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•^" %#**■

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Wf,

^'-^i-Ki,.

t -,«**■"

THE HEW OOVSBirHENT COLONY.

BRITISH COLUIMBIA

AND

VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

REPLETE WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION CONCERJiriNG

THE ITEWLT-DISCOVSBED

G O I. D F I £ L D S*

WITH A MAP.

PBICE ONE SHILLING.

C^ LONDON:

EFFINaHAM WILSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE.

1868.

PRINTED BY WIIXTAM J'K V, 67, UNCOLN'SINN FIBLDS.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

AN])

VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

& il^m^^mTW, li-|l3S1i-B<l<i3K„

REPLETE WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION CONCERNING

THE NEWLY-DISCOVERED

O-OLID ZPIELIDS.

WITH A MAP.

LONDON :

WILLIAM PENNY,

rKINTER, LITHOGIlArJlEIl, AND EXOKAVEn,

f)7, lincoln's-inn fiklds. w.o.

VISCOUNT BURY, M.P.

r.ATE crvrr, secrktauy and stiperintendknt op Indian apfaiiis

IN CANADA, ETC. KTC. ETC.

la humble testimony to his private and public worth, and

gratitude for the earnest and able manner in which his

Lordship has advocated the interests of the New Colonics of

British Columbia and Vancouver's Island,, this brief sketch of

that important portion of the British Empire is respectfully

inscribed

By his Lordship's

Most obedient, very humble Scrvani,

THE AUTHOR.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

AND

VANCOUVER'S ISLAND.

It has often been mentioned as an illustration of
the knowledge possessed by some of those gentlemen
in Downinjr Street who used to direct and control
the destinies of our vast and magnificent colonial
possessions, that a few years ago, in the House of
Commons, when a certain noble lord asked what steps
bad been taken for forming a government in Van-
couver's Island, the Under-Secretary for the Colo-
nies replied, that " the quaranteen arrangements of
Gros Island were of the most satisfactory descrip-
tion." It must be admitted that the official hazarded
a rather wide guess, for the widest part of the con-
tinent of North America separates the two islands.

Another instance is also recorded, where a go-
vernor, having been appointed to a colony, quitted
this country, and after the lapse of a certain time
returned, and said he was not able to find it. Sam
Slick tells us the anecdote of an official in the
Colonial Office being so profoundly versed in the
language of his department, that he spelt colony
with two n's. But the most remarkable thing ever
done by the Colonial Office was the consignment
from England to the dock-yards at Kingston of
water-casks for the use of her Majesty's ships
floating on the fresh-water lakes.

It will thoroforc excite little surprise that the
great majority of the people of this country are not
aware of the fact that we possess upon the Pacific
coast of North America the most fertile and valu-
able portion of mainland adapted for Euroj)ean
colonization ; and that, parallel to this coast of
British territory, and separated from it only by a
narrow strait, runs an island the most important in
the Pacific Ocean, both in a political and commercial
point of view, one that also belongs to the British
Crown, and of which a recent able writer has said :
" It would seem that a special ])rovidence has placed
this magnificent inland sea of harbours precisely
where it is placed, for the special j)urj)ose of a
national depot for the shipping of the world on the
western terminus of our great highway for all
nations across the continent." It is a conceded
point, that the Pacific coast will soon command
the trade of the vast regions of China, Japan, and
the Asiatic archipelago, which has always been
the great commercial prize in ancient as well as
modern times. Persia, Assyria, Carthage, and Rome
swayed the world, as they controlled the commerce
of the East; Venice, Genoa, Lisbon, Amsterdam,
and London, each in its turn obtained com-
mercial supremacy as it became the disposer of
Eastern luxuries to the Western world. To this
grand inheritance the Pacific coast is to succeed ;
and that point where the railway terminates on the
Pacific is to be the place. As yet there are but
two rivals for this proud distinction — San Francisco
and the Straits of Fuca. It may seem absurd to
some to think of even placing the latter in com-

the
lot
iHc
lu-
an
of

V a
in
iai

ish

id:

!e<l

ely
a

petition ^v!tll tlio mistress of the golden gate, hnt
WG have it stated upon the autliority of tlie ablest
engineers in the United Slates, — men wlio liavo
actually surveyed the route, — that the '* Gr«'at
Atlantic an<l Pacific Railway is only practicable
across the Rocky Mountains through Rritish terri-
tory." At its terminus in Fuca's Straits we have the
most magnificent harbour and most im|)ortant island
in the whole Pacific, possessing great natural advan-
tages, with which even those of San Francisco camiot
for one moment bo compared, and to which in a later
portion of this book we will more particularly refer.
Although nature has favoured the Pacific coast of
British North America, in an eminent degree, with
a delightfully temperate climate and fertile soil*
inexhaustible forests of the finest timber, rich un-
dulating prairies, safe and spacious harbours, — the
only ones, with one exception, upon a coast of
3,000 miles, and which are capable of sheltering in
their waters the fleets of the whole world, — long and
numerous rivers, the richest fisheries, extensive
regions of coal, iron, and other valuable minerals,
near proximity to a good market (San Francisco),
and the very centre of what must become the great
highway of commerce between the Eastern and
Western worlds ; yet these unparalleled and natural
advantages did not even attract the notice of Eng-
lishmen, much less their colonization and settlement,
until there occurred one of those marvellous gold
discoveries which have tended so much of late vears
to extend the trade and commerce, and enrich the
Old World, actually adding to the p]uroj)ean stock
of gold £107,500,000 sterling within the last seven

B 2

years, and destined to raise up great and powerful
nations of the Anglo-Saxon race in countries hitherto
f!0nsidered inhospitable and unfit for colonization
and settlement by civilized man.

By the last accounts from Vancouver's Island, it
was estimated that there were at the gold diggings in
Brilish Columbia, and on their way thither, upwards
of 50,000 people. Now when we contemplate the
fact that the whole country is in a state of nature,
and has never been penetrated except by the red man
and the hunter, and that those implements of civil-
ization necessary for the cultivation of the soil and
the sustenance of life have as yet to be introduced,
it becomes at any rate highly important to know,
upon the best authority that can be obtained, what
sort of a climate emigrants will have to encounter,
and the capabilities of the soil to aid their suste-
nance, or the means of conveying the necessaries of
life to such a vast and rapidly increasing population.

The object of this pamphlet is to lay before
t'n> public, but more particularly those who may
contemplate emigrating to these new and impor-
tant colonies, information gathered from personal
journeys through the country, and also extracts
from evidence taken before a select committee of
the House of Commons of last session of Parlia-
ment, and despatches and correspondence from the
governor of Vancouver's Island, and other reliable
sources of information in reference thereto; toge-
ther with directions as to the most expeditious and
agreeable route, rates of passage, and distances, &c.

The colony of British Columbia, within which
the recent gold discoveries have taken place, is

bounded on the south by the frontier of the United
States, on the 49th parallel of latitude ; to the east
by the Rocky Mountains ; to the north by Simp-
son's River, and Finlay branch of Peace River ; and
to the west by the Gulf of Georgia, in the Pacific
Ocean. The island of Vancouver running parallel
with the coast for about 250 miles, British Colum-
bia embraces an area of about 220,000 square miles.
Its principal rivers are the Fraser, which rises in
the north, and keeps a direct course through the
centre of the colony for upwards of 400 miles, until,
at the " Forks," where it is joined by the Thompson
River ; it then turns to the west, until it empties
itself into the Gulf of Georgia: it is at present
navigable for steamers for about 150 miles from its
mouth. The Thompson River, which is but an
insignificant stream as compared with the Fraser,
rises in the east, in the Rocky Mountain range, and
flows through an extremely fertile and magnificent
country until it unites with the latter ; it is inter-
sected also by a great arm of the Columbia, but
which has no outlet to the sec. except through the
territory of the United States. The Finlay River,
rising north of the Fraser, keeps a southerly course
until it joins the Peace River, whicb runs through
the Rocky Mountains to the east into Lake Atcha-
basca. There are other rivers again to the north-
west,— the Salmon and the Simpson, which flow
into the Pacific Ocean opposite Queen Charlotte's
Island, and which island is also embraced in the
new colony. There are also numerous inland lakes,
but none of great magnitude. The country is prin-
cipally mountain and valley ; the Peak Mountains

«i

11!

and Cascade Mountains running through its centre,
parallel with the Rocky Mountains, in a north-west
course : the valleys are described by all who have
seen them as rich and beautiful, and the moun-
tain scener truly sublime. Sir John Richardson
states that the mean temperature on the Pacific
coast of British North America is about 20° higher
than what it is on the Atlantic coast in the same
parallel of latitude. From observations made by
Commodore Wilkes in 1841, "the mean standing of
the barometer near Vancouver during the day hours,
for the months of June, July, August, and Sep-
tember, was 30-32 in.; of the thermometer, 65° 33'.
The state of the weather during a period of 106
days was as follows : — fair, 76 days ; cloudy, 19 ;
and rainy, 11. The crops of all descriptions were
good, and this is the best criterion. The climate
throughout the western section is mild, owing, pro-
Vibly, to the prevalence of south-westerly winds?;.
Vegetation is earlier than in England. The fall of
snow in the more southerly part rarely exceeds a
few inches. The fig, orange, lemon, melon, vine,
and many other fruits proper to the tropics are the
indigenous growth of the soil of this favoured shore."
Lieutenants Warr and Vavasour (the latter of the
Royal Engineers) state : — " The specimens of lead
found in the mountains on the coast are very fine.
The fisheries of salmon and sturgeon are inexhaust-
ible ; and game of all descriptions abounds. The
timber is extremely Ijxuriant, and increases in size
as you reach a more northerly latitude ; that in 50°
to 54° being considered the best. Pine, spruce, red
and white oak, cedar, arbutus, poplar, maple, willow.

»>

and yew grow in this section of the country ; north
of the Columbia River the cedar and pine particu-
larly becoming of immense size.*'

Mr, Cooper, who resided in Vancouve-'s Island
six years, in his evidence before a select committee
of the House of Commons, of last session, says,
speaking of British Columbia : — '* 1 hsve not myself
personally visited Thompson's River, but I have my
information from persons who have lived there
themselves for thirty or forty years in the service of
the Hudson's Bay Company. They say that it is
one of the most beautiful countrib^ in the world ;
and that gold is discovered in that and the neighbour-
ing district now. When Heft, the miners were getting
from four to twenty dollars a day. I believe, from all
I have heard and seen, that it is capable of producing
all the crops that we produce in England. Its cli-
mate bears no comparison to Canada; it is much more
mild, much finer; decidedly as much as Great Britain
to the eastern states of America. That difference
attaches to all the territory west of the Rocky Moun-
tains. In the same parallel of latitude to the west
of the Rocky Mountains, and in the east, you have
as different climates as it is possible to imagine."

Mr. Blanshard, late governor of Vancouver's
Island, in his evidence before the same committee,
in reply to the question by Mr. Labouchere, " Did
you hear enough of that country [Fraser River] to
be able to express any decided opinion of its capa-
bilities for settlement ? " replied, "I have heard it very
highly spoken of by everybody who has been there,
as being extremely fertile, and a soil of much the
same quality as Vancouver's Island."

I I

The Riglit Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P., in his
evidence before the same committee, speaking of the
territory immediately adjoining British Columbia,
said : " The Hudson's Bay Company, before the
treaty of 1 846, supposing the Columbia to be the
boundary, at that time occupied the whole country,
and, with some better prospect than either upon the
Red River or upon the Saskutchewan, formed con-
siderable farming establishments. The grain which
they produced, and the timber which they felled,
they found a good market for in the South-Sea
Islands. They made large establishments ; they had
immense herds of cattle ; they produced a great deal
of corn of all descriptions — samples of which I have
seen, and there could not be better corn ; and at
last the undertaking exceeded their own means; they
made an offshoot from the Hudson's Bay Company,
called the Puget Sound Company. Since 1846,
when the boundaries were settled, it was found that
the establishments within this country were ceded to
the United States; and the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany and the Puget Sound Company have now a
great claim in discussion before Congress, for in-
demnity for surrender of possessary rights."

In an account furnished by the Hudson's Bay
Company to the Colonial Office, dated the 8th of
June, 1857, they state, as an item of their capital :
" Property and investments in the territory of
Oregon, ceded to the United States by the treaty
of 1846, and which are secured to the Company as
possessary rights under that treaty, 1,000,000 dol-
lars, say £200,000."

What the estimate of the value of the Puget

Sound Company's property is within the Oregon
territory, we have not been able to ascertain.

Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson's
Bay Company, published, in 1847, a " Journal of a
Journey from the Red River Settlement across the
Rocky Mountains," wherein he described, in very
glowing terms, the varied beauties of the country
and the fertility of the soil ; but I shall decline to
quote from him, for reasons which will appear in the
following extract from Mr. Gladstone's speech in
the House of Commons, on the 21st of July of the
present year, on Mr. Roebuck's motion respecting the
Hudson's Bay Company. Referring to Sir George
Simpson, Mr. Gladstone said, " There is a large
portion of the surface of the earth with regard to
the character of which we have been systematically
kept in darkness (hear, hear) : for those who had
information to give, have also had an interest
directly opposed to their imparting it. I am at
liberty to say so, because I refer only to public
documents; and as an illustration of the truth of
what I have said, I need only direct attention to
the interesting and important work of Governor
Simpson, who gives a glowing description of the
capabilities and fitness for colonization of a con-
siderable portion of the territories of the Hudson's
Bay Company. (Hear, hear.) Last year my right
honourable friend Lhe then Secretary of State for
the Colonies moved for, and the House granted,
a committee to inquire into the affairs of the
Hudson's Bay Company. Before that committee
questions were raised seriously involving all their
rights. Governor Simpson was examined before it,

i I

if'.

r t

and the lionoiirable and learned member for Shef-
field, and other gentlemen, questioned him upon
the agricultural and colonizinr capabilities of the
territories of the company. An entire change had
come c'ler the spirit of his dream. (Hear, hear.)
He represented that these territories were bound
by frost and ba.^I.ed by fog, and that woe would
betide any unfortunate individuals who might by a
reckless spirit of adventure be so far diverted from
the path of prudence as to endeavour to settle in
these parts. (Hear, hear.) And when some mem-
ber of the committee, with inconvenient curiosity,
ferreted out the book of Governor Simpson, and
made quotations from it, the governor, with all his
ingenuity, which is not small, was greatly puzzled,
and indeed entirely failed to reconcile the account of
the country which he had given as an author^ and
that which he gave as Governor of the Hudson s Bay
Company.^'

But Sir John Pelly, when governor of the Hud-
son's Bay Company, in a letter to Lord Glenelg,
then Colonial Secretary, dated the 10th February,
1837, asking for a renewal of the exclusive license
of trade, used the following arguments : —

" The company now occupy the country between
the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, by six per-
manent establishments on the coasts, sixteen in the
interior country, besides several migratory and hunt-
ing parties ; and they maintain a marine of six armed
vessels— one of them a steam vessel — on the coast.

" Their principal establishment and depot for the
trade on the coast and the interior is situate ^.bout
ninety miles from the Pacific, on the northern banks

of the Columbia River, and called Vancouver, in
honour of that celebrated navigator. In the neigh-
bourhood they have large pasture and grain farms,
affording most abundantly every species of agricul-
tural produce, and maintaining large herds of stock
of every description. These have been gradually
established ; and it is the intention of the Company
still further not only to augment and increase them,
to establish an export trade in wool, tallow, hides,
and other agricultural produce, but to encourage
the settlement of their retired servants and other
emigrants under their protectiori.

" The soil, climate, and other circumstances of the
country are as much, if no- more, adapted to agri-
cultural pursuits than any other spot in America ;
and with care and protection the British dominion
may not only be j)reserved in this country, which
it has been so much the wish of liitssia and America
to occupy to the conclusion of British subjects^ but
British interest and British influence may be main-
tained as paramount in this interesting part of the
coast of the Pacific."

As we shall devote a separate chapter to the cli-
mate, soil, and capabilities of Vancouver's Island, and
its important geographical position, we will at once
proceed with the evidence of the gold discoveries
in British Columbia, having already proved its great
desirability :or settlement as an agricultural country.

Long before the discoveries of gold in California,
it was reported that the Indians traded with the Hud-
son's Bay Company in small quantities of gold dust :
both parties kept the secret ; for it was no doubt to
their mutual profit to do so. The extremely rich

; I

Si:;

gold discoveries in California had such an all-absorh-
ing interest, that for many years the Company and
the Indians were left in peaceable possession of
their secretly accruing wealth ; and it certainly is
not owing to any indiscretion on the part of the
Hudson's Bay Company that the " Open Sesame"
ever became known ; but those adventurous spirits,
the gold-diggers, who think little of travelling from
California to Australia, and from Australia to Cali-
fornia, on a prospecting tour, penetrated into the
territory of British Columbia, and with that keen
eye to the geological formation of a country, which
no one who has not lived amongst them can suffi-
ciently appreciate, they discovered that gold must
be there. The Hudson's Bay Company, with a
discretion and tact which has for many years
characterized them, fenced with the matter as long
as possible ; but we ran scarcely say the same
of Lord Palmerston's Government : they, either in
utter neglect of their duty, or for some unac-
countable purpose, withheld from the committee
of the House of Commons on the Hudson's Bay
Territory the most important evidence regarding
the resources of British Columbia — evidence which
was of so important a nature that it would most
certainly have influenced the committee in their
report to the House of Commons. We will illus-
trate this statement from the disclosures made
before the said committee, and also from cor-
respondence relative to the discovery of gold in
Fraser's River district, in British North America,
presented to Parliament by command of her Ma-
jesty, July 2nd, 1858.

Ea^tract from Minutes of Evidence taken before the
Select Committee on the Hudson's Bay Company^
2\st May, 1857.

The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere in the Chair.

Mr. James Cooper examined.

Q. With regard to the ?^'scovery of gold at
Thompson's River, are you aware when that took
place? — A. It has been discovered now probably
eighteen months.

Q. Can you give the committee any idea of the
number of miners who are now settled there? —
A. None at all ; it is at Fort Colvile where the
gold is discovered.

Mr. Edward ElUce. — It is an American territory,
is it not? — A. It is in both American territory and
British territory: the further north they go, the
better the diggings are.

Mr. J. H. Gurney. — Therefore there are those
miners in the British territory as well as in the
American territory ? — A. Yes.

Mr. Edward Ellice. — How do you know that ? —
A. From people who have been there.

Q. Are these miners in the Thompson River
district in the British territory? — A. Yes.

Q. Americans? — A. Both Americans and British.
Wherever there is gold there is a rush of people.

Mr. J. H. Gurney. — Are you aware whether the
Hudson's Bay Company's officers have held any com-
munication of any description with those miners

D British t(
cogiiizanco

,'llGtll

:<,

who are located in tli
they have taken any

there, either favourably or tlie reverse? — ^. i>io,
I do not know that thv3y have. It would be
impossible to take any measures to j)revent ilicir
going there ; it would require a large force to turn
them away ; and if gold is discovered there, there
will be as great a rush to there as to California.

Mr. Edward EUice. — If you look at the map, you
will see that Fort Colvile is not on Thompson's
River. — A. I am aware of that : it is on the
Columbia River.

Q. Where did you say the gold was on Thompson's
River? — A. I did not say that it was on Thompson's
River ; I said that it was in the neighbourhood of
Fort Colvile.

Q. Fort Colvile is in American territory, is it
not? — A. The old Fort Colvile is; but the new
Fort Colvile is in British territory.

Q. Do you know that the gold-seekers have
crossed the boundary to the north and gone towards
Thompson's River?— r-y4. Yes; they have gone here
and there : wherever gold is to be found, there you
will find the people.

Q. Do you know that they are north of the
boundary? — A. I say they are north of the 49th
parallel.

Q. Where do you derive that information ? —
A. From people who have actually returned from
there during the winter before I left.

Q. What were those people ; were they Ameri-
cans? — A. No; they were English people.

Q. Were they in the employment of the Hudson's

Bay Company? — A. No; they were settlers, like
myself, who had been there.

Q. Settlers where? — A. In Vancouver's Island.

Q. Had they returned to Vancouver's Island? —
A. They had before I left.

Q. By what route did they come to Vancouver's
Island? — A. They came down the Columbia, and
passed over the portage.

This examination took place on the 21 st May,
1857. No one will deny that Mr. Ellice subjected
Mr. Cooper to a severe and scrutinizing examina-
tion, and by his leading questions tried to lead
him off the scent; whilst there sat as chairman
of that committee Mr. Labouchore, tlie Secretary
of State for the Colonies, who had received from
Mr. Douglas, the governor of Vancouver's Island,
the following despatches, neither of which did he
or the Government communicate to that com-
mittee, although all the other despatches from
Governor Douglas, which did not refer to the
gold discoveries, were handed in, and are printed
in the Appendix to the Report.

Victoria, Vancouver's Island, April 16, 1856.

(Received June 30, 1856.)

(Answered, No. 14, August 4, 1856.)

Sir, — I hasten to communicate for the informa-
tion of her Majesty's Government a discovery of
much importance, made known io raeby Mr. Angus
McDonald, clerk in charge of Fort Colvile, oue of

I 'I

(I!

tho Hudson's Ray Company's trading posts on tlio
Upper Columbia district.

That gentleman reports, in a letter dated on the
Ist of March last, that gold has been found in con-
siderable 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 daili/ earnings of persons then employed in
digging gold were ranging from 21. to 8/. for each
man. Such is the substance of his report on that
subject ; and I have requested him to continue his
communication in respect to any further discoveries
made.

I do not know if her Majesty's Government will
consider it expedient to raise a revenue in that
quarter by taxing all persons engaged in gold dig-
ging, but I may remark, that it will be impossible
to levy such a tax without the aid of a military
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 circumstances will probably be the best indica-
tion of the course which it may be expedient to
take, that is, in respect to imposing a tax, or leav-
ing 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 precious metal. The quan-
tity of gold found is sufficient to prove the existence

of the inc'tui, niul the purties eii;:;!ige<l in the enter-
prise entertain sanguine hopes of discoverini; ricli

and prodiK'tivc heds.

I hav(», &e.

(Signed) J amks DoudLAs,

Governor.

To the lliglit Hon. IFenry Lahoucliere,

&c. &c. &e.

Downing Street, Aufjiid 4, 1850.
Sir,— T have to acknowledge the receipt of your
despatch, No. 10, of the IGth of April lust, report-
ing the discovery of gold within the Tiritish territory
on the Upper Colomhia liiver district.

In the absence of all elVecfivc niachinery of go-
vernment, I conceive that it would be quite abor-
tive to attempt to raise a revenue from licenses 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 i)reserv-
ing order in the event of any considerable increase
of poi)ulation flocking into this new gold district; I
shall rely on your furnishing me with full and regu-
lar accounts of any event of interest or importance
which may occur in consequence of this discovery.

J have, &c.
(Signed) H. Larouchere.

To Governor Douglas,
&c. &c.

, i.

ii I

i i

Victoria, Vancouver's Island, October 29, 185C.

(Ucoeivcd, Jimuary 14, ISf)?.)

(Answered. No. 5, January 24, IS.OT.)

Sir, — I liave tlio honour to acknowledge the
receipt of your despatch, No. 14, of the 4th of
August, communicating the arrival of my despatch,
No. 10, of the IGth of April last, in which was
reported the discovery of gold within the British
territory in the Upper Columbia River district.

I have, since the date of that letter, received
several other communications from my correspon-
dent in that part of the country, who, however,
scarcely makes any allusion to the subject of 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 consequence of the
threatening attitude of the native tribes, who being
hostile to the Americans, have uniformly opposed
the entrance of American citizens into their countrv.

The peoj)le 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 num-
ber of persons at present engaged in the search of
gold are chi^^fly of British origin, and retired
servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, who, being
well acquainted w ith 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 injury against
persons or [)roperty.

They appear to pursue their toilsome occupation
in peace, and without molestation from the natives ;
and there is no reason to suppos'^ that any criminal
act has been lately committed in that part of the

country.

It is reported that gold is found in considerable
quantities, and that several persons have accumu-
lated large sums by their labour and traffic ; but I
cannot vouch for the accuracy of those reports;
though, on the other hand, there is no reason to
discredit them, as about 220 ounces of gold-dust
has been brought to Vancouver's Island direct
from the Upper Columbia ; a proof that the
country is at least auriferous.

From the successful results of experiments made
in washing gold from the sands of the tributary
streams of Eraser's River, there is reason to sup-
pose that the gold region is extensive ; and I
entertain sanguine hopes tliat future researches
will develop stores of wealth i)erhaps equal to the
gold-fields of California. The geological formations
observed in the " Sierra Nevada" of California being
similar in character to the structure of the cor-
responding range of mountains in this latitude, it is
not unreasonable to suppose that the resemblance
will be found to include auriferous deposits.

I shall not fail to furnish you witii full and
regular accounts of every event of interest con-
nected with the gold district, which may from time
to time occur. 1 bav(% &c.

(Signed) James Douglas,
The Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Governor.

&c. &c. &c.

c 2

k /

1''. u

,1,:

1;^

t !(

i!j

'■b

Downing Street, January 24, 1857.
Siij^ — 1 liave to acknowledge your despatcli
(No. 28) of tlie 29t1i October, 1856, relative to
the discovery of gold in the Upper Columbia

River district.

I have, &c.

(Signed) II. Labouchere.

Governor Douglas,

&c. &c.

Mr. Douglas was not only governor of Vancou-
ver's Island, but also chief factor of the Hudson's
Bny Company. He furnished the same informa-
tion to the secretary of that company as he did to
the Colonial Secretary. Now that Mr. Ellice, who is
the very head an«l champion of the Hudson's Bay
Company, whilst testing, and Avhat would appear
to be attempting to mislead, Mr. Cooper, in his evi-
dence, knew of those despatches, no one can doubt.
But, what is more remarkable, Mr. Ellice, in his
evidence before the committee, acknowledged that
crold had been found, not in British Columbia, but in
Vancouver's Island. He (Mr. Ellice) had a per-
fect right to do the best he could for the interests
of the company ; but the conduct ot the Colonial
Secretary (Mr. Labouchere), and the Government,
is inexplicable. They must surely have had some
good reasons for withholding those despatches,
otheriv'ise they neglected or violated their duty
to V^irliament and the country. Are wo to look
for the explanation in the fact that when in the
House of Commons, on the motion of Mr. Roe-

buck in reference to the future government of the
territories of the Hudson's Bay Coni])any, whilst on
the one hand his exposition found a most masterly
and able se onder in Lord Bury, and obtained a
brilliant and fervent response from Mr. Gladstone,
Lord John Russell, and the great majority of the
House, the late Colonial Secretary and the late
Vice-President of the Board of Trade stood up, the
first as an apologist, and the second as a cham])ion, in
order to perpetuate the monopoly of the company ?
It remained for the present Government to lay
the whole of those papers before Parliament, and
to bring in a bill for founding a colony in British
Columbia.

Sir Ed ward BulwerLytton, in introducing the Bill,
said, his right hon. friend, Mr. Ellice, in his evidence
before a committee of the House, stated that tbe
harbour of Vancouver's Island might be regarded as
the proper one for naval purposes in that quarter of
the world, as it was the only good harbour along that
part of the North-American coast ; but he did not
think it desirable to colonize the adjacent coast.
He thought the country had enough in that way in
hand. Circumstances had arisen, however (the dis-
covery of gold), which had induced him (Sir E. B.
Lytton) and his colleagues to establish a system of
government in the adjacent coast : gold had been
discovered in two rivers in the territory — the
Thompson River and Eraser River. Some persons
might perhaps be disposed to think the distance of
the place from England would be fatal to extensive
colonization from this country. But Mr. Cunard
has proposed to convey letters and passengers from

11 I

Liverpool to British Columbia, and calculated it
might be performed in thuty-five days.

The whole territory of British Columbia was
remarkably fertile. Reports had been received
which stated that the fisheries there were most valu-
able and the timber of a very superior description;
also that beds of bitumen coal existed there, so that
it appeared to be a very suitable place for colonists.
He should say it was not wholly to the gold
which had been discovered in British Columbia
that he looked for its future prosperity : he hoped
that for the prosperity of that country we might
rest in the other resources of the colony, and
in its geographical position. He believed the
time was not far distant when there would be
railway communication to this territory. Of one
thing he w^as certain, that if this new colony
was destined, as he hoped it was, to add a new
branch to the great family of nations, it would not
be by gold which diggers might bring to light, but
by the gradual progress of the inhabitants, by their
industrv in the cultivation of the soil and the
establishment of commerce ; it would be by respect
to those equal laws which secured to every man the
power to retain what he might have honestly
acquired ; and by the exercise of those social virtues
on the stability of which even the greatest empires
must Jepend.

The new Bill defines the boundaries of the new
colony, provides for a governor and legislature ;
repeals certain provisions of an Act of the 43rd
Geo. 3, cap. 108, and 1st & 2nd Geo. 4, cap. 66,
which had special regard to the Hudson's Bay terri-

tory, for the punishment of crimes and offences ;
gives appeals from judgments in civil suits to the
Privy Council ; and states that Vancouver's Island
is not included in New Caledonia (British Colum-
bia), but may be on the joint address of the two
Houses of Legislature of Vancouver's Island ; and
that the Act is to continue in force till the 31st of
December, 1862.

The following copies of despatches are every
one of them so full of valuable and detailed infor-
mation in reference to the gold discoveries, that we
have copied them entire, and leave them to tell
their own tale.

Copy of a Despatch from Governor Douglas to the
Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M..P.

(No. 22.)

Victoria, Vancouver's Island, July 15, 1857.
(Received, September 18, 1857.)

Sir, — 1. I have the honour of communicating for
your information the substance of advices which I
have lately received from the interior of the continent
north of the 49th parallel of latitude, corroborating
the former accounts from that quarter respecting
the auriferous character of certain districts of the
country on the right bank of the Columbia River,
and of the extensive table land which divides it
from Eraser's River.

2. There is, however, as yet a degree of uncer-
tainty respecting the productiveness of those gold
fields, for reports vary so much on that point, some
parties representing the deposits as exceedingly

rich, while others are of opinion that they will not
repay the labour and outlay of workinpf, that I feel
it would be premature for me to give a decided
opinion on the subject.

3. It is, however, certain that gold has been
found in many places by washing the soil of the
river-beds and also of the mountain-sides; but, on
the other hand, the quantities hitherto collected
are inconsiderable, and do not lend much sup-
port to the opinion entertained of the richness
of those de|)osits ; so that the question as to their
ultimate value remains thus undetermined, and
will i)robably not be decided until more extensive
researches are made.

4. A new element of difficulty in exploring the
gold country has been interposed through the oppo-
sition of the native Indian tribes of Thompson's
River, who have lately taken the high-handed,
though probably not unwise course, of expelling all
the }>arties of gold-diggers, composed chiefly of per-
sons from the American territories, who had forced
an entrance into their country. They have also
openly expressed a determination to resist all
attempts at working gold in any of the streams
flowing into Thompson's River, both from a desire
to monopolize the precious metal for their own
benefit, and from a well-founded impression that
the shoals of salmon which annually ascend those
rivers and furnish the principal food of the inhabi-
tants, Mill be driven ofl', 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 ad. en-
turers who will be attracted by the reputed wealth
of the country, from the United States' possessions
in Oregon, and may probably attempt to overpower
the opposition of the natives by force of arms, and
thus endanger the peace of the country.

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

I have, &c.
(Signed) James Douglas,
The Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Governor.

&c. &c. &c.

EMract of a Despatch from Goxicrnor Douglas to
the Right Hon. Henri/ Labouchere, 31. P., dated
Victoria, Vancouver's Island, December 29, 1857.
(Received, March 2, 1858.)

(No. 35.)

Since I had the honour of addressing you on the
15th of July last, concerning the gold-fields in the
interior of the country north of the 49th parallel

tfi'M

of laticude, which, for the sake of brevity, I will
hereafter speak of as the " Couteau Mines " (so
named .ifter the tribe of Indians who inhabit the
country), I have received further intelligence from
my correspondents in that quarter.

It appears from their reports that the auriferous
character of the country is becoming daily more ex-
tensively developed, through the exertions of the
native Indian tribes, who, having tasted the sweets
of gold-finding: ^re 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 washing im-
plements for separating the gold from the earthy
matrix, and have therefore to pick it out with
knives, or to use their fingers for that purpose ; a
circumstance which in some measure accounts for
the small products of gold up to the present time,
the export being only about 300 ounces since the
6th of last October.

The same circumstances will also serve to re-
concile the opinion now generally entertained of
the richness of the gold deposits by the few expe-
rienced miners who 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' territories of Washington and
Oregon, and I have no doubt that a great number
of people from those territories will be attracted
thither with the return of the fine weather in
spring.

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 suggesting the appointment of an officer
invested with authority to protect the natives from
violence, and generally, so far as possible, to main-
tain the peace of the country.

Presuming that you will approve of that sug-
gestion, I have, as a preparatory step towards the
proposed measures for the preservation of peace
and order, this day issued a proclamation declaring
the rights of the Crown in respect to gold found in
its natural place of deposit, within the limits of
Eraser's River and Thompson's River districts,
within which are situated the Couteau Mines ; and
forbidding all persons to dig or disturb the soil in
search of gold, until authorized on that behalf by
her Majesty's Government.

I herewith forward a copy of that proclamation,
and also of the regulations since published, setting
forth the terms on which licenses will be issued to
legalize the search for gold, on payment of a fee of
ten shillings a month, payable in advance.

When mining becomes a remunerative employ-
ment, and there is a proof of the extent and pro-
ductiveness of the gold deposits, I would propose
that the license fee be gradually increased, in such
a manner, however, as not to be higher than the
persons engaged in mining can readily pay.

My authority for issuing that proclamation, see-
ing that it refers to certain districts of continental
America which are not strictly speaking within the

[i i'

jurisdiction of tliis (ilovornnioiit, may perliapH be
calknl in (juostioii ; but I trust that the motives
whicii bavo infbiouc'CMl mo on tbiw occasion, and tin;
fact of my bein<^' invested with the authority over
the premises of the Hudson's Hay Company, and
the only authority commissioned by lier Majesty
within reach, will plead my excuse. Moreover,
shouhl her Majesty's Government not deem it
advisable to enforce the rights of the Crown, as set
forth in the |)roclamati()n, 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
Coutcau Mines in course of the coming spring or
summer, for the jmrpose of inquiring into the state
of the country, ami authorize me to do so, if I can
for a time conveniently leave this colony, I freely
place my services at the d'oposal of her Majesty's
Government.

V, ;

Cop?/ of a Despatch from Governor Dour/las to the
li'uilU lion. 11. Labouchere, M.P.

(No. IT).)

Victoria, Vancouver's Island, April G, 1858.

Sir, — 1. Since I had last the honour of addressin«r
y(»u in my despatch. No. 35, of the 29th of Decem-
ber last, in reference to the discoverv of ffold in the
Coutcau, or Thompson's Kiver district, 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,

1)0011 rarriod on almost oxcliisivolv bv the native
Indian popnlation, who have discovered the pro-
dnctive beds, and ])nt 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 Hud-
son's Bay Conipa?iy, though well acquainted with
Indian character, wore obstructed by the natives in
all 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 (piietly hustled and
crowded by the natives, who, having by that means
obtained possession of the spot, then proceeded to
reap the fruits of their labours.

4. Such conduct was unwarrantable and exceed-
ingly trying to the temper of spirited men, but the
savages were far too numerous for resistance, and
thev had to pubmit to their dictation. It is, how-
ever, worthy of remark, and a circumstance highly
honourable to the character of those savages, that
they have on all occasions scrupulously res])ected
the persons and property of their white visitors,
at the same time that they have expressed a
determination to reserve the gold for their own
benefit.

5. Such being tlie purpose of the natives, affrays
and collisions with the whites will surely follow the

accession of numbers, which the latter are now
receiving by the iuHux of adventurers from Van-
couver's Island an<l the United States' territories in
Oregon ; and there is no doubt in my mind tliat
sooner or later the intervention of Her Majesty's
(Jovornment will be required to restore and main-
tain the peace. Up to the j)resent time, however,
the country continues rpiiet, but simj)ly, I believe,
because the whites have not attem|)ted to resist
the impositions 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 im-
perfectly known, and I have, therefore, not arrived
at any decided opinion as to its ultimate value as a
gold-])roducing country. The boundaries of the
gold district have been, however, greatly extended
since my former rei)ort.

7. In addition to the diggings before known on
Thom})son's River and its tributary streams, a
valuable deposit has been recently found by the
natives on a bank of Fraser's River, about live 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's
River, about eighty miles above the Forks. The
small quantity of gold hitherto produced — about
eight hundred ounces — by the 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 mining-tools on

tho part of tlio natives sufficiently accounts for the

fact.

8. On tho contrary, tho 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
o'lder slate formations thrown up and pierced by
beds of (piartz, 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's River and its affluents,
which are pecu''ar 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 advan-
tage of this colony.

10. I have further to communicate for your
information that the proclamation issued by me,
asserting the rights of the Crown to all gold in its
natural i)lace of de])Osit, and forbidding all persons
to dig for gold without a license, has been published
in the newspapers of Oregon and Washington terri-
tories, and that, notwithstanding, some seventy or
ei.^hty adventurers from the American side have
gone by the way of Fraser's River to the Couteau
Mines without taking out licenses.

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 proceeding 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.

* » 4K «

I have, &c.
(Signed) Jamks Douglas,

Governor.
The Rio'ht Hon. Henrv Labouchere, M.P.

&c. &c. &c.

Ect'trnd of a Despatch from Governor Douglas to the
BJfjht Hon, Henry Lahoncherc, dated Victoria,
Vancouver' s Island, May 8, 1858.

(No. 19.)

Since I had the honour of addressing you, on the
6th of A])ril hast, 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 stirrinof citv on the same
subject.

The "Couteau" country is there represented
and supposed to be in point of mineral v.eaith a
second California or Australia ; and those impres-
sions are sustained by the false and exaggerated
statements of steamboat owners and other inter-
ested parties, who benefit by the current of emi-
gration which is now setting strongly towards this
quarter.

Boats, canoes, and every species of small craft
are continually employed in pouring their cargoes
of human beings into Eraser's River, and it is
supposed that not less than one thousand whites
are already at work and on the way to the gold

districts.

Many accidents have happened in the dangerous
rapids of that river ; a great number of canoes
having been dashed to pieces and their cargoes
swept away by the impetuous stream, while of the
ill-fated adventurers who accompanied them, many
have been swept into eternity.

The others, nothing daunted by the spectacle of
ruin, and buoyed up by the hope of amassing
wealth, still keep pressing onwards towards the
coveted goal of their most ardent wishes.

On the 25th of last month, the American steamer
Commodore arrived in this port direct from San
Francisco, with 450 passengers on board, the clnet
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

Eraser's River.

I ascertained through inquiries on the subject,
that those men are all well provided with miumg
tools, and that there was no dearth of capital or
intelligence among them. About 60 British sub-
jects, with an equal number of native-born Ame-
ricans, the rest being chiefly Germans, with a
smaller proportion of Frenchmen and Italians, com-
posed this body of adventurers.

They are represented as being, with some excep-

tions, 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 accommoda-
tion, the police few in number, and many tempta-
tions to excess in the way of drink, yet quiet and
order prevailed, and there was not a single com-
mittal 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 people in the colony, and are strongly in
favour of making this port a stopping point between
San Francisco and the gold mines, converting 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 con-
sequence would be an immediate increase in the
wealth and population of the colony.

To effect that object it will be requisite to
facilitate by every possible means the transport of
passengers and goods to the furthest navigable
point on Fraser's River ; and the obvious means of
accomplishing that end is to employ light steam-
ers in plying between, and connecting this port
[Victoria] with the Falls of Fraser's River, distant
130 miles from the discharge of that river into
the Gulf of Georgia, those falls being generally
believed to be at the commencement of the remu-

nerative gold diggings, and from thence the miners
would readily make their way on foot, or, after the
summer freshets, by the river, into the interior of

the country.

By that means, also, tlie whole trade of the gold
regions would pass through Eraser's River, and be
retained within the British territory, forming a
valuable outlet for British manufactured 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 rela-
tions to trade and commerce, apart from considera-
tions of national policy, such perhaps would be the
course most likely to promote the interests of this
colony; but, on the contrary, if the country be
thrown open to indiscriminate immigration, the
interests of the empire may suffer from the intro-
duction of a foreign population, whose sympathies
may be decidedly anti-British.

Taking that 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 residence without in
the first place requiring them to take the 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 1 have formed on the subject
leads me to think that, in the event of the diggings
proving remunerative, it will now be found impos-
sible to check the course of immigration, even by
closing Eraser's River, as the miners wouUl then

D 2

force a passage into the gold district by way of
the Columbia River, and the valuable trade of
the country in that case be driven from its natural
course into a foreign channel, and entirely lost to
this country.

On the contrary, should the diggings prove to be
unremunerative, 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 naturally
abandon a country which no longer hole 3 out any
inducement for them to remain.

Until the value of the country, as a gold-pro-
ducing 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
*he present year. I would simply recommend that
a small naval 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 licenses for digging gold
has not yet come into operation.

Perhaps a simpler method of raising a revenue
would be to impose a custom's duty on imports, to
be levied on all supplies brought into the country,
whether by Eraser's or the Columbia River.

The export of gold from the country is still in-
considerable, not exceeding 600 ounces since I last
addressed you. The principal diggings are reported
to be at present, and will probably 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 hap-
pen about the middle of August next. In the
meantime the ill-provided adventurers who have
gone thither w'll 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 subjects in this letter.

Copy of a Despatch from Secretary Sir E. Bulwer
Lytton to Governor Douglas.

^No. 2.)

Downing Street, July 1, 1858.

Sir,— I have to acknowledge your Despatch,
No. 19, of the 8th ultimo, in continuation of former
despatches, informing the Secretary of State from
time to time of the progress of the gold discoveries
on Eraser's River, and the measures which you had
taken in consequence. I am anxious not to let the
opportunity of the present mail pass without in-
forming you that her Majesty's Government 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 communicate 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 endeavoured to compel tbe taking out
of licenses by causing any force to be despatched
for that purpose from Vancouver's Island.

The) vi^ish 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 pre-
serving the rights both of Government and of
commerce which belong to this country, and while
they have it in contemplation to furnisli 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 distinctly
instructed to oppose no obstacle whatever to their
resort thither for the purpose of digging in those
fields, so long as they submit themselves, in
common with the subjects of her Majesty, to the
recognition of her authority, and conform to such
rules of police as you may have thought proper to
establish. The national right to naviijate Fraser's
River is of course a separate question, and one
which her Majesty's Government must reserve.

Under the circumstance of so large an immi-
gration of Americans into English territory, 1 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 between two neighbouring and power-

■fill states.

It is impossible by this mail to furnish you with
any instructions of a more delinite 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. Bulwer Lytton.

Governor Douglas,
&c. &c.

Governor Douglas has also issued the following
proclamation (evidently under a misconception of his
own powers and the rights and powers of the Hud-
son's Bay Company; for their charter gives them
« the exclusive privilege of trading with the Indians
but there is no exclusion of white men trading with
white men of any nation), but which has since been
remedied by instructions sent out by the Colonial
Secretary.

" By his Excellency James Douglas, Goveraor and
Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Vancou-
ver's Island and its Dependencies, and Vice-
Adm'ral of the same.

..Whereas it is commonly reported that certain
boats and other vessels have entered Frasers River
for trade : and whereas there is reason to appre-

henci that other persons are preparing and fitting
out boats for the same purpose : Now, therefore, I
have issued this my Proclamation, warning all per-
sons that such acts are contrary to law, and infringe-
ments of the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company,
who are legally entitled to the trade with Indians
in the British possessions of the north-west coast of
America, to the exclusion of all other persons,
whether British or foreign. And also that from
fourteen days from the date of this my Proclama-
tion all ships, boats, and vessels, together with the
goods laden on board, found in Fraser's River, or in
any of the bays, rivers, or creeks of the said British
possessions on the north-west of America, not
having a license from the Hudson's Bay Company,
and a sufferance from the proper officer of 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,
Victoria, this 8th day of May, in the year of our
Lord 1858, and in the 21st of her Majesty's reign.
" James Douglas, Governor.
*^' By his Excellency's command,

" Richard Golledge, Secretary.

" God save the Queen."

By the last accounts from San Francisco,
June 21st, we learn that the excitement caused
by the richness of the gold discoveries exceeded
anything ever witnessed in the palmiest days of
California or Australia, and all agreed in believ-
ing that a climax had not been reached, — that

the question bad almost universally become, not,
"Are you going?" but, "When are you off?"
People seemed to have suddenly come to the conclu-
sion tbat it was their fate to go. " Going to Eraser's
River?" — "Yes; oh, of course, I must go!" —
"You going?"— "Yes, sir; I am bound to go!"
None are too poor and none too rich to start ; none
too young and none too old for the journey. Many
depart with money, many without ; some to invest
in " real estate," others to see what may turn up,
some to gamble, and many to steal, and, unquestion-
ably, not a few to die. People of all nations are en
route. Men who cannot speak a word of English are
among them, accompanied by interpreters. From
Yreka, in the north, bordering on Oregon, to San
Diego, in the extreme south, whole masses are in
commotion, and flocking in thousands to San Fran-
cisco, on their way to the new El Dorado ; and
labour was getting extremely dear in consequence.
It had become necessary to coax and " softsawder"
mechanics to get any work done. The Times
correspondent, speaking from his own personal
experience, says the reply of one to him was—
« My dear sir, I'll give you one day in three ; I
must distribute my time so as to do a little for each
of my friends:' This man, he adds, was a tinman
skilled in roofing houses; I used to call him a
tinker, in joke. He calls me now by familiar
epithets, and I address him " Mr. Snooks." My
joking days are over— at any rate suspended. The
ordinary relations of life are being reversed. We
are become primitive. « When Adam delved and
Eve span, where was then the gentleman ?" If our

I ?7tu

Eves would spin, we would not complain so much ;
but our domestic Eves are going to Vancouver's
Island to become ladies. It is a great reproach
to us ; but we cannot keep the women ! We learn
also that six large steamers had been put on the
route, besides numerous sailing vessels ; — that on
the 14th of June 900 passengers left in one steamer,
and on the 17th, 1,400 passengers in another ; — that
the present departures for Eraser's River were
about 1,000 a day ; — that a gentleman who went
down to the wharf and on board to see the sight
says the crush actually lifted him off the deck ; —
that it resembled a crowd at one of the London
theatres on a " star" night — that the vessel ap-
peared perfectly black with human beings crowded
in every part of her when she drew away from the
Avharf — that although she could not be comfort-
able with more than six hundred passengers, she
took 1,600 at least; — that the entire exodus from
California during the first six months would ex-
ceed 40,000, a rapidity and extent of emigration
never paralleled ; — that one American vessel, the
Suiyrise, had entered Eraser's River in spite of the
blockade, and run up to Eort Yale, thereby prov-
ing the navigation of the river for 150 miles (What
will Sir George Simpson say to this ? he denied its
being navigable further than Fort Langley, twenty-
five miles, and that only by small steamers of light
draught ; yet the Surprise was a vessel that had
doubled Cape Horn under sail) ; — that the Hudson's
Bay Company's officials had appointed customs'
officials, and chosen magistrates from amongst the
immigrants; — and that the best feeling existed

between the Company's people and the miners.
Although all passengers by steamers arc to be
provided with a passport, and an American had
2,000 dollars' property confiscated by the Company
for trading near Fort Langley, miners were allowed
to carry full supplies for themselves, but none for
trade. After July, the license fee from the diggers
was to be strictly exacted. Nearly all the diggings
were being carried on between Fort Langley and
Fort Yale, and for some thirty miles above the
latter, an entire distance of better than 100 miles.
The yield per man was from ten dollars to 250
dollars per day ; at Hill's Bar the men had averaged
fifty dollars a day the whole time they had been
there. The diggings on Thompson's River were still
richer ; but the excess of water and opposition of
the Indians prevented much being done.

The Times correspondent quotes the following
as the experience of a man from San Francisco,
well known there, connected with a business firm
in that place, and whose statement is worthy
of credit : — " We left San Francisco in April, in
company with seven others, and ascended the
Fraser River 275 miles. We prospected all along,
coming up from Fort Hope to Sailors' Bar. We
camped, and commenced mining Sailors' Bar, about
twenty-five miles above Fort Yale, which has rich
diggings, in some places paying as high as six
bits to the pan (a bit may be set down at the
value of one shilling sterling). When I arrived,
miners were making as high as six ounces a day
to the rocker. We mined along the banks of
the river [the Fraser], and the average was from

"■:|

two to tliree ounces per day to the rockers. Miners
are at work all along the banks of the river for
twenty-five miles above Fort Yale; they average
from two to four ounces a day. The country is
very rich and very beautiful, but high and moun-
tainous. There is plenty of timber and everything
a miner can wish for, except game and provisions.
There are plenty of salmon in the river, and brown
bears in the woods, which are very good eating.
Wherever we * prospected * we found gold — at
some places more, at others less ; but we found gold
everywhere. At the rapids or falls, twenty odd miles
above Fort Yale, w here the water fell nearly fifteen
feet over the rocks, and prevented our ascending
higher in the canoe, we prospected, and found gold
very plenty. Near the falls, and from Sailor's Bar
up, many minevs were at work, all with rockers.
Gold very fine — requiring blankets to be spread in
the bottom of the rockers to save the finer par-
ticles. By the use of quicksilver twice as much gold
could be saved, as some of it is as fine as flour."

This man left his mining claim in charge of two
partners, and brought to San Francisco a quantity
of the " dust," and returned to Fraser's River with
supplies of provisions, &c.

The special correspondent of the San Francisco
Bulletin, a reliable authority, writes from Fort
Langley, on Fraser River, under date of May 25,
that he had just come down from Fort Yule — the
locality above spoken of — where he found sixty men
and 200 Indians, with their squaws, at work on a
" bar" of about 600 yards in length, called " Hill's
Bar," one mile below Fort Yale, and fifteen miles

from Fort IFopo, all trading ports of the Hudson's
Bay Company. The morning I arrived, two men
[Kerrison and Co.] cleaned up 5^ ounces from the
rocker, tiie produce of half a day's work. Kerrison
and Co. the next day cleaned up lOj ounces from
two rockers, which I saw myself weighed. Old
Californian miners say they never saw such rich
diggings. The average result per day to the man
was fully twenty dollars, some much more. The
gold is very fine ; so much so that it is impossible to
save more than two-thirds of what went through
the rockers. At Sailor's Diggings, above Fort Yale,
they are doing very well, — averaging from eight to
twenty-five dollars per day to the man. I am told
that the gold is much coarser in Thompson River
than it is in Fraser River. I saw yesterday about
250 dollars of coarse gold f om Thompson River,
in pieces averaging Jive dollars each. Some of the
pieces had quartz among them. Hill, who was the
first man on the bar bearing his name just spoken
of, with his partner, has made some 600 dollars
in about sixteen days' work. Three men just
arrived from Sailors' Diggings have brought down
670 dollars in dust, the result of twelve days' work,
gold very fine."

Another authority, a Californian miner, known in
San Francisco, also lately returned from the Fraser
and Thompson Rivers, testifies to the existence of
gold in great quantity : — " This statement," he says,
"is true; gold does exist in this new country, and there
is no doubt in my mind that the upper mines are
much like the upper mountain mines of California.
The first diggings are not far from Puget Sound ;

but there, as in California, the richest mines will be
found far up in the mountains. There is no occa-
sion to hurry, as the gold won't run away, nor be
dug up ill days nor in years." Another writer says,
" There are rich diggings in the Cascade Mountains,
between Fort Hope and Fort Yaie, as well as to
the southward and eastward of Fort Hope." The
writer of another letter reports, " Mines have been
discovered in the interior, at a great distance inland
from the Fraser River (some 190 miles to the
Borth and east of that river). These mines," he
says, " will cause the Fraser River mines, which
only last some six months in the year, owing to the
freshets, to be almost forgotten."

Provisions and mining tools were very dear up
the river ; but as there was an abundance of all
those articles in San Francisco, these inconveniences
would soon be remedied, as small steamers were
being put on the river to ply as far up as the rapids
would permit them.

One inestimable advantage we possess on Van-
couver's Island is, that the harbour Esquimault is
the finest in the Pacific — and Victoria is a free
port ; no duties being levied on merchandise. This,
independently of its favourable position, carries all
British and other foreign goods liable to American
duties to Victoria, in preference to all the American
ports on the north-west coast. No vessel or passen-
gers are allowed to enter Fraser River without first
obtaining a permit at Victoria; this necessitates all
vessels on their way from San Francisco to Fraser
River calling there, a fact that the merchants of
this country should take advantage of, by making

Victoria at once the depot and mart of the

Pacific.

Before closing this portion of our book which
relates to British Columbia, it is necessary that we
should refer to the Indians. They number upwards
of 60,000, and live almost entirely by hunting ; they
have always been celebrated as a warlike race,
but although they have this character, the Hudson's
Bay Company have never found much difficulty in
dealing with them ; but the rapid progress of the
white man will but hasten their destiny, for in a few
years the great and powerful warlike Shoushwap,
Kootanie, and Carrier tribes will be numbered
among the things that were.

A very graceful allusion to British Columbia was
made in her Majesty's speech on proroguing Parlia-
ment, viz. : —

«' The Act to which her Majesty has assented for
the establishment of the colony of British Columbia
was urgently required in consequence of the recent
discoveries of gold in that district ; but her Majesty
hopes that this new colony on the Pacific may be
but one step in the career of steady progress by
which her Majesty's dominions in North America
may ultimately be peopled in an unbroken chain,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by a loyal and
industrious population of subjects of the British
Crown."

CHAPTER II.

Vancouver's Island, as we before stated, runs
parallel with the coast of British Columbia, in a
north-west direction : it is situate in longitude 125°
from Greenwich ; and lying between the 48th and
61st parallel of latitude, it is about 250 miles long,
and in breadth varies from 60 to 70 miles ; with
a climate stated by some persons to be equal to
Madeira, and by others to Ireland, and summers
somewhat warmer. It has no rivers of importance,
but its coast is indented with many good and three
or four magnificent harbours, whilst from there to
Acapulco a distance of 3,000 miles, safe anchorage
for large ships is only to be found at the single port
of San Francisco ; but even the harbour of San Fran-
cisco is so excessively large that it is said not to be
safe at all times. A range of hills runs through the
centre, and to the north rises into mountains. The
timber which covers its surface is described by all
who have seen it, as the j&nest in the world. The
soil, where it has been tried, is most favourable to
agriculture ; and, to crown the catalogue, coal of
most excellent quality has been found in abundance
within a few yards of the sea-beach, the importance
of which, to the future population, is incalcula-
ble, and many years ago attracted the attention
of Mr. Cunard, who, with that sound judgment
which has characterized all his splendid undertak-
ings, made a timely suggestion to the Colonial Office,

but his statement was disregarded ; and in 1848 the
Imperial Government handed over this magnificent
island to tlie exclusive possession of the Hudson's
Bay Company, making two stipulations, — first, that
at the expiration of five years the grant of the island
might be removed by the Crown, if the Company
should not have established one or more settlements,
according to the intent of the charter, or if they
should not freely dispose of the land at a reasonable
price; secondly, that in the year 1859, on the expi-
ration of the license of exclusive trade with the
Indians on the north-west coast, the Government
are empowered to repurchase from the Company
the island and their premises, on payment of the
sums expended by them in colonization, and the
value of their establishments, property, and effects
then being on the island. The latter alternative
the Government have adopted, and given notice to
the Company that they will resume possession of
the island next year ; and the Company have there-
fore intimated that their " little bill " already ex-
ceeds 87,000/.

Now, we have it proved upon the most respectable
evidence — and it is not denied by the Company —
that the first thing they proceeded to do on taking
possession of the island, was to appropriate to them-
selves ten square miles round the best position in
the island — at Victoria, and the land round the
coal mines at Naniam, to the extent of 2,000 acres ;
and that tiiey refused to sell any portion of this
land to the settlers who wished to occupy it. And,
as their "little bill" of 87,000/. is for colonizing,—
all of which they confined to themselves, by actually

forcing' all indopoiKloiit sottlors to le.ivc, and by tlic
ini]>edir.ients they tlirew in tlieir way, — a job had to
be perpetrated, and the fewer hostile witnesses the
better, thought the Com])any ; but when it was com-
pleted, and a certain [)osse8sary right obtained (the
Company lay great stress upon possessary rights),
they come forward before Parliament, and say, "Oh,
by all means, resume the government of it, we
strongly recommend you to do so ; but please pay
us our little bill/' But what have they done to en-
title them to it? Let us just inquire: — Lord Grey
appointed as governor a gentleman independent of
the Company, Mr. Blanshard ; but this did not suit
their interests, and they pdopted the following mode
of getting rid of him antl having Mr. Douglas, their
chief factor, appointed in his place. A grant of
1,000 acres of land was promised to Mr. Blanshard,
in lieu of salary, by Sir John Pelly, the governor of
the Company, in London ; but when he got out
there, they evaded that promise, and would not give
him an acre ; they would only supply him with goods
at a profit of 300 per cent., and it must be borne in
mind, he had only " Hobson's choice." To avoid this
exorbitant charge he sent to England to have goods
shipped to him direct ; but here again he had no
choice but the Company's ships, and on his agents
calling at the Hudson's Bay House to inquire when
their ships sailed, they were promised they should
have timely notice ; but the only notice they ever
had was, on again inquiring, that the " ship had
sailed."

The chief factor, Mr. Douglas, set the governor's
authority at naught, and took upon himself to sign the

register of ships. In fact, they fairly harassed and
starved him out of his office. But let us hope that the
reckoning day is not far distant ; and when they press
the payment of their "little bill," that Parliament
will require them to render an account of their stew-
ardship. It certainly must force any one who will
take the trouble to peruse the evidence that has been
given upon the matter, to this conclusion, that they
call upon the Imperial Government to repay them
an ed?penditure actually incurred in appropriating to
themselves all the most valualle portion of the island.

But brighter days are in store for Vancouver's
Island, for next year it will be under the direct
government of the Crown; that it is one of the
most desirable places in the British Empire to
emigrate to, we shall, we hope, satisfactorily prove.
Mr. Cooper, in his evidence before a committee of
the House of Commons last year, said : — " I was
a resident there six years, from 1851 to 1857. I
had a farm of 300 acres. Its climate is superior in
every way to Great Britain ; its agricultural capa-
bilities are very great ; it is capable of producing all
the crops which we can produce in this country,
and some others which we cannot produce, such as
Indian corn, &c. It is one of the finest wheat-
growing countries in the world, farmers have got
forty bushels of wheat to the acre. The country is
partially wooded and partially open prairie ; there
is no occasion to cut the timber at present, so as to
convert the land to agricultural purposes, as there
is a great deal of oi)en land yet to be disposed of;
the open land is beautifully fertile. The timber is
principally pine, oak, ash, beech, and maple. It

E 2

I'.

abounds in coal of good quality at Nanaimo ; tliero
is a large colliery in oj)eration within a few yards of
the sea shore, so that skips might shoot into the
ships ; the mine is capable of supplying the whole
Pacific, when I left they had 10,000 tons ready for
sale. It has many very fine harbours, one, the
harbour of Esquimault, the finest in the world.
There are well-conducted schools. It is a Roman
Catholic bishopric, and there is also a clergyman
of the Church of England ; two days and a half is
the average passage from San Francisco in sea-
going ships."

The Hon. Chas. W. Wentworth Fitzwilliam, a
member of the committee, examined, said : — " I was
in Vancouver's Island in the winter 1852-3. The
climate appeared to me particularly adapted for
settlement by Englishmen ; it resembles the climate
of England, but not quite so cold ; the soil is
generally productive. The country is divided into
wood and prairie. I visited the coal mines at
Nanaimo, they were working a 6-feet seam of coal
at a depth of 40 feet, and which is close to the
sea shore. The coal is of excellent quality, very
like the West Riding of Yorkshire coal. The
soil and climate is remarkably fine, and produces
excellent wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes ; the
timber is magnificent, and the harbour of Esqui-
mault is the finest 1 ever saw. Nobody who has
not seen the enormous quantities of fish can possibly
credit the value and excellence of the fisheries ;
the only safe harbours on the coast exist in
Vancouver's Island, with the exception of San
Francisco. There are good schools, a Roman

Catholic bishop and clergy, and a clergyman of the
Church of England."

R. Blanshard, Esq., stated he was appointed
governor of Vancouver's Island in 1849, and re-
mained for nearly two years ; the climate was very
good and very temperate, not subject to occur-
rences of heat and cold. It is milder than that of
England, a great portion of the soil seemed to be
very fertile ; it is very well adapted for an English
settlement, it is well covered with fine timber.
The fisheries are very abundant. The Hudson's
Bay Company claimed ten square miles round
Victoria as their own property, which they would
not sell. It has several fine harbours, the harbour
of Esquimault in particular, which is a perfect
shelter for a dozen line-of-battle ships in any wind.
Mr. John Miles, a servant of the Hudson's Bay
Company, stated he had been twice to Vancouver's
Island, in 1852, and again in 1854. Its soil is very
good and very rich, and the climate superior to
that of England ; it is well covered with timber, and
its coal mines are very valuable. The fisheries are
very productive. There is every necessary on the
island itself for its becoming one of the finest
colonies in the world. It has got wood, coal, good
land, and iron : the fisheries are good round about
it; the position is good and the climate is good, and
the harbour of the Esquimault very favourable.

The Right Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P., a member
of the committee examined, said : — " The sooner
the public re-enter into possession, and the sooner
they form establishments worthy of the island and
worthy of this country, the better. It is a kind of

i i

■'i

England attached to the continent of America. I
think it shouUl not only be on the ordinary system
of English colonies, but that it should be the j)rin-
cipal station of your naval force in the Pacific. It
is an island in which there is every kind of timber
fit for naval j)urposes. It is the only good harbour
(and it is an excellent harbour) to the northward
of San Francisco, as far north as Sitka, the Russian
settlement. You have in Vancouver's Island the
best harbour, fine timber in every situation, and
coal enough for your whole navy; the climate is
wholesome, very like that of England ; the coast
abounds with fish of every description : in short,
there is every advantage In the island of Vancouver
to make it one of the first colonies and best settle-
ments of England. Political questions are con-
nected with making a settlement in that quarter
which I will not enter into.

The Indians on Vancouver's Island number about
13,000, and are a quiet, peaceable race. They live
almost entirely by fishing ; they make very useful
labourers, and are engaged in the coal-mines.

It would be superfluous to add further testimony
in favour of the climate and capabilities of this
favoured island ; we will therefore proceed to
consider the claims of British North America to
become the great high road from the Atlantic to
the Pacific Ocean.

The Hon. John Ross, M.P., inspector-general,
and president of the Grand Trunk Railway of
Canada, says : — ** If any project were set afloat for
carrying a railway across the continent, I believe it
is conceded that that portion of the continent of

Nortli America over which the (Jueen's Governiiient
extends is the most feasible that can be adopted.
I believe that it is conceded by all the American
gentlemen who had investigated the subject, and I
think it is so accepted now. I have heard that
opinion generally expressed by leading and influ-
ential Americans who have investigated the subject.
1 believe it is Mr. Whitney's opinion."

One of the ablest French jonrnals of the day, in
a recent article on this subjwol., said, " England and
the United States are both of them fully sensible
that the time has arrived when the sceptre of the
commercial world must be grasped and held by the
hand of that power which shall be able to maintain
the most certain and rapid communication between
Europe and Asia. It is not merely by the Isthmus
of Suez and the Red Sea that henceforth the trade
with the East is going to be carried on. The
eastern continent of Asia will be waked up to a
new commercial activity from other ports, and
especially from the several ports of the Chinese
empire. Consequently, the empire of the world, in
a commercial point of view, will henceforth belong
to that one of the two powers of England or America
which shall be the first to find means to establish
a direct road across the continent of America,
whereby to communicate most rapidly with the
great East on the Pacific side, and with Europe on
the Atlantic side. This will be the great highway
by which the products of the Old World will have
to be carried to the Eastern World. ♦ * *

'• Hence it is that the victory which is to give
the empire of the world will be gained by that

which shall

power wliicli sliall be the first to establish the line
of railroad across re^rions and countries which are
yet unknown and unexplored. The struggle for
the attainment of this great victory is well worth
the trouble and expense which it will cost ; for the
empire of the seas and the commercial dominion
over tije whole world are the great stakes which are
being played for. * * * * We shall soon be
witnesses of one of those grand and peaceful revolu-
tions which in all ages of the world have played a
greater part in deciding the fate of the human race
than all the great and most decisive battlles that
have ever been fought, or all the completost con-
«iuests that have ever been made."

On the Atlantic coast of British North America
we have but one safe open serport accessible at all
seasons, the rest being closed by ice for six months
of the year. But that port — Halifax (in Nova Scotia)
— has the finest harbour on the Atlantic, and is nearer
to Europe by 400 miles than any other port in the
whole continent of America. From Halifax to
Quebec, through British territory, measures about 600
miles. A railway for 170 of the distance is in course
of construction. From Quebec there is a direct line
of railway through Canada to Lake Huron, a dis-
tance of 500 miles. Lake Huron is connected with
Lake Superior by a short ship canal ; from the ter-
minus of the railway in Lake Huron to the head of
Lake Superior is about 500 miles ; and from the
head of Lake Superior by the Red River settlement
and the valley of the Saskatchewan (a great part of
which is navigable) to the head-waters of the
Columbia River, in British Columbia, is about 1,200

miles (of this portion of the route from Red Jliver
settlement to the foot of the Rocky Mountains all
witnesses agree in stating that it offers the most favour-
able natural facilities for the construction of a railway,
and that by making a detour to the north, the Rocky "
Mountains can be passed on a favourable Jiltitude),
and thence to the mouth of Fraser's River, opposite
Vancouver's Island, a length of about 300 miles.

Ships of 800 tons burthen now go from Liverpool
to the head of Lake Superior. There is now a per-
fect inland navigation through the great Canadian
lakes from the gulf of the St. Lawrence to the
head of Lake Superior, longer than from Liverpool
to New York.

A proposal has been submitted to the Govern-
ment, and most favourably received by them, for
completing the line of railway between Halifax and
Quebec ; and there is no doubt whatever that its con-
struction will be speedily accomplished ; for it is des-
tined to be the high road through Canada from one
ocean to the other, spreading intercommunication
far and wide, and entirely independent of the United
States. It is likewise absolutely essential to the
preservation of British North America. At the
present time we are for six months of the year en-
tirely dependent upon the United States for any
communications whatever to or from Canada.

A proposal has likewise been submitted for carry-
ing a railway from the head of Lake Superior, through
the Red River settlement (about to be formed into
a colony), and along the valley of the Saskatchewan,
and through British Columbia to the mouth of
Fraser's River, opposite Vancouver's Island.

The lungth of lino will therefore bo as follows : —

MileH.

Liverpool to Halifax 2,460

Halifax to Fort William on Lake Superior 1,484
Lake Superior to Fucas Straits, opposite

Vancouver's Island 1,700

5,050

The following table will sbow tlic comparative
advantages of the several routes: —

Miles. MileH.

From Liverpool to Panama is ... 4,100

„ Panama to Shangliai 9,800

13,900

„ Liverpool to Halifax is ... 2,466

„ Halifax to Fucas Straits ... 3,184

„ Fucas Straits to Shanghai ... 5,800

11,450

Difference in favour of the route through

Canada

• • • • • •

••• ••• •••

2,350

■ 1

Miles.

From Panama to Japan is

. 8,600

>»

Canton

, 10,000

»»

Singapore

. 10,800

!■

Sandwich Islands

. 4,700

»»

Sydney

8,220

Fucas Straits to Japan

. 4,400

»t

Canton

6,900

*»

Singapore

8,200

Sandwich Islands ..

2,370

»»

Sydney

. 7,230

.il

Mr. Roebuck, a few days ngo, in alluding to tlieso
projects in a very able speech in the Mouse of
Commons, on his motion with regard to the terri-
tories of the Hudson's Bay Company, said, — " The
present state of the North American continent
was a matter of great interest to England. That
continent was divided among three possessors : the
southern and most important part belonged to the
United States, which ran up to where they met the
domain of England, which stretched from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. England possessed the
larger portion of the continent, and proceeded north-
ward until it trenched upon the western territo.^y
belonging to Russia. We heretofore had planted
colonies in the southern division he had named ; we
had planted thirteen colonies in that country ; those
colonies had declared their independence, and had
since increased to the number of thirty-five or
thirty-six free states. We had created a power
there, which, if something was not done by England
as a counterpoise to the United States of America,
would overshadow not only England, but the earth.
He believed that in the northern part of the con-
tinent we had the means of establishing the counter-
poise which he sought. If England would carry
out a systematic colonization upon that portion of
the continent which now belonged to her, she would
enable the world to resist what he believed would
otherwise be the predominant power of the Anglo-
Saxon race now established in the United States.
The English possessed a portion of the American
continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; north of
the great lakes. Prince Edward's Island, Nova Scotia,

New Brunswick, Lower and Upper Canada, were
colonies when the l^nglish became possessed of the
country, and since that time they had not added to
the territory one acre of land in the way of
colonization. In the meantime the Americans had
increased from thirteen to thirty-six independent
states, and from 3,000,000 population to very nearly
30,000,000; while the English had remained idle;
and though they had seen the Americans become
one of the greatest of nations, they, notwithstanding
they had the means, had effected nothing as a
counterpoise. Plans had been laid before the right
hon. baronet the Secretary for the Colonies, for
carrying a railway completely across the continent,
so that a direct communication would be established
between England and Vancouver's Island by way
of Halifax. This was a magnificent scheme ; and
he would tell the right hon. baronet that if he suc-
ceeded in carrying out this scheme, he would achieve
a renown that would hand his name down to pos-
terity as a great colonial minister. The accomplish-
ment of such a scheme would unite England to
Vancouver's Island and with China, and they would
be enabled to widely extend the civilization of Eng-
land. H3 would boldly assert that the civilization
of England was greater than that of America;
because the English were a free people. They
were not contaminated by the infernal blot of
slavery, and they would, as a fr*^'^ people, carry
England's name, England's laws, and England's
literature, across the whole continent of America.
They afforded a refuge to the slave, and they
exhibited to the population they had planted on the

]«

more favoured portion of America a most striking
example of greatness, goodness, and happiness."

Mr. Roebuck was followed by a most able an<l
masterly speech from Viscount Bury, and by Mr.
Gladstone, who said, "I am sure I only express
the unanimous feeling of the House when I
say that I have listened with great interest to
this discussion as far as it has gone. My lion, and
learned friend is a veteran in these matters. It is
a fact upon which the hon. and learned gentleman
has a right to reflect with gratification, that upon
this subject, and other questions relating to our
policy in British North America, he has frequently
been the expositor of truths at an early date,
which, though not at once acknowledged, have
subsequently been admitted by all. I believe the
exposition he has now made is one in which he is
so far fortunate that it is not even now unpopular ;
and I am convinced that the history he has given
and the opinions he has expressed are so sound
and just that they must become the basis of our
future policy in respect of t'jat country. I am sure
my hon. and learned friend has hailed with joy
and satisfaction the accession he has received to-
night in the person of one who is a novice indeed
in years, but who in knowledge and accomplish-
ments has shown himself a thorough master of the
subject. If I do not say more of the speech of
the noble viscount, it is because I feel that he has
80 completely possessed himself of the whole facts
and bearings of the question, that it would be pre-
sumptuous in me to comnient upon it."

Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Secretary of State for the

';■ . •

Colonies, following on the same subject, said, " In
glancing over the vast regions devoted to tlie free
trade, which are said to be as large as Europe, the
first thought of every Englishman must be that of
humiliation and amaze. Is it possible, that so
great a segment of the earth under the English
sceptre has so long been abandoned as a desolate
hunting-ground for wandering savages and wild
animals ; turning our eyes from a trade which, un-
like all other commerce, rests its profits, not on the
redemption, but on the maintenance of the wilder-
ness? It must cheer us to see already, in the great
border lands of this hitherto inhospitable region,
the opening prospects of civilized life. Already,
on the Pacific, Vancouver's Island has been added
to the social communities of mankind. Already, on
the large territory west of the Rocky Mountains,
from the Americaii frontier up to the Russian
domains, we are laying the foundations of what
may become hereafter a magnificent abode for the
human race. And now eastward of the Rocky
Mountains, we are invited to see in the settlement
of the Red River the nucleus of a new colony, a
rampart against any hostile inroads from the Ame-
rican frontier, and an essential one, as it were, to
that great viaduct by which we hope one day to
connect the harbours of Vancouver with the Gulf
of St. Lawrence."

Lord John Russell said, " The i)rospect before
us was one of immense magnitude ; we have to
deal with the important subject of the colonization
of that country which stretches from Vancouver's
Island to tlie banks of the St. Lawrence. The

habitation of that vast territory, and its being tra-
versed by railroads and canals, all are questions
which depend much on the decision which may be
arrived at in the next twelve months. He believed
with Sir E. B. Lytton, that we shall have, in the
territory with which we are called upon to deal,
colonists attached to the institutions of this country,
— attached even to her name."

These are indeed sentiments that must cheer and
support our hopeful and enterprising people on their
journey to that land which Lord Durham said was
" the rightful patrimony of the English people^
the ample appanage which God and nature had set
aside in the New World for those whose lot had
assigned them but insufficient portions in the Old."
We also confidently hope that the advantages
offered by these magnificent new colonies will be
such as to attract the higher grades of society. The
late Charles Duller said, " If you wish colonies to be
prosperous, to reflect back the civilizations, and
habits, and feelings of their parent stock, and to be,
and long remain, integral parts of your empire, care
should be taken that society should be carried out
in something of the form in which it is seen at
home ; that it should contain some at least of all
the elements that go to make it up here ; and that
it should continue under those influences that are
found effectual for keeping us together in har-
mony."

On such principles alone have the foundations of
successful colonies been laid. Neither Phoenician,
nor Greek, nor Roman, nor Spaniard, — no, nor our
own great forefathers, when they laid the tbunda-

IIS;

I '' *.

I '1

tions of a European society on tlie continent and
in the islands of the western world, ever dreamed
of colonizing with one class of society by itself,
and that the most helpless for shifting by itself.
The foremost men of the ancient republics led forth
their colonies ; each expedition was in itself an
epitome of the society which it left. The solemn
rites of religion blessed its departure from its home ;
and it bore with it the images of its country's gods,
to link it for ever by a common worship to its an-
cient home. The government of Spain sent its
dignified clergy out with some of the first colonists.
The noblest families in Spain sent their younger
sons to settle in Hispaniola, and Mexico, and Peru.
Raleigh quitted a brilliant court and the highest
sphere of political ambition, in order to lay the
foundation of the colony of Virginio. Lord Balti-
more and the best Catholic families founded Mary-
land. Penn was a courtier before he became a
colonist. A set of noble proprietors established
Carolina, and intrusted the framing of its constitu-
tion to John Locke. The highest hereditary rank
in this country below the peerage was established
in connection with the settlement of Nova Scotia ;
and such gentlemen as Sir Harry Vane, Hampden,
and Cromwell, did not disdain the prospect of a
colonial career. In all these cases the emigration
was of every class. The mass — as does the mass
everywhere — contributed its labour alone ; but they
were encouraged by the presence, guided by the
counsels, p.nd supported by the means of the wealthy
and the educated, whom thev had been used to fol-
low in their own rountry.

And thus was colonization always conducted,
until all our ideas on the subject were perverted by
the foundation of convict colonies ; and emigration,
being associated in men's minds with transportation,
was looked upon as the hardest punishment of guilt,
or necessity of poverty. But a great change has
come over this state of things ; and let us hope that
that class of emigration, which was so successful of
old, will be again adopted in the settlement of these
new colonies. The present time is peculiarly pro-
pitious for such an emigration ; for the competition
for a livelihood amongst the educated and higher
class of society in this country is so great that no
one need disdain a colonial career. And to what
more fitting place could they go than to that island
which is pronounced on all hands to be the England
of the Pacific?

ROUTE.^, RATES OF PASSAGE, &c.

1', I

«i !

Lt i

Tliere are three routes to British Columbia and
Vancouver's Island, viz. : —

First. — By the Isthmus of Panama.

Second. — Through Canada or the United
States, across the Rocky Mountains.

Third. — Round Cape Horn.

The first-named route is the quickest, occupying
only thirty-five to forty days. The West-India
mail packets leave Southampton for Colon (Isthmus
of Panama), on the 2nd and 17th of each month.
First-class fares, fiom £38. lO*. to £GC) — the difter-
cnce in the fares merely refers to the sleeping-
berths, in all other respects they are the same. A
limited number of second-class passengers are taken,
at from £20 to £25. The length of voyage is
^wenty-two days, inclusive of the day of sailing and
arrival. Trains run across the Isthmus to Panama
daily ; and from thence steamers run up to San
Francisco in about fourteen days — fares, from £20
to £40. From San Francisco steamers run almost
daily to the mouth of Eraser River, calling at
Victoria to obtain ])assports and permit — fares, from
20 to 60 dollars. Small steamers, capable of carry-
ing from 200 to 300 passengers each, run from the
mouth of Eraser River up to Fort Yale, a distance
of 150 miles, and into the very centre of the
diggings.

By the second route, across the Rocky Mountains,
l)assengers can book in London at the Grand Trunk
Railway of Canada Office, 21, Old Broad Street, by
steamer to Quebec and thence by railway to St.
Paul's, in Minnesota, ne.r the head of Lake
Superior. Fares: from London to St. Paul, from
£13 to £27 ; this will occupy about sixteen days.
From St. Paul's, by the United States mail,
across the Rocky Mountains, to the head waters
of the Columbia, 1,200 miles ; at this point passen-
gers can either turn to the right overland to the
Thompson and Fraser River districts, or go down
the Columbia and cross over to Puget Sound and
across the Straits to Vancouver's Island.

Several expeditions are being fitted out in Canada
and the United States for this overland route. Wag-
gons can cross the Rocky Mountains at the Kootanie
l*ass ; the autumn season is the most favourable for
this journey ; but it must be clearly understood it
will not do to take any luggage by this route.

The third route is by Cape Horn, which of course
is the longest ; but passengers can go on board in
London and without change of conveyance be landed
at Victoria, Vancouver's Island. Several first-class
ships have been put on this route in London.
Fares: first class, about £70; second, £35; and
third, £25. This voyage will occupy about four
months.

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