No. 46
2 September 1862
I have the honor to enclose for Your Grace's information, a
comparative statement of the imports into the Colony of
Vancouver Island for the first six months ending with the
30th 30th day of June of
the year 1861, and for the corresponding period of the present year
1862.
2. This statement shews an increase of $694,043 dollars or nearly 66
per cent in the Imports of the two first quarters of
1862, over the
first six months of the year
1861. With the exception of a falling
off to the extent of 61,506 dollars in the imports from Oregon there
is almost, uniformly
a a remarkable increase in the trade with other
countries.
3. The direct imports from England alone, form an exception; as they
exceed, only by 1821 dollars the imports of last year. A great part
of the goods brought to this Colony from
San Francisco are
unquestionably of English manufacture, and are introduced through
that
channel channel, and charged with several profits, instead of being
imported direct, and at the smallest cost from England.
4. This state of business so expensive to the Colony, and so
unfavourable to the growth of trade with the Mother Country, will I
trust be superseded by a better system whenever the real wants of the
Colony, and the large
demand demand for English goods, existing here are
better understood by the commercial public.
5. In hopes that Your Grace may cause this statement and the
accompanying Return shewing the description of goods imported in the
first six months of
1862, to be published in England for the
information
of of persons wishing to make shipments to this Country.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke
Your Grace's most obedient
and humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
Very satisfactory, except as regards direct trade with England.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to J. Booth, Board of Trade,
5 November 1862, forwarding copy
of the despatch and statements.