Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Seymour, Frederick to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 13 January 1866, CO 60:26, no. 577, 323.
Abstract
Seymour, Frederick to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 13 January 1866, CO 60:26, no. 577, 323.
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (2).
Seymour to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
London
13 January 1866
Sir,
I have had the honor of receiving your letters of the
22 ultimo & 10th instant on the subject of an
application made on behalf of Mr Alfred Waddington for
assistance in forming a road from Bute Inlet to the
interior of British Columbia.
I am of opinion that the Colony would be benefitted,
to a moderate extent, by
the formation of his proposed road,
and I should therefore were I in the actual administration
of the Government be disposed to consider indulgently the
application made for an extension of the terms of the
charter proposed to be granted to Mr Waddington, provided
that he can shew that the work will be immediately undertaken
with the requisite amount of capital. I
think
the best person to decide on this point would
be the Officer Administering the Government, with the
assistance, perhaps, of his Executive Council.
the formation of his proposed road,
and I should therefore were I in the actual administration
of the Government be disposed to consider indulgently the
application made for an extension of the terms of the
charter proposed to be granted to Mr Waddington, provided
that he can shew that the work will be immediately undertaken
with the requisite amount of capital. I
think
the best person to decide on this point would
be the Officer Administering the Government, with the
assistance, perhaps, of his Executive Council.
I have no hesitation in saying that I should not make
to Mr Waddington the grants of land for which he applies.
F. Elliot Esqre
&c &c &c
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Waddington's claims in respect of the Bute Inlet Road
In 1862, Mr Waddington, an Inhabitant of Victoria, Van
Isld, appears to have entered into an agreement with Sir J.
Douglas for the construction of a Road from Bute Inlet to the Gold
Diggings at Cariboo. This agreement bound him to construct a road by
the end of the year 1866. In return, he was to enjoy a right of toll
on goods using the road, for ten years from the completion of the
first 45 miles of road. The scheme appears to have been very popular
in Vancouver Island, and very much the reverse at New Westminster.
Eventually the working-parties on the road
were murdered by the
Chilcoten Indians, and all active progress ceased. Mr Waddington
then preferred vague claims on the Govt of B. Columbia, as he said
"not for compensation." These claims were steadily refused by
Govr Seymour and his Council.
were murdered by the
Chilcoten Indians, and all active progress ceased. Mr Waddington
then preferred vague claims on the Govt of B. Columbia, as he said
"not for compensation." These claims were steadily refused by
Govr Seymour and his Council.
In Decr last, Mr Waddington's Attorney in London, made at
last some more definite proposals. He asks that the period of the
Charter (i.e. the time during which he shall be entitled to levy
tolls) shall be extended, that large tracts of Land should be granted
to the "concessionaire,"
or even that the Govt of B. Columbia
shd guarantee Interest on a fixed expenditure. Mr Seymour (in
a letter recd to day) seems not unwilling to extend the time of
the charter, but appears opposed to grants of Land.
or even that the Govt of B. Columbia
shd guarantee Interest on a fixed expenditure. Mr Seymour (in
a letter recd to day) seems not unwilling to extend the time of
the charter, but appears opposed to grants of Land.
Other documents included in the file
