Provincial Library, 



Victoria, B.C., 1922. 



The Hon. J. D. Maclean, M.D., CM., 



Provincial Secretary and Minister of Education, 

 Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. 



Sir, — I have the honour to transmit herewith the fifth memoir 

 of the Provincial Archives Department, entitled " Menzies' Journal 

 of Vancouver's Voyage," April to October, 1792, edited, with notes, 

 by Dr. C. F. Newcombe, a leading authority on the early exploration 

 of the North-west Coast, and whose knowledge of the botany and 

 ethnology of the district has been of greatest service in the preparation 

 of this work. 



The original MS. journal of Archibald Menzies is in the posses- 

 sion of the British Museum, but a certified copy is in our British 

 Columbia Archives Department, which was acquired a few years ago. 

 As the whole journal is a voluminous document, it was deemed advis- 

 able for the present to publish only that portion which related to 

 Vancouver Island and Puget Sound. 



In Memoir No. I., "The First Circumnavigation of Vancouver 

 Island," Dr. Newcombe vindicated the contention of Captain Vancouver 

 that his ships were the first to complete the navigaton of the inner 

 channels which separate the island from the mainland of British Colum- 

 bia, and this contention is borne out in Menzies' journal. 



It is several years since the last Archives Memoir was issued, but 

 with the great appreciation which is being accorded by students of 

 British Columbia history it is hoped that we may be able to continue 

 those publications more regularly. 



With your approval, the next bulletin will deal with early mining 

 days on Fraser River and the Cariboo District, which should appeal 

 to every one in the Province. His Honour Judge F. W. Howay, who 

 has made a special study of this period in our history, and who is at 

 the same time a recognized authority on the early history of the Pacific 

 Coast, has very kindly consented to edit the memoir. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your obedient servant, 



JOHN FORSYTH. 



Librarian and Archivist. 



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