McNab to Buckingham

The Directors of this Bank having been informed that it is in
contemplation to remove the seat of Government of the Colony of British
Columbia from Victoria to New Westminster, beg to be allowed to express
their opinion that such a change would be prejudicial to the interests
of the Colony. They believe that Victoria would be found to be the
most convenient place for the seat of Government on the following
among other grounds, viz

That the Port of Victoria, with its two harbours of Victoria &
Esquimalt can accommodate vessels of the greatest draft of water,
that it is easy of access from the Ocean, & is always open to
navigation. New Westminster, on the other hand, is—especially to
sailing vessels—difficult & dangerous of approach, in consequence of
the tedious and intricate navigation of the Haro Archipelago, and
because of the sand bars at the mouth of Fraser River, and the
occasional freezing of that River.

That Victoria is the only place in the Colony of any stability
and population as a Town. It is the commercial, social and educational
centre of the Colony; Miners have settled their families there, and
are beginning to resort to it during the winter (the non-mining)
season, instead of going to San Francisco—a town in a foreign
country—to spend their money earned in British Columbia.

That Victoria has hitherto been a Seat of Government, and possesses
the requisite public buildings; and the removal of the seat of
Government to New Westminster would necessarily involve a further
expenditure which the Colony in its present circumstances is not in a
position to bear.