No. 31
New Westminster
29th April 1868
My Lord Duke,
In obedience to the Instructions conveyed in Your Grace's
despatch No. 67 of the
1st of October 1867, I have fixed upon
a Capital for the United Colony. The
Message Message which I enclose
will shew that I have selected
Victoria.
2. There is one circumstance in the affair which I trust you
will pardon: and that is, my having ventured to lay Your
Grace's despatch before the Council. The feeling existing in
both
New Westminster and
Victoria is so strong on the subject of
the seat of Government that I felt it necessary when
acting acting
in the matter to invoke the assistance of a stronger power than
my own in order to prevent disturbance.
3. I forwarded Your Grace's despatch in the Message I enclose.
I received the following reply. I commenced my despatch with
the final conclusion.
4. I sincerely trust I have acted for the best. I well know I
have secured but present tranquillity.
5. In
5. In my own heart I must allow, there was a feeling in favour
of the manly, respectable, loyal and enterprising community
established on the banks of the
Fraser.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant.
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
When
this selection of Capital is formally sanctioned, inform
Mr Sproat & other persons who have written on the subject, that
this has been done.
See draft on Admy 4660.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Printed copy of proceedings of Council, no date, proposing a
resolution against the removal of the government to
Victoria, which
was defeated fourteen votes to five.
Printed copy of Address,
Seymour to Legislative Council,
28
April 1868, advising that
Victoria would be declared the capital of
the united colony on the Queen's birthday.
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Cox
Is any confirmation of what the
Govr has done necessary, see
desp to him No. 28—
16 May—attached to 15—4517.
Sir F. Rogers
I think there ought rightly to be some formal
approval—but
perhaps this may be done when the Gov
rs Proclamation is
recd.
People in this document
Adderley, C. B.
Anderson, Honorary Secretary to the Memorialists James Y. S.
Blake, Ernest Edward
Cox, Charles
Fraser, Donald
Grenville, Richard
Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic
Seymour, Governor Frederick
Sproat, Gilbert Malcolm
Verney, Lieutenant Commander Edmund Hope
Places in this document
British Columbia
Fraser River
New Westminster
Vancouver Island
Victoria