Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 4 December 1858, CO 60:1, no. 1058, 486.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (4).
Douglas forwards copies of two proclamations; one “relates to the conveyance of Crown Lands,”
and the other “is for the purpose of imposing duties on Imports into British Columbia, to provide a revenue for defraying the public expenses of the Colony.” Douglas declares Victoria as the port of entry until duties can be collected at the Fraser River.
The minutes refer the first proclamation to the Land Board and the second to the Treasury.
Enclosed are copies of the two proclamations with a note from Begbie to Douglas recommending a proclamation “empowering some person or persons to convey the legal
estate in Crown Lands which may have been contracted to be sold;” a draft reply from
Lytton to Douglas informing him of the government’s approval; Merivale to the Treasury forwarding an extract of the despatch concerning the imposition of
duty on imports; Merivale to the Board of Trade forwarding an extract of the despatch declaring Victoria port of entry for British Columbia; and Merivale to the Emigration Commissioners forwarding an extract of the despatch concerning
conveyance of Crown Lands.
No. 42
1. I have the honor of forwarding herewith for your information
copies of two Proclamations issued respectively on the 2nd and
3rd days of December instant.
2. The first relates tothe
the conveyance of Crown Lands, and its
object is explained in the accompanying note from Mr
Begbie.
1
the conveyance of Crown Lands, and its
object is explained in the accompanying note from Mr
Begbie.
1
3. The other Proclamation issued yesterday is for the purpose
of imposing duties on Imports into British Columbia, to provide a
revenue for defraying the public expenses of the
Colony.
2
4. The ordinance is to remain in force for six months to test
its operation, and it will then be amended, or continued in its
present form as may appear expedient.
5. The Port of Victoria is for the presentdeclared
declared the Port
of Entry for British Columbia, until arrangements are made to
collect the duties at some point on Fraser's River.
declared the Port
of Entry for British Columbia, until arrangements are made to
collect the duties at some point on Fraser's River.
6. Hoping that those proceedings may meet with the approval
of Her Majesty's Government.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale, Mr Elliot
Refer the Proclamation for the conveyance of the Crown Lands to the Land Board.
Refer the Proclamation for the conveyance of the Crown Lands to the Land Board.
Refer the Proclamation imposing duties on imports to the
Treasury. (Register the same in our Books.)
ABd
31 Jany
It is to be remembered that these Proclamations are to be laid
before Parliament "as soon as conveniently may be after the
making thereof." This should clearly be done before
ultimate confirmation and as soon as a tolerable number are collected.
HM
Jan 31
Shewn to Parly Clerk.
[No signature]
Other documents included in the file
Merivale to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 14 February 1859,
forwarding extract of despatch concerning imposition of duty on imports.
Merivale to James Booth, Board of Trade, 14 February 1859,
forwarding extract of despatch declaring Victoria port of entry for
British Columbia.
Merivale to Emigration Commissioners, 14 February 1858,
forwarding extract of despatch concerning conveyance of Crown Lands.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Proclamation, 2 December 1858, enabling the governor
to convey crown lands within British Columbia.
Proclamation, 3 December 1858, imposing customs duties on imports.
Footnotes
- = Proclamation, 2 Dec, convey crown lands Proclamation Having the Force of Law to Enable the Governor of British Columbia to Convey Crown Lands Sold Within the Said Colony, 2 December 1858, is printed in Revised Statutes of British Columbia 1871, Appendix, p. 53. Check Begbie's note as to why it was necessary??
- = Proclamation, 3 Dec, customs duties Proclamation Having the Force of Law Authorizing the Levying of Customs Duties upon Goods Imported into British Columbia, 3 December 1858, in British Columbia, List of Proclamations.