Trutches and O’Reillys, taken on steps of Fairfield House. Left to right: Joseph Trutch, Caroline O’Reilly (Kathleen on knee), Julia Trutch (standing), old Mrs. Trutch (seated), young Frank O’Reilly and John Trutch (on steps).
IMAGE D-03510 COURTESY OF ROYAL BC MUSEUM, BC ARCHIVES
You may rest assured that [BC] will not regard this railway engagement as a “cast-iron contract,” as it has been called, or desire that it should be carried out in any other way than will secure the prosperity of the whole Dominion of which she is a part.
Joseph Trutch was in eastern Canada when news reached him that he was to be British Columbia’s first lieutenant-governor.
He had, of course, been in Ottawa on many occasions in the year leading up to Confederation; it seemed that his life had been forever devoted to that cause alone. His dream had always been for a Canada united from ocean to ocean, so he believed that Confederation was the only course to take, the only option for true Canadians.
The thought of annexation with the United States was deplorable to him. He had never liked Americans, despite having married one. His wife, Julia, was the one exception to his rule about “uncouth and vulgar” Americans. She was cultured and well-bred, almost English in her outlook. Very often he even forgot that she had been born in America.
So, in July 1871, when BC finally joined Confederation, Trutch was particularly proud of the successful conclusion to all his hard work, and his appointment as lieutenant-governor was an honour he gladly accepted.
The journey back to take up his new post was long and arduous. He travelled via San Francisco where he boarded HMS Sparrowhawk and then endured a further ten days of boisterous seas before finally reaching Victoria on August 15. But it had given him ample time to think about the past and contemplate his future. He knew he had numerous political enemies, those who assumed his appointment was one of patronage. He vowed he would prove himself to those who doubted his abilities. He would serve his time and work hard for the good of the province.
The new lieutenant-governor and his wife were driven first to Fairfield House, their previous home. There they took up temporary residence until they moved into Cary Castle, which would become their official residence for the next five years.
It was a time of transition for BC, and Joseph and Julia Trutch, a successful blend of stuffy British formality and fresh American freedom, would prove to be excellent first caretakers of Victoria’s Government House.