Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 7 September 1865, CO 305:26, no. 10250, 369.
Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 7 September 1865, CO 305:26, no. 10250, 369.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2).
[Private]
Sepr 7/1865
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the recei[p]t
of your note marked Private enclosing the copy of a private letter
which you have addressed to Governor Seymour on the subject of union
of the Colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
These letters have been recovered from the wreck of the mail packet
"Brother Jonathan" and here received by me this day from
H.B.M.
consul at San Francisco.
H.B.M.
consul at San Francisco.
As Governor Seymour proceeds to England by this Mail it is I presume
unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the subject of Your letter to him.
I should however wish to state that I can see no more difficulty in
governing Cariboo from "Victoria," than from "New Westminster"—if
that condition be necessary to Union of the Colonies.
I think it is obvious that on whatever condition Union may be
decided upon, the longer it is deferred, the more numerous and serious
the obstacles will become.
the obstacles will become.
I feel confident that a just and impartial administration of the
Govt of the United Colonies, would soon reconcile the small private
interests which are now opposed to union.
Governor Seymour has been staying with me awaiting the arrival of
the mail steamer, and I had no hesitation in handing him the copy of your
private letter the original of which he informs me he has not received.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
I suppose we do not yet fully know all that Mr Seymour has to say on the subject of a Union of the two Countries; and in the absence of any objections which he may offer to the measure a certain amount of diffidence may be entertained by us in coming to a conclusion. But if Govr S. has no stronger reasons to adduce against joining the 2 Colonies than those he has advanced in his despatches I must confess that I, for one, can see nothing but harm in postponing the event.
I suppose we do not yet fully know all that Mr Seymour has to say on the subject of a Union of the two Countries; and in the absence of any objections which he may offer to the measure a certain amount of diffidence may be entertained by us in coming to a conclusion. But if Govr S. has no stronger reasons to adduce against joining the 2 Colonies than those he has advanced in his despatches I must confess that I, for one, can see nothing but harm in postponing the event.
With the aid of the telegraph & good Justices of the Peace up the Country
the Govt may be conducted without difficulty at New Westminster.
ABd
23 Oct