. If Her Majesty's Government was warranted in resisting
this claim, what were the steps now necessary in order to
bring the question before the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council by consent of both parties?

Mr Merivale was also further pleased to ask whether,
before proceedings were

entered into before the Judicial
Committee, there were any additional facts which occurred
to us as advisable that Her Majesty's Government should be
enabled to prove, (if proof be attainable,) or any points in
the accompanying statement which should not in our opinion
be admitted without further investigation.

In obedience to Your Grace's commands, we have carefully
considered the several papers submitted to us for our opinion,
and have the honor to Report

That it is necessary in the first place to correct

the
inference drawn by the Hudson's Bay Company from the terms of
the Oregon Treaty, and the construction put upon those terms,
by the Law Officers in their former report.

At the time of the Oregon Treaty, the Hudsons Bay Company
could not have claimed against the Crown the absolute property
of the Lands they occupied in the Territory then ceded to the
United States; but it was competent to the Crown to confirm
their Title, and to recognize them as the owners thereof; and
the Crown did so by stipulating with the United States that their
possessory

rights should be permanently secured to them. The
Company is indebted to these words in the Treaty, and not
to any
right of ownership as between them and the Crown, for
their position as Land Owners in the ceded Territory.

Adverting now to the questions submitted to us in
Mr Merivale's letter, we are of opinion that there are not
any grounds on which the Company is entitled to claim against
the Crown the absolute ownership of any of the Lands, occupied
or used in British Columbia before the Treaty of Oregon.

The utmost right

that could have been claimed by the Company
in the Lands so held by them, was a Title to occupy the Lands,
as necessary for the full enjoyment of the license granted to
them, during the continuance of that license. That license
expired in May 1859, and there are no legal grounds on which the
Company can claim, as of right, any Ownership in the Lands
specified in the Statement now before us.

We are therefore of opinion that Her Majesty's Government
is warranted in resisting this claim, and we cannot discover why
it should

have consented to refer a subject of this nature to
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

But if that step has been agreed on, the proper course of
procedure will, in our opinion, be, that the Company should
present a Petition to Her Majesty stating the grounds of claim
and praying specifically the relief to which it conceives that
it is entitled. The course to be adopted by the Crown as to proofs or
admissions must depend, mainly, on the allegations made by the Company.



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FILE: 1860-03-19_Romaine_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD05.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a
Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes, dated the 25th Jany last, No 16,
with Copies of the Rear Admiral's Correspondence with the Governor
of Vancouver Island, relative to the joint Military occupation of the
Island of San Juan by this Country and by the United States.

My Lords are of opinion that it is to be regretted that Governor
Douglas did not comply with the request of Rear Admiral Baynes to be
furnished with Copies, or at least with extracts, from the Instructions

*

upon which the requisition of the Governor was
made to the Rear Admiral for cooperation and assistance in concerting
measures for placing a British Force on the Island, equivalent to
that retained by the United States.

It must be apparent to the Duke of Newcastle that in complying with a
requisition of this description from the Governor of a Colony, a
Naval Commander in Chief must of necessity become responsible to his
own Department, and the simple perusal of documents in such a case
can rarely be sufficient to enable an Officer to place on record the
reasons which may induce him either to comply with or to decline
acting upon such requisitions, and my Lords trust that the attention
of Governor Douglas may be called to the serious inconvenience which
might arise from the course which he adopted.

Their Lordships consider that every requisition addressed to a Naval
Commander in Chief should be accompanied by the fullest information
which can be furnished, and it appears to my Lords to have been an
error on the part of the Governor to suppose that in furnishing a
Copy of his Instructions

**

he would have been delegating his authority to an Officer, who was
not under his command, but was responsible to another Department for
the proper disposition of the Force under his own orders.



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FILE: 1860-03-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60033.txt
================================================================================

No. 33, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch, No 3, of the 5th of September 1859 transmitting
an Act passed in the recent Session of Parliament

to make further provision for the regulation of the Trade

with the
Indians and for the Administration of Justice in the North
Western Territories of America.

2. Your Grace with reference to that Act, also calls my
attention to the circumstance that it applies only to the
Territories over which the Hudsons Bay Company lately held
an exclusive license of trade with the Indians, and not to the
Territories held under their Charter, nor to British Columbia;
that the Act has been passed to enable the Crown to take
measures for establishing order in the administration of the
Executive and in the conduct

of trade in those vast regions;
and Your Grace concludes with observing that you will be glad
to receive from me a report as to the persons whom I may consider
eligible for Magistrates in those North Western Territories;
and also as to any regulations as to the conduct of the Indian
Trade which I may consider advisable.

3. I would submit, in the first place, with reference to
Your Grace's enquiry, as to persons eligible for Magistrates
in those Territories, the advisability of appointing to that
Office, persons acquainted with the geography of the country,
and who also

possess a knowledge of Indian character, and a
sufficient degree of intelligence to administer the Laws with
propriety and discretion.

4. Gentlemen possessed of those requisites may be found
among the Officers of the Hudson's Bay Company, and in the Red River Settlement, where now reside many persons of great
intelligence and experience of Indian character.

5. In case none of the former should be disposed to accept
of employment in the public service, or that neither class be
considered by Your

Grace qualified to undertake the chief duties
of so responsible an office, it may then be thought advisable
to appoint one chief or presiding Magistrate of Known ability,
and to permit him to select as many otherwise qualified persons,
from the classes I have alluded to, as Her Majesty's Government
may wish to employ; and by that means I believe that a well
trained and efficient body of Magistrates may soon be found.

6. I regret that I cannot personally recommend to Your Grace's
notice any

of the gentlemen I have alluded to, as it is upwards
of 20 years since I last visited Red River settlement, and the
countries east of the Rocky Mountains; but I have no doubt the
Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company will readily furnish Your
Grace with information on that subject.

7. On the other point of Your Grace's enquiry respecting the
regulations for the conduct of the Indian Trade, I would take the
liberty of suggesting as a necessary precaution against the rapid
demoralization

of the Indian Tribes, and for the prevention of
crime, that all persons entering the Indian country for the
purposes of trade, should be licensed, and required to enter into
bonds under a heavy penalty, and to the following effect;
.off Firstly,

Not to deal in, nor to furnish ardent spirits either
gratuitously or in barter for any consideration whatsoever,
to the Indians with whom they trade.
.off And Secondly,

To enter into securities for their own good behaviour,
and for that of all persons

employed in their service.
.off end

8. As any attempt to fix the relative exchange values of Furs
and European goods would in all probability fail of the intended
effect, and be of no ultimate advantage to the Indians, it would
perhaps be advisable not to interfere with prices but to leave
their regulation entirely to the natural effects of competition;
especially as the Natives are acutely alive to their own interest,
know the value of furs and could not be induced to dispose of
them for less

than their value.

9. The Machinery by which I would propose to enforce
those regulations, and generally to maintain law and order
within the Territory, is simple and inexpensive; involving
as I will now endeavour to shew, no greater expense than the
formation and maintenance of two, or at the most three Military
or Police Stations, each to become a nucleus of settlement.

10. I ought here to explain that the region extending from
Lake Superior to Red River,

as well as North of the Saskatchewan River to the Arctic Circle, and East of Lake Winipeg to the
shores of Hudson's Bay, being a vast wilderness of continuous
and almost impenetrable forest, is, for all practicable
purposes of trade, inaccessible by land, or otherwise than
by following the course of its navigable streams and Rivers.
To the westward of the "strong wood" country there is a natural
road practicable for pack-horses and carts through the borders
of the Prairie Country from Red River Settlement to Carlton on
the Saskatchewan

River; but that route requiring an expensive
outfit, being only accessible from Red River, as well as
dangerous for small parties in consequence of the predatory
habits of the Natives, was never used for the purposes of trade;
the water communication being always preferred as a safe and
much cheaper route for the transit of goods.

11. The navigable route from the North end of Lake Superior
to Lake Winipeg, to the sources of the Sascatchewan, and to
McKenzies River, is traced out upon the accompanying

Map. There
are certain points on that route by which all the traffic of
the country must unavoidably pass; and I propose that Government
should hold those points by means of a small Military or Police
Force, and by that simple plan govern and control the whole
Indian Territory east of the Rocky Mountains.

The better to explain this, I will suppose the Territory in
question to be divided into Districts -
.off The first,

Extending from Lake Superior to Lake Winipeg.
.off

The second,

From Lake Winipeg to "Frog Portage" on the one side, and
to the sources of the Sascatchewan on the other, and
.off The third,

From "Frog Portage" to McKenzies River and the sources of Peace River.
.off end

12. The chartered possessions of the Hudson's Bay Company
comprising the Territory around Hudson's Bay, and extending to
the water-shed between Hudson's Bay and Lake Superior, and further,
as traced in the accompanying skeleton Map, through Lake Winipeg,
and

from thence in a Northerly direction to the 60th degree
of North latitude, would, I assume, in any re-arrangement of the
Territory, be left, as heretofore, to the custody of the Hudson's
Bay Company; and thus all access to the interior country would
be closed from the side of Hudson's Bay.

13. Should the Colony of Red River fall to the Crown, the
Superintendence of the first of those projected territorial
Districts, to wit, that extending from Lake Superior to Lake Winipeg, will naturally come

within the jurisdiction of the
Courts of that Colony; on the contrary, a station judiciously
placed on the Kaministiquia River near its dis-charge into the
North end of Lake Superior, would entirely command that great
outlet, through which, for the reason before stated, to wit, the
absence of any other navigable communication, all the trade of
the District towards Canada, must of necessity pass; and all
parties travelling to and from Canada should be required to report
to the Officer in command of that Station;

and those entering the
country, to take out trading licenses, and to give the necessary bonds.

14. The second proposed Territorial District would comprise
Cumberland Lake; and the extensive regions watered by the
Sascatchewan River and its Tributaries. The key of that District is the Grand Rapid, a few miles from the discharge of the
Sascatchewan River into Lake Winipeg.

15. This is in fact the sole navigable outlet of the second,
and with the exception of the dangerous route by 

Nelson River to
Hudson's Bay, also of the third proposed Territorial District.

16. At that point therefore, I would propose to form a
second station, to intercept all trading parties from the Colony
of Red River and other places, who from their inland position,
could not report at the Lake Superior Station; and there also
licenses might be issued, and bonds received, as before stated.

17. Those two Stations would intercept all the traffic
except that through Hudson's Bay by 

Nelson River, before adverted
to; and should circumstances require that outlet to be also
guarded a third Station formed at "Frog Portage" would
hermetically seal the Country, and enable the Government to regulate
and control the trade with perfect ease and without much expense.

18. Thus, a Station at the North end of Lake Superior,
composed of 2 Officers and 40 Men; another at the Grand Rapid,
composed of 2 Officers and 30 Men; and a third at "Frog Portage"
composed of 2 Officers and 20 Men; in all Six Officers holding
Commissions

of the Peace, and Ninety Men, would render Her
Majesty's Government masters of the Country.

19. Those Officers would, I assume, be required to act
as Magistrates, and have power to hear and determine in a
summary way, all cases brought before them; that is to
administer quick and easy justice.

20. The trade with the Indians would then be exclusively
carried on by persons duly licensed, and under bonds for their
good behaviour; thus giving the

best attainable security against
the baneful traffic in ardent spirits, and for the maintenance
of peace and order in the Territory.

21. I conceive it would be essential in promoting the ends
of Justice, that the Indians of those Territories, who are
remarkably honest and trustworthy, should be considered and
treated in all respects as British Subjects; that their testimony
should be received as legal evidence in the District Courts, and that
they should be punished and protected only by the

Laws of the Country.

22. A revenue might be raised to defray in part the expense
of those establishments by levying a small duty on imports, should
Her Majesty's Government deem it expedient to do so.

23. I trust Your Grace may not find that I have wandered
beyond the points referred to me for report; though the subject
being a large one, and full of interest to me, I have probably
treated it more fully than was required; yet I trust

the
suggestions I have made may not be without their use.

24. Begging to refer Your Grace to the accompanying skeleton
Map of the Territory in question.



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FILE: 1860-03-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60014.txt
================================================================================

No. 14, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to forward to you herewith a letter which was
delivered to me yesterday for transmission to Your Grace, from Mr
E.E. Langford, a Bailiff in the service of the Puget Sound
Agricultural Company, residing upon, and in charge of one of their
Farms in Vancouver's Island.

2. The tenor of the Letter itself and the correspondence which it
covers render report from me almost unnecessary; but as Mr Langford
reflects upon the integrity of the Land Office in this Colony, as
well as upon my own course of action in Connection with the complaint
he made to me, it may not be inconvenient that I should lay before
Your Grace a resume of the Subject, with such comments as may appear
necessary.

3. On or about the 17th December 1859, I received a letter from Mr
Langford, complaining of the unjust, partial, and improper conduct of
the Colonial Surveyor with regard to a circumstance which ocurred

in the summer of the preceding year, and requesting an early
investigation thereof. I was somewhat surprised at this application,
made one year and a half after the transaction alluded to, but as it
was known that Mr Pemberton the Colonial Surveyor was about to leave
the Colony to proceed to England, and as a General Election was
pending, Mr Langford himself being a candidate, and having in his
address to the electors distinguished himself by the display of an
unusual degree of animosity to myself personally as Governor, and to
the Government of the Colony generally, I had not much difficulty in
surmising the true object of the application. I nevertheless
instantly investigated the matter, and called upon Mr Pemberton for
a report, which he forthwith made to me; but I could elicit nothing
which seemed to require that I should take further steps than to
furnish Mr Langford with a Copy of the Mr Pemberton's report.

I placed the matter in the hands of the Attorney General who
perfectly coincided with me in this conclusion, but I instructed him
to enter into communication with Mr Langford with the view of
ascertaining, if possible, what was the precise object of his
application.

4. I forward a Copy of Mr Langford's letter of complaint together
with Mr Pemberton's Report thereupon; and I conceive that Every
point alluded to by Mr Langford is fully met by Mr Pemberton.
Mr Langford avows in his letter that he was desirous of purchasing a
certain tract of land for purposes of speculation, but that Mr
Pemberton informed him that the land had been sold, and the
instalment paid. Mr Pemberton replies that early in 1858, when land
was scarcely marketable, Mr Dallas, the Agent of the Puget Sound
Company, applied for and selected certain tracts of land lying
contiguous to a Farm already belonging to the Company, and that, in
consequence, the land required was reserved, but that afterwards when
Mr Dallas examined the ground, he refused to complete the purchase,
upon the plea that certain portions selected had been omitted. Mr
Pemberton thereupon remarks that but two courses remained open to
him, either to compel the Agent of the Puget Sound Company to
complete the purchase, or to throw the land into the market; and as
it might have been difficult to succeed in the former, he adopted
the latter; and as the land at the date of his letter was still
unsold, Mr Langford could have no just cause of complaint, for if he
wished to purchase it was still open to him to do so.

5. Mr Langford asserts Mr Pemberton informed him that the
instalment had been paid upon the land, and he supports his assertion
by the affidavit of a bystander, who further affirms that Mr
Pemberton offered to shew his Books in proof thereof. This is
positively denied by Mr Pearce, the Assistant Colonial Surveyor, who
was present at the time, and states he "distinctly recollects" the
whole occurrence. The Colonial Surveyor "did not tell Mr Langford
that the first instalment had been paid", but simply "that the land
was sold." Apart from this, I must remark that it appears to me a
circumstance scarcely credible that the Colonial Surveyor should
offer the official Books for inspection to any chance Purchaser of
land as Mr Langford was, or that he should volunteer information
regarding the payments made.

6. From the investigation instituted by me upon Mr Langford's
complaint, I ascertained one or two other points which it may be as
well to mention. I would in the first place observe that before the
Gold Excitement in 1858, we had great difficulty in disposing of land
in Vancouvers Island, and every facility was given to an intending
proprietor to induce him to purchase, and it was customary for the
Colonial Surveyor himself to proceed to the spot to exhibit the land,
and to assist in its selection. Having done so in this particular
instance, and the Agent of the Puget Sound Company having agreed to
purchase the land, I consider the Surveyor was justly entitled to
regard it as sold, although the land was not surveyed. It was upon
the land being surveyed, subsequent to Mr Langford's application,
and finding the Boundaries did not exactly accord with the position
roughly designated by Mr Pemberton (an acre and a half was I believe
about the difference) that the Agent of the Puget Sound Company
refused to take the land. That the transaction was a bona fide one
so far as the Colonial Surveyor is concerned is indisputable, for
I have Examined the Office Books, and there is the cancelled
instalment paper which was made out at the time the land was
surveyed, with the current number upon it.

7. If Mr Langford felt himself injured by Mr Pemberton's Conduct,
or that an unlawful action had been committed, why did he not have
recourse to legal measures to obtain redress? Or why did he not
bring the matter to notice at an earlier date?

8. I trust Your Grace will pardon my trespassing thus long upon your
time, but I have been somewhat full in my report, as I have to
address Your Grace in a further Despatch upon another matter in which
the present complaint will be referred to.



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FILE: 1860-03-23_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO09.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Despatch from Her
Majesty's Minister at Washington, inclosing copies of papers which
have been laid before the United States Senate relative to the
occupation of San Juan by General Harney; a copy is also inclosed of
some Resolutions recently passed by the Legislature of Washington Territory on this subject.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607014.txt
================================================================================

No. 14

I have to acquaint you, for the information of Colonel Moody, that the Paymaster General has been authorized to issue the Salary of that
officer as Commissioner of Lands and Works in British Columbia for the
quarter to the 31st of December last to his Agents Messrs
Cox & Co.



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FILE: 1860-03-26_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE10.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 7th Octr last, I am commanded by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury
to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been authorized to
pay to the Account for Naval Services, the sum of £47.13.9 in
repayment of Expenses incurred by the Admiralty for Stores supplied
to Captain Grant R.E. for the use of the Royal Engineers in
British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-03-26_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE11.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 30th Decr
last, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to the Account of Army Services the sum of
£1,136.16.11 in repayment of the Expenses incurred by the
War Office for Stores supplied to the Royal Engineers in
British Columbia to replace certain articles which were lost
at Sea in the "Briseis."



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FILE: 1860-03-26_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE12.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to the Account for Army Services the sum of
£111.7.8 in repayment of Expenses incurred by the War Office
for Medicines supplied to the Royal Engineers in British Columbia,
as requested in your Letter of the 19th November last.



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FILE: 1860-03-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60015.txt
================================================================================

No. 15, Military

I have the honor to report to Your Grace that H.M.S. Satellite left
this place on the 21st Instant with the detachment of Royal Marines
destined to form a joint occupation of the Island of San Juan.

2. The number was as per margin, * being equivalent to that maintained on the Island by the United States.

3. I forward herewith for your Grace's information copy of
correspondence with Admiral Baynes in reference to this proceeding,
which contains the instructions issued to the officer commanding the
detachment of Royal Marines on the Island of San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-03-27_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607016.txt
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No. 16

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 7 of the
27th of January.

I have perused with interest the report, therein enclosed, of the
Revd Edward Cridge, on the state of the Fort Victoria District School.



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FILE: 1860-03-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60016.txt
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No. 16

I have the honor of transmitting to Your Grace a Petition from the
House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island to the Queen, praying that
Her Majesty will be pleased to direct that the price of Crown Lands
in this Colony may be reduced, and that Four Shillings and two pence
per Statute acre be the maximum price at which such lands shall be
sold.

2. It does not appear necessary that I should enter into an
examination of the merits of the several systems regulating the
disposal of public land in Her Majesty's Colonial possessions, as the
subject has been so fully examined, as hardly to admit of further
useful investigation. I could therefore, with a limited knowledge of
the practical workings of those systems, scarcely hope to throw light
upon so wide and admittedly difficult a subject.

3. I may nevertheless be pardoned for remarking that there are
circumstances arising out of the contiguity of the United States
Territories which forcibly suggest the necessity for legislation of a
peculiarly liberal character in disposing of the public land of this
Colony, with a view of rendering it attractive to emigrants; and of
counteracting the allurements held out by the Donation Act, and the
General Pre-emption Law of the United States; the former securing to
the actual settler in Oregon and Washington Territory, a free grant
of public land, varying in Extent from 320 to 640 Acres; and the
latter allowing to every American Citizen the privilege of occupying
and preserving free of competition for a limited time, a section of
public land, varying in extent from 160 acres for single, and 320
acres for married persons, with the right of purchase at the minimum
Government price of one and a quarter dollars per acre.

4. The Donation Act being intended to encourage emigration in the
early stages of those Territories, was to continue in force for a
limited time, but the Pre-emption law is, I am informed, of perpetual
application.

5. Neither the soil nor the climate of Vancouver's Island have any
superiority over that of the United States Territory, and the
contrast will, at least for the present, appear unfavourable, if the
Comparison be Extended to the relative commercial advantages of the
two countries.

6. In those respects, it must be admitted that Vancouvers Island has
no advantage over the Territories of the United States; and thus I am
led to Entertain a doubt whether any scheme of colonization can be
successfully worked out here, unless the public land be greatly
reduced in price, or in fact lowered to the same Standard as in
Washington Territory.

7. It being evident that Population is the great want of this
Colony—if it is believed the want can be supplied through the
reduction proposed by the House of Assembly, I should strongly
advocate the prayer of their petition; for in that case the loss of
revenue necessarily caused by the depreciation in the price of land,
would be repaid by the acquisiton of a population producing a
permanent revenue for the Colony.

8. In carrying out the view of the House of Assembly with respect to
the proposed reduction in the sale price of the Crown Lands, it is on
the other hand to be feared unless conditions of settlement are
imposed, that large tracts may be purchased, not with a view of
improving the land, but on speculation of profitable resale, when
they have been rendered valuable by the labors of others in the same
locality; and it is evident that if scope be allowed for such
operations they will prove obstructive to settlement, and highly
detrimental to the Colony.

9. Under the new plan of disposing of the Crown Lands in Canada,
speculation is said to be unknown and impossible, though the maximum
price fixed by law is only 75 cents in Cash, or $1 dollar per acre on
credit, payable, one fifth at the time of purchase, and the remaining
four-fifths in four equal annual instalments; in either case, the
land being also subject to settlement duties.

10. Public feeling in this Colony is strongly in favor of the prayer
contained in the Assembly's Petition, to which, provided the House of
Assembly supply from other sources a revenue for defraying the
regular expenses of Government, I see no other serious objection than
the one I have here stated, and that may be obviated without impeding
the useful and legitimate operations of Capital.

11. I would therefore Earnestly recommend the petition to Your
Grace's favourable Consideration.



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FILE: 1860-03-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60017.txt
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No. 17

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 1 of
the 2nd January transmitting Copy of a letter from Mr Berens
together with your Grace's reply thereto having reference to the
subject of the advance of Twenty seven thousand Dollars ($27,000.00)
by the Hudson's Bay Company for the erection of Public Buildings in
Vancouver Island.

2. My recent Despatch No 11 of the 16th Ultimo will I trust have
placed your Grace in possession of every detail in connection with
the transaction, and I therefore will confine myself in this Despatch
solely to the question of the claim now put forth by the Company to
the Ownership of the Land.

3. I must confess that it is not without some surprise that I have
perused the letter of Mr Berens, and I am convinced that the course
pursued by that gentleman must originate through want of proper and
full information in the premises.

4. During the period I have been Governor of Vancouver Island I have
always found the Hudson's Bay Company most liberal in their views,
and sparing of no reasonable expense for promoting the good of the
Colony, and in the present instance the right of the Colony to the
land sold is so clear and indisputable that I cannot but presume that
so soon as the Company become aware of the facts in connection
therewith, they will at once relinquish a claim which I feel assured
has only been advanced through misconception.

5. On the 1st January 1851 the Hudson's Bay Company acquainted
Governor Blanshard that the sum of Four thousand Pounds (£4000) would
be placed at his disposal for the erection of some of the Buildings
most urgently required, and informed him that those Buildings
"and the Lands that may be appropriated with them" were to be
held by him and his Council as Trustees
for the Colony, and further, that "the site of these Buildings
should be near the Fort (Victoria) for convenience and protection."

6. For the better information of your Grace I enclose a Copy of the
entire Despatch in which the above instructions are embodied.

7. Shortly after the receipt of these instructions Governor
Blanshard left the Colony, but a residence for the Governor was put
up before his departure, and this very building
with the land appropriated to it was that sold in May last, and
is now claimed by Mr Berens on behalf of the Hudson's Bay Company.

8. I became Governor Blanshard's immediate successor, and carried
out so far as I was able the other arrangements Contemplated by the
Hudson's Bay Company. The land appropriated to the Government House
was always regarded by me as a Government Reserve, and the Colonial
Surveyor had strict orders from me not to dispose of any part
thereof, and although no formal conveyance had been effected, yet I
did not view that circumstance at the time as a matter of any moment,
the intentions of the Hudson's Bay Company being so unmistakeable.

9. In point of fact had the Hudson's Bay Company themselves not
adopted the foregoing arrangement—an arrangement which apparently
removed all probability of cavil or dispute, it becomes a question
whether the land could not have been reserved from the first under the
Charter of Grant which prohibits the disposal by sale of any land
"which may be required for public purposes";

*

but as in the interpretation of this passage it is not improbable
that some controversy might have arisen, I consider that the Hudson's
Bay Company acted very wisely and properly at the outset in laying it
down as a rule that the lands appropriated with the public Buildings
were to be held in trust for the Colony.

10. The ground upon which the claim is now advanced is I perceive
considered by Her Majesty's Government as utterly untenable; but were
it not so, I think that the information I now supply sets the
question entirely at rest so far as the public reserves are
concerned.

11. I will not fail in furnishing Your Grace, as soon as I can
obtain it, with the information you require as to the land claimed by
the Hudsons Bay Company under a title anterior to the Grant, and as
to the land acquired by them in their private capacity.



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FILE: 1860-03-29_Murdoch_and_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN04.txt
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Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 19th instant, enclosing a
Despatch from the Governor of Vancouvers Island on the subject of a
proposal which has been made by Mr Edward Stamp, on his own behalf
and that of others associated with him, to establish, on certain
conditions, a Saw Mill and other works in that Island, and the
concessions which the Governor has promised to make to Mr Stamp in
consequence.

2. Mr Stamp proposes to establish a Saw Mill capable of delivering
50,000 feet of lumber a day—a Fishery, and a Patent Slip capable of
accommodating vessels of 2000 Tons burthen on condition

1st That he is allowed to acquire a tract of 2000 Acres on the
Sea Coast for the support of his establishments.

2nd That he should be allowed to acquire a further tract of
10000 or 12000 Acres, either absolutely or with an exclusive right of
cutting timber on it, and

3rd That the place at which his establishments are constructed
should be made a Port of Entry.

3. After some correspondence Governor Douglas has promised Mr
Stamp, that if his undertaking is proceeded with, the Company shall
hereafter be at liberty to purchase, at the upset price of the day
for Agricultural Land, not exceeding under any circumstances £1 an
Acre, the land on which their establishments are to be placed, as
well as any timbered land on which they may have formed roads,
Wharves &c, not exceeding in the whole 15,000 acres. He has likewise
promised to constitute the settlement a Port of Entry and to appoint
Mr Stamp a subcollector of Customs, but to ensure that the enterprize
shall be proceeded with he has required that the sum of £7500 shall
be expended in permanent improvements on the Land in the course of
the present year.

4. It appears to us that this arrangement should be approved. It is
needless to enlarge on the importance to the Colony of such
undertakings as those contemplated by Mr Stamp—or the impolicy of
driving them to the United States by refusing any advantage which
could be granted without injury to the public. The only material
concession is the promise that the Company shall hereafter be allowed
to purchase the Land which they occupy without auction and at the
upset price of Agricultural Land. But it would obviously have been
fatal to the scheme to compel them hereafter to purchase their own
improvements, or to insist that the Land which had been converted
into Town sites by their establishments should be paid for at the
price usually demanded for town sites. The value to the Colony of
such establishments must far exceed any amount that could be obtained
from the sale of the Land which they may occupy. At the same time
the immediate expenditure for which Governor Douglas has stipulated,
and the sum which the Company will hereafter have to pay for their
land will be sufficient guarantees for the bona fide nature of the
undertaking.

5. The transaction cannot of course be completed till after the
retransfer of Vancouvers Island to the Crown, but in the meantime the
Company will no doubt enter on their Land and commence their
operations on the faith of the Governors promise.

6. The only further observation which occurs to us is that it would
be desirable to determine clearly as soon as possible the conditions
under which the right of selecting 15000 Acres of forest is to be
exercised by the Company. The selection should be made in blocks of
not less than a certain length and breadth and within a certain time.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-29_Yorke_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605WA06.txt
================================================================================

Yorke to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the General Commanding in Chief to
transmit to you for submission to the Secretary of State
for the Colonies the enclosed letter from Mr E. Hammond King,
last Paymaster 59th Regiment, who as a Retired Officer,
applies for a remission in the purchase money of land in
the Colony of British

Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-03-30_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE13.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 14th Instant,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has
been authorized to pay to Messrs Cox & Co on account
of Captain Grant RE the sum of £15 for Travelling Expenses
incurred by him in October 1858 in connection with the
Colonial Service of British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-30_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607017.txt
================================================================================

No. 17

In compliance with the request contained in your despatch No. 29
of the 25th of July last, I transmit to you herewith copies of the
report and Maps of the Surveys made under the superintendence of Mr
Pemberton of the districts of Nanaimo and Cowitchan in Vancouver Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-03-31_Arbuthnot_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE14.txt
================================================================================

Arbuthnot to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letters of the 10th Septr
last, and 22nd Instant, relative to a Claim preferred by
the Admiralty for the repayment of £3.643.2.8 on account of
the passage to British Columbia in the Ship "Thames City,"
of a Party of Royal Engineers, and of a Chaplain and his Wife,
and the Collector of Customs; I am directed by the Lords
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, to acquaint you,
for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that pending the

consideration of this question, They have suspended the
transfer to the credit of Naval Services, of the amount of the Claim.

They presume that His Grace will Communicate His opinion
in regard to this charge, in which Their Lordships concur, to
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a view to the
withdrawal
of the portion of the Claim relating to the Conveyance of Troops.

On being informed of the amount due to Naval Services in
respect of the Passages of the Chaplain and his wife (provided
that he is not a Military Chaplain) and of the Collector of
Customs, Their Lordships will direct the transfer thereof to the
Credit of Naval Services, from the Grant for British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-03-31_Murdoch_and_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN03.txt
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Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 14th instant,
enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia with
a Proclamation issued by him, to prescribe the conditions on
which unsurveyed Agricultural Lands may be occupied in that
Colony on a system of preemption.

2. In a Despatch dated 4th July last, and again in
a Despatch

of 18th October, Governor Douglas explained
the difficulty which he experienced in providing surveyed
Country Lands for Agricultural Settlers, and proposed as a means
of escape the establishment of a system of occupation of
unsurveyed Land with a future right of preemption. The
Duke of Newcastle having sanctioned that proposal the
Proclamation now transmitted has been issued to carry it into effect.

3. The Proclamation announces that in future any British

subject or alien who shall take the oath of allegiance may
acquire unsurveyed Crown Land, not being a Town site, Indian
reserve or Auriferous—by entering into possession and recording
his claim to not more than 160 acres with the nearest Magistrate,
paying a fee of 8s/- for such record, and giving the best
description of the land in his power with a rough plan of it—the
Land so claimed to be rectangular in form and not more
than half as long again as it is wide, and posts to be placed
at its corners—that no such Land shall be

transferable by Sale
unless the Vendor shall have obtained a certificate from the
nearest Magistrate that he has made permanent improvements on
it to the extent of 10s/- an Acre—that whenever the survey
shall come up to Land so claimed the claimant or his heirs or (where
an improvement certificate has been granted) his assigns,
if they have been in continuous occupation, shall be entitled
to purchase the Land and obtain a conveyance (with a reservation,
however, of the precious Minerals) at the

established rate of the
day not exceeding 10s/- an Acre—that the first occupant who shall
record his claim as above prescribed shall have priority of
Title—that any person authorized to acquire preempted land may also
purchase in addition any quantity of unoccupied Land, at a price
not exceeding 10s/- an Acre to be fixed by the Government at the
time of survey—5s/- to be paid down and the balance at the time
of Survey—that whenever any person shall "permanently" cease to
occupy preempted Land the nearest

Magistrate may summarily cancel
his claim but with appeal to the Supreme Court, and record the
claim of another person in his place—that occupants of preempted
or purchased Land may bring Actions of ejectment or trespass
against intruders—that Government shall be entitled to take Land
required for roads and public purposes—and that Miners shall
have water privileges over such Lands for Mining purposes paying
compensation for damage—and that disputes may, before an

Action
of ejectment or trespass is commenced, be summarily heard and
determined by the nearest Magistrate.

4. Upon this Proclamation we have to submit the following
observations.

5. In regard to preempted lots though their shape and size
is fixed nothing is said about the direction of their boundaries.
It would be necessary that these should run all in the same
directions, otherwise they would be quite unmanageable in the
future Survey. It would probably be best to require that

the
parallel sides should run in the direction of the Cardinal
points of the compass. And as errors will occur in taking such
points provision should be made for the rectification of the lines
on survey. The Land to be purchased under the 7th clause
should likewise be taken in rectangular parallelograms with the
side lines running in the same directions as the lines of
preempted land—and the posts to be placed at the Angles should
if possible be in sight from each other.

6. No provision is made for

the case of an occupant dying
after a considerable expenditure on his Land, but without having
obtained an improvement Certificate, and leaving no heirs in
the colony—or only heirs not capable of occupying the Land—this
might operate with hardship in the case of a Settler leaving
only a Wife and young Children.

7. By Clause 9 the nearest Magistrate is authorized to
cancel the claim of any person who shall "permanently" cease to
occupy preempted land. Their term is very indefinite. It
leaves the Magistrate a

latitude which might be, and would
certainly be said to be, used with partiality. The period which
should operate as an abandonment of the Land should be fixed
by Proclamation.

8. Except in these respects we conceive that the Proclamation
may be approved.



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FILE: 1860-03-31_Murdoch_and_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN04.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 26th instant
enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia with a
Proclamation issued by him on the subject of the disposal of
Crown Lands in that Colony.

2. Governor Douglas states that a doubt had arisen whether,
under the Proclamation of 14th February 1859, Land which
had

been exposed to public auction and not sold could be disposed
of by private contract. He has in consequence issued the present
Proclamation to remove that doubt. It provides that Town and
suburban Lots which have been offered at public auction and not
sold may be sold by private contract at the upset price and on
the same conditions—and agricultural Lands similarly situated
at 10s/- an Acre, payable half at the time of Sale and the
other half at the expiration

of two years.

3. We have to report our opinion that this Proclamation
may be approved.



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FILE: 1860-04-02_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605WA07.txt
================================================================================

Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert, to acquaint
you that the sum of £111:7:8 for Medical Stores

*

supplied to the Colony [of] British Columbia referred to in your
letter of the 19th November last, does not appear to have
yet been credited to Army Votes by the Paymaster General.



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FILE: 1860-04-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60034.txt
================================================================================

No. 34, Military

I have the honor to acknowledge Your Grace's Despatch No 2 of the 2nd January, in reference to Colonel Moody's application for a Commissariat Officer to be sent out, and I have duly communicated to Colonel Moody Your Grace's

decision thereon.



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FILE: 1860-04-04_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE15.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill for the sum of £2395
drawn by J. Douglas Esqre for Salary as Governor of British
Columbia from the 2nd September 1858 to the 31st Decr 1859.



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FILE: 1860-04-04_Murdoch_and_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN05.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch and Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have to acknowledge your letter of 28th ultimo, enclosing a
Despatch from the Governor of Vancouvers Island, in which he requests
instructions for his guidance in respect to the disposal of the
Revenue arising from the sale of Crown Lands.

We gather from the papers transmitted to us that up to the
commencement of last year Governor Douglas was in the habit of drawing on the Hudsons Bay Co for such funds as were necessary to
carry on the Government of Vancouvers Island, but that when a certain
progress had been made towards the repurchase of that Island by the
Crown the Company declined to make any further advances—that
Governor Douglas having under these circumstances applied for
instructions was informed that he must provide for the expenses of
the Colony out of local resources—that the local resources at his
command consist of the proceeds of Land Sales spirit licenses and
Fines and amounted in 1858 to £11,694.1.3, exceeding the expenditure
by £3,211.15.6, but that the Revenue of 1859 was expected to be less
productive than that of 1858, and would probably be insufficient,
even with the balance in hand, to defray the expenditure. We
further learn that an Act has lately been passed to increase the
number of Members in the House of Assembly of Vancouvers Island from
7 to 13—and that Governor Douglas was about, in obedience to his
instructions, to propose to the Legislature to impose taxes to defray
the ordinary expenditure of the Colony. But anticipating that in
reply to that proposition the Legislature will demand the control
over & disposal of the Revenue arising from Sales of Land and other
sources, he requests to be furnished with instructions for his
guidance on that point.

The question thus raised being one of policy we should not venture
under ordinary circumstances to offer any opinion upon it. But as we
understand it to be the desire of the Duke of Newcastle that we
should do so, we proceed to submit such observations as occur to us.
We must premise, however, that our information as to what has
occurred of late years in other Colonies on the same subject is very
incomplete—and we cannot, therefore, illustrate our views regarding
it by the experience acquired elsewhere.

It appears then from what has been stated that it would not be
impossible, if it were desired, to defray the whole present
expenditure of Vancouvers Island from existing sources of Revenue,
without having recourse to the Legislature, and consequently that it
would be possible at present to resist any demand which the
Legislature might make for a control over the Crown Revenue, without
the risk of being exposed to financial embarrassment. This state
of things can, however, only be temporary. It makes no allowance for
the natural expansion of the Colony or for those public works and
establishments which are indispensable to its progress. Unless the
Colony is to be stunted in its growth, and its natural resources to
remain undeveloped the time must very shortly arrive at which the
Revenues now at the disposal of the Crown will be insufficient for
the public service.

Whenever that time comes it will be necessary to apply to the Local
Legislature for additional Funds to supplement the Crown Revenues and
the Legislature, as soon as it is called upon to provide any
considerable balance of the public expenditure, will acquire in fact
the power of controlling the whole. For although the most essential
expenses of Government may continue to be defrayed from the Crown
Revenue, and be, therefore, nominally removed from the control of the
Legislature, yet the Legislature by attaching conditions to the
supplies which it is required to vote, or refusing them altogether,
can practically coerce the Government in regard to the services
defrayed from the Crown Revenues. It was, we believe, in this manner
that the House of Assembly of Lower Canada, during the protracted
contest with its Government on the question of supplies, gradually
drove the Government from each successive position until the Colony
was brought to a state of rebellion. In the other North American
Colonies the Government warned by what had occurred in Lower Canada
abstained, we believe, from entering on any contest in the matter,
and in the Australian Colonies the control of the Crown Land Revenue
was surrendered before the question had been raised. We are not
aware what has occurred on the subject in other Colonies.

But if it is certain that the question will be raised, and if the
issue admits, as we believe, of little doubt, the only remaining
question is whether anything is to be gained by a temporary
resistance to the demand of the Local Legislature. Upon this point
it seems to us scarcely possible to entertain a hesitation. If the
control over these Revenues is given up to the Legislature frankly
and at once, there can be no doubt that the Legislature will in
exchange grant such a Civil List as will place on a permanent footing
those services which it is undesirable to submit to an annual vote.
If it is not given up a contest will be begun which must eventually
result in the defeat of the Government and the triumph of the
Legislature. But in that case the disposition to make liberal
provision for the Government with which they have been in dispute
will no longer be felt in the Legislature. Meanwhile the contest
will have excited an irritation on both sides which will have
extended to other questions and be felt long after the matter in
dispute has been given up—and during its existence the best
interests of the Colony will be overlooked in the heat of a party
struggle. We cannot believe that any momentary convenience arising
from the retention of the control over the Crown Revenues—if such
exists—would be worth the inconvenience which would follow from
such a contest.

Upon the whole we have no hesitation in stating our opinion that if
the Legislature of Vancouvers Island is called on to vote supplies,
and in reply demands a control over the revenues arising from Land
and other casual sources, it would be a wise policy to concede that
demand, in return for such a Civil List as the circumstances of the
Colony may render desirable.

It will of course be the duty of the Government in administering
these Lands to take care that the control over the Revenue which is
thus given to the Legislature of a small community is not made a
pretext for enabling the members of that community to acquire an
undue amount of property in Land to the injury of future immigrants.



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FILE: 1860-04-04_Shrapnel_to_Newcastle_B606S01.txt
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Shrapnel to Newcastle

The Memorial of Henry Needham Scrope Shrapnel late of Her
Majesty's 3rd Regt of Dragoon Guards, and now Barrackmaster of
Dundalk District Humbly Sheweth

That he is the Son and representative of the late General
Shrapnel Royal Artillery, who rendered important Service to the State
by the great perfection to which he brought the British Artillery and
by the introduction of the "Shrapnel Shell," a Weapon of War which
from 1804 to the present time has been of national service to Great
Britain and the Colonies.

That the late Lord Raglan duly appreciating the great benefit
this country has, for so long a time, derived from the Services of
your memorialists Father and your memorialist having stated his
anxious desire to settle with his family in British North America,
His Lordship without delay, appointed your memorialist to a
Barrackmastership in Canada, where your memorialist proceeded with
his family after having sold, at a sacrifice, what little property
and effects he possessed in England.

That the recent changes, decided upon by the War Department,
have rendered all the Stations in Canada vacant, in consequence of
which your Memorialist was removed to Bermuda and ultimately to his
present Station—Dundalk. That your memorialist had to undergo
severe losses in consequence of such changes and having had to move
a wife and nine children so great a distance.

That your memorialist most earnestly desires to return to Canada
or British Columbia where he has a better chance of providing for a
large family.

Your memorialist therefore most humbly prays Your Grace will be
pleased to note your memorialists name for employment in any capacity
in which he may be of service to the Crown. Your memorialist can
speak the French language and is fully conversant with the Laws of
the Country and Engineering in all its branches.

Your Memorialist can confidently rely upon the good opinion of
the Secretary of State for War as to his conduct and zeal, in the hope
your memorialists fathers services to the Crown may be considered
worthy [of] Your Grace's kind consideration in forwarding the earnest
desire of your memorialist for Colonial employment.



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FILE: 1860-04-05_Arbuthnot_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE16.txt
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Arbuthnot to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to transmit to you, herewith, a Copy of a Letter
from the Commissioners of Audit, and of its enclosure,
claiming repayment of the amount of advances from the Treasury
Chest, on account of British Columbia, and I am to request
that you will state to the Duke of Newcastle that the
balance on the Grant for British Columbia for the year
1859/60, is not sufficient to meet the Claim of the Treasury

Chest for these advances which amount to £10,340.4.8.

Their Lordships propose to postpone the repayment,

*

until some general adjustment of the advances for this
Colony can be made.

In the mean time, however, They consider that Colonel
Moody, and Captain Parsons, should be called upon to
furnish accounts for the several issues to them or to their order,

**

with the exception of the payments on account
of their own Passages, and those of their respective families.

With reference to the last paragraph of the Auditor's
Report, My Lords are of opinion that the account of this
Expenditure should be rendered to the Commissioners of Audit
for their examination,

***

unless Colonel Moody and Captain Parsons have forwarded Accounts to the War Department.

****

Their Lordships would, at the same time, call

the
attention of His Grace to the necessity of calling for
Accounts of the several sums which have been drawn by the
Governor and Treasurer by Bills on the Paymaster General,

*****

which appear in the Statements forwarded in the Letters
from this Department of the 1st February 1859, and 16th Ultimo.

They are not aware of any instructions that may have
been given to Captain Gosset, the Treasurer,

m+*

on this subject, nor are They aware that any arrangements have been
made for the audit of the Accounts in the Colony.

m+**

In the absence of any special Instructions, Their
Lordships would submit to the Duke of Newcastle the
expediency of informing the Treasurer that it will be
necessary to forward to the Commissioners of Audit Accounts
and Vouchers of the several sums received and disbursed by him,

m+***

on account of the Bills drawn

upon the Paymaster General.

Their Lordships would also call the attention of His
Grace to the expediency of giving some directions in regard to the
course to be pursued in accounting for the Revenue raised in the Colony,

m+***

in pursuance of the Instructions contained in the 11th par. of Sir
E.B. Lytton's Despatch, No 8 of Augt 14/58.

They wish to be favoured with the opinion of His Grace whether
British Columbia is to be considered for the present as a Crown Colony,

m+*****

the Revenue of which is to be accounted for
to Her Majesty's Government, upon the same system that has been
adopted in the other dependencies of the Crown not possessing
representative Governments.

m++*

Their Lordships apprehend that the Forms of Instructions
which have been already furnished to the Treasurer will enable
him to draw up the Accounts in a satisfactory state for
examination by the Commissioners of Audit.

m++**



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FILE: 1860-04-05_Mitchell_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V606M02.txt
================================================================================

Mitchell to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I beg to acknowledge with thanks your reply to my letter of the
13 Ult. addressed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle for information
respecting Vancouvers Island and also for the maps & surveyors
report accompanying the same. The latter has afforded me much
information that will prove valuable to me when in the colony. My
present intention however being to settle in the district of Victoria
or one of those adjoining thereto, may I ask without being considered
troublesome to be favoured with maps of that part of the country & if
possible also the surveyors report. I am reluctant thus to trouble
you, but [my] intention is to leave this country if possible this
month—and every bit of information will be to me of the greatest
importance.



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FILE: 1860-04-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607015.txt
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No. 15

With reference to your despatch No. 3 of the 12th of January, I
have to acquaint you for the information of Captain Grant that the Lords
Commissoners of the Treasury have sanctioned the payment of his
travelling expenses in England in connection with the Colonial Service
prior to his departure for British Columbia, and that the Paymaster
General has been authorized to pay the sum of £15 to Captain Grant's
agents Messrs Cox & Co, on this account. Messrs
Cox & Co have been so informed.



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FILE: 1860-04-05_Shrapnel_to_Newcastle_B606S02.txt
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Shrapnel to Newcastle

His Grace the late Duke of Wellington in a despatch to Sir John Sinclair remarking on the general efficacy of my late fathers Shell says

I consider Colonel Shrapnel to be entitled to a very ample
reward for his ingenuity & the science he has proved he possesses, by
the great perfection to which he has brought this Invention, & more
particularly so because I am of opinion that, the public interest
requires that the advantage we have derived from the use of the Shell
should not be made known & he is therefore deprived of the fame &
honor which he could have enjoyed.

I am ready to give this opinion whenever it may be required & to
assist by every means in my power to procure a just reward for Col: Shrapnel.

Arthur Wellesley

Holyhead

Oct: 13 1808

I refer to the above as shewing the opinion of the greatest man of
the age.

I trust therefore without being thought obtrusive I may once
more appeal to your Graces consideration. The little my father was
able to leave me has all been expended in the service of my country.
I volunteered out to the Kaffir War in 1851 & having served till the
end of it—I returned home again. I joined the West Kent Regt of
Militia during the Crimean War—& in order to perfect myself in
Military tactics attached myself to the Depot of the 67th Regiment
for a period of six months—all of which services were entirely
supported by my own money & without any Government emolument.

If your Lordship finds it difficult to meet my wishes I make one
final appeal for your consideration. I have a desire to go to
British Columbia where I am informed men of education 
and active
habits are in much request. Would your Grace, as a small testimony
of my fathers services render the assistance necessary to transport
myself & family to that Colony. I should be satisfied even with that
rather than to remain in the degrading duties I am performing in this
Yard.

With every apology for intruding on your Lordship's time.



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FILE: 1860-04-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60035.txt
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No. 35

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this
date of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates as
described on the other side hereof.*



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FILE: 1860-04-06_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607016.txt
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No. 16

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch

No. 18 of the
7th of February and to acquaint you that I am in communication with
the Hudsons Bay Company on the subject of their claim to the lands and
buildings in their occupation in British Columbia, and I trust that it
will soon be in my power to inform you of the decision which shall be
arrived at on this question.



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FILE: 1860-04-06_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607018.txt
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No. 18

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 6 of the
26th of January communicating a proposal of Mr Edward Stamp to
establish a sawmill and other works in Vancouver Island, and reporting
the concessions which you have promised to Mr Stamp in consequence.

I have to convey to you my approval of the agreement into which
you have entered with Mr Stamp. The transaction cannot of course be
completed till after the retransfer of Vancouver to the Crown,
but in the meantime the Company will no doubt commence their operations
and enter upon their land on the faith of the promise you have given
that they shall be at liberty to acquire, at the upset price of the day
for agricultural lands not exceeding under any circumstances £1 an acre,
the land on which their establishments are to be placed, and, in
certain specified conditions, additional timbered land not exceeding in
the whole 15,000 acres.

It would be desirable to determine clearly as soon as possible the
conditions under which the right of selecting 15,000 acres of forest
is to be exercised by the Company. The selection should be made in
blocks of not less than a certain length and breadth, and within a
certain time.



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FILE: 1860-04-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60018.txt
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No. 18

I have duly received Your Graces despatch No 5 of the 2nd February
in reference to the Ground, Buildings &c &c at Esquimalt, purchased
for the North American Boundary Commission, and I will be careful to
carry out Your Graces instructions, that when no longer required by
the surveying party, the land and buildings in question may be
transferred to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for Naval
purposes.



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FILE: 1860-04-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60019.txt
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No. 19

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Graces despatch
No 6 of the 3rd February, transmitting copy of a letter from the
Board of Trade, relative to the apparatus and Stores for the Light
houses, and reporting the engagement of two persons as Light Keepers.



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FILE: 1860-04-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60020.txt
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No. 20, Legislative

I have the honor of transmitting herewith for Your Grace's information,
a Copy of my correspondence with the House of Assembly of this
Colony, up to this date, and of the documents referred to therein;
none of which are of much importance, except the Abstract of the
Hudson's Bay Company's Account with Her Majesty's Government for sums
disbursed in this Country for and on account of Vancouver's Island
Colony, since its first establishment.



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FILE: 1860-04-07_Moody_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V606M04.txt
================================================================================

Moody to Under-Secretary of State

I beg to enclose herewith a copy of a correspondence between His
Excellency and myself on the subject of the Military Occupation of
the Island of San Juan and in continuation of that a copy of which I
had the honor of transmitting for the information of Her Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies with my letter of the
14th Ulto.



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FILE: 1860-04-09_Moody_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B606M02.txt
================================================================================

Moody to Under-Secretary of State

I do myself the honor of herewith transmitting copies of letters
which I have addressed to His Excellency the Governor soliciting that
some assistance be given to the wives and families of certain
Non-Commissioned Officers & Men belonging to the Detachment of Royal
Engineers to enable them to join their husbands &c in this Colony and
beg to submit the matter as being worthy of the favorable
consideration of His Grace Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies.



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FILE: 1860-04-12_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607019.txt
================================================================================

No. 19

I forward to you herewith copy of a letter which I have received
from the Office of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and of the
answer which I have directed to be returned to it.

I regret that you should have felt any doubt about communicating
to the Admiral my instructions in a matter of so much importance to the
concert of the proper Military and Naval measures to be taken in a
critical emergency, and hearing upon decisions which have to be taken
by the Naval Commander in Chief. You will understand that it is your
duty to furnish him with a copy of the same for his information as well
as to communicate with him unreservedly on all matters requiring the
cooperation of the force under his order.



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FILE: 1860-04-16_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607017.txt
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No. 17

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 218 of the
13th of September enclosing copies of the following Proclamations
issued by you for the Colony of British Columbia, vizt No. 1
Proclamation
dated 15th of May 1859,-for the naturalization
of aliens. No.
2 Proclamation dated 19th of May 1859 respecting oaths. No. 3
Proclamation dated 2nd of June 1859, altering in some respects the Act
for levying duties of Customs on Imports into British Columbia. No. 4
Proclamation dated 15th of June 1859 imposing tonnage, Pilotage, and
Harbor dues at the Port of New Westminster. No. 5 Proclamation dated
the 25th of June 1859 amending the preceding Proclamation. No. 6
Proclamation dated 10th of August amending the law relating to the
licenses for selling spirits &c and for other purposes. No. 7
Proclamation dated 31st of August 1859 entitled the Gold Fields Act.

On the subject of the Proclamation for the naturalization of Aliens
I shall address you in
a separate despatch. The remaining Proclamations
I have submitted for the sanction of the Queen, and they have been laid
before Parliament in compliance with the provisions of the Act 21 and 22
Vic: cap: XCIX.

I transmit herewith extract of a report by the Law Adviser of this
Department respecting the form of these Proclamations, and I shall be
glad if you will cause the suggestions therein contained to be followed
in the preparation of future enactments.



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FILE: 1860-04-16_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607018.txt
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No. 18

I have had under my consideration the Proclamation issued by you
for British Columbia on the 15th of May last for the naturalization of
Aliens, of which a copy was

transmitted to me with your despatch No. 218
of the 13th of September.

This Proclamation (which you appear to have framed after the model
of the law of Canada) provides that every alien who has resided in the
Colony for three years may demand naturalization on producing a
declaration of his residence and character from some British subject, on
making himself a declaration of residence and on taking the oath of
allegiance. The latter declaration must be made and oath taken before a
Justice of the Peace who is to declare that he knows no reason why the
applicant should not be naturalized. These conditions being fulfilled
the Court of British Columbia is to record the proceedings and the alien
is to be deemed a British subject for all purposes whatever

"while within
the Colony of British Columbia." The naturalization may be annulled if
any party to either of the above declarations is convicted of perjury
therein. But the court is not entitled as a matter of course to examine
into the truth of the documents which it records.

The certificate from a British subject is thus merely nugatory
since in every Community individuals will be found who will sign it
without any knowledge of it's truth.

Although this Proclamation appears to have been framed by you in
full conformity with the instructions received from this Department,
yet there are points on which a few observations, with a view to future
guidance may not be superfluous.

Under this law it

would apparently be in the power of a fugitive
American felon by an easy fraud to obtain all the rights of a British
subject, and to qualify himself, so far as nationality is concerned for
any office in British Columbia or a place in the Legislature as soon as
such a body shall exist.

I am desirous that every facility should be given for acquiring the
character of a British subject but a certain amount of bonâ fide
residence and respectability ought to be required as a condition of
naturalization. It appears to me desirable, it if be practicable, that
the Court of British Columbia or some special Officer designated for the
purpose should be empowered to require proof satisfactory to such Court
or officer of the required residence

and of the respectable character of
the applicant for naturalization, and that as a guide to the decision on
this point persons having been convicted of Treason, Felony, Rape,
Forgery or any other infamous crime should be disqualified from
naturalization.

I am willing however to leave this question to your discretion and
local knowledge and I do not propose to interfere with the operation of
the Act in it's present form. I have accordingly submitted the
Proclamation for the sanction of Her Majesty and it has been laid before
Parliament with the other Proclamations issued by you.

As a matter of language the 4th clause should give the alien the
rights of a British

subject "within" (not while "within") the
said colony of British Columbia. The effect of introducing the word
"while" would be (if the provision were valid) (1) That the naturalized
Persons "while" within British Columbia would have the rights of a
British subject elsewhere (a privilege which the Colonial Legislature
cannot confer) and (2) that while absent from the Colony his rights of
holding property within it would be dormant (which is not intended).
The word "while" therefore should be omitted.



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FILE: 1860-04-18_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE17.txt
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Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 2nd
Instant, enclosing copies of despatches from the Governor of
British Columbia relative to the new Assay Office in that
Colony, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to transmit herewith, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, Copy of a letter from the Master
of the Mint on the subject.



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FILE: 1860-04-19_Hammond_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V605FO10.txt
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Hammond to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

With reference to my letter of the 13th of March, I am directed by
Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before His Grace The
Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Minister
at Washington reporting that he had been informed by General Cass
that all difficulty as to continuing the discussion respecting the
Island of San Juan had been removed by Lord John Russell's Despatch
No 62 of the 9th of March.



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FILE: 1860-04-20_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI08.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under-Secretary
Merivale's letter of the 23rd ultimo, intimating that your Grace was
advised that the best course to be taken with a view to bringing the
pending questions before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
would be, that this Company should present petitions to Her Majesty
stating their grounds of claim, and praying specifically for the
relief to which they consider themselves entitled.

I now beg to transmit, herewith, to Your Grace, the statement of the
grounds upon which this Company rest their claim to the Lands in
Vancouver's Island which were in their possession before the Grant
made to them of that Colony; and no time will be lost in the
preparation and presentation of the Petitions in connection with
these claims.



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FILE: 1860-04-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60036.txt
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No. 36

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No 6 of the 22nd January transmitting copy of a
letter from the War Office in reference to an application made
by the Royal Engineer Officers in British

Columbia for compensation for the loss of property they had sustained in the
burning of the "Briseis", and I beg to acquaint your Grace that I have agreeably to your instructions communicated your decision in this matter to Coll Moody.



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FILE: 1860-04-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60037.txt
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No. 37, Military

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No. 7 of the 3rd February, transmitting copy of
correspondence between the Colonial Department and the War Office,
with reference to an application from Captain Lempriere R.E. to
be allowed

the same rate of Colonial pay as is granted to other
officers of his rank in British Columbia, and I beg to inform your Grace that in accordance with your instructions, I have
communicated your despatch to Colonel Moody and directed that
Captain Lempriere should receive the same rate of Colonial pay
as other officers of his present rank, from the date of his
promotion, viz 20th June 1859 until

the date of his recall
reaching the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-04-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60021.txt
================================================================================

No. 21, Legislative

I have the honor of transmitting to your Grace a copy of the Minutes
of Council, of Vancouver Island, from July 5th 1859 to April 10th
1860.

2. The subjects referred to therein have been laid before your Grace
in my despatches connected with the Colony of Vancouver Island, and I
will therefore make no remark upon them at this time.



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FILE: 1860-04-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607019.txt
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No. 19

In compliance with the request expressed in your despatch No. 20 of
the 15th of February last, I enclose a copy of the Extradition Treaty
of 1842 between Her Majesty and the United States of America. I also
enclose a copy of the Secretary of States Circular Instructions covering
the Imperial Act 627 Vic Cap. 76. giving effect to the 10th Article
of that Treaty.



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FILE: 1860-04-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60038.txt
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No. 38, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to transmit herewith

*

for your Grace's inspection,
a specimen of gold weighing 4 oz. 3 dwts. which was found on Quesnelles
River, and which is interesting from the fact of its being the

largest
piece yet found in that district of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-04-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60039.txt
================================================================================

No. 39, Financial

I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your Grace's
information a comparative Statement of Customs revenue collected
at New Westminster during the quarter ending 31st December 1859 and 31st March

1860, which exhibits a highly satisfactory
and regularly progressive increase in that branch of the revenue.

2. The constant accession to the population in British Columbia, by the influx of Miners, and the encouraging accounts daily arriving
from the Mines, lead me, as I am glad to inform your Grace, to look
forward with confidence to a continuance of prosperity.



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FILE: 1860-04-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60040.txt
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No. 40

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No 5 of the 21st January, communicating to me the
decision of the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury with respect
to

fixing the rate of allowance for my travelling expenses when
absent from the seat of Government, on official duty, which their
Lordships think had better be postponed until sufficient data
exist for establishing a daily rate, an arrangement which is in
all respects satisfactory to me.

2. I beg however to explain for your Grace's information,

that the rate of allowance suggested in my letter viz £5 per
diem, was not intended merely as a personal allowance, but is
supposed to cover the whole expense of my official staff and
servants, including transport maintenance and all other
travelling expenses, and the rule was adopted solely with the
view of introducing economy, certainty, and regularity, into
the public expenditure.



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FILE: 1860-04-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60041.txt
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No. 41

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date
of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on
the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-04-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60042.txt
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No. 42

I have the honor to inform your Grace that the winter has
passed away without the occurrence of any extraordinary event
in British Columbia.

2. The season has been comparatively mild, and the miners
residing in the various inland districts, have been abundantly
provided with food and with home grown vegetables in small
quantities

which have had the effect of checking the ravages
of scurvy by which the health of many of those laborious men
was seriously impaired in the winter of 1858.

3. Very satisfactory reports have been lately received
from all the mining districts of the Country; on these however
strict reliance cannot always be placed, though, in the present
instance, they are corroborated by heavy arrivals of gold dust
both in the hands of miners and of the exporting companies.

4. The roads leading into the country from Hope and Yale,
have, in consequence

of the great depth of snow in the mountain
passes, been impassable since the beginning of winter to any
other mode of transport than by Indian packers, who with singular
force and power of endurance, toil through the mountain trails
at that trying season with loads of one hundred pounds each;
but that mode of transport is not even attempted in winter by
the Hope trail, which is hermetically sealed to travel from the
interior, between the months of October

and June, yet these two
trails may, I believe be made available for winter travel, by
evading the precipitous hills over which they pass, and carrying
the line of road by easy grades, through the deep valleys. The
transport might then be carried on during the winter by means of
sleighs drawn by horses, as it is evident that the depth of snow
would not form in itself an insuperable obstacle provided the
precipitous ascents which constitute

real difficulty of the
road could be avoided.

5. Much attention has been directed to the exploration of
those difficult routes, and we have ascertained the feasibility
of running an easy graded line of road from Yale to Lytton, and
I am daily expecting a report from a surveying party employed
at Hope, in examining, with a similar object in view, the passes
leading from that place to the Shimilkameen Valley. These
routes may without exaggeration be severally compared to the
passage of the Alps.

It is however a great satisfaction to
known that the country beyond the mountains is generally level
and of easy access.

6. The great outlet of British Columbia continues to be by the Harrison River Trail, and that fortunately has been
uninterruptedly open during the whole winter, and large stocks
of food have been accumulated at its further terminus near
Cayoosh, in anticipation of the influx of miners for the Upper Fraser. The price of food is in consequence of the abundance comparatively low, the last

quotations being 8d per lb. for
flour and beans at Lytton, and 11d at Cayoosh, and at both
places bacon is quoted at 14d per lb. The improvement in
the condition of the miner is very great, as he can live
substantially for 1 1/2 dollars per diem, instead of 3 or
4 dollars, and many claims are now workable at a profit which
could not afford the miner any support last year.

7. A detachment of 80 Royal Engineers under the command
of Captain Grant has been

employed since the beginning of March
embanking the shoals near the mouth of the Harrison River, for
the purpose of deepening the channel, which is now impassable
in winter for the lightest Steamer, and there is every reason
to believe that the work will be brought to a successful termination.

8. The same detachment of Royal Engineers will shortly
proceed to resume work on the wagon road from Douglas, which
it is expected they will complete in a few weeks as far as the

Ten Mile house, from that point a party of civilian labourers
have undertaken a section of 6 miles of the road, for which
they are to receive the sum of £550 per mile. This will carry
the road to the 16 mile house, where the Royal Engineers will
recommence operations, and probably complete the next twelve
miles, that is to the 28 mile house situated on the smaller
Lillooet Lake, before the end of summer.

9. We propose to use that and the larger Lillooet Lake as
a water communication, connecting them by means of a

good wagon
road 1 1/4 miles in length, which is already made and in use.

The application of some enterprising settlers to run a
Steamer without any special privilege on the larger Lillooet Lake has been granted, which will greatly facilitate transport.
An excellent mule trail 30 miles in length with substantial
bridges over all the rivers, connected the larger Lillooet Lake with Lake Anderson, beyond which the route to Cayoosh
offers no very serious difficulties to engineering enterprise.

10. Two stern wheel Steamers intended to ply on Lakes
Anderson and Seaton are nearly completed, by an association
of settlers who at much labour and expense packed the engines
and boilers from Douglas over the Harrison Road. To give an
idea of the difficulty of the undertaking I may mention that
the boilers being too heavy to carry on mules, were rolled
over the trail, as far as the 28 mile house, in five sections.
Serious difficulties of that kind will not be felt when the
wagon road is made, and the facility of

communication will,
I have no doubt, give a prodigious impulse to industry and
to the rapid development of the resources of the country,
as all kinds of machinery required to assist the operations
of the gold miner may then be imported.

11. I have received advices from Lytton up to the 6th
of this month (April). Commissioner Ball reports that the
mining season had commenced, and that the miners who had
migrated to the lower country for the winter, were fast
returning to their old claims on the

Benches of Fraser River,
but the great majority of those hardy wanderers were making
their way towards Quesnels River, where it is confidently
expected rich hill diggings will be found.

12. A great number of Chinese Miners were also arriving
and taking up mining claims on the River Bars, in the Lytton
district, who are reputed to be remarkably quiet and orderly.
Mr Ball's report refers to no other subject of general interest.

13. The prevailing impression respecting the great
auriferous wealth of the district about 

Alexandria and the
Quesnel River will have the effect of attracting a large
population to that distant quarter, and I shall consequently
be under the necessity of appointing a Magistrate and a small
body of Police to remain there, for the purpose of maintaining
the peace, of the Country, and preventing conflicts among the
miners, and with the Indian Tribes.

14. The last intelligence from the Shimilkameen River
is not so favorable as before reported. I

perceive by the
Oregon papers that many persons who had gone there for the
purpose of mining had been unsuccessful. It is stated in
those papers that 20 or 30 miners only were making from 8 to
10 dollars per day while the others engaged in the same
occupation were not paying expenses. That is, I conceive,
but the usual and silly outcry of the idler and the visionary,
and does not in the least shake my opinion in regard to the
auriferous nature of the country, founded on its geological
character,

and further strengthened by the report of Lieut
Park, a highly scientific member of the American Boundary
Commission, who entertains a similar belief in the auriferous
character of that district and in the existence of extensive
Placer diggings. Should a large population assemble there,
the attention of Government will have to be directed towards
it and a police force employed to maintain the peace. I shall
use every exertion to connect the Shimilkameen with Fort Hope

by means of a convenient road with the important object in view of
making Frasers River, instead of the Columbia, the outlet of its trade.

15. British Columbia is becoming highly attractive to the
Chinese, who are arriving in great numbers—about 2000 having
entered Frasers River since the beginning of the year and many
more are expected from California and China. They are certainly
not a desirable class of people, as a permanent population, but
are for the present useful * as

labourers and as consumers, of a revenue paying character. I have therefore protected them from the payment of
differential duties not equally borne by other classes of the population.

16. I have received advices from Commissioner Sanders of
Yale District up to the 14th Instant (April). He describes
the migration of miners for the Upper Country as being very
general and expresses a fear that the feeling in favour of
Quesnels River may lead to the depopulation of the Yale District.

17. In a previous passage

of this report I stated that we
had ascertained the feasibility of running a line of road by
easy grades the whole way from Yale to Lytton, which would
avoid the lofty passes and be accessible in winter for pack
mules, and not like the present trail, rendered valueless for
five months in the year, by an impassable depth of snow.

With reference to that enterprise which I proposed to
undertake, Mr Sanders complains of the character of the
population. His remarks on the subject are as follows:

There is very little probability of any person in Yale or
its neighbourhood

tendering for the construction of the
projected mule trail; the proposed part payment in land
is very far from being an inducement, in fact it is generally
objected to: an arrangement of that nature might possibly
be acceptable to British subjects, but would naturally and
unfortunately be objectionable to aliens and unfortunately
the population of this Colony is almost without exception foreign.

We shall nevertheless commence that undertaking as soon
as a small body of the Royal Engineers can be spared without
detriment to other important work.



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FILE: 1860-04-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60043.txt
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No. 43

I have had the honor of receiving your Grace's Despatch of
the 7th February No 8 transmitting a letter from Mr Begbie
respecting the construction of a road

in British Columbia from
Douglas to Cayoosh, and I thank your Grace for the interest you
have evinced in the progress of the country by forwarding me
this communication, and requesting a report upon the subject to
which it relates.

2. I have carefully considered Mr Begbie's proposal and
the conditions mentioned on which he would undertake the formation
of the road in question, and had the proposition been made at an
earlier period before the work was so far advanced and before
arrangements had been made for its gradual progress, I would
gladly have entered into Mr

Begbie's views, but upon the
modification of the wholly inadmissable condition "of that
road remaining the only route to the mines" and provided that
the rate of toll to be levied had not exceeded 5 cents a pound
on all goods and wares passing over the road.

3. Under existing circumstances I think it will be prudent
to decline Mr Begbie's offer, for the following reasons:

1. The wants of the country can be supplied, though at an

expensive rate for transport, by the present mule trail.

2. Measures have been taken and in part carried out for
converting the present mule trail into a waggon road,

which
I hope will be completed to the small Lillooet Lake before
the end of next summer, and in the summer of 1861 we hope to
complete the waggon road on the thirty mile interval from
Lake Lillooet to Lake Anderson.

3. Arrangements have been made by private enterprise to
ply with Steam Vessels on the Lakes between Douglas and Cayoosh.

4. Having accomplished so much of the work by our own
resources, it would be unwise to saddle the country with
a heavy tax in the shape of a five cent toll; forming a transport

charge
of Fifty Dollars a ton on all goods carried from Douglas to Cayoosh.

4. It is therefore advisable in our present circumstances
to submit to a delay of twelve months in the construction of
the road, which will then be free for public traffic, rather
than to undertake the payment of a toll charge that would press
heavily on the industry of the country.

5. I am not insensible however, to the great advantages
of attracting English capital to British Columbia, as nothing
would more certainly

accelerate its development and general prosperity.

6. The road from Yale to Lytton and from Hope to the
Shimilkomeen Valley remain open for the enterprise of capitalists,
and I shall take the liberty of submitting specifications and estimates
of the length and cost of construction of those roads and the probable
amount of their traffic, as soon as I can get them prepared in hopes
that they may be taken up in England as fair investments.



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FILE: 1860-04-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60022.txt
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No. 22

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch
of the 20th February, No 10, upon the subject of a Bill drawn by
Mr W.A.G. Young for the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty pounds
(£250.0.0), presumed by Your Grace to be on account of his Half Years
Salary as Colonial Secretary; and calling my attention to the
irregularity of the proceeding and to the Colonial Regulations wherein
the manner of drawing Bills is distinctly pointed out.

2. I have called upon Mr Young for an explanation of this matter,
and I forward herewith his report, from which Your Grace will
perceive that the Bill in question was not drawn for Salary, but
appears to be part of the Sum of Two Thousand Pounds (£2000.0.0)
which I was obliged to draw to meet Military Expenses in Vancouvers Island, and of which I have duly advised Your Grace in my Despatch of
the 27th of August last, No 42.

3. It has always been a matter of some difficulty to effect a
favorable negociation of our Bills, as the large supply of Navy
Bills—which being drawn at 7 days sight, obtain a readier
market—nearly equals the actual demand for sums of any considerable
amount. We have therefore been obliged to watch the market, and to
negociate our Bills as occasion offered. On my departure for British
Columbia in September last there was a large residue still to be
drawn of the sums required on Military account both for British
Columbia and Vancouver's Island, and of which sums I had already duly
advised Your Grace, and as considerable inconvenience would arise if
the Bills could not be negociated before my return, and as much loss
might ensue if any favorable opportunity were neglected, I authorized
Mr Young to countersign the Bills in my absence, and I wrote a
letter to Her Majesty's Paymaster General, of which I beg to enclose a
Copy, duly acquainting him of such authorization.

4. I have always endeavoured strictly to comply with the rules
laid down in the Colonial Regulations relative to the manner in which
Bills are to be drawn, but the case in question, is, I conceive, one
where a departure from the letter, although not from the spirit of
those instructions is justly demanded by circumstances.



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FILE: 1860-04-23_Dunn_to_Newcastle_V606D01.txt
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Dunn to Newcastle

I am just returned from Vancouver Island & British Columbia.

Her Majesty might be better represented in these Colonies. The
Hudson Bay Company have a majority in the Assembly and appear to rule
the country. The Governor has private & family interests in
Vancouver Island and the British Colonists are not getting due
attention. Public Buildings are not put in proper places nor put up
as they ought, unqualified & also some unprincipled parties get the
executing of the Works many of which are improperly put up & some
only partly done by run away Contractors.

I left the Colony owing to the manner affairs were being managed.

I have no doubt your Grace is getting matters looked into and will
excuse the liberty I have taken to make these few remarks.



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FILE: 1860-04-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607020.txt
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No. 20

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 28 of the
27th of February last enclosing a letter from Colonel Moody
recommending the construction of a

Military Road from New Westminster
to Burrards Inlet.

In reply I have to instruct you that I cannot sanction the
formation of such a road at the cost of Imperial funds.



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FILE: 1860-04-25_Laing_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V605TE02.txt
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Laing to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

In reply to Mr Merivale's Letter of the 29th February last, and to
your Letter of the 12th Instant, relative to the proposed payment to
the Hudson's Bay Company of the sum of £25,000, towards the
adjustment of their claims Consequent upon the resumption of
Vancouver Island by the Crown; I am directed by the Lords
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the
information of the Duke of Newcastle, that, as it appears that
the total sum to be awarded to the Hudson's Bay Company, for the
adjustment of these claims, cannot at present be ascertained, My
Lords are of opinion that the time has not yet arrived for submitting
to Parliament an Estimate for the discharge of such Claims.

Their Lordships will however be prepared to advance the sum of
£25,000 recommended by the Emigration Commissioners, at the proper
time, such advance to be replaced out of such moneys as Parliament
may hereafter vote for this service.

As the settlement of these claims must be founded on an investigation
not only of the cost of the Buildings &c: erected by the Company, but
of the account of Credits for Land Sales &c: and upon an Estimate of
the abatements to be made, from the outlay of the Company for
deterioration,

*

My Lords would suggest to the Duke of Newcastle that
it would be advisable to entrust the examination of the several
Accounts to an Officer of His Grace's Department, assisted by one to
be named by this board; and that the Estimate to be submitted to
Parliament should be founded on their Report, which should be printed
with such Estimate; and, upon hearing that His Grace approves of this
suggestion, Their Lordships will instruct one of Their Officers to
put himself in Communication forthwith with the Colonial Office, in
order that no unnecessary delay may take place.



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FILE: 1860-04-26_Hamilton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE18.txt
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Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept & pay two Bills No 8 and 9 drawn by
W.D. Gosset Esqre by command of the Governor of British
Columbia for the sum of £1200.



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FILE: 1860-04_Hammond_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V605FO11.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 19th
Instant, inclosing a Despatch from Governor Douglas stating the
reasons which had induced him to delay acting upon the Instructions
addressed to him by The Duke of Newcastle on the 16th of November
last, directing him to place upon the Island of San Juan a force
equivalent to that retained by General Scott.

I am to request that you will state to The Duke of Newcastle, in
reply, that it appears to Lord John Russell that it would be as well
to wait for further accounts before Governor Douglas' conduct in this
matter is approved by His Grace. Lord John Russell cannot but feel
that Governor Douglas has incurred a serious responsibility in
delaying to act upon The Duke of Newcastle's Instructions of the
16th of November last, and that serious consequences may ensue if
the execution of those Instructions is further delayed.



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FILE: 1860-05-02_Cadell_to_Palmerston_Treasury_B606C01.txt
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Cadell to Palmerston (Treasury)

I addressed your Lordship from Honolulu Sandwich Islands, about
the beginning of Jany, with reference to British Columbia, being
then on my way from London to Vancouvers Island, in quest of
Government employment in the New Colony. I now find from experience
since arrival that I anticipated the position of that Colony on the
communication referred to, with the view therefore of providing your
Lordship with a more specific view of the necessities of British
Columbia, towards procurring immediate relief. I beg to state, that
the position of British Columbia, with reference to its difficult
access, numerous Indian Tribes, & proponderence of foreign
Population, whose political proclivities, are adverse to the
progressive development of British power on the Pacific, suggests
that the combined wisdom of Her Majestys Government, should be
directed towards furnishing progressive measures for British
Columbia, that Public Works may be put in progress with increased
energy, an increased emigration of British Subjects passed
hitherward, particularly with the view of neutralising the energetic
proponderating foreign element, which we find at present located in
the Colony, presenting an undercurrent of opposition to progress,
which must

ultimately perpetuate a helpless condition of British
power on the Pacific, unless immediately chequed.

The following inquiry might be made at the Colonial Department
with reference to British Columbia.

First—Are the political proclivities of the existing
Population, such as to constitute a healthy basis for the gradual
development of British power in the Pacific without pressing by
extraordinary aid an increased emigration of British subjects?

Second—What is the financial position of the Colony with
reference to its present & prospective resources, from which a
permanent revenue may be expected?

Third—What sum would be required immediately for the
construction of works of actual necessity, particularly for the
Construction of Roads, & pressing an emigration of British Subjects,
& are the People willing to be taxed for the regular payment of the
Interest of an extraordinary immediate expenditure?

When I state that the expense of transit from New Westminster to
Fort Alexander in the interior of British Columbia, the center of a
rich Mineral & Agricultural Country, is over £200 Sterling (Two
Hundred Pounds sterling) per Ton. I trust therefore that that fact
will prove of sufficient importance to constitute appology for
pressing your Lordships attention to the subject of our Colonial
necessities.

His Excellency Governor Douglas, whom I name with respect, as
fully qualified for the responsible position His Excellency has the
honor of occupying, has been compelled from the want of funds, to
reduce the Government establishment in British Columbia, with the view

of meeting expenses from a limited revenue—limited however only in
absence of the progressive measures referred to.

I beg again to mention to your Lordship my Claim upon Her
Majesty's Government for the Appointment of Superintendent of the
Mining Department of British Columbia, for which I made application
in July 1858 as Compensation for the information which I conveyed to
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton Bart, the then Secretary for the Colonies,
connected with the conduct of a goldmining Country of difficult
access, applicable to British Columbia, an abstract of which I filed
at the Colonial Office, predicating from year to year the position of
British Columbia, while [sanction?] for [transit?] requiring
extraordinary aid, remains unprovided for.

I have been duly qualified according to the competitive system
for the above appointment, comprehending the complicated experience
required for the successful conduct of systematic productive mineral
development; accquired [sic]
from eight years practical application to these
subjects in California, as a professional occupation. The duties of
that Appointment require in a particular manner, assimilated in
actual experience, connected with mineral & agricultural Chemistry,
and the formation of a goldmining country, with all the most
economical improvements connected with Placer & Quartzmining, & the
distribution of artificial supplies of water, by means of Aquaducts,
for the economical extraction of the gold, from the mining ground &
quartz at a distance from the permanent Streams, towards providing
the Basis of Law for the most productive and equitable disposal of
the mineral property. I would be glad therefore if your Lordship
would mention my claim to the Duke of Newcastle in a progressive view

as the class of assimilated experience referred to, does not as yet
appear to have any official existence in British Columbia.

The Duke of Argyle is accquainted with my Uncle Col. Charles
[Ardier?] of Waterloo fame (who is now serving at one of the Dukes
seats, Long Nedding) & would on the Colonists account, bestow His
Graces influence in my favor & trusting that your Lordship will
excuse these liberties.



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FILE: 1860-05-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60044.txt
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No. 44

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No 1 of the 2nd January in reference to Mr James
Cooper, Harbour Master at Esquimalt for the service of British
Columbia, and I beg to forward for

your Grace's information copy
of a communication I have received from that Officer on the
subject of his taking up his residence in British Columbia,
whither I had instructed him to proceed agreeable to the
directions contained in your Grace's above mentioned despatch.

2. Under the particular circumstances of Mr Cooper's case, I
have deemed it

advisable not to require him to remove from Esquimalt but
to await your Grace's express instructions with regard to this matter.



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FILE: 1860-05-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60044CO.txt
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Confidential

With reference to my Despatch of this date No 44 forwarding
a Copy of a letter from Mr Cooper appealing against instructions
I had issued to him to proceed without delay to take up his
residence in New Westminster, or to resign his appointment under
the Government of British Columbia, such being the conditions
laid

down in your Confidential Despatch of the 5th September
1859, to which I am referred by Your Grace in your Despatch No
1 of the 2nd January last. I would desire to state to Your
Grace more fully than would be convenient in a public Despatch
the particular reasons which induced me to listen to Mr Cooper's
appeal and to permit him to remain at Esquimalt until I could
receive express instructions from Your Grace.

2. In Sir Edward Lytton's Despatch of the 2nd September
1858 No 15 acquainting me of the circumstances under which he
had selected Mr Cooper for the situation of Harbour Master at
Esquimalt Vancouver's Island,

for services in connection with
British Columbia, I am instructed that if I find his
"services at Esquimalt" can be better combined with some other
Office attached to "that Colony" (British Columbia), I am to alter
the "title" of his appointment.

3. It is thus clear that at the period of Mr Cooper's
appointment to Office in British Columbia it was arranged that
he should reside at Esquimalt, Vancouver's Island. There was
no doubt whatever in my mind upon the subject, but if there
had been it would have been removed by the receipt of a
Confidential Despatch from Sir Edward Lytton dated the 24th
March 1859 in which my attention is again called to the
circumstances connected with Mr Cooper's appointment, and I
am informed that the faith of Her Majesty's Government
"

is pledged" to his appointment to an office of the value of
Four Hundred pounds per annum; and that any
"delay or obstruction" to his appointment would be regarded as
owing to the "hostility he may have provoked from the Hudson's Bay Company, and would lead to difficulties and inquiries
therein which it might be desirable to avoid."

4. In the Confidential Despatch of Your Grace of the
5th September, 1859, no mention is made of Mr Cooper,
and I considered that the omission had been intentional when
viewed in connection with the facts above stated. Your Grace's
Despatch of the 2nd January last merely refers me to the
Despatch of the 5th September, but I understand it

as
instructing me to apply the rule therein laid down to Mr
Cooper, & I did not hesitate to do so, but when he appealed
to the circumstances of his appointment, I felt I should
hardly be justified in enforcing the rule
except under as specific instructions as
those requiring me to employ Mr Cooper at Esquimalt.

5. I trust this explanation will be satisfactory to Your
Grace, and I feel sure you will appreciate the delicate position
in which I am placed.

6. I should however be wanting both in my duty to Your
Grace and to myself did I not clearly put before you upon this
occasion the precise facts of the case in connection with Mr
Cooper's

appointment. His appointment so far as regards the
Colony of British Columbia is a complete sinecure. He does
not perform and cannot perform any duties at Esquimalt on
behalf of British Columbia, and there is no office there
whatever in which I could employ him by which I could make
his services available to British Columbia. His education
and training only fit him for the office of Harbour Master,
and, I believe, for that office he is fully competent. Upon
two particular occasions where I have urgently required the
services of such a functionary in British Columbia I have
not hesitated to call upon Mr Cooper to proceed thither to
perform the necessary duty. He has readily carried out my
instructions,

but being absent from the Residence fixed by
his appointment, has increased the expenses attendant on the
Services by charge for the usual personal allowance granted
to Officers when absent on duty from fixed residence, in
addition to the expenses for his passage backwards and forwards,
both of which charges would probably have been saved had he
resided at New Westminster: and again recently when I employed
him in replacing some of the Buoys at the entrance of Fraser
River he was compelled to employ the professional services of
a Pilot to assist him, thereby materially increasing the
expense, he having no local knowledge of the Pilotage, which
he most undoubtedly would have had or should have had, had
he been

resident at New Westminster.

7. At the present moment I really do not think the
services of a Harbour Master are required at New Westminster,
although I have no doubt that before many months pass such a
functionary will be necessary, for the City is making rapid
strides and vessels are commencing to carry goods there direct.
The appointment however having been made I see no good reason
why Mr Cooper should not at once undertake the duties, if
the former arrangement as to his residence at Esquimalt, be
under the altered state of affairs, rescinded by Your Grace.

8. Before concluding I deem it right further to inform
Your Grace

that Mr Cooper has obtained a seat in the
Legislative Assembly of Vancouver's Island; that he has
allied himself with the clique who abuse and villify the
Government, and every officer connected with the Government,
through the Columns of a newspaper which is published at
Victoria, called the "British Colonist" and is edited by an
individual whose real name is William Alexander Smith, but
who styles himself Amor de Cosmos, and for which newspaper Mr
Cooper is actually one of the Sureties; and that he persisently
opposes every measure originated by the Government—apparently
so only for the reason that it is a

Government measure—so
that in point of fact Mr Cooper residing in Vancouver's Island,
and being paid Four Hundred pounds a year from the Colony of
British Columbia for doing nothing for that Colony, has ample
leisure on his hands to devote himself almost entirely to the
work of creating dissension between the Government and the
people of Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1860-05-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607021.txt
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No. 21

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches No. 239 and
240 of the 22nd of December last, and to convey to you the sanction
of the Queen for the following Proclamations issued by you.

(No. 14) To facilitate the recovery of small debts.

(No. 15) To promote the formation of Joint Stock Companies.

(No. 16) To impose a toll on goods carried from New Westminster.

I enclose for your information
a report by the Law Adviser to this
Department on the two former of these Proclamations.

I take this opportunity to inform you that the copies of the
Proclamations transmitted to the Secretary of State should bear the
actual signature of the Governor and not merely a printed signature.



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FILE: 1860-05-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607020.txt
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No. 20

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 13 of the
10th of March enclosing a copy of the speech with which you opened the
Session of the Legislature of Vancouver Island on the 1st of that month.



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FILE: 1860-05-05_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60045.txt
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No. 45, Military

The acting Colonial Commissary having made requisition
on me as by letter herewith enclosed, for the sum of Fifteen
Hundred Pounds (£1500), being the necessary outlay in the Military
branch of that department for the 2nd quarter of the
present year, I have the honour

to acquaint your Grace that
not having funds in the Colonial Chest to meet this demand,
I have instructed the Treasurer to procure the above named
sum by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General, and I trust
your Grace will be pleased to obtain the necessary authority
from the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury, for the Bills
presented on this account to be paid, when they become

due.



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FILE: 1860-05-05_Magee_to_Newcastle_B606M01.txt
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Magee to Newcastle

On the 24th December 1858 Bernard Rice (a Native of
Carrickcloughan in the Parish of Killeavy in the County of Armagh)
was Shot to death by one William Foster at Fort Yale, British
Columbia. An Inquest was held before P.B. Whannell Justice of the
Peace and Coroner, and a Verdict of Wilful Murder by William Foster
was found.

Mrs Elizabeth Rice the Mother and next of kin of Bernard Rice
lives in Castle Street in the Town of Newry.

On the 14th of January 1859, Captain Whannell wrote to
Mrs Rice informing her of the Murder of her Son, and subsequently
a Second letter, enclosing a Copy of the Verdict, and further Stating

That among Bernard Rice's Papers, a Bill for £20, drawn at 7 days
Sight by the Provincial Bank at Newry on Spooner Atwood & Co London,
was found, which Bill, Mr Whannell retained until he should hear
from Mrs Rice.

That, on the person of Bernard Rice he had found, and had taken
Charge of a Bag Containing Gold Dust value 69 Dollars and 50
Cents—In Silver Coin One Dollar & 85 Cents and a "Colt Revolver."

That the Deceased's friend had Sold his Effects and placed same
in his Mr Whannells hands amounting to 91 Dollars and requesting
Instruction for the disposal of the Effects.

See letter No 1.

On the 29th Decr 1858 Two men, named Simpson Musgrove and
Thomas Williams, wrote to Mrs Rice from Fort Yale, stating the
death of her Son and stating, "400 Dollars were on his person. That
they had Sold his Claim & Effects for 91 Dollars and handed Same to the
Authorities." See Copy No 2.

In March 1859 Mrs Rice received these letters and answered
both directly.

On the 10th of June Williams & Musgrove wrote from Fort Yale
acknowledging receipt of Mrs Rices letter (on 8th June) wherein
one States, "I have just been at the Magistrate of this place to see if
he had sent the Money to you and that the Magistrate said he had written
to Mrs Rice on the 27th of January." See Copy No 3.

Not having received a reply from Captn Whannell, Mrs Rice
instructed me to write to him and on the 3d of Augt 1859 I
addressed to Captn Whannell a letter explaining that Mrs Rice
was Entitled to the property of her Son, and requesting same would
be remitted to her.

But up to the present, no reply has been made to this letter.
Nor has she heard from Captn Whannell. See Copy No 4.

The Bill for £20 was sent by Mrs Rice to her Son to sustain
him while in bad health in the Colony. The Second Bill she now
holds, It having been returned to her through the Post Office at
Puget Sound after her Sons death.

I enclose a Copy of Bernard Rices letter to his Mother
acknowledging receipt of the £20 Bill, and explaining that, it having
been the Second Bill of Exchange, it was not Negotiable. See Copy
No 5.

I beg on the part of Mrs Rice Your Lordship will be pleased
to cause inquiry to be made into the facts, and direct Captn
Whannell to remit to Mrs Rice the Effects of her Son Bernard Rice,
which came to the hands of Captn Whannell, and if possible, to
bring William Foster to Justice.



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FILE: 1860-05-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607022.txt
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No. 22

I transmit for your infon and guidance the copy of a letter
from the
Board of Treasury and of the answer which has been returned to it by my
direction, on the subject of the repayment of the advances that have
been made from the Treasury Chest on account of British Columbia.

You will observe from this correspondence that in order to arrive
at an adjustment of the accounts of the advances made, it is essential
that full accounts with vouchers should be transmitted to this country
of all sums received and disbursed on account of Bills drawn upon the
Paymaster General and I request that instructions may be given for this
being done with as little delay as possible. You will also call upon
Colonel Moody to supply accounts for the advances made to Captain Grant
R.E. and Captain Parsons.

I enclose the statements referred to in the letter from the
Treasury of the Bills accepted by their Lordships down to the 10th of
March last. It would be desirable that the accounts to be supplied by
Captain Gosset should include the Bills drawn, down to the

close of the
financial year on 31st March last, and, for the future, that the
Accounts should be transmitted quarterly.

I have to call your special attention to the observations of the
Lords Crs of the Treasury on the system to be followed in accounting
for the ordinary Revenue and expenditure of the Colony. British
Columbia being, for the present considered as a Crown Colony, both the
means by which its revenue is raised and the appropriation of that
Revenue fall under the supervision of H.M.'s Government. It is therefore
essential that I should be supplied with full information respecting the
financial condition of the colony. It will be your duty to transmit to
me quarterly returns of the Revenue and Expenditure

and, at the close of
each year a similar return for the past twelve months.

It will also be necessary that as soon as possible after the
commencement of each Calendar year you should transmit to the Secretary
of State Estimates of the Revenue and Expenditure for the ensuing year.
These Estimates will be submitted to the L. Crs of the Treasury and on
their receiving their Lords000hips approval will regulate the expenditure
of the year. Any further or different appropriations of the Revenue
which you may be led subsequently to consider desirable must be
specially reported by you for the sanction of H.M.'s Government. On
this subject I have to refer you to the general rules contained in the
Book of Colonial Regulations and to the instructions

communicated to you
with my Predecessor's despatches No. 58 of 24th December 1858 and
No. 3 of 6th January 1859.

These Estimates will enable the Secretary of State to decide upon
the amount of aid to the colony for which it will be necessary to apply
to Parliament. For the ensuing year I have come to the decision that it
will be sufficient to provide, in addition to your salary as Governor,
for the Colonial Pay of the Royal Engineers which, in the absence of any
specific information has been estimated at £11,000. The assurances
conveyed in your recent despatches that for the civil Expenditure of the
Colony the local resources are sufficient satisfactorily to provide,
convince me that by relieving you for another year from

the burthen of
the colonial as well as the Regimental pay of the men the increasing
Revenue of the colony will enable you to defray it's remaining military
charges. I therefore confidently rely on your being enabled to limit
your drafts upon H.M's Treasury to the amount of the colonial
Allowances of the Royal Engineers.

With respect to the Audit in the colony of the Treasurer's accounts
I refer you to my Predecessor's despatch No. 28 of the 3rd March 1859
in which it was stated that the Colonial Secretary might at the same time
perform the duties of Auditor. It will accordingly devolve upon Mr
Young to examine these accounts previously to their transmission to
England. You will observe that I have requested the Lords Crs of the
Treasury to furnish

Mr Young or the Colonial Secretary for the time
being with instructions for his guidance should any be requisite beyond
those afforded by the enclosures of Sir. E. Lytton's despatch of the
6th January 1859 above referred to.



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FILE: 1860-05-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60046.txt
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No. 46, Financial

With reference to my despatch No 216 of the 10th of
September last, forwarding a letter from the Colonial Treasurer
representing the difficulties resulting from the paucity of
small coins in circulation

in these Colonies and requesting
that a supply might be sent out from England, I have the honor
now to enclose copy of a further letter I have received from
the Treasurer upon the same subject.



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FILE: 1860-05-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60047.txt
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No. 47, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No 11 of the 21st February last, and to thank your Grace
for your

kindness in causing Fifty copies of the Map which accompanied
Lieutenant Mayne's Report, and also Fifty copies of the plans explanatory
of Lieutenant Palmers explorations in British Columbia to be transmitted
to me; when received I will not fail to advise your Grace of their
arrival.



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FILE: 1860-05-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60024.txt
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No. 24

I have the honor to forward for the information of your Grace Copy of
a letter with its enclosures which I have received from Rear Admiral Baynes informing me that Captain Hunt had been superseded in Command
of the United States Troops on the Island of San Juan, by Captain Pickett; and transmitting a Copy of that Officers instructions from General Harney the General Commanding the Department
of Oregon.

2. Your Grace's attention will naturally be attracted by the
extraordinary character of those instructions, and you will be
surprised to observe that the General Commanding declares he is not
cognizant of any arrangement having been made by the Government of
the United States and Great Britain for the joint military occupation
of the Island of San Juan; and it is also worthy of remark that he
alludes to the Civil Jurisdiction of the Territory of Washington as
being in force within the Island of San Juan, and all the other
islands in the Canal De Arro, which is in other words asserting the
sovereignty of the United States over the disputed Territory.

3. In taking up that position the "General Commanding" apparently
overlooks the fact, that the Legislative action of any mere
dependency of the United States can have no force or effect for or
against international questions, which were agitated before that
dependency had an existence as an integral portion of the United
States.

4. The mischievous tendency of these assumptions must be apparent to
your Grace: as cases involving the security of British rights and
interests may at any time be brought under the notice of the Military
Officer in Command of the British Detachment on San Juan, and just
protection must be accorded to British Subjects, even though that act
of duty should be followed by the deplorable results anticipated by
the "General Commanding"; but over which—though in this I am
expressing a view the opposite of his own—he clearly possesses the
most perfect power of control. If the "General Commanding" really
does anticipate disastrous consequences from the measures he is now
taking, he may perhaps be able to explain why the established status
as heretofore existing on the Island of San Juan, in consequence of
the understanding with Lieutenant General Scott, and which is
agreeable to both Governments, is now by his act, and without any
apparent necessity disturbed.

5. Your Grace will observe that the "General Commanding"
declares in his instructions that no orders were left with him by
Lieutenant General Scott to accede to a joint military occupation of
San Juan, and that the Government of the United States have not
delegated to him any authority to offer or accept such occupation.

6. In that case though practically wrong he is nevertheless
technically right in saying that no convention for the joint
occupation of San Juan has been agreed to by the Government of the United
States. I have therefore by this mail forwarded the whole correspondence
to Lord Lyons, and have submitted to his Lordship that no time should
be lost in placing General Harney in possession of the real views and
intentions of his own Government, whose action by his proceeding he
virtually ignores.

7. It has occurred to me that possibly no definite arrangement has
really been made, and no Convention entered into by the two
Governments for a joint occupation of San Juan. I have consequently
taken the liberty of also submitting to Lord Lyons that measures
should be at once instituted for arranging the basis upon which the
disputed territory is to be held until the question of Title is
finally settled.

8. Probably the easiest solution of the difficulty is to continue
the joint military occupation of the Island as heretofore
established; that basis being acceptable to both Governments
and—next to the entire removal of the Troops of both Powers—the
best arrangement for preventing complications.

9. In carrying out that measure I would suggest that the Civil
Magistrates on both sides should be wholly withdrawn, for their
presence would only serve to embarrass the Military Commanders; they
can render them no real assistance in the discharge of their duties,
as no civil jurisdiction can properly exist within the Territory so
long as it remains in dispute.

10. When some such measure is arranged, it will not be discretionary
with the local Officers of either Government, to disturb the
established status of the disputed Territory; and to defeat the
evident desire of both Governments to maintain amicable relations.

11. I will only further remark in reference to this subject, that,
impressed as we are with the conviction that General Harney is acting
in this matter without authority from his Government, we do not deem
it necessary to make any change in the instructions issued to Captain
Bazalgette, Commanding the detachment of Royal Marines, now occupying
the Island of San Juan; he will continue to act in good faith, and in
the most friendly spirit; but your Grace will readily perceive that
notwithstanding the best intentions on our part, the most serious
complications may suddenly arise out of the present state of affairs.



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FILE: 1860-05-07_Hamilton_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605TE19.txt
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Hamilton to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept & pay a Bill drawn by W.D. Gosset Esqre
by command of the Governor of British Columbia for the sum of £250.

The Bills drawn cannot be identified with the sums which the
Governor advises the Secretary of State. That cannot be done
till accounts are received.



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FILE: 1860-05-07_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607023.txt
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No. 23

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 5 of the
12th of January enclosing a Proclamation issued by you prescribing
the conditions on which unsurveyed Agricultural lands may be occupied in
British Columbia.

The difficulties you experienced in providing surveyed country
lands for agricultural Settlers were explained in your despatches of the
4th July and 18th of October last and the present Proclamation
carries into effect the measures to which you had found yourself compelled to
resort of granting occupation of unsurveyed land with a future right of
preemption.

The Proclamation has been laid before Parliament in compliance with
the provisions of the Act 21-22 Vic: Cap. 99, but I shall delay to
convey to you any final decision upon it until I shall have received
your report upon the scheme of Captain Clarke R.E. for the disposal of
the Crown Lands of British Columbia which I forwarded to you with my
despatch No 3 of the 7th of January which has crossed your
despatch now under acknowledgement.

In the meantime it may be useful to communicate to you the enclosed
observations of the Emigration Commissioners in which
some necessary
amendments of the Proclamation issued by you are pointed out.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60048.txt
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No. 48

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No 9 of the 18th February, explaining that your
Grace's object in transmitting to me Captain Clarke's scheme
for the disposal of land, was merely to put me in possession
of the views

of a gentleman of great practical ability, and
extensive colonial experience on the best means of meeting
difficulties such as he had himself encountered in administering
the affairs of a rapidly growing Colony.

2. This I supposed was your Grace's object and the motive
which kindly induced you to forward Captain Clarke's

scheme,
and I was not led from the tenor of your accompanying despatch,
to think that you had done so as a preliminary towards carrying
such a scheme into execution in a formal manner, and without
regard to the Laws regulating the sale of Crown Land now in
force in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60049.txt
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No. 49

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No 3 of the 7th January last transmitting copy of
a letter by Captain Clarke R.E. accompanied by a proposed

scheme
for the disposal of the Crown Lands in British Columbia, for
which I feel greatly obliged to your Grace.

I have given to Captain Clarke's scheme my serious
consideration and have submitted it for the consideration
of several of the principal officers of British Columbia, and
I will not fail hereafter to furnish your Grace with the opinion
I have formed of its applicability to the circumstances

of
British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60050.txt
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No. 50

I have the honor to acknowledge your Grace's confidential
despatch of the 19th February transmitting for my information
copy of a despatch

from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington
reporting his further communication with General Cass on the
question of appointing another Commissioner for the North
West Land Boundary Commission, in the place of Mr Campbell.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60023.txt
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No. 23

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's Despatch
of the 21st February last marked Confidential, enclosing copy of an
opinion obtained of the Law Advisers of the Crown on the question, to
whom the right of disposing of the proceeds of the sale of public
land will belong, when the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company have
ceased, and I have to thank your Grace for this most useful
information.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60025.txt
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No. 25

I have the honor to acknowledge your Grace's confidential despatch of
the 13th February last transmitting copies of correspondence between
Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States on
the settlement of the San Juan question, and copy of a despatch from
Lord Lyons reporting the substance of a conversation with General
Cass on reading to him the proposals of Her Majesty's Government for
the settlement of the Oregon boundary question.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60026.txt
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No. 26

I have had the honor of receiving your Grace's despatch of the 22nd February requiring that certain Acts of the Legislature of Vancouver Island transmitted in my despatch No 60 of the 20th November last
shall be forwarded to you duly authenticated by the proper Officer
and with the Seal of the Colony affixed to each, in order that the
same may be submitted for Her Majesty's confirmation; and in
accordance therewith I beg now to enclose to your Grace Copies of the
Acts in question in the necessary shape.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605LN05.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge Mr Merivale's letter of 23rd
ultimo, enclosing a Despatch from Governor Douglas on the subject
of the grant of endowments in Land to the Clergy of the principal
Christian Communities established in British Columbia.

2. Governor Douglas states that although he had no authority
to apply any part of the public Revenue to the aid or support
of Churches he

has not hesitated to grant to the Clergy of the
Church of England and the "Methodist Episcopal Church" sites for
a Church, School and Dwelling House, forming a Block of 4
building Lots—or about one acre—in all Towns where they
resided. The Towns in which these grants have been made are
Yale, Hope, Derby, Douglas and New Westminster. He further
requests authority to make similar grants in all other Towns
of British Columbia where ordained Ministers of the Gospel
may take up their residence, and he likewise proposes that free

grants of 100 acres of rural land should be made in aid of
every cure established in British Columbia and not otherwise
supported at the public expense—where there is a resident
Clergyman and a place of public worship—restricting these
grants, however, to the Churches of England and Rome—the
Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.

3. As regards the grants already made Governor Douglas'
proceedings should, I think, be approved, but he will of
course take care that the Land shall be appropriated strictly

to the purposes for which it was intended—and that it shall
be so conveyed as to be secure against the possibility of
misapplication in future years. Nor do I see any objection
to his making similar grants in other Towns wherever a
Clergyman and a Congregation may be established and require
such assistance.

4. In respect to the proposed grants of 100 acres of rural
land to such cures as may be hereafter established the experience
of other Colonies is not encouraging. It

has been found that
where a Clergyman in a new Colony had to depend on his Land
for his principal means of subsistence, he must, to make it
answer, devote to it so much of his time as seriously to
interfere with his usefulness. Unless he does this the
endowment becomes only an apparent, not a real, provision
for him. He cannot let it, because Land in a new Colony
is never, except under very peculiar circumstances, taken on
lease—and to employ hired labor would generally be beyond
the means of a Clergyman so situated.

For these reasons the
practice of making grants of Land as endowments to living
in the Colonies has, I believe, been generally discontinued
for many years—and great caution should be used in
returning to it in British Columbia. It may be doubted
whether it is not better for a Clergyman to depend entirely
on the liberality of his congregation than to be provided
with an endowment which, though no substantial assistance
to him, may be an excuse to such of his Congregation as are
disposed to withhold their aid.

5. Governor Douglas as I have

stated proposes to
restrict these grants to four principal Christian communities.
Looking, however, to the number of different communities of
Christians in the United States and Upper Canada he would
probably not be able to carry out such a restriction.
This is another motive for caution. Under any circumstances
he should not make grants of this description until he has
satisfied himself, in addition to there being a resident
Clergyman and a place of Worship

that there is also a
settled population of the community to whose Clergyman
the grant is to be made in its immediate vicinity.



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FILE: 1860-05-08_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607024.txt
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No. 24

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 15 of the
27th of January enclosing a Proclamation issued by you on the 20th
of January, authorizing the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to sell
Town and Suburban Lots and Agricultural lands which have been offered
for sale at public auction and remain unsold, at the upset price.

I have laid this Proclamation before the Queen, and I am commanded
to acquaint you that Her Majesty has been pleased to approve the same.



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FILE: 1860-05-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60051.txt
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No. 51

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on this date
of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on
the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-05-09_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605LN06.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge Mr Merivale's letter of 26th
ultimo, enclosing a Despatch from Governor Douglas proposing
the reservations of some land in British Columbia for the use
of certain of the Indians of that Colony.

2. Governor Douglas encloses a correspondence which has
passed between Mr Cridge, the District Minister of Victoria,
and Mr Duncan, a

Gentleman who has devoted himself to the
work of Christianizing the Indians, from which it appears that
Mr Duncan is anxious to obtain some land on which to locate
the younger Members of the Tribe who have been under his
instruction, in order that by separating them from the older
Indians they may be rescued from the danger of relapsing into
vicious habits. Governor Douglas in consequence proposes to
reserve several hundred acres of land for this purpose about
20 Miles South of Fort Simpson to be conveyed to the Governor of the Colony for the time being in trust for the

Indians, but not to be in any degree subject to their disposal.

3. This proposition appears to me well deserving of
approval, and I would recommend that it should receive the
sanction of the Duke of Newcastle.



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FILE: 1860-05-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60027.txt
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No. 27

With reference to my Despatch of the 18th January last No 2
informing your Grace that in compliance with the instructions
contained in your Despatch of the 2nd November 1859 No 20 I had
issued directions to Colonel Moody to take the requisite measures
towards the erection of a Naval Powder Magazine at Esquimalt I have
now the honor to forward copy of a letter which I have this day
received from Colonel Moody acquainting me that he has selected a
site and has forwarded a plan and estimate for the magazine to the
Inspector-General of Fortifications.

2. I have placed Cole Island, (the site fixed upon at the head of
Esquimalt Harbour) at the disposal of Colonel Moody in accordance
with the instructions of your Grace.



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FILE: 1860-05-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60028.txt
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No. 28

With reference to the last Paragraph of my Despatch of the 28 March
No 17, I have the honor to transmit herewith to your Grace Copy of a
letter which I have received from the Agent at this place of the
Hudson's Bay Company, exhibiting the quantity of land claimed by the
Company under a Title anterior to the Charter of Grant, and also the
quantity acquired by purchase in their private capacity.

2. The quantity of land purchased by the Company at Nanaimo alluded
to by Mr Dallas in the Postscript of his letter, amounts to Six
Thousand One Hundred and Ninety three Acres: excluding Reserves made
on the tract for Public purposes and for Indians of One thousand and
Seventy four Acres.



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FILE: 1860-05-11_Ellice_to_Newcastle_V605MI09.txt
================================================================================

Ellice to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Fortescue's letter of
the 5th instant transmitting the Copy of a despatch which your Grace
proposes to address to Governor Douglas.

I beg to suggest that the Governor should be expressly cautioned
against acting upon Your Grace's instructions in regard to the land
in Vancouver's Island until he receives the requisite authority from
this Company, which is to be sent out to him as soon as the payment
of the £25,000 shall have been made.

I think it right also to advert to that part of the proposed despatch
which refers to the sums to be paid to this Company on the
reconveyance of the Island of Vancouver. The claim originally sent
in, as stated in the despatch, embraced the whole of the expenditure
of the Company, and amounted to £225,699; but I would submit that the
despatch is not quite correct when it goes on to state that,

on being informed that
it was not the desire of Her Majesty's Government
to take over any of the establishments or property connected with
their commercial transactions

this Company furnished an amended account.

I think it right to observe that the first communication received by
this Company after the account alluded to was sent in, was under date
the 28th July 1858, from Lord Carnarvon the then Under-Secretary for
the Colonies, in which he stated that

Her Majesty's Government are of opinion, and are legally advised,
that according to the proper and fair construction of the Royal Grant
of the 13th January 1849, the obligation of Her Majesty's Government
to compensate the Company, in the event of a repurchase, extends only
to sums laid out by the Company upon the Island and premises as
Owners thereof, and the value of the establishments, property, and
effects of the Company being thereon, and connected with such
Ownership;

and he went on to state that Her Majesty's Government did not
recognize any obligation to compensate the Company for such of their
establishments and property as had been erected and got together in
consequence of, and in relation to, their commercial operations as a
Company carrying on Trade with the Indians.

This Company were advised that they had a right to call for payment
of the full amount of the claims they had sent in, but not wishing to
create discussion, or to occasion inconvenience to the Government, so
long as it could be avoided without an undue sacrifice of the
interests of their constituents, the Directors were induced to
furnish an amended claim, assuming the Company to retain that part of
their property which the Government declined to take off their hands.
Upon reference to the subsequent correspondence, Your Grace will find
that when the discussion arose about the expenses incurred in
searching for Coal, which it was proposed to refer to Sir John
Coleridge, this Company were anxious that the whole question should be
submitted to him, but this was refused on the part of the Government.

I am anxious there should be no misunderstanding on this part of the
question, as it will necessarily be brought into discussion when this
Company's rights in Vancouver's Island come to be considered before
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and it is desirable
therefore that its real position should be fully understood.



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FILE: 1860-05-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60052.txt
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No. 52, Military

At the request of Colonel Moody I forward herewith to your Grace a letter he has addressed to me requesting

the assistance of Her Majesty's
Government towards obtaining passages from England under Government on
Emigration auspices for certain of the wives and betrothed of the men
belonging to the Detachment of Royal Engineers in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-05-14_Ellice_to_Newcastle_V605MI10.txt
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Ellice to Newcastle

By accounts received from Vancouver's Island I learn that one of the
measures recently adopted by Governor Douglas in his double capacity
of Governor of Vancouver's Island and of British Columbia operated in
a manner so unfavourably and as I think unjustly to the interests of
the Hudson's Bay Company that I feel it my duty to bring the matter
under Your Grace's notice.

Your Grace is no doubt aware that Governor Douglas has of late

*

imposed heavy duties on all goods imported into British Columbia.
These duties he finds it next to impossible to collect within the
Colony of British Columbia, in consequence of the great extent of the
Coast and the paucity of Custom houses, and, in order to meet the
difficulty, he has fallen on the expedient of exacting the duties
payable on goods entering British Columbia, before they leave the
port of Victoria.

I venture humbly to represent to Your Grace, that in thus collecting
the British Columbia import duties within the separate Colony of
Vancouver's Island Governor Douglas acts illegally, and the Tax,
instead of being an Import duty as respects British Columbia, becomes
a duty on exports from Vancouver's Island.

As respect the interests of this Company, I have already stated that
the measure operates unfavourably and in my opinion unjustly. The
Hudson's Bay Company, as Your Grace is probably aware, has the
principal Depot for its Trade at Victoria, where it is very easy for
the Governor to exact the duties to any extent. But the American
Trader and the Smuggler have no difficulty in evading the duties, for
as they do not enter the port of Victoria, but go to the Coast of
British Columbia direct—where there are no Custom-house Officers

**
—they escape the duties altogether. And the consequence is that
the Hudson's Bay Company alone is made to pay the duties.

Herewith I have the honor of transmitting an Extract of a Letter
addressed by Sir George Simpson to the Secretary of this Company, from which Your Grace will observe that in a recent trading voyage
of the Hudson's Bay Company's Steamer "Labouchere"
to the North West Coast of North America, the duties levied upon her
Cargo, at Victoria, under the denomination of British Columbia Import
duty amounted to no less a sum than £300. Moreover, the duties were
exacted on the whole of her Cargo, although a portion only was
intended for British Columbia—the remainder being intended for Trade
with the Natives residing in the Territory rented by this Company
from the Russian American Fur Company.

I have no hesitation in saying that if this system of levying taxes
be continued; if this Company's goods are to be taxed exclusively,
while other Traders are enabled to Traffic all along the Coast
without paying any duty at all; and if, moreover, the Company are to
be called upon to pay British Columbia import duties for goods sent
to, and to be consumed in, the Russian Territory; the result will be
that we shall be ultimately forced to withdraw from a trade in which
such unfair advantages are given to the Foreign Trader and
Smuggler—or to establish the Depôts
for our Trade within the Russian Territory where we shall not be
subjected to measures of this character.

I would therefore most respectfully submit to Your Grace that
measures should be adopted to stop such proceedings. I venture to
think that your Grace will at once see the illegality of raising at
Victoria the duties on the importation of goods into British
Columbia. They might with fully as great justice be raised at
Liverpool or London. The Colonies are entirely separate, and under
separate Governments, the only connection between them being that the
same functionary happens to be Governor of both. It will
consequently be evident to Your Grace, that in levying duties at
Victoria the Governor collects an export duty from Vancouver's
Island, (for which he has no Warrant) and not an import duty into
British Columbia.

I beg to assure Your Grace that, in venturing to bring this subject
under your notice, it is not the wish of the Directors of this
Company to evade duties legally imposed, and legally levied. All
that we wish is that the British Columbia duties should be levied
within that Colony, so that they may be imposed equally upon all
parties trading with that Coast. If that were done, the duties would
not be imposed on the Hudson's Bay Company alone, while small traders
and smugglers were allowed to escape.



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FILE: 1860-05-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60029.txt
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No. 29

I have the honor to acknowledge your Grace's despatch No 14 of the
15th March directing me to pay the sum of Thirty six pounds fifteen
shillings on account of the passages in the Ship "Grecian" of the
wife and children of George Davis one of the Light house keepers
proceeding to Vancouver Island to the Agents of the Vessel Messrs
Price and Co., which instructions shall be carefully attended to.



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FILE: 1860-05-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60030.txt
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No. 30, Military

I have the honor to forward herewith to your Grace by request of
Colonel Moody the copy of a letter he has addressed to me respecting
the selection of a site upon the Island of San Juan for the military
post formed there by Her Majesty's Troops in establishing a joint
occupation of the Island with the Troops of the United States.

2. The circumstances of the case are detailed in the correspondence,
but it may be convenient that I should briefly recapitulate them.

3. When the instructions were received to land a body of Troops upon
the Island of San Juan it became a matter of some consideration as to
where the Military Post should be established, for most of the
desirable spots have been pre-empted by American settlers and of
course the act of landing Troops upon any of these spots would at
once have produced a disturbance. Admiral Baynes despatched Captain Prevost in the Satellite to make a reconnaissance and to report upon
the localities that were suitable and available. His report pointed
to six positions but Admiral Baynes and myself at once agreed that
one spot—the spot ultimately chosen—was pre-eminently suitable.
The other positions were objectionable for general reasons,
contiguity to the United States Camp, difficulty of access, scarcity
of water &ca. However thinking that Colonel Moody might offer a
valuable opinion upon such a matter I forwarded the correspondence to
him and requested him to favor me with his views. He instantly
despatched an officer from British Columbia to Fort Victoria in order that
he might proceed to San Juan to examine the different localities
and furnish a report before Colonel Moody could offer an opinion. I
desired the Officer to wait upon Admiral Baynes but Admiral Baynes
declined his services, in which I perfectly acquiesced. Had we been
seeking a site solely with a strategical vein, the assistance offered
by Colonel Moody would have been very valuable, but as we were above
all things desirous to avoid the appearance of having placed Troops
on the Island with any covert object, I certainly am of opinion that
it would have been unwise for an Engineer Officer to have proceeded
in the first instance to examine the different localities, the more
especially as no actual necessity existed for such an action.



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FILE: 1860-05-17_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD06.txt
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Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes, dated the
28th March, No 42, enclosing a Copy of his Correspondence with the
Governor of Vancouver Island relative to the withdrawal of the Royal
Marines employed as a Military Guard at Fort Victoria for service on the
Island of San Juan, and pointing out that whilst the Royal Engineers
serving in Vancouver Island and British Columbia are paid very
highly, the Officers and men of the Royal Marines have not received
any Colonial Pay since the Commencement of August 1859.

My Lords consider that the conduct of Admiral Baynes in this matter
should be approved; he has acted in strict accordance with the
general spirit of his Instructions, and with reference to the general
question as to the mode in which Military Protection is to be
afforded to Victoria and to other portions of the Territory of
British Columbia their Lordships can only advert to the observations
contained in their Letter of the 9th June 1859 to the Secretary of
State for War, a Copy of which Letter appears to have been sent on
the 16 June to the Colonial Office from the War Department.



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FILE: 1860-05-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607025.txt
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No. 25

I transmit for your information a copy of a letter which I have
received from Mr J.M. Magee accompanied by several documents relative
to some property left by Bernard Rice who was shot at Fort Yale in
British Columbia, as detailed in your despatch No. 68 of the 8th of
January 1859, and I have to request that you will cause the necessary
enquiries to be instituted and report to me the result.



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FILE: 1860-05-19_Arbuthnot_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V605TE03.txt
================================================================================

Arbuthnot to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of 17th Instant, stating that the Duke
of Newcastle has no objection to such a short preliminary examination
of the Accounts of the Hudson's Bay Company as this Board may deem
indispensable before making the payment to the Company of £25,000
towards the adjustment of their claims consequent upon the resumption
of Vancouver's Island by the Crown, I am commanded by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the
information of His Grace, that they have appointed Mr Foster, the
Assistant Paymaster General to inspect the accounts in question in
conjunction with an Officer of the Emigration Office, and that the
necessary instructions have been given to Mr Foster to lose no time
in making such a preliminary investigation and report as will satisfy
My Lords of the propriety of issuing the sum of £25,000 on account,
in accordance with the desire expressed by His Grace the Secretary of
State.



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FILE: 1860-05-19_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60053.txt
================================================================================

No. 53, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No. 13 of the 12th March and the enclosed copy of
Instructions addressed by Her

Majesty's Minister at Washington
to Lieutenant Colonel Hawkins for that Officer's guidance in
the execution of his duties as Commissioner for marking out
the Land Boundary between Her Majesty's Possessions and those
of the United States.



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FILE: 1860-05-19_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607026.txt
================================================================================

No. 26

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 24 of the
17th of February last on the subject of the grant of endowments in
Land to the clergy of the

principal Christian Communities established in
British Columbia.

I approve of the grants of about one acre each which you have
already made to the Clergy of the Church of England and the "Methodist
Episcopal Church" as sites for a Church, School and Dwelling House, and
you will also be at liberty to make similar grants in all Towns in the
Colony where ordained Ministers of the Gospel may take up their
residence, and where congregations may be established and require their
assistance; but care should be taken that the land shall be appropriated
to the purposes for which it was intended, and that it shall be so
conveyed as to be secure against the possibility of misapplication in
future years.

Your further proposal that free grants of 100 acres of
rural land should be made in aid of every cure established in British
Columbia and not otherwise supported at the Public expense, I consider
to be open to serious objections.

The experience afforded by other Colonies tends to shew that where
a clergyman in a new Colony has to depend on his land for his principle
means of subsistence, he must, to make it answer, devote to it so much
of his time as seriously to interfere with his usefulness. Unless he
does this the endowment becomes only an apparent, not a real, provision
for him. He cannot let it because land in a new settlement is never,
except under very peculiar circumstances,

taken on lease, and to employ
hired labour would generally be beyond the means of a clergyman so
situated.

For these reasons I am unable to sanction the measure which you
propose. The practice of making grants of Land as endowments to livings
in the Colonies has been generally discontinued for many years, and I
much doubt whether it is not better for a Clergyman to depend entirely
on the liberality of his congregation than to be provided with an
endowment which, though no substantial assistance to him, may be an
excuse to such of his Congregation as are disposed to withhold their
aid.



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FILE: 1860-05-21_Hammond_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V605FO12.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

With reference to my Letter of the 19th ultimo, I am directed by
Lord John Russell to inclose, for the information of His Grace
the Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a Despatch from General Cass
to Mr Dallas, which has been communicated by the latter to Lord John Russell, respecting the disputed title to the Island of San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-05-21_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605AD02.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

Colonel Moody, the commanding Royal Engineer in British
Columbia, having reported that the Provisions furnished by
the Owners of the Thames City fell short during the voyage from this Country to that Colony, and that in consequence
some of the provisions shipped on Government account were
used for the subsistence of the detachment of Royal Engineers
embarked on board her, I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to request you will state to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies that the value of the Articles so
consumed will be charged against the freight of the Thames City,

as shewn below,

*

and that a corresponding credit will be
allowed to the Colonial Office when a claim is preferred by
this Department for Stores supplied for Colonial Service.



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FILE: 1860-05-22_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B606C03.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to enclose the usual certificate of the
existence of Colonel R.C. Moody RE, Chief Commissioner of Lands and
Works, British Columbia, on 31st March
and to request that an authority may be given to HM's
Paymaster General to issue to us that officer's salary for the quarter
ending on that date.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60053SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to inform your Grace that I left Victoria
on the 15th Instant on a visit to British Columbia. I
arrived at this place on the evening of the same day, and I
have since been engaged with business of great public importance.

2. I was glad to observe that this City had greatly
improved in appearance since my last visit, and that many new
buildings have been erected, and the surface in many parts
cleared of the gigantic stumps and fallen trees that obstructed
the thoroughfares and encumbered the ground. The erection of
a Court House and Buildings for the Assay Office has also
greatly added to the appearance of the place and increased
the bustle and activity which pervades the Town. Trade is
also on the increase. Two Steamers

of from Two to Three
Hundred Tons burthen are plying with goods and Passengers
between Fort Victoria and New Westminster, where their Cargoes
are discharged, and the inland transport is carried on from
thence to Douglas and Yale by four Stern wheel river Steam
Boats varying in burthen from 50 to 200 Tons, which now make
two trips a week to those places.

3. The Custom House Receipts, having for the last two weeks
somewhat exceeded the sum of One Thousand pounds

of Weekly
return, corroborate the opinion I have expressed with respect
to the state of trade, and indicate the spirited manner in
which supplies are being sent into the mining Districts, and
the confidence entertained by business men in the auriferous
resources of the Country.

4. The effect of the pre-emption law is already observable
in the forest clearings made by Settlers in the densely wooded
land on the banks of Fraser River. The cost of clearing such
land by means of hired labor ranges from £15 to £30

an acre,
and it will consequently never prove an attractive investment
for capital; such land cannot be cleared to advantage otherwise
than by the actual Settler investing his own labour in the
formation of a permanent home and property for himself and family.

5. I have given much anxious thought to the subject of
settling British Columbia, and the conclusion is more than ever
forced upon me that it cannot be successfully accomplished
without adopting a very liberal land system. I am strongly
induced

to view the public land simply as a source of revenue,
and provided an income of equal or greater value can be
realized by other means, it does not appear wise or expedient
to lock up the public land under a system which practically
places it beyond the reach of purchase by ordinary settlers.
It is evident that without population a revenue for the
support of Government is unattainable, and unproductive land
is next to valueless both to the Country and to the Crown.
The sale of land affords a temporary Revenue,

but the
Settler indirectly by the payment of duty on the foreign
articles he consumes and by means of a small direct tax
which could be levied on the land he occupies, will become
a permanent contributor to the revenue, and therefore
although the land may have been acquired for nothing, and
brought no revenue in the first instance, yet, in such case,
the Crown in the end would become the gainer by his presence.
If the public land could be sold at a high upset price, and
the Country at the same time

filled with people, there would
be an advantage in continuing the present sale price of land,
but if one or other of those objects must be sacrificed, it
is evidently preferable to have the population, and to grant
the land without purchase, or at a much lower price than the present.

6. These observations are thrown out merely for the purpose
of acquainting your Grace with the impressions made upon me by
the present circumstances of this Country, and I propose to
bring the subject under the consideration

of Her Majesty's
Government, in a more formal manner, when I have arrived at
a clearer and better supported conclusion.

7. The inhabitants of New Westminster having expressed
a great desire for the incorporation of their Town, and the
appointment of municipal Officers to manage its revenues, I
consulted their select Committee as to their views, and as to
the best means of carrying out their wishes. Their propositions
are extremely moderate, embracing chiefly two points, viz.
the right of taxing

themselves, and of applying the proceeds
of such taxes to grading the Streets, and to the general
improvement of the Town. After several interviews, and
obtaining the sense of the people at a public meeting with
respect to the amount of taxes they wished to raise, and as
to whether such taxes should be levied on an arbitrary
valuation or an actual assessment of property, the draft
of an act was made containing the following provisions:

1st That all persons subject to the payment of rates
according to the act, shall be entitled to vote at Elections
for members of

the Town Council.

2nd That the Town Council shall consist of Seven Members,
who are to hold Office without remuneration and for one year only.

3rd That none but British Subjects, or Foreigners who
have become naturalized British Subjects, shall be eligible
for Councillors; and in addition they must be possessed of
property valued at not less than Fifty Pounds Sterling, and
shall have resided at least 6 months in New Westminster.

4th That the Town shall be divided into 4 wards, each
returning a certain number of Councillors.

5th That the Council shall be empowered to levy rates
on property within the Town, as may be determined and
authorized by the majority of rate payers; and to cause
the proceeds of such rates to be expended under the direction
of the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.

6th That the Council shall be authorized to levy a tax
not exceeding 2 per Cent on the assessed value of all Town
Lots, and Property within the Town for the years 1860 and
1861, and to enforce payment thereof.

7th That the said Council shall be empowered to levy a

further rate over and above the said two per Cent for the
said two years, provided the majority of the rate payers
deem it necessary and require them to do so.

8th That the said Council shall be further authorized to compel
Town Lot Holders to cut down all the Trees on their respective Town Lots,
except such as may be reserved for ornament, and in default to cause the
Trees to be cut down and the cost thereof not exceeding Seven pounds
Sterling on each

Town Lot to be levied on the property.

Such is the substance of the proposed Act, which will be immediately
put into the hands of the Attorney General for proper drafting.

8. Your Grace will observe that the powers of the Council
are so limited by the supervision of the Commissioner of Lands
and Works on the one hand, and by the rate payers on the other,
as almost to remove the danger of abuse, and I am of opinion
that the City will be greatly benefitted by its exertions and
by the expenditures on substantial and much needed improvements.

Trusting that this measure may meet with Your Grace's approval.



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FILE: 1860-05-25_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE20.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commisioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill for the sum of Five Hundred
Pounds drawn by W.D. Gossett Esqre for the service of British
Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-05-25_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607027.txt
================================================================================

No. 27

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 25 of the
10th of February last enclosing copies of a correspondence between
Mr Cridge, the District Minister of Victoria, and Mr Duncan,
relative to the formation of a settlement for Indian Converts to
Christianity, and in order to carry this plan into effect you propose to
reserve several hundred acres of land in the neighbourhood of Fort Simpson.

Subject to the stipulations which you suggest, namely that the land
should be conveyed to the Governor of the Colony for the time being in
trust for the use and benefit of the Indians, leaving them no power to
alienate or dispose of it, I have to authorize you to take the necessary
steps

for the conveyance of the lands in question.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607021.txt
================================================================================

No. 21

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
confidential of the 17th of January and also of your subsequent
despatch No. 15 of the 27th of March last on the subject of the joint
occupation of the Island of San Juan by a detachment of the Royal
Marines.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-28_Arbuthnot_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605TE04.txt
================================================================================

Arbuthnot to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to
transmit to you a Report from Messrs Foster and Lewes—who have been
appointed to examine the Accounts of the Hudson's Bay Company—and I
am to request that you will lay the same before the Duke of Newcastle and move His Grace to inform My Lords whether in his opinion the sum of £25,000 may now be safely advanced to the Hudson's Bay Company "on
account" of their claims in respect of Vancouver Island. Their
Lordships wish to be informed whether the representation made to the
Writers of this Report to the effect that the proceeds of the Land
Sales during the 7 Months ending May 1859 have been paid by order of Governor Douglas to the Government chest in lieu of being remitted home by the Agent of the Company is correct.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-28_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD07.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, copies of a letter from Rear Admiral Sir R. Baynes,
dated the 7th April last, No 54, and of its enclosure relative to
the joint Military occupation of the Island of San Juan with the
Troops of the United States by a party of Royal Marines.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-29_Murray_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V605FO13.txt
================================================================================

Murray to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before the Duke of Newcastle the accompanying Extract of a Despatch
which has been received from Her Majesty's Acting Consul General at
Woahoo reporting on the increasing amount of Trade at Victoria,
Vancouvers Island, owing to its being a Free Port.



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FILE: 1860-05-30_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE21.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill (No 11) for the sum of
£100 drawn by W.D. Gossett Esqre Treasurer of British Columbia
for the service of the Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-31_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60053SQ.txt
================================================================================

Separate

In continuation of my last report marked Separate and
dated New Westminster 23rd May, I have to communicate for
Your Grace's information, that the 24th of May was spent
in making a tour, in one of the River Steamers, to Pitt Lake,
distant about 40 miles from New Westminster, accompanied by
the Colonel's

command, the civil and military Colonial Officers,
the local Magistrates, and Lord Bishop of British Columbia,
his chaplain, and many of the citizens of New Westminster,
who were invited to celebrate with me the auspicious natal
day of our most Gracious Queen, amidst the wild romantic
scenery of that mountain Lake, and never I believe has any
part of Her Majesty's dominions resounded to more hearty
acclamations of loyalty and attachment, than were heard

on
that occasion.

2. The other Towns in British Columbia vied in loyal
demonstrations with the inhabitants of New Westminster, a
fact which I record with pleasure as a proof of the growing
attachment of the alien population of the Colony to our
Sovereign, and to the institutions of our Country.

3. On the 25th May, I proceeded from New Westminster,
with my party in one of the revenue boats, towards Derby.
In our progress up the Fraser we passed a number of tributary
streams flowing into it from the North. The "Pitt" is the
most considerable of these tributaries, being navigable for
vessels of three or four

hundred tons to its source in Pitt
Lake, a distance of 35 miles including the Lake, beyond which
it is acceptable for Indian canoes a few miles further, but
not for any larger craft.

4. The banks of Pitt River are exceedingly beautiful;
extensive meadows sweep gracefully from the very edge of the
river towards the distant line of forest and mountain. The
rich alluvial soil produces a thick growth of grass interspersed
with the Michaelmas daisy, the wild rose, and scattered groups
of willows. This fine District contains an area of 20,000 acres
of good arable land, requiring no clearing from

timber, and
ready for the immediate operations of the plough. Many parts
of it are however exposed to over-flow, through the periodical
mundations of the Fraser which commence about the first week
in June, and generally subside before the middle of July.
Owing to this circumstance the Pitt River meadows are not
adapted for raising wheat and other cereals which require the
entire season to mature, but may be turned to good account in
growing hay and every kind of root crop, and may also be used
extensively for pasturing cattle, and for the purposes of the dairy.

5. The Brunette, Coquitlum,

and "Whytus," the latter
opposite the site of Derby, are streams accessible by boat or
canoe for some distance from their debouch into Frasers River,
their importance to the District, as an easy, and inexpensive
means of communication, is very great, seeing that they form
a series of natural canals, intersecting the country, in all
directions, and admirably adapted for the transport of goods
and produce, to and from the navigable waters of the Fraser.

6. The banks of Frasers River are almost everywhere
covered with woods. Varieties of Pine and Firs of prodigious
size, and large poplar trees, predominate.

The vine and soft
maple, the wild apple tree [dogwood], the white and black thorn,
and deciduous bushes in great variety, form the massive undergrowth.
The vegetation is luxurient almost beyond conception, and
at this season of the year, presents a peculiarly beautiful
appearance. The eye never tires of ranging over the varied
shades of the fresh, green foliage, mingling with the clustering
white flowers of the wild apple tree now in full blossom, and
filling the air with delicious fragrance. As our boat gliding
swiftly over the surface of the smooth waters occasionally
swept beneath the overhanging boughs which forms a canopy of
leaves, impervious to the suns scorching rays, the

effect
was enchanting, yet amidst all this wealth and luxuriance
of nature, I could not repress the wish that those gorgeous
forests might soon be swept away by the efforts of human
industry, and give place to cultivated fields and the other
accessories of civilization. This however will be a work
of time though there is no doubt that the facilities and
inducements now held out to settlers in this Colony by the
pre-emptive law and other enactments, might enable thousands
of the destitute poor of Britain, by a few years of steady
industry, to secure for themselves, happy homes and a
comfortable independence for life.

7. Leaving the boat at Derby we travelled 2 miles by the
bridle path which skirts the Fraser to Langley. In my despatch
No 224 of the 18th October last I communicated to your
Grace the intention I then entertained, of opening up leading
roads in the Districts bordering on Frasers River from Derby
to Hope to connect those places, and for the relief of
settlers exploring the country; as they cannot otherwise
make their way through the woods which are blocked up in
every direction, by thick brush and immense quantities of fallen timber.

8. A portion of that road from Langley to Smess [Sumass],
which

completes the line of communication between Derby and Hope,
having been lately finished, I proceeded on horseback from
Langley with the intention of riding the whole way to Hope;
that intention could not however be fully carried into effect
as Frasers River had overflowed its banks, and inundated the
low plains through which the road has been injudiciously led.
After a ride of 13 miles our progress was arrested by a flooded
plain, impassable in its present state for horses, and we were
therefore compelled to seek the River and to proceed by canoe.

9. The tract through which we rode is well adapted for

settlement the soil being a deep rich loam, and the woods
which once evidently covered the whole face of the country,
having been in parts so completely destroyed by fire as to
leave large patches of ground almost clear of timber. The
tract alluded to and that extending to Smess River contains
about 150,000 acres of land, easily cleared and generally
well adapted for tillage, its advantageous position on the
banks of a navigable river, further recommend it as an eligible
place of settlement.

10. Captain Parsons with a party of Royal Engineers is now
engaged in a reconnaissance of

the country on the Sumess and
Chilwayhook Rivers. I will therefore defer the notice of that
district until I receive that Officer's report on its capabilities.

I will now close this communication, as a steamer is in
sight, and I will proceed by her from this point towards
"Douglas" or "Hope" with the intention of continuing this sketch.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-05-31_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607028.txt
================================================================================

No. 28

I have to acquaint you that the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury
have authorized the Paymaster General to accept and pay a Bill drawn by
Captain Gosset by your directions for £250 (No 10).



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FILE: 1860-06-02_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE22.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept & pay a Bill No 12 drawn by W.D. Gossett
Esqre for the sum of £1.400 on account of British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-02_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE23.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 26th Ultimo, I
am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to transfer to Naval Services the sum of £987.10
for the passages of the persons enumerated therein from
Southampton to Colon in the Royal Mail Steam Company's Packets.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-03_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607029.txt
================================================================================

No. 29

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 33 of the
22nd of March last, relative to the management of the North Western
Territories of British North America.

No apology was needed

from you for the fulness with which you have
entered into this question. On the contrary I feel indebted to you for
putting me in possession of views on your part which are so
comprehensive, and evidently founded on much well-informed consideration
of the subject.

Without at present expressing any opinion of my own on the several
points to be dealt with, I shall be glad to be informed from what
authority the Map which you annex is traced, as the boundaries of the
Chartered Territory appear to be more limited than those which are
claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-04_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO14.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt of your
Letter of the 31st Ultimo and it's Inclosures respecting the joint
Military Occupation of the Island of San Juan; and I am to request
that you will state to the Duke of Newcastle that Lord John Russell
approves of Governor Douglas' communication to Rear Admiral Baynes
upon this subject.



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FILE: 1860-06-04_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN06.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 23rd ultimo, inclosing a
Despatch from the Governor of Van Couvers Island on the subject of a
complaint made by Mr E. Langford against the Colonial Surveyor Mr
Pemberton. The facts of the case appear to be as follows.

2. Early in 1858 Mr Dallas, the Agent of the Puget Sound Company,
applied to the Surveyor General for certain Land adjoining a Farm
belonging to the Company. The Surveyor General accordingly set the
Land aside and, as he states, considered it as sold. In July 1858
Mr Langford, who is Bailiff to the Company, applied for a portion of
this Land and was refused on the ground that it was already sold.
Eventually the Puget Sound Company did not complete the purchase and
the Land was thrown into the market, where it is still unsold. But
Mr Langford states that he had in the meantime an opportunity of
disposing of it to great advantage, of which he was deprived by the
incorrect allegation of a previous sale to the Company. He adds some
general strictures on the Land Department of the Colony and the bad
repute in which it is held, which it is unnecessary further to notice.

3. If this were the whole case it would not I think be reasonable to
impute blame to Mr Pemberton. He might fairly consider that Land
which had been applied for by the Puget Sound Company was virtually
appropriated, and that he did bona

fide so consider it is proved by the fact, stated by the Governor,
that an instalment paper was actually made out at the time the land
was surveyed and now exists in a cancelled form in the office books.
But Mr Langford stated in his first letter to the Governor, that Mr Pemberton told him that the necessary instalment on the Land had
been paid, and in his letter to the Duke of Newcastle he reiterates
this statement more circumstantially, asserting that Mr Pemberton
not only said that the Land had been paid for, but offered to produce
his books in proof of it. This statement, moreover, is confirmed by
a declaration made by the Surgeon of H.M.S. "Satellite" who was
present at the interview. In his explanation Mr Pemberton did not
notice, and might have overlooked, this statement in the first
letter, and he has had no opportunity of seeing the more
circumstantial statement since made. But Governor Douglas reports
that the Assistant Surveyor, who was also present, denies that Mr
Pemberton made any such statement, and he himself considers the
inherent improbability of the Story so great as to make it scarcely
credible. As Mr Pemberton is on leave of absence and his address is
probably known at the Colonial Office, it would, I think be right to
give him an opportunity of explanation on this point. However
improbable the allegation may appear, it seems still more improbable
that the Surgeon of H.M.S. "Satellite" should have misunderstood or
misstated the fact.

4. But Mr Langford further complains of lukewarmness and delay on
the part of Governor Douglas in instituting the enquiry which he
demanded into Mr Pemberton's proceedings. Mr Langford's complaint
against Mr Pemberton is dated 17th December—Mr
Pemberton's answer
to the Governor 20th December. No time, therefore, had been lost in
calling on Mr Pemberton for explanation. But Mr Pemberton's answer
was sent to the Attorney General who, Mr Langford was informed on
the 26th December, was to communicate with him on the subject. Mr
Langford applied repeatedly to the Attorney General, and on the 26th
January the Attorney General reported to the Governor that in his
opinion Mr Pemberton's answer was sufficient and that no further
steps need be taken in the matter. A copy of this letter and of Mr
Pemberton's explanation was transmitted to Mr Langford by direction
of the Governor on 4th February. In the meantime Mr Pemberton had
left the Colony on leave.

5. These facts do not bear out Mr Langford's complaint that the
Governor was lukewarm & dilatory in investigating his complaint. If
delay is chargeable anywhere it is with the Attorney General to whom
the papers were referred. The Governor attributes Mr Langford's
proceedings and his hostility to the Government to political motives,
and he points out the delay which Mr Langford had himself incurred
before preferring his complaint and the moment at which he brought it
forward as supporting that view.

Be that as it may it is I think clear that Governor Douglas showed no
want of readiness in investigating the matter when his notice was
called to it, and that no blame is attributable to him for the delay
which occurred in communicating to Mr Langford the answer of Mr
Pemberton.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-05_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60053SR.txt
================================================================================

Separate

My last communication to your Grace was dated "Camp
Chilwhayhook District, 31st May."

2. During the few hours I remained at "Douglas," whither
the River Steamer which conveyed my party from Chilwhayhook
was bound I had merely time to observe the increasing size
of the Town, the improved style of the newer buildings, and
the evident attention paid to comfort and stability in their
arrangement and

construction, indicating the growing wealth
of the inhabitants, and their confidence in the progress of the Town.

Its business facilities have lately been much improved
by the construction of two substantial wharves which afford
ample accommodation for all shipping which visits the Port.

3. I met Captain

Grant R.E. at Douglas who reports very
favourably of the progress of the detachment of Royal Engineers
and civilian labourers employed under his command in forming
the waggon road from Douglas to the lesser Lillooet Lake,
which he expects to finish before the close of summer.

4. Our steamer having a full cargo

on board, was detained
at Douglas in landing goods from the hour of her arrival, at
six o'Clock in the evening, till four the following morning,
when she was again under weigh, steaming full power in the
direction of Hope, and arrived there at nine o'clock the same
evening, the distance being 90 miles, during 40 miles of
which she

had to stem the current of Frasers River, now
almost at its greatest force and height.

5. At a public meeting of the inhabitants of Hope, held
soon after my arrival there, I entered into an exposition of
the state and prospects of the country, and more particularly
directed the attention of the meeting to the importance of
opening lines of road

without delay into various parts of the
Country, but especially a line leading into the valley of the
Shimilkameen, and shewing that the immediate and direct effect
to the Country would be a vast reduction in the cost of transport
and a great accession of Trade to the Town and District of Hope.

6. The valley of the Shimilkameen has many

attractive
features, no part of British Columbia being more beautiful as
a country or offering greater inducements to settlers.

The whole of that District is watered by running streams,
possesses a great deal of arable land, and is diversified by
wood land and meadow. The climate is pleasant and healthy,
the winters mild, and the capabilities of the District for
raising and

pasturing stock are very great. There is moreover
satisfactory evidence that the Rivers and Soil are auriferous
and that gold will become a chief article of export and source
of wealth. The settlement of that fine district has been
retarded by want of roads, and there is no doubt that people
will flock thither as soon as it is accessible to travel.

7. A cutting of 60 miles through the mountains will connect
it with the Town of Hope. I entreated the meeting to give
the subject their earnest attention, and to recommend such
financial measures as might raise the funds requisite for
carrying that great work into effect. The people cordially
agreed with

the views expressed, and promised their hearty
aid and support in providing money for the occasion.

8. The day following I called a meeting of the Miners in
the Hope District, and in the course of a long interview
ascertained that they had no grievances to lay before me,
and that they were satisfied with the existing "Gold Fields"

Act. I spoke to them about the probable existence of gold
in the Shimilkameen, and recommended that they should at once
form a party selected by themselves, and composed of experienced
miners, and of men on whose energy and judgement they could
rely to prospect the Shimilkameen Country, and I agreed on
the

part of the Government to furnish the party with food,
and to allow a bonus of Four pounds Sterling in money to each
of the men employed in prospecting provided they succeeded in
finding gold. The proposal was received with evident marks of
satisfaction by the whole Company of Miners and they proceeded
at once to select a party of nine

men out of a large number of
those present, who volunteered for the service, and this choice
band will start in a few days time, or as soon as the freshets
which now fill the rivers to over-flowing have somewhat abated,
and travelling becomes a less dangerous undertaking.

9. The despatch of a party to re-open and improve the
road

leading direct from Hope to Quayome, or Boston Bar, was at
once undertaken and carried into effect, but the improvement of
the other routes is left for the present and cannot be undertaken
until my return from Yale when I will report further.

10. I annex a Return exhibiting the average number of Miners
employed on

the several Bars of the Fort Hope District, together
with the average earnings of each man per diem, which I have
no doubt will be interesting to your Grace.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-06_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE24.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 31st Ultimo, I
am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to Messrs Cox & Co as Agents for Col
Moody the sum of £300 on account of his Salary of £1200
per Annum as Commissioner of Works in British Columbia for
the Qr ended 31 March last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-06_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605WA02.txt
================================================================================

Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

With reference to your letter of the 10th March 1859, relative to
the payment of the pension of the man named in the margin

*

in Vancouver's Island, I am directed by Mr Secretary Herbert to
inform you that Michael Kelcher has returned to this country and made
application for his pension to be paid to him at Liverpool, and I am
therefore to request that the Secretary of State for the Colonies
will be pleased to give instructions to the Governor of the Colony to
report the date to which this man's pension has been issued from the
Colonial Treasury.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-08_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607022.txt
================================================================================

No. 22

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 20 of the
7th of April, transmitting for my information a printed copy of your
communications with the House of Assembly of Vancouver Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-08_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605AD03.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

In reply to your Letter of the 6th Instant, relative
to the expenses incurred on the Voyage of the Detachment of
Royal Marines which was transferred from China to Vancouvers Island; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, to acquaint you, for the information of His Grace
the Duke of Newcastle, that they have withdrawn the Claim
for the Marines in question, it

having been made through inadvertence.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-09_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605LN07.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your Letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing a
Despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island, with an Address to
Her Majesty from the House of Assembly, and a Report from the
Legislative Council on the price of Crown Land in that Colony.

2. The House of Assembly represent that the high price of Land in
Vancouver's Island, has driven Settlers to the neighbouring territory
of the United States; and they therefore pray that the price may be
reduced from one pound (£1) an acre to Four shillings and two pence
(4s/2d). The Legislative Council recommend that the price should
be reduced as suggested; but that to prevent Land jobbing, conditions
of occupation and improvement should be imposed. They also express
their approval of the pre-emptive system, provided the Land be so
selected as not to leave out rocks, swamps &c, and that the quantity
pre-empted do[es] not exceed 160 acres. They add, however, that they
are averse to tying up all the Crown Lands on the pre-emptive system; but
that Capitalists should be enabled to procure extensive quantities of
Land "when required for a laudable purpose". The Governor recommends
the petition of the Assembly to favorable consideration—as necessary
to put the Colony on something like an equal footing with the
neighbouring territory—and proposes to guard against Land
speculation, the probability of which he foresees, by imposing
settlement duties. He states that under the similar system in force
in Canada, speculation is said to be unknown and impossible.

3. In respect to the price of Land there can be little doubt that
while in the adjoining territory of the Union, land may be purchased
at $1 1/4, there is no chance of being able to sell it in
Vancouver's Island at 20s/- an acre. It was intended, I
understood, as soon as the negociations with the Hudson's Bay Company
were sufficiently matured, to authorize the Governor to sell Land at
10s/- an acre, that being the price established in British
Columbia. But we have always felt much doubt at this Board, whether
10s/- an acre, though originally suggested by Governor Douglas, was
not too high with reference to the price in the adjoining territory.
I am not, therefore, prepared to dissuade a compliance with the
prayer of the Assembly, and the recommendation of the Governor and
Legislative Council that the price should be reduced to 4s/2d an
acre.

4. But then arises the serious question to which Governor Douglas
and the Legislative Council have adverted, how to prevent land
jobbing by persons who purchase without the intention of occupying or
improving. Governor Douglas proposes settlement duties, and appeals
to Canada as proving the efficacy of that condition. I have no
information as to the present working of the Land Regulations in
Canada; but there is no Country in which it is notorious that the
system of settlement duties more utterly failed in former years than
in Canada. In the years immediately after the conquest, and still
more after the peace of 1783, it was the practice to make Grants of
Land in that Country to persons possessed of Capital, on condition of
the performance of settlement duties, and to ensure the fulfilment of
the condition, the deed of grant was with-held till a Certificate had
been produced of the execution of the stipulated work. Under this
system immense tracts gradually came into the hands of individuals
who had neither the intention nor the means of improving them—but
who bought them solely with a view to resale at a future time. The
existence of these unimproved but appropriated tracts of Land, was a
serious obstruction to the progress of the Country, and an
intolerable 1783, nuisance to the neighbouring Settlers.

5. It may, however, be said that this arose from an imperfect
working of the system—not from inherent defect in the system itself.
I do not, however, believe that any precautions which the Government
could take, would in the case of an extensive Colony, ensure an
efficient working of the system. In Canada, it was notorious that
the Certificates necessary to obtain a Grant of Land were obtained on
the loosest evidence—and often on no evidence at all—and that they
were even to be procured in Montreal or Quebec from persons who had
never seen the Land about which they certified. Nothing like this
would probably occur 1783, in the first instance on Vancouver's Island—but
it is the tendency of all such Regulations to grow gradually laxer in
their application, till at last they become a mere delusion. If with
a view to ensure greater strictness, it were made the duty of the
Crown Land Office to ascertain by actual inspection the performance
of the settlement duties, the expense of the necessary Establishment
would in the course of a few years become intolerable.

6. But even if fraud or neglect could be guarded against settlement
duties would in practice be of little use. From the nature of the
case they must be of a description to be executed within a 1783, short
period, and at no great expense—otherwise they would discourage
purchasers more than a high price. But if so they would not deter a
Captialist who was willing to lock up a sum of money in Land on the
chances of reselling the Land at a future day at three or four times
its first cost—while they would in reality be of no practical value
to the Colony. In a new Country, the clearance or breaking up of
Land, or the opening of a Road, or the building of a Hut, which are
the readiest description of settlement duties, make but a momentary
impression, and if not subsequently attended to, are obliterated by
the vegetation of a year or two. But when once these or any other
prescribed Settlement duties, had been performed, the purchaser would
be entitled to claim a Grant of the Land—and to leave it untouched
for any length of time. Nor must it be forgotten that the rapidity
with which the tracks of cultivation are obliterated in new
Countries, adds incalculably to the difficulty of ascertaining whether
settlement duties have been properly performed or not.

7. The only real protection against excessive acquisitons of Land
for speculative purposes, is, I believe, to be found either in a high
price or in an Annual Tax. The latter is the best, because acting
continuously, it provides an ever constant motive against allowing
the Land to lie idle which a price paid once for all, however high,
will not do to the same extent. And in this probably is to be found
an explanation of the alleged absence of speculative purchases in
Canada. I believe that in that Colony the Municipal Councils have the
power of taxing the Land within their respective Districts for local
purposes, and that this power has been generally exercised by them.
It would clearly not be the interest of a speculator to buy land thus
situated upon the chance of reselling it at some future period at an
enhanced price, but with the certainty in the meantime of having to
pay an annual Tax in proportion to its extent.

8. But the circumstances of Vancouver's Island and Canada, are so
different, that a system which is found to work easily and
efficiently in the one may be quite impracticable in the other. And
this I fear would be the case with regard to a Land Tax. In Canada
where the population is thick, the interest which the Taxpayers have
in the application of the Tax, ensures its imposition and collection.
But in Vancouver's Island, where the population is too sparse for
Municipalities, the Tax could only be imposed and collected by the
government, which would have only a remote interest in the
matter, and is always less able to enforce an obnoxious payment than
a Municipal Body. It will be for Governor Douglas to consider
whether this difficulty can be overcome—and if so whether his
Legislature would pass an Act imposing such a Tax as the condition of
a reduction in the price of Land. The Tax, if imposed should be the
same on all Country Lands whether cultivated or wild, and of such
amount as to be inappreciable on cultivated Land, although a burthen
on wild Land. Probably -/1d or -/2d an acre would be sufficient.
It would be desirable also that the proceeds of any such Tax should
be expended in Public Works of immediate benefit to those who pay
it—such as opening Roads, building bridges, improving navigable
Rivers &c. The individual settlers would in this way receive more
than the worth of their respective Contributions to the Tax and might
possibly become reconciled to payments which, against their
resistance, the Government would have great difficulty in enforcing.

9. In regard to pre-emptive rights, the Duke of Newcastle, in the
case of British Columbia, has sanctioned provisionally the occupation
of Land before survey,

*

to avoid the discouragement which delay might
cause to intending Settlers. The same reason would justify the
introduction of the same system in Vancouver's Island. But Governor Douglas should observe in the latter all the Regulations which have
been established in British Columbia to facilitate the future
adjustment of pre-emptive lots into the general survey, and to reduce
as much as possible the risk of future conflicting claims to the same
Land, which is the great danger of the system of pre-emption. The
regulations for British Columbia are contained in a Proclamation of
4th January last, forwarded in Governor Douglas' Despatch of 12th
January to which we suggested some additions in a Report dated 31st
March last.

10. In conclusion I may remark, with reference to the suggestion of
the Legislative Council that Capitalists should be enabled to procure
extensive tracts of Land when required for a laudable purpose, that
it would be extremely inconvenient to lay down any principle of this
description. If the Governor were invested with a discretion to
relax the ordinary Land Regulations in what should appear to him
exceptional cases, he would be continually exposed to applications to
do so. Those who failed in their applications would denounce all the
successful cases as jobs—and impugn the impartiality, perhaps the
good faith of the Governor. It seems to me indispensable that
whatever Land Regulations may be established should be of uniform
operation—or, if exceptions are inevitable that they should be
strictly defined, and placed, if possible, beyond the discretion of
the Local Authorities.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-09_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607023.txt
================================================================================

No. 23

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have transmitted to me
copies of a correspondence which passed between Rear Admiral Baynes and
yourself in March last, relative to the withdrawal of the Royal Marines
in Vancouver Island for service on San Juan.

I have expressed to their Lordships my concurrence in the
Admiral's view of this matter. The Marines were not sent to Vancouver Island as substitutes for a Police, but for the protection of the
general interests of the Empire in that part of the World; and in the
absence of any apprehension of disturbances in the Colony, the force
could not be more properly or usefully employed than in the service for
which it was withdrawn from Fort Victoria by Admiral Baynes.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-09_Richards_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605AD04.txt
================================================================================

Richards to Under-Secretary of State

In transmitting herewith the accompanying documents relative
to the Government cargo shipped in the "Thames City" for New Westminster in September 1858; I request that you will be pleased to inform me of the amount of tonnage on which the brokers
of the Vessel should be paid

freight, and whether any, and if so,
what charge is to be made against them on account of Stores
damaged or deficient.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-11_Murray_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V605FO15.txt
================================================================================

Murray to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before The Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's
Consul at San Francisco, reporting the establishment of a horse
express overland to that City from St. Joseph's Missouri, by which
mode of conveyance letters for Vancouvers Island would probably reach
their destination some time before the regular mail.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-11_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607024.txt
================================================================================

No. 24

I have to request that you will acquaint Colonel Moody that I have
received a letter addressed by him to this Department under date the
7th of April, forwarding copies of a correspondence with yourself on
the Military occupation of San Juan.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-11_Romaine_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605AD05.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to acquaint you that they have directed the withdrawal of a
claim on the Colonial Department amounting to £3643.2.8.
for the Conveyance of a party of Engineers and others to
British Columbia in 1858, excepting, however, the Cost of the
passages of the persons named on the other side,
*
which will,

therefore be included in the next quarterly Claim for
Passages provided by the Naval Department for the Colonial Department.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-13_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607030.txt
================================================================================

No. 30

I have to request that you will acquaint Colonel Moody that the
Paymaster General has been authorized to issue to Messrs
Cox & Co
the sum of £300 on account of Colonel Moody's Salary, as Commissioner of
Lands and Works for the quarter ended the 31st of March last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-13_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607031.txt
================================================================================

No. 31

I have to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept a Bill for £500 drawn by Captain Gosset for the
service of B. Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-13_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607025.txt
================================================================================

No. 25

Michael Kelcher the Army Pensioner, referred to in your despatch No. 60 of the 18th of December 1858, having returned to this Country
and applied for his pension, I have to request that you will inform me
to what date payment of the pension has been made in Vancouver Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-14_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607032.txt
================================================================================

No. 32

I have to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay two bills (Nos 11 & 12) for £1,500 drawn
by Captain Gosset Treasurer of British Columbia for the service of the
Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-15_Berens_to_Newcastle_B605MI03.txt
================================================================================

Berens to Newcastle

Agreeably to your Grace's desire I have now the honor to
inform your Grace that this Company have presented separate
Petitions to Her Majesty in Council, praying to have their rights
determined in regard to the disputed territory in British
Columbia and in the Island of Vancouver.

It will now therefore be necessary that this Company's
Solicitors should be placed in communication with the Law
Advisers of the Government, in order to arrange the documentary
evidence to be

produced before the Judicial Committee.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-15_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607033.txt
================================================================================

No. 33

I transmit to you herewith copy of a correspondence between the
Hudsons Bay Company and this office on the subject of the operation of
the Customs Laws for British Columbia.

It is not to be denied that where there is an extensive line of coast or
frontier with an inadequate Customs Establishment smuggling may
prevail, and that commerce, carried on in a legitimate manner, will be
proportionally prejudiced. It is however impossible to increase that
Establishment whilst the trade of a Country is undeveloped.
Consequently the only alternative left for the Executive Government is
to fix upon certain ports where duties can be most conveniently
collected. This you would appear to have done by, in the first
instance, naming Victoria and afterwards New Westminster as the ports
where vessels might be cleared for British Columbia, and it's
dependencies.

But the Hudsons Bay Company represent in the accompanying letter
that the Proclamations which you have issued imposing duties, and naming
the places where they
should be collected, operate injuriously against
the fair-trader because they are incapable of enforcement against the
smuggler, and because they compel the Company to pay duty on goods not
intended for consumption in British Columbia. With respect to the first
complaint I can only express my hope that you will use all the means in
your power for preventing any illicit trade, which is carried on, though
I am sensible that the difficulty in doing so is great where the
Sea-board and frontier are so extensive, and the assistance of Customs
officers so small. If that difficulty is unsuperable it will furnish a
strong argument for raising the Colonial Revenue by other means than
customs duties which will only fall on them who choose to pay them.
With regard to requiring the Hudsons Bay Company to pay duty on goods
not intended for consumption in British Columbia, the Company seem to me
to have a primâ facie ground of complaint. On this point however I
cannot form any judgment till I receive your statement of the actual
facts of the case. Meanwhile I have pointed out to the Company that the
Proclamation of the 2nd of June 1859 makes it optional on vessels
going to places north of Fraser's River to pay duty at Fort Victoria or at New Westminster, which must be intended as a convenience rather than a
restriction.

But there is a further and a very important point of view which is
suggested by these Proclamations. A Law enacted by the Authorities of
British Columbia cannot compel persons to acknowledge the authority of
Customs House officers in Vancouver Island, nor subject them to
penalties for setting it at defiance. The authority which you possess
of making laws for British Columbia does not extend beyond the limits of
that Colony and the sea within 3 miles of the coast. Therefore all laws
which you may pass professing to extend beyond that radius will (with
certain exceptions of a somewhat doubtful character) be simply
inoperative.

You must therefore take great care that no duties are collected for
British Columbia beyond the limits above described, except with
the concurrence or at the request of those who pay them. By any other
course you will run the risk of being called upon
to refund the duties which you may have collected without warrant of the law.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-16_Arbuthnot_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605TE05.txt
================================================================================

Arbuthnot to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to
acquaint you for the information of the Duke of Newcastle with
reference to Your letter of the 13 Inst. that instructions have been
given to the Paymaster General to pay from the Treasury Chest, to any
Person duly authorized to receive the same on behalf of the Hudson's
Bay Company, the sum of £25000 "on account" of the claims of that
Company in respect of the resumption of Vancouver's Island by the
Crown. This payment is to be treated as an advance from the Chest
and to be repaid from a Vote of Parliament to be taken whenever the
final adjustment of the Accounts between the Company and the Crown
shall have been established.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60054.txt
================================================================================

No. 54

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this
date of your Despatches of the numbers and dates as noted
on the other side hereof.
*



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60055.txt
================================================================================

No. 55, Military

Adverting to your Despatch of the 7th September 1859 No
20 respecting the sums drawn from the Imperial Treasury to

liquidate the Regimental Pay due to the detachment of Royal
Engineers in British Columbia I have the honor to enclose
herewith to your Grace copy of a letter from the Colonial
Treasurer dated 30th May containing a statement of the
amounts drawn and issued up to date upon that account and
requesting authority

to obtain the sum of One thousand Pounds (£1000)
to cover the present excess of issue over drafts. I have
therefore authorised the Treasurer to draw for the said sum
in the usual manner for this service, and I request your
Grace will be pleased to obtain the necessary authority from
the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury for the Bills presented
on this account

to be paid when they become due.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60031.txt
================================================================================

No. 31

Adverting to your Grace's Despatch No 9 of the 7th of February
last, forwarding to me a letter from the Marine Department of the
Board of Trade, Setting forth the Expenditure made in England by that
Department out of the Parliamentary Vote of Seven Thousand Pounds
(£7000) for the Erection of Light Houses in Fucas Straits and
Esquimalt Harbour, and which Expenditure amounts to the Sum of Three
Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Six Pounds, Four Shillings
and one penny (£3266:4:1), I have the honor to Enclose herewith, for
the information of Your Grace, Copy of a report from the Assistant
Colonial Surveyor on the progress made in the work
of the Light
Houses, and Exhibiting the Sums already expended here, and the amount
that will be required to carry the work to completion.

2. From this report Your Grace will perceive that the entire sum
required for the work in this Country is Seven Thousand Seven Hundred
and Fifty One pounds, Sixteen Shillings and Ten pence (£7751:16:10).
Of this the sum of Four Thousand and Seventy five pounds Eleven
Shillings and Ten pence (£4075:11:10) has already been Expended, and
a further sum of about One Thousand pounds (£1000:0:0) is immediately
required to meet payments due, and I trust Your Grace will move the
Lords of the Treasury to meet the Bills I shall be Compelled to draw
upon this service over and above the sum already voted for the work.

3. The Tower at the Entrance of Esquimalt Harbour is complete and
ready for receiving the Lantern so soon as it may arrive. The Tower
on the Race Rocks is steadily progressing and will be completed in
about six weeks.

4. I presume the Estimate of Seven Thousand pounds (£7000.0.0) made
by Captain Sulivan of the Board of Trade was intended to include the
cost of the Lanterns as well as of the Buildings, but without correct
data from this country any Estimate formed in England for works to be
undertaken here, will assuredly fall short of the actual cost. The
present rate of wages to Bricklayers, Masons and Carpenters is from
Sixteen to Twenty Shillings per diem, and the charges for transport
of material are in like proportion. The most Stringent economy has
been practised in the Execution of the work, but at the same time I
have endeavoured to avoid the error of adopting cheap expedients in
works required to be substantial and lasting; and I trust that the
Light Houses in question will prove to be essentially so.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-19_Murray_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO16.txt
================================================================================

Murray to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle the accompanying copies of
Despatches from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington reporting the
temporary removal of General Harney from the command of the United
States' forces in Oregon.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-19_Murray_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO17.txt
================================================================================

Murray to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Hammond's Letter of the 21st ultimo, I am
directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you herewith, to be laid
before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of an instruction
which His Lordship has addressed to Her Majesty's Minister at
Washington relative to the Island of San Juan and the possessory
rights of the Hudson's Bay Company in Oregon. I also inclose a Copy
of a Despatch which has been received from Her Majesty's Minister in
reply.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-19_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607034.txt
================================================================================

No. 34

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 39 of the
21st of April, transmitting a comparative statement of the Customs
Revenue collected at New Westminster during the quarters ending
respectively the 31st of December 1859 and 31st of March 1860.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607035.txt
================================================================================

No. 35

I have to acknowledge

the receipt of your despatch No. 38 of the
21st of April accompanied by a specimen of Gold found on Quesnelles River in British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-06-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60056.txt
================================================================================

No. 56

I have had the honor of receiving your Grace's despatch
No 16 of the 6th April, communicating your

hope that it
may soon be in your power to inform me of the decision which
shall be arrived at in regard to the lands in British Columbia
claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company.

2. It will be a source of much satisfaction to me when the
matter is definitely settled for since addressing your Grace
on the 7th February last, I

have had fresh instances brought
to my notice of the inconvenience resulting from the present
state of uncertainty as to whether the claims of the Hudson's
Bay Company will be confirmed or not, and I have been obliged
to address a letter to the Agent at this place of the Hudson's
Bay Company requesting that the lands to which they

assert a
claim may be distinctly marked out, so as to prevent confusion
and litigation which cannot otherwise be well avoided.

I forward for your Grace's information a Copy of that
letter, together with a copy of the reply received.



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FILE: 1860-06-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60032.txt
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No. 32

I have received with much gratification your Grace's despatch No 18
of the 6th April conveying to me your approval of the agreement
which I have entered into with Mr Stamp to facilitate the
establishment of a settlement on the Western Coast of Vancouver Island.

Mr Stamp has already fixed upon a site for his future operations and
has selected the land he will require, which he finds will amount to
about seven thousand, instead of fifteen thousand acres, and so soon
as his first Vessel arrives (already on her way from England) he will
commence active operations in prosecution of his projected scheme.



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FILE: 1860-06-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60058.txt
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No. 58

I have the honor to enclose herewith a Memorial which has
been handed to me for transmission to Your Grace.

2. The Memorial

purports to be signed by the British Residents
in the Colony of British Columbia. It has 433 names attached to
it, and may be divided into two heads, vituperation of the
Governor and Government, and an appeal for Representative
Institutions.

3. This Memorial was placed in my hands at New Westminster
just prior to my departure up the country, and I therefore took
the trouble to make express enquiries into the grievances
therein set forth; but I found the people

generally with whom
I conversed were well contented, and had no complaints to lay
before me. I further found that many who acknowledged to
signing the Memorial, had done so in utter ignorance of its
contents, as a paid emissary had been employed to procure
signatures to the Document, and had represented that the object
in view was to obtain Representative Institutions.

4. I do not make these remarks in any defence of my own
character

which is therein assailed, but merely for the information
of Your Grace. My policy and the measures I have adopted, are
all before Her Majesty's Government, and the gracious approval
that has been accorded to them fully assures me that the many
difficulties attaching to my position have been understood and
appreciated.

5. I would further desire to remark with regard to
Representative Institutions, that I should be very glad to be
relieved by their establishment of some

of the burdens and
responsibilities now weighing upon me, but I must distinctly
state that I conceive the time has not yet arrived for the
introduction of such a form of Government. I have established
Municipal Bodies at New Westminster, Hope and Yale,

*

and with this the people are highly satisfied, as the addresses I
received in my tour fully testify, but for a Representative Government
the country is not yet sufficiently settled; and the British
element in the population is still

so small, that it is only
recently it was found necessary to pass a law for the constitution
of Juries by the admission of Foreigners and the dispensation of
any property qualification.



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FILE: 1860-06-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60059.txt
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No. 59

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this
date of your Grace's dispatches of the numbers and dates as
noted on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-06-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60057.txt
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No. 57

I have the honor to acknowledge your Grace's dispatch No
19 of the 20th April enclosing a copy of the extradition
Treaty of 1842 between Her Majesty and the United States of
America, and the other documents with reference to that Treaty
enumerated therein, for which I have

to return your Grace many thanks.



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FILE: 1860-06-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60033.txt
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No. 33

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 19 of the
12th of April 1860, forwarding Copy of a letter which you had
received from the office of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
upon the subject of my not furnishing Rear Admiral Baynes with a Copy
of Your Grace's Despatch relative to the joint Military occupation of
the Island of San Juan.

2. Your Grace regrets I should have felt any doubt about
communicating to the Admiral your instructions in a matter of so much
importance, and Your Grace instructs me to communicate with him
unreservedly upon all matters requiring the co-operation of the Force
under his orders.

3. I can assure Your Grace that it has been my constant desire to
establish the most frank and unreserved communication between Admiral Baynes and myself, and I have always endeavoured to furnish him with
every information he could desire to assist him in the discharge of
his duties and to relieve him from apprehended responsibility; for
instance, when General Scott visited this part of the world I
instantly communicated with Admiral Baynes, and kept him supplied, as
it occurred, with copies of all the correspondence that took place.

4. I observe that the correspondence between the Admiral and myself
was furnished to Your Grace by the Admiralty. Your Grace would
doubtless notice the manner in which the request was preferred to me,
and gather from my reply the principal reason which induced me to
decline compliance with it. Your Grace would also notice that in my
first letter I make no requisition for Troops
to be landed upon San Juan, but merely requested the Admiral to
concert measures with me to that end; and when I saw him I
unhesitatingly placed Your Grace's Despatch in his hands; and had he
asked me for a Copy either for reference, or to preserve as an
official Record I should not have hesitated to supply him.
Afterwards, when matters were more matured, I, in making requisition
upon Admiral Baynes to
land the Troops upon the Island, furnished him with a Copy of the instructions I had received from Your Grace; and in the whole
affair, I really do not think the Admiral has any reasonable ground
for complaint.

5. I would further mention incidentally that although Admiral Baynes received instructions respecting San Juan from Lord John Russell, as
I gather from his letter to me of the 23rd of January, yet neither
directly, nor indirectly, had I any knowledge of that fact until I
received that letter; and up to this moment I am not aware of the
nature of those instructions.



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FILE: 1860-06-25_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V606P02.txt
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Pemberton to Newcastle

I have the honor very respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of your
Grace's communication of the 19th instant commanding me to answer to
the very grave charges recently brought against me by a person named
Langford in the employment of the Pujet [Puget] Sound Company and
supported by the evidence on Oath of Dr Wallace, Assistant Surgeon
of H.M.S. Satellite.

Passing by the innuendos contained in Mr Langford's letter as matter
which could not for an instant detain your Grace's attention I apply
myself at once to the voluminous charges in question which may
briefly be resolved into the following vizt:

1st Whether in July 1858 I was guilty of falsehood.

2nd Whether subsequently I was guilty of an act of personal
injustice to Mr Langford.

Touching the first charge I would inform your Grace that in the land
office at Victoria in answer to persons applying to purchase, Lands
are classified as sold or not sold, I should inform an applicant for
any Land that the Colony might be pledged by me to part with although
the legal transfer should not have been up to the moment of such
application effected that such land was sold. My principal assistant
Mr Pearse who bears a high character for integrity had similar
instruction from me and by both the terms and bonâ fide sense
in which only it could be employed were perfectly understood: brevity
and despatch were absolutely necessary after the Spring of 1858 when
the Land Office and approaches to it were often so thronged that I
could not move in it.

Now, I do not accuse Dr Wallace of wilful perjury or of a malicious
intention to injure me but I earnestly submit that Dr Wallace in
making in March 1860 a declaration of the substance of a conversation
which he had accidentally witnessed nearly two years before and which
must have been uninteresting to him may have mentally
substituted the word
paid for the word sold either term naturally suggesting the
idea of payment although in this case the exact word used makes so
important a difference.

I would further remind your Grace that Mr Pearse was also present at
the conversation in question that he understood the case and was more
interested in it than Dr Wallace could have been and that he
distinctly recollects that I did not use the word
paid but simply told the applicant that the land was sold.

Whilst in the absence of Dr Wallace I do not impugn his character as
a Witness or his qualifications to give unbiassed evidence in this
particular case I consider it indispensable to satisfy your Grace of
the unimpeachability of Mr Pearse's contradiction.

Enclosure No 1 to which I request your Grace's attention shews that
after very diligent enquiry in London both as to private character
and professional capability Mr Pearse was selected out of many
candidates to fill the office he now holds and has held with great
credit to himself since 1851—he is much respected in the Colony and no attempt is made by Mr Langford to account for his denial.

I would further remind Your Grace that no attempt is made to shew that
I could have had any motive in misrepresenting the facts.

With regard to exhibiting the Official books my rule has been if any
one shewed me that he had a direct interest in any section of land,
whether Sold or not,
to allow such person under my own supervision to inspect the
entries connected with such section and my offer to do so when Mr
Langford doubted my statement proves that I had nothing to conceal.
A record of course existed in the office, in the proper book, of the
case as it then stood.

Lastly. Assuming Mr Langford's statement to be correct, that the
question then discussed related to
payment and not to title the book to which he states that I
referred him must have been the Cash book: that is to say, that in
support of my assertion I invited Mr Langford to inspect either
blank paper or a fictitious entry which would render me accountable
for money which I did not receive, which is absurd.

Touching the 2nd accusation I would inform your Grace that prompt
payment of the first instalment is the rule of the office, but when
land contains a large proportion of rock and swamp as in this case, a
preliminary survey is necessary before the instalment paper can be
fully made out or the applicant informed what sum he is required to
pay.

It was during such an interval that Mr Langford's application to
purchase the lands in question was made and that he received the
reply that the lands were sold.

When the survey was completed the instalment paper was completed
also, payment demanded and refused on the ground that a portion of
the land which ought to have been included was omitted and had been
sold to some one else, the objection taken was trivial and I believe
that at law I could have enforced payment but as I had several
applications on my list for the same Land and was otherwise very much
occupied at the time thought it better to throw the land again in the
Market and sent notice to Mr Langford who was next on the List that
the land was for sale, he declined to purchase it and the land was
soon after sold to the next applicants and upon the same terms.

In conclusion I would very respectfully submit to your Grace's
favorable consideration that in the transaction in question I could
have had no object to gain in undoing the antecedents of which a
copy is herewith enclosed (Enclosure No 2) and which it has taken so
many years of professional exertion to acquire.

And that previous to granting me the short leave of absence which I
now enjoy His Excellency the Governor ordered a strict investigation
by the most competent persons in the Colony into the books and
accounts of the Land Office at Fort Victoria and expressed himself
perfectly satisfied with their Report.

From the foregoing statement I believe that your Grace will perceive
that the charges made have no foundation but as by implication Mr
Langford has endeavored to involve the Governor's name in the case.

I solemnly assure your Grace that I firmly believe His Excellency to
have been wholly unacquainted with the matter as with any other Land
sale until it was brought officially under his notice and that he has
cautioned me to exercise the strictest impartiality in dealing
between Colonists and the Company an injunction which I have
constantly endeavored to obey.

I certainly should have preferred a mode of investigation which by
the production of local evidence and cross-examination of my accusers
in open Court would have enabled me to elicit and substantiate facts
which, not from any pretended delicacy for the feelings of Mr
Langford or his Witness, but owing to the distance of material
evidence I am now unable to bring forward without danger of
prejudicing my case—but I trust that as it is, sufficient evidence
has been produced to enable your Grace to detect accurately to which
side iniquity attaches and to stigmatise it with the authority that
belongs to your Grace's high Office.



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FILE: 1860-06-25_Wodehouse_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO18.txt
================================================================================

Wodehouse to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your Letter to Mr Hammond of
the 18th instant inclosing copies of a correspondence between the
Governor of British Columbia and Colonel Moody respecting the Joint
military occupation of San Juan; and I am, in reply, to request that
you will convey to His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, Lord John Russell's thanks for the communication of these Papers.



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FILE: 1860-06-26_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI11.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under-Secretary
Fortescue's Letter of the 7th instant accompanying copies of two
Despatches from Governor Douglas of the 16th February and 28th
March last having reference to the claim of this Company to the land
and Government Buildings erected upon it near Fort Victoria in the
Island of Vancouver.

I have now caused reference to be made to the correspondence which
passed in the year 1851 at the time when the Despatch referred to in
Governor Douglas's communication of the 28th March was sent to
Governor Blanchard [Blanshard].

A Copy of that Despatch was under the same date forwarded to Mr
Douglas who was then the Representative of this Company. Your Grace
will observe that that Despatch contemplated the purchase by this
Company, and the Puget's Sound Company, of considerable tracts of
Land near Fort Victoria and it was at that time contemplated that the
Buildings intended for the Government should be erected either on a
portion of the Land so to be purchased or upon Land not then disposed
of and therefore belonging to the Colony; but it afterwards turned
out that, under the directions of Mr Douglas certain Buildings for
the Government had already been commenced upon Land previously in the
possession of this Company, that Land being in fact a part of the
District claimed by this Company and their right to which is now to
be the subject of discussion before the Privy Council.

I think it desirable that Your Grace should be put in possession of
everything which has occurred in regard to this subject.

In the letter to Mr Douglas of the 1st January 1851, which
accompanied the Copy of the Despatch to Governor Blanshard of that
date, instructions to the following effect were given to him—

In the case of the Fur Trade the extent and boundaries of the Land
occupied by that concern, previous to the date of the Boundary
Treaty, must be accurately marked out and agreed with Governor Blanshard and the Council. For this portion of Land no price will
have to be paid. But for any future quantity that may ultimately,
after proper surveys are made, be taken by that concern the same
price of 20s/- per acre, as paid by other Settlers, will have to
be paid over to the Hudson's Bay Company.

Before, however, this communication reached Mr Douglas, he had,
under date the 29th January 1851, addressed a Letter to the
Secretary of this Company, in which the following paragraph occurs:

The house and premises erected at this place for the residence of
Governor Blanshard have cost 1548 Dollars 55 Cents in labor and
material and the Governor is now making an addition to the house
which will come to several hundred dollars more. I have not charged
that sum to the Colony as the site on which it stands belongs to the
Fur Trade, and I was proposing that the house and premises should
remain a Fur Trade possession, and that the Colony should be charged
an annual rent of 10 per cent on the original outlay. I beg to be
informed of the Committee's pleasure on that subject.

From this Letter Your Grace will observe that Mr Douglas
contemplated, not only that the Government buildings should be
erected on land then claimed by this Company as their own, but that
the Government should pay a rent for the occupation of the land and
buildings at the rate of 10 per cent upon the outlay.

This proposition was not approved of, and Mr Douglas was so apprized
in a Letter from the Secretary under date the 23rd May 1851 and in a
Letter of the same date to Mr Douglas from the then Governor, Sir
J.H. Pelly, Mr Douglas was informed that the Fur trade might retain
the Building he had referred to as having been constructed for the
residence of the Government on paying the expense of erecting it and
that another house might be built for the Governor on a different
site but adding that in all cases of Reserves of Land it must be
understood that if any part was required for public purposes it must
be resumed upon repaying

*

the price and any improvements that might have been made upon it.

It appears, however, that the Government retained possession of the
Buildings which had already been erected on land claimed by the Fur
Trade establishment of this Company and the cost of these buildings
has, I find, been included in the account of expenditure rendered to
the Government by this Company, and those buildings are therefore,
without doubt, the property of the Government, although I find that
the cost of other public buildings on the same land, such as the
Custom House and Post Office have not yet been so charged, but

assuming that the Title of the Company to the land in their
possession, prior to the Treaty of Oregon, should be established,
then, I apprehend, there can be no question but that the land upon
which those buildings were erected would be their property, and that
the proceeds arising from any sale of it would belong to them.

I will now revert to the communications which passed with Mr Douglas
consequent upon the instructions conveyed to him in the letter of the
1st January to ascertain the extent and boundaries of the Land
occupied by the Fur Trade prior to the Oregon Treaty. Mr Douglas
answered that communication under date the 16th April 1851, as
follows:

In reference to the Fur Trade Reserve, the boundaries determined
on when I made choice of this spot for the Company's establishment,
in the year 1841, long previous to the date of the Treaty, includes
an area of rather over 20 square miles. The extent, however,
actually occupied by tillage and enclosures, does not exceed two
square miles, while the Cattle ranged over an additional space of
about 4 square miles, occupied by enclosures and for a Cattle Range.
I beg to be informed by return of post if it is the Committee's wish
to confirm to the Fur Trade, without payment, the whole area of 20
square miles according to the original limits, previous to the
Treaty, which were not actually marked out, or to confine their grant
to the 6 square miles occupied by enclosures and as a Stock Range.

In reply to this communication the Secretary of this Company
addressed Mr Douglas, under date the 16th July 1851, as follows:

In reference to the 4th paragraph of your letter of the 16th April
I am to state that the utmost extent of land that the Hudson's Bay
Company will allow the Fur Trade Branch to occupy, without paying for
the same, will be the two square miles actually occupied by tillage
and enclosed, and 4 square miles, together 6 square miles, occupied
by enclosures and as a Cattle range, prior to the Treaty with the
United States.

The Fur Trade may have as much more of the Reserve of 20 miles as
they may choose to purchase at the fixed price.

An actual survey was afterwards made of the 6 square miles of land,
herein referred to, and it was found to contain 3084 Acres, which
were accordingly entered on the Land Register, as belonging to the
Company.

Trusting that this explanation will sufficiently shew the position of
the land with which Governor Douglas has been dealing as if belonging
to the Crown.



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FILE: 1860-06-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607036.txt
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No. 36

I have received and read with interest your despatch No. 42 of the
23rd of April, containing a general report on the Colony of British Columbia, and on the progress which has been made in opening up the
Country.

I do not doubt that you cannot apply your attention to an object
more important 
to the Colony than the improvement of it's internal
communications.



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FILE: 1860-06-27_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI12.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under-Secretary
Fortescue's letter of the 22nd instant and in conformity with the
request therein contained I beg to state that the payment of £25,000
on account of the claim of the Company in respect of the resumption
of Vancouver's Island by the Crown, may be made to MrThomas Fraser,
the Company's Secretary, who will attend for the purpose on Friday
next, unless I hear from Your Grace to the contrary.

Upon the assumption that the money will then have been received the
necessary authority will be forwarded by Friday's Post to the
Governor of Vancouver's Island, for making grants of public lands;
and I have the honor to transmit herewith, for Your Grace's
information, a Copy of the letter proposed to be addressed to
Governor Douglas.



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FILE: 1860-06-27_Reeve_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605CO01.txt
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Reeve to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to
transmit to you in original two petitions addressed to Her
Majesty in Council by the Governor and Adventurers of the
Hudson's Bay Company humbly praying that Her Majesty will
be pleased to refer the consideration of the

justice or
injustice of their claims to certain territories in North
America, of which they allege that they have been dispossessed
by the Officers of the Crown to the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council; and I am to request that you will move His
Grace the Duke of Newcastle to inform the Lord President
whether it appears to His Grace to be expedient that such
reference of these petitions to the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council should be made by Her Majesty.

If any practical result would ensue from a more accurate
determination of the legal rights of the Hudson's Bay
Company in North America, it appears to the Lord President
that such legal questions might with propriety be argued
before the Judicial Committee and reported on by that Committee
to the Queen, but as the concurrence of the Executive Government
is indispensable to give effect to any opinion which might be

expressed by the Lords of the Judicial Committee, His Lordship
is of opinion that no such reference ought to be made except
with the concurrence of His Grace the Secretary of State for
the Colonial Department.

The enclosed petitions being transmitted in original I am
to request that you will have the goodness to return them,
and as a Council will be held by Her Majesty on Saturday the
30th instant I am further

to request that you will favour
me with an answer before that day.



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FILE: 1860-06-27_Wodehouse_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO19.txt
================================================================================

Wodehouse to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, for the
information of The Duke of Newcastle, Copies of Despatches and their
Inclosures from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington relative to the
question of the claims of the Hudson's Bay Company in Oregon, and
respecting some recent proceedings of General Harney in reference to
San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-06-28_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607026.txt
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No. 26

You have been already informed that a correspondence has been for
some time in progress between Her Majesty's Government and the Hudson's
Bay Company on the subject of the resumption by the former of
Vancouver's Island and the amount which on such resumption would be
payable to the Company under the stipulations of the grant of 13th
Jany 1849.

By the terms of that Grant the Crown was entitled, at the
expiration of the Hudson's Bay Company's license of exclusive Trade to
repurchase Vancouver's Island on repayment to the Company of the sums
of money expended by them upon the Island, and of the value of their
establishments, property, and effects thereon. The license of exclusive
Trade expired on 13th May 1859, and in anticipation of its termination
Her Majesty's Government gave notice to the Company in the close of
1857 of the intention of the Crown to resume the Island, and requested
them to send in a statement of the amount of which they would be
entitled to claim repayment. The claim which they sent in in the first
instance embraced the whole of their expenditure and amounted to
£225,699—but on being informed that Her Majesty's Government declined
to take over any of the establishments or property connected with their
commercial transactions they furnished an amended account comprizing
only three items viz.

£ s d

1 The balance due on account of )

public works & Establishments ) 8505..6..11

amounting on 31st Decem: 1857 )

2 The cost of sending out Settlers 25,550..-..-

3 The expense of searching for

Coal at Fort Rupert 12,469..4..7

£46,524..11..6

The Company however have since intimated that they do not wish
this to be taken as a final restriction, on their part, of their
claims to those enumerated in this List.

To the two first items, (assuming the details to be supported by
vouchers) Her Majesty's Government did not object, but the third
appeared to them to stand on a different footing. It is unnecessary to
trouble you with a detail of the correspondence that ensued, it is
sufficient to state that Her Majesty's Government being convinced,
after full consideration, that a further and indefinite delay in the
settlement of the matter would be detrimental to public interests, and
that an examination of the matter on the spot would probably involve
considerable expense, thought it most advisable on the whole to effect
a compromise on the point with the Hudson's Bay Company. They
therefore proposed that the expense of the Fort Rupert Coal Mine should
be divided equally between the Crown and the Company, and the Company
having acceded to that proposition, a vote for £25,000 will be
proposed to Parliament during the present session in part repayment of
the amount due to the Company. The vote has been limited to the above
sum because the account of expenditure for public works &c has as I
have stated been furnished only to 31st December 1857, and until that
account is completed the exact amount to which the Company will be
entitled cannot be ascertained.

The Company have apprised me of their readiness to receive the
amount proposed to be voted, and to convey to you the necessary
authority to make grants of Land, not however including any of the Lands
belonging to, or which have been registered, as belonging to the
Company, whether in their own possession or in that of third
parties. As the title of the Company to these lands is now under
investigation this reservation is reasonable, and must be acquiesced
in. In regard to other lands in Vancouvers Island you will on receiving
the above authority from the Company take the necessary steps for
throwing them open for Settlement.

The measures for making the payment of £25,000 are so far advanced
that I have every reason to hope that you will receive the intended
authority by the present Mail or by the next one at the latest.

I shall have no objection to the adoption of the price of
4s/2d
per acre which has been recommended by the Legislature with your
concurrence. Upon other questions connected with the manner of
disposing of the Crown Land I shall address you by the next opportunity.



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FILE: 1860-06-30_Wodehouse_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO20.txt
================================================================================

Wodehouse to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to my Letter of the 27th instant, I am directed by
Lord John Russell to transmit to you to be laid before the Duke of Newcastle, copies of the answers which have been returned to the
Despatches from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington respecting the
recent proceedings of General Harney at San Juan.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-07-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607037.txt
================================================================================

No. 37

I have had before me your Despatch
No 168 of the 8th of June 1859,
reporting the circumstances under which you had sanctioned the grant of
extra pay to the Marines brought to Vancouvers Island in Her Majesty's
Ship "Tribune".

As no Sanction had been given by this department for the promises
of extra pay and grants of land stated to have been held out to these
Marines by Captain Magin, the Officer in Command, I caused enquiries to
be made at the War Department and Admiralty, the result of which has
shown that Captn Magin had no due authority for holding out

to
the men such expectations.

I am also given to understand that no extra pay has as yet been
issued. I am unwilling however that the Marines should be disappointed
in an expectation which though unauthorized was in fact held out to
them. For this reason, and adverting also to the high prices of living
in British Columbia and at Vancouvers Island, I have to authorize you to
grant double pay to the Officers and men by allotting to them a Colonial
rate exactly equal to their English rate of pay. This Colonial pay will
only be issuable to Officers and men landed for some permanent duty on
shore, but to all who come within that description it may be issued

retrospectively upon receiving from the Admiral or Senior Officer present
accounts shewing the sums properly due under these directions.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-07-03_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607038.txt
================================================================================

No. 38

Considerable inconvenience is occasioned to this Department from
your despatches not being written on paper conformable with that in
general use. The paper should be of the same size with the sheet on
which the present despatch is written.

I have therefore requested that a moderate supply of Stationery may
be supplied to you from Her Majesty's Stationery Office, and you will
probably find it desirable to obtain the Stationery required

for the
Public Departments of your Government from the same source in future,
for which purpose it will be necessary that you should transmit to me
from time to time requisitions for the amount required.

The cost of the
Stationery thus obtained will of course be paid for by the Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-07-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60060SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

Continuing our progress from Hope, from whence I last
addressed your Grace, on the morning of the

6th June, we
arrived at Yale in the afternoon of the same day.

2. A deputation of the inhabitants bearing a congratulatory
address, waited upon me almost immediately after my arrival,
and I took that opportunity of stating that I had been induced
to visit Yale on that occasion chiefly by the desire

of
conferring with them on the highly important subject of
improving and wherever necessary altering the line of the
present trail leading from Yale to Lytton, with the view of
reducing the expense of transport and rendering the country
beyond the mountains accessible to intending settlers.

3. I drew their attention to the fact that the cost of
transport

by the existing mountain trail, between Yale and
Lytton, a distance of 80 miles, exceeded Seventy six pounds (£76)
a ton, a charge which the gold miner, by reason of his large
earnings, and limited wants, might possibly contrive to meet,
but it was evident that until the cost of transport be greatly
reduced, settlers, with their multiform wants

would be
involved in ruinous expenses, and in fact, virtually excluded
from the interior of the Country, which might for want of
such facilities of communication as I proposed to form,
remain a desert for years to come.

I also remarked how nearly impossible it was, by any conveyance
practicable on those

trails, to transport the implements
indispensable to the farmer for bringing the land into cultivation.

4. I therefore recommended that the inhabitants of the
Town should forthwith hold a meeting for the purpose of
choosing a temporary Council of five members, to concert
measures with me, for raising the

funds requisite for
carrying on that important enterprise, which must necessarily
confer the most signal benefits on the country at large, and
so greatly promote the individual interests of the people of Yale.

5. I then suggested that the money required for that service,
should be raised by means

of an inland duty of one farthing a pound, to
be charged after the completion of the road on the weight of all goods
leaving Yale for any inland part, above and beyond that place, and that
in the meantime the outlay should be met by an issue of Colonial Bonds,
bearing interest at 6 per cent per annum, to be repaid at fixed

periods from the revenues so created.

6. In continuation of that subject I may remark, for
your Grace's information, that a town Council of five members
was subsequently chosen by the inhabitants of Yale, who, on
behalf of their fellow citizens, presented a Petition,
recommending that

the proposed duty of one farthing a pound,
should be charged on all goods carried inland from Yale, and
that the revenues derived from that source should be applied
to the redemption of the Bonds, issued in payment of the
work done on the roads, and also praying that a uniform rate
of duty should be levied on

all goods carried inland from
Hope and Douglas, in order that no one route should have any
preference, or decided advantage over the others.

7. The inland exports from Yale are estimated at Fifty
tons a week, or Two thousand six hundred tons per annum;
the proposed duty, equivalent to two pounds, four

shillings
and nine pence (£2.4.9) a ton, should therefore yield an annual
revenue of Six thousand, five hundred pounds (£6,500), without taking
into account the progressive increase of trade and population,
that sum will thus, at the most moderate computation, form
an ample fund for the redemption of the

Bonds, and payment
of the interest, accruing thereon, and the Country will be
largely repaid for the immediate outlay by a direct saving
of five pence (5d) a pound weight or Forty six pounds, thirteen
shillings, and four pence (£46.13.4), a ton, which it is estimated
will be effected in
the cost of transport from Yale to Lytton by

opening the new
line of road, as well as from many other sources of prosperity
and wealth, that the improvement of the roads will bring into play.

8. Having thus provided the means of executing our plans,
the commissioner of Lands and Works was authorized to proceed
immediately in carrying them into

effect. Two portions of
the new line of road, from Yale to Spuzzum, are now in progress,
and a third portion, between Chapman's and Boston Bar, is
about being surveyed, in hopes of discovering some line which
may avoid the circuitous direction, and the mountainous district
through which the mule trail now

passes, whereby the actual
distance is greatly increased, while the route is in winter
rendered altogether impassable by the great depth of snow.

9. I beg herewith to forward, for your Grace's information
the substance of a short address which, previous to my departure,
I delivered to the people of Yale.

See enclosure No 1

complimenting them for their public spirit,
and thanking them for the cordial manner in which they had responded to
my proposals for promoting the improvement of the country.

10. The inhabitants of Hope, to which place I returned
on the 15th June, were equally liberal in their views, and
also drew up a

Petition in favour of an inland duty, equivalent
to that levied at Yale, on all goods carried overland from
Hope, which will provide funds for improving the road to
Quayome, or Boston Bar, and opening a new route by the
Ballomme River into the Shimilkomeen valley, a distance of 60 miles, the expense

of which on the scale proposed will
not exceed Four thousand pounds (£4,000).

11. I herewith transmit for your Grace's information a
sketch map of part of British Columbia, shewing the proposed
lines of road mentioned in this report, together with the
roads before completed, and others strongly recommended by
the Commissioner

of Lands and Works, and which will no doubt
greatly facilitate and promote the settlement of the Country.

12. I am happy to inform your Grace that the reports from all the
mining districts continue to be of the most favourable character.

Mining is no longer a speculation, it is becoming a
business, yielding an appreciable

and certain return, and
every day is extending our knowledge of the gold deposits.

13. Our latest accounts represent that 600 miners were
successfully employed on Quesnelle river, earning from Ten
to Twenty-five dollars ($10, to $25) a day.

The spring freshets have driven them away from their claims
in the beds of

the rivers, and they had commenced operations on
the hills and ravines, which have turned out to be highly
auriferous.

Several pieces of gold varying from Six to eight ounces
have been found in those new diggings, and the gold produced
has a rougher surface, and is in larger pieces than that found
in

the country west of Lytton.

14. About one thousand white miners are working on Fraser's
River between Alexandria and Lytton, and about Four thousand
Chinese miners are employed in the various districts of the Colony.

15. In my next excursion to British Columbia, I propose

to devote my attention to the Harrison river district, where
the land communications are being rapidly improved, and two
small Steamers, soon to be increased by a third, are in full
operation on the Lakes.

16. I trust Her Majesty's Government will approve of the
measures herein

detailed for removing the impediments of access
to the Country, and the issue of Bonds as a means of raising
money for carrying on the work; the whole expense of those
works will be defrayed out of the revenues of the Country,
derived as I have before stated from the duty on inland transport.

I feel assured that I have not over-rated the resources of
the Country, and that they are equal to the emergency, and I
believe that those resources will be, more or less, largely
developed, just in proportion to the degree in which the
difficulties of access are removed.



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FILE: 1860-07-06_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607039.txt
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No. 39

I have received your despatch No. 44 of the 4th of May,
relative to the position of Mr James Cooper, the Harbor Master of
British Columbia.

I can only consider this case on public grounds. Mr Cooper was
appointed for the

service of British Columbia, and derives from it his
whole income. There can be no reason therefore to exempt him from the
rule that it's public officers are to reside within the Colony. Nor can
I sanction his being again permitted on any future occasion to charge
travelling expenses for proceeding to the Country which is expressly the
scene of any duty that may be found for him to perform.

I am not sure whether I clearly understand from your other despatch
of the 4th of May that Mr Cooper is in habitual public opposition
to the Government, as a member of the Legislature of Vancouver's Island.
But I need scarcely inform you that this is not a position which in any
part of

the World it is allowed to Officers holding permanent Government
appointments to assume. If therefore such be the fact in the present
instance, it will be necessary for you to inform Mr Cooper that, in
case he feels that he cannot do otherwise than oppose the Government, he
must relinquish his office. It is competent to any man to make his
choice between political life and official life, but he cannot expect to
be an active opponent of the Government, and to remain a public servant.
For the same reason it is the general rule that Officers holding
permanent appointments cannot be allowed to be writers in, or Editors or
Proprietors of political Journals, or to be otherwise engaged in the

conduct of such journals, and to this rule Mr Cooper must conform in
like manner with all other permanent servants of the Government in other
parts of the World.



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FILE: 1860-07-06_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V606P03.txt
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Pemberton to Newcastle

Having for the last nine years filled the office of Surveyor General
of Vancouver Island, in which capacity I still act although
temporarily absent in this country on furlough, I venture most
respectfully to draw Your Grace's attention to the peculiar position
in which I am placed.

I was originally appointed to the office of Surveyor of Vancouver Island in 1851 by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay
Company. That engagement transpired at the termination of the
Company's Grant when the Island having been raised into a Crown
Colony, Governor Douglas was pleased to continue my services in the
same capacity on behalf of the Colony.

During the period I have had the honour of serving the Colony, the
efficiency of my services has been frequently acknowledged both by
the Hudson's Bay Company and Governor Douglas: and I have reason to
believe that on more than one occasion His Excellency was pleased to
recommend the confirmation of my appointment to Your Grace's
predecessor and probably to Your Grace also.

Before leaving Vancouver Island I represented to Governor Douglas the
awkwardness of the position in which I was placed being considered
and at the same time acting as Surveyor General of the Colony, and
still being without a Commission either from the Colony or Her
Majesty's Government and applied to Him to put an end to the anomaly
by granting to me the usual appointment, but he informed me that a
fresh commission could only be granted by Your Grace.

I take the liberty of transmitting herewith for Your Graces
information a copy of the letter addressed to me by William A.G. Young Esqre Colonial Secretary informing me that Governor Douglas
had granted me leave of absence for Eight months: that period has
now nearly Expired and it will be necessary If I am to retain the
office, that I should at once return to the Colony.

In these circumstances, I venture humbly and most respectfully to
hope that Your Grace will be pleased to grant me the usual commission
confirming me in the position of Surveyor General of the Colony, and
I do so with the more confidence as I believe that it will be as much
for the good of the public Service as it will be for my own personal
satisfaction that all doubts as to my precise position should cease
to exist.

I venture further to add that I have recently received a letter from
Governor Douglas reminding that my leave of absence was nearly
expended and urging my speedy return. It will therefore be necessary
that I should take my departure at an early day; and, it would be a
great satisfaction to me if by Your Grace's Kindness I were able to
return to the Colony in possession of the regular Commission.



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FILE: 1860-07-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60060.txt
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No. 60

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date
of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on the
other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-07-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60060SQ.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Grace's
Circular Despatch of the 3rd March last marked "Secret"
instructing me to return the Copies of a Code of Private
Signals supplied to me with Sir George Grey's Despatch of the 7th September 1854, and I have therefore the honor to
return herewith to Your Grace the Private Signals

*

in question.



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FILE: 1860-07-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60034.txt
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No. 34

Since my return from British Columbia to this Colony, I have been
closely and anxiously engaged in the settlement and regulation of Indian affairs.

2. Large numbers of Indians from almost every Tribe inhabiting the
northern coasts of British Columbia have been gradually collecting
around this place, and fresh detachments of those people are
continually arriving from their distant homes, so that at this moment
there are upwards of 2000 of those savages congregated on a part of
the Indian reserve assigned for their use, in the close vicinity of
Victoria.

3. From their formidable numbers and social habits, they have become
a positive nuisance, and a cause of alarm to the inhabitants of the
Colony.

4. Passionately fond of ardent spirits, they indulge in their use to
excess, whenever the means of intoxication are within their reach,
and on those occasions their quarters exhibit scenes of riot,
disorder, and outrage, disgraceful to a civilized Country.

5. When not under the influence of intoxication they are quiet and
well conducted, make good servants, and by them is executed a large
proportion of the menial, agricultural, and shipping labour of the
Colony.

Besides their value as labourers they are of value commercially as
consumers of food and clothing and could they be restrained from
excesses, which I regret to add, notwithstanding the severe
enactments enforced against vendors of spiritous liquors, it has been
found impossible to prevent, they would on the whole form a not
undesirable population.

6. Fortunately, in some respects for the Colony, those powerful
Tribes are divided among themselves, and entertain for each other the
most cordial feelings of hatred and contempt.

They take no pains to conceal those feelings and it is only the
terrors of the Law which even here restrains their mutual animosity,
and prevents them from attacking each other and settling their feuds
by open warfare.

7. Occasionally, in moments of excitement, those restraints are
forgotten. Within the last month, two startling crimes have been
committed. One by a Hydah Chief named "Captain John," who treacherously shot the Chief of the Tongass Tribe as he was
retiring from a festive meeting to which he had been invited by the
former, and a principal Quakualk chief was slain by some people of
the Songass Tribe.

8. In consequence of these acts, I determined on removing from the
confined encampment they have hitherto occupied, the several Tribes
living there and who, from want of space, were unavoidably brought
into contact with each other, to another spot, where to each Tribe is
to be assigned a distinct and separate dwelling place.

9. Before taking that step I summoned the chief men of the several
Tribes to meet me in conference, and after reproving them for the
enormity of their conduct, I spoke to them long and seriously on
various subjects, explanatory of the nature of our Laws, and the
punishment which it was my painful duty to inflict on all persons
guilty of crimes. I told them that they must not seek redress
according to their own barbarous customs, but that in all cases of
wrong they must appeal to the Law for protection and redress, and I
concluded by telling them that they must decide on taking one of two
courses, either to submit, implicitly, to the rules that I proposed
to establish for their Government, or to leave the Colony, and return
immediately to their own homes.

They, with one accord declared their willingness to submit to any
form of government I chose to prescribe, provided they were not
expelled from, and were allowed to remain within the Colony.

10. After much anxious deliberation on the subject of the Indian
question, it appeared to me that the presence of the Northern Tribes
in this Colony is one of those inevitable evils from which there is
no way of escape.

Their removal, for example, by persuasive and gentle means, would
fail of effect, and result in their return to the Colony in numbers
as great as before, while their forcible ejection, besides the
injustice and cruelty of that course, would surely lead to collision
and bloodshed, incense the whole Northern Indian population, and
probably end in hostile attacks on the defenceless settlements of
this Colony and British Columbia.

I therefore considered it advisable to deal with the subject as a
question of the gravest importance, demanding the adoption of a wise,
firm and vigorous policy in preference to either of the plans of
removal suggested, which are at best expedients full of danger, and
incapable of producing any lasting good.

11. It appears to me not impossible to combine the two important
objects of improving the habits and condition of those Indians, and
rendering them at the same time useful to the Colony.

12. I have long cherished the hope of being able to organize the
Indian Tribes into Communities, and to maintain peace and enforce the
laws by means of native officers selected from themselves. That
useful plan, which would put an end to Indian wars, and for ever
relieve the Colony from the danger of Indian outrages, I have
hitherto been unable to undertake for want of the small sum of money
necessary in the first instance, to defray the charge for the support
of a police force.

13. I propose now, in this emergency, to attempt a modification of
that plan with the Northern Indians, that is to say, I propose to
form the different Tribes into distinct bodies: to allot to each a
separate peace [place]

of encampment: to require them to put up decent houses for their
dwellings: to pay a small rental for the use of the land occupied:
and to impose a moderate poll tax for the support of a native police
force, trained to execute writs, to apprehend offenders, and under
the superintendence of the Chief Commissioner of Police to attend
generally to the peace and good government of the camp.

14. The Chief difficulty I apprehend in carrying out the plan is the
inability in many cases of the Indians to pay the proposed tax, we
must therefore be lenient with them at first.

15. The removal of the Indians to their new quarters, in furtherance
of my design, was effected without difficulty.

16. The following morning a complaint was made by the master and
passengers of the Schooner "Royal Charley," that several shots had
been fired at them as the vessel was passing the Hydah Camp.

17. The Commissioner of Police was thereupon immediately despatched
to seize the offenders, and as a precautionary measure, a military
force, Kindly furnished at my request, by Rear Admiral Baynes, was
ready to support him if necessary.

18. The Hydah's who are the most ignorant, barbarous, and
ungovernable of all the Northern races, having turned out armed on the
approach of the Police, and made a shew of resistance I gave orders
that in addition to the arrest of the offenders the whole Tribe
should be disarmed, an order which was promptly carried into effect,
by the seizure of all the Fire arms in their possession.

19. Those who had fired on the "Royal Charley" were publicly whipped
in the presence of the whole Tribe, and afterwards conveyed to Jail
for a term of imprisonment, with hard labour.

20. The Tongass people soon after entered a complaint against "Captain John" for the murder of their chief, and he with his
brother, an accomplice in the crime, was accordingly taken into
custody. Neither of them made any resistance, but quietly
surrendered on the exhibition of the warrants, and walked from their
own quarters to the police office.

They were, after examination, committed to Jail for further inquiry.
While being searched preparatory to being locked up, they suddenly
drew their knives and furiously assaulted the officers in charge of
them, who, after receiving several severe wounds, were compelled, in
order to save their own lives, to shoot both the prisoners dead on
the spot: a fate which their manifold crimes had long merited;
though I sincerely regret the manner in which it happened.

21. In pursuance of the general plan of government which I have
resolved to carry out, an armed Boat, Kindly furnished at my request,
by Rear Admiral Baynes, is kept cruizing night and day at the
entrance of Fort Victoria Harbour, and the officer in command has orders to
intercept all Northern Canoes and to require the entire surrender of
all the fire arms on board, before being permitted to proceed into
the Harbour.

A receipt is given for the arms so surrendered, and they will be
returned to their owners upon quitting the Colony.

My object in this regulation is to impress upon the minds of the
Indians a respect for order, and to inspire them with confidence in
the protection afforded by the Law, so that they will learn to trust
to it alone for safety, and not to their own devices, while residing
within the precincts of the Colony.

22. The whole of the Indians in the neighbourhood are at present
perfectly quiet and tractable, and I hope that the system adopted may
result in their lasting improvement.

23.Mr Duncan whose labours as a Missionary at Fort Simpson, I have
already had the honor of bringing to the notice of your Grace, has
cheerfully placed himself at my disposal in carrying out the before
mentioned arrangements, and has been of the utmost assistance to me.



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FILE: 1860-07-09_Reeve_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_B605CO02.txt
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Reeve to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 4th instant stating for the information of the Lord
President of the Council that His Grace the Duke of Newcastle
concurs in the reference of the petitions of the Hudson's Bay
Company to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

In the petition having reference to the large tract of land
in the neighbourhood of Fort Victoria, Vancouver's Island, of
which the Hudson's Bay Company claimed to be true and lawful
Owners in fee simple, a distinct claim is raised by the
Petitioners for payment for the value of the said tract of land.
In the petition having reference to the annexation to the Colony
of British Columbia of certain lands alleged to have been in
possession of the Company, the

petitioners pray that the justice
or injustice of such dispossession and the correctness or
incorrectness of their claims may be considered by the Judicial
Committee and that their Lordships may determine thereon and
advise Her Majesty what and how great relief the Petitioners
may have in the premises.

As these petitions, therefore, raise a question of
pecuniary indemnity—in the event of the legal claims of the
company being established, in the opinion

and judgement of
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the Lord
President is of opinion that before the Order of Reference
is made by Her Majesty, the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury should be informed that the Duke of
Newcastle concurs in such reference, and that the assent of
the Lords of the Treasury should likewise be obtained to the same.

I am therefore commanded by the Lord President to
request that you will have the goodness

to communicate with
the Lords of the Treasury in order to ascertain whether
their Lordships would be prepared to take the measures
necessary to give effect to the recommendation of the
Lords of the Judicial Committee if that recommendation should
award any pecuniary indemnity to the Petitioners.



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FILE: 1860-07-10_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607040.txt
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No. 40

I have received from Lord Palmerston a letter addressed to his
Lordship from Mr P. Cadell dated Fort Victoria Vancouver Island the 2nd
of May 1860, applying for the appointment of Superintendent of the Mining
Department in British Columbia.

You will have the goodness to inform Mr Cadell in answer to his
application that there is no situation to which I am able to appoint
him.



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FILE: 1860-07-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60061.txt
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No. 61, Military

I have the honor to inform your Grace that I have authorized
the Treasurer to procure by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General
the sum of Three Thousand Pounds (£3000), being in round

numbers
the amount required for the Colonial Pay of the Troops for the
quarter ending 30 June and to meet which there are no funds in
the Colonial Chest; and I trust your Grace will be pleased to
obtain the necessary authority from the Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury for the

Bills presented on this account to be paid,
when they become due.



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FILE: 1860-07-12_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605TE06.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majestys Treasury to
acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State that
directions have been given to the Comptroller of the Stationery
Office to supply a moderate quantity of Folio Paper to the Governor
of Vancouver's Island as requested in your letter of the 5 Inst.



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FILE: 1860-07-13_Hawes_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605WA03.txt
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Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th
Instant, and to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle, that the plan and estimate for the erection of a Naval
Powder Magazine at Esquimalt are now under the consideration of the
Secretary of State for War.



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FILE: 1860-07-14_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605WA08.txt
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Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 26th ulto.
together with its enclosures (herewith returned) relative
to the Cargo shipped in the "Thames City" with the
Detachment of Royal Engineers sent to British Columbia,
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acquaint
you for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that the
greater proportion of the stores referred to were not
obtained through this Department but were procured and shipped
under the directions of 

Colonel Moody.

There is therefore no means, in this Department, of
ascertaining the amount of tonnage, but as far as can be
judged from the list of stores, it would appear that the Broker's
claim for 93 tons 15 Cwt., is not unreasonable.

With regard to the articles stated to be damaged or
deficient, I am to acquaint you that steps have already been
taken for arranging with the owners in regard to the several
items referred to in Capt Luard's Letter, excepting the four
casks of Brandy shipped by Messrs Silver and the 112 lbs
of Tobacco deficient. Mr S. Herbert

conceives that the
owners should be required to pay for the Brandy; and the
value of the Tobacco has apparently been deducted by the
Admiralty from the amount due for freight. As however it
may be inferred from Capt Luard's Letter that he has made
good the supply of Tobacco for his men, directions will be
given for placing the amount in question (£7.9.4) to his
credit at Messrs Cox & Co, charging the sum to the
Admiralty.



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FILE: 1860-07-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60062.txt
================================================================================

No. 62

I have the honor to forward herewith a half yearly return
of Despatches to 30th June 1860.



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FILE: 1860-07-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60035.txt
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No. 35

I have the honor to forward herewith a half yearly return of
despatches to 30 June 1860.



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FILE: 1860-07-16_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607041.txt
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No. 41

In another despatch I have authorized you to adopt 4s/2d
per acre
as the upset price of all Country Lands in Vancouver's Island, the same
price, after once the land has been offered to sale without being
purchased, to become a fixed price at which it may be disposed of
without further auction. By the present despatch I have the honor to
authorize you to apply the same course of proceeding to the Public Lands
in British Columbia.

So far as regards the occupation of land with a right of
preemption, you are aware from the Duke of Newcastle's despatch No 23
of the 7th of May that

His Grace has suspended his opinion until
receiving a report expected from you on the subject of Captain Clarke's
scheme. The wish of the Government will be to adopt such plan as,
whilst it shall guard against abuses and against an undue appropriation
of land by individuals who have not the means of turning it to real
account, shall at the same time be best suited to the circumstances of
British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-07-16_Lewis_to_Douglas_V607027.txt
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No. 27

I have had before me your despatch No. 16 of the 28th of March
last, accompanied by an address from the House of Assembly relative to
the price of Land in Vancouver Island.

You have already learned from the Duke of Newcastle's despatch No.
26 of the 28th Ultimo that Her Majesty's Government have no objection
to the proposed adoption of the price of 4s/2d per acre. I must
explain however that it is impossible to authorize you to adopt this,
as a liberal conformity with the terms of the Address would require,
as a maximum price. A maximum price for all Crown Land cannot with
propriety be established by law. What you are at liberty to do is to
announce the sum of 4s/2d per acre as the price at which all
ordinary rural lands may be exposed to auction, and as soon as they have
been once so offered to sale without being purchased, they may be sold to
anyone who applies for them at the rate of 4s/2d as a fixed
price, without being subjected again to auction.

With regard to the terms on which land may be occupied with a
right of preemption, you have been apprized, the the Duke of Newcastles
former despatch No. 23 of the 7th of May, that so far as regards
British Columbia, His Grace suspended his opinion until he should
receive a report from you on Captain Clarke's scheme. For the same
reason the adoption of a decision on the question in Vancouver's Island
must likewise be suspended, as it is desirable that, unless there
should be some very special reason against it, the practice adopted in
one Colony should also be established in the other.

On the general subject of the disposal of lands and of the
provision to be made against abuses in the occupation of them, I
enclose for your information a useful report from the Commission of
Colonial Lands and Emigration.



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FILE: 1860-07-19_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60063.txt
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No. 63

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch No 18, of the 16th of April last, in reference to
the Proclamation issued by me

on the 14th of May 1859, for
the Naturalization of Aliens in British Columbia, and I feel
truly grateful for the trouble which Your Grace has taken in
reviewing that Act, which I now observe has defects impairing
its efficiency, not only by allowing facilities in the
naturalization of aliens that may lead to the abuse of that
privilege, but also by granting rights which the Colonial
Legislature cannot confer, and in certain cases

subverting
the rights of persons naturalized, in a manner certainly not
contemplated by the Act.

2. I have, in consequence of Your Grace's remarks, called
the attention of Her Majesty's Attorney General to the subject
of that Proclamation, which will be amended as soon as possible,
in the manner which Your Grace has suggested.



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FILE: 1860-07-19_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607042.txt
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No. 42

I have received and have perused with much interest your despatch
of the 23rd May reporting the result of your observations during a
late visit

to British Columbia.

There is no subject of greater importance to a new Colony than the
establishment of well considered regulations for the disposal of the
public lands. I trust therefore that with the aid of your personal
examination of the Country, and of the extensive correspondence in which
you have been engaged with Her Majesty's Government you will soon be
enabled to communicate to me those full and matured views on this
subject which your despatch encourages me to expect.

The sketch you have sent of the Municipal Institutions proposed for
New Westminster seem very promising and I am glad to infer that the Town
is ready to accept them

which is not always the case in a young Colony.



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FILE: 1860-07-19_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V605LN08.txt
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Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 6th instant inclosing one from
Mr Pemberton, the Surveyor General of British Columbia, in answer to
a charge brought against him by Mr Langford.

2. The charge was that Mr Pemberton had represented to Mr Langford
that certain land which Mr Langford applied to buy had been sold to
the Puget Sound Company—when it had not been so sold—and had
offered in proof of his statement to produce his Books to show that
it had been paid for.

3. Upon this case I furnished a Report on the 4th ultimo. As
regards the statement that the Land had been sold to the Puget Sound
Company it appeared to me that although it was not precisely accurate
Mr Pemberton had reason to believe it substantially true. The Land
had been applied for by the Company & a negociation for its purchase
was in progress—and in previous similar transactions the Company had
never failed to complete their purchase. In regard, however, to the
statement that Mr Pemberton offered to produce his books to show
that the Land had not only been sold but paid for, which though
supported by the evidence of Dr Wallace, Assist Surgeon of
H.M.S. "Satellite", was disbelieved by the Governor and contradicted
by the Assistant Surveyor who was present, but of which no notice was
taken in the answer made by Mr Pemberton before he left the Colony,
I suggested that Mr Pemberton should have an opportunity of offering
any observations he might desire upon that point.

4. Mr Pemberton accordingly now points out the probability that the
memory of the Assist Surveyor who was familiar with the subject
would be more accurate than that of Dr Wallace to whom it was
strange—that the former declares that he stated the Land to be
"sold" only, and that Dr Wallace might easily after a lapse of 1 1/2
years confound this with a statement that it had been paid for—that
the Book which he offered to show Mr Langford must have been the
Official record in which the negociation with the Company would be on
record, and which he was in the habit of allowing interested persons
to examine—not the Cash Book which would have shown no entry on the
subject—and lastly he appeals to the entire absence of any motive
for misrepresentation on his part and to the previous characters of
himself and Mr Pearse as strong evidence of the improbability of the
charge.

5. There is of course great difficulty in deciding between two
directly contradictory statements from persons whose veracity there
is no reason to impeach. Looking, however, to the time which has
elapsed and to the circumstances under which the alleged conversation
took place, I think it is most likely that Dr Wallace was mistaken in
the words which he attributed to Mr Pemberton. Mr Pemberton's
explanation of his probable offer to show Mr Langford his Office
Books removes a great difficulty in understanding how the error
arose. The absence also of any motive on Mr Pemberton's part and
the silent acquiesence of Mr Langford during 18 months in what he
now represents as a serious grievance, must be taken into account in
deciding upon the probabilities of the case. Upon the whole I am of
opinion that Mr Pemberton's explanation upon the particular point
now under discussion is sufficient, and in respect to the more
important questions regarding the conduct of Mr Pemberton and the
Governor towards Mr Langford, I see no reason to alter the opinion
expressed in my report of 4th ultimo.



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FILE: 1860-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60064.txt
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No. 64

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch No 21, of the 4th of May last, conveying to me

the sanction of the Queen for the following Proclamations,

No 14 To facilitate the recovery of small debts.

No 15 To promote the formation of Joint Stock Companies.

No 16 To impose a Toll on goods carried from New Westminster.

2. I have also had the honor of receiving a Report by the
Law Adviser of the Colonial Department on the two former of
these Proclamations, which

your Grace kindly caused to be
enclosed for my information.

3. I have called the attention of Her Majesty's Attorney
General to the subject of that Report, and he will take
advantage of the kind assistance afforded, to amend the
Proclamations, as therein suggested.



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FILE: 1860-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60065.txt
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No. 65

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
despatch No. 24 of the 8th May, conveying to me the sanction
of the Queen for the following

Proclamation:

Authorizing the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to sell Town
and Suburban Lots and Agricultural lands which have been offered for
sale at public auction and remain unsold, at the upset price.



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FILE: 1860-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60066.txt
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No. 66, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I have drawn
on Her Majesty's Paymaster General for the sum of Eight Hundred
and sixty eight pounds Two shillings and sixpence (£868.2.6) being
the amount of salary due to me as Governor from

the 1st January
1860, to the 30th June at £1800 per annum, income tax
deducted, and I have to request your Grace will be pleased to
obtain the necessary authority from the Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury for the bill presented on this account to be paid
when it becomes due.



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FILE: 1860-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60067.txt
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No. 67, Financial

I have the honor to inform your Grace, that I have just
received from the

Collector of Customs New Westminster a
return of the Imports into British Columbia for the quarter
ending the 30th June 1860, by which it appears that the
total value of all articles has been 422,598 70/100 dollars—for
the corresponding quarter of last year (1859) it was
247,755 60/100 dollars shewing an increase in the present year

of 174,843 4/100 dollars.

2. I have also the honor of enclosing for your Grace's
information a comparative Statement of Customs Revenue collected
at New Westminster, for the quarters ending respectively on
the 31st day of March, and 30th day of June 1860, which
your Grace will observe exhibit a satisfactory proof

of the
increase of Trade in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-07-21_Elmsley_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B606E01.txt
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Elmsley to Under-Secretary of State

I have received the enclosed Memorial from my Nephew the
Revd David Pringle from Vancouver Island & agreeably to his
request I forward it to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
The letter addressed to H. Merivale was I have reason to believe
addressed to him as the Under Secretary of the Colonial Office
& I have thought it right to forward it to you with the Memorial
& a letter

directed to the Duke of Newcastle. I should be
obliged to you if the receipt of these papers were acknowledged.



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FILE: 1860-07-21_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607043.txt
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No. 43

I have had under my consideration the copies of three letters of
the dates noted in the Margin,

*

which have been addressed to you by Colonel Moody, requesting
that some assistance may be given to the Wives and Children and also the
intended Wives of certain non Commissioned Officers and men belonging to
the detachment of Royal Engineers to enable them to join their husbands
&c in British Columbia.

No report having reached this office from you on this subject, I
request that you will inform me whether this application

meets with your
approval. I observe that Colonel Moody states that the men understand
that the Colony shall not be put to any expense on account of the
transmission of the Women; and that arrangements can be made for the
repayment to Her Majesty's Government by monthly stoppages from the
Men's pay of the amount which it will be necessary to advance in this
Country to defray the charge of the voyage. If you think that the Women
should be sent out, the Men should be required to sign an undertaking to
repay the expenses incurred and should state in writing that, if their
wishes are complied with, they intend to remain in British Columbia
after their discharge from the service. If I learn that the project
obtains your

approval, I shall take immediate steps for complying with
the recommendation of Colonel Moody.



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FILE: 1860-07-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60068.txt
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No. 68, Financial

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch No 22, of the 5th May last, upon the subject of
the

Advances made from the Imperial Treasury in aid of the
Colony of British Columbia, and pointing out to me the Accounts
that will be required from the Colony, both to discharge those
Advances, and to account for the receipt and expenditure of the
Revenue raised in the Colony; and I beg to assure Your Grace
that the various points touched upon in Your Grace's Despatch
shall meet with

my most careful attention.



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FILE: 1860-07-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60069.txt
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No. 69

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatches of the numbers and dates, as noted on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-07-23_Wodehouse_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO21.txt
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Wodehouse to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 11th Instant
containing a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's
Island, respecting the Military occupation of the Island of San Juan,
and suggesting the expediency, in the present state of the question
of jurisdiction over that Territory, of the withdrawal by the United
States and by Great Britain of the Civil Magistracy in that Island;
and I am to transmit to you, for the information of His Grace The
Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a Despatch which Lord John Russell has
in consequence addressed to Her Majesty's Minister at Washington,
instructing him to propose to the United States' Government the
withdrawal, on both sides, of the Civil Magistracy from the Island.



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FILE: 1860-07-26_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE25.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill for the sum of £650 drawn
by W.D. Gossett Esqre for the service of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-07-26_Lewis_to_Douglas_V607028.txt
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No. 28

I have received your despatch of the 23rd March, No. 14,
forwarding a letter with several enclosures from Mr E.E. Langford
containing a complaint against the Surveyor of Vancouver's Island and
reflections upon yourself on account of an application which had been
made by Mr Langford for leave to purchase a certain lot of land in
Vancouver's Island.

You will have the goodness to inform Mr Langford that I have
carefully perused all the documents submitted to me upon this
transaction and that I am unable to find any cause for blame in Mr
Pemberton's conduct. Neither do I see that you showed any want of
readiness in investigating the case when your notice was called to it,
or that blame is attributable to you for the delay which occurred in
communicating the answer of Mr Pemberton to Mr Langford.



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FILE: 1860-07-30_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607044.txt
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No. 44

I have to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill (No. 21) for the sum of £650 drawn
by W.D. Gossett [Gosset] Esqre for the service of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-07-31_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607029.txt
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No. 29

Her Majesty's Government have had before them your despatch No.
24 of the 7th of May last repecting the Military occupation of the
Island of San Juan and suggesting the expediency in the present state
of the question of jurisdiction over that territory of the withdrawal
by the United States and by Great Britain of the Civil Magistracy in
that Island; and I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to
you for your information a copy of a despatch which Lord John Russell
has in consequence addressed to Her Majesty's Minister at Washington
instructing him to propose to the United States Govenment the withdrawal
on both sides of the Civil Magistracy from the Island.



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FILE: 1860-08-02_Helps_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605CO01.txt
================================================================================

Helps to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to transmit to you
the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 1st August Ins.
for leaving to their operation eight Acts

*

passed in Vancouver's Island No: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, and I am to request that
you will be pleased to lay the same before the Secretary of State for
the Colonial Department.



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FILE: 1860-08-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60070.txt
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No. 70

I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your Grace's
information copy of a letter from Mr O'Reilly the Magistrate
at Hope, with enclosure, being the first report received from
the party of Gold Miners sent out from

that place as stated
to your Grace in Paragraph 8 of my despatch of the 5th June
marked "Separate."

*

2. This report though not conclusive as to the general
character of the country, yet speaks very favourably of those
parts examined.

3. The quality and value of the specimens of gold alluded
to in the above report have been estimated by a practical
assayer

here, as follows

No. 1‹‹Weight..........about 5 grains

Quality.........860 thousandth fine

Value...........9 pence

No. 2‹ Quality.........860 thousandth fine

Value...........22 pence

Weight..........about 12 grains.

from which an inference may be drawn greatly in favour of
the Shimilkomeen as a mining district.

4. A new Gold district is also said to have been discovered
in the Southern part of British Columbia, at Rock Creek, a
tributary falling into the Kettle-fall River near the

49th
parallel, and 400 Miners, chiefly from Oregon, were reported
to be engaged in working that field, and making wages from 15,
20, up to as high as 100 dollars a day. It is anticipated that
there will be a great rush of miners to that part of the country
and if so food will be required in large quantities, which will
lead to a great increase of trade, and to the formation

of new
settlements in that part of the Colony, by reason of this
additional attraction.

5. The importance of directing the supply of provisions
for this region by way of Hope is thus greatly increased, and
an additional motive supplied for opening the road between
Hope and the Shimilkameen, which is being at the present moment
vigorously carried on, and thus preventing the trade from taking
the

course of the Columbia River to Oregon.



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FILE: 1860-08-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60071.txt
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No. 71

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No. 27, of the 25th May, relative to the proposed
formation of a settlement for Indian converts to 

Christianity,
and I observe with much satisfaction that your Grace has been
pleased to sanction the reserve of several hundred acres of
land in the neighbourhood of Fort Simpson, for the use and
benefit of the Indians, subject to certain stipulations which
I shall

cause to be observed.



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FILE: 1860-08-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60072.txt
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No. 72, Ecclesiastical

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
Despatch No 26 of the 19th of May

1860, on the subject of
the grants of endowments in land to the Clergy of the principal
Christian Communities established in British Columbia, and I
learn with satisfaction that Your Grace has been pleased to
sanction the grants already made of about one acre each; and
also to approve of a similar grant under similar circumstances
in all Towns in British Columbia; and I will

take care that
Your Grace's suggestion as to the precautions necessary in the
appropriation and conveyance of the land, is not disregarded.

2. I observe and admit the force of the reasons which
have induced Your Grace to withhold the sanction of Her Majesty's
Government to my further proposal that free grants of one
hundred acres of

rural land should be made in aid of every
Cure established in British Columbia, and not otherwise
supported at the public expense.

3. Your Grace will perhaps permit me to remark with
reference to my recommendation of that measure, that I was
desirous, by it, of holding out inducements to educated and
respectable

Clergymen to take up their residence in the Colony,
and of contributing in a small degree towards their decent
maintenance and support; I, in fact, regarded it as an easy
and inexpensive means of providing a fund which would materially,
and increasingly tend to the advancement and support of religion,
without putting the Colony to any serious expense.

4. I did not view the proposed endowment as a sufficient
or exclusive means of support: it was considered in my scheme
only as an attractive inducement, and important aid, for
religious bodies and Clergymen, who, perhaps, having a certain
amount of private means, or of funds drawn from other sources,
at their disposal, might by the prospect of that additional
aid, be induced to assume pastoral

charge, and to found Cures.
When the good work was well begun, I trusted to the effect of
voluntary contributions to complete the fund necessary for
the support of the Incumbent, and for Church extension
throughout the Colony.

5. The circumstances of British Columbia, as your Grace
is aware, are very peculiar: had

the Colony been settled by
a population drawn from the Mother Country, holding the same
religious views, and appreciating Christian privileges and
instruction, there would have been less cause for anxiety
about the support of religion.

6. Bodies of Christian Settlers, however poor, might
reasonably be expected to unite in contributing, according
to their means, to secure

the advantage of having a Christian
Pastor resident among them.

7. But unfortunately the state of British Columbia is
such as precludes the probability of such a desideratum: its
population is made up of drafts from many nations, dissimilar
in language, and totally disagreeing in their

religious views;
and it will, I fear, be many years before Christian Congregations
of any denomination will be found capable of supporting their
own Pastors.

8. It is for that reason that the Colony so urgently
needs the fostering care of Government, for without its aid
the Country may remain

unprovided with Churches and destitute
of Christian Teachers, for an indefinite period of time.

9. I hope it will not be supposed from any thing herein
stated that I am pressing this matter with an earnestness
beyond its merits. I have merely addressed Your Grace under
a profound sense of one of the wants felt by the Colony, and

for which I have no other means of providing.

10. I need not further urge the vital importance of having
a loyal and truly English Clergy in the Country, as those are
considerations of which Your Grace is far better able to judge,
than I to represent; but I may add that there is much reason
to fear that unless Her Majesty's Government

authorise me to
take the initiation in this great work, the Country may be
found with religious teachers supported by the Propaganda, or
by Missionary Bodies in the United States, whose efforts,
though morally useful, may not produce, politically, the effect
we desire.

11. I feel in fact, that this is a subject demanding my
closest attention, and to which I am particularly directed

by
Her Majesty's Instructions, which enjoin that I should take
especial care that Almighty God be devoutly served, and that
orthodox churches be built, and well and orderly kept.

12. Should it still appear to Her Majesty's Government
that the peculiar circumstances of the Colony do not warrant
a reconsideration of your decision in respect to

the proposed
endowment, I trust your Grace will authorise me to substitute
a money equivalent out of the Colonial Revenues, or to make
some other provision calculated to advance and support the
cause of Religion.



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FILE: 1860-08-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60074.txt
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No. 74

I have the honor of transmitting herewith, for Her Majesty's
approval, the Copy of a Proclamation entitled "The New Westminster
Municipal Council Act 1860."

2. This is the Act which I had the honor of reporting to
Your Grace in my Despatch marked "Separate," and dated New Westminster the 25th of May 1860.

3. It provides for the election of a Municipal Council
invested with power to raise money by assessment on all Town
Lots, and erections thereon, situated within the limits

of
New Westminster, and authorises them to expend that money in
the formation of streets, and in providing for the health,
comfort and security of the inhabitants.

4. The Municipal Council is to consist of seven members,
being British Subjects, and each being possessed of a property
qualification of Fifty pounds, and all rate

payers are entitled
to vote in the election of Councillors.

5. The Council can levy such rates only as are approved of
by a majority of the rate payers, and by the Governor for the
time being. In the same manner, all Bye-laws passed by the
Council, must be confirmed by the Governor for the time being,
before they have the

force of Law.

6. The compulsory clause, requiring Lot-Holders to cut
down the standing Trees, except such as may be reserved on any
Lot for ornament, was introduced into the Act at the request
of the people themselves, who represented that there was no
security for their property, which was in perpetual danger
of being destroyed either by the falling of trees or by their
conflagration

as long as any part of the forest, within the
inhabited portion of the Town remained.

7. The clause has also merits of another kind; it will
have the effect of inducing holders of Lots, whether resident
or not, to improve their property, and thereby benefit the Town.

8. The Act has been

prepared with much care and consideration
by the Attorney General, and will, I trust, be productive of much good.



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FILE: 1860-08-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60036.txt
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No. 36

I have the honor of transmitting herewith the Copy of an Act Entitled

An Act to provide for the Administration of Oaths in the House of
Assembly, and the Production of Evidence before Committees of the
Same,

which has been duly passed by the Legislature of this Colony, and is
now submitted for Her Majesty's Approval.

2. Before the passage of the Act, doubts existed as to the power of
the Clerk, and Chairman of Election Committees of the House of
Assembly to administer Oaths or Affirmations necessary for the
efficient discharge of their duties, which this Act is intended to
remove. It authorises the exercise of the same powers as are by Law
conferred upon and possessed by similar officers of the House of
Commons.

3. The Act as originated in the House of Assembly was extravagant in
its claims, and was therefore Entirely remodelled in Council; and
will in its present form, I trust, not be found exceptionable in
principle.



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FILE: 1860-08-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60073.txt
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No. 73, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to announce to your Grace that the barque
"Grecian," having on board the Light apparatus &c for the
Light houses in the Straits of Fuca, has arrived safely at
this Port.

2. I have to acknowledge

the receipt by the same conveyance
of 2 volumes of the Public General Statutes 22 and 23 Victoria.



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FILE: 1860-08-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60037.txt
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No. 37, Legislative

Since I had last the honor of addressing your Grace, in reference to
the proceedings of the House of Representatives of Vancouver Island a
number of useful measures have been prepared and introduced by the
Attorney General, acting on Government behalf, of which a schedule is
hereto appended.

2. Bills have also been introduced by other Members of which the
title is likewise given in the schedule.

The greater portion of those Bills have now reached their final
stages, and they will probably be carried through the House in the
course of a few weeks.

3. I have also caused a Bill for the Titles of Real Estate, to be
introduced into the House; in sufficient time, to insure its passage
before the close of the session.

4. The Committee of Ways and Means has, after considerable
discussion and delay agreed to the following votes, to wit:

Civil List (Salaries) £3200.

Expenses of the different

‹ Departments £3207.14.1

Education‹ Roads &c £9364.

5. During the early part of the session, the Government party met
with considerable opposition from five or six of the Members, who
exhibited a captiousness that no measure however useful or necessary
appeared to have the effect of allaying.

*

This opposition has now however sensibly diminished, though it still
exists to an extent which greatly retards the despatch of business.

6. Two of the Bills enumerated in the schedule are of considerable
importance, to wit:

The Bill to incorporate the Town of Victoria, and

The Bill to provide for the improvement, repair, and laying
out of roads.

The first of those Bills is in some respects an adaptation of the
Canadian Municipal Act to the peculiar position of the Town of Victoria, and it is proposed to give to the Council a power to make
Bye Laws for the regulation of their internal economy, which, upon
receiving the assent of the Governor for the time being, shall have
the force of Law.

7. The Second Bill introduces a system of statute labour on the
rural roads and affords a means of composition to those prefering

a Cash payment to the performance of the required labour.

8. A full report of all those measures will be prepared and
forwarded for your Graces information at the close of the present
Session.



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FILE: 1860-08-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60075.txt
================================================================================

No. 75

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this
date of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates
noted on the other side hereof.
*



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FILE: 1860-08-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60038.txt
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No. 38

I have the honor to report to your Grace that I have appointed Mr
George Tomline Gordon, to act as Treasurer for the Colony of
Vancouver's Island, pending the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government.

2. Mr Gordon is a gentleman of education and station, and was
specially brought to my notice by your Grace's Predecessor
Sir Edward Lytton.

3. The Salary attached to the Office, viz Four Hundred pounds
(£400) per Annum, has been voted by the House of Assembly, and altho'
the Estimates have not finally passed the Legislature, yet I was
constrained to make the appointment at once, as I was desirous of
removing Captain Gosset to New Westminster.

4. Mr Gordon has found the necessary Bonds, himself in Two Thousand
pounds (£2000), and two approved Sureties in One Thousand pounds
(£1000) each.



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FILE: 1860-08-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60039.txt
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No. 39

Referring to my Despatch No 34, of the 7th Ultimo, reporting for
Your Grace's information various matters in connection with the
Indian Tribes congregated at that time around Victoria, I have the
honor to communicate to Your Grace that fresh arrivals have been
constantly occurring, while but comparatively few departures have
taken place, so that at the present moment there are
nearly four thousand Indians in the outskirts of the Town of Victoria.

2. With one or two exceptions they have conducted themselves
peaceably, but much apprehension is felt by the inhabitants at the
close contiguity of a body of Savages double to them in number.

3. In these apprehensions I do not share, for the object of the
Indians in visiting this place is not to make War upon the white man,
but to benefit by his presence, by selling their Furs and other
commodities; but I cannot be blind to the fact that in an emergency
we are nearly wholly unprotected, and the most direful consequences
might ensue were any sudden outburst to occur.

4. We have but a small Police Force at Victoria, and no
regularly organized and armed Force, which alone could be
depended on in case of emergency. Numerous Special Constables have
been sworn in, and have given cheerful assistance upon one or two
occasions of alarm; but this is an expedient not calculated to be of
much avail against Savages in case of an attack, unless a disciplined
force were in reserve.

5. As Your Grace is no doubt aware the Vessels of War do not lie in
Victoria Harbour, but at Esquimalt three miles off, Fort Victoria not
being capable of receiving Vessels of large draft of water, and
therefore although we may have the most efficient assistance near at
hand, yet in reality it is too remote to be instantly available in
case of sudden need.

6. Admiral Baynes has at my request, and as mentioned in my Despatch
of the 7th July, stationed a Boat with a Gun, and occasionally one
of the Steam Gun Boats, at the entrance of Fort Victoria Harbour, to
disarm the Indians upon their arrival. The Indians however manage to
evade this surveillance in a great measure, for they land their Arms
before entering the Harbor, in the custody of their friends, from
whom they can afterwards obtain them: but the check exists
nevertheless, and produces a certain moral restraint which is
beneficial.

7. Much alarm is also manifested by the Settlers on the Coast, and
at Admiral or Salt Spring Island, and Nanaimo, and they have
addressed to me Petitions praying for protection to be afforded them.
Copies of two of these Petitions I forward herewith. Although I
confidently trust that the probability
of disturbances arising between the white Settlers and the Indians
may be far more remote than they seem to believe, yet I am well aware
what small cause is calculated to arouse all the fiercer passions of
the Savage, and, in a moment, to overturn all considerations of
profit or interest, or even of consequences, although speedy
retribution may be inevitable. It therefore would be highly culpable
to relax in any precautionary measures; but in this case the number
of white people is so disproportionate to that of the Indians, that
we must in a great degree rely upon aid from without.

8. Under these circumstances I have felt it necessary to appeal to
Admiral Baynes, the Naval Commander in Chief, and I have requested
him to station a small guard of Marines at Victoria, during the
period that the Indians may be assembled here in such numbers, and to
detach a Vessel from Esquimalt to be stationed for the present near
to Cowitchen, so as to visit at frequent intervals the different
white Settlements on the Coast.

9. I forward herewith Copies of the Correspondence which has passed
between the Admiral and myself upon the subject.



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FILE: 1860-08-09_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE26.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay a Bill for £500 (No 3) drawn by Mr Gossett,
Treasurer of British Columbia for Regimental Pay of the Royal
Engineers, and a Bill for £50 (No 4) drawn by Mr Gossett on
the same account.



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FILE: 1860-08-10_Foster_to_Palliser_V606F01.txt
================================================================================

Foster to Palliser (Private Letter)

I have not yet had a line from you. The Grouse are in, and in some
parts of the country where the wood is not too dense, pretty good
shooting is to be had.

Miles is going down to San Francisco [possible one word cut off
microfilm] he has an idea of copper somewhere on [Qwa—?] River B.C.
I believe a Company for the same [possible one word cut off
microfilm] and I am of opinion that he will
some day [be] a millionaire as he does not swerve from his object.

These people are trying to do all sorts [of] jobbing. Governor
D and Carey [Cary]
plotting, and Dr. Helemkin [Helmcken] and the paltry paid
hirelings carry on the affairs in the House.

When are you coming back here?

I wish we could get commissioners out [to] put things straight with
H.B.C. and Imperial Govert.

I would rather that you did not send things I gave you a Memo for,
until I ask you to do so, as I have no house built yet, and have
[possible one word off microfilm] confidence sufficient in this weak
Govt to [do] so—with that wretched plotting Governor at its head.

He has no higher aim than his own personal vantage, and if not done
away with, [the] country will not maintain its position…people
will leave this for Oregon Terr…No contribution
towards any…can be obtained.

People do not scruple to aver openly that no confidence exists with
regard to any measure the Governor with the Parliament majority ([qn?]
of [T—?]) officials of the Government
illigully

maintaining…and a council of old women with a Lawyer who has
taken Oath of allegiance to America.

D. Frazer who does his work of altering measures at his own house,
and not having them discussed openly in Council…I shall
lay [out] no more money here, it is not safe to do so.

Wanton expenditure of Revenue is a glaring feature of Governor Douglas's
administration here, [one word cut off microfilm]
[illegible] [(qn)?]
mode of procedure [illegible]

not altered soon will tend [to] sway these people's sympathies toward
the American rule rather than be governed by the present system. And
if the Government knew the ([qn?]) important position or I should rather
say had under consideration it would doubtless without [delay?]
favor the Colony in more ways than one, and [very?] especially by
ensuring to it a proper representation of H.M. and not prolonging the
one killing system of H.B.C. monopoly rule which every thing here
[possible word cut off microfilm, possibly page missing?]
to succumb to
this.

The influence brought to bear in the House of Assembly to the
prejudice of Colonists in general and the development of the
country.

Remember me to all friends—
.usis
there as much row now about war with the European powers [P.C.?]

Hope all will blow over, but than [that]

Italian affair can hardly do so, I think.

How are all your brothers, the Colonel [been there?]?

I shall see you in a year or so, if things d'ont

alter here this place is American in 20 years hence.



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FILE: 1860-08-10_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607045.txt
================================================================================

No. 45

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches of the 23rd
and 31st of May containing a further general Report on the present
condition and progress of the Colony of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-08-11_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607032A.txt
================================================================================

Separate

The attention of the Secretary of State has been called by Mr
Pemberton to the circumstance that although since the termination of
his agreement with the Hudsons Bay Company he has continued to act
under the Colonial Government as Surveyor General of Vancouver Island
he has as yet received no commission confirming him in that position.

The Secretary of State being satisfied with the assurances you
have given of Mr Pembertons zeal and ability is pleased to sanction
his appointment as Surveyor General, and desires me to transmit to you
the Royal Warrant giving you the requisite authority for this purpose.



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FILE: 1860-08-11_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607046.txt
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No. 46

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 52 of the
12th of May enclosing a letter from Colonel Moody

relative to sending
to British Columbia the Wives of certain of the non-commissioned Officers
and men of the Royal Engineers in that Colony.

I am to refer you to the
Duke of Newcastle's despatch No 48 of the 21st of July referring
Colonel Moody's proposal for an expression of your opinion, which (I am
to observe) ought to have been contained in your present despatch.

As however you have not expressed any objection to Colonel Moody's
recommendations which would appear in themselves to be desirable, the
Secretary of State does not propose to await a reply to the reference
made to you in the despatch of 21st July above referred to but will
at once communicate with the proper departments of the

Government with a
view to carrying the proposals into effect.

The Secretary of State for War will be consulted as to the
propriety under the circumstances of allowing the Wife and family of
Serjeant McColl to be sent to the colony at the public expense.



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FILE: 1860-08-11_Pemberton_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V606P04.txt
================================================================================

Pemberton to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 10th Instt informing me that his Grace the Duke of Newcastle
has been pleased to confer upon me the Office of Surveyor General of
Vancouver Island.

I find it difficult to express in words the gratitude I feel for his
Grace's condescension in complying with my request but shall
endeavour to express it by discharging the duties entrusted to me so
assiduously that his Grace will have reason to be satisfied with my
humble exertions.

As no details are stated having reference to the appointment I beg
leave most respectfully and frankly to mention [illegible] as regards

Salary, that up to the time of my quitting the Island I was paid
£500 a year, that in the present state of the Colony I do not ask for
any increase of it, but merely request that his Grace may be pleased
to confirm it, and that I may be informed from what date, as in such
cases may be customary, it should commence.

I would further respectfully inquire whether with regard to expense
of passage out his Grace may be pleased to place me on the same
footing as civil officers sent to British Columbia.

In what I have stated having reference to emoluments I hope to be
understood as not asking for any special or Exceptional privilege.

2ly I would suggest that if my experience as a civil Engineer,
which as will appear from the enclosed printed document is not
inconsiderable, could be made serviceable to Government on the
passage out; it would not cost me more to travel out by the Red River Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains than by the Isthmus of Panama.

3ly My leave of absence having nearly expired I would ask for a
small extension of it, in consideration of its shortness (8 months)
and the circumstance that the Season is now so far advanced that
however expeditious I may be in getting out, little Surveying can be
done in Vancouver Island until Spring.

That if his Grace shall be pleased to allow me this slight extension
of leave of absense and that if during my stay in London I can do any
work for the Colonial Office, so far from considering such as
laborious, I should be but too happy to exert myself to the utmost.



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FILE: 1860-08-13_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN07.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 9th instant
enclosing a Despatch from Governor Douglas on the subject
of the inconvenience caused by the uncertainty as to the
claims put forward by the Hudsons Bay Co to certain lands
in British Columbia.

2. Governor Douglas encloses a correspondence with the
Hudsons Bay Cos Agent, from which it appears that
certain Lands which have

been sold by the Government to
individuals are claimed by the Company, and that there is
considerable difficulty in ascertaining the exact boundaries
of the Company's claims. There can be no doubt that this is
extremely inconvenient but until the decision of the Judicial
Committee of the Privy Council is obtained, which can scarcely
be before next Spring, no effectual remedy can be applied. But
it would be desirable in the meantime that the Local Government
should abstain as much as possible from dealing with Land
claimed by the Company—so as to

avoid increasing their claim
to compensation should their Title to the Land be eventually affirmed.



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FILE: 1860-08-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60076.txt
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No. 76

The intelligence I had the honor to communicate to your
Grace in my Despatch No 70, of the 3rd of Instant,
respecting the discovery

of rich and paying Gold Fields at
Rock Creek and in the Shimilkomeen Country, have been
confirmed by the arrival of different persons with samples
which they themselves have dug in those parts.

The gold is nuggety and of fine quality, being readily
separated from the soil without the use of quicksilver, and
is found away from the water-courses as well as in the river

beds, and the miners are said to be realizing from six to
Fifty dollars a day to the man.

2. One instance of remarkable success is mentioned in
the report of Mr O'Reilly, the Gold Commissioner at
Fort Hope, it being of two miners who realized in six weeks, by
mining, the sum of Thirteen Hundred dollars, and their
confidence in the productiveness of the

country was so great
that they soon after invested the whole sum in the purchase
of another claim.

3. In consequence of those reports there has been a
great rush of people to the new diggings, and all articles
of consumption are scarce and selling there at a high price.

4. The same report mentions the very important

discovery
of a Silver lead at Union Bar near Fort Hope.

5. The specimens of the ore sent here appear rich and
valuable, but it is impossible to predict without a severer
test the actual value of the discovery, and whether the lead
will be rich enough to pay the working expenses or not.

6. The discoverers, and upwards of Seventy other persons
who have

recorded claims on the lead appear however to be much
elated, and fully satisfied of its value, and they are said
to be importing blasting tools, and materials in large
quantities, with the intention of turning the discovery to
immediate account.

7. Several tons of the ore have already been sent to New Westminster for assay, and we will no doubt

receive further
reports of its value in the course of a few days.

8. Specimens of silver ore have also been found at the
mouth of Harrison's River. One of these yielded on assay, at the rate of Twenty pounds worth of silver to the ton of ore.

9. I propose to despatch a party to investigate the
mineral resources of that part of the country, in hopes

of
making some valuable discovery which may attract, and afford
employment to a population, as the whole country about Harrison Lake is otherwise valueless, being mountainous, rocky, and utterly unfit for tillage.

10. The tidings from Yale, Cayoosh, and Lytton are generally
satisfactory.

11. The new roads are progressing apace, and the cost of
transport

is being gradually reduced with the increasing
facilities of communication.

12. The number of miners collected about Alexandria and
Quesnel River rendered it necessary for the maintenance of peace
and order to form a police station at the former place, and I
have to announce to your Grace that I have lately appointed Mr
Philip H. Nind, as Magistrate

and Assistant Gold Commissioner
for that District.

There being nothing further of an unusual nature to communicate.



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FILE: 1860-08-16_Lewis_to_Douglas_V607030.txt
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No. 30

I have received and have had under my consideration the acts
passed by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in the year 1859 and
transmitted to me in your Despatch noted in the margin
*

I have reported to Her Majesty in Council my opinion that the said
Acts may be left to their operation; and I have the honour to transmit
to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the 1st of
August approving that Report.



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FILE: 1860-08-18_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607047.txt
================================================================================

No. 47

With reference to your despatch No 55 of 18th June 1860, I
am directed by the Secretary of State to inform you that the Paymaster
General has been authorized to pay two Bills, No 3 for five hundred
pounds (£500) and No 4 for fifty pounds (£50) drawn by the Treasurer
of British Columbia for Regimental pay of the Royal Engineers.



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FILE: 1860-08-21_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605TE07.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of the 11 Inst relative to Bills drawn
on account of the cost of construction of two Lighthouses in
Vancouvers Island, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majestys Treasury to transmit herewith copy of a letter from the
Board of Trade—dated 8 Inst—on this subject together with copy of
Their Lordships reply, and I am to request that you will move the
Secretary of State to instruct the Governor of Vancouvers Island to
limit if possible the expenditure for the service within the amount
intimated in his Despatch No 31 of 18 June.

Their Lordships wish to be favored with the opinion of the Secretary
of State whether the further sum required for the service beyond the
vote of £7000 should be inserted in the Estimate for Lighthouses to
be submitted to Parliament for the year 1861-2 on the understanding,
as before, that one half will be hereafter repaid from Colonial
Funds.



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FILE: 1860-08-23_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B606C04.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to enclose the usual life certificate from
Colonel Moody R.E. HM's Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works for
British Columbia, dated 30 June last, and beg that directions may
be given to the Paymaster General to issue to us that officer's Pay
to the above date.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-08-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60077.txt
================================================================================

No. 77

At the earnest solicitation of Captain Gosset the Treasurer
of British Columbia I forward herewith to your Grace, copy of
a correspondence having

reference to his appointment to the
Office of Colonial Secretary.

2. Under the circumstances of the style and tone of Captain
Gosset's letters I would willingly refrain from any comment,
but as established rule requires me to report upon the
application, I am con

strained to offer a few remarks on certain
prominent points.

3. Your Grace will observe that Captain Gosset endeavours
to establish a grievance because I have not appointed him to an
Office which is not vacant, or at all events because I will
not bind myself to create the vacancy and

appoint him at an
early period, and, while having done no more than his duty, he
would strive to shew that he has thereby been conferring a
great obligation upon me, which I was bound speedily to
repay. It is unnecessary for me to dwell upon this point,
Your Grace is perfectly aware of the

circumstances under
which the British Columbia Treasury was originally established
and continued for a period, at Victoria. It was not out of
"complaisance to me" that Captain Gosset opened his office
here; and I leave to the judgement of your Grace his
misapplication of these circumstances, circumstances that
did in reality

save him from much of that hardship and
inconvenience which he labors to prove it has been his
misfortune to experience.

4. I do not presume that Captain Gosset when accepting
the appointment of Treasurer had any assurance given him
that he would be appointed

Colonial Secretary upon arrival
in the Colony, and I therefore am at loss to conceive where
he has cause of complaint, for he has been enjoying the
appointment conferred upon him by Her Majesty's Government,
and neither he nor his family have been exposed to any
greater inconvenience than they must have anticipated when

leaving England, probably far less.

5. I must further remark that were the Office of
Colonial Secretary vacant, I could not appoint Captain
Gosset to it, for my experience of him during the last
eighteen months has shewn me that he is not fitted either
by habit or

disposition, for a post where tact, discretion,
and a conciliatory manner are important specialities.

I give this opinion reluctantly, but it is forced
from me by the course Captain Gosset has adopted.



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FILE: 1860-08-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60078.txt
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No. 78

I have now the honor of submitting a Report upon the
scheme of Captain Clarke, R.E. for the disposal

of land in
British Columbia forwarded to me with your Grace's despatch
No 3 of the 7th of January last.

2. The Scheme has, I may premise, merits of a high
order, and indicates the large experience, and, on many points,
liberal views of the writer; I fear however, its
introduction here, would not, without modification, be
attended with any immediate or ultimate advantage.

The System appears

to be adapted to the present
advanced state of the Colonies in Australia, which are
relatively wealthy and populous; and where the genial
climate, open surface, rich pastures, the accumulation
of capital, and profits derived from Stock Farming,
make land a desirable investment, and lead to its rapid
sale; but is inapplicable to a Colony like British Columbia, just called into existence, and

where the physical
conditions of climate and soil are altogether different,
and country land as yet, with some few exceptional
localities, absolutely unsaleable.

3. In principle however, Captain Clarke's scheme is, not
widely different from the Laws now regulating the disposal
of land in British Columbia, the difference being chiefly
observable in matters of detail; a fact which will appear
from the following review of his plan, engrossed in red for
the sake of contrast,

and the Laws now in force in British Columbia.

Sections 1 & 2.

(1) Alienation of Crown lands to be by sale at public
auction as hereafter described.

(2) Excepting from above provision Country lands once
or oftener submitted for sale at auction, and not bought,
which may be purchased by Contract with Governor or
Officer named to receive purchase-money, also lands
required for the purposes of Government either general

or municipal, or held under public trusts where trustees
not named or approved by Executive Government, or
incorporated in Legislative Acts, also with respect to
engagements made by the Crown to Naval and Military Settlers.

Both Schemes adopt the Auction System in the alienation
of surveyed Crown Lands, and sanction the selection and
temporary occupation of unsurveyed lands, with hardly a
shade of difference, except that the upset price in British Columbia

is fixed by law at ten shillings per acre, exceeding by five shillings the upset price proposed in Captain Clarke's scheme.

Section 3. Province to be divided into Counties, Hundreds
and Parishes.

No objection occurs to me against the division of the
Colony into Provinces, with subdivisions of Counties, Hundreds
and Parishes, as recommended in this Section: but any such
division at present, while the Country

is imperfectly known,
would be premature, and would probably require speedy alteration.

Section 4. Lands to be distinguished into Town and Country
Lots.

The Law of British Columbia add "suburban" Lots as an
intermediate class between Town and Country Lands.

Suburban Lands are generally laid out in Five Acre Sections,
forming a zone immediately beyond the Town Lots, and

extending
to the Country Land. This is found to be both a useful
distinction and profitable to the revenue, inasmuch as the land
brings a higher price than Country land, and its being put up
for sale in small lots, leads to a more equal and satisfactory
distribution of the valuable land near Towns.

Section 5. Authority to Governor to convey.

Section 6. No lands to be alienated or conveyed till surveyed
and

limits marked on Public Charts, and boundaries &c described in
Register.

The Law of British Columbia gives that power to the Governor
and provides for the alienation of country land in the same manner.

Section 7. No grant to cover alienation of more than one
square mile, or 640 acres, or no greater area to be offered
at auction than said quantity in one lot.

This restriction may be grafted on our present system,
though

I must confess I do not see its advantages to the Colony.

Section 8. Lowest upset price to be five shillings per
acre. The upset price of Country lots is Ten Shillings * an acre in British Columbia; but I agree with Captain Clarke as to the
expediency of fixing it at Five Shillings per acre.

Section 9. Upset price of Town lots to be fixed by
Governor in Council.

Section 10. Town Lots to be sold only at auction.

Section 11. Power to Governor in Council, in case of Country
lands, the probable value of which is enhanced by
circumstances, to raise upset price to approximate value.

The practice is the same in British Columbia, except in
respect to the sale of Town Lots, which, after having been put
up at auction, may be sold by private sale at the upset price;
a plan adopted to facilitate sales, and enable the local officers
to meet applications as made; for it was found that official
delays

had seriously deterred many persons from purchasing lots.

Section 12. All lands (Town and Country) put up to
auction at prices respectively stated in Schedule of Sale, will be
declared to be purchased by the bidder of the upset price,
or the highest bidder above it, provided he shall pay down
then and there the whole amount of purchase money, or a
deposit of 25 per cent on the amount of purchase money.
The remainder to be paid within 60 days from

the date of sale.

The Law of British Columbia is somewhat different in this
respect, it required payment in cash of one half the purchase
money of all Country land sold, at the time of sale, and the
other half at the end of two years: and a deposit of 10 per
cent on the purchase money of Town Land, and the balance in
three months from the date of sale.

Captain Clarke disapproves of that practice; and I would
observe in reference to his remarks on the subject, that

the
system of deferred payments, or payment by instalments, and
introduced with the view of encouraging the sale of Country
land, and giving an impulse to settlement; as the experience
derived from the Colonization of Vancouvers Island, proved
conclusively, that the rigid enforcement of the system of
prompt payment would certainly defeat both of those objects.

I may here state that no persons of large means have as
yet settled in British

Columbia, and that the purchase of
Country Land is considered a most unprofitable method of
investing money in this country.

A high rate of interest is derived from investments in
other real estate, or in Mining or Mercantile enterprise, while
waste land yields no immediate return.

Capital has therefore not sought an outlet in that
direction, and so limited is the demand for Country Land, that
the very liberal terms offered by the "British Columbia
Pre-emption Act"

passed on the 4th of January 1860, have
produced no other decided effect than the formation of several
small settlements in favorable localities; but the Country
at large remains untilled, unimproved, and unproductive of
everything but Gold.

I may further remark, that the emigration to British Columbia, has, in most cases, been of the poor and laboring
classes, some of whom were men of small means, but the great
majority had not

a farthing on their arrival.

Those men are, however, the bone and sinew of the State;
and if they can be induced to till and cultivate the soil,
they will soon produce a sensible effect upon the country.

The whole of that class would, however, be excluded from
purchasing land by enforcing the system of prompt payment;
its effect would be to place the Colony in a false position,
there being on the one hand no capitalists disposed to purchase
land,

while on the other hand the stringency of the terms
would virtually amount to a rejection of the only class who
are desirous of settling in the Colony.

In Canada, New Brunswick, and other Colonies, a low price
for land, and the system of deferred payment, has, I believe,
been universally adopted, and with the happiest results.

The Donation Act, until very lately in force in the
neighbouring Territories of

the United States, was singularly
liberal and attractive to Settlers. It conveyed to all
settlers, who had resided in the State before the passage
of the Act, a free grant of

640 Acres to Married Settlers.

320 Acres to Single Settlers.

and one half of those quantities to settlers arriving from
and after the passage of the Act.

The general Pre-emption Law of the United States entitles
settlers to enter into possession of from 160 to 320 acres of

unsurveyed land, with the right of purchase at the Government
price, of one Dollar and a quarter per acre, on the survey being made.

Those enactments all bear testimony favorable to a liberal
land system. I believe it is cheap land, coupled with the
condition of occupation, that has made the United States what
they are; and that is now clearing the wilderness, and adding
so largely to the population and the revenues of Canada.

The settlement of British Columbia, is, I believe,
dependent on the same wise policy, and must be fostered and
promoted by the same means, or emigrants will be forced into
the neighbouring Territories of the United States, where they
may freely select from millions of acres, equal to any land
in British Columbia, at the low price of one dollar and a
quarter per acre, payable only after survey.

In tracing the effects of the two systems, I would

remark
that there is obviously no period of a settlers' career when
capital is more useful, or more pressingly wanted for carrying
on his operations, than at his first start in a new country.
He must then purchase implements; working and stock-cattle;
clear, till and enclose land; employ his own labor, and for
a time purchase even his own food. In no case therefore, can
it be advisable to allow the

whole of the settlers' capital
to be absorbed in the purchase of land, for that would be
depriving him of the means of improving and bringing land
into cultivation, precisely at the time when the aid of
capital is most wanted.

If we suppose that the ready money system of payment
cannot be enforced without checking, or perhaps wholly
preventing, the sale of land, and retarding the settlement
of the Country; and such, I may remark, would

inevitably be
the result in British Columbia, then I submit there can be
no doubt as to the impolicy of a practice so fraught with evil.

The Crown Lands, should, I think, be treated as a means
of aiding the progres and development of the Country, and not
merely as a source of revenue. If the increase of population
is admitted to be the paramount object of consideration, then
I conceive the settlement of the Country should be encouraged

through the only means in our power, the cheap and easy
acquisition of land that being probably the greatest and
almost sole attraction which new countries possess: therefore
if settlers are unable to make their payments at once, without
sinking too large a portion of their capital, I submit that it
would be advisable for Government to allow time for those
payments, rather than lose the chance of retaining a resident
and improving

population in the Colony.

It is of the utmost importance that the Colony should
have a resident population as the basis of a regular and
permanent revenue, and that object would, I conceive, be
cheaply attained were it even to involve the free gift of a
great part of the waste land in British Columbia; for the
country would still in that event be a gainer by the sacrifice,
as is pertinently shewn in the words of a great writer, who
observes:

As the Crown Lands, which are now unproductive, would,
when they become private property, soon be improved and
cultivated, their produce would increase the population of
the country by augmenting the revenue and consumption of the
people; and the revenue which the Crown derives from the
duties of Customs and Excise, would necessarily increase
with the revenue and consumption of the people.

I have in conclusion

to add, that I differ in opinion
from Captain Clarke on the point of requiring immediate
payment from purchasers of Country land; the introduction of
that system, at present, would, I think, retard settlement,
check the sale of public land, and be disastrous to the Colony.

Section 13. Purchaser to sign Sale Book.

Section 14. Should purchaser neglect to pay balance of
purchase money within

60 days, the deposit of 25 per
cent will be forfeited, and the land if classed as
Country land be declared open for future purchase,
either at Auction, or as hereafter prescribed.
Such Regulations are now in force in British Columbia.

Section 15. Country Lands, once offered for sale, and for
which no offer has been made, or on which the deposit
has been forfeited, may at discretion of Governor in
Council be adverted as open for selection or purchase
at private

Contract at prices affixed.
A similar provision is made in the Laws of British Columbia.

Section 16. All applications for land to be purchased by
selection, or private contract, to be made in writing,
purchase money deposited.

Section 17. As far as practicable, all lands to be sold
in or near site of such lands. All lands open for selection or
purchase by private contract, should for 12 months after
the  date

of first advertisement be subject to selection
only at the nearest Government office or Magisterial
Branch to site of such lands, and then subsequently only
at the Chief Crown Land Office.

Section 18. All contemporaneous or conflicting
applications for the same land, to be determined at Auction.

Regulations to the same effect are now practically in force.

Section 19. All lands to be sold by Auction, or otherwise,
to be advertised at least 30 days before

time or date of sale.

The Law of British Columbia provides that due notice shall
be given of all auction sales.

Section 20. All lands sold to be described with purchasers
name attached, and advertised within reasonable time after
date of sale.

Section 21. Register with Charts attached describing each
lot and subsequent history to be kept in Chief Crown Lands Office.

Convenient and useful and may be introduced with

advantage
hereafter, when the revenues of the Colony are capable of
defraying the cost of a larger establishment of public Officers.

Section 22. Beyond the limits of Survey, or in other
words, beyond ten miles from the nearest lands surveyed, sold, or
ready for sale, licenses, on application to the nearest
Bench of Magistrates, may be issued to persons desirous of
selecting land for settlement and the immediate purpose of
cultivation or

other lawful occupation.

The gist of this Section is contained in the Proclamation of
4th January 1860, entitled the "Pre-emption Act."

Sections 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27. Prescribing the forms of
application for land &c.

Sections 28, 29, and 30. These
Sections are devoted to licensing land for depasturage
of Stock, and are inapplicable to British Columbia.

Section 31. Annual Licenses to be issued to persons to
fell timber, to remove stone, open Brickfields, &c
Now practically in force in British Columbia.

Section 32. On the site of probable Townships, and on the
Gold-fields where land for building &c has not been sold,
Business licenses to be issued, annual—renewable—such
licenses not on renewal to be subject to auction.

Section 33. Fees payable on said Business licenses to be
in proportion to

Frontage to Street or thoroughfare occupied,
but under one License not to exceed [blank] feet.

Business Licenses are issued to all persons occupying Crown
Lands and carrying on any trade or occupation in British Columbia.

Section 34. Declaring undesirable to sell auriferous
Land, but when land sold Gold in it conveyed to purchaser with soil,
but subject to tax, duty or Royalty, as other Gold from Crown Lands.

The Law of British Columbia

conveys all Mines and Minerals
with the land, but reserves Mines of Gold and Silver for the
benefit of the Crown, and I think it advisable to leave the law
in its present state until the Country has been explored, and
the extent and character of the Gold Fields ascertained with
some degree of precision; otherwise the auriferous lands of
the Colony may pass into private hands, and become the property
of

persons opposed to their being worked, except on terms
oppressive to industry.

It has been the constant aim and policy of my government
to encourage and protect the Miners, on whom all classes depend
for support; theirs being the only productive branch of industry
which is yet developed.

The public revenue is also wholly derived from the produce
of their labours; and there is no other interest

so important,
or which so well deserves the regard and consideration of the
Country. The Law, for that reason, reserves a right in their
favour, freely to enter upon and work all Mines of Gold and Silver.

Sections 35, 36, 37, 38, 41. Provisions, similar in
effect, are made by the Laws of British Columbia.

Section 39. Similar powers for Mills, either for Quartz
Crushing, sawing timber, &c, laying down tramways, Rails, &c.

Section 40. General rules regulating survey with regard
to Main Roads, Navigable Waters, Permanent Streams, Lakes,
Springs, general size and proportion of Lots &c
May be engrafted into our Code with advantage.

Sections 42 to 50. The powers conveyed by these nine
Sections are all actually

or virtually in force in British Columbia.

4. I have now brought to a conclusion my review of Captain
Clarke's Scheme as compared with the Land Acts in force in
British Columbia; and have freely given my opinion of the
relative merits of each, viewed as a means of attracting
population, the desirable object at which both schemes should aim.

5. The former commits the error of assuming that the country
possesses a population desirous of settling in the Colony and of
purchasing land; whereas I have shewn in the course of my
remarks, that no disposition has been manifested by monied men
to invest capital in that way; and the labouring classes cannot,
for want of means, become landowners, unless the price is
moderate, and payments made by instalments.

6. The reason, as I

have before shewn, is the profitless
character of such investments for every one except the labourer,
who does his own work, and makes a livelihood from the produce
of the land. It is on that class therefore, that we must, in
the first instance, chiefly depend for the permanent settlement
of the Country, and it will be obviously unwise to throw
obstacles in the way of their acquiring land.

7. I would therefore,

not recommend any change in our
present laws until the "Pre-emption Act" of 4th January 1860
has been fairly tested; and should it not produce the desired
effect of attracting population, it may be modified by reducing
the price of Country Land to Five Shillings per acre, or by
adopting the system pursued in Canada of making free grants of
one hundred acres to Settlers, coupled with

certain specified
conditions of occupation and settlement.



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FILE: 1860-08-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60080.txt
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No. 80

I have the honor to acknowledge the Receipt upon this date of your
Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on the other side
hereof.
*



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FILE: 1860-08-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60081.txt
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No. 81

With reference to my Despatch of this date reporting upon
the Land Scheme of Captain

Clarke, R.E., I have the honor to
forward herewith to Your Grace a Report from the Judge of
British Columbia upon the same subject.

2. I also submitted the scheme for the consideration of the
Commissioner of Lands and Works, but I have not yet received his Report.



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FILE: 1860-08-24_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607032.txt
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No. 32

Your despatches dated respectively the 16th February and the
28th March, having been referred to the Hudson's Bay Company a letter
has been received from them of which I enclose you a copy. I request
that you will furnish me with your report upon the contents of this
letter at your earliest convenience.

As the Hudsons's Bay Company admit that part at least of the
Buildings upon the Land near Fort Victoria are the property of the
Government I should wish to be informed whether so much of the produce
of the sale as represented the price of those Buildings has been
carried to the credit of the Colonial Government.

I take this opportunity of mentioning to you that the question of
the company's title to certain land in Vancouvers Island as
their private property, anterior to the grant to them of the
Island will be settled by a reference to the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council.



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FILE: 1860-08-24_Lewis_to_Douglas_B607048.txt
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No. 48

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 56 of the
21st June enclosing a correspondence with the Hudsons Bay Company's
Agent at Fort Victoria on the subject of the claims of the Company to lands
adjacent to their Forts in British Columbia.

These claims have been referred by mutual consent, to the Judicial
Committee of the Privy Council, and until the decision of that Tribunal
is obtained no effectual remedy for the inconvenience which you
represent can be applied. But it would be desirable in the meantime
that you should abstain as much as possible from dealing with land
claimed by the Company so as to avoid increasing their claim to
compensation should their title

to the land be eventually affirmed.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60079.txt
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No. 79

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No 30 of the 13th June and to acquaint your Grace
that the information therein

contained that Colonel Moody's
salary as Commissioner of Lands and Works for the quarter
ending 31st March had been authorized to be issued to Messrs
Cox and Co, has been duly conveyed to that Officer.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60082.txt
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No. 82

I regret to be compelled to trouble Your Grace with
additional correspondence upon the subject adverted to in
my letter of the 23rd instant,

but I forward a further
communication from Captain Gosset, lest, as he has urged it, he might complain of not having had every opportunity of making good his case.

2. In transmitting the previous correspondence, I said
as little as I could, for I felt loth to make any remarks
that might injure Captain Gosset's prospects, but as he
has by the letter

now enclosed, placed himself in a position
antagonistic to myself, I must request Your Grace will take
such notice of his continued attempts to coerce me into
bestowing the Appointment of Colonial Secretary upon him,
as you may, under the circumstances, think just and proper.

3. Your Grace was pleased to leave the appointment of
a Colonial Secretary in

my hands. Mr Young resigned solely
because the Salary was inadequate. Your Grace accepted his
resignation for that reason alone. Mr Young was contented
to remain, for the time, at my request, under the hope that
the increasing prosperity of the Colony would bring with it
a corresponding increase of Salary. This arrangement was
reported to Your Grace,

and I presume you were satisfied
with it. By it the Public Service has not suffered, but
on the contrary, has been receiving the benefit of the
services of a gentleman in every way qualified for the
Office, and my opinion of whose merits, I have already
conveyed to Your Grace.

4. Captain Gosset has had these matters explained to
him by me in several

personal interviews; and I trusted he
would have had the delicacy to cease his importunities, for
since September last he has perseveringly endeavoured to
bind me to a promise of making him Colonial Secretary; and he
has never missed an opportunity of parading before me his
appreciation of his own talents, encumbering the most common
place business letters with references to

his "superior
experience"; in fact, to such an extent had this practice
attained, to the serious detriment of Public business, that
I was obliged to request Captain Gosset to confine his
communications to clear and concise statements of facts,
and each letter to one subject. Mistaken regard for his
feelings has, perhaps prevented me sooner telling him in

distinct terms, that I could not recommend him for the office
of Colonial Secretary, even if it were vacant, at all events
unless he greatly changed both in his manner to me individually,
and to the other Officers of the Government; for I regret to
say, that, with scarce a single exception, I have received
personal representations from the principal officers of the

Government, as well as from others, of the rudeness of manner
exhibited to them by Captain Gosset in their official
communications with him, and judging from the attitude
Captain Gosset has chosen to adopt towards myself, I could
not discredit these complaints. These however, were incidents
which, although causing me much regret and annoyance, I did
not desire to take serious notice of, for I

trusted by gentle
measures to make matters go smoothly, but at the same time I
could not discard such considerations from my mind.

5. I could speak far more specifically, and could mention
the cases to which I now only superficially allude, and I
could cite other points of equal consequence in regard to
qualification, in support of my opinion as to the

unfitness
of Captain Gosset for an office where tact, judgement and
urbanity, are pre-eminently required, but I do not now consider
it necessary, as I am not bringing any complaint against
Captain Gosset, but merely mentioning my opinion, were it
requisite to make the appointment he desires.

6. In the responsible position I hold, I am bound to exercise
my judgment

in selecting Officers to fill particular offices,
and by considering any particular Officer unfit for any
any particular office, I do not, I conceive, "inflict any stain"
upon that Officer's character, as Captain Gosset alleges, nor
can he be thereby compelled to leave untried "no legitimate
means" to combat my action.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60083.txt
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No. 83, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Despatch No 29 of the 3rd of June

and I feel
much gratified with Your Grace's appreciation of my remarks
respecting the management of the North Western Territories
of British North America.

2. In reply to your question regarding the Map I forwarded,
I beg to acquaint your Grace that I did not define the
Boundary of the Hudson Bay Companys Territory from any
Authority,

but I drew the line merely from my own recollections
of the extent over which the rights of the Hudson Bay Company
been practically asserted under its original Charter.

I was aware that the tract I enclosed was more limited
than that granted by the Charter, but the Hudson Bay Company
really enjoyed the exclusive right of trade

only within that
line, for the North West Company had Fur Trading Posts
scattered over every other part of the Indian Country.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60040.txt
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No. 40, Military

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Graces despatch
No 24 of the 11th June, and to inform your Grace that agreeably to the
instructions contained in that despatch, I have acquainted Colonel Moody
that your Grace has received his letter of the 7th April
forwarding copies of a correspondence between that officer and
myself on the Military occupation of San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60041.txt
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No. 41

With reference to my Despatch of the 8th Instant No 39, I have the
honor to forward herewith a copy of the reply I received from Admiral
Baynes to my requisition upon him to make some arrangements to
furnish due protection against the Indians.

2. I am happy to say all continues quiet amongst the Indians around
Victoria, and as the Admiral appears disinclined to take the step, I
have not pressed him to land a small guard at Victoria, as alluded to
in my beforementioned Despatch. I regret however that he cannot
station a Vessel for the time on the East Coast of the Island as I
requested, for although the occasional visits of a Ship of War are
most desirable, still her continued presence for a longer period
would be much more likely to produce lasting good.

3. The extreme penalty of the Law was carried into effect this
morning in front of the Jail at Fort Victoria upon the person [of] a Northern Indian who was found guilty at the last Assizes of the
Murder of a man named Brown. Everything was conducted with the
greatest decorum. The Indians appeared fully satisfied of the
justness of the measure, and I trust the example may not be
unavailing.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Heseltine_to_Newcastle_V606H02.txt
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Heseltine to Newcastle

I beg leave respectfully to submit to your Grace the following short
statement of a grievance for which I have no redress except through
the Colonial Department of Her Majesty's Government.

On the 1st of November 1859 my Son
John Heseltine of the Stock Exchange, London received
a letter dated "9th
Septr Victoria
Vancouvers Island" announcing the death of his Brother Samuel
Heseltine (Her Majesty's Inspector of Steam Machinery in that Island and the Colony of
New Columbia) which took place on the
5th of the same Month.

This letter which was signed "Wootton" stated further that my
deceased Sons effects had been placed by the Writer in the hands of
the Registrar, as being the legal Administrator and that he alone
could receive the pay due by the government to the deceased at the
time of his death.

On receiving this communication, my Son having died unmarried and
Intestate and I being his sole next of kin, I wrote to the Registrar
a letter dated 15th Novr 1859 giving him instructions as to the
disposition of the property that had been handed over to him by Mr
Wootton to whom I also sent a Copy of my Instructions to the
Registrar.

It is now several weeks since my Son John Heseltine received a second
letter from the same Henry Wootton dated Fort Victoria 19th May 1860 in
which he says "The effects of your Brother have been sold and
realized nearly £300 which is more than sufficient to pay all debts"
but I have never to the present moment got any account from the
Registrar of the effects that have come to his hands nor of the pay
due to my deceased Son which he has received from the Government nor
has he in any way acknowledged or noticed my letter addressed to him
on the 15 Novr last.

I have reason to know that the debts of the deceased were very
inconsiderable in amount. The expenses of his Funeral were defrayed
by the Members of the Masonic Fraternity resident on the Island who
kindly attended his remains to the Grave, his rent was paid in
advance so that none could be due, and I have conversed with the
person who attended on him the last few days of his life and who
assures me that he had no debts except such small sums as might be
due for his weekly expenses.

Under these circumstances I respectfully submit that Mr Williams,
the Registrar whose conduct is in question has failed in this
instance to discharge a duty which he was bound by the tenure of his
office to perform and as I have no means of redress except through
the Department of Her Majestys Government over which your Grace
presides, I therefore humbly pray your Grace that he may be required
to render an account with proper vouchers of the effects of the
deceased which have come to his hands and to remit to me such balance
as may be due thereon.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Moody_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B606M03.txt
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Moody to Under-Secretary of State

I have the honour to enclose for the information of the
Secretary of State
"Duplicates" of two letters I have recently addressed to
Governor Douglas.



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FILE: 1860-08-25_Municipal_Council_of_New_Westminster_to_Prince_of_Wales_B605MI04.txt
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Municipal Council of New Westminster to Prince of Wales

Hearing that it is the intention of your Royal Highness to
visit Her Majesty's possessions in North America:

We the members of the Municipal Council of New Westminster,
the capital of British Columbia, in council assembled, in the
(absence of a resident Governor, and other important officials,
who have been appointed to us from England, and in the absence
of any representative institutions, through whom the voice
of the people can be heard, except this Council),
beg in the

name of the inhabitants of this City, and the whole of this
important Colony which must from its rich gold and silver mines,
as well as boundless arable land, become the future home of a
great portion of the human race, and which we hope in the
course of a few years, may be joined by means of a railway to
Canada, adopt these means of greeting Your Royal Highness, with
a cordial and respectful welcome on your arrival in North America.

We wish you every happiness and that the Almighty Ruler of
the Universe, will extend his protection over you, during your
stay amongst our fellow Colonists, and that you may have a

safe return, and that the day may not be far distant, when
the people of this Colony, may have an opportunity of
expressing their loyalty to you in person.



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FILE: 1860-08-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60083SP.txt
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Separate

I regret to find that through an oversight in making up
my Despatch No 77 of the 23rd Instant, the Enclosure
forming the covering letter to the correspondence forwarded
was omitted, I therefore hasten to enclose the Document

in
question and beg that it may be placed with that Despatch.



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FILE: 1860-08-27_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO22.txt
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Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your Letter of the 14th
Instant, transmitting Copies of a Despatch and it's Inclosures from
the Governor of British Columbia, explanatory of the cirucumstances
under which he had requested the opinion of Colonel Moody as to the
Site to be selected for the encampment of British Troops on the
Island of San Juan, but had declined the Services of an Engineer
Officer in surveying the position.

With reference to the proposal of the Secretary of State for the
Colonies to approve Governor Douglas' proceedings in this matter, I
am to observe that the Governor had doubtless some grounds for the
course which he pursued on the occasion in question, but that Lord John Russell does not understand His Excellency's Reasons for
requesting Colonel Moody's opinion, if he did not wish to have a
Military opinion upon the case.



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FILE: 1860-08-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60084.txt
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No. 84, Financial

It being my intention to quit this place to day on a
visit to British Columbia, which may occupy four or five
weeks, I am desirous

before my departure of addressing Your
Grace upon a subject of the deepest importance to that Colony.

2. I had the honor of informing Your Grace in my Despatches
Nos 70 and 76 of the 3rd and 16th instant, of the
reported great discoveries of Gold in the Shilmilcomeen, and
on the Southern frontier of British Columbia near Colvile;
of the rush of people to that part of the Country, and of the
urgency

which existed for pushing on with vigour the work of
the road from Hope to the New Diggings.

3. Prodigious efforts have hitherto been made by the
people of Oregon to throw supplies, by means of the Columbia River, into the Southern frontier of the British Possessions,
and since these new discoveries so close to their own Territory,
those efforts have been redoubled, and unless we adopt instant

and effective measures, the revenues of the Colony will suffer
to an extent which we can hardly now foresee.

4. Your Grace is aware of our struggles to reduce the cost
of transport by opening roads through the Mountains from
Douglas, Yale and Hope, and I was in hopes of being able to
effect those great and important works through the immediate
revenues of

the Colony, and without foreign aid. It would
have been no small satisfaction to have done so, in view of
the magnitude of the undertaking, and I confidently believe
my hopes would have been realized, but for the events
abovementioned, and which render the immediate completion
of these roads a matter of the most urgent necessity.

5. The whole expense

of the Trail from Douglas to Cayoosh,
including 25 miles of Wagon road, which is now finished; the
most expensive part of the road from Yale; and a portion of
the Hope Trail to Shilmilcomeen, have been defrayed out of
the current revenue. The remainder of the Yale road to
Spuzzum, and of the Trail to Shilmilcomeen will be paid, as
arranged with the Contractors, in British Columbia Bonds,
bearing

interest at 6 per cent per annum.

6. In order to complete the communications there remains:
.off On the Douglas route,

From the 28 Mile House to Cayoosh, a distance of about
34 Miles of land carriage.
.off On the Yale route,

From Spuzzum to Boston Bar, an exceedingly difficult portion
of about 15 miles, and from thence to Yale

a distance of about 40 miles.
.off end

7. The portion of the road from Spuzzum to Boston Bar has
just been contracted for by Colonel Moody for Nine Thousand Pounds,
and it will probably take an additional sum of Five Thousand
pounds to open the remaining portion to Lytton.

8. Thus in addition to the works for which we have provided
the means

of payment in the Colony, we would require as follows:

For Road from Yale to Lytton.......14,000

For Road from Douglas to Cayoosh[…]16,000

£30,000

9. Being unwilling to make a further issue of Bonds,
lest their depreciation should greatly increase the cost
of the roads in progress, I directed the Treasurer to
advertise for a Loan to the extent of Twenty Five Thousand pounds;
but it

resulted in only one offer, and that for
the sum of Two Thousand pounds at 12 per cent per annum interest.

10. This circumstance taken in connection with the high
rate of interest, (one and a half to five per cent per mensem)
to be obtained for money loaned for short periods, shews
that there is but a scanty supply of capital for the

every
day demands of commerce. There is no currency except coin;
there is no money which can be spared to be locked up in
an advance to the Government, except at a rate of interest
which we could not afford to pay.

11. Our only resource then is to turn to the Mother
Country to endeavour to effect a Loan to the extent of Fifty
Thousand pounds, and in this I trust Your

Grace will afford
us your valuable aid. It would naturally be a subject of
gratification if this, the youngest of Her Majesty's Colonies,
could arrange a Loan at rates approaching those paid by other
British Colonies of the same Continent, and as far as the
security is concerned, I venture to submit that the revenue
of British Columbia can give as undoubted security for a small
Loan as the Canadas can offer for a large one.

The revenue of the year was calculated to exceed the
expenditure, and it has surpassed the estimate, while the
expenditure has been successfully kept hitherto within the
prescribed limits, excepting of course the heavy charge on
Military account, which it is my anxious endeavour that the
Colony should be placed in a position both to defray and to
utilize as soon as possible. But it is sufficiently

evident
to Your Grace that neither can the expense of the Military
Establishments be defrayed by the Colony, nor can Soldiers
be moved from one point to another, until roads and communications
be opened so as to make the Country practicable for the Merchant
and the Baggage Train.

12. I believe that the ordinary course in effecting Colonial
Loans is to place the matter in the hands

of an Agent in London,
who undertakes to pay the interests, redeem such portions of
the principal as become payable &c on the terms of a fixed
commission. The terms as to the interest, commission etc.,
must be settled, I presume, through or with, such Agent, to
whom the Colonial Government find themselves to make from
time to time, such remittances as may seem

proper.

13. The assistance which I venture to solicit of Your
Grace, is the selection of an Agent through whom the details
of the transaction may be managed; and to whose integrity
and ability may be entrusted the negociation of the terms to
which such a Loan would have to submit; whether such a Loan,
from its

amount, is best fitted for being raised by subscription
or by public advertisement, or by private tender, e.g. to
Insurance Offices, or other Bodies having large amounts of
available capital seeking investment.

14. I should hope that such an Agent might be found, and
as I should expect to have to follow

his advice and experience
in such a matter, I presume that there would be nothing rash
in undertaking to acquiesce in such terms as he may be able
to obtain, the necessary details for carrying out those terms,
and for pledging the resources of this Colony for their
fulfilment,

being contained in a Proclamation having the force of Law.



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FILE: 1860-08-28_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607031.txt
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No. 31

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 31 of the
18th of June reporting on the expenditure incurred upon the
Lighthouses which are in course of erection in Fucas Straits.

The Lords Commissoners of the Treasury will not object to the
acceptance of Bills for the expenditure in the Colony for this service
to the extent of 7751.16.10 which is the amount stated in your
despatch to be required on the spot, but I have to instruct you to
limit the expenditure if possible within that amount.

Provision will be made in the Estimates for Lighthouses for the
ensuing year for the amount of expenditure incurred beyond the sum of
£7000 already voted by Parliament on the understanding that one half of
this additional amount, as in the case of the original Vote, will be
repaid by the two colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia
jointly.



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FILE: 1860-08-28_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD08.txt
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Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Sir R.L. Baynes,
dated the 3rd July, No 101, with Copies of its enclosures, relative
to the assistance rendered to the Civil Power by the Naval Force in
preserving Order and checking disturbances amongst the Indians in
Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1860-08-29_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE27.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill (No 5) drawn by W.D. Gossett
Esqre, Treasurer of British Columbia, for the sum of £85 in
respect of the Regimental Pay Account of the Royal Engineers
in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-08-31_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE28.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to Messrs Cox & Co on account of Col
Moody R.E. (Commissioner of Land & Works in British Columbia)
the sum of £300 for Salary due to him at the rate of £1.200
per Annum for the Quarter to 30th June last, as requested
in Mr Elliot's Letter of the 25th Instant.



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FILE: 1860-08-31_Walcott_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B605LN08.txt
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Walcott to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

With reference to Sir Frederic Rogers Letter of the
14th instant, enquiring the best mode, and the cost
of conveyance to British Columbia of the wives and
children (amounting to 10 statute Adults,) of 7 men
belonging to the corps of Royal Engineers, I have the
honor to inform you that having made the necessary enquiries

both at Liverpool and London I find that there is not at
present any Vessel on the berth at either Port proceeding
direct to British Columbia.

2. There are two Ships at Liverpool bound for San Francisco but they both object to take passengers and the
route to that Port viâ New York is not to be recommended.

3. From London two Vessels will shortly be put up
to sail about the end of October round Cape Horn, and the
Brokers have been requested to communicate

with our Officer
when the date of departure is fixed.

4. The cost of a steerage passage in an enclosed Cabin
in these Vessels will be about 25 guineas for each statute
Adult, if the Vessels do not come within the operation of
the Passengers Act, but as the outward freight requires
only small Ships, 10 statute Adults would probably bring
them within the Act, in which case the price for so small
a party would probably be increased to 30 or 35 guineas
per adult. The length of

the voyage would be about six months.

5. But there is another and much more expeditious
route, namely by the Royal Mail Steamers from Southampton
to San Francisco viâ Colon and the Panama Railroad. Unless,
however, some special contract could be made with the Company
the cost for the party would be £375. The length of the
voyage to Vancouvers Island would be about two months and
the best Steamer to take would be that which leaves on
the 17th of each month.

6. The objections to this route for Women and children
besides its costliness are the breaks and transhipments on the voyage.



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FILE: 1860-09-08_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607033.txt
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No. 33

I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge the receipt
of your despatch No. 34 of the 7th of July last, reporting that
disturbances had arisen amongst the Native Tribes of Vancouver Island.

The Secretary of State entertains no doubt of the propriety of
disarming such a dangerous race as the Hydah tribe, and directs me to
express his hope that the measures you have set in operation with a
view of preserving good order among the Indians generally may be
successful.



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FILE: 1860-09-08_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO23.txt
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Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, for the
information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, a
Copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at
Washington, inclosing copies of his communications with Mr Trescot on
the subject of Lord John Russell's Despatch to Lord Lyons No 171 of
the 20th of July last, proposing the substitution of Military for
civil Jurisdiction in San Juan, a Copy of which Despatch was inclosed
in Lord Wodehouse's letter of the 23rd of that month.



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FILE: 1860-09-11_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE29.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary
of State that the Paymaster General has been authorized to
accept and pay a Bill (No. 24) drawn by Mr W.D. Gossett,
Treasurer of British Columbia for £1000 for the service of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-09-12_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO24.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to my Letter of the 8th Instant, I am directed by
Lord John Russell to transmit to you, for the information of Her
Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, Copies of a Despatch
and it's Inclosure from Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Washington,
respecting the adoption by the United States' Government of General
Scott's arrangement for the jurisdiction over the Island of San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-09-14_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD09.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, an Extract from a Letter of Rear Admiral Sir Robt L.
Baynes, dated the 24th July, relating to the state of affairs at
Vancouvers Island, and disturbances at Admiral Island in the Gulf of
Georgia.



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FILE: 1860-09-15_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE30.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay the undermentioned Bills for the
service of British Columbia, vizt, one for £900 drawn by J. Douglas Esqre for Salary as Governor during the half year ended
30th June 1860, and £81 (No 23) drawn by W.D. Gossett
Esqre, Treasurer, for the general service of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-09-15_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE31.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to accept and pay a Bill No 25 drawn by W.D. Gosset Esqre, Treasurer of British Columbia, for the sum of £100 for
the general service of the Colony.



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FILE: 1860-09-15_Lewis_to_Douglas_V607034.txt
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No. 34

I have had under my consideration your despatch No. 30 of the
16th of May, explaining the reasons which had led you to refrain from
employing the services of an Officer of the Royal Engineers to make a
preliminary survey of the position to be chosen for the occupation of
British Troops in the Island of San Juan.

I can well understand that Colonel Moody may have been unable to
give a careful opinion on the point upon which you requested his views
without first examining the localities, either in person or by one of
his Officers. At the same time I am ready to acquiesce in your reasons
for avoiding any step which, being in itself unnecessary, might have
given rise to unfounded suspicions on the part of the United States
Authorities.



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FILE: 1860-09-15_Lugard_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605WA09.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before the Secretary of State for War your
Letter of the 16th ultimo, together with its enclosures
in reference to the application from Colonel Moody for the
wives of certain men of the

Detachment of Royal Engineers
serving in British Columbia under his command, to be sent
out to that Colony.

In reply, I am to request that you will acquaint the
Secretary of State that Mr Sidney Herbert is of opinion
that every encouragement in

aid of these men procuring
passages for their wives and families, at their own expense
should be given; but with respect to the recommendation of
Col. Moody that Sergt McColl's wife and family should
be sent out at the public expense, I am to observe that the
regulated number

of women (35) accompanied the Detachment
and are still in the Colony, and that Mr Herbert is
therefore of opinion that Sergeant McColl should be required
to provide for the expenses in question.



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FILE: 1860-09-16_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607035.txt
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No. 35

With reference to my despatch No. 29 of the 31st of July last, I
am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit for your information
copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Washington
enclosing copies of his communications with Mr Trescot on the subject
of the substitution of Military for Civil jurisdiction in San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-09-19_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607049.txt
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No. 49

I am directed by the Secretary of State to acquaint you that the
Paymaster General has been authorized to accept and pay the Bills noted
in the margin

*

drawn by Mr. Gossett [Gosset] Treasurer of British Columbia for the
general service of the Colony.

The Paymaster General has also been authorized to pay the Bill drawn
by you for your salary as Governor for the half year ended 30th June
1860 advice of which is contained in your despatch No 66 of 21st
July.



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FILE: 1860-09-19_Richards_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605AD06.txt
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Richards to Under-Secretary of State

The claim for the freight of the various Colonial Office
Stores which were conveyed to British Columbia in the "Thames City" having been received and examined in this Department,
I beg to acquaint you, by the direction of their Lordships
that, owing to the apparently very irregular manner in which
the Shipment and delivery of these Stores were arranged by
Colonel Moody, considerable difficulty has been experienced in
the investigation of the claim.



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FILE: 1860-09-25_Fortescue_to_Douglas_V607036.txt
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No. 36

I am directed to enclose, for your information and guidance, the
copy of a letter which the Secretary of State has had occasion to
address to Mr Pemberton in explanation of his official position.

You will perceive that he has been authorized to postpone his
departure until the month of January.



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FILE: 1860-09-28_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605AD10.txt
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Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, an Extract from a Letter of Rear Admiral Sir Robt L.
Baynes, dated the 9th Augt, No 129, relative to the number of
Indians who have located themselves in the neighbourhood of Victoria, Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1860-10-01_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605AD07.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to acquaint you for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary
of State for the Colonies that Rear Admiral Sir R. Baynes has
reported that upon the departure of the Satellite from Vancouver's Island for England, he had in consequence of a pressing requisition
from Governor

Douglas, ordered the discharge to the Shore
of Mr W. Young, in order that he might carry on the
duties of Colonial Secretary for British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-10-02_Rogers_to_Douglas_V607037.txt
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No. 37

I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge the receipt
of your despatch No. 37 of the 6th of August, and to acquaint you
that the Bills of which you enclose the schedule will be taken into
consideration as soon as they arrive here.



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FILE: 1860-10-03_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607050.txt
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No. 50

I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you the
enclosed copy of a letter from the Admiralty respecting the accounts
for the Shipment and delivery of stores sent to British Columbia in the
"Thames City," and I am desired to instruct you to communicate a copy of
the same to Colonel Moody.



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FILE: 1860-10-03_Woods_to_Douglas_V607038.txt
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No. 38

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 38 of the
7th of August last reporting the provisional appointment of Mr
George Tomline Gordon to the Office of Treasurer of Vancouver Island.

I have submitted Mr Gordon's appointment for Her Majesty's
confirmation, and the usual Warrant will be forwarded to you as soon as
the necessary forms can be completed.



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FILE: 1860-10-04_Rogers_to_Douglas_B607051.txt
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No. 51

I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge the receipt
of your despatch No. 70 of the 3rd of August containing a report from
Mr. Allison on the Gold prospects in the District of the Shimilkomeen.



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FILE: 1860-10-04_Rogers_to_Douglas_V607039.txt
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No. 39

I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you an
extract of a letter dated the 24th of July last from Rear Admiral Sir R. Baynes to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and I am to request that
you will report to the Secretary of State on the suggestion that a
Magistrate should be appointed to reside on Admiral Island.



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FILE: 1860-10-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60085.txt
================================================================================

No. 85

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this
date of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates
noted on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-10-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60042.txt
================================================================================

No. 42

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date, of your
Graces despatches of the numbers and dates noted on the other side
hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-10-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60086.txt
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No. 86

Having very recently completed a rather protracted journey
exceeding five weeks of almost constant travelling

in British
Columbia, I regret that there is not time to communicate to
your Grace, by the Mail of this day, now about leaving for
San Francisco, the result of my observations on the character
and prospects of that Colony.

2. On leaving Vancouver Island I proceeded by the Northern
Harrison

River Road to "Douglas" and from thence successively
visited Cayoosh, Lytton, Shimilkomeen, and Rock Creek. On my
return I followed the mountain Road to Hope, and afterwards
paid a hasty visit to Yale and New Westminster.

3. The lately discovered Gold District in Shimilkomeen is,

for the time being, attached to the Hope district, a course
which I was compelled to adopt for want of an efficient
officer at that time, to conduct the public business of the
new District.

4. The fame of the rich diggings discovered at Rock Creek,
have drawn to that place chiefly from the State

of Oregon,
upwards of five hundred Miners and persons engaged in other pursuits.

I therefore found it necessary to lose no time in making
arrangements to maintain the peace, and to protect the public
revenue by the appointment of a Magistrate and Gold Commissioner
for that District, together

with other officers to enforce
the Customs Laws of the Colony, and that object was, I am
happy to say, effected without creating any dissatisfaction
among the foreign population there present.

5. I am further glad to report that peace and good order
exist everywhere within the Colony, and that a general and
marked feeling of confidence

is exhibited by the resident
population in the resources of the Country.

6. I shall endeavour to prepare a report of my late
proceedings for your Grace's information, before the
departure of the next Mail.



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FILE: 1860-10-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60087.txt
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No. 87, Military

Adverting to your Despatch of the 2nd of July last,
No 37, respecting the rate of Extra pay determined upon
for the Detachment

of Royal Marines brought to Vancouver's
Island in the "Tribune", I have the honor to forward herewith
to Your Grace Copy of a communication I have received from
Rear Admiral Baynes the Naval Commander in Chief, claiming
that the sums already paid on account of Extra pay should
not go in deduction of any amounts that may be due under
the authority of your aforesaid despatch.

2. The rates of Extra pay mentioned in my Despatch of
the 8th of June 1859 No 168, were paid to the Officers
and Men from the 14th of April, the day they were first
sent to British Columbia, to the 31st of July, when they
were withdrawn from that Colony on account of the San Juan
occupation. I did not authorise any further issue of Extra
pay, as circumstances permitted me to discontinue it, and
as Your Despatch

of the 7th September 1859 led me to
expect the receipt of definite instructions upon the subject.

3. As Your Grace's present instructions are in reply
to my aforesaid Despatch, and are based upon the assumption
that no Extra pay had been issued, it is clear to my mind
that any payments which have already taken place on this
account cannot be classed in any other category than with
the payments now authorised,

but, notwithstanding, as Extra
pay at a higher rate has actually been issued up to the
31st of July 1859, I would submit to Your Grace on behalf
of a Detachment of men whose conduct amidst temptations to
desertion of no ordinary character, and under circumstances
of difficulty and hardship, has invariably been most
satisfactory and loyal, that the payments already made should
be confirmed, and

that Your Grace's present award should take
effect from the 1st August 1859.



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FILE: 1860-10-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60088.txt
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No. 88

I regret much the inconvenience to which your Department has
been exposed through my Despatches not being written upon regular
sized Foolscap paper, as pointed out in your Despatch

of the
3rd July No 38.

2. I assure Your Grace that this circumstance would not
have occurred had it been practicable to procure proper sized
paper, but we are here, at present, mainly dependent upon the
American Market for certain descriptions of goods, paper among
the number, and we are compelled to use such as can be procured
at the time.

3. To obviate this annoyance and inconvenience more than

eighteen months ago an order was sent to England for a supply of
Stationery of the customary official description. The articles
were shipped but the Vessel bringing them was unfortunately
wrecked at the Falkland Islands. A duplicate of the order has,
however, been executed, but the articles have not yet arrived.

4. I feel much indebted to your Grace for your kindness
and consideration in directing a moderate supply of Stationery
to be forwarded to me from Her Majesty's

Stationery Office, and
I will not fail in future, when need may be, to forward timely
requisitions for any further Supplies that may be required.



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FILE: 1860-10-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60043.txt
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No. 43, Military

Rear Admiral Baynes, the Naval Commander in Chief having brought to
my notice the necessity of making some provision for placing the
Detachment of Royal Marines landed at San Juan under suitable shelter
before the inclemency of the winter season came on, a necessity I
fully concurred in, the Detachment being under Canvas, and the Tents
not of the most suitable or commodious description, I have the honor
to acquaint Your Grace that, feeling assured I should be acting in
accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty's Government, I have
approved of a requisition made upon me by the Admiral for the
construction of temporary, but sufficiently warm and comfortable,
wooden Buildings, to serve as a Barracks.

2. The most rigid economy will be observed in the undertaking, but I
shall be obliged to draw upon the Imperial Treasury for the sum of
about one thousand Pounds (£1000) to enable me to carry out the
work, and I trust Your Grace will obtain the necessary Authority from
the Lords of the Treasury that the Bills may be accepted, and paid
when they become due.

3. The expenditure for the same will be duly accounted for with the
other disbursements made from Imperial Funds in connection with San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-10-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60088SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to submit for Your Grace's information
the following

particulars relative to a recent journey in
British Columbia, from whence I have just returned.

2. I left Fort Victoria by the regular Steam Packet on the
evening of the 28th of August, and early next day landed
at New Westminster.

3. I heard with much concern on my arrival there, that
the Capital was suffering from one of those fluctuations in
commerce

common to all countries, and that there was much
depression in business circles, and a marked decrease of
trade, a fact which was indeed corroborated by the Customs
Returns, it appearing from them that the imports for the
four previous weeks had fallen off about 25 per cent, as
compared with the increasing ratio of the preceding month;
a casualty generally attributed by businessmen to the

growing
overland trade with the possessions of the United States in
Oregon and Washington Territory, which now supply by the
Southern frontiers of the Colony, a large proportion of the
bulky articles such as provisions and bread-stuffs consumed
in the eastern Districts of British Columbia; and those
imports, it was supposed, had this year been for the most
part fraudulently introduced, to

the great loss and detriment
of the home merchant and the fair trade.

4. It is, however, not easy to conceive how so extensive
a contraband trade as this would imply, could be carried on
without the knowledge of the vigilant officer stationed on
the frontier for the protection of the Revenue, whose
official reports give no room for such impressions. I am
therefore led to believe that

the present depression is
traceable to another cause, and may, with more probability
be regarded as the simple result of over importation;
and I have no doubt a revival will take place, and trade
resume its accustomed tone, as the stocks of goods in the
Colony have been reduced.

5. The Officers of the Colony residing permanently in
New Westminster and employed in the management

of the
several Departments of the Public Administration are as follows,

Military............Colonel R.C. Moody, R.E., Commanding.

Lands and Works.....Colonel R.C. Moody, R.E., Chief Commissioner.

Judiciary...........Matthew B. Begbie, Judge.

Police..............Chartres Brew, Chief Inspector.

Treasury............Captain W.D. Gosset, R.E., Treasurer.

Treasury, Assay Office.....F.G. Claudet, Assayer.

Treasury, Assay Office.....C.A. Bacon, Melter.

Customs.............Wymond Hamley, Collector.

Post Office.........W.R. Spalding, Post Master.

6. The Treasury was lately transferred from Victoria
to New Westminster, where all the financial business of the
Colony is now transacted. The Assay Office has been in
operation since the beginning of the month of August, and
the last accounts of the 28th of that month give a return
of 1600 ounces of Gold Dust which had been

smelted and run
into bars of various weights.

Those, and the other Departments are in a state of
efficient organization. The Public Offices are plain,
substantial buildings, devoid of ornament, and constructed
on a scale adapted to our limited means; they are
nevertheless, roomy and commodious, and on the whole not
unsuitable to the present business of the Colony.

7. There has not been much activity in building since
my report transmitted to Your Grace in the month of May last,
but Town property nevertheless sustains its former price,
and the inhabitants of New Westminster appear to have
unlimited confidence in the ultimate progress of the place.

8. The run from New Westminster to Douglas was effected by one of the

River Steamers in 16 hours including brief
stoppages at Langley and Carnarvon; and the whole distance
from Fort Victoria to Douglas in 24 running hours, being little
over half the time occupied by the same journey last year.
The charges on the transport of goods have also proportionately
decreased, freights being now generally taken at £3.8.0. a
ton, or 25 per cent less than the former rates.

9. While at Douglas I dispatched an exploring party under
the command of Dr Forbes of Her Majesty's Ship Topaze, for
whose assistance I am indebted to the kindness of Rear
Admiral Sir Robert L. Baynes, to examine the country bordering
on Harrison Lake and River, where many fragments of Silver
and Copper ore have been found. A specimen of the former
which was carefully assayed, gave a return of £50 worth of

silver to the ton. The Copper ore appears also to contain
a large proportion of that metal.

10. I am in hopes that Dr Forbes' scientific researches
will be productive of much good to the Colony, as the District
subjected to his examination has all the characteristics of
a mineral country, is almost destitute of arable land, and,
except timber, possesses no ascertained

natural products
capable of contributing to the support or giving remunerative
employment for labour.

It is therefore especially desirable that no effort
should be wanting for the early development of the minerals
supposed to be contained in the soil, otherwise the district
may, for years to come, remain a wilderness without inhabitants.

11. Douglas is still

an inconsiderable town, much improved
however, since my former visit in June last. A Stipendiary
Magistrate is stationed here, Mr J.B. Gaggin, who also
performs the duties of Gold Commissioner within the District,
which extends from Carnarvon to Port Anderson. A brisk trade
is carried on from Douglas with the Mining Districts of the
interior; and the constant arrival and departure

of trains
of Pack-mules give to the place a lively and bustling
appearance.

12. We pursued our journey by the newly-formed Waggon
Road, then nearly finished as far as the lesser Lillooet Lake, 28 Miles from Douglas; a work of magnitude, and of
the utmost public utility, which I think it only right to
inform Your Grace has been laid out and executed by Captain
Grant and a

Detachment of Royal Engineers under his command,
with a degree of care and professional ability reflecting
the highest credit on that active and indefatigable Officer.

13. A number of Waggons, imported by the enterprising
merchants of Douglas, have commenced running on the new Road;
and the cost of transport has already been greatly reduced.
I look forward

with confidence to further important reductions
in the rates of transport, as the most experienced carriers
are of opinion that goods of all kinds may, and will be
carried the whole distance (100 Miles) from Douglas to Cayoosh,
for £20 a ton, which would be a reduction of 250 per cent
on former rates. The effect of so large a saving on the
carriage of goods will be of vast importance to the country,
and no doubt

give a prodigious impulse to trade and the
settlement of the Public Lands.

14. A row-boat is still the only means of conveyance over
the Lesser Lillooet Lake, which is nearly five miles long,
and one mile and a half distant from Lillooet Lake, with
which it is, however, connected by a narrow river, full of
shoals and dangerous rapids, perilous in their present state
for

any larger craft than Indian Canoes. This circumstance
renders a transhipment and a resort to land carriage for a
mile and a half on an excellent road, necessary before
reaching Lillooet Lake. Various plans have been proposed for
rendering the river between those Lakes navigable; but,
important as would be the improvement, the cost is altogether
beyond our present means, and the work must be left

for a future time.

15. A very fine piece of Gold-bearing Quartz, which I
received at this point of my journey, determined me to instruct
the District Gold Commissioner to cause the mountains west
of Harrison River where the Quartz was found, to be carefully
examined, as there is a possibility of discovering and turning
to advantage, the lead from whence it came.

16. There are many extensive Quartz-veins in the valley
of the Harrison, but none of those which have been inspected
contain visible traces of Gold. The bed of the river,
however, yields gold almost everywhere in small quantities,
and at one place, twelve miles from Douglas, a party of
French Miners have brought in Sluices, and are now working
to great advantage, making as much as ten dollars a day to
the man.

The only drawback is the shortness of the working
season, which they represent as limited on the one hand by
the flooded state of the River in summer, and on the other,
by the severe cold in winter, which is found to have the effect
of preventing the amalgamation of the fine particles of Gold,
and much is therefore lost in the process of washing.

Their statements are no doubt in part true, but I think
it may notwithstanding,

be safely concluded that all these
difficulties will be over come, and this part of the country
be profitably worked, whenever men of greater skill and
application turn their attention to the subject.

17. Some of the tributaries of the Harrison also yield
a fair return of Gold, varying from five to ten dollars a
day; but that will not satisfy men whose excited imaginations

indulge in extravagant visions of wealth and fortune to be
realized in remoter diggings. These all with one accord
rush off to the Quesnel and Cariboeuf countries, and neglect
the less productive Districts.

18. A number of fine specimens of coarse Gold have lately
been brought by Indians from the Lillooet River, beyond the
Lake, and I shall not fail to have its course carefully

searched, at the public expense, should no private adventurers
in the meantime anticipate that intention.

19. The paddle-wheel, 25 horse-power Steamer "Martrell,"
a small boat of 50 tons burden, built by Mr Decker, an
enterprising American, conveyed my party in four hours to
Port Pemberton at the further extremity of Lillooet Lake.

There is nothing to prevent vessels of a much larger
class than the "Martrell"

from running on this Lake, as it
is deep enough to float a 500 ton ship, and there are no
rocks, or concealed dangers whatever. It is in fact a
Highland Lake, surrounded by lofty mountains rising abruptly
from the water's edge. Port Pemberton is five miles distant
from the "Meadows," a fine tract of several thousand acres
of rich alluvial land, situated at the mouth of the Lillooet River.

A settlement is already formed at that attractive
spot, and the soil is most productive, the settlers having
raised this year excellent crops of Oats, Indian Corn,
Potatoes, and Hay; the Barley however, was indifferent, in
consequence, it was supposed, of imperfect tillage: but I
never saw better garden-stuffs of all kinds, especially
tomatoes and cucumbers, which were exceedingly fine. Mr
Jones, the oldest and principal settler, raised last year, as he assured me, a

very fine crop of potatoes, for which
he found a ready sale at five pence a pound, and thereby
realized the large return of upwards of £240 an acre.
Having this year a much larger crop, he expects to do better,
though the price of vegetables is now comparatively moderate,
being 50 per cent lower than last year.

20. Near the settlement is an Indian Reserve of several
hundred acres of

land which is retained for the benefit of,
and occupied by, about 30 native families, who live on the
most amicable terms with their white neighbours, and look
healthy, clean, and altogether in very comfortable
circumstances. They live by fishing, and on the produce
of the chase, and of the land, which they cultivate, to
some extent, with care and skill. They appear happy and
contented, and had no complaint whatever to make.

21. The Horse-way, formed in the year 1858, is still
the only road from Port Pemberton to Anderson Lake, the
distance being about 34 miles. It is a fair and passable
road of the kind, but must be improved into a Cart-road
without delay. The line of Road runs between parallel
ranges of mountains, rising on both sides with the unbroken
regularity of a wall, into dark, rugged, and gloomy masses,
thousands of feet

above the mountain stream that traverses
the valley beneath, which is in places a mere defile, and
nowhere exceeds two miles in breadth.

The Summit, or Half-way House is prettily situated on
the mountain side overlooking a rich expanse of arable land
covered with a profusion of potatoes, beets, carrots, tomatoes,
cucumbers, and other vegetables; a certain proof of the
great capabilities of the soil and climate. A large stock
of hay

was also carefully put up by the provident owner for
winter use.

22. The country from that point presents a more cheerful
aspect. The river winds along the mountain side toward Lake Anderson, affording lovely views of the exceedingly beautiful valley beneath, with its gay covering of bright green woods.

23. We arrived at 

Port Anderson just in time to participate
in the trial trip of the "Lady of the Lake" Steamer, and a
most successful one it proved to be: the machinery working
well, and no casualty whatever occurring to cause delay. We
had to boat over Lake Seaton, as the Steamer usually plying there was under repair. A walk of five miles from Port
Seaton brought us to the banks of Fraser River, and to the
mining town of 

Cayoosh.

24. The country between Douglas and Cayoosh probably
contains a smaller proportion of agricultural land than any
other District in British Columbia. The whole District may
be truly described as a succession of valleys and mountains
covered with woods almost to their rock summits, and abounding
in rivers and streams of every size. Forests of magnificent
trees, and great water-power

constitute its natural advantages;
its metaliferous resources, though probably vast, having yet
to be explored.

25. Houses and fields begin, here and there, to break
the cheerless solitude of the valleys; and in no instance
that has come under my notice, has the husbandman been
disappointed of his reward. Its genial climate may be
inferred from the fact that tomatoes ripen in the open air,
and had

come to full maturity at the end of August, when
melons raised in the same manner, were nearly fit for use.

26. The settlers, though few in number, were full of
hope and confidence; pleased with the country, and satisfied
from experience that the climate is one of the healthiest in
the world. The winters are moderate, the minimum temperature
being, zero, Farenheit; but the cold is seldom so severe.

The Lakes have never been known to freeze, nor the snow to
lie so deep as to interrupt the ordinary traffic of the road.

27. The District is, in short, not wanting in any of
those conditions which contribute to the comfort and happiness
of man; and should the explorations now in progress add the
precious metals to its known elements of wealth, there will
be no want of

inducements to attract and retain an industrious
population.

28. As the road advances from Port
Seaton towards Fraser
River, a marked change is observed in the character of the
country; the mountains are left behind, the massive forests
gradually disappear and are succeeded by green hills and
open plains, dotted with fine old trees of the species "Pinus

Ponderosa". The change is grateful, the contrast bringing
into bolder relief the charming scenery of Cayoosh, which is
situated about half a mile from Fraser River.

29. This being the centre of a flourishing trade, where
all goods brought from Douglas are necessarily deposited in
their transit to the interior, and the chief town of a valuable Mining District, a Stipendiary Magistrate,

Mr Thomas Elwyn, who also acts as Gold Commissioner, is stationed here. Successful attempts at cultivation have been made on a small
scale near the town, and streams of water from the neighbouring
hills have been skilfully diverted from their natural course
and applied to the important purposes of mining, and of
irrigating the soil, which thereby acquires a degree of
fertility and productiveness otherwise

unattainable in a
climate seldom visited by summer showers. Cayoosh is thus
a place of much real and prospective importance.

30. I found nothing defective in the state of the public
administration. The people are satisfied with the laws. The
District accounts appear to be kept with order and regularity,
and Returns of the local revenue have been duly

made at
proper intervals to the Colonial Treasurer. The regular
establishment consists of a Magistrate and one Constable,
who attend to all duties connected with the public service;
the former being however fully authorised to employ casual
aid whenever emergencies arise.

31. An Address which I received from the principal
inhabitants of Cayoosh makes no allusion to any

local grievance affecting the interests of the Town or District,
nor suggests any change in the Mining or general laws of
the Country. The object of the Address, of which a Copy is
transmitted, was to urge the early sale of town lots at
Cayoosh, protection for the Chinese miners, and the removal
of Stake-nets, and all obstructions having the effect of
preventing the ascent of Salmon from the sea to the inland rivers.

32. I gave immediate attention to those matters, and
addressed a communication to the Commissioner of Lands and
Works, expressing regret that early measures had not been
taken to meet the public demand for Town Land, as delay in
such cases discourages settlement, checks improvement, and
is ruinous to the Country.

33. I encouraged the inhabitants to build, and improve
their Lots, with

the assurance that the value of such
improvements would be added to the upset price, and reserved
for the benefit of the holder when the lots are sold.

They will in that way be fully protected from loss.

34. The Assizes were opened by the Judge of British
Columbia during my stay at Cayoosh, for the trial of two Indians charged with having murdered

two Chinese miners.
The facts were established on the admission of the accused
themselves; but, it appearing from the evidence that the
deceased were the aggressors, and had been slain without
malice prepense, in a casual affray, arising out of an
indecent assault committed on the wife of one of the Indians,
the jury returned a verdict of "manslaughter" against one
of the prisoners, and found the other not guilty.

35. I had an opportunity of communicating personally with the
Native Indian Tribes, who assembled in great numbers at Cayoosh during my
stay. I made them clearly understand that Her Majesty's Government felt
deeply interested in their welfare, and had sent instructions that they
should be treated in all respects as Her Majesty's other subjects; and
that the local Magistrates would attend to their complaints, and guard
them from wrong, provided

they abandoned their own barbarous modes of
retaliation, and appealed in all cases to the Laws for relief and
protection. I also forcibly impressed upon their minds that the same
Laws would not fail to punish offences committed by them against the
persons or property of others.

I also explained to them that the Magistrates had instructions to
stake out, and reserve for their use and benefit, all their occupied
village sites and cultivated

fields, and as much land in the vicinity of
each as they could till, or was required for their support; and that they
might freely exercise and enjoy the rights of fishing the Lakes and
Rivers, and of hunting over all unoccupied Crown Lands in the Colony; and
that on their becoming registered Free Miners, they might dig and search
for Gold, and hold mining claims on the same terms precisely as other
miners: in short, I strove to make them

conscious that they were
recognized members of the Commonwealth, and that by good conduct they
would acquire a certain status, and become respectable members of
society. They were delighted with the idea, and expressed their
gratitude in the warmest terms, assuring me of their boundless devotion
and attachment to Her Majesty's person and Crown, and their readiness to
take up arms at any moment in

defense of Her Majesty's dominion and
rights.

36. Three exploratory parties were dispatched during my stay, from
Cayoosh: the first, under the charge of Sapper Duffie, [James Duffy] had orders to
examine a route by the Cayoosh River from Port Seaton to Lillooet Lake,
reported by the natives to be more direct, and in many other respects
more convenient than the present route by Anderson Lake; 

the second
under Sapper Breckenridge, who is directed to examine the character and
capabilities of the Country between Cayoosh and Bridge River; and the
third, composed of Mr Martin an intelligent English Miner, and two
Natives, was dispatched to the mountains east of Port Anderson to inspect
certain Quartz veins, said to be auriferous.

37. Lytton was the next stage in my progress. There is a good
Horse-way from Cayoosh, but travelling by the River being more
expeditious, I chose that alternative, and made the run of seventy miles
in five and a half hours. The stream is swift, and a number of dangerous
rapids under it in part impracticable in high water, and unsafe at all
seasons.

38. The Mining Bars

were, with few exceptions, deserted, or
occupied by Chinese and Indians, who appear to form the great body of
Miners on this part of the River.

39. Mr H.M. Ball is Stipendiary Magistrate and Gold Commissioner
for the Lytton District; and with the exception of one regular Constable,
there is no other person on the Establishment; whenever circumstances
render

a larger force indispensable, it is made up by means of casual
assistants and special Constables called out for the occasion.

40. I granted a sum of £100, at the petition of the inhabitants, in
aid of a Horse-way to facilitate the transport of goods to Alexandria and
Quesnel River. Other small sums were also granted for Bridges, and to
improve the communications with Quayome. A party was

also dispatched to
examine the country between Van Winkle Bar on Fraser River, and Lillooet Lake, with the view of opening a Horse-way between those places.

41. Proposals were lately made by a private company, to throw a
Bridge, at their own expense, over the Thompson at Lytton, to be repaid
by a system of Tolls; and the negotiation will probably be concluded in a
short time, as I am

desirous of promoting so useful a scheme.

42. The gardens about this town are highly productive, and furnish
a profusion and variety of vegetables; but, considering there is no want
of good soil and clear land, I was surprised to find that not a single
farm had been opened in the District. The want of roads, and the
enormous cost of transport, may in some measure account for that
circumstance, but

it also strongly marks the character of a population
devoted to other pursuits, and who probably look to other countries for
a permanent home.

43. Complaints were made here, as at Cayoosh, of the non-sale of
Town Lands, and I again addressed the Commissioner of Lands and Works on
the subject, directing an early sale on the spot, through the agency of
the District Magistrate.

44. The Indians mustered in great force, during my stay at Lytton.
My Communications with them were to the same effect as to the Native
Tribes who assembled at Cayoosh; and their gratitude, loyalty, and
devotion, were expressed in terms equally warm and earnest.

45. The further Report of my journey to Shimilkomeen, and Rock
Creek, I will take the liberty of communicating

to Your Grace hereafter,
as this Despatch has been drawn out to a greater length than I had
proposed.



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FILE: 1860-10-09_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE32.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the [cut off file]
I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary
of State that They will not object to the payment of the
cost of the passages, from this Country to British Columbia,
of the wives and families of certain of the Non-Commissioned
Officers and Privates belonging to the Detachment of Royal
Engineers stationed in that Colony, as submitted by you—the
payment to be considered as "an advance" to be repaid
from the Colonial Revenue of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-10-17_Lewis_to_Douglas_V607040.txt
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No. 40

I have received your despatches Nos. 39 of the 8th of August, and
No. 41 of the 25th August respecting the recent influx of Indians
into the neighbourhood of Victoria.

I am very glad to perceive that, without neglecting those
precautions which are necessary for the immediate security of the
Settlers; you are endeavouring to provide for the permanent
tranquillity of the Colony not by the mere application of physical
force but by measures calculated to introduce among the Indians habits
of order, and respect for law and authority.

I hope that these means and the Christian teaching and influence
with which, by the valuable exertions of Mr Duncan they are now
brought into contact, will be effectual gradually to elevate their
moral character, and to render them useful inhabitants of the Colony.

But as a necessary condition of any such improvement I would
impress most strongly on you the necessity of using every exertion both
by the vigorous execution of the Law, and by every appeal which can be
made to the right feeling, and self interest of the Settlers to prevent
or check the sale of spirituous liquors.

This practice always demoralizing and destructive to the Indians,
is at Fort Victoria a source of real and important danger to the Colony.
Every man who habituates these savages to the use of stimulants, puts
in peril the lives and property of the society to which he belongs. He
commits a crime against his brother colonists, which if even it cannot
be reached by the law ought in mere prudence to be subjected to the
heaviest penalties which public opinion can inflict. I trust that it
will be so. If it is not I am sure that the community will soon have
reason to lament its own apathy on a matter so vital to its interests.
I am sure you will take care that no part of the evil consequences
which may result are chargeable on the silence or inaction of Government.

I think you should also propose to the Assembly a bill
prohibiting the sale of Arms and ammunition to Indians; a restriction
not less required apparently for their own protection than for that of
the Colonists. The probability that such a law will be evaded is no
reason for leaving the practice wholly unchecked, and sanctioned by law.

And finally I wish you to use your influence to impress on the
Colonists the necessity of providing themselves with arms and of
learning to use them, which would probably be best accomplished by
encouraging the formation of a volunteer force.

I need hardly add that Her Majesty's Government will view with
great interest the measures you may adopt for the improvement of the
Indians and for regulating their intercourse with the Colonists in such
a manner as shall conduce to the well being of both races.



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FILE: 1860-10-19_Rogers_to_Douglas_B607052.txt
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No. 52

I am directed by the Secretary of State to inform you that he has
requested the Lords of the Treasury to take steps to send you out the
amount of silver and copper coin applied for in your despatch No
216 of the 10th of September 1859.

And I am directed to enclose to you for your information and
guidance the copy of a letter which has been received from the Treasury
commenting on the views of Captain Gosset with regard to the
introduction of British Coins to circulate on the West Coast of America
concurrently with the dollar and its subdivisions.

You will of course communicate a copy of that letter to CaptainGossettGosset.



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FILE: 1860-10-20_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607053.txt
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No. 53

I have received the directions of the Secretary of State to
acknowledge the receipt of your despatches noted in the margin

*

forwarding copy of correspondence with
Captain Gosset R.E. with reference to his application for the
appointment of Colonial Secretary of British Columbia.

Mr Young's acceptance for the present of the office of Colonial
Secretary renders it unnecessary to advert to Captain Gosset's
application for that situation. But with reference to the
correspondence which has passed and particularly to the concluding
sentence of Captain Gosset's letter of the 23rd of August the
Secretary
of State cannot

refrain from observing that the Civil Service would be
overwhelmed by personal controversies if every public Servant was
entitled to demand a public examination into his general conduct in case
the Governor of the Colony in which he served should consider him, and
therefore represent him to the Secretary of State, as unfitted for any
particular office. Such a refusal is quite consistent with a high
respect for Captain Gosset's integrity and ability and a full
appreciation of the manner in which he may have filled offices of a
different character in other Colonies.

You will have the goodness to communicate the substance of this
despatch to Captain Gosset.



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FILE: 1860-10-20_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE33.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary
of State for the Colonies, with reference to your letter of the 7
May last copy of a letter addressed to the Commissioners of
Audit on the 11 June last and of a Report from that Board of the
25 Ult (No 380) relative to the adjustment of advances on
account of Pay and Incidental Expenses of the Royal Engineers
sent to British Columbia under Colonel Moody and I am to acquaint
you that Their Lordships are of opinion, with reference to the
items of expenditure which cannot be allowed by the
War Department, that Accounts should be furnished by Captain Parsons in respect to the sum of £500 and by Captain Grant in respect to the sum of £800, advanced to those officers
respectively, on account of the Incidental Expenses, Their
Lordships do not consider

it necessary to call upon Colonel
Moody for an account of the sums of £100 £250 and £58-5-4
issued to him for the passage and travelling expenses of himself
and his family;

With reference to other advances, beyond those abovementioned
to Captains Parsons and Grant, it will be necessary that
these Officers should furnish Accounts, which My Lords consider
may properly be examined by the Commisioners of Audit, when
they have been received.

With regard to the examination of the Accounts to be
furnished by Colonel Moody for sums received by him, in the Colony, on account of the Royal Engineers, Their Lordships
are not at present prepared to give any specific directions.
They will await the receipt of the Accounts and such Report as
Colonel Moody may furnish in respect thereof;

I am also to transmit to you

the draft Instructions for
the Local Auditor, referred to in the last paragraph of the
Report of the Commissioners of Audit and to request that you will
move the Secretary of State to forward them to British Columbia
for the guidance of that Officer.



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FILE: 1860-10-20_Walcott_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN09.txt
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Walcott to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to state that in obedience to the
instructions contained in your letter of 1st inst. we
have engaged Steerage Passages to Vancouvers Island in the
Ship Marcella for the wives and families of the seven Men belonging to
the detachment of Royal Engineers stationed in British Columbia.

2. This is the only vessel sailing direct to Vancouvers
Island which is at present on the berth either at London or
Liverpool, and as in order to take

the party she will be
obliged to come under the provisions of the Passengers Act,
the Owners will not agree to accept a lower rate of Passage
money than £35 per Statute Adult.

3. The vessel is to sail from the London Docks by Noon
of the 9th of November next, and I presume that the
women will receive from the proper Military Department the
necessary instructions to join the Ship on that day.



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FILE: 1860-10-22_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD11.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint
you for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies
that the term of Service Abroad of the Detachment of Royal Marines
who have been at San Juan since March 1860 has now expired—the bulk
of the Men having embarked for Service in China in August 1857—and
my Lords being about to recall them to this country, hope that
immediate steps may be taken to have the duties otherwise provided
for.

The Detachment consists of 4 officers and 83 Non Commissioned
Officers & Privates.



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FILE: 1860-10-23_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607054.txt
================================================================================

No. 54

I am directed by the Secretary of State to acquaint you that he has
read with satisfaction your despatch No. 76 of the 16th of August last
containing intelligence of fresh discoveries of Gold and Silver Ore in
British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-10-25_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60088SQ.txt
================================================================================

Separate

Resuming the Subject of my Report on British Columbia, marked
Separate, of the 9th of the

present month, I proceed to inform Your
Grace that on leaving Lytton, accompanied by Mr Good, Private
Secretary and four mounted attendants, my course was directed towards
Shimilkomeen and Rock Creek, the latter being about 228 Miles from
Lytton.

2. It is not my intention, neither does it appear
necessary, that I should occupy Your Grace's time with
a narrative of the incidents of the journey.

I will
therefore in continuing this report dwell on subjects
only which serve to elucidate the present state of the
Country, its natural capabilities as a Colony, and the
effect of its institutions on the development of its resources.

3. With the exception of the Miners assembled on
Thompson River at Rock Creek and Shimilkomeen, the part
of British Columbia through which my route lay, is still
exclusively

occupied by the Native Indian Tribes, a race
of bold and active hunters, forming, when mustered in force
on their hardy native horses, an imposing array. I fell in
with detachments at different points of the route, where
they had assembled to offer a rude but cordial welcome.

4. I received them with every mark of respect and
kindness, entered freely into conversation with the Chiefs,
assuring them of

the warm regard of Her Majesty's Government,
and leading them into the discussion of their own affairs in
order to discover if they entertained any real or fancied
grievance which might lead to disaffection, or induce them
to make reprisals on the white settlers.

5. There was one subject which especially pre-occupied
their minds, as I discovered by the frequent allusions they
made to it, namely the abject

condition to which the cognate
Native Tribes of Oregon have been reduced by the American
system of removing whole Tribes from their native homes
into distant reserves where they are compelled to stay,
and denied the enjoyment of that natural freedom and liberty
of action without which existence becomes intolerable.
They evidently looked forward with dread to their own future
condition, fearing lest the same wretched

fate awaited the natives of British Columbia. I succeeded is dis-abusing
their minds of those false impressions by fully explaining
the views of Her Majesty's Government, and repeating in
substance what I have in a former part of this report
informed Your Grace was said on the same subject to the
Assembled Tribes at Cayoosh and Lytton.

6. Those communications

had the effect of re-assuring their minds
and eliciting assurances of their fidelity and attachment.

7. An appalling Indian outrage committed in the
neighbouring State of Oregon, as related with its attendant
horrors in a Slip enclosed herewith from the "Vancouver
Chronicle," will shew better than comment the impolicy of
the American system, and how careful we should be in
guarding

against the contagion of evil example, by treating
the Natives with justice, and removing when necessary,
every cause of distrust as to the ultimate views and policy
of Her Majesty's Government with respect to them.

*

8. The country situated between Lytton and Rock Creek
is highly attractive, and no other part of British Columbia,
nor of the United

States Territory north of Columbia River,
offers so many inducements in point of soil and climate to
the enterprising emigrant. Its distance from the Coast,
and difficulties of access have hitherto almost excluded
it from intercourse, but as those impediments are removed
by the formation of Roads, now in rapid progress, from
the navigable points of Fraser River, it will no

doubt
become a centre of population, and the seat of flourishing settlements.

9. I will not attempt to describe its physical aspect;
but to give a general idea in few words, I will observe that
it forms an elevated table-land of great extent sometimes
rising into hills, and is traversed by many noble valleys and
watered by numberless streams flowing into its

great arteries
the Thompson, Shimilkomeen, and Okanagon Rivers. There are
many varieties of soils—much arable land, and a great
deal that is fit only for pasture; but as a remark generally
applicable, I may observe that the valleys contain a large
extent of good open land; while the steeply swelling hills
are mostly covered with trees

formed into groups, or growing
with park-like regularity, widely apart, and free from brush
or underwood: but the peculiar feature of the Country is the
profusion of grass that covers both woodland and meadow,
affording rich pastures for domestic animals, a circumstance
which gives to this District an extraordinary value, as
every part of the surface, whether hill or

valley, may be turned
to account and made available either for tillage, or stock farming.

10. The climate, like that of all other parts of the
Colony, is perfectly healthy; and there is much less
humidity at all seasons, than in the Districts bordering
on Fraser River. Vegetation was nevertheless fresh and
green to a degree that was hardly to be expected at that
time

of the year. The seasons exhibit no extremes of temperature, the
summers being warm, and the winters sharp, but not severe.

The Lakes, except the Okanagon, and all the Rivers,
freeze in winter; and there are occasional falls of snow,
but it seldom lies in the valleys more than a few weeks
at a time. The fact that horses and domestic cattle are
left out all winter to shift

for themselves, and generally
thrive without any care on the range of the country, is
probably, however, a better criterion of the temperature
than any other circumstance that can be adduced. It is
in short, a very pleasant and desirable part of the Colony,
possesses a healthy climate, and many other advantages;
pastures being already formed where thousands of cattle
may

find food; and the industrious colonist will find it
much better and easier to raise crops than in the woodland
districts, where it takes much labour and expense to clear
a small space.

11. After five days travel in a fine open country, we
reached the main branch of the Shimilkomeen River, a few
miles below the lately discovered Gold Diggings, where
80 or 100 Miners were

at work, all seemingly in high spirits,
pleased with the country, and elated with their prospects
and earnings. Many of them were engaged in putting up
dog-huts, and making other preparations as they intend to
winter there if they succeed in having supplies of flour
and other necessaries brought from Hope before the
mountains become impassable from snow. As that was
clearly impossible without greater

facilities of
communication, it was evident they would have no alternative
but to desert their claims, and leave the country at a
serious loss to themselves and to the Colony.

12. That circumstance brought the vital subject of
Roads again forcibly to mind. A Road-party working out
from Hope, had, I knew, nearly got the length of the summit-ridge,
about 36 miles distant from our

Camp, and could
means be found of cutting through to that point, and
connecting Hope with Shimilkomeen by a practicable trail
before the advent of winter, I felt assured that an important object
for the country would be gained, and I resolved to make the attempt.

Some Indian hunters were soon found who undertook to
conduct a party to the desired point, by a better and less
circuitous line

than the present almost impassable trail;
and the subject was immediately brought before the miners,
who, seeing the object of the measure, at once volunteered
in force sufficient for the work, and early the following
morning a party properly equipped with tools, provisions,
and means of transport, was dispatched with instructions to
open a path which would connect with the Horse-way from Hope.

13. Leaving Mr Good and one of my attendants at this
point to urge on the work, and to enquire into the condition
of the Miners, I pushed on without further delay with my
three other attendants in light marching order, towards Rock Creek. On the way I fell in with Mr Cox, the Revenue Officer of the Southern frontier, who joined my party, and
after three days travel we arrived at the town known

as
Rock Creek, situated at the junction of that stream and Colvile River.

14. The town contains fifteen houses, and several more in
progress, chiefly shops and buildings intended for the supply
and entertainment of Miners.

15. Nearly five hundred Miners are congregated about Rock Creek, and another tributary of the Colvile, about ten miles
below that point.

16. The Rock Creek diggings were discovered last October
by Mr Adam Beam, a native of Canada, as he was travelling
from Colvile to Shimilkomeen; he again visited the spot in
December, but did not begin to work till the 7th of May:
the following is a statement of his daily earnings with the
cradle for the first few days afterwards:

First days work produced 20 Dollars

Second days work produced 43 Dollars

Third days work produced 33 Dollars

Fourth days work produced 27 Dollars

Fifth days work produced 32 Dollars

Sixth days work produced 17 Dollars

Seventh days work produced 99 Dollars

The subsequent record of his daily earnings could not be
found, but on the 20th of June, that is, six weeks from
the day of commencement, he had made nine hundred and seventy
seven dollars in gold, valuing it at sixteen dollars to the ounce.

17. Hugh McKay, another Canadian Miner, said that

on his
claim, the bed-earth of the stream yielded nothing, but a
drift into the bank produced twenty dollars a day. I moreover
ascertained from the testimony of the miners generally, that
none of those who had succeeded in opening gold claims were
making anything less than ten dollars a day.

18. Rock Creek is supposed to indicate the course of
the gold-lead, and to be everywhere auriferous; it is also
believed that all

the Benches near the River will pay well;
and many of the miners propose running in tunnels without
delay. There is much uncertainty however, as to the real
extent and value of the lead, nor can it be ascertained until
the country comes to be more extensively prospected.

19. I met the assembled population of the place, the day
after my arrival, and addressed them on various subjects.
I did not attempt

to conceal that the object of my visit to
Rock Creek was to enquire into their conduct, and to suppress
the disorders which were reported to be prevalent in that
part of the country; and I assured them that I was agreeably
surprised to find that those reports were unfounded. After
that merited compliment, I proceeded to explain the views
of Her Majesty's Government, the general mining regulations

of the Colony, especially directing their attention to that
Section of the Act which provides for the establishment of
Mining Boards, with powers to frame Bye-Laws adapted to the
circumstances of each District; or in other words, investing
the Miners themselves with full powers to amend their own
laws. I further pointed out the nature and object of the
Pre-emption Law, passed expressly for the encouragement of
settlers, and demonstrated the fact

that the whole policy
of Her Majesty's Government was considerate and liberal in
the extreme. I then announced the appointment of Mr Cox
as Justice of the Peace, and Assistant Gold Commissioner
for the District of Rock Creek; and that he was duly
authorized to punish offences, to attend to the maintenance
of civil order, to the Registration of Mining Claims, and
to receive all dues payable to Her Majesty's Government.

I concluded by exhorting them, one and all, as they
valued, and looked to the Laws of the land for protection,
to aid and assist him on all occasions, not only as a duty
incumbent on good subjects, but as being also their manifest
interest; for I continued, if the laws are not enforced,
there can be no security, and without security there can be
no prosperity; therefore, I went on to say, as you hope
for redress yourselves when

individually suffering wrong,
you must be prepared to rally round the Magistrate charged
with the execution of the Laws.

The meeting ended pleasantly, and the measures announced
appeared to give general satisfaction.

20. Mr Cox then proceeded to the less pleasant task of
levying the regular Customs charge on all goods found at
Rock Creek which had not been entered for importation, such
goods being really

contraband and legally forfeited, might
have been seized for the benefit of the Crown, had it not
been considered inexpedient in the circumstances to inflict
the extreme penalty of the Law.

21. I left soon afterwards on my return to Fraser River,
and have since then added another Officer to the Revenue
Establishment at Rock Creek, and authorized the employment
of any amount of force when

necessary for restraining the
illicit importation of goods into British Columbia; and
the cost of such extra establishment is to be super-added
as a Treasury fine to the import duties. It is however,
impossible I conceive, altogether to prevent smuggling at
places situated so immediately on the frontier as Rock Creek, which is within two miles of the Boundary.

The simple, and only certain means of effecting the
object is to under-sell the foreign

merchant by supplying
goods at the cheapest rate, and much may be done towards
that object by improving the communications and lessening
the cost of transport from Hope.

22. The total distance from that place to Rock Creek
is about 160 miles. By improving the channel of the
Shimilkomeen River and rendering it navigable in boats, we
may substitute 60 miles of water for land

carriage, at a
great reduction of cost. The improvement of the Shimilkomeen
would not involve an outlay of more than £1000, while it
would reduce the land carriage to 100 miles by substituting
a cheap water conveyance for the remaining 60 miles. With
that advantage the whole trade will flow towards Fraser
River.

23. The following mining statistics were collected by
Mr Good, at Shimilkomeen:

Mr Alison's claim produces £10 a day, for each man employed.

Mr Dowell's claim £12 a day, per man.

Merrill and Eddy, worked three days and made from
£10 to £12 daily, per man.

McDougal took out £26 in the Cradle the first day; in prospecting
his claim he found £1 and upwards to the pan: anticipates earning
£50 per man, when sluicing operations commence, in

about a
weeks time they will all begin to work.

On examining the country, prospects were so good, that
they all immediately commenced preparations for sluicing,
wing-damming, and other costly works for mining on a large scale.

24. The Road-party were far advanced with their task on
my return to Shimilkomeen, and I took that road to the Summit
or Punch Bowl,

where I fell upon the new Road from Hope,
which is carried over an elevation of 4000 feet without a
single gradient exceeding one foot in twelve, a fact very
creditable to Sergeant McCall and the detachment of Royal
Engineers employed in marking out the line; it moreover
suggests the possibility of converting it hereafter into a
Cart-way. It is even now a great boon to the country, yet

it will lose much of its value unless it be kept open for
traffic in winter by sending out parties of men on snow-shoes
to beat the roads after every fall of snow, a course which I
strongly recommended to the merchants at Hope.

25. The persons who held the Union and Emory Bar silver
leads near Hope are making great exertions to open the works,
with, I believe, every probability of

a most profitable result.

26. Masses of nearly pure virgin Copper have been found
in the excavations made for mining purposes above Yale; and
valuable outcrops of coal occur on the Shimilkomeen River,
but the present value of those minerals is not sufficient to
induce the investment of capital.

27. The new Horse-way from Yale to Spuzzum is

now open
for traffic. Unlike the mountain trail which it supersedes,
the new road is carried over the mountain side along the
course of Fraser River at a moderate elevation, and will be
open for travel both in summer and winter. In riding over
the face of those frowning cliffs, which a twelve month ago
seemed to defy all efforts at improvement, it was impossible
to repress a feeling of thankfulness

and intense gratification
at the successful issue of our labours, and their probable
influence on trade and the development of the country. The
arduous part of this undertaking—excavating the mountain
near Yale—was executed entirely by a Detachment of Royal
Engineers under Sergeant Major George Cann, and it has been
completed in a manner highly creditable

to themselves, and
to the officers who directed the operation.

28. The most favorable accounts continue to arrive from
the Quesnel River and Cariboeuf diggings, confirming all
the former reports of the vast auriferous wealth of those Districts.

29. An opinion is gaining ground among persons who have
closely inspected and studied the phenomena of the Gold-fields,

that there exists a zone or belt of country 50 or 60 miles in
breadth which is the matrix or depository of the gold found
in British Columbia. Its course has been partially traced
from the neighbourhood of Fort George, at the forks of
Fraser River, for nearly 60 miles in a South-South-East
direction; and the theory derives a measure of support
from the fact that the rich

diggings at Cariboeuf, Quesnel River, and Rock Creek, the latter unknown when the theory
was started, come within the limits which it prescribes.
Mr Nind, the Assistant Gold Commissioner for Quesnel River District, may probably be able to throw light upon the subject, and I await his report with much anxiety, especially
as I have had no official communication from him since his
appointment.

I learn from other sources that the Miners in
that quarter are making large profits, and that good order,
and tranquillity reign throughout the District. The want
of roads is, however, seriously felt, and has become a
general subject of complaint. As soon as those more important
communications now in progress are completed, we shall not
fail to turn our attention to the remoter Districts.

30. Some specimens exhibiting the varieties of Gold
found in British Columbia, are forwarded with this Report.



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FILE: 1860-10-25_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607055.txt
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No. 55

In the Duke of Newcastle's despatch of the 5th of May,
No 22, copy
of a correspondence with the Office of the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury respecting the adjustment of advances on account of the Royal
Engineers in British Columbia was transmitted to you accompanied by
instructions from His Grace in regard to the system to be

followed in
accounting for the Revenue and Expenditure of that Colony. I am now
directed by the Secretary of State to forward to you the sequel to that
correspondence and to desire that the course indicated in the
accompanying Treasury letter and its enclosures may be carefully
followed.

I take this opportunity of requesting you to be most regular in
furnishing to this Office the quarterly and annual returns of the
Revenue and Expenditure of British Columbia as already directed by the
Duke of Newcastle. Without this information the knowledge of the
financial condition of the Colony, which it is so essential for the
Secretary of State to possess, is imperfect and occasions considerable
inconvenience, both when the

Estimate for British Columbia has to be
prepared for Parliament and when, ultimately, the Commissioners of Audit
have to examine the accounts.



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FILE: 1860-10-25_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE34.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the 19 Inst. transmitting copy
of a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia requesting
a supply of British silver and copper coin I am directed by
the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit
herewith for the information of the Secretary of State copy of
a letter addressed to the Master of the Mint on this subject.

Their Lordships are unable to direct a supply of Copper
Pence and Half Pence—there being none on hand at the Mint and
the coinage of that description of Money having ceased.

With reference to the last paragraph of your letter,
My Lords request that you will inform

the Secretary of State
that They have not considered it expedient under the present
circumstances to make any alteration in the distribution of
the different denominations of Coins demanded by the Governor.

Their Lordships propose to direct the judgement to the
Master of the Mint of the value of the coins vizt £6900 from
the grant for British Columbia—and the Colonial Treasurer
should be directed to abstain from drawing upon the Paymaster
General to an equivalent extent.



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FILE: 1860-10-26_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60089.txt
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No. 89

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No 33 of the 15th June forwarding a letter from the
Deputy Governor of the Hudson Bay Co

complaining of the operation
of the Customs Laws of British Columbia upon the interests of
that Company.

2. Your Grace has taken so clear and just a view of the case
that it is scarcely necessary for me to enter into the merits of
the general question, but to prove to your Grace the futility of
the complaint, and to exhibit the general

working of the Customs
Laws in British Columbia with regard to the business of the
Hudson Bay Co, I forward herewith a very clear and able Report
from Mr Hamley the Collector of Customs, accompanied by
correspondence from the Officers of the Company at Victoria,
by which it will be seen, that not only has it been the practice
to allow a drawback on the goods sent into the Russian Territory,
but that in a recent

case where goods were forwarded by the
Company in transit through British Columbia to Colville in the
American Territory, no duty whatever was either levied or paid.
Although the Directors of the Company in England could not at
the date of their letter be aware of the latter transaction,
yet it appears somewhat

remarkable, that the data before them
from which they reviewed the case, should not have supplied so
important an item of information as the former.

3. With regard to the alleged "exaction" of Customs duties
at Victoria, your Grace has already pointed out to the Company
that the law is optional on vessels going North of Frasers
River

to pay duty at Fort Victoria or New Westminster, and that this
provision must be intended as a convenience rather than a
restriction. As Mr Hamley remarks

It was expressly to save the Company's servants the trouble and delay of
coming to New Westminster that permission was given to 

them to pay
their duties at Fort Victoria from which Port the Vessel sails.
An objection on their part to this arrangement is simply
absurd, but if from any unaccountable reason they prefer it,
they are at all times at liberty to bring their vessels to
New Westminster for clearance and the payment of duties.

No overt complaints have ever been made by the Company's

Officers on the spot regarding this convenience, and I need
scarcely say they do not avail themselves of the option of
clearing at New Westminster, although since the removal of
the Treasury to that place, the duties in such cases have
been paid to the Collector of Customs at New Westminster—the

Vessel meanwhile clearing from Fort Victoria as heretofore.



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FILE: 1860-10-26_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607056.txt
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No. 56

I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge your
despatch No. 72 of the 4th of August last respecting certain grants
of land which you were desirous of making to the Clergy of the four
principal denominations of Christians in British Columbia, i.e. of the
English, Roman, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.

For the reasons already communicated to you the Secretary of State
cannot sanction the grants of rural Land which

you still apparently
advocate, but he sees no objection to your affording a temporary
pecuniary assistance to Ministers of Religion in British Columbia from
Colonial Funds, if those funds are adequate for the purpose, and if you
have sufficient reason for believing that such an appropriation of
public money will not be unacceptable to the Colonists.

Charged as you are with the task of expending on your own
responsibility the produce of the taxes, it is peculiarly necessary for
you to avoid the appearance of individual preference, or partiality. I
think therefore that the Public aid given to Ministers of religion
should not be confined to any specified denominations but should if
possible be determined by a generally intelligible rule which while
furnishing some

security against useless or improper appropriations will
not suggest any distinction between Ministers of different persuasions
who may be exerting themselves with equal earnestness for the good of
the Community. It might be required for example as a condition to any
grant of money that a Memorial should be presented to the Governor
signed by a certain number or proportion of persons resident within a
certain district and either offering to meet the Government grant by
certain immediate or annual contributions of their own or stating that
from some source or other such contributions had been made. This
however is merely suggested by the Secretary of State, as an
illustration. He is fully aware that your own knowledge of the
exigencies

of the Colony, of the temper and wishes of the population
and of the assistance to be derived there from Religious persons or
societies, will enable you to choose your own course in a matter of
detail more appropriately than he can do.

But in any case you will take care to make it clearly understood
that any assistance of this kind is temporary, and that if given in the
form of an annual payment all those who receive it must not calculate on
retaining it after it has ceased to be sanctioned by the Public opinion
of the Colony, and consistent with other demands on the Revenue.



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FILE: 1860-10-26_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE35.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to the letter addressed to you on 25th
Instant, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary
of State that directions have been given for the Shipment on
board Her Majesty's Ship "Tartar" which is about to proceed to
the Pacific Station, of the Silver Specie to the amount of
£6900, consigned to the Governor of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-10-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60044.txt
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No. 44, Military

With reference to Your Despatch No 2 of the 5th of January 1860,
calling for the details of Expenditure which has been incurred upon
Barracks and other Services arising out of the occupation of San Juan, and which has been defrayed from Imperial Funds, I have the
honor to forward herewith the necessary Returns, with Vouchers, made
up to the 30th of September last.

2. I have to offer my apologies for not sooner transmitting these
Documents, but there was a delay and difficulty in obtaining them in
a perfect shape from the Acting Treasurer, Captain Gosset, and they
eventually had to be prepared by his Successor, as will be more
clearly explained by a perusal of the enclosed correspondence.



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FILE: 1860-10-27_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607057.txt
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No. 57

I am directed by the Secretary of State to request that you will
inform Colonel Moody that he has received the Duplicate copies of two
letters which he had addressed to you, the first of the 20th of August
relating to your having instructed the Magistrate of the Hope District
to select the site, and lay out a Town on the Similkameen River, the
second of the 22nd of August respecting the provision made in the
Estimates of 1860-61 to meet the expenses of the Royal Engineers in
British Columbia.

As Colonel Moody requested you to forward these letters to this
Department, the Secretary of State takes it for granted that he will
shortly receive

copies of them through you with any observations which
you may think necessary in explanation of them.

I am however to point out that Colonel Moody having been sent out
from England as Commissioner of Lands and Works, any steps which would
withdraw these subjects from his effectual superintendence would defeat
the whole object of his appointment. You must distinctly understand
that while on the one hand Her Majesty's Government will always be ready
to maintain the just authority of the Governor in relation to
subordinate officers, they are distinctly of opinion that the business
of every Department (except on grounds almost amounting to a case of
necessity) should be transacted by the head of that Department; who
cannot be held responsible for the

proper discharge of the duties
committed to him if material parts of these duties are taken out of his
hands.

You will understand however that in expressing this opinion the
Secretary of State does not in any degree prejudge any questions at
issue between yourself and Colonel Moody if such there are. But he is
desirous that you should be fully aware of the principles on which Her
Majesty's Government consider that the Government of a Colony should in
these respects be carried on.



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FILE: 1860-10-29_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD12.txt
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Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies an Extract of a letter, dated the 3rd Ultimo No 145
from Rear Adml Sir R.L. Baynes reporting the movements of Her
Majestys Ships and the State of affairs at Victoria, British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-10-29_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605AD13.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Sir Robt L.
Baynes, dated the 10th Septr, No 152, with Copies of its
enclosures, relating to Indian Disturbances in Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1860-10-30_Rogers_to_Douglas_B607058.txt
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No. 58

With reference to my despatch No. 52 of the 19th Instant, I am
directed by the Secretary of State to inclose for your information and
guidance the accompanying copy of a letter from the Treasury explaining
the steps that have been taken for complying with your application for
a supply of coin for the use of British Columbia.

I am further to inform you that coin to the value of £6900 Sterling
has been shipped on board H.M's ship "Tartar" which Vessel is
understood to have sailed from Portsmouth on the 27th of this Month
for Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1860-10-30_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B605AD08.txt
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Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to transmit to you herewith, a copy of a despatch, dated the
9 Sept last, from the Commander in Chief of Her Majesty's Ships
and Vessels in the Pacific, respecting the grant of extra Pay to
the Party of Royal Marines doing duty in British Columbia; and
I am

to request that in laying the same before the Duke of
Newcastle, you will state to His Grace, that my Lords are of
opinion, taking into consideration the whole circumstances of
the case, together with the laborious nature of the work
performed by the Marines under Colonel Moody, and their exemplary
conduct as testified by that Officer, that it would be most
desirable that the Party of Marines who have been promised the
3s/ per diem, should be allowed

it.

My Lords trust, therefore, that the Secretary of State
will under these circumstances be induced to reconsider his
decision, and issue the necessary directions to the Authorities
at Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1860-11-02_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607059.txt
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No. 59

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having forwarded to this
Department a claim for payment of the sum of £42-2-0 on account of
Stores supplied to the Government of British Columbia from H.M's
Dockyard at Deptford on the 8th of December 1858, I am directed by the
Secretary of State to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to place this amount to the credit of Naval Services, in
liquidation of the claim, the same to be charged to the vote for
British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-11-05_Harrison_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V605CO02.txt
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Harrison to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to transmit to you
the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 26th ulto,
leaving to its operation an Act of the Legislature of Vancouver's Island; and I am to request that you will be pleased to lay the same before the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department.



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60090.txt
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No. 90

I have received your Despatch of the 6th July, No 39,
dealing with the question of the position and residence of
Mr James Cooper the Harbour Master of British Columbia.

2. I have acquainted Mr Cooper with your Grace's views as
to his place of Residence, and he will shortly take up his
permanent abode

at New Westminster.

3. I thank your Grace for your pertinent remarks upon the
intermeddling of Public Officers with Politics and Political
Journals, and I shall not fail, should occasion require, to
communicate the substance of those remarks to the Officers
holding Appointments under my Government.



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60091.txt
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No. 91

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
despatch No 40, of the 10th July, and to acquaint you in
reference thereto, that I have conveyed to Mr Cadell your
Grace's

decision with respect to his application made through Lord Palmerston, for employment under the Government of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60092.txt
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No. 92

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
following Blue Books—

Reports of the past and present state of Her Majestys
Colonial Possessions for the year 1858. Part 1. West Indies & Mauritius.

Twentieth General Report of the Emigration Commissioners 1860 (in duplicate).
 and I have to return my thanks to Your Grace for providing me with these valuable sources of information.



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60093.txt
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No. 93

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on this
date of your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates as
noted on the other side hereof.
*



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60045.txt
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No. 45

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Graces despatch
No 29 of the 31st July, forwarding for my information copy of a
despatch from Lord John Russell to Lord Lyons, directing him to
propose to the Government of the United States the withdrawal on both
sides, of the Civil Magistrates from the Island of San Juan.



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60046.txt
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No. 46

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date of your
Graces despatches of the numbers and dates noted on the other side
hereof.

*



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FILE: 1860-11-08_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO25.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 2d instant
and its Inclosure from the Admiralty stating that the detachment of
Marines stationed at San Juan is about to be recalled and requesting
that immediate steps may be taken to have the duties otherwise
performed.

In reply to your request for Lord J. Russell's opinion as to the
answer which should be returned to the Admiralty on this subject, I am
to request that you will suggest to the Secretary of State for the
Colonies that the Admiralty should be informed that if these Marines
are withdrawn they should be replaced by others, but that it would be
very undesirable that the Officers commanding the present detachment
should be changed, owing to the good understanding which appears to
exist between them and the United States Officers on the Island.

Lord J. Russell would however, further suggest for the consideration
of the Colonial Secretary, whether it would not be desirable to apply
to the Secretary of State for War, requesting that as soon as Troops
can be spared from China, a Regiment should be sent to Vancouver's Island. Independently of the advantage which might be expected to
result to British Columbia from the presence of a British Regiment in
Vancouver's Island, the 100 men required for service on San Juan
might be furnished by the Regiment and the Marines might in that case
be available for their proper services.



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FILE: 1860-11-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60094.txt
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No. 94

With reference to your Circular Despatch of the 23rd
July 1860, respecting the withdrawal of the property of
Bavarian Subjects from the British Possessions, I have the
honor to acquaint your Grace

that there is no Colonial Law
in British Columbia which would militate against the
Declaration proposed to be exchanged with the Government
of Bavaria to extend the terms of the Declarations of 1836
to all the British Colonies and Possessions.



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FILE: 1860-11-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60095.txt
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No. 95

In my Report on British Columbia of the 9th of October
last, marked "Separate", I had the honor to inform Your Grace
of

the dispatch of an exploratory party from Douglas, under
the charge of Dr Forbes of Her Majesty's Ship "Topaze", to
examine, especially with reference to its mineral character,
the country bordering on Harrison Lake and River.

I have now the honor of forwarding the valuable and
highly interesting Report of that gentleman, who lately
returned to this

place with his party, in good health.

His researches, carried on under many difficulties
inseparable from the country, were prosecuted with a very
creditable degree of activity and vigour, and have been
eminently successful in elucidating the true mineral value
of the District, the whole of which he believes to be
metalliferous, and the greater portion of it

argentiferous.

He found and examined many argentiferous veins, and
he observes that he has not the least doubt that there is
abundance of silver in those formations, but it can only be
reached by an outlay of capital and steady persevering mining operations.

He has also from various indications been led to believe
that in

many of the metalliferous veins described in his
Report, deep mining will develope gold.

Dr Forbes recommends that encouragement should be given
to Companies for the purpose of working silver mines, and
thinks they cannot be worked advantageously by individual enterprise
or exertion, a suggestion which meets with my warmest approval.

I trust that Dr Forbes' able Report may have the effect
of attracting public attention in England to the Mineral
wealth of British Columbia, and to the facilities it presents
for the profitable investment of capital.



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FILE: 1860-11-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60047.txt
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No. 47

With reference to Your Circular Despatch of the 23rd July 1860,
respecting the withdrawal of the property of Bavarian Subjects from
the British Possessions, I have the honor to acquaint Your Grace that
there is no Colonial Law in Vancouver Island which would militate
against the Declaration proposed to be exchanged with the Government
of Bavaria to extend the terms of the Declaration of 1836 to all the
British Colonies and Possessions.



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FILE: 1860-11-10_Lewis_to_Douglas_V607040A.txt
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Separate

With reference to my Despatch No. 38 of the 3rd Ultimo, I
herewith transmit to you, the Queen's Warrant for the appointment of
Mr George Tomline Gordon to be Treasurer for the Island of Vancouver
and I have to instruct you to remit to Gordon Gairdner Esquire, the Chief
Clerk of my office the sum of £1-10-0 in repayment of the Stamp Duty on
this Warrant.



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FILE: 1860-11-12_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607060.txt
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No. 60

With reference to the Duke of Newcastle's despatch No. 37 of the
2nd of July last, respecting the grant of extra pay to the Royal
Marines while serving in British Columbia, I transmit for your
information the
copy of a letter from the Admiralty enclosing a despatch from Rear Admiral Sir R. Baynes on the subject, together with a copy of the answer
which the Secretary of State has returned to the Lords Commissioners,
and I am desired to authorize you in accordance with the opinion
expressed in this correspondence to issue to the party of Royal Marines
the rate of Colonial pay which had been promised to them previously to
the
receipt of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch above referred to.



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FILE: 1860-11-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60048.txt
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No. 48

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I have authorized the
Treasurer of Vancouvers Island to procure the sum of One Thousand
Pounds (£1000) by Bills on the Paymaster General, to enable him to
meet requisitions for sums already due and becoming due, for extra
pay to the Marines at San Juan, under the authority of Your Graces
despatch No 37 of the 2d July, and for other Military services in
connection with the establishment in that Island.



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FILE: 1860-11-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60049.txt
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No. 49

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's despatch
No 33 of the 8th September, on the subject of the disturbances that
had arisen among the Native Tribes at Victoria, and I am now happy to
be able to report to Your Grace that they are quiet and submissive.

2. Many of the Northern Tribes have left Vancouvers Island and
returned to their homes. Those who still remain conform to all the
regulations established for their government, and have lately given
no cause of complaint.



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FILE: 1860-11-14_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN10.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letters of the 14th August
and 1st October last directing us to provide passages
(viâ Cape Horn) to British Columbia, for the Wives and
families of the 7 Men belonging to the detachment of Royal
Engineers stationed in that Colony, I have to report for the
information of the Secretary of State that the "Marcella,"
in which vessel passages were engaged as mentioned in
Mr Walcott's

letter of the 20th ultimo, sailed on
the 12th instant from Gravesend for Vancouvers Island
having on board the 3 Women & 4 Children named in the margin.
*

2. All the women comprized in the List which accompanied
your letter of the 14th August last except Mrs Holroyd
(who stated that she preferred to remain where she was a little
longer) accepted the offer of a passage when made to them—but
subsequently Mrs Goskirk, Jane Bingley, and Catherine May
declined to proceed—the first alleging that she had not the
means to travel from Scotland to London to join the vessel—

the
second that she had been informed that she was to go out
as an Emigrant and not as a passenger—and the last because
she was an Indoor patient at the Dover Hospital with but
little prospect of recovery.

3. A passage warrant was sent to Mrs Goskirk to
enable her to reach London without expense—and the nature of
the arrangements were explained to Jane Bingley but in neither
case with any change in the result.

4. Bingley and May appear to be young women who were
probably going out to be married to the men who sent for them.

5. The Secretary of State may perhaps deem it advisable
to notify to Colonel Moody the sailing of the "Marcella,"
and the reasons why Catherine May, Mrs Holroyd, Mrs
Goskirk and Jane Bingley have not proceeded in her.

6. As the two former gave us notice of their intention to
remain at home, before the preparation for their accommodation on
board the ship were completed, we shall not be required to pay any
forfeit for their passages, but in the cases of Mrs Goskirk and
Jane Bingley we shall have in

justice to the Shipowner, to pay the
usual forfeit of half the passage money, as their change of
mind was not communicated until all the expense of fittings and
provisioning for their accommodation had been incurred.



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FILE: 1860-11-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60096.txt
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No. 96

I have the honor to acknowledge your Grace's despatch
No 48 of the 24th August, acquainting me that the Claims
made by the Hudson Bay Company to lands in British Columbia
had

been referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council and requesting me to abstain as far as possible from
dealing with these claims, and I beg to acquaint Your Grace
that the course indicated by Your instructions in reference
to the lands in question, has been carefully

observed.



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FILE: 1860-11-16_Fortescue_to_Douglas_B607061.txt
================================================================================

No. 61

With reference to your despatch No. 52 of the 12th of May last,
I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you the enclosed
copy of a letter from the Emigration Commissioners shewing the steps
that have been taken for sending out to British Columbia certain women
who had married or engaged to marry some of the Royal Engineers
stationed in the Colony; as named in the list enclosed in Colonel
Moody's letter of the 29th of March; you will perceive that these
Women, with certain exceptions,
have proceeded to Vancouver Island in the
"Marcella" which left for the Colony on the 12th Instant.

As the cost of these passages will be advanced from Imperial Funds,
I am desired to instruct you to take the necessary measures for
repayment of the amount in the manner authorized by the Secretary of
State's despatch of the 21st of July last, No. 43.



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FILE: 1860-11-16_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607041.txt
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No. 41

I have received and have had under my consideration the Act No. 16
passed by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in the month of July
last, and transmitted to me in your Despatch noted in the margin
*

I have reported to Her Majesty in Council my opinion that the said
Act should be left to its operation; and I have the honor to transmit
to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the 26of
October approving that Report.



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FILE: 1860-11-16_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605AD09.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The Persons named on the other side hereof,

*

having been entertained on board Her Majesty's Gun Bt "Forward" on
the occasions and between the dates stated against their names;
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to
request that you will move His Grace The Duke of Newcastle to
cause me to be informed, whether the expense of the Entertainment
is to be borne by the Public.



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FILE: 1860-11-16_Wylde_and_Co._to_Newcastle_V606W01.txt
================================================================================

Wylde & Co. to Newcastle

We shall feel obliged by being informed of the address that will find
George Tomlin Gordon Esq the recently appointed Treasurer for the
Island of Vancouvers Island as notified in the Gazette of the 10h
inst.



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FILE: 1860-11-20_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605LN11.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 24th ultimo,
enclosing two Despatches from Governor Douglas—the first
containing his own comments on Capt Clarke's scheme for the
disposal of Land in B. Columbia—the other transmitting a
report from Mr Begbie, the Judge of British Columbia,
on the same subject.

2. Governor Douglas states that the Land regulations
of B. Columbia, including the preemption Act of

1860,
contain substantially all the important suggestions in
Captain Clarke's scheme. The only important differences
between the two are the acceptance in B. Columbia of deferred
payments for lands sold—and the reservation to the Crown of
Gold and Silver on lands sold to individuals.

3. In respect to the first of these points Governor
Douglas argues at considerable length that the peculiar
description of the population of British Columbia, which
consist almost exclusively of moneyless laborers without
any mixture of Capitalists, would make

it impossible to
sell any land at all on condition of prompt payment of
the price. He says, very truly, that the Land should not
be regarded as a source of revenue, but as a means of
aiding the progress and development of the Country &
encouraging the resort of a resident population. He
observes that such a population would be cheaply purchased
by even a free gift of the Land if that were necessary,
and he points to the liberality of the Land systems of
the United States and the older British Provinces in
support of this view. He expresses his belief that
settlement in

British Columbia must be encouraged by the
same policy, and that otherwise the laboring class will be
forced from it to the neighbouring States of the Union.

4. The objections to deferred payments have been so
repeatedly stated that I do not reproduce them here. When
Governor Douglas first sent home his land regulations those
objections were, I believe, explained to him, and he was
directed, whenever the Land regulations were revised, to
introduce the system of prompt payment instead. A question,
therefore, arises whether any

modifications of that instruction
should now be made.

5. Theoretically I believe the arguments in favor of
prompt payment to be conclusive, but it is possible that they
cannot be enforced practically in B. Columbia without creating
more inconvenience than they prevent. The position of British
Columbia would appear at present to be peculiar in this respect.
There are few capitalists in it and those there are have gone
thither to employ their capital, not on the Land, but in gold
seeking. The attractions of the latter are so great that
probably for some time to come no man

who can afford to dig for
gold will do anything else. In the course of time the profits
to be derived from producing food for this gold seeking
population will be so great as to induce men with capital to
employ it in the cultivation of the soil. But that time has
not yet come and the unsettled habits of the population, which
ebbs and flows with the season for gold mining, will postpone
it to a later periods in British Columbia than in other gold
producing Countries. Meanwhile the cultivation of the Land
has fallen, as Governor Douglas states, altogether into the
hands

of a very poor class for whom the payment by deferred
instalments is a necessity. And it cannot be denied that any
measure which should discourage the increase of this class, still
more which should drive away those who have already settled,
would be a great misfortune to the Colony. Upon the whole,
looking moreover to the general prevalence of deferred payments
in the American Continent, I would recommend that, for the
present at least, Governor Douglas should be allowed to continue
the system which he considered essential to the progress of the Colony.

6. In respect to the reservation

of the Crowns right to the
precious metals in Sales to private individuals, Governor Douglas
thinks it desirable for public interests that it should be
continued until the Country has been explored. He points out that
the prosperity of the Colony and its revenue depend entirely on
the labors of the Gold Mining population, and that it has been
the constant aim & policy of his Government to protect & encourage
that class. But if the Crown's reservation were given up Miners
might be excluded from lands in the possession of private
individuals, except on terms

oppressive to industry. For these
reasons the Law has reserved to them a right to enter upon & work
Mines of the precious Metals on private Lands with which
Governor Douglas would propose not to interfere. The Law
referred to is the "preemption Act" of 1860, and it provides for
compensation to the owner of the land for any waste or damage done
by the goldseeker working upon it. As no complaint has been
received from the Colony on this point it will not, I presume,
be thought necessary to interfere with Governor Douglas' decision
in the matter.

7. In Governor Douglas's second despatch is enclosed, as I
have stated, a report from Mr Begbie, the Judge of the Colony.
Mr Begbie commences with a very interesting description of the
Country and the people, and with a very satisfactory account of
the character of the latter. He describes them as peaceable,
orderly and well conducted, but shrewd independent & self
reliant—strongly impregnated with American views and not to be
governed on a system to which they are opposed—of wandering
habits—encamped merely, not settled—and easily driven away,
therefore, by bad

management. Among such a people it is
of paramount importance that the system on which the public
lands are disposed of should be such as to commend itself to their
good will and to be suited to their circumstances, and Mr Begbie
deprecates, therefore, prospective legislation or any interference
beyond what is unavoidable. He expresses his general approval
of the existing system, but recommends an early classification
of Town and Country Lands, the alienation of known auriferous
lands in small lots at a price of £4 or £5 an acre, and the
lowering of the price of Agricultural

lands to 4s/- an Acre
(it has been lowered to 4s/2d) observing that "cheapness
and liberality of that sort on the part of the Government possess
an attraction and popularity which I admit I am totally at a loss to
Justify." The land costing perhaps £20 an Acre to bring it into
cultivation. He considers that "preemption" is absolutely
indispensable, observing that when he first arrived in the
Colony he was strongly of opinion that no occupation should
be allowed till after survey—but that no one could have
gone round the Country even to the limited extent he has

done, without coming to the conclusion that such a
prohibition is impossible, and, if possible, would be
impolitic. He goes seriatim through the several heads
of Captain Clarkes scheme, expressing his opinion, however,
in such brief terms as to be sometimes obscure. The great
bulk of Capt Clarkes suggestions are, as stated by
Governor Douglas, substantially in practice in British Columbia,
but I understand Mr Begbie to be opposed to Sale by Auction—and
to approve prompt payment. His views, however, are not
distinctly expressed on those points. I do not see, therefore,

that there is anything in Mr Begbie's paper to overrule the
recommendations of Governor Douglas.

8. From the Secretary of States Despatch of 16 July last
enclosed in your letter it would appear, that his decision
on the preemption Act of January last had been suspended until
the receipt of Governor Douglas' report on Capt Clarkes
suggestions. Looking to the clear and decided opinions on
this point expressed by Governor Douglas & Mr Begbie, to the
peculiarity of the circumstances of British Columbia, and to
the sanction which has already been given to the

principle
of preemptive occupation before survey, I presume that the
Duke of Newcastle will consider it right now to sanction the
preemption Law. Whatever future inconvenience may arise
from the occupation of unsurveyed Land with preemptive rights,
it will apparently be less injurious than the risk of
driving away from the Colony the only persons who are likely
to bring any part of its soil into cultivation for perhaps
several years.



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FILE: 1860-11-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607062.txt
================================================================================

No. 62

I transmit to you the copies of a despatch from Sir H. Ward, late
Governor of Ceylon, and of it's enclosures reporting the discovery of
defalcations in the Department of the Surveyor

General of that Island to
the amount of £755-1-6 1/2, and of a robbery of the sum of £342-6-7,
belonging to that Department, on the 1st of July last.

It is unnecessary to enter into a detailed statement of the mode in
which the frauds involved in the defalcations were committed, inasmuch
as all the circumstances relative to this part of the subject and to the
manner in which those frauds were ultimately detected exposed and
punished will be found set forth with great clearness in Sir H. Ward's
despatch.

The defalcations in question, however, have been clearly traced to
the fraudulent practices of a Clerk in the Department of the Surveyor
General, named Bartholomensy to whom the financial transactions

of the
Department were entrusted; and it appears that the money misappropriated
by him was abstracted from the money advanced on Impost from time to time
by the Colonial Treasurer to the Surveyor General; that the sums so
abstracted were fraudulently charged by Mr Bartholomensy in the
Departmental accounts to the Surveyor General; that they figured in the
balance of the statements of accounts sent quarterly to the Colonial
Treasury and Audit Office, with the signature attached thereto either of
the Surveyor General, or (in his absence) of some officer acting on his
behalf; and that the settlement which was required to be annually made
with the Treasury in respect to the advance account was effected by
paying into the Treasury the balance appearing

to be due on that
account, out of advances made by the Treasurer for the ensuing year.

The malpractices commenced in 1856 and were continued until
discovered by Captain Sim, the present Surveyor General in November
1859. During that period the Department of the Surveyor General had
been under the Superintendence of Captain Gosset from October 1856 to
the 26th of April 1858, of Mr Evatt from the 27th of April
1858 to the 12th of March 1859, and of
Captain Sim from the 12th of March to November 1859.
But as it appears from the Minutes of the Executive Council that Mr
Evatt merely officiated temporarily on the responsibility of Captain
Gosset, the responsibility of Captain Gosset must be taken to extend
from October 1856 to the 12th of March 1859. The

amount of
deficiency during that time was £598-0-4.

You will be good enough to furnish Captain Gosset, at present the
Colonial Treasurer of British Columbia, with copies of this despatch and
of it's enclosures, and instruct him to furnish me through you with some
explanation in regard to the omission on his part to verify the balances
of the accounts of his Department sent quarterly to the Colonial Treasury
and Audit Office with his signature attached thereto, and to shew cause
why he should not be considered responsible for the amount of the
defalcations that occurred during the period he held the office of
Surveyor General, which period, for the reasons stated, must be
considered

as extending from October 1856 to 12th of March 1859.



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FILE: 1860-11-23_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607042.txt
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No. 42

I transmit to you herewith the copy of a letter addressed to me by
Mr S.R. Heseltine,
respecting the effects of his son Samuel Heseltine, who died in
Vancouver Island on the
5th of September 1859.

I have to request that you will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances stated in this letter and
furnish me with a report on the subject.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-11-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60097.txt
================================================================================

No. 97

I have the honor to forward herewith for Your Grace's
information, a Return of Customs Revenue

for the Quarter
ending on the 30th of September last.

2. There is a decrease on the September quarter as
compared with that of June to the extent of £1002.17.5.—the
Return however shews an increase as compared with the
corresponding or September quarter of 1859 of £3751.7.1; and on the total Customs Returns for the three first

quarters
of 1860 there is an increase of 106.05 per cent, or £13,219.14.1 as
compared with the corresponding quarters of the preceding year (1859).

The Return on the whole exhibits a satisfactory state of
business, and there is, I am glad to inform Your Grace, every reason
to believe that the trade of the Colony will continue to increase.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-11-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60100.txt
================================================================================

No. 100

I have the honor to inform Your Grace that nothing much
of importance, beyond the usual course of events, has
transpired in 

British Columbia since the date of my last Report.

2. The Miners of Alexandria and Quesnel River dreading
the severity of the inland winter, have for some weeks past
been arriving in great numbers from those Districts, and
settling in the towns on the Lower Fraser, being attracted
thither by the genial climate and cheaper rate of living:
their labours, have, I understand,

not been unrewarded,
many of them having been eminently successful; while,
contrary to the general experience of mining countries, few
or none have been entirely disappointed: so much indeed is
this the case, that, as I am informed, they almost without
exception, propose returning to Alexandria as soon as the
snow disappears in Spring, and surface claims become accessible
to the Miner. The population of those remote

Districts will
probably for this winter be confined to persons who have
invested their means in the construction of sluices, and
especially such miners as are employed in tunnelling, whose
operations are little affected by the external temperature,
and may be carried on during the severest weather.

3. I have lately received a communication dated Alexandria,
17th of October, from Mr Philip H. Nind, Magistrate and
Gold Commissioner

for Alexandria from which it appears that
he had from various causes, encountered much detention on his
route to Alexandria. His arrival in the District was hailed
with a general feeling of satisfaction and his services were
immediately called into requisition by the complaints of the
inhabitants against a few notorious evil-doers who had taken
refuge there, and become

the terror of the place. The most
vigorous measures were at once set on foot to bring them to
justice, and one of the number was soon afterwards apprehended
and committed for trial; but the others could nowhere be
found, and are supposed to have fled over the frontier into Oregon. Mr Nind had temporarily established his head-quarters
at William's Lake, on account of its

central position from
whence diverge, as from a common focus, all the routes
leading to the upper and lower country.

4. The Extract from Mr Nind's valuable Report which I
here subjoin, contains some interesting statistical facts in
addition to his own views of the auriferous and physical
character of parts of the Alexandria District which he has
lately visited.

The rate of wages

to hired labourers is five and six
dollars ($5 & $6) a day and of provisions and other necessaries about
the same as at Alexandria, in some instances a little lower
from the greater amount of competition. I have the honor
to enclose a list of the prices of various articles at Alexandria.

Fergusons or Rich Bar when first discovered proved
highly auriferous, as much as Sixty dollars ($60) a day to the
hand having been made; but after the pay-streak near the
river became exhausted

the flat in the road had to be
pierced, and the gravel wheeled over plank roads for some
hundreds of yards to be rocked out at the river, the profits
consequently of the days labour considerably decreased, so
that when I was there the average receipts were from seven
to ten dollars ($7 to $10) a day to the hand: as soon however as water
can be brought on for sluicing there is no doubt but that
high wages will be made. Unlike the bars on the lower Fraser,
the ground

is here unobstructed by heavy timber or roots; and
the miner finds that not only does the pay-streak yield gold,
but also the sand overlying it in sufficient quantities to
pay for the washing. It is the general opinion that there
will be employment on this bar for more than a hundred men,
and that it will not be exhausted in less than two or three
years. The introduction of water is an operation requiring
considerable

capital and engineering skill; the ditch is
cut from a lake situated between four and five miles to the
N.E. and has to be brought on by means of a long tunnel: the expense
of completing it is calculated at Twelve Thousand dollars ($12,000).

Three miles below Ferguson's Bar is British Bar, where
a company of six Cornishmen are bringing in a ditch about
five miles in length for their own use: the Bar

is but of
small size. I did not notice any miners between here and
Alexandria, though there were signs of work done in the
spring. The Fraser between Alexandria and Quesnel River,
is a swift but not turbulent river, averaging from two to
three hundred yards across, it has a few small ripples,
but none of the dangerous whirlpools so common in its
lower course; the navigation does not appear difficult;

Ferguson's Bar being supplied with necessaries by boats from
Alexandria, which make the trip of Sixty miles in about two
days and a half. Between Alexandria and Fort George I hear
but of two impediments to Steamboat navigation which it
would be difficult to surmount, vizt two passes on Canons where the river narrows and rushes violently through precipitous rocks. The physical features on the Upper Fraser
that attract the attention of the

miner are three—

1st Its benches, bars and flats,

2nd Its earth-slides, and high banks displaying several
strata of wash gravel,

3rd The water in its vicinity that can be made available
for mining.

The first are very extensive, and some have been worked with
rockers; but rockers are really only an advanced kind of
prospecting apparatus, and stand in the same relation to
sluicing and the hydraulic

pipe as the Chilian Arastra does
to the California Quartz Mill; in both cases the deposit of
gold must be very large to yield remuneration to the employers
of so limited and primitive a method of obtaining it.

Respecting the second feature, the earth-slides and high banks
yield the "colour" to prospectors, and in many cases two or
three cents to the pan; were the hydraulic pipe brought to
bear upon them, ground that is now unemployed

would be highly
remunerative.

Respecting water, this great essential to
extensive mining operations, can be procured without much
difficulty, though not without labour and expense, for if
streams are less frequently met with descending from these
wooded hills than flow from the snow-topped mountains of the
Lower Fraser, yet the great number of Lakes situated within
accessible distances of either bank, would afford a supply
entirely independent of rain-fall or melting snow.

At present
the country is struggling against the high rate of provisions
and necessaries, the class of men that arrive in the spring
have but enough money to purchase a few weeks provisions,
they cannot afford to work for the future, but must make money
immediately or return, so that a thorough testing or development
of the auriferous resources of this particular section of
country, till very considerable reduction takes place in the
price of things, is not to be looked for.

I have conversed
with many men who have been prospecting from Alexandria to the
farthest point hitherto reached, and I find even amongst the
unsuccessful no disbelief in the richness of the mines but a
general impression to return next year, and try their luck
again. Amongst the geological phenomena of this portion of
Fraser River there is much to attract attention, more
particularly a dark brown substance which the people call
coal; on Ferguson's Bar

and the adjacent banks many detached
pieces lie scattered about, and I was informed by a person on
that Bar that he had used it for blacksmithing purposes and
found it to answer; some eight or nine miles above Alexandria
where the river, from a north and south course, makes an
almost rectangular bend to the East, a high bank displays a
complete stratum of this singular formation. I collected some
specimens of it, and found on examination

that its specific
gravity was much lighter than that of coal, that it did not
soil the fingers, and that the grain of the wood was distinctly
visible. I apprehend it to be lignite in a transition state,
but whether it could be utilized for commercial purposes I
am unable to judge. The banks of the river here are of
considerable altitude, and are composed of a kind of inundated
clay, called by the Miners, "soap-stone," they have been worn
by the action of the water into

cylindrical forms and assume
the appearance of buttresses and columns.

The trail between Alexandria and Ferguson's Bar passes through some exceedingly
rich open land consisting of heavy black loam with a subsoil
of clay apparently well adapted to the growth of wheat. The
land that Mr Davidson has pre-empted, has produced excellent
crops, a small patch of less than half an acre has returned
twenty bushels of wheat,

and the turnips and cabbages would
be considered fine in any country. Mr Davidson owns several
head of cattle, a yoke of oxen, waggons and other agricultural
implements. Finding his experiments so successful, he is
preparing to farm next year more extensively, and is anxious
to purchase land in addition to his pre-emption claim: several
white men and Indians are at present in his employ. A
substantial and commodious log-house has been built, and

farm
buildings are in process of erection. The price of vegetables
on the ground has ranged from twenty cents a lb. to twelve
and a half, onions excepted, which have never been sold for
less that fifty cents a lb. Several of the hills that enclose
the valley of Williams Lake are covered with pasture of the
finest description, and in the valley and on the slopes are
hundreds of acres of prairie that would repay the labor of
the agriculturalist.

The timber in these hills principally
consists of Douglas pine, Larch, Fir and Balsam; the larger
trees make useful lumber, free from knots. Since I have
resided in this District, the weather, during the early part
of September was unsettled, but from the middle of the month
'till the present time it has been exceedingly fine; sharp
at night, but the thermometer in my tent ranges between 60o
and 70o

during the middle of the day. I have been enabled
from the central position of this spot to transact a good deal
of business with miners and traders returning from the Upper Country.

The Indians around here seem well disposed: some
work well and readily, and are very intelligent, and would be,
I think, susceptible of the influences of civilization: others,
on the contrary, are extremely indolent, and neglect

providing
against the wants of tomorrow if supplied with food for today.
As there has been a dearth of Salmon this summer, I very much
fear they will suffer severely this winter: the greater
number talk of wintering on the Thompson River and at Cayoosh.

5. I have received intelligence from Hope and Yale up to
the 29th of November. The Gold Commissioners report

that
the weather had been so far most favorable for mining operations,
and that nearly all the miners in those Districts had built
comfortable houses where they intend to remain for the winter.

Some Miners from the Cariboeuf Country had lately arrived
at Hope with very fine specimens of lump gold worth from £1
to £8 a piece; their object being to remain at Hope until
the winter is over, when they propose

returning to their distant
mining claims.

6. The miners at Shimilkomeen were making fair wages varying
from 30 to 60 shillings a day to the man; and there was a
sufficient stock of food in that part of the country to last till spring.

7. In consequence of the number of new steam boats which
have been lately built here and commenced running on 

Fraser River,
the charge for freights from this place to Hope has fallen to
20s/- a ton, being a reduction of 300 per cent on the former
rates of transport.

The Reports from British Columbia contain nothing further
deserving of special notice.



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FILE: 1860-11-29_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60098.txt
================================================================================

No. 98

I have the honor to enclose herewith for your Grace's
approval, copy of a communication from the Treasurer of
British Columbia requesting that certain articles required
for the Assay Office may be procured by the Agents

General
for the Colonies and forwarded to this Colony by the first Ship.



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FILE: 1860-11-30_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60099.txt
================================================================================

No. 99, Military

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that the sum of
Six thousand Pounds (£6000) being the amount already due and that
will be required, for Military services up to the end of the present
year, I have

authorised the Treasurer to draw for the said sum
in the usual manner by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General,
and I have to request your Grace will be pleased to obtain the
necessary authority from the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury for the Bills presented on this account to be paid
when they

become due.



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FILE: 1860-12-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60101.txt
================================================================================

No. 101, Miscellaneous

With reference to Your Grace's despatch No 25 of the
18th May, forwarding a letter from Mr T.M. Magee relative
to some property left by one Bernard Rice who was shot at Yale,
British

Columbia in December 1858, I have now the honor to
transmit for your Grace's information copy of a Report I have
received from Mr Whannell late Justice of the Peace at Yale,
into whose charge the effects of the deceased were given.

2. Mr Whannell's explanation of the disposition

he made
of Rice's effects appears to me to be satisfactory, and I
am unable after diligent enquiry to furnish Your Grace with
information on this subject from any other quarter.



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FILE: 1860-12-04_Good_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B606G01.txt
================================================================================

Good to Under-Secretary of State

Allow me to state that I am a Missionary of the S.P.G. about to
proceed via Southampton at the beginning of the New Year for Service
in British Columbia.

I now, by the advice of my future Diocesan, beg to apply to you
for a Government Order on the ground of my being a Missionary in
consideration for wh: I believe I shall be expected to give my
services as a Chaplain or Clergyman whilst on Ship board.

I trust my application is made in the usual form tho I am
personally unacquainted with the exact official nature of such
solicitations.

In the hopes that such order will materially relieve the
necessary outlay incurred by the Society in sending out their
Missionary on such an expensive journey



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607063.txt
================================================================================

No. 63

I have to acquaint you that a claim has been received from the
Admiralty for repayment of the cost of the entertainment of the Bishop
of British Columbia and of his Chaplain in H.M's Gunboat "Forward" in
September last, amounting to £34-6/-.

This charge is one which should be defrayed from the Colonial
Revenues and in the absence of any funds in this Country belonging to
British Columbia, I have requested the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury to repay the Admiralty out of the Parliamentary Grant

for the
Colony. A diminution to the extent of £34-6 is thus occasioned in the
amount of the grant available for the general service of British
Columbia.



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FILE: 1860-12-05_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60050.txt
================================================================================

No. 50

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Graces Despatch
No 31 of the 28th August, acquainting me that the Lords
Commissoners of the Treasury will not object to the acceptance of
Bills for the expenditure in the Colony on Light House Service, to
the extent of £7751.16.10, but instructing me to limit the
expenditure, if possible, to that Amount.

2. I am happy to inform Your Grace that both Lighthouses are now
completed. The Light in the one on Fisgard Island has been exhibited
for the last fortnight, and has already proved of much utility. The
fitting of the Lantern on the Race Rock Tower is rapidly progressing,
and I trust that the Light will be displayed in about a week or ten
days.

3. Yesterday, accompanied by Captain Richards of the Plumper, I
inspected both the Lighthouses, and the condition in which I found
them, and the manner in which the work has been executed afforded me
unqualified gratification; for considering the many difficulties
against which we had to contend we at one time almost despaired of
carrying out the undertaking satisfactorily: in fact had it not been
for the valuable aid rendered by Admiral Baynes in furnishing a
working party for some months the Tower at the Race Rocks could not
have been completed for the really moderate amount it has cost. The
Contractor for that work much miscalculated it. Building in Stone
was an experiment in this Country, and, indeed, as is now apparent,
had his offer been £6000 instead of £4100, the sum would not have
been remunerative. As it was he broke down and could not carry out
his Contract. Consideration and calculation made it manifest that
the foreiture of his Sureties, and the continuance of the work either
under a fresh Contract, or by hired labor, would involve serious
delays, and a considerable increase in expenditure; we, therefore, as
the best expedient, decided to afford all reasonable assistance to
the Contractor to enable him to complete the work; and I am sure Your
Grace will be pleased to learn that it is one calculated to stand for
ages, and such as would reflect credit upon any Country. Indeed as I
viewed the massive Structure I could scarcely realize that, in a
young Colony like this, with chance labor, and with but the rude
appliances at hand, such a work could be produced. Part of the
Stone of which the Tower is built was hewn upon the spot, but from
its extreme hardness the quarrying was found to be ruinously
expensive, and the remainder had to be brought from a distance. The
Tower has a diameter of 19 feet at the base, and 12 feet at its
summit, with a thickness of solid stone wall 6 feet 3 inches at
bottom and 2 feet 3 inches at top; and an elevation of 118 feet above
the Sea Level.

4. Notwithstanding that we have been obliged to allow the Contractor
compensation for many unforeseen expenditures that he was called upon
to make, and for many unavoidable losses that he incurred, I am told
that he still will be a loser on the work by about a thousand pounds,
in fact being a man of but small means he is all but ruined. We have
drawn within a few pounds of the sum named in anticipation in my
despatch of June last, but it is found that when all accounts are
settled we shall still have to make a further expenditure of about
One Thousand pounds; and I trust, under the circumstances herein
narrated, that the Bills which I shall have to draw for that amount
may be duly accepted, for I can assure Your Grace that in addition to
the difficulties with which we have been beset, I have kept the most
watchful eye upon the whole proceedings, and have caused the most
rigid economy, consistent with efficiency, to be practiced on every
hand.

5. I enclose herewith Copy of Notice to Mariners of the exhibition
of the Fisgard Light; and, in conclusion, I trust Her Majesty's
Government, and Your Grace individually, will accept the cordial
thanks of the Colony for the generous assistance extended to us, by
means of which a signal benefit has been conferred not only upon this
Colony, but also upon that of British Columbia, and a national work
completed worthy [of] the great character of our Country.



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FILE: 1860-12-05_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO26.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you, to be laid
before His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Despatch from Her
Majesty's Minister at Washington inclosing Papers received from the
United States Government notifying the removal of General Harney from
the Command in Oregon.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-06_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60102.txt
================================================================================

No. 102

I have the honor to forward herewith to Your Grace copy of
a communication addressed to me by Mr Dallas, the Agent at
this place of the Hudsons Bay Company, upon the subject of the
affairs and position of the Company in connection with

the
Colony of British Columbia, and I also forward copy of my reply
to that communication.

2. I should not trouble Your Grace with this matter, not
exactly comprehending the precise practical object of Mr Dallas'
letter, did it not appear that he had forwarded a copy, and by
a Mail prior to my receipt of it, to the Directors of the
Hudson Bay Company for the purpose of being laid before Your
Grace. I therefore hasten by the earliest opportunity following
to place Your Grace in possession of

my reply.

3. From that reply, which contains but a plain recital of
facts, Your Grace will perceive that no just or sufficient
grounds exist for the complaints made by Mr Dallas, and that
so far from the Hudson's Bay Company having been treated with
injustice and disregard by this Government, they have on the
contrary been protected in an especial manner, and that
considerations have been afforded and allowances made them
which, I think, should merit a somewhat different acknowledgment

than that accorded by Mr Dallas.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-06_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607064.txt
================================================================================

No. 64

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches No. 78 of the
24th of August and No. 81 of the same date, the former containing your
comments on Captain Clarke's scheme for the disposal of land in British
Columbia, the latter transmitting a report from Mr Justice Begbie on
the same subject.

You inform me that the land regulations of British Columbia
including the provisions of the preemption Act of

1860 contain
substantially all the important suggestions in Captain Clarke's scheme.
The only material difference between the two being the acceptance in
British Columbia of deferred payments for lands sold and the
reservations to the Crown of Gold and Silver on lands sold to
individuals.

In respect to the first of these points, I believe that,
theoretically, the arguments in favor of prompt payment are conclusive,
on the other hand I can readily understand that from the peculiar
character of the population, and the great inducement for the employment
of capital, at present, in gold seeking rather than in the cultivation
of the Land, the system cannot be enforced practically in British
Columbia

without creating more inconvenience that it is designed to
prevent. Upon the whole, therefore, and looking moreover to the general
prevalence of deferred payments on the American Continent, I am willing
that for the present, the system which you consider essential to the
progress of the Colony should be continued.

With regard to the reservation of the Crown's right to the
precious metals in sales to private individuals, the reasons which you
give for deeming it desirable for public interests that the reservation
should be maintained, until the Country has been more completely
surveyed, appear to me to be satisfactory, and I accordingly approve
your decision

in this matter.

It remains therefore for me to convey to you Her Majesty's sanction,
which had been withheld pending the receipt of your report, of the
"Preemption Act of 1860," by which the foregoing regulations are
enacted. You will doubtless not have overlooked the amendments in the
Act which were suggested in my despatch No. 23 of the 7th of May,
and a further amendment (clause 7) will appear to have become necessary
in consequence of the reduction in the minimum price per acre of Crown
Land which has been effected during the course of this correspondence.

In conclusion I have to request that you will convey to Mr. Begbie
my thanks for the interesting report which he has supplied on these
subjects.



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FILE: 1860-12-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60051.txt
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No. 51

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Despatch No 32, of the
24th August forwarding for my report copy of a letter received from
the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in reply to my Despatches
dated respectively 16 February and 28 March 1860 upon the subject of
the claim put forth by the Hudsons Bay Co to the proceeds of the
sale of a portion of Government land.

2. I scarcely expected after the clear proof I exhibited in my
Despatch of the 28th March, not only of the right of the Colonial
Government to the land, but also of the original intention of the
Hudsons Bay Company with respect to such land, that the Company would
have further pressed a claim which at first I was inclined to believe
had only been preferred by the Directors through a misconception of
the actual facts of the case; but from the perusal of Mr Berens
letter I perceive that the Company although relinquishing one part of
their claim—viz the Buildings—do not seem disposed to resign the
other—the land.

3. The letter of Mr Berens is a fair narration of some of the
circumstances concurrent with the erection of the Buildings and the
appropriation of the land, and the facts stated are substantially
correct, but I do not see that he throws any fresh light upon the
claim the Fur Trade branch of the Company have made, or that he in
any way strengthens their position. On the contrary I think his
letter contains clear evidence that the Fur Trade have neither a
legal nor an equitable title to the land in question. Had the
Company adopted my proposition in the first instance, made as their
Agent, of
leasing to the Colony the Buildings required by the
Government, the matter might wear a different complexion; although
even then I am not sure that such an arrangement could have been
confirmed under the Charter of grant of the
whole Island to the company, which expressly restricted the sale
of lands to such as were
not required for public purposes—such public purposes I take
it to mean lands required for purposes in connection with the
Government of the Colony; but the company did
not approve of my suggeston and the cost of the buildings was in
consequence borne by the Colony, and the Land appropriated to them
was retained and
set apart as a Government reserve up to the period of its sale
under the authority of the Despatch to Governor Blanshard from the
Secretary of the Company dated 1st January 1851, which provides that
the Buildings required for Government purposes are to
"be near the Fort Victoria for convenience and protection"
and also that the
2
"lands which may be appropriated with the Buildings are to be
held by the Governor and Council as Trustees for the Colony."
These two points which I brought forward in my Despatch of the 28
March, to my mind conclusively settle the question, and the more so
as I notice that they are not touched upon by Mr Berens. To have
adopted the expedient alluded to by Mr Berens
*

of the Fur Trade retaining the Buildings, and other Buildings being
erected upon a different site not claimed by the Fur Trade, would
have been simply absurd; for that would have necessitated the removal
of the Government Buildings from the Settlement altogether, and would
have placed them in the then almost untrodden wilderness. But in the
quotation used by Mr BerensM from the letter of Sir J.H. Pelly, it
would appear that in
all cases
of Reserves of land if
any part was required for public purposes, it might be resumed
upon
repaying the price and any improvements that might have been
made upon it. For better information I enclose a copy of the whole
of that letter, which I should not have done from motives of delicacy
the word
"private" being marked upon it, but as Mr Berens has alluded to
it as an official document, which in point of fact it is—and as some
most material points can be gathered from it, I do not longer
hesitate to produce it. That letter, in my opinion, clearly
establishes the point that if
any portion of land
reserved for the Fur Trade, or Puget Sound Company,
were required for
public purposes, it might be resumed upon two conditions,
first, repayment of its
original cost, and secondly, compensation being made for any
improvements upon it; but in the case under discussion, no repayment
of the original price of the land was required, the Fur Trade having
paid nothing for it
then, (nor have they, I believe, up to this day, made any
payment for the 3084 Acres claimed by them), and no compensation was
necessary, no expenditure having been made in improvements.

4. A consideration of these circumstances I think fairly proves that
the Fur Trade can have no claim
whatever to the proceeds of the land when sold in 1859. It is
shewn that the land
was required for public purposes and was
taken possesion of by the Government
in 1851. It was
retained by the Government and
treated as a Government Reserve down to 1859, and the most that
the Fur Trade could ever be entitled to claim would be a
refund of the money paid by them for it prior to 1851, but
they have not even this claim inasmuch as they never paid for it at
all.

5. Your Grace will perceive that I have written upon the assumption
that the land around Fort Victoria
does belong to the Fur Trade branch of the Hudsons Bay Company,
and I have refrained from questioning the validity of their claim to
it at all. That question I notice is to be considered by the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and whether the claim be
allowed or not I conceive makes no difference in the position of this
Government. The entire case is I think stated in the 4h Paragraph of
this Despatch, and the points there enumerated seem to me to decide
the matter.

6. There is however one further point which is somewhat material.
Mr Berens mentions in the last paragraph but one of his letter that
the Fur Trade claim of 3084 Acres was entered in the land Register as
belonging to the Company. I have referred to the Register, and I
find therein a Memorandum signed by the Secretary of the Hudsons Bay
Company and dated 7 January 1859, containing a copy of a minute of resolution made on the 
26 September 1853 (nearly 3 years after the portion of land now claimed by the Fur Trade was
in possession of the Government) that the 3084 Acres should be
entered as belonging
to the Company. A Form of Title Deed was also filled in and
sent home, but it would seem never to have been executed.

7. Considering that some legal points were involved in the question,
I placed the whole of the papers before the Attorney General, and I
forward herewith his opinion for Your Graces information.

8. With reference to the information required in your Despatch as to
whether the produce of the sale of the Buildings has been carried to
the credit of the Colonial Government, I beg to state that as far as
I am aware that amount has not been so credited, although the cost of
all the Buildings erected upon the disputed land was charged to
the Colony.

**



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60103.txt
================================================================================

No. 103

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date,
of Your Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on
the other side hereof.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V60052.txt
================================================================================

No. 52

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt upon this date of Your
Grace's despatches of the numbers and dates noted on the other side
hereof.
*



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60104.txt
================================================================================

No. 104

I have the honor to forward herewith, Copies of the following
Acts for the Colony of British Columbia,

numbered 1 to 4, as under,

No. 1. Spuzzum Road Bonds Act 1860.

No 2. Shimilkomeen Road Bonds Act 1860.

No 3. Customs Amendment Act 1860.

No 4. Roads Tolls Act 1860.

The object of the two first Acts was to create British Columbia
Treasury Bonds, bearing interest at the rate of Six per cent per
annum for the purpose of defraying

a part of the cost of forming
the Spuzzum and Shimilkomeen Roads, not exceeding altogether the
sum of Ten Thousand Pounds (£10,000), which it was feared could not
be conveniently met by the ordinary revenue of the current year.
It was therefore provided that a portion of the Bonds only, should
be paid this year, and that the remainder of the sum should be
made

redeemable by annual payments, commencing with the 1st
day of January 1861, and ending on the 1st day of January 1863.

The Treasurer has ample funds in hand to meet the first payment
which falls due at the close of the present month, and there can
be no reasonable doubt of the ability of the Colony to meet the
succeeding payments as they respectively come due.

Notwithstanding my firm reliance on the increasing trade and
financial resources of the Colony, and that I advised Your Grace
of my intention in my Despatch marked "Separate" of the 6th
of July 1860, I feel that I have exceeded my proper powers and
authority in creating, without your previous sanction, a debt
of even a temporary nature.

I would however, in explanation remark that

it was only after
all other means of raising money for opening the great thoroughfares,
which are of indispensable use and necessity in promoting settlement
and developing the resources of the country, had signally failed,
that I resorted to that expedient.

In consideration of that fact and of the magnitude and
importance of the object proposed, I trust the measure will meet

with Your Grace's approval, especially as the "Roads Tolls Act"
numbered 4 in the Schedule, imposes a duty of one farthing a pound
on all goods carried inland from Douglas, Hope and Yale, for the
purpose of raising an additional revenue for the liquidation of
the Road Bonds, and for the improvement and formation of other
roads

in the Colony: a tax imposed with the approval of the
people, and which will be of signal advantage to the country at large.

The "Customs Amendment Act," numbered 3, imposes a fixed
rate on certain goods specified in the Act as a substitute for
the ad valorem duties previously levied on such goods when
imported into British Columbia, and aims only

at the improvement
of the Revenue and facilitating its collection.



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FILE: 1860-12-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60105.txt
================================================================================

No. 105, Military

I have the honor to acquaint Your Grace that a further
sum of Twelve hundred pounds (£1200) is required to make payments on
Military account up to the 31st December instant, and that
I have authorised

the Treasurer to procure that amount by Bills
on Her Majesty's Paymaster General, and I have to request Your
Grace will be pleased to obtain the necessary authority from
the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury for the Bills presented
on this account to be paid when they become due.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-12_Murray_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V605FO27.txt
================================================================================

Murray to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord John Russell to transmit to you a copy of a
letter from the Hawaiian Consul General in this country, inclosing
the commission of Mr Henry Rhodes, who has been appointed to act as
Consul for His Hawaiian Majesty in Vancouver's Island; and I am to
request that you will move the Duke of Newcastle to inform His
Lordship, whether His Grace sees any objection to the issue of Her
Majesty's Exequatur in favour of Mr Rhodes.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-12_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B607065.txt
================================================================================

No. 65

I have to request that you will convey to the Municipal Council of
New Westminster the thanks of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for
their loyal Address to him on the occasion of his visit to British North
America and that you will express to the Council the gratification with
which His Royal Highness has received this evidence of the loyalty and
attachment of the people of British Columbia to the Queen.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-13_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B605TE36.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your Letter of the 5th Instant, I am
commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to transfer to the credit of Naval Services the
sum of £34.6.0 for the entertainment on board HM's Gun Boat
"Forward" of the Lord Bishop of Columbia & of his Chaplain
in September last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B60106.txt
================================================================================

No. 106, Military

The sum of Five hundred and fifty pounds (£550) being required for
Regimental Pay up to the 31st December instant I have the
honor to acquaint Your Grace that I have authorised the Treasurer
to

procure that amount by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General,
and I have to request Your Grace will be pleased to obtain the
necessary authority from the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury
for the Bills presented on this account to be paid when they
become due.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-18_Berens_to_Newcastle_V605MI13.txt
================================================================================

Berens to Newcastle

I have the honour to transmit a Copy of a letter which I have
addressed to the Right Honble the Secretary of State for Foreign
affairs on the subject of the establishment which the Hudson's Bay
Company possess on the Island of San Juan, in the Straits of Arro.

Your Grace is no doubt aware that the establishment in question was
formed by this Company, not with a view to advantage or profit to
themselves, but at the instigation of Her Majesty's Government, and
for the purpose of securing the Island of San Juan to the Crown, by
the formation of a permanent establishment thereon belonging to
British subjects.

It is unnecessary that I should on this occasion trouble your Grace
by entering, in detail, into a history of the formation of this
establishment, as the circumstances have on several occasions been
communicated to Her Majesty's Government, but as I learn on
application at the Foreign Office that the question is one which
ought to be referred to the Colonial Department, I venture
respectfully to request your Grace to inform me what Her Majesty's
Government consider that the Hudson's Bay Company ought to do. Are
they to continue to hold the Island for the benefit of, and at the
expense of Her Majesty's Government, or are the Government disposed
to see the Island abandoned by the only British subjects established
there?

Your Grace will permit me to add that it is of great importance that
a decision should be come to on the subject with the least possible
delay as, in common with my fellow Directors, I feel that in justice
to the Hudson's Bay Company, we cannot continue to maintain the
establishment if our doing so is to be at the expense of the
Proprietors of the Company.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-19_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B606C05.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to enclose a Certificate showing that
Colonel R.C. Moody, Royal Engineers, HM's Chief Commissioner
of Lands and Works, British Columbia was alive on 1st October
last, and we request that the usual authority may be issued to the
Paymaster General to pay the salary of that officer to 30 Sept: 1860.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-21_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V605FO28.txt
================================================================================

Memo, Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Mr Hammond presents his compliments to Mr Merivale and, with
reference to the Letter from the Colonial Office of the 14th Instant
is directed by Lord John Russell to state, for the information of the
Duke of Newcastle that the Queen's Exequatur empowering Mr Henry
Rhodes to act as Hawaiian Consul at the Port of Fort Victoria has this day
received Her Majesty's Signature.

The Notification of Her Majesty's Approval of Mr Rhodes' Appointment
will appear in the "Gazette" of the 25th Instant.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607043.txt
================================================================================

No. 43

With reference to your despatch No. 24 of the 7th of May relative
to the proceedings of General Harney at San Juan, I have to inform you
that Her Majesty's Minister at Washington has reported that General Harney has been removed from the command of the United States forces in Oregon.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860-12-28_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V607044.txt
================================================================================

No. 44

Mr Henry Rhodes having been appointed Hawaiian Consul at
Vancouver Island, and Her Majesty's Government having been apprized
(by a letter from your Colonial Secretary to Mr Rhodes) that you see
no objection to this appointment, I have the honor to acquaint you that
the Queen's Exequatur empowering Mr Rhodes to act in the above capacity has received Her Majesty's signature.

The notification of Her Majesty's approval of this appointment
appears in the Gazette of the 25th instant.



================================================================================
FILE: 1860_Pemberton_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V606P01.txt
================================================================================

Memo, Pemberton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In regard to having the maps of Fort Victoria Town and Victoria
District engraved J.D. Pemberton takes the liberty of mentioning to
Mr Merivale.

That the expense of Surveying, Mapping and keeping the Books in
connexion with them has been considerable, and as this was done by
Colonial means, the writer stated the amount which the Hudson's Bay
Company should pay the Colony on the score, at £1500 which claim is
also in abeyance and compared with which the cost of engraving is but
a small item.

The Governor lays claim on the part of the Colony to some small but
very valuable portions of the Town Reserve, which ought to be clearly
marked on the Maps.

The Writer stated to Mr Merivale the amount received by him, for
Sales of portions of the Town Reserve at £30,000 in round numbers.
Other sales of portions of the same were made by the Company's
Officers, amounting to, in round numbers £6,000.

About one third in area of the Town Reserve is sold.

