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32X

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/^ ?

BRITISH COLrMBIA BEFORE CONFEDERATION.

Some Odds and Ends of Early History (1776 to 1864).

Bv E. O. S. Sciioi-KFiF-Li), Provincial Librarian.

lilLE the annals of liritisli
Colnnibia arc generally free
from those exciting stories
of stirring incidents that
nsually live in the traditions
of nations, yet the history
of our i'rovince will be
found by no means devoid of interest.
and is often fascinating. Little or noth-
ing is known of this portion of the coast
of western North- America previous to
the year 1776. wheii that great circum-
navigator. Cai)tain Cook, visited and
explored its shores. At that time the
country was divided among savage tribes
of Indians, who from time immemorial
had held undisputed sway over the land.
The ascendancy of the Indians, however,
has long since waned and they are now
fasc disappearing from our midst.

DISCOVERY AND 1C.\RI.V 111 STORY (>K THK

r.\cii"ic.

Much romantic interest attaches to the
historv of the discovery of the Pacific
Occaii in the i6th century. .Spain was
then in the very zenith of her fame as a
miglitv maritime nation. lUit the lustre
of iier glory Vias about to be dimmed and
later totally eclipsed by i'.ngland's risinj;
naval power, which in after years was
destined to astonish and awe the world.

The .Spaniards were undoubtedly the
pioneers of discf'very on the I'aeitic
Coast and their exi)lorations were the re-
sult of endeavours to reach India by a
western rdute. \ ague accounts, too. of
tile wealth of China and Japan liad come
to the ears of these hardy adventurers,
and they determined to monojiolize the
commetve in tli" ^old. silks, spices and
])re<ious stones tliat rumour liad it were
l>roduced in fabulous (|uantities bv these
countries.

.Stories of .S])ani>^h successes on the
I'ac'lic Ci^ast readied llie siiore.> of I"ng-
laiid and incited the sturdy seamen of
tliat nation to visit these waters and take
a liand iii tiie game there being played.

Expeditions under well-known com-
manders were fitted out and despatched
to the Pacific, more it must be confessed
in the hope of reaping a rich re-
ward by ]jillaging Spanish settle-
ments than with any peaceful intention
of exploration and discovery. These
grim old privateers harried the .Spanish
Main, striking terror into the hearts of
their enemies. Their names have been
handed down in many a legend of blood
and fire. P)Ut the narrative of their ad-
ventures is too well known to be rejjeated
here even though space permitted.

The Pacific Ocean was di-scovered by
\'asco Xuuiez de lialboa in the year 1513.
l">om that date the work of exploration
and discovery was continued at intervals.
In 1532 the Spaniards fitted out an ex-
pedition under the command of Grizalva
and Becerra. which succeeded in sighting
the peninsula of Lower California. In
1535 the famous Cortez took possession
of this peninsula in the name of His
Catholic Majesty. .\ little later Spanish
settlements were established on the
coasts erf .Mexico and from one of these
an expedition was despatched in 1342 to
explore the coast to the north. It is
claimed that this ex])edition reached the
vicinity of the 43rd parallel and discov-
"re<l Cape I'lanco. named by Captain
\'ancouver at a later date. Cape ( >rfoid.
In virtue of a Pa|)al bull, conferring on
I'erdinaud and l.<abella "all the new
world to the westward of a mepdian
drawn a hundred leagues west of tiu"
Azores." .Spain claimed possession of the
territory thus eNi)lore(i. Tlic remaining
I)ort;on was assigned to !' irtugal by
Pope .Mexander \ I. I'lil when Kng-
land renounced .'illegiance to the Roman
.See she ignored tlie validity of anv
title thus ciMiferred "by donation by
the P.ishi.p if Rome." ;ind maintained tlv-
ri'jlit of l>riti«li sidnects to settle in an\
countrv not in the actual occupatitm of
another Christian nation.

This i)olicv having iieen otficialh lio-

tlw.,
9M

THE B. C. MINING RECORD.

clared by Queen Elizabeth. Sir Francis
Drake, with the sanction of the authori-
ties, started on his historic voyage to the
Pacific with the object of harassing the
Spanish fleet, which had hitherto held
undisturbed control over the western
coast of America. In 1577. this heroic
buccaneer, who was the first Englishniaii
to navigate the Straits of Magellan, sail-
ed from Plymouth on his adventurous
quest.

Drake, after hardships and losses

likely that this daring Englishman,
whose romantic adventures will always
live in the annals of British seamanship,
paid very much attention to objects of
less practical concern. His sole aim was
to return safely with his plunder. With
this end in view, rather than run the
gauntlet of the Spaniards to the south,
whom he well knew were burning to re-
venge the indignities suffered at his
hands, Drake decided to return by way
of the northwest passage, in the exist-

:J^.y*.

■..-«,^^*

HudHon'R Bay Company's Steamor Beaver.
The Beaver arrived at Astoria on April 4th, 1H,S6.

which would have broken the spirit of a
man less brave and determined, reached
the Pacific and sailing north discovered
California, which he named Nevv Albion.
His voyage, however, was not prim-
v.r''v one of discovery, but n;ade rather
witii the object of pliuidering the richly
laden galleons of '^pain returning with
spoils gathered from the ancient cities of
South America, whose inhabitants were
treated with such refined cruelty by their
Iberian conquerors. It is, therefore, un-

ciicc of which he, in common with the
mariners of his age, had a. firm belief
Eventually he was forced to abandon his
attempt and return by way of tiie Phil-
li|)iiics aiul the Cape of Good Hope, thus
completing the first voyage round the
world.

The precise parallel of latitude reached
by Drake on his northward voyage has
been the subject of much discussion,
more particularly in coiniection with the
Oregon boundary. The chaplain of the

B. C. BEFORE CONFEDERATION.

expedition specifies that "the height of
forty-eip'ht degrees" was attained. It is
impossible, however, to ascertain at this
late date the exact spot arrived at by
Drake; but it is aUogether probal)lc that
to him belongs the distinction of liavint;'
been the first to lay claim to the land be-
tween the 43rd and 48th parallels of
north latitude.

While reviewing the early history of
the Pacific Coast, it would be improper,
even in such a cursory resume as the
present, to pass without notice the story
of the first reputed navisatif)n of the
channel separating the Mainland of Brit-

Queen Charlotte Sound. De Fuca im-
agined as he emerged into these
waters that he had passed from the Paci-
fic to the .Atlantic and accordingly
claimed to Ije regarded as the discoverer
of the celebrated northwest passage, the
search for which has only terminated in
recent years. Interesting as the account
of this voyage must always be it is never-
theless somewhat mythical; although, in
justice to Juan dc I'uca, it is but fair to
state that in tlie light of modern research
the story of his voyage has met with
acci'])tanoc among tliose who have stud-
ied the carlv histurv of these waters.

H: \

W'eck of the Beaver, Brockton Point.

ish Columbia from the Island of Van-
couver. It has been assorted that this
voyage was accomplished by a Greek
named .\postolos Valerianos. better
known now as Juan de Fuca. In an ex-
citing narrative published in 1625 by one
Michael Lock it is set forth that this
Greek, having been commissioned by the
Spanish Governor of Mexico to explore
these northern waters, entered tho
strait which bears his name, sail 'd
through the Gulf of Georgia, and, having
navigated safely the intricate passage to
the north of the latter, at last reached

Cook, in his third great voyage, hav-
ing, of course heard of the voyage of
fuan dc I'uca, determined once and for
all to dispose -^f any doubt in regard to
the existence ot the sheet of water claim-
ed to have been navigated by the old
Greek pilot. He therefore examined the
const with nnich care as far north as the
48th parallel. Finding no opening cor-
responding to De Fuca's description, he
gave up the search and declared the
story of this reputed discovery to have
been altogether fictitious. Cook then
continuod his voyage up the coast. Da.«

173491

«0

THE B. C. MINING RECORD.

ing on his way north the entrance to th •
very strait in the existence ol whicli he
had averred his entire disbeUet.

During the i8th century the British
and Spanish prosecuted with more or
less vigour the work of exploration along
the west coast and many expeditions
were despatched with a view to obtaining
information concerning those wild, un-
known waters. In 1774 Juan Perez set
sail from Monterey on one of these ex-
ploratory surveys. Heading north he
passed without notice the entrance to the

Strait of Fuca and on the i8th of July
sighted the Queen Charlotte Islands. On

his homeward journey, it is alleged

believing that the latter was the one in
vogue among the natives.

As previously mentioned, in the story
of Cai^tain Cook's great undertaking,
which was given to the world in 1782,
we have the first authentic description of
an important part of the coast of British
Columbia. Although Juan Perez had
preceded Cook, yet little is known re-
garding the results attained by him
owing to the fact that the records of his
discoveries were never made public by
the Spanish Government. Beyond the
knowledge that Perez discovered the
Queen Charlotte Islands and anchored
in the viciiiitv of Xootka Sound,

Oovernmcnt Housi;, VIctoriii, destroyed by tire in May, 1899.

by Spanish and American writers,
he discovered Nootka Sound, and
anchored in a bay named by him Port
San Lorenzo, in honour of the Saint on
who.se day it was discovered. Some
years later Captain Cook visited this
spot, which he named King George
Sound, after the king who had done so
much to encourage among his subjects
the exploration of far distant and little
known lands. Cook, however, subse-
quently changed the name to Nootka,

which latter place was destined at
a later period to play an important part
in the history of this coast, we have
little information respecting his expedi-
tion.

In succeeding years Captains Portlock
and Dixon, Lieut. Meares, and many
other traders and navigators, all more or
less well known, vis-ited and explored our
coasts, many of whom have bequeathed
to posterity interesting and valuable ac-
counts of their adventures.

B. C. HEFORK CONFKDKKATION.

<;i

In the year 17S8 Mfaris citcU-cI at
Nootka a small building, which he forti-
fied against tin- Indians. Ik- then pro-
ccfdtd to the Strait of juan de I'uca.
leaving a portion of his crew to con-
struct a small vessel to he used for trad-
ing purposes. This little sloop, christ-
ened the "Northwest-America," was the
first vessel ever constructed in the coun-
try nortii of falifornia. It may be inter-
esting to add that it was built by the aid
of Chinese carpenters, being, in all pn/l>
abilitv, iIk' lir.-t instance (jf Mongolian
employment in our Province. I'rom thi.,
lime on, Xootka derived some import-
ance from becoming the rendezvous of

Spaniards determined to put a stop to
all encroachments. .Martinez was or-
dered to proceed to Xootka and in the
name of .Spain take possession of the
Soinul. Trouble arose between Mar-
tint'/ and t'olnett and lludson, who had
lieen sent thither by .Meares under the
r.ritish tlag. kinally, their ships, the
IVii'.cess I\o\al, the Argonaut, and the
.\orlhwest -.Xmerica. were seized and
their cargoes placed on board the Si)an-
i>>li shi])s of war. C'olnett was arrested
and suffered many indignities at the
hands of his captors, and, later, was sent
to Mexico, where he was at last liberated
b\ order of the \'iceroy. The piratical

old Post Ollici' ami (usImhi Ilousr, Victi>riii, thirty yi'urs ano.

the traders, who had already begun to
fre<|ucnt these waters for the puri)ose of
procuring the valuable fur of the sea
otter and other animals, in which a large
and lucrative trade was soon established.
The Si)anish authorities, who claimed
the sole right to navigate the Pacific on
the northwest coast of America, becom-
ing aware of the visits of the various
traders, sent an expedit!>)n in 17SS in
command of l-lslinez Martinez and flon-
zale-; TIaro to obtain information regard-
ing the reputed depredations of these ad-
venturers. In the following year the

action of the Spanisii commander, as
soon as it became generally known,
evoked the greatest indignation amongst
the lintish people. In an inconceivably
short space of time a large fieet was as-
sembled and for some months the whole
civilized world was in suspense and an-
xiety as to the issue. Eventually, how-
ever. Captain \'ancouver was despatched
in charge of ihe ship Discovery and the
brig Chatham to determine with th.^
Spanish Commissioner what indemnity
should be made to the British subjects
who had suffered on account of the tin-

THE B. C. MINING RECORD.

toward action of the emissary of tiie
Spanisli Government. It was in connec-
tion with this difficulty that Meares pre-
sented to the House of Commons liis
somewhat celebrated "Memorial on the
Nootka Affair." The Spaniards evcr.Ut-
ally relinquished their extravagant
claims, war was averted, and British su-
premacy was finally and lirmly estab-
lished.

In addition to the official business up-
on which he had been despatched, \'an-
couver was directed to explore the coast
of the Pacific from the 35th to the 6oth
parallel of north latitude, and id keep a
look out for the northwest passage. He
was particularly ordered to examine

into the open waters of Queen Charlotte
Sound. Ariving at Nootka, Vancnuver
and the Spanish Conunander, Ouadra,
compared together the notes and charts
of their voyages through the Strait of
i'uca; and it was agteed between ihcin
that the great island which that arm of
the sea separated from the American
continent should bear the names of both.
And thus it appeared on maps and
charts for many years as the Island of
Quadra and X'aucouver, although the
former name has now been dropped, and
it is known to the world simply as Van-
couver Island.

Vancouver departed on his homeward
voyage in iJtM- Ihn-ing the years lie

t(
e

II
a
t
1
1

S
o

s
f:
v

The old Jail, Bastion S(i\iare, Victoria, sim-c pnlietl down.

with great care the Strait of Juan de
Fuca." After a futile search for the
mouth of the Columbia River, which was
subsequently discovered by Captain
Gray, after whose vessel this magnificent
river was named, Vancouver proceeded
to survey the Strait of l-'uca. On the
22nd of June. 1702, as he was returning
from Jervis Inlet he met the Sutil and
Mexicana, two Spanish men-of-war, in
cotnmand of Galiano and Valdes. Van-
couver received a most courteous recep-
tion and information was exchanged in
the most friendly manner. Then separ-
ating, Vancouver threaded his way
through the islands of the Gulf of Geor-
gia and Johnstone Strait, sailing at last

spent in the northwest American waters
he was indefatigable in prosecuting the
surveys, for which his name has since be-
come justly famous. The explorations
which he carried to such a successful is-
sue have not been excelled by any other
navigator. They were faithfully and
thoroughly performed. The charts and
plans drawn under his direction will al-
ways stand a lasting monument to the
patience and industry displayed by this
great navigator, often under very ad-
verse circumstances. Vancouver died in
Mav, 1708, completely worn out with bis
labours, before his report was quite fin-
ished.
Tt is impossible in the space allotted

15. C. BEFORE CONFEDERATION.

to tliis article tf) discuss at atiy Ifii^th. nr
even mention all those "forgotten wortli-
ies" who pave their time, and too often
their lives, in explorinjj this coast. In
many instances their only monuments
are the names which they have left scat-
tered up and down the shores of tlie
Pacific. There is much to be ad-
mired in the characters of tiiese rug-
ged old sea dogs who braved the dangers
of the unknown deep in their frail ves-
sels, with scanty accommodation, and
faulty instruments, in the vague endea-
vour to satisfy the restless, adventurous

prosperous communities alniig thediast
of N'orthwest America.

THE IIUDSOy's H.\Y COMl'A.W AND
COLONI.M. I).\V.S.

'{"he histor' of the (iieat N'orthwest
from Hudson's r>ay to the Tacilic is in-
dispolubly linked to that of the powerful
corporation, which for so many years
guided the destinies of this great wilder-
ness. ( )n the i<)th of .May, i't<)<), Charles
Tf. conferred a royal charter on the "The
Governor and ("oinpany of .\d venturers
of I'ngland Trading into the irudson's

Uovernment House, New WeaUninater, in 1860.

spirit working within them. The spirit
of the age in which they lived imbued
them with a love of travel anil adventure,
which resulted in discoveries of vast im-
portance to all mankind.

The search for the northwest passage,
the desire for new and rich do-
minions by the rulers of the Old
World: covetousncss for the trade in the
rich furs so greatly prized by all civilized
nations; the thirst for gold; these were
the potent causes that led to the explor-
ation of these northern waters and re-
sulted in the establishment of free and

Bay." This immense concern received
many rights and privileges, the vast im-
port of which was scarcely thought of
when the grant was made.

By the terms of the charter, provisions
were made for the election of a governor,
of a deputy governor, and a committee
of seven mendjers, who were to have the
directii n of all voyages, sales, and other
biisiness of the company — for the elec-
tion of new members — and for holding
at particular periods a general court uf
the company. The first company and
their successors were made lords pro-

TIIK B. C. MININ(} HKCORD.

priotors of tlu' torritoriis wliicli ha«l been
(^'rar.ti'il tluMii. liuldiiij^ tlic lands "in fft'
and ronniioii socam'. and not /// cd/^ili', nr
l)y knij^dit's service;" and tlu-y win' cin-
powi'R'd to make laws and re^jjnlations
for tlie j,'ovennnent of tluir possessions,
wliieli may "l)e reasonai>lc, and not con-
trary or repiif,Miant, but as near as ma\
be apreeable, to tlie laws, statutes, and
customs." of l'".n;,;land. The wliole trade,
tisliery, nnvij^ation, niinends, v'tc, of tl.e
countries under their control was j.jrante i
to the company exclusively, all others of
the Kinjj's subjects beinj; forbidden ti)

Majesty's plantations or colonies, in
Amrrica, called Rupert's land."

Thui; it will be seen that the llud.son's
Hay Company possessed by its charter
almost sovereijjn powers over the
portion of America <lraiiied by rivers
ilowiny into Ihidson's Hay. This j^reat
com|);iny tfradually extended its sway
until trading posts and forts were estab-
lislK'd on the shores of the Tacitu' itself.
With the ad\ent of the llndson's 15ay
rOnipanv the history of British Colum-
l)ia really commences. The early history
of ( "anada on the I'acific is, in fact, but

-7

(iovt'riinii'iit sirect. VictMriii, in ihi' Si.vlii'S.

"visit, haunt, fre(|uent. trade, traffic, or
adventure." therein, under heavv penal-
ties, and the company was, moreover,
empowered "to send ships, and to build
fortifications, for tlie defence of its pos-
sessions," as well as to make war or
peace with all nations or people, not
Christian, inhabitating those territories,
which arc declared to be thenceforth
"reckoned and rejnitcd as one of His

the storv of the occupation of this west-
ern Innd by that company.

As early as 184 J Chief Factor Janus
Doujvlas Tafterwiirds Sir James), had re-
Cf)nuuended the Indian viilam rf Camo-
sun Cnow X'ictoria) as a very proper site
for a tradinjj^ station and fori. The sit-
uation, to quote his own words, is not
faultless or so completely suited for a
place of settlement as it mifjht be: but.

B. C. BEFORE CoXFEDEKATIoN.

as lu' (disiTvcs in his vrpnrl ni' July utli,
1842, after clisciissiiijj^ tlu' nuTits of var-
ious other ports on tlic Sound, "lie de
spaired of anythin,^ better hiinjj; found
on the coast, and was conhdent that
there was no seaport, north of the Col-
umbia, where so many advantages could
be found combined."

This favourable opinitm was continued
by Sir Cicorge Simpson in his despatch
of the 21st of June, 1H44. in which he
says; "The situation of Victoria is i)ecu-
liarly eligible, the C(Hintry and climate
remarkable, and the harbour excellent."
And in Jime, i4S4r). lu' wrote; "Victoria
proii'i .^ tc become a very important
place."

After some coi.sitleration Sir Ja .les
Douglas's reconmiendatiou was accept-
ed, and in 1S4,? the com|)auy built a riule
trading station, whicii was named Fort
\'ictoria, opi)ositc the Indian village of
Camosun. ( >ddly enough this village
exists to-day in sad contrast to the state-
ly pile of ( lovernmeut buildings a few
himdred yards distant across the water.
The Indians hold treatx rights with re-
gard to the reservation wl'.ich the var-
ious Ciovermnenls of the Dominion have
felt it incumbent upon them to respect,
although it would undiiui)tedly l)e better
for all concerned if the Indian reserve
cotdd be shifted to a more suitable lo-
cality.

In 1S4S a grant of \'ancouver Island
was made to the lludson's I^ny Com-
pany upon the condition that active
measures should be taken within five
years towards its colonization. The
step.'^ taken in this direction, howi-vcr.
failed to prove very successful, and be-
yond the somewhat prosperous st.'ion
and farm at \'ictoria, a trading jmst at
I'orf RuptTt. and a small si'ttlcmeiit at
X.anaimo. little use was made of \ an •
couver Island by llritish colonists.

By the deed of grant from tlie Crown,
previously referred to, the company were
allowed absolute control of the Colony
of \'ancouver Island for a period of ten
years, from January, 1S4O. (hi the exe-
cution of the document. Mr. Richard
P.lanshanl. an English barrister, received
Tier Majestv's commission as tirst ( iov-
ernor of the Island. lie had a peculiar
and ditticult mission to perform in es-
tablishing constitutional government in

a land little more than ;in imes])lored
wilderness. .Mr. IManshard arrived in
\ ictoria in .March, 1H50, and, it must be
confessed, tli.it he received a somewhat
ruck awakening with regard to the coun-
try over the destinies of which he had
come to preside in his gubernatorial ca-
p.icity. Victoria was .-.imply at this di.'e
a very .--mall trading post with
scarce!,, 1 soul residing there who
was not oniiected with tlu llud-
son's IViv' Couii)aiiy. There being
no Covcrntneiit house or other lodg-
iiij.' - t apaiL to r c^ive him the newly-
installed tjover;ior was compelled to re-
main on board If. M.S. Driver during her
stay in die colon}-. One of the ( lover-
nor's tir.-* official acts was to appoint Or.
John Sebastian llelmcken a magistraie
of the colony. This is our first introduc-
tio.n to Dr. llelmcken, who w.-s for vears
.so intimately and honourably connected
with our early history.

I'nforttuiately fn.-m the very first fric-
tion occurred betwen the Ciovernor and
the officials of the company, which, per-
haps, was not altogether to be wondered
at, when it is considered that he was ap-
pointed in direct opposition to the ex-
pressed wishes of the chairman. .Sir John
relly, who hafl desired the appointment
for Chief b'actor Douglas.

After a residence of two years in the
country His Excellency, Governor lilan-
shard. who. it is only fair to state, had
always endeavoured to discharge the du-
ties appertaining to his high office con-
scientiously. resigned his commission. I!e
left for I'.ngland by way of California mi
II. M.S. Daphne in ."September, iSst. I'.e-
fore, leaving, however, he appointed a
Council of tliree to carrv on the Covern-
ment of the Island until a new appoint-
ni'Mit might be made. This Comicil was
comiiosed of Tames I^ouglas fSenior
^.femlierV James Cooper, and John Tod,
,-d' of whom rendered distinguished ser-
vice to their adot)ted country. Thus
ended the first chapter of the colonial
historv of A'ancouver Jsland.

Xolhing of any g-reat note happened
during Covernor T^>lansliard's regime
with the cxceiUion. perhaps, of some de-
predations committed bv the Indians in
th ■ neighbourhood of Fort Rupert. V
runboat was despatched, however, to
the scene of the disturbances: the law-

THE B. C. MINING RECORD.

breakers were punished and peace and
Older restored.

Governor Blanshard, while he may not
havo been exactly fitted for the dif^cult
position to which he liad been called,
was, undoubtedly, a very intelligent and
able man. It must be bonie ui mind
by his detractors, that during his
brief sojourn in the colony he enjoyed
wretched l)odily health, and, therefore,
was often unable to give adequate atten-
tion to public affairs. The j-oculiarity
of Mr. Blanshard's situation as pioneer
Governor necessitated that he should
unite in himself the
functions of execu-
tive and judge. In
the latter capacity
he was chiefly oc-
cupied in adjusting
differences between
the company and i
their servants. It |
must be added that
the few independent '
settlers expressed
great regret at the j
departureof the first '
Colonial Governor.

.SIR JAME.S DOUGLAS.

There is one fig- '
ure who will always
stand forth clearly
and distinctly in the
annals of our Prov-
ince. Reference is,
of course, made to
His Excellency, Sir
James Douglas, the
second Colonial Gov- --
ernor of Vancouver
Island. Endowed
by nature with re-
markable administrative ability and a
forceful and energetic character he
was in eveiy respect admirably
fitted to perform the task of found-
ing in a far distant and little known
land thriving settlements and establish-
ing tiierein tliose i)rinciples of political
lil)erty and religious freedom that have
always distinguished British colonies.
While, of course, it camiot be expected
that all his official actions were marked
with the same keen insight and sagacitw
yet, it is but just to say that he was al-

Slr .InmeH Ddiik'.ik

ways guided by a stern sense of duty
and a love of justice. Mis eminent mer-
its were recognized by all who lived un-
der h's wise and beneficent administra-
tion. In his capacity as a private citizen
he "wore the white tlower of a blameless
life."

The personal appearance of Governor
llcjuglas was very striking. Me was a
fine specimen of nature's nobleman — tall,
broad-shouldered, muscular, with a
grave bronzed face, yet kindly withal. His
stalwart figure was a familiar sight in the
early days as he walked down the streets
of Victoria followed
at a respectful dis-
tance by his order-
ly in uniform.

Many anecdotes
are related of this
sturdy old represen-
tative of Her Majes-
ty. One at least
may bear repeating
here, well illustrat-
ing, as it does, his
great coolness and
readniess in mom-
ents of danger —
qualities which often
stood him in good
stead, when white
men were few in
these regions and
the Indians by no
means the harmless
individuals that they
have since become.
On one occasion,
when in command
of an outlying trad-
ing post, his sub-
ordinate officer be-
came exceedi'igly
alarmed over the behaviour of the
Indians, who had for .some time
past displayed symptoms of rebel-
lion. Becoming more violent than usual
the savages forced their way into
tlie enclosure itself. Rushing to Sir
James the oflicer reixtrted. in a very ex-
cited manner, that tiie Indians were in
possession cf the fort, and re(|uested
])ern;ission to call the men to arms to re-
pel the expected attack. But to his com-
])lete surprise his superior officer (juietly
remarked in those measured and delib-

P^cvr

B. C. BEFORE CONFEDERATION.

()7

eiate tones so characteristic of the man:
"Give them a little bread and treaole.
Mr. Finlaison; g\\c them a little bread
and treacle." .Strange to relate this rem-
edy southed the turbulent crowd, when,
in all probability, the entire j^arrison of
the fort would have been unable to ac-
complish the desired end by resort lo
arms. Many illustrations might :)e
given, but space forbids.

Sir fames Douglas received his com-
mission as Governor of Vancouver
Island in November, 1851. For several
years, however, on account of the sparse-

Finlaison, and -Mr. John Tod. In 1856
in accordance with his m: tructions, lie
called togetiier the lirst Legislative .\s-
sembly of the ccjlony. b'or this purptjse
the Island was divided into four elec-
toral districts, \ ictoria, l".s(iuimalt, .\a-
naiuKj and S(joke. 'J'he.se constituencies
returned seven members between them,
viz.: J. D. I'emberlon, James \'ales, i'..
E. Langford (who some time later gave
place to J. W. .McKayj, Thomas Skin-
ner, Dr. J. F. Kennedy, John Muir, and
Dr. J. S. Helmcken. The .\ss(.inbly met
for the despatch of l)usir,ess for the first

=iiSi3te:ri.i_-:dfe:v^

K»-:i<uHtioii of ^■HIl ,'uhh Iplond, 1872.

ness of the population, the labours at-
taching to his office were not very ar>\i-
nt:s. In 1853 the total population df the
whole Island di<l not exceed four hun-
dred and fifty settlers.

(iovernor Douglas set about the busi-
ness of establishing a suitable form of
government with energy ami despatch.
Me was assisted by an I-ixecutivc Coun-
cil composed of Mr. John Wark, Mr. R.

time in a room in the old fort, on the
iJth of August. In such manner was rc-
spiinsil'le government established in the
infancy of the colony by this somewhat
priniitive parliament.

Tin-: -SAX j(;,\x .\i''".\ir.

In the following years the celebrated
San Juan boundarv dispute assumed
threatening iimportions. Both Great

173491

THE B. C. MINING RECORD.

Britain and the United States ..laimcd
possession of tliis Island. Tlie conten-
tion respecting this strip of territory ex-
tended over a period of twenty years
and was conducted with much bitter-
ness on both sides. l''or many years
tile island had been occupied by the
Hudson's Bay Company, but by degrees
it had become more or less populated l^y
the citizens of the United States, cliielly
miners, who had drifted thither from the
Fraser River gold fields. The new-
comers certainly did not form a very rlc-
sirable element, and troubles soon oc-
curred between the latter and the officials
of the company. The Americans at last
despatched an armed force to occupy and
hold the island. The excitement in \'ic-
toria on the receipt of this intelligence
was intense. Tt was entirely due to the
good judgment displayed by (iovernor
Douglas and Captain, aft<?rwards, Ad-
miral Prevost. of IT.M.S. "Sutlej," that
a collision, which would have l)ejn
fraught with direful consequences, did
not at once ensue.

Admiral Baynes and Ciovernor Doug-
las finally agreed to a joint military oc-
cupation of the Island; and in March,
i860, a detachment of Royal -^^arines
was disembarked on San Juan. After a
long diplomatic discussion between tlu-
Imperial authorities and the Government
of the United States, it was aranged that
the whole question should be submitlel
to the arbitration and award of Kmperor
William of Gennany. The final award
was not made, however, until Octobtr
2ist, 1872, when to the complete chagrin
of the British autlii ; ities. judgment wis
given in favour of the Ignited States. Thi-
decision, as might well be expected,
caused the keenest disappointtnent in
British Columbia. Tfowever, after the
result of the negotiations was made
known, San Juan was immediatelv eva-
cuated bv the British garrison, ft may be
interestiuf to add that this island was the
la'it piece of Cnited States territory to be
occu)")ied bv British troops. AU'iougli
this dispute created nnich animositv b-^-
twecn. Great Britain and the rjiittd
States, vet the greatest corrlialitv existed
between the officers and men of both na-
tions during their joint occupancy of the
Island.

Great credit is due to Sir James Doug-
las for the manner in which he conducted

affairs during this crisis. Jt is certain
tliat only by his di])lomacy and tact a
great disaster w:as averted.

THE UISCOVKRV OF COLD

The existence of gold in British Col-
umbia had been known to the Hudson's
Bay Company many years before the
news became generally public, i'he In-
iHaus had been accustomed to otfer con-
siderable quantities of the precious metal
at the various fur trading depots in ex-
change for articles of food and clothing..

Fn 1857 a party of Canadians, having
heard vague rumours on the subject,
prospected the banks of the Thompson
and Fraser i-iivers. Their efi^orts were
rewarileci with some success. Intelligence
of tlicir good fortune spread like wild-
fire and excited in thousands the thirsl
for gold. In the following year vessels
from California began to disembark im-
mense crowds of gold-seekers at Vic-
toria. This peaceful hamlet, containing
at the most Init two or three hundred
inhabitants, was suddenly converted iiUo
a scene of bustle ?n(l excitement. In the
short space of four months the popula-
tion was augmented by nearly twenty
thousand souls. This motley throng in-
cluded gamblers, loafers and desper-
adoes; but it must not be imagined that
this class alone found its way to Victoria.
(^11 the contrary among the inunigrants
were to be found many honourable and
trustworthv men who made splendid
settlers. The rich came to speculate and
the poor in the hope of quickly amassing
fortunes. One of the first consec|ueiices
of this mad rush was a shortage in th'.
sui)ply of food. Ivxorbitantly high prices
wer<' asked and realized for goods of
everv d','scrii)tion. The value of stapl"
articles reached an extravagant figure,
and twic a famine was threatened.

The inrush was unprecedented and oc-
curred so suddenlv that the imnn'grants
un their arri\al were unable to seciu'e
lodcings of atiy sort or description. In
iverv direction innumerable tents dot-
ii'd the gromid. As a coiUeniporarv
writer puts it: "A'ictoria had at la^^t brcn
discovcreil. everybody was bound for \'ic-
torif, nobodv cenild stop anywhere else,
for tlure, and there alone, were ff)rtiuies,
ami large furtmies to be made." The
news spread far and wide and new steam-
ers Innded fresh crowds. Fven sailing
\esscls, old shijis and tubs of all descrip-

B. C. BEFORE CONFEDERATION.

(i9

tions, were actively ;eniployecl in carry-
ing passengers to the new El Dorado.
And it is only to be wondered at that the
number of appalling disasters at sea were
not more numerous.

Shops, storehouies, and wooden shan-
ties of every description were now going
up on all sides and the din of the hain-
incr and saw was perpetual. In six weeks
two hundred and tweiity-hve buildings
.")f all sorts and sizes were constructed.
The price of land rose. too. Those who
had purchased land before its rise in
value reaped small fortunes. I'usiness
was flourishing, which was greatly ov.-
ing to the fact that \'ictoria had been
made a free port by Governor Douglas
in years gone by. In fact the
place was in the throes of a mighty boom,
the reaction of which in after days w,is
to cause much cursing and misery.

As can be readily imagined fiovernor
Douglas was not an idle man during
these feverish days. The responsibility
of his office had increased an Inmdred-
fold. lUit he was indefatigable in his
endeavours to pres.'rve law and order 'n
the land — a task the magnitude of which
cannot bo pr()|)erly comprehended at the
present day. Tiie country had been
tlooded by a roving |';opulation. among
whom might be found the off-scourings
of tlic world — desperate ruffians who had
been accustomed to the lawlessness of
American mining camps, and to whom
the meanini' of the word "Justice" was
unknown. Sir James Douglas by his firm-
ness and impartiality during this trying
lime evoked tlie admiration and respe.'t
of all right-minded men. and they were
generally in the majority. Into the
breasts of the riotcnslv mclined he in-
stilled a wholesome dreail of the majesty
of T'ritish law.

The bubble burst at last. (")wing to
the melting of the snows on the hill-
tops during the sunnner months the bars
on the Fraser River, the Mecca of the
gold-lumters. are covered with water
until winter sets in. Those, therefore,
who reached the mining region during
March or .April rucceeded in securing
large cjuantitic: if gold from the bars
antl sand", not \et covered with water.
Unfortnnatelv the mass of miners failed
to arrive until a month or two later, and,
consequently, found the aiUMferous parts
submerged. Ignorant of the periodic

rise and fall of the streams, many, crest-
fallen and disappointed, returne(i to N'i:-
toria. Still the arrivals were numerous
and the town flourished until bad news
connnenced to arrive from the diggings,
when the gloomiest foreboding soon be-
^an to prevail among the less venture-
some spirits. The rumour took wing
that the river would never fall, and as
placer mining could oidy be prosecuted
on bars, "the state of the river became
the barometer of public hopes and the
pivot on which everybody's expectations
turned." This news acted as the first
severe check to immigration, which, per-
hap.s, was not an unmixed blessing.
Thousands of miners lost all hope and
wended their way back to California,
broken in spirit and in purse.' Victoria
h.ad fallen upon evil days, and affairs
grew yet more distressing. The untin-
l)loyed clement became overbearing and
created disturbances. On one particular
occasion a party of disaffected citizens
of the United States even went
so far as to rescue a prisoner from
the hands of the ])olice. after the rough-
and-ready manner in vtjgue in California,
and actually had the audacity to propose
that the Stars and Stripes should be
hoisted over the fort. But a gunbo.it
from F.squimalt soon quelled the ri:it
and brought the pugnacious .Americans
to a proper state ol mind.

It was some time ere X'ictoria recov-
ered from this set-back; but before long
better news arrived from the placer gold
fields of newly discovered Cariboo, and
A'ictoria once again began to assume
inifiortance as a rendezvous for miners.
From this time Icr growth, if slower,
was more permanent. Brick buildings
besran to replace tlie wooden structures
<■> hastily bu'lt in the days of the gold ex-
citement. From that time Victoria has in-
iT(;,-ed in si?.e and importance, until .it
nrcsent. its suburbs stretch niik"^ distant
from the site of the old fort. The old
landmarks are fast disappearing and few-
would recognize in the modern city of
;o-d;>v t''e rude backwoods trading post
of fifty years ;igo.

In 1858, at the request of Lord Lytton,
.Secretary of .State for the Colom'es. Sir
TniiH's T^'otiglas severed his coimection
with the Hudson's P.av Company, as it
was deemed incompatible for him to at-
tend to the duties of lK)tli Ciovernor and

THE B. C. MINING RECORD.

Chief Factor, cspcciall> as it was feared
that the interests of the Hudson's Baj'
Company and the Imperial (jovernment
miglit sometimes clash. ( )n the ,2nd of
September, 1858, the Crown revoked tlu
])rivileges of exclusive trade with the In-
vlians f^ranted to the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany some twer.ty years previously, and
an Act to provide for the government of
British Columbia was passed by the
House of Commons. In the same year
Sir James Douglas was appointed (iov-
ernor of the new colony thus created. Mo
was duly sworn in by Chief Justice Beg-
bie (afterwards Sir -Matthew Baillie) at
Fort Langley. Sir James now divided
his time between the two colonies, build-
ing' roads and bridges and attending to
other matters of importance. In spite
of his increasing years he was almost ns
active as ever, making tours throng! 1
the country and reporting thereon to tlie
Colonial Secretary. Lord Lytton, who al-
ways exhibited the liveliest interest in
the welfare of the two colonies on tlic
Pacific.

. In 1863 Sir James Douglas's conmiis-
sion as Governor of Vancouver Island
lapsed. In that year he received the
honour of knightliood in just recognition

of the great services which he had so
faithfully rendered. Mr. Arthur Ken-
ncy was appointed Governor of \'ancou-
vcr Island in his place.

In 1864, Mr. Frederick Seymour was
appointed to succeed Sir James is
(iovcrnor of the Colony of British Col-
umbia. In the same year the latter re-
tired from public life, and many were
the nianifestations of regret and found
expression on the severance of his con-
nection with official affairs. Thus we take
leave of the strongest personality in the
liisto-. y of our Province, to whom we are
indeiHed for the peaceful establishment
of constitutional government in this dis-
tant part of the empire. Sir James died
in 1867, full of years and honour.

It might be said in conclusion that 't
has been altogether impossible to more
than refer in most general terms to a few
interesting points connected with the
earlier history of British Columbia.
Manv well-know-n names and many im-
portant events have been left unmen-
tio!ied, not for lack of appreciation on
llie part of the writer, but simply because
It is impossible to cover the whole ground
in an article <if this description.