Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to transmit an Authenticated and two plain copies of an Ordinance of the late Session of the Legislative Council of this Colony, entitled:

I add the Report of the Attorney General.

2. The three first clauses of this Act are not of a nature to raise any discussion. Public opinion in this and the Neighbouring Colony is notunanimously unanimously in favor of the fourth.

3. Victoria, in Vancouver Island, is the largest commercial town in the two Colonies on the North West Coast of America. It is likewise a Free Port. The greater part of the traffic with the Indians along the Coast of British Columbia has been conducted from thence. Under these circumstances Sir James Douglas, as Governor of the two Colonies, on their Legislative separation, issued a Proclamation, 2nd June 1859, to authorize the clearance of vessels in Vancouver Island for any Port on the Main land North of the Fraser River, on payment of the Customs Duties of this Colony. This arrangement would probably have continued in force, notwithstandingthe the objections to which it is subject, had not the Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island, shortly after my arrival, declined to collect any more duties for British Columbia. The question, thus thrust forward for consideration, was brought before the Executive Council, and I was pressed to allow some such measure as that now transmitted.

4. The new Law creates some dissatisfaction in Victoria, and I have gone to the extent of promising, in reply to a petition, to consider the whole question further before I meet the Legislative Council again. I have given no pledge that I will allow any alteration of the present Law, but I have sent downa a Customs Officer to clear, in Victoria, such vessels as may be ready to sail for this Coast. The favor will not be repeated, and in future, the Law, as it stands, shall be strictly carried out. Vessels going to engage in the very profitable traffic with the Northern Indians will have to clear at New Westminster.

5. The advocates of the Ordinance of last Session urge, 1stly The inconvenience of employing a Public Officer of this Colony at a Port where our Legislature has no jurisdiction and where the Local Law furnishes him with no authority to exercise the duties imposed upon him. 2ndly, It is said that British Columbia loses much of its Revenue from theSystem System of smuggling, carried on from Victoria. A vessel, it is alleged, clears from that Port, for the fur trade, with a certain amount of cargo on board, and then fills up, in the smooth waters of the Gulf of Georgia, with well paying articles, such as whiskey and other spirits, which it is our policy to keep from the Indians.

6. These reasons in favor of the new Law appear to me forcible, and I have others to add from my own experience. I find it extremely inconvenient to have the centre of intelligence respecting the proceedings of our Coast Indians at a Port over which I have no control. For instance, the massacre of Mr Waddington's road party on the Bute Inlet Trail was known inVictoria Victoria nearly three days before it was communicated to me. Further, I consider now that our relations with the Northern Indians are somewhat strained, that the trade with them should be to a certain extent under the supervision of the Government of this Colony. It would probably be a great pecuniary benefit to Victoria, if we were to be engaged in hostilities with the Native tribes. To all of us, with the exception of a few general dealers in New Westminster, it would be an unmixed calamity. On the Mother Country such a war would throw enormous charges, and I need scarcely say, that the injuries it would inflict on the Native races are incalculable. Victoria, alone would gain, and Victoria, if I may judge from the Public Press and the speechesat at Public Meetings, would not be indisposed to precipitate us into war.

7. I know the objections to which the present Act is liable, and I shall give them further consideration. But to preserve the peace of the Colony and to prevent the further demoralization of the Coast Indians by totally irresponsible persons, I beg that the present Ordinance may not be disallowed.