Panning for Gold

Faces of the Gold Rush

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Thompson River First Nations

FORT YALE, BRITISH COLUMBIA,
May 18, 1859.

I have this day had an interview with the Gold Commissioner, Mr. Brew, who handed me a Letter from the Colonial Secretary to him, stating that Your Excellency "was not aware of any grant having been made to me of land in Fort Yale, but that if I could produce any proof I was to forward it to the proper quarter for consideration"---or nearly to that effect.

I feel assured Your Excellency must have forgotten me entirely. When you were at Fort Yale in May twelve months ago, I applied to you for one acre of land; you gave instructions to Mr. Golledge(50) and Mr. Young(54) to make the grant and enter it in their books. I believe Mr. Golledge did so; and you also directed Mr. Allard(55) to measure it off adjoining the reserve of the H.B. Company; this was also done assisted by Capt. Emerson and Mr. Champlain.(56) The right has always been respected here by all parties up to now.

When I was at Victoria last you requested me to pay the amount to Mr. Anderson (57) for the lots. I did so and the money was lodged two weeks. I then by your permission withdrew the amount, with the understanding that I was to pay Mr. Brew the money on receipt of the deeds, which were to be prepared and forwarded as soon as possible.

I had an intervieew with Lieut.-Gov. Moody (58)on the subject a few weeks ago; he then told me that "what you promised me I should certainly have, which would compensate me for the labourous work I performed."

I have been waiting here now nearly three rnonths, with great patience and much expense, depending entirely upon you for my lots. I trust, therefore, you will be pleased to confirm me to them.

I have consulted Mr. Kelly a Barrister residing here and others who all consider I arn not done fairly by if deprived of the property.

RICHARD HICKS.

Footnotes:
(53) Richard Golledge, at that time Private Secretary to the Governor.
(54) Willlam A. G. Young, the Colonial Secretary.
(55) Ovid Allard , the Hudson's Bay Company's agent at Yale.
(56) These men appear to have been police officers at Yale.
(57) Alexander Caulfield Anderson, for many years connected with the Hudson's Bay Company and one of the best-known and most highly respected officials.
(58) Colonel Richard Clement Moody, commanding the Royal Engineers, and who also held the dormant commission of Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia. Though Moody signed himself "Lieut.Gov.," the title was improper as Lytton pointed out to Douglas.
SYNOPSIS of GOVERNOR'S REPLY.

NOTE.--His Excellency the Gov. has duly received your letter of the I8th inst. upon the subject of the instructions conveyed to Mr. Brew by the Colonial Secretary respecting the Lots which you claim at Fort Yale.

In reply thereto, I have to acquaint you that no record is found of any grant of land having been made to you in May last, nor does His Excellency remember the transaction to which you allude.

However, should any verbal promise have been made to you by His Excellency, such promise will undoubtedly be performed if practicable; but it will be necessary that you adduce the clearest evidence in that behalf, such as the specific act of Mr. Allard in marking out the ground for you under direct instructions from His Excellency in person, or by other proof equally satisfactory. In such case there will be no objection to the land so marked and promised ( ?) conveyed to you subject to any rights of the Government or to any claims in equity which can he brought by private individuals.

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