THE GREAT GOLD FIELDS OF THE CARIBOO. With an Authentic Description, Brought Down to the Latest Period of British Columbia and Vancouver Island; with an Accurate Map.
Np [Vancouver, BC]. Klanak Press, 1974. First Edition Thus. Octavo, to-toned cloth lettered in black and gold, map endpapers. 134 pp. A very nice copy, nearly fine, without dust jacket as issued. Item #314372
¶ A reprinting of the extremely rare First Edition issued in London by Routledge, Warne and Routledge in 1862, with a New Foreword to the work by Barry M. Gough. Hazlitt's guide to the gold fields of British Columbia, published in the wake of significant gold discoveries in the caribou region. Hazlitt's book represents an essentially new work compared to Hazlitt's earlier publication, "British Columbia and Vancouver Island" (1858). The present guide offers a comprehensive description of the gold fields and mines, the general prospects of the country, and practical advice for potential emigrants. The book was designed to aid and accelerate the development of what was considered England's newest and potentially most valuable dependency.
A selection of topics covered: The Vancouver Coal-Mining Company; Indian cookery and dwellings; Indian women and Indian babies; Mining at Cariboo; Strickeen Gold; plus an appendix containing the Rules and Regulations for the Working of Gold Mines. Included is a vocabulary of the "Chinook Jargon," a trade language widely used in the Pacific Northwest during the 19th century. This vocabulary, extracted from the San Francisco Bulletin, provides readers with essential linguistic tools for communication in the region.
The accompanying map, titled "Map of British Columbia and Vancouver's Id.," provides a detailed depiction of the region, highlighting key geographic features and the locations of the Cariboo gold diggings. The map covers British Columbia and Vancouver Island, showing significant settlements, forts, and natural landmarks. Key areas, such as the Cariboo gold fields, are prominently labeled, aiding prospectors and settlers in their endeavors.
The discovery of gold in British Columbia, particularly in the upper Fraser River region, triggered a substantial influx of immigrants and prospectors in the mid-19th century. The Cariboo Gold Rush, beginning in 1861, attracted thousands of fortune seekers to the remote and rugged interior of British Columbia. The influx of prospectors led to the rapid development of settlements and infrastructure, including the construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road, which facilitated access to the gold fields. British Columbia's settlement history is closely tied to these gold discoveries. Before the rush, the region was sparsely populated, primarily by Indigenous peoples and a few European fur traders. The establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company's trading posts marked the early European presence in the area. However, the gold rush dramatically transformed the demographic and economic landscape of British Columbia.
Price (CAD): $45.00