Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 17 August 1854, CO 305:5, no. 9424, 105.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (7), Other documents (2), Marginalia (4).
Douglas transmits to Newcastle the minutes from the Vancouver Island council, which discuss expenses for the “Colonial School,” colonial infrastructure,
the potential for Russian aggression, the Island’s defences in light of the same, and “An Act prohibiting the Gift or Sale of intoxicating
liquors to Indians.”
The minutes scold Douglas for blending “three subjects in one despatch” and, among other points related to
colonial finance, assert that “[t]here is nothing unconstitutional in the Governor
a[nd] Council of Vancouver's Island appropriating money.”
The first document included in the file is a draft letter from the Colonial Office
to Mundy, which inquires into the charter of the Otter for £7,200 per year. The second is a draft reply from Grey to Douglas, with extensive minutes, which discusses the possible use of the Otter for Vancouver Island’s protection.
No. 35
I herewith transmit for the information of Her Majesty's
Government, Minutes of the proceedings in the Council of this Colony on
and since the 12th day of July last.
Your Grace will observe that several small sums of money were
appropriated for the payment of certain expenses, incurred about the
Colonial School, for necessary improvements, and that the sum of £50
Sterling was granted for the relief of Mr Barr the Teacher, whose
salary of £60 a year is unsufficient for his support.
Your
Your Grace will also observe that the sum of £1500 in all was voted
by the Council in three sums of £500 each, to be applied to the erection
of a Court House, a Church, and to the construction of roads and
bridges. It is not supposed that those sums are sufficient to
accomplish more than a small part of the objects proposed, but even to
that extent, it was considered important to commence a course of
improvements, that might encourage the settlement of the Country, and
give employment to the disposable labour in the Colony.
2. The defence of the country against the direct or indirect
aggression of Russia, is a subject, forced by circumstances upon our
attention.
The Colony can do little if left to its own resources, and we must trust
for protection to Her Majesty's Government.
The
Extract to War Dept.
The people were much alarmed at the idea of a descent by the
Russians, or rather by predatory vessels, acting under the authority of
letters of marque, and it was to guard against that danger, that it was
thought expedient in the absence of Her Majesty's Ships, to charter the
Hudson's Bay Company's Propeller "Otter", as a guard ship, for the
protection of the Colony.
That measure of defence will cost about £600 a month
which I presume will be defrayed by Her Majesty's Government, as in the
Grant of Vancouver's Island to the Hudson's Bay Company, it is provided
that the Governor and Company are,
to defray the entire expense of any civil and military establishments
which may be required, for the protection and Government of such
settlements, (except nevertheless during the time of hostilities,
between Great Britain, and any foreign European or American power),
a proviso which directly applies to the present circumstancesof
of the Empire, and I shall therefore be happy to have your Grace's instructions
in reference to the payment of that outlay.
£7200 per ann.!
of the Empire, and I shall therefore be happy to have your Grace's instructions
in reference to the payment of that outlay.
3. I have also the honor to transmit herewith copy of "An Act
prohibiting the Gift or Sale of intoxicating liquors to Indians",
which passed the Council on the 3rd day of August, and has been
strictly enforced, with a most salutory effect, in respect to the Indian
population among whom, the vice of intemperance was spreading to an
alarming extent, to the great annoyance of the peaceful inhabitants,
whose lives and property are endangered through the excesses of savages,
maddened by the excitement of drink.
Extract to Mr Wood.
I trust that the provisions of this act, and the other matters
referred to in this communication will meet with the approval of Her
Majesty's Government.
The Right Honble The Duke of Newcastle
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Governor should not have blended these three subjects in one despatch, but should have written 2, if not three despatches. With respect to the first topic it will probably be most advisable to take no notice of it as we hold
here that Money cannot be constitutionally
raised in Van Couver's Island without an Assembly of Freeholders—a body
however, which it is, at present, impossible to create there.
The Governor should not have blended these three subjects in one despatch, but should have written 2, if not three despatches. With respect to the first topic it will probably be most advisable to take no notice of it as we hold
here that Money cannot be constitutionally
raised in Van Couver's Island without an Assembly of Freeholders—a body
however, which it is, at present, impossible to create there.
2. The second topic—the defence of the Settlement at an expense
of £7200 per annum—should, I presume, be referred to the Secretary of
State for War; and the
3rd being the copy of the act prohibiting the gift or sale of
intoxicating liquors to Indians shd be registered & referred to
Messrs Wood & Rogers.
ABd
27 Octr
Mr Blackwood
The first point was referred some weeks ago to the Law Advisers: has there been an answer?
The first point was referred some weeks ago to the Law Advisers: has there been an answer?
HM
O 28
It has not.
ABd
28 Oct
Follow the above minute?
HM
O 30
1. There is nothing unconstitutional in the Governor a[nd] Council
of Vancouver's Island appropriating money. A doubt has been raised
whether they can impose taxes,
but the Colony has a Revenue from Crown land Licences & the Cutting of
timber: and this Revenue can of course be appropriated by the Crown.
There is nothing in the despatches to show that the money here voted is
paid out of taxes.
In other respects Mr Blackwood's Minute May be
followed.
This is my meaning.
In other respects Mr Blackwood's Minute May be
followed.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Colonel Mundy, 17 November 1854, asking
for an opinion on the expediency of chartering the
Otter at a sum of £7,200 per year.
Minutes by CO staff
I do not understand this draft. Gov Douglas despatch of the
16 of May was answered months ago (5 Augt) and does not
contain one word upon the subject of Chartering a Vessel.
People in this document
Grey, Right Honorable, Second Baronet, Sir George
Mundy, Colonel Godfrey Charles
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes