Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
McNab, C. to Grenville, Richard 9 May 1867, CO 60:30, no. 4551, 311.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
McNab relates the reasons why the directors of the Bank of British North America
believe that Victoria would be found to be the most convenient place for the seat of Governmentin British Columbia. Jadis’s minute suggests responding that the Colonial Office has not received information from Seymour that would allow the Colonial Office to make a decision regarding the capital of British Columbia.
McNab to Buckingham
The Directors of this Bank having been informed that it is in
contemplation to remove the seat of Government of the Colony of British
Columbia from Victoria to New Westminster, beg to be allowed to express
their opinion that such a change would be prejudicial to the interests
of the Colony. They believe that Victoria would be found to be the
most convenient place for the seat of Government on the following
among other grounds, viz
That the Port of Victoria, with its
two harbours of Victoria &
Esquimalt can accommodate vessels of the greatest draft of water,
that it is easy of access from the Ocean, & is always open to
navigation. New Westminster, on the other hand, is—especially to
sailing vessels—difficult & dangerous of approach, in consequence of
the tedious and intricate navigation of the Haro Archipelago, and
because of the sand bars at the mouth of Fraser River, and the
occasional freezing of that River.
two harbours of Victoria &
Esquimalt can accommodate vessels of the greatest draft of water,
that it is easy of access from the Ocean, & is always open to
navigation. New Westminster, on the other hand, is—especially to
sailing vessels—difficult & dangerous of approach, in consequence of
the tedious and intricate navigation of the Haro Archipelago, and
because of the sand bars at the mouth of Fraser River, and the
occasional freezing of that River.
That Victoria is the only place in the Colony of any stability
and population as a Town. It is the commercial, social and educational
centre of the Colony; Miners have settled their families there, and
are beginning to resort to it during the winter (the non-mining)
season, instead of going to San Francisco
—a town in a foreign
country—to spend their money earned in British Columbia.
—a town in a foreign
country—to spend their money earned in British Columbia.
That Victoria has hitherto been a Seat of Government, and possesses
the requisite public buildings; and the removal of the seat of
Government to New Westminster would necessarily involve a further
expenditure which the Colony in its present circumstances is not in a
position to bear.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Answer as in the former case that the Duke has not yet received from Govr Seymour such information as will enable him to decide upon the question of the choice of a Capital?
Answer as in the former case that the Duke has not yet received from Govr Seymour such information as will enable him to decide upon the question of the choice of a Capital?
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Secretary, Bank of British North America, 17 May 1867,
advising that the decision had been held over pending receipt of
additional information from the colony.