government. The subject was being urgently pressed upon the attention of Congress, and in 1843 a provisional government was actually established. Two strong reasons, then, would present themselves for moving headquarters: it was desirable to have a situation on territory that was likely to remain British, and it was necessary to get in front of colonization if trading with the natives was to continue, for furtrading and farming are incompatible. Furthermore, the establishment of substantial commercial interests on the island would strengthen the British claim to possession; nor were the officials of the Company unintelligent in their attitude to the new economic situation presented by the rapid increase in settlement. If the golden days were going when paltry trinkets could be exchanged for valuable pelts procured by innocent Indians, good business in general supplies could be done with the shipping population of the Pacific Ocean. They were in the business themselves and knew how to cater to the skippers of vessels trading with China and the South Seas, or engaged about the perilous business of the whale-fisheries. Victoria was a very suitable spot. There was more reason for the foundation of Victoria than for that of many a western city.
As early as 1837 the south end of Vancouver Island was explored by W. McNeil of the Hudson's Bay post at Fort Simpson.[1] In 1842 (the year American sentiment was strongly expressed) James Douglas, who was factor at Vancouver, made a careful preliminary survey and reported favorably on the site, although the harbor at Esquimalt was better and easier to enter. Camosun was the better place for a fort and there was suitable arable and pasture land in the immediate vicinity. In the spring of 1843 fifteen men under Douglas started out. Men from the northern posts were also ordered to join the party and assist in the work. Douglas and his men touched at Cowlitz where supplies were obtainable; at Nisqually. the "Beaver", first steamship in these waters, awaited them. They left Vancouver on March first and arrived at Camosun on the fourteenth. Father Bolduc, a Jesuit missionary, zealous soul
- ↑ Bancroft: History of British Columbia p. 84.
