Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 22 January 1858, CO 305:9, no. 2459, 1.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3).
Douglas informs the CO that the Gold licensing fees for the Fraser River and Thompson River districts had to be raised due to the cost of “giving protection of life and property
in those countries.”
The minutes note that the “papers are reported to be in circulation.”
No. 1
1. With reference to the Proclamation and regulations legalizing the
search for Gold in the Districts of Fraser's River and Thompson's River,
transmitted with my Despatch No 35, of the 29th of December last, I
have now the honor to communicate for your information, that we havesince
since that date raised the Licence Fee, from ten shillings to Twenty one
shillings a month, payable in advance, which is the present charge for
Gold Licences.
since that date raised the Licence Fee, from ten shillings to Twenty one
shillings a month, payable in advance, which is the present charge for
Gold Licences.
2. We were induced to make that change through a desire to place a
larger amount of revenue at the disposal of Government, to meet the
expense of giving protection to life and property in those countries,
and, at the same time, from a well founded conviction that persons really
bent upon visiting the Gold Districts, will as readily pay the increased
as the lower rate of charge.
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere
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 former papers are reported to be in circulation.
The former papers are reported to be in circulation.
TFE
17 March