Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 31 December 1862, CO 60:13, no. 3139, 598.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (7), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (13).
Douglas forwards Newcastle
the Annual Blue Book for the Colony of British Columbia for the year 1861.
No. 60
31 December 1862
I have the honor to forward herewith to your Grace the Annual Blue Book for the Colony
of British Columbia for the year 1861, prepared in as complete a manner as the circumstances of the Colony will admit.
2. I have from time to timekept
kept Her Majesty's Government so well acquainted with the progress and settlement
of the Colony that I do not deem it necessary to make any further remarks on the subject,
on the present occasion.
kept Her Majesty's Government so well acquainted with the progress and settlement
of the Colony that I do not deem it necessary to make any further remarks on the subject,
on the present occasion.
Minutes by CO staff
Yes.
FR 31st
Decr
Mr Elliot
It is proper for me to direct attention to the fact that the Act of Parlt 21 and 22 Vict. C. 99—providing for the Govt of British Columbia continues in force until the 31st Decr next, and "thenceforth and to the end of the then next Session of Parlt."
It is proper for me to direct attention to the fact that the Act of Parlt 21 and 22 Vict. C. 99—providing for the Govt of British Columbia continues in force until the 31st Decr next, and "thenceforth and to the end of the then next Session of Parlt."
If it be not thought necessary to alter the provisions of
this present Act this Session would apparently be a
favorable
moment for passing a short continuing Act for say another period
of four years.
favorable
moment for passing a short continuing Act for say another period
of four years.
A. Blackwood
2 April/62
TFE
2 April
Mr Fortescue
It is entirely a matter of convenience. There is no necessity for legislating till the session of 1863—the act remaining in force till the end of that Session.
It is entirely a matter of convenience. There is no necessity for legislating till the session of 1863—the act remaining in force till the end of that Session.
But as it wd be advisable that
the continuing Act should
not only be passed, but be
known in B.C. to have been passed
before the period at wh the old Act wd expire, it may
be best to avoid the chance of miscarriage, passing a continuing
Act of a few lines at once.
the continuing Act should
not only be passed, but be
known in B.C. to have been passed
before the period at wh the old Act wd expire, it may
be best to avoid the chance of miscarriage, passing a continuing
Act of a few lines at once.
FR
3/4
Duke of Newcastle
This wd perhaps depend upon the measures which you may decide upon with respect to B. Columbia.
This wd perhaps depend upon the measures which you may decide upon with respect to B. Columbia.
CF
4
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not in file.
Other documents included in the file
Other documents included in the file
*
[The following is a collection of miscellaneous documents inserted at the conclusion of the despatches for 1862:]
Mayne to Blackwood, 8 October 1862, describing the
lack of men fit to legislate in British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
Duke of Newcastle
As we are totally without infn from the Governor as to the number & the character of the Settlers in B. Columbia who could form an electoral or even a representative body there I have made it my business to put enquiries on the subject to reliable persons, (whenever I could meet with
them) who have been in the country &
know something about it. I now submit to your Grace a Letter from
Commander Mayne—who from having travelled over parts of B.C. and
being a man of observation is as much of an authority on the point
as any body I am acquainted with—whose letter abundantly proves
the paucity of the materials out of which a representative
body could be constructed.
As we are totally without infn from the Governor as to the number & the character of the Settlers in B. Columbia who could form an electoral or even a representative body there I have made it my business to put enquiries on the subject to reliable persons, (whenever I could meet with
them) who have been in the country &
know something about it. I now submit to your Grace a Letter from
Commander Mayne—who from having travelled over parts of B.C. and
being a man of observation is as much of an authority on the point
as any body I am acquainted with—whose letter abundantly proves
the paucity of the materials out of which a representative
body could be constructed.
ABd
9 Octr 1862
Other documents included in the file
*
W.D. Gosset to Sir Harry Verney, 24 October 1862, offering to
describe various "sweeping changes earnestly desired" in British
Columbia, being reluctant to approach the colonial office in case
he should thus figure as a malcontent.
Notes of conversation with Gosset, detailing various
measures desired by the citizens of British Columbia with reference to the survey office, roads, the desire for representative or
responsible government and other matters, signed by Fortescue,
December 1862.
Gosset to Fortescue, 23 December 1862, enclosing a minute on British Columbia to back up their recent conversation, for the benefit of the Duke of Newcastle.
Minute as noted above, detailing in point form the various
reforms to the present situation and government of the colony
necessary for its continued progress, signed by Gosset, 23 December
1862.
Emigration Board to Elliot, 2 December 1862, reporting a visit by Gosset in which that gentlemen reported various cases
of "jobbing" in the colony.
Minute by H.T. Irving on the Royal Engineers in British Columbia,
including "Conditions as to the duration of their service," dated 25 January 1863.
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 120, 9 May 1862,
forwarding Douglas
a copy of the Colonial Estimates for the present yearshowing the amount budgeted for British Columbia and reminding him that the Governor's salary
must next year be defrayed out of the Colonial Revenue.
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, unnumbered, 9 June 1862
(letter of introduction for Thomas L. Wood, a member of the English
bar, proceeding to British Columbia; two copies on microfilm).
Copy of Proclamation issued by the Queen in Council,
19 July 1862, with reference to the ability of the crown to provide
for the government of the colonies, signed by Arthur Helps (fourteen
pages).