Lempriere assists in getting the last of the Detachment off to the
mainland.
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21st
Thursday – Left the “Thames City” with 30 men, 3 women and 4
children at
10 a.m. and embarked in the Eliza Anderson. We went round in
her to Victoria.
In
the evening I got the men into a warehouse
close alongside the pier. In the afternoon, I walked with Luard to
the
top of Beacon Hill.
We
dined with Hamley and slept on board
the Eliza Anderson on the sofa for an hour or so without taking
my clothes off – --From the Journal of Lt. Lempriere, RE,
on board the "Eliza Anderson
in Victoria Harbour. |
| "Busy yesterday and
today preparing to move to Queenborough."
--21st April, 1859,
From Journals of Rev. Edward White |
On board the Eliza Anderson is this letter from
Doggett to Burnaby.
Department of Lands and Works
21st April 1859
VictoriaSir,
I only received your letter dated 17 April on the 20th
instant altho I had sent Hull up to the Post Office to England if
there were any for the Department every day, the delay is not mine
but entirely the Post Office.
I enclosed herewith a correct copy of Captain Grant's
Balance Sheet, also a copy of a letter from Mr. Thane relating to
the Timber. Is it to be sent to Queenborough or to Langley, or not
received at all? I require instructions without delay I think it
will be a saving to the Department to take it, however you know
best on the subject.
I cannot find any map or Plan of Langley. I have asked Her
Excellency, Mrs. Colonel Moody, she cannot find one. Mr. Hurons
of this Town wishes to by a Lot at Langley from a man, but wants
to see what part the Lot is situated in before purchase. It is a
pity he cannot see a plan, because he will pay the subsequent installment and increase the treasury whereas the seller cannot,
not possessing the funds.
I find in going through the Books of Mr. Miles that a man
named Partridge 286. No. Lot 18 Indenture 141 has not paid the
deposit of $11.20. I have seen him on the subject, he will pay.
The transfers are coming in slowly- plenty of time yet.
Hull is sleeping in the House belonging to the Department at
nights that makes the documents and Books safe.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
EB Doggett
Note - I have duly received your letter with the copy of
the Captain Grant's Balance sheet.
Colo. Moody cannot return any answer respecting lumber. I
will inform you on the subject next time.
In respect to the map of Langley, Col. Moody wishes you
to ask Mr. Pemberton for the large map and all others he may
happen to have of Langley and you will be so good as to have it in
the office.
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Moody, in Queenborough, writes to Douglas on Burnaby's behalf.
Camp Queenborough,
21st April 1859Sir,
I beg to forward the
enclosed application from Mr. Burnaby and to recommend it
to your favorable consideration.
The circumstances are quite as he represents them. It is
absolutely necessary he should be here constantly on duty with
myself and it is not to be expected that my officers should receive
among them, as one of themselves, in their Quarters and at their
Mess, any gentlemen not actually in the same service. Your
Excellency will readily understand how sensitively jealous the
"service" is on these points, and as their Commanding Officer I am
bound to respect their feeling. This places Mr. Burnaby in a false, and as regards the Public Service at present, a very inconvenient
position. Acquiescing to his request will relieve all parties from
this embarrassment.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
RC Moody |
{Note: It is interesting that the application from Burnaby does not refer
to the political nature of the situation between himself and the RE
Officers. Later letters by Burnaby also do not mention any difficulties
between himself and the Officers.}
The Royal Marine Party enters the fourth day of the expedition.
| "...On the fourth day
(21st) I tried to get up
the River at the head of the Lake further than Captain Bazalgette had been
but after three miles the snags were so numerous from the fallen trees
that I found the labor of getting the Canoe over too great to proceed much further
than he had already been the depth of the River continued the same at this
point – it also flows through a perfectly unbroken valley which heads due
West to Burrard Inlet. From the head of the lake and the distance across
the former I should say to be about eight miles... "
--25 April, 1859,
report from Lt. Blake, RMA to Col. Moody |
The correspondent for The British Colonist at Queenborough gives the first
of his weekly reports on the Town and situation there.
| "Queenborough, April
21, 1859 - It will perhaps be interesting to know how we are
progressing here. The town is being laid out; the Custom House is
nearly finished, also the Treasury; the clearing is going on well;
we have two wharves, and about 15 houses already built, including
two restaurants, a barber-shop, grocer, two bakers, etc., etc.
It is very necessary to get the lots early into market, as
the present parties only vest on sufferance.
A good deal of contraband is going up the river; two
large seizures have lately been made, and we wait with impatience to
have the Capital declared a port of entry, and all goods going up
the river to be discharged here. A report exists that a party in
Victoria hold a monopoly of the spirit trade, and are sending up
spirits at 10 per cent duty, when others have to pay $1 per gallon;
if this is not true, it ought to be contradicted.
I have been up to Langley. They have barely a place there to
build twenty houses but no more. If a town of delivery is requisite
below Fort Hope it will be better to go higher up the river. Any one
who thinks favorably of that place ought to go over the ground. If
the barracks remain there longer, it will be requisite to have a
hospital alongside. I caught marsh fever for only one night's
sleeping there.
Judge Begbie has returned from the Canoe country. He
reports very favorably. All are doing well, but roads are wanted,
and people have to go on half rations and pay enormous prices for
the necessaries of life..."
--Saturday, 23 April, 1859,
The British Colonist |
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