Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Villars, Alexander to
Leveson-Gower, Granville George 2 December 1869, CO 60:37, no. 13320, 319.
Abstract
Villars, Alexander to
Leveson-Gower, Granville George 2 December 1869, CO 60:37, no. 13320, 319.
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Other documents (1).
Villars to Granville
London, 11 King William Street E.C.
2 December 1869
My Lord,
On the 5th of October 1868 a memorial was forwarded to the then
Secretary of State for the Colonies signed by all the companies
and firms connected with British Columbia, and by other
colonists then in England in favour of the inclusion of that
colony in the Reciprocity Treaty about to be renewedbetween
between the
United States and the Dominion of Canada.
between the
United States and the Dominion of Canada.
His Grace the Duke of Buckingham stated in reply on 19th
October 1868, that he would communicate upon the subject with
the Governors of the Dominion and of British Columbia.
Since that time the further progress of this matter is shown by
the Papers on "Union of British Columbia with the Dominion of
Canada" (Parliamentary Paper, 3rd August, 1869.)
An announcement has also lately been made in the public
newspapers that a new Reciprocity Treaty has been drafted at
Washington by
the representatives of Canada and the United States.
the representatives of Canada and the United States.
I am now requested, on the part of the memorialists, to bring
under your Lordship's notice the prayer of their memorial
referred to, namely, "that steps may be taken to secure that the
benefits of the Reciprocity Treaty shall be extended to all the
British North American Colonies which shall desire its extension
to them, and shall modify their tariffs to its requirements."
The Confederation of British Columbia with the Dominion
appearing tobe
be made dependent on the opening of an overland
communication, which may be delayed, there is reason to fear
that the Treaty of Reciprocity between the Dominion and the
United States may precede the admission of British Columbia into
the Dominion, in which case British Columbia, while
unconfederated, would not share in the advantages of the Treaty
unless special provision were made to that effect.
be made dependent on the opening of an overland
communication, which may be delayed, there is reason to fear
that the Treaty of Reciprocity between the Dominion and the
United States may precede the admission of British Columbia into
the Dominion, in which case British Columbia, while
unconfederated, would not share in the advantages of the Treaty
unless special provision were made to that effect.
Your Lordship, it is hoped, will take such further steps in this
matter as may seem fit.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Sandford
It appears from the Presidents message in todays "Times" that the renewal of a treaty for reciprocal Trade with Canada has not been favourably considered by the Administration as the advantages of such a treaty would be wholly in favour of Canada.
It appears from the Presidents message in todays "Times" that the renewal of a treaty for reciprocal Trade with Canada has not been favourably considered by the Administration as the advantages of such a treaty would be wholly in favour of Canada.
Some arrangments however for the regulation of Commerical
intercourse between the US & Canada may be desirable.
Copy of this to Govr of B.C. & Canada & F.O. & inform writer
that this has been done & perhaps referring him to the
Prests message.
Mr Dealtry to see.
The matter stands thus.
A year ago (Oct 5, 1868, 10993 B.C.) persons in England started
the idea of a Reciprocity Treaty betn B.C. and the U.S.
Correspondence followed.
It appeared that the F.O. considered the occasion for raising
such a Question inopportune. While on the other hand the Legve
Council of B.C. and certain merchants & others who are probably
persons of influence in the Legve Council send thro the Govr
(4619 & 5396/1869) express[ing] themselves to the follg effect.
1. Legislative Council .in +4 +0 (a) It is desirable to consider a Treaty wh wd admit a list of articles (there enumerated) free of duty betn U.S. & B.C. (b) but that they are not prepared to say in the [deal?] that a Canadian reciprocity
Treaty wd be good for them.
.in -4 +0
2. Merchants & others
1. Legislative Council .in +4 +0 (a) It is desirable to consider a Treaty wh wd admit a list of articles (there enumerated) free of duty betn U.S. & B.C. (b) but that they are not prepared to say in the [deal?] that a Canadian reciprocity
Treaty wd be good for them.
.in -4 +0
2. Merchants & others
Agree as to (b), observing that the old Canadian Reciprocity
Treaty wd be objectionable, as it admits agricultural, dairy &
Horticultural productions wh require protection in B.C.
Agree as to (a) observing that the articles of real importance
are Coal, Lumber, Fish, Oil, & Cranberries. The rest
signify comparatively little & may be much left to discretion of
framers of Treaty.
Seem not to know their own minds as to the value of a treaty in
the abstract (wh is natural).
But hope that the Colony will
be secured the option of coming
into any Treaty which may be made.
be secured the option of coming
into any Treaty which may be made.
We have promised B. Columbia (1303) and the F.O. have
promised us (1421)
that the matter shall be "borne in mind." And we must take care to
redeem our pledge. ([Crips?] 1421 is not here.)
I should be disposed first (as we do not know in what shape
or at what time the question may come upon us) to send Mr Rose
copies of the encloses to 4619, and 5396, and a copy of this
asking for any suggestions.
We shd then see 1t what are the objections, if any, to the
probably one sided proposal of the British Columbians (one sided
as to agricultural produce &c I mean) 2. Whether there are any
objections to the proposal
which is their
pis aller
but the substantive proposal of the present letter writer & I
suppose of the English companies. 3. Whether the matter can be
so treated as to advance or retard confederation.
which is their
pis aller
but the substantive proposal of the present letter writer & I
suppose of the English companies. 3. Whether the matter can be
so treated as to advance or retard confederation.
Till we have communicated with Mr Rose I would not answer this
letter.
FR
9/12
