Robert Burnaby travels to British Columbia
on board the "Asia". While on board he meets Col. Moody and his family.
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"There is such a nice Man with us, a Mr. Burnaby (his
Brother is in the Engineers) he is going out as a Merchant, he is so
gentlemanly and pleasant and amiable, and good, he is very kind to the
Children too."
--15th November, 1858,
From the Letters of Mary S.
Moody
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After arriving in Esquimalt
on the 25th December, 1858, Burnaby tries his hand at a number of
possible business ideas. Sadly, none of them really catch on.
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"Mr. Burnaby is as kind and attentive as ever, he
comes in and out and is quite at home here. He hopes to get some
appointment in B.C.."
--18th February, 1859,
From the Letters of Mary S.
Moody
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By the end of February
1859, Burnaby has been appointed onto the Staff of Colonel Moody. His
position is that of Private Secretary.
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"Richard has got Mr. Burnaby now as his "Private
Secretary" which will I trust be a great comfort to him, as he had no
help before, and the letters of all kinds were innumerable."
--3rd March, 1859,
From the Letters of Mary S. Moody
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Moody and his party,
including Burnaby, travel down to Queenborough. By the end of
March Burnaby returns.
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"Mr. Burnaby came down yesterday and brought me very
good accounts of him (Moody), he is quite well and getting on as well as
he could expect during the present rainy weather."
--25th March, 1859,
From the Letters of Mary S. Moody
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After settling on Queenborough as the new Capital of
British Columbia, Moody returns to Victoria and the paperwork awaiting
him.
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"Dearest Richard has been back now a week but he will
most probably be off again next week, he is most anxious to be gone
again, for independently of his being wanted at Queenborough he does not
like Victoria and you know, of old, that he hates "Office Work". And it
is so uncomfortable here while he has no "office". All the work is done
in our one Sitting room. Poor Mr. Burnaby is writing here all day, and tho' I try and keep the Children out of the room as much as possible, I
can't prevent their being in sometimes and if anyone comes to call I am
obliged to take them into the Bedroom!"
"Richard is dreadfully busy, he has been up at half
past 5 all the week as before 10 o'clock is the only quiet time he has. The knocking at the door is really dreadful - never ending. Mr. Burnaby
does nothing but talk to people, and tell them "The Colonel is very much
occupied etc". But they hope to have some more "help" ere very long and
an office too."
-- 7th April, 1859,
From the Letters of Mary S. Moody
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At last, the Moody family
are able to travel from Victoria to their new home at Queenborough. As
Moody is with the troops at the Camp, Burnaby is entrusted with the
family.
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"The HB Company placed this Steamer at our disposal,
so we are traveling quite luxuriously, nobody on board but Mrs. Cochrane
and her Baby, Mr. Burnaby and 2 other gentlemen."
--18th May, 1859,
From the Letters of Mary S. Moody
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Eventually, Governor
Douglas decides that to save money, the Colony will dismiss all of
Moody's Staff.
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"He (Moody) has no power to employ anyone, indeed now
he has no civilians under him, and it only requires him to speak well of
someone to the Governor for him to determine not to do anything for
them!!"
--16th August, 1859,
From the Letters of Mary S.
Moody
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| Residences belonging to Charles Ross, Robert
Burnaby, Frank Roscoe and Thomas Lett Wood; at the corner of
Fairfield Road and Dallas Road, Victoria.
Photograph courtesy BC Archives
Call Number F-01279 |
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