Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 10 March 1860, CO 305:14, no. 4092, 74.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (1).
Douglas forwards Newcastle a copy of the speech he gave at the opening of the Legislative Assembly of
Vancouver Island on 1 March 1860. In the speech, Douglas
focuses on the British government's requirement that the colony
be self supporting,the encouragement of emigration, and
the cheap and easy acquisition of public land.
No. 13, Legislative
10 March 1860
I have the honor to communicate for your Grace's information that the
Legislature of this Colony did, according to Summons, Commence its
session on the 1st day
day of the present month, an event which
attracted much public interest and attention.
day of the present month, an event which
attracted much public interest and attention.
2. I forward herewith a Copy of a Message to the Legislature which I
delivered on that occasion.
3. It distinctly announces, according to your Grace's instructions,
the decision of Her Majesty's Government requiring Vancouver's
Island, like other British Colonies, to provide for the expenses of
its own Civil Government, and to that extent, to be self
supporting—and then proceeds
proceeds to point out, in succession, the
measures which appear to be requisite, in those circumstances, for
the development of its resources and its growth in wealth and
population.
proceeds to point out, in succession, the
measures which appear to be requisite, in those circumstances, for
the development of its resources and its growth in wealth and
population.
4. I have strenuously recommended in the Message that powerful
inducements should be held out for the encouragement of Emigrants
from the United Kingdom, as the distance of this Colony from Great
Britain, the Character of the Country, Chiefly forest land and
expensive
expensive to clear, and the great facilities afforded to emigrants by
other British Colonies, and by the Government of the United States,
would, without such inducements, effectually divert emigration from
Vancouver's Island.
expensive to clear, and the great facilities afforded to emigrants by
other British Colonies, and by the Government of the United States,
would, without such inducements, effectually divert emigration from
Vancouver's Island.
5. The cheap and easy acquisition of public land, and the formation
of safe and convenient roads are the measures, in addition to the
system of Free Trade and other advantages secured to the Colonists,
on which I rely
rely for the progress of the Colony in wealth and
prosperity.
rely for the progress of the Colony in wealth and
prosperity.
6. I trust that the measure advocated and the general tenor of the
Message, may meet with your Grace's approval: it touches upon no
right or prerogative of the Crown, and yet leaves room for the free
expansion of settlement and Communal industry.
7. The newly convened Assembly consists of 13 Members whose names
will be found in a statement accompanying this Despatch.
8. Mr
8. Mr John Sebastian Helmcken, the former Speaker, has been again
chosen for that Office.
9. Copies of the address from the Legislative Council and House of
Assembly in reply to the Message are also herewith forwarded.
10. The House will soon take up the serious business of the session
and their proceedings will be duly reported for your Graces
information.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I see nothing to object to in the Speech, but it is unusual to do more than acknowledge receipt of such communications.
I see nothing to object to in the Speech, but it is unusual to do more than acknowledge receipt of such communications.
ABd
25 Apl
The portion of this Speech about the Civil List & future surrender of
the Crown Lands, is correct & satisfactory.
It appears to me that there are at this time two principal subjects
of anxiety about this Colony, 1st the burthensome military
expenditure which it is quite unable to defray, and 2ndly, the
question of the best mode of disposing of the public lands.
On the former point I am collecting the facts, with a view to seeing
whether any practical suggestion can be offered.
On the second the Governor's opinion has been invited in reference to
a project of Capt Clarke's.
I think that it will be enough to acknowledge the Speech.
The "military expenditure" is a British Columbian question.
N
30
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Printed copy of the governor's speech opening the current session of
the House of Assembly, no date, as per despatch.
Legislative Council to Douglas, acknowledging the address, and
providing assurances of their support, no date, signed by Roderick
Finlayson, D. Fraser, John Work and David Cameron.
House of Assembly to Douglas, acknowledging the address, and pledging
their early attention to the measures raised in the speech, no date,
signed by J.S. Helmcken.
"List of Members returned to serve the House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island,
1860," including: George Hunter Cary, Selim Franklin,
Alfred Waddington, William Fraser Tolmie, H.P. Pellew Crease,
William Tomline Gordon, John S. Helmcken,
James Cooper, John Coles, George Foster Foster,
J.J. Southgate, W.J. McDonald, Augustus R. Green.
