Colonial Despatches

I addressed your Lordship from Honolulu Sandwich Islands, about the beginning of Jany, with reference to British Columbia, being then on my way from London to Vancouvers Island, in quest of Government employment in the New Colony. I now find from experience since arrival that I anticipated the position of that Colony on the communication referred to, with the view therefore of providing your Lordship with a more specific view of the necessities of British Columbia, towards procurring immediate relief. I beg to state, that the position of British Columbia, with reference to its difficult access, numerous Indian Tribes, & proponderence of foreign Population, whose political proclivities, are adverse to the progressive development of British power on the Pacific, suggests that the combined wisdom of Her Majestys Government, should be directed towards furnishing progressive measures for British Columbia, that Public Works may be put in progress with increased energy, an increased emigration of British Subjects passed hitherward, particularly with the view of neutralising the energetic proponderating foreign element, which we find at present located in the Colony, presenting an undercurrent of opposition to progress, which must ultimately perpetuate a helpless condition of British power on the Pacific, unless immediately chequed.

The following inquiry might be made at the Colonial Department with reference to British Columbia. First—Are the political proclivities of the existing Population, such as to constitute a healthy basis for the gradual development of British power in the Pacific without pressing by extraordinary aid an increased emigration of British subjects? Second—What is the financial position of the Colony with reference to its present & prospective resources, from which a permanent revenue may be expected? Third—What sum would be required immediately for the construction of works of actual necessity, particularly for the Construction of Roads, & pressing an emigration of British Subjects, & are the People willing to be taxed for the regular payment of the Interest of an extraordinary immediate expenditure?

When I state that the expense of transit from New Westminster to Fort Alexander in the interior of British Columbia, the center of a rich Mineral & Agricultural Country, is over £200 Sterling (Two Hundred Pounds sterling) per Ton. I trust therefore that that fact will prove of sufficient importance to constitute appology for pressing your Lordships attention to the subject of our Colonial necessities.

His Excellency Governor Douglas, whom I name with respect, as fully qualified for the responsible position His Excellency has the honor of occupying, has been compelled from the want of funds, to reduce the Govt establishment in British Columbia, with the view of meeting expenses from a limited revenue—limited however only in absence of the progressive measures referred to.

I beg again to mention to your Lordship my Claim upon Her Majesty's Government for the Appointment of Superintendent of the Mining Department of British Columbia, for which I made application in July 1858 as Compensation for the information which I conveyed to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton Bart, the then Secretary for the Colonies, connected with the conduct of a goldmining Country of difficult access, applicable to British Columbia, an abstract of which I filed at the Colonial Office, predicating from year to year the position of British Columbia, while [sanction?] for [transit?] requiring extraordinary aid, remains unprovided for.

I have been duly qualified according to the competitive system for the above appointment, comprehending the complicated experience required for the successful conduct of systematic productive mineral development; accquired [sic] from eight years practical application to these subjects in California, as a professional occupation. The duties of that Appointment require in a particular manner, assimilated in actual experience, connected with mineral & agricultural Chemistry, and the formation of a goldmining country, with all the most economical improvements connected with Placer & Quartzmining, & the distribution of artificial supplies of water, by means of Aquaducts, for the economical extraction of the gold, from the mining ground & quartz at a distance from the permanent Streams, towards providing the Basis of Law for the most productive and equitable disposal of the mineral property. I would be glad therefore if your Lordship would mention my claim to the Duke of Newcastle in a progressive view as the class of assimilated experience referred to, does not as yet appear to have any official existence in British Columbia.

The Duke of Argyle is accquainted with my Uncle Col. Charles [Ardier?] of Waterloo fame (who is now serving at one of the Dukes seats, Long Nedding) & would on the Colonists account, bestow His Graces influence in my favor & trusting that your Lordship will excuse these liberties.