Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hamilton, George Alexander to
Elliot, Thomas Frederick 23 August 1853, CO 305:4, no. 8265, 144.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Hamilton, as commanded by the Admiralty, writes to Elliot, for Newcastle’s information, to consider the navigational, political, and economic benefits of
a comprehensive survey of the “Georgian Strait”—Hamilton closes with a request that a “special grant” be provided to fund the survey.
The minutes, after considerable debate, conclude that a Naval survey of “the Coasts
of Vancouver's Island” is not desirable.
This file encloses a draft letter, from the Colonial Office to the Admiralty, that
states that it is not advisable, at present, to apply to Parliament for the special
grant needed to complete a survey.
Hamilton to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
23rd Augt 1853
Sir
Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your
Letter of the 18th Instant with its enclosure on the subject of a
Survey of the Coast and Harbours and Navigable Rivers of Vancouvers
Island, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you for the
information of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that my Lords consider a
good Chart of the Georgian Strait would be a benefit to general
Navigation as well as to the growing Trade along the Coast of America;
but in comparison with the importance of
of many other Places that ought to
be surveyed, its turn for examination would be very remote.
of many other Places that ought to
be surveyed, its turn for examination would be very remote.
When considered however with respect to the advantage it would
offer to the new Colony, its importance would be great and immediate,
and especially as the means of developing the rich Coal Fields on that
side of Vancouver's Island. If Her Majestys Government should view it
in this light, a special grant must be devoted to that purpose as the
whole of the Surveying funds are already appropriated, and my Lords
request to be informed, if it be more pressing than any other Colonial
Survey.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Former papers are in circulation. If the Duke of Newcastle should deem a survey of the coasts of V. Couver's Island of sufficient importance to be undertaken it would seem that a grant for the service must be procured from the House of Commons expressly for the purpose—the usual surveying vote being considerably diminished this year. As regards VanCouver's Island, the survey is no doubt desirable, but as regards the interests of English Commerce in general I should conceive that they were not so great, or urgent as to render it a matter of indispensable importance that a vote shd be taken expressly for it. But this can be better judged of after reference to the other papers.
Former papers are in circulation. If the Duke of Newcastle should deem a survey of the coasts of V. Couver's Island of sufficient importance to be undertaken it would seem that a grant for the service must be procured from the House of Commons expressly for the purpose—the usual surveying vote being considerably diminished this year. As regards VanCouver's Island, the survey is no doubt desirable, but as regards the interests of English Commerce in general I should conceive that they were not so great, or urgent as to render it a matter of indispensable importance that a vote shd be taken expressly for it. But this can be better judged of after reference to the other papers.
ABd
29 Augt
I cannot believe that it would be worth while, at present, to apply
for a special grant for a Survey of the Coasts of Vancouver's Island.
These Naval Surveys are very costly, and there is many a more important
locality without as yet any Admiralty Survey. Answer accordingly both
the Governor and the Admiralty?
Not desirable at present.
N
1 Sept
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Secretary to the Admiralty, 15 September
1853, stating it was not advisable at present to apply for a special
grant.