^ ^^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k <0 ^A^ ^ 1.0 1.1 ■^■2.8 ■so ^^™ 1^ 122 2.0 1^ 11^ 1^ HiotQgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WiST MAIN STtilT WEBSTfR.N.Y. MSM (716) •72-4503 <^\ ^ > ^^\ V ;\ '^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques V Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibiiographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, wliich may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur6e et/ou peilicuide I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque r^K Coloured maps/ 12^ Cartes gdographiques en couleur □ Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ D D Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int6rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 fiimdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmantaires; The to t^ L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6X6 possible da se procurer. Les ddtaiis de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ D D n n 21 D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pellicul6es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dicoiordes, tacheties ou piqu6es Psges detached/ Pages d^tach^es Showthrough/ Transparence The posi of t» filml Orig begi the I sion othe first sion or ill I I Quality of print varies/ Quality indgale de I'impresslon Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Mition disponible The shall TINl whi< Map difffl entii begl righi requ met Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmies d nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmA au taux de rMuction indiqu^ ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X re jdtails es du modifier er une Fiimage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Law Society of Upper Canada Great Library The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition ind legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grAca A la g6n4rosit4 de: Law Society of Upper Canada • Great Library Las images suivantes ont AtA reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la netteti de i'exemplaire filmi. at en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmaga. ies Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. e The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed besinning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimAe sont filmis en commenpant par le premier plat at en terminant soit par la derniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration. soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmis en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration at en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — *- signifie "A SUiVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre fiimte A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA. ii est film* A partir de Tangle supAriaur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. f errata d to It le peiure. pon d n 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA. rUETHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AFFAIRS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. PART IV. Copies of Despatches from the Goveunor of British Columbia to the Secretary OF State for the Coloxies, and from the Secretary of State to the Governor. ■ 1 IV. VtentnWa to fiotd Viouu» of HatUamcnt bn eomminU oc l^ct BHamts, March 1862. LONDON: PRINTED BY GEORGE EDWARD EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOUDE, PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN's MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. 3794. 1862. : DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE APPENDIX - 1 - 66 - 70 ( m ) SCHEDULE. DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVEKNOR. If limber in S«rie>. 10 11 12 Date and Number. SUBJECT. I'agc. 17 Feb. 1860 (No. 24.) 18 Feb. 1860 (No. a?.) 23Aprill860(No.42.) 1. 23Mayl860(Separate.) 5 31 May 1860 (Separate.) 5 .Tune 1860 (Separate.) 6 July 1860 (Separate.) 8 . 3 Aug. 1860 (No. ?0,) 4Aug. 1860(No.72.) 4Aug. 1860(No. 74.) 16 Aug. 1860 (No. 76.) SOct. 1860(No. 86.) FREE GRANTS OF LAND TO ORD.\INED CLERGYMEN, ! relative to - - I STATE OF THE CHIMSYAN INDIANS. Transmitting j correspondence between tlie Rev. Edw. Cridge and Mr. Wni. I Duncan relative to the foundation of n .Missionary Settlement I for Indian Converts, and proposing the reservation of several hundred acres of land to enable Mr. Duncan to carry this object into effect - - - - - . - | i GENERAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE COLONY. | Water and road communication. Proposed road from Yale to Lytton. State of Mining Districts. Influx of Chinese GENERAL REPORT ON THE CITY OF NEW WEST- MINSTER. Till! inhabitants desire the incorporation of the town, the right of taxing themselves, and applying tlie proceeds to grading the streets, and to the general improvement of the town, observations on the Land system ... GENERAL REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE COLONY. Visit to Pitt Lake. Growing attachment of the alien population to the institutions of the country. Map illustrating route en- closed ...... GENERAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF HOPE. Encloses a Return exhibiting the average number of miners employed on the several bars of the Hope District, with their average earnings . ...... GENERAL REPORT ON YALE. States that he had conferred with the inhabitants, with a view to the improvement of the trail leading from Yale to Lytton, with the object of reducing tlie expense of transport ..... FIRST REPORT OF MINERS SENT FROM HOPE TO EXPLORE THE GOLD FIELDS AT SHIMILKOMEEN . FREE GRANTS OF LAND TO THE CLERGY, relative to. Requests authority to substitute a money equivalent out of the Colonial Revenue, or to make some other provision for the support of the clergy of the English, Roman, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches - .... PROCLAMATION. " THE NEW WESTMINSTER MUNI. CIPAL COUNCIL ACT, 1860," transmitted, with explanatory remarks ...... DISCOVERY' OF GOLD FIELDS AT ROCK CREEK IN THE SHIMILKOMEEN COUNTRY, AND OF SILVER AT UNION HAR NEAR FORT HOPE. Ap. pointment of Mr. Nind as Assistant Gold Commissioner RETURN FROM A TOUR IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, reported. Peace and order existed throughout the Colony. Ap- pointment of Gold Commissioner at Rock Creek a2 11 13 14 15 20 21 ! I i \ iv SCHEDULE. i: !!i !' NumbiT in S«riei. 13 U 15 IG 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Date and Number. SUBJECT. Page. 9 Oct. 1860 (Separate.) 25 Oct.1860 (Separate. 9 Nov. 1860 (No. 95.) 28Nov. 1860(No. 100.) 26 Jan. 1861 (No. 7.) 28Fe'' ■ /Separate.) 2 May 1861 (No. .33.) 4 June 1861 (Separate.) 16July 1861 (Separate.) 11 Sept. 1861 (No. 55.) 16Sept.l861(Separatc.) 240ct. 1861 (Separate.) 14 Not. 1861 (No. 67.) 30 Nov. 1861 (No. 74.) GLNM: UAI. Itlil'OUT ON THE STATE OV THE COLONY. Address of tlie Grand Jury encloied (lENEUAL KEPOllT ON THE STATE Ol" THE COLONY. KIticidating tliu prrseiit state of the country, its natural cupa- bilitics, und tlic efiect of its institutions on the development of its resources. Encloses report of massacre of an Immigrant train by the Snake Indians .... UEl'OUT «Y DIl. FOUHES OF ILM.S. "TOPAZE' OF THE COUNTRY HORDERING ON HARRISON LAKE AND RIVER, WITH REFERENCE TO ITS .MINERAL CHARACTER, enclosed. The wliole region lie believes to lie metalliferous, and tlic greiitor portion argentiferous. Map of geological sections enclosed .... GENERAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE COLONY. List of prices at Alexandria enclosed - . - . ABSTRACT OF APPROXIMATE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER 1860, transmitted. Revenue, 53,011/. 10s. Ul. Expenditure, 4+,12+/. IOj. 3d. .... GENERAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE COLONY. Encloses prices of provisions at Hope, Sliimilkomeen District, Y'ale, and Kock Creek respectively ... GOLD DISCOVERIES AT OKANAGAN LAKE AND ANTLER ('KEEK reported. Also transmitting Reports by Mr. Cox of Messrs. Beam & Co.'s tour to the Okanagan Lake, and Mr. Nind's report of the discoveries at Antler Creek, with a sketch of the new Gold Field ... GENERAL REPORT OF THE STATE AND PROSPECTS OF THE COUNTRY .... FURTHER GENERAL REPORT. Peace and good order pre- vail throughout the Colony. Explanatory map enclosed REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. Abstract of actual re- venue and expenditure for the year 1860, transmitted f GENERAL REPORTS ON THE STATE AND PROSPECTS < OF THE COLONY. Transmits accounts of the extraordinary (_ yield of gold in the Cariboo District . . . CURRENCY. Reporting the want of a circulating medium, and stating the means he had adopted for the issue of gold pieces bearing a certain value .... ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR 1862, transmitted . DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. 19 May 1860 (No. 26.) FREE GRANTS OF LAND TO ORDAINED CLERGYMEN. States reasons for not sanctioning the grants of land proposed in Governor's Despatch, No. 2t, of 17th Feb. - 25 May 1860 (No. 27.) STATE OF THE CHIMSYAN INDIANS. Authorizing the reservation of land in the neighbourhood of Fort Simpson for the formation of a settlement for Indian Converts to Christianity 22 27 32 ■10 W to w 52 54 56 57 59 62 63 26 June 1860 (No. 36.) ; GENERAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE COLONY. Acknowledging Governor's Despatch, No. 42, of 23rd April 19Julyl860(No.42.)j GENERAL REPORT ON THE CITY OF NEW WEST. MINSTER. Acknowledging Governor's Despatch of 23rd May C6 60 67 SCHEDULK. LONY. al cupa- llCIlt uf migrant 1 27 •:• or LAKE ;i;uAL eves to Map of 32 LONY. 40 AND ; 31st ■13 LONY. Jibtrict, 15 AND oits by n Lalie, , "itli a 49 'ECTS 52 er pre- 54 ual re- 56 PECTS )rdinary }s ni, and pieces 62 - 63 'MEN. oposed 66 ng the , son for tianlty 66 .ONY. )ril - 67 I'EST- 1 dMay | 67 Norob«r in Date and Number. 'JGOcI. 1 Slid (No. 56.) tSUaiECT. Pag«. 1 Feb. 1S61 (No. (i(i.) I'REE CHANTS Ol- LAND TO TUK CLEU(iY. Sanction* pecuniary assistance to the t'lergy from Colonial funds on certain epeciKcd stipulations - . - . . GENERAL UEI'OUTS ON Till; STATE Ol' TIIK COLONY. Acknowlc'ilgint; with satisCnction the (Jovcrnor's Despatches of j the !)lh and '.'5tli October, and <)tli November, exhibiting the agricultural and mineral resources of the country 13 April 1861 (No. 74.) I ABSTU ACT OE APPROXIMATE UKVENUE AND EXPENDITURE EOR THE YEAR ENDING Slst , DECE.MHER 1860. Acknowledging with satisfaction Governor's Despatch No. 7, transmitting a statement of lievenuc and Kxpenditure . . . . , 8 May 1861 ^No. 77.) PROTECTION OE THE SALMON FISHERIES. Encloses Mcmornndinn by Mr. Ffennell, with copies of Correspondence on the subject - - . . . APPENDIX. PROCLAMATIONS HAVING THE FORCE OF LAW. MAPS. MAP OF A PORTION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA SKETCH ACCOMPANYING DR. FORBES" GEOLOGICAL REPORT. (Sections on Harrison Lake and Lillooet River) .--.-.. REDUCED SKETCH OF PART OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REDUCED MAP SHOWING THE AURIFEROUS DISTRICTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA a 3 1)7 68 68 68 1 No. 23 THE CUSTOMS AMENDMENT ACT, 1860 . 70 2 No. 2y THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY ACT, 1860 - 70 3 No. 30 THE COUNTRY LAND ACT, 1861 - 71 4 No. 31 THE PRE-EMPTION AMENDMENT ACT, 1861 - - 72 5 No. 32 REMISSIONS ON THE PURCHASE OF LAND OFFICERS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY TO 72 6 No. 35 THE PRE-EMPTION PURCHASE ACT, 1861 - 73 - No. 37 THE BRITISH COLUMBIA LAND REGISTRY ACT, 1861 73 8 No. 38 THE PRE-EMPTION CONSOLIDATION ACT, 1861 - 77 f) No. 40 THE NEW WESTMINSTER MUNICIPAL COUNCIL EXTENSION ACT, 1861 80 To face I'age 8 32 50 54 ! Ft ! Copy (No. 2 My Lore on the sti of moral Service ^ clergymc extensive 2. It c had, on t cause, bi Columbif 3. Hai support sympath;; Methodif Columbii 4. Idi tively, 01 of four b Thus frt of the C towns of valuaole hitherto 5. Ih the same Gospel r the dutic and relij Majesty' aid of e ported a worship 6. A neverthe IV. [ 1 ] 1 T ---J,-' - ^ - ^^ ■ -^ .-»»- »--.,.»■ r A V i: li s BELATIVi; TO THE AFFAIRS OF BlUTIHH COLUMBIA. PART IV. Des|)atclies from the Governor. 1 1 No. 1. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.B., to his Grace tlic Duke of Newcastle. 1860. niiiTisii Col.UMIIIA. No. 1. •Vi.lePa- pors [iic- i^i'iitcil ill I H(i(), I'mt III., (No. 24.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, T'ehruary 17 (HwrivtMl April I'J. IH(iO.) My Lord Duke, (Answci'cd, Xo. 2(). M»y ii>, iHfio, pnfrc fie.) In my Despatch, No, 224,* of the 18th October last, reportiiiff to your Grace on the state of British Columbia, I took occasion, while adverting to the existing means of moral and religious instruction in the Colony, to intorni your Gnui- that Divine Service was regularly held in the several towns of Lower British C'olumbia by resident clergymen, and that the almost total absence of crime went far to show how usel'ully and ])iigo 65 extensively the influence of their teaching is felt. 2. It did not, however, occur to me to inform your (irace at the same time that I had, on the part of this Government, done everything in my power to promote the good cause, by encouraging the residence of an ordained and educated clergy in British Columbia. 3. Having no authority to apply any part of the public revenue to the aid and support of churches, there was little in my power to bestow beyond the sincerest sympathy and advice in aid of the zealous clergy of the Church of England and the Methodist Episcopal Church, who first entered the field of missionary labour in British Columbia. 4. I did not, however, hesitate to assign to the clergy of those persuasions respec- tively, on their application, a church, school, and dwelling-house site, fornn'ng a block of four building lots, or about one acre of land in extent, in all towns where they resided. Thus free grants to that extent, viz., one acre, have been made for the use and benefit of the Church of England and of the Methodist Episcopal Church respectively in the towns of Yule, Hope, Derby, Douglas, and New Westminster, as a small return for the valuaole services rendered to the country by the clergy of those churches, who have hitherto received no other compensation from the Goverinnent. 5. I have to request your Grace's sanction for those grants, and authority to continue the same practice in all other towns of British Columbia where ordained Ministers of the Gospel may think proper to take up their residence ; and further, seeing that one of the duties most deservmg the attention of Government is to provide means for the moral and religious training of the people, I would take the liberty of recommending to Her Majesty's Government that free grants of 100 acres of rural land should be made in aid of every cure formed in British Columbia, provided they be not otherwise sup- ported at the public expense, and there be a resident clergyman, and a place of Christian worship erected, 6. A grant of land to that extent would not be burdensome to the Colony, and would nevertheless form an attractive inducement for Christian churches to devote their IV. A ; i Iiii[ri>ri Cor.i MiiiA. 2 PAl'KHS HKLATIXO TO lUlITISII COLTJMniA. ntt<'iiti(m to tin- cminfry until popiiliitioii inciTiiMcs, and otlicr provision if nindc for the inuintcMimcT of ii (-'liristiiui (•UTu;y and tiie iTi-ction ol' places of ('liristiiin worsliiji. 7. It is not nu- intrntion to advocate tlic cstalilislinicnt of a dominant and ciulowcd churcli, as tli:it object could not ho accomplished without injustice in a c()iintr\ to wliidi persons of all religious jJiT^uasions are united to resort, hut I conceive it noiiM l^. advisiilile to <'\tenii, in the manrur iiefore indicated, the protection .md support ot' ( idvcrn. ment to the tour jii'and denominations of Christians, viz., tk* Cluurh of Knj,daii(l, the I'resln terian, Mitliodist, and Komaii Catiiolic Churches, which are all represented 1^ classes of the population in this Colony. «. I shall l)e glad to receive tlie instructions of Her Majesty's Government on this suhject. I iiavc, Hcc, Mis (iracc the Duke of Newcastle, (Siyned) JAMKS DOUCLAS. \'C. &C. \'C. No. a. No. 2. Cofv of DESPATCH from Governor Doiolas, (J.B., to his Grace the Duke of NicwcAsri.i;. (No. 2').) V^ictoria, Vancouver Island, rehruary 18, lufjo. (Kwcivcd April l\>, I S(IO. ) AIv LolII) Dl'KK, ( Answii-nl, No. 27, .Miiy L'.'., lH(iO, y:\r,,. (K;,, 'I'm; desire manifested cm the part o'' Her Majesty's Government tor the iniprovL'- nieiit and wcil-heiiiy of the ahoriifinal races of JJritish Columbia induces me to lay before your Ciracc the enclosed interesting correspondence between the Reverend Kdwaid Cridge, district minister of Victoria, and Mr. William Duncan, an cxcmphu-y and truly worthy gentleman, who has, for some years past, been devotedly labouring with a woiultr. ful degree of energy and perseverance as a Christian missionary among the Indian population at and about Fort Simpson 2. The facility with which Air. Duncan has acquired the native language, and suciccdcd in winning the conlidencc and attaclunent of the natives, is a proof of the good sense, kindness of heart, and talent Avhich he has brought to the task ; while the very marked success of his efforts as a religious teaclier gives rise to the gratifying hope that the natives will yet, through (iod's blessing, be rescued from ignorance, and assume a respectable position in British Cohunbia. ;J. Mr. Duncan proposes to found a missionary settlement for Indian converts in an eligible situation, about 20 miles south of Fort Simpson (probably Port Essingtou), a plan which meets with my entire approval. 4. I tlicrefore, with your Cirace's sanction, intend to reserve several hundred acres of land in that ncighliourhood to enable Mr. Duncan to carry this useful and benevolent plan into ell'ect. ."). I would submit, with respect to all land reserved lor Indians, the advisability of withholding from them the power to sell or otherwise alienate the title, as they are yet so ignorant and improvident that they cannot safely be trusted with the management or control t)f landed estate, which, if fully conveyed to them, would soon pass into other hands. (i. I would, therefore, recommend, as a safe and preferable course, that such reserves of land should be conveyed to the Governor of the Colony lor the time being in trust for the use and benefit of the Indians, leaving no power whatever in them to sell or alienate the estate. 7. Should those measures meet with your Grace's approval, I have to request the sanction of IJer Majesty's Government for carrying them into eH'ect. 1 have, cVc. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. End. 1 in No. 2. Enclosure 1 in No. 2. To his Excellency James Doi.gi.as, C.I3., Governor of British Columbia, &e. &c. kc. The Parsonage, Victoria, V. I., Mv Di:An Sin, February IS, 18G0. 1 iiKi; to lay before you a letter which 1 have just received from Mr. W. Duncan, Ciiurch of England Missionary at Fort Simpson, in reply to one which, in conformity ■with your Excellency's iiiu'iit oil this PAPERS HKLATINd TO HIUTISIl COU'MIUA. » . .^iiPfjnn* n cluTf liiii" iiiro, I wrote fi> liitn <'x(iri'^.ivcof' tlic iiitiTfiit yoii tVU in hi 'our di'»ir« l" "'•' '''"' '" '''" ^"'^- -^ '"l') "•' «'ii'li I Kulijom. » minion, rtiiil iif llniTKii I'm I Muu. I ri-tiiiiiii, \i'. - (Sijjni'd) i;i)»ii. I'uiiM.K. (Coi.y.) Tht) l'ar*<(iii!i);o, Victrma, nK\ii Mil- I^i'>>''^'^i .liinuary. iHtHt. I \M r''(|iu'-t»'(l by his Kxi'i'liiMicy tiic (iovi'riior to PxiirrnH to yoii the jfront jfraliliiatidii hi- ha« , ...jvcil IVii"! iiiK «ith MMcral of the IiidiiiiiM whci h.nc hecn iiiiilcr Mnir iii>tnic imu .it I'orl SliiiiiKiiii, ami who arc luiw at Xirtiuia, and lii> plraMiri' at witiioMiii.' ihi' (.'real iiii|pm\i mcnt in manners, iMriiin". and reli;;iiin wliiiii yon ha\e surii'nlcd m elVnliny in tlii'ir condiliim. His F'.Ncellemy trnsts yon will continMe to «hnw liie same iiH'if^y and perseverance whii'h he is snre r 11 iiinst already iiavc ajiiilicd to llie Wink, and that your lahour will lie icwarih'il hy a ^till iarvrcr nii'iisiire of success. His KsceUeiicy also wishe> ine to say that he will feel oliliv'ed Ky yonr re|iortiiij; tc him from time 1 1 time on the |iro>;rcss of ymn- mission, Any snjfjfi'stitnis von may make with ri't'ard to nica^nres uiiiili may ctllinif tlii'iii in any particular locality, or 'cttiiij; apart a rc?cr\!' Ill' land for tiieir use, will rcrcive hi- K\cel- luncv'i best attention, who will also, if neeessary, represent >nch measures with his faviiurahle rccom- nienllatiim to Her Majesty's (iovernment. i'ruyinK that the Divine hlesMing may rest ahuiidatifly on yonr mission, Ik'liovo iiie, vVe. (Siffiied) Kdwii. ('iiiix.i:, DiHtrict Muiister of Victoria and Culoiiial Chupliiiii. Enclosure '2 in No. 2. Mr. Ddncav to Rev. E. Chidok. Eacl. 3 aNo.it Rkv. and Dkar Sin, Kort Simpson, Uritish Cohnnhia, Febninry 7, IHfiO. I Dii.v received, by the fayonr of Captain Dodd of tlie Iloiioiirable IIudMin's Hiiy Compiiny, vnnr kind letter of the 11 th ult., tenderiiifr nie the symjiathv and i^nnA wi?be- of bis Ksccllcnrv the (iuvcrnur of British ('ohind)ia in reference to my work as a Nlissiunary anmn;: the Chiin-yan Indian-, of this plan'. Also expressinjf his Excellency's desire that I would re|)ort to him from time to time the tirogress of the mission, and make siifrfiestions of any measures which I deem would he hkcl\ tu priive beneficial to the Indians under my care, such as settling,' them in any jiarticular locality, or M'tting apart a reserve of land for their use. I feel indeed truly thankful to his Exi'ellcncy fur the very kind interest be nianifc-ts in the mission, and I shall rejoiciufjly avail myself of the privileffe bo extends to me. in making snch innnnnnications to him from time to time as circumstances may su^'j;est and opportunities all'oril. For his Excellency s information 1 would now menti'iii that I be;;aii a school here in Nuvi'iiiber IH.JH, which I still continue to carry on. My pnjiils nnnilier about '.'00, of whom only ahuiil ;{() aie adnlts. The daily attendance varies from 80 to ]:i'\ souls, excei)tin{f the times when tbcy jjo away in ;;reat numbers to ))rocure fish, which occupies about iiiur months in the year, and at such limes mir daily attendance is frimi 40 to so souls. The instruction I fjive them is in readinjf, writiufr, countinfr, singinfj, and relif;ious k'lowledfre. The latter I teach in their own tongue, but everythini; idse in luiglish. Another prominent part of my daily work i> visitiufr the Indians in their own bunses; tlie\i-ils I make are mostly in answer to calls for help and medicine in sickness : bat I have thcretiy many nppnr- tunities of speaking to all the inmates of a house. I usually addros them on the evil of their iIoIiil''*, and point out the inevitable cousecpieiices of sin, both in time and in eternity. I then tell them of the einner's friend, and set the blessed Gospel of (.ur Lord Jesus Christ before tbein, illu.-lratinu; Irmn their own customs our need of such a Saviour. As to the result of my labours among them, speaking generally, 1 may say that many icinaiii infatuated, utterly regardless of the future, while others, caring not for themselves, yet sccni anxious for their children to learn and walk in the good way; the remainder are those who are ansion^ fm themselves as well as their children to learn and practise what is good. It is to the case of this latter class that I would wish his Excellency's attention was drawn: and, in reference to their case, permit me iuunhly to si"- est the ])ropriety of a place being founded in which such Indians may find a home, and where there may be no lack of remunerative labour put into their hands. I confess my laily hope of seeing the Indian races of this coast diverted from the destructive courses to which they arc now so strongly tempted lies in the carrying out of some such plan as ihe above for their benefit. However small and insignificant at first snch a place might be, I have no doubt of its uliimale growth and prosperity. Some time ago I hinted to a few of the better disposed Indians here the idea of their separating from the rest, and thus avoiding the ruin wiiicli threatened them all, and they embraced the subject heartily. One ohl chief urged me much to write to the people at home about the matter. He very properly told me that he saw no chance of benefiting even the rising generation unless they were removed from the evil influence around them at tliis place. And I now see from instances which have already occurred, that the children I am reaching will be drifted from nie as they grow up and become victiu.s to the same vices which enslave their parents. This makes me feel a growing anxiety for a safe retreat. A 2 I PAl'KRS RKI.ATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. nitiTrr-n Coi.t.Mi:iA. Tlierc is no lack, I nin Imppy to stati', of suitiihle spots of land. One place the Indians frequently fpcak of as oUcrii'!.' iiiaiiv a(lvaiitnf;("s for a fiitiiro lionio. It is about lit) miles south of this place so far as I can aM'crtain. Tiu'v have often wanted nie to j;o and scp it, hut I never went, for I was not anxious to raise up iiopes ainon;; the Indians which I nnirht afterwards disappoint. However, as his llxcellency the (ioverniir hr.s kindly alluded to the matter of settlement, I shall now make it my duty in my adchesses to the Indians t(i liriug the subject jirominintly before them. Uy the turn' that another opi)ortuuity occurs of <'onununicatini; with Victoria, I hope to he able to speak more deliuitely rcizardiuf; the sul>ject as the Indian views it. ThaukinjT you for your kind letter, and jiraying that the Governor may ever be moved and guided in his efforts for the puljlic good by that wisdom which is from above, I remain, &c. To the Rev. E. Cridge, (Signed) W. Dlxcax. District Minister of Victoria, iSjc. kc. m No. a. No. 3. Copy o^ DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcasti.i:. (No. 42.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, April 23, i860. (Received .luiie 11, 1H()0.) My Lokd Dr-Kr, (Answoi-ed, No. ;5(i, .Tune 2G, IHliO, [iu^to (i7.) I iiAvt: the honour to inform your Grace that the winter has passed away without the occurrence ot any extraordinary event in British Columbia. 2. The season has been comparatively mild, and the miners residing in the various inland districts have been abundantly provided with food and with home-grown vegetables in small quantities, which have had the effect of checking the ravages of scurvy, oy which the healtli of many of those laborious men was seriously impaired in the winter ofI85s. 3. Very satisfactory reports have been lately received from all the mining districts of the country ; on these, however, strict reliance cannot always be placed, though in the present instance they are corroborated by heav\' arrivals of gold dust, both in the hands of miners and of the exporting companies. 4. The loads leading into the country from Hope and Yale have, in cor.jcqucncc of the great depth of snow in the mountain passes, been impassable since the beginning of winter to any other mode of transport than by Indian packers, ^yho, with singidar ibrce and power of endm-ancc, toil through the mountain trails at tliat trying season with loads of 100 lbs. eacli ; but that mode of transport is not even attempted in winter by the Hope trail, which is hermetically sealed to travel from the interior, between tiic months ir (">"tober and .June ; yet tiiese two trails may, I believe, be made available for winter ;,'ir Li, by evading the precipitous hills over wiiich they pass, and carrying the line of A'.-.ifi by easy grades through the deep valleys. The transport might then be carried on I'uring the winter by means of sleighs drawn by horses, as it is evident that the depth of ■Mh' V ould not form in itself an insuperable obstacle, provided the precipitous ascents, which constitut J the real ditliculty of the road, could be avoided. .5. Much attention has been directed to the exploration of those diificult routes, and we have ascertained the feasibility of running an easy graded line of road from Yale to Lytton ; and I am daily expecting a report i'rom a surveying party employed at Hope, in examining, with a similar object in view, the passes leading from that place to the " Shimilkomeen " Valley. These routes may, without exaggeration, be severally com- pared to the ]iassage of t!ie Alps. It is, however, a great satisfaction to know that the country beyond the mountains is generally level and of easy access. 6. 'I'he great outlet of British Columbia continues to be by the Harrison River trail, and that fortimatel}- has been uninterruptedly o]ien during the whole winter, and large stocks of ibod have been accunudated at its further terminus near Cayoosh, in anticipa- tion of the influx of miners for the Upper I'Vascr, The price of food is in consequence of that abundance comparatively low, the last quotations being 8(/. per lb. for flour and beans at Lytton, and I If/, at Cayoosh, and at both places bacon is quoted at I4r/. per lb. The improvement in the condition of the miner is very great, as he can live substantially for J i dollars per diem, instead of 3 or 4 dollars ; and many claims are now workable at a profit which could not afford the miner any support last year. 7. A detachment of 80 Royal Engineei's, under the command of Captain Grant, has been employed since the beginning of March embanking the shoals near the mouth of the Harrison River, for the purpose of deepening the channel, which is now impassable in PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. ffinter for the lightest steamer, and there is every reason to believe that the work will be brouslit to a successful termination. g.'Thc same detachment of Royal iMiginocrs will shortly proceed to resume work on thcWiiTUon roiid from Douglas, which it is expected they will complete in a few weeks as far as the lU-milc house; from that point a party of civilian labourers liave under- taken a section of six miles of the road, for which they are to receive the sum of ").")()/, per mile. This will carry the road to the l6-niilc house, where tlic Ivoyal Engineers mil recommence operations, and probably complete the next 12 miles, that is, "to the 98-mile house, situated on the smaller Lilloett Lake, before the end of sunnner. 9. We propose to use that and the larger Lilloett Lake a.^ a water conmumication, connecting them by means of a good waggon road 1 j miles in length, which is already made and in use. The application of some enterprising settlers to run a steamer, without any special privilege, on the larger Lilloett Lake has been granted, which will greatly facilitate transport. An excellent mule trail, 'M miles in length, with substantial bridges over all the rivers, connects the larger Lilloett Lake witli Lake Anderson, beyond which the route to Cayoosh ort'ers no very si'rious dilficultics to engineering enterprise. 10. Two stern-wheel steamers, intended to ply on Lakes Anderson and Seaton, arc nearly completed by an association of settlers, who at nmch labour and expense packed the cnr^incs and boilers from Douglas over the Harrison road. To give an idea of the difficulty of the undertaking, I may mention that the boilers, being too heavy to carry on mules were rolled over the trail, as i'ar as the -JS-njile house, in live sections. Serious difficulties of that kind will not be felt when the waggon road is made, and tlie facility of communication will, I have no doubt, give a prodigious impulse to industry and to the rapid development of the resources of tiie country, as all kinds of machinery required to assist the operations of the gold miner may then be imported. 11. I have received advices from Lytton up to th'.- ()th of this month (.\pril). Com- missioner Ball reports that the mining season had commenced, and that tiie miners who had migrated to the lower country for the winter were fast rettn-ning to tiieir old claims on the benches of Eraser River, but the great majority of those liardy wanderers were making their way towards Qucsnel River, where it is e infidently exjiected rich hill diggings will be found. "12. A great numb-r of Chinese miners were also arriving and taking iij) mining claims on the River Bars, in the Lytton district, who are reputed to be remarkaiily ijuiet and orderlv. Mr. Ball's report refers to no other subject of general interest. 13. The prevailing impression respecting the great auriferous we^dth of the district about Alexandria and the Quesnel River will have the elleet of attracting a large popu- lation to that distant quarter, and I shall consequently be under tiie necessity ol'aijpoint- ing a magistrate and a small body of police to remain there for the purpose oi' maintaining the peace of the country, and preventing conflicts among the miners and with the Indian tribes. 14. The last intelligence from the Shimilkomeen River is not so favourable as before reported. I perceive by the Oregon papers that many persons who had gone there for the purpose of mining had been unsuccessful. It is stated in those papers that 20 or ,30 miners only were making from 8 to 10 dollars per day, while the others engaged in the same occupation were not paying expenses. That is, I conceive, but the usual and silly outcry of the idler and the visionary, and does not in the least shake my ojiiiiion in regard to the auriferous nature of the country, founded on its geological character, and further .'trengthened by the report of Lieut. I'ark, a highly scii'iititic niein'oer of the American Boundary Conunission, who entertains a similar belief in the aurilerous clia- racter of that district, and in the existence of extensive placer diiigiiigs. Should a large population assemble there, the attention of (iovermnent will have to be directed towards it, und a police force employed to maintain tlic peace. I siiall use every exertion to connect the Shimilkomeen with Eort Hope by means of a convenient road, with the important object in view of making Eraser River, instead of the Cohunbia, the outlet of its trade. 15. British Columbia is becoming highly attractive to the Chinese, who are arriving in great numbers, about 2,000 having entered Frascr River since the biginning of tlio year, and many more are expected from California and China. They are certainly not a desirable class of people, as a permanent population, but are for the present useful as labourers, and, as consumers, of a revenue-paying character. I have therefure protected them from the payment of diii'creutial duties uot equally borne by oilier tias.se.s of uie populatiou. A 3 TiniTTsn 6 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. British coi.umuia. 16. I have received advices from Commissioner Sanders of Yale district up to the 14th instant (April). He describes the migration of miners for the upper country as being very general, and expresses a fear that the feeling in tavour of Quesnel River may lead to the depopulation of the Yale district. 1 7- In a previous passage of this report I stated that we had ascertained the feasibility of running aline of road by easy grades the whole way from Yale to Lytton, which would avoid the lofty passes, and be accessil)lc in winter for pack mules, and not like the present trail, rendered valueless tor five months in the year by an impassable depth of snow. A\'ith reference to that enterprise which I proposed to undertake, Mr. Sanders com. plains of the character of the population. His remarks on the sul)iect are as follows:-, There is very little probability of any person in Yale or its neighbourhood tendering for the construction of the projected mule trail ; the proposed part payment in land js very flu- from being an inducement ; in fact, it is generally objected to ; an arransre- ment of that nature might possibly be acceptable to British subject'^, but would naturiilly ■■ be ol)jectional)lc to aliens, and unfortunately the population of this Colony is almost " without exception foreign." We shall, nevertheless, commence that imdertaking as soon as a small body of the Royal Engineers can be spared without detriment to other important work. I have, iS-'c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. No. 4. No. 4. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle. (Separate.) ^^^^, Westminster, British Columbia, :\Iay '2.3, 1S60. My Lohi) Duke, (Hcc<.ivr,i .inly I4. imi) I have the honour to inform your Grace that I left A'ictoria on the 1.5th instant on a visit to r)ritisb Columbia, and arrived at this place imi the evening of the same day, and I have since been engaged with business of great public importance. '2. I was glad to observe that this city had greatly improved in appearance since mv last visit, and that many new buildings have been erected, and the surface in many parts cleared of the gigantic stumps and fidlen trees that obstructed the thoroughfares and incumbered the ground. The erection of a court house and buildings for the Assay otHces have also grcativ added to the appearance of the place and increased the bustle and activity which per- vades the to\vn. Trade is also on the increase. Two steamers, of from !;'()() to ."^(lo tons burthen, are l)lying M'ith goods and passengers between Victoria and New West- minster, where their cargoes are discharged, and the inland transport is carried on from thence to Douglas and Yale by tour stern-wheel river steamboats, varying in burthen from 50 to '200 tons, which now make two trips a week to those places. :}. The Custoni house receipts having for the last two weeks somewhat exceeded the sum of 1,000/. of weekly return, corroborate the opinion I have expressed M'ith respect to the state of trade, and indicp^e the spirited manner in which supplies are being sent into the mining districts, and the confidence entertained b}' business men in the auriferous resources of the country. ■i. The effect of the pre-emption law is already observable in the forest clearings made 1)3' settlers in the densely wooded land on the banks of Eraser River. The cost of clearing such land by m^ans of hired labour ranges from l.'j/. to 30/. an atre, and it will C:')nse(piently never jirovc an attractive investmen' .or capital ; such land cannot he cleared to advantage otberw'se than by the actual settler investing bis own labour in the formation of a ])ernianent home and property for himself and family. "). 1 have given nnu'b anxious thought to the subject of settling British Columbia, and the conclusion is more than ever forced upon me that it cannot be successfully acconipli>lK'd without adopting a very liberal land system. I am strongly induced to view the public land simply as a source of revenue, and, provided an income of equal or greater value can be realized by other means, it does not appear wise or expedient to lock up the jniblic laud under a system which practically places it beyond tiie reach of purchase by ordinary settlers. It is evident that without population a revenue for the support of government PAPERS RKLATING TO nRITISH COLUMHIA. ■« unattainable, and unproductive land is next to valueless both to the e frown. The sale of land allbrds a temporary revenue, but tlic scttlir ■lymcnt of duties on the foreign articles he consumes, and hy - country aiid to the HniTif«H indirectly, hy the <''>i.i mhia. means of a small direct ta'v which could be levied on tlie land he occupies, will become a permanent contributor to the revenue, and, therefore, although the lancl may have been acquired for nothing, and IroU'dit no revenue in tlic first instance, yet, in such ease, the frown in the end would become the gainer by his presence. If tiie pul)lie land could be sold at a hii:li upset nrice and the country at the same time tilled with people, there would he an advantage n continuing the present sale pi'iee of land ; but if one or other of those objects uuist he sacriticcd, it is evidently preferable to have the population, and to grant the land without purchase or at a much lower price than at present. 6. These observations arc thrown out merely for the purj)ose of acquainting ycur Grace with the impressions made upon me by the present circumstances of this country, as I propose to bring the subject under the consideration of Her Majesty's (iiovern- ment in a more formal manner when I have arrived at clearer and better-supported conclusions. 7. The inhabitants of New Westminster having expressed a great desire for the incor- poration of their town and the appointment of municipal officers to manage its revenues, I consulted their select committee as to their views, and as to the best means of carrying out their wishes. Their propositions arc extremely moderate, end)racing ..'hiefly two points, viz., the right of taxing themselves, and of applying the proceeds of such taxes to (iradin"' the streets and to the general impro\emcnt of the town. Alter several inter- views and obtaining the sense of the people at a public meeting with respect to the nmount of taxes they wished to raise, and as to whether such taxes should he levied on an arhitrary valuation or on an actual assessment of property, the draft, of an iVct was made containing the following jjrovisions :— (1st.) That all perst)us subject to the payment of rates according to the Act shall be entitled to vote at elections for members of the town council. (•2nd.) That the town council shall consist of seven members, who art' to hold office without remuneration, and for one year only. (3rd.) That none but British subjects or foreigners who have become naturalized Ibitish sub'ccts shall be eligible for councillors, and, in addition, they nui>t be possessed of property valued at not less than .")0/. sterling, and shall have resided at least six months in New Westminster. (4th.) That the town of New Westminster shall be divided into four wards, eaeli returning a certain number of councillors. (jth.) That the council shall be empowered to levy rates on property within the town, as may be determined and authorized by the majority of the rate-payers, and to cause the proceeds of such rates to be expended under the direction of the Chief Connuissioner of Lands and \\'orks. (Gth.) That the council shall be authorized to levy a tax not exceeding two per cent, on the assessed value of all town lots and property within the town for the year iMit) and 1861, and to enforce payment thereof. ^7th. ) That the said council shall be empowered to levy a further rate over and id)ove the said two per cent, for the said two years, provided the niajority of the rate-payers deem it necessary and reijuire them so to do. (Sth.) That the said council shall be further authorized to compel town lot holders to cut down all trees on their respective town lots, except such as uniy be reserved for ornament, and in default to cause the trees to be cut down, and the cost thereof, not exceeding 7/- sterling on each town lot, to be levied on the pi(ii)erty. Such is the substance of the pro})osed Act, which will be immediately put into the hands of the Attorney General for proper drafting. 8. Your Grace will observe that the powers of the council arc so liinited by the super- vision of the Commissioner of Lands and Works on the one hand, and the rate-payers on the other, as almost to remove the danger of abuse, and I am of opinion that the city will he greatly benefited by its exertions and by the expenditures on substantial and much-needed improvements. Trusting that this measure may meet with vour Grace's approval, I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. A 4 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. British coluuuia. No. 5. ;' i No. 5. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douolab, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle. (Separate.) Camp, Eraser River, Chilwayhook District, May 31, i860 Mv Loud Duke, (Htouivecl August 6, isco.) In continuation ol my last report, marked Separate, and dated New Westminster 2.3rd May, I have to coninninicatc for your Grace's information, that the 24th of May ■was spent not unprofitably in making a tour in one of the river steamers to Pitt Lake distant about 40 miles i'rom New Westminster, accompanied by tlic colonel in command' the civil and mihtary colonial officers, the local magistrates, the Lord Bishop of British Columbia, his cliaplain, and many of tjie citizens of New Westminster, who were invited to celebrate with me the auspicious natal day of our most Gracious Queen, amidst the ■wihl romantic scenery of that mountain lake, and never, I believe, has any part of Her Majesty's dominions resounded to more hearty acclamations of loyalty and attachment than were heard on that occasion. 2. The other towns in Britisli Columbia vied in loyal demonstrations with the inhabi- tants of New Westminster, a I'act which I record with pleasure as a proof of the growinw attachment of the alien population of the Colony to our Sovereign, and to the institution^ of our country'. .3. On the 25th of May I proceeded from New Westminster, with my party, in one of the revenue boats toward-j Derby; in our progress up the Eraser we passed a number of tributary streams flowing into it from the north. The " Pitt " is the most considerable of these tributaries, being navigable for vessels of .300 or 400 tons to its source in Pitt Lake, a distance of 35 miles, including the lake, beyond which it is accessible for Indian canoes a iew miles further, but not for any larger craft. 4. The banks of Pitt River arc exceedingly beautiful ; extensive meadows sweep gracefully i'rom the Aery edge of the river towards the distant line of forest and mountain. Tlic rich alluvial soil produces a thick growth of grass interspersed with the Michaelmas daisy, the wild rose, and scalLcred groups of willows. 'J his line district contains an area of 20,000 acres of good arable land, re(|uiring no clearing from timber, and ready for the inunediate operations of the plough. Many parts of it are however exposed to overflow, through the periodical inundations of the Eraser, which connnencc about the first week in June, and generally subside before the middle of July. Owing to this circumstance the Pitt lliver meadows are not adapted for raising wheat and other cereals which require the entire season to mature, but may be turned to good account in growing hay and every kind of root crop, and may also be used extensively for pasturing cattle, and for the purposes of the dairy. 5. Tiie Brunette, Coquitlum, and Whytus, the latter opposite the site of Derby, are streams accessible by boat or canoe for some distance from their debouche into Eraser lliver ; their importance to the district, as an easy and inexpensive means of conmumication, is very great, seeing that they form a series of natural canals, intersecting the country in all directions, and admirably adapted for the transport of goods and produce to and from the navigable waters of the Eraser. G. The banks of Eraser River are almost everywhere covered -with woods. Varieties of pine and firs of prodigious size, and large poplar trees, predominate. The vine and soft maple, the wild apple tree, the wh"''e and black thorn, and deciduous bushes in great variety, form the massive undergrowth. The vegetation is luxuriant almost beyond conception, and at this season of the year presents a peculiarly beautiful appear- ance. The eye never tires of ranging over the varied shades of the fresh green foliage, nnngling with the clustering white flowers of the wild apple tree, now in full blossom, andfilling the air with delicious fragrance. As our boat, gliding swiftly over the surface of the smooth waters, occasionally swept beneath the overhanging boughs which forma canopy of leaves, impervious to the sun's scorching rays, the eflcct was enchanting; ye amidst all this wealth and luxuriance of nature, I could not repress the wish that those gorgeous forests might soon be swept away by the efforts of human industry, and give place to cultivated fields and the other accessaries of civilization. This, however, will be a work of time, though there is no doubt that the facilities and inducements now held out to settlers in this Colony by the pre-emptive law and other enactments, might enable thousands of the destitute poor of Britain, by a few years of steady industry, to seciuc for themselves liappy homes and a comfortable independence for life. party, in one of 'd a number of st_ considerable ) its source in 1 accessible for M A l» I iil hili . ,'!' ///(■ Royal Niivv X' lUtyal Kiii!;iin'»*\s t' BRITISH I'OLrMH I A Couifiiled ihuii t/u- Siwm'v.v X- J^.r/Khn nlinn. Ill' till- Rdviil Nuvv X- Royal l\noun'»*vs lit the I'niiiii .Wn \\',:rtlnlli:ili-r Sin- "if" Uliill .St^dr lit' Enqlith StU's i'l UiiLi.' ifi 'iifif ti'lii- 1^ Briti'ir l- I'friil't,! ill. I„;ni-!;r\ l.ii I l/'H' ».- .oI^'umI lliiit >■ H, / IDS' 7. Lcavi Frnscrto L tovourt'rt bordering c relief of set the woods, of fallen tin 8. Apoi municution back from could not li and inundii a ride of i:i state for he canoe. 9. The t deep rich h having hcc almost dcii about 150, advantugcc cligihlc pi a 10. Cap sance of th notice of tl I will nc her from t sketch. His Gra &c. Copt of (Sept Mv Loud Ml 31st May, 2. Duri conveyed increasing attention the growii Its bus substantia the port. .3. I nv of the dct in forminj to finish 1 4. Oui goods fro morning, and arriv 40 miles greatest 1 5. At I entercc . ticularly without valley oi iv. '■^K''' PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 9 7. Lcnvingthe boat at Derby we travelled two miles by tiie bridlepath which skirts the Bbittm Frnscrto Langley. In my Desimtdi No. 224,* of the isth October last, I cominunicnted Colcmbu. tovourCJrace the intention I then entertained of opening up leading ro;ids in the districts •yidePt- bordering on Frascr River from Derby to Hope, to eonnect those places, nn}ed. of eacli Man. Victoria Bar 40 3 to 5 dollars. Paget Sound Bar - . 50 3 to 5 „ French - 15 10 to 12 „ Trafalgar J, " " - !) 5 to 7 T „ Maria Ville - 10 ir^^f4r:„ Union - 20 4 to ;5 ^, „ Cornish » - 15 3 to 4 „ Prospect 15 " - 6 4 ,5 Blue Nose 5) - 8 4 „ Hudson 55 " Total - 30 8 to 10 „ 203 Fort Hope, June 9, 1860. (Signed) P. O. Reillt, Acting Gold Commissioner. DOUGLAS. district, viz, from . Commissioner. PAPERS RFXATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 11 No. 7. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Doi olas, C.B., to liis Grace the Duke of Nkwcasti.i;. (Scimrnte.) Victorin, Vancouver Island, July (i, isGO. My Loud DrKK, (Krccivoi Aii;;ii-i •_'•_', isiio.) " CoNTiNi'tN(i our progress from Hopt-, from wliiiRe 1 lust adilressed your (irace, on the morning of the (ith June, wc arrived at Yale in the afternoon of the same day. 2. A deputation of the inhabitants, hearinu; a coni^ratulatory Address, waited upon uic almost immediately after my arrival, and I took that opportunity of statiiifr that I had been induced to visit Yale on that occasion chiefly by the desire of conferriuu; with them on the highly important subject of improving, and, wherever necessary, altering the line of the present trail leading from Yale to Lytton, with the view of reducing the expense of transport, and rendering the country beyond the mountains accessible to intending settlers. 3. I drew their attention to the fact that the cost of transport by the existing mountain trail between Yale and Lytton, a distance of mo nules, exceeded '(U. sterling a ton, a charge which the gold miner, by reason of his large earnings and limited wants, might possibly contrive to meet, imt it was evident tliat until the ct)st of transport be greatly reduced, settlers, with their multiform wants, would be involved in ruinous expenses, and in fact virtually excluded from the interior of the country, whicli nn'ght, for want of such facili- ties of communication as I proposed to Ibrni, remain a desert lor years to come. I also remarked how nearly impossible it was, by any conveyance practicable on those trails, for the settler to transport the implements indispensable for bringing the hind into cultivation. 4. I therefore recommended that the inhabitants of the town should forthwith hold a meeting for the purpose of choosing a temporary council of five members to concert measures with me for raising the funds re(|uisitc for carrying on tiiat important enterprise, which must necessarily confer the most signal benefits on the country at large, and so greatly promote the individual interests of the people of Yale. 5. I then suggested that the money required for that service should be raised by means of an inland dutv of one farthing a pound, to be charged after the completion of the road on the weight of all goods leaving Yale for any inland part at)ovc and beyond that place, and that in the meantime the outlay should be met by an issue of Colonial Monds, bearing interest at six per cent, per annum, to be repaid at fixed periods fiom tlie revenues so created. 6. In continuation of that subject I ^ay remark for your (i race's information, that a Town Council of five members was subscejuently chosen by the inhabitants of Yale, who, on behalf of their fellow citizens, presented a petition recommending that the proposed duty of one farthing a pound should be charged on all goods carried inland from Yale, and that the revenues derived from that source should be applied to the redemption of the bonds issued in payment of the work done on the roads, and also praying that a uniform rate of duty should be levied on all goods carried inland from Hope and Douglas, in order that no one route should have any preference or decided advantage over the others. 7. The inland exports from Yale are estimated at 50 tons a week, or 2,()flO tons per annum ; the proposed duty, equivalent to 21. *f.s'. 9'/- a. ton, should therefore yield an annual revenue of 6,')00/. sterling, without taking into account the progressive increase of trade and population ; that sum will thus, at the most moderate computation, form an ample fund for the redemption of the bonds, and payment of the interest accruing thereon; and the country will be largely repaid for the immediate outlay by a direct saving of fivepence a pound weight, or Hi/. l;?.v. id. sterling a ton, which it is estimated will be effected in the cost of transport from Y'ale to Lytton by oj)ening the new line of road, as well as from many other sources of prosperity and wealth that the improvement of roads will bring into play. 8. Having thus provided the means of executing our plans, the Cliief Commissioner of Lands and Works was authorized to proceed immediately in carrying them into efl'ect. Two portions of the new line of road from Y'ale to Spuzzem are row in progress, and a third portion between Chapman's and Boston Bar is about being surveyed in hopes of discovering some line which may avoid the circuitous direction and the mountainous B 2 nnrriHn Ctii.riinu, NoT?. f."5 18 PAPERS llELATING TO nUITISII COLUMBIA. BUTIlIi COLVMIIU. [I li i district through which the iniilc trail now ptisscs, whereby the actual distance is pcntlv increased, while the route is in winter ren(lered altogether Miipossuhle by the great diptl) of snow. 0. I beg herewith to forward for your Grace's infornmtion the substance of « slio^ address,* whicii, previous to my departure, I delivered to the people ol Yale, coinpli. nienting them for their |)id»lic spirit, and thanking fiicm lor the cordial iiianncr in whiih »liey had responded to my proposals for promoting the improvement of the country. 10. The inhabitants of llopi', to which place I returned on the l.'ith June, wpre equally liberal in their views, and aKo drew up a petition in favour of an inliind liuty C(iuivalent to that to be levied at Yale, on all goods carried overland from Hope, w|||i.{, will provide funds for improving the road to " (juayonie," or Boston Bar, and opcninj? a new route by the "(;allomme" Uiver into the " Sliiniilkomcen " valley, a distanoe of (jo miles, the expense of wliicli on the scale proposed will not exceed four tliousmij pounds sterling. 1 1. I herewith transmit for your (Jrace's information a sketch map* of part of Hritisli Columbia, showing the proposed lines of road mentioned in this report, together with the roads before completed, and others strongly recommended by the Commissioner of Lands and Works, and which will no doubt greatly facilitate and promote the settluiacnt of the country. 12. I am Iiappy to inform your Grace that the reports from all the mining districts continue to be of the most favourable character. Mining is no longer a specnlatioa; it is becoming a business yiidding an oppreciablc and certain return, anil every day is extending our knowledge of the gold deposits. 1.3. Our latest accounts represent that OOO white miners were successfully employed on Quesnelle river, earning from 10 to 25 dollars a da}-. Tlie spring IVeslats "had driven them away from their claims in the beds of the rivers, and they bad comini'iictj operations on the hills and ravines, which have turned out to be highly auriferous. Several pieces of gold, varying from six to eight ounces, have been found in tlio.-e new diggings, and the gold produced has a rougher surface and is in larger pieces than that found in the country west of Lytton. 14. About 1,000 white miners arc working on I' rascr river, between Alexandria and I-ytton, and about 1,000 Chinese miners are employed in the various districts of the colony. 15. In my next excursion to British Columbia I propose to devote my attention to the Inrrison River district, wdicre the land eonmumications are being .'api'dly improved, an(' two small steamers, soon to be increased by a third, arc in full operation on the lakes. 16. I trust Her Majesty's Government will approve of the measures herein detailed for removing the impediments of access to the country, and the issue of bonds as a means of raising money for carrying on the work. The whole expense of those works will be defrayed out of the revenues of the country, derived, as 1 have before stated, from the duty on inland transport. I feel assured that I have not overrated the resources of the country, and that they are equal to the emergency, and I believe that those resources will be more or less largely developed just in proportion to the degree in which those difficulties of access are removed. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. • Not printed. W.A. II m PAPERS UFXATINO TO nillTlSII COLUMniA. 18 No. M. Coi'v of DKSPATCII from (Jovi-rnor I)..i rji.An, C.H,, to hiti (nacc the Duki- of Ni;WC AHTI.K. ' '' . Victoriii, ViincoiivtT Isliind, Aiifi;ii<6<1. Mv I'lllll) DUKK, (li ni'l S' |)liinl., I •J7. Isfid. ) I ii.wi; tin- honour of IrnnHinittlrif; hcri'with, for your (inur's Iiiforiimfion, I'opy of 4 litter from Mr. O'Krilly, the iimj^istriiU- at, Hope, with iiirlosiirc, lioiii;; the lir.-t report rcieived from the party of i{ohl miners sent out from that \y\iwv, iw stated to your (Jnicc ill nani|;raph H of my hespateh of tlie .')th June, marked " Separate."* 2. Thin report, thou^li not eonehisjve as to the ^encr d eharaeter of the eouiitry, yet spciiks very favoural)ly of those parts examined. 3. The quality and vahic of the speeimeiis of pold alluiled to in the above report have been estimated by n praetical uwsayer here, us tbllows: — about ") (grains. 8(>(t thou^andtiis line. !) peiiee. H()() thousandtiis fine. •J2 penec. about I'i fjrains. nRirtmi ('iiLt'tmu. nTn. • l'ii({i. !). Weight No. 1.^ guahty [ Vahie fQiiaiity No. 2.<^ Value LWeifrht from vvhieh an inference may be drawn greatly in favour of tiie Shimilkameen as a miiiini^ district. 4. A new gold district is also said to have been discovered in the southern part of British Cohunbiii, at York (.'reek, a tributary falliin;: into the Kettle-fall Kiver near the •1!) parallel, and lOO miners, chietly from Orei^on, were reported to be engaged in working that field, and making wages from IT) or lid up to as high as KK) dollars a day. It is anticipated that there will be a great rush of miners to that part of the country, and, if so, food will be recjuired in large (piantities, which will lead to a great increa.se of trade, and to the formation of new settlements in that part of the Colony by reason of this additional attraction. !), The importance of directing the supply of provisions for this region by way of Hope is thus greatly increased, and an additional motive su])plied for opening the road between Hope and Shimilkamcen, which is being at the ])resent moment vigorously carried on, and thus preventing the trade from taking the course of the Columbia Uiver to Oregon. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, ( Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. Enclosure in No. 8. EniL in No. «. Sin, Fort IIcppc, July ;il, IHCO. I iiAVK tho lionour to onrlosp, for His Excolloncy's information, a lettor just rci'i'i\i'(l from Mr. Allison, one of tlie party selected to proceed to the Shimilkomeen, for the luirpose of exiiloriiij? tliut district. I sliuU endeavour to send them to-day a small quantity of provisions, to enahle them to prosecute further their exploration. As the steamer is about to start, I have not time to write at greater length. 1 have, kc, W. A, G. Young, Esq. (Signed) 1'. 0'Ri;ii,i.v, J. P. Sub-Enclosure. Sub-KDcloiDK. Sin, Shimilkomeen Uiver, July 27, ISfiO. I sr.xn in the two Indi.ins to-day, thoy liave worked for us nineteen days, at one dollar jicr day. I suppose diey will expect to bo \md for the time they are returniufr; my ajjroeincnt with them was to pay them one dollar per day or .S'iJO per month. Wehave jirospected the country in diis locality to the Wt of our ability for the time we have been out, and have found digginjjs that will pay five or six dollars a day with a rocker. I think as the river falls, much richer deiiosits will lie found. 1 havi? not the least doubt but we could find go(j(l bench diggings (if wo had time), that would |iay wcii lor sluicing: wo have prospected twelve miles up the south foik, wliiib I think is the main >oui((> of the gold in t AImiui s this locality. The little package No. If was the result of the washing of two \)nu>t of dirt taken from a i-™"*- point of bed rock that jnst projected above the water. I also found dirt on tho bank o ar the satne Liirab°ut"3 locality that prospected three oi four cents to the pan. sought to bo onforccil niav bo statoil in tho bye-law, lid if no penalty is therein ineutioneil, liie breacii of any bye law shall bo punished in a suininary way Ivafine not exceeding 10/., or by iinprisoniuent for any lime not exceedinjr ihii'i- niontlk-", at the discretion of the magistrate belbre whom the oll'ender may be brought. The magistrate before whom iiv offender may be brought, may, in case of a fine, adjudge that such oti'eiidor shall pay tlii' same either immediately or within such period, or by such instalments as the said magistrate shall think (if and in case such sum of money shall not bo paid at the time so appointed, the same shall be levied by distress or sale of the goods and chattels of the oil'ender, and for want of a sufficient distress, such offender may be imprisoned, with or without hard labour, in the common gaol, for any term not exceeding three months, or for the period mentioned in the bye-law, as the case may be. The imprisonment to cease, if for default, upon paynrent of the fine and costs. 32. The Council may, by a resolution passed in manner provided for the ])assage of a bye-law, devote any portion of the municipal funds, not exceeding in the whole for any one year oncil'iird of the municipal revenue, towards defraying the ordinary expenditure of the Couiuil, in the conduct of its general business, and to any of the purposes in respect whereof the Council is empowered lo pass bye-laws. 33. Provided always, that the Council shall have no power to incur any personal liability other ihiin a liability for the misapplication of the municipal levenue, or any liability ai,'ainst t'le municipality, or the revenue thereof, beyond the nuinicipal revenue of the city for the current year. 34. The Council may, by a bye-law passed and confirmed an albresaiil, direct that a tax Ix- levied on all town lots within the said city, and all erections thereon, other than the property of the (iovernmciil, not to exceed •-'/. in the 100/. on the value of such town lots and erections as aforesaid. Such value to be assessed as herein-after mentioned. Provided always, that such tax shall not extend over or be levied for a longer limi' than the financial year in which the same is authorized to be levied by any bye-law aforesaid. 35. The Council may, if called on so to do as herein-after mentioned by a bye-law passed and con- firmed as aforesaid, direct the levy of a further rate, not exceeding 5/. in the 100/. on the value afore- said in addition to the rate lastly lu'i'ein-before mentioned, and to eontiiuic for the same inriod ; provided always, that such further rate shall not be levied until a recpiisition lo that effect shall havo been made in writing by a majority of the ratepayers on the assessment roll. Such further rale to be of the amount specified in such requisition. Assessment Boll. 36. An assessment roll shall on such day in each year as the Council shall appoint be prepared by 01- on behalf of the Council, and the freehold and leasehold property situate within the said city shall be therein specified, together with the names of the persons occupying the same and the name., of the persons owning the same. An asscs.sor shall be appointed for the purpose of making such assessment by the Council, and the said assessor shall make such assessment according to the actual value of the projierly at the time of such assessment, and lay the same before the Council within fourteen days from the said day of assessment. The assessment shall be made as well on the leasehold inteivst of every les.-ee of any portion of a lot as upon the freehold interest of the same lot. Any person so assessed may, if he feels himself aggrieved by the assessment, appeal to the Council, who shall .summarily decide thereon. The decision of the Council shall be final. The Council may, in addition to the bye-laws which tliev are authorized to make as aforesaid, make bye-laws providing for the manner in whicli sueh appeal may be conducted. Such bye-law to be passed and confirmed, and to have the force aforesaid. In the event of nonpayment by any person of any rate or tax duly imposed by the Council, the same may be levied by the magistrate of the said city, by distress on the goods and chattels of the person liable lo pay the same, and in default of a sufficient distress by sale of the lot, or [)ortion of a lot, together with the erections aforesaid, in respect of which sueh rates or tax shall have been imposed, within 30 days from the day on which such payment ought to have been made, and such sale shall be made in manner provided for the sale of lots in clause 37, anil such sale shall have exactly tlie same edect as if made uuder such clause. Clearing of Lots. 37. The Council may give notice to any persons, owners of town lots within the said eiiv, bv advertisement in the Government Gazette and local newspapers, to cut down, within any time to be mentioned in such notice, not being less than 30 days from the date of the insertion of such notice, all timber and other trees standing thereon, except such as may be reserved with the eoii-i lit of the Council for ornament; and in case such notice be not complied with, the Council shall have power to cause the said timber and other trees to be cut down at the expefise of the [lersoii or jicrsoiia on whose lot tlie same may be, and if such person or persons do not, within (50 days after the timlier or other trees shall have been cut down as aforesaid, defray such expense, the magistrate may adjudge that such jK'rson or persons shall pay the same, either immediately or within such period as the said magistrate shall tliiuk fit ; and iu case sucli sum of money shall nut be paid at the time so appointed, C 2 20 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. P. f! British C01.UMI11A. No. 11. • Pnse 13. the same sliall be levied by sale of the lot upon which such limber or other trees shall have been cut clown as aforesaid, in manner iierein-after mentioned. Any sale so adjudged to be madf as aforesaid shall be made upon the simple order of the mati trate in writing, upon such day and in such manner as tlie said magistrate may specify in such orde and the magistrate shall convey such lot to the purchaser nt such sale, and the title of such purchase shall be an absolute fee simple, notwithstanding any irregularity or informality in such sale, orinth prncctidings prior thereto or subseiiucnt thereon. The inai;istrate aforesaid shall ;«), isiio.) Having very recently completed a rather protracted journey, exceeding five weeks of almost constant travelling, in British Columbia, I regret that there is not time to com- municate to your Grace, by the mail of this day, now about leaving for San Francisco, the result of my observations on the character and prospects of that Colony. 2. On leaving Vancouver Island I proceeded by the northern, or Harrison River road to Douglas, and from thence successively visited Cayoosh, Lytton, Sbiniilkomeen, and Rock Creek. On my .cturn I followed the mountain road to IIopc, and afterwards paid a hasty visit to Yale and New Westminster. 3. The lately discovered gold district in Shimilkomecn is, iW the time being, attached to the IIopc district, a course which I was compelled to adopt for want of an ellicient officer at that time to conduct the public business of the new district. 4. The fame of the rich diggings discovered at Rock Creek have drawn to that place, chiefly from the State of Oregon, upwards of .'jOO miners, and person? engitt;ed in other pursuits. 1 therefore found it necessary to lose no time in making arranucnients to main- tain the peace and to protect the public revenue by the appointment of a Magistrate and Gold Commissioner for that district, together with other ofliccrs to enforce the Customs laws of the Colony, and that object was, 1 am happy to say, effected wiliiout creating any dissatisfaction among the foreign population there present. C 3 No. 12. 22 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. British cull'muia. S No. 13. 5. I am further glad to report that peace and good order exist everywhere within the Colony, and that a general and marked feeling of confidence is exhibited by the resident population in the resources of the country. <). I shall endeavour to prepare a report of my late proceedings for your Grace's information, before the departure of the next mail. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS &c. &c. &c. No. 13. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Doiolas, C.B,, to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle. (Separate.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, October 9, i860. (Ucrcived. Dcccinl)er 18, 18(i0.) My Loud Duke, (AiiHWorcd, No. 60, Kehnmry 1, 1861. pn;?.' CS.) I HAVE the honour to submit for your Grace's information the following particulars relative to a recent journey in British Columbia, from whence I have just returned. 2. 1 loft Victoria by the regular steam packet on the evening of 28th of August, and early next day landed at New Westminster. .'J. I heard with nuich concern on my arrival there, that the capital was suffering from one of those fluctuations in commerce common to all countries, and that there was much depression in business circles, and a marked decrease of trade, a fact which was indeed corroborated by the Customs returns, it appearing from them that the imports for the four previous weeks had fallen oil" about 25 per cent, as compared with the increasing ratio of the preceding month ; a casualty generally attributed by business men to the growing overland trade with the possessions of the United States in Oregon and Washington territory, which now supply, by the southern frontiers of the Colony, a large proportion of the bulky articles, such as provisions and bread stuffs, consumed in the eastern districts of British Columbia ; and those imports, it was supposed, had this year been for the most part fraudulently introduced, to the great loss and detriment of the home merchant and the fair trader. 4. It is, however, not easy to conceive how so extensive a contraband trade as this would imply, could be carried on without the knowledge of the vigilant officer stationed on the frontier for the protection of the revenue, whose official reports give no room for such impressions. I am therefore led to believe that the present depression is traceable to another cause, and may with more probability be regarded as the simple result of ovci- importation, and I have no doubt a revival will take place, and trade resume its accustomed tone as soon as the stocks of goods in the Colony have been reduced. The officers of the Colony residing permanently at New Westminster, and employed in the management of the several departments of the public administration, arc as follows :~ Military Lands and Works Judiciary Police - Treasury „ Assay Office - Customs Post Office Colonel R. C. Moody, R.E., commanding. Colonel R. C. Moody, R.E., Chief Commissioner. Matthew B. Begbie, Judge. Chartres Brew, Chief Inspector. Captain W. D. Gosset, R.E., Treasurer. F. G. Claudet, Assayer. C. A. Bacon, Melter. Wyinond Hamley, Collector. W. R. Spalding, Postmaster. 6. The Treasury was lately transferred from Victoria to New Westminster, Avhere all the financial business of the Colony is now transacted. The Assay Office has been in operation since the beginning of the month of August, and the last accounts of the 28th of that month give a return of 1,600 ounces of gold dust which had been smelted and run into bars of various weights. Those and the other departments are in a state of efficient organization. The public offices are plain substantial buildings, devoid of ornament, and constructed on a scale adapted to our limited means ; they are nevertheless roomy and commodious, and on the whole not unsuitable to the present business of the Colony. 7. There has not been much activity in building since my report transmitted to your Grace in the month of i\Iay last, but town property nevertheless sustains its former price, PAPERS llELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. '2:\ »nd the inhabitants of Nc v Westminster appear to have unlimited confidence in the ultiniiitc progress of tlic place. 8. The run from New Westinmster to Doiifjlas was effected by one of the river steamers in l6 hours, including brief stoppajres at Langley and Carnarvon, and the whole distance from Victoria to Douglas in 24 running hours, being little over half the time occupied h^^ the same journey hist year. The charges on the transport of goods have also proportionately decreased, freights Ix-ing now generally taken at M. s.v, a ton, or 25 per cent, less than the former raten. 9. While at Douglas I despatched an exploring party under the eoniniand of Dr. Forbes, of Her Majesty's ship '• Topaze," for whose assistance I am indebted to the kindness of Rear Admiral Sir Robert L. Bayncs, to examine the country bordering on Harrison Lake and River, where many fragments of silver and copper "ore have been tbiiiid. A specimen of the former, which was carefully assayed, gave u return of .'")()/. worth of silver to the ton. The copper ore appears also to contain a large proportion of that metal. , . . .^ 10. lam in hopes that Dr. Forbes s scientific researches will be productive of much (rood to the Colony, as the district subjected to his examination has ail the characteristics of a mineral country, is almost destitute ol' arable land, and, except timber, possesses no ascertained natural products capable of contributing to the support or giving remunerative employment for labour. It is, therefore, especially desirable that no effort should be wanting for the early development of the minerals supposed to be contained in the soil, otherwise the district may, for years to come, remain a wilderness without inhabitants. 11. Douglas is still an inconsiderable town, much improved, however, since my former visit in June last. A Stipendiary Magistrate is stationed here, Mr. ,1. B. (Jaggin, who also performs the duties of (iold Commissioner within the district, which extends from Car- narvon to Port Anderson. A brisk trade is carried on from Douglas with the mining districts of the interior, and the constant arrival and departure of trains of pack-mules give to the place a lively and bustling appearance. 12. We pursued our journey by the newly formed waggon road, then nearly fitiished, as far as the Lesser Lillooet Lake, 28 miles from Douglas, a work of magnitude and of the utmost public utility, which, I think it onlj' right to inform your CJracc, has been laid out and executed by Captain Grant and a detachment of Royal Engineers under his command with a degree of care and professional ability reflecting the highest credit on that active and indefatigable oflScer. 1.3. A number of waggons, imported by the enterprising merchants of Douglas, have commenced running on tlie new road, and the cost of transport has already been greatly reduced. I look forward with confidence to further important reductions in the rates of ti-"nsport, as the most experienced carriers arc of opinion that goods of all kinds may and will be carried the whole distance (100 miles) from Douglas to Cayoosh for 20/. a ton, which would be a reduction of 2.")() per cent, en former rates. The etl'cct of so large a saving on the carriage of goods will be of vast importance to the country, and no doubt give a prodigious impulse to trade and the settlement of the public lands. 14. A row-boat is still the only means of conveyance over the Lesser Lillooet Lake, which is nearly five miles long, and one mile and a half distant from Lillooet Lake, with which it is, however, connected by a narrow river, full of shoals and dangerous rapids, perilous in their present state for any larger craft than Indian canoes. This circumstance renders a transhipment and a resort to land carriage for a mile and a half on an excellent road necessary' before reaching Lillooet Lake. Various plans have been proposed for render- ing the river between those lakes navigable, but, important as would be the improvement, the cost is altogether beyond our present means, and the work must be left for a future time. 1.5. A very fine piece of gold-bearing quartz, which I received at this point of my journey, determined me to instruct the District Gold Commissioner to cause the moun- tains west of Harrison River, where the quartz was found, to be carefully examined, as there is a possibility of discovering and turning to advantage the lead from whence it came. 16. There are many extensive quartz veins in the valley of the Harrison, but none of those which have been inspected contain visible traces of gold. The bed of the river, however, yields gold almost everywhere in small quantities; and at one place, 12 miles frora Douglas, a party of French miners have brought in sluices, and are now working to great advantage, making as much as 10 dollars a day to the man. The only drawback is the shortness of the working season, which the}' represent as limited on the one hand by the flooded state of the river in summer, and on the other by the severe cold in winter, which is tbund to have the effect of preventing the amalgamation of the fine C 4 RlllTIOII Cdii'MniA. I i I ?'.' ■ ' m i ^ made up by means of casual assistants and special constables called out for the occasion. 40. I granted a sum of 100/., at the petition of the inhabitants, in aid of a horse-wav to facilitate the transport of goods to Alexandria and Quesnel River. Other small sums were also granted for bridges, and to improve the comnmnications with (juayomc. A party was also dispatched to examine the country between Van Winkle Bar on Frascr River and Lilloet Lake, with the view of opening a horse-way between those places. 4L Proposals were lately made by a private company to throw a bridge, at their own expense, over the Thompson at Lytton, to be repaid by a system of tolls ; and the negotiation will probably be concluded in a short time, as I am desirous of promoting so useful a scheme. 42. The gardens about this town are highly productive, and furnish a prolusion and variety of vegetables ; but, considering there is no want of good soil and dear land, I was surprised to find that not a single farm had been opened in the district. The want of roads and the enormous cost of transport may in some measure account fl)r that circumstance, but it also strongly marks the character of a population devoted to other pursuits, and who probably look to other countries for a permanent home. 43. Complaints were made here, as at Cayoosh, of the non-sale of town lands; and 1 again addressed the Commissioner of Lands and Works on the subject, directing an early sale on the spot, through the agency of the district magistrate. 44. The Indians mustered in great force during my stay at Lytton. My connuuni- cations with them were to the same effect as to the native tribes who assembled at Cayoosh, and their gratitude, loyalty, and devotion were expressed in terms equally warm and earnest. 45. The further report of my journey to Shimilkomeen and Rock Creek I w ill take the liberty of communicating to your Grace hereafter, as this Despatch has been drawn out to a greater length than I had proposed. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGL.IS. &C. &c. &c. I'APERS RELATING TO BRITISH (OLUMBiA. V Enrlodun* In No. 19. ADnnr»« of the Ohavd Jrnv M Caviiodh to Oo\cn)"r D()i't.i..\». fiiK Oranil .Iiiry Im'K '<> wj-lcotiu' your I'Ari-llciH'y to ('iiyooili, aiid ii< otrrr yoii their I'onirrntii- lilimii nil till' «l''''> iiK'ifiiHiii),' |tiof|u'iity ol tin- {'iiloiiy >il' llritHli ('i)lnml(iii, unci nii ihc ^inuly ail>.iiii't> I trull', iiiioi")^ ii|i<'nitioiiH, mid Hrttlriiit'iit in iiiiil ikmi' ( a) iminIi. " '111,. (Iraiiil .liiry '•'■'•iii' to 'nH vimr I'ah'IIcih v'h alti'iitimi mure particiilHrly to tlic (jri-at inmilicr of Cliiniinii'ii iiii« ri"rolit to till- trader iinil inatrrially iiun-nsr tin- ri'vcniu' ot tin- ( nloiiy, ami i; iirlclilii>i> tjrfatly liiMictlt the I'ouiitry l>y tlic ( xtrcnii- ilcvc|(p|)nicnt ol'it» iniiuTal r('»oiirmtn ('uLmnii. F.ocl. InMo. IS. 1 constitutes their winter food. I liey represeii l,i,iiii,. tised at Laii^Iey, which l>ar the ascent of the lish, and the (Jrand .liiry tlii-refore trust that your Kxcclleiicy will take ineasuren to Htop these proceedini{J<, if really found to exist. 'I'lu'Ciraiid .liirv would, in <(inelusion, draw your liscellelicy's attention to the inellieieiit state of the liiw a.s relates to t)ie collection of small delits, and recpiest tlmt inea-ures inav he in-.tituti'd to prcNent, by A nuiiiniiii'} process, purtiuu wlio huve coiitructod delitu from leaviiitr the Colony with their property. (Signed) Alla.n McUon m o, Foreman. No. 14. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Docglas, C.B., to Iuh Grace the Uuke of Newcastle. (Separate.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, October 25, 1h6(). ( Ucciivid .Jiimiioy L', lH(il.) My Loud Ui'KE, (Answcn d. Nn. (it;. Fcl.ninry 1, )H(il, |iii;rc (iH.) Hi-stiMiNQ the subject of my report on Uritish Columbia, marked .Separate, of the 9th of the present month, I proceed to inform your (irace that on leaving liVttoii, nccompanicd by Mr. Good, Private Secretary, and four mounted attendiuits, my course was directed towards Shimilkomeen and llock Creek, the latter beinu; tibout 228 ntii r. m II w 28 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. I BRiTifln 6. Those communications had the ctlcct of reassuring their minJs and eliciting assu C oLLMD iA. rancfig of their fidelity and attachment. 7. An appalling Indian outrage committed in the neighbouring State of Orcjjon, as Knci.Ne.i. related with its attendant horrors in a slip enclosed herewith from the " Vancomif Chronicle," will show better than comment the impolicy of the American system, and how careful we should be in guarding against the contagion of evil example, by trcatini; the natives with justice, and removing when necessary, every cause of distrust as to the ultimate views and policy of Her Majesty's Government with respect to them. 8. The country situated between Lytton and Rock Creek is highly attractive, nnd no other part of British Columbia, nor of the United States territory north of Columbia River, offers so many inducements in point of soil and climate to the enterprisini; aiigrant. Its distance from the coast, and difficulties of access have hitherto almost excluded it from intercourse ; but p ' ise impediments are removed by the formation of roads, now in rapid progress, from tue nav' -able points of Fraser River, it will no doubt become a c -Ptre of population and the seat of flourishing settlements. 9. I will not attempt to describe its physical aspect ; but to give a general idea in few words, I will observe that it forms an elevated table land of great extent, somct'mcs rising into hills, and is traversed by many noble valleys, and watered by numberless streams flowing into its great arteries the Thompson, Shimilkomeen, and Okana^on Rivers. There are many varieties of soils, much arable land, and a great deal that is tit only for pasture ; but as a remark generally applicable, I may observe that the val'eys contain a large extent of good open land ; while the steeply swelling hills arc mostly covered with trees formed into groups, or growing with park-like regularity, widely apart s.nd free from brush or underwood ; but the peculiar feature of the country is the pro. fusion of grass that covers both woodland and meadow, affording rich pastures for domestic animals, a circumstance which gives to this district an extraordinary value, as every part of the surface, whether hill or valley, may be turned to account and made available cither for tillage or stock farming. 10. The climate, like that of all other parts of the Colonj', is perfectly healthy; and there is much less humidity at all seasons than in the districts bordering on Fraser River. Vegetation was nevertheless fresh and green to a degree that was hardly to be expected at that time of the year. The seasons exhibit no extremes of temperature, tlic summers being warm and the winters sharp but not severe. The lakes, except the Okanagon, and all the rivers, freeze in winter ; and there are occasional falls of snow, but it seldom lies in the valleys more than a few weeks at a time. The foct that horses and domestic cattle are left out all winter to shift for themselves, and generally thrive without any care on the range of the country, is probably, however, a bf^tter criterion of the temperature than any other circumstance that can be adduced. It i, in short, a very pleasant and desirable part of the Colony, possesses a liealthv climate and many other advantages, pastures being already formed where thousands of cattle may find food ; and the industrious colonist will find it much better and easier to raise crops than in the woodland districts, where it takes much labour and expense to clear a small space. 11. After five days' travel in a fine open country we reached the main branch of the Shimilkomeen R ver, a few miles below the lately discovered gold diggings, where 80 or 100 miners were .^ work, all seemingly in high spirits, pleased with the country, and elated with their prospects and earnings. Many of them were engaged in putting up log huts, and making other preparations, as they intend to winter there if they succeed in 'raving supplies of flour and other necessaries brought from Hope before the mountains >ecome impassable from snow. As that was clearly impossible without greater facilities of communication, it was evident they Avould have no alternative but to desert their claims and leave the country, at a serious loss to themselves and to the Colony. 12. That circumstance brought the vital subject of roads again forcibly to mind, A road party working out from Hope, had, I knew, nearly got the length of the summit ridge, about 36 miles distant from our camp, and could mea:i.s be found of cuttinj]; through to that point, and connecting Hope with Shimilkomeen by a practicable trail before the advent of winter, I felt assurred that an important object for the country would be gained, and I resolved to nmke the attempt. Some Indian hunters were soon found who undertook to conduct a party to the desired point, by a better and less circuitous line than the present almost impassable trail ; and the subject was immcdiatelv brought before the miners, who, seeing the object of the measure, at once volunteered in force sufficient lor the work, and early the following morning a party properly equipped PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 29 with tools, provisions, and means of transport, was dispatched with instructions to open a ath which woukl connect with the horse-way from Hope. 13. Leaving Mr. Good and one of my attendants at *his point to urge on the work, and to inquire into the condition of the miners, I pushed on without further delay with niv three other attendants in light marching order, towards Rock Creek. On the way I fell in with Mr. Cox, the Revenue Officer of the southern frontier, who joined my narty and after three days travel we arrived at the town known as Rock Creek, situated at the' junction of that stream and Colvile River. 14. The town contains l.'i houses, and several more in progress, chiefly shops and buildings intended for the supply and entertainment of miners. 15. Nearly 500 miners are congregated about Rock Creek and another tributary of the Colvile, about 10 miles below that point. 16. The Rock Creek diggings were discovered last October by Mr. Adam Beam, a native of Canada, as he was travelling from Colvile to Shimilkomeen ; he again visited the spot in December, but did not begin to work till the 7th of May : the following is a statement of his daily earnings with the cradle for the first few days afterwards : — First day's work produced 20 dollars, Britisr colcmbia. Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh 43 33 27 32 17 99 The subsequent record of his daily earnings could not be found, but on the 20th of June, that is, six weeks from the day of coran^eucement, he had made 977 dollars in gold, valuing it at 16 dollars to the ounce. 17. Hugh McKay, another Canadian miner, said that on his claim, the bed-earth of the stream yielded nothing, but a drift into the bank produced 20 dollars a day. I moreover ascertained from the testimony of the miners generally, that none of those who had succeeded in opening gold claims, were making anything less than 10 dollars a day. 18. Rock Creek is supposed to indicate the course of the gold lead, and to be every- where auriferous ; it is also believed that all the benches near the river will pay Avell ; and many of the miners propose running in tunnels without delay. There is much uncertainty however, as to the real extent and value of the lead, nor can it be ascertained until the country comes to be more extensively prospected. 19. I met the assembled population of the place the day after my arrival, and addressed them on various subjects. I did not attempt to conceal that the object of my visit to Rock Creek was to inquire into their conduct, and to suppress the disorders which were reported to be prevalent in that part of the country ; and I assured them that I was agreeably surprised to find that those reports were unfounded. After that merited compliment, I proceeded to explain the views of Her Majesty's Government, the general miiiing regulations of the Colony, especially directing their attention to that section of the Act which provides for the establishment of mining boards, with powers to frame hyelaws adapted to the circumstances of each district ; or in other words, investing the miners themselves with full powers to amend their own laws. I further pointed out the nature and object of the Pre-emption Law, passed expressly for the encouragement of settlers ; and demonstrated the fact that the whole policy of Her Majesty's Government was considerate and liberal in the extreme. I then announced the appointment of Mr. Cox as Justice of the Peace and Assistant Gold Commissioner for the district of Rock Creek ; and that he was duly authorized to punish offences, to attend to the maintenance of civil order, to the registration of mining claims, and to receive all dues payable to Her Majesty's Government. I concluded by exhorting them, one and all, as they valued and looked to the laws of the land for protection, to aid and assist hini on all occasions, not only as a duty incumbent on good subjects, but as being also their manifest interest ; for, I continued, if the laws arc not enforced there can be no security, and without security there can be no prosperity; therefore, I went on to say, as you hone for redress yourselves when individually suffering wrong, you raus*^ be prepared to rally round the magistrate charged with the execution c^'the laws. The meeting ended i^lcasantly, and the measures announced appeared to give general satisfaction. 20. Mr. Cox then proceeded to the less plensant task of levying the regular customs charge on all goods found at Rock. Creek which had not been entered for importation ; such goods being really contraband and legally forfeited, might have been seized iox the 1) 3 IS •m % .Ifi ^ -i ■I i I : 30 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. British Columbia, I; I benefit of the Crown, lind it not been considered inexpedient in the circumstances tn inflict the extroine penalty of the law. 21. I left soon afterwards on my return to Frascr River, and have since then added another ollicer to the revenue establisluncnt at Rock Creek, nnd ;i ithovized the emplov ment of any ;nnount of force when necessary for restraining the illicit importation of goods into liritish Columbia; and the cost of such extra establishment is to he super, added as a Treasury fine to the import duties. It is, however, impossible, I conceive altogether to prevent smuggling at places situated so immediately on the frontier as Rock Creek, which is within two miles of the boundary. 'I'he simple and only certiiin means of effecting the object is to under-sell the foreign merchant by supplyino- coods at the cheapest rate, and much may be done towards that object by improving the communications and lessening the cost of transport from Hope. 22. The total distance from that place to Rock Creek is about 160 miles. Byim. proving the channel of the Shimilkomecn River and rendering it navigable in boats, we may substitute 60 miles of water for land carriage at a great reduction of cost. The improvement of the Shimilkomecn would not involve an outlay of more than 1,000/.' while it would reduce the land carriage to 100 miles, by substituting a cheap water conveyance for the remaining 60 miles. With that advantage the whole trade will flow towards Fraser River. 23. The following mining statistics were collected by Mr. Good at Shimilkomecn :— Mr. Alison's claim produces 10 dollars a day for each man employed. JNI'Dowell's claim, 12 dollars a day per man. Merril and Eddy worked three days, and made from 10 dollars to 12 dollars daily per man. M'Dougal took out 26 dollars in the cradle the first day ; in prospecting his claim he found 1 dollar and upwards to the pan; anticipates earning 50 dollars per man' when sluicing operations commence in about a week's time they will all begin to work.' On examining the country, prospects were so good that they all immediately commenced preparations for sluicing, wing damming, and other costly works for mining on alarm scale. 24. The road party were fiir advanced with their task on my return to Shimilkomecn and I took that road to the summit or punch-bowl, where I fell upon the new road from Hope, which is carried over an elevation of 4,000 feet without a single uradient exceeding 1 foot in 12, a fact very creditable to Serjeant M'Call and the "detach- ment of Royal Engineers employed in marking out the line ; it moreover suggei-ts the possibility of converting it hereafter into a cart-way. It is even now a great boon .■ the country, yet it will lose much of its value unless it be kept open for traffic in winter, by sending out parties of men on snow-shoes to beat the roads after every fall of snow a course which I strongly recommended to the merchants at Hope. 25. The persons vho hold the Union and Emory Bar silver leads near Hope arcmakinjr great exertions to open the works, with, I believe, every probability of a most profita'ie result. 26. Masses of nearly pure virgin copper have been found in the excavations made for mining purpose above Yale, and valuable outcrops of coal occur on the Shimilkomecn River, but the present value of those minerals is not sufficient to induce the investment of capital. 27. The new horse-way from Yale to Spuzzera is now open for traffic. Unlike the mountain trail which it supersedes, the new road is carried over the mountain side alon" the course of Fraser River at a moderate elevation, and will be open for travel both in summer and winter. In riding over the face of those frowning cliffs, which a twelve- month ago seemed to defy all efforts at improvement, it was impossible to repress a feeling of thankfulness and intense gratification at the successful issue of our lahours, and their probable influence on trade and the developement of the coimtrv. The arduous part of this undertaking — excavating the mountain near Yale — was executed entirely by a detachment of Royal Engineers, under r.-rjeant-major George Cann, and it has been completed in a maimer highly creditable to themselves and to the officers who directed the operation. 28. The most favourable accounts continue to arrive from the Quesnel River and CariboDuf diggings, confirming all the former reports of the vast auriferous wealth of those districts. 29. An opinion is gaining ground among persons who have closely inspected an-! studied the phenomena of the gold fields, that there exists a zone or belt of country 50 or 60 miles in breadth, which is tl.e matrix or di^pository of the gold found in British Columbia. Its couise has been partially traced from the neighbourhood of Fort George, PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 31 the forks of Eraser River, for nearly 6() miles in a south-south-east direetion ; and \ thcorv derives a measure of support from the fuet tliat the rieh (iiniiinj^s at Carihceuf, Oucsncl iliver, and Roek Creek, — the latter unknown wlau the theory was started, - me within the limits whieh it preseribes. Mr. Nind, the Assistant liojd Conunis: 'oner f r Qiiesnel River district, may probably he able to throw light upon the subjeet, and 1 await his report with much an'.^ty, especially as I have had no official coinnumication fom him since his appointment. I learn from other soiu'ces that tlii' miners in that uarter are making large profits, and that good order and tranquillity reign tln-oughout the district. The want of roads is, however, seriously I'ell, and has beeouie a general ubiect of complaint. As soon as those more important eoinnuuiieations now in progress arc completed, we shall not fail \o.i. cariiKVMf ciimmrs 30. Souic Specimens exhibiting the varieties of "old ^{;ri: shimiikamwii uivLT. fouud lu UntisU Coluiubui are i'orwarded with this ^"■'- Gold with (luart/..-Ciue«i Clmrlotto's Islaiul. ItpOlt. I have, iScc. to turn (HU- attention to tlie remoter No.e. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. BniTisH Columbia. limilkomccu :— Enclosure 1 in No. 14. MASSACItF. OK AN I.MMICUAN'T TuAIX IIY TIllO SnAKK IvDIAN'S I'l ]^ ItSOXH HrT( n f.UKl). The following is an " extra" from the Vancouver Chronicle ;- Yreka, Oitobor ii- determination to compete with British Columbia for the sujjply of her own territories, and the ];lans in contcmiilatiou for csta!)lishing a town or towns as near the line as jiossilile. Tlie inhabitants of liritish Columbia are not wanting in enlevprisc and energy, but tlie dilVerent circumstiUices under which they compc^te with foreign traders (backed liy tbe syiuiiatby of their nation), both as to ca|>ital at command, the aggregate nunit)erof I'ompctitors, and the motives intlucncing each, are not we tbinfc to be overlooked. We beg to state to your Excellency, tliat. as a commuuity, we hope not to be behindhand in taking advantage of tlie .Sbimilkamccn trade, but also to comey our unanimous opinion that tbe interests of the Colony, as well as our own, demand such arrangements for the collection of revenue on goods entering British Columbia, otherwise tlian through its jjresent port of entry, as will ensure protection to British trade, and the augmentation of its revenue by means and rates of import at present u:iisting. D 4 End. 2 in No. U. im 82 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. British Columbia. We beg to tender your Excellency our thanks for your liberal aid to the Boston Bar trail. Witk out noticing many interested motives to decry the trail, we can assert that your compliance with wishes in this respect has fully realized our expectations of benefit to Hope. '"'' Your Excellency's first outlay was the means of our town obtaining a share of the trafTic to th upper country, to which we considered ourselves entitled, and your more recent grant will greatl improve the road in placing it in a permanently efficient state, in a portion on which the nature of tl'' ground had made locomotion very difficult. But the chief argument which will weigh with your Excellency in taking a colonial view of th expenditure is the circumstance of packing having been much reduced through the access afforded tn Lytton by this trail. We have now availed ourselves of the occasion of your Excellency's visit to return you our thank* for your attention to the wants and welfare of the Colony in the matter of the trails above alluded W we trust it will not be deemed out of place if we conclude our remarks with the hope that the origin^ intention of your Excellency respecting the Shimilkamcen trail may soon be carried out, in forming the present trail, or any route considered best, into a waggon road ; we do not ask this as a local matter only. We do not consider that scope will be given to that commercial energy and enterprise which your Excellency is so desirous of encouraging locally unless your intention should be carried out as soon as possible, and your Excellency has repeatedly, publicljf and privately, expressed your opinion that the route to the new gold fields and agricultural district of the Shimilkamcen is through Hope. A waggon road to this important country will not be looked upon otherwise than a colonial measure, and one which has already received the sanction of public opinion at large. We have, &c. (Signed) A. D. Pringle, M.A. W. H. Sutton, and 50 others. '!i Ml No. 15- No. 15. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle. (No. 95.) Victoria, Vancouver's Island, November 9, I860. (Heceivcd January 2, I86I.) My Lord Duke, (Answorcd, No. 66, February I, 1861, pii;;o 68.) ■ P»ge 22. In my report on British Columbia of the 9th of October last, marked " Separate,"* I had the honour to inform your Grace of the dispatch of an exploratory party from I Douglas, under the charge of Dr. Forbes of Her Majesty's ship " Topazc," to examine especially with reference to its mineral character, the country bordering on Harrison Lake I and River. I have now the honour of forwarding the valuable and highly interesting report of that I gentleman, whc lately returned to this place with his party, in good health. His researches, carried on under many difficulties inseparable from the country, were I prosecuted with a very creditable degree of activity and vigour, and have been cniinently successful in elucidating the true mineral value of the district, the whole of which he believes to be metalliferous, and the greater portion of it argentiferous. He found and examined many argentiferous veins, and he observes that he has not the least doubt that there is abundance of silver in those formations, but it can only be reached by an outlay of capital and steady persevering mining operations. He has also, from various indications, been led to believe that in many of the metal- ' liferous veins described in his report, deep mining will develope gold. Dr. Forbes recommends that encouragement should be given to companies for the I purpose of working silver mines, and thinks they cannot be worked advantageously by individual enterprise or exertion, a suggestion which meets with my warmest approval. I trust that Dr. Forbes's able report may have the effect of attracting public attention in England to the mineral wealth of British Columbia, and to the facilities it presents for the profitable investment of capital. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. : t End. in Na 15. Enclosure in No. 15. Sir, H.M.S. " Topaze," Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, Oct. 22, 1860. By letter dated 8th October, I had the honour to apprise your Excellency of my return to Victoria on the 6th, with the exploring yturty under my command. It now becomes my duty to lay before your Excellency a general summary of my proceedings, with a detailed account of such explora- tions as time and circumstauces enabled me to make. O A D l-<'r--'f ^ ^~^< .v.-,i(- ..( t:,i,ii,ih .Wi/,.> f-' fli' 4 St A-' "'" ^ W2- ;,.,/,■ r , _j Ac r^:: — _i ;'/• .')■ Xfi-Hirrii lint) 1 i L'C-r- / |i'/r I 1,1 ij* SECTION N9 2 HARRISON LI LLUOET ROAD \ y \ ^' N^ V /, .^^ SECTION N? I HARRISON LAKE ~X^:. V :.--• C,,, rvn ^-^^ 10 / Ak \ \ /\ W^ X i :,-..v-\ i' ' ,- .-^'^'^ ' '*':-^ ROAD linlililii ./■ W'ltlnlii Unit ^■■^ - "V ^ --'x ,//' , x' V. --a=?^?r!71?S!* \>^ v _N H.;l M.l.iin.'irhi, llorh h'ITiu\iiii'iis lli'il: rililnhit ItiuL '■!' (iniiiilir rhiii.i.iri Mi'liiii'io i>lih tliiy Sliilr .hint: I i>iis liiinri ^wy/rz/T PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 33 1, In rnmpliam'f witli your Excclldicv's iiistnictioiiH (■(Hifiiincd in letter djitcil 'Jiltli AiijjiiMt, I took cliarpe of tlio exnloiiiiff piirtj' at \ew We.-tiiiinster, iiiid tliere reeeived rimii llie Treasury iind tho Cemmisj'nriat awn t^iipplies of money and |ir(ivision> as ajipcared neees.-ary i'or carrying,' on the exploru- tioii of tlu' district speeilied, vi/., IVoni the nioiitli ol' tlie llarrinoii Hiver to the 'iM-mile liouso on tlin Lilloct trail. 0, Unable to procure a canoe at the mouth of the Harrison liiver, as directed hy my instructions, I prncfcded in the steamer "(,'olonel Moody "' to I'ort l)onj,'laH, and at that place on the .•>•>( r;!!,i)n of the Ijdtli, succeeded, after some dillicidty, in procuring' a canoe and Indians to take me down the Harrison Lake. I'inuinff on startiufj that my caimc was too heavily laden, I cni,'a!,'ed anotiici' and smaller canoe, and with a parly consistin;^ of tline Spaniards, four Indums, self an."i.) havinj^ como hy computation about eijiht miles, I camped on a si\ndy ilst August, — At daylight, weather was much overcast and threatening'. Nevertheless, 1 struck camj) and got ready, being anxious to commence work at the place indicated iit my instructions. A tlunuior-storm, however, passed to the southward, followed by heavy rain, and a fresh brece fnmi the S.W. causing a heavy swell on the lake and rendering it impossible to proceed. I therefore pitched mv cani[) again, and proceeded to prosi)eet tho neighbouring ravine and to examine the geological formation around. At the month of the stream, and extending on both sides along the shore of the lake, were water- florn boulders of granitic and quartzose rocks, gncis; with garnets, mica schist with ditto, iiieces of good Toofiiig slate, together with masses of a pure white (luarfz containing excellent indications of metal. The nionntaip, the top of which is somewhat rounded in its outline, having a Hat surface to the west- waril, and a remarkable pinnacle or linger-like rock at its immediate base, is composed of trap, having resting >']'<"' 't and tilted at a high angle, micaceous, taleose, and hornblendic schists, all highly charged with iron, the oxidation of which has produced disintegration of these rocks. At a point about .lOO yards from the mouth of the stream on its proper right bank, a mass of trachytio rock has been erupted, shattering the surrounding rocks, itself much shaken and shattered ; great masses dislodged hy weathering and other causes having slipped and rolled to the bottom of the ravine. ]ii this rock, of volcanic origin, was found a mass of ([uartz, of a beautiful white colour, containing good indications of silver and copper, which indications proved true, for on assaying a specimen, by tho re(iiioin?f process, a globule of each of these nu'tals showed itself. This mass or vein of (piartz dips iinrtlicriy beneath the overlying trachjtic rock. It is we(lge-shai)cd, the thickness increasin;:' with the ili'ptli. iM'om it, in all directions, radiate veins of (piartz, which, guarded on each side by a hssile rock ofa I'Vench grey colour, permeate the mass of trachyte in all directions. Those only, however, which run nci'tli and south are metalliferous, the east and west veins or cross courses are barren. Deeming it necessary to explore this formation thoroughly before proceeding farther, I determined to blast the rock in order to sec if the indications improved with the depth ; but finding one of the blasting tools in a very inellicient state, I was obliged to send it to Port Douglas for rejjair, and in the meantime ])roceeded to examine the veins, seriatim, as they radiated from the great central mass. liisiiig in a north-westerly direction is a (piartz vein runniiig through or along with the iissile rock above alluded to containing ores of silver; and to the right, having the same N.W. and S.E. direction, about '.'111) yards above the "mother vein,"' a quartz vein sliuws itself in the broken precipitous face of the containing trachytio rock. It runs between two great bands of the fissile French grey-coloured rock, separated from it by masses ofa partially decomposed pyrites, which besides, in a band of about three inches in thickness accom- panies the cjuartz vein throughout its course. Besides these masses and bands of iron pyrites, masses of a dark green chlorite rock occu.\ and nodules containing the sulphuret of silver arc clearly discernible both in the vein itself and in the ro':k through which it passes. Following the ravine, and at the same time ascending, I found, at an elevation of about 000 or 700 feet, another quartz vein of the same character, dipping in the same direction, and belonging to the same system; and from the numerous angular fragments of quartz and quartzose rocks everywhere scattered about, I believe that tliere are numerous other veins, which I had not time to look for or explore. I worked into the quartz matrix and its ramifying veins, and satisfied myself of the existence of silver at this spot, which, however, will require somc'.vh:it ev tensive mining operations to procure in paying quantities. Tho geological character of this locality affords a good type of the general formation of the whole eastern side of the lake, and may here be briefly described as a region of jjrimarj-, metaniorpbic, and Toli'anic rocks, crossed and recrossed by trajipean dyke- and veins and scams of metalliferous quartz anil (piartzose rock. The ])riniary or igneous rocks, which form the central axis of the mountain range, have on their flanks transverse ridges and sinivs of trajiiiean rock, bedded and jointed, re>ting oii which, and tilted at various angles, lie the nietauiorphic schistose rocks, which, again broken through, dis- turbed, and shattered by successive intrusions of volcanic rock, have in many instances undeigone a second mctamoriihosis, and show an anioriihous crystalline structure, accompanied by segregation of metal into the permeating veins. Thursday, Cth September. — I began here to have trouble with my Indians; though well cared for in every way, they were becoming impatient, and I had to discharge one yesterday and another to-day. Heavy rain during the night, but the morning promising well, 1 started w ith the three Spaniards and one old Indian to examine the landslips. louud that the great mass of the debris in all the slips was composed of ])lutonic, trappean, and quartz rocks, all of them full of beautiful groups and strings of crystals of iron pyrites, botfi massive ami iu cubes, and all possessing good indications of the proximity of valuable mineral. IlniTiiH CCLL'MBIA. 84 PAPERS RFJ.ATING TO BRITISH COLUMIUA. BHITI-II C'ouMm.v. I i'IkIi' 'T: ■111*,' rook,- 111;. >> Clllllll ri nscciKiiMi tli(> liindi^lipH to tlic hnikcii vrixfffty siimmiff, and fdiiiid flio walkiiiff most tirp«nnio ami lalMPiloiif^, till- rii.ks iit cM'iy ^tcp Ki^i'i^' ^^I'V "H'l ■■*li|'l''"K '■''"" '"''"'i't'i mv Iri't, llic iiii liii.itidii (ifil,, liiiMintHin i-i(li' liciii;,' iit ii very hij^li aii^'lc. TIk' rock loi iiiiiiit llit' lirokcii (ni;,'s at the siiiiiiiiit in a i\nn. Iii^flily ci-jstallinc Miic trap, l)i'(l(l('il and jointed, liiiniiix to the liaiimur, its wcallicri'd Mirliwc ((.utiii and coloured hy the oxide ot'iidii, which metal in the I'oriii of pyrites ahoiiiid> in the neif;iih(,iiri and veins. 'I'he central mass on which this n^reat nniss of trajjpean rock reposes is a phitonic or i;!ne(ius toU of a fiianitie character, very dense, hijfhly crystalline, crossed and perniealed l>y hands and vuim ,1 (piailz, one of whieii, alioiit halfway up the slip, passin;,' in a direct line from one remarkaliiy red uj, to aiiolher s(Mne .0()(i yards oil', on the same level, is metallifi'rons. It continues in a sontlu'vly (liriiiii,! alonji' the face ol t!ie ran;,'e, and if not cuntinnons with, lielon;,fs to the same system as the aijieiiiiferou vein 1 (lescrihed yesterday as ruimiiij{ ilose past my camp, inside of I'oinI Spen<'er. Satnrday, Sepleinher 1st. Heavy rain all day, impossible to do ar.ythinj^' fiirlhcr than priisiii.ct tl,,, shores of I he lake rij^ht and left. The rocks everywhere indicating,' that they helongid lo a nicia'. liferous re;,non. .Snnday, September 2d. — Morninff ha/.y, hnt (juiet, light hreeze from the eastward. The niaii I h, i sent to ])()uj,das to f,'et crowbar repaired not ha\in>{ returned, 1 took a!' llii^ liM'i' iin'rhiclly nl' iniii'diis rmk. willi iiiimiTiiiissiicci- (il'luaiilifiil ciriiliyiy. Tlic trap ruck I pa!>-.cci y<"iis, iiuuli' iijxir till' iduiiilcd liniildcis and Kiavcl ol' I lie ari'at iKHtlicni diilt. wliiili lirii', .,, ill idl iIk' valleys lit' lliis rcKinii, may lii' mcii tn pi'iii'rtiiii, re, lied and ualiT-Wdiii lnadiliTs cit' cm'TV iVniiMiii-i and ciy-talliiif rock that uniild licar altrilioii an- tn In' Idiiiid, whdc the M'diiiu'iitaiy and Miller nicks, jrniiind and pdundcd, toiiii the land, the clay, and the gravel nl' the I'minaliini. 'I he ii\er i<.i^'<'t alioiit >i\ miles Irnni it> cntiaiicc Into tin- lake, -ueep- thron^h lliU hcnihler (lill't which nils lip '11"' eo\eis the whole valley, liinned liy the divaiiciitinii of t«o .■.inns or iaii;;i's ol' liiili,' wlii'li '"'"' 'I'liiii'iK ''11^' "'"' ""'•■•' 'I"'''' ''"' ^h'll'i'- "I ihe lake at ri;;lil anj;le>. The whole Iniins ■1 'line sweep ol' level land, well liliiliered, and liavili^ a ;,'ood snrliice of alluvial and veyctahli' -oil ; lint '] jlijr iis it does (111 this great iffavid lied, were the limher to he removed, I lear that the -inniner liViils would convert tli(' soil into a very line dii>t, which Ihe antninii wind> and winter rains and floods wiiiild eventually sweep away, leaviii^j- iiolhing hnt naked terraces of honlder stones and f;ra\el. Dnriiij; niv pidMie'tiiiK to-day, 1 t'oniid a rock, in eitii, possi'Sfiiiijr good indications ol' silver, hut eoiild mil trace ih'i' vein, it heiiifr overlanl hy the drift. I'rdiM where iiiv camp is jiitehed, alioiit two miles from the mouth of iIk tlie liiHs, 1 earefiilly ))rospected for i,'ol( iiiiiuite specks, in technical lauKiiage, " tiuiiiy fvoiu ii lo ■> dollars ])er man ]ier diem, if worked hy a rocker or hy sluices. Siiudav, i'tli Se])teinliei'. — (iav(> the men a day of rest : lieinj;' line, were eiiahlei ki'. \-c.,"wlnch were thoroiijfhly saturated with moisture, aisreiitiferniis (piartz am' lliiirisii C'OI.I MIMA. river, np to within a mile of , and ill a ferrn^^inous gravel on the river hank, found first the colonr,' and as 1 ascended, coarse grains of glets on the lake apiiroaching L'o-mile I'oint. .Mmiday, Icih Septeinlier.- Up at daylight, jiacked one tent and jirov i-ions for two days. Left camp at '■A.m. to explore river lip to, and if pos>il)le, jiast the falls, in (U'der to ascertain the geological formation, 1111(1 if possihle, trace the origin of the gold, which, fVom its rough eri^p-looking sni lace, evidently has Ih'CII tiaiisporled IK' giciit distance. With two small canoes and three Indians, pushed up the stream, irackiiii,' up the rapids, and reached the falls at li a.m., where I eaiiiped. Coming ii]) 1 had pa^sed a rdiisideiahle deposit of gravel and ferruginous sand, extending on liotli sides of the river, and from this 1 bi'lieved the gold had come; 1 left it however to he examined on my return. .Inst a« my tent was iiitclied, heavy rain set in ; it cleared up soinevvhat in ahout an hour, and I was enahled to examine the falls aiid'tlie neighhoiiring rocks. I'Vmml the eoiintry heyoiid the falls so niucli hrokeii up. so iliilliiilt to pass over, that in such weather it would have taken more time than I could atl'ord to t'snliire it thoroughly; I was therefore ohliged relnctiiiitly to give it uii, having ascertained that the vvalU of the goruc or ravine, through which the river flows, are eomposeil of massive plulonic and trappeaii rocks, the latter having a slaty fracture. I liese masses rise in perpcnilieular cliffs, cut np liy miiiu'i'ous deep cracks or ravines, covered liy almost ini]iervi(uis clumps of trees and sliruhs, the I'liiiiiid encumliered with fallen timber, rendering' trav(dliiig very dillicult, almost impossilile. The rock over which the water rushes at the falls, which are not more than (1 or s feet at this tiinc of the year, is an igneous rock, of a granitic character, crossed hy iiiunerous hands of (piart/, and having the general appearance and eluiracter of the rock descrihed as underlying the trap at till' lalld^lips on the lake. Allhougli the (piartz veins which here cross the igneous and trappeaii rocks, show no indications of metal, yet many transported blocks in the bed of the river do so, and indicate the existence of luetalliferuus veins higher np the valley, which ought to be fully ex- pkircd. No trace of gold eould he detected in the sand or alluvium at the falls. Heavy rain had again set in, I therefore struck my tent and returned to examine the gravel and red sand deposit > issed ill tlu' iiioiniiig. At 2 ]).in., examined and found this deposit to consist of boulders (water-worn), sand, and jL'ravel, \\\\\\ (iiitjiihir boulders. The boulders are of igneous rocks of various kinds, granitic, ]iorpliyritic (fel- spar), and hornblende rocks; the sand of two kinds, aline white ipiartzose sand, and a coarser ferruginous sand or gravel, the whole mass rnnniiig in a N.W. and .S.K. direction, cut across by the river. On tilt' right bank of the river, this gravel rests on a trap rock, which has a slaty fracture, and extends inlaii'' about TiiiO yards, formiug terraces along the river bank for ahout half a mile. On the left, it rises into a conical shaped hill, simie iiou to Ijnd feet in height, and runs on as ab.ivc stated in a S.K. direction. 'Iho upjier [lortion has about 'S in. in thickness of rolled and roiinded boulders of ifiiieous and trappeaii rock, then ;5 to "i feet id' fine gravel, next, several feet of a fine (piart/ose sand ; and lielow, to a depth wlii(di I could not distinctly ascertain, is the ferruginous gravel, containing »/«/«/»/• fragments of (piarfzose ro(d\S, masses of metalliferous- looking ([uartz, and nnmeriMis blocks of a dense black ironstoni>, the jirodnct (d" intense volcanic action. I tried tlu" sand and gravid from every part (if this deposit, but could not find a trace of gold; from the surface to the river side, from U to H I'cet, to which denth 1 dug beneath the surface, all fruitles-:, not a speck to he seen, whicli surprised me inucli, as immediately below, on the river banks, in this same ferruginous sand, I o.ndd wasli out rough gold, in small quantities certainly, with a common iiros])ectiiig pan. Much of this gravel is becoming consolidated into a conglomerate or pudding-stone, by the oxidation if the volcanic ironstone alluded to above, which, with granitic, ([uartzose, and other bypogeiiic rocks, forms the lithological cbaracter of the mass. That gold exists in this locality is a fact, and that its origin is to be referred to this gravel deposit 1 fully liclieve. At the same time, I cannot ex|)laiii why, on prospecting, it did not yield golil, unless that my examination was too cursory and superficial. This ferruginous am il'eroiis gravel, on the left hank, rests on the boulders and gravel of the great uortlieni drift, with which, however, it has no geo- loirical connexion, fiutlier than that of accidental relation. It extends, J believe, acro-s the vvlnde valley beneath the vegetable and alluvial soil, which ailiirds holding ground, and give.-, nourishment to the trees and shrubs covering the plain: and under this soil will gold he found, I feel sure ; what is washed on the livor side must only be regaided as indications. E 2 i ;14 . m < Kl- : 1-1 ; m-i- ' lii <'■' I. ■■ 86 PAPERS RELATINC; TO numSII COLUMRIA. DniTtin As to tli'm origin of this iiuriCcnmrt fjnivcl. it appi'iirs tonic tlint an cxfcnHivc raiiffc "f fiunrt;, rnrk CoLCMDiA. Ims iinil('r((iiii(' (Icjinulatinn, I'onsciiuciit mi (li^niiitiiin \>y Milcanir luri'i's uiiil oxidation cit'itM aurilcmus ■ pyritci, wliicli ha'* colunrffl itH i-iini|Mincnt parliiliM ri'd, and ^,.t )',ci' ii:< containi'd jrold. Ilcivvriin t'lnitinning and ni^^lit t'loxinir in, 1 came down the rivci, »-li(i(itin}r tlif ra|)idF<, and arrived at cuiup ^ sunset. On my wiiy down met four minors Roinjf up to prospect tlii) gold reported to exist. I jfavu tlium a]] the information on tlie matter tiiat I could. TucHday, 1 nil Sc|)ttMnl)cr. — Moriiiii;,' line, liut nil our ffonr soaked with yesterday's rain. Stnicli tents and loiidcd canoe, found iier too deep from (lie wciLjiit of llic wet tents, iVe., \c. ; emptied iiml left jiork lask liehiiid ; endeaMiiircil to pniciiie aiintlier canoe, liiit did not sueercd, all asvay emphivod on the nalmon lihihcry, which the Indians are carryiuif on vi;foiously. Started at H a.m. and proceeiled (liwii the lake, prosiiectin^^ and examining tho various forinatimis ns I went. \ few miles lieyond the valley of the Klatchku eamo to BchiHtoito rocks resting on trail, with nietalliferous (piartzose veins jiassing through. Pushed on to a camping place at the mniith of n small river or mountnin torrent, which enters the Inke tipposite to the north or Long Island. Camped, and that afternoon prospected the river hed ; found it eontaiuing iiuuierous water-worn boulders of hypogeiii(! and nictaniorplii(! rocks, masses of cpiart/ with chlorito schist, haviii;; jrii|,(| indications of silver ; other rocks having the same of copper. Ahiuit two miles up found traces of g(dd in the hiack sand of river hank. It had been raining heavily uU the afternoon, uiid darkness now setting in, I returned to c;imp> Wednesday, 12tli .Se|)teml)er. — At duyliglit, wenther having cleared un, mid the day promising well, roused all hands, and started to examine the metalliferous quartz veins found yesterday. 'I'lie forniation is of the same character as jirevails generally, so far as I have yet seen, and on further examination I found the metamorphic schistose roi'k resting on and tilted by intiiided nms^os of trap, which is here regularly bedded and jointed. Trap dykes, containing veins and iiias>es of quartz run right and left, und at points where these masses of traj) intrude, and where the (|uait/(ije veins enter and permeate the schists, they become metalliferous. An argentiferous vein, 1(> to Is ftd wide runs along the side of the lake and rises on the bill at an angle of -16" or thereabout, passing beneath tiic mountain in its strike. The silver, in the form of sulpburet, is contained in a crystalline blueisb-grey rock, having masses and veins of miartz permeating it, and running along its centre u band of unctuous-feeling bluc-lilatk rock, an excellent indication of good silver ore. The character of the vein alters as it passes through tlio different strata of the containing roc!;, becoming in places highly crystalline and very bard. I was obliged to blast in two places to ascertain the character of the vein, und was glad to fnul all the indications improve with the depth. On the beach a prismatic trap which makes excellent shaqiening stones, and good siicciiucns of roofing slate, were picked up. Having examined the coast line, and finding it coming on to blow, made the best of my way to camp, found a heavy surf on the beach, and got capsized close to tent. Thursday, 13th .September. — .'i.30 a.m., all olf, morning overca.-t, slight drizzle, weather looiij threatening, light breeze from S.E. right up the lake, nasty jablilc of a sea on. 7.30 a.m. —-Passing metamorphic and trappean rocks, overtopped by a rouiidcii red-col. lured mountain, which IVuiu tiie form of its ravines and general Jispect looks ]iroinising. The wind now freshened so inueli, and the water became so rough, that it was dangerous tn iiroeecd, and I therefore pitched camp on a sandy spit near a rocky ravine, i)])posile south end of Long Isianil at 8.30 a.in. After breakfast prospected ravine, tbroui,di which a mountain stream flows, found igiieuns and metamorphic with trappean rocks abouniling. .'^onie of them with good indications, in mining language, excellent shoad stones. Examined ravine by this same process of shoading, and foiiiul on tho right bank numerous angular fragments of rock assuming a jirismatic structure, coated witii tiu' red oxide of iron, and containing vestiges of silver ore. The specimens appeared to belong to a metamorphic rock, semi-crystallized by intruded volcanic agencies, in the form of erupted trap and intruded quartzose masses. Heavy rain and a gale of wind prevented an extended examination of the locality at this time, Friday, September 14tb. — Very anxious to get on, but cannot; heavy rain during the night; morning overcast, drizzly and squally. Can neitlier get on, nor go back. Half my time gone, and 1 have still the Lilloet district before me. Unable to prospect, I proceeded to exarriine the specimens of yesterd.ay, and found the ruck full of metallic sulphurets, chieilv of silver and antimony. At 4 p.m. the rain ceased, and I was enabled to follow up and discover tlie metalliferous rock, "to which the specimens found yesterday and exaniined to-day belong. The lode is H'-J feet wide, close to the water in the ravine, and passes iiorth-we-terh- right in along a broken ravine, covered by a mass of angular fragments of the same rock, and a quantity of red earth which marks its course along the face iif the mountain. I was obliged to iilast twice to ascertain its true character, and found it to be a very hard crystalline mass of a iduisli-black and black -grey colour, enclosing masses of ([uartz and groups and strings of metalliferous ores. The formation both north and south of this vein is trajipcan, a dense crystalline rock, bedded and jointed, rising into mountain peaks. Saturday, 15th September. — The weather having been for some days so very bad, and looking altogether broken, being unable to procure more than one cauoe, which was in consequence much too heavily laden, 1 was completely cramped in my movements, for, unless when perfectly calm, it was dangerous to attempt navigating the lake. Fearing that if I delayed waiting for fine weather to complete the exploration of the Harrison I might possibly altogether lose the LilloL-t countrv, I resolved to make the best of my way to Port Douglas, and if I should have time and a favourable opportunity complete the Harrison Lake and River on my return. t, whicli ontiTs the l>ArEUS UKLATING TO PUTTISII COU'MniA. 37 AcriirilinKly "^ '^ ii.iii., liniliiig tlic wcitliiT iiiiiili>rati', ami prniiiiHiii^' well, I roiiMMl all liaiiiN. ami llniTi*!! iVr ii flip "'''""'''■ >J"' '""''''■ "''■*{''» '''''""ii'il the laki' to l.imj; Islaml, f.kirtiii({ it ami prut rcdiiifj l>y llio C'>ii muia. *,.«ti''rn tiliiirf to I'dil Doii^'laH. _ Till- iiiirtliiM'ii or \.i>\\K Island I found to lio fonipoMod cliicfly of trap, with ofi'nuioiial jintchi'H of nicta- i..iliii. rnik, I'lit no indit nlion^* (if inrtid were olMcrvalilc IVmiii till' laki'. On llii' wi-^lcin slioii', at a tiiiiit oiiposil'" •" north rud of Lonj; I^land, a tini' trad nt level land eonuneuieH, and rniH north for ilKMit H inilert, liaviuK an aviMiiffc widtli of I mile, a ^itreinn tlowiiiif thronirJi it, and ahnndmn e of line tinilitT ''!'"" '*• ''''''■ "" ''"■ "•'"'•■ *'"'■' mid terraeei in this di.itriet, the !tnli>tratnin i?* Iioulder diifl III jjriivel, tlif allnviuiu and vei,'i'talilf nimdil of no (rreal tliirkne?iH, hot I'lmidd the nilvi-r Icadn on tlii' ulliiT sill'' I'l' polked thin llat will he of tlie f.rie.ite.-t ii-e to the Mliners. WliiTi' tiii-i t('irn"n tenninatcM and the liold |ireii|iitoin blulfs again aliut upon the laki', the formation (f tlu' iiiiiiinliiiii raiii^fs at the hack can luiwell M-en. Uiciiiif from the water are rounded masses of a di'use hlai k trap rork, sjiar-ely covered hy stunted iiinc trees, alternating' with heaulifiil littli^ eoves, frin;^e(l liy shinah? licaihes in whieli the vi'({etation i.s niori; varied and k">«»1' '""''i' perfect. ... At uml neiir the point known as Whiskey I'olnt the formation ehiuiires, and inetaniorphie arKilhieeniiH si'liiiiti'!"-' roeks r •tiiiif on llie trap hegin to show themselves, and this, alternating with an erupted traoiiytic roek, coutiiuu's all tiie way to "'Sjiay I'oiut," wImmc an iinasji- of that deity who presides over the Inilian iiieteoroloffical department stauils out, cut from the Holid roek, l''rom this point to I'ort DoiiL'liiS the whole western shore appears to hu a mass of dead trap, no indications of mineral to ho sei'ii. Noiirly swamped crossinj^ the lake, though only a light hree/.e from the S.K. Arrived ut I'ort boiiRliw at (! p.m. Similiiv, Ifith Septemher. — lipsted at Port Douglas. Men employed drying clothes, l"ii(ling, Ve. Momliiy, I'th Seplemher. -Making |ut'paiations for prospeiting l/dloet district, .'il our blasting tools reiiiiired repair, had to he fresh steeled. Twelve days' provisions to he packed, iirrangeinent:) iiiailo for eonveyances ; Indians to hi- paid for work and hire of canoes, \m'., Vc. 'I'm-sdav, l'''th Septemi)er.^Made an M'ire(>ment to havt; my baggage jiacki'd as far as L'O-mile house, nt the rate of ti cents per lb. Sull'eriug from sprain ami rheumatic all'ection of right kiu'e, 1 was obliged to hire a riding inide. At '_' ji.m., having seen everything oil', lell P uiglas for the Lilliiot, and camped that night at the lO-mile house. Wednesday, lUth September. — l'rosi)ecting as I went, pushed on and camped at 20-n»ilo house, anxious to get on to conuiienee work from '.'H-mili' house downwards. Thursday, 'ii'th September. — Obliged to rest this day, sutVeriug from rheumatism. l''ridav, '^Ist September. — Tried to ride, but found mvself nnal>le, !-tarted on foot, ]iushe(l on, and readied Creek Cami), 'J7i-mile from Diinglas, where I pitched my tents close to the lloyal Knginecrs' camp. Saturday, 'J'iiid September. — iMnployed prospoctinjf round cami), fouiul good indications both on ri\ er side anil up the mountain. Sunday, H'ird September. — A day of rest. Monday, 24th September. — Left camp at "^ a.m. to eNamiiie and explore the indications on the river side. At a point 28 miles from Douglas, struck (lown upon the river, and close to a. native lodge found a vein of an'ontileious rock, running N. by W. along the river bank and rising at an angle of about ;>i»' to the ter- mination of the bluif at 2!) .1 -mile house. On the level iieneath, a vein with excellent imiieatioiis rims along by and passes the 'J'JJ,-mile house, to t(Mininate at the sunnnit of ii roniid-to))])ed mountain, alioiit G or 8 miles to the northward, and wliicli has on its side a remarkable cleft and ravine full of debris. Time did not iicrinit me to i'oUou up tlie veins of this formation to this point, but from reliable infor- mation I reeiiveil, and from the geological fonnaticni of the country there, I bc'ieve tiiey terminate and are possibly more fully developed, and to that point furtlier exiiloratiiui should be ilirected. .Mthongli limited by my instructions to tlu? '_'s, or more correctly speaking, to [lie 'JO^rmile house, as the limit of my exi)loration, I yet considered that a radius from that ])oiiit was permissible, and being anxious to see the formation of cDunfry ihrongh which the above-mentioned metalliferous veins ran, 1 hired hidians, and setting the men to work to clear away the rocks and blast the vein on the river side, Iproeeeded in a boat, kindly lent t.) nie, to ])rospcet the shores of the Little Lilloet Lake, The whole formation presents the very best indications of being rich in mineral wealth, and reipiircs a jirolonged exploration. I was very anxious to examine a remarkable mountain known as the " Split Crag," but when at its foot, to my mortilleation, it became enveloped in clouds, and I had no time to wait till it should clear uj) and I could make the ascent-. It owes its remarkable form, whence its name, to the passage of a metalliferous dyke or vein through its summit, to the degradation of whicli, by the oxi- dation of the metals, is due the cleft or " Split Crag." Four p.m. — Returned to the vein where the men have been at work, found that they had exposed the arftentiforous vein, and pre[)arcd to blast ; but the drills jiroved defective, and retpiire repair. This argentiferous rock is of a pale blue colour, with masses and strings of (piartz running through it. Siilphiiret of silver, argentiferous pyrites, and some specks of gold were to be seen along with iron pyrites in cubes and masses. The vein runs through tra]), which, where in contact with the vein, is of a trachytic character, (ireat volcanic disturbances have here taken place, numerous faults existing in the trappean range which runs in jiarallel ridges north and south, sliiis and slides having taken ]ilaco in the planes of bedding; and this bluff, in which this metalliferous rock is found, appears to be the result of a great slij) from the boundary range of the valley on its eastern singineers. At aprecipitous bluff, about 27 miles from Douglas, round which the trail runs, and which was not more than 2 feet wide a few days before, I found an open road 6 feet wide, and the angular promontory renio\ ed. A mass of trap, dense, highly crystalline, of a dark blue colour, bedded and jointed, had been cut through, and in the operation an argcntii'urous vein permeating the rock oa which metamorphic clay slate E 3 t ■.' 38 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. BniTisn Coi.riimA. rcHted, had 1)01-? opened up. The argentiferous mass, or lode, is divisible into three distinct portiom till' whole 'JO feet m width, risiujif at a high angle, and running in a direction N. by W. Tli,, ,, i : . . r 1.. i.i..„ ..,.1 .1........ 1 i.:..i.i »..u;.... ...;»i. .,„.. ..,„i ,.»..:.,..„ „c -^ .."*« — is (if II piili' !! : hie colour, dense and iiighly ei ystalliiie, with masses and strings of quartz, argeiitiferou jjvrites, and other excellent indications pervading it. Tiic trap of this formation was the most hiiilii' cryst.il'ine rock of the kind that 1 '..id yet been, when broken, as niing a ])entagonal iirismaiic liinn each fragment having a ijyrar.iidiil shape. I had on a previous occasion obtained sj)eciineiis of an argentiferous rock from the hill above, and was now enabled to identify them with this hxie, wliidi risj,,,, crosses the side of the mountain in the direction named, to terminate, 1 believe, in the romui-toni,,'^ mountain described as being on the eastern side of the smaller Lilloet Lake, a member in f.^^ ^! tlie same argentiferous formation. Having obtained specimens, though l)ut ouicrops, of this and of the 'J8-mile vein, which on liiiistinir fully l)ore out its indications, I submitted tl. -m to a hurried process of assay, and obtained a fait pro.' portion of silver from all. Wechiesday, 26th Se])tember. — At an early hour sent on, by pack mules, all the b&ggage, withordir. to ciiiiip at 2ii-iiii]e house and wait my arrival, and I'etaining one hand, with pick-axe, &c. iSce., out mule, and an Indian boy, I followed slnwly, prospecting as 1 went. Jjhortly after leaving cam]), where 1 liad ri'ceived the greatest assistance and experienced miich iiind. ness from Lieut. Palmer, 11. E., and all iiis party, J came upiSn a metalliferous vein crossing tiie roaiL rising IVom the river, at 2f).j miles from Douglas. It passes through the same formation as tlie one la>! described, and which I named Royal Engineers' Mine, they having in that instance, as in the iircsciit! been the means of opening it up. Four p.m. — Passed the junction of the Amaqua Hirer with the Lilloet; the valley through wliitjitlif former ilows is said to ])ossess the very best indications of mineral wealth and rich nietalliferoiii deposits. Hocks containing gold, silver, platiiia, and cojiper being found in abundance at its mouti, and ill its bed. Tliese I have not nyself seen, but 1 iielievc my information to be leliablc, altliminh ii must always be carefully borne in m'nd, that in this district of the Lilloet, where the traiispuitwl mh and lioulders of the great northern drift are so widely spread, mistakes are very apt to occur, nirtalli. ferous, along witii other rocks, bein'f often carried many hundred miles. From its g(?ological ioimatioa and niiiieralogical relations, I am inclined, however, to believe that uji the valley these inetalliferoL; rocks will be found in situ, an(' the whole should lie carefully explored. The whole geological formation of this day's march to the Hot Springs, where I canijied at (i p.ra,, i' shown by the accompanying section to be trap of various characters, in reference to its erystallizatinr an■ I'"^^> '" ''-'i' ''p"'" "^ ahdve (U'scrihed. 'I'hc Intler and "ost proniisini; vein above mentioned, is r (luartz'se mass, six feet in ttiickness, i)eddcd in and nmniu;; "I'oiiff with a filiccous rock, iiaving masses and fra,'ns of tra]) containing masses of (piartz, and hiivin" "I""' indications of metal, '["because of the red earth is the presence of a great (|Mantity of oxiilc'of iron, wliich wells out from a chalyl)eate spiing in a constant How, at a slight ilii) in the hill, on theoldinide trail alxait ."iOO yards above the prt sent iwuL At the top of the liill there is a cutting tbruu'di a mass of rounded pebbles of trappean rocks, concreted into a dense mass of solid rock by the iiiiectTiiii of cari)onate of lime. The region is one in c'.( se proximity tn extint. Helen's Lake. \sccndinii .Sebastopol Hill, at .Jerry's well, came to a metaniorphic clay slate resting on tra]); and at Simn"' riih camp, about seven miles from Douglas, found a vein of good promise, running N'.W., hcivin" a heautifid quartz vein running at right angles to it ; its intrusi(ni has converted the clay slate into a semi-crystalline, fissile blue rock, crossing about two miles of level, and at the .5-mile tree ascending a gentle rise to a bluff cut away by blasting, an argentiferous vein crosses the dense-bcdd.-d trap of which the blufl' is c(miposed. Its direction and character agrees with all the others alrcaily described. From this point, the blulT above the .j-milo tree, a good view of the reniarkai)lc flat-t.ippcd m(uui- tcin known as Moiuit Richards may be obtained ; it is an extinct volcano, the basaltiform trap wliicb now forms the summit is the consolidated lava of the v Id volcanic tires, the scoriaceous walls having crumbled down to form tin; now^ sloping sides of the motintain. This, I have no ntro of the volcanic agencies developed in this (|uarter. At '2 p.m. arrived at the 4-mile house, and was there shown by the discoverer, Mr. Hancock, a specimen of quartz, containing such indicati(jns as induced me to examine the locality whence it had been brought. Found the vein of quartz miming noitherly through a mass of tra]), much siiattered aiid disjointed ; followed it in a southerly direction; traced it to where nu'tamorphic rock joined tho traj), but found no indications of metJil, although I feel convinced that on a more extended survey it will yet be found in this formation. Ai'ixious to get into Port Douglas to take advantage of a fine day or two, should they offer, to enable me to complete the Harrison Lake and River, 1 pushed on; and passing tra|)pean and metaniiir]ibic rocks at Gibraltar Hill, which continued on to the tra])])ean mass above Port Douglas, at the foot having a great bed of the northern drift. I arrived at that ])l:ice at 6 p.m. and camped on ])lain above the town. Sunday, 30th September. — 6 p.m., heavy rain set in last night, and continues; no steamer arrived, and 110 certainty when she may arrive. If the weather clears shall endeavour to hire cnioes and go on to Now Westminster. Monday, 1st October. — Heavy rain all morning; cleared off about 2 p.m. Xo sign of steamer; endeavoured to hire canoes and Indians to take ine down the Harrison and on to New M'estminster, but could get neither the one nor the ther, every Indian able to travel having gone u]) the Lilloct to a "blanket feast." At length, through the kind assistance of Mr. Iliiniiilireys, I obtained the [uomiso of a canoe on the following day; and Mr. Oliver Hare most kindly ])laced his boat at my (lisjxisal, and offered to accompany nic himself to afford me aid, en offer which I most gla n^ 40 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. BniTisn In the foregoing report the particular features of the Lilloet and Harrison I^ake districts iiavo bw Columbia, briefly described, and a section of the country from the 29i-mile house on the Lilloet, to ne.u ih! — — teiniination of the Harrison Lake, has been prepared and accompanies this. The section is on a scale of three inches to the mile, horizontal ; the vertical section is merely annrn ■ mate, or hypothetical, and the whole is intended merely as an illustration of the description "ivm ' the report. I may mention, however, that the distances in miles given on the Lilloet trail Jire corrct' thiise on the Harrison Lake merely approximate. '^ The elevation of all these ranges is due to the action of volcanic forces, causing, in the first place i this N.W. and S.E. line, a slow and gradual upheaval o*" the prinuiry and igneous rocks composing 'th" crust of tiie earth. Tlien, as these forces increased at intervals in intensity, ujjhcavals and disturbanop' of the mountain masses occurred, both generally and locally, until the geographical features of th country assumed their present aspect, vi/., great mountain chains running X.U. and S.E., havintr right angles to their axis of elevation, trappean rocks running E. and W. in transverse spurs ami ridc'- llesting on these sj)urs, tilted by them at various angles, are detached and broken masses of Jn^!^^_ morphic rock of various kinds, such as clay slate, micaceous, liornbleudic, talcose, and chloiito schist-' all ])ermeated by dykes and veins of erupted rock, which in many instances have changed the mota. morphic rocks, at the points of contacr, into amorphous semi-crystalline masses. I fully believe that the whole district is metalliferous; and 1 am happy in having been able to prove that the greater portion of it is argentiferous. With regard to the argentiferous veins which I have been fortunate enough to discover, I would bf» your Excellency to bear in mind that limited as 1 was to time, it was impossible for me to work into the rock so as to determine their true and relative values; having found, examined, traced, and proved their argent ii'crous nature, I was obliged to leave each in succession, its value undetermined, to explore the formation and the district further. That there is abundance of silver in these formations I bavp not the least doubt, but it can only be reached by an outlay of caj)ital and steady pcrseverin" mininn operations. From various indications, I am led to believe that in many of the metalliferous vciiij described, dee]) mining will develop gold. The gold in the Klatchka River on the Harrison Lake will enable any steady hard-working man, who will work it with a rocker and be content with moderate gains, to live well all the year tluoui'h, and save money, as also would workings on the bars of the Lilloet at the 20-niile bouse ; but in neitiier locality need any man, in mining language, expect to make "a pile." To work these argentiferous veins, I would beg respectfully to represent to your Excellency, that encouragement should be given to a comjiany or comjianies formed for the purpose of working mines. I do not think that they can be advantageously worked by individual euterprize or exertion. I do not think that the existing laws having reference to leases and claims on gold (lijiu'injs ate applical)le to the working of silver mines in the districi which I have explored, and would niost respectfully urge that some special rules and regulations be framed and put in force at an early date. It affords ine the greatest ])lea5ure to inform your Excellency of the great kindness and astance I everywhere met with during my exploration, more especially from Colonel i\Ioody, the olli.ors and men of the Royal Engineers; from Mr. .1. H. Gaggin, .1.1'. of I'ort Douglas; JNIessrs. IluinpluTv and Hare, of ditto ; and from Captain Erciu of the steamer "Caledonia," who iinding that I was about to return in a canoe, gave a free jiassage to New Westminster to all the jiarty. Entreating your Excellency's indulgence. for the imperfections of the above report, I have, kc. To his Excellency (Signed) Chaui.ks FonnEs, M.D., James Douglas, Esq., C.B., kc. &c. Surgeon, lioyal Navy. small size. I •i^ ■H: I' ^^ No. 16. No. 16. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.B., to his Grace the Diikc of Newcastle. (No. 100.) Victoria, Vancouver. Island, November 2S, I860. My Lonn Duke, (UrcciviMi .iiumiuy ;ji, ism.) I HAVE the honour to inform your Grace that nothing of nmch importance, beyond the usual course of events, has transpired in I^ritish Columbia since the date of my last report. 2. The miners of Alexandria and Quesnel River, dreading the severity of the inland •winter, have for some -weeks past been arriving in great numbers from those districts, ar.d settling themselves for the Avintcr in the towns on the Lower Frascr, being attracted thither by the genial climate and cheaper rate of living. Tlieir labours have, I understand, not bccn'unrcwarded, many of them having been eminently successful, wliile, contrary to the general experience of mining countries, few or none have been entirely disappointed. So much indeed is this the case that, as I am informed, they almost without exception propose returning to Alexandria as soon as the snow disappears ir. spring, and surface claims become accessible to the miner. The population of those remote districts will probably for this M'inter be confined to persons who hove invested their means in the construction of sluices, and especially such miners as are employed in tumielliiig, whose operations arc little cli'cctcd by the cxtcniul teuiperatui'c, and luuy bo carried ou during the severest weather. PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBiA. 41 3. I have lately received a communication, dated Alexandria, I'tli of Oc Mr.'Pliil'P II- Nind, Magistrate and (lold Commissioner for Alexandria, ire aDpears that he had, from various causes, encountered much detention on his route Alexandria. His arrival in the district was hailed with a general feeling of satisfactic October, from nnmsn i-om wliich it Cli'mhu. to ■-" Alexandria, ii's ani\ai m iml- iusuicl was naiicd wuii a general leeiing or sarisfaction, and his services were immediately called into requisition by the compiaints of the inhabitants against a few notorious evil-doers who had taken refuge there, and become the terror of the place. Tiie most vigorous measures were at once set on foot to bring them to justice, and one of rlie number was soon afterwards apprehended and committed for trial ; hut the others could nowhere be found, and are supposed to ha\e Hed over the frontier into Oregon. Mr. Nind had temporarily established his head-quarters at William's Lake, on account of its central position, from whence diverge, as from a common focus, all the routes leading to the upper and lower country. 4. The extract from Mr. Nind's valuable report, which I here subjoin, contains some interesting statistical facts in addition to his own views of the auriferous and physical character of parts of the Alexandria district which he has lately visited. " The rate of wages to hired labourers is five and six dollars a day, and of provisions and other necessaries about the same as at Alexandria, in some instances a little lower from the greater amount of competition. " 1 have the honour to enclose a list of the prices of various articles at Alexandria. " Ferguson's or Rich Bar when first discovered proved highly auriferous, as much as 60 dollars a day to the hand having been made ; but alter tlie pay-streak near the river became exhausted, the flat in the rear had to be pierced, and the gravel wheeled over plank roads for some hundreds of yards to be rocked out at the river; the profits, con- sequently, of the day's labour considerably decreased, so that when I was there the average receipts were from seven to ten dollars a day to the hand. As soon, however, as water can be brought on for sluicing there is no doubt but that high wages will be made. Unlike the bars on the Lower Fraser, the ground is here unobstructed b}- heavy timber or roots, and the miner finds that not only docs the pay-streak yield gold, but also the sand overlying it in sufficient quantities to pay for the washing. It is the general opinion that there will be employment on this bar i'or more than a hundred men, and that it will not be exhausted in less than two or three years. The introduction of water is an operation requiring considerable capital and engineering skill. The ditch is cut from a lake situated between four and five miles to the north-cast, and has to be brought on by means of a long tunnel ; the expense of rompleting it is calculated at 12,000 dollars. " Three miles below Ferguson's Bar is British Bar, where a company of six Cornishmen are bringing in a ditch about five miles in length I'or their own use. The bar is but of small size. I did not notice any miners between here and Alexandria, though there were signs of work done in the spring. The Fraser between Alexandria and Quesnel River is a swift but not turbulent river, averaging from 200 to ;500 yards across ; it has a few small ripples, but none of the dangerous whirlpools so common in its lower course ; the navigation does not appear difficult ; Ferguson's Bar being supplied with necessaries bv boats from Alexandria, which make the trip of (iO miles in aliout t„'o days and a half. "Between Alexandria and Fort George I hear but of two impcdinunts to steamboat navigation which it would be dillicult to surmount, viz., two passes or caiions where the river narrows and rushes violently through precipitous rocks. The physical features on the Upper Fraser, that attract the attention of the miner, are throe : — " 1st. Its benches, bars, and flats. "2nd. Its earth-slides, and high banks displaying several strata of wash gravel. " 3rd. The water in its vicinity that can be made available for mining. " The first arc very extensive, and some have been worked with rockers ; but rockers are really only an advanced kind of prospecting apparatus, and stand in the same relation to sluicing and the hydraulic pipe as the Chilian arastra does to the California cjuartz mill; in both cases the deposit of gold must be very large to yield remuneration to the employers of so limited and primitive a method of obtaining it. "Respecting the second feature, the earth-slides and high banks yield the "colour" to Erospectors, and in many cases, two or three cents to the pan ; were the hydraulic pipe rought to bear upon tlicni, ground that is now unemployed would be highly remunerative. " Respecting water, this great essential to extensive mining operations can be procured without much difficulty, though not without labour and expense ; for if streams are Ics* frequently met Avith desccr.ding from these wooded hills than flow from the snow-topped ^S: m ,-/! mountains of the Lower Fraser, yet the IV great number of lakes situated withiu accessible F 42 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. Bitnisii ^ ' ■ l'< distances of either bank, would afford a supply entirely independent of rain-fall ormcltinti snow. At present the country is struggling against the high rate of provisions and necessaries ; the class of men that arrive in the spring have but enough money to purchase a few weeks provisions, they cannot afford to work for the future, but must make monev immediately or return, so that a thorough testing or development of the auriferom resources of this particular section of country, till very considerable reduction takes place in the price of things, is not to be looked for. I have conversed with many men who have been prospecting from Alexandria to the furthest point hitherto reached, and I finj even amongst the unsuccessful no disbelief in the richness of the mines, but a general impression to return next year and try their luck again. Amongst the geological phenomena of this portion of Eraser River there is much to attract attention, more particularly a dark brown substance which the people call coal ; on Ferguson's Bar and the adjacent banks many detached pieces lie scattered about, and I was informed by a person on that bar that he had used it for blacksmithing purposes and found it to answer, Some eight or nine miles above Alexandria, Avhere the river, from a north and south course, makes an almost rectangular bend to the east, a high bank displays a complete stratum of this singular formation. I collected some specimens of it, and found on examination that its specific gravity was much lighter than that of coal, that it did not soil the fingers, and that the grain of the Avood was distinctly visible. I apprehended it to be lignite in a transition state, but whether it could be utilized for commercial purposes I am unable to judge. The banks of the rivei- here are of considerable altitude and are composed of a kind of indurated clay, called by the miners " soap-stone ;" thev have been worn by the action of the water into cylindrical forms and assume the appearance of buttresses and columns. The trail between Alexandria and Ecrguson's Bar passes through some exceedingly rich open land consisting of heavy black loam with a subsoil of clay, apparently well adapted to the growth of wheat. The land that Mr. Davidson has pre-empted has produced excellent crops, a small patch of less than half an acre has retuined 20 bushels of wheat, and the turnips and cabbages would be considered fine in any country. Mr. Davidson owns several head of cattle, a yoke of oxen, waggon, and other agricultural implements. Finding his experiments so succcessful, he is preparing to farm next year more extensively, and is anxious to purchase land in addition to his pre-emption claim ; several white men and Indians are at present in his employ. A substantial and commodious log house has been built, and farm buildings arc in process of erection. The price of vegetables on the ground has ranged from 20 cents a lb. to V2},, onions excepted, which have never been sold for less than 50 cents a lb. Several of the hills that enclose the valley of William's Lake are covered with pasture of the finest description, and in the valley and (m the slopes are hundreds of acres of prairie that would repay the labor of the agriculturist, Til..' timber on these hills principally consists of Douglas pine, larch, fir, and balsam; the larger trees make useful lumber, free from knots. Since I have resided in this district, the weather, during the early part of September was unsettled, but from the middle of the month till tlie prcs^ent time it has been exceedingly fine ; latterly the frosts have been sharp at night, but the thermometer in my tent ranges between 60° and "0° during the middle of the daj'. I have been enabled from the central position of this spot to transact a good deal of business with miners and traders returning from the upper country. The Indians around here seem well disposed ; some work well and readily, and arc very intelligent, and would be, I think, susceptible of the influences of civilization ; others, on the contrary, arc extremely indolent, and neglect providing against the wants of to- morrow if supplied with food for to-day. As there has been a dearth of salmon this sunmier, I \ciy much fear they will suffer severely this winter ; the greater number tulk of wintering on the Thomson River and at Cayoosh." .5. I have received intelligence from Hope and Yale up to the 29th of November. The Gold Commissioners rcpoit that the weather hud been so far most favourable for mining operations, and that nearly all the miners in those districts Iiad built comfortable houses, where they intend to remain for the winter. Some miners I'rom the Caribanif country had lately arrived at Hope with very fine specimens of lump gold worth from 1/. to 8/. a piece; their object being to remain at Hope until the winter is over, uhcn they propose returning to their distant mining claims. 6. The miners at Shimilkomecn were making fair wages, varying from J^O.v. to GiV. a day to the man ; and there was a sufficient stock of food in that part of the country to last till spring. 7. In consequence of the number of new steamboats which have been lately built here and commenced running on I'raser Rivci", the charge ibr frieghts from this place to PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 43 Hope has fallen to 20,s-. a ton, being a reduction of ;iOO per cent, on the former rates of nmriMi transport. , . . _ ___ The reports from British Columbia contain nothing further deserving of special notice. 1 have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, (Signed) .1 AMES DOUGLAS. &c. "SiC. &c. List (i Flour - licaiis Ikcoii Sugar - Rice Tea - Coll'i'c Lard - Candles Soap - Salt- Peppor (ntroimd) Yeast Powder - Butter Rope - Tiiliaeeo Potatoes E ick suro in No. Ifi. Enel.inNo. Ifi I- PiiicKs at ALrAANuniA, 18th September 18<)((. M .?. i/. ' X' X. 1 3' Nails - per Hi. ^ )1 Quicksilver - )» 1^ ?J (1 3 H Oversliirts - - each 111 )» 8 H Undershirts - ») 9 II 5) .> ( 'iinvass trousers - »i (1 111 5» '2 Kentucky tweed do. - ?» (1 rj )) 2 Corduroy (common) - 1* . • 1 o II )» 4 Hoots - - per jiair I I'J 1) to 2 H per tin 4 Shoes (common) - per pair (1 14 per lb. (i Drilling - per yai( II I 3 ») II 3 1} Dnck - - 11 3 4 ii S II Oregon bliinkets - ]iair li II )) II 1 ,; No syrnii or dried aiipks in ti e market m No. 17. No. 17. C'oi'v of DESPATCH from Governor Douolas, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcasti.k, K.G. (No. 7.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, .January 26, lS6l. (Hcei'ivc.l M;ircli 2.), KS(il.) My LoHO DuKI;, (Answered. No. 74. Aiuil 1;). mil, pii.L'e (iS.) I iiAVR much pleasure in transmitting herewith a synopsis of the revenue and icmi. No^'- expenditure of the Colony of British Columbia for the year ending on the 31st day of December I860, which I have caused to be compiled in the Audit Ottice from thcpui)lic accounts, for the purpose of laying approximately before your Grace at the earliest moment such information as may be desirable, in anticipation of the Ibrmal estimates which arc in course of preparation, and will be forwarded by the next mail. Although the December returns and some of the back accoimts of the distant out- stations have not been received, and arc merely estimated in this account, yet it exhibits very closely the actual revenue and expenditure, and may, for all practical purposes, be assumed as a true statement of the financial position of the Colony, The principal item of revenue in that account will be found under the head of Customs, classified as follows, viz., duties on imports, 29,702/. ; harbour and tonnage dues, head money, the roads tolls at Yale and Douglas for the month of November, and other minor receipts, collectively 5,817/. ; making in all the sum of 3.5,.'jl9/. The increase of revemie from duties on imports is about 70 per cent., as compared with the revenue derived from the same source in iS.'iQ; and it may be fairly assumed, considering the increase of population and the progressive state of the Colony, that the Customs returns of ls6l will be in excess of those of 1H60. The amount of land sales for the year ls60 is 10,il()2/., which is less by 7,91"'/. than the sales of 1859; a dirterence explained by the large sums received for building lots at New Westminster and other towns where land was required for commercial purposes and sold at high prices. A larger quantity of country land has been sold in 18(iU, but from the comparatively low price did not yield a proportionate revenue. There is no prospect of a material increase in land sales for 1861, except through the effect of emigration from Canada and Great Britain, as there is a verv small I'arming F 2 JIS!:^^1 u 44 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. BniTisn COLUMUIA. End. No. 2. population in the Colony, the working classes being chiefly miners, accustomed to excite- ment, fond of adventure, and entertaining generally a thorough contempt for the quiet pursuits of life. The minor items of revenue in tne synopsis v;ill probably not vary much in 18(11 from the sums in the present return, and cannot in any case be expected greatly to affect the amount of the general revenue. On the other side of the account is the sum of 16,736/. expended for "establish- ments." The most rigid economy having been exercised in this department, the amount is not susceptible of reduction, but nn'glit with advantage to the public service be increased by some very necessary additions to the emoluments of the principal executive ofliicers of the Colony, their present salaries being not only inadequate to the relative importance and responsibility of the offices they hold, but literally insufficient to maintain them in a respectable position ; a subject which I will take the liberty of bringing before your Grace in a separate Despatch. The outlay on works and buildings amounts to the sum of 3,513/., and in the forma- tion of roads and bridges there has been expended the sum of 18,935/. ; a profitable investment for the Colony, as is apparent from its increasing revenue, which will no doubt keep pace with the improvement of its internal connnunications and the facilities afforded to trade and commerce. A detail of those works is given in Statement No. 2 and the outlay on each is approximately shown. The other items of disbursement, bein'' separately of small amount, need no comment. The entire expenditure, amountiu"- to 44,124/., has been defrayed out of the current revenue, and there remains a balance of 8,886/. ill the treasury, which will be sufficient to meet tlie outstanding liabilities of tlic Colony for the unfinished contracts of the roads in progress. The works wr ^iropose to execute this year arc as follows : — A cart-road from Pemberton to Cayoosh, length about Ditto from Hope to Shimilkomeen .... Improvement of navigation of Shimilkomeen River Horse-road from Boston Bar to Lytton ... Ditto from Lytton to Alexandria - - - - Ditto from Cayoosh to junction with Lytton Road - In progress. Road from New Westminster to Langley . . - , Ditto from New Westminster to Burrard's Inlet Ditto to boundary line at Semiahmoo Bay - - Ditto from Spuzzcm to Boston Bar (nearly finished) For the execution of these highly ner^essary works, we may, I believe, safely estimate that the sum of 25,000/. can be provided out of the revenue of the Colony, without at all impairing its capacity to defray the whole civil expenses of the Government. Much more than that sum is, however, required to complete such extensive public woriis; and I therefore addressed your Grace on the subject of a loan of 50,000/. in my Despatch, No. 84, of the 28th of August last. If that project can be carried out, we shall enter the field with larger means, and the Colony will sooner experience the impulse thereby given to trade and industry ; if, on the contrary, the loan is not procurable, the extent of those undertakings Avill be regulated by the means actually at my disposal. I see no probability, short of an almost absolute abandonment of all the essential public works upon which we are engaged, of our being able this year to maintain out oi the (Colonial Revenue the detachment of Royal Engineers stationed here ; and I rely with confidence upon the mother country again aflfbrding her assistance in our difficulties, by providing for them, as heretofore, out of Imperial funds, so that I may be free to apply the whole surplus revenue of the Colony, after paying all its own Go\crn- mental expenses, to the opening of roads and other public works indispensable to its development. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. - 36 miles. - 74 )) - 60 )» - .30 » - 150 )> - 30 )> - 15 )> - 9 » - 14 )) - 20 f% PAPERS RELATING TO RRITISM COLUMBIA. 45 id industry ; if, nRiTisii CoI.L'MHIA. Enclosure 1 in No. 17. . n.,.'> 19 10 - Ill,9fi2 l.'i - 2,284 12 - 1,.'>94 fi . 81).') 12 - .'irii 19 - .■179 4 Miscellaneous Assay fees - Interest licfund 89 274 Ml) II n — 5.!,()11 10 1 jC5.1,I)I1 id 1 i;slnlili>liiiienl». C ». 99 14 2 Office contingencies 982 HI ;) Allowances - - 91.1 8 4 _in,:.Mij 17 I) Works and Iniildings ■ .'!,.') n 19 u Knads, streets, and bridges - is.a.i.-i 9 , 'rranspnrt - i,ii;i l» Administration of justice, exclusive 1 of establishments 199 in Hevetilie services, ditto 170 ._j M Police and paols, ililto - 7111 in (ienernl exiicnditiire, ditto .'Ifiii 17 \ .Purveys and explorations, ditto - 1,290 .'i 2 Cliaritabb' allowances - ;IIMI if ('onvcyanee of niaiis •t7 1.') 1) 1 Miscellaneous . - . :iw 4 2 Kent 4S [ Hctund .... . \X> II 1 — — 44,124 in .-) Dalaiice .... 8,ss« 19 ID 1 £.13,011 10 1 Tlie above account, altliough only fipproximate in roiisequeiice of the whole of the rcturna not having yet been received, is still not far from the actual receipts and expenditure, the principal items being compiled from the actual account.^:. (Signed) William A. G. Yoivi., Acting Colonial Secretary, Audit Office, loth January 18G1. Acting as Auditor. Enclosure 2 in Xo. 17. Ai'PROxi.MATE Stati:.mi;.\t of Exi'knditiuk dunnff 18G0. End. 2 in Ho. 17. ... 5,2;)7 IS 9 4,420 l.) 7 .•1,440 10 II) On Jiottds, Sireetfi, mid Bridges. £ ... (/. Tlnrrlson T.illooct Road Yale and Spuzzcm Koad - Chapmans liar and Boston liar Trai 1 Hope and Sliiinilkaniecn Koad Langley and Sumas Trail - Bridges at New Westminster, &c. - flcarinp Streets, &c.. New West, minster - - . - Sundry small works at Out-.stations £ s. it. 4,.'!IM 2111 370 002 241 18,9.).5 9 On U'or/w ai d Snlldings £ .. t of February, has excited an intense sensation. The authors and object of the crime are unknown, it is supposed however to have been committed by Indians, and tiiree of tlio^e people have been taken into custody on suspicion, and duly committed for trial at the next assizes. The weather was already warm and pleasant at Cayoosh, and the exodu^ had commenced of miners and mule trains with supplies for the upper country ; their departure being probably hastened by the arrival of several miners from Alexandria with reports of some wondei fully rich discoveries on Bear River, a stream which discharges into the south branch of Fraser River above Fort George. These inci assured tlie Go!' Commissioner that 25s, )vorth of gold had liecn wr.shed out of a single bucket of the auriferous earth ; and though he freely admits that there may Irj some exaggeration in th( e statements, yet lie seems to entertain no doubt of their general accuracy, nor ot the fact that very valuable discoveries have actually been made during the present winter in that qu u'ter. Mr. Klwyn also states tliat the bridge over Fraser River, which was in course o; erection by a private company near Cayoosh, was accidentally dcslroycd when more than half the work was finished, and the enterprise is therefore abandon, d for the present, a circi instance which I nuich regret, not only on account of the tiavellinrpubli. who will be put to much inconvenience through the wnt of ;i bridge at tl'at point; Imt also of the spirited adventurers, who have sustained a heavy pecuniary loss, and whose enterprise merits a better fate. There is no further intelligence of much importance from the mining districts. The reduction from 10.v. to 4.s'. 2i/. per acre in the upset price of country land, '.rill no doubt give an impulse to the settlement of the country, but the change has been so recently made that we arc not yet able to judge of its practical eticcts ; we are however at present engaged in opening roads through the forests, into the more fertile districts around New \Vestmins':er, in ordei to render them accessible and to remove every serious impediment to their early settlement, which by that means will be greatly promoted. I have, il'c. His Grac ; the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (S^vncd) JAMES .')()UGI,AS. ixc. Sec. Ike. PAPERS RKLATINH TO niHTISII COLUMBIA. « Kndosuio 1 ill No. 18. I'liicr. of I'liovi.ioxs at llopi:, Januaiy :!!, Isfil. Flour Ikcnn Hcans .Sugar Coftee 'IVa - Huttor I, aid - liice - Candles Hope, January 31, 1861. £ .''. //. £ c. ,1. prr barrel 1 s to 1 12 por 11). 1(1 „ II Hi *» n n„ II 4 j> II ■■' ., 1 <>i »» 1 II „ 1 2 *» ^} II „ II 4 ^« \ '^i„ " 'i 7 n II 111 „ II 1 8 ,« u 4 „ II II ■^\ »» 1 H „ II w 1 (Siignud) 1'. O'Kiiiiv, .1.1'. niiiTi!U's;il.-, liotail. £ .". ,1. £ ,1. (/. Rice - per 11) (1 r» _ 6 Flour . - per Kill lb. 18 (1 _ 1 Bacon - per lb lu _ II II lU Butter - )> II 2 i; _ II 3 (1 Hcaii: - ?j 3.' - II 4.^ Sujiar - ?) (1 II - (1 10 Te:.. - ?) (1 3 n - II 4 Cort'te - •J (1 1 s . 2 Potatoes . " „ II II l.V . J'"rcsli nil. at - » II 1 o" .f .'''. d. — In 1850- -Flour was pe r 100 1 )S. 1 ,s II Butter pe •lb . 5 II Beans » - G The rates of freight in consequence of excessive competition are remarkably low at present, bcii.c oi.lv ;i/. a ton fi om Mctin-ia to Yiilc ; in tlie spring of this year as much as In/, was char.red. ' " The miner and 'abouring ni.ni can live comfortably on 3.n'. a (lav. "^ The charge made at the restaurants for board and 'od<'in<>- ia 2/. a week. The rates of wages is in/, a month and keep. Tiie population of the town of Yale, according to a recent census, is lo.i wliitos, 2G0 Chmese and '2(111 natives. I'ving in Ho rable distance on to the .-round: tinally a pirtv of eight men are constantly employed on the bluff, a bench of 80 yards in leii-th bci'iio- alreadv aecoinphshed. -- n j Tlie ferry at Spu/zcm has been l-ased to Mr. Yorko at a rental of 3(lV. iicr ainium. 'Jhc rates of tnll have been reduced from 6c. to 2.>-. F 1 ''ill 4S PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. nmTiRii COMIMIIIA. f t i I Kncl. 4 in Nu. 18. For tho hotter collcrtion of tlio " ronds tullH" a toll 70/. I eutiiiiutu the prulmblo yield of the rutul ti)ll during house and gate have been erected at a cost of ; the cuHuiiig year at ^,8UU/. /i,nno mules, 300 Ihs. eneh, or 1,500 tons 400 tons carried by boats 760 tuns curried by Indiuns - X 3,000 800 1,500 fi,300 According to lists kept by me during the past season, 2,723 mules iinckcd from this town, viz. in June 271, in July ()(i;J, m Augunt 77U, in Scptcndier "VJ, in October !i2H. The reveiuie of tho district has cxiicrleneeil a nlight reduction as compared with the revenue collected in 18J9. Mining licenccB - . - Mining receipts (general) 'I'lills and ferries . . - .Sales of lands - - - - ]''ines and fees - - - - Spirit licences . - - - Tracking licences . - - £ a. d. 267 (I 201 2 238 17 5 272 !)C 14 320 141 1,530 1< The expenditure of I860. amounts to 1,306/. 2.1. 4(7. I am, &,(•.. (Signed) K. II. S.WDF.uf, Assistant Gold Commissioner, Enclosure 4 in No. 18. Mr. Co.\ to the Coi.oni.\i. SucKKTAnv. (Extract.) Rock Creek, January 16, 18G1. I iiKd leave to enclose for the information of his Excellency the Governor a rude sketch uf the respective British and American towns, Boundary Creek. Mining was carrieu on here as late as the 28th December by sluicing and rocking ; QSs. per day to the hand being the a'-orage pay. The weather still continues extremely mild ; a continued frost, but not severe, and undisturbed by either storm or rain. A ditch that will cost time and money is being constructed by Messrs. C u-ry and Co., it will take its course along the S.W. side of the creek, and terminate immediately ci>po8ite the town ; its lengtli one mile and a half; it is for the purpose of washing those benches whirii have been tuimcUud alwiit 20 feet into the gravel and 30 feet above the level of the creek, with fair results, viz., four colours to the pan. A bridge is also being erected over Colville River facing tho town, which will be a great improve- ment; although I cannot at present sec where tli(! receipts are to come from, the river being forduble during fully nine months of the year. I purpose accompanying some miners to the gold fields reported to exist near the "Mission" on the Okanagan Lake, or rather on one of its tributary st'-.ams, as soon as I can procure a horse ; and shall report to his Excellency what is to be seen there. Active preparations for building are going on, and I, together, I may say, with all others, anxiously wait for his Excellency's instructions respecting the survey of the town, which I think should be proceeded with as soon as possible in order to meet the expected excitement. The town now contains 23 good houses, some of which have been erected at a large outlay. I shall feel obliged by being provided with the necessary authority for disposing of agrieultuial land to aliens, as at present 1 have nothing to guide me in the matter. I require also to know the conditions on which a saw mill privilege is to be granted. Farms have been taken and houses built a few miles south of the line, which I dare say will be used as storehouses for spirits, &c., kc. until a favourable opportunity may present itself for smuggling such goods in here, so will require to be well watched. The creek ailbrds every facility along both iti banks for such manoeuvres unfortunately. Labour now averages 12*. per day without board. Price of I'liovisiox's. — January 1801. Flour - - - per lb. Bacon - - - „ Lard - - - „ Sugar - - - „ Tea - - - ,) Coffee - - - !, Keck Creek, January 16, 1861. £ s. d. ! 10 Beans - 2 Rice - 2 Candles (scarce) 1 8 Dried apples - 5 Molasses 2 per lb. f 1 (Signed) per gaPon Willi A.M Cox, J.P. PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 49 1 1 l1 Conui)issioner, n tuniK'lk'd about 1/,., lour colours to No. 19. Copv of DESPATCH iVom (lovcriior Douoias, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Nk\VCA8TI,E, K.(i. Victoiin, V^nncouvcT Tslnnd, May 2, isGl. f Ucniviil .liiiic 17, lH(il.) nniTisn ClII.I.MIliA, No. VX (No. 3.3.) My L<>bi> Uf ke, In my Despatch inaikcd Separate,* oC the '2X[\\ of l''cir. ; I." makes J'4 per day with a rocker, and we as old and practical miners could realize much more by .sluicing and other methods. "The Indians treated us most hospitably, lending us canoes and horses free of charge ; the soil, especially in the valleys, is well adapted for farming and stock raising. The snow, which did not exceed one foot in depth, is fast disappearing. We only prospected the flats, the frost preventing our proceeding up the creeks, where it is naturally to be believed the principal porti(m of the gold is deposited." I have been particular in quoting the above, as Mr. Beam, the discoverer of " Ilock Creek "gold fields is universally acknowledged to be a good and sure prospector. IV. G End. 1 in No. lU. lr:ri no PAPEHS !{F, LATINO TO TUUTISII COUIMniA. ili.'iTiHM I liavc mil iiiailt' tlio aliovo HtatcnuMit piililic, ax it would only loiul tii bud ri'Kult.i jii-.l m prcMm, L'oi.UMiiiA. 'I'll,. Hill ii;, III iliis m'if{lil)(iurh(Hi(| wmilil lu' t'lfily i'oum'cI otV, and tlu' mines now in a iirciiarat,,. — — (■(iinliliiMi Inr lii'iiii; |ir(i|icrly wiii'kfcl, nli.'iniliini'd; ini|inivi'nH'iit-t ;;iiiii;;- rniv.anl cm ii.iildin^^s iiml fi,|.,|' Wduld 1)1' tlii'cLi'il; town liilM \M;uld alinust 1h' iiii»ali'al)l('; ill I'.ii'l, tlic ('\|K'(ti!d rovi'iuio K-H't'lut wuuld hv «i'iji)iii were reeordeituutiii!i l)liici! ill tile il('a;l.,( ipby (liH'cmitpartii'i. DIIS iu'illjf (IniWIl, li;;! lied to |)ri)ci'iMl totlv .'Till Fcliniaiy 1 Vft I'or tlic iminii'v. !■; lllltii till' .'iu[ M;iri!l; H'rlill;r my uniw;], [ tll.lt tlMVi'llt'd hyi;: t Hl'VCII Illiii's; it tll>';i Li'ssL'r CiirilHiu Ldi, Iit<'ln'll, wild witliiii.' ^S tVnm tllC llUltCri.ll. nplotiMl luiii lit fuiMh, low t'ompanics wliiili lici'ls fur Wdikiii!,' liif ii'ijri' (luaiitity (if ;.'iili till' iiill siili', iili'i;it liist pnivi'il <](' aini'v iiisus was (iliii;,'i'il :, sci'ini'ii t(i liavo lnv: t'l'over tliu Iddc, aiu ;ciir river li'vcl, luir.- re jidridd, wlicii .-cs.. lovod. cdiannrl, is appuur.' by its iictidii (111 oitl.i: scarcely any jjoid lit luled i'ov stores, lit tb istaiieu of live or si. luuilier lliat liad kc L'd to lie iniicli ilei'iw;, y's Creels l)y stiTS; .1 hero I lieard (if nuny lie i,n-(iuii(l e\tri>incly lirmicli df Siuiw-.-l'.' V di divides tlie stiv;n; ;o vminiiiic iiovdiv.r; lie view is dlitaiiiojl el iiiid lofty iiiduntaiii-; w tlie pealv on ^dli(■j M-e tlie Midw '.iadl*3 aid to 1k! very "omiiiia ill apjiearaii'e. Afc- Jreek ciminieiiccs. I ni>, wdiich arc tlic li:.-: N.H. ;il)le from the ial;.:; arg:; q\urU. bouliicn. ll.l MIIIA. iy \ i \ ! t Bl.'ITISll Col.L'.MIilA. ICue). 2 in No. 19. and a kind of : beds of the sf by tlie (lii'iovei which was bet settling mill in? and if all wen not supported 1 Although I ( conduct as w,t tended tobrinp; of wliicli in the hiid ever been ] rrresspd, was n( t^lic loss of wh intoxicating liq but tlio labonr The rreck w flats and bench nndcr the purfa ance as the ma: high precipitou will render the been the ease c low estimate, ( autumn, but nc tion, a nnnilier it bids fair to t date the same r ] have the h( a most intoUige relied npon. '1 encouraged the Colony. A no of labour than 1 ijiild country, a' lations, I respC' ni(i?t eonversan one another's community at 1; ill matters of fa Uespeeting ( that many of numerous dillie who are fortun; lodes: hitherto stream-, fnmi t nient lies in tl cmhraces nine- Chinamen, who when pressed 1 mnney. I reti iliftauce of abo Mr. Davidson 1 arrived ;it Willi uiile to proceed lurks 1^1 (,)uehU( conveyed into of them, even t the rate ol' iron though the \vi manufactures I dollars per pal the supply was rice about the s At the forks Antler Creek, ] contrast to the provisions are i on this part of It will bo SOI that they iimkc tlicni. A new !.'vailed tliaii tli fork of (.tucsiio manlike and si from the liiv.h i PArERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMRIA. 51 and a kind of slatp rock rovoretl with red jTravpV said to lic.ir a cdosc resomblanre to tlip licti nmifpriMis Rkitiiii l,P,|s'of the Pt- iHis of the soiitluTii niiiips of Calijoniia. I iouiul onp lofj cabin on Autlrr Crpck imilt Ch law. if tran-- rrressed, was not to be evaded with the same imi)uuity as California law ; no one therefore cared to risk die lo?? of what might be a fortune to him : besides this, there was an absence of every kind of intoxicating liquor. Prospecting was done during my stay, and in some eases nroved most successful; but the labour of shovelling away the snow and sinking holes at that season of the year was excessive. The rreck winds through the centre of a narrow valley, and is siu-inounted by hills sloping down to flats and benches of alluvial deposit; the lied rock on which the gold is found lies but a short distance nndor the surface, and in mauy jjlaces crops out : there are several tril)utaries of the same geneial appear- ance as the main stream which otl'cr facilities for the introduction of watf; in additicni, the abseiu'c of lliffh precipitous banks, and the abundance of good timber form some ol thr- favourable features that will render the working of mines on this eroek more ea-y and comparatively less expensive than has been the case on the other known creeks of the Caribou country. .Setting the workable gromul at a low estimate, there is room here for at least l,0()o miners. Cunningham's Creek, discovered last autimni, but not prospected until after the Antler Creek excitement, has lately obtained a high reputa- tion, a nnndjer of claims have been taken up and recorded iijjon it since the middle of last month, and it bids fair to rival Antler Creek in popularity. I believe it is about the same size, and will accommo- date the same number of men. 1 have the honour to en(dose a map drawn for me by Mr. J. Martin, an entcrprizing prospector, and a most intelligent person; it embraces a section of country known to but very few, and may, 1 1' nk, be relied upon. The question of a mining Hoard, as laid down by the (iold I'ields Act, beiiij; iv otcd, I ('neourai''ed the idea, as I belipvp that su(di an organization would be beneficial to the miner and the Colonv. A new description of mines has been discovered wbicdi jiromines a more lasting eniplnvir.ent of liil)i">ur than lias hitherto existed, and the features of tiie country being ditfcrent to those of any otiier jTdld ^llu^trv^ and unknown at the passing of the Ciold Fields' AcU or the sub.-c((uent rules and regu- lations, I respectfully submit that its peculiarities are best met and turned lo accuuntby those wjio are ninHt conversant with them. It is true that amongst individuals, and mining idii|ues which ])lay into one another's hands, tliere are frequent atteiuiit ; at monopoly and overre.iciiing; yet the mining community at larg(>, in the di -cu-^-^ion of a (|uestion that atl'ects its common interest, is just and impartial in matters of fa t, and clear-headed in abstract questions. ricspeeting the gold resources of the Carib(ui country, a perfect unanimity exists; but it is probable that many of those now so sanguine, jiavticnlarly the new comers, who are unacquainted with tiio niimernus" difficulties that must be overcouie, will meet with reverses and disapointment: those, however, wiio are fortunate in |)lacer mining will turn their attention to tli" discovery of hill digLrings and (piartz lodes; hilherto, no one has ])ros)iected on the hills, exploration having followed up the course of the streaiiir, from the necessity of obtaining immediate returns. One stafistical'proof of the general senti- ment lies in the number of mining certificates that have been issued, and wliii-b I can safely assert emliraees nine-tenths of the population, and would exceed that pro])ortion amongst the whites; but the Chinamen, who arc daily arriving, show no disposition to avail themselves of these documents, saying, when pressed to take out mining certificates, that they hav(! only come up to jjiospeit, and have no money. I returned on the '.'3rd March to Vi'illiams Lake, having been absent 'J') days, and travelled a distance of about ^.^^O miles, I found the snow had almost entirely disajtpeared fiom this valley, and Mr. Davidson had commenced jdmighing about a fortnight previously. One train of packed horses arrived at Williams Lake before the end of February, but were compelled lo wait sometime belbre being aule ti' 1 roceed to Heaver Lake. Since this, 30 or 40 head of cattle have been driven into the I'ovl;; I'i (,)ncsiiclle, and many trains have got a-- far as I'eaver Lake, from which jilace the Inads are conveyed into the forks of (,»iiesnelle by Indians, who received 10 dollars per llio lbs.; and as many of tliem, even ;imongst the women, are capable of carrying from loO to IW) lbs., they are earning at the rate of from seven to nine dollars a day. Indians have been very highly paid for their labour all though the wIner, and the Antler Creek excitement has given them plenty of employment ; their manufactures too, have rated ])roportionatcly higb ; ordinary mocassins fetching fi-oiu three to 10 dollars per jiair. and snow shoes fnnn 10 dollars to '2S. Pnuisions rose during the winter, although the iip))!y was quite e([nal to the demand. Flour has been sidling here at 37 cents, ame; and bacon at from (!5 to 90; beef, 3o to 37'.. of (i>ucsnelle, jirices have been higher. per lb. and At Keithley's Creek, flour was at 7') ; and on 1. Pack-trams are arriving daily, and all'ord ii on a. rice about the At the forks of (j)ucsnelle, jirices have been Antler Creek, ])rovisions were one dollar a lb. all rouni 'ontrast to the proceeding* of last year: the miners then came in before the provisions, but now the provisions are ccmiing before the miners: this is reducing i.tico.^ and v/ill, no doubt, have a good effect on this part of thi' c(nmtry. It will he sonu' time befcjie animals can travel into the forks of Qnesnelle ; it is with much dilliculty that they make tl.o journey from here to Heaver Lake, and they are (diliged to carry provender v, itii tlioni. A new tra'l has lieen ojieiiei' from the Little Lake into the f(nks of Qnesuellr. it is lictter ,!;v;ided than the ol,l one, but I think is rather longer. I found Mr. Adler's new bridge over tile south fork nf (Inesiu'lle completed on my return, and can speak in terms of high conmiendation of its wink- manlike and substantial appearance. 1 was informed that its cost had been above 5,000 (hjllars, and ironi the hivli rate of wa^res, and the labour expended upon it, I do not imagine that a similar structure G 2 *■¥ ■ i 52 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. i 'J I I No. 20. UniTisn could l)p raised for a less sum. .Nfr. Adior has nhown much enterprise in endeavouring to secure th CoLUMuiA, tralKi; of tlie ensuing year to the forks of t^ucsnulle, as it is hy no means certain tliat travellers will ml this route to the northern mines. 1" I have, kc. (Signed) TiiiLip HEjjny Nixd. The Colonial Secretary. No. 20, Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, '..B., to his Grace the Duke of Nkwcastle, K.G. ( Separate. ) My Loud Dukk, Ljtton, June 4, 1861, (deceived .July 29, lS(iI.) Since tny departure from Victoria, on tlie 10th May I have visited in succession the towns of New Westminster, Hope, Yale, and Lytton, from whence I have now tbe honour of addressing your C-irace. 2. It is not necessary to trouble your Grace with remarks on the condition of those towns, wliich all exhibit a satisfactory degree of progress, yet nothing more than was anticipated from the quiet and prosperous state of the Colony. 3. The most interesting feature about New Westminster is the newly formed lines of road through the densely wooded country north of that town, -which has induced settlers to turn their attention that way, and will probably lead to the rapid extension of settlement in the direction of Hurrards Inlet. A similar result in proniotino- early settlement is anticipated from another new line of road which is being formed on the left bank of the Fraser, commencing a little below New Westminster, and runniiif in a southerly direction towards the frontier. The Ibrcsts opposite the town are beginning to yield to the woodman's efforts ; and one enterprising proprietor, Mr, IJrown, has dis- covered on his ground a large tract of excellent land, which certainly cannot be surpassed in point of fertility or quality of soil, 4. Many land claims have been taken by settlers along the Fraser, yet in my pronrcss from New A\'estminster to Hope there was scarcely a trace of improvement or any observable inroad on the forest. The Pre-emption Act is, however, beginning to work its effect, and will, as I confidently believe, ere long make a decided change on the face of the country. '). Several industrious settlers, probablj' about eighty in number, have taken land around Hope and Yale, and are toiling assiduously in clearing and preparing the soil for crops. The carriage road from Hope towards Shimilkomecn, of which about 12 miles arc now open to travel, is a great accommodation to settlers, who eagerly grasp at every improvable piece of land to which it gives access, 6. Captain Grant, with a detachment of 80 Royal Engineers under his command, and about 80 civilian labourers, is employed in the formation of that road, which Ave hope to complete before the return of winter, providing always that the public revenue continues in a prosperous state, and our funds do not in the meantime fall short. 7. I am especially anxious for the completion of that highly important work, so valuable as a military road, leading towards the frontier, and as an outlet for the trade of the most fertile agricultural districts of the Colony, and, from discoveries which are bcini^ continually made, probably the most auriferous. Every successive discovery indeed tends to conlirm tlie impression that the gold fields which have been struck at Rock Creek and Quesncl River or Caribou, are but two points in a range of auriferous moun- tains containing incalculable wealth, which, commencing at Rock Creek 49" N. lat., 118° 30' W. long., run almost due north between Great Okanagan Lake and the Columbia River to lat. .51", and from thence along the North River in a north by west direction, through the Quesncl and Caribou country to the banks of Fraser River, at .'34° N. lat., 123° \V. long., a total distance of nearly 330 miles, a theory, which, if correct, opens a magnificent vista of future greatness for the Colony. 8. We saw very little mining between Hope and Yale, the miners having been generally driven from their claims by the high state of the river, 9. Entering the passes of the Fraser beyond Yale we pursued our route over the new road amidst scenery of the grandest description. Mountains rising to the skies on both sides of the narrow puss, and immediately beneath the Fraser frantically tearing its wav PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 53 British C01.1MDIA. in foaming whirls convey a faint idea of the scene. Neither are softer features wanting, every spot of the earth being prolific of vegetation, and the mountains' sides covered with the most beautiful flowers. — 10. Settlers, true to their instincts, have followed the new road even into the passes, and are bringing every spot of tiljablc land into cultivation. At th'i Great Falls two adventurous Frenchmen have built a kiosk and laid out a pretty little garden for the entertainment of visitors. The traveller has no reason to dread a journey through this part of British Columbia, ns at every few miles is to be found a wayside inn, with refreshments of every kind. 11. The new road on Eraser River from " Spuzzem" to " Quayome" runs along the face of frightful precipices, but is, nevertheless, perfectly safe for horse and mule travel. 12. These is a great deal of good mining ground between Yale and Ly ttoii, and the miners of the district have displayed an unusual degree of skill and cnterpris ' in conducting water to their claims, by means of canals and viaducts, from the distant mountains. 13. One of these works, called the " Poor Man's Ditch," the property of Mr. Mclodey and three other natives of Ireland, who came to this Colony in the year 1 858, entirely without capital, and commenced their career as simple miners, is seven miles long, and has cost them about 1 5,000 dollars. These persons have another expensive work of the same kind on Van Winkle Flat, which now yields them a very handsome income. This is not a solitary instance of successful enterprise, as almost all their contemporaries who have remained in the Colony since the year 1S58 are now possessed of wealth and position, and considering the advantages olfered to emigrants one only regrets that a greater number of Her Majesty's subjects have not made British Columbia their home. 14. Much remains to be done for the improvement of this part of the Colony. A carriage road from Quayome to Lytton, is the work that demands our more immediate attention. Its importance is evident, and the people of Lytton have, almost to a man, come forward with a petition praying that it be made without delay, and a further tax levied on goods carried inland to defray its cost, which will probably not fall short o 10,000/. 15. I propose lea\ ing this place to day for Cayoosh by the Buonaparte River, the great stock range of the Colony, where 1 expect to meet with many settlers. 16. I would also inform j-our Grace, that we are daily receiving the most extraordinary accounts of the almost fabulous wealth of the Antler Creek and Caribou diggings. Mr. Palmer, a respectable merchani, who arrived the other daj' from that part of the country with nearly 50 pounds weight of gold, which he kindly allowed me to examine, assured me that these accounts are by no means exaggerated. As an example of the extraordinary wealth of the country, he mentioned that four of his friends who are associated in a mining company, were making regularly from I6 ozs. to ;}7 ozs. of gold a day, being 4 ozs. to 9|, ozs. each ; by " flaming" another company of four men washed out with cradles, in his presence, .'5(i ozs. of gold in one day ; and the yield of ordinary mining claims is from 20 to 50 dollars a day for each man employed. 17. The gold in Caribou is not confined to the rivers. It is found in the gulches and table land ;^00 and 400 yards from the rivers, and much beyond their highest levels. About a foot of gravel overlies the bed rock of light coloured shale extremely soft, or in mining phrase " rotten," where the gold is found in the rents of the shale. He says, tliere are mountains of quartz, and he is of opinion, that some of the richest quartz leads in the world will be found there. 18. Mr. Barnston, another respectable traveller from Caribou, corroborates Mr. Palmer's testimony, and adds that he never before saw a class of men more elated with their ' prospects than the miners of Quesnel ; they look to a successful season, and expect to leave the country in the autumn with their fortunes made. He feels assui'cd of the almost fabidous wealth of the country ; ordinary claims pay 50 dollars a day to the hand, and he knows one company of four men working on Antler Creek, who each receive 1,000 dollars a week from their mining claim. 19- The testimony of other persons is confirmatory of these extraordinary statements ; a private note dated 2Sth May 1861, from IMr. Nind, the Assistant (lold Commissioner ibr Quesnel River Districts, has the following remarks: — " The news is still good from above.* » Cnribou. " We have the right thing at Caribou." So that all things considered, I sec no reason ibr G 3 •IN 64 PArERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. limiiMi doubting tlie correctness of the current reports, mid I am sorry, indeed, that so small a CoLUMuiA. portion of that wealth should ut present be reaped by Her Majesty's subjects. I liave, &.C. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (Sif,'ned) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c &c. &c. No. 21. ; f ! I i ' rnge No. 21. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douolas, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (Separate.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, July 16, 1861. My Loud Dukk, (ifcofiTcd Scptembci- so, isfii.) When addressing your Grace from Lytton in my Separate Despatch of the 4th of June last,* I conmiunicated the information and impressions of the statp of the country which I had received on my previous journey ; I will now in this Despatch continue the subject subsequently to my departure from Lj-tton. 2. Leaving that place I travelled for .35 miles along the banks of Thompson's Kivcr by a good horse road lately made at a trifling cost, and successively visited the Buona- parte and Hat Rivers, and the Pavilion, where we fell upon tlic Eraser, and followed it downwards to Cayoosh. The district comprehended within tliose limits is exceedingly beautiful and picturesque, being composed of a succession of hills and valleys, lakes and rivers, cxhibitmg to the traveller accustomed to the endless forests of the coast districts, the unusual and grateful spectacle of miles of green hills, curving slopes, and level meadows, almost without a bush or tree to obstruct the view, and even to t'.ie very hill tops producing an abundant growth of grass. It is of great value as a grazing district, a circumstance which appears to be thoroughly understood and appreciated by the country packers, who are in the habit of leaving their mules and horses here when the regular work of packing goods to the mines is suspended for the winter. The animals, even at that season, are said to improve in condition, though lefl to seek their own food, and to roam at large over the country, a fact which speaks volumes in favour of the climate and of the natural pastures. It has certainly never been my good fortune to visit a country more pleasing to the eye, or possessing a more healthy and agreeable climate, or a greater extent of fine pasture land ; and there is no doubt that with a smaller amount of labour and outlay than in almost any other colony, the ener- getic settler may soon surromul himself with all the elements of afilucncc and comfort. 3. Notwithstanding these advantages, such have hitherto been the difficulties of access, that the course of regular settlement lias hardly yet commenced. 4. A good deal of running stock has been brought in for sale ; but with the exception of eight or ten persons, there are no farmers in the district. One of those, Mr. McLean, a native of Scotland, and lately of the Hudson's Hay Company's service, has recently settled on a beautiful spot, near the debouch of Hat River, and is ra])idly bringing his land into cultivation. He has a great number of horses and cattle of the finest American breeds ; and from the appearance of the crops there is every prospect that his labour and outlaj- will be well rewarded. He is full of courage, and as confident as deserving of success. He entertains no doubt whatever of the capabilities of tlie soil, which he thinks will, under proper management, produce any kind of grain or root crops. The only evil he seriously apprehends is the want of rain and the consecpient droughts of sunnner, which has induced him to bring a supply of water from a neighbouring stream, by which he can at pleasure irrigate the whole of his fields. 5. I received an equally fiivourablc report from Mr. Reynolds, who commenced n fiirm at the Pavilion in the year 1859, and he has consequently had the advantage of two years' experience. His last crop, besides a profusion of garden vegetables, consisted of oats, barley, turnips, and potatoes, and the produce was most abundant. The land under potatoes yielded 3/5 bushels to the acre. The turnip crop was no less prolific ; one of the roots weighed 26 lbs.; and swedes of 15 lbs. and 16 lbs. were commonly met with, He could not give the yield of oats and barley, the greater part having been sold in the shcnf for the use of the nmle trains passing to and from the mines; but the crop, as was so small a UGLAS. Duke of ily 16, 1861. H(il.) of the 4th of the country continue the ■pson's River ! the Buoria- i followed it exceedingly s's, livkes and jast districts, 's, and level t!ie veiT hill iig district, a ' the country the regular lefl to seek volumes in en my good healthy and ) doubt that ny, the ener- 1 comfort. ies of access, le exception Ir. McLean, has reeenlly l)ringing his st American s labour and deserving of ch he thinks be only evil nnner, which vhich he can -need n farm tage of two consisted of :• land under ilih'c ; one of ly met with. I sold in the lop, as was •itiTisn II.UMIUA. >{'■ nil m '■ 1 'H ,; .J l^ 11 l-A f.'I I iJl I - "1^^^'' «JHM"I WJiWid. wmjutv^ If„ ' Ihtiii.'ii ('llI.IIMIIIJI No. 21. ' I'llgO ili 1; a PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. » manifest from the \vcight and length of the htruw, whiih ivttiiiiud a height ol' fully (bur llnmon feet, was remarkably good. Ho generull} iillows his cuttle to run ut large, and they l ouimhia. seldom re(iuire to bo housed or fed in winter. (). 'i'lie cold is never severe; the greatest depth of snow in IS^J) was I'J inches, and the following winter it did not exceed six inches. Ploughing commences about the middle of March. The sunnners .are generally dry, and Mr. Reynolds is of opinion that irrif?ntion will be foimd an indispensable application in the process of husbandry in this district. In the dry summer of 1H.")9 he kept water almost constantly ruiniing through his fields ; but applied it only twice during the summer of 18G0, wheu the moisture of the atmosphere proved otherwise sufficient for the crops. 7. The numerous streams which permeate the valley i of this district aft'ord admirablp facilities for inexpensive irrigation ; so bountiful indcci has nature been in this respect, that it is hardly an exaggeration to say that there is a watercourse or rivulet for every moderate sized tarm that will be opened in the district. 8. A few successful experiment;; in husbandry will give confidence, and add to the number of the farming class, which continues to be In a lamentable minority in every part of the Colony, even in districts where one would suppose mining to be a less protitablfc pursuit than the cultivation of the soil. 9. The mining districts of 'Thompson's River, and of the l-'rascr below the Pavilion, have been almost abandoned by the white miners of the Colony, who have been generally carried away by the prevailing' excitement to the Caribou and Antler (.'reek mines; and their cliiiins are now occupied by Chinamen and native Indians, the latter especially exhibiting an unwonted degree of activity in mining, 'i'lieir daily earnings sometimes leach the large sum of two pounds sterling, and never, as they assured me, fall short of eight shillings, so that they are becoming exceedingly valuable to the Colony, both as producers and as a tax-paying population. I, in fact, ascertained from tlic official returns of Yale, that '.W per cent, of the amount of roads' tolls was levied directly on tlie goods of Indians leaving that place ; and from their numbers and habits it may be fairly assumed that 40 per cent, of the whole revenue collectively accruing from tolls and customs falls on them. 10. The mines on Tranquifle River have lately attracted much attention, in conse- quence of quantities of coarse gold having been found in pieces weighing as much as three quarters of an ounce; and the discovery of a stratum of aurifi-Tous earth, in mining phrase *" ])ay dirt," from three to lour feet in thickness, at a nmch higher level than the present bed of the river, which until then was suppposed to be the exclusive depository of gold. This circmnstancc has given a new direction to the industry of the place, the miners having less faith in surface diggings, and being generally impressed with the advantage of deeper sinking;-, which may prob:d)ly reveal, as was the case in the gold fields of Victoria, greater wealth than has yet been found ; and this in my opinion is simply a question of time. IL There are extensive flats or holmes in the valley of the Thompson that give a large return of gold ; but being above the river, they cannot be worked to nuich advantage until water from a higher level that can be applied to sluicing is brought into play. Several smooth water-worn nuggets, weigliing as nmch as two ounces, have been found on the Thompson below Lake Kandoops ; and diggings have been lately disco- vered on three of the atlluents of North Ri\er (north branch of the Thompson). The streams flowing from the eastward into Okanagan Lake arc also reported to be highly pro- ductive of gold — lacts, which all tend to support the theory alluded to in my Despatch of the 4th of June last, regarding the existence of a vast auriferous ridge or water- shed, extending from Rock Creek to Fort George, and dividing the Columbia from the waters of Fraser River. 12. I feel a deep interest in the exploration and development of that valuable and Important division of the Colony, which is now so difficult of access as to be practically closed to the ordinary settler ; and there is, moreover, no convenient place where the miner can replenish his exhausted stores. With the view of removing these drawbacks, I propose to lay out a town site, as a mining depot and centre of trade on Thompson's River, about 10 miles below Lake Kamloops, from whence the n;ivigation is said to be practicable for stern-wheel boats through Lake Kandoops to the distance of 100 miles up North River; and also by the south branch of the Thompson to the further extremity of Shonswap Lake. As another part of the plan I propose that steam boats of the same class should be employed on Okanagan Lake, connecting with the caravans arriving by rM the way t)f Hope and Shimilkomeeu from i'raser G 4 River ; and finally, a good road fi6 PAPERS IlKLATING TO BlUTISH COLUMBfA. nRtTiflfi CoLUMUU. I between the two lokcs Sliouswap ond Okaimjj;nn, and from the latter lake continnol jn a southerly direction to the Coltiinbitt River, will complete u line of communicutidn jon. necting the eastern districts with l''riiser River, imd ntfording facilities I'or transport that will render Hope the channel of trade, and prevent it from seeking an outlut hy the Columbia River, and which in other respects will be of inestimable advantajje to the Colony. 13. The latest accounts from Caribou confirm the former repents of its vast auriferous wealth. About l,,0O() men are supposed to be congregated in those mines, and tlic number is continually augmented by the arrival of fresh bodies of miaera. It will hf n work of diHiculty to keep them supplied with food, a service which now gives eniployinint to about 1,200 transport horses and nudes; and I am in hopes that the large profits iimdc in that business will lead to itJ extension. 14. To facilitate the transport to those mines I authorized a grant of 100/. to improve the river tiail froiu Cayoosh to \\'illiams Lake ; and loo/, to open a trail from (jufsiiel to Caribou Lake, the charge, in both cases, to be defi-ayed out of the district revenues. LO. The remoteness of the Caribou mines, and the large assendilage of jjcoplf tlicrr liave rendered it necessary to establish a gold escort for the conveyance of trcasuie IVoiii Quesnel to New Westminster ; and more especially with the view of strengtiienin"- the hands of the magistrates in those distant localities by the periodical exhibition of a small military force. This will put the colony to nuich expense, but I conceive it is an indis- pensable precaution that may prevent nmch future evd. 1(5. There is nothing of nuich importance to coimnunieate respecting the towns of Cayoosh and Douglas, except that they are both progressively improving. I authorised the grant of allotments of land to the Uishop of British CoUunl)ia, at thoi^e places, as sites for churches, and 200/. at each, in aid of private contributions for the erectii)ii thereof. The latter measure was adopted at the instance of the inhabitants generally, who represented that they had no building where Divine service could be properly held; that they had contributed liberally towards the fund ; and that their own means alone were not adequate to the erection of Churches. In those circumstances, and as no other denomination of Christians were in the field in that part of the colony, I most cordially responded to the wishes of the public. 17. I returned to New Westminster on the 2()th of June ; and in conclusion it only remains for me to add the gratifying intelligence that peace and good order prevail throughout the Colony. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. P.S. — An explanatory map is transmitted with this Despatch. J.D. No. 22. No. 22. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.B., to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (No. 55.) Victoria, Vancouver's Island, September 11, ISCl. My Loud Duke, (Received Nov. 2, 18(J1.) Adveuting to my Despatch, No. 50, of the 22nd ultimo, and to ))revious corre- spondence upon the subject of returns and accounts required from this Government, I have the honour to f()rward herewith the return for the ye;ir ISfJO, as described on the other side hereof^ and 1 trust that t!ie same may be found .satisfactory. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. Sec. &c. PAPERS RELATING TO RRITISM rOUIMniA. 57 Aiarucr of the actual IIevenue ami Kxpkndi niii; during ilic Yo.ir 18(10, divldul imdi'i- tlio dillonnl nitiTiiu ('lltitl)lUlllMl lu'luU ut' Nfl'vicu CoM'MniA. AniTBACT of tlio Uevenik ffcoivod duriiig (bu Yoiir *" lH(i(). Civ It. ruKiinii ■ * IMfl •ncl lUrbour iluct lind "li'" - ■ • • Un.l ri'vcriuo • • Knu Jlliii'"' I'crtl'l™'"" Mlrilnii rw.'l|il«. Kj'Iht.J I liTna'«.«l'ifil ""'"""""« ■ li..i,i., lulmlvi'iif Liiicl jStirnifi' - * . _* I. * _. Hi,,.., fiirf.'lluri', 'iii'l iw of cmirt - Krt'iof AiMyi'lliif ... Inltrert Brftinil . - , . • SiilHial lU'lHulU liulcUl . . . • Tdtai. {'iii.oMiAi, IlfvrNitr Crtilionof iMiinUin iiiil ulri'viMiiii' - Linn ID ViiiuiiunT I/. \dviiinrj to hi'uilM uf ilipiiriiirciin, iifcoiiiilcil lor ' (Civil) - .1.1.,13n 11 B ri.'.iiii o II I,IIUII u u I'.i.cjj 1 Mll.lTAHr. i:ii,"oii n :l,H|il O (I llcr MnJtMy'n (lovoriiini'nt Do. on nuiiiiiiiliil pny ncimiiit Ailvnnci'slo lu:iii» iit'iliiiurtnK'nH, nccuuiiUil lor Hiurlliiiu'mn ri'i-ciiit^ ... KiluiiJCramiK"') • - • • -SLIin Oiuriii o O fl (I u u u AusTiucru of (hi' Tavminth nimli- during tho Your ^~' iHliO. I'lVII.. Eiltthllnhnii'Mli. j a, ,/, Hnliirii'*, lixi'il • . ft.pAl 7 11 H«liirli>, |iriivlriirv - . 11,1711 1:1 'i Ollliv iiiiiidiKiMiilvii - 1,1111 111 u Allimiiiu-u« * . 1,0111 1.1 I t t. it. t : •! |il,rij 111 3 IK'M'IIIIC llTvllW, IXi'llKivu uf laU- llli«hllU'llt1 .... 17!l 1 7 AiliiiiiiiilruiloM iif JiKliiv, I'ti'lii^lte III' l-fllllll'illllU-llli ... TM 1 :i ('hnrtlnliU' ulliiwiiiiii'H • L1MI II U I'lllil-l' (Mill K'llllt, I'XcIllhlvu III' i>«|ii. ttll%liini>ii1ii .... 7'.ij 11 1) lliiil .H II II 'lr;ilH|uirt 1,J1..I !l t ('nliviyulU'L' til' llluil* - 11 .'1 (iiiuriil ixpiini., lAiliulu' uf Hill. Iili.liiiu'nl* .... ;i.W 4 7 Mi^i'i'lliiiuniM Hvrvii'f* .■117 II III ^iirvi-irtuii.I i-xpjtir.itiiiiii l.ii.'i 11 H luiitiiit . • > . . l.n (1 II l!'i h o Kki'liitiiifi' I'.i.lihiiftlriinK uii I'liyinu-itiT' (ll.lUTIll .... ;. ( .J l'ri)vi.titinii mill fiii-I - - D.T^ii Ij 1 NN'iirkH lliut lillildin^jC^ - - l,l!l'l :^ ,1 ItiiiiiN, siri.i'i*,tiii.| liriilf^iM • - ::j 7 ;i stiiri.s iiiiil iniiti.rijtl.s - ■ liio u 10 'rriiil«p«irl .... J.J7 ..; ;, • Hlii'u iiilllill}!i.|U'll.» • - . i! Ill Total ilOiV'.'Jn :t 'Jivms 17 7 S.'JJO U TllTAI. Col IISI.\I MllllAHV l''\|.rNliirL'HK Ailviiiu'i.fl 10 lu'iiiU of lU.piirliiM'iiN ( Military) Colitiu.| .*'."iily, 11.11., nil ri.giiiii.'iiliil pny lu'cuiiM - - - . :;,',|!i 10 3 I'.xi'liaii^c. (HI I'li^hiii;! ilralU, (in Ti-gi- ita.iiiul piiy iici'oiiiit - - - .11) I 7 :l,.-,7,i 1 1 10 Piiiil nil m-coiiiit of lloiiiii (iovi.num.iit - - M.i 17 10 ll:ilunci' in liuiKlnuf Inuiiircr, :IUt l>(.cciiilii.r 18(iU- lO.iiH.'i 7 S Audit OfTico of Brititili Ciolumbin, 4th SciilumbcT IbGI. Tdliil (Siijiiod) j;iii:v s WiM.IAM A. G. YOII.NI!, Actiujj Auilitor-Gcnend. No. 23. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, L.Jl., to liis Grace tlic Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (Separate.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, September 10, 1861. My Lord Duke, (UeccivcdNovfinbcra, istii.) I HAVE much satisfaction in reporting to your Grace tiiat tlie Colony of British Columbia continues in a tranquil ami progressive state. 2. The Gold Commissioners, in their last montiily reports, represent tiic continued exodus of the mining po|Hilation from their respective districts towards tlie " Carii)oo " country; in speaking of wliich I liave iulopted tlie popular ami more convenient ortiiography of the word, though properly it should be written " Cariba'uf " or Rein Deer, the country having been so named from its being a favourite Iiaunt of that siiecies of tlie deer kind. 3. The mo.st extraordinary accounts of the wealth of iliat gold field are received by every succeeding steamer from British Columbia; and those accounts are condrmed by letters from the merchants and traders of the district, and by fbrtunaic adventurers who liave realized, by a few weeks labour, tiieir tliousands of dollars. It wouhl in fact appear that Cariboo is at' least equal, in point of auriferous wealth, to the best parts of California ; and, I believe, the gold deposits of British Columbia will be found to be distributed over a far more extensive space. 4. I am unable to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion as to the average daily earnings of miners in the Cariboo country, but some idea may be formed of the large sums realized, from the fact that 195 ounces of gold were taken in one day out of a single mining claim ; while ordinary claims yield as much as forty and fifty dollars a-day to the man : but perhaps the most telling circumstance is the high price of labour, whicii has attained to the extraordinary sum of ten dollars a-day ; and any number of men may find employment at that rate of pay. IV. *^ ^ H No. 23, 58 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. S*i i ■ , Bmrirtii o. Tlie C;uiboL> ^olu district was discovered by a fine athletic young man of tiie name Cw LUMi iiA. yf McDuniiell, a niitive of the island of Cape Breton, of mixed French and Scotch descent coinhininj^ in his personal appearance and cliaractar the courage, activity, and remarkable powers of endurance of both races. His heaitii has suffered from tiiree years constant exposure and privation, wliicii induced iiim to repair, with his well-earned wealth, to tills Colony for medical assistance. G. His verbal report to nie is interesting, and conveys the idea of an ahnost exhaustless gold field, extending tlu'ougii tiie quartz and slate formations, in a nortiierly direction from Cariboo Lake. 7. Tiie following well attested instances of successful mining at Cariboo may prove interesting, and will probably convey to Her Majesty's Government a more precise; idea of the value and real character of this gold field than any mere generalizations, and witii that object in view, I will lay the details, as received from the persons themselves, before your Grace. 8. John McArthur and Thomas Phillips arrived here from Cariboo on the 17th of August last, with nine thousand (!^9,0C)0) dollars worth of gold dust in their pos-cssion being the fruits of three months residence at the mines. Tlu^y arrived there on the 1st urger was uj) there, he, Abbott, took (JO ounces out of it, and gold makes your eyes water, ai.d you will never see a j'reater excitement as there will be next season. * * • « * « ' " If you can send up such goods as we want, do so : as I will explahi to you it is only 5 or 6 weeks more that pu-:!. trains can come in here, and then we can get any price for them ; besides which, spring, when there is a lot of people rushing in, and we the only ones which have goods. You bet 1 v.ould soak into them. 1"he country is all riglit, there is more gold in it as there was in California ; don't say nothing to nobody." 11. I will not multiply these details, having said enough to show your Grace the opinion entertained by the public of the newly discovered gold fields, and of tiie probable influx of population from Caliloriiia and other countries which may be attracted by those discoveries. I neeil not assure your Grace that every precaution will, in that event, be taken to maintain the jieace, order, and good government of the country, and to increase its permanent population : but it is impossible to repress a feeling of profound regret that so few of ller Majesty's British subjects have yet participated in the rich harvests rcapd in 15rilisli Columbia, though there is certainlv no country in the world that offers greater inducements to the labnuring classes, or for the employment of capital. The settler enjoys liie peculiar ailvantage in British Columbia of an unfettered choice of the public domain ; ami may, without uxpcuse, or oiiicial dela^ , select any purt of the Colony he PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 59 pleases, as his future home ; the ultimate price of country hiiui beiiiij in no case over fou sliilVin<'s and twopence an acre, payable l)y instahm-nts, si)ioail over several yens. In fact th'c system of no country can oiler greater inducements to the settler and miner than the land regulations and mining laws of British Columbia. 12. The miners at (Cariboo have, I am glad to inform your Grace, suffered no privation whatever from fhe want of food. Besides the large 'mportations of bread-stuffs and salt meat packed in from Lillooet and Lytton, large droves ot cattle have been sent to Antler Creek, where the native grasses are nutritious and abundant; and fresh lieef is now selling by retail at Is. 8rf. a pound. A mining town of some note has sprung into existence at Antler's Creek, and supplies of all kinds can be readily purchased. The traveller who is prepared to encounter famine in its gauntest forms on his arrival at Cariboo, is not a little astonished to find himself in the midst of luxury, sitting down every morning to fresh milk and eggs for breakfiist, and to as good a dinner as ciui be seen in Victoria. ... 13. The great commercial thoroughfares, leading mto the mterior ot the country, from Hope, Yale and Douglas, are in rapid progress, and now exercise a most beneficial effect on the internal commerce of the Colony. I have many other jn-odnctive public works, indispensable for the development of the Colony, in view, but I cannot undertake their execution until I am made acquainted witli your Grace's decision about tlie proposed loan of money for British Columbia. 14. There is nothing in the condition of the other districts of the Colony witli which I need trouble your Grace at i)resent ; though it may bo necessary soon to draw yoiu- Grace's attention to a reported discovery of gold on Stickoen River, latitude .'i?" within Her Majesty's territories, north of British Columbia, to which some adventurers, trusting to the faith of the native Indians, who brouuht the tidings, liave inconsiderately repaired. 15. Should the report prove correct, it will i)e necessary to take steps for tiie govern- ment of the country, and to prevent the many disorders that will naturally arise from the absence of any duly constituted authority. l(i. T will "not fail to exercise that power, should circumstances reipiire it, until your Grace's instructions are received. I have, &-C. His Grace th- Duke of Newcastle, K.G. (Signed) .JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. HntTisn t'ciMMIllA. ' (•:. m Copy of DESPATCM from Governor Douglas, C.13„ to his (hace the Duke jf Nkwcastm;, K.G. (Separate.) Victoria, Vancouver's Island, October '3t, 18()1 . My Loud Duke, (Uccciveii Dooombcry, iwii.) In my Despatch of the iGth of September last, marked " Sejiarate," * it vvas ^V.v/vn';. mentioned that a report had reached this place of dcjiosits of gold having been found on the banks and flats of the Stikecn River, north latitude .'57, to the eastward of the Russian possessions, and within the limits of Her Ma)estv's territories on this coast; I, therefore deem it proper on this occasion to inform your Grace, that wc have had no confirmation of those reports, nor any arrivals fr'v:i that quarter. 2. I have also to communicate to your Grace that the accounts from Cariboo are more than ever satisfactory ; and the numbers of returning miners with their n.pidly aeciuireil stores of gold, and the extraordinary fact, unusual, I believe, in gold coinitries, that they have all been eminently successful, ofler the strongest confirmation of the almost l;d)ulous wealth of that gold-field. I have not, indeed, up to the present time, met with a single unfortunate miner from that quarter. Of thrso whom .1 had occasion to interrogate (luring my recent visit to British Columbia, i ascertained that none who held mining claims had less than 2,000, antl that others had cleared as nnich as 10,000 dollars during their summer's sojourn at the mines. It may, therefore, be fairly assutncd, that their individual earnings range at some point bet-vecn those figures. T shoidd, however, apprise your Grace, that the laige strikes of the season, such as the .Iciu'dan am! Ablx.It claim on Lowhee Creek, and Ned Canipbell's clain; ini Lightning Cn^ek, the latter said to have produced 900 ounces of gc!d in one day, arc not included in this category, as I have had no opportunity of seeing the owners of those claims, who an still in the upi'cr countr) ; but I will inquire info and ve])ort ujioii these sjiecial cases heiealter. 3. The foUowhig extracts ii-om my travelling note book may not be com^idcred irrelevant at this time, when everything connected witli the gold-fields, or tending lo illustrate the true ciiaractcr of tlie colonv, possesses an absorbing int-ri'st. ' H 2 r i:> ihi:. ; li 60 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. BBiTisn COLDMDIA. i I Ml 1.^ i :i I 'til " Laurent Bijou, a native of France, left Cariboo on the 1st clay of August. H resided about one month at ti)e mines, and lias acquired 4,500 dollars worth of gold dust ; — says, he has not been so fbrtiniate as many others, who are making as much i, 1,000 dollars a day. He has mined in California, but never saw a gold-field so rich as Cariboo." "Joseph Patterson and brother, natives of Maine, United Slates of America, have been mining on Keitliley's Creek, and left it about the 10th of September. They have cleared the sum of 6,000 dollars between them, or 3,000 dollars each, in gold dust, whicli thev carry about with them on their persons. They report that as a general thing the miners are making from two to three ounces a day. They are well acquainted with Jourdan and Abbott's claim, and have often seen tiiem weighing out, at the close of their day's work- the yield on one occasion was within a few grains of 195 ounces, the number of workini' hands being at the time four in all. That was their largest day's return ; but 80, 90, and 100 ounces a day were ordinary retiuns," " Richard Willoughby, a native of England, discovered a mining claim on Lowhee Creek, and began to work it on tiie Sytii of July last; he continued mining with from four to seven hired men till the 8th of September, when lie sold the claim to another person, and returned safely to Yalo, w'lere he now resides, with the sum of 12,000 dollars in gold dust. His largest day's return was 81 ounces, and the entire amoiuit of (^old taken, during his tenure, from the claim, amounted to 3,037 ounces, valued at 48^100 dollars, and his own share to the sum of 12,000 dollars. His last week's work netted 2,032 dollars, and for two weeks previously he cleared 1,000 dollars a week for each ■working hand on the claim ; and what is extraordinary, is the fact that all this wealth was found immediately at or within four feet of the surface, the extreme of Mr. Willouijlibv's sinkings. At that depth he encotnUercd the Bed liock, composed of soft blue slate yielding readily to the pick. He also mentions the discovery of a highly auriferous quartz reef; and he gave me a specimen of galena, containing, as per assay, 07 per cent, of lead, and 37 ounces uf silver to the ton. He also mentioned several rich veins of silver ore, which he saw at Cariboo ; but the inferior metals attract scarcely any attention in countries where gold is easily acquired." *' ]\Ir. Hodge, an American, settled near Yale, helil a mining claim on Lowhee Creek for about si\ weeks, and lately returned to Yale with a sum exceeding 2,100 dollars. Hi,-^ reports corroborate and confirm in all respects the statements of Hicliard Willoughby." "Thomas Brown, an American citizen, claims the honour ''ss -.h". '.< tes v>°re made a legal tender, a measure which I am not prepared to recommend. 5. As a safer remedy ani uo'; oicro -suitable to the actual circumstances of the ( 'o!oi)i'.s, I projiose to take inimediatc ' -"S fir tin nianufitcture of gold j)ieces, equal in vaiuoto the 10 and 20 dollar American ccjms, and to bring them into general use as a circulating medium in both Colonies. This plan docs not contem])Iate refining the gold, as the expense would 1'.^ greatly increased by that process : it is merely proposed to bring it to a uniform standard of fineness, without separating the natural alloy of silvc '; to some extent exists in all the gold of British Colitinbia. The pieces will be prepared at the Government Assay Office, and will bear the stamp TIk; lllicMl.l' ;.!l(ii; rniit: 'ii.(l i'l il.!;i ,-!iLl( li |]:l^■ Ijci'ii |ii('(ir|i(iriili'(l in llir iiiiip at |iM;if 'A, PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 63 of unqiicstionablc character ; and I am of opinion that by making the gold contained in them of the full current value of the piece, without takiii;,' t!ie silver into account, which I propose should go as a bonus, they will not only an.swer as a cheap and convenient currency within the Colonies, but also have the same exchange value when exported to other countries. C. It appears from experiments made by Mr. Davidson, ;i gentleman of large business experience, and agent for the Kothschilds at San I'Vaiicisco, that the average rinenos of Californian gold in its .-.atural .state ranges between SS'J and 8.sri, that is to say, in valuing the samples brought to him fur sale, his calculations have bten always baseil on those fi.rurcs, and have never j)rovcil detiactive. Tiiis shows that some simple pioces.s tor roii'dilv determining the value of Frastr River golil n-ay also be arriveil at ; and that knowledge will facilitate its reduction, within 10 or 20 tiiousandths, to a uniform degree of fineness, in order that the pieces rej)resenting the same value may not vary in weight. 7. All the machinery required for this purpose may be procured at San Francisco for the moderate sum of five hinidred pounds, and without materially adding to the expense of the present Assay Establishment. ]\Ir. Claudet thinks it will be in his power to manutiicture all the pieces wanted for the circulation of the country. 8. I have submitted this plan for the consideration of tlie principal banking aiiil commercial houses of Victoria, with the object of obtaining their views as to the probable eftects of the pro|)Osed currency on tiie general business of tiie country, and more especially as to its exchange value when oxjiorted to pay Ibr supplies : the single point which I think ad'mits of any question, for in that case it would j)robabIy be treated as simple bullion. 9. It was clearly proved by the statements oi tho'^e gentlemen, that the actual cost of importing coin from other countries is rather over 5 per cent., which they believe to be the actual cost of our present metallic ciu'rency. Not having had sufficient time for consideration they were not, however, j)repared to give a decided opinion on the general measure, but they admitted that it would establisii the vahie of the gold produced in British Colimibia in the cheapest manner, and provide a metallic currency for the country at a cost of 4 per cent, less than is paid for imported coin, and offered no objections either to the plan or the basis of the piojjoseil currency. 10. If the principal banking and mercantile houses agree among themselves to receive this currency as a legal tender, no difficulty will be experienced in carrying the measure into effect ; and no reason exists why it sliould not receive their hearty support, as it will surely tend to their advantage, not only by the saving, as before shown, of 4 per cent, on the cost of importing coin, and the complete removal of the cause which is ilraining liie country of wealth and ])opulation, but also in tiie numberless other ways by which the investment of capital serve., to promote the general prosperity. 11. I will only further remark that considering the great importance of the object in view, and the advantages expecteil from the operation ol' this simple and inexpensive plan of providing a metallic currency of character un.-^uspected and intrinsically equivalent to its stamped value, and therefore not sul)ject to depreciation nor (jpen to the objections which may be urged against a jjaper currency, 1 can hardly doubt that Her Majesty's Government will in these circumstances withliold their ap.proval, or object to my declaring it a legal tender, and causing it to be receiveil at all the pui)licoffic(!s witiiin the Colonies inpayment of duties and taxes ; especially as there is no prospect of this currency being replaced by any preferable circulating medium until the produce of gold, by its abun- dance, renders the establishment of a branch of the Royal Mint in British Columbia a public necessity. I have, kc. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., (Signed) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. UniTisii C'ill,LMi;lA. :i,yi !;.!■■' No. L'G. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, C.13., to his Grace the Duke of Newcasth;, K.G. (No. 74.) Victoria, Vancouver Island, November 30, 186l. My Loud Duke, (Ucooivod Fohnmiy ;i, isoj.) I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the estimates of the civil expenditure of tlie Colony of British Colinnbia for the year ending yist l)ecend)er 18()2, framed as closely in accordance with rule as is practicable under the existing circumstances of the Colony. 2. 1 have so fully ])laced before your (jrace in other Despatelies the exact present condition of the Colony, the recent discoveries of immense auriferous wealth in the newly opened district of Cariboo, tlie almost certain large increase to the popuhition in U 4 m ifri {-'*■■.'* :' 64 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. Bnmsri consequence, and tlie general confidence establislicd in tlic rii.i,.,e.ss and future of the CoLUMLu. country, tliat it is not necessary I should revert to the subject here, Airtlier tlian to remark tliat I trust these circumstances will have their weigiit witli your Grace in leavinf me free, as heretofore, to devote the wliole revenue of tlie Colony, after deducting the ordinary expenditure, to tlie important object of opening up tlie connnunications with the distant gold fields, so as to cheapen tlic triiusport of provisions — a matter which just now demands all our energies, and absorbs all my attention. 3. The large tract of countrj^ embraced in these new gold fields will cause a heavy increase in the civil expenditure in providing for adequate magisterial supervision. Such however, is indispensable to tiic order and good government of the country, and I jiave consequently made provision for the same in the estimates. •Pogo64. 4i. In my Despatcli of the 16tli July last, " Separate," * I mentioned that I had found it necessary to establish a gold escort. In the accompanying estimates provision is consequently made for its maintenance during the year I8fi'i; but as, from the !;reat distance it has to travel, and the nature of the country, it lias proved very costly, I propose to abandon the scheme for the preueiit, if I can carry out one jiart of it, viz., that of periodically strenglliening the hands of tlie uuigistrates in distant localitiLvs, in some equally etficient I'ut k-ss expensive manni'r. 5. I liave also, at the earnest .'.olicitaticn of some of the subordinate ofHcers in tlic diilercnt dopai tments, m.ide a sli^liL increase to their salaries. The additional charge upon the revenue caused thereby ,vill bo comparatively insignificant, some (iOO/. only, and in the end will, I behove, be f.dly repaid • for the consideration thus shown may, I trust, render the present incumbent? contented \. itli their position amidst the many instances before them of suddenly acquired wealth, and will consequinlly secure to the Govern- ment the continuance of their ■' /ices now lliat they have, as it were, become remunerative by possessing a knowledge of tiicir j)aiticular duties. With scarce an exception, none liad any previous experience ot public business, and all had to be carefully tiained; and here we luive no field to select from to fill vacancies with ([ualified men. C. Vv'itli ilie foregoing exceptions the estimates do not differ matcrialiy froiii those submitted for the present year, and I trust that diey may meet with your Grace's concurrence and approval. I have, &c. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., (l-^igned) JAMES DOUGLAS. &c. &c. &c. COLONIAL ESTIMATES, BRITISH COLUMUIA. Abstuact of tli(^ probnblo Rkvk.we of tho Coi.onmal rr)VEUN'ME> . ■<' lluiTisii C'»JLUMHIA for tlio Yoiir 18()2 i sliowii.g iilso thu liEVENUE (Approxi- malo) for IWil. Estini ale I Ut venue Hcvenue Iliads of Itcvfiiui'. from Ist .liinunrv to (Approximat for tile veal ;llst Dee em jer 1801 IHC 1. Cnstimis, £ x. (/. £ .1. J. Dulifs . . - TilM'iO 'I'oniiapi' t'.iu'S 0,(H)() llitrhoiir "r> Excise dulies .'11 K) I) — 2. I.nilil siiles 7,lKH) (I o.niiii (1 ;). I.iiml Hevenuf 5(X) ,sm 4. Free inini^rs' eerlific:itea 5,(XX) SI,.')M'J s. AIiiiinl l.V««i 1) Aiiovvanees I.IMKI 10 .1.MI I) Ollieeeonlinjreneies 2,.''>10 2,0011 o. Ileveiiue services, exclusive of estaliiisliments 200 100 3. Adtiiinislratioii of.luslicc, ex- clusive of eslalilishinents - 1,300 ion 4. Cliaritalile ailowatices 700 i-M 5. Police and gjiols, exclusive of est:d)lishineilts 4,!l.'iO 3,rtHI 1. fi. Ueiit - . . . 211) 2(10 7. Transport 7,.')15 ]■ 5,(100 H. Conveyance of mails - l.aOO II 9. AVorks and Iniiidings - 7,.';oo 3,.50fl n 10. Hoads, streets, and liridges - Sl,7'19 19 9 34,000 11. Miscellaneon.s services lilK) s,o:;(i u 12, liedcmption of bond.s - i,n5o 3,S,^2 1.1. Interest 128 10 •■1 r.i 11. Lighthouse.! - SCO 1,3J0 u £1)0,030 £70,si;;i II jAJUiS DOLULAS. PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 65 itiire of the tl'L^r tlian to :e in leaving !iUicting the nations with " whicli just t'isc a heavy sion. Such, , and I have I had found provision is ni tile threat ery costly, I t of it, viz., localities, in icci-s in the onal ciiarge 0/. only, and nay, I trust, ly instances the Govcrn- cniunerative 'ption, none lly tiained; ' from those oui- Grace's UGLAS. IITCKE of tho ISH ('III.U.MIIIA, tllC Kxi'KXUl- lisp™ iture (A|i|iroxiiilal() iui (ho year ISlil. «/, £ ,v. ./. 7,i-.o 13,.'««] 1) S.'.il n i.',U(«) 1(K) im ■I:;!; 3,IK«) n 1. i-'CiO ■ 5,(XX) 3,300 n !) .'M.ttW (1 2,ii;;;i il u 3,SS2 11-; II 1,3JU u £7n,3r,;i 1) 1) ja DoiULAs. O 3 2 ^ ^ '=^ S ?, 5 = I I I I ? I •s|llll)(I JO ciUil'.ll.'l")! sndiiinii'.i'iiv O i. r, D ►J O o Ml'! '1(1 |)IM! ••1I",\V •Sill i^ .)0 n0Ul!A.>Alll'O ■»S ' ' ' • ■ II 11 1 1 1 . . 1 . ■-. - „ £ H ? V • ' ' ' t • til II til III II ' 1 > - 1 . - 1 1 1 1 III II 1 ) 1 1 1 1 ■ •0 .-5^ V W C T « 11 \\\\\ T. r. 5« - ^ • 1 I 1 \ X-^ III III II i t 1 1 1 1 I '^ •^ ? c '" "^ "t 'fi 'o : I I I I I I I •111.1)1 •S|OI'0 |iim; .i.1!|0,x •o.iini.noiiv ■1|<1"I!""I:1 •,i,liisnf Jii tiniliMi-Miliii|iV J be r. o ^ 5 ■ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; H C ■*. :t ti *,": x "T '.- 1- . I- 83 ■^ '' •S.ll.HMl^lIltUC.) ) <.t • - — :c :: ■:! — -i -t c- 'o 'O ■ I - or 'T r *. j: .'■-CO C 1 ?: "Ji 5 W[ '.~, t\J 'o c "1 ^c ~ O ' vi ' ' 01 -r ?i t: c. -1 — •-■: V V -'. _ ■ (. \l: f. -.. -r- ■ BniTiflit Ci'LLMniA n1 o Q 73 — X -=-' o -S -^ I I I I I ./J s 5 1 >4 ;- 7 = 2 5 f' 2 'i -^ .-' ^t r,' .r 'H ic t- X c! c -• . K ^ I-; I-; -J « -J V ~ 2 IV. f I f ^ ■' ' ' 's .! t'fl .■' M •1 i^^ i M 1 (i|H ' H I hi 1 ..?i: ; t' !■' '^^H^li I f '■ it^^^^^K , i -if ' Il HRi j^im |yi», 1 iS i |; 66 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMHIA. Uritihii Col.t'MUlA. No. 1. F»««l. No. 2. t P.igo i. Despatches from tlie Secretary of State. Copy of DESPATC . (No. 2fi.) No. 1. from his (J race tlic Duke of Newcastle to Governor Doi'raAS, C.B. Sib, Downing Street, May 19, ipfjn. I HAVE to aci. IHfiO, I HAVK to acknowledge the receipt of your Despateli No. ^.'i,! ot' the istli of February last, enclosing copies of a correspondence between Mr. Cridge, the District Minister of Victoria, and Mr. Duncan, relative to the format i-" of a settlement for Indiiin converts to Christianity, and in order to carry this jilan int( -t you jiropose to reserve several hundred acres of land in the neighbourhood of Fort Subject to the stipulations which you sngirest, namel conveyed to the (Jovernor of the Colony I • time b benefit of the Indians, leaving them no po o alieiiat authorize you to take the necessary steps for ilio conveyance of the lands in (im^stioii I have, \'c. Governor Douglas, C.B. (Signed) NIAVCASTJJ' ike, iVc. in. it 1'hc land slunild be trust for the use aiiJ or«n~pose of it, I have to PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. e; No. 3. British COLUMBU. IWCASTLlv No. 3. Copy of DESPATCH from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle to Governor DoUULAS, C.B. (No. 36.) Sib, Downing Street, .lune 2fi, IHGO. I HAVK received and read with interest your Dispiitch, No. 12,* of the •J3nl of • i'»g«* April, containing a general report on the Colony of British I'ohunbiu, and on the progress which has been made in opening up the country. 1 do not (hmht that you cannot apply your attention to an object more important to the Colony than the improvement of its internal conmmnications. I liave, \'e. Governor Douglas, C.B. (Signed) NEWCASTLE. &c. &c. No. 1. 0. 4. CoPi' of DESPATCH from the Siiciu;rAUY ok Stati; to (Jovcrnor Dokilas, C.B. (No. i±) Sib, Downing Street, July 19, \>GiU I iiAVi: received, and have perused with much interest, your Despatch of the 23rd MaVit reporting the result of your observations during a late visit to British Columbia, t I'uRefl. Tiicie is no subject of greater importance to a new Colony than the establishment of well considered regulations for the disposal of the public laiuls. 1 trust, therelbre, that with the aid of your ])ersonal examination of the country, and of the extensive correspondence in which you have been engaged with Her Majesty's (ioveriunent, you will ^ooii be enabled to communicate to me those full and nuitured views on this subject which your Ucspatcii encourages me to ex])i-ct. The sketcii you have sent of the municipal institutions proposed for New Westminster seem very promising, and 1 am glad to infer that the town is ready to accept them, which is not always the case in a young Colony. I have, &c. Governor Douglas, C.B. (Signed) G. C. LEWIS. ike. tkc. No. i). No. o. Copy of DESPATCH from C. Fortescue, Esq., M.P., to Governor Douglas, C.li. (No. 56.) Sir, Downing Street, October 26, 1 mGO. I AM directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge your Despatch, No. 7'J,| t Pnp« '*• of the 4tii August last, respecting ct'riain grants of laiul which you were desirous of making to the clergy of the four principal denominations of Christians in Biitish Columbia, it:, of the Engiisii, Roman, I'reslu terian, and Melluulist Chuiciu's. For the reasons already comnuim'catcd to you, tlu' Secretary of State canmit siuictioii the grants of rural land which you still apparently advocate, but be sees no objection to your affording a temporary pecuniary assistance to Ministers of Ik'ligiiJn in Biiti>li Columbia from Colonial funds, if those funds are adecpiate for the pui'pose, luid if you have sntlicient reason for believing that such an appropriation of public money will not be unacceptable to the colonists. Charged as you are with the task of expending, on your own responsibility, tl.c pro- duce of the taxes, it is peculiarly necessary for you to avoid the appearance of individual preference or partiality. I think therefore that the public aid given to Ministirs of llcligion should not be confined to any specified denominations, but should, if pos>iiile, be determined by a generally intelligible rule, which, wliile furnishing some security against useless or improper appropriations, will not suggest any distinction between minivers of different persuasions, who nuiy be exerting themselves with ecpial earnestness for the good of the community. It might be required, tor ex.unple, as a condition to any grant of money, that a memorial should be presented to tlu' (Jovcrnor, signed by a certain number or proportion of persons reside it within a certain dixirict, and either offering to meet the Government grant l)v certain innncdiate or annual coiilribuliims of tlieir own, or stating that from some souiee or other such contributions luul been made. This, however, is merely suggested by the Secretary of State as an illii>t ration. He is fully awaie that your own knowledge of the exigencies of the Colon\-, of the teiuiier and wishes of the population, and of the assistance to be derived there Ironi religious 12 ••it ■4! 1" 1, fl i 68 PAPERS RKLATING TO WRITISH COLUMBIA. BniTisii Col-IMUIA. persons or societies, will enable you to choose your own course iu a matter of detail more appropriately than he can (h). Hilt in liny ciise you will take care to make it clearly understood that any assistance of this kind is temporary, and that if yiven in the form of an annual payment, all those who receive it must not calculate on retainin:^ it after it has ceased to he sanctioned by the public opinion of the Colony, and consistent with other demands on the revenue. I have, &c. Governor Douglas, C.B. (Signed) C. FORTESCUE, &c. &c. No. (., •Pages 22 Mir. t Page 32. No. 7. i . ) i Page 43. I) ^ ,1 No. 8. • No. 6. Copy of DESi'ATCH from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., to Governor Douglas, C.H. (No, 60.) Sir, Downing Street, February 1, 1861. I iiwi; to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches, marked " Separate," of the 9th'* and the 'JGth* of October last, giving an account of your recent journey through British Columbia. I have also received your Despatch, No. 1)5,1 of the 9th of November, inclosing a report by Dr. Forbes, of 11, M. ship " Topazc," of the proceedings of the exploring partv under his charge. Iliii ' ■ ■ ■' mation _ ..._ . _, , „. ascertained, the agricultural and mineral resources of the country. JUfll[|^ uaiLV iiiiiii-i Ilia uiiui^^. [ liave perused these reports with much satisfaction, as containing interesting iiifor- tion on the advance the Colony has made, and as showing, so fur as can at present be Governor Douglas, C.B. 1 have, &c. (Signed) NEWCASTLE. No. /■ Copy of DESPATCH from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G , to Governor DoL'CiLAS, C.B. (No. 71.) Silt, Downing Street, April I,'5, 18()i, I ii.wi; the honour to aeknowlcdf^c the receipt of your Despatch, No. 7,J of the 2fith of .January, transmitting an approximate statement of the revenue and expenditure of Ih'ilish Columbia. 1 am glad to receive so favourable an account of the progress of the revenue oC the Colony. I have, &c. Governor Douglas, C.B. (Signed) NEWCASTLE. &c. &c. No. 8. Corv of DESPATCH from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., to Governor Douglas, C.B. (No. 77.) Sm, Downing Street, May 9. 1861. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you, lierev^'ith, the copy of a Memorandum on the subject of the protection of the Salmon Fisheries of British Columbia, which has been sulimitted to nie by Mr. Fieimell, a member of a late Fishery Commission in this country. I also enclose copies of a subsequent correspondence with that gentleman, and I have t:) invite your attention to a subject which will probably, ere long, become one of some imporlanee to the Colony. • I have recjuested the Governor of Canada to forward to you tile ollieial documents bearing upon the matter mentioned in Mr. Ffennell's letter of liie lijth April, and in the meantime I enclose a report of the British Commissioners, which may jirobabiy afford you information that will be useful to you hi legislating on the Fisheries of British Columbia. I have, &c. Governor Doughis, C.15. (Signed) NEWCASTLE. &c. ike. It is siij to give scfiirity water iiroiliiiiii viiliialili' l)y 1)111 That iIm' tirs (ifpractiral kii( fapaliilitii'S a»i and li> >"iKK','-*t |)y a(lo|itili); iiAI,.M()\ I'lsllK.llV, lllllTIMl CollMlllA. It is HiiffiBicHtc'il tliat tlio .ShIiiidh FiHtiiTiesi hIidiiIiI lie jiIiu'imI undpr !y <>"•' liinidri'd fold and '"iirc, than tiic same an-a of land. That till- first sti'p lowanls pnu tin;; tlic ohjiMts nd'iTrcd to should \w tin- I'inployraent of a person of practical ItnowIiMlfjc to icvimv the rivers to an extent sutlicient to enahh- tiiin to report npon tiieir capahilities, and to point out tht- stepi «hirh slmuld l)u fallen to prevent ahnses hefore they liave set in, and to snfffjest tiie unides hy vviiieii a sy^teni of he;iithy enterprise may he promoted in tlii- Ccdony. Uy adopting this course inaiiy persons from tins eoinitry mii{lit soon he indnced to cmhark in tlie milinon lishery of Uritish C'cdumhia, hy receiving' infoi .nation whicli llu'y would ndy upon, if connnnnirated on the anthority of a person of practical knowledj;e, «liile at present ih^y can unly ohtain ti,i;,'ments of iiifiinnation derived from persons in the Colony, whose attention has hcen .ittracted to the (pienlion l,y llio iannense quantities of li>h which thev see exist, and VN'hicii a lew have eonnnunicatcd, hut are unahle to offer any opinion ujion the [)ractical)ility of end)arkinij in such an eaterpri'e. 'I'lu' ciuantitv (if salmon which at present exist in llntish ( 'o!und)ia, ami the extent of rivers proihiciuf,' them, is so f.i'r beyond anythinjj which the waters of (ireat Hritain and Ireland ever pmdui'ed or lould proctnce, that no'idea can he forinecl at ))resent of their ndativc value. The salmon fisheries of that Cidony appear to he one id' the rexinrces of the conntrv, whicdi mi(;lit be most readily hronuht into eonnnercial taken to picvent ciicn)aclnnents and destruction, much ultimate loss to the country may he prevented. The (Jovernment now possess those tisheiies ; no real or ,issinnc Governor 13, 1861. o. 7,t of tlic expenditure 2 progress of JASTLE. Governor y 9, 1861. orandum on licit has been ssion in this ntleiiian, and ccoine one of la to forward •nncH's letter imniistioncrs, egislatiug on J ASTLE. Enclosure 2 in \o. S. Sm, ^ Do.vnin^' Street. Nfnr 1 Butter - - per 11). •0 n Blankets per pair »2 1 Candles - per lb. -'i Cheese per lb. n Lard - - per lb. 1 Opiiuji - per lb. 2 I Uice - . per 100 lb. 3 li Dried Fish per lb. (1 1 Tea - l)er 11). "2 Salt Fish per lb. 01 Coffee - . per lb. u Chinese Medicated Sugar - . per lb. l" Wine per gallon .3 H Ale and Porter in Dried Vegetables Bottle - per dozen 1 8 (Chinese) Salt Vegetables (do.) per lb. per lb. 1 God SAVE THE Queen. Appendix No. 2. BRITISH COLUMBIA.— No. 2d. PiiocLAMATiON by his Excellency James Douglas, Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Colony of British Columbia and its Dependencies. Whereas, under and by virtue of an Act of Parliament, made and passed in the session of Par- liament held in the 21st and 22nd years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, entitled "An Act to provide for the Governnieiu ol' Britisii Columbia," and by a commission under the Great PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 71 ereon specified n 7 n 2 1 n o 1 >2 1 2i o 1 (1 1 «i n .'3 H 1 Oi Seal of the Unitetl Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, I, James Douu'liis, have been appointed Governor of the said Colonv, and have been authorized by proclamation, under the public U' id of ihe ■aid Colony, to make laws, institutiong, and ordinances for the peace, order, and good government of the same : And whereas the port of New Westminster is the only port of entry for goods in British Columbia — And whereas many persons have imported goods into British Columbia across the southern boundary thereof, contrary to law : And whereas it is expedient that all persons importing goods into British Columbia across the said boundary should be notified that such importation is contrary to law, anil can be permitted only pending the completion of the communications in lirilisli Columbia: And whereas the collection of the customs duties is rendered very expensive by the importation of iToods across the southern boundary aforesaid, and it is expedient to impose a fine on such im- portation, to meet the additional cost of collection : Now these are to give notice — 1. That no goods, wares, animals, or merchandize shall be imported into British Columbia which shall not have been entered at New VVestminster aforesaid, unless the dutii's, tolls, niul lines iieriin-afler specified shall have been first paid to some dulyqualilied olHfer of customs, and sucli odicer shall have first granted to the importer a permit on behalf of such goods. 2. The duties and tolls aforesaid shall be as follottBt — A. The duties at present imposed by virtue of the proclamations of the second day of June, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, and the twentieth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and sixty. B. I'or every fifty pounds weight avoirdupois of such goods, wares, or merchandize (and so in proportion for a greater or less quantity than fifty pounds weight of goods), one shilling ; miners' packs, carried by the owners and not exceeding thirty pounds weight avoirdupois, for each man's load, being exempt from such duty as aforesaid. C. For every ton of such goods, wares, or merchandize, twelve shillings. 3. In addition to the aforesaid duties and tolls, a fine equivalent to three per cent, on the market value of such goods, wares, animals, or merchandize shall be paid to such officer of customs — such market value to be calculated upon the market value of the goods, wares, animals, or merchandize at the place of collection. 4. Any person wilfully evadirg or attempting to evade the jjayment of any of the duties, tolls, or fines, aforesaid, shall be fined treble the amount of the duties, tolls, or fines, or any sum not exceeding one hundred pounds, at the discretion of the magistrate. 5. Any penalty under this Art may be recovered and enforced before any magistrate in British Col".rabia in a summary way. 6. This proclamation may be cited as the " Southern Boundary Act, 1 8G0." Issued under the public seal of the said Colony at Victoria, Vancouver Island, this (l.s.) twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, and in the twenty-fourth yeiir of Her .Majesty's reij;ii, by lue. By his Excellency's command, JAMK.S UOlCiL.VS. William A. G. Young, Acting Colonial Secretary. God save the Queen. Appendix No. 3. British Col.I'MBLi. App. No. 3. BRITISH COLUMBIA.— No. 30. Pkoclamation. — No. 2, a.d. I86I. By his Excellency Ja.mes Douglas, Comp'uiion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Columbia. Whereas, under and by virtue of an Act of Parliament made and passed in the session of I'arl'a- ment, held in the 21st and 22nd years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, intitiilnl " An " Act to provide for the Government of British Columbia," and by a commission under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, I, .lames Douglas, have been appointed Governor of the said Colony, anu have been authorized by Proclamation undi'r the jjublii: seal of the said Colony to make laws, institutions, and ordinances for the peace, order, and good governimnt of the same. And whereas, by a Proclamation issued under the public .seal of the said Colony, on tlic -Uh day of January 1860, the price of unsurveyed land acquired by purchase or pre iiuptiim inuier the provisions of the said Proclamation, was stated to be at ?ir1i rate as might for the time i)ein" be fixed by the Government of British Columbia, not exceeding the sum ol ten shillings per acre. And whereas, by a Proclamation issued under the public seal of the said Colony, on the •JOth day of January 1880, the price of agricultural land, surveyed by the (iovenimeiit surveyor, wITuh nia'v or shall have been olfcred for sale at public auction and remain unsold, was fixed at ten shillings per acre, payable one-half in cash at the time of sale, and the other half at the expiration of two years from the time of sale. And whereas 1 have been empowered by Ilcr Majesty's Government to lower the price of country lands in British Columbia, in all eases, to the sum ol' four shillings and twopence (4*. '2d.) per acre. I 4 72 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. lUp«ilorBomurh of ih« Procl»m»- llon n' lh< 'iOth Jiniury, IHIIO, 11 flxri the price uf Undin B ('. It lot, per Bcre. Price of uniur- veyed liiidt to be 4*. '2d. vet acre. Vptet price of surveyed lands 4». id. per acre. Short Title. App. No. 4. as fixed the price of Now, therefore, I do hereby declare, proclaim, and enact as follows : — 1. So much of the said rroelaniation of the SiOih day of January 1860, « surveyed agricultural land at ten shillings per acre is hereby repealed. U. The price of all unsurveyed country land in Lriiish Columbia, whether acquired by pre- emption or purchase under the Procianiation dated the 4tli day of January 1860, shall be four shillings and twopence (4*. 2.ii>ti Culuiiiliia. Ap|>i>iiilini-tit of lU'i:i%lrar Oi-nt-ral and Uc:!i^tr■r• for Uittricli. 74 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA Huitirh COLUMllU. ' MnKUer.itrMnajrlM; ftnpoinU'tl Iliatrlct Kiylilrarii. IMacis (if litisi- lU'ss, SenU of OITu'c.' lo III' k(.-|it mid iin- liri'ssinns tlieru- ol' t(i III- tuki'ti jiuliciul iiuticu of. IK'puiy Urgii- trar. noffistriir's boTuls and otlllis. Salaries, Date of open- in;^ office at New West- minster and in llie otlier dis- tricts. All hiRtniniontl ali'fctiiiK rt'^' Cytale ill n district •ire t(i tic re^'i«- tcri'il ill Itic (ii*- trictollice when liuliiillatctl. Odice liours. Uc;;is(nitioii of iiislinincnts nfleciing real eblate. Upon the openinn of a (iihtrict otticc !i traiif^cript of rcKistrationginllint tliii net to np sent tn (tie iliHtrict itci}i8(r4t. Cost(i(iy and preservation of records. To entitle in- struments to be registered. Acknowledg- ments of proofs of execution to whom to lie made within the Colony, and within the Bri- tish duniinioiis. If acknow- ledged without llie ISritisli (luniiciioiis. Judge of Su- preme Court to appoint ollicers to take acknow- ledgments- I'arty acknow- ledging must cither be known to officer taking neknuwiedg- The rcsrlstrar appointed at New Westminster ahull be styled " Registrar General of Britijli C'uiiiml)iu," and sliull iiave the supcriiitendenoe of all the said offices, .'), 'riio magibtrntt'S in British Columbia may be appointed registrars pro tempore, 4. 'I'licif shall be provided at the public expense, liouses or other places convenient for curryincon tiif business of the said offices, with uU proiK'r means for making and preserving the records and rigibters lierein-after directed to be made and kept, and also seals of offices with suitable devices, ■vvhert'on shall he inscribed " Land Registry Office," with the addition of the namj of the district wlici'cin the satiio is situate ; the said seals shall be in the custody of the registrars for the time beiii(T to be used in their official capacity only, and they shall be responsible for the safely and the use tlieieol' and judicial notice shall bo taken in all courts of the impressions thereof without any evidence of such Slid having been impressed, or any other evidence in relation thereto. 5. The " registrar general '' shall from time to time by writing under his hand and official siul appoint a deputy who may perforin the duties of the office, but all the official acts of the said deputy siiail bi- in the name of the registrar-general, who shall be responsible for the same. The instrument under which such deputy shall be appointed shall be deposited among the records of the office for public reference. And in case of it vacancy in the office of registrar-general, the deputy shall duiini; such vacancy perform the duties of the office as the registrar-general and until a successor be appointed. 6. Ik'fore entering upon the duties of their offices, the registrars and deputy-registrar shall find good and sufficient bonds conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties, and shall take ihe oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties before entering thereon. 7. There shall be paid to the " registrar general" an annual salary not to exceed the sum of 500/., to the deputy and registrars an annual salary not to exceed 300/,, and an adequate remuneration to each of the magistrates appointed registrars. 8. The office at New Westminster shall be opened on the Ist day of November 1861, and the other offices shall be opened on the 28th day next after the proclamations of nomination respectively, and until the opening of the district offices, the registration of all instruments afl'eoling real estate in British Columbia shall bo efft^cted at the Land Registry Office at Now Westminster. 9. From and after the nomination of a district and the opening of an office therein as aforesaid, all instruments afl'ecting any real estate in the said district, shall be registered in the office of such district, and in none other. 10. The place of business of the sivid offices shall be kept open every ilay in the year, except Saturdays, Sundays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and such iither public holidays and fust days as are or may by law or proclamation from time to time be declared in the Colony, fioiu the hour of 10 o'clock in the morning to the hour of 4 o'clock p.m. 11. It sliiill be the duty of the registrars, when requested, and upon the payment of the proper fees, to register or cause to be registered all instruments in any manner afl'ecting real estate situate within their respective districts or the title thereto which shall be certified as hereinafter required bv correctly transcribing or copying the same with the certificates endorsed thereon or attached thereto, word for word, letter for letter, figure for figure, sign for sign, anil erasure for erasure, in books appropriate to the titles respectively endorsed on such instruments, 12. Upon the opening of a district office, a transcript of the registrations affecting real estate in such district prior to such opening shall be sent to the registrar of such district from the registrar general's office, and shall be kept in such district office as part of the records of such office, 13. The registrars shall have the custody of and shall safely keep and preserve all the records, the furniiuij anil seal of their offices, but shall not be responsible if the same are lost, or destroyed by fire or other inevitable accident. 14. Before any instrument other than a decree, judgment, or order of a Court of Civil Jurisdiction, is registered, and to entitle the same to be registered in the said office, the execution thereof shall first have been acknowledged or proved in the manner hereinafter provided, such fact of acknow- ledgment or proof shall appear by a certificate under the hand and seal of the proper officer or odier person authorized to take such acknowledgments endorsed upon or attached to such conveyance, deed, or other instrument. 15. The acknowledgment or proof of execution of all instruments hereby authorized to be regis- tered, if acknowledged or proved within the Colony, may be made to any registrar or to any person commissioned in that behalf by the Judge of the Supreme Court of Civil Justice of British Columbia, and if acknowledged or proved without the Colony and within the British dominions, may be mad'; to any judge of a court, or clerk or registrar of any court having a seal, or to any notary public, or to any magistrate of any town or district within the said dominions, and if acknowledged or proved without the British dominion." may be made to any British ambassador, charg^ d'affaires, or minister, consul, or consular agent appointed to reside in the country where such acknowledgment or proof is made, or to any judge of any Court of Record having a seal, or to any notary public practising in such country, 10. The Judge of the Supreme Court of Civil Justice for the time being may appoint by commis- sion such and as many competent persons other than the persons before mentioned as may be necessary for the accommodation of the public, to take the acknowledgment and proof of the execution of all instruments in writing within the Colony which may by law be registered. 17. No acknowledgment of the execution of any instrument affecting any real estate within this Colony shall be taken uidess the party offering to make such acknowledgment shall appear before the officer taking the same, and unless such party shall either be personally known to the officer, or his identity be proven by the oath or affirmation of a competent witness, and no certificate of acknow- PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. /;> Wument sliall be vnlid unless it recites in siihstnnce mid legal eflect the facts reciuiicd hv this '"''"J.|J' '''■'"''I' I" will) niav Tnak« III kiiiiwU-ilg- ini-nt% what f.M In to Ik' ac- kniiwU'itgtil, iitiil t'.iitiii and COMlflll* ilf ctrtlliiMtl"*. leclioii' 18. Acknowledgments and proofs of the execution of ingtrumcnts entitled to be registered niiiy for the |)iir|)08es of this Act be made i)y — 1, The party executing in perBon such instrument. 2. The attorney in fact when such instrument ia executed by an attorney in lact. a. The secretary of any corporation when such instrument is executed by such secretary. 4. A subscribing witness to siich instrument. Provided always, that no acknowledgment of any party executing in person sr.i'h conveyance, deed, or other instrinncnt shall be taken, unless in addition to what is reipiired by Section 17 ol ilii-i A in addition lo what is required by Section 17 to be recited, it recites in substance and legal ell'eet the facts retpiired by this proviso. And provided also, that no acknowledgment by an attorney in fact shall be taken nnle»a in addition to what is reipiired by Section 17 of this Act, such attorney in fact shall ii^knowledgu that he is the person who subscribed the name of (naming the maker, to the instrinnent, that said (naming the maker) is the same person mentioned in the instrument as liie inakoi- llieieol, that (niirain;,' the attorney in fact) knows the contents of the instrument and »ul)^eribed the name of (niiiiiing the maker) thereto volrntarily as the free act and deed of the said (naming the niiikei'i, and 110 certificate of such acknowledgment shall be valid unless in addition to what is reciuiied by Section 17 to be recited, it shall recite in suhstance and legal ell'eet the facts recpiircd by this pinviMf. And provided also, that no acknowledgment by the secretary of any coiporatidn shall lie taken unless in addition to what is rc(j\iired by .'section 17 of this Act, such sccrelary acknowledge that lie is the person who subscribed his name .and ailixed the seal of such corporal iim as the secretary to such instrument, and that he was first duly authorized to subscribe and to affix the said seal to the same, and no certificate of such acknowledgment shall be valid unless in addition to what is re(piired bv .Section 17 to be recited, it recites in substance and legal ell'eet the facts reijuind by this jiroviMi. And provided also, that no acknowledgment by a married woman shall be taken unless in aihhtiim to what is required by Section 17, such married woman shall be first n)ade acipiainled wiih the contents of the instrument and the nature and cU'ect thereof, and shall acknowleilgo on cxaminaiior ajjart from and out of hearing of her husband that she knows the contents of the instrument ami understands the nature and ell'eet thereof that she executed the same voluntarily without I'lar or eoni[iulsimi or undue influence of her husband, that she is of full age and competent iniderslanding, and dots not wish to retract the execution of the same, and no certificate of such acknowlei'i'inent shall be valid unless in addition to what is required by Section 17 to be recite' to bo registered, in the same manner as for taking the testimony of any witness in a cause pending before it; and that all the costs of such commission, and all directions lor executing the same, shall be at the discretion of the said Court, regard being bad to the general provisions ol ibis Act. 22. When any instrument author:ze- fu-.iii^ lo olu y sut>)ju'na or lo ill-know II it;:v or listii'v. Wlull tl>U'r(.'(l. Ki'vociitioti I)y dentil, iiunnity, ftc.% not ti) rwiikc titttil ri';^i*tratior» of un iiniilavit. llfKistrar to rf}»isli'r ntliid'l- V'it ucconiiiigly. OriginnI deed duly aeliiiow- led^^ed ntny be read ill evidence. Certilied copies uf deeds to llave the force of originals in certain cases. Certificate of ocltnovvledg- ment to he prima facio evidence. Indices to be kept. Registrar to malcc searclies and to furnish ceitiOcatcs thereof. Fees of office. tliia Act, hliBll 1)0 (Iclivercil to n registrar, or in case of tl)c registrnr-gcncral to liini or \\i% (\tn^^. rcgistriir for registniiion, oil ncrsoiis slmll bo tlci'iiicil to liuvo notice of ,he content* aiitl Ugai tifp^j of siicii inBtrunient. '24. No person, other than the nctimi parties thereto, shall ho diemctl to hove notice of any iniiru. nient allecting real cstaic in llic said Colony executed after tho said 1st day oi' Xovtinber lH(!l, unlc^ liie same he neknowledged or proviil and ccriified, and registered pursuant to this Act, and cTery instrument hereafter made which shall not be ocknowKdged or proved, ecrtificil and registered pur- siiant to this ,'\ct, shall be void as against any subsequent purehaser or incumbrance of the same ri^l estate who shall have registered the instrument under which iiis title as purchaser or incuiabrance arises previously, provided always that nothing herein ctmtained shall bo constructl to im|mir the jiowcr of the Court of Chancery to grant relief upon bill filctl charging actual fraud or eonspiriicy. S.'i. Whenever any lien or incumbrance regisUred as aforesaid alfecting any real estate shujl ho released, satisfied, or discharged, it shall be the duly of tho person from whom such release, siiiis- faction, or discharge moves, to give to the person in whose favour the same is mode un instrument in writing acknowledging the same to have been made, and such instrument shall be acknowledged or proved aiid certified as hcrein-beforo required. And if any [jcrson whose duly it is to give such release, satisfaction, or discharge, refuses or neglectj for the space of ten days after being thereto requested by the party entitled to tho same to execute and acknowledge such instrument, he slmll bo liable to a like penalty of £-20 as aforesaid to be levied in manner nforeairul, and also for all actual damages occasioned by such neglect or refusal. 2(). IVo power of nttoviir\ when registered as re([nire(l by this Act, shall bo deemed to be revoked by any Act of the grantor thereof until the instrument containing stich revocation acknowledjred or proved and certified in the manner required by this Act bhall be delivered for registration. 'J7. The death, insanity, bankruptcy, or insolvency of any maker of a power of attorney, or tlie in.'irri ijre of any female maker of a power ol' attorney, shall not be deemed to revoke such power uf iitt(iiM('v liiras any real estate in any district in IJiitish Columbia is concerned until an aljiiiavit of such ■ -Hanity, bankrnjjtcy, or marriage shall have been serveil nptm tho Uegistrar-Gcncral or his de|)n, a the Registrar of each district in which such real estate is situate. '28. . shall be the duty of every registrar or deputy registrar served with such affidavit, as laet aforesaid, immediately to register the same in an affidavit book to bo kept for that purpose, and to write on the jinges of the register on which such power of attorney is registered, a note to the effect following " alleged to be revoked by" (death, insanity, &c.. Sec), sec registered affidavit (page affidavit book volume ) 2!). Every instrument which shall be acknowloilged or proved and certified as in this Act prescribed may, together with tho certificate of acknowledgment or proofs be read in evidence in all courts of law and equity without further proof of execution. 30. Copies of all instruments duly deposited for registration or registered in a registrar's office certified by the registrar, or in case of the llegistrar-Gencral's office by hint or tiie llegistrar-Geiicral's deputy to be full, true, and correct copies, may, in the absence of the original, and if produced by a party not having the control of tho original, be reiid in evidence in all courts of law and equity without further proof. 31. The certificate of any officer authorized to take acknowledgments pursuant to this Act shall bo prima facie evidence of the facts therein recited, but shall not be conclusive. 32. Each registrar shall form and keep indices in separate volumes, in such manner as to afford correct and easy reference to the several records of his office. 3:). It shall be the duty of registrars, upon the application of any person set forth in distinct and specific terms in writing, to make searches for all instruments deposited and registered in his oflSce, touching or affecting the veal estate specified in such application, niul to furnish a certificate of every such search, stating the names of the parties to such instruments, tlie dates thereof, the year, month, tlay, hour, and minute they were deposited or registered, and the book and page where they are registered. 34. For the official services rendered by the registrars they are hereby authorized and empowered to charge the following fees, viz. : — For taking the acknowledgment or proof of any instrument which may by law be registered, for each signature of a party if more thiMi one, four shillings, if only one signature eight shillings, including a certificate of acknowledgment of execution in both cases; for administering an oath, four shillings ; for endorsing the time of depositing any instrument, and for noting the same in the record, and for endorsing the registration thereof upon every such instrument, two shillings ; for registering any instrument, for every folio of one hundred words and figures therein, each and every figure to count as a word, three shillings, fractions of a folio to count as a folio; for making in the indices the several entries of instruments registered, required by law to be indiced, for every such instrument, two shillings and sixpence ; for the use of the records for inspection and examination by persons desiring to inspect the same, for every such inspection and examination at one time, one shilling; lor making certified copies of all instruments, matters, and things deposited, and of record in the office, the same fees as for registerinfr instruments; for every subpa-na, four shillings; for every official certificate, four shillings; for registering plans, maps, charts, surveys, diagrams, schedules, drawings, and other writings, matters, and things not herein enumerated and mentioned, and for making cer- tified copies of any such, and for making searches, and for all other services not herein specified to be rendered by the registrars, such fees to be charged as may be agreed upon between them and the party requiring the performance of the same, and in case of difference the fees to be determined under tiie direction of the Judge of the Supreme Court, whose decision shall be final; for persons not con- nected with the office making for theuisclvcs transcripts or e.\tracts from the records, no charge, but PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. 77 ir as to afford the making of gucli transcripts nnd extinct* to bo allowed only subject to gurli rule* a* xliali l)o fffjiblislic" by till- Ilpniatriir General us alorfsiiitl, iiiui which shall be sii*iiiii(lcil in the otfici- lor the information oV the jjublic. 35. It uliall bo lawful for the Kegistrar General from time to time as he stliall »ee fit, with the sanction of the Supreme Court of Civil Justice, to chan>,'e the amount of any of the aforesaid fee«, and to jf Ubliih such other nnd reducetl or additional fees as may be deemed expi^lient, provided that n list of all I'lch changes and ailditions shall, when made and sanctioned, be laid befori! the Governor within a fortnight ; and provided also that a similar list shall be suspended in a conspicuous place in the Uenistrar- Gcneral's ofllce for one calendar month ul least before the same shall come into operation, nfter which period it shall bo lawful for the rej^islrarH to charjj;e and recover such altered fees. 06. The registrais shall not be bound to receive or register any instrument or furnish any copies, ormake any search, or render any service cjiinceted with their offices until the fees for the same, as prescrilH'd by law, are first paid or tendered. 'i'lio registrors shall keep a strict account of all fees received in their offices, and shall fpiarterly pay over all such fees to the colonial treasurer, whose receipt in writing will be a siiflicieul discharge for the same. And such fees when so received by the said treasurer shall form part of the public monies belonging to the Colony 37. In t'.ie construction of this Act the following words used therein shall have the following meanings, unless there be somethin>; repufjnant or contradictory in the context, vi/. : •' real estate" shall include lands, tenements, and liereditamcnts, whether corporeal or incorporeal. "Instrument" tlinll include every deed or aj^reement in writing, nnd every judgment, decree, or order of any Court of Civil Jurisdiction in British Coliunbia. 38. Nothing hcrein-before contained shall be deemed to apply to any instrument of whatever nature made before the said ist day of November I SGI, but any in-itl. Mrining of riTtu.ti wordu, t*x)irO'<*>ii)i)t,aiul lirtni III thu Act. Kxcrptinn^ a^ 10 coiiveyanci'i lu.idc. Short lIlU. Appendix No. 8. App. No. 8. BRITISH COLUMBIA.— No. 08. Pkoclamation. — No. 9, .\.n., 1861. By his Excellency James Douglas, Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Columbia and its Dependencies, Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &c. Whereas, under and by virtue of an Act of Parliament made and passed in the Session of Parlia- ment held in the 21st and 22nd years of the reiiin of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, entitled "An Act to provide for the Government of British Columbia," and by a Commission under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, I .Fames Douglas, have been appointed Governor of the said Colony, and have been authorized by proclamation under the public seal of the said Colony to make laws, institutions, and ordinances for the peace, order, and good government of the same : And whereas it is expedient to amend and consolidate the laws affecting the settlement of unsur- veyed crown lands in British Columbia : Now, therefore, I do hereby declare, proclaim, and enact as follows: I. The proclamation issued by me, under the public seal of the said Colonv, dated the 4th day of itfi>"i »' f»™CT January 1860, and the Pre-emption Amendment Act, ISC 1, and the Pre-emption Purchase Act, 1801, are hereby repealed. n. All purchasers of unsurveycd land in British Columbia, who shall have made their purchases jj^/all,"'!!,,''"" subsequently to the 20ih day of June 1861, and previously to the '27th day of Auf^ust 1861, shall to iiow on iin- hold the land purchased under precisely the same terms and conditions of occupation and improvemen! prMmpUoa. L 3 7t PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. BniTifli! ColI'MltlA. Ilrltlili nihj.vu, and Kliftit who . lh«nt.tkulhei<.ilti tif «lle«i.iim> may lit tiiiir^ It')' riKht m >.oltl iHhtl. MMil (iKTi|>tie fctiitcd. lli'Ctnnfiulnr aliii|R> i>r an nearly aa )KiN>ibl(f Jtrri- iiiirltott Id' the linKi. N-iturnl hnun- (l.ifii'i may hi> ail()|ilL>(l ill V rtaln l.ineiof Adjacent vhiimii may hir aduptiMl. Kiiflnscd Bpsrei may l)f atlopti'd, niUwilhittanitlnK any IrrcKUlarity ol' shape. Hotnidarlcitniuri a» nearly ai possible acroiding to tlic point* of the coinpaati. runhiuc on ■urvcv. aa nro montioncd hi the snul procliimution of the 4th day of January 1860, with regard to lands pri;. cniptcd wiiliuiit itiircliase. ill. 'i'liut from and after the date liorcof, Hritinh HuhjcctA and atioiia who shall take the onth of nlle^iaiice to Her Majesty and her Kuecessors, may acquire the rij^ht to hold and |)Mrchu>,c in f^^. simple, unoccupied and unsurveyed and unrcHcrved crown lands in Uritish C.'oluinbia, not k-ini; thr sitt? of ati existent or proposed town, or auriferous land available for mining purposes, ur an Indian reserve or settlement, under the followinj^ conditions. IV, Ccrtlflcate nf Ini* provt-nipnt to be ihMiftl whi-'ii im- ]irnvimrIUs liave l><(Mi innilc tu the I'X'L'nt i>! luj. per litre. \VIifn ccrlirlrntc of iinlirnvfim-nt liAS iH-etl U.uid, tlic lioliier may tci] or ileal with the hiiitl. ronvpyanccon |iiiyii>i'nt ur tl)C jiuicliuse muiiey.' Comiieimtinn to owner wluwe land ni.iy iH' taken tir inj'iic' i» eerwtiii caies. Priority of Utle. The piTson il('8iriii}{ to ncqiiirc any particular iilot of land of tlio tliaractcr aforesaid, shall 1(1 sliull rt'coril lii-i claiiii to any (|iiii shiHiiifjs for rc'coiding «iicli claim. (•ntcr into possc'^sion tlicrcof, aiiti shall rccoril liin claim to any linivrHlrhl* fill. Ii-irril III! lailtvl. Utiull. ^;Jlt'tm^■llt or SHTlnR iif rtittit tM if XIX. Wliciicver nny person Hlmll pcrnmnenily icnac lo oociipy liiiid acquind in cillur of tlii> nictliofls at'"rt"(aiui inr, aioresaiu. XXVI. The Government shall notwithstanding any claim, record, or conveyance aforesaid, be cwirt '•..".■ni- entitled to enter and take such portion of the land ac(iuired in either of the methods aforesaid, us may ulii for \ u,w be required for roads or other public purposes. vuty.iK>. XXVII. AVaier niivileges, and the right of carrvinjj water for mining; purposes, inav, notwith- w.itcr for uiiiiiuii 1 ~ '_o »'0 oil'.' iiiiriMiii'* iii.iv bd stan''.iiig any claim recorded, be claimed and taken upon, under, or over the sa d land, so pre-empted uktn. or purchased as ttt()rcsaid, by free miners requiring the same, and obtaining a grant or licence from the Gold Commissioner, and paying a compensation for waste or dam.igc to the persim vshose land may he wasted or damageil by such water privilege or carriage of water, to be ascertained in case of disjiulc in maimer aforesaid. XXVIII. If any person, being already registered as u claimant, register a claim to any otiier land not being contiguous thereto, the land so previously claimed shall, ijisu facto, be furf'eiled, and shall, with all improvements made thereon, be open to settlement by any other person. XXIX. In case any dispute shall arise between persons with regard to any land so ac(|uire(l as aforesaid, any one of the parties in dilference may, before ejectment or action of trespass broi.jht, refer the question in difference to the nearest magistrate, who is hereby authori/ed to [iroceed in a smnmary wayio restore the possession of any land in dispute to the person whom he shall deem eniitled to the same, and to abate all intrusions, and award and levy audi costs and damages as he may think lit. XXX. Tliis proclamation may be cited as the "Pre-emption Consolidation Act, 18G1." Issued under the public seal of the said Colony, at Victoria, Vancouver Island, this (l.S.) 27th day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty- one, and in the twenty-fifth year of Her Majesty's reign, by nic, JAMES DOUGLAS. By his Excellency's command, \VlLLIA.M A. G. YOLNG. God save tue Queen. If nrwrt.iiin Ukrll ii|i llii' »l.l rl.ilrii , i, lu>l. Artiilr.umtU ..f AlaKi>ti->u-. lemsrlves of the SCHEDULE A. I hereby certify that has satisfied me by evidence of (naming the witnesses, and detailing any other evidence upon which the magistrate has conic to his judgment) that of bos made improvements to the extent of lO*'. an acre on acres of land, situated at Signed, this day of shall first record K 4 80 PAPERS RELATING TO BRITISH COLUMBIA. BtiTiin COLUMIIIA. App. No, 9. Appendix No. 9. AMI Mack WIS Mo.l.«tf<. AddtMoakUlo y*. 111. nftf. Addi black S4 10 Ko. IV. ward. Cr*«l«a two i4- dlUonal eoundl- lort,ott« for No. I. ajidoM.No. IV. ward. £il«idi tha pro* Titkifli af tha •• Naw WeitmlM- tor Municipal Act. IM» ,'' tin-Cliiof of Uritiali Columbia ui iti Dcpendvnciut, Vicc-Admiriil of the same, &c., &c. Whereas, under and by virtue of on Act of Parlianipnt nindc and passed in the session of Psrl^ mcnt held in the 21st and 22nd years of the rei^n of Iltr Majesty Queen Victoria, intituled "At " Act to provide for the Uovernnient of llritisli Columliiii," and by u Commission under the Qiwi •Seal of the United Kingdom of Great liritain and Irelmiil, I, James Dongiai, have been appoioMJ Governor of the said Colony, and have been authorized by proclamation under the public lealoflki ■aid Colony to make laws, institutiona, and ordinances for the peace, order, and good goTernncnt 4 the same. And whcreos it is expedient to increase the limits of the municipality, and the number of coon* cillors of New Westminster, and to extend the operation of the New Westminster Municipal Couodl Act, 1860, accordiiiglv : Now, therefore, I tlo hereby declare, proclaim, and enact as follows : — From and offer the date of this proclamation, 1. All that tract of land, which includes the piece of land described on the official maps of theni) city as Hlock XXXVI. shall be included in the second part of the schedule of the snid Act, and bl deemed and taken for all the purposes of this Act as an integral portion of number One Ward. 2. All that tract of land, which includes the piece of land described on the official maps of the lud city as Block XXXY. shall be included in the second part of the schedule of the said Act, andbl deemed and taken for all the purposes of this Act as an integral portion of number Three Ward. 3. All that tract of land which includes the piece of land described on the official maps of the lald city as Hlock XXXIV. shall be included in the fifth part of the schedule to the said Act, and bl deemed and be taken for all the purposes of this Act as an integral portion of number Four Ward. 4. In addition to the councillors already provided by the said Act, there shall be elected, in tbt same manner and with the same qualificationa as at present, one additional councillor for number One Ward, and one additional councillor for number Four Ward. fi. The " New Westminetcr Municipal Council Act, 18G0," shall be deemed and taken, aud ii hereby declared to extend and apply in all respects to the additional limits and councillors lierebj created for the said city, as if the same had been originally included in the snid Act. 6. This Act shall be cited as the " New Westminster Municipal Council Extension Act, 1861." Issued under the public seal of the said Colony at Victoria, Vancouver Island, this Twenty* ( L.s. ) second day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and 8i»qr- one, and in the twenty-fifth year of Her Majesty's reign, by me, JAMES DOUGLAS. By his Excellency's command, William A. G. Youno. God save the Queen, .LONDON: friated by Gboboe E. Eire and William Spottiswoodb, Frinten to the Queen'a most Excellent Mi\)esty. For Her Abjetty's Btationery Office.