No. 78
28 December 1863
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.
Originals No. 55, 2 October, to No. 58, 21 October 1863. Circulars 19, 21, 22 and 23 September; 19 October 1863. Duplicates No. 54, 24 September, to No. 57, 9 October 1863. Circulars 19, 21, 22 and 23 September 1863. Separates 26 May to 1 August 1863.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient
and humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
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Separates of 26th May 63, 16 June, 1 August [and] Nos 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 32, 33 34, 40 41, 42, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53 not yet received in duplicate.
Other documents included in the file


[The following is a collection of miscellaneous documents inserted at the conclusion of the despatches for 1863:]

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John Lindley to Newcastle, 18 March 1863, forwarding copy of a letter concerning British Columbia. [Taken in entirety in correspondence.]
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Extract enclosed with Lindley letter above, no salutation or signature, 11 January 1863, supporting the existing government in British Columbia as just and effective and discussing at length various aspects of the colonial situation. [Taken in entirety in correspondence.]
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 47, 27 August 1863, followed in file by a copy of its enclosure, "An Act to define the Boundaries of the Colony of British Columbia, and to continue an Act to provide for the Government of the said Colony," 28 July 1863.
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Memo, Edward Pennington to Gordon Gairdner, 29 August 1863, stating that Douglas would be entitled to be addressed as Sir James as soon as a dispensation with investiture had been granted.
Minutes by CO staff
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GG 29/8
Seen.
TFE 1 Sepr
ABd 1 Sepr
Put by.
TFE 1 Sepr
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, unnumbered, 1 August 1863.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
See the annexed minute. This despatch should go out by the 1st proximo.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 24, 1 May 1863.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Mackean of the Bank of British Columbia called on me at this Office to have some conversation on the subjects of a Mint, of the Steam Communication with Panama, and of the Gold Escort. I think that on the two last mentioned subjects, he was pretty well satisfied by what he heard, and that on the first subject he was led to doubt whether the existing Assay Office might not be sufficient, but that on this point he will probably communicate with his correspondents in the Colony in terms which may lead them to consult with, or apply to, the local Government.
InManuscript image
In referring to the former papers, I find that on the question of having an Assay Office or a Mint, there were two very important letters from the Treasury dated the 27th of May 1859 and 5th July 1859, but that it so happens that neither of them was forwarded to the Governor. There is nothing in their contents to render a communication of them objectionable, and as they enter very fully into the general principles affecting the subject, and point out some obvious considerations which would seem to have escaped at that time the attention of the local authorities, I cannot help thinkingthatManuscript image that it would be an advantage even now to put the Governor in possession of them. They would probably be very useful guides to him in any fresh discussions which may arise on the spot.
Should this view be adopted, we could send them out in a very brief covering despatch, to the effect that finding that two important letters which had been received from the Treasury in 1859 on some of the general principles connected with the establishment of an Assay Office or of a Mint, had not been at that date communicated to the Governor, and thinking that the observations which they contain are such that theyManuscript image may at any time be useful to him in considering any questions which may arise connected with those topics, the Duke of Newcastle now transmits copies of them for his information, and in order that they may be placed amongst the records of the Colony.
TFE 24 April
So proceed.
N 25
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, 1 May 1863.
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, Separate, 26 May 1863.
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Newspaper clippings, The Morning Post and The Morning Herald, dates unclear, discussing various subjects relative to Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
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Memo, Jadis to Halksworth, 13 June [1864], as follows: "On the top of the bundle of B. Columbia Despatches 1863 which you sent for the other day there is a Memo: respecting Mr Birch's appointment as Colonial Secretary. Will you let me have it."
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"Scale of present and proposed Salaries for the Officers of the Government in British Columbia," no date, with notes and observations written by colonial office staff.
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Similar scale of salaries for the officers of Vancouver Island, no date, with notes and observations written by colonial office staff.