Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes to Douglas, James 20 October 1859, LAC RG7:G8C/2, 101.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Newcastle responds to Douglas's use of
the Services of those appointed for British Columbiato remedy the lack of
necessary Officers for carrying on the duties of Government in Vancouvers Island,directing, among other things, that
Vancouvers Island must of necessity find means for providing for its own civil administration.
No. 14
Downing Street
20 October 1859
Sir,
I have to acknowledge your despatch No. 43 of the 27th of August
last informing me of the difficulty under which you are placed for want
of the necessary Officers for carrying on the duties of Government in
Vancouvers Island, and the use which you had consequently made of
of the
Services of those appointed for British Columbia.
of the
Services of those appointed for British Columbia.
This expedient which was regarded by yourself as temporary only
must now come to an end. Vancouvers Island must of necessity find means
for providing for its own civil administration. The connection of the
Hudsons Bay Company with the Island will terminate, as soon as questions
of account between the Company and Her Majesty's Government are
are settled;
and must be regarded as already terminated to this extent that the
Company will no longer provide for that expenditure. The contribution
hitherto paid by the Imperial Treasury towards the Civil Administration
of British Columbia cannot be diverted from its legitimate purpose for
the uses of Van Couvers Island.
are settled;
and must be regarded as already terminated to this extent that the
Company will no longer provide for that expenditure. The contribution
hitherto paid by the Imperial Treasury towards the Civil Administration
of British Columbia cannot be diverted from its legitimate purpose for
the uses of Van Couvers Island.
It is therefore your duty at once to make such provision
provision as you can
for the service in question, with the aid of the Legislature of the
Island. Her Majesty's Government leave the amount of that service, and
the Salaries to be paid in the first instance to your and their
discretion. They have no wish whatever to see any provision made,
beyond what the very limited means of the Community will allow, for the
Civil Government
Government of the Island. Their only desire is that payment for
services of a permanent nature (such as the Salary of the Governor and
Chief Justice) whatever their amount may be, should be fixed by law, and
not merely placed on the annual estimates. But they must repeat that
Van Couver Island like other British Communities however small must
expect no
no assistance from without towards these ordinary and regular
expences of Her Government.
provision as you can
for the service in question, with the aid of the Legislature of the
Island. Her Majesty's Government leave the amount of that service, and
the Salaries to be paid in the first instance to your and their
discretion. They have no wish whatever to see any provision made,
beyond what the very limited means of the Community will allow, for the
Civil Government
Government of the Island. Their only desire is that payment for
services of a permanent nature (such as the Salary of the Governor and
Chief Justice) whatever their amount may be, should be fixed by law, and
not merely placed on the annual estimates. But they must repeat that
Van Couver Island like other British Communities however small must
expect no
no assistance from without towards these ordinary and regular
expences of Her Government.