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"Vancouver's Island, the Hudson's Bay Company's establishment"; published in the Illustrated London News
This illustration of Hudson’s Bay Company’s establishment on Vancouver Island was published in The Illustrated London News in 1848. It shows Fort Victoria, accessible through Victoria Harbour and is useful in providing us with an insight into the…
British Columbia Tribune
This newspaper article assesses the governmental mismanagement of British Columbia and Vancouver Island’s structure as colonies. The article saliently concludes that foreign trade for New Westminster and Victoria will be diminished, and Vancouver…
Corinthia Elizabeth Sarah Anne Pierre, became Mrs. Thomas Alexander; born in Victoria 1868, daughter of Mr. and Mrs J.F. Pierre.
This is a black and white photograph taken in 1885. The portrait photograph shows a young female woman of an African-Canadian heritage. Unusually, she is pictured in Victorian style clothing such as a white ruff and it is apparent she is wearing a…
Extract of a Letter from James Douglas Esquire to Archibald Barclay Esquire Secretary of the Hudson’s Bay Company
This is a letter addressed to Archibald Barclay Esquire - Secretary to the Governor and Committee, the London board of directors of Hudson’s Bay Company – from James Douglas Esquire – deputy to the chief factor of the Columbia Fur District of HBC.…
James Douglas death certificate
The source is the death certificate of James Douglas, who came to Canada as a fur trader in 1819 for the North West Company and became the Governor of the British Columbia colony in 1858. The certificate shows that James Douglas lived until the age…
James Douglas’ first message to Earl Grey, secretary of state after obtaining position of Governor of Vancouver Island
This source is a letter from the newly appointed James Douglas, governor of Vancouver Island to the secretary of state in England. This letter discusses the immediate occurrences and issues in the colony at the time, including the decision of Douglas…
Letter from Douglas to Labouchere
The letter gives a report of the state of colonial trade, weather forecasts and native relations. Despite the letter stating native-colonial relations to be amicable, something of sour note may have occurred between Native and colonial settlers two…
Letter from the Church Missionary House to an MP
This handwritten letter is written by the Church Missionary House to an MP regarding recent missionary work in Vancouver Island. It discusses the good work of missionaries in the area and suggests that missionaries could use this place as a base for…
Newspaper advert for Vancouver Island
An advertisement in the Daily Colonist newspaper for Vancouver Island in 1941, with illustrations of a cargo train hauling lumber along with cargo steamships. The advertisement was published in the leading newspaper for British Columbia, with a vast…
Private handwritten correspondence between the secretary of the Admiralty and the Commander in Chief, Fairfax Moresby
This source is a handwritten letter between the Secretary of the Admiralty and the Commander in Chief, Fairfax Moresby, discussing a wide range of issues regarding settlement on Vancouver Island. Moresby discusses trade, missionaries, indigenous…