Vancouver Island

   The largest island on the west coast of North America. Named after Captain George Vancouver, who explored this coast in the years 1792-1794. The island was first named Quadra and Vancouver in honour of the two naval officers who met at Nootka in 1792 to carry out the provisions of the Nootka Convention. The first authentic landing on the coast of the island is that of Captain James Cook in 1787. Captain James Hanna landed at Nootka in 1785; and Captain John Meares in 1788. From this time trading and exploring expeditions spent more or less time at Nootka. In 1843 the Hudson's Bay Company made their first establishment on the island, Fort Victoria, at first known as Camosun. The island remained under the control of the Company until 1849, when it became a crown colony. Representative government was introduced, 1856; and in 1866 the island and mainland were united under one government.

   Index: D Organic existence since 1849, 1; first named Quadra and Vancouver Island by Vancouver, 35; only nominal possession at end of eighteenth century, 62; handed over to Hudson's Bay Company, Jan. 13, 1849, 194; terms of grant, 194; colonization and the Company, 194-195; first settler, 196; other arrivals, 197; population in 1853, 198; quarrels between Company and settlers, 198-199; recommendation of committee on Hudson's Bay Company, 1857, 201-202; history of early settlement, 203; first governor, Richard Blanshard, 1849, 203; relations with Company, 203-204; succeeded by James Douglas, 205; Hudson's Bay Company secures renewal of grant, 1854, 207; establishment of representative government, 1856, 208-210; meeting of first Legislature, 210-211; governor's inaugural speech, 211-215; Company's rights acquired by crown, 229; road-building, 249; early legislation, 271; Clergy Reserves, 273-274; history of legislation, 274; railway built, 327.

   Bib.: Begg, History of British Columbia; Bancroft, History of British Columbia; Macdonald, British Columbia and Vancouver's Island; MacFie, Vancouver Island and British Columbia. See also British Columbia.