Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Merivale, Herman 16 August 1858, CO 6:25, no. 8219, 10.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (transcribed) (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.
Romaine forwards a copy of a letter from Prevost and its enclosures relating to the gold fields of the Fraser River.
The minutes suspect that the letters will not add to their current intelligence.
Enclosed is Prevost to Baynes reporting on the gold fields; Douglas to Prevost transmitting a proclamation delineating the rights of the HBC in the gold regions; a proclamation prohibiting foreign vessels from conveying miners
up the Fraser without a sufferance from the customs officer in Victoria; Prevost to Douglas offering
any assistance […] that it may be within the limits of [his] power to grant;and two letters of correspondence between Douglas and Prevost about the appointment of a customs collector.
Romaine to Merivale
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, a copy of a letter from Captain Prevost of HM Ship Satellite, dated the 7 June, and copies of its enclosures, relating to the recently discovered Gold Districts
in Fraser's River.
P.S. The West India Mail is dispatched today.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
I have not had time to peruse these papers, but judging from the dates of the Letters I sd not imagine that they contained any later intelligence than we already possess.
I have not had time to peruse these papers, but judging from the dates of the Letters I sd not imagine that they contained any later intelligence than we already possess.
ABd
16 Augt
In the answer to this, I wish it particularly stated as to the length of time that
has elapsed since I applied for a naval force & was assured it was attended to. Point
out that Capt Prevost only has his "Satellite" as a jooen (being on a special service) urge in the said serches long the necessity of a competent force.
See letter 8227 since received from Admy which I have comprehended is the same draft
answer.
HM
Augt. 17.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
1. Captain J.C. Prevost to Rear Admiral Robert L. Baynes, 7 June 1858
With reference to my letter of the 7th May 1858, No. 5, acquainting you with the reported discovery of Gold in Fraser’s and Thompson’s Rivers, and representing the state of affairs in this neighbourhood consequent
thereupon, I have the honor to enclose herewith the copy of a letter dated the 15th May 1858, which I received from His Excellency the Governor of
of Vancouver’s Island transmitting to me the Copy of a Proclamation which he had issued in consequence
of reported violation of the British Frontier by Foreign Boats and Vessels, and requesting
me to assist him in enforcing obedience to the Laws; and proposing that I should accompany
him on a projected excursion to the Falls of Fraser’s River, and that the “Satellite” should proceed to Point Roberts, near to the entrance of Fraser’s River
River, for the purpose of producing a Moral effect which he judged might prevent much future
evil; and also transmitting the copy of a Despatch which His Excellency had addressed
to you on the 12 May last.
of Vancouver’s Island transmitting to me the Copy of a Proclamation which he had issued in consequence
of reported violation of the British Frontier by Foreign Boats and Vessels, and requesting
me to assist him in enforcing obedience to the Laws; and proposing that I should accompany
him on a projected excursion to the Falls of Fraser’s River, and that the “Satellite” should proceed to Point Roberts, near to the entrance of Fraser’s River
River, for the purpose of producing a Moral effect which he judged might prevent much future
evil; and also transmitting the copy of a Despatch which His Excellency had addressed
to you on the 12 May last.[margin: copy sent to Col Office. 1. Letter or 4 [[…]] from Adm.?]
I forward herewith a copy of my reply thereto, from which you will perceive that
under the unforeseen and peculiar circumstances of the case, and as the “Satellite” could be spared for a short period from her special
special duties, I conceived it to be my duty to comply as far as I was able, with
the Governor’s requisition. The “Satellite” accordingly left this anchorage on the morning of the 19th May. I anchored at Bellingham Bay the same evening, as I was desirous of ascertaining the state of affairs at that
place, strenuous efforts having been made to draw the tide of emigration to that point.
On the 20th I anchored off Point Roberts, at first in American
American waters, but shortly Afterwards finding a suitable anchorage about a quarter
of a mile to the northward of the 49th parallel of North Latitude, the ship was moved
into British waters.
special duties, I conceived it to be my duty to comply as far as I was able, with
the Governor’s requisition. The “Satellite” accordingly left this anchorage on the morning of the 19th May. I anchored at Bellingham Bay the same evening, as I was desirous of ascertaining the state of affairs at that
place, strenuous efforts having been made to draw the tide of emigration to that point.
On the 20th I anchored off Point Roberts, at first in American
American waters, but shortly Afterwards finding a suitable anchorage about a quarter
of a mile to the northward of the 49th parallel of North Latitude, the ship was moved
into British waters.On the 21st May the Governor joined me, in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s steamer “Otter” and I received
from him a letter dated on that day, of which Enclosure No. 3 herewith, is a copy,
acquainting me that he had appointed an officer of Customs for the District of Fraser's
Fraser’s River, and calling upon me in the Queen’s name to assist him with such force as might be necessary to maintain the authority
of the Law, and to prevent the constant and open violation of the British Frontier
by Foreign Vessels. Under these circumstances I deemed it imperative on me to render
such assistance as I might be able, and I therefore detached the Launch of the “Satellite,” under the charge of Lieutenant T. S. Gooch, with
with a small guard of marines, to proceed to Fort Langley, as will be seen by my reply to the before mentioned requisition, Enclosure herewith,
No. 4.
Fraser’s River, and calling upon me in the Queen’s name to assist him with such force as might be necessary to maintain the authority
of the Law, and to prevent the constant and open violation of the British Frontier
by Foreign Vessels. Under these circumstances I deemed it imperative on me to render
such assistance as I might be able, and I therefore detached the Launch of the “Satellite,” under the charge of Lieutenant T. S. Gooch, with
with a small guard of marines, to proceed to Fort Langley, as will be seen by my reply to the before mentioned requisition, Enclosure herewith,
No. 4.On the morning of the 22nd the Governor and I proceeded up Fraser’s River in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Steamer, “Otter,” as far as Fort Langley, the Launch of the “Satellite” being in tow. The Launch and the “Otter” remained at Fort Langley during the absence of Governor Douglas
Douglas and myself on a visit to the mining districts in Fraser’s River, on which we proceeded on the 27th May, and from which we returned on the 3rd June. On the morning of the 4th June we quitted Fort Langley, and I rejoined the “Satellite,” withdrawing the Launch at the same time. Not deeming it prudent to remain longer
absent from Vancouver’s Island, being in daily expectation of the arrival of the Land Boundary Commission, which
I
I was directed by Lord Clarendon to meet, I quitted Point Roberts on the evening of the 4th and anchored early in the morning of the 5th June in Esquimalt Harbour.
Douglas and myself on a visit to the mining districts in Fraser’s River, on which we proceeded on the 27th May, and from which we returned on the 3rd June. On the morning of the 4th June we quitted Fort Langley, and I rejoined the “Satellite,” withdrawing the Launch at the same time. Not deeming it prudent to remain longer
absent from Vancouver’s Island, being in daily expectation of the arrival of the Land Boundary Commission, which
I
I was directed by Lord Clarendon to meet, I quitted Point Roberts on the evening of the 4th and anchored early in the morning of the 5th June in Esquimalt Harbour.Although I have been thus obliged to quit the neighbourhood of Point Roberts, and to withdraw the Launch from Fraser’s River, I am not without great hope that the exhibition of the Ship at the entrance of the River, and the presence of the Launch in the River, have been attended with the most beneficial results; and
and while it has thus been evident to all that Force for the protection of the Territory
is close at hand, and that the determination exists to uphold the laws, it is but
reasonable to presume that the inclination to violate Territorial rights and to rebel
against legitimate authority must be greatly diminished. The present time, though,
is but the very commencement of a complete revolution in the existing state of affairs
in this part of the world, and the extraordinary character of the
the case is such as to require immediate and effectual measures to be taken to preserve
authority, and to keep the country in a tranquil state. The entire body of Miners
at present at work appears to be an order-loving and peaceably-disposed set of men,
but among the multitudes that soon will arrive, it can scarce be supposed that this
class of Individual will alone be found.
and while it has thus been evident to all that Force for the protection of the Territory
is close at hand, and that the determination exists to uphold the laws, it is but
reasonable to presume that the inclination to violate Territorial rights and to rebel
against legitimate authority must be greatly diminished. The present time, though,
is but the very commencement of a complete revolution in the existing state of affairs
in this part of the world, and the extraordinary character of the
the case is such as to require immediate and effectual measures to be taken to preserve
authority, and to keep the country in a tranquil state. The entire body of Miners
at present at work appears to be an order-loving and peaceably-disposed set of men,
but among the multitudes that soon will arrive, it can scarce be supposed that this
class of Individual will alone be found.From my own personal observations,
observations, and from inquiries made during my visit, I am inclined to think that
the whole country is rich in Gold, and with scarce one exception all the old Californian
Miners I have met with declare they expect the Country will far exceed in auriferous
deposit the wealth of California. No interior or dry mining has as yet been attempted,
but the mountains around present every indication of being rich in the finest gold
quartz. The mining at present is confined to the mere
mere surface washings on the Banks of the River, and upon one bank or “Bar” as it is termed in mining phraseology, called “Hills Bar,” about 5 miles below Fort Yale, where upwards of 75 men are at work, the average daily yield is 60 Dollars per pan.
The first washing commences at about 5 miles from Fort Hope, and from thence to Fort
Fort Yale most of the available spots along the Banks of the River are studded with Miners, all of whom to use their own expression, are “earning wages,”
the smallest sum made daily by any man being about 5 Dollars. This is at the present
season of the year when the water in the river is high, but in two or [change of handwriting]
three
three months when the water has fallen the yield must prove far greater. The Quality
of the Gold is very fine & the grains are small or what is commonly called “Scale
Gold” and so plentiful & so generally diffused is it that at almost any position along
the banks of the River from Fort Hope to Fort Yale a pan of dirt taken indiscriminately & washed will be found to yield Gold.
observations, and from inquiries made during my visit, I am inclined to think that
the whole country is rich in Gold, and with scarce one exception all the old Californian
Miners I have met with declare they expect the Country will far exceed in auriferous
deposit the wealth of California. No interior or dry mining has as yet been attempted,
but the mountains around present every indication of being rich in the finest gold
quartz. The mining at present is confined to the mere
mere surface washings on the Banks of the River, and upon one bank or “Bar” as it is termed in mining phraseology, called “Hills Bar,” about 5 miles below Fort Yale, where upwards of 75 men are at work, the average daily yield is 60 Dollars per pan.
The first washing commences at about 5 miles from Fort Hope, and from thence to Fort
Fort Yale most of the available spots along the Banks of the River are studded with Miners, all of whom to use their own expression, are “earning wages,”
the smallest sum made daily by any man being about 5 Dollars. This is at the present
season of the year when the water in the river is high, but in two or [change of handwriting]
three
three months when the water has fallen the yield must prove far greater. The Quality
of the Gold is very fine & the grains are small or what is commonly called “Scale
Gold” and so plentiful & so generally diffused is it that at almost any position along
the banks of the River from Fort Hope to Fort Yale a pan of dirt taken indiscriminately & washed will be found to yield Gold.I did not proceed further up the river than to the spot called the Falls, about 6 miles above Fort Yale or I should think about 136 miles from the mouth of the river. From the mouth to
Fort Langley being about 30 miles, from Langley to Fort Hope about 100 miles, & from thence to Fort Yale about 20 miles. From above the Falls to Thompson’s River the
the yield of Gold is said to be much greater than below there, but at the present
season the water is too high to admit of work and most of the miners from the locality
are now going down for provisions with the intention of returning as soon as practicable.
Upon Thompson’s River & at its junction with Fraser’s River, I am informed that the gold is found in much larger scales, and in small nuggets,
and all the specimens I have seen from these parts are of this description.
the yield of Gold is said to be much greater than below there, but at the present
season the water is too high to admit of work and most of the miners from the locality
are now going down for provisions with the intention of returning as soon as practicable.
Upon Thompson’s River & at its junction with Fraser’s River, I am informed that the gold is found in much larger scales, and in small nuggets,
and all the specimens I have seen from these parts are of this description.When these facts become generally known the influx of population to this part of the
world will undoubtedly be immense. I have it on reliable authority that upwards of
20,000 Miners from California are only awaiting confirmation of the reports received
to at once quit that Country for Fraser’s River. Under these circumstances it
it is very evident how imperative it is that measures should be adopted to meet the
urgency of the case, to prevent risk & violence & to at once establish a large [[…]] for the Crown. Mr. Douglas the Governor of Vancouver’s Island appears to have acted with exceeding ability & judgement, so far as he is able, but
he has no staff whatever to support or to assist him & his position at the present
moment is one of immense difficulty, & anxiety. In Puget Sound in Bellingham Bay the excitement consequent upon the Gold Discoveries is intense. A most plausible
attempt has been made to establish Bellingham Bay as the Port of debarkation for the Gold regions, by setting forth that a direct road
was being constructed from Bellingham Bay to the [[…]] Such an undertaking has indeed
indeed been commenced, but it is however quite impracticable as no road from thence
can proceed further than Fort Hope, there being a range of Mountains beyond through which no pass is known to exist, & over which it would be impossible to carry any road. The
Speculation has however probably answered the destined road, for several steamers have landed their living cargoes at Bellingham Bay & the holders of property around have reaped a rich harvest in the rapid sale of
their land.
it is very evident how imperative it is that measures should be adopted to meet the
urgency of the case, to prevent risk & violence & to at once establish a large [[…]] for the Crown. Mr. Douglas the Governor of Vancouver’s Island appears to have acted with exceeding ability & judgement, so far as he is able, but
he has no staff whatever to support or to assist him & his position at the present
moment is one of immense difficulty, & anxiety. In Puget Sound in Bellingham Bay the excitement consequent upon the Gold Discoveries is intense. A most plausible
attempt has been made to establish Bellingham Bay as the Port of debarkation for the Gold regions, by setting forth that a direct road
was being constructed from Bellingham Bay to the [[…]] Such an undertaking has indeed
indeed been commenced, but it is however quite impracticable as no road from thence
can proceed further than Fort Hope, there being a range of Mountains beyond through which no pass is known to exist, & over which it would be impossible to carry any road. The
Speculation has however probably answered the destined road, for several steamers have landed their living cargoes at Bellingham Bay & the holders of property around have reaped a rich harvest in the rapid sale of
their land.The only direct route to the Gold Districts is by way of Fraser’s River & this is now becoming generally known, an as at present the Custom House is established
at Victoria in Vancouver’s Island, the excitement here is largely on the increase
increase.
Land has rapidly risen in value and building lots both at Victoria & at Esquimault, [sic] have been eagerly purchased in every available position. It seems almost inevitable
that this place must soon become a second San Francisco, and under such circumstances it is with no small regret that I see the portions
of land in this beautiful Harbour which are most suitable for naval purposes passing
from the hands of one private individual to another, as should it ever become necessary
hereafter to form a naval establishment in this Island, these portions of land would
probably have to be repurchased at an enormous increase of price.
increase.
Land has rapidly risen in value and building lots both at Victoria & at Esquimault, [sic] have been eagerly purchased in every available position. It seems almost inevitable
that this place must soon become a second San Francisco, and under such circumstances it is with no small regret that I see the portions
of land in this beautiful Harbour which are most suitable for naval purposes passing
from the hands of one private individual to another, as should it ever become necessary
hereafter to form a naval establishment in this Island, these portions of land would
probably have to be repurchased at an enormous increase of price.
Amidst all this excitement and surrounded by all these temptations, it gives me much
pleasure to be able to report that as yet not one man has deserted from the “Satellite.” I took my gig with me, up to Fraser’s River as far as Fort Yale, and the Launch was stationed in the neighbourhood of Fort Langley, and both boats returned to the ship without a loss of a single man.
In conclusion, I trust I may be pardoned for mentioning in this communication what
has been apparent to me on many occasions, but more particularly upon the recent occasion
of my absence from 
the ship, and that is the intelligence & trustworthiness of the Senior Lieutenant
of the “Satellite,” Lt. Mountford S.L. Paile I have been obliged frequently to quit the “Satellite” on short periods of detached service, and it has been a source of much satisfaction
& comfort to me to feel assured that I was not only entrusting a capable and painstaking
officer with the charge of the ship, but that I was leaving behind the one upon whose
good sense and discretion I could most securely rely. Had it not been so, I might
have been necessitated to remain by the Ship, when it was 
more advantageous that I should proceed elsewhere, and I therefore beg you will permit
me to bring Lieut. Paile to your notice, and to ask you to make favourable mention of him to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
the ship, and that is the intelligence & trustworthiness of the Senior Lieutenant
of the “Satellite,” Lt. Mountford S.L. Paile I have been obliged frequently to quit the “Satellite” on short periods of detached service, and it has been a source of much satisfaction
& comfort to me to feel assured that I was not only entrusting a capable and painstaking
officer with the charge of the ship, but that I was leaving behind the one upon whose
good sense and discretion I could most securely rely. Had it not been so, I might
have been necessitated to remain by the Ship, when it was 
more advantageous that I should proceed elsewhere, and I therefore beg you will permit
me to bring Lieut. Paile to your notice, and to ask you to make favourable mention of him to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.In consequence of my distance from your [[…]] I purpose sending a copy of this letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
1.1 James Douglas to Prevost, 15 May 1858, transmitting a copy of a proclamation (1.2 below) and requesting his assistance to enforce it.
I transmit herewith for your information copy of a Proclamation lately issued in consequence
of reported violations of the British Territory by foreign Boats and vessels, and
of infringements of the chartered rights of the Hudson’s Bay Company warning all persons
that such acts are contrary to law, and that whosoever takes part in them will be
subjected to the penalties which the law denounces against such offences.
No Military force being maintained by this Colony 
I am under the necessity of calling upon you to furnish an effective force for the
purpose of carrying out the measures proposed and set forth in my proclamation, and
generally to enforce obedience to the Laws.
I am under the necessity of calling upon you to furnish an effective force for the
purpose of carrying out the measures proposed and set forth in my proclamation, and
generally to enforce obedience to the Laws.I have also to inform you that I propose leaving this Colony for a short time on an
excursion to the Falls of Fraser’s River for the purpose of enquiring into the state of the Country, & ascertaining as far
as can be effected, from personal observation, the character of the navigation to
that point; subjects in respect to which H. M. Govt. are 
especially desirous to obtain information, and I think tat you should accompany me
on that journey, and that the “Satellite” should proceed with us to Point Roberts, as an imposing display of force at that
point will have a powerful moral effect, and prevent much future evil.
especially desirous to obtain information, and I think tat you should accompany me
on that journey, and that the “Satellite” should proceed with us to Point Roberts, as an imposing display of force at that
point will have a powerful moral effect, and prevent much future evil.
1.2 Proclamation by Douglas, 8 May 1858, prohibiting foreign vessels from conveying miners up the Fraser without a sufferance from the customs officer in Victoria.
Copy
Proclamation
By Mr. James Douglas Governor & Commr in chief of the Colony of Vancouver’s Island & its dependencies & Vice Admiral of the same
&c &c &c
Whereas it is commonly reported that certain boats, and other vessels have entered
Fraser’s River for trade, and whereas there is reason to apprehend that other Persons are preparing
and fitting out boats and vessels for the same purpose.
Now, therefore, I have issued this my declaration – warning all persons that such
acts are contrary to law, & an infringement upon the rights of the Hudson’s Bay Company,
who are legally entitled to the trade with Indians in the British Possessions on the
North West coast of America, to the exclusion of all other Persons whether British
or Foreign.
who are legally entitled to the trade with Indians in the British Possessions on the
North West coast of America, to the exclusion of all other Persons whether British
or Foreign.And also that after fourteen days from the date of this my Proclamation all ships,
boats or vessels together with the goods laden on board, found in Fraser’s River or in any of the Bays, Rivers, or Creeks of the said British Possessions on the N.
W. Coast of America, not having a licence from the Hudson’s Bay Company, and 
a sufferance from the proper Officer of Customs at Victoria, shall be liable to forfeiture and will be seized and condemned according to law.
a sufferance from the proper Officer of Customs at Victoria, shall be liable to forfeiture and will be seized and condemned according to law.Given under my hand and Seal at Govt. House, Victoria this 8th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1858, and in the 21st year of H. M. Reign.
(sd) James Douglas
Governor [seal]
Governor [seal]
Footnotes
- This addressee information appears at the foot of the first page of the enclosure.
- This addressee information appears at the foot of the first page of the enclosure.