<persName ref="prs:douglas_j"><surname>Douglas</surname>, <forename>James</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:newcastle"><surname>Pelham-Clinton</surname>, <forename>Henry</forename> <forename>Pelham</forename> <forename>Fiennes</forename></persName> 1 September 1863, CO 305:20, no. 10021, 346. Douglas addressee Newcastle

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 1 September 1863, CO 305:20, no. 10021, 346.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/V63037.html. CO 305:20 CO 305 20 10021 346 37 Legislative V.I. 1863 received 16 October co_305_20_00351r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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

 Douglas, James Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes Inserted revisionDesc.
No. 37, Legislative 10021, CO 305/20, p. 346; received 16 October 1 September 1863 My Lord Duke,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch "Separate" of the 15th of June last, in which is communicated to me Your Grace's decision respecting the form of Governmentto to be adopted in British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

2. I will not fail, to lay before the community the decided opinion expressed by Your Grace in favor of a union of the Colonies under one Government, an opinion coming with the weight of so wide an experience in the workings of Colonialinstitutions institutions, as to be almost conclusive on the subject and I will take care to caution them against any course of legislation, at all likely to impede such a result.

3. The knowledge of Your Grace's views on a subject so intimately connected with the prosperity and well being of theColonies Colonies will have great weight with the public, which is not generally averse to the union of the Colonies. The anti-union party in British Columbia is confined to the residents of New Westminster; the rest of the community are I believe wholly indifferent about the matter.

4. The feeling againstthe the fusion of the Governments is much more general in Vancouvers Island, and is founded on a prevalent idea that the measure, if carried into effect, would inevitably lead to the subversion of the Free Port System, and to the ultimate impoverishment of the Colony.

5. In these circumstancesI I think Your Grace's plan of leaving the Colonies as they now are, under separate Governments, will be more acceptable to the public at large, than union under any form.

6. I beg in conclusion to observe that I will take an early opportunity of bringing before the Legislature Your Grace's propositionrespecting respecting the transfer of the Colonial Revenue, and the terms on which you are prepared to place its management in their hands.

I have the honor to be My Lord Duke, Your Grace's most obedient Humble Servant James Douglas
Sir F. Rogers Acke rect. ABd 17 Octr
Duke of Newcastle FR 19/10 N 20
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 40, 24 October 1863.