Confidential
23rd March 1866
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a local newspaper of yesterday's date containing a report of a debate in the House of Assembly on the subject of a Bill to incorporate the City of Victoria.
You will observe that it has been proposed and carriedthatManuscript image that foreigners holding "real estate" in this Colony should be empowered to vote for municipal officers, without being naturalized or taking the oath of allegiance.
The practical effect of this would be to establish at no very distant time an American municipal government in a British Colony.
In the event of the Bill passing the Legislative Council in its present form, I willdeemManuscript image deem it my duty to reserve it for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure.
I entertain little doubt that the principle if admitted in the present case would on a future occasion be extended to the election of Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant
A.E. Kennedy
Governor
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Note on microfilm as follows:

C.O. 305/Vol 28.
Folios 319-320 are unsuitable for filming on camera.
People in this document

Cardwell, Edward

Kennedy, Arthur

Places in this document

Victoria

Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 23 March 1866, CO 305:28, no. 4782, 317. 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/V66022CO.html.

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