Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 27 December 1858, CO 60:1, no. 2135, 534.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Marginalia (3).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Douglas reports on a range of topics from the departure of Admiral Baynes, the stationing of troops at Langley, Chartres Brew’s suggestions for training a police force, to the infrastructure needs for better
access to the gold fields.
The minutes focus on Douglas’s request for constables from the Irish Constabulary. The CO views this as a
very expensive requisition.But they will contact Lord Naas to know the expense.
Enclosed is Baynes to Douglas proposing to leave Vancouver Island before the arrival of the Pylades and the Tribune if there was no objection; Douglas to Baynes acknowledging and accepting proposals; and Brew to Douglas arguing a body of Irish Constabulary police be sent to British Columbia.
No. 56
1. Your Despatch No 30 of the 16th October, I have perused
with the greatest interest and
satisfaction.
1
2. I acknowledge with gratitude the effective steps which you
have taken to support my authority andthe
the various measures which you
have adopted to aid me in the arduous task of organizing the
government of the Colony.
the various measures which you
have adopted to aid me in the arduous task of organizing the
government of the Colony.
3. In a former communication to you I mentioned the arrival in
this Colony of Admiral Baynes in his Flag Ship the "Ganges," and I
recall with pleasure the cordial and hearty manner in which he
entered into my views and lent to their execution all the support in
his power.
4. He remained in this Colony upwards of two monthsand
and, sailed for Valparaiso
2
on the 22nd of Instant; the "Tribune" and "Pylades,"
ordered from China to this station being then daily expected here, though
the two latter vessels have not yet arrived.
and, sailed for Valparaiso
2
on the 22nd of Instant; the "Tribune" and "Pylades,"
ordered from China to this station being then daily expected here, though
the two latter vessels have not yet arrived.
5. I have therefore in obedience to your instructions in reference
to this point to report to you that H.M. Ships "Satellite" and "Plumper"
are the only Queen's Ships at present in this harbour and that as yet
no ships designed for the especial support of the civil government
have arrived here.
6. That statement is not made with the view of urgingany
any
complaint of neglect, as you will observe by my correspondence with
Admiral Baynes before his departure, that with the force at my
disposal, I did not apprehend any immediate danger of the authority of
Government being set at naught, especially as the "Tribune" and
"Pylades" were known to be on their way to this Colony; at the
same time I represented to him the great importance of having a
respectable naval force collected here in Spring, when a very large
immigration for British Columbia may be looked for, and I rely onhis
his taking the necessary measures to assemble that force in this
neighbourhood before the emergency presents itself.
any
complaint of neglect, as you will observe by my correspondence with
Admiral Baynes before his departure, that with the force at my
disposal, I did not apprehend any immediate danger of the authority of
Government being set at naught, especially as the "Tribune" and
"Pylades" were known to be on their way to this Colony; at the
same time I represented to him the great importance of having a
respectable naval force collected here in Spring, when a very large
immigration for British Columbia may be looked for, and I rely onhis
his taking the necessary measures to assemble that force in this
neighbourhood before the emergency presents itself.
7. My anxiety to avoid making exaggerated demands on you for
military assistance has probably led me into the opposite extreme
of asking for too small a number of troops, and I admit the wisdom
of the course you have taken in completing the present military
force intended for the service of this Colony to 150 men instead
of the number suggested in my
letter.
3
It is certainly advisable in the actual state of thecountry
country
to err on the safe side, and to maintain a respectable military
force, in order that the power as well as the dignity of the
British Government may be represented.
country
to err on the safe side, and to maintain a respectable military
force, in order that the power as well as the dignity of the
British Government may be represented.
However effective an
undi[s]ciplined civilian force may be found in a well regulated
community, of persons, bound to their country and institutions by
the ties of early association and affection; the same force would
I apprehend prove insufficient to maintain law and order in
British Columbia, among an alien population composed of all nations.
8. I gratefullyappreciate
appreciate the unceasing care and pains which
you have devoted to the hastening of the necessary preparations for
the departure of the main body of troops and of the instalments of
20 and 12 men under Captains Parsons and Grant, who I am glad to
say are in good health, and spirits, and busily engaged at this
present time in erecting houses for themselves and the main body
of Engineers at Fort Langley.
appreciate the unceasing care and pains which
you have devoted to the hastening of the necessary preparations for
the departure of the main body of troops and of the instalments of
20 and 12 men under Captains Parsons and Grant, who I am glad to
say are in good health, and spirits, and busily engaged at this
present time in erecting houses for themselves and the main body
of Engineers at Fort Langley.
9. I have perused with great attention your remarks indicating
the policy you wish to be observedin
in the employment and explaining
the objections to the use of a royal military force in the collection
of revenue, and as my own views on those subjects accord in all
respects with the instructions in your Despatch, I will not fail in
carrying them fully into effect. In no instance have we resorted to
the employment of a military force, except when the civil power was
found insufficient to ensure obedience to the Law, and even in those
cases, it was regarded as subsidiary to the ordinary means of
enforcing obedience.
10. It
in the employment and explaining
the objections to the use of a royal military force in the collection
of revenue, and as my own views on those subjects accord in all
respects with the instructions in your Despatch, I will not fail in
carrying them fully into effect. In no instance have we resorted to
the employment of a military force, except when the civil power was
found insufficient to ensure obedience to the Law, and even in those
cases, it was regarded as subsidiary to the ordinary means of
enforcing obedience.
10. It was in fact our constant policy to keep this small
military force in the Colony withdrawn from view, in order that its
strength might be measured by the imagination more than by the reason
of the stronger populace.
11. I have had much communication with Mr Brew, on the
subject of forming an effective Police for service in British
Columbia; he proposed that a force of 150 men should be immediately
raised and disciplined; but on making an estimate of the expense,
assuming as data, a rate of wages below what is given to ordinary
labourers in the gold Districts; the expenseappeared
appeared to be so large,
that I withheld my assent until I should have time to consult and
receive your instructions on the
subject.
4
appeared to be so large,
that I withheld my assent until I should have time to consult and
receive your instructions on the
subject.
4
12. With the small police Force, which has been hitherto
maintained in British Columbia, we have succeeded through the blessing
of God, and with the aid of the well disposed inhabitants, in
bringing all offenders to justice and in maintaining a remarkable
degree of quiet and good order. It is therefore unnecessary for the
purposes of security to increase that force until the increase of
population inSpring
Spring, and thus it becomes a question whether in the
meantime, it would not be advisable to request Her Majesty's Government
to send out at once a body of the Irish constabulary force, furnished
with their proper arms and equipments, and who would thus be ready for
service the moment they arrived in the country.
Spring, and thus it becomes a question whether in the
meantime, it would not be advisable to request Her Majesty's Government
to send out at once a body of the Irish constabulary force, furnished
with their proper arms and equipments, and who would thus be ready for
service the moment they arrived in the country.
The advantages of that plan are important, as it would in the
first place lead to a great saving of expense in the pay and
equipment of the force; and secondly the force would be perfectly
reliable in every emergency; with that body of men as a nucleus,
and sparearms
arms and equipment for 100 more, the police force could be
recruited in the country, though with a less reliable element, to
any desirable extent. I will request Mr Brew to state his opinion on
that subject, and will forward the same to you with any suggestions
relative thereto that may occur to him. I trust that the plan may meet
with your approval, and that you will direct it to be carried into
effect.
arms and equipment for 100 more, the police force could be
recruited in the country, though with a less reliable element, to
any desirable extent. I will request Mr Brew to state his opinion on
that subject, and will forward the same to you with any suggestions
relative thereto that may occur to him. I trust that the plan may meet
with your approval, and that you will direct it to be carried into
effect.
13. There is every reason to believe that a well constituted
constabulary force, with a sufficient staff of Stipendiary Magistrates,
supported by the co-operation of the welldisposed
disposed inhabitants;
the military force intended for the country; and the naval force on the
sea-coast; will furnish, in all ordinary cases, the requisite
protection to life and property. Should there be reason to alter that
opinion either in consequence of the deportment of the white population,
or of collision with the Indians, I will not fail to ask for additional
re-inforcements, but for the present, provided we have the means above
described, I think such unnecessary.
disposed inhabitants;
the military force intended for the country; and the naval force on the
sea-coast; will furnish, in all ordinary cases, the requisite
protection to life and property. Should there be reason to alter that
opinion either in consequence of the deportment of the white population,
or of collision with the Indians, I will not fail to ask for additional
re-inforcements, but for the present, provided we have the means above
described, I think such unnecessary.
14. I would hardly venture to give a decided opinion on the subject
of recruiting a regular military Force, from the Gold Diggers of the
Colony,as
as the men taking service would probably be composed of the
idle and worthless classes, but to secure the service of the active
adventurers I fear a very high rate of pay not less than 12 shillings
a day, including rations, would be an indispensable condition, in the
outset; and the great expense of such a force, together with its
unreliable character, could be an almost insuperable objection to
maintaining it in the field.
as the men taking service would probably be composed of the
idle and worthless classes, but to secure the service of the active
adventurers I fear a very high rate of pay not less than 12 shillings
a day, including rations, would be an indispensable condition, in the
outset; and the great expense of such a force, together with its
unreliable character, could be an almost insuperable objection to
maintaining it in the field.
15. The practiced and skilful men for cavalry and artillery drill
sent out with Col. Moody, and who are intended to form a nucleus forsuch
such additional military force as may be required and formed in the
Colony, will be of the greatest possible service, should any such
contingency arise.
such additional military force as may be required and formed in the
Colony, will be of the greatest possible service, should any such
contingency arise.
16. I have further to state in reply to your communication that I
have carefully perused your instructions providing for and suggesting
how to meet the unforseen exigencies in the Colony as they may arise,
and shall attend to those instructions.
17. We shall also endeavour to settle all preliminary questions of
law and police, and to make all suitable preparations for the expected
immigration in Spring and for the safety and development of the
Colony; and forward any further informationwe
we may arrive at of the
probable revenue on which we may calculate.
we may arrive at of the
probable revenue on which we may calculate.
In my letter No 51 of the 14th of Instant,
I estimated the
revenue for the coming year at £100,000 Sterling, assuming that the
Import duty on goods would yield the sum of £80,000, and a proposed
export duty on gold about £20,000, in all £100,000 per
annum.
5
Extract this to returns of Sir W. Dundas in footnote.
The sale of public land will also I trust yield a considerable
revenue as well as mining and other fees, so that I am in hopes
of being able, after the first of the year, to pay all our own
expenses.
18. Your approval of the great enterprise of the year, the
opening of the Harrison's River roadis
is exceedingly gratifying to
me. The real impediment to the development of the mineral region
of British Columbia is no doubt the difficulty of access to it.
Passable roads and means of cheap transport would soon work a
wonderful revolution in the state of the country. I have done
everything in my power to remove the obstacles of route and to
improve the access to the mineral regions, but much remains to
be done. A road through the valley of Fraser's River from the sea
coast to the Forks of Thompson's River, is urgently wanted; to open
the country for settlement; for land travel, when the river iseither
either flooded or impassable from ice in winter, and for driving live
stock of all kinds to and from the sea coast and interior country.
That great work is in part accomplished, through the co-operation of
the inhabitants, and with your approval we may finish it before the
close of next summer.
is exceedingly gratifying to
me. The real impediment to the development of the mineral region
of British Columbia is no doubt the difficulty of access to it.
Passable roads and means of cheap transport would soon work a
wonderful revolution in the state of the country. I have done
everything in my power to remove the obstacles of route and to
improve the access to the mineral regions, but much remains to
be done. A road through the valley of Fraser's River from the sea
coast to the Forks of Thompson's River, is urgently wanted; to open
the country for settlement; for land travel, when the river iseither
either flooded or impassable from ice in winter, and for driving live
stock of all kinds to and from the sea coast and interior country.
That great work is in part accomplished, through the co-operation of
the inhabitants, and with your approval we may finish it before the
close of next summer.
19. Other routes into the remote interior may be opened by
Howe's Sound, explored last summer by Mr McKay, and by Jarvis'
Inlet, where I also sent an exploring
party,
6
some months ago, but who
failed in crossing the mountains which were coveredwith
with snow, and
they were compelled to return unsuccessful.
with snow, and
they were compelled to return unsuccessful.
In conclusion I beg to assure you that I deeply appreciate the
extreme kindness of your closing remarks and you may rest assured
that I will not fail in exerting every faculty to carry out the
views of Her Majesty's Government and in the mean time, I shall
rely with confidence on your aid and support.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The question in this despatch chiefly relates to the necessity of sending out Constables from the Irish Constabulary. The Governor does not say how many he wishes to have. Probably 100. I need not say that this is a very expensive requisition—nor will you omit to notice that the Governor is silent as to who is to pay such expense. For my part I am of opinion that the Imperial Govt has provided—what with Royal Engineers—Ships of War—& supernumerary Marines—sufficient force for the external and internal protection of the Colony, and that it ought to find its own materials on the spot for any augmentation it may require to such force. At any rate if an addition must be made in the nature of Irish police men then, I think, that the Colony ought to pay the entire cost—freight—salaries, equipment &tc. This would only be adhering to the views so frequently enunciated by Sir E. Lytton in respect to this new Colony.
The question in this despatch chiefly relates to the necessity of sending out Constables from the Irish Constabulary. The Governor does not say how many he wishes to have. Probably 100. I need not say that this is a very expensive requisition—nor will you omit to notice that the Governor is silent as to who is to pay such expense. For my part I am of opinion that the Imperial Govt has provided—what with Royal Engineers—Ships of War—& supernumerary Marines—sufficient force for the external and internal protection of the Colony, and that it ought to find its own materials on the spot for any augmentation it may require to such force. At any rate if an addition must be made in the nature of Irish police men then, I think, that the Colony ought to pay the entire cost—freight—salaries, equipment &tc. This would only be adhering to the views so frequently enunciated by Sir E. Lytton in respect to this new Colony.
ABd
28 Feby
Lord Carnarvon
This must be considered together with the despatch (forwarded yesterday) representing the insecure state of the Colony, & ending with the same application [askg?] for a force from the Irish Constabulary.
This must be considered together with the despatch (forwarded yesterday) representing the insecure state of the Colony, & ending with the same application [askg?] for a force from the Irish Constabulary.
HM
March 2
Yes—I think that Mr Blackwood did not see the
desp.
7
which
gave so unsatisfactory a picture of the state of affairs.
With that before
us
& the knowledge that in the spring there
will probably be a great influx of American miners I do not see
how we can refuse the application. The Colony may repay the
expenses contingent on such force within a certain time but we
cannot expect that they sd be paid for at once from the existing
Colonial revenue. We must advance the money. No time ought to be lost.
had not seen it (2147).
That despatch has been minuted by Sir Ed. Lytton to the
effect that Lord Naas was to be asked to supply the men
from the Irish Constabulary.
C
March 3
I have revoked that Minute about the Constabulary. I
entirely concur with Mr Blackwood. Write to Lord Naas
to know expense of 100 or 150 men—calculate that expense with
freightage &c &
write then to Douglas stating the cost
& inquiring whether he thinks the Colony will pay. Shew
this directly to Mr Elliot for his returns for Sir. W.
Dundas—They justify charging the whole expense of
Survey, & freightage &c to the Colony—as I have instructed
him in revising the return. I think on that return it
would be well to extract what I have marked as footnote to
the return refering to the charge on the Colony. Print
this for Parlt & hasten those papers.
write then to Douglas stating the cost
& inquiring whether he thinks the Colony will pay. Shew
this directly to Mr Elliot for his returns for Sir. W.
Dundas—They justify charging the whole expense of
Survey, & freightage &c to the Colony—as I have instructed
him in revising the return. I think on that return it
would be well to extract what I have marked as footnote to
the return refering to the charge on the Colony. Print
this for Parlt & hasten those papers.
EBL
March 4 1859
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Rear Admiral R.C. Baynes to Douglas, 7 December 1858, proposing
to leave Vancouver Island before the arrival of the
Pylades and Tribune, if there was no objection.
C. Brew, Chief Inspector of Police, to Douglas, 29 December 1858, arguing a body of Irish Constabulary police be sent to British
Columbia.
Footnotes
- = Lytton to Douglas, 16 October 1858, CO 398/1, p. 116, Begbie's salary.
- Valparaiso, the principal seaport of Chile, served as headquarters of the Pacific Station until it was replaced by Esquimalt in 1862. Gough, 186.
- In his despatch to Stanley (Douglas to Stanley, 19 August 1858, 10342, CO 60/1, p. 86, par. 5) Douglas suggested a company of infantry, i.e., from 80 to 100 men.
- For Brew's recommendations, see enclosure to this despatch and enclosure in Douglas to Lytton, 30 December 1858, 2142, CO 60/1, p. 561.
- I.e., Douglas to Lytton, 14 December 1858, 1067, CO 60/1, p. 514. Who is Dundas ??
- For information on McKay's exploration of Howe Sound, see enclosure to Douglas to Lytton, 9 November 1858, 549, CO 60/1, p. 400. Get info about failed exploration of Jervis Inlet??
- see the desp. FIND 2147?? Not in BC58reg.