No. 85

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Governor Seymour's
Despatches Nos. 43 and 56 of the 19th and 24th March, the first
forwarding a Resolution passed by the Legislative Council of British
Columbia requesting the Governor to order that a voyage to any Foreign
Port shall be considered of not less than 40 days duration, and that
Vessels of 50 tons burthen and upwards, bound Foreign shall be allowed
to have their stores Duty Free, and the second submitting a Bill passed
at the late Session of the Legislature entitled "An Ordinance to entitle
Exporters of Goods to certain Drawbacks and for other purposes."

In reply I transmit to you for your information copies of a letter
from the Board of Trade and of its enclosures from the Commissioners of
Customs to whom Mr. Seymour's Despatches and their enclosures were
referred.

I concur in the views expressed by the Commissioners of Customs and
I have to instruct you to lay a copy of their report before the Colonial
Legislature, at their next Session, who will, I have no doubt, with the
help of the additional information now furnished, carefully reconsider
the several important questions discussed by the Commissioners of Customs
in their Report.

Meantime I am unable to authorise you to give assent to the Bill
transmitted with Mr. Seymour's Despatch of the 24th of March.