
================================================================================
FILE: 1863-01-01_Gosset_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B636G01.txt
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Gosset to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Having served under the Colonial Office (in Ceylon
Vancouver Island and British Columbia) from Novr 1855 until
Septr 1 1862 when I obtained six months leave of absence
on half salary—I venture to request the favor of such
extension of this leave as the customs of the service may
permit me to hope for.



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FILE: 1863-01-01_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637001.txt
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No. 1

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 45
of the 4th of November and to express my entire approval of the Circular
which you addressed to the Assistant Gold Commissioners of British
Columbia prohibiting them from entering into mining speculations on
their personal accounts.



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FILE: 1863-01-01_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG01.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I transmit to you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, a
letter from the Acting Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island, and I
have the honor to request you to be so good as to furnish me with His
Grace's authority for taking such steps as may be necessary for
placing the whole amount of the Debentures referred to (£40,000) on
the market, and for complying with the other requests of the
Government of that Colony as expressed in the aforementioned letter.

The Report called for at the suggestion of the Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury by the last paragraph of your letter of the 18th
Ultimo, upon the mode in which the Government of Vancouver Island
should provide for the expenses of the Agency with respect to this
Loan will be comprised in the General Report on this Office
Establishment, which the Agents General are now preparing.



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FILE: 1863-01-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637002.txt
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No. 2

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
"Separate" of the 27th of October containing an account of your Official
tour in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-01-05_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63001.txt
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No. 1

In conformity with the Instructions contained in the Book of Colonial Regulations, I have the honour to forward herewith to your Grace the Returns described on the other side hereof * as received from the Treasurer for the quarter ending 30th June 1862.



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FILE: 1863-01-05_Duncan_&_Dewar_to_Newcastle_V636D01.txt
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Duncan & Dewar to Newcastle

At the desire of Mr John Copland Senior Councillor of the City of
Victoria in the Colony of Vancouver Island we have the honor to
transmit herewith the accompanying Petition by him which he has
forwarded to us for this purpose.



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FILE: 1863-01-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637003.txt
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No. 3

I have the honor to transmit to you for your information a copy of
a letter from one of the Agents General for Crown Colonies reporting
that British Columbia six per cent Debentures to the extent of £50,000
were delivered to the Bank of British Columbia on the 12th of December
last.

In reference to this subject I have to request that you will
furnish me with a statement of the Bills received from the Bank—their
amounts and dates.

A statement of the sums realized by the sale of these Bills, and
the parties to whom they were respectively sold, of the dates of the
different sales, and the market rate of exchange upon London at the
respective dates—also a statement of the amounts which will be payable
by way of Interest on the Bills up to the 12th of December upon which
day the Debentures were issued. And lastly a statement of the amount of
interest which the Bank will have to pay to the Government on debentures
delivered to them in London prior to the delivery of corresponding bills
by their Agent to the Government in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-01-07_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE01.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster
General has been authorized to pay (as requested in your
letter of the 17th Ultimo) to Messrs Cox & Co., on
behalf of Col. Moody R.E. the sum of £300 for his
salary as Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works in
British Columbia, for the Quarter to 30th Septr last.



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FILE: 1863-01-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63002.txt
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No. 2

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.*



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FILE: 1863-01-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63001.txt
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No. 1

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1863-01-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63003.txt
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No. 3, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I have drawn on Her Majesty's Paymaster General for the sum of Four hundred and
thirty one pounds five shillings (£431.5.0), being the amount of salary due to me as Governor from the 1st October to December 1862 at the rate of £1,800 per annum, Income Tax deducted and I have to request your Grace will be pleased to obtain the necessary authority from the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury for the Bill presented on this account to be paid when it comes due.



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FILE: 1863-01-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63004.txt
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No. 4, Financial

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that being pressed for funds to meet the liabilities of the Colony both on Military
and civil accounts for the year ending 31st December 1862, I have authorized the Treasury to procure by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General the sum of Five thousand pounds (£5,000), and I trust, in view of the circumstances represented in my Despatch No 6 that your Grace will obtain the necessary authority for the Bills paid at maturity.



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FILE: 1863-01-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63005.txt
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No. 5, Military

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I have
instructed the Treasurer to procure by Bills upon Her Majesty's
Paymaster General the sum of One Thousand Pounds (£1,000)
on the Regimental Pay
Account, and I trust your Grace will cause the necessary
authority to be issued for the Bills presented on this account
to be paid when they become due.



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FILE: 1863-01-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63006.txt
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No. 6, Financial

Adverting to your Despatches of the numbers and dates as
per margin,
*
I have the honor to report to Your Grace the
course I have followed during the year just closed, with the
earnest desire of conforming to the fullest extent practicable
to the arrangements made by Your Grace with the Lords of the
Treasury relative to the financial matters existing between
Her Majesty's Government and the Colony of British Columbia.

2. The sum available to the Colony towards the maintenance
of the Royal Engineers out of the Parliamentary vote of 1862
is £6000 only. Of this £4000 was drawn in April 1862, prior
to the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch No 123 of 13 May.
Since April no further Drafts upon the Imperial Treasury have
been made.

3. The sum to be repaid by the Colony during 1862,
according to the Treasury Despatch of the 16 June are as
follows

£6,900. 0.0 for Silver specie

152. 3.8 Overpayment Assay Office

34. 6.0 Passage of the Bishop

 35. 7.0 " " "

£7,121.16.8.

With respect to those items I cannot refrain from appealing
against the two latter being charged against the Colony, for
they really have no connection with it. In the first place
the passages were between places in Vancouver's Island, from
Victoria to Nanaimo, and from Victoria to Barclay Sound—and
in the second place they were not obtained at the intervention
of this Government, but were sought directly by the Bishop
from the Admiral commanding in the Station. British Columbia
cannot therefore under any circumstances be justly chargeable
with the expense. As the amounts were paid by Her Majesty's
Government, I sought to recover them from the Bishop. He
however declined repayment on the plea that the charge was
excessive. The deduction of these two sums reduces the amount
to £7052.3.8.

4. In 1863, the Colony is required to repay £10,704,
represented in Your Grace's and the Treasury Despatch aforesaid
as an expenditure for Roads, Bridges and Surveys, and therefore
one improperly defrayed from Imperial Funds. I must beg Your
Grace's attention to the items composing this sum, and I venture
to submit that they are as justly chargeable to Imperial Funds,
as any other expenses in connection with the Military. The
details are as follows:

A. Erecting Military Barracks at New Westminster £8758. 6.7

B. Erecting Military Barracks at Langley 320. 0.7

C. Military trail to Burrards Inlet 92. 7.8

D. Reconaissance Fort Hope to Fort Colvile 40.19.6

E. Erecting Hospital & Officers Quarters

New Westminster 1392. 6.1

F. Temporary Buildings & Fittings for Royal

Marines at Esquimalt  100.16.1

10,704.16.7

The works marked A. B. & E. were undertaken by Colonel Moody who
represented them to be an indispensable necessity. They are
entirely of a Military character, not required by the Colony, but
arising out of the compact entered into with the soldier. The
only control I could have exercised in the matter would have been
to forbid the expenditure. That course would have left the Troops
with their wives and families homeless.

The work marked C was considered requisite by Colonel Moody
to open a communication from his Camp to Burrard Inlet in the
event of Naval support being required.

The exploration marked D was ordered by Colonel Moody solely
on Military considerations during the period of the San Juan occupation.

The expenditure at F was caused by the sudden arrival of the
Marines from China in Her Majesty's Ship Tribune, and the urgent
necessity of immediately relieving an overcrowded Ship after a
long voyage.

Your Grace considers that for a sum expended in the pay,
sustenance and movement of the Engineers, application may be made
to Parliament: I trust what I have herein stated may induce Your
Grace also to consider that this sum of £10,704.16.7 is not
more justly chargeable to the Colony than the other, and that,
therefore, for that likewise application may be made to Parliament.

5. Bowing to Your Grace's decision that British Columbia must
bear a moiety of the expenses of the Royal Engineers, I would
yet submit that at this period of her existence she should be
relieved from contributing a moiety of the Regimental Pay. For
instance in 1862-63 the whole estimated expense of the Corps is
£22,000 including Regimental Pay. The Colony is required to
contribute £11,000, while the vote by Parliament specially
for the Colony is only £7200, the remaining sum of £3800 being
borne on the Army Estimates, and so borne whether the Troops be
at home or abroad. I am merely dealing with the financial
question, I do not desire to touch the abstract one of how far
a Colony should assist the Mother Country to support Troops
detained in the Colony for Imperial purposes. To old and
settled Colonies such a question may have an intimate relation,
but to a young Colony struggling for development against
extra-ordinary difficulties it can have but little application. In
proportion as its revenues are applied so will it progress: the
more rapid its progression, the sooner will it be in a position
to require the least amount of Imperial assistance.

6. I trust the weighty reasons I have laid before Your
Grace in my Despatch No 58 of the 15 Decr last, will induce
Yr Grace to obtain the sanction of the Lords of the Treasury
to another loan of £50,000. With that sum I believe I can so
arrange my financial scheme for the current year as to carry
on without check the reproductive works that have been set
afoot, and at the same time to place the Colony at the close
of the year in the most satisfactory relation towards Her
Majesty's Government in all matters of account.

7. I have carefully abstained during the past year since
the receipt of Your Grace's Despatches herein referred to,
from drawing upon the Imperial Treasury, but to meet our
liabilities both on Military and Civil account I now find
myself much pressed for funds; I have therefore drawn upon
the Paymaster General for the sum of £5000, on Colonial Pay
account, as specially reported in my Despatch of this date
No 4, and I trust Your Grace will not object to this measure,
viewing the amount as on account of the Parliamentary vote in
aid of the Colony for 1863-64.



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FILE: 1863-01-14_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635LN01.txt
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Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 6th instant,
with a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia
enclosing among other things, a set of Rules and Regulations
issued under the "Gold Fields Act 1859" for the management
of Ditches and water privileges in connection with roads and other works.

2. These rules provide that any person engaged in the
construction of a road or work may with the sanction of the
Gold Commissioner, divert or interfere with any ditch or
water privilege—that the compensation to be paid for such
interference shall be settled by the Gold Commissioner who
shall decide without appeal all cases where the amount
given by the decision shall be less than £200. In cases
where the amount given is above £200 an appeal is to be
allowed to the Supreme Court. The regulations further
provide that Owners of Ditches and water privileges to
maintain proper culverts for carrying off surplus water—to
keep the ditches in proper repair—and to be liable for
any damage caused by their giving way.

3. I have to report that I see no reason to object to
these regulations, and I would recommend that they should be approved.



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FILE: 1863-01-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63001CO.txt
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Confidential

Rumours having, for some time past, been in Circulation that the
United States Government were about to send out Iron Clad Ships to
their possessions on this Coast, and these reports having assumed a
more authentic shape, I consider it a matter of duty to bring the
subject under the notice of Her Majesty's Government in order that
something may be done for our protection.

2. It is stated on good authority that four iron clad ships are to
be sent out to this coast—one for San Francisco—one for the
Columbia river, and one for Puget Sound—of the same class as the
Monitor, intended for harbour defences, and one sea-going iron clad
Steamer—for the Service of the American possessions generally.

3. One of the Monitors will be finished this month and is to come
out from New York, immediately, in Sections, and to be put together
at San Francisco.

4. I may here remark that Captain Richards of H.M.S. "Hecate" is of
opinion that if the iron were sent out from England, vessels of the
suitable Character for Coast defence could be built at Victoria of
Douglas Pine.

5. I am convinced that there is a necessity for preparation on our
part; as to be prepared is just what will save a war.

A cause of quarrel, it is hardly necessary to observe, may arise any
day, unexpectedly; and, if a cause occur, the folly of a war will not
prevent it on the part of our fiery neighbours, if they find us
unprepared.

I have been assured that in the "Trent" affair Secretary Seward did
not intend to give up Slidell and Mason until he saw the preparations
of England for War, and, even then, it was the inefficient state of
the American Navy that forced him to forego his warlike intention.

6. Another contingency which renders it necessary for us to look
carefully to the future is this, that a large party in the North
embracing nearly all the territorial and commercial wealth of the
Country, and likely to gain the suffrages, in good time, of all
parties, except the extreme abolitionists, intend so soon as the
Northern Army gains enough of success by sea or land to redeem its
character to propose to the South to
re-unite under Southern principles with a Southern ascendancy,
and in short, to let the South have it all its own way, on the simple
condition of restoring the Union.

7. The reason given for their course of action is that all
respectable Americans wish to make all their institutions more
conservative than they have hitherto been, so that property will be
duly represented and protected; but to effect any change of this
nature will require the abolition of universal suffrage, to take
political power out of the hands of the Mob. This cannot be done
except by a Military despotism or by the aid of the South or rather
by both combined for a reason.

8. The adoption of the southern Constitution would effect nearly
all the desired objects, and it is remarkable how many Northern
Americans although Unionists, and for the War, prefer this new
Constitution of the Southern States to their own—and for the simple
reason that it is conservative. A modified and reformed Tariff to
favour the South is part of the Programme.

9. The moral which I draw from these views is that the very day
these people unite again as a nation they will unite in a war with
England. Their abuse of each other and its development in the war is
no unsurmountable impediment to a reconciliation. We are hated with
about equal intensity by Americans of both sections, and if united
they could give us a great deal of trouble.

10. I am told by the Naval Officers here, and I quote their opinion
as of more value on that subject than my own, that any sort of iron
or iron clad vessel slipping from the opposite shores across the
straits could without fail destroy a whole Squadron of our wooden
ships without receiving any injury herself, as all these Monitors are
invulnerable to the shot of the older vessels, while they can pierce
them with every shot.

11. I trust Your Grace will excuse me for calling your attention so
earnestly to this matter which I deem of great importance.

12. I will further observe that whatever measure Your Grace may deem
it necessary to adopt—whether to send out iron plates and have
vessels built here, or to build the vessels in England and send them
out in sections to be put up here, which would probably be the better
plan—I deem it a matter of common prudence to guard against the
dangers I have pointed out, in order to avert disgrace and the
disaster of defeat.



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FILE: 1863-01-16_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637004.txt
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No. 4

I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter from
Captain Gosset requesting an extension of his leave of absence from
British Columbia together with a copy of the answer which by my
directions has been returned to him.



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FILE: 1863-01-16_Ripon_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA01.txt
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Ripon to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
request that you will acquaint the Duke of Newcastle that
Colonel Moody and several of the Officers of the Royal
Engineers serving in British Columbia under his command
will have completed the usual term of Foreign Service in
October next, and His Royal Highness the Field Marshal
Commanding has enquired whether steps should be taken for their relief.

Before giving any directions in the matter, Sir George
Lewis would wish to be informed whether, in His Grace's
opinion, it is probable that the services of the Royal
Engineers will be required in the Colony for any lengthened
period, in which case it will be necessary to relieve the
Officers in question.



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FILE: 1863-01-17_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637005.txt
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No. 5

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.
46 of the 4th ultimo transmitting the Proclamations noted in the margin

*

which you have issued as Governor of British Columbia.

I have laid Proclamations 3, 4 and 8 before the Queen and am
commanded to acquaint you that Her Majesty has been pleased to confirm
and allow them.

You will communicate this decision of Her Majesty to the
inhabitants of the Colony in the usual manner.

Proclamation 6 should have appended to it a schedule of, or should
specify by reference, the Imperial Laws which it is sought to introduce
within the Colony and Her Majesty's decision upon it will be withheld
until this amendment is effected.

On Proclamation 7 I have to observe that to tax water carriage for
the improvement of land carriage appears to me at first sight to be a
measure of questionable propriety and I shall abstain from advising Her
Majesty to take any course upon this Proclamation until I have received
from you an explanation on the subject.

The Proclamation intituled "Ditches—Rules and Regulations under
the Gold Fields Act 1859" remains under consideration.



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FILE: 1863-01-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63002.txt
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No. 2, Legislative

I have the honor of transmitting herewith a copy of my speech to the
Legislature of this Colony on opening the Chambers upon the second
day of the present month, and also copies of the addresses of the
Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly in reply thereto.

2. In opening the Session I strongly recommended that steps should
be immediately taken to expedite the passage through the Legislature
of the preliminary measures affecting the construction of the
Victoria and Esquimalt rail-way, that no time may be lost in
commencing so important a work; And I propose in the course of a few
days to bring forward the Estimates for the service of the year 1863,
and to introduce a Bill intended to modify the procedure and reduce
the cost of collecting small debts which will complete the programme
of Government business for the present brief session which, as I
announced in a former despatch, will close by limitation on the 28th
day of February next.



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FILE: 1863-01-21_Helps_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635CO01.txt
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Helps to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to transmit to you
the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 9th inst.,
leaving to their operation four acts passed in Vancouver Island in
August and September, 1862 and I am to request that you will be
pleased to lay the same before the Secretary of State for the
Colonial Department.



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FILE: 1863-01-22_Booth_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635TA01.txt
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Booth to Under-Secretary of State

Referring to your letter of the 2nd October last enclosing a Copy of
a despatch from the Governor of Vancouver Island requesting that six
hundred gallons of oil and certain Stores for the service of the Race
Rocks and Fisgard Island Lighthouses might be sent out I am directed
by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to acquaint
you for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that they have
caused the Oil and Stores in question to be shipped on board the
Steam Ship "Fusi Yama" bound for Vancouver Island and to sail on the
24th instant.

A Bill of Lading for them is enclosed. One has also been forwarded
under cover to Consignee in the Ship's letter bag.

A Statement of the Contents of the several packages ninety six in
number is also enclosed. They have all been addressed and consigned
to the Governor, Vancouver Island Victoria.



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FILE: 1863-01-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637006.txt
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No. 6

With reference to my Despatch No. 5 of the 17th instant I have the
honor to acquaint you that I have laid before The Queen the Proclamation
entitled "Ditches—Rules and Regulations under the Gold Fields Act 1859"
and that Her Majesty has been pleased to confirm and allow it.

You will communicate Her Majesty's decision to the Inhabitants of
British Columbia in the usual manner.



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FILE: 1863-01-23_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637007.txt
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No. 7

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Addresses of
Congratulation to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales enclosed in your
despatch No. 52 of the 17th of November, and to acquaint you that they
have been forwarded to His Royal Highness.



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FILE: 1863-01-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637008.txt
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No. 8

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 2
of the 18th of November last reporting upon the Mines in the Stekin
Territory.



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FILE: 1863-01-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637001.txt
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No. 1

I have received and have had under my consideration the Acts noted
in the Margin [Marginal note:Nos. 47 & 48 of the 8 of Sept/62] passed
by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in the months of August &
September last, and transmitted to me in your Despatches noted in the
Margin [Marginal note:Nos. 61 to 64 ].

I have reported to Her Majesty in Council my opinion that the said
Acts should be left to their operation; and I have the honour to
transmit to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the
9th of January 1863, approving that Report.



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FILE: 1863-01-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637002.txt
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No. 2

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 40
of the 1st of August, and to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the
Board of Trade from which you will learn that the Stores required for
the service of the Race Rocks and Fisgard Island Light Houses have been
shipped on board the Steamer "Fusi Yama," appointed to sail on the 24th
instant.

As soon as the Bill for these Stores is received from the Board of
Trade, the Colonial Agents will be instructed to pay it, and you will be
duly apprized of the amount; but in the meanwhile I am desirous to call
your attention to the present state of the Agents' Account with the
Colony. After deducting the sum of £551..18..9 overpaid by them, of
which you were informed by my despatch of the 30th of August last, from
the sum of £600 remitted by you, as reported in your despatch of the 4th
of November, a balance of only £48 remains to the credit of the Colony.

It will therefore be necessary for you, not only to remit a sum
sufficient to meet the cost of these stores, but also to supply the
Agents with funds to enable them to satisfy any other demands which may
be made upon them from time to time for the service of Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1863-01-27_Powles_to_Newcastle_V635MI01.txt
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Powles to Newcastle

The directors of the Port Phillip Company (incorporated by Royal
Charter) of which I am Chairman, are about to send a small party to
Van Couvers Island and British Columbia for the purpose of taking
measures for the Establishment of a Company, to carry on the business
of Mining and the reduction of Ores there, in a systematic manner, as
is done by the Port Phillip Company in the Colony of Victoria.

Believing that the formation of such a Company, with suitable Capital
will tend to promote the welfare of the Colony, I take the liberty to
ask the favor of a letter of introduction to His Excellency the
Governor thereof, in favor of Mr Robert Plummer Junr of Newcastle
on Tyne, who is going to the Colony as Superintendent of the
undertaking in contemplation.



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FILE: 1863-01-30_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63007.txt
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No. 7

In conformity with the instructions contained in the Book of Colonial Regulations, I have the honor to forward herewith to your Grace the Returns described on the other side hereof, * as received from the Treasurer for the quarter ending 30th September, 1862.



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FILE: 1863-01-30_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63008.txt
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No. 8, Miscellaneous

With reference to your Grace's Despatch No 117, 23 April last, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of two letters, from Colonel Moody R.E. reporting in reference to a demand for £98.10.0 on account of freight on some hay and oats shipped on board the Thames City, and afterwards discharged at Gravesend by direction of that Officer.



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FILE: 1863-02-02_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63009.txt
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No. 9, Miscellaneous

I have much pleasure in forwarding herewith copy of a Report lately received from Mr Begbie the Judge of British Columbia, embodying many valuable observations on the Roads and Mines of the Colony. Especially would I call attention to his remarks on the character and yield of the Mines at Williams Creek, as containing views both original and entertaining.



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FILE: 1863-02-02_Elliot_to_Douglas_V637002A.txt
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[Private]

At the request of Captain Prevost R.N. who was formerly a member of
the Boundary Commission on your coasts, I have placed in the bag a letter
from him to you about his son, who is going out to Vancouver's Island to
seek his fortunes. This young man was a midshipman, and I am assured by
Captain Prevost was steady and well conducted until unhappily he
absconded from his ship at the Cape of Good Hope, and has in consequence
been obliged to quit the service. I had no previous acquaintance with
Mr. Prevost, but I know that he is highly respected in the Navy, and I
need not say that readily offered him any little aid in my power to
trace out and recover his son. Beyond this I can say nothing of my
own knowledge. If the young man should seem really well disposed,
and derserving of it, I dare say that you will out of kindness and of
regard for his father, endeavour to throw him into good hands and let
him be guided into the sort of private enterprize best suited to his
qualifications. I am bound to say that, so far as my judgment goes,
he decidedly might not to receive any public appointment whatever.



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FILE: 1863-02-02_Lindley_to_Newcastle_V636L03.txt
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Lindley to Newcastle

As the only remaining Commissioner for the N.W. American Colonies I
beg to ask of your Grace the favour of an order to the Agents for
Crown Colonies directing them to take charge of certain small
packages placed in my care for Vancouver & British Columbia.

The packages consist of books of Awards, Illustrated Catalogues,
Medals & similar articles for the Executive Committees
at Victoria and N. Westminster.

I have no public funds out of which to defray the cost of
transmission and I therefore venture to hope that you will sanction
that expense being charged by the agents to the two Governments.



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FILE: 1863-02-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63010.txt
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No. 10

I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of the periodical report received from Mr Begbie Judge of British Columbia after the termination of the circuit for 1862 and which report I have no doubt, will prove interesting to your Grace.



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FILE: 1863-02-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63011.txt
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No. 11

I beg to inform your Grace that the official reports of the
Gold Commissioners, and District Magistrates of British Columbia
for the month of December last, present a very satisfactory
view, of the general condition and prospects of the Colony.
The weather has been uniformly mild and trade had sustained
no serious interruption from severe cold or deep snow.

2. Another most gratifying circumstance also consequent on
the mildness of the season is the fact dwelt upon in these
reports that the large droves of beef cattle and transport
animals wintering at Sumass, and in the Thompson & Buonaparte
Valleys, preparatory to being sent to the Mines, are doing
extremely well though not housed and improvidently left by their
owners to roam at large and pick up their food on the natural
range of the country.

3. The reports from Carribou mention that the mining
population did not exceed 350 men, the great body of Miners
having left the District on the approach of winter, and
that relatively to the numbers employed, the mines were
yielding as largely as  ever.

4. The annual exodus of Miners from Carribou, causing
the suspension of work for nearly seven months in the year,
retarding the development of the mines and affecting the
amount of public revenue to a most serious extent, is an
evil, originating almost entirely in the scarcity and high
prices of food, and it is one of those evils which must
continue to tell severely upon the industry of the Country
until the extensive tracts of arable land in the neighbouring
Districts, now lying waste, are brought into cultivation,
and the Colony is supplied with home grown food. It is
some consolation to reflect that so desirable a consummation
may be accelerated by the dearth of the present time; and
result in rendering agriculture a more attractive pursuit
and in teaching settlers by the inducement of cheap land and high prices to give up the mines for the more certain realizations of the farm.

5. In the meantime we are using every exertion, within
the power of Government, to mitigate the evil, by laying
out new roads and by improving the existing communications,
in order to facilitate the introduction of supplies of all
kinds from abroad, at a lower rate than the enormous charges
for inland transport, which have heretofore operated so disastrously
to the industrial pursuits and proper development of the Colony.

6. Had the supply of food in the mines, last year, been
larger and less costly a much greater number of men would
have remained there, and the returns of Gold as well as the
amount of public revenue been proportionably increased.
The exodus will probably be on a smaller scale this year, as
the climate is every day becoming less an object of dread,
and with greater facilities of communication, food may be
expected to be cheaper and more abundant.

7. I have lately seen some rich specimens of silver ore
and auriferous quartz found in Carribou which the discoverers,
if they can procure a sufficient command of Capital propose
to work this season.

8. I regret to add that the ravages of the Small Pox,
which made its first appearance in May 1862, have, notwithstanding
the most strenuous efforts, by vaccination and treatment, to
arrest its progress, been severely felt by the Native Tribes
who from ignorance or superstition would not resort to the
preventive measures recommended to them. A few of the
Colonists have also fallen victims, but the number of cases,
among the latter, which have proved fatal is not great.

9. As other matters of interest are touched upon in Mr
Commissioner Elwyns report I forward it for Your Grace's information.



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Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to send you, herewith, for the information of the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, copies of a Despatch, and of its
enclosures, that have been received from Rear Admiral Sir
Thomas Maitland, dated, 1 Decber 1862, No 312, reporting
the proceedings of Captain G.H. Richards, of HMS "Hecate"
and of Commander Pike of HMS "Devastation", in capturing
certain Indians implicated in the Murder of two White men
near Fort Simpson, reporting also, the result of Commander
Pike's investigation of other disputes with the Indians on
the North West Coast of Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1863-02-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637009.txt
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No. 9

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
"Separate" of the 4th of December last reporting upon the several Mining
Districts of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-02-04_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG01.txt
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Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the 24th Ultimo, I have
the honor to state, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle,
that Messrs Johnson, Matthey & Co offer to supply the Articles
required from them for the Melting Department of the Assay
Office, British Columbia for the sum of £222.16; Mr Claudet
for those required from him for the Assay Department for the sum
of £66.14.5.



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FILE: 1863-02-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637003.txt
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No. 3

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from
Mr. Lindley one of the Commissioners for British Columbia and Vancouver
Island at the International Exhibition, and I have to acquaint you that
I have authorized the Agents' General to take charge of the Packages
referred to, and to defray the expenses of their conveyance, charging
the amount to the respective Governments concerned.



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FILE: 1863-02-06_Booth_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635TA02.txt
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Booth to Under-Secretary of State

Referring to your letter of the 20th July 1861 transmitting copy of
a despatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island respecting the
Lighthouses erected in Fucas Straits I am directed by the Lords of
the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to observe that the final
Accounts which the Governor states in the last paragraph of his
despatch will be forwarded, have not been received in this Office.

As My Lords are unable to settle the Accounts for the erection of
these Lighthouses without the final Accounts from Vancouver's Island,
I am to request that you will move His Grace the Duke of Newcastle to
instruct the Governor to cause them to be transmitted to this
Department as soon as possible.



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No. 4

Referring to your despatch No. 35 of the 2nd of May 1861 respecting
the Lighthouses erected in Fucas Straits, I have been requested by the
Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to remind you that the
final accounts, which you state in the last paragraph of your despatch
will be forwarded have not yet been received.

As their Lordships' are unable to settle the accounts for the
erection of these Light Houses without the final Accounts from Vancouver
Island, I have to instruct you to cause them to be transmitted to the
Board of Trade as soon as possible.



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FILE: 1863-02-09_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE02.txt
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Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, that They will not object to
the Estimate of the amount of aid required from Parliament
to defray the charge of British Columbia for the year
1863-4 enclosed in your letter of 21st Ultimo;

My Lords will add to the Item of Preliminary Expenses
the sum of £121.15. transferred to Naval Services at
His Grace's request dated 24th November last.

In agreeing to this Estimate my Lords rely on the
punctual fulfilment by the Colony of it's part of the
arrangement made last year, for providing for expenditure
incurred in excess of the sums voted by Parliament, and
for the cost of the specie, and for other services;

My Lords are anxious to hear from His Grace that
the repayments, which were to be made during 1862, have
been duly attended to by the Governor.



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No. 10

I have the honor to transmit to you for your Report a copy of a
letter addressed to me by Mr. Charles Walkem dated Montreal 12th
January, respecting his son's claim to be admitted to the Bar of British
Columbia.

With reference to your despatch No. 65 of the 6th of January 1859
I have to observe to you that if it is requisite to admit Barristers of
the United States to practice in British Columbia it appears much more
requisite to admit Canadian Barristers.

Mr. Justice Begbie in his letter of the 29th December 1859 enclosed
in your despatch to which I have referred, seems to treat the question
as one of reciprocity and argues that because British Columbia
Barristers are not admitted to practice in Canada, Canadian Barristers,
ought not to be admitted to practice in British Columbia.

But I have to observe that it is clear that this question ought not
to be treated with reference to the personal interests of barristers,
but to the benefit of the public, and that it is clearly for the benefit
of the British Columbian public in the present state of society, that
men of legal knowledge and respectable character should be encouraged by
all means to practice law before the Supreme Court, whether that
knowledge has been acquired in Great Britain, in British Columbia
itself, or in Canada.



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No. 11

I have the honor to acquaint you that I have received through the
Board of Admiralty the Reports of the proceedings made by the Naval
Officers who captured certain Indians implicated in the Murder of two
white men near Fort Simpson, and who inquired into other disputes with
the Indians on the North West Coast of Vancouver's Island.

It appears from these Reports that the Indians are in the habit of
obtaining spirits from Masters of Trading Vessels. I do not doubt that
if any such cases should be duly substantiated, and brought within the
scope of the law, you will deal with due rigor with any traders who may
illegally sell spirits to the Indians.



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FILE: 1863-02-11_McClure_to_Newcastle_V636M01.txt
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McClure to Newcastle

I have the honour of forwarding for your perusal, according to
request, the following statistics in connection with the political
condition of Vancouver Island:

Name of Area No. No.

Electoral Locality in sq. miles of Voters of Members

Victoria Town 3 32 2

" District 12 97 3

Esquimalt Town 1 65 1

" District 21 61 2

Nanaimo 80 32 1

Lake District 25 57 1

Saanich 37 29 1

Sooke 25 15 1

Salt Spring 95 45 1

___ __

833 13

It will thus be seen that Victoria has a larger number of voters than
all the other districts combined, yet it has not even the maximum of
the district representation.

As a means of placing the representation on a more correct basis, I
think population should be taken as the foundation, making of course
an allowance for the several interests. In Vancouver Island these
latter may be divided into four classes: The
Commercial and Manufacturing in Victoria Town, represented by
a population of 5000
and in Esquimalt by 500 persons; the
Agricultural interest, comprising all other localities but
Nanaimo, and represented by, about 500 of a population; and the
Coal mining interest at Nanaimo absorbing a population of about
300.

At the present time, with proper facilities given the inhabitants for
registering their names on the electoral roll, it would be found that
there are fully 1050 persons qualified to become voters. By an
increase of eight members to the number of representatives in the
Legislative Assembly, we would then have as a basis one
representative to every fifty voters—or, on an average, a member to
every 300 of the population. As the voters in the agricultural
districts are much more numerous in proportion to the population than
those in the towns this change would leave them no cause for
complaint. Victoria, accordingly, would be entitled to about nine
members, giving three to each of the Municipal Wards. Combined with
Esquimalt town, which from its growing importance might with reason
claim two representatives, it would be seen that this arrangement
would give exactly eleven members to the commercial and manufacturing
portion of the community, nine to the agricultural, and one to the
coal mining—as evenly balanced a representation as, I think, could,
under the circumstances, be adopted.

The next subject is that of the Legislative Council, which I think
should be increased from five to nine members—one third being
nominated by the Governor, and the other two thirds (or six)
representing the various interests of the Island without regard to
population; for instance—two representing commerce and manufacture;
two, agriculture; and two mining, lumbering, or other interest
connected with this description of Industry.

The question with regard to qualification for members of Legislature
is one which, I think, should not be allowed to rest in the present
unsatisfactory state. The small population of the Island necessarily
makes our choice of representatives exceedingly limited, without
having its dimensions still further and unjustly circumscribed to
those only who are in possession of
landed property to the amount of £300.

*

It unfortunately happens that the majority of this class on Vancouver
Island are
men whose life-long experience has been principally
confined to trading with the native tribes,
and who are, of course, in a great measure, unacquainted with the
political economy of a more progressive description of civilization.
In the first place, therefore, I think the qualification too high
and too restrictive, and consequently injurious in its general
effect; because it is rather a premium on indolence than on industry;
since the man who spends his capital solely in house property, in
manufactures, or even in merchandise adds to the general wealth and
industry of the place, he whose money is invested in land, unless he
be a
bona fide
agriculturalist (which is not often the case in a new country)
actually occupies a position—that of speculator—highly inimical to
the general welfare. Yet it is to this class principally the
inhabitants of Vancouver Island are at present compelled to look for
representatives.
Without a more liberal qualification it would be almost
impossible to obtain any beneficial change in the composition of our
Assembly,
and of course that change is not to be expected from the colonial
Government. I therefore take the liberty of putting this fact before
your Grace in the hope that it may merit your earnest attention.

There is but one other subject with which I have to trouble your
Grace—a subject which I approach with both respect and anxiety. I
mean the composition of the Executive and Administrative Departments
of the Government of Vancouver Island. I cannot get over the fact,
and I hope I may be pardoned for making the perhaps bold assertion,
that any reformation in the political condition of Vancouver will be
very incomplete indeed that does not include a thorough change in the
official departments of the country—from the highest to the lowest;
or at least that does not confer some such power upon the colonists.
So bold have the men occupying these important positions
become, from uninterrupted success in
ignoring constitutional usage and public sentiment,
that I confess to the fear that however liberal the changes which
your Grace might make in the machinery of the Government, much of
their beneficial character would be destroyed or counteracted by the
administration of those at present filling the most important yet most
irresp[onsible?]

offices in the Government of Vancouver Island.

I hope that, in presenting your Grace with the foregoing details and
remarks, I have not exceeded my position, or trespassed too heavily
on your time and patience. The importance of the subject must be my
only excuse. For certain am I that it only requires the
establishment of a liberal and enlightened system of government on
Vancouver Island to make that colony a magnet for the attraction of
all those numerous British elements which now be scattered along the
American portion of the Pacific coast, and for drawing from all parts
of the world, in a very few years a population more commensurate with
the greatness of its natural resources and the unequalled nature of
its geographical position.



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No. 5

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 56
of the 3rd of December last and to acquaint you that it is perfectly
immaterial whether the running summary of the Vancouver Island Acts is
printed at the head of the separate clauses or in the margin, but I have
at the same time to point out to you that in many of the Acts
transmitted with your despatch No. 38 of the 24th of July, to which my
Circular dispatch of the 24th of September more particularly
referred, the summary is not inserted either in the one place or in the
other.



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FILE: 1863-02-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63013.txt
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No. 13

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No 151, 28 November last forwarding a copy of a Memorial from Mrs Sophia Elizabeth Cox, the wife of Mr William G. Cox, a Stipendiary Magistrate in British Columbia representing that her Husband had emigrated to British Columbia, leaving her without the
necessary means of subsistence.
I had previously received a similar Memorial from Mrs Cox,
which I forwarded to her husband with remarks of a like character
contained in Your Grace's Despatch. I will now communicate Your
Grace's instructions to Mr Cox, and will report to you further
what may be done in the matter.



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No. 3

In connection with my Despatch of this date No 4 and referring to
your Despatch No 106 of the 19 June 1862, I have the honor to
transmit herewith the report I have received from Mr G.H. Cary the
Attorney General of this Colony, in reply to the charges brought
against him by Mr Langford.

2. The evidence Mr Cary produces appears so satisfactorily to clear him
from Mr Langford's imputations, and so forcibly to expose the
character of Mr Langford that it does not seem to me necessary to
trouble Your Grace with further remark.



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FILE: 1863-02-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63004.txt
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No. 4

Adverting to my Despatch No 44, of the 23rd August last, and to
Your Grace's Despatch No 101, of the 2nd June 1862, in which were
transmitted for report certain letters from Mr E.E. Langford,
formerly resident at Esquimalt, Vancouver's Island, containing
statements affecting various Officers of my Government, and the
administration of Justice within the Colony, I have now the honor to
forward herewith a report from Mr Cameron, the Chief Justice, upon
Mr Langfords complaint in respect of certain proceedings in the
Supreme Court, accompanied by copy of minutes of evidence, and of the
Judges notes of the trial in which Mr Langford was concerned.
I have also the honor to enclose the reports I have received from Mr
Begbie, the Judge of British Columbia, and from Mr Good, the Chief
Clerk in the Office of the Colonial Secretary of British Columbia, in
reply to the particular charges preferred by Mr Langford against
them.

2. Your Grace desires me in forwarding these Documents to accompany
them with my own observations. It seems to me, however, that the
Documents in question when read with Mr Langford's correspondence,
and considered in connection, therewith, and with the report
furnished by Mr Cary, forwarded in my Despatch of this date, No 3,
so clearly disclose the character and evident object of Mr Langford,
that it is unnecessary for me to occupy Your Grace's time by adding
the result of my general experience of Mr Langford during the period
that he was a resident of Vancouver's Island: but I deem it right,
nevertheless, to observe that when I appointed Mr Langford a Justice
of the Peace I had no choice of Candidates. He was the first settler
who could consistently be appointed to that office, and the
circumstance upon which he lays so much stress of having filled the
responsible position of Chairman of Quarter Sessions, was simply the
result of his seniority: and I must also observe that had I been in
possession of all the circumstances now disclosed, I should have felt
it my duty prior to Mr Langford's departure from Vancouver's Island
to strike his name off the Commission of the Peace.



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No. 5

Referring to that part of Your Despatch of the 2nd June 1862 No 101
which relates particularly to Mr Cameron, the Chief Justice of this
Colony, and to his antecedents as brought to Your Grace's notice by
MrE. E. Langford, I have the honor to transmit herewith to Your Grace
copy of a communication from Mr Cameron detailing matters connected
with his early history, and rebutting Mr Langford's representations
that he was an uncertified Bankrupt prior to his coming to
Vancouver's Island.

2. The Documents which I forward in my other Despatches of this date
Nos 3 and 4, as well as those which were transmitted in my Despatch
No 14 of the 23rd March 1860 relating to another serious complaint
of Mr Langford's, when placed in contrast with Mr Langford's
statements and accusations, do, I think, lead to the inevitable
conviction that Mr Langford is a person wholly unworthy of credence,
and one who is principally actuated in these representations against
Mr Cameron by malevolent feelings engendered through his having been
very properly, although apparently too leniently punished by Mr
Cameron for gross contempt of court.

3. Under such circumstances it would not be necessary for me to
accompany Mr Cameron's statement with further remark, but as Your
Grace desires to know whether Mr Cameron's antecedents were known
to me at the time of his appointment, and at the same time expresses
an opinion that the period is approaching when it will be necessary
that Vancouver's Island should receive the services of a professional
Judge, it becomes incumbent upon me to review the circumstances under
which Mr Cameron became the Chief Justice of this Colony.

4. In my Despatch of the 7h January 1854 No 2, I represented to
Your Grace that in consequence of the inexperience of the
Magistrates, and of certain irregularities in the proceedings of
their Court, it was found requisite to limit their jurisdiction in
civil cases, and in order to provide for the wants of the Colony, to
constitute a Supreme Court of Civil Justice. I selected to be the
provincial Judge of that Court, Mr David Cameron, who was
undoubtedly the most fitting person I could obtain for that position,
he being a man of good business habits, of liberal education, some
legal knowledge, and what was equal to all possessed of a more than
ordinary amount of discretion and common sense. I would beg Your
Grace to note that Mr Langford was then, the Senior Magistrate in
the Colony, and it is not unnatural to assume from subsequent events
that Mr Langford, forming his own Estimate of himself, must have
viewed Mr Camerons appointment to a superior position with much
jealousy and heart-burning. And I may as well here state that I
selected Mr Cameron in preference to Mr Langford, because an
experience of nearly three years had shown me
that Mr Langford was
singularly deficient in judgement, temper and discretion, and was
much inferior both in legal and general knowledge to Mr Cameron. At
the time I selected Mr Cameron I was but very imperfectly acquainted
with his early history, and had no knowledge of the circumstances of
his having twice failed in business. My knowledge of him extended to
the fact that he had given up the management of a large Sugar Estate
in Demerara, where he was living in the enjoyment of every comfort,
to accept an appointment in Vancouver's Island, offered to him by Mr
Colvile, then Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, principally
induced thereto by the opportunity it afforded him to seek a more
temperate climate, to benefit the failing health of his wife, since
deceased.

5. In reporting the appointment of Mr Cameron in my Despatch No 2
of the 7 January 1854, I stated that he was not a professional
Lawyer, that he had accepted the appointment solely at my request,
and only until a Law Officer could be appointed, a measure which I
solicited might be early carried into effect. And in my Despatch No
42 of the 11h December 1854, in reporting upon a Memorial addressed
to Your Grace upon the subject of Mr Cameron's appointment, I again
observed that if Her Majesty's Government thought the appointment of
Mr Cameron improper, I had no wish to retain him in the position,
and I requested that a Judge might be sent out from England. I would
remark that this same Memorial was the production of a small but
violent political clique, with whom were prominently connected Mr Langford and Mr James Cooper, the present Harbour Master of British
Columbia; the particular grievance of the latter against my
Government being that the sale of ardent Spirits without a Licence
had been prohibited, and that he, being a Member of the Council,
having become a retail vendor of spiritous Liquors, I had brought
the matter to the notice of the council, and expressed my opinion
that such proceedings were improper and derogatory to the dignity of
the Council.

6. The circumstances of the provisional appointment of Mr Cameron
must have been duly weighed by the Secretary of State, and I presume
a favorable estimate arrived at of his abilities and fitness for the
office, for by Mr Labouchere's Despatch No 8 of the 26h April 1856, referring to my Despatch of the 7h January 1854, and to the
correspondence which had subsequently passed on the subject of the
establishment of a Supreme Court of Civil Justice, I was informed
that Mr Cameron would be appointed Chief Justice and a Warrant for
that purpose under the Royal Sign Manual was forwarded to me in
Despatch No 9 of the 5 May 1856.

7. In consequence thereof Mr Cameron abandoned his employment under
the Hudson's Bay Company and devoted himself, as I can testify from
actual knowledge, with the most untiring assiduity to the duties of
his office.

8. On the 28 July 1857, in my Despatch No 25, I requested
instructions as to the amount and payment of the Salary to be
assigned to Mr Cameron as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In reply I was informed by the Secretary of State's Despatch No 14 of the 6h November 1857, that the matter had been referred to the
Hudson's Bay Company, with whom the decision was considered to rest.
Mr Cameron however continued to receive no larger Salary that that
attached to the office in 1853, viz: One Hundred pounds (£100) per
Annum until the 8h August 1860, when a Salary of Eight Hundred
pounds (£800) per Annum, payable from the Land Revenues of the
Colony, was fixed by the Local Legislature for the Chief Justice.

9. The foregoing is a statement of the circumstances under which Mr
Cameron became the Chief Justice of Vancouver's Island. It will be
seen that he was originally selected by me on account of his being
the only person near to me to whom I could with safety entrust the
duties of a most responsible office; that I solicited that he might
speedily be relieved from those duties by a professional Judge; that
Her Majesty's Government thought it desirable to retain Mr Cameron
in the Office in which I had provisionally placed him; and not only
so, but, unsolicited, to elevate him to the higher and more
responsible Office of Chief Justice; and I can most conscientiously
say that during the period Mr Cameron has discharged these
responsible duties, I am not aware of one single act which would show
his appointment to have been unwise or inexpedient. On the contrary
his high integrity, his firmness, discretion, and sound common sense,
coupled with the most even temper and amiable manners have been a
source of much satisfaction to me.

10. Although Mr Cameron was not originally educated as a Lawyer,
yet I believe him by close application and study for a period of more
than nine years to have acquired a knowledge of the profession that
would compare favourably with the great mass of those regularly
educated in the profession: indeed I have on more than one occasion
found his opinion, although at variance with that of members of the
profession, to be correct; and so far as my own personal experience
of Mr Cameron is concerned I can assure Your Grace that although I
was not, after the advent into the Colony of regularly qualified
Lawyers, at first disposed to place very great confidence in Mr
Cameron's opinions on points of Law, yet I have lately very
considerably altered my views in that respect.

11. However should Her Majesty's Government still consider that a
professional Chief Justice should be appointed, I will, if Your Grace
desires it, call upon Mr Cameron to resign, and I have no doubt that
he will under such circumstances, be prepared to meet the views of
Her Majesty's Government; but I presume that in such case Her
Majesty's Government will grant him a pension in consideration of his
services, and of his having abandoned a certainty in order to accept
an appointment from which he is removed through no fault of his own.



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FILE: 1863-02-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63012.txt
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No. 12

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
following Parliamentary Papers:
"Reports of the past and present state of Her Majesty's
Colonial Possessions. Part 3."
"Emigration Commissioners Report for the year 1862"
and the "Return of Colonial Governors."
end
and I have to thank your Grace for providing me with these
valuable sources of information.



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No. 6

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following
Parliamentary Papers:

Reports of the past and present state of Her Majesty's Colonial
Possessions. Part 3.

Emigration Commissioners Report for the year 1862.

and the

Return of Colonial Governors.

and I have to thank your Grace for providing me with these valuable
sources of information.



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FILE: 1863-02-16_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635LN01.txt
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Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 2nd instant, with a despatch
from the Governor of VanCouvers Island requesting instructions as to
the answer to be given to an Address from the Legislature of that
Colony, in which they ask for copies of the correspondence between
the Colonial Office and the Governor, and between the Governor and
the Hudsons Bay Co respecting the Townsite of Victoria.

2. As far as relates to the correspondence between the Colonial
Office and the Governor I am aware of no objection to the production
of the papers which the Legislative Council desire to have. As
regards the correspondence between the Governor and the Hudsons Bay
Co I can express no opinion, as no complete copy of that
correspondence has been sent home. Upon that point the Governor must
I think be left to his own discretion—but if one part of the
correspondence is produced it does not occur to me that there can be
any objection in principal to the production of the whole.



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FILE: 1863-02-17_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE03.txt
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Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of 6th
Instant, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, that they will not object to
the Agents General for Crown Colonies being authorized to
supply the articles required for the Assay and Melting
Departments in British Columbia, at an expense of £289.10.5,
provided they have funds in hand belonging to the Colony
out of which the expense can be defrayed, but Their Lordships
are unable to sanction any advance being made for the purchase
of these Articles out of the Vote for British Columbia, or
out of other Imperial Funds.



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FILE: 1863-02-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63012CO.txt
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Confidential

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Despatch of the 8th
December last marked "Separate" calling my attention to
Article 71 of the Colonial Rules and Regulations, and requiring
in accordance with that Article, Confidential Reports on the
characters and qualifications of public servants and candidates for employment within my Government.
2. I thank your Grace for pointing out to me more clearly the intention of the Article in question, as I had previously viewed it as scarcely yet applicable to the circumstances of this Colony. I therefore forward herewith for your Graces information a Confidential Report on the characters and qualifications of the principal Officers of my
Government, and of the different heads of the Departments throughout
the Colony, founded upon my close personal and general official experience
of those gentlemen during a period in most cases of more than four years.

So far as candidates for employment are concerned I am unable
to make any Report, as although I have a long list of persons
desiring employment in the Public Service yet I have no actual
experience of any of them, and can only be guided when vacancies
occur, to the selection of the most fitting by the testimonials
which they may produce, and by their apparent personal fitness for
the particular office vacant.

Trusting that Your Grace's requirements may be fulfilled by the
enclosed.



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FILE: 1863-02-18_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635LN02.txt
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Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 2nd instant, with further
despatches from the Governor of Vancouver Island on the subject of
the Land in the Town of Victoria supposed to have been ceded to the
Crown by the Indenture of 3rd Febry 1862.

2. Governor Douglas reports that he has been unable to obtain from
the Companys Agent any statement of the land so ceded—that in order
to expedite the matter he had submitted to the Agent sketch maps of
the Land specified in the Agreement—but that in nearly every case
the boundaries have been disputed, and in one case the site
altogether changed. He requests to be furnished with a copy of the
chart referred to in the Agreement as "the Company's plan" expressing
his belief that no such plan existed at that date in the Colony—and
he intimates that since the Agreement was received there, the Agent
of the Company has been disposing of land which was previously
supposed to have been unsold, and which would, therefore, have
belonged to the Crown.

3. The plan which we had before us when the Agreement was entered
into was that drawn by Mr Pemberton and published in London in 1861
by Arrowsmith. I have applied to Mr Arrowsmith for a copy of it.
We certainly understood from Mr Dallas that a considerable extent to
the south west of James' Bay was at that time unsold, though Mr
Dallas did not profess to be able to state exactly how much. If
Governor Douglas is correct in supposing that the Company's Agent has
been disposing of Land on account of the Company since 1st Janry
1862, such a proceeding is clearly inconsistent with the terms of the
Agreement and ought not to be allowed. Perhaps the best course will
be to send a copy of Governor Douglas' despatch to the Governor of
the Company and to call on him to cooperate with the Government in
bringing this matter to an early and amicable settlement, by
instructions to the Agent of the Company in the Colony to adhere
strictly and in good faith to the conditions of the Agreement. Of
course no grant by the Company within the Victoria Reserve dated
after 1st Janry 1862 could be recognized, unless it could be shown
that the negociations for them had proceeded so far before that date
as to make their completion a matter of right. And even in that case
the price paid for the land if paid after 1st Janry 1862, must, I
think, be considered to belong to the Crown not to the Company.



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FILE: 1863-02-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637012.txt
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No. 12

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 55
of the 1st of December enclosing a copy of a letter addressed to you by
Mr. Begbie on the subject of a Report which was in circulation that he
had purchased an interest in a Mining claim.

I regard Mr Begbie's complete denial of the truth of this report as
satisfactory. At the same time I also entirely approve of your
declaration of the right of the Executive Government to inquire at any
time into a question of property which might cause the private interests
of public servants to conflict with the due discharge of their public
duties.



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FILE: 1863-02-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637013.txt
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No. 13

I have the honor to acquaint you that, on my recommendation, the
Lords Commissoners of the Treasury have agreed to propose to Parliament
a Vote for £22,121 to defray the charge of the Colony of British
Columbia for the year 1863-4.

I enclose a copy of the
Estimate which will place you in possession
of the particular services for which this sum will be voted. The Lords
Commissioners have consented to propose the Vote in reliance on the
punctual fulfilment by the Colony of its part of the arrangement made
last year for providing for expenditure incurred in excess of the sums
granted by Parliament, and for the cost of the specie and other
services.

The enclosure in my despatch No. 131 of 16th June 1862 will have
informed you of the particular repayments required from your Government.
They consist of the following sums.

In 1862—for Specie—————————————-£6900.0.0

————-Assay Office ———————————— 152.3.8

Bishop's passage——————————- 69.13.0

——————————————————————— 7121.16.8

and in 1863 for Roads Bridges and Surveys——£10704

I rely upon your making the above payments with due regularity, and
I have to request that you will report to me how far you may yet have
complied with the demands of the Imperial Government in this respect.
In case, unfortunately, any of the repayments should be arrear I must
impress upon you the necessity of forthwith repairing the omission.



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FILE: 1863-02-19_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG02.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle that the sum of £26,362.6.6 has been realized by
the sale of £24,900 Vancouver Island Debentures, and that as the
greater portion of this amount will not be required for some time, I
beg to suggest that the Agents General be authorized to invest in one
of the large Joint Stock Banks such portion of that amount as may be
spared for the purpose.



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FILE: 1863-02-20_Langford_to_Newcastle_V636L01.txt
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Langford to Newcastle

I was informed by Mr Chichester Fortescue, by a letter dated
21st June 1862, that a copy of all my communications, relating to my
charges against certain officials in Vancouver Island, had been
forwarded to the Governor of that Colony for his Report; I am now
desirous of being made acquainted, whether any communication on the
subject has been received from Governor Douglas; and if so I beg to
request that a complete copy of the same may be forwarded to me.



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FILE: 1863-02-21_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE01.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 24th Ultimo enclosing
an Account of the Receipts and Disbursements of Imperial Funds in
connection with the Island of San Juan from 1 January to 30 September
1862 I am desired by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to request that you will draw the attention of the Secretary
of State for the Colonies to the discrepancy between the Balance at
the foot of the Accounts for this Expenditure to 31 December 1861—viz £610.1—and the Balance brought forward in the present
Account—viz £611.15.4. My Lords request that you will move the Duke
of Newcastle to call upon the Accountant Mr Watson, Treasurer of
Vancouver's Island for an explanation of this discrepancy.



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FILE: 1863-02-21_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637006.txt
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No. 6

In answer to your despatch No. 55 of the 3rd of December 1862
requesting instructions as to the answer to be given to an Address from
the Legislature of Vancouver Island in which they ask for copies of the
correspondence between the Governor of the Colony and this Office, and
between the Governor and the Hudson's Bay Company repecting the Town site
of Victoria, I have the honor to acquaint you that there is no objection
to your communicating to the Legislature the correspondence which has
passed between this Office and yourself on this subject.

With regard to the correspondence between the Governor and the
Hudson's Bay Company, I am unable to express any opinion as to the
expediency of it's being communicated to the Legislature, as no complete
copy of it is in my possession; I leave you therefore to act according
to your own discretion on this point; but if one part of the
correspondence is produced, it does not occur to me that there can be
any objection in principle to the production of the whole.



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FILE: 1863-02-23_Howard_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V635MI02.txt
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Howard to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant
transmitting by direction of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle copy of
a despatch from the Governor of Vancouver Island reporting that a box
had been forwarded to the Commissioners of Woods containing twenty
pounds weight of Seed and 6 1/2 bushels of Cones of the Douglas Pine
and I have to request that you will be so good as to express to His
Grace my thanks for the trouble he has taken in this matter.

The Box has been safely delivered at this Office and the contents
entrusted to the care of the Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest, and I
shall feel obliged by your informing me of the expense incurred in
the collection of these Seeds.



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FILE: 1863-02-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637007.txt
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No. 7

With reference to your Despatch No. 52 of the 4th of November last
enclosing an account of the Receipts and Disbursements of Imperial funds
in connection with the Island of San Juan from the 1st of January to the
30th of September 1862; I have been requested by the Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury to call your attention to the discrepancy between the
balance (viz £610..1..0) at the foot of the account for this expenditure
to the 31st December 1861, which was enclosed in your despatch of the
30th of March 1862, and the balance brought forward in the present
account viz £611..15..4, and I have to instruct you to call upon Mr.
Watson the Treasurer of Vancouver Island to explain the discrepancy for
their Lordships' information.



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FILE: 1863-02-28_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE02.txt
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Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 20th Instant, & its
Enclosure, respecting the supply of Douglas Pine Seed which has been
shipped to this Country by the Governor of Vancouver's Island for the
use of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods & Forests, I am
desired by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to
acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that as
soon as the Account between the Imperial Government & the Government
of Vancouver's Island which contains the charge of £65.13.5, the cost
of collecting the Seeds in question, has been received in this
Department, My Lords will request the repayment of the amount from
the Commissioners of Woods &c.



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FILE: 1863-03-02_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE04.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliott's letter of 27th Ultimo,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of the
Duke of Newcastle, that My Lords consent to a Law being passed,
similar to The British Columbia Loan Act of 1862, for
raising a further sum of £50,000 by Loan upon the Security
of the General Revenue of the Colony.

I am further commanded to state that it must be clearly
understood that Her Majesty's Government do not undertake
any responsibility in respect of such Loan any more than
in the case of the Loan authorized to be raised last year,
and that there is no Imperial Guarantee for either the
Interest or Principal of the Loan.

I am, at the same time, directed to request that the Governor's
attention may be drawn to the remarks contained in the letter
of this Board of 8th November 1862, on the subject of the
Sale of Debentures, and that a Statement may be furnished by
the Governor of the application of the Loan of 1862, and of
the arrangements with the Contractors for the Roads under
which the local Government gave its Guarantee for the sum
borrowed by them from the Bank of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-03-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63007.txt
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No. 7, Legislative

I have the honour to inform Your Grace that the Legislature of
Vancouver's Island was prorogued on the 27th Day of February and on
the following Day I issued a Proclamation dissolving the House of
Assembly, whose legal powers, limited by the "Franchise Act 1859" to
a period of three years, expired with that date.

2. I herewith, transmit a copy of my Speech to the Legislature on
its Prorogation and also a Table of all the Acts passed during the
Session.

3. The Estimates were not materially altered in amount, in their
passage through the House, and fully provide for the proposed
expenditure of the year. The aggregate vote of the House, including
the sum of $180,600 Dollars granted for public works; the extinction
of Indian Titles to public land, and for a sinking fund and payment
of annual interest on the Loan, amounts to $297,059 53/100 Dollars.
The remainder of the vote about $116,460 Dollars is intended to
defray the ordinary expenses of the Government.

4. It is proposed to meet that expenditure by means of the ordinary
revenue of the Colony, which with the additional taxes imposed last
Session, is estimated, as shewn in the accompanying statement, at
$151,708.00 Dollars, leaving a deficit of $145,351.00 Dollars as
compared with the proposed aggregate Expenditure, to be provided for
out of the public loan of $40,000 sanctioned in Your Grace's Despatch
of the 18th December 1862—No. 122.

5. I, herewith, transmit the Supply Bills—three in Number—and I
will forward copies of the other Acts as soon as they come from the
Printer—the work being greatly delayed by a deficiency of Type.



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FILE: 1863-03-04_Vernon_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B636V01.txt
================================================================================

Vernon to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Being desirous of Emigrating to British Columbia, I
should esteem it a great favor if you would kindly give me
some information relative to the quantity of land a
British subject can pre-empt, or let me know, who is the
proper person to whom I should apply concerning the
details which are requisite for a British subject who
purposes settling there. Being quite ignorant who would
inform me on this subject, I hope you will excuse the
liberty I take in addressing you, and I should feel
greatly obliged by your kindly answering this as soon as convenient.



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FILE: 1863-03-05_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B636C02.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to enclose a life certificate from
Colonel R.C. Moody R.E., dated 1st January last, and
to request that the usual document may be sent to us,
enabling us to claim that Officer's salary, December quarter
1862, as Chief Commissioner of Lands &c in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-03-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637008.txt
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No. 8

My attention has been again directed to the subject of the charges
preferred by Mr. E.E. Langford in the letters which formed enclosures to
my despatches of the 2nd and 19th of June last, and I regret to be
compelled to express my surprise that, being in receipt of these
communications which bring in question not only the conduct of certain
public Officers in Vancouver Island but your own, you should have
contented yourself with furnishing such a casual and incomplete reply as
that contained in your Despatch of the 23rd of August last, and have
allowed the matter to rest from that date to the present time.



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FILE: 1863-03-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63014.txt
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No. 14, Financial

I have the honour to enclose herewith for your Grace's sanction,
the Estimates for the Colony of British Columbia for the year 1863.

2. These documents have been prepared for some time, but I
did not forward them at an earlier date, as I gleaned from your Grace's
Despatch No 135 of 1st August last, the Estimates for 1862 were
still under consideration, and I was desirous of possessing myself of
your Grace's views thereupon prior to the departure of the 1863
Estimates. I fear however that inconvenience may arise were I to delay
further, and I therefore now transmit them.

3. Your Grace will observe that the proposed expenditure
exceeds the Revenue by £44,670. This is caused by the sum of
£70,000 being inserted for Roads. The detail to be found under
that head exhibits work that the Country most urgently demands—that
there is indeed an almost indispensable necessity should be
vigorously prosecuted in order to keep pace with the rapidly
increasing requirements of the Colony. Of such work however
only the most pressing has been admitted: there are numerous
other roads trails and improvements in the communication of
almost equal importance; but they must of necessity be deferred
until the incoming Revenue will pay the cost. As it is, the works that are named cannot be carried on without extraneous aid,
and that aid I have confidence will be sanctioned by your Grace upon
a consideration of the plain facts I presented in my Despatch
No 58 of the 15th December 1862. It is necessary for me here
to repeat the arguments I then advanced in favor of the policy of
contracting another loan of £50,000. The enormous cost of
transport, is crippling enterprise, chilling immigration, and
retarding the development of the vast auriferous wealth of the Colony
upon which at the present moment its existence depends, and to
reduce that cost by the continued construction of roads in a
Colony so impracticable of access as British Columbia is, I conceive
not only an indispensable necessity and an imperative duty on the
part of the Government, but also a measure of sound policy, the
reproductive efforts of which, would, as I shewed in my
aforesaid Despatch, in their beneficial effects, be immediately realized.

4. In accordance with the instructions contained in your Grace's
Despatch No 120 of the 9th May 1862, I have made provision
in the Estimates for the salary of the Governor to be paid out of the
Colonial Revenue.

5. I have placed upon the Estimates a sum of £500 in aid of
the Admiralty Survey now being prosecuted on the coast of British
Columbia an accompanying copy of a letter from Captain Richards, recently
conducting the survey in these waters, explains the necessity
which existed for affording this aid, and under the circumstances
I did not hesitate to anticipate your Grace's approval to a sum so
well applied.

6. I have also placed upon the Estimates the sum of £5052 to
reimburse Her Majesty's Government the advances by overdrafts &c. A
memorandum is enclosed with the Estimates exhibiting how this
amount is arrived at. I have omitted the sum of £10,704, which by
the Treasury letter of 16th June 1862, forwarded in your Grace's Despatch No 140, 16th
September last, was (as I believe under a misconception
of its nature) also required to be repaid this year on like account.
I feel sure that the explanation I rendered in my Depatch No 6,
10th January 1863 respecting the particular application of this sum, will have satisfied your Grace that it was purely a Military necessity,
independent of the Colony and therefore not chargeable to it.

7. In the preparation of the Estimates I have endeavoured to
avoid the superfluous detail as to the salaries objected to in
the Estimates submitted for the past year, and I have sought to
afford the full information required upon other points. I trust
therefore that the present Estimates may be found satisfactory.



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FILE: 1863-03-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63015.txt
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No. 15, Financial

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I have
authorized the Treasurer to procure by Bills on England
in the usual manner, the sum of Two Thousand Pounds (£2000) on
account of the Parliamentary Grant for 1863 in aid of
expenses incurred by Royal Engineers, and I trust your
Grace will be good enough to give the necessary instructions for the
Bills presented on this account to be paid when they become due.



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FILE: 1863-03-09_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG02.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

In answer to your letter of the 26th Ultimo, I have
to state for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that
British Columbia has been indebted to the Agents General since the
12th July
1862, at which date the overpayment amounted to the sum of £172.2.6.

No remittance has been received since January 1862, but
the Colony has been credited since that date with the sum of
£77.11.8, the proceeds of the sale of certain Gold Dollars
sent to this Country for the International Exhibition of last year, as
well as with the small sum of £4.12, received from the War Department.

At the present date the Agents General have advanced for
British Columbia the sum of £486.15/- and have incurred by
orders of the Secretary of State liabilities amounting to £289.10.5.

To place the Agents General in a proper position, as regards
funds the Governor should remit

1st An amount to repay the Agents General £486.15

2nd To defray liabilities already incurred £289.10.5

]3rd Funds to meet current orders (say) £200.14.7

Total £977. 0.0

The local Government has been furnished regularly on the
termination of each Quarter with a copy of their Account, but
no special application for remittances has been made.

As regards Vancouvers Island it will be doubtless sufficient
to state that the Agents General have a large balance in hand
in favor of that Colony amounting to the sum of £30,576, part
of which (£26,000) has been deposited at interest at the London
Joint Stock Bank in accordance with the arrangement sanctioned
by His Grace in your letter of the 27th Ultimo.



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FILE: 1863-03-12_Murray_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO01.txt
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Murray to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit to you herewith, to be laid
before the Duke of Newcastle, a copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's
Consul at San Francisco, reporting the construction at New York of an
iron clad steamer, the "Cumanche," which is intended for service on
the coast of California.



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FILE: 1863-03-12_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637014.txt
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No. 14

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 58 of the
15th of December last, requesting permission to extend the Loan for the
construction of Roads in British Columbia to £100,000.

The grounds alleged by you appear to Her Majesty's Government
sufficient to justify the proposed measure, and I shall therefore be
prepared to advise Her Majesty to confirm a Law similar to the British
Columbia Loan Act of 1862—for raising a further sum of £50,000 by loan
upon the security of the general revenue of the Colony.

In giving their sanction to this measure it must be clearly
understood that Her Majesty's Government do not undertake any
responsibility in respect of it, and that no Imperial guarantee is given
for either the interest or principal of the loan.

My despatch No. 150 of the 12th November will have placed you in
possession of the views of Her Majesty's Government on the subject of
the sale of Debentures issued under the act of 1862, and you will no
doubt adopt in the present instance the course which I then pointed out
by entrusting the Agents' General with the disposal of the securities.

I am desirous of receiving from you a statement showing the
application of the loan of 1862—and the arrangements with the
Contractors for the roads under which the guarantee of the local
Government was given for the sum advanced by the Bank of British
Columbia.

With respect to the two lines of Road now in the course of
construction, one from Lytton to Alexandria, and the other from Lilloet
to Alexandria, it appears to me that, looking to the great difficulties
to be surmounted, and to the fact stated by you that the Contractors for
the Lytton road had "signally failed" in fulfilling their
engagement, the more prudent course would be to suspend the construction
of one of the lines till the other was completed so as to afford access
to the diggings and settlements in the the interior.

You will furnish me with a report upon this subject, but unless
objections of difficulties exist with which I am not acquainted I should
wish you to act upon my suggestion by suspending the works on one of the
lines of Road.



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FILE: 1863-03-14_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637015.txt
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No. 15

With reference to your despatch No. 53 of the 18th of November
last transmitting a list of articles required by the Assay Department I
have the honour to acquaint you that I have authorized the Agents
General for Crown Colonies to procure these articles and to forward them
to British Columbia by an early opportunity.

The prime cost of these articles will be £289.10.5 viz £222.16.0
for those obtained from Messrs Johnson, Matthey and Co and £66.14.5 for
those supplied by Mr. Claudet.

Although I have taken upon myself to sanction this course I must
take the opportunity of strongly calling your attention to the large
amount in which the Colony of British Columbia has become indebted to
the Colonial Agents General.

I enclose a statement which  I deemed it necessary to demand from
the Agents of their account with the Colony and I have to instruct
you forthwith to remit the sum of £776.5.5 in which the Colony is
already indebted to them with an additional amount of about £200 to meet
current or future orders.

I must insist on prompt attention to this requisition as I cannot
permit the Colonial Agents General to have to draw upon the funds of
other Colonies in order to perform the services of British Columbia or
of any other Colony which does not provide money for its own wants, and
I must warn you that unless the good faith of your government is kept by
discharging without delay the debt incurred for complying with its
requisitions, I shall be compelled to refuse to allow  the Agents General
to comply with any further Requisitions however urgent may be the
services for which they are made.



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FILE: 1863-03-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63016.txt
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No. 16

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatches of the numbers and Dates as described on the
other side hereof.*



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FILE: 1863-03-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63017.txt
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No. 17, Financial

I have the honour to enclose herewith, as a document
which may be of interest to Your Grace, a comparative statement of
the Revenue of the Colony of British Columbia
for the years 1861 and 1862.

2. The exact Revenue of 1862 cannot yet be ascertained with
certainty, as some of the distant out Station Accounts for
December have not yet been received, but the figures given I believe
to be very closely approximate, and sufficiently accurate for all
comparative purposes.

3. Had I possessed a more extensive command of funds to
prosecute more vigorously the opening up of the communications
of the Country, I feel confident that the Revenue of 1862 would have far exceeded the Estimate. As it is, it only falls short
of the Estimate by £3,500, and considering the hundreds of men
that were obliged to leave the country through the dearth and
famine prices of Provisions at the mines, the amount realized
is beyond any anticipation when I found myself unable to
continue as I had proposed those great public works, upon which
the present prosperity and future greatness of the Colony so
entirely depend.

4. The net increase of the Revenue in 1862 is £25,749 or a
little over 42 per Cent upon the Revenue of the preceeding
year. I trust Your Grace will recognize in this material fact an
indisputable evidence of the substantial prosperity and steady
progression of the Colony.



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FILE: 1863-03-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63008.txt
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No. 8

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1863-03-16_Gosset_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B636G02.txt
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Gosset to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Presuming that the Crown Agent for the Colonies would
require authority for the issue of salaries to officers on
leave in England, I have the honor to request that the
necessary directions may be given in my favor for half
salary (£750/2 per annum), since September 1st, the date
on which my leave from B. Columbia commenced.



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FILE: 1863-03-17_Berens_to_Newcastle_V635MI03.txt
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Berens to Newcastle

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under Secretary
Elliot's letter of the 27th ultimo, together with copies of two
despatches from Governor Douglas.

In my letter to your Grace of the 3rd November last I had the honour
to place before your Grace the sketched Maps of the property which
Mr W.A. Young had forwarded to the Company for Conveyance to the
Crown and I was not aware that there was any difficulty in regard to
them except as to the site to be reserved for the Harbour Master. I
however immediately wrote out to the Company's Agents with directions
to have a plan made of the whole Island shewing exactly, also what
had been disposed of and what remained for the Government, and I
ventured to suggest that your Grace should give instructions to the
Agents of the Crown for the Colony to make a similar plan. Indeed I
was surprised to find from Governor Douglas' letter that he should
not have provided himself with a correct plan of the whole Island,
and of the different holdings by parties who had acquired any portion
of it.

I have always understood that there was such a plan in the Office of
the Colonial Secretary, although it has been intimated to us that
alterations have from time to time been made in it.

I beg to assure your Grace that it is the earnest desire of this
Company to adhere most strictly and in perfect good faith to the
conditions of the Agreement entered into with the Government and I
quite assent to your Grace's suggestions that no grants made by the
Company within the Victoria reserve after the 1st of January 1862
ought to be recognised by Her Majestys Government, unless it could be
shown that the negociations for them had proceeded so far before that
date as to make their completion a matter of right, and it has never
been intended to raise any question as to the right of the Crown to
receive the price of any land sold after the 1st of January 1862.
My belief is that it will be found that there is none such.

It is quite obvious that Governor Douglas' communications are
conceived in a spirit of hostility to the Company and their
representatives in the Island, and it is very strange that as the
reserve in question was planned by himself while in the Company's
employ that he should not have himself any map or plan shewing its
exact boundaries.

I am however now enabled to inform your Grace that by the last Mail
we have received from our Agent Mr Mctavish full particulars of the
land to revert to the Crown with a Map shewing its exact position and
I cannot do better than transmit herewith for your Grace's
information a copy of the plan and of a letter from Mr Mactavish in
reference to it. The plan was forwarded by Mr Mctavish to Mr Young
the Colonial Secretary on the 7th of January last.

I beg to add that from the communications received from the Company's
Officials it is quite clear that the mention of Fort Street as the
site of the Office for the Harbour Master instead of Broughton Street
was purely a clerical mistake, as in the Company's plan in the Island
it is marked as being at the foot of Broughton Street, and the land
at the foot of Fort Street is covered with buildings long previously
erected by the Company and occupied by their Officers, and the clear
understanding was that the Office for the Harbour Master was to be
erected on a part of the vacant ground.

I hope therefore that your Grace will give instructions to His
Excellency Governor Douglas for the correction of this error.



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FILE: 1863-03-18_Lindley_to_Newcastle_B636L01.txt
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Lindley to Newcastle

I hope I am not wrong in thinking it my duty to your Grace to
forward you the enclosed in such a manner that it may serve for your
own private information & no other. The statements may be relied on.
The writer has no idea that they will ever meet any other eye than
mine.

Pray don't acknowledge the rect for I am ill and on the very
point of starting for Vichy.



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FILE: 1863-03-21_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637016.txt
================================================================================

No. 16

I have the honor to acquaint you that I have authorized the
Colonial Agents to issue to Major Gossett the half salary to which he
may be entitled, as Treasurer of British Columbia, during the period of
his leave of absence, including the four months additional leave which
was notified to you in my despatch No. 4 of the 16th of January.

My despatch No. 15 of the 14th instant will have apprized you of
the extent to which the Colony is already indebted to the Agents, and it
will now devolve upon you to make further provision for meeting
the
payments on account of Major Gossett's half salary by remitting the
amount to this country.



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FILE: 1863-03-23_Barton_to_Newcastle_B636B01.txt
================================================================================

Barton to Newcastle

The following letter has being [sic] received by a tenant
of Mine, of which this is a copy, I know him to be the person
alluded to in it; he requests me to write to your Grace to
know if there is any funds in your Grace's office for his
credit, also, if so, for further information, how he is to get it.



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FILE: 1863-03-30_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635LN03.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 20th instant with a further
letter from the Governor of the Hudsons Bay Co on the subject of the
surrender to the Crown of the unsold land in the Town of Victoria
Vancouvers Island.

2. In a despatch dated 3rd Decr last Governor Douglas complained
of delay on the part of the Agent of the Company in furnishing a
statement of the Land ceded to the Crown under the Agreement of Febry
1862, and intimated a suspicion that the Agent was dealing with the
unappropriated land in a manner inconsistent with good faith and with
the rights acquired by the Crown under that Agreement. As the only
way of dealing with this despatch it was suggested in a report from
this Board of 18th ultimo that it should be communicated to the
Governor of the Company—that he should be requested to cooperate in
expediting the completion of the arrangement between the Company and
the Government and that it should be pointed out that no grants made
by the Company after 1st Janry 1862 could be recognized except under
special circumstances—and that all money accruing from such grants
would belong not to the Company but to the Crown.

3. To the principle there laid down the Governor entirely
assents—and expresses the earnest desire of the Company to adhere
strictly and in good faith to the Agreement of Febry 1862. He also
expresses his surprize that Governor Douglas, by whom the Reserve at
Victoria was originally made on behalf of the Company, should have in
his possession no plan of it—and he encloses a plan of the Land to
the South and West of James' Bay showing the portion disposed of by
the Company and the portion to revert to the Crown, which had been
received by the last Mail from Mr McTavish. A copy of this plan was
forwarded, it appears, by Mr McTavish to the Colonial Secretary on
7th Janry last. It was, therefore, in Governor Douglas' hands soon
after he wrote the despatches which have given rise to this
correspondence.

4. It is to be gathered from this plan and the correspondence which
accompanies it that exclusive of the Reserves for a Park, School,
Church & Cemetery and Government Buildings, the whole of the Land at
Victoria has been disposed of except about 110 1/2 Acres. Of this
110 1/2 Acres the Company are to be allowed by the Agreement of Febry
1862 to select 50 Acres leaving about 60 1/2 Acres to the Crown.
These 60 1/2 Acres comprize 10 "Sections" containing 48.54 Acres and
78 Town Lots containing 12 Acres.

5. The quantity which thus reverts to the Crown is inconsiderable,
and much less than from the Chart before us when the Agreement was
entered into with Mr Dallas we had expected. Annexed to Mr Beren's
letter is one from Mr Dallas repudiating the imputation of having
taken advantage of our unavoidable ignorance for local matters, and
appealing to us to vouch for the frankness and good faith with which
he acted in the discussions which preceeded that Agreement. We have
no disposition to question Mr Dallas' good faith in the matter, and
it is quite true that he stated at the time his inability to point
out accurately how much of the Land remained unsold. But we
certainly were under the impression, erroneously as now appears, that
a large portion of the land to the South and West of James' Bay which
was left blank in the Map was still unsold, and that the Crown would
obtain on behalf of the public a considerable and valuable property.
The misapprehension whatever its origin cannot be remedied, and is
not, I think, of any great importance. The object was not so
much to acquire for the Crown the largest quantity of valuable land,
as to put an end to the questionable tenure of the Company which was
calculated to impede the progress of the Settlement and lead to
further disputes. Had the former been the object the Duke
of Newcastle would no doubt have required an exact statement of the
Land to be surrendered before he sanctioned the completion of the
Agreement. But for the latter object no such precision was required.
It seems hardly necessary under these circumstances to pursue this
portion of the subject further.

6. But another question has arisen upon the Agreement. It was
provided that a Lot should be reserved for the office of the Harbor
Master "at the foot of Fort Street," measuring about 50 feet in
width. Mr Berens alleges that this was a mere verbal error on the
part of Mr Dallas, and that the spot should have been described as
at the foot of "Broughton Street" instead of Fort Street. Upon this
we can form no opinion, Broughton Street not being marked in the
Chart in our possession. But as it is alleged that the Land at the
foot of Fort Street is covered with buildings there could be no
objection to accepting in lieu of it land at the foot of Broughton
Street, provided the latter is equally well situated for the office
of the Harbour Master. This, however, is a point on which the Duke
of Newcastle will probably not adopt any final decision without
previously consulting Governor Douglas.

7. It may perhaps be expected that before any instructions from this
side can reach Governor Douglas a report founded on Mr McTavish's
letter to him of 7th Janry may be received at the Colonial Office.

*

Under these circumstances His Grace may think it best to postpone
issuing any such instructions till that report has been considered.
It does not appear to me that there ought to be any great difficulty
in bringing the matter to a conclusion, if only it is steadily borne
in mind tht the object is not solely or principally a pecuniary gain
to the Crown, but a final & satisfactory settlement of all questions
between the Crown and the Company. If there is a disposition to
raise controversies there can of course be no want of opportunities
in transactions extending over so many years and conducted with the
natural laxity of a Company which considered that it was dealing with
its own property only. But if both sides will be satisfied to
conduct the matter with a single reference to the main object in
view, there ought not to be any differences of opinion which should
seriously interfere with its settlement. If any instructions are to
be sent at once to Governor Douglas I would submit that they should
impress upon him the importance of not raising unnecessary or
unimportant controversies with the Company's Officers, but of
conducting the correspondence in a liberal and conciliatory spirit.
And he should I think be reminded of the expediency with a view to
the progress of the Colony of bringing the question to an early
settlement. The question in respect to the Harbour Masters Office
should be dealt with in the same spirit—not of course sacrificing
the interests of the public to the convenience of the Company—but
not on the other hand taking advantage of what is said to have been
an error on the part of Mr Dallas to expose the Company to
unnecessary expense or embarrassment.



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FILE: 1863-03-31_Moody_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B636M01.txt
================================================================================

Memo, Moody to Under-Secretary of State

Colonel Moody presents his compliments to the Under Secretary
of State for the Colonies and begs to forward herewith for the
information of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, duplicates of
Reports on portions of British Columbia by Captain R.M. Parsons
& Lieut: H.S. Palmer R.E. enumerated in the margin.

*

The originals have been already forwarded to the Under
Secretary through His Excellency the Governor of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-03-31_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637017.txt
================================================================================

No. 17

I cannot allow this Mail to depart without repeating to you more
distinctly the directions, to which I trust however that you will not
have failed to pay due attention, contained in my despatch, No. 14 of
the 12th of March, that you were not to raise the new Loan of £50,000 in
the same manner as the last. I must most distinctly enjoin it upon you
that the loan is to be left to be effected
by the Colonial Agents in the
money market of this Country upon the most advantageous terms which can
be procured here. I have received with some surprise and disappointment
your despatch No. 6 of the 10th of January, by which I find that you
have not complied with my directions that you should refund the value of
the Specie, amounting to £6900, appropriated by you without leave to the
purposes of your Government. This, I regret to say, cannot but tend to
shake confidence in your financial proceedings, and I must beg you to
understand that you are expected, on pain of the serious displeasure of
Her Majesty's Government, to comply strictly with my present orders on
the manner of raising the contemplated Loan.



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FILE: 1863-04-02_Farrer_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635TA03.txt
================================================================================

Farrer to Under-Secretary of State

With reference to your letter of the 2nd October last I am directed
by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to transmit
to you the enclosed Statement of expenses amounting to Two hundred
and thirty one pounds nineteen shillings and fourpence (£231.19.4)
incurred by the Board of Trade for Supplies shipped by the "Fusi Yama" for the use of the Lighthouses at Vancouvers Island.

My Lords direct me to request that you will move His Grace the Duke
of Newcastle to cause instructions to be given for the payment of the
above sum to Her Majesty's Paymaster General to be placed to the
credit of the account for Lighthouses abroad.



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FILE: 1863-04-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63009.txt
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No. 9

As a part of the scheme of improvement of Victoria Harbor determined
upon by this Government it was settled to employ a Dredging Machine
aided by a Steam tug. For some Months past we have been in
negotiation with firms in San Francisco for the supply of the
necessary Machinery. The high price of Iron at the present moment in
the United States, & other circumstances have however determined us
to obtain the Machinery from England; it being considered that the
increased delay consequent thereupon would be more than Compensated
for by the probable decrease in expenditure, and the certain
superiority of the material.

2. Mr Pemberton, the Surveyor General of the Colony, has proposed
in the interests of the Colony that it would be most satisfactory, if
some person well acquainted with Victoria Harbor and with the
contemplated improvements were sent to superintend the construction
of the required Machinery; and he has offered, if he himself be
selected for the service, to bear all his own personal and travelling
expenses, and has undertaken that his absence from the Colony shall
not exceed a period of Six Months. As Mr Pemberton from his
position both as Surveyor General, and as a Member of the Harbor
Improvement commission, is undoubtedly the person best calculated for
employment upon the service in question, and as the Colony will not
be subject to outlay on account of his journey, I have not hesitated
to sanction the arrangement, & have in consequence instructed Mr
Pemberton to leave for England by today's Steamer, for the purposes
and under the conditions aforesaid.

3. Mr Pemberton has been directed upon his arrival in London to
report himself at your Office.



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FILE: 1863-04-03_Mrs._Cox_to_Newcastle_B636C08.txt
================================================================================

Mrs. Cox to Newcastle

Mrs Cox, Wife of W.G. Cox Stipendiary Magistrate British
Columbia, begs to draw the kind attention of the
Duke of Newcastle to her Memorial of 22nd Novr/62, since which she
had a letter from her husband saying his Salary was in
arrear. Captain Gossett being in England, which seems a
mere excuse begs His Grace will order part of his Salary
for her support. Should more references be required they
can be had as nothing but truth has been stated, Mrs Cox
trust[s] her hard case may meet His Grace's kind consideration.



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FILE: 1863-04-06_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637009.txt
================================================================================

No. 9

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 2
of the 10th of January enclosing a copy of the speech with which you
opened the Session of the Legislature of Vancouver Island and copies of
the Addresses from the Legislative Council and Assembly in reply.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63018.txt
================================================================================

No. 18

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your Despatches of the numbers and Dates as described
on the other side hereof.*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63010.txt
================================================================================

No. 10

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-08_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637010.txt
================================================================================

No. 10

I have the honor to acquaint you that the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade having incurred expenses to the extent of
£231..19..4 on account of the Light Houses at Vancouver Island, I have
authorized the Colonial Agents General to pay the amount of this claim
out of any funds in their hands belonging to your government.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63019.txt
================================================================================

No. 19

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Despatch No 147 of the 28th October 1862, with copies
of a correspondence with the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury,
on the subject of the Assay Department of British Columbia.

2. I observe, with reference to the application of the
Officers of the Assay Department, for an increase of Salary,
that Your Grace has left the matter to be dealt with according to
my discretion, and I have Your Grace's instructions to furnish a
return of the amount of work performed at the Assay office
and its current costs, and receipts, up to the latest period,
with other information connected with that Department of the
public service.

3. I have now the honour of transmitting a return made up
in conformity with Your Grace's instructions.

4. It exhibits the whole quantity of Gold assayed at the
Government Office from its first establishment in the year 1860
to the 17th March 1863, and also the receipts and costs of the
Department including buildings, for the same time, from which
it appears that the expenditure of the Department exceeds the
receipts from every source, to the extent of Ten thousand and forty
pounds, nine shillings and eleven pence (£10,040.9.11).

5. These results which are so different from what was
anticipated may be attributed to two causes:

First—The condition of the Country.

Second—The cost of the Establishment.

6. In respect to the first, although the Country in its normal
state abounds in natural resources, these are as yet undeveloped.
Mining is at present its only industrial pursuit, and Gold its
only available product. This it has to give in exchange for
food, clothing and all the other necessaries of life consumed
within the Colony. For these indispensable wants it is
absolutely dependent on other countries, and is thus being
continually drained of its sole export and convertible capital,
the Gold.

7. The Colony of Vancouver Island has no mines of Gold, and it is
not in a much better position with respect to other native products
than the sister Colony. The trade of the former is confined to
furs, coal, and timber of various kinds, which are exported in
small quantities, while the balance of trade, being against the
Colony, is made up of remittances of cash and gold dust.

This operates as a further drain upon the
supply of Gold, which being generally
exported as received from the Mines greatly diminishes the
work, and affects, to a ruinous extent, the interests of the
Assay establishments in both Colonies.

8. The following trade statistics, in which the two Colonies
are treated as one and the same country, having a common
interest and administration system will serve to illustrate the
foregoing remarks.

9. The declared official value of Imports, at Victoria
for the year ending with 31st December 1862, was in round numbers
Three million six hundred and ten thousand dollars ($3,610,000).

10. In the payment of these imports I assume that one 1/6 of
that sum—equal to Six hundred and two thousand dollars ($602,000)
has been met by cash payments,
and by exports of furs, coal, and timber, including an allowance for
bad debts; there would then remain a balance of Three million eight
thousand dollars ($3,008,000) against the Colony to be paid in Gold dust.

11. The yield of Gold in the whole Colony of British
Columbia for 1862 is roundly estimated at Five million dollars
($5,000,000). Assuming as above that Three million eight thousand
dollars ($3,008,000) was remitted in payment of imports, and that Three hundred and eighty eight thousand dollars ($388,000) left the Colony in private hands not in payment of imports, forming in all a total export for the year of Three million three hundred and ninety six thousand dollars ($3,396,000), there would remain an excess of gold dust produced over the quantity exported equal to One million
six hundred and four thousand dollars ($1,604,000). This, as will
appear hereafter, very nearly represents the declared value of the
Gold dust assayed in 1862 within the two Colonies.

12. I may here remark that besides the Government
establishment at New Westminster, two private Assay offices
are in full operation at Victoria. Their respective returns
for the year 1862 are as follows—

Gold assayed at the Government

Office New Westminster ounces value in dollars

40,430 634,137

Molitor & Company Victoria 41,900 651,275

Cording & Company Victoria 19,300 500,000

Total 101,638 $1,585,412

It is found that over two thirds of the aggregate yield
of Gold is annually sent abroad, and that less than one third
of the whole is actually assayed in the two Colonies. These
returns show that the public have not given a decided preference
to the Government establishment, and moreover that the entire
receipts on the Assay business of the two Colonies, if thrown
into one sum, would not cover the annual expenditure of the
Government Establishment alone.

14. In respect to the second cause of disappointment in the
expectations of the Government Assay Office viz: the cost of the
Establishment; I would observe that the Establishment is upon
a scale not proportioned to the circumstances of the Colony.
In my Despatch of the 11th April 1859, No 135, I mentioned that
in my opinion an Assay Office, suitable to the requirements of both
Colonies, could be established at an outlay not exceeding Six
hundred pounds (£600).
Subsequent events have confirmed me in this opinion, and have
shewn me that it was just. The Master of the Royal Mint
when organizing the establishment appears to have taken for
his guide a letter from Captain Gosset, the Treasurer, forwarded
in my Despatch of the 25th May 1859 No 158. In transmitting that
letter which I did at the solicitation of Captain Gosset, I merely drew attention to one point contained therein, viz: the serious
inconvenience which was experienced from the want of British coin
in the country. I did not consider it necessary to dissect the
arguments of Captain Gosset first, because the fallacy of many
of them seemed to me immediately apparent, and secondly because I
forwarded the documents not as part of an official project, but simply
as an emanation from an individual desirous of placing his individual
views before the Secretary of State.

15. From what is before stated it is patent that the Assay
Department maintained by the Government at New Westminster, is not
and cannot in the present circumstances of the Colony become self
supporting without a great reduction in the cost of management.

16. I was in hopes of being able to provide remunerative employment
for the Assay Department and of its becoming useful to the Colony by
the plan of coinage proposed in by my Despatch No 67 of the
14th November 1861, but the Assay Officers have recently stated so many objections to that
plan, though originally proposed by themselves, and have suggested so
large an increase in the establishment preliminary to commencing
operations that without some better guarantee of success, and of
their zeal and ability to conduct the establishment than I have yet
to record, I cannot recommend the outlay.

17. By reducing the Staff of Officers, and the whole cost of the
Assay Department, to a parity with private Assay Offices, wherein an
equal amount of work is done by a single Assayer, and one occasional
Assistant, we might succeed in equalizing the amount of receipts
and expenditure; otherwise I regret to state that I see no prospect
of rendering the establishment remunerative or of maintaining it
without a heavy charge to the Colony, which is certainly not met by
compensating advantages.

18. It is true that many indirect benefits do result to the
Colony from the existence of an Establishment in which the
Miner believes he can place implicit confidence, and I should
be loth to see the Government Assay at New Westminster broken
up entirely; but I feel that I cannot with consistency
recommend its continuance on the present expensive scale. I
would therefore suggest, if Your Grace sees fit to retain
the Assay establishment at New Westminster, that the Staff
should only consist of one Chief Assayer, and one Assistant
or operative Melter, which Staff I consider should be sufficient
to meet all the present requirements of the Colony. When business
increases beyond the compass of such a force additions can be made.

19. With reference to the question raised in the last paragraph of
the enclosure to your Despatch as to the expediency of the removing
the Assay Department from New Westminster to Victoria, I would
observe that most of the foregoing remarks apply with equal force
to Vancouver Island. A Government Assay Office however, would
undoubtedly do a larger amount of business at Victoria
that at New Westminster, for the reason that Victoria being more
built up and settled offers greater inducement to Miners as a
resort than New Westminster and the great body pass through the
latter place on their way to Victoria, and to San Francisco which
in its turn through its agreeable winter and varied amusements
carries off large numbers that would no doubt remain in Victoria
or New Westminster, did they possess equal attractions, but there
still remains the fact before shewn that the whole receipts from the
Gold assayed under existing circumstances in both Colonies would not
suffice to cover the expense of the present Government Establishment
at New Westminster alone.

20. The Legislature of Vancouver Island
have upon several occasions discussed the matter of the
establishment of the Assay Office, and even of a Mint at Victoria,
and I believe all parties in Vancouver Island are alive to
the benefits that would thereby accrue, and I doubt not that the
Legislature would readily vote the funds necessary for the support
of a Establishment on a commensurate scale, should Your Grace
after what I have herein stated, decide to abolish the Establishment
at New Westminster, to re-organize it on a more economical footing
at Victoria. I do not however believe that a Government Establishment
at Victoria, even on a reduced scale, would be self-supporting
for the first year or two, but the indirect advantages resulting
therefrom would probably more than compensate the balance of
expenditure over receipts.



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FILE: 1863-04-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63020.txt
================================================================================

No. 20

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's despatch No 4 of the 16th January last conveying to me the information that Your Grace had been pleased to accord Captain Gosset an extension of 4 months leave of absence from British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-10_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637018.txt
================================================================================

No. 18

As it appears from a letter which I have recently received from
Mrs. Cox, the Wife of Mr. W.G. Cox, Stipendiary Magistrate in British
Columbia, that no arrangement has been made by him for her support, I
have to request that you will report to me the steps you may have taken
for effecting this object in pursuance of the instructions conveyed to
you by my despatch No. 151 of the 28th of November last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-14_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637019.txt
================================================================================

No. 19

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 60
of the 31st of December last forwarding the Blue Book of British
Columbia for the year 1861.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-14_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637010A.txt
================================================================================

Separate

In your despatch No. 31 of the 31st May 1862 you called my
attention to the expediency in the advanced state of the Colony of
Vancouver Island, of dividing the Council into two distinct Bodies and
creating an Executive and Legislative Council.

I did not fail to give due consideration to your suggestion, and I
took the necessary measures for the preparation of the Instruments
required for carrying that arrangement into effect.

I now transmit to you a Supplementary Commission and Instructions
which have been framed for that purpose. You will perceive that they
bear date so far back as the 8th of October last. I had retained them
while considering more general questions connected with the Constitution
of your Government, but I will no longer delay the transmission of those
Instruments, the provisions of which will in no wise interfere with any
subsequent changes which may eventually be decided on.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-15_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE05.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of 8th inst.
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has
been authorized to pay to the Account of Naval Services,
the sum of £98.10/s, being the amount of Freight of certain
Hay and Oats shipped on board the "Thames City" for British
Columbia in 1858, for the use of the Royal Engineers
proceeding to that Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-18_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO02.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to my letter of the 26th of April 1861, and to your
letter of the following day, I am directed by Earl Russell to
transmit to you to be laid before His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
the accompanying copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at
Washington, requesting instructions as to the course to be pursued by
him in case the United States Government should propose negotiations
on the subject of the San Juan Boundary Line, together with a copy of
a despatch which Lord Russell has addressed to him in reply.

Copies of Lord Lyons' despatches Nos. 193 and 641 of the 11th of May and 9th of November 1861, and of the instruction to His Lordship
No 476 of the 16th of December of that year, are also enclosed
for the information of the Duke of Newcastle.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-18_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA02.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to your letter of the 28th Ultimo in
which you state that the Duke of Newcastle is of opinion
that the services of the Royal Engineers at present
employed in British Columbia may be dispensed with at the
end of the present year, I am directed by the Secretary of
State to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter
which has been received from the Horse Guards, calling
attention to the position held by Colonel Moody as Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works, and enquiring whether he
should be withdrawn with the other Officers.

I am to request that you will acquaint me with the
answer which His Grace considers should be returned to this enquiry.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637020.txt
================================================================================

No. 20

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 9
of the 2nd of February enclosing a copy of a Report from Mr. Begbie on
the Mines and Roads of British Columbia.

I have read this Report with much interest, and I have to request
that you will convey to Mr. Begbie my sense of the value of the
knowledge of the state of the Colony afforded by his observations.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637021.txt
================================================================================

No. 21

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.
10 of the 3rd of February enclosing a copy of the periodical
report of the Judge of British Columbia after the
termination of the Circuit for 1862.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-04-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637022.txt
================================================================================

No. 22

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 11
of the 3rd of February enclosing a copy of a Report from Mr. Elwyn on
the Mining prospects of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-04-18_Ransom_to_Newcastle_B635MI02.txt
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Ransom to Newcastle

In accordance with the requirements of our Charter I
have the honor to send you the statement of the liability
and assets of this Bank for the half year ending 31st Decr 1862, and have honor to be,



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FILE: 1863-04-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63011.txt
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No. 11

Adverting to previous correspondence upon the subject of the Hudson's
Bay Company's claim to land at Victoria, and to the Indenture dated
3rd February 1862 containing the arrangement entered into between
Her Majesty's Government and the Company for a settlement of the
question,
I have the honor now to forward to your Grace copy of a Map
which I have received from the Agent at this place of the Hudson's
Bay Company, accompanied by a Letter explaining and exhibiting the
portions of land to the South of James' Bay that will revert to the
Crown under that Indenture.

2. I also forward a report from the Attorney General upon the Map in
question, and a tracing from the Official Map of 1858, upon which the
greater portion of the Lots in the Town of Victoria were sold.

3. From the first named Documents it will be seen that a portion of
land equal in all to about 60 Acres, to the south of James Bay, will
revert to the Crown. This is indeed the whole that the Crown takes
by the arrangement; for if the terms of the Indenture be strictly
fulfilled it would deprive the Crown, as I shall presently explain,
of land of which it is now actually in possession, and has been in
possession for years. The extent of ground thus to be surrendered is
certainly more than I anticipated, but I fear it will not equal the
expectations entertained by Your Grace at the time the Agreement was
executed, and when you addressed to me your Despatch No 95 of the 30th April, expressing your Grace's confident expectation that in
the "large extent" of lands thereby recovered to the Crown, I shall
be able to select a fitting site for a Barracks. So far as this
point is concerned a reference to the Map will shew that with the
exception of a few not by any means valuable Town Lots—being for the
most part situated in a swamp still uncleared and undrained, and far
remote from the business and valuable portion of the City, which lies
on the North side of James Bay—the land to be surrendered consists
of Ten Sections, varying in size from 9 to 2 1/4 Acres, situated
close to the seashore in a position altogether unsuitable for a
Barracks; inasmuch as a Vessel could in a dark night run across the
Straits of Fuca, from the opposite Port of "Angelos" on the American
side, distant only 15 Miles, and with a few Shells sweep the whole
position.

4. A comparison of the present Map with the official Map of
1858, will shew that various alterations have been made in the plan
then laid down. I am not aware however that it is incumbent upon Her
Majesty's Government to take any steps in respect to this matter. If
the Hudson's Bay Co have violated their Contract with purchasers of
Land in 1858, those purchasers can institute proceedings to obtain
redress. The two most serious alterations to which I am bound
however to call Your Grace's attention are

1st The laying out and sale of Lots along the water frontage between
the Government Buildings Reserve, and Laurel point, such water
frontage being laid out as a road upon the Map of 1858.

2nd The laying out and sale of a portion of the Government Buildings
reserve.

By the first action the Colony is deprived of a water frontage that
would have been eventually at the disposal of the Legislature, and
that, if not sold, would probably have brought in an annual Revenue
of over Five thousand pounds Sterling (£5000); or if sold would I
believe at the present moment realize some Ten thousand pounds
(£10,000); and so soon as the Dredging Machine is at work and a few
improvements are effected these Lots I am satisfied would bring a sum
little short of Thirty thousand pounds (£30,000); for several
instances have recently occurred where water Lots in less available,
although more improved positions, in Victoria Harbour have been sold
at prices ranging from Three to Four Thousand pounds Sterling (£3000
to £4000) each Lot. The Lots before referred to were disposed of by
the Hudsons Bay Company privately at, I am told, the nominal price of
Twenty pounds a Lot, and I believe almost entirely to their own
Servants; indeed I am given to understand upon good authority that
the greater portion of them are in the hands of one individual a
servant of the Hudson's Bay Company. I fear however that nothing
short of an entire setting aside of the
Indenture of Agreement would
give Her Majesty's Government power to interfere in this matter,
inasmuch as the 1st Article confirms all sales of water frontages
and fore-shore rights, so far as Her Majesty, Her Heirs, and
Successors may be concerned.

With respect to the second alteration viz. the sale of a portion of
the Reserve upon which the Government Buildings stand, I have already
very fully explained the whole matter in my Despatch to Your Grace
No 66 of the 24h October 1861, and I would beg a reperusal of that
Despatch, which probably arrived too late to be placed in the hands
of Her Majesty's Commissioners when settling the Agreement, or if in
their hands was not probably, from ignorance of the locality,
connected by them with the portion of land which they agreed to
surrender by, in the the 5h Article, admitting the words "as far as
the old fence" dividing the "Government Buildings from a Farm" of the
Hudsons Bay Company. The concession as it appears in the Agreement
is reasonable enough, and Her Majesty's Commissioners, ignorant of
the true facts of the case, could not insist upon depriving the
Company of a portion of a farm actually fenced in, as the specious
words in the Agreement would imply. But what are those two facts.
They are given at length in my beforementioned Despatch. A
Government Reserve consisting of 10 Acres was laid out in 1858. Some
of the posts are in the ground to this day. The near portion it is
true did infringe upon a small part of what once had been considered
the boundary line of the farm alluded to, but the reason of its doing
so was to give the Hudson's Bay Company a more extended water
frontage which was of more value to them; for if the Reserve had not
been carried so far back as to infringe upon the supposed boundary
mentioned, the frontage must have been increased and the Company by
that means would become the losers of far more valuable land. Mr
Berens the Governor of the Hudsons's Bay Co admitted the Government
to be in possession of this Reserve in 1859. The Agents of the
Hudson's Bay Company at this place also admitted it in 1859, as in
that year the Lots forming Block 60 were laid off and sold, and upon
the Map upon which they were sold, the rear boundary of the
Government Reserve was exhibited as part of the line of the street.
In 1861 Mr Dallas disposes of a piece of this Government
Reserve—the portion marked L in the Company's present plan—by
private sale to a Land Agent, for I am told a sum very considerably
under its value; and in 1862 by the use of the peculiar language
before referred to in the Agreement he obtains Her Majesty's
confirmation of such illegal sale. The Government have been in
possession of the whole of this Reserve since it was first laid out.
They are still in possession of it. To give up the rear portion
marked L in the Company's Map, would be to render the ground almost
valueless for Government purposes, for the remaining space would be
too circumscribed, the exit by the rear would be cut off,
objectionable Buildings could be erected close to the Government
Buildings, and a constant fear of fire would exist. In short so
great a nuisance would the possession of the disputed piece become
that the Government would be compelled, if it had been legally sold,
to buy it back. I cannot but think that this result must have been
foreseen when the arrangements were made for its improper alienation.
I shall await Your Graces instructions in respect to this Reserve
before I give up any portion of it. The reclamation and sale of a
portion of it in 1861, was a decided breach of faith on the part of
the Hudson's Bay Company towards the Government; a breach of faith
which I am sure would not have been confirmed by the Crown had the
circumstances been understood.

5. As a part of the whole question involved in the Indenture of
Agreement, I beg to report upon the plans forwarded to me in Your
Grace's Despatch No 123 of the 19h December last. In reply to your
Graces inquiry, I must state that I do not consider these plans
accurately represent the land surrendered by the Agreement. I
will proceed to examine them seriatim

No 1 Harbour Masters Office

The Lot is herein represented as at the Foot of Broughton Street.
The Agreement provides for 50 feet at the foot of Fort Street; a
far
more valuable property.

No 2 Prison Lot, Police Barracks

This is correct, with the exception of a portion of the wide Street
in front of the Police Court being cut off. This is a matter however
in which no interference is required. The street in question has
been used for years, has been macadamized by the public, and
therefore cannot be reclaimed by the Company, even presuming the
rights of private property holders were not affected.

No 3 Post Office Lot

This would deprive the Government of the two adjacent Lots No 1605,
and 1607, a portion of property in undisputed possession of the
Government for the last 13 years, and upon which a Government
Building
is actually now standing. Article 4 of the Agreement treating
of the Post Office Lot, apparently makes a generous surrender of
property by the Hudsons Bay Company, if that property to be required
by the Government as a convenience to
avoid the removal of a Government Building. I will shew however
that so far from this being the case a practical appliance of the
Agreement is the virtual surrender to the Company of property that
they never before possessed, and never had any claim to. The words
of the Agreement are

Provided always that if the Post Office or any part thereof shall be
found to stand on a portion of two Lots as marked in the said
official plan, the whole of both Lots shall be conveyed and
surrendered to Her said Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors.

Lots 1603, 1605, and 1607, are occupied by
two Government Buildings. Mr Dallas was as well aware of this
as he was that Lot 1603 was
above the site of the Building which was generally used as a
Post Office; and I cannot understand why that Building alone should
have been mentioned, and the other wholly overlooked; except indeed
to obtain what the words of the Agreement would suggest, a surrender
to the Company of property possessed by the Government, and required
by the Government for public purposes. The Map forwarded by the
company is almost conclusive evidence of this, for thereupon the Post
Office Building is very carefully exhibited as not in any way
infringing upon Lot 1605 or 1607 but no Government Building is shewn
as standing upon them, which is in reality the case. Moreover this
tracing must have been taken from a Map in the possession of the
Company, and I suspect of Mr Dallas also, prior to the conclusion
of the Agreement, or at all events prior to the arrival here of the
copy of the Agreement, for this tracing exhibits the Post Office
building as projecting on the Street. The building was moved back
early in April 1862 and therefore the Map must have been made at the
very least anterior to that date. Lot 1603 by itself is useless for
the site of a Post Office, being only 30 feet frontage by 67 feet
back, and the three Lots are absolutely required for the public
convenience.

No 4 Public Park, School Reserve

The tracing of the public park I believe correctly represents its
present boundaries, although not accordingly with the official Map of
1858, but as the Crown waives its rights so far as sales of portions
thereof are concerned, it is not necessary for the Government to move
further in the matter. The School Reserve is correctly exhibited.

No 5 Church Reserve, Parsonage and Public Cemetery

These are correctly exhibited with the exception of a portion of the
public Cemetery being cut off viz the Lot marked 2005. The Crown
however has in this case relinquished all claim to such portion, and
therefore I presume it is not intended that any steps should be taken
for its recovery.

No 6 Government Offices

This tracing exhibits the portion which has been cut off from the
original Reserve and sold, marked L. I have already gone into this
question and therefore need not describe the incorrectness of the
tracing at greater length.

6. To review the whole case. Assuming that Her Majesty's Government
do not desire to move in the matter of the recovery of the water
frontages, portions of the public park, and Cemetery, I yet think I
have herein given sufficient reason for the Government to require
that the Company should relinquish their attempt to obtain a portion
of the Government Reserve at James Bay, and the two Government Lots,
now occupied by a Government Building in Government Street. Mr
Berens adverts to the conditions of the Agreement requiring the
surrender to the Government of a Lot at the foot of Fort Street, and,
in his letter to Your Grace of the 3rd November 1862, observes that
Mr Dallas, through whose medium the arrangement was come to,
"never could have intended to have appropriated to the use of the
Harbour Master ground already covered with Buildings, and in actual
use." On the other hand I feel confident that had Her Majesty's
Commissioners possessed as much local knowledge as Mr Dallas, they,
on their part, never would have consented to yield up to the Hudson's
Bay Company ground already covered with Government Buildings,
and in actual use by the Government.

To equalize this state of things I would suggest the following
compromise, not that the public requirements will be satisfied
thereby, but simply, since matters have proceeded so far, to bring
the whole question to a speedy
termination.

1. The Crown to yield up the valuable Lot at the foot of Fort
Street, and to accept the less valuable, and less convenient one at
the foot of Broughton Street.

2. The Hudsons Bay Company to relinquish all claim to Lots Nos
1603, 1605, and 1607, in Government Street, and to the rear portion
of the Government Reserve at James' Bay, marked L in their Map now
transmitted, and to convey the same to the Crown.

I should think the Company will hardly object to accept of this
amicable arrangement
of the matter. Under the Agreement they already
take immense advantages. A vast property is secured to them. They
are left in undisturbed possession of large sums of money which the
sale of portions of that property has brought them; not one farthing
being deducted for the benefit of the Colony, or even to pay for the
expense of surveying and selling, which has been mainly borne by the
Colony, and by the Imperial Government. All their actual outlay in
connection with their tenure of Vancouver Island has been generously
repaid in money by Her Majesty's Government. And what does Her
Majesty's Government take by the Agreement? A few Acres of
comparatively valueless land on the sea Coast, and a few Town Lots
that would have been sold long ago had anybody considered them worth
buying. I would further mention with respect to the acceptance of 50
feet frontage at the foot of Broughton Street, that the ground
originally claimed by this Government for a Wharf and Harbour Masters
Office, as a public requirement and convenience had a frontage of 200
feet. The circumstances in connection with this were brought to Your
Grace's notice in my Despatch of the 7h February 1861 No 9. The
steps taken by Your Grace in consequence thereof, as communicated to
me in your Despatch No 61, of the 15h June 1861, led me to assume
that the Hudson's Bay Company would place the 200 feet at the
disposal of the Government: the Company, to use Mr Berens' words in
his Letter of the 24 May 1861, having no wish to do anything that
"would militate against the public interests." Her Majesty's
Commissioners have however been led to agree to the reduction of this
claim to 50 feet, which although sufficient for a public Landing
place, and for a Harbour Masters Office, is wholly insufficient for
the purposes of a Wharf, according to the original intention.

7. Adverting particularly to Your Graces Despatch of the 15h
November last No 121, I would observe that I have had one or two
interviews with the Companys Agents at this place upon the subject of
the early final settlement of the whole business; but I do not find
them disposed to take any responsibility on their own hands. The
matter must therefore be settled in London: and if the compromise
herein proposed be accepted, and Your Grace decides that the terms of
the Agreement be not further disturbed, I believe no obstacle will
then remain to the immediate re-conveyance to the Crown of the whole
Island, less the portions required or legally alienated by the
Company: and so soon as I hear from Your Grace to this effect I can
have one Map prepared for the purpose recommended by Your Grace.

8. The Attorney General in his report accompanying this Despatch
states his belief that some of the sales represented to be made prior
to the 1st January 1862, are not bonâ fide. So soon as any fresh
light is thrown upon this matter I will not fail to advise Your
Grace. At present I can only say that if the case be otherwise, and
the Company feel
hurt at such a suspicion being cast upon them, it has
been brought about by their own proceedings. Had the sales of land
been in all cases genuine and beyond question, I cannot understand
why so much delay should have occurred in declaring what was sold, or
why so much secrecy should have been observed, so that the Surveyor
General could never at any time obtain the slightest information upon
the subject. I mentioned these matters to Your Grace in my
Despatches Nos 57 and 58, of the 3rd and 5h December 1862: and as
there is no want of qualified Surveyors and Draughtsmen at Victoria,
and as the Agreement had reference to acts that were done prior to
its date, and not to acts that were to be done subsequently to its
arrival in the Colony—so far as the sales of land were concerned, I
feel bound to say that the reason assigned by Mr Berens for the
delay, "a want of assistance in making the necessary surveys and
plans of the Property" only serves to give countenance to the
suspicion instead of to remove it, for how could legal transfers and
bonâ fide sales of property be effected, if no Survey had been
made at the time of the sale.



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FILE: 1863-04-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637011.txt
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No. 11

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 60
of the 30th of December forwarding several Acts passed by the
Legislature of Vancouver Island in 1862.

I observe that the Attorney General's remarks, which I have
received with the Duplicate despatch, relate only to five of the Acts
which you have transmitted whilst those of which a schedule is annexed
are unnoticed by the Attorney General, and I shall therefore delay any
action on these last mentioned Acts until I shall receive the report of
the Attorney General upon them.



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FILE: 1863-04-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63021.txt
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No. 21

I have the honor to acknowledge Your Grace's Despatch
No 10 of the 10th of February last, transmitting for my
report, a letter from Mr Charles Walkem respecting his sons
claim to be admitted to the Bar of British Columbia, and
complaining that the presiding Judge (Mr Begbie) had
refused to admit him to plead in the Supreme Court of the
Colony because he had not previously passed the Bar in England.

2. I beg in explanation to observe that on Mr Justice
Begbie's first arrival in the Colony he adopted mutatis mutandis,
the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Civil Court
of Vancouvers Island framed by Mr Justice Cameron strictly
in accordance with the Order in Council, constituting that
Court; from a conviction the former then entertained, that a
similar practice prevailed in Her Majesty's other Colonies,
and that it would not be proper for him to depart from an
established precedent.

3. By that Order in Council no one could be admitted to
practice in the Supreme Court of Vancouver Island, excepting
Barristers and Attorneys from England, Ireland and Scotland.
When the Court of British Columbia was constituted the
practitioners of the Court of Vancouver Island were admitted
to practice there also, and have since availed themselves of
that privilege on behalf of any Clients, who retained their
services.

4. This state of things has continued until lately,
without any complaint on the part of the public; but I see
no reason why Colonial Barristers or Attorneys, provided
they be of good character, and properly instructed in English
Law, should be excluded from practising in the Courts of
British Columbia, and I have therefore called Mr Justice
Begbie's attention to the propriety of making such amendments
in the Rules of his Court, as may render such persons eligible
for admission, and I have no doubt that Mr Walkem on producing
satisfactory credentials will be admitted to practice as soon
as such rules are framed.



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FILE: 1863-04-21_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG03.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle that The Colonial Treasurer of Vancouver Island has
drawn the following Bills on the Agents General at 30 days sight

No 1 for £ 500

4 " £1,000 dated 27th February 1863

5 " £1,000

and I beg to be favored with the necessary authority for the
acceptance of the same.

A sum of £26,000 is on Deposit with the London Joint Stock Bank which
can be made available to meet these Bills.



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FILE: 1863-04-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63022.txt
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No. 22, Financial

Agreeably to the instructions conveyed to me in your
Grace's despatch No 22 of the 5th May 1860, I have the honor
to forward herewith an Abstract of Receipts and Disbursements
on account of the Detachment of Royal Engineers serving in
the Colony of British Columbia, between the 1st January and 31st December 1862 accompanied by proper Vouchers.



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FILE: 1863-04-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63023.txt
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No. 23, Military

I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I have
instructed the Treasurer to procure by Bills on Her Majesty's
Paymaster General the sum of One Thousand Pounds (£1,000) on
Regimental Pay account, and I trust your Grace will cause the
necessary authority to be issued for the Bills presented on
this account to be paid when they become due.



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FILE: 1863-04-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63024.txt
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No. 24, Financial

The accounts which I transmit in my despatch of this date
No 22, reveal the fact that the expenditure of The Royal
Engineers within the Colony during the year 1862 amounts to
the sum of £22,325. This is irrespective of the sum of £1200
Civil Salary of Colonel Moody Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, which is paid in England direct to his Agents. The
sums actually drawn and capable of being drawn from the Imperial
Treasury in aid of these expenses during 1862 amounts in round
numbers to about £10,500, which being deducted from the first
named sum, leaves a balance provided by the Colony of nearly £12,000.

2. From a Return which I have just received from Colonel Moody, I find that the value of the works performed by the
Royal Engineers during 1862 may be estimated at about £3500.

To this I would add

Estimated cost of a Civil Surveyor General

and Assistants, whose duties are now performed

by The Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works £3,500

and Staff of Engineer Officers, say, 1,500

Making a total of 5,000

be deducted from 12,000

leaving a sum of £7,000

actually paid out of the Revenue of the Colony, for which no
appreciable return is received, and which, added to the sums
before mentioned of £10,500 and £1200 makes a total cost
over and above the value of the works performed of £18,700.
This item must be viewed as the Military cost of a body of
men sent to the Colony to perform Civil duties and only required
for Military duties upon emergency; for the heavy expenses of
Transport of men and provisions when on detached service, and
other incidental extra expense connected with the employment
of the men on works, do not enter into these figures, such
charges being placed to the particular work performed and
included in the general Civil Expenditure of the Colony.

3. I have before upon various occasions expressed my
belief that the system of combining Civil with Military duties
has not in this Colony been attended with the success anticipated
but the results now given are so startling, and the drain upon
the Funds of the Colony so great while I am struggling to raise
means to devote to the work of opening the communications—a
work in which the very vitality of the Colony is concerned—that
I feel bound to bring the matter to the immediate notice of your Grace.

4. I have long intended to represent to your Grace the
heavy expenses incurred by this Detachment—expenses that I
cannot but think are not proportionate to its strength, and
are certainly not proportionate to the circumstances of the
Colony—and I desired to accompany my representation with
certain statistical information which I could only obtain from
Returns to be furnished by Colonel Moody. I have called upon Colonel Moody for those Returns but from the delay that has taken place in procuring them in the shape I wished, and from
a positive refusal being made in one case, I regret that I
cannot testify to Colonel Moody's cheerful co-operation in
the matter. With respect to the case of refusal, as a very
serious point is involved I beg herewith to enclose Colonel
Moody's letter upon the subject: for I feel that it is
scarcely just that the Colony should be compelled to bear so
heavy a burden, without having the least control in the matter
of expenditure. Colonel Moody declines to comply with my
request upon the ground that it would be an infringement of
Military Rule. It is remote from my desire to trespass in
any way upon Colonel Moody's province so far as his Military
duties are concerned, and I have always made it a point most
carefully to abstain from doing so; but as it seems to me
that the request I made, which was simply to be furnished
with a nominal List of all persons rationed at the public
expense, has more of a financial than a Military bearing,
I cannot accept as satisfactory Colonel Moody's explanation
for declining to render the required Return. My reason for
asking for it was this: I was anxious to place before your
Grace, the numbers and qualities of the different persons
rationed, more especially the women and children, the wives
and families of officers and men; but as several attempts to
obtain the numbers properly classified, failed, I, to avoid
further correspondence and delay sought to obtain a nominal
list of the persons rationed, from which, the information I
required, could have readily and satisfactorily been gathered.

5. The expenditure of the Detachment during 1862 has
exceeded the expenditure in 1861 by £2271. The increase is
mainly to be found under the head of Rations—the Provisions
in 1861 costing £6020 in 1862 £7805 a difference of £1784. At present I do not exactly know how to account for this large
increase, but a portion of it is no doubt attributable to the
greater number of persons rationed—the number of children in
the Detachment having been more than trebled since it left
England, and the number is increasing every day.

I believe the number of the women and children rationed at the
present moment exceeds 150 and as this is beyond the strength
of the whole detachment I believe it is out of all proportion
to what is authorized by the regulations of the Army.

6. Under these circumstances I do not hesitate to beg that
your Grace will authorize me to reduce the establishment by
granting a discharge to those who may have large families and to
those who may wish to settle in the Colony; I believe many so
circumstanced would readily avail themselves of the offer, and
in the cases of invariable good conduct the grants of land
referred to in Sir Edward Lytton's Despatch No 14 of 2nd
September 1858, might be made, by which means the cost of the
Detachment could be considerably reduced.



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FILE: 1863-04-23_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637012.txt
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No. 12

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 4 of the
14th of February, enclosing reports by Chief Justice Cameron, Mr.
Justice Begbie, and Mr. Good, Chief Clerk in the Office of the Colonial
Secretary for British Columbia, on the subject of the complaints which
have been preferred by Mr. E.E. Langford, relating to an Electioneering
placard which was published in Victoria in 1859-60 and to proceedings in
the Supreme Court of Vancouver Island in an Action for libel arising out
of that publication.

I annex a copy of the letter in which I have caused my decision on
the subject of Mr. Langford's complaints to be communicated to him.

While, however, I have declined to pursue an enquiry into the
Authorship of the placard complained of by Mr. Langford, I wish you to
understand, and to make it understood by the Government Officers of
Vancouver Island and British Columbia that an Officer connected with the
Administration of Justice is in my opinion bound to abstain scrupulously
from all interference in party politics, and that other permanent
Officers of Government, though their duties are of necessity in some
respects political, cannot without injury to the public interest be
permitted to adopt that personal and aggressive mode of political
warfare which is perhaps allowable to those who are not identified with
the Administration of affairs.

I must also add with reference to one sentence in Mr. Begbie's
letter, that it is impossible for me to consider a communication
addressed to me by a public Officer in answer to a charge made against
him as being in any sense confidential.



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FILE: 1863-04-25_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637013.txt
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No. 13

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 5 of the
14th of February, enclosing copy of a letter from Mr. Cameron, the Chief
Justice of Vancouver Island, in answer to the representations respecting
his career previously to his arrival in Vancouver Island which have been
made by Mr. E.E. Langford.

Mr. Cameron's letter appears to me very straightforward and
satisfactory.

I am not prepared at present to decide whether Mr. Cameron shall
retain permanently the Office of Chief Justice of Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1863-04-27_Langford_to_Newcastle_V636L02.txt
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Langford to Newcastle

I have the honor to request that I may be furnished with copies
of any statements that may have been made by Mr Cameron, Mr Cary,
Mr Begbie and Mr Good in reply to my charges against those
officials, also with a copy of Governor Douglas's report in the matter.

Accompanying my letter of the 18th June 1861 to your Grace were some
memoranda (of which I now forward a copy), also several other
documents of which I beg particularly to request that the
undermentioned

*

may be returned to me, viz, office copy of bill of costs in the
action Langford v. King and a letter dated 19th June 1860 applying
for payment to Mr Cary.



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FILE: 1863-04-30_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG04.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to Enclose for the information of His Grace the Duke
of Newcastle a copy of a letter from the Colonial Treasurer at
Vancouver Island advising the drawing upon the Agents General of Six
drafts amounting to Five thousand pounds Sterling (£5,000) and I beg
to be favored with the necessary authority for accepting Nos 2, 3 &
6, the others having been accepted pursuant to your letter of 22nd
Instant.

There are ample funds belonging to Vancouver Island at the disposal
of the Agents General to meet these Bills.



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FILE: 1863-05-01_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO03.txt
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Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit, to you to be be laid
before His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, copies of despatches and
their enclosures from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, relative
to an alleged attempt to fit out a Confederate Privateer at
Vancouver's Island.



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Harrison to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to transmit to you
the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 28h ulto
leaving to their operation 2 acts passed in Vancouver Island in
December 1862 and I am to request that you will be
pleased to lay the same before the Secretary of State for the
Colonial Department.



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No. 23

I enclose copies of a letter addressed to me by Mr. Watkin on the
part of the Atlantic and the Pacific Transit and Telegraph Company in
which he transmits the leads of a proposal made by that Company for
establishing Telegraphic and Postal Communication between British
Columbia and the head of Lake Superior.

I also enclose copies of the answer which I caused to be returned to that letter and of a despatch
which I have addressed to the Governor General of Canada on the subject.

This proposal I apprehend to be made in the confident expectation
that the Canadian Government will provide similar means of communication
up to the head of Lake Superior, and that means will be adopted for
completing the communication by Railway from Halifax to Montreal, thus
establishing a chain of telegraphic communication and facilitating
enormously the rapid transit of letters and passengers across British
North America.

I need hardly insist on the advantages which such an enterprise if
completed in all its parts will confer on the British Colonies on the
Pacific. It is difficult to say whether they will be greater in war or
peace.

 In war the rapid communication of intelligence will relieve
those Colonies from the constant apprehension of surprise by an enemy
and will give to the Harbors of Vancouver Island as a station for Her
Majesty's Navy an importance immeasurably beyond what they can at
present attain. In peace it can hardly fail to add a powerful and
healthy stimulus to that immigration which is principally wanting to
develop the resources of the Colonies.

I should hope that the Colonists, without whose concurrence I am by
no means desirous of proceeding, will agree with me in thinking that the
guarantee of twelve thousand five hundred pounds per annum to be paid (if
necessary) by British Columbia and Vancouver Island in such proportions
as the two Governments may agree upon, is no unreasonable price for
advantages of so great magnitude.

I have had no hesitation in giving a conditional consent on the
part of the Imperial Government to the grants of land contemplated in
the first and third of the conditions set forth in the enclosed paper,
and I shall transmit a copy of this despatch and of its enclosures to
Canada recommending the project to the consideration of the Canadian
Government.

I have to request that you will submit these papers to the
Legislature of Vancouver Island, and will ascertain the sentiments of
the inhabitants of British Columbia respecting the proposed undertaking,
and I shall receive with great satisfaction the intelligence that laws
are to be enacted which will enable you, if the Canadian government
shall afford their cooperation in the matter, to conclude in detail an
arrangement with the Company on the basis of the enclosed proposals.



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No. 24

Upon referring to the correspondence relating to the affairs of
British Columbia in the year 1859, I find that two important letters
received from the Treasury on some of the general principles connected
with the establishment of an Assay Office or of a Mint were not at that
date communicated
to you, and as I think that the observations which
they contain are such that they may at any time be useful to you in
considering any questions which may arise in connection with those
topics, I now transmit copies of them to you for your information, and
in order that they may be placed amongst the records of the Colony.



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Tennent to Under-Secretary of State

In returning the enclosed copy of an Act passed by the Legislature of
Vancouvers Island to amend the Scale of fees charged for the Entrance
and clearance of Vessels &c I am directed by the Lords of the
Committee of Privy Council for Trade to request that you will inform
the Duke of Newcastle that My Lords see no objection to the Act.



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No. 14

I have received and have had under my consideration two Acts passed
by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in the month of December last,
and transmitted to me in your Despatch noted in the Margin [Marginal
note:No. 60 of 30 Decr/62].

I have reported to Her Majesty in Council my opinion that the said
Acts should be left to their operation; and I have the honor to transmit
to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the 28th of
April approving the Report.



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No. 25

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the
other side hereof.*



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No. 12

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



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No. 15

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a Despatch from Lord
Lyons enclosing copies of a correspondence between his Lordship and Mr.
Seward relative to an alleged attempt to fit out a Privateer at Victoria
Van Couver Island for the service of the Confederate States.

I have no means of judging of the authority due to these rumours,
but you will not fail to use every effort in your power to prevent any
Privateers or Vessels of War being fitted out from Van Couver Island and
British Columbia for the service of either of the belligerents.

With reference to my Circular Instruction of the 16th of May, and
to your reply of the 20th of August 1861, I cannot doubt that you have
already felt the propriety of this course, but, adverting to the recent
rumours on the subject, I have thought it right not to omit repeating
directions to you to adhere strictly to the duties of neutrality and to
prevent the unlawful equipment at a British Port of any vessel destined
for Warlike purposes.



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No. 26

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Despatches No 5 and 6 of the 17th and 22nd January last,
acquainting me that Proclamations Nos 3, 4, and 8, and the
"Ditches Rules and Regulations" which were transmitted in my
Despatch No 46 of the 4th November 1862 had received Her
Majesty's approval and confirmation.

2. The Sunday Observance Act No 6 has been forwarded to
the Attorney General in order that the necessary Schedule may
be appended, and will be transmitted to Your Grace in due course.

3. I have to explain with respect to Proclamation No 7
(Lytton Alexandria Toll Act 1862) which as Your Grace observes "taxes water carriage for the improvement of land carriage,"
that the Act in question was passed at the request and for the
protection of the Contractor, who had undertaken to construct
the road at his own expense in consideration of a Charter
empowering him to levy a toll of one half penny a pound on
all goods &c passing along the road, as his sole means of reimbursement.

4. He represented that persons sought to evade the tax by
crossing the River above Lytton or by going a short distance
up the River by boat, and striking the contractors road beyond
the Toll collectors station. The attention of Government was
also strongly called to the fact through the Toll Collector and
the resident Magistrate of Lytton.

5. To put a stop to a practise that would inevitably have
imposed a great loss on the Contractor and ultimately on the
Government the provisions of the Act which appear objectionable
to Your Grace were made applicable to all goods whether carried
by land or by water. This would have been neither just nor
politic, had there existed a practicable water communication,
but there being no navigable Rivers between Lytton and Alexandria,
and all goods being conveyed between those places exclusively
by land, there was practically no injustice in the course
pursued, as it does not affect the interest of any persons other
than those seeking to evade the toll.

6. Trusting that this explanation may satisfy Your Grace as
to the expediency of the Act, and that it may receive Her Majesty's
approval.



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No. 16

With reference to your despatch No. 7 of the 4th of March last I
have to call your attention to the inconvenience arising from the
informal manner in which the Legislative Acts of your Government are
sent home.

In the present instance neither the Acts themselves nor the clauses
of the Acts are numbered, and, notwithstanding the previous
correspondence which has passed on the subject, they are not accompanied
by any marginal abstract nor by any report from the Attorney General.

I have therefore to request that you will take care that the rules
established for the transaction of business with this Department are in
future attended to.



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No. 17

I have the honor to inform you that I have authorized the agents
General to accept and pay six Bills amounting to £5000 drawn by the
Treasurer of Vancouver Island on the 27th February.

The only funds in the hands of the Agents which can be appropriated
to meet these drafts is a sum of £26,000 the proceeds of the Debentures
issued under the Loan Act of 1862, and I have to enjoin upon you the
necessity of limiting your drafts to that amount. In drawing Bills upon
the Colonial Agents it is necessary that you should send advices of such
Bills, and you should on no account omit to specify the objects for
which they are drawn.

The financial reports both from Vancouver Island and British
Columbia are less methodical and complete than those of any other
Colony, and I must impress upon you that any administration must be
viewed unfavorably which fails to discharge the important duty of
presenting an intelligible and fair account of its financial
proceedings.



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FILE: 1863-05-09_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG05.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acquaint you for the information of His Grace The
Duke of Newcastle that The Colonial Treasurer of Vancouver Island has
drawn 3 Bills on the Agents General as follows

No 7 for £3,500 At 30 days sight and

" 8 " £1,000 dated 14 March 1863

" 9 " £1,500

of which no advice has been received at this office.

As the Bills however appear to be genuine, I beg to be favored with
the Necessary authority for accepting the same for the honor of the
Drawer.

There are ample funds at the disposal of the Agents General to meet
these Bills.



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FILE: 1863-05-12_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO04.txt
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Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before
the Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a despatch from Lord Lyons stating
that he had been requested by Mr Seward to assure Her Majesty's
Government that there was no truth in the rumours of military
preparations in California with a view of menacing the British
possessions.



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No. 27, Legislative

I have the honour to forward herewith the four
undermentioned Acts, together with the Attorney Generals
report thereon

No 1 Roads Bonds Act 1863.

No 2 The Military and Naval Settlers Act 1863.

No 3 The Roads Tolls Extention Act 1863.

No 4 Gold Fields Act 1863 and further Rules and
Regulations issued in conformity with the Gold Fields Act 1859.

1. The Road Bonds Act is so fully reported on by the
Attorney General that further comment is unnecessary except
to remark that pending the question of a further loan, I
had no alternative than thus to make provision for meeting
our liabilities on account of Roads. The sanction of that
further loan now renders the Act unnecessary, and provision
will be made in the Loan Act for cancelling the principal
liability incurred under the Bonds Act.

2. The Military and Naval Settlers Act 1863 repeals the
Act under the same title of 1861. Since the reduction in the
price of Country land in British Columbia to four shillings and
two pence (4s/2d) an acre, the areas
represented by the remission in the purchase money of land
to Officers of the Army and Navy greatly exceed the acreage
which it was intended to convey.

It was moreover found by two years experience that the Colony had not gained the
advantages anticipated from the Act by the advent of a
respectable class of settlers; while the tracts of land
occupied by the few retired Officers of Her Majesty's Army
who have taken up their abode in the Colony, have created much
dissatisfaction among other classes of Her Majesty's subjects.
These lands being with few exceptions, untilled and unimproved,
are a hindrance to settlement and give the impression that
they are merely held for profitable resale.

It was therefore
deemed expedient to pass the present Act which practically
offers free grants of country land closely representing the
money value of the remissions in the former Act estimated at the rate
of one pound per acre. This is the general object of the Act.

3. The Roads Tolls Extension Act is simply a Revenue
measure imposing an additional tax of say one farthing sterling
per lb upon all goods leaving Hope, Yale and Douglas for parts
beyond. This measure was adopted with the consent of a
majority of the inhabitants as a further means of raising
funds for the construction and improvement of roads and is
now in profitable operation.

4. The Gold Fields Act with Rules & Regulations 1863 contain several useful provisions for the better working of the Gold Fields. The Free Miners rights are more clearly defined, and
the Act especially secures for that class the free use of any
water flowing naturally through or past any mining claim and
guards against the diversion of the same, by exclusive grants
which are made applicable only to surplus water not required
by working Miners, in all places where such privileges may
be granted. The Act also imposes a fee of ten shillings and
three pence (10s/3d) on the registration of claims, instead of the fee of 4s/- before levied as a means of Revenue.

It was also thought expedient to extend the size of the
claims to 100 feet square for all alluvial diggings and to
define the extent and method of working tunnel claims; a
matter of extreme interest to the Carribou Miners whose
practical knowledge and suggestions I found of great assistance
in arranging those apparently simple, but really very difficult
points. The other provisions in this Act are fully explained
in the Attorney Generals report.



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No. 28, Financial

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatch of the 5th January 1863 No 3, transmitting for my
information copy of a letter from one of the Agents General for Crown
Colonies in respect to the Loan of £50,000, recently contracted
by this Government.

2. In compliance with Your Grace's instructions, I forward
herewith a Return exhibiting the various details of information
required by Your Grace in respect to the manner in which the Loan
was disposed of.

3. I have perused the remarks of Mr Julyan upon the course
which was adopted with the view of immediately realizing of the
proceeds of the Loan. I do not doubt that under ordinary circumstances
the method suggested by Mr Julyan would have been found more
advantageous than that which was followed, but under the
circumstances existing I conceive the arrangement entered into
with the Bank of British Columbia was in every way advantageous. The
pressure upon me for money was urgent, I had no positive certainty
at the time the arrangement was made that the Act would be
confirmed. I could not therefore without previous intimation
have placed paper in the market that I was not satisfied would be met.
The paper of the Bank of British Columbia on the other hand I had every
reason to believe would be duly honored, and had the Loan
Act not been confirmed or had it been delayed through error in
form, the Bank would have become the creditors of the Government
at a rate of interest of one third less than money could have
been procured on the spot.

4. Mr Julyan is also mistaken in one or two of his assumptions.
Subsequent events have proved this. The negociation of the Vancouver
Island loan was not effected upon much better terms by the Agents
General, than the British Columbia Loan by the Bank of British Columbia. The minimum fixed by the
Bank was 103 1/2. At the first allotment £6000 was disposed of
at and above this price. The minimum fixed by the Agents General for
the Vancouver Island Debentures was 103 3/4: and at the first
allotment only £5900 were disposed of at and above that price. I
believe that since, the two Debentures command about equal rates.
I am inclined to think better rates would have been obtained for
the British Columbia Debentures had the Agents General abstained from
putting a notice in the Times, which I cannot but view as calculated to
create a feeling of uncertainty respecting the Loan which would
be prejudicial to it; and although so far as that Loan was
concerned in a money point of view, it might not affect this Government,
yet such a feeling with respect to the first Loan of the Colony
could not but be detrimental to the credit of the Colony and likely
to injure the negotiation of further Loans. The Drafts of the Agents
General could not have been disposed of in the Colony at any
better rates than the Drafts of the Bank of British Columbia. We
generally obtain the best rates for our Drafts from the American House
of Wells Fargo & Co the great Express Agents. A draft upon the
Agents General recently offered to them for sale on Vancouver Island
Account was questioned, and I believe objected to as they had no
knowledge of such paper. The drafts of the Bank of British Columbia
are readily taken
by them and command as high rates as the drafts upon Her Majesty's
Paymaster General. I merely mention those particulars to shew that,
however justly Mr Julyan may judge of matters from his point of
view in London, yet it is necessary to make allowance for local
circumstances before a full appreciation of the case can be arrived at.



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No. 18

With reference to my despatch No. 17 of the 9th Instant, I have the
honor to acquaint you that I have authorized the Agents General to
accept and pay three more Bills Nos 7, 8 and 9 drawn on them by the
Treasurer of Vancouver Island to the amount of £6,000.

On two successive occasions the bills have been presented to the
Agents for payment before any advice of their draft had been received.
As this is inconvenient and even tends to raise doubts at times whether
bills ought to be paid under such circumstances, I have to request that
you will take particular care that the advice of any future Bills may be
sent by equally early opportunities as the Bills themselves.



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No. 29

I have duly received your Grace's despatch of the 14th March
No 15 acquainting me that the Agents General had been authorized
to procure and forward to British Columbia certain articles required
by the Assay Department.

2. Your Grace in this despatch draws my attention to the
amount of the overpaid balance existing at the Agents General
in their account with the Colony. With reference thereto I
have the honour to acquaint you that I forward by this Mail
to the Agents General the sum of One Thousand Pounds (£1000) to be
placed to the credit of the account current and I will be careful in future to see that a Credit Balance is kept in their hands.



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FILE: 1863-05-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63030.txt
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No. 30, Financial

I have the honour to receive Your Grace's Despatch No 14 of the 12th March 1863 in reply to mine of 15th December last No 58 in which I solicited permission to raise upon the credit of
the Colony a further Loan of £50,000, to be devoted to
the work of opening up the communications of the Country.

2. I am gratified that the reasons I adduced appear to Her
Majesty's Government to justify such a measure, and I feel deeply
grateful to Your Grace for your valuable co-operation in advocating
and supporting the step.

3. In accordance with Your Grace's permission I have accordingly
passed a Law similar to the British Columbia Loan Act of 1862, for raising a further sum of £50,000 by Loan upon the security of the General Revenue of the Colony, and I transmit herewith the duly
certified copy of the said Law to be laid before The Queen
for confirmation. The Debentures issued under that Law
are to be redeemable in Twenty years instead of Ten as provided
in the 1862 Act, as by such arrangement it is considered
that the Loan will obtain a position in the market as good,
if not better, than the first Loan. Provision is also made
in the Law for the redemption out of the proceeds of the
Loan of the Bonds falling due on the 31st December 1863, under
the "Roads Bonds Act 1863" and the further issue of Bonds
under that Act is prohibited, so as to constitute the present
Loan virtually a second mortgage upon the Revenue until the
redemption of the 1862 Loan, and a first charge afterwards.

4. I shall according to the provisions of the Law authorize
the Agents General to dispose of the Debentures, and shall
realize the proceeds by drawing upon them from time to time
in the manner as was suggested could have been done in respect
of the 1862 Loan.

5. The statement desired by Your Grace as to the application
of the 1862 Loan shall
be duly prepared and transmitted at an early day. With reference
thereto, however, I may now mention that the expenditure in 1862
under the head of "Roads Streets and Bridges" amounts in round
numbers to £92,000. This affords conclusive evidence of the
just application of the Loan to the purposes for which it was raised.

6. I have noted with due attention Your Grace's suggestion
as to suspending the works of one of the lines of road to Alexandria. I
at one time feared that I should be compelled to adopt this course,
serious as it might [be] in retarding the progress of the Colony,
but subsequent events, almost providential in their character, relieved
the pressure and enabled me to prosecute the works with renewed
activity. Before describing these events I would desire to
explain for Your Grace's information that the two lines of roads starting respectively from Lillooet and Lytton, are only carried
separately as far as "Clinton," the site of a proposed Town in honor of
Your Grace. They here unite and thereforth to Alexandria there is but
one line of road. The distance from Lillooet to Clinton is 47 miles,
from Lytton to Clinton 67 miles. This latter line bends to the
Southward through the valley of the Thompson to the debouche of
the Buonaparte which it follows as far as Grave Creek, (now
Glen Hart), and from thence it keeps a northerly direction to
Clinton. The Lillooet road was finished last season nearly as
far as Bridge Creek, 100 miles: and I trust that before the end
of July next it will be completed to the Terminus at Alexandria.
About 39 miles of the Lytton Line were finished last year, and
there remained only two sections of 7 and 21 miles respectively to
complete the line to the junction at Clinton. As I have already
informed Your Grace the Contractor on this line failed in carrying
out the work he had undertaken. Its accomplishment was a necessity
to the progress of the Country, and such being the case Your Grace
will conclude that after having fought our way through the mountain
passes, and overcome so many difficulties in our progress, I would not
readily succumb before minor obstacles, when so near the completion
of a glorious work. Every effort was made to transfer the Charter
forfeited by Messrs Oppenheimer to substantial parties, but
without success. Tenders were called for, but none could be accepted
on account of their unreasonable terms. Almost despairing of success
I was gratified by the appearance at the last moment of a fresh
candidate. This was a Mr Hood, a respectable Englishman for some years resident in California and possessing a large
property there, who tendered to complete the 21 mile section for the sum of
£8,500, payable in 6 per Cent road Bonds, redeemable in equal
proportions in 1, 2, and 3 years after the completion of the work;
an offer most advantageous in every respect, being considerably below
the lowest offer previously received, and from the official
Estimates apparently below the actual value of the work. I
therefore did not hesitate to accept it. The 7 mile section
which involves much blasting is to be constructed by a detachment
of the Royal Engineers, and both parties were in full operation
before the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch now under reply;
and I feel assured that under the circumstances herein described
these arrangements will not be displeasing to Your Grace; for
considering the reasonableness of Mr Hood's offer, the great
importance of the road to the Colony, the interests already
involved and that had grown up in anticipation of its early completion,
the impulse given to population and settlement, to the introduction of machinery and the cultivation of land, its effect in rendering
transport practicable and comparatively inexpensive, all tending
to increase the Revenue, the actual amount of Revenue arising
from the Road Tolls, and lastly the earnest wish of the people
and their willingness to be taxed for the completion of the
road, I had no alternative left, I conceive, but to complete
without delay the line from Lytton to Clinton. An opposite
course would have been simply disastrous to the country and
nothing short of stern necessity would have justified its
adoption. It would in its effect have tended to defeat
the great object for which we have been struggling—the
throwing of supplies into the upper country at such rates
that men can live in it. The healthy competition carefully
fostered hitherto by which freight is kept at the minimum
would have been destroyed. The enterprise already enlisted,
and the settlement already made over a large and important
portion of the country would have been checked and killed;
and one of the two natural passes through an otherwise
almost impassible country would have become inoperative. By the
completion of this road, the two great thoroughfares of the country
will be established. From the Coast to Douglas, and from the Coast to Yale, the Fraser is navigable. From these two points roads are carried to Alexandria, by
which a vast district which has no water communication is
rendered accessible. From Alexandria to the Rocky Mountains
even, the Fraser is again navigable, and private enterprise
has already launched a Steamer on the Fraser at Alexandria.

7. These great road works being accomplished, the
Government has faithfully done its duty to the Country, and
the development of its valuable resources may safely be left
to the energy & enterprise of the people governed by wise
and wholesome laws.



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No. 19

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches Nos.
37 and 38, of the 3rd and 5th of December last on the Subject of the
surrender to the Crown of the unsold land in the Town of Victoria.

I have referred these Despatches to the Governor of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and I now transmit to you a copy of Mr. Berens' reply.

In the absence of any report from you, on the Letter addressed by
Mr McTavish to the Colonial Secretary, dated the 7th January, which
forms an Enclosure in Mr. Berens' Letter, I can only impress upon you
the importance of not raising unnecessary controversies with the
Company's Officers, but of conducting the correspondence in a liberal
and conciliatory spirit, the primary object being to put an end to the
questionable tenure of the Company which is calculated to impede the
progress of the Colony.

With regard to the lot of land reserved for the Office of the
Harbor Master, I shall defer any final decision until I am in possession
of your report on the subject, but I am desirous that you should deal
with this question also in the same spirit, not of course sacrificing
the interests of the public to the convenience of the Company, but not on
the other hand taking advantage of what is said to have been an error on
the part of Mr. Dallas to expose the Company to unnecessary expense or
embarrassment.



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No. 13

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Despatch No 8 of the
5th March, calling my attention to the absence of a special and
complete rely to Your Graces Despatches of the 2nd and 19th of June
last, forwarding charges preferred by Mr E.E. Langford against
certain Officers serving under my Government both in this Colony and
in British Columbia.

2. I am glad to think that probably in a few days after the departure of
the Despatch now under reply, Your Grace would receive my Despatches
Nos 3, 4, and 5 of the 14th February, reporting in full upon the
complaints of Mr Langford and upon the particular points connected
therewith.



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Separate

There is nothing of much importance beyond the anticipated
and progressive improvement of the Colony with which I need trouble
Your Grace at the present time. Winter has happily passed away
without any untoward event to mark its course; and the return of
the genial season has awakened a lively interest in the Mining and
general commercial pursuits of the Country.

2. The Revenue derived from Customs and Road Tolls has, I am glad
to observe, fully kept pace with the growing interests of the Colony,
the receipts having for the 4 months ending with the 30th of April,
yielded the sum of Twenty two thousand six hundred and eighty pounds
(£22,680) against Twelve thousand three hundred and eighty six pounds
(£12,386), for the same period of 1862,
being an increase on these two branches of the public revenue of
nearly 83 per cent, in favour of the present year.

3. For the last 10 weeks the emigration of Miners and other
persons from Vancouver Island and the neighbouring Territories
of the United States has been large and incessant. The reports of the Gold Commissioners represent that about 2000 persons have passed through Yale on
their way to the Upper Country, and that an equal number have
entered the Colony by the way of "Douglas" and "Shimilcomeen."

4. The mildness of the past winter was highly favorable to
the Mining interests of the Colony, the cold having been on no
occasion so severe as to cause a suspension of work on the river
claims for more than a few days at a time, and such interruptions
from weather were not of frequent occurrence. The small body of
hardy adventurers who, notwithstanding the exaggerated hardships
of the Carribou winter, remained at that season on their claims,
were rewarded with a degree of success which can hardly fail to
operate favourably for the substantial interests of the Colony;
the experiment having clearly proved, what before was to them,
a matter of doubt; that mining may be pursued with advantage and be made
highly remunerative even at the most inclement period of the year.
About one Million of Dollars are stated on good authority to have
been realized by the Miners on Williams Creek during the winter
months. The "Barker" claim alone is said to have produced 137,000
Dollars since the month of September last, and the "Hard Curry" Claim has been even more prolific, that Company having, according to current report which I see no reason to question, accumulated no less than 900 lbs
weight of Gold Dust within the six last months.

5. These astounding results, the reality of which is supported by
occasional large arrivals of Gold from the Mines, have confirmed the general impression that Carribou and other Districts of British Columbia will surpass in the extent and richness of their auriferous deposits,
every other Gold Country in the world, an impression which has
caused an intense excitement throughout the Colony, and led to the
almost general desertion of the Towns and Country on the lower Fraser.
Regretting as I do the temporary depopulation, so caused, I am
nevertheless far from thinking the event will prove ultimately
detrimental, as the majority of the absentees will certainly
return to their homes, and probably with large means which will
be applied to the cultivation and improvement of their farms, and
to other enterprises of no less importance to the Colony.

6. On the other hand continual accessions are being made to the
general population of the upper Country, the newly formed roads * having given a prodigious impulse to settlement, by opening up valuable farming Districts which before were virtually closed
to men of moderate means by difficulties of access, and the
enormous cost of transport, and impenetrable at any cost for all kinds of Machinery except such as could be taken asunder, and
packed through the mountains on Mules.

Mr Commissioner O'Reilly writing from Williams Lake on the 29th April remarks that the Lillooet
road was then completed to the North end of "Lac la Hache," a distance
of 128 Miles, and that the works had sustained no injuries from the
effects of weather, that were not repairable at a very trifling
cost. He also observed on his way up from Lillooet large tracts
of land that were fenced in, and at all the way side Houses great
preparations for embarking largely in farming operations; and
moreover in the District between Bridge Creek and Williams Lake he
states that 500 acres of land were actually under crops of various kinds.

7. Food was still high in the mines, flour being generally
sold at 1 1/4 dollars a lb and other things at a proportionably
high rate, prices indicative of real or apprehended scarcity. A
number of Beef Cattle and Sheep had however come in, and many
more were expected by the way of Oregon, a supply which it was
supposed would greatly relieve the pressure on the food markets,
and furnish a large stock of good and wholesome food.

8. Mr O'Reilly fully confirms the previous reports of
successful winter mining at Carribou. To use his own words,
he goes on to say

The reports that have reached me from the
Mines exceed anything that has been yet heard of in the Carribou
Country. The 'Hard Curry' claim on Williams Creek, in which there
are three partners is said to have taken out, in eight hours, the almost
fabulous quantity of 102 1/2 lbs weight of Gold, this I have
heard from Mr Curry one of the lucky owners, and from others
who were present when the Gold was weighed and I have no doubt of
its correctness. Many of the other claims are likewise exceeding
the most sanguine expectations of their holders. I shall however on my arrival at Williams Creek transmit in detail more authentic
information, 
and on the subject of labour he adds, "Labour is in great demand, at rates varying from 10 to 12 dollars per day."

9. The subject which now most closely engages my attention is
the formation of an efficient Escort, for the safe conveyance of
Treasure from the Mines. This was not contemplated when preparing the estimates for the year 1863, because I conceived the country was not ripe for the measure; as the Miners treasure their Gold and, considering it perfectly safe in their own keeping will not, as a general thing
part with it, except for value received; therefore I felt assured
that until business Houses for the purchase and remittance of Gold
were established in the Mines there really would be very little
employment for an Escort.

10. The time has however now arrived when the measure can be
no longer with propriety, delayed. The Agent of the Chartered Bank
of British Columbia has signified to me his intention of immediately establishing a
Branch at Carribou especially for the purchase of Gold, and
he has made a demand upon the Government backed by the signatures
of the principal Mercantile Houses of this place for protection in the
conveyance of Treasure to and from the Mines.

11. The protection of life and property is admittedly one of
the highest duties of Government, and a well appointed Escort
would, under ordinary circumstances, afford that protection to
property on its transit from the Mines; and moreover would, in
the peculiar circumstances of British Columbia be attended with
many other advantages. To illustrate these I would briefly
explain, that the bulk of gold produced in Carribou, as business
is now conducted, remains for months at the Mines, in the hands of
the producers, and is brought down to the coast by the Miners
themselves at the close of the mining season—a system
involving a heavy loss of interest, and productive of the
most serious inconvenience to the Mercantile Community, who
are not generally wealthy and are invariably pressed for
capital to meet their business engagements.

12. The Escort would in the first place remedy that evil by
facilitating the export of Gold from Mines and bringing it
into circulation with regularity and despatch. It would also
in a great measure put an end to the now indispensable system
of long credits and relieve trade from the exhorbitant interest
charge of 1 1/2 to 5 per cent a month, which eats up the
Merchants profits, and checks his enterprise. This would all
tend directly to the increase of Commerce; larger stocks of
goods would be thrown into the Colony and the public revenue
would be proportionately enhanced.

13. It may also fairly be assumed that one of the immediate
results of the formation of an Escort would be the establishment
of branch Banks and good Mercantile firms in the interior of the
Colony—which would tend to produce a permanent trade and give,
what does not at present exist, a reliable commercial community
to the Colony.

14. The advantages of the Escort morally, in giving the utmost
possible security against robbery and crime, are no less apparent
than I have shewn them to be commercially.

15. The really serious objection is the heavy expense of the
Escort, added to the possible contingency that the miners might
after all the outlay incurred, prefer keeping the Gold in their
own possession to sending it by the Escort; now the establishment
of the "Bank of British Columbia" in the Mines, is a security to a great extent
against the latter contingency, and there being now a large quantity
of Gold produced, the expense should be fully met by a sufficient
transit charge on the Gold exported.

16. The sum of ten thousand pounds (£10000) would I believe cover
the purchase of the equipment and the whole annual cost of an efficient
Escort. The annual produce of Gold in the Carribou District is
estimated at One Million sterling. Assuming that one half only
was carried by the Escort it would yield at 3 per cent, the proposed
rate of charge; a return of £15,000 Sterling, being something
considerably over the estimated cost of the Escort.

17. The Merchants of Victoria and a large body of working Miners
have strongly urged this measure on the attention of the Government,
and are prepared to support it with all their influence, and the
Bank of British Columbia having as before stated decided on
establishing a Branch in Carribou for the purchase and export
of Gold, there is a reasonable prospect of rendering the Escort
at once self supporting. In these circumstances the Government
would be wanting in its duty to the Public, and be justly made the
subject of the severest animadversion were it to neglect the
public interests so far as to hesitate in granting the fullest
protection and security to the trade of the Country.

18. Prompted by these considerations I have decided on forming
a Gold Escort without delay, and I trust that the measure will meet
with Your Grace's fullest approval.



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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acquaint you for the information of His Grace The
Duke of Newcastle that the Colonial Treasurer of Vancouver Island has
drawn a Bill at 30 days sight on The Agents General for Ten thousand
pounds and dated 1st April last; and I beg to be favored with the
necessary authority for accepting the same.

The Agents General have sufficient funds on Deposit to meet this
Bill.



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FILE: 1863-05-19_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637020.txt
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No. 20

I have the honor to transmit to you for your information the
accompanying copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at
Washington to Earl Russell reporting Mr. Seward's assurance that there
is not the slightest foundation in the rumour that the United States
were making military preparations in California menacing the
neighbouring British Possessions.



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FILE: 1863-05-19_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG07.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to state for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that the
Vancouver Island Bills which the Agents General were authorized to
accept and pay by your letter of the 9th and the 14th instant have
now been duly advised.



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No. 14, Miscellaneous

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular
Despatch of the 11th of March calling attention to the Rules and
Regulations of Her Majesty's Colonial Service requiring two Copies of
any Book Almanack published in the Colony to be sent home for the use
of the Colonial Department and with reference thereto I have the
honour to acquaint Your Grace that I have forwarded to the Librarian
of your office two copies of a Book Almanack which has been issued in
this Colony and should the publication be continued I will not fail
in transmitting it as directed.



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FILE: 1863-05-20_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE03.txt
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Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury
to return to you herewith the Act passed by the Legislature of
Vancouver's Island in December 1862 entitled an Act to impose Certain
Stamp Duties on Writings and Deeds, which accompanied Mr Elliot's
letter of 23rd Ultimo, and I am to acquaint you for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, that Their Lordships having communicated
this Act to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, are of opinion that
there is no objection to it, but the Commissioners have called
attention to an omission in the Act as Noted in the Margin (17th
Clause).



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FILE: 1863-05-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63031.txt
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No. 31

I have the honor to transmit herewith for your Grace's
information, a Topographical Report of the Bentinck Arm and
Carribou Districts by Lieutenant Palmer R.E. which I trust
will prove interesting to your Grace.

2. I regret that it is not in my power to employ the
Officers of the Royal Engineers continuously on like services,
but the great expense attendant on their performance precludes
my doing so; the present expedition for example, which consisted
of Lieut Palmer, two Sappers, and a packer, and of which the accompanying Report is the result, having cost a sum, exclusive of pay and allowances, exceeding £800.



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FILE: 1863-05-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63032.txt
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No. 32, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Grace's Circular despatch of the 11th March last and with
reference thereto to acquaint your Grace that no Book
Almanack or Local Directory is at present published in
British Columbia but I will take care so soon as such a
publication is started that the instructions conveyed in
the above Circular are carefully carried out.

2. The Directory published in Victoria, however, and
which has been forwarded from the Colony of Vancouvers
Island embodies a Directory for the sister Colony of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-05-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63033.txt
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No. 33

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Grace's despatch No 11 of the
10th February last having reference to the illicit supply of spirits by the Masters of Trading Vessels to the Indians on the North West Coast of British Columbia.

2. The large extent of coast, with its inlets and bays,
uninhabited by white people; the numerous Islands lying off
it forming intricate channels and hiding places, afford I
am sorry to say very great facilities for this iniquitous
traffic, the profits of which are so large as to induce the
unscrupulous readily to incur the risk of capture and
conviction. The vile spirit that is sold to the Indian is
the origin of nearly all the trouble we have with them,
and for years past my anxious attention has been given to
intercept the trade. To put a stop to it altogether would
require a Fleet of Revenue Vessels constantly cruizing on
the coast, but I believe with the limited means at command
the traffic has been reduced to a minimum.

3. HM Ship Devastation has but just returned
from a cruize on the coast upon which she was sent by
Commodore Spencer at my requisition, and I am happy to say that through
the energy of Commander Pike three vessels have been seized
and condemned, and a large quantity of pure alchohol and
manufactured spirits confiscated.

4. I enclose herewith for your Grace's information a
copy of Commander Pike's Report of proceedings and I would
take this opportunity of representing to your Grace that
this is the second occasion upon which Commander Pike has
rendered good service to the Colony in a manner which marks
him as an intelligent persevering and most judicious Officer.



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No. 15, Financial

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Despatch No: 4
of the 9th February 1863 acquainting me that the final accounts
relating to the erection of the Lighthouses in Fucas Straits have not
yet been received and that the Lords of the Committee of Privy
Council for Trade were unable in consequence to settle the Accounts
for these Lighthouses.

2. I beg to express my regret for this inadvertent omission which
arose through the change in Treasurers and I hasten to supply it. By
the present mail the accounts in question will be forwarded to the
Secretary of the Board of Trade and I trust that they may be found
satisfactory.



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FILE: 1863-05-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63016.txt
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No. 16

A series of Murders committed by Indians having been lately brought
to light I have considered it expedient to take very active measures
for the punishment of the criminals as a public example indispensable
for the prevention of crime.

2. The victims, in all these cases, have been persons incautiously
travelling about the Coast in boats or canoes either alone or in
company with a single companion, and in one case, I believe without
even the protection of firearms; none of the resident Settlers have
been disturbed in any part of the Colony, and there is no evidence
tending to show that those outrages have anything of a national
character, on the contrary there is every reason to believe that
plunder was the sole object and the victims were made away with, for
the purposes of concealment, and to avoid detection by effacing all
evidence of the crime.

3. The first intimation of these outrages was received from John
Henly who, some time ago, arrived here from Pender Island, and
reported that he and William Brady
his companion, both natives of the
United States, had been attacked—Brady killed and himself badly
wounded by a party of 3 men and 2 women of the Cowitchin Tribe. The
latter had been kindly entertained by Brady the preceeding evening,
and continued on the most friendly terms until the moment of the
treacherous attack, which took place in the night after the two men
had retired to rest and were asleep. Brady was mortally wounded at
the first fire, and unable to move, but Henly rushing from the tent,
wounded as he was, succeeded after a fierce struggle in putting the
Savages to flight. He remained for three days by his dying friend,
and until he breathed his last, and then made his way by boat alone
and unaided to Victoria.

4. Information was, about the same time, received of the
disappearance of a Mr and Miss Marks, Father and Daughter in passing
by boat from Waldron to Mayne Island in the Haro Archipelago, and
from the fact of the Boat having been found adrift in a mutilated
state and other suspicious circumstances it was feared they had come
to a violent end.

5. Warrants were immediately issued and Mr Smith, Inspector of
Police, was dispatched with Her Majesty's Gunboat "Forward"
Commander Lascelles to arrest the murderers of Brady and to enquire
into the case of Mr and Miss Marks.

6. The Lamalcha Indians who reside on Kuper Island, and bear a very
bad character were accused by the neighbouring Indians of having shot
Marks and his poor Daughter, with circumstances of great atrocity,
and of having taken possession of their property. Inspector Smith
acting on that information, proceeded to their Village in the
"Forward" with the view of hearing what they had to say in defence;
but to his suprise they refused to go on board or to communicate with
him in any manner; declaring they would not allow the Murderers to be
arrested, and would protect them at the hazard of their lives. They
moreover seized their arms and assuming an attitude of defiance
awaited the result. Inspector Smith then, very properly, made a
demand upon Commander Lascelles for assistance, and that Officer
immediately called upon the Indians to give up the criminals or force
would be used to compel obedience to the Law. This having no effect,
after an interval of 15 minutes, a shot was fired into the Village,
and was immediately followed by a volley of small arms from the
Indians, who securely posted amid the rocks and thickets near the
anchorage, kept up a sustained and well directed fire upon the
"Forward", by which, I regret to say, that one boy Charles F. Gliddon
was killed; but no other casualty occurred. The savages were
disloged

and fled to the woods after a sharp skirmish, and ultimately their
village was distroyed, but none of the criminals, accused of Mark's
murder, were at that time captured.

7. The three Cowitchins and one of the women concerned in the Murder
of Brady were arrested without conflict, their friends having made no
effort to protect them from Justice. These latter have been since
tried at this place, and found guilty of Murder, and the three men
will be executed in a few days.

8. A detachment of Police and a strong Naval force, kindly furnished
by Commodore Spencer are now in active search of the Lamalcha Indians
who are charged with being concerned in the death of Marks, and I
trust they will ere long be apprehended.

9. These proceedings have produced much excitement among the
inhabitants of the Colony, without I conceive, any real cause of
alarm, as the Indian Tribes are, as a body, well disposed, and if
disaffected might be speedily reduced to obedience.

10. A paragraph which appeared yesterday in a local paper, reports a
recent conflict with the Lamalcha Indians, and that thirteen of the
Seamen and volunteers had been wounded in the affray. This is a mere
fabrication, nothing of the kind having occurred, and every man of
the expeditionary force being by late accounts, in perfect health.

11. I have submitted these details at the risk of being tedious, in
order that Your Grace may have correct information and be relieved
from anxiety on our account.



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No. 17

I have the honor to report to you that I have granted Three Months
leave of absence on Medical Certificate to Mr George Hunter Cary,
the Attorney General of this Colony.

2. I have provisionally appointed Mr David Babington Ring, the
Senior Barrister in this Colony to act as Attorney General during the
absence of Mr Cary.

3. I enclose herewith the requisite Certificate according to the
Regulations of the Colonial Service.



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FILE: 1863-05-23_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG08.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 20th
Instant, I transmit to you for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle an abstract shewing the state of the Vancouver Island
Government Account with the Agents General to this date.



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FILE: 1863-05-25_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE06.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of 29th ulto
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has been
authorized to pay to Messrs. Cox & Co on behalf of Col.
Moody, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, British
Columbia, the sum of £300, for Salary for Quarter ended 31 Decr 1862.



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FILE: 1863-05-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637025A.txt
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Separate

As the Act for the Government of British Columbia will expire at
the end of the present Session of Parliament, I think it necessary to
inform you of the course which it is my intention to pursue with respect
to the future administration of that Colony.

I shall in the first place propose to Parliament a Bill continuing
the present Act for another year and annexing to British Columbia what
is at present the Stickeen territory.

I shall also submit to Her Majesty an Order in Council
constituting a Legislative Council in British Columbia in pursuance of
the 3rd Section of the Act of 22 Victoria Cap 99. The power of
nominating the Members of this Council will in the first instance be
vested in the Governor: but I wish it to be so exercised as to
constitute a partially representative body capable of making the wishes
of the community felt and calculated to pave the way for a more formal
if not a larger introduction of the representative element. I shall of
course make you more fully acquainted with my views in this respect
hereafter. But I think it best to communicate to you confidentially the
draft of an Order in Council which I have caused to be prepared, but
which may possibly be altered in some of its details before it is
finally passed.



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FILE: 1863-05-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63034.txt
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No. 34, Legislative

With reference to my despatch No 30 of the 14th
instant transmitting the "Loan Act 1863" I have the honor
to forward herewith for your Grace's information the
Attorney Generals Report on that Act.



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FILE: 1863-05-27_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG09.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to My letter of the 18th instt, I have the honor to
state for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that a letter of
advice respecting the Bill for £10,000 drawn by the Treasurer of
Vancouver Island has been received this morning.



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FILE: 1863-05-28_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA03.txt
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Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to your letter of the 28th March last, relative
to the withdrawal of the detachment of Royal Engineers
from British Columbia, I am directed by the Secretary of
State for War to transmit to you for the information of
the Duke of Newcastle, the enclosed copy of a letter from
the Horse Guards stating that steps are being taken for
carrying out this arrangement.



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FILE: 1863-05-28_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637021.txt
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No. 21

I have the honor to acquaint you that I have authorized the Agents
General to accept and pay a Bill dated the 1st of April drawn upon them
by the Treasurer of Vancouver Island at 30 days sight for the sum of
£1000. The advice arrived a few days after the Bill.



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No. 35, Miscellaneous

I had the honor of enclosing with my Despatch No 2
of the 18th February 1860, a report from Mr Duncan Church of England Missionary at Fort Simpson, and I have now the pleasure of transmitting another communication which I
lately received from the same gentleman giving an interesting
account of the subsequent progress of his Mission, and
what is, especially, worthy of attention entering into
details illustrative of the moral and social condition
of the settlement and exhibiting the satisfactory results
which have attended the police and fiscal regulations
established through his own act, for its good government.

2. Mr Duncan has successfully carried into effect the design he had for some time previously entertained of founding a Mission at "Metlakahtla" a place situated
about 20 miles South of Fort Simpson; his object being to
withdraw the converts as much as possible from contact
with the Members of their Tribe who have not yet joined his communion.

3. "Metlakahtla," now the Chief seat of Mr Duncan's Missionary labours, has already grown into a populous village; the inhabitants having themselves erected
comfortable wooden dwellings, in the American style, and
residing therein with their families.

4. The successful issue of Mr Duncan's efforts to introduce the knowledge and practices of christianity among the Natives of British Columbia, is one of the
extraordinary facts of the day; and unless we suppose
them to be gifted with a singular degree of intelligence
and aptitude, the mere labour of imparting instructions
to the christian neophytes, in reading, writing and
arithmetic, must of itself have been overwhelming to any
one individual, and yet Mr Duncan has accomplished all this, and in addition, has, by this example, done much
to prove that the permanent elevation of the aboriginal
races is not altogether a hopeless attempt.



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FILE: 1863-05-29_Paget_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AD02.txt
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Paget to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the Duke of
Newcastle that the Senior Officer of Her Majesty's Ships at
Esquimalt, Commodore the Honourable J. Spencer, has reported in
a Letter dated the 3rd April, No 14, that HM's Ship
"Devastation" had been despatched by him to Kittimatt from whence
she was to proceed to Fort Simpson, with a view to checking the
large illicit trade in spirits carried on with the Indians on the
North Coast of British Columbia. Commodore Spencer also states
that the Lord Bishop of Columbia had applied to him for a Passage
in the "Devastation" and that he had directed him to be received
on board.



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FILE: 1863-05-30_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63018.txt
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No. 18

With reference to the 7th paragraph of my Despatch No: 16, of the
21st Instant, informing Your Grace that three men and one woman of
the Cowitchan Tribe, viz: Thalaston, Oalitza, Stalchum, and Thask had
been tried at a special Assize and found guilty of the murder of
William Brady I have now to report to Your Grace that the three men
were publicly hanged in front of the Victoria Gaol on Saturday the
23rd Instant at 7 O'clock in the morning.

2. The Jury on this trial recommended Thask, the woman to mercy, and the
Chief Justice having concurred in that recommendation I commuted the
sentence against her to imprisonment for life.



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FILE: 1863-06-01_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63019.txt
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No. 19, Legislative

With reference to my Despatch No: 7 of the  4th of March last
informing Your Grace of the prorogation and subsequent dissolution of
the House of Assembly of this Colony and transmitting a Table of all
the Acts passed during the Session together with Three Supply Bills I
have now the honour to enclose to Your Grace the remaining Acts which
were not in readiness for transmission in that Despatch, viz:

1. The Vancouver Island Land Clauses Consolidation Act, 1863.

2. The Vancouver Island Railway Clauses Consolidation Act,
1863.

3. The Harbour Regulation Act, 1863.

4. The Victoria Incorporation Act, 1863.

5. The Stamp Act, 1863.

6. The Ports of Entry Act, 1863.

The Attorney General's report on the character and objects of these
Acts accompanies this Despatch and appears to render any remarks from
me unnecessary.



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FILE: 1863-06-01_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG03.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Adverting to your Letter of the 13 November last on the
subject of the British Columbia Loan of £50,000 and to clause
XIII of the Loan Act of 1862, I have the honor to request that
you will move the Duke of Newcastle to determine the nature
of the securities in which the Sums paid on account of the
Sinking Fund are to be invested and to select the Trustees for the same.

I would suggest that the Governor of British Columbia, to
meet the requirement of clause XII[I] of the Act before referred
to, should be instructed to remit punctually to the Agents
General the sum of £3,750 in time for the payment of the Half Years
interest and Sinking Fund due on the 1 July and 1 January in each year.

At the present date the Colony of British Columbia is in
debt to the Agents General to the Amount of £1080.



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FILE: 1863-06-01_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG10.txt
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Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Adverting to your Letter of the 18 Dec last on the subject of [the]
Vancouver Island Loan of £40,000 and to Clause XIII of the Loan Act
of 1862, I have the honor to request that you will move the Duke of
Newcastle to determine the nature of the securities in which the sums
paid on account of the Sinking Fund are to be invested and to select
the Trustees for the same.

I would suggest that the Governor of Vancouver Island, to meet the
requirements of Clause XIII of the Act before referred to should be
instructed to remit punctually to the Agents General the Sum of £2000
in time for the payment of the half years interest and Sinking Fund
due on the 15 July and 15 January in each year.



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FILE: 1863-06-02_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO05.txt
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Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your Letter of the 11th Ultimo, I am directed by
Earl Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before the Duke of
Newcastle, Copies of a Despatch and its Inclosures from Her Majesty's
Minister at Washington, relative to the Reports that attempts were
being made to fit out Privateers at Vancouver's Island for the
Service of the so-styled Confederate States.



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FILE: 1863-06-03_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B636C03.txt
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Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to forward a Life Certificate from
Colonel R.C. Moody Royal Engineers, Chief Commissioner of
Lands & Works in British Columbia dated 11th April last, and
request that the usual document may be transmitted to us
to enable us to receive the salary due to Colonel Moody,
for March quarter last, from the Paymaster General.

We beg to add that the Treasury authority appears to
have been received only last week by the Paymaster General,
for issuing December quarter's salary, although we forwarded
to you the Life certificate on 4th March.



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FILE: 1863-06-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63036.txt
================================================================================

No. 36, Financial

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch
No 17 of the 31st March, enjoining upon me the manner in
which the new Loan of £50,000 is to be raised. My Despatch
No 30 of the 14th Ultimo, will have satisfied Your Grace
that your instructions in this respect have been most implicitly
followed. On the 14th Ultimo I forwarded the Loan Act to
the Agents General with authority to dispose of the Debentures
upon the most advantageous terms that they could procure, and
I shall draw upon them from time to time upon account of the
proceeds. I trust however that the explanation I afforded
in my Despatch No 28 of the 13th May will have placed
my proceedings in connection with the first Loan upon a very
different footing to that exhibited by the Agents General.

2. I have perused with deep regret Your Grace's observations
in respect to my Despatch No 6 of the 10th January last, and to my inability to repay during 1862 the whole of the
value of the specie sent out, viz £6,900. I can most
confidently assert that it has been my sincere desire to
carry out Your Grace's instructions to the letter, and
nothing short of positive inability would have caused the
postponement on which Your Grace's animadverts. I am aware
that it was within my power to have avoided that inability
and to have been in possession of surplus funds; but I am
also aware that such a state of things could only have
been brought about by a course of inaction that although
relieving me of a load of anxiety and harassing uncertainty
would have brought the progress of the Colony to a stand
still—would have depopulated the country, would have given
the people cause to cry out in bitterness against their rulers,
and in time would have created such a mass of evil, that
would I conceive when brought about by me have caused Her
Majesty's Government justly to regard me as unfit for the
responsible position in which they have been pleased to
place me. If I have not made these matters clear to Your
Grace in the Despatches I have had the honor to address you;
if I have not sufficiently explained the unprecedented
circumstances of the Colony, the distance of the Gold Fields
from the Port of entry, the impracticable character of the
Country, the famine prices of provisions at the Mines,
checking enterprise, killing industry, retarding immigration,
and if I have not represented in sufficiently strong terms
the imperative necessity for the salvation of the country
at any cost to open communication to the Mines, then indeed
I have signally failed in my endeavor. I have felt it my
solemn duty never to pause for one moment in the great work
of rendering the country accessible, notwithstanding that I
have been surrounded and occasionally almost overwhelmed by
difficulties and impediments financial and otherwise. The co-operation
I have received from Your Grace in my uphill task has been
most cheering to me, and I acknowledge with gratitude, Your
Grace's kind intercession with the Lords of the Treasury as
contained in Mr Elliot's letter of the 21st July 1862 in which Your Grace regards my request that Her Majesty's
Government would supply the funds to maintain the Royal Engineers
for 1862 as being worthy of indulgent consideration. Your
Grace's Despatch of the 13th May 1862 No 122 was received
by me on the 2nd July following. In that Despatch I am
directed to repay the value of the specie, viz £6,900, by
one of two methods, viz either by curtailing my drafts on
Her Majesty's Treasury, or else by a direct remittance to
England. It is obvious that the former course was the most
economical and most simple, and had Her Majesty's Government
provided the whole cost of the Royal Engineers for 1862 the
repayment would have been effected; for during 1862 I only drew
the sum of £4,000 from Her Majesty's Paymaster General on
their behalf. Their remaining expenses were defrayed by funds
provided by the Colony, and as those expenses amounted to
nearly £3000 in excess of the Estimate there will be a
reclamation in favor of the Colony for a moiety of the excess.
The reply of the Lords of the Treasury to Mr Elliot's letter
as aforesaid altho' in part ignoring the earnest representations
I had made of the necessity of my having funds to carry on
great public Works, still provides that if I should find myself
under the necessity of sending home Drafts beyond the authorized
amount that their Lordships would communicate further with the
Secretary of State before declining to honor them. Had I
remitted the whole of the £6,900 I should have been placed
in this necessity. I did not however remit it, and consequently
I abstained from over drawing on the Imperial Treasury, and I
therefore trusted that the amount would be considered as repaid
for 1862, the overdraft caused by such repayment being refunded
in 1863. That this arrangement helpless as I was to effect
any other should have occasioned Your Grace's surprise and
disappointment is to me a matter of deep vexation and regret;
and I now hasten to discharge the remaining liability of the
Colony in this respect. By this opportunity I forward Bills
to the Agents General to place them in the necessary funds and
I have instructed them to pay in to the account of Her Majesty's
Paymaster General on behalf of the Colony of British Columbia
the sum of £5052.3.8 which I believe will liquidate the liability
on account of the undermentioned, viz

Refund for Specie £6900.0.0

Overpayment Assay Office  152.3.8

7052.3.8

Less amount undrawn in 1862 2000.0.0

5052.3.8

Trusting that this course may be satisfactory to Your Grace.



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FILE: 1863-06-08_Foster_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B635MI03.txt
================================================================================

Foster to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Paymaster General to request that
you will be good enough to move the Secretary of State for
the Colonies to cause the necessary instructions to be
given to the Governor of British Columbia for the issue of
the Superannuation allowance of Joseph Cue, late a Pensioner
of the Irish Constabulary, by the Colonial Treasurer of that
Colony, at the rate of £29 per annum, from 1st April 1863 inclusive, in conformity with the instructions contained
in the accompanying papers. I am also to request that until
further orders the Pensioner on claiming exemption from
Income Tax, may be required by the paying Officer to execute
after the 5th April in each year, the enclosed form of
Declaration as regards Income, which Declaration should be
attached to the voucher for the first payment made after that date.

These payments should be charged by the Treasurer, in
his account, for recovery through the Commissioner of Audit.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-08_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637022.txt
================================================================================

No. 22

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 9
of the 3rd of April reporting that you had granted leave of absence for
6 months to Mr. Pemberton, the Surveyor General of Vancouver Island, to
enable him to proceed to England to superintend the construction of
certain Machinery to be imployed in the improvement of Victoria
Harbour.

I acquiesce in this arrangement but Mr. Pemberton cannot be allowed
to draw full Salary for a greater period than six months after his
departure from the Colony on the 3rd of April.



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FILE: 1863-06-08_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B635AD03.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

With reference to your letter of the 11th of December 1862
*
signifying the concurrence of the Secretary of State to
the proposition that the Colonial Government of British Columbia
should contribute the sum of £500 per annum in aid of the
cost of the survey of the coast of the Colony; I am commanded
by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will
move the Duke of Newcastle to cause the amount in question
(which My Lords are informed has been agreed to by the Colonial
Government) to be now paid over to the Naval Department in aid
of the first year's cost of the Survey, and to cause a similar
amount to be paid over annually until the completion of the Service.



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FILE: 1863-06-11_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63020.txt
================================================================================

No. 20, Legislative

I have the honour of transmitting, herewith, to Your Grace a copy of
the Journals of the House of Assembly of this Colony for the Session
commencing the 19th March and ending 19th December 1862 and also
for the Session commencing the 2nd January and ending 27th February
1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-11_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637025.txt
================================================================================

No. 25

With reference to my despatch No. 149 of the 12th of November last
communicating to you Her Majesty's approval of "The British
Columbia
Loan Act 1862" I have the honor to instruct you to remit to the Agents
General for Crown Colonies with the utmost punctuality the funds
provided by the 12th clause of the Act for the payment of the half
yearly interest on the Loan and for a sinking fund.

I take this opportunity of requesting your attention to the
statement in the enclosed letter from the Agents General that your
government is indebted to them to the amount of £1080, and of repeating
to you the peremptory instructions in my despatch No. 15 of the 14th of
March last to keep the Agents duly provided with funds for the execution
of the services referred by the Colony in this Country.

After you have had sufficient time to receive the despatches on
this subject no requisition whatever—however urgent it may be will be
attended to unless the money required for its execution is actually in
the hands of the Agents General.

With reference to my despatch No. 17
of the 31st of March directing you to leave the contemplated further
loan of £50,000 to be effected by the Colonial Agents in the money
market of this Country, I must appraize you that immediately upon
raising the money procured by that operation the Agents General will be
instructed to begin by reimbursing themselves in the whole amount due to
them which may not have been discharged by any remittances received in
the meantime from the Colony and that you will only be able to draw upon
them for the balance of the proceeds of the loan. Any Bills exceeding
that amount will be refused leaving the consequences to fall upon the
Colonial Treasury. I am in communication with the Lords of the Treasury
as to the nature of the securities in which to invest the sinking fund
and the selection of trustees for that purpose.



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FILE: 1863-06-11_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637023.txt
================================================================================

No. 23

With reference to my despatch No. 1 of the 24th of January last
enclosing an Order of Her Majesty in Council leaving to their operation
certain Acts of the Legislature of Vancouver Island including "the
Vancouver Island Road and Harbour Loan Act 1862," I have the honor to
transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter from the Agents
General for Crown Colonies and to instruct you to remit to them with the
utmost punctuality the funds provided for the payments of the half
yearly interest on the Loan and for a sinking fund.

With reference to the current account between the Colony and the
Agents General I take this opportunity of referring to you my despatch
No 24 of the 11th Instant.

I am in communication with the Board of Treasury as to the mode of
investing the sinking fund and the selection of trustees for that
purpose.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-11_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637024.txt
================================================================================

No. 24

I have the honor to transmit to you a statement furnished by my
desire, of the account between the Agents General for Crown Colonies and
Vancouver Island which exibits on the one hand receipts to the amount of
£42948-18-6 comprising £600 remitted from the Colony and £42348-18-6 the
proceeds of debentures issued or about to be issued by the Agents
General under the Vancouver Island Road and Harbour Loan Act of 1862.

And on the other hand payments to the extent of £667-1-4 and
liabilities to that of £27305-19-4 leaving an eventual balance of
&14,975-17-10.

The payments of £667-1-4 are covered as far as £600 by sums
remitted from the Colonly the remainder of £67-1-4 will have been met
out of the proceeds of the debentures, and the liability of £231-19-4
due to the Board of Trade as well as that of £74 which will be required
for incidental expenses will in the absence of funds remitted from the
Colony for the purpose, have to be defrayed from the same source.

When these liabilities together with those for the Bills now under
acceptance and for the steam tug which the Colonial Government is about
to purchase shall have been discharged, there will remain in the Agents'
hands, as above indicated, a balance of £14975-17-10.

Up to that limit (vizt of £1475-17-10) such Bills as may arrive
from you will be accepted and paid, but you must understand that you are
strictly prohibited from drawing any more, and that if Bills arrive from
you beyond the above mentioned amounts, so that there will be no
disposable funds in the Country to meet them, those Bills will be refused
and the Colonial Government will have to bear the consequences.



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FILE: 1863-06-12_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO06.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to my letter of the 2nd instant, I am directed by
Earl Russell to transmit to you, to be laid before The Duke of
Newcastle, a copy of a despatch from Lord Lyons inclosing further
correspondence relative to the rumours that attempts were being made
to fit out Confederate Privateers in Vancouver's Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-12_Helps_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B635CO01.txt
================================================================================

Helps to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to
transmit to you the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council
of the 11th instant, empowering the Governor of British
Columbia to provide for the administration of Justice &
constituting a Legislative Council in the said Colony; and
I am to request that you will be pleased to lay the same
before the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-12_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637026.txt
================================================================================

No. 26

At the request of Her Majesty's Paymaster General I have the honor
to instruct you to direct the Colonial Treasurer of British Columbia to
issue the Superannuation Allowance of Joseph Cue, late a Pensioner of
the Irish Constabulary at the rate of £29 per annum from the 1st of
April 1863 inclusive, in conformity with the instructions contained in
the accompanying papers. The Paymaster General has also requested that
until further notice the Pensioner on claiming exemption from Income Tax
may be required by the paying office to execute after the 5th of April
in each year the enclosed form of Declaration as regards Income which
Declaration should be attached to the voucher of the first payment made
after that date.

These payments should be charged by the Treasurer in his account
for recovery through the Commissioners of Audit.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63021.txt
================================================================================

No. 21

In compliance with the instructions contained in Your Graces despatch
No 7 of the 24th February last I have the honor to forward herewith
an explanation from Mr Watson, the Treasurer of this Colony, of the
discrepancy between the Balance of the Account of Receipts and
Disbursements of Imperial Funds in connection with the Island of San
Juan &c remaining in hand on the 31ëst December 1861 and the amount
brought forward on the 1st January 1862.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63022.txt
================================================================================

No. 22, Military

I have the honor to forward herewith an Account, with Vouchers, of
Receipts and Disbursements of Imperial Funds in connection with the
Island of San Juan &c, between the 1st October and 31st December
1862.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-15_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B636C04.txt
================================================================================

Memo, Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Messrs Cox & Co present their compliments to Sir Frederick
Rogers and with reference to the letter from the Colonial
Office of the 9th Instant, beg that the usual Certificate
may be furnished to them, required by the Paymaster General
before the issue of Colonel R.C. Moody's salary for March 1/4 last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63037.txt
================================================================================

No. 37, Financial

Adverting to my despatch No 30 of the 14th Ultimo
and to Your Grace's despatch No 14 of the 12th March 1863
I have the honor to forward herewith a Statement shewing the
application to the purposes of roads of the proceeds of the
£50,000 Loan of 1862.

2. With respect to the arrangements with the Contractors
for the roads, under which the guarantee of the local Government
was given for the sums advanced by the Bank of British Columbia,
I beg to report that the sums so guaranteed are treated, as to
security, precisely as Government Cash Advances, all liability
in respect thereof being charged on the Tolls, three fourths
of which are received by the Government untill both principal
and interest of all sums advanced be paid.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-15_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637026A.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have long had under my consideration the various questions which
have arisen respecting the form of government which should be adopted in
British Columbia and Vancouver Island. And I have now to communicate to
you the decision at which I have arrived.

2. I should have much desired, if it had been possible, that these
two Colonies should have formed one government. I feel confident that
economy and efficiency would be promoted—that commerce would be
facilitated, that political capacity would be developed, that the
strength of the Colonies would be consolidated, and generally that their
well being would be greatly advanced by such an union, and I hope that
moderate and far seeing men in both communities will be convinced of
this, and will bear in mind the expediency of avoiding or removing all
that is likely to impede, and favoring all that is likely to facilitate
such a result. But I am aware that the prevailing feeling is at present
strongly adverse to such a measure and in deference to that feeling I am
prepared to take steps placing them under different Governors so soon as
proper financial arrangements are made for the permanent support of the
Government.

3. With regard to Vancouver Island I think that a permanent Act of
the Legislature should be passed securing to the principal Officers of
the Government Salaries at the Following rates, which the importance of
the Colony, and the prospects of its Revenues appear to render no more
than fitting:

Governor
£3,000

Chief Justice
800
(to be £1,200 when a Lawyer is appointed)

Colonial Secretary
600

Attorney General
300
with practice

Treasurer
600

Surveyor General
500

4. The initiation of all money votes should also, be secured to the
Government.

5. When this is done I am prepared to hold the Crown Revenue of
Vancouver Island at the disposal of the Legislature of that Colony
retaining only such temporary power over the Land as will enable Her
Majesty's Government to close its transactions with the Hudson's Bay
Company. When this is effected I shall be ready to transfer the
management of the Revenue to the Colonial Legislature.

6. With regard to British Columbia, adverting to the magnitude of
the Colonial interests, and to the steady progression of the local
Revenue, I should wish you at once to proclaim a permanent Law enabling
Her Majesty to allot Salaries to the Government Officers of British
Columbia at the following rates

Governor, with a suitable residence
3,000

Chief Justice
1,200

Colonial Secretary
800

Attorney General
500
with practice

Treasurer
750

Commissioner of Lands and Surveyor General
8

Collector of Customs
650

Chief Inspector of Police
500

Registrar of Deeds
500

7. It will then follow to give effect to the enclosed Order in
Council which Her Majesty has been pleased to issue in order to prepare
the way for giving the inhabitants of the Colony a due influence in its
Government. I should have wished to establish there the same
representative Institutions which already exist in Vancouver Island; and
it is not without reluctance that I have come to the conclusion that
this is at present impossible.

8. It is however plain that the fixed population of British
Columbia is not yet large enough to form a sufficient and sound basis of
Representation, while the migratory element far exceeds the fixed, and
the Indian far out numbers both together.

9. Gold is the only produce of the Colony, extracted in a great
measure by an annual influx of Foreigners—Of Landed proprietors there
are next to none—Of tradesmen not very many, and these are occupied in
their own pursuits at a distance from the centre of Government and from
each other. Under these circumstances I see no mode of establishing a
purely representative Legislature which would not be open to one of two
objections. Either it must place the Government of the Colony under the
exclusive control of a small circle of persons naturally occupied with
their own local, personal or class interests, or it must confide a large
amount of political power to immigrant, or rather transient Foreigners,
who have no permanent interest in the prosperity of the Colony.

10. For these reasons I think it necessary that the government
should retain for the present a preponderating influence in the
Legislature. From the best information I can obtain I am disposed to
think it most advisable that about one third of the Council should
consist of the Colonial Secretary and other Officers who generally
compose the Executive Council—about one third of Magistrates from
different parts of the Colony, and about one third of persons elected by
the residents of different Electoral Districts. But here I am met by
the difficulty that these residents are not only few and scattered, but
(like the foreign gold diggers) migratory and unsettled, and that any
definition of Electoral districts now made might in the lapse of a few
months become wholly inapplicable to the state of the Colony. It would
therefore be trifling to attempt such a definition, nor am I disposed to
rely on any untried contrivances which might be suggested for supplying
its place—contrivances which depend for their success on a variety of
circumstances, which, with my present information, I cannot safely
assume to exist.

11. I have therefore thought it most advisable to have recourse in
British Columbia to the tried machinery of a Legislative Council, with
the intention however that the appointments to that Council, which by
the enclosed Order you are authorised to make, shall be made if not in
exact accordance with the outline which I have traced, yet at any rate
with the object of securing that at least one third of the Councillors
shall be persons recognized by the residents in the Colony, as
representing their feelings and interests. By what exact process this
quasi-representation shall be accomplished, whether by ascertaining
informally the sense of the residents in each locality, or by bringing
the question before  Public Meetings, or (as is done in Ceylon)
by accepting the nominee of any Corporate Body or Society, I leave you to
determine. I also leave it you to determine the period for which
(subject to Her Majesty's pleasure, which involves a practical
power of dissolution) the Councillors should be appointed. What
I desire is this; that a system of virtual though imperfect
representation shall be at once introduced which shall enable Her
Majesty's Government to ascertain with some certainty, the character,
wants, and disposition of the community with a view to the more formal
and complete Establishment of a Representative System as circumstances
shall admit of it.

I shall hold the proceeds of the Crown Lands at the disposal of the
Legislative Council, who will also be at liberty to pass laws for the
regulation and management of that source of Revenue subject of course
to disallowance in this Country and subject also to the qualification
which I have mentioned as indispensable in Vancouver Island, viz. that
the Crown must retain such legal powers over the Lands as are necessary
for disposing of all questions (if any) which remain to be settled with
the Hudson's Bay Company—questions which without such uncontrolled power
might still be productive of embarrassment.

With these explanations I have to instruct you first to proclaim a
law securing to Her Majesty the right to allot the above Salaries to the
Officials of British Columbia, and, having done so, to give publicity to
the enclosed Order in Council and to convene as soon as possible the
proposed Legislature.



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FILE: 1863-06-15_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG04.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to my letter of the 1st instant I have
honor to transmit to you for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle copy of a letter (received on the 13th instant)
from the Colonial Secretary of British Columbia forwarding
Bills to the amount of £1500; this remittance will enable
the Agents General to pay the interest due on the 1st
proximo on the Loan of that Colony.

Pending his Grace's instructions the Governor has not remitted the amount appropriated for the formation of a Sinking Fund.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-16_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE07.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 9th Instant, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster
General has been authorized to pay to Messrs Cox & Co,
on behalf of Col. R.C. Moody RE, Chief Commissioner of
Lands & Works in British Columbia, the sum of £300, for
his Salary during the Quarter to 31st March last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-17_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635AG11.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to your letter of the 13th inst on the subject of the
State of the Vancouver Island Government Accounts at this Office, I
have to report, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that
since writing my letter of the 23rd ultimo the Agents General have
received a communication from the Government of that Colony
requesting the transfer in the Books of this Office of the sum of
£500 from Loan Account to General Account.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63022CO.txt
================================================================================

Confidential

I have the honor to forward herewith to Your Grace in compliance with
prescribed Rule, a Confidential report upon the characters and
qualifications of the principal Officers of this Government.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-18_Helps_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635CO03.txt
================================================================================

Helps to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to transmit to you
the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 11th inst.,
leaving to their operation four acts passed in Vancouver Island in
September and December, 1862; and I am to request that you will be
pleased to lay the same before the Secretary of State for the
Colonial Department.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63023.txt
================================================================================

No. 23, Legislative

I have the honour to transmit, herewith, to Your Grace a copy of the
Minutes of the Legislative Council of this Colony, from the 19th March 1862 to the 28th February, 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63038.txt
================================================================================

No. 38

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the
other side hereof.*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63024.txt
================================================================================

No. 24

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637025.txt
================================================================================

No. 25

In another despatch of equal date I have transmitted to you an
Order of Her Majesty in Council leaving to its operation an Act passed
by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in December last entitled "An Act
to impose certain Stamp duties on Writings and Deeds."

Having consulted the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury on the
subject of this Act their Lordships have observed that though there is
no objection to it there is a clerical omission in the 17th clause which
they suggest might be repaired by the introduction of the
words which
are placed opposite to the text in the subjoined extract from the Act.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637026.txt
================================================================================

No. 26

I have received and have had under my consideration 4 Acts (Nos.
65-70-76 & 77) passed by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in the
months of Sept. to Decr/62 & Feby. last, and transmitted to me in your
Despatches noted in the Margin.

*

I have reported to Her Majesty in Council my opinion that the said
Acts should be left to their operation; and I have the honour to
transmit to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the
11th Instant approving that Report.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-24_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE08.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 13th Instant on the subject of the British Columbia Loan of
£50,000, I am desired by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to state, for the information of the
Duke of Newcastle, that They are of opinion that the sums
to be annually set apart for the Sinking Fund of the Loan
under the British Columbia Loan Act 1862 may be invested
in the Consolidated £3 per Cent Annuities or in the New
£3 per Cent Annuities. And They see no objection to
the Trustees whom His Grace proposes to select.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-06-24_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE04.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 13th Instant respecting
the investment of the Sinking Fund provided for in "the Vancouver
Island Road & Harbor Loan Act 1862," I am desired by The Lords
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the
information of the Duke of Newcastle, that Their Lordships are of
opinion that the sums to be provided as Sinking Fund under the 13th
Section of the Act in question may be invested in the Consolidated £3
per Cent Annuities or in the New £3 per Cent Annuities, and They make
no objection to the Trustees
proposed to be selected by the Secretary
of State.



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FILE: 1863-06-26_Columbia_to_Newcastle_V636C01.txt
================================================================================

Columbia to Newcastle

The Conveyance of land surrounding Christ Church Victoria, Vancouver,
from the Hudsons Bay Company to the Church of England, in accordance
with an understanding between that body & the Imperial Government has not
yet been effected.

I was assured by the Attorney General of Vancouver the day before I
left Victoria (May 8) that no further delay should take place; but as
I have not seen the draft, and as there are interests & phraseology
on the part of the Church needing my attention I have the honor to
request your Grace to allow me to examine the Deed before it is
finally submitted for execution.



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FILE: 1863-06-27_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637027.txt
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No. 27

With reference to your despatch No. 21 of the 21st of April last I
have the honor to acquaint you that I have caused Mr. Walkem to be
informed in answer to his letter of the 12th of January that the
propriety of admitting Canadian Barristers to practise in British
Columbia has been pointed out to Mr. Justice Begbie, and that probably
rules have been made before this date authorizing such admission.



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FILE: 1863-06-29_Paget_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AD04.txt
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Paget to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
to send you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's
Secretary of State for the Colonies two Despatches from
Commodore The Honourable J.W. Spencer, dated the 4th and
6th May, No 21 and 24, with their respective enclosures,
reporting the proceedings of the Devastation Steam Sloop and of
the Gun Boats Grappler and Forward in endeavoring to capture
Indians who had committed outrages on White Men, and to prevent
the illicit traffic in spirits on the East Coast of Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1863-06-29_Paget_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635AD01.txt
================================================================================

Paget to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies a Copy of a Letter from Commodore Spencer dated the
14th May, No 25, with Copies of its enclosures, relating to certain
intended proceedings against the Lamalche Indians on the East Coast
of Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1863-06-30_Mrs._Cox_to_Colonial_Office_B636C09.txt
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Mrs. Cox to Colonial Office

Mrs William G. Cox begs to state that on 28th April
last she received an order for 9£14s2d. Would have written to acknowledge same, had she known who to address, as she
had no communication from her husband since the letter came,
presumes it was sent through the Government, begs to express
her thanks, even for so small a sum, wishes to enquire if
She is to receive that Sum quarterly & now writes by the advice
of the Rector of the Parish in which she resides.



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FILE: 1863-07-01_Julyan_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG05.txt
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Julyan to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The Agents General for Crown Colonies have been requested
by the Governor of British Columbia, in a letter of which copy
is enclosed, to negotiate a Loan in London, on behalf of the
Colony, by the issue of Six per Cent Government Debentures to
the extent of £50,000 under "The British Columbia Loan Act of 1863."

The wants of the Colony render it necessary that the
money should be raised with as little delay as possible, and
I beg to submit for the consideration of His Grace the Duke of
Newcastle that the Agents General should be authorized to take
the necessary steps for placing the Debentures on the Market
immediately the Act receives Her Majesty's confirmation.

The form of the Act itself appears to be such as will
satisfy the reasonable expectations of lenders, and the forms
of Bond and Coupon, lettered A and B in the Schedule, call
for no material alterations in order to make them conform to
the requirements of the Stock Exchange.



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FILE: 1863-07-01_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637028.txt
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No. 28

With reference to the concluding paragraph of my despatch No. 25 of
the 11th ult. I have the honour to acquaint you that I have selected
P.G. Julyan Esq one of the Agents General for Crown Colonies and Gordon
Gairdner Esq the Chief Clerk of this office to be the trustees for the
management of the sinking fund of the loan of £50,000 which has been
raised under the British Columbia Proclamation No. 5 of 1862.



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FILE: 1863-07-01_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637027.txt
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No. 27

With reference to the concluding paragraph of my despatch No. 23 of
the 11th Ultimo, I have the honor to acquaint you that I have selected
W. C. Sargeaunt Esq, one of the Agents General for Crown Colonies and
Gordon Gairdner Esq the Chief Clerk of this Office to be the trustees for
the management of the Sinking Fund of the loan which has been raised
under "the Vancouver Island Road and Harbour Loan Act 1862."



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FILE: 1863-07-02_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63038SP.txt
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Separate

I have the honor to inform Your Grace of the continued
welfare of this Colony; and that the accounts, from the Mining
Districts, up to the latest dates are of a most satisfactory character.

2. The immigration which commenced so prosperously in
the early part of the season, promising a large accession to
the fixed population of the Colony, has for the last four
weeks almost entirely ceased; the effect, it is supposed, of
recent discoveries of mines of Silver and Gold at Washoe
and Salmon river, which present great attractions to the
migratory population of Oregon and California, and have to
some extent diverted attention from the Gold Fields of
British Columbia. It is not improbable that such causes
may altogether change our present relations with these
countries, and that they may in a great measure, cease to
play the part as heretofore of fruitful nurseries for
recruiting the population of Her Majesty's Colonies on this
Coast, a contingency that will render direct emigration from
the Mother Country more than ever essential to their progress.

3. The immigration of this year so far consists of about
four thousand five hundred persons (4,500 persons), chiefly able
bodied men, exclusive of women and children, a class of which
the Colony is still lamentably deficient. I may mention as a
satisfactory feature connected with the present years
immigration, that, the immigrants of all classes appear to
have found profitable employment within the Colony and
there is still a great demand for labour at high rates of
wages, both in the mining Districts, and on the farms which
are being opened on the lines of the great trunk roads of the Country.

4. I have lately received intelligence that valuable
discoveries of rich mining ground have been made by some
Chinese Miners on the Banks and alluvial flats of Bridge
River about 20 miles from the Town of Lillooet. Several
Gold nuggets weighing from fifteen to twenty ounces (15 to 20 oz), have
been picked up among the debris, and the deposits of scale
gold are remarkably rich, having yielded as much as six
hundred dollars ($600) a day on claims worked by four hands. The
resident Gold Commissioner has visited the District and
expresses a very favorable opinion of its mining capabilities.
He also speaks favourably of its general character, describing
the Country as open and accessible, abounding in grassy plains
and possessing an agreeable climate, with such extraordinary
natural advantages the Mines of Bridge
River can hardly fail
to become an attractive resort to the Mining population of
the Colony.

5. I have received advices from the Gold Commissioner of
Carribou up to the 22nd June. On the 4th of that month he
reports as follows—

unanimity and good feeling prevail among
the Miners on Williams Creek, and both the Upper and Lower
Towns have been perfectly quiet and free from disturbance.
There has however been and there still is a good deal of
litigation in reference to mining interests.

The weather he adds had been fine and "at times very hot" for
the few previous days causing a rapid rise in the Rivers, and
doing much damage to the tunnels and mining shafts. Writing
again on the 11th and 22nd June he reports a favourable change
in mining affairs and enters with considerable detail into the
state and yield of the principal gold claims on Williams
Creek. These two last mentioned communications contain
information of so much interests that I venture to transmit
copies of such portions of them as specially refer to gold
mining and also extracts from other reports illustrative of
the character and actual returns of a few of the rich mines
of Carribou.

6. There is no other subject connected with the Colony
with which I need trouble Your Grace on the present occasion.



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FILE: 1863-07-03_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B636C05.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to draw your attention to our letter
of the 15th ulto, requesting to be furnished with the
usual certificate from your office, without which the
Paymaster General will not issue to us Colonel R.C. Moody's
R.E. salary for March quarter last.

We beg to add that on applying today at the Paymaster
General's Office for Colonel Ord's Salary, March 1/4, as
Governor of the Bermudas, for which you furnished us with a
certificate in May last, we are informed that the Treasury
authority has not yet reached that department.



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FILE: 1863-07-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63039.txt
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No. 39

In conformity with the instructions contained in the
Book of Colonial Regulations I have the honor to forward
herewith to your Grace the Returns described on the other
side hereof *as received from the Treasurer for the Quarter ending 31st December 1862.



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FILE: 1863-07-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63025.txt
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No. 25

In continuation of my despatch of the 21st May No 16, I have the
honor to acquaint Your Grace that with the assistance afforded by
Commodore Spencer, the Senior Naval Officer at Vancouver's Island,
the active operations described in that Despatch for seeking out and
bringing to justice the Indian Criminals have been very closely, and
I am thankful to say successfully followed up.

2. An expedition, under the Command of Commander Hardinge, of Her
Majesty's Ship Cameleon, to aid the civil power was detached to the
Coast, and eventually succeeded in capturing all but one of the
principal Criminals.

3. A Copy of Commander Hardinge's Report of Proceedings is forwarded
herewith for Your Grace's information.

4. The accused Indians were tried at the Assizes held on the 17h
day of June 1863, and a conviction obtained against five of them.

Ul-whan-uck - For the Murder of one Marks and his

Daughter.

Qual-a-tutlm -

Ot-cha-wun - For the Murder of one Charles Glyddon

Sha-na-sa-luk -

Shil-o-weet - For Manslaughter

The last named was indicted for the murder of a white man, name
unknown, about 5 years ago. He admitted the truth of the evidence as
to the killing, but stated that one Pallrick, since killed by
Indians, was the instigator of the deed, and that it was only when
Pallrick was being worsted by the white man that he had gone to his
assistance. Even then it would seem that the unfortunate victim
would have overcome both his assailants, had not the wife of Pallrick
seized an Axe with which she struck the white man in the back, and
disabled him. He was then stabbed by Shil-o-weet. Shil-o-weet has
been sentenced to Four years imprisonment with hard labor. He is an
old man and may not live to serve out the term.

5. The other four Indians convicted of the Capital crime were
sentenced to death, and were hanged this morning at 7 O'Clock in
front of the Police Barracks at Victoria.

6. These prompt and vigorous measures were necessary to address an
apparently increasing mania amongst certain Tribes of Indians to
become great and noted by the commission of crime. I am satisfied
that the whole proceedings from first to last will not only tend to
uproot such evil passions, but will materially conduce to the future
safety of the white population, whether scattered in settlement
around, or passing in solitary journey along the Coast.



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FILE: 1863-07-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63026.txt
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No. 26

I have the honour to report to Your Grace that at the general Assizes
held during the last month the following Indians received sentence of
death for the crime of murder and were publicly executed this morning
at 7 O'clock, viz: Qual-ah-ilton, She-nall-su-luk and Otcheewan for
the murder of one Charles Glyddon, and Un-whan-rick for the murder of
one Marks and his Daughter.



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FILE: 1863-07-04_Hammond_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635FO07.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to my letter of the 12th ultimo, I am directed by
Earl Russell to transmit to you, for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle, copies of a further despatch and its inclosures from Lord
Lyons relative to the rumour that a privateer for the use of the
so-styled Confederate States was being fitted out at Vancouver's
Island.



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FILE: 1863-07-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637029.txt
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No. 29

With reference to my Despatch No. 28 of the 1st Instant informing
you of the Appointment of Trustees for the management of the Sinking
Fund of the Loan raised under the British Columbia Proclamation No. 5
of 1862, I have the honor to acquaint you that it has been decided to
invest the Sums set apart for this Fund in the Consolidated Three Pounds
(£3) Per Cent Annuities or in the New Three Pounds (£3) per Cent
Annuities.



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FILE: 1863-07-04_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637028.txt
================================================================================

No. 28

With reference to my Despatch No. 27 of the 1st Instant, informing
you of the Appointment of Trustees for the management of the Sinking
Fund of the Loan raised under the "Vancouver Island Road and Harbour
Loan Act 1862." I have the honor to acquaint you that it has been
decided to invest the Sums set apart for this fund in the Consolidated
Three pounds per Cent Annuities or in the New Three Pounds per Cent
Annuities.



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FILE: 1863-07-06_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635LN04.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 22nd ultimo with a further
despatch from Governor Douglas on the subject of the Land surrendered
to the Crown by the Hudsons Bay Co in the City of Victoria
Vancouvers Island.

2. In this Despatch the Governor encloses the Map of Victoria
showing the Sales by the Company and the land to revert to the Crown;
a copy of which was received from the Company in Mr Berens' letter
of 17th March last. The result as stated in our report of 30th
March is to show that the whole extent of Land reverting to the Crown
is about 60 Acres, a quantity which Governor Douglas rightly assumes
to be much less than we had expected when we entered into the
Agreement with the Company of 3rd Febry 1862.

3. It is useless, however, now to resume the discussion whether as
Governor Douglas intimates we were deliberately misled by Mr Dallas in
that Agreement or whether we only misunderstood the state of the case
which avowedly Mr Dallas was unable accurately to explain. If the
principal object of the Agreement had been to reclaim for the Public
the greatest quantity possible of valuable land it would have been a
cause for serious regret, and perhaps complaint, that the statement
furnished to us had been so incomplete. In that case, however, we
should not have ventured to recommend the conclusion of the Agreement
without a previous verification in the Colony of the grounds on which
it proceeded. But the quantity of Land to be recovered, though an
important, was not the principal object in view—and in forming an
opinion as to the terms obtained from the Company it is necessary to
bear in mind the exact state of the case. It must be remembered that
the Hudson's Bay Co some years before the Grant of 1849, had
established themselves at what is now Victoria, and had occupied
there upwards of 3000 Acres of which the land now in question is a
portion—that in 1846 they applied to Lord Grey for a grant of that
land and that his Lordship was prepared to recognize their claim to
it. It was in the course of the correspondence arising out of their
application for this land that Lord Grey proposed to them to accept a
grant of the whole Island on certain conditions of Colonization. As
the correspondence on the larger question proceeded the minor
question as to the land at Victoria faded out of view—and when the
whole Island was subsequently granted to the Company their claim to
this particular land was held to have merged in the more extensive
grant. Under these circumstances it was held, and was understood by
us, that although the Company might not have a strictly legal, they
had an equitable, claim to the land at Victoria—and that they could
not have been ousted from it without legal proceedings which would
have been certainly tedious and expensive and probably of doubtful
result. And in the meantime the reconveyance of the Island to the
Crown must have been delayed.

4. The primary object then was to expedite the reconveyance of the
Island to the Crown—to prevent future disputes respecting this
particular land—and to acquire for the Crown so much of the
ungranted portion of it as might be wanted for Government Offices.
It is not denied that these objects have been attained and if so it
is of no use now to raise questions as to the manner in which the
Company disposed of other portions of the land previous to January
1862, when it was assumed by them to be their own property—an
assumption which the Home Government had not disputed. It would of
course have been of advantage to the public to recover for it land
that was likely to sell for a high price—and the sale would probably
have been conducted with greater reference to the future advantage of
the public by the Crown than by the Company. But all questions
respecting Sales effected bonâ fide before 1st Janry 1862 are
concluded by the Agreement of Febry of that year. If as Governor
Douglas says the original plan of the Town was altered by the Company
to the detriment of their grantees, it is for the grantees not for
the Crown to take the necessary steps to obtain indemnification.

5. The practical questions now requiring decision are explained
toward the close of Mr Douglas' despatch. He states that a portion
of the Government reserve was improperly sold by Mr Dallas—and that
by the terms in which the Agreement was drawn up two lots adjoining
that on which the Post Office stands, and covered with public
buildings, are given up to the Company. On the other hand a valuable
lot at the foot of Fort Street on which the Company possess Buildings
is by the Agreement ceded to the Crown for a Harbour Masters Office.
He proposes that the Crown should give up the lot at the foot of Fort
Street, and accept instead a lot for the same purpose at the foot of
Broughton Street, on condition that the Company relinquish to the
Crown the portion of the Government reserve marked Z on the Map
enclosed in Mr Berens' letter to the Duke of Newcastle of 17th
March last together with lots 1603 1605 and 1607—the first being
that on which the Post Office is situated and the two others
adjoining Lots required for the public service. It only remains
therefore to propose this compromise to the Hudsons Bay Co. If
it is accepted Governor Douglas considers that there will be no
further difficulty in effecting the reconveyance of the Island to the
Crown.

6. There is much in Governor Douglas' despatch which it is desirable
the Company should know—but at the same time there are many
imputations conveyed in it and expressions used which could scarcely
fail, if communicated to the Company, to prolong and exasperate the
correspondence which has already arisen on this subject. I would
venture, therefore, to suggest that if it is decided to make the
Company acquainted with Mr Douglas' general statements on the
question some passages of his despatch should be omitted in the
communication to them.



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FILE: 1863-07-07_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63040.txt
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No. 40, Legislative

I have the honor to forward herewith to your Grace for Her Majesty's confirmation and allowance "The Sunday Observance Act 1863" No 6 to which has been appended, as directed in your Grace's despatch No 5 of the 17th January last, a Schedule of the
Imperial Acts put in force in the Colony by the Act in question.



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FILE: 1863-07-07_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637030.txt
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No. 30

I have the honor to request that you will take an early opportunity
of furnishing me with the Report, promised in your despatch No. 13 of
the 24th of February, of the arrangement which might be made for the
support of Mrs. Cox by her husband.

I rely upon you to see that Mr. Cox does not trifle with this
matter but that he gives some definite answer, and to insist on his
making some provision for his wife and making his remittances punctually
or else to dismiss him from the Public Service.



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FILE: 1863-07-07_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637028A.txt
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Private

I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter
from the Lord Bishop of British Columbia and to request that you will
transmit to me the draft of the conveyance to which it refers, in order
that it may be submitted to his Lordship before its execution.



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FILE: 1863-07-08_Gosset_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B636G03.txt
================================================================================

Gosset to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to request extension of leave, to enable me
to comply with possible requirements, connected with British
Columbia, in England, where my presence lately has I trust
not been entirely useless. Sought for the purpose indicated
and not for the sake of mere leave, I submit this application
without naming a period.



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FILE: 1863-07-08_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637032.txt
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No. 32

With reference to your despatch No. 26 of the 9th of May last, I
have the honor to acquaint you that I have laid before the Queen the
undermentioned Proclamation which was transmitted with your despatch No.
46 of the 4th of November last—viz No. 7 the Lytton Alexandria Tolls
Act 1862.

I am commanded to acquaint you that Her Majesty has been pleased to
confirm and allow this Proclamation.

You will communicate Her Majesty's decision upon this Proclamation
to the inhabitants of the Colony in the usual and most authentic
manner.



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FILE: 1863-07-08_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637033.txt
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No. 33

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No. 27 of
the 13th of May last, enclosing, together with other proclamations, the
following vizt. No. 3, 1863 The Road Tolls Extension Act issued the 23rd
of February 1863.
No. 4 1863 The Gold Fields Act issued the 25th of March 1863 and a
Proclamation entitled "Rates and Regulations issued in conformity with
the Gold Fields Act 1859" issued the 24th of February 1863.

I have discovered no ground of objection to the three Proclamations
above described, but I think it best to defer advising Her Majesty
formally to sanction them until it shall appear that they work in a
manner acceptable to the settlers.



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FILE: 1863-07-08_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG06.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Adverting to Mr Julyan's letter of the 1st instant on the subject of a second loan for British Columbia of £50,000
I have the honor to acquaint you for the information of His
Grace the Duke of Newcastle that the Colonial Secretary of
that Colony has drawn 2 Bills on the Agents General for £2000
and £5000 respectively dated 22 May last at 60 days sight.

The Debentures are being prepared, and, should His Grace
authorize the issue of them, will doubtless be sold in less
than two Months. I beg therefore to request that you will
furnish me with the necessary authority for accepting these two Bills.



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FILE: 1863-07-09_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63041.txt
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No. 41, Legislative

I have the honor to transmit for Her Majesty's approval,
a Proclamation entitled "The Legal Professions Act 1863,"
having for object the removal of existing restrictions in
British Columbia against the admission of Colonial Barristers
and Solicitors to practise in the Courts of that Colony, and
to regulate the admission of duly qualified practitioners by
statue instead of—as anterior to the passage of this Act—by
Order of Court.

2. By this Act there may be admitted to be enrolled as
Barristers of the Supreme Court of British Columbia all
persons of good conduct and repute who may have taken the
Degree of Doctor of Civil Law at any University in the United
Kingdom or who have been duly called or admitted to Practice
in any of Her Majesty's Superior Courts in any part of Her
Majesty's dominions, and also all persons of good conduct
and repute who shall have been duly instructed within the
Colony in the knowledge and practice of Law; and as Solicitors
and Attornies of the said Court all persons actually enrolled
and entitled to practise as Solicitor, Attorney or Proctor
in any of Her Majesty's Superior Courts of Law in any part
of Her Majesty's dominions, and also all persons who may be
instructed within the Colony in the knowledge and practise
of Law according to such regulations as may hereafter be
by Law, in that behalf established.

3. I also transmit herewith the Attorney Generals
report which fully explains the character of the Act, and
I trust it will be found in accordance with the views of
Her Majesty's Government.



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FILE: 1863-07-10_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637034.txt
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No. 34

I have the honor to transmit to you for your information and
guidance the accompanying copies of a correspondence with the War
Department which has resulted in the adoption of measures for dispensing
with the further services of the Detachment of Royal Engineers employed
in British Columbia.

The receipt since the correspondence was closed of your despatch
No. 24 of the 22nd of April has confirmed the expediency of the
decision.

As the Royal Engineers are to be withdrawn or discharged I have not
thought it necessary to request Colonel Moody to continue his services
as Commissioner of Crown Lands. His appointment to that Office was not
conferred upon him as a permanent one, and on the removal of the Troops
who went out under his command, I consider it best to relieve him from
his Civil Office to which I shall before long name a successor.
Enclosed is a copy of a letter in which I have announced to
Colonel Moody his relief from his Civil Appointment.

I trust that you may not be exposed to inconvenience by a
difficulty of finding suitable persons on the spot to fulfil the
surveying and Engineering duties which have been performed by the Royal
Engineers, and I shall be glad to receive an early report from you on
the manner in which you propose to supply their place, as well as on the
question whether you would wish to have any persons sent out from
England for some of the required services.



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FILE: 1863-07-10_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG07.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Referring to my letter of the 8th Instant I have
the honor to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle that 3 more Bills drawn by The Colonial
Secretary of British Columbia on The Agents General have
been presented for acceptance for the respective amounts
of £3000, £2000 & £2000 and I beg to be favored with the
necessary instructions of His Grace on the subject.



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FILE: 1863-07-11_Rusdell_to_Newcastle_B636R01.txt
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Rusdell to Newcastle

May it please Your Grace I have the honor of addressing
Your Grace, and to say I understand Your Grace is anxious to
receive information as to the ineffective Postal Services of
British Columbia and Vancouver Island.

I beg for Your Grace's information to say, I have just
returned from these Colonies, and that I was for four months
assisting Postmaster Spalding, at New Westminster, B.C. and
that I am thoroughly acquainted with the system in all its
details.

Any information that is in my power to give Your Grace I
should only feel honored in giving, and Your Grace can command
my Services at all times.



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FILE: 1863-07-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63042.txt
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No. 42, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Circular Despatch of the 11th April 1863, referring to the great distress which still prevails among the
Manufacturing population of the Northern Counties; and to
the several schemes which have been proposed for rescuing
the people from their present condition, and for enabling
them again to earn an independent livelihood. Your Grace
also mentions that among these schemes Emigration occupies
a prominent place, and points out the great importance to
Her Majesty's Government of knowing accurately to which of
Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions the Emigration of any
portion of those people might be directed, with the best
prospect of advantage to the people themselves, and to
the Colony, and Your Grace requests me to furnish the
best information in my power on the subject, and to state
what is the opening in this Colony for each class of the
distressed operatives referred to in your Despatch.

2. The industrious poor may improve their condition
in British Columbia by the following means—

Firstly—by occupying and cultivating land which may be
held under the Preemption Act on payment of the Registration
fee of eight shillings (8/s), no other charge being made until the land is surveyed. By taking that course any immigrant
of ordinary industry and prudence may, at a small outlay,
soon attain a comfortable and independent position: for
so great is the fertility of the soil, wherever it is
adapted for tillage, that the produce of a field of 10
acres of land properly cultivated would not only suffice
to keep a family in food, but also by the sale of the
surplus produce, for which there is a ready market,
realize a sufficient sum to procure all the other necessaries of life.

Secondly—The Mines of British Columbia offer unusual
advantages to the industrious immigrant, if gifted with
enterprise and perseverance he may in a short time, like
many others who have tried the experiment, acquire a valuable
Mining Claim worth a fortune; or if his views be less
aspiring, he may work for wages, at the rate of eight or
ten dollars ($8 or $10) a day.

Thirdly—The immigrant may earn a comfortable livelihood
by the manufacture of roofing shingles, or by hewing timber
or by cutting and making Hay which grows abundantly in
the natural meadows of the Colony.

Fourthly—He may go into service either as a house or farm
Servant, or maintain himself by job work.

3. These pursuits and occupations all require a certain
degree of skill, a robust and healthy condition of body, and
a certain amount of means to support the immigrant on first
landing in the Colony. They are therefore unsuitable for
the class of emigrants referred to in Your Grace's Despatch
who being altogether destitute would have to be maintained
for an indefinite length of time, wholly at the public expense.

4. I would therefore recommend that the following
emigrants, and no others, should be sent out to British
Columbia, that is to say—Ten "Married men with not over large
or very young families who have been accustomed to outdoor labour."
100 "young women of good character who have been employed
in the Mills, but who have had some experience of domestic
service or seem capable of undertaking it."



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FILE: 1863-07-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63027.txt
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No. 27, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's Circular
Despatch of the 11th April 1863 referring to the great distress
which still prevails among the Manufacturing population of the
Northern Counties; and to the several schemes which have been
proposed for rescuing the people from their present condition, and
for enabling them again to earn an independent livelihood: Your
Grace also mentions, that among these schemes, Emigration occupies a
prominent place, and points out the great importance to Her Majesty's
Government of knowing accurately to which of Her Majesty's Colonial
Possessions the Emigration of any portion of those people, might be
directed, with the best prospect of advantage to the people
themselves, and to the Colony, and Your Grace requests me to furnish
the best information in my power on the subject, and to state what is
the opening in this Colony for each class of the distressed
operatives referred to in your despatch.

2. In reporting on this subject I may premise that few of the
industries, this Colony is capable of, are so developed as to afford
a very extensive field for the employment of labour. The total white
population does not exceed eight thousand (8000) souls; about two
thirds of these are engaged in trade and mechanical pursuits; the
remaining third are agricultural Settlers, and day labourers working
for wages. The agricultural classes are, with few exceptions,
persons of small means and not possessed of much enterprise or
intelligence. Their operations are of the most limited kind, and
chiefly effected by their own labour—hence they have neither the
disposition nor the power to provide employment for immigrant labour.
The demand among the Merchants and Mechanics is chiefly confined to
domestic Servants, who appear at present to be numerous enough to
satisfy the wants of those classes; and there is generally no lack of
common labourers to meet the ordinary requirements of the Colony.

3. From these premises Your Grace will perceive that this Colony
offers but a poor field for destitute immigrants, unaccustomed to
privation and unfitted by early habits, and previous occupation to
the arduous labour of emigrant life: instead of improving their
condition, it is to be feared, that by emigrating in great numbers,
to this Colony, they would only be involved in a more hopeless state
of distress and poverty.

4. With the object of procuring precise information on this
important subject, I have consulted the principal inhabitants of this
place, in regard to their individual ability to provide employment
for the classes of distressed persons mentioned by Your Grace that
is,

1tly Married men with families who have been accustomed to
outdoor, though not agricultural labour.

2dly Married men with families who have been accustomed to
indoor labour only.

3dly Single men of average health and strength who have been
employed in out-door and in-door labour respectively.

4hly Young women of good character who have been employed in
the Mills, but who may have had some experience of domestic service
or seem capable of undertaking it.

5. The opinion, elicited from those persons whom I have consulted,
is in favor of a limited emigration to this Colony, confined to
twenty (20) married couples with not over young, or large families,
of the first class, and One hundred and fifty (150) young women of
the fourth class; and I have much pleasure in informing Your Grace
that I feel satisfied they will meet with every Kindness, and
consideration from their fellow subjects here, who deeply sympathize
in their distress and are sincerely disposed to contribute, with
their utmost ability, towards their relief. I may also mention that
the female Emigrants who through the Kindness of Miss Burdett Coutts,
Miss Rye and the Female Emigration Society were last year, sent by
the "Tynemouth" and "Robert Lowe" to this Colony have, with very few
exceptions, been comfortably provided for, as Your Grace will
perceive by the accompanying interesting report from the Revd Mr
Cridge Rector of Christ Church whose benevolent exertions contributed
very materially to the gratifying success of the experiment.

6. I would in conclusion ask Your Grace to advise me of any steps
taken in this matter in order, that if necessary due preparations may
be made.



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FILE: 1863-07-14_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637035.txt
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No. 35

I think it best to inform you that I am about to submit for Her
Majesty's approval certain Instructions appointing the following
Officers to be Members of the Legislative Council in British Columbia.

The Colonial Secretary

The Attorney General

The Treasurer

The Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works

The Collector of Customs

I think it also advisable to point out that as doubts may be
entertained respecting the binding authority of any Proclamation issued
by you subsequently to the date of the Order in Council, constituting a
Legislative Council (viz. The Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General,
the Treasurer, the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, and the
Collector of Customs). Your first step on convening the Council should
be to re-enact in the form of an Ordinance any Proclamation or
Proclamations which you may have issued after the above date including
the Proclamation (if any) by which you may have paid the Salaries of
Public Officers.



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FILE: 1863-07-16_Walkem_to_Newcastle_B636W01.txt
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Walkem to Newcastle

I had another letter written to Your Grace on the subject
of the admission of my Son to the Bar of Bh Columbia and had
sent it under Cover to Lord Monck requesting the favour that
His Excellency would support its object and kindly forward the
same for your Grace's consideration.

My letter had just arrived at Quebec when I was honoured
by His Lordship with a copy of Your Grace's despatch No 66
dated 27th June last, informing me

that the propriety of
admitting Canadian Barristers to practice in British Columbia
had been pointed out to Mr Justice Begbie by the Governor of
the Colony, and that rules have probably been made before this
date authorizing such admission.

In sending this letter direct to Your Grace (for reasons
afterwards explained) I take the opportunity both for myself
and son to Offer Your Grace our most sincere and heartfelt thanks,
not only for the courtesy extended to humble individuals like
ourselves but for the promptitude and decision in the matter,
brought however imperfectly under Your Grace's consideration.

We have just reason to thank God that however remote from
the Executive Authority of the Parent State, the humblest of
Her Majesty's subjects do not appeal in vain for the consideration
and redress of any reasonable cause of complaint.

Before receiving the copy of Your Grace's despatch I had
been informed by my Son in a letter from Victoria dated 5th May last, through the action of the Governor he had been admitted
to the Bar of British Columbia, and left that day to go on
Circuits in the Mining Districts. In the meantime however, a
few days ago I learned from the "British Colonist" (published
in Victoria) that the Judge had refused him the liberty to
practice.

In the Article of the "Colonist" which I beg to enclose Your
Grace my son is mentioned by name and I implore Your Grace
at least to read so much of this Article as specially bears
upon his case, there can be no doubt of the fact alluded to,
and hence the reason that I have ventured a second time to
address Your Grace, with a consciousness that however imperfectly
I have performed my duty, it will meet with such further
consideration at Your Grace's hands as the nature of the
subject may seem to require.

The question of admitting Canadian Barristers generally
to the Bar of British Columbia having been conceded in Your
Grace's despatch; instead of sending this letter through His
Excellency Lord Monck as usual I take the liberty of
sending it on my own responsibility direct to the Colonial Office.



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FILE: 1863-07-17_Day_to_Newcastle_B636D01.txt
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Day to Newcastle

The written extract from the "Weekly Chronicle", of
Victoria, Vancouver's Island, has been forwarded to me by
my nephew, Mr Chas W Allen, a British Subject, three
years resident at Victoria, with the request that I would
submit the conduct of Commander the Honourable Horace D.
Lascelles of H.M.S. Forward, therein described, to the
consideration of Her Majesty's Government.

I purpose waiting on your Grace in reference to this
subject, on Tuesday next, the 21st Instant, unless I
receive in the meantime an intimation that it will not be
convenient to your Grace to receive me on that day.



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FILE: 1863-07-20_Cameron_to_Newcastle_B636C01.txt
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Cameron to Newcastle

I have this morning seen the Times, with Your
Grace's speech on the introduction of the Bill for the
Government of British Columbia. The Separation of the two
Colonies is a great point gained, but I fear the whole
value of a constitution is lost, from the fear Your Grace,
seems to entertain of representative institutions in a
sparse population. The enemy has succeeded in persuading
the Colonial Office that there was some risk in giving the
seven thousand, in British Columbia, what the four
thousand, in Vancouvers Island have had for years, I am
satisfied however that the danger is all in the refusal,
and I only write, to express my fears that your scheme will
give great dissatisfaction, and give you serious trouble,
what might, suit in a far of[f] Isle of the Sea, on an
isolated continent with wealthy settlers will not work with
liberal Governments east, and west, of them, and a republic
within sixteen miles to the South.

The office bearers are
now very odious, and incapable and who these magistrates are
that are to be Councillors, I cannot conceive, for the
constables and others that were made Magistrates in the
interior, if made into Legislative Councillors, will hardly
be borne with a day, and I fancy few, if any of the men
that can command any kind of an election would condescend
to serve with them. I may be entirely wrong, I hope I am,
but I would not discharge my duty to the people there whom
I represented, to what I consider safe and true principles
of Government, or, to the kindness of your Grace if I did
not raise my voice against what I conceive to be a grave
political error that may give you much trouble.

Had, the present proposals been accompanied by a
promise to apply the principles of 31 Geo 3. Chap. 31 so
soon as the population amounted to Twenty thousand or thirty
thousand the difficulties I perceive might possibly have been
avoided, but it will be briefly and pertinaciously asked why
should not British Columbia with seven thousand people have
representative institutions when Vancouvers Island with only
four thousand is endowed with them, and it is impossible
to give a logical reply or keep British Columbia in peace.



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FILE: 1863-07-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63028.txt
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No. 28, Financial

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Despatch No 17 of the 9h May, acquainting me that Your Grace had authorized the Agents
General to accept and pay Six Bills amounting to £5000 drawn by the
Treasurer of Vancouver's Island on the 27h of February. I have also
the honor to acknowledge receipt of Your Grace's further Despatch No
18 of the 13th May advising me that the Agents General had likewise
been authorized to accept and pay three more Bills, Nos 7, 8, and 9,
drawn by the Treasurer to the amount of £6000.

2. I have duly noticed the remarks Your Grace has made with respect
to these Bills, both as regards the source from which they are to be
met, and the absence of the customary letters of advice.

3. In reference to the first point I have to express my regret that
any misunderstanding should exist as to the nature of the Bills, and
I really am at a loss to conceive how it can have arisen; inasmuch as
the Bills were drawn upon the Agents General, on account of the
£40,000 loan under a pre-arrangement made by themselves, the very
form of Bill to be used in drawing being furnished by the Agents
General; as will be seen from the following extract from a letter
addressed by them to the Colonial Secretary on the 1st January 1863

You shall be duly advised by the Mail of the 16h Instant of the
result of the sale, but if in the meantime the Government should be
pressed for funds, the Governor might draw on us to a limited extent,
say one third, or one half the amount in manuscript according to the
enclosed form, giving us due advice of the same.

In reply to this communication the Colonial Secretary wrote

His Excellency desires me to say that as a necessity exists for the
present application of a portion of the funds, he has authorized the
Colonial Treasurer, Mr Alexander Watson, to draw upon you as
suggested in the second paragraph of your Communication. The drafts
upon this account will be signed by the Treasurer, and countersigned
by myself, and will bear in addition a small unpressed Seal of which
a fac-similie will be found against my signature to this letter.

The Treasurer has been directed to keep you duly advised of all the
drafts made upon you as aforesaid.

On the 16h January the Agents General, in reporting the result of
the sale of a portion of the Debentures, remark

There can be little doubt but that the remainder will be successfully
placed on the market in the course of a few weeks and before any
Bills drawn by the Governor against the proceeds are likely to mature.

4. With respect to the second point, the absence of advices, I have
the honor to acquaint Your Grace that the Colonial Treasurer assures
me and an inspection of his letter Book bears out the assurance, that
upon no single instance has he ever drawn a Bill upon the Agents
General without concurrently writing, and sending off a letter of
advice. That the Bills may have arrived before the letters of advice
is owing to circumstances wholly beyond our control. Your Grace is
aware that we have no direct postal communication with the Mother
Country. Our Mails are carried between this and San Francisco by
American Vessels: and from thence there are no less than four
different ways by which letters may be forwarded, viz. By express
across the Rocky Mountains, by the ordinary Mail across the Rocky Mountains, by Steamer to Panama and from thence by Steamer to New
York, or by Steamer to Southampton. Bills purchased here are in most
instances, I believe, sent to San Francisco for resale, and once in
the hands of the Merchants there, it is not unlikely that they
would be forwarded on by the express, while the letter of advice is
travelling by one of the regular and less expeditious channels.
Indeed even in the ordinary channels of communication there is a
considerable difference occasionally in the time consumed, as all
depends upon the chance connection of Steamers not acting in
conjunction. As an illustration of this I would beg to mention that
nearly three weeks ago Colonel Moody received advices from the War
Department that Her Majesty's Government had determined to withdraw
at the close of the year the Detachment of Royal Engineers serving in
British Columbia, while up to the present moment Your Grace's
Despatches upon the same subject have not reached me. I can assure
Your Grace that I am fully sensible of the inconvenience arising from
the presentation of a Bill before its advice is received, &
I much
regret its occurence

in the instances mentioned in Your Despatches
now under reply. I trust, however, that Your Grace will absolve me
of the imputation that the inconvenience has arisen through any want
of attention of my part to the ordinary requirements of business.
In future I will direct that Duplicate Letters of advice be sent by
the same Mail from this, and I will endeavor to arrange that they be
forwarded from San Francisco by different routes.

5. I deeply regret to learn that Your Grace should entertain the
impression that the financial reports both from Vancouver's Island
and British Columbia are less methodical and complete than those of
any other Colony. I assure Your Grace that it has ever been my
desire to afford the fullest and most satisfactory information upon
these points to Her Majesty's Government, and so far as the Colony of
British Columbia is concerned I hoped I had succeeded. Since the
establishment of the Audit Officer in that Colony, the Accounts have
been regularly forwarded at as early a period as was possible in the
present circumstances of the Country, and the reports hitherto from
the Commissioners of Audit have led me to assume that their state has
been very satisfactory. With respect to the Returns required by the
Book of Colonial Regulations, I, immediately upon Your Grace calling
my attention to them upon a former occasion, issued instructions to
Captain Gosset, the Treasurer, to observe rigidly the rules laid down
respecting those Returns, and to forward the Returns periodically
with the utmost punctuality. I have now also drawn the attention of
the present Acting Treasurer to the matter, and have enjoined him to
permit no delay to occur in the making up and rendering of the
Documents in question.

With regard to Vancouver's Island, a great want of clerical
assistance has hitherto prevailed. The Legislature has as yet voted
no complete Civil List, that is to say small and insufficient
Salaries have been fixed by Law for the Heads of Departments, but no
provision has been made for paying the staff requisite for those
Departments properly to conduct the duties appertaining to them.
Upon one occasion the Assembly refused to vote any moneys by way of a
Salary to a Clerk for the Treasurer, and it was with great difficulty
that a small provision could be obtained to pay one
sole Clerk for the Colonial Secretary. The Revenue of the
Colony is small it is true, but from its circumstances, and from the
manner in which the Revenue is raised by direct Taxation, the amount
of business that has to be transacted both by the Colonial Secretary
and the Treasurer is very heavy, and Your Grace is well aware that
without a sufficient and a permanent staff it is impossible, however
careful and energetic the Head of the Department may be, to conduct
business either satisfactorily or methodically. In the present
instance I have directed the attention of Mr Watson, the Treasurer,
to the financial Returns required by the Book of Colonial
regulations, and I have instructed him to be most careful in duly
rendering them, and I trust that so far as the limited means at
present at my Command in this Colony will admit that Your Grace will
not again have occasion to apply to me for information which it has
always been my sincere desire to furnish in as complete a form as the
circumstances of the Colony permitted me.



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FILE: 1863-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63043.txt
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No. 43

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the
other side hereof.*



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FILE: 1863-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63044.txt
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No. 44

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Despatch No 24 of the 1st May last, forwarding for my information copies of two letters from the Treasury having
reference to the establishment of an Assay Office in British
Columbia which were not previously communicated to me, and I
have to convey my thanks to your Grace for the documents in
question, which embody much useful information on the subject.



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FILE: 1863-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63045.txt
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No. 45

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Circular Despatch of the 30th April last, acquainting
me, that, on account of inconveniences lately experienced
in an important Colony, Your Grace had laid down the rule
there, that no public Servant employed in the receipt, issue,
or custody of public monies ought to be concerned in the
management of any Bank, Railroad, or other Commercial
undertaking: leaving however a discretionary power with
the Governor to waive the prohibition in the case of other
Government Officers, who may be already engaged in the
management of Commercial enterprises, so long as they
shall retain their existing appointments: and Your Grace
desires to be informed whether there is any objection to
establishing the same rule in the Colony of British Columbia.

2. With respect to the subject of this inquiry it is
only necessary to refer Your Grace to my Despatch No 45
of the 4th November 1862, enclosing a copy of instructions
which I then caused to be issued for the direction of the
Assistant Gold Commissioners and their subordinates, on
the subject now under consideration. It being reported
that some of these Officers were connected with Mining
speculations, and other business transactions on their own
account: the object of these instructions was to inform
them that such practises were considered incompatible with
the proper and efficient discharge of their public duties,
and must be, at once, relinquished or they must be prepared to
resign their official appointments.

3. The rule contemplated by Your Grace is one of obvious
utility, if not of positive necessity, and may, I conceive,
be established without inconvenience, and made at once
applicable to every public Servant in British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63029.txt
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No. 29

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1863-07-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63030.txt
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No. 30

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's circular
Despatch of the 30th of April last, acquainting me that, on account
of inconveniences lately experienced in an important Colony, Your
Grace had laid down the rule there that no Public Servant employed in
the receipt issue or custody of public monies ought to be concerned
in the management of any Bank, Railroad or other Commerical
undertaking; leaving however a discretionary power with the Governor
to waive the prohibition in the case of other Government Officers who
may be already engaged in the management of Commerical Enterprises so
long as they shall retain their existing appointments, and Your Grace
desires to be informed whether there is any objection to establishing
the same rule in the Colony of Vancouver's Island.

2. I have to observe with reference to the subject of Your Grace's
Enquiry that I am not aware of any objection to the course which Your
Grace proposes to take in this matter—on the contrary I conceive
that the rule may be established with great advantage to the public
interests and should be made applicable to every Public Officer in
the Colony.



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FILE: 1863-07-21_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE09.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter dated 7th Instant
enclosing copy of a Despatch from the Governor of British
Columbia forwarding a Proclamation, No 5 of 1863,
authorizing the Agents General for Crown Colonies to raise
a further Loan of £50,000 on the security of the local
Revenue of the Colony, I am comanded by the Lords Commissioners
of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, that their Lordships see no objection
to this Proclamation.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63045SP.txt
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Separate

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatch of the 26th May last marked "Separate," forwarding for my information the draft of an Order in Council providing for the administration of Justice, and constituting a Legislative Council in British Columbia, which draft you have had prepared in view of the course which it is Your Grace's intention to pursue with respect to the future administration of this Colony.

2. I beg that Your Grace will accept my thanks for thus early putting me in possession of your determination [with] respect to the steps to be taken consequent upon the expiry of the Act of 22 Vic. cap. 99 providing for the Government of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63031.txt
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No. 31

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch
No 15 of the 8th of May last, transmitting a copy of a Despatch
from Lord Lyons enclosing copies of a correspondence between his
Lordship and Mr Seward, relative to an alleged attempt to fit out a
Privateer at Victoria, V.I. for the service of the Confederate States.

2. With reference to the subject of that correspondence; the alleged
attempt made at this Port
in January last, to fit out the English
Steamer "Thames" as a Privateer for the Confederates, I have to
inform Your Grace that the truth of that report was at the time, and
has ever since, been justly called in question, and there was
certainly no overt act corroborative of its authenticity or requiring
the interference of Government.
The "Thames" is moreover notoriously unfit for warlike purposes, and
is hardly equal in speed or power to any ordinary Merchant ship.

3. I communicated with Lord Lyons to that effect; and on the 14th of May last, transmitted a telegraphic message from San Francisco
begging his Lordship to assure the President of the United States
that every vigilance will be used by my Government to discover and
frustrate all attempts to fit out Privateers in the Ports of
Vancouver Island and British Columbia, to prey on the commerce of the
United States in the Pacific.

4. I also take this opportunity of assuring Your Grace, that I will
not fail to carry out your previous instructions which are repeated
in this Despatch, directing me to adhere strictly to the duties of
neutrality and to prevent the unlawful equipment at a British Port,
of any Vessel destined for warlike purposes.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE10.txt
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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you the enclosed copy
of a Report (No. 250) from the Commissioners of Audit
dated 7th Instant, with a statement of payments
claimed credit for in the Account of the Colonial Treasurer
of British Columbia for the year 1861, under the authority
of the Governor, which are not provided for by the
sanctioned Estimate of the year, or have not been
otherwise notified to the Commissioners of Audit as
having been submitted for the approval of This Board,
and I am to request that you will move the
Duke of Newcastle to inform My Lords whether he sees any objection
to the admission of the several charges to which attention
has been drawn by the Commissioners of Audit.

It is requested that the statement may be returned.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635LN02.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 11th instant,
with an extract of a Despatch from the Governor of British
Columbia, enclosing a Proclamation to repeal the Proclamation
granting privileges to Military and Naval Officers in the
acquisition of Lands and to substitute other regulations
for those contained in it.

2. When the price of Land was fixed in British Columbia
at £1 an acre a remission in money was granted to Military
and Naval Officers calculated with reference to that price.
When the price was reduced to 4s/2d an Acre that remission
was practically increased fivefold. To prevent the evils
which would thus be caused the present proclamation
substitutes for a remission in money a grant of a fixed
extent—commencing with 600 Acres to a Field Officer of 25
years Service and ending with 200 to a Subaltern of 7 years.
The Proclamation requires that persons taking advantage of
it shall be actually resident on their Land for two years
before they can obtain a grant—it excludes Town and
suburban Lots from selection—and it requires the Settler
to stake out and record with the nearest Magistrate the
Land which he claims to occupy. In other respects the
Proclamation is with a few unimportant verbal alterations
identical with the Proclamation which it repeals.

3. As a general rule it is more convenient to give
Military and Naval Officers a remission in money rather
than a fixed quantity of Land, because a remission allows
them to become purchasers at Sales by Auction when the
price may be run up beyond the upset price. But in a
Colony where the price is in an unsettled state, as at
present in B. Columbia, there is no doubt a difficulty in
fixing what the remission should be without the risk of
having to alter it so frequently as to introduce confusion
and uncertainty into the system. In such a case a fixed
quantity is more convenient both to the Government and the
Settler. I would accordingly recommend that this alteration
of the system should be sanctioned, and that the Proclamation now
transmitted by Governor Douglas should be approved in the usual manner.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637036.txt
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No. 36

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 30
of the 14th of May, enclosing a Proclamation entitled "The British
Columbia Loan Act 1863."

I have laid this Proclamation before The Queen, and Her Majesty has
been pleased to confirm and allow it.

You will signify Her Majesty's decision to the inhabitants of
British Columbia in the usual manner.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637029.txt
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No. 29

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 17
of the 22nd of May, reporting that you had granted three months leave of
absence on Medical Certificate to Mr. Cary, the Attorney General of
Vancouver Island, and that you had provisionally appointed Mr. David B.
Ring to act as Attorney General during Mr. Cary's absence.



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FILE: 1863-07-22_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637030.txt
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No. 30

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 18 of the 30th of May, reporting the execution of three Indians and the imprisonment for life of the Indian Woman "Thask" for the murder of "William Brady" in Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1863-07-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63031SP.txt
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Separate

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch of the 14h April last, marked "separate" accompanied by a Supplementary
Commission and Instructions dated 8th October 1862, framed for the
purpose of dividing the Council of Vancouvers Island into two
distinct bodies, and creating an Executive and a Legislative Council.

2. I beg now to report to Your Grace that in conformity with Her
Majesty's said Instructions the following persons have been appointed
and constituted to be Members of the Executive Council of Vancouver's
Island.

William Alexander George Young - Acting Colonial Secretary

George Hunter Cary - Attorney General

Alexander Watson - Treasurer

Joseph Despard Pemberton - Surveyor General

and the following persons to be Members of the Legislative Council of
Vancouver's Island, under the conditions and provisions contained in
the said Instructions.

David Cameron - Chief Justice

William Alexander George Young - Acting Colonial Secretary

George Hunter Cary - Attorney General

Alexander Watson - Treasurer

Joseph Despard Pemberton - Surveyor General

Roderick Finlayson

Donald Fraser

Alfred James Langley

3. And I beg further to report that under the authority contained in
the aforesaid Instructions, the Attorney General Mr Cary, being
absent on sick leave, and Mr David Babington Ring having been
provisionally appointed to act as Attorney General during Mr Cary's
absence, Mr Ring has been provisionally appointed by me to be ex
officio a Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils of
Vancouver's Island.



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FILE: 1863-07-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637037.txt
================================================================================

No. 37

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 35
of the 29th of May enclosing a copy of a letter from Mr. Duncan,
Missionary of the Church of England, reporting the progress of his
Mission at Metlakahtla, in British Columbia.

I have perused this report with much interest, and it has afforded
me great satisfaction to observe the valuable services rendered by Mr.
Duncan, and the exertions he has made for promoting the welfare of the
Indian Tribe.



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FILE: 1863-07-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637038.txt
================================================================================

No. 38

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 33
of the 21st of May, and to express my approval of the measures adopted
by you for checking the supply of Spirits by the Masters of Trading
Vessels to the Indians on the North West Coast of British Columbia. I
have had much pleasure in forwarding to the board of Admiralty a copy of
your Despatch commending the services of Commander Pike.



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FILE: 1863-07-25_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE11.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to Mr Elliot's letter of 11th Instant, I
am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Duke
of Newcastle that they see no objection to the confirmation
of the British Columbia Roads Bonds Act No. 1 of 1863.

The Act is herewith returned.



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FILE: 1863-07-25_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V636P01.txt
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Pemberton to Newcastle

May I venture to ask Your Grace kindly to consider and decide
upon the following matter personal to myself.

In my capacity of Surveyor General of Vancouver Island I am here
under orders (dated April 3.63, copy of which was as usual forwarded
to Colonial Office) from His Excellency The Governor "to procure
machinery required for the improvement of Victoria Harbour, and to
Superintend its construction". I further had orders to accomplish
this and to return within six months from the date of my departure
from the Island (4 April).

I pay my own travelling and personal expenses but my salary runs
on as usual, and His Excellency the Governor made ample arrangement
to supply my offices in the Colony during my absence.

With every exertion on my part—to procure this Machinery has taken
rather more time than was expected.

The Agents General have afforded me so much assistance in the
discharge of this duty, and are so conversant with all that has been
done, that they could complete arrangements requisite without further
assistance from me.

But I humbly submit to Your Grace that the public service would be
more benefited by my remaining a few months longer, in order that I
may acquire a more complete knowledge of the details and working of
these machines, than by my abrupt departure: always provided, I
arrive in the Colony in time to receive the machinery; and, as the time
does not admit of my addressing His Excellency the Governor on the
point perhaps Your Grace will be pleased to decide it.



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FILE: 1863-07-25_Reeves_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635CO04.txt
================================================================================

Reeve to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the 24th instant enclosing an Act passed
by the Legislature of Vancouver's Island to declare the Law of
Bankruptcy and Insolvency in that Island, for the consideration of
the Lords of the Council, I am directed by the Lord President of the
Council to state for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that
their Lordships see no objection to the 31st Clause of this Act.



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FILE: 1863-07-26_Julyan_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG08.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In compliance with the directions contained in your
letter of the 2nd Instant I now enclose for the information
of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle a statement of the account
between the Government of British Columbia and this Office
including the remittance of £1000 referred to by you.



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FILE: 1863-07-27_Gosset_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_B636G04.txt
================================================================================

Gosset to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have just returned to Town. Your communication of
the 21st followed me in the country which will account
for my delay in acknowledging it.

2. To comply with its command, to repair to British
Columbia by August the 31st, (could I start this instant),
would be an impossibility, the journey outwards being one
of seven weeks, but as I deemed it my duty to make no secret
at the Colonial Office of not wishing to return to B. Colbia
in the position of Treasurer, it was perhaps termed with a
view to elicit my intentions in official form.

3. Permit me to assure you, that in due deference to
your right to the earliest information, such official
intimation would have been furnished by me many months since,
had I not understood that my presence in England was deemed
useful to the Colony, and I could not have ensured it, had
I once placed myself at the command of another Department.

4. I make these observations to remove the impression,
somewhat indicated by your letter, that I have hitherto
protracted my stay under equivocal pretences.

5. There can however be offered no better evidence of
the sincerity of my previous observation, that extended leave
was but (pro forma) sought under the supposition of my
attendance in London being still required by His Grace the
Duke of Newcastle, than that, now informed to the contrary,
I hasten respectfully to tender the resignation of my
appointment.

6. It is with unfeigned regret that I contemplate a
severance of my connection with the Colonial Office; and, I
should seem ungracious were I not to state the circumstances
which lead towards it.

7. By revised Treasury regulations, I am (as a second
Officer of Royal Engineers) compelled, ere two years more
expire, to elect between, either return to my Corps, or
resignation of my military prospects: and, my present
appointment in British Columbia would not enable me to
incur the unavoidable expense of a journey out & back within
that time (an outlay of 800£ to 1000£ for a family), still
less justify me in relinquishing the rights of nearly 25
years service under Her Majesty.

8. I may have lately been persuaded by friends, that with
my knowledge of British Columbia & Vancouver Island, I might
have hoped, in some higher position than my present one,
to have made my adhesion to the Colonial service, permanent;
and that, my experience of the Ceylon model of Government,
now to be adopted in British Columbia, might have proved
useful to a colony, in whose progress, as one of it's early
pioneers through four rough years of hardships, I cannot but
be interested, and whose development, under the form of
Government suggested by me in a despatch to Governor Douglas
so long back as 1859 and lately pressed upon your notice,
I may, not unnaturally, have entertained a desire to influence.

9. As in Ceylon, where such conduct was encouraged and
approved by its experienced Governor Sir Henry Ward, whose
good opinion it was my great fortune to gain, and hold to
the day of death; so, in British Columbia, I have always
always endeavoured faithfully, and without fear of consequences
to myself, to perform my official duties, and, which is not
without its influence in a distant colony where the incorporation
of English customs has a powerful value not always appreciated,
to fill my position as a Government Officer—socially, avoiding
indecent greed or undignified speculations & relying only upon
the Public Service for reward—I trust therefore that my
services abroad have not merited the disapprobation of Her
Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies.

10. In lately expressing my reflections upon the affairs
of British Columbia & Vancouver Island, although not insensible
to the fact that in doing so I may have been deemed troublesome
and pragmatical, I have acted solely from a conviction that it
was my duty to give your Department information, and, in pursuit
of desired ends I have sought only access to your (i.e. Col
Office) ear and declined the proffered aid of Members, in
Parliament—careful, as I trust I showed myself even in my
communications to you, to stir up as little dirt as possible
in remedying evils.

11. So much egotism it has been repugnant to me to utter,
but some explanation seemed due to myself, in case I may
have been misrepresented or misunderstood, for, if I am to
quit the Colonial Service, I should desire to do so, not under
a cloud, but carrying with me an agreeable impression of the
light in which my conduct may have been regarded.

12. I avail myself of this, perhaps my last opportunity,
gratefully to acknowledge the courtesy & kindness with which
I have been treated by the Colonial Office ever since I
accepted service under it in August 1855, and I request that
you will do me the favor of laying this letter before His
Grace the Duke of Newcastle to whom I feel indebted for many
evidences of his consideration, and whom I would in conclusion
most respectfully thank.



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FILE: 1863-07-27_Grafton_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA04.txt
================================================================================

Grafton to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter from
Lieut Colonel Hawkins R.E. Her Majesty's Commissioner for
defining the British North American Boundary, in which he
suggests that Corporal W Hale, who is serving in British
Columbia under Colonel Moody, RE, may advantageously be
employed in completing the inscription on the Granite Obelisk
which marks the Western terminus of the Boundary.

In laying this letter before the Duke of Newcastle I
am to request that you will move His Grace to instruct the
Governor to give effect to the wishes expressed by Colonel Hawkins.



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FILE: 1863-07-27_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637031.txt
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No. 31

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 16 of the
21st of May, and to approve the measures which you adopted for bringing
to justice the Indians charged with the crime of murder.



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FILE: 1863-07-27_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE05.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury
to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that a
claim has been made upon this Board on behalf of Mr F.C. Hansen,
Master of the Ship "Granger" for the subsistence, during a passage of
160 days from Vancouvers Island to Queenstown, of Thomas Burke a
Distressed British Subject;

This Person was received on board the "Granger" under an order signed
by Edward Stamp, Justice of the Peace, and the claim has been
presented upon a printed form adopted by the Board of Trade for
claiming the expenses of the conveyance of "distressed British
Seamen" pursuant to the Act 17918 Victoria [Capnt?]

104 Section 212.

The word "Subject" has been substituted for "Seaman" throughout the
document.

My Lords have, under the circumstances, given directions for the
payment of the claim—but they request that the Magistrate who signed
this Order may be informed that he was in error in assuming that
Thomas Burke was entitled to a passage home at the expense of the
Government, and that he was not justified in altering a form of
Document which is applicable only to Distressed British Seamen;

My Lords are also of opinion that the Governor should cause notice to
be given in case any erroneous impression should prevail in that
Colony, or in British Columbia, on this subject that Persons in the
Colonies are not entitled to passages to this Country at the expense
of the British Government.



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FILE: 1863-07-28_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE12.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of 22nd Ultimo, on
the subject of the Assay Establishment at New Westminster,
British Columbia, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners
of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you the enclosed
copy of a Report on the subject from the Master of the Mint,
dated 2nd Instant, and to request that you will state to the Duke of Newcastle that Their Lordships are prepared,
under the circumstances, to accede to the proposal of the
Governor of British Columbia, contained in his despatch of
10th April last, and to sanction the continuance for the present, of the Assay Establishment at New Westminster
with the following reduced Staff: Vizt

one Chief Assayer.

one Assistant or Operative Melter.

My Lords request that a Return may be furnished,
annually, in a form similar to that forwarded by the
Governor, of the Work performed by the Assay Department,
in order that opportunity may be afforded for reconsidering
the question of the Establishment or, perhaps, of withdrawing
the Department altogether, if not eventually self-supporting.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-07-29_Sargeaunt_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG09.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to state that a Bill of Exchange at
60 days sight, drawn by the Governor of British Columbia
at £5000, in favor of the Hudsons Bay Company, has been
left at this Office, and I have to request that you will
furnish me with the Duke of Newcastle's authority for
accepting the same.



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FILE: 1863-07-30_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637038A.txt
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Separate

With reference to my Despatches, Separate, of the 20th June, and
29th of July 1861, I enclose a Statement of Advances on account of
Stamps on Warrants which still remain unpaid, and have to request that
you will take the earliest opportunity of obtaining and
remitting the
sums due to the Chief Clerk of this Department.



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FILE: 1863-07-30_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637039.txt
================================================================================

No. 39

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter, with its
enclosure, from the War Office relative to the employment of Corporal W.
Hale, now serving under Colonel Moody, in completing the inscription on
the granite Obelisk which marks the western terminus of the British
North American Boundary.

I have to request that you will take the necessary steps for giving
effect to the wishes of the Secretary of State for War on this subject.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-07-30_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637032.txt
================================================================================

No. 32

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from the
Board of Treasury relative to a claim made upon that Board on behalf of
Mr. F. C. Hansen, Master of the Ship "Granger" for the subsistence
during the passage from Vancouver Island to Queenstown of Thomas Burke a
distressed British Subject.

I have to request that you will call the attention of the Justice
of the Peace who signed the order for Burke's passage, to the error into
which he has fallen, and that you will cause it to be made generally
known that persons in the Colonies are not entitles to passages to this
country at the expense of the British Government.



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FILE: 1863-07-30_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637032A.txt
================================================================================

Separate

With reference to my Despatch, Separate, of the 19th April 1861,
enclosing a Warrant for the appointment of Mr. George Hunter Cary to be
attorney General for the Island of Vancouver, I have to remind you that
the Stamp duty of Thirty Shillings on Mr. Cary's Warrant has not yet
been repaid, and to request that you will take the earliest opportunity
of obtaining and remitting the sum due, to the Chief Clerk of this
Department.



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FILE: 1863-07-30_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635AD02.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies copy of a letter from Rear Admiral Kingcome dated 13th June 1863, No 55 & of its enclosures respecting the proceedings
against the Lamalcha Indians, & the capture of some [blank]
murderers. Admiral Kingcome also reports his intention of
despatching the "Forward", with such force as may be available to
continue the search for the remaining Indians charged with murder.



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FILE: 1863-07-30_Scarby_to_Newcastle_B635MI04.txt
================================================================================

Scarby to Newcastle

May it please Your Grace.

I have the honor to address Your Grace, on a subject in which, I am
sure Your Grace, must be deeply interested; viz. Telegraphic
communication throughout the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British
Columbia; and, ultimately by the proposed new roads through the Red
River Settlement to Canada; by the Aleutian Islands to China; and by
the Indian Archipelago to Australia.

It is intended to establish "The British Columbia Telegraph Company,
Limited," and at present, in order, to meet the immediate and pressing
requirements of the Colonies, of British Columbia and Vancouver Island,
It is proposed to plan the Inland towns of the former, as far North, as,
Alexandria or Richfield, in communication with New Westminster; and the
towns of the latter, with Victoria; joining, the Two Colonies by
submarine Cable, from Point Grey, B.C. to Nanaimo V.I. and, to place,
the whole, in communication with San Francisco; the United States, and
Canada; by a junction with the American lines at Whatcomb, in Washington
Territory.

Already, has, this matter been laid before His Excellency Governor
Douglas, and the scheme received his countenance and support. The
different members of the Governments, and the Colonists at large,
support the undertaking, knowing, as they do, the many advantages that
would accrue therefrom to themselves.

The importance of such an undertaking in a Political point of view,
I need not mention to Your Grace. On a commercial point of view, the
advantages to the Colonists, and to all who are connected with the
Settlements of Vancouver Island and British Columbia must be enormous.

For the due completion of this undertaking, it is necessary, that an
"Act of Assembly" should be passed in Vancouver Island, and a
"Proclamation" be issued in British Columbia, granting the necessary
powers for passing over pre-empted, and other lands.

The Projectors have already had interviews with Mr Carey, who is
the Attorney General for both Colonies, and, he has promised, on behalf
of the Colonial Governments, to support such "Act," and to grant such
"Proclamation" as the Company may require.

I have now the honor to ask Your Grace that Your Grace will take the
matter into Your Grace's favourable consideration, and give it
countenance and support,* and,

Firstly, That Your Grace will so recommend it to the notice of
H.E. The Governor, that the Company may have no difficulty in obtaining
the powers they require.

Secondly, That, as, the proposed capital of the Company at
present, is £100,000, Your Grace will be pleased to recommend to the
British Government to grant to the Company a subsidy.

**

The projectors
propose to grant to the Government the free use of their lines in both
Colonies, for ever. In consideration whereof they respectfully ask the
British Government to guarantee a dividend of Five per Centum, on the
£100,000, to the Shareholders, for the first Three years the line is in
operation, provided that trade of the Colonies is not sufficient to pay
such dividend.

***

There is little doubt that the Government, would never
be called upon for an farthing of the subsidy.

Thirdly, That Your Grace will recommend to the Colonial
Government to grant in perpetuity to the Company such town lots, and
Sections of land in the roads, as they may require, for the erection of
Stations.

****

Such sections &c to be chosen by the Engineer of
the Company and an Officer appointed by Government.

Fourthly, That Your Grace will be pleased to recommend that
all wire and all necessary materials for the construction of the lines
be admitted, into, and through both Colonies, free of Customs, and other
duties.

*****

Fifthly, That the Company should have what assistance, could be
rendered by Her Majesty's Vessels stationed at Esquimalt, in laying the
submarine Cable across the Gulf of Georgia from Point Grey, B.C. to
Nanaimo, V.I. and across the Fraser River at New Westminster.

******



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-07-31_Julyan_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG10.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to my letter dated 29th Instant, asking for
the Duke of Newcastle's authority to accept a Bill of Exchange
drawn by the Governor of British Columbia, I have now the
honor to enclose a copy of a letter since received from the Governor of
British Columbia, in which he advises us of having drawn the same.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-07-31_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637040.txt
================================================================================

No. 40

With reference to your despatch No. 21 of the 21st of April last I
have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a further letter from Mr.
Charles Walkem relative to the admission of his son to the Bar of
British Columbia I had every reason to
expect from the terms of your
despatch that Mr Justice Begbie would have paid prompt attention to the
opinion you expressed on the propriety of making such amendments in the
Rules of his Court as may render Canadian Barristers eligible for
admission to practice, and I have to request that you will report to
me what steps, if any, the Judge has taken for effecting this object.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-07-31_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637041.txt
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No. 41

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 19 of the
10th of April last on the subject of the Assay Department in British
Columbia.

Her Majesty's government are prepared to sanction the continuance
for the present of the Assay Establishment at New Westminster with the
reduced staff of one Chief Assayer and one Assistant or operative
Melter. I have to request that you will furnish me with an annual
Return similar to that enclosed in your present despatch of the work
performed by the Assay Department in order that Her Majesty's Government
may have the materials necessary for reconsidering the question of
retaining the Establishment.



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FILE: 1863-07-31_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637042.txt
================================================================================

No. 42

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 27
of the 13th of May enclosing transcripts of two Proclamations entitled
respectively "The Roads Bonds Act 1863" (No. 51) and "The Military and
Naval Settlers Act 1863" (No. 52).

I have laid these Proclamations before the Queen and Her Majesty
has been pleased to confirm and allow them.

You will communicate Her Majesty's decision to the Inhabitants of
British Columbia in the usual manner.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-01_Head_to_Newcastle_V635MI04.txt
================================================================================

Head to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr C. Fortescue's
letter of the 24th ultimo transmitting extracts from a Despatch
addressed to your Grace by the Governor of Vancouvers Island on the
subject of the land in Victoria surrendered by this Company to the
Crown under the Agreement of the 3rd February 1862 in which Mr
Fortescue announces that if the Hudsons Bay Company are prepared to
surrender the portion of the Government Reserve marked 3 in Mr
Mactavish's Plan and the Lots marked 1605 and 1607 with the adjoining
Lot 1603 upon which the Post Office is built your Grace will consent
to give up the Lot reserved to the Crown at the foot of Fort Street
on which the Company have buildings in exchange for a Lot of the same
extent at the foot of Broughton Street.

I beg to assure your Grace that the Directors of this Company have no
wish to throw any obstacles in the way of a settlement of the
questions remaining unsettled with respect to the retransfer of
Vancouvers Island. On the contrary they are most anxious to second
Your Grace's wishes in that respect to the utmost of their power.

It is with great pleasure therefore that I have to acquaint your
Grace that my Colleagues and myself are quite ready to do all in our
power to settle the unadjusted matters on the terms suggested in Mr
Fortescue's letter. On the part of the Hudsons Bay Company we are
ready to surrender any right or title the Company may have in the
Lots marked in Mr Mactavish's plan with the letter 3 as well as the
Lot 1603 on which the Post Office is built and the two Lots adjoining
thereto marked 1605 and 1607. We are also ready to surrender the Lot
at the foot of Broughton Street in exchange for the Lot at the foot
of Fort Street on which it was originally intended that the Harbour
Masters house should be built. In making these concessions however
it must be understood that the Hudsons Bay Company surrender only the
rights which they actually possess and that the arrangement is made
subject to and saving the rights of third parties (if any) to whom
the Lots in question may have been already conveyed.

As this is, as far as the Directors of this Company are aware, the
only question which remained to be adjusted between the Crown and
this Company we see no reason why steps should not be at once taken
for preparing the Deed of Reconveyance of Vancouvers Island to the
Crown.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-01_Julyan_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG11.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to state that a Bill of Exchange for
£1000, at 60 days sight, drawn by the Governor of British
Columbia in favor of Mr Robert Ker, has been left at this
Office, and I have to request that you will favor me with
the Duke of Newcastle's authority for accepting the same.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-01_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637042A.txt
================================================================================

Separate

With reference to my Dispatch No. 35 of the 14th instant I transmit
to you, herewith Instructions under the Queen's Sign Manual and Signet
appointing the following Officers vizt.
The Colonial Secretary
The Attorney General
The Treasurer
The Chief Commissioner of Land and Works
and The Collector of Customs
to be Members of the Legislative Council of British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637033.txt
================================================================================

No. 30

With reference to my despatch of the 8th of June last I have the
honor to acquaint you that on the application of Mr. Pemberton, Surveyor
General of Vancouver Island, I have granted him an extension of leave of
absence for a period of three months from the expiration of his present
leave.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63046.txt
================================================================================

No. 46

With reference to your Grace's despatch No 4 of the
16th January last acquainting me that you had granted to Captain Gosset The Treasurer of British Columbia 4 months
additional leave of absence, I have the honor to acquaint
your Grace that such leave expired on the 30th of June, and that
up to the present date Captain Gosset has not returned to the Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63032.txt
================================================================================

No. 32

I have the honor to forward herewith for your Grace's information the
Returns noted on the other side hereof

*

as required by the Book of
Colonial Regulations, being financial Returns for the year ending
31st December 1862, and for the quarter ending 31st March 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-03_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637043.txt
================================================================================

No. 43

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 31
of the 21st of May enclosing a printed Report of a Journey of survey
from Victoria to Fort Alexander by Lieutenant H. Spencer Palmer R.E.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-06_Julyan_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635AG12.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to inform you, for the information of
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that a Bill of Exchange for
£4000, at 60 days sight, drawn by the Governor of British
Columbia in favor of The Hudsons Bay Company, has been left
at this office, and I have to request that you will furnish
me with the Duke of Newcastle's authority for accepting the same.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-06_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V636P02.txt
================================================================================

Pemberton to Newcastle

I have the honor to acquaint Your Grace that when I was ordered in
Letter dated 3d April to procure machines in England for the
improvement of Victoria Harbour, in Vancouver Island, it was His
Excellency's intention that I should be instructed at the same time,
to secure the services of mechanics who having been employed upon the
machines during the construction in this country might be able to
work upon them and direct other workmen to advantage in putting the
machines together in the Colony and in using them afterwards.

And I have the honor further to inform Your Grace that although no
mention of this matter is made in that letter, His Excellency
impressed upon me verbally the necessity of sending to the Colony
from England, with or in advance of the machinery, mechanics
competent for the purposes stated.

And I have the honor to suggest, that such agreements will have most
weight with the persons to be engaged, if made by the Agents General,
advised by Messrs J. and A. Blyth, who have the Contract to supply
the Machines.

I therefore submit herewith, forms and particulars of proposed
agreements with (one) Chief and (one) Assistant Engineer and make
application that Your Grace will be pleased to empower the Agents
General to act in the matter.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-09_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637044.txt
================================================================================

No. 44

I have the honor to transmit to you an Extract from a Report of the
Commissioners of Audit, from which it appears that a sum of Sixty
Pounds, which has been disallowed by them forms a charge in the account
of the Colonial Treasurer of British Columbia for the year 1861.

I have to request that you will furnish me with a Report containing
the information previously called for by the Board of Audit in regard to
this sum.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-10_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63033.txt
================================================================================

No. 33

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch of the 14th May last No 19, accompanied by communications from the Hudsons Bay
Company, in reply to my Despatches Nos 57 and 58 of the 3rd and
5th of December 1862, relative to the delay on the part of the
Company in the completion of the preliminary arrangements for the
carrying out of the Indenture of Agreement of 3rd February 1862.

2. Your Grace impresses upon me the importance of not raising
unnecessary controversies with the Company's Officers, but of
conducting the correspondence in a liberal and conciliatory spirit.

It has ever been my desire to act with the Company's Officers in the
settlement of all these matters in the most frank and cordial manner,
but consistently with the duty I owe Her Majesty's Government, and
with the interests of the public, I could not refrain from pointing
out to Your Grace what appeared to me a most remarkable and
unnecessary delay on the part of the Hudson's Bay Company in
revealing what extent of land would revert to the Crown under the
Indenture before mentioned of the 3 February 1862. In doing so I did
not desire to raise any unnecessary controversy. I believed Your
Grace to be in ignorance of the true facts of the case, and I deemed
it but right to lay them before you. It was furthest from my wish to
cast any undue reflections upon the Hudsons Bay Company, but I could
only judge of events as they occurred on the spot, and, as I have
already remarked in a previous Despatch, if the Hudson's Bay Company
felt hurt at the appliance to them of the inferences to be drawn
from proceedings involved in so much mystery and delay, they had but
themselves to thank for it by adopting such a line of conduct. I
notice that Mr Berens in his letter to Your Grace of the 17th March
alleges that my communications are conceived in a spirit of hostility
to the Company. I need take no further notice of this observation
than to remark that this is not the first time that an attempt has
been made by the Hudson's Bay Company to give such a complexion to
the public acts in respect of the Company which my position has
required me to take. I have however carefully abstained from ever
permitting the true merits of the case to be lost sight of through
the introduction of personalities. I desire most sincerely, and that
speedily, to see the Hudson's Bay Company confirmed in all that they
have a legal and equitable right to under the concessions made by Her
Majesty's Government; but I do not desire in a settlement of that
right to see the public necessities disregarded, and land yielded up
to the Company that is actually possessed and occupied for public
purposes; and I feel sure that Your Grace will support me in what I
have done upon a perfect comprehension of the whole case.

3. I trust that my Despatch No 11 of the 20th April last,
accompanied as it was by complete Maps and Plans explanatory of the
land treated of, will have served to place the whole case clearly
before Your Grace, and to solve any difficulty that may exist to a
speedy settlement of the matter.

4. It is perhaps almost unnecessary that I should trouble Your Grace
with any further remarks upon the correspondence you enclose to me,
but I would desire to draw Your Graces attention for a moment to the
two cases in particular in which I maintain that the claims of the
Hudsons Bay Company under the Indenture should not be confirmed to
the great and manifest inconvenience of the public. The first is the
Government Reserve upon which the Government Buildings stand. Mr
Berens in his letter of the 17th March alluding, I presume, to this
Reserve, says

it is very strange that as the Reserve in question was planned by
Governor Douglas while in the Company's employ, that he should not
have himself any map or plan shewing its exact boundaries.

It is with respect to this that I especially complain of the action
of the Hudson's Bay Company. The Government Reserve
was planned by me, as stated by Mr Berens, while in the
Company's employ. In 1858 it was surveyed, boundary posts were
placed upon the ground, and it
was marked as so surveyed upon the official Map of the Town.
In 1859 Mr Berens admitted the Government to be
in possession of this Reserve. In 1859 its rear line was taken
by the Company, as the line of a street, and Town Lots were surveyed
off and sold
facing the rear of the Reserve, the street running
between them and the rear of the Reserve, and on the Map upon
which these Lots were publicly sold by the Company in 1859, the rear
line of the Reserve was exhibited
as laid down in 1858. And yet notwithstanding all this in 1861,
without any intimation to me, Mr Dallas suddenly disposes of nearly
two Acres of the rear of the Reserve so planned, so surveyed, and so
marked in
1858: and I am credibly informed has gone to the unusual extent
of granting a guarantee to the person to whom he sold it, a land
Agent, that the Company would protect him against questions of title.
The language in the Indenture, which requires a personal knowledge
of the locality thoroughly to appreciate, is interpreted by the
Company to deprive the Government of the aforementioned two Acres so
sold, and to confirm the act of Mr Dallas. I sent a plan of the
Reserve,
as originally laid out, to Mr Mactavish in July 1862, but he
declined to acknowledge it as being correct, although it only
contained the 10 Acres
precisely as marked on the Map in 1858, and admitted by the
Company in 1859 to be the Reserve. In Mr Mactavish's letter of the
21st January 1863, forwarded in Your Grace's Despatch now under
reply, the Reserve to be conveyed is represented to contain 10 Acres.
This is not the case for the piece beforementioned being deducted,
but 8 acres or thereabouts would be left to the Government, and as I
have explained in my Despatch of the 20h April last would render the
Reserve comparatively valueless for the Government purposes for which
it was allotted. Mr Dallas I am told was frequently seen (before
leaving the Colony) accompanied by Surveyors in the rear of the
Government Reserve, and he could not be ignorant that its rear line
formed one side of the line of the street, that a great part of the
opposite line was fenced in, that Houses were built on the
ground immediately opposite to the rear of the Reserve, and even
for some distance beyond; and it therefore appears to me
inexplicable, except for one reason, that the Government Reserve
should have not been described as Mr Dallas knew it was described
clearly and distinctly on the Map, but that it should in the
Indenture of Agreement have been made to appear to adjoin and to be
contiguous to a Farm, when surveyed Lots and two if not three
public thoroughfares did actually exist
between the Reserve, and portions of ground still unsold that
once belonged to the Farm mentioned. Mr Dallas offers no
explanation on this head in his letter of the 20 January 1863,
forwarded by Mr Berens.

The other case is the Post Office Lot. Mr Dallas claims the merit
of reserving this Lot to the Colony. Mr Dallas knew that it was in
possession of the Government, and had a Government building upon it,
and I presume for that reason "stepped forward" to reserve it for the
Colony. Mr Dallas also knew that the ground was claimed by the
Government
not only of this Lot, but of two adjoining Lots, the same
having been in undisturbed and undisputed possession of the
Government for more than 12 years, and as has been shewn in my
Despatches of the Numbers and dates as per margin,

*

virtually removed from the control of the Company; and as Mr Dallas
knew this, and also knew that a Government Building stood upon those
two other Lots, it seems to me more than strange that Mr Dallas
while so candidly coming forward in the interests of the Colony in
respect of the Post Office Lot and Building should have made no
mention at all of the other equally valuable Government Building, and
only such a mention of the two Lots as, I must think, he well knew
would yield them up to the Hudson's Bay Company. I sincerely trust
that the reasons and explanations I have already given in my Despatch
No 11 of the 20th April last, will induce Your Grace to insist upon
the Colony being left in undisturbed possession of the Government
Reserve
as originally laid down, and of the property, cut up into three
Lots, which is
now occupied and held by the Colonial Government in Government
Street, and in thus urging this step upon Your Grace I hope that you
will deem that I am not raising a controversy which is unnecessary,
but that I am performing a simple act of duty to the public which
it would be culpable to neglect.



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FILE: 1863-08-11_Mallet_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635TA05.txt
================================================================================

Mallet to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for
Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant
transmitting by desire of the Duke of Newcastle copies of two Acts of
the Legislature of Vancouver Island entitled respectively:

"The Harbour Regulation Act 1863" and the "Ports of Entry Act 1863"
and in reply I am to request that you will state to His Grace that
My Lords see no reason why these Acts should not be left to their
operation.



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FILE: 1863-08-12_Grafton_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA05.txt
================================================================================

Grafton to Elliot(Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th Ultimo, with its enclosed Proclamation by the Governor of
British Columbia substituting for a remission in the purchase
money of land grants of a fixed extent in the case of Naval
and Military Officers.

In reply I am to request that you will acquaint the
Duke of Newcastle that Earl de Grey concurs in His Grace's
proposal to sanction this measure.



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FILE: 1863-08-12_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637045.txt
================================================================================

No. 45

I have the honor to inform you that Major Gosset R.E. has tendered
his resignation of the Office of Treasurer of British Columbia and that
I accepted his resignation on the 7th Instant.

I shall take steps for the early appointment of a successor to
Major Gosset.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-13_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B636C06.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 20 June
last and ours of the 3rd ultimo, we beg to state that we
are still unable to obtain payment from the Paymaster General
of the Treasury Warrant for Colonel Moody's salary, as Chief
Commissioner in British Columbia, owing to the absence of
your department's certificate, for which we applied in the
above mentioned and two previous letters.

We enclose another Certificate of Colonel Moody's existence,
dated 1st July, and beg that the authority may be given
for the issue of that Officer's salary, June quarter, and that
the required certificate may be furnished to ourselves.



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FILE: 1863-08-14_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63047.txt
================================================================================

No. 47, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Circular Despatch of the 9th May last transmitting
a Hand Bill descriptive of a child who is supposed to have
been recently stolen from her Parents at Islington and I
beg to state that in compliance with Your Grace's directions
I have caused the same to be published in the Government
Gazette of British Columbia and I will hereafter acquaint
Your Grace with the result attending its publication.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-14_Murdoch_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V635LN05.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 7th instant, with one from the
Governor of the Hudsons Bay Co on the subject of the land
surrendered to the Crown at Victoria VanCouvers Island.

2. Governor Douglas proposes as a final settlement of the questions
in dispute between the Crown and the Company that the Crown on the
one hand should give up a lot of land at the foot of Fort Street
assigned to it by the Agreement of Febry 1862, for a Harbour Masters
Office &c, and that the Company on the other hand should surrender in
exchange for it a lot at the foot of Broughton Street for the same
purpose—and should also give up a portion of the Government Reserve
marked Z on the plan prepared by Mr McTavish, and the lots 1603,
1605 & 1607—the first being the lot on which the Post Office stands
and the other adjoining lots required for the public service. The
Governor of the Hudsons Bay Co in the letter you now enclose
expresses the readiness of the Company to accept this arrangement—so
far as they have the power to do so. But they desire it to be
understood (as is reasonable) that they surrender only the rights
they actually possess, and that the arrangement is made subject to
and saving the right of third parties (if any) to whom the lots in
question may have been already conveyed.

3. It only remains to communicate Sir Edmund Head's letter to
Governor Douglas and to direct Governor Douglas as soon as the Lots in
question have been transferred to the Crown, to prepare an accurate
map of the Land and to settle with the Agent of the Company the terms
in which the land to be secured to the Company and that to be
returned to the Crown are to be described in the reconveyance of the
Island to the Crown. The reconveyance must I presume be effected by
Letters Patent under the Great Seal revoking the letters Patent of
Janry 1849 by which the Island was granted to the Hudsons Bay Company.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63048.txt
================================================================================

No. 48

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of
the Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-15_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63034.txt
================================================================================

No. 34

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1863-08-17_Plumpton_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B635WA06.txt
================================================================================

[Plumpton?] to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by Earl de Grey and Ripon to transmit
herewith a Statement showing the Balance due to this
Department on account of Expences connected with the
Detachment of Royal Engineers, Vancouvers Island, amounting
to £2,466.16.7, and to request that you will cause this
sum to be transferred in the Books of the Paymaster General,
to the credit of Army Funds.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63049.txt
================================================================================

No. 49, Legislative

I have the honor to forward herewith for Her Majesty's
Confirmation the "Cooks Ferry and Clinton Road Bond Act 1863."

2. The Attorney Generals Report on this Act, herewith
transmitted, enters so fully into the subject, that I have
only to acquaint Your Grace that this Act has been passed to
create the Bonds necessary for liquidating the cost of the
work on the uncompleted portion of the Lytton Alexandria
Road, from Cooks Ferry to Clinton; and in reference to which
I more particularly reported to Your Grace in Paragraph
No 6 of my despatch No 30 of the 14th May last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637046.txt
================================================================================

No. 46

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
"Separate" of the 2nd of July, reporting on the general condition of
British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-20_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637034.txt
================================================================================

No. 34

I duly received your Despatch No. 11 of the 20th of April last in
which you propose as a final Settlement of the questions in dispute
between the Crown and the Hudsons Bay Company that the Crown on the one
hand should give up a lot of land at the foot of Fort Street assigned to
it by the Agreement of February 1862 for a Harbor Masters Office &c and
that the Company on the other hand should surrender in exchange for it a
lot at the foot of Broughton Street for the same purpose and should also
give up a portion of the Government Reserve marked Z on the plan
prepared by Mr. McTavish, and the lots 1603, 1605 and 1607—The first
being the lot on which the Post Office stands, and the other adjoining
lost required for the Public Service.

I submitted this proposal for the consideration of the Hudson's Bay
Company, and you will perceive from the enclosed Copy of a letter which I
have received from them in reply that they are ready to accept this
arrangement so far as they have the power to do so; but they desire it to
be understood (as it is reasonable) that they surrender only the rights
they actually possess, and that the arrangement is made subject to and
saving the rights of third parties (if any) to whom the lots in question
may have been already conveyed.

I have therefore to instruct you, as soon as the lots in question
have been transferred to the Crown, to prepare an accurate Map of the
land and to settle with the Agent of the Company the terms in which the
land to be secured to the Company and that to be returned to the Crow
are to be described in the reconveyance of the Island to be Crown. As
soon as you furnish me with these particulares, Letters Patent will be
passed under the Great Seal for effecting the reconveyance.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63050.txt
================================================================================

No. 50, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's Despatch No 26, of the 12th June last, in
which I am instructed to direct the Treasurer of British
Columbia to issue the Superannuation allowance of Joseph
Cue, late a Pensioner of the Irish Constabulary at the
rate of Twenty nine pounds sterling (£29) per annum
from the 1st day of April 1863 inclusive, in conformity
with the instructions contained in the papers accompanying
your Despatch, and to charge these payments in his account
for recovery through the Commissioners of Audit.

I have in reply to inform Your Grace that these
instructions will be duly attended to, and the Treasurer
has also been instructed to require the Pensioner, on
claiming exemption from Income Tax to execute the form
of Declaration as regards Income, and to attach the same
to the Voucher, as requested by the Paymaster General.



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FILE: 1863-08-24_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE06.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury have had before
them your letter of the 15th of June last enclosing copy of a
Despatch which His Grace the Duke of Newcastle proposes to address to
Governor Douglas on the subject of the future constitutions of
Vancouver Island & British Columbia, and respecting the Civil Lists
of the two Colonies, and Their Lordships desire me to state for His
Grace's information that They see no reason to object to the
provisions embodied in the Despatch respecting the Civil Lists of the
two Colonies in question.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-25_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE13.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, that They give Their sanction
to the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of British
Columbia for the year 1863 which are submitted in your
letter of 17th June last;

With reference to the question whether the Governor
is correct in crediting the Colony with £2000 as a
portion of the Parliamentary Vote for 1862/3 remaining
undrawn, My Lords would observe that the Assumption by
the Governor of a credit to that extent is not supported
by any account or statement on his part shewing the amount
of Bills drawn against the grant of each year, but, from
the papers in this Department, the state of the account
with the Colony appears to differ from that in which it
is supposed by the Governor to be;

In the correspondence which took place last year on
the subject of the financial arrangements of British Columbia
it was stated that, according to the Returns forwarded in
the Governor's despatch No 56 of 16th September 1861,
Bills had been drawn for 1859 and 1860 as follows, Vizt

for 1859 Bills Nos 1 to 78 - £39,320

for 1860 Bills Nos 1 to 31 - £20,706

The arrangement for adjusting the account with the Colony
was based on the sums included in these Returns, and the
settlement of the account was confined to the issues made
in those two years;

As regards the state of the account for the year 1861-2,
Bills amounting to £11,000 have been drawn against a corresponding
amount provided for the Colonial Pay of the Royal Engineers
in the Parliamentary Grant of that year. It appears, on
reference to the Governor's Despatch (No 78) of 23rd
November 1861, that it was his intention at that time not
to draw for more than £9000 but in his despatch (No 9)
dated 7th February 1862, he reported that he had directed
Bills to be drawn for the sum of £2000 "as being still
available from the Parliamentary Grant for the year ending
31st March 1862" and Bills were drawn accordingly Nos 59 & 60 for £1000 each, thus exhausting the grant for the year 1861/2.

Since the end of that year Bills on account of the Colonial
Pay of the Royal Engineers have been drawn as follows, Vizt
In April 1862, 2 Bills Nos 61 & 62 for £1000 each and 1 Bill
No 63 for £2000. In January 1863, 5 Bills, No 63 to No
68 for £1000 each; On 7th March 1863 one Bill No 69 for £2000.

And as deducting the pay of Col. Moody, vizt £1200,
the sum of £6000, was the amount voted by Parliament for
the year 1862/3, during which the Governor drew Bills for
£11,000. Altogether, there was a Deficiency of £5000, which
My Lords very reluctantly advanced out of the funds for
Civil Contingencies until it could be charged to the Vote
for the current year, but as that Vote is for the same amount
as in the preceeding year, vizt £6000, it follows that, even
supposing the Governor should not draw another Bill before
April 1864, the balance available is only one half the sum
required to complete the payments to be made by the Colony on
account of the Specie sent from this Country. My Lords have,
therefore, to request that the necessary orders upon the subject
may at once be sent to the Governor, and that at the same time,
he may be reminded that he ought not to have drawn against
the Vote for the current year until it commenced in April last, and that the Bills which he drew in January and March
last were properly chargeable against the Vote for 1862/3
in the same way that the Bills drawn by him in February 1862
were placed to the account of the Vote for the year 1861/2
as indeed the Governor in his despatch of the 7th February 1862, requested that they might be.

My Lords will make the other claims upon the Colonial
Government, adverted to in your letter of the 2nd April
last, the subject of a separate letter.



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FILE: 1863-08-26_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE14.txt
================================================================================

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 29th
Ultimo, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, that They make no objection to
the measures contemplated by the Governor of British Columbia
for the formation of an escort for the safe conveyance of
Treasure from the Mines, which he estimates will cost the
annual sum of £10,000, including the purchase of equipment,
the expenditure to be met by a transit charge on the gold
transported by the escort.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63035.txt
================================================================================

No. 35

I have the honor to forward herewith for your Grace's information the
Returns noted on the other side hereof

*

as required by the Book of
Colonial Regulations, for the Quarter ending 30th June 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Kennedy_to_Newcastle_V636K01.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Newcastle

I observe that the office of Colonial Secretary for Vancouvers Island
is vacant, consequent upon Mr Young (who has acted in that capacity
for both Colonies) having been transferred to British Columbia.

I trust Your Grace will excuse me for recommending Mr Henry Wakeford
for the office. Mr Wakeford acted as my Private Secretary, and
clerk to the Executive and Legislative Councils in Western Australia
from 1855 to 1862, and since that period has filled the important and
responsible office of Police Magistrate at Perth. The records of the
Colonial Office will shew with what accuracy and punctuality he
discharged the duties of these offices. I cannot apraise too highly
of Mr Wakefords high honor and official aptitude. His experience
and efficiency would be invaluable to me in the administration of a
new colony, and would more than justify Your Graces favour.

Mr Wakeford is most respectably connected and is married to a
daughter of the late Sir Henry Bishop.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Kennedy_to_Newcastle_V636K02.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Newcastle

I have the honor to request His Graces consideration and decision on
the Subject of the Passage Allowance to the Governor proceeding to
Vancouvers Island, for which there does not appear to be any fixed
rate.

In deciding upon this question, I would state the following facts for
Your Graces consideration.

The Passage to Vancouver Island, will be quite, if not more
expensive, than that to "Western Australia," for which £800 is the
fixed Allowance; and my experience taught me that it was no more than
sufficient. The expense of transporting Servants, to Vancouver
Island is very heavy; and in addition to this, all Baggage (over and
above a small allowance) from Southampton to Vancouvers Island is
charged at the rate of "£22 pr ton and 5 p cent [for masse?]."

When Insurance is added it amounts to a Serious item upon the
Quantity of Baggage necessary when proceeding to so distant a Colony.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Kennedy_to_Newcastle_V636K03.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Newcastle

I have the honor to request Your Graces instruction, and decision, on
the Subject of the Governors residence in "Vancouver Island."

I am informed that there is no "Government House," that occupied by
Sir James Douglas, being his own private property.

Under these circumstances I should suggest that I might be authorized
to procure a plan for a new Government House, to be submitted for
Your Graces approval before I leave England, and obtain the necessary
sanction from the local Legislature on arrival in Vancouver Island.

I have learned that there will be difficulty, and considerable
expence, in obtaining temporary accommodation of any kind. It would
obviate delay and correspondence if I were in possession of Your
Graces opinion as to the most convenient course to adopt pending the
erection of a permanent Residence.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Kennedy_to_Newcastle_V636K04.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Newcastle

I cannot learn from any documents transmitted to the Colonial Office
what provision (if any) has been made for the Private Secretary of
the Governor of Vancouvers Island.

I need not point out to Your Grace the importance of having a
Gentleman (in the fullest sense of the term) to fill this office and
I should feel obliged for Your Grace's decision upon the amount of
salary I would be justified in offering a Gentleman to accompany me
in that capacity.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637047.txt
================================================================================

No. 47

I have the honor to forward to you for your information six copies
of the enclosed Act passed by the Imperial Legislature on the 28th of
July last, entitled cap LXXXIII "An Act to define the Boundaries of
British Columbia and to continue an Act to provide for the Government of
the said Colony."



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-27_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637035.txt
================================================================================

No. 35

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos.
25 and 26 of the 4th of July reporting the apprehension and execution of
certain Indians convicted of the crime of murder.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-28_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V636P03.txt
================================================================================

Pemberton to Newcastle

Referring to my letter to your Grace of the 6 August 63, stating in
relation to the projected improvements in Victoria Harbor, the
necessity of engaging working Engineers in this Country to construct
in the Colony the Machines now being built at Limehouse and to work
them afterward—stating also, that I have no written instructions
authorizing me to enter into engagements which will entail an expense
of £600 a year on the Colony—referring also to Your Grace's reply of
the 13h August 63—I have the honor to suggest as follows, viz. That
the Governor elect now in London, shall be authorized by Your Grace
to inquire into and to sanction or otherwise the contemplated
appointments.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-29_Arbuthnot_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE07.txt
================================================================================

Arbuthnot to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter dated 20th February last, I am
commanded by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to
request you to move the Duke of Newcastle to call upon the
Commissioners of Woods to repay to the Treasury Chest Account the sum
of £65.13.5 which by the Voucher enclosed in Mr Elliot's letter of
13th Instant, appears to have been incurred in the collection and
transmission of seeds of the Douglas Pine to that Department.

The Voucher (No 5) is herewith returned.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-08-29_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63036.txt
================================================================================

No. 36

I have the honour to inform Your Grace that I caused Writs to be
issued on the 13th of July last for the election of Representatives
to serve in the House of Assembly, the said Writs being made
returnable on the 18th day of August Instant.

2. The Elections have since taken place, and the following is a list
of the persons elected and of the several Electoral Districts for
which they have been returned.

City of Victoria District William A.G. Young, Colonial

Secretary

Alexander [Amor] De Cosmos

J.W. Powell, M.D.

Joseph Ridge

Victoria District James Trimble, M.D.

Edward H. Jackson

William F. Tolmie, M.D.

Esquimalt Town District George F. Foster

Esquimalt & Metchosin John S. Helmcken

District Robert Burnaby

Nanaimo District Charles A. Bayley

Saanich District Charles Street

Lake District James Duncan

Sooke District James Carswell

Salt Spring Island

and Chemainus District John T. Pidwell

3. Mr Young, the Colonial Secretary, presented himself with my
sanction as a Candidate for the City of Victoria and was returned at
the head of the Poll, a Compliment at once to his own Personal
Qualities and manifesting the strong interest felt by the public in
placing a Member of the Government in the House. The character of
the other Members is highly respectable and with few exceptions their
political views are conservative.

4. Parliament now stands convened for the second day of September
next when it will meet for the transaction of business.



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FILE: 1863-08-29_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B635AD05.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

In reply to your letter of the 7th Inst in which
you request to be informed to whom the Sum of £500 appropriated
by the Government of British Columbia towards the expense of
the Survey of the Coast of the Colony, is to be paid, I am
commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request
you will state to the Duke of Newcastle that the contribution in question should be paid into the hands of the Paymaster of the Ship on
the station in which the Officer in charge of the Survey is
borne; and my Lords have instructed the Naval Commander in
Chief to intimate to the Colonial Authorities the name of the
Paymaster (and his ship) to whom the amount is to be paid.
And My Lords request that they may be informed when the annual
contributions are so paid.



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No. 37, Legislative

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 Government 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 Colonial 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 the 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 against 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 circumstances 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
proposition respecting the transfer of the Colonial Revenue, and the
terms on which you are prepared to place its management in their
hands.



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No. 51

I have the honor of transmitting herewith a communication from Mr Young requesting, for the reasons therein stated, that he may be permitted to resign his appointment of Colonial Secretary for British Columbia, and to retain his appointment in Vancouver Island.

In the early stage of the Colonies, when the Government
was administered by one official head, it was a matter of
great convenience to have the Office of Colonial Secretary
for the two Colonies filled by one and the same person, but
since the separation of the Colonies has been decided on,
that system must soon have an end. Mr Young who has hitherto
so ably attended to the duties of Colonial Secretary for both
Colonies, desires to retain the appointment for Vancouver
Island, and to resign that for British Columbia, and I think
his long services give him a peculiar claim to Your Grace's
favourable consideration. In saying that Mr Young has given
me perfect satisfaction, and that his Official experience,
unremitting attention to business, and knowledge of the Colony
will be of the utmost advantage to my Successor, I am only
doing Mr Young justice.

That the appointment of Mr Young to Vancouver Island
will give satisfaction to the public is I believe placed
beyond a doubt by the fact of his having at the late general
Election been returned at the head of the Poll to represent
the Town of Victoria in the Legislative Assembly, his
nomination having been warmly supported by almost every
person of wealth and consideration in this place.

I have in other despatches made honorable mention of
Mr Young's public services and I may add that his tact,
conciliatory manners, irreproachable character, and official
experience give him a peculiar fitness for the Office he
holds, and I have no doubt his valuable services will be
appreciated by my successor.

I have therefore in conclusion only to express my hope that Your Grace may be pleased to meet Mr Young's wishes and confirm him in the office of Colonial Secretary for Vancouver Island.



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No. 52

Adverting to my Despatch of this date forwarding a
communication from Mr Young tendering the resignation of
his appointment as Colonial Secretary of this Colony, with
the view of being confirmed as Colonial Secretary of Vancouver's
Island, I have the honor in the event of Mr Young's request
being complied with to place before Your Grace the name of Mr Chartres Brew, as a Successor to Mr Young.

2. Mr Brew was especially selected by Your Grace's
predecessor to fill the Office of Chief Inspector of Police
a position which in the early state of the Colony was deemed
of importance and responsibility. Upon sick leave being
granted last year to Captain Gosset, the Treasurer, I placed
Mr Brew in charge of the Treasury, a proceeding which Your
Grace approved; and in this as in the other duties which Mr
Brew has discharged in the Colony he has given me unqualified
satisfaction. He is possessed of discretion, of an even
temper, and of mild unassuming manners, joined to good
business habits, and sound common sense: Qualities which are
essential in a Colonial Secretary. I therefore feel I
may safely recommend Mr Brew as a gentleman who will faithfully
and satisfactorily fulfill the duties of Colonial Secretary
if that Office be vacated by Mr Young.

3. I am not aware of Captain Gosset's movements, but as
his leave has expired by more than two months, I presume
that the rumours current in the Colony that he does not intend
returning are correct. In such case should Your Grace appoint
Mr Brew to be Colonial Secretary the Office of Treasurer will become vacant, and for this Office I would take the liberty
of recommending to Your Grace Mr Charles Good, who has for
the last four years and a half served as Chief Clerk in the
Office of the Colonial Secretary, and has during my absence in
the interior of British Columbia occasionally accompanied me,
acting as my private Secretary. Mr Good is the son of the
Reverend Henry Good of Wimborne Minster, Dorset. He is a
graduate of Exeter College Oxford, is a gentleman of high
integrity and good address; and during the period he has
been in the Service of the Colony, has acquired an intimate
knowledge of public business, and is well versed in the
system of accounts established in the Colony. I beg therefore
to place him before Your Grace as a fit and proper person
to fill the Office of Treasurer.

4. In concluding this Despatch I deem it right to state
in justice to a very efficient and valuable Officer—Mr
Hamley the Collector of Customs—that I should have recommended
him for the Office of Colonial Secretary, had he not represented
to me that his state of health would, he feared, unfit him for
the constant application required from such an Office.



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No. 53, Financial

I have duly received your Grace's despatch No 25 of
the 11th June last calling my attention to the state of
the account of the Colony of British Columbia with the Agents General.

2. I regret extremely that an overpaid Balance has
occured, and I sincerely trust that such a state of account
may never again be exhibited. Under ordinary circumstances
it would not have occurred, but your Grace is aware how pressed
I have been for money to continue the work of opening roads—the
very essence of the existence of the Colony—and what an
anxious and uphill task I have had in endeavouring to compass
a work of so much magnitude and importance. I beg that your
Grace will believe I am not unmindful of the obligations of
the Colony, that I do not view them in any secondary light
and that you will rest assured that so long as the conduct
of affairs rests in my hands I will faithfully and honestly fulfil them.

3. I believe the account with the Agents General is now
satisfactorily adjusted. Money to meet the payments due on
account of the Loan and to repay the debtor balance has,
months since, been remitted, and its receipt acknowledged,
and the Balance left in their hands on account of the 1863
Loan will be ample to meet all other liabilities.



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Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 24th
Ultimo, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of
the Duke of Newcastle, that They have forwarded to the
Paymaster General the life Certificate of Colonel Moody,
R.E. Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works in British Columbia, for the Quarter to 30th June last, with instructions
to him to pay to Messrs Cox & Co., as Agents for Colonel
Moody, the sum of £300 for his salary for that period.

Their Lordships, at the same time, desire me to state
that they will in future forward the Life Certificate, as
received from your Department, to the Paymaster General at the
time when directions are given for payment of the Salary, by
which arrangement all further difficulty will be avoided.



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No. 48

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
Separate of the 18th of May reporting upon the general state and
progress of British Columbia.

I have perused the interesting account contained in this despatch
with much satisfaction, and I agree with you that the formation of an
efficient escort for the protection of the gold from the Mines can be no
longer delayed. I have therefore to authorize you to incur the
expenditure which you propose for this purpose, and which you estimate
at ten thousand pounds (£10,000) a year, including the purchase of
equipment, to be met by a transit charge on the amount of gold exported.



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No. 38, Financial

I have the honour to thank Your Grace for the Statement forwarded to
me in your Despatch No: 24 of the 11th June exhibiting the account
between the Agents General for Crown Colonies and the Government of
Vancouver Island.

2. I have duly noted Your Grace's remarks as to the extent to which
Bills may be drawn upon the Agents General for the Balance of the
Loan, and I beg to assure Your Grace that I will take care the sums
drawn are within the amount held to the credit of the Colony.



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No. 49

I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, a copy
of a correspondence with the Board of Admiralty relative to the payment
of the sum of £500 appropriated by the government of British Columbia
towards the expense of the Survey of the Coast of the Colony, and I have
to instruct you to cause payment of the contribution in question to be
made to the Naval Department in the manner pointed out by the Admiralty.



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No. 50

I have received your Despatch No. 40 of the 7th of July enclosing
the copy of a Proclamation entitled "The Sunday Observance Act 1863"
No. 6.

I have no doubt that the object of this Act is good but I think it
would have been better in a matter concerning the ordinary life of
individuals if instead of merely adopting
certain Imperial Statutes
probably inaccessible to the large majority of the Colonists, and which
are partially obsolete in this Country as with regard to the punishment
of the Stocks (1 Car 6.1 and 29 Car 11.6.7) you had framed certain
regulations enacting formally and in words, so much of the English Law
as was properly applicable to British Columbia.

Nor do I see what object could be answered by adopting the Act 13
Vict. C. 23, which is also wrongly described.

The Act 13 Victoria does but alter "An Act of Henry the 6th." And
if the Act of Henry the 6th is in force in British Columbia it is quite
clear that the amending Act being passed before British Law was
introduced to the Colony is also in force there without express
adoption.

This error is so obvious that I am surprised that it did not attract
the attention of the Attorney General whose report I may observe does
not accompany the Proclamation.

I have not advised the disallowance of the Act but I should wish
you to submit to the Legislative Council the propriety of repeating it
and re-enacting it in an amended form.



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No. 51

I have the honor to signify to you my approval of the estimates of
Revenue and Expenditure of British Columbia for the year 1863 which you
forwarded with your dispatch No. 14 of the 7th of March last.

Towards meeting certain claims of the Imperial Government you have
inserted in these estimates an item of five thousand and fifty-two
Pounds three shillings and eight pence (£5052.3.8) which is less by two
thousand Pounds (£2000.0.0) than the amount claimed for the Silver coin
and the Assay Office only.

In the settlement proposed in your despatch of the accounts between
the Imperial and Colonial Governments you credit the latter with two
thousand Pounds (£2000.0.0) as a portion stated to be undrawn of the
Parliamentary aid for the year 1862-3 (or year ended the 31st March last)
but in the letter of which a copy is enclosed the Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury have shewn that not only in order to satisfy demands
made within the year 1862-3 were they obliged to anticipate the grant
for 1863-4 but also even if no further draught upon the last named grant
were to be presented for payment there would still be an available
balance of only one thousand Pounds (£1000.0.0) or half the deficiency
above adverted to.

In order to prevent the possibility of any mistake about the value
of the Specie, which it was entirely unjustifiable on the part of the
British Columbia Government ever to appropriate, I have instructed the
Agents General for Crown Colonies to pay the whole value of the Specie
viz six thousand nine hundred Pounds (£6900.0.0) to the British Treasury
out of the proceeds of the loan now in course of being raised for the
Colony.

Their Lordships imply at the close of their letter that the claims
of sixty nine Pounds thirteen shillings (£69.13.0) for the Bishops
passages and of ten thousand seven hundred and four Pounds sixteen
shillings and seven pence (£10704.16.7) for overdrafts will be the
subject of a further communication from their Lordships.



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Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In accordance with the request of the Governor of
British Columbia, expressed in the annexed copy of a letter
from the Colonial Secretary of that Colony, a box containing
specimens of Gold pieces was delivered in September 1862 to
Dr Lindley who was informed (likewise in accordance with
the Governor's request) that the Crown Agents would defray
any little expenses he might incur in procuring a suitable
case for the security and safe custody of these coins.

At the close of the International Exhibition of 1862
Dr Lindley returned these coins and was paid the sum of
£1.14.0 for expenses incurred by him.

The Commissioners of Audit having questioned this payment
and called for the Secretary of State's authority for the
same, I should be obliged if you would furnish me with the
Duke of Newcastle's approval of this payment to Dr Lindley
of the sum of £1.14.0.



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No. 54, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to forward herewith for your Grace's
information 6 copies of a Pamphlet which has just been
published by this Government with the view of diffusing
information concerning British Columbia.



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No. 52

I have laid before the Queen Proclamation No. 8 of 1863 or the
Legal Possessions Act of 1863 which was transmitted to me with your
Despatch No. 41 of the 9th of July last and I am commanded to acquaint
you that Her Majesty has been pleased to confirm and allow the
Proclamation.

You will communicate Her Majesty's decision to the inhabitants of
British Columbia in the usual and most authentic manner.



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Ransom to Newcastle

As required by the Charter of this Bank, I have the honor to enclose the statement of the liabilities and assets
of this corporation, for the half year ending 30th June 1863.



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FILE: 1863-09-10_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG14.txt
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Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of yesterday's
date instructing the Crown Agents to pay the Paymaster General
the sum of £6900 for Silver Coin supplied by the Imperial
Government to British Columbia and to enclose for the information
of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, copy of a letter received
from the Colonial Secretary of that Colony on the subject of
that payment, and I have to request that you will favor me with
His Grace's instructions whether the amount named in your letter
above referred to should be paid, or the balance £5052.3.8
as requested by the Colonial Secretary.



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Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury
have had under Their consideration Mr Elliot's letter of
the 2nd of April last enclosing copy of a despatch from
the Governor of British Columbia—dated the 10th of
January last—on the subject of the financial condition of that Colony;

Their Lordships desire me to observe that it will be
in the recollection of the Secretary of State that the
Drafts of the Colonial Government on account of the Royal
Engineers for 1859 and 1860 exceeded the grants made by
Parliament by no less a sum than £22,026, and that My Lords,
at first, considered that the Colonial Government ought to
reimburse the entire sum, but that afterwards, at the request
of the Duke of Newcastle, They consented to propose to
Parliament to Vote £11,322—part of the excess—on the
understanding that £10,704—making the other part—should
be paid by the Colony in the course of the present year;

My Lords regret to find that the Governor has failed
to keep his part of this arrangement, * and They can hardly
admit the force of the consideration which he has pleaded in excuse;

The Colony has had the benefit of the presence of the
Royal Engineers, and when Parliament had granted for their
Service £38,000 for the two years, if the Governor thought
proper to order an expenditure of £60,000, it became Their
Lordship's duty to hold the Local Revenue liable for the
excess; From an unwillingness to press too heavily upon that
source They have, at His Grace's suggestion, reduced the claim
more than one half—so as to charge the Colony only with the
expense of Buildings—but They do not think it inconsistent,
with the desire which They feel to deal considerately and
liberally with the Colony, to abide by the claim so reduced,
and on the whole They consider it more just that that claim
should be settled by the Colony than by a further application
to Parliament;

As regards the expenses of the Bishop's passages in HMS
"Forward" and "Grappler" My Lords consent, under the
circumstances, to such expenses remaining a charge upon
Imperial Funds, but they request that the Governor and the
Bishop may be informed that expenses of this nature must in
future be borne, either by the Bishop himself or, by the
Local Government.



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No. 55

With reference to Your Grace's Despatch "Separate" of the
15th June I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Her Majesty's Order in Council of the 11th June 1863,
authorizing me to establish a Legislative Council in British
Columbia composed of Fifteen Members (15 members), to be nominated by the
Governor, in order to prepare the way for giving the inhabitants
of the Colony a due influence in its Government. I have also
to acknowledge Your Grace's instructions conveyed in the same
Despatch directing me, at once to proclaim a Law enabling
Her Majesty to allot certain specified Salaries to the
principal Government Officers of British Columbia, and to
give effect to the Order in Council in such a manner that
at least one third of the Councillors shall be persons
recognized by the Residents in the Colony as representing
their feelings and interests, in order that a system of
virtual though imperfect representation may be at once
introduced that will enable Her Majesty's Government to
ascertain the character and wants of the community, with
a view to the more formal and complete establishment of a
representative system when circumstances admit of it.

2. Your Grace also announces your intention of holding
the proceeds of the Crown lands at the disposal of the
Legislative Council, and that the Council will be at liberty
to pass Laws for the regulation and management of those
sources of Revenue subject to Her Majesty's approval, and to questions
which may remain to be settled with the Hudson Bay Company.

3. Having in previous Despatches laid before Your Grace
my views of the policy which ought to be pursued, and of the
form of Government suited to the actual circumstances of
British Columbia, I will on this occasion only express my
conviction of the wisdom of the plan of Government now proposed
and Your Grace may rest assured that I shall not fail to carry
it into effect in accordance with Your Grace's instructions,
and in such a manner as will render it at once useful and
generally acceptable to the inhabitants of the Colony.



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No. 56

The Mail bringing me Your Grace's Despatch of the 10th July No 34, relative to the withdrawal of the Royal Engineers, has just arrived, and I hasten to avail myself of the very
short interval before its departure to address Your Grace
upon one point which I consider very essential to the future
well-being of the Colony, and that is, the selection of a
fit and proper person to succeed Colonel Moody, as the Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works.

2. Your Grace is perhaps aware that the entire Department
of Lands and Works has been conducted by the Officers and men
of the Royal Engineers, no Civilian assistance having been
called in for the discharge of the office duties, and that
therefore when the Troops are withdrawn from their Civil duties,
not one single person will remain who has any knowledge of
the Records, or of the system which has been pursued for the
transaction of business connected with the Department. Your
Grace informs me that before long you will name a Successor to
Colonel Moody. From what I have stated it is very evident
that the Successor should enter upon the duties of his Office
at the earliest possible moment, and prior to Colonel Moody
relinquishing his Civil duties; and above all it is especially
desirable that the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works should
be a man thoroughly acquainted with the character and resources
of the Country from personal knowledge and experience, and
cognizant of all the events that have transpired connected with
its development by means of the road and land systems which
have been introduced. As Your Grace may have some difficulty
in selecting a person so qualified, who may in other respects
be fitted for the responsible Office referred to, I trust I may
be pardoned for submitting to you the names of two Gentlemen
either of whom, I think, would most efficiently and satisfactorily
discharge all the duties of the head of the Department.

The first is that of Captain Henry Reynolds Luard, now
serving with the Detachment of Royal Engineers. Captain Luard
is a gentleman who since his residence in the Colony has gained
the good will and esteem of all; and he is, I believe, a person
of good professional standing, and from my own knowledge, I
can safely say, of excellent business habits. He has almost
from the first had charge of all the office details of Colonel
Moody's Department, and from the moment of his taking charge a
great increase in order, method and correctness was perceptible.
He is thoroughly versed in every matter of detail, and has a
perfect general knowledge of all that has transpired since the
erection of the Colony. I could have no better officer than
Captain Luard to fill the position of Surveyor General or Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works.

3. Should however any Military difficulty arise which
would prevent Captain Luard from being appointed to the office
in question—even were Your Grace inclined to confer it upon
him, I would take the liberty of placing before you the name
of Mr Joseph William Trutch, a Civilian, now and for the
past five years resident in the Colony. Mr Trutch is a Civil Engineer by profession, and has contracted for many of the
works undertaken by the Government, always executing his
Contracts in the most thorough and satisfactory manner. From
the experience I have had of him I believe his general
professional knowledge, the more especially as adapted to the
peculiar requirements of a new country where precedent and
rule cannot always be followed, to be equal to any in the
Country. He is a gentleman of good social standing, and he
bears a character in the place of the highest integrity. I
believe him also to be a man of thorough business habits;
methodical but at the same time quick and accurate, and
from the close personal knowledge I have had of him I believe
there are not many men who would better discharge the duties
of Surveyor General in a new Colony. Mr Trutch was
introduced to me by Your Grace's predecessor, Sir Edward Lytton,
and I annex a copy of a private letter which I received from
him in addition to the official letter of introduction of the
29th October 1858. Nearly five years experience of Mr Trutch
has shown that the favorable mention of Sir Edward Lytton was
not undeserved.

4. With reference to the last paragraph of Your Grace's
Despatch now under reply, I would beg to observe that I do not
anticipate any difficulty in finding suitable persons to
fulfill the Surveying and Engineering duties hitherto performed
by the Royal Engineers. The difficulty which presents itself
is in immediately providing a head to carry on in the current
work of the Department—a difficulty which I could have met
by a provisional appointment, but I fear now to take any such
step lest I might unintentionally interfere with Your Graces
arrangements. I will, however, Your Grace may rest assured
make the best provision I can under the circumstances for
relieving Colonel Moody and his staff of their Civil duties.

5. I trust Your Grace will pardon this hurried Despatch,
written to save the outgoing Mail, but I am so sensible of
the up-hill task it would be for any person personally unacquainted
with the Country to enter upon the duties of the office and
hinderance that would arise in the transaction of business
and the execution of public works, that I desired not to lose
an instant in submitting these circumstances to Your Grace.



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Separate

As I propose leaving this place in a few days on a
visit to British Columbia for the purpose of instituting
measures for the introduction of the new form of Government,
and as I will not while there have opportunities of
communicating regularly with Your Grace, I will now inform
Your Grace that no material change in the state of the
Colony has taken place since the date of my last report.

2. On the subject of the public works undertaken last
year I have now the satisfaction to report the entire
completion of the Lillooet Alexandria carriage road
terminating at the latter place, and the proximate
completion of all but a section of three miles (3 miles) of the Lytton
Alexandria line which unites with the former at Clinton.
A detachment of Royal Engineers are now at work on the
unfinished part of the latter road, and I am informed
it will be fully open for carriage traffic by the middle
of next month. The section of this road between Yale and
Lytton was from the nature of the Country the most
expensive and arduous part of the whole undertaking, and
presented obstacles almost insurmountable with our
limited means. Instead of the former dangerous Ferry
at Spuzzum the Fraser is now spanned by a handsome Wire
Suspension Bridge of Two hundred and sixty eight feet (268 feet)
span, at Chapmans Bar, fifteen miles (15 miles) from Yale, a work
of great public utility constructed entirely at the expense
of Mr John

Trutch in consideration of a Charter authorizing
him to levy certain Tolls on goods and animals, rather less
than the late Ferry charges, for a term of seven years (7 years),
after which the Bridge will become the property of the
Government. An accurate description of this Bridge which
is to be named "Alexandra" in honor of Her Royal Highness
the Princess of Wales, will be found in the enclosed slip
from a local paper. The whole journey from New Westminster
to Alexandria may now be readily made in eight days by a
connected line of Steamboats and stages running constantly
between those places. From Soda Creek below Alexandria,
a river Steamer plies on Fraser river to Quesnel and a
good horse road, formed this season, connects the latter
place with Richfield, sixty three miles (63 miles) distant, thus
completing the chain of communication between the Coast
and the centre of the Carriboo District. These works
have been necessarily expensive, but they are of incalculable
advantage to the Colony which in fact could not have attained
any degree of prosperity without the facilities they offer.

3. The reports from Lillooet continue to speak favourably
of Bridge river as a Gold Field, and as a generally attractive
District for the Miner. The Gold Commissioner reports on
the 10th of August that some Italian miners had just found
a good prospect on Bridge river above the chasm, and under
the head of agricultural improvements, he reports as follows—

I have much pleasure in reporting that there has been a large
increase in the growth of grain in the district of Lillooet
this year. It is difficult to ascertain with correctness the
quantity of acres under cultivation in the entire district;
but I should say that at least 500 acres are under grain
between Pavilion and the Town of Lillooet, against about
120 acres last year. The good effects of this increase
will doubtless be largely felt next Spring.

4. I have received intelligence from Richfield and Van
Winkle Carriboo District to the 2nd September—the developed
claims were paying largely and a few more Companies had
carried down their shafts and bottomed on the lead. The
Gold Commissioner of the District writing on the 25th
August remarks—

Since the date of my last report rich prospects have been
struck by the "Marysville and Columbia Companies" about a
mile below Cameron's Claim, thus affording satisfactory and
undeniable proof that the Gold lead exists in a continuous
line to that point. The whole of Williams Creek as far as its
junction with Willow river is taken up for Mining purposes
and an enormous amount of money and labour has been expended
on the lower portion which is very expensive to prospect, and
before it can be effectually accomplished will in my opinion
require the aid of Machinery.

Lowhee Creek is also paying remarkably well, the results
are fully realizing the favourable opinions that have heretofore
been expressed relative to it.

Some very rich Specimens of Gold bearing Quartz were
brought to me a few days since from Lowhee Creek by Messers
Loughlan and Wood to whom I have granted discovery claims,
the latter gentleman purposes proceeding to Victoria immediately
in order to procure machinery for working the lead.

The "Douglas Quartz" lead situated on Snow Shoe Mountain which
was discovered in the autumn of last year, has been worked
during the summer and good propsects obtained.

I would remark that notwithstanding the Mining Laws have
given general satisfaction, many alterations and additions
may with advantage be made, whereby the interests of the Mining
community can be served and the development of the Country accelerated.

The number of men in the District I should roughly estimate
at about 4000, at least three fourths of these are employed on
Williams Creek and its tributaries.

Provisions are plentiful and continue to arrive daily in
large quantities and prices rule much the same as in my last report.

Since the new trail from Quesnel has been opened for traffic
the charge for packing has very materially decreased, prior to that
period, it averaged from 25 to 30 cents per lb but now it has
fallen to 12 and 15 cts shewing the immense advantage gained by
the construction of this road.

With the exception of a few drunken squabbles this district
continues in a perfect and most satisfactory state of quietude.

5. I transmit the enclosed communication from Mr Commissioner Cox, as it contains some interesting statistics, connected with the
agriculture of the District about Williams Lake. A number of
persons induced by the good quality of the Soil, the beauty of the
Country and the high prices of produce, are settling in that
District and have been more fortunate with their first crops of
grain than usual in the newly cultivated lands of America where
the virgin soil, however fertile, is encumbered by weeds, and
yields to the plough a matted Sod of tough and worthless roots,
until these are destroyed either by burning or the less rapid
process of natural decay, it is evident the land cannot yield its
strength nor produce so largely as when mellowed and in good tilth.
I take the liberty of forwarding for your Grace's inspection a few
specimens from the Upper Country of Wheat, Barley, Oats, and
Indian Corn of this years growth, which notwithstanding the disadvantages
I have just mentioned will I believe compare not unfavourably in point
of weight and size with the cereals of any other country.

6. There is nothing of much importance connected with the
mining intelligence from Lytton District, except a report that
some Indians and a few white Miners have found new and richer
diggings, yielding as much as forty dollars ($40) a day on the South
Branch of the Thompson which may have the effect of drawing the
attention of the Mining community to a part of the Colony that
I believe to be highly auriferous.

7. I have much regret in reporting that five Indians were
lately taken into custody at Williams Lake charged with the Murder
of two Italian Miners, whose bodies were found concealed near the
highway, and that W. Armitage lately from Liverpool has been
arrested for the Murder of one Thomas Clegg while the latter was
on his way from Williams Lake with treasure—an accomplice, there
being two concerned with the Murder—has not yet been found, but
there is very little chance of his escape, as the most active
search is being made, and a large reward is offered for his apprehension.

8. I am glad to report that the Gold Escort has made two
successful trips from Carriboo with treasure and is again expected
down about the end of the present month.

9. The Revenue derived from Customs and Roads Tolls up to the
31st August exhibits a return of Fifty eight thousand seven hundred
and ninety one pounds (£58791) for 1863 against Forty eight thousand
and seventy pounds (£48070) collected in 1862.

10. There being nothing further of importance to communicate.



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FILE: 1863-09-14_Seymour_to_Newcastle_B636S01.txt
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Seymour to Newcastle

I receive very gratefully the notification of my appointment to the
Governorship of British Columbia. It is highly gratifying to me to
accept this important trust from the Secretary of State to whom I owe my
introduction to the Colonial Service. The prospects of a change from
the swamps of Honduras to a fine country is inexpressibly attractive to
me, and I trust, in the bracing air of North America to prove myself
worthy of your Grace's confidence and kindness.

I propose availing myself of the permission Your Grace gives me to
return to England for a very short time. I intend leaving Belize on the
16th of October. Mr Berkeley, the Colonial Secretary, having
returned from England, I shall hand over the temporary administration of
the Government to him. I am happy to say that I have no reason to
apprehend any Indian disturbances on the frontier, and that all is
progressing prosperously within our limits.

With renewed expression of gratitude for my promotion,



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FILE: 1863-09-16_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63039.txt
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No. 39, Legislative

The Legislature of this Colony met according to Proclamation on the
2nd day of September, and I have now the honour of transmitting a
copy of my Speech and of the Addresses of the Legislature in reply.

2. I am unwilling at this early stage of the Session to hazard an
opinion on the course which the newly elected Assembly may adopt in
reference to the measures recommended, in obedience to Your Grace's
instructions, in furtherance of the Overland transit scheme and for
the permanent support of the Government of this Colony.

3. There is evidently a feeling among the Members of both Houses
that the Governor's salary is fixed at too high a rate, not as
respects the inevitable expense or dignity of the position, but as
respects the means of the Colony—and I think it is not improbable
that the House may propose a reduction in the sum stated.

4. There appears also to be a misgiving among the Members about the
Overland Transit Company. It is feared that the company will not
carry out the Scheme in a satisfactory manner; and that therefore the
Colony ought not to be pledged to continue the payments of the
sums guaranteed, for any term, beyond the time the Telegraph is at
work—or in short that the payments should cease together with the
permanent operation of the Telegraph, as a security for the faithful
performance of the Contract on the part of the Company.

5. I will continue to address Your Grace from time to time with
respect to the important proceedings of the Legislature.



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FILE: 1863-09-16_Holbrook_and_Cormack_to_Newcastle_B636H02.txt
================================================================================

Holbrook and Cormack to Newcastle

We have the honor to state, that as judges appointed by
His Excellency the Governor, in 1862, to adjudicate upon the
merits of Essays setting forth the capabilities, resources,
and advantages, of British Columbia, as a Colony for settlement,
in pursuance of our duties, we awarded the premium of Fifty
pounds (£50) for the "Essay" of the "Revd R.C.L. Brown, M.A.," and returned the Essay, in the same state in which it came into
our hands, unchanged in any way, to the Chief Commissioner of
Lands and Works, for His Excellency.

An Essay has just been issued in pamphlet form, from the
printing establishment of the Government, purporting to be the
same, (see official notice on the back of the title page) viz.
"An Essay by the Revd R.C.L. Brown, M.A."

It is our duty—respectfully—to call Your Grace's attention
to this pamphlet, as being very different from the Essay in
question, when adjudicated upon, and is a document made up by
leaving out numerous important matters, that were in the
original, by manipulations, and by introducing new matter,
different and diametrically opposite to statements made in the
original, which, if not counteracted, would mislead parties
in England and elsewhere, and we are particularly desirous that
the truth be conveyed to Your Grace.

The Appendices (Nos 1 to 9) herewith will place this matter
more clearly before Your Grace, and we beg Your Grace's notice
especially to Nos 5 and 8.

We take the liberty of introducing here—an extract from
the British Columbian newspaper of the 12th instant,
indicating the nature of some of the changes which have been
made in the original Essay (newspaper clipping follows here).



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FILE: 1863-09-16_Julyan_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG15.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

After providing for all the known liabilities of the
Government of British Columbia there will remain in the hands
of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, from the proceeds of the
Loan lately negotiated for that Colony, about £18,000, which
it is proposed to deal with in the same manner as was done,
under the authority of the Secretary of State, in the case
of the surplus funds of Vancouver Island. Vizt to place
it at seven days call, on deposit at interest with the London
Joint Stock Bank.

The necessities of the Governt of British Columbia
will not probably admit of them allowing this balance to
remain long inappropriated, and the Crown Agents would
therefore solicit the permission of the Duke of Newcastle
to treat it in this manner, in preference to making, for a
short period, an investment in the Funds.



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FILE: 1863-09-16_Julyan_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG16.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to report, for the information of His
Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that the Crown Agents for the
Colonies, acting under the authority conveyed to them in your
letter of the 23rd of July last, offered to public competition
on the 13th Ultimo, the Debentures authorized to be issued
under the British Columbia Loan Act of 1863.

The tenders received at and above the minimum price (104)
amounted in the aggregate to £41,200, from which must be
deducted £6000 offered by two defaulters, leaving the Net
amount sold £35,200.

The average premium produced on this amount was £5.0.9 per cent.

The balance, amounting to £14,800, has also been disposed
of, on tenders subsequently received, at £4.0.6 1/2 premium,
making the average premium on the whole Loan £4.16.2 per Cent.

The securities of Colonies placed in such close proximity
to the Federal States of America, as British Columbia is,
are by no means in favor with the English public just now,
and the Crown Agents think themselves fortunate, under the
circumstances, in having been able to negotiate the whole of
the Loan so promptly and on such excellent terms.

The details of the whole proceedings will be found in
the enclosed Schedule.

It may not be inappropriate here to refer you to my letter
of the 20th December last, relative to the negotiation, in the Colony, of a previous Loan for a similar amount, and
to offer some few observations on the reply of Governor Douglas forwarded
to the Crown Agents in your letter of 13th May following.

In my letter referred to an opinion was expressed that
from 4 to 5 per cent more on that Loan would probably have
been realized, had a certain course, therein pointed out, been adopted.

This opinion has been verified very closely, seeing that
the actual difference is £4.16.2.

According to the statement which accompanies Governor
Douglas' Despatch the Net proceeds of the Loan disposed of
in the Colony was £49,162.3.1, while the Net proceeds of
that disposed of in this Country, as shown by the enclosed
Schedule is £52,153.19.0, being a difference in favor of the
latter of £2991.15.11.

In the former case the Government only received payment
for their Debentures at intervals extending from 20th August 1862 to 6th February 1863, whereas in the latter case the money was all available at once, and such portion of it as
is not already drawn against will yield Interest until required;
so that there will be a still further sum in favor of the last
negotiation to be eventually added to the above £2991.15.11.

The Governor draws a comparison in his Despatch between
the negotiation of the Vancouver Island Loan by the Crown
Agents and the re-sale in London of the first British Columbia
Loan by the Bank of British Columbia, from which he concludes
that the terms realized for the former were not much better
than those obtained by the Bank for the latter. At the time
that conclusion was come to the transaction, so far as the
Vancouver Loan was concerned, had only commenced: it is now
concluded; and the result is—as shown by the detailed
statement enclosed—the realization on the whole amount of
an average premium of about £5.8.0 per cent; while the Bank
have up to the present time, with their minimum of 103 1/2,
been unable to place the whole of the 1st Loan on the
market, and have still Debentures in hand representing the
comparatively large sum of £17,600.

There is one other point in the Governor's Despatch calling
for some observation.

It is stated in the last paragraph that

the Drafts of the Agents General could not have been disposed of in
the Colony at any better rates than the Drafts of the Bank of British Columbia. We generally obtain the best rates for our Drafts
from the American House of Wells, Fargo & Co, the great Express
Agents. A Draft upon the Agents General recently offered to
them for Sale on Vancouver Island account was questioned, and,
I believe, objected to, as they had no knowledge of such paper.
The Drafts of the Bank of British Columbia are readily taken
by them, and command as high rates as the drafts upon Her
Majesty's Paymaster General.

The Drafts referred to in my former letter, as likely to
command a better price than those of a newly established Bank,
were not the "Drafts of the Agents General" but the Drafts of
the British Columbia Government drawn on the Agents of the Crown
in London, any objection therefore to such Drafts can only
refer to the "Drawee" in a minor degree, and is in reality
throwing doubts on the solvency of the "Drawer", i.e. the
Government of British Columbia.

The Bank Drafts in question were it appears purchased from
the Government as follows:

By the Bank of British North America £22,594. 4.10

Wells, Fargo & Co 21.905.15. 2

Colonial Treasurer 500. 0. 0

Other persons  5,000. 0. 0

£50,000. 0. 0

To the Bank of British North America and to the Bank of
British Columbia—indeed to all Banks having London Agencies—the
Crown Agents are well known, and they have also had
business transactions with Messrs Well, Fargo & Co. The latter
could therefore have easily satisfied themselves as to whom
the Crown Agents were, by enquiry at either of the local Banks.

It would appear however that they have now got over
their scruples both as regards the "Drawer" and the "Drawee",
as out of the £30,000 of Government Drafts already accepted
against the Loan just disposed of, no less than £9500 are
in favor of Wells, Fargo & Co, and the remainder appear to
have been taken by the Local Banks, and by other persons who
were purchasers of the Bank Bills received by the Colony in
payment for their first Loan.



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FILE: 1863-09-17_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637036.txt
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No. 36

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.
28 of the 20th of July last relative to the arrival in this Country of
certain Bills upon the Agents General for Crown Colonies before the
arrival of their advices, and accounting for the form in which those
Bills were drawn.



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FILE: 1863-09-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63057.txt
================================================================================

No. 57

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.*



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FILE: 1863-09-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63040.txt
================================================================================

No. 40

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the Numbers
and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



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FILE: 1863-09-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637053.txt
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No. 53

With reference to my Despatch No. 51 of the 9th Instant I have the
honor to transmit to you the enclosed Copy of a letter from the Agents
General for Crown Colonies enclosing one to themselves from the Colonial
Secretary of British Columbia.

The Agents General have been informed in reply to their letter that
the Colonial Secretary was in error in assuming Two Thousand Pounds
(£2000) of the grant for 1862-3 to be undrawn, and they have been
instructed to pay the whole sum claimed for the specie and the Assay
Office meeting the deficiency in the remittance for the settlement of
this claim out of the proceeds of the loan which they have raised for
the Colony.



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FILE: 1863-09-19_Kennedy_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V636K05.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication
enclosing papers relative to engaging Engineers to proceed to
Vancouver Island to manage certain Machinery for the improvement of
Victoria Harbour.

Mr Pemberton the Surveyor General of the Colony having been
specially charged with this Service, I think it is advisable that he
should complete it, and I am prepared to undertake the responsibility
of directing him to do so. I will inform Mr Pemberton to this
effect.



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FILE: 1863-09-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63040SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to forward to you herewith a Memorial from certain
of the Inhabitants of Vancouver's Island, which was presented to me
on the 19h Inst for transmission to Your Grace.

2. I also forward copy of a letter addressed to me enclosing the
Memorial, together with a copy of my reply thereto.

3. I forward these Documents in the ordinary course of public
business, but as they relate to myself personally, it is I presume
unnecessary that I should offer any remarks upon them.



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FILE: 1863-09-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63040SQ.txt
================================================================================

Separate

In compliance with the instructions contained in Your Despatch of the
7th July 1863, Separate, I have the honor to forward herewith to
Your Grace a draft of the conveyance to Trustees for the benefit of
the Incumbent of Christ's Church, and for the benefit of that Church,
and the Church of England established within the Colony, of the land
at Victoria known as the Church Reserve, in order that the same may
be submitted to the Lord Bishop of Columbia prior to its execution.

2. The persons proposed as Trustees are not described in the Deed,
as this matter had probably better be settled in England. For my own
part I think the Governor of the Colony, and the Bishop of the
Diocese are the two persons most suitable to hold the Trust.

3. There is also another point left unsettled which had also better
be arranged in England; and that is in whom shall be vested the right
of presentation to the living of Christ Church. As the grant of the
land may be viewed as a Crown endowment it may be urged that the
Crown should present the Living, but under all the circumstances of
the case, my own opinion would incline to leave it entirely in the
hands of the Bishop of the Diocese.

4. The section of ground set apart for a Cemetery is entirely
omitted from the annexed Conveyance. A portion of that ground has
been used exclusively by the Roman Catholic Church, and other portions
have been used by Christians of all denominations. In a short period
it will be found necessary for sanitary reasons to discontinue
interments, as the ground will be in the heart of the City. Under
these circumstances it therefore appears to me advisable that the
land should be included in the re-conveyance by the Hudsons Bay
Company of Lands to the Crown, and the Crown can then afterwards
either continue to hold it, or convey it in Trust as may hereafter be
found expedient.



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FILE: 1863-09-21_Kennedy_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V636K06.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following
despataches

1. dated 14h Sepr 1863 Relative to the Governors passage
allowance to Vancouver Island.

2. Despatch dated 16h Sepr 1863 relative to the erection of a
Government House at Vancouver Island.



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FILE: 1863-09-22_Helps_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635CO05.txt
================================================================================

Helps to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by the Lord President of the Council to transmit to you
the enclosed Order of Her Majesty in Council of the 12th instant,
leaving to their operation seven acts passed in Vancouver Island in
February, 1862, and February, 1863, (Nos 78 to 84) and I am to
request that you will be pleased to lay the same before the Secretary
of State for the Colonial Department.



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FILE: 1863-09-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63058.txt
================================================================================

No. 58 Financial

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Grace's despatch No 29 of the 4th July last acquainting
me that it had been decided to invest the sums set apart to
form a sinking fund for paying off the British Columbia 1862
Loan, either in the Consolidated Three pounds (£3) per cent annuities,
or in the New Three Pounds (£3) per cent annuities.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-09-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63059.txt
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No. 59, Miscellaneous

Referring to your despatch of the 7th July 1863, No. 30
upon the subject of due provision being made by Mr W.G. Cox
for the maintenance of his wife, I have the honor to acquaint
your Grace that Mr Cox has already made two remittances to his
wife, and I have received an acknowledgment from her of one of them.

2. I should earlier have addressed Your Grace upon this
subject, but the letters from Mr Cox upon it have not been
so definite as I could desire, not I believe from any
indisposition on his part to make proper provision for Mrs
Cox, but from a want of knowledge at the moment, in the distant part
where he is stationed, of how best to arrange for remittance.

3. I shall communicate the purpose of your Grace's present
despatch to him, and will furnish you with his reply.

4. I deem it however but just to Mr Cox to state that
so far as my knowledge of him goes since his first entry into
the public service here in Jany 1859 I have ever found him
a correct, honorable, and useful officer, somewhat unmethodical
in pure matters of business, but possessed of a peculiar talent
for commanding respect and esteem among a rough population.
Before being removed to Carribou, he was employed on the
frontier at "Rock Creek" and the quiet and order he maintained
there, were very satisfactory to me.



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FILE: 1863-09-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63060.txt
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No. 60

I have duly received your Grace's despatch of the 14th
July last No 35 pointing out to me that, as doubts might be
entertained as to the binding authority of any Proclamation
issued by me subsequently to the Order in Council constituting
a Legislative Council, my first step should be, on convening
such Council, to re-enact in the form of an Ordinance any
Proclamation or Proclamations issued after the above date,
and I have to convey my thanks to Your Grace for furnishing
me with your views in this matter which shall be carefully attended to.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-09-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63061.txt
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No. 61, Financial

In conformity with the instructions contained in the Book
of Colonial Regulations I have the honor to forward herewith
to your Grace the Returns noted on the other side hereof* as received from the Treasurer for the Quarter ending 31st March 1863.



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FILE: 1863-09-24_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63041.txt
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No. 41

I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a Resolution
conveying the thanks of the House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island
to Captain Richards and the Officers of H.M.S. Hecate for the
services rendered by them to the Colony during the period they were
employed in carrying out the surveying duties entrusted to them in
this quarter of the Globe.

2. I have much pleasure in forwarding this Document to your Grace
bearing as it does such well merited testimony to the services of an
able and energetic Officer. It is unnecessary that I should advert
to the high intelligence and attainments of Captn Richards in his
particular calling but I trust I may be permitted to say that during
the long period Captain Richards was here I received from him on many
occasions most valuable assistance and I ever found him sincerely
desirous so to conduct the important service entrusted to him as to
subserve the best interest of these Colonies.

3. I should have taken an earlier opportunity of transmitting this
Document to your Grace had I not known that Captain Richards would
return home by way of Australia and I considered it would be more
convenient if the receipt of this Despatch by your Grace were more
concurrent with his arrival in England.



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FILE: 1863-09-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637054.txt
================================================================================

No. 54

I have the honour to acquaint you that on the recommendation of the
Crown Agents I have authorised the investment of the balance of the
British Columbia Loan Fund in the London Joint Stock Bank at seven days
call.



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FILE: 1863-09-25_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635TE08.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of the 14th Instant I am desired by the
Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for
the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that Their Lordships would
not object to the Passage Allowance of an Officer proceeding from
this Country to assume the Government of Vancouver's Island being
fixed at £800;

My Lords have, accordingly, directed the Pay Master General to issue
£800 to Captain A.E. Kennedy who has been appointed Governor of that
Colony.



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FILE: 1863-09-25_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA07.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of 30th July relative
to a proclamation which had been issued by the Governor of
British Columbia, substituting for a remission in the purchase
money of Land grants of a fixed extent, in the case of Naval
and Military Officers, I am directed by the Secretary of State
for War to transmit to you for the information of the
Duke of Newcastle the enclosed copy of a letter from the India Office
and to request that you will move His Grace to inform Earl de
Grey whether he sees any objection to the terms & conditions
of the grants of Land in British Columbia being announced by
the Government of India, as applicable to the Officers of Her
Majesty's Indian Army.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-09-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637036A.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch,
Separate, of the 23d July last, reporting the measures which you had
taken for creating an Executive Council and a Legislative Council, in
place of one council as heretofore, at Vancouver Island, under the
authority of the Letters Patent and Additional Instructions of the 8th October last, enclosed in my Despatch, Separate, of the 14th of April
last.



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FILE: 1863-09-29_Romaine_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635AD03.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint
you, for the information of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that a
Letter has been received from Rear Admiral Kingcome, dated 11th August, at Esquimalt, No 99, reporting that, as it appeared on the trial of the Lamalcha Indians, that all the principals concerned in
the Murder of the Settler Marks, and his daughter, were amongst those
captured, the Governor had not considered it necessary to continue
the Search and that the expedition against that Tribe, therefore, had
not been undertaken.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-01_Hyde_to_Newcastle_V636H01.txt
================================================================================

Hyde to Newcastle

I have the honor to submit myself to your Graces' notice, as a
Candidate for the Office of Colonial Secretary at Vancouvers Island.

I beg to state for your Graces' information, that I accompanied
Governor Hill in February last, to Antigua, as his private Secretary
and Aide decamp—but I was compelled to return to England on the 13
Ulto by order of the medical men, in consequence of severe illness,
brought on by the heat, of the Climate, and with their assurance that
the West Indies are unsuitable to my constitution, I venture to ask
for employment in a Climate more congenial to my health. I have the
further honor to annex for your Graces' perusal, the Copy of a note
written me by Governor Hill on the eve of my departure from Antigua,
unasked for by myself. It will I trust, palliate in some degree, the
liberty I take, in asking your Grace for Government Employment.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-01_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637037.txt
================================================================================

No. 37

I have received and have had under my consideration the Acts noted
underneath
passed by the Legislature of Vancouver Island in the months of Febys
1862 and Feby last and transmitted to me in your Despatch noted in the
Margin.

*

I have reported to Her Majesty in Council my opinion that the said
Acts should be left to their operation; and I have the honor to transmit
to you herewith an Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated the 12th of
September 1863 approving that Report.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637055.txt
================================================================================

No. 55

I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter
from the Agents General for Crown Colonies, accompanied by a detailed
statement of the negociation of the Loan of £50,000, authorized by the
British Columbia Loan Act of 1863.

In your Despatch No. 28 of the 13th of May last, you compare the
negotiation in the Colony of a former Loan of £50,000, with the
negotiation (as far as you were acquainted with it at that date), of a
Loan of £40,000 for Vancouver Island by the Agents General in London.

With reference to this comparison, the Agents General add a
complete statement of the latter transaction, together with their
observations upon the whole subject.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637056.txt
================================================================================

No. 56

I have the honour to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter
from the Board of Treasury as conveying the decision of Her Majesty's
Government respecting the claims upon the Colony of £69.13.0 for the
Bishop's passages and of £10704.16.7 for over draughts upon the
Parliamentary aid for the years 1859-60 and 1860-61.

I have to request that you will make the Bishop acquainted with the
understanding upon which Her Majesty's Government has consented to waive
the claim for his passages, and that you will either remit at once the
sum of £10704.16.7 or authorize the Agents to pay it over to Her
Majesty's Treasury out of the balance of the £50,000 which they have
just raised on account of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-10-03_Lugard_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635WA08.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Referring to your letter of the 7 August 1861 on the
subject of giving grants of land in British Columbia to
the men employed on the North American Boundary Commission
with a view to their becoming settlers in the Colony I am
directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit to you
for the favorable consideration of the Duke of Newcastle the
accompanying copy of a letter from the Horse Guards and of
it's enclosure from Lieut. Colonel Hawkins Royal Engineers in
which he recommends that this boon may be extended to the
eighteen men named in the list annexed who have purchased
their discharge on the withdrawal of the commission.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-05_Wayman_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V636W01.txt
================================================================================

Wayman to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

A Client of mine here Mr Charles Vinter Tailor & Robemaker
has a claim of £30-9 against G.H. Cary Esq Consul British
Columbia which has now been standing for a long period. A principal
portion of the Account being incurred for his Court Dress on his
Presentation at Court. Application has been made to him but no reply
received. I have ventured to trouble you to ascertain if it is
within the province of the Colonial Office to assist my Client in the
recovery of this debt by a notification from you to Mr Cary or
otherwise.

Apologizing for being so venturesome,



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-08_Henry_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B636H01.txt
================================================================================

Henry to Under-Secretary of State

Having seen in the Newspaper some days since, that
grants of Land in British Columbia were about to be given
to officers of the Army according to their standing in the
service, I should feel obliged by your letting me know the
particulars.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-09_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637057.txt
================================================================================

No. 57

I enclose herewith a list of the names of 18 men, late of the Royal
Engineers, who were employed on the North American Boundary Commission
and who purchased their discharge on the return of the detachment to
England. Colonel Hawkins R.E. has represented that these men are
desirous of receiving the same indulgence in respect of grants of land
as has been extended to the soldiers of the Royal Engineers serving
under Colonel Moody. I have no doubt of the propriety of acceding to
this request: and I should wish you to submit to your Council a proposal
for making free grants of land in British Columbia to the extent of
thirty acres each to such of these men as shall wish to avail themselves
of this indulgence. But you will be careful to insist on the condition
of residency and Military service, when required.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-09_Walcott_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635LN06.txt
================================================================================

Walcott to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge Mr Elliot's Letter of the 6th instant,
enclosing the copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Vancouvers
Island on the subject of the settlement of the Land claims at
Victoria of the Hudsons Bay Company.

2. This Despatch contains no new matter nor raises any new point.
Its object is to disclaim (in reference to a remark contained in the
Duke of Newcastles Despatch of the 14th of May last) any desire of
raising unnecessary controversies with the Company's Local Officer or
of conducting his correspondence with them in other than a liberal
and conciliatory spirit—and to enforce, on two points, the views he
had expressed in his previous Despatch of the 20th of April last.

3. In that Despatch Governor Douglas proposes as a final settlement
of the questions in dispute between the Crown and the Company that
the Crown, on the one hand, should give up a lot of land at the foot
of Fort Street assigned to it by the agreement of February 1862, and
that the Company, on the other hand, should surrender to the Crown a
lot of land at the foot of Broughton Street, a portion of the
Government reserve marked 2 on the plan prepared by Mr McTavish, and
also 3 Town lots Nos 1603, 1605 and 1607. The proposal was
accordingly made to the Hudson's Bay Company and was accepted by them
in Mr Beren's Letter to the Duke of Newcastle of the 1st of August last subject to the rights of third parties, if any, to whom the lots
in question may have been already conveyed.

4. This result was unknown to Mr Douglas when he wrote his present
Despatch which crossed the Duke of Newcastle's Despatch of the 20th
of August last communicating it to him, and instructing him to take
certain measures preparatory to the reconveyance of the Island to the
Crown.

5. Until therefore the receipt of the Governor's reply to that
communication no further step appears to be necessary in the matter.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-10_Walcott_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635LN03.txt
================================================================================

Walcott to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge Mr Elliot's Letter of the 6th
instant with a Letter from the War Department enquiring
whether the privileges in the acquisition of Land in British
Columbia accorded to Naval and Military Settlers by a
proclamation of the Governor dated the 23rd of February 1863 admit of extension to Officers of the Indian Army.

2. The object of the regulations under which these
privileges are granted, is to encourage the permanent
settlement in the Colony of Officers who have served the
Crown in a Military or Naval capacity. As the Officers of
the Indian Army are now placed under the Secretary of State
for War, and can I presume comply with the conditions of
the Colonial Law by obtaining the requisite certificate of
the General Commanding in Chief showing the length of their
service and that their settlement in the Colony has been
sanctioned I see no reason why Officers in the Indian Army
should not be placed on the same footing as Officers of the
other portion of Her Majesty's Land forces, in the acquisition
of Land in those Colonies which concede such privileges.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-12_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63061SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter, with
its enclosures, addressed to Your Grace by Messrs Cormack
and Holbrook, of New Westminster, and placed in my hands
unsealed to be forwarded in the regular manner according
to the Rules of Her Majesty's Colonial Service.

2. I regret that Your Grace's attention should be taken
up so unprofitably, as by a perusal even of the accompanying
documents, and also that my time should be diverted from matters
of real importance now pressing upon me to report upon the
conceptions of the gentlemen in question. Nevertheless the
matter is not uninstructive as being a fair illustration of
the species of misrepresentation that has obtained in respect
of these Colonies, and as shewing how a few men, with an
unscrupulous newspaper at their command, upon statement wholly
ex parte, form their conclusions, and disseminate those
conclusions not as theories of their own, but as well
substantiated facts.

3. The gist of the complaint of these Gentlemen, as I
understand it, is that this Government did not publish verbatim
et literatim an Essay upon the Colony of British Columbia,
which they in their capacity of two members of the Board
appointed for adjudication, had pronounced to be the best of
the Essays submitted, and entitled to the reward offered by the
Government to induce the production of such Essays. And these
gentlemen further assume that not only has the Government not
published the original Essay, but that it has been greatly
altered and a complexion given to it wholly at variance with
the sentiments of its Author.

4. I will endeavour as shortly as possibly to report upon
this complaint.

5. This Government being desirous of obtaining and diffusing
information respecting the capabilities, and resources of
British Columbia, offered a premium of Fifty pounds sterling to
any person who should produce an Essay that would best meet that
object. A Board of three persons wholly unconnected with the
Government were appointed to decide which Essay sent in merited
the award. This Board consisted of the undermentioned persons:

The Revd Henry P. Wright, M.A., Archdeacon of Columbia

Mr Henry Holbrook Residents of

Mr W.E. Cormack New Westminster

Two Essays were submitted to them, one written by the Revd
R.L. Brown a Clergyman of the Church of England resident at Lilloett
in British Columbia, the other written by Mr A.C. Anderson,
formerly of the Hudsons Bay Company's service, and a resident of
Vancouver's Island. The Board decided that Mr Brown's Essay
was the better of the two, and that it was entitled to the Fifty
pounds premium. The manuscript Essays were then returned to
the Government. Both the Essays appeared to be valuable works
written with much care, and containing a mass of statistical
information highly useful to the intending Emigrant, but both
otherwise appeared too diffuse and bulky to be sought by the
intending Emigrant, and more calculated for the general reader
who had no other object in view than seeking information and
amusement. As Mr Brown's Essay was considered by the Board
the better of the two, and as he had begged, if it were to
be published that he should have the revisal of it previous
to publication, he was advised of the particular object the
Government had in view in calling for the Essays, and was
asked to undertake the condensation of his Essay to meet more
closely the end intended. He readily assented, and the
Manuscript of the original Essay was forwarded to him in
precisely the same condition it was received from the
Board of Adjudicators. He returned the Essay condensed, and
it was sent unopened from the Colonial Secretary's Office to
the printing Office at the Camp of the Royal Engineers at
New Westminster. Mr Brown from time to time communicated
with the Printer, but the Essay did not again come into the
office of the Colonial Secretary until it arrived in its
printed and complete state: and there is not the shadow of
doubt that the Essay as now printed is precisely word for
word as it was written by Mr Brown; and that not one word
has been interpolated or one sentiment suggested by any Officer
connected with the Government. I annex copy of the correspondence
which passed between Mr Brown and the Colonial Secretary, and
this of itself I think most completely and satisfactorily
overturns the statements of Messrs Cormack and Holbrook. Mr
Brown is just now I believe at Carribou, and I doubt not when
he returns will declare every word and every sentiment in the
printed Essay to be his, and will throw some light upon the
attempts which he hints at in his letter of the 27th March were
made to induce him to publish his Essay clandestinely.

6. Messrs Holbrook and Cormack publish in the British
Columbian newspaper a paragraph which they assert was in
the original Essay, and place it side by side with a paragraph
which appears in the published Essay, and they would wish
it to be inferred that changes of a similar character have been
made throughout the Essay. In a letter addressed to the Editor
of one of the Daily papers published in Victoria, the Arch-deacon
of Columbia declares that the first time he "ever saw"
the extract alleged to be taken from the original Essay
"was in a leading Article of the 'British Columbian'". I forward a
copy of the Archdeacon's letter here alluded to.

7. In the correspondence forwarded to Your Grace by Messrs
Cormack and Holbrook will be found copies of two unofficial
notes addressed by Archdeacon Wright to Mr Young the Colonial Secretary, but as a copy of Mr Young's reply has been withheld, I also herewith enclose it. Your Grace will observe that
Archdeacon Wright was in possession of it when he forwarded a
copy of his second note to Mr Young to Messrs Holbrook and
Cormack, and had Mr Young's note been published concurrently with the rest of the correspondence the whole of the charges
made so recklessly against the Government by Messrs Cormack and Holbrook would have lost their plausibility and consistency.
The Archdeacon himself does not explain why he in forwarding
copies of his unofficial notes to Mr Young to Messrs Cormack
and Holbrook suppressed Mr Young's reply.

8. There are many other points upon which I might animadvert,
and which would serve to overturn the fabric of complaint which I
must say has been very ingeniously raised, but I think I have
said enough to satisfy Your Grace of the groundlessness of the
allegations preferred by Messrs Holbrook and Cormack, even if
the correspondence between the Colonial Secretary and Mr Brown
relative to the publication of the essay does not sufficiently
elucidate the whole matter.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63062.txt
================================================================================

No. 62, Military

Colonel Moody having represented that he will require
a sum of about Three Thousand Pounds (£3000) for settling the
Regimental Pay account of the Detachment of Royal Engineers serving in
this Colony, I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that I
have authorized the Treasurer to procure that sum in the
usual way by Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General, and
I trust your Grace will give the necessary instructions for
the Bills presented on this account to be paid when they become due.

2. As this sum, added to what has already been drawn
this year, exceeds the vote in the Army Estimates for the
period, I would state that, in reply to my call for an
explanation, I am informed that many of the men who will be
discharged in the Colony have large sums in the Savings
Bank, and it is to settle up with these, as well as to
pay the sums due to others, that the demand is made.

3. I enclose herewith a Statement shewing the exact
sums drawn under my authority on account of Regimental Pay
since 21st January 1860, and the sums paid over to Colonel
Moody on that account up to date of his requisition for
the money now advised.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-14_Alexander_to_Colonial_Secretary_B636A01.txt
================================================================================

Alexander to Colonial Secretary

I have the honor to request that you will be pleased
to inform me to what amount of land I am, as Chaplain in the
Royal Navy of nearly ten years standing, entitled in British
Columbia under the proclamation by His Excellency James
Douglas, C.B., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-16_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637038.txt
================================================================================

No. 38

I have the honor to transmit to you for communication to Mr. Cary
the Attorney General of Vancouver Island the enclosed copy of a letter
from a Mr. E. Wayman relative to a debt of Mr. Cary's to one of Mr.
Wayman's clients.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63042.txt
================================================================================

No. 42, Legislative

I have the honour to forward for presentation to His Royal Highness
The Prince of Wales the loyal Address of the Legislative Assembly of
Vancouver's Island Congratulating His Royal Highness on His marriage
with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-20_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63043.txt
================================================================================

No. 43, Legislative

I have the honour to forward for presentation to His Royal Highness
The Prince of Wales the loyal Address of the Legislative Council of
Vancouver Island Congratulating His Royal Highness on His marriage
with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-20_Head_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635MI06.txt
================================================================================

Head to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

The Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company have reason
to think that the arrangement respecting the lands of the
Company in British Columbia, laid down in the Memorandum
signed on the 11th of Octr 1861, by Mr Walcott and Mr
Dallas and sanctioned by the letters of His Grace the Duke
Newcastle and Mr Berens of November 2nd and November
7th (respectively) in the same year, have not yet been
carried into effect with the promptitude on the part of the
Colonial Government which His Grace intended.

I have therefore to request that instructions may be
given to the Officer administering the Government of British
Columbia to cause without delay grants to be made of such
lands as the Company is entitled to retain under the above Agreement.

The Clause of the Memorandum providing for Arbitration
affords a ready mode of settling any disputes as to fact
which may arise and the provision for compensation where the
lands in the immediate vicinity of the Forts or Posts may
have been granted previous to the Agreement, would seem
sufficient to secure to the Company their full rights.

The Committee feel confident that His Grace will be
as anxious now, as he was in 1861, for the fair and
equitable settlement of their outstanding claims.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63062SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have had the honor duly to receive Your Grace's
Despatch dated the 1st August 1863, and marked Separate, transmitting to me Instructions under the Queens Sign Manual and Signet appointing the following Officers, viz—

The Colonial Secretary

The Attorney General

The Treasurer

The Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, and

The Collector of Customs

to be Members of the Legislative Council of British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63063.txt
================================================================================

No. 63

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Despatches of the Numbers and Dates as described on the
other side hereof.*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-21_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63044.txt
================================================================================

No. 44

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-23_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637058.txt
================================================================================

No. 58

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 49
of the 20th of August, forwarding the "Cooks Ferry and Clinton Road Bond
Act 1863."

Before submitting this Act for Her Majesty's decision, I must
request that you will supply me with a copy of the Indenture of the 17th
April referred to in it, or of so much of it as relates to the
conditions and periods of paying the Contractors.

I have also to request that you will at the same time inform me why
the price of constructing the Road has been raised from £8,500, (as
stated in your Despatch No. 30 of the 14th of May) to £12,783 to be
increased on certain contingencies unspecified in the Act to
£13,917.15.0.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637039.txt
================================================================================

No. 39

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.
33 of the 10th of August respecting the lands to be conveyed to the
Crown by the Hudson's Bay Company and I have to refer you on this
subject to my despatch No. 34 of the 20th of August.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637040.txt
================================================================================

No. 40

I have received your despatch of the 1st of September No. 37
acknowledging my despatched marked "Separate" of the 15th of last June
in which I explained in detail the form of Government which Her
Majesty's Government have thought proper to establish in British
Columbia and Vancouver Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-24_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637041.txt
================================================================================

No. 41

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 36
of the 29th of August reporting the result of the recent election of
Representatives to serve in the House of Assembly of Vancouver Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-26_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V636P04.txt
================================================================================

Pemberton to Newcastle

I had the honor, in my letter of the 25 of July last, to make
application to your Grace for a short extension of Leave of absence,
from Vancouver Island Colony, and Your Grace was pleased by letter of
1st August to extend that leave, 3 months.

I now beg very respectfully to represent to Your Grace, that
notwithstanding every exertion made, arrangements connected with the
machinery and forwarding of mechanics are not yet completed, and to
suggest to Your Grace, that a further short extension of that leave,
say in all not exceeding twelve months, may be conducive to the
interests of the Public Service. Provided I make it my business to
arrive in the Colony in advance of the Machinery and the Mechanics
which I shall of course make a point of.

In confirmation of this view, I would remind Your Grace, that Public
Works are in the Colony, from motives & economy, during the winter
months very generally suspended, and are recommmenced about the
middle or end of February, when the days begin to lengthen and the
weather to take up.

I beg in conclusion to state to your Grace, that no exertion on my
part will be wanting to bring the business on which I am deputed, to
a rapid and satisfactory issue.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-27_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG17.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Referring to your letter of the 23rd Inst I have to
transmit to you, for the information of His Grace the Duke
of Newcastle, a statement of Assets and Liabilities of the
Colony of British Columbia at this Agency.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-27_Woods_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635MI05.txt
================================================================================

Woods to Under-Secretary of State

The Queen having been pleased to dispense with the personal
Investiture of James Douglas Esquire, Governor of Vancouver's Island
and British Columbia, with the Insignia of a Knight Commander (Civil
division) of the Order of the Bath, and to empower him to wear and use
the Insignia of his dignity in the Order, and to enjoy all the
privileges thereunto belonging in as full and ample a manner as if he
had been invested by Her Majesty, I have the honour to transmit to
you the accompanying packet containing Her Majesty's Warrant of
Dispensation and the Insignia of the division and Class of the Order
to which Governor Douglas has been admitted and to request that you
will move The Duke of Newcastle to give the necessary directions for
the transmission of the said Packet with the least possible delay.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-28_Romaine_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B635AD06.txt
================================================================================

Romaine to Under-Secretary of State

In reply to your letter of the 24th Instant, requesting to be informed whether Naval Chaplains have any definite rank among Naval Officers which would admit them to the privileges
of the British Columbia Military and Naval Settlers Act; with
reference to an application from the Rev. Henry Alexander for
information as to the amount of land to which he would have a
claim, if emigrating; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that Chaplains originally ranked with
Lieutenants, Masters, Surgeons, Paymasters, &ca; that by Order
in Council of 13th May 1859 Chaplains having ten years
service ranked with Commanders; that, by Order in Council of
23rd February 1860, it was ordered that Chaplains should
not hold any Military Rank, but should be treated with all
the consideration due to their sacred Office, and that by
Order in Council of 11th June 1863, Chaplains are not
awarded any Military Rank, but that they stand on the List
of Officers of the Civil Rank of the Service, above Solicitor
General of Hospitals and Fleet, who rank with Rear Admirals.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-31_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635LN04.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 27th instant,
with one from the Governor of the Hudsons Bay Co calling
the attention of the Duke of Newcastle to the delay which
has occurred in the Colony in carrying into effect the
arrangement for the settlement of the Land claims of the
Company in British Columbia, made between this Office and
Mr Dallas on 11th Octr 1861.

2. We have no information which would enable us to suggest
any explanation of the delay—and I can only, therefore,
recommend that Governor Douglas' attention should be
called to it, and that he should be desired to carry the
above arrangement into practical effect, as quickly as
circumstances will allow.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-10-31_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG18.txt
================================================================================

Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to transmit to you, for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle, copy of a letter from the Colonial
Secretary of British Columbia, advising the Crown Agent for
the Colonies of his having drawn a further sum of £5000 on
account of the £50,000 Loan of 1863, and I have to request
that you will furnish me with His Grace's authority for
accepting the Bills for the same.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-02_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637042.txt
================================================================================

No. 42

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 35
of the 27th of August forwarding financial Returns of Vancouver Island
for the quarter ended 30th of June last.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63064.txt
================================================================================

No. 64, Military

I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter
addressed to me by Colonel Moody R.E. asking for the remission
of the sum of One Hundred and five pounds (£105), passage money,
required from Sergeant McColl R.E. on account of the conveyance
of his Wife and Family to this Colony.

2. The circumstances of the case are shortly these.
Sergeant McColl was sent to British Columbia with the first
party of Royal Engineers viâ Southampton and Panama. His Wife
and Family were to have followed him in the Troop Ship carrying
the bulk of the Detachment viâ Cape Horn. Ill health prevented
her availing herself of the opportunity; and a passage was
obtained for her, afterwards, together with certain other
women of the Detachment, by the Emigration board under the
sanction and direction of the Secretary of State, the movement
originating in an application made by Colonel Moody, and which
is adverted to in the Secretary of State's Despatch addressed to
me, and dated 21st July 1860, No 43.

3. In a further Despatch dated 11th August 1860, No 46,
the Secretary of State informs me that "the Secretary of State for
War will be consulted as to the propriety, under the circumstances
of allowing the wife and family of Sergeant McColl to be sent
to the Colony at the Public Expense," but I am not aware as to
the decision that was arrived at in the matter; and I therefore
have now informed Colonel Moody that I do not feel at liberty
to authorize the course he recommends, but that I will represent
the case to Your Grace.

4. Viewing the case in all its bearings I am inclined to
submit that, if the passage of Mrs McColl and Family would have
been at the public expense in the first instance, it might
fairly be borne by the public now; or at all events that
Sergeant McColl should only be required to repay the excess, if any,
existing between the cost of the passage by the Troop Ship, and
by the Ship which ultimately brought his family.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63065.txt
================================================================================

No. 65, Miscellaneous

I have duly received Your Grace's Despatch No 40 of
the 31st July 1863, transmitting to me copy of a further
letter from Mr Charles Walkem relative to the admission of
his Son to the Bar of British Columbia.

2. I have forwarded a copy of that Despatch together with
its enclosure to Mr Justice Begbie, and I will not fail to
lay before your Grace any report which Mr Begbie may have to
make on the matter.

3. In the meantime the disabilities complained of as to
the admission of Colonial Lawyers to practice in the Courts of
the Colony, have been removed by the passage of the "Legal
Professions Act 1863," which I had the honor to forward to
Your Grace in my Despatch No 41 of the 9th July 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63066.txt
================================================================================

No. 66

I have duly received Your Grace's despatch No 45 of
the 12th August last informing me that on the 7th of
that month you had accepted Major Gosset's resignation of
the office of Treasurer of British Columbia.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63067.txt
================================================================================

No. 67

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Grace's despatch No 47 of the 27th August last forwarding
for my information 6 copies of an Act passed by the Imperial
Legislature entitled "Cap I XXXIII An Act to define the boundaries
of British Columbia and to continue an Act to provide for the
Government of the said Colony."



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63068.txt
================================================================================

No. 68

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch
No 41 of the 31st July last, containing the decision of
Her Majesty's Government in respect to the continuance of the
Assay Establishment at New Westminster.

2. In accordance with the instructions conveyed by Your
Grace, I have directed that the staff be reduced to one Chief
Assayer and one Assistant or operative Melter, from and after
the 1st January 1864.

3. I deferred making the reduction until that date in
consequence of the present being the close of the gold mining
Season, and the only period of the year when the services of
the whole Staff can, probably, be remuneratively employed.

4. I have given instructions for the preparation of the
Annual Return of the work performed by the Department as
required by Your Grace.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63068SP.txt
================================================================================

Separate

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Despatch
marked "Separate" of the 30th July last, and to express my regret
that the sums therein mentioned as having been advanced from the
Contingent Fund of the Colonial Department on account of Stamps
on Warrants, should not have been, 'ere this, repaid to the Chief
Clerk of the Department.

2. On the 12th February 1862, I caused instructions to
be sent to the Agents General to repay these sums, and I presume
the matter must have been overlooked. I will however again
address the Agents General on the subject, and I trust that the
debt may be speedily discharged.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63045.txt
================================================================================

No. 45, Miscellaneous

With reference to your Grace's despatch of the 16th April 1862 No
94 I have the honor to inform you that by this opportunity will be
forwarded through the Express Office of Wells, Fargo & Co (London
Agents—Eives and Macey of King Williams Street) a box addressed to
Her Majestys Commissioners for Woods and Forests containing about 20
lbs weight of the seed and 30 bushels of the Cones of the Douglas
Fir.

2. The expense of collecting the above amounts to about Fifty Pounds
(£50), the particulars of which will be brought to account in the
periodical statement rendered of the receipts and disbursments of
Imperial Money by this Government.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63046.txt
================================================================================

No. 46

I have had the honor of receiving Your Grace's Despatch of the 2nd
August last, No 33, acquainting me that you had granted an extension
of leave of absence for a period of Three Months to Mr Pemberton,
Surveyor General of Vancouver's Island.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63047.txt
================================================================================

No. 47

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Your Grace's Despatch No
32 of the 30h July 1863 referring to the circumstance of one Thomas
Burke, a distressed British Subject, having been improperly provided
with a passage from Vancouver's Island to Queenstown at the public
expense under an Order issued by a Justice of the Peace.

2. Mr Stamp, the Justice of the Peace referred to was at the time
of the occurrence the Superintendent of the Spar and Lumber
Establishment at Alberni on the South west Coast of Vancouver's
Island. He was constituted a Justice of the Peace from the necessity
which existed for having some local authority in an isolated and
distant settlement capable of preserving Law & order, not only
amongst the Settlers, but also amongst the Crews of Ships arriving
there for Cargoes, and who otherwise might have availed themselves of
the opportunity offered for desertion. Mr Stamp has since left, and
has recently returned to England, and I am therefore unable to call
upon him for an explanation, but I doubt not he acted under a
mistaken idea that the 17 and 18 Vic Cap. 104 sec. 211 applied to all
British Subjects.

3. I have cautioned Mr Stamps Successor in respect of this matter,
and I will not fail to observe that persons in the Colonies are not
entitled to passage to England at the Expense of the British Government.



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FILE: 1863-11-03_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63047SP.txt
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Separate

In reply to Your Despatch marked Separate of the 30 July last, I have
the honor to acquaint Your Grace that on the 10h February 1862 the
Agents General were requested to repay to the Chief Clerk of the
Colonial Department, the sums advanced for the Stamps on the Warrants
of Messrs Cary and Gordon. I regret to find that the debt is still
unsettled. I presume the matter has been overlooked, and I will
cause the attention of the Agents General to be called to it.



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FILE: 1863-11-04_Peel_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE17.txt
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Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

In reply to your letter of the 23rd Ultimo, I am
commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Duke
of Newcastle that They will defer expressing Their opinion
upon the "Cook's Ferry and Clinton Road Bond Act 1863" of
British Columbia, until They have before Them the information
which His Grace has called for from the Governor.



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FILE: 1863-11-04_Sargeaunt_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635AG12.txt
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Sargeaunt to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Referring to your letter of the 31st Ultimo, I have the honor to
acquaint you for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that at the
request of the Government of Vancouvers Island, the Crown Agents have
rendered Mr Pemberton all the assistance in their power in the
selection of Machinery &c required for the Harbour of Victoria.

Although the Crown Agents consider the mission of Mr Pemberton to
supply the wants of the local Government in this instance was
unnecessary, as they are in the habit constantly of complying with
similar requisitions from other Colonies yet as Mr Pemberton has
personally superintended the construction of the Machinery up to the
present time, they would submit to His Grace that it would probably
be more satisfactory to the Colonial Authorities that he should
remain in this Country until it's completion which may be expected in
the course of a month or six weeks—though Contracting Engineers
operations are very uncertain.

I may add that if Mr Pemberton should leave this Country before the
completion of Messrs Blyth's Contract that the Crown Agents would
become responsible for its due completion.



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FILE: 1863-11-05_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637042A.txt
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Separate

I transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter from the Registrar
and Secretary of the Order of the Bath, intimating, that the Queen had
been pleased to dispense with your personal Investiture with the
Insignia of a Knight Commander of the Civil Division of that Order and
to empower you to wear and use the Insignia of your dignity in the order
and to enjoy all the privileges thereunto belonging in as full and ample
manner as if you had been invested by Her Majesty.

The accompanying Packet, it appears, contains H. M's Warrant of
dispensation and the Insignia of the division and class of the Order to
which you have been admitted; and I have only to add that it has been
gratifying to me to have been instrumental in advising the Queen to
confer that honor on you.



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FILE: 1863-11-09_Head_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635MI07.txt
================================================================================

Head to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the
7th Instant.

The Committee quite concurs in the view that it would
be better if the instructions respecting the Lands in
British Columbia should be given to Mr Seymour, and they desire to express their thanks to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle
for his readiness to press the settlement of the question.



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FILE: 1863-11-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63069.txt
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No. 69, Military

Referring to your despatch of the 10th July last
No 34 containing Instructions for the withdrawal at the end
of the year of the Detachment of Royal Engineers serving in
British Columbia, I have now the honor to report to your Grace
that the details in connection therewith have been completed
and that the residue of the Detachment are awaiting the
arrival of the Steamer, now hourly expected, to convey them
to San Francisco, and thence to England viâ Panama and the
West Indies in accordance with arrangments made for the
purpose by the Admiral commanding on the Station.

2. The following are the numbers returning under the
command of Colonel Moody:

3 Captains

1 Subaltern

1 Staff Assist Surgeon

6 Officers

1 Serjeant Major

1 2nd M Serjeant

3 Serjeants

2 Corporals

8 Sappers

15 N.C. Officers and men

All matters of pay &c so far as the Colony is concerned have
been settled up to and have ceased on and from the 14th instant.

3. The remainder of the Detachment have accepted their
discharge and will for the most part become settlers in the Colony.

4. I cannot permit the connection which for nearly 5
years has existed between the Detachment of Royal Engineers
and this Colony to be severed without bearing my testimony
to the remarkable good conduct, intelligence, and trustworthiness,
of the non-commissioned Officers and men comprising it. So
far as the experiment is concerned of uniting Civil with Military
duties I cannot conceal that in my opinion it has not been
attended with that degree of success anticipated, but I believe
that had such a valuable body of men been employed in Civil
duties alone results the most advantageous to the Colony would
have been followed.

The mild, conciliatory and gentlemanly bearing of Colonel
Moody has always been conspicuous and I believe he quits the
Colony leaving many friends behind him. At the same time I
cannot refrain from expressing my sense of the value of the
Officers who have been serving under him.

5. Of Captain Grant the officer next in seniority I can
speak with much confidence. He has generally been detached in
charge of the Road parties and on numerous occasions I have
personally witnessed his exertions and have observed with much
pleasure, the ability, zeal and hearty co-operation he has always
brought to bear upon whatever he was engaged in. This past
summer he was specially employed in superintending the work
of improving the trails in Carriboo, and the energy, skill, and
untiring assiduity with which he discharged the trust won the
admiration of all who visited the District and have afforded me
infinite comfort and satisfaction.

6. Captain Parsons' duties have been chiefly confined to
surveying operations, in which he has always exhibited great skill
and accuracy and I believe him to be a gentleman of high scientific
attainments and one who in the higher branches of science has
rendered good service to the Colony.

7. Captain Luards intelligence, method, order and gentlemanly
character I have also had personal experience of, and I think the
Colony will be fortunate if your Grace should see fit to adopt the
recommendation I have already had the honor to make of placing
Captain Luard in the position of Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.

8. Lieutenant Palmer has been the Subaltern of the Detachment,
but upon one or two occasions he has conducted exploring trips
through the Colony with great credit to himself, and has done good
service in fixing points and distances in the Upper Country.

9. In short so admirable has been the conduct and bearing of
all the officers serving under Colonel Moody that I trust I may not
be considered out of order in asking your Grace to bring it specially
to the notice of the Department to which they more immediately belong.



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FILE: 1863-11-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63070.txt
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No. 70

Adverting to your despatch No 34 of the 10th July
last, relative to the withdrawal of the Royal Engineers
from British Columbia and to my reply thereto of the 14
September No 56, relative to arrangements to be made for carrying on the civil duties heretofore conducted by Colonel
Moody as Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, and certain
of the Officers and men under his command, I have now the
honor to report to your Grace that I have retained in the
service of the Colony, certain of the discharged Sappers
who were employed in Colonel Moody's Office, and who are
acquainted with the various matters of detail passing
through it from the first. Fearing however to conflict
with any arrangements your Grace might make, I have refrained
from even provisionally appointing any professional Head
to the Department, but have merely placed the Department and
the Stores belonging to it under the temporary charge and
supervision of Mr Brew the Acting Treasurer. To a certain
extent therefore the operations of the Department are brought
to a stand still, but as the winter season is now fast
approaching, it is the period when the least inconvenience
will be experienced therefrom. As I had recommended Captain
Luard to your Grace as Colonel Moody's successor, I considered
it would be to the interest of the public service if his
departure from the Colony were deferred until I could hear
from your Grace. Such a course would prevent any check taking
place in the operations of the Department, and should your
Grace appoint Captain Luard, would save the cost of his return
journey; while on the other hand, should your Grace not
appoint him, it would cause no additional expense to the
public, but would simply delay Captain Luard's departure from
the Colony for a month or so,
an arrangement which I venture to think would not have been
antagonistic to the orders of the War Department, which
contemplated the withdrawal of the Detachment at the end
of the year. I consequently represented these particulars
to Colonel Moody and requested him, so, provisionally, to
leave Captain Luard behind, but I regret to say Colonel Moody
has acquainted me that he does not feel himself justified to
permit Captain Luard to defer his departure.



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FILE: 1863-11-13_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63070SP.txt
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Separate

Since my general report marked "Separate" of the 14th
last I have received various communications from the Gold
Commissioner of Carribou West in one of which he reports the
discovery of rich deposits of lump Gold on the hills forming
the left bank of Lightning Creek. Mining in that part of the
District has been heretofore chiefly confined to the bed of
the Stream, and with the exception of a very few productive
Claims, has not been successful; it having been found impossible
to reach the bed rock on account of the flow of water from
beds of gravel and quick sand which appear to spread over
the whole valley, immediately under the alluvium some thirty
or forty feet from the surface. This obstacle having been
found in almost every case insurmountable with the Mining
appliances in use and the Trial pits being constantly flooded
the ground was rapidly being deserted and great discouragement
prevailed; when by one of those fortunate accidents of which
the history of the Gold Fields furnish many striking examples;
the enterprising firm of Nye & Company were induced to run an
adit into the hill side, 200 feet above the level of the
Stream, and there found the lead—in what is now supposed to
have been at some former period the River bed. The first
and second washings produced a return of 140 ounces of coarse
nuggety Gold, and it is supposed the yield would have been
much larger had the bed rock been carefully cleaned up.

2. This important discovery at once revived the hopes
and restored the activity of the Miners who eagerly proceeded
to stake off, and occupy the hills, on all sides of the discovery
claim and soon converted an area exceeding two miles in length
into a promising Gold Field. The Evans Company holding the
ground next to the discovery Claim have since hit upon the lead
and by last accounts they had amassed 2000 ounces of Gold
similar in size and quality to the Specimens procured from
that claim, which Your Grace will receive with this Despatch.

3. Captain Evans, late of Her Majesty's 73 Regiment of
the Line, whose name appears as a partner in the Evans Company
has been for the last two years favorably known as an energetic
Miner. He is a gentleman of good family and respectability
and is reported to have served with distinction in the Caffer
War. He has now through his own courage and successful
enterprise become part owner of a rich Mine and is in a fair
way of realizing a handsome fortune, and I sincerely hope the
influence of his example may induce other persons of like position to
try their fortunes in the rich Gold Fields of British Columbia.

4. The Gold Commissioner mentions the Welsh Company in
terms of admiration. This Company consists of Mr John
Evans overseer and 26 Miners. They arrived this year from
England having been sent out at the expense of H.B. Jackson
Esquire of Manchester who I have been informed defrays the
preliminary outlay and they are now working a tract of
auriferous land held under a Crown Lease on Lightning Creek.
The arrival of this body of skilled workmen direct from the
Mother Country is I trust the fore-runner of a new era in
the Mining industry of the Colony when British skill, capital,
and enterprise will be enlisted in the development of its
material resources. The field has heretofore been almost
exclusively occupied by a class depending solely on their
industry, and without means or credit of any kind, and their
achievements amidst extraordinary difficulties, and numberless
hardships and privations have been such as have deservedly
won the gratitude of the Colony; yet it is easy to conceive
that the work of development would have been greatly accelerated
by the employment of Capital.

There is probably no Country in the world, with so many
inviting outlets, that has been so entirely overlooked by moneyed
men, as British Columbia—to say nothing of the noble forests,
extensive fisheries, coal fields, mineral lodes, and vast
extent of waste land, the development of its auriferous deposits
alone opens a wide field for the safe and profitable employment
of Capital. I may moreover remark that the Laws of the Colony
carefully protect and invite the introduction of Capital and
population. With that view Leases are granted for cutting
timber on any of the unoccupied Crown Lands, at a mere nominal
charge, and if the alternative be preferred the land itself
may be acquired at the minimum cost of 4s/2d an acre. Royalties
are not exacted on Minerals, the Government only insisting on the
one condition of their being efficiently worked. The same
spirit of liberality pervades the Gold Fields Acts, and every
other Department of legislation affecting the development
of the Country. I may further add that these principles have
not been lightly adopted, as mere temporary measures, but
have in effect become the permanent and established policy
of the Government founded on just considerations of the
true interests of the Country. Impressed with the obvious
facts that its waste lands and undeveloped mineral deposits,
are now practically useless; yielding no return either to the
Sovereign or to the people, and that we must look to the application
of labour and Capital as the primary means of rendering these
elements productive sources of wealth; my administration has
endeavoured by liberal laws, by abolishing Royalties, and other
charges on production, and by the generous encouragement of enterprise
to produce that result. Notwithstanding these efforts the Colony
has been singularly neglected by the moneyed classes of England.

Their sad experience of California where British Capital in
large sums was wasted in hopeless speculations is probably in
some measure the cause of that neglect and it may be partly due
to their unacquaintance with the real value of the resources of
this Country, and to the fact that the Gold of British Columbia
is unknown, as such, in England, being nearly all shipped directly
to San Francisco from whence it is exported as the produce of California.

5. Reverting from this digression to the previous subject,
the discovery of the new Gold lead, it is said to yield a quality
of Gold several carats finer than that of Williams Creek, and is
easily distinguished from the latter by its peculiar form and
appearance. The Miners arguing on such data suppose they have
traced the new lead from Van Winkle downwards, through the sources
of Last Chance and Anderson, two tributaries of Lightning Creek,
and for some distance beyond Van Winkle upwards in the direction
of the Meadows, which gives it a range of nearly five miles, and
many circumstances corroborate and strongly favour that opinion.

6. In reporting from Carriboo East, Commissioner O'Reilly
states that recent discoveries of Gold have been made at "Conklins
Gulch," a tributary of Williams Creek, and that the trial pits
on "McCollums Gulch" had developed a stratum of earth yielding
from 40 to 50 ounces per day. "Jack of Clubs Creek" was reported
to be still unproductive, but the Miners appeared as hopeful and
continued working their claims as vigorously as ever. The yield
on "Lowhee Creek" and "Antler" was on the increase and work was
being resumed with great advantage on portions of Williams Creek
above the chasm, before deserted by the Miners as worthless ground.

It appears from an interesting return compiled by
Commissioner O'Reilly that the ordinary daily output of Gold,
taking only the rich claims on Lowhee and Williams Creek, varied
according to the season, and number of claims in operation; from
1000 to 2500 ounces. He has made no special return for the other
mines, but judging from the data in his possession he believes
that the aggregate output for the two Districts of Carriboo will
this year not fall short of two hundred and sixty thousand ounces
(260,000 oz).

7. I will here submit some passages of a letter from the
Revd MrSheepshanks dated Richfield 26th August giving
the opinion of a disinterested spectator on general subjects and
presenting views of the religious and social aspect of the District
which may prove interesting.

Your Excellency perhaps will remember that in an interview
which I had the honor of holding with you in the Spring I expressed
my intention with the sanction of the Bishop of endeavoring as
the Senior Clergyman of the Carriboo Mission, to erect a small
Church at this place in the course of the summer, and Your
Excellency was kind enough to promise that, as heretofore the
site should be presented by the Government. I now write to
inform you that our efforts have been successful and that we
have erected a small substantial well proportioned building
capable of holding about 120 persons. In conjunction with the
Church we have established a small library and have brought up
about 250 Volumes of Books which are now in circulation, and
seem thoroughly appreciated by the Miners and other residents.
I make no doubt that in the long winter months they will prove
very useful. As regards matters of general interest the Miners
upon this Creek seem to be doing very well; several well
experienced Miners have told me that they never knew a Creek
where such a large proportion of Claims were paying expenses
and in some the yield has been remarkably large. The Valley
is now being worked continuously for a distance I suppose of
full seven miles. Many men are working even down at Willow
river. Here of course the bed rock is at a considerable depth
the Mining is more expensive, and large Companies are necessary.
In fact, in this neighbourhood at least, we seem to be arriving
at what may be styled the "Company era" when individual Miners
must club together, and the possession of a certain amount of
Capital is requisite for sinking Shafts, running drifts, rigging
pumps, bringing in water, before Gold can be obtained, and the
work carried on on a large scale. Several Quartz veins have been
discovered bearing every appearance of richness. Companies have
already been formed to work them, and there seems every probability
that next year will see the commencement of far more permanent
mining than any that we have had hitherto.

It is thought that a considerable number of people will
remain here during the winter—it is generally said about 1000,
but this I doubt, many who have almost made up their minds to
remain will I think fly as soon as the severe weather sets in—at
present the weather is all that could be wished, but still
several hundreds will probably stay to carry on such Mining as
is practicable during the frost. Many will also be employed in
bringing in goods, the Sleigh-road is very nearly completed.
Captain Grant will finish his portion by September 1st and
competent persons assert confidently that they will be able to
bring in goods at a low rate (I believe 10 cts per lb) from
the mouth of Quesnell to this place. This would be a great boon.

8. The Mining Board of Carriboo East has entered upon its
duties with great spirit, and alacrity, holding daily sessions for
the Despatch of business, and I anticipate much advantage from
the labours of this useful body. One of its earliest Acts was
to suggest the expediency of imposing an export duty on Gold
without apparently giving much consideration to the difficulties
in the way of levying a tax which could be so easily evaded by
passing the frontier into the United States. There is nothing
to urge against the equity of the Tax, but I greatly doubt our
power to enforce it, and so long as many other methods are open
to the Executive for increasing the public revenue, by additional
taxation there can be no urgent reason for seeking that end by
the objectionable expedient proposed—which I could not under
any circumstances recommend to Her Majesty's Government either
as a measure of wise policy or of sound finance—I believe its
effect would be purely mischievous, and that it would assume
as respects this Colony, many of the worst features incident to
taxation. The Gold being chiefly carried away by the producers,
the export duty would in truth operate as a direct tax levied
on the person of every individual leaving the Colony. Irritation
and conflict would be the inevitable consequence. Evasions would
constantly take place. Organized bands of desperate men would
combine for the purpose of resisting or eluding the tax. A
numerous staff of men and Officers would be required to enforce
the Law, and thus the revenue would be absorbed by the cost of
collection. In short I think an export duty would become a
vexatious and most unpopular tax, and altogether fail of its
desired effect as a revenue measure.

9. I had the honor of mentioning to Your Grace in the 8th,
9th and 10th Paragraphs of my Despatch marked Separate of the
4th December 1862 a measure having in view some important changes in the Gold Fields Act which I conceived would greatly
promote the interest of persons working in the Gold fields, and
also contribute to the general development of the Country—but
as it was found to be unpalatable to a large body of the working
Miners who feared monopoly and as I was not perfectly satisfied
of its policy it was deemed expedient to postpone the measure.
Public opinion has since undergone a change and the majority of
those who were, at first, opposed, have now become its strenuous
advocates. The object of this measure is to make interests in
mining Claims, to any amount, transferable like other
property—saving only the rights of the Crown, and the conditions of
working and occupation under which Mining claims are now held; and I
propose having an Act prepared to effect that object.

It is intended that all transfers of Mining property made
under this Act, shall be registered with the Gold Commissioners
or other persons appointed for that purpose, and shall set forth
the full price and consideration paid in each transaction, or in
default be void—and there will be charged for the use of Her
Majesty, certain fees, proportioned to the value of the property
conveyed. In addition to the general advantages before stated,
this measure will, I trust, become a fruitful source of revenue,
without being oppressive to the interests affected.

10. The Miners are now retreating in great numbers from
Carribou and other remote Districts of the Colony on account of
the apprehended severity of winter. This will lead to a partial
suspension of Mining operations in those Districts until the
return of warm weather in Spring.

11. In the accompanying map is shewn the position of the
Carriboo Gold Leads, and Quartz reefs. The sites of "Quesnel mouth"
and of the three mining towns on Williams Creek, and of "Van Winkle"
are also indicated.

"Quesnel mouth" as a town, has only had an existence of a few
months. It is growing rapidly in size and population and from its
favourable position for trade promises to become a place of great
importance.

12. The Mining intelligence from Lytton and Lillooet, is very
satisfactory. Extensive placers have been lately discovered on
the Shuswap and Bridge river Valleys which will afford employment,
at highly remunerative rates, to a large population, and will I trust,
pave the way to further important discoveries, as these Districts
possess a highly auriferous character while in point of soil and climate
they form perhaps the most valuable and agreeable parts of the Colony.
I will herewith forward extracts from the reports of the Gold
Commissioners of Lytton and Lillooet, to furnish Your Grace with further
information relative to these interesting discoveries.

13. The public revenue, I am glad to report, is in a satisfactory
state. The Customs and Road Tolls receipts for the ten months
ending with the 31st October last amount to Seventy three
thousand, one hundred and fifty eight pounds (£73158) against Sixty
thousand and eighty seven pounds (£60087)
collected for the corresponding period of
1862; the miscellaneous revenue is also in advance of last year
to the extent of about 20 per cent though I would observe with
respect to the latter, that having only a proximate return, I am unable to give the exact amount of excess.

14. There is nothing further of much interest connected with
the Colony to lay before Your Grace.



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FILE: 1863-11-17_Munro_to_Secretary_of_State_for_Foreign_Affairs_B636M03.txt
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Munro to Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

I beg respectfully to draw your attention to a paragraph
which appeared in the "Times" of the 24th Oct last,
stating that the body of a white man had been found lying
dead at the mouth of the Bear River, British Columbia, with
a tin cup lying by the side of the deceased on which were
scratched these words: "Donald Munro, lost in the wood, is
from Inverness, Scotland, born June 1825."

As the deceased is my son, I write to your Lordship to
inquire whether you have received any communication on the
subject from Her Majesty's representative at Victoria and if
so what information it contains. If you have not received any
intelligence on the subject I would respectfully submit to your
Lordship that you would take such steps in the matter as may
appear best to ensure a thorough investigation into the facts
of the case, and that any effects belonging to the deceased may be
handed over to Her Majesty's representative to be forwarded
to me here.



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FILE: 1863-11-17_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637043.txt
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No. 43

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
"Separate" of the 21st of September enclosing a Memorial addressed to me
by certain inhabitants of Vancouver Island on the occasion of the
approaching termination of your relations with the Colony as it's
Governor.

I am much gratified by the evidence which the Memorial affords of
the esteem in which your Administration of the Government of the Island
has been held by the Colonists.



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FILE: 1863-11-18_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637059.txt
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No. 59

I have the honor to acknowledge your despatch marked "Separate" of
the 14th of September, and I am glad to have received such a
satisfactory report of the condition of British Columbia.



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FILE: 1863-11-19_Hammond_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635FO08.txt
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Hammond to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit to you a Document which has
been forwarded to His Lordship by the Hanoverian Chargé d'Affaires
at this Court with a view to the verification of the signature of the
Colonial Secretary of Vancouver's Island, attached thereto.

I am to request that you will move His Grace the Duke of Newcastle to
comply with Baron Blome's wishes in this matter.



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FILE: 1863-11-23_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63071.txt
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No. 71, Legislative

I have the honor of transmitting herewith the following
Acts with the accompanying reports of the Attorney General
for Her Majesty's approval. vizt:

No 10 The "Alexandra Bridge Toll Act 1863"

No 11 "New Westminster Municipal Extension Act 1863"

No 12 "Crown Officers Salaries Act 1863"

2. The Attorney General's reports are so full and precise
that there remains little for me to add in regard to the
principle or objects of these Acts; I would however draw
your Grace's attention to the unusual condition in the
"Alexandra Bridge Toll Act" granting to the Contractor rights of
tolls on goods passing under as well as over the Bridge.

3. I have to offer in explanation that the "Fraser"
though always dangerous, and from Yale upwards to Alexandria,
not continuously navigable at any season, is partially so
every year for a few weeks, at the low stage of water in
spring and winter. Goods in considerable quantities have
always been forwarded by water from Yale to Lytton at that
season, both on account of the cheapness of water carriage
compared with the cost of transport by the former mountain
trails—and of the insufficiency of means by land carriage
alone, to supply the demands of the trade.

4. In negotiating with the Bridge Contractor he represented
that the Tolls we proposed to grant on goods passing over
the Bridge would not yield an adequate remuneration for the
outlay—and positively objected to incur the expense, unless
all goods whether passing by land or water-borne should be
charged with Toll, and there was no alternative but to yield
the point—or to give up the Bridge, which is an indispensable
adjunct to the road. I was further influenced by the consideration,
that the completion of the carriage road would cause so great
a reduction in the cost, and so much increase the facilities
of transport that the concession would not be felt as a
sacrifice, and that together with the dangerous character of
the River, and the distressing loss of life and property
continually occurring from accidents in the rapids, will I
should think altogether remove the inducements to forward
goods by water, a view in which I am fully supported by public
opinion in the Colony.

5. The New Westminster Municipal Extension Act No 3
was passed at the instance of a majority of the inhabitants
possessing lots in Suburban Blocks V, VI, and VII, their object
being to enforce, as a general measure, under the Municipal
regulations the felling and removal of the trees and Brush-wood
on these lots—a measure which will conduce to the comfort of
all concerned, and relieve them from the danger arising in dry
weather, from conflagrations of the forest.

6. "The Crown Officers Salaries Act 1863" has been prepared
in conformity with the instructions contained in Your Grace's
Despatch "Separate" of the 15th June last.



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FILE: 1863-11-26_Newcastle_to_Douglas_V637044.txt
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No. 44

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 39
of the 16th of September, enclosing a copy of the Speech with which you
opened the present session of the Legislature on the 3rd of September
together with copies of the Addresses from both Houses in reply.



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FILE: 1863-11-27_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637060.txt
================================================================================

No. 60

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from Mr.
Munro, with its enclosure, respecting a paragraph which appeared in the
"Times" relative to the death of a white man, supposed to be his son,
who was found dead at the mouth of the Bear River, British Columbia.

I have to request that you will cause enquiries to be made into the
truth of this Report and furnish me with any information that you may be
able to obtain as to the circumstances of the death and to the effects
of the deceased.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-11_Lord_to_Secretary_of_State_B636L02.txt
================================================================================

Lord to Secretary of State

A Company is projected under "the Companies Act 1862" for
the purpose of establishing Fisheries on the Coasts of
Vancouver Island and British Columbia and before any decided
steps can be taken it is requisite to know whether the right
of granting the Fishery appertains to Her Majesty's Government
or to that of the Colonies.

The Company contemplates starting with a paid up Capital
of £100,000 and will provide an efficient staff to carry out
the objects of the said Company if Her Majesty or the Colonies
will give a Charter or Grant for the exclusive right of
Fishing on the East and West Coasts of Vancouver Island and
on the Mainland from the British Boundary 49o lat. N to
Sitka the Russian Frontier—the right to extend to all the
streams and Rivers inland.

I beg to request the favour to be informed whether under
the circumstances of the case such a Grant or Charter would be
made to the Company.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-02_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63072.txt
================================================================================

No. 72, Judicial

With reference to your Grace's despatch No 40 of the
31st July last I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter from Mr Begbie Judge of the Supreme Court of
British Columbia acquainting me for your Grace's information
that on the 21st November Mr George A. Walkem was
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court and was enrolled accordingly.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-04_Cox_&_Co._to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B636C07.txt
================================================================================

Cox & Co. to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

We have the honor to transmit a life Certificate
dated 3rd October last showing that on that date Colonel R.C. Moody RE was performing his duties as Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works for British Columbia,
and to request that you will be good enough to send us
the necessary certificate from your office and move the
Treasury to issue to the Paymaster General the authority
for the payment of that Officer's salary, September quarter 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63073.txt
================================================================================

No. 73

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of
the Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63074.txt
================================================================================

No. 74

Adverting to my Despatch No 59 of the 23rd Septr
last, and to previous correspondence relative to the
maintenance by Mr Cox a Magistrate in British Columbia,
of his Wife now resident in England, I have the honor to
acquaint your Grace that Mr Cox has reported to me that
he is prepared to make an allowance to his Wife, at the rate of
Sixty pounds (£60) per Annum: and that he has already remitted:

By Bank of British Columbia

Draft No 2/2 22 June £10.0.0

Do No 240 1 August £ 5.0.0

By McDonald & Co

Draft No 4 20 October £ 6.0.0

and through Mr O'Reilly JP last March £10.0.0

He further reports that he will forward £9.0.0 on the 31st
October and that he will continue to remit £10 every
two Months unless otherwise directed.

2. Mr Cox has expressed his desire that some channel
might be indicated to him through which his periodical
payments might be remitted, so that it might be known that
they were made with promptitude and regularity. I am not
aware of any such channel with which it falls into my
province to deal, except indeed the Crown Agents for the
Colony, but even they, I apprehend, although perhaps not
averse to deal with a solitary case under peculiar circumstances,
are scarcely prepared to adopt the principle which it would
involve of becoming the medium of communication between
individuals in a Colony and their friends in England.

3. I shall call upon Mr Cox to report to me from time
to time that the remittances to his Wife have been duly made.

4. I trust that the information herein afforded may be
satisfactory to Your Grace.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-04_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63048.txt
================================================================================

No. 48

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-08_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63049.txt
================================================================================

No. 49, Legislative

With reference to Your Despatch of the 1st May last, I have the
honour to transmit herewith copy of a Message forwarded to me by the
Legislative Assembly of Vancouver's Island containing a Resolution
upon the subject of the project for establishing overland postal and
telegraphic Communication from Lake Superior to New Westminster.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-08_Murdoch_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_V635LN07.txt
================================================================================

Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 2nd instant, with the copy of a
Despatch from the Governor of Vancouvers Island, accompanied by a
Draft of a Conveyance to Trustees of certain land at Victoria known
as "the Church Reserve," which it is intended to devote to religious
purposes in connection with the Church of England.

2. This land contains in the whole 22 41/100 Acres, and is divided
into three portions, on one of which containing 1 80/100 Acre the
Church stands on the second containing 2 25/100 Acres is the Rectors
house—and the third consisting of 18 36/100 Acres is to provide a
stipend for the Clergyman (£600 a year or if the Trustees think fit
£800 a year) and for the scholastic and other purposes mentioned in
the Deed of endowment.

3. The Governor in his despatch suggests three points for
consideration namely (1) the persons who shall be named Trustees in
the Deed, (2) the person in whom the patronage should be vested, and
(3) the retention for the present in the hands of the Crown of a
Cemetery used by Christians of all Denominations, which for sanitary
reasons it may become expedient shortly to shut up.

4. As regards the first point the Duke of Newcastle will probably
concur in Governor Douglas' opinion that the Governor and Bishop for
the time being should be Trustees.

*

5. On the second point I believe it has been heretofore the
practice, when endowments in the Colonies have been granted out of
the Crown lands, to reserve to the Governor of the Colony the right
of presentation to the Church. Mr Douglas suggests, however, that
it should be vested in the present instance in the Bishop. But
before a conclusion is arrived at on these two points it will
probably be deemed expedient to ascertain the views of the Bishop of
Columbia who I believe is now in this Country, and who, in his Letter
to the Duke of Newcastle of the 26th June last, requested that he
might have an opportunity of seeing the Draft of the Conveyance
before it was executed.

6. On the third point I presume that the Governor's view will be
adopted, and the Cemetery excluded from the Conveyance.

7. I see no objection to the Draft of the Conveyance prepared in the
Colony.

8. It conveys the three lots of land to Trustees upon trust as to
the first two, that they shall continue to be used as at present for
the Church and Rectory, and as to the third for the purpose of
securing (1) the Rectors stipend (2) the maintenance of the Church
(3) the stipend of any assistant clergy that may be appointed (4) the
maintenance of schools in connection with Christ Church and (5) the
establishment and maintenance of other Churches and Schools in the
Island in connection with the Church of England. For these purposes
the Trustees are empowered to grant leases in possession, not
exceeding 21 years at rack rent
or they may grant building leases in possession for 99 years without
fine or premium except that the rent may be a nonimal one for the
first five years.

9. Only two observations occur to me on the Draft Conveyance. (1)
As the Governor is required in the body of the Instrument to assent
on the part of the Crown to the grant of the land, which is to be
made by the Hudsons Bay Company it is desirable that he should be a
party to the Deed. (2) In that part of the Trust which assigns the
Stipend, the Trustees are directed to pay it to the Revd Edward
Cridge the present Incumbent of Christ Church "for the term of his
natural life." It appears to me that it should be instead "during so
long as he continues Incumbent of Christ Church aforesaid." This
would be in harmony with other parts of the Deed and doubtless with
the intention.

**

10. It only remains to suggest that in accordance with the promise
made to his Lordship the Draft Conveyance should be submitted to the
Bishop of Columbia for any remarks he might wish to make on it.

***



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-10_Hammond_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635FO09.txt
================================================================================

Hammond to Under-Secretary of State

I am directed by Earl Russell to transmit to you to be laid before
the Duke of Newcastle, a Copy of a Letter from the Hudsons Bay
Company calling attention to the loss sustained by the Company owing
to the incursion of Squatters in the Island of San Juan.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-14_Kennedy_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_V636K07.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Referring to a letter received from Sir Fredk Rogers dated 16h
Septr 1863, on the subject of a Government House at "Vancouver
Island," I have now the honor to submit a plan and rough Estimates
and to Solicit the General approval of His Grace the Duke of
Newcastle with a view to save correspondence, and the delay
consequent upon a reference Home.

I have had the aid, & advice, of Colonel Henderson Rl Engineers, in
preparing the plan, which you will observe is as plain and
inexpensive as possible.

I am aware that it will be necessary to submit the plan & obtain the
Approval of the Assembly, & a provision for the necessary outlay,
before any further steps are taken.

I may add that Engineering Officers lately returned from the Colony
have been consulted in framing the Estimate of Cost.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-16_Hamilton_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635TE18.txt
================================================================================

Hamilton to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of 9th inst,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that the Paymaster General has
been authorized to pay to Messrs. Cox & Co as Agents for
Col. Moody, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works in British
Columbia, the sum of £300, for Salary for Quarter ended
30th Septr 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-17_Julyan_to_Rogers_Permanent_Under-Secretary_B635AG19.txt
================================================================================

Julyan to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to transmit to you for the information
of the Duke of Newcastle copy of a letter from the Colonial
Secretary of British Columbia advising the Crown Agents for
the Colonies of his having drawn a further sum of £5,000
on account of the £50,000 Loan of 1863 and I have to request
that you will furnish me with His Grace's authority for
accepting the Bill for the same.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-18_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63075.txt
================================================================================

No. 75

In conformity with the instructions contained in the
Book of Colonial Regulations I have the honor to forward
herewith to your Grace the returns described on the other
side hereof* as received from the Treasurer for the Quarter
ending 30th June 1863.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-18_Newcastle_to_Kennedy_V637101.txt
================================================================================

No. 1

I have the honor to transmit to you; herewith, The Queen's
Commission under The Great Seal, appointing you to be Governor and
Commander in Chief of the Island of Vancouver and its Dependencies,
together with the Instructions under The Royal Sign Manual accompanying
the same.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-19_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63076.txt
================================================================================

No. 76, Financial

I have had the honor to receive Your Grace's Despatch
No 56, of the 2nd October last, instructing me, in
pursuance of the decision of Her Majesty's Government, to
remit the sum of £10,704.10.7, or to authorize the Agents
General to pay it over to Her Majesty's Treasury, in repayment
of certain advances in excess of Parliamentary Grants.

2. The balance of the £50,000 Loan in the hands of the
Agents General has already been reduced to the lowest limit,
and I am therefore at present precluded from the course
suggested in respect to repayment from that source. The
Balance in the Colonial Treasury is not more than one fifth
of the required sum, and consequently I cannot fall back
upon it to arrange a remittance; but I hasten to assure Your
Grace that I will take the earliest measures possible to
effect the repayment, of which I trust to advise you by
the next Mail, or the one following.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-19_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63077.txt
================================================================================

No. 77

I have duly received your Despatch No 49 of the 3rd September last, advising me of the manner in which payment is
to be made of the sum of £500 contributed by this Government
towards the expense of the survey of the Coast of British Columbia.

2. With reference thereto I have the honor to state that,
prior to the receipt of your Grace's Despatch, the amount in
question for the current year had been disbursed by this
Government upon the Requisitions of the Officer in charge
of the Survey, to enable him to defray the cost of 6 months
hire from the Hudson Bay Co of the Steamer "Beaver" employed
in carrying out the work.

3. I enclose herewith copies of the said Requisitions,
but for the coming year I will take care that the wishes of
the Admiralty in respect of the mode of payment, are complied with.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-19_Moody_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_B636M02.txt
================================================================================

Moody to Under-Secretary of State

I have the honour to enclose for the information of His
Grace the Secretary of State copies of a correspondence between
the Governor of British Columbia and myself on the eve of my
departure from the Colony.

I venture to hope His Grace will approve of the step taken
by me in not acquiescing in the appointment of an officer
possessing many good points yet lacking the qualifications that
are absolutely indispensable for the office named.

Immediately on my arrival in England I shall have the honour
to report myself at the Colonial Office.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-19_Newcastle_to_Douglas_B637061.txt
================================================================================

No. 61

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos.
51 and 52 of the 2nd of September last and to acquaint you that I
approve of Mr. Young's retention of the Office of Colonial Secretary for
Vancouver Island and that I accept his resignation of the Colonial
Secretaryship of British Columbia.

To the vacancy thus created in British Columbia I have appointed
Mr. Arthur N. Birch, a Member of this Office, who will shortly proceed
to the Colony.

The necessary Warrant for the appointment of Mr. Young will be
forwarded to you by an early opportunity.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-21_Kinlock_to_Fortescue_Parliamentary_Under-Secretary_V636K10.txt
================================================================================

Kinlock to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to submit my name as that of a Candidate for the
post of Commissioner of Crown Lands in Vancouver's Island, or for
other suitable Employment in that Island or elsewhere.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-22_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V636P05.txt
================================================================================

Pemberton to Newcastle

I had the honor by letter of the 26th inst to apply to your Grace,
for 3 months extension of leave of absence to witness the completion
of arrangements to improve Victoria Harbour: and Your Grace by order
of the 10h Novr was pleased to decide that 2 months was sufficient
for the purpose, which has proved to be the case, inasmuch as all the
arangements are now complete, and it is understood that the vessel
which carries the machinery will sail the first week in January. I
now very respectfully Petition Your Grace for a month or 6 weeks
additional leave on Personal grounds, viz. that I am to be married on
the 2nd of January. I would add that the entire leave as yet granted
is 11 months, occupied in the Public Serivce, and that I ought, in
either event to arrive in the Colony considerably in advance of the
machinery and Engineers.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-23_Kennedy_to_Newcastle_V636K08.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Newcastle

I have the honor to enclose a letter from "Mr D.C. Maunsell"
whom I have selected as my Private Secretary, and to recommend His
application for Passage allowance to Your Grace's favorable
consideration.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-24_Farrer_to_Under-Secretary_of_State_V635TA06.txt
================================================================================

Farrer to Under-Secretary of State

With reference to your letter of the 13th May 1859 and subsequent
correspondence relating to the advances to be made by the Imperial
Government for the erection of the Lighthouses in Fucas Straits and
Esquimalt Harbour, Vancouver's Island, I am directed by the Lords of
the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to transmit to you the
enclosed statement of the sums expensed in this Country and of the
sums advanced to the Government of Vancouvers Island on account of
the Works of these Lighthouses amounting to Twelve thousand four
hundred and ninety three pounds, nineteen shillings and nine pence
(£12,493,19.9). As these advances have been made by the Imperial
Government on condition that one half of the sum advanced should be
repaid by the Colonies of British Columbia and Vancouvers Island
jointly, I am to request that you will move His Grace the Duke of
Newcastle, to forward the enclosed statement to the Governor of
Vancouvers Island and to request the Governor to cause the half of
the sum advanced viz: Six thousand two hundred and forty six pounds
nineteen shillings and ten pence to be paid to Her Majesty's
Paymaster General.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-24_Pemberton_to_Newcastle_V636P06.txt
================================================================================

Pemberton to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's
communication of the 23rd instant in reply to my letter of the 22nd
asking on personal grounds for a small extension of leave of absence.

I deeply regret that my letter had led Your Grace to understand that
my marriage was contingent upon my request being granted, a meaning
which I did not intend to convey.

Cards similar to the enclosed were issued before that letter was
written, fixing the day for the 2nd of January.

Your Grace had previously granted me leave to remain in this Country
up to the mail of the 18h of January and had Your Grace refused me
the additional leave of absence asked for in my last letter, it was
my intention to quit England on the 18h of January. But I made
application for the addition because it would have been more
convenient to my wife to leave by the following mail (2nd February)
and to guard against accidents.

I well know Your Grace would not now reprimand me for furloughs
previously granted, and at once admit, that if Your Grace's
apprehension of the circumstances had been correct, I would have
justly merited Your Grace's most severe displeasure.

Under the circumstances actually existing I humbly ask that Your
Grace will be pleased to withdraw the leave reluctantly granted and
with it Your Grace's displeasure and the censure intended to be
forwarded as my first official introduction to the new Governor.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-28_Columbia_to_Colonial_Office_V636C02.txt
================================================================================

Columbia to Colonial Office

Not having been able to come up to London until the 22nd inst I had
not the opportunity before of consulting my legal adviser respecting
the Draft Conveyance enclosed in your letter of the 2nd inst.

It is now in his hands with certain points which I desire to submit
to His Grace and I hope before the end of
the present week to return
it to your office.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_B63078.txt
================================================================================

No. 78

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of
the Numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-28_Douglas_to_Newcastle_V63050.txt
================================================================================

No. 50

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches of the
numbers and Dates as described on the other side hereof.

*



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-30_Kennedy_to_Newcastle_V636K09.txt
================================================================================

Kennedy to Newcastle

I have the honor to acknowledge the receit

of Your despatch dated 18 Decr 1863, transmitting The Queens
Commission appointing me to be Governor of Vancouver Island;
accompanied by Instructions under the Royal Sign Manual.

It is more than probable that circumstances may arise, which
would render a personal conference with the Governor of British
Columbia desirable, and I should therefore submit to Your Grace the
expediency of furnishing me with authority, to guard me against an
infringement of the last Article of the Royal Instructions forbidding
me to leave the Island without leave first obtained.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863-12-31_Lugard_to_Elliot_Assistant_Under-Secretary_B635WA09.txt
================================================================================

Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th Instant
in which you state that the Duke of Newcastle proposes to
appoint Captain Luard RE to be Commissioner of Lands and
Surveyor General of British Columbia.

In reply I am to request that you will inform His Grace
that Earl de Grey, having communicated with His Royal Highness
the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief upon the subject, finds
that there will be no objection to this arrangement.



================================================================================
FILE: 1863_Unknown;_Moody_to_Unknown;_Elliot_B635MI01.txt
================================================================================

Abstract of Meteorological Observations

