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.