No. 37, Legislative
1 September 1863
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch "Separate" of the 15th of June last, in which is communicated to me Your Grace's decision respecting the form of GovernmenttoManuscript image to be adopted in British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
2. I will not fail, to lay before the community the decided opinion expressed by Your Grace in favor of a union of the Colonies under one Government, an opinion coming with the weight of so wide an experience in the workings of ColonialinstitutionsManuscript image institutions, as to be almost conclusive on the subject and I will take care to caution them against any course of legislation, at all likely to impede such a result.
3. The knowledge of Your Grace's views on a subject so intimately connected with the prosperity and well being of theColoniesManuscript image Colonies will have great weight with the public, which is not generally averse to the union of the Colonies. The anti-union party in British Columbia is confined to the residents of New Westminster; the rest of the community are I believe wholly indifferent about the matter.
4. The feeling againsttheManuscript image the fusion of the Governments is much more general in Vancouvers Island, and is founded on a prevalent idea that the measure, if carried into effect, would inevitably lead to the subversion of the Free Port System, and to the ultimate impoverishment of the Colony.
5. In these circumstancesIManuscript image I think Your Grace's plan of leaving the Colonies as they now are, under separate Governments, will be more acceptable to the public at large, than union under any form.
6. I beg in conclusion to observe that I will take an early opportunity of bringing before the Legislature Your Grace's propositionrespectingManuscript image respecting the transfer of the Colonial Revenue, and the terms on which you are prepared to place its management in their hands.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
Humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
Acke rect.
ABd 17 Octr
FR 19/10
N 20
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 40, 24 October 1863.