The Boundary Commission was an instrument of both Great
Britain and the USA, so it came under the Foreign Office in England. Because of the Oregon Treaty of 1849,
all territory that was called New Caledonia and the Columbia
Department was ceded to the US, the boundary placed
at the 49th parallel. It was at this point that the North American Boundary
Commission was formed to determine just exactly where the 49th
parallel was; the
Americans sent their engineers, as did the English.
The British Engineers were comprised of two units: the
water boundary commission and the land boundary
commission. Two two men from the water boundary commission
were transferred to the land boundary commission: Dr. David
Lyle (RN) and Lt. Roche
off the HMS Plumper.
The Columbia Detachment was headed by Lt Colonel John
Summerfield-Hawkins. Underneath him was a mixed bag of
officers: Capt R. W. Haig (Royal Artillery), Capt. Darrah
(Royal Engineers), Lt. Wilson and (1860) Lt.
Anderson. These
officers commanded 55 NCOs and Sappers.
Roderick Murcheson of the Royal Geographic Society and
Royal Geological Society put forth that a body of scientists
should accompany the Engineers. Those chosen were: Naturalist and botanist
Dr. David Lyall, Royal Navy; geologist Hillary Bauerman, Esq.,
who would go on to
become a fellow of the Royal Geological Society (FRGS); and zoologist John Keast Lord,
who was a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
The astronomical and geological survey work was done by
military officers. The enlisted men, along with Chinese, Native,
and European axemen, cut and cleared the boundary the officers
surveyed, creating a physical, straight line 20 feet wide, and
400
miles long.
Then the scientists, both individually and together, crisscrossed
the boundary, doing their assorted scientific surveys.
One
of the other tasks that the Engineers could perform, was
that of Soldier. Within a few weeks of arriving in British
Columbia, this letter was posted off to England:
Victoria, Vancouver's Island
24th August 1858
My Lord,
Since I last addressed you on the 19th of
Instant, an alarming report reached this place of the
murder of 42 miners by the Indians of Fraser's River,
and I in consequence, made a requisition on Major
Hawkins, Her Majesty's Commissioner for determining the
Land Boundary, for an officer and ten men, and for an
equal force respectively on Captain Prevost of Her
Majesty's Ship "Satellite" and Captain Montresor of Her
Majesty's Ship "Calypso", so as to form a force of 33
officers and men to proceed with me to the scene of the
disaster.
That alarming report has since been
contridicted in a dispatch from Mr. Hicks, Her Majesty's
Sub Commissioner of Crown Lands, for the district of
Fort Yale, who states, that two men only were killed by
the Indians, instead of the larger number previously
reported. I am nevertheless preparing for an
excursion to Fraser's River, with a small military force
of 35 men, composed of 15 Sappers and Miners furnished
by Major Hawkins, and Lieutenant Jones with 20 marines,
kindly furnished by Captain Prevost of Her Majesty's
Ship "Satellite"
Major Hawkins has decided on accompanying me
to Fraser's River, and will command the military force.
The object I have in view by undertaking that
journey is the enforcement of such laws as may be found
neccesary for the maintainance of peace and good order
among the motley population of foreigners, now assembled
in Fraser's River, and also practically to assert the
rights of the Crown, by introducing the levying of a
Licence duty on persons digging for gold, in order to
raise a revenue for the defence and protection of the
Country.
The military force is absurdly small for such
an occasion, but I shall make every exertion in my power
to accomplish the great object in view, and to assert
the rights of my Country, in hopes that early measures
will be taken by Her Majesty's Government, to relieve
the country from its present perilous state.
I transmit for your information the
requisition I made on Captain Montresor and his reply
thereto.
I have the honour to be
Your Lordship's
Most Obedient
Humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor
[Notes written on back of letter:]
Mr. Elliot,
Major Hawkins and his party of Sappers and Miners
are rendering the Governor good service. Communicate to
the Foreign office as he is under their orders and send
a copy to the Admiralty with reference to the aid
rendered by Captain Prevost of the Satellite.
Acknowledge approving the Governor's measures?
10 Oct. |
The
following is a list of the Officers and Men that took part
in this pre-emptive Policing expedition on the Fraser River
- known to history as the "Fraser Valley War".
Pay List of a detachment of
Royal Engineers on Service on Fraser River under the
command of Major J.S. Hawkins Royal Engineers from 30th
August to 26th September 1858 Inclusive
Serjeant James Anderson 28 days
Corporal James Fisher 28days
2nd Corporal Richard Brown 28 days
2nd Corporal Edward Grove 28 days
Sapper William Bentley 28 days
Sapper John Brenton 8 days
Sapper Charles Buttle 28 days
Sapper Robert Fenton 20 days
Sapper James Hext 15 days
Sapper Denis Ryan 28 days
Sapper James Saxby 28 days
Sapper Robert Semple 28 days
Sapper George Smith 28 days
Sapper Timothy Smith 28 days
Paid in the presence of
signed
C.W. Wilson, Lt. RE
Countersigned
J.S. Hawkins
Captain RE and Major Commanding
October 9th 1858. |
The
Royal Engineers soon returned to their work on the Boundary
line.
Forty
axe-men were discharged at Chilliwack from the
Boundary Commission, owing to the mosquitos annoying
them so much that they could not work. Two men went
crazy through being bitten by them. -30 July,
1859
The British Colonist
|

New Westminster Times
18th October 1859
North West Boundary Commission
The range of the thermometer, at the Boundary
Commission Astronomical Camp of Capt. Haig, in British
Columbia, has been from 26 degrees to 83 degrees of
Fahrenheit, within the 24 hours on some days in
September. The trail cut by the Commission to the
camp, passes over an altitude of 6000 feet, and the
country thereabouts is described as magnificently
rugged. Colonel Hawkin, Boundary Commissioner,
arrived at Panama on the 1st September, with
dispatches from Gov. Douglas to the English
Government. It will be remembered that this officer
left us immediately after the occupation of San Juan
by US troops, and doubtless upon his arrival in
England a correct statement of the particulars of this
outrage will be laid before the Government by him. |

We are allowed a pint bottle of wine and a bottle of beer per diem when practicable and we generally contrive to keep a supply of them at all hazards.
A keg of brandy is generally kept as it is very acceptable sometimes on a cold winter's night when we have to sit up till sunrise observing the stars".
-- 6th Jan. 1860, Lt. Anderson RE |

"We draw the same rations as the Men as we find that is more then we can manage, namely 1 1/2 lbs. fresh meat, 1 lb. flour, 3/4 lb. potatoes per diem, tho' of cource there is in reality no restriction of quality for the officer's mess.
We have been enjoying the luxury of Worcester Sauce and pickles lately, but I am afraid we shall soon be out, unless a reinforcement be sent from Victoria, 100 miles off."
-- 6th January 1860, Lt. Anderson RE |

"I never tasted such good bread anywhere as our Men
make us, they use some chemical composition instead of
yeast which I think makes the bread lighter and more
palatable." --
7th February 1860, Lt. Anderson RE |

"It
was with great difficulty that we stored ourselves
away on this boat, as we had so much baggage, and
just when we were starting some soldier was found
missing, and he was known to have been pretty drunk
about an hour before, and they thought he had laid
down in the woods and gone to sleep. So they
scoured the woods for about 3 hours, and at the end
of the time they found him asleep in his own
room. So we were delayed about 3 hours, which
disgusted us not a little."
--
27th May 1860, Lt. Anderson RE
|

"We
also have the greatest need of 2 surveyors, who
would get from 250 to 500 pounds a year and
everything found, but nobody has been secured.
I am in consequence doing double duty, but I have
fortunately 2 or 3 smart young Non-commissioned
officers, whom I have been able to instruct a
little, and who aford me most valuable
assistance. In fact they are as competant to do
the work now as I am myself tho' they occaisonally
require a little assistance. One of them does
most of mathematical calculations for me, tho' of
cource he does not understand the why and wherefore
of everything. If I were to attempt to explain
everything I should have to begin at the very
beginning of Arithmetic and Algebra, and turn
schoolmaster. It is a great advantage having
also my own men around me. If I were to trust
to getting civilians as assistants we should get on
very slowly indeed."
--
29 October 1860, Lt. Anderson RE |
"I
have become pretty well settled down in my new
quarters (at Colville), a rather small log house,
the building of which was a very simple process.
A great number of trees being first cut down with
the axe then branches are cut off, and then the
trees are sawn into logs of required length.
They are then placed one on top of the other, and
the interstices between the logs are filled up with
plaster, and the roof is composed of pieces of wood
split up into shapes like slates and arranged in the
same manner. The door and windows have then to
be cut out of the logs, and a large fire place built
inside with bricks. I must not forget to
mention too that we are allowed the luxury of a
rough kind of floor, and a wooden mantle
piece...Leaving out the chimney altogether the size
of the room is 17 feet long by 12 feet 6 inches
wide. The first thing I had done was to have
the logs all scrapped to get rid of the very rough
bark outside, which always contains a more or less
quantitiy of duct and insects. That being
done, I had to set to work to get a carpet, window
blinds and window curtains, for I considered that no
room could complete without those three things.
"I have seven first rate men to assist me in the
office, one of the men that I brought out with me
being in charge of the rest. Out of the seven
five are Scotchmen, one Irishman and the other an
Englishman. The latter is a man of good
family, having two brothers, one a clergyman and the
other a Colonel commanding a regiment, and this man
most intelligent and gentlemanly is only a private
soldier. I suspect drinking has been the
cause of it all, for there are more cases of
drunkenness recorded against him than any other man
that we have out here.
"Nearly all our best men are Scotchmen.
The Englishmen are apt to be very independent and
the Irishmen are very hasty and fond of a row. The Scotchmen are by far the steadiest, the most
careful and respectful set of men, and consequently
the most easy to manage.
"We have got up a sort of musical society among
the Men which seems to please them very well.
The band is not extensive, so it is principally
solos that are performed as the orchestra only
consists of a fiddle, a cirnopian and 3 flutes, and
my piccolo is lent when required...We have unfortunately no music, for one of our Men that deserted
walked off with a trombone and all the mucic, so
they have all to play from ear. They dance
hornpipes and all kinds of jigs, and generally seem
to pass the evening merrily enough."
--
6th January 1861, Lt. Anderson RE |

"On
account of the depth of snow on the mountains in the
spring, we were obliged to make a tremendous circuit
in order to get at the Boundary Line, and our route
appears at the point and then we went up to the
Boundary Line at Osayoos Lake. It was the
place where 3 of our Men were drowned."
--
26 January 1861, Lt. Anderson RE |

"All
the Men who came out with me with the exception of
one are getting on very well. That one
deserted at the beginning of the year in
consequence of being punished too severely for some
thoughtless irregularity. Their serjeant is a
great man in authority and is quite independent of
all the other sergeants which is a great advantage.
He has charge of all the provisions and stores and
has no other duty at all to perform. He and
the Colonel don't get on very well together, but as scarcely any body does not
get on well with the latter it is not to be wondered
at.
"The man that was my servant is very steady
now, and I don't think he has been drunk more than
once or twice since he has been out, and luckily for
him the Colonel was out of the way at the time or
would have been very severely punished. The
same man is a photographer, and has been very busy
at his profession since he has been out, so that we
have a very good collection of pictures of the
different places that we have passed."
--
11 February 1861, Lt. Anderson RE |

"The
Serjeant that I brought out with me is getting on
very well, and is very much liked. He has been
put in a very responsible position and is quite
independent of all other serjeants which is of
course a great thing for him. "
"The
photographer has turned out to be rather an invalid
and the Doctor says he ought never to have been sent
out. He gave me a great deal of trouble on the
passage out, as he was very often drunk, but
otherwise very useful. He has not been drunk
since he has been here, so I think he intends to
turn over a new leaf."
"I
believe all the Men have turned out well but two,
who were corporals and have since been reduced for
drunkeness."
--
7th February 1860, Lt. Anderson RE
|

 |
Observatory
tent, Zenith telescope, of the Boundary Commission, at
Yahk River station. |

7
2 A.C. Anderson:
correspondence
inward
1858-1884
(10 letters from G. Gibbs, N.W.
Boundary Survey)
MS-1912
ANDERSON, James Robert, 1841-1930. Victoria;
accountant, Deputy
Minister of Agriculture.
Originals, 1824, 1858-1927, 2.16 m
BC Archives |
In March of 1859 when the Boundary Commission was about to
embark on the next leg of its work on the 49th Parallel, the
commission actually disembarked at Fort Nisqually and used
it as a base of operations for a time. The following
are a few of the letters that have survived.
Fort
Nisqually
W.T.
March 7 1859
My dear Colonel Hawkins,
I have received your note of the 1st Inst. by
"George" Sexton, who, arriving today, was sent
immediayely to join Sanchez. Sanchez is getting on
well with the horses, altho the severe weather experienced
during the last week has been against him. I do not
think that Mr. Lord will reject any of the horses Sanchez
has taken in hand, as he will have none but the stoutest,
and best. The horses, having last season, been riden,
and excercised in a wheeled machine used for accustoming
colts to harness, are more manageable than he seems to
have anticipated. Whislt up, they are fed on straw,
for which no charge will be made as it would be better
that they had oats as well, in which case I would expect
government pay for the grain thus expended. Have the
goodness to inform me by return of the
"Constitution" what you think of this suggestion
and its consequent. I desire to have all matters of
business between us clearly understood from the
outset. Will you require Oats for the
Commission? Their present price here is 75 cents for
a bushel weighing 34 lbs.
With Kind regards I am Dear Sir,
Faithfully Yours,
W.F.Tolmie
Nisqually
March 11th 1859
My dear Sir,
Referring to my last of March 7 I have to acknowledge
receipt of your's of the 8th.
What I inquired about hay was in order that some might be
provided for the horses on their passage from Nisqually to
Whatcom, but if they go in the "Constitution"
direct, much will not be required.
According to past progress it will take the men four or
five weeks yet to have the horses trained to their
liking. I mention this, so that they may be
directed, if you desire it, to be more expeditious.
Sexton wishes me to inform Mr. Lord that the Government
pack saddles will answer well.
Very truly Your's,
W.F. Tolmie
Nisqually
W.T.
March 21 1859
My dear Sir,
I am happy to inform you that the muleteers have been
getting on well of late with the horses. They have
now broken in twenty, and, as several of the nags yet to
be moved over to them, are already used to harness and the
saddle, they ought to have the number of horses required
ready by the first week in April.
We can furnish you with 8, moderate sized bullocks, or as
many more as you may probably want, in as good condition,
as cattle can be found in, at this season, in these
parts. The hay I wrote about formerly was merely
what I supposed would be needed to fodder the horses on
the passage from this to Whatcom.
I am Dear Sir,
Faithfully Your's,
W.F. Tolmie
Nisqually
W.T.
March 28 1859
Dear Sir,
I have received your note of the 18th Inst. and shall
attend to what is said therein regarding letting the
muleteers do their work thoroughly.
I cannot say that either of the men are innattentive to
duty, as they employ themselves in bad weather, and when
without horses, in making hair lines. I have had
occasion twice to warn them against unmercifully riding
the saddle-horses, and on my asking Sexton recently, if he
had not been told at Esquimalt to consider himself, whilst
here, as under my direction, he civilly enough, replied in
the negative. Sanchez has refused to take some sound
horses 10 or 12 years old, and also some barren mares of
good size and young. He has also refused some good
young geldings on account of their being in low condition,
but, on my recently telling him, that the horses will not
be needed so soon as was supposed, he said these geldings
would answer. Have the goodness to let me know what
you think about the older geldings, and barren
mares. Mr. Lord saw some of the geldings, when here,
and, if mistake not, approved of them.
As mentioned in my last to you, of the 21st Inst. we can
supply you with as many moderate sized bullocks, as you
are likely to require, when the horses are taken.
Owing to the inclement weather and the consequent
backwardness of vegetation, the horses and beeves will all
benefit by remaining here five or six weeks longer.
With kind regards to Captain Haig, and Mr. Lord.
I am Dear Sir,
Your's truly,
W.F. Tolmie
P.S.
Mr Huggins to whom I have read the foregoing says that
Sanchez did not refuse the older geldings, having accepted
the only one yet presented. What he wishes to
ascertain is whether Mr. Lord will ultinmately accept
them, and the barren mares?
Please
tell Mr. Lord that Spencer has got for him a Rabbit, and a
large woodpecker
W.F.T.
|

THE
BOUNDARY COMMISSION - Col. Hawkins, RE, Her
Majesty's Commissioner, with Captain Darrah, RE, and
a party of Royal Engineers, may be expected here in
a few months, to fix the Boundary posts along the
49th parallel from Semiamoo to Similkameen, the
columns having been lately placed in suitable
positions for subsequent transport by Captain Gosset,
who is also about to erect a handsome obelisk on
Point Roberts. Col. Hawkins and his officers will
meet with a hearty reception, their active
business-like habits having gained them the respect
of all classes. It is to be wished that her
Majesty's Government, on the completion of Col.
Hawkins' present labors, would secure his services
in this colony, in such a position as to enable him
to bring his experience and talents to bear on our
many wants. --18th June, 1861
The
British Columbian
|

HER
MAJESTY'S GUNBOAT GRAPPLER arrived in this port on
Friday last on her way up to the Sumass, with a
cargo of Iron posts for the Boundary line.
-- 11th July, 1861
The British Columbian
|

OBELISK AT BOUNDARY BAY - WE are glad to learn that
Mr. Ebenezer Brown of this city has been awarded the
contract for erecting the obelisk which is to mark
the international boundary where it strikes the
waters of the Gulf of Georgia. It is to be
constructed of gray granite, to be obtained and
prepared here. The contract price is $3,500.
- 15th August, 1861 - The British Columbian
|

N.A. Boundary Commission
Hope, BC - 18th October, 1861.
Sir,
When I met you recently at Hope, I took
the opportunity of mentioning to you the desire of a man
of the Detachment of Royal Engineers under my command,
attached to the Boundary Commission, who will shortly be
entitled to his discharge on the expiration of his term of
Enlistment, to remain in this or the neighbouring Colony
on being discharged. The man in question is Corporal
William H. Rowling, who has completed a term of service of
twelve years, and is now serving for a portion of the
prolonged term of two years. He is married, and is a
carpenter by trade; and he will I have no doubt make an
eligible Colonist.
Under terms of the 6th clause of the
Army Service Act of 1847, I have the honor to signify to
Corporal Rowling's desire to remain in the Colonies under
Your Excellency's jurisdiction; and to request your
permission for him so to do.
It is not clear to me that once
permission is necessary in the case of soldiers discharged
by indulgence at their own request; - but as on the
withdrawal of the Boundary Commission some of the Men
attached to it may wish to be so discharged, as a matter
of precaution I think it desirable to mention this to you,
- presuming that you can entertain no objection to an
increase in the number of settlers of this description.
Will Your Excellency oblige me with a
reply addressed to Colville, W.T.; and by sending a copy
of the portion relating to Corpora; Rowling's application
to Colonel Moody; - as it is probable that Corporal
Rowling's discharge will have to be made by that officer,
as I may not be within reach of a Detachment under Captain
Darrah, RE, about to be employed on the Boundary from
Semiahmoo eastwards, to which the man is likely to be
attached, when the time for his discharge arrives.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
Humble Servant,
JS Hawkins,
Lieut-Colonel, RE
HM Commissioner
|
The work on
the Boundary continued until the Winter of 1861-1862. As
it was that the existing equipment and supplies had to be
loaded and returned to the Commission's base at Pilgrim's
Rest, the RE bulk of the Officers and Men were obliged to
remain until the Spring of 1862.
Colonel
Hawkins, endevouring to secure Military Land Grants for
his discharged Soldiers, wrote to Colonel Moody.
Her Majesty's Boundary
Commission
Colville, Washington Territory U.S.
December 11th 1861.
Sir,
I have the honour to enclose the copy of a
letter I have addressed to His Excellency Governor
Douglas respecting the privilidge of a per grant of 30
acres of agricultural land in British Columbia, offered
to Some of the Non-Commissioned officers and Sappers of
the Detachment of Royal Engineers attached to the
Boundary Commission, to whom I am authorized to grant
per discharge if they wish to become settlers in that
Colony.
The accompanying letter will, I think, fully
explain to you the circumstances of the case; and I hope
you will not object to interest yourself in the welfare
of discharged men of the Corps although they have not
been serving under your command, for doing which your
position affords great facilities.
As said in my letter to the Governor, it is
probable that I shall not be able to do more than
discharge the men before I leave the country; and it is
further probable that at that time the regulations
relating to the grant of land may not be sufficiently
mature for immediate application.
I have the honour to be etc.
Signed
J.S. Hawkins
Lieut. Colonel, RE
H.M. Commissioner |
As
the Spring Thaw of 1862 came on, Men and equipment made
their way to Fort Vancouver and eventually to Pilgrim's
Rest, Esquimalt, where those Men who wished to purchase
their Discharge from the British Army, were allowed to do
so.
Return of Men of the Detachment
of Royal Engineers attached to the North American
Boundary Commission who have been discharged on payment
of the regulated Compensation for their discharge
4943 Sapper Thomas Avery, 4 years 209 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 24th May
1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
3815 Sapper William Bentley, 2 years 287
days, One Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I.,
22nd May 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
3259 Sapper John Brenton, 6 years 352 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 22nd May
1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
5853 Sapper George Bruce, 3 years 173 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 22nd May
1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
4884 Sapper Thomas H. Butcher, 4 years 249 days,
One Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 24th
May 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
4918 Sapper William Dingle, 4 years 190 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 21st
April 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
5917 Sapper David Downie, 3 years 89 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 22nd May
1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
3289 Sapper Thomas Forgie, 6 years 327 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 20th March 1862,
Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
4593 Sapper John Grieve, 5 years 196 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 21st
April 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
4925 Sapper Edward Grove, 4 years 192 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 21st
April 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
5896 Sapper Samuel Howse, 3 years 59 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 31st March 1862,
Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
4709 Sapper Thomas Johnston, 5 years 105 days,
One Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 21st
April 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
2130 Sapper John McTernan, 7 years 161 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 22nd May
1862, Compensation 24 Pounds Sterling.
5925 Sapper James Metcalfe, 3 years 59 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 21st
April 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
4561 Sapper Roger Moore, 5 years 217 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 22nd May
1862, Compensation 30 Pounds Sterling.
4147 Sapper Samuel Passmore, 6 years 54 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 20th
March 1862, Compensation 30 Pounds Sterling.
2850 Sapper Robert Semple, 7 years 71 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Esquimalt, V.I., 24th May
1862, Compensation 24 Pounds Sterling.
4073 Sapper Timothy Smith, 6 years 83 days, One
Good Conduct Badge, Discharged Colville, W.T.U.S., 20th
March 1862, Compensation 35 Pounds Sterling.
Signed
J.S. Hawkins
Lieut. Colonel, RE |
|