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FILE: 1857-01-02_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577001.txt
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No. 1

I have to inform you that the Queen has appointed Captain Prevost,
of Her Majesty's Ship "Satellite", and Captain Richards of Her Majesty's
Ship "Plumper" to be Her Majesty's First and Second Commissioners for
marking out a portion of the boundary between the British Possessions in
North America and the United States, under the 1st Article of the Treaty
of Washington of June 15th, 1846, namely, the maritime position of
that boundary between VanCouver's Island and the Mainland and that those
Officers will proceed forthwith to VanCouver's Island where Captain Prevost will be able to ascertain where the Commissioners of the United
States are to be met with; and I have to request you that you will
afford them every facility in your power towards the execution of their
duties.



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Confidential

With reference to my desp. of this day's date announcing the appointment of Captians Prevost & Richards to mark out a portion of the boundary line between GB & the United States, I transmit to you (confidentially & for your own information only) copy of the letter & accompanying paper of instructions addressed to those gentlemen by order of Lord Clarendon.



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FILE: 1857-01-07_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577002.txt
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No. 2

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 25 of the
20th of October enclosing a copy of a letter from the Commander of
the United States Steamer "Massachusetts" requesting your assistance in
arresting certain Natives who had murdered an American Citizen, and I
have to approve the course which you adopted on this occasion.



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No. 1

1. There is nothing of much importance respecting the Colony to
communicate.

2. Peace and plenty reign throughout the settlements. Trade is
rather dull, yet there is no 
want of employment for the labouring
classes in the Colony.

3. The native Indian Tribes are quiet and friendly in their
deportment and intercourse with the settlers. In fact not a single
complaint has been made against any Indian of this Colony, for the last
two months.

4. The cold weather set in with the beginning of the year, and the
ground is now covered with snow to the depth of between 6 and 10 inches,
on the sea coast, and much over that depth in the interior of the
Island.

5. The live stock on the snow covered pastures 
are suffering from
the weather, but I am informed that the greater part of the domestic
cattle are comfortably housed and well supplied with fodder. No loss of
cattle from the severity of the weather is therefore anticipated.

Trusting that the Colony may continue in a prosperous state.



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No. 2

1. My last report of the 31st of October, on the proceedings of
the House of Assembly closed with its adjournment to the 13th day of
November, when it again met and remained in session till 
the 18th of
December, it then adjourned for the Christmas recess.

2. The House has been so far chiefly occupied with matters of
detail, connected with the expenditure, and financial condition of the
Colony. I furnished every means of information in my power connected
with those subjects, as you will observe through my correspondence with
the House, which is herewith forwarded.

3. A Bill granting the sum of 130 Sterling, for paying the
Servants, and defraying the ordinary expenses of the House was passed on
the 18th day of December, and the same will be brought before 
the
Council at an early day.

4. I am now preparing a Bill for imposing a Customs duty on
Imports, as a means of meeting the ordinary expenses of Government; but
the subject must be approached with caution, as there is a very general
feeling in both Council and Assembly against taxation under any form,
and I am prepared to encounter much clamour and opposition in carrying
so unpopular a measure through the Houses.



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FILE: 1857-01-15_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577003.txt
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No. 3

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 24 of the
20th of October and to express my thanks for the interesting account
which you give of the Indian Population in Vancouvers Island.



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FILE: 1857-01-16_Banister_to_Labouchere_V576B01.txt
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Banister to Labouchere

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter I have
received from Vancouver's Island by the last Mail referring to the
matter brought under your consideration last year at the instance of the
Colonists of that Colony. This communication acknowledges the receipt
of a letter from me of the 10th of July 1856 referred to in the Copy
of my letter to them of the 8th of November last a copy of which I
beg also to transmit to you.



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FILE: 1857-01-24_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577004.txt
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No. 4

I have to acknowledge your Despatch No 30 of the 31st October
last reporting the proceedings of the House of Assembly of Vancouvers Island.



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No. 5

I have to acknowledge your Despatch No 28 of the 29th
October 1856 relative to the discovery of Gold in the Upper Columbia
River District.



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FILE: 1857-02-23_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57003.txt
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No. 3

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the dates noted in the Margin
*
with their enclosures.



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No. 4

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch
No 20, of the 13th of November last.

2. I trust I may be permitted to make a few explanatory
observations, in reference to the remarks in 
your Despatch on the
subject of the expedition to Cowegin, with the view of more clearly
showing, than was done in my report of the expedition, that the measure
of sending an armed Force against the Cowegin Indians was only resorted
to, on the failure of all other means of bringing the criminal to
justice, and vindicating the authority of the Law.

3. I may add without fear of contradiction that never was a signal
example more urgently demanded for the maintenance of our prestige with
the Indian Tribes than on that occasion. Elated with the recent
successes of the Oregon Tribes over the United 
States Troops, the natives of this Colony were also becoming insolent and restive, and
there exist the clearest proofs derived from the confession of his own
friends, to show that the Native who shot Williams, felt assured of
escaping with impunity. He, in fact told his friends that they had
nothing to fear from the enmity of the whites, as they would not venture
to attack a powerful tribe, occupying a country strong in its natural
defences, and so distant from the coast.

4. His friends were disposed to entertain the same opinion. Our
demands for the surrender of the criminal were answered by a rush to
arms, and a tumultuous assemblage of the Tribe in warlike array. From
thence arose the necessity of employing an armed force to support the
requisitions of the Law, and the danger to be guarded against, in our
efforts to apprehend the criminal, was a collision with the whole Tribe.
To avert that calamity, if possible, I had recourse, essentially, to the
same principles of action, as in the case of the successful expeditions
against the Cowegin and Nanaimo Tribes, reported in my Despatch of the
21st of January 1853, to Secretary Sir John S. Packington
[Pakington], that is, by striving to impress on the minds of the
Natives, that the terrors of the law would be let loose on the guilty
only, and not 
on the Tribe at large, provided they took no part in
resisting the Queens authority nor in protecting the criminal from
justice.

5. And further I took the field in person with the expeditionary
force, directed all their movements, and adopted every other precaution,
dictated by experience, to avert disaster and ensure success.

6. The disastrous warfare with the Natives of New Zealand, and
more recently in the British Settlements on the coast of Africa, where
the apprehension of a criminal led to much expense and the loss of many
valuable lives; and in our own neighbourhood the conflicts with the
Natives in American Oregon, and the fruitless 
expedition of Her
Majesty's Ships "Daedalus" and "Daphne" undertaken by my Predecessor
Governor Blanshard against the native Tribes of Vancouvers Island,
evince the difficulties and dangers of that service.

7. I may further assure Her Majestys Government that I was not
influenced by the love of military display in assuming the great
responsibility involved in directing the Cowegin Expedition; but solely
by a profound sense of public duty, and a conviction, founded on
experience, that it is only by resorting to prompt and decisive measures
of punishment, in all cases of aggression, that life and property can be
protected and the Native Tribes of this Colony 
kept in a proper state of
subordination.

8. I have further much satisfaction in reporting that the result
of the expedition has produced a most salutary effect on the minds of
the Natives.



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No. 5

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
Nos 18 and 19, of the 21st of October and the 10th of November
last.

2. It is very gratifying to learn that the speech with which I
opened the Legislature on the 12th of August, has received your
approval.

3. The House of Assembly not having met, for regular business, since my
report of the 9th of January, there is nothing of importance to add,
to the information then communicated, respecting its proceedings.

4. The Council was convened on the 14th day of the present
month, for the consideration of an Act passed by the House of Assembly,
on the 18th day of December, granting the sum of 130 Sterling,
chargeable to the Duties on Licenced Houses, to be applied in the manner
stated in the several clauses of the act, as it appears in the Minutes
of Council forwarded herewith. This Act with some few verbal
alterations passed the Council 
on that day, and will be transmitted
after receiving the final approval of the House of Assembly.

5. The consideration of the Rules and Regulations of the Supreme
Court, for the Administration of Justice in Civil cases, as submitted by
Chief Justice Cameron, with a communication of which I herewith forward
a copy, was taken up on the 14th and finally passed the Council
without alteration on the 17th of February.

6. A copy of those Rules will also be transmitted for Her
Majesty's final approbation or disallowance as soon as transcribed and
carefully revised, and by that time the official seal of the court, for
which I took the liberty of sending a 
requisition with my Despatch No 18
of the 14th of August last, will probably have arrived in this
country,
*
and will be attached to the document as directed by Her Majesty's order
in Council.

7. A copy of the proclamation of the Rules and Regulations of the
Supreme Court, published on the 18th of this month of February, is also forwarded with this Despatch.

8. Hoping that those proceedings may meet with your approval.



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No. 6

I have to acknowledge your despatch No. 2 of the 9th January
reporting the proceedings of the House of Assembly of Vancouvers Island
from the 13th of November to the 18th December 1856.



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No. 7

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 1 of the
9th January reporting on the welfare of the Colony of Vancouvers Island.



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FILE: 1857-04-02_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575FO01.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before the Earl of Clarendon your Letter of the 26th
Ultimo, inclosing a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island, reporting what passed at an Interview which he had with
Lieutenant Flemming of the United States Army, on the subject of the
surrender of some American Soldiers, who had deserted from the
detachment under his command; and I am to request that you will state to
Mr Secretary Labouchere that
Lord Clarendon concurs with him in his
approval of the conduct of Governor Douglas in declining to allow these
men to be arrested on British Territory.



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FILE: 1857-04-02_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575FO02.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before the Earl of Clarendon your Letter of the 26th
Ultimo, inclosing a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island, reporting the arrival in Puget's Sound of the officer commanding
the United States' Naval Forces, for the purpose of landing Eighty-Seven
Indian Prisoners, and I am to request that you will state to Mr
Secretary Labouchere that Lord Clarendon concurs in his opinion that the
proceedings of Governor Douglas 
on the occasion in question should be
approved.



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No. 6

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches,
of the dates noted in the margin
*
with their Enclosures.



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No. 7

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 21,
of the 13th of December last, informing that a Box, containing an
official seal for the Supreme Court of Vancouver's Island, with a hand
press, and also a seal for the Custom's Department of the Island 
had
been forwarded through the Admiralty, and that the cost of these
articles amounts to eleven pounds, sixteen shillings ( 11.16.0), and
directing me to remit that sum to the Chief Clerk of your office.

I now, therefore, herewith, transmit an order for the sum of eleven
pounds sixteen shillings, on the Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company,
under cover to the Chief Clerk of your office in payment of that
account.

We shall give particular attention to the written directions as
to the manner of using the Seal of the Supreme Court.



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No. 8

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 31 of the
26th of November reporting the arrival of the officer commanding the
United States' Naval Forces in Puget's Sound, for the purpose of landing eighty seven Indian Prisoners, and I have to approve the course you
adopted on this occasion by declining to allow these men to be landed in
the Colony.



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No. 9

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 32, of the
5th of December reporting the result of an interview with Lieutenant
Fleming of the United States Army on the subject of the surrender of
some American Soldiers who had deserted from the detachment under his
command, and I have to convey to you my approval of your conduct in
declining to allow these men to be arrested on British Territory.



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FILE: 1857-04-16_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57008.txt
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No. 8

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 1,
of the 2nd of January, informing me that the Queen has appointed
Captain Prevost of Her Majesty's Ship "Satellite," and Captain Richards of Her Majesty's Ship "Plumper", to be Her Majesty's First and second 
Commissioners for marking out the position of the boundary, between
Vancouver's Island, and the Territories of the United States: and that
those officers were to proceed forthwith to Vancouver's Island; and
further requesting that every facility in my power should be afforded
them, towards the execution of their duties.

I have in reply to assure Her Majesty's Government, that I will not
fail to carry out their instructions in that behalf, by affording every
assistance in my power to Her Majesty's Commissioners.



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No. 9

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
Nos 2 and 3 of the 7th and 15th of January last, and observe with
much satisfaction that you approve of the course which I adopted in
respect to the application from the Commander of the United States
Steamer "Massachusetts," for assistance in arresting the Indians who had murdered an American Citizen.

2. I feel no less gratified and highly appreciate the Kind notice,
bestowed upon the account which I transmitted, of the Indian population
of Vancouver's Island.
.mar*
In 11582.



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No. 10

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the
2nd of January last, marked "Confidential," transmitting for my information, Copy of the letter and accompanying paper of instructions,
addressed to Captains Prevost and Richards 
on their appointment as Her
Majesty's Commissioners, to mark out a portion of the boundary line,
between the territories of Great Britain and the United States.



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FILE: 1857-04-20_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57011.txt
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No. 11

1. I herewith transmit for your information, copies of a
correspondence with Commander Swartwout, commanding the United States
Steamer "Massachusetts" on the subject of a reported assemblage of
Northern Indians, on Vancouver's Island or in its 
immediate vicinity,
preparatory to a combined hostile movement into the American Territory,
a report which he observes has given rise to much excitement and caused
great alarm among the inhabitants of Washington Territory.

2. Not being aware that the northern Indians entertain the designs
imputed to them by such reports, and having recently received
intelligence from those parts of Vancouver's Island which in the event
of a meditated attack upon the American Settlements, the Northern
Indians would probably select, as a rendezvous I feel 
assured that no
such muster of Indians has taken place.

3. I stated my opinion, to that effect, in replying to Captain
Swartwout's communication and also the arrival of a large party of
Northern Indians at this place.

4. I however refrained from giving a decided opinion as to their
future conduct or intentions, though I do not think that they meditate
evil against the whites, yet being the creatures of impulse, no sort of
confidence can be reposed in them.

5. Many other gangs of those savages to the number in all of 60
large canoes, have since arrived here: a number sufficiently 
alarming,
considering their character, and the weak state of the settlements.
They however continue quiet and submissive to all the police
regulations, which we have thought it proper to establish.



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FILE: 1857-04-23_Williams_to_Secretary_of_State_V576W01.txt
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Williams to Secretary of State

There are several families in this Section of Canada, and I presume
in other Sections also, who are desirous of emigrating but who do not
wish to live under the American flag. Their thoughts have been turned
to Vancouver Island and the adjoining 
British Coast. If upon more
minute enquiry they are Satisfied with the climate and natural
advantages of the island, it is their intention to proceed forthwith
across the American Continent to the Pacific. Before taking a step
attended with so much expense and hardship they are anxious to learn
the intentions of the Home government with 
respect to the granting of
land—whether free grants will be given & what encouragement for the
erection of mills, making of roads and such other necessary and expensive
works, the burthen of which, falls so heavily on the first Settlers of a
new colony. I need not say that the parties who propose going, are of
the right stamp for pioneers. They can also 
master a sufficiency of
Capital; and the different trades and professions will be fully
represented.



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No. 12

1. I herewith transmit for your information copies of a
correspondence with His Excellency Isaac I. Stevens Governor of
Washington Territory [Marginal note: Nos 1 & 5], on the subject of an
apprehended hostile movement of the Northern Indians against the United
States Settlements in Puget's Sound.

2. The alarm which has spread very generally among the inhabitants
of those settlements has, it appears, been increased by certain
incautious statements made by Mr Griffin the gentleman in command of
the Hudson's Bay Company's settlement on the Island of San Juan, in a
letter addressed by him to Mr Frost [Marginal note: No 4, 4th
April], Collector of the Customs for the United States at Port Townsend
of which a copy is forwarded; a letter which induced Mr Olney, to
abandon his Post at San Juan.

3. Mr Olney was stationed at San Juan by the United States
Authorities, as sub-Collector, with the view, I presume, of tacitly
maintaining the claim of the United States, to that portion of Her
Majesty's Territories; but, at the same time, without pretending to levy
duties, or otherwise exercise any official power or authority, in the
disputed Territory.

4. Governor Stevens in his letter appeals to me for information
relative to the statements of Mr Griffin, and respecting the reported
hostility of the Northern Tribes. On those subjects I have told the
simple truth, that Mr Griffin had made no communication to me on the
subject of those statements; but I supposed that he had acted from
motives of humanity, in advising Mr Olney's retirement, from the Island of San Juan.

5. The presence of the vast 
number of Northern Indians, who have
lately swarmed into this Colony, has justly alarmed the people of our
own settlements; but there is no present remedy for the evil; except the
measures to which I have resorted, for maintaining quiet and order.

6. I have stated in my reply to Governor Stevens [Marginal note:
No 5 1t May], that the Northern Indians, do not evince any
unfriendliness of disposition, and I have promised to communicate with
him, should any thing hereafter appear to the contrary.

7. I trust that the assurance so conveyed in my letter, may serve
to allay the fears of the inhabitants of Washington Territory, and to
inspire them with greater confidence in their own power and resources.

8. The other day a Requisition for aid was made upon me, by the
inhabitants of "Soake," (Vancouver's Island), in consequence of the
great concourse of Northern Indians at that place. I responded to the
call without delay, and returned from thence yesterday in the Hudson's
Bay Company's Steamer "Otter", which I made use of for the occasion.

The Indians who caused the alarm have been dispersed, and
confidence restored to the people of that Settlement. I advised them to
conceal their fears, and to assume on all occasions, a bold countenance
with Indian visitors, in order to impress their rude minds with a
feeling of respect, for the power and resources of Government.



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FILE: 1857-05-06_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577010.txt
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No. 10

I have received and perused with satisfaction your Despatch No
4 of the 24th of February explaining more fully the grounds on which
you considered it necessary to send an armed force against the Cowegin
Indians.



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FILE: 1857-06-12_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57013.txt
================================================================================

No. 13

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular letter
of the 13th of February last requesting me to report on the following
points.

1st Whether Aliens arriving in Vancouver's Island are by Law or
usage required to exhibit Passports, or any Kind of Certificate of their
identity.

And 2ndly If so, whether the signatures of the British Ministers
or Consuls residing in the Countries 
of which those aliens are subjects
are considered necessary for the due authentication of their Passports.

I beg to observe in reply to those enquiries that there is no Law
in this Colony, which requires Aliens to exhibit Passports or
Certificates of identity, neither is it customary for Aliens to do so on
their arrival, and that consequently the signatures of the British
Ministers or Consuls, residing abroad are not necessary for the
authentication of Passports.



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FILE: 1857-06-12_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57014.txt
================================================================================

No. 14

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the numbers and dates noted in the margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-06-13_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57015.txt
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No. 15

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the numbers and dates noted in the Margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-06-13_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57016.txt
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No. 16

1. Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 5th of May
last, there have been great excitements among the motley assemblage of
Indians collected in the settlements of this Colony. They have
committed outrages each on the other, yet in the midst of their own
feuds and dissensions they have uniformly respected the property and
persons of all white settlers.

2. The cause of those excitements, was a treacherous attack made
during the night of the 28th of May, on a party of Northern Indians,
who were in the employ of a white settler at Esquimalt, three of whom
were dangerously wounded at the first fire; after which the assassins
are supposed to have fled under cover of the darkness, and have not been
since discovered.

3. The dead body of another unfortunate Northern Indian, who had
been stabbed to the heart, on the same night, was found the following
morning near this place; and two days afterwards another Indian was
treacherously shot on the high road to Metchosen.

4. About the same date the Northern Indians attacked 
a small
Clallum village near Race Point, and with savage ferocity, utterly destroyed every living thing in its vicinity. A gang of the same
Indians also made a successful inroad and destroyed a Clallum village in
Washington Territory, and both those parties have since fled from the
Colony; pleading a long array of unsatisfied wrongs in extenuation of
their conduct.

5. Those outrages happening unexpectedly, in a time of profound
quiet, and succeeding each other with almost the rapidity of thought,
baffled all our means of prevention; but we have now I think, succeeded
in restoring peace and putting a stop to the progress of crime within
the 
limits of the settlements.

6. I should have resorted to more energetic measures to punish the
perpetrators of those outrages, had there been any Kind of effective
force at my disposal; but as we maintain a constabulary force of only
two men, I was reluctantly compelled to trust entirely to the moral
influence of Government, which, on that occasion, fortunately proved an
effective protection to the settlements.

7. Those savages were no doubt smarting under a sense of injury,
and had really no wish to offend against the Laws of the Colony; I am
therefore disposed to make every allowance for their ignorance and
impulsive natures, but it is nevertheless important to 
impress strongly
on their minds, that the settlements are sacred ground, governed by wise
and useful Laws, and must not be stained with innocent blood, nor made
the arena of their fierce revenge.

In all other respects the Colony has enjoyed a State of undisturbed
tranquility, and there is, I am glad to say, a decided revival in trade.



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FILE: 1857-06-17_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57017.txt
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No. 17

I have the honor to announce to you, the arrival in the Port of Esquimalt, of Her Majesty's Steam Corvette "Satellite," under the
command of Captain Prevost, Her Majesty's Commissioner for the
settlement of part of the boundary Line between Vancouver's Island and
Washington Territory.

The Commissioners for 
the settlement of that question appointed by
the United States have not arrived here, and Captain Prevost therefore
proposes to visit Olympia the capital of Washington Territory with the
"Satellite," to procure information from the authorities respecting the
movements of the United States Commissioners, and the probable time of
their arrival here. He has expressed a wish that I should accompany him
to Olympia, as he thinks the public service may be thereby promoted, I
should not hesitate in that case to accompany him.

I have the honor to acknowledge your note of the 6th of November
last, accompanying the Imperial Acts relating to the County Courts, 

and
Archibald's Practice of the County Courts which were received by the
"Satellite," and also a case containing the Official Seal for the
Supreme Court, and Customs Department of Vancouver's Island, and your
Despatches of the dates noted in the margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-06-19_Smith_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575MI01.txt
================================================================================

Smith to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Deputy Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th Instant, and to
inform you that the packet sent therewith to the address of Governor Douglas will be forwarded to Vancouver's Island by the Company's first
vessel, to leave early in August, no earlier opportunity offering
itself.



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FILE: 1857-06-25_Le_Marchant_to_None_V575PA01.txt
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Resolution, House of Commons

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, that
She will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid
before this House, Copies or Extracts of any Despatches that have been
received by Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the
subject of the establishment of a Representative Assembly at Vancouver's
Island.

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to Her Majesty by such
Members of this House as are of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy
Council.



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FILE: 1857-06-26_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57018.txt
================================================================================

No. 18

I have the honor to acknowledge your Despatches of the Numbers
and dates noted in the Margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-06-29_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57019.txt
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No. 19

1. I have the honor to make known for your information the arrival
in Port Victoria, on the 22nd Instant, of the United States Paddle
Steamer "Active," with the Boundary Commissioner Archibald Campbell Esquire and suite on board.

2. Mr Campbell has since been introduced to Her Majesty's
Commissioner Captain Prevost, RN; and their first business meeting, took
place on the 27th of Instant, with satisfaction to both of those
Gentlemen. They are pleased with each other, and disposed to negotiate
in a spirit of mutual kindness and accommodation.

3. The meeting of the 27th resulted in an agreement to
establish, in the first place, before entering upon any other business,
the initial points in the Gulf of Georgia, and at the spot where the
49th parallel of Latitude meets the sea coast, between Point Roberts
and Birch Bay.

4. In the mean time it is the intention of the Commissioners to
proceed to Olympia with the "Satellite" and "Active" in company on an
official visit to the Governor of Washington Territory.

5. Captain Prevost having expressed a wish that I should accompany
him to Olympia, and having an impression that the public service may be
thereby promoted, I do not feel at liberty, in consequence of your
instructions of the 2nd of January last, to refuse his request, and I will therefore give him a draft on you for the expense of my passage to
that place.

6. The United States Commissioner is provided with a large and
efficient staff of scientific officers and a military escort consisting
of a full company of the 9th Regiment of Infantry.

7. His instructions direct him to trace out and mark upon the
ground the line of boundary from the sea coast to the Rocky Mountains.
I believe that the instructions of Her Majesty's Commissioner relate
only to the settlement of that part of the boundary line which is in
dispute.

8. It is highly important to all parties engaged in the business
of this country, that the boundary line, as contemplated by the United
States  
Government should be marked on the ground as far as the Rocky
Mountains, without delay, as uncertainty in regard to the sovereignty of
desirable business localities, will retard the course of improvement,
and may also lead to serious contests for possession of such places,
especially in the gold districts, between Her Majesty's Subjects and the
citizens of the United States.

9. Her Majesty's Government may therefore consider it expedient
and proper to co-operate in that work, with the Government of the United
States, and it is for that reason that I take the liberty of 
bringing
the circumstance under your notice.



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FILE: 1857-06-30_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57020.txt
================================================================================

No. 20

1. I have the honor of transmitting herewith, copies of my
correspondence with the House of Assembly, from the 7th of April, to
the 8th of June last.

2. Those papers contain nothing of much importance respecting the
Colony. The House has uniformly opposed the imposition of taxes, under
any form.

2 [3]. An Act to enfranchise the Town of Victoria" was read a third
time, and passed the Assembly on the 1st of the present month, and
will be brought before the Council, at an early day.



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FILE: 1857-07-01_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577011.txt
================================================================================

No. 11

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 7 of the
8 of April last transmitting an Order for £11.6.0 under cover to the
Chief Clerk in my Office in payment of the cost of a handpress and seals
for the Supreme Court and Customs Department in Vancouvers Island.



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FILE: 1857-07-02_Shepherd_to_Labouchere_V575MI02.txt
================================================================================

Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honour to enclose for your information Copy of a letter
just received from Governor Douglas, dated Victoria, Vancouver's Island,
4th May 1857, together with Copy of a Report by Mr Joseph
Pemberton, Colonial Surveyor, referred to therein, on the subject of
Sales of Land in Vancouvers Island, by which you will see that the
modification in the terms of payment for land, made under your sanction,
appears to have given a stimulus to the demand for Lots of land for
agricultural purposes in Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1857-07-08_Hammond_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575FO03.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of the 22nd of January last, I am
directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, to be laid before
Mr Secretary Labouchere, copies of a Despatch and of its inclosures
from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington relative to the repayment of a
sum of money advanced by the Governor of VanCouvers Island to the
Governor of Washington for 
the prosecution of hostilities against the Indians.



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FILE: 1857-07-14_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57021.txt
================================================================================

No. 21

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches
of the numbers and dates noted in the margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-07-14_Osborne_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575AD01.txt
================================================================================

Osborne to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your
letter of the 10th Instant, with its enclosures from the Governor of
Vancouver's Island relative to the hostile movements of the Northern Indians, and conveying the request of Mr Secretary Labouchere to be
informed what Naval Force is stationed in the vicinity of the Island and
at what point stationed; I am commanded by their 
Lordships to acquaint
you that the Satellite has probably reached Vancouvers Island by this
time and that another Vessel is on her way there, but my Lords cannot
possibly say in what part of Vancouvers Island the Satellite may be.



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FILE: 1857-07-15_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57022.txt
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No. 22

1. I have the honor of communicating for your information the
substance of advices which I have lately received from the interior of
the Continent north of the 49th Parallel of latitude, corroborating
the former accounts from that quarter, respecting the auriferous
character of certain Districts of the country on the right bank of the
Columbia River, and of the extensive table land which divides it from
Fraser's River.

2. There is however as yet a degree of uncertainty respecting the
productiveness of those gold fields, for reports vary so much on that
point, some parties representing the deposits as exceedingly rich, while
others are of opinion, that they will not repay the labor and outlay of
working, that I feel it would be premature for me to give a decided
opinion on the subject.

3. It is however certain that Gold has been found in many places
by washing the soil of the River beds, and also 
of the mountain sides;
but on the other hand the quantities hitherto collected are
inconsiderable and do not lend much support to the opinion entertained
of the richness of those deposits, so that the question as to their
ultimate value remains thus undetermined, and will probably not be
decided until more extensive re-searches are made.

4. A new element of difficulty in exploring the gold country has
been interposed through the opposition of the native Indian Tribes of
Thompson's River, who have lately taken the high handed, though probably not unwise course, of expelling all the parties of gold diggers,
composed chiefly of 
persons from the American Territories, who had
forced an entrance into their country. They have also openly expressed
a determination to resist all attempts at working gold in any of the
streams flowing into Thompson's River; both from a desire to monopolize
the precious metal, for their own benefit, and from a well founded
impression that the shoals of salmon which annually ascend those rivers,
and furnish the principal food of the inhabitants will be driven off,
and prevented from making their annual migrations from the sea.

5. The officers in command of the Hudson's Bay Company's Posts 
in that quarter have received orders carefully to respect the feelings of
the Natives in that matter, and not to employ any of the Company's
Servants, in washing out gold without their full approbation and
consent.

There is therefore nothing to apprehend on the part of the Hudson's
Bay Company's servants, but there is much reason to fear that serious
affrays may take place between the natives and the motley adventurers,
who will be attracted by the reputed wealth of the country, from the
United States possessions in Oregon, and may probably attempt to
overpower the opposition of the natives by force of arms, and thus
endanger the peace of the country.

6. I beg to submit, if 
in that case, it may not become a question
whether the Natives are entitled to the protection of Her Majesty's
Government; and if an officer invested with the requisite authority
should not, without delay, be appointed for that purpose.



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FILE: 1857-07-16_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577012.txt
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No. 12

With reference to your despatch No. 29 of 31 October, I have
to communicate to you, for your information the annexed copy of a letter
from the Foreign Office relative to the repayment of a sum of money
advanced by you to Governor Stevens for the prosecution of hostilities
against the Indians.



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FILE: 1857-07-16_Shepherd_to_Labouchere_V575MI03.txt
================================================================================

Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Merivale's
letter of the 10th Instant, addressed to the Deputy Governor,
transmitting, by your direction, copy of a Despatch from the Governor of
Vancouver's Island, dated Victoria, 20th April 1857, with its
enclosures; and I beg to convey the thanks of the Committee of the
Hudsons's Bay Company for this communication.



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FILE: 1857-07-20_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57023.txt
================================================================================

No. 23

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular
Despatch of the 20th of April last marked confidential.

2. After referring to the objects for which Public Seals are
entrusted to the Governors of the Colonial Possessions of the Crown, and
the uses to which they are to be applied, and moreover pointing out an
irregularity lately discovered in the use of the Public Seal of a
particular Colony. You proceed to caution me in respect to the improper
use of the public seal of this Colony and enquire whether any seal is or
has been used in Vancouvers Island distinct from the public Seal for
authenticating Local Laws, public Instruments and Documents, and whether
any measures are required to guard against the consequences of past
irregularities, if such have been committed.

3. I have the honor in reply to inform you that the Public Seal of
this Colony, and 
no other has been invariably used for authenticating
public documents and therefore no measures are required to guard against
the consequences of past irregularities.



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FILE: 1857-07-20_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57024.txt
================================================================================

No. 24

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the Numbers and dates noted in the margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-07-28_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57025.txt
================================================================================

No. 25

1. I have the honor of forwarding herewith copy of a
communication, accompanying the Rules of Practice for the "Supreme and
Inferior or Summary Courts of Civil Justice of Vancouver's Island,"
which I have this day received from Chief Justice Cameron, and now
transmit for 
Her Majesty's final approval or disallowance.

2. The Rules of the Supreme Court passed the Council without
amendment, on the 17th day of February last, as stated in my Despatch
of the 24th of that month; but the Rules of the Inferior or Summary
Court, having been only this day completed, have not been yet laid
before the Council, and are nevertheless forwarded for the reason that
there is a safe and free conveyance today by the Hudson's Bay Company's
Steamer "Otter" to San Francisco, which will greatly lessen the postage
charge on this packet, and there is moreover no reason to suppose that
the Council will consider it necessary to alter or amend them.

3. I take this opportunity of requesting you to inform me, of the
amount of salary or emolument which Mr Cameron is annually to receive
from Her Majesty's Government, for his services as Chief Justice, and to
direct how I am to draw for payment of the same.

4. May I trust that Her Majesty's Government will take that matter
into their early and favorable consideration, as Mr Cameron is
clearly a zealous and most useful public servant, and having no private
fortune of his own, he naturally looks to his profession for the support
of himself and family.



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FILE: 1857-07-29_Shepherd_to_Labouchere_V575MI04.txt
================================================================================

Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Merivale's
letter of yesterday's date, informing me, by your direction, that Her
Majesty's Ship "Satellite" has probably reached Vancouver's Island, and
that another vessel is on her way there; and I beg to convey the thanks
of the Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company for this communication.



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FILE: 1857-08-10_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57026.txt
================================================================================

No. 26

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the numbers and dates, noted in the margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-08-10_Smith_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575MI05.txt
================================================================================

Memo, Smith to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Mr W.G. Smith begs to acknowledge the receipt of Mr
Merivale's letter of the 8th Inst., with the accompanying Bag to the
address of the Governor of Vancouver's Island, and to acquaint him that
the bag will be forwarded to Governor Douglas by the Hudson's Bay
Company's ship "Princess Royal," to sail early in September.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-08-13_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57027.txt
================================================================================

No. 27

With reference to the letter No 19, which I had the honor of
addressing you on the 29th day of June last, I informed you, that,
for reasons therein mentioned, it was my intention to accompany Captain Prevost in Her Majesty's Ship "Satellite," on an official visit to the
Governor of Washington 
Territory, and that I would give him a draft upon
you for the expense of my passage to that place.

2. I have now to inform you, that after arrangements were made for
my departure, I was at the last moment prevented by urgent and
unexpected business; from carrying that intention into effect, and that
as little expense was incurred, I have not drawn upon you for the
passage.



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FILE: 1857-08-13_Shepherd_to_Labouchere_V575MI06.txt
================================================================================

Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honor to enclose for your information copy of a letter
just received from Governor Douglas, dated Victoria, Vancouver's Island
4th June 1857, which will, I trust be satisfactory to you.

By a letter received from Mr Pemberton, Colonial Surveyor, it
appears that land near Victoria continues to be in demand, and that the
amount of money received on account of land sales within the half year
ending 30th June 1857 will be about 1500 Sterling.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-09-02_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577013.txt
================================================================================

No. 13

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 16 of the
13 June reporting certain outrages and disturbances among the Indians in the Settlement of Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1857-09-09_Lawford_to_Colonial_Office_V576L01.txt
================================================================================

Lawford to Colonial Office

I am desirous of going to Vancouvers Island. I am an active man of
50 married & have nine children 1 Son & 4 daughters are above 16 years
old. We are all well suited to make good settlers. I have always been
a promoter of education & improvements amongst the labouring classes, am
thorough Master 
of the most improved modern agriculture, erection of
Farm buildings, Road making Bridge building &c. Will you be so very
kind as to inform me whether Government will afford any facilities to
persons to enable them to reach the island. I have no doubt that enough
could be found here to passenger a Ship from 
Quebec.



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FILE: 1857-09-17_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57028.txt
================================================================================

No. 28

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches
of the numbers and dates noted in the margin.
*



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-10-05_Rogers_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575LW01.txt
================================================================================

Rogers to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your Letter of the 19th ultimo, directing
me to report my opinion on certain Rules of Court framed by the Chief
Justice of Vancouvers Island.

2. The Order in Council of April 4 1856 established a Supreme
Court in that Colony declaring 
that Juries should consist of persons so
qualified and in such number as the Court by rule might direct (the
verdict however being unanimous) and authorizing the Court generally to
make rules respecting the time and manner of holding the Court—the
manner of proceeding—the examination of witnesses out of the
jurisdiction on de bene esse—the proceedings of ministerial

officers—execution—the summoning &c of Jurors—the admission of
Barristers and 
Solicitors—the payment of fees—the granting of
probate—the duties and control of Executors—Administrators—Guardians
and Committees and other things "necessary for the proper conduct and
despatch of business"—these rules were to be framed "as far as the
circumstances of the Colony might permit . . . with reference to the
corresponding rules and forms in Her Majesty's Supreme Courts of Law and
Equity at Westminster"—and after being approved by the Governor in
Council were to be transmitted 
to Her Majesty in Council through
the Secretary of State for her final approbation or disallowance. They
are to take effect three months after publication in the Colony.

3. The Governor now transmits two codes of rules (1) those for the
Supreme Court acting in the exercise of its ordinary Jurisdiction—and
(2) those for the same Court acting as an Inferior or Summary Court of
Justice.

4. The rules of the Supreme Court are evidently drawn "with
reference" to the practice of the English Courts as much so (at the
least) I do not doubt as the circumstances of the Colony admit. But
they will require as it appears to me one or two slight amendments.

5. The rules 108 and 109 authorize the substitution of an
affirmation for an oath and declare that a false affirmation shall be
punishable as perjury. These provisions appear to me not mere matters
of procedure but alterations of the Law of evidence and of the Criminal
Law which, 
therefore, should have been provided for by an Act of the
Legislature and not a rule of Court. Till this objection is removed I
do not think that the body of rules now forwarded can properly receive
the sanction of Her Majesty in Council. And when this amendment is made
the opportunity might be taken for removing two other defects in them.

6. The provisions respecting appeals to Her Majesty in Council
(sections 119-125) are a mere transcript of similar provisions in the
Order in Council except that in Rule 122 line 5 
the words "for
prosecuting the appeal and" are omitted I suppose by a clerical error.
They are therefore unobjectionable. But the right of Her Majesty to
vary these rules should I think be expressly saved.

7. The provisions respecting the summoning of Juries (sections
57-58) appear very imperfect. The Sheriff is to summon "a sufficient
number" of "Jurors" and "special Jurors" for each Session of the Court,
but no qualification is prescribed for either class. I can only
conjecture that all adult males of European 
origin are to be summoned in
turn for common Juries and that the Sheriff is to select a certain
number to act as Special Jurors. But whatever the intended rule is, it
should be laid down and should embrace some means of excluding persons
who were notoriously unfit to act. The distinction itself between
special and common Juries seems at first sight to be inapplicable to so
small a population.

8. The rules for the Inferior Court are open to a more fundamental
objection.

9. It is of course found 
that a mode of procedure modelled in that
of Her Majesty's "Superior Courts of Law and Equity at Westminster" is
too cumbrous for trifling cases which require prompt decision. And, to
meet this practical difficulty, the Chief Justice has declared, by Rule
of Court, that the County Courts Act (9 and 10 Vic cap 95) shall be
adopted by the Supreme Court of VanCouvers Island as the rule of its
procedure on occasion of certain monthly sittings, and that the Court
when acting under this Act shall be called "The Inferior or Summary
Court of 
Civil Justice". The Chief Justice then promulgates as the
rules of the Inferior Court (mutatis mutandis) the rules framed by
proper authority for the procedure of the County Courts in England.

10. It appears to me that in this course of proceeding the
Chief Justice—though doubtless with the best intentions has
entirely exceeded his authority. The Supreme Court has
authority over
Inferior Courts, but it is not itself such a Court (as is shewn
by the provision that its rules are to be analogous to those 
of the
Superior Courts of Law at Westminster) in the preceding lines, so left
it out nor has it the power to constitute an Inferior Court of Law. I
should incline, therefore, to think that the broad application of the
County Court Rules to its proceedings is inconsistent with the terms on
which it has received the power of making Rules.

11. But on looking at the Imperial Act 9 and 10 Vic cap 95 I can
have no doubt that the adoption of "so much of that Act as is suitable
to the circumstances 
of the Colony" is quite beyond the power of a Court of Justice.

12. The Act provides interalia that Miners may sue for
wages (section 64)—that parties to a suit may be examined (section
73)—that certain property and none other shall be protected from
execution (section 96)—and that a Landlord shall have certain rights
against goods taken in execution (section 107). It regulates the power
of committal for contempt (section 113)—imposes penalties on Officers
(sections 116-117)—and provides for their protection (section 139).
All these things are subjects of Legislation not modes of procedure to
be determined by a Rule of Court, and I can hardly doubt that a closer
scrutiny of the Act would elicit further reasons against its adoption by
a mere rule of Court.

13. Observing how very much of the Act is either plainly
inapplicable to the circumstances of the Colony or (what is worse)
capable of a kind of perverse application to those circumstances, I
think it would be much better that the Legislature (within whose
province it falls) should either constitute by a distinct enactment an
Inferior Court of Justice to be presided over by the Chief Justice under
rules and conditions explicitly laid down by them or him or (if it is
thought best to adapt the English Law subject to the usual and somewhat
perplexing qualification) should expressly specify those sections of the
Imperial Act which it is intended to apply (of course as far as
circumstances admit) to the Inferior Court of Justice of Van Couvers
Island. The power of making rules would of course be vested in 
the
Chief Justice subject to the approval of the Legislature or of the
Governor in Council.

14. When this is done (as it may be under the act 12 & 13 Vict cap
48) there will be no further reason why the Chief Justice should not
adapt to the Inferior Court of Van Couvers Island the Rules framed for
the English County Courts.



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FILE: 1857-10-09_Barwise_to_Labouchere_V576B02.txt
================================================================================

Barwise to Labouchere

Early in the year 1852 Messrs Gray and Esterby [Easterby],
British Merchants of San Francisco, sent their Schooner, Susan
Sturge[s], Captain Roony [Rooney], on a trading voyage into the North
Pacific, and amongst other places visited on this occasion, was the
group of Queen Charlotte's Islands (which were found to consist of
three) and on the Southern of which Captain Roony discovered in a bluff
of Green Stone formation (now called Una Point,) specks of gold of
various sizes, from the head of a pin to that of a barley-corn.

On the return of the vessel to San Francisco, samples of the matrix
were examined by several geologists who had not seen the same formation
obtained from any part of the Pacific currying gold, previously.

On my return to England at the close of that year, I brought home a
box of samples, and had the honor of presenting Sir Roderick Murchison
with some of them, and in the following year an application was made to
The Right Honourable the Earl of Lincoln,
*
for permission from Her Majesty's Government to work the minerals in the
locality described, and his Lordship most kindly had fully acceded to
our wishes; but the Hudson's Bay Company, step'd in at the moment when
the authority was ready to be handed to us; with the plea that it would
be an interferance with their Charter, as they claimed the Queen
Charlotte's group, as belonging to, and a dependency of, Vancouver's
[Island].

His Lordship, was kind enough to express his regret at the
circumstance, after the trouble and expence we had incured, and
suggested that as the Company's Charter, would shortly expire; he would
recommend, should we think it worth our while at that time, to renew our
application, he 
had no doubt it would be at once attended to.

Being the only party in England interested in the matter I beg most
respectfully to renew the application for liberty to work the Mines and
Minerals on the group of Queen Charlotte's Islands, laying North of
Vancouver's Island in the North Pacific Ocean, but more particularly
those marked on the map enclosed at Una Point.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-10-13_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57030.txt
================================================================================

No. 30

1. I have much satisfaction in communicating for your information
that this Colony continues in a state of profound tranquility; that the
Native Indian Tribes are quiet and well disposed; that the harvest has
been housed in good condition, and though the grain crops are not so
heavy as in the year 1856, that there is nevertheless an abundant stock
of food in the settlement for the consumption of the year.

2. In connection with the state of this Colony I beg to enclose
herewith copy of a correspondence with the Governor of Washington
Territory, relative to outrages committed on citizens of the United
States, by the native Indian Tribes of the north west coast in and north
of the British Possessions, and my reply thereto.

3. You will observe that I did not for obvious reasons entertain
Acting Governor Mason's application for assistance.

4. It is a matter of difficulty to arrest a murderer in his own
country and without careful management the attempt is almost 
certain to
involve the assailants in hostilities with the Tribe at large, and the
consequences will necessarily become very serious.

5. The Indians who murdered Mr Ebey are reported to be natives
of the Russian American Territory and are consequently not within the
jurisdiction of the Law Courts of this Colony.

6. I have therefore recommended to the Executive of Washington
Territory that a well equipped force should be despatched without delay,
for the purpose of discovering the retreat and effecting the arrest of
the murderers; and that in the case of the expeditionary force, being
opposed, that they should make reprisals on the property and persons of
the Tribe at large.

7. Indian outrages should 
in all cases be promptly and severely punished, otherwise neither life nor property will be secure, and the
country will become intolerable as a residence for white settlers.

8. I was lately favored with a short visit from Governor McMullen,
who proposed that the forces of the two Governments should be united for
the purpose of undertaking a joint expedition against the northern
Indians, but I was necessarily obliged to decline his proposal.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-10-28_Smith_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V575MI07.txt
================================================================================

Smith to Under-Secretary of State

By direction of the Governor and Committee of the Hudsons Bay
Company I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr
Fortescue's letter of the 21st Instant, transmitting an Extract of a
Despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island in reference to the
Salary to be received by the Chief Justice, Mr Cameron, for his
services in that Settlement.

The Governor and Committee instruct me to state, in reply to the
observations of Mr Secretary Labouchere, that they were not aware of
Governor Douglas's intention to make the application in question, having
received no advice from him upon the subject, and that they will
communicate 
with him in reference thereto by an early opportunity.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-10-28_Smith_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V575MI08.txt
================================================================================

Smith to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay
Company to transmit, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere,
the accompanying Extract from a letter recently received from the
Governor of Vancouver's Island, communicating the fact of an attack
having been made by some Northern (British) Indians on the house of
Colonel Ebey (late United States Collector of Customs) on Whidby's
Island, Washington Territory, which resulted in the murder of that
gentleman.

In communicating the above circumstance the Governor and Committee
desire me to express their regret that this unfortunate occurrence
should have taken place, as it appears likely to disturb the peace which
has hitherto prevailed on the Northern side of the Boundary line.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-11-04_Rayne_to_Colonial_Office_V576R01.txt
================================================================================

Rayne to Colonial Office

Being desirous to emigrate to Vancouver's Island, I take the
liberty of troubling you, to enquire what authorities should be applied
to for information as to the terms on which land may be
obtained in that Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-11-06_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577014.txt
================================================================================

No. 14

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 25 of the
28th July in which you request instructions as to the amount and
payment of the salary to be assigned to Mr Cameron, the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Vancouver's Island.

I have referred this question to the Hudson's Bay Company, with whom
alone the decision rests, and they have apprized me that it is their
intention to communicate with you on the subject by an early opportunity.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-11-09_Smith_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V575MI09.txt
================================================================================

Smith to Under-Secretary of State

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
7th instant, requesting that a Bag of Books for the Governor of
Vancouver's Island sent therewith, may be forwarded to its destination
by the first vessel which the Hudson's Bay Company may despatch to that
Island.

The Governor and Committee direct me to inform you that they will
be happy to take charge of the bag, but they think it necessary to state
that it is not likely that the Company will despatch any vessel to
Vancouver's Island before the summer of 1858.



================================================================================
FILE: 1857-11-10_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57031.txt
================================================================================

No. 31

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the numbers and dates noted in the margin,

*

with their enclosures.



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FILE: 1857-11-10_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57032.txt
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No. 32

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 9th Instant,
of your Circular Despatch of the 1st of July last, directing that a
Return be transmitted of the name of every Bank trading in this Colony,
specifying the nature of the liability of the Shareholders, and other
particulars relative to such Banks, as set forth in the Resolution of
the House of Commons dated the 26th of June last.

I beg in reply to inform you 
that no Banks have been established,
or are now doing business within the Colony of Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1857-11-19_Labouchere_to_Douglas_V577014A.txt
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Confidential

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 23 of the
20th of July last, in answer to which I need only now observe that the
Public Seal appointed by the Queen for the Colony of Vancouver's Island
should be reserved for authenticating all Laws, Public Instruments and
other documents of Importance and should not be applied indiscriminately
to all documents of every description. Those which partake of the
character of Acts of Office, such as certificates of birth, life,
marriage or burial, minor appointments made by you in pursuance of
special authority vested in you and alterations in signatures and should
be authenticated under the Governor's Seal of Arms.



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FILE: 1857-12-03_Gordon_to_Secretary_of_State_V576G01.txt
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Gordon to Secretary of State

As I am anxious to proceed to Vancouver's Island as a settler I
would feel much obliged if you could furnish me with the requisite
information regarding the price of Land, in that Colony, and if it can
be bought or rented from the Government or the Hudson's Bay Company.



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FILE: 1857-12-07_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57033.txt
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No. 33

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No
12 of the 16th of July last, transmitting copy of a letter from the
Foreign Office, relative to the repayment of the sum of money advanced
by me to Governor Stevens for the prosecution of hostilities against the
Indians of Washington Territory.

2. I feel greatly obliged for the trouble you have so kindly taken
in pressing the United States Government for the immediate re-payment of
that loan, though I observe with regret that the money has not been as
yet repaid, and by Lord Napier's correspondence, it further appears that
Governor Stevens had not, up to the date of Mr Drinkard's letter
reported the transaction to the War Department.

3. That omission may have arisen from accident or oversight on his
part; but in a matter of so much importance, involving the honor of the
Government represented there ought to have been no omission, so
seriously compromising my interests, as I had certainly a right to
expect both the early repayment of the 
loan made, and the thanks of the
Government whose distress had been so seasonably relieved.

4. I transmit herewith a copy of my correspondence with Governor Stevens on the subject of that loan, which will make known the
distressing circumstances as respresented in the letter of Governor Stevens and his Agents, under which I was induced to make that advance
when no other aid could be obtained.

5. Governor Stevens having been removed from Office, has left this
country or I should have addressed him on this occasion.

6. I again appeal to your aid and protection in that matter which
I leave entirely in your hands.



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FILE: 1857-12-16_Smith_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V575MI10.txt
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Smith to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay
Company to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Merivale's letter of the
14th Instant with the accompanying copy of a letter from Mr Adam
Gordon in reference to the price of land in Vancouver's Island, and I am
to state in reply that the requisite information will be duly furnished
to that Gentleman.



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FILE: 1857-12-18_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57034.txt
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No. [34]

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches
of the numbers and dates noted in the margin.
*



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FILE: 1857-12-22_Dawson_to_Labouchere_V576D01.txt
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Dawson to Labouchere

Having been informed that it is the intention of Government to form
a Colonial establishment in Vancouver's Island, I beg to be allowed to
present myself to your notice as an applicant for any ministerial or
judicial appointment that it may be the intention of Government to
establish there & that may be vacant.

I am a member of the 
English bar of many years standing—and have
also acted for many years as a magistrate for the counties of Berkshire
and the West & East Ridings of Yorkshire & am a deputy lieutenant of the
latter Riding.

Family considerations & circumstances connected with that distant
locality have induced in me a wish to reside & probably finally settle
there. If you should incline to the opinion that there is 
any ground
for entertaining my application, I could proceed immediately to lay
before you testimonials of my fitness from lawyers & brother magistrates
who have known me & with whom I have been in the habit of acting for
many years up to the present time.

As an apology for the seeming indelicacy of thus intruding on you
my own pretentions, I can only urge my impression 
that in the case of so
comparatively little known & remote a settlement, it is not likely that
many persons duly qualified for such an appointment & at the same time
willing to accept it, would be known to you unless they took the liberty
of introducing themselves.



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FILE: 1857-12-24_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_to_Douglas_V577014B.txt
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Merivale to Douglas

In the absence of Mr Labouchere from town, I beg to inform you
that the letter from the War Department respecting the despatch of the
party exploring the line 49° between the British and American
possessions was written from unavoidable circumstances too late for
communication to the Colonial office in the ordinary manner. But I am
to request on the part of Mr Labouchere that you will regard it as
addressed to you with his concurrence.



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FILE: 1857-12-24_Shepherd_to_Labouchere_V575MI11.txt
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Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honour to enclose for your information Extract of a
letter lately received from Governor Douglas, dated Victoria,
Vancouver's Island October 7th 1857 on the subject of the change in
the terms of payment for Land in that Colony, as sanctioned by Her
Majesty's Government, which appears to be working satisfactorily.



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FILE: 1857-12-28_Shepherd_to_Labouchere_V575MI12.txt
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Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honour to Enclose for your information copy of a
correspondence between Governor Douglas and the Acting Governor of
Washington Territory United States on the subject of the murder of Colonel Ebey by some Northern Indians.

There appears to be some doubt whether this murder was committed by
Indians inhabiting Her Majesty's Territories, or those belonging to
Russia, [Marginal note: The Governor stated this. VJ] but I may remark
that a copy of Mr Elliots letter of the 9th November was
immediately forwarded to Mr Douglas, and the Governor & Committee
then expressed their deep regret at this unfortunate occurrence, and
directed Mr Douglas's particular attention to the wish of Her Majesty's Government that he should use every effort to discover and punish the offenders.



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FILE: 1857-12-29_Douglas_to_Labouchere_V57035.txt
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No. 35

1. Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 15th of July
last, concerning the Gold fields in the interior of the continent north
of the 49th parallel of latitude, which for the sake of brevity, I
will hereafter speak of as the "Couteau Mines," (so named after the
Tribe of Indians who inhabit the country), I have received further
intelligence from my correspondents in that quarter.

2. It appears from their reports that the auriferous character of
the country is becoming daily more developed through the exertions of
the native Indian Tribes who having tasted the sweets of gold finding,
are devoting much of their time and attention to that pursuit.

3. They are however at present almost destitute of tools for
moving the soil, and of washing implements for separating the gold from
the earthy matrix and have therefore to pick it out with Knives or to
use their fingers for that purpose; a circumstance which in some measure
accounts 
for the small product of gold up to the present time, the
export being only about 300 ounces since the 6th of last October.

4th The same circumstance will also serve to reconcile the
opinion now generally entertained of the richness of the gold deposits
by the few experienced Miners, who have seen the "Couteau" country with
the present paucity of production.

5. The reputed wealth of the "Couteau Mines" is causing much
excitement among the population of the United States Territories of
Washington and Oregon, and I have no doubt that a great number of people
from those Territories will be attracted thither with the return of the
fine weather in spring.

6. In that case difficulties between the natives and whites will
be of frequent occurrence and unless some measures of prevention are
taken the country will soon become the scene of lawless mis-rule.

7. In my letter of the 15th of July, I took the liberty of suggesting the appointment of an Officer invested with authority to
protect the natives from violence and generally as far as possible to
maintain the peace of the country.

8. Presuming that you will approve of that suggestion I have as a
preparatory step, towards the proposed measures for the preservation of
peace and order this day, issued a proclamation declaring the rights of
the crown in respect to gold found in its 
natural place of deposit
within the limits of Fraser's River and Thompson's River Districts,
within which are situated the "Couteau Mines," and forbidding all
persons to dig or disturb the soil in search of Gold until authorized on
that behalf by Her Majesty's Colonial Government.

9. I herewith forward a copy of that proclamation, and also of the
regulations since published setting forth the terms on which Licenses
will be issued to legalize the search for gold on payment of a fee of
ten shillings a month payable in advance. [Marginal note: Enclosures 1
& 2]

10. When Mining becomes a remunerative employment and there is
proof of the extent and productiveness of the gold deposits I would
propose that the License fee be gradually increased, in such a manner
however as not to be higher than the persons engaged in mining can
readily pay.

11. As it is particularly desirable to place a legal check on the
movements of American citizens and to prevent them from entering the
British Territory either for Mining or other purposes, I propose having
the Proclamation and the License regulations now issued, published in
the Oregon and Washington Territory weekly Journals, so that the laws
regulating and legalizing the search for gold may be generally known,
and that American citizens may not have the excuse of ignorance to plead
in extenuation of breaches of the law.

12. My authority for issuing that Proclamation, seeing that it
refers to certain Districts of Continental America, which are not
strictly speaking within the Jurisdiction of this Government may perhaps
be called in question, but I trust that the motives which have
influenced me on this occasion, and the fact of my being invested with
the authority, over the premises, of the Hudson's Bay Company; and the
only authority commissioned by Her Majesty within reach, will plead my
excuse. Moreover should Her Majesty's Government not deem it advisable
to enforce the rights of the Crown as set forth in the Proclamation, it
may be allowed to fall to the ground, and to become a mere dead letter.

13. If you think it expedient that I should visit the "Couteau
Mines," in course of the coming spring or summer, for the purpose of
enquiring into the state of the country, and authorize me to do so, if I
can for a time conveniently leave this Colony, I freely place my
services at the disposal of Her Majesty's Government.



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FILE: 1857-12-30_Hawes_to_Merivale_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V575WA01.txt
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Hawes to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Lord Panmure desires me to acquaint you, that, in compliance with
the request of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, arrangements
are being made for despatching a party, under the orders of an officer
of Royal Engineers, to North America to be employed in laying out the
boundary between the territories of Great Britain and the United States.

This party will leave England on the 1st February next and will rendezvous at Vancouvers Island and, as it is most important that the
Governor of that Island should be advised by the earliest opportunity of
the expected arrival of this party in order that he may make such
arrangements as he may consider necessary, Lord Panmure has caused a
letter to be addressed to Governor Douglas, of which I am to enclose a
copy for
the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere.

