Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 December 1863, CO 60:16, no. 2859, 367.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (7), Other documents (12), Marginalia (1).
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.
Minutes by CO staff
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:]
John Lindley to Newcastle, 18 March 1863, forwarding copy of a letter concerning British Columbia. [Taken in entirety in
correspondence.]
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.]
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.
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.
Other documents included in the file
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
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.
In
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 thinkingthat
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.
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 they
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.
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
Other documents included in the file
Newspaper clippings, The Morning Post and The Morning Herald, dates unclear, discussing various subjects relative to Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
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."
"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.
Similar scale of salaries for the officers of Vancouver Island,
no date, with notes and observations written by colonial office staff.