Victoria Settlement, Vancouver Island, Augt 13th 1851 [Canada]

Mounted in album with PAI4605-PAI4664, PAI4666-PAI4670.; No.58. No. 58 in Fanshawe's Pacific album, 1849-1852. Captioned by the artist on the album page below the image, as title. On return from Beaver Harbour on 3 August, the 'Daphne' anchored off the Victoria settlement, 'in the creek next to Esquimault Harbour' (Fanshawe [1904] p 270). '...Victoria at this time was a stockaded fort, containing the [Hudson's Bay Company] "factory" or fur-store, and half a mile off was Government House. When [Fanshawe] first arrived this was occupied by Mr Blanchard, the newly appointed Governor. What occurred in [his] short absence at the north of the island he never exactly knew, but local influences had proved too strong for the new Governor, who resigned and sailed away in the 'Daphne'. The chief factor of the [Hudson's Bay] company, Mr. Douglas, obtained the vacant post of Governor and the interests of all...seemed hopelessly sacrificed to the company's absolute sway' (p. 271). In this view across the inlet the stockade mentioned can be clearly seen. Fanshawe wrote to his wife on 22 August that Blanchard, with whom he been out shooting, would leave with him and be back in England 'about November. I shall send by him some sketches - a few, and some worthless; but don't tear them up as they may show the sort of country....' (p.273). This and the others of his Vancouver visit are probably those drawings. They sailed for San Francisco on 1 September.
Edward Gennys Fanshawe

Original size: 175 mm x 257 mm