Colonial Despatches

I as a British subject residing at present in this City take the liberty of making a few remarks to your Lordship in reference to the newly discovered gold fields in Caledonia. Your Lordship is doubtless aware that this part of Her Majesties Dominion by recent discoveries possesses extensive deposits of gold, which I may remark has been known to Staff of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Vancouver’s Island, and who I am informed have been wishful to keep such discovery secret and to discourage & if possible deter parties (miners) from participating for the good & from mining in that part of her Majesties possessions.

At present there are many of her Majesties subjects residing here who would be glad to leave California to mine in that district if they knew they were protected by her Majesties Secretary for Colonies, once not as is now supposed be completely subject to the narrow views and government of Mr. Douglas Governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Vancouver’s Island. It has been rumoured that the Hudson’s Bay Company are wishful to deter American Citizens from mining in this region; now if I may advance my humble opinion I think it is very unpolitic and grievously wrong, for every Englishman in California has the same privilege in mining as any American citizen.

I am not aware what the privileges of the Hudson’s Bay are, but I would premise when the Charter was first granted them, the spirit of such Charter did not extend to monopolising the minerals in that part of HM Colonies.

I have been informed that there are rich copper mines in Vancouver’s Island, but the discoverers of such mineral will not give the information to the HB Co being well aware that they would immediately monopolise the same.

There are extensive coal fields in Vancouver’s Island, many shipments of which have been sent to this market, this also unjustly has been monopolised by the HB Co, tho the coal was first discovered by an official who gained nothing from such discovery.

It is my intention shortly of visiting Caledonia when I will wait your further in reference to the minerals residing there.

I trust in the meantime your Lordship will not undervalue these remarks, but endeavour if it lays in your power to place any every miner on the same footing (to use the expression) as in Australia, and not leave them subject to the government of a trading company, but to the Government of of Great Britain & her Colonies just these few remarks. I remain my Lord