Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 18 August 1859, CO 60:5, no. 10048, 44.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (5).
Douglas transmits Moody's
reconnaissancereport, including
valuable informationby
Lieutenant W.S. Palmer, Royal Engineers,on
the Harrison and Lillooet route to the Upper Fraser,along with
with six explanatory plans, and three Photographic views.Blackwood minutes that
this is the first report from an Engineer Officer on the interior of the Country,noting that
The Engineers were sent out to explore, survey, lay out lands, make roads & Bridges,but their
nine months in the Colonyhas produced very little. Newcastle minutes the following:
I have for some time thought that the labours of the Engineers make very little show!
No. 206
I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your information
a report, lately received from Colonel Moody of a reconnaissance of
the Harrison and Lillooet route
route to the Upper Fraser, under the
command of Lieutenant W.S. Palmer, Royal Engineers, which contained
much valuable information respecting the character and capabilities
of those Districts of British Columbia explored by Lieut Palmer.
route to the Upper Fraser, under the
command of Lieutenant W.S. Palmer, Royal Engineers, which contained
much valuable information respecting the character and capabilities
of those Districts of British Columbia explored by Lieut Palmer.
2. The report is accompanied with six explanatory plans, and
three Photographic views, which greatly add to the general interest
of the narrative.
3. If it should please Her Majesty's Government to
to cause these
plans to be lithographed, we have to request that a few sets may
be sent out for distribution in this Colony.
to cause these
plans to be lithographed, we have to request that a few sets may
be sent out for distribution in this Colony.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
I know not to what it is owing, but this is the first report from an Engineer Officer on the interior of the Country which we have recd. And this only refers to a Section up the Harrison River. The Engineers were sent out to explore, survey, lay out lands, make roads & Bridges. They have been for nine months in the Colony, & with the exception of laying out some Lots of land at Langley, & New Westminster, (and making a very few miles of road) this is all the produce of their Labors.
I know not to what it is owing, but this is the first report from an Engineer Officer on the interior of the Country which we have recd. And this only refers to a Section up the Harrison River. The Engineers were sent out to explore, survey, lay out lands, make roads & Bridges. They have been for nine months in the Colony, & with the exception of laying out some Lots of land at Langley, & New Westminster, (and making a very few miles of road) this is all the produce of their Labors.
Acke. Lay before
Parlt send to Geographical Society, & Land Board?
I have for some time thought that the labours of the Engineers
make very little show!
N
18
Other documents included in the file
Draft,
Elliot to Emigration Commissioners and Secretary to the Geographical Society, 29 October 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch and report.
Draft, Elliot to Under-Secretary, War Office, 29 October 1859,
forwarding plans with request that they be lithographed.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Palmer to Moody, 14 July 1859, forwarding copy of his report.
List of plans accompanying Palmer's report.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Secretary to the Royal Geographical Society,
24 March 1860, forwarding copies of the plans and maps
accompanying the report for information.
Draft, Merivale to Emigration Commissioners, 24 March 1860,
forwarding copies of the plans and maps accompanying the report
for information.