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■

6g Hubert ^ome Bancroft

NATIVE RACES OF THE PACIFIC STATE.S ; five volumes.
HISTORY OF CENTRAL AMERICA; three volumes.
HISTORY OF MEXICO; six volumes.
HISTORY OF TEXAS AND THE NORTH MEXICAN vSTATES;

two volumes.
HISTORY OF ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO; oue volume.
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA ; seven volumes.
HISTORY OF NEVADA, COLORADO AND WYOMING; one

volume.
HISTORY OF UTAH ; one volume.

HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST COAST; two volumes.
HISTORY OF OREGON ; two volumes.
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON, IDAHO and MONTANA; one

volume.
HISTORY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ; one volume.
HISTORY OF ALASKA ; one volume.
CALIFORNIA PASTORAL ; one volume.
CALIFORNIA INTER-POCULA ; one volume.
POPULAR TRIBUNALS; two volumes.
ESSAYS AND MISCELLANY ; one volume.
LITERARY INDUSTRIES ; one volume.
CHRONICLES OF THB KINGS ; several volumes.

HISTORY

BRITISH COLUMBIA

/ >^:^- y'^-

?^_ . ,^

HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT

1792-1887

SAN FRANCISCO
THE HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS

1890

/889

167018

^1-} Ncecrf^hi.H.

Entered according to Act of Congress In the year 1889, by

HUBERT H. BANCROFT,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

All Bi'jlUa Reserved.

PREFACE.

More than a century elapsed after a charter was
granted by Charles II. to Prince Rupert and a com-
pany of seventeen others, incorporated as the Governor
and Company of Adventurers of England trading into
Hudson's Bay, before the first trading posts were built
among the almost unpeopled solitudes of British Co-
lumbia, or, as the Mainland was then termed. New
Caledonia. And yet it was but an accident that the
construction of these little picket-fenced enclosures
did not lead to the acquisition by Great Britain of an
empire no less valuable than is now the dominion of
Canada.

In 1579, Sir Francis Drake anchored in the bay
that still bears his name on the coast of California, and,
in behalf of his sovereign, took possession of the coun-
try, which he called New Albion, this name being
afterward applied to all the territory northward from
Drake's Bay almost to the Columbia River. Long
before the first American settlers, bringing with them
their flocks and herds, had crossed the snow-dad
mountains which form the eastern boundary of Ore-
gon, forts and trading posts had been established in the
valleys of the Umpqua and tlie Willamette. Toward
the north the English claimed, by right of discovery,

PREFACE.

the country in the neigliborliood of Nootka Sound.
Finally, in 1840, a projiosition was considered by tho
manager of tho Hudson's Bay Company to purchase
the Ross colony, established by tho Russians on the
coast of New Albion. That tho bargain was not
concluded was probably due to the fear of troublesome
complications with tho United States. Thus to tlui
right of discovery and prior occupation in the far north-
west would liavc been added the right of purchase,
and if, at the time of tho gold excitement, a few years
later, the English had gained a foothold in the coun-
try, it is probable that they would have laid claim to a
part of the territory ceded by Mexico to the United
States in 1848.

Originally a mere portion of the vast game pre-
serve of the Hudson's Bay Company, little has been
handed down to us of the early records of British Co-
lumbia, altliougb that little forms perhaps the most in-
teresting porticm of its history. Among the sources
whence I havo derived the information that I now
lay before the reader, are valuable manuscripts handed
to me by some of the principal actors in the events
which they describe ; as, Roderick Finlayaon, James
Deans, and Alexander Caulfield Anderson. For other
portions of my narrative, I have also depended largely
on manuscripts, all of which have received due men-
tion in this volume.

In 185G gold was discovered in the bed of the Fra-
sor River, and in 1857 the San Juan Island difficulty
was approaching a crisis. It was probably due in part
to botli of these causes, and also to the fear that New
Caledonia, already largely occupied by Americans,
might be absorbed into tho territory of the United
States, that, in 1858, an act was passed by the parlia-

PREFACE.

a Sound.
j(l by tlio
purchaso
118 on tlio
I was not
)ul)les()nu!
us to tlio
farnorth-
purcliaso,
fow years
tlio coun-
claini to a
le United

^aniG pro-

I has been

Jritisli Co-

o most in-

10 sources

at I now

s handed

le events

on, James

j^or other

d largely

due nien-

the Fra-
difficulty
lie in part
ihat New
merieans,
c United
lie parlia-

ment of Great Britain to provide for the government
of Biitish Columbia, by wliicli name was known there-
after the domain of England on the western mainland
of North America. And now the reign of the great
monoi)oly had cor.ie to an end. In the following year
Vancouver Island was constituted a sei)arato colony,
and so remained until 1800, when, on account of the
enormous expense of maintaining the machinery of
government among a handful of people, the two do'
pendencies were merged into one.

Between 18(52 and 1871 gold was ship|)cd by the
banks of liritish Columbia to the value of more than
31(),(»oO,000, while the amount of treasure carried away
by miners from the several districts cannot bo esti-
mated at less than $(>, 000,000. But though rumor
of golden sands and gold-bearing river-lx.'ds scildom
fails to attract hordes of fortune-hunters from all quar-
ters of the gh)be, such an element forms by no means
a desirable! addition to the population of a y«)ung, ani-
l)itious, and thriving colony. As in California, in Aus-
tralia, and in New Zealand, the wealth thus ac(juired
was seldom turned to good account; and little of it
remained to enrich the country whence it was gath-
ered, those who collected it becoming not infrequently
a burden on the more staid and industrious portion
of the community. To British Columbia Hocked a
heterogeneous gathering of adventurers from the east-
ern and western states, from S[>ain, from Mexico, from
California, from China, and from Australia. Thus the
necessity for some stable form of government to con-
trol this lawless and turbulent population made all the
more welcome to the settlers who had established there
a permanent home the organization of the two colonies
as a province of the dominion of Canada.

vMi

I'UKFACK.

As to geographical position, British Columbia has
the same advantages over the Pacific states and terri-
tories as tlie eastern provinces enjoy over the states
bordering on the Atlantic. As St Jolin's in New-
foundland is nearer by some hundreds of miles to the
great commercial ports of northern Europe than is the
city of New York, so Victoria is nearer to the great
seaports of western Asia than is the city of San Fran-
cisco.

Not least among the factors that contribute to the
wealth of British Columbia is the construction of the
Canadian Pacific railroad, completed in November
1885, at the expense and risk of the Dominion gov-
ernment. On the lino of its route, and at points nearer
to the Pacific than to the Atlantic seaboard, are
immense tracts of fertile land, certain erelong to be
occupied as farms and cattle-ranges, while mineral
deposits of untold value await only the capital needed
for their devolopment. Until the complctiim of this
road, the commerce of the province was comparatively
iiisignificant ; but that a portion of the rich traffic be-
tween Europe and Asia will eventually pass through
this territory, is almost beyond a peradventure.

Compared with the riper development of California,
Oregon, and other Pacific states and territories,
British Columbia is yet only in her infancy; but that
a brilliant future awaits this province may safely be
predicted. As capital and labor are attracted to the
country, and both can be obtained at reasonable rates,
the Mainland will bo more fully explored, and its
valleys and plains made fit for settlement. Although
the agricultural area is somewhat restricted, it is never-
theless sufficient to maintain a very considerable popu-
lation; and that population will increase, slowly per-

ill

I'RKFACK.

imbia has
and torri-
tlie states
in New-
lies to the
ban is the
the great
^an Fran-

ute to the
ion of the
November
inion gov-
iiits nearer
board, are
ong to be
e mineral
:al needed
m of this
laratively
traffic be-
through
ire.

ahfornia,
rritories,
but that
safely be
id to the
|ble rates,
and its
Jthough
is never-
ale popu-
|)wly per-

haps and unsteadily at first, like the ebb and flow of
an advancing tide, there can be little doubt. Mines,
of whicli not even the outcroppings have yet been
touclicd, will be made to unfold their hidden treasures,
conimercial ri'sources still latent will be developed,
and the fanner will gather from the unwilling soil
abundant harvests.

Already fleets are being despatched from harbors
wliicli a few years ago were unoccupied. Already the
province sliips to South America, to Cliina, and to
Australia her timber and spars; to California, her
coal; to English ports, her fish, her silver and lead;
and to all tlie world, her gold; receiving in return raw
produce and provisions from the United States, man-
uiactured goods from England, and luxuries from
Europe and Asia.

But in reviewing the condition and prospects of
Britisli (^olumbia, we must look beyond her limits, a!id
consider her as linked with her sister colonies, with
Vancouver Island as one with herself, and with the
dominion of Canada, of which she is the youngest
iiienibcr. The completion of the overland railroad has
riveted yet more closely tlio bonds which unite all
Britisli subjects, wherever their lot is cast, and the an-
ticipations held forth in the speech from the throne,
when first the Mainland was declared a colony, have
already been measurably fulfilled. "I hope," said her
Majesty, "that this new colony on the Pacific may be
hut one step in the career of steady progress, by which
n»y dominions in North America may be ultimately
})(M)pled, in an unbroken chain from the Atlantic to
tlu! Pacific, by a loyal and industrious population."

I Tlio Sp,ii
uag
— \\

Oali

Kastprn T

liiiiil)

aiiil ;
C'liiiu
-Tli(

tin: X

uuuk

Aboriginal
miinioi
trad; 111
—Into
Cuinpa
Joint I
Sutcs-
iiiLiliat

CONTENTS OF THIS VOLUME.

CHAPTER I.

8UMMAHT OR EAKLIKST VOVAOES.

PAoa

Tlio Spanianlaon tlio Coast of Britisli Coliiinliia — Perez, flecota, uv 1 .'ir-
tt'Uga — Expedition of James Cook — Huiiim — Maurcllo — I. IVrou-.n
— roitltM-k mill Dixon — Giiiso — Lowrio-Harciuy— Mci -(!ray —
Kciiilntk — Martinez — Haro — Colnott — uouglus — Elim— yuinipei -
Galin 1'' -.'111 Valdiia — Bodega y Cuadra — V'ancouvei 1

CHAPTER n.

GENERAL VIEW OF TUB NORTIIWKST COAST.

Ka.storn Parallels— Contiguration of North-western America — British Co-
liiinl)ia Coast — Puget Sound — Vaueouvcr Island — Queen Chailotte
Islands — Climatie Scctioua of tlio Mainland — Xew Caledonia —
Heights of Land — Tlio Columbia and Fraser Plateau liasin — Skeeiia
anil Stikeen — Oregon, Washington, and Idaho — Northwest Coast
Climates — The Temperature of Various Localities — Fauna and Flora
— The Alwrigines — Attitudes of the Fur-traders and .Settlers toward
the Natives — Peaceful Regime under the Great Monopoly — The Chi-
nook Jargou 32

CHAPTER III.

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.
1841.

Alidiiginal British Columbia — Forts and Fur-traders — Systems of Com-
iiiuiiication — Inherent Power of Civilization over .Savagism — Fur-
trading Districts — Stations — Missionary and Agricultural. Settlement*
— Interior Forts — Coast Stations — The Itritish and the Russian Fur
Companies — The Hudson's Bay Company's Circulating Libiary —
Joint Occupancy of the Northwest Coast hy E.";land and the United
.States — TheTreatj' Dividing the Domain — The Northwest Coast Im-
mediately Prior to the Begiiming of British Coluinbiu liistiiy Projicr

(xli

xtt

CONTENTS.

— Visit of Douglas to tiie Several Posts — Sitka nnil Ktholin — Quam'l
l>utweeii Douglas and McNeill — Survey iif tliu Stikeen uuJ Tuku Re-
gion —lleferi.'uce8 for This und the Preceding Cliapter 52

CHAPTER r\^

CAMOSDN ANIi ESQUIMALT.
1S42.

Necessitien of a Northern Metropolitan Post — Encroachments of Settlers
on the Colnnil)ia — The Dividing Line — Growing; Importance of Agri-
cnltiire — The Question of Locality — A Northern licmle/.vous for
\V aaU'rs — The ISouthem End of Vancouver Island — Its Advantageous
Po^:ition — Douglas Surveys the Harbors — Cainosuu and Esqiiinialt
(Joinpared — Report of Douglas 78

CHAPTER V.

rOtJNDING OK FORT CAMUyDN.

ExprditioTj from Fort Vancouver — Source of Agricultural Supplies — Tho
Cowlitz Country — Embark on the lifaver — Visit to the Clallams
— Anchor in Camosun Ilarbor — Beautici of the Surroundings — Abo-
riginal Occupants — Selection of a Site — Two Points Attract Atten-
tion—Location Settled— The Jesuit, Bolduc — His Conference with
the Natives — The Fort-builders Begin Operations — Portentous Signs
— Uoliliic Celebrates Mass — He Visits Whidbey Island — Douglas
Departs for Tako — Abandonment of That Post, and also of Fort Mc-
Loughlin — Return of Douglas to Camos\m with Reenforccnients —
Tiie Stockade Erected— Arrival of the Cadhnro — Ross Placed in Com-
mand — Departure of Douglas with the Beaver and the Cudboro ....

CHAPTER VI.

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN
1844.

Death of Commander Ross — Roderick Finlayson — Sketch of his Career —
At Forts Tako and Simpson — Bibliographical Note on his Manu-
script — His Character — First Cargo of Live-stock — The Savages
Make Game of the Cattle — Redress Demanded and Refused— War
Declared — Tsoughilam and Tsilalthach with their Allies Attack tho
Fort — Stiategy of Finlayson— Bloodless Victory — Tho Pipe of Peace
is Smoked — Descriptions of the Fortress — Warro and Vavasour —
l>"rthold Seemann — Finlayson 's Letter — James Deans — His Charac-
ter jipi Wunuscript — Interesting and Minute Description of the Fort
— Under Orders of Douglas Fort Camosun was Built without a Nail.

102

CONTENTS.

xiii

— Quam'l
Tako Kc-

PAOB

nf Settlers
ue of Ajjri-
ezvoiis for
I'antageous
Esqiiiruult

iplies — Tho

lu Clallains

lugs — Abo-

Iract Atten-

rt'tice with

itoiis SigU8

jl — Douglas

f Fort Mc-

■cenienta —

:ed iu Com-

idboro,...

1 Career —

\na Maiiu-

Savages

Ised — War

Attack tlie
le of Puaiie

avasour —

lis Cliarac-

tlio Kort

it a Null.

CHAPTER VII.

CAMOSDN, ALBERT, \nCTORIA.
1845.

PAOS

102

Extermination of Sav&ge Nomenclature — Camoaun Becomes First Al-
bert, anil then Victoria — Food Supply — Douglas' Motto, 'Great
Euds from Small Means' — Woo<lcn Ploughs and Rope Harness —
A More Liberal Economy Sometimes Profitable — Outward-bound
Ships from England now Come Directly Hither — Wiialing Fleets —
Tho Mission of the America — Captain Gordon as a Sportsman — Hos-
pitality at Fort Victoria — ' Fifty-four Forty or Fight ' — More Ves-
sels of War at Victoria — Also Surveyors and Appraisers of Territories
— Tiio Northwest Coast not Worth Fighting for — Adventures of Paul
Kane— Fort Victoria in Early Days 117

CHAPTER VIII.

THE SHUSHWAP CONijPIEAOT.
1840.

Kamloop— The Old Fort and the New — The Romance of Pur-trading —
Tlie Lordly Aboriginal and his Home — John Tod, King of Kamloop
— His Physique and Character — Lolo, a Ruler among the Shushwaps
— Wlio and What He was — His Kingdom for a Horse — Annual Sal-
mon Expedition to the Eraser — Information of the Conspiracy — Lolo
Retires from before his Friends — Tod to the Rescue — One Man
against Three Hundred — Small-pox as a Weapon — A Signal Victory
— Chief Nicola Measures Wits with Mr Tod — And is Found Want>-
ing 134

CHAPTER IX.

Anderson's explorations.
1840-1847.
Necessity of a New Route between tlje British Columbia Seaboard and New
Caledonia — Mustbo Wholly within British Territory — Anderson Pro-
poses Explorations — Authority and Means Granted — Biograpical and
Bibliographical Note of Anderson and hi.^ AL-muscript History — Sets
out from Alexandria — Proceeds to Kamloop — Thence Explores by
Way of Anderson and Harrison Lakes to Langley — Returns by Way
of the Coquihalla, S'milkameen, and Lake Nicola — Second Expedi-
tion along Thompson and Eraser Rivers — Back by Kequeloose and
the New Similkameen Trail — Report and Suggestions 1">7

CHAPTER X.

TALE AND HOPE BSTABLLSHED.
1848-184<».

Establishment on the Fraser at tiio Lauding of thd Sacliincos — Jamea
Murray Yale — Causes Which Led to the Building of Fort ¥al«^

mmm

xir CONTENTS.

PAri«
Orders Oivcn Interior Traders to Break their Way tlirougli to Lang-
ley — Three Biig:ides Join for That Purpose — The Ilontu Chosen not
Sulislaotory — An<ierson's Proposal — Building of Fort Hope — A New
lloute Attempted — It Proves Woi-se than the Pii'st — Joseph \V. Mc-
Kay on the North Coast— Sharp Practice between English and Rus-
sian Traders — The Coii-daiice in Northern Waters — EtFect in British
Coluniliiii of the California Gold Discovery — Bags of Gold-dust at
Fort Victoria — The Excitement in the Interior J 71

CHAPTER XI.

ESTABLISHIXO FORTS KUPERT AND NANAIMO.

1849-1852.
A New Factor, Coal — The Existence of This Mineral Known from the
Earliest Times — Pacilic Cual-liehls — Discovery at Beaver Harbor —
The QuacUoUs and the Fort McLoughlin Blacksmith — Tolmie Ap-
pears — Tlie Notable John Duun — Warre and Vavasour Report the
Discovery — Which Attracts the Attention of Government — Foit
Rupert Built — Muir and his Scotch Miners Arrive — Another Arrival
— Examinations and Tests — Failure at Fort Rupert — Discovery of
Coal at Nanaimo Harbor — Another Blacksmith .'Story — McKay to
the Proof— Muir Moves from Fort Rupert — Fort Nanaimo Built —
Visit of Douglas — Minor Discoveries IM

CHAPTER XII.

CK^^^VN GUANT OF VANCOUVEH ISLAND TO THE HODSON'S BAT COMPANY.

1849.

Spirit of Monopoly — Tlie Adventurers of England Jlore Jealous of Brit-
ish Subjects than of Foreigners — Colonization to bo Retarded by
Favorinj,' ratiier than by Opposing It — The Grant Solicited as Early
as 1S37 — W'ocs of tiie Monopoly — Failure to Obtain tiio Grant at
This Time — Fur-hunting and Settlement Antagonistic — Tho Liquor
TrafBc— The Company Apply for the Grant — Startling Pi'oposal —
Intluence of United States Acquisitions on Britisii Pacilic Territory
— Piety a Plea for Power — The Fur-trade and Colonization Again —
Tho Draft Perfected — Tho Mainland — Preamble and Grant — Condi-
tions of Grant — DifTurences of Opinion respecting the Wisdom of
tho Measure 'JU'2 i

CHAPTER XIII.

THE COLONY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND UNDER HUDSON'S BAT COMPANY BiOIME,

1849-1859.
Prospectus and Advertisement for Colonists — Qualifications of tho Com-
pany for Colonizing — Objections Raised — They were Fur-traders —
And yet Tlit;y liad Ships and Money — The Puget Sound Company

CONTENTS.

[h to Lang-
Chosen not
K' — A New
ph W. Me-
h and Ilus-
; in British
old-dust at

PAOI

171

v\\ from the
r llarhor —
Tolniie Ap-
Ri.'port the
meat — Foi~t
htT Arrival
discovery of
—McKay to
inio Built —

AY COMPANY.

oua of Brit-
etarik'd by
ed as Early
o Grant at
[Ihi; Liquor

I'loposal —
Torritory

u Again —
lilt — Condi-

tViadoin of

'J(I2

llPANV KEGIJIE,

the Com-
•tradci-8 —
I Cunipuuy

would have a Share — No Easy Matter to Please All — Land One
Pound an Aero — The Scheme a Foreordained I'^ailure — Price of Land
too High — The Gold-fields of California One Cause of the Faihire —
Vancouver Island in Parliament — The Karl of Lincoln, Lord Klgin,
and Mr Gladstone on the Situation — New Attitude of the Hudson's
Bay Company iu Relation to the Natives 223

CHAPTER XrV.

TWO ORIGINAL CIIARACTEn.S.

The Doctor and the Divine — Robert J. Staines — A Man of Frills — His
Interview with the King of the Hawaiian Islands— The Man Mis-
taken for the Master — His Arrival at Viv,toria — Mud — Parson and
School-teacher — Mrs Staines a Most Estimable Lady — Quarrel with
the Company — Joins the Settler's Faction — He Cultivates Swine —
The Settlers Steal his Pi;,'S — Hot Litigations — His Sad End — The
Doctor-Colonist — John Sebastian Helmckeu — His Physique and
Character — Eaters Politics — Accepts OlHce under the Governor —
Discovers his Mistake — A ud Becomes a Supporter of the Monopolists 238

CHAPTER Xy.

SETTLEMENT OF VANCOUVEU ISLAND.
1849-1857.

Wliat are Settlers? — Not Fur-traders — Nor Coal-miners — Nor yet tha
Nootka Diplomatists — The Mainland not Included in the Coloniza-
tion Scheme — Tlie Mormons Cast an Eye upon the Island — Woman,
Red and White — The Monopolists Seize McKenzie, Skinner, McAu-
ley, and Parsons — Boiuv Fide Settlers Oljliged to Take Wiiat They can
Get — W. Cohinhouu Grant — His Settlement at Soke Harbor — Lease
to Thomas Muuroe — Grant Sella Soke to tiie Muirs — James Cooper,
Sailor, Trader, and Agriculturist — Builds One of the Many First
Vessels — Ho Takes up I^nd at Metchosin — Thomas Blenkhorn —
The Jlarpooner, Xormnn Moiriaon, and the Toi'y Bring Settlers —
The Town of Victoria Laid out — Wails from Fort Victoria — James
Deans Arrives— Baillie and Langford — Progress of Settlement 247

CHAPTER XVI.

OOVEEXMENT ESTAULISUED.

1850-1852.
James Douglas Nominated by Sir John Pelly for Governor — Earl Grey
Pu;fuses to Appoint Him — Richard Blanshard Chosen — His Arrival
ui Victoria — Reads his Commission — Visits Fort Rupert— Relative
Attitudes of the Governor and tlio Fur Company — Ruler of the
Queen's Wihlerucss — Settlers and Subjects — No Material for a Coun-
cil— Noniiuatioa of Council Postponed — John Sebastian llohnckeu

XVI

CONTENTS.

PAOI

Appointeil Mngistrate at Fort Rupert — The Murdered Deserters —
Character of Blanshiknl — His Unpleasant Position — Heavy Kxpeiises
and 111 Health — Wiiat the Settlers Think of It — lilanshiird Appoints
a Council, Resigns, Shakes the Dust from his Feut, and Departs
from the Island — James Douglas Appointed Governor tC"?

CHAPTER XVII.

JAMES DO0OLAS.

Birth and Education — Enters the Service of the Northwest Company —
Friendship of McLoughliu — Opportunity — What He should Know —
His Life in New Caledonia — Overcome by Love — Meets and Marries
Nclia Connolly — KstiiMislies Fort Connolly — His Attention to Busi-
ness and his Strict Oliedience — Becomes Chief Trader — Then Chief
Factor — Visits California — Accountant and General Superintendent
of Forts — Active in the Establishment of Fort Victoria — His Cold-
ness toward Emigrants — Quarrels with McLoughlin — Removes to
Victoria — Is Made Governor — And Knighted — Visits Europe — Phy-
sique au J Character — Douglas and McLoughliu Compared 285

CHAPTER XVIII.

THK ISLAND UNDKK DO0OLA3.
1851-1859.

Reconciliation of Antagonistic Elements — The Terms of Settlement Un-
just and Impolitic — The Inauguration of Government Premature —
No Governmnent but the Best Government — Continuance of the
Domination of the Monopoly — The Puget Sound Company — Provis-
ions of the Crown Grant in Regard to Government — Expiration of
the First Five-year Term and Renewal — The Offices of Governor
and Magistrate at First United — Illegality of Delegating Ir.iperial
Authority to a Colonial Governor in Council — Organization of a
House of Assembly — Farcical Performances of the First Legislators —
The Wild Beasts and Savages Survive the Result — Touching Dis-
play of Fiiinily Allectiou in the Manipulatiim of Government AH'airs
— Douglas; Compelled to Relinquish Some Portion of his Honors and
Emoluuicnts 310]

CHAPTER XIX.

THE JCUICIARY.

185.3- 1 859.
The Questions of Vancouver Island Government and Justice in Home
Political Circles — There is No Money in It — And therefore They may
Safely be Left to Themselves — Blanshard, the First Governor, Like-
wise the First Judge — Douglas as aM;ui-tanierand Measurer of Retri-
bution — The TlietU and the TriiicomuJ.ee Expeditious — Bloodless

CONTENTS.

xvii

vkom

jsprters —
Kxpeiises
Appoints
\ Departs

ompany —
(I Know—
ul Marries
m to Busi-
riieu Chief
■viutcnilent
-Hi3 Cold-
leniovea to
rope— Phy-

285

,lemont Un-
rematiire —
nee of the
ly— Provia-
piiation of
f Ciovonior
jig Iiiiperial
iition of a
gislators —
ichinij Dis-
lieiit Art'airs
lonors and

Victory over the Cowichins— Tlie Brighest Virtue of James Douglas —
David Cameron Made Chief Justice — His Antecedeuts, Duticn, and
End— His Successors, Needham and Begbie — Revenue — LauiI and
Liquor — The Mighty Power of Rum 329

CHAPTER XX.

TBE GREAT GOLD EXCITEUENT.
18.58.

Gold! Hail All-powerful and Most Worshipfuli — Its Presence not Se-
cretly Known to the Fur-traders — Discovery on Vancouver Island
— On Queen Charlotte Islands — On Skeena River — In the Cascade
Mountains of Washington— At Colville — At Kamloop— On Thomp-
son River — On Eraser River — Tlie Tidings Spread — The Matter
Laid before Government — Effect on California — Ruali to the Mines —
Routes and Methoils of Transportation— Whatcom versus Victoria —
Trail-making — Overland Expeditions — Licenses and Imposts — Effect
on the Fur-traders 341

CHAPTER XXI.

DEATH OF THE UONOPOLT — THE COLONT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ESTABLISHED.

1857-1858.

Shall the Charter be Renewed?— Discussion of the Question in Parlia-
ment — Referred to a Select Committee— Who Think the Charter
should not be Renewed — Gold as a Revolutionist — Douglas Stands
I by for England — Late Fur Factors — Dugald McTavisli — William
Charles — The Hudson's Bay Company's License of Exclusive Trade
with tlie Natives of the Mainland Revoked — Repurchase of the
Island of Vancouver by the Imperial Government — Change of Com-
pany Organization — Canada Purchases Rupert Land and the North-
west Territory — Liberal and Humane Policy of the Company in
Regard to Gold-seekers and Speculators 376

3101

■o in Home

1 They may

I'lior, Like-

erof Retri-

-BloodlusB

CHAPTER XXn.

GOVERNMENT uF THE MAINLAND.

1858-1863.

V.uthority at Victoria Disregarded by the First Comers — Doug'.as Looks
into Affairs — What the Natives Think of It — Douglas '.a Law and
Magistrate Maker — Indian Wars — Overtures of tlie Imi>crial Govern-
ment to Douglas — Revenue — Loan — Public Lands— Miners' License
—The British Cry Economy — Putting Things in Order — The Unau-
thorized Acts of Douglas Legalized — Arrival of British Vessels of
War — Men of Authority Appear — The United States Represented
—Inauguration of the Governor at Langloy — The Moody-McGowan
Aflfray — >iew Westminster Founded — Officers of the New Govern-
ment — Smuggling 38t

Huz. Barr, Col. k

iviU

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEB XXin.

ADMINISTRATION OF JC8TICB.

1856-1880.

vAoa

Justice withont Form — Inauguration of the Judiciary System — Jurisdic-
tion of Canadian Courts Withdrawn — Pearkes Drafts a Plan for the
Mainland — Lytton Refers the Matter to Begbie — The Gold-fields
Act — Appointment of Matthew Baillie Begliie — On Uniting the
Courts Disestablished and Reorganized — Needham Declines to Re-
tire — Two Courts Roth Supreme — Character of Begbie — He Assists
Douglas in Organizing (Government — Justice at Cariboo — Jurors
Rebuked — Stipendiary Magistrates — Justice at Kootenai and Met-
lahkatlah — Convict Labor — Nobles along the Border — Vigilance
Committee 419

CHAPTER XXrV.

FRASER RIVER HIMINO AND SETTLEMENT.

1858-1878.
New Developments in the History of Mining — Character of the Mines —
Mining Towns — Sluicing at Hope and Yale — Routes to the Dig^'ings
— Steam on the Fraser — Boats Ascend to Hope and Yale — Extensica
of Mining Area — Rush to Lytton — Roadj — Prospectors Push North-
ward — Bars Named — Field — Region Hound Lilloet — Fountain, Ca-
noe, Quesnel, and Thompson Mines — Quartz on Cherry Creek — The
Mines of the Fraser Valley — Character of the Dry-diggings — Terrace
Composition — Gold Distribution and Yield 438

CHAPTER XXV.

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRT.

Cariboo Region — Its Deposits — New Mining Era — Golden Dreams —
Early Developments — Roads and Mountain Trails — The Great Pros-
pectors — The Influx — Quesnel River Mines — Horsefly and Quesnel
Lake— Keitbley and its Town— Harvey and Cunningham Creeks —
Antler Creek Riches— Grouse Creek 47i i

CHAPTER XXVI.

HIMINO IN CARIBOO.

1863-1882.
Rise of William Creek — ^Rich Discoveries — Large Yield — Decline — Deep
Mining — Marysville Lead — Drainage Operations — Richfield— Mos-
quito and Mustang Creeks — Outskirt Placers— Lightning Creek —
Van Winkle — Decline and Revival — Lowbee — CaSon Creek and its
Quartz — Character of Cariboo Veins — Summary of Yield — Cariboo
Lifa— The Low and the Intellectual 49i|

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CPPXB COLUMBIA MINIS.

1864-1882.

Colnmbia River Deposits — Fine-gold Theory — Ancient River-beds —
Early Diggings — Kootenai Excitement — Wild Horse Greek — Sas-
katchewan Expedition — Perry Greek — Hydraulics — Subordinate Dis-
tricts, Forty-nine Creek, Mooyie River — Big Bend — Routes and In-
flux — French, McGulIoch, and Games Greeks— Later Exploration —
Extent of the Auriferous Region — Terrace Gravels — Rock Creek —
Okanagan and Similkameen Districts 620

CHAPTER XXVIII.

OOLD DISOOVSRIES IN THE TAB NOBTH.

1861-1882.

)mineca Country — Peace River Prospected — Government Expedition —
Prospecting Cha-^o — Vitale Creek — Omineca Overrated — Germansen
Creek — Sluicing — Manson and Lost Creeks — Finlay River — The
Skeena and Coast Placers — Prospects of Settlements — Cause of De-
cline — The Stikeen Explored — Thibert's Discovery— Cassiar Placers
— Dease Lake Tributaries 643

CHAPTER XXIX.

COAL.

ftlbearing Formations East and West — California, Oregon, and Wash>
ington Fields Compared— British Columbia Coal-bearing Formations
—Bituminous, Lignite, and Anthracite — Brown's Localities — Rich-
ardson's Trough — Beaver Harbor — Quatsino Harbor — Nanaimo— The
Nanaimo Coal Company — ^The Vancouver Company— The Welling-
ton Company — Progress of Development at Nanaimo — Dunsmuir*s
Adventures — The Nanaimo Stone Quarry — The Harewood Mine —
Workings of the Vancouver Colliery — Queen Charlotte Islands An-
thracite — Attempted Development of the Mines — Brown and Rich-
ardson's Visits — Glaudot and Isherwood's Analyses — Comox and
Bayne Sound — Developments — Discoveries on the Mainland — Minis-
ters' Reports — Statutory Regulatiuus — Summary 666

CHAPTER XXX.

OMION AND OONrEDKRATION.

1863-1871.
Legislative Council Organized for British Columbia — ^Inaugural Ad-
dress of Governor Douglas — A Meek Response — Separate Rulers Ap-
pointed for the Two Colonies— A Cordial Leave-taking— Review of
Douglas' Administration — Regime of Frederick Seymour — Excessive

CONTENTS.

Taxation— Union of the Colonies — The British North America Act —
Anthony Musgrave Governor — British Columbia a Province of the
Dominion — A Legislative Assembly Substituted for the Council —
Condition of the Province — Indian Policy of the United States and
of Great Britain 682

CHAPTER XXXI

THX SAN jaAN ISLAND DlirFlC'in.TT.

1854-1872.
The Archipelago de Haro^San Juan Island Occupied by the Hudson's
Bay Company — Customs Dues Demanded for the United States —
Commissioners Appointed — Their Arguments— Indian Troubles —
The Affair of the Hog — A Military Post Established by General
Harney — Arrival of British Men-of-war — And of the U. S. Steamer
JUasnach .aellt — Protest of Douglas — Harney's Reply — Landing of
U. S. Troops— Casey's Trip to Esquimalt — Its Result — A Compro-
mise Offered by Lord Lyons — ^Attitude of President Buchanan — Gen-
eral Scott Ordered to the Pacific Coast — Negotiations — Harney
Recalled — Arbitration and Decision 60S

CHAPTER XXXn.

THB CANADIAN PAOIFIO BAILWAT.

1871-1874.
Tlie Tide of Westward-bound Migration — Reasons for and against the
Railway Project — ^The Bill Carried in the Commons — Resolution
Passed by the Canadian Parliament — Policy of the British and Cana-
dian Governments — Preliminary Surveys — The Hugh Allan Con-
tract — A Modest Demand — The Contract Annulled — Change of
Administration — James D. Edgar's Negotiations — Their Failure and
its Cause — Mackenzie's Railway Scheme — Objections to bis Project.

640

CHAPTER XXXm.

THK CANADIAN FACIFIO BAILWAT.

1874-1885.
The Carnarvon Terms — Their Acceptance — Defeat of the Esqnimalt and
Nanaimo Railway Bill — The Provincial Legislature's Petition to her
Majesty — Rejoinder of the Dominion Government — Visit of the Karl
of DufTerin — His Speech at Victoria — Threats of Secession — A Sec-
ond Petition to the Queen — Proposed Annexation to the United
States— One More Petition — Contract with the Syndicate — Engineer-
ing Difficulties — Port Moody— Reasons for its Selection as the Ter-
minus-Completion of the Line — A Costly Undertaking — The Road
Built as a National Highway

Victoria— Tl
riaCoal,
Lytton-
Indiau \
of the P
Churchei
braries..

Agricultural
Salmon-c!
Alaska B
Provinces
Revenue
Returns—

Index.

661

CONTENTS.

I Act —

of the

uncil —

tea and

PAM

682

[adson'a
Jtatea —
mMes —
General
Steamer
ding of
Dompro-
n — Gen-
-Harney

605

Linst the
lolution
id Cana-
M Con-

nge of
lure and

:oject. 640

lalt and

to her
Ihe Rarl
\a Seo-
lUnited
Igineer-
lie Ter-

iRoad

661

CHAPTER XXXIY

POLITICS AND OOVEKNlfUrr.

1870-1886,

FAOI

Tlie Victoria and Esquimalt Railway — Protest of the Mainland Popula-
lation— The Carnarvon Club — Secession or the Carnarvon Terms —
Defeat of the Elliott Ministry — A Lively Debate — Tlie Legislature
Votes for Separation— Discontent in the Capital — Cornwall Ap-
pointed Cliief Magistrate — Government of British Columbia — The
Suffrage — Proceedings of the Legislature— The Judiciary 6M

CHAPTER XXXV.

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDnOATION.

1861-1886.
Victoria — The Ubiquitous Chinaman — Esquimalt — Nanaimo — The Victo-
ria Coal, Mining, and Land Company — New Westminster — Langley —
Lytton — Savona's Ferry — Kamloop — Clinton — Eta.kerville — Yale —
Indian Missions and Missionaries — Metlakathla — Forts — LidiiFerence
of the Provincial Government — Civilization of the Native Tribes —
Churches — Charitable Societies — Public Schools — Journalism — Li-
braries 707

CHAPTER XXXVI.

IKDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AMD FINAMOJL

1880-1886.

Agricultural Areao — Public Lands — Stock-raising — Fruits — Fisheries —
Salmon-canning — Manufactures — Gold-nuning — Coal-mining — The
Alaska Boundary — Exports and Imports — Comparison with Other
Provinces — Banking — Insurance — Shipping — Inland Navigation —
Revenue and Expenditure — Public Debt — Comparison of Customs
Returns — Elements of Prosperity — Biographical — Bibliograhical .... 740

Inskx.

775

HIST

Ab-sa-ra-ka
Allen (Alex
Anderson U
book a
Indian
1863, 7;
Anderson {J
Anderson (J
XX vi. 1(
Annals of B:
Applegate (i
Armstrong (
Arrowsmith
Island,
Astoria, Or.,
Atlantic Moi

Ballantyne (]

Ballon (Willi

Bancroft (Hu

Bancroft (Hul

Bancroft (Hu

1875. 5v

Bancroft (Hul

Biincroft Libr

ing Ban CI

Bancroft Libn

British C(

uierce.

Bancroft's Hai

Barkersville, (

Barrett-Lenna)

%ley(C. A.)

Begbie (Matth

Lend. Geo

Blanshard (Ric

, 1851. Ne'

Bolduc (J. B. 2

Missions, £

ATJTHOEirrES QUOTED

IN THE

niSTORT or BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Ab-sa-ra-ka, Home of the Crows. Philadelphia, 1868,

Allen (Alexander), Cariboo and the Mines of British Columbia. MS.

Anderson (Alexander Cauliield), Dominion at the West. Victoria, 1872; Hand-
book and Map to the Gold Region. San Francisco, 1858; Notes on the
Indian Tribes of British North America. In Historical Mag., March
1863, 73; Notes on North Western America. Montreal, 1876.

Anderson (Alexander Cauliield), North- West Coast History. MS.

Anderson (James), Letter to Sir George Simpson. In Lond. Oeog. See., Jour.,
xxvi. 18.

Atmals of British Legislation. London, 1856 et seq, 4to.

Applegate (Jesse), Views of Oregon History. MS.

Armstrong (A. N.), Oregon. Chicago, 1857.

Arrowsmith (John), Map of the Pp ■ inces of British Columbia and Vancouver
Island. London, 1859.

Astoria, Or., Astorian, Marine Gazette.

Atlantic Monthly. Boston, 1858 et seq,

Ballantyne (Robert M.), Hudson's Bay. Edinburgh, 1848

Ballou (William T.), Adventures. MS.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Alaska.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of California.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Nevada.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Northwest Coast.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Oregon.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), Native Races of the Pacific States. New York,
1875. 5 vols.

Bancroft (Hubert Howe), Popular Tribunals.

B;incroft Library MSS. Scrap-books containing classified notes used in writ-
ing Bancroft's works.

Bancroft Library Newspaper Scraps, classified under the following headings;
British Columbia, Fisheries, Shipping and Navigation, Trade and Com-
merce.

Bancroft's Hand-Book of Mining. San Francisco, 1861.

Barkersville, Cariboo Sentinel.

Barrett-Lennard (C. E.), Travels in British Columbia. London, 1862.

Bayley (C. A.), Vancouver Island Early Life. MS.

Bcgbie (Matthew B.), Journey into the Interior of British Columbia. In
Lond. Geog. Soc, Jour., xxxi. 2.37.

Blanshard (Richard), Vancouver Island. Despatches, 26 Dec. 1849 to 30 Aug.
1851. New Westminster, n. d.

Bolduc (J. B. Z.), Letter to Mr Cayenne, 15 Feb. 1844. In De Smtt's Or.
Missions, 51,

(xilil)

I it

J. K

IP ;^^«

i^ 'li

xx:*

AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

Springfield, 1866; Oiir New We»t.
Victoria,

H<)wlc8 (Sainnol), AcrosH tho ('(intineut.

Hartford, etc., iNtil).
liritiiih Culuiiiliia Agriculturul and Horticultural Society. Reports,

1873 ct 80(|.

BritiHli Colunil)ia, Ouido to tho I'rovinco of. Victoria, 1877.

hritiHli (.'oIuiul)ia, Muiiiorial iu Cunuuctioii witli tliu Uiiiiiicca Road Petition,
n. pi., n. d.

British C(ilund)ia Milling and Alining Company, Prospectus, Victoria, 1878.

Briti.sh Columhia Milling >Stock Board. t'oiiHtitution. Victoria, lh78,

Britiuh Columbia I'ultlic Uocuincnts cited in my notes by their titles and
dates, tho title conHisting of 'British Columbia,' foUowod by one of tiio
following headings: Acts; Collection of Ai'ts, Ordinances, and Proclama-
tion; Consoliilated Statutes; Correspondence on tiio Custom Stations
between Victoria and Kootenay: Kxpenditure; Indian Liind Question;
Journals of Legi.dativo Assembly; Journals of Legi.sliitivo Council; L<inds
and Works; Li.st of Voters; Minister of Mines' Reports; Ordinances;
Overland Coach Road; Papers Relating to Aflfairs — Further Papers; Publiu
Scliools; Registrar of Birtlis, Deaths, and Marriages; Sessional Papers;
Statutes,

British Columbia Railway Question, Opinions of tlie English Press. Victoria,
1877.

British Columbia Sketches. MS.

British North America. London, n. d.

British Nortli American Provinces, Correspondence respecting the Proposed
Union — Further Papers. Lomlon, 1807, folio.

British Nortli-West American Emigrants Settlement Association, n. pi., n. d.

Brown (R. C. Lundin), British Columbia — An Essay. New Westminster,
180.S; British Columbia, The Indians and Settlers at Lilloet, Loudon,
1870.

Brown (Robert), Cleographical Distribution on Coal Fields of N. Pacific Coast.
Edinburgh, 18()!); On the Formation of Fjords, Cartons, Benches, etc. In
Lond. (Jeog. Soc, Jour., xxxix. 125; Vancouver Island Exploration.
Victoria, 18G4.

Browne (J. Ro.ss), Lower California. See Taylor; Report upon tlie Mineral
Resources of the States and Territories \N'est of tlio Rocky Mountains.
Wasliington, 18()7; Washington, 1808; San F'ranci.sco, 1808.

Bulfinch (Tlioinas), Oregon and Kl Dorado. Boston, 1800.

Burnett (Peter H.), Recollections and Opinions of an Old Pioneer. New
York, 1880.

Burnett (Peter H.\ Recollections of the Post. MS. 2 vols.

Butler (W. F.), The Wild North Land. Philadelphia, 1874.

Caldwell (Robert), The Gold Era of Victoria. London, 1855.

California Academy of Sciences, Prov,ceding8 of the. S. F., 1858 et seq.

Canada, Handbook of Information for Intending Einigranta. Ottawa, 1877.

Canada Public Documents cited in my notes by their titles and dates, tho
title consii ug of 'Canada' followed by one of tlio following headings:
Addresses «. (Jovernor; Agriculture; Canal Eulargemeut; Census; Coal
Trade; Cusr s; Debates of the House of Commons; Estimates; Extra-
dition of Pr. n.rs; Geological Survey, Selwyn (A. R. C), Director;
Reports of Pr(.^. ss, etc.; Immigration and Colonization; Inland Reve-
nues; liisurancei nterior; Lake Superior and. Reil River Settlement;
Lights; Marine . 1 Fisheries; Message Relative to the Terms of
Union; Meteorologi <\ Magnetic; Militia; Navigable Streams; Northwest
Mounted Police; Pi -.master General; Public Accounts; Public Work.s;
Secretary of State; (vtatistics; Trade and Navigation.

Canadian Pacific Railway, Sandford Fleming, Engineer in Chief. Correspon-
dence relating to. n. pi., n. d.; Maps and Charts; Papers c<mnected witli
the awarding of Section Fifteen. Ottawa, 1877; Reports 1872 et seq.
Ottawa, 1872 et seq.

Canadian
Carilxio,

1802.
Carilioo Q

< 'artograii
Chicago A

< 'liinook

n.d.;
Chittende

1882.
Churchill

Londo
Claudet (F
Columliia J

1804;
Coinpton (
Cook (.Jam

1785.
Cook (Jam

3 vols,
i'oojicr (.lai
t'ociper («ol
< 'urnwallis
(,'ourterey (
Cox (Ross),
York, 1
<Vidgo(E.),
(.^I'oshy (11.

Dallas (A. G

187;J.

Dalles (Or.),

Dawson ((iur

Note on

Notes oi

vol. ix.,

(foologit

Ilia, n.]

(^last.

Deans (Jame

D'' ( 'osmos (j

De Cosmos (j

1878; Sj:

Feb. 21,

De (Jroot (H(

Francisc

])u Smet (P.

I'Oregon,

Alontagn

New Yo

I'ireetories, 1

Mallanch

Dodge (Riclia

I'ouglas (Sir

Itetireme

Douglas (Sir .

Private I

Douglas (Sir ,

Douglas Sir ,

317,

.(I Petition.

J, Victoria,

AUTHvOllITlES QUOTED.

Caiiailian Parliamentary Cnini)ani(m, 1874. Montreal, 1874.

Cariboo, Thu Nuwly Discovered Gold Fields of British Columbia. London,

IH<i2.
Cariboo Quart/ Mining Company, Memoranda. Victoria, 1878.
( 'urtogranhy of tlio Pacitiu CoaMt. M»S, folio. 3 vols.
Cliica^'o Acadeiiiy of Sciences, Transactions, Chicago, 1809 ot seq.
('hiaoiik Jargon, Dictionary of. Olyiiiiiia, 1873; Portland, 1878; Victoria,

n.d.; Vocabulary. San Francisco, 1800.
Cliittonilen (Newton U.), Travels in British Columbia and Alaska. Victoria,

1882.
Cliurtliill (J. D.), and J. Cooper, British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

London, 1800.
Claudct (F. O.), <lold. Now Westminster, 1871.
('uluMibiaMi.sHi<)n, Occasional Paper. London, 1801 ; Pastoral Address, n.pl.,

1804; Kuitorts 1804 ut seq. London, 1804 et seq.
Crmipton (P. N.), Forts an«l Fort Life. MS.
Cook (.lames), Troisiumo Voyage tk I'Ocean Paciflqne en 1776-80. Paris,

1785. 4to. 4 vol :
Cook (James), Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, 1770-80. London, 1784. 4to.

3 vols, plates in folio; London, 1784. 4to. 4 vols; Phila. 1818. 2 vols.
Coopor (.lames). Maritime Matters. MS.

Cooper (>old and Silver Mining Company, Memorandum. Victoria, 1878.
Ciiriiwallis (Kinahan), Thu New FU Dorado. London, 1858.
('imrtcrt'y (H. C), British Columbia Minus. MS.
Cox (Roiiit), Adventures on the Columbia River. London, 1831. 2 vols; New

Yorl4, 18:}2.
('ri(lj,'o (K.), Cliarocturistics of uames Douglas. MS.
Crosby (11. K.), The San Juan Dilliculty. la Overland, ii. 201.

Dallas (A. G.), San Juan, Alaska, and the North- West Boundary. London,
1873.

Dalles (Or.), Mountaineer.

Dawson (George M.), General Note on the Mines and Minerals, n.pl., 1877:
Note on Some of the Most lieoent Changes in Level ot Coast, n.pl., 1877;
Notes on the Gl.iciation of British Columbia. In Canadian Naturalist,
vol. ix., no. 1; Report of F^xplorations in British Columbia. In Canada
(reological Survey, 1875-0, 233; Superficial (ieology of British Colum-
bia, n.pl., 1878; Travelling Notes on the Surface Geology of the Pacific
(Jiiast. n.pl., 1878.

Deans (.James), Vancouver Island. MS.

]>>■ Cdsiiios (Amor), British Columbia Governments. MS.

J)u Cosmos (Amor), Speech on De Horsey's Rei)ort, Feb. 18, 1878. Ottawa,
1878; Speech on E^quimalt (iraving Dock and Canadian Pacific R. R.,
Feb. 21, 1878. OtUwa, 1878.

De (Iroot (Henry), British Columbia; its Condition and Prospects, etc. San
Francisco, 1859.

De Sniet (P. J.), Letters and Sketches. Philadelphia, 1843; Missions de
I'Oregon. Gand, n.d.; Oregon Missions. New Yorii, 1847; Voyages aux
Alontugnes Rouheuses. Li'.e, 1859; Western Misitions and Missionaries.
New York, 1803.

Directories, British Columbia and Victoria, Howard and Bamett; Victoria,
Matlaudaine.

Dodge (Richard Irving), The Plains of the Great West. New York, 1877.

Uoiiglas (iSir James), Addresses and Memorials upon the Occasion of the
Retirement of. Victoria, 1804.

Douglas (Sir James), Diary of Gold Discovery on Fraser River. In Douglas'
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Douglas (Sir James), Journal, 1840-1. MS.

Douglas (Sir James), Official Correspondence. In Comwallis' New El Dorado,
31.7.

4
■i

XXVI

AUTHORITIES QUOTED,

Douglas (Sir James), Private Papers, lat and 2(1 series. MS. 2 vols.

Douglas (Sir James), Voyages to the North West Coast. In Id. Journal.

Douglas (William), A Summary Historical au<l Political of the British Set-
tlements in North America. London, 1755; Voyage of the Iphiyenia.
In Meares' Voy. Edit. Lond., 1790.

Dowuie (W.), Explorations in Jarvis Inlet and Desolation Sound. In Lond.
Geog. Soc, Jour., xxxi. 249.

Dunn (John), History of the Oregon Territory. London, 1844; The Oregon
Territory and the British N. American Fur Trade. Philadelphia, 1845.

Edinburgh Review. Edinburgh, 1802 et seq.

Elisa (Francisco), Voyage 1791, Extracts from. In Papers relating to Treaty

of Wash., V. 176; also in Rejdy of the United States, 97.
Evans (Elwood), Kc-annexation of British Columbia to the United States.

Olympia, 1870.
Evans (Elwood), Eraser River Excitement. MS. and Scraps.
Evans (Elwood), History of Oregon. MS.
Evans (Taliesin), British Columbia. In Overland, iv. 258.

Ferry (J. M.), and G. J. Wright, Map and Guide to Cariboo Gold Mines.
San Francisco, 18G2.

Fery (.Jules), Gold Searches. MS.

Findlay (Alexander G.), Directory for the Navigation of the Pacific Ocean.
London, 1851.

Finlayson (Roderick), Vancouver Island and Northwest Coast. MS.

Fitzgerald (James Edward), Charter and Proceedings of Hudson Bay Co.,
with Reference to Vancouver's Island. London, 1849.

Fleming (Sandford), Memorial of the People of Red River to the British and
C^tnailian Governments. Ottawa, 18(i3. See Canadian Pacific Railway.

Forlies (Charles), Vancouver Island; its Resources and Capabilities. Vic-
toria, 18(i2.

Foster (J. W.), The Mississippi Valley. Chicago, 1869.

Franchcre (Gabriel), Narrative of a Voyage to the Northwest Coast of Amer-
ica, 1811-14. Redfield, 1854.

Fraser (Simon), First Journal from April 12 to July 18, 1806. MS

Fraaer (Simon), Letters, 180(>-7. MS

Fraser (Simon), Second Journal from May 30 to Juno 10, 1808. MS.

Fremont (John C. ), Narrative of Exploring Expedition to Rocky MountainH.
New York, 1849.

Gibbs (George), Indian Afifairs, Report on, March 4, 1854. In Pac. R. R.
Ropts., 1. 402.

Clood (John B.), British Columbia. MS.

Good (John B.), St Paul's Mission, n.pl., n.d.

Goodyear ( W. A. ), Coal Mines of the Western Coabt of the U. S. San Fran-
cisco, 1877.

Grant ((ieorgo M.), Ocean to Ocean. Canada, 1873; Toronto, i877.

Grant (W. C.), Description of Vancouver Island. In Loud. Geog. Soc, Jour.,
xxvii. '2G8; Remarks on Vancouver Island. In Lond. (ieog. Soc., Ji-'-'r.,
xxxi. 208.

Gray (W. H.), A History of Oregon, 1792-1849. Portland, 1870.

CJreenhow (Robert), History of Oregon and California. Boston, 1844; Lon-
don, 1844; Boston, 1845; Now York, 1845; Boston, 1847.

Grover (Lafayette), Oregon, Notable Things. MS.

Hakluyt Society. Hudson's Bay, Geography of. London, 1850.

Hancock (Saiimel), Thirteen Years' Rtisidonce on the Northwest Coast. MS.

Hansard (T. C), Parliamentary Debates from 1803. London, 1812-77. [">■

F. Law Library.]
Harmon (Daniel Williams), Voyages a^id Travels iu the Interior of Nortli

America. Audover, 1820.

AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

xxvu

icifio Ocean.

{Mt of Amer-

Harnett (Legh), Two Lectures on British Columbia. Victoria, 1868.

Harpur's New Monthly Masazine. New York, 185G et seq.

Harvey (Arthur), A Statistical Account of British Columbia. Ottava, 1867.

Harvey (Mrs Daniel), Life of John McLoughlin. MS.

Hayes (Benjamin), Scrap Books, 1850-74. 129 vols. Mining. 13 vols.

Hazlitt ( William Carew), British Columbia and Vancouver's Island. London,
1858; Great Gold Fields of Cariboo. London, 1862.

Hoctor, Mining in tho Upper Columbia River Basin.

Hincs (Henry Youle), Assiniboine and Saskatchewan Exploring Expedition.
Toronto, 1859, folio; Canadian Red River Expedition, etc. Ijondon,
18()0. 2 vols. ; Papers relative to the Ex[iloration of the Country, Reports
of Progress. London, 1859, folio. 2 vols.

Hines (Gustavus), Oregon and its Institutions. New York; Oregon: Its His-
tory, Condition, etc. ''Buffalo, 1851 ; Voyage round the World. Buffalo,
1850.

Historical Magazine and Notes and Queries. Boston, etc., 1857-(>9. 15 vols.

Hittell (John S.), The Commerce aud Industries of the Pacilic Coast. San
Francisco, 1882. 4to.

Honolulu, Polynesian, 1857 et seq.; Sandwich Island News, 1840 et seq.

Hooper (W. H.), Ten Months amonfj the Tents of the Tuahi. London, 1853.

Horetzky (Charles), Canada on the Pacific. Montreal, 1874.

Howard and Burnett. See Directories. Britisli Columbia and Victoria.

Howison (N. M.), Report oil Coast, Harl'ors, etc., of Oregon 1840. [30th
Cong., IstSfss., H. Miss. Doc. 29.] Washington, 1848.

Hudson's Bay Company, Extent aud Value of Possessory liiglits. [Montreal,
1849]; Plans Referred to in the Report from the Select Couimittoc.
London, 1857; Report from Special Committee. London, 1857; Return
to an Address, 10 March, 1857. n ])1., n.d.

Hudson's Bay Company's Charter and License to Trade. Papers relative to.
London, 1859.

Hudson Bay and Puget Sound Agricultural Companies, British aud Ameri-
can Joint Comi.iission. Montreal, etc., 18C8. 4 vols. ; Lvidcuco for the
United States. Washington, 1807; Memorials presented to tlieiCommis-
sioners April 17, 1805. Wasliiiigton, 1805; Supplement aud Appendix
to Arguments in Behalf of tlie U. S. n. pi., n. d.

Hunt's Mercliant's Magazme. New York, 1839 et seq.

Iinray (James F. ), Sailing Directions for the West Coast of N. America. Lon-
don, 1808

Isliister (Alex. K.), A Proposal for a New Penal Settlement. ..iondon, 1850.

Lslierwood (B. F.), Report of Experi;;unt,s on (.'oals of t'u; I'acific Coast.
[42d Cong., 2d Sess., H. Ex. Doc. 200.J Washington, 1872.

Jarves (James J.), History of the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands. Boston,
1843; London, 1843; Honolulu, 1872; Boston, 1844.

.lohnsoii (R. B. ), Very Far West ludet'il. Loudon, 1872.

.Idly (II. (J.), Report on Foiestry aud Forests of Canada. In Canadian Agri-
cultural Report, 1877, 1.

Kane (Paul), Wanderings of an Artist among the Indians of N. America.

London, 1859.
Kingston (W. H. G.), Snow-shoes and Canoes. London, etc., 1877.
Kirohhotr (Theo(h)r), Reisebilder und Skiz/en. N. Y., 1875-6. 2 vols.
Knight's Scrap Books, A Colleetioii of 40 volumes.

I.angevin (H. L.), Report on British d iiui
Langley (Henry (i. ), Trade of tlie Pacitic.

I iumbia. Ottawa, 1872.
San Francisco, 1870.
bi'e (Daniel), and J. H. Frost. Ten Years in Oregon. New York, 1844.
Levi (l/cone^, Annals of British Legislation. London, 1850-08. 18 vols.
Lewis (Philip H.), Coal Disc^'eries in Washington Territory. MS.

AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

Lewia (Herbert George), Rominiscencos in 75ritiiih Columbia Sketches. MS.

Lewis (JMuriwcthcr), and William C'l;irl:o, l..\;ionitioa to tlio iSourcus of the
Missouri and I'aciiic Ocean, IC^-l-C. 1 h.kidulpliia, 1814. 2vil.i.; New
York, lf>llj. 2 Vdb. ; Travels to the y>);:rcG of tli'- Missouri River and
across the A:iicrican Continent. Lon;'.o:i, lul4. 4to; London, 1815;
numerous other e '.ii.;ons.

Lockiagton (W. N.), Notes o:i Pacific Coajt I'ioli and Fisheric.i. n.pl. 1879.

Log of tha air J(tr)ic.f DoiujIok. I;i Caiui.'.a, Marine and lialiories. 1870-7.

London, Chronich', Morning Post, Pr.ncli, I'.^ijctatur, Times.

London (Juoj,'rap!:ic;-l Society, Jounuil. Lcnu'.oa, 1;a/1-73. 40 vola.

Lord (John Keast), The Naturalist in Vancouver's Idand, etc. London, 1866.
2 vols

McClellan (R. fhiy). The Golden State. Ran Francisco, 1872.

MelJoaahl (Archibald), Canoe Voyage from Hudson's liay to Pacific. Ottawa,

m72.
McDoa:;l.l (]). G. Forbes), British Calund)ia and Vancouver Inland. London,

IoG;>; Lecture on Dritiah Coluiabia. London, iyj3.
MeL)on;dd (Vv'. John), Narrative. In Bi-ivi.h Columbia Sketches. MS,
McDonald (.1. L.), Hidden Treasurcj. (llouceatcr, 1G71.
f.Icfarlaue (.lameii). The Coal Ke;rion;i of America. New York, 1S7.3.
Maclic (.Matlhuw), Vancouver Island and I-ritioh Columbia. London, 1865.
Mac'j're^'or (John\ Commercial Statijticj. London, lu53. 5 voU.
^IcKay (Jamoi William), Ilocollections of Hudson's Bay Company. MS.
Mackenzie (Ale::ander), Voyage from ?.]ontreal to the Frozen and Pacific

Oceans, I70'.)-'J3. London, 1801. 4to; New York, 1814.
Mackenzie (il). Historical, Topograpl-.ical, and Descriptive View of one

U. S. etc. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 181'.).
McKinlay (Archibald), Narrative of a Cliicf Factor of Hudson Ikiy (Company.

M.S.
McLean (John), Notes of a Twenty-live Years' Service in the Hudson Bay

Territory. London, 1843
McLeod, Pi:aco River. See McDonald (Archibabl), Canoe Voyage,
McLou^'nl'n (John), Private Papera, 18'_5-5j. ?^IS.
Macoun (Jolui), (ieolo^ical and Topc'rapliical Notes. In Canada, Geol.

Survey, 1875-0, 87; Report on Ijotauical I'eatures of the Country. In

Id., IIJ.
Mallandaine. See Directory, Victoria.
Malte-])run (V. A.), Precis de la Geographio Universelle. Bruxelles, 1839.

G vols.
Martin (R. Montgomery), History of the British Colonies. London, 1835. 5

voli; The Hudson s Bay Territories and Vancouver's IslamL Loudon,

1840.
Marysvillc, (Cal.), Ap[)eal, Telegraph.
Mathi:is (Franklin), Eraser and Tliompson River Gold Mines. In Olympia

Pion. and Dem., May 14, 1858.
Matthew (J. H.), The North-West Bound.ary. In Overland, vi. 297.
Mattliieu (l'\ X.), Refugee, Trapper, aii<l Settler. MS.
May no (R. C), Four Years in British Columbia. London, 1802; Report of

a Journey in Britisii Columbia. In Lond. Geog. Soc, Jour., xxxi. 213.
Meares (John), Voyages made m 17S8-9 from China to the N. W. Coast of

America. London, 1790; Id., 1701. 2 vols. ; other editions.
Milton (\'iscount), History of the San Juan Water Boundary Question, Lon-
don, 1809.
Milton (Viscount), and W. B. Cheadlo. The North West Passage by Land.

London, 1805.
Mining Magazine. New York, 1853 et seq.
Minto (John), Early Days of Oregon. MS.

Missionary Life in the Nineteenth Century, Pictures of. London, 1858.
Moberly (\Valter), Journey to Gold Mines. In Victoria ( ilazette, Feb. 17, 1859.

Nanaimo,

Nevada (C

Newberry

1800.

New Tacor

New West]

Pacific

Journa

Now York,

Niles' Regii

Nind (Phili;

bia Fui

North Ame

North Paci*

Northwest '.

Ogden (Pete

Island.

01ym|)ia, E

Iranser

Olympia Clt

Oregon City

Ottawa Tim

Overland Mi

Overland Ro

the Pro]

Pacific Railn

I'alliser (Joh:

London,

Palmer (H. S

Geog. So

toria to

of the W

Papers relati

Washing

Parker (Sanni

Itiiaca, li

Peace River I

Pemberton (J

London, J

Perkins (Janu

Ptjtermann (A

I'ioneer (The).

I'oolo (Francis

lV)rtlan<l Nev

porter, Dt

gonian, P;

Post (Aaron), ,

Quarterly Revi

K.ittray (Alcxa

R;iwliugs (Thoi

Loudon, It

AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

XXIX

lea. MS.
cs of the
l.i.; New
liver and
ou, 1815;

,1)1. 1879.
187<>-7.

.Ion, 1866.

;. Ottawa,

. London,

MS.

73.

idon, 1866.

,'. MS.
iiud I'acitic

icw of one

f Company.

Luason Bay

lada, Oeol.
)untry. Ill

ellea, 1839.

on, 1835. 5
Loudon,

lln Olympiik

Report of
Lxxi. 213.
\\, Coast of

Ition. Lon-

by Land,

I, 18.58.
lb. 17, 1859,

MoSPat (Hamilton), Journal of a Tour across Vancouver Island to Nootka

Sound. In Pembertou's V. I., 14,3.
Morgan (Lewis H.), The American Beaver and his Works. Philadelphia, 1878.
Muir (Michel), Recollections. In British Columbia Sketches. MS.

Nanaimo, Free Press, Gazette, and Tribune.

Nevada (Cal. ), Oazctle, Journal.

Newberry (J, S,), Origin of Prairies, In American Scientific Assoc, Trans,,
18(50.

Now Tacoma, North Pacific Coast Times.

New Westminster, British Columbia Examiner, British Columbian, Dominion
Pacific Herald, Government Gazette, Mainland Guardian, New Republic
Journal.

New York, Herald, Journal of Commerce, Methodist, Sun, Times, Tribune.

Nilos' Register. Baltimore, etc., 1811—49. 76 vols.

Nii'-d (Philip Henry), Report of Diggings on Antler Creek, In British Colum-
bia Further Papers, iv.

North American Review, Boston, 1819 et seq.

North Pacific Review. San Francisco, 1862-3. 2 vols.

Northwest Boundary, Discussion of, etc. Washington, 1808.

Ogden (Peter Skeen), and James Douglas, Letter respecting Coal in Vancouver

Island. In Martins, H. B., 37.
Olympia, Echo, Columbian, Pioneer and Democrat, Puget Sound Courier,

Iranscript, Washington Standard.
Olympia Club Conversazione. MS,
Oregon City, Enterprise, Oregon Argus, Spectator.
Ottawa Times.

Overland Monthly. San Francisco, 1808-75, 15 vols.
Overland Route, Report from a Select Committee. St Paul, 1858; Sketch of

the Proposed Line. Loudon, 1858; Ottawa, 1871.

Pacific Railroad Reports. Washington, 1855-60. 4to. 13 vols.

I'alliser (John), Papers relative to the Exploration of British North America,
London, 1859. 4to; Further Papers, Loudon, 1860. 4to; Index and Maps,
London, 1805, 4to.

Palmer (H. Spencer), Report on the Hairison and Lilloet Route, In London
Gcog. Soc, Jour., xxxi. 224; Report of a Journey of Survey from Vic-
toria to Fort Alexander. Now Westminster, 1803; Report on Portions
of the Williams Lake and Cariboo Districts. New Wcstininstor, 1803.

Papers relating to the Treaty of Washington, vol. v., Berlin Arbitration.
Washington, 1872.

Parker (Samuel), Journal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains.
Ithaca, 18::8; Id., 1840; Auburn, 1842; Id., 1840.

Peace River Mines, History of. In Victoria Weekly Colonist, Feb. 23, 1870.

Poiuberton (J. Dospard), Facts and Figures relating to Vancouver Island,
Loudon, 1800.

Perkins (James H.), Annals of the West. St Louis, IS.TO.

Potermann (A.), Mittlieilungen aus Justus geographiacher. Gotha, 1872.

Piimeer (The). San Francisco, 1854-5, 4 vols,

I'oolo (Francis), Queen Charlotte Islands. London, 1872,

Portland New.spapers, Advertiser, Bulletin, Commercial, Commercial Re-
porter, Deutche Zeitung, Herald, New Northwest, Oregon Herald, Ore-
gonian. Pacific Christian Advocate, Standard, West Shore,

Post (Aaron), Statement, lu Victoria Gazette, July 4, 1858.

Quarterly Review, London, 1809 et seq,

Rattray (Alexander), Vancouver Island and British Columbia, Lond,, 1842,
Rawliugs (Thomas), The Confederation of the British N. American Provinces.
Loudon, 1866.

zxx

AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

Red River Settlement, Correspondence Relative to the Recent Disturbances

in. London, 1870. folio.
Remy (Jules), and Julius Brenchley, a Journey to Great-Salt-Lake City.

London, 18G1. 2 vols.
Reply of the United States to the Case of the Government of Her Britannic

Majesty, n. pi., n.d. 4to.
Richards (George H.), Tlie Vancouver Island Pilot. London, I8G4.
Richardson (James), Report on the Coal Fields of the £!ast Coast of Vancon-

ver Island. In Canada, Geol. Survey, 1871-2, 73.
Richardson (Sir John), Arctic Searching Expedition. London, 1851. 2 vols,
Ritz (Philip), Great Northern Interior. MS.
Roberts (George B. ), Recollections of Hudson's Bay Co. MS.
Roseburg, Pantagraph, Plaindealer.
Ross (Alexander), Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon. Jiondon,

1849; The Fur Hunters of the Far West. Ix)ndon, 1855. 2 vols.
Rowe (G.), The Colonial Empire of Great Britain, pt. i. London, n.d.

Sacramento (Cal.), Bee, Record, Record Union.

Salem (Or.), American Unionist, Capital Chronicle, Mercnrj', Oregon States-
man, Willamette Farmer.
San Bernardino (Cal. ), Guardian.
San Francisco Newspapers, Alta California, Call, Chronicle, Coast Review,

Evening Bidletin, Herald, Mining and Scientific Press, News Letter,

Post, Scientific Press, Times.
Sawney's Letters: or Cariboo Rhymes. 1864-8.

Seattle (Wash. ), Intelligencer, Pacific Tribune, Puget Sound Dispatch.
Scemann (Berthold), Narrative of the Voyage of H. M. S. Herald, 1845-51.

London, 1853. 2 vols.
Selwyn (A. R. C). See Canada Geological Survey.
Seward (W. H.), Speeches on Alaska, Vancouver, and Oregon, Aug. 18(59.

Washiugtou, 1869.
Simmonds (P. L.), Sir John Franklin and the Arctic Regions. Buffalo, 1852.
Simpson (Alexander), The Oregon Territory. London, 1846.
Simpson (Sir George), Narrative of a Journey round the World. London,

1847. 2 vols.
Snyder, Letter from Yale, Aug. 17th. In Victoria Gazette, Aug. 24, 1858.
Sproat (Gilbert Malcolm), British Columbia. London, 1873; Loudon, 187.');

Canada and the Empire. London, 1873; Scenes and Studies of Sivvagu

Life. London, 1808.
Steilacoom (Wash.), Puget Sound Express.
Stuart (Granville), Montana aa it is. New York, 1865.
Stuart (John), Autograph Notes. Torres, 1842.
Sutro (A.), Review of Fraser River, etc. In .San Francisco Bulletin, Aug. 27,

1858.
Swan (.Tomes G.), The Haidah Indians of Queen Charlotte Island. Wash.,

1874.
Swan (James M.), Colonizations. MS.

Townsend
Philad

Truman (B

Trutcli (Joi
Map of

Turner (Wi
xiv. 16

Umatilla, C

Umfreville

United .Stai

17 vols.

Ifnite-.l Sta'

Foreign

tions; I

Vancouver (

Vancouver I
lishment
ration
folio; Si
toria, 18

Victor (Fran:
1872; Hi

Victoria, Br
Press, Sf

Vciwell (A. V

W'.iddington

land Roi

the Pror

Waldo (Dauie

W.iUa Walla,

Waire (Henry

\\Ved (Cliarlei

Westminster ]

White (Elijah;

Wiiymper (Fn

Wilkea (Charl

pliia, 1844

Wilson (Elizali

Wilson (Willia

Winthroj) (Thi

Woods (W. H

Herald, M

Work (John), I

Wright, Caribc

Tache (Macgregor), Sketcli of the Northwest of America. Montreal, 1870. | ^'''e, British C

Tarbell (Frank), Victoria, Life and Travels. MS.

Taylor (Alexander S ), Historical Sunxmary of Lower California. In Browne's 1

Min. Res.
Taylor (James W.), Northwest British America. St Paul, 1860.
Tennant (Thos.), Nautical Almanac, Tide Register, etc. San Francisco,

1877.
Thornton (J. Quinn), Oregon and California in 1848. New York, 1848, 2 vola.
Thornton (J. Quinn), Oregon History. MS.
Tod (John), New Caledonia. MS.

Tolmie (William Fraser), Canadian Pacific Railway Routes. Victoria, 1877.
Tolmie (William F.), Puget Sound and Northwest Coast. MS.

i!i ' . I'l

AUTHORITIES QUOTED.

XXXI

iturbances

ake City.

' Britannic

if VdJicou-

il. 2 vols.

Tiondon,

is.
n.d.

gon

States-

st Review,
iwa Letter,

latch.

Id, 1845-51.

Aug. 1809.

uffiilo, 1852.

. London,

Ig. 24, 1858.
udon, 1875;
s of Savagt!

|in, Aug. 27,
d. Wash.,

Itreal, 1870.
In Browne's

Franoisoi),
|848, 2 vols.

toria, 1877.

Townsend (John K.), Narrative of a Journey across the Rocky Mountains.

Philadeli)hia, 1839.
Truman (Benjamin C), Occidental Sketches. San Francisco, 1881.
Trutch (Joseph), Complimentary Dinner to, April 10, 1871. Montreal, 1871;

Map of British Columbia, 1871.
Turner (Wm M.), Oold Hunting on Queen Charlotte's Island. In Overland,

xiv. 167.

Uiuatilla, Columbia Press.

Uinfrevillc (Edward), The Present State of Hudson's Bay. London, 1790.

United States Exploring Expedition. [Wilkes.] Philadelphia, 1844-58. 4to.

17 vols.; folio. 8 vols.
United States Oovernment Documents; Bureau of Statistics; Commerce,

Foreign and Domestic; Commerce and Navigation; Commercial Rela

tions; Indian Aifairs.

Vancouver (Wash.), Independent Register.

Vancouver Island, Copies or Extracts of any Despatches on Subject of Estab-
lisliment of a Representative Assembly. London, 1857. folio; Explo-
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folio; Supreme (jourt of Civil Justice, Order in Court constituting. Vic-
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Viotor (Frances Fuller), All over Oregon and Washington. San Francisco,
1872; River of the West. Hartford, 1870.

Victoria, British Colonist, Cariboo Sentinel, Chronicle, Express, Gazette,
Press, Standard.

Vdwell (A. W.), British Columbia Mines. MS.

Waddington (Alfred), The Eraser Mines Vindicated. Victoria, 1858; Over-
land Route through British North America. London, 1868; Sketch of
tlie Proposed Line of Overland Railroad. Ottawa, 1871.

Waldo (Daniel), Critiques. MS.

W.iUa Walla, Statesman.

W;irre (Henry), and M. Vavasseur, Report, in Martin's Hudson's Bay.

Wood (Charles E.), Queen Cliarlotto Island Expedition. MS.

Westminster Review. London, 1824 et seq.

White (Elijah), Ten Years in Oregon. Ithaca, 1850.

Wliyniper (Frederick), Travel and Adventure in Alaska. New York, 1869.

Wilkes (Charles), Narrative of tlie U. S. Exploring Expedition. Philadel-
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Wilson (Elizabeth), Recollections. In Oregon Sketches. MS.

Wilson (William), Dominion of Canada, etc. Victoria, 1874.

Winthro]) (Theodore), The Canoe and the Saddle. Boston, 1863.

WiM)(ls (W. H.), Correspondence from McCaw's Rapids In Puget Sound
Herald, May 14, 1858.

Work (John), Journal, 1824. MS.

Wright, Cariboo. In Overland, iii. 524

Yale, British Columbia Examiner.

'i.

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\

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.•X:

AIA1» OF

iilHTISH CDLVMB'iA

/'..». /.I) AV».'

.Vol/. J SinlaUUtIrt

"•m^tiir .

"i*>^ittim

rio-

-fw

ITT

bniitt>>">' Wtiit ' "■»■" ""

The Spani

Artka
EonsE-
Gray-
QaiMPi

The h

tinct era
md dipl(
)f the do
riie secc
traders 1
)eople ol
servants
itil 184
^cgin on

l^vhich the
lominant
lame, anc
1858, wh(

)rder of t
'he fourt

Colonies a

HISTORY

BEITISH COLUMBIA.

CHAPTER I.

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES,

[he Spaniards on the Coast of British CoLUMniA — Perez, Heceta, and
Akteaoa — Expedition of Jamhs Cook — Hanna — Maurelle— La Pfi-

RonSE— I'ORTLOCK AND DlXOX — GuiSE — LoWRIE — BARCLAY — MeaRES^

Gray — Kendrick — Martinez — Haro — Colnett — Douglas — Elisa—

QUIMPER— GaLIAXO and VaLD^IS — BODEOA Y CaADRA — VaNCODVEE.

The history of British Columbia comprises six dis-
tinct eras. First, the discoveries, claims, disputations,
ukI diplomacies relative to the ownership and division
)f the domain, commonly referred to as Nootka Affairs,
^lie second epoch begins with the coming of the fur-
traders by land, by way of Peace River, first the
lenple of the Northwest Company, hard followed by
servants of the Hudson's Bay Company; and continues
until 1849, when colonization and colonial government
)cgin on Vancouver Island. The third term, during
[which the Hudson's Bay Company are still everywhere
loininant, ruling Vancouver Island in the queen's
lame, and the Mainland in their own name, lasts until
1 858, when the gold discovery overturns the existing
)rdor of things, and raises the Mainland into a colony.
"'he fourth historic period, during which there are two
polonies and two governors, concludes with the union

UiKX. liBiT. Col. 1 (4>

I SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOVAfJES.

of the Island and Mainland under one colonial govcr-
nient in 18GG. The afl'airs of the consolidated colony
constitute the fifth era, terminating in confederation
with Canada in 1871. What follows may be called,
at this present writing, the sixth and last period.

For more than three hundred years after the begin-
ning of European occupation on the North American
Pacific seaboard, its largest island remained practi-
cally untouched.

It is true that since Cortds built vessels at Zacatula
for South Sea explorations, Fuca and Maldonado had
made their hypothetical observations of the Anian
opening, had told the much expectant world the won-
drous tale of the long looked for ocean highway,
found at last, which should let pass vessels through
the continent, straight from Europe to India, tvhich
passage, indeed, this monster isle would seem some-
what inconveniently to obstruct; it is true, that somej
two hundred years after these reputed first discov-
eries of the Spaniards, navigators had surveyed thei
Island's shores, that British, Russian, and American
trading- vessels had anchored in its bays and inlets,
and that on its seaward side many strange scenes,
many thrilling tragedies had been performed — it was
there that occurred the first pitched quarrel between
Spain and England for the territories adjacent; and
there the Boston and the Tonquin were captured, and
their crews mastiacred — yet all who hitherto had couiel
bad gone their vvav, leaving to the aboriginal tenants
their sea-skirte'l r'omain in all its primeval quietude.]

More than any happening thus far on the North-
west Coast, more than the later bluster at Fortl
Astoria, or the bristling at Stikeen, the seizing and!
sending to San Bias of two English vessels by Mar-
tinez, in 1789, and the planting of a Spanish batteryl
at Nootka caused commotion among the bellicousl
nations of Europe, as has been fully shown in ni)|
History of the Northwest Coast.

SPAIN, ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND RUSSIA. t

Perez, Ilcccta, and Cuadra had explored and taken
)o,s.scssion of the Nootka country for Spain in 1774-9,
it which time there were no signs of European oc-
cupation in this vicinity. James Cook, who touched
)it Nootka in 1778, and La Pdrouse, who visited the
[joast in 1786, brought to the knowledge of the world
ho unappropriated wealth of furs which floated in
[hcsc waters, and the arrival of the Russians on

t\.

v:"

"^,0.

•■.. <n

■^c^""'

,\v<e«thor

830\_

831 \

833\

il.

laJV

Cook's Map, 1788.

inierican shores. For several years this source of
iwealth remained untouched, though much ill feeling
kvas caused among rival claimants. In 1788 Spain
|\vas induced to send Martinez and Haro northward,
iiid later occurred the disputes at Nootka, ail of
kvliich have been fully related in previous volumes of

ly works.*

England had offered twenty thousand pounds to the
British subject who should discover and sail through

' Resides the History of the Northwfut Coast, ace early volumes of Hx»tory
W Oreijon, Iliatory of Valijbrnia, aud IJistory qf 'ir North Mexican State*.

4 SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

any passage uniting the Atlantic and Pacific, north of
the fift\'-second parallel. Under instructions cai-efully
to examine the coast north of latitude 65° only, Janus
Cook strikes the shore of Drake's New Albion just
above latitude 44°, coasts northward giving names to
capes Perpetua, Gregory," Foulweather, and Flattery :
closes his eyes to the River Columbia and to Fuca
Strait, pronouncing them non-existent;^ and enteivs
an inlet which he names King George Sound, but
which the natives call Nootka.'* Skins of the bear, fox,
wolf, deer, polecat, marten, raccoon, and sea-otter are
brought by the guileless savage, who is eager for brass |
and iron, caring nt»tliing for glass beads, thereby show-
ing his knowledge of metals, and his appreciation of!
their value. Continuing his searcli for a strait north- 1
westward, the illustrious navigator departs from tlie
coast, wilfully oblivious of the existence of the great
islands and entrances adjacent.^

Following Cook, Captain Hanna crosses from Chii;aj
in 1785, and again in the following year he appears in

' Arago.

" Wliicli sooms a little singular; for though his search projior for iiitn-
oceanic coninninic-ation did not begin at t\n^ point, yet being on the coawt lnr|
the ex]iress jmrpose of finding round or througli it a passage by water, wl
should hardly expect to find the famous discoverer passing by the luouLh ni
the t'ohunbia while writing of the discoveries of Martin de Aguilar in llMtt:
'It is w<irtli oliserving that in the very latitude where we now were geojrraj
pliers have been pleased to place a large entrance or strait, the iliseovery (ij
which tliey take upon them to ascribe to tlie same iiavi;' itor; w hereas notliinii j
more is mentioned in the account of his voyage than his having seen, in tlii
fiituation, a large river, which he would have entered, liut was preventtVii
by the currents.' Still more strange is it when off Cape Flattery, with
strait under his very eyes, he should, press northward, saying: 'It is in lliis|
very latitude where w^j now were that geographers havephiced the preteail
strait of Juan de Fuca. But we saw nothing like it; nor is there tlie h istl
jiroliability that ever any such thing existed.' t'oo/(-'.< To*/., ii. 'Jill -H. C'ii:i|
sidering his mission. Captain Cook's survey of the coast in tliese latitudes mh
ccrtaiidy superticial. By chance he was correct in his conclusions, tluiuiih itl
VDuld have been in a little better taste to liave avoided the supercilious str:iiii|
in whidi he pronounces the discoveriei. of the Spaniarils forgeries.

■• Between what he calls Point Breakers, which Ik; places in latitude 4;l'|
l.T, and wiiat ho calls Woody Point, which he places in latitude M', ' llkj
shore forms a large bay, whicli I called Hope Bay; hoping, from the ap[H ;ir-
anee of tlie land to tiiid in it a good harbour.' ('ooi''.v I ny., ii. '2M.

" ' Wo wiTO now iia.ssing the place wliei;e geographers have placeil the \<n-
tended strait of Admiral de Foiite. I'or my own part, I give no credit to muIi
vague and improbable stories, that carry their own confutation ah)iig v itii
tliem.' Cooks I'oi/., ii. 343. It is but fair to add, thatwlieu iu this latitmlua
gile obliged him to ktep well out to sea.

PORTLOCK AND DIXOX. 5

the Sea-Otter, and conducts a profitable trade with

lliu natives if Nootlca.'' And now is formed the Kini^

jrcoro-e's Sound Company, wliich is to monopohze the

'orthwest Coast fur-trade; and there come to the

toast in 1787, by way of the Hawaiian Islands and

laska, Captain Portlock with the ship Kimj Geovye,

l!ul in the Queen Charlotte George Dixon, the latter

risiting and giving names to Cloak Bay, Hip])a

Island, Dixon Strait, and Queen Charlotte Islands,

it which last named place alone he secures eighteen

hundred and twenty-one fine otter-skins. Then ar-

|i\iiig off Nootka, he sails away without entering/

.his same year we find another quite successful

English trader at Nootka Sound in the ship Imperial

^liijle, Captain Barclay,"* v.dio coasts to Barclay Sound,

fiving his name to the place, sends thence a boat's

lew into what was later nam^d Fuca Strait, after

rhich, dropping below Flattery, some of his men

ic murdered near where a portion of Bodega y

'uadra's crew in 1775 suffered a like fate.

The following summer, Mearcs arrives in the Feliee,
Jul after erecting a house at Friendly Cove," in
Kiotka Sound, and leaving there a party to build a
jssL'l, he proceeds southward, visits the village of

"Captain Guise, in the Experiment, was nlso tuoro in the summer of 1780,
J we'll iia Captain Lowrie of the ship Cnjil.tiin Cnik, from mIiIcIi latter vesstl
lo sur;;t;on, an Irishmnn named John Melvi \ , Inint; ill was placed on .shore,
Jieio ho remained for more than one year. He was Htrip])od ot his elothiiij^ 1)/
le natives, and made to conform to their ensioms. lie learned somewiiat of
leir lani,'uagc, ' made freiiucnt incursions into the interior ])arts of the country
luut King (joorgo's Sound, and did not tiiinK anj' part of it was the eonti-
liit (if tVmeriea, but a chain of detached Islands ' The man and liis opinions,
jwovcr, were derided by the navigators. Tiic following year, 17!ST, tiio
'(• ttf Walen, Captain Colnett, the I'rhteesH lioyiil. Captain Duncan, and
Imp rial L'ajle, Captain Barclay, were at Nootka.

' 111 liid preface P': > » scourges Maurelle for failing to do what Cook failid
jilo; he isolated, ' ■ ^elf, for having made tho discovery of (Jiicen Ciiarlolto
lands, for which, indeed, he is entitled to all praiat!. It was, however, only
piiiiso with him, as he never circumnavigated tho island. Its complete sei-
ktiini from the mainland was ascertained by Duncan the following year,
jio lalled tho isles adjacent, as was theij tho fashion, from iiia ship, rrmcess
r 'il Ai'vliipelago. See vol. i. p. 180 for Dixou's map.
^ Written also Berkely.
".Sec Uri:e7ihow'ii Or. and Cal,, 151.

6 SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

Wicananiah in Clayoquot Sound, which he nahiesj
Port Cox/'* passes on to the entrance of Fuca Strait-
so named by Jiini — and down the coast to Destruc-j
tion Island/' Shoalwater and Deception bays, .iiul
capes Disappointment and Lookout,'" off which latter!
point he turns and retraces his course to Barclavj
Sound, which he enters, and anchors in a bay toj
which he gives the name of Port Etfinghani/'^ Thcrej
the natives bring to him a plentiful supply of salmoiij
shell-fish, wild onions, and the fruits of the foresti
Under the first officer, Robert Duffin, the long-b i;it|
with twelve men is sent to explore the strait, a,
enters several coves and harb(H's along the southeni|
shore of Vancouver Island to trade. After saili!!j
some thirty leagues, far enough to perceive that tliJ
water to the east-north-east increased rather thaij
diminished,'* the party is furiously attacked by iiaJ
tives in two catioes, and driven back wounded to tlitj
ship; after wliich Meares returns with his ship ti
Nootka, where, not long after, the Iphlgeiiia, Captaiii
Douglas, and the sloop Washington, Captain (Ji'avJ
arrive. The new vessel is christened the yortlucm
America,^'' and launched.

'° ' In honor of our frieml John Henry Cox, Esquire. '

" When; was aituateil tlio 'vilhigo of Oueeiiliithu,' and some seven luilej
distant 'tlie town of CJueenuitutt, ' liiosf inliahitanta were nian-catingpenii
The country round Cape Flattery lie calls Tatootuhe, and the island Tiitcii'tl
die iMland. Having carefully seai'ched for the Rio de San Roque of til
Spa".iards, he might now safely assert that no such stream exists.

'^To which he gives their nanu^s, as well as to Cape Shoalwater, soiitli'
the entrance, and to Mount Olympus. This coast ho calls New Alljion, 1»1
lowing l)rake and Cook.

'■' ' The port is sulliciently capacious to contain an Imndred sail of slii|ii|
and so fortunately sheltered as to secure them from any storm. The amln
age is also good, heing a soft mud, and tlie watering place perfectly coiivii
nient.' Mi'hixh' To//., 172.

'^ ' Such an extraordinary circumstanco tilled us with strange conjectimi
as to the extremity of tliis strait, which we concluded, at all events, cdiiJ
not he any great distiince from lluilson's liay.' Medrrn' Vol/., 179.

'■' ' Being the first hottom ever Imilt and launched in this part of the ghiKj
Meares, I'o;/., 2'i(), gives a fnllpiige illustration of the launching of thi.s
amidst the flying of tlags, the boom of cannon, and the shouts of the sav.ipj
In the liackground is the two-story house erected for the u.se of his men vi
engaged in ouilding the vessel, and in tlie ilistance, round a high rocky pniJ
ontoi'y, is seen the Indian village, with the sloop \V anhiwjtoii, uuchoreilf
front of it.

MEARES AND GRAY.

e names I
Strait— j
Destruc-

,ays, -ludj
ich latter!
Bai'clayl
a bav to I
'■^ fhcrel
)f salmon,!
he forest.j
lonj_'-b m:|
itrait, am
3 southei'i
Der saili!>.J
i that tliJ
,ther thail
ed by m
:lcd to tlij
lis ship
in, Captaii^
tain ^Arayl
yorthicd

)me seven milej

ii-catingpei'pl'
islaiut Tiiti»'t|
Roque of tl^

Ists.

]\vati:r, south'^
jw Allnou, fii

1(1 sail of i^Uil
The ami'.'
lierteetly cniivij

liigo conjectuR
11 events, (.'("'l

1 Hit. , _

Ji-t of the filu'^l
]iug of tlii.-< ii'"
J ol the saviij:^
If his men vli|
l^h rocky l'i'"|

^^i^

Meakks' Map.

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOVA(tES.

While yet are lying at Nootka the Ijthigona, Felice,
and Northwest America, which in due time take their
departure, a A'cssei from Boston enters the harbor,
tlie Columbia, Captain Kendrick. This vessel and
the WasJii)ir/fon winter at Xootka, 1788-9.^"' On his
way up the coast, Gray had been attacked by the
natives at Tillamook Buv.

Meanwhile, violent measures were adopted by the
Spa; i"-"' aiid dhected against the British traders
at !No. the distempers of which reached Madrid

and Lou-, a, and culminated in the Xootka conven-
tion, 1790. The fortification erected at Nootka by
Martinez in 1789 was temporarily abandoned before
the end of the year, but not before the arrival of Gon-
zalo de Haro and the seizure of the Argonaut, Cohiett
commanding, the Ipldgenia, which had returned to
Xootka in charge of William Douglas, tlie North-
vest America, and the Princess Royal, for attempting
to found establishments within Spanish dominions.
^Martinez sent two of his j)rizes to Mexico, while
Haro in the ^an Carlos prosecuted discoveries. The
following spring, Xootka was reoccupied by the Span-
iards under Elisa, who established tliere a Spanish
st^ttlement, for which supplies were brought from San
Bias by tlie Californian transports.

This same year, 1790, ^lanuel Quimper, command-
ing the Priiiccsa Real, one of the three vessels under
Llisa, sailed from Xootka the 31st of May to continue
t!ie exploration possibly begun by Haro in Fuca Strait
the year previous. Touching at several points on the

'"Oil Mcarcs' iiKq) tlie entire seaboard from Fuca Strait to Alaska is laid
down as ail i,5laii(l, or a grouji of i laiidis, willed tlie Xortheni AreliilielajiO
and I'l'iiiL'e.sH Royal l.dands, west of wliich are the ' (^>iieeu Charlotte's Isles,
Ko iiaincd by Captain Dixon in 17S7, lirst discovered hy captains Lowrie and
(l.iise i:i ITHC); ' and on the eastern side, 'sketch ot the track of the Ainericau
Fhiop Wdsliiii'itoii, in autnnin 1 T.'^O, ' while beyond to tlie ea.itwarrl ii still 'the
sea, and yet farther 'land seen.' ()n his way n[i thecoa.st, (ir.iy h ul attempted
to enter the Colnmbia, but failed; and the f<illowiii^ summer, .vhile yet in
co::,mand of the W'us/.iirj'oii, he had explored the eastern shoij of Queen
< iiarlotto l.dand, which ho callcil Washington 1. la:i 1. Then, taking' coiii-
liiin I of the (\)'.iniih'i i, (Jray retisnied to Ronton; an 1 in a s(!eond "oyayo to
the Northwest Coivst eutcrovl and named tho Columbia liiver.

south -A
\essels
Port S\
contini
Eusebi(!
wliich l\
of

I'OV

111 varu

th(

coun

him in t

<•

.?^

■-■

■^

■'>.

Pti

'^■J-

V'/s—

i^S

'r- ®

continued
Dt'ocher I
or four iuL

" Aftcrwar
rnmbos [in'ixiii
(litre tres li qu
iluiitro do una
1 '■( ])ilotosal r<
/'"■'iiiociniiciito
text of tho on
!^ inu'what mod
iiiiw reached K
'"xMipicd, !ind
lii^^iiig placed I

MANUEL QUIMPER.

I, Felice,
:e their
harbor,
sel and
On his
by the

by the
traders
Madrid
couven-
otka by
I before
of Gon-
Cohiett
irned to
i Nortli-
.empting
iniuioTis.
o, while
s. The
c Span-
S[)aiiish
oiu San

inniand-
Is under
lontinue
li Strait
on the

bka is liiiil
Irc'liiiiclami
tto's Isliw,
(owiic mill
lAiueriucin

still 'the
littuinptuJ
Tile yet in
I (if Quucii

viiig' coni-
l-oyago to

south-west side of the Island before visited by trading-
\essels, on the 11th of Juno he entered and named
P(n't San Juan, where he remained four days. Thence
continuing, he passed two points, which he called San
Eusebio and San Antonio, and entered Soke Inlet,
which he named Revilla Gigedo in honor of the vice-
roy of Mexico. Landing, ho made short excursions
in various directions, and, following his instructions,
on the 23d of Juno he took formal possession of the
country for the King of Spain. Contrary winds kept
liiiu in this port until the 28th, when, setting sail, he

•D

•*>

-§ l!.;vi|la IJiuido iCv,,

, ISL.DL DA ROSA V^'^|2^Pia.(ie Moror.o do la Vti

Al J /I. U it S A

Pta.d(. MeriEndez'^

Quimper's Map.

continued east -south -cast, and passed tlio present
Bcecher Bay, and the same day entered between three
ur four inlets a beautiful harbor which he named Elisa."

"Afterward Peddcr Bay. 'El mismo dia so Icvaron y navegando por
ruinlios [H-iixinios al lossuoate, costoaron dos grandcs ciiscuiidas y cutiaron por
citru trcs o quatro islillus y otra grande inmediata, ;l la tlcrra liasta liallaiso
(k'utro do una boUa baliia (|uc llamaron de I'^lisa, en dondo anclaron y fiioroa
In jidotosal rcco'iociniionto do aqucllos parajea pruxinios.' Qnhnixr, Scuuiulo
H'liitiuciiniciito lie Ir Eutmda dc Fucn, in Vimji's ol Xorlv, MS., No. 11. Tho
text of tho original is here qnito confusing, and but for tho appendix, which
s iiiK'what moditics and explains it, ono might suppose the voyagiTs to havo
iiiiu' reached Ks(|uinialt IJay. Hut by noticing tho direction sailed, the time
ii'oiiiiicd, and by a careful comparsion of tho relative latitutles given— Kli.sa
bciii',' placed one minute farther south thati lievilla Gigedo, while tho uext

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

On tlie 30tli, tlie vessel proceeded round to Royal
Bay, which Quiniper called Solano ; and the same day
he moved the ship up into Esquimalt Harbor, which
he named Valdes. While there the vessel lay at an-
chor, Quimper sent out in small boats his pilots, who,
five leagues to the eastward, discovered besides several
i'slands a broad passage extending toward the west-
north-west, and losing itself in the distance This
passage or strait was called Haro, in honor of his
sailing-master.

It was observed that a short distance to the east-
ward of Valdes Baj', or Esquimalt, was another bay,
which tlicy pronounced "a port of good shelter, water,
and wild seeds for which the Indians came in canoes
from the rther side of the strait." This was Victoria
Harbor, to which Quimper gave the name of Cor-
doba. ^^ While there the natives brought fruit and
roots, not having skins to trade. Indeed, says Quim-
per, they did not need to kill animals for food, their
rich soil providing them abundance; and as for cloth-
ing, the tribes contiguous, even as far away as the
mouth of li'uca Strait, were glad to bring furs, and
give them in exchange for these natural products, of I
which they regularly laid in a winter's supply. This
quiet life, moreover, seemed to make these savages
less ferocious than their beast-killing neighbors.'''

On the 4th of July, Quimper crossed with his ves-l
sel to New Dungeness Point, which he named Santa
Cruz, and behind which he anchored, calling the plare
Quimper Bay.^" Soon the natives appeared with

anchorage, which wc shall find to ho the entrance to Esquimalt Bay, is several
minutua nortli of Elisa, or Soke Harhor — the positions of the several staticiasl
heconie quite clear.

"'Cor(lol)a Bay aa laid down on. modem maps is niisplacea; that is, if in-
tended as the Coiiloba liay of Quimper. First, it does not correspond to tiiiil
well-sheltered port described hy Quimper; nor does it appear that either I
Quimper or his pilots ever entered Haro Strait so far. I

"See Niilire Races, i. 174-207. ' En cuya demora hallaron un puerto (iue|
llamaron de Cordolja do apreciables abrigos, uguas, y seniillas silvestres ilo
que saliau provistas algunas canoas de los puertos quo se liallan fuera ilfl
seno. ' Quimper, Sei/timlo Reconochniento (/« In Eiitrndn de Fiicn. I

'■"• 'El mismo dia por la tarde aiiclarou alabrigo do unapunta quo llaniarnnj
de Saiita Cruz, donde eiicontrarou uu abrigado puerto do pooa agua projiio I

mussels

and fea

out in

an adm

Cuadra

Admira

niano, \

land rur

tliey na

turned i

for Xo(

obliged ■

(.lays, vf.

the sout

on the i

naming i

Sol em

cliarges <

of tlie cc

and aftei

on the 3o

vented en

Tlie e:

the inter(

firm the 1

The very

to coinpk

Carlos, of

of seven.

of seeking

the coast

continued

for tlie St]

examine C

para las emha
Quinnifr. ' ,y,y!.
^' Port Disc(
" The forme
'■' The native
^' Barclay 8i

i ''3

TAKING POSSESSION.

i i

mussels, fisli, deer meat, mats, skins, tanned leather,
a; id feathered blankets to trade. The pilots, starting
out in small boats, and exploring eastward, came to
an admirable liarbor,^^ which they called Bodega y
Cuadra, with an island in front of it. The nature of
Admiralty Inlet, which he called Ensenada de Caa-
mauo, was mistaken, and from this point, along the
land running nortiiward, they saw two openings, which
tlicy named Fidalgo and Deflon.^' Then they re-
turned to the vessel. On the 18th, Quimper sot sail
for Xootka, but by reason of adverse winds was
ol)liged to enter Valdes Bay, where he remained tliree
days, when he again weighed anchor, and coasting
the southern side of Fuca Strait toward its entrance,
on the 24th came to Neah Bay, which he entered,
naming it Puerto de Nunez Gaona.^^

Solemnly again on the 1st of August, amidst dis-
cliarges of musketry and artillery, he took possession
of the country, wishing without fail to secure it all;
and after repairing his vessel and sounding the bay,
on the 3d he sailed away for Nootka, but being pre-
vented entrance by a gale, he proceeded to Monterey.

Tlie explorations of Quimper served only to whet
tlie interest of the Spanish authorities, and to con-
firm the belief in an interoceanic strait in this quarter,
The very next year, accordingly, Elisa received orders
to complete this survey, and at once prepared tlie San
Carlos, of sixteen guns, and the schooner Horcasifas,
of seven. He left X( otka in May with the intention
of seeking the sixtieth parallel, and thence to follow
tlie coast southward to Fuca Strait, but the winds
continued contrary, and he was obliged to sail direct
for the Strait. Leaving the schooner on ^Fay 2rth, to
examine Carrasco Inlet,'^* he proceeded with the San

4
9

-4

para las cmliarcaciones pequeflas, y alU toinaron posesiou Uaniiiudolo de
Qiiiiiijic'i'. ' Scijnmlo liecoimcintii'iito i/c In Eiifniiln, de Fiiea.

^' I'ort Discovery.

'''' 'L'lio former was evidently the present liosario Strait.

'■'■' Tlui native name waa Quiuicaniet.

"'Barclay Sound.

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

Pta.J<

•-"c-rronl

>y^

.•ei.\\- //is d

■^ Sn.Jose

i^Ptii.v-^Bajode

Vto.de Nra.^^ 5,^0 ^o^ ^.- .^ ^ <> #,.. .uc. 1 r, .

AiWuaV"-. ,^?>^ •■•'' ^'^ \Pta.dt. Herrera ] '"."-'""^A \ C

siy Boca Jc V/iiivasifdS^X <'t~,_N /^ ' ''

.t'.i"'i'r^^_-'.'r^L-,5yEMJ'.''. _..m'to:(5el Socorro'

IS. DEO .,'V.' - ■ , , j-.e-v,

. . I^DI'I' 'A , .- r:r^-. fiilEME'.<^

^•

■%>.

1(1 30

Eusa'h Map.

"' ' Recoiiocf
ii'ia y media im

SURVEY OF IIAIIO STRAIT.

Ci'irlos to C6rcloba Harbor. On May 3Lst, the armed
launcli wasdespatclicd under Verdia, tlie second j>//o to,
to explore Haro Strait, but returned the same day
with the report that a Heet of canoes liad surrounded
the launch, and made such hostile demonstrations that
tiie crew had been obliged to resoi-t to fire-arms.
Observing more Indians on shore preparing to reiin-
force the enemy, Verdia deemed it prudent to return,
alter having sunk a big canoe and killed several natives.

In view of this contrdevips, Elisa resolved to
Mait for the return of the schooner before sending
(lilt another expedition. She arrived twelve days
lati^r, with an account of the archipelago and branches
of tlie Carrasco Inlet. The examination of the in-
terior channels had been effected for three leagues
only, owing to the stormy weather and the hostility
of the Indians, who had on three occasions to be in-
timidated with grape-shot, fired at a high range so as
not to injure them.

Elisa now instructed Piloto ^osd Maria Xarvaez to
take the schooner and launch, with thirty sailors and
eight Catalonian volunteers, and make a four days'
minute examination of the Haro Strait. He set sail
on June 14th, and entered the strait along the western
shore, with the intention of afterward letting the ves-
sels explore one of the sides each; but on reachmg a
o'lcmp of islands above the present Cordoba Bay, this
ider. was found impracticable. An anchorage was
souglit for the night close to the east shore of Vaii-
conver Island, evidently near the present Coal Island;
and the next morning Narvaez steered eastward, to-
ward the large opening which had been noticed the
day before. After })assing several islands, he was
ohliged to enter for a few hours into the small harb :
of San Antonio.^" The same morning, he entered to

ill

: 'ti

\ !

-fKf-

"■^ ' Recnnocl un buen puerto annque pefjueno pucs lo mas largo de ol ticne
iiiKi y ine<lia millas, y lo mas anclio una, pero rosguardaila de todo vioiito. . .y
sc liiilla situado eii lo mas sur de la isla de Sayas.' Elind's VoyiKjv, 1791, in
I'fi]iii-!< rchtliiitj In till' Treaty of Wasldnijtoii, v. 17li. This ia clearly licdwell
Hiirlior on Tender Island.

SUMMARY OF E'ARLIEST \'0YAGE.S.

examine the present Plumper Sound, and then rounded
East point on Saturna Island,"" to behold spreading out
l)efore him, as far as his eyes could see, a very wide canal.
This being the most important discovery made so far,
he resolved to name it in honor of the i)atron saint of
the expedition, El Gran Canal de N"" S" del Rosario,
la marinera,. the Gulph of Georgia of Vancouver.'^

Narvaez explored this canal very nearly to the
mouth of Johnstone Strait, noting a number of
places on his map, and among them the entrance to
Nanaimo harbor, which he names Wenthuysen, Tejada
Island, and the mouths of Eraser River. ■'^'*

The explorati(m in Fuca Strait and adjoining waters
terminated on August 7th, when Elisa withdrew to
seek remedies for his scurvy-stricken crew and the
failing larder. He himself had been confined by
sickness during the greater part of the time.'"^^

Galiano and Valdes m the ships Sutil and Mexi-
cana leave Mexico soon after to prosecute discoveries
round Vancouver Island, which expedition we shall
encounter later.

By the terms of settlement which followed the dis-
turbances at Nootka, Spain was to restore all property
seized, and England was neither to navigate nor to fish
within ten leagues of any spot occupied by Spaniards;
elsewhere the navigation of the Northwest Coast
should be free to both powers. And in the execu-
tion of these terms, commissioners appointed on either
side were to meet at Nootka for the settlement of
British claims.

George Vancouver,

being about to sail for the

^ Marked as Pt" <le Sta Satumina on filisa's map.

'•" ' En el medio de el se distinguia com a perder de vista iin pequeflo.cerro,
& moda de Pan de Azucar, siendo adverttiicia que los estremc*! 6 puiitas do
tiurra que formaii este canal ea serrania iiuiy elevada, cubierta de nieve. ' //).

'"* These are marked as openings between some islands, but behind them,
on the continent, is laid down a wider inlet, Boca de Floriila Blanea, which
the Spanish explorers of the following year identified with Burrard Inlet.

■■" Sutil y Mexicana, Viage, 2.

'" At this time lieutenant, afterward post-captain in the British navy.
He had served as midshipman with C.iptain Cook during his second and third

ro-vages. After 8(
|"i 17118, while the
I ^'.Mcares, Voy.

'''^'-'e Vancouvi

BODEGA Y CUADRA AND VANCOUVER.

Pacific on an exploring tour, is commissioned to act
for Eiiiiland, and Dcm Juan Francisco de la B()doi«;a
V Cuadra, for Spain. Vancouver appears upon the
coast, near Cape Mendocino, in the sloop of war Dis-
covery, with the armed tender Chatham, Lieutenant
Broughton, master, in April 1792, which was the
month following the departure of Bodega y Cuadra
from San Bias with the Santa Gertrudis, Activa, and
Priucesa. Coasting northward, and scattering names
freely on the way, Vancouver calls Trinidad Head
Kocky Point; next, Point St George, "and the
very dangerous cluster of rocks extending from
thence, the Dragon Rocks," also St George Bay, fol-
lowed by Cape Orford, in honor of his "much re-
spected friend, the noble earl," and Point Grenville,^^
"after the Right Honorable Lord Grenville." The
points Mearcs named he recognizes, and among them
Cape Disappointment and Deception Bay, though
like the others he passes unobserved the entrance to
the Columbia River, which otherwise v.'ould certainly
1 have liad another name, and perhaps another liistory.
As Vancouver nears Fuca Strait he meets the ship
Columbia, Captain Gray, who is astonished at the
stories told of him in England, that he " had made a
very singular voyage behind Nootka," in the sloop
Washington, True, he had seen Dixon entrance, and
I had passed into Fuca Strait some fifty miles, where
he had been told by the natives of an extensive open-
ing to the northward, but he had returned where he
had entered. In latitude 46° 10', he had discovered
the mouth of a river, "where the outlet or reflux was
so strong as to prevent his entering it for nine days."^"^
He had passed the winter at Clayoquot Harbor, wheio
Jhe had erected a fortification, naming it Fort Defiance,
land had built a vessel, calling it the Adventure, which

■A M

jyoyagea. After serving in the West Indies and elsewhere, he died in England
jin 17118, while the iiarrativo of his voyages was jjassing tlirougli the press.
I ^' Mcares, Voy., 1G9, gave the same name to a headland just above Cape
|Look(iiit.

^'!Sue Vancouver's Voy., i. 215.

SUMMARY OF EA1UJE.ST V()YA(IE.S.

lie liatl sent to Queen Charlotte Islands. After wliicli
parley, oaeli sails his way.

Passing between Tatooch Island and a ruck to
which is o'iven tlie name of Duncan, the Rcsolnlioii
and Dii^covcry enter Fuea Strait, and on the 30t]i
of April anchor near a "low sandy ]»oiiit of land,
which from its threat resemhlance to Dunjjfeness in
the British Channel," V^ancouver calls New Dunge-
ness. The lolty mountain toward the north-east, "dis-
covered in the afternoon by the third lieutenant," is
in coini>lim Mit to him called Mount Baker. Survey-
ing thence in small boats. Protection Island, Port
Discovery, into which the shii)s are moved, and Port
Townsend are seen and named, the last "in honor
of the nolde manpiis of that name." An inferior poiiit
receives the name of an inferior person, Hudson.
Some difficulty is exi)erienced in obtaining fresli
water, but the country is pronounced charming, li
every move new l)eauties appearing. The 7th of
Vancouver embarks in the Discovery s yawl, witJi iHs
launch and the Chathavis cutter, with a five days'
suj)ply of stores. Dining at P(jrt Townsend, the cliff I
adjacent seemingly composed of indurated clay is called
Marrowstono Point, while the round snowy peak thatj
glistens in the soutli-west is called Mount liainier
"after my friend Rear- Admiral Kainier." Oak Covol
and Hazel Point are so named on account of the trees
there ; Foulweather Blulf, because the M'eather changes
wluMi })assing it. Hood Canal is entered, and named
"after tiie liight Honorable Lord Hood;" upon the i
land and its people comments are passed, and the com-
mander returns to the ships.

Leavhig now the Chatham, with instructions toi
Broughton to make observations in that vicinity, and
then to follow, on the 18th Vancouver enters with tlit'l
Discovery the inlet he calls Admiralty, and the next
day orders a ])arty in the launch and cutter, undeij
Peter l^uget, lieutenant, and Joseph Whidbey, master,
to precede him, discover, and reuort, while with uiurel

UlST. Bbi

GEORGE VANCOUVER.

ck to

il alio II

I aotli

land,

less in
)uu!i;i'-
:, "dis-
mt," is
lurvcy-
i, Tort
d Port
I liontir
)r poiiit
ludson.
f fresh

k " ^'

vitli iUs
e days'
blic clill'!
IS called 1
ak tliat I
llainier
i\i Cove I
he trees i
changes
nanudi
pon tilt-'
he coin-
Lions to I

[ity, «'»^^
;itli tliel

Jic next I
undt-'i'l
niastev, ■
bli more

"i -^' t^'i. ^.^ y^ %-f — t ■ \v>sg3Pt.Fr«V)ai

VAvrorvEii's Map, No. 1.
UiBT. Brit. Col. %

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

comfortable leisure he sounds the channel, makes
short excursions, examines strange sights, and bathes
in new beauties. While thus engaged, on the 23d
Port Orchard is seen, and the next day named "after
the gentleman who discovered it."

Broughton now appears with the CliatJiam and
informs Vancouver that to the north of Port Dis-
covery is an archipelago, beyond which is a large arm
of the sea. Impatient of delay, on the 26th Van-
couver sets out in the yawl, leaving orders with
Broughton, should Pugot and Whidbey return,
to have the arm running easterly examined. The
result is the discovery and naming of Vashon Island,
"after my friend Captain Vashon of the navy," and
"to commemorate Mr Puget's exertions," Pugot
Sound being applied only to the southern extremity
of Admiralty Inlet. Next the explorers enter that
arm of the inlet extending toward the north-east,
and on the king's birthday, the 4th of June, take I
formal possession of the coast country, and so call the
place Possession Sound. The open Avater beyond
the islands is called the Gulf of Georgia, and the
continent adjacent and extending southward to the
forty-fifth parallel, New Georgia, "in honor of his
present Majesty." The western arm of this branchj
of Admiralty Inlet is called Port Gardner, "after!
Vice- Admiral Sir Alan Gardner," the smaller eastorni
one. Port Susan. ^^ Pcnn Cove is so named "in honor|
of a particular friend."

Passing northward out of Admiralty Inlet, Point!
Partridge, directly opposite Penn Cove, and Pointj
Wilson, "after my much esteemed friend Captainj
Geor'go Wilson of the navy," and Deception Passagel
are named. Sending frequent parties in boats un(l|
on shore in various directions, the expedition continucl
through Rosario Strait, which, however, is not liorer

''Vancouver's conception of thecliaractcrand extent of these sheets of wateij
was iniite erroneous, and nioilern maps almost er';hdn^;e tiieir icl;itive uumif
and positions. In proof of which wo have hiter in this narrative, Uec'.'j'fi'''
passage leading into Port Gardner,

i !

akes

,thes

23cl

after

and
Dis-

It, Point!
Id Point!
I Captainl

Passage!
kits unci
Lutinuci
Vet Uevel

leetsof^atej

l,..,.„>liol|

Vancouver's Map, No. 2.

I ,1

i :

SUMMARY OP EARLIEST VOYAGES.

SO named, touching en route at a bay which they call
Strawberry Bay, on the shore of an island which,,
"producing an abundance of upright cypress," they
name Cypress Island, and passes on by Bellingham
and Birch bays, and points William, Francis, Roberts,
Grey, Atkinson, Gower, Upwood, and Scotch Fir to
Burrard and Jervis canals and Howe Sc , where
are Passage and Anvil islands. The us^ -1 sound
reasons are generally given in the naming, such as
"in compliment to my friend Captain George Grey
of the navy;" Roberts "after my esteemed friend
and predecessor in the Discovery;^ "after Sir Harry
Burrard of the navy;" "in honor of Admiral Earl
Howe;" "in honor of Admiral Sir John Jervis;"
and so on. Indeed, it were well for one coveting easy
immortality to be a friend of Captain Vancouver's
about this time, the aboriginal owners and occupants
being, like earlier Spanish navigators, wholly ignored
in this naming.'^*

At anchor, near Point Grey, on the 22d of June,
Vancouver being then out on a boat excursion discov-
ers two Spaiiish vessels of war, the brig Sutil, and
the schooner Mcxicana, Galiano commanding the for-
mer and Valdes the latter, both captains in the Span-
ish navy, sent by the viceroy of Mexico to continue
Spanish discovery through Fuca Strait. They hatl
Bailed from Acapulco in March, and from Nootka
early in June, had entered Fuca Strait and anchored
in the Puerto de Nunez Gaona, now Neali Bay.
There they found the Pruiccsa, under Salvador Fi-
dalgo, who had orders to plant in that vicinity a Span-
ish establishment similar to tliat at Nootka. Thence |
they crossed to Cordoba,"'' or Victoria, which they pro-

•* Sarah, Mary, un<l Sus.in must Imve been early inamoratas, or eUo rela-
tives of the commander and Ids frien<ls,

"^It beiag not ul)solutely certain that this port is Victoria, the C^rddlwl
of Quimper, I will jrive the author's own description of tlie place 'El l'u<'i'to
«lc <;;iM<l()l)a es iicrmoso y proporeiona bucn abrigo A los navegaiites; pero en
fl cacasea el agiia, si-gun vinios, y noa iuformii Tetacus; cl terreno cs muy tie-
aigual, do pocu ultura, y como mauilicstan lus ucrciiuias do poco espeaui la I

SUTIL Y MEXICANA.

nounced a beautiful harbor, but lacking water. From
Nufiez Gaona tl^y had brought, to Cordoba, Tetacus,
a chief of that country, whose village they visited ;
hut the natives were suspicious owing to the cannon-
ading inflicted during- the [)i'cvious year by the schooner
ISatununa in defence of the launch of tlie Sail Carlos,
which had accompanied her.

On the 10th of June, they left Cordoba, crossed the
iliunncl, and anchored on the east side of San Juan
Island,^'® such being the name it bears on tlieir map.
Thence passing through the strait south of what they
called Guemes Island, now Lawrence Island, to the
mainland, tliey proceeded northward to Point William,
which they called Point Solano, and anchored in the
northern part of Bellingham Bay, whicli tliey named
Seno de Gaston,^' There they grounded, and so re-
mained a few hours, when continuing their course
through Canal Pacheco, cast of Pacheco Island, now
called McLoughlin Island, they hugged the shore of
tlie mainland i)ast Birch Bay, which tlicy called En-
sc'iiada del Garzon, and entered Boundary Bay, naming
Peninsula de Cepeda and Punta de San Rafael.^'*

While seeking to pass Point Roberts, not having
yet mot Vancouver, they encountered Brougliton in
the Chatham, and after exchanuiny,' courtesies, Galiano
and Valdes continued close to the si lore, until, as they
aiiproached the mouth of Fraser River, tluy noticed
the water assume a different color, but before they
could discover the river, they were carried by the
tuiient out into the strait, and were forced to seek
aiK'Jiorage for the night on the otlier side, whicli they
found at a place called by them Anclage, on Galiano

injii do tierra ijiie hay soliru la picdra. Sin umbargo cs fortil, estd ciil>it'i'ta
Ik' arlioles y plantas, y ijsta.s iirddiKoumes sim (juasi las misinas ([uu las do
Nutkii, almudaudo mas los rosalos silvostros.' Siilil y Mcdirann, Viaiji', 4li-.S.

'''Thoir narrativo says Siii Juan Island, but it was probably Lopez Island
will ii; they canii/ to anchor, as in tiiuir map the two islands are joined.

' All tiiis, of course, was before Va ico\iver had been tliero.

■' The fonner applied to Point Roberts, and the latter to the northern point
"f I 'ray ton Harbor. The [>resent Boundary Bay is laid down on thoir map as
Kii-'riada del Kiigano, so called on account of their failure to find there a pas-
iHigc: iutu thu gulf of Guorgia, uiarked ou their map as Canal del itusurio.

■'J,

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

Island. Continuing, on the 1 oth they entered what they
called Portier Inlet, discovered the islands adjacent,
and, returning the same way, coasted the eastern side
of Valdes Island,^'' seeking Point Gaviola, failing to
find which they rounded Gabriola Island, and entered
through Wenthuysen Channel a port called Cala del
Descanso, now Nanaimo. Landing, they obtained
water and provisions from the natives, after which,
on the 1 Oth they embarked for the opposite side of the
strait, which they reached the following day, anchoring
off Point Grey, which they call Punta de Langara.

Very affable and polite are these strangers thus
meeting in the strange waters behind Nootka, who
are so ready on occasion to cut each other's throats.
The English invite the Spaniards to join expeditions.
Each with liberal courtesy shows the other what ho
has found. Galiano is surprised that Vancouver did
not discover Eraser River; for the Spanish explorers
who had the previous year passed along this coast,
had observed between points Roberts and Grey au
opening which was either an inlet or a river, and
which they located on their map, calling it Canal do
Eloridablanca,'"' and the present Spanish captains as
they but now approached their present anchorage had
noticed that the water thereabout was almost fresh,
and that in it were logs and dthris floating, sure evi-
dence of a stream near by. Vancouver, in common
with other explorers, had passed the Columbia with-
out observing it, under circumstances reflecting no
great credit upon his expedition, and now he is greatly
chagrined no less in being unable to discover large
rivers, after their existence has been told him, than
that the Spaniards should have been before him at
all in these parts. *^ Pie wonders how they can go

^"Soine modern maps give two islands the name Valdds, tliis being tlic
more soutiiern.

*" ' Named 1)y one of their officers Rio Blnnclio, in compliment to the tluu
prime-minister of Spain.' Vnni-onvi'r'n Voij., i. ,'{14.

*' 'I cannot avoid acknowledging,' lie writes. Voy., i. .SI2, 'that on this
occasion I cxpcrieuctd uo bmall degree of murtilicatiun.' ' En el auo outenor

MOVEMENTS OF THE SPANIARDS.

PjnfaC ^-'.c*' \

f I't.i.iU' \s> J>-

i^.iv-itovaii <Vi:o.rtc ^^

r
>.
o\

Cabo de

Yy .'^ P.«"ta da Zoballo*

^iM^adel Pesiu^r^- ■ 'H^^^^--^A X:x>

f "I

■'it

K t'^^l

::iii

|fl

f'U

» ->.l

.«

1 hH

i fjt'-a

S . H

Vl'jfi

i.t H

iR'" 1

"',• ■

•|

"}'■ 1

''> \ 1

~''^H '1

k'l

M;||

>i™

Its ^

t i|

J': ', 'i

Galiano'.s Map.

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

SO far and accomplish so much m a craft so ill suited
to voyages of discovery.*^

As regards the discoveries of the Spaniards before
liim in these parts, Galiano shows him a map on which
is laid down, besides much other new information,
Tejada Island and Rosario Strait.*'* Vancouver is
also informed that Cuadra awaits him at Nootka.
Then tlie Spaniards dine the English, and the English
dine tlie Spaniards, amidst profound punctilios; after
which they continue their explorations for a time
together, the Spaniards making now and then an ex-
cursion in one direction and the English in another.

On the 23d of Jii c^, entering Burrard Inlet, called
by them, on their map. Canal de Sasamat, the Indian
name of the place, and in their text, Eloridablanca,
indicative of the supposition that the stream they
found flowinii; into it was the true canal or river of
their predecessors, mistermed Blancho by Vancouver,
and later Eraser River, the Spaniards pass by Howe
and Jervis inlets, already examined by the English,
and the combined fleet sails on through Malaspina

habiau visto nuestros ofilciales del departameiito de San Bias a alguna dis-
tauoia esta parto de costa, y no dovisando lo mas baxo de ella habian creiilo
que las ticrnis inmediatas & Punta de Langara y la Peninsula de Cepeda fuescn
dos islas situadas en la boca del Canal de Floridablanca; asi las coloc^ron en
8u carta.' Siitll y Mcxicana, Viwje, G4.

" ' Thoy were each about 45 tons burden, mounted two brass guns, and
were navi;^atcd by ^4 men, bearing one lieutenant, without a single inferiiir
officer. Tiieir apartments just allowed room for sk'cping-places oneacli side,
with a table in the intermediate space, at which four persons, with some ditli-
culty, could sit, and were in all otlior respects the moat ill-calcidated and
unfit vessels that could possibly be imagined for such an expedition.' Van-
couver s Vol/., i. 313.

** Vancouver evidently misread this chart, as he calls the island Favida,
and places on his own map the 'Canal de Xciestra Sonora del 1'osario,' or
if we would choose between the bad Spanish of the maj) and that of the text,
the 'Canal del Neustra Signora del Kosario,' between Tejada I.sland and tlie
mainland. Now it was the Gulf of Georgia itself to which the Spanianlsgavo
the name Canal del Kosario, and not to the narrow passage between Tejaila
Island and the mainland, which latter they called Malaspina Strait, the name
it now bears. It were possible, as it is indeed the fact, that the Canal del
Kosario of the Spaniards has been crowded down by the Gulf of Georgia of
tlie English into the narrow channel at its southern end between the Sail
Juan Islands and the mainland; but we should hardly expect to see our Inily
of Kosario making at one leap such distance as from Tejada to Fidal,.;o
Islands. Compare (.'(irtn;ir'ip/ii/ P. ('., MS., lii. ]'J4. The present Rosaiiii
Strait is called on early Spaninh maps Canal de Fidalgo. It was iu 1849 that
the British admiralty made this change.

JAMKS JOHNSTONE. 2S

Strait, and anchors in tlie arcliijiclago at an island
<'!illud by the Spaniards Quenia," the Enghsh naming
l*(jint Marshall and Savaiy Island on their way.

It is here agreed by the combined fleet to send out
tliico boat expeditions, the Spanish under Valdes
to jti'oceod northward into the opening called by him
Ciiiial de la Tabla,^^ misnamed by modern map-makers
Toba, the English under James Johnstone, an officer
(HI board the Chatham, to enter the hmg narrow
p;issage to which was subsequently given his name,
uliilo Puget was to survey wbat, by reason of the
lilcak earth and lowering opaque sky, Vancouver was
c'liistrained to call Desolation Sound. Galiano also
n-dos out, and finds what he calls Canal del Arco, now
Hoinfray Channel, which extends from Punta Sarmi-
riito^" to Canal de la Tabla. East of Punta Sarmi-
ciito Galiano finds an inlet ending in two branches,
ti) which he gives names, to the southern Malaspina,
and to the eastern Bustamante. Many of the inlets
lu'icabout are entered and named by both the Spanish
and Enijlish: thus the Punta de Mao;allanes of Ga-
liano is the Point Mudge of Vancouver, the Brazo
do (^uintano of Galiano is the Bute Inlet of Van-
couver, the Brazo de Salamanca of Galiano is the
Loug]d)orough Canal of Vancouver, and so on. The
world has indeed progressed when we behold in this
f.ir-away wilderness the representatives of two great
l']uropean j)Owers laboring side by side for the exten-
sion of knowledge, vying with one another in their
noble eftbrts of discovery. Such a sight had never
before been seen in these parts.

The od of July, Johnstone is sent a second time into
the narrow passage which he had found, and in com-
pany with Swaine passes through it to within full
view of the ocean.*'

" I'lobalily Cortes lalaiul.

* Oil account of a woo<luu table carved in aboriginal hieroglyphics found
tluii-c.

"'Called by Vancouver Point Sarah.

*■ 'I:i tlie atlas of La reronse, 178(i, No. 'J9, Scott Idamls, at the nortliorn
will (if Vancouver Island, are called lies ile Sartine; Uixou calls them liures-

•ill

il'

'il

88 SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

The S[){niiards in their crazy craft beln<^ unable tr,
keep phice witli the finer vessels of the English, Gall-
ano politely requests Vancouver to proceed and leave
him beliind, which he does. Vancouver then follows
Johnstone's track to the ocean, naming Point (^hathani,
Port Neville, Call and Knight canals, Broughtoii
Archipelago, Deep Sea Bluti', Fife Passage, })oints
Duff and Gordon, Blount Stephens, Wells Passage,
Boyles, and other ])oints. In Queen Charlotte Sound,
so named by Wedghorough, captain of the Kxpcriniciii,
in irsn, the Discovery runs on a rock, but finally es-
capes without damage. The names Smith Inlet and
Fitzhugh Sound, given l»y James Haima in 17H(!,
and Calvert Islands, l)y Duncan, are recognized and
ado])tetl by Vancouver, After entering Fitzhugli
Sound, whei'e the vessels get aground, the expedition
proceeds to Nootka, where it arrives the 28th of Au-
gust, being waited upon by a Spanish otHcer with a'
pilot, who contlucts it into Friendly Cove.

After parting from Vancouver at Valdvjs Island,
Galiano and A'^aldes passed northward into Johnstoiii'
Strait, througli Canal de Cordero, naming the Enseii-
ada de Ali-Ponzoni, the present Frederick Arni;|
Canal de Glavide, the cliannel running betwceiil
Valdes and Thurlow Island; the Bahias del Canoniyol
y de Flores; Canal de Iletamal, the Call Canal ef
Vancouver; Brazo de Vernaci, the Knight Inlctl
of Vancouver; Canal de Balda, at present Thom})si)ii|
Sound: Brazo de Ixxldinat, corresponding to Boml
Sound. Westward from the last-named place is Canal
de Pincdo, now Tribune Creek. The Johnstoml
Strait of Vancouver, (>aliano and Valdes call Caiiall
de Descubierta. The jiresent Broughton Straits isl
named by them Canal de Atrevida. Reaching tliel

f. rtl Isles; Map, SiilH 1/ Jr<:ricaii(t, i'lei/c, Islos Jo Laiiz. Car/oijniphif P. l\
MS., iii. 230. ihis was certainly aTiiong tlio tiiMt poiiitH seen in tliis viciiiitv;!
so tliat •lolmstoiio tlicre f;ni:i(l liiiiisi'lf near what was now oiu! of thu wnrMil
highways. 'J hu islands on the eastern side of the northern end of Vaneouvt.'l
Iiland are on the atlases of both Vancouver and the Sutil y Mexiaimi, ^U
the islands of Galiano and Valdes.'

GALIANO AND VALDES.

,S Jof dP^"^--^^^^^^.^ r^

S "

Vancouvlks AIai', No. 3.

SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYAGES.

harbor whore Fort Rupert stood later, they call the
place Puerto do Guenies. Then rounding the north-
ern end of Vancouver Island they sail for Nootka.

Grace, mercy, and peace continue the order of the
day. Vancouver offers to salute the Spanish ilag if
Bodega y Cuadra will return the compliment with an
equal number of guns, which offer is gracefidly ac-
cepted, and so from either side thirteen guns bellow
furth honors. At anchor hero beside tlie S[)anish
brig Aetiva are Vancouver's store-ship Da'dalus, and
tlie Three Brothers, a small merchant briiif from Lon-
don, commanded by Lieutenant Alder of the navy.
Beside the cliiefs of Spain and England his aboriginal
majesty Maquinna is conspicuous; but when, arrayed
in robes of Adamic simplicity, he attempts t(j board
Vancouver's vessel and is repulsed, the quality of his
savagism being unknown, he is very angry at the
English, but is mollified and made gracious by the Span-
ish commandant. The representatives of the august I
rival powers now eat much together, and talk in geiiii-
Hections. The Chatham is hauled on shore and ru-
])aired. Galiano and Valdes enter the port the 1st of
September. Letters ])ass, and deep diplomatism is in I
order. To whom shall bolono; the several shanties on
this barbarous coast is of primary importance to civ-
ilization. It is unnecessary to follow here the sub-
tile logic of these ship-captains; the subject is ex-
hausted in another place. Suffice it to say, in aught I
save urbanity and obeisance they caimot agree. Bo-
dega y Cuadiu is ready to draw the line on this shore |
between Spain and England; Vancouver's orders ex-
tend only to taking possession of his ]\rajcsty's huts.
Jointly to glorify themselves, and likewise to makei
innnortal the brotherly love which swells the breast
of both commandants in their distinmiished disai2:it'0-|
ments, Vancouver proposes, and Bodega y Cuadial
serenely smiles acquiescence, that the great islaiidr
whereon they now sit shall forever be known asl

CUADRO AND VANCOUVER.

Ciiadra and Vancouver Island.** The Spanish armed
sliip Aranzazu, Caamano, connnandcr, enters the port
tlio 8th of September. Other vessels here and else-
wliere on the coast come and go, some trading, some
waiting on the incipient settlements at Nootka and
Neah Bay, all jealously watching each other — an
Knglish and an American shallop are on the stocks at
Xodtka; a French trader is on the coast; besides the
Spanish vessels named are the Gcrtrmlis, Covcepcion,
I'r'nurm, and the ISan (Jarlos; further, the Fenis and
St Joseph and the brig Hojie are n)entioned.

And now at Nootka, Bodega y Cuadra solemnly
possesses the Spanish huts, and Vancouver soknnnly
])()ssesses the English huts; the questions involved are
leforred to home arbitrament; then the several squad-
rons sail each their way leaving the bland Maquinna,
with bloody appetite new-whetted, as formerlv lord
I of all.

On his way to San Francisco, Vancouver names

Mount St Helens, "in honor of his Britannic ma-

j jesty's ambassadors at the court of Madrid," and sends

Wliidbcy in the Dndalus to survey Gray Harbor,

land J^rouj/hton in the Chatham to examine the Colum-

jbia, his attempt to enter the latter with the Discovery

liaviiiijf failed.

Yet twice again before returning to England, Van-

[couver appear'^d upon the Northwest Coast; once in

April 1793, Broughton meanwhile sailing for home,

jaiid again in April 1794, after spending portions of

liotli winters on the southern coast and at the Hawaiian

j Islands. ^^ As hitherto, wherever he went he found

1 111

^''Both commanders were well aware that in thus giving so largo a body of
I land their joint names, and so recording it in the text and on the maps of the
j expeditions of Vancouver and of Galiano and Valdes, one, and but one, would
Iremiiin, and that would depend entirely as to which nation the territory fell.
I '-'111 tlie expedition of 1793, Vancouver visited and named Cape Caution;
iBurkc Canal, ' after the Right Honorable PJdmund ;' Fisher Canal, * after a miioh
Ircspected friend;' points Walker, Edmund, Edward, and Raphoe; King Is-
lland, 'after the family of my late highly esteemed and much lamented friend,
ICiiptaiii James King of the navy; Tort John, Dean, Cascade, and Muscle
IcaiiHls, and Restoration and Poison coves; then ho entered Milbank Sound,
Iso iiaiiiud by Duncan, and gave the name of liis third lieutenant to Cape Swaiue,

aO SUMMARY OF EARLIEST VOYA(!K.S.

in almost every instance that the Spaniards liad been
heforo him.

From this time down to tlic final abandonment df
this j)cirt of the coast by the Spaniards, and the [)laiit-

aftiT wliit'li names wore given to Ottrdncr Canal, jioints Hopkins, rumniiiig,
Hunt, anil I'latxc, Hawkeahnry iHland, Cape Jlii>i't.s(iii, I'itt Aruliiiielago, 'aftir
till! Right Hduoralile William I'itt.'SteplieuH Island, 'a'ter Sir riiilip Steiiliri i
of tiiu ailniiralty,' and (irenville Canal. Canal del I'rincipo was navit>atfd iind
named l)y Caamailo. Some of the other jilaoes seen and named by Vaaoonvcr
in tiiia voyage were Rrowu Passage, 'after the eomuuMuUa'of the lhiltiriiiu-lh.'
I)unda8 Island, 'after the Right llonorahle lli^nry l)nnilas; ' Point Maskilyno,
'after the astronomer royal; ' Point Ramsilen, ' after Mr Ramsdiai, the opti-
cian;' CaiieFox, ' after the Kiglit }lf)noral)le Charles .lames Fox; ' Point Alava,
' in eoniplinient to the Spanish governfir at Nootka; ' Slate Islet; Point Nelscui,
'afterCaptain Nelson of tlm navy; ' Point Sykes, 'after one of the gentleniin
of the Disconrij: ' ^joints TroUoj), Fitzgihhon, Lees, Whaley, Escape, Higgiiis,
l)avidson, Percy, ami Wales, the last named in honor of his schoolniastir;
Burrongh Bay; Traitor's Cove; Revilla (iigedo Island; Behm Canal; Cain;
Nortluunherland; I'ortland Can/d; Moira Sound; Wedge Island, 'after the siir-
:e<in of the t'/nUham ;' Walker Cove, 'after a gentletnan of the ('liiit/niiii;' li 11
sland; 'after Mr John Stewart, one of the mates,' Port Stewart; points Li
Mesurier, (irindall, Rotlisay, Hightield, Madan, Warde, Onslow, IJlaquiiii,
Howe, Craig, Hood, Alexander, Mitchell, Maenamara, Nesbitt, Harringtdii,
and Stanhope; Bradlield Canal; Prince Ernest Sound; Duncan Canal; Bushy
Island; Duke of York Islands; points P-iker, Protection, Barrie, Beaudiic,
Amelius, St All)an, Hunter, North, Fredt ick, Buck, andBorlase; Conclusimi,
Coronation, and Warren Islands; Cajie Pole; Cape Henry; Alfleck Canal; Duke
of Clarence Strait; Englelield Bay; Prince of Wales Archipelago; Cartwi'iglit
Sound; and Capo Decision, the last having been given on making \ip his niiiul
that the earlist reputed discoveries of the Spaniards were fabulous. The cdii-
tinent between Desolation Sound aiul Gardner Canal he named New Hanover,
to the nortliward of Gardner Canal as far as Point Rotlisay, New Cornwall,
and to the northward of New Cornwall as far as Cross Sound, New Norfulk.
These with New Georgia and New Albion completed a 'ery pretty stretili ni
new deilicated crmtinent, ext'^nding from Lower California to Alaska. To this
illustrious navigator be the further honor of intlictin;. from his endlesa vocali-
idary the nameless names of personal friendships upon the places visited liv
him in his voyage of 1794 as follows: Point Macartney, Sullivan, Ellis, Hani.-,
Coriiwallis, Kingsmill, Hobart,Vandeput,Walpole, Astley, Windham, Amiiri,
Coke, Styleman, Salisbury, Arden, Hugli, Gambler, Pybus, Napean, Wmii-
house, Bingham, Sophia, Frederick, Augusta, Townshend, Gardner, Saminl,
Parker, Marsden, Retreat, Bridget, St Slary, Seduction, and 'after the scat
of my ancestors, Couverden; ' Chatham Strait, 'after Lord Chatham;' ''
Addingtim, 'after the Speaker of the House of Commons;' po ' < {Jm,
Malmesbury, Houghton, Snettesham, Mary, Conclusioi Mtl i, ainI
dalgo; Prince Frederick Sound; Cape Fanshaw; H' \; Doul<

Island, Stephens Passage, Barlow Cove, Seymour Car .luard; Kiiii;!

(ieorge the Third Ai'chipelago; Berners B<iy; Lynn pomts I)unai.-.l

Winddedon, Lavinia, Latoiiche, Maid)y, Fremauti ilew, P. kenliaiii,!

Pigot, Nowell, Culrosi--, Countess, Waters, and Pyke; K,. ' Islan : Di,t.'gii|
Sound; W'ingham Ishaid; Cape Spencer; Passage Canai; ( ipe P .ut; Haw-
kins Island; Bligh Isiand; and points Elringtou, Biiinbridge, Be ,mck, ^\ it-
shed, Campbell, Macicinzie, and Woronzow. I think we may salily say that
no one man ever gave so i;-any geographical names, which remaiue<l perma-
nently placed as Vancouver; I wish I might truthfully add that no one > vtr
exercised better taste in the execution of such a task. Among the naiiiM
given by the Spaniards in this region, and for the most part respected by N'au-

! I

GENERAL TRAFFIC.

iii'j,' of the post of Astoria at the mouth of the Colum-
liia River, by the Ainerieaiis, in IMll, many ships of
vuiimis nations roasted Vaneouver and Quceii Cliar-
lotte Islands and the adjacent niainlaiKi, eliirfly for
juu|M)Si's of trartie with tho nativi'S, and after and ah)ni;
Willi tluMU the adventurers of England trading- into
Jludson's Bay, first in vessels only, and then with all
t lie i);iraphernalia for permanent •■stahlishnu'nts, furth"r
allusion to which is not necessary in this connection.

(liver, were tlio Canal <le Ucvilla O'||;o(lo, (w rcprost'iitcd on tlio chart ci^
I I iiiiai'iii K-itrucho du Fucnto-i, I'lifi'^d d.l ( 'aftavcral, Kiitradii del CiiriiicM,
Ciipc do t'liaoon, Isla du Z lyas, Calio Caaiiiaiii), I'uorto dol liayli" HiUMroli,
(liscdveivd liy IJodi'ga y Ciiadra i.. 177."), ('alio do San IJartolimii', I'liorto do
V:dilt's, tlio I'uorto (Jraviiia Kidalj,'n; lint, as a rido, tlio iiairu's ;;ivon liy Hii."-
siau and S|)anisli cxidnrcru wlio had lu'toodod Vancouver in tliotio parts vcru
ill Ills rc-naiiiiug igiiorud.

i :i4

Jdm

w|u.

('19

^B'M

:^^9

•'-'%«

|!'>'H

his miiiil

The 0(111-

llaiioviT, I

Corinviill,

Mort'dlli.l
Btrotdi ci
To this I
loss voci'i-
visited livl
is, Harri=,|
,111, Anni'-T,
an, Wdiiii-
Sainu(-1, 1
or the stall
am;' ''<]*\
(. ai

I)<)llL'l,Ul

ard; Knisl
ts Dun.husj
Pkeuliaiii,
iliuilrfl

..tick, ^Vit•

■ly say that I
lod poniw-
lo one ( vt'l
the iiani(?i|
edby Vm-[

CHAPTER II.

GENEKAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

Eastern Parallels — Coxfiguration of North-western America — Brit-
ish Columbia Coast — Puoet Sound — Vancouver Island — QuEf»i
Charlotte Islands — Climatic Sections of the Mainland — New
Caledonia — Heights of Land— The Columbia and Fraser Platead
Basin — Skeena and Siikeen — Oregon, Washington, and Idaho-
Northwest Coast Climates— Thb: Temperatcre of Various Local-
iTiES — Fauna and Flora — The Aborigines — Attitudes o" the Fur-
traders and Settlers toward the Natives — Peaceful Regime undeb
THE Great Monopoly — The Chinook Jargon.

Having thus sufficiently refreshed our memory as to
the carhest appearance of Europeans in these parts,
before proceeding in chronological order with the
affairs of British Columbia, I do not regard it time
lost to take a general survey of the condition of things
at this juncture throughout the north Pacific slope;
for although the careful reader of that part of this
history entitled the Northwest Coast nmst have sonic
knowledge of the present state of affairs, another
glance, as at a picture of the whole, cannot fail to
give a clearer and more lasting idea of the country at
the beginning of what may be termed British Colum-
bia history proper.

California is opposite Spain; Oregon and Washing-
ton are on the parallels of France; British Columbia
is in the latitu<le of Great Britain; as the world is
round and revolving, there is no reason why one side
of it should bo better than another. Nor is it. Civ-
ilization is harder upon soils than savagism ; and the
steppes of Russia and Siberia, though perhaps some-

(83)

TROMIXENT FEATURES.

»3

xshing-
llumbia

lorld w

|nc s'ulo

Civ-

Ind the

some-

what more tlonsely occupied, and with somewhat more
advniiced indigenous populations, are neither so at-
tractive nor so virgin as the prairies, kike kinds, and
river and mountain districts of northernmost America.
Each ]ieniis])hero has its freezing eastern side, and its
wanner western side, thanks to the modifying ocean
streams which come sun-beaten from the tropics; and
for the rest, there is little to choose; that little, how-
ever, always being in favor of what each of us may
call our own country.

Tlio Northwest Coast, if wc comprise within the
limits of tliat term the territor}^ from California to
Alaska, and between the Rocky Mountains and the
oeeau, is more varied in its configuration, some would
say more grandly beautii'ul, than the opposite eastern
plains. The rock formations of the former are more
(Hsturbed; the i-eij^ion is mountainous with a hiiih
irregular plateau Ix.^tween two principal ranges, subor-
dinate plateaus intei'vcning in ]»laces between subor-
dinate I'anges, and all having in the main the general
trend of the coast. Thus dropping the appellation of
the great continental (diain which binds the two
Amei'icas I'rom Alaska to Patagonia, and adopting
liical nomenclature, we have for the representatives of
Itlic ]htter Hoot ]Mountains ol' Idaho, taken collec-
jtively, the Purcell, Stdkirk, Columbia, Cariboo, and
iOuiineca mountains of British Columbia; the Cas-
jciide Range is a contiimation of the Sierra Nevada;
jVaneouver and Queon Charlotte islands are a contin-
latidu of the Coast Range; the great plateau region
i the Columbia, the Fraser, and the Skeona rivers is
continuation of the Utah and Nevada l)asin.
Western British Columbia is essentially moun-
;ain()us, breaking on the border into iimumerablo
•lands and ocean inlet:?, presenting a bokl rocky i'ront,
liL'avily tindjered to the water's edy-e.

Exceedingly beaiuiful and very grand is the water
system of Puget Sound, and the labyrinth of straits,
inlijts, bays, and islands all along the coast of British

Uist. Urit, Col. S

,1 tcf

, > i} S

: 'I I ;: 'il

^1 -if

flENERAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

'■ m

Columbia. And while St Lawrence Gulf and Lake
Superior are wrapped in biting cold, roses sometimes
dare to bloom here, and green pease and strawberries
to prepare for their early gathering.

The island of Vancouver presents a mountainous
interior, subsiding at either end, and at places along
its eastern side. The shores are exceedingly pictur-
esque, bold, rocky, and rugged, broken on the western
side into numerous bays and inlets like those of the
mainland, with intervening cliffs, promontories, and
beaches, while on the northern and eastern sides the
absence of ocean indentations is remarkable, Tlie
island is generally wooded, the borders with fir, back
of which are hemlock, and the mountains with cedar.
Between the ridy'es which cross and interlace are
small valleys affording but moderate agricultural
fticilities; but on the southern and eastern border
there are extremely fertile tracts susceptible of easy!
cultivation, the open spots offering the first attraction
to settlers. Lakes, streams, and water-falls everv-
wliere abound, though the rivers are none of theiiij
larije

The Queen Charlotte Islands are mountainous,
like all adjacent lands; and while there are tracts, par-j
ticularly around the border, which might be succcss-i
fully cultivated^ it is more to the mmeral resourcesj
here embeilded that we nmst look for profitable re-
turns. East of the high interior of Moresby Island isl
a fiat bolt growing alders. All these islands arcf
dense^ly wooded, cyjiress and s[)ruce being promineiitJ
with redundant undergrowth. The climate is niiklj
and moist; the natives arc liglit-coinplexioned, intel-j
ligcnt, courageous, and cruel.

Still following the all-compelling mountains, tliej
mainland of British Colund)ia may be divided intoj
three sections, the first comprising the coastwisel
strip between the ocean and the eastern slope of tliel
(^ascade Bange, extendiuL^ back, for instance, on tliJ
Fraser as far as Yale; the second, a ])arallel .'^trijf

Lake
timt'S
erries

linovis

along

)ictur-

estcrn

of tlie

s, and

es the
Tlie

r, back

L cedar.

ice are

-ultural I
border

of easy!

traction j
every-
f tbeuil

ttalnous,]
lets, par-

success-
|esourcos|
^abie ri

island \i\
tnds artl

unmL'utl
is mm

;d, intel-

ims, tliel
hcd Intol
toast wii^ej

le of m

on M
llel ^trip

RANGES AND PASSES.

whose eastern boundary lino would bo upon the west-
ern side of the Cariboo Mountains, and cross the
Fraser, say at Alexandria ; the third extending thence
to the Rocky Mouiitains.

Dense woods containing trees of gigantic growth,
pine, fir, and red-cedar, characterize the first section,
the low alluvial deposits about the rivers and inlets
being covered by jungle, with here and there poplars,
aldersj balsam, and aspen, and sometimes meadows of
coarse nutritious grass, all the products of rich soils
and copious rains. Upon the drier surface of the
second section a different vegetation appears. Indeed,
the presence of cacti, artemisia, and kindred shrubs be-
yond Lytton are significant of a hot as well as a dry
climate. In place of the massive forests and redundant
Hora of the seaboard, we find an open country, hills,
pastures, and grassy vales, with intervening forest belts.
Less suited to agriculture, except in the more favored
spots, more v/ooded, yet still with vast luxuriant pas-
tures, is the third section. On the great plateau stretch-
ing far to the north from the branch bends of the Fraser,
the climate is much more severe than between Cariboo
and Kamloop. On the other side, toward the south
and east, the temperature is much milder, particularly
between Colville and the Dalles, where lies the great
Columbia cactus-bearing desert with occasional bunch-
grass oases.

The mountain passes are usually blockaded in

winter; yet in June, where lately rested ten or twenty

I feet of snow the ground is flower-spangled, and the

forests flush with the bursting green of the sw(!ct early

j foliage. Crossing the grim Stony range from the

east at Peace River, which stretches its branches far

land wide within the sunniiit line of the continental

h'idge, and steals for the eastern slo[)o the waters of

the western, the first Scotch explorers found thcm-

Iselves in a labyrinth of minor ridges whose blue lakes,

jamong the pine-clad steeps, brought to mind the lochs

land bens of their old highland humes; so they called

ill

• 4;

I i,.;
1

GENERAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

the place New Caledonia as elsewhere I have men-
tioned. Approaching McLeod Lake the mountains
put on a more stupendous aspect. Mackenzie ibund
the temperature there from 30° above to 10° below
zero; and though the ground was covered with snow,
the gray wren and mountain robin, the latter arrayed
in delicate fawn with scarlet belly, breast, and neck,
black wings edged with fawn, variegated tail, and
tuft-crowned head, came out hopping, and singing,
and eating, as though the dreary prospect only stirred
in them a higher happiness, just as adversity some-
times brings sweet music from otherwise dumb hu-
manity.

In this l)oldly swelling country of New Caledonia
the scenery is varied. In the forests the cedar, fii',
and hemlock assume magnificent proportions, while
the co[)ses, separating plains and open undulations,
give pleasing variety to the eye. It is singularly and
beautifully watered. Rivers mark out the region in
natural districts often silver -edi>'ed with long narrow
lakes, which glisten in the sunshine like the watoiJi
of paradise.

There are many heights of land round which clus-
ter snow-clad peaks, parting the flow of waters, partin;,'
twin drops, sending one to the Pacific and its brotlur
to the Atlantic; sending one to mingle with the brine |
of the Mexican Gulf beneath the vapor-beating sun,
and another to be locked throughout the ages in tlie
icy embrace of the Arctic Sea. All along the conti-|
nental range are such heifjhts of land, and at maiiv
points along the north-western table-land. Between
the tributaries of the Saskatchewan and those of the
Colund)ia; between the tributaries of Peace River
and those of Fraser and Skeena rivers; betvveen the
streams flowing into the Fraser all alonrj its conrsel
and those which feed the Columbia on the onel
side and the Bellacoola and Skeena on the otiier,
there are nmltitudes of these heights of land, not toj
mention the ridges dominating the rivulets runain^'l

I "lugged anc

OKANAGAN AND KOOTENAI.

to tho Stikcen and Yukon, or to the Mackenzie.
}[c who camps upon the narrow isthmus joining the
Idi'ty continental mountains and dividing tho higli
rolling seas of hill and plain on either side, may till
his kettle from the limpid source either of the Sas-
katchewan or the Columbia. But more than this,
and most remarkable of anything of the kind on the
planet, at that grandest of Rocky jSIountain passes,
the Athabasca, is a little lake called the Committee's
I'nnch Bowl, one end of which pays tribute to the
Mackenzie and tlie other to the Columbia.

Tlie plateau basin of the Columbia and Fraser
livers compi'isos thickly timbered uplands interspersed
witli woodland and grassy valleys bordered by pine-
(l(jtted hills rolling gently upward from limpid lakes
and boisterous streams. There are few deserts or
worthless tracts, and in the forests but little under-
brush; the country is one vast pasture; prairie and
forest, valley and hill being covered with nutritious
ijrass. In the Okanagjan River district we find in-
dications of that sandy waste which hence extends
southward as the great American desert to Mexico.
The lake country irom Chilcotin to Fort Fraser and
beyond is generally open ; the river region to the north
and east of the Cariboo Mountains between Fort
George and Yellowhead Pass is thickly wooded, Avith
few if any oj)en spaces. Northw^ard only the hardier
ve'fctation is able to endure the sununer niyht i'rosts.
Between forts Kootenai and Colville, the trail winds
along lakes and streams from whose borders rise moun-
tains of black rock hidden beneath the dun pine
foliage, which, mirrored in the transparent wat\;rs,
turns them to lakes and rivers of dark and fathondess
dcpihs, while the setting sun tips with gold the sum-
mits of these gloomy wii^rras.

Tired travellers do not always take the most hope-

jful view of the wilderness through which they toil.

Thus Sir George Simpson finds the Kootenai country

"rugged and boggy, with thick and tangled forests,

If f jii

I II

''V

■ ■ ■ c

GENERAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

\ii\

I :

Sr ' (-

\ri

craggy peaks, and dreary vales, here and there hilb
of parched clay where every shrub and blade of grass
was brown and sapless as if newly swept by the blast
of a sirocco, with occasional jirairies and open swards
interspersed with gloomy woods or burning pine
forests," Passing over the Fraser basin, Johnson ex-
claims: "Of all the dismal and dreary-looking places
in the world the valley of the Thonii)son Kiver for
some fifteen or twentv miles from its mouth would
easily take the palm! We have thought the canons
of the Fraser rugged enough, but here was naught
but rocks, whereon even the hardy fir refused to vege-
tate."

Their vocabulary is scarcely sufficient for the mighty
fissure of the Fraser, whose waters gathered from
scores of lakes and tributary streams dash throuj^ii
gorges and between high perpendicular rocks in suc-
cessive cascailes and rapids, with here and there brief
breathing-places, ''The Fraser River Valley," writes
an observer, "is one so singularly formed, that it would
seem that some superhuman sword had at a single
stroke cut through a labyrinth of mountains for three
liundred miles, down deep into the bowels of the
land," Again: "At no point of its course from Quos-
nclle to Lytton is the Fraser Kiver less than twelve I
liundred feet below the level of the land Ivino; at
either side of it ; and from one steep scarped bank to j
the other is a distance of a mile." Another standiii^n
at Lytton says : "Here, along the Fraser, the Cascade
Mountains lift their rugged heads and the river Hom's
at the bottom of a vast tangle cut by nature throuifli
the heart of the mountains," Yet "along the Nach-
arcole River there will be found a country admiral )ly I
suited to settlement, and possessing a prairie land of
a kind nowhere else" found in British Columbia.

In the Skeena and Stikcen countries, which give!
rise as well to the rivers of their respective nuiiie3|
emptying into the Pacific, as to the waters wliicl
take their freezing fiow round by the Mackcii-I

THE SPOKANE COUNTRY. 89

y.'io to the Arctic, the wildest and most romantic
scenory is found. Mountains of stone and ice arc
there, and glaciers equal to any of Switzerland — <;iant
glaciers and infant glaciers, Methusalehs and niud-
hoi'ii. Ascending from the sea, through the pine-
eovercd bolt, through spruce, hendock, and balsam,
willow, alder, and cottonwood, which at every step
heeonios more broken and the trees more scattering,
tlie traveller finally emerges into a fit home for piti-
less late, glittering, cold, inexorable bowlders, and snow
succeeding snow, and bowlders in mountain melange^
limitless variety in limitless unity, here and there cut
into sections by ice-ploughed canons and chasms.

That which was originally the bunch-grass country
of eastern Washington is now famous for its grain-
growing properties; for though the atmoH})here is dry,
wiiter lies near the surface. Tlie intersecting moun-
tain ranges, and the deep-gorged water channels of
eastern (jregon, are less favorable to agriculture than
tlic rolling plains on the northern side of the Colum-
liia. And along this belt far to the north, and high
above the sea, the sheltered valleys atford ample re
turns to the husbandman. At Fort Alexandria, with
an altitude of fourteen hundred and fifty fe(^t, and at
other places a thousand feet higher, forty bushels of
wlieat to the acre are not uncounnon, and other prod-
ucts in proportion.

The lower slopes of the snow-topped mountains of
Idaho are furrowed with streams which ch^the the
fiiot-hills in sturdy forests and the high prairies in
ricli grasses. Nestling below the level of the plains
are warm, (juiot valleys, protected alike from the arid
winds of summer and the cold blasts of winter; and
on winter pastures the snow seldom remains long.

Larch, cedar, fir, and pine thickly overspread the
Bitter lioot Mountains. The Walla Walla Valley,
with its bright, winding streams, fringed with cotton-
wood, presents a pleasing picture. Xorth of the Spo-
kane the country is wooded, and much of the soil

GENERAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

arable. Tlic Flathead countiy is warm, with good
arable land predominating.

The well watered and alluvial Willamette Valley,
being alike free from the periodical aridity of Cali-
fornia, the desiccating winds of eastern Oregon, and
tlie general gravelly character of Washington soils, is
[)eculiarly adapted to crt)p-raising and fruit-growing.
For many years the Yakima country, now known to
be one of the most fertile wheat-fields in the world,
was regarded as fit only for grazing.

Thus the hijT^hest afjricultural facilities of Oregon
and Washington are reversed; those of the former
lying west of the Cascade Mountains, and those of
the latter on the eastern side of that range. Let
each, therefore, be duly thankful. Not that western
WashinGfton need blusli for its resources, for althou<;]i
the surpassing fertility of the Willamette soils fails
on crossinix the Columbia and enterintx the moi'c
gravelly plains of the Cowlitz and the region round
l*uget Sound and Admiralty Inlet, yet when this
old ocean-bed emerged from the waters with it came
coal and iron, and in due time grand forests arose on
the margin of beautiful waters, and crept up the
Olympian heights to the line of summer snow.

The climates of the Northwest Coast arc many and
variable, but all are healthful, and by far the greater
l)art agreeable. Considering the surface covered, there
is a remarkable absence of marshy plains, miasma,
malaria, and consequent ague. Here, as elsewhere,
elevated districts are cold, but not so cold as in many
other places. A very severe winter in New Cale-
donia, such as happens once in ten years, may be as
severe as a verv mild winter in Canada, but not more
severe.

The Cascade Range marks the two great climatic
divisions, both the heat and the cold on the casteiii
side beiii<r (greater than on the western. East of tiiis
range the climate is dry; on the western slope it is

wet, th(
nici- is

tilU WC'S

hi'iglif, i

J. CIllJ)

;ni(| (list;
of this r
not Jiiihii
saluhriou
<'iro soldo
from stro
<hy crvst,
of tJio^tlK
the cast a
their nioui
Xoj'thwes
tlieu])por
I'liiins siio^
'111(1 \vJic?i
\al leys, in
llcdt an
^ dry thai
^•'ft tJiat t
t'laii the
<><van-cnn\
Lajts under
JJtnivegan,
'_'uiJt iiiii()ii(_
it-'L't a hove :
^\'liose altiti
J-^'^'I'vegan <

Though
iiiatu ot'Bi-l
Ijrtroan. Th
fjie cast ma
^i''<^ in sno\
the ether.
''"•-•IS the A
I melting uio,

HEAT AND COLD.

wet, the humidity iucroasiiif^ toward the north. Sum-
iiirr is hot, tiiul winter cokl, on the eastern side; on
tliu western, .sunnner is lovely, sonic days warm and
hrisj^ht, some rainy, and winter never severely cold.

Temperatures vary of course with latitude, altitude,
and distance from the sea; but throui^hout the whole
of this iv^ion there are comparatively small portions
not habitable by man, while by far the greater ])art is
salubrious and delightful. The well protected valleys
are seldom subject to extremes of weather, being free
fi'om strong winds and heavy falls of snow, and in the
dry crystaUine air of the higher plains even a low fall
of the thermometer is easily endured. The rivers of
the cast arc often blocked by thick ice almost down to
their mouths, but navigation on the lower waters of the
Xortlnvcst Coast is seldom impeded. The rivers of
the u])per interior freeze in winter, but on the elevated
plains snow is seldom more than eighteen inches deep,
and wJicn the sun and spongy wind look in U})on the
valleys, I'rosty coverings vanish as if by magic.

ILcat and cold arc both more endurable by man in
a dry than in a wet atmosphere. Add to this the
fact that the western sides of continents are warmer
than the eastern by reason of the warm aii- and
ocean-currents thrown upon them, and we may [)er-
liaps understand why the mean temperature at Fort
Diuivfgan, so called from the castle of the IMcLeods
huilt anionijf the cold bleak rocks of Skvc one thousand
fcL't aljove the sea, dilFers little from that of Quebec,
whose altitude and latitude are much lower. And yet
Duiivcgan can scarcely be called west of the mountains.

Though bordering upon the high latitudes, the cli-
I mate of British Columbia is more British than hyper-
borean. The traveller in crossing the mountains from
the fast may find the same clouds arraying the one
Uidc in snow and ice, and dropping gentle rain upon
the (^ther. Indeed, along the border of the ocean as
lai' as the Aleutian Archipelago nature is always in a
lUL'ltinsjj mood.

fi'iii

■f i=lL

GENERAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

As far back as Idaho and Montana tlic modifying
influences of the Japan currents arc felt, spring, sum-
mer, and autumn there being dehghtful, while winter
is less severe than in Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota.
It is onlv on the higher elevations that the cold is
extreme, or the snowfall heavy. Both the country
and climates of Idaho and Montana arc well adapted
to wool-growing and horse and cattle raising. The
mean winter temperature at Virginia, Montana, is not j
far from twenty-iivo degrees above zero.

Some parts of British Columbia are better fori
grazing purposes in winter than the elevated pastures
of Idaho. Birds fly south when snow comes; but we
find the stock-raisers of Idaho driving their cattle for I
winter pasturage into British Columbia, the low snow-
less valleys of Idaho being too small to accommodate]
them, while the Columbia basin above Colville is
more hospitable than the winter-wrapped upper plains
of Idaho. Sproat calls it the climate of England with-
out the biting east wind. " Tliere can be no doubt," I
says Palmer, of the royal engineers, "that in point of
salubrity, the climate of British Columbia excels thatj
of Great Britain, and indeed is one of the finest in I
the world."

Winter on Vancouver Island is not severe, and
summer is charming. Rain is plentiful, particularly l
durinij winter; snow seldom lies lonsf on the lower
levels. The climate here is similar to the mainland
seaboard, Avith insular peculiarities. On the coast!
the temperature is seldom over 80° or under 20'!
Fahrenheit.

The temperature at Stuart Lake is subject to I
sudden variations, though these are exceptional. Wikll
fruits flourish and ripen there, even the susceptiblol
service-berry blossom being seldom blighted. Tliej
hollows thereabout are subject to occasional lioarl
frosts in summer, which do not appear on the sunnyl
slopes. Here, as elsewhere in British Columbia, cii-j
thusiasts point to the humming-bird as proof uf a|

GAME.

genial climate; yet I can hardly insist, as some of the
old Hudson's Bay Company's servants would almost
have me do, that the winter climate of New Caledonia
is wholly free from inconvenient cold. On the upper
Fiiisor winter is capricious, intense cold coming and
going suddenly. Round the rugged Cariboo Moun-
tains snow falls freely. Extremes are rare on the upper
Columbia, snow seldom remaining long. The cliuiato
here is as delightful as the scenery is grand.

Everywhere north of San Francisco Bay, and
along the coast as far as the sixtieth parallel, were
I'ountl grizzly bears, the grassy flats at the mouth
of livers, and the rank vegetation on the banks of
inlets, where berries were abundant, being their fa-
vorite haunts. For . ->me reason they did not seem
to i'uncy Vancouver Island as a dwelling-place, though
their black brethren were there in superabundance, as
well as on the mainland.

Even more ferocious in this region than the grizzly
was the brown bear, which seemed to prefer the in-
tt'iior to the coast. On the island and mainland were
elk, black-tailed deer, and reindeer, the cariboo of
the voyageurs in the northern mountains of New
Caledonia. In the vicinity of the Rocky Mountains
were mountain-sheep, moose-deer, and wood-buffalo.
The fur-bearing beasts, whose skins constituted the
chief branch of commerce on the Northwest Coast,
were brown, black, and grizzly bear; beaver; badgers;
.silver, cross, and red foxes; tishers; martens; minks;
I the gray and spotted lynx; musquash; sea and land
[otter.s; panthers; raccoons; black, gray, and coyote
wolves, and wolverines.

The natives of Vancouver Island speared salmon,
jandeaught herring, halibut, cod, sturgeon, and v/hales;
they hunted the bear, wolf, panther, elk, deer, marten,
mink, beaver, and raccoon. On all the large streams
of the mainland, salmon were ]>lentiful from early spring
to late summer. They ascended the Fraser seven hun-

jii

OKXKUAL VIEW OF TIIIC XORTIIWILST COAST.

Wl .i

(Irod inilos. From staplo food of tlic natives, .salmon
became at an early day witli the Hudson's Hay Com-
])any an article of commerce. Oysters and crabs were
conunon on the sea-shore. The (Mdai-hon, oi candlc-
fish, is famous in tliese parts; sardine, anchovy, had-
dock, and dog-fish also may be mentioned.

])ir(ls of song are less conspicuous than birds of
beaut ifnl i)lumage. Grouse are common on island and
mainland. Then there arc quails, ptarmigan, pigeons,
geese, ducks, and snipe.

Thus we .sec in this noi'thern west, save upon the
briny border, a lan<l of bright skies and buoyant airs;
of forested mountains ami fertile })lains; of placid
bays, large rivers, silvery lakes, and prismatic water-
foils; of coal, and iron, and gold, and other exhaust-
'ess mineral wealth; of fisheries, and agricultural,
commercial, and manufacturing facilities; with soils,
climates, and .secnory equal to any of Europe, equal
to any on earth. \Vhat shall hinder (empire, evolu-
tion, and all that elevates and ennobles, aiding niaii|
here to assert liis completest sovcreigut" ?

I can say but a word here regarding the aboriginal
nations inhabiting these parts, but must refer the reader
to the work set apart for that subject. The iirst vo
ume of the Native Races of the Pacific States contains!
descriptions of the .several peoples as first seen bv
Euroi)eans, and their manners and customs, and in I
the third volume will be found something of their]
mythologies and languages.

Nor have I space to enter at length upon the atti-
tude of the Hudson's Bay Company toward the na-i
tives, their treatment of, or policy concerning tliciii.
These matters will be found I'ully explained in thel
History of the Northwest Coast.

This much I can say, however, by way of remiiuli
ing the reader of what is therein stated. Probably
savagism was never ,so deftly and delicately .strip])c;ilf
of its belongings, and laid away to rot, as in liritii^li

THE NATIVES.

4ft

Cnluml)in. Novor from Ix'i^inii'j;;,'' to cud was tluic a
.sliinic outbn-ak or iiiassacfc ot' any inqtortaiu-u, savo
al'Hiu till! scaLoard, and these wore Hi'ldom illrecti'd
ii'iaiiist tlio I'csident fur-traders. Wliy was this, wlieu
tlif I'niteil States horder was everywluu'e d( hi^cd in
1i1(mmI ^ Surely tliese northern nations were naturally
as iicrc'o and \ indictivo as any south of them. The
aiiswt r is — Husint'ss. The natives wi le ni-eded for
liuiiti IS. Tliey Jiad nothin:^ of which the respeetahlo
lMiin|i('an "wished to roh tluMu; so their possi'ssions
wviv left for a time unmolested. When the company
wanted their land, as a matter of coui'se they took it ;
!>ut at first they re(|ulred only the skins of their wild
heats, and these the natives nmst secure and l)rin<^
to tlicm.

Tilt! natives of the seaboard were refjcarded with
fear hy all .sailors. As a rule, and es[)ecially to
stiaiiL;( rs, they were exceed in<i;ly dan^t.'rous, as their
leapt ure of the lioston, the 'l}ni(jnlii, and other vessels
j almiidantly proves. Often the traders fed them on fire-
Avatef, and in return the denionized sava<;es cauuht
and killed them whenever they felt able. In cirly
limes, rapine antl nmrder along this coast was the
normal condition of things. Against every attempt at
>>uttleuient the natives fought desperately.

And why sh.ould they not resist ( From time im-
lueiiiorial their fathers had held the land; and tlie sea
\vas theirs, kindly yielding them food and clothing.
Tiny could not ask their gods for more, unless it
should oe to make them always drunk.

The oflicers and servants of the Hudson's T>ay
i Company were as nmch gentlemen hy instinct in their
1 treatment of Indians as in their treatment of civil-
ized men and women. Hence it was, when (Jeneral
[Joe jjane, whilom governor of Oregon and United
Stati's senator, as ho was once riding toward Niscjually,
wa'< heard to exclaim regarding the natives there-
liiliinit. "Damn them I it would do my soul good to
Ijo alter them 1 " his hearers could not understand it.

1 1

! '

GENERAL VIKAV OK THE NOR'niWESl,' COAST.

Sudi words c'.yald never have fallen from the lips of
a ^McLongliliii or a l^oughis. It was a speeies of blood-
thirsty brutality totally beyond the conipreliension of
men mIio had li'arned to look on these children of the
forest as men of like creation and nature as them-
selves.

Foi' llie trial of ti)e Indians hani^ed at Steilacoom for
the killiiiu; of Wallace at the Niscjually post, jurymen
were brought all the way from Oregon City. Well
ma\' we say that therein was much hollow form for a
little sliow of justice, wlien we are told that three or
four of these men, during their deliberations, rolled
tliemselves in their blankets, and before composing
themselves to sleep remarked, "Whenever you want
an Iiidiar. hanged, awake us." But this was inteHigeiit
and jiumane conduct in comparison with nmch tliat
occurnMJ in the Anglo-American occupation of the
western United States. I admit that neither what
were called good men nor the government were
wholly responsible for the wholesale butcheries of
men, women, and children for crimes which they
never committed; and yet, whenever t am obliged tn
allude to the subject, T can but notice this difiereiur
in the treatment of tlie Indians.

Tlie frequent hostility of the Indian does not origi-
nate in savage malignity or natural blood-thirstiness,
but in righteous retaliation for endless provocations,
" Many a night," writes one by no me.'ins sentimental
in such matters, "have I sat at the cam[)-fire and
listened to the recital of bloody and fei'ocious scenes,
in which the narrators were the actors and the r-xn
Indians the victims; and I have felt my blood tingle
with sliame and boil with indignation to hear the di.i-
bolical acts applauded by those for whose amusement
they were related."

Unfortunately f n- the poor savage, in his divinely
preordained extinction, it was orden^d that he shonlti
be often brought into contact with those who sought
to save his soul and those wln) destroyed his bo<ly.

How muc

niisslonari
proving t
hrutal bo:
.spent thei
natives, ai
or I'etaliat
him. Kel
.spent thei
needed re:
W herev
Bay (\)m|
thei'e was
ajifcnient o
first of all
Tlicy were
civil izatioji
in their de?
justice, not
fasten upon
tioii; tliouj
tliemselves
left to marr
\\oi',sliip tin
fashion.

Ihit the
this hap[)y
'liuughts of
till' savaws
iiuveiiturers
■^kipper and
"11 nioralitie
was confined
^a\-agc was
portance was
artless abor
i'\ail of this
tiics. Hut
f^ponsible bo

RELIGION AND COMMERCF.

How much better for him would it Lave been if the
iiii!?sionaries had (hrected their efforts toward ini-
proviug the hearts and morals of the desperate and
l)rutal l)ordor men, the knaves and vagal)onds who
spt'iit their lives in informing; u]X)n and insultinj>' the
natives, and on the first slin'ht appearance of defence
or retaliation on the part of the Indian, inslauf^hfering
him. Better a thousand times had the missionaries
>|)oiit their lives in converting these men, for they
iK'fdid regeneration far more tlian did the savage.

Wherever the officers and servants of the Hudson's
Bay Company had the country entirely to themselves,
there was little trouble with the natives. Their man-
aijeuient of them was perfect. They treated them,
first of all, as human creatures, not as wild beasts.
They were to them the children, not the enemy of
civilization. In their intercourse they were humane,
in their dealings, honest. Offences were follov/ed by
justice, not by revenge. Xo attempt was made to
fasten upon them the religions or moralities of civiliza-
tion ; thougli gross cruelty and inhumanity among
themselves were severely frowned upon, they were
left to marry ad lihiinm or not to marry at all, and to
woi'sliij) the gods of their '"reation after their own
fas] lion.

But the moment competitive traders came in, all
tliis happy state of things was changed. Fiery
diaughts of intoxication were placed to the lijis of
the savages, no less by the benevolent and dignified
adventurers of England than by the heedless Y'ankee
•'kippi'V and the i)order des[)erado. Conuneivo le\els
all moralities. Whenever even the most bitter rivalry
was confined to large and responsible comj)anies, tb
savage was not nnich tin; sufferer; indeed, his im-
portance was oftiMi thereby greatly magnified, and the
artless abori<>inal was bv no means slo\; to make
iivail of this inci-eased purchasing power of his pel-
tries. But in .sections wluMc free tra[)pers and irre-
^poii.sible border men obtained permanent foothold,

GENERAL ^lEW OP THE XORTHWEsT COAST.

i-apine, luimlcr, and cxtermiiiutin*^ war were sure to
follow.

While; treating all foreignrrs with politeness, and
while ever ready to rescue the disti'esscd of any na-
tion, tlie Hudson's Bay Company w(.'re exceedingly
jealous of interference m their trade. They would
not have their prices changed, nor tlieii' hunters de-
moralized, if by any posi?ihility tliey could ])revent it.
Compacts were often Ustade witli the JIussians and
with the captains of AiiK'rican vessels trading on the
coast, not to deviate from the company's tariff, and
not to sell licpior to the natives, wJiieh pr(^)niises were
not always kept.

In the Fort Simpson journal, under date of Xovem-
hcr 1, 183G, I find entered: "Cai)tain Snow, of the
hank Ldf/nnif/c, saluted the body of a Siniseyan chief
who died of sinall-j)ox, with five guns, and nt)W he is
getting all the trade of t, le tribe — a contem[)tibk'
Yankee trick." Twenty years previous to this entry,
a fight occurred between an American coasting vessel
and the Chilcats, in wliicli one Jiuntlred of the latter
were killed. When Hie Hud.soia's Bay people estab-
lished Fort Tako, the Cliilcats treated them with
marked sus])icion. '"It is rather too bad," writi.s
J3ouglas in his journal, "to Imld us responsible fm-
the sins of others, particularly of a people to whom
we an; inilel)ted for no i;iterchange of good ofiSces. '
The nativ(!s early learned to distinguish the Kinu'
(jleorge men from the ]3o)*toni^. nv»t by th'ess, but ly
features and s])eecli, and to tlw- no small disparage-
ment of tht; latter. Nor did the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany exert theuitselvcis to promote go<Mi-feliovvshi[)
between their dusky j)r()fr(/('s and American tt'aders.
Yet I am very sure that no violent <.«• unlair st- |ts
were eve)- taken by otficcis of the coni|K«ny to ilil
themsidves of interlopers. They woiald t« !1 the na-
tivet^ to beware of them, to have w)thing to do with
them, a,nd tiiat was all.

Tliough reatly on the instant to draw, tlie liudsfu's

JUST TREATMEMT.

Bav Company were slow to use their weapons on the
nuiives. The punisliment of insolence or (jther petty
offciii'o was to knock the offender down, and tin; oiH-
eei's.troni governor to clerk, prided themselves on tlicir
sii]>('rior skill in the manly art. "However expert the
Iiuruuis may be at tlie knife, or the spear, or the gun,"
says Simpson, "they are invariably taken aback by a
wliite list on their noses." An offence was seldom
aliiiwod to go unpunished, and the company were as
rcaily to do justice as to exact it. "It was a general
ruli.'," says Tod, "to mete to the Indians justice.
They would bring sometimes two or three hunch-ed
dollars' worth of furs; they could not count mor<! than
ten. i would always try to inake them count Ibr
themselves by ex[)laining how to do it; but they
won I liways trust us to count "

It ! , •• great mistake to fling all aboriginal men and
women into one category and damn them as savages.
As elsewhere on this planet there arc g(jod Indians
ami b;i('. Indians, IxMiest men and tender-hearted
women, as well as thieves and murderers. I have at
hand scores of rema,rkal)le instanees illustrative of
the honesty and humanity of the natives of Jiritish
Columbia. So reconeiled to civilized supremacy did
they become under the just treatment which tlun' ro-
wived, that wliereas at first, in this or other regions,
whit" men could traverse the country t)nly in l>ands
III' tliirt-y or forty, a sjngh,' person belonging to the
all-piwerful fur conipany, or having its protection,
I'liii! I now go and come at pleasure anywhere in JJrit-
i-^h ( 'ohunbia, [)assing in saiety through the lands of
Iseoi'i s of trilx's hostile to each other, jis one svhoso
I lil'e and [)i'operty were things sacred;

Til; ir nobler nature was t^aHiily \vorl&<5d upon; many
|"i''them would scorn to do things wliidi white C'liris-
itiaiis practise on one an(;ther without remorse of e'on-
HJoiiee. They loved honor and power; Cliinamen and
lingiiH's they regarded with .supreme contempt, llalf-
jhiceiU Iiave not proved a success.

UlHl'. IJUI 1'. CUL, 1

OEXERAL VIEW OF THE NORTHWEST COAST.

The statement of an intelligent officer of the Hud-
son's ]-Jay Company, as to their policy with regard to
the natives, may be better than mine. A. C Ander-
son devc^tes considerable space in his manuscript Ilis-
tory of the Northwest Coast to this subject. The great
fur companies of British America, ho says, owe their
success to tlic rigid discipline maintained among their
servants, and the exercise of prudence and h\ manity
in their transactions with the natives. Offences and
insurrections were nipped in the bud by such cool
audacity on the part of the superior race, as to excite
at once admiration and fear in the breast of the
savag^c. Punislinient of crimes was swift and sure;
but it was inflicted only on the guilty. To guard
against surprise, almost all stations were surmounted
by stockades, with armed bastions at the opposite
anofles. Ao^ainst desultory outbreaks these forts were
proof, but not against well organized attack; but bv
holding the balance of power among contending chiefs
the fur-traders Mere almost always able to prevent
formidable attacks. Anderson regards the missionary
operations among the aboiigincs as no less injudicious
than unsuccessful.

Peace, therefore, we may conclude characterized
the intercourse of the resident fur-traders with the
natives, and that friendship was absolutely essential
to traffic. An attache of the company sufficiently
offending was dismissed the service; this the savages
knew, though it seldom happened. It was sometimes
exceedingly difficult, however, for the trader to pro-
serve his patience. The natives of New Caledonia
were often uncouth and rude, surly, lazy, and to
strangers in small parties, insolent and quarrelsome.
Yet there were the gentle Shushwaps, the jolly C.ir
riers, the knightly Cayuses^ and others with like good
(juaHties, whose lives might preach perpetual sermons
to congresses of philosophers. There were the filllij
little civil and faithful Kootenai^, the brave aiul
Sitately Pcnid d'Oreilles, and the fierce Nehannes above

A TRADE JARGON.

Stikcon, whose female chief rescued Mr Campbell in
tlir Avinter of 1838-9, and treated him with much
kindness. There was Nicola, chief of the Okanajjjaus,
and ever the champion of tlie right; his neighbor,
King Wanquillt!, of tlie Shushwaps, ])atriarch and
pliiliinthropist, and old King Freczy of the Songhies,
the last of a dynasty running down the centuries.
This last-named chicftian was a character. Indeed, all
Indian cliiefs are notable men, else they would not bo
chiefs. King Freezy loved oliedience, and connnandcd
it. He loved wives, of which at one time he had no
K'ss than fifteen, and he commanded them. It was
a 1'avorite pastime of his to cut off a wife's liead, and
(inc in which he indulj^ed so often, that in 1859 lie
had but SIX left. Ho died in 18()4, and was duly
lamented by the sorrowing survivors of the faithful
fitteon.

To facilitate communication liotwecn Eurf)peans
and the natives (»f the North \vi\st Coast, with their
mnncrous dialects, a trade language was adopted at
ail early day, called the Chinook jargon, being for the
tiTcater part a mixture of Chinook, French-Cana-
dian, and English words, with perhaps a few additions
tVoiii the Hawaiian and Spanish languages. This
jaigoii varied somewhat with the various tribes, each
coiitiibutinij; for local use some of the words of their

own language; but for the most part it was the
same among all the tribes of a very wide area, and
was adojited for general use, not only bcjtween whites.

: iiiiii liuliaiis, but between tiie dirterent tribes them-

j .sclvrs. Of the aboriginal languages the Chinook was
taken as the base, owing to t\\c fact that the Chinooks
al)()ut tlie mouth of tlie Cohanbia were the first to

I iiiino into intimate and continuc)Us intercourse with
Eiiio{;eans. After the building of Fort Astoria the

jjiir^oii rapidly s]ir».>ad tow-ard the east and north.

CHAPTER III.

OCCUPATION (W THE DOMAIX.

1S41.

AliOliKlINAI. 15lUTI.S!I C'ol.r.MniA — Folil'S ANTi Fri! -I'lIAIlKItS— SVHTKMS (ir
('(l.MMIMCATIDN — In II UliKNT I'nWKI; (IK ( 'l V [Ll/.AllON l)V Kit SaV'ACISM ■
Fl K-lHADINi; Dl.STKKT.S — .SlAlIONS — Ml.SSlONAUV AM) AciHII'UI/l'lllAI.

HK'ri'LKMKNrs — Intku[ok Fohts^Coast Siations— Tuk Hiiinsii ami
THK Rr.NSiAX Fill ('(iMiANiKs — TiiK IlriisoN's Bav ('(i.mi'any's ("ii;ii-

LATINC TilliKAUV JdINT OccI'I'ANCV oh' TIIK N( HI TllWl-sr ( '(lAST ]iV KnC-

land AM) THK UNITED STATKS— TlIK TuHATV DlVIDlNO THE Do.MAIN-

The XoiiiiiwK.sT Coast iMMiniiAi'Kr.v Pkioh to the Beuinsinu ok

BurnsH CoLIMIilA lIlMTDUY I'UDl'KK- N'iSIT OK DoldLAS TO THE SeVE1;AI,

Posts — ,Sitka andEtholin — (^»iAi;iii;i. iikiwekn INhci.as and Mc.\k:i i.
— SiiiVKY OF the Stikeen AND Tako Uecjion — Keeeue.sces eok This

AND THE PUECEUIXO CUAPTEIi.

British Columbia in 1841 was a silent \vikk'rues^•.
Its lords were natural, healthful, and free. Its Avild
beasts, birds, and fishes were multitudinous and fear-
less. Its forest-plumed hill-sides and its ravines wliis-
peered et'aselessly their soft psalmody; its ])lains and
transH\e(l billows bared their breasts to the eovetij |
warmth of the all-t'nd)raeing sun; M'liile its snow
silvered mountain-toi)s, each a sava<»'e ( )lympus, marki d
the earth's hmits to tlie dusky intellects within tlitir
end)race, and sIi.mI a dazzlinu;' radiance over the haiijiv
liuntinj^-ii-rouuds of the Invisible. Nature's pert'ntj
work was here; inexorable as everywhere: now wariu
and ki.ul and beautiful; a^ain cold, cruel, jHrbastlv. j
Yet the nations of this tlomain Avere doomed; tli
sludterino- forests and the innumerable forma of lip
that animated them were impreLjnat»d with the poisoiii
of ]>rooress; for already the subtle, unfelt clutcl
civilization was on the land.

(62)

INLAND NAVIGATION.

r>:i

Tliosc littlo ] (ifketod i-iirlosuros appeariujj; at inter-
vals of two or tlirco liundred miles, like secluded fox-
lidK'S ill boundless })rairies — what arc tlieyl To the
uiKiiliylitened vision of the thou^yhtless red man they
are nian'a/ines of celestial condorts, arms which _!:>'ive
tlio [)ossessor superhuman powi^r in war and in the
iliasc; containing inij)lements of iron and steel whose
(■U!iiiin,i>' causes even nature to hlush; woven wool which
wards off cold, disease, and death; glitterinu^ trinkt'ts
wlinsc wealth raises wrinkled imbecility aho\'e the
uttiactions of youth and talents; and above all, tobacco
and that blessed drink of heaven which, indeed, can
minister to a mind diseased, while ]tlacing the body Ibr
a time beyond th.o reach of pain. To their builders, and
to the white race everywhere, tliese solitary and con-
tnictcd pens have a far different signitication. They
are de[)ots of compressed pow< r, dominatino; the land
and all that is tlu^rein; they are germs of the highest
liuman type, ^vllich >hall shortly spring \ip and ovcr-
^pi'cad the Aviklerness, causing it to wither beneath its
I'utal shade.

Til- system oif connnunication between Montreal
and Hudson Bay and the tril)utarifS of the Ar<tic
and the Pacific was quite complete. Along thr main
livi'is, along the links of wateis, where lakes and
streams succeeded each other so as to form a continu-
IIU8 lino of travel, having the greatest amount of navi-
^aliK; waters with the sliortest portages and the least
jHissihle amount of land travel, were chaiits of posts
with outposts, subordinate establishments oi- feeders
• 111 cither side on all the minor streams, and in local-
ities (»tf the main chains wherevt-r })eltrics ^vt■re to Imj
liriititably purciiased. Twice ever}' year over all these
i'-nns of connnunication nastsed reiruiar bri'_jades or c\-
]iivs>. s bringing into the central posts the furs on
liuiid. and carrying back *brt suij'plies and trading
|,i;"n(l>. The Cohnnbia lliv--r and the Saskat( howan
Iwith its two branches, and tliA-" chain of lakes to tin;

UviJ

OtJC'Ul'ATION OF THE DOMAIN.

eastward, liavo ever been the arteries of travel in tlit-
Hud.son'^4 Hay Company's territories.

CanofS and liorses were chief anionj^ the aids of
transportation. Whi'n these foiled, the l)acks t)f voy-
a:L>eui's and natives were eni[>]oyed, 8onu!tinu;s in
winter the ulticjuitous fur-buyers tlitted hither and
thitlu'r on sleds and snow-shoes, often finding the^.u-
selves among tlii^ tx'ee-to[>s forty feet from solid ground.
And most fortunate were tluy if tliey eould iudd ti
their ctjurse, avoid precijiitous banks and (diasnis, and
k(tp themselves above the snow instead of being
l)uiicd under it.

t£ii

AVhei'c sliiiil we sec more forcibly displayed tlic
]iower of trained and cnliglitened intellect over tin'
uncultivated mind and bestiality! Scatten-d in smai!
bands over nn area e((ual to one half of Xorth Ann i-
ica, in tlie midst of i'eroeious savages outnund)eriiiL;
tliem a tliousand to one, these few indi\ idual wlntc
men Iudd absolute swji,v; having first brought tlnir
own passions under obedicaice to mind, they imposi il
obedience upon the ])assi()ns of tliese wild and law](s>
inhal)itants of the forest. This living find laboring in
savage countries was attended l)y many dangers ami
]>eeuliarities which became as a secontl nature to these
hardy and courageous men. Nor was the iuHueiirc
altogetlier tlia,t of civilization u[K)n savagism. To lU'
small extent the trader's and voyageurs became so far
ind)ued with nature as to marry aborigines and adopt
many primitive customs. Even the C)regon settlers df
is;) 1-4 Ijocame half-savage in some of their ways; tlio
women, f)r examjde, l)eing unalde to procure cloth tm'
dresses, adopted the Cdliijnartcc, or cedar-bark petti-
coat of the natives, the fibres being twisted into cord>,
oi- frayed fi'om the waist to the knees. This A\ii:li
a ])iece of green or s<-arlet baizi; over the shoulders
completed the costume. The men were glad to g( t ;i
shirt, M'ith sonietinn s a blaidvet. The servants ut'
tlie fur com[)anies M'ere always comfortabl)' clad, tin'

GENERAL DIVISIONS.

Is of

voy-

■s in

and

)UIh1.

lid t>
i, ami
beiiii;'

1 the
;r till'

small
:Vnni'-
l)criii,^'

whitf
\, tluir

)()Srll
\\ 1( >-

ll^• ill

mill

thr>.

Urtii''
\> li

SO far
adnjit

s; the

.til t'"V

prlti-

(•oi'i!>,

^\ '. ill

ul<K'l'^

(T( 't a
its of

d, the

capote, or hooded cloak, Lcin<^ conspicuous. A uiii-
Ibrm was worn at first, but afterward was laid aside.
In domestic economies, even in ])ersonal beariiii^
and mode of speech, the traders copied larj^'ely, thoui^li
evidently unconsciously, from their aboriginal Iriends.
Like the Indians, the fur-traders were remarkable
for graphic diction whenever their habitual reticence
allowed their oral powers full play. Now and then
ii I'ur-govcrnor from beyond the mountains illumined
nature by his presence, on which occasion traders
everywhere were tremulous with excitement, antl the
denizens of the forest spellbound as the mighty man
passed by.

On the consolidation of the Northwest and Hudson's
Bay companies in 1821 the upper interior was known
to the fur-traders as the Columbia district. Three
years later wo find Archibald Mai;donald, then clerk of
one of the Thompson liiver posts, drawing a map, " with
much detail and wonderful correction," as his editor,
McLeod says, in which the territory between tho
Columbia River and the Arctic Ocean was laid down
as the Thompson River district. Soon after, and
wliilo yet the whole region north of California was
yxnerally designated as the Oregon territory, the
Nlw Caledonia district was portioned off in the in-
terit)r, and on the coast we find, following the fancty of
Vancouver, and beginning at Blount St Elias, New
Xorlolk, New Cornwall, New Hanover, New^ Ceor-
gia, and New Albion, the last named reaching down
to San Francisco Bay. New Georgia lay between
Nootka Sound and the mouth of the Colund)ia
Riser, and New Hanover next above to Queen Char-
lntl(; Island.

In early times all the country north of California,
all the region drained by the liiver of the West, as
Well as the seaboard was called Oregon. It was then
a mystic land, a region of weird imagery and i'able.
In the spring of 1832 there was not a single United
States settler in all the Oregon territory. It was

■«!

:iJ

OCCUl'ATION OF THE DOMAIN.

during

this y

oar

that

AiiK'ricau omi^jfriitiou to
Oregon hogiiu. Certain Fruncli-Canadian tuniilics,
i'ornierlv servants or retaini'rs of the Hudson's J>tiv
( *onipan_v, witli the fatherly advice .'iiid jissistanee of
Joliii jMcLoughhn, had previously ojx'ui'd fii'uis in the
ricli valley of the Willamette and on the hanks of the
Columhia. It was the French Avlio were first in
Oregon, who had been first in the !Miss;ss![)pi Valhy,
who had heen foremost in ('anadn.and wlio at one
time had dominated four filths of North America;
it was the humble descendants of this chivalrous race
who fii'st opened for cultivation these lands ])rimeval,
and paved the way for the harder-headed xVnglo-
Saxon.

On Twiss' map, London, 184r), Oregon extends
from latitude 42° to 54° 40' west of the liocky ]\[oun-
tains. It includes the Qu(>en Charlotte and Van-
couver islands, and all the mainland drained by tlie
Fraser and Columbia rivers. McKinlay divides the
country west of the Rocky Mcmntains into two dis-
tricts: the Columbia, extending to Utah and California;
and New Caledonia, reaching from Thompson River
to the Russian ])ossessions. Were this ever officially
the case, such partition did not so remain long before
tlie territory was redistricted. Says Anderson : " The
extent of New Caledonia may be briefly hidicated as
C(nn[)rising the tract watered by the Fraser and its
tributaries from the Rocky ^Mountains and Cojist
Range down to the point about twenty miles below
Alexandria, now known as Soda Creek." Then conios
the Thompson River district. Vancouver's territorial
nomenclature was never put into practical use, nnr
were the fur company's districtings officially retaincil
after the erection of British Colundjia into a province.
British Columbia to-e'ay embraces broadly all lands
and islands west of the sunnnit of the Rocky Moun-
tains lying between Washington and Alaska.

In 183i) the Willamette settlement, begun ten j-cars
previous by a retired servant of the Hudson's Ixi)

Till'; \' A mot's POSTS.

('(inipanv, ninnl)t'r('(l fifty-four nu^n, and uUout as
many fariiis. Tlicrc wrva four otlii'r .stations of Amer-
jciii niissionai'ics, one at the ])all('s, ono at Walla
Walla, one on the ( Icarwatcr, and ono at KS[)okanc.
Five vessels pei'fonned the eoast servieo. PixvA Fraser
was in eliarUi'i' of tin; Jtudson's liny ('onii)any's estab-
llsliiiient at l"inp(iua when the inllux of Americans
was so oTcat as materially to jc'o[)ardi/e the interests
((f the fur-trader.s in that (juarter

I'pon a eontiuontal apex not unlike that in the
vicinity c)f tilt! national [>ark which se|)ai'ates the
wat( IS of the ^lissouii, the Columbia, and tlu^ Colo-
rado, stood Fort St James, the ca})ital of this wi'st-
• iii Caiedonin. Old jMr Harrison once commanded
tli( re. and so tlid younij;" ifames J3ouglas bisfort; honors
and titi(\s thickened around him.

Its site was the south-eastern end of ^ tuart Lake,
and it was the ccMitral iiijfure of a elusti-r of forts.
Twenty-five mik'S south-westerly was Fort Fraser;
sixty miles south-easU-i'ly was Fort (leorn'o; eis^hty
mill s north-easterly w£is Fort McLeod, and one hun-
<li'cd mill's north-westerly was Fort Babinc. South-
ward from this highland flow the waters of the
Frasei'; northward and westward the Skeena; north-
ward and eastward J*eace Kiver winding through the
liecky Mountains and thence onward to the frozen
ocean.

Later for a time in charge o? the New Caledonia
dcj»artmont, was (^hief Factor Ogden, whose head-
quarters were at Fort St James on Stuart J^ake,
On Lakes Fraser, ]^al)ine, and !McLcod were forts of
tlio same names. Fort Thompson was on the Ka;n-
loops Itiver; and from Fort Alexandria on Frasi'r
Iiiv( r, the station of a chief trader, the northern
liriga<lo took its departure going north. At ]\[cLeod
Felt, where the y-enial wide-mouthed Tod used to
Welcome governors to an enii>ty larder, was one of
the most })roIi{ic fur-fields. Before Tod at this ])ost
was Peter Warren Dease, and after Tod was Mr Mc-

III.'

'■ ■,v.;:

i !
.1 . !l

! !

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1.25

- IS 1110

1.8

U 11.6

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

C^V

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80

(716) 872-4503

■!ri.ft.

U OCCUPATION or THE DOMAIN.

Iiitofih, subse(juently shot by the siivages. The pest
at liabiuc was built by Chief Trader Brown in 1820-7.
Ill charjife of Fort Langley was Yale; llae was at
Yerl>a Bueiia, and Simpson at the Jlawaiian Island
agency Wilkes counted "six permanent ostablish-
ments on the coast and sixteen in the interior,, besides
several migratory and hunting parties."

Koot(uiai and Flathead were outposts of Colvillc,
and yielded annually forty packs of peltries; Chilco-
tin sent in four {)aeks, and Alexandria from twenty t(»
thirty packs. Fort St James was a j)rofitable station,
sending down yearly furs worth in London £50,00(',
if we may })elieve Wilkes, which I for one do not,
especially when coupled with the statement that only
twenty-five cents in goods was there paid for a beaver-
skin worth at Fort Vancouver ten times that sum.
It was only one y( ar prior to the date of this chapter
that Samuel Black, while in charge of Kamloops,
was killed by a nephew of Wanquille. Some few of
the conquuiy's posts, like the missionary establish-
ments of California, became subsecjuently the nuclei
of little settlements, particularly those hi gold -pro-
ducing parts.

Every 3'ear tlie chief factor or chief trader haviiiij
charge of a district would go to Fort Vancouver ami
tlience conduct a brigade of sui)plies to his distribut-
ing depot, employing for tliat purpose boats, men, and
horses according to the nature of the region traversed.
From Fort Vancouver to Fort St James, for example,
the transport was made by boats to Okanagan, and
thence to Kamloop and Fort Alexandria by liorses,
in bands of from two hundred to three hundred.
From Fort Alexondria to Fort St James merchandise
was convcyi'd in canoes.

It was a hazardous occupation, as I have said, a
large amount of im])erfectly guarded j)roiX3rty bein-^
constantly exposed to tlie cujtidity of the savages, to
say nothing of tlie dangers of navigation. The poit
ages made arduous the voyji^e up the Columbia,, and

I I

ROUTES OF TRAVEL

the land travel between Okanagan and Kamloop was
l)articularly rough. The distance from Fort Van-
couver toKandoop, following the sinuosities of rivers
and trails, was seven or eight hundred miles, though
supplies were carried in this direction more than twice
that distance.

Kamloop was the capital of the Thompson River
district pro[)er. The fort was compact and well pal-
isaded; and within the stockades, standing at a little
ilistance, there was room enough for the largest horse
brigades together with their accoutrements.

To the eye of the inhabitant of these lonely wilds,
whetlier white skm or red, the arrival of the horse
l)iigade was a thrilling siglit. Through tlie deep
niviiies, round precipitous mountain-sides, and over
hills and plains they had come; sleek, fat animals,
usually perfect m form and color, bearing the burdens
Nvliicli had been carefully brought so far, from beyond
ciiiitinents and seas, and all to be laid at the feet of
the lordly savage.

The stations on the coast were Fort Langlcy and
Fort Simpson, the former the first sea fort iii IJritish
('(iluinbia, the latter trend)lingly erected among some
t»l' the wickedest savages upon the coast. Then there
were Fort McLoughlin on ^lilbank Sound, and Fort
Tako on the Tako Kiver, Yet, so well was the mat-
ter arranged, that a footing was obtaiiuid without
liuhtiiig for it, and an almost iin[)r(>gnab]e fortress wa.s
I'lected. By the aid of these two establishments,
which were regularly served from Fort Vancouver,
Ih'st by the schooner Cddhoro, Cn])tain Simpson, and
subst'(juently by the steanx-r Jkarcr, the indomitable
.More engineer, American opposition was finally driven
from the coast.

Flving the wilderness of water between forts Van-
cnuver and Tako, sometimes venturing boldly out to
si!i, sometimes creepitig more prudently through the
lahyrinth of islaiuls and canals between Xiscjually and
ISitka, these historical craft of the Northwest Coast

if:'

'< :■ >1

■■! )- ii^

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.

-i\ !

came and went, playing no insitijnificant part in the
yicat work of human overtuiiiinj'S hereabout.

At first a few ^oods liad been brouglit over the
mountains from eastern ports. But so difficult and ex-
])ensive was this mode of trans|)ort that it was soon
abandoned, and all supplies for the western slo[>e
were brought from England to Fort Vancouver round
Cape Horn. The coast trade was confined to the
coast tribes, and had nothing to do with the inland
trade conducted by the old route from Fort Vancou-
ver up the Columbia to Okanagan, Kandoop, and
Fort St James. Communication with the <-oast ports
was had at first by schooners sailing regularly from
Fort Vancouver, and subsequently by the c()nn)any's
steamers. This coast trade was at the first not profit-
able, but was persevered in for many years at a Jieavy
loss, in order to clear the shore forever of Boston ships
and l:J(>ston men.

Between these i\\\ lines of traffic intervened the
Cascade Bange, an obstacle to free connnercial intei-
course which might have been overcome by the com-
pany had they chosen to do so. But this partition
wall was not witliout its benefit, separating as it did
interior tribes from the influence and opposition ot
foreign traders along the coast.

Prior to the discovery of gold in California, wliicli
raised no small commotion througliout all tlie Colum-
bia and New Caledonia regions, John Lee ]jewis,
conspicuous anuMig all the officers of the comj)any for
dasliing dress, held command at Fort Colville. Jl'j
was succeeded in 1848 by Alexander C. Anderson.
Besides fine personal appearance, l^ewes possessed
many good (jualities. Indeed, since Northwest rivalry
had so sharpened wit, the service enforced the aj>-
]>ointment oidy of able and energetic men. Where
strength of mind and body were so essentially re<|ui-
slte, favoritism went for less than it did formerly

FARMS ESTABLISHED.

111 my Ilistor}/ of the Nort:>Avest Coast I have stated
that in the lease of a portion of the Russian territory
to the Hudson's Bay Company for a term of ten years
from 1H09, afterward increased seveial years more,
it was stipulated that during such occupation the
Russian American Fur Company should purchase all
their European goods from the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, who, also, alone were to supply such agricul-
tural products as the several Russian posts and vessels
sliould require.

Now the Russians were hearty eaters, and not
ovcr-lbnd of work. Exercise sufficient for an appetite
tho}^ could get by beating their poor seal-hunters, the
Aleuts and Koniagas, who likewise grew hungry
under the process. Even these latter raised little or
n<» ])r()duce. But whence were to come the fruits of
the soil upon which the Hudson's Bay Company had
promised to feed them? Some little planting, had
been done at Colville, Fort Vancouver, and the Willa-
mette and Cowlitz valleys, but barely sufficient for the
coni|)any's own requirements. The British fur-hunters
weie hut little more inclined to agriculture than were
the Russian traders. There were these points of
ditl'eretice, however, between the two: the former had
suitable soil and climate with enterprise and thrift
to exercise upon it, all which the latter lacked. At
all events, before making their bargain, they were
su})|)()sed to have sufficiently weighed results, and
would in due time furnish the provisions agreed upon.
Some they could get from California, some from the
Hawaiian Islands; but such in the main was not
their purpose. They preferred to develop home
rosoiu'ces.

To this end the management determined to open
other farms upon the banks of the Columbia, and in
tlie lioh Willamette Valley ; for which purpose, during
the same year of 1839, English and Scotch farmers
wore brought from Canada across the mountains, and
l)laeed in the several most favorable parts of the

! f

r I

\' it.

if ' ' wli IB

m ^ i

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.

country. Likewise French Canadians and half-breeds
rctirin*^ from the service of the company were encour-
nj^ed to settle upon lands, the best of which were to
be had without asking, and become tillers of the soil.

In the vicinity of Fort Vancouver, and else-
where, the areas of agriculture were soon greatly
enlarged, and grist-mills erected for making the
several grades of flour required for the Russitm
American trade. More sheep and cattle were being
driven up from California, and the Sandwich Islands
swine were permitted rapidly to increase. The plains
near Fort Nisqually were turned into sheej) and
cattle ranges, and the Puget Sound Agricultural
Company was inaugurated. Hence it was not lon^;
before wheat, flour, butter, pork, and otlier articles
in no considerable quantities were ready for shipment
to the Russian posts, not alone of the American, but
of the Asiatic coast, and four barks of eight hun-
dred tons each were built in London for the exporta-
tion of Hudson's Bay Company's produce.

Lieutenants Warre and Vavasour report: "At Nis-
qually, near the head of Puget Sound, is the farm of
uhe Puget Sound Company, commenced in 1839, and
supported chiefly by the gentlemen of the Hudson's
Bay Company. They here cultivate wheat and pota-
toes, etc., but the magnificent range of rich prairie
country between the shores of Puget Sound and the
Cascade Mountains to the east are chiefly used as
pasturage for the immense herds of cattle and slieip,
the greater number of which were brought from Cali-
fornia in 1840-1." Operations here were under the
management of W. F. Tolmie for the Puget Sound
Agricultural Company, an offshoot of the Hudson's
Bay Company. Anderson and Niell did the honors
at this post upon the occasion of the visit of tlie
United States exploring squadron in 1841. It was
then in the full beauty of growing fields and well-kt'i)t
gardens, with a fine dairy attached.

Crops were raised by the company at Fort Van-

couver 1
and the
that tim
• fterwarc
tJie neces

A aRCULATING LIBRARY.

couver until 1850, but after 1846 the farms declined,
and the Russian Company contracts, which, prior to
that time had been filled from Fort Vancouver, were
ifterward shipped from Oregon City and Chanipoeg,
the necessary produce being obtained by purchase.

W. F. Tolmie states that he first met Mr Ander-
son at Milbank Sound in December 1833, where he
replaced Anderson as clerk. There, in connection
with Chief Trader Donald Manson, he "conceived the
iilea of establishing a circulating library among the
oHiccrs of the company. Anderson, on reaching Fort
Vancouver, ventilated the matter. It was readily
taken up by Dr JMcLoughlin and Mr Douglas. A sub-
siri[)tion library was formed which did nmch good for
altout ten years, soon after which time it was broken
Ujt. The officers subscribed, sent the order for books
and periodicals to the company's agent in Loudon; the
hooks were sent out, and as everybody had subscribed,
tilt y weie sent to all the forts throughout the length
and hrcadth of the land. The library was kept at Fort
^'alH•ouver, subscribers sending for such books as they
waiiti'd, and returning them when read. Finally the
books were divided among such, of the subscribers as
caicd about having them. The Hudson's Bay Com-
jiaiiy, l)y their ships, sent out the Times and other lead-
ing papers for circulation. This was the first circulating
lihrary on the Pacific Slope, extending from 1833 to
1843."

It should be borne in mind that the territory west
of the Rocky Mountains and north of California was
at this time held by agreement in joint occupancy !
Great Britain and the United States. That the par-
tition lino nmst be drawn somewhere and shortly was
woll understood. Some little ill-will had been engen-
tlercd between the subjects and citizens of the two
powers thus brought into anomalous contact. Both
sicks claimed a right to occupy the territory, though

[{ I

i, fj

m '

II .1

5h '!

II i

"'• ''M

J..

'J I

t-ii

'ij

OCCUPATION OF TlIK DOMAIN.

noithor know much about it It was bad blood onI\'
that was stirred ; it was i^iioranco and stu})i(Hty oidy
that b(!camo bhitant. Wlien the ii<»t most rehablo or
refined element in tlie United States, ])()verty-strirken,
"W'ith barefooted and bareheaded wives and children,
and teams ot" bonv oxen and emiitv wa<>ons straLJuled
throu<!;h the mountains, the olHcers of the Hudson's
i3ay Company behaved most ii<»bly. They fully be-
lieved tiieir riufht to the territory as uood as that of
the others. Though holdinj^- under tlie stijmlati'd terms
of joint oceupanc}^, tlieir domination in these parts had
been from the begiiming absolute and continuous.
They iidierited from the Northwest Company, wht>
bought from the Pacific Company, which latter was
supposed to bo an American incorporation, tliough
made up almost wliolly of foreigners. Between the
shock-lieaded, dirt-becoated, tobacco -spitting, and
swearing ox-drivers from the United States l)ord(r
and tlie educated and j)unetilious business men of tlie
fur monopoly there was a marked contrast, and the
latter, I say, behaved nobly.

There was much in this immigration to exasperate
them. The interlopers, as from their standpoint they
could but regard them, had come to s[)oil their trade,
to drive away the game, to demoralize the natives, and
to take the land for eultivation. ICven if they did nut
so declare, such would be the ijievitable effect. And yet
they were kindly treated, and fed and ( lothed, as we
have many times seen in the pursuance of this history.
And I hold it churli.sh in any American, or in any
man, to deny ^IcLoughlin, ])ouglas. Work, and Olj-
den, and all the rest of these fearless, warm-hearted,
open-liand(Hl, and clear-headed Scotch, Irish, and Eng-
lish men, their full meed of praise. It is not a ques-
tion that turns upon the relative merits and demerits
of the nations; such discussion I leave entirely to
the stump-orators and long-eared logicians on either
side. I deal only with men; and it matters not tnie
whitM'ith me tlie accidents of color, creed, or country.

IJlO 1

meetinjjf

FUR-HUXTERS AND SETTLKRS. »

Tho roprosontatives of tlio two nationalities, tlius
met'ting ill o^jpugnant interests in the new North-
west, were of totally different classes, and in review-
ing their character, they cannot bo justly })laccd upon
the same plane. Among the self-hjacrificing jiioneers
of tlic Pacific there were many intelligent, higli-
niinded, and li<)n()rable men and devoted women, wlu),
it is scarcely m^cessary for me to say to the read<T
of tlie previous volumes, of this history, are W(trtliy of
every honor, every gratitude that history and pos-
terity can give. Yet none of us can deny that anioiig
the emiijrants were i^^norant and ill-mannered men
and slatternly M'omen, Avho in their attitude and deal-
ings compared unfavorably with first-class business
men trained to strict accountal)ility from boy]>ood.

8a\s jny friend Elwood Evans, ever ready enough
to do battle for his country: "It was a motley settle-
ment, indeed, if we consider the caste to which each
settler belon<;ed, or the influence wliich brou<fht luni
thither. There were the Hudson's Bay Company
and its retainers, holding almost exclusive possession
of the country, insidiously retarding and discouraging
American settlement, and destroying by its policy of
trade every American enterprise. Here, too, were
the discharged or retired servants of tho company,
located in the country l)y its permission, and over
whom it yet exercised controlling influence, men of
every variety of color and nationality. Here and
there were Americans who had dropped out of and
remained behind the various companies and expedi-
tions wliich had been crushed out or sui)planted by
the great monopoly of trade enjoyed by the Hudson's
Bay Company, of necessity entertaining no very kind
feeling toward the company, nor friendship for its
studied and persistent attempts to convert Oregon
into a British province. Thsn came the missionary
colonies with denominational castes, each imbued with
: a loading pnnciple, true to themselves, yet zealous to
I outvie in evidences of successful labor their rivals in

Hisr, BniT. Col. 5

ilHi

li-

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'Ki

I r

il OCCUPATION OF THK DOMAIN.

Bimilar services; soon after whom, and last of all, fol-
lowed tlio American emigrants proper, men, women,
and children, seeking homes for themselves and their
posterity, each in proper person asserting faith in the
American title to Oregon, and prepared to struggle
against every effort and influence which would wrest
the country fnmi the United States. Such was the
Orcgt)ii of that period, and it is difficult, indeed, out
of these heterogeneous elements, each having its own
peculiar history, to present an intelligible and intelli-
gent view of affairs."

The treaty of 1046, which drew the dividing lino
between ./American and British territory on the Pa-
cific, befitting in my mind the history of Oregon
rather than the history of British Columbia, has been
fally analyzed iii a previous volume. Its effect upon
tlie interests of United States settlers was primary
and innnediate; its effect on the fur-traders was to
remove their operations farther to the northward.
Xor should the fact be lost sight of in any discussion
of the differences arising between the fur-traders and
the Kettk!rs, that the Hudson's Bay Company was by
ro means a free and full representation of the British
nation. They were simply an incorporated commer-
cial association, acting for themselves, solely in their
own pecuniary interests, and were as deadly opposed
to opposition from pcoi)le of their own nationality as
from those <;f any other nation.

I cannot do better, in concluding this general view
of the Northwest Coast at the beginning of British
Ct)lumbia history proper, than to give a resume of
the doings of James Douglas innnediately antecedent
to the o})ening of operations on Vancouver Island;
that gentleman being then not only foremost in north-
coast fur affairs, but rapidly rising to sole rulership
in the commercial and political interests of Pacific
British America. The information here given is ( pit-
omized from his ji)urnal8 of 1840-1.

Leavi
I^ouglas
wliere J
Langley
tion was
leased fn
t'stablish;
territory.
TJie d(
ill-timed i
tliat post
lute to ob
tlie hype
alone upoi
often don(
but remar
tiio Cowli
Jinbitants
attributes i
0^' providei
TJie first
first to set
sufficed not
tlie sca-coEu
l^i'd.s and b
scene harro'
drawn up i
^viJlow bono
^vatclifu]^ b1
l^f the humi
^'rds, the 1
°;-^S'i^t sumn
t"e abode oi
fiJitid with pi
sy"ij)athi2ini
ague await y
tie more vir
I^'oceedinj
%, Bougla

DOUGLAS' JOURNAL.

Leaving Fort Vancouver the 22d of April 1840,
Douglas passed round by the Cowlitz to Nisqually,
where ho learned of the total destruction of Fort
Langley by fire. The object of the present expedi-
tion was the occupation of the Stikeen post, lately
leased from the Russians, and the building of another
establishment on the Tako River, also within Russian
territory.

The destruction of Langley at this junctr.re was
ill-timed and inconvenient, depending as thev were on
that post for salt provisions, which it was now too
late to obtain from any other source. The lessors of
the hyperborean domains, therefore, must depend
alone upon the ravens of their religion, as they had
often done elsewhere, to feed them. Douglas could
but remark in passing on the early depopulation of
the Cowlitz country, for of the once numerous in-
habitants there now remained but sixty men. He
attributes the cause to ague and the mysterious ways
of j>rovidence.

The first ague summer, says Plomondo, one of the
first to settle there, was in 1830, when "the living
sufficed not to bury their dead, but fled in terror to
the sea-coast, abandoning the dead and dying to the
birds and beasts of prey. Every village presented a
scone harrowing to the feelings; the canoes were there
drawn up upon the beach, the nets extended on the
willow boughs to dry, the very dogs appeared as ever
watchful, but there was not heard the cheerful sound
of the human voice. The green woods, the music of
birds, the busy humming of the insect tribes, the
brigiit summer sky, spoke of life and happiness, while
the abode of man was silent as the grave, and like it
filled with putrid, festering carcasses. ' All hail, sweet
sympathizing friends; providence, civilization, and the
ague await your coming to reap alike rich harvests in
the more virgin north.

Proceeding from Nisqually in the steamer to Lang-
ley, Douglas there found Yale busy erecting a new

) I

I a

111

1^ I

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.

stockade. Twenty riu'n from tlio stoanior worn loanod
tlu! tort l>iiil<l«'rs tor a sliort time; after wliieh the
ve.ssel eoiitinurd its way, takint; in wood and water at
the nortli end of Tejada iKhuid, huyiiij^ tifty heaver-
skins from the saiiey natives of the (,'()mux viHa<rc' otf
ViAnt Mudj^e, wlio were yet umeehumed by Chris-
tianity and undisripUiu'd hy oiviUzed a<<ue, and an-
choring m McNeill Harhor on the Bth of May

Opening trade with the QuackoUs from C'heslakee,
twenty sea-otter an<l seventy heaver were lunight.
Continuing, a few skins were traded at l*ort J^till;
500 hushels of potatoes, 500 pieces <»f cedar haik, and
thirty cf)rds of wood were taken on hoard at Foil
McLoughlin, and on the 14th Fort Simpion was
reached. Thence hv wav of Stikeen, ])out:!as wi'iit
to Sitka and talked wit!; J.iLliolin, the liussian gov-
ernor, ahout their territorial hounds and trade, whidi
questions were satisfactorily settled. Each might
buy provisions anywhere, hut furs only within their
own territory. A tariff was a<jreetl upon for the
Indian trafttc, and some furs were exchanged hetwceii
themselves. Permission was granted the Hudson's
Bay Company to buy sheep at Bodega ])rovidetI tlio
sanction of the California authorities could beobtainid,
but not otherwise. The Russians ofl'ered to sell IJo-
dega for $30,000, with 1,500 sheep at o' and a hiilf
dollars cash, and 3,000 cattle and horses at ten dollars
each. Etholin had sugar enough to last him four
years, but he would take some blankets, and agree to
furnish two hundred pairs of Finland shoes at live
shillings each. Douglas otfered to grind part of their
wheat into tine tlour, but Etholin replied that liis
people did not use much tine flour. The question of
selling arms and alcohol to savages was oj)ened and
closed without effecting anything; the Sitka people
did so love liquor, and arms were essential to success-
ful hunting. As to next year's supply of provisions.
the Russians would want one hundredweight of but-
ter; if they did not sell Bodega, they could there cure

all the 1
arixui in
Would pji

1'lius

other's hi

growls ()\

ii^linieiit.'^

and idle <

iiiLT of nj

iKifhing (

wholly ui

term f>f se

frnin both

t<en vesse

sian servic

'iiiniuillv f(

|»!o(Ju,'tive
|'iwsn(> a (.,

tile superHi
'^'"ed anni
otter were
<'e(| t\vent\

DOU(JLAa AND ETHOUN.

all tlio bcof thoy would require, tlioy woiild receive
iffinn \n ('nlitonua it' the Hudson's May Company
would |)uy tlio tVoii^ht to Sitlvu.

Thus these dii^uitaries di<kered, each lioldin«^ the
othf-r's business methods in contempt, Doui^las lu-re
(^Tuwls over st^veral })a}jfes. The two llussian estab-
lishments visited by liim were crowded with lazy
and idle officers and men. It was bad, the api)oint-
iii^ of naval officiTs 1.) the conunand, who knew
imthin*;' of the service*; it was bad liavin^ officers
wjioliy un«pialiHed for l>usiness undertakinj^s, whose
term of service was only five years, and who drew ])ay
from both the government and the fur company. Fif-
teen vessels W(Te kept consi,.t.i '.y afloat in the Kus
sian service, and six thousand dollars were expended
iiimually for provisions. The seal islands were not so
)i!(t(Iuctive as formerly, and they were now obliged to
|MUsue a cf)urse of rmrsinj^, only fifteen thousand of
the superfluous young males being now allowed to be
kilK'd ammally. Twenty-five thousand beaver and
otter were traded each year, at a net profit not to ex-
ceed twenty [)er cent on the capital employed. Their
fuis wen? mostly exchanged on the China frontier for
teas, at the rate of seventy-five roubles, or fifteen dol-
lars, for otter, atul fifteen roubles for beaver. In all
whicli Doutjlas doubtless was ri<;ht.

Ktturning to Stikeen, a misunderstanding arose
hetween Douglas, connnander of the expedition, and
McNeill, captain of the steamer, a brief account of
which will best illustrate the nuitual relations and
duties of these officials in the company's service.

The Jiours of labor were from six to six. In taking
on wood, Saturday, the 30tli of May, Douglas, being
anxious to ex])edite affairs, ordered work continued
until nine o'clock at night. The captain disliked to
<liivo the men so hard, lest they should complain,
and reasonably, as it was against the rules of the
sliip. Prayers were held on Sunday between one and
two, and after further resting until four, Douglas

il;

fiS! - 'it

1*1

!,.; r

' ;P

. li-

I 5

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.

ordered the wooding to proceed, the captain remain-
in j^ ashore all Jay in an ill humor. Next morning
McNeill was more angry than ever, and on encoun-
tering Douglas in the cabin, addressed him in an agi-
tated manner.

"Mr Douglas, if you interfere with the duties of
the sliip, I will leave her as soon as we get to Fort
bnnpsoi'

"In what instance sir have I interfered with the
ship's duties?"

"In various ways."

"You would ol)lige me, sir, by more explicit infor-
mation. It was certainly never my intention to do
anything on board this ship to diminish the respect
due to you. However, in my ignorance of naval
routine, 1 may have inadvertently trespassed on some
point of etiquette, and I wish you to point it out, that
I may avoid it in future."

"The mate, an hour ago, asked me whose orders he
should obey — ^yours or mine."

"Call him. Sir, why did you put such a quastioii
to the captain?"

"Because you gave me several orders yesterdiiy
when the captain was ashore."

" Did I ever tell you, sir, to disobey the captain's
Oiders i

"No, sir."

"Well, sir, you have acted very improperly, and in
a manner more becoming an inmate of the forecastle
than a gentleman and an officer."

"Very well, 1 will go away."

"Go to the devil, sir, if you please."

*''Ca})tain McNeill, I refuse duty," exclaimed the
mate, as he left the cabin and went on deck. Dougliis
followed him, and ordered him back to the cabin Tlio
mate moved slowly and reluctantly. Douglas was
very angr^". Seizing in his powerful grasp the collar
of the mate's jacket, he shook him as he would havo
done a scht)ol-boy.

"Wou
mate. ]
leased hi
cabin. J
no intent
he deem
they mus
service, :
now in cl
While
Vancouve
wliat dis]
needed ai
and thert
ready the
to sfiid t
ilcliver th
proceed t
\V''ork doe
Fort Vaii
Fort McI
for trade,
hoarding-i
with safoi
This pla
execution,
with Rodi
Stephens
uoon of
huiits and
(listance o
informed
Three day
liigher ele>
•T-iid snow,
W'iiig plant
it, so singu
olation an(
it Kden.

\'<i

EXPLORATION OF THE TAKO.

"Would you lay violent hands on mo?" shouted the
mate. Instantly remembering himself, Douglas re-
leased his hold, and the man inarched quietl}' into the
<-abin. Douglas then assured the officers that he had
no intention of interfering with their duties, hut should
he deem it necessary at any time to issue orders,
they must be obeyed by every person in the company's
service, master and mate included. Mr Work was
now in charge of Fort Simpson, and Ilae of Stikeen.

While at the former place a few da}'s, the ship
Vancouver arrived, whereupot\ Douglas was perph^xed
what disposition to make of the vessels, which were
needed at once at the Columbia for general service,
and there upon the north coast to assist in making
ready the new establishments. He finally concluded
to send both the sailing vessel and the steamer to
ck^liver the outfits at Stikeen and Tako; thence {o
proceed to Sitka, returning to Simpson, when, if
Work deemed it necessary, he n^.ight shi[) his furs to
Fort Vancouver, meanwhile landing the outfit for
Fort McLoughlin, and touching on the coast below
for trade, that is to say, if a vessel unprovided with
lioarding-nettings, as was the Vancouver, might do so
with safety.

This plan Douglas proceeded to put into immediate
execution, still retaining his place on board the Ikaver,
with Roderick Finlayson of the party. Arriving at
Stephens Passage on the 17th of June, in the after-
noon of tbe same day he set out with two armed
boats and twenty men to ex})lore the Tako lilver to a
distance of thirty-five miles, where his instructions
Informed him was to be placed the post of Tako.
Three days were occupied in this expedition. The
higher elevations everywhere were covered with ice
and snow, the lower level with green grasses and flow-
ci'liig plants in full bloom. So strangely beautiful was
it, so singular the contrast between the heaveidy des-
olation and the earthly jaradlse, that Douglas calh^d
it Eden. Ytt so swift and di*ngerous was the cur-

11:

' '\\i

\k.

if.-'*

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.

rop.t, moreover bcin<^ Wicked by ice during the winter,
that Douglas finally decided not to place the fort far
up the river, but to build it where an intelligent native
had directed him, some twenty miles south of Point
Salisbury. Pickets and block-houses were quickly
thrown up, and a salute fired on the fourth of July an-
nounced the guns in place. Trading began, but it
was not wholly satisfactory, the savages being so ab-
sorbed in dealing in slaves, who were brought from
a distance and used in conniierce as a sort of currency,
that they had but few skins left to buy whiskey with.
Arrived at Tako the 12th of August the Cadhoro,
brinointr news from all the coast stations. Discharj?-
inii^ and rcceivintj her carjjo she soon set sail on her
return voyage, Fort Vancouver being her destina-
tion, w'liilc Nisqually was that of the Beaver. Be-
fore leaving these parts Douglas made a short cruise
into the nciii:hborinL!: inlets to exhort the savai^es to
bring their skins to Tako and buy some tobacco and
blankets with them, and not waste them on filthy
human beings. A lengthy account is given in his
journal by Douglas, of the occurrences at the several
stations during his return trip, which it is needless
for me to reproduce. Year after year the company's
vessels, with but little variation and with few inci-
dents worth recording, coasted up and down, supply-
ing the stations, and trading on the vessel's deck
where no posts were established. During the follow-
ing winter, 1840-1, Douglas visited California to pur-
chase grain and send overland to the Columbia a large
herd of live-stock.

Much has been written on the climates, physical features, natural wealth,
ftlwtigincs, and occupation of the Nortliwest Coast. I liavo given in the two
preceding chapters hut an outline. A volume would not exhaust the sub-
ject. I am obliged, therefore, to refer those desirous of further infoniuitiou
«lion tiu; subject to other works, among which after my Xative /'a<vn of the
J'licijlr Sliile.1 and tlio former volumes of this Ilistorij of the F<'rijic .^tulK,
I may mention the following: A. C, Anderson, who in his Norlhwent Coast,
MS., 'I'ih-'i'l, discusses the climates of Stuart Luke and of Victoria, and do-

AUTHORITIES ON PHYSKLAL FEATURES.

votes a large part of his prize essay on The Dominion of the We«l to the
Scdgraphiciil features of lioth islaiula anil iiiainlaiul.

Oil the configuration and climate of Vancouver Island, see Forl>es' Essay,
(!•_', tliu harbors particularly; Pemlicrtons V. 1., 148, 150, on timber; MoffaCa
Jiiiir., in /(/., 14G, 140, natural products; lloretzkys Camula on the Pacific,
p.isisim; Jlihln'ns C'lddr J}. C, passim, on both islands and mainland; Mac-
diinaUVs Lecture, 43-4; Hnzlilt's li. C, 217-18; Poole's Queen Charlotte Islands,
riS-fil, for a good description of the harbors of Vancouver Island and tlie main-
liiiid opposite; Mnrtip\t II. D., 32-0, copying jr<i/Te and Vavasovrs lieyort,
for physical aspect and resources of the island; Brit. S. Am., 30G-9, for
g.iino, timber, fish, fur, and coal. Victor says, Orejon, 254, that there is but
little good land on the island, though sheep-raising is carried on largely.
The wealth of the islanil is in its timber, coal, and fisheries; probably gold,
copper, and salt might be remunerative, (rrant, London Ofoj. Sue., Jour.,
xxvii. 208-320, gives a full description, remarking that the soil is 'rich where
tliLTc IS any. . .the singular system of inland seas by which it is environed
tfeiiis ■» itl. fish of e\-ery description,' and that it is a fine seat for a colony.
For the western side, see the voyages of Meares, Dixon, Cook, Sutil y Mexi-
can;!, \ ancoiiver, and for the interior, the journeys of Mackenzie, Lewis and
I'liirko, Eraser, Stuart, Simpson, Franchere, Cox, and others, and also the
Bevond geological, geographical, and roa<l and railway explorations. McLeod,
I'i'div Hirer, 5-0, states that the rivers and lakes north of Cariboo are seldfuu
fnizt'u after March, oven on the plateau. Harmon in liis Journal, 191, calls
attention to the raid of the far reaching branches of I'eace River upon the
wators of the western side of the continental water-shed, both Findlay and
I'ursuiii rivers, before tlieir junction, running along the western base of tlio
nioiiiitiiins with their stolen moisture, as if in search of a passage through.

l{;ittray, V. /., 22-54, has a long cliapter on the climate of Vancouver
l>hm(l and Rritish Columbia, its salubrity and variations, the force of winds,
temperature, rainfall, barometric rangits, with tables and chart. Also 73-7
an artUlo on timber, its produce, uses, and value. Good, Jl. ( '., MS., 53-114,
gives a long description of a trip up the Eraser by steamer to Yale and thence
hy rreid to Clinton. An eloipmiit and graphic description is f;iven of tlie
conntn, its topographical features anil scenery, particularly of the Kamloop,
Xicoli, and Oiianagan districts. Indeed, I might give volumes of descrip-
tiim from tlie hundreds of writers on the subject, every one of whom has
siiiiirthing to say of the country that he has either Keen or heard of. I
have se.ireely space in this volume for reference even, and therefore will con-
diMisu as much as possible, and omit all but the more important. On giuieral
ffatnrcs and climate, see further, Lamjemns Rept., 40-4; Conncnllis' Xew El
l>nr,„l„, 27, 3G, 113; Macfie's V. L ami li. C, chap, ii,; T)e Smrt, Misx. de
("r., 1 14, wliere an account is given of the twelve voyageurs swallowed in
tiio Ualles des Morts in 1838; (hrenhow's Or. ami (\il., 27-9; Butlers Xorth
I.iiiiil, 11)3; Eraser's 2d Jour., MS., 3; Umfreville's II. B., passim; (iladman iii
UmiM' Coin, /fi'pf., 1857, 390-2; ('hicaijo Acad. Sri, i, GI-78, more especially
witli reference to the geology of the Mackenzie River; Nines' Or. and its
IiiMil., 7, -ind J fines' E.r. to Or., chap, xvi; Dotlijes' Plains, passim; Macdonald'a
R. C, chap, i.-iii.; Absaraka, chap, iii., on Dakota- Taylor's yortf(west Am

1 :!l

'•( I

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIJf.

MS., 47, 65; N7W Heginter, xvi. 235; Dalles Mountaineer, AprU 4, 1868; Mae-
loizie's Hist. TojHxj., 314-15; Cox's Adv., ii. 300-92, about New Caledonia;
TliomUm's Or., i. chap, xix; Parker's Tour, chap. i. ; Malte-Brun, Precis de
Giog., vi. 310-14, compiled from Vancouver, Lewis and Clarke, and others;
Richards V. I. Pilot, 1-255; Findlays Direct. N. W. Am., 392-436; Imray's
Sailinrj Direct. A\ W. Am., 23»-45, 261-312, 357-60; Bmoe's Colon. Emp., i.
117-29, 134-7; Tolmie's Pwjet Sound, MS., 13-14, on Committee's Punch Bowl.
Burnett in his ^ecoZ., MS., i. 115-16, tells about one Black Harris, atrapper,
who claimed to have di8covere<l a petrified forest in the Rocky Mountains, on
first coming in sight of which he had supposed it a beautiful grove of gum
timber, ' and so sudden had been the petrification that the green loavea were
all petrified, and the very birds that were there singing in the grove were
also petrified in the act of singing, because their mouths were still open ia
the petrified state.' Black Harris mast have been reading the Av^iitn
Nig/Us; but stranger than the story of the forest is the fact that so sensible a
man aa Governor Burnett should half believe it. The ignorance of politicans
concerning this country is painfully apparent, when we sec congressmaa like
Mr Baylies as late as 1826, men who claimed knowledge sufficiently extra-
ordinary and accurate to warrant a printed communication of the same to
congress, cotilly asserting the existence of five establishments subordiiiato to
Astoria, one ' at the mouth of Lewis River, one at Lanton, a third on tlie
Columbia, six hundred miVs from the ocean at the coufiuenco of the Wantana
[xir] River, a fourth on the east fork of Lewis River, and the fifth on the
Multnomah.' Lewis and Clarke were not favorably impressed with the
country. It was a <1reary time they had of it. At the mouth of the Colum-
bia they saM- little land that they thought fit for cultivation, and the accniint
they gave was such tliat, for twenty years after their visit, Oregon was re-
garded an almost desert region fit only for fur-bearing animals and hungry
savages. So says Jesse Applegate in Saxtoni Or. Ter., MS., 142. Con-
tinuing our lists of references there is Franclvere's 2^ar., 229, on the Coluniliia
region; Virtor'n Oregon, one of the best works extant for general descrip-
tion; TowHuenifn Xar., 67, who says of the Wind River Mountains: 'Tliia
chain gives rise to the sources of the Missouri, the Colorado of the west, anil
licwis River of the Columbia, and is the highest land on the continent (if
North America,' which hist assertion he was somev.hat premature in making,
as he had not measured all the elevations; If. S, Ev. II. B. Co. Claims, 35 45,
67, on the soil of Iiliiho; Fremont's Ex., 274-6; Douglas' Printte Ptipers, MS.,
Ber. i. 8-27, 73, for scenery on the Columbia and Cowlitz; Pass' Fur Ilunt'f*,
i. .'J4, 70, :i.")8, ii. 80-3, 360, for Okanagau, Grand Conte, Falls of the Colum-
bia, and New Cah^donia; Simpson's Journey, i. 150-5 et se(j., et passim;
Hmoard and Burnett's Direct., 1863, 192-3; Dawson on Mines, 1-3; Overliml
from Minnesota to Eraser River, passim; llnrnelt's Lect., 42-5; Churchill mid
Coojters B. C, 4; Scliin/n's Oiol. Sur. Rept., passim; Compton's Ah. B. C,
MS., 1-3; De drnot's B. C, 6, 8; Canada Hand Book, 52; Jobjs Rept. on For-
estry in Aij. Rept., 1877, 1-20; Waddingtons Overland Route, 15; Riiwl'ii'j*
North Am., chap, viii., ix.; McLellan's Golden State, W>i; Johnson's Ven/ Ftu
Went, 94; P(diiier'i North Bentinck Route, passim, on Williams Lake and t 'ari-
boo; Isbister'a Proposal, passim; Hist. Mag., March 1803; Laml aiut Work's

Rept., 1865; ,

Direct., 18; j

Or., passim;

throp's Canoe

House Com. 1

iv., passim; ,

Hoojier's Tern

aurora boreali

ter's MLvii. Vo

In relation

ariea, besides

IIS., 14; BrU.

Ni'in Caledonu

Chinook jargo

/(w' Primte Po

8-11. XoInU,

payments to n

3lJ'f-7; Anders

decrease, U. S.

200-7; Seenuin

Hi-p. Dej>t. /,

various reports

I, 1(^74, passim

1% 41; Fitzge

WRITERS ON THE NATIVES 75

Efft., 1865; Jour, and Sens. Papers, B. C, 187»^; MaUandaine'% First Vic.
Direct., 13; Nevada Jour., June 11, 1858; Harmon's Jour., passim; Dunn's
Or., passim; Remy ar ' Brenshley, Jour., ii. 509; BulfincKa Or., 15C; Wtn-
Ihrop's Canoe Jour., ^ i; Stuart's Montana, 89-92; W. McD. Dawson, in
Hou»e Com. Kept., H. £. Co., 1857, 399-402; Wilkes' Nar. U. S. Expl. Ex.,
iv., passim; McTavish's Dep., passim; Richardson's Polar Regions, 219-97;
Hmi>ers Tents of the Tuski, 309-86, where is an excellent description of the
aurora borealis; Qray's Or., 610-19; Lee and Frost's Or., 81-95, 196-203; Fos-
kr'n Mmi. Valley, 36, 180, 197-9, 252, 257.

In relation to the policy of the European fur-traders, settlers, and mission-
aries, besides the authorities already quoted, I would mention Rol>erts' Rec,
M.S., 14; Brit. Col. Sketches, MS., 30; Compton's Forts, MS., passim; Toil's
N,'w Caledonia, MS., 24-6, 29-34; Hancofk's Thirteen Years, MS., 359-60,
t'liiuook jargon; McKay's Rec, MS., 17-18; Dean's V. I., MS., 22-4; Dowj-
Iud' PriixUe Papers, MS., ser i., 33-4, 55-6, 83; Voioell's Minimj Dmt., MS.,
8-11. NMli, iu De Smet, Miss, de I'Or., 153; Pub. Accts. Canada, iii. 43;
payments to natives B C, 1876, House of Commons Rept., H. B. Co., 1857,
3GIt-7; Anderson, in Hist. Mag., vii. 76; census carriers and remarks on
decrease, U. S. I ml. Affairs Rept., 1869, 533-4, 558-60; Overland Monthly, ii.
2i)G-7; Seenuinn's Voy. Herald, i. 104-6; Canada Year-Dook, 1878, 44;
Rrp. Dept. Int., 1875, xlvi. 44-6; Indian reservations, Coliiinlmi Mission,
various reports; KirchJioff, Reisebilder, ii. 81; B. C, Jnurnid and Sen",. Pap.,
1, 1874, passim, and Rept. 1875, 673; BiJth Cong. 3d Sess., House Com. Rept.
101, 41; Fitzgerald's H. B. Co., chap, vii.; Douglas' Addresses and Mem.,
tj8; Armstrong's Or., 25-6; U. S. Statutes at Large, passim; Sliasta Courier,
hue. 24, 1864; Ishister, in Hou-^e Com. Rept., H. B. Co., 1857, 123; McKin-
liujH Xar., MS., 13-14; Simpson's Nar., i. 210; Allen's Cont., MS., 20; Fori
Simpson Journal, MS., 11; Sprout's Scenes, passim; Simmons, in If. S, Ev.
Jf. B. Co. Claims, \U.

As to original populations in these parts, Lieutenants Warre and Vavasour
ill tlu'ir report of the 26th of October, 1845, give the census of the tribes in-
liiil)iting the Oregon Territory between the forty-second and fifty-fourth par-
allels and west of the Rocky Mountains at 86,947. This census was made up
from the trading-lists of the several stations, and from other good authority.
*)t the number named, 11,079 were ari-'-ved av by estimate, and 7.j,8li8 by ac-
curate census. The last named cot. ni 33,956 males, 35, 182 females,
l,jS-l cliildren under twelve, and 5,M',> jLiVos.

Lord, B. C. Naturalist, ii. 22(), estimates th»> native population of Van-
couver I.-iland and British Columbia in 1860 at .30,000. In the United States
the munbers have fallen from 2,000,000 to 300,000. Douglas, Primte Papers,
M.S., ser. ii., 7-33, gives census tables of native British Columbia populations
ot till' several districts in columns showing heads of families, women, canoes,
guns, etc., most of which are for the years 18.38-9. These statistics were
louiiil very useful to the Company in its commercial o^ierations. Kane, Wan-
deriit'ii of an Artist, also gives tables of population, all which are contra-
dictory and unsatisfactory.

Ah)nginal Britlih Cnlumhia, by P. N Compton, is a manuscript of 120
pages, tilled with interesting and valuable detail concerning the geography.

I %

ii'i

i'l '

7«

OCCUPATION OF THE DOMAIN.

natural wealth, anrl native inhabitants of the country. Most of it is the re-
sult of personal observation. The style is plain, simple, and practical, com-
mon sense characterizing every page. It is probably tlie most complete work
extant on the aborigines, particular attention being given as well to their
fisheries, game, food, and commerce as to their character, customs, and lan-
guages. Not the least interesting part of the work is a division on the natural
history oi this region, devoted chiefly to the bear tribe.

For fort-dwellers, settlers, and missionary stations I would refer more
especially to McLowjhlins Pnmte Papers, MS., ser. i. 1; Saxtmis Or. Ter.,
MS., 38; tlie observations of Wilkes and Simpson before quoted. Belcher,
Voy., i. 301, mentions as occupying the Willamette Valley 24 Canadians, '20
American stragglers, mostly from California, and ten Methodist clergymen
and teachers. The five vessels performing the coast service were the bark
Columhiti, 310 tons, 6 guns, and 24 men; the bark Vancouver, 324 tons, C
guns, and 24 men; ship Nereid, 283 tons, 10 guns, and 26 men; schooner
Vwllioro, 71 tons, 4 guns, and 12 men; and steamer Beaver, 109 tons, 5 guns,
and 26 men. See also House Commons Returns to Three Addresses, 7; McKmjii
Hec, MS., 2; FinUiysons V. I. and N. C, MS., 90-1; Tolmie's Hist. Pwjet
Sound, MS., 59-60; i'4<A Cong. 1st Sess., Senate Doc. 2C2, 27-30, iii.; Evans
Hist. Or., MS., xxi.

McKinlay states. Narrative, MS., 13-15, that Wanquille River was
named after the Indian chief Wanquille, and Nicola Lake after the chief of
the Okanagans who lived there. McLeod, in McDonald's Jour., 113, statf^s
tliat Tote Jaune Cache at Yellowhead or Leather Pass derived its name
from the fact that the Hudson's Biiy Company, requiring large quantities
of leather for their carrying service in the Columbia, Thompson River, and
New Caledonia districts, brought from the eastern side by this pass dressed
moose and deer skins which were here cached for convenience. Two miles
below Fort Vancouver the country was called Cox's Plain, ' from Old Cox,
tlie H. B. Co. swineherd, who had his residence there among the oaks,
as mentioned in a former volume. Hines, Ex. Or., says that ten miles soutli-
west of Corvallis rises the most beautiful mountain of the Coast Ranjie,
Mary's Peak. Among a party travelling in that vicinity in early times wa.s
Mary, an Indian woman, the wife of a white man. In crossing a river here-
about, her mule threw her, and she narrowly escaped drowning; in compen-
sation for which disaster both river and mountain were honored by her name.
Indian tradition says that the falls at the Dalles were once so great that fish
could not scale them; also that from Swalalahhost Mountain south-i^ust nf
Young Bay, thunder and smoke once issued; also that the waters at the Cas-
cades on the Columbia once flowed smoothly and without obstacle beneiith
lines of projecting rocks until they fell; ever since which time the water liiis
stumbled over them; also, that the chasm at the Dalles was once arched over,
and was subsequently rent by an earthquake. Mt St Helena is said to have
erupted in 1831, The TacuUies called the reindeer of their region hotsee-
kaya; the Canadian voyageurs, caribou, whence the name of the Cariboo
country. Many years ago the Beaver Indians inhabited the country round
the rivers Beaver and Athabasca, formerly Hk, -nd lakes Deor and Wnllas-
ton. Then came the Knisteneaux, the most warlike and powerful people in

NOMENCLATURE. 77

all these parts, and drove the Beavers, together with their neighbors the
Slaves, down the Athabasca River and beyond the Ath.abasca Lake, once
called Lake of the Hills. Thence the Slaves fled down the Slave River to
Slave Lake, thus giving these two bodi t. of water their name. The Beavers
turned into Peace River, where, upon a point not far distant from its mouth,
tliey halted and made terms with their pursuers, and made this point their
boundary, from which circumstance the place was called Peace Point, and
the river Unjigah or Peac« River.

hi,

,i?

11*11

Ri|,.i.

CHAPTER rV.

CAMOSUN AND ESQUIMALT.

1842.

Necessities of a Northern Metropoutan Post — Encroachments of Set-
tlers ON THE Columbia— The Dividing Line — Growinq Impokta.ncb
of Agriculture — The Question op Locality — A Northern Hesdf.z-
vous FOR Whalers — The Southern End of Vancouver Island— Iiii
Advaniaoeous Position — Douglas Surveys the Harbors — Camosln

AND EsQUIMALT COMPARED — REPORT OF DoUGLAS.

Several caust s united at this juncture to render
necessary the building of a metropolitan post some-
where to the northward.

When John McLoughlin came to Astoria in 1824,
he saw at once that the mouth of the Columbia was
not the proper place for the chief factory, or general
distributing depot of his company on the Northwest
Coast. Here as elsewhere the adventurers of Eni:j-
land trading into Hudson Bay must have absolute
control of the country, its lands and waters, its forests
and prairies, its aborigines and its wild beasts. It
must be all or nothing. Competition might be en-
dured along the seaboard where the savages were
blood-thirsty and jealous, and where the silent sailing
of the ships neither disturbed the game nor mate-
rially changed the relative attitude of the inhabitants.
Astoria might be the best location for a fortress in
repelling foreign invasion, but there was something
more to be feared than foreign invasion. In fact, the
thought of forcible entry from the sea in such numbers
as to do much injury gave little concern. Game must
be preserved and the native hunters controlled. This

178J

QUARRELS OF THE FUR-TRADERS.

could be done only by keeping others away; all others
except members of the monopoly; for their own coun-
trymen, English, Scotch, and Irish, as we have often
ol)served, were as bitterly detested as opponents as
wore the Russians or Americans — instance the long
and bitter rivalry of the Northwest C^onipany, culmi-
nating in the bloody fueds of Red River. ^

' Fully to realize the extent to which this brotherly hate was carried,
one shoulil have been present at a meeting of the clans at York Factory
(.r Fort William immediately after the coalition. Before me is a vivid
account of one such meeting, early in the summer of 18'J2, at the former
post, for which I am indebted, among other kindnesses, to Mr John Tod. Tlie
liittomess of the Northwesters was somewhat intensilied because of their sup-
jiosed defeat, though, aa a matter of fact, they were less defeated than their
oiiponeuts. The loss of their name, and the scattering of the hitherto proud
r.nd iiowerful Montreal associates, gave the retainers of the old chartered com-
jiuiiy an opportunity to assume superiority, of wliich they did not hesitate to
make avail. A dinner at York Factory in those days was closely akin to a
tragedy. There were the haughty Highlanders of the Northwest t'onipany,
an<l the equally independent servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, stalking
the 8ond)re halls of the dilapidated fortress, and glaring deadly scorn from
tuiilcr shaggy eyebrows as paths met. Company colors were still Iwavely
flaunted, the former arrayed in gray, the latter in blue. At the sounding of
the bull, seventy or eighty of these two kindred souls marched promiscuously
i:ito the dining-hall and stood along the walls ir^ sullen silence, jealously
watching colors in the appointments of place and i)recedeuce. But ' that crafty
fox, Sir tieorgc Simpson, as my friend of the grays calls him, was happy with
his small talk and diplomacy, and presently the party was seated. Brought
thus into vet nearer and more nervous conjunction, it was interesting to see
thcni handling the knives intended for cutting their meat, but seemingly it
■would have given greater satisfaction to have applied them to the throat of
their vii-d-vis. There was blind McDonnel savagely blinking at his enemy of
Swan Kiver, Chief Factor Kennedy, whom he had fought with naked sword
within these tliree months, and who still carried marks of the encounter upon
his face. 'I shall never forget the looks of scorn and dcliance, ' says my
friend, *as their eyes met. The Highlimder's nostrils expanded; be snorted,
Fquirted, and spat, while the other looked all that, and more.' At either end
of the table sat the respective chiefs of the lately op^josiug companies. Sir
George Simpson and Simon McGillivray, who interposed wine and good cheer
between the would-be combatants with such polished stratagem as to save
the dining-hall the scene of open hostilities. Indeed, under the Hudson's
Bay governor preceding Simpson, the bluflf and rugged Williams, whose
ultimate appeal in matters of dispute was always war, the coalition would
scarcely have been achieved. 'Immediately on the right of McUillivray,'
continues the gray, speaking of this special occasion, 'sat that Uexible ch!"
acter, Mcintosh, his ever-shifting countenance and restless black eye indica,-
ing that nature had designed him for the harbinger of plots, treasons, and
stratagems. I allude to the same who, some years before, in Peace River,
tried hard to poison poor little Yale, but could not succeed, for bo invulnera-
ble had the integuments of the latter's stomach become by long acquaintance
with tlie tough faro of that inhospitable step-mother. New Caledonia, that the
diabolical attempt altogether failed. Directly in front of Mcintosh sat his
gallant enemy ol the preceding winter, the pompous but good-natured John
(lark, with neckerchief and shirt-collar always up to his cars, and his head
aljove the level of ordinary men. ' I may remark that the two leaders, Mcintosh

!-t :!8

11(1 : ■ 1 Til iit :•*- i ;■ ip 8*

^3 ^ ' ij'-l '

;.tlii: *

[4 l-'.ll

l'^ i

CAMOSUN AND ESQUIMALT.

But to protect the dusky children of their adoption,
to -watch white interlopers, to prevent the too rapid
slaughter of fur-bearing animals, and to delay settle-
ment, a location more central than the seaboard was
deemed advisable. Hence head-quarters had been
removed up the river, near the head of ocean naviga-
tion, and near the mouth of a large river flowing in
through the fertile Valley Willamette, from far to
the southward. The northern bank of the Columbia
had been chosen, that should this str::im prove event-
ually the boundary line between British and American
Pacific domain, as was then thought probable, the
chief post of the company might still be found planted
within British possessions.

In 1824 agriculture also began to assume impor-
tance in fur-trading circles. The subordinate estab-
lishments, of which there were a score or so on the
Pacific slope, needed supplies. The servants of the
company wore no longer satisfied to trust entirely for
food to the game which they might kill or purchase.
Some of the interior I'orts might, it is true, and did,
cultivate vegetable patches, and Colville raised no in-
considerable quantities of grain and live-stock. But
every locality was not suited to growing grain ; further-
more, mills were necessary, and the more the occu-
pants of the several posts cumbered themselves witli
the paraphernalia of civilized life, the more their traffic
was impeded. But the central establishment might
very properly and profitably turn some attention to
agriculture, and while securing land to themselves
prevent its falling into the hands of others. It was

and Clark, each on his respective side, were for several years close neighbors,
and constituted the advance guard of that tierce rivalry which so long kept
the fur-tradera in a turmoil. It was only witliin the past six months that after
a long day's niarcli, side by side on snow-shoes, they had agreed to settle a
dispute by combat; and across the blazing camp-fire that nigiit lively pistol-
lings began, which were unfortunately interfered with by their companions.
These festive occasions, however, greatly assisted in healing personal femls,
which could not long continue after their pecuniary interests became one; fur
before this present York Factory feast is over we see McVicor taking wine
with his late jailer who had burned brimstone and phosphorus in his cull,
thus giving him u somewhat unpalatable foretaste of what might be his fate
hereafter.

CHANCiK OF LCK'ALITY FOR HKAD-yUARTElW.

wise policy on the part of McLoughlin and liis asso*
ciates to move their Pacific head-quarters from Astoria ;
and all things considered, the site of Fort Vancouver
\vas as well chosen as was then possible.

And now in 1843 a second move seemed no less
necessary than had the first in 1824. The ownership
of the territory was still in dispute. Settlers from
tlic United States and elsewliere were coming in, and
tlio land could no longer be kept wholly as a game
preserve. The representatives of two powerful nations
occupied in conmion l)y agreement. In the very nature
of things, this partnership must be dissolved. In sen-
timent and in policy the subjects and citizens of the
two powers were to some extent antagonistic. Still
more were the private interests of the fur company,
who, down to near the present time, had singly domi-
nated this common territory, oj)pugnant to the in-
terests of the incoming agriculturists. Some day, and
that not far distant, either with war or \, ^thout war,
tliure would be drawn the dividing line; and that
line it was now certain would not be south of the
Columbia, though it was possible the lower Columbia
niinht be upon that line.

But in any event, whether the territory was divided
soon or late, whether the forty-sixth or the forty-ninth
parallel should separate the ownership of the twi)
nations, it was no less important that the head-
(juarters of the fur company should be moved. It
was impossible to prevent settlement; it was impos-
.silile to treat settlers as enemies, for the officers and
servants of the Hudson's Bay Company were, as a
rule, just and humane men. Nor was it any the loss
inij)ossible to conduct a successful peltry business in
tlk' face of increasing settlement. For several years
past these ideas had been patent in the minds of all
who thought upon the subject.

Having determined upon the necessity of a move,
e next consideration was the selection of a site.

llliiT. URIT. COU 6

,1 "

. I

If!

•a t

til
I, i'i..S

■\t

III

ri .

'Ml

CAMOSUN AND ESQUIMALT.

I'hc nearest northern post Avas Nisqually. Too near,
in fact, tor already the agriculturists were upon them.
There were the Cowlitz farms; and round Fort Nis-
qually the Puget Sound Agricultural Company was
rapidly laying wide tracts under contribution. But
this was not the worst of it. The agricultural im-
provements on Cowlitz Plains and round Nisqually
belonged to the Puget Sound Company, which be-
longed to the Hudson's Bay Company. All this could
be easily controlled; and the agricultural interest
might indeed have been subordinated to the fur traffic
to the benefit of both. For it need not necessarily
follow that the principal post of supply should be in
the centre of a fur-bearinu: rejjion. But it was better
it should be back of settlement; and settlement in
earnest had already set in between the Columbia and
Puget Sound. Then Ni.squally, while distant from
the northern posts, was likewise distant from the sea;
and too much threading of inlets would more than
offset any other advantages Puget Sound might ofl'er.
But most of all to be considered, Nisqually might be
on the southern side of the line when the national
partition should be made, and it was surely desirable
that any further improvements made by the British
fur company s'lould be on British territory.

Fort Langlcv might next be considered. The
Frascr was the next largest river on the coast after
the Columbia, and on it stood Langley, as Vancouver
stood on the Columbia. Tl -^ Fraser could offer as
abundant a supply of salmon a the Columbia, and the
entrance was as safe. The Fru r should now become
the natural route to New Caledu 'a, and Langley was
well situated to supply all the i. erior posts. But
might not some point more access ble to the sea be
chosen which would offer all the ot uer advantages of
Langley as well? The dividing line once determined
there would be little fear of present inroads of set-
tlers beyond it; and if in time a British colony within
strictly British territory and under British rule should

'>o estal
fur Com]
as other
ImisIik^ss
f'linc; an
place of
torsliip o:
the comp,
Yet an
so liappui
upon the
fissunied
hei'M occa
c'ltcjiinir \

WHALERS' RENDEZVOUS.

1)0 catablished on the Pacific coast, might not the
fur company's site be the best for a colonial capital
iiH otherwise? In the ordinary course of things, the
business of wild-beast raising and skinning must de-
cline; and when it does, and agriculturists take the
place of savages, it would be as well for the proprie-
torship of the metropolis of the new empire to vest in
the company as in another.

Yet another consideration might be regarded. It
so happened that with the decline of the fur-trade
upon the Northwest Coast, the whaling interest had
assumed larger proportions. Since 1790 there had
been occasional vessels off the shore of California
cateliing whales. Gradually the number of these ves-
sels increased, a large proportion of thenj now hailing
from New England ports, until the present century
uas wellnigh two thirds gone, when in the north
I'aeific this fishery was at its lieight.

Meanwhile San Francisco Bay had its Whalers'
Harbor, now Sauzalito, and laige fishing fleets con-
^q-etrated at Honolulu.'^ And but for the narrow [)olicy
uf the Mexican Government and the apathy of the
people of California, the harbor of San Francisco
would have been the rendezvous of Pacific whalers
during the most important half-century of their exist-
ence. For, though the Hawaiian Islands, l3ing as
they did in the very track between the northern and
Southern fisheries, were always easy of access by
reason of the trade winds, nature ofl^ered far more
houiitoous supplies for the refreshing and refitting
of vessels upon the mainland than at the Islands.
Besides a plentiful supply of timber and resin which
California offered for ship-building, hemp grew spon-
taneously, and beef might be had for a trifle.

For several years prior to active operations in that
quarter, the southern end of Vancouver Island had

'In 1823, three years after the arrival at the Hawaiian Islands of the first
niissiouaries, fifty or sixty whalers might be seen at one time at Honolulu,
aiiil for twenty years thereafter the annual arrival at this port averaged not
*8a thim sixty sail. See Jarves' Hawaiian hlande, 361.

''1

!■

f i

[

>' mm

]■■

:;-^H

iii--

'hK

' ! '■

CAMOSUN AND KSQUIMALT.

been thought of and talked of as a locaHty suitable
for an estabhshnient. ]twas indeed better adapted
for the site of a magnificent city, than that of a fui-
trading fort. It was near the ocean, and yet protected
from it. It was on the broad highway between tlie
islands and .shores of the Pacific, and a continent^]
interior eqnal to the whole of Mexico. It was at the
cross-roads of waters; to tlie west led Fuca Strait, to
the south Admiralty Inlet, and to the north the (julf
of Georgia. Huy;e islands were back of it, and a hiiL;e
continent beside it. And the fact that as a [>lace aloiiu
Avhereat to bu}' furs it was not as desirable as soi:ie
others, shows that in the minds of the shrewd trader,,
and factors of the great company who saw and seized
this opportunity, it was something more than a mere
trading-statuMi.

The steamer Beaver had not been on duty in tlu'so
waters more than a year before she was prying into
the mysteries of Royal Harbor. For in the Fort
Simpson journal under date 10th August 1837, I
find written: "On his way to the southwiird C'aptiiiii
McXeill explored the south end of Vancouver Islaiul,
and found an excellent harbor and a fine open country
along the sea-shore aj)parently well adapted for both
tillage and pasturage, but saw no river sufiicieiitly
extensive for mills."^ This clearly shows what was
wanted; not <mly a fort site but a mill site; tliat is to
say, something more than a ccmunon trading-post.

As Governor Simpson passed the place by the
same conveyance on his way from Fort Vancouvir tn
the northern posts in Stiptember 1841, he remarked:
"The neighboring country, comprising the soutlieni
end of Vancouver's Island, is well adapted for culti-
vation, for, in addition to a t( ierable soil and a mod-
erate climate, it possess' !S excellent harbours, ;iiul
abundance of timber. It will doubtless become, in

'The fact tlia this survey of E-quinialt and Victoria harbors liy MiXiiH
M'as ruconiod in tiit jouinal of so itislaiit a post a« tliat ot I'ort Siinpsoii. .^Imws
that it was then re^artled as a matter of no small 'inportanco to the coiiiiKiuy,
an.l (Uio gjnerally speculated upon hy the ofiioers.

time, th

a hove C

.SinipH

hefoie. i

j^issage (

need to i

couver fi]

out speci;

visit of

suhject, I

station V

helieved i

masters ai

f'l'ii f( )rests

t'<|ually sa

\vui'(i, ano:

As for suf

furnish th

tageous to

tliey coulc

rtoets of til

V\'Jien S

''" route ov(

"d" a new

•'I'dinarily

' 'I'niality w

^I'tl iui entii

III

OEORGE 8i:MrS0N.

time, the most valuable section of the whole coast
above California."*

himipsou had seen this island t\v< iitv-ihree years
before, immediately after his overland journey and
j.;issa<.5e down Fraser River in 1828;^ but havinj]^ no
need to think nmeh about it at that time, Fort Van-
couver filling every requirement, he passed it by with-
out s[)ecial connnent. But nov/> and later, during this
visit of 1841, we find his mind dwelling upon the
subject, and connecting it with that of a whaling
station within British Pacific territory, which he
believed might be made at once attractive to ship-
masters and profitable to his company. Surely north-
ern forests were superior to southern; northern harbors
(([U'llly safe, and as whaling operations worked north-
want, a northern rendezvous might be more convenient.
As for supplies, if the Hudson's Bay Company could
furnish the Russians in America on terms advau-
taij^eous to both parties, as they were now satisfied
tliey could, surely tliey might supply the whaling
fleets of those waters.^

VVben Simpson reached England, being while here
(II riiufe overland round the world, he laid the matter
ef a new Pacific post before the London directors.
Ordinarily in planting a new establishment no such
formality was deemed necessary. But, involving as it
(lid an entire change of base in operations here, a vir-

' Siiiiyxoii's Jouniei/, i. 182.

'(iidige Siunisou \v;.s cliiiif oUieer in America, and (.roveriior of the Uml-
siui's IJuy torntdries for iiii nninterrupted term of tlurty->ovin yturs. He
liiiil 111) lixed resilience; part of tlic time lie spent at K''d River, part iu
C)icgiiii, part -n Atliabasca, and part in Canada, riirougliont that vast com-
iiiiTciid empire as well in Kupert Land as in the nortli-west territories, his
iiiitlidTity was absolute, his will umpiestioned except l>y tlie council or tlie
omipiiiiy. And during all this time, if we may believe his own statement, it
w:is iirvcr questioned. A very able man of large physitpie, he was a power
tllr(.ll^hmlt the land.

'Tlie governor's logic was souml enough, but it is not so easy to draw
tratlii' trnin its accustomed channels. Vanccmver Islanil never was greatly
u 111 'ly wlialers. In A'/>a' lieijistir, Ixx. .'Wl, nu'iition is mado of four Amcr-
ii.:ui wlialing vessels that wintered there in 184r>-(), one of which was the
Mon-i.-im of Massachusetts, and one tlie Loirrif, of Connecticut. Six sailors
('n'scrting from these ships with a stolen boat attempted to land, but were
fil'lHisiil by the natives; and so, driven to sea iu a storm, three of them
liorisliLil.

I I

J '!

I'M!'!

§w

86 CAMOSUN AND ESQUIMALT.

tual abandonment of the Columbia, and the beginniiijT
of a new regime under new conditions, it was deemed
desirable to have the advice and sanction of the mag-
nates of the corporation, before proceeding with what
were now, in the minds of the managers, tolerably
well determined plans.

The fact is there could not be in this association
two opinions in regard to this measure. A move was

VA RQ^

Ktca'no ft^

'<„"X.-^J

. ^p

Cuf't Flatter ff^

"'■,

m'S

fM.

PORT ANOI

,Eyo8(

Camosun akd Vicinity.

inevitable. The life of a fur-trader or factor was one
perpetual lesson in observation. To study well the
country, its configuration and contents, was tlioir
daily occupation. Hence the location of the chief city
of British Columbia was not, as has been so many
times the case in city-building, the result of accident.
The very best place that the very best men, after iluo
deliberation and examination, could find, was chosen,
and in the enjoyment of the results of this sound

DOUGLAS' SURVEY.

judgment their successors and descendants forever
may call them blessed.

Those to whom more immediate thanks are due are
James Douglas, John McLoughlin, Koderick Fin-
layson, John Work, Anderson, Tolmie, and McNeill.
(Governor Simpson and the London management were
only secondary in their influence as to location. It
was the chief factors and chief traders of the day
who really determined matters.

And first aniciig these we may place James Doug-
las. McLoughii'i was now in his decline. His retire
nient was already determined upon. He had been
the central figure in Northwest Coast affairs for a
period of eighteen years. A new sun was now aris-
ing, which for the next score of years was to shine iu
the north as had the other in the south.

In early summer 1842, Douglas made a careful
preliminary survey of tlie soutliern end of Vancouver
Island, more particularly of the region round what is
now called Royal Bay,' it being by this time well un-
derstood that there was to be found the most suitabb
available spot on all the Northwest Coast.

At a place called by the natives Caniosun,^ or Ca-

' At tlie extreme south-eastern end of Vancouver Island '.a a large open
Iwy called Royal Bay, directly back of which is Esquitiialt Harl)or, somo
tlinc miles east of which is Victoria Harhor. That part of Royal Bay lead-
ing more directly into Esquinialt Harhor, and hcginuing at Alhort Head, i.s
called Royal Roads. Vessels may there anchor iu tenor twelve fathoms, safj
fnimall winds save those from the east or south-east. Escniinialt Harhor may
lif (iitcrcd at all times, and there vessels of any size lind safe anchorage.
Victoria Harhor, entered hetween poiats ^IcLoughlin and Ogden, by reason
(if the sunken rocks which cxtcml a mile in eitlier direction, from the harvt,
tiat ]irojection situated midway hetween tlic two harhors, anil known as Sailor
• 11' Ma<:aulay point, is regarded as dangerous of entrance iu bad weather.
Tlie channel is so tortuous that long vessels often run agrouiul. ' Ft appeari
nut a little remarkable,' says Imray, Wrd Conxt of Xortli Aiiiirini, '2'M, ' lint
with the excellent harhor of Esijuimalt witiiiu two miles, Victoiia slioul I
have been continued as the commercial port of a rising colony.' See al u)
Kiiiir'.'< W(iii(leriiiij.% 208, mid SctiiKiiins Vcij. llimil, i. 101.

■■ So written lly Finlaysou, and by Douglas, I'ainosack. I give the preft r-
I'lici: to the former, because though Einliyson may not on all occasions have
liicii as close an observer as Douglas, the visits of ohserv itioa of the latter
^^ ire transient, and in some degree necessarily superficial, wliile the former
Was biiiuuht immediately into close and continued rchitionsiiip with the
iiilivcs, where he wasobligcd to know soMiething of their language, ami wlur;
111 assiiieilly had tlie opportunity to obtain the most correct pronnnciation of
siiiiiipoi'taiit a word. Lieiiteuant Vuvajour, in Marcli IS^ii, llotistvf Voiuiiioii4

1 '

, !

! J

■•ill 'Hi

Hi i;

Mil

imiii

,„: ■'■!•;•:

■'-

■ ■ ^i

:i i|-i 1-

iH'l

fefll

CAMOSUN AND ESQUIMALT.

iiiosack, signifying the rush of waters, such as occurred
at the gorge, Douglas found an open space some six
miles square in area, consisting of a range of plains
with timber convenient, and possibly water-power for
mills on Camosun Canal, notwithstanding McNeill
iiad reported unfavorably in regard to mill sites.

I will permit Douglas to make his own report.
" Camosack is a pleasant and convenient site for the
establishment, within fifty yards of the anchorage, on
the border of a laroe tract of clear land which extends
eastward to Point Gonzalo at the south-east ex-
tremity of the island, and about six miles interiorly,
being the most picturesque and decidedly the most
valuable part of the island that we had the good for-
tune to discover. More than two thirds of this sec-
tion consists of prairie land, and may be converted
cither to purposes of tillage or pasture, for which I
have seen no part of the Indian country better
adapted; the rest of it, with the exception of the
ponds of water, is covered with valuable oak and pine
timber. I observed, generally speaking, but two
marked varieties of soil on the prairies; that of tlie
best land is of a dark vegetable mould, varying from
nine to fourteen inches in depth, overlaying a sub-
stratum of grayish clayey loam, which produces the
rankest growth of native plants that I have seen in
America. The other variety is of inferior value, and
to judge from the less vigorous appearance of the
vegetation upon it, naturally more unproductive.
Both kinds, however, produce abundance of grass,
and several varieties of red clover grow on the ricli
moist bottoms. In two, particularly, we saw several
acres of clover growing with a luxuriance and a com-
pactness more resembling the close sward of a well-
managed lea than the produce of an uncultivated
waste. Being pretty well assured of the capabilities
of the soil as respects tlie purposes of agriculture, tlio

I'i'tiirnsto Thri'C A'UrcKM'x, 10, writes the word Caniiiuisaii, which cortaiiily
1 .ans toward Finlaysoii's orthography. IJohUic saya Skairits calld tlio auutli-
eru ond of V^aucouvcr Ishiud Kaiiiocin. Df Sniet'n Or. M'tn.^., Gl.

DOUiiLAS' PvKPORT.

!! 1 1[;

:; ! lii

(Tiinate being also mild and pleasant, we ought to be
able to grow every kind of grain raised in England.
On this point, however, we cannot confidently speak
until we have tried the experiment and tested the cli-
mate, as there may exist local influences destructive of
the husbandman's hopes, which camiot be discovered
liy other means. As, for instance, it is well known that
the damp fogs which daily spread over the shores of
Upper California blight the crops and greatly de-
teriorate the wheat grown near the sea-coast in that
countrv. I am not aware that any such effect is ever
i'elt in the temperate climate of Britain, nearly con-
responding in its insular situation and geographical
position with Vancouver Island, and I hope that the
latter will also enjoy an exemption from an evil at once
disastrous and irremediable. We are certain that
potatoes thrive, and grow to a large size, as the Ind-
ians have many small fields in cultivation which ap-
pear to repay the labor bestowed upon them, and I
Lope that other crops will do as well. The canal of
Cainosack is nearly six miles long, and its banks are
well wooded throughout."

About a league west of Camosun was a spot known
to the natives as Esquimalt;" that is to say, 'a place
for gatliering camass,' great quantities of which vege-
tahlo were found there, where it was now well known
was a better harbor; indeed, Camosun could scarcely
l>e regarded as a suitable rendezvous for whalers; but
that did not prevent its being a better place for a fort.

" As usual in such cases, we find both of those names niixe<l and mutilated in

ii viiiicty of ways by ilitfiiroiit writers. Thus (iraut, F.oml. Oemj. Hoc., Jnur.,
xwii. 'J7l2, and otiiers rciiwitiiig his error, say the natives called Victoria Har-
liiir 'I'miiiius, 'from the name of the tribe which livei there,' which were the
^"iii;liio.s, and wliich name in fact he was endeavoring to pronounce. There is
'a liiiy within three miles of Fort Victoria,' say two very intelligent gentlemen
sjiucially a])pointed to see and speak correctly. Wiirre and WuHumir, livyt.,
IW.'i, ' t'allud Squirnal by the Indians.' Tiio native name of Cordoba, the Vic-
tiiria Harbor of the Sutil y Mcj-kamt, Vinje, 38, is given by a Spanish writer
Cliacliiiinitiipusas. Paul Kane, the artist, WatiihrimjK, 20!), writes most of
tliL'ii:iims in the vicinity correctly; but lie iR'oples the Songhie village with
' lalhiiiis, a scarcely pardonable mistake in one studying savages. Douglas
writis H.squinialt lawhoymalth, which orthography, liowever correct it may
111', is rather redundant for pojudar use. The French Jesuit, Boldue, Jh
!imH)s Or. JliM,, 57-8, calls the Soughies Isauiska,

■i| il

'nu

! i.

I'. ?.t

! ! I

.11

CAMOSUX AND ESQUIMALT.

When once the shoals and covered rocks were known,
the channel would be found sufficient for the small
vessels of the company ; and as for whalers, the other
harbor was quite near enough for their not always too
pleasing presence. Little thought was then taken a.s
to which should be the great conmiercial port, or as
to where should be placed the future great commercial
city. Even should the station ever assume such pre-
tensions, Esquimalt would still assuredly be the proper
place, and Camosun would still be near enough to it.
For the present, favorable surroundings, good oiyvn
lands, clear fresh water, and a beautiful periscope
were far weightier considerations than the accessi-
bility to shipping, which they did not care to have
too near them.

In referen< 3 to Esquimalt, Douglas says : " Iswhoy-
malth is one of the best harbors on tlie coast, boinj^
perfectly safe and of easy access, but in other respects
it possesses no attraction. Its appearance is strikingly
unprepossessing, the outline of the country exhibiting
a confused assemblage of rock and w"ood. More dis-
tant appear isolated ridges, thinly covered with scat-
tered trees and masses of bare rock ; and the view is
closed by a range of low mountains, which traverse
the island at a distance of about twelve miles. The
shores of the harbor are rugged and precipitous, and
I did not see one level spot clear of trees of sufiicieiit
extent to build a large fort upon. There is in fact but
little clear land within a quarter of a mile of tlie harbor,
and that lies in small patches here and there on the
declivities and bottoms of the rising ground. At a
greater distance are two elevated plains on differeiit
sides of the harbor containing several bottoms of ricli
land, the largest of which does not exceed fifty acres
of clear space, much broken by masses of limestone
and granite. Another serious objection to the place
i»i tbe scarcity of fresh water." ^"

''Compare further Mnrfmn Jfii'lxnn'.i Bn;/, .V)-7; Wirilifi'iiiitoii'a Frnxfr
Miw'!, 13, ' Victoria in:iy b J tliu f;irm, but K.iquiuiult will be tlio tnidiiig-
port.' Seemann's Voy. lIiTuUl, i. 101.

Jil

THE MATTER DETERMINED.

Such report dated the 12tli of July, being duly
made at Fort Vancouver on the return of Douglas,
after due consideration by the factors and traders there
assembled, it was determined to open operations at that
point as early in the following spring as practicable.

t-'i

! .!Si

jHi

. 1 iii

CHAPTER V.

FOUNDING OF FORT CAMOSUN.
1843.

ExrEDiTio:^ moM Fort Vancouver — Sofrck of AoniorLrrnAL Suppukr —
The Cowlitz Country — Emdark on the 'Beaver' — Visit to tiieClal-
I.AMS — Anchor IN Camoscn IIarbdis — Beauties of the Scrroundinos
— Aborioinal Occupants— Selection of a Site — Two Points Attract
Attention — Location Settled — The Jesuit, Boluuc — IIis Confer-
ence WITH THE Natives — The Fort-builders Beoin Operations-
Portentous Signs — Bolduc Celebrates Mass— He Visits Whidbey
Island — Douclas Departs for Tako — Abandonment of that Post,
AND also of Fort McLouoiilin — Return of Douglas to Camoscn
WITH Reenfoucements— The Stockade Erected— Arrival of the
'Cadboro' — Ross Placed in Command— Departure of Douglas wiiu
the 'Beaver' and the 'Cadboro.'

The expedition for establishing a post on the south-
ern point of Vancouver Island left Fort Vancouver
the first day of March 1843.^ It consisted of sonic
tiftccn men, and was under the command of James
Douglas.^ It had been determined that the posts of

' As to the date of the first expedition to Royal Bay for the purpose cf
lanting an establishment there, and of the beginning of tlic Fort Victoiiiv
Liildings, there is a multiplicity of statements, although thei-e is not tlio
slightest diluculty in reaching the trutli, strange as it may appear, if one gois
to the right place for it. Thus Cooper, Mariliiite MuUirs, My., 2, who oiiu
would think shoukl know, says ' the fort was commenced in 1842 and (-iiu-
ploted in 1844,' when in truth the site was no more than selected at the dato
first mentioned, while for nearly ten years after tlie time last named they wcro
achling to the buildings. McKinlay, Narratiui', MS., 7, was cpiite near it lur
liim wiicn he dates the founding 1840. Grant, in London (IfOij. .S'oc, Jour.,
xxvii. '272, and Hazlitt, JJrit. CuL, \'SJ, copying him; Tolmio, Pwjel Souml,
!MS., 10, Finlayson, Hist. V. I., MS., 21, wlio was there and one of tlio
building party, give the date 1843.

'^ Of this expedition, which will be forever interesting and important as the
beginning of active permanent operations on Vancouvei' Island, I luive two
accounts, of the highest order of evidence, both narrators being of tlie party;
one is tlio journal of James Douglas, written by himself, and the other a Ici-
ttr of Bolduc, a Jesuit priest, to Mr Cayenne, published in De Srnrt's Or. Jlif^-

I, I

THE EXPEDITION.

Tako and McLouglilin should be abandoned, and the
men there stationed should lend their assistance to
the builders of the new establishment; hence the small
number of men broujjfht from Foi-t Vancouver."*

First of all, arrangements nmst be made for pro-
visions. Unlike a regular fur-trading fort, the pro-
posed general depot on Vancouver Island could not,
ill any considerable degree, sustain itself by hunting
and fishing. It was intended at once to j)ursue agri-
culture; but there could be but little raised the first
year, and while the first crops were growing the men
must eat. Therefore, Nisc^ually ai^d the Cowlitz
PLiins being of all the Company's fttrms the most
productive and accessible, it was determined to draw
.supplies thence. A week was thus occupied in the
Cowlitz country,* and in the transportation of eft'ects,
and on the 9th the party reached Nisqually in the
midst of a heavy fall of snow. There the little black
y>V'(n'cr awaited them ; but it was the 13th before all
their effects were on board ready to start. Embark-
ing at ten o'clock on that day, and steaming north-
WMid through Puget Sound and Admiralty Inlet, at
dusk they came to anchor a few miles south of Port
Townsend.^ The water was still; over the sides of
the vessel fishing tackle was thrown, and soon a ])len-
tiful supply of cod and halibut was secured for the
next day's dinner.

Weighing anchor ihe next morning, they ran into
Xew Dungeness, and landed for the double purj)ose
of notifying the Clallams of their intended occupation
of Vancouver Island, preparatory to opening traffic
with them, and also to examine the neighborhood as to

f !■ 4

I • r t

^ 'According to instructions from the governor, Sir George Simpson, tlie
tr;iiU^ at Tako and the neighboring islands was to be carried on by the lUriii'r
striiiiuT, as a trading vessel along tlie coast tliere.' FinldynouK V. A, MS., 21.

*Tlie first night, camped at tlie mouth of the Cowlitz; second night, slept
liilow the forks; third night, above the forks; fourth and fifth nights, at
C'lwlitz Farms; sixth and seventh nights, at Mountain Plain; ei\,'hth night,
at uiirth end of Grand Prairie. We may judge somewhat of their occupation
liy their movements. Domilns' Joiiiitnl, MS., 120.

■^ ' At a place named Points Perdrix, formed by a projection of the Isle
Wliitby.' BoLluc, i;i />« Smet'a Or. Miss., 55.

:i'

t 'i

i I

f ■*

FOUNDING OF FORT CAMOSUX.

its resources. There was a plain of aome two hundred
acres, coiitaiiiiiio- cliit'Hv {granite bowMers, a stream of
water, and a large village of the Clallams, who in
autumn capture large quantities of salmon. In small
gardens on the plain the natives cultivated potatoes.
Their observations completed, they crossed Fuca
Strait to Camosun Bay, and anchored about four
o'clock just inside the entrance round Shoal Point.'

It was indeed primeval in appearance. Before
them lay a vast ocean-bound body of land upon which
no white man now stood. Not a human habitation
was in sight, not a beast, scarcely a bird. Even the
distant murmur of the voiceless wood was drowned
by the gentle beating of the surf upon the shore.

There was something specially charming, bewitching,
in the place. Though wholly natural, it did not seem
so. It was not at all like pure art; but it was as
though nature and art had combined to map and
make one of the most pleasing prospects in the world.
So park-like in appearance was the region round and
back of the harbor, that the European first landing
would scarcely have manifested surprise had he en-
countered workmen, who, while subduing that which
was evil or ungainly, were yet subordinating art to
nature, and striving with their artificial changes still
to preserve nature's beauties. The fertile vales, warm
groves, and grassy slopes of the rolling plateau were
intersected by serpentine ribbons of glistening water,
and bound round by wind-chiselled rocks as smooth
and symmetrical as if placed there by design. These
gave the ground a substantial ai', and a warning to
the encroaching sea, as if progress had specially pre-
pared the place, and the foundations of civilization were
there already laid. Never danced clearer, purer water
in the sunlight than that which rippled in the coves
and bays around, and the Olympian Heights from this

* Some say that this expedition first entered Esquitnalt Harbor, some
C(irdoba Bay ; both are in error. These shores had been previously visited
often enough to enable them to proceed at once to their objective point.

ptaYidpoi
and clou
are, see
ni(»untaii
tlie old
AvJiere a
fitly hol(
lifted hil
white to
The al
iiiosun, b
for a time
Hiiibor,
f^ituated >
al lout one
however,

(-'iiclosiniT
square, ai
the fierce
Eiver, bo
wlu) cre|)t
entered vi
rii_'d the a\

On the
come to
tlu! dischf
hank, conf
unearthed
iiiij:ht pass
the steauK

Cliicf n
witli whic]
oil. For
lath of M
a small bo
noilh of 1
short, croo

VIRGIN WIU>ERNESS.

Rtalidpoint, with the glistening v/ator for a foreground
and cloud-cut midway above their base, a.s they often
aie, seemed translated heavenward. Xever were
mountains more aptly named than these, thanks to
tlio old trinket-huckster, Meares; for if there is any-
where a spot on which an American Jove might
fitly hold his court, it is hero on these high up-
lifted hills, their base resting on clouds and tlieir
white tops bathed in celestial glory

The aboriginal occupants of the domain round Ca-
niosun, by which native api)ellation we are permitted
for a time to call what was afterward known as Victoria
Harbor, were the Songhies,^ whose chief village was
situated on the western side of the channel, on a point
al)()ut one mile from the entrance. At the present time,
however, they had fortified themselves within stakes
enclosing an area some one hundred and fifty feet
S([uare, at the head of the harbor,^ through fear of
the fierce Cowichins, who lived a little north of Fraser
River, both on the island and on the mainland, and
w]u> cre[)t stealthily down the strait in their canoes,
entered villages at night, massacred the men, and car-
ried the women and children into slavery.

On the present occasion the Beaver had scarcely
come to anchor when two canoes were seen, and ac
tlio discharge of cannon savages appeared upon the
hank, confusedly moving hither and thither like the
luuarthed inhabitants of a disturbed ant-hill. The
niij^ht passed quietly, and the following mornhig saw
the steamer surrounded by a swarm of boats.

Chief now anions other considerations W'as wood
witli which to build the fort, and ground to place it
on. For the former, early on the morning of tl.c
15th of March, Douglas set out from the steamer in
a small boat and began to examine the shore directly?
noi-tli of the anchorage, where he found the trees
short, crooked, and not at all suitable. On the south

'Sue N'atiiv Jidces, i. 174-207, 297.

'' lliilduc says 'nix iiiilod from the port, at the extremity of the bay.' De
Sii,rt\f Or. Mis.t., 50.

I '.'I

■31

it > .tsi

'ifcifctsJ-

M FOUNDINO OF FORT CAMOSUN.

side tlic wood was botter, and Douglas antlcipattd
no dittit'ulty iu t)btainin};" 8uilicK'nt of somo kind for
liis purpose. Small, straiy,lit cedar-trcea, such an wore
most desirable! tor jiickcts, being li;!jliter, and of greater
rlurabilitv underground than other timber of this
roijion, he f;)und it necessary to bring from a distance.

Meanwhile", never inditi'erent to food supply, he
questioned the natives, and learned that p-ileliard, or
herring, came in April, and that salmon ascended Fuca
Strait in August, when large (juantitics were taken,
the supi)ly of the latter continuing until September.

Where to place the proposed fort was the next
question. "There are two positions," writes Doug-
las m his journal under date of 15th of March, "pos-
sessing advantages of nearly equal importance, though
of ditlerent kinds. Number one has a good view t»f
the harbor, is upem clear ground, and oidy fifty yar<is
from the beach; on the other hand, vessels (h'awiug
fourteen feet of water cannot come within one hun-
dred and thirty feet of the shore. We will tlieret'ore
have either to boat cargo ofl' and on, and at a great
destruction of boats, and at a considerable loss of
time, or be put to the expense of forming a jetty at a
great amount of labor. Number two, on the other
hand, will allow of vessels lying witli their sides
grazing the rocks, which form a natural wharf where-
on caro'o mav be convenientlv landed from the ships
yard, and in that respect would be excoodli gly advan-
tageous; but on the other liand, i^n inti vvening point
intercepts the view, so that the tiiouth of tlie })itrt
cannot be seen from it, an objeciiou of n.uch weight
in the case of vessels entering and leaving port.
Another disadvantage is, that the shore is there cov-
ered by thick woods to the breadth of two hundred
yards, so that we nmst either place the fort at that
distance from the landing-[)lace, or clear away tlie
thickets, which would detain us vei-y nmch in our
building operations. I will think more on this sub-
ject before deteimining the point."

lain

BOI.DUC, THE MISSIONARY.

III all which it is clearly evident the oommnnder's
niintl was dwelling more on proximate facilities than
on permanent advantages; t'<>'' had ho hcen aware
that ho was choosing the site of a city, and not merely
locating a fort, such considerations as a view of the
cfitranet^ or a hi'lt of bushes on the shore would have

weighed but little.

With the expedition was a Jesuit missionary, J. B.
Z. l>t»ldue, wlio claims to have Ix en tlie first ])riest to
put fo(»t on Vancouver Island; of the truth of which
su|»])osition perhaps neither he nor any of those with
him were the best judges. However this may have
been, certain it is that Father ]^olduc, on this same
15th of March, landed with swelling breast and head
erect, us fully bent on business as any there present.
If we may credit the truth of the good man's state-
nunt, the savages, with their chief, whose name was
Tsilaltliach, at once recognized his apostleship, and
howcd submissive to that spiritual yoke which they
liojH'd would in its own mysterious way add to their
creitture comforts.

Accompanied by the commander of the expedition
and tlie captain of the steamer, the priest directed his
steps to where the savages had congregated up the
cliiinne], and wasinnnediately embraced by six hundred
souls, which number swelled to twelve hundred before
liis departure. Men, women, and children, all must
touch the hem of his garment, all must sliake hands
with him, and absorb in their being some of that divine
atrlatus that tlows from the Lord's anointed.

Rcj)airing to the great public house of the village,
the [)riest harangued the people, and the chief ha-
raiii^ued the priest: whic!i was the more interesting
and instructive discourse I shall not attempt to deter-
mine.

"0 man!" cried Bolduc, 'red man, blind man,
beastly man; know you not of a creator, a heaven,
and a hell? I know, and I am come to tell you, the

UisT Brit. Col. 7

'''^^B^ra '''

1 F'^ul^En

I '

1 1

' w^^Mm

^ ^HRi

f^^MBtf^K

1 ^^^F^^^a

1 iPi' : .1.

1 ji|..: . ■'',''. -W

1 W-'- ' ■ W

'■'- Phi ■■■I'M

ibjifl

!» >^

FOUNDING OP FORT CAMOSUN.

creator is such and such a character as I shall describe ;
and he loves and hates such things as I shall tell you
are right and wrong."

"All that I know as well as you," returned Tsilal-
thach. "Another told me ten yeais ago.^ I used to
be bad; now I am good."

Luekj'' Bolduc ! Lucky Tsilalthach 1 How wonderful
is knowledge, hidden as it is from the wise and prudent,
but revealed to babes 1

"You nmst be baptized," continued Bolduc.

"Baptize our enemies," said Tsilalthach; "do not
baptise us; for all the Kwantlums and Cowichins so
treated died immediately."

"Then you can never see the master," replied
Bolduc.

"Well, baptize, then," cried Tsilalthach; "we have
soon to die in any event."

So Bolduc baptized until arrestea by sheer exhaus-
tion; and the sheep now gathered into the fold were
ready for the slaughter

Next day, the IGth, having determined on a site,
which was number two of his recorded cogitations,
Douglas put his nien at work squaring timber, and
six others digging a well. He then explained to the
natives,^" now assembled in considerable numbers, that
he had come to build among them, and to bring them
arms and implements, clothing and beautiful adorn-
ments, which they might have for skins Whereat
they were greatly pleased, and eagerly pressed their
assistance upon the fort-builders, who were glad to
employ them at the rate of one blanket for every forty
pickets they would bring.''

The 17th was Friday; was it their lucky or uu-

• Was it another first priest, a swearing sailor, or a supernatural apparition f
'*Tho 'Saniosc,' ho calls them: which is hardly so near 'Songhies' an

' Gainosack ' is to ' Camosuii,'

" 'The pickets were twenty-two feet long and three feet in circuiiiferctu'e.

I also lent tiiom throe largo axes, one half square head, and ten half-nnii'.il

head axes, to be returned hereafter, when they had finished the job. ' Duwjiit*

Journal, MS., 12*-5.

THE NATIVES.

lucky day ? Was that luminous streak ■which lingered
in the heavens after the day went out, shining brightly
tliore until the moon came up and frightened it away
— was the sign portentous of good or ill to this begin-
ning 1 And did it speak to the savage or to the civil-
ized ? For five const cutive nights it did not fail to
make its appearance, and was the wonder of the time.^^

Sunday was the 19th, and Bolduc decided on that
day to celebrate mass, Douglas kindly placed at his
disposal whatever he should wish from the steamer,
besides supplying him men to aid him in his holy work.
A rustic chapel was improvised ; a boat's awning serv-
ing as canopy, and branches of fir-trees enclosing the
sides. During the service the rude sanctuary was
graced with the presence of the commander, and two
Catholic ladies, by which term the polite Frenchman
designates the pious half-breed wives of the Car.?dians.
No cathedral bell was heard that sabbath morning;
no soft and solemn peal flung back by waving forest
on Georgia and Fuca straits ; and yet the Songhies,
Clallams, and Cowichins weni there, friends and
bloody enemies, in thick attendance, all anxious for
heaven after they should have received sufficient of
some nearer and more present happy sensation.

The Songhies themselves were soon enlisted in mis-
sionary service. Bolduc, desirous of carrying the gos-
])cl to Whidbey Island, after purchasing a canoe was
devoutly paddled thence by Tsilalthacli and ten of his
most efficient warriors, on the 24th. The cr»j)tain had
j^ivon him a compass and had told him which way to
steer, else this man who knew tlie road to heaven so
well would have lost his way on a little stretch of
ejtiique sea of twenty-seven miles. The first night was
f^peiit on Lopez Island; J . new converts, securing an
ahundance of sea food to gorge themselves withal, did

'■'Douglas every day made a note of it, placing it ' due south from the
Ji'isition we occupied at tlie time of itn apjiearance, and extended from thence
111 a continuous line to tlie south-west i)()int of the liorizoi., forming im arc of
tiiiiity decrees. It diniinishful gradually toward tlie soutiiwest horizon.'
■^uuijl,i.i' Jounml, MS., 126.

100

FOUNDING OF F<JRT CAMOr.UN.

not find it necessary, at this juncture, to eat the mis-
sionary. The next day lie reached Wliidbey Island
in safety ; and pitching his tent beside the cross planted
there byBlanchet in 1840, before the sun went down he
had shaken hands with a file of savages, numbering, with
tliose so favored the following day, over one thousand,
enough to put to blush Ulysses Grant, the greatest of
American hand-shakers. Signifying his desire for
something better than a cotton house, two hundred
Skagits immediately fell to cutting trees, and in two
days a wooden building twenty -five l>y twenty-eigl.t
feet, covered with cedar bark, the interior lined witJi
rush mats, stood at his service upon an adjacent hill;
in return for which the Skagits were taught to sing.

The 3d of April the good missionary departed from
these shores, directing his boat back toward Nisqually,
naively remarking that although the heathen here-
abouts gladly received the word, he was not sure
they fully comprehended it; for when he attemi)tcil
to reform their morals they straightway relapsed into
indifterence.

The beginning of these important operations having
thus been made, iJouglas committed his little force of
fort-l)uilder8 to the honorable mercies of the yet uii-
maddened savage, and steamed northward, transacting
the usual business on the way.

Proceeding to Fort Tako, he took thence all the
goods and other articles worth the transportation, and
])lacing them with the nicTi on board the vessel, abaii-
dtmed the place. At Fort Simjison lie took on board
Roderick Finlayson, leaving there another otticer in
his place. Dropping down the Milbank Sound, If
gathe»-«'d. in the stores and men at Fort ]\rc]joughliii,
and abandoned that post as he had done Fort Tako."
Then ho returned to Camosun.

"'This course was adopted in consequence of instructions liaving Ihmti
Bent from Red River settlement in Hudson's Bay, then tlio licad-quartcrs nf
our governor, Hirdeorge Simpson, to establisii u dejiot for wlial'.TS om tlm
Boiitli j)oi:it of Vancouver Island, as there were many whalers then visitiiij,'
th-) fo.tli I'acilic' Fi:ilai/son'd I'. /., MS., '21.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF EMPIRE LAID.

101

It wa'', on the first day of June that the new
i'orec landed from the Beaver at Caniosun. But httle
progress had been made in building since the de-
j)arturf of the steamer, and there was as yet no
slielter for stores upon the shore. Carrying forward
to rapid comi)letion the few log huts already begun,
the goods were landed, and stored in them, the men
jirotocting themselves at night as best they were al)h},
until further buildings were erected for their accomnjo-
(liition.

Prom KtC "o,i4s of Vancouver, the neighboring
islands, and tii jontiguous mainland the natives
Hocked in tu see the work that was being done, and
(.'ucamped on every side. They were all well armed,
and were without their wives and children, which
seemed somewhat suspicious to the fort-builders. The
fur-trading force at Camosun now numbered fifty men,
j)art of whom were from the abandoned posts of Tako
and McLoughlin, and part from Fort Vancouver.
Tliis was almost too formidable an array, armed to
the teeth, and constantly on guard as they were, for
the natives to think of attacking; so they contented
tlicnisclves with the pilff-r'i'.g of such articles as provi-
dence threw in their way, fur rlicy were thieves upon
principle.

Three months afte* t!) airival of the parties from
tlic north, the stocka h;, sviilt bastions at the angles
and store and dweHln:^ hoi os "'thin, was completed.
While this work '.WIS in prognv-s, the schooner Catlboro
arrived with supplies from Fort Vancouver. Mr
Charles Ross, who had been in charge of Fort Mc-
Louglilin at the time of the abandonment, biding
Hrnior officer, was placed in command, with Mr Fin-
laysou as second. Then in Octoi)er, Douglas, pro-
nouiK'iiig the new est.' Ushment capable of self-defence,
•K'jiarted with the IfC' vrr and the Cadhnro, and tlieir
• Tews, midst long and ' .,ty fheers fi'om the shore
Tims were laid the foundations of a new empire.

i I

i
tl

■ i

;

■ \\

1 ^ '

•i>

n.^\

CHAPTER VI.

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

Death ov Commander Ross — Ronr. , Finlayson — Sketch or nis
Career — At Forts Tako and Simpson — Bii!Lio«raphical Note on his
Manuscript — His Character — First Cargo of Live-sto(jk — The Sav-
ages MAKE Game of the Cattle — Redress Demanded and Refused —
"War Declared — Tsouohilam and Tsilalthach with their Allies
Attack the Fort — Strategy of Finlayson— Bloodless Victory — Tub
Pipe of Peace is Smijked — Descrutions of the Fortress — ^Warkk
AND Vavasour — Berthold Seemann — Finlayson's Leiter — .Tamks
Deans — His Character and Manuscript — Interesting and Minute
Descrxition of the Fort — Under Orders of Douglas, Fort Camosun
WAS Built without a Nail.

In the spring of 1 844 Ross, the oflicer in charge, died,
and Finlayson reigned in his stead. Tlie first duty of
the new commander M'as to despatch to Kisquallya
canoe with a messenger for Fort Vancouver, announc-
ing the death of Ross. The return express brouglit
from McLoughhn authority for Finlayson to remain
in charge, with a promise of another officer to be sent
shortly to assist him in carrying on operations.

On the western highlands of Scotland was born
Rodc^ick Finlayson, thus destined for a time to rule
this island. His father was an extensive sheep-farmer,
and in assisting him, no less than in attending tho
parochial school, the youth was preparing for liis
successful future.

At tho age of sixteen years he left home and begnii
making his own way in the world. Crossing the At-
lantic on an emigrant ship hi 1837 to New York, Jie
there met an uncle who secured him a position as aj)-
prcnticed clerk in the Hudson's Bay Company, and

reporte

muinin^

Rytowi

1839 h

where ]

shooting

]irepara

for the

shore st

witli Ja

wliicli w

Louglili

hy way (

bank 8o

wlicre w

Douglas,

of tlie pa

had hrou

III Jui

River, A\

chai-go o

eigliteon

After a

1841 Fin

place at

Verba Ri

he took ]i

Vpon t

I'.vJiis mc

1" a canoe

lival ]jc i

RODERICK FINLAYSON. 108

reported himself at the office in Montreal. After re-
maining there several months he was apj)ointed to
Bytown, a station on the Ottawa River. Thence in
1839 he crossed the mountains to Fort Vancouver,
where he wintered, hunting in the Willamette Valle}',
shooting duck where Portland now stands, and making
preparations meanwhile for an expedition northward
for the purpose of taking possession of the ten-league
shore strip lately leased from the Russians. Thence
wltli James Douglas in command of the party, of
wl lid I were W. G. Rae, John Kennedy, and John Mc-
Jjoughlin, junior, in the spring of 1840 he proceeded
hy way of the Cowlitz River, Nisqually, Langley, Mil-
biink Sound, and Fort Simpson to the Stikeen River,
where were left Rae, McLoughlin, and eighteen men ;
])ouglas, Kennedy, and Finlayson, with the remainder
of tlio party, proceeding in the steamer Beaver, which
liad brought them from Nisqually to Sitka.

In June the party sailed from Sitka for the Tako
River, where they built a fort, which was left in
charge (^f Kennedy, with Finlayson as assistant, and
eigliteen men, Douglas returning to Fort Vancouver.
After a dreary winter at Tako, in the summer of
1841 Finlayson was ordered to Stikeen to take the
place at that station of Mr Rae, who was sent to
Yorba Buena. There he remained six months, when
he took his place at Fort Simpson as trader.

l^pon the assassination of John McLoughlin, junior,
by Ills men at Stikeen, Finlayson proceeded thither
ill a canoe to take conmiand of that post, but on ar-
rival he found that Governor Simpson had reached
tlie place before him, and had provided for its govern-
iiunt. Thereupon he returned to Fort Simpson,
where he remaiut'd through 1842, and until he was
taken thence by Douglas to assist in establishing the
jHJst at Camosun in the spring of 1843.'

i '■

i^ 1

'In a manuscript of 104 folio pages, entitled lI'Morij nf Vancouttr
lnhiiil anil the Xoitliwcat ConM, hji Uodcrick Ftnhiijsou, are given the primary
I uts relative to tlio lirst estalilisliinent on VaiR'ouV(-r Island subsequent to
tile doings at Nootka, so.ne half-century pruvioua. Tart of thia manuscript

i' -"^w ■

) I

■ l'' )

104

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

There can be no evidence more satisfactory to the
historian in regard to an incident or episode not con-
iiccted with contending factions, than the testimony de-
rived from frequent and close converse, pen in hand,
with the chief actor in the event. If besides bein*;
upon tlie spot and ordering, or doing, and seeing done
all that was done, we have a witness, intelligent,
high-minded, of the strictest integrity, careful in his
statements, precise in the use of words, unbiassed, un-
bigoted, neither seeking praise nor fearing censure, it
were strange, indeed, if one seeking facts only could not
under such circumstances find them. Such a witness,
touching one of the most interesting and important
events of British Columbia history, namely, clearing
the ground for the fui.ure metropolis, and setting there
the stakes of civilization, we happily have, in this in-
stance, in the person of Mr Roderick Finlayson.

ia in the handwriting of the author; the remainder was taken by reporters
f:-om Mr Finlayson 's dictation in my presence, and whilu subject to my inter-
rogatorips. Ho wlio would investigate the early affairs of British Columbia,
more particularly matters relating to the founding of its most important
c.itabli.slniient, and which led to the building of the present city of Victoria,
i:i surprised r,t the absence of material There was scarcely a post upon the
whole Korthwcst Coast of which I had not more information than conceruiug
the founding of Caniosun, or Victoria, before I began to gather it from un-
recorded Sources. Fortunately in Mr Finlayson I found the man before all
others for the purpose. Well preserved in mind as in body, clear-headed,
ciiurteous, intelligent, and public-spirited, he patiently sat with me day after
day ami week after week, until I expressed myself satisfied. And to him
his felliAv-members of the commonwealth, and all who care for a knowledjie
of its early incidents, may tender their thanks; for without what he has
given mo there would be little to tell. It is wonderful, indeed, how quickly
unrecorded facts drop out of existence; and what blind apathy even the mo.st
prominent men sometimes display concerning most important matters which
Iiave Iain nearest them all their lives, but which did not happen to come
^^ itiiin the routine of their duties. When asked by Mrs Victor for incidents
of the early life of .lohn McLoughlin, Mr Douglas replied that he knew notli-
iiig of McLout'hlin's early life. Half their lives had been spent in intimate
InisinesH and friendly intercourse; both were wise and prominent men, and
yet the younger knew absolutely nothing of the elder except what he saw ef
l;im. Mr Finlayson has a most happy way of presenting facts. His style is
l;!cid, exact, and at the same time comprehensive. The chief incidents of Ins
long and prominent career seemed already arranged in his mind in well de-
fined seijuence. His manuscript, though not as large as some, contains as
nuieh iniorination as many three times its size, and the importance ( f his
information is not exceeded by any. Mr Finlayson presented as line an :ip-
pcarance physically as one not very often meets. Tall, well ju-oportioiu'l,
irect, and crowned with gray, with line, full features, expressixe at once <if
benevolence and intelligence, bis would iiave been felt as an imposing pres-
ence ill uuy community.

CHARACTER OP FINLAYSOX.

105

Every individual is composed of human qualities,
the worst having much that is good, the best nmch
that is bad. And the honest historian deems it his
duty to present, in every instance, without tear or
favor, without prejudice or feeling, both phases of
character, clearly and conscientiously. In rigidly ad-
hering to this course, he must expect little else but
censure from any quarter; for praise a man never
so long or loudly, once a fault is touched he or his
iVicnds bristle with anger in a moment. In tlio lives
of tlie best of us are some things which we prefer
should not be brought under too strong a light; the
woist of us do not relish the parading of our wicked-
ness, nor do we believe it true, or the statement just.
Before embarking in his too often thankless task, the
writer of history, if liis work be worthy the name,
must so incase himself in armor as to be wholly iu-
(litfereut to attack, relying only on truth, and the
satisfaction of telling it, for his reward.

Applying this sentiment to the matter in hand, I
liiid nnself at a loss in the consummation. No doubt
Fiulayson has bad qualities; his place is not upon this
phinct otherwise; but unfortunately I have not been
ahlo to find them. Though always a leading man in
tln! <-ompaiiy and in the colony, he has not been so
in'ouiinciut as to liave excited, to any general extent,
j "alousy or obloquy by reason of his position. Among
If.'.siuess men, among those who have met him almost
daily for a period of forty years, Ox' are intimate witli
Lis (tyurse and character, he is pronounced a shrewd,
IDuctical, clear-headed Scotchman, who, though some-
times seeking office and assuming public duties, mcd-
cllcs little with his neio'hbors' atiairs, but attends to
liis own business, and docs it so well and thoroughly
as usually to command success. Kind, benevolent,
lidiiorable, and exceedingly courteous, showing liim-
s 'ir by instinct a gentlemen in the highest sense of
that nmch misapplied word, he possesses neither the
genius nor tiie weakness of McLoughlin, nor the chiv-

If'

10«

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

Ml'

ulrous strength or the cold calculating formality of
Douglas. He is not wholly self-abandoned in his well-
doing like the one, nor snow-capped, by reason of his
moral or political elevation, like the other. Being not
so great a man as either, his faults do not stand out
so conspicuously.

We will now continue our narrative of affairs at
Camosun.

When the Cadboro and the Beaver sailed away
about their business the previous October, the latter
[)roceeded to Fort Nisqually, and taking on board a
cargo of cattle and horses, returned with them to
Camosun. Thereafter regular trips were made, and
soon Camosun became the home station of the littlo
steamer, whence she departed on her several missions.

The cattle brought from Nisqually were chiefly of
Mexican origin, and were wild and unmanageable.
When first turned loose from the steamer, with head
and tail erect they darted hither and thither, and then
plunged into the thicket; and it was with no small
difficulty that they were finally corralled and controlled.
In due time, however, a sufficient number for building
and farming purposes were subdued and brought under
the yoke, and when not at work were turned out to
graze, as were likewise the horses and other cattle.

The savages regarded with wonder not unmixed
with contempt this new species of game trained to
do women's work, and thereby rendered wellnigh un-
fit for the accomplishment of their high destiny, which
was to be killed and eaten. Besides, if this thing was
to be, what would women do; what would wives be
good for? Not only would they become idle, lazy,
and too proud to work, but they would so fall in value
as materially to affect the wealth and standing of
those possessing six or ton. Tlieir blood-thirsty logic
was convincing to their own minds at least, and in-
deed overpowering, notwithstanding tlie white men
had warned them, under penalty of severe displeas-

ure, to i

( oiisider

Amoi

ami wh

as any,

Tsoughi]

on a plui

The J

niagnifie(

Work -an i

easily ap

the good

small a C(

fid. So

were kill

utmost <x

The d

builders, ]

one mom

s:stants o;

ef the cai

<'.tiiij). F

ger to Ts(

ei's, or pfi

attempted

thonqli ht

"\v'hat

aboriginal

them ? A

thought t'

nature sen

tions, and

"l^heso

soa," replic

wlio brouo'

titution, tl]

you."

' Close 1
ilani, now"^

HOSTILITIES.

urc, to treat these civilized beasts with distinguished
(oiisideration.

^Vnioiig" those encamped in the vicinity of the fort,
and who watched operations with as keen a zest
as any, was a band of Cowlchins, whose chief was
Tsoughilani, and who had come down from the north
on a plundering expedition.

The horses and cattle of the fort-builders were
magnificent prey for these brigands, particularly the
work-animals, which were finer, fatter, and more
easily approached than the others. It was not often
the good gods sent them such abundant benefit at so
small a cost; and to decline them might seem ungrate-
ful. So some of the best of the work oxen and horses
were killed, and the Cowichins were filled to their
utmost content.

The day of reckoning quickly came. The fort-
builders, having need of their cattle, went out fur them
one morning, and found in place of their faithful as-
sistiints only blood and bones, the moie valuable parts
cf tlie carcasses being easily traced to the Cowichin
(•imp. Finlayson immediately despatched a messen-
}jj(n- to Tsoughilam, demanding delivery of the offend-
ers, or papnent for the slain animals. The savage
attempted intimidation, pretended ingeimousness,
thoufijh he knew well enough he was criminal.

"AV'hatI" exclaimed to the messenger the lordly
ahoiiginal, "these animals yours 1 l)id you make
tlu>m { Are these your fields that fatten tliem I I
thought them the property of nature; and whatever
nature sends me, that I slay and eat, asking no ques-
tions, and paying no damages."

" These cattle were brought from beyond the great
sea," replied the messenger; "they belonged to those
wlio brought them; and unless you make proper res-
titution, the gates of the fort will be closed against
you."

' Close your gates, if you like I" exclaimed Tsough-
ilam, now thoroughly enraged, " and I will batter

1. 1

''■11

i : ii

i.l:*

ill'

,<!!

108

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

tliein downl Close your gates forsooth 1 Think you
wo did not llvo before the whito man came? and think
you we should die were he swept from these shores <"

It was no idle tlircat that Tsoughilam thus made.
There were others in the neighbt)rhood, bold chiet-
talns with their warriors, not least among whom was
Tsilalthach, the greatest and bravest of the Songhics,
who had watched these many days, with itching palms,
the good things carried in behmd the palisades, and
who would not scruple in the least to attempt to
secure some of them. Though not exactly upon liis
own domain, TsouLthilau) almost felt at home there bv
reason of his oft-repeated depredations. He might
set up a sort of claim by right of conquest. At all
events, his right was as reasonable as was the whito
man's. Summoninrf to a council all the chiefs within
his call, he said to them :

'* Reptiles have crept hither, reptiles with strangu
stings, whom it were well to crush upon the spot lest
they should soon overspread the whole island The
reward for such labor may be found behind the pal-
isades."

Then arose Tsilalthach, chief of the Songhies, and
said: "We and our forefathers have lived in happiness
upon this island for many ages before the existence ot
these strangers was known. We have eaten the fruits
of the earth, have bathed in the waters and in tlie
sunshine, have hunted our forests unquestioned of any,
and have fought away our enemies manfully. Is all
now to be taken from us?"

The spirit of butchery was aroused. " We will
meet this new infliction," cried another, " as we have
met those in the past. We can do without bedizeii-
ments; or, what is better, we can take them without
the asking."

Meanwhile within the fort watch was kept (lay
and night to prevent surprise. After a lapse of two
days, during which a large force had assembled round
the fortress, the threatened attack was made. Midst

savage y
to flight
of musk(
riddling
houses,
not a sho
utmost d
aijfi'S coni
seeing no
from the
iiiander
heckoned
" What
" AViiat e^
folly with
stroiighok
my finger
will do it,
stantly up
wit) I astou
itiLf into s]
pointed.

A hund
tliat single
island luid
And so
sniucwhat ;
sti'icken In
l^ut tlie hi
late tlie isl
I'iy'itial hea(
'julk'ts wen
a plan for
doino' them
<« slij) fron
•'Scaping fn
lodges desig
as the fort
"0 damage

iii

THE FORT ATTACKED.

109

all

:ill
avo
;c'n-

)nt

ay
;\vo
iiid
dst

saA'ago yells and terrifying antics, such as should put
to tiitijht a host of liobgoblins, men, or devils, a shower
of musket-balls came pattering down upon tlie fort,
riddling the stockade and rattling on the roofs of the
houses. Instantly Finlayson shouted his order that
not a shot was to be returned, though it was with the
utmost difficulty he could restrain his men. The suv-
aues continued their fire for full half an hour, when
seeing no prospect of annihilation near, they rested
from their waste of ammunition. Then the com-
mander of the fort a])peared upon the parapet and
beckoned Tsougliilam within speaking distance.

"What would you do?" exclaimed Finlayson.
"What evil would you bring upon yourselves? What
folly with your pei)pery guns to think to demolish our
stronghold ! Know you not that with one motion of
my finger I could blow you all into the bay ? And I
will do it, too. See your houses yonder ! And in-
stantly upon the word a nine-pounder belched forth
with astounding noise, a large load of grape-shot tear-
iii<f into splinters the cedar lodge at which it was
pointed.

A hundred howls of agony rent the air, as if by
that single shot all the women and children of the
island had been blown to atoms.

And so they would have been doubtless injured
somewhat had they been there, as many of their woe-
stricken husbands and fathers sui)posed they were.
But the humane Finlayson had no desire to depopu-
late the isle, or even to injure a hair of a single abo-
I'iyinal head. Before seeking; a parlev, and while the
nillets were falling thick around him, he liad formed
a plan for teachingf them a salutary le-son without
oniu; them mjury. He had ordered his interpreter
to slip from the back gate and run for his life, as if
escaping from a deadly foe, and on arriving at the
lodgt'S designated to warn the inmates to instant flight,
as the fort was preparing to fire upon them. Hence
110 damage was done save the shivering to splinters

1 >"»;

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

of some piiio slabs. And much good was acconi-
plished, as tlie result will show.

Some little time was allowed to elapse after the
firing of the shot, that the savages might have ojjpor-
tunity to gather somewhat their dusky senses, i'rcs-
ently a deputation of their principal men api)ear((l
before the fort and requested a parley with the white
chief. Finlayson told them they might come within
the stockade; and as a guaranty of his good faith, lie
would send out two of his men as hostages. I'lie
offer was accepted, and tiie de[)Utation entered tlie
fort.

Then Finlayson fully exjilained to them how easily
he could destroy them if he would. He showed tlieiu
his men, his big guns and his little guns, and powder
and balls, and knives and swords. He assured them
that he wished them only good; but he insisted tliut
those who killed the oxen should be given up for pun-
ishment, or the (;attle paid for. They preferred the
latter alternative, and before night fur to the lull
amount of the damage was delivered at the fort gate.
The ])ipe of peace was then smoked, and promises of
friendship exchanged. Next day the natives asked
to see the great gun tried again; whereupon Finlay-
son told them to station an old canoe out in the water,
and pointing the cannon at it he fired. Away went
the ball, and after cutting a great hole in the boat,
bounded along the surface of the water to the oppo-
site shore. The savages' respect for civilized institu-
tions was duly increased.

But the white man's laws as gradually revealed to
them were seldom palatable. For exann)le, not long
after the cattle-killing affair certain Skagits from
Whidbey Island came to Camosun to trade. Tlieir
business done, they started for their boats; but before
reaching them the Songhies fell upon the visitors and
stripped them of their goods; for between the Ska-
gits and the Songhies, just as between France and
Uermany, feuds had long existed. Now, in the big

DESCIIIPTIOT^ OF THE FORT.

Ill

l»()ok of the fur-liuntors is it not written that tradiiiir
skills is a sacred callinj^, and that consequently the
persons of skin-sellers are sacred? Therefore when
the Skajrits returned with long faces to the fort and
told their tale, the commander ordered the immediate
restoration of the stolen goods, under penalty of his
displeasure and ahsolute cessation of trade, which
was done. Steal and butcher among yourselves, or
on any other occasion, as much as you will ; but at
your peril touch the pilgrim who brings hither the
jifains we love.

The fort was situated, as we have seen, on the east
side of the inlet, directly opposite the chief village
of the Songhies, which was distant some four hundred
yards, and between which places was constant com-
iiiunic 'on by boats. As usual, the chiefs were kept
frier by presents and a judicious balancing of

powv.. ,j Mr Finlayson, for whom they entertained
the highest respect.'^

The square enclosed by the cedar pickets, which
were eighteen feet above ground, was one hundred and
fifty yards on every side, with two block-houses or
bastions at the angles, and dwellings and stoi'ehousea
witliin the enclosure.^

Although building was not entirely over for several
years, the fort proper and the usual building within
the palisades were well advanced during this year of
1844. As there is no period in the history of a com-
monwealth possessing a more keen and lasting interest
than that of the rude incipiency of its metropolis, I

t til

:?;

"On the opposite side of the harbor is a large native village; the a. >
tancc across is only 400 yards, and canoes keep up constant coniunmication
Lotwcc'ii it and the fort. Certain supplies to the chiefs keep tiiein in good
huiiior with their intruding visitors. The houses of the natives 'are built
^('itli solidity, the climate rendering it necessary to guard against the cold,
ami arrange with some degree of order in ntrects or lanea with passages run-
ning up between them. Several families occupy the same house — one large
slicil, bttle better than an open cow-house or stable in an indifferent inn,
till! ('(iiiipartments or walls hardly exduiling the sight of one family from
aiiiitliiT. Sefiinnin'.'i Voij. Hemll, i. I05-(). See also Xnt'nr Races, i. 174-'i08.

■'Tliisis Mr Finlayson 's statement, llist. V. /., MS., ol-li. Others who
kuow luss about it give other figures.

iS'J'!

112

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN,

shall give the impressions of a few early visitors in
their own words.

Lieutenants Warre and Vavasour, who were there
in 1845, report the 2Gth of October: "We visited the
Hudson's Bay Company's post, . . .where they have
established a fort similar to those already describt^d,
a farm of several hundred acres, on which they raise
wheat and potatoes, and c depot of i)rovisions, supplies,
etc., for the ditferent tradinL,^-posts farther to the
north." And again the latter of the above-named
gentlemen says in a report to Colonel Holloway dated
the 1st of March 184(): "Fort Mctoria is situated at
the soutliern end of Vancouver's Island, in the small
harbor of (^.unmusan, the entrance to which is rather
intricate. The fort is a square enclosure of one hun-
di'ed yards, surrounded by cedar pickets twenty feet
in heiyfht, haviuLT two octau'onal bastions containiiio'
each six six-pounder iron guns at the north-east and
south-west angles. The buildings are made of squared
timber, eight in immber, forming three sides of an
oblong. This fort has lately been established; it is
badly situated with regard to water and position, whicli
latter has been chosen for its agricultural advantages
onlv. . . . This is the best built of the conii)anv's forts;
it requires loop-holing and a platform or gallery to en-
able men to tire over the pickets. A ditch might be
cut round it, but the rock appears on the surface in
many places."*

Bertliold Seemann, naturalist on board H. M. S.
Iff raid, w] A) visited the place in July ]84(), says:
"The fort is a S({uare enclosure, stockaded with poK'S
about twenty feet high, and eight or ten inches in
diameter, jilaced close together, and seamed witli ii
cross-|)ie('e of nearly equal size. At the transveiso
corners of the scpiare tliere are strong octagonal
towers, mounted with four nine-pounder guns Hank-
ing each side, so that an attack by sf vages would he
out of the question; and if defended with spirit, a dis-

qut

* Home Comvtnm netnrnx to Ttiixe Addressee, 7, 11 li

' 1

LAYING OUT A TOWN.

IIS

■^

" Fiulm/son'a Letters, MS., Oct. 18, 1879.

'^Sill.lciiK'iit qf y'ancQuvcr Mand, MS., by James Deans, Victoria, 1878.
Mr Diaii.s was l)orn at Arniisficld, Haddiugtnnshirc, Scotland, on the 17tli of
Juiiu 1.S'.'7. Leaving Londou the 17th of August 1852, on the H. B. I'o. 'a
bark Xnrman MorruoH, lie arrived at Victoria the IGtli of January following.
British Columbia has been his place of residence ever since. Thus, under hi.i
soutiimous observation, society aad the commonwealth have arisen and de-
viilopcd, and being a close and intelligent olmerver, an original thinker, and
'. 'liirlcsa speaker, his manuscript constitutes no unimportant part of my
inatirial r<,r this portion of my hiatory. I slia'.I have ouuosiou to rufec ta it^
liiuiiy times during the progress of thia work.
UiHT, Uhit. Col. 8

ciplined force without artillery would find considerable
ditficulty in forcing the defences. The square is about
one hundred and twenty yards, but an increase, which
will nearly double its length from north to south, is
contemplated. The building is even now, though
plain to a fault, imposing from its mass and extent,
wliile the bastions or towers diminisli tlie tameness
which its regular outline would otherwise produce. The
interior is occupied by the officers' houses, or apart-
ments they should rather be called, stores, and a trad-
ing house, in which smaller bargains are concluded,
and tools, agricultural implements, blankets, shawls,
beads, and all the multifarious products of Sheffield,
Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds, are offered at
exorbitant prices."

"In 1852," says Finlayson, "the town of Victoria
was laid out in streets, then bounded on the west by
tlio har-bor, on the east by the present Government
street, on the south by the old fort, and on the north
by the present Johnson street. Outside of these
boundaries were th' fields which were under cultiva-
tion."'' This will enable the reader to locate to-day
tbe exact spot on which the fort stood.

But by far the best account extant of the place as
it existed at an early day is that given me by my
friend James Deans,® of Vancouver Island, who de-
scribes it as he first saw it in Januarv 1853: "The
l)astions were of hewn logs some thirty fee"!; in height,
and were connected by palisades about twenty feet
liiyli. Within the palisades were the stores, num-
beied from one to five, and a blacksmith shop, besides

i , ' i,

t'l

i: !

114

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

dining-hall, cook-house, and chapel. . . .The site of the
fort was an oak opening. The gro Tid, to the extent
of an acre, was cleared and enclosed by a palisade
forming a square. On the north and south corners
was a tower containing six or eight pieces of ord-
nance each. The north one served as a prison, the
south one for firing salutes whenever the governor
visited any place officially. In the centre of the east
and west sides were main gate-ways, each having a
little door to let people out or in after hours. On the
right, entering by the front or south gate, was a cot-
tage in which was the post-office. It was kept by an
officer of the company, a Captain Sangster. Next in
order was the smithy. Next and first on the south
side was a large storehouse, in which fish-oil, etc.,
were stowed away. Next came the carpenter's shop.
Close to this was a large room provided with bunks
for the company's men to sleep in. Next, and last on
that side, was a large buildiny. a sort of barrack for
new arrivals. Between this corner and the east gate
were the chapel and chaplain's house. On the other
side of this gate was a large building which served as
a dining-room for the officers; adjoining this were the
cook-house and pantry. On tlie fovirth side was a
double row of buildings for storing fur previous to
shipment to England, and goods before taking thoir
place in the trading store. Behind these stores wa.s
a fire-proof building used as a magazine for storin;'
gunpowder. On the lower corner was another cottage
in which lived Finlayson and family, who was then
chief fa<itor. On tlie other side of the front or we^t
gate was the flag-stafl' and belfry. The central part
of the enclo.sure was open, and was always kept clean.
Thro\igh this enclosure ran the main road leading
from the two gates. On one side of this road was a
well in which a lamentable accident happened early
in the rush of 1858. This well was about thirty fet't
in depth, down to the bed-rock, which dipped sud-
denly toward the harbor, leaving, when the water got

low, th
there -^
with st
wood,
of wat€
While
broke a
to save
down a
stood or
little wl:
to help
down b^
feet stru
wall fell
in.stantly
of people
well was
Only one
is the sto
usf!d as a

Charac

plish the

"leans, a

During hi

to this ec(

compelled

Douglas V

pl",y<''d, th

failing Cai

if indeed

few augeri

tlic [>upil (

of McLouj

lender t

similar ide

^'ainosun ^

fis it may a

DOUGLAS AND FINLAYSON.

115

low, the upper part of it dry, wliile at the lower part
there were three or four feet of water. It was lined
with stone-work up to the surface, then covered with
wood. To this well the miners came for their supply
of water, whicli was hauled up with a rope and bucket.
While one of them was hauling up water the rope
broke and let his kettle fall to the bottom. In order
to save his kettle, he gave an Indian a dollar to go
down and fish it up. The Indian went down and
stood on the dry part of the rock. After trying a
little while, and unable to grapple the kettle, in order
to help him to recover it the miner swung himself
down by the rope. When about ten feet down his
feet struck the stone-work. In an instant the whole
wall fell down on the Indian, who, poor fellow, died
instantly, crushed to death at the bottom. A number
of [)cople came and quickly recovered his body. The
well was ordered to be filled up, which was done.
Only one of all the old buildings now remains, which
is the store known as number three. It is at present
us(;d as a theatre" — tliat is to say, in 1878.

(vharacteristic of Douolas was the desire to accom-
plish the greatest possible results with the smallest
means, a praiseworthy quality if not carried too fan
During his wide experience he had often been forced
to this economy of capital, and what he had done he
oonipolled others to do. If a fort was to be built,
Douglas would specify the number of men to be em-
ployed, the tools to be used, among wliich the never-
faihng Canadian chopping-adze was always prominent,
if indeed it was not the only one, if I may except a
few augers, chisels, and saws. Finlayson had been
th<> pupil of Douglas, as Douglas had been the pupil
of McLoughlin.

Under the influence of Douglas, Finlayson imbibed
similar ideas; so that when ordered to build Fort
Caniosun without a single nail, he did it. Strange
as it may appear, houses, palisades, and bastions were

■-!:■! >l

;;H I

= 1:1

~ — rr

116

AFFAIRS AT CAMOSUN.

erected without the use of one iron nail or spike,
wooden pegs alone being employed/

' Besides Finlayson'g Hut. V. I., MS., passim; Deans' Settlement V. I., MS.,
pafisim; Douglas' Voyage to the Northtoest Coast, in Journal, MS., 120-7;
Bolduo, in De Smet's Or. Miss., 55-65; and Waddmgton'a Fraser Mines, on
whose evidence this and the preceding chapter rest--! may infer to Emm'
Hist. Or., MS., 279; Simpson's Or. Ter., 47; Niks' Ren., Ixix. 134; Seemanii'^
Voy. Herald, i. 101-3; Maine's B. C, 26-57; Kam'a Wamlenwjs, 215; Ouiile
to B. C, 281-4; Martina H. B., 34-5; Orant, in London Geog. Soc., Jonr., xxvi.
272; McKinlay'a Nar., MS., 7; Overland Monthly, xv. 497; James Douglas, H.
B. Co. Ev. H. B. Co. Claims, 49-61; Cooper, Mar. Matters, MS., passim; Haz-
litt'a B. C, 157, copied verbatim from Grant; Tolmie's Puget Sound, MS., I'J;
Howison's Rept., 36; Macfie's B. C, 58; Blanchard, in House Commons Rep/.,
1857, 290, 294; Cooper, in House Commons Rept., 1857, 208; Good's Brilixk
Columbia, MS., 2; Tod'a New Caledonia, MS., 19.

EXTERMINAl

Albert,

E.VD.S FI!

More I
Ships fh
—The A:

Ho.SPITAi

Ves.sel.s
Tkhritoj
Adventu

Back ir

skin.sl G

tliat is, alj

t'liiefly tal

youi' nam

pmates, ta

Blot your

bered> V

t'xccpt to (

and virgin

liiiiid .shou

^'I'litle sav£

under our

t<'stainent;

^'"'•.Lrottcn!

IjlViltJlO of

For the ■
st't'M, the p
was called 1

CHAPTER VII.

CAMOSUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA

1845.

Extermination op Savage Nomenclatcre — Camosun Becohts First
Albert, and then Victoria — F(X)D Supply — Douolas' Motto, Great
Ends from Small Means — Wooden Ploughs and Rope Harness A
More Liberal Economy Sometimes Profitable — Outward-bound
Ships from England now Come Directly HrrHER — Wilalino Fleets
—The Mission of the 'America '—Captain Gordon as a Sportsman —
Hospitality at Fout Victoria — ' Fipi'y-foiir Forty or Fioht '— Morr
Vf.ssf,i,s of War at Victoria — Also Surveyors and Appraisers of
Territories — The Northwest Coast not Worth Fiohtinq foR' -
Adventures of Paul Kanei^Fort Victoria in Eably Hays.

Back into the woods, you greased and painted red-
skins! Gro! And take ycur belongings — all of them,
that is, all except what civilization would have. But
cliietly take yourselves, your past, your future; take
VDUi- names of things and places; take your lares et
pnnitcs, take your legends and traditions. Begone 1
Blot yourselves out! Why should j^ou be remem-
l»er(xl i What have you done as tenants of this domain
ox('tj)t to occupy, and eat and sleep, and keep it fresh
and virgin as God gave it you, until some s^^ronger
liand should come and wrest it from you? Thanks,
liiii tie savage ; but go! And please do not die here
under our cultivated noses. You need execute no
testament; we will administer your estate. Go! Be
toi'n^ottcn! Be not! And let not your late home
breathe of your former being.

For the first two years of its existence, as we have
seen, the post at the south end of Vancouver Island
Was called by the native name of the place, Camosun.

'. 1

. fil

ill

Hi'

Till HI

IIS

CAMOSUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA.

It was now deemed advisable, not to say necessar}',
to eradicate all traces of nature and the natural man ;
it was thought in better taste, with the levelling of
forests and the tearing up of rocks, to blast from
memory the sylvan race tliat once were masters there.
It happened there lived somewhere a man whose
name was Albert, whom it were well for the adven-
turers of England to conciliate ; therefore, in the year
of grace 1845, orders came from the London magnates
to damn the name Camosun, and call the place Fort
Albert. But even then they were not satisfied; for
behold, upon this planet there was one mightier than
Albert, even his wife, the queen; ^iid so before the
year had expired Camosun was called Victoria, eacli
new baptism being celebrated by the usual salutes and
ceremonies.^

from

No sooner were the stockade, storehouses, and
dwellings prepared than the people at Camosun
turned their attention to the production of food.
"For," said Finlayson, "after the first year many ajt-
plications for agricultural produce from head-quarters
would be ascribed to want of energy on the part of
the officers in charge," and holding last to the motto
of Douglas, "great ends from small means," the
omnipotent adze was sharpened, and wooden plouglis
and harrows were made, the mould-board and teeth
being of oak; old ropes obtained from the coastinj,^
vessels were used as traces for the horses to pull by.
Afterward, seeing how industrious and thrifty tliey
were, as a mark of his special favor Douglas indulged
them in the extravagance of a few iron ploughshares

Finlayson says, Hist. V. I., MS., 26: 'In the year 1845 the naiiu; of
Camosun previously given to tlie fort Wiis changed to Fort Albert by onlfr
from England, and the succeeding year to that of Victoria.' This I .shmilil
regard as the highest authority did I not find a higher in the report of liiu-
tentants Warre and Vavasour, House of Commons Rtturns to Three Addiri^'i,
7, dated the 26th of October 1845, in which the post is plainly desigiiattJ
Fort Victoria. This may have been done without proper authority, or it
may not have l>een commonly called by that name, or baptized into it bitnre
1846. At most, the discrepancy in the time of the change of name iuv>)!ve9
but a few mouths.

GREAT ENDS FROM SMALL MEANS.

119

from Fort Vancouver; and whetting their Scotch
iiif^onuity still further, they took the iron hoops from
old provision casks and with them lined the inould-
l)oards of the plough and bound the wooden agricul-
tural machinery. Agricultural outhouses were built;
and grain was thravshed by driving horses round a
rlnir in the barn. Flour was made with a steel hand-
mill sent from Fort Vancouver.

l*erhaps a more liberal economy would have better
served the purpose, though it might not so well have
served James Douglas. McLoughlin was making
ready to retire from the service, and remove from
Fort Vancouver to Oregon City the coming winter,
leaving Chief Factor Douglas first in command on
the Pacific. This new post on Vancouver Island was
undoubtedly destined to great things. Mr Grant
says: "As in settling there, no idea was entertained
by the Hudson's Bay Company beyond starting a
fresh trading-post with the Indians, the establishment
remained in statu quo until the year 1849, when the
granting of the whole island to the company opened
out a fresh field for their exertions;" but in this he is
mistaken. We know that the company harbored far
more ambitious views for Camosun, or by the grace
of (lod, Albert, and Victoria, tlian the establishing
of an ordinary trading-post there, though Mr Grant
did not. The great men of the great monopoly were
w] lolly able to keep their own counsel, and those
nearest them, in point of time as well as of distance,
t)l"ten knew least as to the project or policy revolving
in their mighty minds.

Had a trading-post alone been the measure of their
oxpec'tations, Langley would have answered. At Lang-
\vy were both furs and fisheries ; there was little local
trade on this south end of Vancouver Island. No,
the day was coining when progress should demand
somewhere in this western north a British city.
A heady the Americans were upon them, and had
spoiled their southern grounds. Possibly they might

' [ '"'-^8

It'

i'i

'' ' ■■.-■j.j.' f

i.'

'■n 'V'i

j:t

:!'

' ■ 1 - f M

■ fet' •'

I i ■ i4\

1 i;W^. ,;1

■ ! ■■! H 'i

' I i:|lh

, 1

i ' W-

■;

1 . 1 Wti (1

'. i-

' 1-

) '. '

i^r

;; J

120

CAM03UN, ALBERT, VICTOUIA.

nurse their western hyperborean game yet a century
or two as they had done in Rupert Land; or, if hard
pressed, tliey might spare the island to civilization and
yet hold the mainland savage.

Howbeit, with metropolitan glories far or near, with
or without the assistance of the whale-catchers, this
new post would prove more than the usual trafficking
Ktockade. Therefore Douglas would begin his reign
with reform, and carry yet more than ever into rigid
])ractice his principle of the greatest results from the
least means.

Almost immediately Fort Victoria became the sec-
ond depot of Hudson's Bay Company goods on the
Pacific coast, and shortly afterward the first. Out-
ward-bound ships from England now had orders to
sail direct for this port, and after landing here all the
goods destined for the coast trade, to proceed to the
Columbia River with the remainder. Hence the sta-
tion rose rapidly in importance.

There were now three vessels in the company's ser-
vice between London and the Northwest Coast, tlie
Vancouver, the Cowlitz, and the Columbia. These ships
made yearly voyages, bringing outfits always twelve
months in advance, which enabled the fort to have on
hand one or two years' supply. The first to enter
Victoria Harbor direct from England was the Van-
couver in 1845.^

A fleet of five American whalers dropped in at
Royal Ray in 1845 for supplies. And yearly after
that they called at Fort Victoria, until finally it was
found that the Hawaiian Islands ofi^'ered a more con-
venient port of call. Indeed, the hope of Governor
Simpson to establish here a general rendezvous for
whalers was never fully realized.

During this same year Juan de Fuca Strait was
honored by a visit from her majesty's ship America,

'The Vnvcom'cr ia reported at Victoria again in November ]84(), an 1 in
1847 tiie bark Columbia at Honolulu twenty-six days from Vancouver Islarul.

til

VISIT OF GORDON.

191

wlK)se captain was Gordon, brother of the earl of
Aberdeen, then prime-minister of England. Knowing
little or nothing of Esquimalt and Victoria harbors,
Gordon put in to Port Discovery, sending a despatch,
as he was passing through the strait, to the officer in
charge at Fort Victoria to come on board his vessel.

Placing his first officer in charge of the fort, Finlay-
son returned with the messenger to the America, and
soon stood in the presence of the august commander.
A series of catechisings then set in, which lasted three
clays, at the expiration of which, Fiidayson, squeezed
of all information in his power to impart, was sent
back to his post. Captain Gordon and certain of his
officers accompanying him.

The object of the America's visit was to obtain in-
formation concerning the coast, such as should assist
tlic English government in settling the boundary
question then pending. To this end, while Finlayson
was yet on board. Captain Parke of the marines,
and Lieutenant Peel, son of Sir Robert Peel, were
despatched by way of the Cowlitz to the Columbia,
to ascertain the value of that region to the subjects
of (Jreat Britain.

As the time drew near when the rigiits of owner-
ship and occupation must be finally determined, Brit-
ish statesmen asked themselves, Is the country worth
having? Further than this, is it worth fighting for?
These queries they put to the London management
of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the answers were
nut satisfactory. The company cared nothing for the
value of the country, cared little whether England
should fight for it. Their interest lay in preserving
it as a hunting-ground. So long as that was done, and
they enjoyed a monopoly of the fur-trade, all was well.
If their plans were to be spoiled, it mattered little to
them whetlier it was done by the English government.
Ml- bv American settlers. When McLoui^hlin was
asked this question, he answered plainly that he did
not think the country worth fighting for.

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182

CAMOSUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA.

,»i

■•l^f

It was not every day that brothers and sons of earls
and baronets dropped in upon the quiet traders, and
all were well aware that England now expected Fin-
layson to do his duty. First of all, the Americas
officers were duly feasted, this being a custom which
English gentlemen as well as American savages de-
lighted in. Fatted calves were killed, also swine and
poultry; and hunters were sent out for game. To
native delicacies were added home productions, whicli
well cooked and served with the choicest wines and
liquors satisfied the stomach and warmed the heart
into solemn good-fellowship.

It was really necessary the dinner should pass off
well if the service was to escape disgrace, for when
bedtime came there were no sumptuous apartments
into which to show the guests. Eating and sleeping
were two quite distinct affairs at Fort Victoria.
There were no wives, civilized or savage, in the offi-
cers' quarters of the fort ; indeed, Finlayson's was the
only bed, and that was a single cot slung against the
bare walls. This was given to the captain, while
the others slept on the floor.

At the breakfast table next morning a large, fine
salmon was placed before the guests, smoking hot.

"What is that?" demanded the captain.

" Salmon," said Finlayson; "we have plenty of them
here."

" Have you flies and rods ? "

*'We use lines and bait; the Indians catch them in
nets ; we have no flies and rods ? "

" No flies! no rods !" responded the puzzled captain,
who, like many others, prided himself most on what
he knew least about, and could scarcely imagine a
greater disgrace to English sportsmen than the adop-
tion of aboriginal customs in fishing or hunting. " Xo
flies ! no rods ! Well, you have indeed turned sav-
ages."

Fishing in Fuca Strait being out of the question,
without the customary adjuncts attending angling in

Ill-;

OPINIONS.

123

' ij'

British trout-streams, horses were ordered, the finest
juiJ fleetest the island aftbrded. The British sailors
were now to show their benighted countrymen how
deer were stalked.

Even nature, flattered by the presence of the illus-
trious visitors, had put on her gayest apparel. Riding
forth upon the wild sward carpeted with flowers, be-
tween forests and fern-fringed thickets, the rich green
of the hill-top foliage pluming the illimitable blue, the
(lancing waters below, and the frozen sunshine above,
the breast of the honest fur-trader heaved somewhat
exultant over the island's loveliness. After waiting
in vain for some expression of appreciation on the
part of his companions, he modestly asked, "Is not
this beautiful f

"Finlayson," replied Gordon, "I would not give
one of the bleakest knolls of all the bleak hills of
Scotland for twenty islands arrayed like this in bar-
baric glories."

Finlayson could not help asking himself what the
government meant in sending such an ass to set a
valuation on the Northwest Coast.

l^resently a band of deer started up, the party pur-
sued, and just as Gordon was ready to shoot, the game
(li.sa[)peared in a thicket which the mounted hunters
could not penetrate. The captain thereupon broke
out into new cursings, ard demanded how deer could
he sliot in a country like this.

"We have men who can average six a day," said
Finlayson, " and that without fatigue ; but as the game
of tlie island is not yet enclosed in park fences, and
we cannot run it down through these thickets, we are
obliged to steal upon it unawares, which is easily done
l)y those who understand it."

In a very bad humor the sailors returned to the
fort, and after a week of eating and drinking, which
tluy most of all enjoyed, they went on board their
ship. Meanwhile, accompanied by Douglas, who was
doing the honors in that quarter, Parke and Peel re-

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124

CAMOaUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA.

turned from the Columbia River, apparently as dis-
gusted with the ccuntry in that direction as (rordoii
had been with Vancouver Island. When the expe-
dition returned to England, and made its intelligent
and valuable report, British statesmen were amply
able to give the subject the clearest consideration.

And now while the cry of "fifty-four forty or Hght"^
was ringing throughout the United States, and while
in England there was likewise no small excitement
relative to the interests of Great Britain on tlie
Pacific, there appeared before Fort Victoria several
British vessels, which had been ordered from the
south Pacific to guard British interests on the North-
west Coast.

These were the Cormorant, Captain Gordon — not
the Gordon of the former visit, but another of that
name; the Fhgard, Captain Duntze; the Covstance,
Captain Courtney; the Inconstant, Captain Shepherd;
and th(^ surveying vessels Herald, Captain Kellett,
and Pandora, Ca^^tain Wood. Thus again in 184(!
Finlayson was called upon to dance attendance ou
maritime magnificos. Beef cattle were driven up for
the oflficers to shoot, and wild horses for them to
break. Douglas and Finlayson were often on the
vessels to dinner, and the officers used to ask thciii,
"Why do you leave the Columbia? If we could only
be sent there, we would take the whole coun+ry in
twenty four hours." After these came the frigate
Thetis and other vessels. All these ships found the
fortress of Victoria revelling in fat things; nor were
the officers slow to provision their vessels from the
stock of cattle and produce there abounding.

Several of these ships were given some little com-
mission other than the primary one of guarding British
rights and frowning on the obstreperous encroacli-
ments of the Americans. Thus Captain Duntze of

'That is to say, if Great Britain did not yield to the United States peace-
able jtosaession of all territory west of the Rocky Mountains, between the
tiossessions of Mexico on the south and Russia on the north, which latter
•ound waa latitude 54° 40', the Americans would fight for it.

tlie Fisi
niour, c(

-vHlth P

(lat(^d oi
niiiry 1 >
plied in
Quadra
sent tll(
so far as
will be \i

Henr^
Pandora,
1S4(;, be
dorm oral
ficial sui
ward. {■
three cri
Jo] in Fn

Beside
whose ofi
(lition of
incut's in<
was sent
yet more
M'orth, an
licutenani
tint govei
at i^'ort
from Yo]
Fn-t. O

In iidd:
these gen
fur the
w' icji wa
^■11, especi
mgs with

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SEYMCiLR AND KELLETT.

tlio Flsr/ard was directod by Rear-admiral G. F. Sey-
mour, counnander-iii-chief of lier maje.sty'8 fleet in the
s.)utli J*acific, and whose report to tlio admiralty w.is
(hitc^d on board the Collingivond, Valparaiso, 8tli Feb-
ruiiry IH47, to "ascertain whether coals could bo sup-
plied ill Hufticient quantities for the use of steamers on
Quadra or Vancouver Island," and Duntze accordingly
sent the steam-vessel Cormorant thither. The result,
so far as its bearing upon the coal interest is concerned,
will be giver hereafter.*

Henry Kellett, connnanding the Herald and the
Pandora, which appeared before Jb ort Victoria in July
1H4(), being tugged from deep surroundings by the
(Utrmoraiit, which was there before them, made a super-
ficial survey of Fuca Strait, and then sailed scath-
ward. Subsequently Kellett became conspicuous by
three cruises to the Arctic regions, in search of Sir
Jojui Frankli)\

Besides *he vvar-vessels of the Pacific squadron,
whose officers were to report on the resources and <!on-
(lition of the country, as well as guard their govtjrn-
iiu'ut's interests therein, a special commission of inquiry
was simt from England by way of Canada to ascertain
yet more definitely what the Northw^est Coast was
Worth, and how matters stood there. Two engineers,
lit'utenants Warre and Vavasour, were selected by
tlui government for this purpose, and they arrived
at Fort Vancouver in 1845 by the annual express
from York Factory, that year in charge of Cltiof
Foi t' Ogden.

Ill iiaaitiou to this commission by the government,
tliose gentlemen were to perform a little secret service
tor the udson's Bay Company council in Lcmdon
V ich was no less than to act as spies on McLough-
' li, especially in reference to his intercourse and deal-
ings with settlers from the United States.

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' 'Aa I withdrew the Cormorant from the Northwest Coast, on hearing of
the iirraugement of tlie Oregon (juestion, I presume none will he required
umlir prusout cireumstiinces for her majesty's service.' Se^imour's Jicpt. to
Adiiifii '"- ".,>,. ^ House Commona Returm to 'f'iiree Addresses 1848-9, 3.

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'11:

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1£3 CAMOSUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA.

I do not doul>t that these gentlemen performed their
duties conscientiously. They examined the Columbia
River and the country sor.th of it; they visited Puget
Sound and Vancouver Island, and made a lengthy
report on its resources; they spoke of the coal, the
fisheries, and the timber; but they did not think the
country wort! fighting for. Their report concerning
McLoughlin was likewise unfavorable, so much so
that they sent it off secretly, without showing it to
i.im, which was contrary to custom, and suspicious
if not insulting. On the strength of this report, tlio
London management wrote McLoughlin a letter of
reproof, which, though subsequently apologized for,
led to the immediate resignation of that most valu-
able officer.

Travelling was now becoming somewhat dangerous
along the middle Columbia, even for the Hudson's
Bay people, owing to animosities arising from eon-
ilicting interests. As a rule, however enraged the
savages might be against Americans, their faith in tlio
British fur-traders remained unshaken. But in 1844,
when J. W. McKay first came to Fort Vancouver,
he found that the natives along some parts of the
route were not to be trusted.

After spending some time with Paul Fraser, who
had established a post for the Hudson's Bay Company
near the mouth of the Umpqua, and after being pres-
ent at several political meetings in Oregon, where, to
his no small anmsement, he saw nominated for office
old servants of the company, ignorant voyageurs, whose
ideas of government were but little above those of ii
grizzly bear, he was detailed to attend on the officers
of the British government in their examination of tlie
country, to take charge of the baggage, and provide
animals, guides, and equipage. McKay testifies tluit
with regard to the Cowlitz country and the region
between the Columbia and Fuca Strait, they declaicd
that it should be held at all hazard. If by this ho

means tl
expresse(
here inv
which h(
evidence
America!
Northwcj
doubtless
sible, wit
for the g]
i)unch-gn
not think

Early i
certain w
ing certai
farming a
litz shoulc

There v
long settle
ish Colun^
suggesting
Yaiu'ouvei
own use th

Meanwl

spared fro
natives de
at work cl
savages wt
pliatically
in and hel
tl) work, I
ploi'.glunen
:ieverthele!
all which t
vari( gated
iiati\t's wei
Well as ot
Their wage

CUNARD'S VIEWS

127

means that such was the general and final impressicn
expressed by the officers of the Aberdeen ministry
here investigating in 1845, that being the time of
which he speaks, I can only say that the weight of
evidence is against him. Doubtless botli Britisli and
Americans deemed it shameful that any part of the
Northwest Coast should be given up to the other,
doubtless both would take and hold all territory pos-
sible, without actual war ; but when it came to fighting
for the gravelly plains of the Cowlitz and the rolling
bunch-grass prairies of eastern Washington, they did
not think it worth the while.

Early in 1846 McKay was sent to California to as-
certain what arrangements might be made for obtain-
ing certain supplies nearer than England, in case the
fanning establishments on the Columbia and the Cow-
litz should be given up to the United States.

There were thoughts in England that perhaps I -^^ore
long settlement by British subjects would begin in Brit-
ish Columbia; for about this time we find S. Cunard
suggesting to the admiralty, that in granting lands on
Vancouver Island the crown might as well reserve to its
own use the coal-mines already pregnant with promise.

Meanwhile such of the company's men as could be
spared from the business of the fort, as well as all
natives desirous of taking on civilization, were kept
at W(n'k clearing lands and establishing farms. The
savages were soon convinced that in this instance em-
phatically wisdom's ways were peace; so thoy turned
in and helped the white men r.nd the men half white
to work, becoming good bullock-drivers, and bettor
ploughmen than the Canadians cr Kanakas, to whom,
iievcitheless, they gave freely of their women to wife,
all wjiieh tended to promote good behavior among the
varic gated retainers of the commercial despots. The
natives were treated with strict fairness, being paid as
well as other laborers when they worked as well.
Their wages were from £17 to £25 per annum.

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128

CAMOSUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA.

fl?

Within three years after the beginning of the fort
there were under cultivation one hundred and sixty
acres, on which were grown wheat, oats, potatoes,
carrots, turnips, and other vegetables, with a con-
stantly increasing conversion of wild lands. Tlin;'
was a dairy furnishing an abundant sui)ply of milk,
which took the place, in a great measure, of beer, wine,
and spirits as a beverage.

By the end of 1847 there were at this place two
dairies, each hiiving seventy cows, which were milked
twice a day, the milk yielding seventy pounds of butter
to tlie cow each season. Thus the wild hunters, fish-
ermen, and fighters were fast becoming farmers and
dairymen

In this year of 1847, on the fiat where now nm
the most prominent business streets, where stand
the banks, the post-office, and the principal business
houses, three hundred acres were cleared and under
cultivation. The land was rich, producing fine pease
and potatoes, and of wheat forty bushels to the
acre, the most of which produce was sent to Sitka.
Two Russian vessels came this year, and carried away
from Victoria Harbor over five thousand bushels of
wheat, beside beef and mutton, payment for the
same being made with bills of exchange on St Peters-
burg. Fort Langley likewise contributed to the lutl-
ing of these two ships, the produce being brought
thence to Victoria Harbor in small boats. U}) to
the time of the bargain with the Russian Amerit'un
Fur Company, nothing like a foreign commerce in
any articles, other than those obtained in the regular
fur traffic, was ever attempted on the Northwest
Coast. Although as a whaling depot tho establish-
ment at Victoria Harbt)r was attended with insignifi-
cant success, yet, as the Venice of the northern wilds,
the home anchorage of the oidy steamer that had
ever puffed upon those waters, and the chief commer-
cial port in British Pacific America of the Russian
American fur-traders, it fa;;t budded into promise.

VISIT OF THE 'HERALD.'

129

Two or throe years later saw clianj^es yet greater —
the seeds of a city, with new goods and new jargons,
with a cash trade for goods, as well as a fur- trade,
wliere merchandise was sold for monev bv those
who had hitherto scarcely known a dollar from a
ducat.

While the fur-tradei'S were delighted over any^
thing which broke the dead monotony of their live?-
and were specially pleased by the opportunity to en
tcrtain their countrymen, they were not always grati-
li((l with the result. Leading, as they did, isolated and
sliii[)le lives, and accustomed to indulge only in plain
words and honest purposes, they were often treated
sonicwliat cavalierly by their visitors, while using the
best means at connnand for their comfort and anmse^
nient. And when once the guests had turned theii
back upon the place, they did not hesitate to speak
their minds. Thus Seemann, writing for the officers
of the Herald, savs:

" There being no competition, the company has it
all its own way; it does not profess to supi)ly the
public; indeed, although it does not object to sell to
pi'(tpl(; situated as Ave were, yet the stores are for the
tiiuli' in furs, to supply the native hunters with the
<><)i)(ls which they most value, as also for the use of its
own dep(3ndents, who, receiving little pay, are usually
in debt to the company, and are therefore nmch in its
pnwcr. In fact, the people employed are rarely those
til wlu ni returning home is an object; they have
mostly been taken from poverty, and have at all
events food and ch)thing. The work is hard, but
witli health and strength this is a blessino- ratlier than
(itbeiwise. Want of white women ap]>ears U) b(^ tlie
(liawi)ack to this prospect of success, and generally
leads to connections with the natives, from which
Hl'iing lialf-castes, who from the sp> rimens W'j saw
appear to inlierit the vices of both races; they are
active and shrewd, but violent and coarse, while
neither their education nor conduct admits thom ir.to

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111

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130

CAMOSUN, ALBERT, VICTORIA

the society of the European settlers. This must en-
gender a bad state of feehng, and might be remedied
by taking more pains with the education and training
of these hardy and enterprising, yet more than half-
brutaUzed, people. We felt quite disgusted in seeing
one of these half-castes, bearing as good a name as
any in Scotland, beating and kicking a score of Indians
out of the fort with as little compunction as if they
had been dogs, scorning them as natives, though his
mother had been taken from one of their tribe, and
had been no more educated than they were."

Thus slowly toward a more illustrious destiny pro-
ceeded affairs at Fort Victoria. Though no danger
was apprehended from the natives, watch was usually
kept at night inside the pickets, where the hourly
cry of "All is well!" told the conscious sleepers that
the sentinel was on duty,^ for, failing to hear the
cry, the sleepers would awake. Thus silently aroused
one night while on a professional visit to this post,
Douglas caught a Kanaka watchman endeavoring to
unlock the door of the storehouse, probably for rum,
but surely for no good purpose. Next morning he
was tied to a tree and given three dozen lashes, and
sent to work, nevermore to be trusted.

The natural advantages of this locality were ndt
slow to be recognized, even by the aboriginals. Al-
though each fort had its district," and the inhabitants
of each district were expected to trade at their own
post, yet so much more convenient was Victoria to
many points, and so much better was the stock of
goods kept there, that tne trade of this station rapidly
increased beyond its legitimate dependencies.

'' This upon the authority of William John Macdonald, senator, who was
with tlie company eight years. B. C. Sketches, MS., 30.

*For example, Niaqually extended from the Chehalis River to WhiMhey
Island; Langloy from Whidbey Islaml to Milbank Sound; McLoughliu fiDin
Milbank Souncl to tlio Sheena River; and Simpson from Skecna River to the
Alaskan boundary. After McLouahlin was aI<andoned, the territory formerly
occupied by that post was covered by the neighboring establishments. /'<«•
i-.y.mis nist. V. /., MS., 87.

PAUL KANE.

Artists and ethnologists are common enough now
on the Northwest Coast, but it was not so when in
1846 Paul Kane appeared in these parts, having come
over from Canada with portfolio, paint-box, and gun
as his sole companions. The party to which he had
attached himself in crossing the mountains, consisted
of Mr Lane and wife, Mr Charles, then a clerk in the
service appointed to a western post, Mr McGillivray,
and sixteen men.

Douglas and Ogden then reigned at Fort Van-
couver with ten clerks and two hundred men. A
policeman in the form of her majesty's ship Modeste
was stationed in the river before the fort. At Oregon
( 'ity Kane met McKinlay, who told him his Walla
Walla gunpowder story, and also another describing
how he recovered some stolen tobacco when stationed
in New Caledonia. He had but three pounds, and
its loss was serious. Summoning all the Indians about
the fort, he ordered each there present to place to his
mouth the muzzle of his gun, and then to blow in it.
None who were innocent would be harmed, but the
head of him who was guilty of the theft would be
blown to atoms. Setting the example himself, the
one nearest him blew into his gun, and the next, and
so on until all had done so except one man, who when
it came his turn, hung his head, confessed his crime,
and restored the stolen property.

After sufficiently studying the missionaries and
Chinooks, Kane proceeded by way of Nisqually to
Fort Victoria, where he was kindly welcomed by Mr
Finlayson. After about a year upon the coast Kar.e
returned and wrote a very readable book,''

The farms and gardens in the vicinity of Fort
Victoria were radiant. Besides grain and vegetables,
there were fruits and flowers in abundance, all healthy
hut not heavy, for it could scarcely be said that the
soil had ever yet been fairly ploughed, but only

' Wanderings of an Artist among the Indiana qf North America, frovi
Canada to Vancouver's Island and Oregon, through tlie Hudson's Hay Com-
pany's Territory and back again. With a map and colored illustrations.

11 n

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132

CAMOSUN, ALBERl", VICTORIA.

scratched. While trading in furs, attention was like-
wise directed to fisheries, Eraser River now exporting
annually from one to two thousand barrels of salted
salmon.

When Paul Kane was there making his sketching
excursions in the neighborhood, finding clover abun-
dant ho supposed it "to have sprung from accidental
seeds which had fallen from packages of goods brought
from England, many of which are made up in hay."
Not a very brilliant supposition; for so correct an
artist, not to say naturalist, should know wild from
tame clover without supposing.

" The interior of the island," Kane continues, " has
not been explored to any extent except by the Indians,
who represent it as badly supplied with water in the
summer, and the water obtained from a well dug at
the fort was found to be too brackish for use. The ap-
pearance of the interior, when seen from the coast, is
rocky and mountainous, evidently volcanic ; the trees
are large, principally oak and pine. The timbers of
a vessel of some magnitude were being got out. TJie
establishment is very large, and must eventually be-
come the great depot for the business of the company.
They had ten white men and forty Indians engaged
in building new stores and warehouses."

One day, while sketching not far distant from tlic
fort, Kane discovered, stretched naked on tlie rocks,
the body of a young female slave slain and thrown
to the vultures by her mistress. The artist recognized
the victim as a comely maiden whom he had seen a
few days before in perfect health. Notifying Finlay-
8on, the two visited the lodge of the mistress, who
was accused of the murder.

"Of course I killed her. Why should I not? She
was my slave," replied the woman.

" She was far better than you," replied Finlayson.

'Whatl" exclaimed the female, now furious witli

rage, "I, the daughter of a chief, no better than a

slave!" and wrapping herself in her filthy dignity.

slie st
tliereai
human
matron
as indi
liumani

Long

was lait

chief fo

Victorif

head of

outside

But sho

liiiuselfj

Work, a

a little I

iiridnfe.

buildings

slowly t

wluirf on

At th(

serves: '

togetlier

Avitli a st

' Araterial
is, tlioro was
cliaptcr is cli:
Jly aiitlioritit
Kiirthurnt Co
J"iirmil, MS.
Prirntc Pape,
-Vc/r Catednni
'■''/S 209; M,i

JI'izlift'.H B. C
If- li. Co. Am
■11" I'.l; WmU

»;'i^

JAMES BAY.

133

she stalked from their presence, and a few days
tliereafter moved from that locality. Almost as in-
human in the treatment of her slave as are civilized
matrons in their treatment of outcasts, she was almost
as indignant as they when reproved by the voice of
humanity.

Long after settlement set in, long after the town
was laid out and city-building begun, the fort was the
cliief feature of the place. " Upon my first visit to
Victoria in 1849," says Mayne, "a small dairy at the
head of James Bay was the only building standing
outside the fort pickets, which are now demolished.
]3ut shortly after, upon Mr Douglas' arrival, he built
liimself a house on the south side of James Bay; and Mr
Work, another chief factor of the company, arriving
a little later, erected another in Rock Bay, above the
hridge. These formed the nucleus of a little group of
buiMings, which rose about and between them so
slowly that even in 1857 there was but one small
Avharf on the harbour's edge."

At the time of his arrival in April 18G1, Good ob-
serves: "The old fort of the Hudson's Bay Company,
togotlier with several old buildings, all surrounded
Avitli a strong picket palisade, still remained."^

" Material for thia part of British Columbia history is meagre. Tho tnith
is, there was little going on at the time at Fort Victoria, to which thia
tliaptiT is chietly devoteiT, except the usual routine at sucli establishments.
My authorities are, Finldi/Koii'fi Hid. V. I., MS., 2.5, .S'2-41; Andersons Iliit.
Xwtliwe^t ('exist, MS., 110-12; McKay's Rec, MS., 2-5; Jhuijlas' Private
Jiiunml, MS., passim; Cooper's Mnrntime Mntters, ilS., 1-2; MfLowjhliHs
Prirntc Pupers, AIS., ser. ii., 1,3; Jirit. Col. Sketches, MS., 21-2, .S2-3; To<l'a
Xcir Cfita/oniit, MS., 21-3; McKinlai/s Nar., MS., 8; Paul Kane's Wandev'
ittjx, 209; Mai/ne's B. C, 30; Mari/sville Cat. Apjwil, Sept. 17, 1875; Ore,jnn
Si><Tt,ifnr, Nov. 2G, 184G; Sandwich Island News, ii. 23; llmmson's Jfcpt., 36;
IhtzUil's B. C, 215-1(); London Times, Aug. 27, 1858; House Commons Rept.,
II. Ii. Co. Affairs, 1857, 208, 290; Good's B. C, MS., 2; Findlay's Direct., L
417 l'.>; Wwldinijton's Fraser Riv. Mines, 31; Macjie's V. I. andB. €., 58.

I I

,U,

*'i

1 1

\\\

;1>

-Mi

Ii''

CHAPTER VIII.

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

1846.

Eamloop — The Old Foet and the New — The Romance of Fue-teadino —
The Lobdly Aboriginal and his Home — John Tod, Kino op K^m-
LOOP— His Physique and Ciiaeactee — Lolo, a Rdlee among tub
Shushwaps — Who and What He was — His Kingdom foe a Horse-
Annual Salmon Expedition to the Frasee— Information of thk
Conspiracy — Lolo Retires from befoee his Friends — Tod to the
Rescue — One Man against Tueeb Hundeed — Shall-pox as a
Weapon — A Signal Victoey- -Chief Nicola Measuees Wits with
Me Tod — And is Found Wanting.

John Tod reigned at Kamloop. John Tod was a
chief trader in the service of the Honorable Hudson's
Bay Company, and Fort Kamloop was the capital of
the Thompson River district bordering on New Cale-
donia. The establishment was one of the oldest in
all the Oregon or Northwest Coast region, dating
back to the days of the dashing Northwest Company,
when with posts planted side by side, the two great
rival associations fought for the favor of the savage,
and for the skins of his wild beasts.

Thero were two forts which bore this name, the
old and the new, both situated at the junction of the
two great branches of Thompson River with the
eastern end of Kamloop Lake, one on the north side
and the other on the south. Old Fort Kamloop was
first called Fort Thompson, having been begun by
David Thompson, astronomer of the Northwest Com-
pany, on his overland journey from Montreal to As-
toria, by way of Yellowhead Pass in 1810.

Next upon the ground, after Thompson, was AleX'

(134)

ander

on beh

coaliti(

compai

McLec

from 1

1828, \

of the

the for

.scechin,

their fr

in j)ilc6

and nia;

turers (

been at

so far; j

governo

Kiver.

A th
liang ro
officer i
brother
ing bota
one niuh
stigniati;
ing a so
astic pu|
and so t
but only
into a pi
bound,
was but
fi'Jelity t
winter of
he was
friendly
liaving ch
It was
on the oj

BLACK AND DOUGLAS.

135

111

aiider Ross, who in 1812 conducted operations there
on behalf of Astor's Pacific Fur Company. After the
coalition of the Northwest and the Hudson's Bay
companies in 1821, we find the fur veteran John
McLeod in charge of the Thompson Kiver district,
from 1822 to 182G. Ermatinger presided tliere hi
I 828, when Sir George Simpson, the illustrious front
of the fur traffic in British America, dropped in upon
the fort and harangued the assembled redskins, be-
seeching them to be honest, temperate, frugal, to love
their friends the fur-traders, and above all to bring
in piles of peltries, and receive therefor the useful
iuul magnificent trinkets which the honorable adven-
turers of England trading into Hudson Bay had
l)een at so much cost and pains to bring them from
so far; after which pretty piece of artless subtlety the
ii,()vernor continued his perilous descent of Eraser
River.

A thousand thrilling and romantic associations
liang round the place. It was there the company's
orticer in command, Samuel Black, challenged his
brother Scot and guest, David Douglas, the wander-
ing botanist, to fight a duel, because the blunt visitor
one night, while over his rum and dried salmon, had
stigmatized the honorable fur-traders as not possess-
ing a soul above a beaver-skin. But the enthusi-
astic pupil of Hooker preferred to fight another day,
and so took his departure next morning unharmed,
but only to meet his death shortly after by falling
into a pit at the Hawaiian Islands while homeward
bound. Likewise may we say, poor Black I For it
WHS but a short time after this chivalrous display of
fidelity to his company, that is to say, during the
winter of 1841-2, while residing at the old fort, that
lie was cruelly assassinated by the ne[)hew" of a
fiiciiidly neigliboring chief, named Wanquille, for
lui\ ing charmed his uncle's life away.

It was Black's successor who built the new fort
on the opposite side of the river. The new estab-

;;ii!!^

f. *"!;■

186

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

lishmcnt difFcrod little from the later built fortresses
of the fur company; some seven houses, consistin<r
of stores, dwellings, and shops, were enclosed in pali-
sades fifteen feet in height, with gates on two sides,
and bastions at two opposite angles. To the older
establishment, beside the compact and palisaded block-
house, were attached stockades for animals; for hero
hundreds of fine horses were yearly bred for the
transport service, which formerly was by boats from
Fort Vancouver to Okanagan, and thence by horses,
in bands of two or three hundred, to Kamloop and
Fort Alexandria, on Fraser River, whence to Fort
St James canoes were again employed. It was
a sight never hereafter to be repeated, two hun-
dred horses laden with rich peltries, winding down
the mountains, through rugged passes and over the
waving plain, on toward the smoother highways of
commerce, along which are interchanged the varied
comforts of the world. Later, the route of the semi-
annual brigade from the districts of New Caledonia,
Thompson River, Okanagan, and the Columbia, was
from Kamloop to Fort Hope on the Fraser, and
thence by boat to Langley and Fort Victoria on
Vancouver Island, now rapidly becomuig the metro-
politan post of British Columbia. Seven tribes
traded at this post when it was first built, namely
the gentle Atnah, the lively Kootenai, the chivalrous
Okanagan, the surly Similkameen, the fierce, vin-
dictive Tee t, the treacherous Nicoutamuch, besides the
always hospitable and friendly Kamloop. All these
nations were members of the family Shush wap. These,
however, were not all regular visitors, nor permanent
in their patronage. The simple-minded and ingen-
uous savage knew every trick of the trade, and where
opposition was, there were gathered his peltries.

The rough rolling surface of the Kamloop-Shushwap
plateau with its frequent depressions, is for the most
part open and grassy, with occasional patches of scat-
tering trees thickening at still wider intervals into

forests,
an oper
river-bc(
silently
hot, the
plain an
s])reads
supply o

..^--if-riV

<*'■•■• I',- cl,i

elbowing i
it presents
of alder a

the P
Ri

apay
ver, arc

goi'ge or v;
cliti; bound

THE FRASER HEREABOUT.

187

forests, and all made bright and eye-compelling by
an open sky and silvery waters, here dancing in
river-beds, and there in mirroring Likes softly and
silently bringing down heaven. The summers are
hot, the winters cold; the early spring enrobes both
plain and mountain in grass and flowers, and autumn
spreads before the phlegmatic aboriginal a bounteous
supply of food. Thompson River is sometimes seen

The Shusuwap Countbt.

elbowing its way among the rocks, but more frequently
it pi'cscnts itself glittering between rich green borders
of alder and willow. Between Fort Kamloop and
the Papayou, or the Fountain we will say, on Fraser
River, are light sandy plains, with here and there a
gorge or valley running parallel with the river, a rocky
cliff, bounding s, valley covered with long grass, clumps

'1(1

til!

'■IH

■ I

; ,1

! ■ ■ ;■•

li I

"t i

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

of bushes and trees, all ^rowin*^ wilder and more pro-
nounced as the rugged chasm of the Fraser is ap
j)roached. Trap and basalt blufl's occasionally reach
over the border of the lake into which the rivci
broadens on leaving the fort, the plateau rising behind
in terraces. Everywhere the scenery is bold and
varied, and the heart of man struggles ever outwaid
to meet it. And as many others before and since
have there ruled, John Tod reigned at Kamloop.
His kingdom was not extensive exce})t in so far as
space was concerned. All above and below was his;
and on either side, surely as far into the wilderness
as he should choose to go. His subjects were not
numerous, if we deduct the savages, the bears, and
the beavers; there were with him at the fort during'
this spring of 184(5, besides the dusky mother of his
three dusky little ones, only half a dozen men and a
half-breed boy.

Jolni Tod was not a handsome man; neither was
he learned, nor polished, nor to any considerable extent
durably refined or remodelled by civilii.ation. He was
one of some two thousand Scotchmen, who, coming into
America and turning themselves out into primitive
pastures, fell back somewhat upon the early ways of
mankind, and became what in the wilds of the North-
west might be called European savages. Tall, bony,
and wiry, he did not, like McLoughlin and Douglas,
present a physique at once powerful and commandinj;';
yet when in the administration of fur-trading justice
his right arm was driven down from the shoulder hv
righteous wrath and with spasmodic force, the red
nobles of his suzerainty fell before it like tenpins.
There was a superstition abroad among the savages
that they could not kill him. Had he not been hunted,
starved, cut at, and shot at by warriors whose aim
and cunning had never hitherto failed them ? ITpoii
a small neck rising from sloping shoulders was set
a head narrow and high, which a half-century of con-
stant exposure to the rigors of a New Caledonian

JOHN TOD.

'ii

1 m] Hj^

■•hi

climate had warped a little, and made otherwise awry.
The light brown hair was not long, falling ovur the
shoulders in carefully greased waves or curls, so com-
iiiDuly seen among the free trappers oi. frontiers; nor
was it short like a prize-fighter's; it was of medium
length, somewhat stiff, in places matted, and on the
whole tolerably well kept in dishevelled Hudson's
hay respe(!tability. Above a broad, straight Scotch
nose, and high cheek-bones, were glittering gray eyes,
which Hashed perpetual fun and intelligence. And
the mouth I Support me, O my nmse! What an
opening for gin and eloquence! Had the mouth been
small, the mighty brain above it would have burst; as
it was, the stream of communication once set flow-
ing, and every limb and fibre of the body talked, the
bliizing eyes, the electrified hail, tuiu the well-poised
tongue all dancing attendance. It was a trick the
fur-traders early fell into, that of copying from sav-
agisiu its aids to declamation. Tod could no more tell
his story seated in a chair than he could fly to Jupiter
while chained to the rock of Gibraltar; arms, legs,
and vertebra3 were all brought into requisition, while
high-hued information, bonmed with broad oaths, burst
from his breast like lava from Etna.

But although among earth's pretty ones, among
the starched and veneered of broadways and boule-
vards, his angular contour and disjointed gait presented
anything but an imposing appearance, yet John Tod
was built a man from the ground upward, and those
wit) I eyes might see in him a king, ay, one every inch
a kintf.

Xotable now and for many years afterward through-
out these parts was a whitewashed savage, a Shush wap,
likewise a king in his way, christened l>y the company
St l^aul, and by the Catholic priests Jean Baptiste
Lolo. The Shush waps frequented Kamloop almost
as much as they did the lake that bears their name.
Their passion was finery ; they loved it more than liquor.
Indeed, before the advent of the miners, beside whose

P-

)■■ I

i i i; ,

! V

140

THE SHUStlWAP CO>,\SriRACY.

inud-colorerl clothes tlie briolit vestures of the native;,
shoiie hke the lainbovv on '". thuntlcr-laden sky, tlio
interior tribes did not wallow in drunkenness like thiir
relatives along the coast, but rather affected hors(.\s,
and a wardrobe in Vvdiich. were conspicuous caps with
gay ribl)()ns, scarlet leggings, and rod sashes, and for
the women bright-colored skirts, and gaudy ' andker-
chiefs for the head.

Although Lolo had been thus doubly baptized, he
was not yet wholly clean. There was much of the
aboriginal Adam still in him; yet he was always ready
to serve the god of the fur company, or of the mis-
sionaries, whenever he could make it pay; everything
being equal, however, he preferred his own. In phy-
sique he was large, with fine bold features, a Roman
nose with dilated nostrils being prominent. His
black eyes displayed a melancholy cunning rather
than ferocity, though at times they were restless
and piercing.

His permanent dwelling was a substantial liut
situated near the old fort, and in which he lived and
reared his family and ruled his nation long after eivil-
izat*ion liad filled the Kamloop Plains with farmers.
His authority among his peojih' was absolute; even
after ohl age and si<kness had sent liim [)ermanently
to his bed, the naked sword and loaded gun beneath
his pillow, or ever within his reach, were a terror to
the most distant member of his tribe. He was a man
of intellect and nerve as well as of personal })roW('ss.
The Cv<mpany's trade jargon did not satisfy him in liis
intercourse with white men, and so he learned Cana-
dian French, which he spoke fluently in later life.
Some time after the events recorded in this chapter,
believing something at fault about his knee-joint,
thinking perhaps it needed scraping, and having little
faith in medicine-men, red or white, little by littk' as
he could bear it, with his own hand he cut the Hcsh
away, bored through the bone, and kept open for a
time the wound by forcing water through it. He was

a great lo
two for hlf

Lt)lo's
renown; fi
lived there
and for a
still enjoye
of the Hu
Kamloop,
Lolo not
dutiful son
more consic
the whims
as for fame
sea, did nol
Now, in
and the rec
iiig and rec
Lolo was 1
afterward.

One hors

thive hund]

coveted. I

duiT any ha

ohstinate ir

should not

the ruh'i' of

It was tl

a party froi

Miilos distal

known as t

sulisistonce

iiativos. If

should lead

two soverei]

"Ale von

"Theyar

"Have tl

"Yes."

LOLO.

141

^^^^

':'f

'■/■B ■

;• iS

•:>p'

i ':

i'i^

! 11'!

ail

■>s.
lis
la-

vr,
It,

■sli

f a

ii great lover of horses, and usually kept a score or
two for his own use.

Lolo's days were not few, nor did his name lack
ivnown; for twenty years before Tod's time he had
lived there on friendly terms with the fur-traders,
and for a dozen years thereafter his rusty old body
still enjoyed the blessings of sunlight. To the honor
of the Hudson's Bay Company's officers statiojied a*t
Kauiloop, be it said that in his old age they treated
Loll) not alone with kindness, but with respect. A.
dutiful son to an aged parent could not liave been
more considerate than was McLean in ministering to
the whims and desires of this ancient savage. And
as for fame — who, from the llocky Mountains t(j the
sea, did not know of Lolo ?

Now, in this year 184G the two kings, the white
and the red, were in their prime; Tod was domineer-
ing and reckless, not knowing tlie name of fear, and
L(»l() was not so wealthy in women and horses as
afterward.

One liorse in particular, the best of a baud of
tliice hundred belonging to the fort, Lolo had long
coveted. He would give anything for that horse, en-
(\mv any hardship, kill any })erson. Tod was equally
iilistinate in his refusal to part with it; the savage
.slidiild not have the horse; second best u.ust suffice
till' luli'r of redskins.

It was the custom every spring ov suunner to send
a luirty from Kandoop to the .Popayou, seventy-six
!iiilrs distant on Fraser liiver, near what was later
known as the Fountain, to procure for the vear's
siilisistf, nee salmon there caught and cured by the
iiativos. It had been agreed this year that IjoIo
slioidd lead the party for the nmtual benefit of the
two sovereignties.
"Are your men ready?" asked Tod one day.
"Tlicy are ready," replied Lolo.
" Have the horses been driven in and hobbled?"
"Ves."

Mini

142

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

"The men will leave day after to-morrow, befoiv
dayliujlit."

"Very good."

The second night after the departure of the ex])(>
dition, just as the chief trader was about retiring, a
knock was hoard at the door. Besides himself and
family and the half-breed boy, there was not a soul
about the place; every man was with the expedition,
and as the country was at peace, even the fort gatts
were not fastened at night.

"Come in," exclaimed Tod.

Slowly tlie door opens a few inches until the black
eyes of Lolo were seen glistening at the aperture.
Though amazed bevond measure, and fearful lest some
misfortune had happened to the party, Tod was Indian
enough never to be thrown so far out «>f balance as
to manifest surprise at anything. He continued to
busy himself as if the unwelcome appswntlon at the
door was but part of his prcparatif»ns for bed. Never-
theless, waves of unquietness began to roll over liis
breast, ready to break out in w-ath or subside in
resignation, as the case might require, for Tod ^^as
not a patient man, nor slow of speech, nor soft ef
words; and for all tlii^ rascally redskins thi« side
of i^erdition he would not \onrr remain the savage stoic.
But U])on occasion, the Gaelic lion could play the lanili,
provided the period of enduranct were reasonable.

Left to JiiniKelf, the Shushwstp chief pushed o[>*n
the door and slowly entered. For several minutes he
stood bolt U|)right in the middle of the room, until at
length Tod motioned him to a seat beside the taMe,
and shoved toward him pipe aiid tobacco.

"Your family will be glad to see you," Tod fiiiallv
remarked, wondering more than ever what had luip-
pened t<^ the party, and why he had returned, and
cursing in his heart the savage conventionalism whieh
dei)as<-?d a man frmn any manifestion of curiositv.

■'Tlie sorrel horse I spoke to you about," reidied

THAT SORREL HORSE.

143

tlic chief. "I should like to have that horse, Mr
Tod."

" The river has risen a little since yesterday," ob-
s(!rved Tod.

"For twenty years I have followed the fortunes of
t!io Hudson's Bay Company," continued Lolo. "I
lijive shared my store of food with them, warned them
of dangers, attended them in perils, and never before
have I been denied a request."

"Fill your pipe," said Tod.

"Alas I my wives and little ones," still sighed the
savage. "Though I am old and not afraid to die,
thoy are young and helpless ; what would become of
tlicin should thi^- evil befall; where will they go?"

"What the devil is the matter?" now blurted Tod,
thrown sudde ' back by Lolo's gibberish from high
forest reticem i > the conventional speech of chris-
tcMidom. " Who talks of dying ? Where are the men ?
Why have you returned? Speak!"

"Matter enough," answered the chief, who now
cliangod his tone from that of whining lament to one
of surly concern. " When near our destination we mot
a \i)uiig chief of the Atnahs, who, drawing mo aside,
informed me that his father, who is a friend of mine,
had .'iitered into a conspiracy with the chiefs of sev-
eral other Shushwap tribes for the extermination of
the fur-traders. They had agreed to open hostilities
by tho capture of the annual Kau)loop party just as
it readied the Fraser; a>nd this warning was given
mo that I might save myself and mine."

" Where are the men and horses T'

" I hid them as well as I could behind some bushes
'' little otf the trail, tellinof them that J was yroino- to
hunt a better camping-ground, and to let the animals
jjrazf there until 1 returned. I said nothing about
the (-((nspiracy, knowing that the attaek would not be
'tia<h' until the party n acju'd the rivt-r, and that my
I'l'ti Would not romain should tliey know of it. Time
Wis Y/hen I would not have turned my ]>ack upon

m\%,

144

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

such a threat, but my friendship and faithful services
are no h)nj^er valued."

"Well, go to your family now, and let me think
about it ; '' and so the chief departed.

Was it true, or was it a trick on the part of Lolo
to get the horse? Tod was greatly puzzled. There
had never been trouble with the natives in this vicinity ;
there was now no provocation that he knew of And
yet it was a long ride for so useless a question. Of
course if there was danger of an attack the chief
should not have left the party. As he thouglit it
over, the trader's suspicions increased.

While deep in these considerations as to what was
best for him to do, Mr Tod saw the door again move
on its hinges, and Lolo's head thrust in at the open-
ing. "Will you not let me have the horse, Mr
Tod?"

"No, danm you I go home; and if you say horse to
me again I'll break every bone in your body." For
the trader's patience had finally forsaken him. He
was now almost sure that Lolo's only object was to
get the horse, and that the conspiracy story was
false; nevertheless, the party niust be looked after
immediately. How should he manage itl His peo-
ple were all absent; there was not a white man at
that moment within seventy miles of him. For h.ini-
self, his family, or anything about the fort, the chief
trader did not fear the Shush wap chief. As Lolo
himself had said, he had been true to the com[)aiiy
for twenty years. The sorrel horse he longed lor
with all a child's intensity; but often it happened to
be necessary to deny the childish covetings of the
aboriginal, else his desires wt)uld run away with him,
and there would bo no livinij with him. Had not
Tod known and trusted Loh) implicitly he would nut
at tliis juncture have spoken sharply to him as he told
him to go home. It was not a breach of etlqui'ttc,
liowever, for a white chief to speak rudely or even t<>
cuff or kick a red chief; but woe to the white man of

'#!

A DESPERATE RESOLVE.

145

low degree, the laborer, the voyageur, who insulted
a native nobleman. A king might bear a king's atfront;
not so a slave's.

At the seat of war, if war was to bo, the position
of Lolo would be entirely different. It must be re-
membered that the conspirators were, likewise with
Lolo, members of the Shush wap family. The chiefs
proposing to unite for the taking of Kamloop were
the lieads of the several divisions of one familv. Lolo
would be importuiH'd, and perhaps in some degree
influenced against his old friends. Even here, so
strong was his faith in him, Tod did not fear absolute
trciu'liery. But after mature reflection he concluded
that he wculd rather undertake the management of
afiairs without the presence of Lolo than with it. The
chief trader had his own way for the treatment of
such cases — a way always original and generally ef-
fectual.

Lolo was thunderstruck at the bold tone in whiclx
Tod had denied his last request for the horse. Tlie
Lidiau well knew of the truth of the conspiracy. He
knew, or at least he supposed, his fidelity and services
woukl be of the first importance to the trader, isolated
as ho was, and alone in the midst of numerous organ-
i/A'd and blood-thirsty enemies. Surely the horse would
not 1)0 a feather's weight to him now, reasoned Lolo,
when all the horses, the fort, and the property in it,
wife and children, and life itself — for the chief well
knew the trader would not run away from danger,
and that if he did not he would certainly be killed —
Were in such jeopardy. Therefore was he confounded
at Tod's rude and violent denial.

Before the door had closed on the retreating form
of the savage, almost before the profane words of
refusal were out of his mouth, the trader had made
U[) liis mind what to do. Calling the half-breed boy,
he ordered him to saddle two of the fleetest horses in
tlie corral. In as few wori*v as p*>ssible he explained

Theft ht wrote a ovneral

the situation to his wife,

IllST. BBIT. COI,. lU

I* I

l::i

146

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

statement of the case for head-quarters at Victoria in
case he should never return. And shortly after mid-
night, while Lolo was asleep at home, the chief trader
and his boy were on the trail for Fraser River, gallop-
ing over the ground as fast as their horses could carry
them.

Meanwhile the mind of the chief trader was no less
active than his body. Here was a field for the dis-
play of his brightest genius. By slow degrees and
cool consideration he had arrived at the conclusion
that Lolo had not deceived him in regard to the con-
spiracy. He knew the Indian character thoroughly;
nor was the chief's fresh plea for the horse so wholly
out of place in such an emergency as he had at first
regarded it. At all events, the safer wav, the onlv
safe way, was to act as though the report was true.

He found no diflSculty in reaching his men by noon.
They were surprised to see him, had heard nothing of
the threatened attack, nor did he see fit at once to
enlighten them. He merely gave orders to prepare;
to move forward early the next morning. The men
were accustomed to implicit obedience. They could
not understand why their leader should be suddenly
so solicitous as to the condition of their arms and the
supj)ly of ammunition, seeing no danger portending.
But it was not their province to question.

By sunrise the party was on the trail, moving at
the usual pace toward the Fraser. Some distance In
advance was Tod, alone; he had told his men to keep
three hundred yards behind him, to march when lu;
marched, and .stop when he stopped. By nine o'clock
they approached a small open plain enclosed in thick
brushwood and bordering on the river. Tod mo-
tioned his men to halt while \\<.' rode slowly forwatd
into the open space, apparently careless and uncon-
cerned as usual, but with a glance which scrutinized
w'xih intense interest every rock and shrub around tlie
arena, l^rescntly his eye caught unmistakable siun.'S
of opposition.

Behinc

opening,
of armed
were amc
venture,
covered h
were kilt
tlieir kniA
and the
dav the c

But wl
told, Can
liundred j
to he desf
every one
any white
Brute for
courage h<
1k! king, h(

Then ar
its might.

The mei
time apprc
and liad wi
knew now
[•eariid am
occn[)ied tl
the enemy,
motioned ci
to attend 1:

"Cxeorgt
hack (juietl
witli me, n
ho.

The bra
leader alon

" Danm
T'an'j throu
Land- the ^

'' It

INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH.

147

Behind the bushes on the northern side of the
opening, and close to the river, he saw a large band
of armed and painted savages. No women or children
were among them, which circumstance, beyond perad-
vcnture, signified mischief. Already they had dis-
covered him, and were moving about excitedly. They
were kilted up for fight; and now they brandished
tlieir knives and guns threateningly. Lolo was right;
and tlie chief trader vowed that if he survived that
(lay the chief should have the horse.

But what was he to do? He had not ten men, all
told, Canadians and Indians, and here were three
liimdred arrayed against him. Nor were they a foe
to 1)0 despised, these powerful and active Shushwaps,
every one of whom could handle the rifie as well as
any white man. How was he to cope with them ?
Brute force was certainly out of the question; brute
courage here was powerless. And if iriiollect was to
lie king, how was white cunning to circumvent the red ?

Tlien arose the mind of John Tod in the power of
its .night.

The men, with the h«»rses in the rear, had by this
time approached the opeiaing, had seen the savages,
and had witnessed their warlike demonstrations. They
knew ru)W why their leader had so unexpectedly ap-
{)eared among them, and had been so singularly pre-
occupied the night before. Still with his face toward
tlie enemy, though he liad now stopped his horse, Tod
motioned one of his party, George Simpson by name,
to attend him.

" George, " said he, as the Canadian came up, "fall
hack (|uietly with the horses, and if things go wrong
with nie, make the best of your way back to the fort.
ho.

The brave fellow hesitated a moment to leave his
Jea(hT alone in such peril.

"Damn you. go!" shouted Tod, in a voice which
ran'j through the woods, and made to rattW in their
ham I- the weapons of the startled savasres.

^■'.ifl

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148

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

And now to business.

It is a mai^nificent aiiinuil that Tod bestrides, a
white mare, clean of hnib, with flowing mane and
tail, a proud stepper, and strong and swift withal.
The enemy, emerging from the forest, gather on and
round a low knoll at the edge of the opening, and
there stand watching intently the fur-trader's every
movement. The battle begins; it is one man against
three imndred. There is little use for the usual
death-dealing machinery in such a contest as this.
Turning full front upon the glowering savages. Tod
put spurs to his horse; and as he rushes on toward
th<Mn, they raise their guns. The horseman does not
flinch nor slacken speed; but (juickly drawing swonl
and [)istol, he holds them aloft in on(i hand, and with
the other lifts high his gun above his head. For an
instant only the ujurdorous trinkets flash the sun's
light into the eyes of the astonished multitude; then
the rider hurls them all aheap upon the plain. Seiz-
ing the rein which iiitherto had lain neglected, the
rider n(>xt turns his attention to feats of horsemaii-
shij). With head erect, eyes flashing, and mane flcjw-
ing, the white mare prances to the right, then to tlie
left, and after describing a half-circle, charges into
their very midst.

Very strange, no doubt, and very silly, a cavalry
ca[)tain would say. Why did they not kill him? So,
indeed, the cavalry ca[>tain would have been kilKd,
and all his men. Why did not those fire who raised
their guns? Curiosity. Thus the interested antelopi;
will stand and be shot. They wished to see what the
white man would do next. Hundreds they had killed
bt'fore, and could achieve a butchery any day. l>ut
they could not have every day an honorable cliiet
trader upon his best mettle before them for their
anmsement. Well was it that Tod understood his
role, and had the coolness and courage to play it, lor
the least mistake was death.

There sat the smiling Scotchman upon his pan ling

OH, WORSHIPFUL TOD.

149

\vhito steed, amidst the tliickest of them. Tod always
Hiniled in joy and in sorrow, and his smile was enor-
mous. His angry smile was more fearful than his
oaths; the savages felt this, though they could not
analyze the sentiment. And now they saw his smile
was angry, though he spoke them fair; they boyjan to
1)(: afraid, though they knew not why; but they would
kill him presently.

"What is all this?" demanded the chief trader.
"What is it that you wish to do?"

"We want to see Lolo," they replied. "Where is
Lolo? Why came you here ?"

"Ah ! then you nave not heard the news. Lolo is
at liome. Poor fellow!"

"News! What news? No, we have heard no
news," they cried, again forgetting their bloody pur-
]K)so, ingulfed in curiosity.

"T am sorry for you, my friends." And now his
smile on the outside was, oh! so sad, though inwardly
lined by the softest, merriest chuckle. "The small-
pox is upon us; the terrible, terrible small-pox. It
was brought from Walla Walla by an Okanagan."

They well knew what the small-pox was, and that
it raged at Walla Walla and on the lower Columbia.
Worse than death they feared the scourge; the bare
idea of it was horrible to them. They knew, likewise,
of Whitman's massacre, and the divine punishment
that liad so quickly followed the offenders.

"Ay, the dreaded disease is here," continued Tod,
in deep, sepulchral tones. '*That is why I am come.
I eame to tell 3'ou. I came to save yt)U. You are my
fVieiids, my brothers. You bring me furs. I give you
lilaiikets and guns wherewith to got food for your
families, and I love you. But you nmst not come to
Kainloop until I give you notice; else you will die.
^10, 1 have brought you medicine, for I would not
see you lying scattered on the bank like yonder salmon,
lotting, rotting; ah! indeed, I would not."
Where now is the battle; who the victor? Won

.1-'

150

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

■ !

1 ,

■ffit

by a trick; you may say, a lie. Partly so. The uni-
verse is but a trick, however, and half this world a lie
Flown to remotest regions were all thoughts of mur-
der, fire, pillage. KUl him! their best, their truest
friend? They had never intended such a thing. It
was other adventure they were dreaming of, they
could hardly tell what. "O, Mr Tod! Mr Tod! save
us! save us!"

Not more than ten minutes were occupied in achie\-
ing this wonderful revolution of feeling. It was a
conversion which would honor any apostle or jiriest,
aided to the full measure of the miraculous by atten-
dant spirits. And now black was white, and whitt'
was black. It was true, however, that the chief trader
would help them as he was able. Though they would
cheerfully have killed him half an hour ago, Joliii
Tod would no more have revenged himself on them
by doing them injury than he would injure his child.
They were but children ; and if his boasted superiority
was real, he could afford to overlook so slight a fault
as intent to murder him. It was true, the small-jxfx
was abroad. It was true that in his pocket the cliiof
trader carried some vaccine matter. The Hudson's
Bay people were seldom without medicine. Business
still. Between his thumb and finger the fur-trader
held the will of that multitude as the will of one
man; but lest their erratic mind should change, it
must be kept occupied. It was not enough that
the white men should simply escape with their livis;
the yearly supply of salmon must be secured, and tlie
natives must be induced to sell to them, and that
speedily. Not a word about conspiracy and murder;
not a word about wrongs and infelicities. Fear must
be kept alive, the threatening wrath of a mysteii()ii8
unseen power must be before their.. Revenge is for
fools, for beastly idiots.

"You see yonder tree," pointing to an enormous
pine.

"Yes."

"Cut
Away
and as

stantlv a
canje for
these the
"Do V
"Yes".'
"Ther
to my nu
Never
complete(
down cai
yet more
way towa
from the
up to it."
The he
Tod gave
cliase bad
ai^es was
for delay,
liimself w
resting on
"Letfii
his right
fluded in
wash that
returned, j
knife and i
knife was
pally in c
therefore
his rouo'h
derived nc
into arms
human. ]
tiallv, that
whom he

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.

161

"Cut it down."

Away flow their weapons, off went their clothes,
and as many as could stand round the tree were in
stantly at work hewinj^ it down. The women now
came forward from their place of concealment, and to
tliese the trader next directed his attention.

"])<) you see the smoke beyond the bushes?"

"Yes!"

"There is my camp. Carry salmon thither, and sell
to my men."

Never was the annual requirement more quickly
completed, nor the price less questioned. Presently
down came the tree, and the trader wishing to gain
yet more time, that his men might get well on their
Avuy toward home, said, "Cut it again, four fathoms
from the but; then level the stump, and roll the log
up to it."

The horses were now all loaded with salmon, and
Tod gave orders to his men to hasten with their pur-
cliase back to the fort. The last task given to the sav-
aiifes was completed, and there being no further cause
for delay, the chief trader dismounted, and seated
himself with royal dignity upon the stump, his feet
resting on the log.

"Let fifty of the bravest and best of you strip each
his right arm." Only the foremost chiefs were in-
cluded in this category. "Go down to the river and
wash that arm," was the next command. Soon they
returned, and the trader, drawing from his pocket a
knife and the vaccine matter, began to vaccinate. The
knife was old and dull; the trader used it princi-
pally in cutting his tobacco and cleaning his pipe;
therefore strength as well as skill was requisite in
his rough surgery. I will not say that the trader
derived no pleasure in thus driving the blunt blade
into arms so lately raised against him, for he was
human. Indeed, Mr Tod admitted to me, confiden-
tially, that when the turn of certain noted rascals,
whom he was satisfied were the head and front of

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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

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THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

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the conspiracy, came, he did cut away more than was
absolutely necessary, and did not perhaps feel that
solicitude for the comfort of his patients which he
ought to have done; and if so be the arm — mark! the
right arm — might not wield a weapon for ten days or
a fortnight, so much the better.

The trader was thoroughly fatigued before the
round was made ; and even then, as there was a little
of the virus left, he vaccinated another score. Then
he instructed them how they were to carry aloft their
arm, and when the sore had healed, how with the
scab they might vaccinate the others. " It was a
strange sight," says Tod, "to witness the Indians
going about with their arm upheld and uncovered."
As a matter of course, it would be fatal to handle a
weapon before the arm had healed.

And so the conspiracy of the Shushwaps ended.
Lolo obtained the sorrel horse, and Tod was worshipped
throughout that region ever after; for not a man of
the three hundred would ever after believe that lie
did not owe his life to the chief trader.

Another incident that happened the following year
I may briefly mention in this connection.

A band of Okanagans came one day to Kamloop
and asked permission of Mr Tod to camp close by the
fort. Nicola, they said, who lived some forty miles
south of Kamloop, near the lake which to-day bears
his name, was very angry with them, and wished to
kill them. The chief trader assented, stipulatiniif
that they should behave themselves and obey the
.regulations of the traders. It was a custom of the
company thus to balance powers aboriginal, taking'
care that in the end they alone should be lords of all.

Nicola was furious when he heard of it, and swoie
in good stout jargon that white as well as red should
suffer for so unfair, so unholy an alliance. "A pretty
pass, indeed, things have reached upon these huntinj^-
grounds," he said, "when one cannot fight one's eiio-

loo[)
the
nilcs
>ears
d to
itiiiiij
the
the

all.

NICOLA'S PLOT.

163

lilies without this foreign interference." But he must
curb his impatience until better prepared ; for in the
weighing of these rude destinies, arms, and ammunition
were the strorifjcst factor. So dejjenerate had become
the times, since the advent of skin-buyers, that with-
out these infernal implements little could be done in
the killing line. The Okanagans were well armed;
Nicola was short of guns; and as the chief trader was
at present opposed to slaughter, he would furnish no
weapons knowingly for that purpose.

Nicola was shrewd as well as energetic. His influ-
ence was not so widely extended as Lolo's, but within
his narrower area he was absolute. His warriors were
active, experienced, brave; moreover, he was rich, and
loved revenge The fort people loved furs; better
than revenge, religion, or other earthly distemper they
loved them; furs piled mountain high; furs without
end.

One day certain of Nicola's men appeared at the
fort wishing to buy guns, which were given them.
Shortly afterward others of the same nation came,
and asked for powder, balls, and more guns, which,
were likewise sold to them. The Okanagans watched
those proceedings narrowly.

"Why should Nicola require so many guns?" they
asked of the chief trader.

"For hunting, I suppose; I do not know."

" No, they are not for hunting, but for us."

" If I thought so, I would sell them no more; bold
and vindictive as he is, Nicola would hardly dare
attack people under my protection, under the very
shadow of the holy tabernacle of traffic."

"He will dare; he will do it. Those bullets are
for us, for our wives and our little ones."

Again came others from Lake Nicola, and asked
for knives and guns, and nothing else.

" Why do you buy only arms and so much ammu-
nition ?' demanded the trader. " Yo

■"ou will leave noiM

fur others."

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154

THE SHU8HWAP CONSPIRACY.

"We are going on a long journey, beyond the
Kootenais, to hunt," they replied.

"Ah! my friends; your hunt, I fear, is nearer home.
You wish to kill the Okanagans. I will sell you no
more weapons; and you may tell that old fox, Nicola,
that if he, or any of his men, dare lift a finger against
any person within five miles of Kamloop, I will be upon
him in a way of which he has never yet dreamed."

This being told to Nicola, in no wise tended to
assuage his wrath. Summoning his warriors, and
such of the neighboring chiefs as he could prevail
upon to hear him, he talked to them, he harangued
them ; breath failing him, he rested, and then again
harangued, until at length the presence of the spirit
was felt, and the converts acknowledged it their duty
to capture the fort as well as kill the Okanagans.
" Refuse us, indeed 1" growled Nicola, as he expressed
his thanks, "we will take what we require without
the asking."

Surely enough it was reported shortly after that
Nicola was marching with a large force upon the fort.
As usual Tod had but a few men with him, not more
than six; for it was by the power of mind, and not by
physical strength, that the fur-traders everywhere
held dominion. Again was strategy Tod's only re-
source; for even his few men became so frightened
that they fled to the woods, a most unusual proceed-
ing in fur-trading annals. The Okanagans, of course,
retired to a place of safety, and the chief trader see-
ing himself thus left alone, sent his wife and children
with them. One only of his men, a Canadian named
Lefevrc, returned repentant.

" I cannot leave you, Mr Tod; I would rather die
with you."

"No, you had better go; we are too few to fight
them. Had the others remained and stood by the
company's property, as they were bound to do, wc
might hold the fort until assistance from Langloy
could reach us; as it is I would prefer to be alone."

THE GUNPOWDER FARCE.

Tod now bethought himself of the somewhat stale
gunpowder ruse. It seemed his only chance of sav-
ing the fort; and he did not believe the trick had ever
been played in these parts. There was danger enough
attending it to make it deeply interesting to him, for
if he failed in the execution, or if Nicola suspected
that it was a trick, the fort was lost. Nicola was not
a common native; he possessed a powerful will; his
intellect was keen; his hatred, when aroused, was
tigerish. But he was afraid of Tod; it is only the
dull and brutish savage that does not fear civilization.
Nicola was intelligent enough to know that the white
man, with his superior arts and appliances, held
the poor redskin at disadvantage. Another point
was greatly in favor of the fur-trader in the coming
combat: an officer of the Hudson's Bay Company
very seldom deceived an Indian. It was the leading
maxim of their policy to inspire confidence as well
as fear. "Did ever I lie to you?" roars Tod, as he
heaps oaths and blows on the head of an offender.
" Did not I tell you I would knock you down? And
there! I have kept my word," as the redskin drops
sprawling.

So that when the chief trader sprang from an am-
bush and caught one of Nicola's men who was recon-
noitring close upon what he now supposed the
deserted fort; when he drove the captive within the
palisades, and forced him to bring from the magazine
three kegs of powder, upon one of which the trader
seated himself, driving in the heads of the two others
with his heel; when he asked the affrighted savage
for his flint, coolly remarking that he was now ready
to meet Nicola, and any number of his men, for that
the power was at hand to blow into atoms the whole
earth from Kamloop to Okanagan Lake; when this
was done, I say, and the terror-stricken captive, as
a mark of benign favor was permitted to escape and
save himself, upon the solemn promise that he would
not reveal the plot to Nicola or any other person, the

i I

156

THE SHUSHWAP CONSPIRACY.

man believed it, and Nicola believed it, when his scout,
more dead than alive, returned to him and told him
all, as the wily Tod had wished, and well knew would
be the case. These credulous wilderness men had
never seen so great a mass of powder, and had no idea
of the effect if ignited at one time. If the little
a nutshell will hold can bring down a buffalo, three
kegs might bring the world down. What Mr Tod
had said, that would he do. Besides, if while the buf-
falo was being brought down by the nutshell of pow-
der he who fired the shot remained uninjured, might
not he escape harm, who, with three kegs, blows the
world up? So Nicola made overtures of peace, which
the chief trader required should include the Okana-
gans. The following summer John Tod retired from
Kamloop.

Nkcessity (

AND Ne

Ankers
Bkkikai
Manusc
Kamloc
Lakes '

MKKN, ,

Fkaher
Trail—

Meanv

well us ai
1845 A.
Alexandi
tlio Fras
the bouni
(loinain o
tlieii pen<
event, a 1
within B
primary i

' Wliile at
spfiit much o
iluoii, withoul
8011, Tolmie, ]
witli any ilegi
of British Col
Bay Coiiipanj
and courtly.
WiTc (lead, bu
iufdnimtion m

I
i

CHAPTER IX.

ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.
1846-1847.

NKCEasmr of a New Rottte betwkkn the BRmsii Columbia Seaboard
AND New Caledonia — Must be Wholly within Britlsh Territory —
Anderson Proposes Explorations— Authority and Means (iKanted—
bimiraphical and bibliographical note ov anderson and iiis
Manuscript History — Sets out from Alexandria— Proceeds to
Kamloop — Thenck Explores by Way of Anderson and Harrison
Lakes to Lanoley— Returns by Way of the Coquiualla, Similka-

MEKN, AND LaKB Nk'OLA— SecOND EXPEDITION ALONG ThoMPHON AND

Fraser Rivers — Back by Kequeloosk and the New Similk/meen
Thail — Report and Suggestions.

Meanwhile brains were active in the interior as
well as at Fort Vancouver and on the seaboard. In
1845 A. C. Anderson,^ who was stationed at Fort
Alexandia, New Caledonia, then the lowest post on
the Fraser except Langley, became convinced that
the boundary line between United States and British
domain on the Pacific would be drawn, by the treaty
then pending, north of the lower Columbia; in which
event, a route from the ocean to the interior, wholly
within British territory, would become a matter of
jniinary importance.

' Wliile at Victoria in 1878 I made the acquaintance of Mr Anderson, and
8i)t'iit mucli of my time with him in studying Northwest Coast affairs. In-
(fecil, without that experience and the information then given nie by Ander-
fiiiii, Toltnie, Finlayson, and others, I do not see how I could have written
witli any degree of completeness or correctness a history either of Oregon or
«f liritish Columbia. Anderson was the most scholarly of all the Hudson's
liiiy Company officers; Tolmie was keen and practical; Finlayson intellectual
luid courtly. Sir James Douglas, Mr Work, and Mr Ogden unfortunately
Wen: <luud, but their respective families kindly placed at my disposal all tlie
iitl'orntation within their reach. I s^jeak of all those gentlemen elsewhere. I

(167)

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158

ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.

Acting on this conviction, Anderson wrote Governor
Simpson, in council at Norway House, Lake Win-
nipeg, asking permission to explore a route from

will give here only a brief biographical and bibliographical sketch of Mr
Aiidvrsun and his works.

The more immediate result of my many interviews with Mr Anderson in a
manuscript History qf Ihe Nort/iwent Coast, comprising 285 pages, and covlt-
ing the entire field of OreEon affairs to 1846, ana of matters relating to New
C'luedonia and British Columbia to date. So far as possible, the ncedlesH
repetition of facts alrea<ly in print was avoided. He as well as I knew well
enough what was wanted, and as neither of us had time to waste, we cuntiiieit
ourselves pretty closely to inquiries into the domain of unrevealed facts. A
thousand important events are thus for the first time placed upon record, and
a thousand incidents heretofore but vaguely stated are explained. In style,
Mr Anderson is somewhat pompous, pedantic, and diffusive in parading him-
self before the world, while in bringmg into proper prominence the deeds of
his associates a false delicacy makes him painfully reticent. This is a habit
common to all the officers of the great monopoly, who, after living in deadly
fear of speaking of company affairs for a score or two of years, almost tremble
in their old age to set their tongues wagging over these old-time an*l sacred
secrets. But for his honesty, courtesy, liis sound business sense, and di.s-
criminatins analysis of character, we may well forgive him a few superHiidUH
words and nigh-sounding sentences. Throughout the whole work, ]>articularly
in the first pages, the facts are sadly jumbled, t)eing thrown together as they
arose in our minds, without regard to chronological or other order; but when
segregated from the confused mass, by the system of note-taking obtaining
in my Library, and l>eing brought into conjunction with parallel facts and con-
temporaneous incidents, almost every sentence is a jewel which finds its proi)er
fitting. To the personal work of Mr Anderson are appended certain A uUxjroyh
Notes by the late John Stuart, written at Torres, Scotland, in 1842, and consist-
iiig of caustic criticism of a previous narrative by Mr Anderson. While that
work of Anderson's is as a whole highly eulogized by Stuart, parts of it were
pronounced apocryphal, and other parts exaggerated. This indeed would l)e
the case with any work which could ho written. Place three or even two of
these old Hudson's Bay men in a room to discuss general affairs iir which they
had all participated, and hot words if not blows are sure to follow. In his
Notes, Stuart takes exceptions to the dark side only of Indian character wliich
Anderson chooses to dwell upon, and to the boundaries Anderson gives to
New Caledonia, which Stuart says are too limited, and the like. To all tliis
Anderson replies in such a way as to bring out the real state of affairs in the
clearest possible manner.

And now for a brief biography, leaving details to their proper place in the
history. Alexander Cauliield Anderson, a native of Calcutta, educated in
England, was a youth of eighteen, having served the Hudson's Bay adventurers
as clerk but one yeax when in 1832 he first appeared at fort Vancouver.
After participating in the founding of the posts at Milbank Sound and on tlie
Stikeen, in the summer of 1835 he was appointed to Mr Ogden's district of
New CaJedonia, and reached Fort George about the beginning of September.
He was then despatched with a party by way of Yellowhoad Pass to Jasjier
House to meet the Columbia brigade, and bring back goods for the New ( ale-
donia district. Two months afterward he was appointed to the charge of the
post at the lower end of Fraser Lake, his first independent command. In tlie
autumn of 1839 he was removed to Fort George, and in the spring of 1;j40
accompanied the outgoing brigade to Fort Vancouver, and in the autumn
of the same year was appointed to the charge of Fort Nisqually. In the
autumn of 1841 Mr Anderson left Nisqually and passed the winter at Kurt
Vancouver Next spring he went with tht expres* to York Factory, re-

wav mui

FORMER SURVEYS.

Alexandria to Langley through a tract of country
then practically unknown. His request was granted,
five men were detailed for the service,* and the neces-
sary horses and outfit provided.

The descent of the Fraser had been twice at-
tempted, and twice, after r. fashion, made: once in
1808 by John Stuart and Simon Fraser; and once,
twenty years after, by Governor Simpson. It was
known to be unnavigable in part; it was then deemed
decidedly impracticable for boats. Some other path-
wav must therefore be made, where nature was less
()j»pugnant.

turtie<l ill October and proceeded to Fort Alexandria, to the charge of which
)iu liad l>eeu appointed, and remained there till 1848, having meanwhile
Iteeii promoted. In that year he was appointed to the Colville district, suc-
oei'diiig Chief Factor John Lee Lewes. At Colville he remained, making an-
nual trips with supplies and bringing out the furs to Fort Langley till 1851,
when he went to Fort Vancouver as assibtant to Mr Ballenden, and succeeded
teiriporarily to the superintendence till 1854, when he retired from active
Herviue. Marrying, ho passed a few vears near the house of his father-in-law,
Janiug Birnic, and then purchased a home at Cathlamet. In 18.'>8 he went to
Victoria to inquire into the gold discoveries. Douglas urged liim to accept
ntlice and bring his family and assist in the affairs of the colony, which he did,
Hincu residing at Rosebaiik, Saanich, near Victoria. In 1876 he was appointed
liy the Dominion government commissioner to settle the Indian land dif-
ferences in British Columbia, and continued to act in that capacity until the
voiinnission was dissolved in 1878. On his retirement from the Hudson's Bay
Company's service in 1853-4, he received two years' retiring furlough in ad-
dition to the usual retiretl interest, which continued for seven years subse-
quently. It was as chief trader that he left the service of the company, his
(ommission as chief factor being dependent on his returning to take charge
ot New Caledonia, where he had already passed a year; but the education of
hi8 family demanded that he should resitle nearer the conveniences of civiliza-
tion. In 184G Mr Anderson made an exploration for a route from Alexandria
ilnwn the Fraser Valley to Fort Langley, and in 1847 a similar survey from
Kaniloop down the Tliompgon to the mouth of the Nicola; thence by way of
Lytton to Yale and Langley. The lines then traced afterward became the
niaiii routes of access to the interior. In 1858, in order to obtain means for
transport of goods to the newly discovered gold-diggings, he recommended
Knit directed the opening of a road from the head of Harrison I^ke by way of
l.iike Anderson to the crossing of the Fraser, where Lilloet was afterward
loeatod. Five hundred miners were employeil on the work, and the road thus
constructed was used for the transport of all supplies, until the road alo;ig
tlie Fraaor was made. In personal appearance, at the time I saw him, he
lieing then sixty-three years of a^e, Mr Anderson was of sliglit build, wiry
make, active in mind and body, with a keen, penetrating eye, covered by lids
whiuh persisted in a perpetual and spasmodic winking, urought on years ago
by anow-tield exposures, and now become liabitual, and doubtless as disagree-
al'le to him as to his friends. In speech he was elegant and precise, an<i by
no means so verbose as in his writings, and in carriage, if not so dignified as
Fmlayson, his manner would do him credit at St James.

''Their names were Edward Montigny, J. B. Vautrin, Abraham Charbon-
nedcrn. Theodore Lacourse, and William Davis. Andemons N'ort/uvaU Cotut,
MS., 124.

I 'IP

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lililhli

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lUO

ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.

Anderson's journal dates from Kainloop, the capi
tal of tlio Tlioinpson River district/ whence, on the
15tli day of May 184G, tlie}-^ started, and passed down
Thompson River to Cache Creek, in the main by tiie
lino of what is now the v/agcm-road. The first en-
campment was at tlie lower end of Kamloop Lake.
Crossinj^ the Defunt River in an old canoe whidi
they found at hand, narrowly escaping being swept to
their death by an eddy into a boiling rapid in the
effort, they continued to the River Bonaparte wliicli
they found much swollen. Nearly the whole of tiu^
17th was consumed in making a bridge for the men.
and finding a ford for the horses. At niglit they en-
camped at the Bivi^re aux Chapeaux.*

Through a cut in the hills they jjussod on next day
to a small lake, then to another lake, then to Pavil-
lion river and village on the Fraser, following which
southward they reached Upper Fountain at four
o'clock. In the early part of the day they hod
startled a village of natives, who, rushing to arms
midst terrific yells and fear-compelling antics, threat-
ened the party with instant annihilation. On An-
derson's riding forward and demanding what all the
uproar was about, they subsided into the smallest
compass, saying they thought their enemies were at
hand.

Here the way was found too rugged for horses,* so

' ' I remember the old, compact, and well-palisaded fort, and the stockades
a little (lidtatice nil', large enough for tlirce or four hundred horses, fur tlie
hors'j brijiadea for transport of goods in and returns out for the district, and
for New ( 'alodonia, generally numbered about two hundred and fiTty horsfs.
A beautiful sight was that horse brigade, with no broken hacks in the train,
but every animal in his full beauty of foi-m an<l color, and all so tractable.'
Malcolm McClcod, in Peace River, 114. The New Caledonia and Thompson
Rivpr briga:lc:i wore encamped at Kamloop Miicn Anderson set out.

* Now called Hat Creek. 'This stream derives its name from an Indian
habitation connected with a large granite stone on its left bank indented with
83vural hat-iiku cavities; it flows throu,";h a very picturesque valley ricldy
covered witli herbage, and bordered by hills sprinkled by fir-trees.' Aivln-
soHK Xnrtliirest (JotrM, MS., 125.

* 'The proposed track passes over a mountain 1,500 to 2,000 feet high, the
summit of which even at this advanced season is still thic!;ly coveretl with
snow, and obviously impassable save with snow-shoes. Indeed, there dues
rot c:;i ;t t'.io sli'Thtoit po-isib'lity of a horse-road in this directioa suitable tor
our purposes.' Anderson's Northwest Coast, M.S., 128.

tliey W(
the Ver
to awai
down t

Kngagin
continue
Kivir at
follow ]
found ii
liundn'd
and j)re
save perl
jjoints le!
therefore
Andersoi
and iiarj
journey,
with deni
ance, so
him. I

On the
Anderson
(lid not s
for an es
]ior.se-pas1
should th<
than the
tute woul(

The joi
in canoes
were freq
fell upon
>>anin day

Thus f{
vith his I
return. I
company >
ing the ha
fishery, th

III ST

DOWN THE FKASEH.

they were sent into the open country southward, to
the Vermilion branch of the Siniilkanieen Hiver, there
to await Anderson's return, and the party continued
down the river, alternately on foot and hy canoo.
Kii<jfaj^ing several native lads to carry luyj^aj^e, they
continued their journey next day and crossed Fraser
Kivir at Lilloet. Anderson had hoped to he able to
follow Fraser liivcr to its mouth, hut this he now
found iuipossihli!. 'Precipitous rocks, ten to fifteen
hundn-d feet in heij^ht,'' he says, 'rise on both sides,
and preclude the j)ossibility of all proj^rcss by land,
save perhaps by ecalinjjf the craggy sides at some rare
jioints less precij)itous than the rest." He concluded,
therefore, to strike westward by lakes Seton and
Anderson, and thence proceed southward by Lilloet
and Harrison lakes, which was done. It Avas a rough
journey, but the natives everywhere received him
with demonstrations of joy, and lent him every assist-
ance, so that no insurmountable obstacles opposed
liini.

On the 2lst, while in the vicinity of Lilloet Kiver,
Anderson writes: "As far as my search extended, I
(lid not see any favorable spot conveniently situated
for an establishment having the maintenance of a
horso-pasture in view. But it may be presumed that
should the idea ever be entertained, a narrower search
than the state of our provisions enabled nie to insti-
tute Would prove successful."

The journey by the line of lakes was made chiefly
in canoes obtained from the natives, though portages
were frequent. About noon or the 24th, the party
fell upon Fraser River again, and at five o'clock the
sanio day reached Fort Langley.

Thus far Anderson was not particularly pleased
v'ith his success, but he hoped to do better on his
return. Embarking at Langley, the 28th of May, in
company with a party from the fort Avho were ascend-
ing the river for the purpose of establishing a salmon
fishery, they encamped the first night just below the

IIIHT. UltlT. COL. 11

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ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.

Chilakweyak.* The second day thereafter, at noon,
they reached the mouth of the llaekullum, just below
the Quequealla' River, where the town of Hope now
stands. There Anderson and his assistants were left
by the Fort Langley party.

Andkbsom's Roctu.

Anderson had brought with him an Indian chief
as a guide to the head waters of the Similkameen,
and, plunging through the Cascade Range, hoped
for the best." Over a high ridge, he continued his
march through a labyrinth of huge bowlders which

* Written by Anderson Chilwhaeook.

* Or u it is now called the Coqnihalla. Go Tmtch's map Coqnhalla.
''This from all I could ascertain, both at Kamloop and Fort Langley, i«

the most probable if not only route by which it is likely we may disci:"'.'r <
oommunicatioB for horaea, if auch exist.' AnderaoiCt N. Coatt, MS., HiS.

I f

SKAGIT RIVER.

163

seemed to laugh at these searchers for a horse-way
tlirough them, and the baffled party beat a retreat.
Another defile" to the northward was next attempted
and with better success. Returning to the Fraser,
Anderson engaged a boat, which carried them into the
Quequealla, where disembarking they took a south-
eastward course by land, and soon found themselves in
a broad, well watered valley. Passing out of this
into a defile, they examined the country carefully on
lH)th sides of the river, and though rugged, Anderson
discovered a route through which he thought a road
might be built. Of the surface over which his
proposed horse-path should go, he gives a minute
description, so partic lar that from it a contractor
niij^ht almost make an estimate of the cost of con-
struction.

The first day of June, while groping his way slowly
among the craggy hills and unexplored streams of
this region, Anderson fell in with an intelligent Indian
from the fork of Thompson River. He was hunting
beaver, and being well acquainted with the country
Anderson engaged him under promise of a few charges
of ammunition and some tobacco to show him the
way. The party were now at the Sumallow^" branch
of the Skagit River, down which they proceeded to
the fork, and then up the north-east branch, or the
head-waters of the Skagit. Their way was for the
most part through a rocky, thickly wooded country,
the elevations and even some of the valleys being
covered with snow. Occasional patches of grass were
found on which horses might feed. Wending their
way north-east toward the height of land, they leave
the little river and ascend the mountain from whose
side the forest had been partially burned by the natives.
Arrived at the summit, a vast expanse of white lay

* It was up the TIaekullum defile the Langley guide first took them ; now
An<ler8on proposed to follow up the Quequea^a.

'"The Indians call it Simalaouch, or Simallaow, and say that it falla, aa
nearly as I can ascertain, somewhere in the vicinity of Bellingham Bay.'
Aiuleraon'a Northuxtt Coa$t, MS., 144.

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ANDERSONS EXPLORATIONS.

P I

spread out bcforo thorn." Close at liand was a small
lake liavinu a striking; resemblance to the Committee's
Punch Bowl at the summit t)f Athabasca Pass. Hen;
their jjuide left them.

Missinj^ a good Indian trail on account of its beinij^
covered with snow, they wandered jd)out, scarcely know -
iiiij; where they were. One of the party, Montigny,
lost himself while out explorinjj^, and Anderson was
obliged to go in search of him. From Sununit l^ukc
they followed, as best they might, its outlet, which
WJis a feeder of the Similkameen liiver, to Vermilioi.,
or ]{ed Earth Fork, the appointed rendezvous, where
they fountl their horses,

l*roceeding northward through a fine o])en country,
they reached the Louchameen road, just above Roclur
dc la Bichc, which took them to McDonald Kivcr,
whence by Nicola Lake they continued their journey
with ease and pleasure to Kand()op, where tiuy
arrived at evening on the Oth of June. Thence An-
derson ])roceeded to Alexandria.

"This line," says Anderson, "in its main features
was afterward adopted for the government road, and
is tlie direct route «)f eonnnunication with the soutli-
western interior of British Columbia." It was the
intention that the trail from Kandoop to ]rn|te
should be made suitable for horses. For, concludes
the journal, " a temporary establishment would o(
course be recjuired at the place where the horses
must remain, at the mouth of the Quecpiealla. Ae-
cording to all accounts, this vicinity allbrds one of tlie
most prolific fisheries on Fraser liiver. Tlie services
of a few men might thus be profitably employed in
the interval during which it would be necessarv <>>
maintain the post. The boats necessarv for the accoiii-
modation of the brigade were to be brought up 'ty
the Langley people and Indians at the })roptT [urnxl,

t i',

"Tho causo was easily explaiiicil, ln'iiig 'ascrilniMoto tlui relative; pusitiuii
of till! npposito Hides; tiiat l)y wliicli we ascciiiiccl lias a Hiuitlicni i!X|n)suiv',
lyiiii; n])t>ii, ooiiRe(|Ui!iitly, to tlio full iulltionco «if the huii'h rays, aided liy I lie
Buuthurii wiiuls, and vice verm.' Aiitti'i-Moii'ii ^orUuiMniC t'txi-it, SiS., 14'J.

TIIK SIMILKAMEEN COUNTRY.

165

i<l
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to

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'I'S

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i.v

coil vevin<»; salt and barrels; the ])roducts of the fishery
to bo conveyed by the same means to Fort Langley,
jiiU'r the return of the bri«^ado."

From Alexandria, Anderson wrote the boanl of
iiiiinat^ement at Fort Vancouver on the 21st, and
a^ain on the 2l{d of June, ufivin*^ the particulars of
his proceedings and his opinion concerning the result.
\W waiting until the snow nu.'lted, and the streams
swollen thereby had subsided, ho i)ronounced practi-
cable the route by wa}' of the Quecjuealla and Lake
Nicola. Fearful lest the opening of a road by the
wJiite men should tlie easier let tluur enemies of the
Siinilkameen upon them, tlu^ natives of Fraser liiver
(lid not kindly regard the movement. Indeed, Ander-
son was informed by Blackeye, a most respectable abo-
ii;4iiial and an a^/tuiAc'of Kamlooj), thatl^diallok, chief
of the Fraser River Indians, ha<l tampered with Ids
titli>lity by attempting to persuade him to mislead and
tilt reby deter the road-makers from their purpose.
SoDio delay might arise therefrom, but no serious
trouble was apprehended.

It was an important matter, this selection of a
route for the main line of travel between the British
Columliia sea-board and the Ulterior, and the stu-
[u'ikIous obstacles interposed by nature rendered it not
so easy of accomplishment. Anderson had learned
iiiiicli in his late exi)loration, but yet he was not
tlioroughly satisfied. Hence, in the following sum-
iiur W(! find him examining Thompson and F'raser
livers between Kamlooj) and Langley, having the
saine ])urpose in view.

Sotting out from Kamloop on the T.»th of Mny
1^17, Anderson proceeds with five men to Niet)!a
liiiko, wlienee, following the Nicola Kiver by the trail
of the trading parties to its junction with the Thomp
^oii, lie sends back the horses, to meet him on the
i'^rascr near Anderson lliver, where there is a well-
liiiown trail from that point to Similkameon. The

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166

ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.

weather is sultry ; several Indian camps are encountered
on the wr^v ; the country is remarkable for its rugged
volcanic rock, wormwood, and rattlesnakes. Crossing
the Nicola in a canoe, on the 22d the explorers con-
tinue along the left bank of Thompson Kiver, crossing
the streams on fallen trees until next day, when they
reach Fraser River, and encamp near the Indian
village of Shilkumcheen, where now stands Lytton.
Here, contracted to a width of some sixty yards and
deepened correspondingly, the Thompson flows quietly
between ragged bounds of limestone and granite into
the Fraser. Soon Pahallok presents himself, and do-
livers a letter from Yale. Accompanying the chief
is a concourse of savages, men, women, and children,
a scampish-looking set of vagabonds Anderson calls
them, though exceedingly polite and affable.

Continuing along the left bank of the Fraser on the
24th, Anderson finds the road as well as the river-bed
exceedingly rough, and pronounces it impracticable
for a loaded horse brii^ade. Nor can Pahallok or aiiv
native of that region point out a smoother wuy.'^
Still the natives at the villages they pass receive them
with loud acclaims and bombastic oratory. At tlie
stream called Tummuhl the aborigines are actively
employed in erecting a stockade for protection against
their enemies, and the superior death-dealing con-
trivances of the white men would be exceedingly ser-
viceable just now. Squazowm, a populous village, is
reached the 25th. The river banks in this vicinity
are wooded with cedar, pine, and plane trees, and the
hills which rise abruptly in the background are I'ne
from timber in parts, aflbrding good pasturage. Ilei b-
age on the elevations is luxuriant, and the hiU-sidcs
are decked with larkspur, red flowering vetch, and
the dwarf sunflower, which flaunts its glories in bravo
contrast to the arid declivities so recently passed.

" ' In the vicinity of the villaee called Skaoose is a succession of rocky
hills, some of M'hich arc avoiilahlo l>y making a circuit, while others appiMi- to
offer no such alternative . . The rocky iiassagus extend tor a long distiiucu.
Amlerson'a Northwest Coast, MS., I(j5.

THE RETURN.

ler

The horse- road which leads hence to the Similkameen
country, as well as the region between this point and
Nicola Lake, is well known to Montigny and Michel
Ogden, both of whom have traversed it; therefore
Anderson deemed it safe enough to order his horses
sent thither, and does not feel obliged to stop now to
examine it. The new road was but recently opened
by the Similkameens.

Their way now lies along the Squazowm,'* which
they cross upon a fallen tree and follow for some dis-
tance, when they pass over to the Eraser. Anderson
now seeks a suitable place for a ferry across this man-
defying stream, passage by the left bank becoming
more than ever perilous. Kequeloose, near where
the suspension bridge has since been erected, is reached
the 27th, and Spuzzum six miles below, which stands
on the right bank of the Fraser, and where Pahallok
l)roposes that the ferry should be ])laced. "The coun-
try is very rough," remarks Anderson, "and much labor
with many painful circuits would be necessary to com-
I)lete a road anywise practicable for horses." The ex-
plorers, after careful observation, think most of the
ra[)ids hereabout can be run as safely as those of the
Columbia. Leaving now the ra})ids, their pathway
leads ahmg a causeway of cedar boards connecting
several projecting points overhanging a precipice; ob-
viously an exceedingly dangerous walk. Then after
crossing a stream they come on the 28tli to tlie first
village of the Sachincos, where afterward the fort and
town of Yale were placed. After a hearty breakfast
next morning, on fresh salmon and potatoes furnished
by the natives, in hired canoes they pass rapidly down
the river to Langley.

Keturning, they leave Fort Langley the 1st of
June, having, in addition to the canoes hired from
the natives, a large Northwest Coast canoe in which
Anderson proposes to attempt the ascent of the rnp-

"Now, more appropriately than is always the case, called AiiderBon
KiviT,

1.
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168

ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.

ids to Kequeloose, where he proposes the horse-port-
age of cotnincrce by proving the navigabihty of the
Frasor thus far. The ascent of the rapids is begun
on the 4th of June, a rainy day, the natives offi-
ciating with the boat." Two portages are made with-
out much difficulty, when the boat is lightened, and
taken by a line through the swollen channel; then
crossing to the o])posite side, the ascent was continued,
one Indian being in the boat and the others dragging
by the line. All goes well until the middle of the last
ra})id is about reached, when the line parts, and tlio
boat sweeps swiftly down the current while a wail as-
cends from the bank over the perilous position of tlic
boatman. Fortunately, with the boat but half full
of water, he succeeds in getting it into an eddy, and
so comes to land. But he cannot be induced to enter
it again ; so the canoe is carried with no small diffi-
culty to the head of tho falls, where they encanij).
After paying the natives for their important assifst-
ancc, taey continue next morning, breakfast at Spuz-
zum, and reach Kequeloose at eleven. Leaving the
canoe in charge of Pahallok, they set out over the
proposed horse-portage by way of Lake Nicola tn
Kamloop, clearing the way with their axes as tluy
go, and reaching the horse rendezvous the 8th. Tlie
last day they had merely indicated the route by clii[)-
phig the trees, the natives under the superintendcnee
of Pahallok undertaking to finish this portion of the
road for them. The natives below object to the j)nt-
posed change of route, and one of them threatens dis-
turbance, but is soon quieted. On the 10th, Anderson
leaves the party in charge of Montrose McGilli\riiy,
with orders to continue the opening of tlie road to
Lake Nicola, and then to proceed to Kamloojt in
time to meet with the horses of the New Caledonia

'* 'Cross to the eilily at tho foot; make a short portage and rcc'inl'irU .
A scrii'8 of cilclios ioinluot« to a secoml jiortago upon tlio same side, rij;lil :is-
I'ciiiding. . .Cross and l)roakfa.st at the foot of tlie rapid formed like tlic lirst
))y a rock which lies near the left shore.' Amleraon'n NorthtWHt Coa.il, MS.,
178.

li' i

ANOTHER ROUTE.

169

Itrigade at Okanagan. Anderson then presses on to
MrDonakl River and Kauiloop, and thence proceeds
to Alexandria.

It would seem from these facts, taken wholly from
And(>rson's journals and letters, that prior to these
expeditions no route between Langloy and New Cale-
donia was open ; none practicable was known to exist,
the nearest approach to it being that portion of an
Indian or horse trail from Siniilkameen to Koque-
loose, a point on Fraser River six miles above Spuz-
zuni. His first return route, by the defile of the
Coquihalla and the Vermilion Fork of the Similka-
iiicon, Anderson thought ])resented almost insurmount-
alile obstacles; tlio snow alone preventing the road
from being open for more tban a brief period each
year. The second route, by way of Kequeloose, he
preferred, provided the rapids intervening could be
overcome. Of the first he reports to tlie board of
'iiunagement: "I have no opinion of its feasibility.
It is difficult to realize a conception of the ruggedness
of this extraordinary region." And of the other route :
"Keeping in view the ol)vious disadvantages insepa-
rable from the route surveyed by me last summer, as
being availal)le only for a comparatively brief seastm
of the 3'ear, I have no longer any hesitation in accord-
ing a decided preference to the route recently exam-
ined by way of Kcfpieloose. The series of raj)ids in
the vicinity of the falls, extending with intervals of
sniooth watf " ■ all from two to tliree miles, jiresents
no insurmoui'aible imi)ediment to our ]>rogress, from
the facility of making portages if found necessary, as
tluy doubtless will be at the higher stages ci the
water. . . . For divers reasons I would suggest tiiat the
New Caledonia party, if intending to pass by the new
route, should not leave Alexandria before the 2oth
AFay, timing their departure so as to reach Langley
about the 20th June, to admit of a delay of ten days
there, and to depart about the Iht July, a day or two

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170

ANDERSON'S EXPLORATIONS.

1
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1 1

later than the brigade usually leaves Vancouver by
the present route." We shall see later the more
definite results of these observations; suffice it for
the present to say, that several lines were ultimately
opened, and that Anderson was finally led to modify
his first marked preference for the route by way of
Kequeloose and Lake Nicola.

Understanding that it was the intention of the
board of management to open the new route the fol-
lowing spring, that is to say, 1848, Anderson coupled
with his report the following suggestions:

A sufficient number of boats, similar to those used
on the Columbia, should be constructed during the
winter, either at Kequeloose or Langley, and if built
at the latter place, they should be sent to the ren-
dezvous at Kequeloose before the river was swollen
by the melting snow, A gauge at Langley would at
all times determine the state of things above, the rise
or fall of one foot at that point being equivalent to a
rise or fall of eight or ten feet in the confined channels
of the inferior regions. It would be well for the
brigade to time its return with the ascent of the
salmon, as well that provisions might be plenty as
that navigation would be easier, owing to the abatiiiy
of the waters, which considerations apply to all the
lines of intercommunication as far north as Stuart
Lake. Likewise by making the annual departure
from Alexandria as late in the spring as possible, agri-
cultural operations would be less interfered with, and
horses then would be in better condition.

Anderson concludes with a lengthy discussion, (^!. -
tailing regulations which should govern the s])nn!if
and autumn expresses to and from Hudson Bay, tlie
use of boats and horses, and the introduction, when'
necessary, of sledges and snow-shoes, an Indian mail
system, intercourse between posts, protection of })ri p-
erty, treatment of the natives, and the like, all emi-
nently practical and interesting, but which for lack «if
space I shall not be able here to introduce.

CHAPTER X.

YALE AND HOPE ESTABLISHED.
1848-1849.

K*I AllLISIlMENT ON THE FrASER AT THE LANDING OF THE SaCHINCOS — JaMES

MuKRAY Yale — Causes Which Led to the Buildinu of Fokt Yale —
Orders Given Interior Traders to Break their Way thbouoh to
Lanuley — Three Brigades Join for That Purpose — The Route
Chosen not Satisfactory — Anderson's Proposal — Building of Fort
lIorE— A New Koute Aitempted — It Proves Worse than the
First — Joseph W. McKay on the North Coast — Sharp Praiticb

HKTWEEN EnuLISH AND RUSSIAN TRADERS — ThE ' CONSTANCE ' IN NoRTH-

r.RN Waters — Effects in British Columbia of the California Oold
]>iscovERY — Bags of Gold-dust at Fobt Victoria — The Excitement
IN the Interior.

Early in the spring of 1848 a small post was
civ(;ted by the Hudson's Bay Company on the Eraser
Kivor near a village of the Sachincos, and just below
the rapids ascended by Anderson the year previous.
Tlio establishment was called Fort Yale, in honor of
Chief Factor Yale,^ then in charge of Fort Langley,
and was the only point on the wild, weird Eraser
between Langley and Alexandria, a distance of some
three hundred miles, then occupied by white men, save
only the salmon fishery estabhshed below the Coqui-
halla two years previous.

' .fumes Murray Yale entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company
wluMi liut a boy, in about the year 1815. For a long time ho remained a boy,
lint rcctjiving any promotion until fifteen years after tlio coalition, or twenty-
dill' years after entering the service; and to the day of hia death, and long
afterward, lie was known to the officers of the company only as Little Yale.
Tliimgh small of statue he was strongly built, wiry, and active, and as coura-
giiiiis and enduring as a young Hercules. lnilee<l, his reckless bravery was
fur a time rather against him tiian otherwise, bs it rendered him in a measure
unlit for tliti staider duties attending promotion and partnerdlii[); but this

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,1'.

triiiili

fi ; ; ''

'At

I ' '

172

YALE .VNI) HOPE e;:tabusiiei).

Olio immediate cause which led to this estabhshmeiit
was the Waiilatpu massacre, wliich occurred in tlic
autumn of 1847, and tlie liostihties which fohowed.
Anotlier was the conclusion of the Oregon treaty of
184G, which not only placed the boundary line seven;!
degrees north of the lower Columbia, but left tlic
matter of duties on foreign goods in sucli a sha[)e as
almost to stop business at Fort Vancouver. To Brit-
'u\\ subjects was reserved the right of freely navigating
the Columbia and ])assing over the portages with their
goods, upon the same terms accorded citizens of tlic

was afterward proved a great ini:4tako, or else as the man advanced in years
li i changed materially, lor \\ all the company's Bcrvice there w as scareily a
better post-commander than Little Yale. From boyhood, hanlship seemed to
mark him for its own; his young bones were kneaded in the trough of expos-
ure, and the sword of Damocles seemed too often to hang fiom tiie trees of
tlio forest lie tlireiided. His first appearance in tlie arena of savage life while
yet a stripling is significant of the man's character and of his subserpient
career. It was at a time when feuds waxed wurm between the brother skin-
buyers, eacli fearful less the other should gain advantage. The old ailven-
turers of Ijij;land had fully awakened to the fact that their niorcslu'ewd and
energetir rivals of the Northwest Company were surrountling them in their
operations, and if they would secure territory ecpial to their desires, tliey nuist
Ijave the sliores of Hudson's Bay and take possession of it. So po.sts wire
planted along the Saskatchewan, the highest of which was then K Iniontoii;
a. id as lied Kiver blossomed un<ler the benign smile of tlie Earl of Silhik,
his associates followed their more adventurous opponents througli I'eaee K'vit
Pass, anil opened their eyes toward the Pacific.

Just about the time Yalo entered the service, John Clark, with one Imii-
dreil men, set out for the Rocky Mountains, and beyond, for the pr.rposr of
planting new posts for the circumvention of the Northwest Company. ('■ r-
t lin fi.sheries in the beaver country, upon which they had depemled for a win-
ter's food supply, failed them, and starvation stared them in the face. TIk ir
rivals were there with food, and would most charitably have supplied tluiii
on condilion of tlieir renouncing allegiance so the old adventurers and joining'
tiie Northwesters; but sooner than do this they wouht die.

And die they must uidess relief should soon oome. One day an Indian came
into their camp and reported that his people had been successful li.iiiiiig, and
that they had food. Though the way was long and perilous, a party, o:n- it
whom was the boy Y'alo, set out for the Indian camp. One after another fell 1 y
the way, overcome by starvation and fatigue, and laid down earth's burden m
<U'spair. At length Y' ale's little legs began to fail him. A long tramp ttironL'H
the deep snow took him greatly at disadvantage. In this, hij first adventiiie,
he had become the pet and proti'ij/; of a stalwart ohl voyageur, \\ ho was as .i
giant to this Jack, and who encouraged him by every means in his jiower to
keep moving. But all was of no avail. The boy finally threw himself on the
snow and told his old friend to leave him there and to save himself. Tiie French-
man continued a few paces, calling to his companion to come on and keip up
his courage. But finding it all of no avail, he retraced his steps, tearing liis
hair, and swearing as only a French Canadian can swear, meanw^hile liis Iiij,'
heart swelling, and as ho came up to his now insensible little friend, Imrsti.ig
into tears — these villanous voyageurs could sometimes cry like women — lie ex-
claimed in his doggerel French: ' Sacrel niisOire! C'es*; trop do valeurl Fni-

EXPEDITION UNDER M ANSON.

173

Uiiltcd States. But this, of course, did not permit the
Hudson's Bay Coiu])any to import goods free of duty.
So long as Fort Vancouver remained the distribut-
ing depot, imported packages must there bo broken
and parcelled fortlie several interior and coast stations.
To p.iy tlie same tariff" on goods destined for British
Columlila traffic which citizens of the United States
wtTo ol)liged to pay on goods sold in Oregon, was not
for a moment to be thought of Less was said in
Oregon about the terms of the treaty, as the cause of
liasteuiiig a change of base, than of the hostilities fol-
lowing the Wliltman massacre, which set bristling the
sava!.;os of the Columbia as far up as Walla Walla,
but the former rendered the opening of a route be-
tween the seaboard and the interior within British
territory as necessary as did the latter.

The building of Fort Yale had, indeed, been pro-
jected before the outbreak of hostilities; the terms of
the treaty were amply sufficient to warrant the move,
as wi^ll as to hasten the opening of a new route, but
eaeli several event carried Its due weight.

However all this might have been, certain it is that
early In 1848 orders were sent by express fr-om Fort
^'alle()uver to the officers in charge of the interior
posts Immediately to break their way through to
Langley, where supplies from head-quarters for the
several districts would be sent this year.

Acting on these instructions, a part}', consisting of
three brigades, namely, one each from New Caledonia,

l)iiniuo ! Embarque !' by which latter marino exclamation the Canadians were
wiiiit ti) tell little people to get oil their back, and seizing Yale by the arm,
lio Hwiing him over hia shoulder on to his pack, and sturdily marched forward.
'1 hat iii. Jit they reached tlio Indian camp, wliere an affecting scene took place.
^\^' gciKTally associate in our minds with savages only bUMid-thirstiness, mer-
cil('^sIu•ss, and cruelty. To many native women were given by tlie creator
la'ait.-j as Immane and tender as to many white-skinned dames. At sight of
t le siiiseless youth, says Anderson, to whom tlio tale was told, ' the women
of tlie camp melted to tears, rushed forward, carried Yalo into their encamp-
int'iit, rubbed his limbs to restore suspended circulation, fed him with clioico
liroths, and in every way treated him as if he had been one among tlieir own
cliiMn n.' We may be sure the boy never forgot that old voyageiir or those
liiili.iii wonuMi. About 1870, after over half a century of continuous Hud-
son's ]5ay Conijiany service, Yale settled near Victoria, and died there, leav-
ing several children.

> I

[* '

YALE AND HOPE ESTABU8HED.

Thompson River, and Colville, after due preparation,
set out toward the end of May, selecting as their way
Anderson's return route of the previous summer.
Fifty men with four hundred horses, many of thtm
unbroken, comprised the party, which was under the
command of Donald Manson of New Caledonia, he
being senior officer present, Anderson, in charge of
the Colville district to which he had been recently
appointed, being second.

It is needless to recite the difficulties encountered
by the three brigades united under Manson. A small
party can often manage better in an untrodden wilder-
ness than a large one. In the present instance a large
band of heavily laden horses was no slight encum-
brance. Over the roughest part Anderson's former
journey had been on foot, and with the anxiety and
chagrin attending the discomforts and curses of liis
companions, his ardor for the new route began to
abate.

Nevertheless Fort Yale was in due time reached ;
and leaving +here the horses, the party passed rapidly
down to Langley in boats. The return, which was
by the same route, was if possible more disastrous
than had been the journey down. The merchandise
carried back was more bulky and perishable than was
their former cargo, and not only a large percentage
of the property was destroyed, but many of the horses
were lost.

The fact is, the course pursued by the united bri-
gades was over neither of the routes explored by An-
derson ; or at all events, it was over a portion only of
his favorite road. He had expected to make Keque-
loose the station on the river for the horses; but the
rapids had interposed objections too formidable in the
minds of the management, and hence Fort Yale liad
been built below. The disastrous results of the at-
tempt of the united brigades to open a road back from
Fort Yale turned attention once more to Anderson's
exploration of 1846, and to his return route of that year.

ANDERSON ON ROUTES.

I7i

After their return to Thompson River, in August
1848, Anderson addressed r written communication
to his associates there present, Donald Maiison and
John Tod, which was subsequently forwarded to the
management, setting forth the importjince of adopt-
ing immediate measures for the opening of the Simil-
kameen route, which was his Coquihalla route of 1846
with certain modifications suggested by Old Blackeye,
the wise and scientific savage before mentioned.

It appears that a party had been sent by Yale from
Langley the previous year to take a second look at
this section, more particularly to ascertain its condi-
tion in regard to snow, and a favorable report had
been made. The snow was not an insurmountable
()l)stacle, and a band of workmen with horses in ten
or fifteen days would be able to make the way pass-
able.

As to the route over which they had just passed,
there could be but a single opinion, and that a condem-
natory one. "The question of navigation," continues
Anderson, "as far as Kequeloose, where I last year
])roposed the horse transport to commence, being
negatived, the whole scheme of communication thence
depending necessarily falls to the ground. The pru-
dence, not to say possibility, of extending our horse
transport beyond that point has this year been fully
tested, and needs no comment on my part. As re-
gards the question of navigation, my opinions have
undergone some change; for though as before I think
it practicable to bring up Columbia boats by making
the necessary portages, further examination teaches
nie that it must be by very arduous degrees at the
higlier stages of the water, and therefore unadvisable.
At low water, however, the rapids have been proved
to ho safely navigable with loaded bateaux, one port-
age only intervening. These points admitted, I am
still constrained, however reluctantly, to withdraw
the proposal of navigation formerly advanced by me.
My recent experience of the pass in question con-

's 1 1

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\i''

176

YALK AND HOI'K KSTAHLISHKl).

vhices mo that no ]K)rtJigo on a lar;^o walo could with
|)ru<len('(i Ik; (jtte(;to(l tlu'io (luriM<if i\\v HunuiuT st^asun,
alter tlu! liost of l)arl)ariaiiK anu»n^ whom w»; have
recently [)a.sHecl are con<^re»;ated at the fisheries. The
risks of sacriHcin^ hoth life and j)i-o[)erty- for it is
netidless t») attempt to cloak the mattiT under cir-
cumstances where neither courage nor j)ri'cauti()ii
could avail to resist surprise or «j;uai'd a<^''ainst tri-adi-
ery, are alone sufficient to deti;r us from the attempt.
The lossi's hy theft, in themselves nowise contempti-
ble, which have already taken place, are hut the
prelude to future depredations upon a lart^er scale,
should the })resent system of operations he unfortu-
nately ])crsisted in — depredations which it is to \)r.
feared will ho difficult either to discover in time or to
prevent effectually."

Anderson then proposed that Henry Peers, as-
sisted hy Monti^ny and certain natives, should !•(■
a[)pointed to the duty of making rc;ady the new
route.

In view of all which, during the winter of 1848-9
another j)ost was established a short distance Ixlow
Yale, on the left bank of the Fraser at the mouth <if
the Coquihalla, to which was given the name Hoix.'

'■'BettiT fortiiiii! was expecteil another tiiiio. The llovoreud N[r (iood aK-
Bunlly tlatu.s tlio rstahlishiiig of Fort Hopo 1840-1. Britlih ('ulunihia, MS., tri.
It i.< a imrely random Btatumeiit, and might with cc("al propriety have Iklii
placed a hundred years earlier or later. ' Fort Uope.'h^ say.s, ' was reinarkiilik'
lor the extraorilinary be.iuty and grandeur of its .situation, the fort heiii;; a
very old Hudsnu'a Bay Conipai • station erected in 1840-1. From hence tliu
company '.s hrij,'ade carried .snpj) s, and communicated for trading purim-is
with stations on tlie t'olunilna ai'. >ther parts of Oregon, by w'vat w;us called
the SindlUanieen Pass, and they ■> connected with Nicola, Kandooii, an. I
Okanagan hy the old and well-we brigade trail.' The author of BrU'.<h
North Aiiirricd, '2S'A, calls it in ISGj •" second town in British Coluniliia,
meaning the mainland, and 'next in ii )rtance to the capital,' being 'alimit
o le hundred miles up the Fraser, at tl elbow where the course alters innn
south to West. Here the miners stop bi 'i going to and returning from tliu
i:pper country gold-diggings; and a numl r of Chinese have taken up tli' ir
abode in the town. It is making rapi<l progress, and roads are being pushcil
forward north and cast of it.' See also (inii/'n Or., 43, and Barrett-Lin"/'/ *
Triin-ls, 14H-!), which latter work calls the river the Coquiklum, and tlio
mountain scenery around it grand and beautiful, while adjacent is the vill;ige
of the Tunisioux Indians, though where he obtains such a name it is ditlii'iilt
to decix)her. Soo Anderson's NorthwcKt Coa-^l, MS., 175.

A ^EW TRAIL CUT.

177

Yalo was the head of navij^ation on the Frascr, while
should the defile of the (Joquihalla prove the most
advantageous passage to the interior, as was now be-
coming more than probable, to at least certain parts
of it, llope would lor the present be the more impor-
tant post.

In 1849 the New Caledonia spring brigade followed
the route of the previous year by way of Yale to

%V=.. \^|^

1 i ill

-& 1''

''■'

I
I)

Yalk and Hope.

Langley, the Hope road being not yet read^ , out,
returning, disembarked at Hope, determined at all
hazard to attempt the defile of the Coquihalla. With
tho brisrade was broujxht a number of men from
Langley, and the whole force being set to work, soon
cut a trail across the mountains, which differed in
souio respects from Anderson's return route of 1846..

Hut. Ban. Col. \'i

I ■■!

■nr

imh

178

YALE AND HOPE ESTABUSHED.

A nd this was the main route followed until 1860, when
the government road was made.

To Joseph W. McKay now in 1 8 4G was given the gen-
eral supervision of the north coast establishments, up
to this time under the more immediate supervision of
James Douglas. Proceeding northward in the Beaver
in October, as was usual for the general agent to do, ho
stopped at the several stations, and made such changes
and left such instructions as seemed to him best. The
Russians he found affable and polite, but tricky. "In
August 1847," he says, "a chief of the Stakhine Ind-
ians, whom I knew well and had reason to believe
perfectly trustworthy, told me that he had been ap-
proached by a Russian officer with presents of beads
and tobacco, and that he was told that if he would
get up a war with the English in that vicinity, and
compel them to withdraw, he should receive assistance
in the shape of arms and ammunition, and in case of
success he would receive a medal from the Russian
emperor, a splendid uniform, and anything else lie
might desire, while his people should always be paid
the highest prices for their peltries."

Taking his position at Fort Simpson in 1847, Mc-
Kay became practically dominator of that region, and
so remained for many years, although his duties did
not confine him there constantly. Traffic being kins;,
and McKay king, we are prepared to learn that tlie
Hudson's Bay Company were more successful in
those parts than the Russian American company,
that the former secured nine tenths of all the beaver
and land-otter taken in the country drained by the
Stikeen, and that even on the coast north of the
river, and toward the country of the Chilkats and
Tungass, all strictly Russian domain, no small pro-
portion of the catch fell into the immaculate niaw
of the English adventurers. Armed vessels Avero
sent at various times by the Russians to break up
this traffic, but the trading canoes sent by the Knj,'-

lish C(
easily

NORTH-COAST AFFAIRS.

179

lish company into the intricate channels and inlets
easily escaped encounter with a superior force. Even
American and other vessels which went thither to
trade on their own account were brought into requisi-
tion by the Hudson's Bay Company in turning the
tide of this commerce into their own channels and
away from those of the Russian company.

Toward the end of 1847, while the Chimsyans and
Tungass were indulging in hostilities, Shemelin, on
behalf of the Russian company, made a visit to
McKay, who was then at Bellabella, with the object
of inducing him, if possible, to use his influence to
stop the savage feud which so greatly interfered with
trade. For while fighting not only were the belliger-
ents diverted from hunting, but such furs as they did
secure fell into the hands of foreign, or, as the great
monopolists designated them, contraband traders for
arms and ammunition.

While Shemelin was thus engaged at the house of
McKay, the two being then at dinner, a native re-
tainer of the latter appeared at the door, and beckon-
ii;<,' McKay without, informed him that a large fleet
of Ills canoes heavily laden with furs surreptitiously
obtained in Russian ■'critory, was entering the port.

What was to be done? It would never do at all to
let Shemelin know how his company had been robbed
by the honorable servants of the honorable English
coin})any, and to parade the spoils before his very
eyes. Surmise was one thing, positive proof quite
another. In his dilemma McKay bethought himself
of the Muscovite love of liquor, and inwardly thanked
Bacchus for the suggestion. Instantly despatching a
messenger to the approaching canoes to await his signal
outside the harbor, he returned to his guest. Thoro
was less than a gallon of rum in the storehouse, and it
took nearly the whole of it to stretch the enemy hors
dc combat. But it was done; and while Shemelin lay
unconscious, and his men were feasting in a house at
some distance from the scene of action, the expedition

^: i 111 ■ .

180

YALE AJUD HOPE ESTABLISHED.

Hfl i

landed, the peltries were speedily put out of sight, and
the canoes hidden in an adjacent cove.^

After the arrival of the frigate Condance at Victoria,
during the summer of 1848, she sailed northward, call-
ing at the company's stations along the coast. Tlio
natives everywhere were impressed by her formidable
appoar.ince, for she was a fine ship, well manned and
appointed. Some time after her departure, McKay
was informed that just then the Chimsyans, Tungass,
atid Stikeens were conspiring to join in an attack on
the Europeans. Russians and English at one RH
swoop were to l>e swept from their shores. But after
an examination of the death-dealing mechanisms of
the Constance, they thought better of it. However
the truth of it may be, it is certain that all throut^h
the following year these savages were restless and nu-
pudent, and it was only by exercising the utmost care
and patience that the Hudson's Bay Company pro-
vented their outbreak.

(■.■,

■ i\

There was little difference thus far between tlio
character of trade at Fort Victoria and that at otlicr
posts of the company on the Pacific, the gomial
routine of affairs becoming more and more similar to
business at Fort Vancouver, which establishment it
was destined in due time wholly to supersede.

The first startling im.ovaticm arose from the Califtr-
nia gold discovery of 1848, which during the followiiiLj
year stirred in the breasts of thousands the fires {\(
cupidity, and shook with nionetary ague the financial
centres of the world. Fort Victoria was then tlic
nearest and most accessible point, outside of S.ui
Francisco, where miners could obtain their outfits.
True, they might have gone to Fort Vancouver, and

'The officers of tlie Hudsou's Bay Company, not leas than Wasliiiivrtmi
Irving, love to dwell on the fondness of the Uus.sians for liqnor, and how ili iiuk
they used to ceton every posaihle occasion. How an intelligent and prDiriin. nt
officer Like McKay reconciles his accusation when he calls the Russians iiii-

tirineipled and tricky with this story, which he tells with unblushing gu.>tu,
leave the reader to judge.

=ilf

CALIFORNIANS IN VICTORIA.

181

(lid to some extent; but at the latter post the goods
had been raised in price by reason of United States
duties, and the stock was likewise daily diminishing
there, while svipplies were constantly increasing at
I'ort Victoria. The custom-house regulations at San
Francisco were then not of the strictest, especially in
ri\i,^ard to miners' outfits. While at that point articles
not immediately desired could scarcely be sold at all,
such goods as were in demand and of limited supply
bore exorbitant prices. Hence many miners, particu-
larly during the winter, when they could not work
their placers, found it more profitable to take a
pas- sage on a sailing vessel for tlie north coast, and
tlurc lay in their spring supply, instead of idling the
time in riotous living in any of the comfortless and
expensive towns of California.

It was a strange spectacle thus so suddenly pre-
sented to the staid officers of the honorable Hudson's
Bi\y Company, these curious characters on their sin-
gular errand, springing from so miraculous an event — ■
exceedingly strange, and it is no wonder that the simple-
iiiiiided, methodical traders were somewhat confused
1)V it. But though thus isolated, knowing little of
wliat was going on in the great world without, and
aeeustomed to traditionary rote in their business
transactions, their instinctive shrewdness did not de-
sert them.

"These rough-looking miners," writes Finlayson,
"lauded here from their vessels, which entered the
liarlxir early in 1849. I took them first to be pirates,
and ordered our men to prepare for action. I, how-
evfi'. entered into conversation with them, and finding
wild they were, was satisfied as to their friendship
fur us. They had leather bags, full of gold nuggets,
wliicli they offered to me in exchange for goods. At
tliis time I had never seen native gold in my life,
iuid was doubtful whether to take it or not. Having
heard about pure gold being malleable, I took one of
the pieces to our blacksmith shop, ordered the smith

^'p

'I' ' •II

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'■ i

182

YALE AND HOPE ESTABLISHED

and his assistant to hammer away at it on the anvil, and
finding that it answered the description by flatteniiifr
out as thin as a wafer, I offered to take it at eleven
dollars per ounce, in exchange for goods. This offer
was accepted readily, and as I could not go back from
my word, the trade opened on this basis. I would
tlien have been better satisfied had they complained
of the low rate, but no complaints were made. I
therefore thought I had made a mistake. I traded,
however, all they had, and was doubtful about the cor-
rectness of the transaction until the express I sent
to the Columbia River to head-quarters came bark
with the intelligence that the gold was satisfactory,
and also the rate at which I had traded it. Other
factors followed, so that we had a good remittance of
gold that year to send to England, in addition to our
furs."

The Hudson's Bay Company, on and in the vicin-
ity of the lower Columbia, were in a position to de-
rive great advantages from this gold discovery. Not
so great, indeed, as if they had held their post at
Yerba Bucr.a, yet their profits were very greatly
swelled thereby. Prior to 1846, they had placed a
post at Cape Disappointment, consisting of a dwelling
and a storehouse, with wliich they claimed one m'\\r.
square of land; there was the fishing-station at Pillar
Hock, where salmon in large quantities were cured;
there wjre the granaries at Coweeman, where the
Cowlitz enters the Columbia, the warehouses and
wharf at Champoeg, and the mills above Fort Van-
couver; their cattle had increased abundantly, and
their farming lands had become widely extended; they
had their own ships in whi(;h to send away tlieir prod-
uce, and all under the most perfect system and the
strictest ct)ntrol.*

Anderson was appointed to the Colville distrirt

* Aii(i yet Douglas testifiod before the joint commission at Victoria, If. B.
Co. El'., If. li. Vn. Cl/iims, 59, tliat 'the dividenils (m the general jirolit-i ni
the Pludmm's TJay Company were not appreciably atlected by the disouM r y
of gold ill Califoraia; ' which, if true, showd a large falliiig-oti' in the fur tiailc.

EFFECT OF GOLD ON MEN.

183

in 1848. "It was there," he writes, "that I first got
notice of the discovery of gold in Cahfornia in a pri-
vate letter to Mr Douglas, who had just returned
from a trip to the Sandwich Islands. Little excite-
ment, however, arose from this communication on the
])art of any one; and in fact, Mr Douglas himself
.seemed half incredulous of the report. A few montlis,
however, served to dissipate this belief, and before
the autumn of 1849 the whole country was ablaze. I
myself felt fearful on my return from Langley in
August of that year, lest every man should leave me.
By prudent management, however, and possessing, I
ihitter myself, the confidence of my men, I contrived
to confirm them in their allegiance, and retained their
services until their contracts were fully expired, a
])eriod of some two years. In this respect I was
exceptionally fortunate, for while my men, some thirty
in number, adhered to me faithfully, the other posts
lower down the river, including Fort Vancouver, in
which about one hundred and fifty men had been sta-
tioned, were almost deserted, and Indian laborers were
hired to supply the deficiency.

"It is almost impossible to realize to the mind the
intense excitement which at times prevailed. Gold
ap|)cared to be almost, as it were, a drug in the mar-
ket, and more than one of the French Canadian ser-
vants who had left Vancouver under the circumstances
nuiitioned, returned the following spring with accu-
mulations varying from $30,000 to $40,000. It is
noecUess, however, to add that the large amounts of
tieasure thus collected with so much facility, united
witii the Jiabits of extravagance which the unexpected
]iiissession of wealth engendered, speedily disappeared.
The men who had thus dissipated their possessions,
sanguine of their capacity to re]>lace them with equal
facility as before, returned to California only to find
tliat the field of their operations was fully occupied
by others, who, in the mean while, had fiocked in, and
that their chance was gone."

";i

i i

•a

\ X-

! \'>

mr:

if .-■

» !

184

YALE AND HOPE ESTABLISHED.

Mr Anderson would have been yet more confounded
had he known that at that moment, in the very dis-
trict he was then superintending, this precious metal
was so abundant as some day to cause a stir which
should rank among the prominent mining excitements
of the period.

When gold was found at Colville, the Hudson's Bay
Company had on Thompson River a small farm and
a trading-fort. As Fort Colville was situated sonic
twenty miles south of the boundar}^ that establisli-
ment was removed northward across the line, in order
to avoid paj'ing United States duties on Englisli
goods. It was still called Fort Colville after its re-
moval.

ES'

A Nfav FAr
Eauuk.'
BOK — Ti
MiK Ar
Rki'ort

ME.NT —
ASOTHE
Rtl'EItT
SMITH S'
— I'OUT ]

And n
sional jx
dennine
Xorthwe:
tlio inhos
contribut
iinricultui
stratlve a

The of
iiitrlligen
jimtVssior
tlu" forest
country v
matter oi

the begir
coal in c
nii'fliate i
':iii;l corpo

CHAPTER XI.

ESTABUSHING FORTS RUPERT AND NANAIMO.
1849-1852.

A Nkw Factor, Coai, — The Existence of This Mineral Known from thr
Eauliest Times — Pacific Coal-fields — Discovery at Ueaver Har-
bor — The Ql'A(;kolls and the Fort McLouuhlin Blacksmith — Tol-
MiK Appears — The Notable John Dunn — Warre and Vavasour
Kki'ort the Discovery— Which Attracts the Attention of Oovern-
ment — Fort Rupert Built — Muir and his Scotch Miners Arrive —
Another Arrival — Examinations and Tests — Failure at Fort
KiPERT— Discovery of Coal at Nanaimo Harbor — Another Black-
smith Storv — McKay TO THE Proof — Muir Moves from Fort Rupert
— loitT Nanaimo Built — Visit of Douglas — Minor Discoveries.

And now appears another factor in tliat progres-
sional power which seems destined shortly to un-
(k'nniiie the sovereignty of the fur-traders in the
Xortliwest, and to drive them still farther back toward
tlic inhospitable Arctic — coal; a factor of civilization,
cDiitiibuted direct by mother earth, second only to
aj^riculture, and although not so immediate or demon-
strative as gold, yet in truth far more ])otential.

The officers of the Hudson's Bay Company were
iiitolligent and observant men. It was part of their
])r(ifr,ssion to have their eyes open as they tramped
tlie forests, and the resources and possibilities of the
country whose sovereignty they swayed was never a
matter of indifference to them; hence, almost from
tlie beginning, they were aware of the presence of
coal in certain localities. But as they had no hn-
nicdiate use for it, and as they were constitutitmally
Hill corporately reticent, they said little about it.

'185

,' 1 f

H s

186

ESTABLISHING FORTS RUPERT AND NANAIMO.

All through the interior, all along the coast, on
both sides of Johnson and Georgia straits, on b(jth
sides of the Columbia from the Willamette to the
ocean, in the Willamette and Cowlitz valleys, on the
coast and in the mountains of southern Oregon, in
eastern Oregon, on Queen Charlotte Islands and tlie
mainland district of Nass-Skeena adjacent, at inter-
vals in large or insignificant quantities, coal croppings
were seen.

Wood being abundant and always at hand, and
charcoal being for the most part used by the company s
blacksmiths, there was Jittl*^ necessity for drawiiit(
from the deposits around them. Indeed, it was found
easier and cheaper for such posts as did not burn
charcoal, particularly for those accessible to the ocean,
to bring from England the small quantity requiivd
by the blacksmiths, than to dig for it; but where it
was known to be convenient, and natives could he
employed to bring it in, it was obtained upon the
spot.

The existence of coal in considerable quantities at
Beaver Harbor, where later Fort liuj)ert was estal)-
lished, was made known to the officers of the Hudson's
Bay Company in 1835.

It happened in this -wise; A party of Quackolls
from the north end of Vancouver Island were at Foit
McLoughlin trading, when one day, being of an in-
(juiring turn of mind, they strolled into the black-
smith shop, and stood watching intently the movemiMits
of the smith, as he drew from the fire the incandesci'ut
metal and hammered it into shape upon the anvil.
Presently they saw him take from a little pile mar
by some hard sooty substance, and lay it on the fire,
which under pressure of the bellows glowed with
intenser satisfaction over its crackling food. Their
curiosity was more than ever excited. Crowding
round the furnace, they saw the black subsiince trans-
formed to living heat. Then they went to the pile,

COAL AT BEAVER HARBOR.

187

and pickin<]f up some of the lumps, turned them over,
rubbed tliem in their hands, broke them, bit them,
then threw them down with a questionable grunt.

"What is that?." they demanded.

"Stuff to make the fire burn," answered the good-
natured smith.

" What do you call it ? "

"Coal."

" How is it made ? "

"It is dug out of the ground."

"Where do you get it { "

"It is brought over from the other side of the
great salt sea; a six months' journey and more it
makes before it gets here."

Another more prolonged grunt, as of relief fol-
lowed this colloquy. Falling back before the sparks
which again Hew from the anvil, they were soon in
warm and gesticulating converse among themselves.
Soon, however, their voices subsided. Then over
tluir sombre Cyclopean features gradually dawned a
sniilo, which soon stretched into a loud guffaw, abso-
lutely startling in a savage. And when to this they
added their former antics, now redoubled, the black-
isniith stood amazed, and wondered if indeed they
wore insane or drunk.

"White men are very wise!" they cried, in uncouth
irony. "The great spirit tells them everything, and
"ivcs them strenoth for cunninyf contrivances. The
red man knows nothing; he is poor, and the great
s[urit is ashamed of having made Jiim; and yet lie is
Hot such a fool as to bring soft black stone so great a
(iistancu when it may be had at his very door."

The blacksmith stopped his work and called Tol-
luii' and other officers of the fort, to whom the
Quackolls explained themselves more fully, telling
liow in different places in their country that same black
stone was found in hillocks at or near the surface, and
that the quantity of it was very great.

AVord was sent to Fort Vancouver, and in due time

111
■I

' ^1

li^i-Kf,

e..l

I :

■lii.

M ■

■|if
IP..

ill

(

188

ESTAHLLSHINO FORTS TlUPWlT AND NANAIMO.

McLouglillu ordered the Beaver to stop on one of
her ujiward voyages, at the place indicated by the
Quackolls, and ascertain the trutli of their report,
whicli was done. Duncan Finlayson was cliicf factor
in charge at the time, and of the party was John
Dunn, wlio reports: "Mr Finlayson, with a party of
the crew, went on sliore, leaving me in the ship to
conduct tlie trade; and after some inquiries and a
small distribution of rewards, found, from the natives,
that the original account given at Fort McLougli-
lin was true. The coal turned out to be of excel-
lent quality, running in extensive fields, and even in
clumpy moumls, and most easily worked all along that
part of the country."^ The place where the steamer
anchored was first called ^McNeill Harbor in honor
of her captain, and afterward Beaver Harbor after
the vessel herself.

Indeed, the first use the company found for coal,
except what little the blacksmiths required, was n(»t
until after the arrival of the steamer; and even tin ii
the necessity was not actual; for we have frequent
and al)undant proof that for several seasons after en-
tering the service wood was employed for her furnace ;

' Jolin Dunn was a stupid observer, and an exceedingly desultory writer.
I give tiio date as nearly as I ean decipher it. His book, llixtori/ nj tin: Or<i/iiii
Territory, was published in London in 1844. The information given is thmwu
together in a confused mass, with but little regard to chronological or otlur
order. The preface informs us tliat the writer was eight years iu the coin-
pany's service, but when he came to the coast an<l when ho left it we are imt
infornie<l. The (Itxmjiiiede. brought him, and he remained for a year after lii^
arrival at Fort Vancouver, in the capacity of assistant storedceepcr. AmiIct-
son inform us. Hid. Korthwcxt Count, MS., 17, that Dunn was of the party
which went to estiiblish Fort McLougldin in 1833. Tims by many careful coni-
parisons with reliable authors I am able in most instances to det'-rmiuo alimit
tlie date of his several events. It is to be deplored that one who shouM siitlir
himself to write a book at all should perform the task so poorly. ' Mr Iluiiii s
book was written with the same view as his letters to tiie Times new.spapi-r,
namely, to draw the attention of this country to the value of Oregon and tlie
eacroachnients which the Americans made. Neither his disposition nor his
temperament iidmitted of his telling tlie whole truth. Had he written \m
book himself, and had he not been compelled, according to his own stateimut,
to burn his journal at Fort Vancouver by a regidatiou of the company jin'-
liibiting their servants from refciining any record of what passes in the coiiiitrv,
his Iliitory of Oreijon would be far more valuable than it is.' I'lirli'i/n'-id
Pitpert, 3d April 1849, 58. 'ThiTc never was any such regulation.' Sir
George Simpson, in Jloute Commons Bepl. II. B. Co., 1857, 100.

JOHN DUNN.

189

and oven after slie began the use of coal, such use
was only partial. It was the custom at the several
stations to have wood in readiness on the arrival of
the steamer, while coal was not always convenient.
Thus during her first northward voyage in 1830 ])unn
writes : "At Fort McLoughlin we took on board about
twenty-six cords of wood for fuel, which was ready
cut for us; this generally lasted us, when runnuig on,
bi'tweeu three and four days." And again on their
return trip they wooded at Milbank Sound."

Lieutenants Warre and Vavasour report, the 2()th
of October 1845, that "there is coal in the neighbor-
liood of Puget Sound, and on the Cowlitz River; the
specimens used by the Hudson's Bay Company were
obtained from the surface, and were probably on that
iU't'ount not found good."^

Thus the attention of government was directed to the
coal at Vancouver Island, and at his request a report
was made to J. A. Duntze, captaui of the sh\\) Fisgard ,
by Peter Skeen Ogden and James Douglas. The
report is dated at Fort Vancouver the 7tli of Septem-
ber 184G, and may be relied upon as containing all
knowledge of the subject up to that time.

Although the indications were that important strata
existed along the entire north-eastern part of Van-
couver Island, namely, from Cape Scott, its northern
extremity, simthward to latitude 50° 30', there was
only one s})ot known as the coal-mine, and this was in
McNeill Harbor, in latitude 50° 39'.*

There the beds, which were separated by layers of
sandstone, were most distinctly visible upon the beach,
wliere, for a mile or thereabouts, the waves had washed

iiiiii

- William Fraser Tolmie claims all the rrodit due him in this coal discov-
ery lit IJcavcr Harbor when he sav", ■' aiidilinii Purijii: Ra'dii'mj /'oii/in, Int.:
'Attlu! H. B. post, Fort McLoughlin, ^lilhaiik Sound, having for two years
iiu'itril the natives to search for that mineral, he iiad the good fortune in 188.5
to iisrortain the existence on the uorth-e.'ist shore of Vancouver Island of good
iiitUMiiiions coal, which was tested less than a year after on board the com-
pany's new steamer, Bemvr, just out from London.'

' Ifonse Commons Heturns to Three AddresxeK, 7.

' This according to the report, and not in accordance with the facts.

:, -II

|(V

190

KSTABLTSHINf! FORTS RUPERT AND NANAIMO.

away the incumbent nioulc], leaving tlie soains clearly
exposed, particularly at low water. L kewise a rivu-
let runnini^ eastward across the bed exposed tlie
strata for three quarters of a mile l)ack from tlio
shore. The de{)th of the bed was unknown, as it had
been penetrated but three feet. Coal, however, had
b(jen obtained by passing vessels, the natives for a
small compensation cheerfully lending their assistuncc
in loading/

There were a few men employed by the Hudscjii's
Bay Company at this time in opening this mine, hut
from lack of proper implements they made slow ])r()i,''-
ress. The quality of the coal was not highly s[)ok('n
of The substrata, however, were better than the sur-
face lumps, which exposure had deprived of their hitu-
men. None which they had been able thus far to
obtain could be used in the company's forges, but fur
steam-vessels it had been found very serviceahle.
Ogden and Douglas concluded their letter with the
suggestion that if the government intended makiiii,'
available this coal for its navy, it would be necessary
to establish works, keep on hand a supply, and pro-
tect operations with a sufficient force from depreda-
tions by the natives, who were there numerous and
bold. But first of all, the directors of the Hudson'.s
Bay Company in London must be consulted, after
which all would be plain and easy far the subordinate
officers on this coast.

Upon receipt of this letter. Captain Duntze directed
G. T. Gordon, commander of lur majesty's steam-slooj)
Cormorant, to proceed to Mcr^eill Harbor and in(juirt'
into the matter. Arrived at the mine, Gordon made
known his wishes to the natives through one Saiig-
ster, who informed him how to proceed. A tub
which would hold about six hundred pounds was

slung fr
coals €a|
during
por't. J
the tub

* ' On one occasion when we employed them for that purpose, they hrnuKlit
in upwards of 90 tons in a few days, which thej' dug with hatchets and dtlur
inconvenient implements, and there is no doubt that with proper excavatins!
tools they would have done the work much more expeditiously.' f.etlir oj
Ogden ami Douyhu, in Howe of Commons Return to Three Addresses, 6.

I f'

tub
was

(JORIKIN AT McNElLX, HARBOR,

1»1

nhmg from tlio fof'oyard. Prc'sently canoos laden with
cduls appeared, which hourly increased in nuniher
diiriii<^ the several days' stay of the vessel at that
port. As the canoes came alotijufside, each in its turn,
tlie tul) was lowered and (juickl}^ filled. ICach tub
was ])aid for as it was hauled up, in trinkets of little
value. In this maimer sixty-two tons, at a cost not to
exceed four shillinf^s a ton, including presents to
chiefs, were takc^n on board in less than three days.

(lordon then went ashore, and after digging a little
amongst the coal-beds, fell to naming things. In
honor of the first lord of tin- admiralty, the peninsula
forming the north-west part of McNeill Harbor was
calK'd Ellenborough; a cove eight miles to the no?.*th-
wcstward he named Baillie Hamilton's Bay, because
the secretary of the admiralty was so called, and had
patronage. A fine seam of coal was found at this
last-mentioned place, which Gordon surmised was con-
nected with those at McNeill Harbor. The quality
was pronounced fair for steamer purposes, and from
the appearance of the country the seams were thought
to extend well inland. All which mformation m
due time reaching Sir George Seymour, rear-admiral
commanding the CoUingwood, it was by him for-
warded from Valparaiso on the 8th of January 1847 to
the admiralty. As the Oregon question was now
settliKl, the Cormorant had been withdrawn from the
north, and to any other part of that station it would
l)c cheaper to ship coal from England. Nevertheless,
these min.es could but add importance to the island of
Vancouver, and a box of specimens was sent forward
hy the Frolic homeward bound about that time.

Might it not be better for the fur-traders to turn
ooal-miners at once than to wait for other results to flow
from the pryings of government? True, the}' had but
little use for such an article at present; but California
ini<j,lit take some if the reports proved true that gold,
in paying quantities, had been found there, and that

mm'
:ritJ

-1

ESTABLISHING FORTS RUPERT AND NANAIMO.

I i

a line of steamers had been established between tlio
east and west coasts by way of Panamd. Hence it
was determined in due time to open operations at tli«
northern end of Vancouver Island.

William McNeill^ was sent thither in his steamer
Beaier, with orders to establish a post, George Blen-
kinsop being second in command. McNeill had often
been there, and knew the place and people well. Lanci-

<ls,

Northern Forts.

ing at McNeill Harbor, which I shall hereafter <
Beaver Harbor, with forty men, whites, half-brc.
and Kanakas, during the summer of 1849 work was
vigorously prosecuted, which resulted in due time in

• Often mentioned in my History of the Northwest Coast as captain of the lnig
Llama and the steamer Benvcr. Ho was a native of Boston done into a IJritish
subject and Hudson's Bay Company oilicer on the Northwest Coast. He unco
took a run to London commanding tlie company's ship Nereid, and waa lor a
time in chargy of Fort Simpson. See Andersons Northwest Coast, MS., 70.

MICHEL MUIR.

quadrangular stockade, with interior gallery, two
u:..stions mounting four nine -pounders, and the usual
storehouses, workshops, officers' quarters, and laborers'
cottages. The establishment was called Fort Rupert.
A smaller stockade protected the garden and out-
buildings. Although established more as a protection
in developi.ig coal-deposits, Fort Rupert was never-
theless a trading-post. In this respect it was made
partially to take the place of Fort McLoughlin on
Milbank Sound, whence, although as wo have seen
the latter post was abandoned in 1843, certain articles
yet remaining were transferred to Fort Rupert.''

Fort-building was still in progress when in Septem-
ber 1849 tlie Scotchman Muir, with wife, daughters,
and sons, arrived at Fort Rupert. Among these v/as
Michel, born at Kilmarnock in 1840, to whom I am
personally indebted for this account.^

The elder Muir, with his family and a party of
niiiieis, was brouglit from Scotland bj the Hudson's
Bay Company for the purpose of opening coal-mines
at this point. At the time of Muir's arrival, the na-
tives were engaged at Saquash cutting out surface
coal lor the company. So inferior was the quality, of
loose and open structure as it was, and interspersed
with slate, that no remunerative market could be
found for it. A shaft to the depth of ninety f )et was
sunk by the Muirs, who, after further examination,
pronounced the seam too small to bo workable.

This shaft was six miles from Saquash, and half a

' Kitlicr Fort McLoughlin was never ■wholly abamloiicil, nlthough it is ilis-
tiiictly so stated by several authorities, or else it was abandoned and rcoccupied
SfYinil times. Writing of 1843, Finlayson, //^•.•^ ('. /., MS., 'Jl, says: 'After
tlie aliand'iunient of Fort McLoughlin on Milbaid; Sound, tUu Jlca in; wiih
the (itlitt rs and men at that place, with those from the fort at Tako, proceeded
to tlif south pointof Vancouver Island, 'and built Fort Caniosun. AiKlerHon,
Xorthinst Const, MS., '22, affirms that 'the post at ^liibimk was aitrrwaiil
aljanduiitd ; or rathe- • xnsfcrred to its present position at Fort liujiert.
Bi.t sulise(|uently 1. „)nipany found it advisable to reestablish a small
tiaJuig jiost on the old site of Fort McLouglilin, which continued to be oc-
cupied in 1878.' Sec further on Fort Rupert, />'arrt'«-//,"n;(or(/',s Travfls, {)'-$;
Uriiiit, in J^Diiil, Geoi). Soi:.,Jonr., xxvii. '27i"i; Michel Jluii; iu Jirilisli Columbia
*(./».■, MS.. '20; beaiCg SeWemeut, V. I. MS., 19.

*S(e llrd. Co'. SkcM'hca, MS., '20-5.

HlHT. lilllT, tiOL. U

■M

194

ESTABLISHING FOETS RUPKRT AND NANAIMO.

mile from the iort Troubles arose with the natives,
•who demanded pay for the land or its product; and
when the white men refused, the savages surrounded
the pit, threatening to kill all present should they
persist in their robbery. Other complications arose,
in which Blenkinsop was unpleasantly conspicuous,
McNeill having departed, .leaving him in charge.^
The result was that, excepting the elder Mulr and
certain members of his famiJy, the men all left for
California.

ij I,

Society at Fort Rupert at this time was a little
startling to European nerves. The day after tlio
Muirs arrived, there appeared in the harbor sixteen
war-canoes, whose occupants were exceedingly happy.
Victory had crowned their recent efforts against their
enemies, and sweet content sat on every barbaric ficc
there present. Not that the white new-comers had
never heard of war, nor joined in shout of victory,
but the American way was a trifle different from the
European way. That was all ; but it was enough to
shock the sensitiveness of those unaccustomed to sylvan
slaughter. For instance, after landing and setting on
each of sixteen poles one human head, taken from
each canoe as a specimen, the warriors first learnod
that their isle was honored by the presence of a wliito
woman, to whom it was the custom of her people to
show courtesy. There was nothing mean about thcni.
Though tlio coal-diggers had refused to pay for what
they seemed to prize so highly, the elated redskins would
freely give this female stranger of their spoils of Avar.
Inviting Mrs ]\Iuir to the ghastl}'- display, they b(!g^cd
her to accept her choice of any two. Where would
be found in any primeval centre of civilization suoli
delicate attention, suc^i marked consideration toward

• ' Young Blenkinsop was then loft in command, but he caused niucli dis-
satisfaction among tl)j miners, putting three in irons, or in jail, bocuusts V.icy
would not submit to liis arbitrary ordcra and unreasonable ro;;ul;i'>,ions, v iiii li
lie endeavored to force upon them without authority.' Aliiii; in Jh-iC. Col.
ai-etchca, M."., 21.

Jei'.V •

iaStj'-i.o

fir ally
coal-mi
Cov(
1850.
the me
behiof d

iifi

I i

,'lvaii
^ oil
rom

arned
Into

t"
iU'lll.

wliat
ould
Avar.

k^ould

cli dis-

m tluV

■ttliirh

Col.

COAL-MINING.

195

a foinale visitor, from savagism? Their latest, best,
most highly prized possession, the bloody trophj'' of
th^ir priceless success, they freely offered. Doubtless
tlie simple-hearted warriors, accustomed only to the
restrictei killing of their foes, would have been as
overwhelmingly shocked on witnessing the slaughtered
tliousands of a European battle-field as was Mrs
Muir on beholding these poor sixteen trophies of
aboriginal prowess.

de..;}

Mj* Gilmour continued the first Muir shaft to the
)f one hundred and twenty feet. He likewise
iastitiii.od a thorough examination of the surface, and
filially arrived at the same conclusion, namely, that
coal-mining at Fort Rupert was a failure.^"

Governor Blanshard visited the place in March
1850. He reported the mines a failure, and said tliat
the men could scarcely be induced to work at all,
being dissatisfied with their emploj^ers, and having few
proper tools." Nevertheless, the ship Englarid loaded
here this year.^^

It Avas well known that if at Fort Rupert coal-miuing
could not be successfully carried on, there were otht-r
places to tr} ; or even here something might yet be
done. Duriisg i\\<j 3'ear 1851 more and better coal-
iniiilng m&.:*).ino] ;, with some twenty-five practical
nuni, wci\ I i o^ji^ht from England in the ship Tory,
clKirtored vy lJ;'' company for that purpose, and landed
at Fo^t Rup?r -^ iiut this had been ordered and

" ' Aiiotner bore was siink directly at the back of Fort Rupert to a depth
of 47 J fathoms. Two other borc.iwore Buuk behinj Fort Rupert, towartls the
interior: one, gome four miles to V.m north-west, where the borers wore stopped
liY loose quickaanil at a depth of 30 fathoms; ai\other, two miles to the south-
Vist, to a depth of 4J fathoms; again, ten miles from Fort Rupert, along the
Bca-coiist, two bores wore sunk tlirough sandstone to depths of 47 and 47 i
f:itlioi!i8 respectively, without any signs of workable coal; these were suiik
at siiiae disU^^r a bacii. from the shore. Close to the shore two pits were sunk,
one siiventet-; . "o other Sd fathoms. Tlio thickest vein struck did uotexceed
six inches.' r?,- ;/', in London Geo;/. Soc, Jour., xxviL 276.

"/f/aWt(, V ^-^ ptWhet, '2.

'-.!/wV, in .'.' ,. Col. SkvtctteM, MS., 22.

"An otlieer o'l ^.M)ard tliia vessel was Herl)ert George Lewis, who gave me
tlif information, this being liis seconil voyage from Kn^land in theconipauy'a
BtT\ i,.,.. See JirU. Col. Sketches, MS., 1, 2.

■m-m

■m

P' i

:i Vr

:t i:

106

ESTABLTSHINO FORTS nUPERT AND NANAIMO,

tliG men broujjht out before it was settled tliat tlioro
were no seams wortli worhiug in tlie region around
Fort Rupert. The arrival of this recnforcemcnt, ho »v-
evcr, was nc^t inopportune, as we shall presently hw.
Prospects were better at X'^^anaimo; and thithar in tlio
spring of 1851 Muir proceeded with all his men and
mining machinery, leaving Fort E-upert in possession
of traders only.^*

The incid
Nanaimo are

One morning

'T^tcndin;^ the discovery of coal at
like tliose at Eeaver Eay.^"'^
1 December 1849, while Joseph Y»'.
McKay, then prominent in the affairs of the Hud-
son's Bay Company on the Northwest Coast, was en-
gaged in the ofnce at Fort Victoria, he was called
aside by the foreman of the blacksmith shop, av1u>
informed him that an old Nanaimo chief, from ilm
vicinity of what was then called Protection Island,
had entered the shop a short time previous to have
his gun repaired. Yv'hile waiting, and watching op'.r-
atlons, he noticed the men replenishing the fire witli
coal. Picking up some of the lumps, he observrd
them closely, and finally remarked that there ^vas
plenty of such stone where he lived. Proceedin;,'
immediately to the shop, McKay entered into con-
versation with the Indian, who reiterated what lie
had said to the blacksmith, giving further particuliir;5
and with more exactness. ]\IcKay then said that it'
he would bring him some of the pieces of the stuli",
ho should have a bottle of rum, and his gun repaiicd
for nothing, which magnanimous ofler the Nanaimo
accepted. He was poor and feeble; the guu would
help to procure him food, and the rum would wan a
his stiffened joints, and dispel his misery for a monieut.

•* "Tliero are now no miners at Fort Rupert,' writes Grant, Lmuloti ^'">/.
Soc, Jour., xxvii. 'iTli, iu 1854, 'ami tlie eatablislinient consists of twiuiy
oliitvTs an(l iiH'ii. ' i^co aluo Dcaiin' Srtlleiiiciit V. I., M.S., 19.

'•' 'i'liat ouo is not fcikeii from the otlior, I am satisfied. John Dunn lilU
his story, not without due regard to dramatic efft'otit is true, Imt in a niiuinir
wlioUy orif^in.d. !Mr McKay states hi i f:u'ts clearly, concisely, and I am viry
sure, "hutllfully; nor is it likely t'.iut l:u wai fam-Lar wiih Dunn's story.

ANOTHER DISC0VP:RY.

197

■was

ai'i;i

^\ hat did it matter if there were milhons in it for
the white man; civilization would soon get it in any
event, as it was getting everything else, and upon
tei ms equivalent, namely, a bottle of rum and a gun
r('[)aired in return for a coal-mine.

The ancient aboriginal went his way, and the fur-
trader went his; and as nothing further was seen or
luard of the chief at the fort, little more was thought
of the Nanaimo coal discoveiy. But the old savage
had not forgotten his promise. All during the cold
whiter he had lain sick, very near death's door, think-
in;^ of the rum, which did not greatly comfort him.
Reviving from his illness with returning spring, he
wi'iit to work, and surely enough one day early in
April he appeared in Victoria Harbor with his canoe
loaded with coal.

It was immediately taken to the foi-ge, and ex-
amined with no small curiosity by all present. On
bring tested by the smith, it was pronounced of ex-
oi'llent quality. Then McKay remembered his prom-
ise. A Hudson's Bay Company's officer always keeps
liis word. The bottle of rum was given to the na-
tive.

A prospecting party was fitted out at once; and
jilaciug himself at the head of it, McKay latuk'd
near where the town of Nanaimo now stands, about
the 1st of May 1850.'^ Several days were then spent
in a careful examination of the countrv for miles
around After which, on the 8th day of May, tlie
J)ouulas vein, which is still beinjjf worked at this
writing, was located Ity McKay. And it was from
this very spot that was loaded the canoe of the old

""The coal at Nanaimo was first discovered liy Mr Joseph McKay in
M:iy l.S.'ii), who was directed to it by the Indians of the nei;;hliorliood. ' II raid,
ill London Ocnii. Soc., Jour., xxvii. '211. The particulars oi the discovery are
IniiiiMr McKay himself, furnished through Mr I'etrotf while on his expitdi-
tiiiu ill my lichalf to Alaska in 1S78. The dictation was taken at Fort ^iiiip-
•^"11, and is entitlo<l RecolkHiotm qf a Chief Trailer in the IIwIsoiih Bail Coin-
J'liii, 1,1/ JoKiph William McKay. '1 ho manuscript is exceedingly well written,
*'liar, concise, and very interostiny and important. Mr Mclvay is ro;narha-
' ly i ili'lliiTent, and besides, a most courteous gentlemen. A brief bioj^rapli-
H'.d .•-Ivutcli is given elsewhere.

H/f i

198

ESTABLISHING FORTS RUPERT AND NANAIMO.

chief who carried the first intelligence and the first
specimens of this famous mine to Fort Victoria.

On his return to Victoria, McKay made a circum-
stantial and favorable report, and it was forthwitli
determined to make practical avail of the important
discovery ; but owing to other business, the mine was
for a time neglected. It appears that the natives had
first discovered a small seam about eight inches in
thickness, on the undulating sandstone surface af New-
castle Island; then on the opposite shore of Coni-
mericial Inlet they noticed more of the black stuff,
which proved to be an outcrop of the same seam, which
at this latter point was but three and a half feet tliick,
though its general thickness was six or seven feet.''

The natives took two hundred tons from Newcastle
Island by the 15th of September. On the I7th,
Gilmour with ten experienced miners began a pit'^
at the north-west extremity of Nanaimo Harbor.
Another spot where the seam was six or seven feet
thick was struck, which was afterward worked in
several parallel galleries.^"

Muir arrived with the men and machinery from
Fort Rupert in the spring of 1851, as I have before
related. The steamer Otter brought them thither, and
Douglas met them there. The machinery was landnl
and set up, and temporary nieasures adopted fur de-
fence. Muir's force was small, and should the natives
grow jealous or mercenary, as at Fort Rupert, they
could do little that year ; nevertheless they prospected
and dug heartily, wasting no time.'^"

But it was not until 1852 that work was begun in

"Eight or ton inches of fire-clay ran through the centre. The (linciiuii
of the seam was to tlio south-west, and tlie dip 45".

'"A shaft of 50 feet passed through 12 feet of alluvium, 8 feet of s.iinl-
stone, and .30 feet of slate. Grant is loose in regard to tlates. McKay, /i'".,
MS., 1 1, says ' the mine was not actually opened until August 1852.'

'* 'The seam here runs nearly level, with a dip of only some seven dc^;ii!es
to the south-west; the greatest quantity of coal that has been raised fmm it
was at tlie rate of 1«0 tons per week with ten regular miners.' Omni, in
London Ovoij. Soc, Jour., xxvii. 277. This waji prior to 1854.

'^ 'About 1851 !Mr Muir startoil the Nauaiirio coal-niiuea, which were mio-
cessful." Miiir, in Bril. Col. Sketches. MS., 24.

THE DOUGLAS ON THE GROUND.

199

III III

earnest at Nanaimo. Arriving on the lOtli of August,
after diligent search with pick and shovel, McKay
found the Douglas seam on a peninsula at the northern
end of the harbor, and the men were put at digging,
this making the fourth place ^^ at which work was done
at an early day. Satisfied with his investigations, Mc-
Kay erected a fortress, with all the necessary build-
iii<>s, and called the place Fort Nanaimo, ^^ Thus was
the new industry of coal-mining taken in hand at
Nanaimo by the fur company, and pressed forward
with uncomnioTf energy. Before tlie expiration of
1853 two thousand tons were shipped from this point,
lialf of which was taken out by the natives. The first
sent hence to San Francisco was in May of that year
by the ship William. The company's price at Nanaimo
was then eleven dollars; at San Francisco the coal
brought twenty-eight dollars a ton.'^

In 1853 James Douglas visits this mine in state.
Leaving Victoria in the propeller Otter, with the
Mary Dan in tow, on the 18th of August he anchors
before Fort Nanaimo at precisely twenty minutes
])ast eight the same day.^* Early next morning he is
out examining the mine and buildings about the
fort. McKay and his men are highly complimented
by the chief "A prodigious quantity of work, for
the hands employed," he writes, "has been aecom-
pHshed here; the place has quite the appearance of
a little village. The nnnes have cost a great deal
or labor and other ouilay. The mine-shaft

IS now

'^' ' Those were all the same seam of coal, which is called the Douglas '
Onnil, in London Gcoij. Sot:, Jour., xxvii. 278.

■■'-Sue Dou'jIim' Privnte Papers, MS., ser. ii. 50. Though not as pretentions
as .some other establishments, it is digniiioil by Douglas with the name of fort.
It iiii;,'lit, iierhaps, more properly be called a bastion,

-J K,ir general description of mines at Nanaimo, sec Newyrnfs Gcnl. J}c]^l.,
C">-7, in Piwijic Ji. Ii. Pcpt., vi. ; Jloretzky's Canada on the Pac\jic, 170; Haw-
liii'jn' ('Dii'hlf'rdtion o/ Brit. 2f. A. Prnvina's, 1122.

" It was with just such ponderous particularities that Douglas did every-
tiiiiig. After a detailed description of an in.signiticant trip, he concludes in
tlicso words: 'Made Lighthouse Point at dusk, and came to an anclior off the
Flirt i4 Naiiaimo at 8:23 in t!ie evening, liavi.ig been 9 hours and 40 minutes
uiulci- weigh ' Douijkis' Prwi'te Papers, Alo., ser. ii. 50.

' : 'il^l

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WM . . _. , 1 := '

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$'
%

soo

kstabl:shing forts rupert and nanaimo.

full of water; that called McGrcggor's headings and
north gallery give tlie miners employment at present. '
Thence he is pulled to Newcastle Island, and visits
the outcroppings, observes the perpendicular cliffs and
fine white sandstone in regular beds and on edge
underlying beds of conglomerate. The 20th he ox-
amines with nmch interest a salt-spring which rises
in the bed of a fresh-water brook, now nearly dry.'^
"The coal-field between Chase River and Newcastle
Island," he writes, "has been proved, it being Mr
Gilmour's opinion, founded on the trials he has made,
that coal may be found anywhere in that district."
The 22d, "walked from the establishment to the
coal crop at the head of Commercial Inlet, into which
a gallery sixty feet long has been cut." Thence to
Chase River, where is a gallery of forty feet; and so
on. Leaving Nanainio on the 24th, he surveys the
coast to Valdes Inlet, and then returns to Victoria.

About this time, 1852-3, coal was discovered at
Bellingham Bay by two axemen, who wore cutting
logs for a saw-mill. In the up-torn roots of a fallen
trees, on the side of a bank, they first saw ])ieees
which led to an examination of the ground and the
finding of a seam several feet thick. A claim wa.s
entered, and shortly after sold at San Francisco for
810,000.^^ Several companies were formed to work
this and adjoining claims, among which the Pugct
Sound Mining Company and the Mamoosie Mine
Averc conspicuous.^'

Other coal deposits attracting attention prior to

'• The spring j'iclds about two gallons of water x^er minute, or 2,880 ^mIIihis
in twenty-four liours. It yields about a pound of salt to a gallon, whuli, at
sixty pounds to the bushel, would make a daily yield of forty -eight bushi'l.-i df
Kilt.' DowjUis' Private Pajifrs, MS., ser. 'i. 52.

'* 'Altogether about 140 tons of coal had been exported from Bellingliaiu
Bay up to 1st January ]854.' Grant, in London dcoij. Soc, Jour., xxvii. li!."'.

^" 'Another bed a little to the north of this, belonging to Captain I'awntlo-
roy and otliera, presented niu(.h better indications. Its thickness is sixteen
feet four inches, and the coal brighter and freer from impurities than the
otlier. A small quantity got out here sold in Francisco for ^'JIJ p'r ti>;i.'

otlier. A small quantity got out here
Oiuos, in SCcirn-n' I'ac, li. li. Jk^jt., i. 473,

OTHER COAL DEPOSITS.

201

1854 wore those between Port Sail Juan and Cape
Bonilla;"^ in the country back of Barclay Sound ;^ near
tlie coast west of Soke Inlet ;^ at several points on
the western shore of Vancouver Island,^' and on the
mainland opposite."''^ The deposits on Queen Char-
lotte Islands attracted attention at various tinies.^

-' ' It is, however, almost worthless, as, though it crops out on the sea-
Cdiust, there is iioslielter for vessels near it.' ffmnt, in Loud. Oeoij. Soc., Jour.,
xxvii. i!85.

'"' Tliero is no truth in the reports which have been circulated of there
heing coal on Barclay Sound; the Indians, however, describe some coal as
txisting at .Muuahtali, in tlie country of the Cojucklesatuch, some tlireo days'
jnui'uey into tlie int;'rior, at the back of Barclay Sound.' Grant, in Lond.
(!m(f. Sar., Jour., xxvii. 2S7.

'"' 'Traces of coal have been found on a small river called by the natives
Qmuicliuka, which hero discharges itself into the straits.' Grant, in Loml.
(Ii-Qij. Snr., Jour., xxvii. 284. Few of the seams were more than one inch in
thickness.

^' ' At Nespod, a little north of Nootka, coal is reported by the Indians.
Jsuspod is called I'ort Brooks on the charts. At Koskeenio, north of Nespod
.111(1 opposite to Beavor Harbor, a seam of coal two feet in tliickness has aLo
lioeu discovered.' Grunt, in Loml. Geo;/. Soc, Jour., xxvii. 288. Grant's Kos-
koeiiio is Quatsino Sound. See Rkhardton, in Gcol. Hur, Canada, 1871-2, 7<>.

^'^ 'Between Burrard Canal and Home Sound, i. c, on the southern shore
of Home Sound, close to the entrance, a small seam of coal has been found.'
(I'niiil, in Lond. Geo;/. Sor., Jour., xxvii. 314.

"^'As early as 1852 the brig liecom ,/, Ca^,i..iin Mitchell, the vessel that
was once the Orhlt, M'as there for coal.' Olijmjiia i lub Conrx., MS., 3—4. 'An-
lliracite is known to exist at ^kidegato Island, Queen Cliarlotte Islands, and
a scam of the same kind of coal is seen cropping out on the mainland opuoaite,
abtmt forty miles distant. The extent of these deposits is not known, but
i^pcciincns have been sent to San Francisco wliich were of good (piality, and
in 1871 there were 6G5 tons of it imported.' Maq/arlanes Coal lieijiom of
Ainerica, 574.

■rn

■r

11 ;

;.i;

■

\V\l

CHAPTER XII.

CROWN GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND TO THE HUDSON S

BAY COMPANY

1849.

Spirit of Monopolt — The Adventurers of Enoland More Jealous ok
British Subjects than of Fouekiners — Colonization to he Retardkd

BY FaVORINO rather THAN BY Ol'PaSINU It — ThE GrANT SOLICITED AS

Early as 1837 — Woes of the Monopoly — Failure to Obtain thk
Grant at This Time — Fur-huntino and Setflement Antagonistic—
The Liquor Traffic — The Company Apply for the Grant— Staktmnh
Proposal — Influence of United States AcyuisrnoNS on Bkitisii
Pacific Territory— Piety a Plea for Power — The Fur-trade and
Colonization again— The Draft Perfected — The Mainland — Phe-

AMBLE AND GRANT — CONDITIONS OF GraNT — DIFFERENCES OF OPINION
RESPECTING THE WiSDOM OF THE MEASURE.

Now that the Northwest Coast between Fuca
Strait and the Russian possessions was wholly tiiul
indisputably their own, a vast territory without a
government, too vast and too important to be held
absolutely by a commercial corporation, while tlie
near south under the liberal policy of the United
States government was so rapidly being settled by
enterprising emigrants of their own Anglo-Saxon raee,
it behooved the ligislators and rulers of England and
of England's colonies to cast a parental eye toward
this very far away and very wild and very little
Britain.

The history of the treaty of 184C, which determined
the dividing line between the possessions of (jJveat
Britain and those of the United States on the J'a-
cific coast, having been given at length elsewhere in
this work,^ it would be superfluous to repeat it here.

^History of the Northwest Coa-st.

( -Ml )

That e
mother
affairs;
her owi
rather
The
north <

SERIOUS QUESTIONS.

908

That event safely over, soon we see the hand of the
mother country again moving in Northwest Coast
affairs; this time, however, confining her interest to
her own pecuhar case, and in the capacity of patron
rather than that of champion.

The question was what to do next. The country
north of the lately defined United States boundary
was a wilderness held by an association of British sub-
jects under sanction of the British government, which
had gone so far as to grant the occupants the privilege
of exclusive trade with the natives for a period ex-
piring in 1859. The question now was, Shall anything
be done toward colonizing or settling the country, or
any part of it, before the expiration of the fur com-
pany's present privilege of exclusive trade, and if so,
what?

It so happened that about this time, namely, in 1 846
and 1 847, the directors of the fur monopoly presented
themselves before Lord Grey, quaking with foar lest
American marauders should pursue them beyond the
new boundary, and spoil their traffic in British Co-
lumbia, as they had already done in Oregon. Lord
Grey lent a favorable ear; and from this beginning
arose important negotiations.'^

Since the charter of Charles II. to Prince Rupert
in 1G70, the policy of the adventurers of England
trading into Hudson's Bay had been, to say the least,
exclusive. Not alone had they been fearful of the
intrusion of foreigners, but most of all were they
jealous of their own countrymen.

During the first half-century of their occupancy of
thcsu hyperborean shores, they had been forced to
battle French soldiery invading by sea; some of their
forts had even been taken from them during these
encounters. And later they had frequently been
called upon to resist the encroachments of French
fur-hunters from Canada. Wars with hereditary foes,

■ Compare Hansard's Parliamentary Debates and Levi's Annah of Jh-ilish
Leijislation, passim.

! - 'I f

Willi
S

iB04

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

It-;

:( .

;!■.;

however, were never to be cotupared in point of hatred
and disastrous results with the rivalry between them
and the Northwest Company,

80 in regard to settlement. The occupation of Ore-
gon by emigrants from the United States had given
them much anxiety, and they had exercised eveiy
means, but always within the bounds of justice and
humanity, to stop this tide of population which would
prove the total destruction of their traffic in those
])arts. Yet as in former encroachments and opposi-
tion, tlic government and the people of the eastern
American states gave them less serious concern thiui
their own. The cause was obvious. The dividinjj lino
between the North American possessions of Great
liritain and those of the United States they well
knew their government would see properly drawn
without assistance from them. The bounds of their
dominion fixed they could easily regulate their busi-
ness accordingly. They entertained no serious fear
of being cramped for territory. But when England
herself should attempt colonization on the Pacitio,
well might English fur-hunters look to their interests.

It was now considered certain that United States
territory on the western ocean would be speedily
settled; that there would be within the limits of such
territory, and as the result of such settlement, one or
more large commercial towns conducting trade direct
with the coast above and below, with the Hawaiian
Islands, and with China; and that between the eastern
and western seaboards there would be safe and free
intercommunication. With so powerful and })ro-
gressive a people as neighbors, and with an over-
crowded population at home, it was clearly evident
that so broad and valuable a region as the British
Pacific possessions could not always be kept solitary as
the game-preserve of a commercial monopoly. And
none saw this clearer than the monopolists themselves.

Yet it was not by opposing colonization by any
means, but rather by encouraging it, that the company

1 , i

BEFORE I'AllLIAMmT.

soft

Would attempt to control afi'airs for a tiiuo Ioniser.
If tliey could be constituted iMiglund's colonizers on
the Paoific, then mi;^lit tliey colonize after their own
fashion, quickly or slowly — very slowly indeed, if such
should prove their interest. Such advantage, indeed,
had not been overlooked in arranging the terms of
the last license of exclusive trade, the grant of 1838.
When in 1837 the company petitioned for a renewal
of that grant, they sought extended privileges. In
addition to a license of exclusive trade, they asked title
to the land for purposes of colonization, urging their
services in excluding settlers of other nations as a
reason why they should have the management of set-
tlers of their own nation.

l^oth Sir J. H. Pelly, governor of the Hudson's

Buy Company in England, and Sir George Simpson,

"overnor of the company's affairs in America, after

ignifying the hazardous efforts of the company to
-iiric'h itself, after lamenting the heavy losses sus-
tained in keeping the country clear, alike of British
subjects and foreigners, after gently chiding their bo-
ni;4nant mother for neglecting that protection which
it was their chief joy to see withheld, begged a fresh
continuance of their misfortune, together with such
hold upon the soil as should perpetuate them. The
piofits arising from the business, said they to parlia-
ment, arc no more than a fair return for the capi-
tal employed; and the services rendered the mother
country in securing her this commerce, which other-
wise would fall to foreigners, demand further favors.
IV'sides their twenty-two trading-depots on the west-
ern slope, they have in the neighborhood of the
CoUnnbia large pastures filled with stock, and grain
tarnis affording abundant supplies of every kind of
aijfiicultural product, and it is their intenti(m to aug-
ment such establishments so as to export wool, tal-
low, and hides, and at the same time to afibrd a quiet
home for retired servants of the company. Climate
and sod are all that could be desired, they continued,

r >!

:■)

I ■ ,

■T— ^

206

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

but in order to justify the outlay necessary to the
full furtherance of the company's plans, protecticm,
that is to say, monopoly, must be secured them; tlie
natives, body and soul, must be theirs, likewise the
soil, and every subject of Great Britain who dare in-
trust his keeping to their arbitrary will.

Cunningly as these proposals were advanced, in so
far as they related to proprietorship in the soil they at
this time failed. It was now pretty well understood
by England, after dreaming over it for nearly two cen-
turies, that the adventurers trading into Hudson's
Bay woro not unduly anxious to make settlemonts
anywhere. In one instance only had they attem[)te(l
or permitted such a measure, and that was emph)ycd
as the deadliest engine for the breaking-up of a pow-
erful rival. The Ked River difficulties had opened
the eyes of statesmen to the fatal effects of coloniza-
tion on hunting-grounds. It was becoming a pretty
well established fact that foxes, beavers, and native
hunters do not dwell long in apple-orchards. Savagisni
is essential to a game-preserve a thousand miles square,
and settlement of any kind is directly antagonistic to
savagism. In a word, it was against the company's
interests to have their forests cleared, and their Indian
hunters demoralized by drink and civilized diseases.
This they had well known from the first, and liad
managod their business accordingly. Nor are they to
be specially blamed for adopting a self-protective ])()!-
icy, which is no less the first law of corporations than
of governments and individuals.

Notwithstanding the very natural desire to post-
pone the day of their downfall as far as possible, the
Hudson's Bay Company were not blind to the i'act
that the ultimate destiny, indeed, the near destiny of
their Pacific coast, was colonization. It would soon
prove as vitally importait', to them as to the British
nation at large, in or out of British America. Tli.ir
very existence, the preservation of their hunting''-

ARDENT SPIRITS.

207

grounds to the northward, and between the ocean and
the mountains, would soon depend upon their ability
t ) guard their coast against the inroads of foreign
ti aclers, who had always caused them much annoyance,
and were now becoming more troublesome. By these
lawless traders, many of wh<!)m were from New Eng-
land ports, the accursed taste for strong drink was
kept alive among the natives. So long as there was a
I)ossibility of obtaining intoxicating liquor the Indians
would trade for little else. They were wild for it,
almost as insane in the desire as in the gratification.
From hundreds of miles inland past the doors of the
company's forts, they would bring their best skins
down to the sea-shore, and there hold savage saturnalia
as long as they lasted. There was no controlling them
or controlling business so long as rum was sold upon
the coast. It was as clearly to the interests of the
luonopolists, or license-holders, to prevent this de-
moralizing traffic, as it was to the pecuniary profit
of transient traders visiting the coast to indulge
in it.

Not ilone were traders from the United States
accused of selling liquors to tribes inhabiting British
American territory, but the Hudson's Bay Company
were charged with the like otfonce in disposing of
strong drink to the Indians of the United States.^
However fatal the result to the poor Indian, the fur-
trading policy of the time was essentially retaliatory,
and although the truth of these charges was flatly

'Tlio question in 1849 waa made one of official correspondence. On the
Stli (if December Henry W. Sibley writes Mr Clayton, asking i; remonstrance
to 1j(' laid before the British government, to prevent tlie introduction of
ardent spirits into the Indian country. lie pronounces it 'a fact viiich ca" ' ■•
cstjililiahed by incontestable testimony.' This letter w.is forwarded to
Ahhutt Lawrence, United States minister to (ireat liritain, who laid theconi-
pliiiiit before Lord I'almcrstou. The matter was referred lo tiie secretaiy of
fitntt' (or tiie colonies. Finally Earl Grey received a flat denial from Sir .Inlin
IVIly, :«ul tliere the subject rested. Since the l.'Jtii of May IM'2, wlien Sir
Otorgc Sinipson and Adolphus Ktholin, governor of the Russian American
onldiiii'a, signed at Sitka an agreement proliibitiiig the use of spirituous
iii[iiijr.s in the Indian trade of their respective teiTitories, that region liad in :i
iiiciLsmi^ been free from this curso. But tliis agreement did not prevent resort
to tlif forbidden tratlic when competition with traders of other nationalities
rendered it necessary.

m ,

i:* i;

!f!!

U ■ t

<i\

208

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

denied on both sides, there is no doubt that both were
guilty. _

Again in 184G, when the mueh-agitatcd question of
boundary was being settled, the subject of coloniza
tion was brought forward. As the right honorable
Edward Elliee, M. P., remarked to a select connnit-
tee of the house of commons — "Being in possession
of the trade of the adjacent country under the ^* nso
. . . the company applied to Lord Grey for pn, .'tion
in Vancouver Island, for fear of American maraudm's
disturbing their possessions tliere." Earl (ircy replird
that the distance round Cape Horn was too far ior
even the long arm of his government conveniently to
reach, and tJiat the company must protect themselvi.s.
On the 7th of September a letter was addressed by
the company to Earl Grey, stating that their estah
lishment on the south point of the island was annu-
ally enlarging, and asking a grant of land. A lons^
correspondence followed, and negotiations were begun.
Then for nearly a year, that is, from !Marcli 1847 to
February 1848, the matter rested. From tlie modest
first re(j[uest, wliich was to be contirmed in the pos-
session of the island only, the idcnis of the comitaiiy
hud gradually enl;«.rged, until, as Sir J. II. Felly ex-
pressed liimself in a letter to Earl Cirey, the 5th ot
March 1847, the comj)any wc!re "willing to undertake
tlie government and colonization of all the ti'rritoriis
!)olonging to the crown in North America, and receive
a grant accordingly."

It was this startling proposal, opening the eyes of
tlie government to the real designs of the comjiaiiy,
wliich tem])orarily suspended negotiations. In Felj-
ruary 184S, with more modest mein, they again came
forward with the assurance that "])lacing the whole
territory north of the 4yth degree under one governinij;'
}H)Wer would have simplifieil arrangements, but the
company was willing to accept that ]uut of the ter-
ritory west of tlie Ilocky Mountains, or even ^'an-
couver I^jland alone; in fact, to give every assistance

letter o

its lai'ge
Pacilic c

it "*.

INEXORABLE NECESSITY.

909

■n its power to promote colonization." In a subsequent
letter of the 4th of March the same writer goes still
luither, and says: "In every negotiation that may
take place on this subject, I have only to observe
that the company expect no pecuniary advantage
from colonizing the territory in question. All moneys
received for lands or minerals would be applied to
purposes connected with the improvement of the
country."*

Accompanying this truly disinterested offer was a
private letter of a somewhat different nature, which was
nothing less than a request that the privileges possessed
under the original grant of Rupert Land, giving the
adventurers of England power to establish colonies,
courts, and governments should l)e extended over the
entire Northwest and Pacific territories. The magni-
tude of the proposal at this juncture was alone enough
to insure its defeat. It was at once decided by the
government that if a grant were made at all, it should
be confined to Vancouver Island.

Besides the tide of emigration which since the
treaty of 184G was pouring into Oregon, the United
States had lately acquired California, and this alone
was more than sufficient to make that nation the
dominant power upon the Pacific, even should there
be no foundation in the reported gold discovery, rumors
of wliich were now reaching British Columbia and
England. And if gold was plentiful in the Sierra
Foothills, might it not bo found north of the 49tli
parallel? Indeed, there had already been indica-
tions of the precious metal in this region. Where
then would bo the Hudson's Bay Company, with
its large and widely extended interests, should the
Paeiiic coast be brought into sudden prominence
hoWn-Q the world, as in truth it was even now being
broudit?

■ii

( 1

> .1

-1 v

* All this was purely for efifect. and was, moreover, so palpably opposed to
tlic Lhinactcr and policy of the company, that none but the most simple-minded
Were for a moment deceived by it.
Hut. Brit. Col. H

210

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

■ |. i.;-

It was well, as cautious and prudent business men, to
think of these things and to provide for them. And
the officers of the company did so think and so pro-
vide, for they were shrewd, far-seeing men. For their
subsequent policy as well as for their past deeds, many
writers attempt to bring odium upon them. I see
no special cause for praise or blame in the premises.
They were not professional patriots like our congress-
men and state politicians; they were a commercial
corporation seeking to make money by every lawful
means, and I have failed to discover anything mort
dishonorable in their dealings than in those of mer-
chants and monopolists generally. When a man or an
association of men raise the signal of money-making,
the less they talk of piety or patriotism in connection
with their commercial efforts, the less they will be
regarded as hypocrites."

'■ It is in exceedingly bad taste, to say the Iea49t, for Mr Martin, who writes
as special advocate for the company, to devote one of the live parts of which
his work is composed to expatiating on the ' Christian conduct and beneficent
policy of the Hudson's Bay Company.' The fact is, there was not the slight-
est Christian conduct or beneficent policy about their business. Their occu-
pation was neither proselytism nor benevolence, but the fur-trade. As a
matter of course, there were religious and humane men among them— humane
I think they almost all were, and remarkably so; but in orthodox Christiiiuity
they numbered many sceptics. Their lives were such as to engender thought,
and thought is unfavorable to faith Away from the influences of form and
example, spending much of their time alone with nature, constant witnesses
of the diversity of beliefs in the surrounding nations, the servants of the com-
pany were apt to fall into an independent train of reasoning which led them
far away from the teachings of their childhood. So that I say for that time,
and as a class, the officers and servants of the company were remarkably scep-
tical. In this part of Mr Martin's work the company itself can scarcely take
pride. It is made of prolix testimonials from church people who have receiveil
lavors from the corporation, and which a night's lodging would buy. Now, no
one lias ever denied, that I am aware, that the officers of the Hudson's Bay
Company were composed of high-minded, courteous gentlemen. I should call
them exceedingly lioeral, both in money -matters and in ideas. Their respect
for the opinion of others, whatever might be their own, and their kindncis to
missionaries of whatever faith or nationality, were proverbial. Therefore
when Mr Martin cites instances of courtesy extended to bishops and other.s as
examples of piety, he renders himself ri<liculous. One of his ttrst assertions
here is that the company 'have well fulfilled the objects for which their
charter was granted in 1670,' which, if I read the record correctly, is simply
not true. Exploration was made only as thoy were driven to it, and tiicii
more to conceal knowledge than to reveal it; settlement was absurd on tlui
face of it; and although profoundly indifferent aa to the belief the savages en-
tertained regarding the future state, and although missionary establishnii'nts
interfered in some degree with their traffic, they wcrf- not insane emmuh,
awhile dc^jendent upon public opiiiiou for their very existence, to bring down

A fur

.f Engh

pu V.

coloiilzat
the ques
was mac
sake of
had nevc
of coloni:

Land
not pre te
held und
theirs ab
elect. A
Mountaii
with the
not fnr-b

In all
trade, fn
destined
tlie soutl:
coniparat:
the trade
fourtlis.
the slaug!
caused tl:
increase, 1
mail that
ncnt. A
therefore
not lonfj ]

Again,
nient, it a
company

upon their he
in the way o
ence the mess
at many of tl
Martin in his
virtue which

FUE^TllADERS AS COLONIZERS.

211

A fur company is a bad colonizer. The adventurer
if England never professed to be a colonizing com-
pu V- Before this they had never specially opposed
coloiiization, for, except in the affairs at Red liiver,
the question had never arisen, and that settlement
was made, as before remarked, not so much for the
sake of colonizing as for retaliation. The company
had never refused an application for land for purposes
of colonization, because none had ever been made.

Land held under license to trade, the company did
not ])retend to have the right to sell ; but Rupert Land,
held under charter of Charles II., they did claim as
theirs absolutely, to hold or to sell as they should
elect. A portion of the territory west of the Rocky
Mountains might be colonized without interfering
with the fur-trade; lands suitable for agriculture are
not fur-bearing.

In all parts habitable to progressive man, the fur-
trade, from its very nature, was from the beginning
destined to diminish. In the United States and in
the southern parts of British America, it is already
comparatively extinct. During the present century
the trade in ^orth America has diminished three
fourths. The Hudson's Bay Company by restricting
the slaughter have, for a time, and in certain localities,
caused the game, instead of diminishing, actually to
increase, but it is only in latitudes too cold for civilized
man that we may expect the peltry trade to be perma-
nent. All this the company had long understood, and
therefore were well aware that Vancouver Island could
not h)ng remain untenanted.

Again, though constitutionally opposed to settle-
ment, it was interference with the fur-trade that the
company feared more than the mere segregation of

4 II

1 '

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: 'm

f !

'..lit

r Li

:^^1|

liWI

upon their heads the indignation of the religions world by throwing obstacles
in the way of heathen conversion, or ot treating with coldness or indiffer-
ence the messengers of the gospel. They even had their own paid chaplains
at many of their posts, but this was rather for form's sake. Evidently Mr
Martin in his extraordinary ardor has here given the corporation credit for a
virtue which they themselves never claimed.

\'\A

..!

212

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

any small part of their vast domain for purposi^s
of cultivation. Could colonial operations be strictly
confined to the Island, the Mamland meanwhile being
under the absolute dominion of the company, moro
particularly if there was money in it, the adventurers
of England would scarcely remain long averse to
doing good in that way. Throughout their long and
eventful career, never had they for a moment hesi
tated to serve their country when the largest profit
was to be realized in so doing.^

In 1847 certain complaints were made at ihe colo-
nial office in London agninst the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany by Mr Isbister, laiely returned from a visit to
the territories of the company. The answers given by
the company to these complaints not being satisfactory,
the matter was referred to Lord Elgin, governor-gen-
eral of Canada, whose opinion as rendered seemed not
adverse to the government of the fur-traders.

The Hudson's Bay Company were now emboldened
to present their request in due form, and the follow! iiij;
year, the draft of a charter granting them the Island of
Vancouver was laid before parliament. Mr Gladstone
spoke against the measure, believing the corporation
unqualified for the undertaking. Likewise the puMic
journals, as a rule, were against investing the company
with these privileges, and the chamber of conimeivo
of Manchester sent up a remonstrance against the
proposition.

Two principal objections were urged: first, that the
colonization of the Island at the present time was an
unwise movement; and secondly, were it not so, ilio
officers of the fur company were not the proper per-
sons to undertake it. Objections were made to cortaui
features of the proposed grant. For example, it was

* 'I suppose the Hudson's Bay Company discourage having any snttloineiit
as far as they can, within their territory?' asked the chairman ot tlie house
of commons committee of Mr KUice. ' The Hudson's Bay, liite all (-tluT
people, would like very much to have any settlement that was proti table, wiis
the reply.

at the
,vas aii
io, the
;v pt'f-
;ortain
it was

COMPLAINTS OF SETTLERS.

213

the intention to vest in the company the fisheries of
the Island, and it was said to be tlie purpose of Earl
(iroy to let the provisions of act 1 and 2, George
IV., cap GO, regulate the administration of justice.
By this act, felony and civil cases involving over two
hundred pounds must be tried in the courts of Canada.
Olio of the chief arguments of the Hudson's Bay Com-
})any, in their eflbrt to make it appear to the interest
of the British Government to continue the license of
exclusive trade in their hands, was that by so doing
the country might bo kept in peace. It was not alone
to prevent competition with Canada that an act of
j)arriamcnt was about this time proposed, which should
enable the crowi; to grant the company a license of
exclusive trade, while the Mainland should be opened
to colonization, but also to hold the country from the
inroads of peoj»le from the United States. Unless a
monopoly was given to a particular class of British
sul)jects, citizens of the United States might trade
with the Indians the same as British subjects. Ter-
minate our monopoly, they said, and you open the
country to the world.

In the house of commons on the 17th of July 1848,
the carl of Lincoln asked if the government intended
to make to the Hudson's Bay Company^ a further
grant, giving them powers over Vancouver Island
similar to these enjoyed over their other territories.
The under-secretary for the colonies replied that such
a measure had been talked of, but not yet determined.
It was understood that the inquiry had been insti-
tuted through the instrumentality of the governor-
j,^'ncral of Canada, and. Lord Lincoln thought, merited
due deliberation. Lord John Russell answered that
other persons besides the Hud.son's Bay Company
Were desirous of colonizing Vancouver Island, and he
did not deem expedient at that time such investiga-
tion as would lead tt) long delays

A month later Mr Christy remarked that he be-
lieved the complaints of those who had hitherto settled

i i

' ' ' r

1 1,'

214

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

on lands ruled by the fur monopoly at Red River and
elsewhere to be well founded. The system of this cor-
poration was utterly opposed to colonization, and he
hoped this valuable island would not be given them.
Mr Hawes replied that none of the many persons
who had expressed a desire to colonize, had offered any
security to settlers, as did the Hudson's Bay Company,
which already had a flourishing post on the Island,
with the exclusive right of trading with the natives.
The distance was great, the climate and soil were not
attractive, and the expense of colonizing was beyond
the purse of any private individual; the scheme would
likely prove disastrous to all engaged in it unless
backed by some strong power. Moreover, the pro-
posed grant was only a grant of territory, not carry-
ing with it any right to rule. The government of the
Island was a matter totally distinct from this grant of
land; it should be perfectly free, with a governor and
an assembly making and executing their own laws, and
collecting and disbursing their revenues, wholly inde-
pendent of the Hudson's Bay Company. But for all
this, the proposed grant should not be made until the
complaints of the Red River settlers had been in-
quired into.

The world had already had experience in colonization
by companies, said Mr Gladstone. The Hudson's Bay
Company was at once a trading and a land company,
exclusive and secret in the strictest sense, all their
affairs being conducted in a spirit of absolutism wholly
inconsistent with imperial concerns, which throughout
the vast British empire were everywhere open and
public. If he read the thoughts of the company
rightly, they would say, " Colonization is undoubtedly
a great evil ; but if it is to be, it will be better in our
hands than in the hands of anybody else, for so we
shall be able to keep it down to the minimum." And to
this same end they had first asked for all the quoeu's
dominions west of the Rocky Mountains.

Although Mr Howard believed it most unwise to

ifer

grant

PELLY AND EARL GREY.

215

confer the extensive powers proposed on a fur-trading
company, yet as California had lately been ceded to
the United States, it appeared to him a matter of
the highest importance that a flourishing British
colony should be established on the western Ameri-
can coast, in order to balance the increased maritime
strength of the United States in that quarter. Lord
John Russell explained that the company already held
exclusive privileges which did not expire until 1859,
that they now held these western lands by a crown
grant dated the 13th of May 1838, confirming their
])os8ession for twenty-one years from that date, that
these privileges could not be taken from them with-
out breach of principle, and that if colonization were
delayed until the expiration of this term, American
squatters might step in and possess themselves of the
island, but Goldburn did not think the last-mentioned
event possible.

Earl Grey saw two reasons for making this arrange-
ment with the Hudson's Bay Company: no other
persons were ready with the necessary capital for the
undertaking, and the fur company already possessed
the exclusive right of trade for a further period of
eleven years. The company were willing to vest the
appointment of governor in the crown.^

When Sir John Pelly again brought the subject of
the grant to the attention of Earl Grey, proceeding
on the principle that he or his associates would not
derive any pecuniary benefit therefrom, but would
apply all funds accruing from the sale of lands or min-
erals toward the colonization and improvement of the
Island, his astute lordship suggested that it might be
well to insert those terms in the grant, as they had
been wholly omitted in the original draft. The earl
hhnself, in a letter to Mr Hawes dated the 4th of
September 1848, would not hesitate to take the com-

"The discussion of this subject in ^••'•Uament was very extuudeil, an^l is
ably reporteil in Hansard's Parliamentary Debates, ser. 3, c. 510-12; ci. i2(i3-
305, 315, and 4G5-9

\'l

'i i

sie

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

pany's word for it, but "in order not to leave any
grounds for the jealousy of their intentions, which it
appears from recent parliamentary discussions is en-
tertained in other quarters, he thought it as well to
introduce all these now well understood conditions
formally into the grant. "^ The Hudson's Bay Com-
pany could do no less than to admit these stipulations
into the grant, since they had originally proposed them
in the former petition which the government had
denied. Hence on the 9th of September Sir John
Pelly wrote Earl Grey according to his suggestion.

On the 30th of October 1848, the privy council
committee for trade and plantations, to whom the mat-
ter had been referred the 4th of September, reported
to the court at Windsor on the grant of Vancouver
Island, that in the opinion of the committee certain
amendments and further conditions should be inserted
into the original draft; as, for example, the company
should not have the fish about the Island, and should
not retain more than ten per cent, and so on, which
report was duly approved by her Majesty. Although
there was nothing embodied in the charter to change
the administration of justice, yet in the proposed
scheme of government now made public, a guaranty
was given that application should be made to parlia-
ment to vest in local tribunals the power of adminis-
tering English law, thus removing from this colony
the restrictions of the act named.

'In regard to the remuneration of the company for their services— for
although they had expressed the intention of receiving no pay, it was well
understood that in some shape they would certainly receive pay — Earl Grey
named ten per cent of the gross receipts from lauds and minerals as a fair
compensation. The remainder he suggested ' should be expended either in
sending out emigrants, or in providing for the cost of roads, and buildings
and other necessary charges for the settlement of the Island. As tlie whole
> f these charges, and every other expense connected with the occupation of
the Island is to be provided for by the company, according to the original
understanding that no pecuniary demand of any kind was to be made upon
her Majesty's government, it is obvious that the company could not expect
nnder any circumstances to realize as profit a larger proportion of the pro-
ceeds of the land sales than I have mentioned, and that therefore the intro-
duction of an express stipulation to the above effect into the grant would be
attended with no real sacrifice of their interest.' Letter from B. Hawcs to Sir
John Pelly, 4th Sept. 1848, in House Commons Returns to Three Addrennnn, 17.

ISLAND AND MAINLAND.

217

There was no provision in the original draft that
any portion of the proceeds from the sale of lands, or
of tlie royalty received from settlers for working
mines, should be expended for the benefit of the
settlers. Hence it threw upon the project quite a dif-
ferent aspect when in addition to the restriction con-
cerning fisheries the grantees were required to expend
nine tenths of all money so received in public im-
j)rovements, reserving for themselves only one tenth
for their trouble.

It was not at this time deemed advisable by the
government to include the Mainland in this coloniza-
tion scheme. There was work enough to do for the
present upon the Island, and until a secure footing
should be established here, it was folly attempting
more difficult tasks. Upon the Island the natives
could be easily controlled; upon the adjacent coasts
colonists would be at their mercy. When all goes
well with the savage, he is independent and arrogant.
With a plentiful supply of fish for food, with fire-arms
and occasional copious sup[)lies of spirituous liquors, the
natives of the Mainland would prove very difficult of
iiiaiiagement by colonists. The fur-hunters if left to
themselves could manage them. They alone under-
stood them and were accustomed to their ways. It
would be time enough to take the country out of their
hands when it wos acuually needed for settlement.

We have already seen how in the forty -third year
of tlie reign of George III. parliament passed an act
extending the jurisdiction of the provincial courts of
Canada over the British American territory adjoin-
ing, so that crimes committed in the Indian terri-
tories should be deemed offences of the same nature,
to be tried in like manner, and subject to the same
penalties, as if committed withm the provinces of
Upper or Lower Canada. W^e have seen how upon
the amalgamation of the Northwest and Hudson's Bay
companies in 1821, in order to secure to the utmost

S '

'hi

' M

s •

si '■' *

;U:

218

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

such favors as the united interests of two such power-
ful associations could command, in order to obtain
official recognition, a renewal of rights, more clearly
defined territorial boundaries, and power more abso-
lute and determined, pretence was made that tlio
terms of the former act were ambiguous; in fact,
that doubts were entertained whether the provisions
of the act of the forty-third of George III. extended
over all the territory granted by the charter, and it
was expedient that such doubts should be removed.

Where the power was not wanting, it was easy
enough to make out a plausible case, and to have a
new act passed. The act of 1821 was entitled "An
act for regulating the fur-trade, and for establishing
a criminal and civil jurisdiction within certain parts
of North America." By this act it was made lawful
for the crown to make grants or give royal license to
any person or company for exclusive traffic with the
natives in any part of North America specified, other
than in domain before granted, or not a part of Brit-
ish North American possessions. At the same time,
the provisions of the act of the forty-third of George
III. were declared extended over all the territories
before granted to the governor and company (>f ad-
venturers trading into Hudson's Bay.

We have seen how on the 13th day of Ma/ 18:38,
the time then drawing nigh when the license of 1821
should terminate, application was made for a renewal
of that license on the ground that large sums of
money were being expended in the trade which, if it
was to be abandoned so shortly, the company were Tint
justified in continuing; and that the license was
newed, as asked for, another term of twenty-one
making it expire in 1859. We have seen h< >'»
the 15th of June 1846 (ihe 49th parallel was mii<lo
the dividing line between the United States and the
British American possessions, thus causing the coai-
pany to move their operaticns back to the north of
that line.

m.h

TEBMS OF GRANT.

210

Finally, with all this as a preamble, and in view of
the fact that the letters-patent of Charles II. as ap-
plied to Rupert Land had been extended over the
western territories, so far as exclusive trade was con-
cerned, and the adventurers of England had built
forts at various points within that territory, and on
the Pacific slope, and on Vancouver Island; and be-
cause it would conduce to the maintenance of justice
and good order, and the encouragement of trade and
the protection of the natives,' it was determined to
vest in the company the property in the land of Van-
couver Island for purposes of colonization, and on the
13th of January 1849 the grant was consummated.

By the terms of this instrument the governor
and company of adventurers of England trading into
Hudson's Bay, and their successors, were given the
Island, with the royalties of its seas, and all mines be-
longinrif to it. They were made lords and proprietors
of the lo id forever, subject only to the domination
of the joritish crown, and to a yearly rent of seven
shillings, payable on the first day of every year.
TIi(3y were to settle upon the Island within five years
a colony of British subjects, for to this end alone was
the gift made; and to dispose of land for purposes of
colonization at reasonable prices, retaining of all the
moneys received from such source as well as from coal
or other minerals, ten per cent, and applying toward
public improvement upon the Island the remaining
iiino tenths. Such lands as might be necessary for
a naval station, and for other government establish-
uicnts, were to be reserved; and the company should
every two years report to the government the number

" It would have been better for the majesty of England to hav j said noth-
ing about the protection of the natives in tliis connection. It should liave
been by this time well unuerstood, the significance of the term protection, as
applied by civilization to savagism. Spain liad given full exa'^iiple. The only
solitary instance in all the two Americas, where the r.aiives liad been uni-
formly and pen aently treated with kindness, v,as by the Hudson's liay
Cotnpany themselves, and no further comment on the comparative benefits
which were to flow in upon them by reason of co ionization is necessary than
to refer the reader to the pages which follow upoA the subject.

.Ji;

wrrn

220

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

of colonists settled in the Island, and tl;e lands sold.
If at the expiration of five years no settlement should
have been made, the grant should be forfeited; and if
at tbo expiratijn of the company's license of exclusive
trade with the Indians in 1859 the govennneiit
should so elect, it might recover from the company
the Island, on payment of such sums of money as
had been actually expended by them in colonizatiui!.
That is to say, the crawu reserved the right to recall
the grant at the end of five years should the com-
pany, either from lack of ability or will, fail to colo-
nize, and to buy it back at the end of ten years by the
payment of whatever sum the company should have
in the mean tinie expended. Except during hostili-
ties between Great I3ritain and any foreign power,
the com[)any should defray all expenses of all civil
and military establishments for the government and
])rotection of the Island."*

No small difference of opinion arose as to the wis-
dom of the grant, and the act w^as consummated in the
face of strong opposition. The friends and the ene-
mies of the measure arrayed themselves on either side,
and a war of words followed. As a matter of course,
there was much exaggeration, and many misstate-
ments, wilful or otherwise, were made on both sides.
But out of the debris brought d(.)wn by the combatants

"Among othoT places, a copy of this grant may 1)0 found in Jfoiisc of Com-
viom Ji<tiirii.f to 'J'/irie A<lilr(\\.sfii, ]',i-\[). The original draft is in .1/"/V/h'.<
Jlmlinii'.i ISdii, 108. Bi'siiles a cojiy of tlio royal grant ot Vauccnivcr Island,
tlio llniisf oj Conniions nctiirns to T/in'e AddreK'^es, dated respectively the Itltli
of August 1S48 and tiie (ith of Feliruary and the 1st ot Mareli 184!), contains
copies of admiralty Utteis and despatches; one from Sir George Seymour; one
M'om Captain J. A L'unt/.e ot the slup Fw/nnl, to Corumauder Gordon of tliu
.'loop Coniioniiir, dated 7tli of October 184C; letter from Peter Kkecn Ogdeii
and James Douglas to Captain Duntze; ri;i;ort of lieutenants AVarre and
\'ava..oui, March I84(), respecting sod, climate, minerals, ami iiarliors, ;i'!-
dressed to tlie secretary ot state for tlie colonies; report by Vava ,iiiir,
March 184(), addressed to (.obinel Holloway, Canada; instructions .if the
admiralty respecting the coal of Vancouver Islaml; correspondence lietwccu
the 2oh)nial otiieo and the admiralty; letters from B. Hawes to Sir .biha
Pelly; fnmi Sir John I'elly to Earl Grey, the 9th and Hth Sept 1818; fniiri
Haves to Felly the UTtli (if Sept. and the Mth of Get. 1848; and from A. Uar-
day to U Hawes .'Jd Nov, J848. Also report from privy cou icil committie
for traile and plancations on the grant of N'ancouver island, dated 31st t>i't.
1848

MARTIN AND FITZGERALD

221

there is no difficulty in arrivin<]f at tlie truth, which
was simply that the Hudson's Bay Company desired
to control colonization on the Pacific coast; to press
or retard it as they should find it to their interest,
which persons interested in tlie settiement of the
country preferred should be done by those havnig no
ulterior end to serve."

In the Times of the 27th of January 1849, a fort-
night after the ^rant was made, ap[)eared an adver-

" Among the mass of matter published in books and pciioriicals, two
authors stand jireominent as oiiampions, one on oithui side, 11. Montgomery
Murtin, T/ic HmUnnn Bay Terrilorii's tind Vkiicouivv k Ixlind, for tlie cvinjiany,
ami .lames E. Fitzgerald, An ExiDiiinatinn oj thf i'/iiirter and ProrfKlliKfi q/'/Jie
l/ii'/xoii'n Baij Cniiip(t}iy, irilh Hcjvrciico, to the (Iriiut of VnwouverH /ulaiid.
af;:iiiist it. Mr Martin writes avowedly to eidighten the world on Hnd.soii a
Hay Company all'airs. Ho K'ves, first, the phj'sical features nf the territory;
niHimd, the constitution and workings of the eorporati(>n; third, their tieat-
iiu'iit of tlio aborigines; fourth, the condiiet and jiolicy of the r.omp.my;
tiltli, qualifications of the eonipany for colonizing Vancouver I:;land Tlie
lirst part is made up largely of quotations; in fact, Mr Martin makes the
ikuissors do duty throughout the entire work. In hiief, the country is good,
the system perfect, the natives well treated, the conduct of the coin|iany
heneiiceut and Christian, ten thou.sand iialf-lireeds te.. ■" •"g to their morality,
and to prove their qualitications for colonizi'ig VancoiiM,. lslan<l, he quotes
ten [)ages from Wilkes, with scarcely a break — this, and to the point nothing
mure. Wilkes' testimony goes to show that the oHicers of the Hudson's K.iy
Comiiaiiy were intelligent, entcri)rising, and hospitable gentlemen, wi.icli as I
have hifore remarked no one has ever domed Witli Martin's book Ixjforo
iiiiii, which is supposed to be all tlie infoimation and arguments an able ad-
vocate enjoying tlie patronage of tlio company and liaving at lu'iid all
mattM'ial extant for writing a good book upon the subject eoiUd producv,
Fitzgerald writes (iladstone that tliere is little in the work to lejdy to, and
what tlieio is, is 'neitlier fair or true.' His re|il_v is arranged in tlie follow-
ing order: F'irst, he states some recent occurrences in connection with tlio
siilijcet. Next lie examines this validity of tlie grants mailc, to tiio company
at vari<ius times, wiiicli he pronounces from tiie first invalid. Tlun fit; sjjcaks
of tlie inllueneo of the charter on England and America, and on ceiouizatioi'.
liiith these writers are extremists Mr Fitzgerald leans as miuli too far
toward one side as Mr Martin does toward tiie other. It is between tlie two
that the triitli lies. The original grant of Cliarles 11. was undoubteilly in-
valid; liut ([uiet occupation for one or two centuries was suielv suthcient to
givt> the possessor title as claimed, wliicli was ownershii) in the soil, Imt ;i.';w:iy3
sul'ject to the crown of Englanil Mr Fitzgerald's work is f: i tlie aider if
the two. With unglovcil hands ho strips the suhjeet of its falsities; exposiu;;
the suliterfuges of special |ileaders with merciless severity ; and were lie not
a siieci.il phMiler himself, liis work would cany iiiiich w(Mght. The cUHerenco
hetw.en these two writers was this: While Fitzgerald stood up to a square,
m (Illy hght, Alartm played tlio piihlic foul, not only endeav<iring to make one
tiling a[ipear another, luit asserting unblushingly that one thing w.is aimtlior
A just cause needs no such 'iterary trickery as that employed by Mr Martin
1 do not say Ins cause Wii.s not a pist one I do not think the Hudson s Hay
Ciiiiipany wero sjiecialiv to ho blamed tor obtaining the grant or for what
fiillnwed Earl (it'oy made «oino mistakes as well as tlio company. 1 only say
witli respect to Mr Martin and his book, that right or wrong he injured liia
cause by resorting to bold deceit.

:rt'^

i I

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1 i ff ! 1

3 'if ' j

l '.; 1

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222

GRANT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

tisement stating the reason why this act should not
have been consummated, or at all events, not until
the charges then standing against the company had
been thoroughly investigated and the mstter decided
whether additional power would be safe in their
hands."

" Mr Finlayson says, V. T.atid Northwent Coast, MS., 26, that it was only after
British men-of-war had visited Esquimalt harbor during the Oregon disputes of
1846, that the government became alive to the importance of the Island, ' and
in oi aor to enable them to establish courts of justice, oflfered the Island of Van-
couver io the Hudson's Bay Company, in fee-simple, on condition of colonizing
it at first for ten years from 1849, reserving to themselves the right of appoint-
ing the governor.' See also British North America, 298, where the grant
is called a lease; Martin's Httdson's Bay, passim; Waddtnijton's Fraser Mines,
30; Grunt's Desrrip. V. I., in London Geog. Soc., Jotir., xxvii. 272-3; JlouKe
C<ym.mons Kept. Rae, par. 648-64; Simpson, 1283-4, 1635-44, 1C66-74, 1847-8;
Maynard, 445-6; Jilanshard, 6102, 5149-55; Ellice, 5834-67, 5906-33; Oh/m-
pia Cliih Convs., MS., 1-19; Langevin's Rept., 1; Coopers Maritime Matters.
MS., 3, 4; Tod's Hist. New Caledonia, MS., 21-2

CHAPTER XIII.

THE COLOlTi IF VANCOUVER ISLAND UNDER HUDSON'S BAY
COMPA>^i REGIME.

1849-1859.

pliosl'ectus and advertisement for colonists — qualmcatlons of thb
Company for Colonizing — Objections Raised — They were Fur-
traders- -And yet They HAD Ships and Money — The Puget Sound
Company would have a Share — No Easy Matter to Please All —
Land, One Pound an Acre — The Scheme a Foreordained Failurk
—Price of Land Too High — The Gold-fields of California Onb
Cause of the Failure — Vancouver Island in Parliament— The Earl
of Lincoln, Lord Elgin, and Mr Gladstone on the Situation— New
ArriTUDE OF the Hudson's Bay Company in Relation to the Natives.

Upon the signing of their grant, the company pub-
lished a prospectus, and advertised for colonists.^ In
the prospectus the price of land to settlers was fixed
at one p*)und an acre, and for every hundred acres
bought at this rate the purchaser was obliged to con-
vey at his own expense three families or six single
nu'ii."

The qualifications for the colonization of Vancouver
Island possessed by the adventurers of England over all
otlior persons or powers — if indeed they possessed any
such advantages as before intimated — may be briefly
suinniod up as follows : First, capital. Money was re-
quired from some source to convey colonists thither,

' This their enemies said was done more for display than with honest ;
tent. ]n any event, it would 1)0 a convenii'iit arguiiieiit to have at hand for
the purpose of proving at any time that the failure of the scheme was through
no fault of theirs.

^ ' It is needless to ofifer comment on these impolitic and suicidal regulations,
when at the same time both in Oregon and (.'alifornia, where gold was abundant,
land WHS puroliased at six sliillings per acre. Thr li.ct was, tlie Hudson's Bay
Company wanted to keep back emigration for tlie sake of the furs and other
jictty traffic with the natives; and so far as anti-civilizers tliey succeeded.'
ConiinallM' J^ew El Dorailo, 35. See also Finlnynon'M Hist. V. I., MS., 26;
Cooper, Afar. Maltem, MS., 3-4, calls the prospectus a mere sham.

<223)

224

UNDER HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY'S R^GIMK

i' 1

to protect them from the savages, and to provide
shelter and the means t)f subsistence until they should
be able to provide for themselves. This capital th.o
corporation had at its command, and were willing to
employ it for that purpose. It is true, the crown could
have su]iplied the means ; but if with relief from tlio
responsibility and care of the settlement, the expendi-
ture of public money might be avoided while the ob-
ject was attained, it was surely an argument in favor
of the persons willing to undertake the scheme on
.these terms. Second, organization. The Hudson's
Bay Company were there upon the ground with oiiu
of the most complete commercial systems in the world.
Third, experience. For more than a century and u
half they had occupied these northern realms. Tlu y
were familiar with the country adjacent and its
capabilities; with the natives, and how to control
them.^

On the other hand, it was claimed that the company
had been recreant in former trusts, that they had niixii-
aged their affairs so as to return to them the greatest
profit Avithout regard to their promises, and that tlie
additional power now given them was of a nature to
tempt their cupidity beyond the stretch of average
commercial integrity.

Already was their grasping, overreaching disposi-
tion manifest in putting forward a draft with scarcely
a binding provision in it, except that which made tlic
land their own. They were fur-traders, and fur-trad-
ing was directly opposed to colonization. They were
monopolists, and monopoly is but a species of tyr-
anny. It is to that very end that monopolies are

^ Mr Miirtin's line of argument in attempting to prove the suporior fitness
of tliu Jiu(ls()ii'.s Bay Company for this trust is unique. In the first jilacc, lie
(jiiotL's the money they iiad made, twenty niillions sterling, in somewhat less
tliau two eenturius, which pocket-stuffing lie calls enriching England. Tln'ii
liu quotes the Red River colony, which was not eondueted by the coiii]iiiny,
and wiiich was a failure, and the I'ugt't Sound Company, which was not tlu'
Hudson's Bay Conqiany, and also a failure. Next ho quotes what \Vill;cs
pays of the fort.s and fort life, missionaries, McLoui;lilin and l)ou>;las, tlif f:nni
at Fort Vancouvi-r, ralifornia horses, tlie Cowlitz farm, all interesting in tluir
way, but having little, t>u far aj I uau sue, tu do with the subiuct.

tyr-
are

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. Wi

made, that a few may reap advantage to the exclusion
of the many.

Further than this, by the terms of the grant as it
now stood, a premium was oifered to mismanagement
and raseaUty. There was probably never made so
iirational an agreement by an Englisli minister pro-
f(!ssiiijr to have his wits about hir-^* It was well
understood at that time that the company were op-
posed on general principles to have their business
l)r()ken in upon by settlers. The grant would enable
tlioiu to suppress settlement ad lihifinn. Again, the
government might buy the Island Ijack in five or ten
years, b^- refunding to the c()mj)any what had been
expended.

Now the company had at command ships, forts,
servants, and all the appliances of colonization. Any
business man will readily understand that the com})any
could make a feint of colonization, or begin settlement
in aj^parent good faith, to the best of their ability, and
in so doing, in transmitting passengers, and in pro-
viding for the wants of the colony, could easily cliarge
to account a hundred tln)usand pounds for that which
did not cost them twenty thousand pounds, and
whieli, indeed, would have cost the government under
its own management all that the company might so
oliarge. With shi])S of their own in regular com-
nuiiiication with England, and an abundance of land
at their contnd, the additional expenses of coloniza-
tion would be insignificant, and scarcely felt by them.
This NA'as the advantage the company had by being
on tlie ground with an old estahhslied business and
experienced servants. It is a well-known fact that
private individuals or corporations will do almost
anvtliinii- more economicallv than ])ublic officials. It
IS now a pretty generally settled princij)le that the

' Of Earl Grey's mismanagoineiit Mr FitzgeniM and others apeak in the
str.>ni,'cst terms. 'Tlie minister has {lulilicly ileclareil '.y this eiuichiet tliat
Ih: Is [Mw.sessed of no ihatinet guiding iK'inoiples in respeut to colonization.
I.<'t till' piildie judge whether sueii a minister is tit to preside over the viist
ti'liiiiKil intiM'ests (if tiiis empire.' Fitzjcnikl's V. I., 206-7
Hist Buit. Col. 15

I!-

226

UNDER HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY'S RfiGIME.

public is a thing to bo fleeced, and that no stain of
dishonor attaches to a wasteful expenditure of the
people's money; so that the company had but to
make a pretence of colonization, write down large
sums against the colonization account, and impose
upon the colonists until their situation should bo un-
endurable, and so force the government to take the
Island oft' their hands, and pay the money charged in
the account; most of which would be profit; the re-
mainder having been faithfully employed to the best
ability of the monopolists in retarding settlement.
Here was apparent the far-sighted wisdom of Earl
Grey/

There was yet another reason why the colonization
of Vancouver Island might perhaps be better per-
formed by other hands. The Puget Sound Agricul-
tural Company, though not identical with the Hudson's
Bay Company, was closely allied to it. The former
was simply a distinct association of some of the mem-
bers of the latter. The officers of the fur company
were the persons principally interested in the agricul-
tural company; the Puget Sound Company being
rather a farm than a colony. There remained only
the Red River settlement as a sample of fur-company
colonization, and this was a failure. Serious charges
were preferred by the settlers at Red River against
the governor and rule of the Hudson's Bay Company,
and the imperial government was begged to interfere.
The Hudson's Bay Company frankly admitted that
the Red River colonv was a failure, but claimed that
it was none of their doings, but the private scheme of
Lord Selkirk, and never should have been undertaken.
The colonists there were surrounded by a wilderness,

' 'There is strong reason to suspect,' says Fitzgerald, 'that the company
never did intend to colonize any part of their territories. They never pio-
posed to do so until it was inevitable that it must be done by some one ; and
their whole conduct suggests the idea of a desire to get possession of tlio
country only for the purpose of keeping others out. Driven out of this dcsigii
by public opinion, they have undertaken to colonize or to give back tlie
island to the crown, to be disposed of to those who will do so.' This was
written immediately after the grant was made.

A TRYING POSITION.

227

with difficult communication with the world without,
and little market for their produce. The colonization
of Vancouver Island would be a totally different
matter. Already there was no inconsiderable trade
between the Northwesc and Russian American coasts
and the islands of the South Sea and Asia. Moreover,
the lands of the Puget Sound Company, since the
treaty of 1846, were within the territory of the United
States. The affairs of the association were not in a
very flourishing condition. Now if with one stroke
they might dispose of their lands and improvements
at a good price to the United States, and at the same
tiuic secure a good footing in the most favorable part
of an island set apart for colonization, thus forcing
settlers, should any come, to subdue wild lands adja-
cent and beyond their limits, thus greatly enhancing
the value of their own, it might surely be a good thing.

It was a difficult undertaking, this of the fur-traders,
exceedingly difficult, at once to please England, to
please the settlers, and to please themselves. England
would wish to see this rock-bound, forested isle
speedily converted into fertile fields and flourishing
settlements, where her prolific poor might find happy
liomcs and her manufacturers good customers. The
settlers would like each the best and largest piece of
land upon the Island. If their farm was not upon the
main street of the metropolis it should be at least in
tlu' suburb. They should be furnished for little or
nothing with everything they required; they should
not bo expected to perform much labor, for they could
have lived at home if they had labored hard; the
cliiuato should not be allowed to breed diseases; the
land with slight tillage should yield abundantly, and
a ready market should be always at hand. As for the
company — those who had been lords of the wilderness,
Mould now be nothing less than dominators of the new
subjugation society. Again, while there were many
implied obligations which the company were expected

IN-

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mJ.i

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\^n

i;^i.'.

228

UNDER HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY'S RfelME.

faithfully to perform, the government did not hesitate
to impose duties which were not found written in the
grant. As a matter of course, the crown would ap-
point the governor. It had been stipulated that the
land should be sold at a fair price; but what would
be a fair price — a shilling an acre, or two guineas an
acre? The company made known their ideas, and then
it was that Earl Grey thought a pound an acre about
the right figure, though on what ground is not stated.
That would be assuredly cheap as compared with tlie
price of land in England, but it might be called dear
in a country where five bottles of rum would buy ;i
square mile. It might be thought high considering
its cost, which was simply the taking of it.

The fur-traders knew well enougli that this alone
was sufficient to kill the scheme. As they Avere now
situated, it really made little difference to tliciu
whether it should prove a success or a failure; but it'
the latter, it would be as well for the fault to lie at Lis
lordship's door as at their own. The company claimed
that the scheme, from the very nature of things, wus
a foreordained failure. It was a fine thing for tlio
government to throw the expense of settlement upon
them, but in due time they began to realize that tin y
never should have accepted the charge. There wi>ro
other restrictions imposed by Lord Grey equally
fatal to success. Not only was a colonist required ti>
purchase the land at a high price, but he was obliged
to create other colonists. To obtain a footing in A'nn-
couver Island, the emigrant must be comparatively
a rich man, and rich men preferred to remain in Eng-
land. Besides the heavy expense of bringing out him-
self and his family, if he had one, in order to obtain
a title to the waste lands of this far-away island, lie
must bring out other men or other families.^ Anotlier

" Fit^erald saya ' three families or six single men. ' Grant says five siiiiile
men, 'bemg at the rate of one man for every twenty acres; no single iinln iil-
uiil coming out was allowed to purchase more tlian twenty acres. ' J>eM-rip'
tio» V. A, in LondonOeoij. Sor,, Jour., xxvii. 272. Blanshard, in Hoitsf ('"in-
nums Reft., 287, says tliat live laborers nmst be brought out from Eiigl.nnl

i;m

'''it.

A POUND PER >CRE.

229

s( rlous drawback was the anomalous condition of polit-
ical affairs, engendered by impolitic admixtures of in-
terests, wherein the antagonisms of monopoly and free
legislation were constantly being brought face to face,
which will more fully appear as the history pro-
ceeds.

The charge of a pound an acre as the price of the
land, not to mention the condition coupled to it of re-
(|uiring the buyer of every one hundred acres to place
upon the Island five men or three families, was ab-
surd. In the fir.st place, the Island did not offer the
liucist attractions in the world as a place of settlement.
It was far removed from the mother country, and the
time and expense of reaching it were great. Though
no farther north than England, it was off the main
lines of circumnavigation. The surface was rocky,
and in places heavily wooded, there being compara-
tively little good agricultural land. The market for
produce was neither present nor secured. The pio-
netr would have difficulties enough to contend with.
Were the land given him together with a bonus of a
]i(iund an acre for preparing it for cultivation. Indeed,
iar better land at that very moment was being given
away in Oregon, where the climate was warmer, the
market nearer, and the government as free and as
ftivorable. Without impediment and without restric-
tion, upon exactly the same footing as a native of the
United States, by simply declaring his intentions of
becoming an American citizen, a subject of Great
l^ritain might settle upon any unoccupied lands soutli
t»f the 49th parallel. Instead of five hundred doUara

. il! .1

f(ir (vory one hundred acres purchased. ' For every one hundred acres thu
juiic li;mf r >v;is hound to import four persons.' C(Xi]iers M<n: Mutters, MS., 3.
A story is told of J. M. Swan, who, it is sai<l, on consulting with Douglas,
("Iville, and Kiulayson, in relatiou to tlic terms of settlement, w;is informe.l
tliut f(ir every twenty acres purclia.icd one male adult must settle on the
jji'iiiiiiil; to s^jcure one hundred acres, a man nmst have four male servants, or
tliitc niarriod couples. 'But ( have neither servants nor wives,' said Swan,
_' I'lirii ffut natives, ' was the reidy ; ' three Siwasli men and three Siwash women. '
'lliis report, tliough unreliahlo, was circulated south of the horder to the no
s nail .iiiuisemeut of those who wore securing their land without money and
itliiiMst without stipulation. Olytiqna Club Coiws., MS., 1-19.

H^n

230

UNDER HUDSON'S BAY COMP^VNY'S REGIME.

ill money, and the trouble of bringing six or more
j)erson8 to the coast for every hundred acres secured,
three hundred and twenty acres were given him, or
if he could boast a wife, to the two were donated
absolutely and for nothing the magnificent area of
six hundred and forty acres. Strong, hideed, must
be the patriotism of the pioneer to deny himself these
advantages in order to maintain allegiance to the
mother country/

Nine tenths of the pound per acre, it is true, went
to public improvements, and so added to the value of
the land; but seed, stock, and the implements of uiid
aids to husbandry are of far more importance to tlie
struggling frontiersman tlian government institutions.
Almost all the pioneering in the United States has
been done beyond the pale of government. It is true
that settlers upon the public domain of the United
States have suffered from outrages and lawlessness far
more than settlers upon British American soil; but
unlike the latter, the former while clearing their
lands and struggling for subsistence have not been
burdened in building institutions or supporting gov-
ernment.**

Failure to colonize, among other things, was charged
to the gold-fields of California. Finlayson, Anderson.
and others complain of the rush from the ranks of
both agriculturists and traders. Grant says, of four
hundred men brought out by the company during the;
first five years two fifths deserted, one fifth were sent

' Says Mr Ellicc, referring to Lord Oroy's restrictions: ' Any person acous-
tomeil to the settlement of land must know tliat if you take a pound frmn n
man who conies to settle in a wild country, you take from him all tho little
capitiil which he wants to estahlish himself on the land. The land is of no
value to anybody until it is cultivated.' Hoxise Commons Ji'ipt., 334.

" 'Of the money arising from the proceeds of the sales of that land, 1S,<. (»/.
in every pound sterling was to be applied to the benefit of the colony, mily
1a\ iid. iu tlie pound being reserved to the company to remunerate them, us it
were, for their undertaking the iigency of the disposal of tlie land. ColnnistH
were to be allowed to work any coal they might find, on paying to the conijiiiiiy
a duty of 2s. i5d. per ton, and a duty of lOd j)er load was to be paid on all
timljcr exported (front's Descrmt V. I., in Loud. Geog, Soc., Jour., xx\ii.
272-3. ' A settlor was restricto(l in various ways in his operations, wliicli also
tended to keep back tiie progress of the settlement.' Finhytioii'ii V- /■ '""'
Norlliwimt Coast, MS., 2C

EFFECT OF THE flOLD MINES.

231

I V.

to other posts, and the reiiuiiiKlcr were employed on
the Islaiid. Admitting this, uhich I do not doubt, 1
ciinnot regard the excuse as a vahd one. The omnipo-
tent magnet of the Sierra Foothills drew settlers from
Oregon, but in due time they returned, bringing with
tliem newly found friends. So would it have been
with regard to Vancouver Island, had general relations
there been happy. The love of nationality within the
bi'cast of an Englishman is strong and enduring, and
many, willing for a time to endure foreign rule, would
not for twice what they might make renounce their
native allegiance, or live long under any government
but their own. After the first flush of gold-gathering
liad passed it was supposed the mines were exhausted,
and when the miners v/ere returning to their homes
then, liad the attractiou^ been strong enough, many
wlio liad learned to h^ve the excitements of pioneering,
and who still would choose to remain British, woukl
have taken passage to Victoria with their little capital,
and there have made themselves homes; so that in
the end California would have proved a great gatherer
of settlers for Vancouver Island, as she did for other
parts of the north Pacific coast.

Several did go from California, and returned disap-
})ointed; among others a Mr Chancellor, sent by a com-
l)aiiy of Englishmen whom he left still digging while
awaiting his return. His report being unfavorable,
they abandoned the project which they had formed of
settling in the Island. It was as early as December
1^41), while the mines were flooded and mining was
regarded as an extremely hazardous business, that
J. A[, Swan visited Victoria and would have secured
plaees for himself and others as colonists had the terms
heen reijarded as favorable.''* Probablv Planshard
liimself did as much as any other one man in prevent-
ing; emigration from England, i'ov being dissatisfied

'Suo lllanshard, in Ifoiine Commons Rept., 289; Oli/iiqiin Chih Coiir^., MS.,
1 1'.'. ' I'liure are tlums.'UiU of iieoplu in the noigliborlKioil of Sail Francisco
iui I in California who wouM gladly jro to a IJritish colony, proviiluil it was
iiiiiK r a new administration.' L'oopvi; in lluu.se Conuiions Jtijit., 191.

m"'

T.2

UNDER HUDSON'S BAT COMl'ANYVS UtOIME.

M'itli liis r('C'(.'|)ti()n and trtuitment there, naturally his
rc'[)()rt8 and letters home were colored accordini^ly.

To sum up the case, we see that colonization under
the crown *^rant of Vancouver Island to the Hudson'js
Bay Conii>any was a failure. The causes, we have
likewise seen, were several. Stripped of tlic cant and
cunnino" in which legislators, fur-traders, and sottKr.s
alike inwrapju-d the subject, the naked truth pres(;nt,s
itself in the forms following. The primary object of
the imperial government was to save itself trouble
and ex})ense; the field was not sufficiently enticing t^
excite either the cupidity or the ambition of })oliticiaiis.
There were no spoils. While the settlers had abun-
dant cause of complaint, and as a class such p('o|i]e
complain with or without cause, the fur-traders de-
sired, first of all, to hold the country in their own
liands as hitherto. They preferred no colonization at
present. When it nmst C(nno they i)referrcd to con-
trol it. Could settlement be confined to the Island,
and the Mainland still be kept by them intact as a
game-preserve, it would make but little ditfercnce with
them; but they well knew that for many years the
Island would not support a large population, and when
once the limited agricultural fields were filled it would
speedily overflow on to the Mainland.

And almost innnediately the grant was made the
crown repented it. Before the end of the year Lord
Elgin had instituted further investigations into the
complaints made by the Red liiver settlers, to the
disparagement of the officers t)f the Hudson's I^ay
C*ompany; and on the Gth of February 184'J the
I'^arl of Lincoln asked in parliament that the new
charter or o'rant of Vancouver Island miijht be laid
on the table. The attorney-general and solicitor-gen-
eral were asked their opinion whether the company
could hold land at all as a crown grant.

In the house of connnons the 22d of Februaiy ^h'
Hume remarked, that since the occupation of Cali-

if''

( t u

CORPORATION COLON IZATION.

sss

fdtnia by the United States Vancouver Island liad
!)(•(•( )ine more valuable than ever, far too valuable
to Hiiit;' away on a fur company, which would do
imtliino.'"

In tli(! house of commons, the carl of Lincoln, on
the I'Jtli of June 1849, made a lenj^thy 8i)ee(;h which
showed that the hostility manifested from tlie first
toward the <^rant of Vancouver Island had in no wise
diminished. lie believed the measure a national dis-
a-iter, and tlu; j»arties to it culpable in a, hij^h deforce.
The course i)ursued bv the uovernnient was whollv
informal, and what was done should be revoked. Colo-
nization i)yal)sentee proprietary companies had always
proved a failure, and were likely always so to j)rove.
Witness the colonies of Virginia, Massachusetts, C^ar-
oliiia. South Australia, ana otliers. Penn, as a cor-
poration sole, managed well enough so long as he
was on the ground, but disaster followed closely (»n
Ills al)sence. The superintending power of colonies
sliould rest only in the imperial government. These
i'ur-traders were not only commercial monopolists.
l)ut in their transactions were despotic and secret, ai.d
therefore the very worst persons to whose care to in-
trust a tender infant colony.

Ill short, the legality of the powers of the fur com-
jiany in tlie matter of colonization occupied the atten-
tion of liritish statesmen during the greater part of
tlie Vi'ar 1849. The company presented no objections
to the fullest inquiry, though they took care that the
decision sliould be ultimately in their favor. In the
house of commons, the 5t]i of July, when the sub-
ject was again (){)ened for discussion, Mr (Gladstone
roniarked that for Sir John Pelly and other ofHcers
of tlie company he entertained the highest respect,
hut that he was opposed to the system as ap[)lied to
colonization. Again, on the 1st of August 1850,
Mr (iladstone demanded an inquiry into the riglits of
the eoinpany over its territory in America. And so

'"//<(;«(«/•</',■( Pail. Dtb., 3(1 ser. cii. 303, 704, 1169-71.

,.]f

234

IJNDER HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY'S REGIME.

: 1

B;^

'i,.

Matters •\vcnt on, the settlers complained, the states-
men talked, and the fur company ruled."

On the whole, affairs in Vancouver Island, under
fur-tradini*' colonization rule, and up to the time of
tlie fjold discovery, were managed about as miy-ht have
been expected. There were no flagrant oti'ences, no
outrag(H)Us wrongs, and there was much kindness and
humanity.

As a niattc>r of course, the settlers and the fur-
traders quarrelled. They had not been human, else.
The idea of vesting in a (;ommercial company supreme
power, makmg it lord of the soil and of the lives of
men, and then expecting free and intelligent subjects
of a liberal and enhghtened government to place their
neck;^ voluntarily under the yoke as colonists, would
never for a moment have been entertained by a wise
and thoughtful statesman.^"

The Hudson's }^ay Company were sound enough
and content enough throughout. Fur-trading was
their cliief object. They did not care to colonize,
unles.s then; was money in it. Whatever the result,
they knew as business men that tliey liad driven a
good bargain with tlie crown, and, notwithstanding the
assertions of Kdward Ellice to the contrary before tlie
seh'ct connnittee, whichever turn affairs took, they
could make it profitable.

Should colonization succeed, they would find tlnir
reward, as I have said, in bringing out settlers, in
furnishing tlu^ni su})plies, in securing the l)est lands,
and in develoj)ing the coal-nnnes. So far as the Island
alone was concerned, they could undoubtedly make
more out of it in this way than in holdmg it as a fut-
preserve. On the other hand, shoidd colonization fill,
they would not only have the country all (piietly to
themselves again, but they might c<tllect i'roni tln'

" /Arn.svovr.>i P<irl. D''h., 3(1 ser. ciii. .')40-94, cvii IXm-C^I; cxii. C).'!? S.
Mlr.'t' lli'(iint(i\ Ixxii. 274, •1\)\; Ixxiv ],")7, -77; PoIi/iic.ikui, v. 110; vi. l.'J.

'■' ' Most Kiiij;lisli jit,'(H)U; ((l)JL't't to liu iiiiiler any ^ovcrmiicnt cxrcpt llir
roal truii Britisli goveniiiieut. ' Cooper, iv lluum; Commonn li<i>t., 200.

crown wel
permit tin

True tc
patriotic, i
ilie usual
respectabl
fulfil theii
governmei

Xor wt

lllf.lt of S(

advantage
undoubted
there wen
.small soci
obnoxious,
and stir u
det'eiice, w
(•oiitin<xeiK
to treat al
s[)t'ctly be
tlu'ir o-ovt
tions, iind
all good n
The lot
liap[)y one
till' mo.st ]
fnini the \
privations.

As sett'
the lluds
their treat
iiioro stric
Tntil the
Hot consic
• itl'rnder;
liliMdy an
thill prev;

And he

TTTTTr

:he usual commercial policy.

235

Clown welliiigh wliatevur sum their conscionccs would
j)iii iiiit them to charge as expenses of the failure.

True to their principles, more Machiavellian than
patriotic, the company continued business much aftir
ilic usual way, and much a.^ most other shrewd and
respectable merchants would have done, careful to
fulfil their obligations, in the letter at least, to the
government and to settlers.

Xor were they specially tyrannical in their ;reat-
1111'. it of settlers, or disposed, as a rule, to take undue
iul vantage of their necessities. Their own interests
undoubtedly commanded the company's tirst attention;
tlicrc were individuals always to l)e found in new and
small societies who rendeied themselves })arti'-u]arly
ol)noxious, whose chief delight was to bri'cd trouble
iuid stir up strife, on whom the corporation, in self-
(Ict'ence, was obliged to lav its stronuf hands; but tliese
contingencies satisfied, the fur-traders were disposed
to treat all men justly and humanely, to walk circuni-
sixctly before the world, upholding the dignity of
tluir government, with all its time-honored institu-
tions, jHid commanding the respect and confidence of
all good men.

The lot of the settlers, however, was by no means a
liapiiy one. Obliged to pay a high price for land for
the most part difiicult of cult' /ation, and far removed
from tlie protection of the fort, they were exposed to
privations, disease, an;i dangers.

As settlers scattered themselves about the Island,
the Jludson's Bay Company felt obliged to modify
their treatment (jf the Indians. Not that tluy were
iiioro strict with them, but less so, more conciliatory
1 ntil the white p()i)ulation became stronger it was
Hot considered safe to arrest and })unisli a native
offender; else there would surely be retaliation, and a
liloody and disastrous state of things, aVin to that
till h ])rc!vailing over the United States border.

A nd here again the coiin>any dis[)layed their c<mpum-

•

UNDER HUDSON'S BAY COMP.^^YTS Ri;cJIME.

mate knowledge of Indian character, and their cdoI-
ness and discretion. The native offender was by no
means passed unnoticed, })ut instead of general butch-
ery the tribe was prevaih^d upon to send in the crimi-
nal, wlio would usually escape with a reprimand or
even after bt-ing won over as the white man's friend,
would carry home with him a present. This the ssct-
tlers called l)ribery, or premium on crime; yet the re-
sult shows the wisdom of the policy, for though tlic
nations of this region were- as tierce as any described
in all this history, tliere are no massacres or outrai^cs
to record. "Many sleepless nights have I spent,"
said Mr Douglas, "in my anxiety for the safety <>f
the colony."

Til is forbearing policy, whkh effectually dissipated
the clouds of contention which now and then menaced
the Island, was quite marked. For example, when in
the spring of 1853 a shepherd was killed by a native,
the captain of the Tltetw found tiie governor in no wisc^
dis[)osed to turn the ship's guns on innocent and guilty
alike.'^

In 185G an Indian v'lo fired at a white man evi-
dently with intent to kih, wounding the man, but not
mortalh', was tried by a jury, the governor acting ;is
judge, found guilty aikd hanged. The offender Wii>
apprehended by the assistance of a force sent froiu
tlie Trinmmalee.

Should the question be asked, whether on tlie
whole the Hudson's Bay Corapanj had been a blcs,-
ing or a curse to the country, the reply would depend
\\\)o\\ the view takt-ji. Undoubtedly the lives <>f the
natives have been prolonged l)y the guardianship -'iid
care of the compam'. The seeds of destruction Iwve
not been so rapidly sown by civilization. ThecoGiitn
has been kept loEbger a wilderness; develojttiunit Im^
been retaided.

If it is I
state as lo
forests an(
means of o
if it is be
white men
for fur-bea
.savages, tli
it is bette
struction, \
raent, rapii
word, to t]
ment, then

" 'Captain Ktrper, who was in commanfl, had to write sevpral letters Ih-
iore he uoulil priivail on Dougk« toaot.' Cooper, iaHouon Comimhis I{q>t., I''"'-

NOT OVER-ANXIOUS.

237

If it is better to keep the savages in their original
state as long as possible, to preserve for them their
forests and their game, to place in their hands the
means of obtaining food with greater ease and safety,
if it is better to keep back settlement, to keep out
white men, and use the domain only as a preserve
for fur-bearing animals, and as a hunting-ground for
savages, then the company has been a blessing. If
it is better to send the natives more swiftly to de-
struction, to let in upon them the dogs of develop-
ment, rapine, disease, and speedy extermination, in a
word, to throw open more rapidly the land to settle-
ment, then the monopolists have been a drawback.

CHAPTER XIV.

TWO ORIGINAL CHARACTERS.

Tns DocTon and the Divine— Robert J. Staines— A Man of Fuillp—
His Interview with the Kino of the Hawaiian Islands — The Mas-
Mistaken FOR THic Master— His Arrival at Victoria— Mud— Paiison
AND School-teacher— Mrs Staines a Most Estimable Lady— Quarrel
WITH THE Company— Joins the Settlers' Faction— He Citltivaiks
Swine — The Settlers Steal his Pigs— Hot Litigations— His .Sad
End — The Doctor Colonist — John Sebastian Helmcken — His I'liv-
siQCE and Character — Enters Politics — Accepts Office under the
Governor — Discovers his Mistake — And Becomes a Supporieu of
THE Monopolists.

While yet the colony was young, there appeared
upon the scene two men of marked individuahty, a
doctor and a divine. One undertook to cure men's
bodies, and the other their souls; both dealt in the
unseen and unknowable; hence, the ideas and ethics
of neither could be disputed. And each carried to
consistent conclusions, more nearly than is generally
the case, the tenor of his own teachings; for the di-
vine died, and so perhaps might see how much of all
he had been saying was true, while the doctor lived.

The name of the clergyman was Robert J. Staiin's;
he signed himself of Trinity Hall, Cambridge; and ho
came to the country in 1849, in the bark Columbia,
as chaplain for the company at Fort Victoria.

"He was a man full of frills," says Finlayson, who
endeavored to receive him politely and treat him
kindly, but whose patience was sorely tried by him.
He was insufferably conceited, without being at all
shallow-pated. He well knew the difference between
himself and the common human herd, and he was

(238)

determin

indeed, t

attemptii

name of

Barba]

glance, e^

homage.

touched I

the king,

his turgic

The kinij

Stames d

portunity

vatcs the

permit hi

was a po

he might

pride. H

of rcligior

and so pr

his Hawa

waited hi;

vesture of

he seized

warm, pal

:\rr 8tt

with him ;

to light

husband,

gether tin

te\'ieIiino[',

creator lia

at A'ictori

for the H

children.

"At thi
I''iiilayson
that evcrv
the mud

THE REVEREND STAINES.

239

determined that others should know it. He was not,
indeed, the first clergyman to make the mistake of
attempting to browbeat the company's officers in the
name of his master, and to his own discomfiture.

Barbarians, he thought, should know him at a
glance, even barbarian kings should delight to do him
homage. On the way out from London the ship
touched at the Hawaiian Islands, and Staines wrote
the king, intimating that he should be pleased to do
his turgid-blooded majesty the honor to call on him.
The king replied that he should be glad to see him.
Staines delighted in display, and here was a rare op-
portunity. Unfortunately that glitter which capti-
vates the barbaric mind, his profession would not
permit him to sport upon his own person. But there
was a poor fellow whom he called his servant, and
he might be made to bear the master's burden of
pride. Hence, arraying himself in the sombre robes
of religion, he illuminated his man in gorgeous livery,
and so presented himself in the royal apartments of
his Hawaiian majesty. On entering the room where
waited his visitor, the king's eye caught the dazzling
vesture of the attendant, and rushing past the master,
he seized the hand of the servant, and shook it with
warm, pathetic respect.

^Tr Staines was a married man, and his wife was
with him ; and however he may have felt culled upon
to light evil as found in fur-traders, he was a good
luisl)and, and j\Irs Staines stood true to him. To-
gether they labored, for they were both hard-workers,
teaeliing, preaching, and finishing genci-ally what their
creator had left undone in their little world. Togetlu'r
at A'ictoria they taught the first school in the colony,
for the Hudson's Bay servants were seldom without
chiklren.

".Vt this time there were no streets," continues Mr
Fiulayson; "th(> trafhc out up the thoroughfares so
that every one l^i'sd to wear sea-boots to wade through
the mud and miro. It was my duty to receive the

f: ill;

1 ■",:

r If

240

TWO ORIGINAL CHARACTERS.

clergyman, wliich I did, but felt ashamed to see tlio
lady come ashore. W*' had to lay planks through t\\o
nmd in order to get them safely to the fort. They
looked around wonderingly at the bare walls of the
building, and expressed deep surprise/ stating that tlio
company in England had told them this and that, and
had promised them such and such. At all events the
rooms were fitted up as best could be done. Mr Staines
had been guaranteed £340 a year for keeping a board-
ing-school, and £200 as chaplain. The services Mere
carried on in the mess-room of the fort, which was
made to serve for almost every purpose. Here also
was erected a temporary pulpit, and prayers were Iicld
every Sunday. At this time Staines purchased sonic
land on the same conditions as others. But he too
became much dissatisfied with things, with Douglas
and his administration as governor of the colony."-

Like many others with whom the company liad
to deal in those days, and by whom they Mere oftou
severely and unjustly censured, Mr Staines was
possessed of qualities more angular than aniia1)l(\
Undoubtedlv, he in his turn had much to trv his
patience; all pioneers have. He would not Mholly
ignore the powers of darkness, nor even attempt to
overcome them, but rather on occasion allied himself
with tliem, glad of assistance from any quarter.

He early quarrelled with the company, accusing
them of failure to keep their promises with him, more
particularly in the matter of prices of goods, which,
lie had been assured before leaving London, should l)e
furnished him at servants' rates, that is, at filly per
cent on cost, instead of which, he was in reality charged
in some instances two thousa,nd per cent profit.^ Hence
Mr Staines found it hard to ask a blessing on their

'Piously swearing at Finlayson in their hearts, as travellers sometimes
swear at a way-side innkeeper.

■' Fnd ■!/so,r.'> Hi./. V. /.,MS.

-3; Anclerfov'n Hist. NirrthtveU Coanf, MS.,

102: Coo/irr'n Mnr. Ma'terx, MS.. 8.

' For «'xani])le, fifty cents lor a salmon which the connAny would obtain
fr»in\ the Imliaiis for a pennywcrtli of trinkets out of tljcir shop. Cooi'i-r't
Mtv. Matters, MS., 8.

' ■ wn

THE CLERGYMAN'S PIGS.

241

mercenary souls; and although obliged to do so twice
or thrice every week, or forfeit his pay, inwardly he
cursed them. But to the company his blessing and
his curse were one. It was out of regard for jiublic
sentiment, to whicli even the most powerful monopoly
cannot aftbrd to be wholly indifferent, that the fur-
traders tolerated gospel ministers, rather than in the
expectation that the arm of omnipotence would be
through such means swayed more especially in their
interests.

At an early day Mr Staines joined the settlers'
faction, and waged open war upon the company, still
continuing, however, his heavenly ministrations. But
witli his own people he was not always at perfect
peace.

Tliough brought hither as a bird of paradise, his
plumage was never wholly unruffled. His learning,
acquired at Cambridge at no winall cost of time and
money, was given him in order that he might do
good. Now to the fur-traders ho had no dis[)()sition
to do good, but rather evil; the settlers were not
much better, but he must begin his work somewhere.
The savacjes neodkul cleansinu: within and witliout as
niurh as any, but that was not exactly in his line;
besides they were so like swine.

Ah! swine — pigs — pork. Here was an idea. There
was already a sutiicient number at work improving
the savages, and his own race was cultivated too
mucli already; every white man he met there carried
too keen an edge, so sharp, indeed, as to be dangerous.
Improved hogs might tend to nullify the eli'eet of
human greed.

80 the Reverend Staines affected swine. Throw-
ing to the winds all scruple, all the refined .sensibility
<»t' which he so lately made ]")arade, ho gathered from
every quarter the finest breed, and prided himself on
liis j)ig'4ory. He strove t<t interest ship-masters in
pork, and brougiit the sul)j'--ct to the attention of his
IKU'ishioners. Success crowocid hit* efi*)rts. In less

\ul 1

:i'.\'

llisi'. Beit. Coi.. 10

Ill

r,.

' i*,

TWO ORIGINAL CHARACTERS.

than two years the Island was well stocked with a fine
breed of pigs.

But as riches increased so also did the good man's
troubles. His swine would stray into by-ways and for-
bidden paths, and the settlers regarded their visits
with no inward displeasure. They rather liked the
parson's pork. As now and again a fat favorite dis-
appeared, the anger of the chaplain rose within him,
for he knew his pigs \^fere sure to come home unless
they were roasted.

Procuring from a neighboring justice a lettre de
cachet, he saddled his Rosinante, the beast on which
it was his custom to make his round of visits, and
sallied forth armed for the right. Not only would he
gather into the fold his stray pigs, but he would pun-
ish severely tliose whom he suspected of enticing them
from paths of rectitude. Endless litigation followed.
On one occasion the parson himself narrowly escaped
prosecution and imprisonment by an enraged parish-
ioner, whom he had accused of stealing his pigs.''

Finally matters with the settlers grow daily worse,
and it was resolved to send Mr Staines to England,
to remonstrate with imperial powers upon the injus-
tice of so tyrannical a rule. It was easier to obtain a
promise from the reverend gentleman to go than to
get him started. His habit of procrastination in this
instance cost him dear, not to mention the loss to the
colonists thereby.

The vessel which he was to have taken, and which
would have carried him safely to San Francisco, sailed
from Soke without him, as his pigs were not yet all
provided for. A lumber-laden craft, however, left the
same port shortly afterward, and on this Mr Staines
embarked. But scarcely had the ship left the strait,
when off Cape Flattery a storm struck her, throwing

* This character ia not in the least overdrawn. These facts and <ithcr»
for whicli I have not space were given me by FinlaysoD and Anderson, iunl I'ar-
t.icularly by Captain Cooper, who linew the eccentric parson well, having > urn-
mand of the ship which brouglit him to this country, and who lived near liini
on tcnns of iatiinacy during his stay in the island.

'' ' f}f

DEATH OF STAINES.

243

her on lier beam ends. Instantly she was water-
logged and at the mercy of the waves. Most of the
crew were at once swept overboard. Mr Staines, who
was below, cut his way through the side of the ship.
His cabin was flooded, and without was the wild waste
of tumultuous waters. And there the poor man re-
mained, between the lowering sky and the lowering
sea; there he remained till he died. So the only sur-
vivor of the wreck reported when rescued by a passing
ship, and then himself expired.

Thus much for the unfortunate divine; the doctor
is of quite another species. His name is John Sebas-
tian Helmcken, and he turns up first among the coal-
iiiiiiers at Fort Rupert in 1849. He differs fnmi his
friend the Reverend Staines in many respects; and
first of all he can in no sense be called divine, even by
the widest stretch of irony. He had not been long
upon the Island before he found his bread buttered
on the Hudson's Bay Company's side of the disputes
then raging, while Staines was the champion of the
independent settlers.

In body no less than in mind the doctor was one to
command attention. Short and slightly built, with a
huge head, always having on it a huge hat, balancing
itself upon his shoulders; with deep, clear, intelligent
eyes, in which there was self-confidence and critical
discrimination, but no malice; with a wide-spreading
and well-projecting mouth, holding in it the ever-
present cigar, and given to much laughter; with a
vind heart that gave the lie to many of his words and
actions — there has never been a man in British Co-
lumbia who, with an exterior so impenetrable by a
stranger, has for so many years maintained the respect
and confidence of the community, who has made more
friends, or performed more acts of unparaded charity,
than John Sebastian Helmcken. In more paths than
one — in the pursuit of politics and medicine, in the
pursuit of wealth, honor, and distinction — he won the
success he so richly deserved.

;ii

244

TWO ORIGINAL CHARACTERS.

At a very tender appo Ilelmekon had liarborcd in
liis breast political aspirations. In boyhood he had
thou<rht of himself as born to soniethinu:, and he liad
not lone: been anion<:f the savuGfes and miners of Fort
Kupert before he arrived at the conclusion that he
was born to rule. He was sure he could rule, for if
his subjects would not obey him he would punish
them with physic. In such society he surely mii^lit
aspire to shine as a great medicine; in a government
so Utopian as to have an office for every citizen, suruly
he might obtain one. Time with him was no object;
he had little to do; eight coal-miners thus far were all
who could be legally compelled to take his drugs, and
the natives had no confidence in him, preferring tlair
own physicians, whom they might righteously kill
when they failed to cure. He had time enough; ho
could attend to the affairs of her Majesty's govein-
ment in those parts as well as not, and he thought ho
should like to do it.

As Helmcken, unlike Staines, declined to leave tlie
Island under any consideration, as ho declined to <lio
in the service of his country or in any other service,
and as wc shall meet him occasionally in the course
of this narrative, it is not necessary for me to dispose
of him finally in this place. We shall see how ho be-
haves in office, for office he obtained — office, the delight
of his heart. The tidings of his first appointment
pleased him hugely. His commission came to him in
the form of a letter from the colonial governor, of
which he immediately broke the seal and read. It
was enough to win him to the cause of the corporation
I'or life. Here, indeed, was a new future opening up
to bin), M'ith endless and brilliant possibilities, the
thoughts of which engendered high aspirations, and
were attended with such thrilling satisfaction as those
oidy can appreciate who have themselves been thrown
U])()n the border-land of civilization, and have seen the
light of liberation thus breaking in upon them through
the wilderness. To one who has buried himself in a
iiLiW cuuatry, resolved there to remain, the devclop-

niont of]
developni
to him w
always tc
(if thousa
settlemeii
lost to tl
aiul to eti
Now, i
Vancouvc
sail of tlu
was not e
airinod hi

and more
What th(
was a <xn£
uii]ileasini
ing of ref
iiig the lo
aehitiving
or llabela
him, mak
^vhat lie 1
nieiit on V
Dew tune

All th
should ])
neither 1;
would br
^vith tho
conio. L
and adm
enough ;
or cured 1
patients 1

A shor
the colon
openly fr
f^itreet an^
And vola

JOHN SEBASTIAN.

24S

' )~\\'

■ j>

iiiont of liimsclf and his resources depending upon the
duvulopment of the country, it is a great satisfaction
to him when ho is first made aware tiiat he is not
ahviiys to remain buried. Thousands and hundreds
of thousands, during the pioneer periods of American
si'ttlement, have thus gone down into their graves,
lost to themselves and to their friends, lost to time
and to eternity.

Now, in the incipiency of colonial government on
Vancouver Island, Helnicken was the devoted parti-
san of the Hudson's Bay Company. And though he
was not exactly the kind of a man that they had im-
agined him to be, in reality ho was of nmch higher
and more lasting benefit to them than if he had been.
What they thought they wanted, and did not want,
was a gnarled knot of human nature of so coarse and
uiiploasing a texture as to be oppugnant to every feel-
ing of refinement, egotistical, boorish, never suspcct-
wj; the low order of his cunning, affecting irony, but
a('hii!ving only buffoonery, fit to wait on Aristophanes
or Rabelais though Juvenal or Lucian would none of
him, making up at table in wine and loud laughter
^vhat lie lacked in wit — such was the kind of instru-
ment on which the fur-traders would like to play their
new tune of colonization.

All the better was it for their purpose that he
should practice a profession, a business that was
neither law, divinity, nor commerce, but one which
would bring him in contact with people everywhere,
with those of both factions, when factions should
tome. Luckily for them, he had been taught to mix
and administer physic, in which he now succeeded well
enough; for, having no competitor, whether he killed
or cured his proceedings were deemed regular, and his
patients lived or died by the book.

A short time sufficed to show him that office under
the colonial ejovernor was not his element. ThoUi>-h
o{)enly friendly, the representatives of Fenchurch
street and of Downing street were secretly opposed.
And volatile as might be John Sebastian by nature,

:;■- i'

'!|

*>. #-

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^^ J%.

1.0

I.I

>.-;'
,-,,

:t I4£ 12.0

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1.25 1.4 II ,.6

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oy^ ->

Photographic

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14S80

(7!6) 872-4503

TWO ORIGINAL CDARACTBBa

he could not serve and satisfy these two masters.
Love, avarice, and ambition all beckoned him away
from imperial affairs, fleeting and fading as they were.
Therefore, as her majesty's presence on Vancouver
Island was at this appearing a somewhat shabby affair,
the little doctor returned to his original allegiance,
and soon turned himself out of office.

. It so happened, as we have seen, that both of these
men, the doctor and the divine, were brought hither
by the monopolv, whose servants they were; only the
clergyman would not wholly renounce his master in
heaven, would not at all renounce himself for them, he
who was inferior to no being of whatsoever caste or
calibre on this or any other planet. And so he went
his way, and was swallowed by great waves of ad-
versity. The doctor, on the other hand, after a brief
departure from the traditional paths of fur-trad ins,'
rectitude, returned to the easier pursuit, and to his
pursuit proved faithful to the end, receiving to wile
a governor's daughter, with all attendant honors and
emoluments.

CHAPTER XV.

SETTLEMENT OP VANCOUVER ISLAND.

1849-1857.
What ahk Settlers? — Not Fuk-tradeks — Nor Coal-miners — Nor yet

THK NOOTKA DiJ'LOMATISTS— ThE MAINLAND NOT INCLUDED IN THE COL-
ONIZATION Scheme — The Mormons Cast an Eye upon the Island —
Woman, Red and White— The Monopolists Seize McKkszik, Skin-
NKH, McAuLEY, AND Parsons— Bona Fide SErrLEKs Oblkied to Take
What They can Get— W. Colquhoun Orant — His Seitlkment at
(Soke Harbor — Lease to Thomas Monroe — CIrant Sells Soke to
the Muibs — James Cooper, Sailor, Trader, and Aoruilturist —
Builds One of the Many First Vessels — He Takes up Land at Met-
cuohin — Thomas Blenkhorn — The ' Harpihineu,' 'Norman Morrison,'
AND the 'Tor> ' Brino Settlers— The Town of Viciokia Laid out —
Wails from Fort Vhtoria — James Deans Akrives — Baillie and
Lanoford — Prouress of Settlement.

I'M I

The first white men in British Columbia were not
si'ttlors. To win the favor of the savages, and not to
exterminate them, was their object. In obtaining
tlie skins of fur-bearing beasts their profit lay; and
that this source of profit might continue, it was to
their interest, while drawing as largely from the for-
ests as possible, to preserve the country in a state of
nature, and nurse the game wlien it began to fail.
Thus the fur-traders were diametrically opposed to
settlement, as I have said before.

Nor could the coal-miner.s properly bo called set-
tlers. Their purpose was solely to disembowel the
earth of its wealth, not to colonize the country. It
is only when men appropriate to themselves a portion
of the soil with the view of subduing, improving, and
Iteruianently cultivating it for the benefit of themselves

(247)

ilTf I

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I I

SETTrjSMENT OF VANCOUVER ISL.\ND.

I!'?!

aiul their successors, that settlenieiit in the true siir
nificatioii ci the term be<Tin8.

There was thought of colonization at Nootka, hut
it was transient. Aator entei"tained visions of settle-
niont at the nioutli of the Columbia, keeping the sur-
rmncliiig country meanwhile as a hunting-ground,
Wyeth thought to settle, trade, and build a lity,
beginning operations by establishing Fort William (»u
Sauve Island. The originators of these and other
like schemes were doomed to disappointment. The
hour of permanent occupation had not yet conx'.
The opposers of settlement were too strt)ng for sucii
efforts. It was only when the stomach of the gnat
monopoly began to feel cravings for something elsu
than purely animal food, began to see profit in feed-
ing their fur-hunting brethren of Russian America,
that they allowed their hunting-fields to be in any
degree marred, and their servants to reclaim a few
fertile patches of ground for their own more propi r
feeding. Thus settlement was permitted to begin in
a small and primitive way in the vicinity of the mv-
eral forts, and by the French Canadian servants of
the company in the Willamette, Columbia, and Cow-
litz valleys.

Nor, from their own, and from a commercial staiid-
j)oint, were the fur-traders wrong in opposing to the
latest possible moment the inroads of agriculture ujion
their fur-bearing d(miain. Their protestations of in-
difference, in political circles, as to the progress <»f
settlement, their denials of harboring any desire to
retard the permanent occupation of the country^ nii;j,ht
bo taken at their worth. Years before the consumiiia-
tion of their fears they saw that their traffic on the
lower (\)lumbia, and south of it, was doomed. And
when finally by the infiux int(> Oregon of emigrants
from the United States they were driven back beyond
the 49th parallel, only what they had long known to
be the inevitable was upon them.

It will be remembered that with the removal of

head -qua
Muinlam
River, fi
aiul then
Caledoi'.i
the same
white nu
andria, s;
some tim
solemnly

As cai

Vaneouv
their obj(
ships of a
upward,
tioii whic
by connn
matters i
Loutjhliii
open adi
l)ctticoat
Loughliii
gc-lHiig t:
lor past
to his wi
times ov(

And a
this dar
lustre, af
monopol
love unsa
must nov
nubial pi
blood of
pent and
their day
wives slu

From

EUROPEAN MARITAL FASHIONS. 840

licad-quarters to Fort Victoria the transport for the
Mainland interior was estabhshcd by way of Frascr
Kiver, furs being brought on horses down to Hope,
aiitl thence by boat to Fort Victoria. Outfits for New
Caledonia and the other interior districts went out by
the same route. Yet in 1847 there was not a single
white man on the Fraser between Langley and Alex-
andria, save at the salmon fishery below Hope. For
some time yet the Mainland was destined to be kept
sulemnly aooriginal.

As early as 1845 the Mormons had their eyes on
Vancouver Island as a haven of rest, Nootka being
their objective point. Even before the homely hard-
ships of agricultural ventures, the Island began to look
upward, began to put off that conventional prostitu-
tion which had so long been pronounced respectable
by connnercial considerations, and to array marital
matters in the white robes of Christian purity. Mc-
Longhlin had been reviled by Beaver for living in
open adultery. Mrs Beaver would not permit her
jicttiooats to come in contact with those ' f Mrs Mc-
Loughlin for fear of defilement; so after soundly cud-
balling the clergyman for his impudence, to make up
ior past defects the chief factor had himself married
to his wife; was, in fact, married to her two or three
times over.

And as the light of parliament now dawned upon
this dark western wilderness with ever increasing
lustre, at the heels of many another oflScer of the fur
monopoly dangled the tawdry vestments of aboriginal
love unsanctified by any European formula. All this
must now be changed, and the Island must put on con-
nubial purity. Those who had incased the polluted
hlood of their offspring in dusky coverings must re-
Jtent and be baptized, then sit in social sackcloth all
tliL'ir days. But for those who had overcome, white
wives should be the reward.

From the Hawaiian Islands in 1848 came Mrs Gov-

1 '

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280

SETTLEMENT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

ington, of blood pure and etiolated skin, the aurora
borealis of feminity, who reigned resplendent for forty
years and more. Others from England followed ; there
were the Langfords, the Skinners, Mrs Staines, and
Mrs McKcnzie; and so aboriginul wife-taking went
out of fashion forever. Miss Burnie, Anderson's
wife's aunt, arrived from Scotland in 1851.^

Among the first acts of the company w^as to work
out for themselves a tract of land comprising ten
square miles' round Fort Victoria, and to have it sur-
veyed. The whole Island had been granted them, but
for purposes of sale and colonization. This ten-milo
tract they desired to reserve; this they would hold
and not sell.

Not that the company entertained the purpose of
paying at once into the colonial exchequer the pound
per acre to make good their title, unless it should bo-
come necessary for them to do so, and unless tlioy
should clearly see profit in it at that price. However
it should turn out in the end, they had the power at
this time to hold it, and to refuse to sell it at any
price;. And this they did. When Mr Blanshard
returned to England in 1851 there were two or three
of the company s former servants located within the
tract; not more.

Great indeed were the monopolists in whatsoever
direction greatness was the fashion; if in fur-trading',
half the world was too small for them; if in farming,
they would la the largest farmers in British Colum-
bia. All the Island and Mainland were theirs, and

I 'Rev Mr Staines, who was also school-master as well as chaplain ti) the
company, arrived at Fort Victoria from England about 1849, anil remained
until aliout 1853. Mrs Staines, his wife, was probably the first English laily
who landed on Vancouver Island.' Anderson's Jlint. yorthwett (.'ooft, MS.,
102. 'Mrs Covington, now in Victoria, was the first white lady horc' /ii«'
laysoii's IlinL, V. I., M.S., 96. Grant, Land. Geog. Sue, Jour., xxvii. 'JSl,
says that Mr and Mrs Staines were there in 1854. 'Mrs Annie Mtiir, wife
of John Muir of Soke, died Feb. 18, 187u, aged 73 years. She came to tliis
country in 1848, being the second white woman who landed in the province
of Hritish Columbia.' Olympia Transcript, March 6, 1875.

•Tliis according to Blanshard, /louse Commons Itepl., set. com., 1857, -"".
Grant including the Puget iSuund Company makes the quantity much larger.

THE PUrJET SOUND COMrANyS TRACTS

all the power; were they idiots that they shouhl not
have a door-yard to Victoria Harbor and fort? hy
no means.''' On the njoHt fertile six)ts the two great
toiiij)anies planted farms, one at Craigflower, one at
Lake Hill, and so on, and brought out men from
Eiii^lund to work tiiem. In 1853 the Puget Sound
Company had under cultivation and in charge of tliree
hailifls, twenty-five acres of their open j)atch of two
liuiulred acres lying bt^tween Victoria and Esquimalt.

Skinner's farm, McKenzie's farm at Craij^flower,
McAuley's farm, and Langford'w, were settlements
iiiiido under the auspices of the Puget Sound Com-
l»aiiy. I^arsons' bridge was built, and there a saw
and grist mill was erected for the company. Parsons
superintending the saw-mill part of the structure, and
(Jtorge ;\[cKenzie the grist-mill part.* The remains
of the mill were visible in 1878; bv the freshet of
18.')4-5 the wheel was washed out. and the j)roperty
was otherwise badly damaged. Two or three liunilics
l)(si(l( 's several single men lived at Parsons' Bridge.

And because the com})any was great, if for no other
reason, the settlers early threw themselves into an
attitude of antag(inism. They seemed to understand
hoia the first that they had the monopoly to figlit,
and if no wrongs had already been committed, they
would do battle for those which were sure sooner or
latn- to be perpetrated.

Their standard complaints were the original terms

' ' On my arrival in the Island all the land in the neighborliood of Victoria
ami Ks(iuiiiialt, whicli coiuprisud some 40 isi(uaru inileit, and contained nearly
all Uiu availalile land then known, was reserved by the Hudson's Bay and
I'liKit Sound companies.' Ormit, in Ao/«/. Oeoij. Soc, Jour., xxvii. 273.
Writing to Lonl (Jrey, the 15th of June 1850, Oovernor Blansliard says: 'The
Hinlsdii's B{iy Company have commenced a survey of the land reserved to
tliiiM.^ilves, which is hounded by a line drawn nearly tlue north from the head
"I Viitoria Harbour to a hill marked on the chart as Cedar Hill or Mount
l>ougl,is, and thence running due east to the Canal do Arro. The extent is
Mtiiiiiited at about ten miles square. A tract adjoining of similar extent is
lusi'ivcd for the Puget Sound Agricultural Association. . .This last contjiins
tilt! li;iiliour of Esquimalt. . .Tliere is no water near; the water required for
till' srrvaiits of the Hudson's Bay ('ompany is brought from a distance of two
iiiilos, and during summer and autumn they are kept on allowance as at sea.'
/'/■'/I -/,.(;•-/'» DeMjnteheM, 2.

* I>Mm' HtUlemeiU V. I., MS., 19; liril. Col. Sketches, MS., 25.

232

SETTLEMENT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

of colonization, tho grasping disposition of the ITud-
Bun's Bay and Pugct Sound companies in appropiiat-
ing all the best lands, tho foar of the Indians, the
ai)scnce of properly constituted courts, tho witlicriii;,'
inlluenco of monopoly on colonization, and the failure
to have been admitted into the Canadian reciprocity
treaty. These were the permanent troubles, besidrs
which was a multitude of near and transient woes
which well nigh overshadowed all tho rest. They ob-
jected to tho "truck system" as they stigmatized the
coni{)any's time-honored mode of barter; laborers or
any who had dealings with tho monopolists being
obliged to receive pay in goods in lieu of money,
and at whatever prices the company should choose
to fix.*

There was one vessel belonging to the company
which made voyages between Victoria and the lla-
Maiian Islands several times a year. This ship would
take freight from Victoria hence, but would not as
a rule bring goods for settlers from abroad to Vic-
toria. The open land was first appropriated, whore
neither milling nor shipping facilities were required,
this being less expensive to prepare for cultivation
than timber land. The open land was usually fert ilo,
and capable of producing fiom twenty-five to forty
bushels of wheat to the acre. Wheat was sown in
October, and among the best fields in 185G were Old
Bay Farm and the farm of Mr Ross. The price of
wheat depended on the will of the Hudson's Bay
Company. They might give for it a shilling a bushel,
or ten shillings if they pleased, or they might not take
it at all."

Tho first and only honajide settlement for several
years under the crown grant, and independent of the
Hudson's Bay Company, or not an offshoot from it,

»/)ea»w' Settlement, V. I., MS., 3.

• Mr Orogan asked what was done with the wheat in case tho company re-
fused to buy it. 'A great deal of it is in stacks to this day,' Mr Cooper replied,
' there being uo market for it.' House t'omtnoits liepl., 203.

GRANT AT SOKE HARBOR.

253

was made in 1849 by W. C. Grant.' Hearing of the
new colonization project, ho sold his commission as
captain in an English cavalry regiment, and fitting
out a small colony consisting of eight persons, ho
placed them with all his effects on board the ship
Ihivjtooner for "Vancouver Island, by way of Capo
IIoiii, coming out himself by way of Panamd. The
JIarjMoner arrived in Juno 1849," and the eight agri-
cultuiists and colonists with all their belongings were
brought wholly at Grant's expense. After a careful
exauiination of the country in the vicinity, he choso
what ho regarded as the most favorable spot avail-
al)lo, which was at Soke Harbor, at the head of Soke
Iiikt, distant from Fort Victoria, south-westerly, some
twenty miles.'

(jl lant would have preferred settling nearer the fort,
wliero his little colony would have been less isolated,
less open to attack from the savages, and nearer the
source of supplies; but by the outspreading of the

MV. Colqiihonn Grant was a captain of the Scots Greys, 2<1 Dragoon
Guards, niul lieutcnant-coloncI of Turkish cavalry contingent, IIo was a
man of no ordinary natural ability, to which were added high intellectual at-
taiiinuiits, as is clearly shown by a Description r>f Vancouver Inland, written
ill IN.V!, read before the London Geographical Society the 2'2d of Juno 18o7,
ami I'ri.itedin vol. xxvii. of the society's ./oHr/zfi/, 208-320. This article, which
is acuitinpanied by an excellent map, I have often had occasion to quote iu
tills liistory. As I have before remarked, it covers the whole Held of gent.'ra-
pliy, t:eology, ethnology, and natural history, with a masterly applicatic ii of
science to an entirely ucw domain. In describing a trip around the Island,
he gives particulars of the prominent features coming under his observation,
(iescriliing the harbors, their natural advantages, the amount of available
land, with statistics touching climate, resources, and coal and trado prospects,
aiuliiii account of the natives. This statement of Grant, printed by so re-
spectiililu a body as the Geographical Society, carried great weight in Ihigland,
and iiiliiienced in no small degree the subsequent investigations of parliament.

' I'iiilayson, Hist., V, I., MS., 48, says that the lirst colonists arrived iu
1851, hut he makes the statement erroneously from memory. (!rant makes it
indisputable when ho states, Loiul. Gco'j. Sor., Jour., xxvii. 273: 'In June
IM',1, tlio lirst batch of colonists under this system arrived, and they consisted
ofeiL^lit men brought out by myself; and friim that day to this' — lie was
wriiiiii; in 18o4 — 'not a single other independent colonist lina come out from
tlie iild country to settle iii the Island; all the other individuals who have
taken up land having been in the employ of the company, and brought out
to tin; country at its expense.'

"<!riiiit's distances were greater than those of later measurers. He says,
Limlmi Ueog. Soc, Jour., xxvii. 273, that 'Matchousin, distant eleven miles
tVoni \ietoria, was pointed out to me as the nearest unclaimed spot on w Inch
1 <"uid settle; not approving of which, as there was neither a harbour nor
uii.. power there, I was recommended to proceed to Soke, distant '2U miles.'

ill

MmT

l;bl

til

S64 SE'lTLEMENT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

Hkirts of tlio fur monopoly, and of those of its slsti r
association wliilom of Puget Sound, he was obliifcd
to betake himself to the wilderness beyond tlicir
sacred i)rccinct8.

Soke Harbor was large, larger than either Vieto. ia
or Es(juimalt harbor. It was well sheltered; and
though the entrance was intricate, vessels could wjii|»
in and out, or having a south-west wind they could
enter without difficulty.^" The soil was good, <';i|>ali]e
of producing anything grown in England or Scotljind,
and the aboriginal occupants, sixty male adults in
number, were peaceful. On the whole it was the best
he could do. Accordingly he selected there a tract of
land, built farm-houses and bam, and erected a saw-
mill at the mouth of a small stream flowin<x into the
harbor from the north-east. Thirty-five acres wrw
soon under cultivation, and a small stock of cattle,
horses, pigs, and poultry rejoiced over that act of tlio
British parliament which resulted in giving tlioni so
much to eat with so little effort in obtaininj; it.

There for two years resided the retired captain, a
solitary colonist; he who lately figured so ccmspicuously
in the drawing-room and on parade, now reduced to
the abject rulership in a solitary wilderness ot ei.;lit
farm-hands with their attendant pigs and poultiv.
"Being a patriotic Highlander," says Finlaysoii, "he
had formed the idea of establishing a Scotch colony,
and intended bringing out a Gaelic school-master and
a Scotch piper." Becoming tired of such a lite, in
1851 he leased his farm to some of his men, Tlionias
Munroe and others, and took his departure from tlie
Island. The laborers left to themselves speedily I'C-
came demoralized, so that returning after a time to
find his farm neglected, the land lying uncultivatrd,
and most of the property destroyed, the disgusted

"The ship Lord Wegtem, drawing nineteen feet of water, loa<led tliiTc in
the HUmmer of 1853, before Grant's article waa written. This vessel wm
wrecked shortly afterward at Achoaat a little north of Clayoquot.

THE MUIRS, MtKAY, AND ( OOPER.

("A

[>tain sold the establishment for what he could get,
and abandoned the country."

The purchasers of Grant's establishments at Soke
were tlio Muirs, Michel Muir being still there when
I visited Vancouver Island in 1878, at which time
tlie original sixty natives had been reduced by civili-
zjition, disease, and lum, to five."

During the summer of 1830, Joseph W. McKay
was ci>mmissi(med to explore that j)art of the island
lying between Victoria and the newly discovered coal-
mines at Nanaimo, with a view of opening the country
to settlers. Several tracts were designated; but if
the monopolists could not occupy a single point on
Island or Mamiand without the protection of i)alisadeM
and armed bastions, how was the solitarv aj^riculturist
t(» jilough his field and defend his family?

James Cooper," in 1851, brought out from England
in sections a small iron vessel, which, on arrival, he
put together in Victoria. Many call this the first
vessel in any manner constructed or launched from

"Siimiiel Hancock, Thirteen Years' Residence on the NortliiixHt Comit, MS.,
217-IH, who, liy stress of weather, wiis thrown upon Orant in hiit licrniitagu
lietiirt' Ills departure in 18r)l, reports him 'a. most generous gentleman....
having around him three or four scrvauts, and aniUHing himself as hest lie
c'oiilil.' In IS.'iO, besules Fort Victoria, there was but one small settlement
at Sckf. i/miMe Commons Rrjit. SeL Com., 1857, 204.

'■■'Sooke was the first place from which piles an<l spars were exported.
Sail I-'raiicisco, Shanghai, Australia, Hong Kong, Sandwich Islands, Soutli
Aiiifriiu, and England, were points of exportation.' Michel Muir, in Jiril.
Col. ,S'/-./.7,M, M.S., '24.

'^Mr Cooper entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1844,
as in.mttT in command of a vessel sailing between London and Fort Vancou-
ver. In 1840 lie was captain of the bark Coliimhiu. At the time 1 met him
in ISTiS, bo impressed me as a pleasant English gentlemen, with a mind more
than ordinarily suljject to the warp of fortune; ccmsistent in his dislikes,
wiiic li wiTe lasting, iiarboring from year to year his hatred of the Hudson's
Biiy C.iinpauy with tmwavering persistency. Ho soon left tlie service of ' . '
C(>in|iany and liecauie a settler on V'ancouver Island. V^isitiiig England in
16.')7 he gave evidence against the company )>efore the liouse of commons'
8tU(t committee. 'Notwithstanding over twenty-five years have passed,' he
saiil to me, 'aiul any harsh feeling on my part may fairly be consiilered to
havf vanished, I state with all candor that difTiculties experienced by myself
ill tlic early struggles of settlement in this country may bo attributed to the
iiiDnopdly and ailverse interests of the Hudson's Bay Company.' A plain
man. ( 'aptain Cooper tolil me a plain, unvarnished tale, but his amanuensis,
a Vdiing person of more pretensions than jiarts, so clouded it with high-sound-
iug wuriia as greatly to obscure the blunt old sailor's meaning.

15 '

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SETTLEMENT OF VAXCOl'VER ISLAXP.

the Island, but thoy f(>rf,'ot Nootka." Tt was emnloycd
durin*; tho Hoasoii of l.sj- in trade at Frosor Kiv( r,
whore the owner hou^^ht cranljerries and jiotatocs
f'ronj tho natives for the San Francisco market. Tliu
Indians gathered ci'auherries, which grew in lar;,'(!
quantities on the delta at tlie mouth of tho Fraser
Kiver, supplying the vessel at tho rate of sevcnt\-livo
cents a barrel. Those berries wore sold in San Fnin-
cisco at a dollar a gallon.

It was a now industry, and was not regarded with
any degree of favor by the Hudson's Bay Company,
which still held a license of exclusive trade with the
Indians on the Mainland. It is true that this license
referred more particularly to the peltry traffic, lait
the company wore jeuious of any interference in tliat
quarter, and threw every obstacle in the way of any
kind of commercial intercourse with the natives nf
the Mainland." Soon after Captain Cooper had oijcncd
this traffic, Douglas sent instructions to the officer iu
charge at Fort Langley, to buy all the cranberries tlits
Indians could gather, and pay such a price for thtiii
as would keep other traders away.

Cooper took up land at Metchosin, seven miles
from the fort, and became a settler under the crown
grant, being the first defection from the Hudson's
Bay Company's service in that direction. Ho fanned
three hundred acr , and called himself a colonist from

'♦ The owner, indeed, says it was tho firat on tho Pacific coast. Coofr's
Mar. MnltrrK, MS., .'5. l!ut we may surely count lialf a dozen l)i.foro tliis, its
at Neali Itay, Astoria, and clsewiiiTc on the Columbia, and on tho nortli tuast.
It is unsafe to call a thing first unless one is sure that nothing was hcfdic it,

" ' To show how entirely dependent settlers were upon the Hudson's) Buy
Company: I found it necessiiry to apply to tho company for tho puiehaso o!
haiTels, originally intended as salmon -iMirrcls, for tho purpose of holding llio
cranbciTios traded for on the Frascr Kiver. Should i fail to secure such bani'ls
the time, labor, and expense I had been put to, to collect such cargo, «i'ulil
be lost. 1 had no thought, however, that a refusal would be niailo, cdiisiilir-
ing that to speak within bounils, tho company ha<l at that time at \vnft a
thousand barrels on hand, the prime cost of which to them woulil not cer-
tainly exceed thirty cmts each. . . .No barrels could l>o bouglit elsewhcto —
1 tlierefore applied to the conijiany to sell nie one hundred IkxitcIs. . .wlu'n,
after much apparent ooncession, the favor was accorded to me of lieiug all""i'd
to purchase one hundred barrels at three dollars each cash.' Cooper':! M'lr.
MiUlcrs, MS., a-0.

GRANT AND BLENKIIORN.

257

1851 to 1857, by which latter date lio had arrived at
tho conclusion that the term si'^iiifiod Httlo. lligii as
ran his expectations, ho was aootnod to disappoint-
ment as an agriculturist. Unhko Grant, he did
not run away and rail, but railed and remained, and
when last I saw him was still reviling the monopolists
who had tricked him in the cranberry trade, and had,
by their baneful breath, stifled his attempts at Met-
chosin,"

Cooper's partner at Mctchosin an well aa ,* the
Frascr Delta was Thomas Blenkhorn, pronoun*. «. J by
Fitzwilliam before the select committee to bo one
of the most energetic settlers on the Islp •• . Before
ooniing hither he had been up and down the v.-orld
soiiio\. i ci , had lived some timn in Australia, posto "sed
" mind of wide Ainge, and well tried by o\|)OTicncc.
iilcnkhorn also carried on a lumoer trade with San
Francisco, and was in most ways an cstimal)le man.

I^csidcs Grant's agriculturists, the Ilarpooner,
which arrived in June 1849, brought out eight coal-
ininers to work the company's property at Foit
Rupert. There were also on board two laborers for
the fort farm. In 1850 the bark Norman Morrison
arrived, bringing eighty immigrants; in June 1851,
the Tor}/ came into port with one hundred and twenty
hired laborers, about one quarter of whom, with some
coal mining machinery the vessel brought, wore sent
to Fort Kupert." The Tonj returned by way of
Honolulu and Shanghai, carrj'ing tea to England.

^Ir Blanshard, the first governor, states that when

'"After Grant cameCooper/ says Finlnyson. Ifisl., r./.,MS., 48. 'Hetoo
liail 8,'iiiguino liopes. . .These two settlers wlio might 1)0 saitl to have coniplieil
vhh tiic lirst conditions, spent all their means, and the venture provcil rii-
tircly unsuccessful.' See also Cooper, in I louse CommoiiK ni'pl. »<'L com. II. II,
Afmri>, 18.'>7, 190. Fitzwilliam, in ib., 119, states tliat he purchased the laud
from tlio Hudson's IJay Company.

'' ' Some have already been sent to Oreaon, rnd some to other posts of the
company. No preparation had been maJo heri !or tiieir reception, beyoml
ircctin^ a couple of log-houses, or rather sheds. In these the remainder aro
ImdJlcd togetlier like cattle, as I have seen myself, to tlio uu'<ibei- of thirty
or thirty-five in each shed, men and women, married and single, without any
ItiuJ uf screen or partition to separate them.' Ulaiishard's XJespcUchtii, 12.
Hin. Dnrr. Col. 17

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SETTLEMENT OF VANC0U\1;R ISLAND.

he returnod to England in 1851, besides the officers
and servants of the Hudson's Bay Company, there
were about thirty settlers on tlie Island. Of thcsf,
some had formerly been in the service of the com-
pany, but had withdrawn their connection, bouj^lit
land, and had become agriculturists or stock-raisers.
James Deans says that in 1852 there were in the
vicinity of Fort Victoria but seven independent set-
tlers, three of whom had formerly been in the coni-
I)any's service."

The town of Victoria was laid out in streets in
1852, the western boundary being the harbor, tlw
eastern, the present Government street, the soutluMn
the fort, and the northern, the present Johnston
street.^^ Two trails led from the fort; one to tlie
Songhies' camp, and on to McAuley Point, and
through McKenzie Plains to Craigllower and Colwood,
the other connecting with the town and also with Col-
wood, but passing round the north sides of Victoria
and Esquhnalt arms, and crossing the former at Qua-
massin, that is to say, Seatangle, at the present bridge.
When James Deans arrived, early the following yvnv,
where the city now stands was thick brush, with
intervening cultivated patches, l^esides the fort there
were but twelve houses within the [)resent city limits.

Again, on the 16th of January, 1853, appeared the
Norman Morrison, with two hundred additional colo-
nists, who had engaged themselves to the company for
five years, the reward for such service being land to
the regal extent of twenty-five acres to laborers, anil
fifty acres to tradesmen, payable at the expiration ot
the term. It was a noble enterpri.se, well worthy the

'* Their names were James Yates, James Cooijcr, R. Anderson, K. Scdtt,
James M. Reid, W. Tlioinp.snn, and (leorge I)c<ius. Deniii' Si'UL'itioit, \ ■ /.,
M.S., 4. See also Brit. CdI. Ski'tchfn, M.S., 2. Bu8ide.4 thealxne, we lliid .sIl ' '
to a settlers' petition to (lovernor tilanshard tlie names of the Muirs, at Soki.',
Miehel, Archibalil, Andrew, Robert, and John, senior end junior; Tlii'iiiiw
Blcnkhorn, Metchosin; Thomas Miinroe, James Saiin-fter, R. J. Stalnrs,
William Fra,ser, John Mdrregor, and William MeDonalil. In his estiniatr nf
tliirty, Rlanshanl was as usual vague and undecided, though there may h.ive
been laborers enough to make up the number.

^"^ F'.idaygoii'a LMera, MS., 18th Oct. 1879.

conccptio
of parliai
ling the
should ta
which th(
Amonf
tioncd, wJ

i/'Kin (/(• Fun

service m
farm at C
serving tl
Hill static
T. F. ]\
in compa:
Island, w

JAMES DEANS. 859

conception of honest merchants and the management
of parliament, this seizing lands without pay, expel-
ling the natives, then putting men to subdue it who
should take as pay an infinitesimal part of the land
which their own hands had made of value.

Among these arrivals was James Deans, before men-
tioned, who came out as laborer, and after a few weeks'

j'Hin (((■ /■'lieu atr.'y

South End op Vancouver Island, 1853.

service in th 3 company's store was set to work on their
farm at Craigflower, where he remained half his term,
serving the remainder among the sheep at the Lake
Hill station.

T. F. McElroy visiting Victoria in September 1853
in company with Captain Reid and daughter, of the
Island, was met on landing by Andrew Muir, who

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SETTLEMENT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

in ^ 'J ■

introduced him to Mr Fiiilayson and William Atkin-
Hon, after which he proceeded to Esquimalt, where
the United States surveying steamer Active, Captain
Alden, was anchored. ^IcElroy states that Janus
C/Oopor was residing there at the time, though Michel
Muir affirms that there were no settlers at Esquimalt
in 1855, and that the first houses were built where the
navy-yard was subsequently placed. McElroy, an
American, was delighted with Staines, who scour|i;t d
his own countrymen more thoroughly than any I'or-
cigner could have done. Next, the colonial acadeniy,
conducted by Robert Barr, was visited; af'terwiud
Thomas Baillic, whose residence was five miles fnjia
the fort.

At the end of 1853, besides the 17,000 natives™
there were on the Island, men, women, and children,
white and mixed, 450 persona, 300 of whom were at
and between Victoria and Soke, 125 at Xanaimo, and
the rest at Fort Rupert. Up to this time, in all, 19,807
acres and 16 perches of land had been a]ii»lie(1 for
under the grant, 10,172 acres being claimed by tlio
Hudson's Bay Company, 2,374 acres by the Puntt
Sound Company, and the remainder by private; |u r-
sons.*^ At first a deposit of only one dollar an aero
was required from purchasers, but that system was
soon abolished, and settlers were required to pay tlx;
full price of the land, one pound per acre, btluro
occupying. At the beginning of 1854 not more than
500 acres in all were under cultivation; and of tliis
all but 30 acres at Soke and 10 acres at Metchosin
was worked by the monopolists." Three miU'S distant
from the fort, Baillie farmed for the Hudson's J Jay
Company, while the lands of the Puget Sound Cuin-

"A(loi»ting Grant's estimate. See also RaUrmjH V. I., 8.

'■" iSixtuon settlers occupied l.COti acres, two rooda, ami sixteen jirrclic'i;
5)73 unoccupied acres were claimed by ab.senteus. ' Altoi^ollior,' says (iiint,
' including tlio fur aud farming numopoliKts, there aro Ti.'} difl'orent elaiiii iiilij
of land, aiMMit 30 of whom may be said to be bona jii/e, occupying uml i"i-
proviiii; tliuir laud.'

''This is ( I rant's atat«ment, and reduces to iuaiguitiuauco the cfi'urU of
Coopjr witli hia 30J acres claimed.

pany wei
])any had
in 1858 >

Langf(
ford Lai
Avhilom I
to enlist
son's Ba^
some kir
money or
such thin
lor them
his infinil
Puget Sc
huts of o;
the other

A peti
house of
Jojni Pa
signed by
his place
taincd no
jiart of
Alter re
stated til
about to
was held,
tarded pr
liauient 1
whether
Island w
intention
fi inn of g
^Ir Peel
terminate
remove i

"SoCapt
^/'"V/i, 18o7
intntcii but 1

CAPTAIN LANGFORD.

261

pany were worked under four bailiffs. The fur com-
pany had upon the Island 2,000 sheep, 1,700 of which
in 1858 were at Lake Hill farm.^

Langford, after whom Langford Plains and Lang-
ford Lake were named, was a Kentish farmer and
whilom English army officer, who had been induced
to enlist as he supposed in the service of the Hud-
son's Bay Company, which treated its servants with
some kind of decency, and besides was reliable in
money or rather trafficking matters, for there was no
such thing there as money. He was to open a farm
lor them on Vancouver Island;" but on arrival, to
liis infinite disgust, he found himself a servant of the
Pugct Sound Company, and for his quarters two log-
huts of one room each, one for himself and family, and
the other for his men.

A petition from the settlers was presented in the
house of commons, the 9th of March 1854, by Sir
John Packington, who stated that the same was
signed by residents of the Island, each of whom gave
his place of abode and professioa, and that he enter-
tained no doubt that it had issued from the greater
part of the respectable inhabitants of the Island.
Alter reciting the contents of the petition, which
stated that the five-years' grant to the fur-traders was
ahout to expire, that the high price at which land
was held, and the unsettled form of government, re-
tarded progress, and which concluded by praying par-
lianient to provide a remedy, Mr Packington asked
whether the connection of the company with the
Island was about to cease, and whether it was the
intention of her Majesty's ministers to establish a new
form of government for Vancouver Island. To this
^Ir Peel replied that the connection was not about to
terminate, and that the government had no power to
remove the company unless it could be shown that

''Dmm' SeUlerMvt, V. I., MS., 24.

" .So Captain Langford asserted, Ihute Commoi^ Rept. set. com. II. B. Co.
Ajhtirs, 18o7, 296-7; l>ut it would seem that such stupidity on his part
iiiciitud but little better treatment than ho received.

H it

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ill

908 SETTLEMKNT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

no settlement was establislicd on the Island, wliicli
h}'pothesis the petition itself disproved. The com-
pany were simply proprietors of the Island in ^''Ust
for the settlers, and there need not necessarily be any
connection between the company and the governor of
the Island. It was true that the commission of gov-
ernor was now held by an agent of the company, hut
it was open to the imperial government to appoint an
officer independent of the company, at any time thiy
should so please.

Earl Fitzwilliam urged the same measure in tlio
house of lords on the !2th of June. The Duke of
Newcastle said that the government would bear it iu
mind, and advanced the now somewhat stale arL,ni-
ment that it was the gold excitement iu California
which had prevented speedier settlement; and so tin;
petition was laid on the table.

CHAPTER XVI.

GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.

1850-1852.

James Douot^s Nominated bt Sir Jouk Pellt for Governor — Earl Gret
Refuses to Appoint Him — Ricuard Blanshard Chosen — His Arrival

AT ViCTORLA — ReaDS HIS COMMISSION — VISITS FoRT RuPERT — RELATIVE

Attitudes of tuk Governor and the Fur Company — Rcler of the
Queen's Wilderness— Settlers and Subjects— No Material for a
Council — Nomination of Council Postponed — John Sebastian
Helmcken Appointed Magistrate at Fort Ripert— The Murdered
Deserters— Character of Blanshard— His Unpleasant Position —
Heavy Expenses and Il:,-health— What the Settlers Think of it —
Blanshard Appoints a Council, Resigns, Shakes the Dust from his
Feet, and Departs from tub Island — James Douglas Appointed
Governor.

While yet the granting of Vancouver Island to the
Hudson's Bay Company for the purposes of coloniza-
tion was in progress, six months and more prior to the
consummation of the act, the draft of a governor's
commission with instructions was made out, the only
things lacking for a fresh departure in the much-loved
lin«^ of domineering being a governor and a govern-

Ollt.

In a letter to Sir John Pelly, doted the 31st of
July 1848, Earl Grey intimated th.".t the chief officer
of the Hudson's Bay Company might now, were he so
disposed, express his opinion as to the proper jiersou
to he rcconmiended for the office of governor which was
Ills privilege under the grant. Sir John did not hcsi-
tcito to avail himself of his lordshii)'s permission, and
nominated for that office James Douglas, whose name
u[)pcared in a late report among certain papers laid

(3C3I

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864

GOVEIINMENT ESTABLISHED.

before parliament, relative to the Island. The reasons
jifiven by Peily for noniinatinj^ Douglas were that lii'
was a man of property, a chief factor of the fur com-
pany, and a member of the board at Fort Vancouver
for the management of the company's affairs west of
tlie Rocky Mountains, This appointment Sir Jolm
did not intend should be permanent, but merely an
expedient to bridge the time until the colony couid
afford to pay a governor not connected with the com-
pany. Meanwhile the writer availed lumself of the
opportunity to submit to his lordship the nami-s of
certain persons qualified to hold commissions of tlie
peace under act 1 and 2 George IV., cap. GG. His
list comprised about all the officers of the company
there at that time.'

In reply to this letter, Earl Grey saw no objection
to the appointment of a chief factor of the company
to act as governor as a temporary arrangement, al-
though he apprehended that the issuing of a teiu-
]>orary commission would be attended with additional
expense.

This idea of Earl Grey, like others of colonization
conceptions, was, to say the least, singular. A nuui
upon the ground, with no additional expenses, no es-
tablishment to keep up, would, according to his economy,
cost more than would suffice to send out and sup])ort
one specially appointed for that purpose. And if there
should be additional expense, it would not fall upon
the crown, but upon the fur company. The fact is,
Earl Grey never for a moment intended that Douglas
should then be made governor. He had other ends
in view. It suited his purpose, however, to give this
answer. As regarded the names proposed for com-
missions of the peace, he had no objections to them,
and promist;d to take the necessary steps for their ap-
pointment.

' Their names were A. C. Anderson, John Tod, W. F. Tolmie, John Work,
James Douclas, R. J. Staines, P. S. Ogden, A. McKinlay, J. M. Yale. Rielianl
(irant, Douaid Mansou, G. T. Allan, John Kennodj', and Dugald McTavisli.

niii^'ht.

liiiving

RICHARD BLANSHARU.

966

It was a most politic provision on the part of the
t'oinpany, their ri^flit under the new charter or grant
to nominate the governor, leaving it with the imperial
Li'Ncrnnient only to accept or to rt^ect their choice.
Xaturally the first consideration in such selection was
a willing instrument, not too wise, nor yet wholly a
tool, for souie fools are exceedingly stubborn.

Earl (irey certainly did well to decline Douglas; it
u'ould have been a most impolitic mea.sure, and one
by means of which his enemies might have made him
iiiuch trouble. What then should be the next move?
The earl at lengtli intimated to his friends of Fen-
cliurch street that, as there were many members of
j)arliament opposed to the grant, and who would do
all in their power to frustrate the harmonious work-
iii<;s of colonial affairs under the fur company, it might
1)0 as well in this instance for the crown to nominate
as Well as to appoint; at all events, the company would
lose nothing in the end by waiving their right under
tlic grant, in this first instance.

The fur magnates expressed their unbounded confi-
dence in the good judgment and fair intention of their
noble friend of the government office, as well they
might. If they could not have Douglas, if some noodle
was required for a figure-head — for they knew that
no very able or sensible man would assume the offive
uiulor the circumstances— they could easily, even under
the cloak of courteous consideration, make it so uncom-
i'ortiible fer him that he would not long remain. 80,
when the name of Richard Blanshard was suggested
by Earl Grey, never having heard ill of him, never
having heard of him at all, Sir John Pelly offered
no ol)jection. The friends of his lordship's friends
knew him, and thai was sufficient.

In his subsequent intercourse with the fur-traders,
Blansiiard was very precise on this point; he gave
them constantly to understand that he did not belong
to them, but to England. To her majesty alone he
owed his appointment, and to her he should do his

i('.|;
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i ,-.;»i <l

'!li^

I f

see

GOVEllNMENT ESTABUSHED.

duty. His relations with the fur company differed in
no wise t'rom his relations with any other inliahitants
of the Inland ; he had no special relations with thoui.

Governor Blanshard arrived at Victoria on the 10th
of ^March 1850. Frt)ni Panainil, tlie Decemhtr \)iv-
vious, he had written Earl Grey of his arrival at that
port, of the non-appearance of Admiral Hornhy, com-
mander of the Pacific squadron, and of the absence
of any means of conveyance in his long coastwiso
jvturney. And now having reached hisdestinatifjn, ]h)
might as well have never come. Except the pali.stukd
K(iuare, which shut out more welcome than it enclosid,
there was little to govern but seals and savages,
abundantly able these many centuries to manage their
affairs without the aid of her majesty's deputy.

But faithful to his trust, Blanshard would do what
he could. He had been sent thither to rule, and the
rocks and the sea or w^hatsoever had ears should hear
from him.

Landing, he read his commission and proclamation.
And that he might not be wholly dependent ujiou the
almost tenantless isle for an audience, he begged Joliii-
son, captain of the government vessel Driver, which
had carried him tlicre, to listen to him. The captain
kindly consented; likewise Gordon of the CorDwratit,
with his officers in full uniform; the officers and ser-
vants of the Hudson's Bay Company also lent their
presence. The reading was in the mess-hall of tlie
fort; and the sterile ceremony over, those present gave
three cheers. The newly installed governor of this
wilderness then returned to the vessel, there being no
government house, inn, or other lodgings upon the
land to receive him. Douglas was on the ground,
ready to nullify with his superior powers any unfiivor-
able influence arising from the antagonism of Lord
(xrey's governor.

For some time thereafter the government hoaeh
quarters of Vancouver Island were migratory. B( ing

A FLOATING GOVERNMENT.

267

(HI board the Driver, wherever that vessel went the
government was obliged to go. The Driver set out
to coast the Island, to visit Fort Rupert and many
other points of interest. Thereupon the government
concluded that its first duty was to survey its domain
and minister to the benighted of distant parts accord-
ing to their new necessities. At Beaver Harbor the
governor looked into the working of coal, which was
then attracting the attention of the Hudson's Bay
Company, but ho seems to have entertained no very
high opinion as to the quantity or quality. He insti-
tuted a searching examination into the condition and
wants of his subjects at this point, who, besides the
savages and the eight miners, consisted of the oddity
doctor and the mine-manager. Then he returned to
his capital. And yet he was not happy.

Blanshard was to serve without pay. Had Doug-
las been confirmed, no expense would have been laid
on the government; and this was used as an argu-
ment why another should so serve. This of itself
shows that neither Blanshard nor any one else enter-
tained a very high opinion of Blanshard's worth, else he
would never have been asked to serve his country for
nothing, or if so askcJ ho would certainly have de-
thned. A thousand acres of land had been promised
him before leaving London, which promise the com-
pany construed into the use of a thousand acres, and
not a full title in fee-simple. Now we all of us know of
what value the use of a tract of wild land in a far-off
out-of-the-way region might be to a penniless poli-
tician, and who would be eventually the gainer were
lie (SO foolish as to attempt to improve such land.
Such recompense was worse than no pay at all.

His peregrinations over, the governor deigned to
accept a bunk in the fort while a small house, offices,
and garden were being prepared for him outside the
pahsades.^ Then he desired to know where were his

' ' Tho piece of ground whereon now stand the buildings known as the
Bank of Britiali North America, Barnard's Express office, the Adclphi saloon,

i 1

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S68

GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.

thousjind acres of land; whereupon a rocky eminence'
two or tlireo miles away was pointed out to him, whnt;
a traet had been set aiJai-t for government use in tlmt
vicinity where the governnent house now stands.
Thousands of pounds would be necessary to make tlic
place respectably habitable, and it was no wonder tlic
governor's heart should quail, or that a huge disgust
should tak(? possession of him.

In April 1851, the governor was notified by the
luiuuigers of the Hudson's Bay and Puget Sound
companies, that they were about to occupy some laiul
on the Island, and that the sum of four thousand
pounds sterling was to be expended on public build-
ings under the governor's direction, but subject to the
a[)proval of the monopoly management. The build-
ings were to be erected near the fort. "Unless the
colony is intended to bo merely an enlarged depot ot
the Hudson's Bay Company," writes the governor,
"which I do not conceive was the intention of her
majesty's government in making the grant of the
Island, it will be a waste of public money toexj)en(l it
in the way they indicate, as the buildings will then
be surrounded by their reserves, which they are neither
prepared to use nor sell,"

The governor recognized no relation to the Hud-
son's Bay Company other than that usually existiiii^
between ruler and subject. That the company held
the contract for colonization, together with a monopoly
of the soil, was nothing to him politically. It might
affect appointments and freedom of legislation, but it
could not change the natural attitudes of crown gvjv-
ernor, crown colony, and fur corporation.

On the other hand, the company cared nothing for
the governor. As their noble friend Lord Grey had
taken the trouble to appoint him, and the appointee

and the Cohnutt oflBce became the site of the government Iniilding.s. 'J'lio
well in front of the Colonist office is still known as Governor Blanshard'H well,
having been dug for hia excellency's accommodation. Brit. Colonist, Aug. ^,
1877.

THAT THOUSAND ACRES. S80

had taken the trouble to come so far over the two
^rcat oceans, they would treat him politely, that is if
ho would be humble and behave himself; but as for
his governing them, that was simply ridiculous. He
iniglit issue all the mandates he pleased, but he would
give little force to his authority without appeal to the
chief factor, to Douglas, to the very man who had
opposed him for the office, and who even now was in
fact, if not in name, governor of the Island.

Great indeed must have been his desire of ruling
tliis wild island of the north-west when he was willing
to accept the commission as governor, without salary,
and pay his own expenses. True, there was the prom-
ise <jf Sir John Pelly, of a thousand acres of land,
such as he should anywhere select. This, at a pound
a'> acre, was a thousand pounds to begin with, and
\vh n settlers should flock thither, as he was sure they
wouk!, and a civil list should bo formed, and fat colo-
nial revenue should roll in from land sales and royal-
ties on coal, then the whilom liberalityand disinterested
services of the first governor would be remembered ^
and a comfortable consideration would be awarded
him, and he would be the father of his country for
many years to come. Moreover, his thousand acres
of land, from one thousand pounds in value, niiglit
increase to twenty thousand. Then who should say
that honor was not profitable?

But alas ! for human hopes. Sir John Pelly was
governor only of the London part of the Hudson's
Bay Company. Mr Douglas, who acted as agent for
the sale of the land on Vancouver Island, knew noth-
ing of Sir John's promise, which Mr Blanshard had
failed to secure in writing, knew nothing of thousand-
acre gifts, and referred the simple-minded governor
to England for the fulfilment of the promise. Mr
Blanshard then begged one hundred of the promised
thousand acres, that he might occupy them as a settler,
if they should not be given him as governor. But no.
The promised thousand acres, he was finally told, were

il;

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270

GOVERNMENT ESTABUSHED.

iiitondcd for the uao of the governor only while ho
was upon the Island. Ho might select, subdue, and
beautify the tract for his successor, should he so
please, but he could not sell nor pocket any of the
proceeds of it.

This is Mr Blanshard's side of the story. The gov-
ernor might easily have misunderstood Sir John, or
the latter may wilfully have deceived him. However
that may have been, the company assuredly had no
right to give land to the governor, or to any one
else, unless they chose to pay for it themselves, and
that in this instance they were not likely to do, us
Blanshard was not their choice for the office, and they
were evidently not disposed to go far out of their way
to make his stay in their isle pleasant.

This we shall see amply demonstrated as we pro-
ceed. The governor's passage out cost him Ihivo
hundred pounds. Of this the company paid one hun-
dred and seventy-five pounds; and this was all he
ever received from them. When he returned, a Brit-
ish sloop of war carried him to San Francisco, and
thence he paid his own passage to London. Duriiiij
the time he spent upon the Island his living cost him
eleven hundred pounds a year, and for such articles as
ho was obliged to purchase from the company ho paid
what was called the cash price, which was the price
charged to strangers, and about three hundred per
cent ovor London cost.'

Is T did the governor's troubles end here. In-
deed^ hey had only just begun. He had been in-
structs before sailing for this region, upon his arrival
to nomi. te a council. But whom should he nomi-

* ' The pric of everything was regiUated by that in California; and as tlie
gold fever was then at its hcimht, living there was of course extremely expen-
sive. . .They had three severiu prices in the Hudson's Bay Company's stores
at tliat time, one for the superior officers of the company, another for tlic ser-
vants, and a third, which they called their cash price, at which they sold tlio
goods to settlers. . .The officers received their ^oods at thirty-three per cent
increase upon the cost price; the servants and inferior oflicers, varying from
Kfty to one hundred.' lilanshard, in JJouse Commona Jlept., 2SS.

AT BEAVER HARBOR.

271

natel At Beaver Harbor MeNeill had informed him
thiit there were ten thousand natives thereabout, who
wi re fast disappearing, notwithstanding the sale of
spirituous hquors had been prohibited, and the pro-
hibition for some time past enforced. These might
flo, for lack of better material, as subjects, but they
were hardly fit to take part \n regulating the affairs
of a highly civilized colony. The council should be
selected from settlers, but as yet there were no set-
tlers there. Few of the fur-hunting fraternity pos-
sessed the landed property qualification necessary to
entitle ihem to vote for members of assembly; and
even had they possessed the requisite qualifications,
the council so chosen must have been wholly drawn
fioin the ranks of the Hudson's Bay Company, whom
it was the governor's determined purpose to control,
instead of being controlled by them.

His position was certainly anomalous. Made gov-
ernor of a colony which was no colony, ho was sent
to a wilderness to control settlers not yet arrived,
and who, should they ever be so unfortunate as to
reach that shore, would, in his opinion, find pre-
carious subsistence.* Nor was an immediate arrival
of settlors at all likely. In his dilemma he concluded
to ask further instructions of his government. The
material interests of his empire would scarcely suffer
in the mean time.

For the colliers at Beaver Harbor, who had mani-
fested a bias toward lawlessness, the governor thought
best to appoint a magistrate, and, as there was no one
else available, he named for that ofBce John Sebastian
lichncken, the newly arrived doctor, to whom I have
taken occasion to allude before, then domiciled at Fori
Rupert.

In vain the governor had hoped that one coming

* 'The quantity of arable land, or land that can bo made arable,' he writes to
Earl (Ircy, the 8th of April I80O, 'is, so far as I can ascertain, exceedingly
limitid throughout the Island, which consists almost entirely of broken ranges
of i(x ky hills intersected by ravines and valleys so narow as to rendor thuin
useless for cultivation.' DlamlianVs Despulchea, 2.

mK I

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272

GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.

fresh frcm the mother-country, "a .stranger," as ho
expresses it, "to the petty brawls that liave occurred
and the ill-ft^ehngs they have occasiftned between tlie
Hudson's Bay Company and their servants," would
be free from the contaminating influences of selfish
interests.^ But this was, perhaps, too much to expert
of any man. In the evolution of civilization, even-
handed justice never flies west. At all events, the
governor soon repented of his choice. He had made
the appointnu^nt contrary to his better judgment, beiiio-
impelled tliereto by the necessities of the case.^

Meanwhile, time hung heavily on Blanshard's hands.
Set down upon the bare rocl<s of this mist-enveloped
isle, with the only white j)eople on it, those on whom
he was dependent for everything, for subjects, for
society, and for creature comforts, opj)osed to his rule
in all their interests, he felt himself to be utterly
powerless and forlorn, and could scarcdy realize that
he was governor except by taking out his commission
and reading it to himself occasionally.

During the summer of 1850, a case occurred at
Fort Rupert, while yet John Sebastian \voro ermine,
which casts dark reproach, both upon the Hudson's
Bay Company and the officers of the imperial gov-
ernment, and which tended in no wise to reconcile
Blanshard to his anomalous position.

*The gnvomor promptly acknowledged his mistake. Writina; of luiii
from Fort Rui)jrt, on tlie lOth of OctolicT IS.'J, he says: 'Tlicoiily caiijis
are liotweeii tli.i lliulsou's Kiiy Company ami their .iei'vants; anil, asl)ein:;ii
paid servant of tlie former, he cannot he considered an iniiiartial persim. '
Again, on the L!!)th of Marcli 18.")1, behig tlan at Victoria, 'le states tliat Mr
Helmcken having hicn called upon since liis arrival liere, 'to give up, (ir
furnish copies of, JiisotHcial corresp<mdence while magistrate, to tlie Hudson's
]J:iy CoiMiiany's agent, who thus used his authority over Mr Helmckeii u.s
chief factor in tlie company's service, has quite confirmed mem my opiiii"H
of tlie impropriety of making appointments among the company's servants, '
Jiiiiii'flt'irtl'a l)<x]'iifr!ieii, 4, 9,

* ' At tiiero are no independent settlers, all cases that can occur requiring
magisterial interference are disi)ute3 hetwi'L-n the representatives of the 11 ml-
Bo:i s IJay Company and their servants. To appoint the former magistrates,
wouhl l)e to make them juilges in their own causes, and to ar;n tliem with
ailditional jiower, which few of tiiein M'oul.l exert discreetly.' Bkiituhnid n
DesjKite/ti.s, 3.

CALIFORNIA GOLD.

273

The ship Enrjland, on her way from the southern
coast to Fort liupert for coals, stopped at Victoria for
sailors, the vessel being short of hatids. The Cali-
fornia gold excitement was everywhere raging, and
sailors willingly risked their lives to free themselves
from service. From one of the company's vessels
then lying at Victoria, three men deserted to the Eng-
land, which then continued her way to Fort Rupert,
^lean while notice was sent to Rupert of the deserters,
who thceupon became frightened, left the Emjland,
and took to the woods, intending to join the vessel
at another port. Indians were sent in pursuit with
orders from Blenkinsop, then acting for the company
at Fort Rupert, to bring in the deserters dead or
alive. Four days afterward the Indians returned and
claimed the reward, saying that they had killed them
all. It was true. The sailors had been sliot down in
the forest by savages set upon them by an officer of
the Hudson's Bay Company.^ Blenkinsop gave direc-
tions to have buried the bodies of the murdered men
where they lay, and let the matter be hushed, but
Muir insisted that they should be interred at the
fort, and it was done. Very naturally the colliers
were f irious. They did not hesitate to charge the
Hudson's Bay Company with having instigated the
iiiurder, and they refused any obedience to tiie officers
of the company or to Ilelmcken as magistrate. The
governor had no force whatevor with which to appre-
hend the umrderers, and no people from whom to draw
a i'orce. Says Blansliard, 'the only safeguard of
the colony," by which term the governor dignifies the
revolted colliers — for of a surety the Hudson's Bay
Company were always their own safeguard — "consists
in the occasional visits of the cruisers of the Paciiic

!; , .- ■ t\

' 'Two conflicting stories were in circulation at once, which, heiiig traceil
to the same source, raised sr.Hpicions of foul play, and causiul the rcjiort that
Iliavi' previously mentioned, viz.: that the unfortunate men had heen mur-
ileii'il liy order of the iiudson's Bay Company.' Letter., Guvvnior lllaimltiinl to
Ijiii Criij, 10th Oct. 1850. Michel Muir, who was at lort Rupert at tho
liiue, (.'oulirms what Oovernor Bloushard said, liril. Vol. Sketc/ies, MS., 1 J, 10..
niBi. liiuT. Col. 18

/ ■>

11' Ml

■li

"" •«!

274

GOVERNMENT ESTABUSHED.

squadron, which only occur at rare intervals, and for
short calls."

Fortunately for the governor's desires, on the 22d
of September 1850, about a month after the murderous
affair, H. M. S. Dtedalus, Captain Wellesley, arrived
at Victoria, when the governor went on board and
proceeded at once to Rupert.

Now mark the course of justice pursued by the
officers of the imperial government. Instead of pro-
ceeding against the instigators of the murder, and
arresting the officers of the Hudson's Bay Compruiy,
as they should have done, they direct the full force
«jf their vengeance against the natives. Helm okoii,
the newly fledged magistrate, cognizant of the wliolo
affiiir, and well knowing who were the guilty persons,
and what hand he himself had had in it, goes to the
Newittee camp, twelve miles distant, and loudly de-
mands the surrender of the murderers. The savages
acknowledge the murder, but plead that they were
only executing orders. Truer to themselves and to
the right than were the white men, they refused to
give up the perpetrators of the deed, but offered to give
up the property paid them by the white men for the
commission of the crime. This did not satisfy tlie
European justice-dealers. Servants of the Hudson's
Bay Company had been slain by order of the otheeis
of the Hudson's Bay Company. Some one must Ite
punished; and as they did not wish to hang themselves,
they must find victims ariong their instruments. As
the magistrate was unable to accomplish their purpose,
Wellesley sent a force under Lieutenant Burton, in
three boats of tlie Dii'dalus, a«''ainst the Newittees.
Finding their camp deserted. Burton destroyed the
village, and made a bonfire of all the property he could
find. The following summer H. M. S. Dajyhne, Cap-
tain Fanshawe, arrived. Meanwhile the Newittees
had rebuilt their village, supposing the white iiien
satisfied with the injury already inflicted. One day
while holding a potlach, and being at peace, as thiy

■I,

DISMAL GUBERNATORIAL PROSPECTS.

275

Ixlicved, with the white inon, the Daphnes boats,
uiulcr Lieutenant Lacy, crept into their harbor, and
announced their arrival by a discharge of musketry.
Men, women, and cliildren were mercilessly cut down,
persons innocent of any thouglit of wrong against
their murderers, and their village again destroyed.
Then the Daphne sailed away. Justice was satisfied :
and Blenkinsop and the rest of them went about their
work as usual.

By this time the reader can judge pretty well the
chaiacter of the colonial governor. First \^o cannot
l»ut regard him as a good, lionest man, but assuredly
not a very shrewd one. In fact he did not claim worldly
wisdom or any special clearness of intellect. Name
and position were primary considerations with him.
If siiolter and food came with them, well; if not, there
would still bo oreatness to feed on. Before the house
of commons select committee, five years after his
return from the Northwest Coast, the ex-governor
could not tell whether the grant of the Island had
heen made in 1848 or in 1841), he tluught during the
former year. On his way out he lost his commission
I)a[)ers in the Chagres River, and seemed every way
the son of misfortune.

Yet he was ver}'^ nmch of a gentleman, and a strictly
conscientious man. His position at Vanc(>uver Island
was a most trying one. The ill-feeling of the com-
pany toward him, added to ill-health and lack of funds,
Hti'i[)ped his position of its dignity, and degraded him
to the level of a common practitioner in arbitrating
the disputes brought before him. As he had b(>en
called to the bar, he was cognizant of the law and
famihar with the practice. As there were no means
of paying a recorder, he was obliged to administer
justice himself, and when he wanted a constable he
swore one in.

Now he could but ask himself why he had accepted
this miserable post. He had had experience a^ a colo-

; i

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276

(JOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.

nizer in the West India Islands, ni British Honduras,
and in India, and he saw no reason why he should not
succeed in the newly granted isle. But he soon leariit'd
to his cost and sorrow that he was not wanted, A
governor was sadly out of place there at that time,
worse than a supernumerary. There was nothing tor
liini to do but to act as ordinary magistrate, and de-
cide disj^utes between tiie company and their servants.

This was exactly wliat the Hudson's Bay Company
did not desire. Of all things they abhorred intcrfVi'-
ence. Thov were not accustomed to it. Al)solute
obedience on the part of subordinates had been the
basis of their internal economy for the })ast century or
two, and to have now a magistrate come between
them and their servants, who seemed suddenly to find
themselves surrounded by discomforts, and tlie vir-
tinis of alleged impositions which they had never Ik -
fore thought of, was unendurable.**

Hitherto he had rei^arded himself as a man of .some
pretensions, and under ordinary circumstances would
not be likely to forget himself or his mission. 'W) he
governor of a crown colony, though his domain weic
barren rocks and tenantless, was to snufi" the atmos-
phere of royalty, and dwell beneath the sliadow ol'
the crown. It is sweet to rule, to dominate our
fellows, to walk as gods among men, to sit the ohjtct
of even the hollow forms we know tlieir adoration to
be, and our governor was by no means alntve the
average man in this respect. He had come far fioin
home and friends for the ])oor privilege of being called
ruler of this wilderness; but never in his lift^ wa> his
presence so insignificant, or his influence less f( It. He
was here a nonentity, and of all his liege subjects the
least.

It was the irony of delegated rule, this [>lantuig of

Blau;
tent

"Were there many of those (lisiiutes?' askcil Viscount (io.lorioh <il Mr
ilauMhanl. 'A great many,' was the- reply. '0:i \vh:it ground'' ' I)i:;riiii-
jnt among the servants.' 'At being ill-treated l>y the ednipany '^' "'liny
considered themselves ill-treated; that they Iiad been hrou'^lit out l!ii'rL'
under a dcdusion, and had hecn promised many things which were nut ful-
fill ju." Dl-nnhard, iii Howie Commons Hcpt., 289.

a ]ioor r

uith do

fjrt^atest

tlie sev(

whence :

was leas

Yet ir

as the h

tliat wht

was like

vailed li(

and hear

heon his,

was absr

a sensibh

There wi

situation.

rived, no

been four

of stoam<

and tlie (

iiication i

most mcj

tlie gove

(liseovore

(■Very ind

ITS would

out a soli

Allhou
coiitiimall
thero was
lioad of t
tating cir
speaks \\t

The cir
ins? of as!
ap["'ars t(
Co)iij»anv,

«ili

li M'!i

AWFUL IRREfiULARITY.

27T

a poor man upon these distant and inhospitable rocks,
Avith dominion over them. Though backed by the
jrroatest nation on earth, he was more helpless than
the seventh wife of a savage. Xature was there,
whence man draws all his arts of governing, but he
■was least of nature's subjects.

Yet in all things Blansliard was as straightforward
as tl.e historiograplier Yu, of whom Confucius wrote
that when good government prevailed in his state he
was like an arrow, and when bad government pre-
vaihd he was like an arrow. The qualities of mind
and heart he might have displayed had opportunity
been his, it is useless for us to speculate upon. There
was absolutely nothing here for hijn to do, and like
a sensible man he saw it and determined to resign.
There was no glory to be obtained in so inglorious a
situation. The months passed by and no settlers ar-
rived, no sales of land were effected, and no coal had
been found whic^h promised profitable returns. A line
of steamers had been put on between San Francisco
and tlie Oregon country, else the facilities for conmiu-
iiicatiou with home and tlie busy world were of the
iiiDst meagre and unreliable description. To add to
tlic governor's unhappy forebodings, gold had been
discovered on the Spokane liiver, and there was novv
every indication that the Scotch colliers and fur-hunt-
ers would hasten thither en masse, leaving him with-
out a solitary subject.

Allhough tne temper of tne governor was kept
coiitiimally stirred by petty slights and innuentloes,
thore was but one open rupture between him and tlie
lioad of the fur company, which, considering the irri-
tating circumstances under which they were placed,
f^pt'aks well for both these gentlemen.

The circumstance I allude to was the illefjal si''n-
iHGf of a ship-register upon a change of masters. It
<ip[>"ars to have been the custom of the Hudson's T^ay
Company, and admitted under the navigation act, iu

■'■ 'tl

'■ 1

278

fJOVERNMENT ESTABUSHED.

the absence of a crown officer, for tho cluof factor to
sign the registers of sea-going vessels.

One day the newly appointed master of the Hud-
son's Bay Company's scliooner Cadhoro brought Blaii-
shard the register of the vessel, remarking that lie
was not at all satisfied with some alterations which
had been made, and asked if the company's servants
possessed the right to make such alterations. The
governor re})lied that they did not, at the same time
telling him that if he would bring him the register he
would sign it.

Next day the Cadhoro put to sea, the master not
having again seen the governor, and the register hav-
ing been signed by Douglar On the return of the
schooner the governor summoned the master and
Douglas into his presence. Both promptly appeared.
The master was then ordered to produce the register,
which he did, whereupon the governor pointed out to
him that it had been illegally signed. With this ad-
monition the governor bound them in their own ]« r-
.sonal security to appear again if called upon, and then
discharged them. As Blanshard left the island shortly
afterward, this was the last of the affair.

On tlie 18th of November, 1850, Blanshard wrote
Earl Grey two letters, in the first of which he asked
leave to visit England to attend to private alfairs; in
the second he tendered his resignation, and solicited
an immediate recall From tho colony, on the ground
of continued attacks of ague, remarking, also, that las
private fortune was "utterly insufficient for the mere
cost of living here, so high have prices been run np
by the Hudson's Bay Company, and as there arc no
independent settlers, every requisite must be obtained
from them."

His next despatch, under date February 3, 1; ,11,
embodies a re])ort of occurrences on the island since
liis arrival. The only real land sale was that to (Iraiit
at Soke, and he had assigned his title to the Hudsen s
Bay Company. Tod, a servant of the company, Ji:ul

i< A

Ifl

' !?y

BLANSHARD RESIGNS.

279

'if It

:in

factor to

le Hud-
ht Blaii-

tliat lie
lis which

servants
tis. The
ime time
glster lie

aster not
ster hav-
rn of the
ster and
ippearid.
register,
ed out to
1 this ad-
own ]» r-
aud tin 11
id shortly

ird wrote
he asked
.ffairs; in

solicit! 'd
le ground
i, that liis
the iiu're
1. run up
•e are no

obtained

3, lojl,

and since

to (J rant

Hu(1m Ill's

)aiiv, Ii:h1

jdoughed a few acres near the fort, but fearful lest
his title, ludd only by verbal agreement with Douglas,
should never be secured to him, he became alarmed,
and ceased operations, leaving unfinished a house that
lie was building. "With the exception of a Canadian
wlio has squatted near Rocky Point, there is not
another cultivator on the Island." He had written
Sir John Pelly recjuesting information concerning
the Puget Sound Company reserve, but had received
no reidy.'

In his despatch of the 12th of February, he re-
ports on an account of the Hudson's Bay (V)mpany
against the colony presented for his approval, and
which he signed with a protest.^" The public seal

• ' This tract contains, I am informed, nearly thirty square miles of the beat
p:irt of tlie Islauil, and tliuy are already atteni^jtiug to sell sinuU lots to tlieir
own servants at greatly advanced rates. I consider this an extremely unfair
pniceeding. Tlio terms of tlie grant of the Island expressly state tliat "all
Willis sIkiU be sold excejit such as are reserved for public purposes," and in
(.(iiisideration of the trouble and expense they may incur, the Hudson's Bay
C'ciiiipany are allowed the very handsome remuneration of ten per cent on all
sales they may efl'eet, and on all royalties. Not satisfied with this, they a:j
grasping at the whole jjrice of the land, by monopolizing this Viist district,
iii.iluiig it a free gift to themselves, and then selling it for their own jirotit, as
tluy are attempting to do. In proof of this, I may mention that an Englisli-
iiiaii of tiic name of Chancellor arrived here from California a few weeks ago,
Mitli the iutention of settling. The agent offered to sell Iiini land on tlio
''('iiiiiiiany's reserve," which he declined, as he preferred anotlier jiait of tiie
Island, but found so many dill'culties tlirown in the way that he at last pro-
iiiiiiicid the purchiwe impracticable, and is leaving the colony in disgust. . He
tiiM 1110 tliat he was the forerunner of a party of several British subjects
at jiiesent in California, wlio were merely waiting for his report to decide
whether tiiey would settle in Vancouver Island or the United States.' Bkin-
fldir't'.i Di'sjiiitr/ien, 7-8.

'" "The account asserts that they have'expended §2,736, of which §2, 1 30 are
fir goods paid to Indians to extinguish their title to the land about Victoria
aiiil Soke harbours, the remainder also for goods paid to Indians for work
iliiiir tor tlie colony, provisions and ammunition for tlie same Indiiins. The
I'l'iiijits uinount to i!l,48!), from wliicli ten per cent is to be deducted, accord-
i;i,ir to the cliarter of grant to the Huilson's Bay Company, and consists en-
liri;ly of royalties on coal for the last two years; land sales tiieroare none, as
1 have previously informed your lordship. On examining the account, I found
that tor tlio goods paid to the Iiidi ma a price was charged three tiiius as great
iw wiiat tiiey are in the habit of paying them at for their own work; respect-
ing this, ami some inaccuracies I detected in the account, I addressed a letter
to the agent; ho corrected the errors, but made no alteration in the prices,
aiiil ill tlie course of tiie conversation gave me to understand that tlieyitiil not
expiit the charter of grant to be renewed at the expiration of tlie live years,
•laiiiiary 1834, and that they would be entitled to a reimbursement of their ex-
li'inliture. At this rate, they may continue for the next three years, paying
aw:iy a few goods to Indians to cxtinguioh their claima to the soil, ani by at-

'ill,

; I

■.■\ ii-
1 ' ^'i^

280

GO\'ERNMENT ESTABLISHED.

of tho colony of Vancouver Island, and her majesty
warrant and sign-manual authorizing and directing
its use, were transmitted by Earl Grey to Governor
lilanshard, arriving in midsummer 1851.

Before sending in his resignation, Blanshard recom-
mended the home government to impose duty on the
importation and manufacture of ardent spirits, the
dangerous tendency of whoso introduction was just
then freshly appearing in the demoralization of the
natives about Fort Rupert, and the riotous tendencies
of the colliers at Beaver Harbor. This liquor was
not supplied by the Hudson's Bay Company, which
treated the natives with every consideration, better,
some said, than their own servants. But being brought
thither by merchant vessels visiting the coast, it was
impossible to prevent the inhabitants of the Island
from obtaining it. Nor, indeed, could the government
have prevented it had the suggestion of the governor
been promptly acted upon.

Blanshard had suffered much from ill -health, as
well as from poverty; else, perhaps, he might have
fought his fate longer, if he had thought the place
worth fighting for. There had never been the slight-
est chance for him from the day of his appointment.
Being strong in London, being absolute upon the
Island, the monopolists were sure to prevail. And
they knew it from the first. Earl Grey might pre-
tend to drive, and Blanshard might amuse himself at
playing governor, but all this time the fur-traders
were manoeuvring for their man, and before Blanshard
had resigned, although Douglas had not then his ap-
pointment, yet he had received a letter from the Lon-
don office stating that he had been recommended, and
would undoubtedly receive the appointment.

On the 3d of April 1851, Earl Grey wrote Gov-
ernor Blanshard, saying that her Majesty had been

taching an itleal value to their goods, they will at the end of that time appear
as creditors of the colony to an overwhelming amount, so that the foumlation
will be laid of a colonial debt, which will forever prove a burden. ' JilaiuslMrWn
Despalchen, 8.

: i

PROVISIONAL COUNCIL.

jrr.aclously ploaacd to accept his rc8i^natioii as j?ov-
vnun' of the colony of Vancouver Island. Whereat
Uliuisliard was also graciously pleased, and the now
thoroughly fagged officers of the Hudson's Bay Com-
wuny were most of fill graciously pleased.

]^lansliard received this welcome intelligence in
August. His successor had not yet been ajipointed,
but it was now well understood that Douglas would
l)c tlie next governor. As he deemed it n(>cessary to
leave the little authority he had swayed in official
liaiids, on the 2'.''th of August Blanshard nominated
a jiiovisional council, subject to the confirmation ot
the imperial govermnent, consisting of three members,
Janu'S Douglas, James Cooper, and John Tod, t»>
wliom ho administered the usual oath. Tlien in the
sliip Tkiphiie, on the 1st of September 1851, he turned
Ills back forever on what had proved to him a most
unfortunate isle."

I'M

•.M

■\:]\

; ■ f-

; 1;

:JW

" Wlic'ii the settlora learned what had been done, they directed the foUow-
i:i!; idiiiMiuuication tt> tlie governor:
'7'')/('< E.rrellinrii liirliard Bliim/ianl, Enquire, Goiminr of Vaucmiivr Iilnnd.

' M.iy it please ymir excellency: We, the undursiijaed, iiiliahitaiits of
Vancouver's Island, having luarned with regret that your excellency has rc-
sigiKcl tliu government of this colony, and understanding that tlie govcrn-
iiiciit has liceii committed to a chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company,
cuiridt lint express our unfeigned surprise and deep coucorn at such an ap-
liiiiiitmuiit. The Hudson's Jiiy Couipany being as it is a great trading
'"1 ;y, iMUst necessarily have interests clashing with those of iadupendcnt
CDlcinists. Most matters of a political nature will cause a contest between
t!it' a;j(nts of the company and the colonists. Many matters of a juilicial
lutuii' alio will undoubtedly arise, in which the colonists and the company
I r it-i sorvant.s will be conteiuling parties, or the ujjpur servants and the lower
i- Tvants of the company will be arrayed against each otlior. We beg to ex-
I'liss in the most emiihatical ami plainest manner our cossurauco that impar-
ted ilioisions cannot he expected from a governor who is not only a ineiidier
f'l till' (.iiiiipanj', sharing its profits, liis share of sticli jirotits rising and falling
■M tliry ri ic and fall, but is also charged as their chief agent with the sole
lejirescntation of their trading interests in this Island and the adjacent
coasts.

' Kurthermore, thus situated, the colony will have no security that its
imlilie luiiils will be duly disposed of solely for the benefit of the colony in
t iieral, and not turned iiside in any degree to be api)lied to the private [nir-
licms (if the company, by disprojwrtionate suins being devoted to the i!n-
jiriiveinent of that tract of laiul held by them, or otherwise unduly employed.
I iiikr these circumstances, we beg to acquaint your excellency with our deep
siiisc lit the absidute necessity there is, for the real good and welfare of the
ciiliiny, that a council should be immediately appointed, in order to provide
»u;a^- security that the interests of the Hudson 'd Bay Com]jauy shall not be

i . s

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Wift

282

GOVKKNMENT ESTABLISHKD.

For twenty years subsequent to 1824, Jolia Mc-
Loughlin, as chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, residing at Fort Vancouver on the Colunihia
River, was sole doniinator of the Northwest Coast.
Then, as I have elsewhere said, because of his hunuiii-
ity toward distressed emigrants, or as the London
management might express it, because of his undue
familiarity with United States settlers, and in order

llowed to outweigli ami ruin those of the colony in genera.l We, who join
1 expressing those sentiments to your excellency, are uufortunatuly Ittit a
ery small number, but we respectfully bog your excellency to consider that
we, and we alone, represLut tlie interests of the Island as a free and inde-
pendent British colony, for we constitute the wliolo body of tlie indopenduiit
settlers, all the otlier inliabitants being in some way or other so oimnoctcd
with and controlled by the Hudson's Bay Company as to be dejjrivod of tioc-
dom of action in all matters relating to the public affairs of the colony, snim;
indeed by their own confession, as may be proved if necessary. And wc itir-
ther allege our firm persuasion, that the untoward intluences to wliicli we
liave adverted above are likely, if entirely unguarded against not only to
prevent any increase of free an(l indejiende, t colonists in tlie Island, but jios-
itivcly to diminish their present numbers.

' We therefore humbly request your excellency to tai^e into your graciims
consideration the propriety of appointing a council before your exci llnuy s
departure; such being the most anxious and earnest desire of your excellency it
moat obedient and humble servants, and her majesty's most devoted and Inviil
subjects.

' James Yates, Robert John Staines, James Cooper, Thomas Monroe, Wil-
liam McDonald, James Sangster, 'John Muir, senior, William Frasir, Andrew
Muir, John Mc(lregor, Johr. Muir junior, Michel Muir, Kobert Muir, Arilii-
bald Muir, Thomas Blenkhoru.'

The commander of the Ldphne, in return for the hospitality extended luin
at Fort Victoria, charged tlie company, an behalf of the imperial goviTiinient,
with Blanshard's passage to Panama, the governor, as before stateil, piiyiiij.'
out of his own pocket his expenses from that point to England. A liiU
amounting to £47 15s. had likewise been presented to Blanshanl for tlio ix-
jienses of the Dadalus in lier trip to Fort Rupert.

Cooper, Mar. Matters, M.S., 4, states that Blanshard remained on tlie
Island eighteen or twenty months. Grant, Loud. Oiw/. Hoc, Jour., xxvii. .'iilU,
says he remained 'little more than a year.' Blanshard himself calls it, //o«.-''
Commons Rejtt., If. B. Co. Affairs, 1857, 'nearly two years.' It is safe eiiciugh
to date his dejiarture about Septem'.^er or October IS.'il ; liis last letter written
Earl Ctrey from the Island was dated the 30th of August. Fiiditij-son'i Hid.
V. I., MS., 47 et passim. Fiiilayson was on the ground during the entire resi-
dence of Governor Blanshard in the Island. Cooper, Mar. MittUrs, MS., 4,
8:iy3 'the expense of living was so enormously in excess of the Hudson s Bay
Company's representations, and every possible difficulty being thrown in his
way, . . .he was forced to resign.' The settlers naturally sympathized witli tliu
disconiKted governor. Says (Jrant, Loud. Geo;/. ,Sor.., Jour., xxvii. IWO. 'His
loss was very much to be regretted, as he was a gentleman in every way
qualified to fulfil the duties of his position with credit to himself, and witli
prosperous residts to the country.' The Despatches oJ'Oownior Blaiishnnl to
the Secretary of Slate, 2(;th December 1849 to 30th August 1851, sub-seciuently
printed at the government office. New Westminster, contains all the letters
sent to Earl Grey by the governor during his stay upon the Island.

IH)U(;LAS APPOINTKU OOVKIlNOR

283

t;» W(>L;kou him in his position and pavo tlio way toward
1.'. i final ovortlirow, the supreme power on the Pacific
was vested in a board of manai^ement, oonsistini^ of
( l.itf factors McLou^ldin, Douglas, and Oijfden. After
the retirement of McLou«i^hlin. Douglas and Ogden
continued to manage matters as a board, with their
lica(l-(|uarters still at Fort Vancouver, Fiidayson,
nil .mwhile, remaining in charge at Fort Victoria.

In midsunnner 1849, nine months jirior to the ar-
riv;il of Governor Blanshard, Douglas comjjleted the
rcniovid of the company's head-quarters to Fort Vic-
t )ri,i, and took up his permanent residence on tlie
I.iland.'^ Subsequently, he erected for his family a com-
modious dwelling on the south side of JanuiS Bay.
1 )ugald McTavisli wasleft in charge at Fort Vancouver,
L'inlayson assumed the position of chief accountant at
Fort Victoria, and the affairs of the company still
continued to be administered by chief factors Douglas
and Ogden, who constituted the board of management
on the Pacific.'^

Thus, under this mighty pressure of gnat-straining
a;.d camel-swallowing passed the first two years of
iittenipts at colonial rule on A'^ancouver Island, In
Tu pteinber 1851 James Douglas was made governor
of tlie colony, and took the oath of office the fol-
luwini; Xovember. Thus at last were united in one
per;-i)n the authority and interests of the Hudson's
]>;;y Company, and tlio authority and interests of the
Ciiionial p-overnment. Wiser in his day than Blan-
shard, Doujdas succeeded in securing to himself a
salary of eight hundred pounds a year as governor of
tlie colony, in addition to his emoluments as chief fac-

: |fll

i 1 1

'-' Ic was almut tlie luiddlo of June that I)imglaa with liis family roinovid
to Victiiria. An obituary notice in tiie BrdiKli ColoniM of 8th Aug. liS77,
jil.K rs the (late of his arrival 'a few months after 'that of (Jovcrnor IJlanshanl,
a.nl (itliors give other dates. But Michel Muir, wlio landed in June liS49,
static tliat Doughis came from Fort Vancouver with hia family four days
uftir his arrival. Brit. Col. SkHche^, MS., 21.

y<'i-«lc, in ir. li. Co. Ev., II. B. Co. Chiiiis, 107-1); Finhvixonn I list. V. /.,
Ms., ;},'!; Brit. Coloniit, Aug. 8, iyJ7; McKinkiij's Xnr., M.j., 8.

M^ ■

1 1 ; V\

2S4

OOVKUNMKMT ESTAULISIIKn.

tor of tlu> ITudson's l^ay Coninany. From this t;i:ic
iij) to IHf)'.) lie c'oritinut'tl to fill both positions.

And Tiow all is si^vnoa^ain throuufliout this rcijfidn.
Till! <'ur-tratlors have triiiiiijdied. They havo ohtuiui d
not only a crown jj^rant, l)ut a crown Efovcrnnient. ( )m
Vancouver Island they arc tlie crown; and until tin
settlers shall become stronj^er than the company, thcii
absolutism is assured. ' The next cha[)ter I devote t(t
the life and character of James Douglas.

1 i-.

i:;l»'

■1

^ll,l

( Nil

■ 1

' i<\

1 • ^' 1

■ '.

1, ,;> ,f
1 .

CHAPTER XVII.

JAMES I>01J(JLAS.

Biiirii AND FniTATioN-— Entkiis tiik Skuvick of thk NoRTirwEsr Comtan v
— FuiKNUsiiip i>v- McLi)i'tiiii.iN — Oi-rourfNirv — What Hk siioi i.;i
Know — His Like in NkwCai.kdosia — Ovkkiome r.v T.ove — Meets am>
Makkies Xei.:a (.'oxnolly — Kstablishes W.ni I'onndllv — His Airr.:.-
Tuis TO Bu'wiSExs AND HIS Stkict Ohedience — Bfcomes Chief Tuaueu
— TiiE>r C iiiKF Faciou — Visns Cai.ikoknia — Accoi'NTASr and (Ien-

EHAI. Sri'KRINTENltENT OK FoKTS — AcTIVE IN THE EsTAllLISIIlNd OK

FouT Vk-i'oria — His Coldness towaud Emiukants — Quarkeus with
McLoi'diiLiN — Removes to Victoria — Is Made Oovernor — And
Kniohted — Visits Euhoi'k - i'liysigcr. and Character — 1>olulam

AND McLoUaULlN COMI'AKED.

ill

James Douglas was born in 1803 at Jamaica. His
fatliiT M'as a descendant of the earl of Anj^us, the
Jiiiick Douglas of Scottish history; his mother "svjs a
Creole. At an early ago he was taken hy his fatlicr
to Jjanark, Scotland, where he was educated. He
was -carci'ly seventeen years old^ when he entered
the St rvice of the Xorthwost Company as apprenticed
tievk, and was sent to Fort William, on Lake Supe-
rioi', where McLoughlin was then stationed.

L poll the coalition the following year, Douglas was
about to retire to Scotland in company with two dis-
satisfied brothers then leaving the ser\ icu ; but he was
l)ersuuded by McLoughlin, who had taken a fancy to
liim, to remain.

'Tins according to Mrs Han'cy, Li/e ^^(•Lnuf)^tlin, MS., 37. WadJingtoii,
Fi-iM I- Mini't, 35, says ho waa only fourteori years of age when lie left J'-iij,'-
hiiiil, ;,ut this authority is not reliable. Aiming the many notices and tcsti-
nmiii.ds «!xtant of locid writora and speakers, one -would exjicct to ti;id
iimiitliinf^ concerning the early career of such a man; even t!io family arcliivea
are singularly silent in this regard.

<28o">

, ■

.|;

t- if

28G

JAMES DOU(JLA.S,

"Stay with nie, my lad," he said, ''and you shall Iio
to me as a son."

So when McLoughlin was appointed to what was
then termed the Colmnbia Department, he wrote the
directory requesting that Douglas might accompany
hiin, wliich request was granted,^ and young Dou<rlay
made ready to cross his Alps.

Here, indeed, was opportunity. Look at it. Nine-
teen years of age, full of youthful vigor and enthusiasm,
the friend and companion of the chief factor in com-
mand upon the Northwest Coast. In such a country,
at such an age, and under such conditions, we shall see
in due time how he availed himself of them.

McLoughlin was determined his protege should en-
joy every advantage, consistent with his duty to the
service, which might tend to his advancement. And
this might best be accomplished, not by confining the
young man too closely to office and warehouse work,
or to one particular or permanent thing; but by givini;
liim a succession of duties which should finally make
liim proficient in all.

He was already a good accountant, one of the best
in the service, and thoroughly familiar with the
French Canadian idiom. It was now for him to lie-
come familiar, in all its minutest detail, with the pon-
derous and most perfect machinery of the united
companies. He should know not only the kinds and
cost of trading goods and fort supplies in London, and
tlie expenses of transportation to the distributing post
on tlie Columbia, and thence to the several interior
stations, the kinds, and qualities, and prices of furs;
the rules of the company in regard to traffic, presents,
and credit with the natives; the wages and duties of
the nicn, and the allowances due them; but he should
become familiar with the vast country over which his

'My very good friend John Tod, New Calcdonui, MS., 40-7, who tolil "if
all he knew, and somewhat more, respeoting his former aasociiite and cliuf,
brings Douglas to America in or hefore 1811, at which time he was riglit
yoirs old; and tliis assertion he backs by the remark, ' Mr Doiighis reniiiincil
east of the mountains at Fort Kcla, Athabasca District, for Jive or six years,'
bringing him across the mountains in 1824.

CONNOLLY'S DAUGHTER.

287

cliief held sovereign sway; he should know itsconfig-
iimtion and climate; its mountains, plains, and valleys;
its forests and prairies: its lakes and rivers; its fruits
and animals, and plants, and all its possibilities. Most
of all, he should study well the aborigines, with whom
his predecessors and superiors had taken so much
trouble to establish commercial intercourse. Some-
thing of their languages he should know, that lie
niiglit personally converse with them. Of the bent
of tlieir minds and passions, their present wants and
future hones, their intellectual endowments, and, so far
as ])ossible, of their several idiosyncrasies, he should
make careful analysis.

To this end it was expedient he should spend sev-
eral seasons in the field; and first of all in New
Caledonia, then the Siberia of the company, and the
most distant department of McLoughlin's dominion,
tlie north-coast establishments not having yet been
founded. Therefore, iiistead of taking him at once
to 1 lead -quarters at Astoria, he gave him in charge
of James Connolly, a jolly Irishman, who with his
family and twenty-four men crossed the mountains
from York Factory in the autunm of 1824, with
supplies for New Caledonia. Mr Connolly succeeded
John Stuart in these parts.

Tlie young Scot was by no means averse to this
arrangement; for while studying life under new con-
ditions, he might study love, which was likewise new
to liiin, and exceodingly comforting. James Con-
nolly had a daughter, a blushing half-breed beauty,
then some fifteen voars of a<je.^ How should a Ixdd,
higli-spirited, hamlsome young man but find favor in
luT tyes; how should a warm-liearted, lovely, and
modest maiden but find favor in his? Her presence
wcotened toil; his presence made smooth to her the
ruj,'i4<'dest mountain-trail. How many thousands of

'Tlicac, partioulura I get from Mr Tod, AVw Caledoiiin, MS,, passim, wlio,
if ins iiu'fnoiy |irovea not treacherous — for lie w;is v<tv oM wlien he gave me
liis ilictation — may be counted correct, for lie was there at the time, and re-
I'ltril only what came under hia own observation.

•H'

:' :.^'i'^'

i :

11.

■I

288

JAMES DOUGLAS

volumes of unwritten romance are there in tlie early
doings upon this western slope; tales of lovo us deep
and true as ever mailed knight carried beneath his
armor, true tales of daring venture, with mingkd
failure and success, more thrilling, more - .)ble, moru
difficult and self-sacrificing, than any fiction cudgelkd
from prolific brain.'*

John Tod was then at McLood Lake, liavins;
crossed t!io mountains in 1823, and was in charge of
McLeod Fort for a period of nine years. Connolly
and Douglas went first to Fort St James on Stuait
Lake, and the following year the latter v/aT. \-/'^ >u\
a time in charge of the post. It was her', iiim
this time, that Douglas played his first bloody u'»A'e'!y
in which tlie victim was the nmrderer of certain of
Yale's men, young Connolly and Douglas the execu-
tioners, the latter finishing the performance by lu'-
coming i)risoner — all of which I liave fully given in a
pre^-ious volume.'^ The courage and coolness displayed
ia this encounter with the savages brouglit the youp.g
man fame and favor, not oidy among his associates,
but among the natives themselves.

Connolly as well as Douglas had much to learn
about the natives: first of all, that there was as nuuh
difference in their individual and tribal cliaract(>r as
is foui;d among the civilized nations of Europe ; and
next, that environment affected man here as well as
elsewhere. There was a vast diiference bcttveiu
mountaineers and the dwellers upon the sea-shon',
between hunters and diggers, boatmen and ho"rsev,i(>n,
fish-eaters and beast-eaters. It happened on one
occasion, as Connolly was descending the Coluniliia
with eight bateaux, the proud and cliivalrous X<'X
Perces gave him a lesson. On rc^aching the Dalles,
his boats being lightly manned, he engaged the lui-

*To(l, Nor Cnlnloniii, MS., 28-:)2, gives a graphic pk'turc of what ho cal!
Robinson Crusoe life ill this region at tlic time. 'J"he skiu.s of elii or otl'

animals served as elotllt^'^, and tiieir meat for food;

if oUi

;r .souri

tiiey did not hesit.'vtu to sacrifice the (hig.s that drew their winter sledges.
'See Jli.st.ori/ Nortfiirc'^l i'oant.

AMONG THE NEZ PERCES.

280

tivos, for so much tobacco, to assist him at the port-
a«4X'. Their work being well and promptly done, they
hastily came fbrwaid in a body for their pay — so
hastily and in such numbers, in fact, that Connolly
was frightened, and dropping the promised tobacco
oil the rocks, beat a rapid retreat to his boats. The
savayes paused, and cast toward the flying trader a
look of ineliable disdain.

"Are white men thieves and murderers that thoy
think all others so r' exclaimed the chief, swelling in
diyiiity and stature as he spoke. "Go! we scorn
you, and will not touch your trash I"

Saying which, the Nez Perces turned loftily away,
k'aving the tobacco on the rocks. Upon seeing this,
certain Palouses, fisliing in the river near by, did not
wruple with hot haste to sweep the stones of the
pncious weed to the last shred.

Under such develojiing environment the course of
tnit' love ran rapidly and smoothly. There were no
taitlous influences at work in form of oppugnant father,
sul)tly scheming mother, rival lover, or lieavy villain,
s(t essential to tlie orthodox love-story. James Doug-
las was glad to win the love of Xelia Connolly, and
sl'.c was equally glad to give it him. When he asked
hi] to be his wife, she had not the remotest idea t)f
u iliiiing, nor had her father. So they were counted
uiai. and wife, and began the half-century of serene
'lai'jiii'ess which followed in the rugged region of
\t \' <''aledonia. When Beaver, freshly bleached by
f^t J*eter's successor, arrived at Fort Vancouver with
adiuich-bound wife, the aboriginal marriage ceremony
was denounced as devilish, and beside this innnaeu-
latc pair all wives there were oidy concubines, aiid
th( ir jirogeny bastards, with whom it were disgraceful
to associate. And so for the sake of peace, l3ouglas,
aiiKMig others, was remarried by Beaver in 1837 or
I8:i,s«

' ilnlicrts, Rcrollir/innK. MS., ,57, says 1839; but in this iiistanco he does
iii't irinllcct corriH'tly.

Hist. Hkit. Col. 19

i -Jf

<. 41

1
I

t. i

, ...

1'.

V,'

' ■■■ •

ago

JAMES DOUGLAS.

Near the western limit of New Caledonia in 1826,
Douglas built a post which he called, in honor of his
wife's father, Fort Connolly, on Bear Lake, some-
times 'tailed Lake Connolly at the head of a branch
of Skeena River.

After several years of this kind of service, many
incidents of which I have detailed elsewhere, and in
which persistent fidelity to business and temperate
conduct toward the natives were ever manifest,
"•Douglas was called to Fort Vancouver, where he
roceeded with his family in 1828, there to render
nis friend and patron the more immediate assistance
which the increasing requirements of the service
seemed to demand. There he rose rapidly, and soon
stood second only to his chief in all the Northwest
Coast, if not at once in name, yet in power and im-
portance almost immediately.

There was an abundance of time and opportunity,
however, to become proficient in all the minutest de-
tails of the service, and this not in theory alone but
in practice. He revised and greatly improved the
system of accounts which required all the posts of
the Pacific to make annual returns to Fort Vancouver.
Several times he took charge of the York Factory
express, which duty was by no means unaccompanied
with difficulties and dangers.^

In 1830 he was made chief trader, and two years
after, chief factor.^ Much of his time was now era-
ployed in selecting sites and superintending the es-
tablishing of posts. Annual visits of inspection were

"Sir James used to be one of the clerks who went across with letters. ^Ir
Anderson went once; Dr Tolmie went once, but he went to England to visit
his country. They used to have a little difficulty with the Indians, but not
much.' Harvey's L\fe of MeLowjhlin, MS., 4.

* I take this date from McKinlay, Narrntive, MS., 8, and Finlayson, IM.
V. I., MS., 30, who agree. Anderson, NorthiOfxt Coaxt, MS., 25, says that
it was in 1835 he was made chief trader. But the time is not at all essential,
Toimie, Ptifjct Sound, MS., 2, saw him in 1833, when 'he was second in com-
mand at Fort Vancouver, where he acted as accountant.' He was now fast
becoming famous for his geographic.Tl and practical knowledge. In Rflkl
U. S. to II. li. aM. Treaty of WanhiiKjton , 21, he is pronounced 'one of tlie most
enterprising and inquisitive of men, famous for his intimate acquaintancu with
every crevice ou the coast;' a high compliment from such a Bource.

A NOBLE DEED.

291

nuulc to the several stations, both of the interior and
of the seaboard. In the summer of 1840 he was up
the coast on important business; in the winter of
1841 2 he visited Cahfornia, a full and interesting
accdunt of which is given in his journal.

Tliere is something sublime in that quality inherent
in noble natures which cannot overlook a duty, even
though its performance leads toward death.

In fording the Nisqually River, while en route
northward m April 1840 to take possession of the
territory leased from the Russians, and to build Fort
Tako, Lassertes, leading man of the party under
Douglas, was swept away and carried some distance
down the river. Just before reaching a drift of logs
and debris, under and through which the furious
water was surging, threatening instant destruction to
any on whom it might once lay its grasp, he caught
the end of a fallen tree and held to it as his only hope
ofhfc.

Even to those accustomed to daily dangers, and to
prompt unflinching action whenever a comrade needed
help, the position of Lassertes was so perilous, the
destruction of whomsoever should attempt his rescue
so ])robable, that the bravest of these brave men
drew back appalled. The air and water were icy
cold, so that the limbs would be quickly benumbed,
tending to render efl()rt powerless. Fear fell upon
the (onipany Lassertes was growing every moment
weakeT ; he was apparently a doomed man. ** The
contagion weighed upon my own mind," says Doug-
las, " and I confess with shame tliat I felt not that
cheerful alacrity in rushing to the rescue as at other
times."

Douglas soon saw that if he did not make the at-
tempt no one would. It were easy enough to hold
baek, to dally, to seek for means less venturesome than
such extreme personal peril, that man's life was not
Worth half as much as his own; no blame could by
any })ossibiiity ever be attached to him; let him go.

( \n

\'i\

,(i''

292 JAMES DOUGLAS.

Ho could not do it. His nature was not made of
such stuff. "Even then," he writes in his journal, '[
could not allow a fellow-creature to perish without an
effcjrt to save him, while the inactivity of all prcsint
was an additional incentive to retlouble my own cxi r-
tions. With a sensation of dread, and almost lidpi'-
less of success, I pushed my horse hy spur and wliip
nearly across the river, sprung into the water, and
rushed towards the spot where the nearly exliaustcd
sufferer was clinging, with his head above water, to
the end of a tree that had fallen into the river. V\H)n
its trunk I dragged myself out on all fours; and gi( at
was our mutual joy when I seized him firmly hy the
collar, and with the aid of a canoe that arrived soon
after, landed him safely on the bank, where a bla/iii'4
fire soon restored warmth to both. And to my latent
breath may I cherish the remembrance of Lasscrtc .s'
providential rescue from a watery grave, as I cduM
never otherwise have enjoyed tranquillity of niiiid.'"'
Which sentiment, supplementhig such an action, to
me is frajjrant with the highest nobleness of soul.

During the early part of his career he was rigid in
his obedience to the orders of his superiors, and in
manifestations of respect toward them; and in laUr
years wlien he began to rule, he demanded the same
respect and obedience from others.^

^ Doui/his' Journal, MS., 4, 5.

'-•As well to atl'oril the plainest insight into the character of tliis rt'inaika-
Me man as to clear myself from any possible charge of captious critiri- i in
regard to him, I give tlie following extract from the bookot Matthew .M;iLiii',
a personal ac(piaiutance antl countryman of Douglas:

' There is a resident in the country who, in consideration of his jiast otliiial
relation to it as first governor of British Columbia, deserves passing luitici! in
this place. I refer to Sir James Douglas. This gentleman is coniplcti ly un-
known in England, exe-pt at the colonial otiice and to a few directors nl tlif
Hudson's Bay Company But Ijcing a local celeljrity, the reader may iint cili-
je(;t to bo introduced to so interesting a character. In stature lie exicnNsix
feet. His countenance, by its weather-beaten appearance, still tells oi many
years spent in fur-trapping adventure in the wilds of tlie interior. liiUn-
duced at the age of fifteen or sixteen from the West Indies, the npiitcil iilai'O
of hi-i l)irth, into the service of the company, and deprived, during llic ijrciti'i'
part of his life, of the advantages of society, except that of Indians, linb Imi rd'',
and persons like himself occupying huniblo situations in the em;il<>v nf tlf
compa.iy, every praise is due to him for not being iiidifi'ereiit to meiil.d cul-

r.oth b(
choosing a
thi' hoard (
u;il!y to re
tmy to hi
Ix'fove th(
[lany's ,ser
f-i^'ncd by
thr latter
WW troul

tiiri' in tliose i
]ii."Cil. Tiio s
M-iiiu.s, and Ids l
limv vastly mor
thiL'nci! cif his cl
( itjiiu and inti
iKsfrilics tlie \v
Miin r-igiiifying
Till' apiilicatioi:
]iri'tiiitio\is dej
;iu:.'n.it, were h
LiiviTiu'd, nuni
i;.i,'laM(l. Wh
lii'iisi", his Quix
priiniptrd him
liis ilfspatches.
1.1. Ill, the lilaiK
all these stitf ■'
Ji ateil by him,
an! a perfect I
]''.vssiiin tliat ti
ii:.' wliiile beari
My Imw aninsii
tur-tia[iper.

'His attitu(
lire and distan
■■^rrvfil lii'tweei
li ivr lirard la]
li-ii i;iiitlfman
tliat the niaclii
m.iiiiU, witli he
lit mir,. bitrayt
i:i tin- sirect w:
"1 Ills rxlravag
wlatlur takinj
|'i''ii'ily, duly a
^ ulniia, (.lie te
«as ii'i-i >istible
''.■'.••■Inp, ,| f,.,)MI
tilt: luibaiis ai'
a;iy suiipliant
wlii'li, ,it the (
hv»nh plaimi
v>J.<tiM\liau,st

JOJXT MANAGEMENT.

203

Doth before and after 1843, Dousjlas was active in
cliodsiiii' a site and establisliinjj Fort Victoria. When
tlic hoard of niana<jfenu'nt was organized in order grad-
ually to reheve John McLoughlin of his rule prepara-
tmy to his final discharge, Uouglas was a meniher.
Befovo the retirement from the Hudson's Bay Com-
jiany's service of ]\[cLoughlin in 1845, papers were
^iLiiit'd by himself and Douglas jointly, showing tliat
tin' latter was si'raduallv coniiiMr to the front. These
\\\iv troublous times for IMcLoughlin, and they were

tiiro in those mountain solituilos in wliicli the flower of hia manhood wiis
]ri"f.l. The stEitoliness of I'.i.s person, of wliioh lie always seems proudly con-
Mioii.s, ;iud his natural foree of character, suggest the reflection to au ohserver,
linw vastly more agrecahle woidd liave lieen his address, and powerfiil the iii-
ihiuiicu (if ids ciiaraetcr and at)ilities, had he enjoyed in early life a liberal edu-
(itiiiii luiil intercourse witli persons of retinemeut and culture. De Quinuey
ilisoriljcs the well-known ]>r I'arr as the Birnuugliam Dr Johnson, an expres-
Moii signifying that the former was hut an electro-plated imitation of the latter.
Tiic application of this remark may be left to the reader iu reference to tho
jiritintious deportmoit of Sir James. His efforts to appear grand, and even
ii'.iL'ust, were ludicrously out of proportion to the iiisiguificant population he
pivi Tiu'd, nund)ering less than the inhabitants of many a country town in
i; i.'land. When he spoke to any one within the precincts of the government
li'iiisc, his Quixotic notions of his oiKce, which he evidently thought splendid,
lii''iiii[itiil him to make choice of the sesquipedalian diction ho employed iu
ills ilis]iatehes. The angle of his head, the official tone, the extension of the
1.1. Ill, the bland smile which never reached beycmd the corners of his mouth,
all tlu'se stiff and artificial arrangements were carefully got up and daily re-
p utod iiy him, under the delusion that the public imagined him to be natural
aal a perfect lirummell in politeness. Uis manners always gave one the im-
jirossiiin tliat to make up for early disadvantages ho hftd religiously adjusted
li:.< whole bearing to the standard of Lord Cliestertield, and it is nee<lless to
MV liu\v amusing was tho combination of his lordship and this dignilied old
fur-tiaiiper.

'His attitude toward the officials serving under his government was aus-
tiio ami distant. This he hail acipiired under the sort of military rfijiiiu'. ob-
M'lviil between the officers and .sei-vants of the Hudson's ]?ay Company. I
liivi' luard lagistrates addressed by him in a pompous manner that no Kng-
li'h m ntlcman would assume toward his pdrti-r. 15ut .Sir ■lames solemnly felt
tliat the niaehine of state could only be kept in motion by his delivering eoni-
iiiaail<. with head erect, and witli that rotund and peremptory utterance which
ill "uri! betrayed and excused vul;.'arity. He was rarely visible at his desk or
i:i the street without being arrayed in semi-military uniform; but the elim:ux
111 Ills extravagance was prol)ably capped l)y his being followed perpetually,
Mlictlu r taking an airing iu the country or going to visit, by an imp.ising
orli'riy, duly armed and in uniform. In so small and practical a town as
^ iclni i I, liie tinuptatiou of tlie local wits to satirize so preposterous a spectacle
Was irresistilile. Petty diplomacy was a passion with Sir James, doubtless
i!> Veil. 1 11 1 1 from his youth, iu tlie wheedling mode of transacting business with
tii: biilinis adopted by the company in the interior. Ho never sent away
'W sn|iiiliant for governniental favours without holding out some hope,
w!i!ili, at the same nioment, he in many eases deterinineil to frustrate A
i.iviiiiii plan of his with any whom he thus sought to keep in good humor
v^as til exhaust their patience by expedient und indefinite postponement of

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294

JAMES DOUGLAa

the darkest in the memory of Douglas; for It was
then ho first deemed it his duty to present himself as
a barrier to the hberal dealings of JNIcLoughlin, tuid
a supporter of the more merciless policy of his com-
pany. Wlien McLoughlin had fairly left Fort Van-
couver, however, and Douglas was fully installed
as his successor, he returned to the old and wise
ways which had been characteristic of Nortliwtst
Coast management since 1824, which increasi.-s tlio
suspicion that Douglas was not just then wholly

the object desired.' If I might be allowed a Yankee's random guess I slidiild
say tliat Mr Macfie himself was one of those disappointed ofRce-seekers upou
whom Sir James so unprotitably smiled.

After Douglas had assumed tiio duties of governor of Vancouver Isliiml,
the Americans across the border used to ridicule, not always with the ll»^st "f
taste, what they regarded in liini as unwarranted pomposity. I liuiuwitli
extract the following from the Olymyia Club (.'onvcrstizione, Mri., 9-11!, vliicli
thougli exaggerated to the border of the burlesque, nevertheless conUiiis a
tincture of truth:

'Mr Evans — The old governor used to walk the streets of Victoria jiro-
ceded, about as far as from here to tliat door, by a big Scotchman witli a
drawn sword. You have seen that, haven't you ?

' Mr Billings — Yes [laughing].

' Mr p]vans — I have seen that. I saw it the very first time I went to
Victoria.

' Mr Billings — It was Lieutenant Bowden, now chief of police.

' Mr Evans — I went one time into Hibben & Carswell s bookstore, iiiul
Douglas auil tliis man came in after me. The next <lay, about the siiiuo time,

I went to the photograph saloon on a little alley that turns oif froiii (niverii-
ment street, and tlicre lie went into the lower story as I went upntaii-s. I
nuide some remark about it, and a man told me that that was always tli«
case with the governor when lie went out about five or six o'clock.

' Mr Billings — That is what Mason tells me, Lieutenant Bowilcn wjw tlio
head of his body-guard. He was a large man, weighing 2()l) pounds.

' ^Ir Evans — I have talked with Douglas when lie was governor under the
appointment of Queen Victoria, and governor by virtue of his being eliiit
factor in charge of tlie Hudson's Bay Company's ali'airs. Tiie last time I was
tiiore, when he was chief factor in charge, was when the Russian ollieeri
taken from Petropavlovsk had a reception given tlieni. Captain Tease, ol tin;
revenue cutter Jeff Davin, had a reception, and tliese officers liad a reeeiitiou.

' Mr Tarbell — After he was appointed governor under the queen, lie liail
a paid servant. Tliis man Bowden was brought out, and Sir James took liim
as his servant; but I never saw him going with a broadsword.

' Air Evans — He was a great big fellow, and walked live or six fett iiheail
of liini. I have seen it as many as four or live times. He was tliere walking
ahead, in uniform.

' Mr Tarbell — This man came out with Mooily, and was detailed fnnii
that service. He was a servant of Sir James Douglas, after he was gem lunr,
and after he was knighted.

' Mr Evans — I was a groat admirer of Douglas, and I thought tliat tbis was

II good deal too much humbuggery. So I made fun of it in my way. It win
remarked tliat that was the usual way; that the governor never weiil mit
otherwise. My recollection in regai'd to the mattjr is, that when Ik; wai

SUPERSEDES McLOUGHLIN.

805

true to his most generous instincts, that he was not
at all grieved to have McLoughiin out of the way
and himself in his place. I do not say that ho acted
a (lishonorable part in the accomplishment of this re-
sult. Call it legal or commercial honor, and I do not
think he did act dishonorably; but on the other liand,
had their positions been reversed, McLoughiin ne\er
would have permitted the London directors to frown
out of office his superior because of actions too noble
for the digestion of the corporation. Douglas not
only permitted it, but assisted it, and then gathered
tho spoils.

With himself high chief, and Peter Skeen Ogden
second in command,'^ Douglas not only ably followed
up the system of farming and general business ar-
rangements originated and so long successfully prac-
tisi'd by McLoughiin, but be became suddenly kind
to the emigrants, and in short benevolently committed
all those crimes of charity for which McLoughiin had
hoeu dethroned

Routes naving been opened to tlie interior by way
of Fraser River in 1848, and all being prepared for a
full transfer of the head depot from the Columbia

(111 duty it was; "Make way for the governor, please." There was much
ceioiiKiuy. l>ouglas liiniself was the greatest man to stuml on dignity you
evir saw.

' Mr Tarhull — 0, of course when you went into his office he wanted you
tn take your luit oti' tlie moment you went into the door.

' Mr Evans — He had a man there witli the bagpipes.

' Mi- 15iUing8 — Tliat was on the occasion of a reception.

' Mr Evans — Well, I guess the old man always adhered to that.

' Mr Swan — It was a national trait; most Scotchmen are fond of the bag-
\n\wi.

' Mr Evans — I am a great admirer of Douglas. I tiiiuk he was a great
«t itisiuHii, and I think it was an unfortunate thing tliat tlioy supplanted him
at tlu' time tlicy did.'

TIk^ simple fact of the matter is, that Governor Douglas had a servant who
soiiRtiiiics accoiiipunied his master, armed, and he may \\\Hn\ occasion have
exiiiliitiil his weapon to open the way througli ac A'd. Victoria during tlio
flusli times was filled witli a rough element, not ton much in love with rigor-
ous rule. Although punctilious to what Americans might cull a fault, I am
vc ry sure that he possessed too much sound sense ever to have played the
liutiooii, or to have made himself ridiculous iu the eyes of intelligent, fair-
miinlrd men.

" Says Jesse Applegato, Vieirx of Oreijon IT'iKtrtrij, MS., 1."}; 'Visiting Fort
ViUKciuver annually for supplies, I there met Mr Ogdcn iu ISlo. lie was
till II second to Mr Douglas iu command. '

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JAME8 1K)U(JLAS.

ai''i'

llivor to Vancouver Island, in 184D Douglas removed
with las family to Victoria.''^ In 1859 lio retired fioiii
tlie service of the Hudson's Bay Company, and dis-
posed of his entire interest in that concern."

We shall see in the succeedinj^ chapters of tliis
volume liow James Douglas behaved as governor of
Vancouver Island, and governor of British Coluiu-
l)ia, which latter ])osition ho held until 1804, wlicii
he made a visit to Europe, and how ho conduct 'd
himself in the many trying positions in whica he was
placed during a long and eventful j)ul)lic service. In
1859 he was created C. B., and knighted in 18C>:].
He died at A'ictoria the 2d of August 1877, at the
age of seventy-four years.

The world unites in according the highest jiraisc to
Douglas as well as to McLoughlin. It is the liisto-
rian's duty, however, to inquire further, and note in
the persons brought before him the distinguisliing
characteristics which make every individual to dill'tr
from every other individual Perha})s we may rcudi
the inner teuijdc of the Douglas tabernacle tlie more
effectually by placing liim beside the man he most rr-
sembles, and then marking tlie difierence.

The livtis of both wei'e essentially material. Pos-
sessing high mental and spiritual capabilities, they
were without moral companionship or intellectual
food; yet their intellects, like their bodies, seeiiird
healthful, fresh, and vigorous. Their minds wtic
fashioned, to a great extent, by the same early \n'0-
cepts and the same commercial training. Then hitcr
there were the same interests, ambitions, and disci-
plhie, the same fort life, forest travel, and j)riiiiilive
domination, which for a score or two of years were

'■•' McKiiilay, Xtirrothv, MS., 8, states in liis Imnglina way tliat tlii" iii^'^e
was made 'in lfS47. »ii»iii the rctireniunt of Oovenior Hlansliaiit, wlio ha. I
Ix'i'ii apiioiiitud fidin England, and wliosc oflico expired (in accnuMt lA the
tran.-ifinjnco <if Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company liy the Uiit-
i.<li gdvernniont. '

^•' Dcjio.-^i/./Dii of Jnmi'8 Douijlis on hchat/ nf llic Hii.thou's Bci/ Co.i.j'niiii,
JI. B. Co. Claiim, 4i).

TWO MAfJNIFlCKNT MEN.

297

tlicir constant onviroinnont, and entered largely into
tlic coinpositieu of their cliaraeter. We can scarcely
(iiiici^ivo the pt)werf'ul inlluenee of the iron rule of a
cdiiiniercial corporation on the plastic mind of youth,
which fashionin;^ power is increased tenfold in this
instance by its isolation and absolutism. More than
iiituition, tradition, and early education all combined,
the iiudson's Bay Company made its servants. Tho
\rvv first thiuLj for a novice to do on enteriiii; the
service was to creep into the ever-ready mould, and
the quicker and more effectually he fitted himself to
it, t!ie more useful and successful he became.'*

Standing a[)art, both of these men present a dis-
tiiiuuished front; both arc lavishly praised by their
(oiitcmporaries. I n(>ed not repeat hero what has
l)c,'ii said of McLouu'hlin. Burnett, once jjovernor of
Oregon, and one competent to judge dis[)assionately,
pronounces Douglas "a man of irreproacIial)le char-
actri', . . . of very superior intelligence, and a finished
Cliristian gentleman;" and further: "In his position
of governor of British Columbia, ho was censured liy
^Fr Jolm Nugent of California, as I must think, with-
out sulHcient cause. Errors of judgment Covernor
])oU'j,las may have connnitted, as almost any man
Mould have done, at times, in his trying position; but
lie must have radically changed since I knew him, if
lie knowingly acted improperly."''^ Grover of Oregon

" 'I was sorry to hoar of Douiila.s' tli'ath,' says tho parniloiis olil Ort'gou
si'it!iir, |)anicl Walilo, Cfi/ii/iic.'i, MS., iiassiiii. '1 tlioiiglitii lioajiof liiin. Ho
Wis a mail horn to comiiiaiid men — a martial Icllow. llu never gave an eva.sive
aii-wir. , .McJjoughliiiaiiil ]Jougla.s wi'i'o agoml ileal alike. Tlieilnot ., mlil
tiaitrr yim a little; Douglaa would not. 1 ilo not know Imt J>oiigl • ' ii JMsb
■1^ 1:1 iial. He trusteil everyhody just tho same as tho dnetor did, uiiir the
(liHtnr went out.' One of tlie most iutilligeiit and fair-minded of Oregon's
]ii"Mii.rs, Eirli) Diii/a, AIS., 2, ill ust writes: '1 n-enliict very di.stini'tly tlio
I'.i.li ivnio in our personal iiitereoiirse with (ioverimr McLiiu;;liliii, who was
tliiii lI,o eliief factor, and Sir James Douglas; he was then Mr Douglas, and
s"''iid ill command at Vancouver. The latter was a devoted hidievcr in Vie-
t r M s linht to all .she could maintain, while the other rose ahovethat. Doug-
li^^nudil do what a civil gentleman was eomiielled to <lo towanls assisting
t ic ]...,,r emigrants, and nothing more. The one was cold, and showed liy liia
III iinnr that lie did not wish the Americans to come Iktc, while the other
Was w inn, hearty, and friendly.'

'Hunien's IkcolkctioM, MS., i. 94-5, 273-4, 208, 301-3.

ill'il

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298

JAME8 DOUGLAS.

says lie was very judicious in settling difficulties with
the American miners in 1858; that on one occasion,
when a little war was liable to be stirred up in regard
to rents, licenses, and water rights, he proci^eded to tlnj
mines in j)crson, and made public speeches which in-
duced that rough element to settle their afl'airs peac e-
ably.'«

Tlio author of a pamphlet published at Victoria
in 1858, and who seems to me somewhat hyprr-
critical, remarks: "So far, his acts, though tardy,
have been judicious and liberal, considering circum-
stances and tlie many difficulties he has had to con-
tend with.""

Another writes: "The long service of Sir James
Douglas to the Hudson's Bay Company, his intimate
acquaintance with the various tribes of natives, and
his knowledge of the requirements fo developing the
resources of this the most importai h)ny of En*;-
land in the Pacific, rendered hh.. . that epoch
emhiently qualified to fulfil the duties of governor of
our Northwest American possessions. I have no oh-
ject in bopraising him other than a desire to reeord
my humble sense of his eminent merits. But smh I
know to be the verdict of all unbiassed men who had
the advantage of living under his wise and able ad-
ministration."^^

These are stronger testimonials even than those of
countrymen and partisans, of which I have many.

" He performed the duty of governor of the two cnl-
onies," says one, " with exceeding prudence and yreat
success." ^" " He made himself popular by contributin

to the general good feeling existing among the set-
tlers," remarks another.^" He "worked his way
gradually up to the highest rank by persevei'ance,
sobriety of conduct, and earnest application to busi-

" Gmivrs Puhllc Life, MS., 65-6.
" Wditilini/tonn Frwrcr Mines, 36.
•*" rooli'\i Queen Charlolte hlaml, 66-7.
^* Am/ernoii't NortlnrentConxl, MS., 62.
'^Good's Jiriliak Columbia, 1.

PERSONAL Ari'i:AUANC'E.

'-•09

iiess.

»21

Malcolm McLood testifies: "He was an ofK-
err eminent for his skill, oner*2;y, and daring, and his
conipeeis ranked high in those qualities, for tlie ser-
vice then was one essentially militant, and extremely
l)crilous."^2

Says Mr Cridge:^'^ "Governor Douglas treated the
Indians with the affecticju of a father. This coupled
^vith his justice and Hnnness gave him unbounded
intluence with them. When they came from the
north in such nmnhers as to cause serious ap^jrehen-
siitn, he achieved by his personal authority what
under another might have cost blood, and induced
tlicni to return. At the time of the influx of ^old-
miners in 1858, when some ten thousand men were
encamped in Victoria, whose population at that time
might be some three hundred souls, he conferred n'ith
them as a father and a friend; met and counselled
them on the eve of their various expeditions; and on
one occasion, when they were being misled, caused a
letter to be printed and circulated among them, signetl
]\[. F. — miner's friend — with the happiest results."
More were superfluous.

In personal appearance Douglas was little less
peculiar than McLoughlin. Both were striking, grand ;
aiiywliere in the world, in an American forest or a
London thoroughfare, in a fur-trading fort or in a
Iigislativo hall, either would have attracted notice as
Something out of and above the ordinary man.

Six feet and more in height,"* but so admirably
I>r()j)()rtioned that one would not imagine him so tall
until one stood beside him; erect in liis carriage,
measured in his movements, but natural antl graceful
witlial, Douglas had not his like in all the Northwest.

(

P ' il

■^^ Fifilni/mns Hint. V. /., MS., 30.

■■'■^ MrDoHitld's Peace Biivr, 25.

'" (/iiir(trterinticii of James DoitijUui, MS., 3-5.

"' Aj)j)legate, I'ievs, Or. Uixt., MS., 13, says seven feet seven inches; but
tliis was (evidently a lajtsux linijii(i>.. Manj' have placed his height at six feet
six (ir seveu iuches, but Finlayaou, Letttts, MS., places it at six feet.

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JAMES I)Oi:(;las.

Toward the end of Ids life liis lonnf face secMiicd to
grow longer, hh large features and high f«)rehead to
assume yet more massive proportions, and th(^ always
firm and earnest purpose wluch his eyes and mouth
presented, to deepen into seriousness akin to milau-
choly.

MeLoughlin's was a very handsome face, full and
well proj)()rtioned, with excpiisite features, o^'es, nose,
and moutli not too large, tlic wliole exceedingly pleas-
ing, fascinating, denoting no great powers eitlier of in-
tellect or intelligence, hut with paramount integrity
of purpose and will enough to enforce it.

It is an exceedingly delicate task to press a cl(>s( r
analysis in this instance; and yet I see pa][>ablr
differences in these chiefs so singularly alike.

And first, and most salient, their pi'edispositioii.
]\rcLoug]din was one to he lovi-d; Douglas oiu; to Ik:
res[)ected. Throughout his 'vliole career, McLouglillii
displayed a hroad benevolence, an artless consideratitui
for his fclli)W-man of whatsoever creed, color, or nation-
ality. This generous temper was from a native spiiii.j
which poured forth purest kindness as the bird its
song, because it could not help it.^^ Douglas was kind
and just; but his benevolence was not always untino
tured by policy, nor his symj)athy by selfish inteicsf.
Fort life was in many respects like that of a feudal

'•'''How Ijoundloss must lin tlie human kindnoas f.f a refined nature wliicli
tmU'rgoi^s trial like the following without ever »us])eelin;; it to he a tiiil!
Sjieakuig of tlu; wife of McLouglilin, the widow of McKay who was lost nil
the '/'iiLi/iiiii, Mrs Wilson, Ori'ijoii ,Skitr/it:i, MS., H)-'21, .says: 'Thoiii;li liis
wife wa.s a hall-hrtu'd of the Ojiliway nation, coarse, hent, fat, and lliiMiy. Ii«
treated her like a jiriiicess. In imhlic and in ])rivate he was as loyal to lnT
as if she had lieen a daughter of Queen Victoria. . .He would sutler no iinii;;-
nity or sli;;ht to her. His line hamlsonie form licside the nncoi'setcd tij;iiir "f
the old Indian woman prescntiHl a strangi' contrast, as she waddled licsiiii; him
like a heing of another s])ccics. His gallantry to her knew no liound. en
state oecasion.s, straight as an arrow and inagniticeiitly ajiiiarelled, he wniiM
stand like a si Icndid statue, while this female ahoriginal rolled out helen
liim in ]ilain c otlics and no figure whatever.' In a country where lc::al uiar-
riage was not the -ule, he was tlirici' married to his wife, if we may hclievc
/,'„)„■ r/s /fir., MS., ti(), once 'at Fort "W illenn I y a .Mr MeKen/ie. and aitei-
ward hy Mr Donylas' in his caiiaeit> of justice of the j^'eacc, 'at Vaiicouvir,
and a^^ain liy Archhishoj) Jilanehct.'

COMrAR ATI VE CHARACTERISTICS.

301

o(turt. Bdtli these factors Avcrc strict dlsci])lliiariaus,"*'
to wiiicli tliey liad been trained from youth, and with-
out wliicli tliey could not have held their position.
J^rfoio those who looked up to them as su]:)erior
hc'iiiti^s, they were the embodiment of a commercial
polity, of commercial probity, of commercial success;
to which business policy the individual must surrender
himself wholly: body, family, and life itself. Both
])()s.scssed great powers in this and other directions,
but the authority of Douglas was of sterni;r stuff
than that <-)f j\[cLoughlm. Both were men of prac-
tical sagacity, possessing minds of penetrating insight,
l)ut while one reached conclusions quickly, as if by
intuition, the other was slower, and pondered well
Ijcfore opening his mouth.

Douglas was the stronger; McLoughlin tlie ])urer.
^rdjoughlin was weakened by his good ([ualities;
Douglas was strengthened by his bad ones. Sin
sometimes breeds unha[)plness; so do noble actions.
Vav more misery has been engendered in the breast
of middle-aged respectability by benevolent acts than
in the bi'cast of villany by vicious acts. Intcnnperate
generosity and injudicious trustfulness drove AIc-
J^oughlin into unha[)py old age. ].)ouglas can boast
111. uiduipi>y old age.

J)ouglas was possessed of a cold, proud, formal
tgoism, wholly apart from the warm and gi-nerous
sympathies of McLoughlin. His sluggish imi)ulses
wei'e in the right direction, but they nmst all be
made to })lay within the hard, passioidess limits of
ciiiiventionalisni and aristocratic tradition.

McLoughlin was in temperament (Jaelic; he was

■^"'lioth tlio doctor and Poujilas,' s.iys Rohcrts, nci'oUcrl/nii.^, MS., (15,
' woio lUsL'ipli'iariaii.s, and tlu'ir >ih'itsh v a.-i l.ugoly owing to that. I'vo ol'U'ii
nciii anuised to sue how courtcoiin l)oni;las could he to the rnut'licst [lioin'ci',
iiii ! v\v\\ force nutwaril nyndiols of respect from nic. wlio liad prolialily
s^liowii as niiu^li to no one hcforc. . Thi' captains often had to resort to the
limtnr or Douglas; the latter was much the firmer.' I cannot ajxree with
vliat I liiid written in ('oinjitnii'.'f Fortit ar.d Fort Lifv, MS., •_', where .Mc-
I.|iii_'hlin is mentioned as one wlio.se 'name will go <lown froi;< gentratiou to
K'iiHtion, when Sir .James Douglas will he lost.' Mcjjouuir.in's name will
alvi.;^.j livuj at the sumu time, that of James Douglas W'li never die.

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302

JAMES DOUGLAS.

Ml Hi

I il

i'^- .■'W

lively, social, hospitable. He could be diplomatic,
but not deceitful; hence his diplomacy often fell to
the ground. Douglas was hard, lethargic; more re-
served and haughty, less charitable, more unbending:,
presenting a moral outline of stony rigidity; one who
thought much of himself, which the other seemed
never to do. Their constant p-^pociation made theiii
in a marked degree conformi, in character, to the
improvement of one of them at least. Though con-
forming in the main to the rules of his commercial
order, Mcljoughlin's life was plainly one of impulse
and instinctive action. He would do no wrong be-
cause his company commanded it. The ideal of obli-
gation was outlined in his mind as distinctly as was
Mt Hood before his physical vision.

McLoughlin loved what was genial, noble, honest;
Douglas loved what was imposing, successful, lionest.
The former more than the latter was confined to the
humdrum duties of a prosaic life, and yet we find in
the factor of Fort Vancouver far more of sentiment,
of warm, tender, all-enfolding sympathy, than in liis
more stiff and stolid subordinate and successor.

Douglas venerated the institutions under which lie
was born, the conventionalities under which he lived,
and thence proceeding, soon learned to venerate him-
self, which important figure he never for a monicnt
lost sight of Without knowing it, the comings and
goings of McLoughlin were directed by a spirit of
magnanimous disinterestedness.

That one could drop early instilled traditions and
adopt another faith, as McLoughlin is reported Id
have done, shows at least independence of thouglit,
and, to some extent, freedom from sectarian bondage.
Douglas never changed his religion; nor could he, any
more than the leopard could change liis skin. J)o-
prive the one of his church ceremonies, and his reli-
gion was gone ; whereas the practical piety of the otlur
shone out from the depths of the wilderness throu;ili
every act, and a thousand miles away from ritual.

sons, ben

JOHN McLOUdHLIN. 303

hocili, or priest. The loyalty of Douglas was to the
full letter and spirit of the law ; McLoughlin lived in
tl.v loyalty of his divine manhood, and though obedi-
ent to the law, was yet above it.

The truth is, if I must confess it, McLoughlin's
piety, like Tolmie's temperance, was a garment for
occasions, and not to be worn if it interfered with
more practical matters.

For example, while prayers were being solemnly
read on Sunday in the great hall of Fort Vancouver,
business was sometimes going on as briskly as ever.
An expedition was perliaps on the ta2)is, when, in the
open space without, saddle-horses were being lassoed
from a band of two or three hundred squealing, gal-
loping animals, the thundering of whose hoofs, no
doubt, added solemnity to the responses. So Tolniic,
thougli professing strictly total abstinence before his
sons, being a physician, took the liberty of prescribing
for himself liberal potations when in other company.
And yet ^McLoughlin was pious, and Tolmie temperate.
Douglas was of the strictest sect a pharisee, abound-
ing in meaningless forms more hollow than he him-
self imagined forms could be. Forms to him were
indeed not forms, but actualities; shadows were more
substantial things than the unseen substance that cast
the shadow.

McLoughlin was of quick perceptions. Glancing
over the accounts of an adventure, he could tell you
the profit or loss and the cause of either before
another had fairly begun his calculations. Douglas,
on the other hand, was slow, methodical, exceedingly
fiireful, and he never would be hurried. His work
wouhl be done, and to have it well and properly done
lie was willing to make any sacrifice of persf)nal com-
foits or pleasure, but he must have time. He pon-
dered a matter long, but once resolved, he smote with
vigor and effect.

l><)th were men of dignity and lofty bearing; but
the awe McLoughlin sought to inspire was for the

, ."iirii

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:.i

304

JAMES DOUGLAS.

great cor})oratlon represented in liim, \v. ile the pom-
posity of JJouglas sprang' ratlier from pers ual piidf.
McLouglilin was not only tlie Avealth, the )^ "operty,
and profit of the pUiee, but he was tlie law, tho mor-
ality, and the religion of a vast area occupied ly
every sliade of savagism and civilization, which, witli-
out pr()[)er and enforced exam])le, nnist quickly w-
solve inti) cha(;s. D«)Uglas worshipped his God and
his king, and endeavored to do his duty; but 3'et lie
always reserved a full share of adulation for himscH'.

In bent of mind, in carriage, conduct, und the niau-
agenient of affairs, Douglas copied closely from lis
master, McLoughlin; so closely, indeed, so honestly
and faithfully, that the imitation almost e(|ualled tlio
original. Although they differed in many respects;
although n^ouglas was cold and calculating, even
as McLoughlin was warm-hearted and benevidciit;
although the virtues of Douglas were manufactured,
while those of McLoughlin were spontaiH!ous; al-
though Douglas was civilization's courtier, while ^Mi-
Loughlin was nature's nobleman — yet they were nuicli
alike; so alike, in fact, that there could have been i;o
fitter successor to McLouixhlin than Douiilas. Intth
were able, honest men, both obi-dient to the call of
the higher powers; yet while the highest power tliat
Douglas recognized in the aft'airs of business was the
voice of his su[)erior, McLoughlin used to listen to
the voice of humanity, and recognize something noMn'
in this universe than obedience", evi-n though the edicts
were thundered by the mighty men of Fenchurch
street.

After some forty years of service, the only reproach
]\[cLoughlin's directors could cast upon him was tliat
of too much kindness to settlers. The company
wanted no interlopers; neither did McLoughlin want
them, and he used every efl'ort to discourage thcii'
coming. But once there, liis humanity would not Kt
them die of cold and hunger.

See the poor emigrants as they come straggling

down tin

tioii ! Tl

busy wor

wiitlema

ragged.

the game

tory. Tl

better lia

fort, sow

iiiLjh' unp

sutl'('rin>'

McLouj;]]

in, brings

and comf

liis heiiigi

of support

turc. Bu

the soil d

lie credits

tors comj)

Perish fac

helpless 1

diau Scotc

cuiiation

Now, D
of the fon
an exceed i
to the mi
Was scrup
mnld nial^
no cai'thly
conijiaiiv.

"^My'fid
"Tovvard
know wha
was again,'-
was wry a

i, .•■.-,..

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POLICY, POLICY, POLICY.

305

clown tlie river, staggerint^ under fatigue and starv^a-
tidiil They are not pleasing specimens of the outside
busy world, they are neither educated, intelligent, nor
gentlemanly ; they are coarse, uncouth, dirty, haggard,
raijged. They arc ground-tillers, who frigiiten away
the game; they are aliens, who would usurp the terri-
tory. They arc improvident, foolish, and had much
better have remained at home. They bring discom-
fort, sow discord amonyf the natives, and are exceed-
in<j;ly unprofitable every way. But they are men;
sutl'criug, sorrowing men. And this is enough for
Mt'Loui^hlin. He sends out bateaux, feathers them
in, brings them within the palisades, feeds, clothes,
and comforts them. Warmed into manhood under
liis benignant sympathy, tluy yet lack every means
of Hup[)ort — seed, supplies, and implements of agricul-
ture. But McLoughlin's company does not desire
the soil disturbed; neither does McLoughlin. Yet
he rredits them, these strangers; and when his direc-
tors complain, he tells them to charge it all to him.
Perish factorshi})s and fur corporations, he cannot see
helpless human beings starve. I tell you this Cana-
dian Scotchman was the very Christ of Northwest oc-
cupation!

Now, Douglas likewise was humane; to the children
of tlie forest he was as a father. But Douglas wys
an exceedingly just man. He was kind to the settler,
tti the miner, to the poor of every caste; but he
was scrupulously alive to duty. No earthly power
could make McLoughlin disloyal to his humanity;
no ( ai-tldy power could make Douglas disloyal to his
coniiian}-.

*'^Ly f.icher always liked him," says Mrs Harvey.'"'^
"T()v>ard the last something happened; I do not
know what. I could not learn what it was. He
was against my father in something, and my father
was Mry angry about it."

'" I.!/<- of McLouijhliH, MS., 3

lIlsT. IJHIT. Col. 20

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ifi!

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■ r ^

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306

JAME.S DOUGLAS.

We know what it was. In the unpleasant discus-
sion between McLoughlin and the London directors
relative to assisting emigrants, Douglas took sides
against his old friend and benefactor, and so made
capital with the company. Douglas himself soon be-
came ashamed of his conduct, and repented ; and after
McLoughlin's retirement, he pursued the righteous
policy of his predecessor. But this was not until
after the London directors had become ashamed of
their conduct — for there was really no profit in it, it
being impossible to prevent immigration by any such
means. After this exhibition of his heart to his patron
and sut)erior, McLoughlin saw in Douglas what lie
had never seen before, and never after that were they
the same to each other.

In all this Douglas made no mistake. The com-
pany remembered and rewarded him. He was a
model man for the company. McLoughlin's mistakes
were all errors arising from the nobleness of his nature.
Some men are too coldly calculating ever to make
mistakes. Obstinate and rigid as he was in his liigli,
aristocratic policy, Douglas was ever free from any
unworthiness ; he lacked the sweet weaknesses of Im-
manitv, whence unworthiness is engendered. To be
a little faulty is lamentable; but to be absolutely free
from fault may be more lamentable. For virtue,
concrete and absolute, is unnatural, and to be un-
natural is crime against nature. Douglas would
be a party to no virtuous disloyalty: no, not for
his soul's sake. If less than his superior in innate
nobleness, he would be the greater in outwaril ap-
pointment.

Until selfish interest interfered, Douglas cherished
for McLoughlin a filial afi:ection. But within the
breast of the younger man there did not dwell suffi-
cient kindly feeling or generous sympathy to permit
a sacrifice of self-advancement. His path of honor
always lay in the direction of his company's interests.
Doi'glas could satisfy the requirements of a merciless

Surely
greater
Alas! it
died tha'
savai^es :
namied
mighty i
more tre;
scoundre
age abor'i
The in
of a class
liitlit'rto
men of t
and hone
si We; too
few were
Mercutioi
Bay adv

COLD ANDi HARD.

307

corporation better than McLouglilin; for McLough-
lin's duty was always on the side of charity, while
the charity of Douglas was made subservient to
duty.

In guile McLoughlin was an infant; in everything
covert or cunning he was unsophisticated. He had
spent his life, or at least the greater part of it, among
responsible men, whose words were single, whose
assurances signified something. They were business
associates, business brethren, strict in their dealings,
slower to promise than to perform. Thus the cold,
keen world and the darkest side of humanity had
remained hidden from him. He had not found it in
the forest or in the camp.

He had never met many bad men, except among
classes so far below him that their wickedness excited
his sorrow rather than his anger. The natives were
thieves, liars, and murderers, some of them ; yet even
these it was the policy of his company to trust, be-
cause in giving them credit they derived profit.
Surely there could not be among white Christians
greater villany than among these scalping heathen.
Alas! it was forced upon him to know before he
died that there were worse men in the world than
savages; that there were, even among those who
claimed to be upon a better footing with the Al-
nii<(lity than were some others, men more cunning,
more treacherous and vindictive, greater ingrates and
scoundrels, more diabolically wicked, tut*., the aver-
age aboriginal.

The incoming settlers to the Northwest Coast were
of a class totally different from any McLoughlin had
hitherto seen. They were well beaten and battered
men of the world. Many of them were conscientious
and honest ; most of them were pecuniarily irrespon-
sible; too many were unreliable in their word; some
few were downright dishonest. Few Hotspurs, few
Mereutios, were found in the ranks of the Hudson's
Bay adventurers; all here were under inexorable

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Hl^ ^ '

308

JAMES DOUGLAS.

commercial rule; one must look away upon the moun-
tains, among the camps of the free-traders for Mer-
cutios and Hotspurs.

It is scarcely to be wondered at; it is exactly wliat
we should expect, when the single-hearted ruler cjf
Fort Vancouver, now well past middle age, was hrouglit
into jarring relationship with such an element as this,
that by some of them he should be badly treated,
sadly imposed upon ; that after the most disinterested
kindness he should be cheated, vilified; such being the
way some have in cancelling obligations. Douglas
might boast fewer enemies than McLoughlin, because
he had granted fewer favors.

During the last years of his life, McLoughlin some-
times showed signs of impatience, of which he was
afterward heartily ashamed. When much excited, Jio
would rub his stomach, swear hotly for a moment, and
in the same breath beg God's forgiveness. It was
laughable, except to one who knew the man and tlic
occasion. Yet with all his injuries he did not become
a misanthropic Timon. In the singleness and nolilo
purity of his soul, he could not but believe that umst
men were honest; he could not believe that men aio
as bad. as they are, and he never regretted luuiiig
befriended the unfortunate. To the end he was gentle
and tolerant, though his sensitiveness to ingrutitudo
and wrong was often manifest.

Now, if in order to detect some slight flaws in
tlie grandest and most faultless character of J^iitisli
Columbian history, it has been necessary to view it
by the light of one of the grandest and most faultles.s
characters of any histor}', it only shows our nioic just
and lively appreciation of the man. To the j)r<)per-
minded writer of history, it is indeed refreshing' to
find the central figure in the early affairs of a col ( my
or commonwealth so worthy of the proud pedestal on
which it is his greatest pleasure to place him. Xeitlior
Doutflas nor McLou<Jthlin ever did a base or iuniohlo
ftct; and side by side, even as in life they were so olten

> i

LET BOTH BE PRAI8ET).

809

found, their names shall forever stand unsullied in the
annals of tlie great Northwest.^

^"Thc life of James Douglas is in truth the history of British Columbia
frdin its beginiiiug, through all its early changes ami vicissitudes, down to
al"iut 1875. I have in tliis chapter only outlined the salient characteristics
of this remarkable man, for a fuller knowledge of whom .1 nnist refer the
riailur to the other parts of this volume, scarcely a page of which is not af-
fiiti'il by his influence. My authorities for this chapter are: Douijlns' Pr'iiiile.
I'lijHiv, Istser., MS., passim; Dowjlns' Joumnl, MS., passim; Dow/Ian' Pri-
ivi/c I'dpe.rs, 2,1 ser., MS., passim; Jltirtvi/'s Life of John McLoughlin, MS., 30
ct sii(.; McLmit/kliiis Privite Pdjierg, ser. i., ii., iii., MS., passim; Fiii-
/7/.s()H'.f J/Ut. V. I., MS., 30-3, 67; Anderson's Northmst Co<int, MS., 14,
;;,'), .V.t-OS; Tolmiea Piojel Sound, MS., 2; ATcKinlai/'g Narrative, MS.,
(1; dimd'n British Cobimhia, MS., 1; Graver's Puhlic L{f'e, AIS., 65, 66; Olymjna
diihCoM's., MS., 9-13; Pnhcrts' Rec, MS., 57, 65; BurrwU's Jiec, MS., i. 94-5,
'J7:i-4; McLeod's Peace Biver, 25; Wilkes' U. S. Ei-pl. Ex., iv. 351-9; Address
villi Meiiinriids iipnn the Betirement of Sir James DoiK/las, passim; Bejdy,
U. S. to II. B. M. Treaty qf Washington, 74; Waddim/ton's Frcuter Mines, 35 6;
;/. n. Co. Er., n. B. Co. Claims, 49; Tod's A'eio Caledonia, MS., 4li 7;
Ei-'iiis' Hist. Or., MS., 279; Cridqe's Charaeteristirs of James Dowflas, MS.,
3-."); Wiililo's Criti</ues, MS., 13-14; 27ih Comi. 3d Sens., II. Bept.' Com. No.
,?/, i. 50, 57; Or. Pul). Bee., MS., 4; Comptoris Forts and Fort Life, MS., 2;
H.iivns Mer. Life, MS., 20-1; Moss' Pictureji, MS., 20; Pettii/rnve's Or.,
.MS., 1-6; Saxton's Or. Ter., MS., 131^1; MiiUo's Early Bal/s, MS., 2;
]\'i:<>ii's Or. Sketches, MS., 19-21. The biographical notices given by the
jmlilid press in different parts of the world upon the occasion of his death,
of wliich there are too many even to make mention, are remarkable not only
for tiie information they do not contain, but for the remote distance from
truth of the statements given.

■',

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V: r

I;m-

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.
1851-1859.

RKOONCrLLATION OF AxTAOONISTIO ElEMBMTS — TlIK TerMS OF SETTLE'Mr.Nr

Unjust and iMroLiric — The Inauguration ok frovERNMKNT I'liKVA-
TURK— No Government BUT THE Best Govebnment — Continuanik of
THE Domination of the Monopoly — The Puoet Sound Company-
Provisions OF THE CnowN Grant in Reoarp to Government — Kxri
ration of the First Five-year Term and Renewal —The OFFrcKs of
Governor and Maoistrate at First Unitkd — Illegality ok Delki^at
iNo Imperial Authority to a Colonial Governor in Coi;ni ii.—
Organization of a House of Assembly— I' arcioal Performani ks of
THE First Legislators — The Wild Beasts and Savages Sikvivk i iik
Result- Touching Display ok Family Aft-ecfion in the Manui i.a-
•noN OK Government Affairs — Douglas Compelled to RKLi.vyi isii
Some Portion of his Honors and Emoluments.

With the inaui^uration of James Douglas as rolo
iiial governor, two of the oppugnant elements wliich
(luring the past two years had ruttted the usual serenity
of tlie Island were harmonized. The manageiiuMit
of Hudson's Bay Company affairs and the rulersliip cf
the colonial government being vested in one prison,
factor-in-ehief of the commercial monopoly and ri |i-
resentatlve of the queen's authority, it only reiuaim d
for him to reconcile to himself differences bctwtiii
the company and the crown according to polic}' or
conscience. The third element, the colonizers, was,
fortunately for the peace of the Island, insignitic ant
at the first, and was now since the inauguration of tlio
new governor rapidly diminishing. If there was too
little governing south of the 49th parallel, nortli of
that line there was now altogether too much. I pou

(310)

TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT.

811

tho devoted head of tlie poor S( ttler, surrounded by
jtaldus savages and under the most arbitrary and
insane restrictions tliat ev(>r emanated from a free
jroN crnment favoring free colonization, rested the incubi
(f monarchy and monopoly. N(^'t alone must the
pound per acre for wild, and thus far worthless, land,
stolen from the savages, be paid the imperial govcrn-
iiu;nt, but to the representative of the government as
the representative of a crushing monopoly must the
settler go for every necessity, every article of comfort
or form of requirement, paying therefor often two or
three hundred per cent on London cost; to tliis same
hydra-head he must carry his produce, and receive ft)r
it Avhatever the comi)any might please to pay. Who
among nineteenth-century Englishnuai would leave his
happy English home with all its hallowed memories,
and take up his residence in this far-away north-west
wilderness only to breathe so stifling an atmosphere
astliis? Nobody. And so Douglas traded skins and
rr.lod, though he presently had few subjects except
his own hired servants.

He had now, I say, only to reconcile to his policy
or conscience any infelicities arising between imperial
and commercial interests, but I do not say that Doug-
Ins was disposed to deal unfairly in regard to either
trust. He was wise enough to see that self-interest
lay in equitable adjustments. He was wise enough
to s( that henceforth throughout this domain com-
moixial power must diminish and imperial power
advance. The combhied sovereignty was not beyond
his capabilities, yet both were not essential to his
permanent advancement. He could live upon the
onioluments of his chief factorship, or upon his salary
as governor. At present the two cond>ined were bet-
ter tlian either singly; he would be true, so far as in
him lay, to the interests of both; but ready at any
time to relinquish either. When relinquishment be-
came irresistible, he would let go the lesser and hold to
the gr-eater ; which would be permanently the greater,

' !

■ i 1

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, If-

Jr.

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:-i4-U'

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312

THE ISLAND UNDER DOU(iJ,AS.

and whicli tlie loss, his diKcriminatlnj*' jiulgJiicnt iiiid
clour forosigl't luiJ already told him.

Between 1851 and 1850, in the absence of settlers,
the duties of imperial rule were light. The nionojt-
oly, having everything its own way, managed nuitters,
in tlio main, to suit its own interests. Wiuitever Wiis
to 1)0 done for England on these shores, that l-)ouiL;las
did well and faithfully. The tranquillity of the north-
ern fur-fields was somewhat disturbed by t^*^' Iiidiim
hostilities south of the border, but Douglas was too
well versed in aboriginal traffic to permit open rupture
with the natives so long as he could have them tn
liimself, and away from the demoralizing inliueiice of
stranjjei's.

During this time the Hudson's Bay Compuny, t<>
all intents and purposes, enjoyed monopoly the Siuui)
as if there had been no colony and no colonial (Tcvern-
ment. There were no merchants on the Islat d, no
manufacturers, no miners, other than the adventurers
of England, for none could compete with them. Tliere
was no money on the Island; all business was barter.
There was no intercourse with the mother country or
with the world, except through the medium of the
monopoly.

Even in agriculture, in practical manipulation, at
least, there was also monopoly — grasping, overshadow-
ing, merciless monopoly. With nearest and b(.:st lands
secured, and every resource at command, whatever was
required for home consumption and more, whatever
could be profitably export* d to .\usMau America, the
Hawaiian Islands, or els' " "^ , he Puget Sound ( 'oiu-
pany could furnish at p .elow what ould be cost

to the distant and isolat ettler

In granting the Island i th' rur company f )r col-
onization, it had been stipulateii by the crown, aiiiono'
other conditions, that at the end of the fifth year I n
1849, unless certain progress in settlement was niado,
the charter should revert to the imperial government

-^n^jrW]

OVKKllKACIlIXd.

ni;{

And now, savs Finlavsoii, owitj'^ to tlio liesitation of
(•(ilitiiists to come I'orward, "tlio coiinuiny l)0<ran to j^ct
iuixit>us." They heji^aii to see that there was such a
thiiijjf as overreachiiiLT liicniselves in coiitiiiuin}; too
far the exclusive system. They were in no haste to
colonize, hut they could not hope always to hold the
lial.ince of j)ow('r if there was no settlement. ] fence
they released some of their reserved lands, intluenced
some of their servants to become settlers, and made
frcsli efibrts to induce familiivs from ahroad to make
the Island their home. To j^ave further color to their
|)roce.'lin^s, a imnd)er of the officers, Dou'^las and
Work, Tod, Tolmie, and Finlayson, bought wild lands,
paying therefor the (me pound per acre. The I'uget
S(»imd Company appointed bailiffs, who, besides a
salaiy of sixty pounds a year, were given (me quarter
of the farm profits, with liberty to draw goods from
tlu! Jiudson's Bay Company stcjres at cost and ex-
jx'iises chargeable to the farm account.*

It must not be supjiosed that such of the officers
and servants of the Hudson's Bay Company as had
lu'come landholders and settlers on Vancouver Island
shared with the London management the desire for a

' ' The company object to bringing the goods of Hettlers into the island,
ImtiKit to taking goods away; tiie inference being tliat they oliject to any-
tiling liiie coiniietition.' ('(x>jk'i; in Iiouxe o/Com. lit'pt., H. B. Co., 1857, 204.
Tlic licverend Staines ' became much disaatistiod with things, witli Mr Doug-
lu ami his administration as governor of tlie colony, others joincil with him,
l-Miliiii,' to a division among the settlers. And now a portion of tiie Hudson's
Bay ('(iiiipuny traders al.so became dissatisfie<l with the course of ^Ir Douglas
Hiiil his oliiuers. They complained that the governor coidd not <lo justice to
liiitli jiarties; that the chief factorship should be separate aud distinct from
the giiviriinrship; that tlie goo<l3 for fur-trading purposes were transferred
to tile Puget Sound Conipany's colony ai' cost and cliarges, wherciis they were
W'irth seventy-live per cent on the prime cost, for lasii, in the open market.
Tills was the complaint of the comiiai\v ■"crainst the representatives of the
tiilimy, and they wished for a sepctration.' Finlin/non's V. I., MS., 5.'l-4.
'Ihi'ie are some queer stories aflr,at respecting these times; sueli as emi-
grants brought out anil iiiiprisone''. on their arrival for not choosing to work;
<il others peremptorily forbiddei'. to locate on certain lands, or the company
Wdiild not jirotoct them; of respectable emigrants coming over to obtain tiie
necessary information and s<>«-'Je and leaving in disgust; of workmen flogged
for tritli's; of a miner Laving his skull cracked with a blacksmitli's hammer
by a tnieman of tho company at Nanaimo, and receiving a compensation in
lind or money to nake him hold his tongue; of agreements subscribed on the
Island, promising never to speak ill of the company, etc. Some of these
steries have been 2>robably exaggerated.' WaddimjlonH Fraser Mines, 34.

: '

i ■ ''i'li:

:!■: f^

! t

!'■!■*■■

I %

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ill

:;!ilKf

THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

continuance of fur-trading rule. The settlers' petition
to parliament, made in the autumn of 1853, to which
I have before alluded, asking that the company's grant
should not be renewed at the expiration of the fivo
years' term ; that the Island should be taken under the
immediate management of the imperial government;
that a governor and subordinate functionaries should
be a]>pointed and paid by the home government; that
courts of justice should be established; that the execu-
tive council should be separate from the legislative;
that a majority of the legislative council should be
elective for four years, by such of the colonists as held
not less than two hundred acres of land, and the house
of assembly to consist of nine members, to be selected
every three years; that the elective franchise, now
enjoyed only by persons holding twenty acres of land,
should b( extended so as to include persons occupy m^f
houses or paying rent to the amount of ten pounds
per annum, or owning farming lands to the valu<! of
ten pounds, or city lands to the value of twenty
pounds, and that the price of public land should l)e
reduced to ten shillings an acre, payable in five annual
instalments, with interest at the rate of five per cent
per annum — tlie petition to parliament, I say, asking
these things, was signed not only by Staines, (;lrant,
Muir, Blenkhorn, Wier, Langford, Atkinson, Hall,
Sangster, Yates, Hawkins, Wilson, Russell, Downie,
Perry, McKay, Humphrviys, and others, directly <)[)-
posed to the Hudson's Bay Company in almost all
their interests, but by the highest company ofiicials
themselves, by every member of the governor's cduii-
cil, even by Tod, Cooper, Finlaysou, Tolmie, Work,
Kennedy — all, in short, except tlio governor, his fam-
ily and more immediate retair.ers.

No disloyalty to the conipany was attached to this
proceeding; it was only aa expression of opinion that
at the expiration of the present five years the intercf^ts
of the government and the company should be wholly
distinct. They saw that Douglas, in his present

nw-

EXPIRATION OF THE TERM.

316

incli

anomalous position, was (Joing justice neither to him-
self, his company, nor his govcrmnent, and the quicker
tliese several interests were segregated, the better for
all concerned.^

The truth is, these shrewd Scotchmen saw nothing
for themselves in the present arrangement. They
could manage the affairs of the company as well, or
better, untrammelled by imperial forms. It was well
enough for Douglas, with his eight hundred pounds a
year salary as governor, but the others were now
land-owners and settlers as well as fur-traders, and
tiiese new interests were rapidly assuming proportions
paramount to the older ones. Governing could never
be i)rofitable to them unless England was willing to
pay something for the satisfaction of numbering among
lier eolonial possessions the Island of Vancouver. If
the government of the colony was to be borne
entirely by the colonists, they had better be without
it, for the natural w Uh of the country they could
i^fatltor themselves.

llitlierto under the grant of 13th of January 1849,
il'iving absolute lordship and proprietorship of the
Island, its lands and minerals, at a yearly rental of
Seven shillings, with tlie privilege on the part of the
crown of resuming possession at the expiration of five
years by reimbursing the fur company its colonial ex-
penses, little had been d(me in the way of governing.
There was, indeed, no special need of a government;
in the absence of settlers, the old relations between
Indians and Europeans were the best, and these could
be maintained by the fur-compar.y alone; the imi)erial
parliament was powerless to rule ^Vmerican savages.
They might exterminate, but they could not govern.

As the expiration of the term of five years covered
by the grant drew nigh, the fur-traders saw that unless
they would lose their colonization charter something
must be done. A series of i)lausible excuses might

ill

'Tliia ilocnment with all the signatures is too lengthy to give here; it may
Ite (..1111,1 in full in the Olyiiijua Volumbim, Oct. '29, 1S."3.

316

rHE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

be framed, which, if backed by sufficient of the ris^Jit
kind of influence when placed before the government,
would be all-sufficient. First, they had carried out
the re(juirements of tl.- charter; therefore it was no
fault of theirs tliat colonization liad thus far failed;
and finally, it was the fault of the government in
making such absurd conditions. These weighty ex-
cuses at length prevailed, and in 1854 the Hudson's
Bay Company succeeded in obtaining from the Biit-
ish government another agreement granting tlioui
Vancouver Island for purposes of colonization for
anotiier period of five years.

We have seen how Douglas began his colonial roign
as chief of the provisional council appointed by Blan-
shard just before taking his departure, James C()o}»er
and John Tod being the other members of the council.
After having been made governor in the autumn of
1851, seeing no immediate necessity for any cluinge,
])ouglas continued to administer imperial authority
by the aid of a council, adding only the name of
lioderick Finlayson to the former number.^

Thus government affairs drifted on till 1854, wlu'n
ended the five years' term of the grant,* after wliicli
the name of John Work was substituted for that of
James Cooper as member of council.

Nor was it difficult for the company to obtain an
extension. Tlicy pointed to their peaceful reign, to
the absence of crime on the Island; they expressed
their willingness — nay, their earnest desire — to adopt
any means the government might suggest for the
extension of colonization. And so the grant was
renewed for another five years; and the Hudson's ]^ay

^Cooper, Mar. Mnfferi, MS., 1-28, says that the avowed ohject tol" .u-
coniiilislieil by the formation of this coiiiicil Wiw to liold in cliuck the auto-
cratic jiowiT of the Hudson's Bay ( 'oinjiaiiy. If this wore the rual iiisttail
of the iirotcnded purpose — and, as I take it, it was real with Bhinshanl, aiul
pretended liy some otliers — it was manifestly no less puerile in its concojituni
than farcical in execution.

*'In 185.3,' says Deans, Setlknmit r./.,MS., 14, ' Mr Tod, Mr Finlaysuri,
and Captain Cooper formed the council.' So Mr Finlayson, Hint. V. /., M'**->
6(), ' wat) appointed to the council which stood in 1852-3.'

RENEWAL OF GRANT.

317

Company, with Douglas chief factor and governor,
continued to rule Vancouver Island until 1859.

Soon after this arrangement was made, however,
the question began to arise in the mind of British
statesmen conversant with the principles of colonial
law, whether the crown, in a settlement of English-
nu'ii, could legally convey authority to make laws to
any council or legislature not elected wholly or in
part l)y the settlers themselves.

Ui)()n the founding of the colony of Vancouver
Island, Governor Blanshard in his commission and in-
structions was directed to summon general assemblies
of fteeholders, qualified by their ownership of twenty
acres of land, with whose advice and the advice of Ins
council, to consist of se\en members, he was to make
laws for the good government of the people.

(Jovornor Blanshard's commission contained another
clause, introduced for the purpose of permitting the
governor, if possible, to form a legislature which
should provide for the immediate necessities of the
colony before an asseml)ly could be convened. This
clause empowered the governor to make laws with
the aid of his council alone. The governor, at his
discretion, should divide the Island into electoral dis-
tricts, fix the number of representatives, and exercise
tlie usual power of proroguing or dissolving the as-
senihly at pleasure. The legislature thus constituted
should have power to make laws, levy taxes, and regu-
late the aifairs of the Island, always subject to tlie
ajiproval of the crown. It was the intention of the
imperial government in these instructions, no doubt,
that an assembly should l)e formed as soon as ])ossible.^

We have seen how, by the high jirice of land, the
presence of an overshadowing monopoly, and the at-

■' ' I am convinced as well by the ceneral tenor of tlio documents themselves
as liy tlie information which I have been able to obtain of tlie intention of her
iiiaji sty's government in framing them, tliat it was then coiiteiiiplatcil that
sulIi assemblies should be summoned as soon as it slionld be jiractioablu to do
80.' L:!bouc/i(jn-'6 DeitjMtch to Gov. Dowjkis, i28th February 1850.

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THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

tractions over the border, colonization had been re-
tarded. We have seen the difficulty, the impossibility,
of summoning an assembly of freeholders, chiefly for
the reason that there were no freeholders to summon.
Or if there were landholders, being mostly servants of
the Hudson's Bay Campany, it was not regarded as
exactly the tiling to organize a popular tribunal solely
from the ranks of the monopoly.

Hence it was that Governor Douglas, for some time
after Blanshard had resigned, deemed it advisable t(»
act on the power apparently given him to manage
matters with the advice of his council only, and to
pass such laws as the exigencies of the time required.
And this action on the part of Governor Douglas met
the entire approval of the imperial government.

But at length the time had come when the true
spirit of English law must be given free play, even in
this far away and still almost tenantless isle. If it
were true that the crown could not legally confide the
law-making power to a governor in council, then the
clause in his commission on which the governor relied
was unwarranted, and his acts under it invalid.

At all events, it appeared best that steps should he
taken to establish a legislature for Vancouver Island in
accordance with the spirit of the English law. Hence
on the 28th of February 1856, Laboucheire, secretary
of state, writes Governor Douglas, instructing him
without delay to call together an assembly according
to the terms of his commission and instructions.

By the ninth clause of his instructions, the governor
had power to fix the number of representatives, and
if he should deem it essential, to divide the Island into
districts, with polling-places in each. To the assendily
thus summoned, the governor, with the advice of his
council, might suggest such measures as seemed to
him requisite. Among the first steps to be taken l>y
the assembly, the secretary suggested that the acts
of the government already performed without the
authority of an assembly should be made valid.

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A LEGISLATURE.

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The maintenance of a constitution on the model of
larger colonies, with a house of representatives and a
council, Labouchtire goes on to say, in so small a com-
munity might be inexpedient for the present, and per-
haps for years a smaller body might satisfactorily
perform the requisite functions of government. Such
a body, however, could be organized only by enactment
of a legislature authorized by the commission, which
would be an assembly acting with the governor and
his council.

That is to say, a legislature might be formed unaer
the p)rovisions of the commission, and when thus legally
constituted, it might, for convenience or for purposes
of economy, surrender its powers into the hands of
a single power as had been done successfully else-
where.

"I leave it to you to consider," continues Labou-
oliere, "with the advice of the local authorities, the
number and proper qualifications of the members of
such a single council; but in the event of your deter-
iiiunng to introduce the elective principle into it, a
certain proportion, not less than one third, should be
nominated by the crown. The power of assenting to
or negativing, or suspending for the assent of the
crown, the measures passed by such a council should
be distinctly reserved to yourself. And it is very
essential that a constitutional law of this description
should contain a proviso reserving the initiation of all
money votes to the local government. An additional
reason in favor of the course which I now prescribe,
namely, that of calling together the assembly, and then
if the legislature so created think proper, establishing
a simpler form of government, is to be found in the
circumstance that the relations of the Hudson's Bay
Comjiany with the crown must necessarily undergo
revision before or in the year 1859. The position and
future government of Vancouver's Island will then
unavoidably pass under review, and if any dilficultios
should be experienced in carrying into execution any

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THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

present ir structions, a convenient opportunity will ^)o
aft'orded for reconsideriu<i: them."

To these instructions Governor Douglas, on tlu;
22d of May, thus replies: "It is, I confess, not wltli-
out feelings of dismay that I conteni})late the nature
and amount of labor and responsibility which will be
imposed upon me in the process of carrying out the
instructions conveyed in your despatch. Possessing
a very slender knowledge of legislation, without legal
advice or intelligent assistance of any kind, I apjiroadi
the subject with diffidence, feeling, however, all the
encouragement which the kindly promised assistance
and sui)port of lier majesty's gcn-ernment is calculated
to inspire."

While averse to universal suffrage, or to making
population the basis of representation, the governor
deemed it expedient to extend the franchise to iill
persons holding in the colony a fixed property stake,
that class being more numerous than the other, and
having equal interest in the permanent welfare of the
colony. He therefore asked permission of the hn-
perlal government to extend the franchise so as to
give the representation a wider basis, but was told in
reply that it was thought best, for the present, not to
alter the commission, but to convoke the first assembly
in strict accordance with its provisions, and then bring
before tliat body a measure for extending the suftVage.
The council at this time consisted of John Tod, senior
member, James Cooper, Roderick Finlayson, and John
Grant. Calling a meeting of the council, the governor
laid before it the secretary's instructions concerning
the summoninig of assemblies of tlie freeholders, and on
the 4th and *Jth of June the same were duly consid-
ered. The result was a proclamation issued the Idth
of June 185G, dividing the Island into four electoral
districts, apportioning the number of representatives,
and appointing returning officers for each."

"Tlio four districts were as folldwa: Victoria to be represented liy tliree
meinliurs, Andrew Muir mturiiiug oHifur; Es(|uimiilt and Motcliosiii, two mhmc-
bers, H. W. O. Margary ruiurniug oliicer; Naiiaimo, one muniber, (,'. K. Stiiurt

ELECTION

321

Seven members were to be returnea, wnose qualifi-
cation was the ownership of freehold estate to the
amount of three hundred pounds or more/ The prop-
erty <j[ualification oji voters remained as fixed by
tlio gcvernor's commission, twenty acres or more oi
freehold land. " There will be a difficulty in finding
properly qualified representatives," writes Douglas to
Labourhere, " and I fear that our early attempts at
k't^'islation will make a sorry figure; though at all
events tliey will have the effect you contemplate of
reinoving all doubts as to the validity of our local en-
actments." Following the example of British Guiana,
tin; agents of the absentee freehold proprietors were
allowed to vote in place of their principal.'* Writs
calling a general assembly of freeholders for the pur-
pose of electing members to serve in the general assem'
blv were made returnable the 4th of August following:
Elections were duly held according to notice ; and in
three of the districts the electors were so few in number
that the returns were little more than mere nomina
tions. In Victoria district, however, there were no le!;«4
than five rival candidates, who fiercely contested for the
honor of memljership of the first house of assembly of
Vancouver Island. And thus were chosen "seven fit
and discreet persons," into whose hands the destiny of
the nation was for the time being confided.^

rctiiniiiigoflicor; Soke, one member, JohuMuir, junior, returning officer. Vic-
turiii (U.striet conii)riseil the country eu^t of the Victoria Arm and of a line
riiuuiug in a northerly direction toward Siumicli, so as to include Peer's Farm;
]l.s(iuini;ilt <li.strict, tlie country east of Victoria Arm, and eastof I'edder Bay,
iialudiug McKenzie's and tlie farms west of Colijuot's River; Soke distriit
fioni I'ldder Bay to Otter Head, the headland beyond Soke; Nanaimo dis-
tiict simply tlie town. The returuina ollieerof eacli district was at the same
tinu' I'lirccti^d to give notice wlien and where the poll should betaken.

' 'Til have fixed upon a higher 8t;uidard of qualification would have dis-
qiialiliiil all the present representatives, leaving no disposable persons to re-
l)l;ui.' them, and it appeared tome impolitic as well as unconstitutional todis-
[lensu altogether with the property qualificatiou.' Letter from J)oui/1<m to
Lihn'irhrn; dated '2'M July 185G.

•■ ' 1 lie governor laid down as a principle that the custom or practice ob-
wrv( '1 in England should, as far as possible, be adopted in this colony in
iraniiMgthe rules for elections.' Miiiiid' <ij' Council, 9tli June 185().

"Tlicir names were John Muir, Soke district; Thomas Skinner ami J. S.
M.l;nr!;t'n, Kh(]uimalt district; John V. Kennedy, Nanaimo district;. J. D..
I'.iiiliurton, James Yates, and E. E. Langford, Victoria district.
HhsT. BuiT. Col. 21

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THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

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The august body convened the 12th of August.
and the first house of assembly was declared open lor
business. "The aflair passed off quietly," wrote the
governor, with a naivetd which, in a less unsophisti-
cated statesman, might be regarded as sarcasm, "and
did not appear to excite much interest among the
lower orders." ^^ Then followed the governor's address,
which, though a kind of congratulatory wail, was de-
livered in a dignified and inapressive manner."

'• Who the lower orders upon the Island at this time were, I am at a loss to
know, unless we should seek them amongst the oily Indians, or Farsou Staines'
pigs.

" Herewith I give the governor's address in full:

'Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and of the House of Assemhhj : I con-
gratulate you most sincerely on this memorable occasion; the meeting in full
convention of the general assembly of Vancouver's Island, an event frauyht
with consequences of tlie utmost importiince to its present and future inlial)i-
tants, and remarkable as the first instance of representative institutions being
granted in the iufiuicy of a British colony. The history and actual position
of this colony are marked by many other remarkable circumstances, t'allcil
into existence by an act of the supreme government, immediately after tlie
discovery of gold in California, it has maintained an arduous and incessant
struggle with the disorganizing cflfects on labor of that discovery. K( mote
from every other British settlement, with its commerce trammelled, and inut
by restrictive duties on every side, its trade and resources remain undevel-
oped. Self-supporting, and defraying all the expenses of its own government,
it presents a striking contrast to every other colony in the British empire, ami
like the native pines of its storm-beaten promontories, it has acquired a slow
but hardy growth. Its future progress must, under providence, in a f.'reat
measure depend on the intelligence, industry, and enterprise of its inhal)i-
tants, and upon the legislative wisdom of this assembly.

' Gentlemen, I look forward with confidence and satisfaction to the aid ami
support which the executive power may in the future expect to derive from
your local experience and knowledge of the wishes of the people and tli(!
wants of the country. I feel assured that, as public men holding a solemn
and momentous trust, you will, as a governing principle, strive with one aceoril
to promote the true and substantial interests of the country; and that our
legislative labors will be distinguished alike by prudence, temperance, aud
justice to all classes.

' (Gentlemen, I am happy to inform you that her majesty's governnu^nt
continues to express the most lively interest in the progress and welfare of
this colony. Negotiations are now pending with the government of tlie
United States, which may probably terminate in an extension of the r(^i'i-
procity treaty to Vancouver Island. To show the commercial advantages con-
nected with that treaty, I will just mention that an impost duty of thirty
pounds is levied on every one hundred pounds' worth of British produce which
IS now sent to San Francisco, or to any other American port; or in other
words, the British proprietor pays Eis a tax to the United States nearly tlie
value of every third cargo of fish, timber, or coal which he sends to any
American port. The reciprocity treaty utterly abolishes those fearful im-
posts, and establishes a system of free-trade in the produce of British cul-
onies. The eflfects of that measure in developing the trade and iiatuial
resources of the colony can, therefore, be hardly overestimated. The coal, tie
timber, and the productive fisheries of Vancouver's Idand will assume a

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GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

323

The first legislature would scarcely be called a wise
or imposing body of men, or the representatives of a
powerful state. Exclude the rocks, trees, and sav-

value before unknown ; while every branch of trade will start into activity,
and become the means of pouring wealth into the country. So unbounded is
tlie reliance which I place in the enterprise and intelligence possessed by the
people of this colony, and in the advantages of their geographical position,
tiiat with equal rights and a fair field I think they may enter into a successful
competition with the people of any other country. The extension of tlie
reciprocity treaty to this Island once gained, the interests of the colony
will become inseparably connected with the principles of free-trade, a system
which I think it will be sound policy on our pare to encourage.

' Gentlemen, the colony has been again visited this year by a large party
of northern Indians, and their presence has excited in our minds a not un-
reasonable degree of alarm. Through the blessing of God they have been kept
from committmg acts of open violence, and been quiet and orderly in their
deportment; yet the presence of large bodies of armed savages, who have
never felt the restraining influences of moral and religious training, and who
are accustomed to follow the impulses of their own evil natures more than the
dictation of reason or justice, gives rise to a feeling of insecurity which must
exist as long as the colony remains without military protection. Her Majes-
ty's government, ever alive to the dangers which beset the colony, have
arranged with the lords commissioners of the a<lmiralty, that the President
frigate should be sent to Vancouver's Island; and tiie measure will, I have no
doubt, bo carried into eflfect without delay. I shall nevertlielcss continue to
conciliate the gootl-will of the native Indian tribes by treating them with jus-
tice and forbearance, and by rigidly protecting their civil and agrarian rights;
many cogent reasons of humanity and sound policy recommend that course to
our attention; and I shall, therefore, rely upon your support in carrying such
measures into etfect. We know, from our own experience, that the friend-
ship of the natives is at all times useful, while it is no less certain that their
enmity may become more disastrous than any other calamity to which the
colony is directly exposed.

' Gentlemen of the house of assembly, according to constitutional usage,
with you must originate all money bills ; it is therefore your special province
to consider the ways and means of defraying the ordinary expenses of the
government, either by levying a customs duty on imports, or by a system of
direct taxation. The poverty of the country and the limited means of a popu-
lation struggling against the pressure of numberless privations, must neces-
sarily restrict the amount of taxation; it should, therefore, be our constant
study to regulate the public expenditure according to the means of the coun-
try, anil to live strictly within our income. The common error of running into
speculative improvements entailing debts upon the colony, for a very uncertain
ad\ antjige, should be carefully avoided. The demands upon the public revenue
will, at present, chiefly arise from the improvement of the internal communica-
tions of the country, and providing for the education of the young, the
erection of places for public worship, the defence of the country, and the
administration of justice.

' Gentlemen, 1 feel in all its force the responsibility now resting upon
ua. The interests and well being of thousands yet imborn may be afifected by
our decisions, and they will reverence or condemn our acts according as they
are found to influence, for good or for evil, the events of the future.

' (ientlemen of the house of the assembly, I have appointed ChibJ justice
Cameron to administer the oath of allegiance to the members of your house,
and to receive your declarations of qualification; you may then proceed to
cliuose a speaker, and to appoint the ofiScers necessary for the proper conduct
of the busmess of the house. James Douglas, Governor.'

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THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

ages, the wild beasts and fishes from their constituency,
and there was Uttle leffc.'^ Indeed, that the forest
was not called upon to furnish Solons was almost a
wonder, for the fiat had gone forth that there should
be a colony and a government, and search the Island
through, not more than six or seven men might hu
found eligible for the important trust, and these nmst
be returned by one or two voters each. There were
then upon the Island but about two hundred and fifty
white men, although there had been more. Most of
these were servants of the Hudson's Bay Company,
and few of them were land-owners.

J. S. Helmcken was chosen speaker, and took liLs
seat smiling audibly. Before the heavy work of tlio
day was fairly undertaken, the machinery of govern-
ment was brought to a stand by reason of questions
being raised as to the property qualifications of two
of the members, and the validity of the election of
one, thus leaving an efficient force of but three mem-
bers besides the speaker.

Again the governor found himself in a dilemma.
To one of the immortal seven, objections had been
raised purely from party motives. Possibly these
might be quieted or overruled. "In the territorial
government of the United States," writes Douglas to
Labouchere the 20th of August, "the practice in
such cases is for the governor to grant certificates of
qualification to a majt^rity of the members, who then
proceed to constitute the house; but I am not certain
if such a course would be in harmony with Englisli
law; nevertheless, if the house should appeal to mc
on the subject, I will have recourse to that expedient."

But happily the governor was saved from pursuin:^'
so questionable a course. After adjourning from day

'^ ' There waa a farcical affair in the shape of a legislature house of assem-
bly, wli„i'e two or tlirce votera returned as many members to the house. As
there was no revenue to expend and no powor conced;;il to tlie house, tliiir
logiclative efforts could only be and were abortive. This assembly die;! a
natural death in 1859.' Cooper's Mar. Mnttem, MS., 12. See also Cooiici's
testimony before the select committee. House Com. Sept., 192.

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LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

326

to day, meanwhile practising to the best of tlitiir
iinonlight<"ncd ability the political j^yrations and genu-
flections most eflfective on such occasions, party difFer-
oiices were adjusted in so far as to achnit of the
forming of a committee, which proceeded at once to
inquire into the qualification of members elect. The
return of Mr Langford was dedan 1 void, on the
ground of his not possessing suflficient proDerty, and
J. W. McKay was elected in his place.

By the 13th of November, after numberless vicissi-
tudes, the house declared itself ready for serious busi-
ness; and there was nothing of more sombre concern
tlian the ways and means of money-raising; so tliat
id first the financial capabilities of the colony and the
detail of the expenditures occupied attention. On
tiiw 18th of December a bill passed the assembly and
was carried to the council, granting the sum of one
lumdred and thirty pounds for the payment of the
servants and the defraying of the ordi'iary expenses
of the house. "I am now preparing a bill for im-
posing a custom duty on imports as a means of meet-
iiig the ordinary expenses of the government," wriiis
Douglas on the 9th of January 1857 ; "but the subject
must be approached with caution as there is a very
general feeling in both council and assembly against
taxation under any form, and I am prepared to en-
ceuntcr much clamour and opposition in carrying so
unpopular a measure through the house."

A French dancing-master in a Parisian salon could
not have been more painfully polite than were these
l»lu:sterinor Scotch and Endish fur-hunters in this
^V( stern wilderness. However far short of its im-
l)ei ial model the incipient government might fall in
l)0!nts of learning and intelligence, dignity and cour-
tesy should not be wanting. Scarcely a message is
transmitted between the son-in-law speaker and the
fatlier-in-law governor unless accompanied by fulsome
flattery.

TJie governor sends "Mr Speaker and Gentlemen

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THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

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of the House of Assembly" a dry document on finance ;
on receipt of which it is resolved first of all, " that the
thanks of this house bo presented to his excellency
the governor for the communication." With juoro
insignificant detail the governor "highly appreciates the
complimentary message," whereupon the legislators
immediately resolve "that the speaker bo requested
to thank his excellency the governor on behalf of this
house for the information so courteously and promptly
afforded," which, as usual, constituted the burden of
the communication. But the climax of public
affection is reached when, on the 10th of December
1856, on the receipt from the father-in-law of an
abstract of the income and expenditure of the colony,
the son-in-law "on the part of the house of assembly
begs respectfully to acknowledge the receipt this day
of a gracious communication and an abstract of the
income and expenditure for the year 185G from his
excellency the governor, and to inform his excellency
that the house of assembly unanimously resolved that
the thanks of this house be presented to his excellency
the governor for the same." Surely this man's merri-
ment was only exceeded by his family affection. Nor
is it at all difficult to perceive in this connection who
was the government."

They were, forsooth, a happy family, these fur-
hunting legislators. The Douglas was all in all,
lord paramount, dominator, imperial viceroy, and fur-
traders' factor-in-chief. Work, Finlayson, and Tod,
chief factor, chief trader, and ancient pensioner,
respectively, of the Hudson's Bay Company, com-
prised both secret council and house of lords. The
seven wise men, representing the seven districts
of the Island as a house of assembly, were in their
several vocations almost wholly of the monopoly.
Helmcken was staff doctor of the company; Pcni-

^^lieturn to an address of tlie Honorable the House of Commons, dated ->")th
June 1857, for Cojnen of Extracts of any Despatches that have been receiml hy
her Afajfsty's Secretary of Slate for the colonies, on the subject of the establish-
ment of a Jiepresentalive Assembly at I'ancouver's Island.

END OF SECOND TERM.

bcrton, surveyor ana ardent attacM; McKay, clerk of
tlie company; Muir, former servant of the company,
and fatlicr of the sherifl'; Skinner, agent of the l*uget
Sound Agricultural Company; Kennedy, a retired
officer of the company api)ointed by the governor and
council to represent the district of Nanaimo; Yates,
by the grace of the company, merchant. D. Cameron,
brother-in-law of the governor, was chief-justice, and
A. C. Anderson, retired chief trader, was collector of
fustoms.

After the performance of their important duties,
wliich appear principally to have been provision for
tbe payment of their own expenses, the first house of
assembly lapsed into oblivion.

Thus the government of Vancouver Island con-
tinued until 1859, at which time terminated the sec-
ond live years of Hudson's Bay Company colonial
domination. During his term of office, four distinct
and often antagonistic interests looked to Douglas as
their head; namely, the HudsoTi's Bay Company's fur-
trade, the colony of Vaucouver Island, the Puget
Sound Agricultural Company, and the Nanaimo Coal
Company.

It was impossible for him to do justice to each of
these several trusts. No man can serve two aiasters.
Xo honorable man will permit himself to ser/e as a
manager of a corporation, or of a commonwealth,
where his fullest capabilities are not permitted free
play in the performance of his duty to shareholder or
citizen. During this entire term it was obviously im-
possible for Douglas to throw his entire strength and
intiuence upon the side of every one of his several
oppugnaji.t trusts, and he should have long since re-
signed, or rather he should never have accepted more
than one of them at once. But he loved the power,

"'Tliis took place in July, two years ago,' says Alfred Wacldingtou,
writing in 1858, 'and nobody can toll me, nor do I believe it is knowni, when
the asjicmbly is to be renewed, unless it be at the will of the governor.' Thia
assfciiibly died a natural death in 1859. tooi)ers Mar, Alatiers, MS., 12.

m I

!... .>If->< !

■r. I I

I ! '

i4t;

ii:^

II 'i

II '

l*i:

328

THE ISLAND UNDER DOUGLAS.

and he loved the emoluments. For a very great man
or a very ambitious man, the whole of this north-
west wilderness, and all that it contained, was at bt;st
a small sovereignty, which, to cut into parts, some
of them wellnigh hollow, were an exceedingly petty
business.

But the time had now come when he must roliu-
{{uish his hold on some of his several trusts. He nmst
cease either to be factor or governor. ^^ Thus the case
was put before liim by his company. It was not dif-
ficult to deternune which power was in the ascendant.
Therefore Douglas chose to abandon traffic, and hold
to rulership. The result was, that in this year of
185"J the management of the several associations was
given up, and the governorship) retained. Douglas
abandoned forever all interest in the Hudson's Bay
Company, and Work, Tolmie, and IVIcTavish became
the new board of manairement. With the retirenuiit
of McLoughlin and Douglas the glory of the corpcna-
tion departed from the Pacific. ^^

'"'The fur-trade was the company's commercial operations proper; the
Pugct Sound Company was <listinct altogctlicr, although soiiu' of tlir ll\iilsnn'-!
Bay Company's oHicers belonged to this ccmipany likewise. Tlie coal cuiiip:iiiy
was carried on liy sliareholders of the company, in which the oflicers hvv li;ul
notliiiig to do. These four interests were under the superintendence of Mr
Douglas until 1859, when he had to sever his connection with the Minlsdii's
15ay ( 'ompany altogether. He had his choice to remain with the couipiuiy or
become governor of the colony.' Fiiihii/Kon's V. 1. and N. W. C, M.S., "I'l.

"^ My authorities for this cliapter are; Doiujbia' Prirnilc Paper.'*, MS., 2il
ser. 34-50; Cooper's Mar. MaW'r.% MS., 12, V,\; Finlai/.toti's Jlist. V. I., JLS.,
4.)-7, 50; TntVs Xew ('alrdoiiia, JIS., 22. Let it be obserqed that every iiiiin-
bor of the first council liere gives in hi'; evidence, all being in manuscript. 1
may furtlier mention the San Biruaruino Guardian, .Tan. 1 1, ISGS; Brit. Colo-
iiist, April 4, 1877; ['ietorin Stundard, Aug. 8, 1877; Wadilin'jlonn FniM-r
Minrjf, .'<'); Ellin, in ]lou«e Ciiiiimnits Itejit., //. B. Co., 1857, 3.14; Cooper, in Id.,
100; Fiid(ii/'.i Diri'it., i., 38',), 90; CoruwaUis' Xetu El Doraxlo, 33; aud J/c-
Donald, iu Brit. Col. Sketchex, MS., 30.

CHAPTER XIX

1 ! ■

1 : i

THE JUDICIAi/.Y.
1853-1859.

TilE QUE3TIOK8 OF VaNCOITVEB IsLAND GOVERNMENT AND JOSTICE IN HOHB

PoLnicAL Circles— There 19 no Money in it — And Therefore Tiiet
May Saiely be Left to Themselves— Blanshard, the First Gov-
ernor. Likewise the First Judge— Douglas as a Man-tamer and
Measurer ok Retribution— The 'Thetis' and the ' Trincomalek '
Expeditions — Bloodless V.- tory over the Cowichins — The Bright-
est Virtue of James Doug' as — David Cameron Made Chief-justice—
His Antecedents, Duties, and End — His Successors, Needham and
Begbie — Revenue — Land and Liquor — The Mighty Power of Rum,

Nai urally among the first questions arising in the
minds of office-holders, but more especially of office-
seekers, when it became certain that the grant of
Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company
would be consummated, were, How is the new colony
to be governed? How is justice to be administered
there? We have seen the tirst question answered in
the perse us ol Mr Blanshard and Mr Douglas. The
other '"equired more delay and further legislation ; for,
as mutters now stood, the law required offenders on
the British Pacific coast to be sent to Canada for
trial. This would no longer do, now that Vancouver
Inland was a colony. Therefore, when in the house
of commons on the 27th of March 1849, Mr Glad-
stone asked the under-seeretary for the colonies if
it was the intention of the government to introduce
during that session any bill for altering any existing
statute touching Vancouver Island, the answer was,
None, except to establish there courts of judicature.
Tho bill was accordingly introduced on the 25th of

(3291

330

THE JUJ)ICIARY.

June. It was supported by Earl Grey, and benaiut'
a law.

In supporting in the house of lords the bill lor
the administration of justice on Vancouver Island,
Earl Grey remarked that it was the object of the im-
perial government to reserve judicial power to IIk
l(jcal legislature of the Island, with right of a[)pcal
from the courts so constituted to the privy council.
No political power was given by the grant to the
Hudson's Bay Company. The governor might l)i'
selected by the company, but their choice must he
approved by the crown. It was not proposed to enter
immediately upon legislation and taxation, but tlic
governor might summon a legislative council when-
ever there w*:'re sufficient colonists to make it advisa-
ble. As an excuse for the grant in the first instaiue,
he said that it was necessary that the rights oi tlie
crown should •■»e defined at once, that regular auih:.i :ty
should be planted there to prevent irregular occujui-
tion, and, if the government were to do all this, it
would prove expensive. The result was that qui. ■ a
little economical delay happened before English golil
was spik for Vancouver Island government or justice.

Justice under English law was first administered
on Vancouver Island by Richard Blanshard, the first
governor. As there were no colonial funds, no means
of paying a recorder or other admiui.strator of justice,
the liovernor wan obliged to act in that capacity.-
And Bjo under Df)Uglas, until legislators could be emi-
vent<l, who should provide the means of payment for
judges, and sheriits, and the usual paraphernalia of

^Han-inrrTfi Parliamcntiiri/ Deftntes, 3d aer. I'lii. 1371; cvi. 106{)-S'2.

- * So that you were governor and justice 't ' iveked Hoeliuck; ' hud ymi inn-
.<«tal>lea ? ' ' Vos,' replied Hlanahard, ' when I waisteda constable I swon' ( ao.'
Jlome Cornitinn-t liiyf., H. B. Co., 1H57, 290 *Th<-y had no courts for tn.il
west of the mountains. Governor Blansliu: I was tiie first to instituti' iiniit'
hnrro. He himself used to a'ljudieate in > .ises. In one case he came iiito ii'i-
laiou with the late Sir Jameii Douglas it a matter in connection with rlnii-

tung, and iii which tiie power of Mr l>>iuj,'las Mas called in (juestiou h,\ Mr
lliMshard. Tiiu latter stated that Mr r)oui;las in the case had no autlinrily
«•• act. Mr DouLtlas wan aummoned li»-toro Mr lilansliard. And tliis was t.ie
tirst time tliat English law was felt hero.' Fiidoysona I . /., MS., 100.

law courts
enior in (
standing i
was organ
of the con

Up to :

Island.
roltiijears,
were at tl
extremely
laane mar
til is regal
power was
two instai
tli(.' native
t)lfenders '
war, ou oi
the Trina.
In Dec
I'eter Br
natives, o
to Xauai
fearful le
them, wh
'•aptaiii o
volunteer
cejited.
h'uni the

Vessel, J\(
\>^:)'\, tow
l)iiu;.,das
Anch<
.shot'.' an<

ers \V(!re

to iinpai

i he sett
iiri^ni of thi
f.:iii.'r lost tl
M.S., 15.

I rifi

THE VOLTIGEURS

331

law courts, justice must be administered by the gov-
tiiKir in council. And in the place of sheriffs and
standing armies, a mounted police, called voHigeurs,
wa.s organized from among the settlers and servants
of the company.^

Up to 1857 there was but one constable upon the
Lsliiiid. There was no military force, if wc except the
riilijiicurs, so that settlers scattered about the country
were at the mercy of the savages. Yet outi'ages were
extremely rare, thanks to the uniformly wise and hu-
mane management of the Hudson's Bay Company in
this regard. Still, an occasional display of superior
]u)\ver was not without wholescmie effect. In the only
two instances of trouble occurring prior to this time,
tlic natives had been induced voluntarily to give up
odrnders to punishment by tlie appearance of men-of-
war, on one occasion by the Thetis, and on another by
the Trhicomalce.

Ill December 1852, one of the company's shepherds,
I'l'tcr Brown, at Christmas Hill, was killed by two
iiutivus, one of whom Hed to Cowichin, and the other
ti) Xanaimo. The settlers were greatly alarmed,
fearful lest the terrible Cowlchins should annihilate
them, which, indeed, they might easily do. Kuper,
I'aptain of the war-vessel Thetis, lying at Es(|uimalt,
\<iluiite<jred assistance, which Douglas gratefully ac-
(■••jitid. A force sufficient for the purpose was taken
iVuni tlie Tlieiis, and placed on board the company's
ves.s( 1, Recovery, wliich was then, the 4tli January
I'^j:;, towed by the ateamer round into Haro Strait,
Dou'das beinjj in command.

Aiichorinir off thi^ Siuiulch villai^e, .Douglas went on
MK.f. and began to talk to tlie lieatlien. The offend-
ers were not liero, but the governor took this occasion
to iinpai't a liujftkhfij^ lesson. He told those present

I 111' settlers were mweh annoyed Ijy oattle-thievea, wliicli w.is in fact tlie
orif^iii of tliis organization. Cows •wiin «h()t within call of lioiiio. '()iio
f niii- lost thirty-six hi;aii of cattle in three years.' Duaiis' HtUlemvnt V. 1.,
MS,, 15.

1 ;■

THE JUDICIARY.

of Queen Victoria and the British parliament, of law
and love, gunpowder and perdition. He a.ssured tlicni
if white men injured them they should have rcdresf,
and if they injured white men they should be punished.
Then, with his blue-jackets and marines, he proceeded
to Cowichin, arriving thereon the morning of the Otli,
and throwing the village into quite a flutter of ex-
citement.

The usual demand was then made, that the mur-
derer should be delivered up. The chief asked time
to ccmsider, which, as Douglas desired to avoid blood-
shed, was granted. A meeting was appointed for
final conference next day on shore, the savages bL'iiij,'
afraid to trust themselves among the voltigenn and
others on board.

At the appointed time the forces from the vessels
landed, the Cowichin chief, witii a few attendants,
receiving them; on a knoll a tent was pitched, and
the wliite men waited the attendance of the rest.
The chief advised the withdrawal of the troops a
little out of sight, lest his people should be afraid to
land. This was done, and yet nearly an hour elapsed
before any of them appeared. Then two canoes were
seen making their way quietly out of the river After
them soon came six others, larg^er ones, all in a line.
Paddling slowly along the shore, chanting tlieir war-
song, drunmiing on their canoes, and whoopin<i^ like
demons, they passed by the council-ground and landed
a little beyond; then rushing up the hill, shouting, and
clashing their arms as if to shake with terror any
army daring to oppose them, they stood glaring lero-
ciously at the intruders.

It was with difficulty Douglas could restrain his
men from firing ; gradually the savages became quieter,
however, and then they produced the murderer, armed,
and painted from head to foot. A grandiloquent de-
fence was then made by the prisoner, whicli vould
have done honor to any criminal lawyer, the bui'dcn
of which was that he was wholly innocent. After

more parle
white men,
More fa
formed the
(•f tlie Bri
he could re
book prece
ileterniined
press upon
could not
was to foil
red each w

On the

uainio and

ised for t

ordered tw

coal tliems(

mouth of t

assembled

not be fori

whili! the c

would be

their safet>

lmn;j,ing t(

lieu (tf the

no amount

The arnie(

all was des

as possible

white men

rewai'dcd 1

iiands witl

Surelv 1

like this oi

lieeii so ea

to havo m

PUNISHMENT OF CRIME.

333

more parleying, he was finally handed over to the
white men, to be tried at Victoria.

More fatherly advice was now in order. "I in-
fnrnied them that the whole country was a possession
of the British crown," writes Doujj^las, thoufj^h how
he ft >uld reconcile such a statement with his prayer-
hook })recept, Thou shalt not steal, which with such
(leterniined persistence he endeavored always to im-
press upon their minds, the unsopliisticated savage
could not tell. Nevertheless, for the tobacco wliicli
was to follow, they promised loyalty, and white and
red each went his way.

On the 1 0th, the expedition appeared before Xa-
iiaiiuo and demanded a conference, wliich was prom-
ised for the following day. Meanwhile Douglas
(irdered twenty-one voltigeurs under McKay to con-
ceal tliemselves during the night in a canoe near the
mouth of the Nanaimo River, and when the natives
assembled about the vessel, should the otlier criminal
not he forthcoming, to search the village for him,
while the chief, who was the father of the murderer.
Would be seized, and kept on board as hostage for
theii' safety. Morning came, and with it the savages,
i)rinij,ing to the Beaver piles of valual)le peltries in
lieu of the murderer. But they were informed that
no amount of property could buy the man's acquittal.
The armed boats pr-oceeded to the village. Tliero
all was deserted. Making themselvc>s as comfortable
as possible, though without destroying anything, the
white men patiently awaited events, .ind were finally
rewarded by the murderer being delivered into their
liaiids without bhH)dshed.

Surely nothing could be more noble than conduct
like this on the part of the governor. It would have
l»een so easy, so less trying to patience and dignity,
to liave- given the word to fire, and so to have mowed
•l'»wii a hundred innocent men for the crime of the
'lie uuilty. "On one or two occasions," writes Doug-
las t T(k1, immediately after the capture of the first

I it

834 THE JUDICIARY.

criminal, "the aflfair had nearly taken a serious turn,
a misfortune which could hardly have been avoided
had it not been for the perfect arrangements of Lieu-
tenant Sansum, and the admirable temper and for-
bearance exhibited by the force in circumstaiico.s
infinitely more trying to brave men than actual con-
flict . . . The surrender of a criminal without bloodshed,
at the requisition of the civil power, by the most
warlike tribe on Vancouver Island, is an epocli in
the history of our Indian relations which augurs for
tiie future peace and prosperity of the colony. Tell tlie
settlers to be prudent and vigilant; but at the same
time entreat them to dismiss those idle terrors of
Cowichin invasion which have so often distressed
their minds." Arrived at Victoria, the Indians uude!-
went a form of trial, and were executed.*

Not long afterward a white man was shot, but not
mortally, at Cowichin, and soon the governor was
there again with the Trincomalee towed by the Offer.
Yet more peremptory conduct on both sides marked
this occasion. The natives refused to give up the
(!ulprit, and desired to fight. Though consideratf and
humane, there was none braver or more detortnined
than Douglas. He would not harm the poor smat^es
if he could possibly avoid it; but he would have tlie
offender and satisfy justice if he swept the Island into
the sea.

The governor landed his forces, and each side (hew
up in battle-array ; the red with tremendous and fearful
noise, the white with mountain-howitzer and musket.
Douglas beckoned the chief forward, and a parley
ensued, but without favorable result. The wliit(> men
then encamped wiiere they were. Next morning the
governor stood before the Cowichin village, still in
the interests of peace and humanity. Behind him were
the muskets and howitzer ready pointed awaiting his
signal to fire. Instead of the chief, the murderer

* Dnui/Uts' Private Papem, 2d ser., MS., 3i-4; Deam Settlement I I.
MS., U.'

-njMlii

BLANSHARD AND DOUGLAS.

330

liiiiisolf, armed and painted, came out, hesitated a
moiiieut, then quickly raised his gun and pulled the
trio (^rcr. It missed tire, else the governor had probably
l)e( II slain. And yet he did not give the signal to
fire. Coolly and calmly he stood his ground, while
the savages seized and bound the offender, and handed
him to the governor for justice. The trial took place
imiuediately, and the Indian was hanged there before
all his people.^

Such was the administration of justice during the
first years of the Douglas rule. But the governor did
ni)t relish it. In his less dignified days he had fouglit
Indi.aiis and hunted criminals to his heart's content.
And now to continue in himself the offices of sheriff,
)U(lt;(\ and executive, together with a dozen otliers,
was more than he cared for. Mij^ht he not make a
jud^e even I'^fore legislators were convened, and after-
ward o^et government to sanction the proceeding, and
the colony to [)ixy the cost?

Tliere was, al)out the time of this last occurrence,
at (^)wichin oii3 David Cameron, Hudson's Bay Com-
pany clerk, and superintendent of the coal-mines at
Nanaimo He was a brother in-law of the governor-
it IS wonderful how prolific was the family when offices
were vacant bat we must also bear in mind how
^cantv was suitable ijovermnij material at this time.
riere was an opportunity foi a little stroke of busi-
ness. And it was all business civdizinsjj, christian-
izui'j;, colonizing, and governmg What sliall I gain
hy it? was the question and. that not in heaven or
ht-rt'after, but litre and now

Cameron nad been brought ap a draper; he once had

harge of somebody's estate m the West Indies, and

lie now received from the company one hundred and

tifty pounds a year for his services. Though he knew

* 'Coart woulil HdtiBetimefi be hold a* which Indians were trie. I. Floj;ging
«'asH"iiiet>nie8inflintwt upouth- natives whith thoy deemed v Ty disgraceful,
riio ilr itli-uriialty wu» xuiiicted ju Indians. MrUonalU, m Bnt, CoL Sketc/icn,
MS., L-J, ^ '

*n hi,.

330

THE JUDICIARY.

nothing of law, never having been called to the h\v,
yet lie might make a most excellent judge, buiiii,'
brother-in-law to the king. In civil oases, at least,
where human life was not at stake, lie might serve
well enougli; the company being always one of the
parties in such suits, all he had to do was to decide
in favor of the company. The matter of salary was
worthy of consideration; but with liis pay as clerk Iw.
miglit live ; it would cost nothing extra to act as judj^c;
there was honor in it, the first chief-justice of the
colony, and all that; besides, it would not do to let so
impcjrtant an (office go out of the family (»• out of the
company. Suppose some big-wig having a knowledge
of law and a mind of his own should come out fioni
Enghmd armed with the autliority of deturmiuiiitf
here, there, everywhere, what miglit and wliat u\\>^]it
not be done, one wlio might awn presume to instruct
the governor in his duties, and prescribe limits to the
power of tlie monopoly. It would be fearful; entail-
ing, besides, heavy expenses upon the colony for the
luxuiy of a curse.

No! Since Blanshard's day, matters were not so
bungled. Appoint Cameron; get government to ratify
the appointment; then let him serve without pay for
the present, trusting that all will come out j)rolita-
bly in the end. And so it was done. The supreme
court of civil judicature of A'^aneouver Island was
created, and the draper became chief-justice of the
colony.^

Kules to be observed in the supreme court iov the
admmistration of justice in civil cases were submitted

^ ' Was tli(?ro any dissatisfaction expressed at tlie time of liis appointiiient ?'
asked Mr I'liristy of Mr Cooper liefore tlie suleet committee. ' Stroiij,' hmikjii-
str.iueejt wure made l)y petition to the governor, and hy petition to tlio limi.si i)f
commons, was the reply House ('oniiiniiis Rep'., 11. B. Co., KS.")7, '20-. ' lli«
settlers at K 'd Uiver in 1840 petition the removal of the reconler, AdamTiidni,
becau.-ie of lus favi>rnifi the fur comi)any in his decisions. Cdli/init, in /''■, 'Wl.
Mr ( 'oopci heforo tlie select committee n narkeil of Mr Staines: ' Me was pur-
seciUcd most vilely, 1 lielieve, myself, through the instrumentality of this Mr
Cameron, for he was a prominent pirty there; he. Rev. Mr Staines, was iw
(loul)t olinoxious to the autlionties, and he was perseeutod u:i that account.
Jlome Co.ninons Rqpt., 11. B.Co., ISJT, I*J3.

by C\M-
ril, and w
copy of
I'lieri' for
same on ^

Ciinien
ISr);'..' an(
iiial utKce
wa.s still {
residence
of his tk^u
ill 1858, 1

But a y

out lUOIUV

from the i
nial (l(,'ve
eriior Bla
Rty Com
officers ou
must he ri
tact," rem
in their g
own e.Kj)e
nients; th
paying pr
shall he o
Iiromincn
published

After
every elc
traditions
and cdllet
clerks, tn

J //-««• 0/

''Tills aoci
iloparture of

»llu <lied
'■i'lth M;iv KS7

'•' ' MV Xe,
till' islijul of

His

DAVID CAMERON.

337

bv Chief-justice Canieroii to tho o<)voni()r and coun-
cil, unci were approvod tho 17tli of February 1857. A
c(Ji)y of these rules was transmitted to ^Ir Labou-
chere for final approval, and proclamation made of the
saiDc on Vancouver Island."

Ciuueron received his nomination from Douj^las in
ISoT),** and his a[)pointment was confirmed by the colo-
nial <ilfico about the end of the year, at which time he
was still at Nanaiino. Early in 1854 he took up his
residence at Victoria, where he remained to the day
of his death." Cameron was superseded 1 )y Needham '"
in 1858, he by Be^bie in 1859.

But a lioveriunent cannot be carried on forever with-
out money. It had been stipulated that the proceeds
fioHi the sale of public lands might be devoted to colo-
nial development. Before leaving the Island, Gov-
ernor Hlanshard had been informed by the JLudson's
Bay Company that no salaries would be paid public
otticrrs out of the proceeds of land sales. Such salaries
must he raised either by taxes or duties. " This is, in
fact," remarked the governor, repudiating the clause
in tlieir grant which binds them to ])rovid(!, at their
own exjjense, all neccssaiy civil and military establisli
meats; their own arrangements tend to prevent a tax-
paying population settling here; and that the harbors
shall he open to all nation for the pur[)oses of ti'ade is
proud iiently put forward in the prospectus they have
published.""

After the departure of Blanshard, however; after
every element and person obnoxious to fur-trading
traditions had been removed, when all revenue levied
and collected should fall into the pockets or honorable
clerks, traders, and factors — there was no longer ques-

^ I I'll/. -I' of Commons Returns to an Address, dated June 2.5, IS.")?, 18.

•■ Tins according to Coojjer. Finlayson dates lii.^ apixiiiitiuuiit 'after the
ilepaituic of Blanshard,' say in 18.")2. Jfiit V. I., MS., 100.

''Ih' lUedat Bdmont, V. I., the 14th of May 1872. Oli/mina Transcrq)!,
'-'•'itli M;iy 1872.

'" ' Mr Xee.lham was then knighted and appointed to a similar position in
till' island of Trinichid, West Indies.' Finlayson s V. I., MS., 101.

^^ /ll'iiis/inrd's Desjtixtehcs, 11.
Hist. Biut. Coi,. -n

i!|lll

•I'M'

'■''■'i

THE JUDICIARY.

tion as to tlic right disposition to bo inado of tin' pio-
coods of land sales.'"

Sonic revenue might be seeured from sales of iiiiKJ
if settlers would come forward and pay their ]t<)iiii(|
per aere; but if the lands did not sell, the privilujirc
was of little avail. Was there no other airciicv
whereby patriots might secure profit as well as honor
for their services 1 Yes : there was rum. As a civili/,( r,
rum had been always king. Whoever heard of tiu^
accomplishment of great tilings in the new world— of
conquests, conversions, pacifications, and occupations —
without the aid of alcohol? White men and red iiicn
both loviid it, and would lay down their life for it.
Let this stimulant, then, do what every other stimu-
lant failed to accomplish ; let whiskey energize wlieru
philantrophy, enlightenment, and progress could not
inspire. Let justice be supported by the emoluments
of vice, and let the noble institutions of Euroi)e he
planted in America with empty rum-barrels for their
foundation. So, by order of the governor hi council,
liquor-dealers in Vancouver Island were made to ]iay
each an annual license of one hundred and twenty
pounds. At the time when the first house of assonihly
met there were four of these licenses on the Island,
one held by the Hudson's Bay Company, and three
by retail dealers.

By paying this annual license, keepers of piihlic
houses might freely import liquors and sell without
further restriction. There were no duties on spirits
or groceries, and on this license liquors might be sold
in any quantities or to any persons except Indians.
No license was required to sell any article except
spirits. And although this license was by many
deemed exorbitant, yet if there had been no more un-
wise nrovisions in colonial regulations, as colonization
goes, immigrants would have been more than usually
fortunate. By this means, in due time, the sum ot

'■^ 'The revenne of Vancouver Island prior to ISoS arose principally frmii
the salo of land.' Fiukiynons Hint. V. I., M.S., 84.

IIKVENUE AND EXPENDITURK

- •!!■': i '!

one liundrcd i)<)uncls per annum was provided for the
cliiet'-justice."

Fur the year endin*^ November 1, 1855, the pubhc
txjK nditure ot'tlie colony was £4,107 2s. M. Tlie in-
come from all sources, including duty on licensed houses
and sales of public land, was £093 2s. lOd. Among
the items of expenditure were government premises,
£7 lbs. lOd.; surveying department, £083 18s. Id.;
rojids and bridges, £1,388 S.s. 5c/.; Victoria (church, par-
sonage and chaplain, £1,302 I7.s. 5d; public schools,
.i'.'i'JO 4.9. lid.; poor-rates, £10 10.s. i)d.; administration
of justice, £100; jail expenses, £30 ds. 2d.; militia,
£81 8s. 8d. From land sales were received £334 17s.
Cxi, and from duty on licensed houses £340.

( )n the 0th of December 1856, the house of assembly
asked the governor what the revenue of the colony
ini^lit be. The reply was, "that the house can exer-
cise a direct control only over the revenue raised in
the colony through the act of the general legislature.
Tlio revenue derived from the tax on licensed houses
is therefore, I conceive, the only fund absolutely at
our disposal; the proceeds arising from land sales,
royalties, and timber duties being remitted and placed
to tlie account of the reserve fund in England, which
is, however, also exclusively applicable for colonial
])urp()ses, with the exception of ten per cent allowed
liy virtue of the charter of grant to the Hudson's Bay
C"oiii})any." The revenue received from licensed houses
was, in 1853, £220, in 1854, £400, and in 1855, £340.^*

'- ;-; ;

" And now, besides the £1.50 as clerk, Cameron ' receives also another .€100
JILT iuiiuiin from what is called the license fund. There are heavy licenses
fniiM the imblicans; they my about £120 per annum. I believe that gives an
iiKdiiu; to the colony of about £400 or £500 per aunuin, and he receives £100
oiitiif it.' Cooper, in J/omc Commons BeyL, 11. B Co., 1857, 193.

" llctween the 12th of July 1855 and the 10th of October 1856, there were
sold (if public lands 2,1.37 acres. 'The extent of unimprovable rockj'saya
^\ illiam Cr. Smitli, secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company, in his statement
reii(lire<l the governor, the Kith of October 1856, 'added to the allowance
madi' for roads, somewhat exceeds 837 acres, leaving 1,299 acres, three roods,
and 'JO perches chargeable to purchasers; on which £512 iln. Gd. has been
already paid in, anil there remains payable by annual instalments the sum of
£787 Ox, 10(;.' la addition to above, £6,193 was received from the Hudson's
Bay Company for lands purchased or reserved by them. Up to the 19th of
July ltj55, the total amount received from land sales was £6,871 9«. M. The

IMAGE EVALUATION
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33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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THE JUDICIARY.

An appropriation for £130 passed the assembly tlio
18th of December 185G, and was approved by the
council and governor the 14th of February 1857.
The items, all of which were to be paid out of the duty
derived from licensed houses, were as follows: £50,
to be placed at the disposal of the governor, to pay for
copying documents for the use of the iiouse; £10 to
Robert Barr for services as clerk of house; £5 to
Andrew Muir for services as sergeant-at-arms ; £25
for salary of clerk of house for 1857; £15 for salary
of sergeant-at-arms and messenger for 1857; £20 for
heating, lighting, and furnishing house of assembly
for 1857; £5 for stationery for members of assembly."

The truth is, government on the Island thus tar,
with the sole exception of the legally appointed
governor, who could have performed all the duties of
that office equally as well had he been only chief
factor in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's
affairs, was mere sham. The council was a sham, in-
competen'' to ordain; the chief-justice was a sham,
the hireling of the monopoly, knowing no law; and
the legislature was a sham, for there never had been
given, by act of parliament, sufficient power to con-
stitute a legislature. All that had been done was
doiie by the power of the crown. The colony was
first ruled by a governor in council, which government
soon came to a standstill because it proposed to levy
duties on spirits, or issue liquor licenses, when it pos-
sessed no authority; then it was that an abortive
attempt was made to set up in the Island a free lej^is-
lature.

moneys received by the Hudson's Bay Company were remitted to London.
By tiic lOtli of October 1853, they hod remitted £.1,577 5t. 2(/.; the I'ligct
Sound Company had paid in London £2,574, a/jd £120 had l)een pnid I'V ^V.
C. (irant and J. lluggins in London, house Cummom' Itetums to an Add'-e»ii,
14.

" M'muta of Council 14th Feb. 1857 in House Commons' Returns to an Ad
dress. 19.

CHAPTER XX.

!^''!

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

1858.

OoLii ! Hatl All-powkrftl anp Most Worshipfti- ! — Its Presencf, not
Skcrfttly Known to tub Fur-tkaders — Discovery on Vancouver
IsLANiv— On Queen Charlotte Islands — On Skeena River — In the
('AsfADE Mountains ok Washinoton — At Colville — At Kamlooi* —
On Thompson Rivek— On Fkask.k River— The Tiiunos Spread— The
M.viter Laid hekore Government — Kkfect on California — Rush to
TiiK Mines — Rdutes and Mkihods of Transportation — Whatcom
vKitsrs Victoria— Trail-makino— Overland Expeditions— Licenses
AND Imposts — Effect on the Fur-traders.

:'^

'■ u

High above all principalities and powers, above
rolii,n()US fanaticism or love of empire, above patriot-
ism, philanthropy, family affection, lumor, virtue, or
thiiiii^s supernal or infernal, there now arises in this
Xtirthwost wilderness an influence which overshadows
every other influence, which shrivels into insignifi-
caiue fur companies, licenses to trade, pounds per acre,
wttltiuent, skins of wild beasts or lives of wild men,
missionaries, governors, parliaments, houses of assei. .-
h\\\ and even rum.

Here history begins anew. It is as though noth-
iii<; had been; as though all was present and to come.

Amongst the many sins charged upon the Hudson's
T^iiy Company, by the hungry horde that invaded their
ttriitories during the wild excitement of 1858, was
t'lif in effect that the existence of gold on the upper
Knisor and elsewhere had long been known to the
company's officers, prior to that unwelcome appear-

(341)

848

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

II A

ance, and that such knowledge had, through motives
of pohcy, been kept secret.

While it is not of the slightest importance to any
one, least of all to those then upon the gound in
search of the metal, how long fur-traders had knovii
of its existence, if of that pestiferous crew there are
any now living to whom tlie fact that such previous
knowledge did not exist can bring comfort, let tluin
henceforth possess their souls in peace. It would
surely seem the last thing of which sane men could
complain, for had such knowledge been published,
where now would be their chance? Rather let tlieiu
thank the good traders for keeping the secret.

The fact, however, had not been known.^ Reticent
as were the traders by law and by instinct, they could
not long have kept secret a knowledge of the existence
of any large quantity of precious metal, even had it
been to their interest to do so. And as to their inter-
est, when such knowledge was almost sure to spuil
forever their dearly loved hunting-ground, how could
those doubt who were unaware how near their end
the company were before the great gold excitonient,
how a renewal of their exclusive trade license liad
already been refused them, how great might be their
harvest with all their superior facilities of men, sliij>s,
fortresses well stored with goods, of organization,
capital, familiarity with the natives, and knowledu;o
of i\ie country, should the region rapidly fill with
enei getic humanity ?

But although gold on the upper Fraser was not
uncovered to any one long prior to the so-ealled
Fraser River excitement, its existence in supposed
inconsiderable quantities elsewhere in British C(duni-
bia had been openly and for some time known. Tho
silly suspicion of the miners, that the knowle(I<fe

' 'No suspicion of tho fact ever existed, as I can personally aver. Iinl.t'd,
it Wiia not till after a consideraWe interval, ami after niuih careful reHeitii li l>y
experienced niint^ra from California, that the riches of the Cariboo uiiuLS « ere
partially developed.' Anderson's Northwest Coatt, MS., lltt.

EARUEST GOLD INDICATIONS.

343

e^isted and was kept secret, never was true of any
part of the country, or at any time.

When during the summer of 1850 Joseph W. Mc-
Kay was exploring for farming lands between Vic-
toria and Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, he found
in various places particles of gold, but nowliere in
sufticient quantities to warrant further investigation.
Xuvertheless, it was a gold-field that he had found,
and mines were worked there subsequently.^

During this same year, the mania for gold then
rai,nng in California having penetrated savagedom,
a native of the Queen Charlotte Islands appeared at
Victoria with a bag of specimens.'

Writing Earl (irey the 29th of March 1851, Gov-
ernor Blanshard says: "I have heard that fresh speci-
imiis of gold have been obtained from the Queen
Cliarlotte's Islanders. I have not seen them mvsclf,
but they are reported to be very rich. The Hudson'.s
Bay Company's servants intend to send an expedition
in tlie course of the summer to make proper investi-
gations."* The brigantine //wron, was despatched ac-
cordingly, ostensibly to trade, but really to search for
gold. Failing in which, and for want of something
better to do, the men broke up part of a quartz ledge.

■' ■ S -;

•f

'' In August 1858 there was quite a flurry of excitement in Victoria respect-
ing tlio pi-esence of gold in that vicinity, as if it were then a new tiling. ' Onii
atTimut asserts positively that five ounces were tiikcn from diggings south-east
of Victoria, . . .while another changes the location to a nearly opposite (Munt.'
Virtiii-iii (,'iizfUe, Aug. 1!», 1858. liumora increased, until within a week after-
w:inl ijold w;is everywhere — under the governor's houses, at Silver Lake, at
•Sa.iiii. Ii, and at Dead Man's Creek. 'It has been found Imck of Nanaimo,
aiul n known to exist on other i8lan<ls in these waters. ' Victoria ihmtie, Aug.
t!('i, is.VS. 'One location about twenty miles from Nanaimo is now, 1878,
buliij: wdrked l)y Chinamen.' McKni/'s Iffcnllertir^uH, M.S., 11.

•' 'liold liad been discovered in Queen Cliarlotte's Island in IStW, but only
in Niii.dl quantities.' /iriUih Volumlmi and Vniira^ni'r hlniid, I'J", by VVil-
li:iiii C.ircw Hazlitt. This little book, a lOino of 247 pages in yellnw boards,
wa.s publLshed in London in 1858 with a map to all apiPfanmce much older
in Its uompilatioii than the text. Mr Hazlitt is evidently a journeyman
autliirr, whose wages were too low to warrant good work. His Imok is mostly
fxtivuts, well selected, and from widely extended sources, the original parts
lieiii:; ilosultory, and lacking both preciseness ami consistt^ncy.

iJe;

' lihimlinrd's Desjuitrlueii" XQ. The governor was not very definite in his
'•I of metals, or precise in his use uf wordj.

■■\\

iUU

MmA

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

'. :

i !

and carrying the pieces on board their vessel, re-
turned in triun)ph to Victoria. Again on tlie 12th
of May, liianshard observes: "Reports are current of
gold having been found by the Cowitchin Indians, in
the Arro Canal, but they are so vague as scarcely t;
deserve notice."

Rowland of the sloop Georgina from Australia IkkI a
mate named McEwen, who had been in the service
of the Hudson's Bay Company. In one of his exi)e-
ditions to the north, McEwen professed to have landid
on Queen Charlotte Islands, and to have chiselled some
gold out of a quartz seam. This was exhibited by
Rowland and McEwen at Olympia in the autumn of
1851. It was their oi)inion that if they could organize
a company and go to the spot in sufficient force, tluy
could load their vessel with gold. An expedition was
fitted out at Olympia, which sailed in the Gconjina in
November 1851. Being forced to come to anchor at
Neah Bay, on account of bad weather, the Danicras
Cove, Cajitain Balch, was encountered at the same
place. Balch was out on an oil and fur-trading ex-
pedition, but on learning the destination of the (icor-
gina — in spite of the mystery that surrounded it —
he followed the sloop northward.^ The unfortunate
ending of this venture is given elsewhere. In the
summer of 1851, the Hudson's Bay Company, with-
out further showing, despatched the brigantine Jhiron
with a immber of men, who had experience in miniii<T,
to the spot indicated by the native who had brought
the specimens to Victoria some time previous. Thiv
spent several months prospecting the islands, and
though they failed to find placers at the place indi-
cated by the native, after considerable searching aloiij;
a quartz outcrop they succeeded in finding a u^od
ledge which showed free gold in nearly every spici-
men. They were not prei)ared to undertake quartz-
mining operations; and as it was now late in tho
season, they gathered about half a ton of specinu us

" Weed'ii Queen CluvloUe hlaml, MS., 9-19.

gUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS.

346

and returned to Victoria, intending to resume tlieir
work on the ledge better prepared the following
s[ning.* McEwen's specimens seem to have come
from the saine place, and not improbably they were
obtained fnmi the same native. It was in a little
harbor on the west coast of Moresby Island, the
southern island of the group, subsequently known as
(jold Harbor, also as Mitchell Harbor, named after
Captain Mitchell of the Recovery.

Ill the following spring of 1852, Queen Charlotte
Islands witnessed the arrival of numerous expeditions.
Tlu;rc were five vessels in Mitchell Harbor at one
time; and the hills were full of prospectors. A party
ot" miners from the Nanaimo coal-mines, taken there
1)V the Una on behalf of the Hudson's Bay Company,
was well provisioned and provided with every requisite
for blasting on a large scale. The whole ended in dis-
a|)[>ointment. A quartz vein seven inches in width,
traceable for eighty feet, contained in some places
twt'iity-five per cent of gold, but the hope of loading
Vessels here with gold was forever abandoned.

In the Fort Simpson journal, the 8th of A])ril 1852,
is found written: "This day one of the chiefs from
Skciiar River that arrived here yesterday brought a
l'( w small pieccis of gold ore to the fort; also two
iarij^t! pieces of quartz rock with a few particles of
!j:ii1(1 ore introduced. The chief ... tells me that it
Would take me seven days to go where the gold is to
bt' found and return back to the fort. I am told by
others that we can go to tiie place in two days, or
forty-eight hours, by trail. The chief tt'lls me that
the oolil is to be seen in many places on the surface
of the rock f(tr some distance, say two miles. This is
a most important discovery, at least I think so, and
may prove more convenient for us to work than the
(iiuLj'iugs on Queen Charlotte Island. I shall go or
s 'lid to have a look at this and examine this new dis-
<ovi!ry HO soon as possible. I gave the chief that

"ilcKay'ti RccoHections, MS., 12-15.

> i

111,
ft *

■».

ifSi

'If

•I -' i

348

THE GREAT GOLD EXCTTEMENT.

brought tho rock and ore a larger canoe, value fi\e
elk-skins, which pleased him much. We showed liiin
other civilities. I hope the company, and myself also,
will reap some benefit from this discovery, as I have
ten children that would be much pleased to finger a
portion of the precious metal. Who knows but this
discovery may prove more valuable than the di^gintj^s
in California. ' To which prayer the sailor McNeill
affixed his initials.

The 24th of the same month the fort scribe enters:
"Pierre Lagrace with his son and four Indians had
started in tho morning to visit the place where gold
has been found at Skenar River. They had not pro-
ceeded far when the steamer was seen in tho distance,
and they turned back, together with four other canoes
which had also started for the river on a trading excur-
sion . . . We were most pleased to hear that all our
friends to the south were well, and that the Recovery,
one of our vessels, had gone to Queen Charlotte
Island to hunt for and obtain gold. Captains Mitchell
and Stuart and Dr Kennedy were the superior officers
of the party, in all forty souls."

May 5th: "About noon Chief Factor Work with
Pierre Lagrace, Quintal, and four Indians started in
a canoe for Skenar River to examine the gold re-
gions said to exist up that river. They will probably
be absent about fourteen days." Punctually to the
hour Work returned and reported no gold on Skcoiia
River, and his journey a failure.

The 8th of May word came to Fort Simpson from
Kennedy on board the Recovery, that "two American
vessels are lying in Mitchell's Harbour, viz., the Topic
from Liverpool, and the Susan Sturgis from Nisqually.
The vein had been worked out by some vessel, and he
had no hopes of obtaining gold. Six more vessels
were expected soon from the Columbia and San Fran-
cisco. The Recovery had been leaking both at sea
and in harbour. This will be another bad speculation
in my opinion," concludes the Fort Simpson journal-

liJ

8KEENA RIVER.

S47

k«'oper. Nevertheless, Kennedy wanted more miniufif
tools, an outfit of which, with beatls and cod-liooks,
was despatched by canoe on the 12th, and cimi-ged to
tlie account of the Recovery. Letters received the
Kith reported that "no gold had been proc^ured by
blasting," and that "the Aniericdn vessels had ull
gone away quite disappointed."'

Another cliicf, arriving at Fort Simpson on the 5th
September from Skeena River, reported gold. Chief
Factor Work was fast catching the fever. For tlu-se
many years furs alone had filled his brain. Now he
found room for metals. It would be so pleasant to
have his old age made mellow with gold. The natives
of Xass River had brought in specimens of various
metals from their country, and thither, on the l.']th.
Work set out in a canoe to see what he could make
of it. If, indeed, another California might bo found
in the north, how happy would be the Hudson's Bay
Company! Nevertheless, Work returned from his
adventure unsuccessful. "Nothing like gold was seen
during his cruise," writes the anxious father of ten
children.

Thus years before the great excitement, all along
the coast, from Fuca Strait to Skeena Ri^er, were
thought and talk of gold; and when men looked for
it, they generally found evidence of its presence.

(ieorge B. McClellan in 1853 found gold in con-
siderable quantities, as he expresses it, on the military

' Fnrt Simpson Journal, MS., 1852. See also Compton'a Aliorii/innl Brit.
Col., MS., GO. William M. Turner elaborates to the extent of seven pages in
t\\v II IV rlund Monthly, Feb. 1875, a statement to tlie effect that in Feb. 18.52
oiif .lack McLean, a Scotch sailor, once in the service of tlie Huilson's Bay
(-'ciiiili.'iny, arrived at 8au Francisco, and reported gold at Englufiuld Harbor,
(^iicru Charlotte Islands. The fur-traders were then there, ho said, gathering
till' niutal, and jealous of any intrusion. On his way down he had Inien
wrfiki'il. On the eviilence of some specimens he showed, sixty-five persons
eiiiliai'kud at San Francisco tlie 29th of March on board the brig Tepir, Cap-
tain i,ortt. Arrived at Englctield Harbor, tliey were soon overhauled l)y tno
first mate of the Recovery, who informed them that they were within Britisli
iliiiiiiiiiiin, and that they were requested to depart from that coast. To which
tlii'V gave an impudent answer, and pushing ashore began prospecting. Tlieir
iiiiiiili(io(land inciependeuce thus vindicated, after a month's stay they returned
wiicuco they came.

ifl

:i 1

^ f

i i 1 >
I I

; ! i

i*:

1 t

■-<)

it-.i

.1 'illl'

t*- tr.+

THK (iRKAT OOLU HXCITKMKNT.

road survey tlirou^di the Nadies Pa.s8 in the Cas-
cade Mountains, l)etw(!en Walla Walla and J'mt
Steilacooni, and in his Northern Pacific Kailway • x-
ploratiouH at Siniilkaineen, ids men paniuni^ it out at
the rate of two dollars a day. Alfred Waddington, u
former MarijKtsa miner, saw in 1854 an Indian cliic t'
i:i the Colville country who had placer gold in his
possession.

Henry De Groot, an indefatigable explorer, pms-
]tcctor, and writer upon mining developments, hii\iiit,'
visited British C'olund)ia in 1858, states that Cliiii"
Trader McLean at Kandoop procured gold-dust f'nmi
the natives in that vicinity as early as 1852, since wliicli
time njore or less gold has been received from tlic
natives at that and other posts, though not enouifh
to awaken a 8usj)icion in the minds of the traders that
paying diggings existed in the country; and that
various parties at different times prospected tlio
banks of the Thompson between 1855, the date of tlic
discovery of the Colville mines, and 1858. It was at
Niconnnen, on the Tlu)mp8on near its junction with
the Fraser, according to some authorities, that tliu
first gold was found in paying quantities in Pritisli
Columbia. Chinese and Indians were engawd in
mining at that ])lace in favorable seasons as late as
1 876. The account of the first discovery at Niconum a
was very circumstantially given by Douglas in liis
diary under the date of August 14, 1860, witlumt
stating the date of the discovery. " Gold," he writes,
"was first found on Thompson River by an Indian, a
quarter of a mile below Nicommen. He is since lUad.
The Indian Avas taking a drink out of the river; luiviiij,'
no vessel, he was quaffing from the stream, when he
])erceived a shining pebble, which he picked u[», and
it proved to be gold. The whole tribe forthwith In^aii
to collect the glittering metal."*

Mr Finlayson says gold was first found in croviees

^DawMOH OH Mini's, 40; Doiii/ln«' Prhxtte Pajiem, Ist ser., M8., 1-4 .k
HazliU'sB. C, 127; De Oroot'n B. C, 13.

THOMPSON AND FRASEU UIVKKS.

34G

of t]w rocks on tlie bunks of the Tlioni|)son Tvlvcr.
McLean, tlu! otticor in clinrj^oat Kaniloop, insjuctcd tlio
i,M'iiuii(l, and then sent down to Victoria for some iron
spoons for the purpose of dijjjginj^ out thi; nuii^j^ets.
The si)oon8 were sent up as requested, anil Mcljcan was
instructed to give every encouragement to the nativi'S
ti) liave them procure and bring in the gold, and tooi)-
taiii all that he could. Shortly al'terward, an Ameri-
can named Adams, a miner of some experience, began
wasliiiig for gold on the Fraser. ]ie gathered a small
hag full of fine dust, which he exhibited, according to
Mr Finlayson, on Puget Sound and at other ])laces.
The news so attested went from mouth to mouth, and
8|tread rapidly through Oregon and California." ^[r
Anderson states that the first intimation the Hudson's
Jiav people had (»f the existence of gold in the interior
was ill 1855, when Angus McDonald, clerk in charge
at (.'olville, "wrote down to Fort Vancouver that one
of his men, while emjdoyed hauling firewood, had al-
most undesignedly amused himself by washhig out a
paiiliiiiin of gravel on the beach near Colville." l*ar-
ticles of gold were found, which excited curiosity and
in\ited further search; j)arties went out to prospect,
and at the north of Fend d'(Jreille River near the
houiidary, diggings were found which were moderately
remunerative. According to his account, it was in 1857
that the existence of gold was ascertained near the
mouth of the Thompson, and it was the exaggerated
re[)(»rt of this discovery reaching California, he believes,
tliat caused the great rush of 1858.'" Douglas noticed
a later connmmication of McDonald's in a letter to
Laliouchere of the colonial office, dated Victoria,
April 10, 1856, in which he states that according
to McDonald's report from the upi)er Caledonia
district in March 1856, gold had been found on
the upper Columbia in considerable quantities, the
daily earning of persons then employed in the dig-

' Fiiilni/Moiin l . I. and Narthxoest Coaxt, MS., SG-CO. Adams' doings are
lit'io ciiiifuHed with McDonald's.

^"AnderBona Hist. Northwest Coaal, MS., 117-18.

MO THE GREAT UOLD EXCITEMENT.

^'iiifj^H \k'\\\^ from ton tti forty dollars to the man.
JaiiKis Cooper testified before the British parhauu n-
tary committee investij^ating the affairs of the Jlml-
son's JJay Company in 1857, touching the particulars (if
tliu discovery, expressing the belief that it was hij^hly
important, and that there would be a great rush into
the country. His language was prophetic, for it wa.s Imt
twelve months later when from thirty to forty thou-
sand people came into British Columbia from the soutli.

Waddnjgton affirms that some Canadians fr(»m Fort
Colville went over to the Thomj)son and ]^oiiajtart( .
and thence to the Fraser above the Big Falls. Tin y
jTospected on their way, found gold almost evtiy-
where, and concluded to tarry amoi\g tlie natives ,,n
the Thompson in order to try their fortune at miniiiL(.
It was the report of the results obtained by thesc^ nun
which induced others in the season of 1857-8 to em-
bark in mining; and results exceeding exjjoctations.
the news was spread over Puget Sound and tlienco
carried to San Francisco. De Groot's version is tluit
in the sununer and autumn of 1857 a number of jin-
sons from Oregon and Washington territories, familiar
with the operations at the Colville mines, accom-
panied by a sprinkling of Canadians and half-bret ds,
formerly in the Hudson's Bay Company's service; at
Colville, made their way to the jr .ction of the Thomp-
son with the Fraser. They found several rich bars in
tliat vicinity, and worked them with good success.
He also states that it was the; news of their success
which caused the Fraser River excitement.

McDonald and Adams, two partners who wero
engaged in mining on the Thompson and FVaser, in
1857-8 brought down some of the first gold from tlii'
bars where the first profitable workings were cai ritd
on. At the mouth of the Fraser, McDonald killed
Adams and secured his gold, which he carriitl to
Olynipia, and there displayed it."

" Waddiniitoiia Eraser Mines, 5; De Orani's B. C., l.S, referring to Wacl-
diiigtun'a second party. DoujUu, in ContmiUu A"". El Dorailo, 351-4; Cooler »

QUESTION OF OWNEIWUIP.

3fil

The officers of the fur coiiipanv at Victoria were
wtll informed at the aame tiiiio of the iniiiiii^ o|)era-
tioiia that were goin^ on in the valley of the Frawer,
and its tributary the Thompson, but not coming in
loiitjict directly with the miners who emerged from
the mountains in the spring of 1858 with the evi-
(leiues of the auriferous wealth of the great river of
Hriti.sh Columbia, or for some otlier reason not ex-
|tl:iiiicd, they did not realize fully the importance of
tlif facts, nor anticipate the effects that might be pro-
(hut'd. Douglas, in a letter to Labouchere, dated
Victoria, Decond)cr 29, 1857, speaks of the Chouteau
iiilncs, HO named after the natives of the Thompson
and IShushwap countries, as having attracted atten-
tioi\. "The aurifci / » I'haracter of the country is be-
lonrmg daily more extensively developed," he writes,
"through the exertions of the native Indian tribes,
who, liaving tasted the sweets of gold-finding, are de-
voting much of their time and attention to that pur-
.suit.

Tin) product exported through the agency of the
Hudson's Bay Company, from October 6, 1857, to the
end of that year, and supposed by them to be all that
was carried out of the country, was three hundred
ounces. Douglas mentions the fact in the same con-
nection that the reported wealth of the Couteau coun-
try was causing much excitement in Washington
Tt'iritory and Oregon.^^ At Olympia, Ballou, (iar-
field, and Williams, as partners, were merchandising
during the winter of 1857-8, and more or less gold
canit; to them from the Fra.ser. The specimens showed
thcru by McDonald particularly attracted their atteti-
tion, and the attention of others. Ballou doubted
the re))ort of the company's officials, that the gold was
mostly found by the natives, on the ground that more
would then have been realized. Deeming the dii"^overy

Jl'ir. M<illerK, MS., 11; Ballou's Adv., MS., 3. The alleRed killing of AdaiiM
rests wholly on Hallou's opinion.

'• Douglas to Labouchere, in Comwallia N. El iJorailo, 347-54.

i\,>

an THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT,

of sufficient importance to outweij^h all other con-
siderations of trade, Ballou, accompanied by Jolm
Scranton, Governor McMullin, Secretary of the Ttr-
ritory Mason, and several others, early in the spring
went to Victoria to ascertain what the Hudson's l^ay
people knew about the matter. They confirmed all
the reports. Instead of going to the gold-fields, Ballou
proceeded at once to San Francisco, Having under-
gone the excitements of the southern mines, and suh-
sequently of the northern mines of California as an
expressman, he conceived the idea that whatever
might bo the merit of the mines, there was certain
profit in the express business, and hence he forthwith
started Ballou's express from San Francisco to the
Fraser River mines. ^^

The state of knowledge of the mines, and the facts on
which the gold excitement was based, may be furtlier
deduced from the ofticial acts and the corrcspondi'Mce
of Governor Douglas. Christmas week, 1857, at Fort
Victoria, had been enlivened by the substantial com-
munications, accompanied with gold-dust, that wii-e
received from Chief Trader McLean at the post near-
est the forks of Thompson River, the results of the
washmgs by the Indians already referred to. On
the same day that he despatched the information to
the colonial office, December 29, 1S57, Governor
Douglas issued a proclamation declaring that all the
gold in its natural place of deposit belonged to the
crown, referring in particular to the gold found within
the Couteau country, embraced by the Fraser and
Thompson districts. This proclamation " forbade all
persons to dig or disturb the soil in search of gold

^^ B'tlhu's Adv., MS., 3. Billy Ballou, as ho was called, was a wild waif,
a haroliraiiiod ailventurcr of French descent, wlio since 1840 had been tlnut-
ing aliout tlie mountains and sliores of the Tacilic. Beginning with tiie Moxi-
cun war, ht^ passed through a pioneer experience in California and the Snuinl
ccuiiitry liefore going to Britisli Columbia. He was much broken in In ihli
when 1 took i>is dictation at Seattle in 1878, and died shortly afterwanl. His
information was certainly as varied as that of any man I ever met, aii'l he
gave it me in good faith, yet while I have no reason to doubt liis wonl, be-
fore placing implicit eonfidenco iu aa important statement, I should prei' r to
Bee it verified.

SPOLIATION OF THE MAINLAND PARK.

8SS

until authorized in that behalf by her majesty's colonial
government." Douglas acknowledged in his commu-
nication of December the 29th to Labouchbro, that
he had no authority to make such a proclamation
in regard to a country beyond the jurisdiction of his
government, but pleaded in excuse the fatt that he
was invested with authority over the domain of the
Hudson's Bay Company, and that he was the only
representative of her Majesty within reach. A license
of ten shillings a month was demanded, in virtue of
which persons were permitted to mine under pre-
scribed limits and conditions.

On the 14th of January 1858, Governor Douglas
reported further news from the mines to the colonial
office. " From the successful result of experiments
made in w^ashing the gold from the sands of the tribu-
tary streams of Eraser River," says Douglas, " there
is reason to suppose that the gold region is extensive,
and I entertain sanguine hopes that future researches
will develop stores of wealth perhaps equal to the
gold-fields of California — the geological formations
observed in the Sierra Nevada of California being
similar in character to the structure of the corre-
sponding range of mountains in this latitude." On the
6tli of April he wrote to Labouch^re " that the search
for <ro]d up to the last dates from the interior was
carried on almost exclusively by the native popula-
tion, who had discovered the productive mines, and
washed out almost all the gold, about eight hundred
ounces, thus far exported from the country; and that
they were extremely jealous of the whites digging for
gold."

" In addition to the diggings before known on
Thompson River and its tributary streams, a valuable
deposit has recently been found by the natives on the
bank of the Fraser River, about five miles beyond its
continence with the Thompson; and gold in smaller
quantities has been found in possession of the natives
as fur M the great falls of the Fraser, about eighty

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THE GREAT GOLD EXQTEMENT.

miles above the forks." Seventy or eighty Ameri-
cans had gon ■> to the mines virithout procuring Hcenscs.
By a despatch dated April 19th the arrival of Georj^e
Simpson, bearer of despatches from Chief Trader Mc-
Lean, was announced, bringing news from the forks
of the Thompson, to April 4th, which was very flat-
tering, but not supported by a large return of gold-
dust. "Simpson reports," says Douglas, "that gold
is found in more or less abundance on every part of
the Fraser, from Yale to the forks, but I presume
those diggings cannot be very productive or there
would have been a larger return of gold."^

And here begins the infection which spread with
such swift virulence in every direction. Thoui^h
Cooper considers it "almost imposible to trace the
origin of the gold excitement," it seems to me we have
it plainly enough before us. It is noised abroad that
gold abounds in British Columbia. Then men every-
where throughout the world begin to study their
maps, to see where is situated the favored isle that
guards the auriferous Mainland. California is to be
outdone, as the rivers of British Columbia are laiijer
than those of California. The glories of Australia
shall pale before this new golden aurora borealis.^'
As in California the precious metal was most abun-
dant near the sources of the streams, and was thoui^ht
by some to have flowed in with the streams from the
north, so in the north, it is now expected, may be found
the primitive source where the deposits were orii,n-
nally formed. And so the settlers on Vancouver Island,
on the Cowlitz, and on the Columbia, leave their
farms; then the servants of the monopoly fling oif
allegiance; the saw-mills round the Sound are soon
idle; and finally wave after wave of eager advent-
urers roll in from the south and east, from Oregon

'* Dnurjlas' Official Correspondence, in Comwallis' N. El Dorado, 343-30"?.
" Waddingfon'a Fraser Mines, 5; Anderson's Hist. Northwest Coast, MS.,
116-17; Cooper's Mar. Matters, MS., 14.

PROGRESS OF THE FEVER.

355

and from California, from the islands and Australia,
from Canada and Europe, until the third great devil-
dance of the nations within the decade begins upon
the Fraser.

Ellwood Evans remarks that the newspapers of
Oregon and Washington Territory continued silent
in regard to the existence of gold in the Northwest
until March 1858, not believing that it would ever
be found in quantities sufficiently large to attract im-
migration in that direction. Gold, said they, had been
reported as found by the Northern Pacific Railroad
cxitloring parties in 1853. It was reported, and by
sonic surmised to exist, in large quantities on the bars
of the Upper Columbia, but the metal was not forth-
coming in quantity, and not really believed in. The
matter failed to excite the attention of the Hudson's
Bay Company till Angus McDonald reported the
Colville excitement to Governor Douglas March 1,
1856.'° On the 5th of March 1858, the Olympia
Pioneer and Democrat, one of the first papers published
in Washington Territory, announced the rumors of
" Reported Gold Discoveries," brought from Victoria
by the schooner Wild Pigeon. March 1 2th the same
journal contained "Good News from the Gold Mines"
of Fraser River. March 26th it had an account of
"The Gold Regions of the North, Highly Favorable
Reports." April 9th there was " Further Encourag-
ing News." April IGth there waa a spread of "Late
Reliable and Confirmatory Tidings." The San Fran-
cisco Herald, on the 20th of April 1858, recorded
that the excitement was fully equal in extent to that
Avhich arose in the Atlantic States from the reports
of gold discoveries in California in 1849. At one leap
British Columbia had become the rival if not the peer
of California herself

The Fraser River excitement began and was spread
from Puget Sound. Captain Prevost of H. M. S. Satel-
lite, stationed at Esquimalt, on the Tth of May 1858

^^ Evans' Fraser River Excitement, MS., 12-20.

I !

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8f6

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT

wrote to the admiralty office that the excitement W'a.s
much greater in Washington and Oregon than on Yiui-
couver Island, several hundred persons having at that
time gone to the Fraser River mines from Puget Sound,
where all the vessels were lying deserted by their
crews." These vessels were the ordinary means of com-
munication with San Francisco from that part of the
coast carrying lumber. Douglas' announcement in 1 85G
had been received abroad with comparative disbelief.
No sooner was the fact of the existence of gold uj)()ii
the Fraser in paying quantities established beyond a
doubt, than a logical effect worked itself out upon tlie
Californian mind. Action as prompt as the idea was
the result. An excitement arose throughout society,
which caused an unparalleled exodus. To tlie Cal-
ifornia miner the deduction followed naturally that
the history of California was to be reprodu(;ed. The
foundation of the idea was clearly expressed by Douglas
in his despatch of January 14, 1858, the extension to
the north-west of the same mountains and geological
formations, a fact well known in a general way from
the reports of the Oregonians and Canadians who had
been to the California mines. Only the additional
fact was needed that the Fraser was another Sacra-
mento, to lead logically to the clearest demonstia-
tion that a great gold area was washed and sluice d
by the Fraser and its tributaries. Vague as were
the ideas touching where or how the gold would l)c
found, whether in the Cascade canon or on the slo])es
of the Rocky Mountains, there was needed no further
evidence than that to remove every doubt torn hin*;
the vast importance of this discovery. In the blind
hopeful way of the gold prospectors, it seems to liavo
been anticipated that the richness of the sands of the
Fraser would be found in some proportion to the size
of that river. Doubtless many who made this \ tii-
turo reasoned more accurately — that the discowry
was simply important in a degree proportionate to tho

" Comwallk' New El Dorado, 365-ft

,1 ■ r

fJl..

EFFECT IN CALIFORNIA.

357

area of the new country to be opened by the mines,
and made accessible by the valley of the Frascr.
Untold auriferous wealth in connection with the great
coinmc ial and agricultural region of British Colum-
bia with its European climate, though predestined for
discovery under the developments of time with the
necessary conditions thereto, justified these hopes
without rewarding the energy and enterprise of the
adventurers of 1858.

In California, the seaport of San Francisco was
almost in the gold-mines; the mines were near the sea,
with no intervening diflSculties. A different kind of
test was in reserve for the mining industry in the
north, where the lofty sierra, and five hundred miles
of distance, and much geographical and geological
exploration had to be undergone, with trials and fail-
ures, before all the conditions of general prosperity
to miners and traders could be fulfilled. Nor was it
all misfortune that was in store for those who vent-
ured 1 )lindly in search of profitable gold-deposits ; for
how could the knowledge be obtained without chance
to open the door, or action to seize the prize under
impossible conditions?

California was now rapidly losing population. Men
of ull classes abandoned their occupations in the inte-
rior, and followed the crowd to San Francisco. Money
was borrowed at exorbitant rates of interest to be
advanced on goods for British Columbia. It was not
strange that the first fair opportunity would be seized
by the journals o' '^-'xi Francisco to stem the current
by giving to the riort.iiern regions under the guise of
the mistake of the Fraser mines, the worst possible
name. The whole of California in April 1858 was in o
ferment. Business in the interior was deranged, and in
many places broken up. Hundreds too impatient to
wait for the steamers mounted horses and hastened
overland, especially from the northern counties of
Cahfornia, making the distance in eighteen days.
Whib) towns in the interior were being deserted,

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358

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

San Francisco derived the benefit of the influx and
of the outfitting of the miners, and the shippers re-
joiced at the prospects of the Fraser trade. Shrewd
store-keepers in the mountain counties hurried down
to establish themselves in San Francisco/^

During April and May, the rumors more or less
fabulous of gold discoveries in the north continued
to circulate throughout California, and Oregon and
Washington territories. Vessels left San Francisco
carrying three times the number allowed by law. Jolni
Nugent, special agent of the United States, estimated
that in May, June, and July, twenty-three thousand
persons went from San Francisco by sea, and about
eight thousand more overland — safely thirty thousand
or thirty-three thousand in all in the course of tlio
season; and that out of these there returned boforo
January 1859 all but three thousand. ^^ None were
too poor and none too rich to go. Young and old
and even the decrepit. Some out of restlessness or
curiosity; others for profit or prey. "In short," says
Lundin Brown, "never in the history of migrations
of men has there been seen such a rush, so sudden
and so vast."^"

^^ Corinixillin' iV. El Dorado, 11-18. Says the Nevada Journal oi May 1-t,
1858, editorially: 'The spirit of '4!) is imrtially aroused, and quite a l;u-;;i"
number will probaMy leave the country iu quest of adventure in i\w tar
north. .. .Nine years experience has taught us never to be in a huriy to
chase new and nuirvellous reports to tlieir source. We have found it raiuly
pays.' C. C. Rol)erts, a correspondent of the Bulletin, from Orass Valley,
June 7, 1858, says: ' The Fraser excitement l-ad the efl'ect to augment tiie dilli-
culties experienced by the quartz-mininB interest, by drawing away a ^.Tcat
number of the underground hands, and oy increasing the rate of wajjis, so
tliat many of the mills and mines had closed; and it would Inevitably, if the
rise of wages continued, close the rest. '

^^ Nui/eiit's Jiept, 3'ilh Coiit/., M Seii»., If. Ex. Doc., 3, p. .3.

'^ Jiroirns Ennay, .3, 4; (JorumiUin' N. El Donulo, li-18. One of the liist
painted pictures of the time was published in tiie Overland MonUily oi \>vi:v\\\-
bur 18tj!), by Mr Wright. Tiie worm-eaten wharves of San Francisco trwiilikil
almost daily, ho said, under the treail of the vast multitude that gatlu iimI tn
see tiie northern steamer leave. The crowded stages landing the people I'luiii
the mining counties of California at .Sacramento and Stockton; the siiirit nI
speculation ram])ant at Victoria and Whatcom; the helpless and oiinfiisiMl
mass of humanity swayed hither and thither by each conllicting report frnin
the gate of the C'jiscados in British Columbia; the towns of canvas at Victnria,
Whatcom, Langley, Hope, and Yale; the upturned craft found auioii!.' tluf
islands of the lieautiful ilaro ar ' ipelago, constituting the only ixccr.! of

THE GRAND RUSH.

859

The first load of four hundred and fifty adventurers
left San Francisco on the steamer Commodore, ^m the
20th of April 1858. Between April 20th and June
*Jth, twenty-five hundred miners, mostly from the in-
terior of California, had taken passage by steamer from
San Francisco; and it was estimated that five thou-
sand more were at the same time collected in Puget
Sound, on their way to the Fraser. Governor Doug-
las, in a letter to the head-quarters of the Hudson's
Bay Company in London, dated Victoria, April 27,
1858, speaks of the arrival of the Commodore on the
25th. The passengers were well provided with tools.
Said Douglas: " There seems to be no want of capital
or intelligence among them. About sixty were Brit-
ish subjects, sixty Americans, and the remainder Ger-
mans, French, and Italians."'^ On the 27th, the
Pacific Mail steamer Columbia landed eighty more
j)assengers at Fort Townsend, all bound, says Doug-
las, for the Couteau District.

Tlie Fraser River excitement was encouraged by
the steamboat owners, who coined money as long as
it lasted. At first the crowds that came to Victoria
wont from there to Whatcom, under the belief that
the great town of the north would spring up on the
^laiuland. They brought plenty of money t(j invest
ill land and other speculations, as much as two millions
of dollars being at one time deposited in Victoria.
The only safe in the country was owned by the Hud-
son's Bay Company, so that the money pasted through
the hands of Mr Finlayson, the treasurer of the com-
pany. It was presented in sacks, which Finlayson

niany too impatient for inaction, who had been swainpcil in the sudden storms
and truaohtTous tide-rips, reported by others who had waudered for weeks
among tortuous passes, and at last returned to Victoria, not caring to venture
across the (Georgian Gulf; the toil against the rapid eiurent of tlie Fraser
liy tlie bold'jr and stronger, towing t'^eir lioats along tlie shore, cliiiibing over
falli'ii trees, creeping under hanging bushes, and l)econiiiig from sheer neces-
sity almost amphibious; the mosquitoes; the rifTles and whirls of the un-
known stream, which carried them back half a day's journey, when they were
olili!.'cd tf) cross — all these matters and more are told as they can be told only
|jy one who had seen.

''■ Dowjliui, in CornivalUn' X. El Dorado, 3(J1.

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TUE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

refused to receive unless tlicy were sealed with the
names of the owners, as it was impracticable to count
the money. When any one wanted money, he would
take out his bag, get what he needed, and return it.
Not an instance ever occurred of complaint, says Fiu-
layson with pride, of supposed loss.^" To the staid
and plodding officers of the Hudson's Bay Company,
the advent of the thirty thousand "lialf-wild Califor-
nians," distributing themselves broadcast over their
possessions, caused a degree of uneasiness of mind
amounting to a commotion. "The rough-and-tumble
rascals," said McDonald, " had not come for nothing;"
and their notions of neum and tuum did not appear
to them to be very well defined.

This army of gold-seekers that besieged Fort Vic-
toria threatened the supremacy of the crown as well
as the stability of the territorial claims of the Hud-
son's Hay Company on the Pacific Coast. The miners,
three tliousand of whom arrived at Victoria in one
day, encamped in tents around the fort. In regard to
the general orderly character of the pilgrims, tlierc is
cumulative testimony from all sides, notwithstanding
the fact that the jealousy and the unreasonable exac-
tions of the Hudson's Bay Company, practically in
charge of the government, met the strongest opposi-
tion, and called forth the unqualified animadversii)ns
of the miners. In order to quiet the difficulties thus
arising, and to remove the restrictions against the im-
migration of Americans, John Nugent was finally sent
to the country as commissioner and consular agent
by the United States. ^^ The stringency of the laws

^^ Fhilayson's V. I. andN. W. Coast, MS., 56-GO.

" California must have been pretty nearly emptied of loafers and gaml)li'ra
during the Frasor River excitement. ' Smithers ' was depicted as one of the
typical characters of the time by asketch in the Mornimj Call. Ho had come to
California at an early period, and had wonderoua tales to tell of '49 and '50,
and of the times when he was a millionaire; but 'the great couflagratioii of
1851 had done the business for him completely,' and he could no longer get
trusted in San Francisco for a drink. A large number of the gamblers that
came to Victoria did not like the appearance of things on Vancouver Island,
and crossing over, established themselves at Whatcom. When that town c;une
to naught in consequence of the successful navigation of the Fraser by steam-
ers to Yale, they removed in a body to the latter place.

ARRIVAL OF VESSELS.

301

united with the general good sense of the muiers had
tho effect to deter the many doubtful characters —
•fanihlers, thieves, and swindlers — that flocked into
the country in the ho})e of obtaining rich spoils from
the industrious and unsuspicious, and force them to
quit the field. Perhaps the scanty product of the
Fraser River bars, in comparison with those of the
American, the Yuba, and Feather rivers, had some-
thing to do with their graceful yielding to the stern
authority of Mr Justice Begbie.

Nearly all the Californian emigration was landed
at Victoria, in consequence of Governor Douglas re-
fusing to grant permits and mining licenses elsewhere.
A large quantity of shipping, both sail and steam,
enlivened the aboriginal quiet of Victoria and Esqui-
malt harbors. From the middle of April 1858 for
several months, while the excitement was daily in-
creasing, not only at Victoria but in San Francisco,
the halcyon days of '49 appeared to have come again,
and fresli dreams of wealth floated through the minds
of nmltitudes. In the fortnight between the 5th and
20th of June, there arrived at Victoria from San
Francisco the shi[)s Geort/ina, a new craft under an old
name, and the William Berry, the barks Gold Hunter,
Adelaide, Live Yankee, and Madonna, the schooners
Giulictta, Kossuth, and Osprci/, and the sloop Curlew.
Besides these, the steamers Republic, Commodore, Pau-
anh'i, Corti's, and Santa Cruz landed passengers and
freiglit during the same fortnight, making in all a
contribution of about six thousand souls within the
period named.

Tlie return of the steamers to San Francisco was
awaited by crowds impatient for news. The Panama
and Pacific had returned to San Francisco on the
5th and 8th of June, from which time there was no
fresli intelligence from the mines until the I'Jth, when
the Republic returned, several days earlier than was
expected, amidst intense excitement along the water-
front and at the hotels. When on the 22d, 23d, and

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THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENl.

24tli of June the steamers Republic, Oregov, and Cmn-
inodore sailed respectively, there were twenty otlar
sailin*^ vessels lynig at the wharves announced for
immediate despatch. Some of the smaller sailiii^r
vessels went to Fort Langley, stoppinj^ at Victoria
only long enough to get the necessary j)ermits. First-
class passage by steamer was sixty-fixe dollars ; steer-
age passage thirty-five dollars; by sailing cral't the
rates were from twenty-five to sixty dollars. To the
20th of June Cornwallis estimated that fourteen
thousand eight hundred .v^rsons had embarked at San
Francisco by steam and sail.^* All that the adven-
turers desired was to be landed as near as possible to
the mininij rcijion on the Fraser, but the considcra-
tions which governed the shippers modified the gen-
eral desire.

Fort Victoria was the head-quarters of the Hudson's
Bay Company, of the government of the country. Situ-
ated on Vancouver Island, with sixty miles of inland sea
to be traversed to the mouth of the Fraser, and eiglity
miles to Fort Langley, the entire innnigration would
have souulit the Mainland for a landing. An Anuri-
can port would have been preferred, other things being
equal. As opposed to Victoria, Port Townsend was
first chosen by the representatives of the Pacific !Mail
Company ; but that was not satisfactory to the minors,
who ft)und themselves left unnecessarilv remote fioin
their destination. Then Whatcom was made tlic
objective point, being conveniently situated fi»r a land
route to the diggings. Dense forest, however, oh-
structed the way, and a trail had to be cut, requiiinj,'
both time and money. The Fraser itself was inac-
cessible, it was thought, for ocean-vessels; or wliat
was equivalent, the owners of vessels did not choose
to incur the risk of going up to Langley. Above
Langley it was not expected that river steamers
could go far enough to be an object to the miners.

'^* A nderson a Northwest Coast, MS., 277; Cornwallis' New Kl Jhrndo,
141-51

WHATCOM AND VICTORIA.

363

li\ic general inquiry was for canoes from the most
convenient port. Under the specious cover of Ameri-
can patriotism, Whatcom obtained the ascendency ;
Victoria being only called at to j)rocure the official
documents prescribed by Governor Douglas to admit
tlic miners to the freedom of the country, which sanc-
tion it was charged was granted only at Victoria for
the purpose of bringing business. But it is doubtful
whether Victoria would have gained the ascendency
so soon, but for another circumstance more potent
than the government regulations. It was found that
the Fraser could be navigated all the way to the dig-
gings, so that the trail from Bellingham Bay, which
was cut in order to avoid the navigation and landing
from sliipboard in British territory, was at once dis-
carded.

Steamers now began to run directly from Vict(jria
to tlie mines, leaving Whatcom aside. So long as tlie
miners were dependent entirely upon canoes, What-
com had continued to hold its o'"n under the prospect
of the speedy opening of the pack-trail and proposed
wagon-road. But tlie trail was not opened soon
enough ; much less the wagon-road through the canon
of the Fraser, which alone could have presented
claims in competiti*.)n with the lower Fraser and gulf
of Cleorsria navigation. The mud-flats of Whatcom
being objectionable, also, the annex called Sehome
soon took the place of Whatcom, and the buildings
of the town became tenantless with the departure of
tlic loose population to Yale. Some of the longheads,
as they were called, then went to Semiahmoo, and
two paper towns were laid out on opposite sides of
the bay; but the Fraser travel could not be beguiled
ovir land to Semiahmoo merely because the distance
was sliort, Whatcom was early in tlie field as a pro-
siisH'tive town, as the earliest mining below the Fraser
canon was carried on by people from Puget Sound,
who went to the mines and sent out their gold by
way of Whatcom. In March or the beginning of

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S04

THE OREAT GOLD EXt'ITEMENT.

Aj)ril 1858, while tlin Frascr Kivcr was at its lowest
8tu*j;c!, parties of Canadians and others from I'uL^ct
Sound had managed to pet up the river, and were
working some of the rielier bars below Fort Yalo.
Some of tliesoeven eontitmed their operations beyond
the forks of the Tliomjison. They made their way
along the shores of l^uget Sound in canoes. Tlie cur-
rent to the mines from Puget Sound did not follow
the route by way of Vancouver Island until business
of eveiy sort was running in a well-established groove
to Victoria.

The first body of miners that struck out from A'ic-
toria in April crossed the gulf in skills, whale-
boats, and canoes. Numbers of these were believed
to have perished, as the craft employed were mostly
makeshil'ts constructed by the miners themselves.
At that time all American steamers were j(>al()iisly
excluded from the Fraser. Inadequate steamer eoiii-
nmnication was carried on by the Hudson's IJay
Company. At length, Douglas, on the payment of a
royalty for every trip, permitted American steamers to
enter the river; and the Sea Bird, Surprise, Umatilla,
Marin, Kntirprise, and others began running, usually
from Victoria to Langley and Hope. Their use, by
the inflowing and outgoing miners, proved the death-
blow to Whatcom. However, even after the stea'ii-
ers afforded abundant facilities, many of the miners,
finding the twenty-dollar fare too high, continued to
make their own boats at Victoria, and to navigate
them to Yale. In July, nearly all the miners had
left; the majority, so ar, in boats built by themsebos.
One authority states hat hundreds of them were
never heard from aftei leaving Victoria, and were
supposed to have been di wned in the tide-rips, or in
crossing the water. ^^ If \ 'ey escaped the dangers t»f
the gulf, or the currents and counter-currents of the

s"* WndiUngtona Fraser Mines, .5-10; TarheWs Vic., MS., 2; Nw/eiil'.t 1,'eyt.
Ex. Doc. cj-i., 35th Uomj., 2d Scm., 2; Finltiynoii's V. I. and N. W. (.'ond, MS.,
5(i-<}0. Nugent says ' the freiglit per ton from Victoria to Hope, IGO iiiileB,
waa $40, and from Hope to Yale, 20 miles, ^0.' Nuijent'a liept., 4.

■! s

TTW!

ROAD -BUILDING.

TTaro archipelago, it was only to encounter the swift
current of the Fraser, with its occasional sedgy bor-
ders, and its whirls and rapids between Hope and
Yale. Thus, over many a manly heart so lately filled
witii hope, rolled tho waters of oblivion. By mid-
suiiiiner, the miners had crowded all the bars of the
Fraser as far up as tho Thompson. They climbed
back and forth over the cliffs above Yale, carrying
their own supplies upon their backs. At length a
petty Indian war broke out, which drove them all
down to Yale.^" Tho absorbing topic of the time was
the solution of a probl-j^a calling for all the energies
that were developed by tho stirring days of the ex-
citement — how to transport supplies to the front.

It soon became obvious that it was necessary to
have this done in the cheapest and most expedi-
tious manner. Some returning miners were guided
by Indians, from Lilloet through Harrison Lake and
river, and over the Douglas portages, where a pack-
road loading into the interior could be constructed at
a comparatively moderate cost.^ In order to open a
trail along this route x)ouglas hit upon the following
cxi»edient: There were five hundred miners at Vic-
toria on their way to the mines. It was proposed
that in consideration of a deposit of twenty-five dol-
lars by each person accepting the terms, and an agree-
ment to work upon the trail until it was finished, tho
Hudson's Bay Company should transport them to the
poiiit of commencement on Harrison River, feed them,
and at tho conclusion of the work furnish them there
with supplies at Victoria prices, or return the money
if desired. The length of t' ail to be opened, includ-
ing the lakes, was seventy miles. No difficulty was
experienced in getting the miners to accede to this
proj)osition. The money was paid in, and the work

''^ Mallamlaine'a F\r»t Victoria Directory, 14; Waddington's Fraser Mines,

^'Spence in VowelVs B. C. Mines, MS., 27, asserts that it was the first
route utilized for the transportation of freight by animals. Early doings of
course are now ignored.

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THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

executed under the arrangement. It was really a very
pretty by -play between credit, cooperation, and labor.
When the work was done, tliough they had given tlie
company the use of twelve thousand five huadred dol-
lars, and their labor, they all received their money back,
their passage being a sufficient reward for their lal)or,
while the company was left with a valuable piece of
toll-road, worth much more than the transportation
and provisions had cost them. Those who became
tired of the bargain before the trail was com[)]etod
disposed of their scrip to others for what they could
get, and went their way rejoicing. Disagreements
arose at the end in regard to the delivery of the sup-
plies promised in lieu of the money deposits, the miners
claiming that the freight should be delivered at the
upper end of the seventy miles, while the company
claimed the agreement required of them only to (!(>■
liver it at the lower end. This point was com])romise'l
satisfactorily to both parties by delivering it in Uio
middle. Beans at the time were worth one and a half
cents a pound at Victoria, five cents at Port Douglas,
the lower end of the trail, and one dollar a pound at
the upper end.

Nearly all the provisions on the Eraser above the
canon in the summer of 1858, with the exception of
tlie little packed on the backs of the miners and
Indians, was brought there from the upper Coluinhia
by the half-breed traders of the Colville country.
Between the gulf of Georgia and the interior i)la-
teau there were only trails, and in their competition
for popular favor the partisans of each declared th.e
other impracticable.'^'^ That from Whatcom striking
the Fraser at Smess, twenty-five miles above Laiig-
ley, was subsequently used for local travel from I'ni^et
St)uud. The movements from Orejjon to the Fraser
mines wen^ east of the Cascade Mountains, striking
the Fraser near the mouth of Thompson lliver.
Though an effort was made in Minnesota, where tlic

" Overlaml frmi Minneaola to Fraxi'r liivvr, 45-7.

i!!-i

FROM THE UNITED STATES.

367

Fraser excitement was also felt, to inaugurate travel
by way of St Paul and the Saskatchewan River,
none but trappers and explorers of the hardier sort
ventured the route till a later date, the current from
the Atlantic States flowing through the established
channels to Oregon and California. Two notable in-
land expeditions from Oregon may be cited as ex-
amples of numerous others. Owing to the dangers
from hostile Indians it was necessary to organize and
to travel in force.

David McLaughlin's company made their rendez-
vous at Walla Walla early in July 1858. In ten or
twelve days one hundred and sixty men were gath-
ered, all well armed with revolvers, ninety rifles and
twenty -five other heavy arms being in the party.
They had about three hundred and fifty horses and
mules. Before starting, Mr Wolfe, a trader from Col-
ville, arrived at Walla Walla and informed them of
the hostile attitude of the natives along the pro-
posed route, advising a thorough military organiza-
tion. Four divisions were accordingly formed and
placed under the command of James McLaughlin,
Hanibright, Wilson, and another. The Walla Wallas,
Palouses, Okanagans, and other tribes were hostile.
The party passed through the Grand Coulee to Okan-
agan. On their way over the Columbia plains a
German who lagged behind was seized by the sav-
ages and killed. Two or three davs' travel after
crossing the Columbia near tiie boundary line on the
east side of Okanagan liiver, tho whole party was
attacked by the Indians in force, posted on a hill be-
hind rude fortifications on each side of the road where
they had to pass through a canon. McLauglilin dib-
coverod an Indian's head peering over a rock before
the firing began. The men took promptly to their
work and fought till night. None of the animals
stampeded, but were retired in good order with the
trains to tho plateau below. While the riflemen con-
tinued after night -fall in possession of the ground

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368

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

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facing the Indians, a detachment prepared rafts to
cross the river, the intention being to flank the de-
fences and formidable fastnesses which the Indians
had evidently prepared for tlien).

Hurley, Evans, and Rice, all three Californians,
were killed, and seven others were wounded, but re-
covered. In the night the Indians set fire to the
grass, and the gold-hunters set counter-fires without
either of them succeeding in burning the other out.
Next morning the white men proceeded to bury their
dead, and discovered that the Indians had abandoned
their stronghold. It had about a hundred breast-
works, each made to shelter one Indian, and was
occupied at the time of the attack by eighty savages.
Two or three days after, the party was again attacked
on the west side of the Okanagan River. A hun-
dred mounted warriors rode down upon them, tryiuf,'
to separate the company from their animals; their
purpose was anticipated, and prevented. After some
further trouble and parley, they made a peace witli
the hostile tribe, the Okanagans, and the gold-hunters
continued their march without delay. Notwithstand-
ing the peace assented to, innnediately afterward sixty
head of Wolfe's cattle were stolen by the Indians,
and a detachment of McLoughlin's men surprised
two of them engaged in jerking the beef from the
slaughtered cattle. They were taken along as prison-
ers, but at this juncture Chief Trader ^McDonald
from Fort Colville came up with a train bound for
Hope, and at his request the Indians were discharged.
The same Indians afterward robbed a Spanish packer
who had been left in the rear attending to his animals,
and tlie savages with hostile and thieving intent
continued to follow them to a point within three days'
march of Thompson River. They came upcjii tliat
stream twelve miles above its mouth.

Joel Palmer and thirty-five others, among them
P. H. Lewis, went to the Fraser mines from ] Port-
land with wagons, also following the inside or plateau

d sixty

ndiiuis,

.irprised

cm the

INTERIOR TRAFFIC.

3G9

route. The company encamped at the Dalles, and
departed thence in July, driving their own teams all
the way through to the Thompson. There were
nine teams, each consisting of three or four yoke of
oxen, the majority of them belonging to Palmer.
Four 'boys' from Yreka, California, were the coop-
erative owners of one of the teams. Provisions con-
stituted the cargo, three thousand pounds to the
waii,()n. The route was by way of Wallula and Okan-
agau to Kamloop.

Steamer loads came from California to Portland
and fitted oat at that place for the inside route. (Jom-
piinies o'' four hundred and five hundred men accom-
panied )y pack-trains, moving more rapidly than was
possil)lc for the wagons without a road, overtook and
passed Palmer's train on the way.'^^ The latter, under
Palmer's experienced generalship, found occasion to
make use of all the arts of travel in the form of the
organized semi-military expeditions developed in the
Oregon emigrations of 1842-8. At the point of rocks
twelve miles above Priest Rapids, the country was
found impracticable for three quarters of a mile on
the east side of the river. Waoons and freijjht were
accordingly conveyed around this in canoes. At
Okanagan the Columbia was crossed in the same man-
ner, the cattle swimming. Two canoes were lashed
alongside and placed endwise to the bank; the wagons
were then rolled or lifted into them empty, and the
freight was stowed in the bottom or in the wagon-
beds, as was most convenient. Three wagons and
thrir eontents were taken over at one time in safety
1)}' lour men, one each occupying the bow and stern in
Itoth canoes.^"

A\ lien the expedition reached OkaTiagan Lake it was

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v.y

" M'-J.'iUiihUn's Ex., in Oregon Statesman, Sept. 28, 1858; Lewis' Coal Dis-
wnVv, MS.", i;i-15.

•" I'lilnici; ill Orvijon Statesman, Fob. 14, ISOO. Palmer wroto a foiir-coluiim
.irtic'lr j.'iving tlie results of his expeditions of 18.")8 and 18;VJ, and iiialcing out
tint in carrying freiclit to the mines the route could compete witli tlie roads
liicu existing along Eraser and Uarriouu rivers.
Hist. Bkit. Cot. 24

370

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT.

found necessary to build rafts in order to pass some
difficult forest-covered country, cut up by ravines.
Wagons and freight were taken upon several lar^^'e
rafts, poled and towed along shore with ropes, while
tlie cattle were driven, under the direction of ex-
plorers, to a point where the country was more open.
Palmer had a party of men in advance all tlie way,
exploring and making a road, or cutting timber as far
north, on his second trip in 1859, as Alexandria, and
later to Lightning Creek, where he established a
trading-post and sold out his oxen for beef ^'

Douglas' frequent communications to the colonial
office, touchmg the gold discoveries in British terri-
tory, left the governtnent prepared for action as soon
as the news of the breaking-out of the Fraser excite-
ment and the exodus to the north had reached
England. On the 8th of July, Sir C. B. Lytton,
secretary of state for the colonies, brought the matter
before the house of commons in the form of a bill for
the government of 'New Caledonia.' Lord Lytton
in presenting this bill did justice to the subject in au
able speech, pointing out the importance of the now
gold-fields as a part of the British possessions in
North America, and of the empire in its future com-
mercial relations on the Pacitic.^'^ One of the earliest
comnmnications of Douglas had raised the question
of taking advantage of the gold excitement for reve-
nue. Bv fore the Fraser excitement had fairly bi'gun,
in December 1857, he had prescribed a monthly tax
of ten shillings M.pon every miner, afterward increas-
ing the amount to five dollars, though the country was
not under his jurisdiction as governor of the colony
of Vancouver Island, and the Hudson's Bay Company
had no rights in the territory, beyond their license
to trade. If the motive and the exceeding of his
authority' as the nearest representative of the crown

*^Palmer'n Waifon Traim, MS., 55.
^'' CornitHillis' New El Dorado, 11-18.

'i *

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nSCOVERY OF OOLD.

371

wore not approved or deemed a sufficient excuse in
the premises, he wrote to Labouchere in the colonial
department, it would be easy for Douglas on receiving
tliu colonial secretary's reply to permit the miners'
license to become a dead letter. But as the license
and other similar acts in regard to the Mainland were
afterward continued in force, it would appear that the
temporary assumption of authority by Douglas was
overlooked, if not approved.

Additional exactions of the same kind were im-
posed upon the inflowing masses before the erection
of the Mainland region into a colony. Besides the
six and twelve dollars 'sufferance' for every open and
decked boat or canoe that entered the mouth of Fraser
River, collected by the gun-boat Satellite, the treasurer
of the Hudson's Bay Company, Finlayson, who ofti-
ciated at the same time as customs officer and treasurer
of the colony of Vancouver Island, exacted a ten per
cent ad valorem tax upon the supplies of the miners,
comprising goods of every kind that went to the
niine.s.^

Where domination was so autocratic and so reti-
cent as that exercised by the fur-traders under the
Douii^las regime, the purest motives were not always
ascril)(^d to the Hudson's Bay Company for their acts.
By tlie miners it was thought that the company was
averse to their taking possession of the territory ; that
they preferred to have the natives find the gold and
bnng it to them with their furs, receiving therefor
goods at exorbitant prices.

I'dwood Evans and John Nugent both appear to
have had the idea that the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany officials knew of the existence of the gold in
the valley of the Fraser for several years before the
Fraser excitement; that they must have had some-
thing to do with creating and exciting the rush, but
that they judiciously held back till a certain time,
and then unscrupulously fostered the excitement to

'' FinUvjmn's V. I. and B. C, MS., 56-60.

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372

THE GREAT GOLD r,xcITEMENT,

the utmost.^* But it is not difficult to interpret
the motives that governed their action under tho
progress of developments, without indorsing these
clashing opinions, or attributing to them unworthy
motives. Douglas had reason to fear the American
invasion, for he had seen Oregon pass out of the pos-
session of the company and of the crown by a similar
peaceful invasion.

That the company preferred, were it possible, to
hold the Mainland with its furs and gold exclusive,
there can be no doubt; that they resorted to dishonor-
able measures when they saw the inevitable uj^jii
them is not true. Like any other bloodless and mer-
cenary association, when they saw their fur-fiekl
despoiled by invaders whose presence the^ were
powerless to oppose, they turned to the best account
tl: :)y were able their facilities for transportation and
trade, which was unquestionably their privilege. As
I have before observed, I can but regard the offictis
and servants of the Hudson's Bay Company upon the
Pacific Coast, in points of integrity and humanity, as
far above the average corporation monopolist.

In California it implied not merely the loss of po]ni-
lation and revenue, but of business and of comuurc ial
supremacy. At first the reports were considi-icd
doubtful, and only a few of the most venturesome
went to investigate for themselves; and when tliey
were confirmed, sceptical writers still cited Cold
Lake, Gold Bluff, Kern River, and all the other
total or partial delusions of their day. When the
news was received in a reliable form, and from persons
well known in California, all agreeing that there \\as
really much gold in tho sands of the Fraser, and that
it existed in extremely fine particles, though accom-
panied by the warning that the high-water season

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** Evann' Frcuirr Uiver Exeitement, MS., and Nvgent's Rept. Ex. Doc. cxl,
S5th Cou'j., 2d Se^3., both attribute a great deal to the manipulation uf tin
company.

THE ORTHODOX THEORY.

373

was just commencing, which would render the bars
(it' the rivers, the only good ground so far known in-
acci'ssihle for several months, every old miner in Cali-
fiunia understood the significance of the fact. The
tlu'ory so well understood in every gold-mining
country in the world, of fine gold necessarily coming
fioin a coarse-gold region, furnished the plain, unvar-
iiislu'd, and all-sufficient cause for the unparalleled
St mpede. Adolpli Sutro at the time called attention
to the fact that the information received from Fraser
liiviT alone did not suffice to produce the extraor-
(liiuuy result; but that the miners had learned to
place implicit confidence in the theory of fine gold,
the fineness corresponding with the distance travelled,
aiul that the bars of the Fraser were understood by
ihv'.n to be nothing; else than the farthest tailinfjs of
11 sluice, where only such particles were found as were
iiiiimte enougli to be carried away by the waters. It
was concluded by many of the most intelligent miners
and i)rospectors of California, that there must be an
extensive gold-mining district in British Columbia,
[)erliaps hundreds of miles above the bars yielding
the fine gold.^^

I have already shown that to test this theory was
not a matter of years, but the season rendered it im-
possible at tliis time.

For some time past attention had been directed to
tlic Fuca Strait by geographers, but more particular-ly
to Puget Sound, by that portion of tlie Oregon emi-

i ]'

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^ Sntros Ret'iew of Franer River and tlie Gold Pro/rpects qf New Caledonia,
in S. F. Bulletin, Aug. 27, 1858. Finding the M-ater high over the liars, the
minors hail pressed on to Yale and encountered other insurniountahlo ol)sta-
l'Il's, tlie great Fraser a foaming torrent heunned in liy perpendicular rocks on
either side. Tlie timid turned hack and denounced the theory as fiction.
OtliiTs waited tlirougli dreary months; but a daring few, with a fortnight's or
:i miiiith's provisions strapped on their hacks, climhed the rocks and slopes of
tliu Fraser carton seventy miles farther to La Fontaine, where they found
t!'""! dij;<;iiigs, hut only to prospect them before they were obliged to liurry
liuck to avoid starvation. 'Fraser River,' says Sutro, 'has been put down iis
a iMiinliug liy the majority of tlie California people, and wliy ? Have they
i::irriiil^ out their original intention to explore the country above ? No, they
Invf not.' Compare Wrii/li/'s Cariboo, iiiOverlaiul Monthly, Dec. 18G9, 5'2i,
fur mi'unnatiou of this motive.

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374

THE GREAT GOLD EXCITEMENT,

gration which was imbued with commercial traditions
or influenced by nautical antecedents. Under the act
which initiated the Pacific Railway explorations In-
the engineer corps of the army between 1853 and
1856, Governor Stephens of Washington Territt)iy
led one of the best executed series of explorations
over the line of the proposed Northern Pacific Kail-
way, terminating on Puget Sound. Notwithstandiiii,'
the existence of gold in California, it was believed
by many that Puget Sound was to be the terminus
of the great future trunk railway of the northern
states.^

The immediate effect of the gold excitement was to
lay the foundations for the Canadian Pacific and North-
ern Pacific railways as commercial enterprises, eacli
of which had, however, to await the more permanent
kinds of mining development before the superstructure
could be properly carried forward. Evidently the
final great value of the discovery of the new g(jld-
fields in British Columbia to the colony, to the Do
minion of Canada, and to the Empire of Great Britain,
consisted mainly in the crowds of adventurers that
were attracted into the country, from whose energetic
proceedings permanent developments were to foHow
in many ways.

Communications for traffic and general intercourse
thus sprang forward at a bound, and the country was

■'"In the midst of the Fraser excitement, California newspapers quotiii
Lieutenant Maury's opinion on the siibject. Tlio great tolegrapliio pl.ittaii
on which the Atlantic cable was laid was reported by Manry to exteml uioiiinl
the world, the Minnesota divide between the gulf and Arctic waters foriiiiiiL'
a portion of it. The whole country between Lake Superior and I'uget Suuinl
was claimed to be less barren and less rugged than the country south, ami
coal as well as timber was known to exist in abundance on I'ugot Soiuiil.
Maury showed chat the course of a ship from China to San Franci.si:o, ' iiiilil
she gains the offings of the straits of Fuca, would bo the same as thou,i;li slio
were bound into Puget Sound or tlie Columbia River,' and that the nranst
way from China, Japan, and the Ainoor to the Mississippi Valley was by wiiy
of Puget Sound. Attention was also directed by Maury to Mie isotherms, ami
wind and ocean currents of the north-western Pacific coast. Sec Xi I'H'I"
Jmimnl, June 11, 18.58, and Letter to President of St Pmil Chiiriilnr of Com-
nierce, Jan. 4, 1859, ia Hawlliui' Coiijederatioii, N. A. Provinces, 217.

^ a i

nrwr.

POSSIBILITIES.

375

transformod as by magic from staid savagery to pan-
demonium. Agriculture, and shipping to carry away
the products of the soil in exchange for the many
returns of commerce, became a possibility for the
great Northwest, and in virtue thereof Vancouver
Island, commanding the north Pacific coast, was dis-
tinctly outlined as the England of the Pacific. So
far as could be seen into the immediate future, it
then appeared superficially that only gold and silver
were wealth. What varied experiences or revolutions
this country would have to undergo before its wealth
ill the precious metals should be fairly realized, or its
metals become precious in fact by the fulfilment ot
their special and only precious function, the setting
in motion of human industries, were at that time as
undefined as the shadow of the moon.

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CHAPTEK XXI.

DEATH OF THE MONOPOLY— THE CCLONY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA ESTABUS-IED.

i857-1858.

Shall the Charter be Renf;wed? — DrscuasiON of the Question iv Par-
liament—Referred TO A Select CoMMirrEE — AVho Think tuk Char-
ter SHOULD NOT BE RENEWED — (ioLD AS A REVOLUTIONIST — ])()l(iLAS

Stands by for England — Late Fur-factors— Dugald McTavisii—
William Charles — The Hudson's Bay Company's Licensk of
Exclusive Trade with the Natives of the Mainland Revokkd—
Repurchase of the Island op Vancouver by the Impeiual (Gov-
ernment — Change of Company Organization- -Canada PuKriiA.>iE.-i
Rupert Land and the Northwest Territory — Liberal and Hi-
mane Policy of the Company in Regard to Gold-seekeus and
Speculators

Nations die; worlds grow old and perish; and so,
thank God, sooner or later must every monopoly. Not
that the honorable Hudson's Bay Company now
fails, becomes defunct, or otherwise disappears. It
is only that branch of the association which nii^ht
well be labelled tyranny and despotism that is now
doomed. The adventurers of England trading into
Hudson's Bav, trading on and between three oceans,
holding as a hunting-ground for wellnigh two cen-
turies an area equal to all Europe, must now step
down from the royal pedestal on which they wore
placed by Rupert and Charles, and become as any
other adventurers trading in any other region. In ii
word, the company's exclusive license to trade, now
expiring, is not to be renewed; the country between
tlie Rocky Mountains and the sea is to be thrown
open to settlers, and the Mainland is to be colonized

(37fi)

THE EXPIRING CHARTER.

377

and have spread over it the mother- wing even as hith-
erto it has been extended over the Island.

Wo have seen how in 1821, when after a rivalry
which well nigh consummated the ruin of both, the
Northwest and Hudson's Bay companies united their
iiitei'ests, parliament granted the now association the
exclusive right to trade for furs in the region west of
Rupert Land for twenty-one years, and how in 1838,
four years before their term had expired, their license
was renewed for another twenty-one years, which lat-
ter term would expire "in 1859.

Throe or four years before the expiration of the
trade license under which they held control of the
Mainland, the Hudson's Bay Company began manoeu-
vring for continuance of power, and during the winter
of 185G-7 the directors flatly asked the government
for a renewal of their license. If they were to retire,
they should know it; and if the imperial government
was to take charge of affairs, they should have time in
which to prepare for it. The claims of the company
Were then laid before the ministers, who referred the
matter to parliament.

On the 5th of February 1857, Mr Labouch^re asked
ill the house of commons for the appointment of a
select committee to consider the state of those British
North American possessions which were under the
administration of the Hudson's Bay Company, or over
which they held license to trade.

Lubouchere said that although the extensive re-
gions referred to were for the most part adapted only
to fishing and fur-raising, yet, besides containing great
mineral wealth, there were large districts fit for agri-
culture, and for the support of industrial populations.
Inil^crial policy, justice, and humanity alike prompted
government action. Altliough by reason of long
occupation under royal charter, their claim to Bupert
Land might be deemed valid, it was not so with regard
to the region west of the Rocky Mountains, their
tenure to that district being the result of a royal

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878

THE COLONY OF BRITISH COLU.MI5IA.

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license f^ivin*^ fchnin exclusive trade with the natives,
and this license would now soon exi)ire. So far as lie
knew, the company had performed its ohligations to
the govermnent, and throughout their whole doniiiin
the twelve hundred servants of the comj)any had
treated tlie three hundred thousand savages under
them with due regard to humanity.

Mr Hoehuck remarked that ho did not like to soe
a country such as the United States grow so great as
to become insolent, and dominate the rest of the
world ; therefore settlement should be encouraged in
Canada in order to balance this power. ^Ir Adder! cy
thought every one would anticipate with eagerness
the expiration of the company's license which should
open the whole country to settlement. If England
did not do it, American squatting, and annexation to
the United States, would be the result. The trivint'
of Vancouver Island to the fur-traders was the ureat-
est l)lunder a colonial minister ever connnitted. For
Nootka Sound Mr Pitt had risked a Spanish war.
The country should be free from tlie grasp of the
mon(^poly, he thought, at any hazard.

Edward Ellice^ next rose, and remarked that the

' Edward EUice, membur of parliament, and for half a century or iiioro a
proiniticiit partner in the Northwest and Hudson's Bay companies, in hi-i tr.s-
tiniony before the select committee, afi'ected to regard colonial affairs witli iu-
difl'erencc, and the government of colouiea as detrimental rather than otherwise
to the interest of fur companies. If Canada co^'eted the management of Ucil
lliver affairs, he thought there would I'u no difficulty in coming to terms witli
the Hmlson's Bay Company. The coaipan;.' W( ro then in possession of \'.iu
couver Island, but were very ready to ^;ivt it up; if the government did udt
deem it advisable to avail itself of tli(! services of the company, it had hotter
assume the management itself. If v. j . a wise move, he thought, on l.nnl
Grey's part, jKirticularly in an economical point of view, the grantini; fif tliu
Island to the company. In answer to the question, ' Do you tiiink tiiat the
right of exclusive trade by the Hudson's Bay Company couli I be rendiTLil ann-
patible with the territory being given to a colony?' Ellice replied: 'Wliy
should it not be so? It is compatible with the government of tl'.is country,
and it wouhl be compatible with the government of a colony. I do not tliinii
that it shoid<l exist one hour longer than the colony, or the legislutiin' or
government of that country, thouglit it for their good. The Hudson's Ikiy
(.'ompaiiy have no claim to it; it is not like the Hudson's Bay territory. I
may add that beyond the Hudson's Bay coiiipaiiy being paid for tiK'ir
outlay, which payment they are entitled to under tiie agreement with the
crown, I do not think they have any claim upon the public on the west side
of the Rocky Mountains, otherwise than as you may think it for your interest
to employ them.' Jlouse Commons Kept., 330. Up to this time the eonipauy

jv4

PAHLIAMENTARY DISCUSSION.

379

slioiild

]i()ii()ral)lo j^cntloman know nothiiif^j of what they wore
(lisciissuig, olso thoy would know tlmt northern Noith
Aiiu'rica was wliolly unfavorahle to c'oh)nization.
TIhm, should the present bonii^nant rule of the Hud-
son's 13ay Company be withdrawn, how would they
jrovcrn, how would they hold the country!" Throw it
opfii to free-traders, and you would speedily see as bad
a state of thin;^s as has over obtained on tlui United
Stati'S border; and surely the imperial money- vaults
must be overloaded wlien statesmen are so eager to set
u[» iiiid kLsep in moti<m civil and military machinery
tor tlie government of a wilderness of savages and
wild beasts. On behalf of the directors he might say
that the ccjmpany were reaih' for the fullest investiga-
tion and the fairest adjustment.

For tlie five hundredth time in public, the history
of the company was reviewed and their doings dis-
cussed by Mr Gladstone, who favored investigation
and equitaLIu and amicable adjustment. Others fol-
lowed in similar strain on one side and the other;

i II •»

lull uxpcnilcd in bringing out settlers and coal-miners, ami iu perfoi-niing
till' (itliLT obligations of their trust, according to their aououiit, eighty
thousand pouuds. All was outlay; there was no return. Politically tiie
Lslaiid was an interesting possession; its position was superb. t)pportunity
was thtTc for investing money in improvements to an unlimited extent. Rocks
iiiiglit 1)0 turned into palaces, forests into gilded temples, and the laud and
tlio w:itLT become alive with industry. But the wealth requisite for all tliia
was not to be found in the Island. Like thn motlier countrj', it must have in-
t(Ti!st elsewhere to become great. 'The sooner the public rei'uter into pos-
si'ssiiiii, and tlie sooner they form establishments worthy of the Island, and
Worthy of this country, the l)otter. From all accounts whicli we hear of it, it
is a kiiiil of England attached to the continent of America.' Eltice, hi I/oune
( 'omiiiiiiin Itiyt., 335. Either the eouipany were now in reality becoming tired
of tluir bargain in regard to tlie Island, or else, foreseeing they could liojd it
no luiioLT, tiiey pretendeil to be tired of it. But their actions did not always
aciiinl with their expressed sentiments. All that was to be made out of tiiis
ooliiiii/atidu scheme they had made, some of them thouglit. And in a pecu-
niary point for themselves they had done well. There was profit for them
m loiiiuction witli their other business, in carrying emigrants in their own
V(s>ch, provided there were any to carry, in manipulating land sah^s, especially
ill st'tting aside the l)e^t part of tin; Island for themselves, and in performing
vaiioiis little duties for the government. An account like this with tlie
govuriuncnt was exceedingly convenient in many ways; it grew oil their books
rasily anil naturally, and assisted the coniiiany in carrying out its plans in
iiiaiiy wiiya. But now all hi' I been done that there was to do. The settle-
1111 lit hail been begun, but the settlors were dissatisfied. Tlie plan was iu
fit't a failure. Clearly it was now to the interests of the company, so some
lit tlicni arjjUed, to give up the Island and get their money back.

t!^

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380

THE COLONY OF UKITISII COLUIvlWA.

V I

after wliich the vote was taken, and the motion sus-
tained.^

The governor-general of Canada was notified of the
intention of government to institute this inquiry, in
order that an opportunity might be afforded that
coh)ny of giving such information and advanciii*,'
sucli t)pinions as they might deetn proper. Accoid-
ingly Chief-justice Draper was commissioned by the
government of Canada to watch proceedings. The
legislative assembly of Canada likewise appointed
a conunittee of their own to investigate these same
affairs, a full report of which was laid beft^re the par-
liamentary committee. The law-officers of the crown
were freely called upon from time to time during the
investigation for their opinion respecting title uikI
various points connected with the company's charter.

After sitting for nearly six months, the prorogation
of j)arlianient occurring in the mean tune, and sub-
jecting twenty-four witnesses to the most searchiui^
examination, the committee found the territory owr
which the company exercised rights to be of three
descriptions: the land held by charter, and called
Ilupert Land; the land held by license, called the
Indian territory; and the land held by crown grant
for purposes of colonization, which was Vancouver
Island. The wishes of Canada, the committee said,
to annex such territories as were available for settle-
ment should be met. The Red Iliverand Saskatchewan
districts should he ceded to Canada. The connection of
the Hudson's Bay Company with Vancouver Issland
should be terminated, and means provided for tx-
ti>nding the colony over the whole or any portion of
the Mainland. Such portions of tlie Hudson's l>ay
Company's territories as were not I'ecjuired for settle-
ment, it would be well to leave in the liands of the
company with their present rights of exclusive trade
with the natives.'

^See ITiiuKunVn rarlianieiifn,-ji Dvlxifen, 3d ser., cxliv. 210-41; cxlv. i'T;
Leri'n Annuls n/ JiritMi Liyifhnoii, iv. 2i;4-.3!).

* Tho result of the laborii of this conunittee is a folio volume of 547 pagia,

fifffl

DKATH OF THE MONOPOLY.

381

Indeed, the company had no objections at this time
to the government assuming control of the whole
country, provided the license of exclusive trade with
the Indians on the Mainland was left them. There
was little danger of an immediate influx of settlers,
uiilfss some excitement should spring up like tliat
wliich did in fac' foUow; so that if the expense and
responsibility of protection could be thrown upon the
jroverument, while the profits of trade should be left
oxelusively with them, nothing would suit them bettm'.

If gold should be found in any quantities on the
Mainland, as it was even riow talked about on the
Island, that region would be lost to the fur-trader in
any event. Even were the government willing, a
reekU'ss, promiscuous population would not long suV)-
niit to the arbitrary rule of a private corporation. All
this the company foresaw, and shaped their policy ac-
cordingly.

And now suddenly in these primeval shades each
man finds lilmself in a whirl of unrest. The cold
and barren desolation of New Caledonia is all at once
transformed into a field of glittering promisi;, of prom-
ise so radiant as to draw imuimerablc human bats
from every (piarter into it. The position of Douglas

entitled Reyort from the Schrt CoinmitU'o on thr Ihuhnn's Bay Compnii;/, to-
iji'thir vitli t/if I'roceedhiijs of (hi' ('oiniiiilti'i', Miniitct of Kndrinr, Ajipviidix,
uiid Iiiilfj: Onlcrcd hi/ the JloilM' 0/ Coiiiiiioiis to he. /^rmlcd ,')'/ July aiid II
Aw111.1t lS'i7. Till! coiuiiiittee Cdiissistcd of niiu^ti'iin person", as folluv.s: Jloiiry
Liiliinu'lK'ro, chairman; Messrs (Jlailstone, Rooluick, Lowe, (Jrogaii, (iri'j^soii,
Fitzwilli.iin, (iurney, llfrl)ert, MatlK^soii, Blacl'mrii. CJiristy, Kiiiiiairil,
Kllice, Viscounts Goderich and Saiidon, Sir .[olm I'lkin^ton, and Lords RiH-
sc'll and Stanley. The committee sat from tho ISth of February to the lilst
ot July, and examined '24 ])ersons, namely, J'llin Ri, ■<.■<, J. H. Lefoy, .loliu
K.ie Sir ( leorgo Simpson, William Kcriia^han, C. W. W. Fitzwilliam, Alex-
.111. Irr Isliister, (r. O. Cori)ett, Sir .John Richardson, J. F. Crofton, Sir (leorjio
Hick, .lames Cooper, W. H. Draper, David Andiu'sou, Joseph Maynanl, A.
K. Itii'lu', David lEerd, John Miles, ,lolm MeLoughlin, Jlichanl Hlansliard,
\\ illiam I'ahhvell, Richard Kinj;, .James Tv iiiiaiit, and Edward Klliee. These
gt'iitlrMien were all cither . crts in Hudson's l?ay Comiiany ati'airs, or had
lii'i'U in some way conneci, ■ ' ■ .th the company. Some of them were aeiidetit-
a'lly in Liuidou at the time, some were there hy appointment, and some were
liuinianent residents of P^nBlaml. There were aniing them those hr-.th in favor
"f a continnanee of the license Bystem and those opposed, to it. A largo
mass of valiialilo evidence was drawn from tluse witnesses, of which I have
made free use in writing this history.

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882

THE COLONY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

becomes an exceedingly important one. The north-
west fur-fields seem doomed. Beside this tempest,
the occupation of Oregon was summer quiet. What
shall the governor say to these panting new-comers;
what shall the chief factor do? The company, with
the license of trade as its only weapon, cannot hold at
bay the hungry thirty thousand. They must be per-
mitted ingress, else they will obtain it without per-
mission; they must be overawed and governed, else
they will riot in lawlessness. Months must elapse
before action here can be directed by imperial powers,
and meanwhile to hesitate is to be lost.

In this emergency, as he is the chief and almost
sole representative of the British crown on the North-
west Coast, Douglas determines to act for his govern-
ment in matters pertaining to the Mainland, as best
he may, until definite instructions reach him. He
will levy contributions for the benefit of his govern-
ment on those entering the domain for its treasures,
and maintain order among the uncouth comers to the
best of his ability.

As from the depths of primeval slumber affairs now
awake to the wildest activity. There is no further
need of anxiety over the absence of colonists. Who
would have thought as the company were bringing
out here a farmer and there a coal-miner, religiously
entering all expenses in the colonization account to
be presented to the crown on that fearful day of reck-
oning, to see so soon these thirty thousand thus madly
pressing forward, well nigh burying both company and
crown beneath their too heavy presence?

Head of the Hudson's Bay Company affairs on the
Pacific coast, after the retirement of Douglas, was
Dugald McTavish, chief factor in charge, with Tolniie
and Finlayson as associates, the three comprising the
board of management. To the succeeding manager at
Victoria, Mr William Charles, I am indebted for
many favors. In ransacking for me the company's

THE NAME.

tss

archives, in bringing from distant posts the fort jour-
nals, and in the generous sympathy he has ev^jr ex-
tended to my work, he has won my lasting gratitude.*

When the investigation of the attitude and conduct
r^ the company was first approached, the question with
tue imperial government was whether the exclusive
license to trade with the natives of the Mainland
should be revoked at the expiration of the term
granted the company for the colonization of Van-
couver Island. The publication of the gold discovery,
and the influx of population, however, put an entirely
diffo'-oit opect upon affairs. The fur-trade in its
aiic! ;nt ^ 'lortions was at an end, and the prevention
of Jemoraxtzation and disorder was as essential to the
coinpaiiy as to the crown. It was better on both
sides that all exclusive rights of the monopoly on the
Mainland should at once and forever cease.

Hence on the 2d of August 1858 parliament passed
an act to provide for the government of British Co-
lumbia, by which name hereafter should be designated
the territories between the United States frontier on
the south and Simpson River, now Nass River, and
the Finlay branch of Peace River on the north, and
between the Rocky Mountain summit and the sea, in-
cluding the Que?ii Charlotte and all other adjacent
islands, except '^'^ ancouver Island, and investing the
queen, by orde?' in c mncil, with power to appoint a
governor, pn vi^c i"r the administration of justice,

'Dugald McTaVio!: was i^aior r.icmbcr of the board of management from
1859 till November 18Gi), w'.. ' ..o was called to England. He was a nephew
of John George McTavish, anil brother of William McTavish, who, prior to
the transfer of the north-west territory to the dominion government, was
govprnor of Hudson's Bay Company aflairs at Red River. Dugald McTavish
came to the Columbia in 1840, and was stationed at different times at V' n,
Vancouver, the Hawaiian Islands, and Verba Buena. Ho died in his bathing-
room in Montreal, about 1873. He 'was a bachelor who could at anytime
start upon a journey at a half-hour's notice. An excellent accountant, an
oflitt' man, and had long been manager of the Hudson's Bay Company's ailairs
at tiio Sandwich T-il,i,„dj, He was a clear-headed, able man, small, stout,
compuetly built, ;o head, largo perceptive organs, dark complexion, large
light tycs, a vp! \ . ^otioal man, not much imagination about him. Sold out
\ CI lia Ikiena fo a >! ' before the gold excitement, as agent for the company. '
Tiilmie's J list. Pu-.p.' . . nd, Mrf., 51. See also Anderson's Northweal Coant,
MS., 82-3.

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334

THE COLOXY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

make laws, and establish a local legislature. One
month later the license of exclusive trade granted tho
Hudson's Bay Company for twenty-one years from
the 30th of May 1838, with right of revocation ro-
served, in so far as it ^^"'ered the territories com-
prising the colony of British Columbia was revoked.
James Douglas was appointed governor of British
Columbia, his commission for Vancouver Island boin<r
renewed.

This is the : s •■ '^f the great monopoly as such. There
is a vast mei .. machine in fair runninj; order

which still offcre; . aat advantages to the old associca-
tion, but there are here no more exclusive privileges
for them. Their million or two of square miles of
domain, with their several hundreds of pacified nations,
are now free, nominally and actually open to any
others of the British nation for purposes of hunting,
trading, or colonizing on the same terms as at present
enjoyed by the late monopolists. But for some years
in certain back parts of this region, such is the in-
fluence exercised by the company upon the natives,
such the advantages of their established posts, tlieir
knowledge of the country, their facilities for commu-
nication, that this abrogation of their former rights
makes but little difference and is hut little felt. Com-
petitors sometimes enter the field, but almost as often
withdraw baffled. In the more proximate precincts,
however, in mining and agricultural settlements, and
about some of the northern seaports, where inter-
lopers and squatters now begin in a restricted way
to plant themselves, their autocratic rule rapidly de-
clines. By law they are now simply subjects of
Great Britain, possessing no more rights than other
subjects.

A letter was directed to Governor Douglas by Jolni
Work and Dugald McTavish, chief factors, under <iate
of November 24, 1858, calling the governor's atten-
tion to an accompanying list of claims, consisting of
fourteen forts, including New Fort Langley, with tho

■^pl

THE GOVERNMENT TAKES VANCOUVER ISLAND.

385

surrounding lands, asking that the same might bo in
due time confirmed to them by her majesty's govern-
ment.

With the expiration of the term of the company's
exclusive license to trade with the natives of the
Mainland, the imperial government repurchased the
company's rights in the Island of Vancouver for
£57,500, the last instalment of which was paid the
6th of October 1862. An indenture of relinquishment
of rights was executed on the 3d of April 18G7, the
company retaining, besides the fort property, certain
town lots and farming lands amounting to several
thousand acres.

By 18G3 the Hudson's Bay Company's stations in
British Columbia were reduced to thirteen, as follows :
Fort Simpson, W. H. McNeill in charge; Fort
Langley, W. H. Newton; Fort Hope, W. Charles:
Fort Yale, O. Allard ; Thompson River, J. W. McKay ;
Alexandria, William Manson; Fort George, Thomas
Charles; Fort St James, Peter Ogden; McLeod
Lake, Ferdinand McKenzie; Connolly Lake, William
Tod; Fraser Lake, J. Moberly; Fort Babine, Gavin
Hamilton; Fort Shepherd, A. McDonald. Among
the above traders are many names long familiar to us,
but which at this day belong mostly to the sons of
those wo first knew. In Fort Victoria and other posts
on Vancouver Island the amount invested in 185G was
£75,000.

Ill 1871 the organization of the company was
changed; there were more factors and traders and
fowur clerks, and lessened operations and expenses.
In tact the association now partook more of the nature
of a copartnership than of a corporation. Meanwhile,
Canada purchased the company's right to Rupert
Land and the Northwest Territory, and out of the
purchase made the province of Manitoba.

During the incipient stages of the government the
Hudson's Bay Company wore of far more use to the
government than the government was to them. "At

Hirr. Butt. Col. 23

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3S6

THE COLONY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

this moment," writes Douglas to Lytton the 2r)tli
Octohcr 1858, "I am making use of the Hudson's
Bay Company's estabhshments for every pubHc office,
and to their servants, for want of other means, I com-
mit in perfect confidence the custody of the public
money."

It was but human nature for the foreign rabble,
gold-hunters from California and elsewhere, to cry
down the Hudson's Bay Company, cursing it as an
all-devouring monopoly, and holding up the fairest
transactions as atrocious tyrannies.

How ignorant and unreasonable men are! Had
they not l^een blinded by wrath and stupidity these
wise ones might have seen that now for the first
time on the Northwest Coast, the Hudson's Bay
Company had ceased to be a monopoly. It is hut
fair to say that in this emergency the company
behaved liberally, nobly. Never at any time did
they seem to desire to take unfair advantage of the
necessities of others, but employed their power and
position to keep the prices of supplies within reason-
able bounds.

Undoubtedly they reaped a rich harvest, as was
their right. Their system of trade was attended by
large accumulations of merchandise, a year's sui)ply
or more being kept always in store against emergency.
When they saw the incoming multitudes they re[)len-
ished their forts from their abundant resources. Know-
ing the country, and being provided with means of
transportation, they were assuredly in a condition to
compete with any. But the Scotchmen were slow
and careful by nature, and it was against fur-hunt-
jng tradition to advance prices at once five or ten
fold. And the only way the hot speculators, who
were the loudest in their denunciations of the com-
pany, could carry prices to the desired height was
first to exhaust the company's supply by buying it,
and so control the market for the season, which was
in many instances done. Douglas even went so tai

T»|

he 2r,th
iludson's
lie office,
s, I com-
le public

1 rabble,

3, to cry

it as an

le fairest

el Had
ity these
the first
on's Bay
It is but
company
time did
ge of the
ower and
n reason-

t, as was
tended by
''s supply
nergency.
sy re[)len-
i. Know-
means of
ndition to
tverc slow

fur-hunt-
ve or ten
tors, who

the coni-
eijiht was
buying it,
ivhich was
ent so far

POSITION OF DOUGLAS.

387

as to refuse permits to steamboats charging exor-
bitant freights.*

It could scarcely be expected otherwise than that
Douglas and the company would eventually quarrel.
The monopolists were grasping upon principle, inordi-
nately grasping, for had they not before this been fre-
quently dissatisfied with the half of North America?
They had quarrelled with McLoughlin, their best man
on the Northwest Coast, quarrelled with him because
of his innate nobility and manhood, which could not
descend to the plane of their mercenary abasement;
and now they quarrelled with their second best man,
because he could not perform impossibilities, because
he would not risk his position and popularity with
the imperial government. He had been made gov-
ernor of two colonies, with a double salary. Lytton
had praised him, though he had early warned him
not to allow the fur-traders to get the better of him ;
and he would not give him as much of the mother's
money as he would like. But Douglas as usual held
fast to the stronger; as in the troubles between his
old friend McLoughlin and the company lie had stood
by the company, so now in the disagreements between
the company and the government regarding the lands
claimed round the forts, and expenses of colonizing
Vancouver Island, Douglas stood by the government.
He stood by the government because, first, it was
right, and secondly, no fur-trader could knight him.

'For revocation of license see B. 0. Acts and Ordinances, 1858. 'The
company liad obtained a charter for Vancouver Island on condition of pro-
moting its colonization ; but it being evident that they were unable or un-
williu',' to do this the license was witlidrawn, compensation being made them
for tiie amount they had expended in the attempt, amounting in all to £100,-
000.' llritln/i A'orth Am., 2.54. This writer is somewhat confused in las facts.
See also Ohjmpia Club Convs., MS., 19, 20; Deans' Settlement, V. /.. MS., 5 ;
Tiick'n Northwest, 03; Wculdington'a Fraser Mines 2(1-7; Howard and Bar-
n(tr« JJir., 1803, 144; U. S. Ev., II. B. Co. Claims, 78: Finlaysoirs V. I.,
M.S., 10;{; TarheWs Victoria, MS., 4; Dow/las' Private Papers, MS., 1st son
90-lOS. A copy of the relinquishment of rights may bo found in Lamjevin' s
Hfjit., '2:t7-40. For discussions of the Hudson's Bay Company's affairs in the
coloiiiua .see Victoria Gazette, July 7, Aug. 31, Sept. 2-5, and Oct. 5, 1858; and
for (U.siiissions in parliament see Hansard's Par. Deb., cxlviii. 1200-9, 1308 j
cxlix. 1404; cli. 1788-1844; clu. 1070-7; clxvii. 407-9, 1404-12.

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CHAPTER XXII.

GOVERNMENT OP THE MAINLAND.

1858-186.3.

AlTTHORITY AT VICTORIA I)lSREOARDEI> BY THF. FiRST COMKIW — Tlni-flLAS

Looks into Affairs — What thk Natives Think of It — Douglas as
Law and Magistrate Maker— India.v Wars — Overturks ok the
Imperiai, Oovernment to Doi,'(;i,AS — Revenue— Loan— rum,ic Lanhh
— Miners' License — The British Cry Economy — I'rniNo Tiiincs is
Ordf.r — ^Tiie Unauthorized Acts of Douc.la.s Leoalized — Akkivai.
of BRrrisH Vessels ok War — Men of Authority Appear — TheUmtkii
States Represented— Inauguration of the Governor at Lani:i.ky—
The Moody-McGowan Affray — New Westminster Founukh-Ofki-
CER.S OF the New Government — Smu soling.

In the beginning of May 1858, information roiicliod
the factor-governor of Vancouver Island tluit swarms
of small craft from the United States shores, laden
with passengers, arms, and merchandise, were iiiter-
ing Fraser liiver in violation of her majesty's customs
laws, and to the damage of tlie lionorable Hudson's
Bay Company. Wherefore, on the 8th of this month
he issued a proclamation warning all persons tiiat any
vessels found in British northwest waters after t'oui-
teen days, not having a license from the Hudson s
Bay Company and a sufferance from the customs offi-
cer at Victoria, should be declared forfeited, and he
called on Captain Prevost of H. M. S. ^Satellite for
men sufficient to enforce the measures proclainu'd.

Then the factor-governor proposed to the agents ot
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company that they sIkjuU
place steamers on the route; carry Hudson's Bay
(company's goods into Fraser River, and no others;
carry no passengers except such as had a gold-niininij

(388)

ill

COMMERCIAL MEASURES. 888

license and permit from the Vancouver Island govern-
ment and compensate the Hudson's Bay Company by
the payment of two dollars for each passenger carried
—if so the Pacific Mail Company might monopolize
the traffic for one year. It was certainly very pret-
tily arranged, and no wonder Douglas hoped, in
writing to Lord Stanley the 19th of May, "from its
so thoroughly protecting every interest connected
with the country," that it would meet his approval.

The factor-governor would do this for his company
and his country if he could; for he was now con-
vinced that it was impossible to keep closed the gold-
fit'lds against foreigners, and there remained as alterna-
tives whether they should enter and help themselves
free of duty, or be made to pay for the privilege.

Although invested with no specific authority to act
for the imperial government upon the Mainland,
James Douglas was the man to whom all looked,
both in England and in America, as the one to as-
sume control of affairs in the present emergency. As
governor of Vancouver Island he v» as the nearest to
Fraser River of any representative of the queen, and
as chief fur-factor he had exclusive right of access for
the purpose of trading with the natives. It was but
natural and right, therefore, that he should regard
the interests of his sovereign in the premises, as well
as those of his company.

With the originating and executing of much that
was wise, and which permanently remained, there is
little wonder that he fell into some errors. For exam-
ple, in his declaration that no goods should be carried
to the Mainland except by or for the Hudson's Bay
Company, and that no shipping, save the company's
'essels or those sailing under the company's permis-
sion, should carry passengers thither, he somewhat
overshot the mark ; he forgot that it was only exclu-
sive trade with the natives that his company could
claim, and that so long as strangers did not so traffic,
their right was as full and free to go anywhere and

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390

CrOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

^-^/f

take whatever they should please as was that of the
fur- traders.

Very sound in many matters, however, was the
practical mind of the factor-governor. He knew ho
should be safe enough in asserting the dominion of
the crown over the gold-fields, in declaring all lands
and minerals the property of the government in fee ;
thouffh what kind of rischteous robbery that should
be, others besides savages might wonder. For where
was the European sovereign who ever yet had taken
offence at the assertion of his rights to Ameriean
lands or gold, by whomsoever made?

He stationed the Satellite at the mouth of Fraser
River with revenue officers on board to collect toll
from those entering the territory; he called the
Plumper to assist in enforcing his regulations, and
employed the company's vessel, the Otter, in the gov-
ernment service; and he notified the fur-traders at
the several posts along the boundary to watch inroads
in that direction, though in all this he was wrong, for
he had no right to enforce a tax for entering the
country; any one might enter, only, until the com-
pany's exclusive license should be annulled, none
might trade with the natives; and as for the license
duty which he saw fit to impose on miners, that could
be legally collected from those who actually did mine,
and not from those who simply entered the domain.
But to govern this rabble, so he argued, would cost
money, and the rabble themselves must pay the
charge; at all events, he would try it, though, as a
matter of fact, he was soon checked in this proceeding".

Early in the season Governor Douglas went over
to the Maudand to see for himself the workino.s of
this wonder. Ever alive to the maintenance of peace-
ful relations with the natives, he made that matter his
special care. And he acted none too soon; for how
could this uncouth, obstreperous element from the
purlieus of civilization bo turned into quiet abori;;inal

ATTITUDE OF THE NATIVKS.

:«ii

liuntinjif-grounds witliout oollisiou with the natur.il
loid-i of tlie domain?

Tlio simple savages believed the gold their own;
they were not ver.sed in the laws of Christian nations
that made might riglit. In their own crude way, they
wcio well aware that they mu;st defend their domain,
i'hii their neijjfhbors would take it. But this was
saviigism, in which were no betterments mculcatmg
precepts of love and honor and happy future reward
Lorjointly with rum and strange diseases. The fur-
tnuiers had taught the natives to regard them as
iViriHls who had come among them to do them good,
to bring them blankets, and guns to kill the deer,
that thereby they might the more comfortably pro-
vide for their families They paid for what they got,
and dealt justly with them; so that they had come to
royurd the Hudson's Bay Company as their friends
and allies. With regard to strangers it was quite
dlH'erent.

Those who came into the country by the route east
of the mountains struck the Fraser at two points,
iiainely, Lytton and the Fountain. There they began
to dig for gold without a license, and there Douglas
found them, and made them pay.^ The natives knew
and cared nothing for any license imposed by others;
it was they who must have pay for their gold, or for
their sticks or stones should foreigners desire such ar-
ticles, even as they had always received pay for their
fui's, and if white men would not treat them fairly in
the matter, they would fight for it.

^[eanwhile Douijlas ascends the river in the Otter
with the Satellite's launch and uii; in tow. At Fort
Langley, where it Avas thought probable might be

-ralmor, in the Orer/on Statesman, Feb. 14, ISOO, charges upon Douglas tho
nintivo of securing to his company the traliic which wouhl accrue hy forcing
till' lorcigri mining population, so far as poasible, to enter througli tho front
giti', namely, hy way of Victoria, rather than of obtaining revenue for tlie
goviiiiinent. In this, however, I must differ from him. 1 find nothing in
the iDiiihict of Douglas to warrant tlio suspicion of any desire on his part t<
f iviu- nil justly either the company or the goveru:iient o:io ajainst the other.
t^cc l'.:j,cr,i li. C, pt. i. 1-15 et sen.

392

OOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

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the Mainland metrojjolis, lie finds sj)oculators seizini,'
lands and staking out lots."^ Sixteen uidicensed caiiocs
aie there, which he takes into custody, hut rekuMs
them, and grants passes on the payment of five dol-
lars for each canoe. The owners of certain mercliaii-
dise for trade, found there, fare worse, their goods
heing seized and lifdd as contraband. With a warn-
ing to the squatters against tlieir illegal and fruitless
]iroceedings, he continues his journey toward Fort
J [ope on the 27th of May, stopping frequently to
converse with the excited peoj)le who pass and repass
him on the way."*

Letters are received from Mr Walker, in charge at
Fort Hope, saying "that Indians are getting plenty
of gold, and trade with the Americans. Indian wages
are from three to four dollars a day. Letters from
Fort Yale dated 18th inst. state that there are miners
working two miles below Fort Yale, who are makini,'
on an average one and a half ounces a day each man.
The place is named Hill Bar, and employs eighty
Indians and thirty white men. Pierre Maquais has
built a log-house and store below Fort Yale, and
another store about five miles bej'ond the fort. York
has put up a log boarding-house a short distance
beyond the fort." Thus the fur-trade is forever
ruined, the natives themselves having caught the
gold infection as badly as others.

Before the queen's authority reaches them, after
the old California fashion the miners of Hill l^ar
iuauourate self-ijovernment. On the 21st of Mav are
l)osted laws refifulatin"" niininof claims on that bar. A
claim consists of twenty-five feet frontage; one man

"Several applications for preemptions of land rights wore made li,\' par-
ties desirous of settling on Fraser Pivcr. Refused to entertain tlie sanl ap-
plications for want of authority, 'ihinkwe ougiit immediately to ooiiiiiH'iiie
the sale of land, for if we refuse to make sales, people will s(piat on tviry
pirt of tiie country, and there will lie a groat difficulty in ejecting tli' iii.
l)ianj of Gold J)ixroirnj on Frawr Hirer, in Dniii/lnji' I'rirnte J'dpirs, MS.,
l:jt ser. 90. .James H. liay staked off 1,200 acres, and Ijegan sellin.; lots.
f'ictoria Gazelfe, Sept. 14, 1858.

" He is much interested in returns from the mines, and his diary is fu.ll of
statistics on that subject.

i.y|.i!ii.iip

EXPEDITION OF DOUGLAS.

aes

can hold two claims, one l)y proomption and one by
jmrchaso, provided he works both; any white man
taiif,'ht stealing, or molesting Indians,shall be punished
as a committee of the miners shall direct; he who sells
(•r gives spirits to the natives shall for the first otFenco
pay one hundred dollars, and for the second offence
shall be driven from the bar. For mutual safety a
captain and two lieutenants are elected and endowed
with power absolute. And of this first meeting of
law-makers thereabout, P. H. Furness is president,
and George W. Tennent secretary.

Arriving at Fort Hope on the 29th, Douglas makes
his head-quarters there. Owing to the mineral dis-
coveries in this vicinity, Hope is now the most impor-
tant place on the Mainland, and serves for present
and practical purposes as the capital of the count y.
It is here the queen's representative sets up his little
i,n)vernment, and publishes a plan for establishing
order and administering justice on Fraser River.

J3ouglas now calls at the several mining-camps in
the vicinity. Gold is everywhere plentiful; more
[ilcntiful the miners think than formerly in California;
strange some one should not have found it before.
Pi'ovisions are scarce ; pork, coffee, and flour each
1)110 dollar a pound, and that with the fur-trading
])osts so near.

At Fort Yale he meets a number of chiefs, Copals
of Spuzzum, Tellatella Quatza of the falls, and Lay-
kootum of Sposun, and converses with them upon
the strange destiny so suddenly falling upon their
country. To keep any of his men he is obliged to
raise their wages ten pounds per annum, but where
this sum could be dug out of the ground in a single
(lay, the increase of wages proved a temptation only
to the more stolidly virtuous. As revenue-officer
i'or the district of Yale he appoints an Englishman
luiuing there named Richard Hicks, with a salary of
£40 a year, to be paid out of the revenue of the
i:uuntry.

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394

lOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

At Hill Bar, besides creating George Perrier, a
British subject, justice of the peace, he appointed
Indian magistrates, who were to bring to justice any
members of their tribes charged with offences. For
this atom of authority every chief was ready to sub-
scribe himself a slave.

Other things were also talked about at this camp at
Hill Bar. The natives were now threatening to sweep
the country of the white men, whose presence became
every day to them more distasteful. Bands were
arming at various points, and no small tumult had
been raised at this bar. Douglas called up the sav-
ages and lectured them roundly ; to the white men he
talked as plainly; then he went his way hoping all
would be well.

But all was not well. Within a fortnight a hun-
dred natives appeared at Robinson Bar, armed, to
fiffht the eifijlity white men there. Some half-breeds,
who felt themselves agofrieved in the settlement bv
the miners of a dispute about a claim, retired in
wrath, and told the Indians that the white men had
prohibited all but themselves from working there.
When they were assured to the contrary, they laid
down their weapons and went to work beside the
white men in apparent peace; but the stripped and
headless bodies of prospectors and straggling miners
that came floating down the Fraser, told of the in-
auguration of a new era in British Columbia society.^

The Oregonians and Californians who came to the
mines by the plateau route in July encountered tho
alternative of returning, or fighting their way through
the hostile tribes on the Okanagan,*^ while the IIiul-
son Bay traders from Colville were moving through
the same country and encountering the same bodii s

* Victoria Gazette, July '29, 1858; Pajiers li. C, pt. i. 10; Oood'a B. C,
MS.,. '-.7-8.

^ Mr Tucker, fonnerly of Tehama, California, at Yale Aug. 17th, rcpurtcil
that lie had left the Dalles with a party f^\ 100 men and 400 animals, and
that they had a severe fight with the Ii Jians near Fort Okanagau. tlirco
whites heing killed and six wounded hcforu the Indians were beaten 'ill', Vic-
toiia (jttzctte, Aug. '2'^th, 1858.

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INDIAN HOSTIUTIES. 396

of Indians unmolested.* In the canon of the Fraser,
disputes between white and red frequently arose about
oiuioe transportation and mining-ground, and in con-
s('(juenoe of the scarcity of the means of subsistence.
The strife led to retaliations, and there came a time
^vllen, through evil counsels, possibly derived by
affiliation from the plateau, it appears to have been
decided upon l)y the Indians to forcibly arrest the
advance of the miners above the caiion. Demonstra-
tions in force had been made by them on several occa-
sions, but open hostilities were prevented for some
time through the personal intervention and influence
of (governor Douglas, with miners as well as Indians.
Finally, about the 7th of August 1858, two Fronch-
iiuMi were killed on the trail above the Big Canon, and
when the news reached Yale, a party of forty miners
organized immediately, under Captain Rouse, and left
with j)acks on their backs to force a passjige to the
folks. At Boston Bar they were induced to com-
l)iiie with the miners who had gathered there to the
mnnber of one hundred and fifty. On August 14th,
the hostile ndians were encountered near the head of
J^ig Canon, and a three hours' fight ensued, wherein
Seven braves were killed. All the Indians in this
|iart of the canon, whether hostile or peaceable, were
thcreup'Mi driven out, and the company returned to
Yale.'

''• It linos not fnllnw that the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company cmm-
luiiu'uil tho hdstilu attitude of thu Indians, uor were they suspeoti'd <it doing
Oil the contrary, it was tlirough their intluenue that an Indian war was
iiidud on the British side of the houmhiry line. On the Atiierican side,
\ lie en^jagements took place hi'tween Coioiiel Steptoe and the Indians of tiio
i|»r t'oluin))ia, who were aetti.tted liy tiie feeling that the Anierii:aiis, liiing
lileis, ami not merely traders, should be opposed, and preveuted from
lupying tiio country.

' It is evident tiiat the Indians were not prepared for a commencenient of

lund hostilities at this time. Tliiir ciiastisement had been haslened by the

lit acts of a few thieving and lighting liiaves, who, relying on the goiural

siiticction among the Indians, liad imposed upon tiie miners to a degree that

aiue unbeari'ble. Three accounts wire piibli.shed of the expedition after-

d, varying somewhat in details. One announced the return of tiic last of

lille company, on the 10th, bringing in as prisoner the chief Copals. Smith,

I xpri'ssman, attributed the immediate c luse of tlie tight near Boston liiir

I lohbery eoniniitted on an Irisiiman at S[(uzzuin, and he re]iorted that

II Indians, one white man, and a white woman, from Hill's Bar, were killeil,

396

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

JIfc

Meanwhile the miners carae flocking into Yale from
the surrounding camps, awl on August 17th over two
tliousand attended a meeting to consider the manner
of dealing with the Indians The majority were in
favor of a demonstration in force, partially to overawe
tlie renegades in the camps of tlie well-disposed Ind-
ians, but mainly to reopen communications, to exact
assurances of good behavior by every efFecti"«'e peace-
able means, and to cliastise such bands as they m'
encounter which could not be dealt with in any other
manner. This policy found expression simply by the
election of its representative, H. M. Snyder, to a cap-
taincy, and by the enrolment, under his command,
(m the 17th and 18th, of the largest number of men.
A minority were in favor of teaching the Indians a
severe lesson of the sort jusL administered by Captain
House; and for their commander they elected Captain
Graham.

Over one hundred and fifty men were enrolkd,
three fourtlis under the leadership of Snyder, and of
his aid, Captain John Centras, who represented the
French Canadians. Without deciding upon a plan of
cam])aign, the Avhole party set out the same day, })r()-
vided in part with arms from the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany's establishment and carrying a few days' ])rovisi()n.
They camped for the night at Spuzzum rancJiiria,
where the force was increased to nearly two hundi'cd
men from amongf the lar^e number of miners who had
abandoned tlie u|)i)er bars to seek refuge here. Sn3'dt'r
now called a meeting, and represented the necessity for
united action in order to carry the expedition to ii
speedy and successful close. He also pleaded in favoi'
of conciliatory measures, and after some discussion,
he managed to overrule the blood-thirsty policy of

after which tlio Indicin camps ■n'orc Imrncd, According to James Stewart, nine
Indians were killed, one of them a chief, several were wounded, and thn (i
taken ])risoner8. (^uite a ninnher of packagca of powder and lead, supiiosiil
to have been furnished liy the ChincHe, were found in the Indian caii^is.
Three rmtcherUix were burned above the Big Caflon, and two belov. Siiyilirn
Letter from Yuk; Aug. ITtli, in I'ictoria dutelte, Aug. 24, 1858.

k -K

CAPTAINS SNYDER AND GRAHAM.

397

(Jraham, and to gain an almost unanimous ay)proval
tor his own plan. By this vote he was practically
recognized as commander-in-chief of the expedition.*
Snyder now proceeded with the main portion of
tlio expedition to Long Bar, where a treaty was made
with the most troublesome of the tribes, who pro-
fessed a desire for peace. Five natives were there-
upon sent with a white flag down through the canon
to Graham's party, which was met four miles above
wliere they had promised to wait. Graham took the
Hag, threw it on the ground, trampled it under foot,
and camped on the spot. During the night an attack
was made on the camp, and Graham and his lieuten-
ant fell at the first fire. This act is supposed to have
been prompted by the outrage on the tlag," and may

*Ono report dividea them into four companies: Captain Snyder's, with 51
iiicn; Captain Centraa', with 72 men; Captain (irahaiii s, with 20 men, moatly
fnim Wliateom; and Captain (lalloway's, with about the same number.
Aiiutlier account gives Snyder 75 men, and mentions two other companies of
'JO men each; all of wliom left Yale on the 18th with five days' provisions.
Tlie organization, in the manner of an army of foreigners commanded by a
fdi'uiyner, was not wholly to the liking of the cautious Hudson's Bay men at
Yale, who characterized Snyder's expedition as a mob acting without author-
ity. iV. T. G., Yale, Aug. 28th, cor. Victoria Gnzetti; Sept. 1, 1858. The
Vh-tona Gazette of August 25th gives the captains now as Snyder, Graham,
and Yates, and places the total force at 104 men. A little below the Spuzzum
riiiicltcrii, Snyder fell in with some Indians, and persuaded the chief to call
tliiiii all together to have a talk. He with Centras and an interpreter accom-
|iiiiiied the chief down the river two miles, when the latter gave a whoop, and
instantly about 70 Indians emerged as if by magic, out of the rocks. Theae
wna peaceable Indians, simply alarmed at the attitude of aCFairs, and in
liiiliiig. Tliey were delighted with Snyder's reassurances, and bouml them-
sthes to keep the peace. At the ruiichi'ria Snyder's comniaml found 500
Mliite men, the greater part of whom had come down the river on account of
tliti ludiiin diHiculties. From this point the force M'as increased to ISO men
ill all, who i)roceeded toward the Big Canon, Y'ale. Victoria Gazette, Sept. 1,
ISJS.

"Tlie first report as published by the Victoria Gazette, Aug. 25, 1858, says
tliat at the raiiclteria near Cliina Bar, Snyder called togi'tlier 2.K) Indian.i,
maile a treaty with them, and h'i't a letter for Graham inlorming him of tlu;
t u't. On the 2jth (iraham arrived at the s.ame place, Snyder's command
li iviiig g()no on. The Indians lioi.ited a white flag, and showed Graham tho
I'tttT. Tiie party camped at the raiicheria with four or live men out as sin-
tiius. At night they were suddiidy attacked, and Graham and his lieutenant
^MTc killed at the first fire. The news of this so far inaccurately related
I Vent as it reached Y'ale and Victoria was in the first few days exaggerated
i'ltip a general mas.sacre. All but two of ( rraham's men were reported killed.
A ( iernian who escaped into the bushes was said to have witnessed the In<l-
1 HIS mutilating 38 of the bodies, and tlirowing them into the river. In con-
liiiiiation of the alleged massacre, sixteen of the bodies, many of them
li ■tiipitated, were reported to have been picked up along the river, including

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398

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

account for the fact that only the leaders were killed.
At China Bar, Snyder's command, August 19tli.
adopted a resolution, the matter having been duly
submitted to them, that in consequence of the report
believed by many that the Chinese had been sellinu;
ammunition to the Indians, if not inciting them, the
former should all go below, while they were assured
possession of their claims as soon as peace could be
established. Snyder's party left on the 20th, accom-
panied by the chief of the tribe above the Big Canon.
Boston Bar and all the bars above the rancher la were
found deserted. Nineteen miles above China Bar an-
other tribe was brought under regulations by a treaty.
On the 21st two more tribes signed treaties of peace,
and shortly afterward Snyder's command fell in witli
Spintlum, a noted Thompson River chief, accoin[)a-
nied by six other chiefs and three hundred Indians,
and speeches were made which were considered very
sensible on both sides, regretting the overt acts of
the bad white men and bad Indians. On the 22d of
August, Snyder and his men reached Thompson River,
made treaties of peace with several additional tribes,
and at 2 p. m. on that day they began the return niareli,
impelled thereto chiefly by the lack of provisions.
Yale was reached on the 25th. Five chiefs of those
with whom treaties had been concluded accompanied
the party voluntarily, Snyder pledging himself for
their safety. Two thousand Indians in all had sub-
mitted betw^een Spuzzum and the Forks.

In the course of the whole campaign thirty-one
Indians were killed, nearly all by the rifle company in

the bodies of Johnson of Whatcom and Miller of Yale. From a later account
it appeared that a party of Indians who wore returning from a scout at 11 i'. m. ,
aiKi unaware of the treaty formed, finding (Jrahani's company uanipud ikmi-
tlie rdiirlieria referred to, at once fired upon them, but that the friendly Lwl-
ians whom Snyder had met the day before as promptly interfered. Of t'no
eight bodies of white miners that were taken out of the river on the I'.tth a:i 1
26th of August and later, some were drowned, and only part of theiu vtro
headless. Victoria Oazette, Aug. 26, 1858. This unfortunate event, insteiiil of
still further rousing the blood-thirsty minority composed chiefly of theWliat-
com m"r., tended ratlier to conciliate them to the peaceful policy of Snyilii',
whose plans were no longer interfered with.

SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS.

S99

their onslaught at the beginning. The Indians killed
ore innocent, the killing of white men was traced by
Sii„'der to the Big Canon tribe, enemies of the tribe
bel()V> , whose rancherias had been burned by the rifle
company.^"

No sooner had the expedition returned than the
miners were again at work on their claims; and the
trail was again crowded on the 25th of August with
individual miners carrying their packs up the river
toward Lj'tton." The Indians above Yale were re-
ported to be quieter, friendlier, and more accommo-
dating in the first week of September following the
campaign than they had been at any time since the
ofold excitement began. The Indians along the Fraser,
indeed, proved themselves useful ever afterward in
keeping order among the miners, by rendering assist-
ance in the arrest of gamblers and other outlaws who
upon occasion saw fit to move out of the reach of the
local masfistrates.^^

Douglas wrote the colonial office, August 27th, that
he proposed to make a journey to the front himself,
accompanied by thirty-five sappers and miners, and
twenty marines from the Satellite, though he con-
.sidered that force "absurdly small for such an occa-
sion." But as the occasion for it had passed, tlie
Soldiers and sailors were not called into action at this
tune, nor until January 1859, when arose the Mc-
(;lowan alarm, to be hereafter described, of which the
present sudden development of armed forces may have
laid the foundation in part.

'" During the progress of the campaign and for three weeks in August end-
ing with the return of Snyder'd expedition, the hodies of wliite men in o
iiinro or less mutilated and only partially recognizable condition were daJi/
lished out of the river and picked I'.p along its banks. In the origin of these
(litiieulties it was conceded that the wliites were not free from blame. On the
21th the men marched 38 miles over the worst part of the cafion trail under
tlie iueuutive of hunger, their provisions having by that time entirely given
out. Yale cor. Virtoria OazeUe, Sept. 1; al.^o Aug. 26, 27, 28, 1858.

^^rirtortn Oazett,-., Aug. 2(5, 27, 28, and Sept. 1, 7, 1858. Tlio Yale cor-
lespondunt, 'T. W. (!.,' of the OazeUe, Aug. 23th, dated the start and return
"t Sriyder's expedition a day later than the oliicial report, which I have as-
siuiii'd to he correct.

^■Allans Carbioo, MS., 19.

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400

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

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ti»

In the mean time Douglas had returned to Victoria.
On the 9th of June 1858 James Yates, fur-trader, and
five others, petitioned him on behalf of the public,
who had met four days before, to remove the restric-
tions imposed upon trade by the fur company ; but he
reAised, As the miners were suffering for food, he
permitted the Surprise and the Sea Bird to make
each one trip, and for the present no more.

In July, Sir E. B. Lytton, secretary for the col-
onies, writes asking Douglas in case he is appointed
governor of the Mainland at a salary of £1,000 per
annum for six years, if he will sever his connection
with the Hudson's Bay and Puget Sound companies.
Lytton likewise propose;, to send out an engineer
officer with two or three subalterns and one hundred
and fifty sappers and miners, to survey the parts of
the country most suitable for settlement, designate
where roads should be made, and suggest a site for
the seat of government. Lytton further insists on
kind treatment of the natives, and that no jealousy
be shown Americans; he suggests a council of advice
to be formed partly of British subjects and partly
of foreigners.

Although tlie revenue collected by impost was con-
siderable, it was regarded as too small in the present
emergency by Douglas, who asked the home govern-
ment first for money, and next to guarantee a loan.
Both of these requests were at first refused, but
finally permission was granted to borrow one hundred
thousand pounds at six per cent.

Amonof the first suGfsrestions of the colonial score-
tary, was that public lands should be sold, and tov, iis
laid out, and the lots disposed of. Douglas was not
slow to act on the hint. He sent Pemberton and had
town sites surveyed beside the forts of Langley, Hope,
and Yale.

The government price of land, except town sites
and mineral lands, which were to be sold by auction,
was fixed at ten shillings an acre, half cash and half

ii'-pj

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ctoria.
ir, and
public,
•estric-
but he
30cl,hc
1 make

he col-
pointed
)00 per
nectiou
ipanics.
nffhicer
lundrcd
aarts of
esignate
site for
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jealousy
f advice
partly

was con-
present
govern-
a loan.
sed, but
hundred

al secre-
id tov, as
was not
and had
y, Hope,

iwn sites
auction,
and half

DOUGLAS' SECOND SURVEY.

401

in two years. The miners' license was five dollars
monthly.

Lytton never failed to instil into the mind of Doug-
las the colonial principle of self-reliance. A youth-
ful and vigorous community must find means to
defend itself, to govern itself, and to improve itself
The mother would hold over it a ready protecting
hand, but the child must learn to walk by itself Any
course tending to engender ill-feeling, or to bring
about a bloody conflict between the government and
the adventurers should, if possible, be avoided. But
in the event of the failure of pacific measures, and the
inability of the colonial government to maintain order
and dot'end itself, England's sword would always 1 e
ready. The infant colony should not burden itself
with debt; the officers should work together in har-
mony; free representative institutions should be es-
tablished, but in this as in all things precipitate action
should be avoided. The electoral franchise should be
framed to suit the community.

In a second visit Douglas arrived at Fort Hope
the 3d of September in the steamer Umatilla, and was
received with demonstrations of respect. The governor
was much interested in the cutting of a road from
Hope to Yale. He saw Spintlum, chief at the Forks,
as the place at the junction of Fraser and Thompson
rivers was then known, then the objective point of the
gold-seekers, and after making him a present instructed
liini how he should treat the minors. For the estab-
lislnuont of public government measures were taken
on the Gth in the appointment for Fort Hope of one
justice of the peace, two regular and ten special con-
stables; for Fort Yale, one sub- commissioner, ten
troopers, and ten special constables; for the Forks,
one sub-commissioner, ten troopers, and a warden of the
river. He committed King for the murder of Eaton''*

^'Dniiiilan' Private Paperfi, MS., ser. i. 103. A case of stabbing .irisinfr out
01 an old quarrel. King was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to
iMiispi.rtation for life. Victoria Gazette, Sept. IG, 1858; I'aixrx, li. C, pt. ii. 4.
Hist. Uwt. Col. 26

\ I-

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402

GOVERNMENT 01' THE MAINLAND.

1".

tt'u

'•i I

on the testimony or six witnesses from Hill Bar, and
visited Murderer Bar. On the 7th Douglas gave
directions to lay out the town of Hope, granting titles
to lots by sufference, terminable at one month's notice,
the monthly sum of ten dollars paid by the occupant
to be considered as part of the purchase-money when
valid conveyance was made."

Wednesday, 15th September, "met the people and
read them a short address," Douglas writes. "Gave
notice of the opening of court to-morrow. Granted
permission to occupy town lots. The document issued
is not a lease at all, but simply permission to occupy
the land on certain conditions ... If administered with
economy, a very moderate sum will be required to
meet the expenses of the government. The chief ex-
penses will be the salaries of the different officers, and
some necessary improvements, such as court-houses,
roads, etc., which will cost a considerable sum, and
providing public buildings. The revenue of the country
will fully meet that, and soon yield a large excess for
other purposes." Douglas was attended at this time
by George Pearkes, crown solicitor, who presided at
Fort Yale, bringing several offenders to justice, B.
C Donnellan, formerly of the police force in San
Francisco, was made chief of police there, and P. B.
Whannell justice of the peace. At Lower Fountain-
ville, a trader, Alexander McCrellish, was appointed
police magistrate.

The 4th of September, the governor proclaimed
at Fort Hope that any person convicted before a
magistrate of selling or giving spirituous liquors to
the natives of Fraser River or elsewhere would bo
mulcted in the penal sum of from five to twenty pounds.
Aliens might hold lands, subject to forfeiture by the
crown at any moment, for three years, after which
time they must become naturalized British suljjects,

'* 'Front street to l>o 120 feet wide, the other main streets to be 1(X) feet.
and the cross streets to be 80 feet broa'l.' Douglcu' Private Papers, MS., ser,
i. 102-3.

WAYS AND MEANS.

403

or lose their lands, or convey them to British subjects.
Tlie 22d of December, to defray the expenses of the
new government, Douglas imposed by proclamation
at Victoria a duty of ten per centum on all articles
not otherwise specified, entering British Columbia."
The port of Victoria, which was free, as concerned
Vancouver Island, was declared the port of entry for
British Columbia, and a collector of customs was ap-
pointed.

On the 4th of October Douglas answered Lytton,
agreeing to withdraw from the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, promising to sell his Puget Sound stock, and
to accept the office of double governor. But £1,000 a
year was too ridiculously small a salary for so high an
office, he said. He supposed the government wished
its chief officer to live in a manner befitting the posi-
tion, which would cost, he estimated, at least £5,000
per annum. And for general purposes he thought
parliament should grant the new gold colony either
as a gift, or as a loan, £200,000.

In reply Lytton talked economy as usual; hoped
that the colony would want nothing given it outright
by the imperial government but the governor's salary,
which for the Mainland and Island should not excetd
£1,800, except, indeed, the excess be raised by the
colony, in which event England was not at all par-
ticular how much he got. The imperial government
would advance the money to pay the engineers sent out
from England, but it must be in due time refunded.

In the main the secretary sanctioned the unauthor-
ized proceedings of Douglas; he acknowledged his
difficulties and praised his zeal. Nevertheless, he
warned him against the use of his authority as gov-
ernor for the profit of the Hudson's Bay Company.

'* Flour paid 2«. Id. a barrel; bacon, 48. 2d. per 100 lbs.; spirits, 4». 2d. a
gallon; wines, 2«. Id. a gallon; ale, G^d. a gallon; beans and pease, 6Jd. per
100 Iti8.; barley and oats, Q^d. per 200 lbs. Coin, quicksilver, fresh meats and
vegetables, timber, hay, wheat, books, .-p.d baggage were free. The duty on
spirits waa advanced the following year to 6«. 'id.

1 i

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404

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

In the first flush of the Fraser Kiver discovery, and
while yet the hallowed exclusiveness of the compiuiy
was not seriously disturbed, Douglas proclaimed that
for vessels other tlian their own to navigate tlio
Fraser was an infrinerement of the rijjlits of the
company. This Lytton flatly denies; the rights of
the company extended to exclusive trade with tho
natives, and to nothing else. So when Douglas
ordained that the Pacific Mail Steamship Cotupuny
sliould carry the Hudson's Bay Company's goods and
no others, and passengers having a miner's liccnsi!
and no others, the secretary said no ; men might wish
to go there for other purposes than to mine or trado
with the natives, and the fur company nmst not j»re-
vent them. Miners' licenses were well enough, but
they must be required of those intending to mine.

On the 17th of October tliere arrived at Esquinialt
H. B. M. ship Ganges, three decks, eighty-four guns,
and seven hundred and fifteen men, in which Admiral
Bayncs came from Valparaiso to command the na\al
fleet which was to guard the newly found wealth of
British Columbia, The admiral called on the yov-
ernor, and the Satellite fired her guns; then all ^vas
calm; and in the forest the wild beasts revelled in
unwonted freedom, while savage and civilized alike
scrambled for gold. The Ganges sailed for Valparaiso
in December. The steam frigate Tribune, Captain
Hornby, and the steam corvette Pleiades, Ca]»taiii
Michael de Coucey, anchored in Esquinialt Haihor
on the 14th of February 1859; also the ship TJtcuncs
City, with government stores.

On the 8th of November Chartres Brew, of tlie
Irish Constabulary, who had served with distinction
in the Crimea, came to Victoria under appointment
to organize a constabulary police in British Colundiia.
Joseph D. Pemberton was colonial surveyor, under
whose auspices was established a land-office at \ ic-
toria, where districts were laid out, and one-hundre<l-
acre sections oflfered at fixed rates. Pemberton was

•'■w

ANOTHER NOTABLE EXCURSION.

405

nominated survcryor-general of the Mainland, but the
colonial secretary made other arrangements. W. T.
U. Haniloy was appointed by the queen collector
of customs for British Columbia, and later (jr. H.
Caiy was sent out as solicitor-general. Travaillot
and Hicks were nominated assistant comnjisioners
of crown-lands at Thompson River and Yale, and W.
H. Bcvis revenue officer at Langley.

Owinnf to the larije number from California, Oretjon,
and Washington among the ranks of the gold-seekers,
it w;is deemed advisable by the United States govern-
ment that a commissioner, or special agent, should be
appointed, the result of which was the sending of
Jolm Nugent to British Columbia.

At a dinner given him on the eve of his departure
by liis countrymen at the Hotel de France, Victoria,
the 10th of November, Mr Nugent paid a high com-
pliment to Captain Prevost and his officers of the
ISatclliie, who, while true to the interests of their own
government in guarding the peace of the Mainland
(lurinn^ the heat of the j^old excitement, had not been
unmindful of those of the subjects or citizens of other
government.^. The United States steamer Active had
tak(Mi her station in Victoria Harbor the 2d of Au-
gust previous.

:%:

:i;i

:i *

Again, on the 17i/h of November, in company with
Rc:ir-iidmiral Baynes, David Cameron, chief-justice
of Vancouver Island, and Matthew B. Begbie, chief-
justice of British C(jlumbia, embarked on board H.
B. ;M. steamer Satellite for Eraser Iliver, the Otter
attending. At the mouth of the River was moored
tlie Ucavcr, and at Langley the Recovery, now turned
iato a revenue-cutter by the Hudson's Bay Company.
Arrived at Fort Langley, Begbie and others holding
imperial appointments took the oaths of office, and
Douglas was sworn in as governor of British Columbia.
Proclamations were read revoking the Hudson's Bay
Company's license, indemnifying past irregularities,

' ! * -ill

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:35=?*??t

Rj.il

i •'

400

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

i! ;;■

and adopting English law. Guns were fired, fluj^s
Haunted, and amidst a drizzling rain mother Engluiul
was delivered of a new colony.

Thus the Mainland wilderness, called by the t'ui-
traders, according to its res[tective parts, New CaL-
donia, and tiie districts of Thompson River, tlic
Columbia, and the like, was erected into a crown
colony under the name of British Columbia,'® with tor
a time the governor of Vancouver Island its govetiiof,
and the capital of Vancouver Island its capital, Wil-
liam A. G. Young acting as colonial secretary.

Such acts as had been performed by Douglas, or hy
his order, for the collection of reveime and the maiii-
tenence of order while the country was yet without
law or established government, were by proclamation
of the governor made valid. English law was then
declared in force in British Columbia, and the gov-
ernor, by proclamation, was enabled to convey crown-
lands.

After Hope, Langley was for a brief period distin-
guished as the capital of the Mainland. The former
site of the old fort and the land about it was sur-
veyed by Pemberton and Pearse, and laid out as a
town, to which was given the name Derby. On the
25th, 2Gth, and 2Dth of November the lots, sixty-
four by one hundred feet, were sold by auction at
Victoria at an upset price of one hundred dolhirs.
Adjoining the town site were ten square miles of
land reserved by the Hudson's Bay Company. The
sale occupied three days. About 400 lots nui-e
sold at from $40 to $725, aggregating
pretty sum for a piece of swampy wh
Derby was at this time to be the ci.

, 'I
but
tlio

il ot

'* Several names were suggested by various persons for the M.iinlai In
parliament, Hansard's Pur. Del)., ili. 1347-8, PauiHca was proposed, ^""w
thought the extension of ih'i teviT! New Caledonia over the Mainlaini .ipiMn-
priate. But the name Columlna, from the advent of the Nortliwe.st( tuiiiaiiy
to the present time, had been the favorite appellation for a large and |ii(inii-
uont part, and often at a distance for tlie whole, of the Northwest t'ou^t, aiiJ
BO British Columbia beuame the favorite.

if!

the <(()V-

VOODY, fJOSSET, AND CRICKENKR.

407

Mainland, and play the Sacratnento to Victoria's San
Francisoo."

Uithard Clement Moody, colonel of royal engineers,
was !sent out Ijy Secretary Sir Edward liulw er J^ytton,
Stpteniber 1858, as chief conimisHioner oi' lands an(l
works, and ottice for the sale of public lands and tlu;
direction of public works, with a dormant commission
as lieutenant-governor of British Columbia, to ad-
minister the government of the colony in case of the
iiwapacity or absence of the governor. He was also
cli 'f in conunand of the royal engineers destined lor
British Columbia, his b;- cond being J. M. Grant, who
arrived at Victoria with the first detachment of twelve
iiK'ii on the 8th of November; the main body connng
loiiiid Cape Horn in the Thames Cliij. Among the
otHcers were H. R. Luard, A. R. Lempriere, H. S.
I'alnuT, and Siddell, surgeon. Moody's regimental pay
Avas .t';^'30, and his colonial allowance .£1.200, making
l'l,j;'(' per annum. Begbie's salary was £800. vVt
till., Lme Moody was senior officer commanding all
liLi' majesty's land forces in British Columbia and
Vancouver Island. It was expected that the royal
t'li^iueers would act in a military as well as in a civil
(•a[iacity, as occasion required. Among them were a
few ex})erienced in cavalry and artillery drill who
mi'dit form a nucleus for further increasing the mill-
tary force of the colony by enlistments of disappointed
British gold-seekers, should occasion require. Those
\v1h» came with Grant were first stationed a Langley,
and material was furnished with which to build thcm-
srlxes houses.

AFoody arrived Christmas-day, took the oath of
ottico, Cameron administering it the 4th of Janaary
1H5!), and domiciled himself for the tim>3 being at
Victoria, With Moody came W. Driscoll Gosset,
tn'asurer of British Columbia, and B. Crickener,

' ' Provi I failure, and many persons lost money purchasing lots which
tunifd out 1.1 no value.' FiiiUiiisoiiH V. A, MS., (iO. Tenders were asked in
■liimiary for building a church, parsonage, ci.urt-house, and jail at Lanyky,
wliicli naturally excited the people to e.xpect great things of the place.

™Fi

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408

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

iIh'

r>'?'.S'"J'iii

afterwards chaplain at Yale. The Plumper, Captain
Ilichards, formerly there in 1857 to determine lIic
point at which che 49th parallel touched the sea, and
tli'^ boundary line thence to Fuca Strait, had since
assisted the Satellite in her duties, and was in the
present emergency generally useful.

The rumors of the miners' disturbance at Yale, in
which figured Edward McGowan, of inglorious mem-
ory, brought the Plumper to Derby only to find that
Moody, with twenty-five of his engineers, had gone
before in the Enterprise. Between the fiery justice of
Begbie, who was present, and the span-new arms cif
the engineers, the roughs of Hill Bar had nothing
to say, and soon her IMajesty's forces were permitted
to fall back to Hope, where they found the Plumper
awaiting them.

The story is told in this wise, and begins back with
the opening of this memorable season of 1858. The
boundary line not being then clearly plain in the
minds of some, there were those who believed, or
aflt'ectcd to believe, that the lower Fraser, including
Langlcy and Hope, were in United States territory.
The fur monopoly, the restrictions on shipping, tlie
duties on goods, and the tax on miners had rendered
the government at Victoria very unpopular among
the adventurers, who were accustomed to think and
act for themselves. On various occasions during the
spring and summer, in a spirit of bravado rather than
of open resistance, the inco'.ners had quietly defied
the authorities, who in return held the rude strangers
in some little awe. Not that Douglas entertained
any lears as to the result in case of war. In various
ways he hold the miners at a disadvantage. Besides
the force which at any moment might be brou<;hc
i'rom the British men-of-war at the mouth ot the
I'iver and at Victoria, he could have cut rlf their
supplies of food, and have turned in upon them ten
thousand savages. But such measures were not foi" a
moment to be thought of; Douglas and Lytton wen;

LAW IN THE MINES.

409

1)t»th decidedly oj)p()sed to bloody encounters except
a.s a lost resort.

Acting with his accustomed prorn})tness and pre-
cision fortunately, American ideas were not allowed
belligerently to germinate in British Columbia; so
tiiat the present incident, dignified at the time by the
woid 'outrage,' was the only occasion of a combined
niilitary and naval campaign in the settlement of the
rountrv.

1 1 ill Bar was now the richest and most populous
inining camp on the river, and the head-quarters in
tlu! nature of things of the opposition element. This
tonsisted, firstly, in village rivalry, and secondly, in
the ascendency of the foreign element, which pro-
tL'.stid against the onerous restrictions by which
DougLis had aimed to prevent the country from being i
(|uite overrun and ruled by the Americans. Yale was
tiiii>t'rvative and commercial; Hill Bill was inhabited
I'xclusivi.'ly by miners, and was consc^mently radical,
if not I'evolutionaiy, regardless of every tuing in fact
l)ut gold, with fair })lay as its single tenet serving as
a i-ndv. of law. Under such conditions, nothing beyond
a piL'toxt was wanting to create an event character-
istir of the situation. First there grew up a rivalry
l»it\NH'en the mao'nates who served as maj>'istrates
• it" the two places. In December 1858 the resident
magistrate of Hill Bar, Perrier, took occasion to claim
ju^i.^diction over a prisoner named Farrell, i'rom tlie
J3ar, whom his constable had arrested for an ollencc
ciiuiinitted at Yale. He was incarcerated at Yale by
tlic rival magistrate, Whannell, who in the exercise
of liis judgment and jirerogatives considered it also
iii-^ duty to arrest and to incarcerate for contempt of
ftiiirt the arresting constable of Justice Perrier, and
til refuse to give up either of his prisoners.

Tu enforce the majesty t)f the law, as administ(M'ed
at Hill J]ar, Justice Perrier thought proper to swear
ill special constables ti'om the Bar, to recover his own
constable by force, and to bring the original prisoner,

•H'i

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410

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

Farrell, ■with the rival Justice Whanncll, iin(](^r a
charge of contemjit before the court at Hill Bar.'^
Among the specials so sworn was a miner from Hill
Bar, who had attained some notoriety as an object
of attention from the Vigilance Commiite of San
Francisco, an ex-judge of California, the redoubtable
Ned McGowan.

The posse from Hill Bar, under the leadership of
special constable Kelly, effected the removal of the
three prisoners. Whether from his notoriety as a
rough, or tlie part enacted by him as a special
constable, McGowan was made out to have figured
conspicuously in the affair, l)ut further than counte-
nancing the transaction, and guiding it within lawful
bounds, such docs not appear to have been the fact.
Meetings were held both at Yale and at Hill ]3ar
for the jmrpose of supporting their respective jus-
tices. At Hill Bar one hundred and fifty men placed
themselves 'under arms' in the cause of magisterial
dignity as represented by Justice Perrier. Fan ell
was tried according to law at Hill Bar, and fined
seventy -five dollars; the Yale constable was released,
and Justice Whannell was adjudged guilty himself of
contempt, and fined fifty dollars, and then allowed to
return to his bench at Yale. The outraged niaiiis-
trate of Yale next invoked the aid of the army and
navy. Despatches were sent down the river to the

'^ The particulars of the origin of this early case of mutual contcnuit in tlio
li.'gal history of the colony are as follows: Farrell ami Burns, two iiiinerM tmiii
Hill Bar, on the Uath of Deceiiiher 1858, went to Yale ami got drunk. Tiny
went into a harher's shop, where they fell into an altercation with the prn-
prietor, a colored man name<l Dickson, who was sevenly heaten by a ]iistiil
m tlie hands of Farrell. t'oniplaint having been made before Justice \\ h;in-
nell, warrants were issued for the arrest of the offenders. Tlie Yale const iMi'
iiot being able to make the arrest, the Hill Bar constable. Hicks, belonuini.' tn
I'crrier's court, arrested the miners, and brought them before .Justice \\ li:iii-
nell at Yale, but saying sometliing wliich offended Wliannell, was liiuisilf
locked up with his prisoner. Justice I'errier then issued a warrant fur thu
arreso of Justice Wliannell for contempt. Kelly, the special wlio w;is ik'-
puted for the service, along with McCJowau and others from Hill Bar, maiiafitil
the business bo well that no violence was done, nor was tlie letter of tlie law
transgressed. Mcdowan took care to participate in the proceedings only as
adviser and spectator. The difficulty arose from the overbearii'.g nianiiiT,
und perhaps also the want of legal knowledge, of the justice at Yale. \'ii'lork
OnzcUv, Jan. 8, 2'_', 1859.

ON THE WAR PATH.

411

offoot that the notorious ex-judge, an outlaw of the
wtnst character, was at the bottom of it all, and the
ringleader of a dangerous body of men of his own
stripe, and of American sympathizers who had vio-
lently rescued a criminal from the clutches of the
law at Yale. Hill Bar was reported to be the hoad-
(juarters of *'.:-^ desperate a gang of villains as ever
went unhanged. "^^ The gold commissioner at Hope
notified the governor, who applied to Colonel Moody
of the army, and to Captain Richards of the navy, for
assistance in the maintenance of the law. Stories
were rife of the deeds by which the supposed ring-
leader of the incipient rebellion had gained his noto-
riety. Several companies of marines, sappers, miners,
and ])olice were sent to Hope and Yale to unravel the
farce.

Early in January 1859, Moody started from Lang-
ley with the company of engineers stationed there,
numbering twenty-five, who had just arrived in the
colony, forming the advance guard for the scene of
action. Prevost, of the Plumper, sent a party to
supjiort Moody, and lieutenants Gooch and Mayne
embarked with a hundred marines and sailors from
the Plumper and Safellitc, taking also a field-piece.
This detachment proceeded as far as Langley in the
Plinnper, Moody having gone on in the steamer En-
krprise, the only steamer on the river at the time
oa] table of navigating above Langley. Mayne was
si'ut on with despatches from Richards, re(;[uesting
instructions. The police force under Brew joined the
excursion.

Mr Yale, the Hudson's Bay Company's oflicer in

^ ;Wlil

" Victoria Oazette, Jan. 11, 1859. A later issue of the saino jnunial, on
Jan. l,')tli, gave the transaction quitu a dillurt'iit cdloiiiig, anil tho IJar a hct-
tc I iiaiiiu. Justice IVrrier canio out in a (lef<;nce of Hill Har as an niinsually
(ir.lrily jilacu, and cxnlaiiicil fiirtlicr that it was liy tiie iusi<lioiis ailvii;t; <il an
inilu i.liial not named tliat ^Vilanncll had conunittc 1 the acts whijh caused

the denoueineiit
i\e stopjied ou

', in I'iclorni

(Invth; I.'ob. 1, 1S5<J

inilu i.lual not named tliat ^Vilanncll had conunittc 1 the acts v
till' ditliculty. This person proceeded down the river after the
ill the courts, and ' i)y his lying and drunken reports wherever i\:
Ins way to Victoria, caused serious alarm.' I'orrier'a letter,

412

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

!vfU'4lt til

V t

III

cliarge at Fort Langley, supplied Maync with a
canoo and nine stout paddlcrs, four half-breeds and
five Indians, under the command of Mr Lewis. ]^i'-
forc starting, Mr Yale harangued the crew to imi)rt'ss
tliem Avith the importance of the service, and presented
each niiin with streamers of bright red, blue, and yel-
low ribbons, which were attached to their caps as a
substitute for war-paint. Travelling through the ni^lit
in midwinter, among floating blocks of ice, the Indiaiis
chanting dolefully to the movement of their paddles
as tlicy passed the miners' cabins on the shore, the suc-
cessive camps were startled and the sleepers awakened
to conjure visions of murder as the only probable
cause for such a movement at such a time.

The gold commissioner at Hope was surprised at
the promptness with which liis requisition for troops
had been honored by the governor, and was apparently
a little embarrassed, having learned in the mean time
that the rebellion was cxaircrcrated, and that the feel-
ing of the mining population at Yale and elsewhere
had been grossly misrepresented. Leaving Grant and
the engineers at Hope, Moody, Begbie, and ]\Iayiie
accompanied the commissioner in his canoe to Yale
for a parley.

The town was quiet, and Moody was surprised on
entering it to meet a reception the most cordial,
accompanied by lusty cheering. Finding the situa-
tion })oaceful, and the next day being Sunday, bloody,
instead of projecting redoubts and parallels, per-
formed divine service in the court-house — the first
occasion of public Christian worship in the town of
Yale. But after church Moody crossed tlie path
of Ned McGowan. The consequence was, that Mc-
Gowan said something and did something which was
construed as insulting, as an unprovoked assault upon
the majesty of the law represented in the person of
]\[oody. I'robably it was: Ned was fully capable of
sucli things. Finding sundry other suspicious circuui-
stances significant of insubordination on the pait ot

']m

it;

NED THE UBIQUITOUS.

413

with a
ietls ai)(l
is. Ec-
I impress
resented
and y cl-
aps as a
:,lie night
! Iiuliaii.s
■ paddh'S
, the sue-
Avakened
probahle

prised at
or troops
iparently
lean time
, the feeh
;lsewhei'(
Jrant and
d !Mayne
to Yale

prised on

cordial,

10 situa-

, Moody,

els, ]Hi'-

-the first

town of

the path

that y\c-

hich was

ault ujxtii

^iers(»n of

apahle of

IS cireuni-

e pari ot

^[eGowan's friends, Moody directed Mayno to drop
(juickly down tlie river at night and order up the
forces. TliG utmost precaution was taken to maintain
soo'ecy. Allard, of the Hudson's Bay Company's es-
taldisiiment, had a small canoe launched in the dark-
ness and taken a mile down tlie river to a point on the
right bank, wlierc May no embarked. The latter was
afraid even to light his pipe until he had passed Hill
Bai', fearing that he would be stopped by the mob.
But the miners had the advantage of him in this
movement, being well aware of it, and consideraldy
aiiuisetl thereat. To the surprise of every one, how-
ever, Grant and the whole body of engineers aj)-
pearcd at Yale the next Uiorning by daylight. Tlie
tlotilla of canoes lay bows on beneath the bluff.
When the sleeping diggers awoke, the atmosphere
aj^peared belligerent. Meanwhile, Mayne sped on to
Langley on board the Enterprise, arriving the same
afternoon.

x\t nightfall the Enterprise was turned up the
river with the marines, sailors, police, and the tield-
pieee on board. At Hope the officer in chai-ge re-
ceived despatches from ]Moody to the effect that only
the marines were to be sent on to Yale.

Wlien they arrived at Y'ale the next morning they
found tlie war was over. McGowan, having enjoyed
the sensation, paid the gold commissioner a formal
visit, tendered a gentlemaidy J^pelogy for his assault
oil Moody, proved satisfactorily that he had been
acting only the part of special constable uudi'r the
orders of the magistrate, committed himself frankly
into tlui hands of justice for making the assault under
sup|iosed provocation, and paid his fine. With ehar-
acteristie impudence, he then t(»ok u|)on himself to do
the lionorsof Hill Bar. Conducting J^egbieand Mayno
over the diggings, he washed some dirt for their en-
lightenment, and joined by a dozen otliers, gave them
a elianipagne collation, which all enjoyed. And so
the affair passed off. Perrier and his constable were

1 ■ i

414

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

>',

' _ 1

■ f

(

-fm

■ <, ■

\ ■

dismissed from office for straining a point of loj^'al
dignity.^"

The fears of Douglas, concerning the danger to ])c
apprehended from the unchecked hfe of the early
mining period in these parts, appear to have been
allayed after the event just described. In his de-
spatch of January 22d to the colonial office toucJiin;,'
the " outrage at Yale," he testifies to the fact that
the Americans and other foreigners had developed a
state of feeling of the best description. "Their nutii-
bers," he says, "are now so much reduced that tlio
danger of insurrectionary movement on their part is
not imminent."

McGowan's career in this part of the world w;i.s
brought to a conclusion by shooting at a man at Hill
Bar, but though he missed his mark, he rcmenihend
the cut of Begbie's features, and deemed it valor t;)
depart, which he did, escaping across the boundary."'

On his way up the river. Moody had closely siru-
tinized the banks with a view to the best site for tiie
metropolis of the Mainland. He did not like Derby ;
perhaps because of its distance from the mouth of
the river, of the swampy character of the ground
thereabout, of the difficulty of approach by sea-going
vessels ; perhaps because Douglas had selected it, and
the Hudson's Bay Company had ten square miks of

^ Mayncs B. C. , 58--70. Dowglas said Whannell was not properly supimrteii
by the t'Drt Yale police, wlio fell away at tlie tir^t appearance of daiigir.
Despatch Jan. 8, iHiy.*, to tlie colonial office, in B. Col. Papers, ii. .">.")-(>.
Tlic movement from Hill Bar was evidently organized and timed with a view
of preventing the chances of a collision.

■•" Mayne comments appreciatively upon McGowan's gentlemanly tiMits
and on his published MUtobiograpliy. While at Hill Bar lie wa.s the uwiur
of a rich claim, and popular among his fellows. Not having either tlic luve
or fear of British rule in his heart, he was a character obnoxious to tlie
authorities at this juncture. It the course of this difficulty he had ulsd a
personal altercation witli M. \V. Phifer. See Victo)-ut Odzclfv, .Ian. '."2, 1^"'S
and in San Frnnchco Bvlktin, Feb. 28, 1859, article entitled 'Ned Mctinwaii
and his colony,' in which a writer speaks of the judge as ' lord of the niaiior.'
who 'entertams on behalf of his subjects all distinghished strangers ,i"'r-
sonal like or dislike of the host is not considered . . .pledges the (piecn'^hi ilth
in champagne. . .Tliere was a row ImtMcGowan apologized and pledged liim-
sjlf against any recurrence,'

! -Ml

FOUNDING OF NEW WESTMINSTER.

415

land in reserve adjoining it. Of what avail were the
royal engineers with their technical training if they
could not see further into tlie mysteries of forest-
taiiiing and empire-building than common fur-traders?

()u the north bank of the river, just above the
delta, a high beach had been noticed, a beach which
was tliought a fitting place for an imperial city. The
a[)pr()ach from either direction was mognificent, and
any ship that could enter over the bar at the mouth
of tlio river might moor beside its wharves. True,
the expense of city-building there would be greater
than at Derby ; the former spot was high and thickly
forested, while the latter was low and open ; Ijut surely
gold was now plentiful enough to allow them to choose
the best.

80 that when the Plumper dropped down the
sneani some fifteen miles from Derby to the beach
hefore mentioned, it was determined that both from
geographical and strategical points of view, this was
the best place on the river. The men therefore were
put to work cutting trees, and soon a field of stumps
appeared which outnumbered the houses built for
twenty years and more.^^ To this imperial stunip-
ticlJ was given at first, and until her majesty should
indicate her royal pleasure, the name Queensborough ;
hut when such pleasure was known, it was called New
Wostininster."^

Notice was given by the governor the 14th of Feb-
ruaiy 1859, that it was intended immediately to lay
(mt, on the north bank of the lower Fraser, the site
of a city to be the cai)ital of British Columl)ia, the
lots to be sold by auction in April, one fourth of them
to be reserved in blocks for purchasers in other parts
of her majesty's dominions. Purchasers of lots in

: 1 :■!,;

■;M

4= i

■1^

-' ' Dr C'aini)l)ell and I went to examine a part a little north of where the
town stiiails, and so thick was the bush that it took us two hours to force our
way ill rather less than a mile and a lialf.' May tie's B. C, 72.

'On the 2()th of .Fuly 1859, it was publicly proclaimeil that the town here-
tiifiirr known as Queensborough or Queenborough should be hereafter called
Ntvv Westminster.

'it* ' " A

1,' ' t ' i

41tt

GOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

Derby the November previous were at the same time
informed that tliey might surroiider such lots and
receive their equivalent in Queonsborough property.
Already a revenue officer was stationed near Queenis-
borough to collect tolls from tliose faiHn<^ to call for
that purpose at Victoria,"^ and from the 15th of Juno
the port of Queensborough was the publicly declared
port of entry.

Returning to Victoria, the Plumjtcr spent a week
surveying the harbor; then on the 10th of April .slic
sailed for Nanaimo, crossed thence to tlio mouth of
the river, embarked from her the marines brought
out by the Tribune, and witli twenty engineers landed
them at Queensborough, which place was already tliu
military head-quarters of British Columbia. Pitching
their tents a mile east of the town site, thoy joined in
the work of clearing. Grim as was the pleasure of in-
experienced axemen in felling trees, that labor was
light as compared with removing the logs, stumj)s,
and the network of roots which the centurii's liad
been -v^ caving underground. Nevertheless a churcli,
a treasury, and a court-house soon disputed possession
witli the bears; also dwellings, restaurants, stores, and
wharves. '"^^

And so affairs continued until the first gold Husli
had passed away. Moody took up his residence at
New Westminster, built the government liouse then,
opened roads, and sold lands, 33ouglas spending nu)st
of his time at Victoria.'^'' More gun-boats were wanted

^* Open linats not carrying liquors, nor more than 400 Iba. of provisions for
oach passengir, .inil not having clearoil at Victoria, vero now alloW(ul to pat^s
up tlie rivor by paying forty shillings, and livo shillings for evury passenger.

-•'Tiio salo of ((•uuenshorough lots diil not taku place until tlie 1st of .hiii. ,
at wliich time l:$2 lots Oti by YA'l feet found purchasers at prices from iifllO tn
!|!il,375 oacli, aggregating over iiHOjOtX). This for the first day only; at tliu
second (hiy 's sale an equal number of lota was disposed of, but at lower prices.
ViHoriit (Idzdle, June 2, 1859.

■^"For the government of the colony of British Columbia the following pro-
visional appointnicnts were made bydovcriior Douglas, between January 1
and June 80, 1850; Stipendiary magistrate and justice of the peace at (,>ueeiis-
borough, W. K. Spanhling; at Langley, Peter O'Reilly; at Lilloet, Thoiiiiis
IClwyn; at Lyttou, il. M. Ball, iligh-siierilf at I'ort Douglas, Charles .'^.

INCORPORATION OF THE METROPOLIS.

4i:

1)V Douglas, and tlie Tcrmafjant, Topazr, and Clio woro
onK'ivd to join the nortli-west s(iuadron.

J II regard to revenue and expenditure, tlianks to
tlic paternal precepts of the secretary of the colonies
evi'i' inculcating self-support and cconoiny, these were
\wll managed. Including mining and spirit licensees,
(ustonis duties, and sales of lands and town lots,
iiiid aiter ]>aying for road-liuilding and otlier public
wiifks, extra pay for services performed by the >SViA"/-
Jitc and the Plumper, government expeditions, and
saliitits of magistrates and otlier officials, there was a
balance on the 8th of April 185'J of over £8,000 in
t'avdr of the colony.

Humggling was practised largely from the first ap-
iiearance of tlic »jold fever. Particularlv along tlie
I iiitcd States border it was found impossible, where
all was Jiurry and helter-skelter, and goods were carried
(111 nu'u's backs as well as by horses and canoes, to })re-
veiit large quantities of merchandise from jiassing the
line untaxed. So great became this contraband traf-
lic, that a serious commercial depression which pi'e-
\ ailed at New Westminster in the winter of 18G0-1
was charged directly to it. This view of it, however,
the yovi'rnor did not take, but thought it rather the
result of over-importation.

In the summer of 18(10 the itdiabitants of New
Westminster asked the privilege of incorporating their
town, appointing umnicij)al officers, taxing themselves,
and improving the metropolis. Tlie ])owers of the
• euiieil, which was to ccmsist of st^ven members, were
limited on the one side by the commissioner of lands

/ I:

iilii^

Niccill. At Fort Yale, assistant gold cominissioiior, E. H. Saumlurs; chief
ilirk iiiliiiiiul store tary's ofiice, C'liarlos OodiI; eliief clerk of the treasui-y,
•Inliii (oojier; dork in the custoiii-hoiiso, W. U. Mcl'rua; registrar of tlie
suproiiic court, A. I. Bllshby; revenue oltieer at Laiigley, C'liarles Wyl.lc.
"till r uiiiccr.s were apiioiiieil at other times and places a-i necessity seemeil to
ilimainl. Colonial otlicers residing at New Westminster in the autumn < f
ISOll wint U. ('. Moody, lieutenant-governor, military commander, and com-
inissiiincr of lands and works; Matthew IJ. Begl)ie, ju Igi^; Chartres Brew,
iliiff inspector of jiolice; W'. D. (iosset, treasurer; F. O. Clandet, assayer;
<'. A. i'.iiron, melter; Wyniond Handey, collector of customs; W. R. Spauld-
iiiL', i"istinaster.

lIisT. BniT. Col. 27

> i'

418

OOVERNMENT OF THE MAINLAND.

and works, aiul on tlio other by the tax-payers. Tlic
proposed tax for each of two years was two per e(;nt
on tlie assessed value of town proj)erty. The i;()v-
crnor reeoniniended the measure, antl it was duly
proclainietl at Victoria on the Kith of July 18G0. To
begin with, it was ordered that upon notice given
ever} man should fell the trees on his own lot.

Lytton asked Douglas what they should do with
the Indians, and if they had not better settle them in
villages, and give them law, taxation, religion, and
work. Douglas answered yes; that is the best that
can be done; with them, better than the United States
way, that and a land reserve with civilized self-suji-
porting savages. The natives themselves, had tluy
been asked, might have solved the dilHculty bettir
than any kingdom or republic, better than any min-
ister or governor in Christendom. "Let us alone,"
they would have said, '*or, if you will not, what mat-
ters it by what rules of strangulation you rob and
murder us?"^'

'^'Further reference may be made to De CosniM, Onr. B. C., MS., pa.'isini;
( 'nnpi-r'-i Mm: Muttcru, MS., l.'i-17; Olinipia Ciuh <'niirs., MS., 1",(; f.Vxx/'x
Ji. ('., MS., (i:i; EriiiLs' FriM-r /iiiH;i; MS.,'l2-ii0i L<iihieviii.-i lleiil., I; MrT„rid:<
Di'p., pa.ssini; Jt. B. Co. Ei\, in //. B. Co. Claims, 58; l>nwilii.s ,-I(/(/;v.«.m < nml
Mem., 51; AiimiU lirit. Lc;/., viii. 1G0-.5; B. C. AcU mid Or., lJS.')8-7(>; //'Hi-
sird's Pm: />ih., cli. l.'U7-8; cliv. 522-5, vote .i'42,'.)i)8 for s\ipi)(>rt of govern-
luent, 1189-95 ami 1401; clx. 13G.3-1, .£15,00:) more vote^l midst nmili
gniinliling; clxiv. 1028; clxvii. 49G-7; clxxii. 514-17, where coiniiliiiiit.>
against goveriinieut officers of Vancouver lalantl arc iutroiluced; /■'()/•/».<'
7i'-.wf;/, Ajm., 17; MrDoiiiil<t':< B. C, .374-7; CoiicW-i J/isf. L'li;/., viii. 5'J.'i;
Corniridli.^ Neir El Dnnido, 13; Mallitndiiinc'x Fii:ti I'/c. J)!i:, 12; Biif. Ccl.
ntiiK jS.W'.s-, passim; Victoria Gazette, July 28, Sept. 21-:{, 30, 0''t. 1, ami
Nov. 18-25, 1858, and March 10, May 12, 14, 17, 19, and .Tunc 4, IS.V.i;
Jfihhen's Ciiide B. C, 1; B. C. Cohiiiit, May 19 and Dec. 22, 1871; TaiiUw'.<
Brit. Am., VA, 14; liarrett-Lennard's Trnv., 299-307; Marjie'i, B. C, c., .\iii.;
Gov. Gazette, 1803-4; Tolmie's C. P. Jiailwui/ Route, Int.; TarbeWs I'tchri",
MS., 5.

i: \4

CHAPTER XXIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
185G-1880.

JnSTlCB WTTHOUT FoRM — iNAtJOURATION OF THE JUDICIARV SYSTEM —

JuiiisDiCTioN OF Canadian Courts Withdravvn— Pearkes Drafts a
Plan for the Mainland — Lytton Refers the Matter to Beobie—
The Gold-fields Act— Appointment of Matthew Baillie Begbie —
Ox Uniting the Courts Disestablished and Rkokoanized — Need-
ham Declines to Rktir" -Two Courts both Supreme — Character
OK Beobie — He Assists Douglas in Organizing Government — Jus-
tice AT Cariboo— Jurors Rebuked — Stipendiary Magistrates —
Justice at Kootenai and Metlahkatlaii — Convict Labor— Nobles
along the border — vigilance committee.

We have seen the forms of justice, or rather justice
without form, as administered by the factors and
traders of the fur company, by poor Blanshard who
could not afford to keep a judge, by the petty justices
of the Island and Mainland, and by the brother-in-
law, Chief-justice David Cameron. And must we
confess it, that although far-reaching and strong
enough, justice hitherto has been barely respectable,
appearing oftener in elk-skin than in ermine, and quite
frc(|uently with gaunt belly and tattered habiliments.
Now we come to the refined and assayed article; no
more retired drapers, but a genuine judge, stamped
sterhng by her Majesty's commissioner, and bearing
upon his brow nature's most truthful impress.

The administration of justice under a formally con-
stituted judiciary began with the order in council
of April 4, 1856, wherein her Majesty created the
supreme court of civil justice of the colony of Van-
couver Island with a chief-justice, registrar, and sher

(419)

:.l!l

!i H

m fi ti

m \

420

A I ).M I N ISTU ATION O F J U.STICK.

iff. By patcMit from tlio governor, tlic luiictions of tin;
chiof-justk'u were ttxtiiiidcd to <Tiiniiial casuH; ]\v. acted
also us judge of the vico-adiiiiralty court of \'im-
(!ouvcr Island. l*rior to tlio estahlisIiiiK'nt of a h'^is-
lativo council and aasernbly, tlio statutory laws, as
W(!ll us till) coininou law of I'JiL;laiid, were; in fonc
Of the supremo court, tlioro wore two branches, tin;
suj.rcmo tribunal and tlio summary or inferior couit,
the latter having original jurisdiction in sums not
(exceeding fifty pounds. On N'^ancouver Island there
was a j)olice magistrate and constabulaiy force, and at
Victoria, Esquimalt, Xanaimo, and Jiarday Sound
there were in all six or seven persons holding eoin-
niissions as justices of the peace; in 1802 there were
three practising barristers, and four ])ractising sctliei-
tors. In the province of British Columbia, in 1873,
there were three supreme court and fivecountv iud^i s.

Tlio act of parliament ui the 2d of August ISoH,
authorizing the establishment of a colonial govern-
ment for the Mainland, annullisd the jurisdiction ot
the courts of Canada, which had hitherto extended
over this region.

On being asked to draw up a j)lan for a judiciary on
Fraser llivcr, (jroorgc Poarkes, crown solicitor of N'aii-
couvcr Island, appointed by Douglas, })ro})osed a su-
premo court with a chief-justice and two puisne judges,
holding 7/m j^riws and assize in the several districts,
a registrar, a district judge presiding at the court of
quarter-sessions, two or more justices of the peace,
a high-sheriff for each district, and an efficient con-
stabulary. Being referred to Lytton for his ai)prov,iI,
the secretary for the colonies remarked tliat it ap-
peared well adapted to the purpose, being sim[)le and
practical, but that Begbie had by that time arrived,
and that it might as well bo referred to him.

Acting upon the suggestion of Lytton, made tlie _!d
of September 1858, on the Ijlst of August followini^'
was instituted by proclamation at Victoria the gold-
fields act of 1859, under which gold commissioners

"'', 1

WW^}\

fJOLl) COMMISSTONKU.

421

ii|i|)()iiitc(l by tlio govortior iiil;;iit };;rant lironsoH to
iiiiiii' fi>r ()iu3 y<'fir for Hvo pounds, which j^avo the
iiiiiuT ]iol(liiiij^ it tho exclusive ri^'lit to liis chiini ihii'in^
till' time covered by the hceiise. Ijcasos of aurifi>rous
l;ui(ls iiii_tj;lit likewise he i-ranted by the gold comniis-
sidiier for a term of years.

In so wild and extended an area, with population
(liit'iinL;' liither and thither before whirlwinds of ex-
citement, tlie creation of this otKce was a most wise
aiiil luMieficent measure. Such an olHce properly filled,
iuid its duties [)ro[terly enl'orced by the United States,
Wduld have saved to society some of the worst features
of tli(> California '4'.) Inferno.

In the absence of other imperial authority, execu-
ti\i' or judicial, tlu; jj^oh' <'onnnissioner was both gov-
ciiKii- and iud<re. He was sxuardiau of a;overnment
inti'i'ests and custodian of govermnent proju-rty within
liis jurisdiction. In such places, where one but not
biitli the offices of gold commissioner and justice of
tlif peace were filled, the former fulfilled all the func-
tions of the latter, and vice versa, appeal being Iiad to
tlic supreme court iVom pc!nalties beyond thirty days'
iiii|uisomncnt or a fine of twenty pounds. Mining
disputes were determined absoluti'ly by the gold com-
missioner, who, without a jury, was sole judge of law
iind facts. In the larger districts, nuning boards were
instituted, consisting of six or twelve members, elected
l»y the free miners, with power to make and execute
iiiining regulations, subject to the approval of the
fi^overnor.

I nder tlie gold-fields act of 1859, it was ordaincuj
that mining claims must all be, as nearly as possible,
rectangular in form, marked l>y four pegs, the size,
wlieu not otherwise locally established, to be for dry-
(liugings twenty-five by thirty feet, or if bar-diggings,
ii stii]) twenty-five feet in width across the bar fioin
lii.uh-water mark down into the river; quartz claims
oiic hundred feet along the seam. The first discoverer
of a mine was entitled to two claims, or, if a party of

!■'

> ^!,

■ii

ill

422

JiDMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

four or fi/c were first discoverers, then a claim and a
lialf each. Claims um.st be registered, and could only
be legally transferred by entry at the gold commis-
sioner's office. Ditch and leased auriferous lands wviv
under seven s^jecial regulations.

Simultaneously with the appointment c>f Douglas
as governor of the ^Mainland, that is to say, the -Id
of Septend)er 1858, a commission was issued by the
imperial government to Matthew Baillie Begbie as
chief-justice of Jiritish Columbia, since which tiniu
to the present writing, through all the vicissitudes of
consolidation and confederation, he has continued to
hohl it.

It was proclaimed by the governor at Victoria the
8th of June 1859, that this should be the supreiiic
<'ourt of civil justice, with jurisdiction in criminal
cases as well. Begbie was at first commissioned only
for the JVIainland, and early in 18G0 he took up liis
residence at New Westminster; but after no small
talk amotig the magnates of tlie tliree governmnits,
home and (;oIonial, he became chief-justice of the
whole of l^ritish Cohnnbia, superseding Xeedham at
Victoria, where he afterward ri.'sided.

Accompanied by his high-slieriff, Nicoll, and 1)V lils
clerk and registrar, Bushby, the 28th of March 1851),
Mr Justice Begbie began a notable journey, notahlr
by reason of tlie shortness of the journey, and for the
length of its description.^ A report of tl.e tri') was
athlressed to Governoi' J)ouglas, who sent it to tlir
duke of Newcastle, who gave it to the geograpl ileal
society j)eoph^, who printed it, wliich, when (ione,
nothing more remaintxl to be said of it; for the iuCoi-
mation it contains, however interesting at the tinu^
is of little present or permanent value.

David Cameron was }H>rmitted l)y act of the I i tli ot
March 18G4, to retire from the judiciary of Vaiieuu-
ver Island on a pension of five hundi'ed pounds ster-

'It ouuiipiiiM oluvuii pages iif thu Loiulon (Iroij. Soi\, Jounml, xxxi. '.Mi W

MATTHEW BAILLIE BEGBIE.

423

Ym^ per annum, to be paid out of the general revenue
of the colony.

A little tracasserie attended Needham's retire-
nu'iit. The act of union terminated the court offices.
Mutice to that effect was served, amonjj othei's, on Berj-
l)ic and Noedham, but accompanying Begbie's notice
v.as his commission as judge of British Colundjia.
Xcedham took exceptions to Governor Seymour's
abolition of the office of chief-justice on the Islait'^
and appealed to England, and for a time he managed
to sustain himself in his position. An anomalous b*tate
of affairs ensued. For a time there were two dis-
tinct judicial establishments, with nothing coordinate
or subordinate between them; each was independent
of the other, and neither possessed jurisdiction further
than before the union. Begbic was the c onmiissioned
judge of British Columbia, and Needham was liold-
iiig court upon the strength of what was, jirior to
the union, chief- justice ot Vancouver Island. The
source of the trouble was in the framiuix of the
union bill, which, while consolidating every other
brancli of the colonial govermneut, left the courts as
distinct as ever. The Island office was finally in due
form abolished, and Sir Matthew reigned alone

Probably more than to any one [)ei\son the com-
monwealth of British Columi);-:. owes obligation to
]\lr Begbic for its healthful ordinances, for the wise
and liberal provisions of its government, and for the
almost unbroken reign of peace and oi-der during his
long term of office. Moi'e than any person I have
mot in my long historical pilgi'image from JJarieu to
Alaska, he was the incarnation of justice, the embodi-
ment of that restraining influence which society is so
strangely forced to place upon its mend)ers, a man
niost truly saiis pcur ct sans veprocJie. Setting asido
lii> early training, his education, which gave liim
j,n'eat advantage over lii-^ associates, and plai-'i g liini
up(»n the ])lane of inherent manhood, there w- re none
to match him. Physically as fearless as Tod, Mc

424

ADMINISTRATION OF JU8.ICE.

Tavisli, vv Yale, in that liisj^hest attribute of liuiiiuii-
ity, moral courajj^e, lie i'ar surpassid Douglas.

In studying tlic requireiiicnts of the colon}-, in
maturing plans ft)r the administration of aifairs, and
in bringing in and })unishing otfenders, Mr Beobic
was ever active. "Although invested with the vecv
important offieo of judge," wrote Lytton to ]Jouglas.
'•he will nevertheless have the kindness, for the pres-
ent at least, to lend you his g^Micral aid for the cmih-
pilatiou of tlu! necessary laws." which was efficiently
and faithfully done. For, rtj>orting to the earl of
Newcastle the i!()th of January I8G0, the govenidr
says: "The da v after the arrival of ^Fr Be<>bie, the
judge, he accompanied me to British Columbia, and
after his return to Victoria, he was of the greatest
assistance to me in discharging the functions of
attorney-general, which office he kindly fulHlled witli
the concurrenci' <^'<i her majestVs «:i)\'ernment. Sin<c
the arrival at Victoria of the artitorney-general. Mr
Begbie has passed long p-riodw in and has been on
circuit over the greater portion of British Columbia,
and his personal connnunica^-ions to m(> upon his return
have been most valuable, auil have a^^isted me mati -
rially in framing laws, and in adapting the general
system of government to tiie at^tual requirements of
the peo{)le."

He was an i'ccentric man, but his eccentricities
seemed always to take a sensii)le direction. I nlikc
Needham, he came to tlije colony while yet his brain
was activ(^ and his thoughts original and frt'sli. and
before being wholly and Iiojh lessly bound to tho mi-
vice of foolish traditions. He was an ardiiit ln\< r .if
nmsic, and also of athlt-iic sports."

It is ini[M)ssible that such a man should live M'itii<'Uf

-On till) L'iHii lit .liuuiary 18">0 tlio Victciria J'liilluirmoiiic ScH'u.'ty v .- **•
ifiiiizcil, with till' I'liiiM-jiistiff jh prcsnloiit; Sil.in I''niiikliii, viift'-jiri- .iiiit:
Arthur 1>. Busliliy. .seuivtiirv; AloXiimhir F. Main. tri«»«ur»-r: .Joliii lJi»iii>. ri>n-
liiictor; ami AiLiiiixtuM IVliilK-rtnii, ,\. V . Alidirsnii, Jiia«-j»li t'urtiT. .I.niiis
l/'iiilu 15. W. I'i'aisi!, Liiinit y Franklin, ami iI.i*ii«b F. ( rowly, 4irii t'lrs.
Vktai>iit, (iazettt:, Fub. 1. ISoH.

D. G. FOKBES MACDONALD.

linking enemies. Every bad man was his enemy.
Every sycophant; every pohtician whose ambition was
greater than his honesty ; every coward who dare not
maintain the right in the face of pubhc opinion; every
schemer for personal profit or advancen)ent at the
(■x])oi)se of pubhc good — these and the hke were his
natural opponents. With Douglas, who loved too
wtll at times to try to reconcile public polity to per-
sdiKil caprice or interest, and at other times would
itrnoie legal forms altogether, he was not always on
the best of terms. As to the succeeding governors,
who were most of them professionyl politicians, serving
tor place or pay, he troubled himself but little about
thcin. His own duty was always plain, and he did
it; and the service he rendered was a fit .sequel to
that so well begun by the Hudson's Bay Company.
Consid -viicx the circumstances surroundinii' the beojin-
niiig, ti'i^ ^1 iruly \vild men and the unruly gold-gath-
iTcis, society during these incipient stages was, I say,
a marvel of order and obedience to law.

It is trn.e that when lawless men first flocked in
all •111'' the Fraser, and bejjan shootinsf natives after
tlieii' old fashion, with as little compunction as they
would shoot deei', the Indians retaliated, and between
the two there were many murders. But when the
luiiicrs found by experience that crimes committed
updu the ])erson of a savage were as swiftly and as
scMiicly punished as were crimes committed by sav-
ai![es, tliey were more careful how they threw their
shots about.

1 have found no on« nioro readj' to find fault with
the administration of justice, as ind<3od with most
other matters in the early days, than D. G. Forbes
i\Iacdonald, who with many initials of honor to his
riuuc wrote a book^ on this country i-n 1802, elegant
ciKrugh in typography and pa^er, b'int not wholly
tnitlilul.

■* Jtritixh Columhhr ami yancouvr'/^ Island. >:omprmn>i a deseriptivn of thr.^i
(Irp^iiiU'tteiiK, etc. Tlio IkkjU rejiohed a thin! odition in I.S03. A hter and
mil !i nuue reliable aullwrity says: 'TIk' poi.ple am a law-abiding peoijle,

420 ADMINISTRATION OP JUSTICE.

" How is it that crime is on the increase?" he ex-
claims. " Neither life nor property, female chastity,
house nor home is safe from the depredations of the
many villains who sojourn there." " Because," h'3 an-
swers, "punishment is invariahly over-lenient!" Were
it any other writer I should regard his words as in-
tended irony. Begbie over-lenient! The man is ditfi-
cult to please, and were he once on trial before Sir
]\Iatthew, as he deserved to be, he would erase from
future editions the lies he has told, in which case, in-
deed, there would be little left of his book.

When we consider for how many unknown centu-
ries the savages had been righting their own wrongs,
how revenge with them was the highest form of jus-
tice, how widely scattered they were, and so compara-
tively little under the influence of white men, it is
wonderful how quickly they were brought to ])lacc
themselves under restraint, especially where white men
were concerned.

C. A. Bayley, coroner at Nanaimo in 1853, was
cognizant of .as many cool murders among the natives
as one often finds in Christendom. "Indian law pre-
vailed for many years," he says, " until the colony liad
formed a legislative and executive council, and the
colonists felt they had the power to enforce the laws,"

The natives were quite curious as to what was going
on among the white men, and would often come from
:i distance and in large numbers to see the strangers.
They came down from Queen Charlotte Islands dur-
ing summer, in bands of from five to fifteen hundred;
and the little colony at Fort V^ictoria, near which
they encamped, was seriously frightened by them in

crimi of any serious moment being almost, unknown. I should tliiiik it i|uite
witliiu till' mark, that not more than one per cei't of the Indian poiiulatii'ii of
tiio upper country are found in our prisons, which speaks voluuius in hcli!ill of
their respect for hiw, and may be said to be in part attributable, lirst, to tlioir
adnurablo n'anaf,'emeut under the Hudson's Bay Company's n ijiinr ; socoml, to
tlic impartial administration of justice; and third, to thcoUurts made in tliinr
behalf by the v.arious missionary enterprises which iiave been en^aj,'ed lUiiler-
taking to promote their truest welfare.' (jood'a llut. li. (J., MS., IK).

INDIAM -KILLING.

427

isr)4. The Haldahs were fierce and in l^ad repute;
tiny had captured many white men, LainLj, the .shi[)-
liuikler, and Benjamin Gibbs, and others from a
United States vessel, and held them as slaves until
ransomed. On this occasion, ])oui,d as called his coun-
cil to sit upon the matter, and loaded the fort ^uns;
hut the Haidahs did not mean mischief now. 'riuy
(inly happened to remember this sunnner what their
old warrior-<i^od Belus had long a<^o told them of the
coinin!^' of white men with wlu)m they should shake
liaiids and trade.

])urinsf the Fraser excitement the savaijes as well
as others swarmed at Victoria on their way to and
from the mines, and so great was their love for the
piDthoatc life of civilization, that it was onlv bv moral
suasion and force combined that they could always be
induced to move on. They were not long in learning
how to dig for gold; or, having it, how to dissi|)at»' it.

I have noted the individual issufS, seldom blootly,
!>tt\vcen the white fur-buyers and the red fur-
sellers that s})rang from this intercourse u}) to the
time of settlement. Then came the aflair ending in
the a])pearance of Douglas with a vessel of war at
Cowiehin in 1853. The first old-fash ioneil American
massacre in the interior of British Colund)ia was that
on Fiaser River in 1858, when, if we mav credit
Waddiiigton, the miner's from California surjuised and
massacred thirty-three innocent persons of a friendly
triljc.-*

The brig Siviss Boy, Captain Welden, of San Fran-
• isco, on the way from Fort ()r<'haril to \'ictoria, jtut
into Xitinat Sound about the oUt of January IS.V.t.
Ni'xt day several hundred savages a[)]n'ai'i <l, si'ized
iiiid stripped the vessel, and held the captain and

'Vnwill, Miuinij rKntrirts B. ''., MS., 'M-'2, states that <iii this occasion
tift\ mill niiiliT one SuyiltT, an AmktIc;*!!, iiiiule tlu; <msl:iiii;hl, ami tliat gnat
sull.iiiii^r tiiUowi'd tliu survivors <il the iiiussai'rc, in whicli all tluir tiMi.l wa.i
liistniyi'il. JJallou, Ai/r MS., li atiinus tiiat tin; Iinluiiis liist kilkil wliite
iiM ii, ami that the slaiiyt>t<.'re4 K»>k'r Niiyihr nuiuliuiuil eiglitooii, iiiid that
tliii wa.-i tlio only Indian war t)t«*ev.

428

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

A i

1^:

1'^

crew prisoners for several days, they at length luclJIv
escaping with their lives. The Satellite iunnedialih'
went and recovered the brig and cargo, which was uf
lumber, but everything that could be carried away

was missnig.

Seventy canoes from Queen Charlotte Islands with
six hundred Haidahs on board entered Victoria Har-
bor on the 30th of March. And these were but the
vanguard of a general convention reported by the
steamer Lahouc/icre as on the way hither. They en-
camped near Finlayson's farm, and the whole town
turned out to see them. The company consisted (if
men, women, and children, with their efiects. A
second arrival the 21st of April increased the number
to thirteen hundred. A few of them had a very httle
gold-dust to sell. Besides the Haidahs, there were
Stikeens, Chimsyans, Bellacoolas, and other savages,
numljcring in all at the encampment three thousand
j)ersons. Their visit was to them apparently vrrv
l)leasant; they traded a little, drank a great deal, and
if there be anything worse they did that too. A'ie-
toria grew uneasy under the association, and invited
the redskins to leave.

A pcirty sent out in 18G4 by Waddington to o])en
a trail from Butte Inlet across the Chilkotin plains
toward Fort Alexandria, was attacked the 80th of A] nil
and thirteen out of seventeen slain. Interference with
their women on the part of the white men had so
exasperated the Chilkotins that they resolved to rid
themselves of the evil by the most direct means. A
pack-train under McDonald, en route from Bentinck
Ai'm to Fort Ah;xandria was attacked three wtrks
later by the Chilkotins at Nancootioon Lake. Three
were killed and several wounded. The savages took
the train worth 3'), 000, and committed other munl-rs
in the vicinity. The marines at New Westminstii',
and volunteers from Victoria and elsewhere, set ont
immediately and caught a portion only of the iiiur-
dertTs, and with the loss of McLean of the Hud.^oU''

WARLIKE SCENES.

429

Bay Company. The criminals caujjfht were tried and
liaii'i<'(l."

Ill tlie autumn of this year, Capcha, chief of the
Ali<>uset>!, decoyed the trading' schooner K'nujjhltcr to
tlic sliore near Clayoquot, i)retendin_*( tliat lie had some
oil to sell. Then Caju'lia and his warriors kill'MJ the
captain and crew, and plundered the vessel. H. M. S.
Ikvdsfdfion and Admiral JJernnan in the Siiflcj jias-
tciifd to the spot and demand(;d the offenders, and as
tlk'V l'aile<l to appear, opened tire and destroyed several
villii^cs. Yet on the whole Ca[)e]ia reij^arded his hiisi-
iicss operation as a success. The (7/o the followinj^
ycju' was obliged tf) throw a shell into a native village
laai' Fort Ru[)ert before the inhabitants would give
ii[) a murderer.

These events are the nearc>st approach to war
hetwcen the natives and the si-ttlers of ]^ritish
('(tlumbia that I have to record. The savages fought
fucli other lustily, and it was some tinu; bt'forc^ the
law tliought best to interfere. Even the supei'relined
viu'v sometimes saw things in a violentlv dirferent
manner. There was what was called in local annals
tiif (Jrouse Creei, war, which was a disputi' between
t!i'' Canadian Company and tlie (arouse Creek Flume
( oin|»ariy.

Some ground claimed by the Cxrouse Creek Flume
C(iiii])any was in the early part of the season of 1807
'jumped' by the Canadian Com])any and held in
violation of the orders of the sheriff. That ofHcial
a(rui(Hngly (U'ganized at Williams Creek a small army
of several dozen men, armed them with such weapons
and such nerve-and-muscle-generating ecjuipmeiits as
the service recjuired, and marched ov<n- the mountain-
trail like Lochinvar. The ( aiuwlians doggedly refused
to surr(!nder. (xovernor Si'ymoiir then went into the
field and succe»fled in compromishig matters so far as
to arrange f(^r a new trial. John <jlrant, the head of

if U

'0'm).r.vfl. r., MS., 3f)-42; nni/lp;/.^ V [., MS. 50-7: Wli/mv'r'' ■lli>''>i",
.^li-H; lirtona ChroHtrlf, May 14, 1804; f'*>Hl(Uii/ .i'h:, Mny 21, 180L

4;w

ADMINISTKATION OF JUSTICE.

11 ''

h't

t Mm

i'lilN

the Canadian Company, was meanwhile committed to
prison for tliivt' months for contempt ; tlie remainder
of liis rebellious company being let oft' each with two
(lays' imprint )nment. Several months later Judij^e Need-
liam decided the case adversely to the claims of the
Canadian Company.^

The n iners of Cariboo did not like Mr Justice
Be<^bie's method of construing their mining laws; so
they met in mass-meeting, the 2;?d (jf June 18(i(;, iuul
denounced him, after which they felt better, althoiiyii
the chief-justice still lived. It was the largest ceii-
t'ourse ever C(mvened in the colony, they said, and I
may add, tlu; nu)st foolish. It was the peculiar way tliut
IJegbie had of setting aside the verdicts of their jui'ies
and the decisions of th(>ir gold commissioners when
manifestly illegal and absurd that they did not like.
Ho was arbitrary, partial, and dictatorial, thiy said,
arid th(y' desired his removal and a court of a])|)eal.
Novertheh.'ss, simultaneously with the publication ef
these proceedings, comes the report of the foreni.in of
the grand jury of Cariboo, Avho 'is highly pleaded to
notice the absence of all crime in the distr-ict," wl)icli,
indeed, was the stere()t\"j>ed clause in all grand-juiv
reports throughout the country all through Begbie's
entire term. He was loudly complained of by a ceitaia
class at New Westminster, Lilloet, and Victoria; nevei-
theless he continued his course, retained his place, and
was finally knighted in recognition of his services,
as he richly deserved.

Begbie was almost as good as a vigilance committee;
sometimes quite as good ; ofttimes even better. There

• Virtm-ia Colonist, July 2.*?, Aug. 6, 1.3, 20, 27, Sept. 10, Oct. 1, 8, Nov. a,
1867; New Wvntniiiwter ('oliiiiihiaii, May II; li. ('. E.iamr., July 27 and Aiii;.
28, 18()7. Sec also, for the Queen Charlotte lalaudera and other ludian trouliUis,
Vktoiia (,'azrt/i; i. Nos. 10, 27, 29, :W-2, 35, 44, 4(i, 59, and lil, IS.'.S, ii. 'Mh
JlouM' ('mil. Jfrpt., 11. li. Co., 1857, 192; Ciirilmo Sentinel, i. 1; Olyiiijiin I'miinr
<iml Democnil, March 18, 18.")9; Coliiib. jfiMn., 8lh lieyL, 30; Ooi: dozdt'. ii.
No. 8; Sprnar.f Smic.-', 9; I'oirrir.'i Mill. JKif-f., MS., 3^-2; Brit. Co/. Sl.rf.-/„-<,
MS,, 29; Oli/nipiii. Cliih C<vn:-<., MS., l.S-15; Deniw' SMlement V. I., MS., -JO 4;
Doiijhu' Private I'apeni, MS., 2d sur. 34-0.

DIRECT JUSTICE.

431

were in his rulings the intensity and directness which
rciider popular tribunals so terrible to evil-doers with-
out the heat and passion almost always inseparable
from illegal demonstrations. Although in common
with jurists generally he placed law before justice,
sullering the guilty to escape and go in search of
further prey provided they could not be convicted by
the book, yet ho never was so blinded by the book as
to take wrong for right because the law affirmed it.
And he would sometimes do right even in spite of
the law.

All through his long and honorable career he was
more guardian than judge. He was not satisfied to
sit upon the bench and with owl-like gravity listen
to the wranglings of counsel hired for the defeating
of the law's intention, and with much winking and
blinking to decide according to law and then go uncon-
cernedly to dinner. He felt the peace and good-
behavior of the whole country to be his immediate
care, and woe to any constable or magistrate derelict
in his duty in bringing criminals to justice. Babino
Lake was no farther from his arm than Government
street, and an injury done an Indian or a Chinaman
was as sure of prompt punishment as in the case of a
white man.

The consequence of it all was that never in the
paciiication and settlement of any section of America
have there been so few disturbances, so few" crimes
against life or property. And when we consider the
clashing elements that came together just as Begbie
reached the country, the nature and antecedents of
these wild, rough, and cunning men, it is wonderful.
First of all there was the savage, physically unweak-
cncd thus far by contact with Europeans, though in
mind subdued somewhat by the more comprehensive
Hitclligonce of the shrewd Scotchmen. The country was
his, and he was as fierce and as ready to fight for it as
ever. The fur-traders were their friends, but these
nitcvlopers who seized their lands and robbed them of

s !

'i :

432

ADMINISTRATION OV JUSTICE.

■iit*.^

their j^old wci'o their enemies whom it were lii^hteous
to kill. The ancient professional prospectors and t\\'^-
gers with whom the gold-lielcis iA' the north were jilcn-
tit'ully sprinkled, were many of them but little liightr
in the scale of humanity than the Indians. Amoii«;
them were many despicable men who regarded tht'
natives as brutes whom to kill was no crime. Add tu
this the presence of intelligent and good men who
were the real dominators of the realm, and scatter
them over a wilderness area of five hundred miles
square, and we may form some faint conception of what
it was to hold the inhabitants in order. And yet the
intensity of character and personal influence of tlic
chief-justice were everywhere felt. His presence |)ei-
meated the remotest parts of the country like; that of
no other man. When once it was understood by sav-
age and civilized alike that justice in his hands was
swift, sure, and inflexible, the battle was won. No
one cared to kill, being sure he would hang for it.

It is not often we hear from the bench such rel'resh-
ing words as I'requcntly fell from his lips. They pui i-
ficd the atmosphere, so that even Ned McClowau
found it somewhat stifling, as we have seen. "There
were not many of that class on Eraser Ilivcr," said
Billy IJallou. "They soon cleaned them out thoie.
Old Jud'TC Beijbic soon made them understand who
was master. I saw a fellow named Gilchrist," he con-
tinued, "who had killed two men in California, mi
trial there. He killed a man on Beaver Lake, in the
Cariboo country, who was gambling with him. Wliilu
sitting at the table a miner came in, threw down his
bag of gold-dust, bet an ounce, and won. Gilehii>t
jiaid; the man bet again, rnd won again, flippantly
inquiring of the gambler if there was any other game
he could })lay better, as he drew in the stakes. Gilchrist
took ofl'ence at the remark, and lifting his pistol shot
him dead. Gilchrist was tried, and the jury brought
in a verdict of manslaughter. Turning to the prisoiu r,
the judge said: "It is not a pleasant duty for nie lo

RKUITPIOUS JUDOES.

433

" ■ 1
, s;)l(l

have to sontoncc you only to prison for life. Your
ciimo was uuMiitiyutrd nuirdi-r. You deserve to l)o
liaiin'<(l. Had tln^ jury |K'rtV)rni('d their duty, I nii<j;lit
now have tlie painful satisfaction of condenniiny' y<»u
t(i death. And you, ij^entlenien of the jury, pcirniit
me to say that it would j^ive nie great pleasure to see
yeu lianiu'ed, each and every one of you, for l)rin<^ini^
ill a nuu'derer j^uilty only of manslaughter."

Sproat tells some good stories emanating fi'om his
I'XIK lienoes as magistrate in 18(14, one of which was
all attem[)t at an in(|uest at Alherni over the body of
a native shot unintentionally to death, while stealing
[Kitatnes, hy a pea-loaded gun in the hands of an
American. Di'termined to close their eyes to the
tacts, the iurv first brought in a verdict of "worried by
a (log," and when return(>d from a second attempt,
found "he was killed by falling over a clili'." The
American was finally sent in charge of a constable to
A'ictoria, but eti'ecti'd his escape.

Tlic stii)endiary magistrates, or county-court judges,
at tlie time of confederation, wer(^ A. 1). ]^ushby.
New Westminster; \V. R. Spaulding, Nanaimo and
Connix; P. O'Reilly, Northern Mines; A. F. l?em-
Itiitoii, Victoria; E. H. Saunders, Lilloet; H. M.
l^all, Cariboo. Salaries, from !?2,250 to .$."^,400.

All act was passed by the province of British Co-
lumlija March '1, 1874, for the better administration
of'justice, but failed to receive the governor-gcnerars
coniirmation The county judges did not apjirove of
a cci'tain ]>rovision of this act which enabled the lieu-
ti'iiuut-governor in council to ap})oint the times and
places at which court should be held; hence they
iK'titioned against the act. An act enabling the lieu-
tt'iiaiit-governor to divide the country into county-
coiiit districts was passed the following year.

There were other righteous judges in the land; and
ill due time the people began to like justice and liate
l)ril>ory and corruption. Those who cared least for
popularity became the most popular. On liis way

HioT. Dkit. Col. '28

• ! 11

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43^1

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

across the country in 1872 Grant talked with th m
about it/

Since 1874 the influence of the mounted pohcc of
the Northwest Territory has been felt along the bor-
der. Numbering in all about three hundred, and es-
tablished in camps of from fifty to seventy-five men,
their presence in those wild, thinly peopled regions
was most beneficial. They wore the scarlet uniform
of the British army, and made it their business to
protect at once border settlers and travellers from hos-
tile bands of natives, and well disposed natives from
white ruffians and liquor- sellers. This was a Cana-
dian rather than a British Columbian institution ; the
nearest port available on the western slope was about
one hundred miles from Kootenai.

Shortly after taking up his residence at Metlahkat-
lah, Duncan, the missionary, was requested by the
colonial government to act as magistrate. It was
an exceedingly strange mixture, both of duties and
material, that this man found himself called upon to
encounter. Here was law and barbarism, divinity
and demonism, incoherently mingled until the poor
fellow scarcely knew his own mind. The li(juor traffic
troubled him exceedingly, and also the retaliation piin-
ciple of the natives, who murdered the last murderci',
in theory at least, ad injinitum, until none were left
to kill. Three Indians murdered two white men.
The natives gave up two of the murderers, a life for a
life being their idea of justice; the other, after six
months, gave himself up, was sent to New Westmin-
ster to be tried, and was acquitted. This was brout^ht
about by the magistrate by means of his relij,nous
influence.

' ' There isn't the gold in British Columbia that would bribe .Tiidgo
O'Reilly, was their emphatic indorsement of his dealings with the niiiicis.
They dcscri) cd him arriving as the renrcscntativo of British law and oiilor
at Ivootanie, immediately after thousands had flocked to the newJy discovered

fold-mines there. Assembling them, he said that order must and would !»
ept, and advised tliem not to display their revolvers unnecessarily, "for, '.icys,
if there is sliooting in Kootanio there will be hanging;" such a speccli wan
after tlie miners' own hearts, and after it there were no more disturbanco.i in
Kootanic.'

POPULAR TRIBUNALS.

4»

Convict labor began to be utilized in 1859. The
jail at Victoria was then the general receptacle for
Island and Mainland, and in it were some sturdy fel-
lows with nothing to do but to attempt escape. The
chain-gang system was then adopted, and finally a
poiiitentiary was built. To George W. Bell belongs
the honor of being the first white man hanged on
Vancouver Island, which was done on the 5th of
November 1872, for killing one Datson the previous
May.

It was perhaps more difficult than might be im-
agined for a person to commit a theft or a murder, and
escape the country. Obviously his way out by water
was difficult, for every movement on the coast was
watched. Then, throughout the interior, the natives
W(i(! always ready to lend their aid, as of old, in
catching criminals; and they constituted a widely
extciuled, swift, and sure police.

In the immediate vicinity of the United States bor-
(Itr it was more difficult to maintain order. Horses were
plentiful. No man so poor that he could not own one ;
or it' he was, he might steal from his neighbor. Hence
to place himself, if not beyond the reach of justice, at
least where justice soon became entangled in difficul-
ties, the offender had but to mount and ride southerly.
On Ferry Creek, where in 1871 was a customs station,
a case occurred, insignificant in itself, but illustrative
(if the times and place. A merchant received one day
some liams in bond, on which he had not the money
to pay the duty. A hungry miner swore he would
lia\(! a ham; the merchant offered no objection; so
attended by several comrades, he j)roceeded to the
cditice called the custom-house, kicked open the door,
and (tarried away a ham. Swearing in special officers,
Carrington, the constable, after a show of fight on the
part of the offenders, succeeded in arresting them and
conviying them, ironed; to the jail at Wild Horse
(reek. Haynes, the Kootenai judge, being absent,
Carrington, after waiting a while, started with his

1 1 i

111

I ::t

436

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

prisoners for Victoria, intending to commit them there
for trial. But meeting Haynes on the way, the party
returned, and the prisoners were finally dischurjrLd
on condition of their leaving the country.

I have often been assured, and by those who sliould
know, that there never was a case of popular or illcMral
hanging in British Columbia. Sir Redmond Barry
made the same statement to me regarding Australia.
I am satisfied that my informants were in error regard-
ing both countries.^ A JJiob may sometimes catoli and
hang a man, making little stir about it. A haii^;iinr
scrape at Jack of Clubs Creek in the Cariboo country
in 1862 is mentioned by R. Byron Johnson in ]'(r}j
Far West Indeed. While the writer cannot be called
a very truthful or reliable man, judging from all the
circumstances, I do not think this story is wluilly
fiction.

While Johnson was absent from his claim, liis
partner, Jake Walker, engaged a man at Williams
Creek to help him sink his shaft a few feet l()\ver.
One day, while Walker was in the shaft and the
hired man at the windlass, the latter deserted his
post, robbed Walker's cabin, and leaving the owner
in the ditch to die, make tracks across the mountain.
Contrary to the villain's expectations, Walker suc-
ceeded in climbing out. The first question with
Walker was then whether he should pursue the man
alone, and kill him, or summon the neighbors to his
assistance. He chose the latter course. The man
was caught, brought back to the cabin, and there
tried by the miners, and executed.*

In my Popular TrihunaU, i. G44-51, I have given several cases of .irlii-
trary justico, a native, Iiowever, being generally the victim.

' My authorities for this chapter, which I am obliged to make briof, iiro
Allans Cariboo, MS., 19; Finlayson'a V. I., MS., 101, which saya of lii-liio;
'He dealt out justice with a stern and vigorous hand, and was a tcrnir to
evil-doers, especially in the gold excitement of '58 and after years;' liiHim's
Adv., MS., 10, 11; VotoeWs Mtnlmj Districts, MS., 3-G; Dmus' Setllvmnil V.
I., MS., 14; Watidington's Fnuier Rivfr, 20; Grant's Ocean to Orenn, .SI.") Ifi;
J fayen' Scraps, iii. 60; Olymjria Stnmlard, Nov. 16, 1872; ConmUdtUnl Imim,
B. 'v., 1877; Land. Oeo,/. Soc., Jour., xxxi. 243, 247-8; I'irtona (lazith; l>oc.
SO, 1858; Victoria Direct., 18(53, 179-89; hbintcr'a Proposal, passim; Ikmned

AUTHORITIES

437

Latrs, B. C, 1871; Qm>. Oazette, Aug. 9, 1873; Cariboo Sentinel, Juno 25 and
July'.', 18(i<i; Pfmhertons V. I., 128-9; Nanaimo Free Press, April 22, 1874;
yv.r'-w' AWiy, 32; ColoniM, Jan. 19. 18(>4; Apr. 10, Juno 11, Doc. II, 18(M);
Ndv. 20, 1807; Jan. 30, Aug. 29, 31, Sept. 2, Dec. 17. 1809; Fob. 9, Aug. 24,
1S70; IVl). 22, Dec. 30, 1871; Dec. 18, 1872; July 28, Aug. 6, 10, 12, 15, IS,
'jo. 2'.t, Sept. 20. Oct. 10, Nov. 4, 1875; March 4, Juno 2, Nov. 15, 1870;
('iiiiilitulion Sup. Court Acts ami Or., 1858-70; Sprout's B. C, 32; Sen/nowU
/'ii}«7-i, 1S77, 437; SUmlard, May 21, 23, 1877; AVw WestminiUer IlvraUl,
Aug. 9, 1873; Milton and Cheiidle's N. W. Pass, 341; Barrett- LinnanVs B. ('.,
6\:\; Morjits B. C, 400-1; Mayne'a B. C, 58-70; Johnsons Very Far West,
lOS; Sproat's Scenes, 44-9, 72-7.

: n II

;£ .;

i ' >

: : ! r

V. iiil

^ '

CHAPTER XXIV.

FRASER RIVER MININd AND SETTLEMENT.

1868-1878.

New Devklopmenth in the Hlstory of Mining — Character of the Minm
—Mining Townh— .Sluicing at Hope anu Yalk— Routes to thk Die,
GiNGS — Steam on the Fkasek — Boats As(;eni) to Hope and Yalk-
Extension of Mining Area — Rush to Lytion— Roai>s— Prospectoks
Push Northward — Bars Named— Field — Region Round Lilhikt
Fountain, Canoe, Quesnel, and Tho.mpson Mines— QirARTZ on CiiKKKi
Creek — The Mines of the Eraser Valley — Character of tiik Dkv
mooiNos — Terrace Composition— Gold Distribution and Yield.

It is as necossarv to tell what the Californians wlio
sought gold on the Fraser River did not find, as to
tell what they did find; that is to say, what fliiltd
them in their expectations, and what they found new
which will profitably illustrate the mining history of
the coast.

First of all, then, the forbidding grandeur of the
Fraser canon overwhelmed them, and drove thou-
sands of them southward no richer than they anno.
Nevertheless, despite this reaction, the country was
settled; towns were built; and in the course of sev-
eral years after the Fraser excitement, mineral re-
sources and lines of transportation were develoinil in
the great northern interior of the Pacific .slope, wliirh
were destined to assume a national and contimiitul
significance. The temporary drawbacks were duo to
the physical features with which the advancing tide
of population had to grapple. No road nor trail prac-
ticable for animals existed along the Fraser canon
during the early stages of the gold excitement, so that

(488)

isirl

THE FROWNING FRASER.

439

.!,:

;nt.

R OF THE Minks

ES TO TIIK Dili-

'E AND Yale -
I — Pkosi'Ectokh

JSV Lll.l.OET-
lRTZON I'llKKKV
5R OF TIIK UkY-

IND Yield.

rnians wlio

find, as to

vhat fitilid

found new

history of

eur of tlie
rove tliou-
they camo.
(untry was
rsc of sev-
nineral ro-
!Velo|ied in
ope, wli it'll
continental
ere due to
ineinj^ tiJo
trail prac-
aser eanon
3nt, so that

(438)

ic was quite impossible to follow up and to support
any large number. Hence all but a fow fell back
until the completion of the road, which Douglas
caused to be opened through the western rim of the
high plateau.

The twenty thousand who went to Fraser River
from California in 1858 were warned that the bans
whore gold was reported would remain inaccessible
on account of the high water until after midsummer,
and that to wait for the opportunity to mine in that
wilderness would be costly, to say the least, and might
he death.^ But reasoning from their experience in
California, too little importance was attached to this
feature of the new mines, as it was concluded that in
the mean time the ravines and the smaller tributaries
could be more or less profitably worked. But here
arose the first and most grievous disappointment.
They found no ravine diggings like those in the
mountain counties of California, with gold lying in a
concentrated form on the bed-rock, and the latter ex-
posed by the eroding streams. Such of the higher
bars of the Eraser as were accessible, including the
Hats occasionally forming the banks of the river, and
jirospected in the early stage of the mining excitement,
failed even to yield the prospects of the American and
Yuba rivers. It was almost entirely fine gold dis-
tributed in thin streaks of gravel and sand, and
through the benches and terraces of the hills and
valleys running back often far from the river. That
fine gold was also found concentrated in really rich
deposits in some of these bars is beyond a doubt, but
it consisted of thin layers or lenticular patches, covered

' Frasor River is at flood height annually in June and July. Arroirsmilh'n
Mnp of B. v., London, IS.IO. Its gold-bearing bars are really accessible to
iiilvantage only for a few months in the autumn. After November tlie frosts
set in, and mining can bo followed only at intervals durini,' the winter. After
tlie severe ■weather and before tlie snows are melted, between February and
April, tliere were two montiis of favorable mining season. Although tiiero is
liiw water about the Ist of January, both tlie climatic conditions, and where
i|uicksilver is useil, tlie amalgamating conditions are unfavorable at that time.
Simple and well known as were these facts by tlie settlers, the miners of 1858
Jiaid clearly before they became acquainted with tlieui.

' h

■i

440

FRASKR RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

fjequently by very heavy masses of barren ground.
In this respect it was comparable to the higher ground
deposits ot" the ancient rivers of CaHfornia, the proHt-
uble liandling of whicli rendered indispensable an out-
let grade and the use of the hydraulic pipe. On the
Harrison and other tributaries coarse gold was to bu
found.

Before tlie river fell, thousands had left the country
under the conviction that the water would never fall
sufficiently, or that they had seen enough; yet the
diggings were overcrowded when this event took
place, notwithstanding the fact that the size of the
claims was limited to twenty-five feet square. Those
who had no claims, or whose claims were worked out,
advanced up the river, clambering over the rocks of
the canon in the direction of the fork of the Thoniiv
son, where there was room enough for all who could
obtain su})plies. The greatest number were employed
between Hope and Yale, but among the best diggings
were those at the Fountain, six miles above the gnat
falls, and for some time the northern limit of mining."
From Murderer or Cornish Bar, four miles below
Hope, innumerable bars, si»;nifying simply accessible
river-bottom formed by the angles in the current, were
])rospected, and most of them worked, for a distance
of 140 miles along the Frascr, and along the Thomp-
son to a point fifteen miles above the mouth of the
Nicola.* Nearly all of these were wiped out of
memory as the inhabitants migrated and the traces
of their existence were washed away by the recurring
floods of the rivers; so that a few onlv have found a
permanent i>lace in the geography of the country.

The first place above Langley which contained gold
in appreciable quanity was Maria Bar, between the
Sunias and Harrison, followed by Murderer Bar, fotn*

'A few of the adventurers penetrated to the Canoe country in latitudf ."1°
.SO', nainud after Canoe Creek, a tributary of the Fraser, wliere Ninion KiasiT
in 1808 left hia cauoes. Siiijent, in U. S. Ex, Doc., iii., 3olk Comj., ~d Hi-.-n.:
AlkinH Carilton, MS, 1-4.

" Waddimjtonn Fnuicr Mines, 8.

OOLI>-nEARING BARS.

441

niilt'S below ITopo, and subsequently known as Cornish
Bar.* Between these existed other bars which were
(lisrei^arded at first, owing to the tincness of their gold.
The localities above J lope are given as Moscjuito, or
Poverty, Fifty-four Forty, Union, Canadian, Santa
("liua, Deadwood, Express, American, Pugct Sound,
Victoria, Yankee Doodle, Eagle, Alfred, Sacramento,
Texas Hunter, Emory, lioeky, Trinity, Hill, Casev,
Yale.-"

It was observed by Douglas that the bars grew
richer in ascenchiig order, Hill Bar being the best,
and appearing to bear a resemblance to some of the
river bars of California. Discovered early in 1858*
by Hill, an American, it progressed so rai)idly that
ill September Douglas laid out a town here on the
system followed at Hope. Two months later, the bar
projier being worked out, the benches were resorted
to, and in 1859 a ditch was constructed at a cost of
twelve thousand dollars, which yiekled a monthly
profit of fifty per cent. This ground also declined,
ami the population was transferred to Yule.^

In June 1858, the miners were distributed between
Laiigley and the canon thirty or forty miles above
Yah', and advancing in successive stages to>"ard the
Forks, where it was known that the authors of the
Fraser excitement had been mining successfully dur-

' I>niif;las found 125 men at work here in September 1858, and doing fairly.
I'riivh r,i]>er>t, MS., i. lO.S; Tnttc/i'x Map qf B. C, 1871.

" J'l) tlie.se may bo niUted Camuron Bar, which w.i.t discovered hy ThomaH
SiKMu'i', a steamer striking the bar and revealing the gold to him. VouvU'x B. < '.
MiiKK, MS., 20-7. Waddington's list of bars is tlie most coniidute, as given
ill Viiiniin (Hazette, Sept. 1."), 18.")8. Douglas records a slmrtcr list at the same
time, in Prh-alv I'dju'is, MS., i. 104-5. Trutrh'n Map, 1S7I, locates Anieri-
I'iiii tirst, then Emory, and Texas Bar last and next to Yale. ConiimillW N.
El Dnriu/o, 285. O'iicilly, the gold commissioner in 1 SCO, mentions also Trafal-
Is'ir (iiiil French bars, and by Cornish Bar, below Hope, he places Prospect,
iiliu' Nose, and Huilsnn bars. B. C. I'apers, iv. 10. Several of the bars
Ciimicit be exactly located.

"It was here that tlie first discovery of gold upon the lower Fraser wa«
niiiilc, Kmory's and Union being found next, followed by Chapman's and Bos-
tun, iilxivo Yale. AlltiHK Ciirilloo, MS., 1-4. Waddington names Hill as
tlio riiiicst, then Emory, Texas, and Puget Sound; the jioorest as Fifty-four
I'lirty, Express, ami Yale. Virinria OiKette, Sept. 15, 18.58.

"SfHin every vestige of Hill liar was gone. ('oniii)aUi.i' y. El Dorado, 195;
Dowjkts' Private Papc, , MS,, scr. i. 103-4, 100; liowea Col. Empire, i. 131.

I t

• !

" !!i

;i.i!

I i

(

'il:

442

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

ing the winter and spring, till scarcity of supplies and
high water obliged thcin to retreat. By Oetuhor,
according to official estimates, a population of tun
thousand was distributed along the river. The num-
ber between Cornish Bar and Yale, in November,
was four thousand, Hope contained four hundred

I •

The Lower Mining Region.

more, and Yale thirteen hundred.^ In Hope district
an ounce a day was common wages, while some miiKTs
earned two or more ounces for weeks together; so
that most of those who had been engaged with rock-

"Doui/las, in B. C. Papers, ii. 20. Wadilington countetl early in Scji-
tembcr 800 rockers actually at work between Hope and Yale, ami doing
well. Virtoriu 'Jnzette, Sept. 15, 1858. .Smith, of Kent and Smith's express,
reported to tiie same paper, of Aug. 20th, that I'uget Sound Bar had 40 f '^ ktrs
and 120 men at work; Texas Bar, 8 companies, who were partly sluicing luui

SLUICES, DITCHES, AND FLUMES.

443

crs on these bars up to Yale, returned at the close of
the season of 1858, with from two to four thousand
dollars clear of expenses.

Toward Yale sluicing entered largely into mining
operations, and the yield rose as high as twenty -five
dollars a day to the man, although the general aver-
age was considerably lower. Occasionally rich strikes
were made, and created more or less wide-spread ex-
citement. In October 1858 the benches at Yale
developed some coarse gold, and the miners were with
difficulty restrained from digging away the town.'

Sluicing yielded about twice the return obtained
with rockers, but as this method involved considerable
])rcliminary and often costly labor, the wooden pail,
l)an, and rocker retained the favor of the majority.
j\fany places, particularly the benches and higher
ground, could not, however, be worked advantageously
without ditches, and these came into use quite early
in the season of 1858. Between Cornish Bar and
Hope alone there were thirteen ditches in operation
in November, and more in process of construction,'"
The yield of forty sluice-heads in April 1859 was six
thousand dollars a day, and the ditch company at Hill
Bar received five dollars a day from forty claims."

making $15 to $40 to the hand; Sacramento Bar, 15 rockers; Emory, 36
rockers, averaging $6 to $S to the hand; Hill, 100 rockers and 400 men,
avcnising 810; Yale, 9 companies, averaging $15 to $20 to the man.

"The consequence waa, however, that garden leases on the left bank
between Hill Bar and Yale were refused, and the ground held for mining.
Ihrnjlas' Private Papers, MS., ser. i. 105-G. In May miners here made an
(luncc and a half a day. Id., 90. Victoria Gazette, Sept. 15, 1858, classes the
^'iile diggings among tlie poorer. Five sluices here yielded in August $"25 a
(lay to tlio hand. Id., Aug. 24tli; and on Aug. 13th the 150 rockers yielded
I'l'.i ounces. 77 Aug. 25, 1858, Macjie's V. I., 240. At Cameron Bar nijieteeu
miners made each $75 a day for three weeks. VowilVa B. C. Mines, MS., 20-7;
( 'urmi-allis' N, Eldorado, 203-15. At Hill Bar the men were making from
ilJtO to $25 a day. D. C. Papers, iii. 9, etc. Ten claims, each with 20 feet
floatage, produced in June, July, August, and part of .September, $30,000.
Ihiuijlus' Private Paf^er.^, MS., i. 100. Kight of these companies were making
$1.') to §40 a day to the hand. Victoria Gazette, Aug. 20, 1858.

'" Some cabins erected in connection with one of these enterprises received
the name of Mariaville, after the steamer J/aria. Victor iaGasette, April 1 9, 1859.

" Four men sluiced out $4,000 in six days. DougUis, in U. C. Pajxrs, iii.
0. At Iludaon Bar, just below Cornish Bar, a Hume a mile in length was in
oi)cration in April 1859; and still further down the river was a wheel .'JO feet
in diameter, used in raising water for a sluice which paid live dollars a day to
tlic man. Victoria Gcaette, April 19, 28, 1859.

'4.

' I

414 FRASEH lUVEH MINING AND SETFLEMENT.

Ill the sprint; of 18G0, the Hope district was still
occupied l>y over two hundred miners, wlio were inak
iii<; an averaj^e of six dollars a day on old <;rouii(l.'"
Tliis rat* was approximately maintained for a Ioiil;
time, cliiefly by means of sluices, since the {ground all
alony: the river was in a sense inexhaustihle. '^I'lic
winter of lH7(')-7 was particularly favorahle for sluic-
ing;. The op(Tatit)ns were desultory, however, and
the field was left more open for Chinese and Indians,
who followed improved methods, and continued yiar
after year todi<; up the bars and enter into the henclit s.
Already in 18(jl two thousand Chinese were di»;gin_!^
around Yale."

Durinj; the first half of 1858, Lany^ley was rejjjardcd
as the head of steam navi«;ation, and consequently as
the centre of Fraser traffic, to which the Otter and tlic
Sea Bird were making regular trips from Victoria.
Deterred by the passage ratr of twenty dollars, canoes
ventured also to cross from Victoria and other points,'*
and proceeded up the Fraser direct to Hope and Yale,
while steamer passengers were often detained at J^aiig-
ley for want of boats. This inconvenience induced tlic
sto^amcr Surprise to try the current above, and on .luiie
4th she reached Hope without difficulty, transferrinn,'
by this coup the head of steanboat navigation to tin;
latter place. But this was o.^.y for a while, since tin;
feat of the Surprise was surpassed on July 21st, when

*'The official report for the spring gave Victoria Bar 40 men, earninj,' $.S
to S5 a (lay; I'uget .Souml, 50 men, §:< to $o a day; French, 15 men, §10 to
$12 a (lay; Trafalgar, 9 men, $5 to §7 a day; Mariaville, 10 men, §4 a il.i> ;
Union, 20 men, $4 to S5 a day; Cornish, 15 men, S.3 to $4 a day; Prospect, (i
men, $i a day; Blue Nose, 8 men, $4 a day; Hudson, 30 men, $8 to 5jlU a
day. £. C. Poper.^, iv. 10.

^'■'B. C. Payers, iv. 40. In 1865, the Chinese between Hope and V;ili'
were making %i to §5 a day. Murjir'n V. /., 240-1. A company of Indians
took out ill, 800 near 18 Mile Post in the spring of 1877; and some San Knin-
cisco capibilists applied for extensive terrace grounds opiiosite Yale. Jt'cfit.
Min. Miiie.% 1872, 40C-7.

'•On July 6, 1858, 50 boats with 400 miners left Victoria for the Fiuscr.
Victoria Onzelte, July 7, 1858. The following night there arose a gale w liicti
caused nmch fear tor their safety. A/., July 10th. On July 13th anotlior
fleet of 75 boats left V^ictoria. Id., July 14th.

rfc'i

RIVER navi(;ation.

445

tilt' Amorican bout I'matlUa sucroudcd in rca('irm<if
Vale, and made tliiH the sU'unuT torniinuH. Jn aii-
iinuncinif this triumnli, Doui^las int'ornu'd the colonial
otlicc that ho had liciinsed tw(> Anu'ricum vcsstls to
|»l\ on tho Frawer. Ho also claimed tlie merit on
iHJialt" of the Hudson's Hay Company of iiavinj^ laid
in lar;^e suppliers and tools tor the miners, and ot" sell-
\v.\f them at harely renmnerative piices; and yet, a
iiidiith later, the papers were eo!nj»lainin<^ of the mo-
nopoly in Fmser trade and navigation in the interest
of the Hudson's ]^ay Company.'"'

( anoes could readily come up to Yale near the falls,
hut iteyond this the difficulty and dani^er of the jou'-
lu V wi'i'c apj)allint(, even at low water. TIm; ohstai le
(■oii>iste(l in the lis of the lower canon, four miles
aliov.' Vale, and in those of the j^reat canon, eio;liteen
iiiilos helov. the F(»rks. The route by land aloni,' the
Kiiisi;r, from Yale to Quayon)e, aft»!rward Boston
liiu-, was a mere <.joat-track with inclines of thirty to
tliiity-six (U>ij^rees, and with yawninj;' j)recipiees."' So
loiiir as the miners had to carry everythinj.? on their
hack throu<fh these canons, partly for want of liorses,
miiiiiio- was necessarily retarded; for travellin<jf to
and fro with heavy loads was a severe task on
tii(r<j;y, time, and labor, and this was l)esi(les in-
terrupted by the snow and cold which set in with
])t'cend)er.

At Simzzum, six miles above the Fraser falls and ten
niilcs above Yale, an old horse-trail formerly reached
till' river from the Similkameen on the plateau, and
followed tho Kequeloose liiver for six miles. It had
been opened in 1847-8, but was abandoned Jis im-
practicable, chiefly on account of the break caused by
the falls. When the miners came into the field tho

i!ii;

r ; '.

'■'/?. C. Paf)fra, i. 23; Victoria Gazrtle, Sept. 2-4, ISSS; CoriivnUW K.
Kl horoilii, 170-4. 'i\\o Elite rjirine ami ^)/(iri'/ raiseil thu freij. ; ts in October
fiiiiM Victoria to Hope to iJOO a ton. Virtorin dtaetti', Oct. 1(5, \f>M.

"' J^ifUteiiant Mayne thiclaros it tliu ronjjhuHt trail lie ever travelled. B. C
Pnpirs, iii. 40. Justice Beghie, who went up this way in April 1859, anu
ruturued by Uarriauu Kivur, ruumrku ou thu ruughueiM. Id., 17-24.

:j , ! j.

446

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

route up the Fraser, first used by them, followed tlie
old Kequeloose horse-trail away from the river sonic
distance, and then descended along Anderson Rivor
to the Fraser at Boston Bar. From five to eitrht
days were usually expended between Langley and the
falls, and thence onward, according to the load.

Another route for which great advantages were
claimed was by the Whatcom and Smcss trail, con-
tinuing along the Fraser to Hope, and thence across
the mountains and along the plateau to Thonii)son
River, by which it was possible to reach the mines
above the canon independently of canoe navigation
and canons."

The achievement of the Umatilla decided the qms-
tion in favor of the more direct road along the wist
side of the Fraser, and the marches then on tlu;
Hope and plateau trails were transferred to it, wlirn
the part between Yale and Spuzzum was opened for
pack-trains in August 1858. At Spuzzum a bridge jiad
been constructed by Frank Way, and a mile above
he conducted the ferry which could carry ten loadrd
animals. Although the road was not yet quite cletir,
five hundred mules were on the way, and the first
train reached the Forks September lOth.^'* Pedes-
trians still preferred tlie foot-trail along the blufi's, and
in 1859 a ferry was established at Boston Bar, wliich
enabled them to pass by Spuzzum. This trail had
the disadvantage of being blocked by snow early in

"Some minors from ^V^latcom reached Hope by this trail ahout the tirst
of .Tuly; but they were reported as sorry-looking objects, tiieir clothes turn to
rags, and they were represented as 'cursing tiio Whatcom trail.' Thi' tirst
party to reach the forks of the Thompson by this route came in Auguxt 1 N'lH.
riiey were also represented as complaining of the route. But these rt'imrts
Ciime through the Victoria press, actuated by jealousy, perhaps, of a lival
and outside route. The partisans of the route declared that it was as easy m
it was direct. The trail had been cut for ten miles into the wood and tlicn
al)andoned. Biiyl<-ijx I'. /., MS., 42.

""Tlie trail to Spuzzum was opened by 50 volunteers. In SeptcniluT it
was opened to the ferry. The freight by the first train was 4().\ cents a poiunl
from Yale to the Forks. Viiinrin Gazelte, Sept. 1, 15, 1858. Many couM ill
afford this rate, and as tiio water fell they ventured to tow canoes tlninif,'li
tlu' caflons at the risk of life and property. Seven men were drowned while
Iiouglas was at Yale in October. li. C. Papers, ii, (i; WaddinijlGiia Fra.ier
Jitixi; 8,

ROUTES TO THE MINES.

447

llio winter, a difficulty averted by the opening in
Xuvc^mber of the Harrison-Lilloet road.

Another route to the upper country in 1858 was
tlio JMcLoughhn trial by way of Priest Rapids, fol-
lowed by the regular Oregon packers. It was more
direct than the Palmer branch, and ascended the
Siniilkameen to Red Earth Fork, whence it struck
across a divide to Nicola Valley, reaching the Thomp-
son at Nicaomeen, thirteen miles above its mouth.'"
The oldest travelled route on the plateau beyond this
was the brigade trail of the Hudson's Bay Company,
which connected at the Forks with the Hope-Spuzzum
trail, and passed northward by way of the Fountain.
It had been brought into use on the abandonment in
1847 of the Columl)ia River route.^" The land and
water route opened between Harrison River and Lil-
loL't by October 1858, became for a considerable time
tlie main line for traffic with the upper country. By
October 18G0, a new and easier road, practicable dur-
ing winter, was opened between Yale and Lytton, and
it needed only the Cariboo excitement to set in motion
tlio transformation of the trail into a wagon-road, the
cutting and blasting for which began at Yale in 18G2.
The road was gradually extended under different con-
tracts, and by 18G4 the era of freight-wagons had set
iii.'-^'

Above the little canon at Yale, mining was ]n'Osc-
<'uted to a considerable extent evi-n in 1858, notwith-
standing the dillicalty of transporting supjiliiis; and
Boston IJarand Lytton ro.se to be geographical points
of note. Boston Bar lay at the mouth of the An-

"/?. f. P<mn:i, i. 79-8;].

■" William llutcliiiij,'a of California, travelled l>y it in July 1858, on his way
frcim lldjio to tho Fouiitaia. In May tlio trapi.er Wol.o Inl 'M't Oregoiiiaii.-. to
tlii^ same place by the old Colvillo brigade trail. I'irforia (./iizcl/f, .luly 2",>,

KsriS.

-' Rc'plaoiiig thejiack-trains, wliich hadchargsil $1 to ,91. 50 a pound fniglit
ti) Caiilioo. Tho oiiiration.s on tho trail liacl boeu iimlcr the dirix'timi of
^ r::i';iiit Mcraiin; tluse Wc'"'Min(lor t'aiitaiii (Irant, K. ]•]. Fi)il(i>/«i»i\'< I'. /..
^I"^., (il; Victorki OiiZilti', Slay 5, .July 7, Sept. 10, 1S58; Ji. C. Dirvetonj,
1*07, 2o3.

i 1

' ■ ' t

''^:''

'■' '

448

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

r^f/' 'lit

.ii

i; '■

.11'

ill :i

li 1m 'i

dersori Iliver, midway between Yale and Lytton, and
was tlio representative camp of the uiinavi>^al)le poi-
tion of the canon. It was often referred to by its
Indian name of Anayome. Tlie buildings were pleas-
antly situated on a low flat, and a ferry connected witli
the rich island bar on the opposite side. Betwicii
Xale and Spuzzum, known also as Ranchcrfa, wei'o
named Wellington, Sailor, Pike, ^ladison, Steamboat.
Humbug, Surprise, Washington, and Kelly bars; and
between Spuzzum and Boston Bar, the ferry, Chetnian
or Chapman, Steamboat, Cross, and Nicaragua bars."
At all of these places mining was at first almost en-
tirely confined to the river-bed, and within six inclics
of the surface, so that the deposit did not last loni,'.
Similar strata exist(;d beneath, but they were not so
readily found, nor so accessible on account of tin;
water, combined with nmch barren ground, ^fost
claims yielded early in 1858 twelve dollars to tlio
man, but Sailor diggings were reported in Juno as
the richest, and averaging one ounce, though four
ounces were not uncommon."" Before the completion
of the nmle-trail above Yale, mining was necessarily
interrupted by intervening journeys for supplies, and
in Au'ii'ust the Indian campaign brought it to a stand-
still for a short time. In Xovember 1858, tin; popu-
lation of the district was three hundred, who carried
on their riiining throughout tlie winter, and made
good wag(>,-!, although the ground had fretpeiitly to
be thawed by fires. ^*

" ricrro M >(|uaii fif IIIU Bar had nl.ui a oioro five milos above Yalo, niiil
York k^it a lioaraiiy-hcm.so a short diiitaiico fri):ii the tciwii ia M:iy ri."iS.
Doiii/l(r'<' Pn'r Ic /'rjniv, MS., blt. i. 9 )-l. At tlic niiK'/nri'i were (i or S wi.-
waiiis wilii '2M IiKliiuia. Tho ferry wai one luiL' ami Cross Bar I) iiiiKsalicvo
it, ill tlie liij^ e;ifhi:i. Virtor'nt (•(K.rf/c, M:iy 5, lo,"iO.

'''■^ l)ciu^l IS lie.ir 1 in .lime 18."8 of 'A ii.eii Ikto who liail saved nearly Ooiiiums
a day to the li:i:id; 2 others had made 4 oiuicrs a day each with a rmki r.
I'ork, flour, and eollee soM at 81 a jumud. ])<i:i jLi.t'' I'limle J'njiris, MS., pit.
i. 92-."); Ji. ('. /'ii]ii-r.i, i. ];{. MeCaw pot TiO oiince.s from IndiaiiM, with iiuu'-
get-s of .$:i to C4 in wei ;ht. Ori'rlnndj'ri>niMiiim.-«>ta tn Frdnei; W. At Nu-
aragua Bir 5 nun showed §118 as a day's yidl. I'ktoria Gazdti:, May;"),
ISoit.

".?2.") a day. Virtoria GawHe, May .'), 7, IS.V.). In March 18.59, .*? men t^nk
out .^n»,()(HI. //. Two men eaine from r„i.-ito:i Bar in Ai)ril with GOO oiirhH
of <.iij,L, w.iohii 1 out dariiij thvj winder. 11. ('. J'lqur.i, iii. 0.

.'•1 .)

■■/'■I.

f:ll

ON THE THOMPSON.

440

Tho prevalent impression that the country at and
beyond tho confluence of the Thompson was rich and
contained coarser gold, had attracted many to Lytton
A party of miners returning from the Forks reached
Victoria in April 1858, and reported one hundred
and fifty men at work there, while as many more
wore on the way to the place."^ The mule-trail from
Yale not beiiig opened yet, the Forks were precari-
ously situated from want of supplies, and several
luinors returned to Yale empty-handed iu conse-
quence, though the diggings were believed to be rich.
The Hudson's Bay station at the Forks being the ob-
jective point of all those who advanced beyond Boston
Bar, and the depot for the miners who reached the
Forks, was itself so far reduced in June and July
1858, that the company's men were glad to avail them-
selves of berries for food, while the minors all alono; the
river above Boston Bar were reported to be acitually
starving.-' The transportation difficulty was over-
oonio in September, when the mule-trains and express
companies poured into the camps, and mining was
entered upon with spirit chiefly within a circuit of
six miles from Lytton. Before the close of the year
some of the high branches were prospected, and tbund
to yield coarse gold up to five-dollar lumps. In
Januarv 1859 a hundred men were digging around
Lvtroiijund averaijinsx eiijht dollars a dav. Favorable
reports were freely circulated by traders and others,
and early in 1859 the influx from the lower country
heuau on a large scale. By ^larch 24th it was re-
jiorted that three hundred boats, carrying an average
of Jive miners each, had passed Yale, and were trv-
in^- to work over the rapids during the low water. A
still larger number proceeded by land, so that upward
of three thousand persons had entered the Cascade
legion before the end of the month."'' Many of these

• Ihiiijlns, in ComiralUs' N. Eldorado, .'504.
'/'.«/, iu I'irtona Gaytte, Jxily 14, 18.')8; /?. C. Papem, in. m.
'" l'(,uij/(in, in li. C. Paperf, ii. (i'J! iii. 0; Victoria Gazette, Feb. ,'>, 1850.
Ilisi. Burr. Ooi.. 29

himM:,

,\i'

^ .'I'i.

n'r

.it.:«li

450

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SEITLEMENT.

remained round Lytton, which, in October 1858, had
already attained to fifty houses or tent-dwellings, and
promised to advance rapidly.

Determined to further its prospects, Douglas, in
September 18 GO, despatched a party to seek a routf
in the direction of Van Winkle Bar and Lilloot,
and granted twenty-five hundred dollars for opeiiini;
the road to Bonaparte lliver by way of Hat Creek.
His object was afterward attained in a more decisive
manner bv the construction of the wajjon-road alony;
the Thompson to Cache Creek, which branclied to
Cariboo, and connnanded the entire area between
Kamloop and Okanagan Lake. In September ISfiO,
Douglas found two hundred white and five hundred
Chinese miners in Lytton district, yielding a liecnsi'
revenue of four thousand dollars. In 18G4 several
companies were still taking out considerable sums
from the river-bed at Kanaka Creek, twelve miles
below Lytton, and at other points, the dirt being'
secv.red while accessible, and washed afterwards."''

We have now ascended the Fraser to the borders
of the region referred to by Douglas, in his despatches
at the beginning of the gold excitement in British
Columbia, as the Couteau mining country."' At
Lyttcm tlie Fraser receives the waters of the Thomp-
son, a large river, which after draining the soutlu^'n
sides of some of the Cariboo parallels of the litxky
Mountains, traverses the northern plateau, containing
the earliest found placers in the Fraser River basin.
Here the stream of prospectors pressing inland in
the spring of 1858 divided; but owing to the lar<i;er
extent of the river bars, and profitable ground on the
Fraser, the great majority c(«itinued up the main
artery. In April 1858, both bank and river mining
were in progress between the forks of the Thoni])S()n
and the Fountain, and miners were reported to be

'" At Dog Crock snnif! miners claimed that they could take out SS.'iO a ilay
each. Wei-kli/ Colonial, Jamuiry 10, l:)l"<5. Dmijlofi' Prhiile J'lijM-rH, MS., I -"--■'■

" Couteau, ii knife. In tlio earliest mining on the Thompson crovicini; mm
do:;e with iaiivua.

ml t' .

FOSTER AND OTHER BARS.

461

malving from eight to one hundred dollars a day, the
average being from nine to ten dollars.^

By November the number of those engaged in
11 ing between this point and the Fountain had
p;reatly increased." Mormon Bar, Spindulen Flat,
Cameron Bar, McGoffey Dry-diggings, Foster Bar,
Willow Bank, and the great falls were localities in
order between the Forks and Cayoosh, afterward
known as Lilloet, at the junction of the Harrison
River route with the Fraser. Robinson's Bar and
French Bar were between Lilloet and Bridge River,
and a few miles above that were upper Mormon Bar
and the Fountain, the limit of extensive or profitable
mining in 1858. Wing-damming was tried at Mormon
Bar, and succeeded well, even after the bed had been
worked for some time. Ditches were also introduced
at several bars with success, particularly at McGof-
fey Dry-diggings, where the benches were reported
very rich. Lumps were obtained here weighing from
fifty cents to twelve dollars, and at the falls coarse
gold was found in considerable quantity up to six-
ounce pieces

'" London Times, cor. from San Francisco, May 19th, quoted in Overland
from Minnesota to Fraser River, 39. A miner who arrived at Victoria on May
8tli from these diggings, estimated the total number of miners on the Fraser
at 1,()00.

" Three thousand. Douglas^ Despatch, Nov. 9, 1858, in B. C. Papers, ii. 29.

'^ At Mormon Bar, five and a half miles above the Thompson forks, Com-
missioner O. Travaillot reported in July 1858, that a single rocker obtained in
eiglit (lays $830 from the bed of the river, another $800 in twelve days, and
a tliii-a $_'48 in five days. B. C. Papers, i. 19. During the winter of 1858-P
two little wing-dan)9 were constructed, from which several parties took out
S4,()00. In May 1' f *h.f, p-.me parties dug a diceh to wash the bank. Curioso,
Boston Bar, May .r., Victoria Gazctic, May 17, 1859. Spindulen flat, fif-

teen miles above tut Thon.pson forks, and named after an old chief, averaged
from §8 to $!0 a day to the man in May 1859. A small water supply v/aa
obtiiincd from a little stream, Victoria Claz/tte, May 7, 1859. Cameron Bar,
ten miles below Foster Bar, paid well with rockers in 1858. Earh' m tho
spriii!,' of 1859 a company of eleven men brought in at great expeDjC a ditch
upon a flat opposite the bar, half a mile long by thren hundred yards wide,
V licie it was necessary to sluice off ten feet of surface ground before the pay
ilirt was reached. Foster Bar cor.. May 5th, Victoria Gazette, May 17, 1859.
At McCJoft'ey Dry-diggings, three miles above Cameron, and seven miles below
Foster Bar, was a wide flat overlooking a cafion, on which McGofTey and Com-
pany liad sluices, and w^re washing off six feet of surface dirt to reach the pay
Btratmn. This was said to be rich, and tho company were reputed to bo taking
out fortunes. At the great falls the Indians, in May 1858, were said to be

452

FRASER RIVER MINIXG AND SETTLEMENT.

Foster Bar was one of" the earliest and best known
localities. Here Cornwallis and his party in July

1858 washed out with rockers, in six hours, from
three to five ounces of gold each; and the Indians
at the same time were carrying in skin pouches from
$100 to $500 worth of gold-dust. In May 18G5 there
were still some sixty miners at this place, working
chiefly with rockers, and making from $3 to §8 a day,
while a sluice company was averaging $8 to the num.
This bar was noted for the only case of open resistance
to the authorities that took place during the whole of
the Fraser excitement in 1858. A man named D.
Brown beinjj charged with some criminal oft'onco,
jour of the miners posted themselves in a log-house
and undertook to defend their companion against
arrest, A severe fight ensued, in which Brown was
shot, and the party was forced to surrender.*'

Some distance above Foster Bar lay the Indian
village of Cayoosh, where miners had been occupied
lonii before the Harrison River route transformed the
place into the trading town of Lilloet, which by ^lay

1859 boasted of several houses and a number of tent-
buildings. With the opening of this route mining
sprung up at several points along its course, for the
loam on Lilloet River covered a bed of clay whicli
was associated with placers; while quartz veins cropped
out along the banks of Lilloet Lake, and extended
throuorh the entire ridge to the Fraser ut Lvtton.
The yield on Lilloet River was not very alluring, how-
ever, and varied in March 1859 from $2 to $4 with

digging out great quantities of gold with the simplest of all imploinciits—
niciu sticks. IT. ( '. Johnson's Statcvicnt, in Douglas' Privnte PaprvK, MS., i. 90.
Tliii'ty miners from tlio great falls returned for provisions to Yale in .May
ISJS.'and reported to Governor Douglas that they had been maUin;,' Iroiu
$10 to $30 a day in coarse gold. Dowjlas' Despatch, June 10, ISiiS, in />'. e.
Paper-*, i. 14. At the Willow Bank, a locality near the falls, Coni\v;illis'
party, in July, found in the gravel of the river-bt;d half a dozen ini^gct:!
weigliing from four to nix ounces. Cornwallis' N. El Dorado, 20.')-215.

»' Douglas' Despatch, Dec. 24, IS.JS, in B. C. Papers, ii. 40. A miner
pursued hence a partner whom he accused of absconding with t!;'' j"i^:;t
savings, lie found and shot the man at the mouth of the Fraser, in May l^.JS,
and thereupon escaped across the boundary, but was airestcd at \VhatLUiii
Co->^iU!ains' N. Eldoruilo, 203-15; Victoria Gazette, May 17, 1859.

l!i ,U >M

Jrowii was

LILLOKT AND VICINITY.

453

the rocker, and $5 to $8 Avilh tlio sluice. These
rates were still ohtainable in 18G7, when sluicing was
carried on by several parties."''*

Some of tlie most successful mining operations on
tlie Fraser from June 1858, and tlirougliout 1859, were
witnessed between the great falls and the Fountain,
iii(lu(lln!jf the Bridge liiver, which entered the Fraser
a little above Lilloet. At Kobinson Bar, near Lilloet,
u'liuit one hundred miners were engaged in June 1858,
i:i;iking from $80 to $90 a day each during the first
f uir or five days, after which the yield fell to $5 or $0."''^

At French Bar, close above Lilloet, the j)rospects
justified tlie construction of two ditches, each a mile in
1; iigth, whieli were worked in the beginning of 1859
liy a dozen miners. Their receipts in May were from
('i.;lit dollars to twelve dollars, while rockers made
iihdut half of this amount to the man. Here a ferry
crossed the Fraser to Fort Behrens, and connected
will I a trail to the Fountain.^'^ Bridge Kiver, so named
from the bridges constructed by Indians as well as
wliite men, became popular in 1858 from the discovery
(if some coarse <.*'old, not exceedincf one and a half ounces
in si/c; but it was soon found that the chief yield was
scale gold, which required great care and nmch quick-
silver. The river was prospected to the Cascade Moun-
tains, wing-d.immed, fiumed, and mined in the bed as
Well as in the bank; and although the diggings were
shallow, the prospect, as reported by Bishop Hill and
otliers, was so encourairino; that the faith in their pro-
(luctiveness became abiding. Nugent estimated that
it possessed suitable placers for fifteen hundred miners.
A little town was founded here bv Fraser and Davis,

' 1

{.
i
I

■I;-,-

; Ij:.

m I

•' V'l

th^i

'" y. WeHniirintcr E.rainhm; July G, 1807; Pniiijlan' Priwie Papers, MS.,
i. '.IS ;•; B. V. /'(i)in:i, ii. 07.

•" llutcliiiigs, ill Victoria Ginilte, July 20, 1858. Cornwallis records tliiit
w!iiii lio roached this point in July 1858, auotliur party had alivady diverged
iii:iny iriiles in the direction of the coast iiiountaius toward the south-west,
wiii'ie it was reported they had found good diggings. N. El Dorndo, 203-15.
Kt:i Tciico was hero made prohahly to Cayoosli River and Anderson Lake.
At iloise Beef Bir, three miles lielow French Bar, miners -were digging out
111 l';Kniary 185!) from $'2 to $0 a day.

•''' l.iuutenant Paluier, in B. C Papers, iii. 47.

i. i

454

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

SJil

hi'

which in May 1859 contained so von business houses
and several tents.'^

Impressed with the common belief that richer placers
might be found farther up the river, the government
fitted out a prospecting expedition under Andrew J.
Jamieson, which started from Lilloet August 7th, and
asscendod the south fork of Bridge River for seventy
miles above its junction with the main stream. Hero
was found a slate nmch resembling that of Williams
Creek in Cariboo, with stream placers.

The pay dirt was from three to five feet deep, and
resembled the deposits of so many other places already
described in not >ccurring on the bed-rock. Quaitz
veins and indications of silver were found everywhere,
and on Gun Creek, a tributary of Bridge River, fifty
miles by the trail from Lilloet, fine gold placers were
discovered, yielding from six to fifteen dollars a day.
One feature of the entire region was the abundance
of black sand in the bed of the river. A map of tlie
country explored was made, and exhibited at Victoria.'^*

The Chinese formed a large portion of the iniiux
to the new field, and soon became the chief holders
of claims, carrying on quite extensive dam operations.
One of their wing-dam claims yielded in 18GG $55,000
to a party of twelve. Ten years later the Indians
were in almost exclusive possession, and still securing
fair returns.^"

The Fountain, or Fountains, a few miles above
Bridge River, at the mouth of Fountain Creek, ou
the left bank of the Fraser, was so named l\y tiie

" It stood a few hundred feet from the mouth of the river, wliere this
firm had replaced the Iiulian bridge by a 40-foot toll-bridge, costing cl,4.')0.
Nuijcnt'a Report, in U. S. Ex. Doc, 111, Soth Cong., iid Ses.i.; Vicl07-ia Go'jlk,
May 28, 1859; B. C. Pajiers, in. 35.

»» Victoria Colonist, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24, 18C5.

'• Brown's Ensai/, 35. The Chinese had costly iluming works thirteen miles
above Lilloet, on Bridge River, in Nov. 1805. Victorid Coioni.it, Nov. "JH,
1805. 'Nodules of pi re copper ' (copper pyrites) were found in the bed oi tlio
stream. RawliwjH Con/edenttion, 117; N. Wi'xtinimter Coliimhiim; i'i'i'n'fd
Colonixt, April 7, 18GC. A family of Indiana took out in March 1870 .S1.">W
ten miles below Lilloet. Min. Mines liept., 1876, 423. One of tlie largest
nuggets found in tlie Fraser country, S.TO in weight, was obtained ou tliis
river in January 1859. Victoria. GaeeUe, Feb. 8, 1859.

ss housos

ler placers
ivcrniiient
Liidrow J.
t 7th, and
ir soventy
a. Hero
WilliauiH

deep, and
js ali'oady
Quartz
irywliere,
iver, fifty
cers Nvero
irs a (lay.
bundance
ap of the
l^ictoria.'^
lie influx
f holders
lerations.
$55,000
Indians

securnig

OS above

reek, on

1 by tlie

-, when; tliis
iting .?1,4.')0.
'toria Oiizdli',

liirteeii miles
ist, Nov, L'S,
he beil of the

an: I '/'■/•"■'«

i87GSi,:ia)

the l;ir::i.'st
iued on tliis

wiw

THE FOUNTAIN.

48f

Fniich Canadians on account of some natural fea-
tures of the vicinity. It was the ultimate camp of
the mining emigration of 1858, and had in 1859
liecome a village of half a dozen log-huts and two or
three large stores scattered over the lower of two
vast terraces that swept around the base of the moun-
tain behind.*" Its mining consisted in 1858 of dry-
di.H'gings, thirty yards from the bed of the river,
which yielded remarkably well." The auriferous de-
])()sit came evidently from the hills, for a party of
ei;4ht j)ersous averaged two ounces a day to the hand
\vith rockers, thirty feet above the highest water level
in the river, and finding the ground rich from the
level of the stream to an altitude of eight or nine
liundred feet, they threw up a ditch seven miles in
length, which was completed before the coming of
frost in the autumn of 1858. In the first five days'
washing, before they were interrupted by the frost,
the company took out of the sluices (mo thousand one
hundred and ninety-eight dollars."

In 1876 the placers were still yielding a little gold,
and the sixty Chinese then engaged on the river banks
were making about two dollars and a half a day. One
of thorn ha(J just constructed a ten-mile ditch from
the Fountain Creek, one third flumed, at a cost of
fourteen thousand dollars, and was delivering five
hundred inches of water along the left bank of the
Fraser.*^ Above the Fountain on the Fraser were
Day Bar, Haskell Bar, Big Bar, and Island Bar in the
Canoe country, and British Bar and Ferguson Bar, ex-

^'lifijlne, in B. C. Papers, iii. 17-24; Alayne, in Id., 35.

"l)oughis mentions in his despatch of July 1, 1858, that five different
r()ili( rs were each averaging at this place S47 a day. Ji. C I'nyertt, i. 19.

*- Walter Moberly, who visited this ground in the winter of 1858-9, was
of the opinion that tlie river gold, at tlie Fountain in particular, was ruaty,
aiMJ came primarily from the hills and mountains, then from tlie terraces and
hliitlrt in slides, an<l did not travel far. MolKilifti Journey, in Victnrin Oazel/i',
Vfli. 17, 1859. Opposite the Fountain, on the right bank of the Fraser, was
til'' upper Mormon Rir, where rockers in May 1859 were saving from $4 to
$1- ti) tlio man, and sluices, ft^lG to $25. B. C Pajwrn, iii. 48-75.

' ' The season for liydraulic luiniug lasted from March to November, ilin.
MinaJUpt., 1870,422.

iir:

I I

[ •

450

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

',<; .''.

tending for over one hundred and fifty miles to the
mouth of Qucsncl River and into the Canoe count iv,
and forming the stepping-stones to Cariboo. Tlie
Canoe country so designated from Canoe Crock, in
51° 30', is described as beginning fifty miles above tlie
Fountain, and extending indefinitely to the north, over
the undulating plateau, through which the Fraser cuts
a deep channel."

In 1858 this region was scarcely touched except by
prospectors. In May and Juno 1858, Aaron Post, a
miner from El Dorad ; County, California, pcnetrutod
alone to near Chilkotcn Ilivx>r, one hundred and sixty
miles above the mouth of the Thompson, prospectinj^'
on every bar, and finding plenty of gold. His pro-
visions giving out ho had recourse to berries, and
occasionally to horse-flesh, obtained from the Indians,
though he reported them as generally hostile.'" Sev-
eral prospectors followed in the footsteps of Post, and
although none were able to remain for want of provi-
sions, yet all brought gold and good reports. The
opening/ of the southern roads brought to this region
a fresh niflux of permanent diggers, who made from
five to sixteen dollars with rockers on the various bars,
with occasional rich discoveries. It was not rare to
find places above high water which yielded better
than those below it, but the bars remained the chief
resort during 1859 and 18G0. At Island Bar, so
named from the island formed here at high water,
were several parties who in December 1858 had each
from eight hundred to three thousand dollars' wortli
of dust, yet this autumn had proved a hard time, for
want of supplies, and numbers had been compelled to
depart."

** The origin of the name Canoe Creek is thus accounted for by A. C
Anderson, in 1807 Simon Fraser of the Northwest Company, after dcsicml-
ing the FrasfT to this place, here cached liia canoe and travelled on font to
the upper Toot village, on the site of Fort Yale. His Canadian voyii^'.nrs
in referring to the caclic called the village there Le (,'anot, and the strcuiii L'l
Rivivre dii Canot. Vklor'm Gazette, Feb. 1, 18o9.

*^ PokI's iSttitcment, in Victoria Gazette. July 14, ISoS.

*°At Day Bar, two miles above the Fountain, worked by Captain Day
and four others in the winter of 1858-9, the pay averaged from ^ to jflU to

QUKSNKL RIVKR

487

— ^

'■>'

Ics to the
c couutiv,
)oo. The
Crook, in
abovo tlic
ortli, over
rascr cuts

cxcopt hy
)ii Post, a
icnotratc'd
and sixty
■ospoctiiig
His pro-
rrios, and
Indians,

Suv-

Post, and

of provi-

rts. The

bis roLfion

lado Ironi

ious bars,

)t rare to

cd better

tho chief

Bar, so

jh water,

had each

,rs' worth

time, fur

ipclled to

for by A. C.
iter ilcsL'ciul-
[cd on foot to
m voyii'^'ciirs
lie stream L'l

Captain Day

1 5p8 to $10 to

Tlio bars abovo Alexan(b"ia, as far as the mouth of
the Qucsiu'l, and also tli<»so of Quosncl ]liver, were
tiist occupied ill tho spring; of 18;j[) by the ndvanciii;^
jirnsj lectors, wlio waiKlcrcd restlessly from bar to bar,
iDokiiiLj further all tho wliilo for coarser <j^ol(l and more
ot' it. As early as May 1859, rumors bc-jL,^aii to reach
l)iid^,e ]\iver of rich discovori(;s in this direction;
vauuo as tli(>y were, they travelled fast, and attracted
ciiouyh attention to induce many persons who were
arriving at Pridgc lliver cti route for tho lower
Kraser to hesitate and turn back.*'

Late in tho season of 1859 definite reports came
that the search for gold had proved successful on tho
(^)u(;snel; and in 18(j0, by the time the ])ionoers of
the column reached Antler Crook, six hundred white
miners were said to be eiigagt^d on this river, making
t'loni ten to twenty-five dollars i)er day, and occasion-
ally turning up nuggets weighing from six to eight
nnnces. Simultaneously with those developments, sev-
eral bars abovo Alexandria ^.ero brought into promi-
nene(>, and iiiininLT advanced so rapidly that this very
viar a gold commissioner was appointed, who stationed
himsulf at Williams Lake.

At British ]^ar, about fifty miles abovo Alexandria,
tlie vield was so ])roniisiiig as to induce six Cornish-
men, in November I8(j0, to ()j)on a ditch five miles m
length. At Ferguson Bar, three miles higher, sixty
dollars to tho man were made for some tim(>, and tho
sand overlying the pay streak was found sufficiently
rifli to justify the construction of a four-mile ditch,
at a cost of $12,000. This region continued for years

llic iniiii, and was better above high-water mark than below; the largest
jiiice of (.'old taken out weighing eight dollars. Vir/nrin lltivtto, Feb. 17,
1V)1I. Lieutenant I'alnior states that in May 1S59 roukcrs here were aver-
a.'iiii; from !>8 to iVi. li. <'. /'ujurt, iii. 47. Ha-skell Bar, eighteen miles
aliiivc tlie Fountain, yielded from $(> to Sl'2 with roekirs, and f\C> to -S^O at
.sliucini,'; and ]lig IJar yielded at the same time from ST) to !:i) witli rockers. A/.
*' Viftorid ditzctfc. May 28, lS,"i',). 'C'urioso,' my authoritj' in tiiis instanee,
"c iillis in his own mind the points in favor of going to these new diggings,
liciiig .satislii'd apiiarently that 'some few ehiiins ' might be rich; but lie de-
soriln's tlie route as mueh more dillieult an<l daligerous than any so far experi-
lii ■'•!, wli!le the country wis fto far removed from the base of supplies as to
riiiikr tliu ve.iture e.\tremely huzuruous.

i ! 1'

■ »■

S!:

i >

if i

458

FKASF.U UIVKR MINING AND SK'ITLEMENT.

r m\ :

I )

to give cinpioynient to miners, and occasional rich
strikes served to keep up tlio interest of probpectt)rs.**

Thompson River, the principal tributary of the
Fraser, and the first to disclose its auriferous ground
after the announcement of the discovta'ies on tlio
Columbia, had a comparatively insignificant miniiitf
record after 1858. Early in the Fraser i-xcitenuiit
the small nuggets at Nicoutameen, ten miles from tliu
mouth, attracted nmch attention; but the supply a[i-
pcars to have been soon exhausted.

The whole course of the stream lay in a gold-bear-
ing formation, but the yield never equalled that of the
Fraser, nor was the mining population ever extensive,
and the towns of Cache Creek, Kamloop, and Sry-
mour grew up rather as transportation depots than u.s
mining villages.*" In 1858, Wanquille River, on tlic
north shore of Kandoop Lake, was prospected for
some forty miles, and found to promise from five to
six dollars to the man with sluices. Mining luio
attained a greater degree of permanency than tlsc-
where along the Thompson, and cradling and hill-
digging were for several more years carried on l)y
wliites, Chinese, or Indians. The discovery of coaise
gold in pieces up to three quarters of an ounce in
weight, and of a layer of pay dirt three or four fict
in thickness, above the level of the river-bed, causrd
an increased activity in 18G1, with a larger yield.""
Several other parts of the Thompson, though less pcr-

*" Black water trilmtai 45 miles from Quesnel, created a brief excitoimiit
in 1870. Vicloria Colonist, ly 20, 1870; B. C. Papers, iv. 41; Mitrjie'.i ( . /.,
243-i.

*' VIrt.oriii Gitzrtte, Jan. '~ ^8r)9; Oiicrlawl from Minnenotn, .SO.

^•The l'hiiic!se were avers, ig $7.15 each in June 1801. Brnini's /><"//.
34. In 1807 forty men were a w'ork here, many of whom settled down ami
cultivated gardens. Coarse go. was the chief attraction, but preparatii'iis
were made to work tile hill-dij ings. N. WeKtminiitvr Examhier, July 10,
Aug. 3, lSo7. Later still the milling population consisted of about 50 ( liiiii-
men, who were reported as taking out half an ounce to the man near ilu'
mouth of the river. Dawson on Milieu 40. In 1870 there were 20 ChiiiesL'
miners with claims, yielding $7,000 for the season. In 1877 only a ilnzeii
remained, earning $3,500 fur the season. Alin. Alines Reyt., 1870, 1877; H- ('•
Paiiers, iv. 55.

fT.

(ional rich
J!spoctt)r.s."

ry of the
us jj^rouiid

s oil tho
lit miiiiiitf

xciteiiunt
« from tht;
supply up-

prol(l-l)(vir-
:liat of tlio
extensive,
and St'v-
)ts tliaii MS
'er, on tlic
pected for
)m five to
ninof lici'o
than vUv-
: and liill-
ied on hy
'i of coiU'.se
I ounce ill
r four feet
ed, caused
:er yield.'"
Ii less pcr-

•ief excitt'iiitiit
Miiijit'n v. /.,

tlud down ami
t prepaiHtii'iis
iner, July 10,
jout 50 ( liilia-
niaii m'iir the
ire 20 C'liiMc:<t'
7 oiilv a (ici/eii
Ij, ISll; Jl. ('.

THE UPPER COUNTRY.

manent, yielded good returns. At one place five men
wore in 1859 making nearly throe hundred dollars
a day with the aluico, while others obtained ten to
twelve dollars with rockers. In September 18G0,
two hundred Chinese were digging near the mouth
of the river, and in the autumn of 18G1, one hundred
iuid fifty minors were reported at work not far irom
Wanquille River, making sixteen dollars a Jay."

^Lilt'tt L,

The Upper Gold Districts.

The deposits on the north branch of the Thompson
came first into notice in 18G1, when a tributary from
tlu' east, twenty miles above its mouth, was mined to a
.small extent and yielded eight to ten dollars a day. At
the same time the Indians found coarse gold above the
junction of the Clearwater, and on the Barriero Riv-
er a community of French Canadians was making as

" /)oHj//a«' Private Papers, MS., i. l'2ii-,3; liawlings' Confederation, 110;
B- '-'. Pupern, iii. 50. Seven miners on Luke ICainloop were iu 1804 earn-
ing i^lO a Jay. Macjie's V. I., 243.

ill'

3H^

h'' '

4G0

FRASER RIVER MINIXO AND SETTLEMENT.

much as fifty dollars a day.''' In that crock rich quartz
and alluvial diggings were reported in the summer of
18G9, and regarded as a rediscovery of the spotwhero
a Swiss miner ten years before claimed to have found
some ledges.^^ Besides these localities, Moberly
Creek, Adams River, Shushwap River, and Cheiry
Creek received considerable attention during the Big
Bend and upper Columbia excitements, between
18G4 and 18G7. In 18G4 Factor McKay brouglit the
news to Victoria, that all along the Shush wa[) and its
tributaries four to five dollars a day could be made with
the rocker. This pay was also obtained on the Cheriy
Creek tributary, better known for its silver ledges.
In 18G9 a quartz-miner from Nevada opened tlic
Cherry Creek silver-mine, without making any very
substantial developments; and in 187G the company
of I. Christian was working an eight-foot vein whitli
yielded one thousand five hundred dollars in a month
and a half, while at the same time Bissctt discovered
a ledge of gold and silver ore, five feet in thi(dvnes.s, on
the north branch of the Cherry. The following year
new placers of coarse gold were found on a high
bench further up the creek, yielding twenty-five cents
to the pan, so that between quartz and placer dc-
})osits, Cherry Creek continued to stand high among
mining localities.'^

]\Ioberly Creek, on the upper Thompson, was
brought into notice at the commencement of the IJig
Bend excitement, by W. Moberly and Mountaineer
Perry, who examined it in 18G5, and gave a good
report. On Adams Lake, and Adams Creek, ex-
tending into Shushwap Lake, there was found in July

'" Factor McKay of Kamloop reported in 1864, that seven or eight niilca
from there some Canadians were making §40 a day. Victoria W'leUi/ ( 'clonU,
March 29, 18G4; llawUiKjn' C'ovJ'ederation, 115-10; Map, in li. U. Papers, iv.
S4.

^•'Tlie Sx.iss died, saya tlie record, without making them known. Vidurin
Weekly Cohmht, July 31, 1809.

''The Cliiuese were making from ?4 to $10 in 1870. Virtoria Daily Coif-
flint, Nov. 10, 1870; May 18, 1877. Victoria Wiieldy Colonint, March 29, iMl-J;
July '24, 1809.

■ "^ '^ s V

CHARACTER OF DEPOSITS.

4Cl

nown. Victurki

18(50 a bed of gravel eijjjlit feet in thickness, yielding
from three and a half to ff)ur dollars a day." The
Tlionipson liiver bars continued on the whole to yield
steadilv throughout the decade of 1800-70, and Talic-
sen, Evans, and others estimated the annual product
at from twenty thousand to thirty thousand dollars."'"

Throughout the Eraser and Thompson placer dis-
tricts tlie o})erations upon the bars led into the banks;
and these on tlie Eraser and its tributaries consisted
of benches rising in successive levels beliind each
otlier to great altitudes. At first, all the remunera-
tive gravel-beds a little above the level of the river
were called dry-diggings, a classification wliich im-
plied that the earth had either to be carried to the
river to be washed, or that water had to bo carried to
tlie ground in ditciies. This class of diggings did not
receive much attention until the deposits accessible
l)y the natural sluice-waj^s of the country were nearly
exhausted ; yet the line of demarcation between bench,
bank, and river-flat diggings, where sluicing was car-
ried on, was scarcely perceptible, as the river occa-
.sionally rose above them all. The term 'dry-diggings'
oanu! to be applied a+'ter a while more particularly to
tlie higher ground, as eijuivalent to bench-diggings,
wliich were never touched by the flood-waters, and, in
slioit, to the terraces of the Eraser. The terrace de-
jiosits of the norfliern platt'uu covered many thousand
s(inare miles of territorv, following not onlv the river
valhys, but extending far back over the plains, and
flanking the mountain )'anges of the interior; and
tliey consisted of the more or less rich gravel and
sand so eagerly sought for by tlie river, i)lacer, and hy-

"'I'liis was underlaid li." a solid Mur coiuciit, said to rosciiililo deposits on
Wiliiains Creek. From ten feet down tiie eenient eontailie<l jilnity of ijuai'tz,
wa-lii'd gravel i)()wlders, sidpliurets of iron, and lilaek sand, witli every indi-
latiiin of fjooil jilaeev ground. Fifteen miles lielow tliia, seven Freruhnnii
Wire engaged at sliiieiiig ill the Biunmur of ISOO. ' IJ. D.,' in Victoria Waklij
i'i<l,:i,i.it,, Sejit. 18, ISliO.

■"Oifrl'iiiil Moiillih/, March 1S70, 202; Yiilr Examiner; Vir/nria Wcrkly
i-Uniid, April 2-1, 180'j.

i M

If'- \

■ft; i ; i

: 11

•^- k

■ i i

P I' :

■m.

462

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

draulic miners. It waa not long before the intelligent
miner became aware that the river diggings must
soon yield to these extensive terrace and lake-sliore
deposits, for the bar formations were different from
tliose of California streams; they were recent, made
wince the formation of the bars, while the bed-rock
contained nothing of value. Bright prophecies were
indulged in touching the yield of the higher bcnclies;
but the change was, on the wliolc, not to the taste of
the diggers, and terrace operations form so small a
portion of mining on the middle and lower Frastr,
that in omitting the narration concerning them the
incompleteness of the record is scarcely observed. Yet
there is in reality no subject more vital to the miniiiif
history of these districts.

The gold of the river bars consisted of fine flat
scales, conmiinuted by long-continued hammerins,'
between bowlders during its transport from the origi-
nal sources. All the gold found below Yale Mas so
fine that even with the use of blankets in the roekers
there was a loss of about half, and with the use of
amalgamated copper plates and quicksilver there was
still a considerable loss.^' The abundance of this-
fine gold in the river-beds of the great Colum])ia and
Fraser was not unjustly regarded l)y tlic Californians.
when the discovery was first announced to them in
1858, as evidence of untold wealth in these river
valleys.

Ninety per cent of the gold extracted during the
first year of mining in the Fraser basin was fine gold,
which had been distributed by river, lake, and ice
agencies, and finally concentrated at different points.
Moberly'.s observations at the Fountain traced tlie
deposits from the dry -diggings into the higher ter-
races, and a number of transient geologists, tnivellcis,
engineers, and scientific explorers have followed simi-
lar investigations, the principal of them being atlacli''-"
of the army and navy, stationed for a time at tlie

*' Waddington'n Fraser Mines, 41.

;^i^!.:fWl

■h I

If'A.

■ i .

~m\

i :

VARIATIONS ACCORDING TO LOCALITY.

468

colony ;^^ but the results were detached and incom-
plete, and before the beginning of the geological
survey no systematic attention was given to the sub-
ject. The mining operations simply proved the fal-
lacy of the Caliibrnian idea that the river itself had
carried the gold from some extensive placer basin a
long distance above, and the terrace or lake detritus
completely baffled the pursuit of its sources.

While the fine gold could be found along the Frascr
from its sources to the sea, the coarse gold, indicating
tiR! origin of the particular fine gold on the middle
and western plateau, coincided in its distribution with
the slaty rocks of the Anderson River and Boston
Bar series, recurring in spots of undefined area along
tlie principal streams^^ Beyond the region of the
ancient plateau, lake, or lakes, described by Begbie
and Selwyn, far up in the slaty mountains of Cariboo,
coarse gold was finally found in quantity within the
reach of practicable mining operations — in the beds
of the ancient streams, meandering beneath the
bowlder clays and the ice-marked gravels of the
modern river-channels. It has been asserted that
the auriferous sections of California and of the Fraser
do not bear any resemblance to each other; but on
Lilloet Lake the eye readily detects many of the
cluiractoristics of the California gold-regions.^'^ In fol-

'^ Doctors Forbes, Brown, anil Rattray, Lieutenant Mayne of the navy,
ami Lieutenant I'ahner of the army, made ofiieial reiiorts. Do fJroot, lii%-
liii', Harnett, Sproat, and in fact nearly all the writers on British Columbia,
timdieil i)aragraphically on the subject.

" l)(iirMiH on J///(f.<, 39. Scale and Hour gold were found along the whole
course of tlic Fraser without regard to the formations over which the river
liusscil. Coarse gold was found besides at ttic localities of Nicoutanieen, (Jreat
Falls, Hridgo River, etc., alreaily mentioned, also at Sitka Flat, near Lyttoii,
ami Iroiii that point down to Boston Bar. Id., l(i. Begbie and Selwyn in the: •
repnrtii both noted the occurrence of slates along this portion of Fraser River.

'"■ '< 'iirioso, 'an intelligent and experienced Californian, who witiiesHe<l and
iloscrili'^d in a aeries of letters the mining in progress between Yale and the
limiitaln in IS.IS-'J, stated, in summing up, that the tine Hat scales found in
tln' river were 'precisely similar to those found in nearly every i)art of the earth
wiislicil liundrcds of feet above the present bed of the river,' in from one to
lifty I iilors to the pan. 'This,' says the correspondent, ' sustains the theory
tliat the bars are the results of heavy landslides, the lighter soil of which ia
t'ili'ii abnoHt entirely away by the current.' The forniations at Nicaragua
Bar proved this to be a fact. The bars previously worked paid a second time

. ■ !

464

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

lowing tlio Lilloct River to Harrison Lake, the Cali-
fornian is at home. Quartz, so scarce on tlie Fraser,
Jicre abounds; and the hills are of that reddish gravtl
■witli a blue clay from which so nmch gold has I)ii'ii
extracted in California. Bridge lliver, which yieldid
so many nujxjjfets, traversed the same formation.

Dry-diggings first received particular attention
between Hope and Yale about the middle of Octohtr
1858, when it was observed that they extended ixlow^
both sides of the Frasertothe foot of tlie mountaiii.s.'"
Among those that were successfully Avorked in IHJH
and 1859, named in ascendini^ order, were Emory Vnn
and Hunter ]3ar diggings, seven miles below Yale;
]^ond dry-diggings, five to seven miles below Yale; tlic
Prince Albert diggings, four miles below Yale; tlic
benches at Hill liar; the George dry-diggings, tlu'co
miles above Yale; the benches at Nicaragua J^ai- in
the great canon, a little below Boston Bar; !^^c(^(lt-
fey dry-diggings, seven miles below Foster Bar; the
benches at Cameron Bar; Hovey bench-diggings on
the left hand of the Fraser, eight miles below tliu
confluence of Brid<;e River; and those at the Fountain
already described. Bond, the (jieorge, Hovey, and
the Fountaindry-diggings were worked in the autumn
of 1858; the rest in 1859. At Lytton, and at many
other places not mentioned, bench-diggings were tiittl
in lati'r years at times with rockers, but as a I'ule \\w
benches were fountl to 1)0 unprofitable without the u-f
of \v iter delivered in ditches, a want which could not
always be supplied in a country where the rainfall
itself was rather liy'lit.

for working. The ojiorations of the TniiU'ra wiTC almost entirely suporliii
lieing eonlineil to the Imrs ami immediate! eilj^is of thel)anks. I'if/orin 'I'n
•Itinu nt, lh.")i). A eorrin|ion(leut of the Ijoiiiloii 7V/;H'.'f in lS(i.'{ aUo (hsii
fully, anddwi'lt largely upon, tlie tine gel I eontairied intlio terraees extni
ahiiig the whole course of tiie Eraser from Hope to Alexaiulria. Lii
Ilrown (lesciihed tlie gold of the Eraser 'as remarkably line,' iiieap il'
being saved witiiout ipiielisilver, and as eo'iiing from tiio terraces. //;
K'Mdi/. 'iS. It was associated wiili lihick sand not unlike thatof tlie Aii^l:'
diggings. Mfl>niinl<t's li. ('., !tl 2. Spjciiiieris of tlio Mack sand el
Eraser were deserihed by l>r .Fames Rlake. I'njceed!nij.i I'dl. Aiy-ul, Sdtno
'^ WaddiH'jto.is fnuitr JLna, 43-7.

il. in

-.'It'.

ihoa

.liii^
niliii

(■ lit

ili.in
the

I'll

), the Cali-
lio Fraser,
lisli gravul
.1 lias l)C't'ii
k'li yit'klcd
-tioii.

attention

of Octoher

ifled al()iii,f

lountaiiis.'"

cd ill IS.l^

Emoiy ])ar

.'low Yale;

/ Yale; tlic

\ale; tliu

ings, til ret'

^ua J^ar in

r; ;Nre(-l(if-

r Bar; the

ig'i^ings on

below the

3 Fountain

ovey, ami

le autuiiiii

I at many

were tried

a rule tlir

ut the U-f

eould net

10 rainl'all

y siipcrlicial, m
'ir/oriii (iir.ifli,
also (Icsiiilu'il
K'OS fXlrllililll!

iilria. IjiiMiliu
;,' iiicaii iMi' 111
races. Hi'iiril'-:
tliu Australian
i SUIlil I'l tllf

III. Si'i( /"•'<•

C0A118P: AND FIXE GOLD

465

Coarse gold was much more frequently met with in
the terraces than in the river-beds; and tlie yield by
sluicing ranged from four to twenty dollais a day to
the man. At Prince Albert diggings the extensive
til race or table-land, which rose sixty feet above the
highest water level of the Fraser, was ])ronounced
hiulily auriferous, and extensive enough to give cm-
jiloyincnt to four thousand miners, allowing each
twenty-five feet fr(<ntage and fivt hundred feet dei)th.
Shafts were sunk in October 1 H58, and as there was no
water on the ground, several companies organized to
liriiig in ditches. MeCjIotiey iliggings were' among the
richest in coarse gold, the pieces weighing from fifty
cents to twi Ive dollars.""

]\rr Justice Begbie was one of the first to comprc-
lieiid the nature of the terrace deti'itus as observed
duniig his journey to Lilloetin April 1851). To him
tlie terrace, recalled the (jirampian formation in Scot-
land, and lie traced in them the shores of a former lake
covering most of the country brought into notoriety
hy the Fraser mines, and extending from J-)Oston J^ar
to some miles al)ovethe Fountain, a distance of eighty
or ninety miles. The fine gold ])henomena of the river

'-/). ('. Pifjiciv, ii. 27. l}oiiil-ilig(^iiigs, discovcrid liy '1". Himcl, faily in

l'^"'>, :iiiil Idcatfil oil tlio liiuluT jiortioii of liiiiiti.'i' W.ir, yi.liU'd I'oarst! goM,

smiH' |iiccc'S wi'ighiiiff six iloUars. ]':c/iiil't (•''i~.f//i', iliiiio "_'."), IS.'iS. At Hill

111 I'.iiioiv liar, till; Iiar-iliuuiiigs were aliaiuloiiril alter IS.'i.S, ami in Mari'ii
1. A.. .. '; i..: i. .Ki .1 t 1..: .:.. . *i... 1 1 *..l 1 .

arm i.iiiory nar, tliu liar-aiuuiiigs were anaiiiioiirii ailcr i^.i.^, aim iii ,\jari'ii
l^'iil ihc iriincrs l)('gaii to eoiistniut ditclii's tor sliiicinL; tliu liciu'lu^s or talilc-
laihl-i. J) iiiijIiLt' J),y]i,i/i/i, .March ]0, KS.V.), in Jl. (i I'rpn-.'i, ii. (i7. Tlio
Ofiiii;!.' (Iry-(li|;j.'iii^'« yicl luil oight dollars a day witli tiic rorUrr, and twenty
ilcll.us at sluicing. Jhiiiijlt:/ I'rii-iilc /'njicrx, MS., 1st sur., 10.") (1. On tlio
lii;;li terrace at Xieara^iia liar, ]."!) leet aliove the river, some niiners Mere in
.\|imI e;."i".( eiigaL'ed in l>ri;iging in a ditch. Viclnrht, (/■i-.illi', .May 7, !■'•''!•.
Tlie I'olil was a dirty yellow, r.illu^r coarse, not watei^-worn, yiel.Iiiiu .•: 10.) a
;liiy to llu! sluice. Jonah Yale, May L'lth, eiu-. Virtoria divMti', .May :U, |.s.")',l.
llii' liir itself was at the saints time jiayiiig handsomely. At Cameron B.r
tile sluicing, Jiarlly liy costly tluiiies, w as conducted at;i consideralilu allitude,
and >ii hied four dollars a ilay to the hand. Virlnrin drjitc, ,\\uw. II, l.S.'-'.'.
M(lM,ili.y dry-diggings ■were tifty feet aliove tlie river, and contuincil liimiis
(it ui.lil from ."iO cents to' I'J.oO mi value. Jlovey digi'inus were I'J.") led aliovu
till! river, and yielded, in the (all of IS.VS, |48 oune<s of sliot goM, in Ihrid
weik< ti'M", to tea men using four sluices. Donjii.-t, in Ii. ('. /'(ijiir-.; ii. '.M.
llic rni|i,.p.,lijr,_,i|,ir3 at the Fountain wero licli to an altitude of )Si)i) oi' IKK)
•'•It. Theso develoinneiits cstalilished pretty coiielusi\ely that the' sources of
the line rivcL- gold were in tho terraces; but it existed there in a less eonceii.
li.l.'d form.

llisr. ]:i[iT. Coi,. ao

I> I

ii'f

ii i .

i 1;

4GG

FRASEll RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

fill

above and below the outlet of the ancient lake, lie
compared to the results of the working of a rocker;
remarking that all the gold found between Hope and
Yale was transported 'Hour gold,' not a 'scale' havin^f
ever been found below Yale; while at Lytton eighty-
five per cent of the gold found was scale gold, and
but fifteen per cent flour gold.^'* The material of
the terraces was shown by others to be neither nioro
nor less than the ordinary detritus of the surroundinu;
country — loam, gravel, sand, and more or less water-
worn bowlders. Milton and Cheadle, who were in the
country in 1803, ct)nceived that there were three suc-
cessive tiers of terraces, representing, as in some otlior
terraced countries, three successive epochs of elevation.
They described them as universally imprc_,.iated with
fine gold, and remarked upon their co-extension with
the buncli-grass country of the plateau.^

\ ^ '

The odium of the 'Fraser humbug' has been out-
lived. It is not necessary to do more than refer to
that title, proclaimed as it was hi 1858 and 1851), like
a political shibboleth without fairness and for a single
object — to turn the tide of emigration. But the dis-

5-i;;:i

ik M

'kJ:^

^ B. C. Paper", iii. 17-20. Begbie expressed his lielief that the hcmliLs
might pay uiKlcr a sulliciciitly hirge system of iiiiiiiiig. The terrace ili ]iii>it>,
from KH) to 1,000 feet in thicknens, contained in liis opinion not a siiadriiil ol
<lirt that was not aiirifcrous. Wlienever bench-diggings have been wm kiil,
said the correspondent of the Lonckm Times, Victoria, .Ian. 20, 18G2, ' tlnv liiivi,'
paid well, but they have been neglected for the placer-diggings.' ^\'ltll a.i
abundance of water, and of timber for Humes, an inviting tield here oinne 1
itself for English capital. HazUlt'ii Cariboo, l.'i8-4;{.

''* A'or(/iire/<t Pa.smu/e hij Land, .SS'J. Dr Robert Brown's scientilif rvaiui-
nation and description was the first eom])rehensive treatment of the siilijiit.
and he assumed that tlie terraces were formed by the successive cuttin;,' a\v;iy
of the barriers of interior lakes. Loml. Oeoij. Soi:, Jour., xxxix. 12.>G. Tliu
prairie character of so much of the terraced interior he showed to be duo tn
comparative dryness, caused either by scanty rainfall or by the jjorosity oi
tlie soil, modified by ])rairie lires and other local causes. Id., 127 !'. I liis
was al.-io the l)elicf of Newberry, promulgated in his Oruiiuof Prairicn, Tr'ni^.
A in. iSfien/jie Ansoridtioii, Buffalo, 18GG; and of Foster, in his Mi-ixi-iMjijii I'"'-
ley. Hector's study of the terraces of the ','olund)ia, in connection wiili tin;
I'alliser expedition in ISGO, extended through two or three years of ex]itiira-
tion, an<l were very valuable. Miniwj in the Upfier Coliimhiit Hirer il'ixiii.
Selwyn niadc a comprehensive refici.i! of the wiiolc subject, an<l added a lhoI
deal from his own oliservations made in a journey from Victoria to ^ ■ llew-
head Pass in 1S71. Canada O'eol. I'^iimi/ Uejiort, 1871-2, 5-i-G,

lit h

■^*^aM

[T.

t lake, lie
a rocker;
Hope and
le' luiviiiif
on eiglity-
gokl, and
laterial of
thcr iHorc
irrouiiding
less wator-
vere in tlic
three sue-
some other
i" elevation,
.lated with
nsion with

been out-
n refer to

1851), like
or a sin^'le
it the dis-

it the bc'iiclic's
rraci; clt■pll^its,
)t a spaik'liil 111
been viirknl.
>C2, ' tlii\v li.ivc
gs.' Witli a.i
d liun; ii[iriu' 1

ieutitii' i\:iiiii-
of tlie siilijci't,
3 cuttiiif,' a\v;iy
c. ]•_'■")- 0. Tho
I to be (biu to
he ijoi'o.sitv (il
, 127--!t. this
;v ((';•/('■<, '/'rmi-i.
li.i.ii.'i.-iijijii I'd-
Ctioll Mllll till!
ll'.S of l.'X|ili'l"l-

t Jiiivr I'.'iMii.
la.M.'aaio,.!
ria to V' ll'iw-

RUSHES AND REACTIONS.

467

appointments experienced by the thousands who went
to Frasor River, and failing to be successful returned
in misfortune, are worthy of a candid record m the
history of the times, while a picture of the wave of
depiossion into which the colony was plunged belongs
totJie history of the country itself. British Coluui-
hia was called the Land of Hopes Unfulfilled.®"^ Thirty
thinisand Californians rushed north to Victoria, and
as liastily returned. A large part of this migrating
po[)ulation being moved by incentives of trade and
speculation, incidental to the mining discoveries, came
no nearer to the mines than this port; but those who
a]ipi(»ched them did so at the very worst time, when
tlie river bars, then the only diggings looked for, were
covered by water. They found themselves further-
1111 ire ill a wild country, affording none of the com-
forts and conveniences of a minor's life in California,
the greater part of it being beyond the reach of suj)-
plies and almost untrodden.

To the natural difficultifs were added the illiberal
restrictions of trade enforced by the governor and
otiieers of the Hudson's Bay (V)m]»any,'"' who allowed
no trading with the Mainland and interior to be car-
lied on by the merchants of Victoria and Whatcom
till after midsununer. The oidy exception to their
own monopcdy of the trade of the mines was the pcr-
luissioii granted by (governor Douglas to several
parties to sell fresh meat and vegetables. The con-
se(pieiiee was, that even the dt^parture of the miners
fi'eiii Victoria into the interior after the first rusli
hud tlie effect of making Victoria dull.

The foundering of the steamer Brother Jonathan
otf Crescent City, July S, 1858, with the loss of many
of lier passengers, was a shock which gave the final
impress to the idea that the rush had continued too

'" Wri'/lit, in OinrUiwl Mnnlhbj, December 18t)9.

''Si lino attributed tiio hard times to tlie fact tiiat ttie gold-dust was kept
'lit (if eirculatioii by tlie coinpany's receiving; it for goods, wliicii were only
|iiiiil for by bills of exehan},'e on Loudon. ('oniirnllW Aew El Donido, 300;
Wiidiliiijion'n Fniwr Mine/), '2'2-4; Broivii'n Essay, \i, 4.

'•'.

fci'iii

Hil

tii'

(Hit

[lil
II

^ilfllll

408

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

long. The iunnigration suddenly stopped; and nmiv:
in a few months tlie advi'iiturers wwc nearly all hat k
aixain in '(rod's rountiy,' as thev called the suiinii r
regions of the south,"' full of hitter denuneiations
of the route, the country, the resources, yet knowiiiif
no more, after their return, of tlie extent and wealth
of the mines than they knew l)efore leaving in (jiust
of them. It was argued that tlic deposits on tliu
lower Fraser must he small, and if the head-watt is
contained greater wealth, the remoteness, Indian dilH-
culties, want of supplies, and the sliort duratit)ii nt'
the mining season, would forever make them inl'tiiir
to (California as a mining resort.

After the river fell there was a reaction, for a lai^^v
nmnhcr had with commendable })atience remainitl tt)
await this event, and now that tliegt>ld hfgan to lli'W,
the departures wei'e not oidy cheeked, hut a I'resli iii-
Hux took placi>. The yield did not come uj) to tlit ir
expectations, howevt-r, and in Novemhtr llSoc^ tlit;
Avinter exodus: set in, a hundred pi'rst)ns leaving \ ii-
toria every week. "^ (lood, deputy minister of iiiims,
who had access to every source of information, jilatitl
the total yield for 1858 at $500,000, and lor li-f);) at
,$ 1,000,000, while the known exports M'ere $;]!)0,-J(;:),
the respective years. To this t)ne third may he atlilftl.
to include what had heen carried away l)y privatt^;
hands. The number of miners actually employt il in

"■ Victoria Cazi'tli; So]it. 9, 1S.")8; Oivrlond Moiithbi, Muy U-i.iO, 4lt;.
(Iri'iU wufo ivttii'iiiiig to \'icUiiia with but litUu K"1''> '""^ wiJi'u l^'avi
finiiitry, to the dismay of tho sUiiv-ki.'0[i(.T.s. Business wa.s (K'iuh h •
tiii'.i Frascr Minct, IW. Jii July ami August th.s Sail Fianci.sco ih'W>
WLTi! lill.'il with the lolly ol' the northern exoilus. 'Tiio luauia, '.said t
/(//«of.lidy rjtli, 'exot^udc'd all hounds of leaHOU and pnidcuce.' J
Jiiid desliair had now oveitakeu thuni. Hundreds who ha 1 \v.it good e
iiient were iiuahlo to return. Wlien Nugent arrived at Victoria a.s ei
agent of the United States, ho fouiitl 'nudtitndes in a state of aetual ;
tion, ' and was ol)lige(l to send nundjers of persons to California at the
exjieuse. Tdrltctis Virfori t, MS., (i; MrJ)i,initil\t li. ('., ]'_'l. Tliii
the nioatlis of August and Scpteinher the ]'ic/(iri<i (lnzi'Hc. contained Ir
admissions of the depressed condition of affairs. J'/rA; Aug. 11), Sept.
IS.kS.

"■■"A'. C. Papcru, ii. .SO; Lewin' Coal Discorrric.'i, MS., 1:M,-). It was
just, perhaps, to compare tho fields of British Colund)ia willi California
her deposits had been fairly opened.

JUin-
ii:; \ a;

:././;„,■

• |ia|iirs

he /;.'/■

Inn r

n]il. )■■

;i-i,l,r

st.i'va-

|ii.! 1.0

ii':lii4,t

v.|:.>'it

li:ir/.lv
I,,'. ore

!'' ' I

and iiioiv:
[y all l);i(k
lie HUiuiirr
uiiiciatidus
t knowiiii,'

i"^ in (j;u'>t
ith on till)
cad-watcis
ndian dilii-
luratioii (if
cm int'fii:>r

for a ]ai';^v
L'luaint'tl to
)-an to llt'W,
a tVcsli iii-
up to till ir
• IcSa.s tin'
'avin;4 \ n-
r ot" niiiRs,
Ion, ])lac('(l
or 1 !-;;")'.) at

1 .,'11
V i)(-' a(.t!('t.,

by pviva'a:

pnployi'd ill

S.;'.), -llfi. Hum-
x:i\- Ifuvin,; I .'■
u,|. l>'.'.Vw
se'o iu\v>|uiHi'S
M," saiil 111'' I' i!-
dice.' ]lnii r
It gdocl i'in|i!. V-
iria as iM'ii-i.l.r
if actual stiu'va-
ia at t'.io i'i.M:o
1. T'.ir"ii':li""'
taincl li' !•■ 'It
il», Sciit. •-', •-'!.

It was li:ll'.'.l.V
JaKloniia I' ■"i'^

GOLD YIKLI).

469

ISaS was assunii'd to he 3,000; in 1859, 4,000; and in
IMCiO, 4,400. The hii^hest estimates were those j^iveii
liv ]\[('])onal(l, who had the benefit of the books of
MtDoiiald and ('oinj)any, and who claimed to have
l)as((l his calculations on the returns of the bankers,
the express c(mipanies, and the surveyor-general.
Ih- jilaced the yiehls of 1H5S and IHal) at $2,120,000
ai!(l Si, .'375, 000, and the total ])o[)ulation in 1H58 at
17.1100; in 1851), at 8,000; in 1800, at 7,000; and in
l^iil, at 5,000 — one sixth beiniL:^ British subjects. TIk;
Uniti'd States consular agent Xuu^ent, on the other
liaiid, thought that the entire yield IVom ^May to
()ct<.ht>r 1858 did not exceed $*5()0,000; wliiUrthe
iiuiiihcr of miners employed during the first tliree
liiiiiitlis could not have been less than 2,000, and diir-
iiiL;' tli(! renuiinder of the season 10,000. Leaving th(3
tirst tlu'ce months out of the question, he figured the
avciage earning of each miner at $50 for tlie season,
a^aiii.-;t $;150 expenses. Waddington estimated the
yit'M till October at .$705,000, and the investment of
liihiirand ca])ital in steamers, wharves, buildings, real
rst:ite, and various improvenuHits at Victoria and
l]s(niinudt, with native and imported capital, at

.si,:)(io,ooo.'''

''■'Aliicil A\'ail(liii'.'ton made an attempt to show tliat the yicM of the
Kni-i-r iiiiiici (hiri!i^' the first six montlis was as gooil as tliat of California ami
.\u^li'alia. l>iiriii>^ tlie same period, at tiie coiiinjenceineut of their inhiiiig
liiiniv, Caliiornia had made a showing' of .'r-ilt,(t.i(), Australia, .ST'J.'i, ()()(),
;uid IV;i.iiT Jviver, .STa.'i.Oai); allowing for only J^tilMKK) as a circulation in the
F;:i-rr iiiiiies in Octnlier l.Sr)S, thougli lie thinks tliis must liave been nearer
.V..'i.i.il.)i), at iir.'iO apiece, aniouif ."i.oaa miners. I'enihertoii, another autiior-
itv, .-t.ites that the total product fnr that year amounted to .S|,41U,'J1 1, ami
i'T tUr filhiwing year to .>•_', ()(MI,()l»i), or a total fur the lirst two ycai-s of at
li 1st .-li,(MHl,(l(ll). The nuinhcr of minei's actually at work at any tinn; during
this |i I'lud could not iiave exccedrd ;-i,00() — the niimlMr of miners' liccnse.i
issiii d indicating onlj- .yJ.dO:) - which makes the avera;.'e annual earuiu^'s of
cull iiiuicr <){)[}. I'riiili( rlniiK B. ('., 'M'> 41; I'/-', ^^•r.., April III, .lune '.). l.S."i!l.
'Ihe nuinliirof woi'kiiii,' miners in Calit'orniain 1S(1() was estimated at 'jaa.IKH),
oreiir third of a population of (ii)(),(.(l,); the yicM hciug .'r.")(»,()0(),00il, or ."•.'."lO
t" cat h iiiiiicr. Uou.las re[iorti(l lO.OOl) forciLiii luiuers on the I'rascr in
Aii'.'ust hs.-iS, and ii[iwarils of :i,0(K) as actually engaj;eil in mining. /.'. ('.
I'"r •■ i. -7, 41. Jtoiielas wrote in Fcliruary IS.'iS, that 'riiompson 1;!v!t
III'! lli.ii jiroduced an aicertaiued export of ")!);) ouiuvs, .-uid prohalily TiilO
I'll!.', s inure wjiich r'Uiaiae 1 in private! hands, ('uniir tl<'-:' A'. AY Dnraln, .",::,S.
I ill' ainoiint of e-old-clust hoii'dit liy tli<; Hudson's liay < 'ompiiiy at LiM ■Ic;',
iqi to May "J,"), l.'CS, was (J4hij ounces. Dowjlns I'l-inUa J'niicr.i, MA., i. ',11;

liii

f V

470

FRASER RIVER MINING AND SETTLEMENT.

Wliatevor figures are correct, it is certain that iIki
gold shipments were small in comparison with tliosu
of California, and herein was found a strong aj'^u-
mont against the value of the mines. The proc(ss df
depopulation and the stagnaticm in trade contimicd
throughout 1H51) and 18(50. Of the thousands wlm
liad suddenly made Victoria a city, ordy about fiftct n
liundred remained. Affairs then reached the lowest
cl)h. There was but little business, and Iciss in juds-
pect. *' Let us look disaster in the face," counsvllcd
the mentor of the local daily, as he reduced his issues
and omitted the title of daily.'" The dei)ression con-
tinued for some time after; hopeful intimations caini!
at the close of 18G0 from the fork of the Qucsiul,
followed by a gradually increasing flow of dust, wliidi
established beyond a doubt the existence of licli
placers in the country.'^

The historv of mininii: on the middle and wistriii
plateaux was henceforth chiefly statistical in cliai-
acter.''^ Enougii had been found and accompiislud

U. S. Ex. Doc. Hi, X->th Cow/., Jd Sct.^.; MrDonald'.s B. C, 82; Mln. Miwi
l^'V'-, ^>^1'\ 1- Tlu! 0</,7- arrived at Victoria, May 8, LS'iS, with ii■^.\:^^m iii
gold-iliist, ami $20,000 was the estimated rcot ij)t8 at Whatcom dining tint
week. Ovi'rlnml from Minnesotii, 40-2; Victoria Gazette, Aug. 20, 1858; Hakm
Anfii.% Sept. 4, i858.

'" Victoria Gazette. On May 28, 1859, the editor observed that thf ]iay nt
three to five doHars a day otTcred l)y average claims was too even ami inw to
attract the gambling spirit of Californians. The government was srviiLly
rated for its unwise regulations concerning land, roads, and mines, wlmli it
was allegeil had repelled Aznericans.

"'Tiiis was owing partly to tiie remoteness of the mines, and partly t.i tlic
want of hopefulness ami energy among a not over-prosperous community. On
the failure of tlie Big Bend excitement the editors were only too niiily to
moralize. ' Wc are experiencing a season of depression and misfortiinr mily
o(jualled by the disastrous years of 18r)l)-(i0. yuartz-iiii.'.ing was ivioiii-
nieiKh'cl as a nniiedy. Victoria Wcelti/ (\iloiii.it, Sept. 11, 18Gli.

"'^ Wells, Fargo, and Company ship[)ed from Victoria in 1858, $;!li7,7i>5; in
1850, .?823,4S8; and in 1800, 6I,2!)8,4(JG. Allen Francis, in U. S. Vwiin,< nU
Slali.itir.% 18()3, li)4. All of that slapped in 1858 and 1859 was Frascr iiivcr
gohl, l)ut a largo part of the shipments in 181)0 came from (^uesnel Km-ks in
the confines of Cariboo. A. V. Anderson augments these figures ti>(in>r
the total export, thus: for 1859, §1,211,339; 18(i0, $1,30.3,.329. Ami' r.-r.ii<
B-s.'iii!/, appendix, iv. Cliarles flood, deputy nunister of mines, gives lis the
amounts actually known to have been exported by the exjiress com|iniiy ;in'l
banks in 1858 at $390,2r)5; in 1859, at §1,21 1,304; and in 1800, at $l,ii7l,41».
To these figures ho adds a third to include tlie estimated amount carric I n«j'y
by jirivate hands, making the total amounts, for It'iHS, .^."2;),353; tdr 1'^'''.
ii, 015,072; and for 1800, ^2,228,543. The largest yieli was i;i 1804, .S'!,7:!J,-

EFFECT OF GOLD DISCOVERY.

471

Ig WHS ILCUIII-

tluring tlio Frasor mining developnicnts to ov()lv(> a
rfovcrnmont; to o[)en a road into the interior; to lead
tilt' way into several rich and lastin*^ miiiin!.^ regions;
and to suggest at once overland connnunication, and
(•(iiit'i'deration with Canada. Until in the progress ol'
clcM'lopnient the new conditions foreshadowed should
he Hiiallv brouyht about by the commencement of a
lailwiiy through the Fraser j)ass to the Cascadr
.Mountains, the dawning of a new era in mining and
iuunigration had to abide its time.

8:)0, after which it ileclincil to 8 1,30.'), 74!) in 1873; it rose atraiu to $2,474,-
Wi ill 1S7,"), ami tlu'ii fell off a socoiul tiiiiu. jMin. Miiifx L'ljif., 1.S75 1S77.
Till! imiiiiiar of iior.soiis eiigajicd in iiiiniiit; during tliis tost jHiriod— so dil-
tVniilly L'stiiiiatod liy Waddiiigton and Nugent— was iilauud liy (iood at
•J.(K»0 ill ISiiS, ;il(K) ill 18.")!), anil 3,!K)0 in 1800; wliilo tlio editor of the I'/V-
tnri'i (iirjltc, March 10, 18,")!t, estiniated the mining jioiiulation in March 18.")!(
as liiyh as 4,IK)0, ami tlie anticipated mining iiopulatioii in May following,
,'),ri(H). 'I'lio latter authority docs not distinguish lictwecn flic iioiudation in
tlif iiiincs and those actually engaged in mining, a fact which may account
fur tlic discrepancy. In ISlJO the population of Vancouver Island was otH-
cialiy estimated at ."),000, and the Mainland at 5,000. C'arilioo d'oliZ-jitlilx, 01).
Tims it appears that tiie ti'iuleiiey of the gold discoveries on the Mainland
uas til settle the Island ratiier than the Mainland even from the commcnce-
iiiciit, the population of the Island preponderating over that of the Mai;ilan \
aUii in latir years. Viile chapters on Railway. In 1801 the London Tiim-i'
corrrsponilunt estimated that 3,.")00 miners were working in the Fraser and
Coliiiiiliia hasins exclusive of Cariboo, where he allowed on general testimonj-
l.TiOO more, or ("jjOOO miners in all. M(ii/iir\i B. C, 44'2. (iood's estimate for
that year was 4,200; from whicli data it may he inferred that .several thou-
saml miners were still distriliuted along the Fraser as high as Fort (tcorgc,
and along Bridge River, Thompson River, and others of the lower Fraser
tiilmtaries. Along tiic Fraser thej' were earning from .?3 to !:'l.") per day, and
Mi]i|ius(il to lie averaging 85 a day. Tinic-i' cor., in Jln-.Utl'a <_'i, riJioo, l.'i8-43.
Ill In"! Lilloct district yielded §15,000; Yale and Lytton districts togetlier,
!^l IO,(Hl(), scarcely a tenth of the total yield of the province. Between §15,000
ami ."-'JO.OdO was annually contributed to the wealth of the iirovincc by the
luiliiius milling on the bars of the Fraser and Thompson at low water in
winter, bodies of them being seen at work cradling at favorable times during
the eiiMest weather. Vktnrin Wii/.li/ C<il(i)ii.tt, Nov. 27, 1872. In 1875 the
.statistics collected by the deputy niini.ster of mines sliowed that 5,) (,'lunese,
fii^aued (111 bar-diggings in Lilloet district, wa.shed out .*.")(), 000, while in
Lyttiiu district 20 Chinese and two white men took out only §1,000. In the
Yile district only four Chinese were employed, getting §800. In 1870 tlie
I.illoet district, including Bridge River, had 00 Chinese at work, but pro-
(liiied (inly §25,0(K); while the Yale and Hope districts ha'l two white and
nine Cliinese miners who obtained .^'V 1 14. The latter in 1877 employed three
white nieu iiud 13 Chinese, who obtained $12,000. Miii, Mints lUiit., 1875-7.

*"a'

lih

5i!

P ;

nil

CTTArTiai xxy.

g^ 1

pli

V !

fiOLD IN rilK CAIIIHOO COUXTUY.

CAiiiiiiM) Ili-.dToN- lis l)i;i'c>sirs — Xkw MiMSd Ki; \ - ( ioi.nK.N r>i;i\\i^-

IvVIM.Y iMAKl.OI'MKN IS- UdADS AND MlirSIMN 'I'liAII.S 'I'lIK (.1:1 M'
J'iKISI'KirdliS- 'I'lIK Im'I.I X— (,>1'KSNKI, ItlVTIi M I N KS- I lllltSKl I. V \Mi
(^'IKSNKL li.' KK— Kr.lTIII.KV AM) ITS ToWN — IIaCVKV AS D Cl'NSINC HAM
CliKKKS — AnII.I.U CliKKK K ICII KS— ( 1 IKIISK ( 'liKKK.

On tlu^ liead-waters of Frascr River t\n\ iniiiiiii;'
ojK'iiitioiis ])rcvi()usly eonfiiiod to tlic hcils of the main
liveis s[)i'('a(l in 1800, ISCtl, and lS(i2 over a lai^i'
area of elevated countrv ■svliieli was Honiewliat iii-
(K'finitely desisj^nated as tlio Cariboo K(\!L>ion.^ It may
l>o described in yenei'al terms ;is situated Ijetwciii
the liead-waters of the main Frasei' and its ])rin(ijial
trihutarv, the Thoinjjson, npon tlie imiei' or Nvestcia
ridges hranel I injj;' I'romthe lioeky]\rountains, in lalitiidr
52° to a-f'nortli, five to seven thi)usand feet ahove the
sea." In tlic lieart of tlic New Caledonia of the t'lii-
traders, its pi'inci}>al river, the (^ut^snel, and douhtlrss
a portion of tlie (n»untry itself, ^vas more oi'less kiinwii
to them as far up as the kdces of the Quesnel. Tlic

' Douglas said in rcf^aril to tin- ii;i:iio {;ivcii ti> (!u' icjiinii liy tlu' iiiiinrs,
]irojiiTly it sliDiilil 1h' \vritt(Mi ('r.-inn 'ij\ or rfiiidicr, t!ii^ couiitry liaviiii; \«vn
,'■.() iiaiiu'd troiii its Ix'iiii; tliu f..vf.i-'to liainit nf that ^})(H•i^s of tin' dcrr kiinl.
Dnii./I'is' l>i.tpi(/,-/i, Srpt. ni, 1S()1, ill JIirMtl'.-i r ',•/'««, l!7. C(i-f-l«i iij\>\yv\--
ox) aj)|ifars to liavo lici'ii tlio oi-iiiiiial. 'i'liis was cuirupti'd in its applicatinn
to the laciit! spi.'fics of rcindcur iuliahitiiig liritish Aiiioriua.

'•^ Licutniaut Jl. S. I'aliiicr dt'sciihi'd this iiio'aiitaiiious region as I'oiisi-.tini.'
of stfc'ii ihiwus, chithcd with toh'ral)lo grass, and (h)tti'cl with siiiail jmiio
jiiantatioiis, I'oiit pasting on acconnt of tiii'ir liarcncss with the vaUev >; an i
Iiiwer shiju's in a inannur so maikod as to have ivci'ived the title of tlir llil'l
Hills of t'arilioo. Ao,/</. (.'(wj. S'«\, Jniir., Scjit. 18(14, ISti. 'J'he same ii-;"ii
Mas <lescrihi'il liy 1'',. M. i Viwsoii as a 'hiyli level plateau,' avei'aginu Ii''MI
"i. 001) to o.riOO feet ill altitude, and entirely eoveriMl, nioreorless thicUlv, Mitli
drift or detrital matter eoiioealing the greater par*^ of the roeky suljstraluiii.
Daiviion on Miia,-:, 0.

( -ITJ )

In I,, . 1 JS I

Ti!f

111!

f;OI,T> M[XI\(! fiHOraiAI'IlY.

41^

Ifiulson's Bay fort of AK-xiuidiia and tlio oM liiiL!;li-
\\,iy of tlio traders aloti .>• tlie Fiasci' wcro in full vit-w
(if tlio Catiliod AroiintaiiiM, and hut forty miles <listant.
Till -^e i'>rts and lines of connnunicatiou were estal)-
lislied jiiid lield l)y tlie ( 'iuiadiaus in tlie j)ea('(.'ful
idiitine of tln'Ir trailic I'nv fit'tv years before tlio •'•old
disci iveiies; yet tlio ri\i;ion had reeeived no s^oncral
(r:>tinetive i\an)<\

Tlio apju'arance upm tlui ffuvst ])latoau of thouinu-r
I'Viiser in 1(S.V,) of ;i new and stran;^ti order of wliitc!
ii;i ;i. whom t!ie Jndian.s, hy this time well accustcMued
ti) the fiii'-trade, may ho su|t[)ose(l to have distin-
nuishi^d as the di;^;L;'er.s, introduees a new area of e\-
[iloration an<l oceupatioii. The uew-comei's devised
i'nr its !4'eoL!fra]»hical titles, in their own peculiar way,'*
under which the I'i'Lvions and the; localities in (juestion
wcic at onci' l)rouL>'ht prominently within tlii' Held of
industry and of history. Tlu; Carihoo region seemed
in the au^'un of ISOO, Mhen the first intimations wero
frceived of mininL,'- ahout th<> I'ork of the (^)ue>nel, to
he as remoti! and as dillicult of access as the; arctic
ivvioiis. Im[)res,u'(l with the helief that the coarser
i; Id of the country would he found hin'her, a hand-
I'ul i;f miners had tliis year ])enetrated alon^' tho uiain
and north hranches of the (,)uesnel to the (.()uesnel and
( arihoo lakes. Jiauiichini;' their rafts, tlu-y vox'ancd
alnu'j; the windine' and extcndetl shores, pros[)t'ctin;j^
the trihutarv streams with varied adventure and suo

(•(■

lie pal

if th

I'ticuli

tr scenes, characters, and incK

deiiti

eir ])rogi'ess must \)c left to the ima^'ination of
the ve.ider. The ]ioncil of the artist will in a futui'e
(lay picture tlu; wild heauties of these lakes and valleys.
I'lMiii (^iril)oo ]jake was visihle, a short distance to tho
Westward, a o'roup of hald mountains, suhsi^queiitlv
known as the Snowshoe, and ^fount Au'iies ])ald

-il

\ ' A

' Tu tlio early goM-tiiiniiii,' ,ccof:raiiliy of British Cnluinljia, sixty iiiiles
ic tliL' 'l'linui)is(>ii Kivi'r I'omitry licgaii tlu' '('aiim; ('duiitry;' to tiif iKirtii

aliiivc the
111 wliicii
Ciiniitry
bmil: ('/' M

as tlu' ' Halliiori Cimiitry: ' and Ixiyonil tliat again was the 'Caiil
-tcriiis of an iiidetinit ■ charactur, yut ycuurally usud. lliUvU's llnrvi-

iiiiiij,

S. F., ISul, 100.

11 ■

^V\\

r^' 4f

474

GOLD IN THE CiVRIBOO COUNTRY.

Mountains. Behind these the prospectors were now-
penetrating. This was the core of the auriferous
slate country, whence radiated the four great rivers
of the Cariboo region, the Bear, V/illow, and Cotton-
wood rivers, and the north branch of the Qucsnol,
hitherto unexplored and unnamed, but destined to
become famous through their respective tributaries,

The Cariboo Country.

Kcithloy, Antler, William, and Lowhee creeks — iiisiLf-
niticant streams issuing from the same Bald Mountain
group. A year later they were the sites of the i)iln-
cipal mining-camps of the Cariboo region, known
throughout the world; and the Snowshoe and Mount
Agnes Bald Mountain chain, like the Sierra Nevaila
of California, the main range of the country, was

■"^

were now
auriferous
rcat rivers
id Cotton-
3 Quesue],
estined to
ributarics,

IvS — msvj;-
Mountaiii
the piiii-
n, kiu»\vii
id jMount
a Nevada
iitry, was

DOUGLAS' REPORT.

475

rendered familiar to the sight of men in places where
solitude and the wild animal had reigned from a pri-
meval day.^

In August 1859, Governor Douglas was able to
report to the colonial secretary that "the newly ex-
plored tract of mining country about Fort Alexandria
and Quesnel's River" possessed "more of the general
ieatures of a gold country than any yet known part of
llritish Columbia." '^ This conclusion was simply a
reflection of the opinions expressed by miners, who
had reached the Quesnel Fork diggings, touching
the character of the Cariboo Mountain region in
its relation to the gold in the rivers; abundance
of coarse gold having been found in the diggings,
where it was evident it had remained in the vicinity
of the gold-bearing rock. Here were mountains of
gold-bearing slate, looking familiar to tlie Califor-
iiians; yet the diggings were not in all respects like
those of the gold regions of Calirornia. It was ap-
pai'ont above all that this auriferous slate formation
was more extensively develo[)ed than in tlie Cascade
^lountaiu border of the plateau. There was no imme-
diate geological connection between the fine gold of
the Fraser mined in 1858 and the coarse gold discov-
ered in the mountains of Cariboo;^ yet there was an
actual and an historical connection as well as continu-
ity. It was partly the theory concerning the origin
of the former that led to the discovery of the latter.
.Mining camps and mining districts on the Fraser and
its tributaries, just as in California and elsewhere,
wrre inevitably abandoned at a certain stage, under
the supposition that they were exliausted, and Frascir

' I.ikc ttu' Wasatcli Mountaiii.s of Utah ami tlie Bitter Hoot ]Mi)Uutaiiis
111 Iilalio, tlie laiige was the wi^steru lueniher of the system of the I\oeky
Miiinitahi.s. lii IhlHsh CdUmihiau latitmle.s tlii.s inoiiiilaiii raii;;e iieii'oniied
the riiitewortliy ,. inn of giving origin to the great heiuls <il the Cdhinihia
ami Fraser river.s, vvhieii, flowing to the northwaril hehinil it, hint aroiiiul to
till' siiiithwanl after lireaking tiirougli tlie gold-hearing range, and then
si ruck over the [ilateau, in courses (juite similar, to the sea.

•' Ihspttrh, dated Aug. 'J3, IS")!), in li. V. I'liiwis, iii. SO.

'' ' Fine: gold will not travel far without the aid of some earthy suhstaiiee. '
Jl'trmtt'd Ltcturvs.

111

ill

i|t

li ■

ii:

476

GOLD IN THE (AllIDOO COUXTK\.

River afforded a direct and speedy route for prospec-
tors and their rear-yuard in search ot" new and riclur
deposits on the [)hiteau and within the [)arallels of the
Rockv Mountains, so that the movement across tiic
})Uitcau from its western to its eastern tlan^'e w;;s
accomplished at a compai^atively early day. In tlic
course of a few years there was diNclosed to the world
a counter[)art of California, ('(pially rich, and extiMid-
iniLj at least from the Horseily hrancli of the Quesncl
and the Clearwater trihutary of the Thomp.-;on at the
south, to the Canon C'reck trihutarv of the l^rascr in
the north-west, (»ver two decrees of latitude, in tln'
din ction of the range. Rut a new lesson was to ln'
learned hv the o'old-miners. 1 litherto the surlace li.sil
heen skinnned with the aid of rocker and sluice, aiid a
few insig'niticant hydraulic enterprises had been uiuh r-
taken on the benches; but in Cariboo, the mysttiy
and art of deep placer-mining in its true tcclmical
sen.se were to be practically stutlied iuid unravelk'd iy
means of shafts and drifts, pnm])s, and hoisting ma-
chinery. On the Fraser, as in the Colundiia J»ivtr
basin, the richly concentrated u'old leads of the ancient
rivers lay in buried chaimels below the level of ll. '
modern streams, and dril'ting undc^rneath tlie clay
strata in search of these dojiosits became in Carilx")
the main feature of mining. Exceptionally raix d
strata on the stri'ams had in sevei'al cases revealed
the richi'r leads below; l)ut this indication was imt
always found, nor was the lead continuous. IVculiar
dilHculties were encountered in following the windings
of the buried cluunu'ls, confused and obliterated as
tluy were by the later glacial action, which had, also,
frv([uently modifieil or alt(,'re(l the courses of the
modern sti'eam.s. From Yale to Lilloet, from Alex-
andria to the Quesiiel River, tlu; miners only hit one
kind of deposit to enter upon another. "J'hus tlu'
'Fraser River humbug' was, n(>V(>rtheless. acontinU' <1
mining operation; it was n, repeiitioii of the history
of gold-mininj^ in California; and the transition en

lie

EFFECT ON VICTORIA.

477

prosptc-
1(1 riclici'
.'Is of the
?rf)ss tiic
iiU'o w;!s
'in tlic
lie world
1 extciid-

QlR'SlH'l

>ii at till'
iMiiscr ill
(', in tlic
as to 1 H '
ifac\' li.id
CO, ai;d a

\in Ululrl'-

inystciT
tc'clMiical
rolled l»y
tiiii;' iiia-
ia Jiivrr
o ancient

of i:.

i(> (

.1.

Carihiiii
y raised
I'oveali'd

was Hot,
IVeuliar
windings
'ratod as
lad, alsd,

! of llie
mi AleX-
■ lel't one
rilUS the

ontiiiU' d
' liistoiy
■;itloii <'ii

tlio Frascr, in view of the roniotcncss and inaccessi-
liiiity of the diggings, w;is as speedy as it was suc-
cessful.

The significance of the discoveries in the Carihoo
cmmtiT did not become apparent at Victoria until
very near the close of the year ] SGO. After the sea-
si'ii of do[)rossion and depopulation wliich had boon
r\[)(nienco(l almost from the connni>ncenu-nt of mining'
iiu llie Frasor, everything liad the api)earance of
|i;einature death and dissolution in the colony. 13ut
i;i "^.'ovember 18(50, with the return of tlio successful
■ .'■ ;'s from the fork of the Quosiu 1, caiao bags of
;:e. ,ets which revived llu; f.dnting hopes of the trading
n.iimunitv bv the sea. Those were the as lurancos
tliat the country was safe. Hesitation in regard to
ereeilng permanent buildings at Victoria gave place to
ceiiliilonce,' and the town gained its footing for a snb-
(•tanti.-d growth. Had the government boon able to
retain the twenty thousand Americans and other for-
eigners, whom they feared, to this tinm, what strides
(f (!ev(^lopmont might have boi^n made on tlio road to
the Itocky ]\rountaiiis in the north! What an aspect
might have boon given to commercial developments
en the Xovtli Pacific had the first railway to the
Jiodcv Mnuntiins boon comi)letotl in Jh'itish territoi'v!

['rase ]»i\'^r and (/ariboo became as famous and
as \vl(! Iv ^'lovvn throughout the world as Sacramento
Ivivor an<! j kill irat, and minors from California and
Ai!si.raii<. w '0 < i)![)hatic in tlioir declarations touch-
ing the compar.;tivi> merits of (/aril xx).** AVith a po]>-
ulation of fiitcen hundred poopl(>, the district siiip[ied

'' M;-j!,-'s V. r. (111,1 n. c, 7;i

'" ''i'liure wurc lii^ iniiu.'« ill I'iirilHin. Tlio (,'niiiiliii.'li:im cliiiiii yiclilcil si :
iiiinccs a (l:iy to tlLO Iwiiul.' Lcii'!.-!' (Oil J)ii., MS., l;j. 'A ciiiripiii-isdii vi
llic ri'tiii'iis, aayi-; Licuti'.iaiit r.ilmcr, 'with tlin.-f ot' thu most iintoricmi
ili,trict.-t (if < '.•lUidriiiii and Australia, (iiicouragi.'s tiio ijciicf that ihu aiiriU'iniis
Mclif.s M O'ai'ilxio ai'u tlio j.'ruati-st liitlicrlu (li.sciiviroil.' J.nii'/. (iciii. Sue,
Jniir.. "'■, JTl. Tiio riciiost |ioi-ti<iiis ni Cilildinia in its iimi. t jialiiiy day;;,
said M , (• Diiwiiio <if Onwiiii'villo, ( alihiruia, wi'i'o as iiiithiii;^ i.'iii'i]iaii d
"itlivh,;> I. 1; id wci'ii siiuo In; li'lt Victoria forC'arilioo. I'n/nriii lhi'd;i Prm",
Oil. l,"i, \:-: ,_. (jiiot'.id in //■I'lifr.sCir'liiio, i:U. '\cvor in the iiistory iif ;jold-
iniiiiiiu liavij tlioro boon such I'abulous auiiia auuissud iii mo iuurodihly short a
s[iaL'u ot timu. '

■i.ii

h ^ihi

I " ■: ifiii

(,1

478

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

to Victoria before the end of the season of 1861 two
niilhons of dollars. Though the opportunity wliicli
had promised to place the Fuca ports on an equal
footing with tlie harhor of San Francisco was lost, tlic
developments now made showed what might follow at
a later day, when the Canadian Pacific railway should
place within the great Fraser basin a large j)o])ula-
tion; and the reports of its great mineral resources
were not only apparently but really and undoubtcdh'
justified.

The first e./cct of these discoveries was to produce
another movement of population from California and
Oregon into the basin of the Fraser. The abundant
yield of gold this time created a 'stampede' for tlic
new mines, which held out with every element of
genuineness, based as it was upon known develo]>-
ments rather than on a fanciful or imperfect and
illogical deduction from mining experiences in Cali-
fornia; and although comparatively insignificant in
nundiers beside that of 1858, the influx carried a pur-
pose which left its mark upon the country. From
1801 to 1805, inclusive, the immigration continued;^
and the losses to the country in consequence of tlic
abandonment of the lower Fraser after a temporary
occupation were recovered in all but population.

During the first sunmier following the Fraser ex-
citement, while mining upon the river bars was still
at its height, small detachments of prospectors from
the Canoe Country and the Balloon Countrv, above
Fort Alexandria, found their way a distance of ninety
miles up Quesnel lliver, and worked successfully upon
its bars.^"

Numerous letters were received at Yale exliaustiiiL,'
every power of persuasion to induce miners to join
their confreres on the Quesnel, especially at Quesnel

"'A far greater stampede that tliat of the Fraser excitement.' J>"nit'
Srf.tlfiiicid V. I., MS., li, ' Tlio best years of Cariboo were in 18ii;{, 18(11, and

'" Dowjliis Despatch

a gradual i
, Aug. 23,

185'J, ill B. C. Papers, iii. 50.

■■ it

til

THE RUSH OF 18G1.

470

18G1 two

ity wliidi

an e({ual

8 lost, tllC

b follow at
■av sli(»ul(l
^e pojtula-
rcsourccs
doubtcdlv

;o product'
t'oruia and

abundant
e' for the
leniont of
I devolo]!-
jrfect and
s in ("ali-
uficant ill
•icd a pui-
y. From
onthuicd,^
iico of the
temporary
tion.

B^'aser cx-
s was still

tors frmii
trv, above

of nnu'tv

fully ujion

xliaustint,'
rs to jiiiii
t Quosnrl

muut.' /'■"//-'

sii:t, 1S04. .uiii
11.

Fork, and at some localities on the southern tributary
called Horsefly River. During the same season of
1859 the north fork of the Quesnel was ascended to
the little and great Cariboo lakes ; but no striking de-
velopments appear to have been made in that quarter
until the following summer and fall. While a number
of miners, led by Rose and McDonald, proceeded
to the head-waters of the Bear River, and there de-
veloped rich ground, others continued up the north
fork of the Quesnel to Cunningham Creek, to make
almost equally great discoveries; but the excitement
for the season was not fully started till the finding in
January 1861 of the extraordinarily rich prospects
on Antler Creek, about twenty miles from the mouth
of Keithley Creek, constituting the principal attrac-
tion in the rush of 1861. The news spread fast; all
who could go to Cariboo, or to the Cariboo lakes and
their wonderful tributaries, went at short notice, until
about one thousand five hundred miners from the
coast, from Oregon, and from California had crossed the
divide separating the waters of the Quesnel from Bear
River, and speedily overflowed into the adjoining
river valleys of the Willow and Cottonwood, around
the flanks of Bald Mountain."

"il/ar/fe',9 V. T. and B. C, 74; Mallandaine's B. O. Director^/, 18G3, 201.
It was the reflux to the seaboard of the successful miners on Keithley and
Ilarvcy creeks in the fall of 18G0, and the exhibition of their gold at Vic-
toria says Allan, that started tlie Cariboo excitement. Allan's Cariboo, MS.,
.'!-'). During this first rush to Cariboo there was enough tra\'cl for a time to
crowd to RulTocation the steamer Enterprise, the only boat at that time ply-
ing; between Victoria and the Mainland, From \ale the men carried their
fouil and blankets on their back. Courtcrey's Miii., B. C, MS., X On Antler
•.'rook there were a few score of men in tlie autumn of 18G0. Notwithstanding
'-liu secrecy the discoverers endeavored to maintain, the discoveries were so
tempting that when the news reached the Quesnel a rush took place to Antler
in the middle of the winter of 18C0-1. Up to its falls, five miles below the litt.':;
Cariboo Lake, the north branch had been found to contain more or less gold.
Then there was a blank in ascending the valley of that stream, where scarcely
anytliiiig was found. But the discoverers of the diggings at Antler Cieek,
not contented with these results, on their way thither had crossed the lower
Cariboo Lake to the mouth of Keithley Creek, and ascended that stream
into the midst of the Bald and Snowshoe mountains. From this point tiiey
were able to sec to the northward in the direction of the descent of Antler,
or r.car River Valley. The route from the fork of the Quesnel, taken by the
iHiily of pioneers who in the autumn of 18G0 followed the discoverers to Antler
crcL'k, was up the left bank of the north branch to Mitchell's bridge. Mitclicll

1 I

n|i

p. o

" t i"

Iw M.

4S0

GOLD IX THE CAIUBOO COi:NTUV.

One important icsult to the country ^vas tlu; iin-
potus tifivcii by these discoveries to road-l)uil(iiiiM',
arisiiii,^ tVoin tlie necessity oF cairyin<4' su[)])lles into tl.r
mines. Botli governments and individuals assisted at
tliis, and l»ef'oro the close of l.S(!l, officii'nt pack-tiails
gave free access to all important mining localities.''
Incited by tlie discoveries on Keithley, Harvey, Ant-
ler, and (^unningliam creeks in the s[»ring oi' 18(11, ;i
nmnher of n)iners wandereil farther in various diivc-
tioiis to ])rospi'i-t. Fi''st (Jrouse Creek, I'orming witli
Antler ("reek tlu^ head-waters of IJear Kiver, was dis-
covered to he eijually entitK'd to attention, and i'lnm
the head of this creek thi; valley of William (Viik.
on the head-waters of Willow IJiver, was not oiih'
visible to th'^ enterprising exjiloi'ers, Init within easy
reach. The same ridge, cidminating in Mount Agues,
disclosed to them on looking westward the valh vs
of Lightning and l^owhee creeks, tributaries of Swift
and Cottonwood rivers. Notliing was wanting but
the disa])i)earance of the snows to enable the pros-
pectors to descend these several valk-ys, and to cnni-
plete the series of discoveries whii-h in tlie course of
that notable season made most of them famous.^'' Tlic
actual mining develojxncnts of IH()I began with the
arrival of additional foi'ces from every mining district
in tlie country, forming at the end of Alay a j)op;ilnti(tn
of fi'om one thousand to one thousand four hunihvd

iiiaiU', l)l();iks ami ■wiiulIaHs, ami built tho juits (,f tli>' liriiljio without as.-ist-
aiice, a Wdi'k iviit't'tiiig Ljivat t'rcilit iipiin hlju I'nr liotli skill ami pui'.si'Vi runt'i!.
TliL'iK'c tiic^ trail tdUdWcd the light hank to liltki or lower C'arilioo l.aki',
distant fnmi tihiesuel l''ork twenty miles. ( 'rousing lower Carihoo Lake, it h'll
to tlic imuilh of Keitlili'y Creek, aseeiiiled tiiat stream lor live or six ii;iK'->,
aiiilstruek nortli-east tiirough the IJaM, Snowshoe, ami Swiit Uiver mouiitauis.
^'im/, in /{. ('. /'iipi'i-s, MS., iv. 51.

'- //iiz/i/.'s Ciirilioo. II."); Aiiid'.^ Iii}it., ]Mareli 18(il, in B. ('. I'ltpi i.<. iv.
t^\ 'Z. See al.-io Trii/f/i'.f Mdji. Freigiit from Vale to (^luesnel Fork in K'-til
was .'•'■I |ier |iounil. Thence to Antler, heloie tile eomjiletioli of tlio paek-tiail,
tiio Indian-i earried ]irovisions in tiie early (lart ot the season of KS(d lll^^^l
cuts to .tI jier jioniid. V>y .hily the trails were oji.'iied, and ]iaek-tranis
reaciied Antl r, rediu'iiig tlie jiriee of jirov ision i to ,").") and tl.") ciiits a jmuiiil,
<t:iic of Iicef from .')(• cent-i to I'O cents a jioiiml. /)'. < '. Dinrtor//, JStill, 'JOI.

'■'On tli(! eomjiletion of tiie ( 'irihoo wagon-road from the mouth ei llio
Qnesiiel to Lightning < 'reek in iS(i,"), there was .i reversal of the order in wliiili
llie sevcr.d .stroama Leuauiu known to the world.

^'I

CARIIJOO IX CALIFOllNIA,

481

l-l)uil(rni':',
'S into till'
,i.s.sisti.'(l at
!);ick-tiails
ocalitii's.'-'
•vc;y, Aiit-
)f' LSdl, 11
ous dircc-
luiiiL;' with
V, \vas (iis-
, iiiid tVi'iii
im Cnrk,
; not only
■it hill easy
lilt A;4iirs,
lie valltys
s of Swift
iitiii!4' l)ut

tlic jH'OS-

\d to ciiiii-

eoui'sc of

I with tlie

ii!4' district

)()p;ilatioii

I" huiidird

witiimit assist-
[lersi'Vi I'liR'i'.
(_';iril)iii) li.ikf,
loii Luke, ii t'll
I' (ir six iuilu<,
vormcnnil,iiii<.

( '. /'((;w r.<, iv.
1 Fdi'li ill IMII
tlio pack-liaii.
(It KSIil I.M-Ni
111 i>:K-k-tiams
oi'iitf a )iiiuM(l,

)8(i:i, "JO I.

iiimitli III till-
onlvr ill wliirli

millers, a lar<^e portion of whom wore occupied with
transportation trade in its various branches, and in
road-iuakin*;'. Further accessions later in the season
funiislied a total prospecting, explorin<j;, and actual
iniuiiiijj population of about fifteen hundred." The
couiitrv now for the first time became known as Cari-
1)00. This was simply the extension to the entire
rei^non explored, of the name of the Cariboo Lakes,
situated on the north fork of the Quesnel, from which
the (•x[)lorations may be said to have started.

Tiie Fraser excitement was never a more universal
tojtic of conversation in California than was Cariboo
at \ ictoria in the autumn of 18G1; it seemed hardly
cie(Hl)le even to those who had been accustomed to
sec rich digi;- inn's and lucky strikes. The news spread
fai'tlicr, and tliousands of peoj)le from California,
Canada, England, and every other (juarter of the
glohc asceniled the valley of the Fraser earl}' in the
season of 18G2. Owing to the unex})ected distance,
and tlic! difficulty of reaching Cariboo before the com-
pletion of the wagon-road, many turned back without
iiiteiiiig the mines, while others consumed on the way
tiic provisions intended for the relief of those who had
wintered in the mines; consequently there was almost
a I'amiiie at Cariboo.''

lv\[)lorati()n in 18G2 was, nevertheless, vigorously
prosecuted by an actual mining popvdatioii estimated
at ti\ (' thousand in Cariboo district. Although extend-
iiiLi" n\er an area of fifty miles square, the ojierations
Were chiefly in contigucus ground, and resulted in the

" l.iinilini Tiiiirx' cor., quotuil in (^nrilioo (iolil-jitd/.i, 4!1 52. At the I'lid of
the sia.sim of I8()l, tho Times' oorrcslimuieiit inoditit'il soiiiewiiat hi.s previous
liguns III 1,400 at tho eiiil of May, and gave tho total miinlier' of actual inintM
ill till' ( 'arilxio district, inulinling (^tuesnel Fork and lifty iiiilcs below, (hiring
tlio whiilc season, at 1,500. I.niidim TimcK, Feb. (J, 1802, in Mii;/iie'x B. ('.,
•442. He furni.shod no cstiiiiato of tho proportion engaged in trade and trana-
liiirliitiiiii, hut left it to Ijc inferred that those were to lie added. I'rohahly
till.' 1 litest iiumhor of miners actnally at work pmspoctiiig and mining at any
"111' tiiiii; during the season of 18(il never exceeded 1,0(M); while tho general
w'lM'k iif exploration under consideration engaged the whole 1,500. In Juno
ISlil, llimglas estimated tho total population at 1,500. B. C. Piqicrn, iv. 50.

'Minors and prospectors together were ohliged to travel out after pro-
visiiiiiM. paying one dollar to ono dollar and a half per pouud.
Hist. Ukit. Col. 31

k ':''.

'' ', :

'■: 1

n '

489.

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

production of a total yield from Cariboo thus far of
about $3,000,000."

Of the heroic deeds of the early prospectors there
is evidence on every hand, but such exploits were of
e very-day occurrence in the pioneer army tliat was
advancing" upon the strongholds of the country under
the pressure of the gold mania; and it was not the

"Tlic American consul estimated the total mining population of British
Columbia for 18G2at 15,000, three fourths of the people being from California,
Oregon, anil Wiishingtoii. A lien Francin, in (I. S. Commercial Rel., ISO'J, 148.
Discoveries continued to be made as amatter of course every year after 1801,
but they were of local rather than of geographiopl importance, and {K-M'taineil
chiefly to mining developments, in localities henceforth having a history of
their own. Tlie three principal mining-camps in 1862 were AVdliam, Light-
ning, and Lowhee creeks, employing a total number of 5,000 minors. Cony-
teiry'n Mii\., B. C, MS., 10. From these local discoveries important milling
devoloj)mont8 were made in all directions. On Last Chance Creek, a tribu-
tary of Lightning Creek, hill-diggings were found early in 18(i2 wliii'h
■were deemed highly important; Van Winkle, Davis, Anderson, and dlher
gulches in the same neighborhood were successfully worked, and on Bums,
Lowhee, Nelson, Sugar, and Willow creeks, similar developments were luado
the same season. Ji. C. Directory, 18G3, 202. Up to 18(54 the list of richer
creeks developed by sinking shafts into the deep channels embraced Keithloy,
(roose, Cunningham, Lightning, Jack of Clubs, Orouse, Clii.sholin, Sovereign,
Last Chance, Anderson, Fountain, Harvey, Nelson, Stevens, Snowshoe, Cali-
fornia, Tliistle, Sugar, Willow, McCallum, Tababoo, Conklin, Lowhee, ami
William creeks, etc. jfarjin's V.I. and B. C, 14G. A series of letters written
in the autunni and winter of 1801-2, by Donald Fraser, the Lonuon 7V/(«'-'
correspondent, pictured the discoveries and excitements of the preceding year
in somewhat roseate but not overdrawn coloring. Fraser simply oniitteil tiio
dark side of the picture; and he was particularly blamed by tiie English arrivals
for speaking prematurely of the stage-coaches on tlie proposed wagon-ruail,
when it appeared, to their grief, after travelling 7,000 miles, that a walk nf
400 or 500 miles farther, carrying a load, would be necessary to finish t\w
journey. Allan's Cariltoo, MS., 8. In all several thousand British subjects,
from England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, were induced by these
letters to undertake the journey to British Columbia in the spring of 1 Sii'J.
Macfie vouched for the substantial correctness of the statements inadc by
Donald Fraser. V. I. and B. C, 75. Some of the British immigrants lirouglit
with them placards of a speculative transportation company, circulated in
England, where tickets were sold for Cariboo direct, picturing the stage-
coaclies that were to carry them from Yale. But the hoblers of such tickets
ascertained a.s soon as they landed in America that there were no arrange-
ments to make good the promise. On the way from Yale to Caribod there
were comparatively few houses, so that provisions had always to be carried
at least from one to three days. An overland party from Canada by way of
Yellowhead Pass, late in 1802, abandoned their horses at tlie head-watera
of tho Fraser, and turning them loose, built rafts to float down +hc river
to Fort (Jeorge. Four of tlie party, not caring to venture on so perildiis a
journey, turned back, but not finding the horses, they finally unilertoidi to
reach Fort George on foot, two of the Rennie brothers perishing during a
snow-storm. Those on the raft soon entered a cafion where a number of them
were drowned. Allan's CarUmo, MS., 15-18. In 1862, P. H. Lewis and othir
Oregoniana went to Cariboo overland by way of Okauagaa. Lewut' Vual Z'w-,
MS., 16.

I^rci

the
aid '

>tw ■

,hus far of

tors there
ts were of
that was
[itry under
IS not the

ition of Kritisli
roni California,
ReL, 1802, 148.
^^ear after 1801,
, anil t)i;rtiiincil
ing a history of
^ViUiain, Lij;ht-
) miners. < 'oin-
iportant mining
Creek, a tiilm-
iii 1802 which
rson, and othtT
and on liuriis,
cuts were niaile
lie list of richer
iraced Keithlcy,
lolm, Sovereign,
Sunwshoo, C'lili-
1, Lowhee, anil
f letters written
Loimon Tiini'<'
preceiliiig year
)ly omitted till!
English arrivals
led wagon-niail,
, that a walk of
ry to finish the
Jritish sulijects,
duced hy tlicse
spring of ISiii.
nients made hy
igi-ants lii'ought
y, circulated in
ring the stage-
of such tiekcta
ere no arrange-
o Cariboo tliere
ys to be carried
.nada by way of
;he head-watera
down +lic river
n HO perilons a
ly nndertiiiik to
ishing duiing a
number of them
Lewis and other
U'Wm' Coal !>*■■<■,

THE HEROIC IN GOLD-MINING.

483

custom of the time to dignify the search for the sor-
did metals with any title of heroism. Yet had such
deeds been performed in the name of war, science, or
religion, doubtless their stories would have been told,
and the names of the heroes preserved and honored.
T!i(! prospector's fame depended upon his success in
finding gold; and it was restricted to the small circle
that shared in the benefits of the discovery, to be lost
siglit of as soon as the last nuggets parted company
with him. The romantic and tragic extremes seemed
naturally united in his career, but otherwise than as
jirospectors and discoverers, the lives of Keithley, Mc-
])(inald, Rose, Dictz, and Cunningham were blank,
and might have been fitted to any imaginary previous
or subsequent career belonging to the scene. Rose,
an American, and McDonald, a Canadian from Cape
Breton Island, are credited by Governor Douglas as
the greatest of the discoverers in Cariboo. McDon-
ald worked hard for three years, and amassed con-
sideiable wealth, with which he ^ame down to Victoria
to recruit himself Rose left shortly after this dis-
covery in quest of new mines, and was found in the
woods dead from starvation. William Dietz, the dis-
coverer of William Creek, the richest stream of all,
survived till 1877, only to die a pauper at Victoria.
Keithley, who gave his name to the first discovered
o{ the rich creeks of Cariboo, held a valuable claim at
Quesnel Fork in 1860-1."

'' Keithley's claim at Qnesnel Fork was on the hill-side, and was one
of tile richest in that vicinity. B. C. Papers, iv. 50. Keithley Creek, the
first discovered of the characteristic rich creeks of Cariboo proper, was
only twenty miles distant. In regard to the discoverers of Antler Creek, an
entry in Douglas journal made at Lytton, June 5, 1801, mentions that
'Ko-ic, an American, and McDonald, a Canadian, are the two great pros-
Iitctiirs who have discovered the Cariboo digging.s.' Doiiylas' Private Papers,
Ms., 1st ser., 140. In a despatch to the duke of Newc;istle, written on ' ' i
return to Vancouver Island, he said that ' the Cariboo gold district was d.s-
covered by a fine athletic young man of the name of McDonald, a native of
tlio Island of Cape Breton, of mixed French and Scotch descent, combining in
his ])ersonal appearance and character the courage, activity, and remarkable
I'ow ers of endurance of both races. His health had suflfered from three years'
constant exposure and privation, which induced him to repair with his welJ-
eiinipil wealth to this colony for medical assistance. His verbal report to me
u interesting, and conveys the idea of an almost exhaustless gold-field extend*

; iji

!.';

1
1

'-' ;■

■

i
i

484

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

The hardships of exploration undergone in those
remote and rugged regions afforded frequent examples
of the miracles that can be wrought by the will over
tlie body. From Quesncl Fork, the highest point in
the basin of the Fraser River where supplies could ho
delivered by means of pack-animals in 18G0, journeys
of several months were undertaken through tungkd
forests, rugged canons, and over lofty mountains, bur-
dened until late in the spring with snows. The pros-
pector ventured hundreds of miles, in the face of
starvation, into a country which contained little gaiiio,
and was scarcely visited even by Indians. The ad-
venturer of the Rose type threw himself into the;
mountains with reckless abandon, risking body and
soul in their fastnesses, and trusting to the genius
of the region to take pity and guide him into the
subfluvial caverns lit up by the yellow light he lo\ ed
so well.

The miner, like the sailor, had glimpses of nature in
supernatural moods. He learned the lesson of a soli-
tary man's helplessness. Fancies and superstitions
took hold on him in one form or another. Alone witli
his thoughts sometimes for days and wo(;ks togotlier,
delving in unfamiliar surroundings, under the iiiHu-

ing through the quartz and slate forniationa in a northerly direction from ( '.iri-
1)()(i Lake. B. C. Papers, iv. 58. Rose was one of the nio.it adventurou.s ipt tlie
pioneers. Milton and Cheadle, Whyuiper and others, all toll tlio same stcniia
of the first-named author, only diflering from Douglas in calling him a Sciittli-
man. When the crowd rushed in upon Rose, McDonald, and Dietz, ou
Antler Creek in 1860-1, Rose and Dietz loft in search of new diggiiif,'.s. Kdsu
disappeared for months. His absence gave no concern to his friends, aiiKiUL,'
whom similar prospecting journeys into the wilds were of every-day ocoiir-
rence. Finally, another party of prospectors happened to follow liis triuk
far into the wilderness, and came upon his body in the woods. Near it
on the branch of a tree was hanging his tin cup, on which was sciat'luil,
with the point of a knife-blade, the legend, 'Dying of suarvatio:i, lliw.
X. W. Pass, by Land, 3G4-5; W/njmpers Alaika, 35. Wdliam Dirt/, the
discoverer of the diggings on William Creek, ascended Bal 1 Mo'mtaiii Inmi
Antler Creek early in 1801, and was the first to report the position ni tlie
valley of Willow River. Ho afterward prospected its head-waters, bi:i witli
little success, and announced the discovery of gold on the stream cilliil
AVilliam Creek by some, and Humbug Creek by otiiers. Dietz died a iiauiK"-
at Victoria in 1877. Another of the earliest miners on Willia-ti Creek, wlw
became wealthy as the owner of the Black Jack mine, was at Victoria in tlie
winter of 1877-8, dependent on charity for his daily bread. AUan'ti Cni-ihoo,
MS., 11.

! in thoso
, examples
; will over
t point ill
8 coukl liO
I, jouriK'VS
;h tan^K'd
tains, l)ur-

Thc pros-

10 face of

ittle game,

The ad-

f into the

body aiul
the genius
n into the
,t he loved

f nature in
n of a soli-
ipcrstitioiis
A.h»no with
3 together,
the inllu-

ctinnfroiiit'ari-

eliturinirf ot the

tliosiuiiu stcrita

g liiiii a Scutch-

ami iJii^tz, (lu

iggiiifi.s. Kt^f^

frieiiils, iiniiHi'4

ci-y-<lay dcoiir-

oUiiw Ills track

)()il3. Near it

was scratclicd,^

u-vatio'i, l!"-^'-''

iam I'ictz, tlio

M(i>iutaiii fi'iiiii

position ii! tlic

ratcM-s, l.v.t \ntli

.stream callcl

7. dkd a iKiul""'

ia-iiCrci-k. wli')

Victoria i" tlio

Atlan'i Oiriliio,

THE QUESNEL AND HORSEFLY.

48S

encc of natural objects, encompassed by the evolu-
tion imps of the dark canon, the elevated region, the
lonely lake, the unknown stream, not unfrequently his
dreams or haps of a trifling nature formed hia solo
mental pabulum; and the imagination found wing in
the direction of his desires, often shaped by some
creed spiritualistic. Hera, the goddess who loved
Jason and all his crew of adventurous Greeks, would
keep an eye on his fortunes also, and would lead him
straight to his goal, as among the thrice worshipful
of the Argonauts. In some of these men a mental
or moral bend due to prior life, furnished the tragic
woof that ran through their web of romance, forming
its most essential part. Everything had gone wrong;
there was no human remedy. All that could be done
was to throw themselves away, to give themselves
wholly over to wickedness, since the worst fate staring
them in the face might be modified and temporarily
or [)artially escaped by the aid of the appreciative if
not pitying spirit of evil. Whatever their fancies,
scores of venturesome miners were lost; some never
more to be heard of.

Having accounted for the settlement of Cariboo,
wc are prepared to survey the history of the several
creeks in detail. At Quesnel Fork, the Fraser River
miners worked during the larger part of the season of
1859, and this was the first point, aside from Fraser
River, to develop into a permanent camp. Quesnel
Fork had an important geographical position, and
was easily reached by the plateau trail from William
l^akc. It was the point of divergence in two or three
diflbrcnt directions, chiefly along the north and south
forks of the Quesnel, the latter branching into Horse-
fly River, and formed the supply depot for the Cariboo
reoion during the discovery period, and even after-
wards to some extent. The mining-camp here was
beside the centre of an extensive mining district,
with tunnels, dams, and water-wheels, and as such it

■ I'll!

486

GOLD IN TllK CAIilBOO COUNTItY.

early assumed the dignity of a village or town.'''
Though much of its prestige departed on the coiu-
pletion of the Cariboo wagon-road, by way of the
mouth of the Quesncl, its permanency and local iia-
])()rtance were sufficiently well established to maintain
down to 1875 three well-filled stores doing a lar^o
business with pack-trains, and two butchur-bli(»[is,
besides the usual miscelluneous establishments ot" a
mining town ; but the white miners had by this tiiiio
abandoned the diggings to Chinese, who were conti nt
with the less yielding bench deposits/^

The enterprising men who worked the bars of tin;
Quesnel in the summer of 1859 were most succcsst'ul
in the valley of the main stream or south branch,
oj)ening into Quesnel Lake. Proceeding on rafts ulonj^f
the shores of that lake, the}'' came to a large livor
entering from the south, which was named Horsttl -
River. They ascended the stream until it branch
and on the smaller tributary, Ilorsefiy Creek, lead
to Horsefly Lake, they discovered the richest placers

'*H. M. Ball reported to Governor Douglas under date of Lyttou, Dfo. 18,
1859, that at tiio fork of the Quesnel some miners had struck tlio Miliio
l,:ad,' a deposit of auriferous gravel, 'well known in California.' It was must
extensively developed, wrote Ball, at Horsefly River, and was supjiosi'il to
cover largo areas of country. £, C. Papers, iii. 93. In the wiiilrr of
18G0 -1, during the low stage of the water in Qucsuel River, mining' wns
carried on actively and successfully in the bed of tlie river at the iurl.i.
Several companies constructed wing-dams and water-wheels, extracting cva-
siderahle quantities of gold from the river in that manner, 'ihe river foriiicily
ran in different channels through the alluvial flats, and at dill'ercnt Kvili
along the benches. Good prositects were obtained on the benches 100 U> JDO
feet above the river, which it was supposed would remunerate a large lioily
of miners under more favorable conditions in the future. KeithUy and
Diller had a claim on tlie hill-side, sixty feet above the river. This wiis
discovered in 18(50, and proved, after some tunnelling in search of the kail,
remarkably rich. Afterward the lead appeared to have been lost, yiwl, in
B. C. Papers, iv. 50. 'Both branches of the Quesnelle,' wrote Donald
Fraser, in the midst of the Cariboo excitement, 'are highly auriferous, ilio
returns for last summer, 1861, were that nine out of ten of the claims paid
over an ounce a day to the hand... The diggings must be rich to have re-
tained any miners so close to Cariboo, where fortunes -were made in the itoni'so
of a few weeks.' London Times' cor., Vancouver Islaml, Jan. 20, ISii'J, iu
JiawUnifi' Vot^f'ederation, 117-18.

"In 1875 no white men remained in the diggings, nor in the disti'iet in-
cluding Keithley Creek. In order to work the large flat back of tlie Mllauu
of Quesnel Fork, a ditch a mile in length was constructed in 1875 liy tlm
Chinese, who anticipated that the ground would yield them from ^ to c'l a
day each. Hare, in Min. Mines Ilepl., 1875, 13-14.

COQUETTE AND CEDAR CHEEKS.

487

ftmiul up to that timo in the ])a,siM of the Quosnol,
l)i'iii'iiit^ a close resemblance, it' the declarations of
Califoriiiaiis could be trusted, to the 'i)lu(> lead'
inavels in the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada. One

jKiity of tive miners working near the close of the
season of 1859, with two rockers, took out one hun-
dred and one ounces of gold in a week; after wliich
tlu'V were obliged to abandon their operations on ac-
I'ouiit of the severity of the weather.'^"

Owing doul)tless to the common difficulty here en-
countered for the first time, in reaching; and followinix
the bed of the old channel, mining ftiiled to be perma-
iioiitly profitable on the Horsefly and the region lying
to the northward of Quesnel Lake. After 1867 o[)era-
tions came to a stand, to be revived for a short time
only in 187(), when some good prcspects crcii.L'd a
rush. This failed to realize the expectations formed,
and the district relapsed into oblivion. From Ques-
nel Lake to Fraser Kiver, at the mouth of the Ques-
nel, extending all along Quesnel River, there Avas
siH)[)osed, from innumerable developments, to be a
,i,^ood hydraulic mining country, which in the future
would ])rove to be valuable. On the south branch,
Itelow the outlet of Quesnel Lake, mining continued
to 1)0 prosecuted, and in 1872 a Chinese company was
sii})[)()sed to be still making ten dollars a day to the
nuiii.-^ Meanwhile developments had been made at
C'o({uette and Cedar creeks, pointing to the exist-

'"Jidir^ Reporf, Doc. 18, 18r)9, in B. C. Pnyciv, iii. 93. It was reported
bifdii! tliu clo.ie of 1859 tliat they had stiuck the identical ' hhie lead,' pre-
sLMitiiig the same indications of an almndame of gohl, and extending m a
(lirectiou nearly nortli and soutli across Uorsetly ('rc'(;k., \\ii\\ a lateral extent
of nearly ten miles. Tliis ' blue lead ' was traced ' a distance of thirty miles. '
All the indications of the upper strata were said to he sinular to tho.io of the
Mill' 1 'iid in California, tlie lirst gold stratum heing foun<i at a depth of twenty-
ti\e feet. There was a false bed-rock of 'bastard talc,' which the uuncrs did
imt understand. The whole country to the southward of (.^)uesn(d L.die was
fiiuiid later to contain deep gravel deposits resembling the blue Liails. llar-
inll .-i I.rr/,iiri:% .SO; Dnwuoii Oil MincK, 41.

-' Tliey worked on a bench of tlie south fork of the Quesnel, 00 feet above
the river, bringing water upon their ground by i> cans of a wiu^cl. Cariboo
Si'iiiiiiii, Aug. II?, 1872. Being easier of access than William Creek, with
li'tter climate and longer season, and perhaps low expensive to work, these dig-
gings were considered to have ii iportant advantages. I lanivt'.'s Lectures, '^3,

i;j|M]^™j|j

litit .

'; ''!^«H^H^H

H ■ ''

'if ! :

^^^H(».

1 !i

■t t <.\

El ii

488

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

eiice, probably throughout the entire basin of Qikjs-
nel Lake, of a widely extended and important placd'
region. The Cedar Creek diggings proved to be val-
uable, yielding steadily as well as largely for mnuv
time. The Aurora claim, with Humes and sluices
costing $8,000, yielded, mostly in 18GG, $20,000; tlic
Moosehead claim, costing $2,000 to open, paid $7,000
the first year; tlie Barker claim, also located in 18(Wi,
and costing $7,000 to open, paid $2,000 in a year;
and the Discovery claim was yielding, in SepteHil)i>r
18GG, $ i5 to $20 a day at a point where it was slialldw.
In August 18G7, the Aurora was paying one liundrod
ounces a week, and other claims from $10 to $20 a
day to the man.'^' Coquette Creek failed to respond
to the prospects first obtained in 18GG, and was chiefly
given over to Chinese.^*

On the north branch of the Quesnel there were (
velopments not unlike these on the south brand i,

'''■Victoria Wcrlli/ Coloiii.4, June 25, 18G8. Cedar Creek was iirst asot'inlcd
by a prosixicting party in 18G2, but was abandoned until Ifjiio. In KStill
a party of miners from William Creek obtained there a prospect of .Sll'.l,
causing a rush. Id. In Septemlier 1807 both the Aurora and Discovery avcio
averging 5-0 a day to the man. Curilioo Scii/iiicl, Sept. '2(), 18(;7. Tlio
Discovery company, which li.ad t;ikcu out several thousaml duUirs, ex-
})ended that amount further upon tlicir claim. A few miners still Murk-
mg in June 1807 were taking; out from §5 to $20 a day. 1'lie piy ilirt
was from (i to 8 feet thick. Visionary Californians pronounced it to lir tiio
' blue lead ' that had paid so well at William Creek, 'commencing ou llnrse-
fly Creek, and running directly through this section.' Tlic Aurora ( 'oinp.iiiy,
in July, 1807, comiileted a tlunie 2,000 feet iu length, dumping i:ito tjhn siicl
Jj:ike. Some of the ground on the bed-rock yielded $2.25 to the pan. /■/,,
Jidy 30, 1807.

'■'•'The discovery of ('(upiette Creek was credited, t!';_'ctlier witli that (it
Cedar Creek, to J. K. Kdward.s, one of the p.rospectors of tlie Aurora elaini mi
William Creek, in lS(iO. Vi'iarii Cokmi.-t, July 28, 1800. Auothti' a«-
tliority states that Cocpiette Creek was originally opened by a Corni-linian,
l)resuniably K.Kvard.4, who lost the lead, whereupon it was seld to tii'!
Cliinese. Jfitnictf's L(Ctiiir^, 29. No prospects were found by t!io coiiiiiaiiy
i.i the opening made by them on the sujiposed bed-rock, which it was reini'icd
resembled ,in ash-pit, a cut 00 feet in width having lieen sluieeil across tlic
neck to tost it. For twenty daj's expended in accomplishing that work t'lrrt;
was a yicM of only .^52. ViHarin C()loni.-<t, Sept. 25, 18;>0. Lining and < oiiii'an,",
after j)rospecting at another place for a month, al -o abandoned their giiniiiil.
//., ]> tilii, **'^'t- ilt-b. Tlie pertinacity of the Cliinest! in 1807 again attraittil
white men to the creek, but w thout producing auj" important resflts.

'* Black Bear Creek iu the same range of mountains as Ce(Iar a-id C(i(|iii'tt('
creeks, but on the opposite side, draining into the nrrth foik .f t!"' (,Mi»sn«l,
was nunc 1 by a discovery company in 18(';7. They sluiced .ito a blue ■ ' iv,
finding coarse gold. Victoria Colonist, Aug. 0, 1867.

lii!

1 of Quf.s-
taut placer
I to be val-
( for soiiu'
lud sluices
:0,000; tlie
•aid $7,000
A in IHCC),
in a year;
Scpteinher
as shallow,
le iiuiidrod
) to %-10 a
to respond
was chiefly

*e were de-
1 brand I,"'

■) iii'st asci'iiiluil
l;s>)5. In iMili
)si)c.'i;t of 81111,
Discovery vt'iu
.'(), ISCT. The
(lull:ir,-i, ox-
ers still Work-
'J'liu I'lV dirt
jd it to l>i' the
ring o;i Jlorsf-
■ora ( 'oiiipaiiy,

g into (jhirslll'l

thu pan. /'/. ,

r with that <il
.urora claini on
Another ini-
i t'oriii.-liiiiaii,
IS sol.l to th'
■ t!ie comii.iiiy
t was ri'ci>riii'il
ii'oil across tiu'
Kit work t'liTi'

mil < 'oiiqiaii;-,
I their gri'Uiiil.
igaiii attrartcil

ri'f'i'.lts.

•a-l'l ('o(|llrtt('

.1 t'o' (,Mi»sn«l,
(> a blue ■ ' l^.

GENERAL MINING DEVELOrMENT.

489

])artlcularly on the right-bank tributaries, the Keith-
ley, Snowshoc, Harvey, and Cunningham creeks,
draining the eastern slopes of the Bald Mountains,
and whereon modern erosions had laid bare, ft,r short
distances, the deeper channels of the ancient streams.
Wlien tiie bed of the north branch was jirospected in
18r)i)-G0, it was found to contain profitable jdacers as
far up as the C'ai'iboo lakes,"^'' but here in the absence
of gold-bearing soil at the surface, want of success
]iad the effect to throw back the advance upon Cari-
boo proper for that year, so that Keithley, Harvey,
and C rouse creeks were not worked until the autunni
of 18 GO.

On Keithley Creek mining was so successfully
prosecuted in 18 GO that several stores were er'.'cted
there,"" and near its mouth the town of Keithley came
into existence in l^Gl, as supply depot for the entire
region of the north branch of tlie Quesnel."' The gold
on tlie cret^k consisted partly of solid nuggets paving
the bed-rock within a few feet of the surface. A party
of fi-o men, in June 18G1, divided one thousand two
liuiK.red dollars between them as the product of a
single day's labor, and their daily average for some

'-■' In tlio spring of l>Si)2 preparations wore inade on a large scale for win(i;-
(Iniiiiiiing at (liH'erent pi. ice.;; I)nt an early thaw raised the waters of the lake
aiiil rivir, sweeping away all the dams and water-wheels, the result of several
months of hard work in the coldest part of tlie winter, li. ('. Dirii'lnrij, l.S(i,'{,
■_M1). The north folk was rich down to the l)rid;,'c, where the trail from QuvS-
III 1 !''( I rl.s crossed it. ]5elow that point the clnnate changed. Jlonutl'i Lie-
lurfu, 21.

'''Two store Imililings were erected near its mouth at lower Cariboo I^ake;
aiintlior store was built and opened by Davis in advance of the lirst-nicrn-
tioiucl six niihs \\\) the stream, on the line of the j)ioneer trail. A'/'/c/'.t I'c-
pni-f, March 'J7, liSdl, iu Ji. ('. I'liperx, iv. 50 1. Keithley was reachcil liy
• 'oiiiiiiissioner Nind in the winter of liSliO-l; crossing over Cariboo Lake, he
Iniiiiil tlie two store buildings not yet occupii'd, whih; D.^vis' store w,as already
II iciitre of trade and mining. Alany thousand feet of liiiuber wore whip-
siHcil and leaily in March IStil at tlio latti.T point for lluniing the bed of
Keitliley Ci'cek.

''' In .Juno 1801, the town of Ki'ithloy consisted of three grocery stor 's, a
liakery, restaurant, butcher-shop, blacksmith-sho[i, and seviMal taverns, kc[it
ill teii..H and log houses, lieef cattle wi^ro drivtMi to that point from Oregon.
'I'licre were, in .Juno 18(')1, '200 men in the crti'k, of whom To were engau'cd in
milling. Ciirilmo Oolil-jiclth, .">;(- 8. In 1875 it still KiipiJortcd three or four
stores, one of them ke|it by a Chinaman. J/nrc, in Min. J/'H'W /'•))/., 1875,
!■(. It contimiod until recent years to be the principal uiimiig and trading
liiiiiit in the vicinity of the Cariboo lakcjs.

Ill

I K'll •!

' 1

■ S' ;

' '{<^\

490

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

time was said to bo a pound weiglit of gold. In Sep-
tember 18G1, severi.'. companies were making from fil'iy
to one hundred dollars a day to the man in the bid
of the creek, and one hundred dollars in the dry-dig-
gings on the hill-side. Flumes were built of enormous
size and length, and numerous wheel-pumjis were set,
in motion.^** In 18G7 the lead was lost; yet the
Chinese on the creek continued to make ' .;y, the
claim at the mouth of the creek j)aying h\. \ twelve
to sixteen dollars a day to the digger. After 1875
the yield fell otf.=^

Harvey and Cunningham creeks, also tributaries
of the north branch of the Quesnel, and discovered
in the autunm of 18G0, received no attention until
the Antler Creek excitement in 1801, and were not
entered upon in larger force till 18G4. On Harvey
Creek the conditions and history of mining resembled
those of Keithley, Droughts and floods and other
serious difficulties of deep mining stood here also in
the way of development; so that tlie stereotyped
verdict of exhaustion was passed upon it in lH"(i,
On Cunningham Creek, a stream about tliirty miles
in length, a numl)er of claims were taken up in the
middle of February 18G1; and in the following yciif
the deep diggings were prospected to some extent, but
abandoned as unprofitable.

In 18G4 further developments were made whicli
surprised the old minors who were acipuiinted witli
the ground. Four of the white men nuule a dis-
covery near the mouth that the old bed of the
creek was not beneath the present stream, but iu
a deep chamiel parallel to it, a hundred yards

'"Tlio ImnlHT was suiiplicil by a Baw-niill cniiipUted in Sc'iittuiiltor. Tiii.^
waa a in in,; in ilsolt', funiialiiiif^lunibt.'rat 2") cunts a loot ami uji wards. Loiihn
'J'iiiirn' fur. Vidorht, Nov. 29, 18(il, iu Ciiriliim (lolil-fnids, 51-8. .In.siph
I'atter.son and lirotliur inl'onnud ( JovL-rnor Douglas that tlio miners at Kiilhlty
Criick in 18(U wen; making from two tothroeounco8a<lay. J>0U(ihis' Jh'.ij>iif'"li,
0i!t. -24, 18(il, in //nzl.ti'.t Carihoo, 1'24.

-^ lltirnfit n /.ir/iirrs, '27. Tho cruok was protitalily worko<l as late as
1877, but tlu! bust ground was bclievod t) bu worki^d out. Kcitlduy (ivck
v,,iH always subjuct either to a drought or a tlood Mia. Miiiai Jx'eiit, 1870,
420; 1877, 3t)'J

II :^

■ I,

fifefhilli

VERY MANY CREEKS.

491

In S(>p-
g from filly
in the bed
lie dry-dig-
f enormous
)s were set,
t; yet tliu
■ij, the
V. ^ twelve
^fter 1875

tributaries

discovered

ition until

Avere not

)n Harvey

resembled

and other

ere also in

ttireotyped

: in 187(;.

lirty miles

up iu the

iwiiii;' yan-

.'xtent, but

ide which
nted with
ide a dis-
!d of the
m, but in
'ed yards

tomlnT. 'riii.<
ivarils. J.iiiil III
'lis. >losc]ill

rsat Kt'ltliley
I(/1(m' Jh'.*i>iitcl(,

i!(l iiM late HH
icitliloy Creok
ai L'ejit., 1S7(),

aside."" The deeper they went into this channel the
licher they found it, and in one day four hundred and
sixty dollars apiece were obtained. The result was,
that about two hundred miners located fresh claims
on the creek, many of them yielding well.^^ The ex-
( itement conthiued throughout 18G5, and then fol-
lowed another decline, the result of failure in tracing,
or working the deep lead."'^

Antler Creek, the original objective point of the
gdid-seekers who explored Cariboo in ISGl, was the
iirst in that ix>gion to attain a decided reputation after
Keithley Creek, and the first to establish the char-
acter of the Cariboo region. Its fame, like that of
Keithley and William creeks, also rested upon the
circumstance that the present stream had in one or
more places cut down into the ancient channel. The
Ijoudon Timcs^ corresj)oiident wrote that the Ix^d-rock
was found paved with gold. Every shovelful con-
tained a considerable quantity, in some cases as much
as lil'ty dollars. Nuggets could be picked out t)f the
soil by hand, and the rocker yielded fifty ounces iu a
'(vw hours. ^^ The secret of the wonderful riches of the
de})osit in Antler Creek was too important to be kej)t.
It drew all the venturesome members of the po})ula-
tioii domiciled in the nei<xhborhood over the dan<jfiTous
winter trail of the Snowshoe ^Mountain in the months

A single log-cabin

of January and February 18G1.

'^"lliire, in Miu. Mines llejit, 187C, 420; Nlmls, in B. C. Papem, iv. 51.
Tliiy li:;;l found tluit the channel worn iu the l)j(l-rock uud.T tlie pre.sent
Kliiiini liail a rim on one side l)LyoiKl wliiuli tlie hud-rouk full off into a tleeper
<il 1 rliauuL'l to a deptll then linkuowni.

■' Virtorla Wc'i'lli/ Colonist, Sent, (i, 18(14. The ])roi)rietors of the Keu-
huUv fliini eng;u;cil in ground sluicing, took out ifioO one day in 1S;J."), and
*l,tHUtho d.-.y following. J(L, July II, ISOj.

■'-A Victoria cnupmy employing twenty men erected costly niachiuery
uiiiiuthc crei'k in UtTCi, fortlie purpose of exploring the deo]i ground, l)y nil otli-
tTs so far iiUHUcce.ssfully attempted. Boirson, in Mill. Miiict Iti-jit., 187<>, 41 S.

•'■' Mncjie'n V. I. and B. C, '_'44. Tlie discovery vas made so late in the
autuiMu of 1800 that on the morning following it a fi>i)t of snow had eov(Ted
till' fiiduud, and nothing could ))0 ilono at mining until the spring of 18til.
11 ''/A', in Om-land Moiilhli/, Dec. ISCiO, 5'2G. Comin'ssioncr Niiid testifies
(lilt tliu lied-rock was but a short distance under the surface in a narrow
vilhy. B. ('. J'itpi'r.% iv. 51.

'<!old Coinniissioiior Kind, who was called to settle mining disi)utes hero,
ani\ cd at Antler Creek early in March, and found the snow six or seven feet

492

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

U! M

built by Rose and McDonald, the discoverers of the
diggings in the fall of 18G0, was at this time the only
evidence of settlement, but by June ten houses and a
s_iw-iuill had risen, and during the following months
mining was at its height. Eleven companici-j were
working witli large profits, and individuals were iiuil;-
iug as much as $1,000 a da}-, wlule the yield of tho
several sluice and flume claims was 60 ounces a (hiy
to the man, and the daily aggregate of the creok
during the summer of 1861 over §10,000. j^.Iucli of
the ground yielded $1,000 to the square foot. Tlu'ee
quarters of a mile below the town of Antler two ]):irt-
ners were said to have obtained from 40 to 60 ounei's
a day each, with the rocker. ^^

The town of Antler grew as if by magic, and counted,
in Auguist, twenty substantial buildings, comprisinn^
stores, whiskey-saloons, and dwelling-houses, sur-
rounded by a much larger number of tents,"^** yet tlic
community was on the whole remarkably sober, law-
abiding, and quiet. ^^

Tifn

deep, and tlio miners living in holei, which they had dug in the snow, subaist-
iiig (i;i tiio soaaty supplies carried ia over the Suowslioe trails. Thu cnu-
missiouer waj occupied six days ia ascertaining the claims to ground, iiii 1
everything was finally settled witliout difturhauco, for ' English law,' it v.:h
maintained, coi'hl not he transgressed ' with the same impunity as California
law.' Nind, j . V. Papers, iv. SO-l.

^^ Water ■ .,8 selling at 50 cents an inch. Times' cor., in Cariboo Cold-
Jiclds, 5.'J-8. In a leader of Feb. 7, 18G1, the London Times sii: nnarizcd
the developments on Antler Creek from May to September 18G1, and DonaUl
]''raser's stateaieats as correspon<lent were reviewed, and accepted as trust-
worthy. A miner named Smith was spoken of as having obtained 'i\ pouiuls
of gold per day with the rocker. Other claims working with sluices Aviro
ro[)orted to bo yielding regularly as nmch. Quoted in McDonald's B. (.'.,
110-1.5. Small claims on Antler Creek yielded from 100 to 'W'.'d ouucls a
day. In 3 wc^eks' washing one company of 3 men obtained §83,300; anntlur
of 3 men, $r/7,nOO; still another of 5 men, $20,000; and another of (j men,
.^28,000, in tlie same ptiriod. London Times' cor., in Jlacjie'a V. I. and B. C,
214-5. Governor Uoujjhis vouched for the authenticity of the stateiinnt
t!iat 4 men obtained regularly from 16 to 37 ounces a day, or from 4 U< %
ounces eacli. Id.

^''Cnrilioo Oold-Jields, 55. A Spanish muleteer, when asked in re^'anl to
the merits of the Cariboo mines, from which he had recently returni>i, .x-
plicid that he had doubts until he liad seen the gaming-tiible at Antler Cncli,
Three miners gambled away ^'.27,000 at a sitting.

"' Beybie wrote to the colonial secretary in September 18G1: ' I never saw
a mining town anything like this. There were some hundreds in A-.iilir. :.ll
sober and quiet. It was Sunday afternoon. 0:ilv a few of the claims am -u
worked that day. It woa ixa (j^uiet as Victoria. . .'i'hey told me it was liku

■I'm

w^M

COMPARATIVE YIELD.

493

rers of the
le the only
>uso.s and a
ing months
anici-j Were
were nuik-
ield of the
nces a (hiv
the creek
j^.Iiieli of
r)t. Tliree
r two }):irt-
> 60 ounces

id counted,
coniprisinLf

luses, siir-
i-'" yet tlic
sober, law-

e snow, suliaist-
:lil.s. TIk! Cii:.'!-
to ground, iiii 1
ish lav,' it \v,:h
ty as Califoriiin

1 Cariboo Cold-
'les sxv.:nmuT/.:i[
^01, a:ul Jhiiiakl
eptod as trii.-t-
lined S]i pouiuls
ith sluices wxTo
Donalir.s B. C,
o ]',,'d ounces a
83,300; aiintliiT
)ther of (j mt.il,
\ /. uihI B. C,
tlie statuiiiiiit
or from 4 t« ilj

ed in rej,'aicl to
ly reiunii >1, .i.-
t Antler CriM't.

L: 'Inevoi-N;;W
Is iu A;.i:l.T. 1.11
the claims a\' ru
uie it was liku

xVs in the case of Keithley Creek, and as any one
ini.^ht liave anticipated had the facts of the hniited
extent of the old channel laid bare by erosion been
understood, there was difficulty and disappointiuent
in store. Expectations had been raised which could
not be realized at that time, though the conclusions
ill r«\L;ard to the wealth of the creek had been entirely
ooiTect. After the shallow part of the old channel
was exhausted, the problem of working the buried
pi lit '.on was encountered, and without syi:teinatic work
the lead could not long bo followed.^* The declension
onine about gradually. In 18G7 the town of Antler
was deserted, and onl}' a few men remained on the
creek, cleaning up, for the second time, the old ground.

Chouse Creek was mined to a limited extent in
18(;L-i:, a:id then abandoned until loG4,'" when the
Heron claim was located upon it. After an t xpendi-
ture of C' 150,000 the Heron claim yielded $;]00,000.
Under the supposition that the ground was worked^
out, it was then sold for $4,000 ; but on cutting an
oe.llet 18 inelics deeper the claim continued to yield
lio::i r .) to 100 ounces a week throughout the ensuing
season." The creek v/as aixain abandoned until 186G,

Callfonii.i, ill '49. Why, you wouhl have acouall these fellows roaring drunk,
and i;i.iLoli au I bare k.iivea i;i every luuul. ' B. C. Papt'iv, iv. 61.

^'^ l;i !!■ )4 a bcd-roc'.c llumo company v,-.ii formed at Antler. Tiio company
ol)taiiicd a ten years' Ica.o of sinteeu and one half miles of the creek, in-
duiaiiga f-.-:'.i> of ground ICO foet i:i ■vvidtli along the creek, with tlio inteulidu
of intnid-,;: ing hydraulic mining. No heavy mechanical appllanci's liad been
used on tl ij creek up to that time. Mufjlts V. I. and B. C, 215. Iu connec-
tion wiLh t lie mining operatious on t'.ie creek, and tlio prosjiecti:;;.; that was
il ic f.ir t'le recovery of t'.ie lost lead, t'le fact was djvelopod, and reniarl;ed
upon, tliat. oa the one side of t'.io Creole t';ere was nothi ig Init line gold, wliilo
o:i llic o:\i r si le it was all coarse. At t'..c head of Antler e';\!r';, formerly
tlie ciinliMiitioii of Sawmill Flat, extended a plain many miles i:i tlic opposite
(lirec'.idu, and it was supposed that the extensive area e:n)>race(l by there
pliysleal ,i atures was for: lerly the site of a great la'.;c. T'.io more ancient
Kireani oi Ujep channel of Anller Creek was siippo.jcd to liavo co;:ie, much
K';e the juiisent crijok, from the mouutai i'. at tlic we.;t. Jts gr ivels werj a
jKirtion o; an auviferous formation extending to Grour.e Creek. J/'n-nell'.i
Lcc/io-i'-t, l.'7.

""Dcca . o three men in 1801-2 would not investi~ato properly their in-
terest i, h vi^i'T lojt faith. Jlann'ti's J.cHutrx, 21. T!:o c/eelc i.i(>nly five
111! i e ist of William Creek, runnin;^ paraUel to it, and (lr;uni;i;j with Antler
ail V,"/'liiin creeks the eastern slope of the Agnes Bal I Mountain.

*' V idoAa Colonist, Jan. 21, 18G8; Harnett's Lccturcn. 33.

I' 1, 'I

I'll

i 1

' t :

t" Rl=f

-IP

494

GOLD IN THE CARIBOO COUNTRY.

wnen the lead was rediscovered ; and the Heron, Dis-
covery, and other claims yielded from $15,000 to $20,-
000 to the share," raising the creek to the dignity of
one of tlie principal mining fields in Cariboo for tlie
ensuing season." In 18G7, thirty -five mining companies
were at work; a saw-mill was in operation; and two
respectable villages sprang up in the valley/^

Rich strikes, alternating with failures to keej) tlie
loads, varied the history of Grouse Creek througliout
subsequent years. Bear River, emptying into tlie
Fraser above Fort George, had numerous lakes and
former lake-beds along its course, but beneath their
recent and ancient se Mments the miners do not ap-
pear to have found any old channel.**

*^ Allan's Cariboo, MS., 10-11.

*' Many of the cliiim» were yielding from $25 to $50 a day. Victoria Wedhj
Colonist, Oct. 23, 18G0.

*^ A charter was procured for a hcd-rock flume company, but this M'as suli-
sequeiitly revoked, and, as a result, many additional claims were located and
recorded upon the creek. During 18G7, some Frenchmen were wasliing out
.V4 to ^;15 a day with the rocker, while sluicing in California fashion paid Irom
i?10 to $12, and hydraulic work $'J0 to $25 a day. Harnett's LcHuns, 24-5.
Tiie Heron Company, in March 18G7, paid a dividend of $800 to the share;
and tho Full Rig Company a dividend of $230 for a week's work. Carihm
Sentinel, March 30, 1807. These companies worked out tho lead for a thou-
sand feet on the channel, while above and below them it could not be foiiml.
In May 1SG7, the Blackhawk and Cana-.lian companica were seeking it liy a
tunnel and incline. The V/ater Witch Company sank a shaft near tlie centru
of the creek, and drifted into deep ground, causing an excitement, but it
proved to be only an uiidulatiou like that in the llard-ux) Company's tunnel.
Victor! I Coloni.it, May 7, 11>G7. There wore two distinct leada, t'.io more an-
cient being aside from the present channel. From the boundariv'-s of tlie
Heron and Hard-up claims, at t'.ie lower e:i(l of the diggings, the creek cdu-
tinned in a series of flats where tho channel was never found.

^♦In i;;,;9, a 'new creek ' was reported '75 to 100 miles north-east finiii
Cariboo,' which was much lower than tho Cariboo diggings, hail been burii il
over, and was o\ergrown by small t;::ibcr. It was said to prospect 12j cents
to the pan at the surface. Victoria Colonist, March 10, 18G9.

Victoria Wi'Mij

CHAPTER XXVI.

MINING IN CARIBOO.

1863-188Z

Rise of William Creek — Ricn Discoveries — Large Yield— Decline —
Deep Mining— Marysville Lead— Drainaoe Operation-s— Rich-
field — Mosquito and Mustang Ckeeks — Odtskirt Placers — Light-
Mxo Creek — Van Winkle — Decline and Revival — Lowiiee—
CaSon Creek and its Quartz — Character of Cariboo Veins — Scm-
MARY OF Yield— Cariboo Life — The Low and the Intellectual.

William Creek has a history in many respects
similar to that of Antler Creek. Its first-discovered
rich deposits were shallow, and in the bed of the
present stream, above the canon. Below these dig-
gings was a flat, supposed to have been the bed of a
former lake, in which the channel sank and was lost.
Here the problem of working the deep ground by
means of shafts and pumping, was for the first timiO
systematically attempted, and profitably solved. The
crossing of Snowshoe Mountain by the inflowing
prospectors of 18G1, and their descent into the basin
of Bear River (Antler Creek), thence into the basin
of Willow River (William Creek), changed the centre
of operations from Keithley to William Creek, and
with it the approach from a circuitous to a more
direct route into the Bald Mountains of Cariboo. On
the completion of the road along Lightning Creek,
in 18G5, Barkerville on William Creek became the
principal distributing point for the Cariboo region,
the aggregate product of which amounted in seven
years to $25,000,000. The creek received its name
from William Dietz, a German who prospected upon

(4115)

1 I I

ii.

i I'

i J

',1 '

t!)fl

MINING IN CAllIEOO.

tlio licad-Nvatcrs of Willow River, and was the first in
the spring.

The discoveries iti the summer and autumn of 18(il
of tlio astonishinj^ly rich laiids on \/iHiani,' Lowlicc,
and Liiji'litnin;;' cnnks gave an immense impetus tf)
i'urther prospecting."

A rush i.t once set in, and claims were worked in
tlie shallov,' ground with great success, for the gold
lay thickly studded in a lo,yer of blue clay consisting
of deconipo;;ed slate and gravel, wliich in some cases
gave pro: pects of over .$000 to the p;in. In tlie
Htato claim tliis layer was six feet thick, and had a
top tri})ping which ranged from a few feet to tiirct!
fathoms in depth, Ctliers had less difficult ground tn
work, and the yield was rapid, amounting in several
claims to over 100 ounces a day for the season. Tlio
Steele party was leported to have ol-tained in two
days (587 and 409 ounces, and in two months $105,000.'

'The namo of llumlmg Creek, at first applied to this most faiiious of
Ciirilxio stieanLS on account of iU suppo.seil wortlilcja charactor, w;;s siKin
abandoned, a:id the proper name of William (.'/e. k gained tlie ascciidonoy
to which it became justly entitled when the liiot noteworthy di.scovcry w;is
juade at tho Canon. Three seasons elapsed before the richest de]io.:it;< found
in tiie deep ground of William Creek were fairly developed. 'B. 7).,' Earktr-
ville, Oct. 'S.'id, cor. of Victoria Wcekbi Colovid, Nov. 7, 1805.

^ Thomas IJrown, an American, also laid claim to the discovery, and to
having located the first claim. Doiii/loji' JhsjHitrli, Oct. '2\, ISlll, in J/ir.liU'.i
Cariliiin, id. It was mouths, says awriter from tho spot, l)cforo any authentic
news of there discoveries reached Victoria. Kcpoits came lii'st tliat urwit
quantities of gold were being obtained in a small sjlroam iioar the summit (if
the mountain ; no names being then attached to tlie localities. The daily
yield was said to be first 20 oz., then 50 oz., 100 oz., .'liiO oz., and at last 4M,)
oz. a day, to four or live men. !Many of the companies were reported to
have so much geld that they were obliged to detail men to watch it day and
iiiglit. At Victoria these rumors were not conlided in until the gold bcLMa
to arrive. Kagged nuuers finally camo to the sea-coast, staggering under t!io
weight of their summer's accumulation. Mules were load.ed wilh the \r.r-
cious metal. .Men were paid .*;;0 and .^oO a day to carry the gold whii h tie!
owners of it had not tho strength to bring alone. Wriii/it, in Overlaml .Moiitldij,

Dec. is;;;), .51:0-7.

^fjovernor l)ou;;laa took down from the lips of Mr Steele, an American,
the frdlowing statement in regard to the Steele claim in ISOl: Their claim
did not pro.pect .so will as .some of the others, and it M'as furthermore a dilli-
cult one to Work, having from 8 to 18 feet of stripping overlying the am iiVr-
ous (1 •t. Tlio latter was a blue clay layer feet in thickness, contain-
ing decomposed slato and gravel. A space of 25 by 80 feet of this groiuid
produced in two months §105,000. A sluice was constructed, and four aiMi-
tional lien were hired to clear away the tailing. RivrUwjx' Cnnfcili'mt'im,
lis. I;i tho f..ll of ISt^l Dawjo'.i and co:iij)any took out of their claim na

WILLIAM CREEK.

497

Toward tlic dose of the season of 1861, all previ-
ous discoveries were exceeded by tlie developnuiits in
the rich ground lying fifty or sixty feet under tlie Hat,
l)tlo\v tlie 'Canon.' To the Barker Company Ix longs
tlic credit <jf having sunk the first paying shaft into the
wvw deposit, and in honor of tliis event tlic nucleus
of a town which here sprang into existence was named
Ijaikcrville, Supported by tlie underground mining,
the town grew rapidly in jmpulation, and maintained
fur years the position of tlic principal town in Cari-
lid.)/ Tlie Diller Company were among the next in
Older to bottom a shaft into the deep ground, wash-
iii;4' out in one day, it is said, two hundred pounds of
i;'r)l(l, the largest yield recorded for one day in Cari-
IxM).' A nund)er of claims were located all over the
Hat, and l)y means of the sj-stematic drifting and tun-
luHing introduced in 18G2, and carried on througli-
out tlie year, the old channel of William Creek was
traced for a ecnisiderable distance beneath the surface.
Some claims yielded 100 ounces and more daily, dur-
iii^f tlic season, three taking out .$100,000 eacli between
October 18()2 and January 1803. The Cunningham
turiu'd out over GOO ounces a day on several occasions;
tlie Caledonia yielded at one time from $r),000 to
!?<i,000 a day; and the Cameron and Tinker were not
for behind.*'

S'h

li-

I ^'1

\Villiiini C'rcuk S()00 in a single pan. Abbott and Company took out .?000
ill (nu- iiaiil'ul of dirt obtiiiuud three feet under the surface. JlnzliU'n Carilmi)
(!'nd-ji /'/.>■, 1, ").'!- 8.

' Jt was dustroyed by fire in the summer of 1808, but by tlie end of Sep-
teiiilur 40 now buildings had risc^n, Clowrnors Dcjqiitir/i, dated Sept. l(i, lS(i8,
mr,irll,noSnitiiirl, Sopt. l!9, 18(i8.

•' Alt'iiii'i< Ciiril/on, j\lS., 10, 11. Mr Allan, as editor of the TfrnVjoo .'>('/(/,■/(('/,
WHS ill a position to know the fact, and ou.^lit to be good authority. That
aiii(iu:it ecpials 2,400 ounces, at i-lG worth .S;{8,400.

'•('niirhii'i/'s Mill. li. ('., .Sis., G. The C'uiininghani Ciaiin averaged .$'2,000
a ilay throughout the season. It had a frontage of GOO feet. ():i sevi'ral oeca-
siiiiis .VJ pouiuls of gold were taken out of it in a day. The bi.sliop of Jiritl.ih
Cnluiiiliia witnessed the taking out of COO ounces, or.'iO pounds, from one day's
wiii'k. Tlie Adams Coiniiany in 1802 paid .s40,()00 each, clear of exiieiises, to
tlii( e partners. Jiroirn's E<.<aii, .'5Q-1. The claim of William iJictz, the ili.^-
ciivi riT, proved to bo one of the poorest on the creek; but generally the d aims
wliiili Wire lirst worked at a doiith not exceeding 12 feet yielded remarkalilo
ri tarns. '/'. Evans, in OivrUind Montfdu, March 1870; B. C. Director!/, 18o3,
201.',

Hist. Brit. Col. 32

Hit ■

'¥

l#ll|

408

MINING IN CARIBOO.

Large as was the yield of 18G2, the followlnir
season proved even more prosperous, and rcceivo(l
the aj)pollation of the golden year. Accordhig to
!Macfio, the creek was then worked over an awn if
seven miles, and of the numerous claims about -10
yielded handscmiely, while about 20 produced steadily
between 70 and 400 ounces a day. l*almer states that
the chief owner of the Cameron claim went home
with .$150,000 saved by him in one year, and ]\[ihon
and Cheadle witnessed the process of cleaning up from
a day's washing in the Raby, of 310 ounces, wliilo
they found the Cameron yielding from 40 to 112
ounces daily.^ A number of claims were only reacliiiii,'
the bed-rock in 18G4, and obtaining the usual rich
prospects, the Wake up Jake Compan}', for instance,
washing 52 ounces frt)m a panful of dirt. Other
claim again were yielding even better than befnic,
as the Ericsson, which opened in 18G3 and tunud out
an average weekly amount of 1,400 ounces during tlic
summer. In 1805 this claim paid nearly twice as hirge
dividends as before.*^

'The average total yiclil of the claims on William Creek was not less
than 2,000 ounces. Three partners of the Hani Curry Coiniiany ilividoil ICJ
pounds troy, the result of a sinjilo day's washing. Pabiii'i; in Loml. (•'m,;. Sii\,
Jour., xxxviii. 101-2. 'In ISiiS aliout 4,000 were engaged on tlli^^ iii'tk'
Marj!i''.-i r. /., 218; Nort/iiiVfif Pa.tmi'jc Inj Lund, ,S73.

•■In ]f->i)4 Douylas says the claim paid .SS,00;) to the share, or a total nf .'jOO,-
OOOclcarof exi)enses; and in ISliathodividcnds were .^'14,000 to the nh.ni-; lii;t
of the above the government received $r),()00. Dotn/lits' I'rirolc /'ii}iir<, MS.,
i. 151-2. Ifiinit'tt'/i Lcr/iircs, 12. I'or seven successive weeks the fiillowi",'
yield was ri ported from the Ericsson claim: .June 17, 181)4, 900 oz., .'^1 1.4(H);
June 24, 1SG4, G40 07.., .«!10.240; July 1, ISOt, l,4:J0oz., ^22,40;); Julv S, I8(;4,
1,!)2G oz., JtillO.SlG; July 15, KSW, I,L.-.(i oz., 4.20,0'.)(); July 22, l.S.;i, ],:i(KI
oz., $20,800; July 20, 1SG4, 2,CiO0 oz., 541,920; in all 10,012 ounces, f. liiO.d?.'.

Victoria Colonic, June 21, May 24, 18(54; Modie'it V. I., 240. Wake \iy hkt
claim was sold in IS;)? for .^lOJ. ('urihoo Scntind, ^lay 2;?, 18()7. Tlie AdaiiH
Cinnpany had yielded, so far as known, in all .';50,000 to 100 feet; tlie Sticl-,
^120,«)J from 80 feet; the Diller, $240,0,10 from 50 feet; the Cumiin-li:"",
$270,000 from 500 feet; the Burns, $140,000 from 8:) feet; the Cauulia^
$180,000 from 120 feet; the Neversweat, $100,000 from 120 feet; the
Moflatt, $90,000 from 50 feet; the Tinker, $120,0;)0 from 140 fit t; tii'
Watty, $l;!0,000 from 100 feet. In addition to tho-e already iium 1
were the B:irker, B;ddhead, Crier, Griflin, Wihon, l?eaure;,'ard. llili.v,
Cameron, Prince of Wales, and many others, whose fame went tlirmiu'li-
out the world. Cr<nr/or<l'n Proxpi'ctiis Artesian Conrpamj, (juoted in Mnrji'^

V. I. ami B. C, 248; McDonald's B. C, 110; ,S'afcw Utatenmaii, Nov. i3,
18G3.

wmi

LABOR AND RETURNS.

499

Despite tliis showing, the facts could not be dis-
jfuisi'd that the excitement was over, and that the
iiiiiurs were diniinishincr in number. Of the fifteen
Imndred forming the estimated j)()pulation of William
Creek in November 1804, half only remained through-
out tlie winter, and the former number was not made
up again. For this there were good reasons. Tlie
large yield came chiefly from few claims, while the
larger numbia' had returned but a small share, TIk^
shallow diuijinjxs which formed the attraction for the
Uivat majority were now pretty well worked out, and
the indications for locating deeper claims on the more
easily worked ground were becoming less sur-e. The
cost of working the deeper claims was a further draw-
back, and as tlie miners were now chietly intereste<l in
tills class of ground, it became a momentous question
to solve the problem of cheap and effective operations.

The great difficulty, the flow of water, had hitherto
liccn overcome with the aid of the limited water-power
<if William Creek, and with the home-made wooden
]tuia[)s of small capacity. But these means had failed
iu several operations, such as drifting the meadows
lieloNv Barkerville, which had been undertaken on an
extensive scale covering a distance of three miles."
Tlie Artesian Company which had obtained a twenty
vcars' lease of one half mile of cjround three eighths
ot a mile i.i width, below Barkerville, })roposed under
Crawford's direction to prospect by meansof an artcsian-
wcll auger bringing up a panful of dirt at each raise;
but the flow of water was not disposed of by this scheme.
Adit levels or bed-rock flumes with powerful steam-
pumps appeared to be the only effective means. In
I >i<!5, accordingly, a costly 'bed-rock Hume' 1,(')00 feet
in length was laid, at a first cost of $120,000, com-

' Ami at a cost of several hundred thousand dollars. This work extended
from Marysville to the junction of William Creek witli Willow River, a dis-
tHiicc (if tliree miles, where a former lake, or series of lakes, was supposed to
liiuo ixisted, discharging its waters into Jack of Clubs Lake, by the western
l«si' ot the Island Mountain, instead of by the eastern, as at present. Macjie's

Hit

■,tv.

ill

M;4

■i:ii

500

MININO IN CARIBOO.

. 1- ..

nicncins^ at tho Canon, holovv tlio Black Jack tunrn 1,
and sevoral conq)anio8 boj^an wasliiiii^ into it with a
groat increase of forces, takinj^ out some coarse jj^old,
including a thirty-seven ounce nuj^ij^et."' Anu)nj^ the
claims most successively worked at this time were ti j
Conklin (iulcli and Ericsson companies; tho former
l)ein<| re[)orted as taking »)ut an avera«(e of 127 ounces
a day, and the Kricssan from DOO to 2,000 ounces ;t
week."

Although the decline of tho district was a conceded
fact after 18(!5, there were in 1 807 still over sixty
paying chiims, apart from tho Hume companies tuid
hill claims. Siane of them had heen producing tur
six years, and w^ro still producing remarkahly wdl,
the })oorer paying wages of from eight to ten dollars
a day to the hand. The Cunningham, California, and
Tontine claims stood each credited with a yield un U>
I8G5 of $500,000.'-

'" A ditch completed from Jack of Clubs Creek in 1864 at a cost of ij-.'O.dOO
was used in connection witii tho fl\unl^ The ditoii eiiteriiiise sutt'cred iimlir
legal (lilficulties during Ititiu. Varilnxt Sititincl, ([uoted in Vktorhi )ti</.//
C'lloiiM, July 4, ISCk"). Tlio Hume had not heen long in ojxinition mIkii
William Cieek exiK^rieneed a Hood which resulted in great injury to JMipnivi-
inents of every sort, especially at t'anieronton. A/., Sept. 1!(, \H(i'i. Mr
Gentile in Octolier ISdo photograidied most of tho prominent claims aiui
buildings at IJiirkerville. J,/., Oct. ;tl, 1805.

"This was in June aiul July l.SiJ5. ViHoria Coliiint, July 4, 25, KSO.'i.
One day 1,!(2(> ounces were washed out. H'/ii/nijycr'n .tiinhi, ;?4.

'-An idea of the co.sts and individual prolit-, in tiie years 18(12-7 may U'
obtained from tho following statistics: The Cunningham claim al>i>ve tin'
(^luon, located in 18(')I, with four interests, cost!i?l(K),OUi.) to work, and yii Mul
up to 1805, §5()0,()0lt. The Tyack claim, located in 1801, had four inlnv.-its,
and i)aid from iJlO to §20 a day. The California, located in 1801, co^t sl.'il),-
OOO to work, and yicMed, up to 1805, .i!;;')()i),O0O. In lS(iO ai\d 1807 thi^ iliim
was still paying from .?15to!i<20aday. The Black Jack, located in ISi. '.
interests, gave in '2 years §200,000, under a total expculitun .( 5>.')ll.
for work at ijlO a day. In 1807 it was worked as a h\< '!- dm. Hi'
Tontine, located in 1804, witli 4 interests, cost iq) t' ,-ive .'Sl(K).-

0^)0 for development and working, and yielded §5()0,()< i)utz, Im >i.'l

in 1804, paid good wages steadily. These were all ah. e'aflou. iVlow

the CaSon mining was begun in 1803 at tho mouth • "ut (Jul Tlio
claim of Higii Low Jack, located in 1804, with 5 interests, , dd in ' ik: '80"
^12,(X)0 to the share. The I'ioneer yielded as well. The Alturas. >rateil in
1804, with 8 interests, paid off in 5 weeks, during 1800, an indeiaodiicss of
Si2;{,(KX). On tiie Taft Vale el;;im 5 shafts were ' lost ' before the diaiii:ig«
tisud by the miners below vas extended to its boundaries. It cost siiO.OOil
to open, and yielded finallv' from 100 to 200 ounces per week. Jlariu '>'■■' /-"'■
turp'), 12-17. Tho deepest shaft in tho vicinity of VVdliam (.'reek, or .Mnliawk
Oulch, was 134 feet, without reaching the bed-rock, or less than hall' the

BENCH CLAIMS

SOI

The bed-rock drain constriu'tiul in tho lower j)iirt
(,if Williiun (*roek wan daniajj^t'd by the lii^h water of
I^(i7, and as a result tlio product of one third of tho
licst claims on the ereek vv;ih lost for t'te season, all
the claims dejiendent upon it lyiii>; idle from Juno to
l)(c(,'nibor 18()7 (ireat preeautions were taken to pr<;-
viiit a recurrence of such a. misibrtune. lli^ji bulk-
luads w'vvv (Tectod round the mouths of shafts, and
iii^i'ueral bulkhead Was proposi-d for tlu' protection of
lilt! town of Harkervill(\ My tlu; end <»f' January J SCiH
iht! repairs were well advanced, and provisions bein<^
ciiiiiparatively cheaj), ^u'rations wei-(! icnewed with
^(iihI prospects for tlu; ensuing season, aided to a ii^reat
txt(;nt bv the mininj' board whicii had been fonned
jure in 18(!() with twelve nx'mbei's. In \H('>7 a strike;
\v;i> made by the United ('ompanyon the Fr<!nch
and Canadian ci-oeks, which revived to some extent
f!i" hopes formed of thtnn as early as lsr);)-4, owing
to tl cir proximity to the supposed fountain-head of
ti vV^illiani Creek dej)osits.''' Bi'nch or hill claims
Were developed tii(! same; year between lliclitield and
the (\»rion, but suflei'ed u^reatly for want of water.'*
Duiiiii^ tlic prosperous days of William Creek, the

ilciith iif tlu! rioliost iluposits in Austnilia, and tlii.s f.int w.is hclil up ii» ;in
argmiuut against tliose wlio liuj^aii to (li;H|>i)ii(i. Victuria ( 'n/oni.if, 5fi)v. 7,
ISii'i; Mtiiii < t'lirilion, MS., 10, II. Alter ISlili tin; local iiiiiiing history was
fii ly iri'iirdcil liy tiiu prosperoUM tlioiigh not Vi'ry loiif^-livod I'lirihoo Nin/iinl,
imSlislu'd l>y AloxaiuliT Allen at the town of Harkeiville. A complete list
<it Aw, eoiiipaiiio.s worlviiig upon William Creek, with tlio nuiiiher of shares,
mill, s of foremen, and wiiat they wimo doiiii,', was puMi.shed in tliu niimher
fill- .M ly I'S, ISdIi, jind copied in tho ViHnrii Dnili/ < 'itlnnid of dutii! 8, ISlKi.

''Three liun Ired ouiiees were taken from ono .sliift of timher in a hill
tnriicil hy tlie rnited Company. Thesu ereelis liad been ])rospeetv'il during this
^ 'ili'rof lS(i,'{ 4, under tiu! lielit'f that ivoui their position in tiie 11,.! d .Moniit.iin
til y must lie near tlio fo\intain-head of tiie rich deposits of William, (Irou^o,
aiiii.lac'iof (•ln))sereeks. \'!rt.M-hi ]>'•, H;/ r,,/,,iiht, Feb. I'J, '2:>. IS'/i. i,. ♦im old
(Jiirrand I'oint elaim.s the Chinese in 1S;17 extraetecl .vIO.O'rtt from a sui.ill
ci'iviec, ('(irifioo Si'iitiiii'l, Oet. H, 1S()7. Coiikliii (luhh wa < stak<^d anew on
I'otli ides, and from ono side to the other a numlierof turn. els \ver(5 runuiideT
the liill-sidos for tio purpose of striking tiie ricii eha'.nid workcid hy tho
liiitrd Company. Victoria Daily Colonist, Fol». '2"), 18()7: Vulf /•J.nniiiiicr, .Ian.
I, I SI is.

" A hn channel was discovered in .Tune C,o7, 3(H) feet in tho hill liehind
the l)(iwn, claim, anil tho West Britain Company in tins same vieinity liot-
tniiM il a shaft at the depth of 47 foot, ohfiining a prospect of J^U.^O to the
jiaii. i'ldoria Weekly Colonic, Juno 11, ISO/.

^'iiii

. . I > il

' 1 ' i '

ifl't '

802

MINING IN CAIUBOO.

gold dcpos't was traced in paying quantitic* down
the stream to beyond Marysville, several niilca below
Barkerville.

Wherever the deep ground had been prospected ])y
means of shafts — usually about sixty feet in deptli —
it proved remarkably good, yielding from ten to
twenty-five cents to the pan But here, unfortunuttly,
occurred the excess of water, after the gravol was
reached, which prevented the shafts from being worked;
and with tlie failuie of the district the vilWe of ]\[arvs-
villo was deserted. This, and the similar fate wliidi
overtook the Meadows, added to the gradual exliaus-
tion of the available and jtrotitablc ground on William
Creek, proved a heavy blow, not for the creek altnuj,
but for the whole of Cariboo, From ISGOto 18G7ilie
deep ground on William Creek had been tlie main-
stay of Cariboo, as the latter was the main-stay nf
British Columbia, and mining was prosperous in pro-
portion to the engineering skill brought into l>lay, the
problem being sini[)ly one of gaining access to the liold
deposits in the old channels. It was evident that the
late engineering metliods had not answered tlie pur-
pose, and that a still more efi'ective system of draina^o
must be adopted to overcome the obstacle in the way
to tliis rich ground. A deep cut was proposed tor
shiieing the old claims along the wliole length of Wil-
liam Creek, from the Canon to the ^leadows.^'

But nothiny; was done for a lon^r time: finallv soiin'
San Francisco capitalists obtained a lease of ground for
four miles along the creek for twenty-one years, and
the Lane and Kurtz Com})any in 1870 erected jxiwi r-
ful steam-pumping machinery, on a scale hitlnito
unknown in the colony. A sliaft of one hundred ami
twenty-five feet was sunk, partly in rock, and dril'tin^'

" Tho first puMie proposal of .-v scheme for <1raining the Mr.ulow.s was in.i li;
in 18()8, siij,'j,'i';-tting tliat the. govoniinent shouM grant a hag ll■aM(^ of l'iihiihI
equalling 400 clai!iiH, each 50 feet wide, ami exteiiiling ;'eross the vallrv ; tii"
proponed company paying !;?I00 for each claim, i'irton t Wcikiy < ixn///-', Oct.
.^1, I8t)8. This proijosition was aulunitted to a nie.'ting of the mint is mi
William Creek, hut was ohjeeted to on the ground tiiat it would monii[iiilizc
too large ou area. Id., July 17, 18ti9.

itltie« down
niilcM below

ospectcd l)y

in deptli —
•f)m ten to
fortunatcjly,
gravol was
)'mg worked;
jGof j\[arys-

fatc which
ual cxliaus-

ou William
crock aldiif,
to ISCullie
I tlio iiiaiii-
laiu-stay cif
rous in pro-
to l>lay, tlie
i t(> tlio _t;'t)l(l
nt that the
L'd the pur-
of drainage

in tliu way
roposi'd flip
;th of AVil-

iiially sniiiL'

' ground fnr

years, and

:tod jM)\vrr-

C llitlirl'^t

uiidrv"! and

A\d c

drit'tiii'.

idows was in.'.lc
luasi; (if l'|iiii;h1

tlio vallr\; til.'
ti/ I'oiitiii'f, Oft.

tlio iiiiiiirx nil
luld luouiipiilizu

rnOSPECTING EXPEDITIONS.

503

lK\t;'an in the direction of the old channel, which was
struck after a run of one hundred and forty feet, yield-
iuL,'' a prospect of twenty-five dollars, followed by good
riturus. The water soon compelled a suspension of
u[Hrations, but they were renewed in Juno 1873, with
a tliirteen-inch pump, and a new double shaft was
sunk.'" Xo important result followed, however, and
in 187G the Meadows drainage question was still a
subject of agitation/''

]ii 18G!)tliere had been a considerable improvement
in tlie mining interest; liarkerville assumed greater
inifKjrtance than it had enjoyed before the fire of
ISdS; prospecting expeditions came prominently be-
f(»rothe j)ublic, and quartz-mining began tobetliought
of. Among the claims still worked with success in 1870
were tliose of the Forest liose and Black Jack com-
]);iiii<AS, which had commenced hydraulic mining in
tlio liill, at the foot of the Canon, belonging to the
.siiiie series (if gravel deposits that lo. ^d the east side
ot'tlie creek above it, and where the former companyhad

"'Tlio qnvcrnment grajiti'd them a lease for 21 years, with the privilege of
i'xti iiiliiig it for 10 years thereafter. //. <V. <.'oiiinicrciiil IliL, 1S70, l-'lil. The
li'.i~e WU.S signed on the jiayiiieiit of a hnniis of .S125 at the eoniiiuiieemeiit, and
.^i;."i() as ri'iit:'.! annually thereafter; the ground extending from the IViUarat
iliiiin to .Mos(|uito ( 'n't!'.;, a distance of 4 miles, one mile or less in width. The
iniii]iaiiy agreed tohiiild a saw-mill and a tcn-stamjuiiiartz-niill, etc. I'iitorvi
W "Llij Ci)biiii4, Aug. 3, 1870. Edgar IJewdney made surveys for t!ie coin-
niciici'ineut of operations. A/., July 'JO, 1870. The capital cmiiloyud hy Kurtz
iiiid Lane was ahout 87."), 000. This was all the eapital invested liy American
citizen.-' ill this province, except a certain fluctuating amount hy a hranchoflico
el tlie tirni of Wells, Fargo, and Company. David lULitiin, ■ niipil Stulcs
<',,,, iiil ti( Vir/oriii, in ('iiiKiiicrci'il lid., 1S7I, 041. Langevin, the Canadian
iiuiii.'ster of jpuhlie works, visited the Meadows in 1871. The grouud, lie
t;;!).-', yleldi'd laigely hel'oro it w:ls ahaudoned the first time. The capital of
til' cipiiipany was liomiiially .S.')(>0,0(K). Luniji'vln's /{rpf. Pu'). W'orLt, !S7"2. 7.
.\;t T eighteen months of work the l..ane and Kurtz Company suspended
<i|i latidiis on ac'count of the inoroascd (juantity of water. (.'onnni'rriiU J!ii.,
I ■'7-', 4H."i; (.''irihoD tividiiid, Xov. 2, 1872. After a short cessation they hegan
)iii:M|iiiig tigain, June 27, 1<S7."{, with thirteen-inch puiiips, and drained the
^^'ll■k.s gradually. A now <louljlo .shaft w.'us sunk; a ditch a mile in length
wi- constructed under a contract liy llolioyd and Company, and a saw-mdl
w;i- ciinipleted. CurilnX) Sinliinl, June 21, 'Ss, 1873.

'' A Iied-rocktiunie w is considered necessary t\\r)andahalf mihs in length,
aii.l costing !ii;l r)l),0(K). This should start on a grade from the falls of ^■alley
' 1' I k and strike the Iied-roek of William Creek at the dcjitli of 70 feet from
tlic >iirf,u;e, opening to miners the mo.<t valuahle portion of the creek lietweeii
llic Uallarat claim anil tlie<^'afion, embracing the town of Barkerville. Bowron,
111 Mill. MiuM J{ei<l., 187C, 411).

'^j ¥

604

MINING m CARIBOO,

in 1871 already obtained rich yields." The Black Jack
Company constructed a ditch a mile in length. Hy-
draulic mining Avas also proposed for the west side (if
William Creek, where good prospects had heen found
at IMink Gulch, The sliallow di<jr<:jin<»'S above tlie Canon
were still worked, and the bed-rock laid bare for miles
witli more or less success, A costly yet profitaMc
bed-rock flume occupied the ground nearest to the
Canon, The representative settlement of tliis uppor
section was Richfield, the only other collection of
houses along the creek, besides Barkerville, dignilicd
by the name of a town, and consisting of the court-
house or government building, a saw-mill, and a dozen
other buildings.

In 18G5 the government cfranted !j2,f)00 for an ex-
pedition to prospect the Bear Kiver country, and to
the north-east of William Creek, but seven weeks'
search failed to develop anything of value, and tlie con-
clusion was formed that further prospecting nmst lie
directed to tlic nortli-west. Among the prospectiiiuf
movements, theivfore, which in 18G7 werc^ made from
William Creek in search of new fields, several took
the direction of William Iliver, On this route lay
^losquito Creek, five miles below Barkerville, Avliidi
had been prospected in 18G.']-4, and had now six com-
panies at work. Their receipts for the season wt re
$1,000 and upward, the Minnehahaand Hocking yieM-
inij from twentv-five to fiftv ounces ix-r Avcek. hi
18G8, tlie ^Minnehaha returned three hundred Jtiul
twenty-four ounces tt> one pick in a week," To tlie
north-west lay Sugar Creek, where the coarse, well-
washed gravel deposits lying on a hard blue slate were
found to yield fairly, Four miles beyoiul this, I'r-
(pdiart and party named Mustang (Veek, and t(»ok up
a discovery claim, which, in September 18G7, yiekled

'"Till! Forest Rose, in 1871, ]>roilnpcil in a week, during Lanfrevin's visit,
2().T oiiiuvs, anil iu anotlicr week '^'4") ounees. Lawjr.vin ■■< f,'i}if. I'lili. H'i"/,v,
1«7I, 7.

'■' II rn/r/f'.'t Lccfurrii, 1S(>7. 1\\ Virf.nri'i Wrclhi Cnhvisf, Sept. S, KSI'i7. ^lU'l
Miireiiol, IStiS; Cm il>ou HiitliKd, Aug. I'J, Uet. 14, 180.').

'' I

ittif

THE BALD MOUNTAINS,

0OS

Black J;ick
igth. Hy-
vcst side of
been found
i the Canon
re for miles
; profitiiMe
rest to tlin
til is upper
Election of
e, di'j;inii('(l
' the eourt-
md a dozen

for an ex-
try, and to
veil weeks'
,ud the eon-
ig must Itc
irospeetini;
made from
!veral took

route lay
r'ille, wliii'li
w six eum-
eason were
kinjTf yield-
week. In
[udred and
'■' To til."
>arse, wrll-
'. slate wci'c
1 this, L'r-
ud took up
G7, yii'lJt-'d

ianj.'eviirs \ i-it,
l,t. i'lih. II ../,■>■,

lit. ;?, iNiiT. Hii'i

from eight to ten dollars a day to the man.^ The
report hereof attracted more miners, and fine gold was
found up(m all the bars of Willow River, which ran
longitudinally through the rich rocks of the J^ald
.Mountain zone; one company sank a shaft in search
of the deep '_'»-avels, but after descending some fifty
fivt, with alternate dr-ifting along a pitching bed-rock,
the water compelled them to abandon the work. Good
prospects were found, however, and efforts were made
to form a company with more; funds, wherewith to
prosecute the search for the deep deposits; but the
miners failed to respond."^

In the re<:;ion east of the Bald Mountains were
.several other less prominent creeks and gulches, as
McArthur, Steven, Begg, Whipsaw, and l^ite, mined
in 1 875-7," besides considerable rivers whleh remained
undeveloped on account of their remote situation.
In the list mio^ht be included the diifufinirs on Clear-
water, and the upper north Thompson, referred to
in a preceding chapter,"^ and rediscovered by the
imckers of Sehvyn's Bockv Mountain wolo^'ical ex-
ploring party."- The position of the latter regiitn
n[)oii the map indicates an area of still wholly un-

■" C<trihno Soitini'l, Sei)t. 5, 1807. It was also called Beavor Crock on ac-
i"iiiit iif tliu luinicrdus Iilmvits. Tho gravol-ik'iiosits, at tinii's only rijilit fi'i't
iliu ji, luul lying npoii a luinl liliio .skito, rosciiiliU'il those of Sngar Creek, ■villi
•111 iiliiuulauee of water. Caril/no Sciilinvl, (luoted in I'icturia Colonist, Sept.
'A KS(J7.

•^ Cirrilioo Sentinel, Oct. 7, 1807. Siibscrijition.s were niailo in 1808 to tho
I'xteiit of Jr^d.OOII, where the mutter rested. The intention was to sink shafta
.■iiiil tlien drift tint il the main dec]) channel was fonnd. Vicl'irhi DnHy ('nldni.tf,
.'.111. 7, 181)8. The sehenie was revived in I87-, in the form of a jirojiositioii
flip a grant of mining gn^nnd, ami in Anunst 1M7"2, resolntions wt're jiassed at
Uii'ki iville reeommemiing the jirojeet, with tiie condition that Imnds shonid
li'' ^iviii liy (he eompany for tlie performauee of certain work. I'ii'/oria t'ot-
oiii.>, Aug." 1 8, |,S7'_>.

-'-Sco talmlar statement of claims, yield, and population, note 50, tliia
tlmptiT.

■'.Mentioned liy(iov. Douglas, as n^ported hy the Indians in IsCil, and
liii'itnl on his milling ma)). Iirili.<h Cul'miliia /'(»/■'/•-•.•, iv. 'ti. The Oi r tiros-
1' 1 ling exprdilion in M ly 18(1,5 ascended from Kamlooii as far as the forks
<'t thi' ( Icarwater, withont finding anything of vai lo. l.'itrilion .S< iitiiit I, Sept.
;ii), IS,;.-).

' I'oiiald McFei', nn ohl Californian and Cari'ioo miner lOliched to Sel-
N^ Ml s party, I'eiiorted 'liig diggings' yielding coarse gold fifty miles from
' ' iiwater Jiiver, in the same lange df mountains tiiat strike tliroinzh the ( 'ari-
l""i iiiiues. L'ooiuy s luyuil, Sept. l-'Iid, in i'iclorid Ihiili/ Coloiiint, Get. 8, 1871.

V St

i"-

E^fli

^ la:

' t -if .

f't.

^W!"'

f'V

MINING IN CARIBOO.

developed mininf:^ country in the Cariboo zone, twice
the size of that hitherto occupied by the miners, not
to nieution the region within the Kocky Mountains
proper.

Crossing to the western slopes of the Cariboo Bald
Mountains we find the principal mining district ujkiii
the Lightning and Swift liiver branches of C(.)tt()ii-
wood liiver, and the most inii)ortant camps on A'aii
Winkle and Lowliee creeks, with a history parallel Id
that of Antler and William creeks. TJie valley of
Lightning Creek was explored early in 1801 :y thrcu
pr()s[)ectors. Bill Cunningham, Jack Hume, and Jim
Bell, who first descended to Jack of Clubs Creek,
and thence struck southward over the forest-covered
mountains. The hardships encountered in doscendiiiL;-
the steep banks of the creek evoked from Cunningliam
the expression, "Boys, tliis is lightning;" whereJipmi
his companions jocosely acceptc*! this as the iiauic
of the stream."'' After a rough journey they were
obliged to fall back upon their base of sup}di(>s at
Antler Creek, without discovering the riches wliirli
shortly afterward placed Ijightuing Creek among the
famous localities of Caril)oo.

In July 1801 Ned Campbell and his compniiimis
opened a ricli claim several hundreel yards abt)ve the
site of tlie town of Van Winkle, known as tlie seeoinl
canon, from which they took out seventeen hundivd

A Lrreat rush followed

ounces i

n three days' washmg.

•20

"'.Tolm ]'A-;ins, in M/'ii. Miiirs Ript., 1S75, 10. This story Evans, tlio
iiiini'ig surveyor <if Liglituiiig Cruok, ilmibtK'.ss olitaiiiod from Ihu ixiplorirs
tliuiii.si'lvcs. 'i\ilii!siii Kvaiis varies the aouDiiiit Iiy attribuf.ing tlio reiii.ii k tn
tlio <iccurrcncu of oiiu of thi; tirriliu thiiniler-.storiiis eoiiiinoii at cvrtaiii stasdii.s
ill tliu Cariboo Mountains. '/'. Er.nin, '\n On rl«ii<l Moti//ili/, Marcli liSTO, 'Jii'.'.

^"Ball, tlio a.ssistant gold foniniissioniT, rc'iiortud that Nu<l CaniiilnH's
claim yiuMud 900 duncos one day, 500 ounces on another, and lilX) ouiicii mi
a third day. Dowihix' /), sjxtlr/,, Oct. 'J4, 1S()1, in B. C I'liyn-^, iv. (il. The
<)[)ening of CanipbiU's claim cost .^'J.-f.OOO, but it yielded ^ilOO.OOO iu thao
liu)nths. /tr(>ifn/< L'.ixai/, .'11. The disc'ovcry was on tlie later Sjiruci' 'iiiii-
jiaiiy's gnmnd, covering Xcil CainiibcU's and the Whitehall claim ad jniniii;,'
him, which yiehlcd ^'JOO.OOO togetlier. Oirrl'Uid Mouthhi, March ISTd, 2il'-'.
It was reported that Ned C'aiiijil)i 11 and his friends took out two ouiu' s tn
the panful, and washed out fc^l,100 iu a day, alinoat aa soou as they cum-
niunctid to >*ork. JJazlitl'a Cariboo, 1-5.

Jtii

■/ S'!

LAST CHANCE AND LIGHTNING.

507

tJiis discovery, particularly to Van Winkle Creek,
wluTe 2,000 feet at the lower end yielded from $100
to $250 a day to the man, through the season. Up
the creek the lead disappeared. The total product
of tliis stream in October 1876 was $500,904 from
IjGOO feet of ground running with the creek, and
viiivin<y from 200 to 300 feet in width.

The diggings on Last Chance Creek, another trib-
utary of Lightning Creek, near Van Winkle, were
likewise opened in 1801. The Discovery Company,
consisting of four men, took out forty pounds of gold
ill one day, and the yield that season, from half a
mile of the creek, was at least $250,000. The Chis-
jiolni, Davis, and Anderson tributaries, near the same
place, yielded also quite a quantity of gold from tlieir
sliallow parts."'^ The second season on Lightning
Creek yielded comparatively little, for the gravel,
being loose and porous, was difhcult to work, though
tlie pay deposit was only from eight to thirty fi;et
lieliiw the surface.'-"*

I'^rom Eagle Creek to the Water Lily claim every
foot of ground was occujiied, and shafts were sunk in
mail}' places; but they all proved unsuccessful owing
to tlie inefficiency of the draining machinery, and after
Iwii n:')re seasons of disastrous trial, in the autumn of
ls(;4 they were all abandoned. In 1870, the Spruce,
tlun called the ])avis, as well as the Koss, Lightning,
A'aii Winkle, Vancouver, and Victoria companies re-
sumed work by sinking shafts into the deep channel,
ami with the aid of improved machinery and methods
the water was controlled. The last three comi)anies,
situated below the town of Van Winkle, I'lfected their
oliject by sinking through the bed-rock at the side of
the creek, and thence dril'ting into tlie chaimcl. At
the same time a costly 'bed-rock drain' was opened
at ihe lower end of the diggings. The develo])ments
ma<le underground at ditl'erent times proved the ex-

■'" nuirmii 01) .\ntti'», 7; John Etnm, iii Min. Mines Rejit., 1875, 10.

■' Hiuini's E.ix(iij, ;n.

I ■9 Hi

Wll

U ''

ill! ' <

;^ iif

miP:::

Jail .

50S

MININGS IN CARIBOO.

istenc(i of separate old clianncls at different eleva-
tions, consequently of different ages.^"

As a result of this sueeessful eriii^ineei'inj^ feat fresh
localities were opened for a distance of five miles along
the creek, and gold bet;'an to (low again to some
extent, the total yield of thirteen claims amounting
in Xovember 1875 to $2,179,272, of which the Vic-
toria proJuccd $451,042, the Van Winkle $;]r,r!,!)S;l,
and the Vancouver $274,190.*' But this showing was
by no means so satisfactory as it seemed, for it emhracrd
only the successful companies, and did not jioint out the
ex])enses, which were very large, amounting in many
claims to from $40,000 to' $7oioOO.-'''

Quite a nund)er of fortunes were paid out, in fact,
on inc;flicient machinery, and in battling with excess-
ive diliiculties of ground and water to reach the rich
sti'ata from which a few were drawing large returns,
wliile otlicrs were doomed to C()m[)arative (.hsappoiiit-
ment. Both the expenditure and the yield served,
however, to resuscitate the district, and by 1875 tin;
diy'iijinus and towns on Lin]itnin«x Creek, A'an Wiidde,
antl Stanley had taken the first place in C'ai'iboo i'or
production, prosperity, and population, while William

-"Tlio Butcher and Discovery claims wore on a boucli at a consiilcnililu
lieiixlit iiliovo tlio jireseiit elianiiel, opiiosite the South Wales ehiiui, Wurkiii:;
helovv it. Siinilarly the Dunliar ami \X Dorado deposits were on a liigh Imirli
(if the lied-roek opposite the I'ersevenuiee uiul Koss claims, working tlie ilre[i
channel.

■"" In nine months the Van Wiidile, Victoria, and Vancouver mines alimo
yieldeil aliout .'?."iO;),00(), of which .S'JlS/iO'J, came from the \'an Winkle. Tlio
wliole of William Creek during tlie same time ])ro(luced only .S(kS,()01), a third
of whicii was extracted at Conklin (Julch. Tin' total amounts yieldeil liy
the thirteen leading claims from the renewal of nuning oi)erations to .Noviiii-
her I, 1S75, wore approximately as follows: Ihitch am' Siegel mines, now tlio
Prcsevurancc claim, .Si;j(),000; Dunhar, .S;]a,();)0; Discovery and BuI.Ihi',
$i'_'0,()OU; Camphelland Whitehall, .'iJil.'OO.OO;); South Wales, .Sltl.,").'?!; I.i.la-
liing, .SI.");!,!);;-.'; Point, .Sl.'iO.O'.T); Spruce, .SDD.StOS; CosteUo, .'?-0,47(l; VuK:iii,
§.')(;,!».").") ; Vanc.uiver, 8'274,li)0: Victoria, ■S4.')l,(i4l.': Van Winkle. .SiiC.i.'.iS.):
total, !i•L\~'^:^,•l. Mhl. Miiit.f /;,}'/., is;,-., ll. in ISTl the South Wales ( o;ii-
J)any iiroduced diii-ing the last three Weeks of Aug. .'i'JS, '2\'i, and -.">l) niiiur<
of g<ild respectively. Lnii'jiriii's ll<]il. J'lili. H'dz/w ]>i]t., 1S7-, 7. Duii;ig
lS7l! a niimln r of claims on Lightning Creek continued to yield handsoiiirly.
J>. Erk-ifcin, U. S. Consul, in ('niiiiiiriTinl /,'rl., 187'J, 4'.t.").

•"One third of the money would liavo lu'eii eiiotigli in most ca.ses had t!io
companies jiossessed machinery of sntiicient capacity a; the eommenceiii' nt,
hut they Were mo.^tly |]oor, coping with enornioiis dilHcMlues in their istriigi^lo
for uxistcuce. Jilin Ecaiia, in Min. Mines lUi'l., 1S7."), 11.

!nt elcva-

foat fivsli
lilc'S along
to souie
Linounting
L tlio Yic-

8;u;r!,i)s;;,

c)\vin,!g ^vas

einbract (I

nt out the

1 m iiuiiiy

it, ill fart,
itli excos-
h the rich
;'o ivturiis,
lisappoliit-
■hl served,
1875 the
Ml Winkh',
'ai'ilxx) tnr
|e AVilliam

a cousiiU'ivilili:

laim, Wdi-kiii:,'

u a liifili 111 iii'li

king tlicj i\n-[>

er niii'.i'S alone
Wiiikk'. Tio
;(;8,()()0, a thii<l
iits yk'l'Uil I'V
idiis to >,'o\ iiu-
iiiiiieH, ii""' till!
and lUitrliii-,
141,:):!1; i.i-;.t-
0,47ti; Vul'i'i.
ikk\ ?<;iCi:i.'.i^:i:
th Wal.se,!,,,-
uul '-T)!) niinri^
;•_', 7. I'lniUi!
Ill liaiidsiiiurly.

t cases liail t'lo

lllUIK'lU-t'llli lit,

1 their htnigglo

LOWHEE CREEK.

509

Creek, with its princijial town of Barkcrvillo, had fallen
into decay. The .southern branch of Cottonwood River
had also a rich district on Lowhee Creek, one of its
head-waters, which at one time in-oinised to rival Wil-
llaiu C "eek. Amoii;^ its first locators was Richard
Willoughby, an Englishnian, who from July to Sep-
tember 18G1 worked a claim having a blue slate bed-
rock within four feet of the surface, and obtained as
much as 84 ounces in one day, the latter yield being
§ 1 ,000 a week. The Jordan and Abbott claims were at
about the same time producing 80, 1)0, and 100 ounces
daily ,^'' and Patterson with his brother took out $10,-
000 in five weeks, one day yielding 73 ounces, partly
ill nuggets up to ten ounces in weight. Xotwith-
stiuiding these and other good yields, the creek did not
attract tlio attention that might have been expected,
partly owing to the rich discoveries elsewhere, and
their greater accessibility to travel. The develop-
ments of 18G3-4 excited a little more interest when
the Sage-Miller claim, for instance, yielded for a con-
tsick'rable time at the rate of 300 and 400 ounces a
day. After being worked profitably for nearly two
seasons, it still continued to yield 80 ounces dailv.^^

The deposits were evidently not of even value, for
tlic inining population, which was never very large,
fell off gradually after this season, and little effort was
made to bring in water for sluicing pur[)oses. The
\ aughan-Sweeney ditch, carrying one hundred and
I'iglity inches from Stony (iulch, partially sup[)lied this
Maiit in the autumn of I8()r), but the following season
did not prove sufficiently remunerative, and in I 807
most of the claims were allowed to fall into the hands
of t]i(> (^'hinese, whose earnings could never lie ascer-
tained.''* Canon Creek, a small tributary on the left

^- I'attcrsoa found 19') ounces, the rosiilt of a. day's work liy four men. Jlaz-
litt'sCiirilion, 124-5; Doiii/liin' Jhapatch, Sept. 10, 1801, in B. ('. I'lqn is, iv. 58.

;'''.l/'(-yi.'.s r. /. oil'/ Ji. C, 1249.

'"The Calaveras Company in August 1807 wash id out 100 ounces in 4
(lays. ATiothcr ohtaineil 55 ounces in a week. CuriliDi) Snithiil, Sept. .'{, 1807.
Tlnro was in 1800 a population of 50 white lutiuund L'l Chiii'ise on the creek.
yao Wiatiniii6ter Ihiald, July 'J4, 1800.

i:-; 1 1. ■. • ' .'J! L
1

III

'^W.

i^ : .

! I
1 :

!;(!^

:»!>«

»'J

"if

510

MINING IN CARIBOO.

bank of the Fraser, midway between the nioiitli of
tlio Quesnel and Fort George, formed the extreme
north-western limit of the Cariboo region. Prosper
tors were probably aequainted with the creek at an
early date, but the first re[)orts of diggings were made
ill ISGa.'''' The following season Hixon's party of
five men ascended it for twenty-six miles to a small
tributary which was named after the leader. Obtain-
ing gooti prospects, they formed two companies and
brought in ditches to work ground which yit'lded
from forty to sixty-five cents to tiie pan.^**

In ]y(!7 tlie whites abandoned tlie main creek to
the Chinese, and occupied Fery Creek tributaiy,
where tlie sliallow diirofinsfs yielded from six to eiolit
dollars a day.^' Canon Creek tributaries were still
occupied in 1875, and worked with the aid of ditches/'
Although the yield was unimportant, the stream
excited some interest by the indication it gave of
strata formations difierent from those of central Cari-
boo, as exemplified by false bed-rocks. ""^^ Of still
greater interest was the discovery by Hixon's party,
in 18GG, of gold quartz, which was soon found to

^■' The approacli to the Caflon Creek appears to liavo been made hy way
of Willow River, aa the diggings when lirst reported were described to lie ' ten
miles from Beaver Pass. Ten men were on the ground in 1805. i'unhm)
iSi'iifhifl, (pioted in Viclorln Weekli/ ColoiiiM, July 4, 18C5.

^''Finding good ground, they at first worked the hanks of Hixon Ciiik
while the water was high. The ricline.ss of the placers discovered was sulii-
cient to enalile the owners of claims to pay wages of §10 a day. The jilacir
mining operations began by finding prospects of §1 and §1.2.") to the pan. bi
a place '2S feet by 10 feet §70 was t;ikcn out in one day. Jicpls. of Wali/n-n
and lli.rnu, in Victoria Cotoiii.it, July 3, 31, 1800.

^' The main creek was oecuijicd by 150 Chinese. Cariboo Sentinel and tlio
Victoria Colotiift, July 2,S, 1807.

•"' Russian Ci-eek (Iocs not appear upon the record till 1875. It is descri'Kil
as locate<l nine miles north of Beaver Pass. A prospect was obtained tlii it
in the autumn of 1874 which was deemed sufficiently good to justify briiiuin^'
in a ditch, which was duly completed ready for the hydraulic macliiiKiy.
Carihoo Sciitiiivl, March 27, 1875.

'''•'On all of the lower part of Hixou Creek, including the Blue Lead Cum-
pany's ground, and half a mile beyond to the Go-ahead Company's grouinl,
the ' bed-rock ' was a ' soft sandstone, ' supposed to have gravel under it. 1 "•
toria Coloni.it, July 31, 1800. On Fery Creek there was also a 'false luii-
rock,' described as a liind of lava. The miners never penetrate<l thniuj;li
these sedimentary strata, but contented themselves with cleaning uji tlic
' scraggly ' gold of local origin which the cruoka had concentrated upon tlieir
surfaces. Id., July 23, 1807.

mmnn

THE SHORT SEASONS.

611

'>i

nioutli of
he extrt'iiie

Prosper-
;rcok at an

wero made
8 party of

to a small
r. Obtaiii-
ipaulus and
ich yielded

in crock to
tributaiy.
ux to oi^-lit
i wore still
:)fditdios.'^^
-he stream
it ^ave of
'utral Cari-
' Of still
on's party,

1 found to

I made liy way
•iheil to lie ' ti'ii
1 18U5. Ctinhiii)

if Hixon ( 'ri'ck
•ored was sulli-
TIk' jilacci-
:o t]u! pan. III
Hs. of Wntilma

enliml and tlic

It is dosiTilii'il
obtained tli'ic
iistit'y briiiiiin^'
tic niachiiKi-y.

luc Lead Cum-
[lany's firoiiinl,
under it. I /'-
a 'false lini-
rated tiii'"U^'h
uaiiing u[i tlif
ted uiioii tlLuir

extend on all sides, some of it in apparently wc^ll
defined ledges so as to justify a systematic develop
nient thereof.*"

Among the elements which governed mining events
in the Cariboo region were the comparative inaccessi
])ility of the diggings, and the shortness of tlie open
season, alternating with the ' close season,' the severe
A\ inter; but it has been seen that wherever a sufHcicnt
drainage could be provided by bed-rock drains, or by
means of sufHciently powerful pumping machinery,
tile conditions of the country permitted underground
Avork, and to this the severity of the climate proved
no obstacle. So rich were the concentrations on the
lied-rock of the old channels, that drifting for them
was indeed profitable to a degree probably never
e(|ualled in any other gold-mining country. They lay
in heaps at the angles, and in crevices and pockets, on
the bed-rock of the buried streams; but in the smaller
stri'anis particularly the leads were subject to abrupt
changes in level and direction that bafiHed the most
e\})erienced. This inequality of distribution, caused
partly by glaciers and slides, was in many cases more
a]>])arent than real,'*^ however, the difhculty calling
simply for systematic working and a sufWcient expen-
diture of money. A layer of cla\^ everywhere cover-
ing' the deep channels ])rotected the subHuvial drifts
along the old beds, from what would otherwise have
amounted to an extraordinary and ruinous influx of

'"In ISGG aljoxit 8,")00 worth of coarse Cafion Creek gold, which had been
litile .sidijectcd to tlic action of water, was exliibited at the Hank of Kritish
Cohiiubia in Victoria. It was obtained from a .streak three feet below the
Huii'uce and was mixed with fra/jmeiits of quartz. I'irfnria ColnniM, May 2!t,
1'^ iti. The quartz ledge.s for which the creek afterwards liecanie noted were
(liscovercil by llixon'.s party three miles below their diggings. Jti'^iort of llirnn
toJii'/;ieS])alilin!/,in VkUiria Week!;/ Colonist, July ^i, lS(i(j.

*'If the streams had run in exactly the same chamiels as they did when
the gold came down, the matter would have been simple enough, but great
cll:Ln^e3 had taken place since then. The changes here referred to were duo
p irtly to the .slides which had changed the position of the stream-beds, but
they were more commonly, perhaps, the result of glaciers occupying the
t uioii.s after tlie old conceutr.-.tion.s had been deposited. Milton and Chvcuik'a
^'uiihux/st I'lusm'ja by Lund, 3G8.

III!

r:i

512

MININU IX CARIBOO.

water, and rendered underj^round j^lacor-niining alto-
gether impracticable. On William Creek, and ni'uily
everywliere in Cariboo, the })ay .strata consiated of blue
clay, with various admixtures.'*^

In comicction with the difficulties mentioned came
this, that the rich deposits were, as a rule, trom twelve
to one hundred feet beneath the surface, under the
beds or banks t)f streams, frecjuentlv runninj^ thr'ou^h
swani[)S and lakes, and on the beds of former lakes.
8uch a state of thinj^s could not fail to render the iielil
unattractive to individual adventurers, since prospect-
ing- without al)undant resources became unj)roHtable.''

These gravel-deposits on the hills gave rise to tlie
reiterated hopes of developments like those of the old
river hill-gravels of California, but they often proved
vain,'*'* because the altitude of the gravel-layers was not
thesame, Insome instances, as on William Creek, there
were two distinct leads with difl'erent qualities of gokl,

*-Oii sinking a shaft through the alluvial ileposits of the strcani-InMls df
Carihoo, the miner comes to a clay stratum wliicii is sometiiiies as inuih
as ',i feet in tliickness. 'Tiiis stratum of clay was a great henelit tn tiio
miners, lieiiig a jirotection against water.' Under the clay was the oliUr allu-
vial deposit varying from iiiclies to 18 feet in thickness, in which lay tlio
gold. Ferifx (I'olil Seiurli('!<, MS., 2, .'}. The pay <lirt on \\'illiam ( 'reck was
generally from 8 to 5 feet ill tiiickness, and was worked out in low galh rii.<.
Milton anil Clifddlr's Nortlnn'H J'liKMr/e. hy Lmid, 373. In the Steele claim mi
William Creek it Wiis (J feet tliick, and consisted of a hlue clay mixeil with ilt-
composed slate and gravel. DouijUis, \n Rairiiii'js' Coiifulirntioii, 118. The liM
in Carihoo was found ' in the hluisli clay wiiieli is on and in the slaty hi4i";a
sometimes as far as a foot deep; streaks of yellowish clay are also found, wliiili
are sonietinies very licli.' Itmiim's EnKdif, 20. Ou William Crcik it was
'scattered through hard hlue clay in pieces weighing from oO cents tn •-.').'
It cost abo\it .§4,000 in 18.J2 to sink a shaft to the hed-rock, less than ]();) tret.
Vourtmifs Mill. B. C, M.S., (i.

^■'^luch faith was entertained among the miners in the richness of the .IrC'i)
ground on Willow liiver. Jack of Cluljs, Antler, Cunningham, and ntii. r
favorably situated creeks; and claims that were well opened in many iiistaiicis
paid steadily as much as SoOO a day to tlic man. The Nasou Coiiipaiiy, o:i
the other hand, expended §30,000 to test tlie deep ground on Antler (rcik
up to 1875 witliout success. John liowron, in Min. Mines lieyt., 187.'), 1-.

*'Tlie great problem of finding gold in the hills was solved this Viar,
wrote 'B. 1).,' Barkerville cor., Oct. 23d, in Virtoriii JIVc/l/// Citloiii.^/, Xnv. i,
181)5. Another writer more dctinitely expressed his belief that lull-ilii;--iL'>i
■would 1)0 found along a supposed ancient stream running from the liiU
Moimtains across tlie head of MeCallum (Uilch thrfiugh the hill on the i' i^t
side of William Creek, thence to tlio middle or upper portion of Curikliii
(iulcli, behind the line of the United and Aurora claims, and on to the !•'. lest
Rose and I'rairie Flower claims at the Meadows, formerly a lake, or one it :i
series of largo lakes. JlanwU'd LwXurvs, 10, 17.

PRODUCT.

r)i3

.\'.i,'

lining alto-

and lu'iuly

sted ot'l)liie

ioned came
Torn twi'lve
. uiidur the
[i«^ through
nnor lulus.
Icr the field
•G prospcct-
Lprofitahle,'''
! rise to the
e of tlu! (lid
fteu proved
'crs was not
Jrcolv, there
tics of yold,

e strcani-lmds (if

lOtimos as imii'li

t liuuflit to t!iu

IS tlio iiIiUt allii-

11 wliicli l;iy tlic

Uiaiii (.'ivtk was

11 low galhries.

Stoulo claim mi

iiiixuil « itli il<'-

,118. TIicl;i.M

ho slaty Imtiiiia

'so fdUUll, wliiili

II C'rui'li it was
50 coiits to •-.').'
ss tliau 100 l\'ot.

IICSS of till! lil'Op

laiii, anil otlirr
many iiistaiicfS

III C'ii!ii])aiiy, (la
III Autlor t'n'L'k
'.., ]S7,'), 1-'.
IvL'il this yiar,
['oloiii.-f, Xiiv. 7,
at hill-cii.t.'- ai'i

from till.; il'1'1

hill on thr I'l^-t

tiou of C'liiikliu

nil to the l''..ri.!>t

,u!i.o, or oiiu ui .1

helow the Lvel of the present stream,*^ and it was
(ihscrvod in niost Kiinini^ operations ujton the gohl-
luMiiiii'' creeks of (V'rihoo that tlie ])avin<if yfround
was usually liiuited to an area of a mile and a
liaU' to two niiljs alonj^ tlio centre of their course,
or within that aroj,, at least the principal niininij; was
done, unlike that ot the o(d(|-l)earin<^ streams of Cali-
fornia, which j)aid throughout from source to mouth.''*'
The rocks of the Bald Mountains, consisting' of
nutainor{)hic clay slate traversed by broad bands
iinprfLifnated with auriferous quartz, were indeed only
a sample of numerous other zones in the slaty g(dd-
lieaiinijf rocks of the northern })lateau, to be brou<.jht
into ])rominence as soon as the proj^ress of develop-
ments would pcrmif*' — developments which durinj^ the
two tiecades comnu '•ins*' with the discovery of ^old in
British Columbia were retarded chiefly by the great
cost of supplies and transportation.

Amon*^ those who went to Cariboo in 18G1, one
third, according to Macfie's estimate, made indepen-
dent fortunes, another third netted sev^ei-al hundred
jiouiids sterling', and the remaining third returned
from the mines wholly unsuccessful. '*'* All who were

''Tho one containcil gold alloyed with a good deal of silver, the other gold
of a lii ;hrr eolor and much purer — liotli liattered and worn to suoli a degn^e
iis to iinjily transiiortatioii for some distance. The gold of Lowhco Creek
was ii'si worn than that of William Creek; that of Lightning Creek was more
so, and found in smaller iiartieh.'s. Mitfnii and C/ii'iu/lr'n Nortlnri-.tt Pussinjc hi/
I'll I, ;{.)7- 8. A talilo of assays of gold from dill'ereiit jiortioiis of Carilioo,
liiai!tj hy Agrell at Portland, Oieiion, in ISlil, showed the averaije to lie .§l<i
til tlie ounce. Jfiizlilt'.i Ciiri'ioci, l.'iS. The gold from the several creeks of Cari-
lioo (lill'iied, however, lioth in aiipcaranco and value. On William Creek it
wassiaootli, water-worn, and largly alloyed with silver. On Lowhee Creek,
five ihihs distant, the golden jiartieles had a more crystalline structure, were
I'Xi'ciiliiiuly pure, and worth f_' an ounce more than on William Creek. Lien/.
P'lluii; in I.oiid. (leoij. Soo., .Innr., xxxiv. 101.

*"This 'singular and rclialde fact' was attributeil to glacial action liy the
local ohscrvers, some of whom supposed that the old deep cliannels verj
eniilctl hy the actioa of iee. There was no regular stratilication of tiie gravel
iH i:i (-'alifornia. The clay of the bottom varied from light blue to very dark.
.\Wi!,\< Ciri'iDo, MS., 9.

*' Murchison, Forbes, Hector, Bauerman, Selwyn, and Dawson have writ-
ten more or less about the position of these rocks in conuectiou witk their.
gi'M l,;'iring character.

'^.7 u'jk's V. I. and B. C, 74-.5.

IIIST. BuiT. COL. 33

i ' ■ I

h>'

:.i

fiU

MINlNd IN CAUI1500.

iufcurrot]fatc(l by (iovenior Douglas in Octolxir IHCl,
ill roji^ard to tlui jiiiiouiit of tln-ir i-arnnij^s, iiieiitioiKMl
$2,000 as the lowest, while many had made $10, ()()()
in the course oi' the sinnmer. ]iose and Mc iJoniild,
tlie fii'st discoverers, botli declared that in their opinion
the new dijjj^in^jfs were at k'ast as rich, and |n'oh;ilily
richer, than those of California or Australia; ainl
Majtjr Downie, of ])ownioville, California, went so
far as to sav that there was nothin*'' in (yidifornia tn
be compared to William Creek; while Lieutenant
Palmer (juoted ex})crienced Californian and Australian
miners to the eilect that on William Creek more ni,],!
had been extracted from an area of three miles than
from a corresponding s[)ace in any other country."

Ginieral statistics show that in twenty years a total
product of between $:10,000,000 and $40,000,000 was
obtained from half a dozen princi])al creeks witliiii
a ri'o'ion of rotten hlialc less than fifty miles s(|uarc;
and tlu! averaij^e ])opulation for the same period \\a.s
probably about 1,500/'^

M-i

*^ Lirii/eii(rii( Palmer, \i\ Land. Oco;/. Soc, Jour., xxxiv. l'.)0; Doio/lax' Pri-
vate J'djxrs, MS., i. 14(). Judge Bughic, writing from (jiu'sncl torlis uin'.r
<lato of Sc'iit. 2i), 18G1, aaiil, in regard to the (luaiitity <>f goll-dust la t.. •
hands of tlie iniiicrs: 'I have no doubt that there is little short of a tmi lyi.i;
at the dill'erent creeks. I hear that Abbott's an. I Steele's claims (\\'ilUai;i
Creek) are working better than ever — 30 to 40 pounds a day (^ach. Tin y rcckini
rieli claims as often by pounds as ounces now; it must be a poor claim tli.r
is measured by dollars. . .The gold is aperfect nuisance, as they have to lairv
it to tlieir claims every morning, and watch it while they work, aud cany it,
hack again — sometimes r.s Tnuch as two inen can lift — to their cabins at iiij;lit,
aud watch it 'while they sleep.' Ji. C. Pavers, iv. (JO. The detailed statcmiiiti
of rich yields from individual claims, wliich have been quoted in tlie jncNoiit
chapter, could be nuiltiiilied inilefinitely, and iii most instances vniliiil
beyond question. Jules t'ery, one of tiio miners, informed the writer that in
the month of Septein))er or October IfiCl he saw taken out of one claim lU
lbs. of gold, the result of twenty hours' work. Fi-ri/'n <!old Scnrr/n'.t, NiS., 'I

'^The popuhition of Cariboo in July 18GI was estimated by liovernor Iinui;-
las at 1,500. British Coliimhia Pnpcr^ iv. 53. That was the iigure acc(|iti''l
by the Lom/oii Tinii's' correspondent with indepoudent sources ofinforMialinii.
It was at least doubled and probably quadrupled during the next few vi ai>.
U. S. Consul Frances in 1802 estimatecl the total numbers in the couuti /, in-
eluding Cariboo, at 15,000, while Mr Fery guessiul at 20,000, botli exagg. n ti.l
figures. In 1805, I liud tlie VoloniKt gives the total of Cariboo miners at I .iiSa,
of which 1,000 were on William Creek, 08 on Lowhee, (iO on Burns, 15 on t'lin-
ningham, 30 ou Antler and Stevens, 100 on Lightning, and 120 nuire on etln r
creeks. Victoria Wvi/.li/ ('okmiat, Oct. 31, 1805. The records of tlie mini-tir
i)f mines showed the total population of Cariboo, inclndiug children, feinal ,
and Chinese, to have been, iu 1875, 1,305, iu ItiTO, 1,292, and in 1877, l,j'Jb

[In '}■

COST OF SUJ'l'LlKS.

515

Aftor 18^)1 tlic! fa('iliti<!K for trariHportatlon woro
Hivatly iinprovcHl. In tlic.' winter of IHOI-'i fVcit^lit
Ity (lojiic-slwls l)ftw(!('ii Alexandria and Antler alonu
Wiis 130 cents a T)()urid, and Hour Hold at (.^uesnel i'orka
for !?72 a barrel, beans 45 cents, and bacon 08 cents,
,1 pound. On tlu; coin]il«»tion of the brandi \va^»'on-
road in 1H05, freitjjlit from Yale to William ('re(;k was
reduced to 7 and 12 cents a pound, according to the

The winter itnjmlatiori in I.S(!4-5 -w.-vs I)(!tw(tcii 4(M) and 500 on William, and
lidiii HO to 40 (m Lowliuo ('reck. A/., Jan. 10, 18(i5. Aliont 1,0J0 iHiPHons
wiiitcreil in and about ('arii)(>o in lS()(>-7. Miniiii; niitt Sricntijic I'rtnn, Jan.
I'J, 1S;'j7. Tilt! H"l'l product of (-'arilxio in I8(il was estimated l>y tliu \'ic/'iria
Jtiiili/ friM at ^'.'jOOIJ.OOO, and by tlio Lniii/nn 2VraBs corrcHpoiulent at S'J.'-'Ul,-
iM. 'Jiio latter figure wa.s obtained l)y estimating that there were 400 elaitn
(iwiitirs wlio cleared ^J00,000; I'J miners who cleared S'.)'_'(i,()80; and 1,()'JI
l.ilMinrs at $7 a day, whose share w.is ^■7(;4,7'2!t; total, it'2,'2'M ,40'J. In 1871.
haii^cviii. the Canadian mini.ster of ])ul)lie works, jdaced the total yield of
('anlK.oat?l,047,i.'t."). Il<i>t.P''- \Vmk.\ Wl'l-l. After 1S75 the stati.stieal
i(|inrts puhliihcd 1)^' the minister of mines furnished authentic ti^ures which
tihoucd a eonsideraljlo reduction; for 187."), .?7(i(!,'-48, of which .'J.")00,OI)0 came
licjiu hightning Creek; for 1870, .'i?44.'{,84H, showing a falling off, ehii'tly in
hiiiiitiiing Creek; and for 1877, f'404,772. The following summary is com-
jiiUd from the tabular sheets aeeompanying the reports of 1875-7, giving the
imiiluct of each creek:

MINKS l.\ THE CA1UI;00 DIHTKICT.

Cheeks.

187.').

w I !fl ( "-

1.^ c

3 I*

T.if-'litiiing ■1<1

iliirns

('■iii.iiiwood.

Swill i;

V» ill. -1111

('ii;ikUii Gulch,

ii|iii;l.i Gulcli.

(iriiM c Crock

Viiri .'IS Creeks — as
I "Wlii'c, .lackof Clubs,
Mii-.|iiit(), McArthur,
.Viitlcr

N. iiiiii S. Vorks Quesnel.

Ki'iCiIcy Creek

llurvijy, Snowshoe, etc. .

145

177

1870.

v■>^

192 117!

Totals

14)

.'J!5ta,,')27

lo.uio: ,■)

9,750 (1

5 000 fi

.<i,;!Oo!

G8,7C,I)'_7

41,200, 4

4,200i 4

4,414; n

202

i(h)

^'188

172

1877.

•I " B

u , is ' o

225

2f>,400 17
|(aj
40,040

2.'>,5ir)
i;i,iC2

j*760,258

181
6
$137,300' 5 I 134

I'l

3
U

224,071

208

J- I7(i 215

82,400

l25|

|(cj|

:38

!(H4;i,837

23 177

.f222,0n

102,385

20,370

$404,772

(ii) Inelndlnpf al.so Cunningham, Stevens, Bbrks, and Whip Saw creeks.

Ill) Including Coulters, I^ragon, Koeham, Davis, i'eters Canon, and Dead wood
creek.s.

(■•) InehullnK Pate Creek.

''1) Includini; Perkins Uuleh, Last Chance, Anderson, Chisholm, Davis, Coulter,
and I auon creeks.

'^m "

:,ji

'I
.'I

r !
■ i

\l'}

'lit

516

MINING IN CARIBOO

season, and prices in (\iril)oo Ijocanio licncefortli not
only n;oro niodciute, l)ut Averc better regulated, while
capital and labor stood comparatively secure.''' (It
the men wlio ex[)l()r('d, mined, traded, and lived in
the Cariboo region durint,^ the period described, two
thirds W(!ro l^ritisb subiei"ts, accordino- to J)oU"l;is'
estimates for 18(!.'5-(), but tlierc t were as cosmopolitan
in mixture as the early inilux to California.''"

Fortunes and mislbrtunes comminj^led inade thcsi-
p(M)ple j^eru^rous and hosj/itable in a bisjjli device,
always ready to share witb an impecunious friend (ii'
stranger, while as a mass they were probably tin'
reckless and ungodly creatures that the ]iev( rcml
Mr Brown depicts tliem.'"' The old and well-known
classic and time-honored traits of the animal niaii
came to the surface once more, developing chararti is
that fitted into the remote and isolated forest and laki
country of the far northern cordilleras. "I know of
no place in the world," says a witness, " wlu re more wit
is required, or where a larger amount of snjall cunniiii(
is the slue qua no)i f)r getting on in life;, than in Cari
boo." Without $500 to buy into a good claim, aii('
without tlie necessary judgmcMit to buy shrewdlv. ;i
man had a hard liattle to avoid ruin."' Winter 111''
liad its nottiworth)' features. During the lirst I'fW

■'■'In November I8!)4 wages at Barkcrvillo were ijlO a day; flimr w^ "-
cciit.s a pouud, bacou 50 eeiit.s, imtatoes 20 ceiit.s. Murjii'.i T. /. ((/((/ /)'. ( ..
1')'1. Tliusc ])rices were rarely aii|ir()aelieil after the cninpletioii of tlio \\:vz^' •
mail. In the spring of ].S()5 the iiitroiluetion of the new fr nght tarilf h"'l<ii.:,'
til Iho completion of the wagon-road was made the oeeasi m for a ' eor':i r i i
(lour, ei:;ar.s, Hiigar, chaMijiagne, et(^, every pundiasalile article of wliieli \\a\
l)oug!it in fro:u Iho small deaU'r.s. Tlie Hudson's May (inip.iny ia tlio
jierson of Mr I'iidayson madi; arrangements in ISdTfor oi)eni ig storis ;it
(^*^lesne1^lOlltll aiid Barkerville. yi'ir ]Vi'!<tiii'nislt'r Kninihit'/; .Jiinii u, ISIlTi
lliizUtt:.-iVanh()o, llf).

'"/'rimih: I'-pcrs, jMS., i. ]ri'2. The following li.-it of shareholders i.t tlio
Eriesson Company, on William (.'nudv, thougli not altogether an index ■ t I'l'
jirevaihng nationality, will B>\'ve to show tlu' varied origin of thoenmmiiiiuy:
dolm Nelson, foreman, Norway; .John Taggart, Ireland; Alex. Kri' — mi,
iSweden; I'eter ■ 'ricsson, Swi'clen; Alex. MeKenzie, Seotland; Kpliiaim II i pii',
Canachi; K. IJ. Hilt, Canada; ])a\ id ( irier, Wales; Kvaii Davis, Wales; Inliii
I'errin, United States; SaimnjlTlionipsoii, Norway; I'eter I'etLison. i)einii .il<;
W. J Miller, United States; Charles Taft, United States; M. Simtii, I ml
States.

"^fVjth livpt. Col J//.SW., isa;i, (■); Co„rf>ir,/'s Mill., B. C. MS., 11.

'^*r'oo!c's Queen ChmioUe Island, Lomlon, 1872, './8. The u))j and downs

MINING L^.WS.

5i;

years of mining, in 1801 and 18G2, underground
wmking had not yet begun, and as it was too cold to
wnik in the mountain creeks, nianyoftiio miners who
retained their cabins on tJio Fraser retired tliither to
work the bars during tlie h)W water of winter, while
others who had mono}' made it a rule to spend the
season in Victoria or San Francisco, often in reckless
tlehauchery. ■'"'''

Fulling into the custom of the country, (ui.^inally
iVoiu necessity, the miniiu'" laws iirovided for the
'laviuLT over' of all claims (.lurinu* the inclement season,
uiKler which arrangement miners were permitted to
ahsent themselves without losins'- their title. Althouij^h
wdik underground soon became a common winter
(leeujiation,''^ yet one third or one hi>lf of tlie popu-
lati(in continued to leave for the v. inter; freighting

iif lift', tli(> glories of success, and the power and indispcusaljility of gold are
iqitly ilopicti.'d in tlu following verse;

I krnt II Imdv TTinke a strike —

lie liioked a little lord!
An' liiid a eliin o' followers

Aniiini; a needy hoido.
Wliiine'er lie d enter a saloon

Vnn'd see the barkeep Miiile—
His lordsliip's linnible servant ho

Wilhont a Ihocht o' ),'iiile!

A twaV months past an' a' is (lane,

liaith freendsan' braiKlv-bnllle;
An' iioo the |>uir soul's leit aliinu

\Vi' noeht to weet his throttle 1

Jiiiiiic/ T.ctfer to Sniimic hi Fife. Jtnm:^, .imhr.'<o}i, William Creek, 18<)8.

"A Caiilioo man, Iniviiig made §'?().0()0 or §40,0)0 in the season of 18(12,
uiiit to Victoria to ''iijoy liini; •■If. At .1 saloon he treated ail he could tiiid to
.ill the chani[iagni; ho could i', ike tlieiii drink. The chuinpagne held out long-
est, all ot the company gatlieri^l from within and from witliout being uiialilu
t'li'onsume the harkeeper's stock, (^iir man then ordered every glass rtiiiiaining
111 the estahlishment to be tilled, and with one graml sweep of his cane sc .it
tlii'iu s|)inning oil thecounter. Stdl the chauipagne held out. To win liisvi<--
tnry n\ cr the la- 1 liamier be jumped u[ion it, ciilting bis shins, ll.ivin:^ si ill
a iKiiidful of goldjiieces with bun. he walked \\\) to a large mirror worth se\eral
liinidied dollars adorning one end of the room, and to [irovi! that gold was sov-
eiii-u of all things, be daslu'd a shower of his heavy jiieces into the face of
liis own image, shivering it to fragments. The next yi'ar he was worki;iL' as

II luhciivr. Milton ivtif ('limiUf, Snrt/i/n.--/. I'dxni;//- lii/ Lmul, .'{70. 'J'liree olliers
witli 'an enormous lug,L'age of gold 'received on their arrival at San Francisco,

III I'M').'}, sjiicial notice from the newspapers. Tliey were Frast^r iJiver tni:ier.4
<if hViS. From Hill Bar they had gone to William (.'reek to work unsiiccess-
liilly for seventeen months; lint linally they lonk iiilt i^^'JoO,! )0 in two nionths,
iiii'l their claim was still g- 'od for .'jlOO a (biy to the share. H /<'. Btdktin, Sept.
it, l^illt; Frrif.<<l„iil Siuirhis, MS., H.

'The following companies on William Creek worked throughout the
Winter of 18G(>-7, with good suucess; the Caledonia, Ijiist Oliuuce, Cameron,

518

MINmci IN CARIBOO.

ceased; the mails were periodically interrupted l.y
snows, and even the newspafKT hibernated tiL sprinu. '

The remainder set about to make themselves com-
fortable for the season, and their snugly thatched
and nmd-plastcred log-cabins, with large cheerful fiic-
places, aided to impart to winter life in Cariboo a social
and hospitable cast, not equally deveh)ped in nioio
southern latitudes.'"'* With sociability came a peaceful
intercourse which becam*^ more and more manifest by
the gradual disuse of cdriyirig weapons, which liad
been the custom, on the road at least, in early days. '

(Gambling followed as usual in the wake of tl.o
diggers, and piles of g(»ld might be seen changii/<,f
hands over green tables to the strain of merry nmsic,
particularly at such places as Antler and Williaiii
creeks. A check was early placed on this vice, but it
continued, nevertheless, tfj ti<')urish in private. **'

Priiico of Wales, Kaiigoon, Wiile Wcwt. Miiiirietta, and Forward, Woll Mary
Ami, Brouso, l»utcli iJill, BeaU-. Steiidinan, and Six-toe<l IVti;. Tlio J''i>n'>t
Koso was worked during tiie greater part ot the winter with a rcxikcr, ami
dei-lared a dividend, after payjng tlie wage.s of 11 men, of §140 to the .■•huv.
i.'iirilion Hfiitiiit'l, May ti, l.S(i7.

•■' 77»'.SVH/i/»'/ aiinouneed Oi-t. 28, 1867, that the niiiiir.g season was aliout
to elose, although a few conipai hm were «till at work under the drawhac';^
ot Irosty weatlier, and tliat tiu ^lublioation of tlie paper would aoeoriiini.'ly
1)0 .susjiended until spring.

"••Many were tiie ' yani.-f ' evnktMJ hy the wild surntunding.s an<l the ■\ "f-
ing Hauie.s. On a lonely niount.an trail near JJiirkerviile, in ISU.'i, an ijH
calilo trani])ing ilown of tlie .snow wan olwerved hy the jiassers-hy froin :
to time. No one had ever Hcen or heeu aMe totraei' in these phenoineiii i >
conneetiou or a^ieney of llesli and lilooil; Imt near tiie sjiot lay a short i
and the snow iiad no sooner '>lditerate<l the signs than huuiaii foot.strp< i
apiieared, and tlie log was foniid in a diU'erent position. An iuvestig ili i
was I nally iuld, and disclosen the simple tact tliat thc^ tramping was proiliin .i
hy an eeeentrie elergynian. m (pKwt of (exercise. This discovery spml' 1 a
eongenial mystery. VicUtr'u' Wii'khi' 'nhmiiif, )A,irc\\'2\, 1805. Tiie Minin Lilia
cl.-.im on Mos(piito (Jtilch, William Creek, gained the notoriety in KSG7 oi I"-
ing jiaunted hy a ghost. Long, weary, and eostly dilvings by the plucky
indiviiluals of the company lia« I lailcMl to devdup anythiiijj. At la^t tlicy
struck tile lead, taking oua «iulit (umci's ot gold from the liottomof tli'irsliaft,
and tlie ghostly incidents were forgotten, ('(irilimi Srntiinl, Sept. S, ]>*'

''"In tiie mines jirojier. noliody went armed, even in tlie early day*. lli«
cn.^tom of carrying weapons fell into disuse witli the disaimcarame ol ' i'
eiii-ik of money and tiie .sound of gami)li'rs' voices ' in pulnie piuces. /■' <
<;ol:/ Smrr/ii's, NIS., 1, 2

"* As late as 18C8, our Barkerville popt niailn mention of th' 'act that -

AmauKllie tiuiiders livln' liere,

I tieri'.- liiirely Icn per cent
IhRt^hiiii the vice <v cwrdx an' dice.

as
as

iiii^

Ulij

aia

of
\n\
boo
liif

lV]l|

liirl
iiat

.sueli i.-i tlio natural l>unt.

Jiama' l.i-Utr (i> .-•avmie.

l!>i

MI NINO SOCIETY.

519

rr^ptcd l.y
tiL spring'.'
selves coiii-
y tluitched
leerful firc-
l)0() a social
d in iiioie
J a peaceful
iiaiiif'est l»v
which IkiiI
arly days. '
ake of tl.c
I chan^ihif
jrry music,
kI "Williaiu
\'ice, but it
te.""

ml, Wull .Miirv
e. Tlie F(iie>t
1 a rouker, aiiil
to to tlio .sli:iri'.

lusori was aljiuit
the (lra\viiai'':s
111 aocorilingly

I and tlic il.iiM'-
Mi.'i, an iiir

j-l>y froiri :

lllunOllH'li:! (!;.

y a Hlidi't I ,

,11 foot.-itcjis I

II ilive.stii;:;tl. i;
; was prdiliiicci
very sjiipilr.l a
"\f .Miiiiiil,ali;i

in 1S()7 iii li''.

iiy the jiiiir'v

'At la.t thfy

.of' tlK'ir.sll.lft,

;{, lirr-.
ly 'lay* Tlio
irain« (p| '••
(liucea, /■'

Tact thut -

.\[issionaries did tKtt fail to observe that miners were
as much in need of their services as the natives, and
as (jarly as 18(>i elerj^ymen bej^an to visit Caril)oo
every summer, undei- the auspices of tlie Columbia
missitm of the E})i.sc()pal church. But the field proved
unprofitable, sineo the minei's contributed but liijhtlv,
and it was abandoned after a te-w years."' One cause
of the failures lay doubtless in the lack of L?ood female
iiiHuence. Not a siniL^le married woman lived in Cari-
I)()o even as late as 18G~, and the sex was represented
merely by a few sinL>-le females, and some of them dis-
reputable."^ In the absence of so essential a comple-
iiieiit to respectable society, the less refined pleasures
iKiti;vally predominated, and the time not devoted to
iiandjliiiL;' was oftt-n spent over the bottle at private
e;.! iisal or at public dinners, and with the votaries of
T I I'iehore, gathered in the temples of the hurdy-
^i'ui(hes, on wliose lives hung many a whisper and
many a romantic tale."^

A relieving feature of Bark(;rville was the pul>lic
ivading-room, which in 18(;5 was already condbrta-
lily fitted up, and well patronized. Here also the tal-
•iited portion t)f the C(jnnntmity enlivened the long
winter nights with public d(^bat(;s, recitations, plays,
and musieal performances for the amusement of them-
selves and the rest."*

' '■ The Rev. K. « '. Linnliu Drown lived for some ti mo during 1802-.3 in a
iiiincr's ('alii II at * aiiRToiilnM, ^\'illianl Creek, .su tiering' j^iiat liardshiiis. Kiuil
ill:: tlio ijiiiiei-.f .siiiiMiwhat iiiditl'iriiit to roligimi, ho attaikcd tlio gainhlci'.s in
tlirir cieus, hut wan ultiinatily olilij.!e<l to withdraw from tlie field uusuccess-
liil Bruirii'it EKKdii, [jiKsim, and t'iflli Idyt. ^'ot. Mlff.iinn, ISGI5, lJ-7.

'^-Tciii/i iii}>t. c.ii. yfisww, isos, •..'.")-<;.

"' liotiiiie are tli<? hurdies'O!
The Oeriiian hurdy-gurdies O!
Th(! diftcst hour that e'( • J spo(>rt
Was daueing wi' the Ininiii-.sO!

Ji,iin''<' J.illi r :■' Smi'iii''.

'' A manuscript weekly newspapci* oonduetiid by .MeLiiren and Anderson
ill r>'.(), anil read on these oee.isions, jjave gri ii* .satisfaction, and aU'orded
iiiurh amuseiiieut. Victoria WlcUij ''oluiiii/, April 'S, ISUO.

iilr:

[&^ HrHlK

S) fliB y • « 1

1 m^:

il 1 JM '

1 '

t ' Wsfi

h1) m

i| ''

CHAPTER XXVII.

1 i' "

UPPER COLUMBIA MINES.

1804-1882.

COHTMIIIA RiVKR DF.roSIT.S — FlNE-f!OLI) TllF.OIlY — AnCIENT RlVER-Hr.llS —

E.Mji.v lJi(i<i[N(!S — Kootenai Exi'ite-ment — Wild House Ckkkk
Saskatchewan Expedition — Pehuy Cueeic— Hydkavlics — .Sii.din.i-

NATE Dl.STIilcrs, FoltlY-NINE C'ltEEK, MoOYIE RiVEK — Bid BkMi

Routes and Infux — French, McCulloch, and Carnes Cukeks
Later Exim.oration — Extent op the Airiferous Rkcion — Tei!ua( k
(Jravels— Rock Cheek — Okanaoan and Similkameen Districis.

The little fluriy of the fur-liuiitcrs round Colville
over the spriiikliiii^ of gold along the aboriginal liiu'li-
ways, so long familiar to tlieni, in a measure passed
away, or was al)sorl)ed by intenser interest elsewlniv
until 18G4, when it finally became respectably epi-
demic.

Concerning this northern region, into which as by
a divininer-rod they had been led bv their fine-uDld
theory, California's wise ones were somewhat puzzled.
However true their speculations, which ap})eared, in-
deed, to be foundi'd on fact, they seemed here at tlie
north to fail in their application. A partial knowl-
edge of the facts had raised in the breast of tliiity
thousand hopes of sluicing fortunes out of the river-
baidis of these northern latitudes, destined to be real-
ized only by a few of the more patient.

For here was to them an unknown and complex
scattering of gold-bearing rocks, wliere the newer aiiil
older <jravels had been n.-distributed i)v the ice aij^einv
of the drift ])i'riod. Here were ancient river-beds
under a false bed-rock of bowlder, clay, and aiuii iit

( :i20 )

COLVILLE MINES.

621

river erosions deep(^r than tlic modern. Such ancient
river gravels as were found were not capped in all
riises or ])reserved hy volcanic matter. It* they were
so preserved arid ta})ped by modern streams, there
was tlie drawback that the whole countiy was cov-
ered hy a mantle of drift, hiding the lead fn^n the
prospector. If found, it was not provided with an
outk^t grade into the modern canons ; so that mining
liad to he done underground with the aid of pum[)S
and lioisLiiig njachincry. The richer gold-hearing roc-ks
were remote i'roni the coast, beyond rugged mountains
more dilKcult to overcome than the Sierra Nevada of
California. It was not jmssible for the prospectors,
iiiidi r such conditions of transportaticm as existed in
iJiitish C'olumbia from 1858 to J8G8, to remain long
in the mountains under heavy costs for their sup[)lies.
The s(.>arch was checked from the necessities of the
case; yet the expectations which filled the country in
iSfjS proved necessarily to those who insisted on lind-
iiig things otherwise than they were, an infatuation
so stupendous that between Kern River and Clold
Blulfs there never had been its equal

IBJ

■1

■ ■

' ^

^b'ntion has been made of the linding of grains of
H'old on the bank of the Columbia at Colville in 1855,
■md of the prospecting expedition in the same season
hy Angus ^McDonald's men, finding moderately remu-
nerative diggings at the mouth of the Pend d'Oreille,
near the boundary line; also of the connnunication of
Douglas to the colonial otHce in IS.V; annouiH'ing the
Working of diggings in the upper ("olumbia district
yieliliiig from ten to forty dollars a day to the man.'
Dtiring the Frase'r Iliver excitement in 1858-9, att^'ii-
tioii was diverted fi*om the upper Columl)ia, and for
si'Veral years little was done there; but tlie tirst flush
oV( r, develo{>ments above Colville on the ( 'ohnnbiaand

' Sr.' cliiij). XX.. t^MM voIiiiw>. 'This vicinity,' says Ros.s 15?'nwMo. ' lias at-
li iiti'l iiiuoli iittui»W»«i as ii.$k>t(l-iiiiniiig tvgiou since lcS54.' Mnnrtil /iV'.fn»j(f.i,

022

UPPER COLUMBIA MINES.

J! !^"

its tributaries liave a liistory parallel to that of tlio
Fraser, and after 180 1 to that of Cariboo, wliicli
overshadows all but the Kootenai and Big ^lv\nl
excitements.'' Some rich specimens of (piartz wcrt'
brouglit to Victoria in 1859 by members of the Brit-
ish boundary connnission from the head-quarters of
Kootenai River. The placer gold in the basin of
the upper Columbia was found on the bars and banks
of the streams between latitude 49° and 51°, com[)iis-
ing, generally, shallow diggings not very ricli, hut
extending over a laru'e area. Miners havinix crradaallv
worked up the valley of Kootenai liiver, rich di"'-
gings were at last discovered not far from the l)()uii-
dary line, which gave rise in 1803-4 to the Kootciuii
gold-mining excitement. Remote from Victoria as
was this portion of the country, its mining operations
were better known in, and were in fact tributary to,
Oregon; yet many Victorians went thither, and soine
trails was carried in that direction in later times, not-
withstanding the inconveniences of the route. But the
Kootenai excitement was nmch less felt at Victoria
than was subsccjuently thatof tlu; Rig ])end country.'
Wild Horse Creek, or, in the early vulgar, Stud
Horse Creek, the centre of the Kootenai mining dis-

'^Oii tho discovery of tlio Eraser mines in 1S;")8, all but a few of tliusc wlic
had l)oei) previously miiiiug on the t'<)luiid)ia River l>ars transferred tin nisilvus
into tlic valley of the Fraser, and the consequeueo was tliat dcveldiniieiils m
the ('<iliinil)ia Ijasin were arresti.-d for several yeans. Of wliat was dniii' in
tliis distrieh liotwcen tlio Colville and Kootenai excitements tiie outside wmM
lieard little or uotliinj;. C'aril)oo, as an extensi(Ui of tlie l''raser exeiti'iinut.
made, upon all tlie loose Jiopulatioii of tliu nortii-west, a second draft wiiicli
was not to he resisted. Washoe and Esmeralda alone at tiiis time fui!ii-lii i
field ouougli for all tlie spare population ami capital that California ceuld
aiford.

•* Tho Kootenai mines were almost inaccessihlc, remote, and liiddcri in a
romantic valley witliin thi parallels of the Roeiiy Mountains, 70 or T.") lnil^■^'
uhove tlie Tohacco j)lain>. 'I'lic other districts of the upper ( olumhia. i 'k;iii
aum, and Rook *"reek, were al<o heset hy unusual ditiicuUies of eoiniMUiiii'.i-
tiou from 'ho liii-ection of the Eniser. AH the stri.'ams and mountain imgis
of the notiieni plateau, the latter often forest-covered, had to lie ems.o.' m
Buceessioii. From the lower ( 'olumbia they were more remote, and sep.iiat'- :
by a wall of ni> small magnitude the boundary line, for it was the sitdi'i
jirilley of the government at Victoria to hlock the way aloii;.' this line as lar
as possilile oast of the Cascade Mountains, in onlor t.> keep the terntnrv ;,m1
its trade withiu tho control of tho political aud uuuiuitrcial capitol '" ■'»=
pmviuco.

,hat of tlio
il)oo, Avliicli
]^ig Bend
uartz were
)f' tlio Brit-
quarti'i's of
.0 basin of

I and banks
[°, coiupris-
Y ricli, but
g gra(hially
% rieb diji^-

II tbc boun-
(3 Kootonai
Victctria as
; operations
ribiitarv to,
V, and sonif

times, not-
e. But tlie
at Victoria
id country.'

Igar, Stud
iniuinij; dis-

ow of those will!
itcmI tluMiselves

CVulolllliOlltS 111

it \v;is <loa(,' in

outsiili' Wdiii
istT I'Xriteiiifiit,

ml (lr;Ut vliich

tiiiii! liiniislifi

L'alilonua cmilil

ml liiiMoii in ;i
70 or ''> Miili'*
oluiiilii.i. ' 'k^iii-

01 coiiimuiii:"!-
lountiiin iMnu'i"*
,, hi> iTos,-.-' in

i, anil Ki'ii.irat.-'.

was till' si'ttli-ii
this line ii.- I:ir
iO terntorv iui'l

1 capiUl "i •■>'<'

KOOTKNAI DIOaiNGS.

523

trict, discovered in 18G3, and wbich in 1804 Ix^canie
tlic situ of an important camp, was a small tributary
of tbc Kootenai liiver coming from tbe main Rocky
^[()untain range, fifty miles nortb of tbe boundary line.
This ruime arose from tbe al)undance of borses in tbc
district, ]^y May iHfU, 400 miners bad distributed
thcnisidvcs along tbe bars and canons of tbe creek,
and more were on tbe way. Prospects were oi)taincd
tlicrc of $1 to tbe pan and of 25 cents to tbe sbovel;
iniggcts wi're found in tbe gravel weigbing from $'2.50
to .'::;78, and ordinary claims wire l>aying i^'JO to $r>0
a day to tbe man.* Tbe excitenuMit grew, and in
August, Hudson's Bay Factor MiKay n-ported 5,000
miners in tbe district, for wbom provisions were being
ruslied in from tbe Dalles, Tins report was doubtless
exaggerated, for in Nov(>mber it was asserted tbat
oidy 800 to 900 remained, 500 of wbom preferred to
winter in tbe diggings,'' and trace tbe distribution of
the g(dd-beaiing rocks in tbe nortbern Kocky Moun-
tain region."

Mining experience in the Kootenai country the
first year develoi)ed the fact tbat sluicing could be
' an ii'd on for mine months in tbe year. Hill tunnels
were in progress during tbe winter where [»ay had
been strmdv, and Birch, tbe cidonial secretarv, who vis-
ited the r-egion, reported very hopefully in regai'd to
tiie.'^e bill depo.sits, one of wiiich yielded dollar nug-
ji'ets and prospects of seventy-tive cents to two dollars
a ]ian. JSeveral (•om[)anies late in the season of 18r)4
stiiK k pay also on Toby Creek, and now Fi*siierville,
tile name given to the principal camp uu tbe creek,
liepm to figure in tbe chronicles, though the place was

' hdirmii OH M/lif.':, .SS; B. C Dii' ftorjl, ISt!^, 'JOO: Broiri,i'\ ^fill. f?('.irw n-r.i,
1'i.VJ; AUtiii'.'i Ciu-iluiK, Ms.. II, l'_': WiiWi W'<Uii Sl<ih:iiniii,. An-.', l.'i, '_••_'. rsti:{.

' Kooti'iiai had almost dt'iiojiiiliitftl the B>.ise icaiutry. .1. L. Iiiililu's Lftlrr
lo Ihll /1,-fir/,,), Wftori'i Coloiihl, Juwv -2^, Auu. I<>, \>yi>4.

'■'I' wo roads to f.hc iiiiiu's Kailitiji nspt'otiv elv troiii tlio Colitniliia a!i(l Fra-
siT |i;isHL's wt'iM! I'otistruoti'd the saim^ year, in ••oiisc.(|ul'iic-c of tlic rush. The
ikft was a wagoii-roail luadiii),' fr.iii ( 'olvillc to Peiid d'Oi'i'illc;. Iroiii wliich
l"'inr rlie Oregon a|i]iroa(^li was hy a iiiuletia;i to Wild Horse Ooek. The
Hiiil-i.u s Bay ('oiiijiany also openeu a rough ti'iol from Hope by way of Simil-
kiiuii u, liock Creek, iuid Peud d'Cinaitt:.

! .HI

fi . i

034 UPPER COLiniRIA ailNES.

more often referred to under the general name of
Ivootenai. Diggings were also reported on the main
iijiper Columbia, eighty to one hundred and twenty
miles from Kootenai, paying from four to eight dol-
lars a day ; and at the crossing of the trail to Hope
there were others said to equal Wild Horse Creek.'

In the early part of the season of 18G5 Fishervillo
had a famine, but this was remedied by the arrival of
the first sup])lies as soon as the roads were cleared of
Kuow.^ Reiinforcements also arrived, and by July a
thousand men were said to be camped on and round
Wild Horse Creek. The gold connnissioner re|)ortcd
forty or fifty claims being worked on the creek, pro-
ducing from one to three ounces to the hand with nug-
gets weighing several ounces. The Wild Horse Creek
])itch, just conij)leted at a cost of twenty-five thou-
sand dollars, was carrying two thousand inches of
water, and affording facilities for working a hundii d
claims.' During the summer there was quite a st;ui]-
pede to Helena, in the Blackfoot country, and to tliu
Saskatchewan and Big Bend, but many returned in
October to work the well yielding though shallow sur-
face di<i[i;in';s of Kootenai.*"

' Fred. Whit'', in Victoria Cidonht, Sept. 0, Nov. 22, Dec. 27, 18G4. Dtiiing
1804 ,1. 0. Jfayucs odici.ated as gold commissioner. In 18C.5 lie was succvuilcil
by Mr O'llcilly. The favoralilo conditions for agriculture and stockiaisini;
to:^ctiicr\vitii the pleasing scenic aspect of the terraced valley of the Kiw'tiiiai
gave to tlie region attractions and advantages over many other miniiii,' dis-
tricts in liritisli Columbia. Farms were established on the terraces, ami ii li-
gation was resorted to in places, though this was not necessary on St Ju.iph
rrairie.

'A letter from Wild Horse Creek, dated May 4th, mentioned that [lovi-
tiiona were very scarce, the miners living on ban-, marten, and lish. All tlie
powder and siiot and fish-hooks in the c'linp were sold; those who lial re-
mained in the diggings were shut up all winter with inadeqimte 8U|iiilies.
When the first provisions arrived potatoes sold rapidly at SI a pound, ami lluur
atS1.2o.

"Mr Dewdney estimated that there were a thousand men on Wild Horse
Creek at the end of July. VoweW^t H. C, MS., 1, .S; I'ic. Vol., Dec. 27, l>04,
June(i, July 18, Aug. 8, 18C5; C'on7yoo.SV«/i)ic/in /</., June 20, 180:). Mr l.you,
a trader, reported in Oiegon tiiat Kootenai rivalled Cariboo; two men hail
taken out sixty pounds of gold in two days.

"'Virloria(.'oloni4,iiei)t. 10, ISO,'); West Coltimbiaiim V!cto)-ia Colonist. ":\o\:
7, 180,'). On the dry terraced plair.s of the mountain valleys bunch grass :;row
in abundance; and the Indians having largo herds of horses they readilv sold
them to the miners, so that almost everyone owned a horse, and coulil niovc
freely about. This led to a state of alTaira very unsatisfactory to tin gold

al name of
m the main
and twuiity
') eight dol-
ail to Hope
;e Creek.'

Fishervillo
lO arrival of
e cleared of
I by July a

and roiiiui
icr re|)()rtcd
creek, pro-
d witli miL;--
[orsc Creek
^'■-five tliou-
l inches of
' a liundicd
lite a .staui-

and to the
returned in
(hallow sur-

!7, 1804. Dming

was suci'i.'uileil
nd stock-raisiiij,'

of tlu; KtMitiiKii
tlicr iiiiiiiii:^ cli9-

DITUCCS, lUlil iiii-

iry on 8t .ln^opli

med that provi-
1(1 fish. All the
osc wlio liaJ re-
Equate siippHus.
pouiul, ami lluur

1 on Wihl Horse
, Dec. •-':, 1^04,
18G:>. Ml- i •)■()">

); two men lia^l

•la Colonist. Xov.
unch gni.s.s j-ow
;hey reaclil v .sulil
and could ninvc
,ory to tlu o'olJ

TOWARD THE EAST.

523

The Blackfoot and Saskatchewan countries had for
some time been reputed rich in gold, and a lar<TG
number of miners was attracted to them, not only
from Kootenai, but from Cariboo and other di.stricts."
A. (x. Smith and several others, who in ISOG went to
Helena in Montana, worked successfully until August,
when an excitement was created about the Saskatch-
ewan cHi^f'ings, which fanned into action the general
desire to prospect the eastern slope of the Rocky
Mountains, opposite the upper Colund)ia. Smith set
out at once with seven others, for Edmonton, by way
of Kootenai Pass, and arrived there safely in thirty-
oii^^lit days, despite the hostile Indians. Tlie gold
deposits were found scattered for a hundred miles above
ami below Edmonton upon the Saskatchewan bars, but
those coidd be worked only for a short time in the
s])iing and autumn, when the river was low and the
yield was merely two dollars a day or less, ^vith
rockers. '-

In I HGG Fishorville was pulled down for the purpose
of working the ground on which it stood, and the
operation is said to have been highly remunerative.

coniinissioner, who was also the magistrate and peace ofTiccr of the di.strict.
If the LiulcsH adventuicr fell into trouble with the aiuhoiiticn he had only to
smliili- his horse and escape across the lionndary into Idaho, or across tluMiioun-
tuiiis into the country of the Blackfeet. A degree of freedom liordering on
oiulaxii y was the conseijuence. The route travelled from \'ictoria to Koo-
tenai in hSU') was partly by steamer via Portland to White Ij'.iiU's, thence by
laiiil to (yolvillo and on by the «a;,'on road opened in 1804 from tlierc to I'cnd
dOirilie. \'oirr/rK J!. C. J/f'iH.s-, 'MS., 1 -.'{.

" Swi'L^ney of Cariboo went tluTc and wrote b.ack that ho had made more
money m tlu; jJlackfoot region during the season 'than anybody ever ilid in
CaiilMi'.' \'i<'lori(i ('olonht, Oct. HI, ISO.").

"'I'lie IJhickfeet were vry troublesome away from the fort, and it was
dec'aiiMl tliat they had killed as many as o!)0 of the over-vcnturcsonie miners
and I ii'Oo; lectors in the neighborhood of the lOlk River and I'ort llcutou passes.
.SmiJi leumied by the northern pass and reached Xew \Vcstminstcr in April
ISiiT. One of the members of Moberly's party of cxjilorers for tlie railway,
who went to the Rocky Mountains in .June ISTI, made a more thorough ex-
ploration of the gohbbeaving country around I'ort Ivlnionton, ainl reported
that, till: f.^dd extended fifty miles west and for four hundred miles to
the ra.--t of llie fort, all the bars of the Saskatchewan within that iuea eou-
taiaing auiifei'ous deposits. This was nearly all lino g(dd, but tlu^ tributaries
W(iu al.^o auriferous, and promised to contain heavier metal, while it ^va3
cx[iocted that quartz veins would be discovered near the fort. Xcir WfslDiinxlrr
L'.nii,i'i,i-r aii</.(Jolunihia>i i[\iotei\ in ]'icl'r/a(.'oloiiisl, May 1,7, \i^C>~;('aiii/)l,cirs
Hi'l't., iu CoUiiKjicood liulietiu, quoted in Victoria Coloiiitil, May It), 1S7-.

if >i!

it:
!.

i ;

h : ili

■\m

523

Uri'KU COLUMBIA MINlvS.

ITvdraulir ininin<jf was carried on oxtcnsivclv after t!ir
completion of the largo Victoria ditch, and yielded
well; yot tlio [)rosj>cctH in genoral wore not sutli-
ciontly brij^lit to retain tlu; lari^o mass of miners. Tlic
di,e;']L,''in<4S, tlion<j^h oxti-nsive, wore .shallow and sodn
exhausted, and white miners were content to haw
them to the less exacting Chinese.'"'

In 18()8 mining gained a fn^sh impetus, and seveial
claims sold hy Johnson, the expressman, in IH(1(!, for
$7f) wei'o now resold for $1,200, while tin; whole liill
ni>ar J^'ishervillo was covered by fresh locations df
nnnini; ijround.'''

Chii'f among the discoveries in Kootenai district
next to Wild Horse Creek, and twcMity miles IVom it,
was I'erry Creek, a l)ranch of St Mary's liiver, soiiu-
timcs called New Kootenai mines. It was ((peiud l;i
1807 by Dan Kennedy, Little Sullivan, and a liall-
breed named Fraidc l\'rry, who had been fitted out
by the miners on Wild Horse Creek to make locations
in their behalf The three men took out $225 in livr
<jays, obtaining occasionally thirteen and eighteen <lol-
lars to the ])an in coarse gold T'esend)ling that of Koo-
tenai. Still coarser gold with largcjr yield was fniiiid
above on the creek. So far as pros[)ected at the cikI
of the season of 18G8, the ground gcsnerally yielded an

" VoirrW-s li. a Mines, MS., 1-.3. C. Oppenheimor brought §20,00() df ilii4
to Viftoiia in Scpti^iiljor 18U(i. He reported that chiiins had clianged liaiid*
at high piiius, and that there were 700 ininera at work in the di;.'L:iiiL's in
August, wh(!ii 111! left. Virfnrid CotnnLit, Sejit. 4, 18(i(i. I^atur in tlie m iisini
parties from Kootenai rejiorted that the t'liincso were bidding for uliiiiis,
und that many of the miners bud sobl out for Sl,(K)l). The ('hinusi' «iri
biihbng higli for everything else about the town, and ahnont entirely lakiiu
]iosse.ssioii. J(l., Nov. '20, bSOO. In 1807 a nundier of niiner.s at K"ntiii;ii
organized a prospeeting expeiHtion on a large scale which started on the 1st
of May, and followed up Koote.iai Kiver for the purpose of prospectiiii! the
licad-wati'rs (>f that stream in tl.o Koeky Mountain.s. Uiiidtilit ( 'ulnnilihi /'ir.«,
Oct. 17, 18,')7. The company were well provided for an extended caiii]'ii;;n.
but I find no record of the res'.'.it.

"Dove and Company carried on liydraulic mining extensively, cli:iririj!
up on (IMC occasion, about midsummer, !Jl,40() from three days' workiii;;.
Captain Wilson in the Canon was making from ten to twenty-live dullir-i a
day in 18(1!). The Price, (JrifHth, Saunders, Schroeder, and Dove claims "iri'
all prolitalily emi)loyed. Indicative of general developments was the i- "iiiiilt
tion of a saw-mill by Wooil, who was also preparing to erect a tlour-inill

]y art(>r the
uuJ yielded
-^ not sutli-
iiu'i's. Tlic
V Jiiul sddii
lit to 1( ;ive

and suvi'ial
11 ISCC), i'lir
! ^vllol(^ liill
locations (if

niai district
ill's I'l'oin it,
;tiver, sniiu-
ls opened i;i
ami a liali-
n fitted out
ikc loi-atiniis
$'225 in livr

id'lltc^eli iliil-

lat of Ki Ill-
was foiuul

at the end
' yielded an

itSi.'0,()()()(itMiust

I cliangL'd hands
the (li;j:,'iiit;s in

cr in tin' sc.isciii
liiij; fur claims,
lo ('liinusi' wore
I'Utii-ily taliin;'

(Ts at Kiiiiti-iiiii
irtuil oil tho 1.4
prospuctiiig tlio

( ( 'iilniiiliiii /'/•i'-«,
uded caiiipii;.'!!.

(isively, clearing

(lays' woiliiiif.'.

ity-tivt: (lullars a

)ovi! claiiii-i wiri'

was tlie I'.'inlilt-

a tiour-iMiU,

NEW KOOTENAI.

527

ounce a day, thougli two out of the eight claims
o|)eno(l this season gave one hundred dollars daily to
the man.''

As soon as the news spread, a large rush took place
and a town was formed composed largely of the popu-
lation from Fisherville and Wiltl Horse Creek. About
one hundred and fifty of the arrivals of 18G8 wintered
in the mines while the rest prepared to return in tlie
spring with the still larger influx which then took
place.'" At first the blue clay was regarded as the
bed-rock for the auriferous gravel below the falls; but
this was penetrated during the winter of 18G8-9 by
a number of shafts, and gravel was struck which paid
in the poorest claims eleven dollars a day to the man,
and frequently three times that amount. In 18G9 fif-
teen to twenty miles of the creek had been staked off
chiefly with the expectation of securing a share of the
deeper rich deposits; but this met with almost general
disajipointment. Only a few favorably located shafts
reached a rich yet dry stratum, while the rest were
driven out by water."

Good prospects were also found in 1808 by the
packer MeGraugh on the divide between the Koote-
nai and Pcnd d'Oreille river.s, and in 18G9 a new
camp was located on Mooyie River, a stream running
parallel with Perry Creek, and debouching into Pea-
vine Prairie Lak.:;. At its mouth lay bars four or

" TliG gold first found below the falls, was like cucumber seeds and only
four to six feet from the surface, in a layer of gravel resting on a clay bed
aliout four foot in thickness. Aliovo the falls the gold was foiuul on the Ijcd-
rock, and several parties in November took out from SI 10 to S1.jG in a day.
Vicioria ColoiiiM, Oct. 'Jl and Hi, 1808 ; Dawson on Mines, 38.

'"' V'irtona Colonift, Dec. 'IQ, 18G8, containing quotations from the Walla
M'ala Statesman ; II. B. Ward, in Victoria W'lekhj Colonist, March 27, ISO'J.

'' Vicioria ( 'olonlst, April 'J4, 1809. The Hough Company in May took out
$1,")00 in 'J days from a space 8 feet square beneath the clay. IT. J. Cliun-h,
ia iC-'/a Walla Union, May "I'l, 1809. McOuill's claim, the first one liclow
the fulls, took out 618 to S"20 a day to the hand in July and August, and the
Disv ovcry Company S'20 to 830. All the claims in fact from the falls to Jack
Tay'.s shaft were working profitably. Tay's shaft was down 40 feet, and like
the other deeper claims had great trouble with the water. According to
some of the miners the ground was spotted. Firry Cnck. .\ug. "2; Vhtoria
('(ili.h'id, Aug. 22, 1809. 11. Finlayson, however, reported in 1870t!iat iiono
of them had beeu able to bottom a shaft yet. Victoria Colonist, Jiuic 19, 1870.

;

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

1.0

I.I

1.25

>'-^ IIIIM III 2.5

■■• IM |||||Z2

'- i4£ mil 2.0

1.8

1.6

"^1

.%.

C» ,:>

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

^N-

N^ . ^^

^^\^ <1?

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. M5B0

(716) 872-4503

t/i

it Si'

\
f

528

UPPER COLUMBIA MINES.

five niilos in extent whieh yielded from two and a
half to ei'^lit dollars a day to the hand, and tin ikc
to St J().se[)h l*rairie, over a lart^n' area, tlie ])ro.s|)((ts
showed three to five cents to the pan. Ditches Merc
projected the same year for working the ground.
Aided by the discoveries made from time to tiiiu',
Kootenai had managed to maintain a prominent jmsi-
tion as a mining district, chielly in the hydruiilic
branch, for wliicli it enjoyed better advantages thiin
Cariboo; but in 1872 Mr Vowell, tlie new gold ('(nn-
missioner and magistrate for Kootenai, reported the
principal mines worked out, with the exception cf
those on Wild Horse and Perry creeks, which still con-
tained some of the rich deposits; but, reasoning by the
Cariboo and other developments, miners still believed
that the district would maintain itself, particularly
as the deposits resembled the latter develo[)cd cement
strata which had yielded so well in CalU'ornia.'

" Walla Walla Stntexman, Oct. 9, 18C8. It was stoutly inaintaineil liyllie
ncWN](a[)('rs at Victoria that the Kootenai and othiT niiriing hiealitics ot' the
Si'lliirk, ( Jdl.l, anil I'urcoU ranges, iiere forniinjj; the inner jiaralhis of the
Koeky Mountain tlange of tlie plateau, eomiiri.siil rich ami extensive jplai^r
liehls, ami that .">,<RH) or even 10,000 miner;) coul.l readily timl jirnliliililo
enililoyinent in their streain-heds ami gulches, (ienerally speakinu, tiuuhiiins
liad hitherto piiid six dollars and upward a tlay to the iiand. Jhi/l;/ ('olnni.^l,
Jan. lit, IcSlill; Sprodl's JJ. ('., 70. If unlucky explorers tailed to make thiir
fortunes on the new creeks, this was not a sulfieioat reason for declariiit; the
liild exhausted, for it was shown by similar ex])i'rienee in Carihoo thut the
main deposits were seldom reached. The gravel and pay-dirt of the Knote-
iiai region appeared to the miners different in many respects from the mi[iit-
(icial aurilerous gravel of California. The latter was frialde and e:i>ily
Workccl, while that of the Kootenai mines, as exposiMl liy the hydraidii' hnsr,
was hke the cement worked in California at a later ilate, o;dy with l;u;.'ir
outlays of capital. The value of the dei'ii ground on I'erry Creek reiiiaiiiclii
mystery. Thout^h the I'ureell, Selkirk, and (odd ranges, together wiih the
main Rocliv Mountain piirallels, were all proved to lie golddieariiiir, tlie
favore<l formations witc hut impcirfeetly traerd. Hetween the widely (lis-
triliuleil gravel formations of the terraces, or henehes, that might I)e voikeil
jirolitalily liy hydrauli('s, and those which ol)viou;,ly could not iio so wiakeil,
trial had faihcl to develo[) any satisfactory distii'.ction. The terraces iA the
Kootenai and upper Cohwnhia rivers, like those of the Fraser, eonslitiite a
notewoithy S''cnie as well iis mining and agricultural feature of these iiiipiiiitain
parallels. 'J'liey are wide ancient river valleys tilled to a great dejitli wilh
more or less auriferous detritus. IJeiiches rise 00,) feet aliovc the st'i'aiiw
anil 4,(KX) f 'ct aliove the sea in successive stejis to M-hat is the ancient lilK'il-
up river valley level. Though tiie streams have sluiced down to gnat dnitli'^
into the gravel and lighter detritus, they have not yet, it appears, pennr.itcil
to the licd-rock as in California. Mr Hector of I'alliser's exploration vis-
ited this uouutry and described its terraces iu 1850. Uu afterward \i iluii

SALMON CREKK.

529

Tmprosscil with this belief, prospecting was l;ir<j;ely
pursued, particularly in 1874, under tlie stimulating
iiiilHilse of government a[»propriati<)n, designed to
oiiiourage new developments. Good j)rospects were
(ilitaiiied on several streams, such as Slokcn River,
(Mn[)tying into the Kootenai a short distance above
i^s mouth, but tliey were not of sufficient importance
ti) clieck the decline. In lH7r) Koot(^nai yielded ordy
,^41.000 fn»m the bench and creek diggings, and two
thirds of this came from Wild Hoise Creek, the
iciiiiiinder lx;ing from Perry, Weaver, and Alootsai
(Tctks, containing in all twenty-eight claims, many
(it' tlicm supplied by costly ditclies, and w<)rk(Ml by a
tiital mining population of forty white men and fifty
Cliiiicse. In 1876 most of the white men left the
ilistiict, and the total yield dwindled to .$j:),0()0.''^ In
Is77 the total yield increased to .^.■)7,00(), obtained
fmni twenty-five claims on Wild Horse, Perry, and
Pahner creeks, chiefly by Chinamen. During this
yrar a trail was cut by a govc^rnment road l>arty to
connect Kootenai with Fort ^[cJjeod on the eastern
slope of the Kocky Mountains, and to op(>n a path
tlu'ough regions where gold had previously been
found.

sir

•»f

Iveturning to the earlier years of mining in the
Uj)|H f Cv)lund)ia basin, let us glance at tli«^ other
mining localities Avhich havt; a history subordinate or
paialKl to that of the Kootenai region. Salmon
('nvk, eiiiptying into the I'end d'Oreille near its

I'l'iriii

UlIM

«lllr

the

a:ii'l<

toiui

«lui

II!

Is:

i,\ilniiilic iiiiniag rugion in Yuba and Novada i-ouiiticM, California, and

iImi1u[h):i ' the gruiit tsiniilanty liclwt'cn the .suiierlicial drimsii.-t of tliu

MS giild country and tliosu \\'itliin tliu Hiiti.sli ttTritnry to the nortli,

li, lu' conti:iuu.-i, ' uiicouraL'os inc to a.ssuit tliat the wliolo rounlry u[) to

iMioti'nai Kivcr and tlio base of tim lloiky Mountains, wiicrcvcr ti.e

iit tirrat'oa jiirvail, resting on Kilurian or nietanioriiliie roeks, will l>o

1 to 1)0 auriferous.' Hector had an experiiiici il Californian in his party,

III ipieutly washed color from the stream-beds. JJirlur'n J\'< ]i/., in Limil.

> .'■., (^inirt. Jour., 1801, 40()-5.

' 1 uo ditches were completed, however, to wash the henehes of Wild

' ■ < icek, namely, thu Victoria and the llaug, the latter by a C'hineso com-

, 'Klivcring (i;M) and 300 inchet) of water, respectively. Jlin. Jiliiiai Jiept.

, 1-lli; 1S7G, 4'-'4.

IUkt. LiiiT. CoL. 34

;V •

bao

VVVER COLUMBIA MINl-X

junction with tho Columbia at Fort Shepherd, was
winj^-dainincd in September 18G5 by John Thornton,
alias J<jljy Jatk, and coarwe brijjlit j^old obtained.
J^ars on the cri'ik as well as on the main Columbia
were at the same time worked by a great number of
Chinese; and Forty-nine Creek, ninety miles fV(»iii
Colville, was a cause of excitement in AFarch iHd?.
About twenty miners wintered at this j)lace in 18(»()-7,
and reported that the diggings W(>re not oidy easily
reached, but extensive and readily worked, with coarse
gold like that of" Kootenai yielding six to eighteiu
dollars a day to the man.*'

The bars of the main Columbia above Colvilli- had
been mim-d to some extent for several years bef(»rethe
Kootenai and Jiig litjnd excitements attracted niulti
tudes from a distance. At the time of the Kootenai
excitement in iHQii there were several hundred Chiiiesc
at Work upon them above Fort Shepherd, and doing
well a(;cording to all accounts.^'

As early as February 1805 a person brought news
to Victoria that extensive diggings had bei'U found
"about one hundred and seventy mihs north of tliti
old Kootenai district, equal in richness to the best
known in Cariboo."^^ The report was not lost, for ani-

*'Tli<ise who wilitcroil on the creek worked I>ciieli diggings contuiiiiiiK
coarse guM from tlie surface <h)wn. In one instance two ounces were t.ikiii
fronv a single prospect hole in tlio hunk. Forty -eight Creek, near l>v, was
also r('i)orteil ruli, and rjuite a nuinher of boats left Fort Colville for tin two
creeks in March IS.i7, followed soon after hy nearly one hundred iHtMiim
from Portland. I hiring the suninter another excitement and rush was cnatnl
l>y the report that twi Ive men had early in the season fouinl rich diggiiijs in
the hasin between the high mountains forming tho southerly contimiatiipii (if
KootiMi.ii V:dley, on botii sichs of the boundary line and southward as I'tiiH
I'enil il'Orcille. I'mir of the discoverers, Allen, Moore, Aiiern, and Antheiiy
Cavanaugh, returned to the Spokane bridge for additional HUp|ilies, whence the
information spread. ( )n their way back to tho mountains tiiey were nnirilired
by the Indians. Tiiey bad eighteen horses and a large ((uantity of su]i]ilii's.
In the excitement which followed the announcement of the discovery, ;i mii-
sidcrablo force of miners was directed into that country. I'irloria ('iil"iiiyl,
Sept. 17, lS(i7.

'" So absorbed were they that Dewdncy found it iinixissiblo to engage iiiDro
than scviMity-five to work upon the Kootenai trail at Bcveiity-livu iloll us a
month. Vir/ori'i. ColDiiiit, Aug. 'J*J, 18(>rt Findlay Creek diggings, fifty imU'S
north-west of tlio town of Kootenai, were discovcreil in ISO"), a short tl:iic
before tiie rush of tliat season waa started by some half-breed miners inmi
Colville.

'" Victoria ColoHtHt, Feb. 14, 1805. Some prospectors who returnd to

ROUND Blft BEND.

hepherd, was
hii Tliorntitn,
old obtained,
aiti Cf»luiiil)ia
!at numlnr oi"
y inilos fioin
March 1 H(\7.
leo Id 1800-7,
i)t only easily
d, with course
c to eighteen

3 Colvillr had
ars hct'ore tlie
tractcd niiilti-
tlio Kootenai
idrcd Chinese
rd, and doing

hroujj^ht news
I hccn found

nortli of the
to the hest

htst, for ani-

liggiiigg cnntJiiiiiiiK

clUIiCOS WCTO t.lkill

rcuU, lu'iir liy. wiis
'"Ivillt- for till two
liunilrcil iirisiiiis
1 rusli was in 111 li
il rich (ligj.'iii::s in
•ly coiitimiiitinii of
mtliwiinl as I'lr -m
icrii, iiiiil Aiillioiiy

llJllit'S, wliclln till'

icy wore iiiiii'li ivil
uitity of siijii'lii'S.
I! iliacovery, a ion-
Viftoria ('iit'niixl,

lilo to engagi' more
eiity-livo ilnllirsa
;.",'iiigs, fifty iiiiU'8
ISO"), 11 Hliort tunc
iiceil iiiiiK'r." """1

who return"! to

viils at Victoria from Colvillc in June stated that two
hundred men had ascended the Cohimhia t<> Big Bend,
and that the river liad ahnost the appearance of tlie
Fniser in 1858, laden with canoes, boats, barges, and
scows. At Dalles des Morts good diggings were said
to exist, and on the creeks emptying into the Columbia
the yield was twenty-five cents to orio dollar and a
(|uarter to the pan. The excitement had begun, and
it was expected that thousands would enter the
country during the summer.'^

The centre of attraction became known as Big
lit 11(1, named after the great bend of the Columbia in
latitude 52°, where the river turns from a north-west-
eily to a southerly course aftcT breaking though tlus
Selkirk range. The mining district was, howt^ver, a
sliort distance from the bend where several small
streams came down from the western sloj)e of tiiese
mountains. The first discovered to contain rich placers
Wert! French and McCulloch creeks, branches of (iold
("reek. W. S. Stone was despatched thither as ex-
jiressnian, and on arriving at French Creek in August
lie found the ground staked otf for two miles, one jiun-
dit (1 and twenty men, including many 'fiftv-eightcrs,'
Ijeing employed on the various cn^eks. The pioneers
Were four Frenchmen who had settled on French
(reck early in the spring of 1805, and obtained sixteen
•liillars from eleven pans of dirt. All the bars along
tilt Columbia to Bi*; Bend were found to yield well in
couise gold not unlike that of Kootenai, but here all

WiU.i WiiUa about tlio saTno tinio roportcd the tiiipor (^'olutnliia <1iggingH ait
' li;iiiil)ii^;.' W'ltllii W<iU<i SUitrmnan, March 10, in Virtoria ('nlnnint, Alarch 'J8,
iMi.'i. Until of thcsi! parties tiavclUnl in winter, tlie foniiiT reporting tlio
rliiiiuti' as ' spleiuliil.' It will l> • Kefii fn mi these authorities that Hig Hend
WIS jiriihably iliacovereil by persons who (lescuiiduil tho C'ohunliia from
Kiiiiti'iiai.

■'IVrry, 'the well-known explorer,' reported that sevoral miners had
taki'ii out $700 apiece in a very short time, and ho himself wjis said to bo
iii.ikiiiL,' $100 a day, obtaining as imich as $4 to the pan. This was at tho
]iiii:it H'hero tlie Shusawap trail struck the Columbia, and (>0 men were work-
ing there. W. llobertson wrote in June that IS boats liad ascended the C'o-
liiiiiliia that spring, and that the diggings mostly aimed for were 250 miles
aliiive Colville. Victoria Columhum, (piotetl in Vietnrii Colonist. .Tuly 11, ISOC;
I'lirilioo Sentinel, quoted in Victoria (JoloniM, Aug. 1, iluly 4, 1SG5.

) :

'•'■ ' 1

'. f ''

can

Uri'ER COLUMBIA MIXKS,

iji

trace of the metal was lost."^* 11. T. SinitL, who acted
as jj[()kl counnissitmer for the Bij^ Bend district in
18(')5, left there in November and reported to tin;
government at Victoria that the known yield of Freiu h
Creek for the season was ,s;j2,000 ; of McCulloch Creik,
$2,700; and of Carnes Creek, $;},000; but on account
of the gold export tax then in force, it was understoml
tliatnothalf of the j^old taken out hud been reportetl.''
b^looded streams and the lack of provisions and mining,'
implements liad besides retarded tlie work of the siiasdii
materially, but during the coming year it was evident
that eU'orts would be made to forward suj)plics to
meet all demands, for the colonial government wns
opening a trail from Kandoop by way of Shushwajt
Lake, and a steamer was building above Colville to
navigate the u])per Cohnnbia.

In the 8|)ring of IHlW! miners began in fact to Hock
in, and Portland was doing a large business with tlieso
districts.'"^" Finding that the trail would be inadecpiate
to compete with Oregon roads, the government im-
proved the Shusliwap route early in the year, and the
Hudson's Bay Company built a steamer, the Martin,,

" From Fort Rhejilierd it wiis reported September 2, 18(»r), that on Ficiuli
Creek thuy liad l>ottoined some .slialtH without HUecuf<.s, and that there w;is
iiotliing in tliu eouutry to eat Imt ' Ihmr Htiaiglit. ' VkUtriti Wwklji ( nlnin.-,',
Aug. 15, and Sept. I'.), ISii"). On the I'.Hh of S^'pteinher there were il.") i nii
oil tlie orcok, mostly eiii,'aged in wiiiji-damininj; the stream. The La KK nr
Company drifted into tlie hill-side and took outt''">lH) in two days. Tlu: ;;i;ivi 1
for some distanee above the hed-roek jirosjieeti'd between two ami iuilvu
dollars to tiio pan. Id., Oet. 10, IS;;."). One third of tiic miners at Ihg IIimhI
during tlie Bcason had eome from Colville and returned there in Oetoln r lu
winter. Id., Dee. 4 and \% XSiut.

'^'Kootenai wa.>i .said to he eomparatively abandoned in November lM>"i
«)ii aeeount of the more attraetive features of the liig IJend diggin>;.<. It tlic
season kept open it wa^-i eertain tiiat boiits tilled with miners would eontiiiiU!
to go up !;11 winter, and in any event there would be A j;reat rush in M.iiili.
hrili-ih (otumhisn, (piote 1 in Victorii Dnily VoUmixl, Jan. L"), 18.1.1. la
Deeeuiber the Vicloni i.'ohiiiat. Dee. 4, ISGi"), urged that they should t:il>r \\
1 Mson from tlie Americans by advirti.sing the mineral wealih of the e(iu:ili y,
and bc^;un by pronouneing liig Ikaid the greatest gold-mining region y. c
«lijeovere.l on the I'acilie coast.

''•' Virloi-ii i'nloiM, Dee. 5, 1805, April 10 and 24, \S(H>; Onyon SloUii-an,
NLircli 23, 18UG. The attention of the mining population wintering at l'< rt-
land Wius divided between Big liend and lUaekltMit, prejKinderating in I ivnr
of the former. A Dalles eorrespondent nu'utioned that nuud)eis wenwl i;ly
crossing the river at tliat point, travelling wn horseluok for Big Bend by "ay
of Okanagan and Kunduop.

LL, who aotcil
(1 district in
oiiAid to tlio
eld of French
'illocli Crei k,
ut oil account
a -5 understood
si'li reported."'
IS and niinini,'
of tlie season
t was evident
1 supplies to
ernnient was
of Sliusli\va]t
c Colville to

1 fact to Hock
.'sswith these
L)o inadecpiate
'ernnient iui-
year, and the
•, the Mari'ni,

15, that on Finuli
1(1 that theru «;ii
id Wviklji < i./iiK,,,',
U'l'i! weru '.l.'i I II 11
Tlie l,a I'l.nr
lays. Tli(:j:r:iMl
two aiiil tu. Ivc
iiuirs at liig n<'iiil
loro ill Oetiiln !■ tu

II Novemhi'i' iMl.")
<li^'Hiiif.M. ll tiic
H would coal mill'
.t rush ill Mile ll.
111. 15, 18,;.;. la
ii'y kIiouM t ll.' :i
ll of till! coll :iti;\,
[lining region ). t

<>ir)jon i'to/<>/..(iH,
vinturing at I'l'it-
(loiatiiiH ill I i\i>r
iiiibuis wcri' ll 1 1>'
Big IJontI liy ".ly

STEAM NAVIGATION.

wliicli on May 27tli hoj^an to mnVo scmi-weckly trips
on Sliusliwuj) Lake to Seymour, cliar^inj^ ten dollars
for fares and twenty <lollars a ton for freirjlit.''^ ►^♦y-
iiioiir on Shusliwap liako rose rapidly in conseqmncc,
aii<l contained in April about twenty l)uildin<;s. Quito
a imniher of miners liad arrived before the oponin<^ of
iiiivit;ation, drawing hand-sleds over tin; ice, and early
in Juno there were five hundred men waitin<; here for
tlie creeks to fall and for definite news from the mines.*'
The disaster to the steamer Luhonchcre caused a
rise in the fares and frei<;hts from San Francisco to
Victoria, and aided to throw the Victoria route into
tlie shade for the year, while White's steamer, Forli)-
vlii(\ and other boats jtlyiiiL,^ reL,^ularly between Col-
ville and J)eath Hapids, rendered the approach by
way of Portland so easy as to attract even Victoiia
tiatie."" At ] )alles des Alorts, t\\v head of steamer na\ i-
•(atiou, quite a numiuT of American busini'ss houses
oiieiied trade with the miners; near the moutli of
(lold liiver the town of Kirbyvilht was started, and
Ivomano's lumber-mill bejran turninj^ out lumber in
May \H(](] at ^liT) a thousand feet, ofFerinj^ facilities
Itotli for mining and building operations.''*'

-■ Tlic lake contained many lioats which were hrou>;lit into use in opposi-
fiiiii to the stcaiiur, carrying passengers for two and a half and freij^fit for
ti.trcM iloUars. There were two lar;:e caniH'.s at the teriiiinns of the road to
c"iiM y lla.^scn^'ers over Sliushwap ].iake to Seymour. Hire and at Kaiiiloop
a:i aliMiiilaiict' of jiri.vi'ioiis was announced to he in readiness for the iiiinci.

\'irh:ii,i ( (iloiiM, April 17, liStiO. Vict^irians advertised and j)liu;ari'.ed tlio
III « mines Oil every wall, and especially the route thereto liy way of Victoria
aiiil Kaiiiloo|i, while the I'ortlatid journal.* diil their liest to counteract tlieiii
In easting di.icredit on the British Coluniiiians and their route. VictoriaCtil-
oiiisl. .\jiiil o.i, May 1, IStiO.

•■ .\ (liaracter named Tliou.saiid Dog .Joe, alia.s Tclliiia, hiul a seven-dog
team ,i;id a toliogj;an with wliiih he carried supldies to the Dig Bend Mines.

''Hie Fiiiiij-iihii- made her tirst tiiii from t'olville to IVath llapidswiJi >S5
]iii>^i II; ers hut little freight, and arrived at the latter ]il:ico April '.'(J, IS.UJ,
I" I .L' tell days in making tlie trip up tlirouj^h tlie ice, taking p:ussengi'rs for
'i;'> lal freight at 5"00 a ton. She pai 1 for herself the lirst season. Viit'irin
' .■('i/i/.>^, April 7, 18()(); A''«' WitliiiiiiMir JJjiiiiiiiii'i; Sept. "5, lSii7. From
I'll' .■! des iSlorts freight was carried in Intats. Tiiero was Imt one mail to
tlie Kuoteiiai mines from Victoria for six months, owing to the fact tliit tlio
ll' i-litiiie of 1,S()S failed to make the usual arrangements with .lohnson, the
< M''e~,iiiaii ami niail-earrier. In the season of ISGK the service was restored.

I ■ //ll Citlititist, Si'pt. 'J'J, 1809. Farming was by this time carried on here
til .1 . iiiisideralile extent.

■''■iipplies Were dragged in boats through the rapida to Wilson's lauding, U5

.'li

w '^

1. ...

^^^^D

^^1

I'ii

liM

^^^^■'j

i
It

^B' \\

^^Kt- '

HI!!

t \

i;(

634

UPPER COLUMBIA MINES.

The particular advantages claimed for the Big Bend
mines were that they were easily reached and at first
easily worked, while the gold was widely scattered
and provisions cheap, so that miners could live on
eight dollars a week. Dupuy's hill claim on French
Creek was reported to have yielded $2,500 in a wed;,
the Discovery GO ounces in one day, and the Slu |;
Bailey $1,500 within a few days. But although
many claims yielded richly, and the field was exten-
sive, yet the population of Big Bend district at this
time, estimated by some into the thousands, was tod
large for all to obtain a share of the treasure and tlio
disappointed ones were apt to declaim against the
country.^'

By the middle of June the lead had been tapped
on the creek for a distance of one and a quarter luik.s
from the town, and it became apparent that the better
diggings were not shallow, as had been at first
assumed, but required expensive work, partly on
account of the large bowlders in the bed of the deep
channel. This gave a further impetus to the hv^e
exodus which had already begun, and in October fHOC
the failure of the Big Bend diggings was bruited far
and wide by those who had returned unsuccessful.
Provisions now became scarce, and entire cam[)s liwd
for weeks on a little flour and beans. But for the
services of the steamer Fot'tij-nine they would have
perished. A number of parties were doing well,

jniles further up the river; thence they were packed on the sliouMers of canicrs
to (iold Kivor, a distance of tliruc miles, aiicl l)oatcd up the river to the iiKJiitliH
of the several mining creeks. At French Creek there was another port:ii;i' ft
two miles to the stores. On the 19th of May one of these l>oats coiitainiiit;
2.T persons came down over the rapids. Being overloaded and carelusslj man-
agetl it capsized and all hut five were drowned.

^' \Vi»tminKter Columbian, in Victoria Volonint, May 22, 1800. Seven men
who had remained on French Creek through the preceding winter sank u ^lial't,
but at a depth of twenty-eight feet they were Hooded out. l»y tliu i-xiA of
May fourteen companies were preparing to waah. In Oit's claim an ri.lit-
ounce nugget was found in deep ground, li. Cameron in Victoria Cotni'att,
June 7 Hn<r 14, 180C. Monroe and Company on French Creek washed wy '"
one day in June nineteen ounces. Victoria Coloiiinl, J uim 20, 1800. On tin '-'li
of July a flo(Ml on French Creek desti-oycd ail the wuig-danis, wheels, and
sluices. /(/., July 24, 1800.

the Big Bend
d and at first
ely scatteiod
jould live on
m on French
lOO in a wctk,

ind the Slie'l:

But althou^rli
Id 'vas exti;ii-
istrict at tliis
and8, was too
asure and the
I against the

I been tapped
quarter niiks
hat the buttur
been at first
•k, partly on
d of the deep

to the hii'^e
October iMiiG
xs bruited far

unsuccessful.
e camps lived

But for the
would have
doing \vcll,

louMcrs of canicra
ivcr to tlieiii'iiitlis
uiiothor portam' it
o l>outtj cuiitaiiiiiig
mil carelessly man-

18CC. Scvin men
viutcr sank a >li:ilt,
lit. Uy tho iii.li'f
t's claim an c i lit-
Victoriit Vv/< '"•<'.
reck waslu^il uy i"
0, I sot). Oiitl.. 'J'l
dams, 'vliecl^, lUiJ

CnARACTER OF DEPOSITS. SIS

however, and in August the Thompson Company
t(>(dv out between $2,000 and $3,000 in a week, the
I^idgc Company seventy-nine ounces, and the Guild
C'nnipany fifty-nine and a half ounces one week and
8(venty-one ounces another week. The Black Hawk
tunnel on French Creek excited particular attention,
and as the two men working it took out in one week
twelve ounces of gold, the experiment was considered
surcessful.'*'' In regard to the results for the season,
^Ir Oppenheimer estimated the total returns of the
district at $250,000, and yet the season had, in his
opinion, been particularly unfavorable to mining opera-
tions. Of this amount French and McCulloch creeks
yielded each about $100,000. A. G. Smith on his
return from the Saskatchewan early in the spring of
18(')7 passed through the Big Bend district and found
that a hundred miners had partially or wholly win-
tered on French Creek alone. But the prestige of
tht^ district had departed; the deep ground, still
sought by a few, was doomed to wait for more favor-
aldo conditions in a new era, and surface mining was
continued as the only resource throughout the season
of 1 8G7. Some of the claims paid from six to eleven
d(dlars to the man, but as a rule the miners who
reached New Westminster in the autumn expressed
themselves dissatisfied with the returns,*' French
Creek declined rapidly, and in 1869 only thirty-seven
men were reported at work there, partly in deep dig-

'•'The same men obtained §112 from the lienches in four and a half days,
and a nugget of $38 was also found. W. L. Waile of Walla Walla reported
in Novemlier ISCG that 1 ,000 men were in the mines on Frcncli, M<('uIloch,
and ( 'arnes crocks, and the bars of the Columbia l)etween (Jold and ("arnca
Clicks — a far too liigh estimate according to other accounts -and that very
U\\ made expenses, the only two creeks that paid being French and McCul-
luili. 'On aU the streams upon wliich gold has been discovere<l,' siiid Wade,
'tlie bed-rock — which was generally expected to jn'ove rich— i.s so deeji tliat
it cannot Ixj reached without better appliances for protection against water. '
Ml lie tiian tliree fourths of those who came down with Wade were unable to
iKiy tiieir fare on the Forty-nine. Fifty men remained on Frencli Cn.-ek in
Jiiiind)er 1800; the Discovery and the Half-breed claims continued to pay,
and also the Wingdam and Black Hawk. V^ictoria t'oloniat, July 10, Sept. 18,
Nov. -27, and Dec. II, 1800.

^^ New H r ilminatcr Examiner, Nov. 13, 1807.

ill

:;w

tl'l'KU COLUMBIA MIXl-X

j;in<(s, tliouj^li it was still iiiaintaiiKul tliut six dollnis
a (Jay and upwards could Ik; iiiadit iti tin- district. '*

McCullocli Creek was hut a reproducticm of Fr( mli
Creek. Jt yielded as much as one hundred dollais n
day to sonu! <laiins, while the CliMnens Company tix.k
out in 18(15 fr(»m twelve to thirty-five ounces dailv;
and in connection with the coarsen ^ohl nu»;<^ets ran^iiitr
fnnn twenty-tive dollars downwards, fra<;nients of licli
(juart/ wer(! found in the ,creek-l»ed hclow.*^' A few
men wintered on the creek in lH(i5, while their part-
ners Went to Colville for supi)lies, and a littU; town
arose which in tfune 18(U) counted half a dozen \>>it
huts. In tlu! spring shafts were suidi, hill-side tunnels
were worked, winj^-dams constructed, and tail-raci s
cut. As on French Creek, the jiresence of lai<;c
bowlders proved a serious hinderance and rendered
many claims worthless. The lowt^r mile and a hult"
of the creek was considered of no value, hut above,
particularly in the jj^ravel beds, it was yieldinji^ steadily
from lour to six and even twelve ounces a day. As
the creek was ascended the coarse gold increased intd
regular nugi;ets, one of which resembled a plat(^, and
weiglu'd two hundred and fifty-three dollars. A num-
Ijer of miners persevered in the main object, which w;is
t<» penetrate to th bed-rock, and this was found hy
some at six feet, but others sank even sixty feet witli-
out reaching it, and were eventually forced out hy
vv^atcr.^

•■♦Tlie Welsh liyilr.'iulic w;i8 at work while the w.atcr liustcil, Imt ci-.iscil
operatiiMis in .Fimo on aci'oiint of the ilrynoss of the seaHon. The wintur ut
18.JO-70 wan niilil and oikmi, so that the liiiiley Company lost but tiireo wink-
ing (lays during tin; season ending March t>tii. A Bteady yield aver<;iiin
much over lal):ii'er's M'agcs eontiniicd to attract the Hniall mining poiiulatimi.
VirUirid ('ulniiix/, May 7, ISliT; Jan., July, l.S(il); April 1S70. trencii Cick
hail been the riehest, and in many other respects the rcpresentjitive, creek of
Ihe district, the llalf-hrecd claim, its most famous spot, yielding an it ili'l
^\00 a day to the niun, though not regularly.

^* VtiirclV^ Brit. ('ill. Miiim, MS., 11, VI. This creek went also under thr
name of Clemens ( 'reek after tlie Clemens Company. On one occasion .^Mi'i
was ohtained in a single pan. In common with French Creek, this win
reported and Ixdieved at the time to he ' the biggest discovery on the coa.-t.'
Virt/ma Colonist, l>(;c."l!t, 1H(!.5.

•"'There were a dozen companies at Wfirk in August 18fi0, ext(!ndinga iiiili'
and a half above the town, but most miners were awaiting tiie result of the

kIx (loU.uH
strict.'^
I of Fniiili
'(I (lollais ii
npiuiy t<H,k
nc«'S ilailv ;
ctH raiii^iiiL!:
ents ot" licli

L^'' A f<'W

tlu'ir i»ait-

littUi town

i dozen lot,'

iido tUlllirls

J tail-ract s
•e of lai«;('
d rciidciid
and a lialt'
hut above,
iiiir sU'adilv
I <lay. As
•ivasfd into
I |)lat(s and
s. Anuni-
, which was
IS found hy
y foct witli-
eed out l>v

atfil, but coasiil

Tho winter nt

hut tliroo Wdik-

' yield iivrrjiini;

uiug iio]ml;iticii.
Fiencli (it'k

ntjitive, cri'i'k nf

eldiug as it ili'l

it alxo iindor tlu^

le ofcaaion i-M'''

Crc'i'k, tiiix V IS

;ry on the coast.'

t'xtoiiiliin; a inili'
tlie result of till)

A MUNIiUKD (UKEKS.

.VI7

In midHuninnr McCulloch C'rcik was said to liavc
a I'.ipluation of IJO, while French (Jreek liad IjO,
ami tho entire distiict ahout 330. Tlie J)art Com-
pany's chdni liad a sliaft 40 feet dei-p, in the hottoiii
nf which $'2i\0 in coarse {,'old was ohtain(<l, while tho
Discovery ( 'onipany i'ound a piospect of .^"-"J to the
pan.'' Half-way iVoni here to the T'i)|ter Arrow
Lake, on a little stream ruuMinji; parellcl to (jjolcl
liivir, J lank Carnes in the sprin;^ of 1S(;5 piospccted
a small creek named after him, and ohtained I'rom I'our
pans of dirt three <|ollars and thirty-seven cents of
(•(larsu odld. A rush followed this discovery, an<l
C.uiKs ('re(k was (x-cupied nearly sinmltaneously
with French Creek, (JO miners hcini^' rejHirted on tho
ground in the autumn, suH'eriii}^ some\vh;;t iVoui a lack
uf jirovisions. The deposits were di'clai'ed ileiitical
willi those of Fi'ench and ^IcCulloch ci-ei ks, hut
Kohert Xohles, one of the inemhers of the Caiihoo
Ciinipany, who prosjx-cted the bid of tlu; ci'ei k in the
autumn of 1,S(.;."), satisjied himsiilf that ihe d:L^!,''in_Ljs
wcri! even deeper and the; hed-rock still more unattain-
ahlc.'" Tho shallower <^r(»und, liowever, olleicd a fair
tli()Ut;h limited field, wliicli was worked for some timo
hy a small number,

H]HT:itioiis of the Yilt! ('oni|iany, who had set out with tlio ilctermination of
' \,i|'>iiu;4 till! ^tiltiT of tlie ik'i'j) ground. All thu hojie.s of tlio ercek ri'.itrd
i:i"iii tii>ir Kueoe.-is. They \\\ re down 50 feet lu Augu.;t KS>i.J, i)U.iii)i;ig wi Ji
til ■ .li I of a M liorl, and ti^ally they struek a i>iti;hiiiL; heil-roil;. V irlmi i < \,l-
itii'nt, Aug. 28, Oct. Iti, I'vXi. Hence they drilled toward llie di'ip ground
ami .siiuk thri'o hliiid slialt.s. From tlio last of tlio.ie they ilri.teil a/aiu, and
NVTi! iu tiireo Hi't.4 of tiiuhir \vhe:i l!ie llow of water ohliueil tlu'iu to re^i.e. Xcw
W'Ml.iiiiistiT K.niiiihiii; Scjit. 12."), Jii-'T; WnUn W'i'lld .S'liJi-iiiinii, .\ug. 1 ), li-vXJ.

■•' A hileh of S :;),(K>0 ol gold-.lii.st wa-i t;ik( n from here to W,dl i Walla hy
•f. K iiitrmaun. V!ii:)rlii ('iiloiii"t, .Ti:l ,' S, 1 1, Aug. 14, I ;!(!;;; May 7, l'v)7. Ahovc
til ■ raiiiin t!;0 country is open, liaving geii'.h) slojics not unl.!.e tlio.ie of Muik
'iillitia William Creek, wliiih tlie-.e mines Mere thciu;,I:t to re lemhle. On
ji'.rt of Fir.;t Flit in thif open country the creek wa.s fou^id to traverse" a
!> eiv of ]ii;.;li lieil-roek with ]Mtehin of gravel, li.ivin:,' Jirnli.ihly he> ii furerd
i-nli^ from the deeji eliauurlj liy a fili le. Tho gul 1 wa.s ol a hLnl.i.sli hroun
1:111', eolored hy the o\i !o of iron wiih which tho gravel was impregnateil.
'II. I).,' in Virfitrid Coldiii-tf, Sept. IS, l8fiG.

^* hiiir.tnii on Mhn-t, ■'til; VlrU^ria i'^ilmM, A])ril 24, June 7, ISiilt. Me-
I'l'iiildaud Company attempted it in May l>'t>(>, and reaehed a depth of 4."!
I t without striking hed-roek. A miner who arrive I at V.ile i:i tlie spring of
I ••',;•. wi'h some gold direetly from ("arnes Creek, ri'liort. d t!ie e.\i >, iice of
iw\i ijuujh or bauk uiggings wiLh many small nuggets weighing up to i 14.

L 1 I

iit

ens

Un'KR COLUMBIA MIXIIS,

On tlic bars of tlio C'oluinbia twelve miles ulxivc
this crc'ik, Hank C'uruus in the sann) s|tiinjLj found tour
men at work with rockcirs tukinj^ out tine ^old rosi m-
\i\\u<f tliat of tho Frasor, at tho rate of ono liiiu-
(Irid dollars a day, and in iHdO tho bars ahovo tlic
Arrow Jjakcs wore o(M'U[»iod by miners who manai,f((|
to obtain a livinj^, and even to mako ten dollars a diiy.
J^ut tlu'se dej)08its could be worked only a short season,
as tlic river was liable to rise over them at any time.
The district held out throuoh the usual vicissitudi s ot
partially abandoned camps until l)-i7l,and even in l^7h
there were a few miners and prospectors who appeared
to hav(! st'ttled, taui^ht by tlie lo^ic of the facts brou;;l.t
out in tho ]V\<i; l>end rush that there was wealth in
tlu; district if it could only be reached.'''' ('alius
asserted that lie had j)rospected the Columbia I'lom
the head-waters of tho Kootenai to Carnes ("reek, jiihI
had always found color. I'rospectini,^ and miniiii^'' liad
indeed, with more or less success, been folloW((l on
the east side of Selkirk Arountain and also at Mobcilv.
Cherry, and other creeks, on the west or (iold IJaiiirc
sidi! of the river. The jjfold-bearinir tract of the Si 1-
kirk rani^e which formed the Jiio' iJend district
extendi'd evidently for at least seventy -fivc^ miles aloii;^
the western slope, and whatever its value, the failure
of tho district umst bo at<^»'ibute<l chielly to the ihiw of
water, ])revt'nting min -s from reaching the di ( ji
ground under the clay which was everywhere re[)t»i'ti(l
to exist in tho Big Bend as well as in the Kootenai
district. !Much of the shallower ground had hetii
condeumed as spotted before it was fairly tested, .'iiul
the early pros[)ects on the surface at French and Mc-
Culloch creeks were regarded as tho only decidedly
rich yiekls.

The mining d(.;volopmonts in the Columliia ba:^iii,
as Well as those made in the Fraser Ilivir basin at'ier
the excitement in 1801, were not unnoticed by scien-
tific men. A corn^spondent of the iMnchn Tlincs

** Voweirn B. C. Minea, MS., 10 12; Vicloriti Coloniat, July 3, 18C().

IV ■

■("■^T

OOLI» KVKRYWUKUE.

Xi9

miles ahiivc
i,i,' found tuiir

J4"<»l<i rcsctii-
of Olio Juiii-
•s al)()vo tlic
lio iiiiuiai,'-((|
lollars {1(1,1 V.
Iiort.st'aso'ri,
at any tiino,
<'issi tildes (if
L'vcii ill |,s7j,

iKtapiuan-d

U'ts ln'oui^lt

its \v.>altli ill

V. ;u'ii(s

luiiihia frniii

* Creclv, and

iiiIiiiiiL,'- liiid

1()11()\V((1 nil

at !M()l)('iI\,
^old liaiiLTc

of the Scl-
'iid district

luilcs aloiij^'

til (J failure
' tlic il(i\v lit'
; the (l((j)
re re[)()rt((|
o Xooteiiai

had Imcii
tested, and
li and .Mc-
)' lieeidedly

iiliia l)ar?iii,
basin alter
il l>v s(i( n-
thn 7)' I lies

3, 18C(i.

jut'scntcd evl<lonc(5 <ni whleli lio ventured tlie opinion
that the whole inountiiin Kysteiii of JJritish Coluinhia
wasuuriie'rous as far as tiie Stikt^en River, "the lonj^-
t'st stretch of continuous inland j^old-produeinj^ eountiy
yet discovered in the world, " Troni wliieh inealeulahle
udvanta!j;o must result to the colony as wt 11 as to
the mother country. Sir lloderick ^Furehison al.so
txjiressed the opinion, hased U|)on ()ro;^ra|)hi<' data, that
the auriferous nmtiix wouhl he found to exti'iid aloiii^
tlie sln[)es of the mountains of the whole eordilh ;,i,
^\ stein, includin;^ tlu; plateau l)etween tin- ( "aseade and
iJockv ran«;es. The plae«'r di<'<rin<;s ho showed WeJe
uiKhmiahlv hut ihe alluvial diM)osits hrou'ditdowc i oni
these mountains hy the streams.'*" This was eonnrmed
hy numerou.^ a> .'elopments, ainon<^ tlu-m the ditjfi^in^r-i
at lio V Cree-k in the ceafcieof the plateau on the htiuu-
(lary line. Tho up})er Coluinhia and its tributaries
ill euttiii}^ throu«,'h the ^old-hearin;4 helts of tho pla-
teau had revealed the fact that tho whole country in it
cdvert'd hy comparatively recent formations was au-
ril'crous, hut outside of the deep and ancii'iit ciianiiels
ziiiiis wore disclosed only in a few localities rich eiiou^^h
tu pay. Hock Creek acquired a reputation in tho
suiiiiiier of IHOO, and a considerahlo population lloeked
ill, fitrming a town and miniii!^ b(»th in bench and crei k
diu'^^iiij^s. One or more ounces a day were ofttui ob-
t.iiiied, and durin*^ the season of lS(il a party of white
men secured twelve thousand dollars, besides expenses,
the averatje earnliiijfs a day being seven dollars to
the man.*' The Cariboo excitement caused Hock
Creek to be almost abandoned in 18r»2, and for sev-
< lal Years little Was done in or heard from it. Conteiii-
p'lianeously with the ]jig Bend excitement, hoW(>ver,

" /!'iirliiii/s' Coiijfili'rnlinii, llS; Mmjui's ISrili.-i/i Cobiiiihit, 441-'J.

'■ Aijoiit a mile from its iiiimth tho iTcck (lij;^'iii;;s piiil froiii tnw to two
ciiiiii IS, anil soinetiiiies oiiu liuiuireil ilollars a ilay to tli^. Iiaii'l, tlio IicuijIium in
111'- iii.stanco yiulding an oiinco a day fur tlio swisoii. ;.■. was i>l)sorvtil that
til • lii'st (liggiuga occurroil wlieru tlie creek hail cut througli a lielt of Miftrock.
Iiursiiii an Minrn, 41. To tlio history of llie creek IkIoH'-s the KliootiMir dur
II a ilisjmte, in .Inly ISUl, of Davi I IJiirrliy Fraiili Porter, who oaeaped across
ill • froiitiur. McDuimUTs Britisk Culumliiii, S'J.

I I •
I

640

UI'PER COLUMBIA MINKS.

tlio report spread tli.at ricli (li;jf.<jfin^8 had again Ixtn
found, and the place received greatcsr attention.'*'

In 18G8 tlie bed-rock flume was coinph'tcd, Nvliicli
enabled the holders of claims along the creek to ta!vc
out from eight to twelve dollars a day by ground-
sluicing. During the season of IM70, the company
operating the flume in the bed of the creek took out
si.x thousand dollars at their first clean-up ; and havinir
as yet barely touched the edge of the j)ay-dirt, wliiili
consisted of a layer of gravel and sand twelve feet in
thickness, they expected in August to take out tliiic
times as nmch.*^

Descending still farther toward the inner flank (»('
the Cascade Mountains, I find fi recurrence of the
Kock Creek devclopiJients. Ahmg the Okana^an
brarx'h of the Columbia, not only on the east side as
far as Mission Creek, but also on the west side at
Similkameen, jdacers existed which were the scenes
of excitements during the earliest days of mining in
Uritish Columbia; and (m the Washington side of the
boundary around J^ake Chelan, a large area of country
was found to contain quart/i veins and local placets.
Along Okanagan Kiver, the deposits were scattered,
and in most cases worked for but a short time, cliietly
perhaps, from want t)f water. ( )ut of ninet(H,'n streams
falling into Okanagan Lake, seven were, in IHGl, f )un(l
to be gold-bearing, and Mission Creek, flowing into it
from the east, had })lacers which yielded in 1859-(;0 both
fine and coarse gold, at the rate of from two to foity
dollars a day to the man." Near F(»rt Okanagan, sixty

*'- In Mari'h ISOCi, 14 whitus ami 40 Chinese were at work on the pntk.
Raii(l:ill aiLil Coiiipimy washed ^'1 1 (iiit of I (K) buckets of dirt, ami in 1 > -N !I
the Bedrock Flume < oiiipauy of 7 men was mining successiuUy. The liy-
draulic ( 'oirijiany of 'A men was making in lS()il from t8 to !?I(> a day. Be ilis
these, 12^) ('111 ne.se were eii;.;aL;ed in sluicing. I'ic/orin Coloiii.'i/, April 7, 1 'lid;
.Tuner), ISO!).

"They were much troubled M'ith quicksand, hut mastered it. Re(|uiiiui.'
8(),000 feet of lumber for their operations in 1871, it was the intention ol tiie
company to erect a saw-mill in tiie nu^an time. Three companies of Chiiii .sc
were at work on the creek making $3 a day to tliu liand. Viflorid I'lilnnisl.,
July 27, 1S70.

*'In 1877 McDougall and Company were making, on Missirm Cn^ek, fiiiin
ten to lifteeu (hdlars a day to the hand. Dawson on ^^i»(^tt, 41; Lnh'hut

[ again lictii
ntioii.'*'
Ictfd, wliicli
re(!k to t;i!.c
by ground-
he compuiiy
H'k t<»ok out
and lia\ iiiir
-dirt, wliicli
t'olve fcH't ill
ke out tlii'ie

ner flank of
cnce of the
i Okananiin

oast side as
vest sich; at
' the scenes
f iidning in
1 side <»f tht'
a, of country
)cal pkiceis.
'e scatti'r('(|,
;inie, cliicfly
;(!en streams

l(S(;i, i'luiid
wing into it
H59-(;0holh
:w() to folly

lagan, sixty

"k on till! cni'k.
t, anil in l.^.N !l
iully. Tliu liy-
)a(l:iy. Ik' iKs
', Aiiril 7. I'^tili;

(I it. KcM|niiiiii.'
I intoiititin ni tlie
anios of Cliinr.sc
Vii'loriix ('(iliitiixl.,

sinn f'r(H!k, fnim
IKK, 41; Loii'li'H

THE OKANAGAN MINIMS.

541

iii.li ; soutli of tlio boundary lino, a population of
twenty-six minors woro in 18(31 dividing their time
jxtween mining and husbandry, averaging four d(dlars
a (lay in the diggings. The small population tlu-n in
the vulk y consisted mainly of French C anadians and
Catliolle missionaries. On Similkameen Kiver, on-
ti'iin"" the Okanaufan at the boundary line, gold was
found'*' in sharp, unwasluKl particles, which in 18G1
vicldcd some miners one ounce a day, but on an aver-
airi' the rocker produced four, five, and eight dollars a
(lav each to the two hundred minc-rs tluni said to bo at
woik in the diggings: one hundred and fiftv of th(!se
\\( ir Chinese, who soon oi)tained almost solo posses-
siiiii; but th(>y also abandoned the place gradually.
Ill the spring of 18(;(), however, a little excitement
aiiain attracted a number of them from Hope, and in
Siptenibor, between forty and fifty were at work,
niakinLif ijfood wajfos.***

The year 1800 witiujssod the crossing of the west-
ern rim of tlie jdateau by bodies of miners, moving
eastward in British C'olumi)ia as well as in (California.
An observer from the remote standpoint of history
cDuld have then seen at the same instant excited
tnliK IS sluicing in the canons at Gold Hill, Similka-
meen, Cariboo, and .Pike's Peak — the Ilocky ^[oun-
taiiis having bci:n first reached from th(! west by the
eastward-flowing current througli the inviting valley

7''.i'v, cor. Jan. 20, 181)2, in /I'liwliii'/.f' ('onfnlimtion, 114; (/. ,S'. ^fin. S(a-
li^i',-, l:;»8, 5(i8.

' .\ I li'.ractor known ii.s Jacku.iM John jirospoctod SiuiilkanincM llivur in
hSiiO a .1 wing-daninied a jmrliitn of it. Altor \vorki;ig two days, and talcing
nut ; ID. the water rose ami clrove liiin ont. .lolm tlie;i wtiit (o S.ihnoii Uivtr,
Bni<(', 111 u'!;fo(it, and Kootenai i i turn. In Ottolx-r ISdd, lie ii-tiiine 1 ti the
Hiti' of \.\.i jirevitms iniit'olnnon liy thiod, and in fourtetMi days, nnaidci' and
alcijir, \u: MMshed ont ?!tO('/. A li:ii'l.V of three nii'n engaged in slnieing took
out ; J ! ) in three days. Virtorii ( 'al mit/, Krli. 5, 18(>7.

'■'I'Ik re was reported to Ik; a 'false lie l-nx k ' also in this ground, under-
laiil hy a hed of gravel, lic'iiria Cnlmi-it, M:iy 'J'_', Oet. 2, ISliCi, iu letters from
Ilcipr, dated May 18th ami S,'])t. 2.")th r(si)eetiv(ly. Similkameen and Oliana-
gan cimiitries were admitted iiy lioth I'aliier a:id Mayne to jimsess .sujierior
iiiiv,uit,i!'e.s in agriculture a.i well as mining. The mines lieing o|i|Misiti' Hojie,
til y roul 1 he r(!aelied from there by a 2.")-niile wagon-road to the head of
S'is"it J{iver, and tlienee hy trail. Th \ artieleH re<iuiring tr.in-portation hy
W!i;;i •! wcri! largely Bupjiliud to the country at that time from the Auiericun
Bide of the lim. Jtawlimjs' Coiiffdcratioti, 114; Maync'a li. C, 389.

ri-

•I -I

II! I

' ' ''si

ri42

UPrER COLUMBIA MINES.

of tlic Fraser. But no such population could bo in-
vluced to cross the Cascades in the north as rcciil'orccd
the camp upon the croppings at Virgmia and (jluld
Hill, otherwise it niij^ht have puzzled the historical
prophet witnessing tlie operations of 18G1 to deter-
mine whether mlnin<j in the northern interior should
not have had an equal prominence in the foll()^vill^f
decades. In subsequent years a like metallifeious
country was developed with the same series of gecdo;^!-
cal formations. But quartz bonanzas, unless exceid-
ingly rich, were not wanted by the men, who with
pans, shovels, and rockers climbed over the Cascades
in the north. What they wanted was simply })la(ir
gtdd. Had they found anything more, there existed
no lines of travel nor hives of population within readi
of tliese outlying districts that could pour in tlic
necessary additional forces, machinery, appliances, and
ca[)ital for exploration underground. To ftdlow the
deposits in that direction, however strongly they miul.t
have been indicated, was clearly out of the qui'stion.
Till' day of roads, of machinery, and of cheap su]ipli(s
had n(»t vet come. Between 1800 and IBOG Wasluu'
and Beese River were taking their first lessons in
silver mining. When the most su[)erficial bars and
placers Jiad been worked, the lid of clay in the ancient
channels was reaclu'd; when machinery, capital, and
skill were recjuisite to ])roceed further, the wanderinj:
fortune-hunters betook themselves to other fields. All
the evidences of decay, failure, recklessness, and ruin
which presented themselves to the vision of the ai'ter-
comers, <^)nly assisted to render the stereotyped but
suju-rficial and not final verdict — exhausted.

ould bo in-
,s rccuforccd
a and (juld
le historical
31 to detcr-

rior should
le follow iiiif
letallifc'i'ous

of geoloMi-
less exot'td-
who Avith
lie Cascades
mply placHT
licre existed
vithin rcadi
)our in tlic
diances, and

f<dlow the
'they iiiii^l.t
he qui'stioii.
eap sujijilits
MU) Waslidc
: lessons in
al bars nnd

the ancient
capital, and
) wandt^inj:
fields. All
5S, and iiiiii
)f the al'tiT-
u)type(l but
I.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

GOLD DISCOVERIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

18(51-1882.

Omineca Country — Peace River Prospected — Government Expedition —
PuoarECTiNd Chase— ViTALK Cuek.k — Omineca Ovehrated — (Jerman-
sEN Creek — Slcicinc, — Manson ani> Lust C'reeks-Fini.ay Riveu- -
The Skeena ani> Coast Placers — Pkosi'Eits ok Skttlk.ments— Causk
OF Decline — The Stikeen Explored— Thibert's Discovery — Cas-
siAR Placers — Deame Lake Tributaries.

Bkyond Fraser River basin the plateau of the Cor-
dillcia continues northward in two principal Hanmcs
hordered by slaty gold and silver-bearing mountains
similar in character to the Raid Mountains of Caribof».'
It descends gradually toward the sea at Rering Straits,
forming for sixteen hundred miles the trough of Yukon
Kivcr. Retween the Fraser and Yukon river basins
the Omineca and Cassiar mining districts, represent-
ing- the northward movement of the mining popula-
tion of the coast, came into existence soon after the
settlement of Cariboo, each rising along a gr(>at river,
wliicli interlacing its liead-waters on the plateau with
those of another great river of the op[»osite eastern
slope, afforded a broad avenue for the prospectors and
traders who began to occupy this region.

( )niineca,^ the name given tt) the mining district of
the Skeena and I'eace River section of the plateau,

'Till' identity in axis or strike was not traced to a nicety. Sonic tlioiiglit
till' nidiintains drained by the Finlay and Omineca liranclica of I'l ice Uivi:r
wcic tliu continuation of tlio inountainous country explored liy Klack and
Kciitiiii cast of Carilioo, if not of the Cariboo Bald Mountain Riinge. C'lriiio
Sn.liiir!, Oct. 2:«, 18(j!».

"After a species of whortleberry growing there and {ormini.' a staple arti-
cle of fiiocl of the Indians. Mackeniieq/' the Hudson liny CoiiqMiii/, in Viclorin
Vobiuid, Jan. 8, 1870.

"?i:fi

Jit

544

(JOLD DISCOVERIES IN 'HIE FAR NORTH.

may be descrilKd as 1.500 to 2,000 feet lower than
the Cariboo Section, and more gentle iu its undulations
than usual with mining districts on the coast, yc t a
cold, cheerless, and barren region.^ It neverthclcs.s
presented noteworthy and attractive features, and
was the earliest ])ortion of the Pacific slope visited
by Engll;.h settlers from the north Atlantic coast.

Peace River* cleaving the Kockv Mountains to tluir
base led Sir Alexander Mackenzie and his Canadian
voyageurs into New Caledonia, or Omlneca, in the li^t
century, and after 1 800 the country was permanmtly
occupietl by the fur-traders. J-}y tlie Peace and Skecna

' At Oinineca diggings proper, situated near the head-waturs of the l\:ue

and Sko(j;ia river.!, the country resembled Qui'sulI mouth in Fra.ser ICvc r
basin, a thickly woodjd j;luteau region, free fiom high mountain;! and of ci y
transit. In n'g;ird to the climate and agricultural value of the couiit-y,
accounts i.ifliMvd. Tlie (olniiist described it as ' free from the extremes of ii,l,l
and hc.-'.t,' ■winter setting in at the end of October, and ending about the; I'th
of Ai)ril, the snow in exceptional winters attiiiidiig a depth of only thnii IVot.
Hy April loLli the whole country was open and the Hudson's I5:iy C'oiii]muy
usually despatched their winter collection of furs down the Fni-ser li vrr.
Potatoes and turnips flourished; but cereals had not been brouglit to ptrf, r-
tion on account of the early frosts. Lieut. II. S. Palmer, on the other liaii 1,
writing in 18;)4, said: 'All that portion [of British Ctdumbia] lying to t];o
north of tlie C4th parallel remains, and i.i lihrly to remain, an unialiiihiie.l
wilderiiess. ' From the Hudson's Bay Company's i,cr\ ant3 we learn that al.liouj;'!
not entirely devoid of attractive features ami occasional patclies of good .so.l,
this portion of the colony is on the wlude cheerless and uninvit.ng, ami
especi.dly ill adapted for the occupation of man. Moreover, its high L.tltmlo
and extreme elevation and the rigorous climatic inlhiences to which it i^ suli-
jccte<l are elements little likely to encourar^e its : peed y development, i.'in'l.
(fen;/. Sof,, Jim:, V(.l. S4, 17--3. The country along Peace liver, abovo iiio
junction of Finlay River, resendded tliat of the 1 raser at Alexamlrii, and
though farther nor'Ji it was all much lower and not so cold a country aj Cari-
boo. B. Col. THicrtnri/, ISO."?, 2J4-5. Harman, a i)artner of the iNor'.Iiwct
Company, statioaed at Stewart Lake in 181 1, made mention repealu .ly ia
his jour:ir.l of the ."loil being good in places. Turnijij and potatoes j la:iti' 1 iu
1811 produced Well. 'The soil in many places in Xew C.-Iodonia ii tolera'.Jy

§ood. ''i'here i.5 not a month in the whole year,' he aids, 'in wliieh walur
oes not congeal, though the air in the dayli ;ie, ia summer, is warm, aail wo
even h ivo a f^w days of sult."y weather. Il<ir:hi:iis Jour. (Amlover, 1 liJ),
117, '21S, i:r>7, 2(i'_>; VoiveWxB. V. Mines, MS., i;!-14; Vktoria Daily Colonial,

Feb. ':;?, ir,7().

■•The name of Peace River was derive! froai 'Peace Point,' a lamhuaik
on lower Peace lliver a sliort ilistance above itj outl.t in Athaba-sca Lil.e,
wliere a peace liad been coucluricd belwecn tlie Knisteneaux and liiavrr
In iians some time before Sir Alexander Mackenzie's exploration. Its pruptT
I.idian naaie was al .o the name of the coualiy tlirough which it ran — Uaji;;:iU
country an 1 rivei- — the ownership of whicli was in dispute and was set'd. d at
the timi! and placi! nientione.l. These fact j were stated by Mackenzie's inter-
preter, from w liich it ii to be inferred that tlie name of Peace River wai alrea'y
IU u.se umo"g the fur-traders at the time of Mackenzie's famous journey to iu

source iu 1702. Mackeiaic's Voj., 1C3.

m I

||SS.1 (

PEACE RIVER.

54S

rivor route, the continent is traversed at the lowest
altitiule existing north of the isthmus of Tcliuantcpco
ill a line the most direct from the north Atlantic to
Cliina, and tlie discovery of gold phii-^crs upon Peace
]\iv(r and in Omineca foreshadowed the establishment
cf a new city on the north Pacific coast, wiiich might
oiiic day lay claim to the terminus of the Can.adian
J'acific railway.^ On this line the metalliferous axis
(if the Cordilleras was intersected, and found to be
(•oiitinuous in all its force to a hijjh northern latitude.
The evidence of prospectors established the existence
of from eiglit to twenty dollar diggings.' Even if
the diggings were remote, the climate severe, and the
suinincrs sliort, here lay a vast extant of still super-
ficially prospected country which possessed, and would
be likely hereafter tt) maintain, the character of attract-
ive "poor man's diggings."" The development of
mining in the Omineca region must also become a
means of j)opulating the boundless agricultural regions
of the north-west territory of Canada adjoining.

The first discoveries north of Fraser River basin
weie made during the sunmier of 18G1 on Peace Iliver,
lictween the source and the passage through the Rocky
Mountains. Two miners named Edward Carey and W.
Crest left Quesnclmouth in the spring, sinmltaneously
M'ith the movement upon Cariboo, and proceeded by
way of Fort (leorgc to Fort St James, tlience follow-
ing tlif llvidson's Ray Coin^-any's trail over the ])ortiigo
tt) Me.. I Fort. Durino- the ]ii''h water of June

^T. KiHtnn, in Owrlmid Moiitlil;/, Marcli 1870, 2(i4. Mr Evaii.j recognizeil
tilt' Yillowhoad or Luatlier Pass as a rulini; point from tlio , ailway to tlio
Kiici Scii, Imt saw in the river system of Qmineca the forcsh?.. lowing of a rival
ti!iiiiiiui.i at the mouth of tlie Skuena Kivur.

''Alter tlie disciivery of gold in California anil on Fraser Piiver the Indiana
fiei|iiiMitly hrougiit nuggets and gold-dust (to tlio value of wliieli tlieir atten-
t;iiu \i;is then for the first time direeted) from tlieir huutinj^-gnninds to the
tlulsun's Bay Company's posts in the Peace River, Omineca, and Cassiar
ii'U'iiiri. 'Viewed in the light of recent discoveries,' saiil the Coloiiixf, during
the eseitement these Indian iiuda became of interest. Virloria Wviklij t'ola-
ni-^l, .Iiiii. 1!), 1870.

' /'. I'iuir, in Victoria Daily Colonist, Aug. 8, 1871; /'/., Weekly, April 6,.
1870; Spmit'f D. C, 70.

Hist. Brit. Col, 85

: .

}

" ;' 1

'hi* ^

'H- ,

■ : . *

f ^' '' ^

{ 1

f 'r

646

GOLD DISCOVKKIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

they descended Peace River for two hundred miles,
passinj^ throuj^li the canon. Returning at low water,
they prospected all the hars and brought with tliem
to AIcLeod one thousand dollars in dust, the result of
a few days' washing at one point. The largest day's
work performed yielded $75 to each.'' After winterin<f
at Quesnehnouth they repeated their journey in
1802, accompanied by Peter Toy, Joseph Oates, and
Ezra Evans, and obtained from fifty days' waHliiiii;
each $1,200. Nearly all the bars yiehled from tti\
to fifteen dolLirs a day to the man, those on Fiiilay
River for twenty miles from its mouth being the best.
Five others followed them to Peace River the same
season, four of whom wcjrkinjj together took out in
twelve days nearly $1,000. The gold was described
as scaly surface gold, somewhat heavier than tluit of
the Eraser River bars." In January 18()3, Bell, (lold-
smith, and three others left Victoria for Peace River
and obtaijied half an ounce a day to the man on ahiinst
every bar down to the junction of Einlay River. No
excitement appeal's to have resulted from these dis-
coveries, owing chiefly, no doubt, to the developnuMits
in tlie Cariboo country, which overshadowed every-
thing else for tlie time. Infiuenced by discoveries on
the main or southern branch of Peace River, a paity
of Cariboo miners reached Fort St James in 1804, ami
taking a different route, followed the cano(;s of tlie
Hudson's Ray Company north, through Stewart ;ind
Tatla lakes, to a point opposite the head-waters of the
Omini>ca tributary; thence striking over the Peak or
Blue ^fountains, they entered tlie Peace River ba>in
and mined till the f dlowinof year, returnino; home with
four or five thousand dollars. One of the men,
Michael Foy, remained behind and mined successfully

"On a 8anil-1)nnk of Finlay River about three miles above its mouth, tlu'y
found a layer of black sanil overlying gravel wliich yielded tiirce to four (Hiiuis
a day to the hand, tlie whole being covered by live or six feet of hmsc s:iiiil;
want of j)rovisioii» obliged them to leave their ground anil continue up the
liver to Fort St .John. I'icfnrin Wiekly ColonM, Feb. 23, 1870.

"B. Col. Dinetoiz, 1803, 204-5.

^m.

TH.

ndred miles,
fc low water,
b with tluiii
the result of
largest clay's
er winterinir
journey in
Gates, and
vs' was] line
'd from ten
e on Fiiilay
ng the hist.
;r the same
took out in
IS descrilied
han that of'
, Bell,(i..l,l.
:*eace liixcr
n on ahiid.st
Kiver. Xo
1 thes(! (lis-
;velopmeiits
wed eveiy-
scoveries (ui
ver, a paity
n 1804, and
iuu!S of the
5tewart iuid
aters ol" tlie
,he Peak (if
River hasiii
' home with
the iiK'ii,
mccessfulh'

its mouth, tliey

3e to folllMllllKtS

t of looso saiiil:
:ontiuuo uii tlic

OMKNICA RIVER.

for five years, remitting several thousand dollars to his

daughter.'"

In 1808 Humphreys, Gaylord, Evans, and Twelve-
foot Di vis struck Arctic Creek. Humphreys re-
turned to Qucsnelmouth the same year and endeavored
to form a prospecting party to remain in the fields
through 1809 and 1870. In this efrf)rt he was aided
hy ]\lichael Byrnes and Vitalle La Force, two ex-
plorers in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph
(ompany, who had wintered on the head-waters of
Oniineca River in 1808-9. Traders and others, in
view of the depn^ssed c(mdition of affairs at Cariboo
and Kootenai, also favored the search for a new gold
iield, and between government and private aid twenty-
two hundred dollars was made up to defray the ex-
jienses of the expedition. The choice for leadership
fell uj)on Byrnes, with Humphreys and La Force as
lieutenants, and Hawkins, Grant, Kelley, and several
(tthers as members of the company; the expedition
being known as the 'government party,' to distinguish
it from the 'Chapman party,' which followed in the
same direction. Both left Qucsnelmouth in the be-
ginning of May 1809, and were not heard from until
October, when news arrived from tbe govermnent
expedition reporting an important discovery. Soon
alter, however, all of this party except La Force and
Kelh'y returned with unfavorable reports. J:Jyrne8
stntintx that after leaving Bidkley house at the north
end of Tatla Lake, Juno 9th, tiiey turned toward the
head of Finlay River, distant fifty miles, in a north-
easterly direction, over a difficult route, on the '21st
they found gold on a small creek, and took out tliirty-
iive ounces from 800 f(H>t of ground. "There is a
narrow range," said tbe report, "of blue and yellow
talcose slate, with innumerable small veins of quartz

'" Mcanwliile fur-triiilers coiitinucil to report rich diggings iii this region,
ami Diivia and Johns, wlio in 18()() and IStif traded tlirough tlie country for
inr-s (111 tlicir own account, brought with them to Victoria a cousidiraljle
quantity of gold-dust which they had obtained. Viclorki Weekly Colonial,
IVb. 23, 1870.

'11,

'■' f'

ft It

f ■! )

It "

I'M

GOLD DISCOVERIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

intersecting it — general course from north-west and
south-east. . .This range is cut off at the south fork
of the Finlay branch (Omineca River) by a moun-
tainous range of granite," and ought to be prospoctcd
the next season, for a rush of miners at this time, it
was urged would be unadvisable. The party found
also a few pieces of native silver and some indications
of copper. To their particular friends the leaders
made a more favorable report, and Humphreys, aiter
depositing on his own account in the assay oflice at
Barkerville seventy ounces of gold-dust, immediately
returned lo Peace River with several companions and
a stock of supplies. These circumstances cast a sus-
picion on the mtegrity of the leaders of the govern-
ment party, whose discoveries were claimed to ho
public property; while this was under discussion at
Qucsnel and Barkerville, a letter arrived, whortnii
Ogden, the Hudson's Bay Company's agent at Stew-
art Lake, stated that the members of the govern-
ment party on their way back for supplies had do
posited $2,500 with him, and that if tools had bec:u
obtainable at Stewart Lake, they would not have le-
turned to Quesnel until the end of the year; one of
the party having admitted, while under the influence
of liquor, that they had taken out $8,000 in thirty-
five days.

Some of the Barkerville miners promptly de-
patched two men, Kane and Sylvester, to follow the
returning leaders to the new diggings and ascertain
the truth. Leaving Quesnel October 30, 18G0, they
took the telegraph trail to Fort Fraser, reaching Fort
St James in advance of the ex-government party,
wlilch had gone by boat up the Fraser and Stewart
rivers. Another party of pursuers from Quesnel
led by Black had overtaken Byrnes' boats near Fort
George, from which point onward there was a race
between them, in which Black with his light boat had
every advantage. They arrived at Fort St Janus
No\ember 27th, and the Byrnes party now became

ARdK^ CRKEK.

M»

Still more enray^ed at findinj; themselves not only inter-
(( pted, but unmasked. Still another party from Ques-
11(1, known as Buckley's, was following? by water.
l)('ibro reaching the mines Byrnes' party overtook
Sylvester and Kane lyinjif in wait for them, and tlu'ir
'intrigues and dodges' to elude the pursuers were
unavailing. At length the matter was com[>romised by
an ngreement under which the discoverers were permit-
ted to stake off their own claims first. The pursuers
wnc now led to the south of the Omineca Mountains
— leferred to in the govermnent ])arty's ie[)ort as con-
sisting of granite — instead of to the north ; to the
Omineca tributary or south branch, instead of the
ncirth or main fork of Finlay River; and to Vitulle
(reek, where the mining had been done." Kane
learned further in regard to the doings of the govern-
mental party during the preceding summer, that they
had joined forces with Chapman's party, and while
some of them went over to Arctic Creek, discovered by
llum[)hreys in 18()8, the majority remained on Vitalle
Creek, which was much richer — the total sum ttiken
out being $8,000 — -and a third division was kept con-
stantly engaged in carrying provisions from Tatla
Lake. It was finally explained that the motive for
tlie secrecy Avaa the supposed existence on Vitalle
Cicek of a wonderful silver ledge wh'ch they desired
to discover and secure before a rush set in.

The confirmation of the rumors thus presented,
together with the remittance of some gold, set in full
action the excitement which had been roused by the
mystery surrounding Byrnes' movements,'"'' and it was

" Reports of Kane and Sylvester in Cnrihno Sentinel, Doc. 11 and IG, 18()9.
Sylvester remained in cluirge of tiie Adair claim on Vitalle Creek, while Kane
r turned to Cariboo and reported these res\dts of their expedition. From
I'l'M, St Jame» they had travelled by boat by way of Stewart, Tremble, ami
Tilli Lakes to the landing on the north-east side, IG,) miles from Fort St
J :iiies, and thence in tivo days' journey over the niuuntaiiis to Vitalle Creek.

i'ri.H-ii Wcdli/ Colon Ut, Feb. 23, 1870; Daili/ Id., Dee. 31, 18G'J; Curihoo
li<i,/!:,('l, Oct. 'zl, 18G'.».

'■' III addition to the gold produced in 18li9 giving rise to the excitement,
Mr Linhart brouglit down to Victoria GO ounces in January 1870. Victoria

IIm/Y// Colonkt, Feb. 2, 1870.

!■

I ill

1. 1

ill

III

M'^!

™ J 1

iiM

OOLD DISCOVERIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

prophesied at one time that throe fourths of the popu-
lation at WiUiani ('rck wouhl have for Oniineca in
the following sprini^; as it was, a (lonsiderahle How
of miners from Cariboo and other portions of Britlsli
Columbia, and even from California, set in for tlio
dij;«j;ings, with Vitalle Crec>k as the ecntre of attrac-
tion. Tliis creek, nanud after Vitalle La Force, who
had been directed \>y tra])pers to seek for gold ii[)()ii
it, was already fully occupied by A^italle and his Qius-
nelmouth associates, besides a number of others, ainl
the yield was alr^^ady falling oll".'^ The first work
liad been done one and a quarter miles from its mouth
in from two to four feet of ground, a depth whicli in-
creased further up. One tenth of the metal found
was native washed silver, partly in nuggets weighing;-
as nmch as three ounces, John Adair obtaining thirty-
five ounces thereof in as many days."

A number of diggei'S had remained on the ci'cik
during the winter of 18()'J-70, but the mining opcra-
tions were not generally successful. Black and ^Ic-
Martin and others bottomed a shaft to find only
'color,' while Sylvester and Company struck slum
.iikI water on a sliding bed-rock at a depth of twenty-
five feet, which obliged them to abandon their shal't.''
This was certainly not encouraging to the new ai'-
rivals, and many turned back at once, while others
passed on to the lower tributaries.^" Black with
thirty or forty others prospected the adjoining vail y

^K'illan's Cariboo, MS., 12, 13.

'* Whuii they coased to tiiul silver they ceased also to find gold. J/intm-i/
of the Peace Jiiirr Mhiin, in Victoria Weekly Colonitt, Feb. 23, ISTO. Mr
Ogdeu at Stewart Lake imrLhascd 158 ounces of Vitalle Creek gold froiii t'-.o
gDVerninent i)rosi)eutiMg party wiiicii was worth §17. .W the ounce. It \»:n
mixed with lunipa of silver worth a 'hit.' I<1., April G, 1870.

^■' Carilmo Sentinel, in Victoria Weekly Colonint, July 20, 1870; LI., Aug. 17,
1870.

'"No sooner had the crowd overrun the diggings than numbers .stiirtr,!
hack, abandoning their claims, and in July ami August between 100 and 1- ■»
miners remained in tlie country with the determination to give tiie giouinl a
fair trial. Peter Davis and a party left Oniineca June 28th, and returniil I'V
way of Skccn.t River and Nanaimo by canoe. Ti\ey reported tliat only \"W
claims were paying small wages. A small piece of ground l)elow the iJisrix -
cry claim paid nine ounces in o:io day, after wluch the yield was light. I'''-
toria Weekly Voionust, July 27 aud Aug. 17, 1870.

fJKRMAXSEN.

«"1

of Silver Crook in 1870, fiiiditij^ only two-and-a-li.ilf-
(|(ill;ir <]i<^gin<4s; but otlior prospectors were more sue-
cvssiul on (lillbrent streams, and later in the seas(;n
a considoraMo (juantity of ;^<»l(l was taken out in tl.e
ji rrregatc, a party of fifteen Chinese making .^7,000
iii tlireo weeks, and about one hundred miners pn-
jiared to earry on their operations durinu^ tlit; winter.*'
This added zest to the impulse, and in 1 1: 71 tlu;
Oniinooaexritomeiit attained its hei;^dit. By the mid-
dle of June, it was ri'ported that ei*j;ht hundrt'd ani-
iiiids had crossed Fraser River at Qm^snol, mostly
with provisions, and that nine hundred nu-n liad
arrived at the diLjj^ings, by the Fraser and Skeona
routes."* Operations were actively prosecuted, and
creek after creek alon<^ the Omineca achieved more;
or k'ss notoriety I'or a time, as Arctic, Quartz, Afan-
si in, Slate, Skeleton, Lost, and various others, partic-
ulaily (jrormansen, which now becaint; the leadiny;
creek in the district. It was named after James Oor-
inaiisen,"' who discoverou the first gold on the ei'eek
in July iiS, 1870. Good shallow diijjyin^s were foinul
I'tir three miles, usually within four feet of the bed-
lock, yieldini^ twenty-five cents prospect to the pan,
i:i clean coarse gold lying on a layer of sand two fet-t
hiiieath the gravel in the bed t)f the cret'k. Cust
rc[H)rted that everybody on the creek was niaking
finMi .^10 to three ounces a day, and by October !?70,-
OdO liad been taken out. Lumps of silver were also
found, the largest weighing $:)00, and the country
around was seamed with quartz. Germansen Creek,

'"III the winter of 1S70-1 several companies were riiiining tunnels on
Manson Creek, and 80 to li)0 miners wintered in the several inoks. A dozen
M'li .'lit tlie forks of tile Skeeiia for winter (juarters tlie same season; and
aljdiit three dozen deseended tliat river still further to Woodeoek's Landing.
Vi'lfiria Wdklil Cotoiilut, Dee. U.), 1871.

'" Sylvester, cxiiressiiian, in < 'uri'/nn Sentinel: Victoria D'llhl Cnliini.-it, June
-•">. 1^71. In May 1871 tlicre were SOOniiner.i on < iennansi'ii t'reek an 1 mor.i
aiiiviii!» daily. liL, July 0, 1871. O'Reilly was tiie lirst gold eoiiiniissioner;
till 11 followed Vowell.

'"< ieniiaiisen was a native of St Paul, Minnesota, who came in 1803 to
British Coluinliia by way of Haskatchewan Kiver with eattlL'. He mined
V ill a party on Peace River in 1808 and made $500. Victoria H'evUi/ Colo-
iii-<f, Dec. 14, 1870.

bo-i

HOLD DLSCOVKKIES IX THK FAR NORTH.

ill fact, surprised iiiuny by its HujMsrlorlty over tliu
other streams.^"

At tlic junction of the crock with Omlnoca Tiiv( r
rose ii Hctllunu^nt s[)okcn of as (jcrmansi-n Crock 1<»\\ n,
or as Oraincca, which durin;^' tlio winter contalmd
eiy;htccn inliahitants, but by the sunnner of lJ-71
counted twenty substantial wooden liouses coniparlnj,'
favorably with those at Barkerville. It was like this
town the centre of trade for the district, supplinl
partly by the Skcena River route, by way of J^ahiiic
and Tatla lakes, but chietly from Quesnehnoulh
throuj^h Port St James, whence a trail led direct to
(Jlennansen Creek, skirting' Nation I,(ake. Competi-
tion bi'inijf ureat, freight from Yale was (»nly eighteen
cents in IS75, and ilour had been sold as low as twenty
cents a pound."''

Life alone differed from Cariboo in being more iso-
lated and remote Those who remained over winter
were entirely cut off from the rest of the world, siiuo
the season in tem[)erature if not in duration approaclud
the arctic in character. The rampant life of the flush
period in Cariboo and California found less congenial
soil for germination in Omineca, and although saloeiis
and cards flourished, the hurdy-gurdies never pene-
trated thither." In 1871 most of the miners in the
district concentrated on the creek, and some good
yields were reported. Three men near the mouth took

»® H^ //. FilZ!iL'-nl(l, Oowrnmevt Ai/ait (U Port St James, Oct. 24, 1870, I.H-
tei; in VIrforia II 'kli/ CoLviint, Deo. 7, 14, 1870. Some of the claiin.s \r,w\
i50 a (lay to the li, 'l. In tlio Fruiicii C'oinpaiiy's claim aliovo the t'afKiri a
iJO-oiinco nugget W.I 'omul. Pat Kelly's Company iiiailo from ,* 10 to .^liO a
ilay to the man. ( simiidt'iicr, in lil., Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 1870. AiiothiT
lai-go water-\\ oni nu;. '., weighing 24.i ounces, was brouglit to Victoria by
Mr Ouichim. /'/., Dee. '!, 1870; Curihoo Seiilincl, in Id., Nov. 10, 1870;
Port 1'oirii.-ini(l An/iis, A 1, 1871.

^' Freight from Qnesnt to Manson Creek was from 10 to 15 cents, and tlmir
was sol.l here for from 2( ';o 40 cents a pound. Poijc, in Mlii. Mines Ilept.,
1875, 10.

■^■^ Saloons, cards, fur-hunters, miners, and Hydah squaws for ijenre: (liteliis,
drains, log-cahins, anil stick forests for scenery, these made up what was
regarded as the somewhat nii.seral)lo picture of the town of Manson Creek, as
8-'en hy Captain Butler in 1871. Tlie important persor.ages of the town M' re
< '■ rahanus postmaster, and Rufus Sylvester, expressman. Butter's Wild Xnrth
Ljtul, SO:\-S; Lamjerin's Rept., 1872, 9-10.

Tfl

iLjli saloons

[UOUtll took

CLAIMS AND YIKLI>.

:>.-.;«

out ten ounces a day t«> the uuiu, and Kelly's party,
\voikiiiL( six iiiik'S aliovo the JJisccjvt-ry claim in tin;
\tvd of t!ie crt'ok, ohtaiiied one liundrod dollars a day.
lint, the nmjority made little or n»)thin<jr, cither because
the rich dej)osits were in patches whicli had fallen U»
till few, and Were now nearly worked ont, or l)ecaus(!
the lead could not bo followed. AVlie in the conrsi!
of tlie sunnnir rich discoveries were re|)oi'te(l on Man-
>nii Ulver, lifteen niihs farther down Dmiiieca liiver,
;i i^i Meral staiujiede eiisu(.'d.""^ (jJennansen Creek re-
siiiiK'd, ni^vertheless, its position as the centre of tlu;
district upon th(! collapse of the rival exciti'ments,
llydi'aulic mininj^- was a}»])lied to the thirteen claims
ill operation in 187;"), half of the whole constituted
iiuiiilter worked in Omineca. Seveial of these j)aid
fail ly with the aid of win>;-dams and bench-sluices, the
Inst yieldint^' $(!,'J()0 for the season, but otiu'rs sutt'el'ed
lint only from exhaustion, but from Hoods, and then
from a want of sluice water, and were abandoni'd."'

Manson Creek di54-it;iiiiL,''s, fifteen miles east, and I'un-
uiiiH' j)arallel to (iermansen, were discovered in July
l;w I by K. Howell, formerly of the royal en«^ineers,
and yielded about twenty dollars a day, including "iij^-
ucts, some of them eighty and one hundred (h)llaiH.
Two hundreil miners were enijaijed on the crei k dur-
iii,H' the season, workint*- the surface of the creek-bed,
or sl'.iicing on the hill and bench ground; but there
was also a deep channel like that on William Creek,

■'■' l)iiriiiir the last week in August the on-ek yieliled .SlO.OftO. Pin/r (imt
Untl. ill I'ir/orid JJii/li/ t'idoiiiil, Aug. H, Oct. H, 1871; Liiiii/<viun /{cut., 1S7'2,

>s; \;,.rrirsji. ('. Mi,i'e.i, MS., i:{, u.

-''I'lii! L'i'L'ck oliiiniB paid well "uough until June, when <i flood hurst upon
till- c.i;ii[) aucl wjwhed out all tlie Miug-dain.s. After these were repaired oidy
.'- 'iidiith ri'uiaiuccl ii;r worlciiii; ln'lo.v the long winter set in. Tiie Keyntoii
('(iiii|i:uiy tlit'U lost the hod-rock and with it tiieir pay. The <lood-as-Any
' iinimiy obtained goixl pay, although the lead wa,s sfiotted. The hill claims
iiwiicl liy the same company pro.sj)ected exceedingly well, hut the water .soon
rai short and a sliie Idled their sluices. The Morrison Company paid h'ss
tlun .S'{ a day during the sca.son. Tlie Rim Rock Conniany, a hyilraulic
claiiri having a hank from 20 to 50 feet in height, paid better than any other
i'l:iiiii, yielding %!1>,'J00 for tlie season. The scarcity of water succeeding a
IIikmI bred discouragement, an<l the Reliance, Marshal, and Discovery claims
w re abandoned, M'liile several others were sohl to the Chinese. /'. Pay, in
Hill. Milieu Itt'iit., 1S75, 15; Dawaon oh Minen, ;i8.

r.o4

GOLD DISCOVERIES IN TME FAR XOUTH.

1 '.1

whcu-cin two companies sank shafts to the hod-rod
witli profitable results. On the north hank of tlie
creek, near the mouth of Slate Creek, thirty lots wxre
laid out by Commissioner O'Reilly as the nucleus ofu
town, and several substantial houses were erected hv
traders and others.-'^ The creek proved patchy, vtt
managed for some time to retain the second rank in
the district as a gold-producer. In 1875 nine com-
panies were working' it, four of M'hich were located on
the slate tributary, but the following season only two
remain( d.'^"

Lost Creek was for some time thought to be one of
tlie most ilourishing of mining localities, the Irwin
company of fi\o men having washed out, in one woek
in 1871, 11)2 ounces, and another company $jOO to the
man. TIic creek was discovcnxl by a company (;f
Cariboo miners who sank 50 to 70 feet and obtained
large pay They remained here until 1875, wlion
their dividend for tlie season amounted to only ><i21i>.-'

Among other locations made known by tbe pi'ospcc-
tors who overran Omineca was Skeleton CrL>ek, wlmli
received its name from the discovery in 1871 of tlio
skeletons of tliree white men supposed to have difd
from cold or starvation.^^ A 'new creek' staked oil'
five miles south of Vitalle Creek was never deeiiird
wortliy of a name. At Black Jack (julch, five miinis
in 1871 made about $200 a day continuously. At
I]lmoreCulch the ^laidiattan Company mined jirof.ti-
bly in 1874, but the fidlowing season proved a failure
for want of sluice Avater.'"^

'•'•'' Slate Creek, a trilmtary of Manson Creek, had in 1871 a mining ,
tiou of i)0 laon, wlio vere making from $5 to iiO a day. Ldm/irin's
1S7-2, 8^10, 88.

■''Mill. MiiKK jicpL, 1875, 15; Dairsnn on Minci, .'!8; F. Paijc, in I
Jhiih/ ColoiiiM, Aug. 8, 1871; Vowi'Wii B. C. Mines, MS., ].•{, 14; Allitii'
lioo, M \, 12, i;i; Jlcrrc, in Curihoo Snifiiirl, Aug. 17, 1871.'.

-' Three hun(h-ed feet above tlieni, where tin: old eliaiinel ran deepc
eral vain attemj)ts were made in Ki71 to lind liottom. /*<';/'', in Min.
Itiyt., VSli), 15; Ilcrrr, in Cwi'mo Snitind, Aug. 17, 187lJ.

-'* Virtoria J>rl!;/ ('nloiiiMt, Got. 8, 1.S71.

-"■' The New Ze-dand Company".'! rl'ii- , p:dd i::]):'n:esi i i 1' 7"), a;i 1 vi
]):ircd f:r winter work. Pwjc, in 2Hn. Klines J.'cpf., 1^75, 1,"; L-.tiiji'i'in
l^T2, 8-9.

'ir/iiriil

.< ('(iri-
■V, si'V-

/' :■/.,

OIITH.

the bed-rock
I bank of tlic
lirty lots wire
le nucleus of a
)re erected hy
k1 patchy, yJt
ecoiid rank in
175 nine ciuii-
ere located on
ason only two

it to be one of
:-'s, the Irwin
:, in one woek
iy$jOO totlir
. company cf
and ohtaiucu
1875, whou
o onlv$2]0.-'

r thc! pi'OSjH'C-

Creek, wliidi
1871 of tlif
to have died
k' stalvod oil'
ever dccninl
1, five luincis
luouslv. At
lined profiti-
ved a fiiiluru

ii liiiiiiiig I ipula-
J.iiKijt r/ii'.-i liii'L,

■ l''!iji', ill I'iifnriii

1 ran dci'iiLT, siv-
';/'', ill Mill. Mini-*

/.), ;t:rl w.-is pre-

SKEENA RIVER.

555

! !

Fair prospects were found on the bars of Ominoca
and Finlay^^ rivers near their confluence, and the latter
stream was in 1870 prospected by a party a hundred
miles from its mouth, revealincr promising bar diggings
as far as they went, some yielding seventy-five cents to
the pan.^' At the head-waters of Nation River from
thirty to fifty miles south-east of the central Omincca
diggings lay a cluster of auriferous creeks, which had
been visited at one time by Peace River miners, and
were supposed +j be rich ;^* but no developments
worthy of note appear to have been made.^^ Parsnip
Kiver, further down, and Peace River itself west and
oast of the Rocky Mountains were found to contain
gold placers, though unrenmnerative so far as their
accessible deposits were explored.®*

Tlic mining on the bars resembled that of Eraser
River, the gold being fine and found in thin sheets,
deposited and buried again, by massive sediments ot
the river, out of sight of the bed-rock. The valley
furtlicr resembled the Fraser in having a lake or fresh-
water tertiary formation basined within it containing
lignite coal.*^

The first arrivals quickly exhausted the shallow river
bar deposits, aad operfitions soon dwindled to noth-
ing. On the Pacific slope of the auriferous range,
represented by Skeena River and its tributaries, min-
ing was never carried on to any noteworthy extent,

'"This stream was named after JamM Finlay, one of the Northwest Com-
pany's fur-trdders, who in ITOSstirtiil from Miuhillimackinac and penetrated
to Ni|i!iweo on the Saskatciiewan in latitude 4.'?^° north, longitude 103" west.
Machir.ifl'H Vol/., xi. He w.-is stationed and engaged in building a fort on
Low.i Peace River in 1702. Id. I'.T).

" I'v.U'V Toy, Evans, and others prospected up Finlay River to the canon,
a (listiince of eighty miles, and found gold on all the bars, in some places as
nnuli iis seventy-five cents to tlio pan. J ust helow the cafion a hiancli joins it
from tlu^ soi»th, whereon Toy obtained tine gold for a lunuher of iiiiies. Pw/i',
in Mm. Mi iii'H Hcpt., 1875, 15; Victoria Weeklij ColoiiM, \)cc. 7, ISTO.

^■(hiiKiirl, March 20, 1870, cor. Viciurin Wcck/i/ ('olo)iint, April 0, 1870.

"Alexander Fraser and a party prospected the head of Nation River in
1870. \'i(ioria W'lckhj ('<>lnni:<l, Aug. 17, 1870.

" I'insnip River and I'eacc I'ivcr east of the Rocky Mountains carried
fri'i' I'old, DaifyQii on Miiiex, p. .TJ.

'■'' IVutcii's Map of British Columbia indicates coal at the mouth of Trout
or I'iuiais Rivers near latitude 55".

> '

■^1

556

GOLD DISCOVERIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

althougli prospects were found of so encouragiiior a
nature as to induce parties to overrun the Babiuc and
th(! country between the Nass aud Skeena rivers;
yet the Oniinecn excitement itself was sonictiuKs
lefei-red to on account of its geoj^raphical position as
the Skeena Kiver excitement. Near the coast, ^h)l'
fatt of tlie Hudson's Bay Company found at Moli'att
lliver, fifteen miles north of the Skeena and twelve
mik'S south of the Na.ss, an extensive dej)osit of hlack
feand containing gold of the size of number four shot,
and the steamer Wright early in 1871 reported tlio
discovery of new diggings at or near the saiiu'
local ity.^^"

Omineca district certairdy failed to justify the ex-
pectations formed of it in more than one res[Krt;
tlie peaceful conquest of the country by the gDJd-
seekers' ]iredecessors, the pioneers in quest of furs,
had been unattended by immigration; for seventy
vi'ars the countiT had remained without roads cir
otluu' notable improvements bt>yond the erectioii of a
few tiading stations with gardens, and the perfrctiiii,'
of natural routes of conmiunication by cutting trails
ovi'i' j)ortages between the canoe termini. Muckinzie
neither saw nor heard from the Indians of the exist-
ence of the precious metal in the bars of Peace L'iver
during his laborious ascent of that stream. With the
new inllux of miners a new ova was to be e.\[K'(tt(l.
Towns woukl be built, pack-trails and roads would lie
o[)ened into the mountains and otitlying districts,
fiekls wt>uld be planted for the sustenaiu-e (>f the
comnumities henci'forth de})endent directly U[Min the
resources and identified with the history of the coun-
try, ami Omini'ca would become the nucleus forscttle-
nu'iits ext(Muling even east of the Rocky Mountains.
For the first tinu; in tlie history of the country, the
imaginary liise of Fift^'-four Forty, the shiitboh'th cf
the party in power at AVashington in 184;'), assunicd

*« ni-fnria H'trW// CuhniM, A>ig. 17, 1870, Fel). 'J'J, 1871; B. C. Shnch',
MS., p. .-.

^ K .!

;V'T\?r!i

ITH.

icouraginiT a
i; Babiiic and
kOena riwrs;

,S SOllK'tillUS

,1 position as
J foast. .M ol-
id at Moli'att
L and twtlvt'
)osit of Mack
er four shot,
rep(trtc(l the
ii" the .siiuk'

istify tlu' cx-
ono lesju'cr;
)y till' yold-
iost of furs,
for Sfvriity
•ut roads (ir
c;reotioii of a
le perfrctiiu,f
uttiM!4 trails

^lacki'iizii'
of till' rxist-

oaci' JiiviT
With till'
30 oxpri'tid.
ds Would 1r'

\g districts,
ann' lA' tlio
dy uiioii tlic

i)f till' coUll-

us for scttlc-
^[ouiitaiiis.
counti'v, tlic
jiil)l)(d('tli (if
if), assumed

I; li. C. ,Sii,t<-lii'.

OMINECA GOLD.

657

the dcfinitencss of realty, though its actual signifi-
cance was simply that of the natural water-shed
boundary between the Fraser and Peace river basins,
rendered noteworthy in being crossed by the advanc-
ing wave of population of the Pacific coast. Beyond
that water-shed no other power than England ever
claimed dominion. But these visions melted away as
soon almost as they were formed, and with them the
fame of the pioneer prospectors of whom nothing ot

5 note is recorded thereafter.'''

H The season of the great influx proved unfavorable;
the ^^ ater remained so long at a high level that only a
few weeks' work could be done, and the yield as a con-
sequence was not very attractive. Langevin estimated
the product for Omineca in 1871 at $400,000 dis-
tributed among 1,200 people, and Ireland, the express-
man, at 880,000 or $90,000 only, up to September, most
of which had passed over to the traders, he said, to
pay for supplies which owing to the length and diffi-
culty of the route were very dear.^^ Besides climatic
and geographical drawbacks including freshets and
tlie subsequent dwindling of sluice water, there were
obstacles in connection wdth the tracing of the lead
and the separation of the metal. A peculiarity of the
digniiigs on Omineca River was that native gold and

"Samuel Goldsmith, one of the Peace River miners of 180.*?, rosidcd at
Barkciville in 1870. Victoria U'rekhi Colonist, Feb. S.S, 1870. Peter Toy, one
of till' [lioiit'ers of 1802, waa still mining in the fall of 186(5 on the hars of
Finlay Uiver. Ke>o fVcvtmiiintrr li.inntiiirr, May II, 1SC7. 'Peace lliver
Sinitir was a resident of the town of (-crnianscn (,'reek in 1871. liiitlir's W'i/il
Xor'h /.mill, .'i07. ' Bill Parker, Jim May's companion to Pcac(! River,' was
atClviUc, W.T., in ISGJ and ' very well oil".' Victoria Weekly Colonist, Aug,
1, ISIm.

" Langevin gives $300,000 as the known yield an(7 adds the remainder.
Puir U'odH Dtjil. Re)it., 187'2, 8-10. In October IJO miners returned on the
Ottei tiXictoria with only $10,000. Sonic a.scril)eil the general want (jf success
to tin lateness of the season, to higii uater, and the great cost ui provi.sions.
SixdisfMii liundred men still remaiiic<i in the dij^giiigs in October, wiiile
'.00 or ,'iOO were making preparations to remain over winter. J). Hrhntiin, in
V.S.rnniiiicrcial Hil., 1871,040; I'irlonit Diiil;/Colunisl, Oct. 4, 1S71. (leorgo
lifiiit arrived at Victoria in October witli S8,(i00 of Omineca gold. A/., Oct.
K ISTI. On the steamer Otter in l)eccndier, .'{II of tii" passengers were 'thit
liroKi ' and had free passaw. Some of tiiem pronounced Onuneca a failure,
while (.thurs spoke favorably of the diggings. Victoria Weekly Colonint, Dec.
'-j, lS7i.

"''[

668

GOLD DLSCOVERIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

silver ran together in tlie placers, worn by fluviatllc
ai^encies into particles and nuf^gets of the same size.
The gold resembled that of Keithley Creek in size.
.shape, and weight, but was not quite so briglit,''" Tlic
silver was not alloyed with the gold but nearly pure,
worth ,$20,000 to the ton, and usually water-worn and
rounded thouijh oecasif)nallv rouffli. The adinixtiiic
was found on analysis to lie a small percentage of
mercury, consequently a native amalgam/''

Ten })er cent of the metal washed out of the placers
on Vitalle CVeek was silver, and when the niincis
ceased to find this metal they also ceased to find gdld,
Altliough the field was large, the deposits were to(i
patchy and thin to afibrd satisfactory returns to alh
nor was there sufiricient inducement to pursue deep
mining to any extent, although deeper channels of
older streams had been found here as elsewh(>re. All
this could not fail to accelerate the exodus wlii( h s( t
in on the approach of winter, and in 1872 the re-
maining population of Omineca received a coiiipara-
tively small accession. The yield for the season wiis
estimated bv the pold commissioner at .$8 a d.iv to
the man. The miners decreased in numlxT ye;n' In'
year, and in 1S75 tlierewero only (i.S persons left, \vlio
produced from 20 claims $32,000/^ In 1S7G the yield
was so insignilieant tliat the minister of mines left
the district entirely out of Cimsideration, and nt'ter
this only a few miners remained striving to eki' eiit
an existence during the sliort season allotted. ■*'" Omi-
neca was not, however, the oidy hope of this nortlniii
region, for beyond it had risen another mining field/'

'^ Vhiorht r>iulii Cohnixt, Nov. 4, KS(i!(. It was rich orange in culnr liki
that of \a'.M\ Ri\xr. Id., ISlarcli '2, ISTO.

*" Vlc/nrifi ]V<ii;i Cnlniiiyt, Manli'J, ISTO: Tkiirsnn on Mlii'.i, II 1.'.

*' () I (ifritiiinsoii C'ri!i'k in DST.") tliero weru \',{ claiiris; on Slatf Crn k. 4;
oi\ Maiisoii RivtT, liO.st deck, cte., 0; total, '20 clainm, einiiloyinj^ 4'.( wliiti'
ami Ki Chinese miners. All were liar .mil creek digjtings. Jliit. .\liii'^ l!'yl-<
IST."), 11, l."i; Sjhoii/'k B. C, 7(>: <li(ii/c J{. ('., lS77-«, ^l-l^o.

*' V,„rrir., J{. ('. Mhw.->, MS., I.S, 14.

■•'' I'Aer since ttie (jhieen Cliarlotti^ Islanil gold excitenn'nt iii IS,")I 'J. >\\'M
goM-fiinls bail liecii rejtortcd fro?n tliero at intervals, which tcinli'il to ki'ip
this region before the public, without eausinf,' an actual niovement ol fj'il'l

i,fii m

RTH.

CASSIAR AND STIKEKN.

559

I by fluviatile
:lio same size.
Jreek iu size.
>rijr]it;'*" The
1 nearly \)uvv.
itcr-worii and
le adniixtuic
)crceiitago of

:jf the })lacers
I tlio miners
. to iiiul Mdlil.
sits were to(i
:turns ti) all;
pursue d('(]t
■ cluiimcLs of
jwliere. All
us ^vlu(■ll set
L872 the rc-
[ a coinpaia-
c season was
,^8 a (lay to
ibcr yen)' ly
ons left, \\h>)
•i7(j the yield
>f mines left
•n, and nfter

(^ to eke out

ted.-'- ( )iiii-
his iiortliei'u
lininir Htld/'

lUgO HI

.■nlnr l.k(

nil SLite Crrrk. 4;
ijiliiyuig -I'.t wliltc
Min. J/n/'< l'']'t-,

fc ill IS,-)! •_', .-linlit

ll ti'Ildl'il tn IC'P
lOVUlilOIlt ot fl'lM-

which promised to more tlian compensate for her de-
cline, and this was the Cassiar district, also known as
Stikeen River district, since the first gold excitement
had centred on this stream.

In the autumn of 18G1 a French Canadian hy the
name of Choquettc ascended the river with some
Indians for one hundred and fifty miles, and found
ii;()od prospects which continued to improve during the
additional forty miles of his ascent. Every bar showed
more or less of the gold which resembled that of
Fraser River in being fine and difhcult to wash on
the lower bars, while it increased in coarseness toward
tiio head-waters. The valk-y soil was also everywhere
iuipr(!gnated with specks to an altitude of 2,000 feet.
The reports hereof created no little excitement, and
despite the attractions of Cariboo, over 800 men set
out for the district in the spring. Oidy a little ovct
lialf the number had the couraixe, however, to face
the hardships of the ascent to the gold-field, and their
expectations hardly met with the results that they
deserved. Of the bars below the canon only Car-
penter Rar proved good, the average yield being from
ten to twenty dollars a day, though a few miners
iiuule as much as three ounces ; but in the canon nearly
100 miles in extent and on the north branch, tin;
l)ate]iy coarser gold again ]iros[)ected ten to fifteen
dollars a day in a number of places, while the head-
waters looked most promising; still the average pay
was not large, and the mining pojiulation remained
small, ixxrtlv for want of readv coniniunieation and
sii|i|dies. The river despite its sloughs and curri'iits
pi'oved navigable during several months of the yi'ar
lor light-draught steamers as far as Sliakesville, 170
miles from its mouth, and to this point the Fiijui;/

»i'<kir-;; Init ill 1859 a nugget, partially composed of quartz and wcii.'lunj,' 14^
(iiMiics, valued at .§250, was olitaiui'd froiri tlio islanders and exliiMted at
\ ii'teria. All effort was then made to t'onii a jiro.specting exiieditioii to tlxs
isliiiid; to wliieli the Hudson's liay Conipatiy lent their aid; Init a sntheieiit
Miiiiilicr of men failed to suliserihe towards it, and it was ahandoiietl. Vidoria
<v'z<in; March 'J-J, May 3 and 7, 1851); Ji. C. J\i}tern, ii. 70.

I :i

11
\thll

j !

•* I

1 1,

m >!

V, ij- *»'

5C0

GOLD IHSCO ERIES IN THE FAR NORTH.

Dutchman, Captain ISIooro, made several trips; but
the canon wliicli began twenty miles beyond this jiLicu
eould not be entered by canoes even during low water,
except at great risk. This ]iart (>f the country was
besides arid, owing to the sunnner droughts, and [ilK'il
with wasiied crravel hills and masses of lava and ha-
saltie roclcs, producing nothing but straggling buslu's.
Lower down, however, tinilxr existed suitable lor
boat-buildinti'." The efforts to establish a jjold-ildd
did not, therefore, achieve success, and nuning was for
years followed only by odd pros[)ecting parties.

In U!72, however, the intrepid Thibi'rt who had left
Minnesota in ISG'J with one companion on a huntinij^
expedition in this direction, found go'd in the Kocky
Mountains on one of the Mackenzie tributaries, mar
Dease Lake. After wintering on Stikeen liivcr th(y
returned in company with one ^rcCulloch*' to J)case
Lake to prospect its creek waters, and found a dcjxisit
yielding as nnich as two ounces of rough gold a day.
The g(dd lay on a slate orbed-rock or black rock williiii
one or three feet of the surfjice. ( )n one creek, named
after Thibert, the party tof)k up tliree claims, and in
the course of the season tliev were joined bv sonic
thirty men who all wintered on' tlie ground, (^ood
prospects wei'e also obtained on J)ease Creek, which
enters the lake near Thibert's outlet, and uj) Jjaird
]{iver on !^^c^)ame and Sayyea'^ tril)Utaries,

lieports of these finds were e;)gt-rly listened to l>y
the desponding miners in southii-n districts, and (hir-
ing the following seasons a huge iidiux took place,
so that in 1H75 about one thousand men were occupii'd
in the district chiefly on crci'ks named.'*' On Druse

** rflr/l<ni<f Bulklhi, tVl). 13, Jan. IT), May 7, .lulyi.'!, 1874; ir.///» II' '/Ai
hiU'i, Fol). '20, 1874; Ji. C. Diirc/nri/, ISti;!, l2.Ki-S; ViH'iria Colonist, .Im.
5, \Su-2.

' ' The Cassiar gold niiiics were ilisco\ ere 1 l>y another man named Mc( 'iilli" li,
who Kulise(|iifiitly lost hi.s life in the jmrsiiit, ,iu l ot,hern « ho erossed omt num
tlie other side of the Rocky Mountains. I'lrnil'.t Ji. ('. Mhii'.'t, MS., 14.

^" Named after its discoverer. Miii. Miiii.< lli-jil., 1875, 7-9; li. ('■ ''""".
1877-S, <.)0-1; Oh/iiipi'i K'-hn, Scjit. 3, 1874; Tiirljrirs I',,-., MS., 8, It.

*' 'T!iL^ j)o|nd:itio:i estimated hi'ru I coiicl'i le to 1);^ ahont 800 whites, S;)
C'hinu:iien, and '.00 l.idiaju exclusive of tlie eajsi:ir u itives, i. c, ii tiie

SAYYKA C'UKKK.

SCI

and Thlbcrt creeks nearly all the miners were doini!;
well, takini^ out from one to three ounces to the man,
wliile some claims were yitdding even better. ^IcJ )am(!
Cnck was occu[)ied by about three hundred miners,
l)ut the ground was more patchy, and the dams had
luM'ii more exposed to slides and freshets; those, how-
evir, who had maintained their dams were turning
out as much as two hundred ounces a week, and
j)r()ving the richness of the creek.

( hi Savvea Creek the return averacfed ton dollars
a dixy in coarse gold, with nuggets weighing nearly
tliirty dollars, and the most glowing anticipations
Were formed. The value of the ground was pcnhaps
best demonstrated by the returns, which for 187.")
aniouiited to nearly $1,000,000, and for 1874 to but
little less.*^ This result did not fail to have its effect,
for the next season witnessed an influx still larger
tliiui before, amounting to fully 1,700 men, a great
part of whom came with no definite purpose and
ri'inained idlers, while the rest assisted in extending
tlio district by means of new developmcMits. By this
time it had been h'arned from the damaiic effected bv
tlic early summer iloods that the early s})ring with its
k>w water preceding the freshets was the best time for
working the diggings, despite the trouble in cutting

miniiij,' jmrtion of tlie district. ProbaMy 200 wliitos may l)e added to tlit!
iii"'\u cstiiiiato and form thu total population of Cassiar.' Min. Minis J{(']>t..
IST."), 5.

*■" 'it is now well c'stabli.-ihL'd that Deaso, Thiburt's, and AtcDanie's crcc'is
liiivo yielded in two (seasons nearly !?-,0()0,<M).t, and the two latter streams
mil, iiuilonhtedly, proihico far inoro in tlio future than tluy liavo yet done.
llui'e other streams iiave been prospected, tributaries of Deaso Jiiver and l\i
hiai'.l, and gold in jiayiuj^ (juantities has l)een found iiixm each.' Andrews'
diiiii (in Dease ( 'reek yielded o(K) ounces in one week, ami on ISlcDuine (,'roik
the l)i-;i'overy Company washed out 170 ounces in one week and 200 ounces
tiioiii\t. On Quartz t'reek, a tributary of McDame.'Mr McLonghlan and
[larty of two otiiers, for one day's washing took out .*.")0. Some have great
laitli ill tliese creeks, while others doubt their richness. Tiiero are sixteen
iiiiii at jireseiit prospecting tiiese creeks. Tlie gold obtained is of a rough,
not w itcr-worn appearance, and quartz veins may bo traced in various placis
iiitliat viiiiiity.' On Sayyea Creek, Sayyea's party of fourtook out ' for I l.'ij
(lays' work, 77 3-1(5 ounces, making an average to each man p r diy of JrlO.HO,
iK'arl\ . Tlie gold abstracted tlierofrom is coarse and seems to be of exec lleiit
iiual'ty; some pieces weigh, respectively, JSS, $18, il7, and a number of pieces
avLiM-e about ?jl0.' J/.'m. M/hm Ifqit., lS7o, 4, 7.
lIisT. BniT. COL. 8(J

'■'■ :'

■

Hlil[i?

■ '-■i^

■S^

;|ii||

502

GOLD DISCOVERIES IN THE FAR NORTH,

I''

ico and removing snow/* During the winter tunnel-
ling was the rule and the dirt was collected for sum-
mer washing. Owinj; to the extreme cold it was often
necessary to thaw the drift/" By this season unfortu-
nately much of the old ground on Thibcrt, McDaino,
and other creeks had been skimmed of its riches, and
the new discoveries failed to prove of any extent, so
that the yield for 1876 fell to a little over $500,000."
Among the new discoveries were Snow Creek, a
tributary of the McDamc, which yielded as mucli as
$50 a day to the man, but for a time only; the Tako
country, 100 miles north-west of Dease Creek, and
the head- waters of the Stikeen, which promised to
afford an opening for the many disappointed men.
The diggings on Sayyea Creek on the other hand,
which held out so many hopes, dwindled into very [)oor
ground, and the Liard itself had raised great expec-
tations in 1875, by turning out a nugget of seventeen
dollars, but the prospectors who were led by this lind
came back disheartened in the following season.''

*• ' The damage on Dease Creek so far lias been immense; the melted snow
coming down tliat course in torrents, tore away all tlic wing-dania, the tiiii-
hers of which lie lloating on Dease Lake; a much to bo regretted loss of liurdy
miners' enterprise and industry. Tlie damage, I am of opinion, .$.')(i,000
would not repair.' Mill. MincH J'epf., 1875, 4.

*" ' So extreme is the cold that it is found necessary at times to roll hvze
heated bowlders into the tunnel's mouth in order to thaw out the frozen t,'i( iiuul.
In one tunnel of I'-'O feet at 40 feet down, the ground was found to be frozen.'
I'oin'U'x Jirit. C„l. Milieu, MS., 17.

=•' Dease Creek, 3100,300; Thibcrt Creek, $1.39,720; McDame Creek, .SIO.S,-
700; total, S4(i.'},7-0; to which may be added '20 per cent for other ^'runnd,
making a total of §55(5,474 for Cassiar district. This amount must lie dis-
tributed among periiaps 1,800 men. '>Some.3.")0 on Dease Creek Chin.imen
include<l, about 400 on Thibert Creek and its tributaries, betwi'en 700 and MX)
in the vicinity of McDame Creek, and several parties prospecting in nther
portions of the district.' 'The unexpected, and from the results of the pn>f two
seasons, the unjustifiable rush to Cassair this spring in a measure accounts for
the general depression which afreets alike the minor, the merchant, anil the
packer. Such an influx instead of helping the district has had the contnuv
effect.' Mill. Mine.'* liqit., 1870, 411-1-2, 410-17.

^^ 'On Quartz Creek a great deal of prospecting is being done, but n3 yd
no definite idea. can be formed as to its richness or othei-wise. A disinviiy
has been made in a place called I'leasant Valley, about two and one half nnlcs
from Snow Creek, find very nice gold taken out. It prospected .*2'2.50 to 140
buckets. On McDame Creek very few creek claims have been jirospi ited,
owing to the amount of water constantly in tha^ stream,' Miii. Milan Hi pi-,
1870, 412. A number of miners returning with considerable gold from Cnsiar,
including Gold Commissioner Sullivan, sank with the steamer /-"ocZ/ff in I'^'O,
VoweWn D. V. Milieu, MS., 15.

TIL

nter tunnel-
tod for .sum-
it was often
3on unfortu-
t, McDanie,
5 riches, and
ly extent, so
:• $500,000.^'
)\v Creek, a
as much as
(\ the Tako
Creek, and
promised to
ainted men.
other luiiid,
to very [loor
^reat expec-
)f seventeen
by this iind
tig season.''

tho melted snow
g-ilaiiis, the tiiu-
ited lo.ss of liiinly
opinion, ?,j(l,000

incs to roll biriie
lie frozen giouiul.
md to be froiien.'

ime Creek, SU'A-
or other ^'niiiiiil,
int must be dis-
Creek Cliiiiaincii
ivcenTOOiinaMJO
pecting in other
taof the pii>t two
suroaccoiiut.s for
jrchant, and the
lad the eonti-iiry

done, but as yd
3e. A distiivcry
id one half iiiili'S
ted!?'J--'.50to 140
)een pnispi itud,
^hi. Miins I.'')'!.,
)ld from ( ':i -Kir,
T Pacijk in iNli.

A HUNDRED GOLDEN STREAMS.

66B

T1i natural result was that the population for
1877 did not exceed 1,200, about one third of whom
were Chinese; but the prospecting was carried on
even more vigorously than before, with good results,
and the excellent showing of the benches on Thibert
as well as McDame creek gave promise of a bright
future, and tliis was the more a matter of congratu-
lation, since the creek claims had not only been pretty
well explored, but were accessible for only a very
short season.

The north forks of the McDame also assisted to
restore to this creek its prestige, as did the discovery
on the Walker tributary, entering near its mouth, of
twenty-dollar prospects in granulated gold. Gold
quartz had been found on this main creek, largely
mixed with copper and lead; and on the Liard a lode
of argentiferous galena had been explored to some
extent; but the failure of the quartz operations at
Glenora on Stickeen head-waters showed that the
iniinn's were not as yet prepared for this branch of
mining.

The yield for the season was placed at $500,000,
and this, in view of the smaller number of miners and
the severe freshets, which rendered the creeks un-
workable till the middle of August, may be regarded
as more favorable than the result for 1870."^ The
supplies for the district were in part brought by way
of Fort Frascr, but chiefly up the Stickeen and by
paek trains. The centre of trade was at Lakctown,
on Dease Creek, where several substantial business
houses had risen, and whence quite a fleet of i)oat3

■■■' ' Dease Creek, 881 ,300 ; Thibert Creek, .?17.'?,700 ; IMeDame Creek, §144,-
80O; amount taken out of wiiich no dclinite returns could be procured, say
84,"i,(K)0, which, with the sum of §5.5,000 allowed for the probable yield from
the (h.te upon which the statistics were completed until the ."Jlst of December
next, will bring the gross amount to $409,8;i0. Dease t'reek sufTered most
from the incessant rains, and the returns from that creek arc in conseipiento
iu' litlow what tliey otherwise would have been. The majority of claims in
that oreek have been transferred to the Chinese.' Miii. Mines Rejit., 1877,
40(1 I. ( 'assiar as a cousetiuenco assumed greater strength, and the following
seasi.ii the jiopulation again appi'oached the figure of 1870. VoweWs B. (J.
JA«.s \V,\ B. C. Guide., 1877-8, 8&-90.

'tit., 'i

■^!' I'll*

:>'.

C- 1

5.H

GOLD DlSC'OVElllES IN THE FAR NORTH.

departed every week over Doase Lake in tlie tllrcrtloii
of the various crocks and rivers coniiecting with itw
waters." In 1877 the gold coinmissioner was ahlc
to report tlie opening of land for the cultivation of
cereals and vegetables, with results that promised tn
render the district independent in some degree of out^
side markets/''

''• 'PriccH in 1875 at Laketown were: flour per lb., 25 cents; bauon i»v lli.,
50 cents; sugar per lb., 45 cents. In 1877, flour pur lb., '20 cunts; biii.ni
per lb., 45 cents; sugar per lb., 45 cents.' Jliii. Mines Itqpt., 1875, 5; 1.^77,
402.

''''' The lakes and streams were besides rich in fish, anil game abounded,
Vori'eWa B. G. MineH, MS., 21; Min. Miiwa HepL, 1877, 402.

Tiprs

• ' r

i I

illlllil

i'''l!ll

game abouudcil.

CHAPTER XXIX

COAL.

(■(lAi.-iiKMiiNd Formations East ani> West— California, Orwion, and
W AsiiiNdTo.v Fields CoMrAHEn — Bunisii Coliimiiia Coal-iieai!IN(1
rmtMATioNs — Bituminous, Liunite, and ANTiiitAcfrK — Brown's Lo-
( Ai.riiEs— Kichardson's Tuou(;h — Beaver Hauiiok — Quathino II ar-
v.ipi!— Xanaimo — TiiK Nanaimo Coal CttMi'ANV — Tiik Vancouver Com-
lANV — The Welli.noton Comtanv — I'ltocREss OK Development at
Nanaimo— DuNHMUin's Adventures — The Nanaimo Stonk Quarry —
The Harewooi) Mine — Workincs of the Vancouver Colliery —
(^M EEN Charlotte Islands Anthracite— Ari'EMi'TED Dkvkloi'ment ok
THE Mines — Brown and Richardson's Visits — Claudet and Isher-
wdod's Analyses — Comox and Bayne Sound — Develoi'ments — Dis-
nivr.KiEs ox the Mainland — Ministers' Kei-orts — Statutory IIegu-

I.ATIONS — SUMMAKY.

11 t J

I\ connection with the estabhshinf^ of forts Rupert
and Xanaimo* I liave <(iven a full account of the
uarlicst coal discoveries in British Columbia. I will
now briefly glance at later clevelo[)ments, beggiui^
the reader meanwhile to remember that it is the
history of coal and the develojuuent of the coal inter-
ests of the country rather than technical descriptions
or analyses that I am attemptini'' to write.

The coals and liiinitt^s of western North America
are found, as a rule, in formations different from those
in wliich they occur at the east; the secondary and
tiTtiary rocks, at various horizons, in the west, takin*^
th(> jihice, as coal-])rodacing formation, of the carbon-
ifertiiis strata of the east.

]h tween California and Alaska are three distinct
coal sections beloni^ing to three distinct geologic for-
mations respectively; the tertiary, extending through

! ,

■Sio cliiipter xi., this volume

<6ti6)

BfiC

COAL.

Orrf]fon and Washinj^ton ; tlio crotaroous, covoiliijr,
for tliii most part, VaiicouviT Island ; and tho cretacto-
Jurassic cxistinj^ rliiclly in (^uceii Cliarlottu Islands.
Calilbriiia has littlo to Uoast of in tho way of coal
do|)osits of ocononii(! ini tortanco. True, in tiio Coast
Kani^o, and in many places alonjj^ tho Siorra Font-
hills, from ono ond of tho .statu to the other, coal is
found srattenul; but usually in such small (juantitiiN
and of such poor <iuality or so unfavorably situated as
to 1)0 of little value.'"' Actual devclopmonts in On i^mi
are not so far in advance of those in (California, as an-
the ])o8sibilities of Orej^on sujx'rior to those of (all-
fornia.^ Expectation, however, seems thus far jui-
marily to have l)cen directed to Washinj^toii and
British Columbia, and that with fair success/ Tli/
rule seems to be that as we follow the coast north
ward the quality improves.^

In British Columbia only we find thus far beariULr
coal the three formations ; on A'ancouver Island and
the coast adjacent, two tertiary rocks with bitu-
minous coal and lionite, and cretaceous rocks ^vitll

^Kvon of tho Monto Diablo fiul.l, tho only oiio which has tliua far ass\iiiii.l
any CDUHi'lorable dogrco of financial iniportunco hi tho state, \V. A. (iomlyrar,
afler devoting sonio sixty pages of hln CchiI Jliii'-.i i)/' the U'l'Mcrn ('mi.-'l U> \u
deseription, finally concludes 'that the days of tlie old Mt Diahlo niiius an'
iiuinhered.' Likewise as to Oregon, whieh in respi'ot of mineral finis In'
regards as next least in importance to California, ho devotes considciiillu
spaee, although the only mines worke(?. with profit, he says, are at Cims ilay,
anil these are not of extraonlinary value. Tiiis was a safe asscrtinii, tlie
Coos ]?iy mines being the oiiiy . ;!es ir Oregon upon which work to any con-
siilerablo extent had been d /ao at Jie ti;iio of his writing.

•'No dimht tlie ojjeiiing of iniii.,3 on tho lower Columbia has been nfanliJ
by I'ortlaii I capitalists, ji'a'.iu-- of tho building of a new metropolis in thit
qiartcr. Many have exvr'.s.si ,1 tho opinion that tho coal resources of Oiugi'ii
are etpial to tho.se of Wasliiiigton.

* 'It is uiKpiestionably to the mines of "Washington Territory, and of lint-
ish Columbia, tliat this Pacific Coa.st must look liereafter, both for its clii' i
doMiestio and. its nearest and most relialde foreign supplies of that iudispc iihv
ble necessity of all civilized communities — a good article of coal.' 6'i»"';/'"' <
l!o(d Minea of the Western Co<i.st, p. 15.3.

'■Ill the endeavor to establish tho comparative value of fuels for ^^tiaiii-
raising ])urposes, the United States war department give tho foUowiiiu isli
mate: One cord of good oak wood was found equal to 1,8(X) lt)s. Naiiiiiiiid,
2,'JOO lt)s. Bellingham ]Jay, 2,400 Ihs. Seattle, 2,500 Ihs. Rocky Mountain, ^m
Uis. Coos Biiy, or 2,600 fbs. Monte Diablo coal. Tlie average compositidn if
Vancouver Island coals as deduced friun bis analysis is given by Harriiigti'"
as follows: Water, L47; vol.it;lo combustible matter, slow coking, 28. 1'l, fii-t
coking, 32.09; fixed carbon, slow coUing, 04.05, fast coking, 5U.55; ash O.'.l).

"I -I* SI

l.S, COVCIlli;;^

^lui crc'tacfd-
)tto Islands.
way of cdiil
ill tlio C'ltast
■iierra Foiit-
tlier, coal is
11 (iuaiititit->
r situated as
ts in ()r('L;(iii
DHiia, as a If
losu of ('al'i-
1U8 far |iii-
iiii<^tou and
•cess/ Thv
^oast north-

1 far l)oariiii4'
Island and
witli bltu-
rocks with

thus far assniiiicl
W. A. (icMMlveur,

i'Mern Cixi-^l to il.<
J)ial>l<> iiiiiies arc
iiiiueral fiicls he

otua COIlsiilciulili;

are at C'cds ]h\,
ifo asscrticiii, the
Work to any cuii-

lias l)L'cu rt'tunk'il
ictropoli.i in tli.it
sources of Oregon

tory, and of lint-

both for its clii' i

f that iuili^|iiii.-v

coal.' 6'i«"/;/"(('<

' fuels for strain-
10 foHowin^ csti-

IX) lt>s. Nanai ,

r Mountain, -.'.(ilK)
o coiiipositiiiii !•!
Du by Harrington
okiiiii, '.'8.1 '.I, fa.-t
, 50.55; a^h li.'.U

KlNlJ AN1> QUALITY.

fid?

Mtuininous coal, and on Queen Charlotte Islands
liiwtr cretaeeous, or cretaceo-jurassic rocks holdiiig
anthracite."

KolKit ]irown locates the secondary coals of Van-
cduvcr Island in the foUowinj^ order, proccedin;.;' north-
ward : In the Cheinanis district near tlu; river of
that name;' at the J )e Courcy Islands, on one of which
a scam two feet in thickness was found; at Xaiiaiino,
wiiere cretaceous coals attain the fullest devdojt-
iiiciit; at l^aynes Sound and vicinity; at Sukwasli,
near Fort liupert, and across the Island, followinj^ a
(•(lal hasin, to Quatsino Sound.**

James liichardson, on behalf of the geological sur-

^ The most Rcrutiniziiig and able exposition of liriti.sh Coluinbia coals, in
my oiiiiiioii, is j^ivcii by (ieorgo M. Itawson in tin: ('(iiint/iiui J'urijif Ji'tiilimi/
J,'i}uirt, ri'itriiitecl in jiainiililut form. Of westtrn anthracitio coals lie say.s:
' N'aliialile coal di'inwits may, iiowever, yet be found in the carboiiitVrous for-
inatioii jd'ojier of the far west; and where, ;is on some jiarts of the wtst co st,
the cilcareous roeks of this age are largely replaced by aigiUatcous and are-
liaci'iiiis 1" 's, the lirobaliility of the discovery of eoal is giva'est. I b.lieve,
iM'leiil, that in a few localities in Nevada, eoal sliah's, used to some extent as
l\i( 1 in the absence of better, are found in rocks sujiposed to be of this age.
Tin; iliscoveiy of certain fossils in IS7(i in the liiiiesloiies of the lower Cache
( riik group now allow these, and probably also the associated (piarlzitcs and
iitiur rocks to be corn-lated with this perioil; and it is worthy of mention
tliat black sliales, with a consitler:ible Jicrcentage of anthraeilic carbon, occur
in ciiiiiiection with these in several places, and may yet be found in some parts
of tiicir extension, to become of economic value. Mr Richardson has also
foiiiiil small fragments of true antliracite in rocks wiiicli are very probably of
this age, on the shores of Cowitchin Hay; and inland, seams of anthracite, witli
rcij.ird to wiiich notliiiig certain is yet known, are reported to exist.' An I
atj.iin: 'K<pcks of the same age with the coal-bearing scries of the (^'iiceii C'aar-
liilto Islands are lirobably present also on the Mainland, where fos.sils indicat-
iiii; a horizon both somewhat higher and a little lower in the gcologiial scale
lia\c already been found, and apparently occur in dillerent parts of a great
<'iiiiliirmabl(; rock series, though this cannot yet be conlideiitly stated.
Tie su rocks are extensivi-ly dcveiojied on the eastern flank of the Coa-t K inge,
near tiie heail-waters of both branches of the Homallico, and jirobiibly occur
ill considerable force, with a similar relation to this axis of di.sturbiincu
tliroiigliout its length, as the explorations of last summer have led to the ili.i-
cnveiy of rocks near the same horizon, on the Iltasynuco and Salmo;; ri; eis,
in latitude 52" 50'.' Diiuvon on Minvx, 17-Ht; ltn<. Cuii. J'oc. li. /■'., 1S77,
i;-'7 :!4.

'■Coal has been bored for here; but I am not aware that, so far as the
sinkings have progres.sed, the sc.ims have been passed through.' llr'rrn'x Cn l
!■')' !■/■■<, 10. This was prior to ISlii). The same paper is given in the Tnin.-ai--
fH„i.< i,f till' L'diiili!iri//i Oiol. Si,i\, 1,S()8-'J.

'See Brown's map in /'(tirniiiiiii'a Geo;/. MillheHuiKjen, 1800, and Adri-
rnttfi ( hurt, Xo. 171'J. ' It is no exaggeration, indeed, to say that coal exists all
along the shores of both colonies; and when any of the inlets become of sulH-
1 lint importance to make the work remunerative, there is no doubt it will be
loniid in Working position and sullieieiit (juantities.' Maijii<.'6 B. C, 380.

\:M

i'l

■ '

n 1,

1 ',1

bC>8

COAL.

vey of Canada, examined tlie southern part of the
eastern .shore of Vaneouver Island in 1871. Betwuon
Cape Mud<^e and within fifteen miles of Victoria
there appeared to extend a narrow trough in wliiih
coal seams were apparent in twelve or fifteen dif-
ferent places, in five of which were held divers claims
by their respective companies.

At Comox Harbor several claims, prominent anidiitr
whicli was tliat belonsTfini; to the Union Coal MiniiiLr
Coni[)any, were taken up about 1870.'' Xorth-wtst
from the Union and not far distant, several seams
were discovered and reported by P. J. Leech in hSlU.
Sixteen miles from Comox Harbor, in the same dircc-
tion and near the coast, was a seam four feet in wi(kli.
Xear Comox was tlie Beaufort mine, where was ^Odd
hard coal, the seam being tliree feet and more in
widtli. It was situated on the left bank of Biadky
Creek, down which, half a mile, a seam aj)peared, and
half a mile further another seam. These were dis-
covered by Hemy Bradley, one of Ricliardson's men,
and uj)on examination proved to be from one to two
feet wide. Westward from the point last named, one
and a half miles on Trent Iliver, was a seam nine I'cLt
in tliickness. Not far distant were tlie Perseverance
and the Baynes Sound claims.^" To the Comox Basin
he gave a k'ngtli of sixty-four miles, or if lii'iited to
Kookooshun Point and the Qualicum Iliver, forty
miles.

I have elsewhere in this volume noticed the first
intelhgvnce conveyed by the natives to the officers of

' Here is ' an almost perpendicular clifif, which rises on the north siilo
siTiulI luiiok, trilmtary to tlie Puntluch Kivcr,' where occur coal scan
(l.'sccucliiig sections. ' None of the seams iii thi.-i locality have yet Ueeu oji
for proiluctive •woikint,'.' /i'ic/(an/.ioii, iu liivt. (•'col, liiir. ( 'niKuht, 1871--, "(

'''Oil the coast no rocks are seen from the path leaiUng to the lJ:iv
Souinl claim all the way to (ijualicum River, a distiiuce, in a genei.il so
ciiitward course, of sixlecn miles. But on l>eniiiaii Island, lyi!i;,'on the lU'
<ast .side of IJaynes Sound, there is a continuous exposure for ten miles, \\\
ii nearly the whole leii;rtli of the island, in an esear|iment risiiij; up froiii
to seventy feet, and niiining jiretty iiiueli willi the strike. liUkunUoii
J.'cjit. GcoL i<ur. Laiiuda, Ib71-U, 7'J.

.f a
s ill
md
i 7.

IIS

ith-
mil

tc'l

Tr^rr

bi:a\'er and xanai.mo harbors.

5()i)

tho Hudson's Bay Company of tlie existence of coal
ill tl»e vicinity of Boavtjr and Nanaimo harbors, and
the knowlodufo of outcroppings elsewhere. Work at
liupcit was bejji'un hut soon ceased, the deposits being
too scattering, but at Xanainio coal-mining developed
into ^arge i)r()i>ortions. The coal at Fort Rupert still
(diitinm'd to attract tlie curiosity of strangers. The
Vliiiiipcr in 18(10 gathered specimens which were pro-
nounced by jSIayne "(|uite equal to the Xanainio coal ;
and the Indians brought some from the Mainland
opjiosite, which was also very good."

Some work was done at Quatsino Harbor by the
Hudson's Hay Company, but the seam opened being
hut eighteen inches in thickness, the venture was
soon abandoned as unprofitable."

The Hudson's Bay Company continued to work
tho coal S(;ams of Xanainio, under the designation of
the Xanaimo Coal Companv, until 18G1, when they
■sold the mines to a number of English gentlemen,
Avlio associated under the name of Tho Vancouver
(\ial ^Mining and Land (\)mpany, Limited,^" tho mines
tliereafter be':'oming [)opularly known as the Yan-
coiivt'r Collii'rv. The company's land embraced 0,000
acres. A marked im|)rovement in working the mines
w;is soon discov(.'i'ed under tlie new company. Xew
iiiacliinery was brouglit from England; new sliai'ts
wrie sunk ; the facilities for loading vessels were in-
iivased by whai'ves, jetties, and barges. The Douglas,
Newcastle, and Dunsnmir veins were now all success-
l';illy worked, the first mentioned particularly so, with
constant improvement in tlie (piality, until competent
judges pronounced tlie ])ouglas vein but little inferior
to the best Welsh coal.^'* Erom the J)unsmuir mine

" /*' 'OHK V. /., -17. 't'liiil has l)e('ii founil in this inlit of tho sainu

iliar.ui . ,pi)iiri;ntly iin that at I'nrt UuiuTt anil Naiiaiiiio, ami will mmw day
lie wnrknl to ailvaiitam'.' /•Vi/-//(w' L'.tMii/, 'JO.

'-<■,.], it, il fl();>,()iK) in 10,00 ( shar.Mi^i' tlO o.'.oli. Directors. Hon. Mr Jns-
tici' il.il.hiiitiin, (iiiiigcC 'aiiijilii'U, C. W. \V. Kit/w iUiani, .losi'ph y Fry, Jam s
V. II. Irwin, and I'ri Itau.v Srlliy. Ruaidfiit manager at NanaiUio iii iMi.'!,
'. .1. Nic.il; and in 1,ST7, Mark Hate.

'■'l/o,r/iri/ 11)1(1 Jlttntai'n J'ircrt., 1803, 144; JliUiinuB, C. Cw\'e,'S',Mi Jhiw
tun f'l Mint'.^ I'J.

570

COAL.

tliat is to say Dunsmuir, Digj]flo, and Company, or
tlio Wellington, situated three miles soutli-M'est from
Departure Bay, several hundred tons were tukun
about 18GG-7.

Under the management of practical men and an
abundance of capital, the works at Naniamo progressed
faxorably. Indeed, it is noticeable than whenever tiie
Hudson's Bay Company stepped aside from fur-tradliii,',
failure almost always followed — instance the early
efforts at the Bed Biver settlement, and the agricul-
tural s}K'Culations of the Puget Sound Company at
the Cowlitz and Nisqually,"

When on the coast, the steam-sloop Plumper ct).. 1
at Nanaimo in December 18y7.^'^ Mayne rejxirts along
the shore "the colliery buildings, and about a dozen
remarkably sooty houses inhabited by the miners and
the few Hudson's Bay Company's officers here. 'J'liere
is a r:-sident doctor in the place, who inhabits one of
these houses, and to the left of them stands the com-
pany's old bastion, on which arc mounted the four or
five lioney-cond)ed twelve-pounders with which the
great fur c Mipany have been wont to awe the neigli-
boring Indians into becoming respect and submis-

sion

" 18

'* 'Tlu'y niisiiianagcd affairs at Nanaimo, certainly.' Mniiut's D, ('., ."iSi.
Reporting aliciut 18(J0, Nicol, the manager, remarks: 'We liave got tlui coal
iu a Itoro nearly live feet tliiek. J liave now fully proved l,()!)(),()dO tons. A
shaft 50 or o'2 fathoms deep M'ill reach the coal; dip 1 in 7; a very good work-
ing seam. 1 have no doulit there is another seam underlying this one, of an
inexhaustible extent. I have got tlie outcrop inland, and from dip to striku,
I am sure it is about 30 fatiioms helow; so tluit liy continuing tiie same shaft,
if necessary, anotlier large scam containing millions will lie arrived at; Init
the lii'st seam will last my life, even with very Luge works. Witii almiit
,i'r),(KK) or ,i'S,(HM) I could get along well, and start a business doiuL; fnn"
00,(K)i) to 10l),tM)0 tons a year. The price is 'io.f. to 'JS.v. alongside the sIk|i.'
Says iJauermann, geologist of tlie bouiulary expedition: 'Two seams of i.iial,
averaging six or eiglit feet each in thickness, occur in these beds, and arc ex-
tensively worked for the 8U[iply of the steamers running between Victoiiaainl
Fraser Uiver. The coal is a soft i)lack lignite, of a dull earthy fracture, inli r-
Bpersed with small lenticular l)ands of bright crystalline coal, and nsi inlil.s
Bome of the duller varieties of coal produced iu the south Uerbyshuc and
otiier central coal-lields iu Kugland.'

'■' 'Tiie only spot iu the Island where the coul is worked, although it aii[icar.s
ill sever.il otiier places.' iMiu/iic'/i li. C, 3.").

'" He cmnplains that the coal w:us 'excessively dirty.' A line cut of Xaniimo
is given by Mayne, lirit. CuL, .'(5, sliowing the fort and tlie coa'-woiks witii
the row of cottages uii the bank, and a vessel loading coal at a wii-vrl.

T^T!1P

PROlJRESS AT XANAIMO.

871

ompany, or
h-west in mi
were taki'u

lien and an

() iirogrcsscd
liciieviTtiie
fur-trad'mif,

t) the early
the agrieul-

'^oinpauy at

imperayilid
I'jjorts aldiiu
)()ut a dovrn
! miners and
lere. There
ihits one (if
ids the ('(tni-
the four (ir
. wliieli tlie
e the neii;ii-
Liid suhinis-

>/iic\i B. ('., .'!S2.
:ivo y:ui tho coal
Oi)(),000 tons. A
I vory godil wiirk-
g tlii.-! oiiu, (if an
(1111 (lip til stiiki:,
t; tlie saiiii.' slialt,
arrivuil ,it; Imt
ks. AVith ^Iiniit
iiCMs (loiiiu liiim

llgsi(l(J tlu' slli]!.'

i() scams of I'lial,
liL'iU, ami ai'c ex-
i't'c'ii Victoiiaanil
y fracture, iiitrr-
,1, ami rc'.^i laM.s
Dcrhysliuv ami

ihougliitainiears

oout of Naiiaiiiiii
0(ia' -works wiih
; H \vi/-irf.

Captain Richards of the Plumper, reports to the
governor of Vancouver Island in October 1858: "A
good pier has lately been built, alongside of v/hieh
vt ssels may lie and coal with great facility. As iiiueli
as one hundred and fifty tons have been taken by one
vessel in a day, and several vessels together iniglit
take in the same quantity. Several thousand tons
are ready for shipping, and the miners easily keep
tliat quantity on hand." James Hector, geologist
under Palliser, 1859, writes: "Already it is exten-
sively used by the British navy on that station, and it
was found to require only a sliglit modification in the
nietliod of feeding the fires to make it highly eflective
as a steam-generator." ^'

Pemberton says tliere were fifty buildings and two
sieam-engines at Nanaimo in IWOO. According to
Forbes tliree mines were being worked in 18G2, New-
castle Island, Number Three l*it, and Parkliead Level
and Slo})e.^^

For the further advancement of the coal interest
thus everywliere a))j)earing, an ordinance was issued
in I8G9, under which by special license any person
(11' association might seek for coal for the time desig-
iiaied, and if successful obtain a crown grant for the
la: "i iij'.der certain ccMiditions. The ])rospecting license,
t' 1 w'l'i-li a small fee was paid, entitled the holder to
ex i u "i :e rights of search within presicribed limits.
Tliu ilcslred grant of land was obtained on tliese terms,
foHoNvl'; Anderson: *']^\)r any quantity up to and
iiieiuding one thousand acres, at the price of {\\v dol-
lar.-. ]»er acre, provided always that on proof to the sat-
isfaction of the government that the sum of ijj! 10,000
lias been beneticially expended on any land held under
prospecting license for coal, a grant of (,»ne thousand

" Sco London Qunr. Jour., Oeoij. Soc, Nov. 18(50; McDohhIiCh li. C,

;:,v 7:).

' From wliicli tlin.'o niiiics for tlio year endiiii,' Ajiril ISllO, 14.4."),") tima

' t' iikim liy 173 vessels; tlit^ yiMr following llt.'.KI,) tons Wiru raised.

I'liic .•?() or .'?7; iiumluT of iiiuii at this time emiiloycil llH. .Sec i'urliv/t' Ei.iiiij,
is, lii), .'J7-8, li'.'; JiiUtruy'n V. /., S'.t, Kil'; M>-l)umld'<t Lcciure, uO.

': i

572

CO.VL.

'' '^ If

im |i

acres of tlie land held under such prospecting llcen^o
sluill be issued to the company holding it without pay-
n)ent of the upset price of such land. In other words,
they receive viriuclly a bonus of $5,000 in considera-
tion of the preliminary expenditure of the larger sum."

" When I was in the bush," writes Robert Duiis-
muir to H. L. Langevin, minister of public works,
"in the month of October 18G9, not exactly for tlie
purj ; • > Pvi"<'Spec<ing for coal, but being thoroughly
acquuii from past experience with all the coal

formatioi n this country, I came across a ridge of
rock, which I knew to be the strata overlying tlie
lowest scam that had as yet been discovered here. A
sliort time afterwards I sent two men to prospect, and
in three days discovered a seam of coal three and a
half feet in thickness, thirty feet below the tops itf
the ridge, dipping south-east one foot in six. Aiter
procuring from government a right to further pros-
pect, I sunk a slope ninety-seven and two-thirds yuids
in the seam, and mined therefrom about 500 tons,
tM^enty-five tons of which w^ere taken on board of
H. INI. S. Boxer for trial. The same quantities were
taken from tlie Vancouver Coal Company's Douglas
Pit and New Castle Mine."

Andrew Watt, the engineer of the Boxer, made a
lengthy report which pronounced in favor of the
Dunsmuir.^'^ In several otlier places Mr Dunsnnur
found coal, onco among the roots of a fallen tree, under
which w^as a valuable seam. His estimate of the yield
of his field was 7,000 tons to the acre.

When at Xanaimo in 1871, Richardson found E.
E. Emery raising gray sandstone for the new mint
building at San Francisco from the quarry opened on
their claim by the Vancouver Company,^" who were

" ' With Dunsmuir coal the throttle was nearly wide open, with New Ciistle
and Douglas from one third to one half open.' The firat made less soot iiml
less dirt tlian the others. Laiujemn's B. C, 12.

^'' ' Six Idoiks for pillars had been procured from the ten-feet bcil, one (if
M'hieh was luiug dressed into shape for use. When finiuheil, the lengtli ot tlie
l)illars would be 27i feet, with a diameter of 3 feet 10 inches. Mr Euiery wm

VANCOUVER, HAREWOOD, AND WELUNGTON.

573

' who Wire

working with small stcam-cngincs the two scams on
Xowcastlo Iriland, where little had been done for some
time past. Piled on the wharf were several hundred
toi'iS of coal, whence an occasional schooner or steamer
was supplied. The main works of this company, how-
ever, were at Nanaimo, distant from the Newcastle
Island works two miles. Here work has been more
continuous for the past twenty years than on New-
castle Island, 40,000 tons being taken out in 1870
against 14,000 tons in 18G0. Richardson places the
area of the Nanaimo coal-field, which includes st^veral
minor and unworked scams, at about ninety scjuare
miles, having a length from Gabriola Island to the
Dunsmuir claim of sixteen miles by a breadth of six
miles

Sproat returns 241 miners in 1072, the entire pop-
ulation then numbering 1,000. Wages at that time
were from one dollar for Chinese and Indians to four
dollars for white men per diem.^^

Early in 1874, T. A. Buklcy began operations three
or four miles back of Nanaimo, on what was afterward
known as the Hare wood Coal Mine, which holds land
to tlie extent of nine thousand acres. Ca \ aeron Island
ill Nanaimo Harbor is the point of shipment for this
mine.

In 1077 there were three companies at work in
tlio Nanaimo district, the Vancouver, tlie Wellington,
and the Harewood, the first working two scams, six
and three feet in thickness respectively. The Wel-
lington Company worlvod one scam nine and a half
feet thick, and held aiiotlier six feet in thickness.
They had three wharves, with all the facilities for
loading vessels. The Harewood seam was five or six

also quarrying flag-stones from the ]2-feet bed, from which are ohtaiticd very
eviMi-siirfuced slaba, from oiio to six inc'.ios thick. One of tho latter tl.ic'.cnc:! i,
wliicli I measured, was t<!n feet square.' Itichanlson, iu liuiit. O'eol. >iiii: Can-
nila, 1871-2, 84.

^''Tlie cou,l shipped by tins company during the ten years ending Slat
Decombcr 1872, reached 3;i3,3;)5 tons, nc-irly one half of which was for tlio
l^in Francisco market.' Sprual'a Ji. C'., 78. See alao Andemoiin Vom. o/ the
"'fji<, 84, and app., ii.-iii.

i r

?* I

lip

ill

574

(•OAK

feet thick. '^^ From the Vancouver and Wcllln'^tr-n
mines coal was carried to the wharf by short steam
railways; the Harewood mine used an elevated wire
tramway.

Under a judiciously combined system of capital
and labor Nanairno has developed into a busy incor-
poratc>d town. Beautifully situated with bright skies,
pure air, and seaboard attractions and utilities, with
schools, churches, municipal council, and member of
parliament, it presents little of that booty, opaque
appearance, either physical or moral, so common to
the colliery villages of England. From the first the
Vincouver company, of which the manager is some-
times maj'or, as was the case with Mark Bate in 1877,
adopted a wise and humane policy, selling lots at low
prices so that the poor might have a home, ami
encouraging settlement and improvement by various
means.

A trough of coal-bearing rocks had been conjec-
tured in regard to Queen Charlotte Islands not wholly
unlike that before mentioned on Vancouver Islaiul
It is said to extent! from the northern part of Morsoby
Island northward eighty-four miles. Besides the
Queen Charlotte Company's mine at Cowgltz, in
SkiJegate Channel, for some time past anthracite
has been known to exist at Cumshewas Harbor, and
Masset at the northern end of the islands.

Robert Brown, botanist of the British Coluuiltla
exploring expedition, visited the Queen Charlotte
Islands in 18G6 in company with a party of miners
who went thither to examine the coal deposits of that

^'' ' The coal is worked, I believe, on the pillar and stall system, though parts
of the seam liave been so steeply inclined as to require stoping. Tlie iiiiutrs
cniploycil are whiten, Chinese, and Indians. Mr Good states the nuniliir of
oach for the year 1875 to be as follows; whites, 390; Chinese, 170; Indiaiw,
51; giving a total of 023. The wages earned by the whites vary from two
dollars to five dollars a day; by the Chinese and Indians, from cue ddllar to
oio dollar and a half.' The total output of the Nanaimo mines for 187^ »iui
in,145 tons; for 1870, 140,187 tons; price at the mine, five or six ddlltit;
of iSon Francisco, ton dollars. IUhbeii's Guide B. C, 98; JJuwson on Mhw', '.0.

!« ■*

QUEEN' CHARLOTTE IfLANl'S

575

section, At Skidcgate Bay where was then the chic f
(iL'velopment he spent several weeks. "Two rival par-
tics of miners were there prospecting," he says, "and
one of them had driven an adit into the hill-side some
two or three hundred feet above the sea-level." ^^

Tliese early prospectors were at first unsuccessful.
Xi)\v and then tlie pick would strike a block of good
anthracite,^* but for the most part it upturned only
"a material not unlike wet or damp gunpowder."
Later they were more successful, so much so that a
company was formed at Victoria, called the Queen
Charlotte Coal Mining Company, which began opera-
tions there, but were obliged to abandon tliem on
account of the irregularity of the deposit.

llichardson was tliere in 1872, and reported that
the best seam, which for GO or 70 feet had a thickness
of six feet, was lost in shale and limestone. Tliere was
another bed of good anthracite, two and a half feet
taick, and many smaller seams discovered in various
directions. This was on the north side of Skidegatc
Channel. On the south side, fourteen miles south-
east from Cowgitz, where tJie Queen Charlotte Com-
pany had opened their mines, the existence of anthracite
was reported by the natives.'" " Nothing can be better

-■' ' Here they had gone through a great lied of coarse conglomerate, a fine
hard slate whea the coal was reached. This coiiglonierato was in every
lusjicet siniihir to that associated with the Nanaiino coalfields; but the slate
was peculiar.' Brown's Coat Fields, 20.

'^* At the government assay office, New Westminster, an analysis made hy
I 'huK let showed carbon, 71.20; moisture, 5.10; volatile conilni:itil)le matter,
17.-7; ash, C.43, which brings it close to Pennsylvania anthracite. The chief
oiigincer of the United States navy, B. F. Isherwood, gives as the result of
Ills experiments at the Mare Island navy-yard, on some of the coals of the
West luul east for the purpose of ascertaining their relative strength and
(:i.(iii(iuiio vaporization under various conditions of combustion, among other
vishiaJile information, the relative weights of steam obtainable from equ.-il
hulks: From a cubic foot of I'enusylvauia anthracite, at a slow rate of com-
liustidu, 471.51 lbs.; Queen Charlotte Islands anthracite, 309.37; Welsli,
5.id.!12; Rocky Mountain, Monte Diablo, Coos Bay, and Seattle, 319.98; Bel-
lingluun Bay, 371.80; Nanaimo, 372.04; Nanaiino colco, 192.47. See /.v/kt-
ivou. !'.•<. Report, in E.r. Dor. No. i'OG, 1871-2, SdSe.is., 4J(l Comj., passim.

'■* 'Tliis would give an extent of at least twenty miles to the coal-bearing
strata which have thus been partially examined, and the facts mentioned iudi-
citi' a general presence of coal in it, however nmch what may be considered
the same seams may vary in their distances from one another on the strike, in
t!i 'if thicknesa and their qualities.' Uichardsou, iu Geol. Sur. Canada, 1872-3,
5!>-tiO.

f'W

IS : :•;■'.

f \{ ■

!«-(

:]:

f M

ItJ

■ ' t

- i.j ;-

•S^j

57(3

COAL.

or more substantially constructed," reports Ricliard-
son, "than the wharf, the houses, traniways, incliiK's,
dumping-sheds, and tunnels of the Queen Charlotte
Coal Mining Company, and it is much to he regretted
that their efforts have not been more sueeessful."

Extensive deposits were reported discovered on
Skeena River by Downie in IBSS).-'" "I saw seiinis
of coal to-day," writes an explorer on Simpson liiver
to Governor Douglas, "fifteen feet thick, better than
any mined at Vancouver."

The coals of Baynes Sound and vicinity are pro-
nounced by some better than that of Nanaimo, hut
the harbor facilities are much inferior.^' Before 18(!9
this regit)n had been thoro\ighly prospected.

The Baynes Sound Colliery Company, Limited,
having 5,000 acres of coal lands, began operations ten
miles south-east from Comox in 187(>. By the expira-
tion of the following year, a narrow-guage tramway
from the mine to tide-water, three and a half miles,
had been constructed, with a locomotive, cars, and a
wharf with two sliutes.^^ A saw-mill was built, a town
site surveyed to which was given tlie name Quadra,
and a store, drinking-shop, hotel, and pcjst-otiiee erected
for the aceonunodation of the dozen settlers who were
there in 1877.

At Burrard Inlet, coal was foimd by Henry X.

^^ ' The Skeena River is said to pass through an extensive coal formation,
with coal beds 3 to 35 feet thick. This may, however, be lignite.' Dun'mu
on Mini-i, 44.

'■" ' Tlie eoal here is of better quality than at Xanaiino, and producoa ex-
cellent coke.' JlroirnnCoiilFieldH, 13. 'Tliut dukix area haopiobably agreaUr
extent of productive measures, and may eventually liecoiue nioro iiiipurtaiit
than Nanaimo.' Damon on Min&i, 20.

** 'The mine is opened from the bank of a small river, adit.or level fieo,
from Avlience the coal is delivered into bunkers near the mouth of tliu mlit.
From tlie bunkers it is let into the cJirs and delivered on shipboard witl.out
being again handled. The bunkers already constructed have a capacity of
'2,()00 tons. There are two coal-seams being worked, one overlying the dtlRr.
Tl'.e lower seain is seven feet thick, and the upper one six feet. The coal in
tiio upper seam is very similar to the Douglas seam of Nanaimo, wliik' tliat
in the lower seam appears to differ from all the otlier coals art yet discovered
on the Liland. It is a dense hard coal, free froui sulphur, gives a ileiis;
hurd coke, and requires a strong draft to ignite it.' B. C Gukle, 1877-S, 107.

iV 4:

ilH

OUTPUT AND PRICES.

f)77

Peers; and in 1859 six bajj^s, taken by the Plumper
from the outcrop from a place whicli was called Coal
Harbor, were ])ronounced by the en<:^inecr of fair
(|uality. Coal was likewise seen in the delta of Fraser
Kiver, but even if the bed was of any importance the
woter could scarcely be excluded so that it could be
worked. '"

The minister of mines reporting in 1875 is pleased
to notice the increase of the output of that year over
the year previous. He places the yield for 1874 at
81,000 tons, and that of 1875 at 110,000 tons. All
the coal-mines then being worked in British Columbia
were at or in the vicinity of Nanaimo, The diamond
drill was brought into requisition in searching for
fresh seams bv an en<;ineer broujjht from Enjjjland
for tliat purpose.

Ill 1870 fire broke out in the Wellington mine,
causing some damage. Tlie Bayncs Sound and Hare-
wood mines that yea** bef^m putting their coals in
market, and the price throughout the province gener-
allv was reduced from ten and eleven dollars to eiijht
dollars and seventy-five cents.

The depression of the market at San Francisco,
witli other causes, resulted in the cessation of opera-
tions at the Harewood in 1877; notwithstanding which
the out])ut for this year was 15,000 tons more thau
tiiat of 187G.

By act of the legislative assembly, April 18, 1877,
tlie coal-mines of British Columbia were placed under
stringent and healthful regulations. By tliis act women
and girls are not allowed to work under ground, nor
aiiv bov under twelve years of auje; and wlien a bov
under fourteen is employed by reason of the th" mess
<tf the seam, or from any other cause, to work below
ground, he shall not so work more than five days of

-' MrDonald is quite mistaken wlicn lie says, .Brit. Col., S!?, 'Tlie first
ilisciiviiy iiiiide of this mineral in British Columl)ia,' meaning thoruhy the
M.iiiil i.i'l, 'was at BurrarJ's Inlet, six miles from New WestiniuHte;-, about
lliruc yuar.s a;;o.'

llisr. Bkit. Col. 37

578

COAL.

six hours each in any one week. Wages must not be
paid in a liquor saloon; persons paitl according t(i
quantity raised might nominate their own clu.ck-
weigher; single sliafts were prohibited, except iu
opening or proving a mine or other specified cu.scs.
Then the act tells how a mine shall be divided into
parts; how examiners for granting certificates of com-
petency to managers, and how managers shall be ap-
pointed, and in which appointment the greatest care is
to be taken by the board and by tlie minister that oiilv
competent, experienced, and temperate persons shall
be selected. Annual returns nmst be made to tliu
minister of mines; notice must be given of all acci-
dents; and when a mine is abandoned the grounds
must be fenced. Inspectors were to be appointed who
should make their annual report; and provisions were
made for the regulation of arbitration, and the hokliiiy'
of coroners' inquests on accidental deaths. Pages of
rules and penalties follow, rules concerning ventila-
tion, fencing, stations, withdrawal of men in time of
danger, safety-lamps, blasting, water, man-holes, roofs,
slides, signalling, working shaft, machinery, engines,
breaks, gauges, barometer, wilful damage, ins[)ectioii
by both employers and employed, and so on at length.

Summarizing the results of coal and lignite discov-
eries in British Columbia to 1877, we have, beginninij
on the coast at the north, the reported discoveries of
Downie on Skeena River; the specimens of anthra-
cite brouofht from Masset, the anthracitic seams dcvel-
oped at Cowgitz, and the anthracite reported by the
natives on the soutli side of Skidegate Channel, all
on Queen Charlotte Islands; the bituminous coal at
Beaver Harbor, near Fort Rupert, and a'c Quatsino
Sound; specimens brought by the natives to the
Plumper while at Fort Rupert, from the Mainland
opposite; the discoveries and developments in the
Comox, Baynes Sound, Valdes Inlet, and Nanaimo
districts; on the north side of Cowitchin Bay and the

SUMMARY.

579

interior; specimens mentioned by Brown from the
Clieinanis district, and from the De Courcy Islands ;
the lioad of Alberni Canal; at Saanich, a very infe-
rior quality; at Soke, a shallow boring passing through
Olio inch of coal, near the coast west of Soke Inlet
and buck of Barclay Sound; specimens shown by the
natives at Nitinat; at Burrard Inlet, in the delta of
the Fraser, and between Burrard Inlet and Howe
Sound; in which vicinity in the flat lands thin seams
of lignite, probably of upper tertiary formation, ap-
poni-; farther back, on the lower Fraser, particularly
mar Langley, thin seams of bituminous coal are found
probably in lower tertiary beds; on the Chilliwack
River, five miles from the Fraser, Dawson reports
Litmiiinous coal of good quality; also at the junction
of Nicola and Coldwater rivers, and at several other
jiliu M,;s on the latter stream ; on the north Thompson
Kivor, forty-five miles above Kamloop; in the vicinity
of Ijilloet; lignite at Guichon Creek, near Nicola
River; on the south branch of the Similkameen above
the l*assyton, and again four miles above Vermilion
Fork, and on the north branch of the Similkameen,
three miles above Vermilion Fork; more lignite at
tlie Cold Spring House on Lightning Creek; on the
Fraser between Soda Creek and Fort George, and at
Quesiiel ; coal on Bear River near latitude 54°, on
Peace and Pine rivers, described in Selwyn's Report,
1870-0; on Simpson River ; lignite on Parsnip River;
on the lower Nechaco River, east of Fraser Lake ;
on tile upper Nechaco, south-west from Fraser Lake,
and on the streams Black water, Chilaco, Nasco, and
Piuichaisco.*'

'' Those desirous of investigating further the coal interest of the Northwest
Coast may consult McKay n /ice, MS., 10, 11 ; Dnuijlag' I'nwUe Papers, MS.,
iiiscr., oO-O; Dcann Settlement V. I., MS., 20; li. C. Sketches, MS., passim;
Miirfarlaiie's CcHil Regions of A m. , passim; C'ormodllis' New El JJonulo, 43, wliicli
says: ' (,'oal abounds over the whole of the north-eastern territory, that is to
say, from Cheslaker's, latitude 50° 3(i', to Cape Scott at its southern extremity; '
JJthv/d-i/'s Cnnadn on the Pacific, 170; Pacific Railroad lief lorts, i. 473, ami vi.
I>2 4; Home Commons Returns tn Three Addresses, 7; Bla/nshnrd, m House Com.
Ji'ji/.. 'J8ti ; Dunn's Or.Ter., '240,- Oramt, in fjondon Oetxfraphical Society, Jour-
mi, x.xvii. 275-315 ; Victors All over Oregon nndWashington, 337; Rept. Cam.,

\ !

If.l

880

COAL.

grth Conij., .1(1 fJran., IT. Pepl. SI, 35, where Mr ■Baylies says in 1812: 'Cal in
prodiyiou's ijuantitirs has already been discovered;' WULck' Xnr. U, S. lU.
}.lor, Lx., iv. passim; S.ilh Voii<j., 3d Ses»., U. S. 11. liCpt. 171, i. 'J; Ex. Ihr.
No. 200, 4.2d CoiKi., 2d Sisn., 11. IlvjiC, 'JOC, x.; U. S. Connnerro .S/al., IS(i;i,
103; Mniino'nU. 'v.,2o,?,~iQ-^'2; Gniij'-i Hist. Or., V.V.); Ooodiimr'nCoal Miw<,
passim; li. V. Dircctury, 1803, 50, 142-3; Pemb,-rton'« V. /.,43-8; Forhcn i:<.nii,
18, 'JO; Mncdonald'H Lecture, 00; lUiUrm/H V.I., 89, 102; Mwdoii(ilil\ li. r.,
37, 307; IMwKon on Mines, 17-27; Guide li. C, 1S77-8, 4, 49-00, 97-IOi), :i;!(i,
Imray'a SaVinrj JJirccHona IV, Const iV. Am., 27S; Coiinol. I.at(:.<, U. C, ISTT,
4CI-%; Statutes D. C 1878, C9; Ilept. Min. Mines, 187.VC, and 1877, lassini;
Sproat'.^ li. C, G, 22, 77-9j Andtmon'a JJom. West, 84-0, app. ii., iii.; Finn-
iii'/t IleptH. Stir. Van, I'uc. liailway, passim; Brown's Coat lii'.td.^, passim; and
Lanqcvin's U. C, 11-13, 80-7, 129-31; Compton'tt B. C, MS., (lassim; rirVo/h
Cc'.onist, Aug. 10, 1804, July 17, 1800, March 22, May 17, 1871, -Ian. 21>, 1^7:),
April 22, 1874, etc.; VkloriaStandard, April 23, 25, May 8, June I, Au^. I'.i,
Nov. 19, May 14, 23, 1877; Brillih Goltimbian,.]\xi\e .5, 1S07; HecUtle Ti-ihunc,
Feb. 23, 1877; Mining Maij., i. 309-10; Com. lid., 1808, 293-7; and BuyLfi
r. /., M^., 11-14.

Among other works consulted in the preceding chapters may be mentiimi il
J), a. and r. /., by W. C. llazlitt, and The^ Great Gold I'iilds of Cur,',,,:,,
with an Authentic Description of B. C. and V, I., by the same author. Thj
former, which is compiled from various authorities, and consists larjiely nf
quotations, gives brief sketches of early voyages, of native life and lialiit:,
of the resources of tlie country, and of the gohl discovery. In the latti r w.;
have a well-written account, containing all the reliable information thr'i ik-
cessible to the author, who was not a resident of either colony. IJot
umcs appear to have boon written mainly for the information of ii
emigrants. V. I. and B. C, Where They are, What They are, ai
They 7nay Become, by A. Rattray, M. D., Edin., li. X., is a cleverly m. , i
little book, which shows that its author has been at some pains to iiiquiro
into tlio condition and prospects of the two colonics, I'roniinenco \a ;;i'. tij,
however, to V. I., and the object of the work is apparently to display, lu Vm
most favorable light, its advantages for settlement. As indicated in tiu' litlt.
page, the subject-matter treats, not so mucli of what had lieen, a.s of \. iuit
waj to be; and comparing, as I turn over its pa^es, the colored litlio.;i:i[H i
of Hope and Yale, I cannot but admit that the predictions of the autlwjr li:.\o
already been measurably fulfilled. When and after the gold cxcituiiniit
brought the mainland into prominence, the journals of th<! Pacific coast wen
teeming with paragraphs and articles touching the El Dorado of lliiii !i
America, though before 1853 I find but scant refei'cnce to eitiicr colony. IVr
items and comments, see, among others, S. F. Bulletin, .July 12, Dec. •">, lS.".."i;
March 22, 1850; Apr. 24, May 7. IS, Juno 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 18, 1!), 21, •-'-•, A
28, 30, July 2, 3, 0, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 10, 17, 19, 23, 20, .'JO, Aug. 2, 7, 18, \'X2:',,
24, 27, Sept. 1, 2, 3, G, 7, 9, 17, 25, 29, Oct. 1, 4, 12, 13, IS, 23, 20. .'!:), Nov.
2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, Dec. G, 8, 9, 20, 21, 22, 2t. 27, JS, ,! i,
31, 1858; Jan. 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 29, Feb. 15, 17, 23, .March 3, 8, HI, i:,
21, 25, 29, .10, Apr. 1, 1,5, 18, 2,3, 23, 30, May 12, 1,3, 14, 17, IS, .30, 31, June
10, 11, 1.3, 14, 24, July 13, 15, 29, .30, Aug. 1, 11, 25, 20, Sept. 30, On. li,
Nov. 30, Dec. 14, 23, 1859; Apr. 18, July 0, Aug. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 1-^, -M,
1800; May 31, Juno 11, 14, July 2, 15, Sept. 2, Oct. 17, 1801; Jan. .30, .Miudi
e, 22, 31, Apr. 4, 21, May 9, 10, 13, 20. 27, June 9, 14, 24, July II. 10, ■22. J:),
Aug. 1, Oct. 13, 23, 27, 31, Dec. 15, 1802; Feb. 10, 2.3, Marcii 12, 2.3, .30, Apr.
20, 27, May 19, Juno 29, July 11, 21, Aug. 3, Sept. 9, 19. Oct. 7, 21, 2;), iKo.
10, ISO.''; Apr. 25, June 10, 30, July 19, Aug. 9, 10, 27, Sept. 5, 12, J;!, '.'7,
Oct. G, 10, 13, 14, 24, Nov. 1, 1.5, 22, 1804; Jan. 12, Feb. 3, Marcli 4, .M; y.'ll,
Juno 19, Julys, 1805; Feb. 14, Apr. 10, May 8, June II, July .3, An,'. II,
Sept. 1, ISOG; Feb. 1,1809; March 24, Apr. 20, June 17, 1870; Juno 2_', .li;I.V
13, 1871; Jan. 8, 29, Feb. 14, Sept. 4, 2.5, 1872; Oct. 1, 1873; Apr. 5, IS7';
Apr. 7, 1879; Alta, May 17, 1854; Jan. 27, June 30, 18.57; M.iy IS, .lime 7,
8, Aug. 2, 12, 25, 20, Sept. 18, 20, Oct. 3, 21, 22, Nov. 4, .30, 1858; Jan. 5. 11,

AUTHORITIES.

681

H,20, 01, 27, ril, Feb. 15. 10, 17. 21,24, March 1, 4, 5, 9, 17, 10, 2.'), 30. Apr.

I, ;i, 1 1, l.'>, :7, 21, 'Jo, 28, 29, .'W. May 10, 1;», 14, 10, IS, 20, 21, 2;l, 24, 'Ji:,, 27,
:j, ::l, .Imu^ 1 1, 17, 2'), July la, 14. .'tO. Aur. 4, II, 27, Nopt. 2, 20, Oct. 1 1,

II, I.'., ;tl, Nov. 3, 14, 30, Dec. 11, 24, IMO; Jan. 25, Feb. 4. 10, Miircli 5,
.\|)r. 4, 13, 18, May 21, June 13, 20, July 4, 18, 27. 30. Auj-. 1. 5, 7, 9, 14,
Ci.Oct. 1, 19. 22, Nov. 8, 11, 2.3, Dec. II, 22, 29, ISOO; Fob. 7,8, May 2.3,
Juno 17, 18, July II, 21, Au«. 8, Sept. 9, 2.3, Oct. 8, II, 22, Nov. .3. 2ri, ISOl;
Jimu 2:), Auy. 2, 2.'), Oct. 14, 21, 18C2; Jan. 22, Apr. 24, Juno 9, 19, .30, July

II, .Auj,'. 10, 'JO, Sept. 7, Nov. 10, 1803; July 19, Nov. 2, 1804; Jan. 20, Apr.
|i. Ma V 22. July 3, Auf,'. 10. 20. Dec. 0, 10, 1805; Feb. 20, Dec. 28. iNiO;
.\l,r. i2, July 20, KS07; March 2,'), 1809; March 24. July 15, Dec. 3. 1S71;
A' til !.■>, 1S77; Ta//. Jan. 12, Apr. 19, Juno 24, July 19, Aug. 10, 11, 20,
Kilt. i;t, 27, Oct. 0, Nov. 13, 1804; Juno 1.3, 1805; Feb. 8, March 20, May
ill, Jmio 1.3, July 19, Aug. 28, 1807; Feb. 27, March 1, Apr. 30, July 1,\
Ai.g. 9, 20, ,30, Sept. 18, 19, Nov. 24, 1808; March 6, 1870; Jan. 4, 1871;
N)v. 7, 1872; Feb. 13, Juno 25, 1874; Jan. 25, 1878; Timen, Juno 4, IS07;
Muv 10, June 25, July 20, Sept. 2, 5, 1808; Feb. 17, March 10, 22, .30. Apr.
•N, Oct. 14. 23, 1809; llcralU, Apr. 2.3, Juno 10, Sept. 6, 1858; March 31,
Nov. 10, 1859; March 5, Apr. 20, May 9. Dec. 13, 1800; March 10, 12, 1809;
/W, Sc]it. 15, 187.1; Jan. 7, July 25, 1878; Chronicle, Jan. 5, 20, 1809; July
1(1, IS7I; Golden Era, March 15, 1857; Aug. 27, 1805; Mercantile Gazi/li',
Juno 1!), 1858; Sac. lii'cord- Union, Aug. 10, 1855; Feb. 27, Apr. 9, 10, May
•:.', Sept. 17, IS50; Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Apr. 5, 12, 21, 23, May24, 28, Jun s, 9,

III, 11, 12, 19, 22, 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 18, Nov. 24, Dec. 29, 1858; Jan. :;, Apr.
i:i, Jiuio21, 25, 1859; March 21, Apr. .30, Aug. 22. Sept. 27, 20, Oct. 9, 18(i0;
Martli 9, Apr. 29, Juno 1, .Sept. 24, Nov. 9, 12, 10, 21, Dec. 12, 1801; March
3,."), 1S(;2; Porllaml West Shore, July, 1879; Standard, Sept. 7, 1877; Went-
tni iin-iniiian, Jan. 10, 1878; Pioche Record, March 14, 1873; Tuncarora
Tmes-lk'view, Feb. 10, 1878.

* I '[ I I

l-'\

S't

CHAPTER XXTt.

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.
1863-1871.

A Legislative Council Ouoanized for British Columbia — iNArr.unAt
Address of Governor Douglas — A Meek Response — Sei'akate
Rulers Appointed for the Two Colonies — A Cordial Leave-takind
— Review of Douglas' Administration — Regime of Fi;euekjck Slv-
HOUR — Excessive Taxation — Union of the Colonies — The liuinsu
North Ameuica Act — Anthony Musgrave Governor — Uuni.-'.
Columbia a Province of the Dominion — A Legislative Asskmbi.v
Substituted for the Council— Condition of the Province— I.njjia.v
Policy of the United States and of Great Britain.

h '

Those among my readers who may chance to have
hved in a British colony have probably observed lunv
little there is to relate concerning the government uf
that colony, and how void of interest is that little.
There are of course the usual changes of administra-
tion, the usual squabbles in the legislature, some of
them as disgraceful as any which occur at Sacramento
or Salem, or wheresoever else amateur law-makers
lay burdens on the people, and contend in unsoi'inly
phrase for the people's spoils. As a rule, however,
though with many exceptions, the colonies are liohtly
taxed. They pay no tribute to her Majesty's gov-
ernment; they do not even pay for the support <ir
expenses of the troops or vessels of war sent lortli
for their protection;* and they object very stroni^lv
and decisively to too much amateur legislutioii,
especially when it touches their pockets. In brief,

' Except the so-called colonial aliowouco of si.vijcnoo a day inadi: tu the
troops.

iGU'Jt

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

£83

most of the British dependencies are virtually re-
j)ulilies, with the privilege of becoming at any time
actual re])ublics, and have, free of expense, the pro-
lection of Great Britain, while the governor wields
little more authority than does in the mother country
the queen of England, who cannot obtain, except from
licr private revenues, a sixpence wherewith to pur-
thase her breakfast, unless it be voted by parliament.

But in 18G3 Vancouver Island and British Colum-
bia were merely colonies in name. During the regime
of Douglas, and for several years thereafter, it can-
not be said that responsible government existed either
on the Island or on the Mainland. In the fornier
there was, as we have seen, an elective house of assem-
bly, but its vote could not remove the executive
oliicials, as was the case in other colonies. The
legislative and executive functions were vested in the
governor and his council, whose acts were termed
ordinances, and had almost the force of statutes in
nailiament.^ On the Mainland a legislative council
vas organized by authority of a royal order, dated
the nth of June, 1803," and consisted at first of
thirteen members,* of whom five were government
officials,^ five weie magistrates appointed by the gov-
ernor, and the remainder were elected by the people,
certificates being issued to them on the reporting of
their names by the returning ofiicer.

The council met for the first time at New West-
minster on the 2 1st of January, 18G4, nine members

Vvro.smo.t, r. f. ami Dnt. Col. Govt, 5IS., 19.

' For copy of this onlev, ace Jour. LeijhL CoiiprU, li. C, 1SG4, 4-5.

' I'lie incinhcrs for the first session wcro Arthur N. liirt.li, colonial socre-
t:iiy :iii(l presiding ineinbor; Ilonry 1'. 1'. Crease, attorney-general; Wyniuml
0. Ilaniley, collector of customs; Chartrca lirew, I'etcr O'Ueilly, Kihv.iril II.
.Samliis, Henry M. IJall, ami I'hilip II. Niiul, magistrates f. r Nt \v West-
iiiiiistcr, ('uril)oo, Vale ami Hope, Lytton, and Uouglas; and Josliua A. 1!.
Hnin<'r, liol)ertT. Smith, lleniy llolbrook, James Orr, anil Walter S. Biac U
fr tlicir respective districts of New Westminster, Vale and Ly^ton, l)oUj'-
las and Lillooet, Carilioo ICast, and Cariboo West. During this session ;i
resolution presented by Mr Homer praying that a legislative assembly bo
or{;;uii'/ud was negatived hy the easting vote of the presiding nieinlxr.

^Tlio colonial secretary, attorney-general, treasurer, chief eonimissio 'cr
of lauds uiid works, uud eolloctor of customs.

584

UNION AND CONFKUIiKATION.

1)c>iiig pf(>siMit. In liis ()j)('tiin<( iuldi'oss l)i)unr1as con.
^^ratuhiU'd ilu'in on this first step toward rcpicscntu-
tivo ^ov<jrnnH'nt and popular institutions, which, lu;
(Kiclarcd, hci" IVrajcsty had withhohl dai'inj^ the in-
Ihncy of" the i-olony, only from a sinci-ro lei^ard for its
liMppiness and prosperity. JIo urged on tluiUi a \ iiMti-
ons p!-oseeution of the public works c • measure <>(
vital imj)ortan(;e to the colony, and ; that wcuhl
give to the waste lands of liritish Cokunbia a valtu!
which they did not tlien possess. With a view to in-
ci'ease po[)ulation and encourage Kettlement, hi; hud
throwi» open the public lands to a(;tual settlers on the
most liberal terms, and had done his utmost to cn-
« ourago minin<»' and every species of enterprise that
tended to develop the resources of the country, tlioti'^h
the rc>sultol' tlu'so measures had not, as yot, answered
his tixpcx'tations. The Indian tribes, he said, wcic
(juiet and \\v\\ dis])osi!d. Jleserves, endjracmg villa'^i!
sifi'sand cultivated fields had been set apart for llicm,
thciir ai'ea in no cast; exceeding ten acres for each family,
and this being inalienable and held as joint prop-
erty." Appiopriations were reconunended ibr wW-
gious purposes, and for the establishment and suppnit
of schools, though it was far from his wish to cslah-
lish a dominant or endowed church in a colony to which
people of all religious denominations wtjro invited. 1 h;
piomised soon to lay before them a conununicaliou
from the secretary of state for the colonies, with pro-
jiosals for opening telegrai)hie and [)ostal conunimi-
cation between Jiritish CoUunbia and the head tit'
Lake Superior. Finally he laid before them an i cli-
mate of the expenditure for the past year, amonn(iii;4
((» I'lDi'.SOO," while the reveiuie for the same jxriod
was but .£ 1 f 0,000." Meanwhile bonds had luvii

"'I'lioiigli iiM inilivithiiilii tlicy liad tho Haiiu- ri^lit of iici|uii'iii^ nn<I lioMini^
luiiil l>y iniivliiisi! or (n'ru|)atioii lis othiM' claHm-s ot lior Miijcsily's Hulijcct ;

'Of wliiili i's;!,!);!" was for |ml)lic ro^uU, £1'J,(mO lor rcili^inptioii ol iiail
lioiuls cri'aliil in liSli'.', l'l.'),'2SH for pulilio works, l)uil<liii;;«, ami Uaiispml,
£l.'l,7-."> for iiiteri'st mi loausaiul fiukiny fuiul, ami £lll,(il.i for tlio civil i ilali-

liHllIIR'llt.

"Of which over JCrir>,000 was obtained from cuatonia dues. Mwjiin, I'./.
und U. V.

GOVKRNOll'S ADDUKSS.

585

crcatod and loaim contrac^tod to tlio amount of £(][),-
SOT), Icaviiii^ .still a dclicioiioy of £\7,0[)f), in addition
1(» ;i sum of , £10,700 duo to tlio inij)erial govcrnnifut
I'or tlic (;x])iMi.s('s of tlio royal onj^inoorH. For I8(M
tlic outlay, including tlio debit balanco, was sot down
,it, 1' I 07, i) I 0, and tlio incoino fi-oni all sourcos at £ I 20,-
()()(), (lius l(;aving a halanco of X 12,01)0; but thi.s, it
was (!X|>lainod, mado no jirovision for tlio mainto-
iiaiici! of a gold escort, or lor tbo cxjionso of public
\v(iii:s. Asking tlio advice of the members wlietlier
it was expedient to undertake KUeh works during the
( uiiciit year, and if so, how their cost should bo de-
frayed, the governor took his seat."

Tlius did the lordly Douglas give to the colonists
(if Ihilish (Columbia a foretaste of the blessings of
iv|i!-('sentative government. At this date tlu; white
]Mipiila(ion of the (rolony was probably less than liight
llioiisaiid, and of this number a largo proportion was
(if (he migratory class. To lay on them, at this early
|i(ii()d in their history, a tax oxcoechng ijTiO |)(>r caj)-
ila was a measure! unlieard of in the histcjry of Jiritish
inli(iii/;ition, and one that olsowliero would at Icsast
liave provoked much angry discussion. ]5ut not so
among this staid and dutiful assemblage. I'ho sjieech
was received with prtifound rosjiect; the oath was
a(liiiinist(;red by Mr Justice ]iegbio, who declared
llic st'ssion duly ojtened. His excellency then took
Ills leave; and after some unimportnnt business, the
iiiciubers adjourned, presenting, three days later, an
liiiiiihlc! a(hlress, wherein tln^y expressed their earnest
ii'SdKe to act in concert with tho governor to the
l)('si of their ability.

Th(!ro is a r«'freshing Kiniplicity about tho early
sessions of the legislative council, and one that con-
1 lasts straiigcily with tho stormy incidents of a later
ji' liod. On the 5th of February this body went into
iiMiiiiiittoo of supply, and on its rising, a few miuutos

'A copy of Ilia addrusa will bo found in Id., 1804, 1-4.

!•:':., ' i

, i

H'f:

\„ ' s^'

'li

: i

1 ' / '

i i:

680

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

later, the prosidinj^ member^" reported the adoption
of a bill of supply, amountinj^ to £135,039, for tho
service of the ensuing year, together with a recom-
mendation that it be now read a first time. Tlio
question of the first reading being then put to the
council, it was so ordered, and the bill was read ac-
cordingly. A few minutes later it was read a second
time, and com nitted; reported back without aniciul-
ments; passed to a third reading, the standing orders
being suspended; and thus, probably within the space
of an hour, the supplies were voted, an additional
sum of £80,700 being granted during the session by
various resolutions."

Tlic term of the governor's commission for Van-
couver Island expired in September 18G3, and for
British Columbia one year later. Partly on account
of his free-handed disposition of the public funds, how-
ever, and also with a view to sever the last link tliat
connected them, directly or indirectly, with the Hud-
son's Bay Conipan}', many of the colonists, both of
the INIainland and Island, had already petitioned for
tho appointment of separate governors,'-' and before
the close of 18G3 it was officially announced that
their request would be granted. That, nevertlicless,
Douglas was still supported by the wealth and intel-
ligence of both colonies, is sufficiently apparent from

'" 111 the absence of tho colonial secretary, tho chair was occupied by tlio
attoi-ncy-gcncial.

"./o»r. Li''iid. Council, D. C, 1SG4, IS; speech of Gov. Seymour, in Id.,
ISli.-), .S.

'^As early as October lSv")8 a, petition, signed by 117 residents of Victoria,
was forwardi'd to Sir lUihvor Lytton, praying for the iciuoval of Douglas.
Tlio potitidiiors asked tliat 'an Knglish gcntlcmaii, free and iiulcpcndt'iit of
any intiiost save the public welfare, may be appointed by iun- Majesty^ gov-
orniiiont.' i'c Cosmos, I'. /., ami IJril. Col. Ooit, MS., '2'i. Amor DeCusiiios,
a native of Nova SLOtia, came to Cal. in IS.");!, removing to Victoria in l.'.V'-,
wJKre he began tho publication of a newspaper in the autumn of tluit ytiir.
11c commenced his public career l)y drawing up the petition above rcfcrml
to; and though on principle opposed to tho government as it then existeil,
was elected a incniber of the second legislature of \'. I. From his O'onri)-
VKiilii I'/ Vaiicoiifir /sla)id and llri/iKh Columbia, iMS., I jiavc gathcre.l items
of interest extending over the period between tlie fouiuling of Victoria iunl
the confederation. In the opening pages of hia MS. is an account of vaiious
newsiaper.s published at Victoria, between 1358 and 1803, uf which lumiiuu
will be made later.

':^-

he adoption

G.39, for the

;li a rccom-

time. TIio

put to the

vas read ac-

ad a second

lout aiuend-

tiding orders

lin the space

11 additional

) session by

)n for Van-
JG3, and tor
^ on account
r funds, how-
ist link tliat
th the IIiul-
ists, both of
etitioned for
' and before
ouneed that
nevertheless,
h and iutel-
iparent from

I occupicil by the

Seymour, in /(/.,

ilcnts of Victoria,
loval of Douglas.
(I indcpcmk'iit of
ur Majesty's gov-
Amor Do Cosnius,
Victoria in !;.")>,
nin of that yciir.
m above n kvm\
3 it then cNisti'd,
From his (>'<i/'' ni-
ce gathere.l items
; of Victoria .'iiiil
ccount of various
if which uuniiuu

SIR JAMES DOUGLAS.

687

the addresses presented to him by the people of Van-
couver Island, at his official leave-taking in Scptem-
hei', and by the people of British Columbia a few
months later. The former was signed by all the
hankers and professional men, and nearly all the lead-
ing merchants of Victoria, while to the latter were
{il)[)ended more than nine hundred signatures.^^ But,
as he declared, it was his earnest desire to withdraw
from further public connection with the colonies, and
this desire he had long ago intimated to the secretary
of state. In fact, it may be doubted whether Doug-
las was ever really willing to accept office as governor.
In doing so he added nothing to his income; on the
contrary, it is probable that the increased expense of
his establishment made him a loser thereby; while
in freedom from harassing cares the position of
governor under the Hudson's Bay Company was in-
iinitely preferable to that of her Majesty's represent-
ative in the colonies.

By the October mail arrived a number of the Ga-
zette, in which appeared the announcement that Doug-
liis had been kni^jhted. A few months later, after
henig feasted and flattered to more than his heart's
content, he bid farewell to the settlement which he had
i'ounded in 1843, as a mere trading post, with little
certainty that it would ever become the metropolis of
a thriving and ambitious colony. As he proceeded on
loot, accompanied by his staff, from the government
house to the Hudson's Bay wharf, every flag-staff in
the town was decorated with bunting, the citizens
laisiiig their hats as he passed, and many of them join-
ing- in the procession. The sicamor Ejitevjnise, gayly
(locked with colors, awaited his arrival, and as ho
leached the foot of the gangway, the cheers which had

''Co,Tcsof them will be fonnd in Addr. and Memor. Sir Jameft Douglas,

3, ISJ ,'j. The former enclosed a memorial, iiid the latter waa in the form of
un inldieas, both to be forwarded to the duke of Neweastlo. Addresses were
presented by the legislative council and assembly at Victoria, and by the
legislature at New Westminator, for which see Id., 18-20; Jour. Leijid.
Voiiiic'd, B. C, 18G4, 29. TIio government officials, the iuhabitauts of Yale
uiul Hope, and others, also forwarded addresses.

nil

'\\'

' I*.

I ■ II

1 1 • m

C83

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

grocted him along his route burst forth with rcdouMed
volume, the multitude thronging round to grasp hiin
by the hand. As the vessel moved off, the band sta-
tioned on board the Otter ntvack up the tune of Aukl
l^ang Sync, and a salute of thirteen guns was fired
b}' tlio Hudson's Bay employes. Then followed tlio
strains of the national anthem; and thus was Sir
James Douglas, K. C. B., sent on his way to tlu;
Mainland, there to be again banqueted, toasted, and
plied with addresses, and then to retire for a wliilo
into private life at his home in New Westminster.'*

Twenty-two years had now elapsed since the natives
of Camosun luui first seen the calm waters of their
harbor ruffled by the little steamer on board of which
Douglas came and determined the site of the present
city of Victoria. During many of these years he had
controlled the aflfairs of the great monopoly in tho
north-west. How skilful had been his management,
how mild his rule, and how judicious his policy, tho
reader is well aware who has followed his career
throughout the narrative which I have laid before
him. If his administration as governor is open to
censure, the faults which he committed are sucli as
detract but little from his fame. That he was lavish
in tho expenditure of the public funds, laying upon
the infant colony burdens greater than it could bear,
cannot be disputed; but this outlay, incurred mainly
for opening roads to the mining districts, then tho
main source of wealth, and without which Victoria
would have remained a village, must be regarded ratlicr
as an investment than as a tax on the i.idustries of
the people. Insignificant as were then the British
possessions in the north-west, remote from the mother
country, with which there was no prompt communi-
cation, except through foreign sources, with a sparse
but heterogeneous population, composed largely of

"A description of the fCtes and banquets hold at Victoria and New West
minster, with the addresses and inomoriala presented by the citizens ami the
comments of tlie press on the occasion of Douglas' retirement, will be fouuil in
Addr. and Memor, Sir James Douglas,

1 rcdouMed
grasp hi in
e band sta-
le of A aid
s was fiix'd
llowed tho
s was Sir
/ay to th(!
)asted, and
'or a wliilo
ninster.'*
the natives
rs of their
d of which
;liG pr(3sciit
ars lie had
)oly in tho
mai^onient,
policy, tho
his career
laid bel'oro
is open to
ro such as
was lavish
■ying upon
!Ould bear,
'ed mainly
i, then tho
:h Victoria
•ded rather
lustries of
he British
he mother
communi-
;h a sparse
largely of

nd New West
itizons ajiil the
ifillbe fouiulia

GOVERNOR SEYMOUR.

689

Americans, impatient of British rule and imbittercd
hy the disputes incidental to the San Juan difliculty,
without the means of competing with older and more
favored communities — amid all these difficulties the
colonies had developed with a steady and stalwart
growth. And to none was this result so largely due
as to him from whom we will now take our leave,
quoting in conclusion a few words from his reply to
an address presented by the citizens of New West-
minster — words uttered in no spirit of vainglory or
boastfulness: "This is surely the voice and heart of
British Columbia. Here are no specious phrases, no
lioHow or venal compliments. This speaks out broadly,
and honestly, and manfully. It assures me that my
administration has been useful; that I have done my
duty faithfully; that I have used the power of my
sovereign for good, and not for evil; that I have
wronged no man, oppressed no man; but that I have,
with upright rule, meted out equal-handed justice to
all."

Toward the end of April 1864, a few days before
the close of the first session of the council, Frederick
Seymour, successor to Douglas on the Mainland, ar-
rived at New Westminster. Seymour had formerly
held office as governor of British Honduras, whore
his health had been seriously impaired. He was a
man of mediocre ability, of no great force of charact' r,
somewhat timid and over-conservative in policy, and
a])t to place too much dependence on those by whom
he was surrounded; one who might have reigned with
credit in a settled and prosperous community, as
among the sugar-planters of Belize, but was ill fitted
for the control of a young and ambitious colony. The
task which he had now before him required the ser-
vices of a more capable ruler, and this ho soon made
apparent to the members of the council. Proroguing
that body, on the 4th of May, he remarked that he
found himself obliged to consider a measure involving

f ■ i, !

i ■
U \ ; i

■ 1

■Hf

590

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

the whole financial arrangements of the colony; an-
other proposing to regulate its paper currency ; a third
affecting its internal navigation; together with scinio
twenty resolutions, many of them of grave import,
and involving a considerable expenditure. As to most
of the important measures, especially those concern-
ing the supplementary estimates, he deferred his decis-
ion until the winter session, or reserved them for her
Majesty's consideration. He gave his assent, however,
to the inland-navigation ordinance, and to resolutions
for the survey of a road from the mouth of the (}uos-
nel to Cariboo, together with an extra expenditure of
£40,000 in that district. He also assented to sevenil
others wherein no outlay was involved, among them
being regulations for the postal service, for amending
the customs duties, for declaring the legal rate oC in-
terest, and for regristerinoT documents relatinjj to real
estate."

On the 21st of October a proclamation was issued
dissolving the legislative council, "for divers godd
causes and considerations," and a week later a notiro
was published, containing a list of the new appoint-
ments, eight out of the thirteen members of the I'ornicr
council being reelected." At the opening session,
held on the 12th of December, the governor stated
that only £135,039 out of the £210,400 voted for the
public service of 1804 had been expended, the dis-
bursements for the current month being estimated at
£8,000, thus showing an expenditure less by £72,000
than had been sanctioned. Meanwhile, however, tlio
revenue had fallen short of the estimates by some
£13,000. Under an act of the previous session, u
loan of £100,000 had been authorized, against which
they had drawn but £20,300, the remainder being

Among the items

available for the service of 1805.

" Also to ordinances relating to patents, facilitating the formation of joiut-
stock mining companies, and for tlio relief of certain naval and military set-
tlers. Speech of Frederick Seymour, in Jour. Legi.tl. Council, li. C, 1604, 43.

'"TIio names of the members will be found in Id., 1805, after the table of
contents.

IMJ

• ;ilito^ •

colony; an-
icy; a third

' with SOllK!

ivc import,
As to most
ise conoci'ii-
d his (lecis-
lem for hvs
it, however,
resolutions
»f the Quos-
)enclituro of
d to several
mong them
ir amending
1 rate ol' in-
,ting to real

was issued
livers good
iter a notice
ew appoint-
f the t'ornicr
ing session,
ernor stated
otecl for the
ed, the dis-
istimatcd at
by £72,000
owever, the
:es by some
3 session, a
;ainst which
inder being
^ the items

irmatioD of joiut-
and military set-
, B. C, lbO-1, 43.
ifter the talile of

tX)LONIAL AFFAIRS,

691

of expense for the past year was one of £1G,000 for
the suppression of the Chilkotin massacre,'' of which
Seymour gives a detailed account in his address. He
reijrets that several needed improvements have been
delayed through lack of funds, among them being the
establishment of a light-ship at the mouth of the
Fraser. Finally he calls the attention of the council
to certain resolutions passed by the assembly at Vic-
toiia in favor of a conditional union with British Co-
liunbia under one governor. Expressing his own
views on this subject, he remarks that, while it would
be better for imperial interests that Great Britain
should be represented west of the Rocky Mountains
by a single ruler,'* he does not think that at present
British Columbia would gain by the suggested change,
and advises them to consult only their local interests.
At the next meeting the council responded, as usual,
in meek and respectful phrase, and the business of the
session commenced.

Thus did the colonial ship of state sail forth on
these untroubled waters, her course seldom disturbed
by the faintest breath of popular discontent. Most
of the measures brought before the council were ini-
tiated by the attorney-general, those which passed to
a third reading and received the governor's sanction
relating mainly to municipal affairs, public improve-
ments, and matters of local interest.'®

Let us turn now to Vancouver Island, w'here, as
will he remembered, the first term of the legislative
assembly expired in 1859. To the mention already
made of this assembly^" there is nothing worthy of

" The crown refused to refund any part of this sum.

"As in case of war, in which event the officer in command of the naval
forces liiiglit be seriously embarrassed by tlio conflicting policy of two gov-
enioi'H.

"'I'ables, showing the progress of the various bills introduced, will be
fouiiil for each year in Jmir. Lnjid. Council, U. (7., facing p. 1. See also
<-'oi.<'jL Stilt. Brit. Col. {ed. 1877), passim; Acta and OrUin. Western Col.,
lSJS-70, passim.

"See pages 2:2-7, this voL

i;d!'

i
I f

■|M|iii|

I Iff"

502

UNION AND CONFEDKRATION.

note to 1)0 added, except that the members stonily
lel'used to j^'raiit supplies, or become responsible Inr
debts incurred by the Hudson's 13av Coini)any. Wlicii
the second le<^islature met, in 18(10, the connection
between the colony and the company havin<^ llicii
been dissolved, the question was ajjjain brous^ht i'oi-
ward, Who was to pay the debts of the latter? It
was resolved that, as the former assembly had in-
curred no responsibility, the present one would adopt
the same polii-y, and leave the company to settle its
claims with the home tjovernment.

For the year 18(51 the legitimate revenue of the
colouy was' £25,29 1; for 18G2, £24,017;" for 18i;:),
£30,000; and for 18G4 it was estimated at £37,704.
The receipts for the last of these 3'ears were increajicci
by sums due from British Columbia, advances to
crown agents in London, balance of loan, and other
sources, to about £77,000, while the expenses wiio
SL't down at £59,0G2, of which £15, GIG was lor puh-
lic works and buildings, and £10,3G0 for roads, streets,
and bridges. It is worthy of note that only £1,000
was devoted to educational purposes during this viai',
while the appropriation for police and jails was al>out
double that sum.^^

In 18G4 the white population of Vancouver Island
was estimated at about 7,500, or somewhat less than
that of British Columbia, the rate of taxation bein^'
nearly £8 per capita, as against £24 in the latter enl-
ony. The princijuil sources of revenue at this Jato
were from land sales and liquor licenses, from a tax ef
one per cent on real estate, and from the sums e^l-
lected under the trade licenses amendment act of
18G2.'^^ By the provisions of this act, merchants and

" The reason for the slight ilecrease of tliis year was tliat tlie iiist.iliiiiiits
due l>v lanuors on huui purcliaseil from go\crnnient were postponeJ o;i ac-
count (if losses sustained during au unusually severe winter. Maiji('- I'. A
a.it II. C.S-.'O.

'•' For the administration of justice. £7-1 was voted; for the mail service,
£-..">G0; lor ligtit-liouses, £1,400; and for charitable allowances, £o.'>0. /I'l

:?19.

"The real estate tax produced £i;!,OfiO; trade liceuses, £j,510; liijuor
licenses, £4,600; uiid laud sule^, £0,.'iS'J. id., 318.

£j,510; li'iuor

ECONOMY. 603

traders were required to pay an annual assessment,
viuyin;.'', according tc a graduated scale, from £2 a
yeai' lor those whose sales were loss than £200, to
£G0 a year for those whose receipts exceeded £100,-
000. For bankers and auctioneers the license was
£50 a year; for lawyers and real estate agents, £10;
for civil engineers, architects, surveyors, and proprie-
tors of billiard-saloons, £5.

In one of the most distant portions of the British
cmiiire we have now two colonies mustering together
w)iiio twelve or thirteen thousand white inhabitants,
paying on an average under this crude system of tax-
ation nearly £19 a year per ca[)ita, or at least eight
times the rate levied in the mother country, with her
army and navy, her peers, her j)rinces, her paupers, and
licr I'rightful incubus of debt. Under such conditions,
the extinction of the two colonies was but a mat-
ter of time. It did not follow that because Great
Britain had jilaced herself in the condition of a coun-
try squire, whose estates though heavily encumbered
Were not hopelessly encumbered, her youngest off-
spring should thus follow her example. Loans for
British Columbia were barely negotiable in the Lon-
tluu market,^* and could be placed only at excessive
rates of interest. Moreover, her sister colony, sepa-
rated by less than twenty leagues fi-om the ^Mainland,
was undcigonig a severe financial depression, occa-
Mone'il in part by over-trading and speculation. Some-
thing must be done in the matter, and at least the
exix-nditurc for the civil list mii>-ht be curtailed.
\\hen, therefore, Captain Kennedy, successor to
iJouglas at Vancouver Island, landed at Victoria in
IBGl, ho was received with eveiy manifestation of
loyalty, entliusiasm, and respect; but his gratification
was somewhat modified by the announcement that
his salary, and that of other officials, had been struck

"Tlio total debt of British Columbia in 1807, ilcdacting sinking fund in-
vestm. iits. was §1,002,1)83; of Vancouver Island, $293,(iU8. Jour. LeyisL
Cmnal, B. ('., 1807, app. xvii.

Ht8T. BbIT. COL. 38

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504

UNION AND CONFKDEllATION.

front tho cstiiiiatcs for the year by a unanimous vote
of Iho lugislaturu.'"'

The c'siiuiutcs for tho civil list of this year wvro
proposed hy tho duko of Newcastle, his grace iull-
nuiting that the crown lands, then about to bo con-
veyed by tho Hudson's Bay Company to the hoiiKs
government in liquidation of claims, should bc^assigiK.d
to the legislature, and that from the proceeds of ^ulcs
tho salaries of tho governor and other officials should
bo paid. But tho sales from crown lands for tlu;
previous yeai- had amounted only to £4,500, uliili;
the necessary expenses of government were £o5,()(j0,
Tho proposition of his grace was of course i-ejc tcil,
whereuj)on her ]\Iajosty's government decided touiuto
tho two colonies, though probably somewhat against
the will of tho people of British Columbia. In view
of tho facts that have been stated, however, it does
not appear that tho ministry wore to blame in tho
matter. A yearly expenditure of £GO,000 i'ov the
more civil list of the two colonies, with their luuuh'iil
of inhabitants, was a somewhat novel phase in tliu
progress of British colonization.

According to tiio provisions of tho union act, enti-
tled the British Columbia act of 18GG, tho authority
of tho executive government and legi? laturo of Britisli
Columbia was extended over Vancouver Island, tin;
number of members of the legislative council h( in^'
increased to twenty-three. Tho existing ordiiiaiKv.s
were to remain in force until otherwise determined In'
law, except that those relating to the customs vw-
nuos of British Columbia were to bo "xtei iod i
Vancouver Island, and that in the 'or were

vested all powers as to the appointme ^varelnuis-

ing ports, and of warehouses in such ^ i s, ton' iher
with all matters relating thereto. Nothmgco* Mined
in the act was to take away or restrict the audunity

''Kennedy was extremely courteous in manner, somewhat of a flatterer,
and an excellent speaker; Imttlie people soon observed that these w>ie alwul;
the best charactoristica he possessed. In truth, there was at this date littla
for n governor to do except to be courteous. L'iliott'a B. C, I'oiUks, MS.

iiinous vote

END OF THE VANCOUVER COLONY.

•loa

(if tlic governor to make regulations I'or the peace,
onlcr, and good government of the two colonie.s,
(itlur before or after the union. ''° Thi^:; act, whic-h
lii'.U's date the Gth of August, 18GG, was [)roehiinied
hy the gov(;rnor on the 17th of November in the
same year,*' and thenceforth the colony of Vancouver
Island ceased to exist, the attorney-general, a few
weeks later, introducing a bill for assimilating its
laws with those of British Columbia.

TfT|ff J

The confederation, or rather the legislative union
(if Upper and Lower Canada, was a measure first
mooted in 1822, and one that took cft'cct in 1841.
Nevertheless, the party contests between the inhab-
itants of the two regions, divided as the}' were by
lace, religion, and interests, became so bitter that, as
tlic reader is aware, matters came to a dead-lock.
lioii':;e the idea of a legislative union of all the Brit-
i ', American colonies, thou'di reserving to each its
individuality and its local government. Moreover,
the dangers to which they were afterward exi)osed
Ky the possible issues of the civil war formed an ad-
ditional incentive to their union. Thus it was that
the leaders of the several parties put aside their
issues and a<xreed to make common cause, to which
the home government responded bypassing the Brit-
ish North America act of 18G7, whereby the colo-
iiii.'s could unite at will in a confederation to be
known as the Dominion of Canada.

Alter the passage of this act none were more eager
to l)e admitted into the confederation than the people
of British Columbia; but this was not yet Lo bo. On
the 17th of December, 18G8, the leQfislacure met for
the lirst time at Victoria, according to the expressed
(lesiie of the colonists, including the residents of the

''"Ad > and 30 Vict., in Jour. Legid. Coiincil, D. C, 186", 1-2. l?y
tliis act, -I ami -2 Vict., to provide for tl'e government of 15. C, ami -G and
27 Vict., to define the bouniiaries of tiie ( olouy, and for otlier purposes, were
re[ical(jil.

'• For copy of proclamation; see Id., 2.

\m'':

■i! :l

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

!, *V>

niainlard, tbough very much against the governor's
wish.^ His excellency remarked that it was his
pleasing duty to state that the colony did not appear
to be in a condition to create despondency; that 1)\^
unmitigated economy he had reduced the expenses of
government by $88,092, and that he had never taken
upon himself "to appoint a higher officer than a con-
stable." Tbey must wait, however, for admission as
a province until the intervening territory under con-
trol of the Hudson's Bay Company"*' should have
been incorporated.

The people of British Columbia did not want such
government. They would very nmch have prefeind
such a ruler as Douglas, with his courtly mien, ami
even with his reckless disregard for the credit of the
colony, to this negative and timid magistrate. Tliou^h
his lavish hospitality may have saved him from buiii'jf
unpopular, at his decease, which occurred in Juno of
the following year, there were few who sincerely
mourned his loss.^° In his successor, Anthony Mus-
grave, C. M. G., who held office until the 1st of July,
1871, or, as it is known, the first dominion day, llio
people gladly recognized a governor whose tact, de-
cision, and experience fitted him for the control of men.

'■''^SL-yinour's ncldress to the council on the proposed change of the scit of
govennncnt is Kiiiiply pitifnl. It concluiles: 'lie trusts that no inline. ii.Ic
action may lie urged upon liiiti,' but, sliould any ))o rc(]uired, 'ho will liunlily
rcconnnciul to Uic (|uecn that lie and liia successors in oliicc lie cuuiiniuhL '. lo
reside permanently in the present capital of the colony. ' Jour. Lvijial. ( hho-
cAK li. C, 1SG7, t)'2. To this the business men, fanners, miners, etc., nf
till' island and mainland responded that Victoria wiif the most suitalile sji't.
A petition to this purport vas signed by CO residents of New \Vesimi;i~Ai.
Aiiiong the 1.407 inhabitants of Vancouv.;r Island who ]ietitiiiMe(l his txul-
kiicy were W. J. Macdonald, mayor (t Victoria, and Roderick Fiid:iy--' n,
chiif factor II. 15. Co. From tlio mainland the total signature; nuMilnic!

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8I-. /»/., ap. xvi. In the legislative council a resolution wa; jiasseii, 1';
uliirniativc vote of 14 to 5, that Victoria was the most suitable jilace (ui
scat of Icgi-slaturc. Id., 18C8, 11-1'2.

'"Manitoba.

•'•'Seymour died on board H, M. S. Sparroichnwl; while on a trip ti
noi Lhei^ii port'jii of the colony. Cooper's Matithnr Maltrr^, MS., 'Jl. ll "O
can believe Mr Elliott, he spent all his salary and 'mpaiied his private fintiiuo
by \iU io:)lish hospitality. In Ih'itish Columbia I'oiitifx, hij A. ('. IJ ioil, .MS.,
1 have liuen furnished with a brief sketch of the cliaraetori.«tics ami career of
the rulers of B. C. and V. I., from the rOginie of (iov. Seymour to tli.it ef
Guv. Trutcii, with some incidents in the politiuul unuals of both colonies.

n-* I

GOVERNOR MUSGRAVE.

697

III Lis inaugural address, ^lusgrave expressed his
conviction that, under certain conditions, which he
thought it would not be difficult to arrange, the colony
might derive substantial benefit from the union, and
that with the advice of his council he had prepared a
s'lienie which he would cause to be laid before them;
that, while the views of her Majesty's government
had been clearly and forcibly expressed on the matter,"'
Ihere was no desire to urge the union, unless it were
ill accordnnce with the wishes of her Majesty's sub-
jects. The resolutions presented by Musgrave were
adopted with but slight alterations."'^

A delegatit)n was sent to Ottawa to lay before the
dominion government the resolutions adopted by the
council, to explain the views and wants of the colony,
iind to ascertain how far they could be fulfilled. In
his address at the opening of the session of 1871, the
governor laid before the legi..' ^^'^rc the report of the
piivy council of Canada on the subject, remarking
that the terujs accepted were as liberal as the colony
could fairly expect, and in some respects more advan-
tageous than thos3 submitted by the colony, lie
(hi refore recommended them at once to pass an
address to her Majesty, in accordance with the ])ro-
Aisions of the British North America act of 18G7,
playing lor admission.^'^

»' Soo ,/otir. Lc'/ist. CounrU, B. C, 187S, 2S et r. i On tlio 24tli of
Api il, 18GS, iui ikMioss to the (jiiouii was moved, in wliicli tlic conditii^.is of
111'.' uiiiou wo'u hiiil down in a soniuwhat liij^di-handcd manner. A'l amend-
iiii'nt was carried, in which it was declared that, wiiiKj the council was in
favcr (if the union, they were without euliicient information airl experience
(1 the jiractical worliin;; of confederation in the North Ameilcan prcjvi'ices to
tnl jiistilied in <lelining the terms on whicli such a union wouhl ho to their
advantage, .

'Mn a despatch to (iov. Musgrave, dated Aug. 14, 1809, Karl GranviUe
st;it''s that the queen would ]irolialily ho advised heldre long to i.s.suc an orihT
iii ciiiincil, incorporating ill the ilondnion all the British pos.sesisions in N. Atii.
^^ith the exception of H. C. 'J'ho (juestion therefore presented il.self, wheiher
Ihis single colony should he excluded. On that (piestion the colonists did not
"I'ji'ar to lie nnaninions; but, judging from his ilespatches, the pr(!\inliiig
<i|.iiii(in appeared to he in favor of union. He had no hesitation in staling
tli:it swell was also the opinion of her Majesty's goveruuient. ,SV«.s. y'a/.(-/-.i,
Jirl'. Col, ISSl, i:?9.

"./o((r. LuiiJ. Cowicd, Ji. C, IS"1,2. For proposed and accepted terms.
Bee .S('4«. Puiicrn, Brit. Col.. 1881. 140-3.

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698

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

According to the terms of the union of Britisli
Columbia with Canada, the latter was made liable
for the debts and oblij^ations of <he colony existinLf at
the time. British Columbia, not having incurred lia-
bilities equal to those of the provinces then constitut-
ing the dominion, was to be entitled to interest at tlio
rate of five per cent on the diflerencc between her in-
debtedness and that of Nova Scotia and New Bruns-
wick, pro rata of their population.^* For the su])p()i't
of her government and legislature a subsidy of $;J5,000
a year was to be paid, together with a grant of eighty
cents per capita of the inhabitants, then estimated at
GO, 000,^^ such grant to be augmented according to the
increase in population until it should amount to 400,-
000, after whicli the grant should not be further in-
creased. The dominion was to provide an cllicient
mail service fortnightly by steamer between Victoria
and San Francisco, and twice a week between Victoria
and Olympia, the vessels to be adapted for the coii-
veyance of freight and passengers. Canada was to
assume and defray all charges incidental to the ser-
vices which, by the British North America act (if
18G7, pertain to the general government, as the salary
of the lieutenant-governor, the expenses of the su-
preme and district courts, of the customs,'"' the [jostal
and telegr'aph services. Pensions were also to be pro
vided for those whose position and emoluments wouiu
be affected by these changes.

British Columbia was to be represented in the sen-
ate of the dominion bv three members, and in tln'
commons by six, this representation to be increase 1

^* In 1871 the indebtedness of is^ova Scotia and New Brunswick was f'27.77
per licad. This provision was altered in llio terms of tlie union act, assciitol
to March '2, IfSTJ, whereby 15. C. was to receive from the domiuion guviiii-
nient from time to time sums of money not to exceed the dillerence hetwwu
the actual dcl)t and tlie allowed debt of the province. Jlensatje rel. to Tei ws of
l.'iii .11 .1(7, 53.

^•' This is probably nn cxaggiTation. In a work issued by the agent-ut'ii-
eral of iho province in London, containing much reliable and well-cunili::^' 1
infoinialidU, and entitled Urit. Col. Inform, /or Emiijrautn, the popuiaLimi,
incluiliug Indians, is estimated in 187- at 4J,000.

^"The cu>toms ami excise duties were to continue in force until the racillo
coast was cunncctcil by rail with Canada.

Lr i :ii

■^'\\ml

■ il

UNION WITH CANADA.

699

iitil tliu raciilo

from time to time under the act of 18G7, the pro
visions of which were to apply to British Columbia as
fully as if that colony had been one of the provinces
()ri;^finally united under the act.

A'>d now follow the most important clauses in the
agreement, |)ortions of which I present to the reader
verbatim: "The government of the dominion under-
take to secure the commencement simultaneously,
within two years from the date of the union, of the
tniistruction of a railway from the Pacific towards
the Rocky Mountains, and from such point as may
1)0 selected east of the Rocky Mountains towards the
racific, to connect the seaboard of British Columbia
with the railway system of Canada; and further, to
secure the completion of such railway within ten years
iVoni tlie date of the union. And the government of
British Columbia agree to convey to the dominion
gdvernment, in trust, to be appropriated in such man-
ner as the dominion government may deem advisable,
ill furtherance of the construction of the said railway,
a similar extent of public lands along the lino of rail-
way throughout its entire length in British Colum-
bia, not to exceed, however, twenty miles on each
siilo of said line, as may be appropriated for the same
purpose by the dominion government from the publii;
lauds in the north-west territories and the province
nf ^lanitoba. . .In consideration of the land to be so
cdiueyed in aid of the construction of the said rail-
way the dominion government agree to pay to British
Cnlunibia from the date of the union tlie sum of
!?IUO,000 por annum, in half-yearly payments in ad-
vance. The dominion government shall guarantee
the' interest for ten years from the date of the com-
pletion of the works at the rate of live per centum
per annum on such sun', not exceeding £IUO,()0()
sterling, as may be required for the construction of a
lirst-class gravmg-dock at Es(juiuialt."^'

" l!y tlio terms of union anionilincnt net, nssentc<l to Mar. 2, 1S7I, British
Culiiiuliia was to rt'ceivo t'roni tlio <loininion governnieiit i;."iO,()00 toward tlio
cuiiainicLion of the doclv in lieu of interest. Mtn^ajc nl. tu TtnM of (Jniun, 53.

600

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

fi'f

The care of Indians and the management of lands
reserved for them were to be assumed by the domin-
ion government. Traets of such extent as it had been
the custom of British Columbia to appropriate were
to be conveyed for that purpose by the local govern-
ment to the dominion government as they might be
needed, and were to be held in trust for the use and
benefit of the natives.

Finallv, the constitution of the executive and lci>is-
lature was to remain as it existed at the time of the
union, until altered under the authority of the ]3riti;>li
North America act, it being understood that the do-
minion would consent to the introduction of responsi-
ble government when desired by the inhabitants of
British Columbia, and that it was the intention of the
governor, under the authority of the secretary of state
for th'': colonies, to amend the constitution of the legis-
lature, by providing that a majority of its members
should be elective, the province having also the vi^lit
of specifying tlie districts for which the first elccliou
of members for the commons should take place. ^^

It was provided that on the presentation of ad-
dresses i'rom the legislature of British Columbia and
the Canadian houses of parliament, the union should
take effect on such day as her Majesty might a[)point.
On the 20th of January, 1871, an address was adopted
by the former, without a dissenting vote, and tlio
above terms and conditions having been previously
agreed to b}' a committee of the privy council ol' tlio
dominion after considerable discussion with delegates
sent Irom British Columbia,^" the measure received
the queen's consent and the union was consumniutetl.

No time was lost in taking advantage of the cl;ui>e
in the terms of confederation relating to the establish-
ment of responsible government, which was in t;ut
[)rovided for belbre the agreement had received I ho

unpc
oil tl
oove

"The full text of the agreement will also be found in Jour, Le<j\sl. Vonucil,
B. C. IS71, 14-10.

•"Trutch, Helmuken, and Carrall. Id., 4.

■^^Tf^

\lh^

CONSTITUTION ACT.

601

iiuperia,! consent. At a meeting of the coiUK-il, held
oil the 12th of January, 1871, it was resolved that the
governor be requested to transmit to the house, in
acciirdance with his inaugural address, a bill increasing
the number of elective members and excluding nomi-
nated members, so that responsible government should
coiiie into operation at the first session of the legisla-
ture subsequent to the union with Canada.*'^ On the
14tli of February a bill received the governor's signa-
ture, entitled the constitution act of 1871, whereby it
w;i!s provided that the legislative council should be
aboHshed and a legislative assembly substituted in its
.stead, the latter to be elected once in four years, and
consist of twenty-five members, chosen by twelve
I'lcctoral districts." No public contractor, and no per-
siiii holding office whereto a salary or emolument of
any kind was attached, payable from the revenues of
the colony, was eligible as a member; thougii members
of the executive council were eligible, provided they
were elected while holdinu: such office. The latter
wore to be composed of such persons as the governor
niii^ht select, not exceeding five in number, and in the
lii.--t instance were to include the colonial secretary,
the attorney-general, and the chief commissioner of
lands and works. The powers of the executive were
to iL'uuiii) in force as they before existed, so far as they
Were unaltered by the constitution act, or by tlie Brit-
ish Xorth America act,^^ or by order of her ^Majesty
iu council, or by act of the British parliament.'*''
A month later an act was passed, entitled the Quali-

'"//., 1871, 9-10. The resolution was moved by Mr Hclinckcu.

" Afteiwaiil increased to 1.'?.

'•' liy thin act it waspi-oviiled that the chief magistrate of tlio colony should
laiik a.-i lieut-gov., and bo ap|iijinted by thu gov.-gcii. of L'aiiada, liis n'spnn.si-
li!c ailvisei's being the atty-gen., wlio also held oliice ascol(jiual seci'etary, the
luiiiisloruf liiiauce, and the eliief eoiiiiiiissioner of hiiuls and works. 'J'hus it
v.iil Iro t-ern that the composition of the executive council was altered liy tiio
I 'ii-ititution act, tliougli tlio alterations made iu its |)owcrs were of slight im-
I'litaiice, tiie principal one being that uo part of the revcinie of tlie colony
!^ iinild he paid out from the treasury except by warrant over the governor's
ti^'iialure.

" For text of the coustitutiou act, see Acts LegisL Council, B. C, 1871,
.Vu. a of mil Vict.

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G02

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

fication and Hegistration of Voters act of 1871," in
accordance with the provisions of which no person
could be elected a nieniber of the legislature who had
not been a resident within the colony for at least one
year previous to the date of his election, or who was
a minister of any religious denomination, whattvtr
might be his rank or title. Conciirning the franchise,
the regulations were unusually restrictive, when com-
pared with those of other British colonies, in some of
which, as in New South Wales, suffrage exists in its
simplest form, six months' previous residence being tln'
sole qualification. In British Columbia the elector, if
a British subject, must be able to read the English
language, or, if a foreign-born subject, the language of
his native country, and must have resided in the colony
for six months before sending in his claim to vote. He
nmst possess a freehold estate, situated within his
electoral district, of the clear value of $250, or a lease-
hold estate of the annual value of $40, or be a house-
holder or lodger occupying premises or apartments
rented at the same valuation, or pay for board and
lodging at least $200 a year, or must hold a duly
recorded preemption claim or mining license, tlic for-
mer of not less than one hundred acres.'"'

Tlas was British Columbia fairly launched on her

■"^I'liis biiing the short title, the act, in common with many others jiasseJ
by I'lO legishituie, having a longer title for its heading, whicli roads in tiiis
case, 'An act to amend the law as to tlio (lualihcatioii of electors and vi elec-
tive iiicmbers of the legislature, and to provide lor the registration ol persons
entitled to vote at cloctiona of sucli niend)ers.'

'-'/(/., 1S71, Xo. IJo/o-'/lh I'ict., p. 2. No foreign-born subject wlio had
renDiuiccd his alk^giancc or become a citizen of a foreign state could he re.u'i''-
tei-od under tlic provisions of this act until he had again taken tiio ualii ef
allegiance to her Majesty. With regard to aliens, the regulalions weiu the
same as those existing in the dominion, as provided in cap. Cli, ol.st \'iet ,
1S()S. After an uninterrupted residence for three years, an alien mIki iKid
taken or caused to be H!cd the oaths of allegiance and residence beeiune en-
titled to a certificate of naturalization, and enjoyed all the rights of a natiu'id-
born subject. The only charges were '25 cents for the certilieateand ."id cents
for recording. An alien-born woman when married to a Ihiiisli suhjeet bo-
canie thendiy naturalized. On tile '22d of Marcii the election regnlatioiisaet,
1S71, received tiie guvenior's signature, its provisions relating maiiil.\ to tlie
appointment and duties of returning otHcers, election clerks, and poll i leiks.
For text, SCO Act. i Le<jUL Coiiiidl,' B. ('., Xo. 13 of S.'flh Vht. Five days
later the Corrupt I'ractices I'revention act was jtassed, 'to prevent liiiljeiy,
treating, i nd undue inlluencu at elections of members of the legislature.'

■ i II ,'■

COLONIAL PROGRESS.

603

I f

career as a province of the dominion under tlic forms
lit' icsponsible government, and with a prospfct of
bocnming at no very distant day one of the most val-
iialilo of England'^ colonial possessions. Since tlio
ilosc ot the Douglas regime the financial status of
ilio colony had materially improved; her debt had
bjcii extinguished by the terms of the confedera-
tion, while her expenditure had been greatly reduced,
lliua])j)ropriation for the service of 1871 being 8347,-
53J, or some §25 per capita of the white population,
then estimated at about fourteen thousand, as against
8110 for 1803. Meanwhile, as we have seen, roads
liail been opened to the principal mining districts, and
public works had been pushed forward vigoi'ously.
Though slow of growth compared with other gold-bear-
iii;^' regions, in prosperity and industrial enterprise the
[iioviuce compared not unfavorably with many i>or-
tiuns of the Pacific coast. Her cereal crops rivalled
ill quality those of California, and her root crofjs were
not inferior to those of Oregon. On her pastures
wore raised sheep and cattle whose flesh was not ex-
allod in flavor by the stall-fed beef of Aberdeen and
the South-Down mutton of England. Manufactures
wore not inconsiderable, and were expanding year by
year.*'' The value of exports, including, besides gold,
twenty-one articles of home production, was estimated
lor 1870 at $1,848,803, and of imports at $1,005,800,
leaving a balance of trade in favor of the colony
amounting to $242,994.*' Labor was in fair demand,
at r;ites fully equal to those })re vailing in Caliibrnia;*^
and a thrifty mechanic could save from each day's
wao'cs the price of an acre of land.

"'Ill 1S71 tliere were in various piirts of the province 14 saw-mills, 11
il'iiniii:,' mills, ;{ brcweriea, .'1 distilleries, '2 tanuerius, 2 susli factiirie:^, a sliip-
Naitl, ail iiun-founJcry, a soap factory, and a beet-su^ar factory. Jl. ('. luforin.

J 'I- h'nri.i,:, ;j;j-4.

'■ l»iuiii^' 1871, 292 vessels entered the ports of ^. C, with an aj:i;rejrate
tMiiiia-i; (if i;!l,()'JO. Clearances luinibored 28."), tlioii tonua'^e bein;,' l_",l,8li4.

'"(',i;|ieiitL'rs were paid S3to6ta day; niasoiw, painters, plastuvi^. and
li'ii' li-iuillis, §;j.oO to §4; coopers, cabinet-makers, tinsmiths, and wiieol-
wiiuiii^, :?!; common laborers, $2..")0 a day; aud farm laborers. $20 to §40 per
iiiuuih, with board.

iKJ

(? .M-

604

UNION AND CONFEDERATION.

Not least amon^ the noticeable features in tin;
records o? tlie colonial authorities is their kimllv
ti'eatnient of the natives; and in later years t!ie nuiu-
ber and extent of Indian reserves/" which were selcctnl
not because they were uninhabitable by white luuii,
but with a view to the preservation of the diirnvnt
races, on sites well adapted to agriculture and gi.i/.in.:,
and well su[)plied with timber and water. In l>(]i)
the native population was estimated, as we have seen,
at 30,000,^" and in 1871 it was about the same num-
ber.''' At the latter date Indians were largely em-
ploj'^ed in the interior as laborers, herders, and laiin-
liands, those who understood how to treat them IkIh;'
glad, in return for their services, to feed and house
them, ]iaying them besides $20 to $30 per ni(»iit!i.
Some of them disj)layed ability as artisans; sonic were
engaged in placer mining on the Thompson and Frasir
rivers, and not a few had farms and cattle of their dwii.

''■"For location of reserves in 18U2-.3, sec B. C. fnd. Land Qiics/ioii, "Jd, 'JO-
30; for (Icseriptiou of Kaniloop, Shiishwap, uos 1 ami '_', Ailanis Ldhv. nvA
Lower I'raser iiiver reserves in ISOO, see Id., .'JS-'J, 41-.'), 47, r)4-7; foi'slati i
of ISon^iish reserve and list of other reserves in 18G9, /(/., G4-S, IC") (ill; iVr
lists, location, anil area in 1871, Id., 9J-0, 104-0; for correspondence rclaiiii,'
to reserves in 187.'i-."), i/ohc. Lcjlsl. Ann., 1875, app. 005- SO; for Hr/itCoii). Ex.
Co'oicv/ eoneerning reserves in 187"), Sesn. I'ajxr.i, Bril. Col., 1S7I>, pp. ■''7-7-.
lOo-.'i'JS; for papei 8 relating to reserves ill 1877, /</. 1877,483-4. Forims.'^i'U
on Xaas lliver in 1809, sec B. C. lud. Land Qni'.'itioii, 03. In 1873-4 .V.VI.OOO
wa.s appropriated by govt for the expenses of reservations. Id., lo4.

'"'See p. 7">, this vol.

^'{"liittenden estimates the Indian population of B. C. in 1882at Sj.OOO, the
llaidahs and Chinisyans being among themo.st populous tribes. Tranl^ in 11.
('. and J lanl.a, rj-13. For report on the condition of the Kootciuii Siji.ii!
Indians in 1883, see Scui. /'((^icc.f, B. ('., 1884, ]). 3"2"). The outnrc;il^s tluil
occurred among Indians before the gold discoveries were not, as we have h'H,
of a formidable nature. The more important ones that occurred Litci' iiave
already l)een mentioned. Sec p. 4'20-9, this vol. For Indian troubles at V;iii
couver Island in 1800, see Sacr. Union, Oct. 4, I8o0; for massacre of mimis l^y
Indians at Nicola River, .S'. F. Bulletin, Oct. 5, 1858; for Uiurders by Iiuiinni
in 1859, /(/., March 8, 18,59, Sacr. Union, 'Sov. 23, 1859; for depredatiiiiisainl
disturbances in 1870, S. F. Bnlhtin, Juno 13, July 13, Nor. 2.', '.'3, MiO; .V
F. Alia, Juno 1.3, July 3, 1800; Sacr. Union, June 21, July 13, 1800; t'oiuut-
rages in 1808, H. F. Alia, June 28, 1808. In 1872 there vas an ludi.ii ".!■
bre;di at the Forks, during which a number of white men were massacn il. //■.
July 23, 1872. In 1879 an uprising was feared in the Kamloops ilisuitt
among the Nicola Indians. For an account of this afTair, see Briii..h ( oV
lii.<t, Dec. 1.3, 14, 10, 13, 28, 31, 1879. For lud. murders in 1884, sec S. f.
C^dl, Jan. 12, 1884. Small-pox among lud., S. F. Bulli'tin, Jan. 22, Mp:
I'irtoria Chronkh', in Sacr. Union, Jan. 24, 1803; S. F. Timc.<, isept. 30,
1^08; .S". /'. Call, June 28, ISGS, Nov. 10, 1870. In the last of thesoyciuattto
thirds of au eutii'o tribe were swept away.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

1854-1872.

XnE Aki iiiPELAoo DE Haro — San Jua.v Island Occupied by ihe Hud-
sdv's Bay Company — Costoms Duks Demaniikd for the United
SiATKs — Cdmmissionees Appointed — Theiii AuorMKNT.s — Indian
TiiiHDLEs — The Affair of the Hoo— A Military Post Established

r.V (iKNERAL HaUNEY — ARRIVAL 01' I'ltlTISH MeN-OF-WAH— AnD OF

Tin: U. S. Steamer 'Massachusetts'— Fuotest of Douolas — IIar-
m:v's Reply — Landing of U. S. Troops— Casey's Trip to Esyui.
mai.t— Its Result — A Compiiomihe Offered by Lord Lyons — Atti-
T'liK of President Buchanan — General Scott Ordered to the
Tacific Coast — Negotiations— Harney Recalled — Arbitration and
Dix'isioN.

SixcE the treaty of 1846 the people of British
Citluiiibia and those of the United States had eacli
i'OL;ar<lcd the group of islands forming the Archipelago
do 1 [aro, lying between the continent and the .soulii-
crii (Mid of Vancouver Island, as belonging to them,
acroicHng to the first articles of that compact, which
ie;i(!s as follows: "From the point on the 49th paral-
lel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down
in existing treaties and conventions between Great
Britain and the United States terminates, the line of
Inuiiulary between the territories of her l^ritannic
Maji'sty and those of the United States shall be con-
tinued westward along the 49th parallel of north lati-
tiulo to the middle of the channel which separates
llic continent from Vancouver's Island; and thence
southerly through the middle of said channel, and of
Fuca Straits, to the Pacific Ocean; provided, how-
L'Vcr, that the navigation of the said channel and

(605)

606

TUE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY,

> t

sti'aits, soulli of the 49th parallel of north latituile,
rc'iiiaiii free and open to both parties."

A refiToneo to the map of this region shows a pas-
sago about seven miles in width between the arclii-
pelago and Vancouver Island, known as the Canal dc
Jlaro. I>ctwcen the islands ajjpear numerous small
])assagcs, and between the group and the mainland,
another channel less than half the width of Canal de
Haro, known as Rosario Strait, lying some distance

x^-v.

llir.h llaiA

SiwJii Pt.'-

Whitchorn Pt.K^ /..TirrW -^

•Ir.ll.r
. _ ^ . ... y " „ " '■" I.UTilml<v"^ — ?%/

r'^^X. /olis^^, ^,'h

i^'- sf%\J '

^ j FIDALQOU r

Partridgii Pt.\

Akchipelaoo de Habo.

to the east of the point in the middle of the ciKUinel
at the 49th parallel. The archipelago consists of San
Juan, as the Spaniards had named it — Bellevuo, as
the English called it — Orcas, Lopez, Waldron, Jilake-
ley, Decatur, Shaw, and several smaller islands.
The largest, San Juan, contains about 50,000 acres.'

*liept of 11. H. Crosbie, in //. Ex. Doc. 77, xii. 7, SOtk Conii., Id .Se^s.;

TTin

BEGINNING OF THE QUARREL.

C07

About the time that Fort Victoria was fouiukd,
;iii(l while the governincnts (jf C^reat Biitain and the
United States knew but little of the actual hydroi;-
mphy of the region, and were dibcussing the line of
actual boundary, the Hudson's Bay Company took
[tossession of San Juan, by ])lacing upon it a few of
tlicir servants in charge of their herds. On the otlu-r
liaiiil, the Ore<jon legislature, in 1852, or'mnized
Wliidbey Island and the Haro Archipelago into a dis-
trict called Island county, which became, by the divis-
ion of Oregon in 1853, a part of Washington.

In 1854 the collector of customs ibr Pugut Sound,
I. X. Ebey, first came in conflict with the Hudson's
Bay Company, the latter having recently imported a
largo number of s'.eep, cattle, horses, and hogs, and
]ilac(d them on the island of San Juan, for which
I'ustoms dues were demanded by the collector. Ebcy
found on the island Charles John Griffin, a clerk of
the company and a colonial justice of the peace, who
(■laiincd it as British territory, and who at once noti-
licd (:}overnor l^ouglas of Ebey's pretensions. Tiie
latter repaired to San Juan harbor in the company's
steamer Otter, brinu^ing with him the collector of
customs for the port of Victoria, Mr Sankster, who,
i^oing on shore, demanded Ebey's business on tlie
island, of '.vhich he was bluntly informed. Saidvstcr
then gave notice that he should seize all vessels and
arrest all persons found navigating the waters west of
liosiirio Strait and north of the middle of the strait
of Fuca. To this Ebey replied that he should leave
U[)i)ii the island a deputy collector of customs, who
would discharge his duty, and that he trusted no
persons would be so rash as to interfere with its
perfoi'mance. Sankster then suggested tluit ]']bey
should go on board the Otter and confer with Gov-
ernor DouMas, which invitation was declined. Sank-
ster then carried the British flag ashore, hoistin<jf it

Ohjm/.ia Transcript, July IS, 18GS; Milton's San Juan, 14-28; Sen. Doc. 29,
i., 4("'/i (Junij., 2d Stju-i., gooyrapliiual memoir, with maps.

COS

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

II: ^ !

over the quarters of tho company's servants, Ebey at
tlio same time lliiiufinjL? to the breeze the Unitixl Statt.vs
revenue IhiLT which he carried in his boat. 8aiik-(ir
then landed a boat's crow from the Otk'r, and |»i('-
pared to take up his quarters on tho island, ^vhil(!
Governor Douglas returned to Victoria. Ebev tlio
next inornin<3' swore in his deputy, Henry Wehhrr,
in presence of Gritfin and Sankster, and lel't (ho
island, fully expecting that Webber would bo arrested
and taken to Victoria.'^ A writ was indeed served on
him,^ but as he refused to obey, tho colonial author-
ities refrained from iiushing tho matter further.

The same year the jiroperty on San Juan Island
was assessed by the otKcer whose duty it was to np-
praise the property of Island county; but tho collec-
tion was not enforced until March 18, 1855, when tho
sheriff' of Whatcom etmnty, Ellis Barnes — San Juan
and the adjacent islands having been attached by tho
legislature of 1854-5 to Whatcom — seized and sold*
thirty or more of the sheep belonging to the Hudson's
Bay Company at auction.^ These proceedings caused
Governor Stevens in 1855 to address a communication
on the subject" to the secretary of state, who instructed
him that the territorial officers should abstain from
all acts on the disputed ground calculated to provoke

^Ohjmpia Pimicer and Don., May 13, \S'A.

'Tliu IJritisli coloniiii autlioritica, call the art'liijielago San Juan county.

* I am iui'a'litiMl to lOUvood Kvaiis for a valuaMo collection of iiiipcrs on the
'Northwest l>oun<lary between (ireat Dritain anil tlie L'niteil States,' in wliicli
I find, p. ;'i.'! 5, a statement of these occuirences. taken from tho lli'hnwii'i
Whiij of .July 19, ISOO, anil copied into liio Xalioital littelliije.nccr, Wasliiii;;-
ton.L). C.

» l''or this seizure the company subsequently presented a claim of ahoiit
$1"),000. Tile 1)111 made out hy (Jriflin was for 34 imported rams, which wcro
seized and sold, estimated to he worth S;!,?.")©. 'I'lic renuiinder was for lo-scs
sustained in con>:e(|iience of ShcrilF liarnes' violent acts in drivinj,' the slaip
into tho woods, and tho cost of collectin;; sueli as were not altogetliir ln^t.
The Anieiican authorities state that Oritlin himself caused the sheep to lie
dispersed in order to evade a seizure, and that those taken were a band wliicli
they foinid in a corral in a remote part of the island. The men who accoiii-
panied the slicritf were Mr Cullen, county counnissioncr and agent of the
I'uget Sound Coal Mining Company, E. C Fitzliu;4li, afterward lieut-eol of
volunteers and associate justice, and two others, who became purchaser.s, at
low prices, of the company's blooded stock. S. l'\ Alia, July 31, 1S(J3; JL
L'r. Dor. 77, it, oC/h Coikj.^ l.-t Scs^.

'See Wanh. Jour. Council, 1S.j4, 191.

-'■ ' \

JOINT OCCUPATION.

000

;s, El)cy at
lti;cl Stall's

SdllkstiT
', and |in'-
and, uliil(!

Ebcv the

V Weill MT,

d left tiio
bo arrested
I served on
lial autlior-
■ther.

Lian Island
was to a li-
the colKx'-
), when the
-San Juan
■hed bv tlio
.1 and sold*
lO Hudson's
ln<xs caused
niunicalioii
) instructud
ostain iVoni
to provoku

Juan county,
(jf piiiKji's ou the
StatL's,'in"liii;!i
the i;i'liiiioii4
eiiccr, Wiibliiiii,'-

claim of ;il'Oiit
iins, which wtro
or was tor lo.-sc9

viii;,' the s'.icip
altogcthti- liist.
the shcop to lie
•re a baiu! whicii
men who accum-
ul agent ot the
,-ar(l licut-iol of
o purchascis, at
ily 31, ItiOli; 11'

conillcts, "so far as it can be done without imidyinij
tile concession ot'an o\clusivo right over the |)reiniscs,"
and that the title ouj^ht to be settled before either
putty should forcibly exclude the other. He ])roni-
iscd, moreover, to notilythe British yovernnient, and
to have the boundary established at an early date.^
Drputy Colle(;tor Webber remained on San Juan
IsliMid only about one year, when fear of the nortlu^rn
Indians i'orced him to leave it. He was succeeded by
Oscai- Olney, whose stay lasted but a lew months inr
the same reason, and who was replaced by Paul K.
Hubbs. Each of these Americans was compelled at
(lillrrent tim(;s to seek the protection of ]\[r (jiriffin,
rkik of the Hudson's Bay Company, and British
inai^istrate on the islaua. This was always cheerfully
rendered, but the com})any never did anythini^ to pre-
vent the recurrence of these incursions from the nortli
(na^t, which tended to frighten away American set-
tlers.

The sheriff of Whatcom county continued reifulaily
to ini[)()se taxes on the island, but without ai.«:aiii en-
t'oreiiig their collection, until in 1859 they amounted
to ^'.);jr). The customs inspector pursued the same
foiii'se, merely taking account of the goods landed and
vessels arriving. In 1859 the Hudson's Bay Comi)any
had on San Juan Island, besides Grillin, eighteen

' MUton's Flan Juan hlaml, .')G-7. This compilation, made Ly Viscount
.Milton, anil published at a time wlicii the boundary (jucstion was alxnit to bo
eulmiitid to arbitration, ia valuable as a collection of documents, but as an
ar^'Uiiient is without force. The ailvantagu it claimed on the side of (ireat
lli'iiaiu \v,i3 in |iointinj} out the lilundcrsof American e.\plorcrs, who, by their
irruis, i;ave weight to till' British claim. For example, Fremont's maps are
aihliiced as proof, when FrcMiiont's ac<ni;iintancG with Tugct Sound was no
^rtater than Milton's, both being borrowed from other authorities, and thoso
y no means correct. According to . I ja/o'.fo/i'.s //i.^V. A'. IT. (\i«,^l, MS., ,";i-
"i Willus, in a private letter to him in ISU, gave an opinion which would
liave guue far in settling the ai'bitration in favor of (ireat Ihitain had it been
put ia evidence. The people w ho settled the country and explored every
iiwk and corner in canoes knew more aliout it than the .so-called cxidorcrs at
thut time could know; hence Lord Milton had but little to rest his juilgment
tiiwn. See Milton's .*?«)( Jitan W'dlfr lloniidavii Qiicxiion, London, IhOi). An
P.irl;tr work than .Milton's, ami lc>s valuable, is Helationsi beliremi iho Uaiti'tl
'Vri'cs 1111(1 Xorlhiccst Ufi/hh A inirirn, by .James W. Taylos', Washington,.
l!>IJ'-i a mere com)iilation, without judgment or force.
lilnT. lluir. Col. U'J

ill'
II'''

I ^ i

.«

iMO

THE SAN JUAX ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

servants, tlirce of whom only were white, and thcso
wore naturalized citizens of the United States, Tho
American settlers numbered twenty-nine, chiefly inou
who had drifted thither from the Fraser River minus,
or, not being able to reach that district, had decideil
to take land claims inf:'jad, the northern counties
of Washing^ton receivinfj about this time considerablo
accessions to their population from the same source.

The correspondence between the United States and
Great Britain, on the subject of the north-west boun-
dary, had led, in 185G-7, to the appointment of com-
missioners by each government, to examhie into or
furnish the data upon which the line should be drawn
throu<4li the straits east of Vancouver Island. Tin;
coniinissioners on the part of Great Brltam weiv
Captain Provost and Captain Richards of the Royal
Navy; on tlie part of the United States, Archibald
Campbell, assisted by Lieutenant John G. Parke and
George Clinton Gardner of tho topographical engi-
neers, and John F. Taylor and George P. Bond as-
tronomers. Prevost left England in JJecember ISaiJ,
in H. M. S. Satellite, arriving at Esqu.imalt harbor in
June 1857, Richards following in 11. M. S. Plumper,
which did not arrive for several months later. Tho
United States couimissioner had [)laced at his com-
mand the surveying steamer Active, and the ln'ii,'
l\iu)dle)'oy, and arrived at ^'ictoria about the sam')
time \\\t\\ Prevost, the first meeting taking place on
i)oard the Satellite, June 27th, when the commissioners
agreed as to their initial pr)lnt of survey.

At a meeting which took place in Semiahmoo Day*
in October, Provost stated that he had verified the
general accuracy of the United States coast survey
map of 1854, and would take this chart as the ono

• There is a inonumeut of iron on the north shore of Semiahmoo Hay i
feet liigh, 4.J inches scjuaro at tho top, and G inclioa square at tlio l«i^e,
placeil there to mark tho bonnthiry line. On tho njrth side are thu wouiJ
'Treaty of Washington, ' and on tho soutii side, 'Juno Lj, 18l(»,' Mi>r>:ci
W^i^h. Tfi:, MS., xxii. 10. See also li. Col. Shtrhcs, MS., •2i; Coinj. dloli",
lSr.5-(), ii., ap. 15-'23; Or. Anjii.-; Nov. '20, IS.Vi; //. Ex. Doc, xiii. lOU. ;wA

(/'oh;/., 3ll lSt'.^S,

rv.

to, and tliosG
States. Tlio
L\ chiefly mou

River mi lies,
, had decided
lern counties
! considemljle
arac source,
ed States ami
bh-west bouii-
iient of coiii-
niiiie into er
)uld be drawn
Island. Tin;
Britain wen'
A' the Royal
3S, Archibald
Gr. Parke and
aphical eiini-

P. Bond as-
ceniber 1S5G,
lalt harbor in
. S. Plumper,
s later. The
I at his com-
md the bri:;
)ut the saui'i
ving place on
onnnissioiicrs

I i ah moo Bay"
I verified the
coast survey
t as the ono

Scmiahmoo r>ay 4
quarc at the lia<o,
lide arc tUu wouij
IJ, 18Ui.' J/.'W'
1., '1\; CoiHi. dlol";
'Joe, xiii. 100, pth

A BOUNDARY QUESTION.

611

upon which the general line of boundary should be
determined, leaving the correct tracing of the line to
1)0 carried out by tlie surveying officers. But when
it came to the discussion of the treaty of 184G, Pre-
vost argued that the Rosario channel would answ(;r
the language of that instrument, while Canjpbell con-
tended for the Canal de Haro.

At a meeting which took place the 27th, Provost
fi)rinulated his views as follows: "By a careful con-
sideration of the wording of the treaty, it would seem
distinctly to provide that the channel mentioned should
jiossess three characteristics: 1st. It should separate
the continent from Vancouver's Island; 2d, It should
admit of the boundary line being carried through tlie
middle of the channel in a southerly direction; 3d.
It (-liould be a navigable channel. To these three
jieculiar conditions the channel known as Rosario
Strait most entirely answers." The arguments brought
icrward are too lengthy for even a review in theao
pajjfos, and are moreover immaterial.

Campbell's answer was, in substance, that the line
of boundary described in the treaty began at the
49tl'. parallel, in the middle of the channel which sep-
arated the continent from Vancouver Island, which
point was clearly west of the Rosario Strait. As to
the boundary line running continuously in a southerly
direction from thii point, or any other, that was im-
jtossible. If it followed the Rosario Strait it deflected
Well to the east, and when it came to the strait of
Fuca its course was north of west. The term 'south-
ei'ly' could, therefore, be used only In a general sense.
Rosario channel was not the main channel that sepa-
rated Vancouver Island from the continent, but one
wliicli separated certain islands from certain other
islands, as did another navigable channel through the
archipelago. And as to the navigabdity of the two
chaimels, they were both pronounced good; but the
Canal de Haro was, according to the latest surveys,
"tliu widest, deepest, and best channel," besides being

1^ i
J, ■ ,

wip

612

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

a much shorter communication between tlie ofulf df
Georgia and the Pacific Ocean than that by the w.iv
<jf llosai'io Strait.

This narrowed the discussions down to \vhat was
in tlie minds of the framers of the treaty when it wa.s
drawn u]); it being reasonably clear, from Campbrll'.s
j)oint of view, that the deilcction of the boundary line
f'nnn the 49th parallel was a concession intended t-i
avoid cutting off the southern end of Vancouvt r
Island, and thereby greatly injuring it as a Lrili.-h
possession, but one that did not give to that govern-
ment any I'ight over the archipelago to the east <!! il,
which belonged to the continent; and the language of
the [)lenipotentiaries was quoted in sui)port ui' i\\U
position.

Here was ui fact the whole of the argument; i\\h\
although it was long '!k'awn out in voluminous conv-
si)ondence, it never amounted to anything more. The
British colonial authorities brought forward the flaim
of priority of occupation, the Hudson's IJay Coi'ipaiiy
having kept th« 'r herd.s uj)on it ever since the i .--tal/-
lislnnent of Foi% Victoria iui 1843; but as the titaty
of 184G abandoned to the United States ail souili < t'
the 49th paralkl, except tlie southern portion of \ an-
(;ouver Island, it was claimed that prior oceujKiucv
could not aff'ect the title, although prior occu; aiimi
of an island in the midst of an archipelago const iuilcs
title in internati(^nal law. Two j'cars wei-e .^pr.il i:i
a discussion which terniitiated in nothing, ils lan.-t
noticeable result being that it strengtheiird ihc
feeling of American ownership among tliu people el
Puget Sound, and led to a settlement of Ann i i'lns
to the number of twenty-nine, as I li;i\i .aid.'' In
the mean time the survey was conipl -ted iVoin tin;
gulf of G^jorgia to the Columbia Kiver, aii<l iii«'
line marked by stone monuments at a (h.^iaine nt
twenty n»iles apart, a ti'ail being <ut thron-' tlio

* /■'ii.sv','! Sauri'iiir^, ISO-Ol. F<ir ii partiiinlar ncciniiit of tlie li'iuiidary .sur-
vey, 8Ub //. iJT. JJuc. 60, j-iii. H3, 40lh Coity., Jd 6tM.

the gulf (.f
by the way

■> M'hat Was
vhcii it was
Canipln'ir.s
undar} lino
ntendoil t-i
\ an'.-oiivri'
s a ]Jrili.-li
lat govrni-
cast (if ii,
laiiLiiuc'c (f
ort ui' this

iment; and

1U)US fOUV-

iioro. Till'
d the claini
y Coiu[Kiiiy
; the c>[-a\,-
tlio tri'atv

80Ul il ot

urn 1)1' \aii-

ocfU|i:iiii'V

occu;ia;iuii

const il;;li.s

■0 .--Jkm! i 1

;•, its ^H^-l:
lulifd ;i:

I lllM >| 111' I'l

.\lllrl ii-:l!is

.ai.l/' la

I I'li'lll llio

. ami till'
li.^l.alii'1 "f'

fllll'^'i till!
! UmiKiiii y sur-

INDIAN TROUBLES.

««

Iii'avy timber for the placing of iron monuments at
inti'ivals of (tne mile. During the progress of the sur-
vey the town of Seniiahmoo on the frontier sprang up,
as also a settlement at Point Roberts, and in tiie niin-
iiiLj,' region of the upper Columbia American Town,
(111 the head waters of Kettle River.

Utifore proceeding further with the story of the
San Juan difficulty, it will be necessary to refer to a
I'l'W incidents in which the affairs of Washington ter-
litni'v and of the Hudson's Bay Company are some-
what interminolod. The invasions of northern In-
(Hans were the great drawback to the occupancy of
San Juan, and of all that part of Washington border-
'avj; on the straits. At Rellino'ham Bay in 1855-6
H'le were but thirty white iidiabitants. To protect
tliemsL'lves, they had erected a bloek-liouse witli
haslions inside of a stockade, being furnished froni
till' United States vessels in the Sound with a howit-
zti- and detachment of twelve men to garrison their
little fort.'" Congress and the military authorities
\w\v more than once memorialized as to the defence-
less condition of the lower coasts of Puget Sound,
unlil. in 185G, General Wool amiounced his intention
ol' establishing a povst at Bellingham Bay as soon as
111' could spare the troops from the field. Accord-
iii^^ly. in the sunnner of 1850, when the war had been
liiuught to a close west of the Cascades, Captain
fjrectrgc P'ldiett was sent with a company of the Dth
iiilaiitiy to garrison a po.st alwut two and a half mili'S
iV'iiii the settler's block-hous<\ and ]\Iajor (ir, O. Ilaller
t I ' slablisli a post about the same' distance from I'ort
Tiiwnsend, with another io'idantry company. 'I'lieso
Were, however, mere specks (m the long lino of ex-
posed coast, and selrlom were the barbarities of the
savage pirates of vhe nortli either prevented or ]»un-
i li' d. The murder of T. N. Ebey in 1857, to which
I have referred in my History <J' Wasliimjiun, illus-

'" /.Wer'« Udllmjham Bay, MS., 21 -1.

11 I* m

li i;.;

G14

THE SAX JUAN ISLAXD DIFFICULTY.

trated the powcrlessncss of a handful of infantry to
deal with these dangerous foes.

The first official act of McMullin, who was ap-
pointed governor of the territory about this time,
was to visit Douglas at Victoria, and ascertain whetlicr
the latter would join in an attempt to take the guilty
individuals: but Douglas could do nothing wliich
might bring on a war with their tribe without (ii>t
obtaining the sanction of the homo government,"
and would not have wished in any case to involve
the company in a war with these sea-kings, who, like
the barbarous northmen of Europe, revelled in visions
of blood. McMullin had neither an army nor navv
at his command, and Ebey's death, with that of many
others, went unavenged.

San Juan Island lay directly in the route of the
northern Indians, who paid many unwelcome visits to
its shores, while on account of the then peculiar po-
litical situation of the island, no troops could be sta-
tioned there, nor any adequate defence of the settlers
be made. On the 29th of May 1859, the schooner
Caroline, Captain Jones, fell in with three large canoes
filled with northern Indians, evidently bent upon mis-
chief On being hailed and questioned as to their
destination, they replied they were going to Blunt or
Smith Island, where a light-house had been erected,
and where the only residents were the light-koeiur,
Vail, and his family. The captain of the schooner
immediately turned back and informed Vail of his
danger, urij^ing him to leave the i)lace without dolav.
This he did, going on board the schooner which sailel
for Port Townsend. But Vail's deputy, J. K. Apple-
gate, chose to remain. He barricaded the doors ami
windows of Vail's house, and prepared i'or dct'cine,
kn(jwing that help wt)uld be sent from Port Townsiml
at the earliest moment possible. Hardly had hi-^
preparations been completed when the Indians landed,

^'Olympia Pioiuer and Dnm., Oct. 10, 18.'j7.

.rui

APrLEGATK AND THE INDIANS.

615

1111(1 approached the house, onrlcavoring to induce
Ajiplcgato to leave it, which he declined to do.

In the mean time the schooner had run over to Port
Tinvnsend, and a volunteer company was quickly
jaisod,^^ which, placing itself under the command
of J^eputy Sheriff Van Valzah, proceeded to Blunt
inland, where they arrived the next morning, having
1)1(11 delayed by variable winds. The Indians, on
si'i iiiij the schooner about to land, ran to their canoes
with the intention of boarding her, but she put of!
Itolore the wind, and their design was frustrated.
TliLii, through their interpreter, they challenged the
voliniteers to fight, which the latter declined doing,
lieiiig only t^'v'enty in number, to eighty or ninety of
the natives. Their errand was simply to rescue
Applcgate if possible, whom they had little hope of
liiuling alive, but who had kept the Indians from
juicing an entrance to his lonely fortress througlu^ut
the nifjht. A landin*; was effected, and the Indians
de[)arted, ostensibly for Victoria, vowing vengeance
aj^uinst Captain Jones and a half-breed sailor who
hud lirst warned Jones of their desiij^ns. On the fol-
lowing day, however, as Applegate passed the tower
window in the light-house, he was shot at by a ])arty
of these Indians in ambush. He returned their fire,
iiiul wounded one of them, when they finallv left the
island." Vail brought his family back to their home,
but the feeling of insecurity was great, inasmuch as
th(j Indians had declared they were seeking revenge
l'(ir the hanging of three of their tribe at Port Towns-
end for previous umrders.

'J'wo weeks before the afliair of Blunt Island, a
iiit'(jting had been called at Port Townsend to con-
sider tlie best means of preventing the northern In-
dians, then on a visit to Victoria, from laudin<x at the
i(jniier [tlaco; aud it was resulved to gi\e notice to

'^Tlu3 (.••■•nipany iachideii three of tliu fuinous Chaiiman troupe uf i)lay-
acliirs, wl).. orosseii Cue plains, iiiul weio the lirst regular theatrical company
as 1,11- noixli anil wvttf. as tile Colunilna and I'liget Soiaul.

'^Letter <»f J. IL .\j>{ik>gate, in oli/inpia Plouptr and Dem., .June 17, lyj'J.

i i

616

THE SAX JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

thom that they would not be perniitted to visit T'nrt
Townscnd, coimiiittecs beiiiif ai)pointed to keep stiict
watch, and to use the best means iu their judnnieiit
for preventing their approach, while Major Ilaller was
requested to cooperate.'*

A crisis was, however, approaching which involved
the international as well as tiie Indian question. One
Lyman A. Cutler, who had located himself on San
Juan Island in April 1859, and planted a garden, was
nmch annoyed by the predatory habits of a hog he-
longing to the Hudson's Bay Company, and on tliu
15th of June he shot and killed the offending animal.
He then called Griffin and offered payment for it, but
tlie latter claiming $100, Cutler refused the denuuid.
On the following day A. G. Dallas, son-in-law of
Governor Douglas, with Tolmie and Fraser ot the
colonial council, arrived at the island in the comp;uiy's
armed steamer Beaver, when Dallas peremptorily
claimed the island to be British soil, and oidered
Cutler to pay tlie $100 or be taken to Victoria lor
trial. Cutler refused to do either, threatening to kill
any who should try to force him.^^

After this encounter Dallas returned with his party
to Victoria, when it was determined to place a magis-
trate on the island, and to arrest Cutler. Meanwhile,
as will be remembered, the Pacific coast portion of
the Hudson's Bay Company's territory had been

'*One iCHoIution of tlio meeting reveals the cause of their invasions as well
as the sociiil oonilition of tlie country: ' That all men having nortluTn wdiiiuu
In! notilicii that if tlicy ilo not, on or before the 1st duyof June, semi 11k:,s:iiiiu
out of the country, that legal action will he eoninieuced against tlu'ni, as 1 v
act pa.ss(!(l .lanuaiy 'J.H, IS.JT.' From this it appears that the legislatui- lia^l
founil it necessary to interfere with the j raotice of eohaliitiug Willi woincu ui
the liiitish Coluinliia trihes, wlierehy occasion was given to their mule :tw-
lives to viMt the Hcttleiiients.

' Tli».'« allair i-i diilercnllv represented by Milton, who says that Dallx- aii.l
Oi'itiin only lomoiistrated with Cutler, who threatened to shoot any oi er t i
the company's stock whicli should interfere witli him. S(ui Juan, ■J.>+-.'.
t)lhei' lii itish writers say that he threatened to shoot Dallas; hut the Aiiiuri-
can authorities and the deposition ot Cutler agree with the ahove //. .'.V,
iJov. Oo, ix. 5o, tliilU Coiiij., Isl Sens.: Jioder'x Uiiiinijlium Bay, .\6'>., .'ui— I;
Vrovn-'s I'nh. Life in Or.. MS., 08; J/orsft'.s »'a-/«. Tt-r., M.S., w l.">-10;
]>t'aii\i X,'ltl<-mi-iil. ■/ Vane. J.Jt; M.-i.. 11-12; American Utate Fut>^-, -IJU.
Cutler (iieU at Souuish settlement iu 1677.

A MILITARY POST.

617

visit TnTt
keep strict

1" jU(lL;-|llL'Ilt

liallur was

c'li involved

tion. Olio

elt' on Sail

pardon, was

il llOl^ 1)0-

Hid oil tliu
ing animal.
b for it, but
le demand.
:i-in-la\v of
Lser ol the
company's
runiptorily
id ordered
ictoria lor
linj,^ to kill

h his jiartv
;o a niagis-
iluanwliilc,
portion of
had been

ivasious as well
ortluTii u oriiuii
, send lluisaiiK)
st them, as liy
i'j,'isliitiiii' liail

iVltll WOllirll (jf

ui'ir niulc :eu-

bat I>alLt- and
)t any (i: ■t of
Juan, ■J.<4-J.
>iit till! Aniuri-
lImjvc /,'. .','jr.
y, .U«., :;;i-t;
S., .V I.V-IU;

declared British colonics. In May of this year the
American settlors at San Juan petitionetl General
Harney, the coniniander of the niilitary depai'tinent
ol' Oregon, to send them a small guard of twenty
soldiers as a prf)tecti()n against the northern Indians,
\\hi( h the general, with the usual reluctance of mili-
tary oflicers to credit the alarms of (dtizcns, withheld.
In the following Julv, however, being on a tour of
inspection of his department, and having paid a com-
iilimentarv visit to Douglas, he ran over to San Juar)
to see for himself the condition of the Americans,
and to take some notes concerning the value of the
disi)uted territory in a military j)oint of view, the
Jh'itlsh at this time terming San Juan the Cronstadt
(4' the Pacific and the key to the gulf of Georgia.
The settlers, taking advantage of their op[)ortunity,
addressed another {)ctitioa to Harney, asking for |)ro-
tcrtion I'rom tlu* natives, who a short time before had
committed several murders, and of whom they stood
in constant dread, "^ the petitioners taking occasion to
add that the island was United States territory, and
liiat they had a right to claim a sufficient military
I'oiee to prevent Indian outrages and encourage set-
llcuu'nt. At the same time the general was inlbrmed
;is to the atfair of the honf, anil that Dallas had come
in an aruiod vessel to take Cutler to Victoria. Alter
a week's retlection he decided that if the British au-
ilmi'ities could proceed to usurp sole jurisdiction of
dis])ate(l territor}', so could he. Accord'ugly, on the
l^Lli of July he issued an order to Captain Pi(dvett
h> transfer his comj)any from Fort Beilingham^' to
San Juan Island, and the steamer Massachas4'tts was

""Tlie petition was signed by J- M. Ha'.rjraret, Samuel McCauIy, J. l<j.
lli:';^ius, Chai'lea II. llulilja, L. A. Catler, Wiliiaiu liullcr, .1. I). Wancu, il.
\Vi,aituii, .Ir, Jnhii Witty". \\. S. Andrews, dulin Huiitir McKay, Noil l^iit,
Mic.Kiel 1'a.n is, Ciuorge 1'cik.ins, AleximiKir McUoiuilJ, rctLT .loiiiisoii, A?i^'ii9
M'lMuald, Wdlianrsmiih. Charles Mc^Kay, U. W. Oalces. Paul li. Iluljbs,
' . .uil I'aul Iv. liuhlis, Si'. Milfon'x *nj Jitriii Islnid, 'lTt~.

'• Fort ljcllin,;,diam was oBiahlishcd l^v Culuuel Ca.scy in iS.'iO, and was tlio
~' o;id estahiwiicd on thu S'^i-.J, Fort I'ownseud being located inmiedialely
a :.i- it. W'.ixk. Tci: SkHclie'-, H-^., 100-.'; ELdrid<jf's Sketch, Ms., liSJ; LUij'a
o^tint'd, Ms., iii. 49.

i I

M :'

Ji I .lii

018

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY,

sent to roinovc the troops and government property.
IMajor Ilaller'.s com})any was afterward ordered on
boai'd the vessel, which was to be employed whercvtr
the services of the men were required. On the •dTih
Pickett landed his command on San Juan, '^n'mj^
thr'oui,di the followinj^ fornmla: "1st. In compliaiici!
with orders and instructions Ironi the conunandliiif
general, a military post will bo established on this
island, on whatever site the commanding officer iiuiv
select; 2(1. All the inhabitants of the island are re-
quested to report at once to the commanding ollicir
in case of any incursion by the northern Indians, so that
he niay take such steps as he may deem necessai y ti)
]»revent any further occurrence of the same; 3d. This
being United States territory, no laws other than those
ol' tlie United States, nor courts except such as an;
held by virtue of said laws, will be recogniztd nr
allowed on this island. By (jrder of Captain J'iik-
ett." This document was signed by James W. ]u)V-
syth, second lieutenant in the 9th infantry, and post
adjutant.

It hap|>ened that the Satellite brought from Wc-
toria on the same day Major De Courey, whom Pn -
vost was to install as stii)endiary magistrate on ilic
island by direction of ]3ouglas. No magistratt; ui-
companied Pickett, although it has been so sditrd
by a colonial writer," Great surprise was felt by J)c
Courey, whose connnission was found to antedate the
arrival of Pickett by one day. It could not there-
fore be tlenied that the ct)lc>nial goveinment hail
intended to do what Pickett had done — establi>h
jurisdiction, notwithstanding the agreement between
the respective powers to leirain from such acts.

These occurrences caused a profound sensation at

"Doniild Frasor, ihciiiIht of tlio cxoontive council. On tho 'JOth, two
(lays iifU'r tlie military ncciiiiutioii, II. 1!. Crosliic, iiiagistrato of Wliiilniiii
coiintv, visittil Uio island out of curiosity, as did many others, and IiikIhi;^
au Knirlisli lua^'istrato thcio, icniaiiu'd to l)o useful to tlic American residcnta
ill case of an ufteiujit to aiicst Cutler, wliicii was expected. Hept of V.vm-
bio, in y/, Ej:. Doc. 17, SOtli Comj., Int Scss,

'tt!l!:!

!, li

RKADY FOli WAR.

610

t proj)(<rty.
ordered on
(I wlicrewr
)ii the -jrth
uan, n'oiiii^f
coijipliaticc
)nuii;uidlii(r
ed on llii.s
odicer luuy
uul arc ri-
ding olliccr
ans, sotliat
eccssary to
3; 3d. this
■thantiioso
iucli as an;
ogiii/cd nr
itaiii J'iik-
DS W. For-
j, and post

(Voni Vic-
kvlioni J?ii-
'ato on the
fistratc uc-

so stati'd
I'olt In- J)c
itedatc the
not thrrc-
MK'iit hail
—establish
it between
lets,
^nsatinii at

tlio 'JOth, two
! of Wliali'uin
[•s, ami liniliiig
ricuii rosiilciita
liept of C'rus-

VIeioria. Two war vessels, the Tribune, a tliirty-guti
lri;4ate, and the Plumper, were ordered t(^ join iho
S'llr/litc at San Juan, to prevent the landing of more
I'liited States tro(jps, while the Pleiades wa.s sent to
San Francisco with despatches for England. On tbe
oOth GriiKn notified Pickett that the island was the
|)r()|)erty of and in occupation by the Hudson's ]]ay
('(iiiij)any, and requested him to leave it with his men.
•Slioulil you be unwilling to comply with my re-
quest," he added, "I feel bound to ap[)ly to the civil
authorities." Pickett replied that he did not ac-
knowledge the right of the Hudson's Cay Company;
that he was on the island by virtue of an order from
liis g(jvermnent, and should remain until recalled by
the same authority.^' This reply of Pickett's was not
.stiictly true, though he may have so construed the
Mtuation. He was on the island by order of General
Ihirney, his superior officer. Upon receiving Griilin's
notice to leave, Pickett wrote to Colonel Casey at
J'oi't Steilaeoom, that the attitude assumed by the
lliKlson's Pay Company was threatening, and re-
• jiicsted him to send the Massachusetts at once to San
-liiaii. "I do not know," he said, " that any actual
inliision will take place, but it is not comfortable to
lie lying within range of a couple of war steamers.
The" Tribune, a thirty-gun frigate, is lying broadside
to our camp, and from present indications everything
leads me to suppose that they will attempt to prevent
my carrying out my instructions."

yh\ the 31st Pickett was reenforced by anotlu-r
I'oiiipany from Port Steilacoom, the Massachusetts
I'otiviiying them to San Juan, together with camj)
t'liuipage and all necessary tools I'or constructing
(lUat'ters, besides a few hf)witzers. Prevost now has-
tened to San Juan to hold an interview with Camp-
l)ill, who was absent. From Pickett he learned,
howtjver, that he intended to obey orders, woidd pre-
vent the landing of any inferior force, light any equal

'• Miitoii's San Juan Jdand, 202.

-i -1

620

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

force, .and protest ar^ainstany .su|)orior force of Tlrit-
ish troops l)cing placed on the island, the proposiiiun
lia\in;^' boon made of a joint military occupation l)V ;ui
cijual number of troops of l)oth nations, and I'tjecti'il.
Tlie captain could well afford to assume this position,
Ibr lie was aware that the American po|)ulati()ii of
Victoria, outnumboi'ino^ five to one the available J]iit-
isli foi-ce, and more skilled perhaps in the use (jf aims,
would rally to his aid, and were indeed already in
connnunication with the island.

Douglas now issued a proclamation protesting,'
against the invasion, and declaring that the sover-
eignty of tlie island was and always had been vested
in (Jreat Britain. ^° Armed with this demand, on
the 3d of August Captain Hornby of the Trihunc
and commissioners Prevost and Kichards sought a
second interview with Pickett, in which tliov
again urged the joint occupation of San Juan by an
equal force of both nations, and the establishninit
of military rule thereon until the boundary ([Ueslion
should be settled by their respective goveniiii''iit.s.
To this Pickett replied that he had no autliority to
make such an arrangement, and suggested that ihev
might refer the matter to Governor Douglas and
General Harney. He assured them that any at tempt
to land a British force on the island before an ar-
rangement was made would bring on a collision,
which it was desirable to avoid, and advised theia tn
remain in their present position until instruction-i
were received from those in authority.

Innnediatcly after this interview Pickett wrote
to Adjutant-general Pleasanton at Vancouver, ot
all that had taken place, and asked that instructions
bo sent him. The adjutant replied that Geiieial
Harney approved of his course, and told him to allow-
no joint occupation. In answer to Douglas' protest,
Harney addressed a communication to him, of which
the following is part: "As the military comnuuid'^r

»»See Ulympia Club, MS., 9-10.

I III

! M i!

UAIIXEY AND DOUGLAS.

621

■CO of V>ni-
ir()|)(».sitiuii
atioii l)_v iiii
1(1 rt'jt'ctcil.
i.s posiiiiiii,
)uI;iti(Mi (if
ilal)l(j JJiit-
>iO of anus,
already in

protest I 111,'
the sovcr-
leeii ve.sleil
emaiid, on
10 Trihi.iiu'
i sought a
licli tliov
nan liv an
iblisliuu'iit
y c[ue.sli()ii
/ernini'iils.
jtliority ti)
that they
)Uglas aihl
ly ai.ti;iii[)t
tore ail ar-
\, collision,
■d them to
istructioii.s

cott wrnto
>c(juver, of
istruetioiis
t General
in to allow
is' protest,
, of which
ouunaiid''r

of the department of Oreg(jn, assigned to that coni-
uiaiiil by tlio orders of tho jircsident of the United
States, I have the honor to state for your information
that, by such authority invested in me, I havo
|ila(od a military eonunand u|)0ii tho island oi' Sau
Juan to protect the American citizens residing on that
island i'rom tho insults and indignities which tho ]]rit-
ish authorities of Vancouver Island and the establish-
ment t)f tho Hudson's IJay Company recently oll'ered
tliein, by sending a IJritish shi[) of war from Vaneou-
vci' Island to convoy tho chief factor of the Hudson's
jjay Comj)any to San Juan for tho jjurpose of seizing
and ibreibly transporting him to Vancouver Islam!,
lo be tried by British laws. I havo reported this
iitteinptod outrage to my government, and they will
iloLibtless seek the proper redress from tho British
(roviTumont. In tho mean time I havo the honor to
iiit'orm your Excellency 1 shall not permit a repetition
of that insult, and shall retain a command on Sau
Juan Island to protect its citizens, in the name of tho
United States, until I receive further orders from my
j^nnernment."'"*

To this Douglas replied that he was glad to find
that tho i^eneral was acting under orders from tho
president, and not by positive authority from tho
cabinet; denying that any British ship of war had
been sent to San Juan to seize an American citizen;
assorting that the Hudson's Bay Company's officers
exercised no official power or authority, but declaring
tlioin as entirely distinct from the officers of tho
exeouLivo government as any other inhabitant of Van-
couver Island; alleging that no outrage had been com-
mitted on an American citizen, and no attempt had been
made to arrest one and take him to Victoria for trial. '-'-

"llanicy committed an oversight in giving this as the solo reason for
platiii.; troops on the island, but this he afterward attributed to his iudig-
lutiiJii ill view of the circumatancts of the attempted arrest of Culler. It
mailc Ills Htateuiunt differ from i'iekett's.

■'-('idshic in Ids report in //. Ex. Doc. 77, 5-6, SGth Coiirj., Ixt Si.i^^., eays
tliat Uouglas' letter isiucorreet on two (loiuts; that although it wms the Ucmvr
aiiu uut a mau-of-war which brought Dallas to the island on the occudion re-

1 ! I

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WEBSTER, NY. 14S80

(716) 872-4503

022

THE SAN JUAN ISI.AND DIFFICULTY.

Having made this denial of Harney's accusations, lie
called upon him, if not as a matter of right, at least
as a matter of justice and humanity, to withdraw tlio
troops stationed on San Juan, their presence still
further complicating the question of sovereignty, and
being calculated to provoke a collision between two
friendly nations. But Harney replied as Pickett had
done, that the step having been taken, he would nnw
await the expression of the president's pleasure in tho
matter."*

During the progress of this correspondence, Harney
on the 7th of August ordered Casey to reenfoico
Pickett, and also wrote to the naval officer in com-
mand of the Pacific squadron a request to send vessels
to Puget Sound for the protection of American in-
terests thereabout. On the morning of the 9th Casey
left Fort Steilacoom with his whole command, cnn-
sisting of three companies, and with howitzers and
fifty tons of ammunition, on board the passenger
steamer Julia. He was met by the surveying steamer
Active, commanded by Captam Alden, who advised
him not to attempt to land his troops on the island,
as it would be likely to bring on a conflict, the Trihuw.
lying broadside to the landing with her fires banked.
Nevertheless Casey, somewhat imprudently if not

furred ^o, Mr Dallas was at that time, and had Tieen for some titno previous,
a member of the executive council, as was also Mr Donald Fraser, v.'ho aci-oiii-
paniud him; and tltat immediately on their return without their ititciiiUci
prisoner a niajjistrate for the island M-aa determined on, and Mr Giiliiu
directed to lodge a complaint against Cutler, not only on tho ground of kill-
ing the hog, but as a trespasser upon lands belonging to the company, of which
Dallas was a director. The arrival of De Courcy as magistnito soon aficr
coutirms Crosbic's statement, as do the alHdavits of Paul K. llubba niid L.
A. Cutler, in //. Ex. Dot: G<'t, ix. S3, Stilh Comj., lul Sens. Sco also stutcmeut
of Caiitain Aldcn concerning an American, R. W. Cussans, who was forcid ta
al)au(i(in his improvements on Lopez Island, and who was ordered, after ]iay-
iug for a license to cut timber, to clear his vessel at the Victoria custoin-huuiie,
iVrt. Doc. 29, i. 87, SOth Conr/., Sd Sexn.

•* Miltaa'g San Juan Inland, 27.V8. Harney was in error concerning
(bome minor matters. For instance, he says that when Douglas heard of tlia
tn-ival of PickettV command on the island he appointed a justice of tho peace
and utiier civil authorities, ana sent tiiem over oa the Plumper to cxucuto
British laws on tiiu island; when tho truth was, as I have previously stated,
the magistrate was coinmiHsioued ono day before Pickett's arrival, and cuiiio
over in tiic commissioner's steamer, the flateUUe, instead ot tho Plumper, a»
Uarney stales. Pui/tt Houtul tltiald, Aug. fi, 12, and 20, 18J0.

a:,!

.TY.

-ccusations, lie
right, at least
withdraw tlio
presence still
^ereignty, and
between two
IS Pickett had
he would now
leasuro in tho

lence, Harney
to reenforco
fficer in coni-
io send vessels
American in-
the 9th Casey
animand, con-
lowitzers and
.he passenger
eying steamer
who advisetl
)n the isliuitl,
t, the Tvihiinc
fires banked,
lently if not

some time previous,
Fraser, v*'ho aci:oiii-
out their iutciidiil
n, and Mr (Jrilliu
the grouud of kill-
company, of which
igistrato sooa iittcr
K. llubba ami L,
See also stiitcnieut
, who was forctil to
ordered, after pay-
toria custoin-huuse,

1 error coiiceruing
}uglaa heard of tlio
justice of tho peace
'lumper to exccuto
I previously stutod,
I arrival, aud came
oi tho Plumpei-, m
850.

ALMOST A BATTLK

623

impudently, landed his men under the frigate's guns,
tliiis throwing on the British officers the responsi-
bility of beginning hostilities, though, as he relates,
"ho fully appreciated the terrible consequences of a
hostile collision with his quasi enemy, which would
probably bo no less than involving two great nations

m war,

"2*

There were on service in Puget Sound, according
to Harney's statement, five British vessels of war,
with IG7 guns and 2,140 men, of whom GOO were
marines, or of the engineer corps; and, reports the
general, "this force has been employed from the 27th
day of July until the 10th day of August — the day
on which Colonel Casey with reunforcements reached
tho island — in using every means in its power, except
opening fire, to intimidate one company of infantry
hut sixty strong. The senior officer of thes*^ British
ships of war threatening to land an overpowering force
upon Captain Pickett, ho nobly replied that wMiethor
they landed fifty or five thousand men his conduct
would not be affected by it, that ho would open his
tire, and if compelled, take to tho woods fighting."'"
Tiiis statement of General Harney's must be taken
with due allowance. There is little doubt, however,
that Pickett intended to fight, and would, when joined
hy Colonel Casey's command, have opened fire on
the British had they landed. Ho would then have
retired to a strong position in tho mountains, where
he could hold them in check until the arrival of further
rcenforcements.

Finding the aspect of affairs somewhat serious,
however, the colonel sent an officer on board the
Tribune^ requesting that Captain Hornby would call
on him with a view to a conference. The captain
thought it would have been in better taste had the
colonel called on him; nevertheless, he returned a
courteous answer, and after despatching his business,

" Caney'H Rept, in H. Ex. Doc, S6th Cong., Jst Sesit., ix., no. 65, p. 30.
» Alilton'a San Juan /stand, '292; V. I. lirUUh ColonUt.

!■

tj I

. . i .1

, !■:

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

repaired to the camp, in conipaii}' with Piovost and
Campbell. Casey asked for the oflicer hi_i;Iiest in
command, and wliere he was to be found, antl was it-
ferred to Admiral Baynes, then on board the llag-sliij)
GaiKjen at Esquimalt. The next day, accompaniid
by Captain Pickett and the American conuuissioiici,
the colonel steamed over to Estjuimalt on board tlio
Shuhrich; and, per favor of Pickett, who, as he savs,
was courteously received, Douglas bein<^ also prestiit,
sent a note to the admiral desiring his presence, with
a view to a conference. The request was declined,
the admiral remarking that he slu)uld be most ha]i]iv
to sec the colonel on board the (lag-shij). "I was dt'
the opinion," writes Casey, "that I had carried < ti-
quette lar enough in going tvv'enty-five miles to see a
gentleman who was disinclined to come a hunihed
yards to see me." Thereupon he returned in dutlgeoii
to San Juan, and in his report a few weeks later ac-
cused Hornby of lying. ^* Harney, when infoiiiied
of Casey's visit, disapproved it, and the colomd wa^j
naturally mortified at the result of his attempted me-
diation.

It is admitted by British authorities that Doui^las
had ordered a lantling of troops,'^' but the admiral iv-
i'used to do anything that might provoke a collisidii,
and especially to take advantage of an ini'erior \\)V(v,
even withdrawing his squadron, and keeping, merely
f(ir show of occupation, a single vessel at a tini(> in
the harbor of San Juan,^"^ although, after the an'ival
of the Mdssiic/uisctts, the Americans built a rcdouitt
near the Hudson's Bay Company's station.''"' For this

TrtJ«(7/'» Ri-pt, in //. Ex. Dor., SGlh Cong., 1st Sens., ix., vo. G'>, .Tl, CA
Miiodonalil, AV/7. Vol. nwl Vaiic /.</., '2.")8, says tli.it Hornby, tlioiiyli nmlir
pnmtivo instructions from Douglas to dcoluro wax (it onco, toolt on liiniscJ tlio
ri'S)i(inHiliility of ileliiying the execution of liis orders until tl)c arrival uf the
ailniiral, wiio wa« daily expected.

" See MiUon's Snn Juan (Jnrgtion, 284; Miuilonald'j /?. C. and IVnc. Iii,
2.VS.

'" The Trihnvf was relieved by the SntellUe, and the latter by the I'li iaden.
Overliiiiil Mnulhly, ii. '1\\.

"Tlie earthworks extended on tlio west water-front ."J.'iO feet, on the son! Iv-
east 100, ou the vatit 100, and on the uorth-cast 150 feet, the uorth side \" »'i

I 1

NEGOTIATIONS.

620

line of conduct, though acting in disobedience to orders,
Bayncs was complimented by the British govern-
ment.'"

• I']

It;

On the day when Douglas issued his protest he
addressed a inessajje to the colonial legislative council
and assembly in extra sessim, in which he reiterated
liis belief in the right of Great Britain to the archi-
pelago lying west of Rosario Strait. But owing to
the condition of Victoria at this period of her history,
the town being about as much American as English,
many Californians and Oregonians having purchased
jiroperty and entered into business there during the
lieiglit of the Eraser River mining rush, compara-
tively little impression was made by the governor's
proclamations, the interest on the British side being
conlined chiefly to official circles.

^leanwhile the commissioners could not agree, and
the governments of Great Britain and the United
States were in correspondence, endeavoring to come
to a satisfactory understanding as to their rights — an
ini])()s.sibility, since both claimed exactly the same
thing."' On the 24th of August, however, Lord
Lyons, minister at Washington, received a despatch
from the foreign office, instructing him to olfer a
c(»ni})r()mise, adopting as tlie line of water boundary
between Vancouver Island and the continent a passage
between Rosario Strait and the Canal de Haro, run-
left open, witli the garrison grournl in its rear. Tho cinbaniiincnt had .a base
ut ttti'uty-live feet, nml a witltii at top of oiyht feet. Inside of tlie redoubt
Wit ; live gun -platforms of eartii, reaciiing to witliin two feet of tho level of
the i);ira[)et, eaeli twelve by eighteen feet, two of them being at corners of
the R'doubt. The parapet was seven feet above tho interior, and the slnpo
of tlic ijiterior tv-alve to fifteen feet, the exterior slope being twenty-five to
forty fi'L't, with a ditcl> at the bottom from three to live feet dot p. Morse'H
ll'".s/i. Tor., MS., XV. 44-"); ['. I. BrilUh Cidotnxt. On tho '21st of August
• iovcinor ijholson addressed a communication to t.cneral Harney, in whicli ho
iufuniiL'd him that there were less than 2,000 stands of arms in Washington,
and th.it there was not a shot, shell, or cartridge for any of them. Suppiica
Wire sent to I'ort .Steilacoom, subject to the order of the governor.

'" Milton'x Sail Jiian QiieHtioii, "284. This author intimates that Douglas
hail not at thi.i time the full powers of a British colonial governor. Mucdon-
thl talics ii (lilFerent view.

".l/KKi/.t DrU. Lr'tin., x. 144-5; V. I. liriU^h Culonint.
liiur. Uhit. Col. iO

lii

628

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

ning through the middlo of the archipelago, which
boundary would give Orcas and Lopez islands, the
two largest after San Juan, to the United States.
This concession Lord Lyons thought would fulfil the
terms of the treaty, though the channel was inferior
in sonic respects to the others;*" her Majesty's gov-
ernment being willing for the sake of peace to re.sin;n
its claim to three islands, though maintaining its
right to all. At the moment this offer was made the
intelligence was received at Washington of the occu-
pation of San Juan by an armed American force.

Harney first wrote to army headquarters on tlic
subject on the 19th of Jul}', but for some reason his
letter was delayed, and does not appear to have
reached the commander-in-chief until the 1st of Sep-
tember, the latter sending it to the president; but
the newspapers got hold of the information, and in
this way Lord Lyons and other statesmen obtained a
knowledge of it, when there was profound agitation
in diplomatic circles.

President Buchanan directed Acting Secretary of
War Drinkard, on the 3d, to say to General Hariicv
that although he believed the Canal de Haro to be
the true boundary between Great Britain and the
United States, yet that he had not anticipated so de-
cisive a step being taken without instructions; that it
was not customary to disturb the status of territory
in dispute between friendly nations while the question
was pending before a joint commission ; but if the
gene/al had good reason to believe that the cobjiiial
authorities of Great Britain were about to do so by
assuming jurisdiction over the disputed territory, he
was right to anticipate their action, and the president
would wait for further details before expressing ar)y
opinion.

Upon the 5th Lord Lyons held an interview with

*' Thia third middle passage was used by steamers daring the Fra«er River
gold excitement, and surveyed by the Active, after which it was iianiud, but
Capt. Ricliards renamed it Plumper Pass, and aa such it was offered to the
United .States oa a boundary— a narrow channel between islands.

iterview with

SCOTT IN Pt/OET SOUND.

627

Mr Cass, when he vas informed of the contents of
Harney's despatch. On this occasion Secretary Cass
notHied Lyons that while the actual status should
bo maintained, no orders had been sent to withdraw
the United States troops, but that they were to con-
fine themselves to the protection of American citizens.
Lyons understood this to mean that Harney was "by
IK) means to take possession of San Juan, or set up any
jurisdiction there" — a construction which Cass took
pains to disavow before the London mail left the coun-
try. In the mean time further despatches had been
sent to Washinjvton, with full explanations of the
orij^in of the difficulty, the depositions of citizens, the
orders of Harney, and the proclamations and corre-
spondence of Douglas. So warlike did all these indi-
cations appear, that the president felt constrained to
order General Scott to proceed to the Pacific coast,
and inquire more particularly into the causes of Har-
ney's action. The adjustment of affairs was left to
him, the instructions of the secretary of war being
merely to preserve peace and prevent collisions until
the title to the Island could be determined between
the two governments; it being suggested that during
tlie intervening period a joint occupancy might be
permitted, in which American citizens .should be
jilaccd on an equal footing with British subjects.

After an interview with Harney ''and Pickett at
Vancouver, Scott proceeded to Puget Sound in the
mail steamer Northerner, and took up headquarters on
board the Massachusetts, addressing a letter on the
25th to Governor Douglas, and proposing as a tempo-
rary arrangement that separate portions of the island
should be occupied by an equal number of troops of
eaeh nation, not to exceed one hundred, for the pro-
tection of their respective countrymen in person and
property. But Douglas, who, notwithstanding his

" It was said that when Harney expressed a hope to Scott that matters
might bo allowed to remain as they were, Scott testily replied, ' We both have
our Kupcriors.' He then proceeded to show Harney that he was his superior.
EvaiM^N. W, Boundary, 20.

'•! !

■ i ^

. I- ' ,

. ; »■

'If. ■ 1 1

.i *
:j 1

.^!ii

. ■ jl ! i.

1.
1

.^'i

iillf

M'i

l.j

i!^

f''

,. i

1 1

I 1

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

disavowal of any collusion between the Hudson's D.iv
Company and the colonial authorities, intoiulod that
the Ibrnier should own San Juan, and who did not
really desire the home government to become too
much concerned in the military value of tiie Islainl,
disapproved of a joint occupation, and expressed his
desire to have the order of civil magistracy restored,
remarking, as to the protection of the inhabitants, that
"the principal protection that may be required isiVotii
dissensions among themselves, and not against hostile
Indians, from whom I do not apprehend there is tin;
sli<i:htest danger of molestation;" and further reiniii<Iiil
tlio jjenoral that the sole reason furnislied in llariicx '.;
correspondence with himself for placing troops on tlif
island had been that he wislied to protect citizens of
the United States from the indignities offered Iht m
by the British authorities, of which they .stood in no
danger.** His final argument for not accepting Sn di's
proposition was that the general was an accnulit ■ 1
agent of the government of the United States, win ii -
as he did not occupy that position toward the gov i iii-
ment of Great Britain.

To this Scott replied that his government liad not
authorized him to evacuate San Juan; and to him it
was apparent that if a magistracy could be legally
established on neutral territory, it could not be nuulo
subject to the orders of any military officer, nor eve i
to the direct control of the president, and therel'o.v it
would not bo discreet at this juncture to intrust - ui'a
an officer with matters affecting the peace of nut ions.
"Besides," he continued, "I have adopted the ini-
pression of my countrymen generally on this froiilicr,
that the few citizens settled on San Juan Islaiul,
though like all other American pioneers, brave, an I
possessed of effective weapons for defence and utuuk.
do in reality stand in need of troops for protection, not
only against predatory bands of Indians coming iVoui
foreign parts, but also from such bands residing within

»• Milton's San Juan, 327-9; //. Ex. Doc 66, ix. 66-7, SGlh Cony., Id Sett.

Ifllwl

SCOTT AND DOUGLAS.

639

our own limits;" and further that he had just come
fi'Din Bullinj^ham Bay, where an attack had been 'iiade
duriiiyf the summer, and again threatened, a detaeh-
niciii having been recently sent from San Juan to the
town of Whatcom.

Thus showing Douglas that he entertained Ameri-
can and not English sentiments, with his reasons
tliLrefor, Scott submitted a [>roject for temporary
yettlcment, which he requested his Excellency to con-
sider, declaring that he could see no other principle
wlitreupon a present adjustment could be made.

The reply of Douglas was that ho could not con-
sent to a joint military occupation without the sanc-
tion of his government;^' that he was authorized to
maintain but not to make treaties, and that he did
not think it advisable to anticipate the action of Great
Britain; that protection against all ordinary danger
to residents on the island could be fully attained
without mihtary occupation. Moreover, tiie expedi-
ency of affording protection to persons settling on
(lis]»uted territory might be questioned; on that sub-
ject his instructions left him in no doubt with refcr-
enee to his colony; "protection could not bo afforded
to persons who, by wandering beyond the precincts of
tlio settlements and the jurisdiction of the tribunals,
voluntarily expose themselves to the violence or
treachery of the native tribes."

Whether this was an order of the home govern-
ment, the governor did not say; but it reminds one
forcibly of the accusations brought by the early Ore-
f,fon settlers against the Hudson's Bay Company, and
the remark made by some of them, that it was fortu-
nate fur the first immigrations that AIcLoughlin and
not Douoflas was in command.

Douglas denied that the colonial authorities had
committed any act in violation of existing treaty stij)-
ulations, or had been guilty of discourtesy toward the

'-"'I'licre were some Hudson '8 Bay Company men who agreed with Scott.
See Hi-collediom, MS., 30.

1 M

". i

j i

630

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

United States government, but said tliat they had
exhibited a degree of forbearance which cntitlod
them to every confidence; and again ho urged tlio
withdrawal of the trooj>8 from tho island, when liu
promised that the naval force in the harbor should bo
removed, at the same time assuring Scott that tbeio
was no intention on his part to dislodge by force tho
troops in possession, without orders from tho home
government.

This assurance Scott accepted. Being persuaded,
he said, that the cordial relations existing between
the two governments precluded the probability nf
war, he would at once order the number of troops on
the island to bo reduced to one company of infaiitrv,
and enclosed such an order to Douglas on tlio 5th ot
November. It was his first intention to leave Pickett
in command; but fearing lest there might be a preju-
dice against this reckless officer, in whose honor tliu
fort on San Juan was named, another company under
Captain Hunt was substituted, and Pickett was .sent
to Fort Bellingham; not that Hunt was less fearless,
but that he was possessed of more prudence and coui-
tesy, and had not given cause of offence. On tlio
departure of Scott, however, Pickett was at once re-
instated by General Harney.

The withdrawal of the United States forces, except
one company, could not be complained of, especially
as the governor was invited to place a company on
the island, Douglas replying that he should tako
pleasure in reporting this action to the home gover"-
ment, which, he doubted not, would accept it as proof
of a desire of the United States to restore the former
status of the islands; and expressing a hope that llio
commander-in-chief would direct his officers to ab-
stain from all acts provocative of conflicts, or from
attempts to exclude British subjects by force, or in
any manner interfere with them;'** and on his part lie

•'This caution arose from the arrest of William Moore, a British siiljject,
for selling liquor on the isiland, which wua forbidden. Moore, aftur bviiig

TWW

•Y.

lat they liad
lich entitled
10 urjjfed tho
,nd, when lio
jor shoul(J bo
.t that theio
by force tlio
m the hutue

^ persuaded,
ing betweon
robability of
of troops on
■ of infantry,
n the 5tli ot
eave Piokitt
t be a proju-
e honor tho
mpany under
:ott was sent
less fearless,
ice and coiir-
ce. On tlio
3 at once re-

brces, except
of, especiully
company on
should tako
ome gover"-
pt it as proof
e the former
ope that tho
icers to ah-
icts, or from
force, or in
1 his pa it lie

B Britisli siibjeot,
loore, after being

GENERAL HARNEY.

would enjoin upon the British authorities the same
abstinence from exclusive jurisdiction.

Scott replied that he should direct the American
oflieer in command not to permit the territorial func-
tionaries to interfere with any British subject on the
ishuid while it was in dispute; but should add the
further instruction, that if a British subject disturbed
the peace, or sold strong liquor to American soldiers
without leave from their commander, that officer
must represent the case to tho nearest British author-
ity, asking for the removal of the offender; and if
he should return to the island without pern)ission, the
officer must expel him without further ceremony."

Tins ended the correspondence between Scott and
Douglas. By withdrawing the main force and the
batteries from Fort Pickett, the former had left
(jreat Britain to take the initiative in any future hos-
tilities, but without yielding any rights or nsaking
any binding concessions. Scott was made aware, be-
fore leaving Washington, that the British government
would demand the removal of Harney from the Ore-
gon department; and the president, reluctant to re-
lieve from his command a popular officer, though one
whose excessive zeal in the interests of the people and
the government had almost involved the country in a
war, had suggested reuniting the departments of Cal-
ifornia and Oregon, whereby Harney would, without
prejudice to his standing, be forced to take a com-
mand in some other part of the United States terri-
tory. But Harney, not at first perceiving the motive
of the commander-in-chief, placed before him strong
ari,ainients against throwing the two departments into

put to work in the trenches for half a day, was tried before Justice Crosbie
and tinutl, according to his deposition, $75. II. Ex. Doc., ix., no. Co, pp.
(ii-l, SGlh Colli/., Id Sets. Thu case fully illustrated tlie trouble that would
arise from a divided jurisdiction.

'■.SV». Doc. 10, Ij, v., SCth Cong., 1st Sess.; II. Er.. Doc., Xi-l^—Mess.
anil Dor. ]il i. — 36th Coiitj., Ixt .SVss.; Id.,}il it., 3!)-90, 577; llowse Jour.,
144.5, SOlhCoiifj., iKl Sean.; Sen. Jour., lOliO, 36th Cony., let Seas.; U. Ex.
Doc. 2'J, 8-10,'22-9, 37-03, Sutk Comj., 2d Sess.

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632

THK SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

one, and cited tho condition of the country when the
lieadquartcra were at San Francisco.

At longtli, justas ho was taking his departure from
tho Columbia, 3cott gave Harney his true reason r(jr
making tho suggestion, and left with him an order to
repair to St Louis and assume command of the du-
partment of tho west, placing Wright in connnand of
the department of Oregon, but giving him leave to
decline or accept the order as he should elect. lli>r-
ney, however, did not wish to go to St Louis just at
that time. Ho had begun the erection of a residence
about one mile cast from Vancouv»;r, then nearly com-
pleted,"'' and did not find it convenient, had it been
otherwise agreeable, to leave the territory. Neitlitr
did he believe that his action with regard to San
Juan would embarrass the president. That, at all
events, was the opinion expressed in reply to the
commander-in-chief's suggestion, written on the spur
of the moment.

Two days later I find him entertaining the idea.
In a long communication to the adjutant-general, in
which he recommends the continuance of the Oregon
department, he concludes by saying that, although ln'
would not make a formal application to be relieved
from his c(mimand lest it should derange any coiirso
already ' eided upon, he would esteem it a favor if
the president would at his earliest convenience allow
him to return to the east and to his family, from
which he had been for five years separated. He was
not recalled until the following summer, althoui^h
Scott, vexed on account of some private official mis-
understandings, used his influence against him. On
the other hand, the legislatures of Oregon and Wash-
ington, on being informed of the contemplated chaii-^i;
in their military department, memorialized congress

••This structiiro went by the name of Dunclaa Castle. It was beautifully
situated ill a plateau overlooking the Columbia, and surrounded by a t,'ruve
of stately fir-trees. Harney wished to sell it for an arsenal, but tho title to
the land was unsettled. It came later into the possession of J. E. Wyclie,
and was afterward again sold.

POPULAR FEIiLINO.

6A3

agiiinut it, and prayed to luivo Harney retained in
fduiniaiid; and 8eott, whose visit had been reeeived
with del'erenee, he;:^an to bo severely criticised, wiiich
was nothiniLf new lor iiinu^

Not until March did Admiral Baynes disembark
oil the disputed island a company of niaiines ecjual in
iiuniber to the I'orce of Captain Hunt, under the com-
uiand of Captain Ceorgo Bazalgette, his instructions
IkiMg the same as those given to tho fVmeri.an cap-
tain. The respective commanders oln< rved tho ut-
most courtesy toward each other, as they had been
instructed to do. In the mean ^Miie the Amo''ican
|M>[»ulation of San Juan was i ablcd, farm ^ were
' ituned, and maimfactures started.

Nor did the Fourth-of-July spirit die out; but in
Xovcniber a public meeting was hek! to express tho
SLiitinients of tho settlers with regard lo the sover-
eignty of this bit of insular territory. At 01yn5j)ia
the democratic portion of the legislature, at a meeting
held for the purpose, nominated Harney as their
th(»ice for i)resident in 18G0. It was quite clear that,
whatever the government might do, the people in-
tended to sustain Harney.

The American aspect of the case descends now to a
disgraceful quarrel between two of its officers, a posi-
tion in which they are too often found in the history
of the nation. Nor will it be of any import to this
history to follow a private quarrel between Scott and

'* According to tlic Orerjou Statesman of January 21, 1800, the intervention
of tliL' comiimndcr-in-cliicf liail done tnorc harm than good. When ho arrived,
8;iiil that journal, the San Juan question was practically settled. There was
111! occasion for iiini to iutcrfc're. The British licet iiad retired to I'^snuiiualt
liiirUor, except the tinti-Uiti-, which still lay in tiio harbor of S;in Juan. Tho
.\incricaiia had pc-iceulih; pos-session, and exercised civil and military juris-
liu'lion. Hut instead of letting matters remain as they were, he ordereil off
I'icliett, oU'ered joint occupancy, and recommended the recall of Harney ami
the aljulition of the Oregon dep»-tment. Nor were the Oregon and I'uget
Sound papers tho only journals to , -estiou the wisdom of the cominander-in-
cliief in sacrilieing Pickett and Hiirney, whom the government and himself
indorsed, by leaving a military foree on the i.-land, and by abolishing Uritisli
civil jurisdiction, but the western press in gene- 1 lamented tho necessity,
Kal or imaginary, of the iuiplieil censure. See Nntional /ntellijencer, July '28,
ISOO; Evaiu' iV. IK, Uouiidary, 'i'i; V, I. lirUinh (Joloitiitl,

I'.

634

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

Harney, except so far as it affects the question under
consideration. On the 10th of April, 18G0, Harney
sent a despatch to Pickett from Fort Vancouver,
wherein he informs him: 1st. That Scott left no in-
structions with him to grant a military occupation
of San Juan Island by British troops; nor had any
authority been delegated by the government to Scott
to offer or accept such occupation; nor was the oiler
made by him accepted by Governor Douglas, or any
such arrangement subsequently made, so far as he,
Harney, was informed; 2d. The British authorities
had simply submitted an assurance that no attempt
would be made by them to dislodge the American
troops, in view of which they were permitted to land
troops for a purpose similar to that of the commander
of the department, to protect the British residents;
3d. Under the organic act of congress for the estab-
lishment of Washington territory, the legislature of
1854 had passed an act including the island of San
Juan in Whatcom county, which act on being sub-
mitted to congress was not disapproved, and was there-
fore the law of the land, and being such, Pickett would
be expected to regard the civil jurisdiction of Washint^-
ton, any attempt to ignore which would be followed
by deplorable results. In the event of British in-
terests being involved, Pickett was required to notify
Ca})tain Bazalgette, who would propose some arrange-
ment satisfactory to his instructions, as well as those
of the civil officer, no action in any case to be taken
until it had been referred to the British admiral and
the governor of Washington.

No sooner had the reappointment of Pickett hvcn
made known in Washington city than the British
minister called the attention of Secretary Cass to
the event, expressing his confidence that the United
States government would not lose anytime in provid-
ing against the deplorable consequences likely to follow.
Lord Lyons, as well as General Scott, endeavored to

T-™

ARBITRATION.

OSS

arouse the govcrninciit against Harney,*" and tlio
SLLictary of war was dirocted to recall him at once.
A( conlingly Harney went to Washington, Hunt was
unkred back to San Juan,*' and Colonel Wright was
pliiced in connnand of the department of Oregon.

The reprimand which General Harney received
from the secretary of war was a mild one. The sec-
retary disapproved of violating the order of General
Scott; but while expressing his disapprobation, he en-
tertained no doubt of the proper intentions of Genei-al
Harney, "and from his known high character and
(Hstinguished services, he was not disposed to be severe
ill his condemnation."

There remains little that need be told of the history
of San Juan. Unable to settle the boundary, the
IJiitish government authorized Lord Lyons, on the
10th t)f December, 18G0, to propose arbitration by
('lie of three European powers; namely, Bclgiunij,
])vnv ark, or the Swiss republic; but for the time
this proposal led to no result. Then came the civil
war in the United States, when the cabinet had
oii()U<ifh to do to manajj^e its domestic affairs, and the
Sail Juan question was suffered to be forgotten.

It vv-as not until 18G8 that Adams, minister to Eng-
land, was notified by Secretary Seward that among
other important questions to be negotiated the San
Juan boundary should be included. Li 18G9 Adams'
hucce.ssor, Reverdy Johnson, was instructed to give
his attention to the adjustment of this question, aci-ept-
iii;4' the proposal made ten years before that it shoidil
l)e seltled by arbitration; and on the 17th of October
a jirotocol was signed by Stanley and Jolmson, agree-
ing' that the question should bo referred to some

•'Soritt wrote: 'If this docs not load to a collision of arms, it will ni^tun
1)0 iliii< to the foi'boiirance of tlio Ijritisli autlioritica.' Milton's Swi Jniui, '.]')\.

" I'itkolt w;w a southerner, and when the eivil war lnokc out joined llio
cnnfvilovacy uml was made a general. He oonimunded a division under Long-
Kticet at (iettysburg. lie, like most of tho soutliern olUccrs wlio rl•si^ned
fi'uiii the United States army, died in a few years after the close uf thu war.

.1 S

636

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY,

■ii

friendly sovereign or state, and that within tlirco
months alter the ratification of any treaty .^iviii"
eifec't to the agreement tlie referee should he selected,
the naturalization treaty heing mentioned as the one
that Must he iirst disposed of. On the 10th of Xo-
vemher, the claims questions having been referred to
lour connniasioners, two chosen by each govcrnuu'Kt,
it was al; () agreed that the boundary question should
be determined by the president of the federal council
of the Swiss republic on the conclusion of the ti'caty
above named.

When the first proposition was nuidc in 18(58 to
accept arbitration as a means of disposing of the
question, the ofiicials of Washington territory sent a
remonstrance to congress, entreatini' the senate to con-
sent to no protocol nor convention admitting a doubt
of the ri^ht of the United States to the line of the
Canal de JIaro, or a possible surrender of the Haro
archipelago."

]\Ir Seward, however, not being satisfied with the
claims convention, wrote Johnson to allow the natural-

*-Tlio rcmDuatranco was signcil by Marshall F. Moore governor, Hiizanl
Stevens collector, S. 1). Howe assessor internal revenue, Joseph Ciisliman
reciiver ol' the same, E. Marsh register of the land-ofliee, J. E. W'yelie I'. .S.
(listriet juil^c, Leander Holmes U. S. attorney, S. Garfield surveyor-general,
I'liilip I >. Moore eoUeetor of internal revenue, E. L. Smith territorial Kecrt-
(ary. T. M. Heed eliief elerk in land-olliee, Charles A. White surveyor, C.
JI. Hale ex-.uiperintendcnt Indian atl'airs, \V. W. Miller the same, l]. (iii-lc-
ling late acting surveyor-general, Benjamin ILirned territorial tieasurer, ('.
S. King Indian agent, Levi .Slielton territorial lihrarian, William Huntiiutiiii
U. S. maislud, 15. F. Demiisoii U. S. district judge, O. IJ. MeFadden ex-L'.S.
chief justice, Frank Clark, H. G. Steiner, Hhvood Evans. U. S. Si'ii. Mi-«\
J>ir.. 'JT, .Jf/Zt Coiiii., lid S(>is. In reply to a letter from the jjresidcnt of the
Northern I'aciiie railroad, George (Jibbs wrote a letter, afterward publislicil
in pamphlet fonu, on the protocol of 1800, in which he reviewed tlie a.'ict-
incut ill iU( friendly spirit. He declared the president of the Swiss eonfedcia-
tion a myth, which, regarded in the light of a sovereign, he really was; said
that En.;laii.! meant that iSan J uan Island and Point Roberts were to be given
up lor the naturalization treaty; hoped that to avoid a war the U. S. woiiM
adci[it the middle or I'resideut's passage, as the Aetive-Phunper ehauncl was
now called; and declared that if Englaml was to lose her possessions on the
Pacilic, as she must eventually, she wished to make the U. S. pay the hiu'lic>t
price for the acipiisition, a price that, would bo enhanced by the posiiessioii of
Saii.Iuaii and Point Uoberts, for which she was striving. lie eoucludcd liy
saying th.it it would never do to leave Puget Sound entirely under Ijiuisli
guns, as the eominainl of the Sound involved that of the Columbia Pivcr.
nihil/ Still Jiirtii Tratij. Point Roberts is a neck of land extending belo'ff
the 4'Jtli parallel, directly south of the mouth of Fruscr River.

TREATY OP WASHINGTON.

637

ization and San Juan questions to remain in protocol
uiiK'ss Great Britain agreed to amend the former, and
the reference to arbitration was rescinded by this
action. An amended convention was then ac{!ri)ted
l)y Great Britain and forwarded to the United States,
hut rejected by the senate, which rejection rendered
nugatory a second agreement to submit the boundary
(|U('stion to the arbitration of the president of tlie
,S\vis8 confederation.

Thus this question was suffered to drift along until,
in 1871, England sent five commissioners to Wash-
ington city to negotiate a treaty, which was concluded
May 8th of that year, and is known as the treaty of
Wasjiington, the thirty-fourth article of which is in
tilt; following language: "Whereas, it was stipulated
Iiy article I of the treaty concluded at W^asliington
(Ml the ir)tli of June, 184G, between trie United States
luid her Britannic Majesty, that the line of boundary
between the territories of the United States and thoso
of her ]3ritannic Majesty, from the point on the 49tii
parallel of north latitude up to which it had been
already ascertained, should be continued westward
along the said parallel of north latitude "to the mid-
dle of the channel which separates the continent from
Vancouver's Island, and thence southerly through the
middle of said channel and of Fuca Straits to the
Pacilic Ocean;' and whereas, the commissioners ap-
])oiiited by the two high contracting parties to deter-
r.iiiie the portion of the boundary which runs southerly
tlirough the middle of tlie channel aforesaid were
unable to agree upon the same; and whereas, the gov-
iTiniieiit of her Britannic Majesty claims that such
lioundary line should, under the terms of the treaty
above recited, be run throu'j:h Rosario Sti-aits, and
the government of the United States claims that it
should be run through the Canal de llaro — it is agreed
that the respective claims oi the government of the
United States and the government of her liritannic
Majesty shall be submitted to the arbitration and

ii;

, I

H '■

!•'

III

f
'; i

:;.i

; I
» I

638

THE SAN JUAN ISLAND DIFFICULTY.

award of his Majosty the emperor of Gerinany, who,
having regard to the above-mentioned article of tlio
said treaty, shall deeide thereupon, fi Uy and with-
out appeal, which of those claims is in the most accord-
ance with the true interpretation of the treaty of Juno
15, 1846.""

Emperor William of Germany accepted the office
of arbitrator, both governments presenting a carefully
prepared case, with documents and maps, Gcorgo
Bancroft, the American minister to Germany, and
!Mr Petro, thn British charge d'affairs, having the re-
sponsibility ot laying before him all the arguments on
either side. Present in Berlin, and laboring for the
acceptance of his views, was Captain, now Admiral
Prevost, the British commissioner of 1859. Tht;
award was not made until October 21, 1872, when it
was given to the United States. There are some on
both sides of the line who hold to the opinion that
the decision was wrong; others believe it right; still
others say that it is a matter of small moment to
which of the great powers this little patch of earth
belongs. Great as was the disappointment of the
people of British Columbia, the award was most
courteously accepted, and within a few weeks orders
were given by the imperial government for its tronps
to evacuate San Juan. The greatest good feeling had
all along existed between the officers and soklieiv,
and three hearty cheers were given by the Amerie.uis
on the departure of the royal marines; none the '< ■«
hearty, because on this occasion the Yankees <• i.i
well afford to cheer."

*' Trfot;/ of WaHhiiigton Papers, v. 250; Cushing'a Treaty of IVdnhiii'jlon,
app., 2,')7-74; Ex. Doe. 1, pi 1, 4^d Cong., 3d Sesa.; Foreign ltdat'fiii.<, i,
XXI'. -ri., JfSd Cong., IstSeiH.

**PiigH Sound Despatch, Dec. .'), 1S72; Butler's Wild North Lmi^l.^W-
Tlie cost to Kiiglaiid of occupying San Juxn was between twelve and tlinticii
thousand dollars a year, besides the pay of otiiceraand men. llans(uil'.-< Pari.
Dib., cxcix. I2;{8. The cost to the United .States was that of kfcpiiiu' up:'
iiost where it wiis needed to watch the northern Indians. See incnioriiil ni tlie
Washington legislature in Wmth. Stat., 18G7-8, 183-5, asking relief fur isuac
E. Fliggius, a 'persecuted' settler, ancl that Captain Grey bo punishul fur
abuses of power. Also correspondence of Acting Gov. McGill with thn sl'o, of

fl !

,TY.

crinany, wlio,
article of the
lly and with-
e most accord-
treaty of Juno

ted the office
ing a carefully
naps, George
jrennany, and
laving the w-

arguuieiitsdii
joring for the

now Admiral
f 1859. The
1872, when it
G are some on

opinion that

it right; still
11 moment to
atch of earth
tment of the
ird was nu^st

weeks orders

for its troops
)d feeling Iiad
and soldicrv,
he Americans

none the '' -«
''ankoes c i.'i

eaty of Wmlonytm,
ireiijn Rdathiii.<, i-,

Novth LnwK'M\.
bwelve and tliiit.cii
n. llaiiKdiil !i I'lirl.
at cf ki'C|iiML,' lip ;i
5ee inoinoriiil nl tlie
:inf{ relief for I suae
ly bo piiiiislnd fiir
Uill with tbo 800, of

END OP THE CONTROVERSY.

639

state, in Evans' X. W. Boundary, .39, and the decision of Judge Fitzhugli on
|i. 4(1, also the opinion of Judge B. F. Dennisun in tlio J'ort Towuxeml MexHaije,
(Jet. I and 8, 1808. The uward, which removed all tlic disabilities coiuiilainud
(if, lift the tJnited States for the first time in the history of the nation without
a liuiindary dispute with Great Britain, and consequently in a condition to
oiitgiow, on both sides, many prejudices and imaginary causes of diirerenec.
SoiiiC years before t\w emperor's decision was rendered the Hudson's Bay and
l'iii.'L't .Sound Agricultural companies brought forward claims against the U.
S. for loss of territory. They were finally disallowed, on the ground that it
had iiecn decided by the emperor of Germany that the islands rightfully be-
ionu'oil to the U. S., although the commissioners appointed under the treaty
i,f IsO:! had awarded S4rK),000 to the H. B. Co. and ^I'OO.OOO to the I'liget
Soiiiul Co. Claims were also brought forward by British residents of San
Juan, and Hazard 8tevcns was appointed commissioner for the purpose of
iiK|uiring into and settling them. After visiting the island and making an
investigation, he reported to the president that no claims existed which the
government was bound to recognize. Stevens, Saji Juan Chiimn, M.S. Mr
iStevfiis remarks that the manner in which the demands of the two companies
wen: presented by the British minister at Washington, and investigated by
order of congress, forms a curious episode in this protracted dispute. In 1SS4
.Mr Stevens was practising law in Boston. The evidence for the companies
and fur the U. S., with tlie memorials and arguments of claimants, the argu-
inints of counsel for the U. S., the opinions and award of tlie commissioners,
and the opinions of the press, were published in five volumes and parts, under
tlic general title of Claims of the IIikIhoh's Bay and Puijct Sound Ai/ricultural
Co/iipiinics, Montreal, 1808, Washington, 18G7, 1808.

In thus presenting an account of the San Juan difficulty, I have stated the
faL'ts as 1 have found them, making little comment thereon. Hundreds of
opinions and versions have been published in newspapers, books, and maga-
zines, as, for example, that of William John Macdonald, though by no means
a leliulile writer, but an employi^ of the Hudson's Bay Company, who, with a
party of I'rench Canadians, was stationed at San Juan two or tliree years be-
fore tiie dispute occurred, and afterward became a citizen of Victoria. He
states that the Americans never considered the island as any portion of their
territory until about the year 18.">3. Captain Alden, of the surveying steamer
Acliir, found deeper water in the Canal de Uaro than in the llosario channel,
and claimed the former as, under the terms of the treaty, ' the channel which
Separates Vancouver's Island from the mainland.' After negotiations and sur-
veys extending over two years, Capt. Prevost being sent from England in the
Sal'llile, to protect British interests, and, if possible, to arrange matters, the
eonnnissioncrs appointed by both nations failed to agree. In I8.')9 Gan. Har-
ney came from Oregon in the sloop of war Decatur, with about 150 men.
Anelioring in Griffin Bay, ho threw up rough earthworks on the high land
above the harbc and planted some cannon. Sir .Tames Douglas went over in
a slii|) of war to remonstrate, and requested Harney to remove his troops,
which the latter declined to do. The people of Victoriiv were sorely annoyed
at tlic aggressiveness of the Americans, and .".s there were at this time, in the
har'ior of Victoria, nine vessels of war, recently arrived from China, all were
in favor of resorting to arms. At the in'.cance of Admiral Baynes, however,
aeuiincil was held and milder measurrj prevailed. Harney, who, it was be-
lieved, acted under the advice of C< aimissioner Campbell, was severely cen-
sured for his conduct. Brit. Vol. Sketches, MS., 24-0.

■! i

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

1871-1874.

The Tide ok WESTWARD-Bonuo Migration — Reasons foii and ac.unst
TUE Railway Pkoject — The Bill Caruied in the Commons— Reso-
lution Passed by the Canadian Parliament — Policy of the Bmtisii
and Canadian (Joveknments — Preliminary Sckvevs— The Iliiiit
Allan Con'I'Ract — A Modest Demand — The Contract Annollku—
Change of Administration — James D. Edgar's Negotiations— Their
Failure and its Cause — Mackenzie's Railway Scheme — Oiuectiu.ns
TO Ilia Project.

The project for intcroceanic communication between
the British possessions on the Atlantic and Pafific
was one mooted lonj; before the confederation uave it
definite form. It was the dream of Mackenzie and
his fellow-explorers, who set forth for the great north-
west in their bark canoes, and whose journeys ante-
date by nearly half a century the existence of rail-
ways in this quarter. Not until 1837 — the year of
the Canadian rebellion — were the first sixteen miles
of railroad constructed in Canada, the line being in
operation only some ten years later than the first one
completed in the United States, and about seven
years later than the first one completed in Ennl.iml.
At that date the greater portion of British North
America was as yet a wilderness, a few trails through
the forest between lakes Huron and Ontario being
then the jjrand trunk roads of Canada.

Until the gold discovery in California, the idea was
perhaps never conceived that England's domain in
d\ii north-west would form one with her Canadian

(040)

IFf

FOU AND AOMNST

Commons— Rtso-

CV OF TItE Dl:iTlsu
k'EYS — TlIK lluiiU

iiACT Anndllku—
OTiATioN'8— Their

IKME — OajECTIllNj

ition between

and Pacific

ation gave it

lekenzio and

great nortli-

uniey.s anto-

ence of ruil-

the year of

ixteen miles

iiio being in

the first (»no

about sew'n

ill Eiiglaiul.

iti.sh North

ail.-s through

itario being

Lhe idea was

domain in

r Canadian

(MO)

EAST AND WEST.

641

possessions; but after that event another condition
of affairs prevailed. The stream of immigration that
flowed steadily westward through the British posses-
sions, finding itself barred by Lake Huron and the
mountainous region to the north, passed onward into
Miehi<;tui and the western states, there bein<x absorbed
in the tide of American travel. It now became cvi-
ilent that the surplus population of Canada West was
destined to overflow into the United States; while, on
the other hand, Vancouver Island and the mainland
were in dan<jfer of fallini; into the hands of foreijjners.
Then it was that Great Britian first realized the im-
portance of her possessions on the Pacific.

ir England ninv proposed to maintain her influence
on the western continent, she must not delay much
longer, as it seemed, the task of establishing overland
conmiuiiication between Canada and the Pacific,* this
hoing the only means by which her power could be
conf^olidated, and the principal reason for establish-
ing^ c(donies on the western shores of the Hudson's
Bay Company's territory. Such, at least, were the
views derived from an intimate knowledge of the
great northern interior, as well as of the Pacific coast,
and entertained by the advanced intelligence and
statesmanship of the mother country. By Canada,
however, these views were not shared, until the facts
disclosed during the confederation movement brou'jjht
home to her the need of a western outlet; until it was
shown that several hundred thousands of her citizens
iiad within a few years been absorbed by the union.
"Canada," write her Majesty's emigration commis-
sioners in their report for 1871, "cannot at present
id)sorl) more than 30,000 or 40,000 emigrants a year,
and the excess beyond that number can obtain employ-
ment only in the labor market of the United States."'

'In Filvfi'rnl(l''n V. I., 126-8, it is recommended that a ciiain of posts bo
cstaliiisluMl l)y tlie [ludson's IJay Co. a lliousand miles in Itiigth, iildiij; the
I'liiiks iif tht! Sasliatohcwan River, ami thfuce weatwurd, iiud tliut a iiiyiiway
^K ii|i.i]cil for tratHo between the two oceans.

' \\ ilaon, Vuiiada ami the Can. I'ac. liaUway, 12, states that between
Uiar. Bmr. Cul. 41

' V'

^ i '

r J

642

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

It \vas not until the discovory of the Frasor llivcr
gokl-iields in 1858 that the project for a railroad be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacitic, and tlic idea of a
united British American empire, first took delinitu
shape. The Grand Trunk railway, completed ahoiit
that date to Sarnia, was extended in imaij:inatioii tn
New Westminster. Sarnia was to compete with ])iil'-
falo, ^Montreal with New York,^ and Boston looked
on and said : "While congress is postponing the con-
sideration of the Pacific railway bill from May to De-
cember, and from December till INIay, Great Britain
has her railway to the Pacific already commciKcd.
...Let any one who doubts the joint ability (if
the Canadian and English governments to accompli.sli
so great an enterprise take down the map and look at
the line of the Grand Trunk, already connecting the
Atlantic with the lakes, and then look at the compar-
atively short distance from Lake Superior to Yau-
couver Island."*

For so important a stake as the control of inter-
oceanic commerce, it was of course supposed that
Great Britain would play boldly; nor did her govern-
ment remain an idle spectator of the events that were
transpiring in the north-west. "I hope," said her
Majesty, in her speech from the throne in 1858, "that
this new colony in the Pacific may be but one stcj) in
the career of steady progress by which my dominions
in North America may be ultimately peopled in an
unbroken chain from the Atlantic to the Pacific by a
loyal and industrious population."^

Will the line of the Pacific railroad traverse British
Columbia? was now among the absorbing questions of

lS60an(l 1870 Canada did not absorb any population, basing liis statement
on tiie figures given in tiie Canadian Year-Book for 187.1, where the increase
of iiopulatiou in the jirovinco of Quebec between 1861 and 1871 is given iit 7.-
per cent, and in Ontario at 10.09 per cent, against 28.00 and 57.0 per iiiit re-
spectively for the previous decade. In the former province the increase for
lSOI-71 was below tiie natural rate.

* Le, Journal tie. V Empire, Paris, 1858.

* liofilon L'v. Transcript, June 5, 1858.

* Iiroum'n E^aay. Brit. Col., fi4.

I ■

SLOW PROGRESS.

643

Fraser Ilivcr
a railroad hc-
/lio idua of ii
took definitu
ipletcd alxnit
pagination to
etc with ]5ui'-
oston looked
ning the t-on-
1 May to J3c-
jireat Britain
conmicnccd.
it ability of
to accoiiii)li,s]i
p and lo(jk at
)nncctin<j: th(3
b the comiiar-
rior to Ynw-

rol of inter-
ipposed that
1 her goveni-
;its that were
)e," said her
1 1858, "that
t one stej) ill
ly dominions
eopled in an
Pacific by a

verse British
questions of

ing his statement
.■here the incixMso
871 isgivcnat 7.-
:1 57.0 per cent re-
3 the increase for

tJR day, and one of grave import to the newly created
rolonies and to the conmiercial world. But, save that
;ui cngineer.s' camp was established at New Westmin-
Aw in charge of Colonel Moody, to whom important
interests were afterward confided, little was acconi-
jilished; for at this date the project seemed almost
impracticable. No suitable pass had as yet been dis-
covered;" no column of emigrants, brinsrinn: wajjons
and herds from the Canadian settlements, had pene-
trated the forest and snow-clad mountains, which, a
t'tw degrees to the south, presented to the early set-
tles of Oregon no insuperable difficulty. Moreover,
the country was far too remote from Canada for the
dominion government to construct a road in advance
(if emigration. Says Pahiser, in his report to the sec-
retary of state for the colonies, in 1850, after the fail-
ure of his effort to find a practicable route to the
Fraser: "The manner in which natural obstacles have
isolated the country from all other British possessions
in the east is a matter of considerable weight; indeed,
it is the obstacle of the country, and one, 1 fear, almost
beyond the remedies of art."^ Tiien, for a time, the
project was forgotten.
In 18G8-9, however, British Columbia was yield-

^ The Kootenai pass, discovered by Capt. Blakiston, some forty miles north
of tlio boundary, was 5,900 feet above the sea-level, and for seven and a half
miles after entering it, the rise woubl be one in 180. Thence a cutting of
some three and a half miles would load to a tunnel 5 miles in length, at a,
j;iailient of one in 130. The lino would then skiit the base of the mountains
until it reached a second ridge, with an elevation of 5,100 feet, a few miles
frum wiiich there was !i grudient of about one in 1)5. For extracts from the
captain's report, see Macdoiiald's B. C. and I'. I.. 2,'?7-43.

' /(/.. '24'J. The Papers /'(•/aliuf to the Ex/jloration hy the Expedition nm/er
Copiain /'alliser of that portion of JJrilish North America which liei beticeen
t/i'- Xarlherii lirnnch of the Hirer iSanLdt( heira.ji and the Fnmlierof the United
SinliK, ami lii-tweeii the Ited (tarr and the Rocki/ Moniitain.i, and thence to the
I'fii ,jic (Mean (London, 1S5S), form merely a preliminary report, consisting
mainly of copies of letters to the secretary of state, though contiiining several
gedliigical reports and maps of the country near Winnipeg, compiled and ar-
ruiiLred by \)r Hector in systematic furin. In the Farther Papers (London,
iMi(i), the title being otherwise the s' me, are recorded the results of his expe-
ilition. Ill addition to copies of uiTicial (lespatches are reports on special sub-
jects, relating to physical features, natural productions, climate, the aborigines,
Indian missions and settlements, the fur trade, means of transport, mail and
tili-:i aph routes, and other matters. Following the title-page is a map, show-
ing the routes taken by Palliser and Hector.

I' I

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

ing a largo amount of gold; and it was at the fornirr
date, and partly duo to the efforts of Viscount Mil-
ton in the two liouses of pailiament, after liis explo-
ration of the Yellowhead, Thompson, and Fncxr
route, that the subject of transcontinental coniinuni-
oation was revived. At this juncture Alfred Wail-
dington presented in tlic commons a petition in I'uvor
of a Canadian Pacific railway, urging in an elabor;it(;
argument" that British Columbia was the key to tli.>
commerce of the Pacific, the possession of wliich was
coveted by the United States;" but as yet little inter-
est was awakened in the mother country.

In the Canada Official Gazette of Septemlx'r ilS,
18G9, appeared the first notice of the existence of
such an incorporation as the Canadian Pacific Rail-
way Con)pany, setting forth that application would
be made at the next session of the Canadian pail la-
ment for a charter to build a railway from Canada to
the British Columbia boundary. In the Montmd
Gazette was published the prospectus of the promoters,
containing twent^^-nine paragraphs, and svithout si'j^-
nature.'" If we can believe Waddington, this jilaa
originated with Mr Burpee, a Canathan engineer of
his acquaintance, and was compiled from his own iiotrs,
without further object tlian to bring the matter
before the attention of the public. Burpee's schi'iiu!
proposed to raise a capital of £20,000,000, to l)e ex-
pended mainly on the building of a road from JMiniie-
sota, over the plains of the Saskatchewan, to tlio
eastern end of the Yellowhead pass. Through Wad-
dington's influence at Ottawa, whither he repaiied,
in 1870, b}' the advice of his parliamentary friends in
London, great prominence was given to the proposi-
tion for a railway in connection with the negotiation

•The text of which is given in the Brit. Colonist, Aug. 15, 18fiS.

'Ilia views were not sliared by Charles Wentworth Pilke, who reiiiniks,
'In .ill history, there is nothing stranger than the narrowness of mind iliat Ii:i9
led us to see in C.inada a piece of England, and in America a hostile country.'
iirerilir lirilaiii, i. (]'.

'H'opicd in tiie Colonist of Nov. 28, 18G9.

..r

IN PARLIAMENT.

640

oftlio terms of union between British Columbia and
C;iiiadu; and tlie Canadian Pacific railway henccfurth
jiiul a history apart, and one involving the action of
tin-' two governments.

When the subject of the confederation was dis-
(uissud in the dominion parliament, the terms relating
t(t the construction of the i-ailway seemed to most
disinterested persons almost impossible of fulfilment,
and many of the strongest friends of the government
\\( 10 opposed to them. In the commons, where the
Macdonald ministry, then in power, had usually a
iii.ijority of three to one, the measure was passed
uiih ditiiculty, one motion against it being lost oidy
l)V ten votes," It is almost certain that the govern-
iiinit would have been defeated had not the preniier '^
jiiomised to introduce a resolution modifying the ob-
ji'ctionable features, though one altogether inconsist-
ent with the intent of the address ad(jpted by the
iuiuse ten lays before. It was couched in the I'ollow-
\u<j; phrase: " That the railway referred to in the ad-
tliLs.s to her Majesty concerning the union of British
C'tikunbia with Canada, adopted by this house on Sat-
urday, the 1st April instant, should be constructed
and worked by private enterprise, and not by the
doaiinion government; and that the j)ublic aid to
1)C given to secure that undertaking should consist
of such liberal grants of land, and such subsidy in
money, or other aid, not increasing the present rate t)f
taxation, as the parliament of Canada shall hereafter
determine." ^^

If the construction of the railway was to await
private enterprise, it seems only just that it should
have been so stated, not only in the address, but in
the resolutions that were afterward made binding on
tliL' province and the dominion as terms of union.

" The numbers vere 75 to 8o. Eighteen of the regular ministerial sup-
poi tii's voted against it, and many declined to vote. Macheiuie'$ Van, Pac.
It. //., MS., 3; Jour. Commonn, 1871, IGl.

'^ Sir George Cartier, then acting premier.

''hi., 3-4; Jour. Commons, 1871, '264.

•!i 1!

i i

\\ • \

' 1

640

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

Considering the great difficulties of the task, the oor-
tuinty of its enormous expense, tiie I'aet that by many
BJvihul engineers it was considered ahnost impossi-
ble at any cost, that most of the route lay tliroii^li h
wilderness, that the San Franeis(!o of British Colum-
bia was tlieji but a villaire, while the entire nliilo
population of the colony was less than that of a third-
rate town, and tliat transcontinental traffic was already
in the hands of the Central and Union Paciiic, it was
extremely improbable that private individuals, pos-
sessing sufficient enterprise and capital, would coiiitj
forward at this juncture. It is certain, moreover,
that when British Columbia merged her individuality
in the dominion, her peoj)le believed that the terms
were made in good faith, and that the road would ho
begun and completed within the specitied time. Wiien,
therefore, as will be mentioned later, the province in-
sisted on the contract, she repudiated the resohili'Mi
which the dominion legislature had passed in order to
protect Canada from unreasonable demands, and it'
necessary, to avoid the literal fulfilment of its obliga-
tions."

Other events besides the confederation brought tho
matter prominently before the minds of the jjeopK'.
It was generally understood, when the railway agree-
ment was concluded at Ottawa, that Mr (Jamph^ll
went to England for the purpose of ascertaining what
assistance would be given to the enterprise by thi'
home government.^" On the American side of the
line the Northern Pacific railway i)r()ject took shape
Mmultaneously with the Canadian Pacific, the pei>|>li;
Minnesota and the western states being liilly
a ikened, in 1870, to tho advantage of an entei'prise
tlu ') promised to free thenj, whether at the hands of

'*For a year or two later it appears to have been an open question vIk tlirr
the line could bo constnicted. In his report, dated Ottawa, Jan. '2i>, 1^71,
however, the chief engineer says: 'The practicabihty of establishiiiji r:iilw:;y
ooniniunication across the continent, wholly within the limits of the iluimu-
ion, is no longer a matter of doubt.' Pa/ier^ rd. Mission De Cosmos, 'Si.

^^OUawa vVjifw, (piotcd in Cotonist, .'Vug. 10, 1870.

n ""'

ENGLISH POLICY.

task, the oor-
-liat by ni.iiiv
lost iiiiposNi-
iiy through ;i
•itisli Coliiiii-
ciitiro wliilo
at of a tliitd-
i was aliva<lv
'acifie, it was
viduals, pus-
would (.'OIIKj

1, in()ref)vtr,
individuality
it the tcniis
ad would In;
iino. Whcii,
proviuci; iii-

rcsoluliiin
J ill order to
aiids, and if
>f' its obliga-

brought the
the ])ui)|ilc'.
ilway ayrce-
[r Cauiphell
aiiiinu;' what
•rise by tin.'
side ol' tlic
took shape
, tlie jiL!(ii)l(j
buing I'ully

1 outerpriso
le hands of

|iiestion wlicthrr
I, Jan. 'Jli, b7l,
blisliin,!,' r,;ihv;;y
ts (if the ilipuuu-
Jonmoit, U';i.

St Tiouis or DuKith, from tlio monopoly held by

Chi. 'ago. '«

Tho English government, to which appeal was
finally taken, decided, as will presently appear, in
I'avor of the province, and it was probabl}' due to the
skill of her statesniei that, during the controversy
which ensued, ]:}ritish Columbia did not sever her
(•(tnnection with the dominion. The policy of the
^(■(•r•('tary for the colonies was somewhat in contrast
with that of Canadian statesmen, though doubtless
tiitie were seltish motives which caused England to
iavor the construction of the road.

The British empire, of which the Canadian Pacific
lailway would bo one of the main lines of intcrcom-
uiiniication, contained at this time 8,500,000 s(|uare
miles, and 239,000,000 people in Europe, Asia, Amer-
ica, and Australia. Though British America con-
tained but 5,000,000 iidiauitants, Great Britain on
the one side had 32,000,000, while India and Austra
lasia on the other had nearly 200,000,000. It was one
(if the problems which the future alone could solve,
w hut her this great commercial empire could be main-
tained in its integrity, and especially whether the
boundary line of the 49th parallel, and of the laki^s,
coidd be held ajjainst the United States with their
:ili,000,OO0, and their bond of union already estab-
lished by a railway. Moreover, the population of
Ihitish Columbia, with an area of 233,000 square
miles, was comparatively far more insignificant in
relation to Canada than was Canada herself to the
mother country. When, some few years later, Mr
Iloseoe was taken to task in the dominion jiarliament
for demanding on behalf of the province, ai'ter it had
refused a fair money equivalent,'' the fulfilment of the
oii.;inal contract, he denounced in no measured phrase
thu sordid policy which would lose to Canada her

^'^ .V!ii>impolU Tribune, Jan. 14, 1870.

"Tliu sum of §7J0,000, as will be mentioned later.

84S

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

frontage on the Pacific, the only thing that could
ever make of the dominion a nation.'^

When British Columbia was admitted into the con-
federation slie did not ask a dole of money, nor was
she in need of it. In the Fraser-Thompson district
there were estimated as fit for agriculture GO, 000
square miles, in the upper Columbia district 50,000,
and on Vancouver Island 16,000 square miles, their
value depending, of course, on means of communica-
tion, being not less than $2.50 to $5 per acre. Lands
along the Grand Rapids and Indiana railway aver-
aged, in 1872, seven dollars an acre; in 0,hio, where
wheat was worth ninety cents a bushel, $40 an acre;
unimproved lands in Indiana, where wheat was worth
forty cents, $7.50 per acre;^^ the difference in the cost
of forwardhigj beinjif the main difference in their value.

The interest of the Canadians in the proposed
transcontinental railroad was mainly directed to the
construction of the eastern end, known as the inter-
colonial road, whereby the ocean voyage was reduced
to a hundred hours, while avoiding the dangers of the
thousand miles of fog and storm-girt coast between
Newfoundland and New York. By those holdini,'
liberal and patriotic views of the destinies of the em-
pire, however, there was manifested a lively interest
in the success of the scheme; and it was argued that
there must have been serious apprehension of a diver-
sion of the trade of the east from the hands of the
English through the opening of the Union and Cen-
tral Pacific railways, or there would not have been sd
much haste to insure the completion of the Canadian
road. 2"

England meanwhile supported, though in a some-
what equivocal matmer, an enterprise which promised
to complete the chain of her American possess! (ins.
In the British house of commons, on the 24tli of

"For copy of Rnscoo's speech, see Brit. Colonist, May 2S, 187G.
"Cniiila Yfar-liook, I87.S.

'"Mdiitreal corrt'spoiKleiice of the New York World, on the intercolonial
and Ciinadiau I'acilic roads, tjuotod iu Lirit. Colonial, Any. 19, 1873.

ig that could

PRELIMINARY SURVEYS.

G49

Juno, 1873, Mr Hui^osen explained, on the second
loading of the Canadian loan guarantee bill, that the
.siiui of £2,500,000, which it was then proposed to
laise, was to be appropriated f jr the construction of
tlu' Canadian Paciiic, Sir Charles Dilke denounced
this guarantee as in the nature of a bribe to Canada,
lor the concessions she had made in reijard to the fish-
dies, in order that the provisions of tlie treaty of
"Washington nii^ht be executed; and declared that
the railroad was nothing more than a gigantic parlia-
mentary job. To this Gladstone replied that the
guarantee had no connection with the treaty of Wash-
ington, the action on this bill having been purposely
(iLlayed until after that treaty was disposed of, and
its object being, not to give Canada a certain amount
of hush-money, but to recognize her just demands
•vfainst Eusfland on account of the Fenian raids on
licr territory. Canada had suffered on England's ac-
count, and desired thus to cancel the debt.'^'

The time for commencing the construction of the
railway expired on the 1st of July, 1873; but at that
(late nt>ne t>f the surveys were approaching comple-
tion on any portion of the line, and in British Colum-
hia only such exploratory surveys had been made as
wore reiiuired to determine the direction in which in-
strumental surveys should be carried on. Between
ls7l anil 1S78 the dominion government expended
some $3,250,000 for explorations and surveys before
the chief engineer finally decided that the route
throuLxh British Columbia should be along the val-

■'' London tclogram, in Coloniat, July 0, LST.*?. When tliis matter was ar-
rauu'i^ii, more than a year before, the Timi's liail connnented npon the matter
i;i I iiiuietiim with the dceision on the San Juan (juestiun, and the (,':uuuliun
I'.i ilii; railway scheme. ' 'I'iiis,' said tlie Thiirn, 'is the Caiia<lian ih(!ani, to
Willi h it will he remembered wo aro so far committed that, as an induee-
mi lit to the Canadian ministers to press the aeeeptanee of the treaty of
Wiisliliigton upon the Canadian parliament, we undertook to guiiranteu a loan
of two miilions and a hali, to be expended on the railway which is to make
tlir ilieam come true. We heartily wish wo were free fi'om rJl complicity in
MJiiit we cannot but regard as a very wild uiidertakiiij;; and we espouially re-
gi'i't the way in which wo wore brought into connection with it.'

^11-1

■ 1- -I,' i

. I I

" '■

■
i

G50

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

leys of the Thompson and Fraser rivers,'' and its
terminus on Burrard Inlet.^

It was now the prevailing sentiment among the peo-
ple t)f British Columbia that if Canada w^-S unwiliintj
or unable to bind together by means of a transconti-
nental railroad her vast possessions west of the great
lakes, she had better at once abandon all idea of em-
pire, since no weaker bond would suffice to hold it to-

'''' F/fminr/'s Jicpt Can. Pac. Railway, 1879, 17. It woiilJ accrr, tliat Mr
Fleiiiiiii^ was somewhat tardy in arriving at this concluf ion. In liis icprnt
for 187 I, p. II, lie states that in order to aequiro .a correcG Lnowledgo of tlw
physical characteristics of the entire territory in line of 'oute, and to olitaiu
such information concerning its engineering features as ''ii'y a personal exam-
inatiou could fiirnisli, he started, early in July 187-, in jharge of an cNpior-
ing expedition, across the continent. On Sept. loth he reaclied Yeliowliiml
I'ass, and thence following the Fraser from its Yellowhead source to Tutu
Jauno Cache, crossed to the Canoe River, and the Albreda; and from tliat
point followed the north Thompson to Kamloop. Touching, on his way, i;5
Lytton, Yale, and New Westminster, and examining Huriard and Bute inlets,
Harclay Sound, Seymour Narrows, Dent, and Arran Rapids, and other inter-
mediate points, he arrived at Victoria on the llth of October, 'thus coinplet-
ing a recomioissance which altogether extended over 5,300 miles.' /'((/uti
?•(/. .l/i.sN("/» Di' C'ligmo'i, '23. The journey and rcconnoissanco, thus lueum-
plished in about '.tO days, over a most ditlJcult country, were at least swilter
tlian the conclusions at which he arrived; but why some live or six years
were needed to arrive at these conclusions, the chief engineer docs not s'.atc.
lie was certainly not stinted for means wherewitli to employ a corps of coin-
potent assistants.

"The chief engineer states that, being required to give his views as tou
terminus on the I'acilic, lie .submitted that it would bo desirable lirst tn oIj-
tain complete information concerning a northern route, by way of IVaeo or
I'ine River. The government, however, desired that construction ."ilimiM
eomiiiciice iinimdiatcly in Rritish Columbia, and as no further postponriiu'iic
could be allowed, he recommended the aliove line of route. In the siainc re-
j)ort he admits that the choice of Burrard Inlet as a terminus had imt L'iv.ii
satisfaction to the people of liritish Columbia. In a report of the luivy
council of Canada, dated June 0, 1S73, it was ordered, as we shall see 1 1'.er,
that I'Jsquiniiilt should be the terminus, though tlio alignment on the main-
land had ncjt then been determined. J'njirr.i rcl. Mifsioii ]>(> (.'otunon, "J. In
the same report it was recommended that a lino of railway be locatnl In-
twceii lvsf|'.iiinalt and Seymour Narrows, V. I. Sens. Papcif), It. C, ISSl. In
1S7.") an exploration was made of the I'caco River pass and valley, iu cIi.iil:u
of Mr Selwyn, with I'rofcssor Alacoun as botanist, and A. Webster a-i l' ■"■
logical assi.staiit, in connection with the choice of a route for the Canaiii-in
I'acilic. The jtarty left Quesiiel, on the Fraser River, on the ."ith of .Jiinc ii-
turning on the '_'Uili of October, after a journey of 1,700 miles, cxtenilin','
over three and a half degrees of latitude, and 7 of louyituile. The ri -uLs
will bo fciiind ill tlio progress report for i87.'<-0. During the same siimuHr.
Ceorge .M. Dawson exaniincd the district between the llomathco Riv<r ami
Fort (ieorgc. OP the west side of the Fraser. la 1870 Mr. Dawson wasa :aiii
in charge of suiveys in British Columbia, the results of his investigatiouMn-
eiipyin.; about 110 paL,'cs of tho progress report for 1870-7. The region e\ain-
inc'd l.iy cliiclly in tlio basins of tho I'llackwater ami Nechaco rivers, .uiii
inchidi il large tracts of densely wooded plateau.

SURVEYS AND LANDS.

051

^ers," and its

o pco-

iiong tlio
A'^B un^villlI)^r
a transconti-
; of tlio great
1 idea of om-
to hold it to-

I'l'J aecir. that Mr
ion. Ill luH lepoit
Unowleilyo of tlio
mte, and to olitaiii
!y a personal exam-
ai'ge of ail i:x]ilor-
ached Yellowiiiail
cad source to Tutu
da; and from that
inj:;, on hia vay, i;t
I'd and Bute inlets,
s, and other iuter-
ler, 'thus coiiiiilot-

00 miles.' I'ii/iiri
ianco, thus iicci mi-
re at least swittur

five or six years
eer does not slate.
oy a corps of com.

Ilia views as to a
liraldo lirst tu uh-
■ way of I'eaco or
)nstructioii sliouM
her postiioinini'iic
In the same ic-
IU3 had imt ^^iwii
.■port of the piivy
ve shall see later,
lent on the main-
Dfl ( 'oamns, 7. Ill
vay 1)0 loeatril he-
■■<,'/l.C.,\HS\. In

1 valley, in ehirijo
Welister a.-i ;.';•()•
for the Caiiailian

10 .")th of Jiiiic, ic-
miles, exteiiilni','
ide. The rrsul.s
lie same siiiiim; r,
latliei) Kiver ami
Dawson wasiuaiii
investijjalioiisDi.'-
The rej,'ione\.ini-
.'chaeo river.s, aiiJ

gcthcr. They had no desire to insist too strictly, as
(iKV declared, on the limit as to time; nor did they
exjiect the dominion to impoverish itself in order to
build the road; but as the construction of the inter-
colonial road from Halifax to Quebec was one of the
ttiMis under which the Atlantic provinces joined the
confederation, so the building of an interoceanic rail-
way was a condition, and the main condition, under
wliich the Pacific province became one with the do-
minion."^*

Although, apart from surveys, little had as yet been
(lone toward the fulfilment of the contract, on the
'2Gth of April, 1872, a bill was introduced in parliament
1)V Sir G. E. Cartier, in which it was proposed to grant
;rtsubsidy of $30,000,000, together with 50,000,000
acres of land, for the construction of a railway from
Lake Nipissing to the Pacific coast. The government
was authorized to make contracts with a single com-
pany for the construction of the entire line, provided
that such company possessed a capital of $10,000,000,
ol' which ten per cent must be deposited with the re-
CL'iver-general. As it might not bo possible to come
to terms with a single company, an agreement couUl
bo made with amalgamated conipaiiies, and, failing
either arrangement, a charter might be granted to
other capitalists by order in council, under the general
ir.lh'oad act. It was desiral>le, howe\er, that the
road should be constructed and worked by a single
(•oi|)oration. The land grant was to be made in alter-
nate blocks, twenty miles in depth, the remaining

•" On the other hand, the orcrrn of (he opposition partj* in the doniiiiion
parliament spoke in 1S7- of the (Jaiiadiiin I'aeilio railway project as 'an insane
e.iiilraet with a haudfiil of people in l>,-ili>h ('(ilniiilii.i.' Diil. Coliii;isl, Apr.
I'-', Is?-. Cartwright, the liiiai.slc,- of linaiiee luider .Mackciizie'.-i adliiiiii.stra-
tioii, on the overthrow of Macilon :M's adiiiiiii-tia'.iiin, declared in hid s|i(M'eh
ttt liiinville that ' coiifederatii)ii v.in llie mere iluldi I; vanity of liaviii;; to i:iy
that tliej- had exleiided the d ;i;ii;ii ):i from oe^'aii to ocean.' Speakin;; of tlie
I'ac'li" railway projeet, he said: 'If ever a hody of men were lespoii.-nlilr for

:iy proje
uilli'tiiiL! a L'leat evil on {\u:

iintr

It v.\n tlui

'oveniiiien

III

IsTI, the task of coii:-;i iietiie' tlic

le way tor their own dviwniiiU. am! alao eair-','il gre.it mi^eiir

leilie railwav,
I

■I"
t whieli fni'i

;aid w

mil tliei

if ami

Ui:

l"->- to the people of the u holu <loiiiuiion.' Slaudurd, Oct. ','.o, IbTO.

^'.k

6r-2

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

blocks being reserved by government." As to the
money grant, it was anticipated that most of itwouKi
be reimbursed by sales of land. The imperial guar-
antee on a loan of £2,500,000, of which notiiication
had already been received, would reduce somewhat
the rate of interest on the sums to be borrowed ; aiul
it was believed that, without increasing her taxati'ni,
Canaila could pay that interest, and establish a sink-
ing fund which would cancel the entire debt within
thirty or forty years.

Alexander Mackenzie replied to Sir G. E. Cartier's
speech, characterizing the bill as one which gave to
the government power to do whatever it pleased as to
the construction of the railway. It was notorious, liu
said, that there were already two rings, between which
there was the utmost hostility, each striving to obtain
the charter, and each largely composed of members of
the dominion parliament. The bill was then read u
lirst time without further discussion, and after bcin,;'
passed to a second and third reading, was approved
by the cabinet. News of this jneasure was immediately
telegraphed to Victoria, and an application for the
charter was at once made by a political clique,,'"" which,
as was understood, was about to combine with the
party represented by Sir Hugh Allan, then reputed
one of the richest men in thedominion, and who, with
his associates, Abbott, Foster, and Brydges, anived
at Ottawa in December 1873. About the same time
John Carling and Major Walker made their a|)p('ai-
ance at the capital as the leading representatives ot'
the rival company.^'' Thus there was no dilHculty in

"Every alternate block of that size along the lino of route, then cstiinat 'il
at about 'J, 700 miles, would give only .S4,ri(i0,000 acres. It was iiropu-td lu
furnish the rciiiaimler from government lauds iu other parts of the dumiiiion.
As the reaih r will remember, acconliug to the terms of the union tlic laml
grant in 1>. i'. territory was to be '20 miles in deptli. The main iiiovi:>ioii.s uf
the bill, as explained by Sir G. E. Cartier, will bo found in the Jiril. ('(,luiiisl,
May 10, IS72.

"^ I)o Cosmos, Powell, Robertson, Walkem, Drake, Raymnr, Walluci', and
Thompson.

»' /(/., Jan. 1 , l^Iay 28, 29, 1873. Tho first was known as the Mondvai ur
Quebec cfiuip.iiiy, ami the si'cond as tlio 'I'orontoor Ontario company, from tlio
fact of their leaders beiii;,' from Montreal and Toronto respectively.

A COMPANY FORMED,

633

forming an association in command of the requisite
amount of capital. It was the policy of tlio cabinet,
liowover, to select the most responsible and best qual-
ified men from either party, and before the close of
the year the charter was granted to an association
i-oiiiposed of members of both companies, together
with some of the wealthiest residents of British Co-
liiiuhia.

On the 1st of March, Allan and his colleagues met at
Ottawa and elected as directors the charter members."^
A synopsis of the articles of agreement of tlie Pacific
Kailway Construction Company was published in the
Cohmid of May 14, 1873, giving a list of the names
(if its members, among whom were Sir Hugh Allan,
Saudford Fleming, J. H. Helmcken, and Sir Joim
Macdonald. Allan's prospectus appeared immedi-
atcly afterward iu the newspapers of the dominion,
stating the work proposed to bo accomplished, and
the moneys needed for the purpose.

Proceeding to London, Sir Hugh attempted to raise
the sum of $108,000,000 in behalf of his venture— a
railway to be built through an almost uninhabited and
unoxiilored country, with a subsidy of *^30,000,000.''''
But capital is conservative, and especially English
capital. Attempting, therefore, to forge in England
hi.s financial chain, Sir Hugh met with little encour-
aj^enient. That money invested in a wilderness, though
for the most part a fertile wilderness, would, merely
through the construction of a railroad, yield within
the span of a generation, or even of two generations,

■ f
i

! '

mur, Wull;u!(', ami

"Brit. Coloni.it, March 19, 1873. Four of the dircctora were to retire at
tilt ciicl of the (irst and sticoiid years, live at the end of tlic thii-d, and bo on
duiiii',' succeeding years.

-'■•Ahout tiiia date the Northern Pac. railway failure occurred, vliile for the
iiurtlKin colonization roail §4.000,000 was aslicd, and for oUier roads .S7,0.)(),-
<'0». LaMinerve, in lirit. Coto„i.it, May 14, 187;i. On tiio --'Ttli of October,
iN'i"), tlic Xortliern Pacific mnde application to the N. Y. stock excliuii^^o to
li< .':5JO,000,000 8econd-niort;,'ago lioiuls, its statement for the previous iiionth
t-liiiwiii;,' as gross earnings SI, -2."), 000. a;,'ainst operating expenses and taxes
niii'iiinlinj; toS.")G0,000, or Sl()f)r),000 1 'f netearnini^s. At that tlato the coinnio.i
sIikU was (pioted at about $20, piefcrred at 53, and (irat-niortgaye bouda at
WX S. F. IhdLetin, Oct. 27, 1885.

^iT;

! t ) ,

T ¥T

11':

'; ■

654

TIIK CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

a fair return on the outlay, was a proposition tlmt
iouiid little favor in Great Britain. Said the earl
of Dufferin, adJrcssinsjf an audictico at Victoria Sdnu;
three vears later, and alludin<jf of course to the terms of
the union: "When the bargain was made, everything
in Canada was prosperous, and it was supposed that ;i
Canadian Pacific railway could be easily constructed.
But ignorance of the route was not taken into cou.sid-
eration; and obliging herself to commence the woilc
in two years and finish it in ten years, Canada assunic;!
a physical impossibility, as the surveying alone would
require several years."'*'

Thus the contract made with Sir Hugh Allan and
his ct)n)j)any in 187;;. fell through, and was formally
annulled, the )?1,000,000 of cash deposited as security
being of course returned.

Meanwhile an election had been held, and one at
which the main point at issue was the railway schciiic.
The American road, it was said, had cost $200,000,000,
and the Canadian Pacific would cost §J300,000,000, 1'o
heed being j)aid to the fact that the cost of the fornier
was computed in greenbacks, and at a time wlica
greenbacks were worth only fifty to seventy per cent
of their face value in gold. Moreover, early in lS7'i
it became known that Sir Hugh had obtained the con-
tract by advancing a large sum of money in order to
carry the elections, and a formal charge was broii;j;lit
against the ministry in the dominion parliament."

'"Victoria telegram, in S. F. Alia, Sept. 2:?, 187G.

^K)[(irLrnzir\i Mem. Can. Pac. J'ailway, MS., 5; Brit. ColonUf, Awi. 7,
1873. Ij. S. Huntington of Montreal, on tlie 2cl of April, 1873, made lliuinl-
lowing specific charges in the doniiuion parliament: That he \v.".s crcchbly
informed, and believed he coidd prove, that in anticipation of the legislation nf
last session in regard to the Pacific railway, au agreement was made between
Sir Hugh Allan and other Canadian promoters, and G. W. MeMuUen, acUiig
on the part of United States capitalists, whereby the latter agreed to fuiiiiali
nil the fun<ls necessary for tlie construction of the contemplated railway, ami
to give the fornier a certain percentage of interest in consideration ot their
position giving the company the character of a Canadian com[iany with Hugh
Allan at its head; that the Macdonald government were aware such negoti-
ations were pending; and thatsubsequently thereto an understanding was eonio
to between the government, Hugh Allan, and Abbott, ono of the mcml)e^^ of
tlu' house of connuons, that Allan and his friends should advance a large turn
of money for the purpose of aiding in the election of miuistera and their sup-

mmf^

RAILWAY.

5 a propositif)!! (lint
:ain. Said tho viu]
CO at Victoria siniic
ourso totlie terms of
as made, everytliiii<r
was supposed tliut ;i
2 easily constructed.
)t taken into cousid-
:ommonce the woilc
ars, Canada assumed
rvcying alone would

lir Hugh Allan and
, and was formally
epos i ted as security

&n held, and ono at
the railway scheme.
:Ico.st $200,000,000,
'st $300,000,000, lu,
e cost of the former
d at a time when

o seventy per cent
jovcr, early in 187;i
d obtained the cuw-

money in order ti)
iharge was broui^Iit
inion parliament. ''

70.

, 5; Brit. ColouUt, Au,'. 7,
f April, 1873, mailo llicinl-
;ut: That lie was crediljly
;ipation of tho legislation df
•cement was matle bL'twxtii
il O. W. Mo.Mullcn, actin-
he latter agreed to fiiiiiisii
contemplated railway, iiiid
t in consideration of tlicir
iadiancom[iany with lliii|li
t were awaro such ncgoii-
in understanding was come
3tt, ono of tho nicmlier-i (if
lould advance a large sum
if ministers and their .sup-

MORIi WRAXGLINO.

655

An extra session was called for October, in order to
de;d with this charge, and during the debate on a
mot ion of want of confidence, moved by Alexander
Mackenzie, Sir John Macdonald resigned, the for-
mer being called upon to form an administration. In
July 1873 the executive council of British Colum-
bia, Joseph W. Trutch being then governor of the
piovince,^' formally called the attention of the domin-
ion government to the non-fullilment of the terms of
union so far as they related to the commencement of
a railroad.^^ Thus the new ministry soon found itself

porters at the ensuing election, and that Allan and his friends should receive
lliu contract tor constructing the railway; that Allan did advance such
iiioncy; and that part of tho moneys so expended by him in connection with
the ohtaining of the act of incorporation and charter were paid by U. S.
o:i])italists under the agreement with him. Royal CommiKHun Uept Par.
Kaihrui/, 3-G. Sir John Macdonald moved the appointment of a committco
lit live to investigate the charges, which was agreed to; but before further
liroi.'ross had been made, the gov. -gen.. Lord IXili'erin, by tlie advice of the in-
ciil|iated ministry, suddenly prorogued the parliament, without obtaining its
cunscnt to the discharge of tiio committee. In lieu tiicrcof. ho a|)p()intcd a.
royal connnission to make the investigation. Macdonald acknowledged re-
ceiving §4,"<,000 from Hugh Allan to control the elections; but claimed tiiat
it waaau independent transaction. It was .shown tliat Allan had advanced as
ninc'.i a.s §100,000, and it was presumed that those who took the money and
used it for political purposes well knew that it was given in the expectation
aiul with the understanding that the raiiw;iy scheme would receive the .sup-
jKirt of the ministry; the consetiuoncc being that everything in connection
with the project was tainted with suspicion, even though it did nut appear
tii:it tho interests of the country had been really sacriliced. London Tinus,
.Sept. 1!), 1S7."3. Uuntington's charges were founded upon the contents
of a p.tckage of letters left by Hugh Allan with Mr Starncs for safediceping
alter his disagreement with McMuUen and the American capitalists, being
tlie correspondence between them on the subject of the railway. A rumor of
tlieir existence got abroad, and the party in opposition to Macdonald'sailmin-
istiation became aware of their contents through tlio instrumentality of the
ilisu|ipoiuted ex-partners of Allan's company.

■'-Trutch, a native of England, and a civil engineer by profession, emigrated
to C;d. at an early day, and obtaining a contract for surveying lands in Or.,
soon afterward removed thither, where ho married a sister of the sur.-gen.
.Vljout the year 1858 he arrived in Victoria, where, on the departure of ('ol
Moudy, he was appointed acting chief commissioner of lands and works, being
elected, before the confederation, a member of the legislative council. He
was accounted a shrewd politician, not ovcr-truthfnl of f^pcnch, au able ruler,
and one having always at heart the interests of tho province, tluiugii never
forgetting those of Joseph W. Trutch. J)n 6'o.swos ijoi'l. MS., '21--; U'L'i/
UrU. Vol., Feb. 15, 1871; Drit. Col., May 23, 1870. In his Ilrili-^/i Culimi
hid tvnl the Canadinn Pacific liailioay, Sjieech by and Complim'iitnri/ Dinin r
to the lion. Mr Trutch at the liiissell Honae, Ottawa, April 10, IS71, Montreal
Ui71, is clearly brought out the then condition of tho railroad ipiestion, its
conipletion within tho specified time being insisted upon as a fundamental
Condition of the confederation.

^^'The coniniitteu regret that the construction of tho railway has not

* f j; ■

C56

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

hampered with this lonjif-vcxcd question, aiivl in tlio
lioj^e oi' ai'riving at some agrecincnt with the proviiico,
sent to A'ietoria, as a special agent, James D. Edgur,
a Toronto barrister.®^

lleaehiny^ the capital in the spring of 1874, Edgar
addressed a letter to G. A. Walkeni, attorncy-geneial,
wherein he states that the scheme originally adopted
had, for a variety of reasons, proved almost imjnac-
ticablu, and that it was now the aim of the cabinet to
devise a more feasible idan. The main difficulty was
the stijiulation as to time, and in requesting an ex-
tension of time, the government asked only foi' a
reasonable concession. The cnjjinecrlng difficulties
were so n)uch greater than had been expected, that it
would be impossible to build the road within theilates
specilicd without wasteful expenditure and fmaneial
embarrassment. In order to make amends for this
disappointment, the dominion cabinet proposed to
begin at once the line between Esquimalt and Na-
naimo, completing that portion in the shortest possible
time. As to the mainland, it was useless to begin
construction before even the entire route had been
finally selected; but the government would immedi-

bccn cdiiiiiioiiccil, anil therefore strongly protest against the breacli by tiio
(loiiiinion govt of a conilition of tlie tonus so hi.i^hly important t;) the
province' Order in council, in .SV.w. Papers, Brit. Vol., 18S1, 1 4G. To this
minute, f(jr\v;irde(l by the licut-gov. to tlic secretary of state, M J. L:iiii:Lviii,
uniler-scvrctary, merely replied that the despatch and its enclosures avou!i1 bo
at once laid before the gov. -gen. In Nov. a second minute was forwardeil,
couclied in somewhat pei'cmptory phrase. Taking into consideration Ihatuo
reply was made to tlio former protest; tliat the dominion parliament bail
been prorogued wiLboiit making any provision for theconstiuction of tiif lail-
way; tliat llie legislature of D. C. was convened for tlie 18th of Dec. ; and that
the non rullilnicnt 01 the terms of union iiad caused much anxiety and ilis-
couragcment throughout the province — the eonmiittee of council advised the
licut-gov. to ask for a decided expression of tiie policy of the dominion govt.
The answer was, that tlic cabinet was giving its most earnest consideratiim
to the project for the construction of tlie Pacific railway, an outline of x. hidi
was given in tlie speech delivered by Mr Mackenzie at Sarnia on the "-'.Vih of
Nov., a Hclieme which tliey believe will bo acceptable to the whole dominion,
includin ; 15. C, and that they hope to bo able, within a short time, I > 'Oai-
municale more definitely w'itli that province on the sutjjoct. /(/., 1S8I, IV.'.
lleic v.-e liavo probably the inception of the Pacific railway bill, of whiili
more pnscnlly.

^' In one of his letters of introduction, Mackenzie states that ho would liave
sent n, member of the cabinet but for the near approach of the meeting of j'ar-
liuineut.

IliHl

f:'^

WALKEM AND EDGAR.

657

atcly open a wagon-road along the portion that hiy
within the province, and construct a telegraph line,
placing British Columbia in direct coniniunication
with Canada. Although the terms of the union con-
tained no provision for the amount of expenditure
(luring any special period, or on any particular portion
of the line, and although the length falling within
the province was not estimated at more than one fifth
of the entire length, the dominion government pro
posed, as soon as the surveys were completed, a mini-
mum expenditure of $1,500,000 a 3'ear on the work
of construction within the province, thus securing its
progress without intermission.

Walkem replied that he would submit Edgar's pro-
posals to the local administration, but could not advise
the lieutenant-governor in council to treat them as
official until he was assured that the former was spe-
cially accredited as agent of the general government.
At this letter the barrister took offence, freely ex-
pressing his disgust, and requesting that the proposals
of tlie dominion government should receive the con-
sideiation to which they were entitled. The answer
of the attorney -general was again somewhat insulting,
though covered with a thin lacquer of professional
coui'tesy. He had received but one letter from Mr
Mackenzie, he said — and that not an official one —
wherein Mr Edgar's mission was expressly stated to
1)0 ior the purpose of holding personal interviews with
the members of the executive council, in order that
the ])olicy of the provincial government might be
ascertained without a tedious correspondence. He
must be pardoned, therefore, when he considered it
his duty to ask for Mr Edgar's official authority. .
This information he had not yet received. In his
further efforts to negotiate with the executive, Edgar
fared even worse. His letter of introduction to the
lieutenant-governor, couched in somewhat ambigu-
ous jVnrase for the credentials of a plenipotentiary,^"

'^It reads as follows: Feb. 21, 1874. Sir: The bearer is James D. Edgar, .
Hht. Bull. Coi,. 12

'fl

658

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

1
i

.11

was not even delivered, as the executive council
objected to any coninmnication bein<^ made except
throuj^h themselves.^* Nevertheless he sent a hrief
note to the chief magistrate, enclosing a copy of his
communication to the attorney-general, though it docs
not appear that any notice was taken either of liis
missive or of its enclosure. On the contrary, the
executive council, by advice of the attorney-general,
on the day when the latter received a curt reply fiom
the barrister, reconnnendccl his Excellency to ascertain
by telegraph whether Edgar was empowered to ir'^o-
tiate with the provincial government, and whether
his propositions would, if accepted, be considered bind-
ing by the dominion government. Mackenzie's answer
was brief and somewhat emphatic: "I refer ministry
to my letter by Mr Edgar, which sufficiently indi-
cated his mission, and which they recognized. ]Ie is
now recalled, and I await his return and reports."
Three days later, on the 21st of May, 1874, the attor-
ney-general sent word to the premier of the dominion:
"Will you kindly answer governor's telegram fully?
Do Mr Edgar's propositions to change railway terms
bind your government?" On the 8th of June Trutoli
was informed that the proposals were withdrawn;
whereupon the latter at once appealed to the home
government,^' complaining of a breach in the terms
of the union, a petition being also forv/arded to her
Majesty.

Thus through a want of precision in the negotia-

Esq., barrister, Toronto, who visits Columbia aa the agent of the dominion
government to consult with your government with reierence to tiie late a;;i-
tation concerning an extension of time for the construction of the I'acitic
railway beyond that promised in the ternia of union. Mr Edgar will ex-
plain to your Excellency our anxiety to do everything in our jjowcr to incit
the views of your i)eople. He v.il'. be (jl id to receive your suggestions cou-
cerning matters which may require attention. I am, etc., A. ^lackeii/io.

'" In a despatch to Trutch, dated Ottawa, Mar. 24, 1875, Macken/.i(^ states
that if he had known this to be the ease he would liave directed Edgar to de-
liver the letter notwithstamline the objection.

*' Copies of tlie petition ana of all the correspondence, including Kdgar's

Erivate instructions from the premier, his communication to the atty-gcii., ami
is report to the sec. of state for Canada, will be found in the Railway jhipem,
In Sm». Papers, B. C, 1881, 155-79.

II ' m

AY.

icutivo couiioil
; made except
10 sont a hrief
J a copy of his
though it (l()ci(
1 either of liis

contrary, tlio
toriiGy-gonoral,
Hirt reply from
icy to ascertain
wered to iicl^o-
, and whetliLT
Dnsidered hiiul-
kenzie's answer

refer ministry
ifficiently iiuli-
[jnized. He is

and reports,"
874, the attor-
■ the dominion:
elegram fully?

railway terms
f June Triitch
:e withdrawn;

to the homo
1 in the terms
warded to her

n the negoHa-

cnt of the cloiiiinion
rciice to the late aa-
iction of the I'iicllic
Mr Edgar will cn-
n our power to meet
roxir suggestions cou-
2., A. Mackeii/ie.
75, Mackenzie states
lirected Ed;,'ar to de-

;e, including Edgar's
totheatty-gcn., and
the Railway l\qms,

PACIFIC RAILWAY BILL.

650

tions with the provincial executive, through want of
statesmanship on one side, and through want of for-
bearance on both sides, a serious rujituro was threat-
ened between the province and the dominion. The
])e(ij)le of British Columbia — now .sorely discontent —
were not to blame ^ their hopes and their ambition
had been unduly excited by j^romises which it was
almost impossible to fulfil. Nor was their discontent
(liininished by the passage, late in the session of
1874, of the Pacific Railway bill. According to this
project, introduced by Mackenzie, the line was to be
divided into four sections: first, from Lake Nipissing
to tlio western end of Lake Superior; seconil, from
Lake Superior to Red River, in Manitoba; third,
from Red River to some point between Fort Edmon-
ton and the foot of the Rocky Mountains; fourth,
from the western terminus of the third section to
some point in British Columbia. The government
was to be at liberty to divide any of these sections
into subsections, and niisrht at its discretion construct
the line, or any part of it, as a public work. Con-
tractors were to receive a subsidy of $10,000 per mile,
together with 20,000 acres of land, of fair average
(juality and in alternate sections, for each mile con-
tracted for, and also a guarantee of four per cent
interest for twenty-five years, on such sum as might
bo stipulated in the contract. The contractors were
to own and run their sections, subject to such regula-
tions as to rates of fare and freight, accommodation,
and number and description of trains, as mij^ht be made
from time to time by the governor in council. The
^'overnment reserved the right to sell two thirds of
all t'le land grants at such prices as might be agreed
upon by the contractors, the proceeds to be paid over
to the latter, and also the right to purchase the rail-
way, or any portion of it, for a sum not exceeding the
actual cost, with ten per cent added, the subsidies in
land and money being first deducted from the amount."

" WilsorCa Canada and The dm. Pac. Railway, 13-14.

' ' il

liil

060

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

To this measure there were several weiglity objco-
tions. First of all, it was I'rained in such a maiiin r
that detached sections of the road might be built and
operated by several companies, and those interspersed
with other sections owned by the dominion. It was
a moral certainty that if responsible parties could ho
found to accept contracts they would take only thoso
which would give them the best sections, leaving llic
remainder to the government. No transcontinental
railway in America, whether built or in conten)])la-
tion, would lay open to settlement so vast an extent
of agricultural land as the Canadian Pacific, and the
more valuable sections should have been so distributed
as to aid in the construction of inferior portions.
Second, the condition whereby governmont retained
the right to sell two thirds of the land grants, at siuh
prices as might bo agreed upon, was one that lew busi-
ness men would entertain, for the dominion would
possess as much land along the line of route as the
contractors, and could force the latter to accept its
own terms. Then the clause depriving contractors of
the privilege of determining rates of fare and frcii^ht
was most objectionable, for on this matter, even it'
traffic were abundant, the profits would mainly de-
pend. Finally, the power reserved by government to
buy up any or all of the sections, at ten per cent
above thoir cost, was a stipulation not likely to find
favor with capitalists. Under such an agreement, a
portion of the line might be worked, for instance, lor
a term of twenty years, by a company of stockhold-
ers; and if, at the end of that period, their section
had developed into a paying property, they might bo
called upon at any time to surrender it, receiving
back barely their purchase money, with one half of
one per cent a year added by way of interest, and
losing perhaps, meanwhile, several millions in work-
ing expenses.®"

'• IVU.wii'k Cavnda and Can. Pac. Railvoay, passim. Mackenzie's project
was vigorously attacked in British Columbia iu counection with puliiicul

idbUcb.

m ill

1 1

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

1874-1885.

TriK CAKNAnvoN Terms— Their Acceptance — Defeat of the Esqhimalt
AND Na.vai'.hi Railway Bill— The Provincial Lkoislatore's Petition
TO UEU Maje.sty— Rejoindeu of the Dominion Go^'ERNMEN^ — Visit of
TiiK Eaul of Dufferin — His Speech at Victoria — Tiiheats of Se-
ci;.s.si(iN — A Second Petition to the Qdeen — Proposed Annexation
to the United States — One Moiie Petition — Contract with the
Syndicate — Enoinekrino Difficdlties — Port Moodv — Keasons for
ITS Selection as the Terminus— Completion of the Line— A Costly
Undertaking — Tub Road Built as a National Highway.

On the 1 1th of June, 1874, the secretary of state for
the colonies was informed by telegram that a delegate
was about to proceed to London for the purpose of
laying before the home government the complaints of
the provincial legislature as to the breach in the terms
of union. Exactly one week later a confidential mes-
sage from the banking firm of Faulkner, Bell, & Co.
was received by Governor Trutch, stating that the
earl of Carnarvon had consented to arbitrate, and that
both parties had concurred. In a despatch to the
governor-general, bearing the same date, the earl re-
marked that it was neither his wish nor any part of
hiis duty to interfere 'in the controversy. It seemed
to be one which the dominion government and legisla-
ture should bring to a satisfactory conclusion, and her
Majesty's government was reluctant to take any action
which might imply a doubt whether the former would
ckal with the province in a fair and liberal spirit. He
tendered his services only because he was resolved

(OUl)

1)1

i !

662

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

that no means should be spared to bring about a speedy
and amicable settlement of a question which could not,
without disadvantage to both parties, remain the sub-
ject of a prolonged and acrimonious discussion.*

After some correspondence on both sides, Earl
Dufferin forwarding for consideration a report of the
privy council, in which it was made to appear that tlio
government of British Columbia had no just or rea-
sonable ground of complaint, while on the other hand,
the attorney-general for the province argued his case
with considerable acumen, on the 17th of November,
1874, the decision was rendered. Only in two mate-
rial points did it differ from the terms proposed by
Mr Edgar: first, the minimum expenditure within tlio
province after the completion of the surveys was to
be 32,000,000 instead of $1,500,000 a year; second,
the limit of time for the completion of the road "from
the Pacific seaboard to a point at the western end of
Lake Superior, at which it will fall into connection
with the existing lines of railway through a portion of
the United States, and also with the navigation on
Canadian waters," was altered to the 31st of Decoui-
bcr, 1890. To construct thus early the remainder of
the line north of Lake Superior, extending to the Ca-
nadian lines then in operation, ought not, as the carl
considered, to be required. He hoped, however, that
at no very distant day a continuous line of road would
be built througjhout the lenj^th of the dominion.^
The earl's decision, or as it was afterward known, the
Carnarvon terms, was accepted by both parties, though
witli a reservation on the side of Canada, providing,'
that, in accordance with the resolution passed by the
dominion parliament in April 1871, the line should bo
built without increase in the rate of taxation.'

'For copy of despatch, see Sens. Pa pern, B. C, 1881, 182-3.

'/(/., '210-11; Mackenzie's Mem. Can. Pac. lln'dmay, MS., 5-G.

'In a miniilo of council dated March 13, 187C, wo read: 'It must bcl»>nio
in mind that every step in the negotiation was necessarily predicated iipmi
and sul)j( ct to the conditions of tlio resolution of tho house of coniiiions ]iii>->til
in 1871, contcinporani'ously with tho adopvion of tlio terms of union \\ iili M-
O. subsci^ucatly enacted in the C 1'. railway act of ISTii, and aubaui(ULiii!y

.n.'pt nil

THE QUESTION REOPENED.

6G3

bout a speedy
ich could not,
iiain the sub-
ission.*
I sides, Earl
•eport of tho
ipear that tlio
) just or rea-
e other hand,
^ued his case
f November,
in two mate-
proposed by
re within the
rveys was to
^ear; second,
le road "from
estern end of

connection
li a portion <jf
avigation on
it of Deceui-
remaindcr of
\iX to the Ca-
;, as the earl
owever, that
f road would

dominion.^

1 known, the
rties, though
la, providill^'
issed by the

le should be
iion.'

2-3.

o-c.

'It must belHinie
' inedicatcd upon
f coiiiiiiona]iiisit'il
of union \\ iili H.
md BubscqULUlly

The portion of Mr Edgar's proposal relating to the
construction of a railway from Esquinialt to Nanainio
was also embodied in the Carnarvon terms. When,
liowover, the premier introduced a bill for this pur-
pose in the dominion parliament, the measure, though
carried in the commons, was defeated in the senate
by a majority of two,* among those who voted against
it being several members of the premier's party. The
building of this road, it was argued, was merely in-
tended as compensation for delay, and was altogether
apart from the terms of union, in which there was no
obliixation to extend the line to Vancouver Island.
Thus the entire question, which had been considered
as practically settled, was reopened for discussion, and
the negotiations which ensued served but to widen
the breach between the two governments.

Early in 1876 a despatch was forwarded by Gover-
nor Trutcli to the "Secretary of state for Canada, en-
closing a copy of a petition to her Majesty, in which
it was complained that the dominion government had
almost entirely disregarded the terms of the Carnar-
von settlement. They had neither commenced the
buildinof of the railroad on the island nor on the main-
land, nor of the wagon-road or engmeenng trad
intended to facilitate railroad work; nor had the agree-
ment relating to the construction of the provincial
section of the transconiaiental telegraph lino been
carried out. It was claimed that British Columbia
bad fulfilled all the conditions of her agreement with
Canada, while, through the repeated violations by the
dominion of the railway terms, all classes of the pop-
ulation of the province had suffered loss. Distrust

rci'iiacted, after rv large addition had been made to the rate of tuxation, in the
('. !'. lailway act of 1S7-1— that the public aid to bogivcMi tosociirc tlioacconi-
rlisiinicnt of tiio undertaking shouM consist of sucii liberal grants nf land and
Eiuh subsidy in moiiey or other aid. not increasing the thru cxiiting rate of
taxation, as tlie ijarlianient of Canadfi, bIiouUI thereafter dLtcrniine. This do-
t'Tiiiination not to involve the country in a h'lpclcsj bunk'n /f debt is sus-
taiiR-d by publi'; o])ini()ii everywhere throughout the dornini.jii, i.ud must of
liocisxity euntroi the action of the government.'

*Tiio vote was 2[i to 21. Papers rel. Alisnion Dc Cosmos, 74.

H'^-

:l !

664

THL CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

liad been created; trade and commerce liad been un-
settled ; the progress of the country had been checked,
and the confident anticipations of commercial and
political advantage to be derived fro; the construc-
tion of the line had given place to a feeling of depas-
sion. The petitioners therefore submitted that the
conditions of the settlement effected tlirough the in-
tervention of the secretary of state for the colonies
should be carried out in letter and in spirit."

In a report of a committee of the privy council of
Canada, dated the 13th of March, niaifiy i --'iistver
to these allegations, is a review of the \vh -le itro-
versy as it then stood. The western tom^inus of
the road, urged the dominion, was a question that did
not enter into the agreement between Canada and
British Columbia, but one to bo determined by the
governor-general in council. The first action taken
in this matter was in June 1873, when, most injudi-
ciously in the opinion of the committee, an order in
council was passed selecting Esquimalt as the tor-
minus. If this decision had not been reversed, the
government would have been compelled to construct
thence more than a hundred and sixty miles of rail-
way to some point opposite Bute Inlet, at a cost of
about $7, 500,000, while the bridging of the Narrow
— the latter a most gigantic undertaking — would c
quire a further outlay of more than §20,000,000. '1 ■
Mackenzie administration had from the first doc^in-.J
to adopt this portion of the policy of its prede-jossoi's.
They had offered, however, as compensation for delay,
a cash bonus of §7i)0,000, or about $75 per capita df
the white population of the province; but this ollor
had been refused.* So far from the province having

»<9cM. Papers, B. C, 18S1, .•?29-31.

•As to this matter there was some rnisunderstandina on the part * o
govcriinieut of IJ. C. In a report of the privy counoil dated Sept. '20 i
and referring mainly to the constrnction of tho Esipiiniult and Naniiiii > '■
way, it iareconimendod that the people of li. C should construct this line t'
selves, or undertake such other local public works as they think best, and lii »
the coniiienaation granted by Canada 'for any delays which may take ; !:i o
in tho eoustruotiuu of tho I'aciflc railway bIiouKI be in the form of a c.i. li

lad been nn-
»een checked,
mercial and
ho construc-
ig of depi-c's-
.ed that the
ough the i li-
the colonies
it.»

y council of
y I" -nisvver
Iv'le .tro-
tonrinus of
ion that did
Canada and
ined by the
iction taken
most injudi-
an order in
as the tor-
eversed, the
to construe t
liles of rail-
at a cost of
he Narrows
— would te
),000. T.'^
rst docliii'.J
redc'jessors.
>n for delay,
ler capita of
it this ollbr
ince havinu;

tho part . ' 'iO
I Sept. 'JO I ,.
il Nanaiii ,j i il-
L'ttliisliiiotlu r ;
ik boHt, aiul lli.u
may take p!;u u
fuiiii uf a c.i. li

SEPArwVTION THRKATENED.

665

sufTercd loss and deprivation from the union, as was
alleged, it had already derived therefrom no incon-
siderable advantage. Apart from railway expenditure,
Canada had, between the date of the union and the
close of 1875, spent $1,204,388 over the amount
derived from revenue/ The object of the provincial
legislature appeared to bO; not to secure the com-
pletion of the road as a national undertaking under
such conditions as would tend to the welfare of the
entire community, but to enforce an enormous ex-
j)cnditure, at whatever cost to Canada, within their
own province, and for which that province could
render no equivalent. The urgency with which the
government of British Columbia demanded this ex-
j)enditure, with a view to secure vast profits for a
small population, would not encourage the people of
the dominion to support their rulers in the eftbrt to
i'ul'il, as far as possible, the appalling obligations to
which they were committed. In conclusion, it re-
mained only, under the circumstances, to endeavor to
construct the railway as rapidly as the resources of
the country would i)ermit.

Here for the moment negotiations practicall}^ ceased,
(ud separation from the dominion was for the time
njH'iily threatened, the executive council expressing
in their re[)ly the fullest confidence that her Majesty
v.ould not require lier subjects in British Columbia,

'ims,' to be cxpen:le(l m the Icgislatuvo might tlctermino. In the petition to
iIm; quc'cu this waj intei priitcil us an indemuity to he pai<l on comlitien that
Vai'. ii^'i-eLMuent fur a yearly oxpentliture oi $2,000,000 within tho pniviiice, and
fill' tho ooniph'tion of the road to Lake Superior before tho end of ISUO, shoidd
liL' surrendered. In a letter to DuU'crin, dated May "J;!, IS70, Carnarvon s.ays:
'1 cannot hut suppose that tho complaints that have reaehod niu from the
govt f)f B. C. have been founded on a misapprehension, with reference to the
t\pression used in the Canadian minute of council, .. .as well as to the in-
ti'iitions of tho tljminiun minister.' Corrf.iiioitilriim Can. I'ac. lliiihrmj, 11.

' The total expenditure for the four and a half years wasSli,()S:!,r>ii."). 21, and
I'.ic total revenue Sl.STO.'iJU. .*?;). Meanwhile the railway expcndilure was
b*i7(i, l-lt.r>9, making a total excess of expemlitnrc of S2,0i>0,4S;>..'!0, or about
S.'OS per capita of the [lopulation. .SV.s.s. Paj/irn, li. ('., 18SI,'J.'iO. To tills
tlie executive co\ui(;il of the jirovinco replied that a larj:o part of tho expendi-
l\irc was incidental to the extension of the system of confederation over a ne\r
p;i)vliiee, and that the disbursements would be greatly reduced after the com-
I'iuion of tho public buildings and works provided for in tlio ternia of uuiun.

'ii!

■ I

li'

GGO

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

i*|i *

however few in number, to submit to injustice from tlio
majority to which they had united themselves on dis-
tinct and carefully considered terms. Unless means
w*^.- promptly taken to remove this sense of injus-
tice, and to satisfy the people that their rights would
bo maintained, the "growing alienation of sentiment
must result prejudicially to the interests of the eui-
pire."«

In a despatch to the earl of Carnarvon, enclosing a
copy of the report to the privy council, the governor-
general states that he is about to visit the western
portion of the dominion, mainly with a view to bring
about a settlement of the differences with British Co-
lumbia. From this visit much was expected. With
the authority of his rank and office, Dufferin com-
bined, in no limited degree, sound, practical judg-
ment, tact, and temper, together with much official
experience. He was an adroit and versatile diplomate,
one who never gave offence, and who well knew how
to make allowance for local prejudices, and to smooth
artificial impediments. If he failed in his efforts to
adjust the dispute, then the difficulty might almost
be regarded as insurmountable. So hopeful, how-
ever, was the secretary for the colonies of his suc-
cess, that he postponed his reply to the minutes
of council from British Columbia and Canada, and
deferred laying before her Majesty the petition of
the provincial legislature until ho was informed as to
the result of Dufterin's visit.*

After making a tour of the provinces, northward
as far as the border'3 of Alaska, and eastward to
Kamloop, on the 20th of September, 187(5, the
governor-general addressed a deputation of the recep-
tion committee at Victoria. Dufferin was a trained
and polished speaker for an English nobleman, souie-

1870.

'/(/., 1881, 245. Tlie report of the executive council ia dated Juuu 3,
' Corrfisj^ondence Can. Pac. Railway, 11.

tice from tho
;elves on dis-
Jnlcss moans
nsc of inj US-
rights would
of sentiment
3 of the eni-

, enclosing a

he govcrnor-

the western

lew to brini,'

I British Co-
cted. With
'ufFerin eoui-
jctieal judg-
nuch official
le diplomato,

II knew how
d to smooth
his efforts to
light alnu)st
jpeful, how-

of his suc-

the minutes

anada, and

petition of

brmed as to

;, northward
eastward to
187G, the
)f the rccci»-
as a trained
3man, souie-

ia dated Juuo 3,

DUFFERIN'S ADDRESS.

667

what ornate, but still an orator of marked ability.
All his eloquence was thrown away, however, on this
Hclf-willcd audience. In vain did ho exert to the
utmost his well-known powers of pleasing; in vain
did he compliment his hearers on their unswerv-
ing loyalty, and the province on its amazing resources;
in vain did he dwell on the idyllic beauty of its scen-
ery, its noble harbors, and its labyrinth of navigable
channels, winding for thousands of miles around
islands, promontories, and peninsulas, unruffled by
the faintest swell from the neighboring ocean, and
adapted as well to the largest merchantman as to
the frailest canoe; in vain did he point to the agri-
cultural and pastoral resources of the country, its
wealth in gold and silver, coal and iron, fisheries and
forests, winding up his glowing picture by declaring
British Columbia to be " a glorious province — a prov-
ince which Canada should be proud to possess, and
whose association with tho dominion she ought to
logard as the crowing triumph of federation." Of
all this the people of British Columbia were well
awire, though probably they did not object to being
loniinded of it. They had ni vcr doubted that their
country was one which Canada should be proud to
possess, and had always regarded their union as the
brightest jewel in the dominion crowti. What they
coiii[)lained of was that Canada did not keep faith
with them, and thereby show a becoming pride in her
now acquisition, instead of appearing entirely indiffer-
ent as to the stability of tho federal edifice. Passing to
tho main point of his address, tho earl assured his audi-
ence that he came on no diplomatic mission, nor as
one intrusted with any announcement either from the
imperial or the dominion government. His visit was
in order to become acquainted with them as the roj)-
losentative of her Majesty, to ascertain their wants
and wishes, and to learn as much as possible concern-
ing the physical features and resouices of the })rov-
ince. He Jiad no desire to persuade them into any

663

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

line of action that did not accord with thoir own
interests, and he would neither make any new prom-
ises on behalf of his government nor renew any old
ones; least of all did he wish to force upon them any
further modification of the Carnarvon terms. Nev-
ertheless, the greater part of his speech was devoted
to an elaborate exculpation of the Canadian govein-
ment, though he did not deny that British Columbia
hud suft'ered in many respects through the non-ful-
lilment of the terms of union.

Touching on the quesJon of the Esquimalt and
Nanaiino railway, he stated that he well knew the
importance which they attached to this portion of
the work, and admitted that its immediate execution
was definitely included in the Carnarvon settlement.
He was not surprised, therefore, that the miscarriaj^^c
of this part of the bargain should have caused so much
irritation. "Two years have passed," he said, "since
the Canadian government undertook to commence the
construction of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo railway,
and the Nanaimo and Esquimalt railway is not even
commenced, and what is more, there does not at pres-
ent seem a prospect of its being commenced. What,
then, is the history of the case? and who is answerable
for your disappointment? I know you consider Mr
INIackcnzie. I am not here to defend Mr Mackenzie,
his policy, his proceedings, or his utterances. I hope
this will be clearly understood." Notwithstanding
this disavowal, however, the earl proceeded to defend
the premier's administration, as an advocate would
plead before a court.'" As to the proposed money

'" 'It is aaaerted, and I imagine with truth,' he said, 'that Mr Mackenzie
and his political frienda had always been opposed to many portions of Canada's
bargain with B. C. It therefore came to be considered in this province timt
the new government was an enemy to the Pacific railway. But I believe this
to iiavo been, and to be, a complete misapprehension. I believe the I'ucilio
railway has no better friend than Mr Mackenzie; and that ho was only dp-
posed to the time terms in tiic bargain, because he believed them imixissilile
of accomplishment, and that a conscientious endeavor to fullil them woiilil
unnecessarily and ruinously increase the financial expenditure of the counti;Vi
and in both these opinions Mackenzie was nndoubtedly in the right.' >o
persistently had the liberal premier been accused of bicach of faith, insiucer-

SPECIAL PLEADING.

GG9

compensation, he could not hold out any hope that Its
amount would be increased, and he was of opinion
that, in making tliis offer, after the defeat of the rail-
way bill in the senate, Mackenzie had adopted the
only alternative left open to him. Otherwise, every
item in the Carnarvon terms was in course of fulfil-
ment. The thirty millions of money and the fifty
million acres of land were ready; the surveys were
being pushed forward to completion; the profiles of
the main line had been taken out; the wa<jon-road
would follow ^3«>'i pa^'Sit with construction; several
thousand miles of the telegraph line had been built;
and now that the terminus on the mainland appeared
to have been selected, at Bute Inlet," tenders would
probably be invited at an early date. If the railway
was once completed to Bute Inlet, it could not stop
tliere, and as soon as the tide of traffic fairly set in
with Australia, China, and Japan, the line must, of
necessity, be continued to Esquimalt. In that case
the Nanaiino road would almost spring into existence
of its own accord, and the people of British Columbia
would be in possession not only of the $750,000 of
compensation money, but of that for which it was
paid. As to the threat of secession, of which more
later, he remarked that, if hasty counsels should so
far prevail as to render necessary a readjustment oi'
their political relations, he feared that Victoria would
be the greatest sufferer. There were men with whom
ho had held much pleasant intercourse, and from whom

ity, and <louble-dcaling, that at this time three fourths of the people of B. C.
were opposed to him. In tlio Shunlard of Jan. 1, 1875, was [ ublislicd a val-
edictioii to the chjsing scene of 187.'), dedicated, without pi'rniission, to tlie
cabinet of tlie dominion of Canada, and especially to Alexander Mackenzie,
by tlie author, James MacBraiie Siuitlj.

' Then pUce on view, iu the Centcnnlnl Park,
Our hiTcj's piilurc, labcllcil, Urokeu Terms;
Ami if, ill flesh, llio imrlriilt in theRe hues
81io\Ud swell tlio irowd mi luiU'iieuiIeuio Dny,
Give lilm II sceliun whire no pr yress sliiiies,
Murked, I'laut truiu Sjo.luud raised iu Cimada.

Fnrewelll Thu pen shuU never rust
That wrote Uepudlatiou o'er thy dust."

" At this date it was conimouly believed that such was the case, though,
hi fact, no terminus had as yet been tiually selected.

C70

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

he had received the utmost kindness and courtesy,
l)ut wlio declared that if the legislature of Canada was
not cc)n)i)elled forthwith to build the Esquiniult and
Nunainio railway, they would, notwithstanding the
})reniier's offer of a money equivalent, bring about the
separation of the province from the dominion. This,
he dc dared, they could not do, or, at least, such a
proposition would find no favor on the mainland. In
rejecting the railway bill — and this was now their
main grievance — the senate had merely exercised its
legitimate functions, and on this matter there was
nothing more to be said. Should, hov/ever, the in-
fluence of these persons prevail, what good pur[)osc
could it serve? British Columbia would still remain
a portion of the dominion. The line of the railway
would probably be deflected toward the south, in which
case New Westminster would become the capital of
the province, the seat of government and of justicv,
the social centre of the British domain in the nortli-
west, and would doubtless develop into a prosperous
city. Burrard Inlet would contain a thriving com-
mercial port, where the miners of (^lariboo wouKl ex-
pend each winter their stores of gold-dust. Esquimalt
would, of course, be retained as a naval station on tho
Pacific; but Vancouver Island and its inhabitants,
whose influence was due rather to their intelligence
than their numbers, would sink into insignificance.
Nanaimo would become the principal town, while
Victoria would lapse into the condition of a villai^o,
until the growth of a healthier sentiment should [)ave
the way for her readmission into the dominion.^-

Though Dufferin's visit allayed somewhat the pop-
ular discontent, it failed altogether in ito main purpose,
which was to obtain from the people of British Colum-
bia their consent to the premier's latest prcjposal to
evade the obligations of the dominion. It must bo
admitted, however, that his task was one of peculiar

" A copy of the carl's address will be found in Seas. Papers, Ji. C, ISSl,
249-Gl.

md courtes}',
f Canada was
squiiiiult uiid
standinjj the
Ing about the
inion. This,
least, such a
lainland. In
IS now their
exercised its
iiv there was
ever, the iii-
food purpose
I still remain

the railway
luth, in which
he capital of
id of justice',
n the nortli-
a prosperous
iriving coni-
oo would ox-
Esquimalt
bation on the

inhabitants,

: intelligence

isignificancc.

town, while

of a villai^e,

should pave
linion.^^
hat the pop-
lain purpose.
itishColnni-

pnjposal to

It must he
3 of peculiar

pers, B. C, ISSl,

TUE EARL'S FAILURE.

671

difficulty. lie was compelled to appear before them
in the dual character of a representative of the crown
and of an independent constitutional s^'steni — func-
tions always difficult to reconcile, and especially so at
the time of his visit. In fulfilling his mission, ho was
eompclled to assume in a measure the character of a
(liplomate. While attomping to "l^ow that Canada
had acted in good faith, he urged the province to
accept what was in fact merely the compromise of a
compromise, the offer of a government, which had
virtually repudiated its obligations, to pay so much in
tiic pound to a creditor. It must be admitted that,
on this occasion, the viceroy failed to do justice either
to himself or to his office, pleading, as he did, before
her Majesty's subjects the cause of the Mackenzie
administration. Granted that he found it necessary
to keep his ministers in good humor, to remedy their
hhmders, and if possible to prevent the secession of
British Colun»bia, it was no part of his duty thus to
attempt the negotiation of a bargain between his own
cabinet and the executive council of one of his prov-
inces, still less to enact the role of apologist for his
own government."

In an address presented by the people of British
Columbia to the governor-general a few days before
his speech at the capital, it was stated that the wide-
.s[)read feeling of dissatisfaction caused by the action
of the dominion government had been intensified bv
the remarks of men prominent in affairs of state, who
a[)peared to regard the province merely as a source of
trouble and expense, and as one whose withdrawal

"The comments of the English press on Earl Dufierin's visit and the rail-
way question were for the most part adverse to •^' o dominion, and some of
tiicni wore a little severe. Soothe Loudon Sla),iiril, Oct. 17, 1S7C; /'<(ll
Mall Oazctto, Sept. 22, 1870. On the other hand, the Lonlon Times remarks:
'It is, judging by past experience, a moderate estimate to suppose tliat prob-
ably a generation will elapse before the Canadian Pacific railway can pay its
working expenses. Is it worth Canad.a's while? Wc doubt it. At all events,
it tmist bo apparent to any mind that its construction means probably an addi-
tion of at least from forty to fifty millions sterling debt to tlie already lioavy
Canuilian di'bt before the line has been worked live years.' Victoria Slaiid-
ani, Nov. 10, 1877.

III

11 I

672

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

would not bo rogrcttcd. Tlio allusion was in part to the
premier, whoso speeches implied that the eoruicetion
was embairassing and unproiitable. The minister of
justice" liad also declared that, should British Colum-
bia not bo content with what Canada chose to givo
her, she had better withdraw from the union." " If,"
continues the address, "the Canadian government
fail to take practical st(jps to carry into effect tho
terms solemnly accepted by them, we most respect-
fully ini'orm your Excellency that, in the opinion of
a large number of people of this province, the witli-
drawal of the province from the confederation will ho
the inevitable result."

Nearly two years elapsed, and notwithstanding the
assurances of Dufferin and Carnarvon,^" no decisive
action was taken. The Wasatch Mountains were lull
of surveyors and theodolites; but nothing had been
done toward the actual construction of the line within
the province, nor had even tenders been invited. In
Sopteud^er 1878, therefore, an address from the pro-
vincial legislature was ibrwarded to her ^lajcsty, in
"which, aicer once more setting forth tlieir grievances,
the petitioners ask that in the event of the dominion
government failing to carry out before tho 1st of May
the agroeuient of 1874, "British Columbia shall have
the right to exclusively collect and retain her cus-
toms and excise duties, and to withdraw from the
union; and shall also in any event be entitled to be
compensated by the dominion for losses sustained by
reason of past delays, and the (ailure of the dominion
govermnent to carry out their railway and other obli-
gations to tho province.""

"Mr Blake, one of tlie leaders of the liberal, or as it was termed, tl: e 'grit'
party.

'■■llis remarks were indorsed by Sir Alexander Gait, a prominent Mn-
sorvative Icailur. Pall Mall Gazelle, Sept. '22, 1S7G.

'''In 11 di;spatcli to DuU'crin, dated L)cc. IS, LS70, Carnarvon says: 'I fully
hope and bcliuve that, after the vciy limited dulay of a single suninicf, the
province of 15. O. will find that tlicio i.i no longer any obstacle to the active
prosecution of t!ie undertaking. ' Correspondence Can. Pac. liailway, X'l.

" Forciipy of the address, sue Jour. LeijisL, B. C, 1S78, lOJ-7; iV-a. Paj>'rs,
B. C, ISSl, •.:7ci-«0.

ANNEXATION.

073

icrmcd, tie 'grit'
prominent oon-

This was sufficiently decisive, and if, at this juncture,
British Cohimbia had deteruiined to secede, neither
EniJ^land nor Canada could have prevented it; for it
is the long-established policy of the home government
that colonies shall not bo retained against their will.
In accordance with constitutional law, a court wt)ul(l
probably have held that the union could not bo
severed, and that the dominion must fulfil its part of
the contract or make compensation for failure and
delay. But the dominion could no more have insisted
on the integrity of the union than could the province
have compelled Canada to do her justice, for British
colonies are no more liable to coercive jurisdiction
than arc sovereign states. It is almost certain that
the separation of British Columbia would have been
IbHowed at no long interval by annexation to the
United States; nor would the imperial government
have had any just grounds for exception to such a
measure.

Long before this date, annexation, if not openly dis-
cussed, had at least suijijested itself to men's thouiihts
as one way, and perhaps the best way, out of the dil-
ficulty.'^ Nor can it be believed that the United
States would have refused to accept this portion of
England's domain, which, lying between Alaska and
Washington, is the only break in the stretch of
their Pacific seaboard. The province is indeed a
magnificent one. With a vast area, a scant po[)U-
lation, and boundless resources, as 3'et almost un-
touched; with ports on the most direct lino of travel
between Europe and Asia, Victoria being but tw'.'i ty
days' distance by steamer from Hong-Kong — the LiaJc
of this country is destined to become a not inconsider-
able factor in the commerce of the world. Taking
Yokohama as a central point, its distance from Liver-

'' For comments of the Pacific coast press on the threatened secession and
prohalilo annexation of the province, see, among others, .V. /'. Alia, Dec. 29,
ISTl, April 10, Autr. 14, 187(1; Brit. Colonist, April 23, 1879; PoHland TeU'
Sram, March 22, 1879.

UiBT. UniT. Col, 13

;■!

674

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

pool via Montreal and Port Moody is computed at
10,9G3 miles, and by way of New York and San
Francisco at 12,038 miles, a difference of 1,075 miles
in favor of the former route. At this date the
Panamd canal was believed to be impossible of ac-
complishment at any reasonable expense of life, labor,
and capital. If Great Britain sought for means of
commercial intercourse with the far cast and licr
Australian colonies, other than these which Cook and
Vancouver had discovered in the eighteenth century,
and Do Lessops bad endeavored to improve in the
nineteenth, where was she to look for them save to the
dominion or to the United States? And what would
be the prospect for England's commerce with the east
should British Columbia become one with the United
States? — a danger all the more imminent because
British Columbia still contained a v large percent-
age of Americans. Though the i.inion miji^ht
afford to slight these considerations, cne home <io\-
ernment could not. The question was no longer as
between Canada, with her four millions of inhabitants,
and British Columbia, with her few thousands; but
between the mother country and one of her most dis-
tant and sparsely settled, though most valuable, colo-
nies.

Fortunately there occurred at thisjuncture a change
of administration in the Canadian government. In
answer to a telegram from Victoria, dated the IGth
of January, 1879, wherein it was stated that no an-
swer had yet been received to the last petition of the
legislature, the following reply was returned by Sir
John A. Macdonald: "Railway matters are now
under consideration, and your representations and
claims will receive our best attention." Then followed
one, dated a few weeks later: "The attention of the
present ministry, on taking office, was not called to
this petition, and it remained unnoticed. On its be-
ing discovered, it was transmitted to England. The
government here greatly regret the oversight." After

READY TO BEGIN.

67fv

somo further negotiation," surveys being now almost
(■(HiiplctcJ, Port Moody, or Burrard Inlet, finally se-
lected as the terminus,^" and all being in readiness for

'«' H."

: I

"In which, as usual, B. C. insists on havinp; her own way, without much
regard to the interests of tho dominion. On the 24th of Ai'ril, 1870, a tele-
(;r;iin was forwarded to tho premier of Canada: ' IIouho regrets delay of your
luilroad policy, and unanimously request to be informed of policy immedi-
ately, and whether construction and vigorous prosecution will tako place la
province this year;' and to tho secretary of state for tho colonies: 'No action
yet taken on railway by dominion government. Tliis legislature in session
awaiting answer to petition, unanimously and respectfully request immcdiata
rLi)ly to its prayer.' Tho secretary of state for the dominion replied: ' Cana-
liiuii government is determined to commence work of construction in B. C.
tW\i season, and lo press it vigorously.' Oct. 2, 1879, Walkem telegraphs to
Macdonald: 'Delay in commencing railway causes great dissatisfaction. Wo
strongly urge you not to overlook your assurances to our legislature.' Tho
premier answered: ' 127 miles to bo constructed forthwith, from Yale to
kamloops." Sess. Papers, B. V., 1881, 284-8.

•'' In tho winter of 1874 the building in which were kept tho field-note
Ijoolis, unlinishcd plans, etc., was destroyed b (ire, nearly every scrap of
paper being consumed. Thus were lost tho results of three years' labor, ob-
tained at a cost of somo .C.^OOjOOO, and it was necessary to commence tho work
afresli. At this dato Mi- Fleminfr was of opinion that a direct line from Teto
Jamie Cache could be found via Clearwater and Stillwater lakes to the Fraser,
the crossing being a short distance above Big Bond, and ascending westward
—on the eastern slope of tho Cascade Range — by the valley of tho Chilkotin,
juiiiiiig the Bute lalct route on tlio summit I- vel. L iter explorations showed
tliid route to bo impracticable. Almost the entire force was employed on tho
survey of the Fraser between Tete Jauno Cache and Fort George, and tho sev-
eral lines westward from tho latter point, toward tho moutli of tho Skecna,
Gardner, Dean, and Bute inlets. Gardner and Dean inlets seemed at first to
promise best, but ultimately the former was abandoned, as no favorable route
could bo found tlirough the Cascade Range. The Dean Inlet line was instru-
meiitally surveyed, and a favorable lino marked out, though with high gra-
dients toward tlio sea. Harbor accommodation was also less favorable than
represented, but otherwise the Dean Inlet was preferred to the Bute Inlet
route. Tho latter was fifty miles longer, and it wouhl be necessary to build
tlie railway to Frederic Arm, on tho northern mouth of the inlet, while navi-
gation, both toward Queen Charlotte Sound and the strait of Fuca, was diflB-
cult. Tho advocates of this route were so well aware of these obstacles that
they never proposed to encounter them, but rather to cross at onco from
Frederic Ann to Otter Cove, V. I., and thence to Esquimalt, a distance of
205 miles. Certain advocates of the Bute Inlet route pointed out that a har-
bor equal to that of Esquimalt could be reached on the outer coast of V. I. at
Quatsiiio. Wlien all tlic djlliculties connected with the northern routes, in-
chiiling Bute Inlet, became known, it was determined to try tlic lower Fraser
and Thompson rivers by instrumental survey. The result satisfied the govt,
aii'l Port Moody, or English 75ay, on Burrard Inlet, was selected as the tor-
minus for several reasons, among which may be mentioned: 1st. That the line
to I'ort Moody was shorter and elieapcr than tlie one to Bute Inlet. 2d. That
no gradient exceeded 50 feet to the mile, while on the Bute Inlet route there
vero gradients of more than 100 feet to tlie mile. 3d. Tliat tho Burrard In-
let route could bo commenced at Yale, to v hich point tho Eraser was navi-
galile, and extended to tidal commnnication. 4th. That tho construction of
l-.j miles to Kaiiiloop Lake would immediately open up the heart of the
province. 5th. That the line would pass through or close to the largest coal-
tield yet discovered on the Island. Cth. That the open sea could be reached

676

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

1 *■' '

the virtual fulfilment of the railway clause contaiiu'd
in the terms of union, a telegram was received on tlic
9th of January, 1880, from the secretary of state for
Canada, asking that, in accordance with these terms,
twenty miles of land on either side of the lino be con-
veyed to the dominion government. On the 8th of
May the conveyance was authorized, and on tin'
25th of March, 1881, an act was passed by the legis-
lature of British Columbia, providing that "the su-
preme court of Canada and the exchequer court, or
the supreme court of Canada alone, according to tlio
provisions of the act of the parliament of Cauuil.i
known as the supreme and exchequer court act,"
should have jurisdiction in controversies between tho
dominion and the province.^^

Thus did British Columbia, possibly of her own
free-will, though probably through a slip of the Hon-
orable George A. Walkem, bind herself once more to
the dominion, and by a statute which neither Eng-
land nor Canada had power to enact. Yet one n'oro
petition was presented to her Majesty, wherein ho
oft-recited grievances were rehearsed, the construction
of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo branch insisted u[)on,
and the threat of secession repeated." To tliis I ho
dominion government replied: "As regards the prayer

much more easily than by way of Bute Inlet. J\fac/.r'iizi<''.-< Mem. ('<ni. /'m:
liailway, MS., 8-11. A description of each year's cxi)lorati()ni iiinl mui u ys
will be found in I'lrmiuiy^t Urporht, Can. Pac. IlaVmuj. In ims coiniiLtiiii
may bo mentioned tlic geologic survey of Canada, undcitakcn in ISTl I'.v Al-
fred R. C. Sehvyn, F. R. 8., assisted by James Kiuhard.son of lliu gculu^ic
Btair, for the purpose of ascertaining the physical character of iho cjiiiiiiy,
the general distribution of tlie geological formations, and llic fafilities ,or
travel in the several districts. Tlic route examined was oun of ihoso \. liicli
attracted attention in connection with the surveys for the Canaihau Pui.io,
extending obliijuely across the province through the vidlcysdi Uio I'raseiaiiil
Thompson to Leather I'ass iu the Rocky Mountains. Surveys m ere aiteruai. I
conducted by Richardson on V. I, and tho mainland. For desciipLioii, tio
/(/., Mem. Oeol. Survey, MS.

'■"Also in cases of controversy between B. C. and any province of tin do-
minion which might have passed a similar act, and in suits, actions, oi i ro-
cccdiugs i'l which the parties in their pleadings raised the (piestion if ilio
validity c .' an act of tlie Canadian parliament, or of an act of t!io provin'i:il
legisl.iluro, when, in tlio opinion of a judge of tho court in whicli tliey wcio
pending, such (juestion was matoriiil. 4^i('i ^'tct., in IJ. ('. Slat., IhSl, 17.

'■i'^For copy of petition, see Jour. Leyul.. Brit. CoL, 'SSl. uO-'_'; I'mKisrel,
Mmion JJe CoH7nos, 3-5.

;i:;

ISO contaiiu'd
;civcd oil tlic
^ of .state lor

these terms,
J lino be con-
1 the 8th of

and on the
by the legis-
hat "the sa-
ner court, or
)rding to t!ic
b of Canada
court act,"

between the

of her (nvu

of the IIoii-

onco more to

icither l:^iig-

'et one iporo

wherein ho

construction

isisted u[)oii,

To tliis the
Is the praw'i'

■( Mem. ('nil. I'nc,
liiijiii ami .SMI \i_v3
u liiia cDiiiiirlii'U
i.'ii ill l;>7l I'.V Al-
ii <il' Uio yui>lu;^lc
I' «f llio coiuiuy,

tlio fiK'ilitii'.s .01'
10 (jf llioso V. Iiicli
CaiKidiau I'.u'i.ic,

f Uio I'rastT iiml
ys woivafti'rwuril
ir (IcsciipLiDii, buo

'oviiicu of 111' ilo-

S, ilclioilS, (h 1 I'O-

3 (liiL'sUon i;f llio

of t!ic i)fovin''i;il

wliicli lliL'y uure

at., USSl, 17.
uO-'2j Papers nL

rROVINCIAL REVENUE.

677

of the proposed petition to her Majesty, that the
])rovince be permitted to regulate and collect its own
taiiff of customs and excise, until through communi-
cation by railway bo established througli British Co-
lumbia with the eastern provinces, the committee of
ilw privy council desire to observe that this request
involves a breach of the terms of union, and the vir-
tual severance of British Columbia from the d(jn)in-
ion.""^ De Cosmos pleaded in London, in 1881, the
case of the provincial legislature, and was politely
heard, though doubtless her Majesty's govern mont
was now somewhat weary of the matter. Said the
carl of Kimbcrley to the marquis of Lome, in a de-
spatch dated August 25, 1881 : "The requ 'st of the
legislative assembly of British Columbia for permission
to regulate and collect its own tariff is, in my opin-
ion, inadmissible." "Far be the da}^" remarked Dnf-
fciin, in his speech at Victoria, "when on any acre of
soil above which floats the flag of England, more ma-
terial power, brute political preponderance" — what-
ever that may bo — "should bo permitted to decide
sufli a controver.'^y as that which wo are discussing.
A governor-general is a federalist by profession, and
ytiu might as well cx])ect the sultan of Turkey to
throw up his cap for the commune as the viceroy of
Canada to entertain a suggestion for the disintegration
of the dominion."

Meanwhile work had been progressing, though
somewhat slowly, on the Canadian Pacific. Early in
1880, 2G4 miles of the oa&tern section, commenced in
1874, were in operation, and up to the 1st of July, 1S80,

•'On the other hand, it was claimed in tho petition that, under the terms
cf l!u' treaty. 15. C. was allowed to retain its own tarilF until the C. I', slioiild
1"' Kiiipleted, hut, 'helieviiis^ in tlio good faith of tho (loiiiiiiion, niid 1m mij
(Ir^iiiiua of lu'onioting confederation in its true sense, ' Biiiioiuleruil its l m iff
ill INT'J. It would seem that tho dominion government was in tho li^rht.
Tlic iliuso to wiiieh reference is made reads: 'It is agreed that tliu existing
'li-^iiiiiis tarilFaiid excise duties sliall continue in force in IJ. C. ".'iitil tlie rad-
^v;ly fioiii the I'acilio coast and tho Bysteni of railways in t' tiaila an; con-
III Lii .1. unlt'Hs the legislature of B. C. should sooner deciiL- toaccept tho tariff
ami cxL'iso laws of Canada.'

i! I
I' 1

878

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC KAiLWAY.

aL3ut $10,500,000 had been expended on surveys and
construction."* In June of this yeai it was also an-
nounced by Sir John A.. Macdonald that negotiations
had been concluded in London whereby the completion
of the road was to be undertaken by a sjaidicate
composed of ca[)italists in New York, St Paul, Lon-
don, and Paris. '^

According to the term,, of the contract, the por-
tions of the line not yet constructed were to bo
<livided into three sections: the first or eastern sec-
tion extending from Callander station, near Lako
Nipissing, to a point of junction with the Lake Su-
perior section, then being built by the government;
th'-" second or central section from Selkitk, on lied
River, to Kamloop; and the third or western section
from Kamloop to Port Moody. The syn(hiate agieed
to construct by the 1st of May, 1891, and keej) in
running order, a line of uniform gauge,'^® and pay to
the dominion the cost, according to an outstandin;,'
contract of one hundred miles of road westward lioni
the town of Winnipeg, a fev/ miles south of Selkiik.
The dominion agreed to complete the portion of the
western section between Yale and Kamlooj) by the
end of June 1885, between Yale and Port Moody by
the 1st of June, 1891, and the Lake Superior section
according to the contract. The road was to be the
property of the syndicate; but until the eastern and
central sections were finished, the Canadian govern-
ment reserved the privilege of working those already
constructed. On tlie completion of the former ssec-
tions, the dominion agreed to convey to the syndieato
the portions of the hue then constructed, or to be
constructed by the government, and meanwhile to

'* In PaperM rel. Mission Dc Cosmos, 59-C2, are tables showing approxiiiiitily
the sums voted unci actually expended for each year between IbTl anel h'-.
Tlio total amouut voted under all heads up to the latter year was .§40,till7,-

"John S. Kennedy of New York, Richard B. Angus and James J. Hill vi
St Paul, Morton, Hose, & Co. of London, and John iioiuaoh &, Co. of i'aiis.
t'ldtlrnih-n's li. ('. und Alaska, ;{•_'.

" Four ftict eight and a half iuuhMi

WW!I

THE CONTRACT RATIFIED.

C79

I surveys and
was also an-

r negotiations

le completion
a syndicate

It Paul, Lon-

act, the por-
were to be
easttnn scc-
, near Lake
lie Lake Su-
governnient;
kirk, on lied
■stern section
lic.itt; agreed
ajj'J kcej) ill
'^^ unci pay to
outstandiu''
3st\vard Iroiii
1 of Selkiik.
irtion of the
nloop by the
[•t Moody by
iorior section
as to be the
eastern and
dian govern-
hose already
former t^ec-
lic syndicate
ed, or to Ije
eanwhilo Id

ngapproxiiii.iti'ly
n 1871 ami h"'-.
car was S4(,',(ill7,-

I James J. 11 ill uf
h &, Co. of i'aiis.

grant to them subsidies of $25,000,000 and 25,000,000
,"':'rcs of land,^' both of which, as we shall see later,
were afterward largely increased. As soon as any
part of the road, not less than twenty miles in length,
was in operation, the government would transfer to
the syndicate their pro rata of cash and land, and
agreed to admit free of duty all material needed for
tlie construction of railway bridges, and of a telegraph
line in connection with the road. For twenty years
i'rom the date of the contract the government also
a'j:rccd that it would not authorize the buildinix of
any line near the Canadian Pacific unless it ran in a
!<()uth-westerly direction, nor of any that ran to within
lifteen miles of the international boundary. The en-
tire railway and its equipments were to be forever
exempt from taxation, and the land, unless previously
st)ld, was to remain untaxed for twenty j-ears.

On the motion to ratify this contract arose one
of the warmest discussions ever witnessed in the
dominion parliament. The ceaseless friction which
had occurred, however, while the government was in
eliarge of the work, and the fact that there was no
prospect of its completion within the stipulated time
unless some radical changes were made in the method
of prosecuting the enterprise, were strong arguments
in its favor. Moreover the ministry stated that
under its provisions the line would be finished for
some $22,000,000 less than if completed by the gov-
ernment. The measure was finally carried by an
ovirwlielming majority,"^ and immediately afterward
the syndicate entered uj)on the execution of its con-
tract, the work being thenceforth prosecuted with
energy.

Accordinof to a measurement in 1882 of the various

'" For the central section §10,000 .amilo for the first 900 miles, and for the
ri'inaiiiing 410 at tlio rate of $l.'l,.'!;!3 per mile; and for tho eastern section of
OR) miles, $1,"),3S4.G1. The land-grant was for the central section, l'J,rjGO
aciLn for each of the lirst 900 miles, and 10,000.07 acres per mile for the re>-
nuindor. For the eastern section the (.'rant was §'.(,01. ').,■}.") per niilo,

^«The vote was 140 to 45. S. F. Bulklin, Nov. Vi, 1885.

I'E-ii

680

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY,

sections as finally located, the entire length of lino
iVoni Callander to Fort William, on Thunder Bay, at
the head of Lake Superior, thence to Winnipeg, and
from that point to Savona's ferry, at the foot of
Kamloop Lake, crossing the Ilocky Mountains by
way of Kicking Horse Pass, and ft'oni Savona's ferry
to Port Moody, was 2,557 miles. To this nmst ho
added the sections between Callander and Ottawa, a
distance of 228 miles, and from Ottawa to Monti-eal,
119 miles, making a total of 2,904 miles as the grand
trunk road of the Canadian Pacific, though it may bo
presumed that the entire line from Halifax to Port
JNIoody will eventually be under the control of a
single company. '^^

Of the sections between Callander and Kamloop
Lake no further mention is required in these pages;
but of the one between Savona's ferry and Port
Moody, lying as it does entirely within British
Columbia, a descri[)tion may not be without interest
to the reader. The length of this portion of the line
was 2 1 3.5 miles, and it was divided into five subsections,
from Port Moody to Emory's Bar, a distance of 8.1.5
miles, from Emory's Bar to Boston Bar 29 miles,
from Boston Bar to Lytton 29.5 miles, from Lyttou
to Junction Flat 29 miles, and irom Junction Flat to
Savona's ferry 40.5 miles.^° The contracts for all
these subdivisions, of which the first was awarded
early in 1879 and the remainder in the winter of 1882,
I'ell into the hands of A. Onderdonk, an en'jcineer and
contractor of good repute, and one who re[)resentod
several prominent capitalists in California, Oregon, and
New York."^ Their amount, including the cost of
a bridge across the Eraser at Cisco Flat, was about
li? 1 1,900,000,^" apart from the e,\j)ensG of the iviils

'■'•'Froin CiiUaiulor to Fort William Gr)Oinilos, from Port Artluirto Wiiinipi';^
l.'llt inik'.-i, fmin Wiiiiii|iog to Sa\'i)mi'a forry l,'_*5{) miles, and from Savdirs
furry to Port Moody 'J I .') iiiIIl's.

»".SV,«. rnr'-r", B. v., I SSI, 'JO.'); D. G. Director ii, 1S,S'2 .1, .",7.'5.

"D. O. .Mills (.t Oil., S. (>. Paul of Or,, .aiul "ll. IJ. Laidlaw and ],. 1'.
Morton of N. V. Sfss. J'npiiv, JJ. ('., ISSl, 'Ji),").

^'For the subauctiou between Kniory Bar and Bostoa Bar $-',7-7, ^iOO,

CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD.

681

and iixstcniugs, which for all but the first subsection
were furnished by the dominion.

Early in 1880 ground was broken; and from that
(late work was continued almost without interrup-
tion until the line was completed. On portions of
the road, and especially between Emory and Boston
bars, it is probable that the difficulties were greater

Canadian 1'acikic.

t.luirto Wiiiiiipi','
111 from Siivnii ■, s

Bar $2,T2-,,-M0,

k'twocn Boston Bar and Lytton 32,57^,(140, between Lytton and Junction
I'lut o-',0.")0,9j0, and butwccn Junction Flat and 8avona'a ferry §1,809, 150, or
nil iivuragc of nearly SlU.OOO per niilo. Tlio lirst waa to lie linislRd liy Dec.
1, l.S^;!, the second by Juno liO, 1SS4, the tbird by December ;!1, 18M, and
the fourtli not later than June ;!0, 1885. It iii)pears that contiacta were origi-
nally made vvitli other parties, but, remarks Walkem, in the report of his
iiij.'()liiitio>is at Ottawa with the dominion government, 'tlio nianitest advan-
tairi's of dealing with one firm of unc|uestionablo means and ability, instead of
with three or four tii nis, in the conKtniction of the work, inllnenced tiio govern-
iiii'ut, as I learned, to consent to the transfer of the contracts mentioned.'
I'l'i- the portion between I'ort Moody and lOniory Bar the contract was
§J,4S7,0OO, or an average of §;!0,000 per mile, u -d the estimated cout of the
bndgo across the Fraser was $VJ50,000. JJ. V. Viieclori/, 1882-3, 373-4.

If ;

i i

I. }

GS-l

TIIK CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

than licul liitlierto bouii encountered in railroad build-
ing, I'xcopt j)erli;q>s in Switzerland and Peru, the aver-
age cost i)er mile being $80,000, and of some miles as
much as $200,000. Other lines, dithcult of con-
struction, as the Central and Union Pacific, passed
ai'ound and over the mountains by gradual ascents;
but on the Cascade Range no practicable gradients
could be found, and it was necessary to run through
it, on a line almost parallel with the cafuju ot the
Frascr. .For almost the entire distance between
Yale and Lytton the river has cut icy way througli
this range, plunging in foaming cataracts through deep
latcial gorges. Hanked in i)laces by spurs of perj)en-
dicular rock. Along nineteen mil>:s of the route tliir-
teen tunnels were bored, one series of four being within
a mile of Yale, and another of six occurring some
2,500 yards farther in the direction of Boston ]3ar.
Elsewhere the roadway was literally hewn out of
rock, the crevices being fdled with masonry, and
tlie ravines and rivers spanned by truss and trestle
bridges, of which there are many between Savona's
ferry and the sea, among thorn being a three-spanned
iron and steel truss-bridge crossing the Fraser below
Lytton. =>"

The road-bed throughout the entire section v>as
substantially built, the cuttings and tunnels being
twenty-two feet, the endjankments seventeen feet in
width, and the track laid with sixty-pound steel rails,
and heavily ballasted. To perform this gigantic task,
an army of laborers and mechanics was employed,
musterinLT at times more thai 7,000 men, and with the
aid of the best modern machinery. They were faiily
paid,"'* and humanel}' treated; and it is worthy of note,

'^Tlic total length of tlio bridi^c is .5.30 ft, and of tlio central siian .'!1."] ft,
the eiuls of the hitter resting on piers of soliil masonry '.10 it liigh. liio
siijicrst rui'lnrc contains 0,000 tons of iron and steel. Tlic total cost was jJJm).-
000. Portland II (■«< iVioiv, Dec. ISS."), SOO.

"' Aciunling to a schedule of wages issued at Yale, March I , ISS^, I.iIkhti-s
received S?l.7.") to 1?2 a day; liewcrs, §,'{.50; chopjiers, §2 to 8--'"'0; ihilh rs, t!J
to6--"i; lilacksniiths, S;i t(>?;i.r)0; masons, § J. oO to lij.'i.TiO; slone-cuiars, j'.'i
to §y.jO; carpenters, §3 to §3.00; foremen, IJ-'.iJO to $4. These rates weruiur

u :

A GRAND ACHIEVP:MENT.

683

ilroad build-
iru, the iivcr-
)iiiu miles (US
ult of c'on-
.eific, passed
iiul ascents;
le j^radients
run tliroiiirji
UKiu ot the
CO between
-ay tlirougli
hroug]i<lee[)
s of [jerpen-
J route thir-
beinii; within
irrlnij some
jostou JJar.
jwn out uf
asonry, and
and trestle
-;n Savoiui's
ree-spaiined
Vasor below

:5eetioii was
Hicls being
teeu ("eet in
[ 8teel rails,
jantie task,
oinploycd,
nd with the
wore i'aiily
-hy of note,

tral siKiii .'!!.") It,
J ft liij^li. llio
.1 cost\vu.s.'?'.'M),-

I, ISS;!. lalidiors
'.■"iO; .Iriil. IS, 1?.'
Loiic-L'iuU'is. ^'3
BO rates wiu'o lur

that altbough some of the work was of an cxtrcnicly
li,i;:ardous nature, men being often lowered liundredaj
(if leet down almost perpendicular rocks, in oi'der to
Mast a foothold on the mountain side, only thirty-two
fatal accidents occurred between A])ril 1880 and X«»-
veud)er 1882, though the average number emphtyed
(luring that period exceeded 4,000. Supplies were
forwarded on pack-animals, over trails never before
deemed practicable except by Indians, and by them
only with the aid of ladders. Building materials were
landed at enormous cost, the toll of ten dollars j)er
ton on all freight passing over the Yale and Cariboo
road being strictly enforced. As the work advanced,
transportation became each year more costly, until it
was resolved to attempt the passage of the Fraser
canon to the navigable water above, in order to supply
the more distant cami)s, the steamer Skuzzy being
huilt for the purpose. But who could be found daring
enough to steer this boat up the swift-running river
and through the frightful canon, where the j)ent waters
rushed down in foaming fury? One captain after
another, looking at the tiny craft and at the Scylla
and Charybdis beyond, declared the feat impossible.
At length two brothers, Smith by name, well known
for their daring exploits on the upper Columbia,"'
consented to undertake the task. With a steam-winch
and capstan, and several largo hawsers, they set forth
on their voyage with a crew of sevop'-een men, the
steamer being in charsje of a skilled engineer, J. W.
Burse. The severest .struggle was at a [)oint called
China Riffle, where the power of the engines and
sream-winch, with fifteen men at the capstan, and of
150 Chinamen laying hold of one of the ropes, barely

till hours' work and for white labor. Boarding- houses were provided at con-
veiiic lit distaneea, vviiero tlic rate was §4 per wceii, thougli none were n'nuired
to ]i.'itioni;;e them. IS. C. Inform, for Emhjr., 15; B. C. JJiirclori/, ISS'J-.'t, .'iTCi.
•"'S. 11. Smith ran tlic steamer Slwuhow down the SnaUo liivcr fur a liis-
tiuice of 1,000 miles, a portion of the route being through the lapiils near the
iiasc of the Dluo Mountains. Up to 1S8;1 this wa.sthe only boat that had ever
atUiiiptcd this perilous passage. He also carried a steamer safely over the
Wlllamctto Falls, near Oregon City. ChiUendcii'.i liril. Col. and Alaska, 30.

■i

!:s*M

I ! it
. Ill

!■ i

6fl4

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

sufriood to pull the vessel over the shoals. Over-
coming this difficulty, and pass i tig safely through llcll-
gato and Ulack Canon, where the stream runs at the
rate of some twenty miles an hour, the Skuzzij ntixvii^d
with her first load of freight from Boston Bar.

Along the entire route between Port Mood}' and
Savona's ferry, and apart from tunnel-boring, some
10,000,000 cubic yards of earth and rock were re-
moved by i)ick, powder, and nitro-glycerine. On the
liiu> between Emory and Yale were complete works
for the manufacture of explosives, with a capacity of
about 2,000 pounds per day,^" and at Yale were con-
struction and repair shops, supplied with all the ma-
chinery needed for the building of cars and engines,
and for general work.

Port Moody is distant seventy-five miles from Vic-
toria and overland from New Westminster about live
miles.''^ That it is a safe and commodious harbor is
proved by the fact that within fourteen years al'tcr
the first saw-mill was built, in 18G4, six hundred ves-
sels of large tonnage, and countless smaller craft, loaded
at and left it, not one of which was injured."*^ In 18S2

'" The cartridge cases for giant-powder were made of paper dipped in liot
parallinc and wax, 5-8 to 1 incli in diameter, and weighed, when tilleit, about
5-1l! of a pound.

'' In section 2 of a report of tiie privy council of Canada, dated May 19,
iSSl, the reasons for the change of terminus are thus given: 'On the Olhuf
June, ISTo, in view of the then probability of tlio railway running by liuto
Inlet, an order in council was passed declaring that Esquiinalt should lie the
terminus of the railway on the Pacific coast, but the alignment on tlic niuin-
land w.is at that time wholly undetermined. In May 1S78, tiie govciniuunt,
on increased information, determined, however, to select Burranl Inlet us tlio
objective point on the Pacilic coast to be reached by the railway; ami tliey
cancelled the order relating to Ksquimalt. Still furtiier examinations were,
liowevor, deemed necessary, particularly with reference to the advantages of
a still more northern route which should terminate at Port Simpson; and to
kee|> the whole question entirely free until additional exploratory surveys
should be made, the order in council of Juno 1S73 was in April IST'.l re-
vived, and continued in force until October IS79, when the selection ot Dur-
rard Inlet was finally made.' Papers rel. Mission De (Jonmos, 15.

"* Letter of Capt. Jas Cooper to tho gov. -gen., in Flemhuj'a Rept. Can. Pac.
Rinlwuy, 1877, 30(j. See also Drit. Colonist, in Can. Puc. Railway Ront<.i, 4.
Admiral Richards, hydrographer to the admiralty in 1882, describes I'urt
Moody as a snug harbor, and capacious for shipping beyond all probable re-
quirements.

CHOICE OP TERMINUS.

C85

\ ffif

•|

a substantial wharf had already been constructed 1,370
feet in len<^th, and with a breadth, for GOO feet I'roni
its centre, of 150 feet. It was supported by more
than 1,700 piles, from twelve to twenty inches in
dinnieter, strongly capped and braced, the front and
sides of the structure presenting a solid wall of four-
tcen-inch timber, and the surface being covered with
four-inch planks, fastened with eight-inch spikes.
On this structure, freight and passenger stations,
offices, work-shops, warehouses, and other buildings
needed for traffic were completed; and here ships
could unload in a depth of water never less than four
and a half fathoms at low tide.

Xcvertheless it cannot be disputed that Port Moody
was selected, not as the best terminus, but probably
because, as the privy council of Canada remarked in
its report touching the latest petition of the provincial
legislature, "it rendered uimecessary the line between
Nanaimo and Esquimalt as a condition of the union
with British Columbia."^" In his official report to
the premier, dated April 26, 1878 — some eighteen
mouths before the selection of the terminus — the en-
gineer-in-chief stated expressly that Burrard Inlet
was less eligible than Esquimalt. Navigation to tho
former point from the ocean was more or less intri-
cate; nor could it be reached at all by vessels of largo
toimage without passing within cannon-shot of a group
of islands belonging to a foreign power. As to the
Bute Inlet route, supposing even the wide channels
of the Valdes Islands bridged at an enormous cost —
one which it was almost impossible to estimate — and
tlio road extended to Esquimalt, the travel thence by
rail to Bute Inlet would be at least 150 miles farther
than direct by steamer to Burrard Inlet, while to
substitute a ferry for the bridging between the former
inlet and the mainland would entail a very consider-
able and unnecessary expenditure. From the crossing

" Papers rel. Mission De Cosmos, 15.

I I-

i I'

686

THE CANADIAN PAaFIC RAILWAY.

■
fit

of LaliG Manitoba, about midway on the continent,
to Burrard Inlet, the distance was more than eleven
hundred miles, and to Esquimalt more than fourteen
hundred. In this entire region there were not more
than 12,000 white inhabitants.** It was difficult, in
his opinion, "to recognize any commercial advantage
in carrying the line to Esquimalt at this period in the
history of Canada to compensate for these grave objec-
tions;" and after considering the engineering features
of each route, and weighing carefully the commercial
considerations,** he was foiced to the conclusion that,
if a decision could not be further postponed, some
point on Burrard Inlet should be selected as the ter-

mmus

"The actual figures were probably nearer 20,000.

*' WHiat the chief engineer had to do with commercial considerations he
does not explain.

" Fleminij'a liept. Can. Pac. Railway, 1878, 12-14. The chief engineer,
in the correspondence, queries, and nautical evidence respecting liarbors and
waters in B. C, 283, says: 'The railway lines which have been projected
across the Rocky Mountain zone touch the navigable waters of tho racilio at
the following inlets: 1. Burrard Inlet; 2. Howe Sound; 3. Bute Inlet; 4.
Buntick Arm, North; 5. Dean Inlet; 6. Gardner Inlet; 7. Skeeua River.' In
reply to questions propounded by Fleming to naval officers in liigh coiiunaiid,
as to the selection of a terminus, there was littlo difference of opinion, la
answer to tlio question, ' Could large sea-going ships approaching by tho miil-
die cliannel pass without danger or difficulty through ny Johnston Strait to
Burrard Inlet, Howe Sound, or Waddington Harbor (near tho head of Bute
Inlet)?' Admiral Cochrane answered, 'No;' Admiral Richards: 'Tlie ap-
proach would always be attended with some danger; ' Admiral Farquhar,
tliat ho understood from oflScers under his orders that the navigation was
'intricate and difficult for large vessels (even steamers), and impracticaljlo
for ocean sailing vessels.' In answer to tho request, ' Having regard to navai
and commercial considerations, mention the point on the coast which apjjcara
to you the most suitable for the railway terminus, ' Cochrane answered: ' I am
of belief that the most advantageous site for tho terminus is, as before stated,
that of Burrard Inlet; Richards: ' From a nautical point of view, Burrard
Inlet is every way preferable; ' Commander Pender: ' Burrard Inlet is, in my
opinion, preferable to either of tlie other places named.' Carnarvon's de-
spatch to Earl DuflFerin, in Id., 1877, 278 et seq.

To Dean Inlet a line was instrumentally surveyed, and a very favorable
route was found, but it had high gradients for some distance from tho sea.
While neither the harbor nor the sea approach to it proved as good as was ex-
pected, the route and terminus at Dean Inlet were found in every respect su-
perior to Bute Inlet. To Bute Inlet the railway was, besides, fifty miles
longer, even to the head of the inlet; and it was quite clear that it wuuld
have to bo built on to Frederic Arm, at the north side of the mouth of the
inlet. Furthermore, the navigation, either north to Queen Charlotte Sound
or south toward Fuca Straits, presented serious difficulties. So well a ivare
were tho Butc-Inlet-or-nothing party of the difficulties hero mentioned, that
the inlet as a terminal harbor, or as of any permanent importance to tlic rail-
way, was thrown out of the calculation (says Mackenzie); and the terminal

i I

I I

le continent,
than eleven
ban fourteen
Te not more
difficult, in
il advantage
)eriod in the
grave objec-
ting features
! commercial
elusion that,
poned, some
i as the ter-

considcrationa he

e chief engineer,
3ting harbors and
e been projected
i of the Pacilic at
}. Bute Inlet; 4.
keena River. ' In
1 liigh conntiaiiil,
3 of opinion. In
hing by the mid-
ahnston Strait to
he head of Bute
hards: 'The ap-
miral Farquhar,
navigation was
id impraeticiiljlo
; regard to navai
st wliieh appears
mswcred: 'I am
aa before stated,
f view, Burrard
d Inlet is, in my
Carnarvon's de-

El very favorable
,ce from the sea.
good as was ex-
very respect su-
ides, fifty miles
.r that it wnuld
lie mouth of tlie
Charlotte Scuiid
So well a ivare
mentioned, that
anco to the rad-
nd the terniiual

COMPLETION OF THE ROAD.

G87

Early in November 1885 the Canadian Pacific rail-
way was completed from Montreal to Port IVIoody,
the last rail being laid at Eagle Pass," some twenty
miles from the second crossing of the Columbia.**
The work was finished more than five years before
the date required in the Carnarvon terms, as much as
four miles of road having been built on some sections
in a day, and twenty-two miles in a week. The cost
of the undertaking far exceeded the early estimates,
some of which were placed as low as $00,000,000,
while the actual outlay was probably more than double
that sum, most of the amount expended being drawn
from Europe. In London and Paris the syndicate
raised nearly all its funds, mortgaging for this purpose
its enormous land grant, besides selling at fair prices
considerable portions of the most fertile tracts.

That the Canadian Pacific would, in the near future,
pay dividends on the original outlay was not expected.
The main purpose was to establish overland commu-
nication within British America, and to open up for
settlement the vast, uninhabited, and roadless wilds of
interior Canada. In the work of exploration alone
more than 50,000 miles were surveyed, of which at
least 15,000 were carefully measured, at an expense
of some $4,000,000, by chain and spirit-level, through

diffieulty was avoided by pi iposing to continue the railway 250 or 300 miles
farther than to the head of Dean or Burrard Inlet, and to make the terminus
at Esquimau, on Vancouver Island.

" So named by Engineer Walker Moberly, who in 18G5 was ordered to
search out a pass for a wagon route through Gold Mountains. He had well-
nigh abandoned his task aa hopeless, when one day he observed an eagle llying
uj) one of the narrow valleys near Lake Shuswap, and following the direction
of its flight, discovered the pass. Portland We^it Shore, Dec. ISiio, 3G0.

"On this occasion a tram, consisting of the official car, a sleeper, and bag-
eago-car, arrived from Winnipeg, making the distance of 1,022 miles to tlio
first crossing of the Columbia in .S2i hours, and stopping a short distance from
the end of the track. The honor of driving the last spike was granted to D.
Smith, Major Rogers, a civil engineer in the company's employ, holding the
tie. The ceremony waa not a very demonstrative one, not more than 150
persons being present. Aa the last blow was struck, cheers were given for
the success of the enterprise, and Manager Van Home, being requested to
make a few remarks on the occasion, merely replied, 'All that I have got to
say is, that the work was well done in every way.' Van Ilorno had been con-
nected with the line since 1871, when there were but 15 miles constructed.
-S'. F. Alta, Nov. 9, 1885.

'l M 1

1:1 )i

},,;1

683

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY,

mountain, forest, aud prairie. The coast of British
Columbia, with its countless fiords, llunked by moun-
tains reaching far abovo the limit of [)eri)etual snow,
was repeatedly explored in the searcli for a suitabio
terminus. The northern portion of the province was
ma[>i)cd, at least as far north as Port Simpson, by men
who, after labeling in vain amidst e::treme peril and
hard.shi[), were compelled to abandon it once more to
its primeval solitude.

In the interior of British Columbia aT\ still vast
districts as yet almost untrodden by the foot of civi-
lized man, though forn)ing little more than a speck
when compared with the deserts of the dominion.
The entire area of Canada is but little smaller than
that of Europe; and excluding from each, as almost
worthless, the portion within the Arctic circle, it will
bo found that the surface of th-^ former is equal to
that of all tb^i empires, kingdoms, principalitii s, and
republics between the Adriatic and the ^h^ c Sea.
Covering the broadest and not the least fertile portion
of the continent, with an almost endless extent of
vacant land, an invigorating climate, and unliuiitcd
resources; with valuable fisheries in the lakes and
rivers, and around the coasts; with boundless forests
within reach of navigable water; with immense de-
posits of coal and iron, gold and silver, copper and
lead, on the seaoojirds and in the interior; — with all
these elements of wealth, the question was, how to de-
velop a region thus lavishly provided. This railway
is the answer.

But the railway was pr iec^ 1 also as a portion of a
great national highwa; (img from Great Britain

to the Indies, and to j portions the British

empire. Esquimalt, th aval lation, and probably
destined to be the arsenal of ae province, was from
Liverpool at least a three months' voyage by steamer,
whilo via Halifax and by rail it could be reached i a
forcnight. By the construction of this lino, the Aus-
tralian colonies, New Zealand, and every portion of

COMPARISONS. 689

England's possessions, both in the North and South
Pacific, would bo more or less benefited; while to Can-
ada herself, rankinn; alre.n.!y among the great maritime
j)o\vers of the world, with a shipping trade greater
than that of Germany, and at least twice that of
Spain or Russia, a transcontinental railway under her
own control was an advantage worth any reasonable
outlay.

Whether the building of the Canadian Pacific
railway was a somewhat premature enterprise, and
whetL Tthe line could have been built at smaller cost
to the dominion, are questions which I shall not dis-
cuss. With the overland roads between San Fran-
cisco and New York, or between San Francisco and
New Orleans, no fair comparison can bo made, not
only on account of the disparity of population, but
because the latter were mainly commercial enterprises.
Perhaps the nearest counterpart may be found in the
Australian railroads, and especially in the one between
Sydney and Melbourne, iijany of these lines being the
property of the government, and most of them oper-
ated at a small profit, on an average probably some
two or three per cent. In the Australian colonies, as
in the dominion, a large extent of difficult but worth-
less and unoccupied country was traversed, though
the obstacles encountered in the former were by com-
parison of little moment.

In 1873, Canada, with a population somewhat under
four millions, a trade of about $218,000,000, a debt
of at least $100,000,000, and a rate of taxation equal
to §4.58 per capita, contained 2,639 miles of railroad;
while in Australia, with less, than two millions of peo-
ple, a trade of $300,000,000, a debt of $32,000,000,
and an income derived from taxes and land sales of
$5.35 per capita, there were at the same date some
1,500 miles in operation. The volume of trade in
either instance includes only exports and imports, and
the difference m its ratio to population may be partly

But. Bbit. i'^ol. 41

,■ I

iliiS:

690

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

explained by the paucity of manufactures in the Aus-
tralian colonies, their most valuable products hornet
shipped to England. Apart from this consideration,
it will be seen that in relation to the revenue, debt,
and population of the two countries, there was no great
disproportion in the extent of their railroads, and
twelve years later the disproportion had certainly not
been altered in favor of Canada, It would appear,
however, that, in the construction of the Canadian
Pacific, the dominion added to her burdens all that
she could bear, and that the completion of the task
according to the strict letter of the terms of union
would have driven her to the verge of bankruptcy.

Nevertheless, it is not improbable that if the mem-
bers of the provincial legislature had been less persist-
ent in their demands ; if they had acted in the matter
not merely as colonists, but as representatives of an
integral portion of the dominion and of the British
empire; if they had accepted the spirit as well as tho
letter of the Carnarvon terms, whereby the comple-
tion of the road was to be deferred until the close of
1890, not insisting on the immediate fulfilment of the
contract at vdiatever cost — Esquimalt would have boon
finally selected as the terminus. None knew better
than did the citizens of Victoria that the senate of
the dominion was not bound to ratify an agreement
proposed by the ministry,^" and the rejection of tho
Esquimalt and Nanaimo bill by the upper house of
Canada was no fair pretext for an overt threat of
secession. The warning uttered by Dufferin was not
in vain. The line of the Canadian Pacific has been
deflected toward the south. Burrard Inlet already i
contains a small but thriving commercial port, and |
the capital of the province has thus far reaped but
little benefit from the transcontinental line of British
America.

*' Tlie action taken by Uie senate was indorsed by tho imperial govern'
ment. SeeJSiat. Brit. Col., 1882, 75.

NEW RAILWAYS.

691

imperial govern'

Meanwhile new lines of road have been projected
in several portions of the province. In April 1882
an act was j^assed incorporating the New Westminster
and Port Moody Railway Company, with a capital
stock of $200,000/" In May 1883 the New West-
minster Southern was incorporated by statute, with a
capital of $600,000.'*'^ On the same date were also in-
corporated the Columbia and Kootenai Railway and
Transportation Company with a capital of $5,000,000,
and the Fraser River Railway Company with a capi-
tal of $500,000. By the terms of its contract, the
former was required to construct, equip, and work a
continuous lino of road from the outlet of Kootenai
Lake, through the Selkirk Range, to a point on the
Columbia as near as practicable to its junction with
Kootenai River, and to build and run a lino of
steamers from tha^ '^oint to the spot on the west bank
of the former stream where the Canadian Pacific
strikes it, near Eagle Pass.** The route of the latter
was from a point on the forty-ninth parallel near
Somiahmoo Bay,*" to connect with the Canadian
Pacific near its western terminus,^" and thence to New
Westminster district.

'"'Tho original stockliolders were Ebcnezcr Brown, James Cunningliam,
l!ul)t Diuiiinsoii, Jolm Hendry, Wm N. Bole, Loftus R. Mclnnes, and John
living, all of New Westmiusler. Tho line was to be commenced within one
year and to bo com|>leted within fourye.T i from the passing of the act, 'from
a |ioiiit in tho city of New Westminster to a point at or near Port Moody, or
tlsculiere on Burrard Inlet, or to a point between Port Moody and Pitt
l;iMM-.' Stat. Brit. Col., 18S4, Go-G. By act of Feb. 18, 1884, the time for
coiiinicncement was extended to Jan. 1, 1880, and for completion to Jan. 1,
IhSS.

*' Ilir'h Nelson, Thos R. Mclanes, Joshua A. R. IIor;er, Ebenezer Brown,
Jds, Hunter, Chas M. Carter, and Gordon E. Coroonld were tlio first share-
Imlilcrs. Tlie line of route was a little indednite — 'from sonic point near the
4111 h parallel of north latitude between Semiahmoo Bay and Township 1(3, in
the district of New Westminster, to the city of New Westminster, and to
some point on Burrard Islet.'

''Also a line of steamers 'from that point on Kootenai River where tho
Eiiithern boundary line of British Columbia intersects tho said river, thence
iluu a tho said liver to Kootenai Lake, and through and throughout said lake
aiu! its navigable tributaries.'

'^ Between the bay and the eastern lino of township 2'2, New Wcot-
miimter district.

'" Between tho terminus and the eastern lino of township 27, New West-
inin^itcr district. The line was to bo commenced within two years and finished
witiiiu five years after tho passing of the act. The stockholders were Robt

i ^ J» i

it!''

I !''

;;h i

1 ' '

692

THE canadia:n pacific railway.

Finally, in August 1883, a contract was made with
a party of capitalists for the construction of the Es-
quinialt and Nanaiino railway and telegraph line, with
a subsidy of $750,000, the amount to be contributed
by the dominion government, together with a liberr.I
grant of land," the capital stock being $3,000,00u.
The contractors were required to commence work im-
mediately, and to complete and equip the line on or
before the 10th of June, 1887, time being declared as
of the essence of the contract; and in default of such
completion within the date specified, the contractors
were to forfeit the subsidy, land grant, and the amount
to be deposited as security with the receiver-general/^
The road, with its equipments, was to be exempt from
taxation for ten years after completion, and all the

".» t

W. Deane, Loftus E. Mclnnes. Justus Howison, Jas A. Clark, Henry Elliott,
Jas A. Laidlaw, Henry V. Edmonds, Donald Chisbolni, ChasG. Major, Alex,
Ewen, John A. Webster, John S. McDonald, John Adair, and iSaiii. Tiiinp,
Id. 1883, 103-4. On the l'2th of May, 1883, the Victoria Transfer Coiiip;u,y
Limited was incorporated, with a capital of $50,000, its inaiii purpose hciii .; to
build and work street-railroads in Victoria and Esquimalt, and their iicighboi'-
hood. Acts of incorporation for each company will be found in St'it. 11. C.
for their several years.

" On the eastern side of the island; bounded by straight lines drawn from
the head of Sa:inicli Inlet to Muir Creek, on the Fuca Straits; thence Meat to
Crown Mountain, and thence north to Seymour Narrows, anil on the cast by
the coast line to the point of commencement, 'including all coal, coal-oil, ores,
stones, clay, marble, slate, mines, minerals, and substances whatsoever there-
upon, therein, and thereunder.' From this tract there was excepted the [lor-
tion lying to the northward of a line running cast ami west half-way between
the mouth of Courtcnay llivcr and Seymour Narrows. For four years, eoin-
mencing from Dec. 10, 1SS3, the entire grant, excepting of course the mi cr:il
lands, was to be open for agricultural scttleiiieut at the rate of $1 per ;ure,
the government issuing preemption records for 100 acres to actual settlers.
See 'Act relating to the Island Railway, the Graving Dock, and l;;iilw,iy
Lands of the Province' (approved Dec. 1!), I8S3), in Slat. U. C, ISSl, (IJ,
04, 07. In the same statute it was enacted that the dominion govoi iiiiieiit
should take over and complete, and operate as a dominion work, the dry-dnek
at Esquimalt, being entitled to the lands, approaches, and plants lie!oir,'iii!j
to it, and the appropriation of the imperial government, paying to tiui piov-
ince the amount expended or remaining duo for work and material, lunl .i
furtlier sum of S'2.")0,0l)0. In order finally to settle all disputes with tli^ do-
minion, it was a!.so enacted that 3,.500,000 acres, in the portion of the I'eae*
River district lying east of tiie Rocky Mountains and adjoining the iiortli-
west territory of Canada, should bo transferred in one rectangular bloik. to
he located by the dominion. For correspondence, reports, etc., relatiii : to
tlie-je disputes and their settlement, see Sess, Papern, 11. ('., K'i84, l.)7-7'2,
187-8, '201-2.

^'^i'lio sum of J'2,")0.000 in cash, on which they were to bo paid four jier
cent intorust after tlio fulfilment uud acceptance of the contract.

fWi -

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

693

material used in its construction was to be admitted
free of duty. The character of the line was to be in
all respects equal to that of the Canadian Pacific/^
and the company was required to maintain it in run-
ning order, and to work it "continuously and in good
faitii."^* It is among the possibilities of the future
tliat this line may be extended northward, and that
the terminus on the mainland be eventually at Bute
Inlet, and on the island at Esquimalt, the former
point being connected with Vancouver by suspension
bridges, or steam-ferries, when traffic shall be suffi-
ciently developed to justify the outlay."^

i:i t

1 10 imid foui- per

" Witli the same gauge, the alignments, gradients, and curvatures being
the best that tlic pliyaical fcatur'_ of the country would permit, the grades
uiit to exceed 80 feet to the mile. The width of cuttings was to bo '20 font,
and of embankments 10 feet. All bridges, culverts, etc., were to be of ample
size and strength, equal to the best description of work on the Canadian I'a-
t'ilic. Sidlicicut rolling stock, and all buildings necessary for the accommoda-
tion of tiallic, were to be furnished by the contractors.

'"' Tlio full text of the contract will be found in Sess. Papers, B. C, 1884,
183-0.

'^ Among the most valuable authorities consulted in this and the preceding
chapter may be mentioned a Memorandum on the Terms of Union and iha I'a-
c'ljic Hailwuy, b;/ Alexander Mdclcevde, MS., wherein I have been supplied
with a clear, brief, and succinct account of the subject-matters. The mate-
rial funiislicd by the foriner premier of the dominion contains, not a statement
of his own views, but a statement of tlio facts, so far as he knew them. It
was fortunate for tiie dominion that, at this juncture in her history, a man of
Jlackenzie's intuitive caution and foresight had sway for a time over the
interests of his adopted country, and for several years, as leader of the oppo-
sition, held in check tlio more ambitious designs of Sir John A. Macdonaid.

In tiic Piijitrn in Conneilion lotlh the Construclion of the Canadhm Pacific
L'ttiticdii, hei'iy.en the Dominion, Imperial, and Provincial Governments, in
(imsioncd I'-apirs, D. C, 1881, 139-310, are copies of all the ollicial corre-
fpondcnce relating to tiie Canadian Pacific, between tlio 14tii of August, I SCO,
and the 8th of ^Iay, 1S80. On tiie former date, while yet the question of
cuu federation had not assumed definite shape, Earl Uranville, inadesjiatcli to
(Governor Musi;ravc, tla^n recently appointed, says: 'It is evident tliat the
t'stablisliment of a Britisli line of communication between the Atlantic and
I'acific oceans is far mure feasible Ijy tho operations of a single government
responsible for the progress uf both shores of the continent than by tho bar-
gain negotiated between separate, pciliaps in some respects rival, governmenta
and legislatures.' On the 8th of May, 1880 the provincial legisla'.ure granted
to the dominion, as we have seen, the lamls required in the terms of the re-
vised agreement, the contract with tho syndicate having been then probalily
couckuied, though not odiuially announced. In the Correnpondcnce relating
to the Ciniadian Pacific Rnilway are a few of the more important despatches
relating to this controversy, though all of them are contained in the Sessional
Pa/iiTi of 1881. In that year, A. De Cosmos was ordered by the provincial
li':;islature to proceed to London in order to support the petition to the im-
perial government. Ho appears to have performed his duty faithfully. In a
despatol) to tho Marquis of Lome, dated Aug. 25, 1881, acknowledging tiie

! !

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604

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

receipt of the petition and of the report of tlio privy council, the eorl of Kim-
berlcy writes: 'I iiavo also Imd the advantage of several interviews witli Sir
J. A. Mucdonald and with Mr De Coaaios, and I will now proceed to com-
niiiuicato to you the conclusions which I liiivo formed on the subject. . .Hav-
ing regard to the statemcnta and representations which have been made to iiio
on tlio part of the dominion government and of the province respectively, I
am of opinion that: 1st, the construction of a light lino of railway from Na-
naimo to Esquimalt; 2d, the extension without delay of the line to I'urt
Moody; and .'id, the grant of reasonable compensation in money for tlio faihiio
to complete the work within the term of ten years, as specified in the couiii-
tions of union — would offer a fair basiaforaBCttlemcutof the whole (juestiuu.'
An account of the emissary's negotiations will bo found in the Papers rclaliiig
to the Mlsnion of the Hun. A. De Cosmos. The Opinions of the Ewjllsh Pivst
on the llrUish Columbian Ilitilway Question, Victoria, 1877, and the Canadian
Pacijxc liailway Poutfs, Victoria, 1877, are pamphlets containing extracts
from the Pall Mali Gazette, Saturday Review, London Standard, and Brilisk
Colonist, the last touching only on the question of the terminus. In The Do-
minion of Canada andthe Canadian Pncijic liailway, by \Vm Wilson, Victoria,
1874, is nil ex parto statement of the case, a» it then stood, from the provimiul
standpoint, and one for which the preface is a rather unfortunate aclcction
from Duflcrin's speech at Simcoe, on the U7th of August, 1874: ' The time lias
come for laying asido sectional ditTcrcnces, and for combining in one grand
cfl'ort to create a nationality that shall know uo distinction from the Atlantio
to the Pacific Ocean.'

Vancouver Island and British Columbia, iheir History, Resources, and Proa.
]>ects, by Matthew Mac/ie, F. R. O. S., London, 180,'), was, as its authur
claims, the first work, published in Great Britai.'i, containing full and classiliid
information on the various topics rclatina to the colonics of V. I. and 15. C
In scope and arrangement, it must be admitted that the book is much to bo
preferred to the one published by 1). O. Forbes Maclonald undtr a similar
title, although the latter reached a third edition in 1803. Mr Maclic, who
resided for live years in Victoria, devotes the first six chapters of his woik
mainly to an account of the topography, geology, geography, history, and
resources of V. I,, which ho terms 'the England of the Pacific,' two of tluiii
treating mainly of the gold discovery, and of the trade, progress, and condi-
tion of the capital. Then follow chapters relating to the commerce, the min-
ing and agricultural interests, and the fauna and flora of the mainland; cun.
eluding with a description of society and of the Indian tribes, the last chaptor
containing some excellent advice to intending emigrants.

The f()llowing is an additional list of references to authorities consulteil
iu the preceding ch.apters: Hansard's Pari. Deb., vol. clxxii. Ol-Cl, elwi.
202;j-4, and clxvii. 045, 1404-5; Coiifcd. il/e.ss., 35-40; Dam. Min.
Privy Council, Dec. 18, 1884; Sess. Papers, li. C, 1875-85, passim; Tht
Gi'nl. Survey, Can. (B. Westminter & Co., N. V., Daw.son Bros, .Montnal,
1880); Papers Proposed Union li. C. and V. I. (London, Eyre & Spottis-
woode, 18t>(>); the files of the London Times; Ev. Mad; Pall Mall Oazitte;
Sat. Review; Standard; Victoria, Brit. Col., Standard, Tdeijraph; Dom. I'lv.
Herald; Mainland Guardian; Toronto Globe; London (Ont.) Adverl'i^'r;
Good's Brit. Col., MS.; De Cosmos, Government, MS.; Sketches, B. <'.,
MS.; Bayley's Vancouver Island, MS., passim; Acts, B. C, 1871, iios .'t,
13, 14, 10, 17, 23; Stat. B. C, 1880, 30-40; /./., 1881, 17: Id., 18S2, .f,
05-75; Id., 188.3, 25-8, 39-45, 95-101, 103-11, 113-15, 149-5-2; Jour. Le<v^l.
Council, 1804, 2, 4-5, 29, 31, 39, 41-4; Id., 1804-5, 1-5, app. iv.-vi.: //.,
1800, 1-4, 39-40, app. i.; /(/., 1807, 1-0, 61, 04, 71-2, app. xvi.; Id., ISOS,
1-.3, 11-12, 2,>-7, 40-1, app. i.-iii., xvii.-xix.; Id., 1809,2-5,44-0,70-1; hi.,
1870,2-4, 28-35, 02-3, app. i.-ii.; /d., 1871, 2-C, 14-17, 23, 27, ap|.. .V-';
Jour. Leijisl. Ass., 1873-4, v.-viii., 1-3, app. iii. 3-10, vi. 1-8, vii. 1-4, 4!)-(i7,
83-90; fit., 1875, vii.-xiii. 1-2, app. 487-541, 58i5-90, 005-80; Id., 187(1, vii.-
xiii.; Id., 1877, vii.-xi. 3; Id., 1878. vii.-xi. 3, 71-0, 105-0; /./., 1879, xiii-
xiv.; Id., 1880, xi.-xvi.; Id., 1881, 3-4, 50-2, app. 04; Id., 1882, ix.-xv. H,

AUTHORITIES.

26, 29, 34. 44, 40-8, 50-3; /(/., 1883, 2; Sess. Papert, B. C, 1876, 57-72,
IGiVSSS, 565-92, 037-46, 073-0, 731-2, 737, 751-7; Jd., 1877,359-72, Slo-Si,
38!), 400, 431, 449-74; Id., 1878, 379-88, 415-16, 549; Jd., 1880, 327-59;
/(/., 1881, 189, 260-1; Id., 1883, 453; Id., 1884, 157, 183, 325; Indiati Land
QiieMion, Brit. Vol., 26, 29-36, 38-9, 41-3, 47, 54-7, 64-8, 95-6, 104-6, 154,
103-0; S. F. Alia, Bulletin, Call, Chronicle, Herald, Pout, Times, passim;
Sacramento Union, Aug. 24, 1855; Oct. 4, 1856; Apr. 25, 1857; Juno 9, July
1», 10, Aug. 9, 26, Sept. 2, 6, 1859; Mar. 3, Aug. 29, Sept. 15, Nov. 23, 1860;
Juno 21, July 13, 20, 1861; June 1, 1863; Feb. 15, 1884; St IIAena
Slur, Aug. 27, 1880; li. C. Directory, 1882-3, 1884-5, passim; ChUtemlen't
Travels in Brit. CJ., 31-7; St Helena (Cal.) Star, Aug. 27, 1880; Har-
per's Mag., Aug. 1882; Portland (Or.) Wat S/iore, Dec. 1885, 359-62; Ev.
Telegram, Feb. 20, Mar. 22, 29, 1879.

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1 •:

CHAPTER XXXIV.

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

1870-1886.

Ths Victoria and Esquimalt Railway— Protest of the Maini^akd
Population — The Carnarvon Club — Secession or the Carnakvox
Terms — Defeat op the Elliott Ministry — A Lively Debate— Tin
Legislature Votes for Separation — Discontent in the Capital-
Cornwall Appointed Chief Magistrate — Government of British
Columbia — The Suffrage — Proceedings of thu Legislature— Tub
Judiciary.

In the preceding chapters I have endeavored to lay
before the reader the main incidents in relation to the
Canadian Pacific Railway, avoiding, as far as possible,
the political issues to which the project gave rise in
British Columbia, as a matter apart from the disputes
and negotiations between the province and the do-
minion. At the first mention of the scheme, in con-
nection with the terms of union, certain parties in
Victoria raised the cry of "no terminus, no confed-
eration;"^ and the question of the Bute Inlet route aa
against Burrard Inlet was discussed and remarkably
well understood as early as 1870. In December of
that year a petition was presented to the governor-
general, praying that if, after the surveys had been
completed, it should be found impracticable at once to
extend the line to Vancouver Island, then a road
should be constructed between Victoria, Esquimalt,

* The Victoria Standard of Oct. 13, 1870, declared that no candidate ought
to be returned for tli:it city who would not pledge himself to vote for I'nu-
federatiou oulvou couditioa that Victoria or Esquimalt be made tiie tenniuut:

(6»8)

'i .11 It/,!

RAILPwOAD POLITICS.

097

and Nanaimo, on the same conditions as were granted
to the mainland sections.'^

When it was announced by the Macdonald ministry
that Esquimalt had been selected as the terminus, an
incorporation was organized and chartered by the
local legislature, early in 1873, under the style of the
Victoria and Esquimalt Railway Company, the length
of the proposed line being three and a half milcs.^ In
July of that year certain members of the government
proceeded to Esquimalt, and after driving the first
stake for the location survey of the Canadian Pacific
at the south-east corner of the dock-yard fence, hoisted
a flag upon it, and quaffed champagne in honor of the
occasion. Two days later the location for the termi-
nus was selected by the same parties, the ceremony
consisting of marking one of the posts at the north-
west corner of the fence enclosing the aduiiral's resi-
dence at Thetis Cove with the inscription, C. P. R.
S., July 19, 1873. Several hundred yards of trail
were cut throufrli brush, thousfh no sod was turned
under official authority, Helmcken, who was present
as the representative of the Allen company in the
Pacific province, declining to officiate. On the same
date a telegram was received from Ottawa, stating
that the commencement of the location survey was
not in conflict with the terms of union, the limit of

i;P^

'Tho petitioners ilesircil to have a clause to this effect embodied in the
terms of union. In hia reply, dated Ottawa, Dec. 31, 1870, Lord Lisgar said
that the route could only bo detorinined after confederation, and after explor-
ation and survey, in which 15. C. would be duly represented; that the
interests of the whole dominion, including those of V. I., would then l)e con-
siilercd; but not until then could the question of a branch road be entertained.
nrit. Coloiti.it, Jan 11, 1871.

' The company was empowered by its charter to condemn lands, and was
required to commence building within a year, and to complete the road within
two years. In t\\G Conxol. Slat., li. C, 1877, G14, the time for commenco-
nii.nt was extended to July 1870, and for completion to July 1S77. Thus,
rciuarked the Colonkt of Feb. 20, 1873, 'there were two great railway com-
piiiiics— the Canadian Pacinc, with a capital of §180,000,000, §10,000,000 paid
lip, and the Victoria and Esquimalt Railway Company, with §175 paid up;'
tlifi object of the latter being to capture the site of the terminus, and tha
principal parties interested being the chanipioua of the 'no terminus, no con-
federation' idea.

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698

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

time for the commeneemcnt of the line expiring on
the following day.*

A year later, after the downfall of Macdonald,
meetings were held at Yale and New Westminster,
at which the entire action of the people of Vancouver
Island on the railroad issue was repudiated, and their
right denied to speak in the name of British Colum-
bia. It was also declared that the beginning or com-
pletion of the island road would in no way affect the
Canadian Pacific* On the defeat of the island rail-
way bill, however, and the refusal to accept $750,000
as compensation, the premier of the dominion dealt
with the provincial administration as with one whoso
interests were entirely identified with the island line,
which placed that line before the Canadian Pacific,
and whose tenure of office depended on the pcrsisteuce
with which they urged the fulfilment of this portion
of the Carnarvon terms. Thenceforth, as we have
seen, the principal bone of contention between the
two governments was the Esquimalt and Nanaimo
railroad.

Early in 187G the attention of the people of Vic-
toria was called to the fact that E. Brown, president
of the provincial council, and Forbes George Vernon,
chief commissioner for lands and works under the
Elliott administration,^ were in favor of accepting the
offer of the dominion government.^ In the summer
of that year was organized at the capital the Carnar-

* Brit. Colonist, July 20, 1873.

*At Lillooet and Spellmans, in the Lillooet district, mcctinga were also
held, at wliich similar resolutions were adopted. Colonist, July 12, 15, 1874.

* Which succeeded to tliat of George A. VValkem in Feb. 1S70. A list of
the members of the legislative council and assembly of V. I. during tho co-
lonial period, and of tho members of the executive council during tho provin-
ci.ll pei'iod, will bo found in tho Brit. Col. Direct.

' Wherefore the ministry was roundly abused by a portion of the Victoria
press. 'Do not trust a premier,' said tho Standard, in its issue of FoIj. 9,
1870, 'who says one thing and means another.' To this tho goverimuiil or-
gan rejoined that one would have thought the \Valkcni administration liud
done enough to injure the country, in linking its fortunes with the conserva-
tives, to cure its contemporary and tho men wliom it supported of tiicir pen-
chant for party politics. B. C. had no interests in common with either ot tlia
political parties at Ottawa. Brit. Colonist, Feb. 17, 1876.

CARNARVON CLUB DEMANDS.

609

irv ill

expiring on ■ von club, by the members of which throats of seces-
sion were openly avowed in default of the execution
of the Carnarvon terms, the visit of Lord DufFerin
appearing rather to increase than diminish their
clamor.

When, in reply to an address from the citizens of
Yale deprecating the threat of secession, Governor
Albert Norton Richards® observed that his ministers
"did not sympathize with the view that separation
must follow as a result of the non-commencement of
the island railway," the Carnarvon club demanded
an interview with Elliott on business of great public
importance." Giving audience to a deputation from
the club, the premier was asked: "Did the govern-
ment indorse the sentiment expressed in the governor's
reply to the Yale address?" The answer was in the
negative; the premier observing that the address was
of a mixed nature, containing "a little good and a
great deal of an objectionable character;" whereupon
the members urged him not merely to repudiate the
responsibility of what the lieutenant-governor had
said, but to "make him take back his words or stop
his supplies." Elliott remarked that the governor
received his supplies in the form of a stipend from
Ottawa. The Carnarvon club then asked whether
the provincial legislature could not reach the matter
in some other way — by refusing to pay the salary of
the governor's private secretary, or to supply materials
needed at the gubernatorial residence. For a moment
the premier was staggered; but he was equal to the
occasion, and with the versatility of a statesman, re-
plied that he was hardly prepared for such a question,
lie hoped that before the next session of the house
the rnilroad difficulty would be adjusted, and that
addresses and replies would be forgotten. He could

'Successor to Trutch, who held office from July 1871 to July 1870, Ripli-
ftrils licing nppointod for the ensuing five years.

" Richards had said, moreover, to the pco|jle of Yale: 'I have no doubt
Imt what your views are those entertained by the people of the province at

large.'

700

POLITICS AND 'JOViniN'MKNT.

not Sivy, liowovcr, at a niomciit's notice what the
government niigl>t or niii^dit not do if no satistactoty
settlement were made.'" The deputation then de-
parted, fully satisfied that the interests of tiie proviuco
were safe in Mr Elliott's keeping."

In January 1877 there were ohservcd at Victoria
evidences of unusual activity among the leaders of thu
two parties. On the convening of the local legisiaturo,
Elliott was vigorously attacked by Walkem, Beaveii,"
and others, for sacrilicing the island railway, and aid-
ing Mackenzie in his rei)udiation policy." A public
meeting was held at Victoria on the 3d of March, with
a view to demand separation or the Edgar-Carnarvon
compromise terms, the one or the other, and in luiy
event the removal of Elliott's non-Carnarvon niiiiiis-
ters. A committee was appointed to wait on tlio
premier and ascertain what course he intended to
pursue with regard to the chief commissioner of lands
and works, who, it was reported, had declared hiniHulf
opposed to forcing the island railway and the l>uto
Inlet terminus on the dominion government. Another
mass-meeting was held shortly afterward, when reso-
lutions were adopted demanding the resignation of
Elliott. In the local parliament Walkem, in discussing
a motion respecting the Edgar-Carnarvon terms, re-
marked that the secret of the change in Carnarvon's
views, as to the island railway, was to be found in the
influence brought to bear on Dufferin by members of
the Elliott government; and Vernon did not deny
having advised the governor-general not to undertake
the construction of this line.

The change to which he referred is probably the

»» Toronto Globe, in Brit. Colonkt, Dec. 12, 187G.

"If wo can believe the Ottawa Timet, the Ciimarvon club was rogardtil at
the capital of the dominion as a danf^erous organization, and one with pio-
American leanings. To this tlioS^rtHt/an/ replied, in its issue of Nov. I, K'^TO:
' Tlic club is undoubtedly dangerous to Canadian repudiators, but tiioro is no
fear of pro- American leanings if the railway contract be carried out.'

'■^ Robert Beaven was chief commissioner of lands and works from I)co.
1772 to Jan. 187G; was appointed minister of finance and agriculture Feb,
28, 187."J, and held the latter oiUce from Juno 1878 to Juno 1882.

"Standard, iMarch 2, 5, Feb. 27, 1877.

■I

:ico what tho
lo sati.slacloty
lion then dc-
)ft]ie province

xl at Victoria
leaders of the
,'al lef^islatiirc,
:cm, iicavcii,"
way, and aid-
\" A pultlic
f March, with
^ar-Carnurvou
r, and in any
narvon minis-
wait on tlio
> intended to
ioner of lands
clared himself
md the Ikito
nit. Another
d, when roso-
'esignatiou of
, indiscussini'
.'on terms, re-
1 Carnarvon's
3 found in tlio
y members of
Jid not tleny
to undertake

probably the

ub was regarded at
and one with pio-
luoof Nov. I, ISTG;
ora, but tliciv is no
arrieil out. '
1 worka fioiii Dec.
cl agricultuiu Feb.
18SL'.

TUE ELLIOTT MINISTRY.

701

one montn ncd in the carl's despatch to tlic govcrnor-
fjeneral, dated Decemljer 18, 187G, wherein, after
\voi,i,diin<^ the considerations on either side, he says:
"I wish you to inform your advisers and the provin-
cial government that, wliilo I do not feci myself in a
position to decline to entertain the ^'presentations
pressed upon me by the province, I am nevertheless
at this moment unable to pronounce an opinion as to
the course which should be taken, either with regard
to the Esquimalt and Nanaimo railway, or with
rci,'ard to the delays which have occurred or may yet
occur in tho construction of the main line."'* Tho
followers of the government said that Walkem should
he 'ishamed to follow a leader who had not the cour-
age to show them where the battle was. The min-
i.stry must not be allowed to shirk such an important
question.''

IClliott's ministry endeavored to contrd the move-
ment by giving way to it; but in vain. In March
1878 Walkem introduced a resolution in the assembly
declaring that if railway construction were not coni-
menced by May 1879, the legislature would demand
■separation. The Elliott party opposed, pleading that
it would be better not to press Canada for another
year.

In June the Elliott ministry resigned, George A.
Walkem, whose second term of office lasted for four
j'ears, being again called to the head of affairs.
Further action on the resolution was deferred until
Se[)tember. Meanwhile the Mackenzie administra-
tion was attacked by the conservatives at Ottawa on
the island railway question. On the 23d of March,

^'Correspondence rcl. Can. Par. I'nUwa;/, 15-10.

''Mr Mara, a member for the niaiiilaiiil, sai<l, on tho 3J of April, 1.S77,
that ii(! had strongly opposed tlio administration of NValUcin, ai ho had been
8tiiig.;iing hard for surveys down tho Eraser Itivcr. If tho Es(ju!nialt lino
and IJutc Inlet line liJid been commenced, it would have been fatal to tho
Frascr Uivcr route. There were no lands fit for settlement on tho i.sland, and
tlie expenditure would be useless. In tho Ulterior was a region which must
bo opened up to bo in any manner available. It was not in tlic interest of
the v.hulo province that tho Esquimalt and Nanaimo railway should bo com-
menced first, i'^'taixlnnl, April 4, 1877.

ifl'fll''

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702 POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

187G, a question was a.skcd in the senate as to tin; pnr-
eha-soof 5,000 tons of steel r;\ils whidi had l)een landed
at Es(juinmlt before the line had even been snrv( Vdl.
The answer was, that the Esquiinalt and Naniiiino
j)roject had been indorsed by the connnons, and that
tlie government was justified in taking advantage (>['
11 low market for the iiurchaso of rails. The fact,
however, that in 1878, some three years after IIk;
railway bill was defeated in the senate, the rails weto
in process of removal to Yalo, was regarded by tlio
opposition in the provincial legislature as an elocticni-
eeringjob.

On this and other points, issue was taken in the
local parliament, and when Walkem's resolution was
again brought before the house a lively debate ensued.
Basil Humphreys, provincial secretary and minister
of mines, said no one could thiidc that the removal of
the rails was in good faith, for the purpose of const ruc-
tion; and they should scout this last deliberate insult
of the Canadian government. They were now appeal-
ing to the imperial government in a maimer not re-
sorted to hitherto, and one which would prove elfect ual.
Every argument had been exhausted, and every legiti-
mate means used, to obtain their just rights, without
success. Mr Beaven said it was evident that Canada.
never intended to build the road. Since confederatioii,
the exi)enditures of the dominion had exceeded the
revenue by over a million dollars annually. Was it
reasonable, he asked, for them to expect that a rail-
way to cost more than a hundred million dollars could
bo built without increasing the rate of taxation? llo
observed that tenders were invited for the construct inn
of 125 miles of road from Yale to Kamloop, but tlii.s
he regarded as a mere trick, designed for electioneer-
ing purposes. Mr Abrams said a government that
could stoop so low as to cripple, in the way they had
done, the late Walkem administration, was an enemy
to the province.

Dr Ash, who, as provincial secretary under Walkein,

FINANCIAL ASPECTS.

703

assisted in obtaining the Etlfjar-Curnarvon settlement,
o|»|)oseil tlio resolution on tlio ground that it would
iKj)rive British Columbia of all claim to the build-
iiiL;' of the road. Ho recommended a modification, if
necessary, of the Carnarvon terms. To this Walkeni
rc[)lied that the doctor well knew that Edj^ar's pro-
j)()sals were unauthorized, and that it required an order
in council to sanction them beforothey could be enter-
tained. Connnissioners were merely channels of com-
iiiimication; with negotiations they had nothing to do.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of seventeen to

Jcr Walkciu,

nine.*'

Between 1871 and 1878 some ten millions of dol-
lars w(!rc expended by the dominion govermiient for
the surveys and construction of the Canadian Pacific
railway, of which sum about $1,300,000 was appro-
])riated for surveys in British Columbia; but as yet
iii)t a single dollar had been expended on construction
within the province. It was claimed, moreover, that
(luring this })ori()d the contribt'.tion of British Cc^lum-
hia to the consolidated fund of the dominion exceeded
its proportion to the liability more than a million, the
average taxation for 1878 being $D per capita for the
])r()vince, as against $5.34 for the dominion." It
^vould seem that as yet the former had gained noth-
ing by confederation save the phantom of an unreal-
ized dream. No wonder that there were not a few,
and these by no means destitute of intelligence, who,
after considering the general bearings of the matter,
came to the conclusion that it would have been better to
remain an independent colony under the home govern-
nicut than to have united with Canada. Moreover, as
I have said, the population of the capital contained a
large percentage of Americans, always impatient of
control, and especially of dominion control. It should
not be ignored, however, that before confederation
the province was burdened with a debt that hung like

" An account of the debate will bo fouiul in the Slamlanl, Sept. 4, 1878.
" I'apers rel. Mission De Cosmos, 0.5.

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704

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

a millstone around its neck, was virtually bankrupt,
and that men had lost faith in its power of reoujieia-
tion. The terms of union relieved the people of their
most oppressive burdens, enlarged tlicir interests, and
made them rich, at least in promised greatness.

Concerning the government and political annals of
British Columbia, there is but little more worthy of
record. It ma}^ indeed be stated, however, that for
many years the latter were so intimately connected
with the affairs of the Canadian Pacific railway, tliat
the history of one is almost the history of the other.
As in other provinces, the chief magistrate was ap-
pointed by the governor-general of Canada and held
office for tive years, this ])osition being filled, between
July 1881 and July 188G, by Clement Francis Corn-
wall, formerly a member of the Canadian senate."
Regulations pertaining to customs and excise, trade
and navigation, tlie militia, the postal service, and the
administration of justice, together with such other
matters as elsewhere in Canada fell under dominion
control, were for the most part framed by the privy
council, with the advice and consent of parliament,
while the province, of course, retained control of its
local affairs. In that parliament British Columbia
was represented by three senators and six members of
the commons, her awn legislative assembly consisting
of twenty-five members, elected by the peojile from
thirteen disti'icts^^ for a term of four years, while of
the executive council there were but throe members.^

'^Mr t'orn\v!ill, a pradiiato of Canibriiltrc, niul a nicmhcr of tlio inner
teniplf, is a native of Kngland, ami a son of Allan Gaidnci' Cornwall, ilmp-
lain in onlinary to tliu (]iii'ini. In ISO'i ho oainc to 11. C, ami in partnci-'^liip
with his Inothcr cngagfd in stock-raising in the ncighhoi hood of Aslu luit,
wliero in 1S78 uus hia country scat. C.'oo(/'.-i li. ('., MS., 5;?. Elected senator
innncdiately after tho confederation, he held that position until his appoint-
ment as {;uvernor,

''■'For the fourth parliament, clcctod in ISS"-', there were four niemliers for
Victoria City, two for Victoria district, one for the city and two for thedislrict
of New Westminster, three for Cariboo, two each for Yale, Ksquimalt, Koo-
tenai, Cowicliau, and Lillooct, and one each for Nanaimo, Conio.x, .and Ca.'-si:ir,
Their iiaiucs are ^'ivcn in JJ. ('. Direct., 1S8'2 3, ;464.

""•In IbSJ the niemljcrsof the council were Win Smiilie, premier and chief

J"^

lly bankrupt,
of rceupeia-
cople of their
interests, and
atness.

ical annals of

•ro worthy of

;ver, tliat for

;ly connected

railway, tliat

of the other.

!:rate was ap-

ida and held

lied, between

'rancis Corii-

lian senate.'^

excise, trade

vice, and the

I such other

ler dominion

by the pi'ivy

parliament,

ntrol of its

1 Cokunhia

niendjors of

y consisting

people from

irs, while of

3 members.*^

)t'r of the inner
Cornwall, iliiip-
1 in pai'tiuMs'liip

,00(1 of Asiic-'ioft,
Klcctod soiuitor

mtil his iippuiiit-

four nicinlirrs for
for tluMlistrict,
Ks(iiiiiimlt, Koo-
iiox, anil Ciissiar.

ireniier and cliief

LEGISLATH'E PROCEEDINGS.

705

The cumborsomo restrictions on the suffrage cxi.sting'
(lui'lng- the first years of the confederation had now
been abolished, registration and twelve months' I'esi-
dence being the only qualifications needed for British
sul))ects,'^' and vote being by ballot."

The proceedings of the legislature between 1872

and 188G related mainly to n mncipal affairs, to public

ini])rovements,'-'^ to the incorporation of companies, to

tolls, taxes, and revenue, to the disposition of the

)ublic lands, of all which matters mention will be made

ater,'* and to the administration of justice, so far as

the province was not under the control (jf the dominion.

In 188G Sir Matthew B. Begbie, appointed chief

justice, as will be remembered, in 1858,-^ was still at

omniissioncr of laiuls anil works; A. E. B. Davie, atty-gcn.; and John Roli-
Boii, jirovinuial sue.

-' Acconling to the tcrni3 of the Qualification and Ilegistration of Votci-a
net, 1S7(!, repealing a similar act passed in 1S7">, the latter rcpcaiiiig a .simi-
lar act of 1871, and this a;iain repealing acts of 1S71 anil 187-'. For text of
the lirsfc one, sec Sliit. />'. ''., 1870, "Jl-O. According to its provisions, tliu
franchise was withheld from judges, stipendiary magistrates, and conslal/les,
except in certain ca.sc3 provided in the act; also from pci-sons undergoing .sen-
tence for treason, felony, or other infumouaoU'ence. The only ipialilication for
a nu inhcr of tlio legislature was that he should ho duly entci'ed on the rci;is-
tcr of electors, and .should have Lecn a resident of the province for at lcj.st
twelvu months before the date of his election.

■•According to rules prescribed in //., 1S77, Sl-7, the polling-places were
to he furnislieil "iLh a number of e impailmcnts, in which the elector.* could
inarl; then' votes, vlnlc .screened from ol)sei'vation. l']:ich ballot-paper was to
contain ii li^t of the candidates alphabetically arranged. 'I'he cleeior on re-
ccivihg tlio ballot-pa|ier must oiter one of the compartments and marl; it with
a cri.j.s opposite the natne of the candid. ites for whom ho jncfened to vole.
He nnist tlicn fold it so as to conceal the names of the canihdatcs, the maiks
on its face, and the printed numerals on it.s back, though displaying t!ie olli-
cial mark thereon to the presiding olhcer, and depositing his jiaper, leave the
)iolliiig station without making known to any one for whom he had v(jtcd.
Women were entitled to vote at nnuiicipal elections.

■' ljy act of 187-, it was declared lau ful for the lieut-g'iv. to appropi-i.'ito
uiiy leal estate, streams, watercourses, etc., which mi;;ht, lu his o[)iniu;i, be
neccs.sary for the use, construction, maintenance, or improvement of any puh-
1.0 work, and especially sucii as he might ih'ein neccssai'y for the ■■ "istructioii
ol the dry-dock at Esijuimalt. Incase the owner refused to si 11, the cUief
eoniMiissioncr of lands and woiks might tender what lie coiisidere I a rcasim-
alilc value, with notice that the matter would bo submitted to arliitivuioii,
and .'!0 days thereafter was authorii'jtl to take possession. ( unxol, Stul. U. C.
(■'1. l'-;77), 70.J.

■'The laws enacted by the legislature up to 1877 will be found in /(/.,
passim, and after that date in the yearly volumes of the Stat. JJ. < '. For pro-
cei'iliiigs of the legislative assembly, .see ./our. Lcnisl. Ai/i. ii. C. for each year, ,
where will also be found the governor's spuoehes,

'See p. 'Vll, this vol.

UiBT. 131111'. Col. is

7D6

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

h d

the head of the judiciary, being assisted by four puisno
judges.^" Next in i-ank were the county court jud'^es,
many of whom had held office since 18G1,'-' and for
each settlement and electoral district were one or
more justices of the peace, of whom more than 200
were in office iu 188G.^ Thus the law has bciu
brought to every man's door. Of late years it lii^s
been matter for congratulation that, notwithstandlii"'
variKy of race and diversity of interests, peace and
order have been maintained without resorting to any
unusual t>xpedients. Absolute protection has bi'cii
affordtid to all, without n^gard to creed or nationality,
and ovon duriuijf the construction of the railroad the
vast inilux t)f workmen belonging to every natioiialitv
merely j-eiidered necessai^y the appointni' ;t of a low
additional constables. ^^

■^11. p. f. Crease, J. Hamilton Gray, John F. McCreiglit, and George A,
Walkeni. At this date there were 'J.'j nioinbcrs of the 15. C. bar.

'■U jod'x liril. <'oL, MS., 101,sav.s that in 1878thi'y were favorably knuwn,
u<,t only for their experience, but fur the skillul aiul conscientious discliargo
of tlieir duties.

-' For names, with jurisdiction and address of tiioae in office in 1885, suo Jl.
('. J 'iri'ct., IS**-.''), '2;'A-~.

* I'or particulairsiis to thoadministration of justice between ISoGand ISW,
see chap, x.xiii., thie vol. Among the cnaotments relating i" the judicial;, 'Im-
inj: the eunl'ederation period may he nieiitioiieil t he County ('ourts Practili m is
act. iS7;f, whereby all persons were entitled t' appear in the county enurt-
tlie coiirtsof stipendiary magistrates, and of ju.><tioea of the j)cace, as tlie .t iv>
cates I'f partie;! to any proceedings in such courts, thoiigii not qualilied pia.
titunieia. (■(///■(o/. Stat. B. C, 1877, 144. By act of 1877, the proviiuc «.ij
divided into county court districts. In 187- an act was [lasscl to pi >vi'i.:
for the holding of linuit courts in connection with the supriTiC courts, i' '
acts relating to le;,'al profeasions, sec /(/., GOl-7: SUil. B. ('.. 1878, III' -('■
1S»2. [)'; l>i84, lOJ 11. Uy acts of 1870, judicial districts were estahh-lj";
for the ju<lge9 of the supreme court, and thi> practice ami ))roecilurc d li'
supremo court were ampn<led. In the Local Administration of Justice a'l,
18^1, provi-ion was made wlicroliy proeeedings in the supreme court couM lo
determined in any of the judicial districts as cll'cctually as iu the c.'ty of Vic-
toria. Uy tlie I'lDviucial Superior Court act, 188"2, there was cst;ibli.-lK'ii a
court of record and of original and appellut^ jurisdiction, styled Her Maji'->ty .s
Court of Queen's r>ench for lirULsh L'.»lnirt>< i For act regulating tliC powtn
of .supremo court judges in cases of n[i[».^ial, we /d., 1885, i;j-l4. Tlie Assiio
Court act, ISS,"), appoints tlic dates -i. holding courts of iissizc and ni~i jiriih,
and of oyer anil tcrininor, and pi .■•ral jail-dilivery, nt Victoria, N.iiramn,
New Westminster, Yale, Kamlooi Clinton, l.ytton, and llichlield. I lact
rehiting to tho jurisdiction and [iroccdurc nl county courts, sec /(.'.. ISS.'i,
17-04; for acts relating to juries and jurors, seo ( 'onwl. Stat. B. C (od. IS"').
315-10; atat. B. C, 188;t, 47-74; 1S34, GU; 188."-, 79.

■^

by four puisne
i court jud'j^cs,

80 1,"' and for
wore one m-
iiorc tlian 200
law has Ijoou
) years it lius
twitlistamliiiif
its, peace uiul
sorting to aiiv
;ion has Ixh.'u
or nationality,
e railroad the
!ry nationality
in-- .; of a t'c\V

iglit, and George A.
C. bar.

re favorably known,
scientioiis discliargo

office in 1885, mu'll.

ween ISoGand |S>;o,
h> the judicial y rhu-
(Joiirtsl'ractiti iiiii
the county inr.rt-
! peace, us the ,i ai
I not (Hialiljcd |irai
I, the provini<' «,i^
i passed to pi'Hi ^'
pixTic courts. I' ■
'i. t'., 1878, ll;i •.'(!■
ts wefc estalili-lu'.i
d procedure (if nr
tion of Justice a"t,
reiiie court could Le
) ill tlio c.'ty of Vio-
3 was cstnbii>licii a
yled Her Mujcity'.s
;ulating tbo pnwcrs
13-14. 'i'lio Assize
isizc and ni^i priii>,
Victoria, K.ui dmo,
Kiclilield. I'-iatt
irts, sec /(■., ISSJ,
U. B. c'. (jd. liJ77),

CHAPTER XXXV.

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

1861-1886.

VicToniA— The Ubiquitohs Ciiinamax — Esquimalt— Nanaimc— The Vic-
toria Coal, Mining, and Land Company — New Westminster —
Langley — I.,Yn'oN— Savona'.s Fekry — Kamloop — Clinton — Barker-
viLLE— Yale —Indian Missions and Missionaries— Metlakathla—
Forts — Indifference of the Provincial Government— CiviLiZArioN
OF THE Native Tribes — Churches — Charitable Societies — Public
Schools— Jourkalism — Libraries.

"Barely two centuries ago," exclaimed Dr Pick-
ering, who in 1841 passed through the straits of
Juan do Fuca on board the exploring ship Vincennes,
"our New England shores presented only scenes like
tliat before inc: and what is to be the lapse of the
third?" At this date an Indian trail and a few Indian
wigwams alone marked the presence of man amid
the almost untenanted solitudes where now stand the
cities of Victoi'ia and New Westminster. In 18G1
the population of Victoria mustered about 3,500 white
inhabitants, of many nationalities, English and Amer-
iiaus jiredomiriating. At that date the grades and
<'!i(jue« into which society resolves itself in older set-
llmnents did not as yet exist, even the lordly Douglas
b'.ing esteemed iio better than his fellow-man. More
co.smopoli'tan, p<5rhaps, than were even the San Fran-
ciscans in the tl*ys when b(nianza society and tlie
hoard o^ brokers were unknown, the memb(>rs of this
huterogeucous community, gathered from all quarters
of the earth, placed themselves on a common level,
atid bud but a cuuimon interest — to better their con-

(707 1

708

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

t 1

tlition, vying with each other only in making their
Hvcs, and especially their lei.'furc hours, as agrecalilo
as joossiblc under their altered condition. Free i'loiu
conventional restraint, dwelling- in a spot \vorld-fan\ou8
for the beauty of its scenery, amid magnilicent vislas
of forests and mountains clad with richest verduio,
and in a climate softer than that of the south of Vav^-
land, there arc few among the present citi/cns ofA'ic-
toria who, after enjoying this brief respite from tlio
whirl and strife of progress and civilization, <lo n(,t
recall with a tinge of sadness those good old times.

iVt this date the Hudson's Bay ibrt, with its l)'^
buildings and its picket palisade, was crumbling into
decay. There were but four streets,^ and tlie nmst
])rominent buildings in the capital were the Iludson'.s
Bay store and the bank of Bri'wsli North America.
Two years later the city had made considerable jtro-
gress, containing, early in 18G3, about G,000 peoiile.
a|)art from the migratory population that tlirongid
the town durirjg the winter season, and some 1,jU0
buildings, among which were substantial warehouses
and stores, several commodious hotels, a theatre, a
hospital, five churches, and five banking-houses. Tlio
value of real estate was also increasing rapidly, fiont-
age on good business streets commanding a niontlily
rental of three to seven dollars a foot. In 1807 A ie-
toria was incorporated, being divided into iUwc wards,
and the municipal council, which consisted of a mayor
and seven councillors, having power to malce by-laws
lor regulating, among other matters, the trafilc of the
city, and the maintenance, repair, and construction nf
highways, wharves, and bridges; to pui'chase, hold,
and erect buildings on real estate needed for corpoi'utc
use; to e:^'tablish markets; to frame measures for \\\''
|)revention of fire," and the lighting of streets; to

'Nnmcd Whnif, Yiitcs, Fort, and Johnson. Good's Drit. Col., MS., I.

'•'Fur the siii)]Hiit (if an (.llicicnt fiic department, a tax of .\ of one [ur c'lit
ii vear was to \iv h\ icd on the vahie of all buildings, and the sum ot JSoHO li
yt ir was to lie jiaid \>y each liiu in.surauee company, together with a rate imt
e.Ncci'diui; one eighth per cent on the amount of their iiisuranr.va. li. tlw

CITY OF VICTORIA.

709

rc/,ailato the drainage, sewerage, and sanitary condi-
tion of the city; and to provide for the taking of a
census.^

In 188G the capital contained at least 12,000 inliab-
itants,* and in manufactures and commerce ranked, as
we shall see later, among the foremost cities of the
coast. In the excellence of its hiufhways and drives,
Victoria is almost unsurpassed, wcll-macadamizod
roads, built during the colonial period, extending tor
Diiles through dense forests of pine, across stretches
of green meadow-land, over undulating downs, and
skirting the pebbly beach along the margin of the bay.
Contiguous to the city on its south-eastern side, and
boi'derinof on the straits of Juan de Fuca, is the
public park, enclosing a spacious tract of great natu-
lal beauty. In its centre stands a mound, named
iJcacon Hill, from which a view is obtained ol' the
eastern portion of the straits, the islands clustered in
the Georgian Gulf, and the rugged, snow-cap[)ed sum-
mit of ^lount Baker. Here it was that, during the
early days of the company's regime, signal-fires were
ligliled each night when the annual sup[)ly vessel
Itceame due, and hence, as she passed Race Hocks,
news of her arrival was carried to the miniature settle-
iiKut Slathered around the walls of the old louf fort.

liiisiiiosa ji.art of the town no wooilcii buiMitig was to lio croctril iiuirc tliiiii 18
frrt, or Olio story, liij,'li. iiiu'u r ii penalty of i;.')OOforciicli nioutli duriiij^ wlucli
UK I] Imikling was erected ur in i.uiirso of erection.

•* TIk! text of tlu! ordinaiiee will bo found in tlic Coiinol. Stat. li. C. (ed.
l^TTi, 7.');?-0I). Ill ISiy, ))( fore the tuiioii of the two colonies, aa act iiad
airi:i(ly lieeii passed tor tlic incorporatinii of the city of Victoria, fur which
siv /;. ('. ami v. I. hired. . ISCili, !)-t-UIS. A list of tlic mayors an<l councillors
fiiiii ISU-J to IS}{;2 will be fouii<l in /.'. V. JJirc-t., ISSJ-.'i, H.j-8, At the Lit;cr
il;i;r Noali Shakespeare, a native of StaH'ordshirc, I'ln.^laiid, filled the posilioii
I'f I ' lyor. Arriviiij^ at Victoria in I8(i;>, liein^' tlicn in iii^ uUtli year, ho was
{.'1 a i lo liiul eniploynient at one of the Xanaiiiio <'ollierics, and alter accunui-
1 uuiL^ a little iiioncv, returned to the ciqiital and cn^'a^cd in t)usiiu ss. Froui
t!,> mall betrinninj; be made bis way in lif'\ biiiiu; cloctcd in 1878 to thei.iiy
c '1. il. and in 1882 a incinber of the doiniiiioii coiiunons. and president of the
IWo' lianic^" Instdutc In politics bo was termed a libor.il conservative; alua> a
hud 'Ik) sui'port of the working classes. In 1885 tiio mayoralty was held by
Uc'ixrt I'aterson IMtliet.

~ rhi« was thcestimatc of directory compiler:!. The crnKus of 1881 fiivca
tti; po]v«ilatioii at IJ.OOO, excbisivo oi Indians. In the S. F. UulUliii of March
fi; 18JV, it is given at 10,000 to li.',000.

710

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

Viewed from any of the neighboring eminences, as
from the hill near government house, from Mount
Tolmie, from Church hill, or from the head of Pan-
dora avenue, the city, which was laid out, not in rec-
tangular blocks, but follovving the configuration of tho
land, presents a beautiful appearance. Many of tho
private dwellings are embowered in ivy, clematis,
honeysuckle, or other creeping plants, and surrounded
with orchards, lawns, luxuriant shrubbery, and ncutly
trimmed gardens. The business portion was quite
early for tho most part built of brick or stone, and,
though none of the structures were pretentious, not a
few displayed considerable taste and architectural skill.
The government buildings, containing the provincial
offices, were situated on a neck of land connected by
a substantial bricl<]je with James Bay, and in their
front was a gray granite obelisk, erected by the people
to the memory of Sir James Douglas. The d<niiiiii(iii
buildings, including the custc a-house, post-office, and
marine hospital, and containing accommodation for iln'
federal officers, were well and substantially constructed.

Like San Francisco, Victoria had its Chinatov ,
occupying a considerable portion of the city, and en-
croaching rapidly on some of the most valuable prop-
erties, while its denizens came into active competiti(»ti
with the mechanics, operatives, and business men of
the capital. Apart from the onmipresent laundryuuui
and domestic servant, there were, in i88G, Chinese
contractors, merchants, importers, grocers, dry-goods
men, dealers in provisions, vegetables, tobacco, cloth-
ing, tea, fancy goods; there Avere Chinese druggists,
doctors, tinsmiths, tailors, barbers, bakers, and restau-
rateurs; and there were Chinese establishments tor
the manufacture of shirts, clothing, and cigars, lin-
ing the previous one or two years, acts were passed to
forbid the immigration of Chinamen," to prevent tloui

" It. was declared iiuiawfiil for Chinamen ;.> enter tlip proviuoo, tliofi' "do
bIiouUI afterward make their way iuto JJriti.ii- Cuhiinbia being liable to ii li«:
of j«.jO, or ai.'v iiiontha iiiipriauiiiucnt. Tl«i pui;soii wiio should bring tln'ir to
or in auy way assist them to rcacli li. C- wan ut forfeit $200 for each Cliiiitt-

(VTION.

eminences, ag
from Mount
head of Paii-
iit, not in rec-
uration of the
Many of tho
ivy, clematis,
d surrounded
•y, and neatly
jn was qui to
)r stone, and,
cntious, not a
tcctural skill.
he provincial
connected by
and in their
by the people
rho doniiiiiuii
^st-office, and
dation for "' ••
)^ construe I
3 Chinatov
city, and eii-
alaable pro])-
e competition
liness men of
t laundrvuuui
88G, Chinese
rs, dry-goods
>bacco, cloth-
se druggists,
?, and re!5laii-
ishments t'or
igars. l)ur-
^ere passes > to
Dfevcnt tliriii

rovilK'o, those who
iiig liable tu it liiit^
iild liring tlieir ;o
00 for tiucli Cliuia-

THE CHINKSE QUESTION.

71J

from acquiring crown lands," and to control the Chinese
population then in the province. The lirst of these
acts failed, however, to receive the approval of tho
dominion government/ and a committee, sent from
Ottawa to inquire into the matter, reported in favor
of Chinese immigration ;** whereupon another bill,
ahnost identical with the former, was passed by the
jn'ovincial legislature, but was again thrown out by
the cabinet." Thus, on the Chinese question, British
Columbia was, in relation to the dominion, somewhat
as the Pacific United States were to the federal gov-
ernment, little hope being entertained by either that

man so conveyed or a»ssistc(l, or in default be iitiprisoiicd for a period not ex-
celling six months. Certificates of exemption mij;!it he granted to those
wishing to leave the province temporarily. Stut. B. C, 1S84, 0-U.

" In the preamble of this act, the text of which w ill 1)0 f(ninil in Id., 1S84,
T-1'-, it is ;ated that the influx of Chinese largely exceeded that of any other
nationality, Uircatening soon to outnumber the white populati(jn; that tliey
'.iijiilil not submit to tho laws of the province, evaded the payment of taxe^^,
anil were generally subversive of the comfort and well being of the community.
All Chinamen were made liable to a tax of §10 a year, on the p.'.yuient of
vliich licenses wcro to bo handed to them by ofUcials, called Chinese col-
li'i iors, appointed for each electoral district. All employei s of Chinamen
wcic ri(juired to demand of them their licenses, and retain them during their
term of i^crvice, producing them for inspection by the collector whenever re-
(|ui red to do so. The fco for miners' ceitilicatcs, when issued to Chinamen,
was increased toSlJaycar. Exhumation and tho use of opium, except for
medicinal or surgical purposes, were forbidden, and it was declared unlawful,
under a p<nalty not exceeding §50, to let or occupy any room containing less
than liS-t cubic feet of spuco for each occupai?t, or unless such room contained
a window that wonltlopen, not leas than two feet square.

' For report of the ]irivy council disallowing the act, and containing a copy
cif the opinion of the minister of justice, sec iSV.s.v. J'ajx rx, U. ('., 1SS4, -lo'J-.'t.
In answer to this, the assembly, at its next session, forwarded an address to
tlie gov. -gen. in council, extremely regretting that the act had been iliaul-
lowed, sti ting that the disallowame was not I'aused by its l)(;iiig unconstitu-
tional, Itut on the ground ot inexpediency, and tliat they saw no reasons to
clriuge the carefully coiisuiered n presentations, which fioiii time to time
hiid been ur^'d upon the dominion government. Jour. Ijcijisl. Ann. B. C,
ISS.j, 52. This is hardly a fair statement of the case. In his report the inin-
i.ster of justice expresses much doubt as to the authority of the legi.dature to
pass such an act, states that it should not be put in force without due consid-
eiatioi), and tiiat, umier its provisions, time was not allowed tor -iiicli coiisid-
eraiion. 'A iaw,' he remarks, 'which prevents the ))ei»plo of ui.y country
fn>ni coming uito a province cannot be said to be of a local or private, nature.
On the eontran", it is one involving doniinion and possibly iiiiiiciial interests.'

■■A copy of tlie report will be found in ilic S. /'. i'ati, IV1>, 'Jo, 1SS5.

"In section H5 of the British Nortli America Act, 18(i7, it is provided that
tlio ir-gislatnre or each province may enact laws regarding iiuinigration, but
that rfie parliaiii^Tit of ( '.inada may also pass similar laws for all or any of tho
provincf*. and toat the former shall take etl'ect only so far us tliey do not con-
lliut with the ikwiiuiuu utututes.

(12

SKTTLKMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

> i

any radical chanj^e in the law would bo made until tlic
matter catncj home more closely to the doors of their
eastern brethren.^"

Though still containing in 188G a large pcrccntairo
of Americans, and as a community by no means lack-
ing in enter])rise, the citizens of the capital were nc^t
disposed to imitate the example of the Pacific coasst
metroi)olis, where presided the genius of unrest, and
whore men had barely time to live their allotted span
of life. Tliey took life quietly and somewhat easily,
the merchant walking leisurely to his store at nine or
ten o'clock, closing often at four, after a long interval
for luncheon; and to the stranger within his gates, wlio
)iii<']it take him to task for his unbusiness-like habits,
he would reply that he was sufficiently well-to-do, and
would probably enjoy longer days and certaiidy better
digestion than his American cousin. As hi other
colonics, the people of British Columbia were much
given to holiday-making, picnicking, and junketing.
Legal holidays were plentiful," and when they (jc-

*" For order in council calling tlie attention of the dominion governinciit
to the innncnse inQux of Chinese into the province, see Si.-s. Pa/ier,i, li. ('.,
ISS:), lilJ-O. At tliiitilatctlicre wore about I'J.OOO Chinanienin B. C.,of wliom
iiKjie than one iialf were cniplojcd on the C. 1'. 11. For re solution urging
the provincial governnicnt to adopt means for restricting further Chiniso
immigration, for compelling those already in tlie jiroviuce to comply \\i;li
tlie rcvcuuo ami other laws, and for inaugurating a liberal scheme of assistcil
white iunuigration, see Jour. Lcjis. Ash. 11. C, ISSli, 17. In April IbsOa
resolution was passed in the assembly, re(juesting the dominion government
to authorize (he passing of the Chinese tax act, a copy of which will be found
in /(/. , 1S80, '21. For petition to the legislature of the Anti-Chinese .Asso-
ciation, see iScst. J'ajii'iv, li. ('., 1880, 400; for act to provide for the better
collection of taxes from (Jhinesc, St it. B. ('., 1878, l'J9-li2; for papers ami
resolutions of assend)l3' relating to Chinese iunnigration between 1870 ami
ISSl, Setis. I'a/.ers, B. "C, 1884, '2-J0-4:!. For vicw8 of .Mr .lustico IJcgbie on
tlie Chiucso iptestion, sec .S'rtr. llfronl- Union, March I'J, 1880; for anti-tJhi-
ncHC agit:ition at Victoria, /(/., May o, '23, 1885; .V. F. C/ironicle, May I'li,
18So. Ill ISSl there was a railroad strike and anli-Chiucso riot at Vale, an
nccouut of wiiieli is given in the<S'. /''. .llln, May 10, 1881; Sac. llcronl-U .ihhi,
May 10, ISSl. As hite at least as 1878 the Cliiucse invasion was not coiisiil-
cred to be a serious evil. Good's Brit. Vol., MS., 104. For additional items
and comments on the Chiuese (jucstion, see Brit. Coloiii.il, Aiif. 1'!, 187>i;
Toronto Li'ddtr, in I'ic. Slaudrml, Apr. 17, 1878; Standard, A\n\ 17, 18," >,
Apr. ;!0, May I"), 1879; AVw Westminster dctrdian. May 10, 1879; Domi.t-
ion I'ac. Herald, March 22, 1879; S. F. Bnlletin, Aug. :}1, ISOo, Aug. (>,
Oct. 14, Nov. 4, 1878, Mareii 11, 1879; Call, May 12, I87ti, Juno i:!, i.s7ii;
/'o.s'/, May;i, 1870; Alt.a, June 13, July 4, 1800; Chronide, Sejit. i:!, 1878.

" The principal one was tlio 24tli of ilay, the (piecn's birthday, and

noN.

AN EASY LIFK.

713

ade until the
Dors of their

pcrcentaiTo
means lack-

tal were iu)t
Pacific coast
' unrest, and
dlotted span
what easily,
re at nine or
(jng interval
is gates, wlio
idike habits,
ill-to-d(;, and
tainly better
\.s in other
weie nuicli

1 junketing',
en they oc-

nion govornincut

s. J'djiern, Ji. I '.,

in n. C, of whurii

•soliilion ui'ijiiiL;

fiirtliui' Cliiiic.'.ie

to comply wiiU

•lifiiic of ussisluil

la April ISSOa

ion govL'i'nineiit

cli will be foiu.il

ti-Cliinusu Asso-

for tlio l)utttT

for papers and

tween 1870 ami

■stico 15c^;bio on

; for anti-(Jlii-

•oiiicle, May L';!,

riot at Vale, an

['(•■■urd-U ,ih)ii,

waa not eonsid-

lilitional itcniH

\\<\: I'i, lS7,s;

A|ir. 17, IS.'S

', 1S79; bom id-

1S(k), Aug. (i,

June i;!, is7'J;

)t. i:!, kS78.

birtliJay, uiiJ

curred at too longintervals, little excuse was needed for
jinielaiiniiiL;' others. Recreation was consiilered as a
jiortioii ol" the programme of lil'e; and throughout the
warm season and the long twilight of the Indian
summer, there were few evenings on which the bay
was not dotted with pleasure craft,'" and the roads
thronu'enl with vehicles, auKJULT the favorite (h'ives
being those to Esquimalt, to lliciiniond, and to Beacon
]Iilb'='

In 18G1, and for several years thereafter, the in-
coming voyager was jolted over some three and a half
miles of execrable rt)ad on his way from Es(|uiinalt to
Victoria. The intervening space was appropriated
hy thousands of Indians from the neighbt)rhood of
Xootka Sound, the western coast of Vancouver, and
the borders of Alaska, and by human waifs from the
Paciiic coast settlements — men attracted in ever-
iiiereasing nundiors since the gold excitement of 1858.
Tlien; may have been some who came with honest in-
tent, but the majority were gathered for no good
]iur[)ose, insomuch that the place was turned into a
]'aiidemonium, became the receptacle for stolen goods,
the site of tralfic in illicit whiskey, and illicit amours.
Orgies of the most revolting character ceased not by
(lay or night ; there were hundreds of savage, drunken,
and I'renzied beings in human guise encountered at
ahiiost every turn of the |)ath, beings among whom

aiiioii',' others may be mcntioneil the 4th of July, the prince of Wales' l)irth-
d ,y. coronation day, and dominion day.

'•I'lio favorite resort for boating parties was the Gorge, a narrow aim of
the harboi', and openinginto it by .a passage so narrow that one might almost
lea 11 across it. S. F. IJiil/rlin, March I'J, 1SS5.

'Hn ISSl Victoria was lighted by electricty. 6'. F. fliilliiiii, Nov. 21, 1S81.
Tor the Corpoiation of Victoria Water-works act, 1S7.'?, :.men<lcd by act of
b'^7">, see (.'oiisol. Stat. /I. C. (cd. IS77), 77o-S7; for Water-works l)ibenturo
liiKiiantee act, 1S74, Id.. 7S7 !I0. The water was conviycl from Kik Lake,
!idi-tauceof scxcn miles, the cost of the works being fe!J(M1.(M)>). /)/■(/. ( 'n/.
J'l iii., ISSIt, II. I'"or mention of carth(juakes at Victoria, sre iS'. Z'. Jliilli-'ui,
X"v. IC, ISO!; Dec. 17, 1S7:2; Call, Oct. (i, 1S(!4; Alx'inl J'u-sl, Jan. S, ls70;
Sir, Rcroi-d-Uiiinii, March 14, ISSl. For condition, progress, etc., at various
(laics, .see .S'. F. Iin!lH,u. .June '20, .July 0. 8, '20, 20, Dec. H. 18.")S; Fel). 1."), 10,
Apr. ].■>, 18, 18.")!); May 10, Nov. 10. 1802; Feb. 1, 1870: .4 /ta, .June 25, Aug.
'2\ IS7S; May '27, Ih.Vlt; May 21, 1800; May i:!, 1801, March 2:), 1802; Lull,
Jan. 22, 18Gj; Timcd, iSov. 2, 1807; Forllaud Wtal H/tore, July 1877.

I i^

714

SHTTLKMENTS, MISSION'S, AND EDUCATION.

I i^l

tht! stron;^ arm of the law could scarcely preserve
the weinblance of order."

In 1880 Esquimalt, where two or three men-of-war
were mLIII usually stationed, furnished to the leaders of
the city's fashion recruits for their jtalls, parties, kettle-
drums, and lawn-tennis, while among the blue and
scarlet attire of the marines and naval officers iigund
the gorgeous uniforms of the local artillery and mili-
tia. Second only to the capital in the beauty oi' its
sight, and far surpassing it in harbor facilities, the
town onco selected as the terminus of the Canadian
Pacilic railway, and, as many think, the future termi-
nus, contained at the latter date probably less than
a thousand white inhabitants.''^

Nanaimo and its neighborhood contained a popula-
tion of about 4,500, the number being constant!}'
increased by the arrival of miners, mechanics, and
laborers. The line of the island railway passes
through its centre, and from the point selected ior the
company's de{>ot has been located toward Departure
Bay. In the midst of a rich mineral and agricultural
region, with extensive collieries in full operation, the
bituminous coal of this district sellinu: at hi<iher rates
than Australian coal, or than any as yet [)roducfd mi
the Pacific coast,'" with an excellent harbor, and with
steamers and sailing craft from San Francisco, I'oit-
land, Sitka, and other foreign and domestic [)()rts

'* On one occasion it required the presence of two or tlirce vessels of war
auil a (ioniunsliution in foivo to restrain tlioni. (/oor/'.s JJril. Col., MS., .V

'5 Accordini; to the census returns for ISSl, the \vliite population of llie
Esquimalt (lislrict was G14, and the Chinese popuhition 4,',Wtb. In ISSi) the
graviug-dock, wliich, when iinishod, will he one of the largest on the I'Miilic
coast, had not yet been completed. For p.ipers relatin;^ to its constrnctinii,
Boe Hc'x. I'aicrs, Ji. C, iHtSO, 3:i7-;}4; and tor reports of the couiiniitcc
thereon, Join: Lr'Htfl. Asa. B. ('., 1S82, 12, "27, G."). Kor act to incorporate
the ]''^.piiinalt Water-works Company, Si'u S/'il. Ji. C, 188'), l.'>7-<)(i.

"^ Ag the close of 18S5 the price of Nanaimo coal was .§7 to ^S.^o pii' ton,
accordin,' to quality, against I;?.'). 87 a ton for Australian coal, 5! ). 10 for (Hua
Hay, and 8'> for Srattlo coal. ,S'. /•'. Jllillcthi, Doc. -^l, ISS,"). The several .;c-
scriptionaof Nanaimo coal were known a.s Douglas, Wellington, Now Doii.'l.is
(or("liase Itivcri, Newcastle, South Fields, Alexandra, and llarewooil. U. '-'.
JJirect., ISS.'), IJO. The output of Nanaimo and Wellington coal wa.i from
Jan. 1 to Nov. .30, ISS'i, ahout 192,000 tons, the total deliveries for lliat
period being some 887,199 tons.

^..iJ

NANAIMO AND NKW WESTMINSTER.

71ft

constantly at hor wharves, Nanainio, incorporated as
a city in 1874, contained one of the most prosperous
and contented coninmnitics in British Cohunl)ia."
WeUington, a short distance toward the nortli, and
j'or which the shipping point was Departure Bay, a
picturesque inlet of' tho Georgian Gidf, contained in
188G about 1,200 people, and Comox, a thriving vil-
lage ii: the most northerly agricultural district of
Vancouver, some 300 inhabitants.

Of coal discoveries, collieries, and coal-mining suf-
ficient mention has already been made in this volume.
It rcMuains only to be said that in 1885 tho Vancouver
Coal Mining and Jjand Company, in addition to their
Nanaimo estate, wliich included the site of the citv
and many square miles of adjacent land, were the
proprietors of the Wellington mine, tho island of New-
castle," and the Protection Islands, and the Frew and
Ilarewood estates, the latter consisting of some 0,000
acres. The compan}^ gave employment to about GOO
men, at fair rates of wages," and at a depth of GOO
feet the well-known Douglas seam was found to be
ohAit feet in thickness.

Passing to the mainland. New Westminster,*'' with
its neat and tasteful residences, built on wide and well-
defined streets, risinij in rejjfular gradients from the
l»ank of the Eraser, with its salmon-fisheries, its
farmin-jf and manufiicturinijf Interests, and its ijcneral
air of respectability and thrift, contained in 1S8G a
po[)ulation of more than 4,000. Xear its centre stood
tho dominion government building, a liandsonie brick
structure with facino^s of freestone. On the outskirts
were the provincial asylum for the insane.

!:!

ity

pro\

'' For act incorporating the Nanaimo Water-works Company, see Stut.
J). C, ISS.'), lC:)-77.

"•Where is a valuable stone-quarry.

"Miners cariicil from SJ.50 to §5 a day; Indians and Cliinamen, of whom
about 100 were employed as laborers, received $1 to §1.'JJ. JJ. C Direct.,
1SS4-.'), 119.

^"^ Of whicli a description is given in the Portland West Shore, Fel). 1880.
For report;) of superintendent and comniissiouurs, see Sess. Pajjcrx, li. C,
1884, 281, 335-45; 1883, 321-31.

Bsa

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1.25

*- ilM IIIIM

t;,^

I4£

III

2.2

12.0

111=

U III 1.6

/fa

Hiotographic

Sciences
Corporation

^'^

«^

'"^

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

i^^.^^

% .

'<^\/.

7ia

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

aiul one of the provincial [)onitentiaiics, ■' tho former
a brick edilice, coinuianiling a panoramic view, and
partially surrounded with evcr^^recn trees.

Lantfley, distant about seventeen miles from the
former capital, was a favorite rendezvous for sports-
men; and Lytton, some sixty Uiiles beyond, a town
which, like Lillooet, contained during the gold ex-
citement a floating population numbered by the thou-
sand, was again de .'doping, after a long period of
decadence, into a thriving town." In the Cliilli-
whack municipality, east of Langley, were several
thriving settlements, the one that bears that name
being built on one of the most beautiful sites on the
mainland.'^ Savona's Ferry was at this date a grow-
ing and prosperous settlement, and Kamloopbade fair
to become one of the leading towns of the mainland
interior. Clinton, situated 2,700 feet above the sea-
level, at the junction of the Cariboo and Lillooet
roads, and noted for the beauty of its scenery, was in
a prosperous condition; and Barkerville, at the termi-
nus of the Cariboo wagon-road, with a population of
nearly 300 persons, enjoyed a good share of the gen-
eral business of British Columbia.-^

Soda Creek, some forty miles above the mouth of
the Chilkotin, was the point from which the upper
Fraser was deemed navigable, the river between that
village and Yale being obstructed by rapids. In its
neighborhood were several flourishini; farms, and here
the wagon-road to Cariboo, which diverged at Lytton
from the line of the stream, airain struck the Frast'r.
Quesncl, about sixty miles beyond, and on the lel'fc

" Reports of the 8iii)erintcnilent of police on provincial prisons will b«
found in /«/.,! S84, 441-G3; 1883, 471-90; 1882, 457-500. Tlicre were also
jiiils ut Victoria, Nanaimo, anil Clinton.

'■'■^At one time it contained only a dozen dilapidated buildings. 'f'i/"(/'»
liril. Co/., M.S., 07. In 1885 Lillooet contained only one broad street. Now
gold discoveries were eonatantly being made in its neighborhood, and the s.i-
called bridge River mines paid fair wages during the seasons of low walir nu
the Fraaer. U. C. Direct., 1885, 21.3.

^ Among others were Centreville, the steamboai lauding for Chilliwiiui k,
Sumas, I'opcum, and Cheam.

^' In ISUO Ikirkerville was almost destroyed by (ire. S. F. Call, Sept. J.'l,
18C8.

TOWN OF YALE.

1 1 1

bank of the river, was the point of delivery by the
steamer plyin<j; thence to Soda Creek, and shared with
Barkerville tlie trade of the Cariboo country. At
Alexandria, forty miles beh)\v Quesnel, was still one
of the Hudson's Bay Company's posts, in the vicinity
of which were also profitable farms, though the soil
in parts required irrigation.

Next to New Westminster, Yale ranked first among
the settlements of the mainland, containing a resi-
dent white population of live or six hundred souls,
though during the construction of the railroad the
number was considerably increased. Built entirely of
wood, in 1881 the town was partially destroyed by
fire." A border place between the mainland coast
and the mainland interior, and api)roached at various
epochs by canoe, bateau, and steand)oat, it contained,
among other buildings, several excellent coiinti-y-sido
hotels and stores, two chui'ches, episcopal and catholic,
and the provincial government school.'"

( 11 r,

Among the residents of Yale in 1878 may be men-
tioned John B. Good,^' who in 18G1 arrived in the
province as an evangelist under the auspices of the
London Church Missionary Society for the propaga-
tion of the gospel. Landing at Esquimalt in 18GI,
at a time when the usually gentle savages had been
roused to frenzy by the greed and aggression of min-
ing adventurers, and tiie wholesale introduction of

'^ Tho loss was estimated at iSiOO.OOO. Diiriiifj the previous year n fire had
occurred, causing damage to tho uinoiiiit of i^To.UOO. .V. /■'. IJiillrlin, .Aug. I!),
'.'(), ISSIj Sacrumeiilo Union, Ai\g. 'M, "j;!, l!S5l; Stociloii Jiitlrjit'iidi nf, .Vul;.
20, 1S81, July 30, 1880.

''" I'or furtlicr ineution of towns and settlements in IS&2, bco ChiUriidi'ii'a
Tiavdi ill Jlrit. Col., IS-l'i, passim.

'" A native of Wrawby, Lincoiisliirc, Knj;l.Tnd. lie w.is in early youth
a pupil of John West, tiie lir.st Hudson's liiiy Company's chaplain of I'linco
liiipcrt Ijind, and completed hi.i education ut .St Aujjustiue ccilli'^'i', Ciuitir-
buiy. Hi.s first calling as a missionary was to Nova Scotia. 'I'o Mr ( iood I
am indehted for a valuable nianuscrii.t, one often quoted in these p;iv;cs as
(itiud's Uriliiih Coliimbin, and in which tiieru are many interesting; roi-oi-Ji as
til society, politics, industries, and Betllcmcnt. The most valiuil)lc portion
01 hia narrative, however, is in conucction with his experience as; a missionary
aaxjug tho native tribes.

718

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

fire-arms and fire-water,"' Mr Good labored faithfully,
and not in vain, for the improvement of their moral and
physical condition. Among others who have devoted
themselves to the same cause may be mentioned Wil-
liam Duncan, who, arriving at Fort Simpson as a
missionary sent forth by the same society in 1858,
afterward established a mission of his own on the
eastern shore of Metlakathla Bay. By 188G this
establishment had developed into a town containing
some 1,500 so-called civilized natives, with neat two-
story houses and regular streets. The settlement was
almost self-supporting, no outside aid being received
except the voluntary offerings of visitors. The prin-
cipal industry was the weaving of shawls. There was
also a salmon cannery with a capacity of 10,000 oases
a year; a sash and door factory; and a saw-mill and
a brick-yard. The church, built entirely by the
natives, and the materials for which, with the excep-
tion of the windows, were of home production, liad a
seating capacity of nearly 1,000, and was one of the
largest in British Columbia.^

Among the Kootenai tribe a catholic mission was
for many years in operation under Father Fouquett,
of the Society of Jesus, and in the Okanagan Valley,
Kamloop district, near Williams and Fraser lakes,
in the Chilkotin country, at Lillooet, and on the lower
Fraser were missions belonging to the same order,

" About this date Gooil states that men-of-war were constantly necilcd to
check the depredations of roving bands of Indians, hundreds of urincil ami
drunken savages infesting- the waters in the neighborhood of Nauaiino. in a
passage alx>voCowitcban gap, just before entering the Nanaimo narrows, waa
a veritable cave of Adullum, tlie rendezvous for the members of severul law-
less tribes, who, under their chief, Arehewon, waylaid and murdered paitits
of explorers and emigrants. It wns resolved to break up this pcaiiluiili il
crew, several men-of-war being sent for the purpose, among whieli was llio
JJemKtation, commanded by Capt. Pike. Five of tho principal ofluinkis,
among whom was Arehewon, were arrested, and four of them scnteiiccil to
bo hanged. Mr Good, wlio attended them during their last hours, icl.itca
that tliey showed not the slightest symptoms of compunction, and suiiiicil
only to regret that more of those whom they regarded as their legitimate luev
had not fallen into their hands, which beliavior was more consistent than that
of the average white villain about to bo hanged. JJril. Col., MS., 27-S.

'*A description of this mission, among other places, will bo found iu the
8. F. Uallttin, Aug. 27, 1883.

INDIAN FOUCY.

710

their central missionary station being that of St
Mary's, some thirty mile,s above New Westminster.**

By the missionary society for the gospel propaga-
tion missions were established also among the Chim-
syans and Nishtacks, the Tahkats, the Cowitchins,
and the Eraser and Thompson river tribes, $10,000
being expended annually, and during several years
previous to 1871, for the support of eight mission-
aries and the industrial training of these tribes." At
the latter date some 5,000 natives were under instruc-
tion, and though considerable progress had been made,
more teachers were needed. In a letter to the New
England Company, the episcopal archdeacon of Van-
couver remarks: " The government of this colony has
hitherto had no definite or tangible policy with re-
gard to the native Indian tribes. They have preserved
for them crown lands under the name of Indian re-
serves; they have prevented their lands being en-
croached upon; they have in existence a liquor law,
with penal clauses, stringent and severe, but honored
more in the breach than in observance. Beyond this
they have done nothing, so far as I know. There does
not exist an Indian hospital in the colony to ameliorate
the evils which contact with a too advanced stage of
civilization has brought upon its unprepared victims."
Out of an estimated government expenditure in 18G9
of £122,250, the amount put down for expenses con-
nected with the Indian tribes was £100.'^

In Canada the interests of the Indian population
have always been guarded with special solicitude by
the government; but in British Columbia the cou-

* :!■

*'^0ood'8 Brit. Col., MS., 97-8. It is related tliat at the Okanagan mik-
sion, many years ago, the venerable French padres invited their suholurs, one
festal day, to partake of aonie nicely cooked frogs; whereat tl<e savages scat-
tered iu terror to their homes, the appearance of a frog being regarded by them
iut the premonition of calamity.

"In 18SI,according to tlie return of the Indian department, the natives
settled on the banks of the Thompson, above Lytton, owned 5,025 horses,
^>yj cows, a number of work-oxen, and raised 135 tons of cereals, Go2 tons of
bay, and 12,570 bushels of potatoes. B. U. Direct., 1882-3, 14.

"D. C. Papem, lad. Land Question, 1850-75,97-8. The archdeacon'n
letter was published iu the Columbia report for 1870.

790

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

dition of the natives was, until recent years, less satis-
factory than in other portions of the dominion. In thia
province no Indian title to land was recognized, as was
the case elsewhere in British America. Under the
auspices of the Hudson's Bay Com] any, and under
the regime of Sir James Douglas, the title was in-
deed conceded, but not so in later years. Although
there may never have been any danger of serious or
permanent revolt, there were, as we have seen, several
formidable outbreaks, and frequent danger of collision.
There may be seen to-day throughout British Colum-
bia nations and individuals in all conditions, from
untutored savagism, attired simply in a verminous
blanket, and perched like a bird of prey on a rock,
catching his dinner of fish, to the well-clad and in-
dustrious inmate of comfortable homes. In the former
condition the Indian is neither a producer nor a con-
sumer; in the latter he is both; and in proportion as
his condition is improved will he contribute to the
wealth of the province.

The task of improving the condition of the natives
has been rendered less difficult by the fact that the
intrusion of the white man has not diminished
their supplies of food. Fish and game, which, as in
Alaska, form the staple diet of the aboriginal, and
were as necessary to him as bread and meat to the
white man, or the plantain and banana to the dweller
within the tropics, are still as plentiful as ever. To
the nomad tribes of Canada the buffalo was their sole
resource, supplyirg them not only with food, but with
fuel, clothes, and shelter. The extinction of this ani-
mal brought upon them starvation and beggary ; while
in British Columbia the Indian has not only been
furnished with better implements for securing his food,
but has been taught how to farm, and thus acquired a
new source of food supply. Not only is this the case,
but, as I have said, natives are largely employed as
herders, laborers, porters, and in various industries,"

"Especially in the Mainland interior, where their well-known houesty

FORTS.

721

nor a con-

and this from no motives of philanthropy. "I believe,"
said the marquis of Lome," during his visit to the

recommends them for eiDpIoymcnt. Among the instances of the trust reposed
hi them niuy lie nicntiont'd one that occurred in the autumn of 1S7- or IS7>'),
when a merchant on his way to Lillooet witli a cargo of Hour, his craft being
stranded on a sand-bar, stacked the entire freight on tlie river bank, simply
covering it with tarpaulin. There it was left until the following fpi ing,
when it \« as found undisturbed. The nearest house was but three inilis invay,
and during the winter the Indians were buying Qour in that neighborhood at
very high rates. In The Norlhwfst Trrritorien ami British Columbia, by
JhicaK McDonnell Dawson, Ottawa, 1881, is u description of the food, habits,
and condition of some of the natives at that date. There are here ahu re-
marks on the climate, vegetation, fisheries, industries, fauna, flora, and general
resources of B. C. The work is of little value, except for the index, which
contains items of information culled from various resources.

*^ Dominion of Canada Ouidf-Dook, ISS."), 75. The following catalogue of
forts, with reference to fuller descriptions, points to some of the early centres
of occupation. C'hanipoeg, .S5 miles from the mouth of the Willamette, was
a tradinpt post established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1840. Groy'»
(Jnijon, 42. In 18.jt) it was still in existence. //. li. Co.'s licpl, .'507. Fort
Kamloopon the Thompson; forts Alexander, William, Garey, and Abercrom-
bie, in New Caledonia; Rupert, on north side of V. I.; Simpson, on tlie main-
land, near the Portland canal; Wraugel, u stockade, originally on Dundas
Island, at the mouth of the fStickeon, and afterward removed CO miles up the
river, and known as I'ort Stickeen — all belonged to the II. B. Co. Giai/'s (hnjon,
4.'). Fort Thomiison was established by David Thompson in ISlOon the .'-.iteof
Kamloop. Fort Franklin was erected in 1825 on Great Bear Lake for Franklin's
expedition to the i'olarsea. Lanlner, iii. 240. Chinook Point post was in the
Culunibia tlistrict. //. B. Co.'s I.'ept, 307. The Cowlitz post in W. T. was in
existence in I8.")G. A Spanish fort a*' Meah B»iy, V. I., built in 179'2, and sur-
rounded liy a stockade, was soon afterward abandoned, and then burned by
Indians. Lvaim' (Jr., MS., 07. Fort Santa Cruz, on the north point of Nootk."*
entrance, was also a Spanish stronghold and settlement. FtVyci al Xoric, MS. ,
3S5. Long before the eonquestof Canada, the French had a postat Pasquia, on
tlic Saskatchewan. Maclenzic'n I 'oi/. , Ixix. On the same river was I'ort Augus-
tus. /(/., Ixix., Ixxiii. Fort (>'ar".ton. on the south side of the Saskatchewan,
was protected by high palisades, and at each angle was a small squaio tower.
In 18.'>5 it was attacked by Indians. Martin's lliulson's Bay, 17; SnuVx Miss.,
1-4; Miltiino)i(tCfietidk''MA'. \V, Pnnsaije, 49. Fort Cumberland, on Sturgeon
Lake, at the mouth of the Saskatchewan, was built in 1774. Frauklin'nAarr.,
i. 01; Smcl'.i Miss., l-_>4; Mackenzie's Voy., Ixix. Fort i\ la Crosse was also in
the Saskatchewan district. //. B. Co.'s Ii<pt, 305. Fort Edmonton, on the
north braneh of the Saskatchewan, was built in the form of a hexagon, with
lii^'h pickets, bastions, and battlemented gateways, and lay on a eoniiiiundin'j
lieij.'lit. Mnrtin's Ihidson's Bay, 18, 1'24. In 1840 it contained about l.'iOiii
habitants. Kane's WaiahrinijH, 130. It was the chief post in this regiou, and
was also known as Fort Augusto. Smet's Miss., 122-4, Fort Confidence wa:i
a mere log structure, without defensive works, forming three sides of a sijuare,
mm stood at the northern end of Great Bear Lake, lUchard&on's Jour., ii.
G.'!-,). Dunveyan post lay in the Athabasca district. Hudson's Bay Co.'s /'(•}t,
lifij. In 1787 there was a fort on Elk Uiver. Mackenzie's I'oy., l-'O. Fort
C'liipewan, one of the most important posts of the N. W. Co. was Indlt on
a rocky point of the northern shore of Athabasca Lake. Mackenzie's I'oy.,
Ixxxvii.; Martin's Hudson's Bay, 18; I/. B. Co.'s Iiept,3()o; rrauktiu's Aarr.,
i. -;i7. Fort Assiniboinc was built on the Athabasca. //. B. Co.'s Bipt, ,305;
\Siiiii's Miss., l'_>4. On the Assiniboine and its tributaries were three posts of
tlio X. W. Co. and two of the H. B. Co. Lewis and Clarke's Map. East Main.
Factory stood opposite Albany Fort at the foot of James Bay, in about lati-
HlsT. bail. Col. iO

I ; ■
1 I '

< I'

722 SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

capital in 1882, "I have seen the Indians of ahnost
every tribe throughout the dominion, and nowhore

tudo 52° 30' N. Bonchftte, Brit. Dom., i. 33. A log fort was built by Frank-
lin in 1820, at Winter Lake, about 150 miles north of Slave Lake, und niiuieil
Fort Enterprise. A dwelling-house and storeliouse weie added. FrmiL(iii\
Xarr., i. 1-14. Here Franklin passed the winter of 1821-2. likhartUon't
Polar, 148. Fort Franklin, on the west shore of Great Bear Lake, wl'ero
Lieut Hooper passed the winter of 1849, was merely a log hut 20 by IS fee*.
lloojter^H TentH of the Tuxki, 305-6. In the Athabasca district was o. post
named Fond du Lac. //. li. Co.'n Bept, 365. Fort Francis, in lied lliver dis-
trict, consisted of a number of buildings in the form of a square, surrounilrd
by a ten-foot stockade. Orant'a Ocean, 46. In the same district was a jioet
known as Lower Fort Gurry. //. B. t'o.'a BrpI, 305. This was one of tlio
strongest forts in the H. B. territory, the walls being built of stone and with
bastions at each corner. It stood on the north baiik of Assiniboine liiver,
about 200 yards from its junction with Red River. Kane's Wanderimj':, %;
CormcatliH, 02; Milton and Cheadleti' X. W. Pamieigf, 30. At Georgetown, on
Red River, there was in a 1808 a warehouse belonging to the H. 1!. Co.
Coffin's Seat of Empire, 79. Fort Good Hope, in the Mackenzie district, wiis
moved in 1830 about 100 miles above on the Mackenzie, on account of Hoods.
II. B. C'o.'.i Ucpt, 305; likhnrdMn's Jour., i. 213. At Green Lake post, i:i
English River district, the H. B. Co. and N. W. Co. had establiahnicnls on
opposite sides of the river in 1820. //. B. ('o.'h liept, 305; Franklin's Aarr.,
i. 192. For mention of Fort George on tho Saskatchewan, sec Mackenzie'^
Voy., Ixlx., Ixxiii. ; of Fort George and Great Whale River post, in East, Main
district, y/. B. Co.'h llepl, 300; of Grand Lac post, in the Tcmiscamiugiio
district; of Godbout post, in King's Posts district; of Fort Halkctt, in the Mac-
kenzie district. On the northern branch of tho Saskatchewan there was, in
1820, a post named Hudson House. On the cast bank of Ilarricanaw Rivci- was
a small establishment boloni^ing to tho H. B. Co. BotichHIc's Brit. Dom., i. SIS.
In tiic Moose and Tcmiscaminguc districts were posts named Hannah liay and
Hunter's Lodge. //. B. Co.'x BepI, 300. On He il la Crosse Lake, near lioavt r
River, the II. B. Co. and N. W. Co. had forts in 1820. situated close togctluT
and on tho south side of tho lake. About 1S1.'> tho II. B. fort was cTpturcd
by the N. W. Co. Id., 305; Franklin's Narr., i. 190; Cox'.* Advert, 227-8. Tlio
lake was named after an island therein, where the Indians used to play tlio
game of la-crosse. Frankliii's Xarr., i. 197. In the King's Posts district was
the Isle Jeroniio post. //. B. Co.'a Uept, 360. Tho Jasper House post, oji
the Athabasca, 300 miles above Fort Assiniboine, contained in IS-Jo only
tlirce log huts: but was tho centre of communication between the Cohimbia
district and Fort Edmonton. In 1872 it was almost abandoned. Kane'n II'oh-
dcrimi.'), 15.'i-4; Smet's J/iw., 124, 127, 130; Orant'a Ocean, 232. In Fort
Coulongodistrict was the Joachin post; in Eskimo Bay district, Kibokok]K)st;
in St Maurice district, Kikandatch post; in Temiscaminguo district, Kakabea-
gino post; in Rupert's River district, Kaniapiscow post; in tho Kinoguinis.'^o
dist^-ict, Kuckatoosh post; in Albany district, Lac Seul post; in Lac la I'luio
district, Lac de Ikinnet and Lac dc Bois Blanc posts; in Lake Superior dis-
trict, Long Lake and Lake Nipigon posts; and in Lake Huron district, Littio
Current post. //. B. Co.'s I'rpt, 305-0. On Green Bay, Lake Michigan, was
a stockade much dilapidated wlicn visited by Mr Cars'cr in 1700. Aft'P its
surrender to tlie English, in 1703, it was garrisoned by 30 men, wlm wero
made prisoners soon after the surprise of Michillimackinac, after which it was
neither garrisoned nor repaired. Carver, 22. Lac la Pluio was a Hudson's Bay
Co.'a trading post on the height of land dividing the waters which How into
the St Lawrence from those which fall into Hudson Bay, and distant some
1,300 miles from Montreal. Tho N. W. Co. had a post here in 1800. .!/«)•
tin's llud.ton's Bay, 123; Cox's Advent, ii. 209-70; Lewis and Clarke'" May-
La Montte was a N W. Co.'s post about throe miles from Carloton. Frank-

iUJ

THE GENTLE SAVAGE.

723

can you find any who arc so trustworthy in regard to
conduct, so willing to assist the white settlers by their

/I'nV Nnrr., i. 1G2. Leaser Slave Lake and Lac la Biuhe posts were in tha
Sosliatchcwan district. Jl. U. Co.'m Hfpt, 305. Fort La Crosse, on the border
uf Lung Lake, M'as in existence in 1848. Martin'n Hiidsou's liai/, 18. Lapierre's
iliiiisc und Fortaiix Liards were in the Mackenzie district. J/. li, Co. a Hept,
Sti't. Liike Nc])i8ingue post was in the Tcmiscaniingiie district; Lncloelio post
in Lake Huron district; Lac d'Oridnal in Lake iSiiperior district; Little Whale
I'.ivcr post in East Main district; Lac dca AHutncttca post in FortCoulong dis-
tricl ; and Locliinu House post in Lachine district. On tlio Saskatchewan there
was in 1845 n post named Fort des Montaignes. Sincl'a Alius., 124. MoosoFac-
tory, about 700 ndlcs from Montreal, was the principal dcpdt on the south shore
of Hudson's 15ay, and there were numerous stations connected with it. Marlin's
llmUoii'sUay, \'1',\. In the Cumberland district was a smnll post named Moose
Ldio. //. />'. Co.^x I'ept, 3Co. The trading posts on Methye Liiko were mere
hills, erected in 1819. FraiiklhCa Narr., i. UOl. In Red lliver district was the
Manitobah post; in Albany district, Marten's Falls post; in Kinogumisse dis-
trit, Maluwagamingue post. 11. li. Co.^s I'ept, 300. Michipicotou pust, on the
shore of Lake Superior, was in 1840 the chief factory in Lake Superior district.
Ibid. : Martiii'ii Hudnon^s Bay, 123. At the south end of Lake Winnipeg was
I'oi't Maurepas; on the north branch of the Saskatchewan there was, in 1S20,
a pust named Manchester House; on l!od River one named Marlboro' House,
and on Peace River, amid the Rocky Mountains, one named McLcud'n
Fort. At a council held at Norway House, iu 1810, it was resolved to estub-
lisli missions at that point, and also a Lac la Pluicund Edmonton. A catholic
mission was established at He h la Crosse in 1840. Murliu'n Hudson n Bay,
127-7; liicharil.'iou'.^ Jour., i. 104. Norway House, at the north end of Lake
Winnipeg, was in 1843 one of the chief depots of the H. li. Co., and it was
intended to make it the residence of the general superintendent of missions.
Martin's Hudson's Bay, 124. It was founded in 1819 by a party of Noiwe-
giaua, who were driven from Red River in 1814-lo, and took up their abode
at Norway Point. Franldiii's Nnrr., i. 07; Bouchette'n Brit. Voui., i. 41.
jMaiuainse post was in Lake Superior district; Fort Alacpherson on Peel River
near the Mackenzie; Mississangee post in Lake Hurcn district; Mistasinny and
Mcciiiskau [losts in Rupert's River district; Matawa post in Fort Coulongc dis-
trict- Musquarro post m Mingan district; Mingan post in the district of that
name. 11. B. Co.'h Itept, SCO. Long before the conquest of Canada, the French
had a settlcmentat Nepawi, on the Saskatchewan. In 1 790 it was named Ne-
pawillouse. Mackenzie.'H ro;/.,lxix., Ixxiii. Fort Nascojiio was in Eskimo Ray
district; Natosquan post in Mingnn district; and Fort Norman in Mackenzie
(lisiiict. II. B. Co.'x ItPpl, 300. Port Nelson River post was captured by the
French in 1GC5. The French port on Port Nelson River was named iu 1097 Port
Bourbon, and afterward York Fort. Forater'n Jluf. Voy., 377, 370. In 1819 it
6too<l on the west bank of Hayes River, five miles above its mouth, on the
marshy peninsula which separates Hayes and Nelson Rivers. The buildings
funned a square, with an octagoual courc in the centre, the servants' houses
being outside the square, and the whole surrounded with a stockade 20 Icet in
licigUt. FranLlin'sNarr., i. 37-8. Fort New Severn w-as on the south-eastern
eliore of Hudson's Bay. North West River post was in tiio Eskimo Ray dis-
trict; Nitchequon post in Rupert River district; and New Brunswick post in
Moose district. 11. B. Co.'h liept,SQ(i. OldEstablishmcnt wasbuilt in 177S ?
on I'eaco River, some forty miles from Athabasca Lake, and was the only fort in
that region till 1785. In 1788 the post was transferreil to the southern sidj
of Athabasca Lake, about eight miles from the mouth of Athabasca River, its
name bcingchanged to Fort Chipewyan. Mackenzie'H Toy., Ixxxvii. On Peace
River there was, in 1820, a post named New Establishment. In 1819 Oxford.
House post, in York district, was falling into decay. Jf. B. Co.'h Kept, 366;
FraiiUin's Natr,, i. 57. In Albany district was a post named Osuaburg.

!i I

724

8KTTLEMENTS, MISSION'S, AND EDUCATION.

labor, so independent and anxious to learn the secirt
of the white man's power. While elsewhere are nict

//. n. Co.'n lUpt, 306. Fort do Prairies belonged in 1817 to the N. W. ( o, in
olso l''ort I'roviilenec, nortli of OtiSlavo Lake. ( ox'h Advcitl, ii. '-0."); J'nt.l.iin'H
A'arr., i. 313, The I'os post was in Cumberland district; I'ortuge l.i L. lIio
post iu English lliver district; and I'cel's lliver post in the Mackenzie disti itt.
J/, li. Vo.'h He/it, 30.'). Fort I'itt lay on the Saskatchewan, in lat. i^r./j', long.
lOS". Smiit'ii Mils., r24. Fort I'elly was a compact post on tlie route In '.wnii
forts Garry and Carlton, having tlio Assiniboino Itivcr in front. Murim't
J/iidson'sJJai/, 17. Formcntion of Fort Churchill or Princo of W'ale.i Furt, t,ue
Vox'h Advent, ii. 397. Pike Lake post was in lUiport'a liivcr district; 1'kk,ii
Itiver post in Lake Superior district; and Pic post, in tlio same district, om llio
ucjrlh shore of the lake, belonged in 1817 to the N. W. Co. //. Jl. Co.'s i:,j,i^
3()(j; Cox'm Adreiit, ii. '2t)0. Pierre an Calumet, also a post of the 11. U. (' i., en
a high, steep baidc on the Athabasca, a littlo above the confluence of lliu Lkar
^\'ater, was so named from the place where the stone for Indian ]ii|ii .s wm
obtained. A post of the II. li. Co. on the opposite bank w.is abaniiuiml in
J8I9 for want of supplies. FranklitCii Narr., i. 213. Pembina jiost v.n.s iu
Keil Kivcr district; Qu'uppcUo Lakes post iu Swan River district; I'oit Kac
in Mackenzie district; Kupid Kivcr post iu English Ptivcr district; Kucky
Mountain House iu the Saskatchewan district; and Fort Uesolutio:i in \[.c.
Mackenzie district, 11. D. Co.'s Ilept, 305. Red Deer River Fort \v:n uinr
near Lake Winnipeg. Mackenzie's I'oy., Ixv. Rupert's Fort was in ITo.iut
the nioutli of the river of that name. 11. B. Co. » lieid, 300. In 1710 tlie
French had, ou the upper waters of the Rupert, a factory which seemed uU
the trade of that region. Dobbs' IJudKOH'n Da;/, oO. Rigolct post was i:i t!ii;
Eskimo district; Rivi6ro Desert post in Lao dcs Sables district; Rcc;l Lal;u
post in Red River district; Rat I'ortage post in Lac de Phiio district; iiiul
Shoal River post in Swan River district, )/, li. Co.'s lii'iit, 3U.>-0. In ITtiJ-
03 there were five principal factories on the Saskatcliewan, and one naiiml
the South Branch House. Mackenzie's Vorj., Ixix., Ixxiii. On the Swan luvir
was a jjost of the same name, and one named Somerset House. Fort So l.nun
was built by the Canadian viceroy do Tr.acey, at the moulli of Riciieliai d."
Iroquois River. It was afterward named Sosel, and then William lienvy. la
1817 it was the principal entrepot of the N. W, Co. //. U. Co.'s llc;'l, IIUJ;
Cox's Advent, '203-9;}. Near Swan River Fort, on Lake Winnipeg, \\eie sev-
eral detached posts. /(/., Ixv. Shoal Lake post was in the Lao do I'luie dij-
trict, unil Sevei'n post in York district. //. D. Co.'s I'cpt. 305-0. Sault ''t
Mairo post was also in York district, at the point where Lake Sup('ri<:r di •
charges into Lake Huron. Iu 1817 the N. W. Co. had large stores at tli;5
point. //. B. (Jo.'s licpt, 300; Cox's Advent, ii. 290. Lake St John's, Tad.ia ;at,
and Seven Islands posts were in King's Posts district; Touchwood Hi U p" 5
in Swan River district; Trout Lake post in York district; Tcmiskaniav po t
in Rupert's River district; Temiscaminguo house and post wore in tliedisjict
of that name; Three Rivers post was in St Maurice district; and \'e'.uu.i'a
was a post in Athabasca district. //. B. Co.'s Ilept, 305-C. On tlio Saskati In.-
wan was a post named Upper Establishment. Markcnzie's I'oij., Ixix., ixNi.i.
Tliorburne House was a post ou Red River. Fort Frontenac, originally ea.kd
Fort Cataraconi, founded in 1070, on the present site of Kingston, was nljiiiis
iu 1078. In 1708 it was captured by the English. Monettc's Hist. Dii'Oi-.nut
Settlement, i. 120, 132-3. Fort George was iu 1842 a laigo trading post twelve
miles below Fort Lancaster (Colo.), and was under St Vrain's mana,'eini'iit.
Scenes Rocky iVts, 100. The N. W. Co. had in ISOG a post on llu- west :
shoi'o of Lake Superior, near Grand Portage. Lewis and Clarke's Map. Foit |
Wedderburno was built by the II. B. Co. on Coal Island, at the weSiern ex
treinity of Athabasca Lake, about the year 1815, when the comiiany liut I
begun to trade in that region. Franklin's Narr., i. 236. White Horse I'laai [
post was in Red River district; White Dog post in Lao la Pluio distriti;

FORTS,

78C

constant (Icmaiids for assistance, your Indians have
iiL'Vcr asked fur any; for in the interviews given to

WliitL'fisli Lake post in Lako Huron district; Woswonatiy post in Iliipcrt'd
Ilivndiitrict; and Wcymoutaciiinguo post in 8t Mauriuu district. //. li. I'o.'ii
H'lil, ."OJ-C. Fort Cass, Ijiiilt in 18l'0 at tlio month of Big Horn Ilivcr, witii
UuJ; iiiniscsund a lo<rwull 18 feet liigli, wuasooniiftcrwiird roniovt'd ^iU miles
lux rdown tlic Ytllovvatonc. licrkwottrth'n H/'cnntt Ailirut., 21'2-lH, '2'JO, ;!0;t.
The Froiieii colonists under llolierval and ('artier Imilt Fort Cliarlesboii-g
.'lear llio [.resent feito of Qucl)cc al)0iit loH. It was tlio lirst Europian Betlle-
iMuiit in lliis [art of America. Ti/tlcr's I'roijr. cf Dincov., 07. Fort Caroiino
was erected iiy Lando-iniero on May lliver, just above tlio spot aftcrivaiil
liiiuwii lis St John's Dluir It was in tlic shape of a triangle, fronting on tiiu
uwv, with Uie woods in rear. In 1. "jU5 it was destrcycd liy the Spiiniarda.
llnjaiii, i. 198. Fort Campbell was in tho country of the BlaoUfcet, 7U0 mdes
(loni Fort Union. Uo:lrr'ii Amomj the. Indiaiix, 44. Fort Lancaster was on
llic 8 ni h kink of the I'latte, OtO miles from its mouth, and 3.") miles from the
llocky Mountains. Sceneit Jt'ocLy MIk, 1 04-5. Fort Laramie, or, as it was soiiie-
tiiiKs termed, l''oit John, .a post of tho American Fur Company, was one mile
siHitli of Fort I'latte, and on the left bank of I^ramio Kiver, and was named
aft.r .loseph Laramie, a French trapper, killed near its mouth. It stood on
a litiiig ground, was picketed and bastioncd, had adobe walls, and was sur-
iiio\ui'.eil by a wooden palisade. Thonitoit'ii Ornjoii, ll'J-IU; Van TruKji'ii
Pniirii' and Rocky Ml. Adi'fiit,, 300-1; Sci-ma Jlolb/ Ml.i, 00, 131. Six miles
klow Ft tleorge (Colo.) was the post of Lock and Uundolph.

TilIow the Simeon branch of I'cace Ilivcr was built at an early day a little
fort named St John. About 1 823 it was atUickcd by a band of lieaver Indians,
who sliot the commander and four men, and burned tho fort. Another i'ort
St John was built at the bend of the river above. The N. W. Co. had a
post on the west side of Buii'alo Lake, near Beaver Ilivcr. FrankUn'c, Nurr.,
i. I!)9. Fort Eiic was on tho north side of Lako Erie, near its outlet. .Six
miles below the mouth of la Fontaine cjuiBouit thei'c existed in lS3otlic ruins
(jf an old fort, occupied many years before by Cant. Grant as a trading post.
In ISOO the fort at Miuetarees was occupied by Indians. UoUer'i^ Amoinj the
Iiidiniis, 4H}. In 1848 Michipicotcn was the chief factory on Lako Superior.
}l(ir/iii'ii JIudsou'.i Uay, 1'23. Bcrcns liiver post \>'as in Isorway IJouse dis-
tiiu'i; Big Island post in the Mackenzie district; Batchcwana post in Lako
Superior district; Cliicoutimic post in King's Posts district; Buckingham post
in Lac de Sables district; Abitibi post in Moose district. //. IJ. C'o.'s Itept,
liUri-0. Brochet House was on Lake Winnipeg. Mackcmitg Voy.,\\\\.; Man-
lid's Fort on tho Yellowstone. Lewi.i and Clurkc'i Map. Fort Isle au Niox,
or I'ort Lennox, on an island in Richelieu Ilivcr, was fortified by the French
in ITdO, and by Schuyler in 1775. Grcon Lake post was in Lake Huron dis-
trict, and Egg Lako post in Swan Ilivcr district. JJ. li. Co.'h Jlfpl, 30.'>-0.
Furt Dauphin, probably near Lake Winnipeg, was established by the French
Ijofi.vn Wolfe's victory atQuebec. MacLenzic'n I'oj/., Ixv. Deer Lake post was
in tlie English River distiict, at the southern end of Deer Lake; Caweemau
post in Columbia district; Fort Ellice in Swan district. Jf. JJ. Co.'n Hi'jil, 30."),
3U7. Fort Charlesbourg, built by the French about 1540-1, neat the site of
Quebec, was tiic first settlement in this part of America. IJril. N. Amcr., 10.
The lirst fort on tho St Lawrence was built by Carticr in 15;i5. FortCliarlcs
was on the south side of tho Lake of the Woods. In lOliS Capt. Gillain built
for the English their first fort on Hudson's Bay, at the mouth of Ilupcrt River,
nulling it Fort Charles. Forster'a Hist. I'o?/., 378. Russell, Hist. Amrr., ii.
2G4, agrees with Forstcr as to date, but says that Grosseliez, a Freucii reiie-
gailc on White lliver, 80 miles north-west of Fort Platte, was a fur-trading
post. Scenes in Docky Mt.t, 72-3. Tadoussac post stood in 1050 at the mcmtli
cf Saguenay River. Shea'8 Miaain., xlv. Fort Platte, at the junction of tho
Laniuiio and Platte, WC3 built of earth, and in 1842 contained about a dozen

726

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

the cliiefs, their whole desire seemed to bo for schoolg
and school-masters; and in reply to questions as to

buil(lin(;s and some 30 employes. Scrnea ltork>i Mtn, 06; Van Tramp'nt fruirie
and /I'or/'v Ml, AJwnt., 3(iO-l. St Vrain's Fort was on thu right l>ank uf tlio
Botitli fork of the I'lattc, 17 miles east of Long's Peak, t'rtmont, in Id., .t,'i7.
Fort Alexander, at the outlet of Winnipes llivcr, C(>nt4)ined in 1817 only tivo
inmatrR. Fort AlMircromliio was ou Ited Tliver, above the point navigahlo fi)r
steamers. C»ffin'n Seat of Emitire, 79, Fort All)any was ot the foot ofJiiiius
Bay. UouchHte'iiIirit. Horn., i. 33. It was cstablislied before 1780. .Sto Fun-
tfr'H Hint. To//., 371). Fort Augiistns was in Queen's CO. , Can. Fort Uintah,
on a tributary of the Colorado, and one day's journey south of Ashley's Koik,
was also known, in 1825, as Eiibiduau's Fort. Sceiirn Itochj Ml», 178, 'JO'.',
Fort Lawrence wa« a seaport of Nova Scotia. On the ncrth-euHt iiiiUi uf Atlia-
buBCiv Lake was Fort Fond du Lac. Pigoou Lake IIouso was at th« souroo uf
Itattlo Hiver. I'ike Luke ilouso and Oreo:., Lake House were north of Stink.
jug Lake; Rapid River llou.so was near Lac la Rouge; and Sturgeon IJivcr
House between Sturgeon and Heaver lakes. Fairford HoiisuNiuil Mission was
between Lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba. B'ort Touch wooit Hills lay Utwcm
the Assiuiboino antl Qu'Apnello rivers. Mountuio House was in the Itiding
Mountains, west of L:iko .Nianitoba. Fort I'elley was on the AssiniliDiiic,
Old Fort, on Pelican Lake, was near the head waters of the Black or West
Road ilivcr. In recent maps the first Fort Simpson, near the mouth of Nuss
or Naas River, is also termed Old Fort. Josiicr IIouso was at t^io head wa-
ters of the Athabasca; Rocky Mountain IIouso and Victoria House at lliu
head waters of the North Saskatchewan; Salt River House on Slave Wwn,
south of Slave Lake. Robidoux Fort, in the Green River country, was, liko
many others in its vicinity, the post of a private trader, having in hisiiiiiiioy
a number of trappers who made their headquarters at the fort. Pi'ter.^ Kit
Varnoii, 130. On the cast side of Okauagun Lake waa a catholic nii.s.slun.
Fort liulklcy House was at the north-east Hide of Tacla Lake. Fort Buchanan
lay south-west from Tuscon, near the Santa Cruz branch of the GilaKiver.
Near the head waters of the Cila were forts Bayard and Mimbies. Kort
Staunton was at the source of the Rio Bonito, which discharges into the I'ico,
and on the Pico, above the former river, was Fort Summer. Fort Bascum
was on the Canadian Ilivcr, east of Santa Fe; Furt Breckenridge, on the San
Pedro branch of the Gila, near the mouth of the former. Of Fort McPlurson
Abaaraka says that it consisted originally of shabby log cabins, but siih.'.c-
fluently became a well-1 .It fort. Home of the Crows, 46. Kcamy or Kcaiiiey
tort, built on Pincy fc. k of Powder River, at the base of Big Horn Mountains
in ISGO, was pronounced one of the best stockades in north western Anurita.
Fort Reno, originally Fort Connor, near Salt Lake City, and so called alter
Gcneml Connor, was built in 18iJ5, and Nesv Fort Reno, 40 miles to the west-
ward, in 1800. Fort Mitchell, a Kub-post of Fort Laramie, was in coni[act
and rectangular shape, the sides of tlie buildings doing duty for walls, aiul
their windows loopholed for defence. Id., 70. La Pierre's House was on the
west side of the liocky Mountains, near Peel River. Smithsonian liept, ISOl,
59. Fort Wright was in the western part of Round Valley, 100 miles from
Chico. Ind. Aff. Rept, 1803, 402. Fort Crocket, also called Fort Misery, Horn
itr appearance, stood, in 1839, ou the left bank of Green River, two ilays'

i"ourncy from Henry's Fork, Col. Wizliwnu^H Awfliig, 94. For dcsicriptn'n of
I'ort Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia, in 181 1-39, see C'oar's Advnl., i.
8.3, 109-10; t?ray'« Or., 20-1; Farnham's Travels, 105; andof Fort BoLsi, Or.,
in 1832. For mention of forts Yukon, St Michael, and Wrangell, Alaska, see
Jlist. Alaska, passim, this scries. Fort Goodwin was in Tularoso valley
three miles from Gila. Land Off. Rcpt, 18C5, 11.5-10. Fort Cummingswasfti
the road between Santa ¥6 and Cubac, CO n\iles from Las Cruces, New .Mcx.
/(/., 1805, 115. For mention of forts I.iaramio and Leavenworth in IS 10-7,
■ee Hint, Utah, passim, this series; Parkman's Cal, and Or. Trail, caps, iii,,

ION.

for schools
ations as to

1 Tramp'* I'ruirie
riglit Ijank of tho
moiit, in /(/. , .^."l7.
[ill 1817 only tivo
oint imvigalilu for
the foot of Juiiicg

1780. Hvolvrn-
111. Fort Uintah,
of Ashley's Folk,
■ky Alts, 178, L'O'J.
•eustHiiUiiif Atlia-
IS at thro souico lit
le north of Stink-

1 Sturgeon Itivcr
L-:in>l Mission uua
Hills lay bitwcm
vaa ill the iiiiling

tho Assinilioiiu".

10 Black or West

ho mouth of Nass

at t^io head \\a-

ria House at tho

on Slave I'avcr,

iountry, was, liko

ing in hiaimiiloy

fort. Peter ^ Kit

catholic mission.

Fort Buclianaii
f tho Gila Hiver.
Mimbi'cs. l''oit
gcs into the I'ito,
;r. Fort liascom
ridge, on the Saii
Fort MoPhtMson
abius, but stiljsu-
eamy or Kcainey
Horn Mountains
western Aiiifi ica.
\ so called after
niles to tlie west-
was in coiiii'aet
ty for walls, ainl
louse was on tlio
nian lie}it, I SGI,

100 miles from
i'ort Misery, troiii
River, two ilavj'
or description "f
Vox's Advent-, i.
f FortBokse, Or.,
iScU, Alaska, see
Tularoso valley.
ummingswason
ruccs, New -Mex.
worth in ISlli-".
Trail, caps, iii.,

POETS.

727

whether they would assist themselves in securing^ such
institutions, they invariably replied that they would
be glad to pay for them."

ix. Fort Whipple was on Granite Creek, one mile below Frcscott, Ar. Land
of. Iffpt, 180."), 121. Fort Bowie, in Now Mex., was on the road between
^anta F<Sund Tubac, ISO miles from tho latter. Id., lHQo, 115-10. FortOwcn
was built by a trader of that name on the site of a mission at St Mary or Flat-
JK.id village. Wont. Par. It. A', llepf, i. iiOl, 21)2. Fort Lane was in 18J5 a
eavalry station on Rogue River, near its junction with Stewart Creek. Camp
Worth, also called Fort Worth, and Camp Graham wero in Texas. Wilhdmt
Kl'jhlh U. 8. III/., ii. 22, 28. Fort Bliss was at El Paso, New Mejr. /(/., ii.
<X Fort Orford was on the Or. coast; Fort Harmony on \Voo<l v^. '• . Utah.
/-/(/. Af. Itept, 18o4, 270; 18.'6, 233. For list of posts occujiicd by i oijjhth
infantry with location about 1849, see WUhilm'a Eiijhlh U. S. Inf., ii 20^-82,
In Id., ii. 32-50, is mention of a number of posts in New Mex. and IVxas, but
they are dillicult to locate. In tho Meteor. I'cj., )84;)-54, 58 ' 'J4, is .i list of
U. S. military posts, including those on the I'acitic coast th geographic
position in liS40-54. In tho Navajo country, New Mex., there was i i 18.'. > j,
tort named , utiancc, soon afterward al>andoncd, and in Utah, on 'no Sta
Clara Li<.' i. as Fort Clara. Ind. Aff. Urpt, 1859, 348: 1808, 104 1. .«_:, 231.
Fort Sinicoe, in east Wrsliington, Mas abandoned as a luilitar^ |jjst in 185U

before, tiio Yakima Indian agency taking po°so3siou thereof, lort West
was in 1803 on tho lieatl waters of the Giia. liul. Aff. Jt. Com. Ilcj't. 1807,
111. In Colo, stood in 1805 forts Riley, Lamed, and Lyon. Fort Kaudall
was in Todil co., Uak.; Fort Wingate in the Navajo country, No<y Mex. [lut.
A}}'. liepl, 1807, 336, 412. For list of forts in New Mex, lu 180;>. see Ind.
Aff. Jt. Corn. Rept, 1807, passim. For list of U. 8. forts and military b'ations
in 1825 see iSVii. Doc., i. vol. i. 180, 10th Coiiu., 2dtiess.; in 1851, llomi- L'x.
Doc, 2, vol. ii. pt. »., 3.2d t'omj., lut Sena. Tho names and locations of 70 U. S.
forts in existence in 18.37, with number of guns and garrisons, are givun in Iii,
3. ro/. ». 201-8, 25th Voiitj., 2d Sens. For description of H. B. Co.'s forts in
Wash., Or., and Id. in 1854, see Stn, Dor., no. 37, vol. vii. 33dComj.,2d>ie.\s,

AdacB, 14 miles from Natchitoches, was a military post founded in 1800,
Monctte, nut. Dltcov. and Settli'menl, ii. 341. Adams Fort was foundid
in 1 70S on the Mississippi, in Natchez district, a few miles bi-yond th-)
Spanish line. A stockade fort of the same name was built in 1 704, on or
near St Mary's River, 47 miles from Greenville, O. Albany was so named
by the English, after its capture, in 1004, from the Dutch, by whom it was
termed Fort Orange. ISninut, ii. 200. Altona, captured from tiio Dutch in
1(J55, was originally called Fort Christina. Id., ii. 102. Amite River, Fla— a
Bniall foit on this river was surrendered to Spaiu in 1779. Moiiette, i. 438.
Amsterdam P'ort was founded in 1020; for mention sec liri/ant, i. 300-7; ii.
'Ji:0, 341, 348-9, 3.')4. Arbucklo Fort was on the Washita branch of Rod
liivcr, Tex. A little to the east of it was Fort Washita. Arkansas Fort was
established in ICSO by the chevalier de Tonti, near the mouth of tho Arkanjas.
I'latz, i. 5, 7; Monette, i. map. Another post of the same name was l)uilt by
the French in 1721, about 00 miles above the mouth of the Arkansas. On
the upper waters of tho Arkansas there was, in 1800, a block lionse ami U. S.
factory. Lewis and Clarke, map. Assumption Fort was built by tiie French us
n depot in 1739, on tho east bank of tho Mississippi, near the month of Mar-
gi;*-. or Wolf River. The following year it was dismantled. Monette, i. 200 -I ;
Ln/ant, ii. 549. Atkinson Fort was built at Mie villa;,'e of Mund. before
1S5S. In 1800 it was named Fort Berthold, ..nd during that . car was
(le-itroyed by tho Sioux. Boiler, 37, 72, 358. On tho Arkansas River,
below the Fort Bent, were forts Aubrey, Dodge, and Zaran. Augusta F^ort
was on the right branch of the Susquehanna, opposite the mouiii of tiic west
liianch. Fort St Auyustino, for mention sec Monette, i. 09; Bfijaiit, i. 213.
Axucaii Mission was founded in 1570, on the Rappahannock River, by a party

I i ■ I

is!;

■ ■

iii *■

728

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

With churches, charitable societies, schools, libra-
ries, and local journals, British Columbia has always

of priests, friars, and Indian converts, among them beinj; P. Segura, head of
the Jesuit mission of Florida, and Don Luis, brother of tlie cacique of Axacan
or Jaean. The latter relapsed into savagisni, anil aiiled in the massacre of
tise party, nf whom only one Indian boy waa saveil. Baker's Station, a
stockade on the east hide of the Ohio, at the head of Cresap IJottoni, waa
built for protection against Indians in 17S'2. MoncUv. ii. 140. Barancas, a
stockade built at Pcnsacola in J79J, and termed by the Spaniards Fort Sail
Ferdinando do Barancas, was blown up by the British in ISlo. Baton lloiige,
a post on the Mississippi, about half-way between lied River and New Orleans,
was surrendered to Spain in 1779. Bedford Fort stood about lUU miles south-
east from Pittsburgh. Benton Fort was at the head of steam navigation on
the Missouri, just above Nasi.t River. Bent Fort on the Arkansas, above
Sand Creek, was occupit-d by Bent and St Vruin as a trading post. Among
their hunters was Kit Carson. Fort St Bernard was built by La Salle ia
1085 at the mouth of a river which he termed the St Bernard, west of tlio
Mississippi. J'latz, i. ii. Bcvers; lo Fort was built by a, Dutchman about
10J4, near the banks of the Schuylkill, but was not long in exiatenco. Bri/nnt,
ii. ir)l. Big Falls, a trading post above St Anthony's Falls, on the Jlissia-
sippi, remained standing in ISOC. Black's Station stood, in 1770, on the sito
ot Abington. Va. Moii< tie, ii. 82. Bledsoe's Station, in Cumberland River Val-
ley, was I'oundeil about 1778. LL, ii. '200-0. Boonesborough Fort was founded
by Daniel Boone ia 177."), on the sito of the present town of Bounesborouyli.
Ky. Bowycr Fort, built at Mobile Point ia 1813. was so named after the lirst
lieutenant in command. Brewerton Fort was at the west end of Oneida Lake.
Brown's Station, six miles from Nashville, Tenn., was ia existence in ITUi!,
and 15ryant'a Station, a stockade fort on the south bank of Elkhorn Creek,
between Lexington and Marysville, in 1782. Buford Fort was being erectid
by the U. S. government in 1800, on the site of the old Fort Williams trading'
post. UoUer, 42, 41o. Bute Fort was built in 1705 on the north bank of LJayou
JIancliac, near its juactioa with the Mississippi. Within a few bundled
yards of it the Spainiards built a small fort, in 1770, for ^jroteetion against
sinugL^lers. Moitclte, i. 403, 400. Cadot Fort stood, in 1770, at tlic south-
east end of J^ako Superior, near the falls of St Marie. Cahokia, three miles
below St Louis, was in 1770 a small post dependent on Fort Gage. Campus
Martius, the !irst fortified settlement west of the Oliio, was built in 17SS at
the mouth of the Muskingum River, Fort Carolina, named after Charles IX.,
was founded by Ril):iult in 1.'302, ia South Carolina, a few miles above .'St
Helena Sound. In 1504 it was abandoned, and the same year a new one,
with the same name, was built by a French colony, on the south liank of May
River, six leagues al)ovc its moatb. The latter was destroyed by the SpaniaiiU
ia 1.505. Cassiinir Fort was built by the Dutch in 1053 on a bluIF in the iKla-
ware, four miles below the mouth of the Christina, to take the place of I'oit
Nassau, which occupied the present site of Newcastle, Del. In 1054 it was
captured by the Swedes and named Trefalldigheet (Trinity Fort). It was le-
takenby the Dutch in 1055. JJryaiit, ii. 153, L'lO, 158. Chagwa;;eman Mission,
foundeil in lOO'J by Father Mcsnard on the southern shore of Lake Suiicrior,
but soon afterward abandoned, was reestablished in 1085 by Father AUouiz.
Bnjaiif, ii. 501. Charles — of the three forts so named, one built in ioOJ ly
Ribault, at Port Royal, Fhv, was soon afterward abaiidoned; another waj
built by the Spaniards at Pensacola in 1000, and a third stood, in 171)5, ahovu
Council Bliitrs. Li'irlt and ('larL'n Travis, 3.'J. Charlotte Fort (originallv
Fort Coudu), built on the site of Mobile, controlled until 1813, when il Mas
surrendered to the U. S., a considerable region cast of the Mississippi. Momlir,
i. 84, 10.'!; ii. 389. Cliarlotte Cair.p, x stoek.ado enclosure with citadel, on the
cast .side of th'j .Scioto, was built in 1774. Chartrcs Fort, founded in I72(i. (a
the left bauk of the Mississippi, and considered one of the strongest po.,ts iu

FORTS.

729

been abundantly supplied — somewhat over-abun-
dantly, as it would appear, in proportion to the popu-

Xorth America, was a century later a massive ruin. Cherokee, or Old Chero-
kee Foit, 4D miles uliovo the mouth of the Ohio, was in exisLcucc in 1773.
( Inistina Fort was foundcil by the Swedish West India Co., in 1U;5S, ut the
junction of Christina Creel; witli the Urandywiiie, ne:ir \Vi!niin;jt(in. linjant,
i. 40J-7. lort iStCluir, un the Miami, 'JO miles north li I'oit Hamilton, was
liuilt in 1701. MoHctle, ii. 400. Cl.drburne Fort, imilt in ISl.'lon Weather-
ford Uluir, on the cast side of Alabama Uiver, Sj miles abovo L'ort Stod-
(Ir.rd, wa.i a strong sloeUade with three block-houses and a ludf-moon bat-
tery. Clark Fort, named after the explorer, was in 1S5S a ddapidatcd
ti\idi'ig jiost on the Missouri, near the llicearcc village, and belonged to
tlic American Fur Co. liollrr, .'IJ. Conception Mission was fjundi il among
t!io lliinois in April l(J7o. Shea's Mi'tsiis., M Concoid Fort wa.-j built by the
Spaniardi on tho site of the village of Vidalia, on tlio we:>t bank of the Mis-
sissippi. Moiictic, i. 040. Crawford Camp, on the Chattahoochy, jii«t above
t'uo i'lorida line, was established in IHIO. Cieve-Coeur Fort, built liy La
.S.illo in 1070, near the head of Illinois llivcr, and so named on account of the
liaancial misfortunes that overtook the founder at this time, appears to have
li;en aliandoncd tho same or the following year. Dijidiil, ii. ,511; J'rtiiz, i. ">.
Cundtcrland Fort was built by the English about I7t)4, on Will's Creek, near
tho present town of Cumberland, Md. Dcdancc Fort was" a slrong stockade,
built ill 1004 at tho junction of An (ilaize ami Maumce Rivers. Moncttc, ii.
3i)t, ."OS. Denham Station, near Nashville, Tcnn., was in cNistcncc in 1702.
Detroit was in 1707 a large stockaded village with about eighty houses.
C irnrH TiawJi,, \o'l. Dover Fort, N. II., contained, in lUSO, live garrison
houses, into which all tho inh.abitants witlidrew at night. In I7.')4 the Fug-
li.sli began to erect a fort and trading jiost at the ' forks,' a point of land just
iiliova t!ic junction of the .'Vlloghauy and Monongahela, wliere now stands Fitts-
burgh; but they were driven olF by French under Contrecoeur, who at once
built a fort and named it Du Qucsnc, after the governor of Cmada. in 17."<8
it was attiicked by tho English, when the French set tiro to it and fle I, the
former naming it Fort I'ict. lOaslcy Station, at tho forks of tho Aluban^a
and Tombigbec, was built in 1813. Edward F'ort was on the left bank of tlie
Hudson, near its northern bend. Ellsworth Fort was on tho .Smoky Hill
IVirk of the Kansas. Elfsborg or Elsinglxjrg Fort, built by the Swedes at
t!io mouth of Saloui Crock, Md, was abandoned about 1(>.')'_', when tlie
Hutch erected a fort near its eite. Dri/aiit, ii. lo'J. Ely and Curtis' trading
jKwt was in IS21 on the Missouri, near the mouth of the Kansas. Jicckiroitii/i,
31. Mission St Esprit was near to tlie western corner of Lake Superior.
Estill Station was on the south side of Kentucky River. .}foiiPtlc. ii. I •.'4.

Fairfield Fort, in Maine, was in existence in 1810. Farmers' (Ja.ilo Sta-
tion, a stoekado with block house on tho Ohio, twelve miles below tho mouth
of the Muskingum, was erected in 17S0. MoneVe, ii. '247 8. Fincastlo Fort,
afterward named Fort Henry, on the cast bank of the Oliio, near the site of
Wheeling, was built in 1774. ii. 00, 05. Fiulcy's trading post, in the present
('laiko CO. in Kentuciiv, was in existence in 1700. Florida Fort was iouiidcd
in ISOL a few miles uoove Fort Stoddard, on Mol)ilo River. Florida Mission
was a Franciscan estalilishmcnt in central Florida, in existence in l."i8l or
earlier. Floyd Station, on 15ear-grasa Creek, about six miles from tlio falls
of tho Oiiio, was established in 177.'i. Fort .St Francis was built in 17.'>0by
the French, on tho west bank of tho Mississippi, near the mouth of the .St
Francis.

(Jadsden Fort, on the Appal.achicola, below Fort Scott, was in existence
ill 1818. A/oiiellc, i. 03. Gage Fort, a stockade on tho cast bank of the Kas-
kaskia, opposite 'lie town of that name, was, after 177'2. tlio headiiuai ters of
tlie comuiiindautof Illinoia. George Fort was built on tho southern extremity
uf Lake George. F'ort King George was erected by the English ou tho Alt*-

730

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

lation, estimated in 1886 at not more than 60,000.
At the capital there wa.s a Jewish .synagogue; the

nmha, Ga, about 1732, Bryant, ii. 560. Gloucester House was on the Albany
River, nuar Osnaburgh House, llaifnons' Jour., map. Good Hope Fort was
built in 1G.13 by the Dutch West India Co., on the present site of Hartfonl,
Conn. Bryant, i. 547. Gore Fort was erected in 1774 at tlie mouth of Hock-
ing River. Monette. i. .381. Gosnold Fort, on Elizabeth Island, Mass., was
built in 1G02 by Uartholomew Gosnold, who, under instructions from the carl
of Southampton, examined the coast southward from Capo Cod. Bryaul. i.
202 ct scq. Gottenburg, or Now Gottcnbnrg, was a fort built by the Swedes
in the 17th century, on Tinicnm Island, Del. After being captured by tlio
Dutch in IG55, it was known as Kottenbcrg Island. Gratiot Fort lay, iu
1835, at the south end of Lake Huron, about 75 miles from Detroit. Green
Bay Mission, in Wisconsin, was opened in 10G9. Monelle, i. 121. Greenville
Fort was built near the present town of Greenville, 0. /(/., ii. 297. Hallett
Fort was on Liard River, west of the great bend. Hfvrmar Fort, built in 17S5
at the mouth of the Muskingum, was the first U. S. military post in Ohio.
Monette, ii. 213, 223. Ilarrod Station was a military post founded about
1774, near the present Harrodsburg, Ky. Id., i. .1G4. Hawn Fort was on
Gullet DlufT, near the Tombigbee. Hayes' Station, near Nashville, Tenn.,
was in existence in 1792. Henry House was near and east from Moose Lake;
Hoy'a Station, on the Ohio frontier, was some 20 miles from Upper ]51iie
Ijicks. Mission St Ignace was built on Michilimackinac Strait in 1G70, and
near to it the Hurons built a palisade. Monette, i., map 1; Sliea'<i Misninn. hi,
Ignatius, St, or St Imigoe, as the common corruption is, was a Jesuit mission
founded in Md in 1G4;{. Bryant, i. 497, 512-13. Jackson Fort was built iu
1814 on the site of old Fort Tallassoe, near the mouth of the Coosa. Monette,
ii. 425. James River had on its banks two forts iu 1G70, and the Potomac,
Rappahannock, and York one each. Jetlerson Fort, built in 1791, was 'JO
miles north of Fort St Clair, and about from Greenville, O. Joseph Fort was
at the south end of Lake Michigan. Kaskaskia, about five miles from tlio
mouth of Kaskaskia River, and the oldest settlement in the Illinois country,
was in 1770 a missionary station, containing a Jesuit college. Monette, i. KiJ,
lGG-7. Kcnhawa, at the mouth of Great Kenhawa River, was, in 1770, a
military post, in command of Capt. Arbuckle, and then known as the ' Point.'
Kennebec River; the Popham colony, arriving in 1007, in the ship Oi/t of God,
build here a fort mounting I2gnns. Labargo Fort was a little above Fort
Benton, on the Missouri. Li Baye Fort was at the southern extremity (,f
Green Bay. Laurens Fort, a military post, was built in 1778, on the riglit
bank of the Tuscarawas, just below the month of Sandy Creek. Moneif'', ii.
107, 218. Lo Boeuf Fort was built by the French in 1753 on Lake Lo I'loiuf,
15 miles from Presque Isle. Leech I^ako Post was a block-house belonfrin^
to the N. W. Co. Liard Fort was on Liard River, above the Nahanni. Ligo-
nier Fort, GO miles east of Fort Pitt, was in existence in 1 7G3. Lisa Fort, a
trading post belonging to Manuel Lisa, of the Missouri Fur Co., was abuiit
five miles below Omaha. Logan Fort, in Lincoln co., Ky, near the Ken-
tucky River, was founded in 1775. London Fort was a stockade post built
by the English in 1757, on the north bank of Little Tennessee River, on tlio
present site of Fort Winchester, Vu. Lookout Fort was built on the Mis-
souri, near Council Bluffs. Ueckwourth, 85. Fort St Louis lay, in 1719, mm
the mouth of Mobile River. Pratz, i. 1.38. Another fort of that name w:id
founded, between IG30 and 1G83, near the junction of Illinois River and Liko
Peoria. Monette, i. 135, 140. A third was built by La Salle, in 1085, on Ml-
tagorda Bay, Texas. Bryant, ii. 517-18. Madison Fort, Iowa, was establishcil
in 1803 as a frontier post. Monette, ii. 501. Manchester Fort, with its stock-
ade, was founded in 1790, 12 miles above Limestone, in the Va military ilii-
trict. Id., ii. 314. Mission St Mario, founded in lOGJ among tlio Cliipi^cwaji,
was the oldest settlement in Mich. S/ma'a Minina., xlvii. St Murk \\>m

FORTS.

7S1

presbyterians were represented by seven, and the
iiiethodist church of Canada bj' sixteen ministers, while

in 1818 a post six miles above the mouth of Appalachy River. Moufttf, i. 94.
Martin Station, on Stoner fork of Licking River, was destroyed by tlio
English in 1070. Massac Fort was a stockade built by the Frencli, in IT.'iO,
on the right bank of the Ohio, about 40 miles above its mouth. Mateo, Fort
San, was erected by the Spaniards soon after their capture of Fort Caroline,
in 15Cj, and probably close to its ruins. Bryant, i. 214. McAfee's Station
was in 1781 a frontier post near the Ohio. Monette, ii. 121. McClellau's
Station lay, in 177C, on the north fork of the Elkhorn, near the present vil-
lage of Georgetown, Ky. McConnell's Station was in 1782 near the town
of Lexington. McDowell Fort was on the Rio Verde branch of the Salado,
near the mouth of the former. M'Intosh Fort was built in 1778, on tlie north
bank of the Ohio, near the mouth of Jiig Beaver Creek, Pa. Fort 8t Michael,
near Pensacola, was in existence in 1815. Of the numerous forts in tho
state of Michigan, and in the neighborhood of the great lakes, most of them
erected by tho H. B. Co., may bo mentioned the following: The fort of tho
Miamis was built by La Salle in 1079 as a trading post, on St Joseph River,
near its entrance into Lake Michigan. Fort Laurimie, on tho head waters of
Great Miami River, was in existence in 1745. In 1752 the French hud a
stockaded trading post on Mad River, a tributary of the Great Miami. A
British post named Miami, on tho north bank of Maumec River, about two
miles below the rapids, was built before 1763. In 1783 it was abandoned,
and in 1793 reoccupied. Columbia, a settlement with block house, was com-
menced in 17S8, on the north bank of the Ohio, three miles below the Little
Miami. Fort Hamilton, on the Miami, 20 miles from Fort Washington, was
in 1791 an advanced post. Fort Deposit was built in 1794 as a military store-
house, near tho head of Maumee Rapids, seven miles from Fort Miami. Mo-
velte, Hist. Discov. and Settlement, i. 134; ii. 214, 218, 210, 257, 290, 204.
Fort Mackinaw stood on the south side of the strait of Michilimackiiuio, be-
tween lakes Huron and Michigan, and was a repository and place of departure
for the upper and lower country. The stockade enclosed nearly two acres
and about .SO houses, and was garrisoned by about 95 men, the bastions being
jirotceted by brass guns. In 1703 it was captured by Indiana. /(/., i. 3;!0.
in 1700 Fort Michilimackinac, at the junction of lakes Huron and Michigan,
enclosed by a strong stockade, and garrisoned by about 100 men, was tho
most remote of English posts. The name signifies a tortoise, and applies
probably to an island a few miles to the north-east, whicli in appearance
resembles a tortoise. The place was captured by Pontiao in 17(!3, but was re-
stored tho following year. Carver, ix. 19. Miro Post, on the Washita Itivcr,
was built in 1795, on the site of the town of Monroe. Moucfte, i. 488 9.
Mitchell Fort, on the Chattahoochy, Ga, was in existence in 1815, and Mont-
gomery Fort, near Pensacola, in 1818. Nashville was a trading post erected
by the French near the present city of Nashville about 1778. Mone.lte, ii. 200.
Nassau Fort, a large trading post erected by Hendrick Christiansen, a Dutch
captain, in 1014, on Castle Island, near Albany, was the first one built on tho
Hudson lUvei. Bryant, i. .359. Natchitoches, (m Ri.'d River, was occupied
iu 1712 as a trading post, and in 1717 as a military post. Monette, ii. 400.
Necessity Forh was built by the English in 17.")4, a few miles west of Union-
town, but was surrendered the same year to the French. Nelson Fort was
built in 1780 on the Ohio, near Bear-grass Creek, anil Newberry, a settlement
with block house, in 1789 on tho same river, 22 miles below the Muskingum.
Niagara Fort was built by the French in 1720, near the mouth of Niagara
lUver. Old Fort, or Redstone Old Fort, on the Monongahcla, was named
Pirownsville when tho latter town was laid out in '785. Monetle, ii. 194.
Orleans Fort was built by the French in 1720, on an island above the mouth
of Osago River. Oswego Fort, at the mouth of Oswego River, wns oaiitured
by tho French iu 1750. Ouiat&aon or Ouatouou Fort stood, in 1707i on che

»(• "!

'I;

SETTLKMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

the bajtiist ami refurined episcopal churches wore cn-
y;age(J in oigaiiizing various branches throughout the

left bank of tliu Wabash, near the junction of its soiiroes. I'annime Fort. '
NiitL-lici!, suiTcndi'icd to tlie Spaniards in 177'.'. MoiicUe, i. 4;!.S. IVnil.- ,
Fort \v;:s (lu lliil liivor, near tho nioutii of the IVuibina. Pensaeola Fort wa^
ca|itiirtMl by tliu French in 171'.', and Hour, -ifterward recaptured by tiie Sjian-
i.irds, and iigaiii captured by the Frcncli. J'ralz, i. 'Xi ct kcij. It was occii-
pieil liy the Americans in ISIS. Fort St I'ctcr stood, in 17-'>, near tiio
mouth of the Vuzoo lvi\ er. Moiiettv, i. L'J.'l. I'iclccring Fort was near Meni|ihis,
below Wclf Uivcr. I'icrre Fort, on the Missouri, 1,100 milcsabovc St Loui.s,
was formerly one of tlio lar>,'est forts in tlio Siou.x country, l)ut in KSG(» n<»
vcstiyoof itiemained. liatlii; '2'J, 417. On licarinyof thcuiasbacrein Virginia,
in Ui_'J, t!ie pilgrim fathers built a fort witliin the palisades that surrounded
the iMuo houses then comprising the town of I'lymoulh. i'rescpr Isle wan
on tho houthcrn shore of Lake Erie, near l'res(]u' Isle Bay. I'rimeau Foi-t wa.s
in 1S,")S a dilapidated post on the Missouri, near tho village of the Iticcarees.
JluJi'i; ;<■!. I'rince George Fort, abou 1 10 miles east of I'ort London, was in
existence in I7.">7. Moiielle, i. .'il4. I'ueblo Fort, a trading post at tlio junc-
tion of the Fontaine ijui ISouit and Arkansas, was built in 1S4"J by a con)pahy
of tiader.s. Sri iiiit JiOcLy Mts, 17-. llccovery Fort was built in 171)4, on the
scene of tSt C'lair'.s defeat, between St Mary Itiver and Greenville, O. JIu-
■)iutti, ii. ;!UO-li. Ivcil Cedar Lake Post, belonging to the N. W. t.'o. , is laid
down on Lcivi.i am/ darkens map. llice Fort was on BulTalo Creek, about I-
miles north of Wheeling. MoiidU\ ii. 140. Kobertson Station, founded in
17S0, near the site of Nashville, afterward became the centre of the I 'umber-
land settlements, llosalic Fort was built by the French in 17 Hi, on the blulf
where Natchez now stands. Fort St Rose, near I'ensaeola, was in existence
in IS 15.

iSackville (the old French Fort St Vincent) lay, in 1770, on tho left baid;
of the Wabash, loO miles above its month. Moiictle, i. 413. Sandusky Foit
was built on the site of Sandusky City.
1Gji">; for mention, see JhyanI, i. i"i,)0, ojo.
bank of tho Niagara, opposite Grand Island,
tier, was in existence iu ISIG. Moncltf, i.

located, in 1070, at Great Manitounin Island, Lake Huron. A/., i. map, p. I.
South River I'ost was built in 1024 by settlers belonging to the Dutch West
India Co. They soon .afterward abandoned it for Manhattan. Jiri/aiil, i.
300-7. Stanwi.x Fort, also known as Fort Schuyler, was on the right bank of
the Mohawk, near its source. Station I'rairie, on tho Scioto, was built iu
1700, near the site of the town of Ciiillicothe. Momttc, ii. 31.">. Steuben Foit
stood in 17S2 near the falls of the Ohio. Stoddard Fort was founded iu ISO),
on Mobile River near the Spanish line, and .Strothcr l''ort on the Coosa, near
Ten Islanils, about 1S13. Talasseo Fort, six miles above the mouth of tliu
Coosa, and builton tho site of Fort Toulouse, the latter being erected in 1711,
was reconstructed iu 1814 as Fort Jackson. il/oHc^c, i, '21.1, 415. Thompsou'.s
Creek I'ost, a small fort in west Fla, was surrendered to the Spaniards iu
1770. Tombi>;by Fort was built by the French iu 1730 on tho river of that
name, about 2i)0 miles above tho site of Mobile. Union Fort, on the Mis-
Bouri, six miles above the Yellowstone, and in 1830 tho heaihjuarters of the;
American Fur Co., was ono of the oldest and best equipped of the company's
forts. UuUir, 9, 43; Ueckwourth, 300. Valle's Post, on tho Missouri, ju^t,
above Cheyenne, was occupied in 1801 by the French trader V'allc. Li'wis 'iml
Clarke, 70, Venango Fort was built by the French in 1753, on the silo vi
Franklin, Pa. Moiictlc, i. 108, 171. Vincent, Post St, on the Wabasii, aouiu
distance above White lliver, w.is in existence in 1745. /(/., i. map. Washin:^-
to)\ Fort was founded in 1789, on tho Ohio, opposite tho mouth of the Lick-
ing. Moiu'llr, ii. 2-jU2. Washita Post, builtin 1713, on tho site of the town
of Monroe, was iu cxisteuco iu 1700. Wayuo Fort, uamed after Gen. Wayne,

Saybiook Fort was built aliout

Schlosser Fort was on the right

Scott Fort, on the Georgia frou-

91, 93. Siniiin, Mission St, was

CHURCHES.

788

province."' Two years before tliorc were five catholic
and other episcopal dioceses, with nearly sixty clergy-
men."" At Victoria there were throe hospitals,"' an
orphans' houie,"^ several benevolent societies,"" and the

was built in 1704 at tlio coiidiuMicu of St Mary's and St Jdscph'a liviTS.
Weatlierfoi-d was in 1813 a Btroht,li<>lil and town nuar the south lianic of the
Alabama, in a swamp known as Kt'cliJinaciiaca, or Jloly (Jrounil. Williams
l'"ort, tlirco mik's below tiie Yellowstone, was moved in lS.")8hO miles above
on the Miasouri. Holler, 42, Winoliester, on the site of a stoikadc lort built
in 17.')0 in the valley between the JUiie ilidge and Alleghany ranges, was
declared a military fort in 17.>7. William Henry I'ort was built in 17."'"i, oa
the southern extremity of Lake (ieorge. A fort of the same name, situated
at remagiiid, Mc, was demolished by the Krenth in lO'.Hi. Bryant, \'\. 41!).
Misfion St Francis Xavier was founded on Cireen Hay, Illinois Lake, in 1()70.
SluuH Miaslns., 11, xi., vii.; Momlti', i. map, p. I.

Without venturing to present the reader with bibliogra|)hical notices of
the various authors from whom this resume has been written, it may not bo
out of place to notice a manuscript handed to mo at Victoria in 1H7S, and
entitled Furia anil Fort Life in Kinu ('aluloiiia, umler J/ii(Uoii'n Btij (011111(1111/
Rcijiinv, III/ I'. N. Comptoii, MS. In a few pages Mr Compton has condensed
more information as to the subject-matter of his manuscript than can be
fouiiil elsewhere in such brief space. Landing at Victoria in IS.')'.), in the
service of the H. IJ. Co., Mr Coini)ton was ordi;red to Fort Simjison, where,
us he says, ' the daily routine was 10 get up at six o'clock, dig potatoes, chop
wood, clean furs, and shovel snow.' After three years' service he travelled
in Kuro))c, principally in Servia and Turkey, returnjjig to Victoria in I87G.
In 'J'/k; IhtdsoiiH Ban Tcrrilnritis (iiid I'ttiiroiivcr'ii latuul, u-ith an e.r/iosiiioii
(■/ tlif C/i(irU-rcd lihjhtu. Conduit, ami Folirif of the lion. Iliidnon's Ban Cor-
poration, hi/ It. M. Martin (Fjondon, ISlOj, the author gives a good general
description of the geography and physical features of the company's territory
in the north-west, together witii information as to site and coniliti(U» of their
forts and stations. Aluch of the work is devoted to the constitution and
working of the corporation at lioiiu) ami aliroiul, their policy and system being
contrasted with tiioao of American fur-tradeis. Most of the leading authoii-
ties then extant have been consulteil, among them being parlianientaiy pa-
pers, tiie reports of missionary socieliea, the ollicial papeis deposited at tho
colonial oflice, the board of trade, and the admiralty, and tiio soveial charters
granted to tiio company. Tiie book is fairly and impartially writUMi, though
tioinewhat tedious and uninteresting in style. Facing the frontispiece is a
mai> showing thclocatioii of the company's forts and stations tiiroughout the
territory

•'•■"T!. ere were also three "(ranches of tho upper Canada auxiliary of thif
1 I'ud Foreign Hil)lc Society. It. ('. Inform, for L'mii/raiit^, 5(> 7.

'•■ in IS.S4 Archbishop .Seghers of Oregon was appointeil to the episcopacy
of V. 1. cn<l Alaska. Sac. Iticordl'nioii, Marcii 18, 18S4.

"'The (!oyal hospital, the expenditure of which a' eraged, between IS70
Riid 1 880, about $."),. 'jtJO a year, the .Maiaon de SantiS Fi-anjaise, and St.Joseph's,
tiie last being in charge of tho sisters of St .Vnn.

"'I'lio U. C. Protestant Orphans' Home, estab'.ishcd in 1872, and of which,
in ISS."), A. A. Green was piesideiit, 11. C. Dirert., 1884-"), 01.

^* Among them may be mentioned tiie 15. C Henevolent Soeiety, wliich
disbursed alH)ut $!i)00 in charities, the insignirK'anco of the amount iliie rather
to the small number of deserving poor than to lack of funds. In the supple-
ment"ry estimates for 188.")-0, the sum of §J.")0 was votetl in aid of this soci-
ety. Stat. B. C, 1885, I'Jl. The St Andrew's Society, organized in 1800,
and tho Caledonian Ucnevolent Association, in 1803, were consolidated in
1870 into one association, named the St Aiulrew's and Caledonian Society.
There were also several secret societies, including the Far West Lodge of the

734

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

inevitable Young Men's Christian Association and
Young Women's Christian Temperance Union. At
New Westminster, Nanaimo, Yale, Cariboo, and else-
where, there were also institutions for the care of the
sick, for mutual aid, and for charitable purposes similar
to those in operation at the capital.*"

Although an act for the establishment of public
schools was passed by the legislature of Vancouver
Island as early as 1865, and by that of the united
colonies in 18G9," it was not until several years later
that provision was made for an cflBcicnt educational
system. In the estimates laid before the former for
18GG, the sum of $15,000 was included for school pur-
poses; but on August 31st of this year the assembly
of Vancouver practically ceased to exist. At that
date no appropriation had been made by the legisla-
ture, and thereafter none could be made. The chief
magistrate therefore informed the superintendent of
education that, as there were no means at his disposal,
he could not further guarantee the payment of rent,
salaries, or other items. Thus the responsibility of
maintaining the public schools was thrown on the
board of education, and for several months they were
maintained by that body under some arrangement
unknown, as the colonial secretary remarked, to the
executive.*'^ In a supplementary message, dated Feb-
ruary 27, 1867, Governor Seymour states that on the
island an attempt had been made to lay the burden

Knights of Pythias, the Victoria Lodge of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, the American Legion of Honor, the Independent Order of Chosuii
Friends, Dominion Lodge No. 4, and Columbia Lodge No. 2, of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd-Fellows.

*" At New Westminster was the Royal Columbia Hospital, of which a com-
mittee appointed to inquire into its condition in 1883 reported favorably. Sen
Scsn. Pa/,ei-s, B. C. , 1834, 283-4. There were also branches of the A. 0. U. W.
and Ancient Order of Foresters. Of the Nauaimo Hospital, J. Pawson was
president in 188o, and in this town were also lodges of the A. O. F. and A.
O. U. \V. For masonic statistics of B. C, see Proceediwj» Grand Lodge oj
Nfw Mex., 1879, 55.

"Tlie latter, which was entitled the Common School ordinance, 18C0,
repealed the Common School act, 1865, of tlie former colony of Victoria.
This was again altered by the Common School Amendment ordiaance, 1870.
For text of Iwth, see the revised Laws li. C, 1871, 392-6, 434-7.

*''Jour. Lerid. Council, B. C, 1867, app. xi.

I:;, I

SCHOOLS.

735

of expense for educational purposes on the community,
while he was compelled to acknowledge that on the
mainland the population was yet too sparse and scat-
tered to admit of any regular and organized system.
The state, he considered, might aid the parent, but
ought not to relieve him of his natural responsibility,
"else it might happen that the promising mechanic
might be marred, and the country overburdened with
lialf-educated professional politicians, or needy hang-
ers-on of government." But unto Governor Seymour
was not vouchsafed, as we have seen, the wisdom of
a Solomon, and his views must be accepted for what
they are worth. Under his administration the con-
dition of the public schools was deplorable. Between
September 1866 and the close of 1868 their total
cost in the several districts of Vancouver was about
§15,000, of which sum more than $4,000 remained un-
paid at the latter date, mainly on account of teachers'
salaries, although there were but five teachers in all
Vancouver, none of them receiving more than $75,
and the average being $65, per month. During 1867
and 1868 six out of the eleven schools established
under the act of 1865 were discontinued for want of
funds,*' and of the 425 children receiving instruction
early in the former year, nearly one half were turned
adrift, while to several of the teachers discharged or
suspended there were still due sums varying from
§109 to $253, and to all of those retained from $215
to $588.

In 1869 matters were but little improved. During
that year only twelve public schools were maintained
in the several districts of British Columbia, seven
beintj on the island," and five on the mainland.**^ A
giant of $10,376 in all was made by the government,

"The Esquimalt, South Saanich, Cowichan, Cedar Hill, Salt Spring, aiul
tlic central school for girls at Victoria. Tiioae still in operation were the
central school for boys and the district school, Victoria, the Oraif;llower, Lake,
and Nanuimo schools. Sesn. Papern, in /t/., 1869, ap;). vii.

*' Those mentioned in the previous note, and one at Saanich, and one at
Cedar Hill. Id., 1870, npp. ix.

*'' One each a.t y «w Westminster, Longley, Yale, Lytton, and Sappcrtop.

r I f I

11' : f

1(.P

"\-r.r

730

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

of which $5,900 was devoted to the pa3'mont of
teachers' salaries." The entire amount received from
local aid was but $330. In six out of the twelve dis-
tricts no local aid was voted, and i'rom three otliers
no returns were received. The average attendance
at each school was less than 30, and at all the schools
about 350,*' out of a school population probably littlo
short of 2,000. No regular accounts were kept by
the local boards. Teachers were appointed without
examination as to fitness, and sometimes without
inquiry as to character. There was no inspection, as
there were no funds wherewith to pay inspectors' sal-
aries, ind there were no regulations as to the manage-
ment other than those framed by the local boards.

In this condition, or very nearly so, the educational
affairs of the colony and province remained until
1872, when an act was passed providing that a board
of education should be appointed for the province,
defining the duties of such board, and also those of
school trustees, school-teachers, and the superintend-
ent of schools, and authorizing the lieutenant-gover-
nor to create additional school districts.*^ After this
date there was a marked improvement, and in 1874
we find 1,245 names enrolled on the various registers,
or more than double the number contained in 1872,
provision having now being made for annual in-
spections and for the examination of teachers.*" For

*• For each school $500, except the one at Sapperton, for which §400 waa
appropriatotl.

"At ton of them tlie total attendance gives an average for the year of 290,
and from others no returns were received, fbut.

"For text, see Stat. B. C, 1872, 39-49. By this act the ordinances of
1 SCO and IS70 were repealed. In the report of a select committee on the
act of 1872, it wiis recommended that compulsory education be made general
tliroughout the piovincc, taking as a precedent the compulsory clauses of tlio
Ontario school act, whereby all children between seven and twelve years of
ago were rutjuircd to 'attend some school or be otherwise educated for four
months in tlie year.'

*'The superintendent reports a scarcity of efficient teachers, only 8 out of
30 employed in tlie dcpai'tnient during the school year ending July 31, IS74,
having undergone a regular training. Many of them failed to pass, oi' iliil
not attempt to pass, tlio teachers' examination, as will be seen in Jour. LnjU.
Ann. B. C, 187."), 03-9, where is a copy of the examination papei'S. The (|ue3-
tions put Avere exceedingly simple. A full report of the superinteudeut (or
this year will be found iu Id., 1S75, 14-73.

yment of
ivcd from
velve dis-
ee othora
ttendaiioo
le schools
ibly littlo
kept by
i without

without
ection, as
ctors' sul-
3 manago-
oards.
lucatioual
ned until
it a board
province,
) those of
Dcrintend-
int-gover-
/^fter this

in 1874
registers,

in 1872,
nnual iu-
rs/' For

hich §400 was

le year of 290,

ordinances of
rnittee on the
made general
clauses of tlio
reive years of
catcd for four

only 8 out of
July 31, 1874,

pass, or diil

1 Jour. LvijUL
•8. The I pies.
riuteudeut (or

PUBLIC MEASURES,

787

the year ending the 31st of July, 1876, there was a
school population of more than 2,500,*° of which 1,685
attended the public schools during a portion of 1875,
the average attendance for all parts of the province
being 984, while there were still 385 children who did
not receive instruction of any kind. During the five
preceding years the number of schools had increased
from 14 to 45, and of teachers from 13 to 50, the
average cost being $22.38 per capita of the pupils."

On the 19th of May, 1876, an act was approved
for the maintenance of public schools, whereby each
male resident of the province was required to pay an
annual tax of three dollars for educational purposes."
On the same date the Consolidated Public School
act, 1876, received the governor's signature. The
latter was repealed by the Public School act, 1879,"^
and after some further legislation," the laws then in
force were consolidated in the Public School act,
1885, wherein there were no salient features, except
that clergymen, of whatever denomination, were in-
eligible for appointment as superintendent, teacher,
or trustee, and that all children from seven to twelve
years of age were required to attend one of the public
or private schools, or otherwise to receive an educa-
tion, for not less than six months in the year."^

Turning to the thirteenth annual report of the
superintendent of education for the school year ending
July 31, 1884, we find 57 public schools in operation,"

^The number actually reported to the superintendent was 2,434. Fifth
ann. rept of the supt of educ., in Sean. Papers, B. C, 1877, 87.

" For full text of aupt'a report, see Id., 87-li'59. At this date high schools
had been established at Victoria and New Westminster; but wiMi the ex-
ception of these two cities anil South Cowichan, none of the settlements con-
tained more than one public school building.

"S<rt«. D. C, 187G, Ul-12. For petition signed by Bishop Seghei-s and
6.{ others, protesting against all taxation for the support of non-sectarian
schools, and particularly against this special tax, see Seaa. Pajjern, U, C,
187G, 725.

'^Stat. B. C, 1879, 111-23. It was first amended by acts of 1877 and
1878, for copies of which, see Id., 1877, 111; 1878, 71-2.

»« Amending the act of 1879. Id., 1882, 77; 1884, 131-5.

5* Under penalty of lino, not exceeding J5 for the first wilful ofTence, and
$10 for each subsequent offence. For text of act, see Id., 1885, 125-41.

'^Of which 49 were common schools (this being the phrase usually applied'
Hist. Bbit. Col. 47

Hi: I

! 11

.!.!l!

I! .liMi^

liHiii

If I !

738

SETTLEMENTS, MISSIONS, AND EDUCATION.

with 75 teachers and 3,420 pupils enrolled, the aver-
age daily attendance being 1,809 — an increase of 420
over the preceding year, and of 1,234 over the scho-
lastic year 1872-3. The total expenditure for educa-
tion proper in 1883-4 w&s $58,361,'^ the sums appro-
priated for buildings, repairs, insurance, and similar
items being considered a portion of the government
assets. The actual outlay for all educational purposes
was $G6,G55.15, and the amount voted in the estimates
for the year $68,415, leaving an unexpended balance
of $1,751^ 25. At no period in the history of the pro-
vincial schools had so much interest been shown in
the cause of education,*® and at no period was the
standard of education so high. Among the six per-
sons to whom were awarded teachers' certificates of
the first grade in the first class, at the examination
held in July 1884, were four university graduates/"
although the highest salary paid was but $110,*'° and
the average salary $60.64, per month.

While the public schools of British Columbia com-
pared not unfavorably, considering her scant popula-
tion, with those of her sister provinces and of the
neighboring states and territories, it must be admitted
that as yet her educational system was but in its in-
fancy. As late as 1886 there was no university in
existence, and there was not even a normal school
or a teachers' institute. Much, however, had been
accomplished, and at moderate expense."

in the home country to what are termed public schools in the United States),
7 were graded schools, and one a high school (at Victoria). Seas. Papers, li.
C, 18S3, 151, 1G9.

" It is worthy of note that of this sum $50,762.55 was expended for
teachers' salaries, while only $2,988.07 was appropriated for the education
office, and $4,610.02 for incidental expenses, including rent.

'' The total number of visits to the various achooLs in the province increased
from 2,922 in 1882-3 to 0,480 in 1883-4.

'•Of whom two were granted renewals, the holder of a first-class certili-
cate having the privilege of renewal without further examination. There
were three classes, and to each class two grades.

•"To the principal of the high school at Victoria, the principal of the boys'
Bchool at New Westminster, where the high school liad now been abolished,
receiving $100 per mouth. For text of report, see Id., 1885, 151-236.

"In the report of a select committee, appointed in 1881, it was recom-
mended that a tuition fee of $5 per quarter should be charged for scholars in

rovince increased

rEwsPAPERs. m

"This," said Amor de Cosmos, handing me a green-
papcr-covcrod file of the Victoria Gazette, printed be-
tween June 25 and July 25, 1858, "was the first
newspaper publislied in Victoria." In December of
that year was issued the first number of the British
Colonist,^'^ continued until the autumn of 18G3 by
the ex-governor of British Columbia.*' In 1885 the
Daibj and Weeklj Colonist, established in 1858 byD.
W. Higgins, who was still the proprietor at the former
date, was one of the prominent newspapers of the'
jirovince, among others published at the capital being
the Daily and Weekly Standard, Times, and Daily
Evenimj Post. At New Westminster was issued the
British Columbian and the Mainland Guardian, at
Nanaimo the Free Press,^ at Kamloop the Inland
Sentiiicl,^^ and at several of the mainland interior
towns were weekly or semi-weekly publications.*" The
Mechanics' Literary Institute at Victoria contained
in 1886 about 7,000 well-selected volumes, and at
New Westminster at Clinton, and other of the main-
laud settlements, were smaller libraries, all of them
well su]3i)lied with periodical literature.

tho high school. Jour. Leginl. Ait. B. C, 1881, 72. For other rcparts of the
Bupcrintendcnt of education and of committees on public schools, see Sena.
Papers, li. C, 1878, 7-08; 1870, 179-239; 1880, 159-227; 1881, 447-9, 455-
64; 1S82. 249-322; 1883, 183-270; 1884, 91-150; Jour. Legid. Aas. B. C, 1877,
ajip. xxvi. ; 1880, app. iii.

''The last issue of tho Victoria Oazette was dated Jnno 23, 1859. During
ISoS was published tho Vancouver Island OazeUc, by Frederic Marriott of the
Neirs Litter. It passed through eight or ten numbers, and enriched its owner,
by his well-known process of money-making, to tho amount of some $8,000.
He was then advised to remove. A French newspaper, published by Paul de
Gura, expired almost still-born. In tliis year also was published for a few
weeks the North American.

'^Meanwhile a newspaper was published named the Press. Then fol-
lowed the Evening Express, Prices Current, and oUier minor publications,
Botuo fifteen in all up to 1865. De Cosmos' Oovt, MS., 3.

"A semi-weekly, established in 1874 by George Norris. B. C. Direct.,
1884-5, 119.

'^ A weekly paper, formerly published at Yale. Id., 1884-5, 202.

"For list of publications in 1878, see Pettingill's Newspaper Direct,, 255.

;■

CHAPTER XXXVI.

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCEL

1880-1886.

AoRicnLTCKAi, Areah — Pdblio Lands — Stock-raisino— Fruits— Fisiikkiks

SaLMON-CAN.NINO — MANnFACTURES — OOLD-MININO — C')AL-MINIM1 —

Tub Alaska Boundary— Exports and Imports— Comparison with
Otuer Provinces— Bankino—Insukance — Suippino— Inland Navi-
CATION— Revenue and Expenditure— Public Debt- Comparison ut
Customs Returns- Elemknts or Prosperity — Bioorapuiual— Biulio-

GRAPHICAL.

In 188G British Columbia was not adapted to any
large immigration of poor families. Abundant as
were her resources, there was lack of funds wherewith
to develop them; and for persons without moans,
excepting laborers and perhaps a limited number v(
mechanics, there were few openings.* But Ibr nica
possessing even a small capital there were few more
profitable investments than a cereal farm or cattle
rancho within her borders. As an agricultural region
the mainland is divided into sections by tlie Coast
Range, the interior having a climate of extremes, the
coa t a mild and equable temperature, and the soiitli-

' It '861 immigrants were in demand in B. C. 5. F. BnUetiii, Oct. i'S, isiil.
In 186' e legislative council rccomincnded that the department of laiiils luid
works, . dditiou to its otiicr fuuctions, be used as an iiinnigrutioii (li'|>:u't-
irent, am. ':at in ti)P absence of power to make free grants of himl h<h,,ha,
Jide settle, 'a bounty be offered to actual settlers equivalent to tliv luv-
emption pri of the land that they may be liulileto pay under the iainl c lii-
nance.' Jout Cer/ul. Council, 1867, 66. For immigration statistics in \St>0,
see U. S. Bn nu v/ Statistics, no. 2, 1879-80, 175, 88. In ISHl tlieic «:isa
scarcity of laborers. S. F. Bulletin, Oct. 24, 1881. While tiie constnictiou
of the C. P. R. P. was in progress, laborers and mechanics could iilway-i liml
cmplcyment at fair rates. In the first annual report of tho irnnii^T.-itina
agents for 1883, it is stated that about .3,000 Chinese arrived in tlie pioMifO
during that year, and some 5,850 white persons. Sess. Pajieri, Ji. C'., 1S!34,
297.

( 740 )

ATTRACTIONS FOR SETTLERa

741

CE.

luiTS— Fisnr.RiKS
- c')al-minim1 —
omparison with
—Inland Navi-

— CoMI'AKISON (IF
M'UIOAL— BlllLlO-

iptetl to any
abundant an
H wherewith
lout means,
(J number uf
•ut i'or men
re few more
m or cattle
tural rej^ioa
y the Coast
jttremes, the
d the soutli-

'<«•», Oct. -28, I SOI.
iient of laiiilsiuiJ
iiiij;riitimi il(]iart-
ts of hiiiil t" Ix'na
iiU'iit to till' pro-

Icr till' Imiil I'lli-
tatistics in IS(W,

llSHl there Nvasa

the coiisti-iictioa
could alwayn lii"!

thv) iiiiiiiiyi:ili"'>
(1 ill the iiioviiice
«'r.s Ji. v., 1SS4,

(710)

ern portion, with its wide, trough-Hke valleys^ requir-
in;^ irri'^'ation during the summer months."

Though containing large tracts of good arable land,
the entire province is better adapted for stock-raising
than f(jr the production of crops. Even of the delta
lands of the iVaser, with their rich clay loams, whero
forty bushels of wheat or barley to the aero and sixty
of oats were no uncommon yield, but a small portion
was under cultivation as late as 1884.^ In the south-
ern portion of the mainland interior, east of the
Frazer, were 500 square miles available for agricultu-
ral jjurpo.ses, the most valuable portion being in the
Chilliwhack municipality, where an average crop gives
about twenty bushels of wheat and forty of oats or bar-
icy to the acre. Near the estuary of the Fraser, and
in the neighborhood of Hope and of Okanagan Lake,
are areas in all of about the same extent. North of
the fifty-first parallel and west of the Fraser, in the
basin of the Nechacco and its tributaries, is an area
of about 1,230 square miles available for tillage,
though partially covered with forest, and without
means of conmiunieation. In the Peace River coun-
try are immense tracts of land which, though in
part densely wooded, are fertile of soil, one of them,
west of Smoky River, and known as Grand Prairie,
containing at least 230,000 acres capable of produc-
tion.* In all Vancouver Island there are not more

' For further mention of climate, see p, 40-.3, this vol. ; Dom. Can. Onide-
Booh; 1885, 71; DawKou's N. ir. Terr, wid li. (7., 50, C2-4. For act relating
to irrigation, drainage, and diking, sec SUit. D. C, 1882, 4; for account ol
Fiascr Itivor dikes and diking enterprises, see W. T. IideUiy nicer, Juno 5,
IST'J; Wi'Htcni Oreijonian, Juno 14, 1879.

^ B. C. Inform, for i^^niyrantii, 1SS4, .35. These were the average returns
of several well-known farms. In a few favorcil spots as much as 80 biislicla
per acre of wheat has been harvested, and in one locality, where tlic surface
Was a light sandy loam, mixed with alluvial soil, the yield was 40 bushels of
oats or barley and 2o of wheat.

' ' My observations tended to show,' remarked Macoun, the botanist of the
P. R. survey, ' that nearly all the Peace River district was just as capable of
Buccessful settlement as Manitoba.' Dom. Can. Inform, for Sellkrn, 1884, '2,).
lu his evidence before a parliamentary committee, Dawson states that the
Peace liivcr country contains an area of agricultural laud which, if all of it
were sown in wheat, would produce over 470,000,000 bushels a year, or at tho
rate of 20 bushels an acre.

-M I

Sit

742

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

than 300,000 acres of farming land/ of which less than
15,000 were under cultivation in 188G," though on the
southern and eastern sides of the island there was a
considerable farming population.

In the Queen Charlotte Islands, believed, like most
of those adjacent to the north-west coast of the conti-
nent, to be merely the mountain tops of a submerged
tract, frcMu which they have been separated by volcanic
action, there are some 15,000 acres of flat and un-
wooded land, but of this only a few hundred are suit-
able for agriculture, the largest patches of cleared
arable land not exceeding twenty acres.^ Of level
pasture land tiie area is also limited, a tract of some
400 acres, south of the entrance to Skidegate Inlet,
being the largest, and this containing only a scattered
growth of coarse beach-grass.^

^ Dom. Can. Inform, for Xetllt'rs, 1SS4, 24. In his Vancouver Idand,y\i'>.,
r)5, Mr liaylcy remarks: ' Of all the poor apolOj^ies for an agricultural cir.in-
try, V. I. exceeds anytliiiig that I have as yet beheld. Its surface is diver-
siiicd with rocks, and for a change, swamps, and swamps and rocks.' In tlio
Earhj Lift' on Vancouver Island, by O. A. Baijliy, MS., to whicli reference lias
l)cen made in former chapters, I have been furnished with some interesting'
annals touching V. I. and the mainland during the r(5ginie of tlie H. IJ. Co.
Reaching Victoria in May ISJl, tlie autlior says that tliero were tlien no si jiu
of cultivation in its neighborhood. Landing on the beach, near to which sI.hkI
the old fort, ho found in its neighborhood only a few log shanties tcnantcil Ijy
Iroquois, French Canadians, and kanakas. Employed first as a schoul-
teacher, and then appointed coroner by Dougliis, he relates many reniarivaljlu
adventures among the natire tribes during his sojourn in the north-west.
lie auerward became a member of the legislative assembly for V. I.

"In 18S1 there were only about 10,000 acres in tilth.

'Tliero arc, however, several thousand acres of lightly timbered spriieo
and alder lands, bordering on tlie bays and streams, wliich, if there shouM
ever be a homo market, miglit lie cultivated for root crops and dairy purimsus.
Chillfndcn'n Ej:plor. Qurcii Chnrlotln I.-tlmuLH, 34.

'Almost the entire surface of the Queen Cliarlotte Islands is covered with
dense forests of spruce, hemlock, and cedar, containing large tjuantitiea uf
valuable timlicr, and many spots wliero spruce can be obtained i . abuiiilaiico,
but none where large saw-miiU can bo prolitably worked. Tl<e DoUL;lud lir
and yellow cedar were in ISOO tlie only timber which could be p; jlitaMy ex-
ported from the province, ami the former was not found on this group, wliili!
tlie latter did not grow south of Skidegate Inlet in sullicient quantity tn lur-
uish a good supply of logs. Nearly all the best varieties of fish taken in tlio
waters of B. (J. aboundeil in tliose of the Queen Charlotte Islands, lletuecii
I8S;J and IS8(J the Skidegate Oil Company produced from 35,000 to 40,00;J j^A-
lona of fish-oil a year, giving employment, during summer, to a large nuiiilrcr
of Indians. For many previous years the uatis'es had extracted oil siiiijily liV
throwing heated stones into hollow logs filled with dog-fish livers; but tlie oil
tliu? obtained was barely marketable. By the use of retorts the coiiip lu.v
manufactured an oil so pure and clear that it met with ready sale iil tair
prices, being especially in demand for lubricating purposes. Fur beaiiiiij

'im

fi'li

ffCE.

bich less than

hough on the

there was a

a^d, Hke most
; of the couti-
a submerged
id by volcanic
flat and un-
Ired are suit-
is of cleared
s/ Of level
bract of some
degate Inlet,
ly a scattered

couver Island, MS.,

agricultural (.omi-
ts surface is diver-
ind rocks.' In the
which reference lias
I some interesting
e of the H. li. Co.

were tiien no si'^'us
lear to which studil
antics tenanted liy

first as a schoul-
3 many rcniarUaUu
in the uorth-wost,

for V. I.

y timbered spnieo
if there siiouM
uil dairy puriioacs.

ds is covered with
arge qnantitiua of
ned i -. uljunihuicf,
The Uoui^l.is lir
1 1)0 p; jlituhly u.v-
I this group, whihi
it (juantity to I'ui-
f lish taken in tho
[slauds. Uctuocii
>,000to40,0U;)g.il-

to a large nmiil)cr
icted oil Binijily liV

livers; hut lae oil
,orts the compiuy

ready sale nt iair
J8CS. l''ur bcaiiiij

AGRICULTURE.

743

Of Texada Island, acquired under circumstances
that called for an official investigation,^ it may be said
that it contains no area adapted either to agriculture
or pasturage, or none that is appreciable.^"

With such areas of available agricultural land, suf-
ficient to maintain more than ten times her popula-
tion, it may not be unv/orthy of note, that in 1884
current retail market prices at Victoria were, for oat-
meal more than six cents a pound, for flour nearly 3^
cents, and foi wheat ^2.50 the cental, other articles
of consumption selling in the same proportion, and
this in a community where wages were not above those
paid in the metropolis of the Pacific coast, in which
most of the necessaries of life could be purchased
at little more than half the rates demanded in the
metropolis of British Columbia."

Public lands in British Columbia were, with tho
exception of the railroad belt, vested in the provincial

animals, especially bears, land-otters, and martins, were very plentiful, while
fur-seula were killed in considerable numbers, and a few sea-otter were taken
every scas' a. With minerals the islands were poorly supplied. Baiiley'a
V. I., MS., 9-11; though it has been stated that gold, silver, iron, and copper
were discovered between 1852 and ISriO. See S. F. Alta, March 8, lSo2;
BtdlHlii, Dec. 9, IS.'.S; April 15, .SO, 1859. The only discovery of gold worth
naming was that iKule at MiichcU Harbor in 18.j2, for which sue p. '.]l'>, this
Vol. From tho Official NepoH of tlie Exyloratioiio/the QiieeiiC/uirloIti' /■i!ands
for the Oooernment of lir'Uh'k Columbia, bi/ yewlon II. ('hiUrudfii, Victoria,
ISU, and tho GeDlrnjictil Savvey of C'lnadti, Alfred li. C. 8<iu:yn, /'. U. S.,
F. (I. S. Diri'ctor, Report of Proij rent for 1S7S-0, Montreal, 1880, tiie reader
will gather all tlie information of which ho may be in search as to the .soil,
climate, geology, fauna, llora, and resources of tho Queen Charlotte group.
I'crhaps the most interesting portions of both works are those relating to tlio
physical peculiarities, social cu.stonn-, and traditions of the Ilaidalis; but as
I have alieady treated of these subjects in my Natice Ilaren, it is unnecessary
to mention them further.

" For papers in tho ease, see Jour. LerjUl. Aks. D. C, 187'>, 181-'240.

'"Its main valui was a deposit of rich magnetic iron ore, varying from 2
to 2."> feet in thickness, and assaying in spots as much as (58 per cent of metal.
The mine was within 20 miles of Como.x harbor, whence, in 188t't, a small
quantity was shipped to the eastern states for treatment. UrU. (.'oloiii.it, 8ept.
I'J, 188;t.

"In Drit. Col. Inform, for Emigrants, 1884, 17-18, is a list of retail prices at
the Victoria markets in ilareh of that year. For furthci' items as to .igricul-
tiirc in 1$. C, sec JJom. Caii. Inform, for Sftflers, 1884, 20 5; JJoiit. Can.
a aide- Book, 1885, 74 5; Chiltewlen'it TraveU in B. C, passim; Jlon-.-iun'-i X.
ir. yVr. and B. C, 50-2, o,")-''!, G4, passim; .S\ /•'. Bulletin, 0.:t. 12, Mar. 24,
ISSj; Chronicl,; July22, 1878; Allti, May 21, 1S(J2; May l:l, 1.S71; Maich;il,
1S72; Oct. 25, 1870; Hac. litcord- Union, Jan. 1, 1884; Portland \V<:iit Shore,
June i, 1880.

.Ih

ii'l-

744

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

government. British subjects, or those who had de-
clared their intention of becoming such, could pre-
empt, at the rate of one dollar per acre, a half-
section north or east of the Cascade Range, or a
quarter-section elsewhere in the province, the prico
being payable in four annual instalments. Unsurveyed
or unreserved crown lands, and surveyed lands not
being town sites or Indian settlements, could, after
being offered for sale at auction, be purchased for one
dollar an aero, payable in cash.*^ As elsewhere in
British colonies, it was the policy of the government
to reserve its domain for actual settlers — men who, by
developing and in part consuming the resources o. the
province, added to its wealth, rather than to dispose
of it for a nominal price to speculators and capitalists.
Moreover, the public lands were a source of revenue
which could be utilized to better advantage, as from
year to year the population gradually increased.

For stock-raising purposes the mainland interior,
and especially its southern portion, east of the Fraser,
was considered the most favorable region.^^ The
higher plateaux of this district, though little culti-
vated on account of summer frosts, are for the most
part covered with nutritious bunch-grass, which, uii-

""The fee for recoriUiig was two dollars an aero. The first instalment for
pruiiinptioii cluinia noeil not 1)o paid nntil two yuars after date of reconl.
AftiT wurvL'v, and on \>ri)oi that, from date of occupation, improvements hi'l
heen made to the amount of not less than .S2.ij0 an acre, the settler was entitled
to a ' eertilicate of improvement, ' and ou full payment to a grajit in fee simple.
Naval and military oiLccrs eould, after seven years' service, obtain free grants
of laml under the Military and Naval Settlers' act, 1803. Lands and iiii-
rrovenients, duly registered, could uot be attached for debt up to a value uf
SJ.'iOO, and gaods and chattels up to $,')00. Dom. Can. InJ'vrm.J'or Siitlcrf,
1884, 'JG-8; l>om. Can. Cuide-Book, 188"), 77-8. For reports of connnissionurs
of lands and works, see JJ. C. Lands and Workn Depart. New \Vestniint:t.tr,
ISOCJ. Jour. Lfijid. Ak.^., 1875, 301-481; Se.^ii. Pajierx^B. C, 1870, 41'J-."iO:i,
iii.-xxii.; 1877, '-'4!)-;j.3C, i.-xxxvi.; 1878, 2G:)-;{78, 4.')j-<J3; 187U, "247-04; 18^0,
i!05-310; 1881, ;)8'.)-418. For land acU, see Utttt. B. C, 1877, 114; 188-.', U,
l;)-18; 1883, 17, 77-8; 1884, 10.

'^ Dawson's evidence, in JJom. Can, Iii/o)Tn. for Scttltrs, 1884, 23; B. <'.
Inform j'ijr r.m'Kjrani a, '!'.). (Jood is of opinion tliat the section forming tlii;
basin of the Thompson, Nicola, Bonaparte, and Spillenicechen rivers, and hor-
dering on lakes La Jiache, Kandoop, Nicola, Shuswap, and Okuuagan, was
the best licld for pastoral enterprise. Brit, Col., MS., 77-8.

CE,

svlio had de-
1, could pre-
icre, a lialf-
Rangc, or a
ce, the price
Unsurveyed
3d lands not
i, could, after
based for one
elsewhere in
i government
-men who, by
sources oi the
lan to dispose
[id capitalists.
;e of revenue
tage, as from
icreased.

land interior,
of the Fraser,

•errion

The
culti-

h little
for the most
ss, which, uu-

first instalment for

ter ilato of ruconl.

iiniirovcmonta lii'l

settler was cutitleil

grant in feesiinijle.

e, obtain free graiita

j3. Landa and im-

jbt up to a Naluc uf

Inform, for Sctllcrf,

rta of coniniissioneis

New Wustniinslcr,

. C, 1870, 411)-.".G:1,

1870, '247-54; IbbO,

1877. ll^l; 188-J, (i,

trx, 1884, 23; U. <'■
section forming tlie
elien rivers, and lior-
and Okauagau, wiU
l-S.

GRAZING LANDS.

745

less eaten closely, and not allowed to seed, never ceases
to grow, its heart remaining green througliout winter,
when the exterior is dry and withered." On this
pa.sl'.iro cattle and sheep thrive, grass-fed beef and
mutton being of excellent quality; while, with some
provision of winter food, in case of severe weather,
sheep and cattle I'cquire only the protection of a shel-
tered spot with little depth of snow.

Extending from the railroad line to the heart of
the northern interior, the Yale and Cariboo wagon-
road passes through or near considerable areas of rich
grazing land, in which, beyond the 52d parallel, the
grasses are mainly what are known as the red-top
and blue-joint, interspersed, on the southern slopes of
hills, with the pea-vine. Although these grasses
could doubtless be cut and i)reserved for future use,
thus saving the necessity of wintering stock elsewhere,
the experiment has never yet been tried on any con-
siderable scale. In the Peace River district, and in
the north-east angle of the territory, are vast areas of
land too remote ibr agricultural settlement, and which
as yet are but little utilized, even for stock-raising.
In the coast region the richest lands for pasture, as
for agriculture, are found in the delta of the Fraser,
although for the former purpose their greater value
and limited area render competition with the interior
almost impossible.

In Vancouver the area available for pasture is some-
what limited, the Hat, untimbered region in the
southern and eastern [)ortions of the island being
turned to more j)rofitable use for agricultural pur-
poses. In many parts, however, there are patches
of soil, covered with short, thick, nutritious grasses,
where, as in the more thinly wooded sections of the
hill country, small herds may thrive the year round
without shelter, except protection for the weaklier

"Bunch-grass is found at intervals between tho western slope of tlio
lllaek Hills and the eastern slope of tho Sierra Nevada. For dusei i|)tiun, see
niy Hist. IVankiitijloii, Idaho, and Montana, and Hist. Nevada, Colorado, and
Wyoming.

746

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

stock from excessive rains. Among the islands be-
tween Vancouver and the mainland, in all of which
agriculture and pasture lands are of small extent, may
be mentioned that of Salt Spring, adjacent to the
Cowichin district, and sharing in its geologic for-
mation, where herbage is abundant and of excellent
quality.^^

Indigenous to island and mainland are many of
the excellent berries and small fruits," while in the
orchards of Victoria, New Westminster, and other
towns and villages may be seen most of the fruits that
thrive in temperate climates, the crops, especially in
the district of New Westminster, forming no incon-
siderable source of profit."

Among the most valuable resources of the province
are its fisheries, the seas, bays, lakes, and rivers
swarming with excellent food-fish. Besides the sal-
mon, tlie herring, bass, flounder, halibut, sole, smelt,
sardine, and eulachon are found in abundance, and
sturgeon weighing more than 500 pounds have been
caught in the livers, estuaries, and larger lakes. The
silver salmon begins to arrive in March or early in
April, the run lasting till the end of June, their weight
usually ranging from four to twenty-five pounds,
though some have been captured that weighed moie

" For further items as to stock-raising and cattle-ranges, see GoofVx Brit.
Col.,^\.^.\ Bai/lci/'ii I'aii'ouver Idiuid, MS., passim; Chlttendeii'i^ TravrU in
Brit. Col., G-S'; S. F. Bulletin, Sept. "22, 1S81; Alta, July 11, ISB.I; Victoria
StaiHiiird, Dec. 10, 187t>. In the lie/mrti of the MiniMer of Aijricultiire
for the Dominion of Cancula, one almost turns in vain for informalioii, tln'ir
8ulij(!ct-matter relating principally to imniitjration, patents, quarantine ro;,'-
ulations, plagues, plcnro-pneumonia, public arcliives, art statistics, coiiy-
rij;lita, stalialiques criinincllus, statistics of insolv(^ncy, and, in briif, to all
conceivalilo st;itistic3 except tlioso wliicli tlie n^ports sliouKl contain.

'"On v. I. are found the strawberry, barberry, blackberry, raspberry,
gooseberry, mulberry, cranberry, blueberry, bilberry, wiiortlcl)crry, yellow
plum, cherry, and several kinds of currants. B. C. Inform, for Emiijrciiits
(1SS4), ;i-J; JJnylci/'.'i V. I., MS., (J3 fl.

" B. 0. Dirrc/., 1882-.S, 200. For mention of the flora and fauna of tlio
province, see cap. ii., this vol.; Oood'x B. (-'., MS., passim; .'iin/li'i/'.i I'. /.,
ilS., (io-S; Chittenden's Traviisin B. C, passim; JJmeson^t N. IT. Terr, and
Brit. (.'oL, (JJ-71. For Game Protcctiou act, 1883, see SltU, B. C, 1883, 37-8.

FISHERIES.

747

than seventy pounds. From June until August are
taken the finest varieties, while in the latter month
every second year commences the run of the hump-
back salmon, followed by the hookbill, which contin-
ues until winter. Herring and haddock are caught
during the winter months; anchovies in the autumn;
trout weighing from three to seven pounds are found
in the lakes ^* and sf reams; and dog-fish, valuable for
their oil, in many of the bays and inlets. The eula-
chon, a delicate table-fish, about seven or eight incbea
in length, and yielding »n excellent oil, eiiters the
Fraser in vast quantities during spring.^" For shell-
fish there are oysters on many parts of the coast,
small, but of excellent flavor,^" and there are crawfish,
crabs, and mussels.

Of late years the salmon-canneries and other enter-
prises in connection with the fisheries of British Co-
lumbia have, notwithstanding low prices, increased

'^ On Salt Spring Island is a large lake about l."0 feet aliove the soa-lcvel,
with ileop water up to its edge, aiul in the middle of which no bottom lias been
found. Herii are siieckled trout over three feet long, and weigliing moio
tlian 40 pounds. They will not take bait, but are speared by the Indians
during winter. Jiai/lei/'n V. /., MS., C9.

"At certain seasons it is the chief business of some of the tribes to catch
and euro these fish for winter use. Erecting lodges near the bays ami inlets
where they abound, their iishing is done by nioonliglit, for it is then only
that the eulachon conies to the surface. For taking tlie fish a large rake ia
used, witii teetli of bone or iron, four inches long and one incli apart. In
tlie stern of each canoe sits an Indian, who propels it toward tlie slioals of
eulachon, wliile another, holding it (irmly in both hands, sweeps it through
the m;iss of lish, bringing it to the surface with one or more on each tooth.
After being loa<lod tlie canoes arc pad<lled to land, drawn on the beach, over-
turned, and again launched for another catch. This work continues until
the setting of tiio moon, when the iish disappear. Tlie take is thcQ handed
over to the women to be cured and dried, and the oil tried out. See jSn/im
Iltu-i'j*, tliis series. Daivsous Xivlhiri'st Tfrr. and lirlt. C'nl., 98-9. In ]>S,S1
eulachon oil was believed tobeagood substitute for coddiveroil. Ctili/nniinn,
Aug. 1881, 177. Later ex])erieiico has shown it to be of little valuo for me-
dicinal purposes. For furllur iti'iiia touching ]J. ('. fisheries, Bee Bmjli i/'x V.
/., MS.; Ciioil'.t B. ('., MS., passim; Cliittcn<liii\'< TntnU in Ji. C, '29, passim;
Daimnii'x X. )»'. Trn: find IS. C, 78-113; Jour. J.<'/i4. .(v.i. B. C, ]8,S2, 2, 5,
7; J/oiit<; Ej. Doc., 4''(h ^'oikj., 3d Sens., L, pt. 1, ."i.)!; /i'»ji/<. Con, in. /'i</icrii:i
(Ottawa), with supplements, 1874-80; 5. /'..')/<'(, Apr. IG, JS82; BidHi,,.)my
21), ISSl; Stnchim IndvjMiidint, Aug. 19, 1881; 11'. T. Iiiti-llijoiccr, .]:\.i\. V.\,
1879; yirtoi-ii I Standard, .July 25, Oct. 31, 1877; Brit. ('<iloiii.<f., Dec. Z\, 1S77.

" At Oyster Bay, in the L'owichan district, were found the be.'t oyster-
beds, l)ut the limited demand, and the difhculty in landing the product at
Victoria in good condition and at small expense, preventod tlieir extensivo
u.se. B. C. J)ir<r',., 1882-3, i:\S. As early as 1853, oyster-beds wen; poin.cd
out by the Indians at Nitinat ]<ay. Hancock's Thiiiixn Years, !MS., 289.

l?l

748

INDUsiTPIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

largely the exports of the province. In 187G, tlierc
were but three canneries in operation, the total out-
put being only 8,247 cases of 48 one-pound tins each.
In 1881 the number had increased to twelve, with a
yield of 177,270 cases; and in 1882 to twenty, with a
production of 255,001 cases, valued at .$1,402,8.35.
The total yield of the fisheries for the latter year was
estimated at !?1,842,075.'"^ The estimate for the catch
of fur-seals was $187,250. At that date the various
industries in this connection gave employment, during
the seas-^on, to more than 5,000 men, and to a fleet of
14 steamers, 12 schooners, and nearly 1,000 boats and
canoes." Thus, since 1851, when fresh salmon sold
at San Juan Island at the rate of sixty for a four-dol-
lar blanket,""'' smoked salmon, curea at Fort Langley,
was wortli, in the Sandwich Islands, $10 a barrel,
and canned salmon was exported in small quantity
from the mouth of the Fraser,"* the fisheries of British
Colund)ia have given rise to one of the leading indus-
tries of the province.

A])art from lumber and canned salmon, manufactures
in 1800 were inconsiderable, though all that might
be expected in a new country. With concentration of
labor and capital, it follows, as a matter of course, that
the home country, where four dollars a week are ])roba-
bly more than the average earnings of operatives, out-
does her colonies. There were, in the province, at that
date, boiler and machine shops, iron and brass works,
flour-mills, biscuit-factories, saw-mills,^^ book-binder-

'■" Including §50,14(5 worth of barrelled and smoked salmon, .814,291 of
baiTuUud and aiiuikod herrings, §10,400 of fresh tish, .*il08,113 of tiah-t)il, and
$58,tiO>) for various items. Si'xx. Pajwr.i, B. C, 1883, 370.

'-Id. l''or additional items concerning the canneries, see iS. /''. Bulletin, Aug.
20, 1881; ir. T. IiiU'lliicmrr, Sept. .S, 1870; Virtnrii StJinlnnl, April 2"), 1877;
New Wc.^tiiiitiatrr Hcrni.l, i\\ PoHlitiid SlJiidartl, Aug. 10, 1877.

''■'^ Bi-illfh Cnliimliia Slcctrhcx, MS., 22. At this date there was a small
estahli.shnieut on the island for the curing of salmon.

^JS.^e p. i;!2, this voh

2'' The first saw-mill was huilt in 18C1 at the Sooke copper mines. Bni/ln/'s
V. /., MS., (il. Among the flour-mills may be mentioned the one at Chilli-
whack, (if which in ISS.") Kobert Stevenson, a native of WillianistoM'ii, Out.,
was Iho projiriotor. Mr Stevenson arrived in Victoria on board tlio Oriztilm
in 1859, and two years later tried his fortune at the Cariboo mines, being one

MANUFACTURES AND MINES.

749

ics, breweries, tanneries,"^ and factories for the inalc-
ing of boots and shoes, furniture,"' pianos, saslies
and doors, soap, matches, and cigars, Nevertlieless,
most of the wool and other raw material, wiiicli in
California were largely made up into goods of homo
production, were in British Columbia almost entirely
exported,"*^ to be returned, for instance, as textile fiilj-
rics, with the added charges of freight, connnission,
and manufacture.

In the report of the minister of mines for the
year 1884 there arc statistics which may not be with-
out interest to the reader. At that date the yield of
gold had fallen to $730,105, or an average of only
$390 for each of the workers engaged in gold-mining.
Between July 1858 and the close of 1884 the total
output was estimated at $48,072,128, and the average
at about $1,900,000, that for 1884 being the smallest.

ill

of the first white men to winter there. Prominent among the himhcr mer-
chants of Victoria was William Parsons Sayw,aril, the ]>roi)rietor of thu Kiick
Bay saw-mill, a native of Thoinaston, Mo., and a Cal. pioneer, arrived in the
colony in ISaS.

'^^In 1SS4 there were six tanneries in operation — one at Rock 15ay, the Ray
tannery in close pro.xiinity, one at Belmont, seven miles from Victoria, oiio
near Parson's hriilge, tive niih^a from tlie capital, and one each at Nanaimo and
New Westminster. In connection with the Rock Bay and Belmont tanneries
wore boot and shoe factories. T!io hiiles and skin.s were of local pniiliiction,
the surplus being mainly exported to S. ¥. Hendock bark, from the Sooko
and Otter di.stricts, was chielly used — though oak bark was imported fmni
<Jal. llealliornn Indu.ttriM of li. C, ^IS. Tiie Rock "Bay tannery, Imilt in
18(52 by W. Hartley, was tlie first one established in Vanecmver, and in Ksh5
was the largest in the province. At tlie latter date it was producing .some
400 si.les of B(de, and 200 of U))pir, leather per month, besides call, kip, seal,
coat, sheep-skin, harness, bridle, and aparejo leather. Most of tiie j)ro(liu't,
however, was used in the boot and slioe factory. In 1875 the business was
purcliased by William lleathorn, a native of (Juildford, Kngland, who arrived
at Victoria ill 1802, and to whom I am indebted for this information.

'■" In Victoria tliero were three furniture factories — tln)se of .lohn Weiler,
Jacob Sehl, and Joseph Somner, the two lirst being for household and the last
for odice furniture. WeiliT and Sehl arrived in tlie colony at an early date,
the former, a native of Nassau, (iirmany, reaching Victoria in IM d, and tlio
latter, a native of L'oblentz, in 1S,"/,S. Both came by way of ( 'al., v lure \\'eiler
engaged in mining, and fSehl was a manufacturer iuid general dealer in furni-
ture.

■■""In 1884 a premium of t$.'?,000 w.as ofTered by the government for the lirst
ono-set mill erected in the province witli a capacity for manufacturing not
less than 50,000 jiounds of wool into yarns, blankets, Hannels, and tweeds.
Slut. li. C, 1884,35. Formenlitmof Moodyvillo Saw-mill Co., i^t;o< '/lit/i'iii/cii's
Travcit in B. C, 60; and for further items couccrning manufactures, aeo Jirit.
Colonist, June 17, Oct. 13, Nov. (5, 1879.

I y

750

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

The largest earniDg.s per capita were in 1875, when
they reached $1,222, and the average for the 25;^ years
covered by the report did not exceed $600. Of those
working for wages during the season there were 402
white men and 1,3GG Chinamen, rates for tlie former
averaging about $3.75 a day, and for the latter $2.75.

OfV'oal, the total yield for 1884 was 394,070 tons,
the output for that year being the largest so far re-
corded, and showing an increase of 4G per cent over
that of the preceding year. It is worthy of note that,
according to an accepted commercial authority in San
Francisco, then the best available market for the sur-
j)lus coal of the province, the imports of that city and
of Wilmington included 291,546 tons of British Col-
umbia coal out of a total of 1,035,076 tons, and against
77,485 tons of California coal, Vancouver Island thus
furnisliing nearly 30 per cent of the entire supply.""

In his message for 1885, the president of the
United States mentioned that her ^lajcsty's govern-
ment has been requested to consider the question of
settling more definitely the boundary line between
Alaska and British Columbia, su<T<xestin<j: that it " be
established by meridian observations, or by known
geographical features, without the necessity of an
expensive survey of the whole. As yet, indeed, it
may be said that no exact line of demarcation exists,
for, through lack of geographical knowledge of this
region, the one determined in the convention between

* The local consumption of B. C, for 1884 was 87,388 tons, and If), 13G tons
were shippod to various countries, mainly to the Sandwich Islands. Tliu
text of tlie report, preceded by tables of statistics, will be found in iScw.
Papers, B. C, 1885,417-30. For acu to consolidate and amend laws relat-
ing to minerals, see Stat. D. C, 1882, 8; 1883, 10; and for act to encourage
prospectinj{ for coal, Stat. B. C, 1783, 5. In 18o5 C. A. Bayley first dis-
covere<l copper near Sansome narrows, and in 1860 the vein was opened, Imt
OS the ore did not assay more tlian 23 per cent, it could not be worlicd at i\
profit, and the mine was abandoned. Bai/ley's V. /., MS., 01. For additional
items as to mining, mineral yield, and mining enterprise, see the reports of the
commissioner of mines for each year, in Sesi. Piipern, B. C; CliitleiKlcii'.i
Travels in B. C, 3-5, 20-2; Scid move's A lasL-a, 6-15; Brit, t'oloniil, passim;
Portland Tfleqram, Oct. 31, 1879; Wa.'^^r.'iiqlon Intelliqencer, Jlay 22, Sept.
10, July 2.3, 1879; S. F. Bulletin, May 25, 1875; May 22, June 24, July 1, 20,
Auj;. 25, Oct. 17, Sept. 29, Oct. 1, Nov. 9, 1881, May 6. 1884; Alta, July 3,
1884; Jour, of Com., May 23, 1877; Com. Herald, July 0, 1877.

PORTS OP ENTRY.

731

Russia and Great Britain in 1825 was so vague that
it is impossible to follow the text of the agroenicnt.'"*
So long as, apart from her fur-seals, fisheries, and
land peltry, Alaska was considered practically worth-
less, and the northern part of British Columbia
nearly so, the boundary question was of little moment;
but the discovery of mineral wealth in both territo-
ries, and in more than one instance near the limits
agreed upon in 1825, would seem almost to render it
necessary that those limits be defined more clearly,
in order to avoid future complications. Moreover,
the trade of the province is seriously disturbed by the
present condition of the matter. The mouth of the
Stikcen River, for instance, is in American territory,
Fort Wrangell being the nearest port of entry.
There goods intended for the mainland interior must
be transshipped, or an officer placed on board the ves-
sel, a part of whose duty it is to see that they are not
landed on American soil in transitu. Some thirty
miles toward the south a port of entry could be estab-
lished within the British line, and one which sea-
going vessels could enter without breaking bulk; but
until the line of demarcation is territorially defined,
it may not be advisable to select the site for a port
of entry on the verge of the northern boimdary.
Meanwhile complaints have been made of the illib-
eral and sometimes inexcusable conduct of the custom-
house officers at Wrangell.'*^

For 1884 the exports of British Columbia amounted
to $3,099,814, and of the dominion to $80,521,175;
while imports were for the former $4,142,280,^" and

'Tor description of the boundary line, see IlUt. Alaska, 543, tliis series*
Sess. Papers, li. C\, 1885, 453-4.

" llcpt of Comm. Ex. Council B. C. on the Alaska Boundary Question,
in SesH. Papcru, 1885, 451-60, where it is stated that Capt. Irving, manager
of the Canadian Pacific Steamboat and Navigaticm Company, was on one occa-
sion subjected to such treatment, liis vessel being illegally seized, and a loss
tiius incurred of several thousand dollars, for whicii lie was compelled to seek
redress in the U. S. courts. In 1878 a conditional boundary line in tlie val-
ley of tlio Stikeen River was temporarily accepted by the governments of
Canada and tlie U. S. House Ex. Doc, J^^Jlh Coiuj., 3d Sens., ♦., 3,'',9-48.

"Of dutiable goods, ?.3,445,409, and of goods exempt from duty, princi-
pally railroad material, $090,877.

■ 1 f

70S

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

for the latter $108,282,001. Thus, apart from domes-
tie trade the commerce of this province, with a pop-
ulation then estimated at 00,000, was nearly four per
cent of that of the en 'ominion, with a popula-

tion of about 4,500,000, tlit ratio of population beinj,'
as one to seventy-five, and of imports and exports as
one to twenty-five. Due allowance being made for
the fact that competition in trade was less severe on
the Pacific than on the Atlantic coast, and that
between them there was a vast and almost unpeopled
interior, it must be admitted that thus i'ar the young-
est offspring of the moth'-r country has not been slow
of growth. Comparing British Columbia with Que-
bec, for instance, we find for the latter province, with
a population in 1884 of about 1,500,000, an external
commerce of $82,545,184, the ratio of population
being as twenty-five to one, and of imports and
exports as one hundred to nine.

Exports in 1884 consisted maitdy of coal and gold,
fish and fish-oils, peltry, hides, and lumber, of which
Great Britain purchased to the value of $878,883, in-
cluding canned salmon valued at $070,758, the United
States $1,091,707, and Australia $257,202. For the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1872, the twelvemonth
following the confederation of the colony, the total
exports 'amounted to $1,912,107.^* That with the
completion of the railroad and her advantages for inter-
oceanic communication, the commerce of the province
will develop yet more rapidly, is almost beyond a per-
adventure. Supported by British capital, it would
seem that British Columbia luay, in the not very
distant future, be no inconsiderable factor in the traf-
fic, not only of the dominion, but of the mother coun-
try.«*

»0f which G. Brit, took $224,944, and the U. S. $1,405,217. Tabkn oj
Trwie and A'no. Dom. Can,, 187'-.

'• For statistics and items as to trade, see Tables Trade ami Nav. Dom.
Can. Aim. lie lit k li. C. Hoard of Trade, passim. In the Acts of Incorporation
and By-l'iws, U. C. Board of Trade, Victoria, 1879, ;U-.5, are tariffs of fees
that coinpnre somcwlmt to the disadvantage of tliose collected in San I'Viui-
cisuo. Sau Diego, Portland, Port Townsend, Sitka, and Wrangell. For adJi-

BANKS AND BANKING.

708

With baiikini; and insurance facilities T^riti.sli Co-
Imiibia was but poorly suj)pliccl. In 1885 thero wero
but throe banks in the entire j)rovince — the bank of
British Columbia, with a capital of $500,000, with its
head office in London, with branches at San Francisco,
Portland, Victoria, and Now Westminster, and agen-
cies in iNlexico, South America, India, China, and
Australia; the bank of British North America, with
its main office at the capital; and the Dominion Sav-
ings Baidi, with its head<|uarters at New Westmin-
ster,^' and with numerous branches. There was not
at this date a single local insurance company, though
there were several agencies of Canadian, Briti>^h, or
foreign companies, the British Columbia Insurance
Company, incorporated in 1877,^" having then ceased
to exist. In this respect British Cohunbia contrasted
somewhat unfavorably with her sister provinces, and
with the Australian colonies, in which latter there
were few settlements mustering say 500 inhabitants
wherc;in there could not be found one or more brandies
of colonial banks, and several agencies of colonial lii'e,
tire, or marine insurance companies.

During the fiscal year ending tlio .30th of June,
1880, there arrived at the [)ort of Victoria 471 sea-
going vessels, with a total measurement of 3G5,(;40
tons, and of which 135 were British or Canadian, 319
belonged to the United States, and the remainder
sailed under the flags of various foreign nations. The
clearances for the same 3'ear numbered 4G5, of which
118 carried the British and 333 the United States

( t

tional information as to trade and cmnmcrco, sec l/oiixe Ex. Dor. .^th Confj.,
2d .SV.v,f., XXI., no. 90, '^8-72, i;!4-7C; Jd., xx!:i., no. 103, 507; hi, 4>J"i
Com/., 21 .SV.s?., a-vi., no. 7, 30-7S, 1 1'2-'.)8, 'JG4-;i(K); Jour. Lcijid. Coiuial,
ISO!), I,'), app. ii-iii.; (/..<?. niinnn ofSla'., no. 2, lt>70-S0, pp. 143, 10_', 104,
ISO. Jirit. Colonii'', IWay 14, 1878; Apr. II, July 1-', Oct. 24, 1879; Vl-ioria
Slandar.l. Apr. '20, 1870; Standard, Jan. 28, iMnrcli 10, 1880; 5. /'. Ilulirtui,
June 7, 1858; May 14, ISOO; Aug. 18, 180.1; Oct. 24, 1804; July 22, 1874; Alia,
May 21, 1800; Feb. 22, 1800; Feb. 10, 1807; Supt. 12, 1871; Feb. "A, 1877.

"y;. (.'. nirect., 1884-5, 88, 108; 1882-3, xxiii. For further items aa to
banking, sec S. F. Alia, July 20, 1804, May 5, 1873; Com. Herald, Aug. 20,
1S08.

•''For act of incoi-poration, see Stat. B. C, 1877, 141-7.
HiBT. Bkit. Col. 18

784

IXDUSTIMKS, COMMKltCi:. AND FINANCR

i]i\<X, Ihfir ;iLr'j:ri'<;;it(5 iu('asur(Mn»'iii hiiiiig .Tfj.'J.GS? tons,
or ilic jurivals (»nly 7M, and (»!' tlio (Icparturcs only
63, \v( ro sailinjj whips, and of those a larj^o projutrlinn
sailed or I'cachod port in hallast. Tho j)n'|)on(l(!rant'(i
of Anu'ricaii vessels is, of course, explained hy the
traflic between Victoria, San Francisco, I'ortland,
and other i>oirits on the Pacific coast of the United
States, all of it, or nearly so, l)ein<^ in the hands of
American ship-owners."' There wereahout this tinx^
five steanu>rs plyinjjf on the Fraser, between New
Westminster and lale, Victoria and Yah;, Soda
Creek and Qnesnello, Kandoop and Savona's ferry,
all of them Ix^lonirinuf to the Pioneer Line, which sue-
ceeded to the British Cohunbia Naviijfation Company,
then umler the mana<^ement of John Jrvin-jf."'"* liefoie
the line of the overland railway was lo(ated, Mk;
Thompson lliver, containinjjf, with its atllnents, some
nOO mikis of navi«ifal)le water, held in its mountainous
basin a population suffici(>nt to support s(>veral small
pteaniers."' On the com[i!etion of the pi-ojectcnl canal
between Okanaj^an and Shuswap lakes— the; two be-
ing almost on the same level, scjiarated only by a
pin<;le valley, and with the Thompson as tlu; outlet, of
the latter — more than 100 miles wouUl be added td
the navigable channel of this stream.

Thus, since the days when the little black steamer
Beaver — the first to perform such an exploit — roun<le(l
Capo lIorn>)i. her voyage from London to Esquimalt,
bcinir u >^'d {jr."- , by the Hudson's Bay Company to

"Complei.i, iia* igation returns for tho province will bo found in tlio Tahlat
of Trntlf ami Aa». V>07«. Can. for ISSO, 7J«-7, 802-:t, S.TO.

'"Tlio only son of Win Irvin^j, who nrrivcil in S. V. in 1848, in cliiirgc! I'f
tho liark John IT. Cnton. In 18.)'J tlio luttcr engaged in tho stcainlmat Imsi-
ncss on (ho Columbia, whence, in I8."ift, ho removed to tho Fraser to take
cliaij;u of tho affiiira of tho 15. O. Nav. Co. Tlio names of the fivo stcaiiu rs
wcro till! WiHiaiii Irvimj, the Jtiliaiirr, tlio I'irlorin, tho /Ver/f^s, and the A'.
J. liriii',1, tlio last, a fino vessel of G-5 tons, bein^ burned at Hope in Sept.
I8SI. Tho entire capital invested in them was §175,000. In 1882 two mw
steamers, ono of 600 ftud tho otlicr of 400 tons, wcro being built for tho Pion-
eer liiio. Uiltrll'ii Com. and Iiid. Par. Coaxt, 198.

'•Huilt by Mara and Wilson, of which firm J. A. Mara was ono of tlio
leading men iii tho Kaiulor'p district, and a member of the provincial parlia-
ment.

RRVKNUK.

7fiS

3,087 tons,
rturt's only
proporl ion
|)on(l(!ran('(i .
n(>(l l>y tlio
l'orlliin<l,
tlu! United

h.'iiuls of
it tiii.s (inn?
vvcH>n New
iTalc;, Soilii
DMii's iV'iTy,

which suc-

1 Complin V,
^^="' Uc;loro
Xiitocl, thi5
;louts, sonu!
lountiiinons
voi'jil .small

jcctcil CiUlill

:1k; two l)t!-

only by a

lo ontlot (if

10 uddud to

Lck steatntT
-roiindiMl
Esquinialt,
otnjjany to

nd in the Tables

48, in clinrgi^ of
steamboat Itiisi-
Frascr to Uiko
ic five stoaimr.i
Icif, and tin- £.
b Hope in Sept.
n 188J two iiiw
ilt for the I'ioM-

was ono of tlio
rovincial pailia-

collect ju'ltry and convoy Hupplios, then as a gov-
«'rnmont survcyin<jf voHmd/" and ondiii;* lior career
an a tn<^, vast strides have Leon niado in the shipping
interests of tho tiirritory. From ono supply-ship a
year, with an occasional visit from some storm-hound
or dismantled craft, ir» 1840, to an average of at least
lour vesstils a day, cleared or entered in J 880, is a
somewhat startling contrast. Why it is that British
(Jolumhia never, as yet, ranked ship-building among
hei- industries, does not at present appear. If, within
this century, Sitka could, to a sniall extent, compete
with Okhotsk" and l*ort Townsend with liath and
]Jangor, then; would seem to be no good reason why
Vidoria and i/ort Moody should not enter into coiu-
petion with Halifax and St John."

For the fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1884, tho total
revenue of ]Jritish Columbia amounted to $887,080,
of which $207,01)0 was received from tho dominion
government/'' $01,4.3.3 on account of land sales, $48,
080 for provincial revenue tax, and $384, f) 12 for tho
transfer to tho dominion of tho graving-dock, and for
money expended on its construction by tho province.
For the same period tho expenditure under all heads
was $.'300,020, of which $81,053 was on account of the

*"In wliiclj capacity bIic did cxcollent service. Dayky'n V. I., MS., 70.

*'S(!o /list. Alank't, this scricH, p. 091, note 4.5.

'^ Additional information aa to shipping matters will bo found in Tables of
Truth' and Aav. l>om. Can., piis.siin; liai/lnj'H V. I., MS., 75-7; Coo/ktb
Miiiilimf .MiiUcrH, MS., passiinj S. F. Call, Juno 4, 8, 1800; Apr. 21, 1870;
Jliiltctlii, .limo 11, 1801; /'oiilniid IVext S/iure, July 1877. For account of
wriH^lc of till! Btcanicr Uenrqe. S. ti'riijh/, and massacre of her crew, hco iV. F.
Jliillrlln, March :i, 4, 19, 187;»; July 2», 1877; C(UI, Apr. 0, July 'J.'l, 1877;
J'osf, Apr. 7,Jtinc4, 1877; yl/'re, Marcii .'J, 187^!; Vir(jininCi(iiChrtmii)lK, A'pr.
7. 1877; S/filaninm( IT. 'J'.) L'xprcsH, July '20, 1877. For loHsof tho.SVo-aHfte,
SCO N. /'. /'ohI, June'2'2, '2'>, 187."); ('a//, June 22, 187."i; and f"» otlierdi.iajtcrg
hy Kca, ,S'. /'. Alia, .fane. 20, 1872; ('(ill, \h-c. 20, 1874; Didlclin, 8.pt 30,
Oct. 1, 1>S81. I'ilotivgo reKulation.s will 1)0 found in tho Virtoriaand Fnqui-
mall I'ihlwjr /hz-lairs, Victoria, 1880; //. C. Direct., 1882 . I, 39;J 0. I'or
iuforiiMtionaa to rules and customs of port and harhor niastcrR, port-wardens,
and quaranline regulations, see //and-Jiookt of the Board of Tiadi-. Att lato
as 187") there were but three lightdiouses in the entire province, one eiich at
llaco Rocks, at tho entrance of l']s(|uimalt Harbor, and on SouUi Sand lluod,
at tho ent.anco of tho Fraser. LUt of LirjIU^, Dom. Can., Wl.

«»0f the latter sum, $24,990 was for interest, $.35,000 for subsidy, $48,000
for grant per capita, and $100,000 for lands conveyed. Scsa. Papers, li. C,
1885, 44.

I-: \

750

INDrSTlIIKS, COMMKRCH, AND FINANCR.

puMio (l('l)t, 847,;]i!n lor tlic civil service, $1)7,1 SO
i'ov tlio adriiinistiation of justice, and $"217,11)1 I'er
public works. At that ilate there were debentures
outstanding to the amount of $747,500.'** Coujiuired
with other provinces, and considerin<^ the large per-
centage of expenditure devoted to ])ublic works, it
must bo admitted that finances were in a heallhy
condition, one of the most noticeable features in the
comparison being that the average di-bt jii-r capita
was for the province little more than $12, and lor the
dominion about $4(5. *' In the amount of customs
paid into the consolidated revenue fund of the domin-
ion, jiro rata of population, the contrast was still more
remarkable. Taking, for instance, the liscal year
1878-1), for which there are exact returns at hand
for all the provinces, we fiml that Uritish Colund)ia,
with a ]K)pulation amounting only to 12^ per cent of
that of Nova Scotia, paid more than 43 per cent of tin!
sum contributed by the latter; nearly 1 1 per cent of
the sums contributed by Ontario and Quebec, where
the ratios of population were respectively as 40 ami
30 to one; 88 per cent more than was paid by INTani-
toba, with about an equal population; and 150 percent
moi'e than was paid by Prince Edward Island, with
double the population.

4(1

In presenting to the reader the annals thus far i(>-
corded of iJritish Columbia, I have spoken of a people

*'A KtuteiiH'iil of tlio public nccouiita for oaoli year will bo f<)\iinl in llie
l'i!))(irts of lliu iniuistiT of liminco, in .Sets. l'<t/)n\i, li. ('. Si'o iilso ,/()";•.
J,c(li.sl. Ass. li. ('.; Slut. It. ('., passim. For 187v! tin.' rcvonuu was lS>.l'_'7,''il I;
l.si;i, $;t7(),IM); l,S74, S;!7'-\«I7; 187.'), $;ir)l,-JH ; lS7(i, $:!M,I'J(); KS77, $ltiH,
.'{|;i; LS7S, $i;iO,7S(); for tlio lilst six inonlliaof 1S7!», S!-'i;i,()r)7; lor tlio lisoal
y.'ar July I, KS7'.>, to .Inno ;)0, KSSO, If.'HKMWS; ISSO 1, s;i!)7,(i;{..; IS8I J,
S!l,>:!,'Jll; ISSJ-;!, S!|-,',-),S()S. Tin. oxpondituru was, for IS7l.', §:4;!-',().S'.'; 1.^7:!,
5i.i!ta,!l!ll; IS7i, ,'iii..SI,'J8L'; 187ri, inoluiiinj^ S!-l.'!.IUO of tlio siiin raised wvl-t
llio I!, c;. loan act of 1871, $8v'!t,'J77; I87(i, including Jlil),(it)0 for balume ..'
loan. f7'.t(>.7l(); 1S77, {!li'.tS.:il,"); 1S78, $.-)18,'J70; l87!)-80, l5;4:)7,02(i; 1880-1,
|;f7!),7!)il; I88I-'J, §174,41)1.'; 188-2 ;(, S,V.)4,I()'_'.

'•' i'or fintlier ilenis as to rovenno and tinuncc, seo M(iih-)izii''ii Mem. Can.
Piic llaihrdij, Ms.; CaiuuUi I'uhtic Avcount.i, 1870-7; ('(iiiadii liilaml lifi'.
Ji'r}ils, l87()-80, passim.

^'Spi'eiilidf Do (JosnioH in the duniiiiion liouso of cuniinunB, Apr. 10, 18S().
8oe JlniisuiWs IkbiUes; ])uwson'aN. W. Ten: and li. t'., 178-1>.

GKNKIIAL DKVKLOl'MKNT.

7r,7

L>, $1)7,-1 SO

17,41)1 I'or
iK'ljcntiuTs

Coinpari'd

lar<^c pir-
; \v*)rks, it

a healthy
ires ill Ihi:

\)x.r capila
iiid i'or lln'
)!' oustoius

the (loniin-
s still inoio

liseal year
UH at hand
. Colundiia,
per cent ol'

COllt Ol" tilt!

per cent of
L^bec, whrii"
r as 40 and
d hy ^Fani-
50 per ci'iil-
sland, with

thus far re-
oi" a jHuipK;

)o f()<iinl in till)

Soil also Jiiif.

10 was !j.!'J7,'il I;

:0: 1S77, ii^ll■■'^.

■|7; lor till.- li^v:il

,!)7,();t..; I.SSl ■-',

§i;'.J,(I.S-J; lN7:i,
iiin raised tiiidrr
for baluiu'c if

:>7,0J(); ISSO I,

izic\H Mem. '''Ill-
iild liitaiid /.'"'•

^. Apr. IG, IbSO.
7.S-1).

whi(']i, if not aiHoiij.^ the lichest, is ainoiisif the most
contented, hopeful, and thrifty communities of tho
I'aciiie coast. The younj^est olfspriiiL^ of the mother
ui' nations, this province contains a [)(»pulation whoso
nu'inhers rej^ard their ado[)ted country as one not
m rely as a place in which to j^rasj) at wealth, hut as
oni! in which they are content to live, in whi(;h tlii^y
are proud to live. And in their adopted country tlu;
impaitial observer may iind niucli that is worthy of
admiration. The territoiy comprises within its area,
entirely or in part, the streams which Ix^yoiitl the
forty-ninth parallel ilow westward into the l*acilic,
and the tributaries of the Mackenzie that ilow north
toward the Arctic. With a shore line ol' more than
7,000 miles,*^ containiiii^ many harbors and navij^ablo
inl(!ts, with her niaL^nilicent fauna and llora, her wealth
ol' minerals and lisheries, her growinj^ commerce, lu^r
commercial [)osition, aiul her i'aeilities i'or communica-
tion" and manufactui'e, it is not imjirobable that., (!Veii
within the life-time of the j)resent generation, JJritisli
Cokunbia may rank auionj,' the i'oreniost provinces of

" As i^oinpuU'il ))y A. A. Anderaon, inspector of fl»hcrius, in liis report for
1S7!1. /littfU'H ('oiiiiiicrn'diiil /iiiliiKlricK, .|l.

'"In ISS,") it was ollieially announced that a mail m'rvice \\»h to 1)0 CNtal)-
lixlied lielwecn Monj^-Kong and Vietoria. .V. /'. Jliilli'liii, Oct. 'J4, 18.S,'). I'or
postal eimvention with tlie U. S., see J/c.v.t. iind hue, 1S70 1; Navy and I*.
O. Deiit. l.">;!-.">. In ISHO tlK'io were 'J'! postal rouleH in the piovinoe, of wliieli
7 weie. I)y MU'anier or HailiiiL^ Tes.i !, llio niliii'ier of tripH varyiti;.; fican Imd
laeli (lay lietween Vietoiiaand I'^sip'i aall, to one mery two niontlis lietweeu
llo[io and Kootenai. The nid>.sidiiM puid for re^idar nerviee.s vai ied Irom §7.')
a year, fur the route between '.! ipi' liny and Sonienos, to Sl,'!,;!l!;i.lll a year,
fu'r the one between IJarki'rvilU! and Vale, the tolal liein;,' $:il,!)'JS..| 1. l;,pt
of I'oHt.i.li'n.for ISSO, 1 1 'J l.'t. Of course, after the i:onipli'lion of the radviay,
Iht^ cost of tliu more expviisive r.i'ltes was ).;reatly lediieed. In l!S.S2 Iheio
were (12 ])ost-olIice3 on tlie island and niainlantl. I''or list, see It. ('. Itiml.,
IHS'J-;!, ;t70. In liSOS mails were lii.st, sent dire(;t to S. V. hy wteanier. S. A".
(till, Apr. ;J0, lfS(i8. In ISSO Hleaineis sailed flom S. I'", to Victoria every
eighth day. At this (hite, also, a s\d)marine ealile connected Victoria with the
mainland, erossinj^ the j^ulf of (ieor/^ia at Nanaiino, w hile another cahlc, laid
iicrofi' !■ straits of San.luande Fuca, conneetid the capital with Wnshiu^-
toll , I. ' ..unco with all parts of the world. Jl. ('. iJincf., ISsl-."), 0. Soiuicl-
iiij^'s for a Huliniaiine cable were talieii in ISSl. <S'. /'. tliillitiii, May IJ, Issl.
In ISOHacablo had already been laid between Vietoria and S. .Inan. S. /'".
('■ill, Sept. 8, l>S(J!S; and ir ISU.') across ilic Fraaer. .S'. /'. All'\ April 1, l.i(l,">.
I'or mcnlion of the proposi;d liui-sian-Auicricun telcgia[il) line, koi- >S. /'. ' '■(/«'_
Apr. I'J, ISlli; .V. )'. S/tiiijHinj JAst, iu .V. /'. Ma: UaiMi', Nov. I'J, XlkW; S. F.
JJullclin, Jan. G, IS05.

Si tli

i\':(

Wl ■!'

758

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

the dominion. Meanwhile she can claim, at least,
the distinction of being one of the most progressive
regions of British North America, and though but a
few years ago considered almost as a cipher when
compared with other provinces, may prove t^ be a
cipher which contributes untold value to all the rest.
As in other parts of the Pacific coast, and as in
Australia, the rescources of British Columbia would
not have been even partially developed but for the
discovery of gold ; and here, as elsewhere, though of
the thousands lured by expectation of sudden richt s
a few acquired a fortune, and a considerable nu rbtj-
realized modest gains, the majority not only be. -^ jo
bankrupt in pocket, but, suffering hunger and priva-
tion, had cause to rue their folly in forsaking more
substantial gains, and awoke from their visions oi"
{)hantom wealth to the stern realities of their condi-
tion, as an outcast from a dream of paradise. To such
daring, open-handed, and often noble-hearted men,
countries which have since attained to prominence are
indebted, not only for their origin, but for much of
their progress; and on the forgotten graves of these
reckless adventurers, abandoned in life to the bitter-
ness of despair and degradation, will rest the pillars
of mighty states and empires.

In closing the records of British Columbia, it may
not be without interest to refer once more to the
Canadian Pacific railway, which, as the reader will
remember, was ccmiplcted in the summer of 1885, the
terminus being at Port Moody, though it would proh-
ably have been removed to Vancouver, at the mouth
of Burrard Inlet, but for the destruction of that town
by fire in June IBSG.*"

It is claimed that the distance from Chinese cr

^'Caused by the brush fires on the railroad lots. In this couflagnitinii
several lives aiul 5*00,000 worth of property v ere lost. At least :i,(MH) jiur-
HoiiH were ri'iiilorotl homeless. S. F. ( hl■()lliclt:,^\\m': ]4, 188(5. Forile.serii)tiiiii,
Bee III., Juno IT), 188G. A few weeks later a largo lire occurred at Victoria.
1(L, Sept. 3, 188G.

RAILROAD FACILITIES.

759

at least,
regressive
ugh but a
her when
e t. be a
1 the rest.
and as in
ibia would
it for the
though of
den rich: ::i
le im.rsbei
ly be; -^ jo
md privp-
iing more
visions of
leir condi-
To such
rted men,
inence arc
' much of
s of these
he bitter-
,he pillars

)ia, it may

ire to the

L'ader will

1885, tlu!

)uld proli-

1)0 moutli

that town

!!hinese <>r

conflagration
■ast a,0<M> l" I-
oi-ileHcTil)tiiiTi,
il at Victoria.

Japanese ports to Liverpool by way of the Canadian
Pacific is from 1,000 tc 1,200 miles nearer than by
other Pacific railroads. Moreover, vessels bound, let
us say, with cargoes of tea from Canton to Victoria
would, while in the trade-winds, take about the same
course as if bound for San Francisco ; but those des-
tined for the former port would save about 700 miles
of sea route, in addition to a considerable saving in
port charges and wharfage. From Vancouver to
Montreal by rail the distance is 2,905 miles, and
from San Francisco to New York bv the Central
and Union Pacific it is 3,3G3 ; thus in the transit of
the cargo there would be a further saving of 458
miles. The dominion government has determined to
establish a steamship line between Liverpool and
Quebec in summer, and between Liverpool, Halifax,
and Portland, Maine, in winter.™ Arrangements
have also been made for a service between San Fran-
cisco and the western terminus of the Canadian Pa-
cific, the traffic to be under the entire control of the
company. It is claimed, also, notwithstanding state-
ments to the contrary, that the line can be operated
throughout its entire length every day in the year.'''
Fii ally, it is probable that a line of British mail
steau;e "3 will be established between Vancouver and
j'orts in China, Japan, and Australia, and that this
lii:o v/ill be subsidized by the British government.
Tijiis it will be seen that the Canadian Pacific is by
iio ''en IS an insignitlcant rival for the transconti-
nental traffic of North A.merica.

In this relation other factors nmst also be consid-
ered. The Canadian Pacific is virtually national prop-

^ Circulars wero aililresscd to steanisliip owners in Oct. 188(i, asking fur
tenders for a weekly mail service. The contract was to l)e for ten year.i, ti:e
veasela to have a speed of not less than tifteca knot^, and the cont'actors
must not discriminate against Canadian freijdit. /</., Oct. 24, l.SS(i.

'•'^ Letter of C. Van Horn, vice-iiri'sident Can. I'ae. K. K., in Ii/., IVK. 18,
'SSG. Mr Horn states that a very large amount of money has heeii expcniled
■"'til this purpose in view. 'On our main line,' ho writes, 'from (,)uihee to
' M.iiiorc ill tlie liocky Mountains, whicli is as far a,i we have hccn operating
che line tliis winter, a distance of iJ,r)(K) miles, we have not hoeu ohlig.d to
cuiicel a singlo train on account of snow or any other reason.'

Iliti

'i'iif

-GO

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

crty — the property of the dominion of Canada — and,
as the reader is aware, government railways seldom
earn more than nominal dividends. In Great Britain,
■whence the .^-^-eater portion of the capital for this pro-
ject was derived, and where railroads were built by
private entcq)rise, four and a half per cci)t is consid-
ered a good return on ordinary stock, and on preferred
stock less than four per cent. In Australia, where the
I'Iroads were built by government, the returns arc
p •< ■ 7 between two and three per cent on the capi-
tal • >ited. Encumbered with the huge load of dcKt
which tlie dominion government incurred by its sub-
sidies, at least working expenses must be earned, and
as soon as possible some reasonable interest on the
outlay. But as yet the line runs for the most part
through a solitude, though a solitude fertile in agri-
cultural and mineral resource.

To earn expenses merely, and to build up a business
that gives prospect of moderate dividends, it may
be necessary to enter into aggressive competition
with other transcontinental lines. The road is will
equip])ed; the rolling stock, especially the passenger-
cars, is of excellent quality, and in all the provinces
the line lias naturally absorbed the bulk of the traffic;
which was formerly in tlic hands of American railway
companies. During the summer of 188G, freight ly
way of St Paul was taken for Chicago and points on
the Missoun River at from $10 to $12 per ton, and
during the same year the Canadian Pacific offered to
convey farming produce and ore, whether for assay or
Avorking, from Savona's Ferry and intervening stations
to Port Moody at $4 per ton — a rate which would en-
able miners to forward ores to San Francisco at $(> per
ton.''" At such rates it would appear that there should
be no great difficulty in obtaining traffic. First-class
fares liom San Francisco or Port Moody to Xew
York were in November 188G $70, against $81 fmni

"'Tlu! rate on canned gouda was $11 a ton, and by other linea $18. Id.,
Aug. i!*J, 188G.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

761

San Francisco over tlio Central or Soutliern Pacific.
The trij) hy the northern hne possesses at least the
charm of novelty, and many who have already trav-
elled over the Central and Southern routes will take it
for that reason ; the more so as the province of British
Columbia presents scenery of surpassing beauty and
grandeur. In conclusion, the Canadian Pacific is out of
debt, or very nearly so,"' and considering the low rates
of wages prevailing in Canada, and the low prices of
material and supplies, the working expenses of the
road will be considerably smaller in proportion than
those of American railways.

In 1880, the immense telegraph system of the
company, extending from Montreal to the Pacific
Ocean, was completed, and connection made with
American lines. United with the Atlantic cable at
Halifax, as proposed, British Columbia will be placed
in telegraphic communication with the British pos-
sessions in the East, soundings having already been
taken between A^ancouver Island and Japan.

i'ears have been expressed that the establishment
of a British steams] lip between China and tlie Pacific
coast may result in a large impoi'ation of coolies.
This would seem improbable, in view (jf the fact that
under the Chinese regulation act a tax of ^50 is col-
lected on each Chinese ])assenger before he is allowed
to land. The people of British Coh.imbia are as much
op[)osed to Chinese hibor as are those of California,
but as yet there has been little anti-Chinese agita-
tion.''* When, howevt>r, it was ascertained that one
of the Mexican states was in need of coolie labor,

inus§18. /'/.,

"^ III 188(i tlio Cdnipany oweil tho government .?20, 000,000, and it was pro-
posed to settle the elaini hy caneelling .sl(),OlH),()()0 wortli of its land grant,
and the monopoly claiisu of its charter, giving the company exeliisivr rights
ill the Northwest for a term of twenty years. Ottawa Tiincn, iu S. /'. C/noii.,
April 1'2, 1880.

*M)ii the 7th of Septend)er, 18S.'), a hody of working men visited the va-
rious estahlishmcnts where Chinese were employed, and demanded work.
The proprietors refused, except tho owner of a shoe factory, who, kiiciwing
that there were no Chinese in the crowd, otl'ered an advance of '25 per cent
ou tho wages paid to Ciiinameu. S. F, C/imn., Sept. 9, 1885.

738

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

offers were at once made to the authorities to supply
thein with all that they needed, and on their own
terms.

As to the affairs of government, there is little more
to be said. Of late, cxeej)t for a collision between
the dominion and provincial police ^^ in September
1885, and a slight Indian disturbance in the northern
part of the province in September'* of the same year,
the placid current of events has seldom been dis-
turbed by even a ripple of excitement. As in most
British colonies, the people are contf nted and prosper-
ous, receiving absolute protection under the law and
from the law, living in perfect security as to rights,
person, and property, and secure also from all danger
of legal oppression.

Some dissatisfaction has been caused by the want
of reciprocal action on the part of the American gov-
ernment as to the extradition treaty. In 1886a noted
criminal," who had escaped from British Columbia,
was discharged by the United States court, although
a deputy attorney -general was sent to watch the case
for the crown. On the other hand, all prisoners de-
manded by the United States for extradition have
been promptly surrendered. A fugitive convict caj)-
tured some years ago on British soil was sent back at
an expense of $2,700 to the provincial government;
but in 1886 this sum had not been refunded by tlie
United States.

Another question which has given rise to some dis-
satisfaction is the seizure in 1886 of British vessels
engaged in seal-hunting in the Bering Sea. The
crews of the vessels thus seized laid their case before
the minister of marine and fisheries at Victoria, and
their statement was forwarded to the home sfovern-

^^ Caused through the seizure by the dominion police of liquors held l>y
parties having a provincial license. For description, see /(/., Sept. ,5, 188").

''" Among the Metlakatlas, who refused to permit the civil engineer to sur-
vey the Indian reserve on lielialf of the dominion government, claiming that
the entire country was theirs. S. F. Bull., Sept. 16, ]88().

°' Known as Bull Dog Kelly. S. F. Chrm., Feb. 15, 188G

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

703

ment for consideration. By act of congress, dated
July 27, 1868, it was made a penal offence to kill fur-
bearin*^ animals within the limits of Alaska or Alaskan
waters. But how shall the phrase Alaskan waters be
interpreted ? During the earlier period of the Russian
American company's occupation it was alleged that all
the waters between Alaska and Siberia belonged to
Russia; but that country did not succeed in making
good its claim. Moreover, by referring to the impe-
rial oukaz, granted to the company in 1799, and quoted
in my History of Alaska/'^ it will be found that no
mention is made of any special rights in the Bering
Sea, or even in inland waters, but only to "use and
profit," in certain territory, "by everything which has
been or shall be discovered on the surface and in the
bosom of the earth." In 1807 this territory was trans-
ferred to the United States, the consideration being
$7,200,000. The dividing line, defined merely to in-
clude all of this territory, runs northward into the
Arctic, and southward into the north Pacific Ocean;
but it does not appear that by the payment of this
sum of $7,200,000 the United States acquired an ex-
clusive right to the Arctic Sea and the north Pacific
Ocean.^'

68 Pp. 379-80.

*" III the Maratime Matters on the Northwest Coast, and Affairs of the Hud-
son's Bay Company in Early Time--', by James Cooper, MS., 1 have been fur-
nished with much valuable information. Commencing with the year 1S44, at
wiiiuh date Mr Cooper, a native of Wolverliamptoii, England, entered the
service of the Hudson's Bay Company, and when the three supply-ships
Vancouver, Cowlitz, and Columbia were the only regular traders, his narrative
is eontiucd until the death of Uov. Seymour in 18li'J.

British Columbia Sketc/ies, MS., is the title of a work also relating in part
to maritime affairs. One of these sketches is by Herbert George Lewis, who
sailed for Vancouver in 1S4S, as an oliicer in the Coniilx, anil afterward fo.iiid
employment ou board various craft. lie has sapplied me with mauy i .ems
concerning the company's ships and the men-of-war stationed on the joast.
At this date the vessels of the II. B, Co. traded with several countries. The
Cowlitz, for instance, after discharging cargo at Fort Vancouver, in Is 18,
loaded with wheat for Sitka, and thence sailed for the Hawaiian Islands, w ilh
lumber and lish, returning with a freight of sugar and molasses to Fort Van-
couver, whence she was ilespatched with a cargo of furs to London. Of
Michael and liobert Muir, of whom the .SV.-cir/j('s supply partial memoirs, men-
tion ia made on p. 103-4, 2oi, this vol. William Jolin Macdonald, a native of
the Isle of Skye, also came out to Vancouver in the couipauy's service, laud-
ing at Victoria in 1851. Ordered to Sau Juan Island during this year, to take

■Si

764

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

charge of n, party of Frencli Canadians employed in salmon-curinc, and Lcing
still in tlic company's scrvicu at llic tiiiio v. hen the forhouiancc of Admiral
liaynca ulonu prevented war between Cioat iJiitaiu and Anieiiea, iii.< aeeouiit
of tlio Si'.n .Iu:iii dillieulty, already recorded in tliese pages, is of special value.
Ill IS.",;) .Ml' .Mr.cdonald was elected a member of the legislative assembly of
Vancouver for the 8ooke district.

In J'almcr'n Wagon Trains, MS., I have been furnished with an inter-
eftiiig aceount of a journey madc'ljy Joel Falmer, from Independence, ^lo., ta
Orc;,'(,n in 1845. A native of Canada, though of American parentage, (ien.
rainier, when grown to manhood, found employment in I'eun. on public
workii and canals, being afterward i)laccd in charge of a 25-milc seeUon of
the I'cnii. eaiKil. In lyl4 ho was elected a iiicmber of the I'enn. legislature.
During his journey across the plains and mountains he took notes of the
road and diii;,ncc3 traversed, which wore subsequently embodied in a Guide-
JlouL/or Eiiiii/niiilH, published in Cincinnati. Residing for a brief space in
Victoria, at the time when Douglas was the leading spirit on the ialand and
mainbmd, he has supplied mo with items of value concerning this period.

'Jo t!ic Cluiiuctcri Hvsof Jamfn JJoikjUi.i, MS., by E. Cridgc, I am also in-
debted for a description of the means whereby tliis skilful ruler of men, ably
seconded by A. F. Pemberton, wliom he appointed commissioner of jioliec,
made Eiidish law respected and obeyed during the troublous times of the
gold excitement.

Of the few works thus far published concerning British Columbia, mention
has for the most part been made. In the I'ncts and Fiijiircs I'cliitinr/ to I'. /.
and li. v., hi/ J. JJinpard Pemberton, London, ISUO, we liavea brief description
of the general condition of the country, its fauna, flora, and geology, of the
progress and commerce of the two colonies, with their principal scttlenient.s,
ancl of the society which they contained, with some excellent advice to intend-
ing emigrants.

The Nnturcdist in V. I. and D. C, by John Keast Lord, F. Z. S., in two
vols, London, 1800, besides the natural history of the island and mainland,
contains some interesting descriptions of travel, sport, and adventure in t'lie
north-west. In the appendix is a detailed list of the zoological collcctioii3
made by Mr Lord, while employed as naturalist to the boundary commission.

In TravcU In li. C. and Alanka, by Newton II. Chittendon, Victoria, ISS'J,
are briefly outlined the resources and capabilities of the province, and there
is also some mention of various settlements and industries, with an account
of the railroad, as matters stood with this enterprise at that time.

In the Ii'cjiortu of Progress of the Geulo'jiail Survey of Canada are contained
Selwyn'■^ Journal and I'rport of Preliminary Explorations in IJrilish Columlii'i;
Ilickardfion on the Coal- Fields of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands, with
map of former, an app. by J. W. Dawsun on fossil plants, another by DillinL's
on mcsozoic fossils, and a third by Harrington on the coals of the west coast;
Sflwyn's Oliseivadons in the Northwest Territory, with app. by R. J. Harring-
ton on western coals; liichardson on Geological E.vplorations in British Colum-
bia; U'hiteaves' Nvtes on the Cretaceous Fossils collected by Mr Jtis liichardson
at Vancouver and the adjacent Islands, with lithographed plate; Sehryii's
Report on Explorations in British Columbia, with appendices by Macoun,
Whitcaves, and Lo Conte; Dawson's Report on Exploitations in British Colum-
bia; Scudder on the Insects of the Tertiary Beds at Quesnel, British Columhvr;
Daicsou's Geniral Notes on the Mines and Minerals of Economic Value of British
Columhiit, with a List of Localities, reprinted with additions and alterations
from the railway report, 1877; U'hileaves' Notes on some Jurassic Fossils col -
kcted by Mr G. M. Dawson in the Coast Rawje of British Columbia; llichiird-
son's Re//oit on the Coed-Fields of Namiimo, Comox, Cowitchan, Burrard Inlet.
andSooke, British Columbia, with three illustrations and a map; Scudder's Ad-
dilious to the Insect-Fauna of the Tertiary Beds at Quesnel, British Colmnliia;
Dawson's Preliminary Report on the Physical and Genlo'iicid Features of the.
Southern Portion of the Interior of British Columbia; Dawson's Report on the
Quetn Charlotte Islands, and app. A to G — ap. A relating to the Ilaidahs; li

BIBIJOORAPHY.

705

to tlicir vocabulary; C, by J. F. Witeavcs, to somo marine invertebrata from
tlie QuuLii Lliarlolte Islands; L), liy 8. J. .Smitli, to cnistacca from tlic Queen
Charlotte and Vancouver Islands; K, by J. Macoun, containing list of iilants
from tlio Queen Chnrlotto Islands; V, meteorological oLservalions; and O,
notes on latitude and longitiulc; JJawnou'n Hcporl on an i.\ijtluraiiiiii/rom Fort
Simpson, on. the I'wijic I'ount, to Edmonton, on the Sw-katrltcinin, with app.
containing list of i)!ant8 collected, and meteorological observations in tlio
northern part of IJritisli Colundiia, the Peace River district, and between
Edmonton and Manitoba, together with notes on latitude j.nd longitude; Vom-
parative Vocahnlarks of tlic Ihdian 'J'rilics of Uril'.sh Cohimliki, with a nir.p
illustrating distribution, by W. FraserTolmie and George M. Daw.son; J'ijkjvI
on the Polijzoa of the Qwen Charlotte Islands, by Thos Hincks, reprinted liom
the Annuls and Mwjazine of Kalural Jlistortj, London, Dec. 1S82, June 188;{,
March 1S84; ile.xozoic Fossils, by J. E. Wliiteaves. Vol. i., parts i.-iii., with
lithographed plates, Montreal, 1870, 1870, 18S4. For list of geologieal and
other maps, see List of Publicniioiis of the Geoloi/iccd (Did Aalumt History
Survey of Canada, Ottawa, 1881, passim. British North America is the title
of a vol. published by the lieligious Tract Society of London. 'Ihc writer
resided in several of the provinces, an<l had advantages of making himself
acquainted with their condition. He likewise drew much information from
Ulue Cooks issued by the Canadian govt, and parliamentary papers. It
brictly touches upon the early history and discoveiics of several portions of
the territory, and affords considerable statistical information. A good deal
of the book, however, is about tlic aborigines and Canada, not serviceable for
liistorical purposes, and the hand and style of the missionary is traceable
throughout.

Of the various guide-books, directories, and prospectuses of mining and
other associations, published from time to time in the colonics or the province,
no further mention is required in these pages. On the 29th of October, I8G1,
the colonial government of V. I. by publiu notice invited essays on the re-
sources of the island o'ld the ad autagcs which it offered to settlers. A pre-
mium of JCdO was offered for the bestessay, and£10for the second best. The
competing essays were to be sent to the colonial secretary sealed, no name or
mark being attached whereby the authors might be known to the adjudica-
tors. To the manuscript, however, must be atUxed a distincti\e motto, whoso
duplicate should be written on the outside of a sealed envelope, within which
the name of the author should be written. All essays received were to re-
main the property of the government, but the scaled envelopes of unsuccess-
ful candidates were to be returned unopened if desired. A board, consisting
of C. T. Woods, W. F. Tolmie, and G. M. Sproat, was appointed to decide
upon the relative merits of the coni'-'^sitions. In accordance with this an-
nouncement, several essays were received, and after careful examination the
prize was awarded to Charles Forbes. Mr Forbes' production was printed in
1802 by the colonial government, under the title oi Prize Essay: I'ancoimr
Island; Its /'(sources and Capnhilitics ai a ('olouy. 85 paijes, 8vo. It is divided
into five parts, embracing climate, physical features, society, products, and
prospects. It is statistical ratlier than historical, and possesses transient
rather than permanent interest. Desultory in its ccmstruction, the searcher
in any one branch of information is obliged to glean from every page and
closely to regard every paragraph. Yet the pamplilet answered very well the
purpose for which it was written. It seems that the mainland was expecting
about the same time a similar r(5sum(^', setting forth its good r alities, but
was disappointed. None of the attempts made did justice to th> cause. In
this emergency, following the example of the island, rewards were oflcrcd, on
the 11th of March, 1802, of like amounts for like productions, subject to the
same conditions. As the result of this action, there appeared, printed at tlio
Royal Engineer Press at New Westminster in 1803, British Cohtmhia: An
Essay by the J!ev. li. C. Lnndin Brown, M. A., Minister of St Marys, Lilloocf,
an unbound octavo of ninety-seven pages. The second chapter opens with a
description of Fraser River and New Westminster, written by Sheepshanks.

706

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

Brown's production is much clearer, more comprehensive, nnd yet more con-
cise tiian tlint of Forbes. In 187'2 A. C. Anderson piiblislicd a (,'ovcrninunt
prize essay, entitled The Dominion at the West, embracin,£{ all poiiit^s of inter-
cat touched by any of his predecessors, and covering both island luul main-
land. To a thorough knowledge of the country Mr Anderson uiiilnl line
literary tastes and much experience as a writer. Hence we find liis v.oi k in
every respect wellnigli perfect in its way. In the latter part of 187S I wrote
Mr Anderson for information further than that in my possession concerning
his prize essay entitled The Dominion of the West; a liiief Dencrlpti n of the
Province of Uriligh Columbia, itn Climate and lienonrcia. Oovinimciil Prize
EfKaij of 1S72, and published at Victoria the same year. This ia tine of a series
of excellent essays on the features of the country and its attractions, v ritten
and printed under the auspices of government. I alfo asked Mr Anderson
concerning the other prize essays. He answered mo the 30th of Dct( inbcr;
'I rather tliink that the prizes for V. I. and B. C. were offered simulian.'ously
at the time you state; and that the necessary competition not havii',? been
elicited for the B. C. essay, the prize was not adjudged, nnd a new iiiMi..iLion
was issued. This elicited Mr Brown's essay, which took the first jn'ize. I
myself wrote, too, on this occasion, my essay being, with necessary altera-
tions to suit the time, almost a counterpart in chief particulars of my liist
published essay. To my production of 1802 the second prize of i," 10 was
awarded, but it was not printed. I am not aware of any other publications
of a local nature save two or three tours, chiefly of geographical import,
printed by oflicers of the royal engineers, entirely of an olticial nntuic. In
1808 1 completed my large map of B. C, scale ten miles to the inch, which
comprised all that was tlien known of the country, including my ov, a notes
and those of the late Mr Black. A descriptive treatise, chielly on natural
history, accompanied this. The whole was accepted by the government of
the period, but save as affording a foundation for other maps since published,
my map has never been l)rought forward. Indeed, the more accurate surveys
ell'ected by the railway parties render it out of date for utility.' For further
items concerning MrAndcrson, see pp. 158-9, 109-70, 182-4, this vol.; and for
biograpliy and decease, S. F. Alta, May 11, 1884. Alexander Allen, after
mining in Cal. for six years, removed to Victoria in 18C0, and in 1800-7 edited
the Cariboo Sentinel. Allen'x Cariboo, MS., 1. Dr Baillie, an old resident of
Victoria, was drowned by the capsizing of the brig Flnrentia, near Cape Flat-
tery. Barrett- LenartVs Travels in B. C, 113-14. London, 1802. The au-
tiior of this last-mentioned work came from England in 1809, nnd passed
nearly two years in V. I. and the mainland, sailing round the formiT in a
small yacht which he brought with him. The book relates mainly tn his own
observations and adventures, and contains little of historic value. John Bis-
scH, a pioneer, for decease of, in 1883, eco Sac. Record-Union, Feb. G, 1883.
Robert Brown, in his Vancouver Inland Explortition, Victoria, 1804, has
written the narrative of an expedition, undertaken for the discovery of gold,
to Cowichin Lake, Barclay Sound, San Juan Harbor, Sooke, Leech River,
and various points on the island, a reward of $5,000 having been ollered for
such discovery by the colonial government. C. C. CoflBn, in The Seat of Empire,
Boston, 1870, gives an account of a tour in the northern U. S. and B. C,
with observations on the advantages of the north-west as to settlement, soil,
mining, and farming. Nicholas Cooke, a native of Germany, came to B. C.
in 18.".8, being one of the first miners on the Fraser. His decease occurred at
his homo at Plumper Pass, Oct. 18, 1870. Seattle Intelligencer, Oct. 27, 1870.
K. Cornwallis, author of The New El Dorndo, London, 1858, arrived in Vic-
toria in June 1858, and after making a short trip to tlie Fraser diggings,
considered himself qualified to write a book about the two colonies, which lii!
did, in a rambling style, som.cwhat after the fashion of a cheap Sunday news-
paper. H. C. Courterey, a native of Dublin, arrived at Victoria in 1801 in
the Kaffir Chief from London, and tried his fortune at the Cariboo mines.
Conrterey's Min, B. C, MS., 1. W. F. Crate, an employ^ of the H. B. Co.,
first crosaed the Rocky Mountains in 1828, and again in ISdOi on this ooca-

BIBLIOORAPflY

707

yet more con-
a (.'ovcniinont
oiiitH tjf inter-
ml mill iiiiiin-
in uiiitnil lino
il liis work in
' 1878 I wrote
oil uonccrniug
rri I'll i III oj' the
\rtimcnt Prize
iiuc of ft serii's
tions, written
Mr AiiiiciHon
of Dctciiibcr:
imulian jously
; liavii',? been
new iuvitntion
first ju-izc. I
jessiiry nltera-
ars of my last
zo of £10 was
;r publications
pineal import,
al nature. In
le iiieli, which
my own notes
elly on natural
jovernnicnt of
neo published,
curate surveys
[' For further
[s vol. ; and for
r Allen, after
1800-7 edited
Id resident of
car Cape Flat-
802. The au-
9, and passed
former in a
nly tohisown
le. John ]jis-
Feb. G, 1883.
la, 1804, has
every of gold.
Leech Ilivcr,
:en oO'ercd for
eat ot'Emjiire,
a. and B. C,
ttlcmcnt, soil,
came to D. C.
so occurred at
Oct. 27, 1870.
rrived in Vic-
ascr diggings,
nies, which he
Sunday ncwu-
)ria in 1801 iu
iriboo mines.
;ho II. B. Co.,
on this ouca-

iion in company with Donglns and others who afterward Ixjcamc prominent
ill the service, lie early built u saw and grist mill at Fort Vi.ucouver. After
43 years' experieneo of frontier and colonial life, he died at Cowichin during
the year of the confederation. Olympia Transcript, Oct. 7. 1871; Urit. Colo-
nist, Oct. 3, l87l. Ueorgo Dixon, for 18 years in thoserviccof the H. B. Co.,
died at Victoria in 1859. Thomas Eurle, a, native of Lansdownc, Ont.,
reached Victoria in 1802, via the Isthmus, and opened business as a wholesale
grocer, becoming one of the best and most intelligent of citizens. Jules Fery,
in his Gold Starches, MS., furnishes a brief account of the Cariboo and Cussiar
mines during the winter of 1801-2, a portion of which was passed by the
author in hunting for gold.

Simon Frascr ia the author of an OriginalJonmal, April 12 to July 18, 1806,
MS.; /(/., May 30 to June 10, 1808, MS., and of Letters from the Hocky Muttn-
tainx, Aug. 1, 1800, to Feb. 10, 1807, MS., the former giving a narrative of a
journey to the head waters of Peace Iliver, to a post on Trout Lake, and
thcuco of a southerly exploration for the purpose of examining the country
and discovering sites for new trading jiosts. In the latter is a description of
the progress of Fraser, Stuart, ond Qucsnel, down the great river of the
mainland, and through the country of the Chilkotins. The dangerous charac-
ter of the rapids, and the dilHcultiea of each day's journey, are fully recorded.
George Gladman, whose father was a chief factor to the H. B. Co., was cm-
ployed by tho company as a clerk between 1814 and 1830, at the latter date
receiving a commission as chief trader. Appointed store-keeper and account-
anc at Moose and York factories, he resigned in 1845, was I'ecommissioned
live years later, and again resigning in 1853, retired to his farm near the set-
tlement of IIoi)e. Ript If. li. Co., July, Aug., 18.'>7, 390. G. M. Grant, the
author of Ocean to Ocian, London, 1873, was secretary to tho expedition made
i.i the interests of tho overland railway in 1872, his party following about the
same route as the one taken by Milton and Chcadle. The book consists
mainly of a diary of his journey, with the adventures incidental thereto, and
contains little inlormation of value. Tlien there was a Grant — James, I think,
was his name — a native of Canada, and fcr several years stationed at Fort
Hall, in tho service of the H. B. Co. Ho was 'rather a mediocrity,' saya
Roberts, 'fond of tipple, and a very large, I may say an extra fine-looking,
man. It is related tliat, when attired in uniform, ho was the observed of all
observers by the sex.' Ikcolleclions, MS., 51. Ebcy speaks of him as 'a line
specimen of the old English gentleman, active as a cat at 70 years of age, and
with hair and beard white as snow.' Journal, MS., 197. Hardisty, in 1854,
clerk in charge at Fort Yukon, was in 1SG7 commander of tho ^lackenzie
River district, northern department. D. W. Harmon, a native of Vt, and a
chief factor of the H. B. Co., was in charge of Fort St James, in 1811-17.
His diary or journal was published in book form, and the frequency with
which it has been quoted ia some evidence of its merit. Jerome and Thad-
deus Harper, Americans by birth, were for many years the proprietors of a
grist-mill at Clinton, which supplied the Cariboo miners with flour. On the
decease of his elder brother, about 1875, Thaddeus Harper took charge of tiio
business, and besides his other interests, was in 1878 tho largest owner of
live-stock in B. C. Good's Brit. Col., MS., 83. J. S. Helnickcn, a native cf
London, England, and by profession a medical practitioner, arrived at Victt 'ki
in 1850, and with the exception of a few months in 1870, continued to rctn '^
in the capital. In 1852 he married a daughter of .Sir James Douglas, and in
1808 was elected a member of the legislative council. Further mention may
be found on p. 243-0, this vol. W. II. Hooper, in his Teiv Months Amoiirj
the Tcnt.i of the Tuski, London, 1853, gives an account of the expedition of
H. M. S. Plover in search Sir John Franklin and his party in 1S4S-51.
Tiiough dcscri[)tive mainly of the Eskimo tribes, Arctic exploration, and tho
inculents of tho voyage, the work also contains information as to several of
the II. B. Co.'s posts. J. S. Kennedy, one of the earliest pioneers of B. C,
and for 20 years acting as surgeon to the H. B. Co. at Fort Vancouver, Nis-
qually, and Nanaimo, was also a member of the Vancouver house of assembly.

;l!ll|

768

INDUSTRIES, C0MMKRC:E, AND FINANCE.

IIo rlipil (it Victoria in thu spring of 18.')!), W. Knnc, a native of Ireland,
■orvcil for "JCi ytara inulur tlio II. IJ. (,'o., iind liiing rfconiinia^ioiu'd in IMli,
nftiT ii visit liKiiio wns upjiointod, in IS.iO, to the iliar;;.o of I'ort Liard. Kanc'i
Wnuth riiiij'' vf (III Arli^t, «i;j-0; lloojxr's Tenia oj' the Tv.ski, .'587 8.

A. McDoiiald, cliicf factor of llio II, 1>. Co., was married to the danghtcr
of a l)l;ii;I;foot taclicin, by vvlioni iio liad a, cluld. named CIn istinc, ■" lio, when
b1)o f,'ri\v to wiiiiianiiood, was described as 'a vei'y modest, well-bred, and line-
locking young woman,' 8lio wua an uxpirt liurtiewonian, riding uiilride, ami
with n herape buckled round her waist. McDonald was a man of remarkably
(ino i)!iyal(|nc, six feet high, erect and o( utately enrriago. ilia long, (lowing
liuir tinng down over lii.i siionlders in Indian t'a:>hion. llo spent most of \\\i
time ill tlic saddle, and would never get into a « heeled vehiilc. I'li'jrt SjiiioI,
M8., l()-ll. 'ihcic i.'j a McDougall mcntioneil in W'/iymiicr'M yikixLci, '^o\, ua
in command at Tort Yukon in Juno 1807. For mention of Thomas JIcKay.
Bon of Alexiinder McKay of Ton(|uiii niaH.sacrc hui]o,Ho(iAmlirnou's A'orih
Count, My., 71-5. John McLean, in his Ao^ct af a /'uriUi/-Jive Yearn' Scrvlre
ill the J/nUMii'n Day Tirrilori/, 2 vols, London, 1840, treats mainly of trap-
ping and trading ex[iorieHco8 in Vancouver and New Caledonia. !Sir Kicliaid
ilait.land, in 1801 in command of the llag-ship /kicrhaiite, at E3i|uinialt, is
mentioned by Mr Good us an oilicer rcmaikalilu for his strict discipline; in
con8c(|uencc of which, twenty of his men, including warrnnt-officcrs, deserted
the vessel und escaped iicross the Sound. Urit. Col., MS., 'J. W. Mil.cheil
was in 1800 chief trader in charge at Fort llnpert. liurreft Lrnard'a 'J'rnvils
in lirlt. Cul., 03. For further items, sec JJrU. Colonic, Jan. I'A, 1870; Victo-
ria Sluidnnl, J nn. 19, 1870; Witlami'tte Tarmn; Feb. IS, 1870,

\\ . S. Mitchell, formerly one of the proprietors of the Jiritith Coloiii.it, « as
killed in 1807, by falling down a mining yliaft at Cariboo. S " Call, June !l,
18U7. William Moore lirst attempted to run a steamer up'' keeninl80'J,

but suffered shipwreck. Meeting with success at tho Gas; 'cs, ho built

anothc;' sleanibuat, Alleu'.i Cariboo, M-^. , \0. Mrllcynold^ ..as a farmer

in the Iiaacr Valley, west of Okanagan, in 1S.')0. Two years later his land
produced abundant crops. lJoii<ilu», Prirali' Pap'rn, first scries, M8., 149.
Jtochj MoKiitaia Journal, Dec. '20, 180.5, to I'Vb. 28, 1800, MS., gives merely a
record of the daily labor and routine at one of tho Northwest Company '.i out-
lying forts, and is otherwise entirely uninteresting. II. II. Schoolcralt, in his
Per.<onal McmoirK, Phil., 18)1, has scattered throughout his ntirrativo a few
brief notices of the fur-traders, and their niocieof trallic. His experience was,
for the most part, limited to the Canadian frontier, near the lower cud of Lake
Superior, and at Michilmackenack, where he was stationed as Indian agent.
Thomas Spence, a native of Dundee, reached Victoria in May ISoS, and soon
afterwanl began business as a contractor, building the portion of the Cariboo
road between Ijoston Dar and Lyttou within four months, und employing on
this work nearly 003 men. In connection with Trutch, ho obtained tho con-
tract for building the Alexandria bridge, and superintended many other public
works, among them the removal of tho .Sister roiks in the Frascr, and tlio
IJeavsr rock in Victoria harbor. VowiU'k Miiiinii JJiKtricIa, Mi>., 2'.-^0. G.
M. Sproat, in his Sceiien anil Simlies of S lvu'Jo Life, treats mainly of the tribes
in the vicinity of IJarelay .Sound, and on the west coast of V. I., their cus-
toms, el;aracterit:tic3, language, etc., as they appeared to him during a resi-
dence of six years, licginning Aug. 1803, while in charge of the setLlcmeiit of
Alborni, Brilinh Columbia, Infonnalion for Emiiirant.x, issued under tho direc-
tion of the agent-general for the province, Loinlon, 1873, by the same author,
is a mode 1 emigration pamphlet, and gives 'tiore exact and condensed infor-
mation than any similar work at that time extant. Mr Tait v.as in 1S7'2
agent for the II. IJ. Co, at Kamloop. Francis Tarbell, anativoof New York,
arrived in Victoria in July 1858, bringing a stock of goods from .S, F., on which
he realized a fair profit. About 1S07 he liought an interest in tho steamer
Groiye S. Wrhjht, which ran between Portland, Victoria, and Sitka, in oppo-
sition to IJcn Ilolliday's line, to which he sold out, some two years Later,
afterward settling at Olympia, where, in 1878, he was territorial treasurer.

BIBIJOflRAPIIY.

7C9

of Ireland,

oiii'd ill IM(1,
Liaril. Kanf*

the ilutiglitfr
ic, " lio, wllfll
iicd, 11 nil line-
g uslriiU', uiiil
L)f rtiii;irUuljly

long, (low i 11,1^
t must uf Wii

I'u'jft Soimil,
[IusIm, -01, ii»
omas McKuy.
irsoii'x North

Yearn' Srrvi't

luinly of tmp-

Sir llicluud

Eai|uimaU, is

iliscipliin-'; ill

[iccrs, deserted

\V. Milchud

nanl's TrniuU

), 1S70; Victo-

iliColovMfViU
' Call, Juiie'.l,

keen in ISG'J,
'cs, lio built

.1 as a farmer
later liis land
ics, M.S., 14'.).
gives niorcly a
Jompaiiy'iiout-
loolcralt, inlii»
larrativo a few
xpericiice was,
"or end uf Lake

Indian agent.
ISJS, and soon
of the Cariboo

employing on
aincd tlio con-
iiy otlior public
'laser, and tlio
S., 2.;-P.0. G.
dy of the tribes
. I., their cus-

during a resi-
c sctllcnient of

nder tho direc-
.0 s;imc authoi-,
indonscil infoj-
it was in 187'2
3 of Xcv.' York,
S. F., on which
in the steamer
Sitka, in oppo-
vo years later,
arial treasurer.

TnthrlVa Viftorin, MS., 1-10; Ohjmpinn Club ('onrrrmlionit, MS., 17. .John
Tod, of whom full mention is niado on p. I"kS-,".C, this vol., died in ISSi,'. S.
F. Call, Sept. •_', I8SJ. 1'. I". Tyler, in liis lli^toriatl View ,/ the frowess ,.f
Uisriirenj, IMiiibi.igli, IS.'!3, merely gives a conipiiation from tiiu oiiginiil
aceounta of the discoverers themselves. A. W, Vowell, for Hcvenil yt';ir8):o!d
coiniui.-..sion('r in various distriits, and author of Miiiia i />i.ilrir/Hi/ liril. Chi.,
MS., lA a relial ie authority as to tliugold regions, to which thesulijcct-iiiatter
of his manii.'-criiit Bolily refers. Altred Wiidiiiigton visited tlie mines and
wrote a Ijrocliuro of 40 pages, ontitleil T/ie J'liiser Mine.i \'intlirn/iil; or, 77,e
JJi turn of loi"" Months. I'rico lilty cents. It is printed in Victoria by I*.
De tjarro, Wharf street, and tho preface is dated Nov. 1,'), I8."i8. The ' his-
tory,' a.s i^s title indicates, is an argument in behalf of tho mines, which a
simple statement of their product would much more satisfactorily explain;
and but lor the fact that business revived just beforo the publication (.f tho
book, one niiL;lit bo led to believe that its issue hud somelhiiig to do w ith tho
improvement of the times. In his preface \V;uhlingtoii claims this to be ' the
lirst book published on Vancouver Island,' but corrects tho mistake liel'oru
publication in favor of the //i/'ct of Pmrtie. . .in the Sii)irrme Court of Chit
Jiidicr, printed ono or two months previous at the Cir.clte otiiee. llu niij;ht
also l.uvo riglitly added another, a small i)amphlet of Pro'laiiiali(m.t niative
to tho govciniiunt (if Ihitish Columbia issued Ironi the Cazclle press, shortly
after the Uulet of i'ractire, antl so have (daccd hi.s book third. A tract r.d-
drcssod to llie colonists of V'ancouver Island, jiublislKil at Victoria in 18.'D,
and entitled T/ie X(re.t.tilij <f I'efurm, y\\xa meicly a nido ngain.st the re-
stricted fmichi.se, and tho petty infelicities of tho da , . 'llie lir.st edition ( f
tiic Sl.vtcli (f llie Projioxeil Line of (Ji'eilaiid Itdilroad throiiijh JJrilinh Xorlh
Amertra, Ottawa, 1871, by the same author, waspubiished in London in KStJI).
Altliou^'h W'addington had travelled over but a (;ii all portion of the rijiito (jf
the Canadian I'acilic, lio v.'aa well acciuaintcd with the configuration of tho
country, and, including data from published and other surveys, made an ex-
cellent preliminary report, which was probably ni'i without inllneuce in tho
embodiment of the railway terms. For further i/ieiitiun (jf his career, ;-eo
llril. Colonist, Oct. 'J'_', lS(i7, March 0, '27, 187-.'. I'ledcrick Whyinpcr, who
eaino from Kugiand in 18li2, passed three winters in Victoria, and traxelicd
through tlio interior of Vancouver and along tho coast of the mainland.
Joining the Western Union Telegraph expciliiion under Capt. IJulklcy, an
account of wiiicli is given in my /Jisionj of Alndn, p. 070-8, ho set forlli lor
noithcrii Alaska, his party journeying overland in sledges from Cnalachlcet,
on Norton .Sound, to Fort Nulato, and thence in canoes to Fort Vuiion. His
various journeys, with their incidents, are described in an interesting volcnio
entitled Tiarel and Adventure in the Territur.i of Alaska, of which the ilrst
live chapters are devoted to Vancouver Island and Uritish Columbia.

Books arc written mostly in praise of men or things. Wo have many
biographies of Christ, very few of lielial. This is a hopeful feature of human
nature. The bad wo heartily denounce, but wo do not care to dwell upon it.
(^'oloni.sts particularly seldom write except in commendation of their country;
and few, who are merely travellers, take the trouble to print a fat octavo in
proof of what nature has wrongfully done, or has failed to do, for a country.
Most of the books on British Columbia see little but tho good; thcieiore, it
startles one somewhat to find a writer who discovers littlo that is not bad.
It' the country presents itself to the mind i>f I). (». F. Macdonakl, beioio
mentioned, with quite an alphabet of honors following, only in rrpnlsivo
shadows, so does not the author of this man's works appear to himself. ' To
iidvancc ojiinions on the resources and capabilities of our colonial [lossessiona,'
lie is abundantly ' (pialilied by education, knowledge, and experience.' llail
thecountry any good thing ? 'I venture to believol possess tlio qualilicationa
which alone can enable a man to discern these imj ortant cliaraeteribtics, and
to arrivo at a just estimate of them, since tlie subject has formed the educa-
tion of my youth and tho study of my niaturer years.' Toun audience before
whom he is delivering a lecture on British Columbia, he says: ' You are not
Hist. Hi:::. Ci'i,. 4J

"It!

770

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

listeninf; to a man who never saw a blade of grass grow, or slept tinder the
impervious sliadcs of the eternal forest.' The wild ass miglit advance the
same ar^'unicnt, and with as crushing an cfi'ect. Then follows a page of his
accomplishments, which, however entertaining, I cannot recite. The country
ho calls picturesque but gloomy. ' British Columbia is a miserable country,'
he groans. That througlioat this wide domain tliere are ' no babbling brooks,
no soutiiing shades, no softly swelling hills,' is news indeed to those who have
spent their lives there. ' But in their stead streams white with foam, rushing
along lietwecn cliffs, down ravines, and over water-falls in deafening thun-
der; tremendous precipices, yawning gulfs, and nuked towering rocks, splin-
tered with the storms of countless years; boundless forests, fearful in their
gloom, and fearful in their howling beasts of prey.' Filled in with spectral
sig.its and fabulous monsters, such as strange countries arc often accredited
with, by very able writers, we would have a good ghost story to frigliten
children witlial. So I might go on through the whole shallow eil'usion of tiiij
egotistical writer. If we believe him, it is a poor held for man or beast. It is
bad for the healthful man, and bad for the invalid; bad for the settler, and
bad even for the student of natural history. ' Victoria is by no means a
desirable place of residence,' and ' indeed, it is doubtful whether the island
will ever be able to produce enough for its own consumption.' The flora is
forbidding; the savages are a disgrace to savagism, and the animal kingdom
to brutes. It seems a pity that so able a man should waste so n.uch time
over so worthless a subject! Mr Macdonald has published two works on
British Columbia, both in London, ISU.'J, one a Lecture, and the other nu
oclavo of iJ'J4 pages, with map, entitled UrUishGnhunbia and Vnncoavcr'n J"-
land, already noticed on p. 42.5-G of this vol. Of these writings Mr. A. C.
Anderson, who is frequently cited in them as an authority, remarks, I'rize.
Essay, 1S7-, appendix, p. 3lt, that they 'convey an impression so utterly at
variance with (he observations of others, tjuit, were the contrary not known,
he might have inferred that the author had never set foot within the prov-
ince.' And j'ct Mr Macdonald seems particularly desirous of being believed.
Toward the close of his lecture he touchingly asserts: ' I have no interests to
serve but those of humanity; no feelings to gratify but such as must animate
the bicast of every one who sees hard-working men drawn to their ruin witli
all to lure and none to serve. It is hard to attribute dishonest motives to any
man, and some have put forth misstatements who ought to be above suspicion;
but it requires the experience of a practical farmer to form a correct estimate
of the value of soils, and it requires a lengthened residence, and extensive
travel through a country, to enable even the farmer, with all his experience,
to give an opinion at all. Now, none of the gentlemen who have put foitl'
such glowing statements are possessed of cither of these qualiiications. They
appear to have visited the colonies at the most favorable season, and to have
relied for the rest upon the reports of residents — men, perhaps, who had spent
their whole lives in these regions, and had come to think that extreme lieat
in summer and intense cold in winter, varied by alternations of snow and rain
and fleet and fogs for eight months in the year, formed the natural and uni-
versal course of the seasons. In no other way can I account for the boldness
with whicli assertions have been made which a few mouths' residence nuibt
scatter to the winds. But there are men who deserve no such merciful con-
sideration — harpies who never meant to dwell in the colony — who invested
thi^ir capital in buying up all the best allotments, in order to resell them :.t
advanced prices to the real settlers. They now flnd they have made a bad
speculation, and are eager to di.spose of their land; but customers are imt
there, and they neither stick at any falsehood to induce them to come, nur
care what becomes of them after they have fleeced them. These arc the
parents of the juggling paragraphs which appear from time to time in tlio
newspapers, and th no less juggling letters; these are they who ruin eolDuics
and colonists; and it is in the hope of keeping the emigrant out of their
clutches that I have raiseil my voice, and "'.-.all continue to raise it, ns hm.;
as I think I can be of any service to the ^'oor fellows who have to light this

BrBT.IOGRAPHY.

771

pt ttndcr the
advance the
I page of his
The country
l)le country,'
bliug bri'oks,
osc who havi!
oain, rushing
ifening thuu-
: rocks, splin-
irful in tlicir
with spectral
en accredited
y to frighten
ilusion of this
r beast. It is
e settler, and
J no means a
icr the island
The flora i.s
imal kingdom
30 n.uch time
two works oil
the other nn
'awioxivif's 1"-
ags Mr. A. C.
■cmarks, l^rize.
\ so utterly at
ry not known,
,hin the prov-
eing believed,
no interests to
must animate
heir ruin willi
notives to any
lOvc suspicion ;
rreet estimate
and extensive
is experience,
xvo put foitb
;ations. They
, and to have
who had spent
extreme liciit
snow and rain
tnral and nni-
the boldness
3sideucc must
merciful cun-
■who invested
.'cacll them i.t
o made a bad
jmers are nut
to come, nor
riicse ave tlio
time in the
ruin colonics
out of tiuif
isc it, ns loiii,'
to light this

world's hard battle with scanty means.' Mr Mr.cdonald is not alone in his
condemnation of false statements made concerning this county. Says Mr
R. Dyron Joiinson, iu his Very Far Went ImUfd, p. 277-8, London, 1S7-: 'I
have seen many shameful accounts published by interested persons from which
we would imagine the country to have been the original site of tlie Garden
of Eden. The real fact is, that it depends on Californid. and Oregon for al-
most every pound of flour that is consumed in it; and that compared to these
ncigliboiing countries it is what I liavo heard it before described by a per-
f on who knew it well, a howling wilderness.' Undoubtedly there has been
exaggeration. The successful enthusiast will certainly praise, while tlie
disai)pointed will rail. Probably no countries have Leeri more heartily
cur.scd than Oregon and California, iloro men have left Oregon for I'uget
Sound than liavc ever left Puget Sound for Oregon. British Colnmbia'a
best days have not yet come. Her resources arc inexhaustible, and her
greatest gold discoveries, thus far, as compared with her yet undeveloped
resources, will bo remendjercd in history only as the little flush of 1858-9.
Wry Far Went Indeed is a sprightly little iwok from the sprightly little
ndnd tf R. Byron Johnson. It was printed in London in 187-. C.irried
away by immigration pamphlets and newspaper notices, the author yielded
to tiio enticements of adventure and started for the new El Dorado, lie saw
many things never seen before or since; he heard dialects as they were ncvor
before spoken; hence he was constrained to write a book. It is well for those
wlio iiavo travelled iu tlie United States by rail twenty-live ar lifty th>uHan(l
nii!cs to know at last that 'nearly all American trains have got a bar' where
intoxicating drinks arc sold. The chronic national animosity betwei^n Britons
and Anierii ins was illustrated by tlie siuioting of an Englishman by a ' western
man ' on the Panama and San Francisco steamer, for celebrating the (jueen's
birthday too broadly — an incident to every one e'sc unknown. By the time Mr
.Johnson has reached ^'ictoria he has become so accustomed to tlic Yankee
dialect, which ho invented while crossing the Isthmus, that he does not now
hesitate *o put it in the mouth indiscriminately of Englishman, Dutchman, and
African. After nundjcrless perils by sea and land, after undergoing every cx-
])ericnce written iu books, recited round canip-lires, or told under forecastles,
Indian and bear adventures, robbery and gambling scenes, boiler-bursting, shiji-
wrcck, battle, and murder, after having encountered all tlie varied phenomena
of success and starvation, the author linally returns to England a wiser and
a better man. Yet, notwithstanding these (piito innocent indulgences, of
which the book is full, and which no iutcUigent pi;rson is expected to believe,
Mr Johnson has produced a very interesting and valuable book. It has the
great merit of being natural, and I will venture to say that Mr Johnson is not
only a good friend and a good fellow, but an intelligent, honest man, and a
good citizen.

Of many of the pioneers and prominent colonists, want of space forbids me
to make inoro than passing mention. Subjoined is a list of some whoso names
have not yetapjicarcd in these pages, together with the sources from which
information can bo obtained as to their arrival, career, or decease, and addi-
tional items concerning others already noted.

William Atkinson, Uayh'y'x Vancouver Inland, MS., (J; Jos. Austen, Col.,
July 4, 1871; Paul Augar, Sfaiidard, July I'J. 187G; A. N. Birch, X. W.
liril. Colninhini), Juno '26, 1SG7; A. S. Bates, C'"/., Jan. 8, 1870; Wni Bowilen,
/(/., JuIy'2I), ;!0, 187!>; Jos. I. Brown, CoL, July 10, 1809; Thos Buic, /d.,
Apr. 23", 1873; David Burns, /</., July 31, ISOC; Jas Burns, Ool., Nov. 20,
1879; A. T. Busliby, iV. W. J'ar. Herald, May 22, 1875; M. Cameron, Cot.,
June 17, 1870; D. Cameron, Id., May 15, 1872; Sir G. Carticr, Id., Mav 22,
1873; Cary O. Hunter, Col, Sept. 18, 1800; Charles, 't^.,h,'uH CictorKt, 'M.S.,
5; T. Clarke, CoL, June 20, 1879; Cloryon, Id., March i, 1804; J. J. Coch-
rane, Id., March 12, 1807; P. F. Corhiniero, Id., May 17, 1871; W. lO. Cor-
mack, /(/., Mav 10, 1808; John CoatcUo, Jd., Jan. 25, IS71; T. Coupe, CoL,
Jan. 4, 1870; J. Cox, CoL, Oct. 15, 1873; W. F. Crate, (W.,Oct. 3, 187'; J.
a Davie, CoL, May 15, 1809; E. B. Uagg' ^ Id JxxXy 19, 1804; G, B. IJi .-inis,

772

INDUSTRIES, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

Cot., Aug. 24, 1871; S. M. Driard, Col, March 15, 18G4; Geo. Diinliar, M.,
Dec. II, 1872; ,\. C. Elliott, Vol., Jan. 2!), 1870; W. Kiiicry, Cot., May 10,
1871; J. Evans, S. F. UuHHin, Aug. 28, 1879; J. Flcniin;,', (hi.. May 24,
1871; Mitchell Foy, Id., Feb. 2, 1870; L. Franklin, Cot., Aug. 10, 187.'!: .1.
(irahani, Seattle /iilrt'i'ieiicer, Oct. 2;i, 1871; E. Giancini, Col., Nov. 12, IS70;
Siamtunl, Nov. 12, 1879; Grant, Bayleii's V. I., MS., 2; C. J. Giiffin, ( 'ol., Aug.
19, IS74; J. B, Griffith, Id., May 17, 1871; A. II. Guild, Id., Nov. 12, 187:{;
T. Hall, Col., Dec. 19, 1874; O. Hare, Id., Dec. 2S, 31, 1870; S. llanis,
Standard, May 3, 1877; S. \V. Herring, Dom. I'nc. llemtd, Aug. 27, 1879;
E. Head, Col., Apr. 11, 1808; A. G. Ilelllcy, Col, Juno 11, 1872, A. Hihlwrd,
Col., June 20, 1809; Sir F. Iliucks, Cot., Sept, 14, 1872; A. lIolTnieister, t.'ot.
Sept. 30, 1874; Stauditrd, Sept. 30, 1874; J. Hov- • ■^/., June 11, 1873; K.
H. Jackson, Standard, June 28, 1877; Kenned ., March 22, 1804; J.

James, 5rtc. Record- Union, .^xa. 23, 1884, A. Lat. • 'o/., Sept. 12, iKO.j; K.
Lewis, Col., Jan. 3, 187o; J. Livermore, Col., Jan. 30, 1809; L. McLure, hi.,
March 8, 1804; N. ]V. liril. Jo/»mWa», June 20, 1807; T. (i. Marshal, Slmid-
nrd, Apr. 4, 1877; W. Miles, Cot., Nov. 20, 1872; M. Moore, /(/., Oct. !.">,
1S73; Monatt, Id., Apr. 20. 1871; W. B. Naylor, Naiinhno GazelU-, Oct. 13,
180G; Col, Oct. 3, 1800; It. Newell, Ecatt'!^ llUt. N. Coast, MS.; P. Ogden,
Seattle iHlelti'icneer, Oct. 27, 1870; John Please, Sac. ttecord-Uidon, Nov. 2."),
ISrvJ; C. J. Pritchard, C^l, July 20, 1870; Wm Uohertson, Id.. Dec. IS,
1872; J. Itogers, Slandar-l, Oct. 29, 1879; Vol., Oct. 20, 1879; J. UucfT, Id.,
Sept. 1, 187o; )■' Schiilti;, Standard, March 11, 1878; Sleigh, Col., May 22,
1809; E. Stamp, y,.'., Jan. 31, 1872; Co/., July 23, 1872; X. \V. Pac Ihr.dd,
Jail. 24, 1872; E. A. Starr, Col., July 15, 1870; M. J. Stone, Id., Dee. 19,
1874; J. Swaiison, Id., Oct. 22, 1872; Col., Oct. 23, 1872; J. H. Turner, Port-
land West Shore, Sept. 1879, p. 204; D. Thomas, Cot., Sept. 11, I'.OO; J. IJ.
Timmermr.n, Id., May21, 1873; J. Titcomb, A/., July 10, 1809; J. W. Tralxy,
Col., Dec. 28, ISOS; J. W. Waitt, Cot., July 13, 1870; J. U. Watson. Seai'lle
Inlrlll<iencer, July 12, 1809; Oh/mpia l!epnbt!'-aii, July 19, 1809; J. Whcrty,
Col., Dec. 11, 1872; H. Wilkinson, Co/., Nov. 20, 1809; II. C. WiUiaton, Col.,
Aug. 15, 1808; H. Wootton, Cot., Dec. 29, 1875; A. Young, Cot., Sept. 13,
1872.

Final list of references; Good's Brit. Col., MS.; Brit. Col. '^b'trhen, MS.;
Iiaylei/n Vanconver Island, MS.; De Cosmos, Government, MS.; Coopir's
Jllaritime Matters, MH.; I'ldmer'n ]Va;ioii Traits, MS.; (.'ridje'.^ Charwteiis-
ties of .J as fyonijlas, MS.; ii ackenzie' .'t Mem. Can. Pac. It. /,'., MS.; Ellioit's
Brit. Col. PoH'ics, M.S.; Meni. Geol. Surveys, MS.; Finlayson's V. I. and X.
11', Count, MS.; 'rarhetrs Victoria, MS.; liroum's Indians anil Settlers, .\.'S,;
Ecan.t, Fraser Itiitcr Fxcilement,^]^.; Hancock's Thirteen IVurs, MS., passim;
Ilonse Ex. Doc, 4-')th Comj., Hd Sess., xxi. no. DO, 28-72, 134-70; x.iiii.
110. JO.i>, 507; V'th Cowl., 3d Sess., «., pt I, 339-47; 4(iih Con;;., i.'il .SV.«.,
scvi., no. 7, 30 78, 142-98, 204-300; .^67A Con;/., 3d Ses.i., i., pt J, 501;
J\/e.ts. and Doc, 1870-1, Xnn/ and P. O. Dept, 1.33-5; Sr.is. Papers, IJ. C,
1S70, 79-152, 4l9-.",03, 588,001-23,725; 1877, 83-159, 249-:!50, 4U1-48; IS7S,
7 -C;;;, 203-41:), 4.55 93; 1879, 179-320,371-87; 1880, l,-,9-310; ISSI, ;!l.5-4(;4;
i;;,SJ, 249-322, 3J3-408, 435 7, 4.57 500; 1883, 107-304, 321-31, 345, .S". 1 - 72,
37 ), .";)9, 471-90; 1884, 7-84, 91-150, ISO, 229-83, 295-.3(i7, .33.5-45, 399-42:!,
4:)2, i;i-0:(, 809; 1885, l29-:i0, 151-230, 451 00, passim; AVr/x--/ Lair<, liril.
C(,l. (Ui71); Conyot. Slai. Brit. Cot., (1877) passim; Slat. Ilrit. Cot., 1877,91-
4, 111-13, 1,33, 111, 038-9; 1878, 71-2, 89-90, 9:i-5, 129-32; 1879, 2:i, :)7 4S,
C.) 75, 111-23, 150-G; 1880, 1-8, 49, .59; 1881, 4.3-0; 1882, 4-8, 1.3-55, 77;
l;.j;;, 2-22, 3">, .37 8, 47 09, 77-8, 81-2; 1884, 10, .32, :f5, 181; 188.5, 5, 7">-
C, 12.5-41, passim; Jonr. Lcjist. Council, B. C, 1804, 32, .30; 1807, 29 ;)0,
C>i 7; 1808, 2, app iv.-viii. ; 1809, 15, CO-7, app. ii., iii., v.-vii; 1S70. app. iv.-
ix.; It)71, 51-(i0; Colonial E.itimates, in Id., 1871, 2-12; Jonr. Lei/ist. A-^s.,
Brif.
2 3,
1877,

Co'., 187:1-4, I 2, .50 7, app. i. 27-49, ii. 5-00, v. 1-7, vii. ,5-8, .35; 1S7.">,
17 8, app. 3-12, 14-7:1, KM -240, ;101-481, 54,5-78, O:;!); 1870, 2 3, 0:i;
12, 1:!, 07, npp. xxvi.; IS78, 1-2,08, 78-9; 1879, 1-2, 01; 1880, 12,

21, 45, upp. iii. 1881, 1-2, 59-00, 72; 1882, 1-2, 5, 7, 12-04; 1883, 3, 17, 05;

FINAL AUTHORITIES.

773

^b'tchi'", MS.;

18S4, 2, 81, 88; 188"), 1-4, 35, r)2, passim; U. S. Bureau of Stalutic^, no. 3,
lS7'J-80, J). 14;!, lt-2, 104, 175, ISS-O; JJatul-Books, JJrit. Cot. Hoard of Tnxle,
passim; Urit.i'ol. liid. Land (juf'st<oti,i)'S, 07; Zamora, iv. 282-3; Cliilleiidcii's
Tr:a-eU in IJrif.Col., 5-8, 20-9, 40-2, 48, 50, 07; W/i!imp<'r'K Ala.sLa, MoS,
passim; J.^icxoii's N. iV. Ter. and JJrit. Col., 50-2, 55-77,85-113; Siidmorea
Aluaka, i)-15; 1 1 iUcU's Commerce and Indudricx, passim; Barmln/s Life and
Lalx.r, 88-15(1; The Minex, Miners, etc., 507; Delniar's Hint. PrecioiiK Mel(ds,
109; The Miniiiij InduUry, 22; Seivard'KSpeechut Victoria, 1809, 17-20; Brit.
Col. Affairs, ;,/.< /, 2, 3, 1858-00; Brit. Col. Exp!oratiov8, Brit. N<,rth
Amer.; Brit. ( ol. Lands and Work Dept I'epta. Brit. Cot. Minister of Mines
J'ejils. lirit. Col. I'ajiers connected tcilh the Indinn Land Question, 1 850 75;
Brit. Col. Pnl/lic Accounts, 1870-7, 1880-1; Canada Census, ISSO-l; Canwla
(..'(islonis Tariff, 1S77; Canada TJcbates in I'arlt, 1877, 1878; Canada JJe/d of
the Interior, Ann. Repts, 1874-80; Canada llepts Comm. Finherics, 1870-9;
Can. Geol. Siirveij Uepts. of Progress, 1870-9; Canada Inland llev. Ue}it.i.
Canada .Marine and Fi-fherii s, Ann. Repts, 1874-80; Canada Minister of Aiiric.
Repts, 1877-80; Canada Posfmasler-Oemral Rejiorts, 1872-80; Canada Pidiiic
Accounts, 1875-7; (Janada 'J'ahles of Trade and Navii/ation , 1873-80; Taylor h
Spec. /^I'sv, 479A; lirit. Colonist, May 7, Dec. 2, 1877; Jan. 3, Feb. 3, 28,
Apr. 13, May 14,".Iiily 10, 1878, March 20, Apr. 11, 19, 22, 29, July 1, May
13, July 23, AuK. 10, 23, Sept. 25, Oct. 13, 10, 20, 24, 20, Nov. 0, 1879; Vir..
toria iVeikly Standard, Oct. 22, Nov. 20, Dec. 10, 1879, Jan. 28, Feb. 4,
March 10, Apr. 28, May 5, 1880; !)>/ Standard, Apr. 25, May 2, July 25,
Oct. 17, 31, Nov. 21, 1877; Apr. 17, 1878; Apr. 19, 20, 30, May 1.5, 1,S79;
l)u7n. Pac. I/e raid, March 19,22, 1879; Xeic Westminster Mainland Guardian,
FlI). 8, May 10, 1879; Nanaimo Free /'mw. May 19, 1880; S. /-'. Alta, March
8, 1852; July 7, 1853; Nov. 7, 1857; Apr. 28, May 27, Juno 20, 27, Au','. 25,
t)ct. 7, 1.5, 23, Nov. 13, 1858; May 21, June 13, .July 3, 1800; Feb. 11, March
10, Apr. 1,3, Mav2, 13, July 0, Oct. 18, Nov. 29, Dec. 21, 1801; -Jan. 14,
March 11, 22, 23, Apr. 14, 15, May 12, 13, 21, June 11, July 11, 12, Aul( 2.5,
Sept. 5, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, 1802; Jan. 30, March 22, Apr. 24, May 11, Sept.
8, Oct. .30, 1S03 Jan. 10, 14, 28, 29, Feb. 20, March 7, 22, 31, Apr. 1, 0, 10,
May 1, 4, 10, 19, 21, 27, June 9, 10, 21, .30, July 12, 20, 27, Aug. 10, 12, 14,
27, Sept. 12, 13, 19, 27, Oct. 0, 14, 10, 24, Nov. 13, 23, Dec. 28, 1804; I'^cb.
24, Apr. 1, .30, May 19, June 2, Aug. 5, 1805; Feb. 22, Apr. 2.5, May 10, ISOO;
Jan. 4, 9, 13, 19, Feb. 8, 10, March 4, 7, 12, 25, Apr. 14, May 24, 28, Aug.
7, 2.5, .Sept. 12, Oct. 1, 24, 1807; Jan. 14, Oct. 20, 1808; Apr. 1.3, 23, July 4,
1809; Feb. 21, 1870; May 13, Sept. 12, Doc. 27, 1871; Jan. 20, Feb. 14, March
31, Apr. 28, June 10, 20, July 15, Aug. IS, 28, 1872; March 3, IS, May 5,
Oct. 29, 1873; Oct. 22, 1874; Sept. 19, Oct. 2,5, 1875; May 18, Aug. 25, .Sept.
10, 1870; Feb. 3, May 12, 1877; Aug. 3, 1878; May 19, 1880; May 10, 1881;
Apr. 10, 1882; Apr. 5, May 14, July 3, 1884; Bulletin, Juno 1-5, 7, 11, 12,
20, July 0, 8, 15, 20, 20, Nov. 3, Dec. 8, 9, 28, 1858; Jan. 3, 11, 12, Feb. 1.5,
10, Apr. 15, 18, .30, May 14, 18, 31, Juno 3, 10, 11, 25, 30, July 15, 18, 29, .30,
Aug. 1, Sept. 1, 14, 19, Oct. 28, Dec. 0, 18.59; Feb. 23, May 4, July 7, 1800;
March 27, June 11, 18, Oct. 15, 17, 28, Nov. 4, 0, 14, 23, l.SOl; May 10, July
:;, 24, Oct. 23, Nov. 10, Dec. 12, 1802; Jan. 12, Feb. 10, March 4, Apr. 21,
Aug. 1, 19, Dec. 10, 1803; June 9, Sept. 20, Oct. 24, Nov. 10, 1804; Jan. 10,
Feb. 3, Aug. 31, 1805; July .3, 1800; Jan. 20, Sept. 4, Nov. 3, 1808; Feb. 19,
'Jet. 23, Nov. 2.3, 1809; Jan. 0, Feb. 1, June 30, 1870; Apr. 1, June 2C>, Deo.
17, 1872; March 3, 4, 19, Sept. 4, 1873; July22, 1874; May25, 1875; Feb. 7,
May 3, Aug. 30, 1870; July 23, Aug. 1, 1877; Aug. 0, Oct. 14, Nov. 4, 1S7S;
March 11, Apr. 25, 28, June 11, Aug. 27, 1879; Apr. 29, May 7, 12, June 9,
■Jt, July 1, 12, 20, 21, 20, Aug. 2, 19. 20, 2,3, 2,5, 29, Sept. 22, 29, 30, Oct. 1,
12, 14, 22, 24, Nov. 8, 9, 24, 1881; Aug. 27, 1883; Apr. 4, Mayfl, 1881; Feb.
27, March 12, Oct. 24, 1885; Call, Jan. 8, March 31, Apr. 12, May 27, .iuua
HI, Oct. 8, Nov. 2, 1804; Jan. 22, June 4, 8, 30, Sept. .30, 1805; Jan. (i, 19,
I'll). 10, March 22, May 24, Aug. 7, Sept. 12, Oct. 24, 1807; Feb. 27, .March
10, Apr. 30, Aug. 5, Sept. 8, 23, Oct. 25, 1808; Apr. 21, 1870; June 8, Oct.
22, lt,72; Dec. 20, 1874; Juno 22, 1875; May 12, 1870; Apr. 0, July 23, 1877;

I'i

774

INDUSTRKS, COMMERCE, AND FINANCE.

March 8, June 16, 1878; June 13, 1879; June 21, 1882; Jan. 12, Feb. 2, Apr.
J4, 1884; Feb. 25, March 11, Dec. 4, 1885; Chronicle, Dec. 15, 1870; JulyJJ,
Sept. 13, 1878; Apr. 14, 1880; Apr. 1, 1884; Jan. 5, March 1, 13, May 2.S,
1885; Comm. Herald, Aug. 30, 1867; Aug. 29, 1808; July 5, 1877; Jour, o)
Comtnerc, May 23, 1877; Merc. Gazette, Nov. 12, 1864; Nov. 9, 18C5; Pod,
Oct. 23, 1873; June 22, 25, 1875; Apr. 27, May 3, Aug. 24, 28, 30, 31, Sept.
13, 29, Oct. 14, 19, .SO, Dec. 4, 7, 1876; Apr. 7, June 4, Aug. 4, 1877; July
10, 1878; July 24, 1885; Pacific Churchman, Nov. 19, 18U8; Times, March
•W, Nov. 2, 22, 1807; Jan. 14, Apr. 1, July 20, Oct. 26, 27, 1808; Feb. 10,
March 15, 1869; Abend Post, Jan. 8, 20, 1876; Stockton Indejiendent, July 30,
1880; Aug. 19, 20, 1881; SteilaeoomEx/iresx, July 26, 1877; Intelligencer, J iin.
13, May 22, June 5, 17, July 23, Sept. 3, 1870; Alturaa (Modoc co., Val.) In-
dependent, Sept. 29, 1877; Ashland Tidings (Or.), Aug. 3, 1877; Olym/iia
Trawcript, July 5, 1879; Port Townsend Argus, May 31, 1883; Portland
Catholic Sentinel, Sept. 11, 1879; Western Oregonian, June 7, 14, 1879; Culi-
J'ornian, Aug. 1881, p. 177; Virginia ( Nev. ) Chronicle, Apr. 7, 1877; Urenou
State (Eugene City) Journal, Apr. 10, 1880; Gold Hill News, Juno 12, 180U;
El Frontenzo (Tucson), J an. 27, 1882; Portland Telegram, Oct. 29, 31, 1879;
Portland Standard, Aug. 10, 1877; Portland West Shore, Jan., July, 18V7;
Feb., March, June, 1880; Sac. Record- Union, Feb. 29, 1856; Aug. 22, 1S(;0;
Oct. 13, 31, 1879; March 14, May 16, June 28, Aug. 20, 23, 1881; July '25,
1882; Jan. 30. Feb. 6, 1883; Jan. 1, 12, 19, Feb. 2, March 18, Apr. 26. 1884;
Jail. 14, March 12, May 5, 23, 1885.

IXDEX.

lii^

"Activa," ship, 15, 28.

"Active," U. S. steamer, 260, 405, 610,

622.
Ailiiir, John, iniiier, 550.
Adams, mining on Fraser River, 349-

50.
Adams Creek, gold discovered, 400.
Ailivms River, mining on, 400.
Adams Luke, gold discovered, 461.
Adderley, Mr, on H. B. Co.'s charter,

378.
"Adelaide," bark, 361.
Admiralty Inlet, original name, 11.
Agriculture at forts, 01-2, 80,03, 119,

127-9, 131, 182-20.3, 200; among

fur traders, 80, 81, 312; growing

importance, 80; areas and condition,

1880 0, 740-4.
Ague, prevalence of, 67.
Ah.jrn, miner, murdered by Inds, 530.
Ahouscts Inds attack whites, 429.
Alden, Capt., in conid of "Active,"

260, 622.
Alder, Lt. in comd of the "Three

Brothers," 28.
Alfred Bar, mining at, 441.
Allan, It. T., justice of peace, 264.
Allan, Sir Hugh, railway contract,

652-4.
Alliird, O., in charge at Ft Yale, 385.
Allen, miner, murdered by Inds, 530.
"America," H. M. S., 120-i.
American Bar, mining at, 441.
Anderson, A. C, on H. B. Co.'s jiolicy

to Inds, 50; comd at FtColville, 60;

at It Nisqually, 62 3; liiog. and

bibliog., 157-9; explor. expedts to,

157-70, 175-6; map of route, 162;

on gold discovery, 349; repoi't on

goid yield, 470; on mining licenses,

III; bibliog., 761.
Andrews, B. S., Amer. settler on S.

Juan, 617.
Anderson, David, before comm. in

Eng. ou H. B. Co., 381.

Anderson Oulch, mining at, 482.

Anderson River, expedt. on, 167.

Antler Creek, mining at, 457, 479,
491 3, 512, 515; town at, 492-3;
society, 492.

Anvil Island named, 20.

Applegate. J. K., attacked by Inds,
18.39, 614-15.

"Aranzazu, ' Spanish man-of-war, 29.

Arctic Creek, prospectors on, 547;
mining, 551.

"Argonaut," ship, seized by Span-
iards, 1789, 8.

Artesian Co., lease and plans, 499-500.

Assembly, first on V. I., 320-7; called,
320; qualification of members, 320-
1; members, 321, 320-7; business,
.322-7; gov. 's address to, 322-3.

Astoria as a trading post, 78-81.

Atnulis Inds, character, 136; conspir-
acy of, 143.

Auiiferous region, extent, 5.S9.

Authorities (juoted, xxi-xxix, 72-7,
309, 579 81, 694-5, 766-9.

"Aventure," ship, built by Vancou-
ver, 15.

Babine River prospected, .556.

Back, Sir G., before connn. in Eng.

on H. B. Co., 381.
Baillie, T., visited by McElroy, 260.
Baillie, Hamilton's ISuy named, 191.
liaker, Lt, in Vancouver's exjjedt., 16,
Bakerville, prosperity of, 716.
Haleb, Capt., gold-hunting expedt.,

344.
liald Mountains, mining about, .305;

geoh)gy, 513.
Ball, H. M., justice of peace at Lyt-

ton, 416; on golil discoveiy, 4.S6;

gold eoinniissiouer, 2U6; of first

legis. council, 583.
Ballou, W.. starts express, ,351 2.
lianknig facilities, 1885, 753.
Barclay, (,'upt., visit of, 178", 5.

( 773 1

(76

INDEX.

Harclay Sound named, 5; Spaiiiiili
iiiiiiiu for, 1 1.

l$ate, M., manager V. Coal Co., 569;
mayor Nanaimo, iu4.

liauurnian on Caril)oo geology, 51j;
oil 15. i'. coal-lields, 570.

IJarker Claim, iiiiuing at, 488, 497.

J5,irkerville, iiuportanco, 4!)5, 503,
.'■)0!); luumul, 497; bunud, 1868,497;
wages, provisions, 516; H. li. Co.
at, 516; reading-room, 519.

liarnes, Ellis, sells 11. IJ. Co, 'a prop-
erty on iS. Juan isl., 608.

liarr, R., eonduuting colonial acade-
my, 'MO; clerk of assembly, S-IO.

Harriiire River, mining on, 459-60.

IkuloO)., work, 1866-7, 518.

Bear River, mining at, 479; cool dis-
covered, .">79.

IJeaufort mine coal seam, 568.

"Heaver," steam ' 59, 71-2 84, 92,
93, 9.'), 101, lUli, 188, -289, 405, 616.

IJeaver Ilarbor, coal discovered, 186-
9.; named, 188.

Bedrock Flumo Co., yield, 1868-9,
540.

IJegg Creek, ndning on, 505.

llegbie, M. B., chief justice, 337, 361,
405, 408, 41-2, 417, 420, 422; first
circuit, 422; character, 423-6, 430-
3; dislikeil by ndners, 430; on Era-
ser River, 445; on ndning, 463, 465-
6, 514.

IJell, (;. W., hanged, V. I., 435.

Bell, Jas, explores Lightning Creek,
506.

Bellacoolas Inds at Victoria, 428.

liellingham Bay named, 20; Spanish
name, 21; coal discovered, 200; fort
on, erected, 613.

Bevis, \V. H. , revenue ofHcer, 405.

Big Bar, locality, 4.V); ndning at, 457.

Rig Bend gold excitement, 470, 522,
524, 530, 539; ndning, 531, 535;
failure, 534.

Birch, A. N., of lirst legis. council,
583,

Birch Bay, named, 20; Spanish name,
21.

Blaiishard, R., visit to coal mines,
195; iidluence on eohuu/ation, 231;
apptd gov. V. I., 265; arrival, 266;
to serve without pay, 267; relations
with H. R. Co., 268 72, 276-80;
character, 275; resigns, 280-1; be-
fore comm, in ling, on H. li. (yo.,
.381.

Blikely Island, 606.

Rlancliet, plants cross on Whiibcy
isl., 1840, 100.

Blenkinson, O., at Ft Rupert, 192-4;
has sailors killed, 273.

Blue Nose Bar, gold discovered, 441,
444.

Blunt Island, Ind. attack on, 1859,
614-15.

Bayley, C. A., coroner, Nanaimo,
426.

Baynes, Admiral, arrives at Kscjui-
malt, 404-5; in comd of Knglihh
fleet, 624; actions in S. Juan uti'air,
624-5.

Bazalgette, Capt. (}., in comd of Eng.
ti oops at S. J uan, 633,

Bodegay Cuadra, comm. for Spain in
Nootka atf.dr, 1792, 15.

Bolduc, J. B. 'A., at Camosun, 97-8;
celebrates nuiss, 99; at Whitbey Isl.,
99-100.

Bond, G. P., U. S. commissioner in
S. Juan trouble, 610.

Boston Bar, ndning at, 447-8.

"Boxer," II. .M. S., 572.

Bradley, H., discovers coal, 568.

Bradley (Ireek, coal-mining, 268.

Brew, Chartres, establishes constabu-
lary, 404; Hill Bar trou >le, 411; of
first legis. council, 585.

Bridge Biver, ndning at, 45,3-4.

British America, jurisdiction of Ca-
nadian courts in, 217.

British Bar, mining at, 4.^5-7.

British (Jolonist, newspaper, 739.

British Columbia, sunnnary of earliest
voyages, 1-31; contiguratioii, 33-40;
physical divisions, 34 5; clinuite,
40-3; fauna, 4.3-4; luitives, 44-51;
forts, 52-72; explorations, 157-70,
175-6; gold discovered, 341-75;
travel to ndnes, 3.')4-70, 382; effects
of discovery. 374-5; colony and
govt established, 383; H. B. Co.
stations, 385; govt of 1858-63, 3SS-
418; created crown colony, 406; law
established, 406; acct of gold-lields,
420 2; mounted police, 4.34; popu-
lar tribunals, 436; gold yield, 470-1 ;
mining population, 471, 482; coal
discoveries, ;..;5-80; legis. council
organized, 583; a province of the
dondnion, .598-601; S. Juan Island
ditficulty, 605-93; Canadian l'a<'.
Riulway, 610-93; politics and govt,
1870-86, 696-706; settlements, IMil
86, 707-717; ndssions, 717-27; edu-
cation, 734-8: newspapers, 73!);
industries, 760-6; connneice, 746-
62; finance, 753 6.

British Cohunbian, newspaper, 739.

Brooks, I'ort, coal discovered, 201.

ipert, 192-4;

lovered, 441,

:k Oil, KSr)!),

, Nuuaiiiu),

la at Ks(iui-
of Kuglisli
Juan iiHair,

umd of Eiig.

for Spain in

iioaun, 97-8;
Vhitbey Isl.,

niissioner in

17-8.

al, 568.
iig, 208.
es coiistalm-
»>le, 411; of

4r).3-4.
ition of Ca-

er, 739.

y of earliest

ition, .S:{-40;

climate,

ves, 44-5 1 ;

)n3, ir)7-70,

1, 341-7.".;

,38-2; effects

loloiiy and

H. H. Co.

)8-03, 388-

iiy, 400; law

goUl-liehla,

434; popii-

'ield, 470-1 ;

482; coal

^18. council

iiice of tlio

hum I.sland

adian I'ac.

H and govt,

lents, IftOl -

7-27; fdu-

ipeis, 7.'{9;

iierce, 740-

i|){!r, 730.
led, 201.

INDEX.

777

"Brotlier Jonathan," the steamer,
wrecked, 407.

}3roiigliton Archipelago named, 20.

Broiigliton, Lt, iu cunid of the "Chat-
ham," 15; expedt. of 1792, 18.

Br(juglitou Straits, Spanish uainu for,
20.

Brown, D., shooting of, 4.")2.

Brown, L., on Fraser excitement,
358.

Brown, P., killed by Indians, 331.

Brown, Dr K., on gc>ld discovery,
403; on gohl-fieUI iirr-"'*ion, 4(i0,
.'')2I; on V. 1. coal, 5G7; on Queen
(Charlotte Isl., 574-5.

Brown, Kev. K. V. L., at William
Cieek, 519; prize essay hy, 700-1.

Brown, 'I'hos, gold discoverei', 4',)0.

Browne, Ross, on Cohimbia gold-lield,
521.

Buchanan, I'res., actions in S. Juan
affair, ri2(>.

Buckley's piirty prospecting, 549.

Bukley, T. A., works Ilarewood Coal
Mine, 573.

Burns (.'reek, mining on, 482; yield,
1875-7, 515.

Burpee, Air, originates Canadian Pac.
Railway, 044.

Biirrard Inlet, Spanisli name for, 24;
co.il disco\ered, 57(i, .">79.

Burton, Lieut, destroys Indian vil-
lage, 274.

Butler, Capt. , at Manson Creek, 1871,
552.

Butler, Wni, Anier. settler on S. Juan,
017.

Byrnes, on gold-hunting expedt. re-
port, 547-9.

Caamano, comd of the "Aranzazu,"
29.

Cache ('reek town, growth of, 458.

"Cadb()ro,".schr, .V.I, 72, 101, 100.

(.'aldwell, Wni, before eomni. in Kng.
on H. B. Co., 381.

California, effect of B. C. gold dis-
covery, 3.".7-()2, 372 3, 481, 478;
exodus of popidation, 35>'S 9, ;{02;
resemblance to Kraser River gold-
fi(^lds, 403; coal formation, 500.

(valifornia miners at Fort Victoria,
180 1.

('alifornia Creek, mining on, 482, 500.

Call Canal name<l, 20.

Calvert Island named, 26.

Cameron Bar, mining at, 441, 443,
451, 404, 405, 497, 517.

Cameron, D., chief justice, .327, 336-
7, 405; resigns, 422.

Camosun, examined by Douglas, 80-8;
fort built. 94-101.

Campbell, Arch., U. S. commissioner
in S. Juaii trouble, 010.

Caiuiilian Bar, mining at, 441, 498.

(Canadian Pacific Itailway, cause of
founiling, .'(74; reasons for and
against project, 040-4; bill carried
in the commons, 014; resolutions
passed by Canadian parliament,
045 0; preliiniiuiry surveys, 049-52;
Hugh Allan contract, 052 4; the
C'anarvon terms, 0(il 2; petition to
her Majesty, 003 4; Kail of Uutl'er-
in's speech, ()00-70; eontiaet with
syndicate, 078; engineering ditlicnl-
ties, (>81-4; Port Mocxly, reasons
lor selection as terminus, 084 0;
com|)lelion of the line, 087; costly
undertaking, (kS7-9I.

( 'anal de Sa.samat. See Burrard Iiilct.

('anoe country mining, 450, 47."1.

Canon Creek, mining at,.")09-10.

(Japclia Ind. attack on the "King-
fisher," 429.

('ape hisiippointment, (Japt. Meares
at, I78S, 0; trading post at, 182.

Ca])e Lookout, Captain Meares at,
l788-(i.

CiiY>(: Orford named, 15.

"Captain Cook," ship, 178.

(Jarry, K., gohl discoverei', 545.

(Jai'iboo, milling in, 470, 472-92, 510-
19; map of region, 474; missionaries
at, 519; influence of excitement,
540.

Carnarvon Club organized, 698-9; de-
mands of, 09!>.

Carnarvon terms, acceptance of the,
001-2.

Cariies Creek mining, .532, 537.

Caiiiits, Hank, gold dis/.o'^ 'ler, 180.5,
537 8.

" (Jaroline," ship, ()14.

Carpenter Bar, mining at, .559.

(Carriers, inds, eliaiaeter, iiO.

Cartier, Sir >!. H., actions in Pacific
liailway, 05i-2.

Carv, (J. il., s^olicitor-general B. C,
405.

("asey, C\)l, rei-nforces I'ickett ut S,
.hiaii, ()22; im|)rudence of, 022-.'{.

('asey liar, gold discovered, 441.

Cass, Sec, actions in S. Juan affair,
(i27.

Cassiar mining district, location, ,543;
gold excitement, 1801, 559; mining,
659-64.

778

INDEX.

Cattle brought into N. W,, 62; at

torts, lUO-7; stealing, 331.
Cavaiiaugh, A., miner, icurdered by

luds, 23U.
Cayoosli, Ind. village, 452.
Cayuses, Iiuls, character, 60.
(Jedar Creek prospected, 487-8.
Ceiitras, Capt. John, treats with In-
dians, 390.
Chancellor sent from Eng. to report

on mines, 231.
Chapman party prospecting, 1869,

547.
Charbonnedem, A., in Anderson's

explor. expdt., 159.
Charles, Win, miinager Hudson's Bay

Co., Pacific coast, 382.
" Chatham," H. M. S., 15, 18, 21, 28.
Cheadle, report on gold formation,

486; at Cariboo mines, 498.
Chemauis district, coal discovered,

579.
Cherry Creek, mining on, 538.
Chilcats, Inda, attack whites, 48.
ChilkotiuB, Inds, attack on pack-train,

428.
Chilliwack River, coal discoverd on,

579.
Chimsyans, Inds, at Victoria, 428;

missionaries among, 719.
Chinese, Ind. regard for, 49; mining

iu gold-fields, 329, 330, 343, 348, 398,

444, 454-5, 458-9, 471, 487-8, 501,

509, 611, 526, 540, 641, 551,553,

563; at Victoria, 710-11.
Chinese question iu B. C, 711-12.
Chmooks, language of, 61.
Coisholm Creek, miuing at, 482, 607.
Chittendon, N. H., bibliog., 759.
Christian, J., opens mine, 460.
Christy opposes H. B. Co., 213.
Clallanis, Inds, country of, 93-4; at-
tend mass, 99.
Clayoquet Harbor, Vancouver winters

at, 15.
Clayton, trade controversy, 207.
Clearwater River, mining on, 605.
Clinton, prosperity of, 716.
"Clio," H. M. S., 417; attacks Ind.

village, 429.
Cloak Bay named, 5,
Coal dis.;ovei)e8, 186-96, 196-200,

165-80; formations, 565-8; license

to discover, 57 1-2; mine regulations,

677-8; minister's report, 577; yield,

1884, 750.
Colnett, Capt., ship of, seized by

■Spaniards, 8.
"Columbia," H. B. Co. ship, 8, 15,

120, 238.

"Columbia,"?. M. Co. steamer, 359.

Columbia liiver, failure to enter, 1792,
29; settlers' encroachments on, 81;
mines, 520-42; geology, 528.

Columbia and Kootenai Eailway Co.
incorporated, 691.

Colville Coty, gold discovered, 348;
mining, 620-1.

Commercial Inlet, coal discovered,
198, 200.

"Commodore," steamer, 369, 361.

"Cormorant," ship, 134, 190, 266.

C/'omox coal seam, area, 576.

Comox Hiirbor, coal mining at, 568,
578.

"Concepcion," ship, 29.

Confederation first mooted 1822, 595;
in effect 1841, 595; B. C. a province
of the dominion, 598-602.

Conklin Gulch, mining at, 482, 500,
508, 515.

Connolly, Nellie, marries Douglas,
289.

" Constance," frigate, 124, 180.

Convict labor at Victoria, 435.

Cook, Capt. James, at Nootka 1778,
3; map, 3; on Pacific coast, 4,

Cooper, J as, trader on Eraser River,
255-6; settles at Metchosiu, 256-7;
at Esquimalt, 260; signs settlers'
petition, 314; before comm. in Eng.
on H. B. Co., 381; on gold dis-
covery, 350, 354; of council, 281,
316, 320.

Copals, Indian chief, .S93.

Corbett, (i. O. , before comm. in Eng.
on H. B. Co., 381.

C6rdoba Harbor, 10. See Victoria.

Cornwall, C. F., chief ma^gistrate
1881-6, 704.

"Corti^s," steamer, 381.

Cottonwood Creek, mining at, 515.

Couoey, Capt. Michaelde, at Esqui-
malt, 404.

Council, provisional, of V. I., 316.

Courtney. Capt., at V. I., 124.

Courts, Canadian, jurisdiction iu B.
A., 217.

Cowichins, Inds, attend mass, 95, 99;
attack Ft Camosun, 107-10; Doug-
las' policy toward, 331; missionaries
among, 719.

Cowitclieti Bay, coal discovered, 567,
578.

"Cowlitz," H. B. Co. ship, 120.

Crease, H. P. P., of first legis. coun-
cil, 583; judL'e, 706.

Crest, W., gold iliscovercr, 545.

Criukeuer, B., chaplain, arrives V. I.,
407.

INDEX.

779

teamer, 359.
) enter, 17i)2,
eiita on, 81;
, 52S.
Railway Co.

overed, 348;

discovered,

369, 361.
IIK), 268.
>76.
uiug at, 5G8,

;ed 1822, 595;
C a province
i02.
at, 482, 500,

•iea Douglas,

24, ISO.

a, 435.

Nootka 1778,

coast, 4.

Fraser River,

jhosiii, 250-7;

signs settlers'

omin. ill Eng.
on gold dis-
council, 281,

omm. in Eng.

ee Victoria,
maigistrate

ing at, 515.
de, at Esqui-

V. I., 316.

idiction in B.

mass, 95, 99;
07-10; Doug-
missionaries

soovered, 507,

lip, 120.

it legis. conn-

•er, 545.
arrives V. I.,

Cridge, view of Douglas, 299.
Croftun, J. F., before comni. in Eng.

on H. B. Co., 381.
Cuadra, exploration of, 1774-9, 3.
Cunningham Creek, ndning at, 477,

479, 489-91, 497, 500.
Cunningham, W., exploration cf, 506.
Cumsliewas Hai'hor, coal seam at, 574.
" Curlew," sloop, 361.
Cutler, L. A., hog affair of S. Juan

Isl. 18.-)9, 610-17.
Cypress Island named, 20.

"Dtedalus," H. M. S., 28. 29, 274.

Daily ICveidng Post, newspaper, 739.

Daily and Weekly Colonist, news-
paper, 739.

Daily and Weekly Standard, news-
paper, 739.

Dallas, A. G., claims S. Juan for
Britisli soil, 616.

" Dameras Cove," ship, 344.

"Daphne," H. M. H., 274, 281.

Datsou, murder of, 435.

Davis, Wm, in Anderson's explor.
expdt., 159.

Davis Gulch, mining at, 482.

Dawson, G. M., on Cariboo mines,
472, 513; on B. C. coal, 567, 579;
railway survey expedt., 650.

Day Bar, mining at, 455-7.

Deadwood Bar, gold discovered at,
441.

Deans, G., settles at V. I., 258,

Deans, Jas, biog., 113-15; at V. I.,
258-9.

Dease Lake, mining at, 560-2.

Decatur Island, 606.

Deception Bay, Captain Mearea at,
1778, 0.

Deception Passage named, 18.

De Courcy Islands, coal discovered,
567, 579.

De Courcy, Maj., magistrate at S.
Juan, 618.

Deep Sea Bluff named, 26.

De Groot, H., on gold discovery, 348,
.350, 463.

Denman, Admiral, destroys Ind. vil-
lage, 429.

Derby, town, 406-7.

Desolation Sound named, 25.

Destruction Island, Capt. Meares ut,
1788, 6.

"Devastation," H. M. S., 429.

Dewilney, E., surveys William Creek,
502; ou Kootenai trail, 530.

Deitz, W., miner, 483-4, 495; claim,
497.

Diller, miner, 486.

"Discovery," H. M. S.. 15, 16, 26.

Discovery claim, mining at, 488, 494,
507, 508, 527, 534, 537, 5.33, 561.

Dixon, Geo., visit of, 1787, 5.

Dixon Strait named, 6.

bog Creek, mining at, 450.

Donnellan, B. C, chief of police, 402.

Douglas coal mine, woi'k at, 569;
compared with Newcastle, 572.

Douglas, Capt., visit of, 1788, 6.

Douglas, David, deatii of, 135.

Douglas, James, builds forts, 48, 95-
101, 290; quarrel witii McNedl, 09-
71; explores Tako river, 67-72;
visits Cal., 72, 291; surveys Royal
Bay, 87; report on Camosiin, 88-9;
on Esquimau, 89-90; character,
115, 118, 120, 292-5, 387; chief
factor, 119, 295; at Ft Vancouver,
131; at Ft Victoria, 133; reiwrt ou
coal discovery, 189-90; visits coal
mines, 199-200; opposes Blaushard,
266, 278; on council, 281; ou board
of management, 283; gov. of V. I.,
283, 310 28; biog., 285-90; early
relations to McLoughlin, 286; edu-
cation, 285-90; marriage, 288-9;
rescues Lassertes, 291-2; personal
appearance, 292-3, 299-300; retires
from H. B. Co., 290; death, 290;
compared to McLoughlin, 290, .300-
9; calls first assembly, ;i20; policy
to Inds, 299, 331-5; policy to set-
tlers, 305-6; address to Assembly,
322-3; rept on gold discovery, 348-
51, 353-4, 370, 475, 521; mining
proclamations, 352-3, 402-.3; policy
to gold miners, 301, 304-0, 370-1,
381-2, 380-94, 400, 408; Gov. of B.
C, 384, 387, 401 3, 40.".; examines
nuues, 390-4; withdraws from H.
B. Co., 403; address presented to,
587; kniglite<l, 587; character as
gov. 588-9; proclanuition against
invasion of 8. Juun, 02U; comiiiun.
on S. Juan affair, 021.
Douglas, Wm, siiip of, seized by

Spaniards, 8.
Downie, Maj., report on mines, 514,

570, 578.
Diagon Rocks named, 15.
Draper, W. H., before comm. in Eng.

onH. B, Co., 381.
" Driver," ship, 260.
Duli'erin, Earl, visit and speech, 6.'>4,

000-72.
Dutiiu, Robt, explor. trip of 1788, 6.

■ J

780

INDEX.

Duiiliar claim, yield, MS.

Diiiicuu, Will, iiiiiitiionary act, as

iiiiigistrate, 4.'W, 718.
Diiai), J., bibliog., 18S-!).
Diinsinuir, Robt, uoul discovery, 'i7'2.
Diiiitjiiiuir coal iiiiuc, Tifi!! 70, 57"^.
iJiiiit^c, Capt. J. A., visit of, l'J4-."),

Eaglo Bar, gold discovered at, 441.
Ehj^Ic I'asH, last rail of O, I', laid at,
_ (iS7.

Kl)i'y, I. N. . actions in S. .Juan
tioiiMc!, isr.4, 007 8; murder of.

oi:i.

Edgar, Jaiiics I)., actions in Canadian

I'ac. Railway uH'air, 050-8.
Education, 180r)-84, 7.'14-8.
Edwarils, J. E., disfovers gold, 480.
Elgin, Lord, complaints against H. B,

Co., 212; investij^ates, 2;(2.
Elisa, e.\pdt. of 17!)1, 11 14; map, 12.
Elisa Bay. See IVdder Hay.
EUenlioroiigli peninsula named, 191.
Ellice, E., Si. P., on colonization, 208;

on V. I. grant, 2,'}0; on ciiaracter

H. B. Co., 'MS; before conim. in

Eng. on 11. B. Co., 381.
Elmore (iulcli, mining at, .")54.
Emery, E. E., at Nanaimo, 1871, 572.
Emory Bar, mining at, 44;{, 404, 40.'i.
Elwyn, Thomas, justice of the peace

at Lilloct, 410.
"England," ship, 195, 273.
England otlcrs reward for discovery

of X. \V. jiassage, 8-4; sends comm.

to Wash, to negotiate treaty 1871,

CH7.
Engletield harbor, gold discovery at,

347.
Ent, Noel, Amer. settler on S. Juan,

017.
"Enterprise," steamer, 304, 587.
Ericsson Mining (Jo., yield, 498, 500;

members, 510.
Ermatinger at Ft Kamloop, 135.
Estjuimalt Harbor, original name, 10;

description, 87; Douglas examines,

89-90; society at, 714.
Es<)uinialt and Nanaimo railway,

contract for construction, 092.
Etholin, gov. of Sitka, 08, 207.
Evans, killed by Indians, .308.
Evans, Elhvood, on gold discovery,

B. C, 355.
" Experiment," ship, 26.
Exports, list and value, 1884, 751-2.
Express Bar, gold discovered, 441.

Kanshawe, Capt., attacks Indians,
274 5.

Furris, .Michael, Amer. settler on S.
.luan, 017.

" Fauntleroy," brig, 010.

" Felice," ship, 5, M.

" Feuis," ship, 29.

Fery Creek, mining on, 510.

Fery, Jules, on (/ariboo mines, 514.

Ferguson Bar, locality, 455-0; min-
ing at, 457.

Fidalgo, .S., Capt. of the "I'rincesa,"
20.

I'ife Passage named, 20.

Fifty-four Forty Bar, gold discovered,
441.

Finance, revenue, and expenditure,
18(i3, 584; KS(i4, .")90 I ; 1870, 003.

Fin Lay, Jos, explores Fiiday Kiver,
555.

Finlay River, mining on, 5.30, 540-55.

Finlayson, R., with Douglas, 71, 100;
comd at Ft Camosun, 101-15, 118-
32;bibliog., 103-4; character, 104-
0, 157; defends Ft Camosun, 108-
10; at Ft Victoria, 181; discovers
coal, 188; chief accountant, 282-3;
signs settlers' petition, 314; mem.
of council, 320; on gold discovery,
348 9, 3.")9-00; treasurer H. B. Co.,
3.59-00; chief factor, 382; at mines,
510, 527.

" Fisgard," ship, 124-5.

Fisheries, value and extent, 740-8.

Fisherville, rise, 1804, 523-4; famine,
1805, .524; pulled down ISOli, 525.

Fitzgerald, J. E., on grant of V. I.,
221, 225-0, 228.

Fitzliugh Sound named, 20.

Fitzwilliam, C. W. W., before comm.
in Eng. on H. B. Co., ,381.

Fitzwilliam, Earl, on settlement V. I.,
202.

Flattery Cape named, 4.

Fleming, Sandford, of the Pac. Rail-
way construction Co., 0.53.

Forbes, Dr, on gold discovery, 463;
on mines, 513, 571.

Forl)es, Charles, prize essay by, 700.

Fort Alberc. See Ft Camosun.

Fort Alexander, location, 57.

Fort Babine, location, 57-8.

Fort Bellingham established, 017.

Fort Camosun founded, 92-101; pur-
l)0se of, 93; cattle at, 100-7; at-
tacked by Inds, 107-10; description,
111-10; name changed, 118.

Fort Colville, removal of, 184.

:kH Iiulinns,
sfttlur on S.

110.

nines, 514.
455-6; min-

"Piincusa,"

d iliacovered,

expeniliture,
1; 1 870, (io:i.
'inlay River,

, 5;J0, 546-55.
glas, 71, 100;
101-15, 118-
lai'iioter, 104-
uno.sun, 108-
Sl; cliacovers
itiint, •282-;{;
1, :U4; niun).
ikl (lisuovery,
ui-H. B. Co.,
i2; ut niiiies,

nt, 740-8.
;)-4; famine,
1860, 5-25.

lut of V. I.,

26.

leforc comni.

;i81.

lenient V. I.,

e Pac. llail-
53.
icovery, 463;

lay by, 760.
nosiui.

57.

•8.

leil, 617.
92 101; pur-
106-7; at-

deacription,

118.

184.

INDEX.

781

Fort Connolly built, 200.

Kort Deliancu creeled 1792, 15.

Fort Kduionton, nnuing ut, 525.

Fort Fraaer, loeatioii, 57.

Fort (iL'orge, location, 57.

Fort Hope established, 176; impor-
tinee, ',iX\.

Fort Kaniloops, location, 134, 136;
commanderH of, 1.34-5; Tod at, 134-
66; Inds truding at, 136; ^)hU8hway
conspiracy, 1.34-56.

Fort Langley, situation, 59; de-
stroyed, 67; aa a trading post, 82.

Fort McLeod, location, 57.

Fort .McLoughlin, location, 59; aban-
doned, 93, 100.

Fort Nis(|ually, agric. at, 62.

Fort Rupert establisliecl, 19.3-4; so-
ciety at, 194-5; coal mining, 193-0,

Fort .St James, location, 57-8.

Fort iSimpson, situation, 59.

Fort Tako eatablislied, 48; location,
59; built, 72; abandoned, 93, 100.

Fort 'I'liompson. See Ft Kamloops.

Fort Vancouver, agric. at, 62-3; li-
brary at, 63.

Fort Victoria, as a post, 119-20, 130;
hospitality at, 121-5; agric. at, 127-
9, 131; as a wlialiug station, 128;
rising importance, 12;, 130; town
laid out, 2')8. See Fort Camosuu.

F'ort Vale establisiied, 171-6.

Forts of IJ. C, 53-72, 1.30.

Forts, catalogue of, 721-33.

Forts, nortliern, map of, 193.

" Forty-Xinc," steamer, 533-4.

Forty-nine Creek, mining at, iu 1867,
530.

Foster Bar, mining at, 451,

Foiuiuctt, Father, missionary, 718.

F'.i.lv.eather Bluff named, 16.

Foulweatiier Cape named, 4.

Fountain, tlie, mining at, 440, 454-
5, 4()4, 482.

Foy, M., miner, 546.

Foy, 1'., miner, 557.

Fiaser, A., prospects Nation River,
1870, 5."j5.

Fraser, D., on Cariboo mines, 482,
on gold discovery, 486, 492.

Fraser, I'aul, at Unipcjua, 57-126.

Fraser River, discovery of, 24; .Sir (1.
Simpson descends, 159; eluiracter
of, 161; gold discovered, 353-4;
excitement begins, 355-6; mining
on, 438, 401, 468-71; character of
mine8,429-40;aacendedbyBteiimers,
444; overland routes to, 445-7, 449-
.50; kinds of gold in, 462, 465-6;
rush to, 466-8, 522; yield, 468-71 ;

coal discoverod, 577, 570; bridge

across, 680.
Fraser River Railway ('o. incorpo-
rated, 691.
Fraser, .Simon, bibliog., 702.
Frederick Arm, .Spaiush name for, 26.
Free Press, newspaper, 739.
Freezy, Ind. chief, charactei-, 51.
French Bur, mining at, 441, 441, 45i,

4.53.
French Canadians as settlers, 56, 02,

248.
French Creek mines disco vereil, 531,

yield, 532; Hooded, ,534; decline,

535.
Friendly Cove, Meares erects house

at, in 1788, 5.
Fry, •]., director V. Coal Co., 569.
Fuca .Strait named, 6.
Fur-traders, language, 51-5; in B.

C, 53-72; dress, 54-5; assimihition

with natives, 54-5, 129 .30, 249;

horse ))rigade of, 59; hospitality,

129; as colonizers, 221, 247; life of,

288.

Oaliano, Capt., expedt. of 1792, 20-
8; map of, 23.

<i.iml>ling in Cariboo, 518.

"(Janges," H. M. 8., 404, 624.

Gardner, G. C, U. S. commisjioncr
in .S. Juan trouble, 610.

George, dry-diggings, location, 464;
mining at, 405.

"(ieorgiuua," ship, .344, .3(11.

(iermanseu Creek, mining, .")51, 553.

Germansen, Jas, gold discoverer 1870,
551.

Germany, S. .luan ijucstiou referred
to emperor of, 638-9.

"(;ertru(lis,"sliip, 29.

CJibbs, B., captured by Inds, 427.

Gilchrist, trial for nnirder, 432-3.

Gladstore, W. K., opposes 11. B. Co.,
212, 214, 233, 379.

Gold counnissioner, powers, 421.

Gold discovery, B. C, 18->S-78, .341-
75, 438-92; on the Fruser River,
3.-).3-4, 4.38; effect cu Wash, and
Or., .3,")(i; ell'ect onCul., 357-62, 372--
3; ellect (in B. C, 374-5; elleet on
fur trade, 392; on Inds, 392; in Car-
iboo eomitry, 472-94; in North,
520-64.

Gold-tields act, the, provisions, 420-'2.

"Gold- Hunter," ship, 361.

Goldsmith, S., miner, 546, 5.57.

Gooch, Lieut, Hill Bar trouble, 411.

;r:

718

INDKX.

Oooil, Rov. J. B., acot of Ft Hoiie,
170; l)io>{. uiid bibliog., 717-IS.

(}i>o(l, iiii|>y iiiiiiiHtt'i' of iiiiiiea ou \i, 0.
gold yield, 408-l».

(ioodas Any Co. claim, yield, 553.

(ioodyeiir, \V. A., ou Moute Diablo

coal, rm.

(i()(i8o Creek, mining on, 482.

(iurdon, Capt., 1^1. M. .S. "Ainericu,"
t'xuniint's N. W. coast, I'Jl-4,

(lordon,Cai)t., H.M. S. "Cormorant,"
at Victoria, rJ4; examines coul, lUO.

(iraliam, Capt., attacks Indians,
death, .190-7.

(Jraiit, Caiit., Imilds roa<l, 447.

(.irant, G. M., bibliog., 702.

Grant, tloliii, (in council V. I,, 320.

(J rant, Ji., jii.-itice, 204.

(irant, \V. C, aettlos at Soke Inlet,
'2')',i-'); bibliog., 253.

Gray, Cunt., visit of, 1788, 0; at-
tacked uy Inds, 8; meets Vancou-
ver, 15.

Gray, J. Hamilton, judge 1880, 700.

Gray Harbor surveyed, 2!).

Gregory, Cape, nanied, 4.

Grey, Karl, attitude to H. B. Co.,
203. 203, 228, 203-5; on gro-tof V.
I., 215; appoints gov., 203-, .

GrilHn, ( '. .)., actions in 8. Juan
trouble 1854, 007-8.

GritHtli claim, yield, 520.

tSrouae Creek, mining ou, 480, 493-4,
515.

Grouse Creek Flume Co., Grouse
Creek War, 429.

< J rouse Creek war, the, contestants,
cause, 429; resu'.t, 4;}0.

Guichon Creek, coal discovered, 579.

"Guilietti," schr, 301.

Gulf of Georgia named, 18,

Gun Creek, gold discovered, 454.

Haggaret, J. M., Amer. settler on

.S. Juan, 018.
Haidahs, Inds, hostility of, 427.
Half-breed claim, yield, 535-6.
Haliburton, J., dir. V. Coal Co., 569.
Haller, Ma], (J. O., establishes post

at I'ort Townsend, 613.
Hanlcy, W O., of first legis. council,

583.
Hanley, AV. T., col. of customs, 405,

417.
Hang Ditch completed, 529.
Haniia, Capt. J., trade with natives,

1780, 4-5; localities named by, 26.

Hard Curry Co. claim, yield, 498.
1 lure wood ooal mine, yield, 573,

.'■)77.
Harney, Gen., actions in H, Juan

affair, 617; commun. on, 020-1; re-

calleil, U.'i2; (quarrel with Gun. Scott,

63.3-5.
Haro, (lonzalos de, northern expedt.

1788, 3; at Nootka, 8.
Haro Strait named, 10; surveyed

1791, I:i-I4.
" Harpooner," ship, 2.')3, 257.
Hiirvey Creek, mining at, 470, 489-

90, 515.
Haskell liar, mining at, 4.'i5, 4.'i7
Hawes, aids Hudson's Bay Co., '. li.
Huyues, J. C, judge, 4.35; gold

conuur, 524
Hazel Point named, 16.
lla/litt, VV. C, gold discoverer, .343.
Heceta, exploration of 1774-9, 3.
Hector, Jas, ou gold-Held f irnuition,

4()0; on Nunaimo coal, 571.
Hclmcken, J. S.,at Fort Kupert, 243

0; personal appearance, 2i:!; magis-
trate, 244-5, 271, 27.3; as a doctor,

245; speaker first assembly, ,324,

327.
"Herald," surveying ship, 124-5.
Herd, Uavid, before couim. iu ii.n;^.

on H. B. Co., 381.
Heron claim, yield of, 493—4.
Hicks, , commr for crown lands,

405.
lliggins, J. E., Amer. settler on S.

Juan, 017.
High Low Jack claim, yield, ."iOO.
Hill Bar, govt at, 302-;S; rivalry with

^ale. 409-14; miuing .'.t, 441, 443,

405; town laid out, 441.
Hill, Bishop, reports gold discovery,

453.
Hippa Island named, 5.
Hixon, miner on Canon Creek, 510.
Hixson Creek, mining on, 510.
Hog affair of the S. .'lan Isl. 1859,
610.

H. ; first i.

couucil,

'•st legis.

discoverL ., 201.
Spanish name for.

Holbroi

5s:'

Hoi lui, A. R., of

Hon iiid, coa

Homii,. ' 'hannf

25.

Hood Canal nai .jd, 16.
"Hope," brig, 29.
Hope, town surveyed, 400; laid out,

402; mining iu dist, 442, 444, '464,

466, 471.
"Horcasitas," schr, 11.

INDEX.

78S

■them uxpeilt.
10; surveyed

settler on S.

Hornby, Capt., at Enquiinalt, 404;
ui'gex joint occupiition uf .S. Juun,
O'JO; interview witli Col Casey,
6J3-4.

liorHe Beef IW, mining at, 453.

Hurselly, tlie, mining on, 48(i-7; re-
re8enil)lancu to (Julitoruia gold-
fields, 487.

Iluvey diggings, mining at, 40,'>.

Howe iSoiind named, I'O.

Howell, R., gold discoverer, SilS.

Hubbs, C. 11., Anier. settler on 8.
Juun, 017.

Huljbn, I'uulK,, Amer. settler on IS,
Juun, (117.

Hudson liar, gold discovered, 441,
44:t, 444.

Hudson's liu} \ .)., treatment of luds,
44-51, '.'07., -JSO, 3:U-,-), a78, 3!M;
drive op[)o.sitii)U from coast, 59-00;
policy to settlers, 04, 81, 204 5,
'235, U48; relation to Kuss. Amer.
Co., 01, 08-!), 128, 178-1); character
of otticers, 81, 12!), 210, 372; ett'ect
on, of Cal. gold discovery, 180-4;
policy, 203-7, 210-11, 381, U'd; as
colonizers, 211, 223, 234, 250-2.
200-1; cluim to Rupert Land, 211;
oiiposition to, 212-17, 232-4, 251-2,
201, 313-14, 380; renewal of char-
ters, 217-10, 310; colonizes V. I.,
22;j-37, 313; causes of failnre, 337-
40, 251-2, 311-1.3, 379; riilu in V.
I., 2."i4-7; I'elation to Gov. iSlan-
chard, 208-72, 270-80; monopoly
on V. I., 312; etl'ect on, of gold dis-
covery, 341-54, 393, 407; gold ex-
port, 3>1, 353; attitude to miners,
300-1, .371-2, 380; decline of power,
370-87; tliscussion on cl»arter, 370-
81; uni(m with N. \V. Co,, 377;
stations, 380, 385; restrictions on
trade, 407; Inds discover gold and
coal, .")45, 509; coal-ndning, 509;
take possession of .S. Juun, 007.

Hume, J., opposes H. IJ. Co., 2.32-3;
explores Lightning Creek, 500.

Hunt, Capt., in comd of Amer. troops
at 8. Juun, 0;tO.

Hurley, killed by Indians, 368.

"Huronj" brig, 343-4.

Idaho Terr., configuration, 39* climate,

42.
"Imperial Eagle," ship, fi.
Imports, value 1884, 751.
"Inconstant," ship, 124.

Indians, early trade with, 4-5; attack
Meares' party, 1788, 0; under H.
U. Co. rule, 44-51, 207, 235 ,i, 274-
!i, 280, 331-5, 301; hanged, 40, 'iMi,
;^24, 429; i)eraecutions of, 46, 274 -
5, 425-7; regard lor Chinese and
negroes, 49; intlnence of civilisation
on, 54-5; writers on, 75; settle N.
VV. ten-., 70-7; hostility of, 108-
10, 17.3, 194, 2.36, .331, .305-8, .39 1 -.'i,
427-8, 434, «14; us fanners, 127;
slavery among, 1.32; sinall-pox
among, 149; li(iuor trade with, 207,
271, 280; character, 288-9, 420,
431-2; us gold discoverers, 345, 348,
351, 353, 392-3, 545; treaty with
miners, .3!)0 9; law among, 426; at-
tack on ships, 427, 429; tlock to
Victoria, 428; discover coul to H.
B. Co., .508-9; missionaries among,
718-19; govt treatment, 71!>-27.

Inland .Sentinel, newspaper, 739.

"Iphigeniu," ship, 6; seized by Span-
iards, 1789, 8.

Irwin, J. V. H., director V, Coal Co.,
569.

Isbister, Alex., before comm. in £^g.
on H. B. Co., 381.

Isherwood, B. F., on merits of eastern
and western coals, 575.

Jack of Clubs Creek, hanging at, 4.30;

mining on, 482, 515.
Janiieson, A. J., leads prospecting

expedt., 434.
Jervis Cunnl named, 20.
Johnson, Peter, Amer. settler on S.

Juan, 617.
Johnson, Reverdy, instructions to, on

8. Juan question, 6.35.
Johnstone, James, in Vancouver's

expedt., 25.
Johnstcne Strait, Spanish name for,

20.
Jones, Capt., meeting with hostile

Indp iS59 014.
Jordan and A'>bott claim, yield, 509.
Judiciary, aclmi.-. of justice, 419-37;

plan for, 420.
'Julia," steamer, 622.

Kamloop Lake prospected, 458-9.
Kamloops, gold discovered at, 348;
growth of, 468.

784

INDEX.

I 11.

« '

]'•' J'

; I

Kar-.loops, Iiuls, character, 133.

Karakas ut Furt Cuiiiusun, 127, 130,
^ '92.

Kane, miner, 548-9.

.'».ane, 1'., artist, in north-west 1846,
131-2.

Kauiiinan, J., 'i',>l,

Keitliley, miner, 48.V4, 486.

Keitliley Creek, mining on, 486, 489-
90, 515.

Kellett, (japt. IL, surveys Fuca Strait,
125.

Kenilrick, Capt., visit of, 1788-9, 8.

Kennedy, (/apt., gov. at V. I. 18ti4,
5!.';{.

Kennedy, J ¥., mem. of first as-
sembly, 3J1, 3J7.

Kernaglian, Win, before comm. in
England on 11. 15. Co., 381.

King, murder by, 401.

King, liichard, before comm. in Eng.
on H. U. Co., :i81.

"Kingtislier," sehr, plundered by
Inds, 249.

"King Cieorge," ship, 5.

King (iforge Sound named, 4.

King (ieor^e's .Sound Co., formed for
fur-trudiiig, 1 780, 5.

Kirbyville started, 5li3.

Kuiglit Canal named, 26.

Kootenai mines, 521-0, 5.S2; inacces-
sibility of, 5_'2; roads to, 523.

Kootenais, Inds, character of, 50, 130;
missionaries among, 718.

"Kossuth," schr, 361.

"Labonchere," steamer, 633.
LaboucliiTe, desi)atoli to Douglas, 317;

instriiclions to col. govt, 318-20;

on II. 15. Co. charter, ■■<77-8.
Lacoui'se, T., in Anderson's expedt.,

159.
Lacy, Lt, massacres Inds, 275.
La Fleur Co. claim, yield, 532.
"Lagrange," ship, 48.

Laing, , captured by Inda, 427.

LainI Kiver, mining on, 5U0-2.

Lake Hill Farm, 201.

Lakiitown, trade at, 503-4.

]jane in north-west, 131.

Langnevin, ndiii.ster of public works,

502, ."i04; on gold yield, 557.
Langford, K. K., settler at V. I., 250,

261; farm of, 251; mem. of lirst as-
sembly, ;J21, 325.
Langley, site surveyed, 400; as mining

locality, 444; description of, 710.

La Perouse, ,r^ N. W. coast 1786, 3.

Laasertes, accident to, 291-2.

Last Chance C'reek, mining on, 482,

607, 517.
Lawrence, A., U. .S. minister, 207.
La\\'rcnce Island, Spanish name for,

21.
Lay, Kootum, Indian chief, 393.
Leech, 1*. J., discovers coal, 508.
Lefoy, J. H., before conun. in Eng.

on H. 15. Co , 3Sl.
Legislative couijcil, organized 1803,

583.
Legislature, proceedings of 1872-80,

705.
Lewis, H. G., voyage 1851, 195; biog.

and bibliog., 758.
Lewis, r. H., with overland party,

36S, 482.
I.iard Kiver, mining on, 50.3.
Library among fur-traders, 63.
Ijightning Co., work, .■>()7; yield, 508.
Lightning Creek prosiieeted, 480-2;

rush to, 490; history, 500; mining

at, 500, 508, 513, 515; coal dis-
covered, 579.
Lilloet llivei', mining at, 4,")2, 471.
Lincoln, Earl of, o))poses Hudson's

Bay Co., 213, 232-3.
"Live Yankee," bark, .361.
Lolo, J. ]5., Ind. chief, character,

140-1; reveals conspiracy, 141-5.
London, AUan'.s attemiit to raise loan

m, (i53; syndicat ; formed to build

railwiiy, 078.
Lopez IsUnd, 006.
Lord, J. K., bibliog., 759.
"Lord Western," ship, wrecked, 254.
Lost Crec^k, mining on, 551, 554, 558.
Lowheo Creek, mining on, 482, 496,

509, 515.
Lj'ons, Lord, ]''ng. ndnister at Wash.,

625; actions in .S. Juan ali'air, 625-

7; proposes abitration, 035.
Lyttou district, miuiiig at, 447, 449,

450, 404, 4(10, 471.
Lytton, Sir C. 15., on gold discovery

B. C, 370.

Macdonald. A., map of N. W., 55.
Macdonal'i, Wm J., bioy., 758-9.
.Maetio Cii Cariboo mines, 498.
.Macor.a, Professor, in railway sur-
vey expedt., 0.")0.
"Ma.lonna,"bark, .301.
.N!ainland (}uardian, newspaper, 739.
Mamoosic! mine, coal yield, 200.
Manitoba created, 385.

.(J !

;oast 178G, 3.

ling on, 482,

lister, 207.
sli name for,

lief, 393.
;ciiil, 5G8.
inin. in Eng.

ranized 18G3,

a of 1872-80,

.")!, 195; biog.

eriand party,

503.
M's, 63.

17; yield, 508.
,ectu<l, 480- -J;
, 500; mining
)15; coal dis-

;, 452, 471.
jses Hudson's

361.

{, character,
acy, 141-5.
t to raise loan
i-nied to build

)9.

wrecked, 254.
551, 554, 558.
oil, 4S2, 496,

iter at Wash.,
Ill all'aif, 025-

01)5.

at, 447, 449,

;old discovery

N. W., 65.
, 758-9.
4!KS.
railway sur-

wspaper, 739.
jld, 200.

INDEX.

785

Manson, D., in Anderson's expedt. ,
174; ju.sticc, 204.

Manson River, mining on, 651, 553,
558.

Manufactures of territory, 003, 748-9.

Maps, Caiiiosun and vicinity, 80;
Shush W'lp country, 137; Anderson's
routes, 16-; Yale and Hope, 177;
northern forts, 192; south end of
Vancouver Ishind, 2.VJ; the lower
mining legion, 442; the upper gold
dists, 459; Cook's 1788, 3; Meares',
7; Quiinijer's, 9; Elisa's, 12, Van-
couver's No. 1, 17; Vancouver's No.
2, 19; Galliano's, 23; VancDUver's
No. 3, 27; Cariboo country, 474;
Archipeliigo dcHaro, 600; Canadian
I'acific, 081.

Maquimia, Ind. chief, 28,

"Maria," steamer, 3(i4.

Mariu Bar, gold <lis<;overed, 440.

Mariav-.lle establitiiied, 443; mining
at, -44.

Marro vstoni! Point named, 10.

"Martii," steamer, 532.

Martin, H. M., on policy H. B. Co.,
210-11; on grant of V. I., 221, 224;
bibliog., 221.

Mai'tiiie/, northern expedt. 1788, .>.

Mary's i'euk liatneil, 70.

Mason, SiL., visits Victoria, .352.

" Massacliiinctts," steamer, 617, 019,
024, 027.

Maury, Lieut, on geography N. ^\'.
coast, 374.

Maynard, .Josejih, before comm. in
Eng. on H. B. Co., 381.

!Mayiie, Lieut, Hill IJar trouble, 411-
13; on the Eraser, 445; on gold ilis-
coveiy, 403; on coal discovery, 569,
570.

McArthur Creek, mining on, 505, 515.

^IcCallum Creek, mining on, 482.

McCauly, Samuel, Anier. settler on,
S. .Inaii, 017.
cClellan,( i. B., discovers goM, 347-S.

McCreight, .lolin E., jmlge 1880, 700.

McCuUoih Creek, miius di.seoverod,
531; mining au, 532, 53C.

McDaine {'ivck, mining on, 502-3.

McDonald, mining on Eraser Itiver,
kills partner, 350-1.

McDonald, golddiunter, 479, 483, 492;
character, 483-4,

McDonald, Alex., Amer. Bottler oc S.
Juan, 017.

McDoiii'l^l, Angus, clerk at Et Col-
ville, 349, 355; chief trader, savi s
Inds, 308; at Et Shepherd, 385;
prospecting expedt., 521.
Hlst. Biux. Col. SO

McEwen, gold discoverer, .344.

MeCiollcy dry-diggings, mining at,
451, 404-5.

McUowan, Ned, Hill liar trouble, 408,
410, 412-14; altercation with Phifer,
414.

McCJraugh, gohl discoverer, 527.

Mctiuill's claim, yield, 527.

Mcintosh, at Eort McLeod, 5S.

McKay, Cliarles, Amer. settler on S.
Juan, 617.

.McKay, J. H., Amer. settler on S.
Juan, 617.

McKay, J. W., examines N. W.
co.ist, 120-7; visits Cal., 127; chief
factor, 178-80; outwits Sheinelin,
179; discovers coal, 190 !); char-
acter, 197; builds Et Nanaimo, 199;
explores V. 1., '2m; mem. of first
assembly, 325, 327; with Douglas
among Inds, .■i3.'!; discovers gold,
.343; reports discovery, 400.

McKen/ie, E., in charge of McLeod
Lake station, .385.

McKenzic, (Jco., at V. I., 251.

.McKenzie, ^Irs, at V. I., 250.

McKey, treatment of by Inds in
1780, 5.

McKinlay, A., among Inds, 1;>1; jus-
tice, 204.

McLean, chief trader at Kamloops,
348-9, 3.V2, 354.

McLean, J., golil discoverer, 347.

McLeod, John, at Et KamliHip, 135.

McLeod, Malcolm, view ol Douglas,
299.

.McLaughlin, David, leads overland
party, 367-8.

^McLaughlin, James, with overland
party, 307.

McLaughlin Island, Spanish name
for, 21.

McLougli, 111, John, idea of Astoria as
a post, 78; retires from 11. B. Co.,
87, 119, 120, 29.3-4; as chief factor,
282; mem. of board of inanagcmeiit,
2s3; trains !>';'igliis, 28,")~6; char-
acter, 290, riOO-'.'; pci'soiial appciir-
aiice, 300; jiolicy to .settlers, 2!)7,
304 5; bct'oie comm. in Eug. on H.
B. Co., 381.

McLoiighlin, John, .Tr, at Stikeen
Itivtr, 103; assassination, 103.

Mc.MuUiii, <J(>v., visits X'ictoiia, 3.V2;
visits Douglas rcl. to S. Juan
trouble, 014.

McXcill, Capt. W.. quarrel with
Douglas, 09 71; explores \'. I., 84;
estni.lishes Ft Biipert, 192 4; at
Beaver Harbor, 271.

i)d

780

INDEX.

McTavisli, DngalJ, chief factor, 283,
328, 382, 384; pei-soual appearauce,
383.

Meares, C'apt. , visit of, in 1788, 5-8;
map of, 7.

".Muxicauo," suhr, 20.

Miles, Jolin, before comm. in Eng.
oil JI. li. Co., 381.

MilUm, ^'i.^couut, on gold-lield forma-
tion, 40(5, 498.

Minohalia claim, yield, 504.

Mines, scarcity of provisions at, 393;
govt, 393, 421-2; elements govern-
ing, 511-12; gold yield, 514, 515;
popnlation at, 514-15; list of, 515;
missionaries at, 519; women at, 519;
on Columbia, 520-42; Kootenai, 522-
l); report of minister 1884, 749-50.

Mining on Fraser River, 438, 442;
name of localities, 441, 448, 451,
455; sluice method, 443; dry-dig-
gings, 401, 404; in Cariboo, 472-
519; hill, 512; underground, 517.

Mining license, 301, 370, 388, 390-1,
401, 421.

Mink (iulcli, mining on, i")04.

Missionaiics on the N. ^\'. coast, 57;
at mines, 519.

Mission Creek, mining on, 540.

Mitcliell Harbor, gold-liunters in,
340-7.

Mol)('rly Creek, miniiiL; on, 400, 5.S8.

Aloberly, ^V., at tlie fountains, 455;
ilisc<jvers mine, 400.

"Modesk," H. M. «., 151.

Moll'at, gold discoverer, 550.

Motl'at claim, yield, 498.

^Mull'iit i!iv( r, gold discovered, 556.

Montigny, K., in Anderson's explor.
exiiedt., 159.

Moody, K. C, cohmial oiUcer 15. C. ,
407-8; settles Hill JJar troul)les,
411 13, selects site for capital, 414-
15; begins New Westminster, 410;
lieutgov., 417.

Moore, Wni, arrest of, 030.

!Mooyio Kiver, mining at, 527.

Moresliy Isl., pliysical description, 34;
coal seam, 574.

Mormon Har, mining at, 451-2, 4,")5.

Mosquito Creek, mining on, 441, 504,
515.

Mouiitain systemofX.W. coast, 33-40.

Mount liakcr namcil, 10.

Mount ILainer named, 10.

Mount St. Jhlfiis named, 29,

Mount Stephens nanie<l, 20.

Muir, A., at Victoria 1».")3, 2.")9-60.

Muir, .lohii, co.il-miiiing, 19,3-8; mem.
of first assembly, 321, 327.

Muir, Mrs, reception by Iiid.s, 194.

Muir, M., at I'ort Rupert, 273.

Murchison, Sir K., on Cariboo geolo-
gy, 513; on gold deposits, 539.

Musgrave, A., gov. 1809-71, 596;
official acts, 597.

Mustang Creek, mining on, 504r-6.

Naches Pass, gold discovered at, 348.

Nanainio, iSpauish name for, 22; coal
discovered at, 190-200, 509, 578;
fort built, 199; gold discovered, 343;
development of town, 574; descrip-
tion of, 714.

Xanaimo Coal Co. sell interest, 569.

Nanaimo mines, work at, 570-1, 573;
output, 571, 574; area, 573.

Xarvaez, Jo8(5 M., survey of Haro
Strait 1791, 13-14.

Xass River, gold discov^ered, 347.

Nation River prospected, 555.

Neali Bay, original name, 11.

Nechaco River, coal discovered, 579.

Needham, chief justice, 337; retires,
423.

Xehannes, Inds, character, 50.

.Velson Creek, mining on, 482, 515.

Xeversweat claim, yield, 498.

New Caledonia, conliguratiun, 36-9;
climate, 40 .'i; fauna, 43-4; natives,
44-51 ; fur-traders' life in, 288; govt,
370; intliix of gold-niinei-s, 381-2.

Newcastle, Duke of, on settlement V.
I., 202.

Xew castle Isl., coal discovered, 198,
200, 573.

Xewcastle mine, work at, 509, 571;
coni|iared witli tlie lJ(niglas, 572.

New Dungeness named, 10.

Xewittees, Inds, massacre of, 274-5.

Xewspa[ier9 in H. C, 739.

New W'estuiinstcr laid out, 41.')-l(i;
port of entry, 4l(i; inctuporatcd,
417-18; legis. council at, 1804, 58.3
5; banipiet to Douglas, 588, descrip-
tion of, 715-10; news[iapers, 739.

New Westminster and I'ort Moody
Railway (^'i>, incorporated, 091.

New Westminster lUiilway Co. incor-
porated, 091.

New Zealand Co. claim, yield 1875,
554.

Xi-'Z I'ercds, Inds, character, 288-9.

Nicaragua Bar, mining at, 448, 404,
4(i5; toriiKition, 403.

Nicol, C. .1., manager V. Coal Co.,
509; report 1800, 570.

I .

4 ^

)y IikIs, 194.
lert, "273.
Caril)oo geolo-
losits, oSi).
1SC9-71, 096;

g on, 504-6.

overed at, 348.
ne for, '22; coal
200, oG'J, 57.S;
liscovered, 34H;
1, 574; duscrip-

interest, 569.
at, 570-1, 573;
ea, 573.
iirvey of Haro

vered, 347.
id, 555.
lie, 1 1.

3covi;i-ed, 579.
;e, 337; retires,

cter, .")0.
on, 4>S2, 515.
Id, 4!I8.

,'urati(jn, 36-fl;
, 43-4; natives,
[e in, 2SS; govt,
liners, 381-2.
1 settlement V.

iscovered, 198,

; at, 569, 571;
)(niij!las, 572.
, lii.
lere of, 274-5.

1 out, 41.")-1();

ineoriioiated,

1 at, 18(i4, 583 -

s, .">8S, deseriii-

i|iaii('i's, 73!).

I Tort Muodv

•ated, (JlJl.

way Go. incor-

II, yield 1875,

icttr, 288-9.
l; at, 448, 464,

V. Coal Co.,

INDEX.

787

Nicola, Ind. chief, 51; conspiracy of,

152-0.
Nicola I>ake named, 76.
Nicoll, C. iS., high-sheriff, 416-17,

422.
Nieoutaniueh, Imls, character, 136.
A'ind, r. II., gold eoninir, 489,491;

of first legis. council, 58.3.
A Ishtacks. missionaries among, 719.
i>oblea, liobt, i)rospects Carues Creek,

537.
Nomenclature, authorities on, 76-7.
Nootka, possession of, taken for .Spain

1774-9, 3; .siiips at, in 1778 '.», 8;

al)andoned anil leoccupied 1789-90,

8; meeting at to settle ling, claims

1792, 14, 28 9.
"Norman Morrison," ship, 257, 258.
"Northerner," steaniei', (i27.
Northern I'acilio Kailway founded,

374.
North Metropolitan Post, necessities

of, 78-9.
"Nortliwest America," ship, 6, 8;

seized by S|)aniiirds 178!), 8.
Northwest J'"ur Co., fund witli Hud-
son's Bay Co., 7!t.
Nortliwest Terr., eastern parallels. 32;

limits, 33; cjnMguralioii, ;i,3-4();

climate, 40-3; fauna, 43-5; natives,

44-51; oceU|iied liy Hug. and U. S.,

63 6, 81, 121-7; settlements, 248;

sold by II. 15. Co., .385.
Nugent, .lolin, U. S. eommr to B. C,

358, 360, 405, 453, 4U8-9.

Oak Cove named, 16.

Oakos, D. W., Amcr. settler on S.
•liian, 617.

Ogden, I'. >S. , chief factor, 57; at Ft
\'amouver, 131; repoi't on coal dis-
covery, 18!I-!I0, justier, 264; on
board of chief faetois, 283; at Ft .St
James, 385; at .^tewart J^akc, 548,
550.

Okanagan Lake, mining on, 540.

Okanagans, luils, chanirUr, I. 36; hos-
tility, ,368.

Olnev, Oscar, dept. collector on S.
.luan Isl., 60!).

Omiiiiia mines, location, 544; yold
exciteinent, .")47; winter life at 5 i2;
yield, 552-3, 5.)7-8; hydraulic min-
ing, .■>53; failure, 556-7.

Oniierdonk, A., contract for building
railway, ()80.

Oppenheimer, C., niiiier, 526, 535.

Orcas Island, 606.

Oregon, soil of, 40; settlers' character,
54; early limits, 55 (i; settlements,
.56,248; early politics, 126; ellect of
Cariboo gold discovery, 3.")6, 478;
coal formation, 5()6.

Oregon treaty 1S4(), terms, 17--3.

O'Reilly, I'eter, justice of peace, 416,
433; character, 434; gold comnir,
441, 524, 551, 554; of lirst legis.
council, 583.

Orr, James, of first legis. council,
583,

"Osprey,"' sclir, ,361.

"Otter," steamer, 334, 390, 444, 607,
608.

" P.acific," steamer, wrecked, 562.

Pacific K^iilway Construction Co,,
members of, 053.

Palmer Creek, gold yield, 529.

Palmer, Lieut, 11. .S., arrives at Vic-
toria, 407; on gold discovery, 463;
on mining dist, 472, 541, 544.

Palmer, Joel, with overland party,
368-70; liiog., 7.")9.

Paliiierst<,n, Lord, trade controversy,
207.

" I'aiidora," steamer, .361.

" I'andora,'' surveying .ship, I2(-5.

Parke, Capt. , ex;.' mines Columbia,
121, 123.

Parke, Lt .Tolin <i., U. S. commis-
sioner in .S. Juan trouble, 610.

I'arkiugtou, Sir J., presents settlers'
[letition, 261.

P.-iisiiip River, miu'^s on, 555, 579.

I'arsoiis' bridge built, 251.

Passage Canal named, 20.

Passage Island named, 20.

Pate Creek, mining on, 505.

I'at K 'lly's Co, claim, yield, .552.

Peace River n,iiiied, 77, 544; mincj
on, 545, 579.

Peilder May, original name, 9,

Peel, Lieut, tLsamines Columbia. 121,
12.3.

I'eeis, H. X., discovers coal, 576-7.

Pelly, ,Sir .1. IL, gov. 11, 15. Co. in
Kng.. 205, 207, 208, 215; nominated
gov. of 15. C, 203 4.

I'cmberton, A. F., judge, 433.

I'embeifon, .). I)., mem. of lirst as-
sembly, .■{21; colonial surveyor, ItH),
404; on gold yield, 409; bibliog.,
7.")9.

Peiid d'Oreillu River, gold discovered,
521.

Pi
I

788

INDEX.

Pcnd (TOrcilles, Iiiils, character, 50.

I'ciin Cove imiiiud, 18.

Pearkes, (J., crown solicitor, 4C'2;

plan for judiciary, 420.
Ptrcz, I'xploratioii of, 1774-9, 3.
Perkins, (Ico., Ainer. settler ou S.

Jiwiii, (il7.
Perpctiia Cape named, 4.
Perrier, (Jt;o., justice. Hill Bar, 394,

409-10; disnusscd, 413.
Perrj-, F., miner, 400, 5'2(i, t")31.
Perry Creek, excitement at, 526.
Piufer, M. W., altercation with Mc-

(iowan, 414.
Pliysical features, autlioi'itieson, 72-3.
I'ickett, Capt. U., with troops to iiel-

liiigham Hay, 013; to S. Juan Isl-
and, <)17-1H.
Pine Hiver, coal discovered, 579.
Pioneer and Democrat, newspaper,

on gold discovery, ,355.
Pleusanton, Ailj.-(Jcn., instruction in

S. .luan allair, G20.
"Pleiades," H. A1..S., 404, 619.
" Plumper." II. M. »., 390, 408, 416,

," •», 570, 610, 619.
Plumper Sound surveyed 1791, 14.
Pcjiiallok, Ind. cliief, 165 6.
Point Atkinson named, 20.
Point Cliatliam nauietl, 26.
Point Dull' named, 26.
Point Francis named, 20.
Point Cordon named, 26.
Point (iower named, 20.
Point (lieuviile named, 15.
Point (irey named, 20.
Point Mui'shall, 25.
Point Partridge named, 18.
P(jint lioberts named, 20.
I'oiut St ( teorge named, 15.
Point William named, 20; Spanish

sliips at, 21.
I'oint Wilson named, 18.
I'oliee, mounted, character of, 331,

434.
Popular tribunals in 15. C, 436.
Port Cox named, (!.
Port lUscoveiy named, 16.
I'ort I'lllingham named, 6.
Porter, 1'., shoots IJair, 539.
i'ort Cardner nannd, 18.
Piirtloi'k, ('apt., visit of, 1787, 5.
I'ort Moody, reasons for selection aa

terminus, 684 (i.
Port Xeville named, 26.
Poi-t San .luan named, 9.
Port Susan nanied, 18.
J'ort Townscnd named, 16.
Possession .Sound named, 18.
Poverty Bar, niininy at, 441.

Prevost, Capt., on gold discovery, 3.55;

at Victoria, 38.S; conuiu' in .S. .Juan

ti<ndile, 610; urges joint occupation

of S. .hum, 620.
Prince Albert J5ar, ndning at, 464,

465.
" I'rincesa," ship, 15, 20, 29.
"Piineess Royal," ship, seized by

.Spaniards I7!S9, 8.
Protection Island surveyed, 16.
I'uget, Lt Peter, in Vancouver's

exi)edt., 16.
Puget .Sound named, 18; early im-
portance, 373-4; I'hig. men-of-war

on, 623.
Puget Sound Agricultural Co., iu-

augnrated, .52; growth, 82; attempt

to coloni/e V. I., 220 7; farndngbv,

251, 200-1, 313.
Puget Sound liar, gold discovered,

441-2, 441.
I'uget Sound Mining Co. formed, 206;

colonize V. I., 251-2, 260-1.

Quackolls, Inds, inform H. }J. Co. of

eoaltields, 186 8.
Quadra, town, lounded, 576.
Quartz Creek, ndning on, 551, 562.
Quatsino Sound, coal mining at, 201;

.569, 578.
"Queen Charlotte,'' .ship, 5.
Queen Charlotte Coal ^Mining Co.

formed, 575-().
Queen Charlotte Island named, 5;

contiguration, .34; coal diseovereil,

201, 567, 578; gold discovered, 343 •

5, 558 9.
Queen Charlotte Sound nanied, 26.
C^uesncl Kivcr, ndning on, 457, 473,

485-6, 515.
Qnimper Bay named, 10.
Qnimper, Manuel, explorations of,

1790, 8-11; nuip, 9.

Riiby claim, yield. 498.

I!ae, dohn, before counn. in Rng. on

H. 15. Co., 381.
Rac, W. (i., at Stikeen River, 103.
Randall Co. claiui, yield, 540.
Rattray, Dr, ou gold discovery, 4(>3.
Rjiy, tl. R., preempts ou l''iaser, .'ill2.
" Recovery," ship, 331, .'{46 7, 405.
Red River settlement, colonization

of, 226-7.

INDEX.

789

liscovery, SiM;
iiir ill S. .Iiiaii
iiit ouuupatioa

iniiig ut, 4(J4,

0,29.

ip, seized by

yed, IG.

1 Vaiicouvcr'a

18; early iiii-

J^. lUCll-ot-WHl"

tinal Co., ill-
til, S'J; atti'liipt
-7; furiuiiiL^liy,

iM discovered,

b. fonued, 200;
, 200-1.

Ill H. B. Co. of

1, o7C.

«iii, .">.")!, 502.

iiiiuiiig at, 201-

ip, .').

Mining Co.

,nd naiiitMl, ,'i;
lal disiovcicil,

isoovi'ivd, ;im

iiiUiK-'d, 20.
on, l.'i7, 47;!,

;ploratiou8 of,

n. in Eug. on

Kiver, 10;{.
1, .")40.

iviM'y, 4(')I!.
,1, JM-aser, ,S!I2.

;i4() 7, 40,").
t, colonizutii)ii

Ree.se River, mining on, 542.

lU'id, 'Jjipt., visits Victiiiiu, 2.")9-G0.

Rennie iJios, dcatii of, 4S2.

"Kepuhlii;," stLMiiiur, ;{01.

" l!f.solutioii," isliii), 10.

Revenue, .'WO, :i;i7 40, :i70-l, .S90, 400,

402 3, 417-lS, 7.V.-6,
Rioo. killed by Indians, .'508.
Rieliards, Capt. , ii|)(iit on Xanaimo

coal, .■)71; coiniiiion S..)iian tioiiUlu,

010; uigis joint octiiiiation, 020.
Riciiai'd.son, coal discoverer, 5v;7.
Ricliardson, Sir .loiiii, before coinni.

ill Kiig. on H. 15. Co., .'iSl.
Richtichi mining settlement, 504.
Riilge Co. claim, yield, .")!!,">.
Rim Rock Co. claim, yield, 5."i.3.
Roberts, C. C. , on i raser excitement,

358.
R(jbcits()n, \V., on Big Bend excite-
ment, 5;il.
Roliinsoir.s ISar, mining at, 451, 45.3.
Roclie, A. U., before conim. in Eng,

on l{. B. Co., .•{81.
Rock Crc;ek mines, yield 1800-1, 5.S9.
Rocky Point named, 15.
Roebuck, on Hudson Bay Co. charter,

378.
Rosario Strait, original name, 1 1 .
R(j.se, miner, 470, 4S:{, 492; death,

48.S 4.
Ross, Alex., at Fort Kamloop, l.'?5.
Ross, Ciuis, commahds I'ort Camo-

sun, 101; dies, 102.
Ross, .lolm, before comm. in Eng. on

11. B. Co., .S81.
Rouse, Ca|it., attack on Inda, 395.
Rnw land, discovers gold, 344.
Royal I5ay, original name, 10; .situa-
tion, 87.
Rupert Land, sale of, Ijy H. B. Co.,

3S5.
Russell, Lord ,]olin, opposes H. B.

Co. 's charter, 21.3, 2 b").
Russian American Co.'s relation to

H. 15. Co., 01,0S-9, 12s, I7S-9; to

Eng. traders, 178.
Russian Creek, miuLug on, 510,

Sacramento Bar, mining at, 441, 443.
Sailor liar, mining at, 448.
St (ieorge Bay named, 15.
'■ St .los(.'pli," shi)>, 29.
Salmon Creek, mining at, 529.
San Antonio I'oiiit named, 9.
San Bias, supplies sent from to Noot-
ka, 8.

"San Carlos," ship, 8, II, 21, 29,
Sanders, E. H., judge, 433; of firat

legis. council, 583.
San Ensebio I'oiiit named, 9.
".Santa Gertrudis," ship, 15.
Sangsler, ,las, signs address, 282;

signs petition, 314.
San Juan Island, area, 000; H. B. Co.

take possession of, 007.
San Juan Island ditHculty, 1854-72,

005-49.
Sankster, Mr, actions in S. Juan

trouble 1,S54, (i07-8.
" SantJi Cruz," steamer, .301.
Santa Cruz I'oint. See New Duiige-

ness.
.Saskatehewon, gold excitement 1800,

524-5.
"Satellite," H. M. S., 3.")5, 388, .389,

405, 428, 010, 018.
" Saturiiina," sliip," 21.
Saunders, E. H., asst gold comm. at

Ft Vale, 417.
Savary Lsland named, ■]5.
Savona's Ferry, growing prosperity

of, 710.
Scott, (Jen., sent to Pacific coast, 027;

actions in .S. .Iiiaii all'air, 027-31;

(juarrel with (iin. Harney, 033 5.
Scranton, J., visits Victoria, 352.
"Sea Bird," steamer, 304, 444.
"Sea Otter," ship, 5.
Seemanu, B., on Ft Camosun, 112-13;

on H. B. Co. s trade, 129-.30.
Selby, 1'., director \'. Coal Co., 509.
Selwyn, Mr, railway survey expedt. ,

050.
Scmiahmoo Bay, !;'eetiiig of S. Juan

commissioners at, 010-13.
Settlers, eiicroacliment on the Co-
lumbia 1843, 81; restrietions on,

210-11; term dellned. 247; of Ore-
gon, 248; of V. L, 252-01; petition

to parliament, 201 ; petition to gov. ,

281 2; character, 307.
Seward, Sec, actions in .S, Juan

atl'air, ().35-7.
Seymour, town, 4.")8, 5.33.
Seymour, l''ied., succeeds Douglas as

gov. of I!. C, 5.^8; otticial actions

l8(i4-5, .")89- I; death, .")90.
Seymour, (1. I'\, commander of fleet

in South I'acilic, 125.
Shaw Island, 00().
Shemelin, liuss. agent, 179.
Shepherd, ('apt., at V. L, 124.
Siulkumchcen, Iml. village, 100,
Ship-iiuildiiig, \'. L, 255.
Shiiiping, liist vessel built on N.

\V. ccast 17^8, 0; arrivals 1880,763.

700

INDEX.

Slioalwatcr Bay, Capt. Mcare« at,
178S, 0.

" Slinl)iick," steamer, 624.

Sliusliwap RivtT, mining on, 400,

!Sliusli\v;ips, liiils, chaiiicttr, "iD; hos-
tility, i;j4-50; country, KIT; dress,

i:w-40.

Sibk.', Ji. W., trade conti'ovorsy, 207.
Siddt'', siiigcon, ari-ivca ^'. I., 407.
Silver (ri'oi;, niininj,' on, liS70, 5.")1.
iSiiniliiaMieun, Inds, uliariiutLi', 130.
Siniilkiimeun River, mining on, 'MS,

Simpson, Sir fl., in Korenais country,
37-S; at V. I., 84 (i; at Ft Kam-
loops, 1.'}."); descends Friiser river,
l.")9; gov. 11. U. Co. in Amor., '20't,
207; before conun. in Kng. on H.
B. Cc . :«i.

Simpson River, coal discovered, 570,

Ske('na River, ndning on, 34.5-7, <)''5,

ii'ii), 57s.
Skeleton Creek, mining on, "lol, r>,>4.
Skidegiite Isl., coal discovered, 201.
Skinner, TlKjmas, mem, of first as-

,scmlilv, 3-'l, 327
"Skuzzy," stcamei, OS.'!.
Slavery among Indians, 1.32.
Small-jiox among Indians, 149.
Smith, A. ()., nnner, prospecting,

52.">, .");ir).

Smith Inlet named, 20.

Sniitii, R. '!"., goM connnissioner, 0,32;
of first legis. eonncil, r)S3.

Sndtli, S. R., takes steamer up the
Fraser, 083.

Smith, \Vm, Amor, settler on S. Juan,
017.

Sndth, W. fr., secy H. B. Co., re-
port, 331)-4().

Smuggling in B. ('., 417.

Snow, Capt., voy. of 1S30, 48.

Snowshoe Creek, ndning on, 482, 480,
ol,-), .-)02.

Snyder, H. M., treats with Indians,
30(i 8.

Soke lidet, Spanish name, 0; settled,
2,")3-4; coal discovered, 570.

Songliies, natives V. 1., 05, 111; at-
tend mass, 00; attack Ft (,'amosun,
108-10,

Sovereign Creek, mining on, 482.

Spaniards op. coast of JJ. C. 1774-0,
2 3.

Si)aulding, W. R., justii.'o of pejice at
(^ueensborough, 410; postmaster,
417.

Spenoe, T., gold discoverer, 441.

Si,!iululeu Flat, mining at, 451.

S])intlum, Indian chief, 401.
Scjuiizown, Ind. village, 100.
SUiines, Mrs, at V. 1., 2.30, 250.
Staines, R. J,, at Victoria, 238-41;

oijposes H. B. Co., 240-2; deatli,

243.
Stephens, (!ov., leads exploring ex-

pedt., 374.
Steptoc, Col, fights Indians, 305.
Stevens Creek, mining on, 4S2, .505.
Stevens, (iov., connn. on S. Juan

troid>le, 008.
Stikeen country, description, .38-9.
Stikeen River pi'ospeeted 18(il, .5,50.
Stoek-niising, favorable regions for,

744-0.
Strawberry Bay named, 20.
Stuart, John, descends Fraser River,

150.
Sugar Creek, mining on, 482, 504.
Sulli\ an, gold comndasioner, drowned,

502.
"Surprise," steamer, 304, 444.
"Sus;in Sturgis," ship, 340.
"Siitil,"' Spanish brig, 20.
Sutro, Adolpli, on gold discovery B.

C, 373.
Suan, J, M., visits Victoria, 220, 231.
"Swiss Boy," brig, captured by

luds, 427-8.

Tababoo Creek, ndning on, 482.
Taldvats, nnssionaries among, 719.
Tako River, Doughis explores, 71.
Taylor, J. F., U. S. commissioner on

S. Juan troulile, 010.
Teet, Inds, chiuacter, 1,30,
'rellatella Quatza, Indian chief, 39.3.
Teimant, .lames, before comin, iu

Kng. on II. B. Co., 3S1.
Tennent, (J. W,, secy law-makers,

303,
"Tepic,"ship, .340-7.
"Termagant," H. M. S., 417.
" Thames t'ity," ship, 404.
"Thetis," II. iM. S., 124, 2.30, 331.
Thibert Creek, mining on, 500-3.
Thistle ('rei4i, ndning on, 4.S2.
TiLom[ison, 1)., builils Ft Thompson,

Thompson River, Tnining on, 458-01;

400, 570.
I Thompson Sound, Span, name for, 20.
Thornton, John, miner, on Salmon

Creek, 1805, ,5,30.
"Tliree Hrothers," sinr "iS.
Tillamook Bay, native at, attack

(iray's men 1780, 8.

401.

10(5.
2:«), 250.
;tona, "238-11;
'2H>-2; dcutli,

exploring ex-

liaiis, 305.
on, 4S-.', m-).
. ou 8. Jiiuu

ption, 38-9.
u(l 18(il, ;").->!).

rugioua for,

, 20.
Fraser River,

1, 482, .")04.
oner, ilrowue'l,

104, 444.
34(5.
20.

1 discovery B.

toria, 22!), 231.
captured by

; on, 482.
iniong, 719.
xplorcs, 71.
nnnissioncr oti

30.

in ehicf, 393.
tro connn, ia
81.
y law-makers,

,417.
404.

4, 230, 331.
on, o()0-3.
)n, 482.
Ft Tlionipsoii,

ig on, 458-0 1 ;

name for, 2ti.
V, ou Salmon

c at, attack

INDEX.

'<91

Tod, .Tohn, at Kandoops, 134-50; per-
Huiml appeiuanLO, I. 38 -9; crushuH
Ind. conspiracy, 141-52; outwits
Nicola, l.VJ-0; justice, 204; fanner,
278 9; on council, 281, 310; at Ft
McLeod, 2.i8.

Tolmic, W. F., manager agric. co.,
02 3; character, 157; discovei-s coal,
187; justice, 204; on nmuagemeut
11. 15. (.'()., 328.

"Ton(inin," sliip, seized by luds, 15.

"Topa/c," H. M. S., 417.

"Tory," ship," 19.5, 257.

Toy, I'., miner, 540; prospects FinLay
Kivcr, 555.

Trafalgar Bar, gold discovered at, 441,
444.

Travaillot, O., coiiunr for crown lauds,
405; ^ohl coiiiinr, 451.

" j'ribuno," 11. M. S., 404, 019.

"Trincomalee," H. M. >S., 230, 334.

Tsilaltacii, Sun_,'iiies cliief, 97-9j at-
tacks Ft C'aniosun, 108-10.

Tsoughilam, Cowichin chief, attacks
Fort Caniosun, 107-10.

Tucker, attacked by ludiaus, 394.

"Umatilla," steamer, 304, 401, 445.
"Una," ship, 34,-..
Union Act, piovisions of, 594-5.
Union Bar, gold discovered at, 441,

444.
Union (^oal Mining Co., work, 508.
Urquhart, miner, 504.

Vail, light-keeper at Blunt Isl., 014.

Val(k''s, Capt., expcdt. of, in 1792,
20-8.

Valdes Harbor. See Estinimalt.

" Vancouver," shi]., 71, 120.

Vancouver Coal .Mining and Land
Co. organized, 509.

Vancouver, (J., com. for Kug. in
Nootka ali'air 1792, 14-15; voy.
and places named by, 15-29; maps
of, 17, 19, 27.

Vancouver Island named, 29; contigu-
ration, 34; climate, 42; fauna, 43;
importance of situation, 83-4; occu-
pation of, 93 101; coal discovered,
100; granted to H. B. Co., 202 22;
colonized by H. B. Co., 223-37;
settlements, 247 02, 314; map, 259;
population, 1853, 200; govt es-

tablished, 203-84; seal of, 279 SO;
under Dcnighis, 310-28; legislature,
317 27; electoral dists, ;«2(); judi-
ciary of, ;529-4(); reven\ie, 330, 337-
40, 592; suprenie c(nirt created,
419-20; first capital execution, 435;
mining population 1859-01, 471;
coal mining, 500-80; population
^ 18(54, 592.

Van Valzah, expedt. against IniLs
1859, 01,5.

Van Winkle Creek, mining on, 482,
500-8.

Vashou Island named, 18.

Vantrin, J. B., in Anderson's expedt.,
1.59.

Vavasour, Lieut, report on Xisqually,
52; census of Ind, trilics, 75; de-
scribes Ft Caniosun, 112; examines
N. \V. coast, 12.5-0. 189; report on
coal discovery, 189.

Verdia, pilot in Elisa's expedt., 13.

Victoria laid out, 113; settlers, 2.58;
population 18.53, 2(iO; 18(51, 707;
1803, 708; 1800, 709; gold dis-
covered, .'543; port of (uitry, 403;
Inds tlock to, 420 7; business de-
pression ISOO, 470; I'evival, 477;
bancjuet to Douglas, .587-8; incor-
porated, 70S; city described, 709-
1 1 ; newspapers of, 739. See Ft
Vict(jria.

Victoria Bar, gold discovered, 441,
444.

Victoria Coal Mining and Land Co.,
mines and land owned by, 715.

Victoria and Ivscpiimalt liailway Co.,
chaiter granted, 097.

Victoria (iazette, first nowspuper iu
Victoria, 7.39.

Vitalle Creek, udning ou, 549, 558.

Waddington, A., minor, 348, ,3,50;

attacke<l bv Inds, 42S; estimate of

gold yiehl is. (,'.. 409.
Waldron Island, 000.
\Vidkem, (i. A., attorney -general, 656-

8, (570, 701 -3.
Wanipiille, Ind. chief, 51.
Wauciuille River named, 70; mining

on, 4.58.
Wai re, Lieut, report on Niscjually,

52; census of Or. terr. Inds, 75;

examines X. W. coast, 125(1, 189;

report on gold discovery, bS9.
Warren, .1. D., Amcr. settler ou S.

Juau, 617.

792

INDEX.

" Washington," ship, 6, 8.
Way, F., starts ferry, 446.
Webster, A., in railway survey

expedt., 6.j0.
Wehlen, Capt., captured by Indians,

427.
Wullesley, Capt., attacks Indians,

274.
Wellington mines, work at, 570, 573;

tire at, .")70.
Wells Passage named, 26.
Whalers, northern rendezvous for,

83, 100, 120.
Whannell, 1'. B., justice, 402, 409-10.
Wharton, H., Anier. settler on 8.

Juun, 017.
Whatcom, rise and fall, 359-64.
Whidliey, Joseph, in Vancouvars

expedt., 16, 24.
Whipsaw Creek, mining on, 505.
Wicananish, Inil. village, 6.
Wild Horse Creek, mining on, 523,

524, 520.
Wild Horse Creek ditch completed,

529.
"Wild Pigeon," schr, .355.
Willamette Valley, settlements in, 56,

61. 80.
William, Emperor, S. Juan question

referred to, (i38.
"William Berry," ship, 361.
William Creek, mining on, 482, 484,

495-509, 512, 513, 515, 517-18.

Willow River, mining on, 451-2, 482,

505.
Wilson, with overland party, 367.
Wilson, Mrs, on McLouglin, 300.
Witty, John, Amer. settler on S.

Juan, 617.
Wolf, trader, with overland party,

367.
Women, first arrival of whites, 249-

50; at Cariboo mines, 519.
Ai^ool, Gen., establishes post at Bel-

lingham Bay, 013.
AV'ork, John, chief factor, 133, 328,

384; justice, 264; signs settlers'

petition, 314; on council, 216; hunts

for gold, 346-7.

Yale, gamblers at, 360; site surveyed,
400; govt establislied, 401 ; mining
troubles at, 408-14; mining at, 441-
7, 471; town described, 717.

Yule, J. M., at Ft Langley, 67; char-
acter, 171-3; justice, 264.

Yankee Doodle Bar, gold discovered,
441.

Yates, James, settler on V. I., 258;
signs petition, 314, mem. of first as-
sembly, 321, .327; fur-trader, 400.

Young, W. A. G., colonial sec. B. C,
406.

952 4

on, 451-2, 482,

party, 367.
iiglin, 300.
Bcttler on S.

verland party,

if wliitea, 249-

, 51!».

a post at Bel-

3tor, 133, 328,
signs settlers'
icil, 210; hunts

site surveyed,

I, 401; mining

lining at, 441-

(l, 717.

[ley, 67; char-

2(i4.

Id discovered,

on V. I., 258;
em. of first as-
■trader, 400.
lial sec. B. C,