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iyi

aUEEN CHARLOTTE'S ISLAND.

! IMn'HEK RETURN to an AddreKs of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated i6 June 1853;—^;-,

"COPIES or EXTRACTS of Correspondence relative to tlu-
Discovery of Gold at Queen Charlotte's Island."

V.uUmM Offire, \
8 August IHOS./

FRKDEIUCK PEKL.

{Mr. Peel.)

Ordered, by The House o( Coumioiis, lo be I'rinled,
August 1853.

7bS-L

"■"■■P

■■■

"f^'

[ 2 J

SCHEDULE.

'■'
•I

VonlMr

FROU WHOM.

Governor Douglu to
the Duke of New-
cutle.

The Duke of New-
caatle.

F. Peel, Esq., m. r., to
R, Taylor, Esq.

Date and Number.

1863:
11 April

(No. 1)

16 July - (No. 5)

30 July

8 IT B J I C T.

With cony of Proclamation declaring
the Rights of the Crown with re-
spect to Gold found at Queen
Charlotte's Island.

Regulations published, showing
the terms on which Licences
authorising the search for
Gold will be issued.

In reply to the foregoing Despatch,
and conveying approval of the Fro-
clamalion and Regulations as re-
ported.

Declinmg to grant a Lease of Miningr
Land at Queen Charlotte's Island.

MiMOHAWDUM of Proceedings of the Hudson's Bay Company with respect to the
Searching for Gold in Queen Charlotte's Island.

Page.

[ 3 J

qORRESPONDENCE relative to the Discovery of Golk in
Queen Charlotte's Island.

:j5::2a!--.

(No. I.)

— No. 1.

Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Douglas to His Grace the Duke of

Netccasile.

Victorir, Vancouver's Island, 11 April 1853.

My Lord Duke, (ReoeiTed, 7 July 1853.)

I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of a proclamation which I lately
caused to be issued at this place, declaring the rights of the Crown in respect to
gold found in its natural place of deposit within the limits of Queen Charlotte's
Island, and forbidding all persons to dig or disturb the soil in search of gold
until authorised in that behalf by Her Majesty's Colonial Government ; and also
a copy of the regulations since published, setting forth the ternis on which licences
will be issued to le^^lise the search for gold, on payment of a reasonable fee, the
conditions being nearly similar to those prescribed by the Governor-general of
New South Wales on the discovery of gold in that colony.

The most important difference is a reduction of 20 s. in the licence fee, which
I have fixed at 10«. a month.

The reasons which led me to consider the expediency of that reduction were,
in the first place, the fact that the true beds of gold on Queen Charlotte's Island
are yet unknown, and the returns have been consequently small and uncertain,
and obtained at much labour and expense ; and secondly, because there wiU be
great difficulty in collecting the dues against the feeling of the miners, and it is
therefore advisable to make them as moderate in amount and as easy as possible
in the mode of payment, at least until mining becomes a remunerative employ-
ment, and there is proof of the extent and productiveness of the gold deposits,
when the fee may be gradually increased, in such a manner, however, as not to
be higher than the persons engaged in mining can readily pay.

I hope that those measures may meet with the approval of Her Majesty's
Government, and that I will soon be favoured with your instructions on sudi
points as your Grace may consider necessary.

No. 1.
Governor DoueiRt
to the Duke of
Newcastle.
II April 1853.

I have, &c
(signed)

James Douglas.

Enclosure 1 , in No. I .

PROCLAMATION

By his Excellency >/amu Douglas, Esq., Governor of Vancouver's Island, and Lieutenant- F.ocl. 1, in No. 1.
Governor of Queen Charlotte s Island and its Dependencies, &c. &.C. Sic.

Whereas by law all mines uf gold, a id all gold in its natural place of deposit within the
colony of Queen Charlotte's Island, whether on the lands of the Queen or ot any of Her
Majesty's subjects, belong to the Cro'vn :

And whereas information has been received by the Government that gold exists upon and
in the soil of the colony, and tlxt certain per8on» have commenced, or are about to com-
mence, searching and digging for the same for their own use, without leave or other authority
from Her Majesty : Now I, James Douglas, esquire, the Governor aforesaid, on behalf of
Her Majesty, do hereby publicly notify and declare thai ail persons who shall take from any
lands within tlie said colony any gold, metal, or ore containing gold, or who shall dig for
and disturb the soil in search of such gold, metal, or ore, without naving been duly authorised
in that behalf by Her Majesty's Colonial Government, will be prosecuted both criminally

788- 1. A 2 ""d

I iimi»i

■I

III

V. icl. 'i, ill Nil. 1.

No. 2.
I he Duke of
Ntwcastle to
Governor Diiu
H) July 1853

C'as.

No. 3.
F. Petl, Esq.
Rich. I'lijlor,
■;o July 185 >,

to
Ksq.

4 CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE DISCOVERY

und civilly, ng the law nllowii. And I further notify and declare, that such regulations as
may be found expedient will he preparet! iind published, setting forth the terms on which
licences will be issued for this purpose, on ..he payment of & reasonable fee.

Given under my hand and seal at tho Governmei.t Office, Victoria, this '26tli day of
March, in the year of our Lord One thousand Right hundred and Fifly-threc, apd iit
the seventeenth year of Her Majesty's rei};n.

By his Excellency's command.

God 8ATF. THE QUF.KN !

James Douglas, Secretary.

Enclosure 2, in No. 1.

Government House, Victoria, 7 April 1853.
WiTR refere. o the proclamation issued on the 26th March, declaring the rights of the
Crown in respect to gold found in its natural state of deposit within the Islands of Queen
Charlotte, his Excellency the Lieutenant-governor has been pleased to establish the folluw-
ing provisional regulations, under which licences may be obtained to dig, search for, and
remove the same :—

1. Prom and after the first day of April no person will be permitted to dig, search for, or
remove gold on or from any lands, public or private, without first taking out and paying for
a licence in the form annexed.

2. For the present, and pending further proof of the extent and productiveness of the ^olj
deftosits, the licence fee has been fixed at 10 s. per month, to be paid in advance ; but it is
to be understood that the rate is subject to futme adjustment as circumstances may render
expedient.

3. The licences can be obtained at Victoria, Vancouver's Island, until a commissioner is
appointed by hi<t Excellency the Lieutenant-governor to carry those regulations into cfTect,
and who will be authorised to receive the fee payable thereon.

4. Rules adjusting the extent and position of land to be covered by each licence, nnd for
the prevention of confusion, and the interference of one licence witJi another, will be regulated
by the said commissioner.

James Douglas,
By his Excellency's command.

Richard Golledge.

(No. 5.)

— No. 2. —

Copy of a DESPATCH from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle to Governor

Douylas,
Sir, Downing-street, 16 July 1853.

I HAVE received your despatch (No. 1.) of the 11th April, transmitting the
copy of a proclamation which had been issued by you, declaring the rights of
the Crown with respect to gold found in Queen Charlotte's Islands ; and also
copy of the regulations afterwards published, setting forth the terms and condi-
tions on which licences would be granted by the local government to st irch and
dig for gold in those islands.

I have to signify to you my approval of the terms of this proclamation, and of
the regulations you have issued on this subject.

I am, &c.
(signed) Newcastle.

— No. 3. —

Copy of a LETTER from F. Peel, Esq., to Richard Taylor, Esq.

Sir, Downing-street, 20 July 1 853.

I AM directed by the Duke of Newcastle to inform you, that your application
for a lease of mining land in Queen Charlotte's Island, on the part of Mr. A.
Easterby, and certain gentlemen associated with him, has been a long time under
his consideration, because he felt bound not to decide upon it without taking
into view the general questions raised for the decision of Her Majesty's Govern-
ment by the gold discoveries in that quarter. »

2. I am,

OF GOLD AT OUEEN CHARLOTTES ISLAND. 5

2. I um, howfver, now to infunn you, that liis Grace must decline to grant
the lease applied for.

3. I am to yUitv, in the first instance, that although his Grace by no means
regards priority of discover)' in such a case as entitling to a grant of this
description, nor, on the other hand, would l)e disposed to refuse it on the mere
ground that such priority was not estaldishwl, yet as it is advanced as a claim in
the present case, he nnist ohserve, that it appears from the accounts before him,
that the iniet specified on the part of Mr. Kasteriiy was visited b)- one or more
vessels of the Huds(m's Uay Company in the summer of IH.'il. It ai)i)ear8 also
that a quartz rock containing gold, which, as far as the general description
given by Mr. Hooney enables it to be identified, must he the same as that
observed by that gentleman, was discovered in one of those visits in August that
year.

4. But I am to add, that since your application, intelligence has been received
of the issuing, by the Governor of Vancouver's Island, of a proclamation, autho-
rising the search for goUl in Queen Charlotte's Island, on terms similar to those
in use in the Australian colonies.

This proclamation Her Majesty's Government has sanctioned, considering
that, on the whole, this system is likely to be, for the present, the most
exi)edient, if the discovery should turn out more valuable, and the danger to be
ai)prehended from the natives less serious than recent accounts would lead them
to suppose ; and they do not consider that it could operate conveniently
together with that of leases of the gold producing hmd.

I have, &.C.
(signed) Frederick Peel.

— No. 4. —

Memorandum of Proceedings of the Hudson's Bay Company with respect to
the Searching for Gold in Queen Charlotte's Island.

On the 17th August 1850, Mr. Douglas writes that Mr. Chief Factor Work
had reported to him, that the natives of Queen Charlotte's Island had discovered
gold on the west side of the island, near I'.nglefield Bay and Cape Henry, and
that an Indian had brought a specimen to Fort Simpson. Mr. Work dispatched
Pierre Legarr6 and a party of Indians to the place in question, with instructions
to examine the gold district.

On the 24th February 1851, Mr. Douglas writes that Mr. Work reported that
Pierre Legarrd had returned without having succeeded in reaching the gold
district, owing to the jealousy of two influential chiefs, who i)revented him.
He discovered that there is a clear passage from Skiddigat on the cast to Engle-
field Bay, on the west coast of the island.

Mr. Work had been unable to visit Queen Charlotte's Island on account of
the stormy weather, but had received from Indians two pieces of gold, nearly
pure, weighing 4 i and 1 \ ozs., and a piece of auriferous quartz, and he pro-
posed to send the steamer " Beaver" to the gold district about the end of April,
when the weather is expected to moderate.

On the 6th August, Mr. Work repoi ts as follows : — ■

" Dear sir, " Fort Simpson, 6 August isr) 1 .

" Deeming it of the utmost importance that all the information that could be
collected relative to the gold mines in Queen Charlotte's Island should l)c com-
municated to the Honourable Board of Directors as soon as possible, and the
return of the " Una" being the only conveyance to Victoria before the steamer
goes down in the Fall, I determined risking a voyage in a canoe, and accord-
ingly started on the 13th May, with a crew of six men, all that could be well
spared from the fort, four Haidai half-breed lads and two Indians ; arrived safe
at the island, crossed then by Skiddigat Passage, Cartwright Sound ; proceeded
along the west shore to Englefield Bay, at the south end of which the mine is
situated ; remained two days examining the place, and made four blasts in the
rocks, and returned here on the 2yth, sifter an absence of 17 days. ^Ve narrowly

788 — I. A 3 ci-caped

No. 4.
Memorandum.

CORI{F,SI>ONDRNCF, RR[,ATIVE TO TIIF, DISCOVERY

pionpcd bpiii^ Hwnmpcil, nixi nil lost, wliiU; pnRsing nlong the oim'II connt from
rnrlwriglit's Souml to llic mine.

" The cimop not being suitable or safe to examine the access to the harbour,
the steamer " Henver," linving returned from the north, was, in conformity to
yotir instructions to Mr. Chii-f Trader M'Ncill, sent off for that purjxjse with
Mr. C. T. M'Neil! and five additional hands on board to carry out your
instructions. lie took the SSkidiiigat Passage, but when about two-thirds across,
the water was found shallow, and the channel narrow and intricate for about
two miles, so that it was deemed unsafe and imprudent to proceed ; and they
retunu'd here tin- 'i"th .Inne, being absent IT) days. It was unfortunately neap
tides ; bad it been s])ring tides they would have got through.

" In order that the access to the harbour miglit be nscertaincil, and no d«'lay
ari.se should any vessel with a jjarty be sent there, the " Una," C'aj)tain Mitchell,
sailed from Tort Simpson for that purpose on the Kith July, with Mr. (Jhicf
Trader M'Ncill and myself and eight additional hands to strengthen the crew,
and passed round the north end of the island. Having unfavoundjle winds, we
only got into the harbour the fourth day, when we remained five days, part of
the time detained by calms and head-winds. During this time, (.'ajitain Mitchell
soundc«l the harbour, and another one close by it; ami I furtlier examined the
mine, and ascended about tw<>-thir<Is the height of the mountain, being then
stopped li) rocks difiicult to ascend. We then towed out of the harbour, jmishciI
romvl the south end of the island with baftiing light winds, making slow pro-
gress, and returned here ad instant, being al)sent \H days.

" \\ here the gohl is found e.\tcnds Hi yards along the bench, and six yanls
from above high-water mark, or rather down into the sea. A black or grey
ro(!k all along the shon*, and also up on the mountain, with here and there a
little quartz ; at the mine a vein of (|unrtz, eight to 10 inches thick, runs
through a point of the grey rock. From the end of this vein, a little ore has
been obtnined ; some has been also found in the grey rock ; but the most of
what the Indians have got was found among the loose stones, and in the oj)en
seams of th»' grey rock, mixed with loose sand and gravel, and the largest pieces
farthest down below high-water mark. 1 made two blasts, one at each end of
•' " ' two blasts in the grey rock, but found nothing but small specks of gold
r. I send i*iH'(inicns of the rocks; also some pieces of the rock high up
In iiountain. 'J'he appearance about the mine indicates that a slip from the
nioimtain has taken place at some former period. Most of the gold found
appears to be travc lied. My belief is, that tliere is more where that came from ;
it could not have been thrown up from the sea.

" Sixty and a half ounces of ore are now forwarded ; besides which the
Indians had two pieces that could not be obtiiincd from them, bit at an enormous
price ; the larger wciglied I lb. II oz., the other being about i oz., both nearly
pure. These, w if li wlia» wtre sent formerly, Goz. or 7oz., will make altogether
99 oz , found in the small place above stated.

" Tlic country is covered with wood, very rugged; the hills, estimated at
"00 to 800 feet in height, rise abruptly from the water-side all round the har-
bour. A suitat)le sif«> for an esfablislunent would i)e difficult to find.

" The harbour is easy of access ; but the swell, depth of water, and scarcity
of anchorage re(|uirc a free wind to go in. A sketch of the harbour by Mr.
Nutt, second officer of tiie " I'na," and a sketch of Skiddigat's Passiige by (Jap-
tain Stuart, will give you a good idea of these places; and Mr. Chief Trader
M'Ncill will be al)le to oplain it.

" This is all the information we could collect. Should the company decide
on forming an establishment to profit by the gold, which it is firmly believed is
to be found in that n gion, a well-mnnned vessel, together with a sufficient
strong exploring party, say not fewer than 1 5 or '20 men, would be required,
the vessel to remaii\ at the most .suitable points for the land party to fidl back
on. It might probably recpiire two or three months, perhaps more time, to
effect the object.

" In the event of an establishment being formed, some potatoes ar.d supplies
of lish might be obtained fiom the Indians; there are no other resources, so
tliat all supplies will have to be imported.

" The Indians of Kith Kait village, entrance of Cartwright's Sound, and of
CasMiwan village, north side of Kngh'field Bay, I think arc not over from 100
to laO men in number. They are savage marauders, constantly connnitting

depredations

OF (SOLD AT UURRN CIIAKLOTTR'S ISLAND.

(loprodations on their ncif^hboiirH ; tlicy Imvc liiul less intcrcoursp witli tlic
whitPH, and arc not to be trusted, l)ut oii^lit to be Htrietly guiinU'd uKiiinHt.
When I went there with the canoe, tiiey were very friendly, allowed ine nil
about the mine, nnd ^ftve nie every information in their power ; in fact, gave
nil- their country ; but when they saw that our blasting and (piarrying the
rocks <lid not produce gold ai I hey expected, they felt much disappointed, and
manifcHted a less friendly spirit ; so unich so, that I was glad to get away from
them my small inefficietit party.

"They were very friendly afterwanls, both when the steamer and *' Una"
went to their (-ountry. Shoulil a fort \w establisbeil at the gold mine, not only
these two tribes, but scveial others on the island woidd frequent, and probably
reside at it.

'' All the way from near North Island, Point North, to C!ape St. James, along
the west shore of the island, it is very rugged and moimtainous, particularly so
near (^ape Henry, both north and south, about where the gold is found. From
Cape St. James, along the east shore to near Skiddigat, east entrance of Cart-
wright's Sound, cotitinuing aloiij? the shore to I'oint Invisible, Point Rose, the
country is level, wooded, with clay and sandy cliffs in many ])laces along the
shore. I was ashore here at different places, and examined the soil, which
appeared excellent ; it is composed of black vegetable mould on the surface,
succeeded by a considerable de|)th of morly clay ; the tind)er is of considerable
size. When the Indians resided on this part of the island, they raised jilenty
of very fine potatoes: so they rejjort. From Point lnvisil)lc, along the nortli
end of the island to North Island, the country, viewed from the sea, has the
same appearance ns that between Skiddigats and Point Invisible ; and the
Indians report the soil equally as good for producing potatoes, the only crops
they grow.

" There is no harbour for a vessel or even for a boat, except to beach her, all
the way from Skiddigats to Point Invisible ; but there is anchorage some dis-
tance from the shore all along the way to North Island.

" The appearance of many inlets and bays along the west shore from North
Island to Cajjc St. James, and from thence along the east shore to Skiddigats,
as viewed from the sea, indicates that harbours may be found in different
places.

" When I went with the canoe I intended to have gone all round the island,
but the rough weather rendered it too dangerous to make the attempt.

" From the description the Indians gave of the place where they found the
gold, I was mider the imprcision that, even with the slender means we jiossessed,
we could blast the rock, and (piarry out the stones containing gold, to at least
ballast, if not loud a vessel. In this hope I was disappointed.

•' James Douglas, Esq.

" I am, &c.
(signed) John Wor/i.

On the 0th October Mr. Douglas dispatched the " Una," Captain Mitchell,
with Chief Trader M'Neill and 1 1 men, who were to pass the winter in Queen
Charlotte's Island, and explore the interior. Mr. M'Neill made the following
report of his operations at Mitchell's Harbour, (iueen Charlotte's Island : —

" Sir, " Fort Simpson, 20 November 1851.

After leaving Victcn-ia I proceeded with the " Una" to fulfil your instruc-
tions of the 4th October 1 8.') I. We had a fine run to Queen Charlotte's Island
of four days, after which a gale of wind (!ame on which detained us olT the
place. Cape Henry, eight days, consequently we did not anchor in Mitchell's
Harbour until the'JOth October.

" On the second day after our arrival we connnenced blasting the rock at the
old place. We commenced in a vein of quartz, and were very successful ; the
rock proved to be rich with gold, as you will see by the specimens now forwarded
by Dr. Kennedy. We followed the"vein, and found it deeply impregnated with
gold. The voin seems to take the directioji up the mountain ; in fact, our men
were half way to the top, say 300 feet above the water, and found quartz rock,
a specimen of which 1 now send you. In my opinion gold will be found in
many i)laees hereafter on the west side of the island, as quartz rock is to be
found in every direction. We found it in four different places in Mitchell's

tSS— 1. A 4 Harbour,

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE DISCOVERY

1 **

I'l

'>!

Ilftrbour, but had no timr to rxnminr it. I am Rorry to inform you that we
wtTf ohliirrd to lonvf off blnwtinfc, nnd quit the i)iur»' for I'ort Simp8on, on
ncfouiit ol' th(! niiiioynnct' we cxixriciHTd from thr natives. 'I hey arrived in
larm' nunilxTs, tmy 3(» ciimxH, niid were nmeli )>ieuKed to see us on our firnt
arrival. Wlien tliey huw us hluttlwi^ and turning out tlie jj;old in nuch larm?
quantities, tliey l)eean»e exeited auil commenced depredatiuuH on u», otealinK
the tools, and taking at h-ii.st one-half of the ffold that wan thrown out by th«
blast. They wnuhl lie coi eeak-«l until the report wa« heard, and then make n
rush for the gold ; a regular seramble between them nnd our men wouhl take
place ; they would take our men by the legs, and hold them away from the
gold. Some blows were struck on these occasions. The Indians drew their
knives on our men often. The men who were at work at the vein became com-
pletely tired and disgusted at their proceedings, and came to me on three
different occasions ancl tohl me that they would not remain any longer to work
the gold ; that their time wa.s lost to them, as the natives took one-half of the
gold thrown out by the blast, and blood would be shed if they continued to
work at the digging ; that our force was not strong or large enough to work
and tight also. They were aware they could i\c* work on shore after hostility
had commenced, therefore I mode up my mind to it\ ve the place, and proceed
to this place.

" The natives were very jealous of us when they saw that wc could obtain
gold by blasting ; they had no idea that so much could be found below the
surface ; they said that it was not good that we should take all the gold away ;
if we did so, that they would not have anything to trade with other vessels
should any arrive. In fact, they tohl us to be off. Tlie chiefs liavo no power
over the lower orders, and of course cannot prevent them from plundering or
committing any act of violence on strangers. 1 will refer you to Mr. Greggor
for information regarding the vein, &c., at the diggings, as he seems to have a
good idea of the rock, and how the work should be carried on ; he has behaved
well, and was \ery zealous at bis work.

" The men said they should go agahi in the spring, if an expedition properly
fitted should start fo" working the gold in Queen Chorlotte's Ishind. In my
opinion, should an'-.-ier exi)edition go to Queen Charlotte's Island, a force of
at least 80 nien would be required, with two officers to attend the land party ;
the shij) also should have three officers besides the ca|)tain, which I can prove
by experience during our late visit to the gold district. The ship's crew, as well
as the land party, should go on shares of the gold that may be colU'cted, as it
would prevent smy one from trading gold ; we had considerable trouble during
our stay at the island, to prevent the ])eople from trading the ore. Tlie natives
brought a quantity of gold to me, which I traded, and now forward it together
with that which we obtained by blasting ourselves.

«' Very little, if any, gold will be obtained in Queen Charlotte's Island, except
by blasting. It appears to me, that some of the gold I traded was obtained
in some other place than that which we were at. They, however, said that they
had discovered gold in no other place than in Mitchell's Harbour ; this report
I much doubt, as the lumps are solid, and different from any other that we
found at the j)lace we were at work on.

" We have discovered, and proved by this voyage, that gold is to be found
in quantities at Mitchell's Harbour alone to pay an expedition to go there and
work it. I had no opportunity of examining the country much, as we remaiticd
but 15 days, during which time I was occu))ied with the Indians, as no one on
board except myself could speak to them. We had had some boisterous
weather during the time also. I saw no place where we could build a fort
anywhere near the diggings. The shores near the sea and harbours are bold,
steep rocks down to the water's edge.

'• Provisions will be found scarce at Mitchell's Harbour ; no deer on the
island, and fish appear to be very scarce, as they cannot catch them on the
outside of the island, except during a calm, or a north-ea.st wind. Potatoes can
be had in large quantities from the Skiddigats tribe, who reside on the east
side of the island, but can reach the diggings in two days travel in the summer
season.

" hhould a fort be built, or a ship remain at the diggings for a length of time,
a large number of Indians would collect and reside near at hand, and give
annoyance. Therefore, a large force of me i would be required for protec*'- ",

nnd

^ ■

ws'mmm

OF (501,1) AT UUKEN CMARLOTTK'S Isr.ANI) «,

nnd t() work tl\c ^ol(l ; n p«'rKOii ncqunintcd uifh tlic Itulians Hliould 1 rjul tlio
cxixtlition, and have an iiit(q)r(t«T. Tlu' iialivcH on flir vvjht or outsidt- of the
island art! j;ri-at niaraudirx, and prey on di-stunt trihiH, lake uiuiiy prison«T8,
and make sIuvch <<f t.icMii.

" I liope you \v.»l 1)0 untitificd with tiie rensonn I have fr\vvi\ for U-avinK the
diftKings, and ntit remaining ihrri" m) lonn an you wislu-d Tiic voyaj^e, iiowuver,
has done sonu' iiood ; wo huve usoertained thai fiM xa to bt- found by bloMtiiifj
to pay for working it.

" 'I hi' last or purest gold i» to be found deep down in tlu' rock ; we, however,
had no time or chance to get at it. as wt- were ol)hged to leave, an Htatcd
before.

" I remain, &e.

"James Douglas, Escp" (Higued) " IP: J I. AVNeill'

Mr. Douglas writes on the I'lth November 1H.»1, that the *• Kxact," an
American s(!hooner arrived at Victoria on the 2'M\ Novendier IR.")!, v a route
for (iucen Charlotte's Island, with \V2 passctiLcers, all Americans, ami im the
'JHlh Dcceiiibcr stati's, that the Anurican sloop " (ieoru;iann " was lately
wrecked on (jueen Charlotte's Island, with '.'•J American liold huntiis on board ;
that the natives jjlundercd the people, but spared tluir lives, and that an
American vessel had sailed from Niscjualiy to rescue them from the Indians,
at the expense of tlu' United Stales.

Another American vessel, the " Damanscove," a.Tived ui MitclicU's Harbour,
l)ut the sight of the Iiulians frightened them off, and no one i.mded.

On the 18th March IH5'i, Mr. Douglas writes, that he is 'itting out an expe-
dition to Queen ChaHotte's Island to go in the brignntine " Recovery,"
consisting of five officers and 40 men, under chargi- of Chiet Trader Kennedy,
with th<! following instructions :

" Dear Sir, " Fort Victoria, I H March I h:i2.

"The objects forwhich the expedition, placed by the Hoard of Managemi lit
under your comnmnd, has been Htted out, have been so fre(|uently and closely
discussed in our jiersonal conferences, that it is merely necessary to remark
here, that those objects are all connected with the exi)loration of Queen
Charlotte's Island for the present puri)oso of gohl digging, and tiic tdtimate
object of establishing a commercial post, when the situation best adapted for
that purpose has been ascertained.

" The cxjicdition consists of the brigantine " Uecovery," A'2 landsmen and
seamen, making, witli the officers, a total force of 'l.'i persons.

" Vou will receive hercwitli a copy of the agreement entered into with tiie
men, which, you will ob.scrvc, gives yim a wide jurisdiction, and fidl power to
regulate all matters connected with the security and good government of the
jiarty.

" The ])rincipal difficulty apprehended in the present exjtcdition is the oppo-
sition of the natives, who being averse to the working of tin: mines will throw
every jiossiblc obstaide in your way.

" The first object to which we think your attention should be diiectod after
your arrival in Nlitchdl Harbour, is a friendly arrangeineiit willi the natives
for working the mine, as the jiolicy of the company and the voice of humanity
are equally enlisted in behalf of conciliatory measures. We therefore beg to
impress upon your mind our earnest wish that all your intercourse with the
natives should be marked by a sjiirit of kindness and forbearance, and that pos-
session of the mines should be secured without bloodshed.

" Among the va"ious jilans suggested by our experience of Indian character,
there is none that holds out a greater prospect of success than the following,
which is briefly as follows : —

" The Indians of (Jold Harbour having repeatedly, both to Mr. Work and
yourself, agreed to surrender the district about Gold Uai hour into our hands
for the purpose of building a trading post, you will accept the surrender on
those terms, in addition to areasonal)le amount of compensation by way of pur-
chase-money. That being effected, let a strong breastwork of rough logs be
thrown up around the mine, and warn the Indians tliat they are not to enter
the enclosure without leave. Sentinels should be placed in suttieieiit numbers
to enforce obedience and to keep the Indians from trespassing. Ijuder the pro-

788— I. B tectiou

CORRKSPONDENCK RKL\TIVi; TO THE DISCOVERY

* '«

tectioii of the ship, which may he moored within .'K) yards of the mine, and the
enclosure togetlier, th<' miners may i)ursue their hil)ours without (Umger or
molestation, and the Indians, seeing tin; strength of your position, will he
restrained from further asiiression. .Such is an outline of our plans, and it is
left to your own good judgment to carry it out in the manner circumstances
may render advisahle.

" The fore at your di>pi'sal must necessarily he divided into several parties,
some hting required to remain on l)oard tlie ship, others as sentinels on shore,
and tlie remainder will he disposable for nuning, which we jn-opose should he
carried on in the following manner -.—The vein of gohl, about 80 feet long, will
he divided into sections ot eight or ten feet, and one such section be given to
two men, who will drill the holes under the directions of Mr. Greggor, who is
engaged s])ecially to superintend the mining department, and will charge and
set off all the blasts, as a precaution against accidents and loss of time arising
from the awkwardness of inexperieneeil hands.

" Shovdd any other party be em])loycd on the vein when you reach Gold
Harbour, you will recpure them to remove from the spot, as the place belongs
to the Ilndsons Hay (^jniiiany by discovery and prior occupation, as well as by
Her Majesty's exclusive licence of trade granted to tiie company.

"You may also inform tlie parties, if Americans, that British ships of war
are soon expected, and that they run the risk of being seized and their property
confiscated if found on any pi.rt of the British coast.

" The vessel is victualled for six months, and disposable for that period; she
will either be relieved by the " Mary Dare," er receive a supply of stores in the
month of July next, and must on no account leave the coast before the middle
of Septend)er, shouhl the " Mary Dare" not arrive there .sooner.

" Should the gold vein in Mitchell Harbour be exhausted at any time before
the close of the vovage, your researches should he extended to other parts of
llu- coast, as it is not probable that gold exists in one place only. Douglas
Harbour is mentioned as a promising place, both from the character of the
rocks and its proximity to MitcheU's Harnour.

" it has been remarked that the veins of auriferous quartz in California inva-
riably run from S. S. E. to N. .N. W., a circumstance worthy of notice, as it may
he of service in your researches on Queen Charlotte's Island.

" You are so well acquainted with the nature of the service on the coast, and
of the great advantages resulting from obc(Ucnce and subordination, that we
shall li!ave such matters to yourself, sii'jply remarking that projier rules and
regulations for the government of the party should be established as soon as
possible, the men being bound by their agreement not only to obey all orders
and regulations, but lo assist in jjutting the same in force.

" Every man should have his particular work assigned to him, and should lie
emi)loyed in the department of the work where his services will be most useful.

" \Mlh ret'erence to the agreement and other documents herewith, and wish-
ing you every success,

" I remain, &c.

" John Kennedy, Esq." (signed) " James Douglas."

Mr. Douglas observes, "Chief Trader Kennedy's personal knowledge of the
Indians, and the influence he luis acquired over their minds by a long series of
good offices, admirably qualifies him for the work, and will be of the utmost
a<lvantage to the expedition, as conciliating and tending to prevent fatal affrays
with the natives, which are at once contrary to our general policy, and dis-
tasteful to the Governor and committee.

" Tiie vessel is victualled for six months, and further supplies of stores and
jirovisions will be sent on, from time to time, as required, it being our inten-
tion to keep a party constantly on the spot until other means are taken to
occupy the country.

" Tiiere not being time to make out by this mail a copy of my report to the
Governor and Comieil of the Kith instiinr, I beg to refer you to the following
extract from that conununieation, which fully explains our views and plans in
regard to Uueen Charlotte's Island.

" ' Not being prepared at present to build an establishment on Queen Char-
lotte s Island, from want of the pro])er descripti<jn of men and of efficient officers
to conduct them, and it being moreover not considered advisable to undertake

•0

OF GOLD AT QUI- EN CIIAHLOITE'S ISLAND.

so iinportant a nu^asure until we have acquired i\ more complete knowledge
of till' g( olo.uical structure and aurilcrous deposits of the island, and have
thereby ascertained, beyond the risk of future disappointment, the most eligil)le
site for the establishnu-ut, both as resjjects tlie miiiinsjor purchase of (jold, and
the convenience of general trade, we think it advisable to defer estaldishing a
post until we are in a position to give their duo weight to all these consider-
ati(ms.

" ' In reference to that mrasure, I may remark that the shores of the sea coast
about and in iNIitchell's Harbiur, according to Captain M'Neill's report, consist
of lofty precipitous rocks, rising from the water's edge, and offer no practicabh;
site for a trading post. According to the same authority provisions are scarce,
there being no deer in the country, and but scanty supplies of fish ; the only
kind of food we could dej end on procuring in any <|uantities, being potatoes
from the natives inhabiting Cartwright's Sound, so that nearly all the provisions
for Ihe establishment will have to be imported. Chief Factor Work concurs in
opinion with the report just (piotcd, as to the ineligibility of the groiuul about
Rlitcheil's Harbour for an estabhshment, and th(! scarcity of iirovL^iions in the
country generally, and moreover adds that the west coast of tlic island, through-
out its whole extent, is very rugged and mountainous, as well as the east coast
from (,'ape St. James to Cartwright's Sound, from whence to Point Rose and
the north shore to North Island, the country is level, with a good quality of soil,
consisting of black vegetable mould overlaying a line loamy sub-soil. There is
no clciu- land in the island, the whole surface being covered with pine timber of
large size.

'■ ' (jodd harbours have been discovered on both sides of the island, and there
are many bays and inlets which have not been examined.

" ' From these accoimts the east coast, north of Cartwright's Sound, appears
the most eligiile for a trading i)ost, so far as regards tiie country, soil, and
climate ; but on that side it wovdd be inconveniently distant from the only
known gold district, iuid therefoie highly objectionable ; Imt should gold here-
after be discovered in equal abundance on the east side, as is even now reported
to be the case, though in doubtful authority, the advantages would be greatly
in favour of that i)art of the island.

" ' In the nicantiuic, until these points are cleared up, we propose, as before
stated, to employ the " Recovery " in protecting the parties at the mines, and
attending to the trade of Queen Charlotte's Island. For that service she will
be quite as efficient as a post on shore, and in some respects, as being a mova-
ble establishment, more conveni<'nt, to say nothing of 'he advantage of having
all hands disposal)le for mining, instead of employing them in building.'"

Mr. Douglas also mentions that the " Exact " had returned from Queen
Charlotte's Island, having being driven off by the natives from Mitchell's Har-
bour, and the 'A2 people in her came away empty handed.

Mr Douglas writes on the 18th April 1852, that the American brig " Da-
mansco\ e " had arrived at Victoria, having been beaten oft' Queen Charlotte's
Island, by th(! natives, whose daring and power they re])rescnt as being very
great. Air. Douglas observes, " In our case we trust tor success as much to
tact and management as to i)hysical force, which is neciessary for its imposing
eft'eet, i)ut should never be used in establishing friendly relations with Indians,
except ill self-defence."

On t\ o. 12th July 18.J2iMr. Douglas mentions the receipt of letters from
Mr. Keit'.iedy to the 21st June. He had found «old, but in such small quantities
as not to pay for working. The officers and men were all dispirited at the"
want of success, and the " Recovery " was in sole occupatiou of the island, all
the American vessels having gone oft' in disgust.

Cnder date 23d August I8,j2, Mr. Douglas reports the arrival of Mr. Kennedy
at Victoria, who rejiorttd that the expedition had been very unproductive ; they
had found no gold anywhere, but at the rock at Mitchell's Harbour, which vein
he soon ^-xhausted. He then commenced exploring on the coast, and in the
interior of the island, but made no remunerative discovery. Traces of gold
were found in several of the quartz veins, but on blasting the rock they dis-
appeared.

Operations were then resumed in Mitchell's Harbour, but without success.
Douglas Harbour was exandned witli a Hke result, and the men became dis-
pirited, and Mr. Kennedy determined to come away. The total loss to the

78S-I. B 2 compai.y

la CORRESPONDENCE:- QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S ISLAND.

vl.

company on the adventure amounts to 943 /. 3 *. 1 1 rf. The men, who were
engaged on shares, also lost their time. The value of the ore collected amounts
to about 90 /.

On the '26th August 1852, Mr. Douglas reports that the "Susan Sturges,"
an American brig, had taken on board a cargo of spar.^ cut on Queen Charlotte's
Island, a thinii the Americans would not allow on their territory, having seized
and condemned Brotchie's ship for doing the same thing.

Mr. Douglas reports on the 5th October 18.'>2, that the American brig
" Eagle " was wrecked on Vancouver's Island, and that the natives took pos-
session of the wreck and cargo, consisting of dry goods and spirits for trade.

Mr. Douglas, on the 14th January 1853, reports further, that the brig
" Susan Sturges " had been captured by the Indians on the north-east coast of
Queen Charlotte s Island in the month of September, who plundered and
burned the vessel, and made slaves of the crew. They were rescued by the
company through Mr. Chief Factor Work at cpnsidera'ole expense, which the
master of the vessel promised to reimburse on his arrival at San Francisco, a
promise up to the date of last advices not performed.

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