Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Birch, Arthur Nonus to
Cardwell, Edward 28 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5785, 277.
Abstract
Birch, Arthur Nonus to
Cardwell, Edward 28 April 1866, CO 60:24, no. 5785, 277.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Marginalia (1).
No. 41
28th April 1866
Sir,
I have the honor to forward a Memorial presented to me this
day for transmission. The Municipal Council request me to forward
their Memorial by the Mail Steamer leaving within a few hours.I
I
am consequently unable to comment on the several subjects brought
forward. Mr Seymour's presence in England will render this of
little importance.
I
am consequently unable to comment on the several subjects brought
forward. Mr Seymour's presence in England will render this of
little importance.
2. Rumours are continually reaching this Colony of Secret
Sessions of the Assembly of Vancouver Island on the subject of
the Union of these Colonies and of Resolutions and representations
being constantly forwarded to Her Majesty'sGovernment
Government adverse to
the interests of British Columbia. The Municipal Council of this
City consider the silence of British Columbia may be taken as
apathy—hence the origin of the Memorial.
Government adverse to
the interests of British Columbia. The Municipal Council of this
City consider the silence of British Columbia may be taken as
apathy—hence the origin of the Memorial.
3. I cannot agree with the Memorialists that the Union of
Vancouver Island with British Columbia will be "contrary to the
well understood wishes of the people." I have already stated
my conviction that the majorityof
of the inhabitants in the Upper
Country care little whether there is Union of the Colonies or
continued separation.
All classes are however united in the
opinion that the present uncertainty as regards the future of
these Colonies is seriously interfering with the progress of both.
of the inhabitants in the Upper
Country care little whether there is Union of the Colonies or
continued separation.
Despatch to Secy of State No. 16 of 3rd March 1866. Vide
Report presented 31st May 1866 p. 42.
[ABd]
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Macdonald
Who is the Delegate, & what are the resolutions referred to in the second section of the Memorial?
Who is the Delegate, & what are the resolutions referred to in the second section of the Memorial?
ABd
16 June
In April, 1861, when B. Columbia and Vancouver Island were
ruled by one Governor, a self-organized "Convention" was
held at New Westminster, "Delegates" were appointed, and a
Petition was adopted, praying among other things, that the
two provinces might be separated.
As no
trace of any other "delegates" can be found, it
must be to this petition that the present Memorialists refer.
trace of any other "delegates" can be found, it
must be to this petition that the present Memorialists refer.
Another petition was presented on the 14th March, 1865, by
Mr Holbrook, a member of the British Columbia Legislative Council
"praying the Council to take some decided steps to express their opinion
against Union with the neighbouring Colony of Vancouver Island."
Consideration of the petition was deferred to the 20th March,
on the 20th it was again postponed to the 30th, and on the 30th it was "ordered to be considered at the end of
the year" (1865). Since that date we have heard no more of it.
In May, 1864, the Legislative Council passed an unanimous
Resolution against Union. No other similar "Resolution" is
recorded in this office, though one may have been passed in the
last session, of which session we have as yet received no
account from the
Governor.
Governor.
But on the 16th Decr 1864, and again on the 17th Jan.
1865, the Council in two Addresses to the Governor renewed
its protest against Union.
RSM
16 June
Mr Cardwell
Please say whether you would lay this before Parl as a Supp paper. I think I should.
Please say whether you would lay this before Parl as a Supp paper. I think I should.
WEF
19/6
Though nominally against Union the Petition is not really
against it on our terms.
Print for Parliament.
EC
19
Draft.
TFE
20/6
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Memorial, Municipal Council of New Westminster to Cardwell,
26 April 1866, opposing union with Vancouver Island.
Resolution of Municipal Council calling for the memorial to be
forwarded to Birch for transmission to the secretary of state by
telegraph.