The Colony of Vancouver Island to 1858 BC to 1896

US territorial exapnsion By mid-1840’s: US wanted to expand its territory Wanted to claim the Oregon Territory Britain wouldn’t give up its claim – Boundary extended along the 49 th parallel to the Pacific Ocean Vancouver Island remained in British hands All Br. territory S. of 19 th parallel became Am. territory (incl. Fort Vancouver and Puget Sound)

British territory Br. G’ment decided its territory on the Pacific coast required a more official presence than the HBC Created Crown Colony of Vancouver Island BR. gave HBC a trade monopoly HBC had to sell land to Br. settlers

James Douglas Governor of the colony Encouraged British settlement of the colony – Free grants of land to prospective colonists Br. G’ment had different idea – Wanted to recreate the English class system – Settlers: purchase land at £1/acre (min. purchase: 20 acres) – More than 100 acres: bring at least 5 people to work the land

Settlers Old system of rural England being transported to Canada Sm. # would be land owners – Many servants to farm the land Only settlers in 1849: ex-HBC employees – Already acquired much of the best farmland

Economy Dominated by HBC in 1850’s Began to diversify Coal discovered near Nanaimo in 1840’s – Immigrants arrived: intention of starting mining operation Customer lined up: Royal Navy Esquimalt harbor: naval base Mid-1850’s: more mine est. further north

Upper Class Royal Navy: huge role in the social life of Fort Victoria Douglas not impressed by the new upper class – Was a fur trader, married to Métis (Amelia) – View shared by many of ex-HBC employees

Legislative Assembly 1856 Partly in response to complaints from ex-HBC employees that Van. Island was becoming a private club upper class 7 elected representatives People couldn’t vote unless they owned property – Only about 40 of colony’s 450 adult citizens could vote Douglas insisted on retaining final authority in the colony LA could pass resolutions, no authority to enforce them LA had authority to grant $ for g’ment’s use

First Nations 1855 census: 30,000 Native peoples on Van. Island Douglas would have to negotiate with Native peoples in order for colony to prosper Rich farmlands occupied by Native peoples Douglas decided to negotiate treaties with FN

The Douglas Treaties FN would surrender their lands to the Europeans Would retain hunting and fishing rights Seemed as if Douglas was leasing the land from Native peoples – Annual compensation of £2 10 shillings per family Some people say Douglas confirmed the FN had title to the lands – G’ments of Britain, Canada, and BC have all acknowledged this title Only treaties of this nature negotiated in BC in 19 th century