Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 30 March 1859, CO 305:10, no. 5452, 80.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (8), Other documents (1).
The minutes “Copy” for the Board of Trade.
No. 10
30 March 1859
1. I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your
information the several Returns herein referred to, which have
been lately received from Mr Anderson Her Majesty's Collector
of the Customs at Victoria, relative to the trade of this Port,
for the quarter ending with the 31st day of
of December last.
of December last.
2. I beg to explain with reference to those returns that
Victoria still continues to be the Port of Entry for British
Columbia, there being as yet no Custom House in Fraser's River
and that Mr Anderson has hitherto acted as Collector of the
Customs for that Colony, as well as for Vancouver's Island, and
will continue to attend to those duties, until Mr Hamley's
arrival in this country, a circumstance which will account for
the collective Returns herewith forwarded.
3. The following are the results
results shewn by those Returns.
Imports for quarter ending
with the 31st of December last . . . . . . £82.220.10.6
Number of vessels Inwards
British . . . . . 53
Foreign . . . . . 137
and Outwards
British . . . . . 62
Foreign . . . . . 140
Receipts of shipping Fees
on account of Vancouver's Island . . . £ 609. 0.11
Receipts of Custom's duties
on account of British Columbia . . . . £ 3317.12.9
The total Receipts of Customs from
the 28th of August last when the
Customs duty was first imposed
including the preceding amount . . . . £ 4350. 2.6
Imports into British Columbia
for the same period . . . . . . . . . £44.806. 4.9
Expenses of Customs Establishments
at Victoria for the same period . . . 442. 2.7 1/2
results shewn by those Returns.
Imports for quarter ending
with the 31st of December last . . . . . . £82.220.10.6
Number of vessels Inwards
British . . . . . 53
Foreign . . . . . 137
and Outwards
British . . . . . 62
Foreign . . . . . 140
Receipts of shipping Fees
on account of Vancouver's Island . . . £ 609. 0.11
Receipts of Custom's duties
on account of British Columbia . . . . £ 3317.12.9
The total Receipts of Customs from
the 28th of August last when the
Customs duty was first imposed
including the preceding amount . . . . £ 4350. 2.6
Imports into British Columbia
for the same period . . . . . . . . . £44.806. 4.9
Expenses of Customs Establishments
at Victoria for the same period . . . 442. 2.7 1/2
4. Those returns shew a large decrease of trade as compared
with the preceding quarter, but it is probable that there will
be a revival of business as spring advances.
5. Several cargoes of British goods direct from the Port of
London, have I am happy to say arrived here since the beginning
of the present month. Much importance is attached to the
increase of that trade, which will be alike desirable for the
Mother Country, and for the Colonies.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"Return of Duties collected at Victoria Vancouvers Island
on account of British Columbia from 28 Augt to 31st Decr
1858."
"Return of Duties collected at Victoria Vancouvers Island
on account of British Columbia, for the Quarter ending Decr
31st 1858."
"Imports into the Colony of British Columbia for the
quarter ending 31st December 1858."
"Imports into the Port of Victoria Vancouver's Island from
October 1st to December 31st 1858, inclusive."
"Return of Vessels cleared from the Port of Victoria,
Vancouvers Island for the Quarter ending 31st December 1858."
"Return of Vessels entered the Port of Victoria, Vancouvers
Island for the Quarter ending December 31st 1858."
"Abstract of Receipts of Customs Department for the Quarter
ending 31st [December] 1858."
"Abstract of Expenses of the Customs Department for the
Quarter ending 31st December 1858."
