Gray, Nutter to Pakington, Captain John Somerset 19 August 1852, CO 305:3, no. 7949, 524.

XML | Preceding document | Next document | Cite this document

Correspondence (private letter)
Gray, Nutter to Pakington, John Somerset 19 August 1852, CO 305:3, no. 7949, 524.

Abstract

Correspondence (private letter). Minutes (3), Other documents (1).

This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.

Gray writes to Pakington to request a lease of land at Haida Gwaii, in order to extract gold that has been allegedly found there.

The minutes propose that all requests for land leases on Haida Gwaii be suspended until the government makes a firm decision land rights.

This file encloses a reply to Gray, which states that although the government will not grant land leases, they will soon authorize Douglas to grant licenses to gold prospectors.

62 Lombard St,
London,

19th August 1852 To the Right Honble Sir John Pakington, Bt. Colonial Secretary

Sir,

Being deputed by my Brother Francis Gray, and his partners Ant[on]y Easterby and Matthew Rooney, British Subjects & Merchant Traders resident in San Francisco, California, to state that on the 23rd of June 1852, Matthew Rooney discovered a vein of Goldbearing Quartz in Queen Charlotte's Island, situate in a Bay called by the natives Gold Harbour, in Latitude 53o 1' North, Longitude 131o 119' West or thereabout, bearing S.W. by S. 3/4 So. from the eastern headland of the

entrance of the Bay, and N.W. by W. 1/4 W. from an Island situate in the head of the Bay, on which they have erected a house. The said Quartz Vein extends from the beach inland in a S. S. Westerly direction, and as it can only be worked by the outlay of large capital, in regular mining operations and the application of powerful machinery, I have been directed to apply to you for the grant of a lease to Francis Gray, Anty Easterby and Matthew Rooney, of such a portion of the land in the said Gold Harbour Bay as will include the gold vein for a sufficient length to warrant them in making the necessary outlay; the lease reserving to the Crown such Royalty or Dues as may be customary or fairly proportioned to the circumstances of the case. The limits or boundaries which I would propose for the area to be granted, are as follow, a length of 800 yards on the course of the vein and

a breadth of 200 yards, being 100 yards on each side of the vein.

I have letters in confirmation of the facts which I have stated, and also an attestation signed by Geo. Aiken [Aikin] Esre her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco.

I am personally known to,

John Gurney Hoare Esqre, Banker, 62 Lombard St. James Cunliffe Esqre, Banker, 24 Lombard St.

I remain, Sir,
Your Obedient & Humble Servant,
Nutter Gray Junr

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Elliot

ABd 24 Augt/52

Mr Merivale
This letter was kept back until some decision should be adopted on the course to be taken on lands in Queen Charlottes Island. I believe that the proposal now to be submitted to Sir John Pakington is that no grants or leases should be made. If so the Draft submitted herewith in case Sir John adopts the proposal, would seem the proper answer?

TFE 20 Sep

JSP 24