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 GovernorSeymourManuscript image Seymour 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 DominionofManuscript image 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 honortoManuscript image 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 wereconnectedManuscript image connected in any way with the Government. The Minority, in favour of Union, were Messrs Havelock, 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 thewelfareManuscript image 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
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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.
CC 18/8
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Sir F. Rogers
Ought to see this.
FRS 18/8
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So proceed.
FR 19/8
G 24/8
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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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.
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H.P.P. Crease, Attorney General, to Officer Administering the Government, 19 July 1869, minute on the subject as noted above.
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Printed extracts from Journals of the Legislative Council on the subject of Confederation.
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J.W. Trutch, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, to Officer Administering the Government, 15 July 1869, minute on the subject as noted above.
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W. Hamley, Collector of Customs, to Officer Administering the Government, 5 July 1869, minute on the subject as noted above.
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H.M. Ball, Police Magistrate, New Westminster, to Officer Administering the Government, 8 July 1869, minute on the subject as noted above.
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Printed extracts from Journals of the Legislative Council, as noted above.
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Granville to Musgrave, Confidential, 28 August 1869.
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Draft reply, Granville to Young, Canada, Confidential, 31 August 1869.