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On the Other Side of the World

In 1858, thousands of miners ventured north to the Fraser Canyon when gold was discovered there. The British Colony of Vancouver Island and the mainland were overrun with new arrivals set on getting rich in this “New Eldorado.” Vancouver Island’s Governor James Douglas worked to establish British control on the mainland to prevent American expansionism and to deter possible clashes between settlers, gold seekers, and the Indigenous, whose ties to the local lands and waters were ignored.

A painting of gold miners in a cedar cabin. Two individuals in the foreground are cooking over an open fire. Three men in the back are playing cards at a table.

“The Bacon is Cooked” by William George Richardson Hind

 

A black and white studio portrait photograph of Governor James Douglas wearing a medal around his neck and an ornate badge on the front of his jacket.

Governor James Douglas

Douglas thought that a presence was required on the mainland to maintain law and order. He wrote to the Colonial Office seeking assistance, requesting a royal detachment demonstrate British sovereignty over the region. Assistance was granted on July 31, 1858 by Secretary of State for the Colonies, Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton. However, Bulwer-Lytton stated that the new detachment of Royal Engineers was not a military force.

A black and white studio portrait of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton sitting on a decorative chair next to a side table with two books on it.

Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Instead, it consisted of experts in “every trade, profession, and calling which might be useful in the circumstances of a colony springing so suddenly into existence.” This group would search for suitable areas to establish towns, roads, and the seat of the government.

Philip Jackman volunteered to join the Columbia Detachment when its formation was announced and was one of the ‘picked men’ from the group of volunteers. The men of the detachment were given ‘a liberal rate of pay’ and would receive a free grant of land for six years of service. Jackman’s expertise as a ‘sawyer’ would be very useful in the densely forested regions of British Columbia.

A muster list document with text written in black and red ink that lists rank, company, remarks on muster, rate of pay, number of days in lieu of beer and other comments.

Royal Engineers’ muster list

 

The Early Life of Philip Jackman The Voyage on the Thames City