Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (7), Other documents (2).
Confidential
19th July 1869
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's despatch marked
"Confidential", of 2nd June, directing the late GovernorSeymourSeymour
Seymour to report to what extent the Majority which passed the
Resolution against Confederation with Canada was composed of
Public Officers, and transmitting copy of a confidential
despatch, together with copy of Your Lordship's reply thereto,
from the Governor General of Canada, suggesting that steps
should be taken to forward the incorporation of British Columbia
into the Dominionof of Canada.
2. I requested the Members of the Executive Council to report
confidentially to me on the Debates which took place in the
Legislative Council on the subject of Confederation with Canada
as I was not a Member of that Body at the time.
3. Your Lordship will perceive by these opinions, which I have
the honorto to enclose, that the late Governor left it entirely an
open question as to the manner in which each official Member
should vote.
4. The proceedings in the Legislative Council on this subject
are now printed and I enclose a copy. The Majority which passed
the Resolution against Union consisted of eleven Members, only
five of whom wereconnected connected in any way with the Government. The
Minority, in favour of Union, were MessrsHavelock, Humphrey's,
Carrall, Robson and Walkem, the last three named Gentlemen
natives of the Dominion.
5. It appears to me to be the general opinion that until
communication through British Territory is established those who
are most interested in thewelfare welfare of British Columbia will be
opposed to Confederation.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble Servant. Philip J. Hankin
Administering the Government
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Sandford Lord Granville's despatch of the 14 inst. No 84 to the Govr of
B. Columbia makes it unnecessary to do more on this than to
acknowledge it & say that that despatch will already have made
him aware of the views of HM's Govt on the subject of
Confederation. And perhaps a copy of this shd be sent
Confidentially to Sir John Young.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Charles Good, Acting Colonial Secretary, to Officer Administering
the Government, minute on the debates in the Legislative Council
on the subject of Confederation with Canada.
H.P.P. Crease, Attorney General, to Officer Administering the
Government, 19 July 1869, minute on the subject as noted above.
Printed extracts from Journals of the Legislative Council
on the subject of Confederation.
J.W. Trutch, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, to Officer
Administering the Government, 15 July 1869, minute on the subject
as noted above.
W. Hamley, Collector of Customs, to Officer Administering the
Government, 5 July 1869, minute on the subject as noted above.
H.M. Ball, Police Magistrate, New Westminster, to Officer
Administering the Government, 8 July 1869, minute on the subject
as noted above.
Printed extracts from Journals of the Legislative Council,
as noted above.