The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-12 00:00:00

VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, May 31, 1358.

- -
The Panama anchored eff the mouth of the harbour
at daybreak this morning. As the arrival of a mail is
THE event of this and every other civilised community,
the inhabitants were astir earlier than usual. This
amendment to their general habits may be continued
and will certaiely tend to their benefit.
Siam, my last communication, Governor Denglas has
issued Lie proclamatio❑ in regard to the traffic on and
navigation of Frazer river. Toe document appeared on
the 11th inst., although dated Nix days previous. The
tenor of the language is doubt, hope, and promise. For
a legal ini tan molt, it possesses these strange and unusual
qualities. I love before nee copies of correspondence,
addressed to tee Governor, relaiog to this proclama-
tion ; his reply thereto is delayed by absence.
Vessels of any flag or class can obtain at this part a
clearance for Fort Langley, Frazer river, at a cost of
12 dole—deekecl boats, ti dole. This "permit" is
4raet:.d for pa,senger conveyance only, and for the sup-
p'ies a.!(1 implements i.ucn as miners generally require.
Nlerehaevii,e on sale or freight will not be allowed to be
lauded at Fort Langley—the Hudson's Bay Company
being determined to mooopoliee the entire trade within
their boundaries, I very much doubt., however. if they
will effectually succeed in doing so. 11.13.11. steamship
Satellite is anchored if the mouth of Frazer River.
Every vessel entering is boarded, and the Governor's
proclamation is read. Furthermore, they are told that
the Hudson's Bay Company will seize them, if they pro-
ceed. It is very evident, however, that Captain Prevost
will not do so—indeed, I doubt if he hoe the power—
certainly he has not the desire. Yet in using his eleip
and name for the Governor's manifesto, he fills a form
of law, and nothing more.
The licence to mine alluded to by the Governoris not
ready for issue in duly printed form. The rate fixed
upon for this delicate privilege is one pound sterlieg,
equivalent to five dollars, payable monthly. At the.
present moment, there is not a miner who has taken
any licence, for the. reason that everything on the dig-
giege is in a state of chaos. .At this early moment
they are without any proper officers or protection of any
kin d. As soon, however, as these matters become re-
gulated, this or some other method of taxation will be
adopted and enforced. I have no doubt the Govern-
ment will form a similar class of legielation for these
gold-fieids, as they have done in the Australian Colo-
nies. If they do this, no reasonable miner can object,
as many new iu California can a•test the sinrit of lair-
ness which actuated the decisions of the various gold
commissioners in Australia.

Yet, while Governor Douglas is the representative of
the British Crown in these dominions, it cannot be ex-
pected that he will ever hoist the ensign of a " fair
field and no favour." The interests of Governor Douglas
are closely allied to the Hudson's Bay Company, of
which he is chief factor. Trie dividends of Fenchurch-
street, where the Company's office iu London is, touches
his patriotism. No broad and comprehensive legisla-
tion can be hoped for while Governor Douglas wields
the sceptre of power the anomalous position which he
holds forbids it. Free action and free trade clash against
the dividends of the Hudson's Bay Company. Theo,
would it he natural t suppose that chief factor Douglas
would curteil these fur the benefit of his country, from
whicli he olly derives the bare honour of being her re-
pt% sentativd This state of things, like other incongruous
facts, must coon cease; and chief factor Douglas will re-
turn to that sphere to which he properly belongs. His
position is destined to be filled by some gentleman of
the British realm, whose statesmanship, capacity, and
liberal sentiments are equal to the times and the occasion.
Such is devoutly to be wished, not alone by the writer,
but by every free and independent colonist. Alas, there
are but few such. Their usual pa'try indebtedness to the
company keeps the few that have the power from being
outspoken, and they bend their knees and yield their
sentiments as willing victims to a rank and gross mo-
nopuly.
The news from the gold fields continues favourable,
although the river had risen considerably and compelled
many to cease working. In my previous communica-
tions I recommended those who had "the fever " to de-
Ly their departure. On this account I renew the admo-
nition. The month,t,f July is quite soon enough to
make the start, yet, if persons wilt persist, they at least
can look at the columns of the Bulletin, and see how
earnestly and sincerely they have been advised.
Many of the colored people who are here, Archy Lee
amongst them,
t suui
al eqpuuraplotstye raeud maining. They are
fraternitydelighted
accorded them ;
but I warn these colonists against amalgamation. Is
there a stain or curse so great 1 Let the negro be
treated justly and humanely ; but cast aside social dis-
tinctions and pri%ileges and you elevate him to a sphere
of equality which is dangerous and terrible to contem•
plate. Bow I wish that I could collect five hundred
Sambos with the mercury at 100 degs. ; I would suddenly
let loose this mass of fetid current upon those who know
not any difference between the races. Tais at least would
be evidence of how much stronger are the, "brndder
holacks ;" and in "my mind's eye" I can see ,/toneat
women retreat in a whirlwind of disgust., shame, and
murtification. If slavery is wrong, which has to be
decided by those alone among whom it exists, the false
education of white children of perfeot equality of the
blacks, is a monstrous wrong, an infamy which, if per-
petuated, must bring curses and confusion upon any
people or country.
There are a few land speculators here whose merits
are as well understood and appreciated as they are in
your city. As usual with this class, they are ever ready
to portray magnificent streets and residences, and rail-
roads and gas-works. Unfortunately for them, the bare
lying—laying, I mean to say—of the latter, sooner or
later, consumes their shadowy fortunes, drawn by the
pnrcbae of a few forest acres, which they would induce
innocent and benevolent minds to believe would soon
grow churches, schoolhouses, and babies, instead of wild
trees and barren rocks.
At the sailing of the last steamer from San

Francisco, the excitement about the new goad dis-
coveries at the Fritter River was on the increase,
and tliousands were preparing to leave for 'he new
diggings. The following are extracts of private
letters to gentlemen in New York city :
" San Francisco Jane 4.

"You will be astonished to hear of the Frazsr River
excitement. There is not a doubt of the gold fields being

extensive and exceedinely rich—as rich and large as the
Califrilia. placers of '49, and, if report be true, more
rich. The excitement iu the State is immense, and thou-
samis ard awaiiin the news by the Panama, now coming.
If she confirms former reports, there will be a grand
exodus from here. This nem gold field must start as
lin:noose immigration from the Atlantic Stater."
Aucnther letter states :

" Tiie all ab2orbing topic just now is the new diggings
at Franz ?:'S RveT, which has vet all California in-s blaze
—alin.-ist equal to the first days of the discovery of gold.
The miners in many parts of the country are preparing
to leave, and for the next four months the ships on the
route cannot carry the crowds that will offer. I will
not give my opinion as to the permanency of the new
ii covert' arid the effect of it on our population, but
othEr3 better informed than I am Bay it will strip this
State fat 1,114 25,000 the coming year. The iPikee
(e°llf
new dig g
pike
tiencos atun . az
tyi'l‘ri°e"t's River,alias 'Greylacks') are all
for thei w igand it is esti-
mated that over 1,500 are in. town awaiting the chance
to go. Tbo strainer Pa,hatna will have, on the 7th, all of
500, and cauld have 1,000 if she could take them. It is
suppored that the urices of labour will materially ad.
v
5
oper
sc,ssnt., if this excitement continues,
andn is:e7dy demanding no 2 to
sre.t son to doubt it. Lab)urtrd in the mines
are
per day, instead of $3, which
hew bean the price.
" P.S.—.lure s.—The Panama is just in. The news
from FrLizer'slliver is great ; gold plenty as blackber.
ries ; the city is fug of ezoitement, and the prospect is
. that. thousands will go."