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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A des taux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrant la mAthode. y errata id to nt ne pelure. icon a 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 U t' 7 % h Xi &. 0' REPLY or TBB 'mO VICTORIA, V. I. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HIS KXCKLLKNOY FREDERICK SEYMOUR, dOVEKNOR OF RRITiSU iOLUAIBH, i^J^ FORWARD33D TO THE 8B0RBTARY OP STATE FOR THE COLONIES. M OCTOBER Idt, 1866. §h .'^.:^^:3 ,g^:g ^^^gg:^i;g^^j^ ::gi ;g^:g^^ DAILY COLONIST AND CHROMCLE PllINT. TlCiL) * ■^ i ■ \ ■v VIC] H. *;■■ ■*, • Copy of (No Sir, transmit on tho SI ■ ■ ; Tho R & .-. ' J ; __, ' ■ ' i ' i; -. ' Sm, report re niercc, lu On bel <'': tlicse res( , cellency mit tho d / ;htT: Heni'y A( -'•y • I > ' : U;-.!^;- ' \<.'i fr:'.gM I ■ FIRST REPORT OF THF VICTORIA, Y.I., CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND H. E. GOVERNOR SEYMOUR'S DESPATCH RESPECTING IT. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Kennedy, C.B., to tlic Right ITonoiirablo Edward Caudwell, M.P. ^ (No. 15.— Separate. Victoria, March 21, 18G5.; • I '• (lleceived May 15. 1865.) • Sir, Referring; to my Despatch No,' 14,* of this date, I have the honor to transmit certain resolutions and a report of the Chamber of Commerce of Victoria on the subject of union witli Britisli Columbia. (,y pj I have, &c., ':.. The Right lion. Edward Cardwell, M.P., (Signed) A. E. KENNEDY, "; &c. &c. &c. . Governor. Sir, Enclosure in No. 7. ' Chamber of Commerce, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Rfarch 0, 1805. Herewith 1 have the honor lo hand you a sovios of resolutions, and a report relative thereto, passed unanimously at a meeting of the Chamber of Com- merce, held on the (ith instant, and signed by the members. On behalf of the Chamber, I have to beg that you will be good enough to lay these resolutions before his p]xcellency the Governor, with tiic request that his Ex- cellency will be pleased to comply with the prayer therein contained, and to trans- mit the documents to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. I have, &c., (Signed) Jules David, Henry Wakeford, Esq., President of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Acting Colonial Secretary. (Signed) A. F. Main, Secrettiry. Victoria, Vancouver Island, Marcli 0,^865. The committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce to draft a series of reso- lutions on the subject of union with British Columbia,- as viewed in connexion with the now tarilf, respectfully submit the following resolutions and report for the con- sideration of the Chamber : Resolved, — I. That an equitable union of the Colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island at as early a date as possible is essential to the maintenance of imperial and local interests in the British possessions of the North Pacific. jLii:;C6r 4 " CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORT. . ' 2. That tho Chamber of Coramerco adheres, nevertheless, to its resolutions on the subiect of tho free port lately adopted, beliovin^^ that the interests of tho two Colonies, whether united or separate, will bo best maintained by the preserviv tioD in its integrity in this Island of the free trade policy hitherto pursued. 3. That these resolutions, with the annexed report, bo signed by the whole of the members of the Chamber of Cominerco, and transmitted by tho president to hia Excellency the Governor, Avith tho prayer that they may bo forwarded for tho consideration of tho Secretary of State for the Colonies, with the resolutions of tho House of Assembly on tho same subject. passed unanimously at a gonoral meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held the 6th day of March, 18G5. 1. In adopting the foregoing resolutions tho members of tho Chamber of Commerce of Victoria, Vancouver Island, representing as thoy do the cliiel jjart of the capital that has been invested in the joint development of IJritish Columbia and Vancouver Island, deem it proper to place on record tho facts and circumstances that necessi- tate their present expression of opinion. 2. Prior to the year 1858 the British possessions in the North Pacific attracted but slight attention ; tho trading posts and forts of the Hudson's Bay Company, and a low farming establishments on Vancouver Island under their control being tho only inducements for commerce, which, therefore, remained entirely in the hands of the company by whom Vancouver Island was thou held under a charter from the Crown. 3. The discovery of gold on the Fraser River in 1858, and the largo floating popu- lation it attracted, chiefly from California and Oregon, gave an entirely new impetus to commerce. Merchants and traders followed the new community with capital and enterprise to supply its requirements in the quickest manner and from the most con- venient point. 4. Tho action of the Hudson's Bay Company in its corporate capacity, as well as of the several members in their individual interests, proves conclusively that from the first the main land and Vancouver Island were regarded as identical, and their separation, as a temporary condition of imperial policy, arising out of the grant of the Island to the Company. j 5. Victoria, as early as 1843, was selected by the Hudson's Bay Company as the most eligible spot for carrying on business in North-west America to the best advan- tage, and the merchants who followed them in 1858 ratified the wisdom of that choice. 6. It should be borne in mind tnat there were many reasons why American mer- chants should have settled by preference on the opposite coast, and should have thus derived on their own territory the privileges for a coasting trade as well as of im- porting American produce duty free ; there were the further inducements of good town sites, excellent hai'bors, and access to British Columbia overland ; but Vic- toria, with the prestige of a free port, ofiered greater advantages still. 7. The commanding nature of its geographical position, its convenient and capa- cious harbors of Victoria and Esquimalt — tho only safe harbours on the sea-board north of San Francisco, a distance of 700 miles, and approachable at all times by night or day for sea-going ships of any burthen — the comparatively largo area of open land in its vicinity j its proximity to the coal-fields of Nauaimo, and its tern- Eerate and delightful climate, all indicated it as a natural depot, from whence might e supplied not only the requirements of British Columbia, but of Paget Sound, Oregon, California, Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, the Russian possessions in the • North Pacific — all of which have since become the customers of Victoria, and give promise of increasing trade— and thus to build up an entrepot for British commerce and influence, the vast results of which, in course of time, can only be matter of con- jecture, occupying as Victoria docs a most important position in what, when over- solutions on the •CHts of tho two y tlic prcscrva- rto ])ursucd. the whole of the president to his rwardcd for tho the resolutions mnerco h rival lowns on tlio ndjuceul Aiiicriwui torriU ,7 to tlio Hatrrilico ol IJritish inloi'cst in tim Norlli I'licilic. 22. 'I'lio iiKiinbcrs of llio Clmnilicr of ('> mtnorco of Victoria, Viincoiivci- Island, viow witli siir|)i'i-^o and aHtonisliincnt llio |iu-!sing' of cnachnciiis l»y tlio liCi^iHJativo Council of IJiilisii ColniMltiii iiilcntioMully unta^oniHtic to Victoria, from whence tiio gi'cat i)ro|)ortion of capital tliat lian been and still is oinployod in trading, mininj^ and other ontorpriscs in DritiMJi Columbia, has been supplied on a very liberal credit, and where it is still owned, there not being ut this moment one singlo im- porting mercantile establl-^hment throughout that Colony. 23. The annexed tariff recently ])assed by the Legislative Council of Hritlsli Columbia, and put into operation the surae day, without any notice to the mercantilo community, most clearly indicates a desire to sacrifico the material interest of the Colony of British Columbia at large, provided that in so doing a blow is aimed that will elevate New Westminster at the expense of Victoria. 24. It is certain that the miners, traders, and packers of British Columbia, who arc chiefly affected by this measure, arc not sharers in tiic feeling of opposition against Vancouver Island prevalent at Now Westminster ; such of them as were in Victoria have already given expression to their views at a public meeting, and petitions are in active circulation against it. * 25. Another instance may be cited as evincing the Kpii'it of antagonistic legisla- tion, in compelling vfssels iVom Victoria, bound for the N.W. coast of British Columbia, to proceed 27 miles up the river to New Wciritminstcr, at great risk and loss of time (in the case of largo craft involving the additional delay of going and returning 70 miles each way, as the inner passage by Johnson's Strait is only available for small vessels or steamers), for the simple purpose of entering and clearing, instead of l)eing allowed as heretofore to clear from Victoria. 26. It frequently happens that sailing vessels, so bound, are unable, fi'om ico in winter, and from freshets in summer, to reach New Westminster at all. A case recently occurred, as set forth in the declarations in the appendix, in which a schooner bound for Queen Charlotte Island with supplies for some .'liners supposed to be shori of provisions, could not enter the Frascr owing to the ico. She went round to Burrard Inlet, from whence New Westminster has constantly received sup- plies when the river was closed, a distance of seven miles overland from New Westminster, was refused a clearance, unless she came to New Westminster, and ultimately returned to Victoria ; in this particular instance the action of the au- thorities may prove to have been fatal to life. 27. From such ill-advised legislation most serious issues must spring, and it is the deliberately expressed opinion of this Chamber that the paramount interest of the Imperial Government in the North Pacific will be seriously jeopardised by it. 28. The want of concord between two Colonies in such close proximity, whose limited populations arc mutually dependent on each other, can only result in access of strength to our American neighbour at the expense of British influence in a quarter of the Avorld where it is needless to state that influence ought to be fostered to tlie utmost, .' 29. Finally, as bearing on the question of union with British Columbia, public opinion in opposition to the views of this Chamber, seems to be Avavering and unstable on the question of free trade, and it is obvious that unless that policy is adhered to, the natural advantages of Vancouver Island can only be made available by the establishment of perfect harmony and union of interest between it and British Columbia. 30. In view of which, and regarding the general progress of the two Colonies as far above mere local considerations, the members of the Chamber of Commerce of Victoria, Vancouver Island, can only see in equitable union a practical solution of esistioi difficiUtics, and while feoliog that Victoria as a free port depot, established I DECLARATIONS. II tlio niljui^cnl icilic. (•(Mivor iHliiinl, lio ]i('jj;i.slalivo ,, IVoin wIkmico 'ading, milling 1 very liberal iiio siiij^lo im- icil of Hritlsli the niercantilo intercut of tlio blow is aimed Dolnnibia, who of opposition lem as were in c uiooting, ami :oiiistic logisla- )ast of IJritish great risk and y of going and 1 Strait is only if entering and ia. )le, from ico in at all. A case iix. in which a incrs supposed CO. She went ly received sup- iid from New jstminster, and tion of the au- )ring, and it is unt interest of rdised by it. oximity, whose osult in access influence in a to be fostered )lumbia, public wavering and s that policy is made available etwecu it and 5V0 Colonies as Commerce of ical solution of )ot, established with so much forethought and nmintaiiuid at such cost, to the Hubstaiitial benefit of Uritish (/((lunibia as well as of Vancouver Island, may lio wcalconcd for a time, they an* content to leave the solutiitn of tl;e whole (piestion to ihe wisdom of Her Majcrtty's (Jlovernment, fooling sure that the true interest ol all parties will bo care- fully estimated and provided for. Adopted unanimously at a general meeting of tho Chamber of Coauncrce held the sixth day of March, 18G5. DROLARATION or THR PRRBn)RNT AMD tiBCntCTARY Of TUB QUKRN OltAllLOTTtll MiNINd CoMI'ANT, LlMlTKf). i: Tho company hare bud luon nt the minoR since June Inat whoso time lind exp^cd. Some delay hiid already occurred in pending a roasel witli snpplioR for thorn. Thoy were duppotied to be nearly out of provisions and clolhini^, and it was a innttor of necessity Ihntu vcd^^ol should bu sent to tbein, 2. We were pngont at a meeting of the board of Directors held on 2 Ist January, at which a resolu^ tion was passed authorizing tho secrutary " to contract with a visBil Hi fio to tliu niiites and bring back tho men there, and all tools and moveable property of tho rompauy." D. The schooner "Onward" was chartered for the purposes specilicd in tho resolution on the 2Gth Jiiniiiiry, and despatched tne following duy. 4. The schooner returned to this port fin or about tho 7th February, in coiiPPfiuciico of being ro-* fused ft clearance at the custom house nt New Westniitisier. 5. The delay in sending a vessel may be faiul to the nieii, and is extniiioly detrimeutal to the inter* cats of the company. C. The provisions shipped on board wuro intended for tho use of tho men returning, and tho value of them was $64 90*100. 7. And I, Robert George, farther declare that the paper writing marked "A" la tho original memorandum of agreement made with Uugb McKay, the captain and owner of tho British schooner "Onward," and the paper writing marked "B" is the original receipt for all the goods shipped by the Queen Oharlotte Mining Company on board the said vessel. And we, Robert Burnaby and Robert Qeorge, do solemnly and sincerely declare that the above-mentioned statement is true and correct, and we maice this deolaratioa conscientiously believini; the same to be true. ' ROHBUT BuiiNAnY, ' ■ ' President, Queen Charlotte Mining Company, Limited. RonKBT Oeough, Secretary, Queen Charlotte Mining Compary, Limited; Declared before me at Victoria, Vancouver Island, this eighth day of March, A.D. 18G5, in due form of law. Quod attestor. . • Seal. J- M. W. Tyrwhitt DaAKB, ^ Notary Public. ,.■... '•, '' " A. • /'■ . .; -.■■•'/,' This agreement, made this 2Cth day of Januory, 18G5, by nnd between Hugh McKay, master and owner of the schooner " Onward," of the first part, and Uie Queen Charlotte Mining Company, Limited, of the second part, witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of $'J25 agreed to bn paid by the party of the second part on the completion of this agreement, the party of tho first part will pro- ceed without delay to tho company's mines at Sokalu Harbour, Queen Charlotte Island, and will remain there long enough to take on board and will take on board tlie men to the number of at least three, now or then at the mines, and also all and any material, tools, stores, or other articles belonging to the company, which the foreman of the company may direct, nnd bring the same with as little delay us possible to the port of Victoria and alongside a convcnieLt wharf at said port, and deliver tho same to the said party of the second part, or their agents or assigns. And the said parly of the second part agrees to pay tlie said sum of $225 on the dfilivcry of ihe said raattrial, tools, stores and articles, and landing of said men. Dated in Victoria, Vancouver Island, this 2Gth January, 18G5. Hdqu McKay. James Duncan, Witness; For the Queen Charlotte Mining Company, Limited, R. GBORaB, Secretary. Tblp la the dloomneot marked A', referred to ia tho annexod declaration, dated 8th March, 1865. Ml W. TvBwmTi Drakb, Notary PubJio, ii I Seal, t f DRfJLARATIOira. ., . n. , . .... '^ VicToniA, Vancouver liUnil, Jiinii«r]r 20, IftCH. ' ' SMriTKK ill Kooil orilrr hy Hpoiborg and UinlT, on bo»rJ the "OnwHrd," whorrof Mr. MoK.^y ta nf>»i»l«r, liiid lioiiiid fur (^ 0. M. (lo., the foJIowinjt |iii(;k(i|if)i (the (iMiRfTH ot (ire iirnl iiuvl«i\(ion fci" ccjili'il) toiiiitiiiiil 10 (/, (!, M Co., of Q. C. hlanJ, ikiid markcJ Q. U. M. t)iie bt)l. rioiir, One I'll. Hiicon. -i , OtioHk. Uoftna. One Pkg. SundrlM.' ,/ One Hbl. Moliusei. Two Hoxob Uresd . '. Ono Sk. Potatoes, This \i tbn dncumont ninrkcd H, rnforred to in the aunexcd declaration ot Robert liurnuby and Robert (Jcorgo, dittcd Utb March, luCS. M: W. Tvbwhitt DnAKM, Notary Public. To ALL TO WHOM TIIKflK PliRmNTH SUAIJ, COMB,— I, Muntnguo Williiim Tyrwhitt Drako, Notary Public, duly autliori/.ed, admitted, and sworn roBiding ftiid iiiactlHiiii; in Vict.oria, VHiicoiiver Island, do hereby certify llmt llujth McKiiy, iitrfloiially Itnuwri to iiiu, n|i|UMirud liefore inn and nigncd the declarntion hereto annexed, In duo form of law, and that the name ' Ilu(;h MrK'ay " thereto aubicribed is of the proper handwritinic tf the said Hugh McKay. . _, .. r , , In faith and testimony whereof, 1, the said notary, have lii-rounto get my name and nflixed my seal of ofllce. Dated in Victoila aforesaid, the twentyfiret ' ■'' "■• • - •• '<' ■. i I ' • '• ^' day of February, A.D. 19C5. ^ ••«< •'' > ' M. W. Tybwhitt Drikb, Notary Public. I Seal. I Ij. DBCtAiiATioM OP Hoan Mc^'av, Master and Owner of tbo British Scboonpr " Onward," of Victoria, Vaucourer Island. I am raaater and owner of the British schooner " Onward." I made a written agreement on the 2(5th January last with the Queen Charlotte Mining Company, Limited, to go to their mines at Quoon Charlotte Island, and bring thence to Victoria three men ond the material loft there. I took on board goods to the value of $1C0, all of which were "stores," except two bhls, molassea and Jive boxes bread, of the value of about [$57 00] 5T dollars. I sailed and reached the entrance of Fraser river and attempted to got up to New Westminster, to clear my goods, but found so much float ice coming down the river, that I did not dare to risk my TCHsel against it. I went out of the river and round to Burrard's Inlet, to which place vessels customarily go in tho winter, when they cannot reach Now Westminster by the river. From my anchorage there I sent over my manifest and clearance, and money to pay duties. The custom house ofTioor asked if those [on the manifest] were all tho goods on board. My messeno ger replied all, except " grub," but they could send an officer over and examine. He was then told to bring over a list of everything on board. He returned to tho veEBel.|and I made out a list of all the stores and everything I had on board, even to a bottle of pepper, and sent the man back with it, telling him if they would not send an ofTiccr over and clear mo for tho north, then to get a clearance back to Victoria, Upon his arrival with this list, after some debate about sending an ofRcer over, they finally said that they could not clear any vessel for the north, except the vessel herself was brought to New Westminster, After much difficulty they gave me a clearance for Victoria. I lost 10 days in the trip and the contract with the Queen Charlotte Mining Company. From tho anchorage to New Westminster my man had to go eight miles in a canoe, and then six miles over a trail through mud and ice, and this back and forth four times. And I make this solemn declaration consciontionsly believing tho same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act made and passed in tho sixth year of the reign of His lute Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled An Act to amnnd an Act of tho present session of Parliament, entitled an Act for the more effectual abolition of oaths and afHrmations taken and made in various departments of the State, and to substitute declarao tions in lieu thereof, and for the more entire suppression of voluntary and extra'-judicial oaths and allidavits, and to make other provisions for the abolition of unnecessary oaths. Huoh McKay. Declared in daa form of law, this 21 8t day of February, A.D. 1805, . ., before me, s .' - M. W. TyftWHiTTDRAKB, Notary Pnbllo! DRITJSR COL0MUIA TARIFF. ft» pof Mr, MdK.«v i* U iMvvigitdon bz« )ort liurnuby nuJ 'fotnrj Public, mittod, nnil gvrorn McKiiy, iiuraoiinlly ) fi)rn) of law, nod if the Niiid llugli nnnto sot my nuniR ' Onward," J Mining Company, ria tbree mcu and two bills, molassoa iw Weetminstor, to I dare to risk my smarily go in tho pay duties. )oard. My messeno lo was tben told to had on board, even not send an oiHccr lis arrival with this :ouUl not clear any mpany. From the n six miles over a solemn declaration an Act made and intituled An Actio Tcctual abolition of substitute declaraM -judicial oaths and Hugh McKay. • ■ • • ■ ■ ■ V. a. ' ' ■ . . '■ , Vo, 3.— A.< UnDiNAMoa to amino tui Ddtim or Oustomi. [I. lib I'ebruary, 1H05.) Whibiab it Is oxpediont in (omo reipocti to alter tho duties of customs as now by law established in Dritlsb Columbia, anil to nial J. P. for (88 the case may be). VI. If no appraiser is appointed to any port of entry, the collector there shall act as appraiser, but without taking any special oath of office as such; and the Governor may ot any timo direct any apiiraiscr to attend at any port er plnco, for the purpose of valuing any goods, or of acting as apx prainer there during any time, which such appraiser shall accordingly do witbout taking any now oath of office, and every appraiser sUall be deemed an officer of the customs. 7 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA TARIFF. Til. la all cflBos whero any duty is iraposad on any goods or things imported into this Colony ac* cording to the valae of such goods, such value shiill be understood to be the fair market raluo thereof in the principal markets of the country whence the same were last shipped or exported direct to this Colony, and the collector and appraiser shall, by ull reasonable ways and means a tbeir power, ascertain the fair value of such goods as aforesaid, and estimate the value for duty accordingly. VIII. The d'lties hereby imposed shall be deemed to be cuRtoms duties, in all respects subject to the Customs Consolidation Act, 1853, the Supplemental Cust n:; Consolidation Act, 1855, and this Otdinancn ; and shall be under tho care and n-anagemont of the collector of customs for the time being for tbo Colony, who by b'mself and hia officers shall have nil the powers and authorities for the collection, recovery, and management thereof, as are under or by virtue of the said Cuatoma Coun solidation Acts, or either of them, or this or any other Act, Ordinance, or Proclamation, vested in the said collect'^r for the collection, recovery, and management of duties of customs, and all other powers and authorities requisite for levying the said duties. IX. Every evasion, or attempt at evasion of, or offence committed by any person or persona to defeat the payment of any of the duties hereby made payable on any goods or things imported into British Columbia (which shall include its dependencies) will, in addition to the peualties by this Ordinance imposed, be prosecuted and punished in tbo manner prescribed by the said Customs Consolidatioa Acts. X. This Ordinance shall bo cited as "The Customs Amendment Ordinance, 1865." Pitssed the Legislative Council this 15th day of February, A. D., 1865; Cbableb Good, Abtuub N. Birch Clerk. Presiding Member. Assented to, in Uor MRJesty's name, tbii« Fifteenth day of February, 1865. FbBDBRIOK SSTHOtJB, — — — Governor. SCHEDULE A. Ad valobkm Costoms Dotibs. Everything not enumerated under Schedules A., B., and C, shall be subject to a duty of 12} per cent I) It » II II II II II II AleandTorter 20 per cent Axes 12i Bacon 15 Barley I'-JJ Beans 20 Beef (salt) 12J Billiard and»Bagatelle Tables 12} Bitters 40 Blankets 20 Boots and Shoos 15 Bread 15 Bricks 12} Butter 15 •Candles 20 Caniphene 12} Oheese 15 Chocolate 12} Cider 12} Clothing 15 Colfee, gieen 15 Do. mniniifactured 20 Confectionery 12} Cordials 12} Drugs and Cbemicals 20 Dried Fi^ih 30 Dry Goods IB » u'. ;:' I <■■ V ■' ^. Spirits and Distilled Liquors cf all kinds, for every gallon imperial measure, of fall strength or less than full strength of proof by Sykes hydrometer Avd so on in proportion for any greater strength than proof. And on the value thereof at the place from whenca last imported Chinese Medicated Wine and Spirits, per gallon Earthenware 12} per cent Fish (preserved) ... 12} „ Fire Arms 12} ,, Flour : 15 „ Fruits (preserved)... 12} „ Furniture (excepling that us provided for in Schedule C.) ... 12} ,, Glass and Glassware 12} „ Groceries (not oth-ers wise provided for) 12} Gunpowder 15 Hardware and Iron- mongery 12} llnrnesfc and Saddleryl2} Iron and Steel 12} Lard 15 Leather 12} Lime 12} Meat (preserved) ... 12} Molasses 12} Nails 12} Nuts and Almonds .. 12} Oils 15 Ortts 12} Opium 50" Paints ., 12} II II II II II It II II II II II >i II Potatoes 12} per cent Pork (salt 10 „ Quicksilver , 12} „ Rice 20 Rope and Cordage... 12} Shot 12} Soap 12} Stationery 12} Sugar 20 Tar and Pitch 12} Tea 25 Tin and Tinware ... 12} Tobacco 30 Vegetables 12} Do. (preserved) 12} Waggons 12} Wheat 10 Window Sashes and Doors 10 Wiae, Champagne... 40 „ Claret 25 ,, Various 25 Woodware 12} Yeast Powders 12} Playing Cards 50 II II 11 II II II II II II 11 II II II SCHEDULE B. Ad VALonBM and Si ^cipio. \ And on the value thereof nt the ., , plncb from whence last im^ ported 20 per cent. Cigars and Cheroots, per 100 . 4s. 2d. Gs. And on the value thereof at the place from whence last imported 20 per cent Specific. 20 per :f nt. Bulla, Cows, Calves, Oxen, Horses, Asses, and Mules, per head , 4s. 2d. " ' C>3. Sheep, Goats and Hogs, per head 28. Id. ' All mat Implemen be nted it aad Manui belonging also all go of British command excepted f for makinf I into thia Oolonj rg. market value thereof lorted direct to this tans a their power, y accordingly. 1 respects subject to Act, 1855, and this :u8toms for the time d authorities for the 6aid Customn Oodn lation. Tested in the ind all other powers or persona to defeat nported into British IS by this Ordinance stoma Oonsolidatioa 5." 1865; BiRCB residing Member, lary, 1866. 3K Sbthocr, Governor. luty of 12J percent 12J per cent 10 „ ' 12i „ 20 lage... 12J „ m ,, 12} ., 12J „ 20 „ 12} „ 25 re ... 12} „ 30 ••• 12} „ )rved) 12} „ m „ " 10 ,. 8 and 10 gne... 40 ,, 25 25 12} „ 12} „ 50 GOVERNOR Seymour's despatch. SCHEDULE 0. 11 t the im- . 20 per cent. . 43. 2d. ; the srted 20 per cent rses, ■ 49. 2d. ' lead 2s. Id. ' Abticlib Fbib of Dutt. All materials required for ship or boat bailding, all kinds of Machinery, Pig Iron, Agrienltaral Implements, Coin, Fresh Fish, Frait Poultry alive or dead, Seeds and bulbs, and roots of plants to be used in agriculture and not as ■ .1, Coals, Eggs, Hay, Salt, Lumber, empty Ounny Sacks, Printed RBd Manuscript Books and Papers, aggage and Apparel, Household Furniture which has been in use, belonging to and arriving with bona fidt immigrants, and professional apparatus of passengers. And also all goods, animals, anti articles whatsoever, imported for the public service, or uses of the Colony of British Columbia, or for the use of Her Majesty's Laud or Sea Forces, or of any person holding any command or appointment in Her Majesty's Forces aforesaid : Provided always that all articles so excepted from duty as above mentioned, are the property of passengers and officers, for use, and not for making a profit by the sale thereof. No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Seymour to the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M. P. New Westminster, March 21, 1865. (Received, June 29, 1865.) Sir, I HAVE the honour to forward a printed Paper of which I have become accidentally possessed, containing certain resolutions passed and statements made by the Chamber of Commerce at Victoria. 2. You will observe that these resolutions and statements, which attribute some- what unworthy motives to the GoverniiiCnt of this Colonj', were transmitted to you before I became oificially aware of their existence. I feci that I should be neglect- ing my duty to Her Majesty's Government and to Britisli Columbia were I to pass unnoticed statements emanating from a respectable source, and which have been published with something approaching to accuracy in the daily periodicals of the neighbouring Colony. Of the resolutions, had they been unsupported by the state- ments, I should not have had to complain. They are the expression of the opinion of a beaten parly. You are aware that the candidates on the Free Port side were rejected at the last Victoria elections. The beaten party have, however, the sup- port of the people of Vancouver, in so far as they advocate a union with this Colony. With us, the Legislative Council has on more than one occasion unani- mously protested against the proposed connexion. 3. I will pass over the earlier portions of the statements, but must pause when I reach the assertion that Victoria — I have no word to say against Esquimalt — possesses " a capacious and convenient harbour, approachable at all times, by night or day, for sea-going ships of every burthen." I must refer on this point to the highest authority I can procure, that of Captain Richards, R. N., the present Hydrographer to the Navy. In his sailing directions for Vancouver Island, page 20, I find, " The entrance to " Victoria Harbour is shoal, narrow, and intricate, and with S.W. or S.E. gales a heavy rolling swell sets on the coast, which renders the anchorage outside unsafe, while vessels of burthen cannot run in for shelter unless at or near high water. Vessels drawing 14 or 15 feet may, under ordinary circum- stances, enter at such times of tide, and ships drawing 17 feet of water have entered, though only at the top of spring tides." Captain Richards proceeds to state that in the harbour " the space is so confined and tortuous, that a long ship has great difficulty in making the necessary turn ; a large pcr-centage of veshcls entering the port, small as well as large, constantly run aground from these causes." Further on, " it appears not a little remarkable that, with the excellent liarbour of Esquimalt within two miles, Victoria should have been continued as the commercial port of a rising Colony, whose interests cannot but suffer materially from the ri?ks and delays which shipping must encounter in approaching the com- B f r 12 •' doVERNon Seymour's despatch. mercial capital." Ho concludes his notice of the harbour, while allowing that Victoria suited tho former wants of the' Hudson's Bay Company, " it has been a faial mistake at a later dato not to have adopted Esquimalt as the commercial capital." 4. I will add my own personal testimony, though entirely unnecessary, to that of Captain Richards. After threading in safety by tlio .;hart and com[)as3 on a dark | • niglit, tlie narrow channels among the islands of the O'llf of Georgia, I Lave found myself scaixjely able to dotenniue which of the indentations of tij<3 coast was the Harbour of Victoria. No light of any kind marks its entrance, aud in a small steamer, drawing but 3 feet inches, we have shared tlie fate of the " large per- centage of vessels, small as " well as large," and run aground. 5. I wish to dispose of the questions relating to natural features, raised by the Chamber of Commerce, before following their arguments into political matters. Having thus lauded tho harbour of Victoria, they proceed to deal iu a less generous manner with Fraser River. The statements assert that the " intricate, narrow, and uncertain channel " through the sand heads at the mouth of the Eraser is available only for ships drawing l() feet of water at the utmost, and then requiring the assist- ance of steam." They go on to speak of the "• sul)so(|ueut danger and delay attend- ing river navigation to New Westminster, tl") currents during the summer's freshets being very rapid." Either the Cliambor of Commerce of Victoria or the Hydrographer of tho Navy is very much mistaken. 1 beg leave to refer to page 97 of the book already quoted : " Fraser River, in {)oint of magnitude and present commercial importance, is second only to the Columbia on the North-west Coast of America. In its entire freedom from risk of life and shipwreck, it possesses inliuitc advantages over any otlier river on the coast, aud tho cause of this immunity from the dangers and inconveniences to which all gient rivers em]-)tying themselves on an exposed coast arc sulycct is sullicicntly obvious." Captain Richards tlien alludes to the " (l\ed and unvarying character of the shoals through which this magnificont stream pursues its uudevious course into the Gull' of Georgia ; and there can be little doubt that it is destined at no disLant period to fulfd to the utmost, as it is already partially fulfiiling, tho purposes for wliich nature meaut it — the outlet for the products of a great country." In descending tho stream on reaching Langley, . 12 miles above New Westminster, Captain Richards finds that " the river 1)ecomes a broad, deep, and placid stream, and, except during the three sumuior months, the influence of the (lood stream is generally felt, and vcst;els of any drauglit may con- veniently anchor. The depth is 10 t'atlionis ; the current not above three knots. Vessels of from 18 to 20 feet draught may enter the Fraser, and proceed as high as Langley, or a few miles above it, with eufc^c, provided tliey have or are a;5sistcd liy steam power. The only diihculty is at the entrance, aud that is easily overcome by providing i>llots and the means of maintaining the buoys in their position." The Chamber of Commerce speaks of tlie " intricate, iiarrow, and uucortaiu ''" entrance. 1 have already quoted Captain Richards' expression of " undevious." He adds later, " that the stream has forced an almost sLvaii:!;lit though narrow iiassasie." I may strengthen the refutation of the alleged " uncertainty ' of the entrance. 1 had the channel recently rc-surveycd by Mr. Pendei', it.N., cliargedwith tho Admiralty survey of this coast. He fonud that it 1 ad sustained scarcely any appreciable change since the passage wiis Urst marked out on tiie settlement of the Colony. 6. The statements made by the Chamber of Connuerco on matters susceptible of proof are somewhat remarkable. 1 hardly assume, in a body profes^in,'.' to re- present the commercial capital and intelligence of the two Colonics, an iguoranco of a book of sailing directions for their coasts, '■published," a^ iho title page would show them, " by Order of the Lords Commissioners of the Adminlty." If Captain Richards is :■. error, aud his sailing directions calculated to lead shi[is into danger, hia statements ought, iu the interest of jommcrce, to have boon boldly met. JJut lie has bee lie by the 7. Altho he utmost Muanating to doubt t! horefore, i closed lett Pacific Sq •' Tribune,' 'ommnrcc 8. Admi IraAving 19 tommunica tonnage." passes niaji fiiuch sinoo >a by east Hecondly, t fnarks can Thirdly, th I* Fourthly, [n both riv Drecautionr- lave no dif 9. In lea In showing arks the ( t my duty i aving tak( rawing frc hannel be .'ho Chamb ilford wr( rdered out ut in thos( raser. 10. I adn ictoria, b rritation a isc destin( ystom und( arbour of certain i hrec week,- ortion of 1 11. The Jolony was logitimato i 12. I am DO make t\i Mountains, praser, and }f British < OOVERNOR SEYJ^IOaR'S DESPATCH. 'Ti.M- 13 I UJl-li>. rhilc allowing that .ny, " it lias been a IS tilts commercial ocessary, to that of com{)ass on a dark >rgia, I 1 ave found tlic coast wa3 the ice, and in a small of the " large per- ures, raised by the hag been left aside unnoticed, and assertions directly opposed to those made pub- lic by flic Adinii-alty liavo been olTlcially forwarded to you. 7. AUhouEfh my own considorablo yachting experience has led me to rely with ho utmost conridoiice upon Ca[)taiii Richards' directions, I feel that statements 'inanatii;;^ from a Chamber of Commerce arc at least entitled, whore I allow myself doubt their correctness, to the rc.-^pect which requires care in refutation. I add, liorofore, in support of the directions of the Ilydrographor of tlie Navy, tho en- loscd letters from Vice-Admiral Kingcomo, lately Commander-in-Chief of the 'acific Squadron, and Captain Lord Gilford, commanding Her Majesty's ship Tribune," authorities worthy surely of weight with tho Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Tliesc letters wore published in the official Gazette of this Colony. 8. Admiral Kingcome notices that the arrival of Her Majesty's ship '• Tribune," political matters. -Mrawing 19 feet inches, opjiosito this town, most conclusively proves " that direct ,iu a less generous •icate, narrow, and Fraser is available 3quiring the assist- • and delay attend- ing the summer's of Victoria or the 76 to refer to page ttitude and present orth-west Coast of t po.sscsgcs intiuite lis immunity from a: themselves on an rds then alludes to 1 tliis magnificent and tlierc can be lie utmost, as it is it — tlie outlet ft)r caching Langley, the 1 ivof 1)ccomcs mnor months, the draught may con- )Ovo tlircc Icnolp. )rocced as high as or arc ar^sistcd l.)y isily overcome by position," The crtaiu ■' entrance, vious." lie adds row passage."' I cii trance. 1 had th the Admiralty ■ any appreciable the Coiony. ers t^usccptiblo of afossing to re- lics, an ignorance title page Avould ty." If'Captain lipB into danger, )0ldly met. But ommunication with New Westminster can be carried on by ocean ships of largo c." lie says further, " the approach to the entrance of Froser River pos- lessos many advantages o^'cr tluit of tlic Thames. In the first place, the water is nuch smoother, and it is not exposed to any sea such as that raised in the North ea by ea^^torly gale-?, which, in many instances, has caused tho loss of ships, "ccondly, there arc no outlying sands, and the channel is not near so tortuous, and narlcs can bo phiccd on tho land, which in the Thames is nearly impossible. Thirdly, tlio weather is much clearer, and the position of a ship more easily fixed." Fourthly, tho anchorage in English Bay i.'; far preferable to that in the Downs. Mn both rivers ships must wc.it for the tides, and with the same or even half the )rccaution3 in the Fraser that are used in the Thames a perfect stranger would lave no difficulty in taking ships drawing 19 or 20 feet to New Westminster." - 9. In leaving the river, tlie ■' Trilmnc " unfortunately grounded. Lord Gilford, n showing tliat the accident was caused by the dull white colour of a pole which narks the Channel, reports to the Commander-in-Chief on the station : " I deem t my duty, to state that, notwithstanding Her Majesty's ship under my command laving taken the ground on her outward passage, I am of opinion that vessels (rawing from 18 to 20 feet could enter the Fraser in perfect safety, provided the hannel be properly buoyed with mai '. s v,diich can be seen at a reasonable distance," ■L'ho Chamber of Commerce is aware that great improvements have, since Lord jrilford wrote, been made in marking the Channel ; that iron buoys have been )rdered out from England, and tenders are invited, not only in our local papers, )ut in those of Victoria, for tlin construction of a light-ship for tho mouth of the Eraser. ' 10. I admit tliat Esquimalt possesses all the advantages ascribed to it jointly with Victoria, but tho " fatal " mistake alluded to by Captain Richards now causes rritation and inconvenience in both Colonies. 1 can see no objection to merchan- lise destined for us being transhipped in Esquimalt, but I do object to the present ystcm under, which our traffic is artiiicially conducted up tho narrow and tortuous arbour of Victoria, causing a great loss of time and increase of expense. I have 10 certain information a.s to the amount of delay, but 1 believe that a fortnight to hrec weok.s elapses after the arrival of a siiip in Esquimalt harbour before any lortiou of her cargo reaches New Westminster. ''' '" '■'{ 11. The 12th paragraph states that under a former rule the advancement of each /olony was regarded as the benefit of the otiier. Un<]ucstioiiably, even now, the ogitimate advancement of each Colony is regarded as tho benefit of he other. ■''•■^ 12. I am in ignorance of tlie motives which induced Her Majesty's Government ;o make t\?-o Colonies of the British possessions to the westward of tho Uocky fountains, to lay out the plan of a city of vast dimensions near the mout\\ of the Eraser, and to sell the lots on tlie faith that on them would stand the future capital I British Columbia. If the mainland was to continue to bo the dependency of an 14 (iOVEUNOB SEYMOURS DE8PATCU. I. outlying island, no second capital was required, and steps ought boldly to liavc been taken, regardless ol tlic private interests of the Hudson's IJay traders and others, to erect a great coinnicrcial town on the fine harbour of Esquinialt. Unquestiona- bly, under the rule of my predecessor, Victoria became tlic principal Englisii port on this coast, and New AVcstminster commenced a retrograde course early in its history. It could hardly have been otherwise. The Governor and other public officers drew their full salaries Irom British Columbia and resided in Vancouver Island. Victoria escaped all indirect taxation, while heavy duties were collected on all articles consumed on the mainland. The Hudson's Bay Company ran their steam vessels to the Eraser to connect with the river steamers, and draw down to tho seat of government and of commerce the miners immediately on their arrival from tho gold fields. The San Francisco steamers called at Esquimalt only, and thus passengers for California had no inducement of any kind to remain even a few hours, voluntarily, in this Colony. While waiting for the steamers the miners spent their money in Victoria, and thus billiard rooms and drinking saloons arose, and the place acquired sufficient importance to depopulate New Westminster with- out attaining any solid foundation or considerable prosperity for itself. The Cham- ber of Commerce speaks of the trade with China, the Sandwich Islands, Russian America, and other places. How, if this be important, is it that the prospect of a portion of the traffic v'' British Columbia, taking the short and undevious route by tho Eraser, shakes the whole of Victorian society to its foundations, and causes a state of political ferment such as the island had never seen? Victoria did not attain any solid prosperity while having her interests set above those of this Colony and of the whole of Vancouver Island not included in her town lots. Let mo state how British Columbia fared. 13. 1 had not seen even in tho West Indies so melancholy a picture of dis- appointed hopes as New Westminster presented on my arrival. Here, however, there was a display of energy wanting in the tropics, and thousands of trees of the largest dimensions had been felled to make way for the great city expected to rise on the magnificent site selected for it. But the blight had early come. Many of the best houses were untenanted. The largest hotel was to let, decay appeared on all sides, and the stumps and lOgs of the fallen trees blocked up most of the streets. Westminster appeared, to use the miners' expression, " played out." 14. But it wonld have been urged, before the late excitement in Victoria, that tho two Colonies prospered, and that, therefore, it mattered but slightly if those who bought land in New Westminster were losers by the speculation. It is not for me to report on the condition of Vancouver Island, but I have to state that British Columbia did not prosper. You arc aware of tho passionate appeals for separation which camo from this Colony. The revenue of 1864 fell short of the estimate by X15,000, and, but for the accidental discovery of gold on tho Kootenay, at the close of the year, the receipts would have shown a deficiency of £21,000 on the estimated revenue. At tlie time of my taking over the government there was a local debt of £53,858, in addition to that incurred iu England, composed chiefly of Road Bonds and an overdrawn account at the Pank of British Columbia. The miners were not prosperous, and the labourers in Cariboo had diminished in number. What class was then thriving ? Merchants there are but few. The Chamber of Commerce states ''para. 22; that there is not at this moment a single importing mercantile es- tablishment throughout the Colony. Yet the number of traders who have taken advantage of the Insolvent Debtors' Act was one-third greater iu 1864 than in 1863. Perhaps, however, the country gentlemen who had introduced large capital and acquired land at a low price were the class who flourished whilf' other interests drooped. Not so, I regret to say, Prosperity has uot yet favoured their meri- torious labours, Tho l^ogialfi^ve Coupcil expressed a wish that some unpaid ??)S^giitmt03 Bboqld be ftppoijit^cl, I offorqd a comwisBioa to tbroe of the principal I GOVERNOR Seymour's despatch. 15 country gentlemen ; one accepted the office ; a second told nic Irankiy lie had sunk ovcrytliiri^, and was on the brink of insolvency, unless further remittances arrived Ironi Euf^'hind ; the third scut me in a statement of his circiunstancos, showing that, if pressed Ijy hia creditors, he would be unable to meet his liabilities. 15. This is tiio state upon which British Columbia entered tlio Ijondoti niarhot as an applicant for a further loan of £100,000. What security had it to olfor? The merchants of Victoria were in no way liable ; the miners, owners of llio most valuable claims, have no habitation in the Colony. The statement respecting the importing mcrcliants is not wide of the truth. Our creditors have, therefore, but the hard pressed owners of the soil to depend on. 16. It will hardly be cause for surprise if a document which deals loosely with facts should exhibit carelessness when it comes to deal with motives. Tlic Chambei* of Commerce, without any communication with myself or the Legislature of this Colony, state that our recent legislation has been " intentionally antagonistic to Victoria." This view was adopted at a public meeting held in that town. I enclose a copy of the petition which they originated and of my reply. The Legis- lative Council attached so little weight to the signatures, that the petition was not even taken up by the House. My answer will, I trust, dispose of the statements in the 23rd paragraph. As to the dissatisfaction supposed in the 24th to exist, I may at once say, tiiat mincis, like other men, are not partial to taxation, but that, although tliey have been worked upon in ever} way by tiie political agitators of Victoria, the only public manifestations of feeling which avo have seen recently were the receiving the steamer (which, I believe, brought up the pt'tiliuii) in New Westminster with three groans for the Hudson's Bay Company, whose agents aro prominent among the agitators against recent legislation. The last batch of miners on landing here spontaneously gave three cheers for the Governor, whom, had they attended to the directions of the Victoria press, they would have oj)posed by all means, fair or unfair. Immediately after cheering the Governor, three cheers were given for Mr. O'Reilly, the Gold Commissioner of Cariboo, who had, in tlio Coun- cil, taken a prominent part in recent legislation. 17. The 25th paragraph alludes to the circumstance of vessels having to clear at New Westminster instead of Victoria for the north-west trade. I would venture to call your attention to the Duke of Newcastle's Despatch, No. 33, of 15th June, 1860, which state?, what the Chamber of Commerce is well aware of, that the col- lecting of duties at Victoria on vessels bound for this Colony cannot be enforced. If the Commerce of Vancouver Island is put to inconvenience by coming up the Fraser, I can only say it is by the action of my predecessor. His proclamation of 2nd June, 1859, declares New Westminster to be the only port of entry in the Colony. I have induced the Legislative Council to give me, by ordinance, the power of creating additional ports, and I shall avail myself of its provisions in relief of the north-west trade. 18. You will observe in the 26th paragraph a minute acf"^unt of the incon- venience and loss to which a vessel was exposed by having no alternative but to clear tit New Westminster when the doing so became physically impossible on ac- count of the ice in the river. I send a statement of the case, made by the collec- tor of customs at this port, from which you will observe how widely inaccurate aro the statements of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ilamley also disproves all the assertions respecting the closing of the river by ice for four months in the winter. Without further explanation let me simply say that, during an ofiicial cxpoi iencc of upwards of 20 years, I have not met with a series of statements so carelessly mado by so respectable a body. 19. But I take this carelessness or absence of candour as the most convincing proof of the earnogtnoss of the signers, There must be groat feeling ; respectable mon mu3t suffer mwoli hoforo thoy allow tboroselvea to deviate, however Bllghtly, 16 OOTBR^IXJR, ,SE71^qU^'9 , D^SP^CH, from the strict paths of truth. , I)oubtlcgs, the old position of the racrchanta of Victoria, ongrosaiug tlio whole traffic of British Columbia witliout sharinfif in its bunions, was an onviublo oao, but tlic larger Colony languished and grow weaker under tlio operation, and threatened to deprive Victoria of its commerce by simply relapsing info wildorncsB. Let us Iiojjo that a time will ere long arrive, when, sharing e(jimlly in the public burdens, the merchants of Victoria may derive a solid prosperity from the increased ^ igour which a respite f^om the exactions of absentee traders will give this Colony- ' ,'. 20. I enclose an article from the North Pacific Timea, of the 17th March, on the subject of the resolutions and statcmoats jf the Ohambcr of Qpminerce. (Signed) The Riglit Hon. Edward CardwoU, M. M., &c. &c. &c. I have, &c., FREDERICK SEYMOUR. i 1 './■ij'.., -., . ','/ '. ■. .1 ? • ,. ■ :.r;- •:') ',( " . ' ■ i >. '-M :c. J "if- 17 To the President and Members of the Chamber of Commerce of Victoria, Vahcbuver Island, The Coramittce"apxpo"intcd])y the "Obamiye^^^ examine into the statements cpntained in a Despatch from His "Excellency Frederick Seymour, Gov- ernor of British Colmnhia, dated New Westminster, 21st March, 1865, respecting a Report issued by the Chamber of Commerce on tlic proposed union of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, dated Marcli 6th, 1865, and which report was transjTiitted. through His Excellency Governor Kennedy to the Secretary of State for the' Colonies, beg to report : — 1. On examining said Despatch we find the following observations: — Paragraph 16 — ''It will hardly be cause for surprise if a document whicli acals loosely witli facts should exhibit carelessness when it comes to deal with motives." Paragraph 10— "Without further explanation, let ine simply say that during an official experience of upwards of twenty years I'have not met with a scries of state- ments so carelessly made by so respectable a body." Paragraph 1 9—" Respectable men must suffer much before they allow themselves to deviate, however slightly, from the strict patlis of truth." 2, We regret tiiat Governor Seymour does not scruple to attribute to the Cliam- bor of Commerce collectively, looseness and carelessness in dealing with facts and a deviation from the strict paths of truth. - 3. We have, tlicrcibre, drafted the following reply, accompanied by the Certili- catcs, Returns, and Documents, therein referred to. in justification of the honu jides of your report, and in proof of the partial spirit with which Mr. Seymour has dealt with it. • All of which is rcspetitfutly Submitted . (Signed) James Lowe, Cliairman of Committee. (Signed) A.F.M^JlIN, Secretary. 18 REPLY OF THE VICTORIA, V.I., CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 10 H. E. GOVERNOR SEYMOUR'S DESPATCH.* 1. The members of the Chamber of Coramerce of Victoria, V.I., in replying to the imputations iii)on their honor and veracity, contained in a Despatch from His Excellency Fredi'rick Seymour, Governor of British Columbia, dated New West- minster, 21st March, 1865, desire to make a clear and business-like statement of facts, and to avoid the use of any expressions which might tend to increase the irri- tation which the tone of that despatch is so calculated to provoke. 2. In paragraphs (D) IG, 18 and 19, Mr. Seymour broadly accuses us of looseness and carelessness in dealing with facts, and a deviation from the strict paths of truth. It will therefore be necessary to take the Despatch and Report side by side, and to expose the fallacies of the former by justifying the statements in the latter. 3. Wo note (1> Paragraph 3) that Mr. Seymour passes over the earlier paragraphs of the Report in which the reasons for the selection and occupation of Victoria by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1843, and by the merchants in 1858, arc set forth, and we presume those facts to be uncontested and inoontestible by him. 4. The lirst point attacked is (R Paragraph?) respecting the harbors of Victoria and Esquimau. Mr. Seymour (D Paragraph 3), admitting fully the capabilities of Esquimau harbor, proceeds to quote the authority of Captain Richards, R.N., Ilydrographer to the Navy, in disparagement of Victoria harbor. 5. We take the first opportunity where the name of this distinguished officer occurs to bear tlic most grateful testimony to the accuracy and value of his sailing directions. The Colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, and especially the commercial community, probably owe more to his labors in their behalf than to any other person alive. G. We demur to the studied separation made by Mr. Seymour (D Paragraph 3) of tlie harbors of Ksquimalt and Victoria, and his treatment of our remarks (R Pai'agraph 7) as though we applied t'.em to Victoria harbor alone. The Free Port of Victoria alluded to (R Paragraphs 5 and G) has always been held to embrace the harbors of Victoria and Esqui'nalt. The local acts of the Legislature, as exem- plified in the preamble of the enclosed copy of the Victoria and Esquimalt Harbor Dues Act, 1862 (Enclosure No. 1), distinctly class them together as the Port of Victoria and Esquimalt : — *NoTK. — In referrinfj to Parftgraphs in Mr. Seymour's Despatch the letter D will be prefixed to the number ; and before the reference to Paragraphs in the Report of the Obamber the letter R will be ^>»lixed. REPLY OP THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. 19 '• Whoreag it is expedient to repeal the ' Victoria and Esquimalt Harbor Dues Act, I860,' and to amend the scale of Fees charged for the entrance and clearance of vessels into the port of Victoria and Esquimalt, for the Licences of Scowi, Boats and other Craft plying in the said port, and for Landing Permits : Bo it enacted," &c. And the Victoria Pilot Act, 1864 (Enclosure No. 2), Clause 22, defines :— " The Port of Victoria shall be taken to bo the Harbors of Victoria and Esqui* malt." Tho two harbors have always been associated together by commercial men, and their united advantages made use of. The Chamber of Commerce, therefore, coupled them together, and carefully spoke of them as one Port. Victoria, the Free Port alluded to i (R) Paragraphs 5 and 6 — is mentioned in (R) Paragraph 7, as possessing "its " convenient and capacious harbours of Victoria and Esquimalt, Victoria being distinguished for convenience and Esquimalt for capacity. We, can, therefore, only see in tho fact of Mr. Seymour first eliminating Esquimalt, and then seeking to attribute to us an intention of investing Victoria Harbor alono with capacities which it is known not to possess, a stretch of hostile criticism, J hardly to be looked for in an official document purporting to emanate from an im- (partial authority. 7. Before discussing the relative merits of Esquimalt and Victoria, we will first Iremark briefly on tho latter. Victoria Harbor has been found, thus far, quite equal ]to the requirements of its trade. We subjoin : (1) (Enc. No. 3) Harbor Master's statement of the vessels that have entered into and cleared from Victoria Harbor from 1862 to 1865. (2) (Enc. 3a.) Statement of tonnage and draught of water of sea-going vessels that have entered into and departed from Victoria Harbor between 20th Nov., 1860, and Aug. 7, 1866, duly certified as correct by the licensed pilots. From these, it will appear that 4,903 vessels, representing a tonnage of 728,311 tons, have entered into, and 4,855 vessels, representing a tonnage of 718,411 tons, liave cleared from Victoria ; the draught ot water ranging from 8 to 17 feet and half. (3) (Enc. No. 4) A Statement of the value of Imports and Exports into and from Victoria Harbor, (4) (Enc. No. 5) A Statement of the vessels, with their tonnage, that have discharged in Esquimalt. Of tho vessels that so entered Victoria Harbor we are aware of '^nly two in [cspect of which any claim has been made on the underwriters for da'j-K';' .stained the harbor, viz., the "Sea Snake" and the "Envoy "—in thfi f:. msi .se, from Ittempting to enter without a pilot — and all the ships enumerated he < uischarged jlieir cargoes in safety on the wharves. Mr. Seymour quotes from Captain Richards that in the harbor " the space is so lonfined and tortuous that a long ship has great difficulty in making the necessary liirn ; a large per centage of vessels, small as well as large, constantly run aground rom these causes," and he adds a full stop to close the sentence. On reference to lie Vancouver Island Pilot, sold by J. D. Potter, Edition 1864, p. 23, line 12, we lad after the word causes, a comma, and the following conclusion to the sentence, J or from trying to enter at an improper time of tide, or from neglecting l j take a lilot." These words are omitted by Mr. Seymour — and certainly, if his object ^mply were to decry Victoria to the utmost, the observations he quotes are more his purpose witliout them. He ignores altogether Captain Richards' next sen- fnco : " Such accidents, however, are seldom attended with more than delay and ty iK REPLY OP THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. inconvenience, as the sh'- lent nnd most intricuto part of the pnpsago is sheltered. When within the Port , -loctly laud-locknd, and vchscIh may lie in from 14 to 18 feet at low water, l)ut th> rbor accommodation ib limited." Those further quo- tations destroy the force ol the inference Mr. Soyiuoiir desires should be drawn, aa to the utter incapacity of Victoria Harbour lor sea-going vessels. 8. Mr. Seymour (1), I'anigrapliK !j and Id) lays great stress on the selection of Victoria instead of K.s(iuinmlt as the town site, and again has recourse to Captain Richards, " it has been a fatal mistake at a later date not to have adopted Esqui- malt as the conuncrcial capital " {Port in original.) With this view all must con- cur — but the merchants had no choice. In iMfjS, Victoria was the only town site laid out, and where Town Lots could be purchased. Isolated tracts of land could be obtained at Escjuimalt, but not in (piantitics sufiicient to ensure the uniformity and agreement us to |)lan that would have been necessary in laying out a commer- cial town of the magnitude contemplated by Ctiptain Uicliards. It wa" clear to the commercial community, and results prove the fact as evinced by the Shipping and Trade Returns adduced, ihut the capacity of Victoria Harbor alone was sufii- cient for their then rer(ui''cments, and would probably continue so for some years. Nevertheless, sites on Esquimalt Harbor were obtained also, at considerable ex- pense, and are still held, with the object of providing further wharfage and storage accommodation, should the expansion of IJritish Columbia and Foreign Trade render the outlay necessary. "\Vo append a list of property held for this purpose. (Enc. No. 0.) 9. A line of Railway to connect the Town of Victoria with the Harbor of Es- ?[uimalt has been surveyed, and the capital to complete it was forthcoming from (England, but local interests of laudiioldcrs defeated the scheme, the demands of trade being insuflicient at the time to force it on public opinion as a matter of im- jinediate necessity. 10. Victoria Harbor, therefore, has been, thus far, and still is equal to the de- mands of commerce upon its capacity, wliilo facilities exist lor connecting it with Esquimau whenever the increase of tonnage needs it — together they form a Port, with convenient and capacious Harbors — approachable at all times by night or day for sea-going ships of any burthen. The natural deficiencies of Victoria being provided for by the proximity of Esquimalt ; both Harbors, as we have already shown, being comprised in the Port of Victoria. 11. la (D, Paragraph 4), Mr, Seymour addi lils own personal testimony to that of Captain Richards, and slates how, in a small steamer drawing 3 feet 6 inches, " he shared the fate of a large per centage of vessels, small as well as large, and run aground," Experience of this character has its value as evincing the animus with which it must be recited. The steamer is the ■' Leviathan," a small screw boat of about 20 ton^, supported, we are informed, by the Public Revenue of British Columbia lor the convenience of the Governor, She is manned by one Engineer, and is generally steared and navigated by amateurs. We submit that a canoe under similar circumstances might be run aground in Esquimalt Harbor. A reference to the list of shipping and their draught of water to which we have al- ready referred (Enc. No. 3a) will be sufiicient to indicate the flippancy of Mr. Sey- mour's reference to personal experience, which we dismiss as unworthy of further comment. 12. Mr. Seymour next (D, Paragraph 5) turns to the Eraser River, and dissects the statements made by us, (R, Paragra])hs 13 to 18), in which the disadvantages of New Westminster other than as a Port of Entry to the interior of British Colum- bia are enumerated. It is first necessary in our own justification to refer to Mr. •jeymour's Despatch (D, Paragraph G) in whicli tlie following words occur ; " I hardly assume in a body professing to represent the commercial capital and in- telligence of the two colonies an ignorance of a book of sailing directions for their gra|)hs I", the inabil than as 1859-lH(;i been irrel |sailing di Vancouve in proof c thority foi been wort 13. Th( bor of yea toria and Personal entrance t feet and 9 ing, altlioii not till lat that were i Bands, as c 14. In p mnoxed ce (1.) (2.) It w \i (3.) (E K TV Ci al "] (4.) (I ci] • th (5.) (E of These do^ etent expe aference, a apability c ^ater — the )n, which i hole, of w osed. We haste er freshets ^ver navigf 15, la til] I HEPLY OP TIIK fFTAMHRn OP f'OMMEnrR. dl coftBtfl, publialiod ns , signed W. (i. Romaino, uiid uddrcMsed to iloimuii Mcrivalo, Kh(j., C. 13., from which wo (pioto an followH : — " Tho (Miannol into tho River, as far as is yet known, is rather tortuouH-it is reported to have a drpth of iS/eet at low iratcr, witli a Hi.\ feet rise of tide, and is not oxi)os(>(l to iiny very heavy Boa. When Captain Richarda, in H. M.S. * Plumper,' can Hnd time to ox- amino the Bar and buoy off tlio Channel it may prove to bo better. The HultHo- auont imblished directions, whore the depth at low water is fixed by Captain ;icharafl at 11 or 12 feet, (V. I. Pilot, page 105), prove on comparison with tho above, how little was known generally of the Frascr, before the Survey, excepting by tho local Pilots, whono reports in the main have been found correct and trustworthy. 16. We now refer to Captain Richards' Sailing Directions, of which such free use has been made by Mr. Seymour. In (D) Paragraph 5 he quotes as follows: — " Vessels of from 18 to 20 feet draught may enter tho Fra; er, and proceed as high as Langlcy, or a few miles above it, with ease, provided they have or are assisted by steam power." In the Vancouver Island Pilot, from which we have already quoted, edition, 1804, published by J. D. Potter, at page 105, lino IV, wo read : " Vessels of 18 feet draught may enter the Frascr, near high water, and proceed as high as Langlcy with ease, provided they have or arc assisted by steam powor." A comparison of tlicso passages di.scloses a material discrepancy between tlicm. In the former, the draught of water is from 18 to 20 foot, without any reference to tide ; in the latter, it is restricted to 18 feet, and then "jimr hiyh water." It is possible Mr. Seymour may have quoted from an earlier edition of the Sail- ing Directions ; if so, it is barely consistent with his severe reflections upon our impli'^d ignorance of tho latest official authorities on so important a subject. It appears, however, to us, on reviewing these passages, that the information as to tho entrance of the Frascr River has been by no means so " certain " as Mr. Seymour would lead us to believe. (D, Paragraph 5.) We submit a reference to the Harbor Master of British Columbia as to the shifting and uncertain character of the sands. This information we are necessarily not in a position to procure. 17. At page 107, of the Vancouver Island Pilot, Captain Richards observes, speaking of the Fraser River : — " It is not, however, recommended for a stranger to enter without a pilot, and certainly not, under any circumstances, unless the buoys are in their places between tho entrance shoals." Mr. Titcomb has certified as to the shifting and disappearance of the buoys, and it would not have been practica- ble until the present year, when the iron buoys were laid and the light-ship estab- lished, for sea-going ships to enter the Fraser with that certainty and safety which commerce requires. As a further instance, we annex the following extracts from the Government Gazette, 18G4, of notices to mariners, notifying the disappearance of three of the Beacons at one time. (Bnc. No. 13.) 18. These several proofs justify our reasons assigned for the selection of Victoria in preference to New Westminster as more convenient for commerce. 19. Mr. Seymour (D, Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9), refers with confidence to H. M. S. " Tribune," which arrived safely opposite New Westminster (D, Paragraph 8), but " unfortunately grounded" in leaving tho River (D, Paragraph 9), and he annexes letters from Admiral Kingcorao aiul Captain Lord Gilford on tho subject. These letters were published in the official Gazette of the Colony, (D, Par graph 7), and it would almost appear that the " Tribune " was taken specially co New West- minster to prove tho capacity of that port for vessels of her size. If so, it was a costly and imprudent experiment, and failed in its object. The " Tribune " lay on the sands many days, when got off she was badly injured, her guns, chains, shot, &o., were safely brought into Victoria Harbor and landed on the Hudson Bay wharf without accident. The certificate of Mr. Titcomb (Enc. No. 10) bears on this subject, and proves that it was injudicious, to say the least, to take a valuable ! llRri.Y OP THR rnAMHRn OP roMMRncR. 23 0:i, n lottor «latP(l jsHod to IIibune " lay on ns, chains, shot, 10 Hudson Bay 0. 10) bears on :ake a valuable Hlii[) Iil(e tho " Tribune" into tho River ; and further, that tho actual Channel by wliii'h hIio cntcicii has now not moro than five foot at low water. 2(1. Tlit> (MitniMct! to tlio FruHor has since boon carefully buoyod, and a light-ship ns iilhuk'd to l>v Mr. Soytnonr in tlio lust clause (D) Paragraph ".), ostablishod at a , and is nniintainod at tho annuul oxnonfio of , and in roforence hereto wo rofor to our report (R, Para- graph 14) : " Tho great additional risks and delays for sea-going vessels, without stoom, navigating between Victoria and the Frnser River." Mr. Seymour makes no allusion to this, but tho following quotation will sufTicinntly indicate its iin- l)ortanco. In part 2 of tho Blue Book on British ('oluinbia, presented to Parlia- ment 12th August, 1859, page 14, Captain Richards, in a letter addressed to Gov- ernor Douglas, dated Birch Bay, Guff of Georgia, October 23rd, 1858, writes as follows : " There is yet another cause which must add to tho importance of Esquimalt, in a maritime point of view, which is, that it is at the e.cl remit if «.s it were of sailing )i(iiH[/(ilii»i. Although tho Gulf of Georgia and tho channels leading into it have been navigatoil by sailing vessels, yet tho disadvantages are obvious and very great and the loss of limu inealcul;il)l<3. The general absence of steady winds among tlieso channels, tlio great strength and uncertainty of tlio tide^, and tlio existence of many hidden diuigers could not fail to bo productive of co'istant uceidents, and in a commercial point of view such a class of vessels could never amioer.^' Wo submit that this paragraph alone supports our whole position. It is not pro- bable that many merchant ships from Foreign Ports will mako tho trial in the face of such an opinion, unless compelled to do so by adverse legislation. In tho same letter. Captain Richards suggests tho construction of a light-ship " in tho event of the rivor rising in commercial importance." Wo have already stated that sinco the expense of constructing and maintaining a light-ship was incurred, no single sea- going sailing vessel with cargo, during eight months and a half, has had occasion to enter the Eraser, which, thus far, docs not speak highly for its commercial im- portance. 21. Mr. Seymour (D Paragraph 10) reverts to Victoria and Ksqulmalt. He objects " that merchandise destined for British Columbia should be transhi|)pod at Esquimau and artihcially conducted up tho narrow and tortuous harbor of Victoria, causing a great loss of time and increase of expense ;" and ho adds, " that a fort- night to three weeks elapses after the arrival of a ship in Esquimalt harbor before any portion of her cargo reaches New Westminster. The return already referred to (Enclosure No. 5) shows the small proportion of ships that have discharged at Esquimalt ; the amount of " merchandise " or " cargo" that has been discharged in either harbor, destined for British Columbia direct, is BO insignificant as to be barely traceable. An occasional lot of Government stores and a few packages for private use have so arrived, and cargo of this kind invariably involves more trouble and delay than trade shipments of regular goods, but should any considcral)lo quantity of tonnage be shipped for British Columbia direct, there need be no more delay than would be required for its transfer into steam vessels and its transport to New Westminster from either harbor, the average time for steamers between tlic two places being about eight liours. Tho dehiy would cer- tainly be greater if the whole cargo were consigned to New Westmiiister and the Fhip sailed there direct, as the average time for sailing vecsels between the port of Victoria and Now Westminster is upwards of four days, and the same time at least would bo occupied in discharging there as here ; as a matter of expense, the in- creased rate ol freight, insurance, pilotage, and towage would about equalise tho 24 REPLY OF THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. charges. It would also be necessary, in the event of direct shipments to Netv West- minster, to keep up an expensive system of tugs at the mouth of the river. 22. In (D, Paragraph 12.) Mr, Seymour brings to issue the relative merits of New We.stminstor and Victoria. Adverting to the plan of " a city of vast dimen- sions" (on paper) " near the mouth of tho Fraser," he truly observes : "If the main land was to continue to be the dependency of an outlying Island, no second capital was required." And he proceeds to insinuate that the prosperity and growth of Victoria were entirely the result of an artificial stimulus given to it under the rule of Sir James Douglas, ignoring completely the great natural facts of convenience and adaptability of situation, and the existence of considerable tracts of open land in its vicinity, while New Westminster is hewn out of and shut in by a dense forest, all which could not fail to have weight with the Government as with individuals in determining the choice. We cannot do better than quote, (Bnc. No. 14), at this point, an n.rticle which was lately published in tho San Francisco Bulletin, one of the leading newspapers in California, in which the whole position is forcibly and fairly stated . Wo ju-cfer thus recording the opinion of disinterested people at a distance, as our own views freely stated might have the appearance of local preju- dice, warped by self interest alone. 23. If Victoria had the preference during the Government of Sir James Pouglas, New Westminster assuredly has been better cared for by Mr. Seymour. A refer- ence to tho published Proclamations, Ordinances, &c., of British Columbia, from 1858 to 1864, enables us to state that the Local Establishment Expenditure in New Westminster (including Judicial Establishment and Gaol) was in 1864 .. . £25,015 ==$121,322 75 From the Estimates, it amounted in 1865 to 26,503= 128,539 55 1866 to 25,317=122,894 45 On reference to the Government Gazette of British Colum- v ' bia, containing the Estimates for 1865, it will be found that the Establishment Expenditure for the whole Colony was for 1863 £28,590= $188,661 50 Thus the Local Establishment Expenditure in New Westminster alone, under Mr, Seymour, amounted very nearly to the Establishment of the entire colony under Sir James Douglas. Add to this the amount of Public Revenue expended at and about New Westminster. In 1864, according to the ,: . Estimates, the amount proposed (including entertain- ■ •■ '- ments to Indians) was £22,530= $109,270 50 •' • , By the Auditor's Report, dated June 26th, 1865, and pub- lished in the Government Gazette, the sum actually $97,072 75 disbursed, amounted to in 1864 £20,015 ' The Estimate, as published in the Government Gazette for the same purpose, amounted to in 1865 £28,149 =$136,522 65 • The Auditor's Report for 1865 has not yet been published, but so far as we are able to ascertain, the actual Ex- penditure was about for the year 1865 .'. . c £24,000 =$116,400 00 Thus during tlie two years 1864-1865, the sura of £44,015 =$213,472 75 1 has been expended in and about New Westminster for Public Works, &c., in addition to the Local Establishment. 24. Wo remark that Mr. Seymour (D Paragraph 12), among other reasons in* ptancec] b^ liim wh^ •• New Wpstrojiister ppmmoftped a rotrogf ft4e Qowrse," cites the follow Britisl Britisl colony ture f( tl fcs to Ne«r Weat- e river. ilative merits of of vast dimen- s : "If the main ) second capital and growth of ; under the rule of convenience ;t3 of open land ^ a dense forest, vith individuals No. 14), at this Bulletin, one of is forcibly and ted people at a of local preju- Jaraes Pouglas, [nour. A refer- Oolumbia, from nditure in New 5=n2l,322 75 3= 128,539 55 7= 122,894 45 0=$188,661 50 one, under Mr. ony under Sir = $97,072 75 =$116,400 00 =$213,472 75 Vorks, &c., in ir reasons in* rso," cites the REPLY OP THE CHAMBBB OF C^KMERCB. 25 following :— " The Governor and other public officers drew their full salaries from British Columbia and resided in Vancouver Island." The ofTicial expenditure of British Columbia has been mucli increased since the arrival of Mr. Seymour in the colony. The following are the published Estimates of tlie Establishment Expendi- ture for the whole Colony of British Columbia : — 1863 $ 1 38,666 1864 180,691 1865 195,537 1866 178,358 And the enforced residence of the public officers at New Westminster has thrown the greater part of that increased expenditure there, in addition to the amount o{ money spent for public purposes as shown in the preceding paragraph. Notwith- standing all which it cannot be denied that the material prosperity of New West- minster is short of what it was before the change. Rents are lower, real estate has declined to a nominal price, the larger business houses liavc closed and have been replaced by others on a smaller scale. It can, therefore, bo scarcely assumed that the residence of a body of officials is in itself sufficient to give permanence and stability to a new city. In this respect our report dealt only with tlie commercial view of affairs, and made not the slightest mention of the transfer of the scat of Government, with the official staff, to New Westminster, as being immaterial one ray or the other to the solid advance of either place. 25. In the same paragraph (D Paragraph 12), Mr. Seymour once more refers to Victoria : — " The place acquired sufficient importance to depopulate New Westmin- ster without attaining any solid foundation or considerable prosperity for itself." And further : — " Victoria did not attain any solid prosperity, while having her in- terests set above those of this colony, and of the whole of Vancouver Island not in- cluded in her town lots." The intimate acquaintance displayed by Governor Seymour with Capt. Richards' Sailing Directions, seems to have failed him at this point. In paragraph 5, page 23, of the Vancouver Island Pilot, we read : — " Victoria is a Free Port, the Government site, and the largest and most important town in these Col*>nibs. It enjoys a considerable foreign and coasting trade, which is annually increasing. The resident population is upwards of 4,000, and the town has made great progress since 1858, when it may be said to have first sprung into existence ; it now covers a large extent of ground, substantial and handsome stone and brick buildings every- where replacing the wooden structures first erected." The truthful picture drawa by Captain Richards contrasts rudely with the sweeping assertions of Mr. Seymour. 26. Again, in the same paragraph (D Paragraph 12), we read : — "The Chamber of Commerce speaks of the trade with China, the Sandwich Islands, Russian America and other places. How, if this be important, is it tliat the prospect of a portio of the traffic of British Columbia taking the short and undevious route by tlie Fraser shakes the whole of Victorian society to its foundations, and causes a state of political ferment such as the Island had never seen." The reply to this question supplies the key to the whole difficulty. Victoria was established, under the auspices of the Government of both colonies, as a commercial port, with British Columbia as a large, certain, and friendly cus- tomer ; trade flourished, and the foreign countries above named became " customers of Victoria, and gave promise of increasing trade." The foreign trade was com- mencing, and required to be carefully fostered. The Governor of British Columbia may not be aware that this necessarily was a matter of time ; and that everything depended upon a steady continuance of the healthy condition of tilings which formed the basis of the operation. The merchants had permanently expended much capital in solid improvements in Victoria for the transaction of their business. 26 REPLY OP THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. Thoy had supplied the wants of British Columbia largely, from year to year, and looked to her prosperity and continued custom for the ultimate repayment of the large debt duo to them from her. The means necessary for the development of Foreign Trade thus depended on the commercial advancement of Victoria, and the stability of British Columbia. It soon became manifest that the enlightened policy of Sir James Douglas — a policy under which both colonies prospered — was to be uprooted by Mr. Seymour, and that every attempt was to be made for diverting trade from Victoria to Now Westminster. Still no complaint was made by us until the appearance of the Tariff of 15th February, 1865. This Tariff, or one very nearly approaching to it, had been proposed dnriog the administration of Sir James Douglas, who, seeing its mis- chievous tendency, at once disallowed it, and, if we arc not misinformed, Mr. Sey- mour was made fully aware of his views respecting it. It was indeed startling to find an opponent where a friend had been promised and reckoned upon ; the base upon which the whole trade of Victoria had been built was being insidiously undermined, and a check was given to Home and Foreign trade in consequence. The actual result of this hostile legislation has not certainly operated so severely against Victoria as it might have done, but the spirit evinced was sufficient to destroy confidence, and thus to depreciate our property and means. It cannot, however, be denied that in addition to the adverse policy we have de- scribed, other causes have operated against the general prosperity of both colonies. We have no desire to attribute the whole of the existing depression to the Tariff of 1865 or to Mr. Seymour alone, but we are confident that its severity has been much augmented by the policy pursued under his rule. Our reply, therefore, to Mr. Seymour's question explains the root of the evil, for in attacking the material interests of the commerce of Victoria, he necessarily in- flicted serious injury on his own colony, instead of assisting it, as he intended to do. 27. In (D) paragraph 13, Mr. Seymour depicts New Westminster as he found it, the only redeeming featnre apparent being " the display of energy wanting in the tropics" — " tliousands of trees of the largest dimensions had boc.i felled to make way for the great city expected to rise on the magnificent site selected for it." Respecting which we remark that a large proportion of the energy so displayed was paid for by residents in Victoria, whose means were thus absorbed in attempting to improve a town site which they afterwards found they could not conveniently oc- cupy, for which we assign the following reason : In the autumn of 1858 a town site was selected and laid out by the Government, at Langley, about fifteen miles above New Westminster. This was not regarded as a commercial port, but rather as a port of distribution to the interior of British Columbia. There was abundance of open land near it, and not being on a steep slope, in the heart of a dense forest, like New Westminster, it was capable of easy improvement and adapted for the site of a forwarding town. Town lots were sold at auction by the Government, and bought and paid for by the public ; the site wa,s condemned by Colonel Moody, R.E., on his arrival in December, 1858, and New Westminster was selected in its stead. Purchasers of lots at Langley were notified that no town would be recognized there, and that they might exchange their property for town lots in New Westminster, or else abandon their purchases, the Government declining to refund the purchase money. Thus numbers were compelled to become lot owne s in New Westminster against their own inclination. 28,, Paragraphs (D) 14 and 15 are devoted to a description of the prostration in which British Columbia was found by Mr. Seymour on his arrival — a prostration which, we regret to say, was further aggravated by increased official expenditure, and which the policy pursued by the Government has by no means tended to ameliorate. , , . i tlBPLT Ot THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. •^ ,r to year, and myment of the development of ictoria, and the [icg Douglas — a r Mr. Seymour, ictoria to New nee of the Tariff iching to it, had o, seeing its mis- rmcd, Mr. Scy- len promised and had been built le and Foreign las not certainly lie spirit evinced 3erty and means. y we have de- A both colonies. I to the Tariil' of y has been much ; of the evil, for e necessarily in- ls he intended to as he found it, ^^anting in tho i felled to make selected for it." 50 displayed was [U attempting to onveniently oo- 1858 a town site cen miles above ut rather as a as abundance of cnse forest, like for the site of a •mt, and bought |loody, R.B., on ,cd ill its stead. cognized there, estrainster, or the purchase w Westminster prostration in a prostration U expenditure, icans tended to Tho Customs Revenue for 1865 is stated elsewhere by Mr. Seymour (De«patch No. 14, Paragraph 13) to show an increase of jG15,000 in excess of tho correspond- ing period of 1864, and the prosperity of tho colony is inferred as a consequence. We have deemed it necessary to investigate this point, as it shows a result contrary to our convictions. On reference to the Colonial Office Liafcf 1866, we find that tho value of the Imports into British Columbia amounted in 1864 to .£499,553 =$2,4212,832 05 The Imports for 1865, as taken from the quarterly returns published in the Government Gazette, amounted to . .X34 1,081 =$1,654,242 85 [showing an decrease of £158,472= $768,589 2o Those' Returns are signed by the Collector of Customs for British Columbia, and |we have no doubt of their accuracy. Further, in evidence of the continued depression in British Columbia, the Ton- lage Dues for 1865, estimated at £6.000 = $29,100 00 lealised 3,703= 17,959 55 Shewing a decrease of X2,297= $11,140 45 ?he Road Tolls, estimated to produce £25,000= $121,250 00 lealised 16,500= 80,025 00 Shewing a decrease of 8,500= $41,225 00 ^hus with a large decrease in the value of the Imports, in the Tonnage Dues, and Ihe Road Tolls, the increase in the Customs Revenue can only be accounted for by \ew Imposts, under which the burdens of the miners have been increased in that [espect between 20 and 30 per cent. So far as tho actual prosperity of British Columbia is concerned, the Revenue for |865 shews a practical deficit. araovinted (see Auditor's Report, 26th Juno, '65) for i864,to .cicj,^(,5 ■-:.?:-;■' 5 from information derived from a gentleman collecting local statistics, it realised for 1865 about £1.7,0C0 rora which deduct new tax, Gold Export 10,500 And i n creased Revenueunder New Tariff of 15th February '65, say 25 per cent, on £63,000, is £15,750= £26,250 i.^ ^90,750 -H 10,1 i7 5u Rowing a deficit, after deducting tho new taxation, of. . £14,115= |;Gc,-^57 25 [29. The Tariff of 15th February, 1865, to which Mr. Seymour refers (in D, Para- laph 16), was undoubtedly conceived in a spirit hostile to Victoria, in so far as its Iject was to induce direct shipments to New Westminster, the Government of fitish Columbia thus placing itself in avowed opposition to those merchants whose lans had been hitherto the mainstay of the country. The result has not equalled ''expectation. In his reply, dated 23d March, 1865, to the petition iroin the lers of British Columbia, which is stated, incorrectly and without evidence, to fQ been originated by us (D, Paragraph 16), he observes : — " We look for direct importation, which would, before the season is over, reduce the price of all articles iMCariboo to a lower standard than yet seen there." The direct importation looked f(# has practically proved a failure ; the bulk of the imports into New Westminster 28 HEPLY OP THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. have continued to flow from Victoria, and tlio over-taxed community of British' Columbia have been charged, as wc have slicwn, with an increased rate of duty, while New "Westminster, for whose advantage the Tarifl' was conceived, has derived no appreciable benefit thercl'roni, as there is no imjjorting merchant in that place i able to avail himself 'of the opjjortunity oflbred. We have ascertained from tlie officers of the ocean steamers that the amount ofj Tonnage shipped direct to New Westminster for the six months to 30th June, '66, has been slightly over lOUU tons, and the amount on which duty was paid, *111,339, or about ^22,956. Producing a revenue say (at 25 per cent.) of £5,739 =$27,834 15 : During tliese six months the steamer — subsidized for tiie purpose of encouraging' this direct trade — has made ten trips, eacli costing tlic Government XlOO per trip, leaving as tlie result a net contribution to the Customs llev- enuo of about Xl,739 = $8,434 15 These figures are only approximate, but tl.ey will be found correct enough for the purpose. If these shipments had boon mudc via Victoria, the subsidy to the steamers would have been saved and the revenue would have been increased besides, We instance this to prove that the attempt artificially to foster the growth of New^ Westminster has been a costly and unsatisfactory experiment. Mr. Seymour labors under a great mistake in supposing that his policy towards] Victoria is supported by the people of 13ritisl) Columbia. The British Columbia ; " Tribune," published at Yale, and the ." Cariboo Sentinel " (of which wo appenc copies. Enclosure No. 15), both independent papers, and totally uninfluenced bjj Victoria, sufficiently attest the contrary, while significantly enou^rh the oi'gan o:' New Westminster, and of the officials— the •' British Columbian " — is alone on tlif j other side. If Mr. Seymour estimates public opinion by the cheers and groan-l casually given on the wharf at New Westminster (D, Paragraph 16), we are no!| surprised that he should so completely misapprehend it. 30. Our statements (in K, Paragraph 18) respecting the delay of the " Onward,] which are contradicted by Mr. llamloy, the Collector of Customs, were authentic cated by solemn declarations made in duo form. The master of the " Onward" i absent at the Sandwich Islands, otherwise ho would confirm liis statement by furthe proof. We have no desire to impugn the veracity of the Collector of Customs- possibly there may liav 5 been a misunderstanding — but tlie fact remains indisputj ble that the vessel was not able to clear for the north, and that she returned to Vii toria direct, the captain being much chagrined at his waste of time and the loss c a good contract. 31. We have no desire or occasion to follow Mr. Seymour farther, as the coi eluding paragraph (D 19) will, wo should hope, be a so> rce of regret to him on r perusal. But we cannot conclude without directing serious attention to the spir evinced by the Governor of British Columbia in this Despatch, as also in his subsi quent Despatch (No. 14), dated from the Rao de la Paix, Paris. The languag throughout is that of a partisan, and of an advocate — teeming with exaggeration a respects New Westminster, and descending to vituperation against Victoria. With this animus to guide their future destinies, the Union of tho Colonies coiil never be happily consummated. We respectfully refer Mr, Seymour to tli,c follow ing extract from a Despatch of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle to Sir Jam Douglas, dated Downing street, June 15th, 1863, touching the Union of the Colonic He writes : — " That the strength of the colonies would be consolidated, and gene ally that their well being would be greatly advanced by ?uch an union, and 1 hoi that moderate and far-seeing men in both communities will lie convinced of this, ai: will bear in mind the expediency of avoiding or removing all that is likely i impede, and favoring all that is likely to facilitate such a result." If this be applicable to the people generally, how much more forcibly does apply to Her Majesty's representative ? )mniiiinty of British eased rate of duty, oiiccivcd, has deriyed rchant in that place 8 that the amount of lonths to 30th June, ich duty was paid, X5,739 ==$27,834 15 pose of encouraging; ment X 100 per trip, :i,739 -= $8,434 15; rect enou wcastle to Sir Janii hiion of the Colonic solidatcd, and gone an union, and 1 ho| onvinccd of this, ai: ij all that is likely i t." iioro forcibly does H P P4 O w OS P w O ^A U e in u> 00 H O N V> GO H <1 u o PL. 4-> (0 Q n n 0) 10 o a 9) a It a o H o o H o a o H o s o o>aooOi-< (M fN lO CO <0<-i0 OMOO to >o cooo o> to o o -q" o 1-1 C<3C-> CO cq CO cq o a o H o ;z; us to 00 i-llN WtO ra cooo ^2 00 -ID lO CO CO oo s CO O Oi »« rj« in CO CI .-» lO CO => •-< 00 (M (N r: "O s= ^ ^COCOpH 1-1 -HIM ^ o a o H o CM O CO tOCO-H >ra CO * CO C4 »o CO ■-<■* to ■=> M CO ■* O to i.Ti ■* trj(Mf5cort l-coo> IC t-- N O i-t cq XI CO r-'s ,T^ -^ I— t C5 CO o rico^^eoi-i U5 -< M l-H -^ o a o H o O H o iz; o H e o H iz; I iz; ^ o H o iz; tzig _^^ w M— <|'-K.M "ff « CO -< oooco05tO'<*"'*"^ao It? o to 'O CO •*< W CO CO tOOMf-Tyi' TCOO S' • CO :8 • O oo5cc><- tl» CO ^ t t^o>o> tOINC is cooso CO —too 00 •* toco I-- 00 CO .to •CO !co CO t^a> o oat-- to t-- ■ <0 to ij* eo 1-1 (N ■*co ©to -H i-iMoa li o to c^ i-i >n OS C4 S to CO o ^ 00C4 0 C^ > to is" N«--0 .HrHi-l ro-M-li lo CO .C4 I ■o go S ci _. ^ ectt rt ■- fl .2 'S k .2 Q) H -a !? F k 15 11 .|j3.2 c « f oc « o'CS • • d • • • a • • • 1^ • ■ Id S • a .a « B ^ "^ .r-.' xifa'oin ! IM Ti s SJ -- — iOOp-1 o ■* t^ 00 asuici ' l->4 f-^ 00 00 t- — . »8 ■ i>-;ot.Nt^sooOiM \l o 3 o 00^ fH t« eoojoo ( OBo ■ 04' 1-4 I tfj r^ *-* o 00 p-4 ooo ■ >-- to Tf— SeoPS o TfH oor-ig» o CO o> p) c •-4 t*09 r s •a ;2;S 9 t^ 00 CO to •♦00 «~jC4 oTi-Tco ■♦P?COi-l i~. 00 (H i-i c4a>i-i pm> OOteoO C«W»r e3«o 13 I"?. ^ -^O 1-4*0 GO eoing S:3;' I— us o cood jsiS"^ OQt»C^ coo - C40CO coec to^b- O) 00 oo us CO s§ ^ as:*c3> r^coo» : • a • • • «^ • I fl * * Am *- S.S'S S^ 3 o'C n • •• P^.o-jj s gs^s ^ US d •* 3 fl •S"C « •! a o oja ■M 4< « o h- «Mm • ^ '- "«< 1 3« • 5: m 0> s P4 3 0«^ • o> •>»< •-I 1-4 a - 3 3 E — 1 _^ ■,' »^ 2* SfH d< U3 o> SOO M ■ •<«< •-* l(N t- M s> r-l 9pH t* Sii PH r^^ ^ ii-l s CO 5 00 ^ Ic^ *. o» U3 00 IJ " t- •^ «s 3 <2 5 U3 n ^ CO t- ■^ [Copy] APPENDIX. BNCLOSURK No. ;u. 31 L'at of Vessels which have entered and departed frcm the UA.RBOIt of VICTORIA under the charge of a Pilot from 20th NOVEMBBR, 1860, to AUGUST, 1866. Year, 1860 Month. Not. Dec. 1861 Jan. Feb. Mar. April. May s I June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nqv. Name of Vessel. Adelaide Cooper Leonesa Vickery J. B. Lunt W. B. ScrantoD Gold Hunter Constitution 13.\ique do do BriR Bktine Barque Bktino Alma Barque lona do Woodpecker Schr Palmetto Barque Mary Ellen BriK Eclipse Schr N. S. Perkins Burquo R. W. Woods do Mary Ellen Brit; Princess Royal Barque W. B. Scranton Bkc J. B. Lunt Brig J. Ford Bkt A. Cooper Barque Irioh Brig Constitution Bkt Sheet Anchor Br D. M. Hall Barquo lona do Crimea Br N. S. Perkins . Barque E. A. Rawlins Br Naramiesic Barque lona do W. D. Rice Br D: M. Hall Barque W. B. Scranton Bkt Marcella Br Constitution Bkt Glimpse Barque Christian Camel Br Northern Eagle Hulk N. S. Perkins Barque Naramissic do W. B. Scranton Bkt lona Barque Sunny South Br Constitution Bkt Krtffir Chief Br Glimpse Barque Anna Barnard do W. B. Scranton Bkt Sheet Anchor Br lona Barque Christian Camel Br Tolo Schr E. Seyburn Br Retreiver Barque Ork do D. M. Hall do W. B. Soiciaton t Bkt From England England England England England I)raii(rtit of Ura iglit of Water Inwards. WaterQutwards Hi feet 8 feet 10 7 10 7 8 7 H 7. ■ 11 7 11 9 13 9 lOi 8 8 6 lOj 7 lOi 9 0,1. n n 8 i.'i 10 11 9 MM 16 9 8} 10 7 lOi • 8 9 8 14 14 )3 11 8 7 11 H 101 n 8 12 8 10 9 9 8 lOJ 11 H 8 12 8 lOi 9 11 7i 13 11 10 8 10 8i 15 12 8J 10 8 8J 8 12 8 10 7 13j 11 11 8 11 8 12 9 10.} 9 8 7 11 8J lOj 8 8J n 9 7 13 9J 9 8 12 8 1 H 8 32 APPENDIX. Year. Month. 1861 Nov. Der. Name of Veggel. 1862 Jnn. Fob. Mar. April May Jane Julj Aug. Sep; Oct. Constitution J. B. Limt Mnry Kllcn lona Prince of the Seas E. Seyburn Narainissic Pruth J. W. Rice W. B. Scranton D. M. Hall Francisco N. S. Perkins Vickery lona Tolo Ida Union Forever Princess Ro;al Architect J. B. Ford E. Rpyburn N. S. Perkins W. B. Scranton Narcmissic Salamander Ben. Rush Speedy Wm. Kirschner Surah Constitution B. Seyburn Metropolis Monitor^ Victor Osnaburg Nettie Merrill Ad. Cooper Scotland Mary W. B. Scranton Oregon BidalKO Florida Onward Tanner B. Seyburn Nettie Merrill J. B. Ford N. S. Perkins Thames Lockett W. D. Rice Rival Monitor Palmetto Soraass W. B. Scranton D. M. Hall Kithleen Cyclone Naramissic Ad. Cooper lona S Asbmore Bkt Br do Barque do Br Barque do From England Draught ot Water Inwards. Br Bkt Barque - Br do do Barque Scbr Brig Scbr Barque England do Bkt Brig Barque Bkt 1 Barque do England do Brig England do England Schr Bkt Brig Barque Scbr Ship Barque • Bkt Barque do , do Bkt Stmr Brig Barque do , Briaf do Barque do do Stmr England Ship England Brig Barque Scbr Bkt Ship England Bkt Barque do Ship England Barque do do do 1 England 13 loet 9 lOi 11 16 8 12 16^ 9 10 11 9 11 10} II 8 9 8 IGA u' 10 9 12 11} 12 16 14} Uk 12" 8 • 12 10 8 9 14} 16 9 U 15 13 10 14 9 16 U 10 ■ 'S' 10 11 11 16 9 11 8 11 14} H 10 10 I5i 12 10 Hi 14J Draught of WaterOulwnrils 11 feet 7 !l 8 11 ■7 . 8 12 1), 8" 8 8 8 8 8 G), 1 V, 16 8 7 n 8 8 8 12 14 6 10} I' 6} 10} 10 1 8 1'^ 10 8 13 7 11 8 9 n 7} 8 12 1 9 7 8 U 8 8 8 11 8 8 8 10 Year. 1802 1863 1 APPENDIX. 88 of DrnuRhi of ■ yeur. Month. Name of Veisel. From DrauKht of Draught of rds. V ITnterOutwrnds ■ Water Inwards. feet WaterOutwardi " 11 feet 1 18C2 Nor. B. aeyburn Biig 7 feet 1 Tolo du B 7 1 Uuean Queen Barque 10 H 1 W. B. Scranloo Bkt 12 8 B East Loihian Barque Kogland Ifl 10} ^1 Gold Hunter do 10 8 ^M Architect do 12 8 B Dec. ralraetto do 10 9 ^1 W. U. Rice Brig 10 8 ^H Monitor Bkt 9 7 ^H Rival Barque 11 8 ^B DoV6 Brig China lOj 8 ^m Advance do 10 7 ^B W. T. Lucas do 9 7 ^B Tanner do H 8 I RoHodale Ship England 17 7^ 9 1863 Jan. Frigate Bird Ship England 16 12 IB Crimea Brig 10 7 H Helvetia ■ Barque England 14J 10 ^H San Francisco do England IC 11} ^H N. S. Perkins do 11 H} 7^ ^1 J. B. Ford Bkt 11 8 ^1 W. B. Scranton do lOj 8 ^B lona Barque 11 8 ^1 Princess Royal do England 16} 15} ^B Feb. Julia do England 16} 12 14 ^B Nararaissic do 13 8 ^B Ocean Bird do 10 'i 1 ^B Angenette Brig 9 7* ^B W. T, Lucas do 8i 7 10^ - ^H D. M. Ball Barque 12 8 ^i ' ^1 Mar. Rival do 11 8 7 ^H * Constitution Bkt 13 10 6| IB Galveston Brig 11 7 10^ ^1 Victor Ship 14 11 10 ^M W. B. Scratiton Bkt n 8 > 7 ^1 April Monitor Schr . 8} l* 8 ^H D. M. Hall Barque 12 1 i oH 1 W. T. Lucas Brig 9 7 10 |H 1 J. B. Ford Bkt 10 8 8 IB May Rival Barque 12 8 13 ^^H N. S. Perkins do 11} 8 7 ^H Tanner Brig 10 7J • ' 11 ||H Cambridge Barque 12 11 8 ^H N'iramiBsic do 12 8 9 ^H W. B. Scranton Bkt 10 3 7^ 9 Sarah Schr 8 6 7^ 9 Sheet Anchor Brig 9 7 H 9 June Victor Ship 14 11 8 rjB Haversham Barque China ftJapan 13 10 ^B Bessie do New Zealand 12 12 12 ^H W. A. Banks do n , 9 7 '^B A. Cooper do H 8 9 ^H Architect do ti- 8 7 'l^l ' • D. M. Hall do ll 8} 1 8 wm Strathallan Ship England 15 12} 11 ^^m J. B. Ford Bkt 11 8 8 ^H July Rising Sun Ship England 15} 12 8 •''IB W. T. Lucas Brig . 9 7 8 ' aB Gold Hunt3r Barque 12 8 11 ^ ^^B Haversham do 14^ 10 8 !■ Live Yankee do Jll 8 8 Jh Crimea Brig n ? 8 JH Aug. \V. B. Scranton Bkt 11 10 fl Scotland Barque 16 12 , I il 84 / APP15NDIX. Y«ar. Month. Name of Veiiel. From Draught of Watfr Inwards , Draught of W'aterOalwfffd 18C3 Augi Naramiifio Barqan 11 r«et 8 (eel Esk Ship China 15 12 Romeo Barque England lOi 10 Phillipiiie do England 13 V Aruliitect do 12 8 Victor Ship 13^ 11 Perkins Barque 12 jl 8 Sept. D. M. Hall Barque 12 8 ■Sheet Anchor Brig 10 9 Qold Hunter BgRt 11 8 Palmetto do 12 8 Oct. Rival do 11 7 Excelsior do England 16 10 Jasper Ship England 12 10 Oonslitution Bkt 11 10 Florida Barque 16 11 Dumatilla Schi H 10 8 ^ W. n. Scranton Bkt lU Nor. Sarita Barque 13 9 Geo Washington do 13 A Crimea Brig 7i 6§ Dec. Rival Bgnt 11 8 W. T. Lucas Brig 9 1 N. S. Perkins Bgnt ■J 12 8 Ocean Bird do 10 n W. B. Scranton Bkt • 11 8 ' * Rosedale Ship 12 18G4 Jan. Architect B&rque 11 8 Lockett Ship England 17J • 12 Princess Royal Barque England 16 16 Napoleon IH. S'aip England 15 '2* . W. A. Banks Barque 13 9 Hugh Bjkrclay Brig 9i 7 Domatilla Schr H Crimea Brig 9 7 Feb. Sea Snake Barque England 10 11 Camden do 144 12 Sheet Anchor Brig 10 ii Rival Barque 11 8 March W. T. Lucas Brig 9J 7 Speedwell B'que England 16J lOj Architect do 13 9 A. Cooper do 11 8 Francis Palmer do 11 8 April Denmark do 10 ,o^ Himalaya Ship England 16 13J Sarita B'que 13 10 Live Yankee do 11 a May Rival do 10 8 Sheet Anchor Brig 10 n W. B. Scranton B'kt 10 8 B F. Adams B'que 10 n Jane Francis Palmer do 10 8 Brewster Brig 11 8 Constitution B'kt lOi 10 Chrysolite Ship England 15* 13 Panama B'que 10 8 DM. Hall do 10 8 July Monitor Bkt 9 n Roy.il "Charlie Bque England 15i W. B. Scranton Bkt 10 8 Sheet Anchor Brig n JJ Aug. Kong Oscar Bque England 12 H Naramissic do 12 8 Golden Gate do 11 9 Year. 1864 18C5 Vv: APPENDIX. 86 , DrauKht of WaterOulwfird Yenr. 1804 8 («ei Vi 10 S> 8 11 8 8 9 8 8 1 10 10 10 11 10 8 9 8 7 8 8 12 8 12 16 12J 9 • 7 9} 7 II 12 8 7 10} 9 8 8 8} 13} 10 8 8 8 8 8 10 13 8 8 n 8 7} 9} 8 9 1865 Month. Aug. Sopt: Oct. Oct. Nov. Dec- Jan. Feb. Mar. April Jfay Name of Veaial. J'lno July Aug. Sept Frnncib Palmer Mrtiy Fiiirlight Brewgiur D. .M. Hall Fmnklyn AJama Kinniiird Jolin 8tef)hen8on Scbe Ikoff VV. T. Lucft3 Admiral Domaiilla Pr. Constantino W. A. Banks F. Pultner Monitor Josephine Envoy Sheet Anchor ((Oiden Gate Kni|{ht Bruco B. F. Adams Kentucky Bquo Francis Palmer do llival do Princess Royal do Architect do Sheet Anchor Brig Golden Gate B(iue Dumaiilla Schr Massachusetts Bquo Olimpso do Brewster Brig llival Bquo Franklyn Adams Brig Siirah Schr Envoy Bque Albornl Schr Tempest Bque D. M. Hall do Sheet Anchor Bri(j Massachusetts Bquo Josephine Brig Fray Bentos Ship Brewster Brig Emily Banning Bquo Doraatilla Schr Cecilia Bque Maria Scott Schr Mary Glover Ship Milton Badger Schr F. Adams Brig A! hern i Schr Metropolis B(luo W. D, Rice BriK Perlo Bque Royal Charlie do Domingo do D. M. Hall do firewater Brig Sheet Anchor do Schelikoff do Ann Adamson Bquo Advance Brig Rival Bque Jeanaette do B(|uo do Ship Brig Bque Brig Bque do Brig BriK Brig Schr Stmr Bquo do Bkt Brig BMUghrtof Sfsek 12 10 8 8 7 11 10 11 7- 9,. 10 8 8 C} 7 l\ 9 n 8 8 8 IC 8 7} 10 9} 10 8 12} 8 7 G 9 9 8 8 7 10 C 12 8 8 10 10 G 12 6 7 11 7 7 10 11 8 3 8 7 10} . 10} 8 8 7 86 APPENDIX. Ytar. Month m^ 1865 Sept. Oct. Nov. Nov. Doc. 18C6 Jnn. • Feb. Mar. ^ April .; Mny •Juno July Niime of Veiaol SHniiy .South Alberni Cyclone Domingo I'^nily lUnninp; Hlieet Anchor AlexandtT Josephine Oonntosd of Fil'o Ta Leo F. Adams Hrowiter Delnwftre Woodland (tlnraniara Naramissic Emily Danning A Ooopor Dominf^a Tanner PrinecsB Royal Del Norte Sheet Anchor Spvorn VV. D. BankB W. D. Rice Alexander Del Norte Preil Californiii Pacific W. T. LucBS Oregon Cosarowitch Kactern Chief F. R. Adams Hlieet Anchor Rival Onraden MenchikofF Onward Mohawk Hrig Hchr Hiii|) 1)<|UU do ItriK Himr Brig >Slii|i .Schr llrig Drig llitue UriK HJulv 082,484 lb66. 704,248 l.'200,oo;) 1,411,184 404,028 5.««0,158 9,380,8(51 1,940,144 1,0.10,142 1,284,087 .18.\rt4.') 8,902,393 7(5. .170 120,084 101,131 181.100 .14,440 744,704 224.78;) 270,000 284,931 222.040 98,480 1,277,84* 112,108 1 13.4H0 20,(24 1*3.078 l'.),044 402.313 32,424 70,934 82,974 73,071 20,492 303.279 17,1)00 3.772 20.772 3t.l70 33.170 22,268 14,434 .16.108 1,114 103,900 l.UA 4.700 2,H8:t,0i;l 8,719 10,410 .'?,i;io,2:t2 ;t,H(!o,sH7 :i,i;o2,78(; 1.07(),/')77. I7,ii('>().()(!H ENCLOSUIIR No. 4. I EXPORTS from VICPORIA, Vanoouver Island, to Foreign Porta. BXCLUBIVB of Britiflh Columbia, JULY 1863, to AUOUST, 1866. SXPOBTBD TO Ban Frnnolsoo j Portland Pu^tit Hound , ■ New York Honolulu JKusainn Territory , iFotropauloRki JNortli West Const of North America. ISociety Islands [Great liritain Lait Hall Year 1803, Year 1864 130,123 10,404 42,021 319 36,447 no rtoord 180,000 no 270,404 65,771 48,yau 09,002 record <««if««i«ttiit«iit 1,500 5.25 . • , 7,800 3.50 , , , 1,700 2.50 : . ; , 1,700 G , , 750 2.50 i , 1,400 2.50 . . , 1,000 .S.50 , , 1,700 12 , \ 2,430 C.25 , , 1,700 6 ; ; COO fi , COO 21.50 : Valued lit 5,250 114.25-100 $59,880 . £11,970. [Copy] ENCLOSURE No. 7. To THB SgORBTART OF THB OQAMBBB OF OoMMBRCE. ViOTORiA, V. L, Sept. 5tb, 18G6. Dear Sir, At the request of Messrs. Henderson & Buruaby, we lierewith inform you that the first part of " V. I. Pilot " was invoiced to us on the 13th November, 18G2, ond received in the tollowing year, per "Rising Sun." The same work, complete, iras sent to us on the 14th of February, 1865, per Express, and received on or about the 8th of May following. We are. Yours, very respectfully, ' [Signed] Hidben & Carswgll. [Copy] ENCLOSURE No. 8. This is to certify that I have navigated the waters between hero and Fraser River for the pR8»| twenty^three years ; fourteen of the above period as Master in sailing and steam vessels. That I am| intimately acquainted with the Channel into Fraser River. That in the years 1859 lind J»t!0, when! New Westminster was established, and commenced to improve, the entrance to Fraser Uiver was im.j perfectly buoyed and was intricate, narrow and uncertain, and thut in my opinion it was not available , for vessels drawing more than sixteen feet, and then only with the assistance of steam power, without ■ grMit risk. And I farther certify that n portion of the channel between the Sand Heads and tliej Mouth of the Fraser River is constantly and gradually chifling, so much so that the buoys have bada to be shifted twice within the last year. In Qorroboration of the rbove facts, I have only to assert,! and can easily prove that a part of the channel surveyed by Captain Richards — namely, between thej black spar Buoy and red buoy, or red top Beacon— is at the present time nearly dry at low water,! which plainly shows the shifting nature of the sands. [Signed] VlOIORl*, V. L, August 30tb, 1866. John Swanson, Master Mariner of the H. B; Co. Scrviie, A#ENDIX. 8t h'fi/iniii'ilt Town j'li VALITE- $2,100 , 1,400 3.000 22,450 1,600 , 900 1,500 : 7,800 1,700 j , 1,700 760 J 1,400 1,000 , 1,700 2,430 1,700 GOO : COO 1 at 5,250 $59,880 £11,970. I Copy] ENCLOSURE No. 9. This is to certify thit T have navigated tlio waters betwoon Viincouvor Taliiiid and Frnser RlTor for the pasi oiglit yonrs, and tliat I .iin intiinatclj' acquainted witU tbo cbnnncl info Friiser liivor. That in the years 1859-GO, when New Westminster was established find eomincnii'd to grow, tho entrance into Frnsor River was imperfectly buoyed, and was intricati", narrow and iijucrtnin, and thftt in my opinion it was not available without great risk for vessels drawing sixteen fn-t tit the utmost, and thoa requiring tbo assistance of steam power. [Signed] IIkhbert G. Lhwis. Witness— (Signed)— Wm. Charlbs. Victoria, V.I., 28th August, 1866. [CopyJ ENCLOSURE No. 10, This is to certify -that I am a licensed Pilot for British Columbia, and that I have navigated Frager River since 1858. In 1859 and the fore part of 1860 the channel was intricate and difficult to find, and was imperfectly buuyed ; the buoys have disappeared on several occasions, owing to the shifting of the Sand Heads, which caused them to settle down. The channel has shifted materially within my knowledge. In 1859 and the fore part of 1800 it would not have been safe to take in a vrs?ol drawing more than sixteen feet, and then not without steam, I piloted H.M.S. Tribune safely into Eraser River, and was on board when she struck going out; lier draucht of water — 19 feet 7 inches — was too great to allow lirr to bo tnkcn out ot' the river with safety. There is risk in taking a vessel of her draught either into or out, of the Frusi r L"°t. In the actual channel by which I took U.M.S. Tribune into the river thcie are not now more than five feet of water at low waten Given under my hand, thlB fourteenth day of September, 18CG. [Signed] Joun S. Titcomb. WitnoBS— (Signed)— J. A, Jones. . I.,Sept. 5tb, 1806. [Copy] ENCLOSURE No. 11. I do herobj certify that I have known Mr. Herbert Q. Lewis and Mr. John Swanson as ofTicera in the Marine service of the Hudson's Bay Company on this coast lor the last sixteen years ; that they are now both Masters in that service, and that any statement both or either of them may make rC'- specting the navigation of the North West coast, south of the latitude of Sitka, of which they had the opportunity of getting a perfect knowledge, may be relied on as correct. [Signed] Rodk, Finlayson, Chief Factor Hudson's Bay Co. Victoria, V.L, 16th September, 1866. le H. B; Co. Sorviie. [Copy] ENCLOSURE No. 12. ViCTOBiA, V.T., August a-tlh, 18GG. ROBBRT BURNABY, Esq., &0., &C. : Dbar Sir, — J have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, requesting me to supply, for the information of tbo Chamber of Commerce, any data in my possession in regard to the occasional interruption of the navigation of Eraser River by ice. An uninterrupted residence of thirty.-four years either on the const or in tlie interior of British Columbia qualifies mo to speak with some confidence on this suliject. MistrusliiiR, however, the accuracy of my own recollections, in the face of the statements that have been recently advanced, I at once had recourse to Mr. James M. Yale, a retired officer of the Hudson's Bay Company, well known to yourself and others in Victoria. After comparing note,s with this gentleman, who for nearly thirty years was in charge of Fort Langley, near the mouth of the Fraser river, I am enabled to state coni fidently as follows. In years of ordinary severity Fraser River ii frozen in completely as far as the mouth of Pitt River, ft point ftbout midway between Langley and New Westminster. 40 APPENDIX. In yonrs of extraordiunry severity the river ia frozen to its molitli, a coiisitU'rftblc distance below New VVestiiiinster, The first ooniliiion of tiiiiip;a may bo nssunu'd to occur, nr£;iiin({ upon tlio ftvonige of a ninuber ut b^i'U'unu jertiii, eviry third winter; tlio seconti, |)erhnps, under int(;i'vnlfl of ten yciira. It is sn|i(Tlliioii3 to any tliiit in the bitter eii?e tliii nuviniilion iR elc'scd ; in tlio foinirr (m-!0 it ia viv" tmilly closed liUowiso, since the 3t market for Oali-. tedly in tho iiscend- ican inreresta. Tho nda of pfiople, pomo ry which, if rightly ic colonies a useful indsd on popular res .turalized eitizoii an tn SocrRtary to tho Jompany's control, a wo oliicial organiza- hov.'ever, partially ■'s reproaentativo for to widen tho separs itly permanont pros- btains in older and From that day the Colonies bave declined rapidly, not only from their uttor inability to support such cumbersorae governraonts, but from other causes not unknown in raining communities, Victoria, which oiico supported four daily papers aad several large English iniportiu;^' cstablishnn-'nts ; which was buiMintj up an export trade lur Ijritish goods to San Francisco, Origon, Me.\ico, the Sandwich Islands, ilussian Arae.ricn — a business fostered by the freedom of their port from custom dues of any dcjciiptiun — has fallen away through the reduction of its houjo trade and the preposterous weight or tH.xation for official SHlaries. Tlio new Governor, while personally esteemed for his many good quali- tiis, has been unable t9 conciliate a people who, under his rule, have beeu gradually declining from comparative wealth to a state in which bankruptcies are common and poverty niiiversal. Tho Houso of Assimblyand the Executive have never worked cordially together, and have often been at open foud on ijuestions arising out of tho exorbitant demands upon tho public purse ; and at last tho Home (lovornnient, having blundered at everj' step — having don • everything thuy ought to have done — liavo determined upon getting out •f the scrape by a coupd'clat. Lord Russell's government, as one of their last acts, brought in a bill to expuo'^e Vancouver Islind from the roll of British Colonies, to extinguish all tho rights of the electors, to sweep away tho cou> stitution, the free port, and everything that attracted capital and intelligence to that out-of>tho-way island, and to cive the people over, bound hand aud foot, to tho domination of tho Governor of British Columbia and his paid magistrates. The bill proposes first to abolish the constitution by which the people have elected their representa- tives in the Island Legijlature for the last ten years, to annex the Island, which contains all the assessed property, two-thirds of the fixed residences of the joint inhabitants, all the business and mining capital and cfery wholesale store, to British Columbia, a country which is merely the field of summer occupations of miners: Victoria, one of the best built and pleasantest little cities on tho Pacific coast — is no longer to be the metropolis; that honoris to be conferred on New Westminster — ■ a rough and unrpclainied site lor a town — rather than an existing city — a place bboring under all tho disadvantages o* being beyond the line fixed by the Admiralty survey as the safe limit of navigation by sea-going ships, and located on a river which is frozen upon an average nearly a month in every year. The system of Government is to be a Governor, chosen by tho Queen, and Legislative Council of 23. The Secretary of the Colony — a nominee of the Cro9vn— is to bo ex ojjicio President, Eight magistrates from the mainland aud three from the Island chosen arbitrarily by the Governor, with seven non-'Oflicial members chosen by the residents of the former, and four by tho residents of the latter pliice, subject, however, to the approval of the Governor, are to form this unique logislativo body. A system of apporiionraent which being evidently based on square miles rather than population or proderty, shows how little knowledge of or sympathy with tho poople he ia dealing with, is possessed by the (Jueen's political Secretary who has the care of her forty and odd Colonies, The laws of tho two Provinces of tho new Colony of tho British Columbia will remain as they now stand, until changed by the new Council, but the tariff of British Columbia will take effect in ihd port of Victoria from the day the bill becomes law. The Governor, however, is empowered by tho bill to institute such ft system of warehousing as may be necessary — a provision which may save the unfortunate English consigned^ who have goods on their way round the Horn to the free port of Victoria from absolute and unexpected loss of their ventures. At first sight, it seems difficult to find a motive for the outrage of giving the richer to the poorer, tho greater to the lesser, tho majority to the rule of the minority ; but theio is a solution to be found. British Columbia is very heavily indebted in London, and though her bonds are quoted nt a hign rate there are no sales, for they are never offered in the market, while the indebtedness of Vancouver Island is but §200,000 or so. As things have been going of late, British Columbian bonds are all but worths less in London, there not being any real property to speak of in the country ; whilo in Vancouver Island there is a large amount of permanently improved real estate. The bondholders of British Columbia, therefore, will improve their security, and the real estate of Victoria will become liable for the principal and interest of money they did not borrow, and had nothing to do with tho spending of, if the bill becomes law. Lord Russel's Government has been hoodwinked by the bondholders as ils predecessor was hoodwinked by the Hudson Bay Company, when it allowed iheir possessory rights to the town site, and as all the Governments have been hoodwinKed bj interested parties at every step they have taken in regard to these Colonics or the Hudson Bay Company's interest. The effect on neither colony will be satisfactory. Victoria will lose its foreign trade and tho advantage of being in direct couimnnication with the Government, and New Westminster will lose the little separate trade It now has, and bocoiuo a mere hamlet of official residences and a woodyard for passing steamers. Vancouver Island boing a small, weak place, cannot resist the tyranny which takes way her political rights and confiscates her properly, but the inhabitants, already imbued with republican ideas, will cast longing eyes at the free self-government of their neighbors in Washington Territory. Administration and ^Tlisrcprcscntntion. {^From the Cariboo Smtinel, Aitfjust 20, 186G.) In treating on the interview of the Mining Board with the lion. .Mr. Birch a few days ago, we wore inclined to accord to the Administrator of the Government due credit for a desire to do all in his pow( r to improve tho condition of the miners and to redress certain grievances of which our citizens so justly complained ; although ho did not express himself in terms such as we had every reason to I JJ^" 42 APPENDIX. expect, slill wo wpro disposed to attribute bis reticence or hesitation to tbe fear of compromising liim» Belt' with the Hjido Govortiment, hs his statements led us to believe his powers were very limiti'd, AVhivt thcu is our iistonishnient to find that while pretending all kinds of sympathy and commiserating our siifTerings from ihu nuil adrainis'.ratiou of the law, tie is using the influence which his present jiosition liiis given luin to iiii^-rcpresent our grievances to the Imperial Government — an instance of double dealiii;; only ci(uallei» by his superior oflioer, Governor Seymour, whoso despatch to the Colonial Socretary we shall have occasion to refer to in our next issue. Where arc we to seek rcliuf? Certainly not from any of the ofEcials, for the support of whom the miners' labor is taxed to so galling an extent; in our opinion the only means of obtaining justice will be to ignore the whole tribe of officials altogether, and let the people, through chosen representatives, lay their grievancos before the Home Government, and then by placing the true state of affairs before the Colonial Secretary in Loudon, avoid the rocks in the shape of Governor Seymour and bis protego Mr. Birch, that wo have split ujion. The people of Vancouver island with their costly government have equally with ourselves much to complain of ; then kt the people of the two colonies unite in their appeal to the British Parliament, and ask for such rcnicdiul nieasuros as by obolishing one staff of officials to reduce the taxation one- balf, and also to recitU such of the public servants as by their improper conduct have rendered them- selves odious 10 tho citizens of both colonies* The proximity of Vancouver Island to this continent renders the existence of two governments a perfect farce — their union is necessary to both ; let us then secure this desired object without delay ; it requires only that tho united voice of the people be heard by the authorities at home without tho interveutiou of Governor Seymour or hia satellite to accoaplish all that is required. Governor Seymour's Despatch. (from the Cariboo Sentinel, Auffust 23.) We give a synopsis of Governor Seymour's dispatch to tne Colonial Secretary (Mr. Cardwell) in another portion of this paper, which wo recommend to the careful perusal of our readers. The doouN raont from begiuiiing to end has only one object in view, and this object is to show bow much Gov, Seymour and his host of ollicials have done for the country. lie shuts his eyes and ears to tho voice of tho people (uid their increasing efforts to awaken the Government to a sense of its duty. Heavy taxation, raal-adininiatration of the law, imposts preventing immigration, and numerous other griev- ances of the people are not worthy of notice in a despatch to the Home Government, An arrogant self-sufficiency charauteriscs the whole performance, and tho art with which the despatch is got up ■would do credit to a vendor of patent medicines. Governor Soyiuour has quite a romantic turn, and gives exprossio; 'o " novel ideas," fie says — Clause 13 — 1 learn that tho British Columbian capital is making great progress, bouses and wharves, clearing and fencing g ling on everywhere, and the most hopeful sign of all is iieginning to show itself— a disposition on the part of the miners to purchase land in New Westminster or its neighbor- hood and commence the systematic colonization of the Lower Fraser." Tbe Governor's informant has probably been some holder of unsaleable lots in the capital, whose wish was father to bis thought. Regarding Kootonay he says — Clause 15 — " It was first through American newspapers that I became aware of a rich and prosperous mining district existing within our limits." This we readily admit is highly probable ; our (Jovernmcnt is of a happy disposition and does not trouble itself about the de- velopment of the colony. Wo are indebted to our neighbors for tho discovery of our mines, but tho opportuuity of planting a few more officials was irresistible, so he goes on to say " wo soon extended British institutions over tho new diggings, established Courts of Justice and collected taxes." But then — Clause 16 — "the attraction of Kootenay itself sron dimmed before the discoveries on tho Big Bend of tho Colimibia." This is brilliant ! "I had fortunately consented to license tbe running of steamers under tho American flag in the purely English waters of that river." A most wise precau- tion, as tho British Columbian capitalists were so engrossed with the fine bargains they were getting in New Westminster lots that they had no time to Icok after the miners, and so our poor fellows would have starved at tho mines had it not been for tbe enterprise of our American cousins. He adds : " Tho adveut of winter (1805) alone prevented the general rush which is confidently predicted for this year." Alas ! that we should have to record it, the '• rush " was partially realised, and although the partial rush to was succeeded by a gcneial rush ruoM the mines, before which the Kootenay " dimmed," the " rush " has been so disastrous for the country that it will require years before con- fidence is restored. And how was this rush brought about? By such truthful and worthy means as tho following ptiraoraph is calculated to disseminate: " I atn credibly informed (still Clause 16) that these newly discovered j^old mines havo in some places pielded as much as 9800 a day to the hand, without machinery ! ! " We are ashamed to confess that alihough we heard many extravagant reports in relation to these mines we never heard the above statement. Perhaps tho places are In a retired quarter, in which case tho lucky prospectors may be taking out the same amounts to this day. Wo should like to kuow the Governor's "credible" informant. This same " credible " person doubtless informs him that (Cl.iuso IG) " near Lillooet is a fine agricultural district, a stretch of nearly seventy luilea of rich auriferous ground has been discovered." We would be willing to risk a trifle for the The rei productive — teems w famous ! could be t bian has n surprised romarkahl and looks to judge f( territories invited to sessing thi your pred in British printers, h Who trou their own The officia dreads all was evide pealed to union." ^ extraordin to our knr Councillor subject, ei — for fear James Bt-j be says, " It does no he would mind, and few words object, "W an error, that time crusheil ^r, Governor' ledge of In clauK not coMlii ment, bul British po dissensioi! lous but n opinion \i must be a streugtliei this requi of consid Briti.ih cu British au aside to j APPENDIX. 40 f compromising liim- vcro very limiti'd. yftnd corainiseraling ce which bia present jent — nn instance of Oaci despatch to the lupport of whom tho Dbtaining justice will oaen representfttivcs, itate of affairs beforo luour and bis protege th ourselves much to Uritish Parliftmcnt, uce the taxation one- have rendered them- ■ two governments a object without delay ; nt home without tho ■ed. ry (Mr, Cardwell) in • readers. The docuN how how much Gov. and ears ts tho voice !e of its duty. Heavy mraerous other griev- nment. An arrogant ) despatch is got up el ideas." He says — , houses and wharves, I beginning to show later or its neighbor- ernor's informant has :her to his thought, spapersthftt I became is we readily admit is e itself about the de- of our mines, but tho ly " wo soon extended lollected taxes." But scoveries on tho Big icense the running of A most wise prccau- ,ins they were getting d so our poor fellows ;an cousins. He adds : ifidently predicted for realised, and although re which tho Kooteney uire years before con- and worthy means as J (still Clause 16) that 800 a day to the hand, \y extravagant reports places are In a retired unts to tbia day. Wo ble " person doubtless etch of nearly seventy to risk a triilo for tho first " credible" information as to tho whereabouts of the "rich auriferous ground," as we know that a good many poor fellows well acquainted with the country have been unsuccessful in the search for it ; fearing bo doubt that the scenes " so charming," so artistically described by our talented Governor would not convey the foct with sufficient force. He finishes this rcmartiable clause by saying, '"I say again that British Colu!!<.bia is flourishing, and has a still brighter prospect in view." Tho nourishing stale of the colony is patent to every one, but this is the " state of bankruptcy." Wo mention this lest a uiiBundurstauding might occur; the exceptions to this rule are uolnumereua. Wo can only say Jiat the GovorD«r has a brighter view of the prospects than us, we can only see them "as through a glass darkly." — The length of His Excellenoy's dispatch precludes us from analysing it within tho limits ot one article, wo shall therefore return to it again. Oovernor Seymour on Union. ; i (From the Cariboo Sentinel A uffusl 21.) The remarkable document addressed by his Excellency to Mr. Secretary Cordwell is likely to be productive of lusting renown to Governor Seymoui. The press of both colonies — with one exceptioa — teems with approciutivo criticism. How proud must bt> our Governor, ho has at last made himsslf famous I The despatches of tho Duko of Wellinjjton pale beforo this celebrated production. If there could be an exception to the general opinion oui readers know where to find it; the " British Columx bian has not forgotten its well earned repute, aad it stands alone in its absurdity; we cannot then be surprised that its views in relation to Governor Seymour's dispatch are al' its own. The Governor is remarkably discursive on tho subject of union; ho turns the matter abou, with remarkable ingeuuity, and looks at it from nil sides, — but ohe right one, we were going to say but this we leave our readers to judge for themselves. lie snys-— ;i^,uso 4 — " Whether it was wise cer to make two colonies of the territories lying west of the Uot'-y Mountains, it is useless now to enquire, but colonists having been invited to settle on tho continent on the faith that they were to form an independent community posi sessing their own Government and capital. The old system was found to be manifestly unjust, and your predecessor, listening to tho petitioning colonists, ofTected the separation so joyously received ill British Columbia." Wo humbly submit that either the Governor — wliich is not probable — or the priutera, have committed an error in substituting the word " colonists for " officials ;" for example : Who troubled themselves about forming an independent community? The officials. Who wanted their own cnpital and Governmi ? The oiKcials. By whom was the separation so joyously received? The officials. The despatch (cl 60 5) is made to say, " It has had tho one great wish gratified and (heads all change The -'it" is evidently intended for the Legislative Council, as that august body was evidently in the Governor's mind at tho time. He says, "The gentlemen who successfully ap> pealed to tho people for a numination to the Legislative Council pledged themselves ^o opposition to union." Wo would particularly draw the attention of our readers to this last quotation, because the extraordinary question arises, did the Legislative Councillors pledge themselves to themselves? As to our knowledge they were never known to pledge themselves to any one else. The Legislative Councillors, however, are true to themselves, for the Governor says— clause 5 — " The Council, on this subject, entirely unfettered by me, vote unanimously against it" (union). Governor Seymour, although — for fear of offending people — he does not say so, has a high opinion of the Government buildings at James Btiy ; he therefore admits of a slight difference of opinion between tho Council and himself, for he says, "I am for many reasons anxious that the desire for union should exist in British Columbia. It does not." What a pity it is that tho Governor won't overthrow the Council altogether, because if ht! would ask the people who pay the taxes (but this ho might think undignified) they are all of one mind, and would have union to-morrow if possible. Tho Cth clause may be entirely summed up in a few words. Tho merchants of Victoria got up an agitation for union which signally failed of its object. With all due respect to the Governor and the source whence Le drew his information, this is an error. The merchants of Victoria, a portion of whom were citizens of British Columbia, were at that time tho great support of our miners ; the ruini^us taxation, over-trading and other causes, have I crushed iiomfi ot them, and in like proportion have arrested the progress of tho country; Whether the ■ Governor's remarks in relation to iheso enterprising men will tend ta make them happy with the know> ledge of their sacrifices for the country, is a matter that we leave to wiser heads to determine. In clause 20 we liud tho following; " I consider, however, my duty to require of mo that I should • not confine my attention exclusively to the internal affairs of the tract of country under my Govern- ment, but that I should likewise see to the strengthening of British authority, British influence and British power on the I'ncific, and I at once admit that the existing division weakens all three. The ! dissensions between the two colonies are looked upon in the neighboring States as rather a scanda- lous but novel and amusing feature in English colonization," Wc are modest, and rarely obtrude our opinion upon the public, but we cravo a little indulgenco for this time. The Governor, we opine, must be nlllicied with some obliiiuity of mental vision when he connot perceive that the true way of ■ streugtheuing British iiitluonce, etc., is to make this colony a model of good Government, and *o do this requires tlio Governor to mind his own business, and leave external matters to the trifling omount of consideration they require. British power on tho Pacific can only bo secured by the loyalty of Briti.^h colonists, and the loyalty of British colonists by thj integrity and justice of British Governors. I British authority was never in greater danger than at present, when British law is prostituted and set , aside to please the whim, caprice or interests of the servants of tho British Government. It is only 44 APPENDIX. in aqnitable union of the two colonies tbat wo cnn bope for tbo redroBS tbat we British Colnrabiang have so long and so vainly prayed for ; our sc.nnty nurabera sprt'Hd over tbe surfaco of Ibis great colony in quest of tbo precious metal, precludes that cohesion and unanimity tbat is necessary to imi press a restive Government ; with the population of Vancouver Island we should always have a suffiii cient representation at the capital tliat would awe tho Government into something like propriety. The neighboring States have much reason to look upon our dissenbions 03 " scandalous but novel and amusing " — wo should say disgraceful yet ridiculous — and tho way in which Governor Seymour attempts to shelter himself and his oflicial relinuo from all blame by tbrowiug it on somebody alse, whether Victorians or their agents, is something very clever but not very creditable. Oovemoi' Seymour on a Ilainitage. From the British Columbia Tribune, Yule, August 13, \^Wy. lathe extraordinary document which has fortunately been exhumed from the pigeon boles of the Colonial Office in Downing street to find its way into print, Mr, yeymour has attacked, in unmeasured terms, our objects and motives iu the establishment of tho Cariboo Sentinel, as well as misrepresented matters in connection with ourseI"es, which wu cannot pass over in silence, or allow to go uncon- tradicted; As Governor Seymour is not bore that we cau upbraid him personally with bia gross per- versions of the truth, we will confine ourselves simply \o a review of his unmanly and undignified attacks — because seiret and hidden— upon us and our pcrsoual character. In the dispatch to Mr. Ex'^Secretary Oardwell Mr. Seymour insinuates in language that cannot bo mistaken, that the mer- ohantB of Victoria were the virtual promoters of the Sentinel, and his Excellency charges tbat it wai " started especially to advocate LTnion and oppose the local Government." Nothing, we solemnly assert, can be further from the truth than our high minded (!) Governor's statements. Neither the merchants nor any other parlies in Victoria, directly or indirectly, had aught to do with the paper in its coNCSi'TiON, PKOMOTioN, ESTAnLisuMEN'T or sui'i'OUT. Had the merchants of Victoria been desirous of establishing an organ of their own in Caribpo, tbo very last person in the world they would have made any advances to would have been ourselves. It is well known that during our connection with the press of Victoria we were not especial favorites with tho mercantile body in that city generally. and at no time, either ia Victoria or out of it, did we ever receive their undivided support. Tho cause, doubtless was, that since wo commenced our journalistic career in those colonies we have published an independent newspaper, owned, controlled and directed by ourselves alone. At no time did we ever bow our necks to the yoke of any class, clique, or body in the community ; and what is of no little importance in connection with Governor Seymour's charges against us- we were at all times, both in Victoria and out of it, opposed directly and uncompromisingly to the cherished free trade policy of the merchants of 'Victoria; It is well knowu that these same merchants of Victoria subscribed their money and started against us an opposition newspaper — the Va7icouver yVmei— when we owned and conducted the Evcninj Express. Is it likely, then, wo simply ask, that those men who were opposed to us in principle and policy would subsidize us, it wo wore base and unprincipled enough to accept their offer, to be their organ in this country? It is not only contrary to common sense to suppose so, but it could only be one with an object to serve, and when he thought his daring misrepresentations vt ould never see the light, who could resort to such despicable arguments to uphold his misgovernmeat of tho country. It is to tho prescient forethought of our esteemed friend, J. E. McMillan, one of the partners iu the British Columbian newspaper, that we, and the country, are indebted for the fortunate suggestion tbat led to the e»tablishmcnt of the Cariboo Sentinel. None other than he, and ho alone, knew of our intention of starting the paper until nearly all our arrange* meats for the purpose were perfected. We kept tho matter a profound secret until within a few days of our departure, because, we understood at the time, that Mr. Amor DuCosmos had some ifitention of entering into a similar enterprise. This is the true history of the establishment of the Senijnei, and we dare any one to bring forward a title of proiif to upset our assertions. With respect to Governor Seymour's charges that the papiT was ushered into lite for the " especial object of advocat- ing Union and opposing the Government," wo pronounce the charge as unfounded as it is malicious. When we loft Victoria for Cariboo, our object was to publish a journal " exclusively devoted to the dififusion of mining intelligence, but whcu wo arrived iu this colony and on our passage to the mines in the interior, we had forced upon us by a discontented people the necessity for an independent journal, with wider and more extensive aims than we proposed to ourselves at first," we then den termined, and not till then, to identify ourselves with the great political questions of the day, promi- nently stirring the public mind ; but during our whole career iu connection with the Sentinel the subject of Unioa was scarcely ever touched upon by us, and when it was, our remarks in regard to it were called forth in reply to tho misrepresentations of the views of our fellow colonists on the subject, put forward by the Government organ at Now Westminster, or by some Govemmeat supporter— the Government being then as now, SECRETLY OPPOSED ,. , .. , ; to Union. With regard to our opposition to the Government, it was dictated purely by honest and patriotic motives. We were witnesses of the decay and ruin brought upoa the country by the APPENDIX. i$ ■eotional and illadviscd polity of tlio Governmont, and wn hail hut ono obioct in view in exposing tho wronga nnd grieviincc8 of nn over-taxed hhiI ov(M--l)nriln!icd ueoiilo — to have them rcdresaod. We hiivo lind tliQ proud satisfHction of fuidiiip; tlint our labors, to some extent at least, bavu not been in vain. Not contented with tlio tniHrepmsentftiions to which we have iilready directed tlie nttention of tho public, Governor Seymour goes on to atato that when "extraneous assistance was withdrawn from tho Scntiticl, it died from svnnt of nunport." How, we should like to know, did tho veracious Governor ascertain that tho " extraneous assistance wns withdrawn ?' So far from any aseistance being with* drawn, we can fearlessly assert tliat up to tho lust day of publication tho support eztendod to tho paper by tho PUBLIC was steadily incroisinR. Our renders well knnw that during tho winter season in this country, when all business is almost suspended, that outside of tho so-called capital of New Westminster no paper could profitably succeed. Like every other business carried on in this colony at present, a newspaper can only bo s<;lf-3upporting in tho summer season, and it was only when winter in Cariboo had begun to set in, that we discontinued tho publication of the Sentinel. So much for Governor Seymour's misrepresentations. Now, with regard to Union being distasteful to the people of Cariboo la=t year, as Mr Seymour assorts, tho very opposite was tho case, Nineteemtwentieths of tho Whole population were, and still are, in favor of it. They knew well it was, and still think it ii, tho only escape from the enormous taxation imposed upon them. As to our stirring up an agitation in Cariboo, on Union or any other subject, wo repudiate in tho strongest terms tho insinuation of Mr Seymour. At no period of our residence in any part of these colonies have we ever given any countenanre or support to anything even iipproaehing to an agitation. On the contrary, wo sot our face distinctly agaiust it. Wo wore often entreated by influential parties in Cariboo, last year, to assist in getting up meetings and public petitions against the misgovernmont under which the people gi.ianed, but in every instance our invariable .inswerwas; "Wo are here only In our professional capacity and not as a poliiioinn, and neither our per.Hnnal tastes nor our resolves will permit us to lead or join ia any public demonstration whatever. Our space forbids our noticing the misrepresentations of Governor Seymour at greater length in this issue ; the peoplo of tho colony, we doubt not, will read the Governor's dispatch with mingled feelings of astonishment ane disgust — astonishment at the reoklessuess with which he deals with facts, and disgust that truth should be perverted and outraged by one in so exalted a station, even to serve .^r prop up the raisgovernment of the country that he has been guilty of. Gne word respecting the claims Victoria and its merchants have upon us personally. Neither in Victoria nor in any other part of Vancouver Island do we own f>r possess ono foot of real estate, that it would be our interest to support or advocate any preference for the Island over this colony. To the merchants we owe no allegianeo whatever, they did not support ua when we were la Victoria) and since we left it, when they have had any newspaper patronage to confer in this colony, it ia given to the British Columbian and not to us. If we were vindictive or allowed personal motives to outweigh our desire for tho public good, wo would bo the most violent opponents of Victoria interests. If we desire to see Union consummated and Victoria made the Capital, it is because we ftro persuaded in our conscience both colonies would bo materially benefitted thereby, and that the apathy, decay, and discontent now universally prevailing might bo replaced by progress, contentment, and prosperity in tho land* We have a deeper; far deeper Interest in tho progress and prosperity of the country than Governor Seymour. Wo can only hope to riso and succeed in proportion to the progress made by the colony in population and prosperity, whilst his Excellency can livo and luxuriate in tho salons of Paris upon the ruins of his misgoverned country. ' \\ Tbe Oovernor of New Wcstminsten' on the Flourishiiigr State of the] Colony. From the British Columbian Tribune^ August 27, 1800. J No part, perhaps, of the notorious dispatch from " Ruo da la Paix" to Mr. Cardwell places its anthoj in 1 more damaging light before the public than where it asserts that this colouy is in a flourishing state. In tho ninth paragraph Mr. Seymour s.iys: "I am prepared to allow that Victoria is not flourishing. I MAINTAIN THAT BRITISH COLUMBIA IS SO." Again, in tho thirteenth paragraph, llis Excellency declares that although a few roadvside houses along tho wagon-voad became bankrupt as travel decreased, by diminished imniigration and accelerated travelling, THE GENERAL CON- DITION OF THE COLONY, HOWEVER, WAS PROSPEROUS. But tba proofs which the writer gives of the evidences of prosperity in the country have excited profound disgust in the minds of the people at the total absence of truth n.ud cindor displayed by His Excellency. Hero are tho proofs given Mr. Cardwell of tho prosperous state of the colony. His Excellency says : " The customs' receipts nl New Vrestrainstcr were, by the last account which has reached me, £15,000 in excess of the corresponding period of 1861. I learn that the British Columbian capital ' is making great progress, houses and wharves, clearing nnd fencing going on everywhere.' And the most hopeful sign of all is beginning to show itself; a disposition on the part of the minors to pur* chase land in New Westminster or its neighborhood, and commence the systematic colonization of tho Lower Eraser. " While British Columbia is rcputjd to be languishing, it may be interesting for me to mention, 46 APPENDIX. tbonith I write without olllciftl dooiimcntg, somo of the iirincipnl piit)lic woiKs wliitli Imve boiin roiid to the northern mines. Upwards of twenty thousand pounds have been expendnd on tlio completion of the high road Into Oariboo, allowing machinery at last to be introduced into Williams Creek. " I have endeavored at considerable length to prove, first, that TInion with Vancouver Island, or the annexation of that colony, is not desired in BrittHh Columbia: secondly, that the largpr colony is not in a depressed condition." Now, it wil! be observed at the outset, that although the Governor of Now Westminster muot have been in possession of information as to the actual revenue received up to the end of last year, when he was writing his despatch from Paris, he does not tell Mr. Onrdivoll whether the excess was for the first quarter, half year, or on the whole year. Ho adroitly leaves tlint undefined ; hut that is not sn bad as the DOWNRIGHT DKOKPTION which ho practises upon the Hecretiiry ol State, by CONCKAL-. ING the fact that anew tariircarae into operation in ISOf), uiid tliut on many artieica nn fnr)rnious in- crease took place in the duty. His Excellency does not, iilludo eilliorto tlio iiilluion of busines) in the spring of 18G5, which ended bo disastrously lo th(! niercnnti|i> interests ol' tln' couritiy. "'lieru is n Studied concealment on '.he part of his Exctdlency of New Westminster, wliich ^lioulil huvo prompted 8 'jan of Mr. Cardwell's calibre to have hail rr:turn3 based on fiicts Ifiid lipfore liiin in support of the manifestly onc'-sided statements of his correspondent. The course wliieh the Government has pur« sued In keeping the audited accounts for 18(J.") for eight months from the public prevents our sifting Mr. Seymour's statements any closer, but f/o are of opinion that when the Auditor-General is ALLOWED to enlighten the community by publishing, in his usual clear manner, the audited ac- counts, it will bo diificult to reconcile Mr. Seymour's assertions with at vtistical facts. The "great, progress" in New Westminster that is going on : " the houses and wharves, clearing and fencing," arc i not even the most " hopeful sign " of the country's prosperity, according to the author of the despatch. Oh no I " The miners " — the bono and sinew of the country—" are beginning to buy land in New West-. minster or its neighborhood and commence the colonization of the Lower Fraser." Wo ask our fellow | colonists is it possible for any statements to he more opposed to the truth than the foregoing ? If Mr. : Seymour were the bitter enemy of New Westminster, instead of its warmest partizan, he could not have written words of keener or more scathing irony than those referring to its progress. Had he, told Mr. Oardwell that the place was fast going to ruin and decay, the crass growing in the streets,! many of its houses untenanted, neither houses going up nor wharves being erected, several of itsj traders become bankrupt and sold out, and without a wholesale importing merchant in the city, bill Excellency would|have adhered to the truth and not misrepresented the actual state of things. Wbol are the miners so enamored of the capital as to become proprietors of somo of its lots, and where arol the evidences of the systematic scttlemont of the Fraser River lands ? Mr. Seymour's fertile iraaginail tion alone could supply the answer. Why did Mr. Seymour not give the price of town lots in hill favored city in the beginning of this year, nnd compare it with the price ruling when he made hill grand entry into that scene of desolation and fallen greatness which he so grnphically depicts of tbel appearance of the capital at the time his Excellency assumed the reins of Government? 1 bo simplel reason is, that the result would have been to show a decline of fifty per cent, in value! Wo pity the! people of New Westminster, to have such an advocate any where as THEIR Governor. It must bol tantalizing to the utmost extreme to tho poor lot owners of the capital to read the word-picture whicbl h« gives ol the condition of their town. We do believe the honest inhabitants of New Westminsterl have never had their disgust more excited or a deeper crimson brought to their cheeks than on readj ing Mr. Seymour's despatch— unless it was at someof tho putrid and filthy matter with which they are! semi-weekly inflicted in the editorial columns of the British Columbian newspaper. But tho prosperilyl of New Westminster is not all the cheering evidence of the country's prosperity I By no means, if wel take Mr; Seymour for our authority. There is thatprand trail to Kootonay from Hope. What has ill not done? " It goes into an important gold mine, opens up the highway through the Kootenay pasii to the Hudson's Bay territory beyond the Rocky Mountains," but its chief good to the colonists whickj Mr. Seymour points out is that it " enables tho merchants of New iVestminster [! !] to undersell thosff of Lewiston and Walla Walla at tho new diggings I ! !" Can any one believe that the human imaginS'l tion could so<%r into tho^thcrial to such an extent as this. Not a flrovd is said of the l?(;o,000 expended on an incomplete trail ; not a whisper about there beir^ R nselesF, oatrageous and proliigate waste of the pnblic funds upon it to no purpose whatever ; thal| not one pound of goods has ever yet crossed over it from this side, and tliat tho trade of our souther^ gold fields is exclusively in the hands of Lewiston and Walla Walla merchants. Nothing, nothin? | nothing on tho part of Governor Seymour but misrepresentation and concealment of facts. How dc' plorable I But what are we to thiuk of the allusion to tho merchants of Now Westminster tradiofi With Kootenay? Who are they? The Governor of New Westminster must supply tho answer Iron . APPENDIX. 47 li have bo(rn He- lm Vemmt to llin . llClC'.ltiiVl'I.V Hill- I iilVoidrt, l>y iid cost ; tliat a sleigh has never yet passed over it; thai the work doiin 'ipon it was throuith a cluver telegraph man being too smart for the Oovernment, and that its exi'culion w ^4 not called for by ihn public, and certainly the outlay would never hava beaa iiiithorisi'd had the people boon consulted on the subject. With respect to the bridge acroiR tba Thompson the Oovcrnor fails tg tell Mr. Uardwcll that it was constructed not by tho (Sovernmeot but by private enterprise, and that the work upon it was done in 1HC4, or It would not have been undtr~ taken at all. It scarcely admttH of a doubt that the wo''k would not have been executed by prirat* parties, had it remained over until last year, 80 great was the depression in the country. The ooly public work of real utility undertaken by the Qovernment in 1805 was the completion of th« grand trunk road to Cariboo ; but even with regard to it (Governor Seymour ia guilty of exaggeration ia stating tho amount expended. Wo have now examined the chief of Mr. Hoymour'a " avidencei of the country's progress and prosperity." It will bo uni'.ecossary for us to offer any general observations on tho monstrous perversion of facts, of which, wo are deeply pained to say, Qorernor Seymour hai be«a guiltv. in his communici ion to the Secretary of State. We write in tho colony, where every on* .las as goo ' on opporturiiy as ourselves of judging of Mr. Seymour's veracity, and what amonnt of dependence m.y be pifljrd upon hia extraordinary osaertions regarding the prosperity of tho country. Wo would remark, uuwever, that we havo not met a alnglo individual in the whole community — not .even a New Westminster man — who doos not regret with us that a public officer, occupying the ex< nlted |)Osition of Qovornor Seymour, should have lent himself, under any circumstancce, or for any purpose, to a deception upon the .Secretary of State like that of v«hich the dispatch from tho " Rue de l.i I'tiix " proves his Excellency guilty beyond all manner of doubt or dispute. Politiciana may, and often do, go to len^lhs which cannot he jimtllied by princi()le, to accomplish their parpoiias, but (lovernor Seymour should have stood far above the contemptible pleadinG:^ of a politiuian, partiiaa or factionist, and done hia duty to his country like a atatesmnn and a patriot. Had Qorernor Sey- mour, after ho went home, diaenthrnlled himself from the projudlcea, coiitracted views, and false principles which he imbibed from tho demagogues of New Wrstmioster, and come out like a man to acknowledge to the Secretary of State the RUINOUS RESULT of his centralizing policy upon tho country generally, he would havo redeemed, or striven to redeem, tho almost fatal errors of bia past administration. Why did his Excellency not admit that he bad opposed Union ; that he bad sano* tioned a new Tariff bill opposed to British interests in the Pacifio ; that the people were driven out of the colony by obnoxious taxation ; that every white inhabitant in the colony was paying from £20 to £.30 per annum in taxes to the Oovernment ; that a quarter of a million dollars were required to pay a staff of officials for a population of six thousand white people, and that in addition to an immeuso loan having been contracted in England during his incumbency, an overdrawn account, incurred witbx out authority, with the Bank of British Columbia of $170,000, stood against the oolony at the moment ho (Mr. Seymour) was writing his famous, or rather infamous, dispatch ; in fact, that the Oovernment was in a state of financial distress unprecedented in the history of the colony. Had Governor Sey* mour gone farther, and stated that with very few exceptions tho merchants, traders, and hotel* keepers of the colony bad broken down and become bankrupt through an accumulation of difficuUiai, brought on by the insane policy inaugurated by Governor Seymour at tho instance of the New West«i minstor lot-owners, he would at least have entitled himself to our respect for truth and honor, even if the result had shown that bis Excellency did not possess any very briliaat qualities of stattimanship Bs Governor of an Important colony,