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Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 18 March 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6174, 183.

Abstract
Despatch to London. Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Seymour forwards copies of an ordinance titled No. 3. An Ordinance to amend the duties of Customs and notes that his following despatches will discuss it in more detail. In reference to the so called Miners' petition, Seymour recommends that it be allowed to remain in force until the Legislative Session meets again. Blackwood’s minute notes that this ordinance has excited the dissatisfaction of the Merchants at Victoria. Elliot minutes that the subject is too large to be conveniently discussed in a Minute but that he believes the general aim of the law is legitimate.
No. 28
18th March 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to forward an Authenticated and two plain Copies of an Ordinance of the recent Session of the Legislature of this Colony, entitled;
No. 3. An OrdinancetoManuscript image to amend the duties of Customs.
2. The Attorney General is so much engaged in Legislative work as to be unable to furnish the usual legal summary.
3. I really feel that I can scarcely report more fully upon this measure than by referring you to the Despatches I am about to write. The one forwarding a petition gotupManuscript image up in Victoria against the Ordinance; The other commenting upon Resolutions passed and statements made by the Chamber of Commerce of that Town respecting it.
4. The measure which has now passed was recommended to me, unanimously (I believe) by the late Council. When introduced this year it likewise passed without a dissentientvoiceManuscript image voice, although I left every Government Officer perfectly free to vote as he pleased.
5. As stated in my reply to the so called Miners' petition the Act is tentative and I would beg leave very respectfully to recommend that even if it should appear to you to have defects you will allow it to remain in force until the Legislative SessionmeetsManuscript image meets again.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
See Attorney General's report in 6400.
This is the B. Columbia Tariff Law which has excited the dissatisfaction of the Merchants at Victoria. The Law should be read by the Light of the despatches from both Colonies now before you. It will have to be referred to the Treasury and the Bd of Trade. If the Law is framed in contravention of present political economy views, or is, in other respects, objectionable, we shall receive full intimation from those Depts.
ABd 6 July
See also the Attorney General's Report on this law, in 6400, received since the present despatch—and see especially Governor's despatch 6176, circulated at same time as this.
The two Clauses that strike me as chiefly debatable are b and c of SS 2, and SS 7. But the subject is too large to be conveniently discussed in a Minute. On the whole I should lean to believing that the general aim of the law is legitimate.
TFE 17 July
See Minute on 6176.
[FR]
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Rogers to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, and J. Booth, Board of Trade, 3 October 1865, forwarding copy of the despatch and ordinance for consideration.