Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Carnarvon, Earl 4 January 1867, CO 60:27, no. 1938, 3.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Other documents (1).
Seymour explains the civic, trade, and political difficulties resulting from the “union of
the two Western Colonies,” emphasizing trade questions on San Juan Island, due to its "joint Military occupation" by "Great Britain and the United States."
Carnarvon minutes his desire "to take the earliest opportunity of coming to an understanding
with the U.S. Govt upon the claims of the two countries."
No. 13
4th January 1867
My Lord,
Among the Many difficulties growing out of the union of
the two Western Colonies is that in regard to San Juan. As
I understand, That Island remains for thepresent
present under the
joint Military occupation of Great Britain and the United
States. The Municipal law of either Country is excluded from it.
The farmers and few shopkeepers pay no taxes and have no Civil Courts.
present under the
joint Military occupation of Great Britain and the United
States. The Municipal law of either Country is excluded from it.
The farmers and few shopkeepers pay no taxes and have no Civil Courts.
2. On the Union being effected the Customs Law of British
Columbia was at once extended over Vancouver Island, and then
came the question as to how articles the growthof
of San Juan
were to be treated on their arrival in Victoria. If we
admitted everything that came from San Juan, where we could
not establish a Custom House, duty free, the whole trade of
Puget's Sound and probably of San Francisco would centre in
the Island in dispute. If on the other hand we taxed all
imports from San Juan, it would appear as if we renounced our
claim to the Island andtreated
treated it as a Foreign Possession.
of San Juan
were to be treated on their arrival in Victoria. If we
admitted everything that came from San Juan, where we could
not establish a Custom House, duty free, the whole trade of
Puget's Sound and probably of San Francisco would centre in
the Island in dispute. If on the other hand we taxed all
imports from San Juan, it would appear as if we renounced our
claim to the Island andtreated
treated it as a Foreign Possession.
3. Under these Circumstances I have thought it best to
have Forms like the enclosed printed which when signed by
the Officer in Command at the English Camp will admit the
Articles specified in the accompaning Invoice duty free.
4. I enclose Copy of a letter I have addressed to the
Senior Naval Officer on this subject. The Marines who
garrison the Island are Ibelieve
believe temporarily under his command.
believe temporarily under his command.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I send you the last Letter we have from the F.O. on this subject—d. 8 Feb/64. The question has been lying dormant since that time.
I send you the last Letter we have from the F.O. on this subject—d. 8 Feb/64. The question has been lying dormant since that time.
See 1992 B.C.
ABd
26 Feb
As regards the question of produce imported from San
Juan, Governor Seymour's mode ofaction
action appears judicious
and the best of which the case admitted. I should send
the despatch to the Foreign Office and express a disposition
if Lord Stanley concurs, to approve of the Governor's proceedings.
action appears judicious
and the best of which the case admitted. I should send
the despatch to the Foreign Office and express a disposition
if Lord Stanley concurs, to approve of the Governor's proceedings.
For further remarks see minute on 1992.
TFE
27 Feby
It will be as well to send this and 1992 at the same time
to the F.O. observing that they show a difficult state
of affairs & not without risk of further complications.
That in my opinion it is desirable to take the earliest
opportunity of coming to an understanding with the U.S.
Govt upon the claims of the two countries & that if
Ld Stanley can make any suggestion in this sense I shall
be very happy to cooperate with him.
be very happy to cooperate with him.
Dft at once of this for me to see.
C
28/2
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, Seymour to Captain R.B. Oldfield, Senior Naval Officer,
3 January 1867, discussing the question of San Juan Island.
Printed form, certifying that the goods enumerated in the attached
invoice were the produce of San Juan Island.
Other documents included in the file
