Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Colvile, Andrew Wedderburn to Russell, John 9 June 1855, CO 305:6, no. 5599, 255.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3).
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.
Colvile writes to Russell to provide a plenary report on the HBC’s
colonization of that Island,which includes details on total land sales, number of settlers, revenues, and more. Finally, Colvile asks for adjustments to land-payment terms.
The extensive minutes debate matters related to Ball’s salient question of whether or not Vancouver Island should
continue in the hands of the Company or be treated as a Colonial dependency of the Crown.
The first of the three documents included in the file is entitled
List of Persons holding 20 acres of Land and upwards in Vancouver Island;the second is entitled
List of Persons holding Town lots […] at Victoria […];and the third is entitled
Statement of payments applied to the Colonization and improvement of Vancouver's Island […].
Colvile to Russell
Hudson's Bay House
9th June 1855
My Lord
On the 24th November 1852 I submitted to the Right Honble Sir
John Pakington, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, a Report on
the transactions of the Hudson's Bay Company in relation to Vancouver's
Island, from the date of the Grant thereof until the 27th April 1852,
and I have now the honor to submit to your Lordship the following Report
on the further proceedings of the Company in reference to the
colonization of that Island.
On comparing this Report with the former, I trust that it will
appear to your Lordship that the efforts of the Company have been
tolerably successful, considering the peculiar difficulties which they
have had tocontend
contend with, such as the great distance of the Island from
this country, and consequent length of the voyage, the high rate of
wages given in the Gold districts of California, which unsettles the
minds of the labouring population, the system of free grants of land
that prevails on the opposite shore of the Straits of De Fuca, and the
distance from any market, except those on American territory, where the
Import duties are almost prohibitory.
contend with, such as the great distance of the Island from
this country, and consequent length of the voyage, the high rate of
wages given in the Gold districts of California, which unsettles the
minds of the labouring population, the system of free grants of land
that prevails on the opposite shore of the Straits of De Fuca, and the
distance from any market, except those on American territory, where the
Import duties are almost prohibitory.
I have much pleasure in stating that the appearances of Coal that
were discovered by parties in the employment of the Hudsons Bay Company
at Nanaimo, of which mention was made in my previous Report, were not
fallacious. From the information received from the Island, I have
little doubt that a valuable and extensive Coal field exists in that
locality. The Company have caused pits to be sunk, and have sent out
and erected
Steam Engines and other machinery for working the Coal, and
the amount expended in these operations, including the price of the
land, now exceeds 25,000.
Steam Engines and other machinery for working the Coal, and
the amount expended in these operations, including the price of the
land, now exceeds 25,000.
With reference to this important undertaking, your Lordship will
observe in the accompanying Statement of the land disposed of that this
Company appear as the purchasers of a tract containing about 6200 acres
at the stipulated price of 1 per acre.
It has been considered very desirable to develop the mineral
properties of the Island, particularly that of Coal, as an article of
export which would meet with a steady and extensive market. But no
Settler has yet appeared who was willing, or possessed of sufficient
capital to engage in such an undertaking, and this has induced the
Governor and Committee to purchase the above mentioned tract of land for
the Hudson's Bay Company, and to establish the Coal works, which they
trust will tend to encourage the
colonization of the Island, and at the
same time be remunerative to the Company.
colonization of the Island, and at the
same time be remunerative to the Company.
It is hoped that their example may operate as a stimulus to others
to work the minerals on the lands acquired by them, and thus add
materially to the general prosperity of the Colony. In connection with
the workings undertaken by the Company, eighty miners, with their
families, have already been sent from this country, of whom upwards of
sixty are now fully employed.
The Pugets Sound Agricultural Company have purchased and paid for
2574 acres of land, & established four farms, on which the necessary
buildings have been erected, and their outlay in these operations, and
in bringing Cattle and Sheep from their farms in the Oregon territory,
amounts to about 17,000.
The general result of the Company's operations stands as follows
1st
Quantity of Land sold.
Since the date of the
last return there have been sold 11455
acres of land, at the fixed price of 20/- per acre.
last return there have been sold 11455
acres of land, at the fixed price of 20/- per acre.
2nd The number of Settlers.
A list is appended hereto of the purchasers of 20 acres of land, &
upwards, the number of whom amounts to forty three, and a return is
added of purchasers of Town and Suburban lots, the majority of whom have
erected houses thereon, varying in value from 50 to 1000 each. Many
of these Settlers have been Officers & Clerks in the service of the
Hudson's Bay Company, and some of them are still in the employment of
the Company.
3rd The number of Emigrants
In addition to the 435 Emigrants reported in my previous letter,
the following have been sent out by the Hudson's Bay Company
Males Females Children
in 1852 14 1 4
" 1853 87 41 87
" 1854 45 38 45
Total 146 80 136 making with those of previous years a total of 797.
in 1852 14 1 4
" 1853 87 41 87
" 1854 45 38 45
Total 146 80 136 making with those of previous years a total of 797.
Governor Douglas has been desired to transmit to England a Census
of the Colony, and such other statistical information as may be
interesting, and as soon as the Same are received I shall do myself the
honor of submitting them to your Lordship.
of the Colony, and such other statistical information as may be
interesting, and as soon as the Same are received I shall do myself the
honor of submitting them to your Lordship.
4th Monies received for Sales of Land
The Amount received since 27th April 1852 up to 30th November
1853, the date at which the last accounts in the Country are made up, is
4770.12.8
Of which there falls to the Hudson's
Bay Company 1/10th 477.1. 3
and the remainder 4293.11.5 is held in trust for Colonization purposes.
4770.12.8
Of which there falls to the Hudson's
Bay Company 1/10th 477.1. 3
and the remainder 4293.11.5 is held in trust for Colonization purposes.
This is exclusive of the purchase money of the Coal field by the
Hudson's Bay Company, amounting to 6193, which, after deducting 10 per
cent, was credited to the Colonial Trust Fund on the 7th Ultimo, the
extinguishment of the Indian title having only been effected on the
23rd December last, and announced by the Mail of 30th March.
5th Monies received in respect of Coal and other Minerals.
There have been sold and exported by the Hudson's Bay Company
since 27th April 1852 up to 30th Novemr 1853, 4062 9/10 Tons of
Coal, the Royalty on which, at 2/6 p ton, amounts to
507.16.7
Of which there falls to the Hudsons
Bay Company 1/10th 50.15.7
and the remainder 457. 1.- is held in trust for Colonization purposes.
since 27th April 1852 up to 30th Novemr 1853, 4062 9/10 Tons of
Coal, the Royalty on which, at 2/6 p ton, amounts to
507.16.7
Of which there falls to the Hudsons
Bay Company 1/10th 50.15.7
and the remainder 457. 1.- is held in trust for Colonization purposes.
6th Monies received in respect of Timber
There have been cut upon the public lands of the Colony, and
exported, 1075 loads of Timber, the Royalty on which, at 10 per load
amounts to 44.15.10
Of which there falls to the Hudson's
Bay Company 1/10th 4. 9. 7
and the remainder 40. 6. 3 is held in trust for Colonization purposes.
Of which there falls to the Hudson's
Bay Company 1/10th 4. 9. 7
and the remainder 40. 6. 3 is held in trust for Colonization purposes.
7th Spirit Licences
The proceeds of the Spirit Licences received up to the 30th
November 1853, are 220 which have also been carried to the credit
of the Trust Fund.
8th Expences incurred for Colonization and Improvements.
Amount expended in the Colony from 27th April 1852 to 30th
November 1853, and in London from 27th April 1852 up to 1st May
1855, 5614.9.-
November 1853, and in London from 27th April 1852 up to 1st May
1855, 5614.9.-
9th Surveys
Two hundred square miles of land have been surveyed, and laid out
into Districts by the Surveyor and his Assistants. To connect these a
high road of the proposed length of thirty miles is in progress of
construction, and several bridges have been built, one of which, across
the Portage Inlet, connecting the harbours of Victoria and Esquimalt, is
200 yards in length, and was erected at an expence of upwards of 1000.
10th Churches and Schools
A church capable of containing 500 persons has been erected at
Victoria, and the Reverend Edward Cridge, a clergyman of the Church of
England, who was sent out by the Hudsons BayCompany
Company in September, to
replace the Revd Mr Staines, deceased, has been appointed thereto.
Company in September, to
replace the Revd Mr Staines, deceased, has been appointed thereto.
There are three Schools for boys and girls on the Island, conducted
by Schoolmasters and their wives, who, I believe, give satisfaction to
the inhabitants.
The Hudson's Bay Company have erected about 50 substantial houses
at Nanaimo for the Colliers employed at the Coal Mines, and their
families; and it is proposed to send out, in the course of this year, a
clergyman to attend to the spiritual wants of these people. In the
meantime a School is successfully conducted there by Mr Bayley, who was selected and sent out, as specially qualified for the duty, by the
Hudsons Bay Company.
Two Flour Mills and five Saw Mills are in operation, and it is to
be hoped that, with the help of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company's
farms, the Colony, at no distant time, may be self-supporting: at
present it has been found necessary to import a considerable quantity of
the Flour andother
other provisions consumed on the Island.
other provisions consumed on the Island.
The important subject of giving encouragement to respectable and
well conducted persons to settle permanently on the Island, has from
time to time engaged the anxious consideration of the Governor and
Committee of this Company, and, with a view of furthering this object,
it has been agreed to give to every agricultural labourer employed by
the Hudson's Bay and Puget Sound Companies the privilege of receiving a
free grant of from 25 to 50 acres of land after five years service,
these grants to be made from the land acquired by the Puget Sound
Agricultural Company and the Fur Trade reserve, and not from the public
lands of the Colony. This arrangement will no doubt operate
beneficially by inducing steady and industrious habits on the part of
this description of people, and ultimately ensure a succession of
valuable and well conducted Settlers on the Island.
The Governor & Committee are of opinion, however, that with respectto
to such of those parties as may be desirous of increasing the extent of
their holdings, and to others whose eligibility can be satisfactorily
established, it would be desirable to modify the existing regulations
regarding the payment of the purchase money of land, by empowering the
Governor of the Island, under certain restrictions, to receive such
payment by four annual instalments of 5s/- each. This arrangement
would enable an industrious agricultural labourer to make progress with
a very small Capital, but which would be yearly increased by the profits
of his labour.
to such of those parties as may be desirous of increasing the extent of
their holdings, and to others whose eligibility can be satisfactorily
established, it would be desirable to modify the existing regulations
regarding the payment of the purchase money of land, by empowering the
Governor of the Island, under certain restrictions, to receive such
payment by four annual instalments of 5s/- each. This arrangement
would enable an industrious agricultural labourer to make progress with
a very small Capital, but which would be yearly increased by the profits
of his labour.
Reference has already been made to the system of free grants which
prevails in the American territory, and the Governor and Committee
apprehend that while that system continues in the immediate vicinity of
Vancouver's Island, some liberal arrangement, such as that now
suggested, will be necessary to induce emigrants to adopt the Island as
their home.
I am requested to state that it will be satisfactory to the
Committee ifyour
your Lordship should concur in these views, in which case they will transmit the
necessary instructions to Governor Douglas for carrying them into operation without delay.
your Lordship should concur in these views, in which case they will transmit the
necessary instructions to Governor Douglas for carrying them into operation without delay.
Referring to the copy of the account forwarded herewith, which your
Lordship will at once perceive merely contains a statement of the
payments made on account of the Vancouver's Island Trust Fund, and has
no reference to the large expenditure by the Hudson's Bay Company in and
upon the Island.
Minutes by CO staff
I perceive that a previous similar report to this was laid before
the Ho: of Commons in pursuance of an Address. Might it not be
advisable to follow the same course with this report, for in the Ho: of
Commons & elsewhere the want of information as to the proceedings of
this Co over this Dependy has
a prejudicial effect and is
complained of.
a prejudicial effect and is
complained of.
ABd
11 June
If this report be an accurate one, & I know no reason to doubt, the
Company's operations though not eminently successful have not been
nugatory, & they can hardly be said not to have fulfilled the condition
of their grant, viz, "to establish a settlement according to the intent
of the Grant." If they have performed this condition, then Government
cannot resume the grant, if it wished to do so, before 1859, and then
only "on payment to the Company of sums theretofore laid out by them"
&c, whatever that clause may be held to mean. It should seem however
that the expenses of the settlement have hitherto been pretty nearly
defrayed out of the "Trust Fund," being chiefly money invested by the
Company itself in the purchase of land.
I think the relaxation asked for in
the terms of the sale of land
may be at once accorded: indeed I do not know that government have to
interfere in the matter: the grant only requires sale at a "reasonable
price."
the terms of the sale of land
may be at once accorded: indeed I do not know that government have to
interfere in the matter: the grant only requires sale at a "reasonable
price."
The question of the future government of Vanc. Id—by Assembly
or otherwise—still remains open.
HM
June 25
Sir William Molesworth
In the pressure of business during the Session it was not possible to obtain time for a full consideration of the important and somewhat difficult questions which await decision.
In the pressure of business during the Session it was not possible to obtain time for a full consideration of the important and somewhat difficult questions which await decision.
On the 13th Jany 1854 the period of 5 years from the date of
the Grant expired & it is within the power of the Crown, on the Report
of such person as may be appointed to inquire into the condition of the
Island to the effect that a settlement has not been established
according to the intention of the Grant or that provisions as to sale of
land have not been fulfilled to revoke the grant &
resume possession.
resume possession.
If the resumption be postponed till 1859 the Hudson's Bay Cy
will be entitled to claim repayment of all their outlay—indeed,
according to literal construction, both for the outlay & the value of
establishments created thereby e.g. 500 for Governor's House & the
value of the House at the time of resumption. But it may be presumed
that such a construction could not be seriously maintained. If resumed
before that date the Crown wd not be bound to make any repayment but
of course this wd be a matter for equitable adjustment. I dare say
that a large sum wd be claimed. My impression [is] that little
would
be properly payable to the Cy.
would
be properly payable to the Cy.
The two letters of the Company 3578 & 5599 raise questions for your
decision which are closely connected with the consideration of the
general policy to be pursued in regard to this Island. To treat the
forty three persons holding 20 acres of land & upwards as a constituency
competent to elect a General Assembly would irrespective of other
Consequences amount to a waiver of all legal right to revoke the grant.
For where there is a General Assembly there clearly must be a
settlement.
I confess that I think
the establishment of [a] representative
System under the circumstances of the Island wd be little better than
a parody, especially if it be true as sometimes asserted that very
nearly the whole of the occupiers are Servants of the Cy living on
its pay, in addition to a few in the service of the Puget Sound Company.
the establishment of [a] representative
System under the circumstances of the Island wd be little better than
a parody, especially if it be true as sometimes asserted that very
nearly the whole of the occupiers are Servants of the Cy living on
its pay, in addition to a few in the service of the Puget Sound Company.
The first report of the proceedings of the H.B.Cy is dated 24
Novr 1852. It is seen by reference to the annexed account that
though the Compy claim to have expended 1986-4-9 no part of that sum
had been expended in the Island except about 750 for salaries, while
they admit having received
1642-17-6 for Land Sales & Royalties on Coal
of which as entitled to do they retained 1/10th as profit.
1642-17-6 for Land Sales & Royalties on Coal
of which as entitled to do they retained 1/10th as profit.
The last Report 5599 deserves your closer attention. It is stated
that over 11000 acres of land have been sold but of this quantity 6200
acres includes the Coal district which the Hudson's Bay Company have
purchased (from themselves) at the upset price of 1 an acre. I
cannot think that such a purchase is within the true meaning & intent of
the Grant but it seems to me pretty clear that
the Company has thought
it expedient to secure itself against any possible loss.
the Company has thought
it expedient to secure itself against any possible loss.
The annexed account shows an outlay of 5614 for Colonisation
purposes but a paragraph in the despatch says that this "has no
reference to the large expenditure of the Hudson's B. Cy in & upon
the Island" which I presume to refer to expendre for their trade in
Furs & Coal.
The substantial questions now arising for decision are however
independent of the precise proceedings of the Compy. We have to
consider whether it is on
the whole for the benefit of this country &
for that of H.Ms subjects on the N.W. Coast of America that this
territory shd continue in the hands of the Company or be treated as a
Colonial dependency of the Crown.
the whole for the benefit of this country &
for that of H.Ms subjects on the N.W. Coast of America that this
territory shd continue in the hands of the Company or be treated as a
Colonial dependency of the Crown.
Under the first alternative the responsibility of the Home Govt
is diminished, the prospect of Collision with the Indians is perhaps
less [and] the development of the resources of the Island will probably
be retarded.
It is difficult to say whether the more serious risk of collision
with the American population of Oregon is greater or less than it wd
be if the Island were resumed from the Cy. Recent despatches show
that there are inflammable
Materials on both sides especially the
American. In my opinion the only real strength for such a community is
to be sought in increasing population & if the Island were resumed I
shd think it wise to give small lots—of 5 or 10 acres to a
reasonable number of actual occupants at a mere nominal price—resumable
if not brought fully into cultivation. Maintaining the present price
for all larger sales.
Materials on both sides especially the
American. In my opinion the only real strength for such a community is
to be sought in increasing population & if the Island were resumed I
shd think it wise to give small lots—of 5 or 10 acres to a
reasonable number of actual occupants at a mere nominal price—resumable
if not brought fully into cultivation. Maintaining the present price
for all larger sales.
If on full consideration you Should think it desirable to prepare
for the revocation of the grant the next question wd be whether you
would arrange the matter by negotiation here or in the first place send
some competent & independent inquirer to report on the state of affairs
in the Island.
JB
3 Aug
I think that Sir W. Molesworth had not considered the circumstance
that a sort of overture for the cession of the Island has recently been made by an influential member of the H.B. Compy & that it may be more easy to come to terms now than hereafter.
that a sort of overture for the cession of the Island has recently been made by an influential member of the H.B. Compy & that it may be more easy to come to terms now than hereafter.
I had some conversation
with him on the subject after he had
commenced this unfinished minute.
with him on the subject after he had
commenced this unfinished minute.
JB
26 Oct
[Molesworth's Minute, unfinished]
1. Would an enquiry enable the Crown to revoke the grant of
Vancouver's island to the Hudson's bay Company? I think not. I agree with Mr Merivale that if this report be an accurate one, and I see no reason to doubt its accuracy, that it would be difficult to certify "that a settlement had not been established according to the intent of the grant &c."
Vancouver's island to the Hudson's bay Company? I think not. I agree with Mr Merivale that if this report be an accurate one, and I see no reason to doubt its accuracy, that it would be difficult to certify "that a settlement had not been established according to the intent of the grant &c."
2. I think that there ought to be some legislative authority in
Vancouver's Island. The question is whether we ought to apply to
Parliament to create such an authority, or whether the powers which
exist for that purpose should be employed and a legislative assembly at
once summoned. If the former alternative be adopted, what form of
legislation ought we to ask for, and what form would Parliament grant?
I should be unwilling to ask for and I think Parliament would be
unwilling to establish a purely nominated council. A council half
nominated & half elected might be obtained, but to such a council the
objections on the score of the smallness of the electoral body, if
valid, would apply with almost as much force as to a completely elective
council.
See Minutes on Gov 8991/55.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. "List of Persons holding 20 acres of Land and upwards in
Vancouver Island" (43 names).
2. "List of Persons holding Town lots, having houses built upon
them of value 50 and upwards, at Victoria, not included in
the foregoing List" (23 names).
3. "Statement of payments applied to the Colonization and
improvement of Vancouver's Island from 31st October 1852 (the date of
Statement last rendered) to the 30th November 1853 at Vancouver's
Island, and in London to the 1st May 1855," dated May 1855, signed by
Edward Roberts, Accountant, Hudson's Bay House, London.