Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Hankin, Philip J. to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 15 June 1869, CO 60:36, no. 6790, 19.
Abstract
Hankin, Philip J. to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 15 June 1869, CO 60:36, no. 6790, 19.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (6).
Telegram
British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company, Limited
To Earl Granville
Colonial Office
Downing Street London
Received 15 June 1869
Governor Seymour died on board the Sparrow Hawk at Bellacola on
the tenth June while on a tour of inspection along the Northwest
coast of British Columbia. I, as senior member of the Executive
Council have assumed the Government pending instructions and
have appointed Mr Good to act as Colonial Secretary.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
I send you a proof copy of the Papers about to be presented to Parl: relative to the Union of B. Columbia with Canada.
I send you a proof copy of the Papers about to be presented to Parl: relative to the Union of B. Columbia with Canada.
A revised copy will come before you for approval when ready, but
on reading the Papers it has occurred to me that assuming that
the Home Govt are desirous of forwarding the
Union, the present
Papers unaccompanied by any decided expression of opinion would
have a bad effect.
Union, the present
Papers unaccompanied by any decided expression of opinion would
have a bad effect.
The most that has been said is in the despatch to Sir J. Young
of the 2 June 1869 (p 9) where you will find "if Confederation
is desired by the Inhabitants of the Dominion & of B.C. HM's
Govt will readily do all in their power to promote it.
And in the despatch to Govr Musgrave on his appt which is
not
included here he is told "among the questions which will most
immediately press on your attention is that of the Incorporation
of B.C. with the D. of Canada. On this question
I shall probably have occasion to address you shortly &c."
included here he is told "among the questions which will most
immediately press on your attention is that of the Incorporation
of B.C. with the D. of Canada. On this question
I shall probably have occasion to address you shortly &c."
I have been told that the annex[at]ionists with Canada are the
major party, those with the United States the more stirring—but
that an expression of decided opinion on the part of the Home
Govt in favor
of Union with Canada would not only instil energy
& activity into the 1t named party, but would convert many of
the latter.
of Union with Canada would not only instil energy
& activity into the 1t named party, but would convert many of
the latter.
If this is the case it appears to me to deserve consideration
whether a decided expression on the part of the Home Govt
should not at once be made public.
CC
19 July 69
Mr Monsell
1) I doubt the propriety of printing the dph No 2 from Sir J. Young in p 7 and the confl answer No 6 in p 9.
1) I doubt the propriety of printing the dph No 2 from Sir J. Young in p 7 and the confl answer No 6 in p 9.
2) I am disposed to write a careful dph to Gov. Musgrave in
view of the annexation of the HBC & backing Confederation.
Other documents included in the file
Draft telegram, Colonial Office to Hankin, 15 June 1869,
announcing appointment of Governor Musgrave.
Telegram, Granville to Musgrave, announcing death of Seymour and
his appointment as governor of British Columbia.
Draft reply, Granville to Musgrave, Newfoundland, No. 13, 17
June 1869, with discussion of his future role in British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
The objects are to satisfy the Canadians—to give a little
momentum to the Unionist party in BC to direct Govt Servants, &
also to allay their fears as to uncompensated loss of place—to
furnish our friends with the most persuasive argts that we here
have at hand and
not to abandon power, or to give occasion to any cry that the
Home Govt is assuming it. Finally to print well for Parlt.