Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 2 September 1862, CO 305:19, no. 10613, 250.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Douglas forwards Newcastle
a comparative statement of the imports into the Colony of Vancouver Islandfor the first half of 1862, framing the information in a way that encourages the direct shipment of goods to the colony from England.
No. 46
2 September 1862
I have the honor to enclose for Your Grace's information, a
comparative statement of the imports into the Colony of Vancouver Island for the first six months ending with the30th
30th day of June of
the year 1861, and for the corresponding period of the present year
1862.
30th day of June of
the year 1861, and for the corresponding period of the present year
1862.
2. This statement shews an increase of $694,043 dollars or nearly 66
per cent in the Imports of the two first quarters of 1862, over the
first six months of the year 1861. With the exception of a falling
off to the extent of 61,506 dollars in the imports from Oregon there
is almost, uniformlya
a remarkable increase in the trade with other
countries.
a remarkable increase in the trade with other
countries.
3. The direct imports from England alone, form an exception; as they
exceed, only by 1821 dollars the imports of last year. A great part
of the goods brought to this Colony from San Francisco are
unquestionably of English manufacture, and are introduced through
thatchannel
channel, and charged with several profits, instead of being
imported direct, and at the smallest cost from England.
channel, and charged with several profits, instead of being
imported direct, and at the smallest cost from England.
4. This state of business so expensive to the Colony, and so
unfavourable to the growth of trade with the Mother Country, will I
trust be superseded by a better system whenever the real wants of the
Colony, and the largedemand
demand for English goods, existing here are
better understood by the commercial public.
demand for English goods, existing here are
better understood by the commercial public.
5. In hopes that Your Grace may cause this statement and the
accompanying Return shewing the description of goods imported in the
first six months of 1862, to be published in England for the
informationof
of persons wishing to make shipments to this Country.
of persons wishing to make shipments to this Country.
Minutes by CO staff
(I sent this in circulation, previously, for the Duke of Newcastle's
information, as it supplies a favorable account of the Trade of
Vancouver Island).
TFE
30/10
Very satisfactory, except as regards direct trade with England.
N
31
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not on microfilm.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to J. Booth, Board of Trade, 5 November 1862, forwarding copy
of the despatch and statements.