With the municipal election occurring tomorrow, a past political story seems in order. In the fall of 1862, the citizens of New Westminster arranged for an excursion for the Hon. Malcolm Cameron, a prominent politician who was visiting the community from what would become the province of Ontario.
Cameron stated that he was out here in response to reports from the Hudson's Bay Company about "timber, fish and coal" and that he had told the Governor of the HBC, Sir George Simpson, that he would visit the West. He further added that the gold rush and the promise of a communication system over the Rocky Mountains had spurred him on.
The reports covering Cameron's time in the area and on the Fraser River offer some very interesting images from our past. About 8 a.m. the sternwheel steamboat Colonel Moody left the local Liverpool Wharf and proceeded upriver to the Royal Engineers' Camp, where they picked up Col. Moody, a party of Royal Engineers and other dignitaries.
Those onboard were happy and obviously looking forward to a special day. The paper says that the vessel was "freighted with the largest and gayest gathering we have ever had the pleasure of witnessing in this country."
The excursion went upriver to "the site chosen by the Roman Catholic Mission for an Indian school and model farm," then returned down river to Fort Langley. The agent of the fort was away, "but his good lady did the honours of the house most handsomely," and the group were "bounteously regaled with wines and fruit" and even a waltz, this good lady, Mrs. Newton, playing the piano.
As the party travelled downstream, they were served a meal that was, owing to the large number of people, served in "three tables" or servings. During this meal service, an interesting scenario played out - a very intriguing image to consider during the first table that was comprised of "the ladies, the Archdeacon, and a few other gentlemen."
This group was waited on by some very distinguished staff made up of Col. Moody, the Hon. Mr. Cameron, Dr. Seddall, Henry Holbrook, W.J. Armstrong, and C.S. Finlayson, Esq., and the paper considered that "this handsome piece of gallantry contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion."
As the ship headed home, the party enjoyed a long program of toasts, responses and speeches that, from today's point of view, certainly tell us much about the participants, and that would make an interesting Our Past column in a future issue. For now, the ship stopped at the Royal Engineers Camp where Colonel Moody and the Royal Engineers "were saluted with three hearty cheers," while the rest of the group continued downstream back to the wharf where "the happy party broke up."
Be sure to vote tomorrow and remember that it is also Douglas Day.
