No. 16, Separate

1. I have deferred replying to that part of your Despatch No 2
dated 30th April 1864 on the proposed union of Vancouver Island with
British Columbia until I could report some definite action of the
Legislature of this Colony on the subject.

2. After various abortive proceedings (the details of which I need
not trouble you with) the Resolutions communicated in my Despatch No
14 of this date were adopted by the Legislative Assembly on the 27th
January 1865.

3. These Resolutions coupled with those of the Chamber of Commerce
transmitted in my Despatch No 15, also of this date, will enable you
to judge of the public feeling on the subject.

4. I took an early opportunity after the expression of opinion by
the Legislative Assembly to have a personal consultation with
Governor Seymour, and concluded our conference by addressing to him a
confidential letter on the 27th February 1865, the copy of which I
enclose, and to which I have not yet received a reply.

5. A year's experience and close observation in this Colony have led
me to adopt a very decided opinion of the expediency—I might almost
say, necessity—(for to that I think it must come) of uniting British
Columbia and Vancouver Island under one Governor, one Legislature, and
equal Laws.

6. The proposal of my Predecessor adverted to in your Despatch, that
there should be one Governor, "that the colonies should each have its
separate Legislature, make its own Laws, raise and apply its own
Revenue as at present for its individual benefit," seems to me to be
surrounded by difficulties, and fraught with the elements of
dissolution and discord.

7. The difficulty of one Governor administering two neighbouring
governments conducted upon different and antagonistic commercial
principals, as they exist at present, seems to me insuperable.

8. If these Colonies progress (as it is hoped) the Ports of one
being free, and the other levying import duties, it would ultimately
require a large portion of the Revenue of the one to suppress
smuggling from the other—a fact well illustrated by the contraband
trade at present carred on with Vancouvers Island and the
neighbouring American Territory between which similar conditions at
present exist.

9. As regards the control and management of the Indian population
(which is a most important subject of consideration) who migrate
between the two Colonies, the necessity of uniform legislation and
policy are I think self evident.

10. A uniform Postal system and all other subjects on which united
action are necessary could hardly be carried out or at best would be
weakened by separate Legislatures.

11. The population of each Colony is and will long continue to be
too small for healthy political action.

12. All the advantages derivable from mutual aid and cooperation
would be lost and a bitter and senseless rivalry (as at present
growing up) engendered in their stead.

13. I think it would be difficult to find two Colonies or
communities who are so necessarily dependent on each other for
progress and support.

14. The readiness of the Legislative Assembly of this Colony, to
abandon the Free Port of Victoria, at once removes the only serious
difficulty which has hitherto beset this question, a course of action
approved of by an overwhelming majority of their constituents.

15. The separate existence and possibly hostile legislation of these
Colonies affords a bad public example, and must continue to be an
increasing embarrassment to Her Majesty's Government.

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16. I will not enter upon the question of relative gain of each colony in the event of union beyond expressing my opinion that the resources of this colony by means of direct taxation alone are ample to defray the expense of government with the maintenance if necessary of it. Free Port, and that its financial condition on the whole is quite as satisfactory as that of British Columbia

17. The form of Government under which these United Colonies could
be most easily and successfully governed is an important subject for
consideration.

18. The form of Government at present existing in this Colony,
namely, an Elective Assembly of 15 Members, and a nominated
Legislative Council, does not, and in my opinion never can work
satisfactorily. There is no medium, or connecting link between the
Governor and the Assembly, and the time of the Legislative Council
(which comprises the principal executive officers) is mainly occupied
in the correction of mistakes or undoing the crude legislation of the
lower House who have not and cannot be expected to have the practical
experience or available time necessary for the successful conduct of
public affairs. On financial subjects they are always greatly at fault.

19. I would therefore recommend (should the opportunity for
remodelling the form of Government occur) that there should be one
Chamber only,

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composed of elective Members as at present with the addition of
nominees of the Crown in the proportion of one third with power to
resolve itself into two separate Chambers when the state of the
population would justify or render it necessary, a contingency which
I think far distant.

20. I believe that this change would find favour with the
intelligent portion of the public and a large number, if not a
majority of the present Assembly whose constitution it would affect.

21. I have abstained from expressing any public opinion, or
exercising any influence I may possess in encouraging this movement,
but I have no doubt that the expression of the former, and legitimate
use of the latter if acquiesced in by Governor Seymour would
immediately remove all serious opposition to a union of these
colonies which I consider a matter of great Imperial as well as
Colonial interest.