At the time of 
this despatch, Nanaimo District, which can be seen on 
this map, refers to one of the electoral districts of the Vancouver Island House of Assembly.
                  In the same despatch, 
Douglas mentions that the Nanaimo District was the only district that failed to provide results
                  for the 1860 elections.
Currently, as a constituency in the 
British Columbia Legeslative Assembly, Nanaimo District is split into the Nanaimo—Alberni District
                  to the north, and the Nanaimo—Cowichan District to the south.