Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada
History
Installation of Government of British Columbia. New Fort Langley, 20 th November, 1858.
From "Victoria Gazette", Nov. 25th, 1858. Letter from NEW FORT LANGLEY
Editor's Gazette:-
Yesterday the birthday of British Columbia was ushered in by a steady rain, which continued perseveringly throughout the whole day, and in a great measure marred the solemnity of the proclamation of the Colony. His Excellency Governor Douglas, with a suite comprising Rear Admiral Baynes, (commanding the naval forces on the Pacific station), Mr. Cameron, the respected Chief Justice of Vancouver Island, Mr. Lira and others, proceeded on board H.M. ship Satellite, Capt. Prevest, on Wednesday by Canala de Haro to Point Roberts, where His Excellency remained during the night. On Thursday morning His Excellency and suite were conveyed by the Hudson's Bay Company's screw steamer 'Otter' to the Company's steamship Beaver, which was lying moored within the mouth of the Fraser River. Both vessels then proceeded in company as far as Old Fort Langley, where the Otter disembarked a party of eighteen sappers under the command of Capt. Parsons, who immediately embarked on the 'Recovery' revenue cutter, joining the command of Capt. Grant, R.E., who had previously reached this spot with a party of the same corps. Both these gallant officers have recently arrived from England with small parties of men under their command. The Beaver then proceeded with His Excellency aboard to New Fort Langley, where preparations were made for the ceremonial of the following day.
On Friday morning, the 19th inst., His Excellency, accompanied by his suite, and received by a guard of honour commanded by Capt. Grant, disembarked on the wet loamy bank under the Fort, and the procession proceeded up the steep bank which leads to the palisade. Arrived there, a salute of 18 guns commenced pealing from the Beaver, awakening all the echoes of the opposite mountains. In another moment the flag of Britain was floating, or, to speak the truth, dripping over the principal entrance. Owing to the unpropitious state of the weather, the meeting which was intended to have been held in the open air, was convened in the large room at the principal building. About 100 persons were present.
The ceremonies were commenced by His Excellency addressing Mr. Begbie and delivering to him Her Majesty's commission as Judge in the Colony of British Columbia. Mr. Begbie then took the oath of allegiance, and the usual oaths on taking office, and then, addressing His Excellency, took up Her Majesty's commission appointing the Governor and proceeded to lead it at length. Mr. Begbie then administered to Governor Douglas the usual oaths of office, viz: allegiance, abjuration, &c. His Excellency being thus duly appointed and sworn in, proceeded to issue the proclamations of the same date, (19 th instant), viz: one proclaiming the Act; a second indemnifying all the officers of the Government from any irregularities which may have been committed in the interval before the proclamation of the Act; and a third proclaiming English Law to be the Law of the Colony. The second reading of these was preceded by His Excellency's Proclamation of the 3rd instant setting forth the Revocation by Her Majesty of all the exclusive privileges of the Hudson Bay Company. The proceedings then terminated. On leaving the Fort, which His Excellency did not finally do until to-day, another salute of 17 guns was fired from the battlements, with even a grander effect than the salute of the previous day.
On leaving the river side, in front of the town, a number of the inhabitants were assembled with whom His Excellency entered into conversation previous to embarking on board the Beaver, and by whom he was loudly cheered in very good style as he was on his way to the steamer.
Viator
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