Confidential

I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's despatch marked
"Confidential", of 2nd June, directing the late Governor
Seymour to report to what extent the Majority which passed the
Resolution against Confederation with Canada was composed of
Public Officers, and transmitting copy of a confidential
despatch, together with copy of Your Lordship's reply thereto,
from the Governor General of Canada, suggesting that steps
should be taken to forward the incorporation of British Columbia
into the Dominion of Canada.

2. I requested the Members of the Executive Council to report
confidentially to me on the Debates which took place in the
Legislative Council on the subject of Confederation with Canada
as I was not a Member of that Body at the time.

3. Your Lordship will perceive by these opinions, which I have
the honor to enclose, that the late Governor left it entirely an
open question as to the manner in which each official Member
should vote.

4. The proceedings in the Legislative Council on this subject
are now printed and I enclose a copy. The Majority which passed
the Resolution against Union consisted of eleven Members, only
five of whom were connected in any way with the Government. The
Minority, in favour of Union, were Messrs Havelock, Humphrey's,
Carrall, Robson and Walkem, the last three named Gentlemen
natives of the Dominion.

5. It appears to me to be the general opinion that until
communication through British Territory is established those who
are most interested in the welfare of British Columbia will be
opposed to Confederation.