No. 33

I have to thank you for your Despatch of the 23d August No
207, reporting upon the state of British Columbia down to that date.
There
is much in that report which affords satisfactory evidence of the value
of this Colony as a British possession but it is impossible to peruse
your Despatch without being struck with the little progress which has
been made in the communications into the interior. From the large
expenditure incurred on account of the Harrison Lillooet Road and the
zeal which was so early manifested in the Colony for its formation, Her
Majesty's Government were led to suppose that a route would be opened
for the Miners which would considerably abridge the distance in reaching
the scene of their labors, and facilitate the transport to them of the
means of subsistence. I now learn that this work is being faintly
prosecuted by the Royal Engineers under the command of Captain Grant,
that funds to the extent of £30,000 are needed for its completion,
besides, as you inform me, "the helping hand of Government on all
sides." You throw out a suggestion that this pecuniary assistance could
be easily raised by way of loan either in England or in Vancouver Island
provided its payment were guaranteed by Parliament. I think it right to
lose no time in disabusing you of the impression you allow yourself to
entertain that the Imperial Parliament could be recommended to take the
course you wish. Both Parliament and the English public claim from
British Columbia an energetic developement of the great natural
resources with which it is endowed.

The admonitions which have been so ably and so frequently proffered
by my Predecessor that British Columbia should look to her own exertions
for success must not pass unheeded, but a practical exemplification of
that advice must be exhibited. Her Majesty's Government have applied to
Parliament already for advances in aid of the Colony to an extent which
shows that no reasonable demands have been refused when proved to exist,
but this assistance must not be drawn into a precedent to be followed on
all occasions, nor lead you, or the Inhabitants of the Colony, to expect
that this Country shall supply you with the means of developing those
resources which it is your duty to make the most of yourselves. I am
explicit with you on this point, and wish you to understand that Her
Majesty's present Government, sharing completely the sentiments of the
late Government in respect to British Columbia, cannot venture to ask
Parliament for any such Guarantee as you desire.

2. You have on many occasions adverted to your intention of
levying an export duty on Gold, but as no report has reached this Office
of your having done so I conclude that impediments have arisen to
frustrate this very necessary measure. Now, however, that it has been
determined to set up a Government Assay Office in the Colony, you will
lose no time in resorting to the expedient for which you have pressed
Her Majesty's Government to give you such facilities as are requisite.

3. I am glad to hear that the Miners have been so successful in
their pursuits on the Thompson and Quennel Rivers. I wish it were in my
power to assist them in regard to Banks of Deposit. But these
conveniences of a highly civilized state of society will accompany wealth
by degrees, and can scarcely be looked for at so early a period of
advancement as British Columbia has yet arrived at. Possibly some
arrangements may be made with the Bank of British North America which
has the power and intention of carrying on banking business in
Vancouvers Island and British Columbia.

4. The Newspapers enclosed in your Despatch contained intelligence
of a highly interesting nature; and I will thank you to send me more
from time to time.