Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 November 1860, CO 60:8, no. 911, 325.
Abstract
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 November 1860, CO 60:8, no. 911, 325.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
No. 97
I have the honor to forward herewith for Your Grace's
information, a Return of Customs Revenue
for
for the Quarter
ending on the 30th of September last.
for the Quarter
ending on the 30th of September last.
2. There is a decrease on the September quarter as
compared with that of June to the extent of £1002.17.5.—the
Return however shews an increase as compared with the
corresponding or September quarter of 1859 of £3751.7.1; and on the total Customs Returns for the three first
quarters
quarters
of 1860 there is an increase of 106.05 per cent, or £13,219.14.1 as
compared with the corresponding quarters of the preceding year (1859).
quarters
of 1860 there is an increase of 106.05 per cent, or £13,219.14.1 as
compared with the corresponding quarters of the preceding year (1859).
The Return on the whole exhibits a satisfactory state of
business, and there is, I am glad to inform Your Grace, every reason
to believe that the trade of the Colony will continue to increase.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
In acknowledging this return I should take the opportunity of requiring Governor Douglas, in peremptory terms, to obey the instructions he has recd to send home quarterly accounts of the whole Revenue of B. Columbia (this is only the Customs Return) from whatever source derived, & also of the public expre.
In acknowledging this return I should take the opportunity of requiring Governor Douglas, in peremptory terms, to obey the instructions he has recd to send home quarterly accounts of the whole Revenue of B. Columbia (this is only the Customs Return) from whatever source derived, & also of the public expre.
We are extremely hampered from want of such information.
Copy to Treasury.
ABd
31 Jany/61
I quite agree with Mr Blackwood as to the improper
remissness and indeed disobedience of orders on the subject
of furnishing financial returns. But we must remember that
Capt. Gossett [Gosset] is the Officer on whose aid the Governor must depend for being able to send such
documents, and how unmanageable he
is we have had evidence in former despatches. Seeing the spirit
which he has displayed, I would submit that the admonition to be
sent out ought to be made to fall on the right party, and I
have prepared for consideration a draft conceived with that object.
TFE
20 Feby
On the want of information from British Columbia
as to the financial state of the Colony
Mr Elliot
The only report of the Revenue & Expenditure of British Columbia which Governor Douglas has send home consists of an 'Abstract' shewing the amounts recd & expended to February 1859—Gov/5439, No 127, 8 April/59.
The only report of the Revenue & Expenditure of British Columbia which Governor Douglas has send home consists of an 'Abstract' shewing the amounts recd & expended to February 1859—Gov/5439, No 127, 8 April/59.
In Jany/60 (2313) he sent a statement of the Customs Revenue
for the year 1859 & promised a Statement of the whole Revenue
& Expenditure for that year. This Statement however has not
been
been received.
been received.
From time to time Governor Douglas has reported the amt
of the Customs receipts, but he has supplied no information
whatever since February 1859 as to the other sources of Revenue
or as to the Expenditure.
With regard to the instructions that have been given to
him; the Book of Colonial instructions which is in the hands
of his officers
contains explicit directions that periodical
returns are to be supplied.
contains explicit directions that periodical
returns are to be supplied.
These directions were repeated in a despatch from this
Office dated 5th May last which the Governor acknowledged—but
which he has not as yet obeyed.
And his attention was called to this despatch by a
subsequent one dated 25th of October last.
HT Irving
8/2/61
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"Statement of Customs Revenue (including Duties, Harbor Dues,
Entrance Fees, Head Money &c) collected during the Quarter ending
September 30th 1860," with comparatives to preceeding quarters,
signed by W.D. Gosset, Treasurer.
Other documents included in the file
People in this document
Fortescue, 1st Baron Carlingford Chichester