Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 31 October 1856, CO 305:7, no. 349, 126.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Douglas updates the Colonial Office on the activities of the public assembly. He notes that
“certain members” objected to the property qualifications but the speaker of the house
was able to reconcile “party differences” and “proceeded with an inquiry into the
qualifications of the Members elect.” Edward Langford was declared ineligible and Joseph William McKay was made the member representing Victoria District in his place. Douglas affirms that a measure will be adopted to “extend the suffrage” that follows the
Colonial Office’s advice once larger franchise is “desirable.”
The minutes acknowledge Douglas’s account.
Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere acknowledging Douglas’s report.
No. 30
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No
16 of the 23rd of August in reply to my commmunications No 12 and 14
of the 22nd May, and the 7th of June last, reporting my
proceedings in respect to carrying out the instructions contained in
your Despatch of the 28th of February 1856, for convoking a
a
Legislative Assembly in this Colony, and requesting advice and
instructions, from you on various subjects connected with that measure.
a
Legislative Assembly in this Colony, and requesting advice and
instructions, from you on various subjects connected with that measure.
2. I have since in my several Despatches of the numbers and
dates mentioned in the margin,
reported to you the several steps taken towards carrying those
instructions into effect, and the formal opening of the House of
Assembly on the 12th day of August last, together with the objections
raised to the property qualification of certain members, who took their
seats on that occasion and the consequent difficulty experienced in
organizing the House.
No. 15, 22 July, and No. 19, 20 August 1856.
3. After repeated adjournments the speaker with much tact and
address, finally succeeded, without my interference, in adjusting party
differences, and forming
forming a committee, which immediately proceeded with
an inquiry into the qualifications of the Members elect, and declared
the return of Edward E Langford null and void, in consequence of his not
having sufficient property to constitute a legal qualification, and then
adjourned to the 24th day of October (present).
forming a committee, which immediately proceeded with
an inquiry into the qualifications of the Members elect, and declared
the return of Edward E Langford null and void, in consequence of his not
having sufficient property to constitute a legal qualification, and then
adjourned to the 24th day of October (present).
4. A fresh writ was in consequence issued, and Joseph William
McKay was returned without opposition as Member for the District of
Victoria in the place of Edward E Langford.
5. The House met on the 24th day of the present month (October)
and after some necessary arrangements adjourned to the 13th day of
November next, when they will be prepared for serious work.
6. Those
6. Those delays have not been without their use, as the Members
have had time to prepare for the proper discharge of the public duties
they have to perform, and their minds have been dis-abused of many false
notions, which were commonly entertained here, concerning the powers and
jurisdiction of the House of Assembly, so that on the whole I do not
regret the time spent in constituting the House.
7. I observe with satisfaction that in abiding by the terms of my
Commission, in respect to the franchise I have acted in conformity with
the instructions, on that point, contained in your Despatch, and we
shall further carry out your instructions by bringing a measure before
the Assembly, when it is found desirable to extend the suffrage.
I
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
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
Other documents included in the file
