Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Fraser, Donald to Grenville, Richard 9 August 1867, CO 60:31, no. 7739, 241.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (2).
Fraser reminds Buckingham that a delegation of
Memorialistsare available to meet with Buckingham regarding choosing Victoria as the seat of government in British Columbia. Fraser describes the reasons why Fraser wants Victoria as the seat of government. Fraser encloses notes from Richards supporting Victoria as the seat of Government. Fraser describes two maritime accidents involving the Malacca and the Tribune, which were travelling from New Westminster, citing these accidents as reasons against selecting New Westminster as the seat of government. Minutes by Elliot, Adderley, and Buckingham discuss whether Seymour should be notified that Buckingham is aware of the Legislative Assembly’s resolution to name Victoria the seat of government in British Columbia.
Fraser to Buckingham
33 St James Square
London
August 9, 1867
London
My Lord Duke,
In conjunction with other Gentlemen interested in British
Columbia I had the honour to transmit on the 24th Ultimo, A
Memorial to Your Grace on the subject of the site of the Capital of
that Colony.
2. It was suggested that if Your Grace should desire further
information on the subject matter of the Memorial or on the affairs
of the Colony generally, some of the Memorialists would visit upon
Your Grace for the purpose of furnishing such information.
3. As some of these Memorialists are about to leave London; and
as we have not received any intimation from The Colonial Office on
the subject of the Memorial, I beg respectfully to call your Grace's
attention to the matter.
4. I feel persuaded Your Grace will pardon me for doing so when
I state that my interest in the Colony as a Landowner is greater than
that ofany
any of the other Memorialists—that I am pressed by many of
the Colonists to bring the matter of the Capital under the notice of
the Government—and that I consequently feel Considerable anxiety on
the question at issue.
any of the other Memorialists—that I am pressed by many of
the Colonists to bring the matter of the Capital under the notice of
the Government—and that I consequently feel Considerable anxiety on
the question at issue.
5. The other Gentlemen who moved in this matter having left it
very much in my hands, I would state that the Memorialists, although
ready to meet Your Grace if required, do not wish to press a formal
Deputation upon you, knowing how much Your Grace's time is occupied at
present.
6. It has therefore been suggested that I should offer to your
Grace such information as my experience, gained by long residence and
varied relations with the Colony may enable me to supply; and I beg
to state that I shall be happy to adopt this suggestion should your
Grace wish to see me.
7. I beg leave to avail of this opportunity to enclose for Your
Grace's information two Notes written to me by Capn Richards, the
Hydrographer, on the question of the most suitable position for the
Capital.
8. Captain Richards' testimony in favour of Victoria confirms
the truth of the statements made in the Memorial on this head and
justifies the prayers of the Memorialists to have the Capital placed
there.
9. Captn Richards' private character and professional
position guarantee any opinion he gives; but in this case, the value
of his opinion is enhanced by the fact that his knowledge of the
locality was gained by long personal experience while on the Survey
of the North West Coast for several years during which period he
visited Fraser River and all parts adjacent often.
10. In further corroboration of the accuracy of our Statements
as to the unsuitableness of New Westminster I beg to bring to Your
Grace's knowledge the fact that in June last Her Majesty's Ship
"Malacca" when bringing Governor Seymour from New Westminster to
Victoria Struck and took the ground upon The Sand Heads off the Mouth
of Fraser River and remained there in a dangerous position for a
whole night, although the Ship had the benefit of Captain Cooper the
Harbour Master's presence on board to navigate her.
11. It is added by a Gentleman in the Colony writing from the
spot and whose letter I received Yesterday that
The Enterprize, one of The Hudson's Bay Company's Steamers, assisted
the 'Malacca' off the following day. Fortunately it was calm. Had
there been any wind the officers say the Ship would have bumped
herself to pieces. She has to go to San Francisco to be docked. The
same Vessel received injuries in the same place—on The Sand Heads—in
January last on her passage to New Westminster when she struck twice.
12.
12. To these recent accidents to the "Malacca" have to be added
an accident which befel Her Majesty's Ship "Tribune" on the same
dangerous Sand Heads on a voyage from New Westminster by which she
was so seriously injured that she had to be broken up on her return
to England.
13. These facts demonstrate the unsuitability of the Site of
New Westminster for either a Commerical or Political Capital, since
even large and full handed Steam Vessels can neither approach nor
leave that place without incurring the risks of the gravest
casualties and of probable destruction; and, since Sailing Vessels
cannot be expected to incur such risks, as no insurance would cover
such palpable and notorious hazards.
Begging to be excused for troubling Your Grace with this letter
and for its length,
The Right Honble His Grace
The Duke of Buckingham & Chandos
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies
The Duke of Buckingham & Chandos
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State
for the Colonies
Minutes by CO staff
Seat of Government in B. Columbia
We know that the Legislative Council have passed Resolutions for
placing the seat of Government at Victoria in Vancouver Island. But
although this has been known for some time, no report has come from
the Governor. May it not therefore be prudent to write a short
despatch to Mr Seymour saying that the Resolutions have been
brought under the Duke's notice by
private persons, but that His
Grace has declined adopting any conclusion until the arrival of the
report which he will doubtless shortly receive from Mr Seymour on
the subject.
TFE
13 August
Is there any need to press for Report. Resolutions only came
through private persons & do not require further notice immediately.
CBA
14/8
I think the Govr shd be informed of the fact that the
resolutions have been communicated by
persons—as prima facie—it is
negligence on the part of the Govr not to have communicated them
officially by same mail.
persons—as prima facie—it is
negligence on the part of the Govr not to have communicated them
officially by same mail.
B&C
14/8
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
G.H. Richards to Fraser, 25 July 1867, expressing opinion that
Victoria should be made capital of the colony, with explanation.
Other documents included in the file
Other documents included in the file
*
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 49, 17 August 1867 notifying Seymour that Buckingham has received notice of the “Resolutions … passed by the Legislative Council of British Columbia” and informing Seymour that Buckingham is waiting for Seymour’s report.