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Lorsqus le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un aaui clichA, 11 eat f limA A partir de I'angie eupArieur gauche, de geuche A droite, et de haut en baa, an prenant le nombre d'imegea nAcasseire. Las diagremmea suivanta illustrent la mAthode. 1 ^ tL 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 I ■di«ii JtAlTHirUni', ."ja^flAa' so 4D ) HANDBOOK TO THE NEW GOLD FIELDS: FULL ACCOUNT OP THE RICHNESS AND EXTENT OF THE ERASER AND THOMPSON RIVER GOLD MINES, Wli'H A GEOGRAPHICAL ANI^ PHYSlOAl ACCOUNT OF THi;. COUNTRY AND ITS INI* \Br'''ANTS, ROUTES, c EDH'EU Bf • ROBERT M^'bALLANTYNF, » « » AUTHOR OF HUDSON'S BAY ; OR, EVERYDAY MFE IN THE WILDS OF NORTH AMERICA.' EDINBURGH : ALEX. STRAHAN, 42 GEORGE STREET. LONDON : HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. 1858. LI! il 11 -f — '?.'> (^ ^". :^^^ "ISKa^ ilctyyt^ 17, 33 ^ r» >. PBIKTRD BY BALLANTYNF. AND COMPANY, TAVI-'S WOUK, >IKDURGH. iIktroduot Richness a Climate, P Routes, &c Desoriptioi Native Tri **>».. \ jrApPEKUIX Corres Fra: Cbart< Comps Call < CONTENTS. PAUB Introduction 1 CHAPTER I. Richness and Extent of the Gold Fields .... 11 CHAPTER II. Climate, Productions, and Soil 27 CHAPTER III. Routes, &c ^5 CHAPTER IV. Description of Coasts, Harbours, &c. .... 56 '' CHAPTER V. Native Tribes 76 I jfAppKHUix : — Correspondence relative to the Discovery of Gold in the Fraser River District, in British North America . 91 Charter incorporating the Hudson's Bay Company . 106 Comparison between Price of Labour in Australia and California, or British Columbia .... 107 / > o -^ ;l 1 i' IV CONTENTS. Treaty made between the United States and Qreat Britain in regard to the Liraits westward of the Booky Mountains, Jane 15, 1846 .... Form of Licence granted to Diggers .... Proclamation issued by Goremor Douglas . . (General Sufferance for the Navigation of Fraser Biver Advantages possessed by British Columbia over Aus- tralia as a Field for Emigration .... Prices of Provisions, Ike., at the Gold Fields Table of Distances from Victoria (Vancouver's Island), to the lower portion of the Mines .... The Bill for the Government of the North American Colonies PAGE 107 109 109 110 110 111 118 113 \teaX the • 107 • 109 • 109 Uver 110 AUB- • 110 • 111 HANDBOOX TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. INTRODUCTION. The problem of colonisation in the north-western por- tion of British America is fast working itself out. The same destiny which pushed forward Anglo-Saxon energy and intelligence into the rich plains of Mexico, and which has peopled Australia, is now turning the current of emi- gration to another of the '* waste-places of the earth.** The discovery of extensive gold fields in the extreme west of the territories now occupied by the Hudson's Bay Company, is a great fact. It no longer comes to us as the report of interested adventurers, or the exaggera- tion of a few sanguine diggers, but with well-authen< ticated results — large quantities of gold received at San Francisco, and a consequent rush of all nations from the gold regions of California, as well as from the United States and Canada. The thirst for Gold is, as it always has been, the most attractive, the strongest, the most unappeasable of appetites— the impulse that builds up, or pulls down empires, and floods the wilderness with a sudden population. In those wild regions of the Far West men are pouring in one vast, gold-searching tide of 1^ ;i i HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. f*^ thousands and tens of thousands, into the comparativd!^, unknown territory beyond the P.ocky Mountains, for which our Legislature has just manufactured a govern- ment. How strange is the comparison instituted by the Times between the rush to Fraser River and the mediaeval crusades, which carried so large a portion of the population of Europe to die on the burning plains of Palestine! At Clermont Ferrand, Peter the Hermit has concluded his discourse; cries are heard in eveiy quarter, ^*It is the will of Qod! It is the will of Qod !" Every one assumes the cross, and the crowd disperses to prepare for conquering under the walls of the earthly, a sure passage to the heavenly, Jerusalem. What elevation of motive, what faith, what enthusiasm ! C!ompare with this the picture presented by San Francisco Harbour. A steamer calculated to carry 600 persons, is laden with 1600. There is hardly standing room on the deck. It is almost impossible to clear a passage from one part of the vessel to the other. The passengers «re not knights and barons, but tradesmen, '* jobbers," tenants, and workmen of all the known varieties. Their object is of the earth, earthy — ^wealth in its rawest and rudest form — gold, the one thing for which they bear to live, or dare to die. Although in the comparison the crusades may have the superiority in many points, yet so little have ideal, romantic, and sentimental considerations to do with the current of human afiEairs, that while the crusades remain a monument of abortive and objectless folly, fatal to those who embarked in them, and leaving INTBODUOnON. 9 as their chief result a tinge of Asiatic ferocity on European barbarism, the exodus of San Francisco, notwithstanding the material end it has in view, is sure to work out the progress of happiness and civilisation, and add another to the many conquests over nature, which the present age has witnessed. In a year more than ordinarily productive of remark- able events, one of the most noteworthy, and that which is likely to leave a lasting impression on the world, is this discovery of gold on the coasts of the Pacific. The im- portance of the new region as a centre for new ramifica- tions of English relations with the rest of the world cannot well be exaggerated either in a political or a commercial point of view. It will be the first really important point we shall have ever commanded on that side of the Pacific Ocean, and it cannot but be of inestimable value in de- veloping our relations with America, Ohina^ Japan, and t Eastern Bussiab This new discovery must also tend to make the western lore of the American continent increasingly attractive. horn. Eraser's Aiver down to Peru the rivers all bear iown treasures of a wealth perfectly inestimable. Emi- ition must necessarily continue to flow and increase. )ld digging is soon learned, and there will be an im- lense demand for every kind of labour at almost fabulous prices. It is further valuable as tending to open up a direct )mmunication from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from iiurope across the continent of America to India and $ HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOSADO. China. This is a grand idea, and the colonial minister who carries it out will accomplish a greater thing than any of his predecessors, for he will open up the means of carrying English civilisation to the whole of that vast continent, and to the eastern world. The pioneers in this movement will conquer the terri- tory not with arms in their hands, but with the gold- rocker, the plough, the loom, and the anvil, the steam-boat, the railway, and the telegraph. Commerce and agricul- ture, disenthralled by the influences of free institutions, will cause the new empire to spring into life, full armed, like Minerva from the brain of Jupiter. Its Pacific ports will be thronged with ships of all nations, its rich valleys will blossom with nature's choicest products, while its grand rivers will bear to the sea the fruits of free and honest labour. Great as have been our achievements in the planting of colonies, we have never entered upon a more magnificent work than the one now before us, in which the united energies of the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race will be engaged, heart and hand. While the present volume is intended chiefly for those desiring infoimation on the subject of the gold disco- veries, it also addresses itself to the general public, for the condition and character of the country and its inhabitants cannot fail to be a subject of inquiry with all who can appreciate the importance of its situation. The book lays claim to no merit but that of careful collation. Little information is given but what is derived from sources of general access ; but it does profess to set forth the truth INTBODUOnON. « as far as that could be obtained from the conflicting statements of di£ferent parties. While the following pages will be found to contain ample proof as to the extent and richness of the gold fields, as well as the salubrity of the climate, it is satis- factory to be able to state here that the country is proved to be easily accessible both for English and American merchandise. The public have now certain, though un- official news, of the journey of the Governor of Vancouver's Island as far as Fort Hope, about one hundred miles above the mouth of the Fraser River and seventy above Fort Langley. This voyage has established the extremely im- portant fact, that the river is navigable for steamers at least up to this point, where the mines are now known to be of extraordinary wealth, although it is reported that their yield regularly increases as the stream is ascended. It is now proved that those districts are actually within from fifteen to twenty-three hours steam of Victoria, the principal town of the Vancouver's Island colony. It is difilculi< to exaggerate the importance of this fact. It is true that the same voyage which the steamer carrying the Governor of Vancouer's Island suc- cessfully performed, was attempted without success by another steamer about the same time— a fact which pro- bably indicates that the river will be navigable only for vessels of small draught, and possibly, perhaps, not equally navigable at all seasons ; for we must remember that in the early part of June, when this attempt was successfully made, the waters of the river had already 6 HANDBOOK TO THE msW EL DORADO. begun to rise, in consequence of the melting of the snow from the Kocky Mountains, from which it springs. But they were then by no means at their full height; and even if the river be only r.avigable by vessels of small draught, that is a fact of very little importance as com- pared with the certainty that it is navigable at all to so considerable a height. Fort Hope is, as we have said, about one hundred miles up the river— that is to say, about one hundred and ninety from Victoria in Vancouver's Island, the voyage across the Qulf of Georgia being about ninety miles. The rich diggings between Fort Tale and Fort Hope are, therefore, not so far from the fertile land of Vancouver's Island as London from Hull, and the distance from Victoria to the mouth of the river, where gold is at present found in considerable quantities, is not 80 great as the distance from Liverpool to Dublin. Now, as almost all the importance of a mining district depends on easy communication with a provision market — ^and the very richest will be rendered comparatively insigni- ficant if provisions can only be carried thither at enor- mous cost and labour — ^no fact has yet been established of more importance than the easy navigability of the Fraser Eiver. Immediately above Fort Yale, which is twelve miles higher up the river than the point reached by the steamer, a succession of cataracts begin, which, of course, interrupt all navigation, but thence even to "the Forks," or junction between the Fraser and Thompson Bivers, there is certainly not more than one hundred miles of road, which, as we learn from the government INTBODUOTION. 7 map, are mostly practicable for loaded waggons. Hence it is evident that the new gold district will be easily accessible both for English merchandise from England, and for the provision market of Vancouver's Island. In explanation and refutation of the prejudice which almost universally exists against the climate and soil of North America generally, but especially of the divisions included in the Hudson's Bay Company's Territories^ we cannot do better than quote the following just remarks from the Bev. Mr Nicolay s treatise on Oregon. He says : — " A predisposition towards one opinion, or bias to one side of an argument, too often warps both the judgment and the understanding ; and one man in consequence sees fertile plains where another could see only arid wastes on which even the lizards appear starving, while the other looks forward to their being covered with countless flocks and herds at no very distant period of time. Both Cook and Vancouver, having previously made up their minds against the existence of a river near parallel 46°, passed the Columbia without perceiving it, and the former even declared most decidedly that the strait seen by Juan de Fuca had its origin only in the fertility of the pilot's brain. As they were discovered to be in error, so it is not im- possible that others not less positive in their assertions maybe convicted of the same carelessness of examination as those navigators, so remarkable in all other respects for their accuracy, and so indefatigable and minute in their researches, that little has been left to their successors but to check their work. 8 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW ISL DORADO. "With respect, however, to the attributed barrenness of great part of the territory, so peremptorily insisted on by many, there is some excuse for the earlier travellers from whom that opinion is derived. Ignorant of the besi routes, and frequently famishing in the immediate neigh- bourhood of plenty, they most justly reflect back to others the impressions they received j but in so doing, though they speak truth, they give very errcmeous ideas of the country they think themselves to be describing most accurately, and of this very pregnant examples are found in the travels of Lewis and Clarke, and the party who came overland to Astoria : both struck the head waters of the Saptin, both continued its course to its junction with the main stream, both suffered — the latter party in- tensely ; but had they, by the fertile bottoms of Bear and Eosseaux Bivers, found access to the valley between the Cascade and Blue Mountains — or, keeping still further west, crossed the former range into that of the WaUa- mette, they would have found game, and grass, and wood, and water in abundance, the word sterile would have been banished from then* pages, and the Oregon would have appeared in her holiday attire— " A nymph of healthiest hue—" and the depth of ravines and the elevation of rocks and precipices would have been changed into the nnerring evidences of fertility and luxuriance of vegetation afforded by the dense forests and gigantic pine-trees of the coast district. We can scarce estimate the transition of feeling INTBODnOnON. and change which would have been produced in their estimate of the country, if they could have been suddenly transported from their meagre horse-steak— cut from an animal so jaded with travel as to be in all probability only saved from death by starvation and fatigue, by being put to death to save overwearied men from famine, and this cooked at a fire of bois de vachef with only the shelter of an overhanging rock — ^to the fat venison and savoury wildfowl of the woods and lakes, broiled on the glowing hardwood embers under the comfortable roof of shelter- ing bark, or the leafy shade of the monarch of the forest ; while the cheerful whinny of their well-fed beasts would have given joyful token that nature in her bounty had been forgetful of nothing which her dependent children could desire. " While such and so great is the power of circumstances to vary the impressions made upon the senses, some hesi- tation must be used in their reception until fully con- firmed, or they must be limited by other accounts, as unbiassed judgment may direct, especially as the tempera- ment of individuals may serve to heighten the colouring, whether sombre or sunny, in which circumstances may have depicted the landscape. It is not every traveller who can, with Mackenzie, expatiate on the beauty of scenery while in fear of treachery from fickle and bloody savages ; or like Fremont, though dripping from the recent flood, and uncertain of the means of existence even for the day, his arms, clothes, provisions, instruments, deep in the whirlpools of the foaming Platte, stop to gaze with admi- if i 10 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. ration on the " fantastic ruins** Nature has ** piled ** among her mountain fastnesses, while £rom his bare and bleeding feet he draws the sharp spines of the hostile cacti Truth from travellers is consequently for the n:ost part relative. Abstractedly, with reference to any country, it must be derived from the combined accounts and different phases of truth afforded by many.*' CHAPTER I BIOHNESS AND EXTENT OF THE GOLD FIELDS. ** Destiny, which has lately riveted our attention on the burning plains of the extreme East," says the Times of 9th July, " now claims our solicitude for the auriferous mountains and rushing rivers of the Far West and the shores of the remote Pacific. What most of us know of these ultra-occidental regions may be summed up in a very few words. We have most of us read Washington Irving's charming narrative of 'Astoria,* sympathised with the untimely fate of Captain Thorn and his crew, and read with breathless interest the wanderings of the pil- grims to the head waters of the Columbia. After thirty years, the curtain rises again on the stormy period of the Ashburton Treaty, when the * patriots' were bent upon 'whipping the Britishers' out of every acre of land on the western side of the Eocky Mountains. And now, for the third time, we are recalled to the same territory, no longer as the goal of the adventurous trader or the battle- ground of the political agitator, but as a land of promise — a new El Dorado, to which men are rushing with all IS HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORASa the avidity that the presence of the one thing which all men, in all times and in all places, insatiably desire is sure to create." This El Dorado lies between the Bocky Mountains and the Pacific; it is bounded on the south by the American frontier line, 49 deg. of latitude, and may be considered to extend to the Sources of Eraser Elver, in latitude 55 deg. It is, therefore, about 420 miles long in a straight line, its average breadth from 250 to 300 miles. Taken from comer to corner, its greatest length would be, however, 805 milea, and its greatest breadth 400 miles. Mr Arrowsmith com- putes its area of square miles, including Queen Charlotte's Island, at somewhat more than 200,000 miles. Of its two gold-bearing rivers, one, the Eraser, rises in the northern boundary, and flowing south, falls into the sea at the south-western extremity of the territory, opposite the southern end of Vancouver's Island, and within a few miles of the American boundary; the other, the Thomp- son Eiver, which rises in the Rocky Mountains, and^ flowing westward, joins the Eraser about 150 miles from the coast. It is on these two rivers, and chiefly at their confluence, that the gold discoveries have been made. Eraser Biver is about as famous a point as there is to- day on the earth's surface — as famous as were the Calif or- niandiggingsin 1848, or the Australian gold mines in 1853. It is now the centre of attraction for the adventurous of all countries. The excitement throughout the Canadas and Northern States of America is universal In fact, BIGHNBSB AND EXTENT OF THE GOLD FIELDS. 13 the whole interior of North America is quite in a ferment —the entire floating population being either '* on the move," or preparing to start; while traders, cattle-dealers, contractors, and all the enterprising persons in business who can manage to leave, are maturing arrangements to join the general exodus. Persons travelling in the mining regions reckon that, in three months, 60,000 souls will have left the State of Califomia alone. The rapidity and extent of this emigration has never been paralleled. It is now established that the district of British Co- lumbia, holding a relation to Fuget's Sound similar to that of Sacramento Valley to the Bay of San Francisco, contains rich and extensive gold beds. The Fraser River mines have already been mentioned in the British Parlia- ment as not less valuable and important than the gold fields in Australia. Qeolo^sts have anticipated such a discovery; and Governor Stevens, in his last message to the Legislative Assembly of Washington Territory, claims that the district south of the international boundary is equally auriferous. The special correspondent of the San Francisco Btdletiny a reliable authority, writes from Fort Langley, twenty-five miles up the Fraser, under date the 25th May, that he had just come down from Fort Yale, where he found sixty men and two hundred Indians, with their squaws, at work on a " bar" of about five hundred yards in length, called " Hill's Bar," one mile below Fort Yale, and fifteen miles from Fort Hope, all trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company. "The morning I arrived, two men (Ker- \A HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. risen & Co.) cleaned up five and a-half ounces from tlie rocker, the product of half a day's work. Kerrison A Co. the next day cleaned up ten and a-half ounces from two rockers, which I saw myself weighed. This bar is ac- knowledged to be one of the richest ever seen, and well it may be, for here is a product of fifteen and a-half ounces of gold, worth 247^ dols., or £&0 sterling, from it in a day and a-half to the labour of two rockers. Old Californian miners say they never saw such rich diggings. The ave- rage result per day to the man was fully 20 dols., some much more. The gold is very fine; so much so, that it was impossible to save more than two-thirds of what went through the rockers.' This defect in the 'rocker must be remedied by the use of quicksilver to * amalga- mate' the finer particles of gold. This remedy is at hand, for California produces quicksilver sufficient for the con* sumption of the whole world in her mountains of Cinna- bar. Supplies are going on by every vessel At Sailor Diggings, above Fort Yale, they are doing very well, ave- raging from 8 to 25 dols. per day to the man. I am told that the gold is much coarser on Thompson Biver than it is in Fraser Biver. I saw yesterday about 250 dols. of coarse gold from Thompson Biver, in pieces averaging 5 dols. each. Some of the pieces had quartz among them. Hill, who was the first miner on the bar bearing his name, just above spoken of, with his partner, has made some 600 dols. on it in almost sixteen days' work. Three men just arrived from Sailor Diggings have brought down 670 dola. in dust, the result of twelve days* work. Gold BIGHNEBS AND EXTENT OV THE GOLD FIELDS. 15 very fine. Bising of the river driving the miners off for a time." Correspondents from several places on the Sound, both on the British and American territories, men of various nationalities, have since written that the country on the Fraser River is rich in gold, and " equal to any discoveries ever made in Califomia.** The Timei correspondent, writ- ing from Vancouver's Island on 10th June, says, "The gold exists from the mouth of Fraser River for at least 200 miles up, and most likely much further, but it has not been explored; hitherto any one working on its banks has been able to obtain gold in abundance and without extraordinary labour; the gold at present obtained has been within a foot of the surface, and is supposed to have averaged about ten dollars per diem to each man engaged in mining. Of course, some obtain more, some less, but all get gold. Thompson River is quite as rich in gold as Fraser River. The land about Thompson River consists of extensive sandy prairies, which are loaded with gold also; in fact, the whole country about Fraser and Thompson Rivers are mere beds of gold, so abundant as to make it quite disgusting. I have already seen pounds and pounds of it, and hope before long to feast my eyes upon tons of the precious metal." And the same high authority writes on 17th June, — "There is no longer room to doubt that all the country bordering on Fraser River is one con- tinuous gold bed. Miners abandoning the partially ex- hausted placers of California, are thronging to this new Dorado^ and the heretofore tranquil precincts of Victoria 16 HANDBOOK TO THB NKW EL DOBADa ( are now the scene of an excitement such as was witnessed at San Francisco in 1849, or since in Melbourne. Land has run up to prices fabulously high; and patches that six months ago were, perhaps, grudgingly purchased at the colonial price of 20s. the acre, are re-selling daily at a hundred times that amount. The small number of steam ships hitherto found sufficient for the commerce between San Francisco and these vicinities no longer suffices to convey a tithe of the eager applicants for passage. An opening for the enterprise of British capitalists such as was not anticipated has thus suddenly arisen, and the opportunity will, of course, be seized with alacrity. ** Lest I should appear too sanguine in my representa- tions, I will cite one instance to illustrate the richness of these newly discovered diggings. Three men returned for provisions lately, after an absence of seven days ; they had during this interval extracted 179 oz. of gold. I state this fact on the authority of Governor Douglas, who has just returned from the mining regions, whither he went with the view of establishing certain regulations for the main- tenance of order. In short, all who have visited the mines are impressed with the conviction that their richness far excels that of California in its palmiest days.** And, again, the correspondent of the New York TimeSy in a letter dated 21st June, gives the following corroborative testimony: — " The gold is found everywhere, and even dur- ing the extreme height of the river, parties are averaging from ten to twenty dollars per day, digging in the banks or on the upper edge of the bars, nearly all of which ( BIOHNMB AND XZTINT OV TBB GOLD niXDS. 17 are overflowed. Big strikes of from fifty to two hmidred and fifty dollars are frequently reported. Nearly all the work at present is carried on between Forts Langley and Yale^ and for some twenty or thirty miles above the latter an entire distance along the river of about a hundred miles. Some few are digging on Harrison Biver, and other tributaries, where the gold is found in larger particles. Those who were engaged in mining on the forks of Thompson River shew still richer yields, but have been compelled to leave on account of the high stage of the water, the want of provisions, and the opposition of the Indians. The gold where the most men are located (upon, the bars of the river), is found in very minute particles, like sand. No quicksilver has been used as yet, but when that is attainable, their yield is sure to be greatly aug" mented. At Hill's Bar those at work had averaged fifty dollars per day the wholo time they had been there. The Indians all have gold, and are as much excited as the whites. It is of no use to cite various reports of indi- vidual successes in this or that locality. The impression of all who have gone is unanimous and conclusive as to the great facts of new gold fields now being explored equal to any ever yet developed in California or elsewhere. No steamer has yet returned with more than twelve or fifteen passengers, and nearly every one of these had come down to obtain supplies for himself or his party left behind in the diggings. They all say they are going back in a few weeks.** The following personal testimony may also be cited: — B I 18 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. "On Sunday," says the San Francisco Gldbe^ "we received a visit from Messrs Edward Campbell and Joseph Blanch, both boatmen, well known in this city, who have just re- turned from the mines on Eraser Biver. They mined for ten days on the bar, until compelled to desist from the rise in the river, in which time they took out 1340 dola. They used but one rocker, and have no doubt that they could have done much better with proper appliances. There were from sixty to seventy white men at work on Hill's Bar, and from four to five hundred Indians, men, women, and children. The Indians are divided in opinion with regard to Americans; the more numerous party, headed by Pollock, a chief, are disposed to receive them favourably, because they obtain more money, for their labour from the * Bostons * than from ' King Qeorge's men,* as they style the English. They have learned the full value of their labour, and, instead of one dollar a-day, or an old shirt, for guiding and helping to work a boat up the river, they now charge from five to eight dollars per day. Another portion of the Indians are in favour of driving off the 'Bostons,' being fearful of having their country over- run by them." The proprietor of the San Francisco News Letter had determined to be at the centre of the present excitement in the El Dorado, and to judge for himself, or, rather, to solve the problem of how much gold, how many In- dians, and how much humbug, went on board the Pacific mail steam-ship Cortes, Captain Homer, and made the passage to Victoria, 840 miles, in five days. Although \ BIOHNESS AND EXTENT OF THE GOLD FIELDS. 19 nine hundred persons were on board, yet no actual incon- venience was felt by the high-pressure packing; the great- est good humour and accommodating spirit prevailing, controlled by the gentlemanly conduct of Captain J. B. Homer and his officers. On the day of arrival, the ope- rations of the Qovemment Land Office at the fort in Vic- toria was 26,000 dols. The importance, of the amount can best be realised by comparing it with the prices, viz. : 100 dols. per lot, 60 by 100 feet, unsurveyed. Some of these lots have been sold at 200 to 1000 dols. Lots at first sale, surveyed price, 50 dols.; lots, second and last sale, 100 dols. each, are now being sold from 500 to 1000 dols. each. Six lots together in the principal street are valued at 10,000 dols. The figures at Esquimalt Harbour and lots in that vicinity assume a bolder character as to value, from the fact that the harbour is a granite-bound basin, similar to Victoria, with an entrance now wide and deep enough to admit the Leviathan. Victoria has a bar which must be dredged, dug, or blown away. We noted at Victoria that the most valuable lot, with a flat granite level, with thirty feet of water, sufficient for any ship to unload without jetty, is now covered by a large building constructed of logs, belonging to Samuel Price & Co. A ship was unloading lumber at this wharf at 35 dols. per M., which was the ruling price. At Victoria, on the 21st June, a Frenchman landed from the steamer Surprise^ who came on board at Fort Langley with twenty-seven pounds weight of gold on his person, which we saw and lifted. Another passenger, whom we know, states that 9Q HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. there are six hundred persons within eight miles of Fort Hope, who are averaging per man an ounce and a half of gold per day minimum to six and a half ounces per day maximum. The largest sums seem to be taken out at Sailor's Bar, five miles above Fort Hope. The lowest depth as yet reached by miners is fifteen inches ; these mere sur- face scratches producing often 200 dols. per day. At Fort Hope, potatoes were selling at 6 dols. per bag; bacon, 76c. per pound ; crackers, 30c. From Fort Hope to Fort Thompson the road is good^ with the exception of twenty miles. For 20 dols. the steamers will take miners from Victoria to the diggings at Fort Hope, and for three or four dollars more an Indian will accompany you to Fort Yale. Bowen, steward of the Surprise, says that about a hundred Indians usually ran after him to obtain little sweet cakes, which he traded off four or five for 1 dol in gold dust. Sugar at Fort Langley, 1 dol. 50c. per pound ; lumber, 1 doL 50c. per foot; tea and coffee, 1 doL per pound; pierced iron for rockers, 8 dols.; plain sheets, 2 dols. each; five lbs. of quicksilver sold for 40 dols. — 10 dols. per pound was the ordinary price. The actual ground prospected and ascertained to be highly auriferous extends to three hundred and fifty miles from the mouth of Fraser Kiver. One hundred miles of Thompson River has been prospected, and found to be rich, south-east of Fraser River. The same will apply to all the tributaries of Thompson River. A large extent of auriferous quartz has been discovered ten miles from Fort Hope. Exceedingly rich quartz veins have been found on Harrison Rivei:. BICHNEBS AND EXTENT OF THE GOLD FIELDS. 21 The most astounding facts have yet to be divulged. A river emptjring into the Gulf of Georgia, not a hundred miles north of Fraser Biver, hitherto su|^sed to con- tain no gold, has proved fabulously rich. An Indian arrived at Victoria from this locality, having twenty- three pounds weight of pure gold, obtained solely by his own labour, in less than twenty days. In confiiw mation of our figures, and being short of space, we app^^d the following statistics, derived from an ofScial and authentic source of the strictest reliability. We deem the above facts sufiScient to cause an exodus of a far more alarming character, and of higher proportions as to num- ber, than any hitherto known in history. Su£5ice it to say, that the present /urore is well founded ; that it holds out busy times, high prices, speculations, contracts, and employments of a thousand kinds. Fountain's Dioomos (Fraser River, at 61** 30' north), month of June 1858. Five rockers worked by half-breed Canadians. June 1. S. 8. 4 5. dols. dols. dols. dols. dola 1 38 50 42 40 50 2 40 51 38 29 51 3 41 53 39 51 52 4 28 55 18 33 56 5 32 60 54 54 53 6 64 62 S9 58 55 7 52 58 48 52 64 Total, 295 385 268 327 381 Average, 42.14 55.50 38.70 46.72 54.40 9i HAin>BOOK TO THB NEW EL DORAIHX A higUy reliable correspondent Bends the following from San Francisco, under date 6th July : — The emigration for Eraser Biver has gone on for months with no signs of growing less. The best means of judging what grounds there are for the belief in the existence of gold in large quantities on its banks, is by letters received irom persons who are engaged in mining. It is worthy of note that there is no discrepancy between the accounts given by different individuals, all their statements agree- ing. The mines are reported to be exceedingly rich, and yielding large returns to those engaged in digging. The river is very high, and miners have been driven from several of the most lucrative bars until the water sub- sides. Mr Hill, from hom Hill's Bar took its name, is mining some distance above that point. He and six hands were making from an ounce to an ounce and a half of gold dust a day to each man. For three weeks prior to the freshet, Mr Hill and one man averaged one hundred to one hundred and fifty dols. a day. The freshet, how- ever drove him off for the time being. Mr £. B.. Collins, who has spent some time in the Fraser Biver gold region, and who brought down last week a quantity of dust, has communicated the following intelligence to the Alia Cali- fornia, Mr Collins is a trustworthy gentleman. He left San Francisco in March last, and was at Olynpia when the excitement first broke out. He then, in company with three others, proceeded to Point Boberts, from whence they proceeded up Fraser Biver to the mouth of Harrison Biver, about twenty-five miles above Fort BICHNE8S AND EXTENT OF THE GOLD FIELDS. 23 Langley. This portion of the journey they performed -without guides or assistance from the natives. The cur- rent was moderate, and occasionally beautiful islands were discovered with heavy timber, which presented a beautiful appearance. From Fort Hope to Fort Yale, a distance of fifteen miles, the river runs narrow, and the current running about seven miles per hour, though, in some places, it might be set down at ten or twelve. At Fort Yale, the first mining bar was reached. It extended out from the left bank a distance of some thirty yards, and was about half a mile long. Twenty or thirty squaws were at work with baskets and wooden trays, while, near by, large numbers of male Indians stood listlessly looking on. Here some of Mr Collins' companions, who had now increased to twenty, proposed to stop and try their luck, but the msyority resolved to go on, having informed themselves satisfactorily that further up the "big chunks" were in abundance. After resting a while, therefore, the party went ahead. Two miles from Fort Yale they entered upon the commencement of the real difficulties and dan- gers of navigation on Fraser River, the water for a dis- tance of thirty-five or forty miles passing though deep gloomy canons, and over high masses of rock. At this time the river had attained only a few feet above its usual height, so that by perseverance and the skill of the native boatman they were enabled to make slow progress. Nu- merous portages were made — one of them, the last, being four miles long. These portages could not be avoided, the cliflb rising perpendicularly on either side of the river, ■ Hi I: • H HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. sometimes to a height of fifty or sixty feet, affording not the slightest footpath on which to tow. At other places the whirls, and rocks partly submerged, rendered a water passage utterly impracticable. At every bar and shallow spot prospected in these wild localities gold was obtained in paying quantities, all of very fine quality — ^rather diflSr cult to save without the use of quicksilver. From the head of the canons to the forks of Thompson's River, thirty- five miles more, the current and general appearance of the river seemed about the same as from Fort Hope to Fort Yale, gold also being found where there was'an opportu- nity for a fair " prospect." At the Forks the party were told by Travill, a French trader, whom they met by acci- dent, that the richest and best diggings were up Thomp- son's ; but that river being navigable but a few miles up, it was thought best to keep on up Fraser, which they did for a distance of forty miles, encountering no serious ob- stacles beyond a few rapids, and they were passed by towing. Five miles above the Forks some twenty white men were at work, making with common rockers from ten to sixteen dollars per day. Arriving at a bar about ten miles below, where white men were congregating in num- bers considered sufficient for mutual protection, they took up a claim and commenced digging. They worked here steady twenty-four days, averaging fifteen dollars per day to each man. The greatest day's work of one man was thirty-one dollars. These figures, it is thought, would apply to all the miners. Our latest news from the new mines reach to the be- yt BICHNESS AND EXTENT OF THE GOLD FIELDS. 25 ginning of July. At that time there were immense num- bers of miners on the banks of Fraser River, waiting for the stream to fall and enable them to go to work on the bars, which are said to be fabulously rich. Some dry dig- gings had also been discovered in the neighbourhood of the river; but owing to the presence of a large number of Indians, not of the most friendly disposition, the miners dared not then extend their researches far from the stream, where the bulk of the whites were congregated. The town of Victoria, on Vancouver's Island, has sprung rapidly into importance. Great advances have been made on real estate there. Lots, which a few months ago were sold by the Hudson's Bay Company at <£12, 10s., are now selling ,at over £2bO. A newspaper, called the Victoria Gazette^ has been started there ; and an American steamer, The Surprise, is also running regularly between Victoria and Fort Hope, which is one hundred nules above the mouth of Fraser River. In the last week of June the arrivals by steamers and vessels at the various ports of British Columbia reached the large daily average of one thousand, while those who have lately travelled through the mountains say that the principal roads in the interior present an appearance similar to the retreat of a routed army. Stages, express waggons, and vehicles of every character, are called into requisition for the immediate emergency, and all are crammed, while whole battalions are pressing forward on horse or mule back, and on foot. Of course, the shipments of merchandise from San Fran- cisco and other ports are very large, to keep pace with this 1 m 11 '^ . I h j I fi6 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. almost instantaneous emigration of thousands to a region totally unsupplied with the commodities necessary for their use and sustenance. Up to the present no outbreak or disturbance has occurred, and a certain degree of order has already been established in the mining region, through the judicious measures adopted by the governor. Justices of the peace and other officials have been appointed, and a system protective of the territorial interests organised. Licences, on the principle of those granted in Australia^ are issued; the price, five dollars per month, to be exacted from every miner. There was a good deal of talk as to the right or propristy of levying this tax when it was first proposed, and some of the Francisco papers were loud in their denunciations; others took a calmer view. It is satisfactory to add that little difficulty has so far been experienced on this head. As a body, the miners are reported to bei a steady set of men, well conducted, and respectful of the law. Next to mostim] and soU. does not dredmil degrees i with a c shores o heat an< the Paci up to tl and the for the days, i head b; parts of to the s do wel copper CHAFTER 11. CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS) AND SOIL. Kext to the extent and richness of the gold mines, the most important inquiry is as to the character of the climate and soiL And in this respect the Eraser Biver settlement does not lose any of its attractions, for, though seven hun- dred miles north of San Francisco, it is still one or two degrees south of the latitude of London, and apparently with a climate of a mildness equal to that of the southern shores of England, being free from all extremes, both of heat and cold. One hundred and fifty miles back from the Pacific, indeed, there lies a range of mountains reaching up to the regions of perpetual snow. But between that and the coast the average temperature is fifty-four degrees for the year round. Snow seldom lies more than three days. Fruit trees blossom early in April, and salad goes to head by the middle of May on Vancouver's Island. In parts of this region wheat yields twenty to thirty bushels to the acre. Apples, pears, pease, and grains of all kinds do well. The trees are of gigantic growth. Iron and copper abound, as does also coal in Vancouver's Island, so J I H y ji 28 HAin>BOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. that altogether it bids fair to realise in a short time the description applied to it by the colonial secretary (Sir R R Lytton), of *^ a magnificent abode for the human race." When introducing the " Gk)yemment of New Caledonia bilV on 9th July, the Colonial Secretary said in his place in the House of Commons : — " The Thompson River dis- trict is described as one of the finest countries in the British dominions, with a climate far superior to that of countries in the same latitude on the other side of the mountains. Mr Cooper, who gave valuable evidence be- fore our committee on this district, with which he is thoroughly acquainted, recently addressed to me a letter, in which he states that ' its fisheries are most valuable, its timber the finest in the world for marine purposes; it abounds with bituminous coal, well fitted for the geneiw tion of steam ; from Thompson River and Colville districts to the Rocky Mountains, and from the 49th parallel some 350 miles north, a more beautiful country does not exist It is in every way suitable for colonisation.' Therefore, apart from the gold fields, this country aflfords every pro- mise of a flourishing and important colony." The Times special correspondent, in a letter from Van- couver's Island, published on 10th August, says, "Pro- ductive fisheries, prolific whaling waters, extensive coal- fields, a country well timbered in some parts, susceptible of every agricultural improvement in others, with rich gold fields on the very borders — ^these are some of the many advantages enjoyed by the colony of Vancouver's Island and its fortunate possessors. When I add that the island h temperat little inf( picture I rote." Of th< who con United J globe ari trious ai and salu peculiarl and nop found th the wan j Perha that con Years or Ross Co America from 51 western is callei Alexanc River, i mediate appears a little CLDCATE, PBODUCnOKS, AKD SOIL. island boasts a climate of great salubrity, with a winter temperature resembling that of England, and a summer little inferior to that of Paris, I need say no more, lest my picture be suspected of sharing too deeply of couleur de rote," Of the southern part of this district lieut. Wilkes, who commanded the late exploring expedition under the United States government, says, '* Few portions of the globe are so rich in soil, so diversified in surface, or so capable of being rendered the happy homes of an indus- trious and civilised community. For beauty of scenery and salubrity of climate it cannot be surpassed. It is peculiarly adapted for an agricultural and pastoral people, and no portion of the world beyond the tropics can be found that will yield so readily with moderate labour to the wants of man.'* Perhaps the fullest account of the country yet ^ven is that contained in " The Narrative of a Residence of Six Years on the Western Slopes of the Rocky Mountains,'* by Ross Cox, one of the earliest explorers of British North America. He says, " The district of New Caledonia extends from 51° 30' north latitude to about 66^ Its extreme western boundary is 124*^ 10'. Its principal trading post is called Alexandria^ after the celebrated traveller Sir Alexander Mackenzie. It is built on the banks of Fraser River, in about latitude 63** N. The country in its im- mediate vicinity presents a beautiful and picturesque appearance. The banks of the river are rather low ; but a little distance in-land some rising grounds are visible, , Jl' 30 HANDBOOK TO THE TSTEW EL DORAOa partially diversified by groves of fir and poplar. Thia country is full of small lakes, rivers, and marshes. It extends about ten daysV march in a north and north-east direction. To the south and south-east the Atnah, or Chin Indian country, extends about one hundred miles ; on the east there is a chain of lakes, and the mountains bordering Thompson Biver ; while to the westward and north-west lie the lands of the Naskotins and Clinches. The lakes are numerous, and some of them tolerably large : one, two, and even three days are at times required to cross some of them. They abound in a plentiful variety of fish, such as trout, sucker, &c. ; and the natives assert that white fish is sometimes taken. These lakes are generally fed by mountain streams, and many of them spread out, and are lost in the surrounding marshes. On the banks of the river, and in the interior, the trees con- sist of poplar, cypress, alder, cedar, birch, and different species of fir, spruce, and willow. There is not the same variety of wild fruit as on the Columbia ; and this year (1827) the berries generally failed. Service berries, choke- cherries, gooseberries, strawberries, and red whortleberries are gathered ; but among the Indians the service-berry is the great favourite. There are various kinds of roots, which the natives preserve and dry for periods of scarcity. There is only one kind which we can eat. It is called Tzorchiiif has a bitter taste, but when eaten with salmon imparts an agreeable zest, and effectually destroys the disagreeble smell of that fish when smoke-dried. St John's wort is very common, and has been successfully applied kind of ' flax, is ii we f oun berries g this disi abundan fort ; an might be able qua we obsei and whii found ii crystal, granite, : marble, i to have mountai the rein tains in they oft theadja abound robes ai destruc and str curled i numbei thechii GUM ATE, PBODUGTIONS, AND SOIL. Si applied as a fomentation in topical inflammations. A kind of weed, which the natives convert into a species of flax, is in general demand. An evergreen, similar to that we found at the mouth of the Columbia, with small berries growing in clusters like grapes, also flourishes in this district Sarsaparilla and bear-root are found in abundance. White earth aboundb in the vicinity of the fort ; and one description of it> mixed with oil and lime, might be converted into excellent soap. Coal in consider- able quantities has been discovered ; and in many places we observed a species of red earth, much resembling lava, and which appeared to be of volcanic origin. We also found in diflerent parts of New Caledonia quartz, rock crystal, cobalt, talc, iron, marcasites of a gold colour, granite, fuller^s earth, some beautiful specimens of black marble, and limestone in small quantities, which appeared to have been forced down the beds of the rivers from the mountains The jumping-deer, or chevreuil, together with the rein and red-deer, frequent the vicinity of the moun- tains in considerable numbers, and in the summer season they oftentimes descend to the banks of the rivers and the acyacent flat country. The marmot and wood-rat also abound : the flesh of the former is exquisite, and capital robes are made out of its skin ; but the latter is a very destructive animal Their dogs are of diminutive size, and strongly resemble those of the Esquimaux, with the curled up taU, small ears, and pointed nose. We purchased numbers of them for the kettle, their flesh constituting the chief article of food in our holiday feasts for Christ- ds HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. mas and New Year. The fur-bearing animals consist of beavers ; bears, black, brown, and grizzly ; otters, fishers, lynxes, martins ; fezes, red, cross, and silver ; minks, mus-^ quash, wolverines, and ermines. Rabbits also are so nume* rous that the natives manage to subsist on them during the periods that salmon is scarce. Under the head of ornithology we have the bustard, or Canadian oiUarde (wildgoose), swans, ducks of various descriptions, hawks, jdovers, cranes, white-headed eagles, magpies, crows, vul* tures, wood-thrush, red-breasted thrush or robin, wood- peckers, gulls, pelicans, hawks, partridges, pheasants, and snow-birds. The spring commences in April, when the wild flowers begin to bud, and from thence to the latter end of May the weather is delightful In June it radns incessantly, with strong southerly and easterly winds. During the months of July and August the heat is in>- tolerable ; and in September the fogs are so dense that it is quite impossible to distinguish the opposite side of the liver any morning before ten o'clock. Colds and rheu- matisms are prevalent among the natives during this period : nor are our people exempt from them. In Octo- ber the falling of the leaves and occasional frost announce the beginning of winter. The lakes and parts of the rivers are frozen in November, The snow seldoms exceeds twenty-four inches in depth. The mercury in Fahren- heit's therometer falls in January to 15° below 0; but this does not continue many days. In general, I may say, the climate is neither unhealthy nor unpleasant ; and if the natives used common prudence, they would undoubt- CLIMATE, PBODUCTIOKS, AND SOIL. 88 edly live to an advanced age. The salmon fishery com- mences about the middle of July, and ceases in October. This is a busy period for the natives ; for upon their in- dustry in saving a sufficiency of salmon for the winter depends their chief support. Jub, suckers, trout, and white-fish are caught in the lakes ; and in the month of October, towards the close of the salmon-fishery, we catch trout of a most exquisite flavour. Large-sized sturgeon are occasionally taken in the wrveariXf but they are not relished by the natives.** Mr Dunn, in his valuable "History of the Oregon Territory," thus describes the country and climate : — " After the Columbia, the river next in importance is Eraser River. It takes its rise in the Bocky Mountains, near the source of Canoe Elver, taking a north-west course of eighty miles. It then turns to the southward, receiv- ing Stuart's Eiver, which rises in a chain of lakes in the northern boundary of the territory. It then pursues a southerly course, and after receiving many tributaries, breaks through the cascade range of hills in a series of falls and rapids ; and after a westerly course of seventy miles, empties itself into the Gulf of Georgia, in latitude 49° 1' north. This latter portion is navigable for vessels that can pass its bar drawing ten feet of water. Its whole length is 350 miles. There are numerous lakes scattered through the several sections. The country is all well watered ; and there are but four places where an abundance of water cannot be obtained, either from lakes, rivers, or springs. 1 H t 1^ :; 34 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. The climate of the western division is mild throughout the year, neither the cold of winter, nor the heat of summer predominating. The mean temperature is about 60° Fahrenheit. The prevailing winds, in summer, are from the northward and westward, and in winter, from the west, south, and south-east. The winter lasts from about November till March, generally speaking. Dur- ing that time there are frequent falls of rain, but not heavy. Snow seldoms lies longer than a week on the ground. There are frosts so early as September, but they are not severe, and do not continue long. The easterly winds are the coldest, as they come from across the moun- tains, but they are not frequent. Fruit trees blossom early in April in the neighbourhood of Nasqually and Vancouver ; and in the middle of May pease are a foot high, and strawberries in full blossom ; indeed, all fruits and vegetables are as early there as in England. The hills, though of great declivity, have a sward to their tops. Lieutenant Wilkes says, that out of 106 days, 67 were fair, 19 cloudy, and 11 rainy. The middle section is subject to droughts. During summer the atmosphere is drier and warmer, and in winter colder than in the western section ; its extremes of heat and cold being greater and more frequent. However, the air is fine and healthy; the atmosphere in summer being cooled by the breezes that blow from the Pacific. "The soil of the western section varies from a deep black vegetable loam to a light brown loamy earth. The hills are generally basalt stone and slate. The surface is CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, AND SOIL. 35 generally undulating, well watered, well wooded, and well adapted for agriculture and pasturage. The timber con- sists of pine, fir, spruce, oaks (white and red), ash, arbutus, cedar, arbor- vitae, poplar, maple, willow, cherry, tew, with underwoods of hazel and roses. All kinds of grain, wheat, rice, barley, oats, and pease, can be procured there in abundance. Various fruits, such as pears, apples, &c., succeed there admirably; and the different vegetables produced in England yield there most abundant crops. " The middle section, which is about 1000 feet above the level of the western, is not so well wooded or fertile ; yet in the southern parts of it, where the missionaries have established settlements, they have raised excellent crops, and reared large stocks of cattle. Notwithstanding the occasional cold, their cattle are not housed, nor is provender laid in for them in any quantity, the country being suffi- ciently supplied with fodder in the natural hay, that is everywhere abundant in the prairies, which the cattle prefer." Mr Wilkes says, " In comparison with the United States, I would say, that the labour necessary in this terri- tory to acquire wealth or subsistence is in the proportion of one to three; or in other words, a man must work throughout the year three times as much in the United States to gain the like competency. The care of stock, which requires so much time with us, requires no attention there, and on the increase only, a man might find support" He further says, " There will be also a demand for the timber of this country at high prices, throughout the '4i I 86 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. Pacific. The oak is well adapted for ship timber, and abundance of ash, cedar, cypress, and arbor-vitae may be had for other purposes, building, fuel, fencing,'* &c. He also adds, " No part of the world affords finer inland sounds, or a greater number of harbours, than are found within the Straits of Juan de Fuca, capable of receiving the highest class of vessels, and without a danger in them which is not visible. From the rise and fall of the tides (eighteen feet) every facility is afforded for the erection of works for a great maritime nation. The country also affords as many sites for maritime power as any other." On the northern coast there are a number of islands which belong to the territory. The largest are Vancouver's Island, and Queen Charlotte Island, both of which ei\joy a mild and salubrious climate, with a soil well adapted to agriculture. They have also an abundance of fine fish in their waters. Coal of a very good quality is found there close by the surface, and they also contain numerous veins of valuable minerals. All the rivers abound in salmon of the finest quality, which run twice a year, beginning in May and October, and appear ineidiaustible. In Fraser River, the salmon are very numerous. The bays and inlets abound with several kinds of salmon, sturgeon, cod, carp, sole, flounders, perch, herring, and eels ; also with shell-fish — crabs, oysters, &C. Whales and sea otters in numbers are found along the coast, and are frequently captured by Indians, in and at the mouth of the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Qame abounds in the western section, such as elk, CmiATE, PRODUCTIONS, AND SOIL. ^.7 deer, antelopes, bears, wolves, foxes, musk-rats, martins. And in the spring and fall, the rivers are covered with geese, ducks, and other water-fowL Towards the Bocky Mountains buffaloes are found in great numbers. From the advantages this country possesses, it bids fair to have an extensive commerce, on advantageous terms, with most parts of the Pacific. It is well calculated to pro- duce the following staple commodities, — ^furs, salted beef and pork, grain, flour, wool, hides, tallow, timber, and coals. And in return for these — sugars, coffee, and other tropical productions may be obtained at the Sandwich Islands. Ad- vantages that in time must become of immense importance. Those districts of British America west of the lakes which by soil and climate are suitable for settlement, may be thus enumerated : — Vancouver's Island 16,200 square miles. Eraser and Thomson Eivers 60,000 „ „ Sources of the Upper Columbia . . . 20,000 „ „ Athabasca District 50,000 „ „ Saskatchewan, Red Eiver, Assineboin, &c. . . . 360,000 „ „ 606,200 Under these geographical divisions we propose to give the resultsof a parliamentary investigation (just published) into the affairs of the Hudson's Bay Company, so far as they are descriptive of the foregoing districts :— VANCOUVER'S ISLAND, This island is fertile, well timbered, finely diversified .1 ! 38 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. by intersecting mountain ranges, and small prairies, with extensive coal fields, compared by one witness to the West Biding of Yorkshire coal, and fortunate in its harbours. Esquimault Harbour, on which Victoria is situated, is equal to San Francisco. The salmon and other fisheries are excellent; but this advantage is shared by every stream and inlet of the adjacent coast. The climate is frequently compared with England, except that it is even warmer. The winter is stormy, with heavy rains in November and December; frosts occur in the lowlands in January, but seldom interrupt agricultu' 3; vegetation starts in Febru- ary, rapidly progressing in March and fostered by alternate warm showers and sunshine in April and May — ^while intense heat and drought are often experienced during June, July, and August. As already remarked, the island has an area of 16,200 square miles. / \ FEASER AND THOMPSON RIVERS. Northward of Vancouver's Island the coast range of mountains trends so near the Pacific as to obstruct inter- course with the interior, but "inside," in the language of a witness, " it is a fine open country." This is the valley of Fraser River. Ascending this river, near Fort Langley, "a large tract of land" is represented as " adapted to colo- nists ;" while of Thomson River, the same witness says that it is "one of the most beautiful countries in the world" — " climate capable of producing all the crops of England, and much milder than Canada." The sources of Fraser River, in latitude 55"*, are separated from those of Peace CLIMATE, PEODUCJTIONS, AND SOIL. 39 River (which flows through the Rocky Mountains, east- ward, into the Athabasca) by the distance of only 317 yards. SOUKCES OP THE COLUMBIA. A glance at the map will shew how considerable a dis- trict of British Oregon is watered by the Upper Columbia and its tributary, the M'Gillioray or Flat Bow river. It is estimated above at 20,000 square miles, and has been de- scribed in enthusiastic terms by the i pishop of Or egon — De S met — in his " Oregon Missions." The territory of the Kootonais Indians would seem, from his glowing descrip- tion, to be divided in favourable proportion between forests and prairies. Of timber, he names birch, pine of different species, cedar, and cypress. He remarked specimens of coal, and "great quantities of lead,* apparently mixed with silver. The source of the Columbia seemed to im- press him as " a very important point.* He observes that "the climate is delightful" — that the extremes of heat and cold are seldom known, the snow disappearing as it falls. He reiterates the opinion "that the advantages nature seemed to have bestowed on the Columbia, will render its geographical position very important at some future day, and that the hand of civilised man would transform it into a terr astrial paradise." It is an interesting coincidence that Bishop De Smet published in a St Louis paper, a few months since, a similar description of this region, adding that it could be reached from Salt Lake City along the western base of the Rocky Mountains with waggons, and that Brigham ^ 40 BAKDBOOE TO THE NEW EL DORADO. Young proposed to lead his next Monnon exodus to the sources of the Columbia Biver. Such a movement is not improbable, and would exhibit far greater sagacity than an emigration to Sonora. THE ATHABASCA DISTRICT. The valleys of the Peace and A tha,basca Bivers, which occupy the eastern base of the Ilocky Mountains from lat. 55'' to 59° share the Pacific climate in a remarkable degree. The Eocky Mountains are greatly reduced in breadth and mean elevation, and through the numerous passes between their lofty peaks the winds of the Pacific reach the district in question. Hence it is that Sir Alex- ander Mackenzie, under date of 10th May, mentions the " exuberant verdure of the whole country" — ^trees about to blossom, and bufiialo attended by their young. During the late parliamentary investigation, similar statements were elicited. Dr Bichar d^ing, who accompanied an expedition in search of Sir John Boss, as " surgeon and naturalist," was asked what portion of the country he saw was available for the purpose of settlement. In reply, he described as a "very fertile valley," a "square piece of country," bounded on the south by Cumberland House, and by the Athabasca Lake on the north. His own words are as follows : — "The sources of the Athabasca and the sources of the Saskatchewan include an enormous area of country; it is, in fact, a vast piece of land surrounded by water. When I heard Dr Livingstone's description of that splendid country which he found in the interior of OLDCATE, PRODUCTIONS, AND SOIL. 41 Africa within the equator, it appeared to me to be precisely the kind of country which I am now describing. .... It is a rich soil interspersed with well-wooded country, there being growth of every kind and the whole vegetable kingdom alive." When asked concerning mineral pro- ductions, his reply was, — " I do not know of any other mineral except limestone; this is apparent in all direc- tions. . . . The birch, the beech, and the maple are in abundance, and there is every sort of fruit." When questioned further as to the growth of trees, Dr King re- plied by a comparison "with the magnificent trees round Kensington Park in London." He described a farm near Cumberland House under very successful cultivation— "luxuriant wheat "— potatoes, barley, pigs, cows and horses. SASKATCHEWAN, ASSINEBOIN, AND RED RIVER DISTRICT. The area of this continent, north-west of Minnesota, and known as the Saskatchewan district, is estimated by English authorities to comprise 368,000 square miles. North-west from Otter Tail Lake, the geographical centre of Minnesota, extends a vast silurian formation, bounded on the west along the eastern base of the Eocky Moun- tains by coal measures. Such a predominance of lime- stone implies fertility of soil, as in the north-western States, and the speedy colonisation of Saskatchewan would be assured if the current objection to the severity of climate was removed. On this point a few facts will be presented. i I ) ; ? 1 '■, i t t i 42 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. The Sea of Azof, which empties into the Black Sea, forming the eastern border of the Crimean peninsula^ freezes about the beginning of November, and is seldom open before the beginning of April A point less than one hundred miles north, but far down in southern Russia, namely, Catherineoslay, has been found, from the obser- vation of many years, to be identical in summer and win- ter climate with Fort Snelling. Nine-tenths of European Rusda, therefore, the main seat of population and re- sources, is further north than St Paul. In fact, Pem- bina is the climatic equivalent of Moscow, and for that of St Petersburg, (which is 60" north), we may reasonably go to latitude 55° on the American continent. like European Russia, also, the Saskatchewan district has a climate of extremes— the thermometer having a wide range ; but it is well understood that the growth of the cereals and of the most useful vegetables depends chiefly on the intensity and duration of the summer heats, and is comparatively little influenced by the severity of winter cold, or the lowness of the mean temperature dur- ing the year. Therefore it is important to observe that the northern shore of Lake Huron has the mean summer heat of Bordeaux, in southern France, or 70° Fahrenheit; while Cumberland House, in latitude 54°, longitude 102°, on the Saskatchewan, exceeds in this respect Brussels and Paris. . The United States Army Meteorological Register has ascertained that the line of 70° mean summer heat crosses the Hudson River at West Point, thence descends CLIMATE, PBODUOnONS, AND SOIL. 43 to the latitude of Pittsburg, but, westward, is traced through Sandusky, Chicago, Fort Snelling, and Fort Union, near latitude 49°, into British America. The average annual heat at Quebec is experienced as far north as latitude 52° in the Saskatchewan country. Mr Blodget states that not only all the vicinity of the south branch of the Saskatchewan is as mild in climate as St Paul, but that the north branch of that river is almost equally favourable, and that the ameliorating influence of the Pacific, through the gorges of the Eocky Mountains, is so far felt on Mackenzie's Biver, that wheat may be grown in its valley nearly to the 65th parallel In the foregoing account of the districts of the interior, we have given faithfully^ as in duty bound, the facts that have been elicited in the various investigations, public and otherwise, that have taken place. At the same time, we think it but fair to state, that large portions of these fine districts, especially the Athabasca and Saskatchewan, are at present very far beyond the reach of any civilised market, and overrun by hordes of warlike Indians. We have thus given a brief survey of the position and resources of the territory surrounding the new El Dorado. One observation we may be permitted to hazard. Perhaps there is no more striking illustration of the wis- dom of that Providence which presides over the manage- ment of our affairs, than in the fact that emigration was first led to the eastern coast, rather than to the slopes or plains of the west. Had the latter been first occupied, it is doubtful whether the rocks and lagoons of the seaboard f: !■ I': 44 IIANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. would ever have been settled. No man would have turned from the prairie sward of the Pacific to the seamed slopes of the Atlantic edge. As it is, we have the energy and pa- tience which the difficult soil of the east generates, with that magnificent sweep of western territory, which, had it been opened to us first, might, from its yery luxuriousness, have generated among those occupying it, an ignoble love of easOi ned >pe8 pa- that )eeD lave e of CHAPTER in. BouTEs, Era Fob some time to come, the great line of route to the new El Dorado will likely be by water from the different settlements along the coast of the Pacific. Steam com- munication has long been established between Panama and San Francisco, and a line of vessels is now regularly plying between the latter port and Vancouver's Island, from whence easy access is had to the diggings, by means of small steamers. The steamers at present running on the coast make the voyage from Panama to Vancouver's Island in fourteen or fifteen days. The following statistics of fares and freights are supplied by the Timei corre- spondent : — " The rates of passage at present from San Francisco to New York are— Steerage, 150 dols.; second cabin, 250 dols. ; first cabin, 300 dols. per berth for each passenger. An entire state-room is the price of two passengers — 600 dols. From New York to San Francisco the fares are the same. San Francisco to Panama^ sometimes the same as to New York, and sometimes one-third less. 46 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. Freight on specie, 1 per cent, to New York; | per cent, to Panama, with a slight discount to shippers of large amounts. Freight on merchandise from Panama, 2 dols. 10 cents per foot. The quantity of freight is considerable in French silks, cloths, and light goods, but the bulk is in Havannah cigars, nearly all the supply for this market coming vid Panama. The fares up by the steamers from San Francisco to Victoria are — Steerage, 30 dols. ; cabin, 60 dols." This route, besides being at present the most direct and expeditious, presents another great advantage. Passing along the coast of California, it gives passengers an op- portunity of either settling there, or continuing their journey to British Columbia. That this is no unimpor- tant advantage, will be at once conceded when it is borne in mind that it is not the gold-producing country on the Fraser Eiver alone that offers strong inducements to emigrants. In a letter published on 4th August, the Times* corre- spondent remarks : — " In a few weeks, with a continuance of the present drain upon our mining, mechanical, and labouring population generally, as good a field for labour of every kind will again be open in California as there was from 1849 to 1851, when the country became flooded with immigrants. In fact, the openings now being made in the mines and in labour of all sorts, and the rise of wages in consequence of the exodus hence, offer greater inducements to emigrants than existed in the first years of our organisation. Then there was little besides mining EOUTES. 47 that a man could turn his hand to. Now the gradual development of the resources of the country has opened many avenues for labour of various kinds, and mining claims, which pay well, and in which a competency would be realised in a moderate space of time, are abandoned because they do not produce gold in bushels, as their owners hope to find the new mines to yield." And in another letter, the same authority says: — "The excite- ment in the interior is universal I was up the coimtry this week, and returned only last night; so that I had an opportunity of judging for myself. From every point of the compass squads of miners wero to be seen making for San Francisco to ship themselves off; and I heard of arrangements having been completed for driving stock overland to meet the demands of the new population congregating in the Puget Sound country. One man had purchased a drove of mules, and another had speculated in 200 Califomian horses, to supply the demand for * packing.' These two * ventures' were to proceed over- land in two days hence. The speculator in horses had been at Fraser Hiver, and returned convinced of the judiciousness of his * spec' He spoke of the overland trip with enthusiasm; plenty of game and of grass, a fine climate, and no molestation from Indians. As a natural result of all this emigration, business in the in- terior is becoming much deranged. The operations of the country merchants are checked ; rents and the value of property in the interior towns are diminishing. Some of the merchants are ' liquidating,' and some have already 48 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. moved their business to San Francisco, to take advan- tage of the business which must spring up between that port and the north-west. All the movements made in consequence of the new gold discovery have tended to benefit San Francisco, and she will, no doubt, continue to derive great advantages from the change. The in- crease of busmess will bring an increase of immigration to the city, for there is every reason to beUeve, judgmg from past experience, that a considerable proportion of the emigration from Europe, the Atlantic States, and Australia, will rest here; that the city will increase rapidly, and that an advance in the value of property must ensue in consequence. The fact is, that there is now in California so extensive an association of capital and labour engaged in mining successfully, that, happen what may in other countries, the * yield' here must con- tinue to be very great. Companies of men who have large amounts of money invested in mining of a variety of sorts, such as * tunnelling,' '^sluicing,* and * quartz crushing,' on a large scale, are not going to abandon well- developed properties which produce profitable returns. We have no fear of having to suffer any inconvenience from a scarcity of gold in California in consequence of the removal from the country of so many miners. I make these statements for the information of parties abroad engaged in business with this country." The following is the journal of a traveller who lately proceeded on this route : — *' Left San Francisco en Thursday, the 24th of June, at BOUTttS. 49 4j P.M., rtnd arrived in Esquimault Harbour, near Vic- toria, on the following Tuesday, at six in the morning- distance, 800 miles. The steamer was so crowded with gold-hunters, speculators, merchants, tradesmen, and ad- venturers of all sorts, that exercise even on the quarter- deck could only be coaxed by the general forbearance and good-humour of the crowd. Before starting there were stories to the prejudice of the steamer, the Oregon, belonging to the Pacific Mail Company, rife enough to damp the courage of the timid; but she behaved well, and beat another boat that had five hours' start of her. The fact is we had a vo del captain, a well-educated, gentle- manly man, form^ ; i lieutenant in the United States navy, whose intelligence, vigour, and conduct inspired full confidence in all. With Captain Patterson I would have gone to sea in a tub. Whatever may be the sins of the company as monopolists of the carrying trade on this coast, justice must award them the merit of having selected a staff of commanders who atone for many shortcomings. "The voyage from San Francisco to Vancouver's Island, which in a steamer is made all the way within sight of the coast, is one of the most agreeable when the voyager is favoured with fine weather. I know none other so picturesque out of the Mediterranean. The navi- gation is so simple that a schoolboy could sail a steamer, for a series of eighteen headlands, which jut out into the ocean all along the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington Territory, served as landmarks to direct the D \i 50 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. mariner in his course. All he has to do ia to steer from one to another; from Point Reyes outside the Golden Gate to Point Arena, the next in succession, and so on till he comes to Cape Flattery, upon rounding which he enters the Straits of Fuca, towards the end of his voyage. " The northern portion of the coast of California and the whole length of the coasts of Oregon and Washing- ton are thickly wooded. In fact, this vast stretch of country is one continuous pine forest. From the shore, where the trees dip into the sea, back to the verge of the distant horizon, over hills, down valleys, across ravines, and on and around the sides and tops of mountains, it is one great waving panorama of forest scenery. Timber enough to supply the wants of the world for ages, one would think. Yet the broken character of the country relieves the scene from monotony, and it fully realises the idea of the grand and the beautiful combined. One spot in particular made an impression upon me which I wish I had the power to convey by words. Between Cape Mendocina and Humboldt Bay, on the northern limits of California, a grand collection of hills and moun- tains of every variety of size, shape, and form occurs. This grand group recedes in a gentle sweep from the coast far inland, where it terminates in a high conical mountain, overtopping the entire mass of pinnacles which cluster around it. The whole is well clothed with trees of that feathery and graceful foliage peculiar to the spruce and larch, and interspersed with huge round ROUTES. tl clumps of evergreens, with alternations of long gliuies and great open patches of lawn covered with rich grass of that bright emerald green peculiar to California. This woodland scene, viewed of an early morning, sparkling with dew-drops under the rising sun which slowly lifted the veil of mist hanging over it, surpassed in beauty any- thing I have seen on this cc ^binent. Here everything in nature is on a grand scale. All her works are magni£-i cent to a degree unknown in Europe. A trip to these regions will pay the migratory Englishman in search of novelty to his heart's content, and I will bear the blame if he is not well pleased with his journey. California alone should satisfy a traveller of moderate desires. Here he will find combined the beauty and loveliness of English landscape with the bolder and grander features of the scenery of the Western continent— a combination, perhaps, unequalled in any other country. On this, the northern coast, the bold and the picturesque predominate over the tamer park-like scenery of the interior valleys, which so nearly resemble the 'fine old places' of Eng- land." Another route, which it is proposed to open on the other side of the country, from Minnesota to the Eraser River gold mines, would appear to be very feasible. From St Anthony the Mississippi is navigable for large steamers as far as the Sauk Rapids. Thence to Brecken- ridge, at the head of the navigation of the Red River of the North, is a distance of 125 miles. This pai of the journey must be made overland j but already i il \' i i M i 6^ HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. this district is being fast occupied by settlers, and a good road may easily be constructed. At Breckenridge a set )ment has also been established. Here commences the fertile valley of the Red River, and from this point, as appears from Captain Pope's survey, the river, which runs due north, is navigable for steamers all the way to its mouth, at the southern extremity of Lake Winnepeg. It begins with four feet of water, and gradually deepens to fifteen feet. Lake Winnepeg, which is long, narrow, and deep, receives near its northern end the Saskatche- wan, flowing from the west, and having its sources in the Rocky Mountains. The river, and the country on its banks, have recently attracted attention as well fitted for colonisation. Taking the climate of the eastern portion of the continent, and of the region round Hudson's Bay, as a standard, it was long supposed that all the interior of North America, beyond the 48th or 49th degree of north latitude, was too cold to produce grain crops ; and unfit, therefore, for the habitation of civilised men. Re- cent investigations, however, have fully established the curious and very important fact, that west of the western end of Lake Superior, at about the 100th degree of west longitude, a remarkable change begins to take place in the climate ; to such an extent, that as we proceed westward the limit of vegetable growth, and of the production of grain, is extended far to the north, so as to include the whole valley of the Saskatchewan, which is represented as in other respects well fitted for settle- ment. The Saskatchewan is a river larger and longer BOUTES. 53 than the Bed Biver of the North; and, according to Governor Simpson, of the Hudson's Bay Company's Ser- vice, in his notes on its exploration, it is navigable by its northern branch, with only one rapid to obstruct navigation, for seven hundred miles in a direct line to the foot of the Bocky Mountains. How serious an ob- struction this may be does not clearly appear. It can hardly be a perpendicular fall, since, according to Go- vernor Simpson, canoes and flat-boats pass over it in safety. From the head of navigation it is only about two hundred miles across the Bocky Mountains, of which the elevation here is much less than in Oregon and California, to the Thompson and Fraser Bivers. The distance from Breckenridge to the mouth of the Bed Biver is estimated at 450 miles. Thence through Lake Winnepeg to the mouth of Saskatchewan is 200 miles. Allowing for windings, the navigation by that river may be set down at 1000 miles. Add 125 miles of land carriage at one end of the route, and 200 at the other, making in the whole a distance of about 2000 miles, from the starting point on the Mississippi. So fully impressed are some enterprising people of Minnesota with the practicability and advantage of this route, that measures have been already taken for building a steamer at Breckenridge, designed to navigate the waters of the Bed Biver, Lake Winnepeg, and Saskatchewan, and to be ready for that purpose by the opening of next spring. Meantime as the greater part of the route is within the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company, ; I l> .1 !■' I' -S K 54 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. steps have been taken to open a communication with the Governor of that Coftipany, and with other persons likely to assist in putting a line of steamers on these waters. At present various measures are being taken by the Canadians to shorten this last route, and apparently with much success. They are making arrangements for pass- ing around the head waters of Lake Superior, and thus saving the detour in Minnesota. In a very short time it is said that an easy and inexpensive means of com- munication will be formed between Canada and the gold- fields ; but, for the present, the Panama route is decidedly the preferable one for British emigrants. the isons Ihcse the Iwith ass- thus neit com- jold- ledly CHAPTER IV. DESCRIPTION OP COASTS, HARBOURS, ETC. The Pacific coast extends from Panama westward and northward, without any remarkable irregularity in its outline, to the tropic of Cancer, almost immediately under which is the entrance of the great Gulf of California, separating the Peninsula of California from the main continent on the east. From the southern extremity of this peninsula the coast runs generally north-westward to Mount St Elias, a lofty volcanic peak, rising from the shore of the ocean under the 60th paiidlel, beyond which the continent stretches far westward, between the Pacific on the south, and the Arctic Sea on the north, to its termination at Cape Prince of Wales, in Behring's Straits, the passage separating America from Asia. The part of the coast south of the 49th degree of latitude (the American boundary) presents few indentations, and the islands in its vicinity are neither numerous nor large. North of the 49th degree, on the contrary, the mainland is everywhere penetrated by inlets and bays ; and near it are thousands of islands^ many of them extensive, lying m : ¥ 66 HAin>BOOK TC> THE KEW EL DOBADO. singly or in groups, separated from each other and from the continent by narrow channels. From the mouth of the Columbia forty-five miles of unbroken coast reaches Whidbey's Bay, called by the Americans Bulfinches' Harbour, and not unfrequently Gray's Bay, which, with an entrance of scarce two miles and a-half, spreads seven miles long and nine broad, forming two deep bays like the Columbia. Here there is secure anchorage behind Point Hanson to the south and Point Brown to the north, but the capacity of the bay is lessened to one-third of its size by the sand banks which encroach on it in every direction. like the Columbia, its mouth is obstructed by a bar which has not more than four fathoms water, and as it stretches some three miles to seaward, with breakers on each side, extending the whole way to the shore, the difficulty of entrance is increased. It lies nearly east and west, and receives from the east the waters of the river Chikelis, having its rise at the base of the mountains, which, stretching from Mount Olympus in the north, divide the coast from Puget's Sound. From Whidbey's Bay to Cape Flattery, about eighty miles, but two streams, and those unimpor- tant, break the iron wall of the coast, which rising gradually into lofty mountains is crowned in hoary grandeur by the snow-clad peaks of Mount Olympus. Cape Flattery, called also Cape Classet, is a conspicuous promontory in lat. 48° 27'; beyond it, distant one mile, lies Tatouches Island, a large flat rock, with perpendi- cular sides, producing a few trees, surrounded by rocky DESOBIFnOX OF 00ABT8, HABBOUBS, ETC. tfl islets : it is one mile in length, joined to the shore by a reef of rocks, and a mile further, leaving a clear passage between them, is a reef named Ducan's Rock. Here commences, in lat. 48° 30', that mighty arm of the sea, which has been justly named from its first discoverer, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and which Captain Cook passed without perceiving. The entrance of this strait is about ten miles in width, and varies from that to twenty with the indentations of its shores, of which the northern, stretching to the north-west and south-east across the entrance, gives an appearance of continuity to its line on the Pacific. Bunning in a south-easterly direction for upwards of one hundred miles, its further progress is suddenly stopped by a range of snow-clad mountain, at the base of which, spreading abroad its mighty arms to the north and south, it gives to the continent the ap- pearance of a vast archipelago. Of I;he Straits of Fuca and surrounding shores, the latest and fullest information we possess is that contained in the letter of the Times^ special correspondent, pub- lished on 27th August. He says : — " We have now rounded Cape Flattery, and are in the Straits of Fuca, running up between two shores of great beauty. On the left is the long-looked-for Island of Vancouver, an irregular aggregation of hills, shewing a sharp angular outline as they become visible in the early dawn, covered with the eternal pines, saving only occa- sional sunny patches of open greensward, very pretty and picturesque, but the hills not lofty enough to be very 68 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. striking. The entire island, properly speaking, is a forest. On the right we have a long massive chain of lofty mountains covered with snow, called the Olympian range— very grand, quite Alpine in aspect. This is the peninsula, composed of a series of mountains running for many miles in one unbroken line, which divides the Straits of Fuca from Puget Sound. It belongs to America, in the territory of Wjvshington, is uninhabited* and, like its opposite neighbour, has a covering of pines far up towards the summit. The tops of these mouutains are seldom free from snow. The height is unknown, perhaps 16,000 feet. We ran up through this scenery early in the morning, biting cold, for about forty miles to Esquimalt Harbour — the harbour — which confers upon Vancouver's Island its pre-eminence. " From the information of old miners, who pointed out some of the localities on the northern coast of Cali- fornia, and indicated the position of places in Oregon in which they had dug for gold, I had a strong corrobora- tion of an opinion which I stated in one of my late letters — that the Fraser River diggings were a continuation of the great goldfield of California. The same miners had a theory that these northern mines would be richer than any yet discovered, because the more northern portions of California are richer than the central and southern portions. " The harbour of Esquimalt is a circular bay, or rather a basm, hollowed by nature out of the solid rock. We slid in through the narrow entrance between two low. the I DEscBnrnoN of ooAsia^ habbours, etc. ft0 rocky promontories, and found ourselves suddenly tran- sported from the open sea and its heavy roll and swell into a Highland Me, placid as the face of a mirror, in the recesses of a pine forest The transition was start- ling. From the peculiar shape of the bay and the deep indentations its various coves make into the shore, one sees but a small portion [ the harbour at a glance from the point we brought up at. We therefore thought it ridiculously small after our expectations had been so highly wrought in San Francisco. "The whole scenery is of the Highland character. The rocky shores, the pine trees running down to the edge of the lake, their dark foliage trembling over the glittering surface which reflected them, the surrounding hills, and the death-like silence. I was both delighted and disappointed — delighted with the richness of the scenery, but disappointed at the smallness of the har- bour. Can this little loch, imprisoned within natural ramparts of rocks, buried in the solitude of a forest, be the place which I hoped would become so famous, the great destiny of which has bee^ prognosticated by stat a? men and publicists, and the possession of which is bii;- terly envied us by neighbouring nations ; this the place where England is to centre a naval forcf iiitherto unknown in the Pacific, whence her fleets are to issue for the protection of her increasing interests in the Western world; this the seaport of the Singapore of the Pacific; the modern Tyre into which the riches of the East are to flow and be distributed to the Western nations; the ^1 H ! i\ ii i 60 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. terminus of railway communication which is to conneclj the Atlantic with the Facifici "Victoria is distant from Esquimalt, by land, about three miles; round by sea, double the distance. The intervening ground is an irregular promontory, having the waters of the Straits of Fuca on the south, the Bay of Victoria on the east, and the Victoria arm encircling it on the north. The promontory contains three farms, reclaimed from the forest of pines, oaks, alders, willows, and evergreens. The soil is good, and produces fair crops of the ordinary cereals, oats, barley, and wheat, and good grass, turnips, and potatoes. " I came the first time to Victoria round by water. The rowing of our boat was much impeded by kelp. The shore is irregular; somewhat bold and rocky — two more facts which confirmed the resemblance of the scenery to that of the western coast of Scotland. " The bay of Victoria runs in a zigzag shape — two long sharp promontories on thys southward hiding the town from view until we get quite close up to it. A long low sand-spit juts out into it, which makes the entrance hazardous for large vessels at some little distance below the town, and higher up the anchorage is shallow. Twice at low tides I saw two or three ugly islands revealed, where ships would have to anchor. In short, Victoria is not a good harbour for a fleet. For small vessels and traders on the coast, it will answer well enough. " Victoria stands nobly on a fine eminence, a beautiful plateau, on the rocky shore of the bay of the same name. DESCRIPTION OF COASTS, EARBOUBS, ETC. ^f Generations yet to come will pay grateful tribute to the sagacity and good taste of the man who selected it. There is no finer site for a city in the world. The plateau drains itself on every side by the natural depres- sions which intersect it, and there is space enough to build a Paris on. The views are also good. Across the straits you have the Olympian range washed by the sea ; towards the interior, picturesque views of wooded hills ; opposite, the fine woodland scenery of the country inter- vening between it and Esquimalt, the Victoria arm, glimpses of which, as seen through the foliage, look like a series of inland lakes ; while in front, just at one's feet, is the bay itself and its tributaries, or arms rather — James's Bay, &c., always beautiful; and behind, towards the south-east end of the island, is a view of great beauty and grandeur— a cluster of small islands, San Juan and others, water in different channels, straits and creeks, and two enormous mountains in the far distance, covered from base to summit with perpetual snow. These are Mounts Baker and Kainier, in Washington territory. Such are a few— and I am quite serious when I say only a few— of the beauties which surround Victoria. " As to the prospects of Vancouver's Island as a colony, I would say that if it shall turn out that there is an extensive and rich gold-field on the mainland in British territory, as there is every reason to believe, the island will become a profitable field for all trades, industries, and labour. The population will soon increase from Canada, whence an immigration of many thousands is i '1 62 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. already spoken of, from Australia, South America, the Atlantic States, and, no doubt, from Europe also. If this happens, the tradesman and the labourer will find em- ployment, and the farmer will find a ready market, at good prices, for his produce. " Should the gold suddenly disappear, the island will have benefited by the impulse just given to immigration, for, no doubt, many who came to mine will remain to cultivate the soil and to engage in other pursuits. If this be the termination of the present fever, then to the farmer who is satisfied with a competency — full garners and good larder, who loves retirement, is not ambitious of wealth, is fond of a mild, agreeable, and healthy climate, and a most lovely country to live in— the island offers every attraction. Its resources are, plenty of timber, towards the northern portion producing spars of un- equalled quality, which are becoming of great value in England, and will soon be demanded in France, now that the forests of Norway and of Maine are becoming ex- hausted ; limestone in abundance, which burns into good lime for building and for agricultural purposes; coal in plenty, now worked at Nanaimo, on the northern side of the island, by the Hudson's ?ay Company — the quality is quite good, judging from the specimens I saw burning— it answers well for steam purposes, and would have found a ready sale in San Francisco were it not subject to a heavy duty (of 30 per cent. I think) under the American tariff ; iron, copper, gold, and potter's clay. I have no doubt that a gold-field will be discovered on the island the this em- et, at DESCBIPTION OP COASTS, FA.PTOUIIS, ETC. 63 as it gets opened up to enterprising explorers. A friend of mine brought down some sand from the sea-beach near Victoria, and assayed it the other day. It produced gold in minute quantity, and I have heard of gold wash- ings on the island. The copper is undeveloped. The potter's clay has been tested in England, and found to be very good. " The character of the soil is favourable to agriculture. It is composed of a black vegetable mould of a foot to two feet in depth, overlaying a hard yellow clay. The surface earth is very fine, pulverised, and sandy, quite black, and, no doubt, of good quality; when sharpened with sheep-feeding it produces heavy crops. The fallen trees, which are very numerous, shew that the substra- tum of clay is too hard to produce anything. The roots of the pine never penetrate it. In some places the spon- taneous vegetation testifies to the richness of the soil — such as wild pease or vetches, and wild clover, which I have seen reach up to my horse's belly — and a most luxu- riant growth of underwood, brambles, fern, &c. " I visited seven farms within short distances of Vic- toria. The crops were oats, barley, wheat, pease, potatoes, turnips, garden herbs and vegetables, fruits, and flowers ; no clover, the natural grass supplying sufiicient food for the cattle and sheep. The crops were all healthy, but not heavy. The wheat was not thick on the ground, nor had it a large head. It was such a crop as would be an average oaly in a rich, well-cultivated district of England or Scotland; far lighter than you would see in the rich ■I 'in u BAin)BOOE TO THE NEW EL DORADO. counties of England and in the Carse of Gowrie. I was informed that the ground was very badly prepared uy Indian labour — merely scratched over the surface. I believe that with efficient labour and skilful treatment, the crops could be nearly doubled. The oats and barley were very good crops, and the potatoes looked quite healthy, and I doubt not will turn out the best crop of all. The peas were decidedly an abundant crop. Vege- tables thrive well, and all the ordinary fruits, apples, cur- rants, &c., are excessively abundant, some of the currant- bushes breaking down with the weight of their fruit. Flowers of the ordinary sorts do well, but delicate plants don't thrive, owing to the coldness of the nights. " Sheep thrive admirably. I saw some very fine pure Southdowns. The rams were selling at 100 dollars each ( J20) to California sheep farmers. Other breeds— hybrids of Southdowns, merinos, and other stock— were also in good condition, and fair in size. Black cattle do well also. The breed is a mixture of English and American, which makes very good beef. The horses are little Indian breeds, and some crosses with American stock, all very clean limbed, sound, active, hardy, and full of endurance and high spirit, until they get into iivery-stables. " During my stay, the climate was charming ; the wea- ther perfection— warm during the day, but free of glare, and not oppressive ; cool in the evenings, with generally a gentle sea breeze. The long days— the protracted day- light eking out the day to nine o'clock at night— the lin- gering sunset, and the ample "gloaming," all so different DESCBIFTION OF COiBTS, HABBOUBS, ETO. 68 from what I had been accustomed to in more southern latitudes, again reminded me of Scotland in the summer season. " So far as I wandered— about ten miles round Vic- toria—the landscape is dotted with extensive croppings of rock, which interfere with the labours of the husband- man. Few corn-fields are without a lot of boulders, or a ridge or two of rocks rising up above the surface of the ground. Consequently the cultivated fields are small, and were sneered at by my Califomian neighbours, who are accustomed to vast open prairies under crop. I have seen one field of 1000 acres all under wheat in California. But then no other country is so favom'ed as this is for all the interests of agriculture. " The scenery of the inland country around Victoria is a mixture of English and Scotch. Where the pine (they are all " Douglass" pines) prevails, you have the good soil broken into patches by the croppings of rock, producing ferns, rye-grass, and some thistles, but very few. This is the Scottish side of the picture. Then you come to the oak region; and here you have clumps, open glades, rows, single trees of umbrageous form, presenting an exact copy of English park scenery. There is no running water, un- fortunately, but the meadows and little prairies that lie ensconced within the woods, shew no signs of suflFering from lack of water. The nights bring heavy dews, and there are occasional rains, which keep them fresh and green. I am told that in September rains fall which renew the face of nature so suddenly, that it assumes the E A 1 69 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBADO. garb of spring, the flowers even coming out. The winter is a little cold, but never severe. I have heard it com- plained of as being rather wet and muggy. Frost and snow fall, but do not endure long. " The climate is usually represented as resembling that of England. In some respects the parallel may hold good ; but there is no question that Vancouver has more steady fine weather, is far less changeable, and is on the whole milder. Two marked differences I remarked— the heat was never sweltering, as is sometimes the case in England, and the wind never stings, as it too often does in the mother country. The climate is unquestionably superior in Vancouver." To resume our description of the coast, the southern shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is described by Van- couver as being composed of sandy cliffs of moderate height, falling perpendicularly into the sea, from the top of which the land takes a further gentle ascent, where it is entirely covered with trees, chiefly of the pine tribe, until the forest reaches a range of high craggy mountains which seem to rise from the woodland in a very abrupt manner, with a few scattered trees on their sterile sides, and their tops covered with snow. On the north the shore is not so high, the ascent more gradual from thence to the tops of the mountains, which are less covered with snow than those to the south. They have from the strait the appearance of a compact range. Proceeding up the strait about seventy miles, a long low sandy point attracted Vancouver's attention ; from its resemblance to DESCBIPTION OF COASTS, HARBOURS, ETC. 61 Duugeness, on the coast of Kent, he named it New Dungeness, and found within it good anchorage in from ten to three fathoms ; beyond this the coast forms a deep bay about nine miles across ; and three miles from its eastern point lies Protection Island, so named from the position it occupies at the entrance of Port Discovery. Vancouver landed on it on the 1st of May 1792, and thus describes its appearance :— " On landing on the west end, and ascending its eminence, which was a nearly perpen- dicular cliff, our attention was immediately called to a landscape almost as enchautingly beautiful as the most elegantly finished pleasure-grounds in Europe. The sum- mit of this island presented nearly a horizontal surface, interspersed with some inequalities of ground, which produced a beautiful variety on an extensive lawn covered with luxuriant grass and diversified with abun- dance of flowers. To the north-westward was a coppice of pine trees, and shrubs of various sorts, that seemed as if it had been planted for the purpose of protecting from the north-west winds this delightful meadow, over which were promiscuously scattered a few clumps of trees that would have puzzled the most ingenious designer of pleasure-grounds to have arranged more agreeably. While we stopped to contemplate these several beauties of nature in a prospect no less pleasing than unexpected, we gathered some gooseberries and roses in a state of considerable forwardness." From this island, lying at the entrance of Port Dis- covery, commences the maritime importance of the terri- I \i . ;1 f u v8 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. tory, with, says Vancouver, as fine a harbour as any in the world, though subsequently he awards the palm to its neighbour Port Hudson. Its shores and scenery have been thus described by Vancouver : — *^ The delightful serenity of the weather greatly aided the beautiful scenery that was now presented ; the surface of the sea was perfectly smooth, and the country before us presented all that bounteous nature could be ex- pected to draw into one point of view. As we had no reason to imagine that this country had ever been in- debted for any of its decorations to the hand of man, I could not possibly believe that any uncultivated country had ever been discovered exhibiting so rich a picture. The land which interrrupted the horizon below the north-west and north quarters seemed to be much broken, from whence its eastern extent round to south-east was bounded by a ridge of snowy mountains, appearing to lie nearly in a north and south direction, on which Mount Baker rose conspicuously, remarkable for its height and the snowy mountains that stretch from its base to the north and south. Between us and this snowy range, the land, which on the sea-shore terminated like that we had lately passed in low perpendicular cliffs, or on beaches of sand or stone, rose here in a very geiitle ascent^ f(Ad was well covered with a variety of stately forest trees j these, however, did not conceal the whole face of the country in one uninterrupted wilderness, but pleasantly dothed its eminences and chequered the valleys, presenting in many directions extensive spaces that wore the appear- DEBOBIPTION OF OOASTS, HABBOTTltS, ETC. 69 anc* of having been cleared by art, like the beautiful igland we had visited the day before. A picture so pleasing could not fail to call to our remembrance certain delightful and beloved situations in Old England." Both the approaches to this port, round the extremities of Protection Island, are perfectly free from obstruction, and about a league in breadth. Separated from Port Discovery only by a narrow slip of land from a mile and a-half to two miles broad, which trending to the east protects it from the north and west, is port Hudson, having its entrance at the ex- tremity of the point on the east side, but little more than one mile broad ; from which the harbour extends, in a semicircular form, for about four miles westward, and then trending for about six more, affords excellent shelter and anchorage for vessels in from ten to twenty fathoms, with an even bottom of mud. In lat. 48° 16' the waters of the strait are divided by a high white sandy cliff, with verdant lawns on each side ; this was named by Vancouver Point Partridge. It fonr s the western extremity of an island, long, low, verdant, and well-wooded, lying close to the coast, and having its south end at the mouth of a river rising in those moun- tains which here form a barrier to the further progress of the sea. The snow-covered peak of the most lofty of these is visible soon after entering the strait. Vancouver named it Mount Baker, from the officer of his ship by whom it was first seen. This mountain, with Mount Olympus, and another further to the south, named by 'fl is !■ ! n HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. ilfi the same navigator Mount Rainier, form nearly aii equi- lateral triangle, and tower over the rest, the giant wardens of the land. From Point Partridge the southern branch extends about fifteen miles below the island before mentioned; this Vancouver named Ad- miralty Inlet. Here the tides begin to be sufficiently rapid to afford obstruction to navigation ; and hence it parts in two arms, one named Hood's Canal, taking a south-west course, and the other continuing a south course for forty miles, and then also bending to the west, terminates in a broad sound studded with islands, called by him Puget's Sound. On the east coast of Admiralty Inlet, there is a broad sound with veiy deep water and rapid tides, but afford- ing good anchorage in the mouth of the river. Here Vancouver landed and took formal possession of the coun- try on Monday, the 4th of June, (nith the us^^slsolemni- iieSy and under a royal salute from the shipfj), in the name of his Britannic Majesty King George the Third, and for his heirs and successors — that day being His Majesty's birthday— from lat. 39° 2(y to the entrance of this inlet, supposed to be the Strait of Juan de Fuca, as well the northern as the southern shores, together with those situated in the interior sea, extending from the said strait in various directions between the north-west north-east, and south quarters. This interior sea he named the Gulf of Georgia, and the continent bounding the said giilf , and extending southward to the 45th degree of north latitude. New Georgia, in honour of His Majesty eqm- giant DmcRtmosf OF coasts, habbours, irrc. 71 Qeorge UL The sound he named, from this incident, Possession Somid. Of the country round the sound he thu^" writes : — " Our eastern view was now bounded by the range of snowy mountains from Mount Baker, bear- ing by compass north, to Mount Rainier, bearing N. 64° E. This mountain was hid by the more elevated parts of the low land ; and the intermediate snowy mountains, in various rugged and grotesque shapes, were seen just to rear their heads above the lofty pine trees, which ap- peared to compose an uninterrupted forest between us and the snowy range, presenting a most pleasing land- scape; nor was our west view destitute of similar diver- sification. The ridge of mountains on which Mount Olympus is situated, whose rugged summits were seen no less fancifully towering over the forest than those of the east side, bounded to a considerable extent our western horizon; on these, however, not one conspicuous emi- nence arose, nor could we now distinguish that which on the sea-coast appeared to be centrally situated, forming an elegant biforked mountain. From the south extre- mity of these ridges of mountains there seemed to be an extensive tract of land, moderately elevated and beauti- fully diversified by pleasing inequalities of surface, en- riched with every appearance of fertility. The narrow ihannel from Possession Sound, at the back of the long island lying at its mouth, which Van" couver named Whidbeys Island, affords some small but convenient harbours ; its northern entrance is so choked with rocks as to be scarcely practicable for vessels ; but its southeiAx is wide, and the navigation unimpeded. 7fl HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. The northern arm of the, straits commences in an archipelago of small islands, well wooded and fertile, but generally without water; in one of them, however, Van- couver found good anchorage, though exposed to the south, having wood, water, and every necessary; this he named Strawberry Cove, from that fruit having been found there in great abundance, and the island, from the trees which covered it, Cypress Island. About this part the continental shore is high and rocky, though covered with wood ; and, it may be remarked generally, that the northern shore of the gulf becomes more rocky and sterile, shewing gradually a less and less variety of trees, until those of the pine tribe alone are found. Above the archipelago the straits widen, swelling out to the east in a double bay, affording good anchorage, beyond which the shores become low and sandy, and a wide bank of sand extends along them about one or two miles, closely approaching the opposite side of the gulf, leaving a narrow but clear channel. This bank, affording large sturgeon, was named by Vancouver after that fish; and keeping to the south around it, he did not observe that here the gulf receives the waters of Fraser River from the north. Here the gulf is open, and the naviga- tion unimpeded, except by a few islands on the north shore; one of them, named by the Spaniards de Feveda, deserves notice; it is parallel with the shore, narrow, and about thirty miles long. Among the natural features of this part of the north shore of the gulf, must not be omitted, on account of DESCRIPTION OF COASTS, HABBOims, ETO. 73 their singularity, the small salt-water lakes, which are found divided from the sea only by a narrow ledge of rock, having a depth over it of four feet at high-water. They are consequently replenished by the sea every tide, and form salt-water cascades during the ebb and rise of of the tides; some of them, divided into several branches, run through a low swampy woodland country. Here also are streams of water, so warm as to be unpleasant to the hand ; and every feature of this district evidences the violent effort of nature in its production. Except the coast and canals, nothing is known of it; but its mineral riches are scarcely problematical. The channels between the several islands which here obstruct the gulf are narrow, deep, and much impeded by the strength of the tide, which is sufficient in some places to stop the progress of a steam-vessel, as has been frequently experi- enced by the Hudson's Bay Company's steam-boat Beaver ; yet Vancouver found no difficulty in working his vessels through Johnstone's Strait, the passage between these islands and the southern shore, against a head-wind; being compelled, as he says, to perform a complete tra- verse from shore to shore through its whole length, and without meeting the least obstruction from rocks or shoals. He adds, " the great depth of water, not only here, but that which is generally found washing the shores of this very broken and divided country, must ever be considered a peculiar circumstance, and a great inconvenience to its navigation; we, however, found a sufficient number of stopping-places to answer all our i it It 74 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOBABO. purposes, and in general without going far out of our way." From this archipelago, extending about sixty miles, the strait widens into a broad expanse, which swells to the north in a deep sound, filled with islands, called Broughton's Archipelago. This part was named by Vancouver Queen Charlotte's Sound; and is here fifteen miles broad, exclusive of the archipelago, but it contracts immediately to less than ten, and sixty miles from Johnstone Straits joins the Pacific, its northern boundary, Cape Caution, being in lat. 51° 1(/. The en- trance to the sound is choked with rocks and shoals. Here, between Broughton's Archipelago and Cape Cau- tion, another mountain, called Mount Stephen, conspicu- ous from its irregular form and great elevation, and worthy to be named with those to the south, seems to mount guard over the northern entrance to the straits. Froi'i Cape Caution, off which are several groups of rocks to lat. 54'^ 4u', where the Russian territory com- mences, the coast has much the same character as that already desciibed between the Gulf of Georgia and the sea, but that its harsher features are occasionally much softened, and its navigation less impeded. Throughout its whole length it is cut up by long and deep canals, which form various archipelagos of islands, and peneirate deeply and circuitously into the land, which is high, but not so precipitous as about Desolation Sound, and gene- rally covered with trees. The islands lying close to the shore follow its sinuosi- ties, and through the narrow channels thus formed the of our t sixty which islands, named is here but it Y miles orthem Phe en- als. )e Cau- nspicu- u, and ems to •aits. >ups of Y com- is that nd the much Jghout canals, leiirate :h, but gene- DESCBIPTION OF COASTS, HABBOUBS, ETC. 76 cuiTents are rapid; those more detached are more fertile; tiiey are all the resort of the natives during the fishing season. Their formation is granite, the prevailing rock north of lat. 49°. Distant thirty miles at its nearest and ninety at its furthest point from the line of islands which cover this coaat, and under parallels 52° and 64°, lies Queen Charlotte's Island, called by the Americans Wash- ington. It is in form triangular, about 160 miles long, and above sixty at its greatest breadth, and con- tains upwards of 4000 square miles. Possessed of an excellent harbour on its east coast, in lat. 63° 3', and another on the north, at Hancock's River (the Port Entrada of the Spaniards), it is a favourite resort of traders. The climate and soil are excellent, hills lofty and well wooded, and its coast, especially on the west side, deeply indented by arms of the sea, among which may be named Englefield Bay and Cartwright's Sound. Coal and some metals are said to have been found on this island. On the whole the character of this coast seems to be well expressed by Lieutenant Wilkes, when he says — "Nothing can exceed the beauty of these waters, and their safety; not a shoal exists within the straits of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, Puget's Sound, or Hood's Canal, that can in any way interrupt their navigation by a 74 gun ship. I venture nothing in saying there is no country in the world that possesses waters equal to these." 'i nuosi- id the ' !■: ! ,,^,i !:1 'M:i i CHAPTEE V. NATIVE TRIBES. Mr Nicolay, in his treatise on the Oregon Territory, gives a minute and graphic account of the aboriginal inhabitants of this district, from which we purpose mak- ing some extracts to enrich our pages. The principal Indian tribes, commencing from the south, are the Callapuyas, Shaste, Klamet, Umqua, Rogues* River, and Chinooks, between the Californian boundary and Columbia, to the west of the Cascade Mountains; the Shoshones or Snake and Nezperces tribes about the southern branch of the Columbia, and Cascade Indians on the river of that name; between the Columbia and the Strait of Fuca, the Tatouche or Classet tribe; and the Clalams about Port Discovery; the Sachet about Fossiession Sound; the Walla-walla, Flat-head, Flat-bow Indians, and Cour d'Aleine or Pointed Heart, about the rivers of the same names; the Chunnapuns and Chanwappans between the Cascade range and the north branch of the Columbia; the Kootanie to the east, between it and the Rocky Mountains; and to the north NATIVE TRIBES. 77 about Okanagan, various branches of the Carrier tribe. Of those on the coast to the north and on Vancouver Island not much is known. Their numbers may be stated at a rough estimate as — On the coast below the Columbia 2,500 About the Cascades 1,500 On the Snake ELver and its tributary .... 2,500 Between the Columbia and Strait of De Fuca . . . 3,000 About Fort Vancouver 1,500 Walla-walla 1,500 Flat-head, &c 1,200 Okanagan 750 Northward 2,500 Vancouver's and Queen Charlotte's Island .... 6,000 Possession Sound -, 650 Fraser River 600 On the coast of the Gulf of Georgia 600 23,600 This is, however, 6000 less than was reported to the Con- gress of the United States, and 4000 more than Mr Wilkes' calculation. That there are errors in his there can be no doubt; and it is probable that some smaller tribes may be omit- ted in the above calculation ; the number, therefore, be- tween parallels 42'' and 54° 40' may be roughly estimated at 30,000. Through the care of the Hudson's Bay Company and the semi-civilised habits they have adopted, the number of Indians to the north of the Columbia is not on the decrease; to the south it is; and the total must be very \l r^ 78 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DOEADO. ! considerably less than it was before the settlement was made among them. The Indian nations in Oregon may be divided into three classes, differing in habits and character according to their locality and means of sustenance— the Indians of the coast, the mountains, and the plains. The first feed mostly on fish, and weave cloth for clothing from the wool or hair of the native sheep, having to a great extent settled residences, though these last character- istics are rapidly disappearing; the second, trappers and hunters, wandering for the most part in pursuit of game; and the third, the equestrian tribes, who, on the great plains about the waters of the rivers, chase on their fleet horses the gigantic bison, whose flesh supplies them with food, and whose hide covers them. The former bear some resemblance to the native inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific. The two latter are in every respect Red men. Those on the coast were first known, and when visited by the early voyagers had the characteristics which, from contiguity to White men, have deteriorated in the south, but which have been retained in the north — high courage, determination, and great ingenuity, but joined to cruelty and faithlessness; and as in the south Destruction Island obtained its name from their savage cnielty, so does the coast throughout its length afford the same testimony. Cook, who first discovered them, says, "They were thieves in the strictest sense of the word, for they pilfered nothing from us but what they knew could be converted to the purposes of utility, NATIVE TRIBES. 7|| and had a real value according to their estimation of things." Their form is thick and clumsy, but they are not deficient in strength or activity; when young, their colour is not dark nor their features hard, but exposure to the weather, want of mental culture, and their dirty habits, soon reduce them all to the same dark complexion and dull phlegmatic want of expression which is strongly marked in all of them. In Cook's time, and till the White men settled among them, their dress was a flaxen mantle, ornamented with fur above, and tassels and fringes, which, passing under the left arm, is tied over the right shoulder, leaving the right side open: this is fastened round the waist by a girdle : above this, which reaches below the knee, a cir- cular cape, perforated in the centre to admit the head, made of the same substance, and also fringed in the lower part, is worn : it covers the arms to the elbows. Their head is covered with a cap, conical but truncated, made of fine matting, ornampi'ted at the top with a knot or tassels. Besides the above dress, common to both sexes, the men frequently throw over their garments the skin of a bear, wolf, or searotter, with the fur outwards : they wear the hair loose, unless tied up in the scalping-lock : they cover themselves with paint, and swarm with ver- min ; upon the paint they strew mica to make it glitter. They perforate the nose and ears, and put various orna- ments into them. But besides these common habits, they ixaffe official 80 HANDBOOK TO THE NEW EL DORADO. and ceremonious occasions, on which they wear beautiful furs and theatrical dresses and disguises, including large masks; and their war-dress, formed of a thick doubled leathern mantle of elk or buffalo skin, frequently with a cloak over it, on which the hoofs of horses were strung, makes an almost impervious cuirass. Their love for music, geneial lively dispositions, except from provoca- tion, bnt decerminaticii in avenging insult or wrong, U to;: tified hy all. Cook alfso gives a full description of their houses and Bijaxer of life. Of the former, he says they are made of split boards, and large enough for several families, who occupy smaU pens on each side of thtj interior. They have benches and boxes, and many of their utensils, such as pipes, f Car- leeded; p with good- houses up in- fifteen bark: )vered ceava- utthe Imon, )fthe lilda 1 one place, at which they fix a basket, three feet in diameter, with the mouth made something like an eel-trap, through which alone the fish can find a passage. On the side of this basket is a hole, to which is attached a smaller basket, into which the fish pass from the large one, and cannot return or escape. This, when filled, is taken up without disturbing the larger one. Of the religion and superstitions of the Indians little need be said; the features of polytheism being every- where as similar as its efifects. Impudent conjurers are their priests and teachers, and exerted once unlimited sway; but imder the satisfactory proofs of the value of scientific medical practice and the tuition of the mission- aries, it is to be hoped both their claims to respect will be negatived; and as they have evinced great aptitude to embrace and profit by instruction, it may perhaps happen that secular knowledge may combine with reli- gious to save them from the apparent necessary result. In closing this brief account of the gold-fields of New Caledonia, we cannot avoid adverting to the great event which has been, we may say, contemporaneous with these discoveries — the laying down of the Atlantic telegraph. The sources of an apparently boundless and dazzling wealth have been opened up in the Far West of America, and a mighty stream of thought has begun its perpetual s i I 90 HANDBOOK TO THE IISSW EL DORADO. ilow backwards and forwards between her eastern shores and England. We hail the coincidence as an assurance that friendly communication, and peace, and good-isill, shall go hand and hand with the getting of gold in, and the civilising of, these far off regions ; and we believe tlat Qod will use both these new and mighty engines for the advancement of the blessed gospel of our Lord. Jesus Christ in the British possessions of North America 001 ni shores assurance :ood-T»ilJ, d in, and ieve tlat iS for the ro Jesus ca. APPENDIX. OORBESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE DISCOVERY OP GOLD IN THE ERASER RIVER DISTRICT, IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. Presented to both Hoases of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, July 2, 1858. No. I. Governor Dottglas to the Right Hon, Henry Lahouchere, M,P. Victoria, Vancouver's Island, April 16, 1856. Sib, — I hasten to commnnicate, for the information of Her Miyesty's Government, a discovery of much importance, made known to me by Mr Angus M'Donald, clerk in charge of Fort Colville, one of the Hudson's Bay Company's trading posts on the Upper Columbia District. That gentleman reports, in a letter dated on the 1st of Karch last, that gold has been found in considerable quantities within the British territory, on the Upper Columbia, and that he is, moreover, of opinion, that valuable deposits of gold will be found in many other parts of that country ; he also states that the daily earnings of persons then employed in digging gold were ranging from £2 to £>% for each man. Such is the substance of his report on that subject, and I have requested him to continue his communications in respect to any further discoveries made. I do not know if Her Majesty's Oovernment will consider it expedient to raise a revenue in that quarter, by taxing all persons engaged in gold digging ; but I may remark, that it will be impossible to levy such a tax without the aid of a mill* IP I ! \ 92 APPENDIX. tary force, and the expense in that case would probably exceed the income derived from the mines. I will not fail to keep you well informed in respect to the extent and value of the gold discoveries made ; and circum« stances will probably be the best indication of the course which it may be expedient to take, that is, in respect to imposing a tax, or leaving the field free and open to any persons who may choose to dig for gold. Several interesting experiments in gold-washing have been lately made in this colony, with a degree of success that will no doubt lead to further attempts for the discovery of the pre- cious metal. The quantity of gold found is suflScient to prove the existence of the metal, and the parties engaged in the en^ terprise entertain sanguine hopes of discovering rich and pro- ductive beds. I have, &c., (Signed) The Right Hon. Henry Labonchere, &c. &c. &.e. James Douglas, Governor. Got SJ No. 11. The Bight Hon. Henry Labouchere to Governor Douglas. Downing Street, August 4, 1856. Sib, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 10, of the 16th April last, reporting the discovery of gold within the British territory on the Upper Columbia River district. In the absence of all effective machinery of Government, I perceive that it would be quite abortive to attempt to raise a revenue from licences to dig for gold in that region. Indeed, as Her Majesty's Government do not at present look for a revenue from this distant quarter of the British dominions, so neither are they prepared to incur any expense on account of it. I must, therefore, leave it to your discretion to determine the best means of preserving order in the event of any consi- derable increase of population flocking into this new gold district ; and I shall rely on jour furnishing me with full and regular accounts of any event of interest or importance which may occur in consequence of this discovery. I have, &c., (Signed) H. Labouohebb. To Governor Douglas, &c. &c. I APPENDIX. 93 ^1/ exceed ect to the circnm- me which npoBing a who may lave been that will f the pre- > to prove n the en< and pro* ior. mglas. 1856. lespatcb, ^ of gold district, iment, I > raise a Indeed, )k for a lions, so count of itermine ly consi- iw gold nil and 3 which lERE, No. III. Governor Douglas to the Bight Hon, Henry Labouehere, M,P. Yiotoria, Yancoaver's Island, October 29, 1856. Sib, — 1. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, Ko. 14, of the 4th of August, communicating the arrival of my despatch, No. 10, of the 16th April last, in which was reported the discovery of gold within the British territory in the Upper Columbia Elver district. 2. I have, since the date of that letter, received several other communications from my correspondent in that part of the country, who, however, scarcely makes any allusion to the gold discovery ; but I have heard through other almost equally reliable sources of information, that the number of persons engaged in gold digging is yet extremely limited, in conse> quence of the threatening attitude of the native tribes, who, being hostile to the Americans, have uniformly opposed the entrance of American citizens into their country. 3. The people from American Oregon are, therefore, excluded from the gold district, except such, as resorting to the artifice of denying their country, succeed in passing for British subjects. The persons at present engaged in the search of gold are chiefly of British origin, and retired servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who, being well acquainted with the natives, and connected by old acquaintanceship and the ties of friendship, are more disposed to aid and assist each other in their common pursuits than to commit injuries against persons or property. 4. They appear to pursue their toilsome occupation in peace, and without molestation from the natives, and there is no reason to suppose that any criminal act has been lately com* mitted in that part of the country. • ••••• 5. It is reported that gold is found in considerable quantities, and that several persons have accumulated large sums by their labour and traffic, but I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these reports ; though, on the other hand, there is no reason to dis* credit them, as about 220 ounces of gold dust have been brought to Vancouver's Island direct from the Upper Columbia, a proof that the country is at least auriferous. From the successful result of experiments made in washing gold from the sands of the tributary streams of Fraser River, there is reason to suppose that the gold region is extensive, and I entertain sanguine hopes that future researches will develop I mi 94 APPENDIX. stores of wealth, perhaps equal to the gold fields of California. The geological formations obserTod in the " Sierra Nevada" of California being similar in character to the structure of the corresponding range of mountains in this latitude, it is not un* reasonable to suppose that the resemblance will be found to include auriferous deposits. 6. I shall not fail to furnish you with full and regular ac- counts of every event of interest connected with the gold dis- trict, which may from time to time occur. I have, &c., (Signed) James Douqlas, Governor. The Bight Hon. H. Labouchere^ &c. &:c. &c. ascc tant No. V. Governor Douglas to the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M,P. Victoria, Vancouver's Island, July 15, 1867. (Received, September 18, 1867). Sir, — 1. I have the honour of communicating for your infor- mation the substance of advices which I have lately received from the interior of the continent north of the 49 Ih 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 Biver, and of the extensive table land which divides it from Fraser Biver. 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 ex- ceedingly rich, while others are of opinion that they will not repay the labour and outlay of working, that I feel it would be prema- ture 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 these deposits ; so that the question as to their ultimate value remains thus unde- termined, and will probably not be decided until more exten- sive researches are made. 4. A new element of difficulty in exploring the gold country APPENDIX. 05 California. Nevada" of are of tlic is not un* i found to •egular ac- c gold dia- OLAS, )r. €re,M.P. Island, 1867). our infor- received arallel of quarter ta of tlie of tlie r. ispecting so much s as ez- lot repay e prema* has been interposed tbrougli tlie opposition of the native Indian tribes of Thompson 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 determina- tion to resist all attempts at working gold in any of the streams flowing into Thompson River, both from a desire to monopolise 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 inhabi- tants, will be driven ofi^, 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 pro- bably 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 not 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. I have, &c., (Signed) The Right Hon. H. Labouchere, &c. &c. &o. James Douglas, Governor. in many > of the hitherto )port to tsits; 80 as undo- exten* country No. VI. Extract of a Despatch from Governor Douglas to the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P., dated Victoria. Vancou- ver's Island, December 29, 1857. {Received March 2, 1858.) Since I had the honour of addressing you on the 15th July last, concerning the gold fields in the interior of the country north of the 4:9 th parallel of latitude, which, for the sake of . WJWLJMji W mmmm 06 APPENDIX. brevity, I will hereafter speak of as the ** Couteaa mines " (so named after the tribe of Indians who inhabit the coantrj), I have received farther intelligence from my correspondents in that quarter. It appears from their reports ^hat the auriferous character of the country is becoming daily more extensively developed, through the exertions of the native Indian tribes, who, having taated the sweets of gold finding, are devoting much of their time and attention to that pursuit. They are, however, at present almost destitute of tools for moving the soil, and of washiug implements for separating the gold from the earthy matrix, and have therefore to pick it out with their knives, or to use their fingers for that purpose ; a circumstance which in some measure accounts for the small products of gold up to the present time, the export being only about 800 ounces since the 6ih of last October. 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 v^ho have seen the Couteau country, with the present paucity of production. The reputed wealth of the Couteau mines is causing much excitement among the population of the United States terri- tories 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. In that case, difficulties between the natives and whites will be of frequent occurrence, and unless measures of prevention are taken, the country will soon become the scene of lawless misrule. In my letter of the 15th of July, I took the liberty of sug- gesting the appointment of an officer invested with authority to protect the natives from violence, and generally, so far as possible, to maintain the peace of the country. Presuming that you will approve of that suggestion, I have, as a preparatory step towards the proposed measure 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 Biver and Thompson Biver districts, within which are situated the Couteau mines ; and forbidding all persons to dig or disturb the soil in search of gold, until authorised on that behalf by Her Majesty's Government. I herewith forward a copy of that proclamation, and also of the regulations since published, setting forth the terms on wh P» th< de] erf the APPENDIX. 9f mines " (so coantrjr), tondento in haraoter of developed, ho, having^ ;h of their f tools for xating tho }ick it out urpose; a the small >eiDg only mcile the ' the gold seen the on. ling much ites terri- ibt that a attracted hites will revention f lawless 'J of sag* Eiuthorltj 30 far as , I have, ) for the tarnation found ia er Biver ated the iturb the by Her 1 also of >rm8 on which licences will be issned to legalise the search for gold, on payment of a fee of ten shillings a-month, payable in advance. When mining becomes a remunerative employment, and there is a proof of the extent and productiveness of the gold deposits, I would propose that the licence fee be gradually in> creased, in such a manner, however, as not to be higher than the persons engaged in mining can readily pay. 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 Qovemment, may, perhaps, be called in question ; but I trust that the mo- tives which have influenced me on tlds 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 Mi^®b^7 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 proclama- tion, it may be allowed to fall to the ground, and to become a mere dead letter. If you think it expedient that I should visit the Couteau Mines in course of the coming spring or summer, for the purpose of inquiring into the state of the country, and authorise 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. No. VII. The Governor of Vancouver's Island to the Right Hon, H. LaJboucJiere, M.P, Victoria, Vancouver's Island, January 22, 1858. [Received March 15, 1858.] Sir, — 1. With reference to the proclamation and regulations legalising the search for gold in the districts of Fraser Biver and Thompson River, transmitted with my despatch, No. 85, of the 29th of December last, I have now the honour to com- municate for your information, that we have since that date raised the licence fee from ten shillings to twenty-one shillings a-month, payable in advance, which is the present charge for gold licences. 2. We are induced to make that change through a desire to place a large amount of revenue at the disposal of Government a 98 APPENDIX. to meet the expense of giving protection to life and property in those countries, and at the same time from a well-founded con- viction that persons really bent upon visiting the gold district will as readily pay the increased as the lower rate of charge. I have, &c., (Signed) James Douglas, Governor. To the Bight Hon. Henry Labonchere, &c., &c., &c. pr No. VIII. Governor Douglas to the Bight Hon. IT. Labouchere, M.P. Victoria, Vancouver's Island, April 6, 1858. Sib, — 1. Since I had last the honour of addressing you in my despatch, No. 35, on the 29th of December last, in reference to the discovery of gold in the Couteau, or Thompson River dis- trict, we have had much communication with persons who have since visited that part of the country. 2. The search for gold and ," prospecting" of the country, had, up to the last dates from the interior, been carried on almost exclusively by the native Indian population, who have discovered the productive beds, and put out almost all the gold, about eight hundred ounces, which has been hitherto exported from the country, and who are, moreover, extremely jealous of the whites, and strongly opposed to their digging the soil for gold. 3. The few white men who passed the winter at the diggings — chiefly retired servants of the Hudson's Bay Company — though well acquainted with Indian character, were obstructed by the natives in their attempts to search for gold. They were on all occasions narrowly watched, and in every instance, when they did succeed in removing the surface and excavating to the depth of the auriferous stratum, they were quietly hustled and crowded by the natives, who, having by that means obtained possession of the spot, tlien proceeded to reap the fruits of their laboars. 4. Such conduct was unwarrantable and exceedingly trying to the temper of spirited men, but the savages were far too numerous for resistance, and they had to submit to their dicta- tion. It is, however, worthy of remark, and a circumstance highly honourable to the character of those savages, that they have on all occasions scrupulously respected the persons and APPENDIX 99 >roperty in inded con- Id district charge. OLAS, lor. re, M.P. Island, • ^ou in my erence to River dis- who Iiave country, arried on veho have the gold, exported ealous of I for gold, diggings npany — structed »ey were Je, when g to the ^led and btained of their trying far too r dicta* Qstance at they •ng and property of their white visitors, at the same that they have ex- pressed a determination io reserve the gold for their own benefit. 5. Such being the purpose of the natives, affrays and colli* sions with the whites will surely follow the accession of numbers, which the latter are now receiving by the influx of adventurers from Vancouver's Island and the United States territories in Oregon ; and there is no doubt in my mind that sooner or later the intervention of Her Majesty's Government will be re- quired to restore and maintain the peace. Up to the present time, however, the country continues quiet, but simply, I be- lieve, because the whites have not attempted to resist the im- positions of the natives. I will, however, make it a part of my duty to keep you well informed in respect to the state of the gold country. 6. The extent of the gold region is yet but imperfectly known, and I have, therefore, not arrived at any decided opinion as to its ultimate value as a gold-producing country. The bound- aries of the gold district have been, however, greatly extended since my former report. 7. In addition to the diggings before known on Thompson Biver and its tributary streams, a valuable deposit has been recently found by the natives on a bank of Fraser River, about fifty miles beyond its confluence with the Thompson, and gold in small quantities has been found in the possession of the natives as far as the great falls of Fraser River, about eighty miles above the Forks. The small quantity of gold hitherto produced — about eight hundred ounces — by the large native population of the country is, however, unaccountable in a rich gold-producing country, unless we assume that the want of skill, industry, and proper miuing tools on the part of the natives sufiiciently account for the fact. 8. On the contrary, the vein rocks and its other geological features, as described by an experienced gold miner, encourage the belief that the country is highly auriferous. 9. The miner in question clearly described the older slate for- mations thrown op and pierced by beds of quartz, granite, porphyry, and other igneous rocks ; the vast accumulations of sand, gravel, and shingle extending from the roots of the mountains to the banks of Fraser River and its affluents, which are peculiar characteristics of the gold districts of California and other countries. We therefore hope, and are preparing for a rich harvest of trade, which will greatly redound to the ad- vantage of this colony. 10. I have further to communicate for your information that : i WWi II [,:rtiHfiW»— 100 APPENDIX. the proclamation issued by me, asserting the rights of the Grown to all gold in its natural place of deposit, and forbidding all persons to dig for gold without a licence, has been pub- lished in the newspapers of Oregon and Washington territories, and that, notwithstanding, some seventy or eighty adventurers from the American side have gone by the way of Eraser Biver to the Couteau mines without taking out licences. 11. I did not, as I might have done, attempt to enforce those rights by means of a detachment of seamen and marines, from the " Satellite," without being assured that such a proceed- ing would meet with the approval of Her Majesty's Government ; but the moment your instructions on the subject are received, I will take measures to carry them into effect. • ••••• I have, &c., (Signed) James DouaLAS, Qovemor. The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P. &c. &c. &c. buj onl No. X. Oovemor Douglas to the Bight Hon. Henry Laboitchere, M.P. Victoria, Yancouver's Island, May 8, 1868. Since I had the honour of addressing you on the 6th of April last on the subject of the " Couteau " gold mines, they have become more than ever a source of attraction to the people of Washington and Oregon territories, and it is evident from the accounts published in the latest San Francisco papers, that intense excitement prevails among the inhabitants of that stir- ring city on the same subject. The " Couteau " country is there represented and supposed to be in point of mineral wealth a second California or Australia, and those impressions are sustained by the false and exagge- rated statements of steamboat owners and other interested parties, who benefit by the current of emigration which is now setting strongly towards this quarter. Boats, canoes, and every species of small craft, are continu- ally employed in pouring their cargoes of human beings into Fraser River, and it is supposed that not less than one thou- sand whites are already at work and on the way to the gold districts. Many aocidents have happened in the dangerous rapids of APPENDIX. 101 itg of the Torbidding been pub- eriitoriei, ventarera of Fraeer es. * enforce marineg^ proceed- ernment ; received, >UOLAS, nor. re, M.P. ■aland, 9 6th of 68, they e people )nt from ers, that bat stir- apposed iBtralia, crested is now ontinu- ;s into i thou- e gold >id8 of that river; a great number of canoes have been dashed to pieces, and their cargoes swept away by the impetnons stream, while of the ill-&ted adventurers who accompanied them many have been swept into eternity. The others, notUug daunted by the spectacle of ruin and buoyed up by the hope of amassing wealth, still keep pressing onward towards the coveted goal of their most ardent wishes. On the 25th of last month, the American steamer " Com- modore " arrived in this port direct from San Francisco, with 460 passengers on board, the chief part of whom are gold miners for the " Couteau " country. Nearly 400 of those men were landed at this place, and have since left in boats and canoes for Fraser River. I ascertained from inquiries on the subject that those men are all well provided with mining tools, and that there was no dearth of capital or intelligence among them. About sixty British subjects, with an equal number of native born Ameri- cans, the rest being chiefly Germans, with a smaller proportion of Frenchmen and Italians, composed this body of adventurers. They are represented as being, with some exceptions, a specimen of the worst of the population of San Francisco ; the very dregs, in fact, of society. Their conduct while here would have led me to form a very different conclusion ; as our little town, though crowded to excess with this sudden influx of people, and though there was a temporary scarcity of food, and dearth of house accommodation, the police few in number, and many temptations to excess in the way of drink, yet quiet and order prevailed, and there was not a single committal for rioting, drunkenness, or other offences during their stay here. The merchants and other business classes of Victoria are rejoicing in the advent of so large a body of the people in the colony, and are strongly in favour of making this port a stopping point between San Francisco and the gold mines, con- verting the latter, as it were, into a feeder and dependency of this colony. Victoria would thus become a depot and centre of trade for the gold districts, and the natural consequence would be an immediate increase in the wealth and population of the colony. To effect that object it will bo requisite to facilitate by every possible means the transport of passengers and goods to the furthest navigable point on Fraser River; and the obvious means of accomplishing that end is to employ light steamers in plying between, and connecting this port (Victoria) with mumf-!- jw- Mi i iaMr" ' - ' - ■ 102 APPENDIX. the Falls of Fraser River, distant 130 miles from the dis- charge of that river, into the Gulf of Georgia ; those falls being generally believed to be at the commencement of the remunerative gold diggings, and from thence the miners would readily make ^eir way on foot, or, after the summer freshets, by the river into the interior of the country. By that means also the whole trade of the gold regions would pass through Fraser Biver and be retained within the British territory, forming a valuable outlet for British manu- factured goods, and at once creating a lucrative trade between the mother country and Vancouver's Island. Taking a view of the subject, simply in its relations to trade and commerce, apart from considerations of national policy, such perhaps would be the course most likely to pro- mote the interests of this colony ; but, on the contrary, if the country be thrown open to indiscriminate immigration, the in- terests of the empire may suffer from the introduction of a foreign population, whose sympathies may be decidedly anti- British. Taking this view of the question, it assumes an alarming aspect, and suggests a doubt as to the policy of permitting the free entrance of foreigners into the British territory for resi- dence, without in the first place requiring them to take tbe oath of allegiance, and otherwise to give such security for their conduct as the Government of the country may deem it proper and necessary to require at their hands. The opinion which I have formed on the subject leads me to think that, in the event of the diggings proving remunerative, it will now be found impossible to check the course of immi- gration, even by closing Fraser Biver, as the miners would then force a passage into the gold district by way of the Colum- bia Biver, and the valuable trade of the country in that case be driven from its natural course into a foreign channel, and en- tirely lost to this country. On the contrary, should the diggings prove to be unremune- rative, a question which as yet remains undecided, the existing excitement, we may suppose, will die away of itself; and the miners, having no longer the prospect of large*gains, will natu- rally abandon a country which no longer holds out any induce- ment for them to remain. Until the value of the country as a gold-producing region be established on clearer evidence than can now be adduced in its favour — and the point will no doubt be decided before the close of the present y^ar— I would simply recommend that a B1 of ei C( in bi B P h u tl fi o w p a APPENDIX. 103 a the dia- bhose falls ent of the lers would eshetfl, bjr d regions nthin the ish manu- e between ations to national Jy to pro- ry, if the D> the in* tion of a idly anti- alarming tting the for resi- take the for their it proper Js me to aerative, f immi' s would ■ Colum- case be and en* 'emune* existing nd the II natu- induce- region ced in re the that 9 small nayal or military force should be placed at the disposal of this Government, to enable us to maintain the peace, and to enforce obedience to the laws. The system of granting licences for digging gold has not yet come into operation. Perhaps a similar method of raising a revenue would be to impose a customs' duty on imports, to be levied on all supplies brought into the country, whether by Fraser or the Columbia Biver. The export of gold from the country is still inconsiderable, not exceeding 600 ounces since I last addressed you. The principal diggings are reported to be at present, and will pro- bably continue, flooded for several months to come, so that unless other diggings apart from the river beds are discovered, the production of gold will not increase until the summer freshets are over, which will probably happen about the middle of August next. In the meantime the ill-provided adventurers who have gone hither and thither will consume their stock of provisions, and probably have to retire from the country until a more favourable season. I shall be most happy to receive your instructions on the subject in this letter. No. XII. Copy of a Letter from the Fiecretary of the Admiralty to Herman Merivale, Esq. Admiralty, June 26, 1858. Sib, —I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Secre- tary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, a copy of a letter from Captain Prevost, of H. M. Ship " Satellite," dated at Vancouver's Island, 7th May 1858, respecting the discovery of gold on Fraser and Thompson Rivers, near to the 51st parallel of north latitude, in North America. The newspaper and specimen of gold dust referred to in Captain Frevost's letter are also enclosed. I am, &c., (Signed) H. CoEBY. Herman Merivale, Esq., Colonial Office, 104 AFPSNDIX. Endoaurea Ko. 12. H. M. S. " Satellite/' Esquimau, Yancouyer'g Island, May 7, 1868. I have the honour to report to you that oonsiderahle excite- ment has been occasioned recently in this neighbourhood by the discovery of gold on Fraser and Thompson Rivers, at about the position of the juncture of the latter with the former river, near to 51st parallel of north latitude. The reports concerning these new gold diggings are so con- tradictory that I am unable to furnish you with any information upon which I can depend. That gold exists is certain, and that it will be found in abundance seems to be the opinion of all those who are capable of forming a judgment upon the subject; but it is so obviously to the advantage of the surrounding community to circulate exaggerated, if not altogether false reports, for the purpose of stimulating trade, or creating monopolies, that it is most difficult to arrive at any correct conclusion, or to obtain any reliable information. I have every reason to believe that the Indians have traded some quantity of gold with the officers of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, and I am satisfied that individuals from this immediate neighbourhood who started off to the diggings upon the first intelligence of their existence, have come back with gold dust in their possession, and which they assert was washed by them- selves; but whether such be really the case, or whether it was traded from the Indians, I am unable to determine. These persons all declare that at the present moment, although the yield is good, yet there is too much water in the rivers to admit of digging and washing to be carried on with facility; but that when the water falls somewhat, as the summer advances, that the yield will be abundant. I am inclined to think that this infor- mation is not far from the truth, for these persons, after obtain- ing a fresh stock of provision, have all returned to the diggings. The excitement in Vancouver's Island itself is quite insigni- ficant compared to that in Washington and Oregon territories, and in California, and which, of course, is increased by every possible means by interested parties. The result has been that several hundred persons from American territory have already flocked to the newly reported auriferous regions, and by the last accounts fresh steamers, and even sailing vessels, were being chartered to convey passengers to Puget Sound, or to Vancouver's Island, whence they have to find their way to the diggings principally by canoes. APPENDIX. 106 Island, >le excite- irhood by Rivers, at he former re go con* formation tain, and pinion of upon the ) of the if not Dg trade, arrive at »rmation. e traded fay Com- imediate the first rold dust by them- Br it was These ugh the to admit but that !es, that is infor- obtain* 'ggings. insigni. rltories, y every en that already by the h were , or to to the I have heard that all the crews of the ships in Paget Sound have deserted, and have gone to the diggings; I am happy to say that as yet I have not lost a single man from the " Satel- lite" since the information was received, and I have every reason to hope that I may not be unfortunate in this respect, although, doubtless, soon the temptations to desert will be of no ordinary character. No. XIII. Secretary Sir E, Bulwer Lytton to Governor Douglas. Downing Street, July 1, 1858. Sib, — I have to acknowledge your despatch of the 8th ult., in continuation of former despatches, informing the Secretary of State from time to time of the progress of the gold discoveries on Fraser River, and the measures which you had taken in consequence. I am anxious not to let the opportunity of the present mail pass without informing you that Her Majesty's Go- vernment have under their consideration the pressing necessity for taking some steps to establish public order and government in that locality, and that I hope very soon to be able to com- municate to you the result. In the meantime, Her Majesty's Government approve of the course which you have adopted in asserting both the dominion of the Crown over this region, and the right of the Crown over the precious metals. They think, however, that you acted judiciously in waiting for further instructions before you endea- voured to compel the taking out of licences, by causing any force to be despatched for that purpose from Vancouver's Island. They wish you to continue your vigilance, and to apply for instructions on any point on which you may require them. They are, however, in addition, particularly anxious to impress on you, that while Her Majesty's Government are determined on preserving the rights, both of government and of commerce, which belong to this country, and while they have it in contemplation to furnish you with such a force as they may be able to detach for your assistance and support in the preservation of law and order, it is no part of their policy to exclude Americans and other foreigners from the gold fields. On the contrary, you are disfnctly instructed to oppose no obstacle whatever to their resort thither for the purpose of digging in those fields, so long as hey submit themselves, in common with the subjects of Her M.vjesty, to the recognition of her authority, and conform to «MMMMI 106 APPENDIX. such rales of police aa yon may have thought proper to estab* lish. The national right to navigate Fraser River is, of course, a separate question, and one which Her Majesty's Government must reserve. Under the circumstance of so large an immigration of Ameri- cans into English territory, I need hardly impress upon you the importance of caution and delicacy in dealing with those manifold cases of international relationship and feeling which are certain to arise, and which, but for the exercise of temper and discretion, might easily lead to serious complications be* tween two neighbouriDg and powerful states. It is impossible by this mail to furnish you with any instruc* tions of a more definite character. Her Majesty's Government must leave much to your discretion on this most important subject ; and they rely upon your exercising whatever influence and powers you may possess in the manner which from local knowledge and experience you conceive to be best calculated to give development to the new country, and to advance imperial interests. I have, &c., (Signed) E. Bdlwer Litton. Governor Douglas, &c. &;c. CHARTER INCORPORATING THE HUDSON'S BAT COMPANY. In 1670, a royal charter was granted by Charles II., for in« corporating the Hudson's Bay Company. The grant to the company was of " the sole trade and commerce of all those seas, straits, bays, rivers, lakes, creeks, and sounds, in whatsoever latitude they shall be, that lie within the entrance of the straits, commonly called Hudson's Straits, together with all the lands and territories upon the countries, coasts, and confines of the seas, bays, lakes, rivers, creeks and sounds aforesaid, that are not already actually possessed by or granted to any of our subjects, or possessed by the subjects of any other Clirlstian prince or State, with the fishing of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeons, and all other royal fishes in the seas, bays, inlets, and rivers within the premises ; and the fish therein taken, together with the royalty of the sea upon the coasts within the limits aforesaid, and all mines royal, as well discovered as not dis- covered, of gold, silver, gems, and precious stones to be found or discovered within the territories, limits, and places aforesa d ,* " and the charter declares that " the said land be from hencelorth reckoned as one of our plantations or colonies in America, ca Jed Bupert's Land." 161 rec rei cui APPENDIX. 107 er to estab* h of coursoi }0Ternment 1 of Ameri- ypon you with those ling which of temper cations be* ny instruc* orernment important * influence rom local oulated to e imperial L TTTOir. ANY. f-* for in- nt to the hose seas, hatsoever le straits, Ietfl, and together e limits not dis- found or •esa i ; " ttcelorth &, ca Jed OOMFABISON BETWEEN FBICB OF LABOUR IN AUSTBALTA AND CALIFOBNIA OB BBITIBH COLUMBIA. From the Times* Correspondent. I take the wages in Australia from a Melbourne paper of 16th March, which gives the wages current at that time. I received it direct a few days ago. I reduce our American cur- rency into sterling at 48d. to the dollar, that being about its current value here : — Melbourne Wages. Married couples (servants), £60 to £70 per annum ; female servants, £25 to £30 per annum ; gardeners, £55 to £60 per annum; grooms, £40 to £50 a-year; carpenters, 12s. to 14s. per day ; ditto, rough, 25s. to 30s. per week ; masons and brick- layers, 10s. to 15s. per day; waiters, 20s. to 25s. per week; compositors, Is. 4d. per 1000; blacksmiths, 40e. per week; farm labourers, 15s. to 20s. per week; shepherds, £20 to £25 a-year. California Wages, Married couples (servants), £1 92 per annum, and found ; female servants, £80 to £96, and kept; gardeners, £120 a-year, and found ; by the day, 3 dels., now 4 dols. ; young men in stables as grooms, £120 ay car, and found, £16 a month and find themselves ; carpenters, with us till lately £1 a-day, now 28s. a-day ; " rough " and smooth, I never knew any difference — and all bad ; masons and bricklayers at lowest time, 25s. a- day, here at present 35s. a-day ; waiters, £6 to £8 a-month in San Francisco ; compositors, 23. lO^d. per 1000 type, our types double size ; blacksmiths, £3, 12s. to £6 a- week; general rate, 5 dols. aday ; farm labourers, £6 a-month, and found, and only work from 7 o'clock to 6 o'clock, with two hours lor meals ; shepherds, £144, 10s. a-year, and found ; a competent shepherd worth £240 ayear, and found ; or, to serve on shares of increase of stock, on very liberal terms. All provisions except animal food, are cheaper in San Fran* Cisco than in Melbourne. TREATY MADE nETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN IN BEGABD TO THE LIMITS WESTWARD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, JUNE 15, 1846* Art. 1. From the point on the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down in ejclsting treaties and 108 APPENDIX. conrentlons between the United States and Great Britain terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of the United States and those of her Britannic Majesty shall be con- tinued westward along the said forty-ninth parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates the conti- nent from Yancouyer's Island, and thence southerly through the middle of the said channel, and of Fuca's Straits, to the Pacific ocean : Provided, howcTer, that the navigation of the whole of the said channel and straits, south of the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, remain free and open to both parties. Art. 2. From the point at which the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude shall be found to intersect the great northern branch of the Columbia River, the navigation of the said branch shall be free and open to the Hudson's Bay Company, and to all British subjects trading with the same, to the point where the said branch meets the main stream of the Columbia, and thence down the said main stream to the ocean, with free access into and through the said river or rivers, it being under- stood that all the usual portages along the line thus described shall, in like manner, be free and open. In navigating the said river or rivers, British subjects, with their goods and pro- duce, shall be treated on the same footing as citizens of the United States ; it being, however, always understood that nothing in this article shall be construed as preventing or intended to prevent, the government of the United States from making any regulations respecting the navigation of the said river or rivers not inconsistent with the present treaty. Art. 3. In the future appropriation of the territory south of the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude, as provided in the first article of this treaty, the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company, and of all British subjects who may be already in the occupation of land or other property, lawfully acquired within the said territory, shall be respected. Art. 4, The farms, lands, and other property of every descrip- tion, belonging to the Fuget's Sound Agricultural Company, on the north side of the Columbia Biver, shall be confirmed to the said company. In case, however, the situation of those farms and lands should be considered by the United States to be of public and political importance, and the United States Govern- ment should signify a desire to obtain possession of the whole, or of any part thereof, the property so required shall be trans- ferred to the said government, at a proper valuation, to be agreed upon between the parties. eat Britain ories of the hall be oon- el of north 8 the conti- 'ly through iits, to the tion of the forty-ninth )th parties, parallel of t northern r the said Company, > the point Columbia, with free Ing under- described gating the I and pro- ms of the at nothing tended to laking any r or rivers ' south of in the first Ison's Bay idy in the ed within y descrip. apany, on led to the ose farms to bo of 8 Govem- he whole, be trans- 'H, to be APPENDIX. 109 FORM OF LIOBNOE OBANTED TO DIGOBBS. The bearer having paid to me the sum of twenty-one shil- lings on account of the territorial revenue, I hereby license him to dig, search for, and remove gold on and from any such crown land within the of as I shall assign to him for that purpose during the month of , 185 — . This licence must be produced whenever demanded by me or any other person acting under the authority of the Govern- ment. A. B., Commissioner. PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY QOVERNOR DOUGLAS. On the 8th day of May 1858, Governor Douglas issued the following proclamation : — By his Excellency James Douglas, Governor and Commander- in-Chief of the colony of Vancouver's Island and its dependen- cies, and Vice- Admiral of the same, &c., &c. Whereas it is commonly reported that certain boats and other vessels have entered Fraser River for trade ; and whereas there is reason to apprehend that other persons are preparing and fitting out boats and vessels for the same purpose, Now, therefore, I have issued this my proclamation, warning all persons that such acts are contrary to law, and infringe- ments upon the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company, who are legally entitled to trade with the Indians in the British posses- sions on the north-west coast of America, to the exclusion of all other persons, whether British or foreign. And also, that after fourteen days from the date of this my proclamation, all ships, boats, and vessels, together with the goods laden on board found in Fraser Biver, or in any of the bays, rivers, or creeks of the said British possessions on the north-west coast of America, not having a licence from the Hudson's Bay Company, and a sufferance from the proper officer of the customs at Victoria, shall be liable to forfeiture, and will be seized and condemned according to law. Given under my hand and seal at Government House, Vic- toria, this eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, and in the twenty-first year of Her Majesty's reign. James Douglas, Governor. By his Excellency's command, Biohabd Collbdge, Secretary. God saye the Queen. .^/■•-.■-'.w»irtBi^i«(i5atsTrflKmmp*!»-av»'jtM<-*^-»^-v s;i«vi*i''*w wv****^**""""'' ■ no APPENDIX. GENERAL SUFFERANCE FOR THE NAVIGATION OF FRASER RIVER. Port Victoria, Vancouver's Island. These are to certify, to all whom it doth concern, that the sufferance for the present voyage is granted on the condition annexed to , master of the , burthen tons, mounted with guns, navigated with men, to proceed on a voyage to Fort Langley with passengers, their luggage, provisions, and mining tools. The above-mentioned re- gister being deposited in the custom house at Victoria, hath here entered and cleared his said according to law. RODK. FiNLAYSON, Pro Hudson's Bay Company. Conditions of Sufferance. 1. That the owner of the boat does bind himself to receive no other goods on board but such goods as belong to the Hud- son's Bay Company. 2. That the said owner also binds himself not to convey or import gunpowder, ammunition, or utensils of war, except from the United Kingdom. 3. That he also binds himself to receive no passengers, except the said passengers do produce a gold mining licence and permit from the Government at Vancouver's Island. 4. That the said owner also binds himself not to trade with Indians. ADVANTAGES POSSESSED BY BRITISH COLUMBIA OVER AUSTRALIA AS A FIELD FOR EMIGRATION. From the Times' Correspondent. From Australia, too, the emigration will be large. In that country the cream has already been skimmed off the " placers." The efflorescence of gold near the surface has been dug out, hence the results of individual exertions are becoming less promising; and the miner is a restless, excitable creature, whose love of freedom and independence indisposes him to associate himself in enterprises requiring an aggregation of capital and labour. He prefers to work " on his own hook," or with one or two '' chums " at most. This is the feeling in this country. There is another cause which will bring vast numbers of miners from Australia, and that is the great scarcity of water — a desideratum of the first importance. This first necessary for mining operations exists in abundance at all seasons in the new £1 Dorado; and this fact alone will attract addi in w istl or n of stoc abai as, A!»PENDI3C. Ill 3ER BIVER. 'b Island, 'n, that the e condition tong, to proceed ir luggage, ed . re- storia, hath law. ION, npany. to receive 9 the Hud* convey or Kcept from assengers, ig licence ind. trade with JSTKALIA In that ^placers." dug out, iiing leas creature, I him to ration of a hook," 3eling in ing vast scarcity his first s at all attract additional miners to it from every mining country and locality in which water is scarce. Another great objection to Ansiralia is the impossibility of acquiring land in fee in small parcels at or near to the mines. Many men take to mining as a means of making sufficient money to buy farming implements and stock with. As soon as this object is accomplished, they abandon mining for farming. Did not California afford the means of gratifying this wish, thousands of our miners would have left the country. As it is, Avith abundance of good land to be had cheap, I have found that a large proportion of the farms in the interior of this country are owned by farmers who bought them with the produce of their labour in the mines. The same advantages can be obtained in the new gold country, there being plenty of good land in the British territory in the neighbourhood and on Vancouver's Island. It is to be hoped the Government will make the price reasonable. PRICES OP PROVISIONS, ETC., AT THE GOLD FIELDS. The following tariff of charges, collected by the Times' cor- respondent, is now only valuable in a historical point of view, as, under the healthy competition of the Californian merchants prices have already found their own level : — " Canoes are very scarce ; the price has risen from 50 dollars and 80 dollars to 100 dollars each. Many parties have built light boats for themselves, but they did not answer." " We have got up, but we had a hard time coming." " Jordan is a hard road to travel ; lost all our outfit, except flour. Our canoe was capsized in the Falls, and was broken to pieces. Six other canoes capsized and smashed the same day near the same place. Four whites and two Indians belonging to these six canoes drowned." Provisions high up the river are exorbitant of course, as they can only be brought up in canoes requiring long *' portages." Here 's the tariff at Sailor's Bar and other Bars: — "Flour, 100 dollars a-barrel, worth in San Francisco 11 to 12 dels.; molasses, 6 dels, a-gallon; pork, 1 dol. per lb. ; ham, 1 dol. 25c. per lb.; tea at one place, 1 dol. per lb., but at another, 4 dole. ; sugar, 2 dels, per lb. ; beans, 1 dol. per lb.; picks, 6 dels. ; and shovels, 2 dols. each. There were no fresh provisions." I should have been greatly surprised to hear that there had been. " At Fort Hope there was nothing to be had but dried salmon." "At Fort Langley plenty of black flour at 9 dols. a-hundred, and salt salmon, four for 1 dol." What lively visions of scurvy these provisions conjure up ! The 112 APPENDIX. acme of eztravaganoe was not arriyed at, however, until the poor miner came to purchase auxiliaries to his rooker. At Sailor's Bar " rocker irons were at an ounce of gold each (16 dols.), and at Hill's Bar, 30 dels, each." This " iron" is simply a plate of thin sheet-iron, measuring 18 inches by 20 inches, perforated with round holes to let the loose dirt pass through. I priced one of them, out of curiosity, at a carpenter's shop in San Francisco this morning — 2^ dels. In England this thing would be worth 2s. At Sailor's Bar it would be worth .€3, 48., and at Hill's Bar it would fetch £6. Quicksilver was alio out- rageously high, but not being of such prime necessity as " rocker irons," didn't come up to their standard of value. At one place it was sold at 10 dels, per lb. ; but at Fort Langley a man bought one pound, paying 16 dels, for it, and had to carry it a great distance. The price in San Francisco is 60c. the pound (half-a-crown), and on Fraser's River, £3. " Nails brought from 1 dol. to 1 dol. 50c. per lb. One lot of a dozen pounds brought 8 dols., or two bits a-nail," which, being interpreted into Queen's English, means Is. a-nail ! These are some of the outgoings which tax the miner's earnings in a new un- peopled country; but these are not his only drawbacks. " There being no boards to be had, we had per force to go in the woods and fell and hew out our lumber to make a rocker," causing much loss of time. Then came the hunt for nails and for the indispensable perforated "iron," which cost so much. But worst of all the ills of the miner's life in New Caledonia are the jealousy and audacious thieving of the Indians, "who are nowise particular in seizing on the dirt of the miners." " The whites" being in the minority, and the Indians being a fierce athletic set of rascals, "suffered much annoyance and insult" without retaliating. What a trial to the temper of Oregon men who used to shoot all Indians who came within range of their rifle as vermin in California in 1848 and 1849! The difficulties of access to the mines will soon be ame* liorated, as small steamers are to be put on the river, to ply as far up as the rapids will permit them ; but as to the Indian " difficulties," it is much to be feared they will increase until a military force is sent into the country to overawe them. The prices of provisions and of mining tools and other neces* saries will soon be regulated by the competition of the San Francisco merchants, and the miners will not be long sub- jected to exorbitant rates. They have a vast advantage in the proximity of San Francisco, abonnding, m it does, in supplies fo vl in la A it tb APPENDIX. 113 w, antil the rocker. At old each (16 a"i8BimpIy >7 20 inches, Bthroagh. I er's shop in ^d this thing orth £8, 48., 'M aldo ottt- [lecessitj as ' value. At "t Langley a d to carry it i< the pound ils brought >zen pounds interpreted Te some of a new an- drawbacks, fce to go in > a rocker," »r nails and t so much. ' Caledonia ians, "who e miners." IS being a yance and temper of me within 1848 and t be ame« er, to ply he Indian ease until re them, ler neces- the San ong Bub- :e in the supplies for all their wants. When I recall our early tronbles and ▼ictimisings, I almost oease to pity the victims of tiie "rocker irons," at £6 a-plate. In 1849 I paid 1 dol. 60c. for the simple luxury of a fresh egg. I might hare had one laid on the Atlantic board, or in Chilhi or the Sandwich Islands, for less, it is true; but these required French cookery to "disguise" their true state and condition, and I being then "fresh" my- self was somewhat particular. Even this did not cap the climax, for I paid a sum in American currency equal to £16 sterling for a pair of boots the day I was burnt out by the first fire in the same year. And such a pair ! laey were " navvy's" boots, and worth in England about 15s. The New Caledonians must not complain, for we have endured more juver's Island, as at present established, shall be comprised within New Caledonia, for the purpose of this Act; but it shall be lawful for Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, on receiving at any time during the con- tinuance of this Act, a joint address from the two houses of the Legislature of Vancouver's Island, praying for the incorporation of that island with New Caledonia, by order to be made as aforesaid, with the advice of her Privy Council, to annex the said island to New Caledonia, subject to such conditions and regulations, as to Her M^'esty shall seem expedient; and thereupon, and from the date of the publication of such order, in the said island, or such other date as may be fixed in such order, the provisions of this Act shall be held to apply to Van- couver's Island. VII. In the construction of this Act the term " Governor'* shall mean the person for the time being lawfully administering the government of New Caledonia. VIII. This Act shall continue in force until the thirty-first day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and thenceforth to the end of the then next session of Parlia- ment. 11 Hi hallantyne amd company, pkimtjsrs, bpinbukou. -.^ ■fjv'^v^-"^' insportation, y justice or er should be J, and cause the court of w Oaledonia 5 the Third, second year ned in such ndian terri- i acts of the !e in and to a any civil [er Majesty ions in and civil courts iB Her Ma> >m time to at present ia, for the ajesty, her ig the con- uses of the orporation e made as a^nnez the itions and ient; and ich order, i in such y to Van- Jovemor'* inistering hirty-first »xty-two, >f Parlia. \