Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 16 August 1860, CO 60:8, no. 9596, 36.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (2).
No. 76
The intelligence I had the honor to communicate to your
Grace in my Despatch No 70, of the 3rd of Instant,
respecting the discovery
of
of rich and paying Gold Fields at
Rock Creek and in the Shimilkomeen Country, have been
confirmed by the arrival of different persons with samples
which they themselves have dug in those parts.
of rich and paying Gold Fields at
Rock Creek and in the Shimilkomeen Country, have been
confirmed by the arrival of different persons with samples
which they themselves have dug in those parts.
The gold is nuggety and of fine quality, being readily
separated from the soil without the use of quicksilver, and
is found away from the water-courses as well as in the river
beds
beds, and the miners are said to be realizing from six to
Fifty dollars a day to the man.
beds, and the miners are said to be realizing from six to
Fifty dollars a day to the man.
2. One instance of remarkable success is mentioned in
the report of Mr O'Reilly, the Gold Commissioner at
Fort Hope, it being of two miners who realized in six weeks, by
mining, the sum of Thirteen Hundred dollars, and their
confidence in the productiveness of the
country
country was so great
that they soon after invested the whole sum in the purchase
of another claim.
country was so great
that they soon after invested the whole sum in the purchase
of another claim.
3. In consequence of those reports there has been a
great rush of people to the new diggings, and all articles
of consumption are scarce and selling there at a high price.
4. The same report mentions the very important
discovery
discovery
of a Silver lead at Union Bar near Fort Hope.
discovery
of a Silver lead at Union Bar near Fort Hope.
5. The specimens of the ore sent here appear rich and
valuable, but it is impossible to predict without a severer
test the actual value of the discovery, and whether the lead
will be rich enough to pay the working expenses or not.
6. The discoverers, and upwards of Seventy other persons
who have
recorded
recorded claims on the lead appear however to be much
elated, and fully satisfied of its value, and they are said
to be importing blasting tools, and materials in large
quantities, with the intention of turning the discovery to
immediate account.
recorded claims on the lead appear however to be much
elated, and fully satisfied of its value, and they are said
to be importing blasting tools, and materials in large
quantities, with the intention of turning the discovery to
immediate account.
7. Several tons of the ore have already been sent to New Westminster for assay, and we will no doubt
receive
receive further
reports of its value in the course of a few days.
receive further
reports of its value in the course of a few days.
8. Specimens of silver ore have also been found at the
mouth of Harrison's River. One of these yielded on assay, at the rate of Twenty pounds worth of silver to the
ton of ore.
9. I propose to despatch a party to investigate the
mineral resources of that part of the country, in hopes
of
of
making some valuable discovery which may attract, and afford
employment to a population, as the whole country about Harrison Lake is otherwise valueless, being mountainous, rocky, and utterly unfit for tillage.
of
making some valuable discovery which may attract, and afford
employment to a population, as the whole country about Harrison Lake is otherwise valueless, being mountainous, rocky, and utterly unfit for tillage.
11. The new roads are progressing apace, and the cost of
transport
is
is being gradually reduced with the increasing
facilities of communication.
is being gradually reduced with the increasing
facilities of communication.
12. The number of miners collected about Alexandria and
Quesnel River rendered it necessary for the maintenance of peace
and order to form a police station at the former place, and I
have to announce to your Grace that I have lately appointed Mr
Philip H. Nind, as Magistrate
and
and Assistant Gold Commissioner
for that District.
and Assistant Gold Commissioner
for that District.
There being nothing further of an unusual nature to communicate.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Acke with No 70, expressing satisfaction at the rect of this intelligence. Copy to Land Board. Lay before Parlt.
Acke with No 70, expressing satisfaction at the rect of this intelligence. Copy to Land Board. Lay before Parlt.
No 70 has been already ackd.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Rogers to Emigration Commissioners, 20 October
1860, forwarding copy of the despatch for information.
