<persName ref="prs:seymour_f"><surname>Seymour</surname>, <forename>Frederick</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:newcastle"><surname>Pelham-Clinton</surname>, <forename>Henry</forename> <forename>Pelham</forename> <forename>Fiennes</forename></persName> 6 June 1864, CO 60:18, no. 7940, 364. Seymour addressee Newcastle

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Seymour, Frederick to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 6 June 1864, CO 60:18, no. 7940, 364.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B64216.html. CO 60:18 CO 60 18 7940 364 16 B.C. 1864 received 22 August co_60_18_00367r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Despatch to London. Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).

This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.

Seymour forwards An Ordinance to amend Customs Duties along with the report of the Attorney General. Seymour gives his opinion on a new regulation for ships from Vancouver Island to clear customs at New Westminster before trading with Indigenous Peoples on the north coast of British Columbia. He also reports that the colonial relations with northern Indigenous communities are somewhat strained; and he suggests that it would be a pecuniary benefit to Victoria alone if BC was to be engaged in hostilities with the Native tribes. For BC, Seymour states, it would be an unmixed calamity and the injuries it would inflict on the Native races are incalculable.

 Seymour, Frederick Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes Added abstract. Inserted revisionDesc.
No. 16 7940, CO 60/18, p. 364; received 22 August 6th June 1864 My Lord Duke,

I have the honor to transmit an Authenticated and two plain copies of an Ordinance of the late Session of the Legislative Council of this Colony, entitled: No 16. An Ordinance to amend Customs Duties.

I add the Report of the Attorney General.

2. The three first clauses of this Act are not of a nature to raise any discussion. Public opinion in this and the Neighbouring Colony is notunanimously unanimously in favor of the fourth.

3. Victoria, in Vancouver Island, is the largest commercial town in the two Colonies on the North West Coast of America. It is likewise a Free Port. The greater part of the traffic with the Indians along the Coast of British Columbia has been conducted from thence. Under these circumstances Sir James Douglas, as Governor of the two Colonies, on their Legislative separation, issued a Proclamation, 2nd June 1859, to authorize the clearance of vessels in Vancouver Island for any Port on the Main land North of the Fraser River, on payment of the Customs Duties of this Colony. This arrangement would probably have continued in force, notwithstandingthe the objections to which it is subject, had not the Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island, shortly after my arrival, declined to collect any more duties for British Columbia. The question, thus thrust forward for consideration, was brought before the Executive Council, and I was pressed to allow some such measure as that now transmitted.

4. The new Law creates some dissatisfaction in Victoria, and I have gone to the extent of promising, in reply to a petition, to consider the whole question further before I meet the Legislative Council again. I have given no pledge that I will allow any alteration of the present Law, but I have sent downa a Customs Officer to clear, in Victoria, such vessels as may be ready to sail for this Coast. The favor will not be repeated, and in future, the Law, as it stands, shall be strictly carried out. Vessels going to engage in the very profitable traffic with the Northern Indians will have to clear at New Westminster.

5. The advocates of the Ordinance of last Session urge, 1stly The inconvenience of employing a Public Officer of this Colony at a Port where our Legislature has no jurisdiction and where the Local Law furnishes him with no authority to exercise the duties imposed upon him. 2ndly, It is said that British Columbia loses much of its Revenue from theSystem System of smuggling, carried on from Victoria. A vessel, it is alleged, clears from that Port, for the fur trade, with a certain amount of cargo on board, and then fills up, in the smooth waters of the Gulf of Georgia, with well paying articles, such as whiskey and other spirits, which it is our policy to keep from the Indians.

6. These reasons in favor of the new Law appear to me forcible, and I have others to add from my own experience. I find it extremely inconvenient to have the centre of intelligence respecting the proceedings of our Coast Indians at a Port over which I have no control. For instance, the massacre of Mr Waddington's road party on the Bute Inlet Trail was known inVictoria Victoria nearly three days before it was communicated to me. Further, I consider now that our relations with the Northern Indians are somewhat strained, that the trade with them should be to a certain extent under the supervision of the Government of this Colony. It would probably be a great pecuniary benefit to Victoria, if we were to be engaged in hostilities with the Native tribes. To all of us, with the exception of a few general dealers in New Westminster, it would be an unmixed calamity. On the Mother Country such a war would throw enormous charges, and I need scarcely say, that the injuries it would inflict on the Native races are incalculable. Victoria, alone would gain, and Victoria, if I may judge from the Public Press and the speechesat at Public Meetings, would not be indisposed to precipitate us into war.

7. I know the objections to which the present Act is liable, and I shall give them further consideration. But to preserve the peace of the Colony and to prevent the further demoralization of the Coast Indians by totally irresponsible persons, I beg that the present Ordinance may not be disallowed.

I have the honor to be My Lord Duke Your Graces most obedient humble Servant Frederick Seymour
Mr E. Sir F. Rogers. ABd 25 Augt
Reserved for Sir F. Rogers.. TFE 25 Augt
Mr Fortescue This is a curious question being really not in any degree legal, but entering administration. It seems to me a matter in whwhich the GovrGovernor of B. Columbia should be allowed to act entirely with a view to its own protection. And Mr Seymour's arguments have the ring of truth about them.

The Ordce must go to the Try & B. of T. as a matter of course. But an opinion shdshould I think be expressed with 5th Clause.

I shdshould , I think propose to ansr the GovrGovernor that as it appeared possible from GovrGovernor Seymour's statement that Mr C. wdwould receive some representation from V.C.I., adverse to the 4th clause of this Act Mr C. did not think it proper to prejudge the question by expressing at present any opinion respectg it. Copy of this ansr to Try with Ordce.

FR 20/9 CF 23 EC 27
Copy, H.P.P. Crease, Attorney General, to Colonial Secretary, 11 May 1864, reporting on the ordinance as per despatch.
Rogers to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, and J. Booth, Board of Trade, 23 August 1864, forwarding copy of the despatch, ordinance, attorney general's report and reply to the governor for consideration.
Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 37, 7 October 1864.