Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Labouchere, Henry to
Douglas, Sir James 23 August 1856, LAC :, 488.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Labouchere informs Douglas that the HBC has brought to his notice the colony’s financial situation in regard
to the future defraying of government expense. With the cessation of land purchases
by the HBC and the “Puget Sound Companies,” other means of generating income would be required.
No. 17
Downing Street
23d August 1856
Sir,
The Governor and the Committee of the Hudson's Bay Co, have
brought under my notice the financial condition of Van Couver's Island,
with reference to the means of defraying the future expenses of the
Government.
It
It appears that owing to the cessation of purchase of land
by the Hudson's Bay and Puget Sound Companies, the land sales will not
prove so productive a source of revenue as they have hitherto been, and
therefore other means must be resorted to for raising the necessary
funds for the support of the Government of the Colony. This is a
subject which I have no doubt will engage the early attention of the
Legislature after the Meeting of the Assembly, and I consider it
reasonable under the circumstances that some moderate Imposts should belevied
levied to help to defray the expenses of Government.
levied to help to defray the expenses of Government.