Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 16 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6411, 481.
Abstract
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 16 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6411, 481.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2), Marginalia (5).
No. 53
16th May 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. 9. An Ordinance to apply the sum of two hundred
andtwenty
twenty five thousand, nine hundred and forty six
pounds, twelve shillings and eight pence, Sterling (£225,946.12.8),
out of the General Revenue of the Colony of British Columbia
and its dependencies, to the Service of the year one
thousand eight hundred and sixty five.
I add the Report of the Attorney General.
twenty five thousand, nine hundred and forty six
pounds, twelve shillings and eight pence, Sterling (£225,946.12.8),
out of the General Revenue of the Colony of British Columbia
and its dependencies, to the Service of the year one
thousand eight hundred and sixty five.
I add the Report of the Attorney General.
By next mail.
2. The estimates
for the Current year were framed in
the belief that the sum of seventy three thousand, seven
hundred poundsremaining
remaining from the Loan authorized under the
Ordinance No. 7 of 10th March 1864, would be available
for the public use. It is also believed that Gold Mines of
great value have been discovered in the most inaccessible
portion of the Colony, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains,
and that a large expenditure would have to be incurred in
order to prevent the whole traffic with the new mines being
carried onfrom
from Oregon and Washington Territories. If the
Loan is not available the expenditure will not amount to the
Estimate. If the newly discovered mines are not of the value
we anticipate, a saving will be made in the Estimates for
Roads, Buildings and Police on the Kootenay and in the staff of
Constables and Customs Officers appointed to work the Southern Boundary.
Where are they?
[ABd]
remaining from the Loan authorized under the
Ordinance No. 7 of 10th March 1864, would be available
for the public use. It is also believed that Gold Mines of
great value have been discovered in the most inaccessible
portion of the Colony, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains,
A problem unsolved at present.
[ABd]
from Oregon and Washington Territories. If the
Loan is not available the expenditure will not amount to the
Estimate. If the newly discovered mines are not of the value
we anticipate, a saving will be made in the Estimates for
Roads, Buildings and Police on the Kootenay and in the staff of
Constables and Customs Officers appointed to work the Southern Boundary.
Hypothesis.
[ABd]
3. There is an apparentincrease
increase in the Salaries of the
several Gold Commissioners in the interior but this is more
than compensated for in the reduction of allowances.
increase in the Salaries of the
several Gold Commissioners in the interior but this is more
than compensated for in the reduction of allowances.
4. An increase of one hundred pounds per annum (£100) has been
voted for the Police Magistrate of New Westminster.
It had long been apparent that Mr Brew, the Senior Magistrate of the
Colony was one of the worst paid Officers in it. He has no
house, he drawsno
no allowance. There was not a dissentient
voice in the Council when I recommended this increase.
Mr Brew is an energetic—excellent public Officer, & can turn his
hand in a rough country to most things. His present salary is £600.
[ABd]
no allowance. There was not a dissentient
voice in the Council when I recommended this increase.
5. I shall report separately upon two new Offices which
it is proposed to create. That of a second Judge. That of
an Assistant Surveyor General. The former I have not even
temporarily filled. The latter, the continued absence of Mr
Trutch has compelled me to provide for until your pleasure
be known.
be known.
6. I enclose a Report from the Auditor upon the several
items in the Appropriation Ordinance.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Governor Seymour has repeated in 1865 the error committed in 1864. He has not sent the Estimates of Appropriation with the Supply Ordinance of the year. The omission having been pointed out last year he ought not to have repeated it this time. The Attorney General's report on the Ordinance and the Auditor's report on the items of expenditure are also not come. They are promised by some succeeding Mail. To the best of my belief the real Revenue of the Colony is about 130 or £140,000. But the Governor taking into account an assumed unexpended balance of the loan, and the cost of Works at the Kootenay, which last may not be executed has passed a Supply Ordinance to the amount of £225,000.
Governor Seymour has repeated in 1865 the error committed in 1864. He has not sent the Estimates of Appropriation with the Supply Ordinance of the year. The omission having been pointed out last year he ought not to have repeated it this time. The Attorney General's report on the Ordinance and the Auditor's report on the items of expenditure are also not come. They are promised by some succeeding Mail. To the best of my belief the real Revenue of the Colony is about 130 or £140,000. But the Governor taking into account an assumed unexpended balance of the loan, and the cost of Works at the Kootenay, which last may not be executed has passed a Supply Ordinance to the amount of £225,000.
Having in view certain additions on account of salaries
to the public expenditure I fear Governor Seymour is exhibiting
a profuseness which the circumstances of the Colony will not
justify. Everything should be devoted to Roads and Works in
this new Colony and the Public Establishment should be kept
as low as possible.
I think this Despatch had better go at once to the Treasury.
Sir F. Rogers
I should explain to you that Adverting to the expression in my minute on 6411 that Govr Seymour was becoming profuse in his expre Mr Cardwell observed to me orally that he was reluctant to pass this Ordinance (No 9) to the Treasury without some remark to that effect. I, therefore, withdraw the papers in the hope that the Estimates, & certain explanatory enclosures which ought to have accompanied the Govrs despatch & which were promised by a succeeding Mail, would arrive. But they have not come even now. In the interval I have discussed the Ordinance with Mr Buckland, the Colonial Clerk, at the Treasury; & he is very clear in his opinion that the T-y will not take this Ordce into consideration without the Estimates. He suggests that we shd write for them. Shall we do so at once, or shall we make an official reference to the T-y & get their ansr in black & white? I consider that Govr Seymour is much to blame for sending the case home in an incomplete state, after the
notice taken of a similar omission last year, & I
am not clear that our friend, Birch, is not open to the same remark.
I should explain to you that Adverting to the expression in my minute on 6411 that Govr Seymour was becoming profuse in his expre Mr Cardwell observed to me orally that he was reluctant to pass this Ordinance (No 9) to the Treasury without some remark to that effect. I, therefore, withdraw the papers in the hope that the Estimates, & certain explanatory enclosures which ought to have accompanied the Govrs despatch & which were promised by a succeeding Mail, would arrive. But they have not come even now. In the interval I have discussed the Ordinance with Mr Buckland, the Colonial Clerk, at the Treasury; & he is very clear in his opinion that the T-y will not take this Ordce into consideration without the Estimates. He suggests that we shd write for them. Shall we do so at once, or shall we make an official reference to the T-y & get their ansr in black & white? I consider that Govr Seymour is much to blame for sending the case home in an incomplete state, after the
notice taken of a similar omission last year, & I
am not clear that our friend, Birch, is not open to the same remark.
With respect to the question of "profusion" which by the
way, may be too strong a phrase, I can add nothing more than
what I have stated in my Minute on 8234 which I send to you with this.
ABd
25 Sepr
I think send to Treasury stating that we have written for the
Estimates and write accordy.
FR
25/9
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not in file.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 30 September 1865, forwarding
copy of the despatch and ordinance for consideration, and explaining
that the reports therein mentioned had not yet arrived from the
colony.
