Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 12 December 1860, CO 60:8, no. 1547, 403.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
No. 104
I have the honor to forward herewith, Copies of the following
Acts for the Colony of British Columbia,
numberd
numbered 1 to 4, as under,
No. 1. Spuzzum Road Bonds Act 1860.
No 2. Shimilkomeen Road Bonds Act 1860.
No 3. Customs Amendment Act 1860.
No 4. Roads Tolls Act 1860.
numbered 1 to 4, as under,
No. 1. Spuzzum Road Bonds Act 1860.
No 2. Shimilkomeen Road Bonds Act 1860.
No 3. Customs Amendment Act 1860.
No 4. Roads Tolls Act 1860.
The object of the two first Acts was to create British Columbia
Treasury Bonds, bearing interest at the rate of Six per cent per
annum for the purpose of defraying
a
a part of the cost of forming
the Spuzzum and Shimilkomeen Roads, not exceeding altogether the
sum of Ten Thousand Pounds (£10,000), which it was feared could not
be conveniently met by the ordinary revenue of the current year.
It was therefore provided that a portion of the Bonds only, should
be paid this year, and that the remainder of the sum should be
made
redeemable
redeemable by annual payments, commencing with the 1st
day of January 1861, and ending on the 1st day of January 1863.
a part of the cost of forming
the Spuzzum and Shimilkomeen Roads, not exceeding altogether the
sum of Ten Thousand Pounds (£10,000), which it was feared could not
be conveniently met by the ordinary revenue of the current year.
It was therefore provided that a portion of the Bonds only, should
be paid this year, and that the remainder of the sum should be
made
redeemable
redeemable by annual payments, commencing with the 1st
day of January 1861, and ending on the 1st day of January 1863.
The Treasurer has ample funds in hand to meet the first payment
which falls due at the close of the present month, and there can
be no reasonable doubt of the ability of the Colony to meet the
succeeding payments as they respectively come due.
Notwithstanding
Notwithstanding my firm reliance on the increasing trade and
financial resources of the Colony, and that I advised Your Grace
of my intention in my Despatch marked "Separate" of the 6th
of July 1860, I feel that I have exceeded my proper powers and
authority in creating, without your previous sanction, a debt
of even a temporary nature.
Notwithstanding my firm reliance on the increasing trade and
financial resources of the Colony, and that I advised Your Grace
of my intention in my Despatch marked "Separate" of the 6th
of July 1860, I feel that I have exceeded my proper powers and
authority in creating, without your previous sanction, a debt
of even a temporary nature.
I would however, in explanation remark that
it
it was only after
all other means of raising money for opening the great thoroughfares,
which are of indispensable use and necessity in promoting settlement
and developing the resources of the country, had signally failed,
that I resorted to that expedient.
it was only after
all other means of raising money for opening the great thoroughfares,
which are of indispensable use and necessity in promoting settlement
and developing the resources of the country, had signally failed,
that I resorted to that expedient.
In consideration of that fact and of the magnitude and
importance of the object proposed, I trust the measure will meet
with
with Your Grace's approval, especially as the "Roads Tolls Act"
numbered 4 in the Schedule, imposes a duty of one farthing a pound
on all goods carried inland from Douglas, Hope and Yale, for the
purpose of raising an additional revenue for the liquidation of
the Road Bonds, and for the improvement and formation of other
roads
in
in the Colony: a tax imposed with the approval of the
people, and which will be of signal advantage to the country at large.
with Your Grace's approval, especially as the "Roads Tolls Act"
numbered 4 in the Schedule, imposes a duty of one farthing a pound
on all goods carried inland from Douglas, Hope and Yale, for the
purpose of raising an additional revenue for the liquidation of
the Road Bonds, and for the improvement and formation of other
roads
in
in the Colony: a tax imposed with the approval of the
people, and which will be of signal advantage to the country at large.
The "Customs Amendment Act," numbered 3, imposes a fixed
rate on certain goods specified in the Act as a substitute for
the ad valorem duties previously levied on such goods when
imported into British Columbia, and aims only
at
at the improvement
of the Revenue and facilitating its collection.
at the improvement
of the Revenue and facilitating its collection.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Fortescue
Seeing that it was resolved, on a previous despatch from the Governor (28 Augt) which I circulate today with a letter on it from the Treasury, to recommend the policy of raising a loan of £50,000 in England, I suppose that no objection will be taken to the course which the Governor has adopted in the meanwhile of raising £10,000 to meet immediate demands for the construction of roads. As I am sending you today one or two other papers on B. Columbia finance, I forward also the present despatch direct to you, but it must of course be referred afterwards to Sir F. Rogers for the usual consideration of the different Acts which it encloses.
Seeing that it was resolved, on a previous despatch from the Governor (28 Augt) which I circulate today with a letter on it from the Treasury, to recommend the policy of raising a loan of £50,000 in England, I suppose that no objection will be taken to the course which the Governor has adopted in the meanwhile of raising £10,000 to meet immediate demands for the construction of roads. As I am sending you today one or two other papers on B. Columbia finance, I forward also the present despatch direct to you, but it must of course be referred afterwards to Sir F. Rogers for the usual consideration of the different Acts which it encloses.
TFE
20 Feb
Roads are evidently the sine qua non condition of prosperity
in B. Columbia—and I think these Road Bond Acts may be recommended
to the Treasury.
TFE
25/2
The three first Proclamations (Nos 21, 22, 23) should be
then referred to the Treasy and No 23 wh imposes Customs
Duties to the Board of Trade also.
No 24 wh imposes a tax of 2s/o for every 50 lb weight
of goods carried beyond Douglas in the direction of Lake Lillooet,
is a kind of Act wh has been a good deal complained of; and I
think it might be prudent to leave it unnoticed for some time
(being in operation) in order to see whether objection is made
to it in the Colony.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not in file.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 19 March 1861, forwarding
extract of the despatch and proclamations No. 21, 22 and 23, and
recommending that they be sanctioned.
Draft, Elliot to J. Booth, Board of Trade, 19 March 1861, forwarding
copy of proclamation No. 23 and asking whether it may be properly
allowed.