Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 24 April 1862, CO 305:19, no. 6194, 141.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (1).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Douglas provides Newcastle with a summary of planned activities
of the upcoming session of the
Parliament of Vancouvers Islandwhich include
the settlement of the Native claims upon public Land,and raising
a sum of money by loan for internal improvements.
No. 22, Legislative
24 April 1862
I have the honor to inform your Grace that the Parliament of
Vancouvers Island met according to summons on the 19th Ultimo, and I
enclose herewith a copy of the Speech with which I opened the
Session, and of the Address in reply.
2. My Speech presents the Programme of Measures which it is proposed
to bring forward in course of the present Session. Last year the
attention of the Legislature was devoted chiefly to the adaptation of
certain ofthe
the Imperial Statutes to the actual circumstances of the
Colony. This year it will be directed to objects of a somewhat more
practical character—the settlement of the Native claims upon public
Land—the investigation of the mineral resources of the Colony—some
desirable modifications in the Land Act—the improvement of Victoria
Harbour and the Incorporation of the Town of Victoria. It is also
desirable to make some reduction in the Fees payable in theLaw
Law
Courts, and to increase the Number of representatives for Victoria,
which city is at present inadequately represented in the Assembly.
the Imperial Statutes to the actual circumstances of the
Colony. This year it will be directed to objects of a somewhat more
practical character—the settlement of the Native claims upon public
Land—the investigation of the mineral resources of the Colony—some
desirable modifications in the Land Act—the improvement of Victoria
Harbour and the Incorporation of the Town of Victoria. It is also
desirable to make some reduction in the Fees payable in theLaw
Law
Courts, and to increase the Number of representatives for Victoria,
which city is at present inadequately represented in the Assembly.
4. [3.] It is also proposed to raise a sum of money by loan for
internal improvements, and to provide for the payment of the annually
accruing interest and the gradual repayment of the principal by
imposing a small duty chargeable by stamps on Legal Instruments and
on Receipts.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy of speech given by Douglas at the opening of the
Legislative Assembly, no date, as per despatch.
Copy of Address from the Legislative Council to Douglas, no date,
signed by Roderick Finlayson, President of the Council, as per despatch.
Copy of Address from the Legislative Council to Douglas, no date,
signed by J.S. Helmcken, Speaker, as per despatch.
