Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 7 March 1867, CO 60:27, no. 4393, 296.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Seymour forwards a letter explaining British Columbia’s reliance on the US for
communication with Europe.Seymour relates the economic expenses of maintaining the mail service of the colony and asks for
some assistance [from] the Imperial Treasury,highlighting that
the Royal Mail Steam Company is willing to establish steam communication between Panama and British Columbiafor a price. Blackwood’s minute suggests informing Seymour that
there is no prospect of an Imperial subsidyand directing Seymour to make
an arrangement for the conveyance of the Colonial Mailswith the Panama Company. Buckingham’s minute instructs that this despatch be forwarded to the Treasury and Admiralty for consideration.
No. 39
7th March 1867
My Lord,
I have the honor to forward Copy of a letter which has been
addressed by the present Senior Naval Officer on this Station to
the Secretary for the Admiralty, pointingout
out how totally we are
dependent on the Americans for our communication with Europe.
out how totally we are
dependent on the Americans for our communication with Europe.
2. Until recently a subsidy was given by the Government of
Vancouver Island to the English Vessel "Labouchere" for carrying
the mails from San Francisco to Victoria and the Authorities of
British Columbia employed a Vessel under the American Flag for the
same purpose. On the loss of the "Labouchere"a
a double Subsidy
was given to the United States Vessel in order to induce her to
call at Victoria on her way to New Westminster. The Conveyance
of the Mails under this arrangement entailed an expense of six
hundred pounds a trip: an amount beyond the ability of the now
united Colony to pay. As soon as the contract expired, I declined
to renew it. Not too soon—as the Government of VancouverIsland
Island
is still in debt to the San Francisco Mail Company for ten Voyages,
having only paid the subsidy for two. The Government of the Mainland
had however paid all its obligations under this head punctually.
a double Subsidy
was given to the United States Vessel in order to induce her to
call at Victoria on her way to New Westminster. The Conveyance
of the Mails under this arrangement entailed an expense of six
hundred pounds a trip: an amount beyond the ability of the now
united Colony to pay. As soon as the contract expired, I declined
to renew it. Not too soon—as the Government of VancouverIsland
Island
is still in debt to the San Francisco Mail Company for ten Voyages,
having only paid the subsidy for two. The Government of the Mainland
had however paid all its obligations under this head punctually.
3. The Legislative Council has now placed at my disposal
a sum of twelve hundred pounds a year for keeping up Communnication
with San Francisco and securingthe
the receipt of the European Mails.
I need hardly say that this amount is altogether insufficient to
secure the object sought to be obtained. We may perhaps induce
steamers to call once a month during the summer but we shall
have to trust to accident for maintaining our Communication with
the Mother Country during the winter.
the receipt of the European Mails.
I need hardly say that this amount is altogether insufficient to
secure the object sought to be obtained. We may perhaps induce
steamers to call once a month during the summer but we shall
have to trust to accident for maintaining our Communication with
the Mother Country during the winter.
4. Perhaps Your Lordship will forgive me for sayingthat
that
some assistance should be given by the Imperial Treasury for
keeping up the connection between England and this important
Colony, containing as it does the head quarters of the Pacific
Squadron. The steamers which ply between Panama and San Francisco
are under no contract even with the United States Government for
the conveyance of mails and may of course at any time refuse to
carry ours. The Telegraph is in the handsof
of the Americans and in
the event of a rupture with the United States the intelligence
would not reach this Colony or Her Majesty's Ships until it might
suit the convenience of the enemy.
that
some assistance should be given by the Imperial Treasury for
keeping up the connection between England and this important
Colony, containing as it does the head quarters of the Pacific
Squadron. The steamers which ply between Panama and San Francisco
are under no contract even with the United States Government for
the conveyance of mails and may of course at any time refuse to
carry ours. The Telegraph is in the handsof
of the Americans and in
the event of a rupture with the United States the intelligence
would not reach this Colony or Her Majesty's Ships until it might
suit the convenience of the enemy.
5. I understand that the Royal Mail Steam Company is willing
to establish steam communnication between Panama and British
Columbia if 7 1/2 per cent per annum be paid on the sum of
£250,000which
which would be required to provide the vessels to keep
up a fortnightly communication on the Pacific in connection with the
steamers leaving Southhampton on the 2nd and 17th of each month.
which would be required to provide the vessels to keep
up a fortnightly communication on the Pacific in connection with the
steamers leaving Southhampton on the 2nd and 17th of each month.
6. My own belief is that the Revenue of the Colony will,
after the present year, prove sufficient for us materially to
assist in lightening the expense of any line of Steamers which
may be establishedunder
under the direction of the Home Government.
under the direction of the Home Government.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I do not see that any practical question for the decision of the Secy of State arises upon the contents of this despatch. The Govr reports that the late V.C.I. Govt has failed to pay its engagement for the conveyance of its despatches—he observes that the Legislature of the United Colonies has granted the (obviously) inadequate sum of £1200 a year for the postal service to San Francisco, & renews the oft repeated cry of aid for a mail subsidy from the Impl Govt. Perhaps some such arrangement as the Govr suggests may be come to with the Panama Cy but it is for the Governor not for this Office to open the negotiation as he best knows what the finances of the Colony can afford to pay. On the whole, therefore, I shd be in favor of informing the Governor that there is no prospect of an Imperial subsidy being granted to the B.C. mail service, and that this Office will be glad to learn if any satisfactory terms can be suggested by him with a view to an arrangement for the conveyance of the Colonial Mails by the Panama Co.
I do not see that any practical question for the decision of the Secy of State arises upon the contents of this despatch. The Govr reports that the late V.C.I. Govt has failed to pay its engagement for the conveyance of its despatches—he observes that the Legislature of the United Colonies has granted the (obviously) inadequate sum of £1200 a year for the postal service to San Francisco, & renews the oft repeated cry of aid for a mail subsidy from the Impl Govt. Perhaps some such arrangement as the Govr suggests may be come to with the Panama Cy but it is for the Governor not for this Office to open the negotiation as he best knows what the finances of the Colony can afford to pay. On the whole, therefore, I shd be in favor of informing the Governor that there is no prospect of an Imperial subsidy being granted to the B.C. mail service, and that this Office will be glad to learn if any satisfactory terms can be suggested by him with a view to an arrangement for the conveyance of the Colonial Mails by the Panama Co.
ABd
6 May
I suppose this shd be sent to the Treasury with an
expression of opinion.
That opinion I hope against any Impl subsidy.
? use of Naval Station there?
CBA
7/5
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Captain R.B. Oldfield to Secretary of the Admiralty, 5 March
1867, regarding postal service in the colony.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Secretary to the Admiralty and G.A. Hamilton, Treasury,
16 May 1867, forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration.