Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 29 April 1868, CO 60:32, no. 6303, 218.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (1).
Seymour encloses a message showing Seymour’s selection of Victoria as the new capital of British Columbia. Seymour describes how he informed the Legislative Council of British Columbia that Victoria would be the capital of the colony and the choice Seymour personally wanted as the new capital. Cox’s minute discuss when Victoria was declared the capital of British Columbia and how to proceed after the
selection of [the] Capital is formally sanctioned.Included documents describe the correspondence regarding declaring a new capital in British Columbia, when Victoria was declared the new capital, and how individuals were informed of the decision.
No. 31
New Westminster
29th April 1868
My Lord Duke,
In obedience to the Instructions conveyed in Your Grace's
despatch No. 67 of the 1st of October 1867, I have fixed upon
a Capital for the United Colony. TheMessage
Message which I enclose
will shew that I have selected Victoria.
Message which I enclose
will shew that I have selected Victoria.
2. There is one circumstance in the affair which I trust you
will pardon: and that is, my having ventured to lay Your
Grace's despatch before the Council. The feeling existing in
both New Westminster and Victoria is so strong on the subject of
the seat of Government that I felt it necessary whenacting
acting
in the matter to invoke the assistance of a stronger power than
my own in order to prevent disturbance.
acting
in the matter to invoke the assistance of a stronger power than
my own in order to prevent disturbance.
3. I forwarded Your Grace's despatch in the Message I enclose.
I received the following reply. I commenced my despatch with
the final conclusion.
4. I sincerely trust I have acted for the best. I well know I
have secured but present tranquillity.
5. In
5. In my own heart I must allow, there was a feeling in favour
of the manly, respectable, loyal and enterprising community
established on the banks of the Fraser.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Victoria was to be, & no doubt was, proclaimed the Capital of B. Columbia on the Queens Birthday.
Victoria was to be, & no doubt was, proclaimed the Capital of B. Columbia on the Queens Birthday.
CC
16 June
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Printed copy of Address, Seymour to Legislative Council,
30 March 1868, enclosing copies of Buckingham to Seymour, 1 October
1867, and Seymour to Buckingham, 24 December 1867, for opinion.
Printed copy of proceedings of Council, no date, proposing a
resolution against the removal of the government to Victoria, which
was defeated fourteen votes to five.
Other documents included in the file
26 June 1868, Adderley to Anderson, Fraser, and
Sproat;
Secretary, Hudson's Bay Company; Chairman, Bank of British
Columbia; Secretary, Bank of British North America; Chairman
Vancouver Coal Mining & Land Co. Limited; and Captain Verney R.N.,
informing them of the selection of Victoria as capital.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Cox
Is any confirmation of what the Govr has done necessary, see desp to him No. 28—16 May—attached to 15—4517.
Is any confirmation of what the Govr has done necessary, see desp to him No. 28—16 May—attached to 15—4517.
Sir F. Rogers
I think there ought rightly to be some formal
approval—but
perhaps this may be done when the Govrs Proclamation is recd.
I think there ought rightly to be some formal
approval—but
perhaps this may be done when the Govrs Proclamation is recd.