ISSUES IN NEW SOUTH
WALES, CALIFORNIA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA 1840s-1870s
1 NEW SOUTH WALES IN 1842
From The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday,
August 2, 1842:
WHO IS THE CULPRIT — LORD STANLEY, OR SIR GEORGE GIPPS?
Either Lord Stanley or Sir George Gipps has done this Colony a serious
injustice and a serious injury—an injustice for which no apology can atone; an
injury which no apology can repair. Either, on the one hand, his Lordship has
read the public documents in his office so carelessly as to have egregiously
misunderstood them; or, on the other, His Excellency has written despatches at
variance with his own declarations in Council, and at variance with notorious
fact. These are grave charges; but, unhappily, they are but too well
substantiated by evidence before the public.
In the Herald of last Friday,
we published a speech delivered by Lord Stanley in the House of Commons on the 19th
of April, in reply to certain questions put to him by Mr. P. M. Stewart, as to whether
there was in the colonies a great demand for labour, and whether it was the intention
of Government to facilitate emigration to those colonies. In answering these
questions, his Lordship displayed an ignorance of plain matters of fact,
touching the affairs of New South Wales, at once discreditable to his own
accuracy as a statesman, inculpatory of the Governor's official fidelity, and
most disastrous in its consequences to the Colony.
In the first place, Lord Stanley is reported to have said, that “by the
last accounts the Governor of New South Wales had stated, that there was no demand
for labour in the Colony; but that, on the contrary, there existed the greatest
difficulty in providing labour for those emigrants who had recently arrived there."
Now, as this speech was made on the 19th of April, 1842, the "last
accounts" from the Governor, on the authority of which Lord Stanley made
these astounding assertions in the face of Parliament and the country, must
have been written towards the close of 1841. And, what were the facts at that
period? Let the question be answered by Mr. Merewether, the Agent for
Immigration. In his official Report, dated the 14th of May last, and printed by
order of the Legislative Council, he states that " the total immigration to
the Colony during the year 1841, including persons who arrived without any assistance
from the Government, amounted to 23,200 souls, of whom 14,652 were landed at
Sydney, and 8,548 at Melbourn."
According to Lord Stanley's assertion, "there existed the greatest
difficulty in providing labour" for these 23,000 souls. But what says Mr.
Merewether? "Though I have not been able to shew with such accuracy as I
could wish, the manner in which the labour imported during the year 1841 has
been distributed, yet that it has been distributed with a rapidity which might
have been deemed almost impossible, considering the difficulty of communication
with the interior, I have the means of awarding the most satisfactory proof."
This proof Mr. Merewether then proceeds to adduce—namely:— " At the
close of the third quarter of the year, the immense number of immigrants who
were arriving at Sydney in continuous succession, rendered it impossible that
those of a less eligible description should find employment within the ten days
during which a maintenance was provided for them on board ship; the admission
into the Immigrant Barracks, and the temporary maintenance there of such
labourers with families, and such single women as, through no fault of their own,
were discharged from their respective ships, without engagements, was in consequence
sanctioned by your Excellency.
“The total number of persons from time to time received into the
Barracks, under the above circumstances, up to the end of 1841, was,
Married men with families 200
Single females 172
"The number lodged in the Barracks on the 1st of January, 1842, was
Married men with families 31
Single females
15
so that out of 2997 adult men, and 1700 adult single women, or 4697
working hands, who arrived at Sydney during the last half of the year 1841, 372
only failed to obtain employment within ten days after their arrival in Sydney,
and 46 only remained without employment on the first day of the present year."
"At Port Phillip it was found necessary to make similar provision
for the immigrants who did not find immediate employment ; and from returns
furnished by His Honor the Superintendent of that district, it appears that out
of 2115 adult males, and 1299 adult single females, or 3414 working hands,
landed in the district on bounty, during the last half of the year 1841, 42 men
with families, and 65 single women, or 107 working hands, only were without
employment on the 1st day of January, 1842."
Upon these facts Mr. Merewether makes the following short but pithy comment:
"These statements render unnecessary any comment on the great demand for labour
which must have existed in the colony, and the almost overwhelming distress
which, but for its arrival, would have been experienced."
Now, place Lord Stanley's rash and mischievous assertion in the House of
Commons in juxtaposition with the statistical demonstration of Mr. Merewether, and
they will appear as opposite as the poles:—
Lord Stanley. Mr.
Merewether.
" No demand for labour." "Great demand for labour”.
And look at the positive facts
stated by Mr. Merewether :
Total immigration in the year
23,200
Deduct the children 5,315
Total working hands 17,885
Out of employment at the close of the year 153
Shewing that prompt employment had been found for 17,732
That is, the number of immigrants unemployed at the close of the year,
were in the ratio of about eight in every thousand who had arrived during the
year!
And then, again, as to the rates of wages given to these 17,700 adults,
Mr. Merewether, referring to a table of rates of wages appended to his Report, which
had been taken principally from averages struck on the wages given in ten different
districts of the interior, remarks,— "The present rates of wages are somewhat
lower than those given in this Table, but the reduction is so inconsiderable as
to afford in itself a satisfactory proof that the labour market is still much
understocked."
Had Mr. Merewether been gifted with prescience, and, foreseeing this outrageous
misrepresentation, had he elaborately provided for its confutation, he could
not have fortified his case with a stronger array of facts, nor with a more pertinent
summary of sound deductions. It is fortunate for him that he was not thus
gifted, for he has now the honour, without danger to his tenure of office, of having
made the noble Secretary of State look like a consummate simpleton. But what is
to be said of Sir George Gipps? Can it be possible, that with the foregoing
facts before him, he could sit down at his desk and frame a despatch that
should warrant the Minister for the Colonies to declare, in his place in the
House of Commons, that in New South Wales there was " no demand for
labour?" We cannot believe it— for to believe it would be to impute to His
Excellency a wilful breach of the ninth commandment. Our impression is, that
Lord Stanley "spake unadvisedly with his lips," having no authority
whatever for his daring mis-statement. At any rate, the Governor is called upon
by the Colonists, in justice to his own character as well as to the interests of
the country, to declare the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
*****
2 CALIFORNIA IN 1847
From California Star, Volume 1, Number 1, Yerba Buena, 9 January 1847:
TO THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA.
On my approach to this place with the forces under
my command, Jose Castro the Commandant General of California, buried his
artillery and abandoned his fortified camp "of the Mesa," and fled,
it is believed, toward, Mexico. With the sailors, the marines, and the
California Battalion of mounted Rifleman, we entered the "City of
Angeles," the Capital of California on the 13th of August, and hoisted the
North American Flag. The Flag of the United States is now flying from every
commanding position in the Territory, and California is entirely free from
Mexican dominion. The Territory of California now belongs to the United States,
and wilI be governed as soon as circumstances may permit, by officers and laws,
similar to those by which the other Territories of the United States are
regulated and protected. But until the Governor, the Secretary and Council are
appointed, and the various civil departments of the Government are arranged,
military laws will prevail, and the Commander-in-Chief will be the Governor and
protector of the Territory. ln the mean time the people will be permitted, and
are now requested to meet in their several towns and departments, at such time
and place as they may see fit, to elect civil officers to fill the places of
those who decline to continue in office, and to administer the laws according
to the former usages of the Territory. ln all cases where people fail to elect,
the Commander-in-Chief and Governor will make the appointment himself. All
persons of whatever religion or nation who faithfully adhere to the new
Government, will be considered as citizens of the Territory, and will be
zealously and thoroughly protected in the liberty of conscience, their persons,
and property. No persons will be permitted to remain in the Territory, who do
not agree to support the existing Government, and all military men who desire
to remain, are required to take an oath, that they will not take up arms
against it, or do, or say anything to disturb its peace. Nor will any person,
come from where they may, be permitted to settle in the Territory, who do not
pledge themselves to be in all respects obedient to the laws which may be from
time to time enacted by the proper authorities of the Territory. All persons
who without special permission, are found with arms outside of their own
houses, will be considered as enemies, and will be shipped out of the country.
All thieves will to put to hard labor on the public works, and there kept until
compensation is made for the property stolen. The California Battalion of
mounted Riflemen will be kept in the service of the Territory, and constantly
on duty to prevent and punish the aggressions by the Indians or any other
persons upon the property of individuals, or the peace of the Territory; and
California shall hereafter be as governed and defended as to give security to
the inhabitants, and to defy the powers of Mexico. All persons are required as
long as the Territory is under martial-law, to be within their houses from 10
o'clock at night until sunrise in the morning.
R. F. STOCKTON, Commander-in-Chief, and Governor of
the Territory of California. Ciudad de los Angeles, August 17th, 1846.
YERBA BUENA AND SAN FRANCISCO BAY
As we have never seen in any of the numerous
journals published by travellers, a correct dEscription of this part of
California, we design from time to time, to give to our readers abroad, all the
information that we may be enabled to procure in relation to it. At present we
will confine ourselves to the town in which we live, and the circumjacent
country. The magnificent accounts of one have excited distrust wherever they
have been read; while the manifest intention of others to puff themselves into
importance and notoriety, and fill their pockets at the expense of the curious
and credulous, has destroyed all the force and weight of the few facts
contained in their works. Instead of being of any benefit to the country, they
have done it a great injury. We have just read "travels" of one of
these self-styled travellers in California, Thomas J. Farnham, and we find it
to be nothing but one continued strain of bloated bombast, from beginning to
end. [Travels
in Californias, and Scenes in the Pacific (1844)] This "celebrated
traveller" came from Oregon to Monterey by water, remained there a few
days, and then wended his way over the ''mists of torn water" to the
United States, "listening the while to the single notes of nature's lofty
hymns." After his arrival there he essayed to write a description of the
whole of California. This, instead of affording the sound thinking farmer and
mechanic, and the enterprising merchant, the men best calculated to develop the
resources of the country, the information which they eagerly sought, was only
calculated to tickle the fancy of the light reader.
Another of these ''celebrated travellers."
went the overland route to Oregon—stayed a few weeks in Oregon city, and
finding that country too small for his ambitious designs, took up the line of
march for California. He crossed the Cascade mountains "amidst the storms
which assemble with lightning, thunder, winds, and pour devastating hail and
fire upon their upper hights," and after many "hair breadth"
'scapes from the naked savages, who had nothing to fight with, finally arrived
in the Sacramento valley.— Here he remained a few weeks, and while his mind was
feasting upon the recollection of the "pomp and circumstance" of the
glorious war, through which he had just passed, he hastily took down a few
notes to refresh his memory "withal" when he should afterwards be
seated in his easy chair in the city of Cincinnati, writing the history of
California. From the Sacramento he went to Monterey, and thence over the
"deep blue sea," and the land route through Mexico, and finally,
after passing through many dangers, both by land and sea, arrived safely in the
United States, and set about preparing a work which he supposed, from the
avidity with which every thing relating to this country is read by the people,
would be gulped down by them with the greatest gusto.
The most grandiloquent traveller of all of them,
Monsuier Violet, the self-styled Count de Narbonne, the protege of Capt.
Marryat, who wrote the history of the country from the notes of the
"Count." Capt Marryat instead of using the notes to promote the
interests of this country, made the novelty of the title page of the work, the
medium through which he might abuse the Americans and gratify in some measure,
his malicious feelings towards them in consequence of having been slapped in
the face, by a rough handed Kentuckian in Louisville.
The only effect that all this trash and balderdash
can have, is to awaken a curiosity in relation to the country, and let the world
know that such a place as California exists; which if we mistake not, was
tolerably well known before. The only journal upon which the people at a
distance can rely with any degree of certainty, for facts and correct
discription, is the plain but well written work of Col. J. C. Freemont, which
we recommend to every one who feels an interest in learning any thing in
relation to the former history or late condition of the country. In consequence
of the difficulty which Col. Freemont labored under in getting access to the
different parts of the country, he was unable to give that accurate information
relative to this part which he could, and would have done under other
circumstances.
To supply the difficiency in all these works, (some
of which have obtained an extensive circulation,) so far as it relates to this
part of California, we have obtained from the most authentic sources the
description of the town and bay, which follows.
Yerba Buena, the name of our town which means GOOD
HERB, is situated on the south west side of the principle arm of San Francisco
bay, about five miles from the ocean, on a narrow neck of land varying from
four to ten miles in width. The narrowest place being sixteen miles south west
of the town. It is in latitude 37o. 45 north. This narrow slip of land is about
sixty miles in length, extending from the point formed by the bay and the
ocean, to the valley of San Jose. The site of the town is handsome and
commanding—being an inclined plain of about a mile in extent from the water's
edge to the hills in the rear. Two points of land—one on each side, extending
into the bay form a crescent or small bay in the shape of a crescent in front,
which bears the name of the town. These points afford a fine view of the
surrounding country— the snow capped mountains in the distance—the green
valleys beneath them the beautifull, smooth and unruffled bay in front and on
either side, at once burst upon the eye. There is in front of the town a small
Island, rising high above surface of the bay, about two miles long, and one
wide, which is covered the greater part of the year with the exuberant herbage
of untrodden freshness. This little Island is about three miles from the shore.
Between it and the town is the principal anchorage. Here the vessels of all
nations rest in safety and peace, and their flags are displayed by the aromatic
breeze. Two hundred yards from the shore, there is twenty four feet water, and
a short distance beyond that, as many fathoms. The beach immediately in front
of the now business part of the town, is shelving; but it will no doubt in a
short time be filled up and become the most valuable part of the place. The
climate here is, in the winter, which is the rainy season, damp and chilly.
Daring the balance of the year it is dry, but chilly, in consequence of the
continual strong winds from the north and north west. There is but little
variation in the atmosphere throughout the year;—the thermometer ranging from
fifty five to seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Yerba Buena is one of the most
healthy places on the whole coast of the Pacific. Sickness of any kind is
rarely known among us. The salubrity of the climate—beauty of the site of the
town—its contiguity to the mouth of the bay— the finest harbor on the whole
coast in front— the rich and beautiful country around it, all conspire to render
it one of the best commercial points in the world. The town is new, having been
laid off in 1839 by Capt. John Vioget;—and notwithstanding all the troubles in
the country has gradually increased in size and importance. It now contains a
population of about five hundred permanent citizens. Two years ago there were
but about two hundred. Three miles south is the mission Dolores on Mission
creek, surrounded by a small valley of rich and beautiful land. The water from
this creek can easily be brought by means of aqueducts to any point to supply
vessels. For the supply of the citizens the best of well water is obtained in
every part of the town, by boring the distance fo forty feet. In going south
from Yerba Buena, the traveller passes over this narrow neck of land; a most
delightful region interspersed with hills, valleys and mountains—the valleys
rich and beautiful— the hills covered with tall pines, redwood and cedar that
have withstood the tempests and whirlwinds of a century, and the mountains
rising in majestic grandeur to the clouds. In passing out, the valley of San
Jose opens to the view in all the loveliness of the climate of Italy and beauty
of the tropics. This valley is about sixty miles in length, and ten in width.
The Pueblo which means an incorporated town, is the principal place of business
for the valley, and is about five miles from Santa Clara, the landing on the
bay, or as it is termed here, "the èmbarcadero." Passing on from here
north east; the traveller in a few hours reaches the Straits, which separate
the Suisun bay, formed by the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin
Rivers, from that of San Pablo. Here it seems that the accumulated waters of a
thousand years had suddenly rent the opposing mountain asunder and flowed with
tremendous force to the great bosom of the deep. On the north side of the bay
from the straits to Sousilito, is one of the finest districts of country in all
upper California. Next to Yerba Buena, Sousilito is the best point on the whole
bay for a commercial town.— It is seven miles a little east of north from this
place on the opposite side of the bay, and has long been a watering point for
vessels. An attempt has recently been made to lay off and build up a town at
the straits to supercede the two last mentioned places. It will no doubt
however, be an entire failure. San Francisco bay being the safest and most
commodious harbor on the entire coast of the Pacific, some point on it must be
the great mart of the western world. We believe Yerba Buena is the point,
commanding as it does now, all the trade of the surrounding country, and there
being already a large amount of capital concentrated here. The town of Yerba
Buena is called in some of the old maps of the country San Francisco.— It is
not known by that name here however. The town takes its name from an herb to be
found all around it which is said to make good tea; and possessing excellent
medicinal qualities, it is called good herb or Yerba Buena.
*****
[The California Star, San Francisco, Volume 1 Number 11, March 20. 1847]
PROCLAMATION.
To The People of California.
The President of the United States having
instructed the undersigned to take charge of the civil government of
California, he enters upon his duties with an ardent desire to promote as far
as he is able, the interests of the country and the welfare of its inhabitants.
The undersigned has instructions from the President to respect and protect the
religious institutions of California, and to see that the religious rights of
the People are in the amplest manner preserved to them, the Constitution of the
United States allowing every man to worship his Creator in such a manner as his
own conscience may dictate to him. The undersigned is also instructed to
protect persons and property of the quiet and peaceable inhabitants of the
country against all or any of their enemies, whether from abroad or at home;
and when he now assures the Californians that it will be his duty and his
pleasure to comply with those instructions, he calls upon them all to exert
themselves in preserving order and tranquility, in promoting harmony and
concord, and in maintaining the authority and efficiency of the laws. It is the
wish and design of the United States to provide for California with the least
possible delay, a free Government similar to those in her other Territories,
and the people will soon be called upon to exercise their rights as Freemen in
electing their own Representatives, to make such laws as may be deemed best for
their interest and welfare. But until this can be done, the laws now in
existence and not in conflict with the constitution of the U. States, will be
continued until changed by competent authority; and those persons who hold
office, will continue in the same for the present, provided they swear to
support that constitution, and to faithfully perform their duty. The
undersigned hereby absolves all the inhabitants of California from any further
allegiance to the Republic of Mexico, and will consider them as citizens of the
United States; those who remain quiet and peaceable will be respected in their
rights and protected in them; should any take up arms against, or oppose the
government of this Territory, or nstigate others to do so, they will be
consiered as enemies and treated accordingly. When Mexico forced a war upon the
United States, time did not permit the latter to invite the Californians as
friends to join her standard, but compelled her to take posession to the
country to prevent any European Power from seizing upon it, and in doing so,
some excesses and unauthorized acts were no doubt committed by persons employed
in the service of the United States, by which a few of the inhabitants have met
with a loss of property; such losses will be duly investigated, and those
entitled to remuneration will receive it. California has for many years
suffered greatly from domestic troubles; civil wars have been the poisoned
foundtains which have sent forth trouble and pestilence over her beautiful
land. Now those fountains are dried up: the Star Spangled Banner floats over
California, and as long as the sun continues to shine upon her, so long will it
float here, over the natives of the land, as well as others who have found a
home in her bosom; and under it, agriculture must improve and the arts and
sciences flourish, as seed in a rich and fertile soil. The Americans and Californians
are now but one people: let us cherish one wish, one hope, and let that be for
the peace and quiet of our country. Let us as a Band of Brothers unite and
emulate each other in our exertions to benefit and improve this our beautiful,
and which soon must be our happy and prosperous home. Done at Monterey, Capital
of California, this first day of March, A. D. 1847, and in the 71st year of
Independence of the United States. S. W. KEARNY, Brig. Gen. U. S. A. and Governor of California.
THE NAME OF OUR TOWN
Our readers will perceive that in our present
number we have conformed to the change recently made in the name of our town,
by placing at the head of our paper San Francisco instead of Yerba Buena. The
change has now been made legally, and we acquiesce in it, though we prefer the
old name—the one by which the place has always been known in this country.—
When the change was first attempted, we viewed it as a mere assumption of
authority without law or precedent, and therefore adhered to the old name of
Yerba Buena. It was asserted by the late Alcalde [Mayor, Sp,]. Washington A. Bartlett, that the place was called San
Francisco in some old Spanish paper, which he professed to have in his
possession; but how could we believe a man even about that which it is said
"there is nothing in" who had so often evinced a total disregard for
his own honor and character—the honor and character of the country which gave
him birth, and the rights of his fellow citizens in this distant land? We could
not! We have no confidence in a man who, clothed with a little brief authority
oppresses his fellow creatures, and uses the power in his hands to deprive them
of their rights. We have no confidence in a man who suffers himself to be
bribed with a bottle of champaign or a roast turkey; or who as Judge stains the
sacred ermine of the Bench by the reception of a paltry favor, knowing it to be
intended to influence his decision in a case at the time pending before him. We
refrain at present from saying anything further concerning the mal-practises of
the late Alcalde, as we intend in a short time to expose the whole in one
article and publish documentary proof to sustain every assertion -- His
confidential adviser and some time Alcalde will also receive a passing notice.
The attention of the public is directed to the
advertisement on our last page, in relation to the sale of the valuable
property in front of the town, An engraved map of the property will be
published in a short time.
GREAT SALE OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE
In the Town of San Francisco, UPPER CALIFORNIA. BY
the following decree of his Excellency, Gen. S.W. Kearny, Governor of
California, all the right, title, and interest of the United States, and of the
Territory of California, to the BEACH AND WATER LOTS on the East front of the
Town of San Francisco, have been granted, conveyed, and released, to the
People, or Corporate authorities of said Town. DECREE OF GOV. KEARNY. "I
Brigadier Gen. S.W. Kearny, Governor of Califor"nia, by virtue of
authority in me vested, by the PRESI"DENT OF THE UNITED STATES of America,
do "hereby grant, convey, and release unto the Town of San
"Francisco, the People, or Corporate authorities thereof, "all the
right, title, and interest of the Government of the "United States, and of
the Territory of California in and "to the Beach & Water Lots on the
East front of said "Town of San Francisco included between the points
"known as the Rincon and Fort Montgomery, excepting "such Lots as may
be selected for the use of the United "States Government by the Senior
Officers of the Army "and Navy now there; Provided the said ground hereby
"ceded, shall be divided into Lots, and sold by Public "auction to
the highest bidder, after three months no"ice previously given: the
proceeds of said Sale to be for "the benefit of the Town of San Francisco.
"Given at Monterey capital of California, this 10th "day of March,
1847, and the 71 year of the Indepen"dence of the United States. S.W.
KEARNY, Brig. Gen'l & Gov. California. — In pursuance of and in compliance
with the conditions of the foregoing decree, all the ungranted tract of ground
on the East front of the Town of San Francisco lying and situated between Fort
Montgomery and the Rincon, and known as the Water and Beach Lots, (the
reservations by the General and Town Governments excepted,) will be surveyed
and divided into convenient building Lots for warehouses and stores, and
offered at Public Sale TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, ON TUESDAY THE 29TH DAY OF JUNE
NEXT, at 10 o'clock A.M. A plan of Lots in connection with a general map of the
Town, will be made out and exhibited on or before the day of Sale. Terms of
Sale, one fourth Cash, -- one fourth in six months, -- one fourth in twelve
months, -- and one fourth in eighteen months, the purchaser giving approved
security bearing an interest of 10 per cent per annum from the day of Sale.
Other conditions made known on or before the day of Sale. The Site of the Town
of San Francisco is known by all navigators and mercantile men, acquainted with
the subject to be the most COMMANDING COMMERCIAL POSITION on the entire Western
Coast of the Pacific Ocean, and the Town itself is no doubt, destined to become
the COMMERCIAL EMPORIUM of the Western side of the North American continent.
The Property offered for Sale, is the most valuable in, or belonging to, the
Town, and the acquisition of it, is an object \of deep interest to all
mercantile Houses in California and elsewhere, engaged in the commerce of the
Pacific. EDWIN BRYANT, Alcalde and Chief Magistrate Town and District of San
Francisco San Francisco, Upper California, March 16th 1847
[The California is requested to copy once a
month for three months, and charge this office.]
From The British Colonist, Victoria,
British Columbia, Sunday Morning, Jan 1, 1871:
The Old Year and the New
Standing, as we are once more privileged to do, upon the summit of time which
divides the old year and the new, the past and the future, it is natural, as it
is customary, that we should take a retrospective glance at the past and peep, as
far as human prescience may, into the future. The year whose sands have just run
out, like most of its predecessors, has held a mixed cup. To some it has been kind; to others
cruel. In history it must mark a most eventful -- alas bloody – page. It found France
the first and proudest of nations. It leaves her prostrate and bleeding beneath
the heel of an ancient enemy. It found Napoleon
III confident in his power not only to rule France but to lead her armies on to
victory. It leaves him a moping heartbroken prisoner in the very country he thought
to conquer. The proud Napoleon humbly craved permission to lay down his unused
sword at the feet of King William of Hohenzollern, because he lacked the courage
to seek a soldier’s death at the head of his army. It found Paris still the seat of letters, the
centre of fashion and the theatre of luxurious gaiety. It leaves it enduring the
last terrible agonies which follow a protracted siege and precede capitulation.
Three short years ago and Paris was the busy mart of the civilized world. Her streets and palaces were thronged with royalty
and nobility, representing nearly every nation.
King William was then the guest of Napoleon. Now Napoleon is the prisoner of William who stands
at the head of his victorious legions before the walls of Paris, -- King of Prussia
and Emperor of Germany and -- shall it be written? -- Conqueror of France.
.
It found Pope Pio Nono [Pius IX], the last representative of a dynasty of
a thousand years, temporal ruler of the Pontifical States as well as head of
the great Catholic Church. It leaves him in the enjoyment of spiritual functions
only. The sceptre of temporal authority has been rudely knocked from his eager grasp
and the last great representative of the oldest dynasty has become the unwilling
subject of Victor Emanuel. Thus the inexorable current of events has accomplished
for Italy that unification which Garibaldi failed to attain with the sword.
.
What a dizzy whirl of events crowded into a single year. And yet,
gratitude must be the dominant feeling of the British heart – thankfulness that,
amidst all this commotion, this whirl of revolution and bloody strife, Britannia
still maintains a peaceful and dignified neutrality. There was a time in the past
year when she appeared to be in imminent danger of being drawn into the fatal vortex
of the seething maelstrom which threatened to engulf the first nations of Europe.
That danger would seem happily to have passed, and there is now a reasonable prospect
that our own nation may pass unscathed through the terrible tempest. And where is
Spain all this time? Ii was her announcement of the Hohenzollern candidature that
served to ignite the powder magazine on the banks of the Rhine. Her position during
the terrible struggle which she unwittingly precipitated presents a curious study.
Meanwhile Italy has given her a king.
But these great overshadowing events by which the last year must be chiefly
distinguished in history stand not alone. There are others which, although diminutive
by their side, are not to be altogether overlooked: the Greek massacre; the Chinese
massacre; the terrible marine disasters, in which our own nation has shared so
largely, all contribute their quota towards making up the dark and bloody page
of history written by the finger of Eighteen Hundred and Seventy.
But, the picture has a bright side as well as a dark; and to that let us
turn for a moment. Not only does gratitude become every British heart, on account
of the continued immunity from war and national disaster of any kind enjoyed by
Great Britain, but because of positive, as well as mere negative good, Queen Victoria
-- God bless her -- still lives to reign over a happy and prosperous people -- still
reigns in the affections of her loyal and loving Subjects.. Death has not been permitted to enter the
Royal family circle, and that ancient barrier which has so long hedged not only
our Kings and Queens but also their children all, sometimes occasioning not the
most advantageous or happy matrimonial alliances, and involving the nation in complications
with crumbling dynasties, has, happily, been broken down, and the Princess Louise
is about to bestow her hand and heart upon the Marquis of Lorne. Ireland is more
peaceful. The Fenian [Irish Republican] pest has disappeared before the ecclesiastical
reforms of 1869 and the agrarian reforms of 1870.
The Colonial Empire too, upon which the sun never sets, enjoys peace and
prosperity; the relationship between the parent and the Colonial Empires has become
better understood, if it has not been improved;
the great process of consolidation goes steadily on, and a few years more will find
Great Britain a family of nations. And this conducts us to a subject nearer home.
During the year which has just closed the grand scheme of creating a British Empire
out of the Queen’s scattered possessions in North America has made substantial progress.
Unusual prosperity and healthful progress have marked the history of the
original Provinces of the Dominion. Political scism [sic] has disappeared from Nova Scotia, and the formerly recalcitrant
Islands of the Atlantic evince a disposition to come into a union they had thoughtlessly
rejected. The departing year found rebellion at Red River, and the government of
banditti established at Fort Garry [Manitoba]. It leaves the young, loyal and healthy
Manitoba flourishing under the benignant rule of Governor Archibald; and it has
witnessed the extension of the Dominion to the Rocky Mountains. And yet the year
has not been one of undisturbed peace to Canada. Indeed it will be distinguished
in history as that of the ‘Fenian Raid’. The soil of the unoffending Dominion was
invaded by Fenian hordes from the neighbouring Republic. But they were promptly
and bravely met by Canada's chivalrous sons, and were driven back howling to their
den before they had an opportunity of inflicting material injury. The event will
be chiefly remembered for the martial glory it brought to Sir George Cartier’s
‘Canadian Army’, and the death-blow it inflicted upon American Fenianism. If Canada
has not been called upon to mourn the loss of any of her distinguished sons, she
has at least rejoiced over the recovery of her greatest statesman, as of one snatched
from the grasp of death
But, to come still nearer home, old eighteen hundred and seventy cannot be
said to have dealt
unkindly with British Columbia. Peace and plenty have for the most part distinguished
the year. By us it will be chiefly remembered as that in which British Columbia
was formally betrothed to Canada. The successful negotiation of terms of union
favourable to us, and the arrangement which has been made for the celebration of
the nuptials during the year upon which we are entering must constitute the most
interesting and important feature of 1870.
In the midst of political change we must not altogether overlook material progress.
Probably in no one year has British Columbia made more real, substantial progress
than during the past. The discovery of new gold mines, probably ranking among the
richest in the world, the increasing yields of some of the older creeks of Cariboo,
the organization of a strong company of foreign capitalists and the introduction
of the most approved and powerful machinery for the efficient development of the
vast dormant wealth of Cariboo which has hitherto bid defiance to less
scientific and less herculean effort; the evident dawn of what may be termed
the quartz era; the bountiful yield of lands now under cultivation, the greatly extended area of lands
taken up for agricultural purposes, and the markedly increasing disposition to engage
in the more stable industries of the country; the end of experimental, and the commencement
of practical and succesful whaIe-fishing, -- such may be accepted as a few of those
incidents which must contribute towards distinguishing eighteen hundred and seventy
as a year of prosperity and promise to the Colony.
So much for the past. What of the future? What will 1871 do for British Columbia?
What will it do for the world? To British Columbia the outlook was certainly never
brighter. Clad in bridal attire, she is about to unite her destinies with a
country which is prepared to do much for her. And here let us stop. It is natural
that, after clambering up to the ridge of time one should desire to peer into the
hazy future. But these forecasts can but little aid us. The great duty is to make
good use of the present, that which alone
belongs to us.
Trust no future, howe’er pleasant,
Let the past dead bury its dead.
Act! act in the living present,
Heart within and God o'erhead.
Let us, therefore, leave the future in the hands of Him who alone can read
it, and concern ourselves with present duty. Looking, however, at those great events
to which the past year has given birth and which must project their influence
into the future, one cannot but feel that the outlook inspires with more than ordinary
meaning the annual greeting which we now most heartily extend to every reader of
the Colonist – A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
---
Note: The references to British Columbia as a bride reflect the fact
that negotiations had been completed in 1870 for BC to join the Canadian Confederation,
which it duly did on 20 July 1871. The original members, New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec were joined by Manitoba in 1870, British Columbia
in 1871, and Prince Edward Island in 1873, and later, in 1905, by Alberta and
Saskatchewan. The most likely candidate as the statesman who had recovered from
a serious illness would be Governor William McTavish of Manitoba, who had,
while seriously ill, faced up to the Red River ‘bandits’ (who were actually the
native inhabitants of the area) and retired early in 1870, intending to return to
Scotland. However, he had died in July
1870 soon after disembarkation at Liverpool, and it is unlikely that D.W. Higgins,
Editor of the Colonist, would have been unaware of this sad end to the chapter.
The European conflict referred to is now known as the Franco-Prussian War (July
1870 – May 1871).
The ‘barrier’ to matrimonial happiness which the author describes as
having been overcome was the perceived need for members of the British Royal
Family to marry only members of foreign royal families, a custom which Princess
Louise, with the approval of her mother Queen Victoria, was to break by her
marriage in 1871 to a Briton, the Marquess of Lorne, who was the son of the
Duke of Argyll and succeeded to that title on the death of his father in 1900. As it happens, he became Governor General of
Canada in 1878.
