No. 23
11th March 1865
Sir,
Although I very sincerely hope that you will see fit to relieve the Colony from the charge of ten thousand, seven hundred and sixty pounds, sixteen shillings and seven pence (£10,760.16.7), charged for the rough buildings lately occupied by the Royal EngineersinManuscript image in the vicinity of New Westminster, I directed the amount to be inserted in the Estimates for the present year. I need hardly say that had I not made a Government question of it, the item would have been struck out. It has however been voted and is included in the Appropriation Act to which I have formally assented.
2. I have now the honor to forward a Resolution passed by the Legislative Council prayingthatManuscript image that the claim may not be enforced. I need hardly say that I beg very respectfully to support this prayer.
3. It has been enquired of me if the charge be made for the materials which were the natural growth of the Soil or the labour which it was understood was to be devoted to the Service of the Colony in consideration of the Colonial Pay. I have found myselfatManuscript image at a loss to reply.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
One thing is clear viz: that the Governor won't help the Treasury to this money. You are aware that the Crown Agents have been desired to pay the T-y out of the produce of the B.C. Loan of £100,000, but that they have not yet been able satisfactorily to execute this instruction.
Govr Seymour had not, when he wrote this desph, recd Mr Cardwell's desph of 24 Feb. last. IManuscript image think that the best ansr to this will be a simple reference to that despatch of Mr Cardwell's.
ABd 30 May
I should acknowledge the receipt of the despatch. I should say that by Mr Cardwell's despatch No 7 of the 24th February, the Governor will have learned that Mr Cardwell had not failed to bring his representations upon the subject fully before the L.C. of the Treasury, but that their Lordships had felt unable to adopt his proposal that the Colony should be relieved of the present charge. It will therefore be necessary to defray it out of the proceeds of the loan at any future time that the Colonial Agents may be able to succeed in raising the money. Draft may be prepared.
TFE 31 May
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Resolution of Legislative Council, 14 March 1865, asking that the imperial government be informed of the hardship attendant on their insistence that the buildings be paid for out of colonial funds.
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W. Armstrong and Others to Legislative Council, 6 March 1865, petitioning against granting the money, the buildings being useless to the colony.
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 30, 1 June 1865.
Seymour, Governor Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 11 March 1865, CO 60:21, no. 5187, 147. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B65023.html.

Last modified: 2020-03-30 13:22:16 -0700 (Mon, 30 Mar 2020) (SVN revision: 4193)