No. 42
4 December 1858
Sir
1. I have the honor of forwarding herewith for your information copies of two Proclamations issued respectively on the 2nd and 3rd days of December instant.
2. The first relates totheManuscript image the conveyance of Crown Lands, and its object is explained in the accompanying note from Mr Begbie. 1
3. The other Proclamation issued yesterday is for the purpose of imposing duties on Imports into British Columbia, to provide a revenue for defraying the public expenses of the Colony. 2
4. The ordinance is to remain in force for six months to test its operation, and it will then be amended, or continued in its present form as may appear expedient.
5. The Port of Victoria is for the presentdeclaredManuscript image declared the Port of Entry for British Columbia, until arrangements are made to collect the duties at some point on Fraser's River.
6. Hoping that those proceedings may meet with the approval of Her Majesty's Government.
I have etc.
James Douglas
Governor
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale, Mr Elliot
Refer the Proclamation for the conveyance of the Crown Lands to the Land Board.
Refer the Proclamation imposing duties on imports to the Treasury. (Register the same in our Books.)
ABd 31 Jany
It is to be remembered that these Proclamations are to be laid before Parliament "as soon as conveniently may be after the making thereof." This should clearly be done before ultimate confirmation and as soon as a tolerable number are collected.
HM Jan 31
Shewn to Parly Clerk.
[No signature]
Par: 5 to the Board of Trade.
HM Jan 31
C Feby 1
[EBL] Feb 3
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Lytton to Douglas, No. 33, 19 March 1859.
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Merivale to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 14 February 1859, forwarding extract of despatch concerning imposition of duty on imports.
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Merivale to James Booth, Board of Trade, 14 February 1859, forwarding extract of despatch declaring Victoria port of entry for British Columbia.
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Merivale to Emigration Commissioners, 14 February 1858, forwarding extract of despatch concerning conveyance of Crown Lands.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Proclamation, 2 December 1858, enabling the governor to convey crown lands within British Columbia.
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Proclamation, 3 December 1858, imposing customs duties on imports.
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Note, Begbie to Douglas, 1 December 1858, recommending a proclamation "empowering some person or persons to convey the legal estate in Crown Lands which may have been contracted to be sold."
Footnotes
  1. = Proclamation, 2 Dec, convey crown lands Proclamation Having the Force of Law to Enable the Governor of British Columbia to Convey Crown Lands Sold Within the Said Colony, 2 December 1858, is printed in Revised Statutes of British Columbia 1871, Appendix, p. 53. Check Begbie's note as to why it was necessary??
  2. = Proclamation, 3 Dec, customs duties Proclamation Having the Force of Law Authorizing the Levying of Customs Duties upon Goods Imported into British Columbia, 3 December 1858, in British Columbia, List of Proclamations.
People in this document

Begbie, Matthew Baillie

Blackwood, Arthur Johnstone

Booth, James

Carnarvon, Earl

Douglas, James

Elliot, Thomas Frederick

Hamilton, George Alexander

Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer

Merivale, Herman

Organizations in this document

Board of Trade

Treasury

Places in this document

British Columbia

Fraser River

Vancouver Island

Victoria