|
4
{
'

i

eae.

UE i STON Se en eee er

x. Introduction.
PORN MRE) ed rae ie wie ee OT RUS Ye ee

summer of 1858 were in the carrying trade between Victoria and Fort
Hope. The “Surprise” was the first steamer to ascend the Fraser
beyond Langley; she arrived at Fort Hope on Sunday, June 7, 1858.
Two British vessels, “Governor Douglas” and “ Colonel Moody,”
were soon built for the trade; included in this volume will be found a
petition from their owners for an exclusive right of navigation for one
year between New Westminster and Douglas and Hope.

In June, 1858, Douglas, who as yet had no legal authority as
Governor of the mainland—and he did not become Governor of British
Columbia until September 2, 1858—appointed three officials whose
names frequently appear in the annexed correspondence: Richard
Hicks, as Revenue Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Crown Lands
at Yale; George Perrier, as Justice of the Peace at Hill’s Bar; and
O. Travaillot, usually styled Captain Travaillot, as Revenue Officer
and Assistant Commissioner of Crown Lands at Lytton. In Septem-
ber, 1858, he appointed Robert T. Smith as Justice of the Peace and
Revenue Officer at Fort Hope.

The Act creating the Colony of British Columbia was passed on
August 2, 1858; James Douglas was appointed Governor on September
2, 1858; and on the same date his instructions were signed, authorizing
him to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the
colony, an unusual power, only justified by the unique conditions; and
by an instrument of the same date also the exclusive trading privileges
of the Hudson’s Bay Company were abrogated. At the same time
Matthew Baillie Begbie, afterwards Sir Matthew, was appointed the
Judge of the colony. But by the time these documents reached Victoria
and Judge Begbie had arrived over two months had elapsed. Finally
on November 19, 1858, at Langley, the ceremony of swearing in the
officials and formally launching the colony was performed. The only
account extant of this important event is herewith reproduced :—

“INSTALLATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

“New Fort Lancuey, 20th November, 1858.

“ Editors, Gazette:

“ Yesterday, the birthday of British Columbia, was ushered in by
a steady rain, which continued perseveringly throughout the whole day,
and in a great measure marred the solemnity of the proclamation of
the Colony. His Excellency Governor Douglas, with a suite compris-
ing Rear-Admiral Baynes (commanding the naval forces on the Pacific
station); Mr. Cameron, the respected Chief Justice of Vancouver
Island; Mr. Begbie, the newly appointed Judge of British Columbia;
Mr. Lira, and others, proceeded on board H.M. ship ‘ Satellite,’ Captain