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w » li ■11 1 — WtHWpww

HISTORY

BRITISH COLUMBIA

O. H. COGSWELL, B. A.

ADAPTED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.

Victoria, B. C,
, Thb "Colonist" Prkssbs.

rsssBmsswBmB

£„ler„l accoy,ling to Act of Parliamml of Canada, In the year

1S93, hj! O. H. COGSWELI,, al the Defarlnunl of

Agruulfnre.

•'

PREFACE.

A DEEP seated conviction that British Col-
umbians should have the means of briefly-
securing a knowledge of the rise and
growth of their own Province, of its government
and institutions, has caused the writer to pen
the followinor brief sketch in the manner f,hat
he has. The hope is entertained that the vork
thus produced will meet this openly expressed
want.

Our country has a history, a glorious history,
yet one can scarcely open a conversation, except
with the pioneers of our Province, without being
convinced of the ignorance that prevails of the
country's past. This is unfortunate — especially
with school children who are havinjr their minds
stored with the history of foreign lands, thou-
sands of miles away, to the disregard of their own
liome. The children, thereby, reside in one
country and live in the world of thought in
another. Patriotism must flag under such cir-
cumstances.

Every work readily availabk, bearing on the
subject has been consulted.

136856

4 PREFACE.

The work is topical. In the different topics
we have an occasional repetition of fact. We
trust that this is pardonable, as it seems neces-
sary to complete the topic and make clear the
connection.

The writer would here express his gratitude
to his fellow teachers and others who so cheer-
fully rendered every possible assistance. He feels
especially grateful to Hon. Dr. Helmcken, who
rendered much valuable assistance.

It is always difficult to find perfect harmony
in history. More especially is this true in the
midst of living witnesses, as opinions differ. In
this work the hope is entertained that the usual
correctness of history has been attained.

O. H. Cogswell.

Victoria, June 25th, 1893.

-=>e>K

CONTENTS.

CHAP. 1.— EARLY EXPLORATION.

Sec. I. — Introduction. page.

Rapid Growth 1 1

Sec. 2. — Seeking the Anian Strait.

(i) Voyage of Columbus 12

Sec,

(2
(3
(4

Sec. 4

(I
(2
(3
(4
(5
Sec. 5

Sec. 6

(I
(2
(3
(4

Juan de Fuca Strait Discovered 12

Juan de Fuca 14

Drake's Voyage 14

— Spanish Enterprise.

Voyage of Juan Perez 15

Voyage of Heceta and Quadra 16

Capture of the Boston . 16

— Early English Fur Traders.

Cook's Voyage 17

Expedition of James Strange 18

Portlock and Dixon's Expedition .... 18

Barclay's Expedition 19

Meares' Expedition 20

-The Boston Merchants.

Kendric and Grey's Expedition.. ... 21

Attack by the Natives 22

-Spanish Enterprise Resumed.

Martinez and Haro's Expedition 22

Nootka Convention 23

Eliza's Expedition .\ . . 24

Nootka Abandoned '■ 2$

CONTENTS.

Se(:; y — British Enterprise. page.

i) Vancouver's Expedition 26

2) Hudson's Bay Company 28

3) North-west Company 28

4) A Collision 29

5) Union 3°

6) MacKenzie's Voyage 30

7) Alexander MacKenzie 32

8) Capture of the Boston 33

9) Jewett and Thompson 33

o) First Fort Established 34

i) Eraser's Voyage 34

2) Voyage of the Tonquin 35

— The Native Races of British Columbia.

{
{
(

Sec.

I
2

3
4

Native Tribes 3^

The Haidahs • 37

The Nootkas • 38

The Shuswaps 39

CHAP. H.— HUDSON'S BAY CO. RULE.

Sec. I. — Colonization and Fur Trade.

(i) Founding of Fort Langley . 40

(2) Governor Simpson's Visit 41

(3) The Cadboro and the Beaver 42

(4) Founding of Victoria 42

(5) The Old Fort 44

(6) Early Fort Life at the Capital 45

(7) Amusing Incident 45

(8) Treatment of the Indians 46

contents. 7

Sec. 2. — The Boundary Difficulty. pace.

(i) Disputed Territory 47

(2) Fort Astoria restored 48

(3) The London Convention 48

(4) The Bounda»-y Difficulty settled 49

CHAP. III.—COLONIAL RULE.

Sec. I. — Vancouver Island under Hudson's
Bay Company Rule.

i) An Imperative Change 51

2) The Company's Requests 52

3) Charter before Parliament 52

4) The Island granted to the Fur Co. . . 53

5) Early Colonization ^4

6) First Governor appointed 55

7) Governor Blanchard's Difficulties.... 56

8) Blanchard Resigns 57

9) Difficulties at Fort Rupert 58

o) Mr. Douglas appointed Governor.. . . 58

i) Failure to Colonize . . 59

2) Price of Land 60

3) Other Causes of Failure 60

4) The Charter in Danger 61

5) Charter Renewed 62

6) Representative Government 62

7) First Assembly 63

8) Chief Justice Appointed 64

9) Colony of Vancouver Expires 65

mmmmmm

8 contents.

Sec. 2.— San Juan Difficulty. pace.

(i) Double Possession 65

(2) Commissioners Appointed . .' 66

(3) Shooting the Pig 67

(4} Douglas and Harney's Dispute 67

(5) Lord Lyons' Proposition 68

(6) Scott's Visit 68

(7) Washin,3rton Treaty 69

Sec. 3.— The Gold Excitement.

(i) Early Discoveries 7°

(2) Great Excitement 7°

(3) Douglas Assumes Authority 70

(4) Trespassers Prohibited - 71

(5) Douglas' Visit to the Mainland 72

(6) Indian Difficulties 72

Sec. 4. —British Columbia.

(i) Constitution of British Columbia 73

(2) Bounds 74

(3) New Westminster Founded 75

(4) Colonel Moody 76

(5) Representative Governm't Introduced 76

(6) First Council 7^

(7) Road to Cariboo 76

(8) Successors of Douglas 77

(9) Sir James Douglas 77

CONTENTS.

CHAP. IV. -CONFEDERATION.

Sec. I. — Union Consln fATED.

I'AdK.

(I
{2

(3
(4

Sec. 2
(1

(3
(4
(5
(6
(7
Sec. 3

(3
(4

Sec. 4
(I

(3
(4
(5
(6
(7
(8
(9

Terms of Union Submitted 79

Terms of nion 79

Constitutional Act 81

Qualificat'in anu Regulation of

Voters' A':t 8i

-Canadian Pacific RAii^wAV.

A Scheme Projected 82

Sir Hugh Allan's Company 84

Edgar's Mission 84

Carnarvon Terms 85

Dufferin's Visit 86

New Syndicate Formed 87

Coal Mine Disaster 88

-Education.

Our School System 88

Progress 90

British Columbia University 90

The Senate 91

-Late Administration.

Legislative Changes 91

Esquimait jnd Nanaimo Railway.. . . 92

Mortality 92

Governors 93

Crofter Scheme 94

Railway Enterprise 94

Parliament Build'gs Construction Act 95

Behring Sea Difficulty 95

Conclusion 97

Chronology of Noted Events 99

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY EXPLORATION.

Sec. 1. — Introduction.

Rapid Growth. — Scarcely half a century has
passed away, since the entire region, which British
Columbians call their home, was one unbroken
wilderness, where the savage roamed in his pri-
meval simplicity. Here tribe waged war with
tribe and the weaker became the slave of the
stronger. In this wilderness were found innum-
erable animals, unmolested, except by the hand
of the savage, and the fur trader. Here and
there, perhaps, hundreds of miles apart, might
be seen isolated forts of The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, well fortified and securely protected from
the Indians. These forts were garrisoned by a
number of faithful servants and officers of the
company, whose chief business was the gathering
of furs from the natives. Behold ! the change.
The old stockades have crumbled into decay, and
in their stead, towns and villasjes, rapidly grow-
ing, mark the course of civilization, and a stable

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

government extends a protecting arm, and secures
to every British subject entire safety in the most
distant quarter.

Sec. 2. — Seeking the Anian Strait.

Voyage of Columbus, 1492. (1.) Previous to A.D.
1492, the New World, as this continent came to
be called, was a land unseen by European eyes..
About that time Christopher Columbus, a native
of Genoa, in Italy, believing the earth to be
round, but under estimating its size, conceived
the bold plan of reaching India by a westerly
route, rather than by doubling the Cape of Good
Hope and sailing easterly as had hitherto been
done. After many difficulties and discourage-
ments, he succeeded in securing the patronage of
Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Spain,
who fitted out an expedition for the great ulider-
taking. Sailing from the Port of Palos in Spain,
on the 3rd of August, 1492, with three ships and
120 men, Columbus first sighted San Salvador,
one of the Bahama group of Islands. On reach-
ing land, he thought the much devsired object was
attained.

J Juan de Fuca Strait Discovered. (2). That he had
struck an island, instead of the mainland, was
soon ascertained. But in the mind of Columbus,
as well as of his contemporaries, this group was an

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

out-lying group on the coast of Asia, and the
mainland of America was but one or more large
islands barring the way to India. By some
means it became deeply ingrafted into the minds
of European adventurers, that a passage existed
through tliose islands, affording an easy and direct
watercourse to India. This passage was the much
sought and mythical Anian Strait. The eager
and .-seemingly unsuccessful, but truly not fruit-
less endeavors to find this strait, from either ex-
tremity has been laid down as a primary cause,
that led to the discovery and survey, not only of
our own coast, but also of the entire coast of
America. Many were the expeditions effected,
manjr the dangers encountered in attempts to
discover this strait. On the western coast of
America from the contour of the shore, little
probability existed of such a passage till the
latitude of Juan de Fuca Strait was reached.
Here was found a strait that needed, in the
minds of early navigators, only to be surveyed
to its limit to afford the much desired passage.
Great honor awaited the man who proved its
existence. So eager were the ambitious navi-
arators of the time to add to their name so
important a discovery, that the imagination was
freely drawn upon, and a credulous public im-
posed upon by a fascinating story of a truly
heroic and successful expedition. These stories

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

in the main have gone into oblivion. One re-
mains memorable, not for its truthfulness, but
from the fact that its author has immortalized
his name by having it given to the leading strait
that separates Vancouver Island from the main-
land. Four years after the circumstance related,
Juan de Fuca claimed to have discovered, in 1592,
the strait that now bears hia name.

Juan de Fuca. (3). Juan de Fuca, whose real name was
Apostolos Valerianos, was born in the Island of Cephalonia, off
the west coast of Greece. Having engaged in the Spanish ser-
vice, he was first sent out as a pilot of three vessels, by the
Spanish Viceroy at Acapulco, in Mexico, to discover the Anian
Strait. Returning home with the desired object unaccomplish-
ed, he was sent again in command of two small vessels to com-
plete his voyages of discovery. It was on this occasion that he
alleges he discovered the supposed Anian Strait. Whether these
expeditions were made is not certainly known. The commonly
received opinion is that they were inventions, made on his re-
turn to Europe, to deceive a credulous public.

OraKe's Voyage. (4. ) Sir Francis Drake visited our Northern
Pacific waters in 1579, with ships laden with Sj ^nish plunder.
He was desirous of returning home to England by a shorter
and less boisterous route than around Cape Horn. This,,
coupled with a dread of Spanish retribution, caused him to
take a more northerly course in search of the famous Anian
Strait. He reached no further north than the 48th parallel of
latitude, when the inclemency of the weather caused him to
return. With British Columbia's present boundary as settled
by the Oregon treaty, this voyage has but little moment in our
history ; but it has been a subject of no little discussion between
England and the United States, regarding the original discovery
of the Oregon Territory nov/ ceded to the latter power.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Sec. 3. — Spanish Enterprise.

Voyage of Juan Perez, 1774. (1.) Spain's interest
in the New World, for a time, seemed to have
flagged ; but now, in 1774, an energetic vice-
roy represented the Spanish sovereignty in this
newly acquired teriitor}^ by whom the old
motives for colonization and exploration were
revived. As late as 1774 Spanish exploration
had extended no farther north than California ;
but now a new incentive to activity had arisen,
when the report reachel Spain that the Russians
were making exploring expeditions in the north.
On the 24th of January, of that year, an expedi-
tion, planned and placed under the command of
Juan Perez, sailed from San Bias on a mission
of exploration and discovery. The captain's in-
structions were to make the land at least as far
north as G0° of latitude and take possession of
the country in the name of his sovereign. Ap-
proaching Queen Charlotte Islands, in latitude
55°, on the 19th of 3\\\y, he held friendly inter-
course with the natives, who came in their
canoes to meet him. At one time no fewer
than twenty-one canoes, with over two hundred
natives on board, surrounded his vessel. They
were endeavoring to barter their dried fish, furs,
and various articles of native manufacture for
articles made of iron or copper. Perez, how-
ever, did not land. After lingering for three

mmmmitm

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

days, the difficulty of finding a suitable anchor-
age, coupled with rough weather, brought his
explorations to a speedy termination. Sailing
southerly, he approached the coast in latitude
49° 30', and called the anchorage San Lorenzo.
This place has since been identified as Nootka
Sound. The Indians there were anxious to
trade. A storm arising, the Santiago weighed
anchor and arrived at San Bias on the 3rd of
November. This is considered the first expedi-
tion that really visited our coast.

Voyage of 4he Heceta and Quadra. (2 ) In the fol-
lowing year, 1775, two vessels were made ready
for continuing the explorations, and placed under
the command of Heceta and Quadra. Perez, of
the previous voyage, acted as sailing master.
They left San Bias on March 16th, and, with
varying vicissitudes on the way, took possession
of the North-west coast as far north as Alaska,
in the name of the King of Spain. They have
the honor of being the first Europeans to set
foot on our chores, and these expeditions should
be remembered, for (^n them Spain rested her
claim to the entire North-west coast.

Massacre. (3.) A terrible massacre occurred in connection
with the latter expedition. On his return, off Cape P'lattery,
Quadra sent a boat's crew ashore for wocd and water. No
sooner had the men landed, than Indians, who had been lurk-
ing in ambush, sprang upon the crew whom they immediately
killed. The boat was then broken up for the nails. The

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

savages afterwards attempted to surround the vessel ; but one
of the canoes, approaching too near, had six men killed in it by
the guns of the Spaniards. Quadra was strongly inclined to
avenge the massacre, but a council having been summoned^
such an act was considered unwise.

Sec. 4. — Early English Fur-traders.

/ Cook's Voyage, 1778-9. (1). England was anxious
to discover the famous Anian Str&,it, and offered
a reward of twenty thousand pounds to the par-
ties discovering such a passage north of the 52nd
parallel. Captain Jamies Qook leaving the Sand-
wich Islands on the 7th of March, 1778, in his
last famous voyage around the world, hoped to
reach home by the much-desired route. Direct-
ing his course accordingly, he first sighted land
off the coast of Oregon. Sailing northerly, he
sighted Cape Flattery, so called by himself,
but failed to note Juan de Fuca Strait He
next sighted land near Nootka. Entering a
port which he called Friendly Cove, on account
of the hospitality of the natives, he called the
entire sheet of water King Georges Sound. This
water, which afterwards retained the native
name of_ Nootka, is probably identical with the
Spanish San Lorenzo, discovered by Perez four
years previously, as articles found in the poses-
si on of the savages quite conclusively proved
that the Spaniards had been there before him.

IIM

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Cook made a somewhat extended survey of the
locality, but took no formal possession in the
name of his sovereign. His reports, having been
widely circulated, gained iorhim and his country
much honor, that belongs, it is thought, to earlier
explorers. Buying up a small collection of furs,
which proved of great value, he established the
famous fur trade, which became the real incen-
tive to all future discovery. Cook soon after-
wards returned to the Sandwich Islands, where,
in 1779^ h e was killed by the savages.

Expedition of James Strange, 1786. (2). Two fur-
trading expeditions of importance to our shores,
mark the year 1786. The first consisted of two
vessels under the supervision of James Strange.
Sailing from Bombay, Strange arrived in Nootka
in June, 1786. After securing a limited supply
of sea-otter skins, he visited Prince William
Sound, and thence returned to Macao. Queen
Charlotte Sound, as w^ell as Cape Scott and Cape
Fox were probably named on the occasion of this
visit.

On board this expedition was one John McKey, who,
believing a rustic life would improve his health, wished to be
left with the Indians. Here he remained for over a year, endur-
ing all the hardships incident to a savage life. During his stay,
he engaged in trade, and wrote a journal of Indian life.

Portleok and Dixon's Expedition. (3). The next ex-
pedition of the 3'ear of importance, was that of

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

two vessels under Portlock and Dixon. This
expedition was fitted out by a company of Eng-
lish merchants, known as King Georges Sound
Company, and sailed from England in the
fall of 1785. Rounding Cape Horn our shores
w^ere reached in July of the following year;
but on account of bad weather, a landing was
not effected, and the expedition sailed for the
Sandwich Islands to winter. In the follow-
ing spring the expedition sailed again, but the
vessels soon parted company, Portlock remained
on the Alaskan coast, and Dixon, sailing south-
erly, on the 1st of July, passed the strait that
now bears his name. He, on this occasion, named
Queen Charlotte Islands, which he partly cir-
cumnavigated, after the name of his vessel.
This expedition was exceedingly profitable, as
over 2,500 sea-otter skins were obtained, which
netted in China nearly fifty- five thousand dollars.
Captain James Hanna, also, made an expedition
the same year, which had a net profit of twenty
thousand dollars. Of Hanna's second expedi-
tion little is known.

Barclay's Expedition, 1787. (4). Captain Bar-
clays expedition took place the following year.
It was not considered a financial success. The
captain discovered Barclay Sound, which has
since borne his name, and relieved McKey of
his burdensome life among the Indians. On

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

board this expedition was Mrs. Barclay, who, pro-
bably was the first European lady to visit our coast.
Colnett and Duncan's expedition took place
the same year. They were the first to pass be-
tween Queen Charlotte Islands and the main-
land. Princess Royal Islands were named, on
this occasion, for one of the vessels.

Meares' Expedition, 1787-89. (5.) Among the mer-
cantile explorations of the years 1787-89
was one fitted out by a company of English
merchants in India. Captain John Meares, a
lieutenant of the British navy, who was in com-
mand, sailed from Macoa in January, 1788, bound
for Nootka. On board were fifty men besides
articles for trade. On reaching Nootka he raised
the British standard and proceeded at once to
erect dwellings and to laj'^ the keel of a vessel,
which was the first launched on the North-west
coast. Leaving a number of men to work on his
vessel, Meares sailed to the south on a trip of ex-
ploration. On this occasion Juan de Fuca Strait
was named after its original discoverer. Mount
Olympus and other places to the south were
also named. On the 20th of September, the
new vessel, named the North-west AnieHca, was
launched amid much festivity. This vessel was
afterwards seized by the Spaniards, her name
changed to Gerrrudis, and taken to San Bias as
a trading schooner.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Sec. 5. — The Boston Merchants.

Kendricand Grey's Expedition, 1787-93. (1.) A com-
pany of Boston niereliants fitted out a trading
expedition for the North Pacific waters. Two
vessels, secured and provided with articles for
trade, were placed under the command of Caj)tain
John Kenclric with Gdptain Robert Grey second
in command. The expedition left Boston Oct.
1st, 1787, bound for Nootka.»/ After a tedious
voyage around Cape Horn and a bloody encoun-
ter with the natives off the coast of Oregon, the
expedition reached Nootka about the middle of
September of the following year. Here it re-
mained during the winter, engaged in fishing
and hunting and preparing for the spring trade...
After a hasty survey of the coast to the south,
as far as Juan de Fuca Strait, Captain Grey
started on the 3rd of Mav to the North, with
his sloop Lady Washington, for exploration and
trade. Penetratino- the labvrinth of islands in
his course, he discovered Queen Charlotte Islands
to be separated from the mainland, and gave
them the name of Washington, believing himself
to be the first to make the discovery. Commerci-
ally, Grey was successful. It is stated that he
received at one place, two hundred sea-otter
skins, worth about eight thousand dollars, for
an iron chi.sel. Returning, he arrived at Nootka
in June. Here Captain Kendric transferred the

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

cargo to his own vessel, the Columbia, and re-
tained the Lady Washington to survey the coast,
while Grey sailed for China, where he exchanged
his furs for tea. Continuing his voyage wester-
ly, Grey arrived at Boston in August, 1790,
being the first man to make a >yage around
the globe under the American flj. Of Captain
Kendric's explorations little is known. Obtain-
ing a valuable cargo somewhere on the coast, he
sailed for China and did not return till 1791.
He lost his life on the Sandwich Islands by the
accidental discharge of a cannon in I7y3.

Attack by the Natives. (2.) Grey landing off* the coast of
what is now Oregon, first found the Indians friendly. Furs
were exchanged for iron and copper implements. Berries
given by the natives came very acceptable to the scurvy-
stricken crew. This state of affairs did not long continue.
An Indian seized a sword, that one of the crew had left stick-
ing in the sand, and ran off with it. The owner, following in
pursuit, captured the thief but was himself made prisoner by
the natives and soon after killed. Three others of the crew,
going in search of their lost companion, were themselves at-
tacked by the natives, and barely succeeded in reaching their
boat after several of the savages had been shot and themselves
severely wounded.

Sec. 6. — Spanish Enterprise Resumed.

Martinez and Haro's Expedition, 1789. (1.) Fear-
ing English and Russian encroachments on what
they considered their territory, the Spanish au-
thorities in Mexico despatched an expedition, on

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

the 17th of February, 1789, under the command
of Martinez and Haro, to take possession of Noot-
ka. Here they found Captain Douglas, who had
accompanied Meares i)i his expedition, and took
him prisoner. He was subsequently liberated
for a certain consideration. Martinez, becoming
dissatisfied with liie fultillinfj of this considera-
tion, seized Meares' new vessel, the North-west
America, which had just ariived in port, as well
as the Argonaut, a British ship under Captain
Colnett, which arrived a month later. Both
ships, with their crews as prisoners, were sent to
San Bias. On the 10th of February, 1790, Spain
reported the affair to the British Government,
and requested that all trespassers upon Spanish
territories be punished. An answer very differ-
ent from what was expected was returned,
England demanded that all vessels seized should
be returned, and adequate compensation made
for all losses sustained by her subjects. Thus
began the Nootka Controversy.

flootka Convention, 1790. (2.) In this dispute
Spain enlivsted the sympathy of France, and
war seemed imminent. However, on the 28th
of October, the matter was brought to a tempor-
ary rest by an agreement known as the Nootka
Convention. By the terms of this treaty Eng-
land secured and Spain reclaimed the right of
commerce, navigation, and settlement on the un-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

occupied part of the entire North-west coast of
America. It was agreed that due compensation
should be made for all individaal losses sustained,
and that England should not approach for settle-
ment within thirty miles of any portion already
settled by Spain. Don Manuel de las Heres,
and Rudolph Woodman were the commissioners
afterwards appointed to determine the amount
of loss sustained by British subjects in this
seizure. Of a claim of six hundred and fifty
tliousand dollars, the commissioners, on the 12th
of Februar3% 1793, agreed upon the sum of two
hundred and ten thousand dollars, to be paid
Meares, Colnett, and Douglas.

Eliza's Expedition, 1790-92. (3.) Soon after the
ootka Convention treaty, Martinez seems to
have abandoned Nootka. Why, is not certainly
known, but, by order from Spain, Revilla Gigedo,
the newly appointed Viceroy of Mexico, resolved
to renew the occupation. For this purpose an
expedition was despatched from San Bias, on the
3rd of February, 1790, under the command of
Lieutenant Eliza. Arriving at Nootka, formal
possession was take^i on the lOtli of July, by
raising the standard and giving a general salute
from the newly mounted guns. Then was made
a general survey of the coast. Quimper, who
accompanied this expedition, named the Haro
Strait after his sailing master, but most of the

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

names given on this occasion have gone into
oblivion. • In the followingr year Eliza explored
the Juan d.^ Fuca Strait and the Gulf of Georcria
which he named, Rosario. This name was after-
wards limited in its application to the water,
that separates Lopez Island from the mainland.
Such modern names as San Juan, Guemes, Tex-
ada Island, and Port Los Angelos, were given by-
Eliza in 1791. The expedition returned to San
Bias in the following year.

(lootka Abandoned, 1794. (4.) In consequence of a
subsequent transfer of Spanish power on the
West coast of America to the United States, the
terms of ^the^Convention treaty have been a sub-
ject of consideration between the United States
and Canada in- the adjustment of the boundary
difficulty, in 1846. Though the claims of Meares
and his associates were satisfactorily settled,
Britain had much difficulty in reclaiming her
possessions at Nootka. Vancouver labored and
reasoned in vain. Finally; by a convention signed
at Madrid, in 1794, by the respective ministers of
the two nations, the matter was brought to a
close. By the terms of this final treaty, the
respective commissioners were to meet at Noot-
ka, when the British were to take formal pos-
session of their captured territory. Then both
nations were to take formal leave of the port,
hencer.>rth to make no permanent settlement to

•■■■I

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

the exclusion of the other. Spain seems to have
made no further attempt at settlement, and
Spanish power was lost, probably for ever.

Sec. 7. — Bkitish Enterprise.

n] Vancouver's Expedition, 1791-95. (1.) Captain
George Vancouver sailed from Falmouth, Eng-
land, on the 1st day of April, 1791. His instruc-
tions were to survey tho Sandwich Islands on
his way, and then proceed to explore the West
coast of America between 30° and 60° of North
latitude. The chief objects of this expedition
were to find. 11 possible, the much-desired Anian
Strait, supposed to exist between the two oceans ;
to learn what establishments had been founded
on these coasts by foreign powers, and to take
possession of certain property at Nootka in ac-
cordance with the convention of 1790.

Directing his course by the way of Cape
Good Hope, Vancouver first sighted the Ameri-
can coast oflf California. Thence northerly and
along the south shore of Juan de Fuca Strait,
the coast was carefully surveyed. Admiralty
Inlet, now known as Puget Sound, was also
carefully surveyed. " Puget Sound " was a term
first applied to the southern extremity of this
inlet in honor of one of Vancouver's generals.
Mount Baker was likewise named after Lieuten-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ant Baker of this expedition, who first sighted
this noted promontory. On the 4 th of June,
11 92, Vancouver took formal possession, in the
name of his Sovereign, of all the lands thus far
explored. Our largest inland water was called
" The Gulf of Georgia," in honor of the King, and
Rosario Strait was a term confined in its appli-
cation to its present limits. Much of this region
was explored in company with Eliza in h'3
expedition ; Vancouver, however, preceded the
Spaniards and passed through Johnston Strait,
which he named after one of his oflScers, and
reached Nootka in August. The relations be-
tween the representatives of the two nations
were extremely friendly throughout, and the
region, first proved to be an island by the united
survey, was named " The Island of Quadra and
Vancouver," in honor of the English commander
and the Spanish commissioner. The first term
subsequently having been dropped, our Island is
now known by the single term. Vancouver, in
all, made four voyages to our coast. On every
occasion strenuous efforts were made to secure
Nootka to the British Crown by what he con-
sidered the terms of the treaty of 1790. Fail-
ing in this, on the 2nd of December, 1794,
he sailed for home by the way of Cape Horn,
thus effecting a voyage around the globe
.and finishing a cruise of four years and three

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

mon^ns. He arrived at his destination in Octo-
ber, 1795.

Hudson's Bay Company. (2.) As early as May
2nd, 1670, Charles IL granted to Prince Rupert
and a company of associates, known as The Hud-
son's Bay Company, a large tract of land to the
south of Hudson's Bay, which included all lands
drained by rivers flowing into that sea. Al-
though this magnificent grant was never perma-
nently ratified by Parliament, its validity seems
never to have been seriously questioned, and The
Hudson's Bay Company for nearly two hundred
years continued, not only to have control of the
trade, but to exercise the power of life and death
over subjects found in this territory.

nI North-west Company. (3.) Prior to 1763, while
the country was still in the hands of the French,
colonists from Quebec had penetrated the west-
ern wilderness for the purpose of hunting and
trading in furs, and, skirting the shores of the
great lakes, had established posts beyond the
liake of the Woods. Wluin the country passed
into the hands of the English, these early
French colonists became British subjects, and to
a limited extent continued the fur trade. Mean-
while, during the winter of 1783-4 a company,
called the North-west Company, composed of
the most wealthy and influential citizens of

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Montreal, was organized for the purpose of en-
gaging in the North-west fur trade. Availing
itself of the experience of the early French-
Canadians, who became engaged in the service,
the company began rapidly to extend its posts
in its new territory beyond the lakes, feeling
assured that this vast region did not come within
the jurisdiction of The Hudson's Bay Company.
So vigilant were the officers and agents of this
new company that their line of posts soon
reached the Rocky Mountains, and one of the
agents, Alexander MacKenzie, penetrating the
mountains in 1793, by way of the Peace River
Pass, reached the Pacific. Unparalled success
attended the enterprise.

^Z A Collision. (4.) The Hudson's Bay Company,
with its leading posts on the shores of Hudson
Bay, looked with a jealous eye upon the success
of this new and enterprising company, and af-
firmed that its own territory embraced all lands
drained, not only by streams flowing into Hud-
son's Bay, but also by all streams flowing into
lakes drained by rivers flowing into that bay.
This, of course, included lands in the immediate
possession of the North-west Company, and
thus the two companies came into collision.
Lord Selkirk's attempt at colonization and the
numerous bloody feuds, in which the North-
west Company was usually successful, need not

3<5

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

be described here. Fights and lawsuits were of
no avail.

Union. (5.) Finally the dispute between the
two companies came before the British Parlia-
ment, by which negotiation was effected, and on
the 2nd of July, 1821, the v^o companies were
merged into one. At the time of the union
British Columbia had no fewer than fourteen
trading posts, all in the hands of the North-
west Company, which, in accordance with the
act of union, became the property of the united
companies, designated after the older of the two,
" Tiie Hudson's Bay Company."

J MacKenzie's Voyage, 1792. (6.) In the interest of
fur trade, strenuous efforts were now being put
forth to reach our coast from another quarter.
In the autumn of 1792, Alexander MacKenzie,
of the North-west company, made his second
attempt to discover the Pacitic Ocean. His first
expedition, following the course of the river
that now bears his name, resulted in the dis-
covery of the Arctic, and frozen seas of the
north, instead of the Pacific, which he had hoped
to reach. This time, to counteract the mistake
of the first unsuccessful expedition, he took a
more southerly course and ascended the Peace
River, hoping to effect a junction with some of
the great rivers of the west and thus reach the

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Pacific. In company with eight or ten men who
had pledged loyalty to their leader and his cause
on the 2nd of October MacKenzie kft Fori
Chipewyan, a trading post on the western end
of Lake Athabaska. By the 20th, New Estab-
lishment, one of the North-west Company's
forts and the most western one east of the
Rocky Mountains, was reached. This fort, at
the time, was in charge of James Finlay.
Never was a meeting more joyful, especially as
the advent of visitors foretokened a new sup-
ply of provisions as well as tobacco and rum.
Reaching, by the 2nd of November, a spot near
the junction with the Peac e Riv er of a small
stream flowing in from tITe south, a fort, called
Fort York, was built and winter quarters pre-
pared. The winter passed pleasantly away. A
large canoe was launched ; MacKenzie brought
into requisition his healing art, and many sick
and wounded, not only of the natives but of his
own men, were brought to him for treatment.
By the month of May following, all were ready
for departure. Many were the difficulties by
the way, and many times was the loyalty of his
followers severely shaken. Many times, having
their canoes wrecked upon dangerous bars, they
narrowly escaped with their lives ; but, inspired
by the courage of their noble leader, they pressed
on. Finally, by the I7th of June, MacKenzies'

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

heart was gladdened by the disco\ . y of a river,
whose waters flowing westerly must lead to the
desired ocean. This river, called by the natives
Tacootche Tesse, he supposed to be the Colum-
bia, but it proved to be what was afterwards
named the Eraser, MacKenzie proceeded down
this river but a short distance, when adverse re-
ports from the natives concerning the dangers
to be encountered in its navigation, caused him
to conceal his boat'< and to proceed overland in
a westerly direction for the distant shore. After
encountering much of the experience incidental
to a savage life, MacKenzie finally reached the
Pacific at a point afterwards called Benetinct
North Arm, on the morning of July 20th, and
the Broad Pacific tvvo days later, having thus in
a little over nine months accomplished one of the
raost notable voyages in the annals of Canadian
history. In commemoration of this event Mac-
Kenzie marked, in large letters, on a rock these
words :

ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, FROM CANADA BY LAND, THE

TWENTY-SECOND OF JULY, ONE THOUSAND SEVEN

HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE.

(7.) In Alex. MacfCenzie, we find a man possessing many
of the qualities of a noble mind. In him we behold a man with
a bravery and a fortitude, equalled only by the greatest heroes of
the age, with a perseverance and determination that suffer no
defeat ; and withal a kindness and humanity by which he allowed
no man to suffer without putting forth every possible exertion,
and enduring almost any hardship for his relief. Surely, in the

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

face of his notable voyages with all their attendant difficiilties,
we must concede the wisdom of George III in bestowing upon
him the honor of knighthood, in commemoration of his services.

^Capture of the Boston, 1802-03. -~(8.) The ship Boston, owned
by Boston merchants, left England in September, 1802, for
Vancouver Island, on a trading cruise. Captain John Smith was
in command. The expedition reached Noolka about the middle
of March of the following year. Here was found an Indian
village, whose Chief was called Maquinna. The Chief, being
very friendly, was given a double-barrelled gun. Having broken
the gun, he returned it to the Captain for repairs, and be-
came greatly offended at the Captain's censure for breaking it.
In the issue, we find a revelation of true savage character, ven-
geance must be had, not only for the offence, but for insults of
an earlier date. With the accustomed native cunning, he in-
duced the Captain to send nine men on a fishing expedition.
All the rest, save two, concealed in the vessel, were mas-
sacred by the savages. Those in the fishing expedition were
soon overtaken, and met the fate of their comrades.

Jewett and Thompson. (9.) John R. Jeweit, one of the two
survivors of the Boston massacre, was a native of Hull, England.
At the time of the onslaught, by the savages, he was in the armory
repairing muskets, while Thompson, the other survivor, was con-
cealed in the hold of the ship. After Jewett had been nearly
killed, his life was saved on account of his superior skill in repair-
ing weapons. He in turn by his intercession, saved the life of
Thompson. Their escape was crafty and marvellous. After
enduring the toils of about three years, repairing fire-arms and
forging daggers for the savages, and undergoing ail the hardships
and inconveniences of a savage life, they were delighted by the
arrival of a ship in port, called the Lydia. The Chief, Maquinna,
wished to go on board, and solicited a letter of introduction
from Jewett. A happy thought struck the slave — a letter he
would write, the true contents of which should not be revealed
to the Indian Chief, till he found himself in chains, and held
as a hostage for the liberation of his slaves. Jewett and Thomp-
son were accordingly set free.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

First Fort Established. (10.) The Peace River
was first ascended to its source by James Finlay,
in 1797. Eight years later, in 1805, James
McDougall ascended the stream, and by follow-
ing the course of t^e Parsnip branch, reached
Lake McLeod, where a trading post was erected
the following year. This establishment, called
La Malice Fort, and later, Fort McLeod, was the
first of the kind erected by British-American
fur-traders, west of the Rocky Mountains.

<J Fraser's Voyage. (H) Simon Fraser, with the
design of erecting new trading-posts to the far
westward, started, on the 20th of May, 1806,
from the Rockv Mountain House, the most west-
erly post at the time, with a suitable number of
followers. Experiencing all the reverses and
difficulties incident to an expedition of the kind,
where one must wend his way over rugged
mountain passes and winding streams, impeded
bv driftwood, cascades and cataracts. Fraser
finally reached the river that now bears his
name. Descending this river, the party, by the
10th of July, arrived at a stream flowing in from
the right, which they named the Stuart, after
one of the party. Ascending the Stuart River,
they arrived at what was afterwards called
Stuart Lake. Here was founded a fort, the
memorable Fort St. James, which may be con-
sidered the first capital of the New Caledonia

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ref^ion.

In the following year, Fort George was
built at the confluence of the Stuart and the
Fraser Rivers. In 1808, Fraser immortalized his
name by one of the most daring feats of history,
namely, the descent to its mouth, in a Vjirch baric
canoe of the great " Tacootche Tesse." In honor
of this event, the river received his name, and
has borne it ever since.

Yoyageof the Tonquin, 1810-11. (12) For the pur-
pose of establishing a trading post on the Pacific
Coast, to be known as Fort Astoria, John Jacob
Astor and Company despatched the Tonquin, a
ship of two hundred and ninety tons burden,
under the command of Captain Thorn. On
board was a crew of twenty-one men, besides
many passengers. The expedition left New York
on the 8th September, 1810, and rounding Cape
Horn, reached the mouth of the Columbia in
March of the following year. Here Fox and a
boat's crew were lost in a brave attempt at
sounding for a channel in compliance with the
rash injunction of the captain during a storm.

On account of the difficulties of securing a
site, Fort Astoria was not begun for nearly a
month. After securing all the furs available at
this point, the expedition left for Nootka in
search for more. Here an unfortunate affair
occurred. A disgraceful encounter between the
captain and the savages regarding the price of

■■

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

furs, incensed the native anger. Thorn, who had
seen service in the American navy, seems to have
been a man haughty, brave, and quarrelsome,
yet withal, he found more than his match in the
crafty Indian Chief, Comcomly. The approach
of fur-laden canoes, next day after the disagree-
ment, delighted the Captain's heart. Purchases
were readily made of the finest quality of sea-
otter skins, while bundles of a very inferior
quality, in whi^h were concealed weapon ,, were
held at a very e ">rbitant piice. Soon the work
of butchery began. ^ 11 were murdered except
the interpieter, a nativ , of Grey's Harbor, who
alone was left to tell the tale, and the Tonquin
became the prize of the savages.

Sec. 8. — Thf Native Races of British

Columbia.

flative Tribes. (1.) The native races of British
Columbia, known as the Columbian group, may,
for convenience, be divided into three families,
viz. : — The Haidah, the Nootka, and the Shu-
swap, or inland tribes. The Haidahs occupy
Queen Charlotte Islands and the adjacent coast
region north of latitude 52°, extending along
the coast for about 300 miles and 100 miles in-
land. The chief tribes are the Hailtzas and
Bella Coolas, around Bentinck Arm ; the Sebas-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

sas, on Pitt Archipelago and tlie adjacent shores ;
the Naas and the Skeenas, on rivers of the same
name; the Chimsyans, on Chatham Sound; the
Kaiganies, on Prince of Wales Archipelago ; the
Massets, the Skidegates and the Cumshawas,
on Queen Charlotte Island.

The Nootka Indians inhahit ilie shore to
the south of the Haidahs, including Vancouver
Island. These include the Kwantlums and
Teets, near the mouth of the Fraser River; the
Clallums, the Sookes, and the Patcheenas, on the
south end of Vancouv(n- Island ; the Cowichans,
the Ucletas, and the Comox, on the east coast
of the Island and on the Mainland opposite ; the
Quocholds and Newittees to the north ; and the
Nootka, the Clayo([uets and the Nitinats, on the
west of the Island on Sounds of the same name.

The Shuswaps include three tribes. The At-
nahs, found along the upper course of the
Frasei- ; the Okanagans, occupying the valley of
the same name; and the Kootenays, occupying
the territory between the Upper Columbia and
the Rocky Mountains.

The Haidahs. (2.) The Haidahs are d. tall and
well f ined race. Their ej'es are small, usually
black. Their faces are broad with high cheek
bones. Their hair, always of a dark color, is
sometimes shorn close to the head. The Hai-
dahs are a maritime people, and among them

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

I* -:

if!

1* t

deep-sea fishermen and whale hunters take high-
est rank. Though I 'rave and courageous, the
Kaidahs rarely engage in open warfare, but by
stealth and by night attacks aim to defeat the
foe. Captives in war are regarded as slaves,
and are sometimes treated with great cruelty.
Polygamy is practised, the number of wives to
a great extent being regulated by the wealth of
the husband. Yet withal, the Haidahs are an
intelligent race, readily influenced by proper
training to manifest much nobleness of char-
acter.

The flootkas. (3.) Like the Haidahs, the Noot-
kas live by fishing, and are rapidly diminishing
in numbers since the coming of the whites.
They are of medium size but strong, with vary
plump bodies and usually large feet and ankles.
The face is broad, with a low, retreating fore-
head, a flat nose and wide nostrilc, and some-
what darker in complexion than the Haidahs.
Their hair, which is usually warn long as
a mark of honor, is very dark. Unlike the
Haidahs, the Chief's rank is hereditary in
the male line. Below the Chief is a nobili^^V. a
rank obtained by liberality or deeds of valor.
A season of mirth lasts fr^.n about the middle
of November to the middle of Januarj\ This
is occupied principally in conversation, gambl-
ing-, feasting and dancing. The old and infirm

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

are frequently left to die in the forest. The
Nootkas are usually quiet and well behaved, but
when once aroused they are exceedinsjly irri-
table and revenoreful, and rarely forget a grudge.

The Shuswaps, (4.) The Shuswaps are con-
sidered of a higher order and more cleanly than
either of the coast tribes. They live mainly by
the chase and undergo remarkable feats of cour-
age and horsemanship. Most of their time is
spent on horseback, and both men and women
are considered expert riders. Unlike the coast
Indians, their hands and feet are small, their
limbs straight, their bodies light and symmetri-
cal. Children from their infancy ai-e taught
to undergo great hardships. These tribes are
healthy but short-lived. Human sacrifice was
at one time practiced. The bodies of the dead
were buried in the ground without a coffin, others
were suspended from a tree. The Okanagans
sometimes bound the body upright to the trunk
of a tree. Theft was not uncommon, especially
from a foreign tribe. Whatever the cause,
crime was exceedinsflv rare in their own tribe.

CHAPTER II.

HUDSON'S BAY RULE.

Sec. 1. — Colonization and Fur Trade.

Founding of Fort Langley, 1827. (1.) The lower
waters of the Eraser were as yet virtually unex-
plored. In the fall of 1824, by direction of
George Simpson, Governor-in-Chief of The Hud-
son's Bay Company, an expedition under the
command of James McMillan, left Fort Vai.^ou-
ver, on the Columbia, for the purpose of explor-
ing the Lower Fraser. This expedition, the first
to enter the Fraser by its inouth, made the
necessary explorations for the time and returned.
Nothing further, however, was done towards
establishing a fort in that locality for three
years. In June, 1827, an expedition of twenty-
five men left Foit Vancouver under the same
commander and marched overland to Puijet
Sound. Here they embarked in the schooner
Cadl)oro, which they found in readiness. An-
choring, on the 12th, at Point Roberi>-i bay, a
party o^' twelve went ashore to seek n sj. j for a
fort. Not satisfied with thv3 locality, they
weighed anchor. On account of opposing cur-
rents much difficultv was expericiiced in enter-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ing the Fraser ; finally, on July 26tb, a spot
was reached, some sixteen miles above where
New Westminster now stands, which was con-
sidered a suitable situation for a fort. Here,
accordingly, was erected, by the inid<lle of
September, a rectangular fort, one hundred and
thirty-five feet long and one hundred and
twenty feet broad, enclosed with pickets and
called Fort Langley.

Governor Simpson's Visit, 1828-29. (2 ) George
Simpson, who, by his energy and intellectual
ability, had arisen from a humble position to the
dignity of Governor-in-chief of all the Hudson's
Bay territories in America, planned a visit to
these western posts in 1828. The general aim
of the expedition was to make a favorable im-
pression upon the natives and to learn of the
efficiency of the Company's oflflcers and servants.
During Governor Simpson's regime, which lasted
from 1821 to the breaking up of the Company's
rule in America, in 1861, his authority was
nearly despotic.

The Governor and his party, consisting of
some eight or ten men, left York Factory, on
Hudson's Bay, in July, 1828. By the way of
Lake Winnipeg and Peace River Pass, the party
arrived at Fort St. James in September. Here
James Douglas was in eomman<l. Calling at the
various posts along the Fraser, where the Gov-

! (

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

erncr gave his usual exhortation, the e.^pedition
arrived at Fort Langley on the evening of the
5'ith of October. The party returned by way
Qi" Columbia.

The Cadboro and the Beaver. (3.) The schooner Cadboro
and the little steamer Beaver are not to be forgotten in connec-
tion with the early history of the Province. The Cadboro first
appeared on this coast in 1827. She was built at Rye, Eng-
land, in 1824. Only a double-masted schooner, 56 feet long,
she did ample service for The Hudson's Bay Company as a coast
trader around these shores till 1862, when she ran ashore at
Port Angelos in a gale and there remained. She gave her name
to the beautiful sheet of water to the south ot Vancouver Island,
which she was the first to enter. She was also the first vessel to
enter the Fraser River, on the occasion of McMillan's expedi-
tion in 1827.

The Steamer Beaver was built at Blackwall, England,
in 1835. She came around Cape Horn as a sailing vessel, and
arrived at Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia River, in 1836,
where her machinery was set up. She made regular
trips up and down the coast, gathering furs and trading
with the natives. Her most northern port was Fort Simp-
son. Having always been kept well armed and under the
best of discipline, she was never taken by surprise. She finally
ran aground at«the entrance of Burrard Inlet, where she re-
mained for a number of years, an aggravating spectacle to the
lover of antiquities. She was accidentally struck by the steamer
Yosemite in June, 1892, and knocked to pieces, thus frustrating
the designs of a Company, kno-./n as the World's Fair Beaver
Co., in their scheme to exhibit the old hulk at Chicago in 1893.

Founding of Victoria, 1843. (4.) Fort Astoria, the
Company's headquarters on the Pacitie, was in
the immediate vicinity of the disputed boundary
line, which, as vet, was undefined. A strons:

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

probability existed that by the final adjustment
of this line, this leading post of the Company,
in its present location, might be placed within
the limits of American territory. This, coupled
with a desire to extend their agricultural opera-
tions, led the authorities to select a favorable
site farther to the north. The south of Vancou-
ver Island was, after careful investigation, de-
cided to be the best locality on the coast not
only to meet the present wants of the fur com-
pany, but to become the metropolis of future
colonization, and also to meet the demands of
the increasing^ whalinor interest of the Pacific.
A careful survey was made during the summer
of 1842. On the 1st day of March, 1843, Mr.
James Douglas in command of some fifteen
men, left Fort Vancouver for the purpose of
carrying into execution the contemplated enter-
prise. Marching overland to Ni.squilly, and
making the necessary preparations there, the
party embarked on the steamer Bea,ver and ar-
rived at Camosun Harbor about four o'clock in
the afternoon of March 14th. Here a scene of
surpassing beauty met the gaze. No sound save
that of the gentle ripple of the surf upon the
beach and of the paddles of the little steamer
broke the monotony of the tranquil scene. Soon
around the frail craft flocked the savages, but
with no hostile intent. These in due course

4 I

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

1 i i .;!

rendered i'aluable assistance to the fort builders
by supplying pickets, receiving one blanket
foi" every forty pickets supplied. By the third
day active operations at buildiui^ had begun,
and by the middle of June the work of
building was completed. Mr. Charles Ross was
placed in command and Mr. Douglas, soon after
on board of the Beaver, took his departure,
having thus founded, not merely a trading post,
but what was soon to become a prosperous and
wealthy city. Before a year, by the death of
Ross, Mr. Roderick Finlayson was called to the
command.

In 1845, by direction of the London authori-
ties, the name was changed from Fort Camosun
to Fort Albert, and almost immediately after-
wards to Victoria in honor of the Queen. In
1862, Victoria was first laid out into streets.
The limits of the city at that time were what is
now called Government street on the east. Fort
street on the south, Jolinson street on the north,
and the harbor on the west.

The Old Fort. (5. ) The old Fort was considered the best
on the coast. It was a square enclosure of over one hundred
yards, surrounded by cedar pickets, twenty feet in height. On
two of the opposite corners, were octagonal bastions, about
thirty feet in height. Each of these contained six cannon, the
presence of which, coupled with the hourly call of "All is
Well," during the silent hours of the night, enabled the inmates
to sleep on with perfect indifference to the surrounding savages.
The enclosure contained the various residences, the store rooms,

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

the cook rooms, the carpenter and blacksmith shops, a maga-
zine and a prison. These were located on either side of a main
street, passing through its centre by a double gateway.

Early Fort Life at the Capital. (6.) The reminis-
cences of early fort life carry with them many
pleasing associations. Denominational differ-
ences and political party strife were things
comparatively unknown. At the Old Fort at
the Capital, social suppers were not infrequent,
to which friends were invited, and a kindly
feeling generally prevailed. True, disagreements
sometimes occurred, more especially over their
diet, as the English and the Scotch could rarely
agree, the one wanting his beef and beer and
the other his oatmeal.

Here the Rev. Rob. J. Stearnes, a zealous ad-
vocate of temperance and a deadly opponent of
tobacco, had been appointed by the Company to
look after the spiritual and intellectual interests
of the colony. The mess room, which serv^ed
most every purpose, was turned into a chapel
on Sundays when religious services were held.

Amusing Incident. (7.) As a matter of fact, in
the early days, the Hudson's Bny Co. sold no
liquor to either the Indians or the white men.
A limited allowance was afforded to the ser-
vants of the Company, but not in sufficient
quantities to intoxicate. On one occasion many
of the men at the Fort got drunk. Someone

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

evidently had stolen some rum, and was over-
generous with his companions. A search having
been instituted, beneath the floor of one of their
houses was found a barrel of the stolen rum.
This, by order of Mr. Douglas, was rolled into
the Fort yard and, to teach the culprits a lesson,
the head was knocked in. Down the gutter ran
the liquid. Some of the men, "down on their
knees, scraped it up mud and all, whiTe others
lapped it like dogs. ' More drunkenness was
imminent. Dr. Helmcken came to the rescue
and, playing a practical joke, sprinkled the
gutter with tarter emetic, which effected a some-
what disagreeable but speedy relief.

Treatment of the Indians. (8.; In the main, both
at Fort Victoria as elsewhere, the Indians gave
but little trouble. The Company having made
itself necessary to the Indians' welfare, cofild,
by simply withdrawing its favor, secure great
power with the native chiefs. In his treatment
of the Indians Mr. Douglas was ever opposed to
harshness, yet an offender against law and order
rarely escaped justice. On one occasion a Son-
ghese Indian killed a cow. Douglas determined
that the offender should be punished, and des-
patched J. W. McKay, in charge of three boats,
to secure the culprit, but with strict orders not
to fire or injure any one if po ?ible to avoid it.
The little troop was soon brought face to face

" JUWiHiill-iMMi II

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

with some five hundred Indians, who immedi-
ately boarded the boats and took (he nraskets
from the men. Thus the battle ended, ap-
parently with no success, and with no loss of
lives or destruction of property. The party
soon returned, leavinjj their muskets in the
possession of the Indians. The calmness of
the men, however, disarmed hostility, and next
day the Chiefs came to Douglas, returned the
muskets and offered to pay for the cow.

Sec. 2. — The Boundary Difficulty.

Disputed Territory. The United States and Can-
adian boundary line west of the Rocky Moun-
tains, was as 3'et undetermined, and the Oregon
Territory, or large region between 42° and 54",
40' of latitude was disputed territor\r. Each
nation based its claim to this territory on the
right of discovery and exploration. The diffi-
culty of ai-rivins: at a satisfactory decision in
locating the boundary line, kept the matter in
abeyance for upwards of twenty-eight j-^ears.
Astoria had been built at the mouth of the
Columbia, during the summer of 1811, by
Astor and Company, an American fur-trad-
ing corporation. During the period of strife,
on the 16th of October, 1813, the establishment
had been sold to the North-west Company, under
duress, as claimed by the United States authori-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ties, but at a fair consideration, as claimed by
Britain.

Fort /^storia Restored. (2.) By the terms of the
Treaty of Ghent, by which the American war of
1812-14 was brought to a close, all places captur-
ed by e\ther power, during the war, were to be
restored to their original ov/ners. The United
States authorities, accordingly, resolved to re-
cover Fort Astoria, which had been in the peace-
ful possession of the North-west Company for
about five years, by whom it had been called
Fort George, and placed under the British flag..
The Ontario, a sloop of war, was accordingly
despatched to the mouth of the Columbia, where
she arrived in August, 1818. The British flag
was lowered, and the American banner hoisted
in its stead, and Fort George was again known
as Fort Astoria.

To this act England Anally agreed, but stipu-
lated in the meantime, that all other territory
outside of Astoria should be held as neutral
ground, and that the rights of the North-west
Company, in their possession, should be respected.

The London Convention. (3.) Regarding the
boundary line, an agreement was also arranged
between the two parties that all diflerences should
be settled bv a convention, to be held in London,
on the 20th of October, 1818. By this conven-

um » W i i<w w * . W M n j Wf i f l

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

tion, however, the boundary line was left unde-
termined for ii period of ten years from the date
of the convention, as it was considered incon-
venient and unnecessary to settle the matter at
the time. During these ten years, continued
negotiation was in progress. England based her
claim to the country mainly upon early discovery
and by possesion as acquired by the North -west
Company. The United States based her claim
on the explorations of Grey, Lewis and Clark,
and the founding of Astoria, and her acquisitions
from Fi-ance and Spain. Many difficulties lay in
the way of arriving at a satisfactory conclusion.

The Boundary DifRcuity Settled, 1846. (4.) In 1824
a conference took place, in which the United
States offered the 49th parallel as the bound ;iry.
Britain ottered the 49th as far as the Columbia,
and then to follow that str v-i i to its mouth.
There the matter rested. Alter repeated nego-
tiations, of no avail, a compromise was effected
in August, 1827, to the effect that joint occupa-
tion should be renewed, subject to abroga-
tion by either nation giving a year's notice.
Each nation hoped, in the meantime, 'to increase
its hold upon the country, and accordingly
much was said and written in defence of their
respective claims. The United States became
anxious for colonization, but this could not be
succQ3sf uUy accomplished in a territory suspend-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ed between t\yo rival powers, and virtually in
the possession of the North-west Fur Company.
On the 22nd of May, 1846, the President of the
United States, by request of his Government,
informed the British authorities of his intention
of abrogating the convention of 1827. A treaty
took place at Washington on the 15 th June, fol-
lowing, when all matters in dispute were a^ ably
settled. The boundary line agreed upon the

49th parallel to the Gulf of Georgia, thence
deflectinor southerly througrh the centre of the
channel to the ocean. Milch dissatisfaction has
been expressed with the terms of this treaty.

2^\

5)/2>^

•mDmm

mm-mumtmi

CHAPTER III.

COLONIAL RULE.

Sec. 1. — Vancouver Island under Hudson's
Bay Company Rule.

An Imperative Change, 1849. (L) A change
was soon to come. The boundar}- line had been
settled by the Oregon Treaty in 1846. A tide
of immigration to the west had set in. The
Hudson's Bay Company, as well as England,
knew that the 49th parallel and Juan de Fuca
Strait would form no barrier to the onward
march of colonization and settlement. One thing
remained to be secured, which was in direct
antagonism to the interest of the fur-trader,
and that was proper legislation for the well
being of the settler. This coast was too fine a
territory to be held in its native wilds under the
control of a fur Company. But how was the
change to be secured ? The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany's charter to exclusive trade did not
terminate till 1859, and their claim must be
duly considered. Earl Grey, the premier of
England, at the time, saw the difficulty, and
placed before himself the task of seeking a
remedy.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

The Company's Requests. (2.) If a change was
to come, the Company had, at least, two reasons
for desiring to have the control of the Island.
Fii'st, should it secure the Government for itself,
it would be able to regulate the colonization to
its own pecuniary advantage ; and second, it
would secure the power to regulate and control
the sale of liquor to the natives, which injured
comiiieree, and otherwise to protect their trade.

Scarcely was the boundary line settled
when the Company applied to Earl Grey for
protection in Vancouver Island. Not receiving
a satisfactory reply, another request w?.s made
in September of the same year, . king a grant
of the Island, by which its government and
colonization might be entirely in the hands of
the Compan3^ The plea far this presumptuous
request was the rapid growth of Fort Victoria,
its establishment in the south part of the Island.

Uharter before Parliamant, (3.) Ai'ter prolonged
negotiations, in which the Company even
expressed its willingness to undertake the colo-
nization and government of all the territories of
the Crown in North America, a grant of the
Island alone became a serious question for the
consideration of the Imperial Government.

To grant more than the Island was not deemed
advisable for many reasons. It was Ihouijht
that the difficulties attendingf its colonization

inam)OT*Nii<i.iu<i<

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

should first be overcoint. Moreover, the natives
on the Mainland were a formidable rival,
endangering the lives of the colonista,TshouId
attempt at settlement be made there without
proper precaution for their safety. Finally,
learning the mind of the Imperial Government
in this particular, the Company was embold-
ened to present its request] in due form, and
a draft of a chai-ter, granting the Island of
Vancouver was laid before Parliament in
1848. Much opposition to the movement was
expressed both in and out of Parliament. One
of England's greatest statesmen spoke against
it. The colonization of the Island was not only
considered premature, but also the officers of
the fur Company were not considered the proper
persons to whom "^uch an undertaking should
be granted. The Moie aim of the Company, it
v*'as alleged, wat to make money by the f; "-
trade, and, therefore, they had not the coloniza-
tion of the country at heart.

The Island Granted to the Fur Company. (4.) The
niatter, however, was referred to the Privy
Council Comndttee ...i trade and plantation,
who reported in the following nmnth, that, in
the opinion of the committee, the draft should
be slitditly amended. These changes beinof
effected to the satisfaction of both parties, on
the 13th of J.muarj^, 1849, the grant was con-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

summated and Vancouver Island passed into
the hands of the Company for purposes of col-
onization.

By the terms of the charter, The Hudson's
Bay Company was given the Island with the
royalty of its seas, and all mines belonging to it.
It was to hold complete dominion, subject
only to the British Crown and a yearly rent of
seven shillings. It was to settle the Island
within five years or forfeit the grant ; to dis-
pose of lands for purpose of colonization
retaining one tenth of the money received for
such sales, as well as from the sale of minerals,
and to dispose of the rest towards improvements
upon the Island. The Imperial Government
retained the right to redeem the Island at the
expiration of ten years, in 1859, by paying the
Company its actual expenditure for colonization.

Early Colonization. (5.) W. C. Grant, a Captain of the
English Cavalry regiment, was about the first real settler for five
years subsequent to the formation (-f the Crown Colony. In
company with eight colonists, brought out at his own expense,
Grant arrived at Vancouver Island in June, 1849. After mak-
ing a preliminary survey, he began a settlement at Sooke Har-
bor, some twenty miles to the south-west of Victoria. His
ambition was to establish a Scotch colony on the Island ; but,
becoming tired of his solitary life, and discouraged by seeming
adversity, he sold out at the expiraiion of two years, and departed
from the country.

The bark Norman Morrison, arrived at Victoria in March
1850, with eighty immigrants on board Many of th« leading
settlers of to-day rame from these. The Tory arrived the fol-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

lowing year with a large number on board. Many of these sub-
sequently dispersed to the different posts of The Hudson's Bay
Company. In about two years the Company had brought out
about two hundred people.

In 1853, appeared the Norman Morrison, on her second voy-
age, with two hundred additional. These engaged themselves
to the Company for five years, receiving for their services from
twenty-five to thirty acres of land, payable at the end of the
term.

First Governor Appointed, 1850. (6.) Early in the
negotiations the Company had stipulated that the
appointment of (xovernor should be vested in the
Crown ; but, wL 11 the grant was consummated
the Company secured tor itself the privilege of
nominating the Governor, the Imperial Govern-
ment reserving to itself the right to accept or
reject the nomination.

While negotiations were yet pruding, some six
months before the consummation of the grant,
Sir John Pelly, the Governor of the Company,
named and recommended James Douglas as the
most suitable person to represent Her Majesty
on the Island, and meet the wishes of the Com-
pany, as he was a man of property, a chief factor
of the fur Company, and a member of the board
at Fort Vancouver, which controlled the Com-
pany's affairs west of the Rocky Mountains.
But Earl Grey, the British Premier, declined
Douglas, having, it has been supposed, some per-
sonal interest in view, or perhaps, some political
end to serve.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Who now is to be Governor ? No further
olioice seemed to remain in the mind of the
Company, as it readily conceded to the Imperial
Government the privilege of nominating as well
as appointing, a concession not found in the
grant. So when Richard Blanchard was sug-
gested, the Company, having little cr no knowl-
edge of him, indifferently offered no objections,
and the first Governor of British Columbia re-
ceived his appointment accordingly. After a
tedious vovafje of about four months bv way of
Panama, he arrived at Victoria, on the 18th day
March, 1850.

Governor Blarichard's Difficulties. (7.) Coloniza-
tion of Vancouver Island up to the time of
Blanchard's arrival, was exceedingly meagre.
Attempting settlement, The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany had published a prospectus and adver-
tised for colonists. Of the place, however,
little was known, iand emigrants had but little
inducement to make a journey of about five
months to a country supposed to be occupied Vjy
savages. The colonists accordingly were not
forthcoming. No one to govern; al)sence of any
proper means of conveyance to his destination ;
no one to extend to him the cordial hand of
welcome on his arrival ; no official headquarters
and no associates even, save the independent and
seemingly haughty Hudson's Bay officials and

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

their servants, — these were amon^ the difficulties
of the first Governor.

Governor Blanchard soon became aware of the
farcical position he now held. A misunderstand-
ing arose regarding his stipulation. He con-
sidered he had been promised one thousand acres
of land as compensation for his services. This
was explained by Douglas, who acted as agent
for the sale of land upon the Island, to mean the
use of one thousand acres during his stay as
Governor. Thus Blanchard was practically left
without a salary.

At the best Governor Blanchard's position was
a peculiar one. Having Imperial instructions to
call a Council, he found no one eligible for a
position in such a body, save members of The
Hudson's Bay Company. These he determined
to control, rather than be controlled by them.
He informed the Imperial Government to this
effect and matters resteJ, waiting their instruc-
tions.

Blanchard Resigns. (8.) Under favorable cir-
cumstances Blanchard might be considered a
straiijhtforward and conscientious man, with Ijut
moderate intellectual ability. Love of popular-
ity might be callecl his greatest vice. He had
mistaken the dignity of his present position,
where his services were reallv not needed, nor
worth paying for. He had ruled this uncolon-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ized region long enough to find his mistake.
This coupled with ill health and other matters of
personal interest, caused him on the 18th of
November, 3850, to tender his resignation, which
was graciously accepted by letter dated the 3rd
of the following June. A successor had not yet
been appointed. On the 27th August, 1851, he
named James Douglas, James Cooper and John
Todd as a Provisional Council, to whom was
delegated Imperial authority, awaiting the ap-
pointment of a new Governor. Then five daya
later, Blanchard departed for his native land.

Difficulties at Fort Rupert. (9.) To add to the difficulties
of Blanchard during the summer of 1850, an insurrection broke
out among the colliers at Fort Rupert. The immediate cause
was the murder of four sailors, who had deserted one of the
Company's vessels. The crime had been perpetrated by some
Newittee Indians, who had been sent to capture the deserters.
To satisfy the revolted colliers, and the hand of justice, the
Governor hastened, at his earliest convenience, to Fort Rupert.
The Chiefs refusing to give up the murderers, the full force of
justice was laid upon the entire tribe of Newittees, whose village
was destroyed with loss of lives an^ property.

Mr. Douglas Appointed Governor, 1851. (10.) Since
June, 1849, the Company's headquarters had
been fullv establishkl at Fort Victoria, with
Douglas as Chief Factor. Though he nominally
held no Imperial authority previous to Septem-
ber, 1851, yet virtually, as the head of the
dominant and all-powerful monopoly, he exer-
cised a material influence in nearly every

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

colonial movement. By his appointment as
head of the Provisional Council, nominated by
Blanchard in August, 1851, he tasted the sweets
of power. A few daj's later, he received his
Imperial Commission as Lieutenant-Governor,
and took the oath of office in November of the
same year. Thus centred in one man, the inter-
ests of The Hudson's Bay Company and those
of the Colonial Government, two very different
and antagonistic elements. This would seem
unfortunate, but so meagre was colonization
during Blanchard's rule and for several years
afterwards, that Colonial authority was in very
little demand, and Douglas could mete out
justice and mercy, and advance colonization ac-
cording to his own conscience or at the dictation
of The Hudson's Bay Company.

Failure to Colonize. (11.) The Company, how-
ever, seemed not the proper parties to undertake
the colonization of Vancouver Island, and much
adverse crit^' .ism has accordingly been placed
upon the statesmanship of Earl Grey on account
of his lavish distribution of Cokmial property,
and for supposing even, that successful coloni-
zation could take place under the control of a
monopoly v;hose interests v^re in a measure op-
posed to settlement. However, advantages were
possessed by it over any other corporation for
the purposes of colonization. It was already

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

ii-

i -

in the field with a vast store of wealth at its
disposal, and in possession of a commercial
organization unequalled in the history of the
world. It had also an entire acquaintance with
the country. But these might be used as agen-
cies in its own hands, solely for its own advan-
tage, as the past history of the Company had
moM. conclusively demonstrated.

Price of Land. (12.) Another stroke of mis-
taken policy was the price demanded for Crown
lands. In accordance with the terms of the
charter, land was to be sold at a fair price.
Earl Grey suggested one pound per acre, and
the Company was quite willing to abide by his
decision. To ask one pound per acre for land in
its primeval condition, remote from the conven-
iences of civilization and with comparatively
limited portions tit for agriculture, was in itself
enough to ensure positive failure.

Other Causes of Failure. (13.) Again, every set-
tler, under the grant, must locate five r^ien or
three families on every hundred acres of land
secured from the Company. The- chances of
settlement of Vancouver were, certainly, very
slim, considering the fact that grants of 640
acres were freely given across the border, with
no incumbrances, except, perhaps, the lawless-
ness that prevailed there.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

At this time the gold mines of California
were in full blast. Colonists were attracted
hither, and failure to colonize has been assigned
to emigration ; but, after the mines had become
exhausted and miners were wending their way
home, had the inducements to colonization been
sufficiently attractive, numbers, possibly, would
have made their way back, preferring their own
flag to that of a foreign power. .

Again, all trade was in the hands of the Com-
pany. There was no money, and no intercourse
with the outside world, except through the
medium of the Company Much of the best
land, also, had been securxl, so that the incom-
ing settler had to aece[.t detached portions
isolated from the centres of colonization. Under
such circumstances, coupled with the immense
distance immigrants must come, colonization
proved to be very slow.

The Cl|arter ir\ Dagger. (14.^ liy the terms of
the charter, unless certain progress was made 5it
colonization by the end of the fifth year, the
Island would revert to the Imperial Government.
It soon became evident to the London authorities
that something must be done to encourage settle-
ment, or the Company would lovse its charter.
It might attempt to excuse itself by claim-
ing that if colonization was slow, it was not
the Company's fault; but excuses might not

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

satisfy the Imperial authorities. Hence it
released some of its reserved lands, influenced
some of the servants of the Company to become
settlers, and gave more encouragement to settle-
ment. The servants themselves soon came to
prefer colonial rule, and to a certain extent iden-
tified their interests with the colonists.

All thought the Island should be taken under
the management of the Imperial authorities at
the expiration of the five years. To this effect,
in 1853, a petition was presented to the Imperial
Parliament, signed not only by the leading men
of the Island, but even by the chief officials of
the Company, who had their personal interests
in view.

Charter l^er\ewed. (15.) The Company, however,
pointed to its peaceful rule, the absence of crime
under its authority, and expressed its determina-
tion to promote colonization by every possible
means, and thus secured the extension of the
grant for another five years, ami Douglas in his
double position, continued to rule.

Representative Government. (16.) Governor Blan-
chard had been instructed in his Imperial
Commission to nominate a council, as soon as
convenient, to assist him in the government of
the country. This, however, on account of the
paucity of settlers, he failed to do; but just
previous to his departure, lie nominated, August

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

l.xh, 1851, a council of three, into whose hands
authority might centre, pending the appoint-
ment of a new Governor. The council thus
nominated consisted of Messrs. Douglas, Cooper
and Todd, Mr. Douglas received his appointment
as Governor in September, 1851. Then he substi-
tuted Mr. Finlayson's name for his own. Mr.
Work afterwards became a member of the
iirst council. Governor Douglas manasfed the
affairs of the Colony, during the first five or six
years of Colonial Rule, to the apparent satis-
faction of the Imperial Government. Finally,
British statesmen began to question the validity
of a Crown Colony not governed by a body at
least partially representative. Accordingly, on
the 28th of February, 1856, the Secretary of
State for the Colonies wrote Governor Douglas,
instructing hiin to call an Assembly at once in
accordance with the terms of his commission.
The Governor had been empowered by his in-
structions to divide the Island into electoral
districts and fix the number of representatives
for each. This, he did by proclamation on the
16th of June, 1856. The first Assembly, which
was the only one prior to 1859, was convened
on the 12th of August of the same year.

^A First Assembly, 1856. (17.) The Island was
*\ -divided into four electoral districts, to be repre-
sented as follows : — Victoria, by three members ;

I i-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Esqiiimalt and Metchosin, by two members ;
Nanaiino, by one member ; Sooke, by one
member.

A resident to be eligible for appointment as
representative, must be the owner of freehold
estate to the value of three hundred pounds.
The property qualification of voters was fixed at
twenty acres of land or more. In this first
Assembly Victoria was represented by J. D.
Pemberton, James Yates and J. W. McKay ;
Nanaimo, by John F. Kennedy; Esquiinalt, by
Thomas Skinner and J. S. Helmcken ; Sooke,
by John Muir. Helmcken was chosen Speaker.

The first House of Assembly was a room in the old fort,
near where the Bank of British Columbia now stands. It was
20 feet long and 12 feet wide, lined with upright planks, un-
painted and unadorned. In the centre stood a large sheet-iron
stove, and at the end a home-made table for the Speaker.
Around the table stood half a dozen chairs for the members, and
in the rear, two benches without backs, for the audience. Such
was the small beginning of British Columbia's public institutions.

Chief Justice Appointed. (18.) Prior to the close
of 1853, the office of Chief Justice was vested in
the Governor ; but this centering in himself the
office of sheriff, judge and execuiiv^e, in addi-
tion to his duties as Governor, Douglas did not
like. So he nominated David Cameron to fill
this important trust. He was succeeded by
Needham in 1858. In the following year Need-
ham was knighted and appointed Chief Justice

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA,

of Trinidad, W. 1. 1., when Mr. Begljie, now Sir
Matthew, received the appointment, which lie
still (1893) holds.

Colony of Vancouver Expires. (19.) Douglas' com-
mission as Governor ot* Vancouver Island, ex-
pired in September, 1863. As many on the
Island wished separate governors for the two
Colonies, Captain Kennedy was appointed his
successor, and landed in Victoria in the follow-
ing year. Governor Kennedy held the position
till November, 18^, when, on account of finan-
cial inability to pay the civil list, coupled with
a local ambition to centralize the trade, the Gov-
ernment of Vancouver, by Imperial authority,
was inerged into that of British Columbia, and
the Colony of Vancouver Island ceased to exist.

Sec. 2. — San Juan Difficulty.

Double Possession. (1.) By the treaty of 1846,
the international boundary was to be the centre
of the channel between Vancouver Island and
the Mainland. This was very indefinite. The
Haro Archipelago lies in about the centre of
this channel, and was claimed by both nations •
hence the difficulty. Some three years previous
to this treaty. The Hudson's Bay Company had
placed their herds upon the islands. In 1854,
tfhe United States customs oflScials, considering

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

s ands American Territory, deiiianded
customs dues on a new importation of live
stock by the Company. To offset this demand,
Governor Douglas and a customs officer from
Victoria visited the islands, which they claimed
as a British possession, and on which they
hoisted the British flag. The American flag in
turn was raised, end thus the matter rested,
customs dues being uncollected.

About the same time the property on the
islands was- assessed by the American officials.
As the taxes were not paid, in March, 1855, the
sherifl seized and sold at auction some thirty or
more sheep of The Hudson's Bay Company.
For this and subsequent losses, the Company
presented a claim of $15,000. The Secretary of
State, learning of these difficulties, instructed the
local authorities to refrain as much as possible
from such acts as would create national discord,
until the authorities should arrive at some
amicable settlement of the matter, and promised
to notify the British Government accordingly.

Comml88iot\ers Appointed. (2.) For the pur-
pose jf bringing the matter to a speedy termin-
ation, commissioners were appointed. Captain
Prevost -epresented British interests, and
Archibald ^ampbell, those of the United States.
These sviMi their respective assistants had their
first meeting in June, 1857. The claims of both

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

nations were amply discussed, the only result
being to increase the feeling of ownership
among the people of the United States,

Meanwhile affairs were not moving along
pleasantly on San Juan Island, The Northern
Indians were exceedingly troublesome to the
American officers. Taxes were imposed, but
never collected, till they aggregated nine hun-
dred and thirty-five dollars.

Shooting the Pig. (3,) In 1859, occurred a
trifling circumstance that came near creating an
international broil, A pig, belonging to The
Hudson\^, Bay Company trespassed upon the
garden cf an American citizen, named Cutler.
Cutler shot the pig, and afterwards oftered pay-
ment ; but the demand being so great, full
payment was refused. An allege<l attempt to
seize Cutler by British officials to enforce pay-
ment, coupled with Indian hostilities, 'jiiused the
American general Harnej" to order troops to
the Island to take possession in the name of the
United States.

Douglas aqd Harqey's Dispute. (4.) This action
caused intense indignation aii\ong the officials at
Victoria, and Governor Douglas issued a pro-
clamation protestinjf agairst the action and
claiming the Island as British territory, Har-
ney, however, remained firm In his determination
to retain possesskri of the Island, and the

i^ :1 i

1'/

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Governor refrained from hostilities, waiting the
decision of the commission, then pending, though
a rupture on more than one occasion seemed
more than probable.

Lord Lyor\s' Propositiori. (5.) In August. 1859,
Lord Lyons, Imperial Minister at Washington,
received instructions from the home Government,
for the sake of peace, to effect a compromise and
adopt a line severing the group of islands,
putting San Juan on the British side, and Orcas
and Lopez, the two next largest, on the Ameri-
can side. By this time, however, San Juan was
occupied by American troops, which, by a mis-
understanding of the attitude of British colonial
authorities, the president refused to withdraw,
and Lord Lyons' proposition fell to the ground.

Scott's Visit. (6.) To arrange matters, General
Scott was despatched to this coast, by the
American Secretary of War, to confer with
Douglas, and, corresponding from Fort Van-
couver, proposed, till matters should be perman-
ently settled, that each nation should suppoi-t
troops on the Island, not to exceed one hundred,
to protect their respective subjects. To this the
Governor took exception, as he deemed protection
unnecessary, and denied the existence of an
attitude of hostility of colonial authorities
towards the LTnited States Government, and

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

urged the withdrawal of American troops and
promised on his part to withdraw the naval
force in the harbor. To this General Scott
practically agreed and ordered his troops to be
reduced to one company of infantry, and
cordially requested Douglas to supply the same
number. This conciliatory measure disarmed
hostility and left the Island in peaceable pos-
session of a double ownership, pending future
settlement.

Washington Treaty. (7.) For the purpose of
settling a number of international questions,
five commissioners proceeded from England to
the American Capital and concluded, on the 8th
day of May, LS71, what is known as the Wash-
ington Treaty. By one article of this treaty, it
was stipulated that the San Juan Difficulty
should be submitted to the arbitration of the
Emperor of Germany, After examining carefully
prepared statements of the facts by both parties,
the Emperor rendered his decision October 21st,
1872, which ceded San Juan to the United
States. Soon after by order of the Imperial
Government, British troops were withdrawn,
and for the first time there was no dispute about
the international boundary.

..— ^■6. J*., )- AU4*»-

70 HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Sec, 3. — The Gold Excitement.

Early Discoveries. (1.; Between 1850 and 1852,
gold was discovered in small quantities, on both
Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands, and
numerous expeditions were fitted out for our
northern coasts, seekinsf the hidden treasure.
Jn the main these enterprises proved futile.
About the same time, gold had been discovered
by the natives on the banks of the Thompson.
Prospecting expeditions hastened hither. The
Colville mines were discovered in 1855. Gold is
said to have been first discovered in paying
> quantities at Nicommen near the junction of the
Thompson with the Fraser.

Great Excitement. (2.) The success of the var-
ious expeditions soon i-eached San Francisco.
The greatest excitement prev^ailed, and day-
dreams of untold wealth seized the mind of
society, Old miners and youthful adventurers
from all quarters and nationalities hastened
thither, to the gold fields of British Columbia.
Over 33,000 left San Francisco for the Fraser in
the summer of 1858. Three thousand are said to
have arrived at Victoria in one day, and for want
of accommodation had to encamp in tents.

Douglas Assumes Authority. (3.) More responsi-
bility is about to fall on the shoulders of Doug-
las. The Queen's representative on the Island

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA..

held no such authority on the Mainland ; but as
Chief Factor for The Hudson's Bay Company in
this New Caledonia, all authority, regulating-
law and order, naturally, in the absence of a
Crown officer, centered in him. At all events,
being assured by substantial evidence that gold
was being discovered in paying quantities, Doug-
las assumed such authority and issued a procla-
mation, December 29, 1857, in whieh he " forbade
all persons to dig or disturb the soil in search
of gold until authorized in that behalf by Her
Majesty's Colonial Government." A license was
then issued to individual miners, granting pre-
scribed limits under certain conditions on the
payment of ten shillings per month. This
amount was subsequently increased to five dol-
lars per month

Trespassers Prohibited. (^.) Learning of tres-
passers, Douglas, on the 8th of May, 1858, issued
a proclamation declaring all vessels found in
British North-west waters after 14 days, not
having a clearance from the customs officer, and
a license from The Hudson's Bay Co., forfeited.
To keep the British Columbia trade at Victoria,
all traffic vvas placed in the hands of a single
Company that was to carry no goods except for
The Hudson's Ba}' Company, and to collect a toll
of two dollars from every passenger conveyed.
H. M. S. Satellite was placed at the mouth of the

m !ii I

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Fraser to collect tolls and to be in readiness to
enforce the carrying out of these injunctions.

Douglas' visit to i\i\e Mainland, May, 1858. (5.) In
May, 1858. Douglas, as the Queen's nearest repre-
sentative, made a trip to the Mainland. After
.seizing some merchandise on his way, and collect-
ing som ^ unpaid t .xes, he arrived at Hope near
the end of the month, which at this time was the
leading post on the Fraser. Although not, as
yet, legal Governor of the • Mainland, Douglas
established his authority, and made Hope the
provisional capital for the Mainland.

In September, Douglas made his second official
trip to Hope. On this occasion, a number of
officials was appointed, and several political
offenders were brouirht to iiistice. Here on the
4th of September, was passed, by proclamation, the
first law on the Mainland, prohibiting the sale of
liquor to the natives.

On the 22nd of December, to meet expenses,
a duty of ten per cent, was imposed on all
goods imported into British Columbia, as the
Mainland came to be called. These acts were
afterwards legalized by proclamation.

Indian Difficulties, (6.) These were troublesome times for
the miners. The natives, ever jealous of the white man's intru-
sion, were exceedinj^ly hostile. The whites, having organized
themselves in companies for defence., engaged in many conllicts
in which many whiles as well as Indians were killed.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Sec 4. — British Columbia.

Constitution of BritisJi Columbia. (1.) The Hud-
son's Bay Company's license for exclusive trade
on the Mainland was soon to expire. Jn 1856,
as on a former occasion, some time before the
expiration of its charter, the Company made
a request for a renewal. Early in 1857, a
Select Gor}imittee was a.ppointed in the British
House of Commons to consider the state of
Britain's North American Possessions, and to
arrange for the expirin<^ charter. The Canadian
Government, having been apprised of this
committee, appointed Chief Justice Draper, on a
special commission to watch Canadian interests,
and to afford such information as Canada could
furnish for the general good. To the same end,
a committee was appointed from the Legislative
Assembly of Canada, who laid before the
Imperial Connnittee a full report, in which it
expressed a wish to join to Canada such
portions as were suitable for settlement. In
accordance with this request the Imperial Com-
mittee decided that the Red River and Saskat-
chewan districts should be ceded to Canada.
Moreover, it was decided that the connection
between Hudson's Bay Company and Vancouver
Island should be severed, and that colonial
authority should be extended over the Mainland.

I I

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLLTBIA.

h'^

Whatever turn matters may have taken in
accordance with the expressed judgment of this
committee, no sooner had the news of the influx
of population reached the ears of Lord Lytton,
Secretary" of State for the Colonies, than he
introduced a bill for the government of New
Caledonia, as the country was then called. He
had early been informed by Douglas of the
importance of taking advantage of the gold
excitement for the sake of the revenue. At any
rate, government and order must be maintained,
and far better was it for both the Company and
the colony that the exclusive rights of the for-
mer should at once and forever cease. Accord-
ingly, on the 2nd of August, 1858, British
Columbia was constituted a Crown Colony.

Bounds. (2.) The territory thus organized
extended from the United States on the south
to the Simpson and Finlay Rivers on the north,
and between the summit of the Rocky Moun-
tains and the sea, including all the islands
except Vancouver.

The Act also provided for the appointment of
a governor, the administration of justice, and
a local legislature. The followinix month the
Company's license was revoked, in so far as it
related to British Columbia, and James Douglas
was appointed first Governor. At the same
time his commission as Governor of Vancouver
Island was renewed.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

At Fort Langley about the middle of November of the
same year, Douglas, after taking the oath of office, legalized by
proclamation his former acts that had for their object the
establishing of order on the Mainland.

New Westmirister Founded. (3.) A probability
now seized the public mind that Langley, to
which was f^iven the name of Derbj'-, might
become the future metropolis of the Mainland.
About 400 lots on the site of the old fort, havincr
been sold by auction at Victoria, netted about
$08,000. However, the glory of this prospective
town was soon to wane before the rising city of
Queensborough. Colonel Moody, who acted as
Lieutenant-Governor, did not like the situation
of Derby and selected the site of the present
city of New Westminster instead. Here lots,
having been surveyed, were first sold at auction
on the Lst day of June, 1859. Persons holding
propertj'' in Derby were allowed to exchange it
for an equivalent value in Queensborough. On
the 20th of the month following, by proclam-
ation, the name was changed from Queens-
borough to New Westininster in accordance
with the expressed wish of the Queen. In July,
1860, by the request of the inhabitants, New
Westminster was incorporated, and municipal
officers to the number of seven v/ere appointed
into whose hands the improvement of the city
was entrusted.

'^11

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Colonel Moody. (4.) Colonel Moody of the royal engineers
was despatched from England, by Lord Lytton in September,
1858, as Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, and Com-
mander-in-chief of Her Majesty's land forces in British Columbia.
In him was also vested the office of (Governor, which empowered
him to administer the government of the colony in the absence
of that officer. He arrived on Christmas day, 1858, and took
the oath of office soon after.

Colonel Moody figured prominently in the early history of
British Columbia, successfully encountering Indian hostilities,
selecting the site for the present city of New Westminster, building
government buildings, opening roads, and promoting public
works generally.

Representative Goverriment Introduced. (5.) For
upwards of live years after the establishment of
the Mainland as a Crown Colony, the govern-
ment was vested in the Governor. The first
Legislative Council, consisting of 13 Members
was convened by royal order, at New West-
minster on the 21st day of January, 1864.

First Council. (6. ) The members of the first session were
Arthur Birch, Colonial Secretary ; Henry P. Crease, Attorney-
General ; Wymond O. Hamley, Collectcr of Customs ; and
O'Reilly, vSaunders, Ballj^^i^and Brew, Magistrates chosen by
the Governor ; and Hon^^^^jesentative for New Westminster;
Smith, for Yale and LyttiSiBolbrook, for Douglas and Lillooet;
Orr, for Cariboo East ; and 'Black, for Cariboo West. The
first session was marked more especially for its tranquility and
for the excessive taxation laid upon the colony.

Road to Cariboo. (7.) The culminating public
work of Sir James Douglas was the completion
of the waggon road to Cariboo, in 1864. " This
road," says Lord Dufferin, "m^as of such admir-

HISTORY OF BRI' ISH COLUMBIA.

able construction, considering the engineering
difficulties of the line and the modest resources
of the colony wnen it was built, as does the
greatest credit to the able administrator, wlio
directed its execution." Henceforth the old
pack-train was supplanted by freight waggons,
and freight to the gold mines was much cheaper.

Successors of Douglas, i /.) In 1864, Douglas,
having retired, to private life, was succeeded by
Frederic Seymour, late Governor of British Hon-
duras. During his rule was passed the British
Columbia Act of August 6th, 1866, by which
the Government of Vancouver Island was united
with that of British Columbj^In 1867, Vic-
toria was incorporated. Th
the Legislative Council, who
Act of Union, had been i
three, the seat of Gover
where the first meeting to
of December, 1868. Seym
June, 1869, by Anthony
Governor prior to Confed

a vote of

ers, by the

to twenty-

as removed,

on the 17th

s succeeded in

e, Esq., the last

Sir James Douglas. (8.) James Douglas may in
truth be called the father of colonial rule in
British Columbia. He was of Scotch descent,
born at Jamaica in 1803, and educated at Lan-
ark, Scotland. Entering the North- west Com-
pany's service in 182^, as a clerk, he very soon,

III

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

by bis entei'prise and intelligence, rose to a com-
manding position. As early as 1824, be took
command of Fort St. James, on Stuart Lake
and became Cbief Factor for Mie united com-
panies about eigbt years later. Mucb of his
time was occupied in establishing trading posts.
To him belongs the honor of founding Fort Vic-
toria on the site of the present capital. Thither
he removed in 1849, when he severed his connec-
tion with The Hudson's Bay Company and be-
came Colonial Governor of Vancouver Island.
Subsequently he became Governor of British
Columbia, which honor he held until his retire-
ment to private life in 1864. Douglas was
created C. B. in 1859, and knighted in 1863.
He died at the capital on the 2nd of August,
1877, and the citizens of British Columbia have
erected, in front of the Parliament grounds at
Victoria, a monument in commemoration of his
services to his countrv.

Douglas' extensive knowledge of men and
things, his willing obedience to the voice of
superiors, his stern discipline, when found in
command, his justice and humanity, his fortitude
and bravery, under the most trying circum-
stances, mark the characteristics of a man, who
has few equals, as a commander, in the pages of
history.

CHAPTER IV.

CONFEDERATION.

Sec. 1. — Union Consummated.

Terras of Un(Of\ Submitted. (1.) By the Brit-
ish North America Act of 1867, not only
were the four older Provinces of the Dominion
united, but provision was also made whereby
other cole iies of British North America miirht,
by the expressed wish of their inhabitants, join
the Confederation. In accordance with this pro-
vision, Governor Musgrave preparatory to Union,
laid before his government a number of resolu-
tions, setting forth the views and wants of the
colony. These, in the main, having been adopted
by the Legislative Council, were submitted to
the Dominion Government for acceptance. The
terms having been agreed upon, the Union was
finally consummated on the 20th day of July,
1871.

Tern\s of Union. (2.) By the Terms of Union,
British Columbia was to receive a subsidy of
$35,000 a year, together with a grant of 80 cents
per capita of the population, until the population
should reach 400,000, after which the grant

i HH ilil J I U ll lllll lW m

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

■M

nlti

i I

should be no further increased. Canada, was to
become liable for the debts of the colony ; to
provide for a regular mail service between V^ic-
toria and Olympia twice a week, and a bi-weekly
service between Victoria and San Francisco; to
pay the salary of the Lieutenant-Governor ; to
meet the expense of the courts of jurisdiction,
of the customs, of the postal, and of the tele-
graph service; and to provide pensions to those
who lost financially bv the terms of the Union.
Moreover, it was stipulated that a transcon-
tinental railway, connectinoj the Pacific seaboard
with the railway system of the eastern Provinces,
should bo commenced witliin two years and com-
pleted vt^ithin ten years from the date of the
Union. The care of the Indians also was
assumed by the Dominion, and the interest auar-
anteed at five per cent, on a sum not exceeding
$500,000, necessary to build a graving-dock at
Esquimau. By the terms of the Union, British
Columbia was to be represented in the Dominion
Senate by three members, and in the House of
Commons by six members, the latter number to
be regulated by each decennial census in propor-
tion to the population. The Constitution of the
Executive and Legislative Councils was subjected
to a very impo' cant amendment, whereby a ma-
jority of its members should b ^^ome elective, and
thereby responsible to the people.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Cor\stitu Ja-'jal /\ct, I8"^f. (3.) Several months pre-
vious to the consunnnation of the Union, it was
resolved at a meeting of the Legislative Council,
to request the Governor to have a bill submitted
to the House, changing the composition of the
Legislature Jn order that Res'ponsihle Government
might be introduced, and that body t.hus become
responsible to the people in its first session after
the Union. Accordingly, on the 14th of Febru-
ary, 1871, a complete ciiange was effected by the
passing of the " Constitutional Act," by which the
Legislative Cor icil was abolished, and a Legis-
lative Assembly, consisting of twenty -five mem-
bers, representing twelve districts, and elected
every four years, was substituted in its stead.
The number of districts was subsequently in-
creased to thirteen. Persons receiving pay from
the Colonial Government were ineligible to a seat
in the Assembly. The meuibers of the Execu-
tive, not to exceed five, were appointed by the
Governor, and should include the Colonial Secre-
tary, the Attorney-General and the Chief Com-
missioner of Laiids and Works.

Qualification aid Regulaiioq of Voters' Act, 1871.

''4.) In the same year was passed " llie Qiia^lifi-
cation and Regulation of Voters Act'' by which
the clergy and all persons who had not resid'^id
in the Province for at least one vear from tiie
date of their election, were ineligible to a seat

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

in the Assembly. By the same act, an elector
must be able to read the English, or his native
language, and to have resided in the Province
for at least six months previous to the election.
He must have freehold estate in the district in
which he votes, to the value of $250.00, or a lea^.e-
hold estate, or rented property of the annu.v.
value of S40, or pay a board bill of $200 a year,
or hold a miners' license, or a pre-emption claim
of 100 acres, at least.

Sec. 2. — Canadian Pacific Railway.

A Scherr^e Projected. (1.) Among the terms of
Union, perhaps the most important is the one
relating to tli * building of the transcontinental
railway. Such an undertaking had been under
consideration for some time, and it received a
fresh impetus in 1858, when the great gold ex-
citement called hither its thronging multitudes.

The public, however, received its first intima-
tion ol; such a scheme in 1869, when in Septem-
ber of that year, there appeared in the " Canada
Gazette," a notification to the effect that, at the
next session of the Canadian Parliament, appli-
cation would be made for a charter to build a
line to connect the eastern and v:estern Provinces
of the present Dominion.

■

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. 83

It is said to liave been through <',he intiiience of
Great Britain at the Canadian capital that the
building of this roarl became one of the terms of
the Union in 1871. It was, however, well known
that the people of British Columbia stood unani-
mous in making the construction of a transcon-
tinental railway an imperative condition of Con-
federation. When the measure finally came up
for ratification before Parliament, so gigantic
seemed the undertaking, that, but for the timely
introduction of a clause to the effect that it should
be constructed and operated l)y private enter-
prise, and receiv^e such aid as not to increase the
rate of taxation, the measure would probably
have been lost, and the Government overturned.
British Columbia, however, strongly objected to
this resolution, by which Canada paved the way
for evading the literal fulfilment of one of the
chief terms of the Union, and much apprehen-
sion was entertained in the delay which followed
of her real intention regarding the building of
the road. In 1872, a bill passed through Parlia-
ment offering a subsidy of ^80,000,000 and 50,-
000,000 acres of la.id to any corporation possess-
ing a capital of ten million dolhirs, and williuir
to undertake the work, and to deposit one-tenth
of their net capital >vith the Government before
commencing operations.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

If:

lit

ill

Sir Hug\\ ^llar\'s Company. (2.) Two companies
came forward. The one, represented by Sir
Hugh Allan received the charter, and made the
one million deposit. Sir Hugh, however, failed
to raise the one hundi-ed and eight millions, the
amount supposed to be riecessar}' to build the
road. The scheme accordingly fell through, and
the cash deposit was returned.

Meanwhile, in October, 1873, the Macdonahl
Ministry was overthrown on thechaige of giving
the contract to Sir Hugh Allan, in consideration
of money advanced for election purposes, and Hon.
Alexander MacKenzie was called to the head of
affairs.

Edgar's Missior\. (8.) The Provincial Govern-
ment reminded the new Premier of the non-fulfil-
ment of the terms of the Union. To arrange niat-
ters, James D. Edgar, with a letter of introduction
from Mr. MacKenzie was dispatched to Victoria
as a special commissioner. He, after stating
that the original scheme was impracticable for a
numl>er of reasons, including the engineei'ing
difficulties, which had proved so much greater
thnn had been expected, requested from the
local administration an extension of time, and
offered jis a compromise to build at once the
line between Esquimalt and Nanaimo ; to con-
struct a telegraph line through th<^. Province to
connect with the eastern Provinces ; and to

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

expend at least, a million and a half each year
in the Province till the railway should be finish-
ed. But, these proposals from a laisunderstand-
ini^ of Edgar's official authority, were rejected
bv the local officials and Edgar was soon after
recalled, leaving the public discontent by no
means assuaged.

Carnarvor\ Terms. (4.) To allay the grievances
about to he laid before the Imperial Govern-
ment, the Earl of Carnarvon, Secretary of State
for tlie Colonies, consented to act as arbitrator,
and both (governments agreed to abide by his
decision, with the exception of a reservation on
the part of Canada, that the road must be built
without increasing the rate of taxation.

By the Earl's decision, lendered November l7th,
1874, and known as the Carnarvon Terms, two
millions instead of a million and a half, as pro-
posed b\' Edgar, were to be expended each year
in the Province after the survey's were com-
pleted, and that part of the line, between
Esquimalt and Nanaimo was to be built at once,
and the whole road to be completed by the last
day of December, 1890.

This proposal successfully passed the Com-
mons, but the Canadia)! Senate took exception
to the clause rehiting to the l)uilding of the
line from Escpiimalt to Nanaimo, claiming that
the Canadian Parliament was under no obliga-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

sl^

^l:

tion by the terms of the [Jnion to extend the
line to the present capital. No attempt, accord-
ingl}'-, was made towards its construction.

DufFerir\'s Visit. (5.) Great discontent now pre-
vailed in the Province. To adjust the matter in
dispute and allay the feeling of discontent, Earl
DufFerin, Governor-General of Canada, visited
the Province, and on the 20th of September,
1876, addressed an audience at Victoria, when,
with marked ability he proceeded to exonerate
the Canadian ministry from blame, in the policy
pursued. However, the Earl but partially
accomplished his object. During the session of
1878, Mr. Walkem introduced a resolution
demanding immediate railway construction or
separation. . .

In conformity w^th this resoluti(m, a petition
was forwarded to Her Majesty, in September,
praying for the exclusive right to collect
the custoi'iis and excise duties and to withdraw
from the Union, in case the Carnarvon Terms
were not fulfilled before the 1st day of May
following.

Meanwhile there was a chanoje in the Doinin-
ion Government. The new administration soon
began the construction of the entire line, to the
general satisfaction of the Province, although
Port Moody was made the western terminus

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

«7

and the Esquimalfc and Nauaimo portion entirely
disreo^arded.

New Syndicate Forrr^ed. (6.) A contract tor build-
ing the road was given, in June, 1880, to a
syndicate of ISew York, St. Paid, London and
Paris capitalists, who were to have the entire
line completed on or before June 1st, 1891. The
Company was to receive a subsidy of twenty-
five million dollars, twentv-five million acres
of land on each side of the railway, and that
part of the line already constructed by the govern-
ment at a cost of twenty-eight million dollars. It
was further stipubited that the Canadian Govern-
ment would neither grant a charter to any other
line near the Canadian Pacific, unless in a south-
westerly direction, nor to any line that ran
within fifteen miles of the international boundary;
also that the entire railway shall be forever
exempt from taxation, and that the land grant
should be free from taxes, unless previously sold,
for a period of twenty years. The line was
finished in November, 1885, some five years
earlier than was specified in the Carnarvon
Terms, at a probable cost of one hundred and
twenty millions. The western terminus was
subsequently removed twelve miles further west
to the site of the present City of Vancouver.

Vancouver City was visited on June 13th, :886, by a destruc-
tive firo, which originated in some brush heaps that were being
burnt. Several lives, [resides property to the value of about

m«fi« w*.i»f(ti,

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

$800,000 were lost. However, with energy and perseverance,
more imposing and abiding structures were soon erected, and
Vancouver is to-day one of the leading cities on the coast. In
1892, this city was connected with New Westminster by an
electric tram line about 12 miles in length.

Coal Mine Disaster. (7.) Nanaimo was incorporated in 1874.
This city was the scene of a terrible explosion, which occurred in
the Vancouver Coal Company's mine, on May 3rd, 1887. In
this great disaster, about 150 lives were lost, and half a million
dollars worth of prt)perty destroyed. The (lovernmenl of Hriti^h
Columbia, the City of Victoria and several other sources donated
liberally in aid of those left destitute.

In October, 1887, the Esquimalt Graving Dock was opened
to the public, at a cost of over half a million dollars. This work
was begun in 1882, as a Provincial enterprise, and transferred to
the Dominion the following year. The coffer-dam, a necessary
preparation for this work, was begun in 1875. A competition
between the naval and the commercial pationage of the dock
calls for an immediate extension of the work.

Sec. 3. — Education.

Our School System. (1.) Our present admirable
School System liad its birth since Confederiition.
Prior to that time, several attempts had been
made to establish an Educational Fund, but with
little practical result.

Upon the introduction of responsible Govern-
ment on the Mainland, in 1864, Governor Doug-
las recommended, in his opening address, an
appropriation for the support of public schools.
This recommendation, hov^'ever, seems to have
been disregarded. In the following year, the

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Legislature of Vancouver Island took the first
practical step by passing an act for the establish-
ment of schools, and $15,000 was placed in the
estimates for that year ; but this was doomed to
failure by the union of the two colonies in 18()6,
when the Government of Vancouver Island went
out of existence before the necessary appropria-
tion had been made.

By the united colonies little seems to have
been done, and educational matters were certainly
in a very unsatisfactory condition, as the school
board then existing was cramped by the lack of
educational funds. This, though unfortunate,
seems to have been concurred in by Governor
Seymour, whose, idea was to compel the parents
to come to the aid of the Govei-nment in the
education of their children. However, a change
for the better was effected, when, what is known
as " The Public School Act of 1872/' was passed.
By this act provision was made for the appoint-
ment of a new Board of Education and a Super-
intendent, w^ho were empowered to create and
suppoi't schools in any community affording
sufficient attendance. A new order of educa-
tional matters arose. Teachers v/ere subjected to
a much more rigid examination, and many new
districts were created. In the report of a Select
Committee on the Act of 1872, compulsory edu-
cation was recommended ; this, however, did not

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HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

'HP

become a statute till 1885, when all children
from seven to twelve years of age were required
to attend one of our public schools for at least
six months in the year, or otherwise to receive
an equivalent education. With the inception of
the new Board of Education, John Jessop, Esq.,
became Superintendent. He was succeeded by
C. C. McKenzie, Esq., M.A., in 1878. Our present
Superintendent, S. D. Pope, Esq., LL.D., received
his appointment in 1884.

Progress. (2.) Two decades have passed away
sinee the present school system came into operation
and unprecedented progress has mai'ked its career.
Beginning with twenty-five school districts, and an
enrolment of about one thousand, the first decade
doubled the number of districts, and increased
the enrolment to about two and one-half thou-
sand. Daring tl^e present decade, the districts
have increased upwards of three-fold, showing
an enrolment of nearly eleven thousand. As has
been said, " Education in the Province is in a
most satisfactory state," our schools maintain-
m<x " an averasfe attendance which is not excelled
by any Province in the Dominion."

BritisJi ColurT\bia Uiiiversity. (3.) In 1890, was
passed the ''British Columbia University Act,"
which made provision for the establishment of a
University, with the power of conferring degrees

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLIMIJIA.

and promoting liiglior education in the Province.
Tliis University shall be under the control of a
Senate, which shall have the entire niaiuigenient
of its affairs, viz : the power to prescribe examina-
tions ; to confer degrees ; to appoint the profes-
sors and servants of the University ; to regulate
salaries ; provided, however, that the University
shall be non-sectarian in all respects.

Tl^e Senate. (4.) The Senate shall be composed of the
Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, and a number of members as
follows : Seven shall be elected by Convocation ; three
appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council ; one member
to represent each of the four cities; one to be elected bj' the
Teachers' Institute ; one to represent the Medical Council
and one to represent the Law Society of British Columbia ; the
Superintendent of Txlucation, and the Speaker of the Provincial
Legislature of the time ; the Principal and Professors of the
University ; and one representative from each of the Colleges
that may afterwards become affiliated with the University.

There shall be four Faculties, leading to the respective de-
grees, viz. : A Faculty of Arts and Sciences ; a Faculty of
Medicine ; a Faculty of Law ; and a Faculty of Applied Science
and Engineering.

Sec 4. — Late Administration.

Legislative Changes. (1.) British Columbia has
reached tlie Third Session of her Sixth Parlia-
ment since July 20th, 1871. During this time,
there have been four changes of administration
and nine Premiers. The successive leaders have
been : Hons. J. F. McCreight, A. DeCosmos, G.

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HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

A. Walkeni. A. C. Elliot, Mr. Walkem returned
to power, Robt. Beaven, Wm. Smithe, A. E. B.
Davie, John Robson, Theo. Davie. The present
administration has been in power since January
26th, 1883, when the Hon. Mr. Smithe became
Premier.

Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. (2.) Though stren-
uous exertion was put forth, prior to 1883, prac-
tically nothing was accomplished towards the con-
struction of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Rail-
way. Much discontent was thereby'- ci'eated,
both iri the Legislature, and on the Island.
Much apprehension was entertained, regarding
the real intentions of the Dominion Government,
and serious threats of secession openly prevailed.

Finally, a subsidy of $750,000 having been
secured from the Dominion Government, a con-
tract was made early in August, 1883, with R.
Dunsmuir & Co. for its construction. The
contractors received in addition to the subsidy
an extensive tract of land along the line of
the railway, its exemption from taxation for
ten years after its completio.i, and the ad-
mission of material used in its construction, free
of duty. The Company on its part came under
binding obligations to complete the road before
June, 1887.

||Miidity. (3.) On the 27th day of March 1887,
occured the death of Premier Smithe. His

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

successor, Hon. A. E. B. Davie, died in August,
1889, when the Hon. John Robson was called to
the head of the Government. Truly this is a
period, memorable on account of the number
of Political Leaders, whose career of usefulness
in their respective Governments has thus, by
death, been abruptly brought to a close. The
year 1892 has been saddened by the death of
three in our Dominion, perhaps none more
sudden and unexpected than that of the Hon.
John Robson, which took place in London,
whither he had gone in the interest of the
Crofter Scheme. He is succeeded by the Hon.
Theodore Davie.

Governors. (4.) The successive Governors of
British Columbia, since the Union with Canada,
were Hons. Sir Joseph W. Trutchj who took
office July 20th, 1871 ; Albert Morton Richards,
July 1st. 1876 ; Clement Francis Cornwall, July
1st, 1881; Hugh Nelson, March 25th, 1887.

In the fall of 1892, Governor Nelson was
succeeded by the Honorable Edgar Dewdney,
recent Minister of the Interior in the Domin-
ion Cabinet. The ex-Go veinor soon after
repaired to England for the benefit of his
health. This, however, failed to bring relief,
and on March 3rd of the present year (1893) he
passed away, not far from his native home,
highly respected by his fellow-citizens.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Crofter Scheme. (5.) During the Session of
1892, two Acts were passed that had for their
object the settlement and colonization of certain
lands on our coast, as well as to afford relief to
a certain class of fishermen on the coast of Scot-
land, known as the Crofters.

The untimely death of the chief promoter and
the recent change in the Imperial Government
are thought to be serious drawbacks to the
success of the scheme. The matter has been
delayed, and whether finally successful or not,
time must reveal.

Railway Enterprise. (().) The last three years
have been especially marked for Raihvay
Enterprise. The Shusivap and Okanagan Rail-
way w&s clmrtered in 1890 and completed the
following year. Besides this and a short line
of about 30 miles between Nelson and Robson,
called the Columbia and Kootenay Raihvay,
there were opened up for trade, in 1892, the
Mission Branch of the Canadian Pacific, and the
New Westminster Southern, effecting direct com-
munication with the railway systems of the
United States. In addition to these the Victoria
and Sidney, and the Nelson and Fort Sheppard
Railways are now under construction, and a ^^rge
number of chaoers have beon granted, where
railways will probably be in operation at no
very distant date.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

•95

British Columbia " Parliaiqent Buildings Construction Aot."

7.) In 1893 'ras passed the " Parliament Buildings Construc-
tion Act," by which the (Jovernor in Council was authorized to
expend not more thsin $600,000 in erecting new buildings for
the accommodation of the Legislature. The construction is now
in progress, and soon our Province can boast of public institu-
tions unrivalled by those of any Province of the Dominion.

Betiriog Sea Difficulty. (8.) An international
question that claims a place in our history, inas-
much as our citizens are the parties most inti-
mately interested, is the disputed right of the
United States to monopolize the seal jBshery in
Behring Sea.

At an earlier date, when Alaska was Russian
territory, the United States had joined Great
Britain in compelling Russia to iibandon her ex-
clusive claim to this sea. However, when Alaska
came into the possession of the United States,
Secretary Blaine changed his ground, and claimed
the sea as exclusive territory. Great Britain on
the other hand, claimed that no exclusive posses-
sion, beyond a line three miles out to sea, i-
known to international law, and accordingly
claimed the sea as neutral territory The sealers
accordingly came into serious conflict, and seiz-
ures were made in 1886, threatening an interna-
tional broil. Pending a settlement of the diffi-
culty, early in 1891, the British and United
States Governments entered into an agreement
to suspend all sealing in the disputed territory

96-

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

till the rights of the rjspective nations should be
settled. All vessels then sealing and those on
their WHy io the sea, were summarily recalled.
This of course, involved great loss, as the work
of the season had fairly begun and much expense
had been incurred in preparation. Masters and
ship-owners made no delay in rendering their
bill of damages, which Britain on her part, he-d
promised to consider. Accordingly, early in 1892,
a commissioner was sent out, who spent the
entire summer in collecting evidence and exam-
ining the respective claims. On his return to
England, all interested were anxiously awaiting
the results of his investigations. Early in the
spring of the pre.sent year (1893) a cablegram
announced that $100,000 had been awarded,
which should be equitably divided. This was
very gratifying to the sealers, who had become
somewhat hopeless, on account of the necessary
delay attending the adjusting of the awards.

The original difficulty is not yet settled. A
Court of Arbitration is now in session in Paris,
in which Sir John Thompson, Premier of Canada,
and Hon. C. H. Tupper, Minister 6f Marine and
Fisheries, and others, are said to be ably defend-
ing our interests. What the decision of this
Court may be, many are anxiously waiting to
learn.

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Cor\clu8ion. (9.) Our Province is said to be still
in its infancy ; yet, in reviewing its history, we
are impressed with the symmetry of its growth,
and the magnitude of its present development.
For about half a centurj^ prior to its becoming a
colony, we have but little advance to record. Two
events mark the year 1858 as a turning point in
the history of our Province : First, the establish-
ment of Colonial Government and the consequent
death of Hudson's Bay Company Rule ; and
second, the fortunate discovery of extensive
gold fields and other mineral wealth, which
caused an unprecedented immigration. But thif)
in itself was not sufficient; the advent of steam,
and the locomotive has opened up the heart of
the province and brought its vast resources to
our very door. An intellectual, a moral, and a
religious growth has rapidly set in, so that, to-day
every British Columbian, in possession of our
free schools and our means of higher education,
which is rapidly increasing, of our laws and
institutions, of our almost exhaustless resources,
has an inheritance possessed by few, if any other
inhabitant on the globe. These advantages
should stimulate us to utilize our powers, and
encourage us to cultivate habits of industry,
intelligence, and virtue, upon which all true
greatness depends.

'"''

CHRONOLOGY OF NOTED EVENTS.

Voyage of Columbus 1492

Drake's Voyage 1 579

Discovery of Juan de Fuca Strait 1592

Hudson's Bay Company Organized 1670

Voyage of Juan Perez 1 774

Voyage of Heceta and Quadra 1775

Voyage of Capt James Cook 1778-79

North-west Company Organized 1783

Voyage of James Strange 1 786

Voyage of Portlock and Dixon 1786

Barclay's Expedition 1787

Meares' Expedition 1788

Kendric and Grey's Expedition 1788-93

Martinez and Haro's Expedition 1789

Eliza's Expedition .... 1790

Nootka Convention 1790

Vancouver's Voyage ^79^~9S

Mackenzie's Voyage 1792

James Finlay Ascends the Peace River .'. . I797

Capture of the " Boston " 1802

First Fort Established 1805

Eraser's Voyage down the Eraser 1808

Nootka Massacre ; i8ii

The London Convention 1818

Two Companies United ': 1821

Founding of Fort Langley 1827

Governor Simpson's Visit 1828

Arrival of the Beaver 1836

Founding of Victoria 1843

• The Boundary Difficulty Settled 1846

Crown Grant of Vancouver Island 1849

lOO

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

First Governor Appointed ,

(jold First Discovered on Vancouver Island

First Council Nominated

Blanchard Resigns

Douglas l)ecame (Governor

Petition Presented to the Imperial Parliament

Chief Justice Appointed

Customs Dues Demanded on San Juan Island

Electoral Districts Created

First Assembly Convened

Committee of Investigation

Needham became Chief Justice

Great Gold Excitement

H. M. S. Satellite at the Mouth of the Fraser

Douglas Prohibits Liquor to the Natives

Arrival of Colonel Moody

British Columbia Constituted a Crown Colony

Begbie appointed Chief Justice

Lord Lyon's Proposition

New Westminster Founded

New Westminster Incorporated

Capt. Kennedy Succeeds Douglas on the Island

James Douglas Knighted

Waggon Road Completed to Cariboo

Frederic Seymour Succeeds Douglas

Representative Government Introduced on Mainland
Vancouver Island and Mainland Governments United

Victoria Incorporated

Seat of Government Removed to Victoria

Anthony Musgrave became Governor

Constitutional Act of B. C

Regulation of Voters' Act

British Columbia Confederated

Hon. Joseph W. Trulch Appointed (jovernor

W^ashington Treaty

Hon. Geo. A. Walkem Premier

Public School Act ^^.k

••V

1850
1850
1851
1851
1851

1853
1853
1854
1856
1856

1857
1858
1858
1858
1858
1858
1858
1859
1859

1859
i860

1863
1863
1864
1864
1864
1866
1867
1868
1869
1871
1871
1871
1871
1871
1872
1872

HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

lOI

Carnarvon Terms Rendered

Nanaimo Incorporated

Hon. A. C. Elliot Premier

Hon. A. N. Richards Governor

Earl Dufferin's Visit

Death of Sir James Douglas

Hon. Geo. A. Walkem Premier

New Railway Syndicate Formed

Hon. C. F. Cornwall Governor

Hon. Robert Beaven Premier

Visit of Marquis of Lome and Princess Louise.

Hon. Wm. Smithe Premier

Canadian Pacific Railway Finished

Vancouver Incorporated

Graving Dock at Esquimalt completed

Hon. Hugh Nelson Governor

Hon. A. E. B. Davie Premier

Hon. John Robson Premier

British Columbia University Act

Sealing Suspended in Behring Sea

Hon. Theodore Davie Premier

Hon. Edgar Dewdney Governor

Parliament Buildings Construction Act

Sealing Awards

1874

1874
1876
1876
1876
1877
1878
1880
188 1
1882
188?
1883
1885
1886
1887
1887
1887
1889
1890
1 891
1892
1892
i«93
1893

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