Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to
Cardwell, Edward 13 July 1864, CO 305:22, no. 8114, 341.
Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to
Cardwell, Edward 13 July 1864, CO 305:22, no. 8114, 341.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (2).
No. 45, Financial
13th July 1864
Sir
Referring to your Despatch No 2 dated 30th April 1864, I have the
honor to enclose a copy of communications which have passed between
the House of Assembly, the Legislative Council and myself, together
with a letter from the Treasurer on the same subject.
I cannot but concur in the popular belief that the Resolutionswhich
which
have given rise to this correspondence were hurried through the House
by a few influential persons on the eve of my arrival in the Colony
for the purpose of embarrassing my administration.
which
have given rise to this correspondence were hurried through the House
by a few influential persons on the eve of my arrival in the Colony
for the purpose of embarrassing my administration.
The prompt and judicious reply conveyed in your Despatch No 2, 30th
April 1864, supported by the public opinion of the colony, has
entirely discredited the authors of this proceeding, and I entertain
little doubt that the question of a "Civil List" will be met ina
a
becoming spirit on the re-assembling of the Legislature which will be
necessary at an early period.
a
becoming spirit on the re-assembling of the Legislature which will be
necessary at an early period.
I trust that you will approve of the course I have adopted in paying
the public officers under the vote of indemnity passed by the House.
Had I declined to do so, the public service must have fallen into
serious confusion, as you will observe by the tenor of the
Treasurer's letter that he had no funds other than Crown Revenue in
his hands to meet current liabilities.
It
It is now obvious that the Resolutions contained misstatements which
ought not to have been transmitted to the Secretary of State
unchallenged.
Minutes by CO staff
The Assembly has recoiled from throwing the Colony into confusion by
compelling a non-payment of salaries. It offered to indemnify the
Governor (and the Legislative Council concurred) if he would pay the
salaries out of the Crown Revenue, and in case he would not, promised
to indemnify him if he would pay them out of the general Revenue.
The Governor hopes that Mr Cardwell will approve of his having acted
on this offer. I apprehend that there can be no doubt on that point?
(On the 30 of June he told them that he felt himself prohibited from
paying out of the Crown Revenue. But it was after this date that the
Assembly nevertheless urged him to pay from the Crown Revenues, so
that he ought properly to have told us distinctly that he had taken
the other alternativeof
of paying out of the general revenue. I merely
record the point here, in order that it may not seem to be overlooked
or raise any fear of error hereafter, but of the Governor's real
meaning there can be no doubt.) May he therefore receive an approval
of having paid the salaries out of the general revenue on the
strength of the promise of indemnity received by him from both
parties of the Legislature, and should a hope be expressed that his
anticipation that the question of a Civil List will be met by the
Legislature on it's reassembling in a desirable spirit, may be
fulfilled?
of paying out of the general revenue. I merely
record the point here, in order that it may not seem to be overlooked
or raise any fear of error hereafter, but of the Governor's real
meaning there can be no doubt.) May he therefore receive an approval
of having paid the salaries out of the general revenue on the
strength of the promise of indemnity received by him from both
parties of the Legislature, and should a hope be expressed that his
anticipation that the question of a Civil List will be met by the
Legislature on it's reassembling in a desirable spirit, may be
fulfilled?
TFE
30 Augt
1. From the Governor's argument, that, had he acted otherwise than
he did, the public service must have fallen into confusion,
as there were no funds other than Crown revenue
to meet current liabilities, I should infer that he has paid the
Salaries for the 2nd quarter, as his predecessor paid the 1st
quarter, out of Crown revenue.
2. From the Treasurer's letter it would seem, that also $12,122, =
about £2,525, has been advanced from Crown revenue to meet the
deficiency of general revenue. And perhaps this may not include the
first quarter's salaries, amounting to £505, which have been paid out
of Crown revenue by authority of Sir J. Douglas, contrary to the
intention of the S. State.
3. On the 30th June 1864 (it is not stated whether before or after
payment of £900 for the 2nd quarter to the
Govr & Coll Secretary)
the balance to the credit of Crown revenue was $48,323.73 = more than
£10,000. Of this sum £2,525, as stated above, had been allotted for
general purposes, the remainder was actually in the Treasury.
4. So far therefore as can be gathered from the information
furnished, the Crown funds are amply sufficient to meet any charges
which are in question for this year.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"Messages of Governor Kennedy to Legislative Assembly dated 27
and 30 June 1864, relative to provision for salaries of Chief
Justice, Attorney General, Colonial Treasurer and Surveyor General,
and Resolutions of Legislative Assembly in reply thereto dated 29
June and 2 July 1864."
Kennedy to Legislative Council, 5 July 1864, transmitting the
resolutions of the Legislative Assembly.
David Cameron, president of the Legislative Council, to Kennedy,
5 July 1864, concurring on the question of indemnity in the
resolutions, but reserving opinion on the other matters.
Alexander Watson, Colonial Treasurer, to Acting Colonial
Secretary, 30 June 1864, advising on the status of the crown revenue.
Minutes by CO staff
N.B. This is rather a confused and obscure letter, but as fortunately
it is immaterial to the decision which has been taken, it is not worth while to relate all the different meanings of which it is susceptible.
it is immaterial to the decision which has been taken, it is not worth while to relate all the different meanings of which it is susceptible.
TFE
30/8
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Fair copy of the draft despatch, as settled by Mr Cardwell. Keep
with 8114, for reference when wanted.
with 8114, for reference when wanted.
TFE
17/9
