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Douglas, James, Sir, 1803-1877
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Outward correspondence

The series consists of correspondence sent by Paul Fraser in 1852 and 1853 to a number of correspondents, including James Douglas, Eden Colville, and James Yale. Correspondence deals with Hudson's Bay Company and other business or travel matters.

Peter Ogden correspondence with James Douglas

The file consists of one letter written in 1860 by Peter Ogden to James Douglas, governor of British Columbia. Ogden requests payment of $102 as recompense for supplies and assistance provided to Major William Downie, who arrived at Stuart Lake in 1859 in a destitute state.

The bush and the salon : A minor incident

SUMMARY: "The Bush and the Salon" was a CBC radio series that recreated early Canadian life from letters, diaries and other sources. This episode, "A Minor Incident", by Edward Stidder, is an account of the ea;rly years of James Douglas (later the Governor of the Colony of British Columbia). Peter Haworth plays Sir James Douglas and Ted Stidder plays Chief Kwah. Other actors include Sam Payne, Walter Marsh,; Peg Dixon, Graham Crowl, Joe Austin, Jack Anthony, Terence Kelly, Jack Hammond, Merv Campone, Wayne Robson, and Hagan Beggs.;

Hudson's Bay Company and James Douglas correspondence collection

  • PR-2206
  • Collection
  • 1841-1858

The collection consists of six letters by James Douglas to James Yale or Donald Manson, three agreements between the Hudson 's Bay Company and four employees, and a bill of lading for the Hudson's Bay Company ship Cadboro.

Douglas, James, Sir, 1803-1877

Ella family fonds

  • PR-2199
  • Fonds
  • 1840-1865

The fonds consists of eight items: folder 1, a marriage license (1855 ), folder 2, transcript from a marriage register (1857), folder 3, a Masonic lodge certificate (1865), folder 4, a certificate of competency as a ship's master (1853), folder 5, an indenture certificate (1840), folder 6, a certificate of character and discharge (1853), folder 7, an empty linen document envelope with "H.B. Ella" on one side and a partial original of Martha Ella's diary. The 1855 marriage license was signed by Governor James Douglas, while the 1857 license was signed by Bishop Edward Cridge.

Ella (family)

Nanaimo correspondence : James Dougas - Joseph W. McKay

  • A/C/20.1 N15
  • Series
  • 1936 (originally created Aug. 1852 - Sep. 1853)
  • Part of Fort Nanaimo fonds

The series consists of a bound, typed, transcript copy of a letter book kept by Joseph W. McKay at Fort Nanaimo, 1852-1853. The letters are between McKay and James Douglas, who was based at Fort Victoria. The first letter in the book is dated August 24, 1852 and is from Douglas who directed McKay to proceed to Wentuhuysen Inlet, commonly known as Nanymo Bay, to formally take possession of the coal beds on behalf of the Hudson's Bay Company. The correspondence then continues between the two men until September 27, 1853 and is mostly concerned with the coal mining operations taking place. Missing letters, most notably the section from November 6, 1852 to April 4, 1853, are listed with a note from Judge Howay explaining that "the letters were left blank in the original book, it evidently having been Mr. McKay's intention to copy them later."

Land office blotter

The item is a volume titled land office blotter. Blotters were used to record detailed trading activity. Only one page has been used. The page describes two financial transactions with the Hudson's Bay Company.

The first transaction relates to 200 pound sterling received from James Cooper, Master of the Hudson's Bay Company ship Columbia, as a deposit on a land purchase in September 1849.

The next relates to the trade of 535 blankets on the 6th of May, 1850. The blankets were paid to several Indigenous groups "for purchase of their lands as per details in Register of Land Purchases", also known as the Douglas Treaties. The names, transcribed directly from the blotter, are: Tee-chamitsa, Kosampsom, Swenghung, Chilcowitch, Whyomilth, Checonein, Kakyaakan, Chewhaytsun, and Soak.

This record was likely created by James Douglas, as it appears to be written in his handwriting [see Wilson Duff, "The Fort Victoria Treaties", BC Studies No. 3 (Fall 1969): 8].

Register of land purchases from Indians

The series consists of a register of land purchases from Indigenous peoples on Southern Vancouver Island (near Fort Victoria), 1850-1852; record of agreements with Indigenous peoples at Fort Rupert, 1851, and Nanaimo, 1854. These conveyances or agreements are often referred to as the Fort Victoria treaties, Vancouver Island or Douglas treaties.

The following is a list of the signatory tribes and their present-day community names:

Saanich, Victoria, Metchosin and Sooke areas:
Teechamitsa (Songhees)
Kosampson (Esquimalt)
Whyomilth (Esquimalt)
Swengwhung (Songhees)
Chilcowitch (Songhees)
Che-ko-nein (Songhees)
Ka-ky-aakan (Scia'new/Becher Bay)
Chewhaytsum (Scia'newBecher Bay)
Soke (T'Sou-ke/Sooke)
Saanich -South (Tsawout, Tsartlip, Malahat)
Saanich -North (Pauquachin, Tseycum)

Nanaimo area:
Saalequun (Snaw-Na-Was/Nanoose, Snuneymuxw)

Port Hardy area:
Queackar (Kwiakah)
Quakiolth (Kwakiutl)

Included with these records, but not part of the HBC agreements, are two land purchase agreements made between Vancouver Island Government Agent William Banfield and two Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations in 1859 and 1860, as well as a list with the male adult population of tribes of the southwest coast of Vancouver Island compiled by Banfield.

Fort Vancouver : register of marriage licenses

The item consists of a record book kept by Chief Factor John McLoughlin in 1837 at Fort Vancouver for the purposes of recording marriage licences. Entry no. 1 records the marriage licence of James Douglas and Amelia Connolly, dated February 27, 1837. Entry no. 2 records the marriage licence of Benjamin McKenzie and Katharine Campbell, dated February 27, 1837.

Correspondence outward

The series consists of correspondence out from Fort Vancouver, 1846-1848, signed by Peter Skene Ogden and James Douglas. The records consist of originals, borrowed transcripts and transcript copies. Almost all of the letters are addressed to Dr. W.F. Tolmie, at Fort Nisqually

Report from James Douglas to John McLoughlin

The item is a transcript copy of an 18 page report in the form of a letter written by James Douglas on October 1, 1840 on board the HBC steam vessel "Beaver". It is addressed to John McLouglin, Chief Factor of Fort Vancouver.

The report details Douglas' activities from May to September 1840 in his visits to various HBC forts including Fort McLoughlin, Fort Simpson, Fort Stikine; and Sitka where he met and negotiated business with the Russian Governor. The report also outlines Douglas' interactions with Indigenous people, the establishment of Fort Taku (later Fort Durham) and fur trade activities.

Correspondence outward

The series consists of correspondence from James Douglas to other HBC officials, written between 1832 and 1849 while he was assigned to Fort Vancouver. The first part of the series consists of the original letters (1839 to 1848) while the second part consists of copies or transcripts of original letters (1832 to 1849) obtained from other institutions or individuals.

The letters cover all aspects of life in the Hudson's Bay Company forts including directions sent by Douglas to other Fort officials regarding men, equipment and farm operations; trading, exploration and relations with the Indigenous people; news and politics.

Establishment of servants, Columbia District out

The series is a bound journal containing 92 pages, originally created by James Douglas in 1839 when he was stationed at Fort Vancouver. The first ten pages contain lists of "gentlemen and men" associated with various HBC forts and vessels as well as shipping information. Pages 11 to 70 contain Douglas' letterbook copies of correspondence to John McLoughlin and other officials from 1840 to 1841, written while in Fort Tako, Carquines, on board the Barque Columbia, San Francisco and Fort Vancouver. Interspersed with the letters are receipts and lists of men at forts.

Douglas took the journal with him to Victoria and used it as a personal letter book between 1866 and 1867. Pages 71 to 92 contain draft copies of his letters to his family and business associates.

A list of contents was created by Archives staff, ca. 1936.

Fort Vancouver fonds

  • PR-1682
  • Fonds
  • 1832-1858; 1866-1867

The fonds consists of accounts, correspondence, fur returns, a register of marriage licences and a letter book created by various Fort Vancouver Hudson's Bay Company officials between 1832 and 1858. Most of the correspondence consists of both originals and copies of letters outward written by Chief Factor John McLoughlin and Chief Traders James Douglas and Peter Skene Ogden however there are also letters sent by company clerk Dugald Mactavish. The letter book also includes private correspondence of James Douglas, 1866-1877.

Hudson's Bay Company. Fort Vancouver

Letter book : correspondence outward

The item is a bound letter book containing copies of correspondence outward from the Hudson's Bay Company Fort Simpson between 1851 and 1855. The letters are written by William Henry McNeill, Chief Trader at Fort Simpson. Most of the correspondence is addressed to James Douglas, Chief Factor or the Board of Management, Hudson's Bay Company, at Fort Victoria. There are also some letters addressed to other Hudson's Bay Company officials such as John Work.

There is a two page diary from August 21 to September 1, 1875 in the back of the book written by an unnamed woman, probably McNeill's daughter Rebecca.

Letter from H.H. Berens to James Douglas

The item is a letter to Governor James Douglas at Fort Victoria written by H.H. Berens, Agent of the Puget Sound Agricultural Company at Hudson's Bay House in London, on June 11, 1862. The letter states that the company is not interested in purchasing Douglas' shares in the PSAC and giving Douglas the authority to dispose of them as he pleases.

Letter to I.W. Powell regarding reserves

Item consists of one letter (copy) written by James Douglas to Israel Wood Powell, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Douglas' letter is in response to a letter from Powell (9 October 1874) inquiring whether, during Douglas' tenure a Governor of British Columbia, there was a specific basis of acreage used in setting apart reserves.

Commission appointing James Douglas Governor of British Columbia

This document, known as the Douglas Commission, appointed James Douglas as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the newly created Colony of British Columbia. Issued in September 1858, the document consists of three large parchment pages attached to the Great Seal of Queen Victoria.

British Columbia (Colony). Governor (1858-1864 : Douglas)

James Douglas family fonds

  • PR-1428
  • Fonds
  • 1827-1900

The fonds consists of notebooks, letterbooks, account books, and the death certificate of James Douglas. Fonds includes several diaries kept by James Douglas and one diary kept by Martha Douglas, various official papers to do with the governing of the west coast, correspondence between members of the Douglas family, household calling cards, a book owned by Cecilia Douglas, and Lady Amelia Douglas’ bible.

Douglas family (James Douglas)

Vernon Llewellyn Denton records

Correspondence relating mainly to Simon Fraser and an atlas produced by Denton; notes and a typed manuscript relating to Simon Fraser, plus several copies of Fraser's 1806 and 1808 journals and letters 1806-1807. There are notes on the fur trade, early Vancouver Island, the Cariboo gold rush, Sir James Douglas, confederation and the Canadian Pacific Railway; and on Louis Riel and the Metis rebellions.

Denton, Vernon

Correspondence and other material

Seven letters from Edward Ellice, M.P. and members of the committee appointed to look into the affairs of the Hudson's Bay Company, discussing HBC interests in British Columbia and on the prairies; scrapbook containing miscellaneous clippings, etc. Photographs, sketches, and water colours transferred to Visual Records accession 197910-6; 198006-4.

Dallas, Alexander Grant

Crease family collection

Henry Pering Pellew Crease (1823-1905) was born at Ince Castle, near Plymouth, England, educated at Cambridge, and called to the bar in 1849. He traveled to Upper Canada with his family and explored the Great Lakes area for mining potential before returning to England in 1851 or 2. He then worked briefly as a conveyancing barrister before becoming manager of the Great Wheal Vor United Mines in Cornwall. Following business difficulties, he emigrated to British Columbia in 1858, practicing law in Victoria and becoming a member of the Vancouver Island Legislative Assembly in 1860. In 1861 he was appointed Attorney General of the mainland colony and moved to New Westminster; he was appointed Attorney General of the united colonies in 1866 and returned to Victoria in 1868 when it became the capital of the colony of British Columbia. In 1870, he was made a supreme court judge. Crease was knighted in 1896. British Columbia. His family joined Crease in Victoria in 1860 and four more children, one of whom died in infancy, were born in British Columbia. Crease was interested in business and politics as well as the law. Both as a barrister and a supreme court judge he traveled throughout British Columbia on circuit. His wife accompanied him on some of these journeys. The Creases were prominent socially, and their house, Pentrelew, was a centre for Victoria society. Five of the Crease children lived into the 20th century, and three, Lindley (1867-1940), Susan (1855-1947) and Josephine (1864-1947), never married and lived at Pentrelew until their deaths. Susan was involved with the local Council of Women and Josephine with the Island Arts and Crafts Society. Both painted in watercolours, as did their mother. The two Crease sons, Lindley and Arthur, were sent to school in England and then practiced law in Victoria. Arthur served in France in the Canadian Army in the First World War.

The collection includes diaries, 1834-1900, correspondence inward, 1830-1904, and outward, 1830-1903, miscellaneous records and notebooks, including the minute books of the Colonial Securities Co., 1866-1868, of Sir Henry Crease; diaries, 1872-1913, correspondence inward, 1851-1922, and outward, and miscellaneous notebooks and records of Lady Crease; diaries, 1877-1937, correspondence inward, 1877-1940, and outward, 1893, and miscellaneous records of Lindley Crease; diaries, 1890-1960, account books, 1909-1954 and miscellaneous records of Arthur Crease; diaries, 1865-1943, correspondence inward, 1862-1891, 1902, and 1937, and miscellaneous records of Susan Crease; diaries, 1878-1942, correspondence inward, 1883-1890 and miscellaneous records of Josephine Crease; some correspondence inward of the other two Crease daughters, Mary Maberly (Walker) Crease and Barbara Crease; diaries, 1853, 1870, and 1898, and correspondence inward, 1847-1899, of Emily Howard Crease, Sir Henry Crease's sister, who taught school in British Columbia, and correspondence between members of the Crease and Lindley families in England and the Crease family in Victoria.

MS-2879 is an extensive collection of family papers which, in addition to the information it provides on the lives, activities and opinions of individual writers of letters and diaries, is a rich source of information on such topics as family life, childhood and the lives of women, and a major source on the economic, political, legal and social history of post-1858 l9th century British Columbia. The correspondence inward series to Sir Henry Crease includes letters from important figures in colonial and post colonial British Columbia. The collection contains some records relating to Sir Henry Crease's legal and business interests. It includes transcripts of Crease's private letter book, 1870-1873, Sarah Crease's diary of her trip to Cariboo, 1880, and her letters to her husband, 1849-1859. MS-2879 may be used in conjunction with MS-0054, MS-0055, MS-0056, and MS-0573.

Alfred John Langley papers

Correspondence with his son, family correspondence, certificates, will and related documents, appointment to Vancouver Island Council, indentures, share certificates and receipts.

Helmcken family papers

Papers of J.S. Helmcken and members of his family, including correspondence, 1848-1920, account books, 1871-1903, deeds, contracts, certificates, 1825-1890, medical notebooks, case books and account books, 1845-1890, notes and papers concerning the Beacon Hill Park Bowling Club, 1898-1914, rough notes and drafts for articles in newspapers, speeches, and reminiscences. Account books pertaining to the estate of Arthur Thomas Bushby, 1875-1901. Papers of Harry Dallas Helmcken, 1866-1894, and William Ralph Higgins, 1890-1903. J.S. Helmcken's confederation diary and reminiscences are also on microfilm. John Sebastian Helmcken was born in Spitalfields, London on 5 June 1824, the fourth child and eldest son of Claus Helmcken and Catherine Mittler. After attending St. George's German and English school from 1828 to 1839 Helmcken apprenticed himself to Dr. W.H. Graves as a chemist and druggist. On 2 October 1844, Helmcken registered as a student at Guy's Hospital, London, and in March 1848 was admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Two months later he was serving as surgeon aboard the Malacca until, on 12 October 1849, he received an appointment from the Hudson's Bay Company as surgeon and clerk for a five year term. Helmcken arrived at Esquimalt on 24 March 1850 and was first posted to Fort Rupert before being ordered to return to Fort Victoria in December 1850. On 27 December 1852 he married Cecilia Douglas, eldest daughter of Governor James Douglas. In 1856 Helmcken was elected to represent Esquimalt and Victoria District in the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island and served as Speaker of the Assembly until union with British Columbia in 1866. Governor Musgrave appointed Helmcken to the Executive Council of British Columbia in December 1869 while he was also serving as a member of the Legislative Council of B.C., and in the summer of 1870 he travelled to Ottawa as one of three confederation delegates from the colony. With the entry of British Columbia into Confederation in 1871, Helmcken retired from active politics. Helmcken also served as president of the Board of Directors of the Royal Hospital, remained physician to Victoria's jail until 1910, and contributed numerous articles on the early history of Vancouver Island in his later life. Dr. Helmcken died on 1 September 1920. The records include the papers of J.S. Helmcken and members of his family: correspondence, 1848-1920, account books, 1871-1903, deeds, contracts, certificates, 1825-1890, medical notebooks, casebooks and account books, 1845-1890, notes and papers concerning the Beacon Hill Park Bowling Club, 1898-1914, rough notes and drafts for articles in newspapers, speeches and reminiscences. There are also account books pertaining to the estate of Arthur Thomas Bushby, 1875-1901, and papers of Harry Dallas Helmcken, 1866-1894, and William Ralph Higgins, 1890-1903. J.S. Helmcken's Confederation diary and reminiscences are also on microfilm [A00810]. An index to the records is available as part of the hard copy finding aid kept in the reference room.

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