Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 10 September 1859, CO 60:5, no. 10780, 127.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Douglas forwards a copy of a letter
by Captain Gosset the Treasurer, requesting that a supply of coins may be sent out from England,and then discusses
the establishment of a Decimal system of Currency,arguing that
throughout the whole of both Coloniesthe decimal system
would be found most appropriate and convenient, and probably of more practical utility, than either pence or halfpence.
No. 216, Financial
I have the honor to forward herewith to your Grace, the
copy of a Letter, dated August 12th addressed to me by
Captain Gosset the Treasurer, requesting that a supply of coins
may be sent out from England, with as little delay as possible,
so
so as to avoid the inconvenience and loss which is now daily
experienced in consequence of the absence of such coins.
so as to avoid the inconvenience and loss which is now daily
experienced in consequence of the absence of such coins.
2. I submit the application to the favourable consideration
of your Grace, and I trust you may see fit to cause it to be
complied with, as the matter is one of great interest to the
Colony, both socially and politically.
3. With reference to Captain Gosset's remarks as to the
establishment of a Decimal system of Currency, I am not prepared
at present to offer my
my opinion thereon, but I may mention that
although in the Government offices, every financial transaction
is carried on in British Currency, yet throughout the whole of
both Colonies the Mercantile Community have adopted the Decimal
system of the Dollar and Cent, and Captain Gosset's proposed new
coin suitable to that system
would be found most appropriate and convenient, and probably of more
practical utility, than either pence or halfpence.
my opinion thereon, but I may mention that
although in the Government offices, every financial transaction
is carried on in British Currency, yet throughout the whole of
both Colonies the Mercantile Community have adopted the Decimal
system of the Dollar and Cent, and Captain Gosset's proposed new
coin suitable to that system
How?
4. Captain Gosset suggests
suggests that the Coins sent out should
be paid for in Gold dust, and with this suggestion I perfectly
concur, for at present all the Gold dust from British Columbia
finds its way in the first instance to San Francisco, and there
becomes incorporated with the Gold produced in that State, so
that up to the present time the people in England have had no
tangible proof of the auriferous character of British Columbia,
and I should
should be glad to establish the fact, for there is no doubt
that the circumstance of the entire produce of the country having
hitherto been absorbed in a Foreign Market, has tended to create
a feeling of doubt and apprehension in England as to the true
nature of the Colony, and has undoubtedly retarded what I have
a most earnest desire to see established, and what I am convinced
would be equally beneficial to both a direct Trade between the
Mother
Mother Country and the Colony, as well as a direct emigration from
the Mother Country.
suggests that the Coins sent out should
be paid for in Gold dust, and with this suggestion I perfectly
concur, for at present all the Gold dust from British Columbia
finds its way in the first instance to San Francisco, and there
becomes incorporated with the Gold produced in that State, so
that up to the present time the people in England have had no
tangible proof of the auriferous character of British Columbia,
and I should
should be glad to establish the fact, for there is no doubt
that the circumstance of the entire produce of the country having
hitherto been absorbed in a Foreign Market, has tended to create
a feeling of doubt and apprehension in England as to the true
nature of the Colony, and has undoubtedly retarded what I have
a most earnest desire to see established, and what I am convinced
would be equally beneficial to both a direct Trade between the
Mother
Mother Country and the Colony, as well as a direct emigration from
the Mother Country.
Minutes by CO staff
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 18 November 1859,
forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
W. Driscoll Gosset to Acting Colonial Secretary, 12 August 1859,
promoting a scheme of decimal currency for British Columbia.