No. 13, Legislative

I have the honor to communicate for your Grace's information that the
Legislature of this Colony did, according to Summons, Commence its
session on the 1st day of the present month, an event which
attracted much public interest and attention.

2. I forward herewith a Copy of a Message to the Legislature which I
delivered on that occasion.

3. It distinctly announces, according to your Grace's instructions,
the decision of Her Majesty's Government requiring Vancouver's
Island, like other British Colonies, to provide for the expenses of
its own Civil Government, and to that extent, to be self
supporting—and then proceeds to point out, in succession, the
measures which appear to be requisite, in those circumstances, for
the development of its resources and its growth in wealth and
population.

4. I have strenuously recommended in the Message that powerful
inducements should be held out for the encouragement of Emigrants
from the United Kingdom, as the distance of this Colony from Great
Britain, the Character of the Country, Chiefly forest land and
expensive to clear, and the great facilities afforded to emigrants by
other British Colonies, and by the Government of the United States,
would, without such inducements, effectually divert emigration from
Vancouver's Island.

5. The cheap and easy acquisition of public land, and the formation
of safe and convenient roads are the measures, in addition to the
system of Free Trade and other advantages secured to the Colonists,
on which I rely for the progress of the Colony in wealth and
prosperity.

6. I trust that the measure advocated and the general tenor of the
Message, may meet with your Grace's approval: it touches upon no
right or prerogative of the Crown, and yet leaves room for the free
expansion of settlement and Communal industry.

7. The newly convened Assembly consists of 13 Members whose names
will be found in a statement accompanying this Despatch.

8. Mr John Sebastian Helmcken, the former Speaker, has been again
chosen for that Office.

9. Copies of the address from the Legislative Council and House of
Assembly in reply to the Message are also herewith forwarded.

10. The House will soon take up the serious business of the session
and their proceedings will be duly reported for your Graces
information.