During the gold rush, Governor James Douglas is credited with which action?

• A. He built a railway to connect mining towns
• B. He declared Victoria a port authority
• C. He issued licenses to miners and created a police force
• D. He established a university

Answer: (C)

When a gold rush hits, the government often steps in to regulate mining and maintain order, creating systems to raise revenue and handle disputes. Governor James Douglas did exactly that in the rush that brought settlers and miners to the region: he issued licenses to miners to mine legally and funded enforcement by creating a police force to maintain peace, enforce licenses, and address crime and conflicts that arose with the sudden influx of people. This combination of licensing and policing was the practical governance needed to manage rapid growth and protect the colony’s interests.

The other options don’t fit the historical record of his actions during the rush. Building a railway and establishing a university came later in Canadian development, and declaring Victoria a port authority wasn’t the action Douglas is known for.