No. 13
12th June 1857
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular letter of the 13th of February last requesting me to report on the following points.
1st Whether Aliens arriving in Vancouver's Island are by Law or usage required to exhibit Passports, or any Kind of Certificate of their identity.
And 2ndly If so, whether the signatures of the British Ministers or Consuls residing in the CountriesofManuscript image of which those aliens are subjects are considered necessary for the due authentication of their Passports.
I beg to observe in reply to those enquiries that there is no Law in this Colony, which requires Aliens to exhibit Passports or Certificates of identity, neither is it customary for Aliens to do so on their arrival, and that consequently the signatures of the British Ministers or Consuls, residing abroad are not necessary for the authentication of Passports.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor

The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
This despatch is in answer to a general Circular. Mr Smith?
VJ 29 Augt
TFE 29/8
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 12 June 1857, CO 305:8, no. 7947, 67. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/V57013.html.

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