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FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE [Price C(/.] C 3 i6y 1866. S C H E D If L E. Numlx-r in Hrriw. Kriiiii whom. llatt snil N'miilnT. M lUEl T. ' «•«««•. 10 II 1.3 14 15 Tlic Duke lit' N'cw- ciwtU' to (lovrrnci Sir fJ. Dutigliu. 2 Ditto 3 Diltu l)()U(ii AS, K.( '.B. K.(i., tn (iovcrnor Oopv of a DESPATCH from lii> Sir (Separate.) Sir, Downinij Street, May '-'fi, |s«i;). As tlie Act (or tlie (iovenimeni of Hriti>li t'oliiinhia will expire iil tlie end ol'tlie present session of Parliament I think it necessary to intorni you of ttie course wliicli it is my intention to pursue witli respect to the future adinini-tration of that Colony. I shall, in the first place, jiropnsc to I'arlianicnt a Hill continuing- the present Act for another year, and anne.xinir to Ihiti-li (.'olumliiii what is at present liie Stekeen territory. i shall also .sulimit to iler Majesty an Order in Council, constitutinu; a Leuislative Council in British Columbia, in pursuance of the :\n\ section of the Act of -22 \'ict. cap. 9!'- I'hc power of nominating the members of this Council will, in the first instance, be vested in the (Jovernor, but I wish it to be so exercised as to constitute a partially representative body, capable of making- the wishes of the community fell, and calculated to pave the way for a more formal, if not a larger introduction of the repre- sentative element. I shall of course make you more fully acciuainted with my views in this respect hereafter ; but I think it best to connnunicate to you contidentially the draft of an Order in Council, wliicli I have caused to be prepared, but which may possibly be altered in some of its details before it is finally passed. 1 have, &c. Governor Sir J. Douglas, K.C.B. (Signed) NEWCASTLE. &c. &c. m .;-, »■ No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., to (lovernor Sir James Douglas, K.C.B. (Separate.) Siu, Downing Street, June 1.5, 186.3. I HAVE long had under my consideration tl-.e various questions which have arisen respecting the form of Government which should be adopted in British Columbia and Vancouver Island ; and I have row to communicate to you the decision at which I have arrived. I should have much desired, if it had been possible, that these two Colonies should have formed one Cjovernment. 1 feel confident that economy and efficiency would be f)romoted, that commerce would be facilitated, ♦hat political capacity would be deve- oped, that the strength of the Colonies would be consolidated, and generally that their well-being would be greatly advanced by such an union ; and I hope that moderate and far-seeing men in both communities will be convinced of this, and will l)ear in mind the expediency of avoiding or removing all that is likely to impede, and favouring all that i.' H923. A 2 No. 2, t', :■ r- . It: ji i. 3-.^:f :'' '' ' !. }; - . i PAI'KKS UKI.ATIVK Tf) TIIK FKOPOSED UNION llriirr'H ('•if.ijiiii * VaNi III VKll Im.ami. likflv to facilitiito such a result. Hut I lun nwarc that tlic prcvailinij filling is at p.c- scnt'-tron^lv nportance of the C^olony and the prospects of its revenue appear to render no more than 'itting : — iiovernor Chief Justice Colonial Secretary Afforney (iemral Treasurer Surveyor (icncral £ H()(»— (to he 1,200/. when a lawyer is appointed.) fioo .'UK), with proctice. ()(M) 50(1 The initiation of all money votes should also be secured to the (iovernment. When this is done I am prepareil to hold the Crown revenue of Vancouver Island at the disposal of the Legislature of that Colony, retaining only such temporary power over the laml as will cnahle Her Majesty's (iovernmt:.t to close its transactions with the Hudson's Hay Company. When this is effected I shall he ready to transfer the manage- ment of the revenue to the Colonial Legislature. With regard to British Columbia, adverting to th" magnitude of the c(donial interests and to the steady progression of the local revenue, I should wish you at once to pro- claim a permanent law enabling Ilcr .Majesty to allot salaries to the Government ofliecrs of Hritish Columbia at the following rates: — Governor Chief Justice ... Colonial Secrefaiy Attorney General Treasurer Commissioner of Lands and Surveyor General Collector of Customs Chief Inspector of Police Registrar of Deeds .3,000, with a suitable residence. 1,200 800 ."iOO, with practice. 7r,o 800 6nO 500 500 It will then follow to give efTect to the enclosed Order in Council, which Her Majesty has been pleased to issue, in order to prepare the way for giving the inhabitants of the Colony a due influence in its government. I should have wished to establish there the same representative institutions which already exist in Vancouver Island ; and it is not without reluctance that I have come to the conclusion that this is at present impossible. It is, however, plain that the fi.xed population of British Columbia is not yet large enough to form a sufficient and sound basis of representation, while the migratory element far exceeds tlie fixed, and the Indian far outnumbers both together. Gold is the only produce of the Colony, extracted in a great measure by an annual influx of foreigners. Of landed proprietors there are next to none, of tradesmen not very many, and the?c arc occupied in their own pursuits at a distance from the centre of Government, and from each other. Under these circumstances I see no mode of esta- blishing a purely representative Legislature, which would not be open to one of two objections. Either it must place the Government of the Colony under the exclufive control of a small circle of persons naturally occupied with their own local, personal, or class interests, or it must confide a large amount of political power to immigrant, or rather transient foreigners, who have no permanent interest in the prosperity of the Colony. I'or these reasons I think it necessary that the Government should retain for the present a preponderating influence in the Legislature. From the best information I can obtain I am disposed to think it most advisable that about one-third of the Council should consist of the Colonial Secretary and other officer i who generally compose the Executive Council, ibout one-third of magistrates from different parts of the Colony, and about one-third of persons elected by the residents of different electoral districts. Hut hero but (like ilirtoral d nliiii'.)le to ilftinition, *ui;ge'tfd variety of cxi-t. 1 have, the tried an|iointme shall be II p.ny rate persons ri interests, by ascerta ijuestion or nniTisii coLi'MniA and van( oivkh island. :\ a i*t nt p.c. II pnpnrcd ■r >innn(ial I.i',ui>I:ifnrc ;>iiis at tlie its rc'vcniif ffxi/. when ppoiiitcd,) I--!aii(I nt lowir over with the le iiiaiiage- iil interests nee to pio- -•nt ofliccrs a suitable idcnce. practice. T Majesty bitants of )lish there and it is it present yet large y element m annual 'smen not centre of le of es ta- le of two exclusive rsonal, or n migrant, itj of the 1 for the ion I can ; Council ipose the t Colony, districts. Hut here I am met by the difficulty that these residents are not only few and seafleicd, but (like the foreign gold-diggers) iiiigraforv and unsettled, and that any ddinition of cU'ctoral districtii now made iiii^nht. in the lapse of a I'l \v months, become whollv inap- nlieiible to the state of the Colony. It would, fliiret'ore, be trilling to attempt suih u (ietinition, nor am I di-posed to rely on any untried eontri\iiMees which iniglit be sui:gesti"d for supplying its plaee - eontrivances which deixud tor their -uecess on a variety of circumstances, which, with my present information, I cannot safelv a«sume to exist. I h:ive, therefore, thought it most aovisalile to liave recuirse in IJritish Columbia to the tried machinery of a Legislative Council, with the intinlion, however, tint the appointments to that Council, which by the enclosed Order you are authori/(d to make, sh;ill be madi", if not in exact accordance with the outline which I have traced, yet at .".iiy rate with the object of securing that at least one-third of tlu- councillur^ «liall be persons recognized by the residents in the Colony as reiireseiiting their ieeliiig' and I 'ill t MIIVV VasoUition,) the councillors should be ajipoinled. ^\'hat I desire is this: th:it a system of virtual though imperlect representation >liali be at once intro- duced, which shall enable Her Majesty's (lovernmeiit to ascertain with some certainty the character, wants, and disposition of the community, with a view to the nioie formal and complete establishment of a representative sy-tciii as eircuinstimces sliall admit of if. I shall hcjld tlie proceeds of fiie (Jrowii lands at the di.-posil ot' the Le:.;isl:i;ive Council, who will also be at liberty to pass laws for the regulaiion and management of these sources of revenue, subject of course to disallowance in this country, and «ubjeet also to the qualificaticm which I have mentioned as indispensable in Vancouver Inland, viz., that the Crown must retain such legal powers over the lands as are necessary for disposing of all (|uestic)ns (if any) which remain to be settled with the Hudson's Hay I'ompany — (juestions which, without such uncontrolled power, might still i e productive of embarrassment. With these explanations, I have to inst ': you, first, to proclaim a law securing to Her Majesty the right to allot the above salai is to the otlicials of IJritish Columbia ; and having done so, to give publicity to the eneio;>ed Order in Council, and to convene as soon as possible the proposed Legislature. I have, iVc. Governor Sir J. Douglas, K.C.I?. (Signed) NHWCASTLH. &c. cSfC. Enelosure in No. 'J. ItuiriSH Col.lMIMA. At the Court at Windsor the lltli day of June 18G3. I'RKsKxr: Tile Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. Lord ['resident. Earl Russell. Loid I'rivy .'^eal. Mr. Milner Gibson. WiiKRKAs by an Act passed in the twenty-seeond year of the ri'ign of Her Majesty, entitled •' An Act to provide for the Government nf British Columbia,'' ii. was declared lawful fur Her Majesty, by Order in Council, to autborize and empower sucb ullici r as slie niijriit from time to time appoint to adminstcr the Government of Hritisb t'olumliia, to make provipion for tiu' admini.-Tr.itii.n ot jii-lice therein, and generally to mal^e, ordain, and establish all sucb laws, institutions, and onMuanii's n-^ iMi;;iit be necessary for the peace, order, and jrood froverument of Her Majesty's sul)jects and others therein ; provided that it should be lawful lor Her Majesty, as soon as Slie mifrht deem il convenient l)y any such Order in Council as aforesaid, to constitute, (U- to autliorize ami empower sucii ollicer to constitute a Legislature, to make laws fo'- t!ie peace, order, and ^ood friivernmeaf of liritisii Coliunbia, suli Leiiis- lature to consist of the Governor or Olfieer administering tlie government of the Cohniy, and a C ouneil or Council and Asscmldy to i)e composed of snob an'' so many persons, and to i)e ap])ointed e])tembcr in the year 18")8, Her Majesty was i)lcased to authorize such Governor or Ollicer as aforesaid to make pro- vision for the administration of justice, and as therein mentioned io make laws and ordinances for the peace, order, aiid good government of Her Majesty's subjects and others in the said Colony: And whereas it is expedient to revoke the said Orc'er in Council, and to constitute a Legislature for the A 3 I II'iUt 111 ( '. No. 3. Ih •nil,' l.iwtnlU 4 I'AI'KKS UKL.MIVi: TO TIIK I'HOl'OSI.I) I NION xaIiI C'lldiiv, ciiiiBi-liinr "I till' :\\i\ Ail •■( I'arli.tiiinil, nr ntli. r wi.r III dial iM'half, lliiil th"' "an! rcnl. d ( >riiir in ( 'n'liirii -li'ill In- , '11111 llif ■.aim' i« liiTilix n-nikul; I'inviiird .il«a\i, lliiil iiiilliiiiK lirrciii 1 niilaiiiiil -liiill lie liclii tn iiiialiilati' any ail nr tliiii:,' liiim-, ||,,r «iiv n|i|Hiiiilini-iil iiiailr 111 imr-iiniirr (If iinilrr aiilli'irity "(' lin' -aiil Onirr 111 < miik il, Imi ihai fu-r) »uili ail, tliiii^'. ami nii|Miiiitiii«'iil shall riMiiaiii ul' llii -aim- l'i>r(i' iiiid rtli'' I a« it' llu- -ai.i OnWr iu fiiiim il "iri .till ill ii|niatiiiii. Ami II I- lirii'li\ liiilliiT iirilni'il a- ImIIi.w-. lli.it i- In cay: i?. Ill tlii:< Orilr'r ill rniiMiil till' tiTiM (ioMTiior -li.ill iiiraii tlii' iiHictT (nr lln' timr ailiiiiiii-liTiiin till' K.iviTiiiiicnt nl tlir ( ■ninny .f |lrilii.|i ( nliiiiiliia. ;{. 'I'liiTi' ^liall 111- ill till' -aiil ( 'ninny a l.r>;i>latiM' < 'niimil rnii^tilntfil a> iH'ri-iii-al'ti-r ini'iitiniicil. I. It -liall III' l.i«liil tnr till' (iinrriinr, «illi llir aihiir anil rniiM'iit nf |lu> •aiil l.ii.'i^'lativi' Cniiuril, til iiiakr l.iw^ I'lir tlif piair. iirili'r, ami ;; 1 jinviTliinriit n|' tlif >aiil < 'olniiy. ,'. Till' >aiil ('niimil >li.ill ri'li>i.«l nf Miill jiiililir nlliriT- witliiii till' '■iiiil ( 'nlnin a^ ^llall I'lniii tiuji. (,, tiiiif 111- ilr-ifinatnl, ami nf -.in li |irr-nii- a* -liall Imin tiiiii' In tiTiic lie iiaiiii'.j liy nr in |>iir-iiaiii|. nCaiiv iiiMtriiitiniis nr "arrant iiinlrr till- l!n\al siv'n niaiiiial ami -i^nmi. ami of cm li .piIht |irr-.iii« a- iii,i\ I'riiiii tiiiir In lime 111- a|iiiniiil>il liy tlir (iinrriinr liy iiiKtruiin'iil- tn ln' pa-M'il iimii'r llm piililir Mai lil the -aiil ('niniiv : I'mt iilnl that cvrry -mil i.i^l iiiriilinni'il a))|iniiiiiii('iii -liall l>i' pnisi^iniial nnly until ihr >.iiiir ^hall iiaM- Ihi'II apiirnM'.l li\ llrr ^laj(•^ty tl'rnii;;li niii' nl llrr I'rimipal >iMri'tarii'< nl' Malr, ami iiiav lir iiiaili' tn ilrtiTiiiiiir al a pirinil namnl in tlii' iii-trunii-iit inakin;.' the !*ami', ami that tlic tnfal iiiiiiilirr nf nmnrillnr- -hall iint liy any mhIi appnintimnt hi' rai-ril almM- tlir iiiiiiihi'r nl'l'.; I'rnviilcil al>n. thai I'vrry inrinhrr nf the ^aiil ( 'niimil -hall Imlil ulliin duriiij; llrr Maji'-ty'i pli'asiiri' (inly. (i. Tin' I'rrcidi'iiri' nf ihi' nu'iiilii'i- nf till' said Cniimil may lie fniin linii' tn timr di'ti'riiiini'd hv am xmh in-lnirtiniis a- aliin'.«aid. In thr ah.-cnri' nf Midi drli'rniinatinii, llii' niriuhrr- .-hall l,.kr rank arrorilini; In il riirr nf ihi'ir aiipnininirlil, nr if iippninlnl hy tlii' ?.niii' in,-triiiiii'iit ilri-nnliiii; tn llir nrdi'r in «liirli they arr iiaimd th'Tiin. 7. Thr (iiiMriinr. nr in liir ah-riin' any nirnilirr nf llir ('niim il apjininti'il hy him in wriliiii.', nr in dcl'a.ilt nf Hiich aiiiiniiitiiu'iit. the nil iiiliir pri'M'iit wlm -hall ^t.llld lir>t in mdir nf pri'ii'di'iin'. •'liall pri'iiiiir al rvrry nirrtiiiu ol llii' >h'h\ Cnumil. All ipictinii- lirniijrh; Ih'Chu' thi- ( imiiiil -hall lie lii-ridcd liy the majnrilv nf liie \iile^ ^iM.M, and the tinvermir nr pre^idin;; iiieiiiher ^hall have an nrigilial \nte nil all -iirfi i|m'>tinns, and al-n a 1 a-lini: \iite if the \nli'n -hall he ti|Ually divided. H. Nn lm-iiie.-< (eveept that nf adjnnnmient I -hall he transacted iiiiles-i tlieie -hall he |ireseni fiut ineiiihers nf Cniineil l)e>ide- thn (invenmr nr pie-idiie.' iiiemher. !(. 'i'lie Cnumil shall, in the transaetion of lii;sines> and iia^siiiLr nf law-, eiinfiirm ar- nearly a> may W tn the ilireeliniis i(inve\ed in that liehalf In the (inMTiior nl lirili-h t'nlnnihia in i-ertain iiisli'urtiniii- under the .-if^u manual and siniiet hi'arin;,' dale the '-'ml (lav nl Se|itemlier IS.'i^, until ntheruise ))in\idc'i! h\ U-, ;iml In ^Ul■ll further iuslruclinus under the -,iid .-iiru iiMuual and --igmt as may hereafter hi' ;iil(hi's-ed to the (ioviriinr in that hehall. Id. .'^nhjeet to -mil iiistrmtion- the Cnumil may make st.iiiding rules and order- for the reiinlatinn nf their own |iro(eediii!.'s. II. No law shall l;ike rtl'eit until the (inveriinr >hall have a— 1 iited tn the siinie on heh.ilf of Hit M.'ijesty, ami shall Inne sii'm-d the same in Inkeii of >iuh a-sent. \-J. ller Majesty may, hy < >riler ill Couniil, or tliroui.di mie of I hr I'rimipal .•secretaries of Ijlati', disallow any law j'assed hy the -aid (inviruor and Coiimil at any time within two years .il'ter such law shall have lieeii received liy the Secret.-iry of State, ami every l.nv -o di-allowcd shall heeonie null ami void so soon as the di-allowanee thereof shall he ])uhlislied in the Colony hy authority of the tioveriKir. 1;{. If any eoiineillor shall heeoine haiiknipt or insolvent, nr shall he convicted of any criminal oft'enco, or shall iihsent liiinself from llritish Colunihia for more than throe inontlis without leave friim the (iovenior, the (iovernnr may declare ill writinff that his seat at the Council is vacant, and imiiie- diately on the puhlieatioii of such declaration, ho shall ecnso to he inemhor of the (\iutuil. 1 1. 'I'lie (io^el•n(lr may, hy writing under his hand and seal, susitend any legislative eouneillor frimi the exercise of his nlliee, jiroeoediii}! therein in such inannor as may from time to time he enjoined hy any such instructions as aforesaid, and until otherwise ordered according to such directions respecting the suspension of puhlic ollieers as are contained in the above-n)entioiie(l instructions hearing date the 'iiid day of September l.-*.").^. And the Most Noble the Duke of Newcastle, one of Her Majesty'- I'rineipal Secretaries of State, is to give the nceessiiry directions herein accordingly. (Signed) AiiriiiR lli;i,i'>. No. 3. Copy of a DESPATCH from his Grace the Duke of Newcastlk, K.G., to Governor Sir James Douglas, K.C.B. (No. .35.) Sir, Downing Street, July 14, 1863. I THINK it best to inform you tliat I am about to submit for Her Majesty's approval certain instructions appointing the ibllowing officers to be members of the Legislative Council in British Columbia. The Colonial Secretary. 'Jlie Chief Commissioner of Lands and The Attorney General. Works. The Treasurer. The Collector of Customs. SiH, Ol" nillTISH ( OI.IMIUA AND VANCOlVlK IM.ANI). lllTi-nf, all.l III, •'"llll' il, ,llltli> r. IllTlllX ri'\ll|l.<|; lliiii;,' iliiiii', imr I. I»it thiit i'tiT\ I' -.11.1 OrdiT ill •1- Mll.lllli.licil, i^liitm. Cuiiii, il, ill fhi Ml tlllii. I,, ini-ii,iii,.c nf aiiv IICI-.IIK il, ,||,,j I'; |nililii. >,.al m| >i.iii:il only until rtiiii(.s III' Mate, mi', iiiid timl ill,. iiiMiilM'r iif I '. : ijr-ty'^ |(I.M..|iri. I'lrniiiiinl liv ail\ .-liall l.ikr riiliiv illTlinlillfr ti, l|,|. ill wiiiiiiir, iir in lilTci'ilriiri.. sliall < ciuiiril >liali lie 1' ^Imll liaM' an ili\i(l(.|l. Ill" |irc'si.|ii I'luii- noiirly a- may In' |rf;iiii insti'iictiiiiii. Itlu'i '.vi^c ))io\i(li.i! may licrcaftt'i- lie ir tlio ii'irulati.in 11 licliair of II,.r •(■t,iric.> III' f^iati.. irs al'tcr siiili law lic'coiiic iimII anil (pf till' Uiivcniiir, of any ciiiiiiiial ithimt Icavo frmn cant, and imiiie- icil. I'lmni'lllor from ; l)p i-njoineil by lotions ivs|)(.cting H-aviiig. date the F Her Maji-styV irniiii IIi;i.i'N to Governor ly 14, 1863, Act Majosty's ?mbcrs of the of Lands and IS. I think it alw) advi^altlr to fwiiit out thnl a- iloiiht.* niny U- ••ntrrtuiiitd nsiHrtmi; thr biwli Onli Attorney Collector... ., . , „ - the t'oriii of iin Onlinunce imv |>rot'latnntiiiii or pnM-lanuitiiins whidi \ou iiiuv liavr i»iued after the above date, ineludinK the proclamation (if any ) liy which ym iiiay hive ptid the salaries of public oHiccrs. I have, Ace. (iovernor Sir J. Douglas, K.C.H. (Signed) NKWt AS TLi: &c. \c. I think It also aUvi^ahle to fwiiit out that a- iloubt.* may U- entertaiiieil nsiHrtmi; tin HmnKii (liii^ authority of any proclamation issued by you sub!>ei|iiently to the date of tht tmiMiiu ihr in Council constituting a Legislative Council (vi/., the Coloiiiid St.cretary, the ""' lorncy (leneral, thf Treasurer, the Chief Commi^'sioncr of Lands and Work*, ami thf |*,']^'Jin** [lector of Customs,) your first siep in convining the Couiu il should U- to reMiiact in No. I. No. t Copy of a DKSl'ATCII from hi« (ii.iee the Diiki' of Niwi \sti.k, K.Ci., to (Jovernor Sir Jamks Doi'oLAs, K.C.Il. (Separate.) SiH, Downing Street, August I, 1H(!.'<. With reference to my Despatch, No. X>* ol the 1 Itli ultimo, I traiiMiiit to you • I'lHf i. herewith instructions f under the Queens sign manual and signet, appointing the tollow- t Ni.i(.rini«J ing officers, viz. : The Colonial Secretary, The .\ttorney (Jeneral, The Treasurer, The Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, The Collector of Customs, to l)e members of the LegislativcCouncil of British Columbia. I have, See. Governor Sir J. Douglas, K.C.B. (Signed) NEWCA.STLE. &c. &c. No. .5. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Euwakd Cardweli., M.P., to Governor Ken.nkdv, C.B. (No. 2.) Snt, Downing Street, April 30, l.SGJ. I HAVE received Sir James Douglas's Despatch No. 3, of the I'Jth of February, enclosing a Resolution of the House of Assembly of Vancouver Island, in which the House declines to pass the Civil List Act proposed in the Duke of Newcastle's Despatch marked " Separate," of the 15th June last.t I regret tnat the House of Assembly did not feel able to concur in the proposals submitted to it on this subject. I am desirous, however, to prevent as far as possible the disappointment and incon- venience to individuals which this decision might occasion. It appears from the Resolution of the Assembly that the Crown land fund for the year 1863 amounted to 1,.500/., but that a considerable portion of this sum consisted of the pro- ceeds of sales eftected in former years. There may be sources of revenue, such as tines and forfeitures, fees of office, the proceeds of which the Crown could justly appropriate, but in the absence of any precise information on this head I can only authorize you to issue warrants for the payment of the salaries of the Governor and the Colonial Secretary, at the respective rates of 3,000/. and 600/. per annum assigned to them by my predecessor, out of any funds which may be under the direct control and at the disposal of the Crown. It will of course rest with the Legislature to make provision for the remuneration of the other officers employed under the Government in any way and from any source which may seem most appropriate to them. Besides the Civil List, Sir James Douglas's Despatch raises a still larger and more important question, namely, the union of both Colonies under one Governor, though with some distinct administrative department. A 4 No. 5. t Fagv I. ■ r •<|t i ^■';: h i^v;. Iluiruii I'lil.l Mill « Vani 111 vrn l»l.tM>. C PArKIlS HKLATIVK TO TIIK IMIOI'OSED UNION Oil tliio NuhjiTt I mil ili'niroiii ot' having; tlii> iHiu-tit of your vicwn a* koon on you n\n\\ liiivc iu-<|iiii('il on tilt' i<|)liiill coiiiniunicMti.' ii copy of tlii» Dcspiitcli, to furnish hi<« vicwn on till- «:iiiu- iimtlcr, and I lu-ril ni-iirccly itiiy that it will not only U' uii(ibjirtinntti)li hut hi^'hly tlciruliU', tliiit you and hf ■•hoiild roiisiilt fri-fly on tin- siihjtTt, although it will In- llic ninst luiivtnii'iil course that, iiltiiiiatily, ciuh >hould rr|H)rl to uiv iiidipcndcutly, the coiulii-ion"! wiiiih he niuy form on the suliji^rt. I have, Sec. (lovernor Kennedy. C.U., (^^iKHed) KDWAKl) CAKUWKLL. \c. &e. No. l, 1865. lUiMMivtcl Muy l.-i, |H(i,-j.) I iiwi; the honour to transmit a copy of He!«dutions passed by the Li-gislutive ,\ssi nihly of Vimeouyer Island on the subject of union with British Oolumbiu, and in doiiiK so I will shortly trace their liistory. They were intro(hiced by .Mr. I)e Cosmos, one of the incmbcrii for Victoria, and pa-'sed on the 27tli .lanuaiy 1H(J"), after a warm debute, by a majority of 8 to I. It was thereupon allejjed by the minority that the majority did not fairly represent public opinion, and to test this fact, Mr. De Cosmos, who proposed, and Mr. C. B. YollnJ,^ who opposed the resolutions (bein^ two members for the city of Victoria), agreed to resign their seats, and went before their eonstituents for re-election, which resulted in tile return of Mr. De Cosmos and Mr. McClure, both advocates of union and a turitl', by a large mnjority. The majority ot" ihe House of Assembly in favour of uitiitndititmal union with British Columbia is now, I believe, 1 1 to l, und I have no doul)t that u dissolution of the House would undoubtedly increase that majority by two more. I sulimifted these r< solutions to the Legislntive Council for their information, and the majority present being c./o/A'/o members, rcsidved that it was inexpedient for the Council to express any opinion on the subject ; but two dissenting members, Messrs. l''inlaysou and Rhodes, recorded their views in the protest herewith. I am in a position to know that the majority if not all the e.r officio members are in favour of imion, with some small difterences of opinion on matters of detail, and that they refrained Irom a public expression of their opinion from a desire to avoid possible complication, and with u view to giving their untrammelled support to such measures as H(;r Majesty's (lovernment may deem most fitting, on a future occasion. The local Legislature of Vancouver Island have thus, I think, adopted the only course by which the union of these Colonies can be satisfactorily effected, namely, leaving conditions and details, even to the form of government, to your decision. I enclose newspaper copies of the debates on the subject, and will reserve my further observations for another Despatch of this date, in reply to yours dated 30th April 1864,* No. 2. I have, &c. Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P., (Signed) A.E.KENNEDY. Sic &c. &c. r.iK'l. I iuNo. 6. Enclosure 1 in No. C. VAxroivEii Island. Resolutions kei-ohted from Committee, 25di .lanuary 1805; Coxfiiimed dv Hoise, 27th January 1805. Resolved, That this House, after having taken into consideration the present state of the Colony, is firmly convinced that it is expedient at the present time to observe the strictest economy in the public expenditure compatible with the efficiency of the public service. And that the immediate union Mr. riul. ihc lion. Il< 1. 'Ilmt I t(i llio Cdli'i or niUTFSlI ( OMJMIUA AM) VANTOrVIU ISLAND. «« vnu Kli.iII .Viiiil)lt Imt hough it Mill •Itpeiidi'iitk, nfllii' Colony wilt) llriliii)i f 'ii|iiiiilii«, iinili-r •inli t 'i>ii»titiili' ji|i««i'i| In Kraut, i« till- iiii'Mii'* lii'>f aiiii|iti'il t" |rri'»iiil |»rii iiiinii llrr Mnji>iitv'«(i<>wrtiinriit iiiaj I"- l\iiiri»ll •< niiKHii'iil iiiir Ixipiilatinii, Mini rii>iiii' I'lir • lllnul.llr llililc, |o«trr llillil»try. ilrM-lcip (iiir n'xmirri'., nilKHii'ill niir liniMilath |H-riiiitiifiit |ir>i.|ii.rily ! .inil iliin llmi'-f |tl( liifi « i.-rli', in (mm* llcr Mmji'iiI\'! ^riiiit micli uiiiiiii, t>i riitil'y tlu* onmc liy l<'|fi«Uiivi> cimiimrnt, if ri'iiuiriMl. iiiiiTn III ili-|iri'»>»>ii, ti» Mi'll ii> 111 » lio^iriiini'iii f hall V ('■•I I Mill « *\i III \ I II |.| >Mi. ||l>«ll\l'll, 'I'll.ll till' IiImiM' |i -nllllllill III' trall'lhltli'll In III. I'aii llilK \ ill)' (i r<'i|iii'nt tliiit III' iiMV litkc ilic nanir iiitn liix riiriK'-t Mini iiiiiiii'iliat (>i|{nril) li till in rimi, wii •■ I niinitli'r.tl i>;\ 11. W. InniiN. tlul ( 'I'rU <.r tlu limiM'. viu)wj:m.. on. ICdwahi) -M, IH()5. e Li'gi.slutivi- inbiii, aiiil in ''ictoriu, and o I. il.V ivprt'sciit J Mr. C. U. oria), agreed li resulted in untl u tarirt; with Hritish of the House tion, and the •the Council "inlay.sou and iibcrs are in ail, and that void possible measures as cd the only cd, namely, sion. 2 my further ^pril 1864,* N'NEDY. House, Kni'loMiri' '.' in No. i! \' XNi 111 \ I II Nl \S|i, tnr'. I No 1. i: IViim the MiM 11 V ,i|' till' Li I V I n 1 ( ■ II, '.'ml Miirrli |sil Mr. rilil.l) !iiili. |iiirsiillllt tu iintiri'. iiitr idtlri'il llir rnilnuiii;; rci'iliitidlH, mIiIi )i HiTc till' lliMi, llciiiy HIioili'K I, 'I'liiit I Irr tiHxt (iriii' til llii' Cdli'liv of llriti^ti (' Mi ji-'v iiiav I'l' r('i|iii'~tri| til i'\ till' <'iiliinv III' \'aiiriiiiM'r Nlaml Pari 'I'liiit llrr iiiD'-t (iriii'ioiii< Miijr^ty nmy In- plriiu'd to ilirni tin- jiii»-itni' nfiiii Art iif the inipi'iiiil iiinii'iit to iiroviili' ii roii'ttitiitional mkhIc hI' ( iiivrninii'iit, with rr|)ii'-riiiatiiiii mi tlir liiutin of |in|mlii- tiiiii to till' Dritiiih iioxsi'KHions in tlii' Nnrtli I'arilir, 'rill' Trcastin'r lianilod In tlii' fiilliiuiii^' ainctiilnD'iit to tin' iiriipoM'il rr'-oliitiuiiH nC tln' llmi. I!. Kinlayjion : — " i'lirtt iIiIh Council rej^iinU it iim un(li>!li Coluniliia." Tlip I'liairman haviiijf put the anicnilmi'iit of tlip TrfaMircr, tlir follnwinn «rri' tin- Avik anil Nnrit:— For till- .•iini'iKlnii'iit— Till' Artiii^ <'oloiiial Srirctar.v, llic Artiiiir Atloini'V (irniTiil,' llii- 'IrraMiriT, thi' Acting' Siirvoyor (ii'iii'ral. Ajjiiiiet tli»> ann'ndiiii'nt— 'I'lic lion. It. f'inlay!>on, tin' lion. Iliiiry RIkmIpk. Anipndnipnt carried. Thp Hon. Henry HIioiIph gave notice that he would hand in a prutol against llic rcsolutinn. Encliisiire ;J in \o. (i. VAXcorvKii Island. I'ATiiAiT from the Mini-tk.s of the Lkuisi.ativi-; Cot' n mi., 6th March l^ii.i. Thp Hon. Henry It hodcs handed in the following protest, which was ordered to hi' placed on the minutes : — To the Honourable the President of the Legislative Council. We, the undersigned, being the only uiniflicial inenibtrs of the Legislative Council present at ihi' meeting on the 2nd instant, and beuig merchants in the city of V'ictoria, do protest ii).Miii>t the resolution of the Legislative Council in regard to the union resolutions which then came up fur discussion. liccause, Ist. The resolution — "That the Council regard it as undesirable to express an opinion as to the " expediency or otherwise of uniting the Colf;iiies of Vancouver Island and ilritish CniiiniUia ' was carried by the otKcial members of the Council only, who are at all times the majority of the said Council. 'ind. We consider it unwise and impolitic to postpone indefinitely the consideration of the sulijcct, for the reason that wo know the feeling of the Colony to he in favour of iiniiin of tlii' Colonies, and that since the (piestion has been so thnroughly considered recently and the entire conininnity agitated niion the subject, tlie present is thp most desirable lime for decisive action in the niiiltcr. That the postponement of the settlement of the i|uestion will greatly disturb conimeree, prevent enterprise, and do much injury to both Colmiie?, while on the other hand the sooner the (|U(stiiiii is settled the better it must be for all the interests of both Colonies. (Signed^ Hknrv Ki.oui.s, HoUK. FlNI.AVSO.N. Km I 'I inNo. 6. ony, is firmly in the public lediate union U9:i3. B y I! ■^r ii. •«&■ ('•■I.I MIUA AMI VaIKI ciI VKIl I'l. \Mi. y.m\ * iliNof.- K I'Al'KRS HELATIVi; TO Till: IMloroSED UNION Kiirliwiirc I in No. fi, llcii »i oi A*'>-.Miii V. \Vi-(|iicsilay, Jaiiiiiiry V"itli. M.iii'f ini'l at :\.\:- (i.ni. Mi>iiil><'r» priwciit— Mcri-r-. I)c ('»>ini>'<. Krankliii. Yoiinjr, Triml)lo.TM|in,p Dick-oii, SriiiiliKatr, I)iiiiraii. Co'liraiif, Miirnaliy, ('ar>«cll. Ilaylt'y. Dciiiir-t. Slut, iiiiinittco havi' ■avf t" cdii'iidcr tlic liir \'i>tiiria In lav liclnrc tlir Il.m-t' iiitcni.-il 'lIHlllli' the rcMiliUiuii, Mr. \)f ( iisiiKi'i Daiil In- wmilil .-i-k tliiit the uf'llii' (',)lii|iy. Mr. lliiriMtiy a-ki^l tlii' Iwni. --riiior iih'IiiIm' tiail iircii;,rt'il. >lr. I)c ('()^inii« rr|p|iiMl that lie M«« llicii r('-«riliiij^ tliciii. Ml. ^'lMlll^' -aiil a (.'real lii'al of inclcvaiit in.itti'r li.nl lici'ii ilclivcrcMl jii the irmisic "ii tliis (|ncsti.)n (,f the "t.ilc cl'ihi' Ciildiiv. Till' ;-l:it'' nf the ( iplniiy «as all rifjtit, liiit the «tafc of sonic mrii's licai|.^ «,-,< all «r.iii«. Tlic trriMt "■•lilt ill llic ( ol.Jiiy \va> iiiipiilatldii. (Hear, hear. ) .\s tor the nncniH' lie wa- \aiii "iiiMi!.'li t" :u--iiiii<' til'' reins iif ( liaiicclliip df the MMlifrjiicr (dr iIh" nidiiu'iit, and ~lidw Imw i- ini).'lit lie laiscil liy a piopcr system nf taxation. .\ ;.'r('at dral li.id lici'li said .ilidiit a tarill". lint «>■ „,,ulil "Iiat ;,'ddd it wdiild do. 'I'lic lidii. ;;iiitlcinaii alliidril td IiiiiiIhti'Is iidt liciiif; liciiclitiMl liy a tariff, iidr lailurs and sliociiiakiTs. .Vc, wild had iidw as imicli as they idiild do; he aUo alliu'icii td a l.ifwcr wild wa-i the greatest pnitectiorist in the C'dKiny, hut who wduld nut j;ct Ins 1,'raiii any clieaiier wi..i a 'J" per cent, tariff. The position of llii> t'olmiy was sikIi as to make it a irreat eomniercial •inporiuiii, and it was such already. It was asked how we were to j;et the f.'o|(| of llritisli ('oliiniliia. Why. liy ifoinif to dij; it out, an so many of our people did. .\s to (he estimates asked for. if we thoiiifht thoin too larjie. all w • had to do was not to vote them ; and he could not see any reason why they should he hirji-er this year than last. As to enstoms, the cnst of collectiiiL' would iie enormous, to prevent tin' smujinlins, for which such fjreat facilities were affiirded liv dur nunieidus hays and inlet-. What was to hinder our farmers from eompetiii;^ with fori-ii^ii farmers y Why, hecaiise they had not the laud. This was destined to he a mineral country, net an ajjricnltiiral. lie could not see in any wiiv how this Colony wiis to he henelited by taxation. It' a in.oi pays '2« yii'v cent, inoie taxation, how can it benefit him? ."Suppose a man paid ,Sl0 fur a coal last year, Hiiii this year has to pay ,s' I'-' for the same, what is his advanta{,'e !' He thought .*tl.*n,iiii(i could Ik- struck off the estimates very easily, by dis|ieiisinj; with lazy clerks who did nothing-, and constables who played enehre in ])uhlie houses and such like. He cortaiiily could not see the benefits of a tariff, ar.d would, therefore, do all lie eonld to oppose it. .Mr. l)e t'osmoB submitted the following resolutions to the eominittce — Hixii.vKi) ; — That this House, after having taken into consideration the present state of the Colony, is tirmly cdii- viiiced tli.it it is cxiiedient at the pre:-ciit time to -bserve the strictest economy in the piililic expenditure compatilile with the elKciency of the ]iiil)lic service : and thai the iininediate union of this Colony with British Columbia, under such constitution as Her Majesty's (iovernment may be jileased to grant, is the means best adapted to prevent permanent causes of depression, as well as to stimulate trade, foster industry, develop our resources, augment onr population, and ensurc- our jiennanent jirosperity ; and this House pledges itself, in ease Her Majesty's Government shall grant such union, to ratify the same by legislative enactments if reipiired. Rksoi.vkd, — That the above resolution bo transmitted to his Excellency the Governor, w ith the respectful reijiipst that he may take the same into his earnest and inimediftte consideration. Mr. IJurnahy said he had hailed the resolutions with satisfaction on their first appearance as connected with the consideration of the estimates. These estimates were, he must conl'ess, rather startling in amount in ]iroportinn to the revenue of the Colony. (Much of this lion, gentleman's speech was inaudible at the reporter's table.) He was sorry to hear some people, who had foinerly held different opinions, say that, even if the country stood alone as a separate Colony the system of taxation must be ell niged and a tariff imposed (no, no). If we stand alone as a Colony wc must stand in a respectable and h' .'lurable position before the world. Wo must pay our Governor's salary, and maintain a proper establishnieiit. We must persist in our system of direct taxation. He was free to admit that taxation hero was very unequally divided, and would wish to see it arranged so as to touch all classes ; but if wc stood alone we must have direct taxation (hear, hear). Some two years ago at the general election a pledge was cxai'ted from nearly every hon. member of this House in favour of the free port, and they could not liavc got in without it. .\t that time also the union qucstiou had come up, and he (Mr. IJurnaby) had entertained and expressed the views that we wore not prepared for union. His views of that date as to the free port and union were «nclianged, and his faith in the resources of the Colony were still as strong as ever. Since that period gold had been discovered on the Island; it had got to bn developed, but it was here beyond a doubt. Again the new district of Kootenay in Hritish Columbia was pro- nounced to be highly productive. We had been told that the free port was a failure. He resppcttully demurred to that proposition. True a great depression had existed here for some time. During the whole of last year a most severe tinaiicial pressure had been felt in England. In California, in addition to drought and hard winter, a severe prostration had occurred in mining affairs. Again in British Columbia v.xst sums had been expendecf in works, trade, mining, kc, which had not produced as yet the remuneration which was expected. All this had, to a certain extent, caused a temporary dejircssion, and he was sorry to say that the temporary stagnation and depression had been turned to a bad account by what he might term a sort of assiduous journalism, Thofree port had been gradually and eautiouslv attacked during the last nine months. The attack commenced first by letters in the papers, followed by sly insinua- lions against the policy of free trade ; the country had to be inoculated with the feeling, and he must admit it had been well and skilfully done. All the troubles and depression in the Colony had been carefully attributed to it, and now the remedy proposed was the imposition of a tariff. This change in public opinion, which the hon, senior member for Victoria dignified by the title of a great revolution, he OF BUITISH COLLMBIA AM) VANt'OLVEK JSLAND. "rimlilp. Tolmio, '■"■■il <''iniliti„n !• rCMlllltiuIi, I,,, tlii-^ i|ii('-.tiMn of ii'ii'- hiM,i< „,^^ n'Nciiiii' he \v;n 111 ~liiitt limv it .•1 tarill". lint \\r l>i'iii'llici| liv a <• aUip alliu'lcil I not p't his "as Miili ,1, liow M(> wprp "'iiplc dill. ,\s viitc them ; ami stoiiis, till' Cfist M \v(Ti> atl'ordrd t\'^ with llipi^n (■(iiiiitiv, nut an itiiiii. If a mail a coat la' developed, imbia was pro- Ho respectfully p. During the nia, in addition ?ain in British )roduced as yet depression, and ccount by what iouslv attacked 1 by sly insinua- I he must admit been carefully lange in public levolution, he OMintaineii was made wifiioul reason. 'I'lie lion, nienibei- »lio iiad inlriMliireij thi ; »<)ine lenylh oil tlf d thetiiideot llritisli ( uliiinliia, and n< "(.'I r-ol iiiir pr nt |io-ili i.t )fn(i(U •.wilalije lor di-l.iMt and l''rcijrn inaiket-.; thry iliilii\ ut It lie d III llii' llif House had two po.'.ilion> bclnre it: one was thai ol ab-ohitc one ti'WariN in.ikin;; llii- a unsit di-ti ilnilint' ''■nt ilili^ frer p"it. and a rc^oliitioii in rarry out llio | prililcncc ruiipli'd with at all ((i>|s and every ri-k .iiid in a iliiiuiliril miiinii' r, trii.~liiiir to till' hope alfordi'd by ..nr jre.inrapbiial position that we w.mld iiluiiialeiv lin urcat distriliiitinn port. lie t.iok bi> -I. mil on the free port, and \u- would rontiniie to >t.inil on th. puliiv «0 long as the loiintry would suppnrt biin. 'I'lii- was tlir npiiiinii nt an thr iiiiTrliaiils in llir i mi iiiiiinly a:ii lot III' iit'igblinni's III ( .ilifornia. I le din not tear the iiiiposition ol a illdrriMilial iliitv n| ' pi per rent, bv Uritisli ('olunibia. If iiiie>-ary, our ineirbaiits hiTf rmild c; tal.l isii iiranrliiv 11 Niw W iiiiii-li-r. but here wa- the depot, tlieopiii liiv iioit. Iln /,.. I'-l- .•i^;/»/(ot till' capital. h the loiliitiv should liocidi' to J;i^e up llic free port lliere was no alleriiati\i' but iincoinliiiunal iini'Mi: he wa> n>iniply sayiiigtn liritish ( iiliinibia. we iroiii! id aln Kilt bi :irc Kill strong eiioii to staliil alone, come anil lii'lp ii~. llii" l-Ai'dlcncy to apjicjii to the sii vit.il to the well-liciiiit of tlie ( iniinstrv. The idea was explmlei always held ibal she wa~ far i'xiii'iided in that Colony had Mr. Duncan. — Yes. and ;:oiic thiongb Inr .Mr. niirnabv. if this Mouse «bnuld decidi I Jut bcl. reipiest country; let us he .^iire that the cniiiilry standi with ii» in a iii.ittcr iloiix. Ill' did iiMt propii-c 111 gn iiitii th,. .■iriruineiits lor protcition to long au'o. .\- to liritish ( (ilnniliia being mir gieale-t market, he bad iiiuic iiiib liteil to II- ; iiiiie-teiui:s of all the enterprise, capital, i iicrgv, , come li'om here, and nine-tentlis nf all the lesults bad come bai k here. ( I.aiiirlilii'. ) to .'idiipt the re>oluti'ins he hoped the-, wnntd appeal to his Kxcellency to dissdlM- the House, and go before their coiistitneiits tn hear the \iews ol'tlie (oiinlrv. ((ieneial cries of bear, bear.; Di'i Ilelnicken said it seemed to be expected that lie -liuiild declare bim-eir i applaiiM'i. .iiid he ailiiiitled I bat the |)ublic bad a right to know who he wa> a." much as he bad to Inue an opinion of himself. lie Indieved that the Colony was siitfering under great depression at present, ami he was convinced that it was caused by overlrading. Caribou had tinned imt far le-s gold than bid been expected, and miners bad relunied with less gold. 'I'liere bad been no return for the iiioiey expended in mining. That he looked on as a temporary dillii nlty. Ibit the great cause of the dejiression was the vast amount ol accomniodalioii atl'onlcd to traders by our mercbants. The gunds were either liK'Ued ii|) in the mine- m- sold at a great loss. A great deal of capiial bad been locked up a!-o in i|ii.'irt/ ai"' i'0]iper mines. '1 his, bowevcr. be looked on as also a tcmpoiiiry sniVeriiiLr, ami he fnllv exp. cied we would recover from it in time. Il wa> not alone here that llie iineniplnyed incii who Iriil lieeii alluded In were til lie found. In Calilornia it was just as bad, and fioiii >!iiiilar causes. One miglil alinn-t -lep lieie, and say that if the depression was only temporary il wuiilil soon be got over, lint olher lopii'> bad been entered on. Il had been said that the depie.-sion bad been canned by our neglecting to lii>lcr local industries. This he lolallY denied (bear, hear). l''or himself lie was still as inucli in tavoiir of free traile as ever. He did not consider free trade bad aiiylbiiig wli itcver to do with the |)rcseiil depres- fiuii (hear, hear). They were told that of the , V \M Ml Ml l-I AMI. (frown rii-li anil |Miwcrfiil Iiy |irotodl((ii. In ttic I'liilPil Stato tlic (|ii('stioii liail liocil llioroii!.'tily nrpucl, anil till' I'liitcil Slati- hail jjniic im |iri)ti'rtiii(f llirir in(lii«trii-i, anil .it tlii' *.'iinf tinif inrrt'a.-iii(r i||,.,f |iii|)ul.iliiiii anil ra|.iill_\ aiitriniMitiiif.' ttifir wr;iltli. We, imrsflvc-, liaii jfivfii tlir tliii,(; a imlili' trial .ifMx yrar^ anil allhini^'h tii- vninlilnnt say it li:iil iliim- inijfiiuil, »till In- tliini'.'lit tin' time \va> ii;i>t tut trcf tmilc, itnil till- coiinti y lirinanilcil iirntt'CtiiMi. Takf tin- taniiliar cxanijiir hI' tin- -aw mill, iiunti'il vistcnlav. (a laii>fli). Ill- liiul i-crn tlif workiii;,' nf -aw mills iiiiiIit |iriitcrtli)ii mi I'li^.Tt .*crii tlinr l)i'ncliiial cfl'i-it- in hinlilinu' n|ithfi'i)iinti v. Our t.'i'ii>;r.iiiliiral |iii-itiiiii. wliidi hail liccn sn niiich talk.'il aliiiiit, anil prai-cil in the •''I'imrs" .^.. early as lf i-a-tcrii Oulnniej (applaiisi'). IV. Ilflinckfii saiil there »a« nodoiiht whatever that even if we shonld remain -e|rarate wo iniild rai-o all the revenue we rei|uiied (hear, hear). He liad nut a diiiiht id it. .Mr, Havley said the present state ii.-e anil nppii-ed union with Hriti-h ('oliiinliia, hut tli.at wa- heian-e he had heeii IimI to I'Mik at this roiintry a- tile (ireat Itritain of the I'acitic, He had now seen reason to eli.iiii;e liis opinion, lie looked on N'irtoria a- redueed to a mere shopkeeper (a laufih), who li.-id to depiiid on llriti-h ('iilumliia to huy her ware-. The moment that Uriti-h I'olunihia was ahle to Imy for hrr-i'lf IViiiii the maniifaiturers and piodiieers, what were we to do with our good- ! Our warehouses wiuild he full, hut no one to he purchasers, that was the state to which we were fa.st coming unless we adopted a di/l'crent policy. Dr. Dickson said he hnd no fears jihout our ahility to exist as a separate Colony ; hut uninn wav strength, and he was fully satisfied that :i complete and thorough union was for the best intere-ts of Imlli Cidonies (hear, hear). He had taken the trouble to see the? great majority of his constituents, and liad iil-o heard the opinions of a great iiiiinher of the inhabitants of the city, and lie had come to the linn com liision that nineteen-twentictlis of the whole population were thoroughly and strongly in favour ni union, iind that they expected the House to take active steps to bring it about, Hon. member- might depend on it, too, that if they t lot trcf ti.i,|,. Iiiti'il had ll'InlHMl |i'a>ti'rn t'. vi'^tcrdav, M'fii |||,.|r K'li lalk,.,i l>y iiiiidn ii>iiii'< If wo coiilil ra 'iu;,'|ili' Ill- til loliiniliia and nut f OVlT-*Ill'( had III 111 til (•haiifii' M to ili'|iriid nil Imy tor hrr-i'lf |liiiHM's Would lie M wi' adiijitcd a liiit union uav iiiti-riNts of l,„tli iliifiits, and had I'ouic to thf linn ifrly ill favour oi' iiiiMnhcrs nii^dii II turn tluMU iMlt •di'r, opciiinff up )ia had rcjocli'd id been rcturiii'il out goiiifr licfiirt' follow tlip >ariu> nditiunal uninn, icon rejected by in hito considiT- !■ guilty of siiili oil liiid I'vidrntly e trade in Vaii- )Ut. Ill' alluded e port. «(8). s given by Iwn. Ills lixcflleiicy -S to 3. med tliu House an. 91, 18C4. Imie, Franklin, :ato. eity. It reads ver Island. ider discussion -olony, is also Victoria as a (-|t taxation, or ions J beg re- ;i: •tfiilly to |iri-«fiil fif ihi' v llinTMii Viiir Jirtitioin'r- tin nloii' hitiiilily prav lli.it s.iur I lonoiualih- Il< niaiiilaiii tin- Irci' porl in all it- pri'-i'iil iMliijrily. Hi -111 V 111. ii-i' «il tak. art lull it- uill I. 'I'l.at. i:i till' opiiii. Ill of the \'ii tnria ( haiiilicr of ( 'oMinn-rcp. tin' iiiaiiiti-naiict' of flu- I'rfc I'orl sv-ti'iii 1- ot vital iiiiiiorlaiii' to till Thrit 111 (•oiiiiiiciic -lioulil nut Im prii-p'Tity ..f v; idof N', Ma liTtril to any "prcu* of rr«lraiiit, luiMii-ii- fri-i'doTu f i- rali'iilatrd lo ;;ni« thf utmost (•\ti'ii>ioii to foriML'ii trailr IIK lu-t 1 t^i- l)r>t dim tioM to ll rv ot llir roiintrv. 11 tr.-iii ri-lra.ti: II' raintal and 3. That the adoption ol proii'i'ii l.iriir «mUI Colony without liriicfit to the fani I. That a tariir for rcvciuii' would mir-'itato diitir- that it wonlil not aii-wiT tin' rripiirpi on till' i-oiiiuicrii' of N'irti 111' ili'triMii'ii lal 111- rouiMiiTna I illti n-t ifthr ii' iiiamil.ii'Inrri-. -mil an outlav tia i.flli.' ( I'Xpi r.r tl li'i lion 1 I till' oM'riiiiii'iit, :inil Won! iiitli't I'M. 5. i'iiat iliri'i't taxation i~ the onls politir ami italii- nil' of a. T'hat a L'l'i III • v-teiii ol taxatjoii 'nv wiiii'li al rai-:iii,' a itm iliir (.■(llltrilnilr to tllr Mlpport of till' (ioMTIIlllrllt i- lllr lllo-t >illlpli' :!!! i-TH of till' t'oniuiiinilN would ill' til And Xii'li nil' pi'litioiRTs a- ill duly liouiid will ever pray I'roiioniical, !■■ ir till' nu'inlii 1 1 of tin' \'irtcii la ( haii (. oninii-rri'. I>laiiil, .Ian. 'Jlitli, I -^li ClMv. W. \\ .\. I-'. Main. Stiili iij' till' I'ljii, 11/ l!i.liiliiiiis. iliitioiis pi! .I'll liy till' ,"iiiiiijilti'i' f till lloli' (ill ruiiiA *M> I V, I. |>|, ■'I'l'i'i'larv. \\ riliu'»ila\ la«t 'I'lii- Spiakcr ri'ad over tin' ri'i resjK'iting tin; state of the Cilouy. Sir. Young iiiovcd for a I'd'ouiiuitfal of the resolutions, and was proiei diiii.' to oive liii rea-oii<, when T'lic Speaker said, that if any ili-iii^sioii aro-e on the resolutions they wiiiild have to be postponed until Monday next. Messrs. Kranklin and liuriialiv had some further ii marks to make. .Mr. I)e C'osnios railed " ipu'sliou." Till' Speaker — ''Tliat I do now leave the iliair.^" Mr. I)i- C'dsino,^ — No I On the siiggestiim ol' the Sjieaki ,', Mr. Do ( 'o-inr.» moved that the onh r of ihe dav he disrhaiged. Mr. I'Vaiiklin stated that the House had waili'il a loni; lime for the estimates, and it was kuowu that (Jinoniineiit business took preredeiiee of all other. He hoped that the llou-i' would go mi with the business of the day. -Mr. Muniiiliy iinned "that the Speaker do now leave the iliair." Mr. Young said that aeeordiug to ■" May.'' (iovoninient Iiusiiie-s eaiiu it be siipeisedeil. Motion to leave the eliair v.as lo-t by a vote of •'^ lo "i. The order of tiie ilav re-pertim.' the "state of the Colony " was earried. -Mr. Yoiiug then moved that the resulutioiis b." reeiiminitte 1. and ea'.lid the •itteiiliou of the Ilou-e to the results of the ineetings held in the eity, and whether the alimi>t unaiiiinous opinion of the Chamber of Coniiueree is to go for notliing, when there was but one voii.e in '-'" a;;aiii-t the iiiaiuteiiauce of the free port, and subseipieiitly 7 others eiileml the room .:;n(l aeipiie.-ri d with the ileiisiou of that hodv. He was about to advert to t!ie ileei-imi in regard to the i]ui'>tion at the .Miebaiiiis' Debaliii',' Club, when ho v as called to order. Mr. Young stated that the ipiestion w.if not inlended for the beiielit of the Colony, but for the benelit of iiiiiiv idiial ;. j Mr. l)e Cosmos— no '■ no !] Ii was not the ease, as «tati d by the press, that 'J out of III were in favour of a tarill'. The lion gentleman ( Mr. Youiigi quoteil \Va>h- iligtou territory to show that, v. ilu ;illits protection, the revenue derived from the eustoni house there only sullieed to pay one quarter of the cxjienM's coinu eted therewith. It used to produec sii.oiio buslnls of wheat, and now but ".j.oiill bushels, and all froin the beautiful system of proteetioii. He had his information from a reliable authority, lie would ask the IbitiM', what would be more bumili.itiug than for this Colony to go begging to Uritish Columbia, asking to have its destiny Imoked on with theirs. With regard to the cereal )iriiduetions of this Colony, Mr. Y. (luoted the phrase, "the woodinairs axe' " had not rung in the primeval forest, \e.," which will be leiiienibered was used by an hononrablc member in connexion with the Crown Lands' report of last session of the Hou-e, and it caiLcd miieli merriment. The Hudson's liay Company also came in for a shaic of the hon gentleina' 's eeiisiire. Mr. Young went on to state that a paid Legislature would be brought about by the course propo-.ed ; he had often beard lion, gentlemen deprecate a paid Legislature, and be would not say that any lion, member ever thought of such a thing for tbeir own benelit. No, no. (Laughter.) He was -.urprised that an hon. gentloman in the House, in the retail bnsines-, should favour a tarilfof '.'ii per cent., and how could he delude his customers or niak.- them believe that there would be no conseipieut advauee in his goods :* To talk of union, with dissent on both sides, seemed to him luo^t paradoxical. If tlie rcMilutions were brought forward in a less liuniiliating manner to ourselves, we might arrive at soinetliiug. He hoped that lion, gentlemen would look to the serious ciiiisc([ueiices which would arise from the passage of the resolutions, and he trusted that hon. members would not be deaf to the arguments used. Ur. T'olmie said that they had heard nothing from Mr. Young a|iproaebiiig reason why the resolutions should be recommitted; as to the ])ersonalities, those be would leave out altogether. \t regards the wheat raised in Washington territory, .Mr. i'ohnie stated that it arose from the poverty of the soil and was not reproductive. With respect to the Chamber of Conimeiee. that body only dealt with a portion of the question ; union was not submitted at all. As to the dis-ent on both sides alluded to, the ques • tion was never put before iiritish Columbians as it was now put, and in iiritish Columbia there was a great deal of as-eiit to union with this Col. my, Mr. liurnaby rose to make a last appeal, but from appearances he feared that he had but a :Mnall B 3 ii I J Kill I I'-ii ( Ml I tllllA ^ W' ■!! S I II Ul \Ml. II-,- ill-:!' ' ill' i 1 I'M'KUS ini.AIIVK K) 'I'lIK I'HOI'OSKl) I'NIoy I liiiMir. Ill' \\c iilil .-a> .1 lr» U'liiU ill nnliT In (Hit llic i|in>lii»ii i)ir lor a nliorl pi>riuil, tlint tin- |ii'(.|,le iiiiflit Ix' i'ii;ilili(l tip y.iiii iimrc time In cciiL-iijcr tlic iiiatlrr. lie «,i- ii'it (li>|iii!i' Ki»iii<"l that otli.T linn. (.'I'litli'iiii'ii -HH. I)ciiilit'. aif I'spii'-si'il lliat llh' tVi'c pint liail iinl tcmlfd tci the biiildiiii; ii|Mif tliis cny, lint ln' »a- iciii\iii('i''l that williniil trrc tiaijc uji In llii- liiiK'. lln' plai c woiilil lie inmjiaialivcly •mail. Mr. Hiiinaliy alliiilril to the I'litcipii''' o( niii iii'i>,'lil)iiiir!., who woiilil laki' ailvaiitatfc to hiiiid i,). a ii\al 1 itv nil ihr opposite (•oa>l. mid hi- hroiiirht to ih<' notii'o of tin- llou-f llu- |H>titioii ii'»H nf a portion of the roiiiiniiiiity which p:tid u very lari;c •liari' of till" tax<"< and who dcM'lopi'd thf n'^iuirccn of thf I'oiintry to a irrt-at cxlpiit 'I"lial hu,|y n.'iliiraliy. lii- haul, fi'lt the di'cpi -t iiitfri'-t in the inattfr. In ifL'ard to tin- i|iU'-tioii d nnimi. llii'V fori'saw that wilhoiit it iinroiKhtional. tiu'rc was no clmnci' of the free port l)oiii« frivrn up. 'I'lioy diil not loMch on union iM'can-f they frit that it would be dealiiij; with a pitlitiral matter. Mr. |i. expri'hsed lii« a^toiiisliinent that lion. K<'ntli'ineii who sat Hruund that table and |pledj,'ed tht'in.-elve- tn llieii eonstiliicnls 1 -^ innnlh?* a;xo to support the free port conld now neatter tlione prineiplcj to ih.' wind. It\ reason of tli<' pledt'e-i extr.icted from them tiny now ^at in that House, iiow they emild reeoni'ile thiir coiidinl willi their eoii.«eii'n('e now he could not dee. I'liion wa^ ileHinibJu, hill lie eoiild not »ee what there wa.-i in the position of the Colony now, us eoinpaiud with it !.•< nionth.-' at'o, wlih'h -lioiild make lion. iiiemberM I'hange their viewii. He woiiUI now ask lion, j^entloinen, especially in detereiire to llie petition nl tli> ('haiiiber of ( 'oiiimerce wliieh he laid iKifoie them, to postpone the further disiiis'.ion of the <|iie!tioiied the sinceritv of those no, noes. The lion, jjentleman stated that he saw nieinbers before him for whom be voted, ind helped to ^aiii ii seat in the House, because tlioy advocated free port princijiles, and he li.id a ri^xlit in his place to deniaiiil <'ons'stenc'y t'rum them. (Hear, hear.) He lliouj,'iit that as irnardiaiis of the ))tiblic they li.id no right to place trie interests of the people in the hands of the Secretary of State to do as h ' thought fit, and eimld they for a moinciit say we will do as we jilc'i-^e .•' .Mr. I'ranklin touched on the subject of the claims made out by the Committee on Crown Lands airain-t the Huilson's Hay Company, and reminded lion, members if all these were to he swejit uuav in a moment, and with one dash of the pen, he urged hoii. gentleman to inaiiitiiin the rights of the |ieople, and not to .'iliandou them from selfish ambition. Were ihev to throw out Ainoricans, Freiiclimcn, (iiTinans, Chinese, by substituting a restrictive policy ? Tlie hoii. gentleman here men- tioned, as an instance of the many chances of fostering the frei- port, the recent order for issuing passports by the .\merican tioverntnent to people leaving the Colony. He would say wi'h the lion, gentleman w ho had just spoken ( Mr. IJurnaby), that they should think seriously before they abandon the advantages of a flee port. Uemember the (|uestioii which is taken up by gentlemen who do not enter into politics al all, and who say that if the free port is given up, they will leave the country; and he w;is assured that several were about to establish themselves in the neighbouring territory. Oiici; destr.iy the free port, and the supremacy of ^'ancouver Island will go with it. Mr. !•'. wanted no |i.')litical advancement; Ac would aecept no ollice. Hritish Columbia, with its revenue for this year of ,s'tii(),(ino, in comparison with ours of ,s"J''U),00(), would, from the nature of thiii'fs, control our revenue, and it would be expended for their interests. .Selfishness governs public men. The dreams of those who imagine that they are going to become /y/'/Hic w((Hi,«/r/'.v, if refiecied upon, cannot be reali/.ed. -Again, if after ne.'irly seven years' existence, are three days going to change the entire policy of the country without giving the people a chance to express their opinion? He would say that to change the system would be a political wrong, and a crime which should not he countenanced, and should disable any public man from ever entering the House again. The delay asked by Mr. Bumaby should be granted. .Mr. Young olTered a few further observations. Mr. Tolinie was agreeable to postpone the question for one week. It would give ample time. Mr. Hurnaby accepted the amendment. Mr. De Cosmos would accept nothing less than the bare resolutions passed by the Committee. He replied with respect to the pledges given ; he pledged hiirself to support a union of the two Colonies. He was of opinion that if the country went against free port principles and remained a separate Colony, that they would be committing political suicide. Mr. UeCosmos next spoke in relation to the views of the Chamber of Commerce which so much stress had been laid upon, and he stated that the views of some of the members were in favour of union. In relation to placing the interests of the Cohiiiy in the hands of the Imperial .Secretary of State, he was satisfied tnat the interests of the Colony would be fairly dealt with; but if not, they (the House) could soon rectify it, as is to be seen in the case of the appointing of the two Governors on the re|>resentatioii of the people of British ColumbiiL Any motion to post))oiie would gain nothing, but would to a certain extent endanger their interests. riie .Speaker then put the amendment to postpone tlie question for one week, l)ut it was lost by the following vote : Ayes — Bumaby, Tolmie, Franklin, Young, Soiithgate; (5.) Nous — Dickson, Powell, Dennes, Duncan, Carswell, De Cosmos, 13ayley; (7.) The original resolution was then put, anti clause 1 was passed, when Mr. Franklin moved an amend- ment to come in after the word "grant" in clause 8, as follows: "with the exception of abandoning " the free trade of the Colony." Mr. Dc Cosmos said that the amendment was designed to clog the resolutions. Messrs. Tolmie and Dickson took much the same view of the matter; Dr. Dickson stating that it did not necessarily follow that if there was a union of the ColonieB, the free port would be done away with. Mr. Franklin did not mean the amendment as a "clog," but as a means to test the sincerity of Hon. members. ... ..;..,. .j .. . The amendment was lost. - ':■•-. "..-. .. •■■.! -i Mr. Young moved another amendment, to the effect that the resolutions be transmitted to the Governor of British Columbia. Loiit : 7 to 5. . . Sir, Sin. OF imiTISII CCTHMIHA AND VAXCorVEU ISLAND. I;' Mr. Kninklin ««irt ihnt it wa.« an inroiiimiify tnr thr Hou.r t.i plidi;.' itlt !>> .inidi- l>v thi' (1<'i'i«iim (if (lie Secretary (if .*>tat«' tor tin- ("ol.iiiie-. lie li..pe(i l.p mc the present lli'ii-e ili-«.h,.il. and then ttiey «"■'*" would pot a dinsolvinp viev. of the <|iirn:iiit). 'I'liey cmild nut lii,'ti«l.ife lieMind llie - >-i.Mi, and l>e«idr'> ' ' *""* •onie nf the iiieniher?' may nsipii, nn pa''-'e(| a« a wh^le liv a xnti- of •> tn i. Avi'i*:- Tolmi''. Dickson, I'omcII, Duncan I )cnne-, ( 'ar>'«ell, DcCosino!', Muvlev. Nfios: — Humnhr, Vnuiip. Franklin. Sciuthpate. No. 7. No. 7. Copy of a DKSPATCFi from Governor Kennkdy, C.R., to the Itighf lion EnWARD ( ARDWKl.I.. M.I'. (No. 15.— Separate.) Victoria. Matrh -J I, IsO.-,. Sir. ^ (IJ.r.iv.-.l, .May I .i. 1 Stj.". ) Ui-FKRRrN>liuions on the subject of union with British Columbia, as viewed in connexion with the new taritl", respectfully subnut the following resoli.tions and report for the consideration of the Ciiamber:— Rksoi.vk.d, — 1. That an equitable union of the Colonies of Hritish Columbia and Vancouver Island at as early a date as possible is essential to the maintenance of imperial and local interests in the IJritisb po.ssessions of the North Pacific, 'i. That the Chamber of Commerce adhere, nevertheless, to its resolutions on the subject of the free port lately adopted, believing that the interests of the two Colonies, whether united or separate, will be best maintained by the preservation in its integrity in this Island of the free trade policy hitherto pursued. ;5. That the.se resolutions, with the annexed report, be sigiu'd t)y the whole of the uuMnbers of the Chamber of Commerce, and transmitted by the president to his E.Kcellency the (iovenior, with the praj'cr that they miiy be forwarded for the consideration of the .Secretary of .State for the Colonies, with the resolutions of the House of Assembly on the same subject. Passed unanimously at a general meeting of the Chamber o^ Commerce held the litli tlay of March 18r,5. In adopting the aforegoing resolutions the members of the Chamber of Commerce of X'ictoria, \"an- CDUver Island, representing as they do the chief part of the capital that has been inve-.ted in the joint development of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, deem it proper to place on record the fact>^ and circumstances that necessitate their present expression of opinion. Prior to the year \8'>« the British pos.ses.-ions in the North Pacific attracted but slight attention : the trading posts and forts of the Hudson's Bay Company, and a fetv farming establishments on \'aiic()uver Island under their control, being the only inducements for ccmunerce, vshich, therefore. reni;iined entirely in the hands of the company by whom Vancouver Island was then held under a chartei from the Crown. floating i)opulati(jn it attracti.-d, commerce. Merchants and traders The discovery of gold on the River P'raser in if<."»8, and the large chiefly from California and Oregon, gave an entirely new impetus to c uir H'\ B 4 iijf i'i 1.. ;"! A; ;ir 1 1 , . Iti:lll the liiaiiiicr anil Irum ilir inn-t iiiiMiiiriit jkmiiI '|lllrk<>«t I'hi tl tiiiii 111 llir lliiil '- M.iy ('iiiii|iaii\ IM it-' rMri.oiati' i jijiaiitv. »> wi'll n* of tin- ^cvoral innnlii III tliiir iiiiliMiliial iiiti'ii'«t-, pripvi"* c nil! iu'lv that lioiii tlic lir-t ill"' Miain lauil ami Vaiiiuin^r Ulaiiil VKTi- M'it ■il iiti.' Ill tl (lUt m| tlH' ^laiit i>i' iIk' Maiitl t'l tli<' ( .i.'aliHii. a- a tiiM|"iiai-y c Miiliiii'li i>l nil ipi'iial piilicy, ari-inj; Vut'iiia, a- farlv a^ l-?> ill Niiilli-\M -t A rica to tli'' lii'^l a'tvaiita^'c, ami tlir nnirliaiil- who loll,, w,.,! tlii'iii ill 1^',> ratilii'd tin- v\i-(|,iiii of lliat I'llniri Ir '•Imiilil III' li,,iii<' ill I ['ttli'il liy iiirl'crcinc nil tln' ,,)ipiisilc l■,)a^t, an lliat lliiTc \Mif iiiaiiv ira',,11- wliv Vmciii.'iii iiK'irhant- ■• -hciiM pnvilc'i l,ir a riia-luii,' trailr a- II liirl lic-r iinliiciiii'iit- (it >,',K»I l,i«ii .-ito, r\ 1 ~lii,iiM have lliii- iIi'iImiI 1,11 tliiir (iwii ti'iriti,ry till' t' iiiipiirliiiL' Aiiiiriiaii pnnliHi' iliity lii'i'; tlirn' «in' tlii< •lit liailiiiiir- „1 to llriti>li ( 'nliiiiiliia but Virluiia, uilh lii" im.s/ii/r «;/' iifrn/n'r/, i.lii'i-iil >,'ii'at"r aiKaiitai.'"'- -li II' I iiiaiiiliii!,' iialiiri' Tl Victi 7(111 mill'-. J ('iiiiipaialu, il iiiiiiiiall illii' nil iii lt> «.' Iv sil- I ijil piiMtioii, Its iniiMiiiriit ami rapa I'Mlt- liai liiiiii'-' larliiiur- mi tlii< Ma-lMi.'irii iii'itli raiii'iM'ci, a lii'-tain- lai'lii: liiJ.li' ill tiiiH's l>y iiiijlit nr i\i\\ liif ^''a-^'iiiiii,' -hips nt' any Imrtlii'ii) ; tin lar::i' ari'a nl upi'U Its tcinpc'iati ami liKhl till lami liiiiati III It- viciiiily , all iinlii ati' ,1 it V iiitv til till' ripal-liclils ol Naiaini as M natural t. rriiiii wlii'iici' iiiinlil 111 M pplii-il nut milv till- ici|aiiriMi'iits of I!iiti>li ('nliiiiiliia, Imt nl l'ii;,'i't ."-iiiiiiil, (Jr. ;,'i,ii, Cahtniiiiii, CXIrn, fli, II nv.'iiiaii Islamis, a ml thi' l!u -lan |ii slims III till' :i''ilic (III "Mli'li liavi .sillri' li"i-nim till' rii~tiiiiiirs 111' Victoiia. aii,l '/wi' prmiiisi' nt' iiirri'a-iii!,' irailr), !iml tliu.-. tn liiiiM up i atrcjii'it I'm- Iliitish (i.mimni' ami iiitliiciii", tlir vast ii'siilts nf which, in luur-c nl' tinm, can llv 111 niattci- nl' cniijrctiirc, nci'iipyiiii; a Vicli IMIinicaiinll 1- npi'lll'il tlllnll Il ISriti-h ( 'nliniil llrit 'i'l. nil tn her many valnalilc pn--cssiiiii ill tin recent aitinii n| the riiitcil States (' a inn-t impnrtaiit pnsiUnii in what, when nverlami cmii. will 111' the -linrte-t aiiil liealiliiest rniite 1'rniii (iri'at ast. 'sn, in Mitiiiij a siih-iily t'nr ninnthly mail steam cniii- esinces that niir neij'hlioiM- are liillv alive tn thi value ninniiati'iii lietweeii China ami San {''ramisco nl' seciiriii},' this impnrtaiit tiallie t'nr themselves. The selectinii nt Msiininialt as the iia\!il statinn t'nr the Xnrlli Pacitie prnvos that tli '-e several pniiits hftve heen diilv weij^heil liy the Impiri.al (iiiveninn'iit and their value reciij;iii/eil. 'I'lie internal resmirces nt' \'aii(iiuver Island, e\teii-ive and prniiiisinif I'nr the liirther siicie-sl'iil wnrkiiif.' nl' minerals, tannin^', and inaniiractiiies, .are mily casually lel'erred tn, as lieiiiir Imt partially (Ifvelnped. The same may he said nl' the ff'hl fields discnvered last ye.'ir, which lune yet tn lie pinMii, and their richness and extent tn he ascertained. Hut the cnminercial iutcrost nt' Vaucnuvcr Island, which is tlip peculiar province nl' this C'handior, is ail asccrtainod fact. After the fnrin.al separatinn of the Colonies iu I'^^a."*, and the establisiniient in ISJli nf New VVestmin- slpr as the capital nf Uritish CnhnnUia, their relative pnsitiniis reiuaiiu'd tlie sianie. and under the judieiims rule of Sir. lames I)oiij;las, then the jnliit (iovernor nf hntli, the ])rogress nf the Colonies was eoineident, and their divisinii merely iiniiiinal. The ailvaucenient of each was refjarded as the henetit of the other. The shippini,' and iinportinj.' interests were inialile tn avail themselves of New Westminster, (a!thnuj;li original purchaser.s, and still extensive hnlders of property there.) other than as a port of entry to the interior of IJritish Columbia, for the fnllowinir reasons:— The creat additional risks and delay for sea-going ships without steam, navigating between Victoria and the Kraser Hiver. The intricate, narrow, and uncertain channel through the sand-beads, at the mouth of the Fraser. available cuily for ships drawing lii feet at the utmost, and then reipiiring the .assistance of sttvun. The snbsiHpient danger and diday attending river navigation to New Westminster, the current iliiriiig the suiumer freshets being very rapid. The closing of the river by ice from time to time during the winter season, extending over four months. The general inconvenience of the situation for import and export to and from foreign markets, and the liniited and uncertain n.atnre of the mere local demand. Accordingly, in no spirit of rivalry to the sister Colmiy. but with the dearly-delined purpose of foster- ing her advancement as the best means of promoting their own, the merchants, without an exception, settled down in Victoria, and under a free trade policy assiL-tcd to huihl it u|) to its present tloiirishing condition, investing considerahle sums of money in permanent imprn\ement3, and iu the establishnieiit of business coimcximis, under the belief that the relative pnsitions of the C'olonles would rcniiiin without material alteration. It was hoped they wmilil still work baniiniiiously together, and that N'aneniiver Island in maintaining her indeiien lence, and with it her Iree trade, would find in ibitish Cnlnmbia her best customer and her stauiichest supporter; and nu these grounds the members nf the C'lianihers nf Cnnimerce nf Victnria, \'anciniver Island, declined to touch uiinii nninii, as being more a jinlitical than a conimercial question. Tia" further reconstruction of Ibitish Columbia in li^tj;), and the arrival in Itiiil of separate Ciovernois with distinct establishments for tluct Colony and for Vancouver Island, somewhat .•iltered the relatroiis of the two, and now threatens seriously to imperil the mutually benelicial relations hitherto existing between them, which would diieelly tend to destroy the gooci elTcct already springing from the free trade policy of N'ancouver Island, and would build u[i rival towns on the !idjacent American territory to the sacrifice of Hritish interest in the North I'acilie. The niembers of the Chamber of Coninierce of Victoria, \'aneouver Island, view with surprise and astonishment the passing of eiiactiiKnts by the Legislative Council of British Columbia intentionally iuitngo in e it is still owned, there not being at this mouient one single imporiing nierct roughuut that Colony, iuiii:?iiiiiciii iiiv- |ja^:.iiiy ui ..-iiuniin. MI.T ,jj lilt- j^.--gi,^itiin ,.- v^vjuiicii ui xjiiLiMi \^oiuiiioi(i iiiLeiuioiiaiiy itngonistic to \' ictoria, from whence the great proportion of eajiital that has been and still is employed trading, miiiiug, and other enterprises in Hritish Columbia, has been supplied on a very liberal OF BIUTISII COLrMlUA AM) V \N( ( jCVr.Ii IM.AM). tllO l|l|i. ko>t t'ral iiiciiilici, "in IT I«laiii| '111 y, .•iriMin; ;ililr -[.(it I'.ir ll"illr| ||,iv,> li'iTilnry till' 111!.' were ihf li.l n\,T|..||,|; liMlllcHiri (if l lit-tllllic (if iirtli.Mi); till' S.'i i.'iiiihi, itml 111'- IMii;iit li<. 'II. ( 'alit'Tiiiii, 1 "llirll |],nr liiiil'l up nil i-;iii "Illy !)(' 'Vi'll.-iihl ciiiii. <■ IVi'iii (iri'ut ll >ti'illil cniii- ■ t'l til. Mllllr several pMiius liiT snc(i>>|'iil litit iiartiaiiv . to 1)1- provecl, is C'haiiilicr, is t'olonii's was as the heiii'tit ■ter, (although if entry to the ween Victoria >f the Fiaser, f stiviiu. !•, the eurreul diiij; over four 1 markets, and poseof fdsler- iin exee])tioii, "nt iloiirishiiig establishineiit would remain n nmintaininjr oiner and her e (if Victoria, ■ial question, ate CJoveniors the relations icrto eNJsting from the free m territory to surprise and intentionally 1 is employed very liberal ig mercantile Tl t;.rilV rii-eiitU ^.•l■^c .1 ll% ll:e \. ■i;i-l:.li\c (mini il ..f Hilii.li ( '..Jim opiratH'ii /III .11)11 I'liil. villi'. ul iiiij tM'lKi. til the li;in,iniili ei iiiiiiiMMtv, i 'Ut lilt. t.i vjii'iilii >' til.' iiialirial iiili i. •' of th.- ('ol.iiiv of liilijsji ( oli llO-t 1 I Iv iiiilii all'- a (le blow is i;iiiii ll tiiat will eb'Sati' Niw W i ^ll)i.I■»tl r at tin iA|m iim' i f \ ., t Tf, tradei-. aii.l paekers iif It'iti -h ( . liiiii'i.i. ihbia at lar;.'e, proxulii! that in >(> dmii/ It i- (iTt.llll llllt illc n)ra>uri', .ari. ii.it -liar'T- ii inin-t'T : >urli of tb.in a- Wire in 1 til. fei liiij: of iiiipo-ili.Mi a'X(iii«t \ aiiiiiii\, ,- l^jaml \'i( |i liiL', an( 1 pitit oria bavi- alnaiiy ;;i\iii e:i|ii are .liiflly all', i ted bv tli- llellt at \. » \\'.-t- lliiirisii (' .i I iiilati"ii. in cunp. Ibiiit \ fi..iii \ iitnria, b.iiiud for the NAV. i \V' -tiiiiu-;er, at urear ri-!» and f liriti-li ('..|i;uil>ia. t" iir i| tlllK till til. Jir.'ceed '.'7 miles up the ii\er t.. N« nil,' inid rctuniiiiL' To mil •as.' of l,ir..;e i raft iinoKiiii; t! Mill wav, as iiie inner iias-.ii X.hii ^|i':imer«', f.ir tl l<' aililit.iiiial ilel.iy ul III'- Strait IS . r.lv avail. il.le fur ••iiiall fore t'l Clear lr..iu \ ict( II' -iliipl ■ piirpi. fiit.'riiii,' aiidile.iriiii.', jii-i.'ad "f I r;i L' all. mc( 1 as 1 ii-n-to- It Ir reiiueiitiv liaiilieii- tha* '1' III Miniiiicr, III reaili ill ll.i' apiM'ii'li\. in w W ■aiiiiiLr V'--' c.-tiuiii-t'-r at all. I li'iuiiil, in.' iiiial III wiiitir, and tii.tu tri-bi t I .■!■.' 1 ri'iitlv eecurri liich a -iii'i'ii ('barlntte Island will iippiiseil t ' ill' I'! liurr.in rt III pnivi^iii Inlet, fr'Hii wlieiici' New W'e-tmin-tcr I oiild iH't cuter till' i'rasi I't l.'rtli III t sliliiilie- (ll le (III lar.'itiiiii ■ si.liie iiiliiiT- r ottiiiL' to .'sjie Went liiUllll t.i stai of M'vi 11 mile- iiverlaiiil from New We-tinin-l las c.iii-li!ii;lv rei'civi er, wa- nfu-ed a el ipp.ii's w lien tile rner w.i- el caraiiee, uii Niw West Ic- si iiiinsler, am! iiilnii.ili'lv ri'tiiriu'd In \ ict. !iiitli"rilie- m.iy prove t.. b.ive b.-. ii j'.ital to lili l''rom .-u( ll ill-advi iia: 111 till' p.'iitK i.l.'ir Ill-lame the iictiuii i.l tl ie-:i-lati"ii niiisl -' ri.iii- i--ui'- iiiii- if Ihi- ('h.-r.uber tll.lt the 11 >\> and It IS till' ileiiliei.iti'lv exi'ie- will be -eii"U-ly ji npari (li-l(l bv it, Till' want of ciiiirDrd 11 tw, m niiitiiiilly (I p.'i (lent I'll otl iiaiiii'iliit iiitirel of tlie Imptiial (ioM riiiiicnt ill the Ni.ill. I'aiif.i two Ciloiiies in -ucli eln-e pro\imity, wlio-e liinil. d p'.piil itimis a ll ler, can oiil'. result in .I'ce: li -tn :tli tl tl H' I'xii.'u-i' o: f liriti iir Anierir.iii iieiudiboiir at 1 iiillui'iiee ill a (Hiartii i.l' the wmM where it i- needle— to state tli.it iulliieucei'uylit tn be tostered tn tile litllliit. I'-iiiall y, as biariiii: (ill tile (luc-ticn nt ii )f this ( 'bauiber. seem- to be waverin;. with Hiilisb ("liiiii -t.ible that iiiil.'ss that is adhered to, the naliiral aibaiit 1 iiiiia. public opinion in oppi.-itinn ti .■iiiil it i- e oil the (luesti'iii ot free tiad M, i| Naiici.iiver I-laiid can oiilv In made avail alile by the e.-t.'ibii.-limcnt of iierfect bariiioiiy and uiiiiin of intere-l between it ami Ihitisl I'olimibia. Ill view iif wliirli, and r(';.'anlinLr tile Licneral pi.'L're-- of the two ( '..Iniiies a- f.ir .-iIliM' in.-re Im'.il ciii- siileratinn-. the iiicmln 'f the Chamber of ('oiniiicrce of Victoria, \ a:iconvi I-l 111(1. can I'lilv i'i|uit:ib'e iininii a pr.i 'tical .uliili.iii ol' e\lstiii:r diliiinltii s. and while f.'.'liui; tliat N'irloria .-i- a free port depot, e-tab'i-!ieil with so iiiuili forcllii'ii^'lil and maiut.iined at such co-t, t.i the snbst.'intial benclit of Hritisli C'lhinibi.i as well as of \'anc.iUM'r l-laiid, iiiav be weakened for a time. tli:'\ are content to leave the tioii ol' the whole (inestioii to the wisdom ol Her .Maicstv'- (ioverinii''iit, lecliiiir -iir.' that I true interest ol ;ill partie- will b;' earelnlly e-tiniatcd and provided I ,\doiited nnaniinouslv at a irciii'ral incetini' ol tli.' Cliamlier of t'uiiim erce held the si-,tli(lav .f .Mi: I8G.I 1) i:i l..vii.vn( )\ of tho l*UKsii)i:s r .''.nil ."^i riir.r.viiv of the Qi r.KV t'li.viii.ori Ml 1. The company li;ivc had men at tii \\3.A alreadv y occurred in .si'iidniij: ii vessel \vi;li siip[ilics t.ir I. le .luue last whose time had ex|): fnr till I' of |irovisions and clothinir, and it was a matter of necessity that a vc ley were sup] 's-el shiiulil d to b, "•(line delay iiearlv out le sent to tlieiii. 2. W e vii'ie iiresi'iit at a meeting of the board of directors held on 'ilst .laniiarv. at which a resoliitinu lis ])asscil autliori/ing the secretary ''to contract with a ves.-iel to eo to the mines and hriiig back th " mm there, and all tools and niov property of the company. ;i. The schooner ■' Onward" was chartered i'or the purposes specilled in the resolution on the 'J'ltli January, .'ind despatched the foll'iwingday. •I. The schooner returned to tin.- ])ort on or about the 7th Kehruary, in con.seiiuence of being refused a clearaiue at the custom-house at New Westminster 5. Tl interests delay in sending a vessel may he fatal to the men, and is extremely detriniental to the rests of the company. iJ. The provisions shipped on board were intended for the use of the men returning, and the value of them was .sfi 1.90- Inn. 7. And I, liob.'rt (ienrgc, further declare that the paper vvritiu'j marl, "! " \ " is the original memorandum of agreement made with Hugh McKay, the cajitain and owner 'if the liriti-li schniiner ''Onward," and the \)n\K'V writing marked '* IV is th(> original receiiit for all the g Is shipped by the Queen Charlotte Mining ronijiany on board the said vessel. And we, Robert liiiriiaby and Itobert George, do solemnly and sincerely declare that the ahove-inentioued stutcment is true and correct, and we make this declaration conscientiously believing the same to he true. Uoiii'.UT IJriix.virr, President, Queen Charlotte .Mining Company, Limited. HoBi'.ur Gkoik.i., Secretary, Queen Charlotte Mining Company, Limited. Declared before me at Victoria, Vancouver Island, this eighth day of March, A.D. ISU.J, in due form of law. ■ ~"-y (jbiod attestor. M. W, Tvitvvmrr Du.vki:, Notary I'ublic. 14M3. C ^ • : f ^|; 'f f- '( Ir ?* v ■■ ,\ U i- r i ' -f V ■ ♦ t. I, k t - '•' \ - y ■ V. i:: 1 .'il m i9M ■ Ifii l(i PAPERS KKLATIVi: lO 1111. PUOPUbED UNIUN niiiTi>'ii ('lil.L'UIIIA Van<<>i\kii Ini.ami, Ihi r" liilllf t'lliMll.'ll t" lilk"' "II Iwiliril hum «m IJlKinn imi.iici u im hi um- iiiimu«-i im hi mm»i iiircr, ii,,« iir llirii ill llif liiiiic». unci aUc) all and ali> iiialrriiil, IciiiU, ^\i- cJcLn ,,. IH)■.^il>ll•'tcl tlif iiiiit '■!' \ iilciria and alcifu'^id'' a cciiM'iiii'nt «liarl at -aid |Mirl, and dclixcr the' sitiir i,i till' Miiidimrly ipfthi' ^'CiHid part, c,r their aijeiil- nr ar'-i^rIl'•. And the -aid party of the seccind part at-n.., to pav tlie Maid ^iiin nf yJ'J'> cm the delivery id' the ?>aid iiiati-rial, timU, t-tures, iiiid artielex. and laiicjnu' III' Hjiiii iiietL III' Niiii men. IJiited in \ iitciria, Vamntiver l-laiid. thi- 'Jcth .laiiiiary lx6'i J.\Mi:s Drvi \s, Wifne III. .11 Mc Kv>. Kcir the (^ueeii ( 'hiirlottp Mining; (.'dinpaiiy, Limited, li. (imiicK. Secretary. T II. ( iniiii.K. >eeretary. hia is the ducuiiii'nt iimrkcd A. rcdirred tn in the annexed deelaratiim. dated ."th March IStl.-i M. W. '!'> [iwiii r I Dii A Ki, Notary Puhlie. 11. Onp I'n. Haeoii. One. I'k;;. Sundries. 'I'wo HciNes Hread. Vie rciiii.\, NaneoiiM'r iMlanil, .JMnn.iry 'J'l, inri.j. SiiilM'Ki) ill pood order hv Snoil)ur>; and IteiiH'. on hoard the "Onward," whereof McKay is iiiistcr, and hound lor Q. t'. M. Co., tile rollowiiiL' |>iickaj;i's (the (lanirers n( tire and naviiratioii excepted) con. !'''iing Coinpanv, Limited, logo to their mines at Queen Charlotte Island, and bring thence to Victoria (rf) three men and the material left there. 1 took on board goods to the value of .s'lOll, all of which were "stores," except two bids, molasses and five boxes bread, of the value of about (,v'5".00) 6' dollars. I sailed and reached the ■.'iitrance of I'raser i{iver and attempted to get up to New Westminster, to clear my goods, but found so much float ice coming down the river, that 1 did not dare to risk my vessel against it. 1 went out of the river and roun' m \»rioii» d<'pi«rtiiient< i>f t\\<- IUiri»M ointi'. "Mil t" «iili«titiiti' ilii liir:iTinn'. in li.ii iIht.iiI, ainl t'nr tln' iimri' I'litire >.iippri»»i >ii iiC ». limitary • 'li HHU ind r%tra-jiiilinal mitli.- nml iilhiiaMt.*, and In make other pnitioiiiiiK lor the alNililinii ol iimin c-arv *'" iKlhii. ' V|K.i.,vr« Hum .M.Kx>. '"'*^''- Peclared in diif tnrni of l.iw, thi" l.'1-t day nl Ki hriuir\ , .\,I). \H(\:,, ~~~ hitiiri' me, M. W, 'I'vHwiiii I Dk \K(, Noiiiry I'lihlic, Kill IIMI ( 'ol I Mill \. V. H, No. :!. — Av Ohdisami 111 \Mi\ii nil Drrii^ oi (*r^roM«, 1 l''lli h'elini.ary Ifti.j. ; WltFKl.\> it is expedient in .•onii' respect* to alter the diltii'« nl (•ii>t(iiiii a- ii w hv law eHlahh-iieil PrramMf llriti^h ('iihnnliia. and In iiiaki' liirtlier prnvi-inM lor the levviiii; theri'iil. Ill ill. it iMiartiil liv the • iiix"rnnr >r Itriti Ilia. Ii\ mil with ihi' ailNiie anil niii ■cut ..rthe 1. |iiti\e Ciiiiiiril theri'iif. a« lullnws: I. Kruiii and .it'ter the p.is-iiii; nf tlii'* Oriiin.iiiir. the duties nf c ii-tiini> hitliertn rhari;iMlile m aiiiaial^, and artirh>> iiiipnr'ed iiitn and landed in Itrili^ii ( cjluiiihia, «liall Im iiiiil are I liv ri'| II. In lien thereof, Irnin and after tlh- pa-sin^r of tlii> ( )riliii.inri', there >hall lie li'\i op]iosife the lespei'tive artiiles theniii named. (•, And so lon^r as the I'roi lamatiun made and passed on the lutli day of Driemher, .\.l). lH."i"J, is in forer, and the dues thereliy le\ialile shall he levied upon waiis, ;-ioils and menhandi-e trails ported from New Westminster to .iiiy pi, ire in lirili^h Cohnnliia. there sjiall lie so li\ied, enllerted. and |iaid as aforesaid upon ivery ton of wares, (roods, and menhandiso imjiorted into the Colony hy way of the Southern lioutidary, the sum of twelve shilliiif^s, and so on for a greater or less ipiaiitity ; and on rattle, horses, nuilis, and asses so imported liy way of the .Southern Uoundary. the sum of two shlUiiiL's and one penny ["r head heyoiid the speeitu; dutieii eharged mi animals in Schedule 15. Iiereto. (/, The artieles mentioned in Sehediile ('. hereto shall be admitted into British C'olumhiii free of duty. III. With the lull of entry of any crouds, thiro sh;dl hi- prodrri'd to tlio eolliTtor of en-loins an invoiee of tho frooils, and tho hill of riitry s|i;dl also (oiitain a stat iiriit of tho \.iliio for duty of tln' poods therein iniiitiom'd, and shall ho sijr||,.d hy tho pirson niakini,' tho intry, and vcritii'd if nipiirod by his di'elaratioii to tho truth thorrof, and no iiitry shall ho doomed peiti it uidoss n sulliiiint invoieo of the goods to ho ontired has hoen jinMliicid to tho i ollictor. l\'. If aiiv jioisdii |)iisses or attinipts to pass thronijh tho riistom-honso any falso or frandiilonf invoiee, or makes out or passes, or attem|)ts to pass .-i |)i|| of ontry of any ■roods at a valiio hrlow tho fair market value of sueli goods in tho country from which sucli froods wcio last dinctly shipped or exported, or in any way, hy uiider-vahiatioii or oihorwi-c. .■ittompts to difr,iiid tile nviiiuc of anv part of the duty on any goods or things liahle tiierdo, ovcry such person sh.all on conviction (in aildition to any other ])eiialty or forfeiture to which he may he -uhjoct for sueli oth'iice) he liable to a peindty not exceeding lim/., and the goods so undervahicd shall he mid be t.aken and deemed to he forfeited. V. And inasnnieh as it is expedient to make such provisions foi the valuation of goods siiliject to ad valorem duties as may protect the revenue and the fair trader against fraud hy the undcrvalu.ition of •iny such goods, therefore the Governor may fidiii time to time, and when he deems it expedient, appoint tit and proper persons to be appraisers of goods at the port of entry, and every such apjiraiser shall before acting as such take and subscribe the following oath of ollice before some justice of the peace for this Colony, and deliver the same to the collector. Kvery such ap|)raisemeiit shall be tiiial. I, A. 15,, having been appointed an aiiinai-er of goods, wares, and merchandise, and to act as such at the port of (or as the ease may he), do solemnly swear mr atlirm) that I will faithfully perform the duties of the said ofliee, without partiality, fear, favour, or atreit'on, and .hat I will appraise the value of all goods submitted to my a])praisement, according to the true intent and meaning of the laws impos- ing duties of customs in this Colony; and that 1 will use niy best endeavours to prevent all fraud, sub- terfuge, or evasion of ihe said laws, and more esj-ecially to detect, expose, and frustrate all attempt.s to undervalue any goods, wares, or merchandise on which anv duty is chargeable. So help me God. ■ A.B. Ajipraiser for (as the case may be). Sworn before iiie, this day of 186 E. F. J. P. for (as the ciiso may he). 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 Ciovernor may at any time direct any appraiser to attend at any port or place, for the imrpose of valuing any goods, ir of acting as apjiraiser there during any time, which such apjiraiser shall accordingly do without taking any new oath of office, and every appraiser shall bo deemed an officer of the customs. C 2 iliiii*'i» 111 Sclit- 'tuU- 11. Tnlltlil^*' 'luM on ir ijMtrtu hy Smidn-rn lt4Miii. Ftti- list in Ififoirr to be profluced. I'cniiilit-s for frait'lulfiit invoice. AllITiliflTS how u|i|Hiiutv- praistT. CoUt'ttt-r tthi'U to act a.s apiuaiocr. ^1 r L m I'MMiKs kki-atim: to thi; imioposkd tnion I'liiiiiMt \ 11. Ill all I ;i«i « wliiri' iitiy iliftv ix ini|>'Hl In !>•' till' lilll llllirkl't \llllll' tlli'lliil ill ||„, v» VI ii'vt II |iriiin|i■■> Vulii ■ r. VIII. '{'Ill' ilntii" liori'liv I'l 1 1< lair llliilkil \illllr |lulii> In l-i' COillTtci 1,11 ni-tniiM ilnlii'V. ri'iKiliii , ii r hlinti TmI. till' Cii-ti (■ lM1|Hi"ri I xl iliilati III .\i t, IH'i;], ( )riliiiaiiri> ; ami <• liall Ih iilir till all ria^nn; turn Itr til" mil lie di'i' tin- Ml|i|.|. ' an 1 tllali.i |i>r till' Ciiliiiiv, wliM liv liiiiiM'lt' .'iiiij III III illii Mill' l.i-t >lii|i|M'i| iir >'\|Hirti- liir till I iilli' ii'Mn; liiiii, r vi'i'v, anil iiiiinaL,'i'iiii'iit tlhn'ul, a« arr iimliT nr liv miIih il" till' -aid Cii'tii'i ■> I Art ••, or rltllcr I if :lii ir iIiIk iir iiiiv nllirr .\cl, Ordinam >', nr I'mi'liiiialinn, ti'-tid in tlir iiiiKiiliilaiiiiii uit till' fur tlii< nilliTtinii, ri'mv ■'!')', 1111(1 iiiaiiiii^i'iiH'Mt III diitii'M iif ciihIiiiiiii, and all utlirr iNiucr!* ami uiitliiiritn'j« ri'i| lij-iti' fur li'wiii;,' til' id diiti< till I.\. livery e\a.»inn, nr atteiii|it at eviiKinn nf, nr ofreiii e ('iiiiiiiiifti'(l liy iiiiy piTiiiiii cir |M'r»imH tn difiat layim lit nf any nf till' dntir- Inri liy mad' payalil ly jrnnlU nr tllillfs illlpnrted illtii iiritidi ('nlnmliia (vtliieli --liall imliidi' il« di'|ii'iidi'iii'ii"i) will, in additinii In tlie |ieiialtii's liy tlii-. ( Irdimiiiii iiii|iii>i'd, Id' pr ciiti'd an. I |lllIli^lll'd in the iiiaiimr |iii'-lati\i' t'niiiicil iIiIk Ijlli day nf l-'i lirmir\, .\.l). Iht,,). ClI \lll.l s (mhiII, .\iIIIII II N. Itllll II, (Irk. _ I'r -idini: Meiiiliir. A>-eiili il tn, ill 111 r Maji'i-iy's name, this I'll'ieenth tUxy >•{' T'ehrniiiy l>t).''. I''||JH1H K M.VMm I:, (iiiNeniiir. MIlKDt'LK A. An VAI.dlllM ClMllM- DlTII',;'. Kvcrytliint; mil rniiiiieratcd under Sehcilnh's ,'\., It., and I'., shall he ^llhje('l to a duly nf 1'.'', per ei iil. All' and I'liiln • - "JO per eiiil. A MS - - - I'.'], „ I'lMnm ... I'l ,. iiiiii.'v - - - \:'\ ., lll'MII> - - . '_'()" „ lii'i'r(-nlll . . IL", ., llillim-il ami r.ie.'ali lie mill.'- - - - l:.", „ r.iii.'i'- - - - Id' ., I'.limKels - . - L'll „ liiiol'- ami SliiH's - 1 1 ,, liiviid - - - r, „ llrirk^ - - - l-'.l „ Hull. I- - . - I.-;' .. Camlle- - - - '20 „ illllllplune '• . l'J\ „ Cliei-e - - - l") „ Clinnilale - - IL'.', „ Ci'ler - - - \-2l ., ClMlliiii;; - - - 11" ,, (.'iillee, j.'i'i".'ii - .I.') „ Do. iniiimrncliiri'il 'JO „ t'linl'i'i'liom'rv •• - 11.", ,. {'lU'iliiils - " . . I-J.i „ Dni'.'s ami C'luiniial ■ liO „ Dried I'ish - . ;)() ., Dry (inoils - . Itj „ (''.arllii'inviire - - \'2\ \ Fish Cple-l TMll ) "1-4 Kile Anns . - l'_'^ Klniir - - . I.-| Kinils (pi'i'siM'M.il) - 1:2J rni'iiiliire (eM'eptin;; thai H- pin\i,l, ,| loi' ill .Selieiliil,' (',) . I'J.l (ilii.-r. ami filii> 'Ware . |'_'J (tl-oceries (linl nlliil- wi-'i' pni\lili'il inr) - 12', (iiinpnwili'r - .1.") Iliiiihvare mill Irmi- liiiiliireiy - - Ili.V ; liariiess iiml ,'siii|i||i'i v iL'I il'iiil ami Steel Luril Leatllel' - Mine Meat (pre-erveil) Mulas.-es - Nails Nuts mill Almiimis Oils O.'il^ Opium I'aiiils I'l' ii;.', 11.4 121 \-2l V'l ].f 12', .j()' I-'.',- I'.ilaln,', . - I2i lei ceiii I'l.rk l-:iln . 10 ,, (^>lnrk^il^e|• . l-"i ,, Uiee . 20' ., lillpe llll.l Clirilll"! . l-''i 11 SllUl . 1-'.' Snap - J2L ,, Slaliniiei'v . 121 ,. Sll..',';l' ' - . 20' ., Tar ami I'ili'li . - 12.', ., Tea - •jr," ., Tin ami TiiuvMe - 12', ,, Tnliaeeo . . ;!()■ ,, Ve^;eiiilile., . 12i •1 Dli. ( pl-e.-i I \ I'l Il 12!; \VaL';.'nii- - . 12T. T» Wheal . . 10 ,1 Wimiiiw S..-I11'- Ill .1 l)iiiir> - . 10 ' Wine, Cliainpa^-m _ 10 ' „ Claret - - 2.-, tt „ N'ai'iiiiis - . 2'-) ,, '\Viiiiilwiii'e . 12,1, ' '^■ell^l I'llWllel . . . 12', ., I'layiii;; C'liril'. r,i)' n SCllEDULK B, Ad V.M,OUli>'. ANI) .Sl'lU'lIIC. Spirit.s nnd Oistilled Liquors of nil kimls, lor every iriillun imperial iiieasiire, of full sireiijilli or less tliiiii full siroiiglli of proof liy Hyke's hydrometer - - (is. And so on ill proportion for any greater stren;;tli tlian proof. Ami on llie value thereof at the place from whence Inst imporleil . - 20 per cent. Chinese Meilicalcd Wine and Spirits, per gallon .... (j.v. Ami on the value thereof iil llie place from whence hist imported C'i;;ars ami Cheroots, pi'i- l(K) And on the value lliercof at the jiliicc from whence last imported SlM-XllII'. Hulls, Cows, (Olives, ()\en, ITor.ses, Ass( s, ami SInles. |ier heiul Shei'p, Gouts, and Hogs, per head 20 4,s. per cent. '2(1. 20 per cent. 2r/. Id. ('.,|(iny (M-tiird. tlii'tthiCiii t|,„ tn il„. C.l,,,,,, ' nam 111,, (air 'I- Mill). (I („ I H "..•., iirjil 111,, till' tillM' llillii; ■ I'M' til.- ,n||,-,.. < ''MlMp||||,,t|,„| 'I ill till' ^,1|() ■r p')H,r^ ;iiiii ■isuiis tu (|,.|;.i„ ■'I iiitii liriii-h lii> Onliiiiiiin. ' "iiMiliii.tiiiiii liiiL' MciiiIm r. >■'>. .^l(|| l;, ''uNcni.ii, 'I' 1-". per iTiit. I-'.', pel pcni. '" ., -">' ., I-H .. -"" ., - li'l - ;;()■ - i-'.'i '1) n.'.! - i-'I - lo' ii.l - 10 - 10 - 'Jr, - -J.-, - V>},- - I2l oO' 20 per fiiil. •J.v. LV/. 20 jicr ccnl. ).v. 2r/. %: U/. or nRiTisn ( ommima and \ ANcorvEU island. M MIDI i.i: f. I!) Am ti 1 1 ^ I III I III |)i I >, All mil' liiil- 1 'prni.! Pir -tilp <.r 1-i it LiiiMinc. nil kiirl- nl Mm liim n. I'ij.' Iimh, A'.rl.-Mliiinil Iitipl.Mii. m|., « nin, lii-li l-'i-li, l''riiil, l'imlfr\ ii!i> • •<>■ .h;i,|, S I« uii I IhiIIimiii I ri>i>t- nl iiliiil* In l"' ii-.-.) in KLTiriiltiin' niiM imm «, liKkl, (i.iil-, Kt".'-, Mm, N.ilt, I, imlwr, ciiipn (iiiiiin S,i. !,•, l'riiil.-.l lui.l Miiiiii»n'|il ll.^.k- nii'l I'hjmi., |iiiu';::i)>i' ■ikI Appiiiil, IImii.iIhiM Kiiiiilf.iir «lii.li li.i- Iniii if , I .•l(i'i.;;ita I" iitiilinriiiiiii uiij luiiiii fi'i initfrniil., mil pnili— .iiitiiil iipjiiii Hill" iililii' wi»in', I.I iix'" 111' ilic Colciiiy III' Uiili-li « iliiii nil iiilirli- ►ll r\r.|ii..| 1111111 iliiiv M. iiliini' iiii'iiiiiiiir'l, luv llii' prii|i<'i'ly til' piuiM 11^. r» mill ollUvr-, Im iim', uiiiiliiil liii' liliikiM;.' II prnlll \'y ihi; -iili' iIiikmI. niiiTi«ii ( III I Mnik AMI V \M III \ I It 1«I..»M« Xo. M. KxTiiAcr Crnni ii DI'.Sl'A'rci I lioni (loviTiKir Kinm in. ('.!'>,. to the Uiiilil Hnii. I'.DWAUII OaIIDWI;!.!., M.l*. (No. 10.) Vic'toih, Miircli •_'!. H(m. I IJi !•. i\r.| NI:l\ I'l, iMi.V 1 I iiAvi'! (Icf'iTivil rcplyinij to tliiit jiiirt ol' your Dc«j):it(li Xn. •J,'- diitcil ;Uitli April, \M')\, on tlic |>r()j)()si'(l union of V;mr"iivcr Islniid v.Itli Hriti-ili ( 'oiiinilii'i, until I couIt lhi> <'oIi)iiv on tlir Milnect. After Viirious abortive proceeding's (the details oi' wliicli I need nut troiiiile you with) the resolutions communicated in niy Dt spatcli N'>. I I j- of this dat'' were ado|)U(i by the Ix'Lri.slative Assend)l\' on the 'Jrih .laniiaiT ls()'). These resohit ions, coupled with tho e of the ('haml)er of ('oninidce, tiMnsinittid in my Despiitch No. i.").;;; also of this date, will enable you to iudi,'e of the public feelini^ on the subject. I tool; an early opportunity, afti'r the exnre-slon oI" o|)in;oii by the I.et^islative Asseinl)ly, to linvc u personal consultation with (iovernor Seymour * * A year's expcrienci' and close ob.servation in this (.'i.Iony have led me to adopt a very decided opinion of the ('Xj)ediency — I inii,dit almost say necessity ( liir to that I tliinl- it must come) -of uniting: Mritish ('oiiuid)ia and \'aiic()U\er !s] iiid iridc" (re (io\eiiioi', one Letiislature, and equal laws. The i)riiposal of my predecessor, adverted to in your Despatch, that tliere should lie one Governor, "that the Colonies >hould each have its >eparate LcLjisIatiire, make it • " own laws, raise and apply its own revcmic, as at pre.--ent, i'or its individual luiielit," seems to me to be surrounded by dilHcnltii's, and fraui;lit with tlie e!onieiit> ( f (li-sohilion and discord. The dillicidty of one (Jovernor administering two neiiihl. lurinu- (lovcrntnents, con- ducted upon different and antaijonistic commercial principle^-, as they exist at present, seems to me insuperable. If these C'olonies progress (as it is hoped), the ports of one being free and the other levyini>- import duties, it would ultimately retjuire a large portion of the revenue of the one to suppress smuggling from the other, a fact well illustrated by the coiitrabaiul trade at present carried on with Vancouver Island and the neighbouring American territory, between which similar conditions at present exi>^t. As regards the control and management of the Ii'.dian popidation ( which i-; a u'o>t important subject of consideration), who migrate between the two ('olonies, the necessity of uniform legislation and potiei/ arc, I think, self-evident. A uniform postal system, and all other subjects on which united action are necessary, could hardly be carried out, or at best would be weakened by separate Legislatures. The population of each Colony is and will long continue to be too small for healthy political action. All the advantages derivable from mutual aid and co-operation would be lost, and a bitter and senseless rivalry (as at present growing up) engendered in their stead. I think it would be difficult to find two Colonies or connnunities who are so neces- sarily dependent on each other for progress and support. The readiness of the Legislative Assembly of this Colony to abandon the free port of Victoria at once removes the only serious dilliculty which has hitherto beset this (luestion, a course of action approved of by an overwhelming majorit}- of their constituents. The separate existeucc and possibly ho tile legislation of these Colonies aflbrdB n C 3 Nil. H I .'III' 1.1. \>i I- 90 I'ArKiis iii.iN'rivK TO iiii: puoi'oskd i nion \ ,N. 'ii vr.K l-i \Mp, 1)1.1 piilitic fMimiiUv 'iinl iiiiiof ciiiitiniH' to In- im inrrnisinir i-niJmrrnnHmrnt to lllf to .It Iriiy tlu' t xiH-nm;* ut' (lovtrnnu'nt. with tlif iniuntiiiaiui', if m'(i-siir\ , of it- lite iioit ; iin.l tliut it- liruinciul ((tiiilifioii on the wli.ilc is (|iiitf n- RUti-liutorv ii(* tlmt of Uritisli Coliinilii!!. Tlio Jbrni (irCioviTiinu'iit iiti.lri wliicli tlif«f iinilr.l('oli)ni(> could h- n'ont ■ . ,.i_^ i,„j -iircf-'.lully uuvcnif.l i.< an inipottunt !4iil>iiil lor i-uioidi'iiili.in. 'I'lif torin ..r (iovtrniniiit at prt Miit rxistinn in this Colony, niiMU-l . nit I'.lpctivc A>stiulil\ of ITi Mcmlirr-, and a noniinatci l.i'ui"! ilivr ('(inncil, .I.k s i .1 jind iii ii.\ opini'in nt'vcr I'an, work sati-lailorily. 'I'linc is no iniilimn .ir (\.nni'<' 'ink lictwi't'i \\w (lovi'nior and tlif Ai>M'nilily, ami the time '.I'llii' I.cLti-liitivc ('oiinul ( \Wii mi. Cfsst'ul comluci o) |)uiilii' aH'airs. On linailcial Milijcit- tli(y arc nlways ^rfatly al laiilt. I w.'ul.l lliiTflorf iTfomnifiiil ( sli.iiilil tin- op|i(>itunity for r.'in.Mlflliiijj; llic form of (iovfinnifnt occur) that tin re -h ail.l lie one Clianilifr only, conipo-cl nfclcftivf Mcnilicr-, as at prc-fiit, with tlu' adilition of noniincTS li'tlic ( 'itiwn in the propoition ot one tiiird, with iiowcr to resolve itsilf into two si'paratc CliamlKis, when tlie state of the populution w.uild jnstifv or reiuler it necessary, a eoiitinpaicy which is. I ti.ink, far dl^tallt. I iK'lievf "that this ehanjie would liiid lav.air witii the iiitellii;eiit portion of the pulilic. and a larf;e iMi".l)er, if not a inaj.irity. of the present As>eui!ily, who.se loustituti.ai il w.iiild atl'i'Ct. I have al)>tai!u (I iroiii exprissini; any puhlic opinion, or exercising any influence I nia\- nossfss, in iiicoiiraLiing this moviiiient, hut I ha\t' no dniilit that the expns^ioii of the toriner and le,u:itiinate use .if the latter, ifaeipiieseed in liy (iovenior SeMuoiir, wmild immediately remove all serious* ojipo iti(.n to a union ot these CoUinio, which 1 coii.siikr a mailer of },n-eat imperial, as well as colonial interest. Nr. II. No. 9. Coi'v of a nRSP.A'rCI! from Governor Skvmoi'r to the Might Hon. KdWAUI) C'AKinvKi I , }IL\ (No. .-'.(i.) New Westminster, March 21. 186.5. Sll(, (|{il'li\(M|. .Iiinr L'!». jSli,';.) I ii.vvi: the honour to forward a printed Paper of which I have become accidentally possessed, containing certain resolutions pussed and statements made by the Chamber of Co- iiercc at Victoria. J. Yoi; will observe that these resolutions and statements, which attribute somewhat urworthy motives to the (Jovernment of this Colony, were transmitted to you betbr- I became c viially aware of their existiiice. I feel that 1 should be nejrlecting my duty to I ler Majesty".- (ioveriunent and to British C!oluinbia were I to pass unnoticed statements eman- ating from a respectable source, and which have been pulilished with sometliing approach- ing to accuracy in the daily periodicals of the neighbouring Colony. Of the resolutions, had they been unsupported by the statements, I should not have had to complain. They are the expression ot' the opinion of a beaten party. You are aware that the candidates on the Free Port side were rejected at the last Victoria elections. The beaten party have, however, the support 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. .}. 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., ihe 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 or iiunisFf cni.r.NfiUA and \ ancocvuu rsi.AMv ii •» n)llin« Hwi'll H-t» on the i-oimi, vviiidi rnnliT- tlif ulU'lnlrll(^• out'iilc iiii^ati'. \\U\iv •• VI swl* «it liiirthcn ( iiiiidt run in for -||rlti r iinli''t ut nr miir lii'jh uuiir. Vi.mN " iliiiwmt: I I or l."i Itri imiv, iimlrr onlmnrv « m i|iii«t!iiic»«, cnti r ul 'lu li li ..v* of tide. " ami •liip-. t onnanitrr in " approacliiufr tlif cnninH-rfial capital." lie coitcliiilc* lii> notice of tic liarlionr, wliili- allowing that Victoria siiit«'(l llic former want- of the IliuUoirs Ha CoMip ins, " it ha* " U'cn a tiital inixtakc at u later ilate not to have ailopteil KKipiiniult aw the coininirciil " capital." I. I will add my own personal t«>,tinii)ny, tlloll^ll entirely iinnircj'Hnry, to that ot I'aptain KicliardN. Aih'r tlireiuliiiu' in ;>afety hv the chart and compasN on a dark niu'ht tiie narrow cliainiels ainonu the ishinds ol the (iiilf of (it iniria, I liave loiind inv-elf Hcarcely able to determine which of the indeiitalionx ol the coast wa^ the iliulioiir of Victoria. No light of any kind marks its entrance, und m a small sieainer, ilrawim: Imt 3 feet (i inches, we have shared the fate of the '• large percentage of vi-mmIs, small a^ " well as largo," and run aground. .'». I wish to dispose of the (luestion-. rehiting to natural features, raised hv the C!liaml>er of Commerce, hefnre following their arguments into political matters. Ilaving thus lauded the harbour of Victoria, they proceed to deal in a less generous mamier with I'Vaser Uiver. The statements assert that the "intricate, narrow, and uncirtain channel •' through the sand heads at the mouth of the Kraser in available onl\ tor shi|)s drawing " Hi teet of water at the utmost, and then reoMring the assistance of steam." 'riiev go on to spi'ak of the " subseipieni danger and vlay attinding river naviuation to New " Westminster, the eurren's during the summers freshet- being very ra|)id." Kilher the Chamber of Comniercc of Victoria or the Ilydrogranher of the Navy is very much mistaken. I beg leave to refer to page !)" <>f tlie book already ipioted : " Kraser l{i\er, " in point of magnitude and pri'sent commercial importance, is second only to tht " Columbia on the North-west ('oast of Anurica. In its entire freedom from ri-k oT '• lite and shipwreck, it possesses infinite advantages over any other river on liie coa>l. " and the cause of this nmnunity from the dangers and incoiivenienei's to which all gri'ut '■ rivers emptying theuisehcs on an I'xposcd coast are subjei't is sufliciently obvious." Captain Uiehards tlun alludes to the "fixed and unvaryiiii; character of the shoals " through which this magnilicent stream pursues its undevious course into the (lull' of " Georgia; and there can be littli; doubt that it is destinetl at no distant period to fullil " to the utUKtst, as it is already partially fulfilling, the purposes for which nature meant " it — the outlet tbi the products of a great country." In descending the strcatn on reaching Langley, 12 miles above New Westminster, Cajitain Hiiliards tinds that " the " river becomes a broad, deep, and placid stream, and. except during the three summer " months, the influence of the Hood stream is generally ielt, and ve.-seis of any drai'.ght '■ may conveniently anchor. The depth is ten fathoms ; the current not above lline •• knots. Vessels of from IH to "iO feet draught may enter the I'Vaser. and ])roceed as " high as Langley. or a few miles above it, with ease, provided they have or ari' assisted " liy steam power. The only difiiculty is at the entrance, and that is easily overcome iky prnvuiitig pilots and the means of maintaining the buoys in their positiim." The (.:hamltcr of Connnerce speaks of the "intricate, narrow, and uncertain" entrance. I have alreadv quoted Captain Richard's expression of "undevious." He adds later, "that " the streujn has fiirced an almost straight though narrow passage." I may strengthi'ii the refutation of the alleged " uneeriainty " of the entrance. J had the chaimel recently re-surveyed by Mr. Pender, U.S., charged with the .Admiralty survey of this coast. He found that it had sustained scarcely any appreei.d)le change since the passage was first markeil (uit on the settlement of tlu Colony. 6. The statements made by the Chamber of Commerce on matters susceptii)lc of proof are somewhat remarkable. I hardly assume, in a body professing to represent the commercial capital and intelligence of the two Colonies, an ignorance of a book of sailing directions for their coasts, " published," as the title page would sh<-\v them, " by " Order of the Lords Conimissioners of the Admiralty." If Captain Hich:.,.is is in error, and his sailing directions calculated to lead ships into danger, his staiv ments ought, in the interest of commerce, to have been boldly met. But he has been left aside C4 lliiiri«n ('•>ti vmt t^i> V«%' 01 \ 1 11 !•■ «Hi<. i ■ V v^i. Vi. i !'' 1 IJ 22 Uiini-ii ( ol,! MI:IA AMI Va>' oivi.i: 1-HM . I'AI'KIIS llKr.ATIVr, To THK I'UOI'OSKI) UMON oppo^fil to tlio.-ic made [julilic In' the Ailiniraltv luivc uj) •''I'ribmn'," iuitli(iriiii'> worlliv ^\i\v\ "imiiircT. 'I'hesi- letters were pul)li>he(i in ui,ii:>tice(l, ami assertions dircetly lieeii olliciallv tlirwanied to y>ini-. latrly ('< nnnander-in-( hiel' ol' the I'acific Scpiadron, and Captain Lord (liiliird. c;)nnnandiiii; Ilcr Majesty's slii)) "'I'ribunc," authoriiie- worthy surclv of wiijiht wit'i the Victoria ('h:nid)er of (' the oliicial (Jazette of this Colony. s, Admiral Kincrconie notices that the arrival of Her .Majesty's >hip "'I'rihmie,"' drawing;' I!) loct (i inclus, o])])osite this town, most "conclusively proves ''that direct " con'nuuiicatioii with New Westminster can be carried on by ocean ships of huiri- '• tonnage." lie says fintli(r, " the approach to tl.e entrance of Fraser Wiver jmssesscs " inaiiv advantatiisovcr that of the 'I'hanies. In the tirst place, the water is; much " smoother, and it is not exposed to .ii^y sea such as that raised in the North sea hv '• easterh- u;ales, which, in man\ instances, has caused tlii' loss of ships. Secor.dly, there " are no outlying' sands, and the channel i- not near so tortuous, and marks can he '' {)laced on the land, which in the 'riiames is nearly impossible. 'I'hirdly. the weather '• is much clearer, and the position of a ship more easily li.\ed." " Fourtldy, the anehorau:e " in laii'li.-h Bay is far preferable to that in the Downs, in bolli rivei's ships nnist wait " for the tides, and with the same or even half the ])rerautioiis in the Fraser tliat are " used in the Thames a ))crlcct. straiiLver would have no diliiculty in taking ships " (Irawinti- li) or 20 i'eet to New Westminster." i). In leuvini;- the river, the "Tribune" unfortunately grounded. Lord (iilford, in showing that tlie accident was caused bv the rlull white colour (if a pole which marks the Channel, reports to the Connnander-in-Chief on the station: "I deem it my duty " to state that, notwitiistanding IJer ?.Iajesty"s ship under my command having taken " the ground on her outward passage, I am of opinion that vessels drawing from IS to " '20 feet could enter the Fraser in perfect safety, provided the channel be properly " buoyed with marks which can be seen at a reasonable distance." The (Chamber of Comiiurce is aware that .^ireat improvements have, since Lord (jiltbrd wrote, been made in marking the Channel ; that iron buoys have been ordered out from F-ngland, and tenders are iiivitid, not only in our local jiapers, but in those of Victoria, for the construction of a light-ship fiir the month of the Fraser. 10. I admit tiiat J']squimalt possesses all the advantages ascribed to it jointly with Victoria, bui the 'Tata! " mistake alluded to by Captain Richards now causes irritation and inconvenience ia both Colonics. I can see no objection to merchandise destined for us being transhipped in FIs(]uiinalt, but I do object to the present system under which our Iratiic is artitieially conducted up the narrow and tortuous harbour of \'ictoria, causmg a great loss of time and increase of expense. I have no certain information as to the amount of delay, but I believe that a fortnight to three weeks elapses after the arrival of a ship in F>squimalt harbour before any portion of her cargo reaches New Westminster. IL 'i'he I'ith paragraph states that under a former rule the advancement of each Colony was regarded as the benefit of tlie other. Unquestionably, even now, the legiti- mate advancement of each Colony is regarded as the benefit of the other. 12. I am in ignorance of the motives '^hich induced Her Majesty's Government to make two ( 'olonies of the British possessions to the westward of the Rocky ^Fountains, to lay out the plan of a city of vast dimensions near the mouth of the Fraser, and to sell the lots on the faith that on them would stand the future ca])ital of British Columbia. If the mainland was to continue to be the dependency of an outlying island, no second capital was required, and steps ought boldly to have been taken, regard- less of the private interests of the Hudson's Bay traders and others, to erect a great commercial town on the fine harbour of F^scjuimalt. Unquestionably, under the rule of my predecessor, Victoria became the principal English port on this coast, and New West- minster conuiienccd a retrograde c^o-sc early in its history. It could hardly have been otherwise. The (jovernor and other public officers drew their full salaries from British Columbia and resided in Vancouver Island. Victoria escaped all indirect taxation, while heavy duties were collected on all articles consumed on the mainland. 'i'he Hudson's Bay Company ran their steam vessels to the Fraser to connect with the river steamers, and draw down to the seat of government and of commerce the miners im- mediately ou their arrival from the gold fields. The San Francisco steamers called at f OF HIUTISH COLUMBIA AM) VANCOIVKK ISLAND. 2;i ilty lijivc witli ttii- iiKUiatiiiir ul.t t!u-ir SllJIjlOIt 111 \ ice. <^'aptiiiii ^llicly ,if lifd in il)llllC',"' ;it (iiric't I't' ifirgi' 'l)SS(.'.>-SCS • much V, tliciv can |)(> wcatlui- lU'liorayo Hist wait lliat arc iiy siiips Ksqiiininlt only, nnd thus passengers ibr California had no iiiducenient of any kind to remain even a few hours, Vdlimtarilv, in this Cohaiy. While waitinir tor the steamers tiie miners spent tlieir money in N'ietona, and thus Inlliard rooms and drinkiiii: ^-alootis arose, and the place ae(|iiired stiHicient importanee to depopulate New Westminster without attaininu: any solid iiiandafion or eonsiderahie prosperity lor itself The Cli;ind)er of Coninierec sjicaks of th-' trade with China, the Sandwieh Islands, Hiissian America, and other phu-es. liow, if this he important, is it that the prospect of a portinn of the trartic of 15riti>li Colunihia. takint; the short and undevious route by the Fraser, shakes the whole of Victorian society to its foundations, and causes a state of political ferment 5iich as the island had never seen? Victoria did not attain any solid prosperity while hiivinif her interests set ahove those of iliis Colony and of the whole ol Vancouver Wand not included in her town lots. Let me state liow Ikitish Columbia lined. 1.'?. 1 had not seen even in the West Indies so melnix-holy a picture of disappointed hopes as New Wi'stminsicr presented on my arrival. Here, however, tlure was a li^iilav of energy wanting in the tropics, and thousands of trees of the largest dimeiisioi:s liad been Idled to make way lor the great city expected to rise on the magniticent site selected lor it. But the blight had eaily come. .NKinv 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 would have been urged, beibre the laic excitement in Victoria, that the 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 Ibr me to report on the condition oi' Vancouver Island, but I have to state that British Columbia did not prosper. Vou are aware ol' the jiassionate appeals for separation which came from this (.'olony. The revenue of I sG4 fell short of the estimate by 1 fi^iOUi., and, but for the acci- dental discovery of gold on the Kootcnay, at the clo-e 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 !'y.l,Si')Sl., in additio:i to that incurred in Kngland, composed chiefly of IJoad Bond;; and an overdrawn account at the Bank 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 bat few. The Cham- her of (Commerce states (para. '2'2) that there is not at this moment a single import uig mercantile establishment throughout the Colony. Yet the number of traders who have taken advantage of the Insolvent Debtors Act was one-third greater in 1H(|| than in 186H. Perhaps, however, the country gentlemen who had introduced large cajiital and acquired land at a low jiricc were the cla>s who flourished while other interests drooped. Not so, I regret to say. Prosperity has not yet favoured their meritorious labours. The Legislative Council expressed a wisii that some unpaid magistrates should be appointed. I offered a commission to three of the principal covuitry gentlemen ; one accepted the office ; a second told me fiankly he had sunk everything, and was on the brink of insol- vency, unless further reinittiuiccs arrived from England ; the third sent me in a statement of his circumstances, showing that, if pressed by his creditors, he would be unable to meet his liabilities. 1"). This is the state upon which British Columbia entered the London market as an applicant for a further loan of 100,0(10/. What security had it to offer? Ti;e merchants of Victoria were in no way liable ; the miners, owners of the most valuable claims, have no habitation in the Colony. The statement respecting the importing merchants is not wide of the truth. Our ineditor' l..ive. 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. The Chamher < 1 Com- merce, without any communication with myself or the Legislature of this Colony, state that our recent legislation has been " intentionally antagonistic to Victoria." 'I'his view was adopted at a public meeting held in that town. I enclose a copy of the i)etitioij which they originated and of iny reply. The Legislative Council attached so littk^ weight to the signatures, tiiat the petition was not even taken up by the Mouse. .My answer will, I trust, dispose of the statements in the 23rd paragraph. As to the dissatis- faction supposed in the 2 1th to exist, I may at once say, that miners, like other men, arc not partial to taxation, but that, although they have been worked upon in every wiiy by the political agitators of Victoria, the only public manilestations of feeling which we Inive seen recently were the receiving the steamer (which, I believe, brought up the petition ) iu New Westminster with three groans for the Hudson's Bay Company, whose agents arc prominent among the agitators against recent legislation. The last batch of miners on 14923. I^ l'.i;i:iMi ("II Mill V \' '.vi "I \ i.r l-l \M). Pi -4J' P'" n';'[ fit W M Ifi a-i BRiTun ( '<)[.■ MIIU AMI VaN( Ml vkr I'll. AMI. I'APEUS IlELATIVi: TO THE PHOPOSED UNION Inndiiig hero spontiincouslv pave tliicc cheers for the (iovernor, whom, had they atteiuKd to the directions of the Victoria press, they would have opposed by all inc;in>, fmr or unfair. Inunediately after cheerinfj the (iovernor, three cheers were i,Mven tor Mr. O'Keilly, the Gold ('oniinissioner of (.'urihoo, who hud, in the council, taken ii prominent part in recent legislation. I". The 2r)th 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 Vdiir attention to the Duke of Newcastle's Despatch, No. .<;{, of ir)th,lune IHtio, which st'atis. what the Chamber of ('ommerce is well aware of, that the collecting of duties at Vittoii:! on vessel^ bound for this Colony cannot be enforced. If the commerce of Vancouvd Island is |)ut to inconvenience by coining up the Eraser. I can only say it is by the action of my predecessor. His proclamation of lind June 18.')*) declares .New Westminster to U the only port of entry in the (.'olony. I have induced the Legislative ('ouncil to gjvt 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 2()th paragraph a minute account of the inconvenience ami loss to which a vessel was exposed l>y having no alternative but to dear at New Wist- minster when the doing so became physically impossible on account of the ice on tlu' river. I send a statement of the case, made by the collector of customs at this port, from which you will observe how widely inaccurate are the statements of the Chaml)ei oi Commerce. Mr. Hamley also disproves all the assertions respecting the closing of tin- river by ice for four months in the winter. Without further explanation let me simply say that, during an official experience of upwards of 20 years, I have not met with ii series of statements so carelessly made by so lespectable a body. 19. But I take this carelessness or absence of candour as the most convincing proof ol the earnestness of the signers. There must be great feeling ; respectable men must sutler much before they allow themselves to deviate, however slightly, from the strict paths of truth. Doubtless, the old position of the merchants of Victoria, engrossing the whole traffic of British Columbia without sharing in its burdens, was an enviable one, but the larger Colony languished and grew weaker under the operation, and threatened to deprive Victoria of its commerce by simply relapsing into wilderness. Let us hope that a time will ere long arrive, when, sharing equally in the public burdens, the merchants of Victoria may derive a solid prosperity trom the increased vigour which a respite from the exactions of absentee traders will give this Colony. 20. I enclose an article from the "North Pacific Times," of the 17th March, on the subject of the resolutions and statements of the Chamber of Commerce. I have, &c. The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M. P., (Signed) FREDERICK SEYMOUR. &c. &c. &c. Kncl. I in No. 9. Enclosure 1 in No. 9. Colonial Secretary's Office, 8th June IStM. Thk Governor has directed the publication of the following letter he has received from Vice-Admira! Kingconie, Commander-in-Chief, respecting the navigation of Fraser River. The suggestion containcil in the early part of Admiral Kingcome's letter will be carried out, and a light ship will, in addition, lie placed on the Sand Heads. By command, AllTHUB N. BlUCH. Sir, " Tribune," at New Westminster, 7th June 18(14. I DKKM it right to bring under your notice that, in coming to this place yesterday, I did not tind any marks, except the two outermost buoys, for the channel from the Sand Heads to New VVestiniuster, and that it was only through the ability and intimate local knowledge of Mr. Titcomb, pilot, that the " Tribune " was enabled to reach this port. As it must be of vast importance to the future commercial prosperity of British Columbia, that the approach to New Westminster should be made as easy of access and free from danger as possible, and the presence of the " Tribune " (drawing 10 feet inches) in these waters proving most conclusively that direct communication with New Westminster can be carried on by ocean ships of large tonnage, 1 would submit for your Excellency's consideration the expediency of having the channel carefully examined and marked out by large spar buoyi distinguished by different colours, placed on the banks or edge of the shoal water on each side, and securely moored with running chains, on the plan suggested by Captain Richards, late in charge of the Admiralty Survey of these coasts. The narrowest part of tlie channol and the shoalest water is about midway between Garry Point and the Sand Heads, and or BRITISH C'OLrMr.IA AM) VANCOIVEH ISLAND. •i.-i tliev ntfcndcl "><"inv. (air or pivc-n for .\Fr. f'li fi proiiiiiicMt l<> I'lt'ar at New K' to cnll y,,i||. I', which sfiitcs, |tic.s lit \'ict„n,i of \ ancoiivcr h In' the actidii htiiiiiistcrto l)f i.'oiiricil to <;ivf myself of its f)nvciiic'ncp ami at New \V(Nt. the ice on the Is at this port, he Chainher ol closing of the let nie siniplv "t met with "a incinj;- proof of len must sulJer strict paths of sinjr the whole )Ie one, luit the threatened to Let us hope burdens, tiic Wgour which a March, on the SEYMOUR. ?th June 18fil. m Vice-Admiral :cstion contiiinci] I, in addition, In- in N. JJiitcii. th June 18()4. y, I did not tiiid 3W Westminster, , pilot, that the Iiimbia, that the as possible, and :)nclu8ively that arge toiuiage, I mnel carefully on the banks plan suggested Towest part of md Heads, and hffi' I think two well-mnrked l)earon» nhonld he nlarejj on the lann in Mich a jiosition that when in Uw thev would lead i>ver that jiart of the Itar where the deei>est water is to he tcnind. With the ai^se^-er. many ad\Mnta>:es oN.r that of the I'hames. In the first jilace the water i> much sinooiher, and it is not exposed to nnv s,.a -iich as thai r..,s.'il in the Niirtli Sea hy easterly L;alc<. and wliicij, in .naiiy iiistaiiii's. has . illl^ed the h>ss of ships. Sciiindiy. there are no.Miilyinir sands. aii.'e in Kntrlish l!a\ is far prcterahie tn that in the Ddwiis. Ill l(olli rivers >hips must wait for the tide;, and with the same or e>en hall the precanlioiis in the Krascrthat are used in the Thames, a p.'rfect straiiLier uoiild have no dirtieultv in takiiiir >liips drawing from 19 to '.'() feet to New \Ve»lniiiister. I lia\c, \c. (Sinned) John KiV(.iomi, His Kxeelleney (ioyemor Seymour, X'ice-Admiral, Comniander-iii-Chief \'e. kv, kv. ^"i« , H.M. Slii|) •' Triliune." i;M|iiinialt, IStli July IsT, |. With reference to your communications of the Tlh and '.'th June to his l".\. cllcncy tin' (inveriior uf Hritish C'olumhia, relative to the navigation of the entrance to the I'r.i.scr IJiver, I deem il my duty to stale that, notwithstanding.' Her Majesty's ship under my command having lak.n the gnuiiid (mi her outward jiassagc. I am (if o))i;iioii that vessels drawing from IK to 'JO feet could enter the I'rascr i,i perfect safety, provided the channel he properly liiioyed with marks that can he seen at a reasonable (iistance, 'J. The " Trilailie ■' took the ground because the iniie;- buoy (which is a pole iiainted ,i dull whitish colour, only showing 4 feet above water), could not be seen until after a careful search uitli a spy- glass for In minutes, although only iUki yard; distant when the shij) struck; the next buoy (No. 4, black and red), a mile further down the channel, being plainly in view at the time. T'lie colour of the water and the inner buoy were almost the same. 3. The Chart No. l,9L'iJ was useless, and having no local knowledge, 1 could not judge by my distance from Garry I'oint that I was running into danger. I have, i!k:e. (Signed) Gii.nnti), Captain. Knelosnre '2 in No. 9. ("oloiiial Secretary's Ollice, i^ltli March |m;|. Tin; (iovernor directs the |inblicalioii of a iielilion. «itli .'ii;] siL'iiatures, forwarded to biui freni Victoria, ])raying for the amendment of the Customs .\ct of the |iresent sessiiiii, together with his repb- Hy command, Aariiiii N. Iliiii 11. To his Excellency I'iudkutck .Skv.moih, Gov kiisoh of nitrrisii Cor.rMiii.\. \c. \-c. The petition of the miners, traders, and others, citizens of liritisb Columbia, now in X'ictoria. and unanimously adopted at a public meeting held February '.'■'ith, lyii."). Humbly sheweth: Whereas our honourable Law makers have lately pjissed an Act increasing largely the duties on imports into our ('(dony, and we, the miners, traders, and citizens of the Colony, who have all our interests there, and a natural earnest desire to see it progress and prosjier, deem it In be our privilege as well as (uir duty to consider calmly, deliberately, and most respectful'y this action, and to give the full and honest expression of our views on the subject; therefore: I. Jtcwlrcd, That in our judgment the Customs Aniendnicnt Ordinance, I Nil,), is an act of legis- lation which is inopportune, inivvise, impolitic, unjust, and ineipiitiible in its general proyisions. It is inopportune : 1st. Hecause it largely increases the cost of living in the C and iripplr^ all .>ni|i iipcratiiHiH liv an n.jlair incriM-c npon ail llic artl. lo and iinjiU'nn'Ml.-. rcipiircd for tlirir wnrk. I'rii-pictinf,' in tin- (olonv, npun wliirli mi nnicli iddur tiitnri' siirco- drpi-nds, is llui>. ilicckcd, ii'il is mil cntirrly pmliiliiticl, :lr(l. 'I'lii'if ail' linndic'iU id" men in t|ii' ( nlimy who liavi" spent all tli.ir inonils and timi' during' tln' past tlircc 111 fonr mmis witlmnt sneer-'. Within the small di-tanee (done and a hall' mih s on W'lli.nii- • Veek, six hnndieii tl.un-and dullars ha\e I n tluis -pent. These im'ii ha\e cNpeiienn- in the (.iiintrv, they are mil altH;^ether di.-eiiniau'ed, and ihi'v pnipu^e til i;.i .iLiain into the mine- v.ith the hope iJi.it they will yet he aide In j/rt -iimelliMiL' in reimn lor tlieir lost liluiiir and rm an-. Tlii-. tariirdiMdiir.ii;,.^ mieiMiien, and « ill (oree ihrin to (/.ither np their .-mall iarnini,'s Cor the .-c.iMin and leave the eoiiiitry for ever. nil. Till' -in ill trader and paeker, who ha- invested hi- means in ))rnvi.-ions. anil i.i ii'iW on hi- Hay or ahoiit to >tart for the Colonv. will he iom|)elled to seidi another market, lie canii it pity a dniilile tarilf and eiinpi'te with those traders now in the country, lie will liiid a hetter and more prolit.ilile market in the nciijhhonrin^; L'old fields ot S\'asliinf;lon and Idaho tcrritoric-. It is wnjn-t and inccpiilahle : 1st. I)ceni-c the increase in the ahsolnte necessaries of lile f.u- exceed that on the liiMuic-. ilm^^ makiiiL.' the lalionrer in the connlry hear the main, it iint the whole, iiMrdcn of the taxation. .\- an instance, the tarilfoii heans, one of th" prineijial articles of lonsnmiition Ky the miner, is increased fnuii :i to 'Jo per cent., while that on ale and porter is only inerea-cd from In l.i |o per c'ent. : the larilf i.ti Hour is iii'ica-cd niori' than threefold, while that on wine- i- only doidiled. '..'nd. 'I'he tarill'is made to take (dl'eet at once, llnis can-ini,' a sudden and quick rise in provi ions in the mines jii-t as the season heifins. |{y this ine.ms the miin'r will In' forced to pay famine prie( s in the sprin;:, and pi'ihaps he driven hy noees-ity to leave t!ie country hetore he has had ;i fair clianco to IS't to work |n-olitahly. A reasonidile notice for the enforcement of such a measiu'e is customary in other comUries, as il is eipiilahle and fair. II. /I'rmiln;/, 'j'liat ill nt their intere.ts in the Legislative Council, the petition ailopte(l at a puhlic mcetinj; held in X'ictoria on the '.'.Jth i''olnuary l8(i."i. Yon ohject to the Custiiins ()rdiii;uice lately pa-sid in forcihl' terms, end n-ive your reasons fi,r the olijections you enter- tain. You state that your expressions are full and honest. Of this I feel no donht. and I am induced ill return to ijive you some honest explanations. Thonj^h I do not ohserve ajipendi'd to the ])etitioii many of the names most familiar to me in Carihoo, yd the oiiportunities of direct coiiimiinicatiini hetwoen the (iovernor and the mining ])o]nilatioii are so few, that I am willinii;, for the inir|)oc of I'ep' -in;!, to consider your [letitioii as cxpressinjf in some measuro the opinion of the miners of liritish Columbia. The L'cncral principles of tlio Hill which has now heeonie \a\\ were atloptod hy the Legislative Conncii hefore my arrival in the Colony. Uiulerst-iiid that I am not wishing,' to throw any of the respoiisihility th.it l)elongs to me on others. I shall not assent to any measure that I am not prepared to defer,, I. 'I'he law. I found in force, and which has now heen repealed, contained the ohjectioiiahle and unusual clause, that the value of the commodities introduced to this Colony should bo calculatod at the place of import; thus taxing freight, and making the ship Avhile on her voyage eontrihnte to the sui)|)ort of the puhlic institutions of this Colony. The rate of cUity appeared in tlie tariH' to be so nincli, Avliereas at the Custom House a very considerable additional tax was added. Many of the miners of the Colony were not aware of this arrangement, and a comparison of the schedules attached severally to the late and the present Acts was calculated, with them, to give rise to the impression that large additi(nial duties have been imposed — an impression totally unfounded where articles are water borne to this Colony from the ])laee of their growth or manufacture. In all such cases the duties are now lower than they were ; and if you see the import duties estimated in our Ways and Means as more productive than last year, it is because we expect to have a much larger population in the Colony, not that we have a wish or an expectation to raise an additional cent in the import iluties from any one of you. Hut your own practical experience may lead you to say that at the present moment you pay a heavier import duty thnii j'ou did last year. 1 reply that goods landed and stored at Victoria still pay, in conformity with the principle* of the new measure, a duty higher than those coming direct from the place of their manufacture or growth. It will jirobably be represented to you, in the town from which you a. '11111 .Tipi,!,., "!• tlinr M,,rL-, lll'ikcil, ii'jt j, i >lniii)i.' till' '"1 \V1||.|,|,, 111 'ln' I.IIMllrv, till' li(i|)(. ii,;,, litrdis.Miiir.ii;,., 'Ill' '■(MlllllV "■ I'M IiIn u.ly I'^iy ,1 .Inlllii;. "■'■ |iri)lil,ilili. luMini's, tli,,^ ^■•llil'll. .\>iUl iiii ri':i>i',l I'r till" lariir <„! II priivi iiiii, j„ niiiiic |ii-iri s ill t;iir rliaiwo i,, c'.islimiaiy in iiipor|-,iti(iii< to iiii tiiiiiiil.iiidii ;i caiiiiiit ciiii- t'liiinliy than iliiiii ill llriti^il tliaii tlicy lan siirncd liy tlif irwaiiii'il til his IMII 111 I'lllc ilu. iiycr, that tlirv ■iiiinti-y. '.^1 ttliVrs. Marcli ISi;.'!. I'll' uciitlnnaii I' Coimi-ii, the I o!ijri-t to thi- :0I1S ViHl (MltiT- I ;i!ii iiidiiciMl to the iiftitiuii •oiiimiinii-ation tho imrpo.c of HITS of liriti-ih 10 Legislative ow any ol' the 1 iiot prepared i'ctioiialile and ciliated at the itributo to tlie :o he so iiiueli, the miners ot' hed so\eraily ion that large e water borne Itities are now cans as more e Colony, nut im any one of nt you pay a :oria still pay, rect from the the late Ciis- aso. All the Bister Colony OF nuiTisii coLrMniA and vAxrorvEU island. rdri\e, fiuiii her prnxiinitv, .'i priitertion in mir markets Til. •r, till' rid. r, the cairiai;'' ')- »llalc\er is inaile or i:ro«ii on thi- i^i.iiid. I'litrr-mi liii;lily faMniralili' lirtii* into cniniM'titiiMi with >.iiniliii ariirl 111! I'd Iroiii ( '.liilcinil.i or l'!nro|ie. If \ 'aiiroiiMr Ul.ind is nut in a lio^itioii to prniit hv tlii-" 1 filial arr.'iiiL'enieiit of our la», ymi will -n that t'l.it priiiiip.il (■'■iiiinerci.ii i'pi'r,'iti(iii> ol ihi^ (' iiv, li'\\ a I' is no r.'.isoii «hy \ iituri.'i shoiihl, liy duin;; tin toll on ail »e ii«r or i oiisuini'. r>i:irt-i! ("II Mill t »Ml \' IS. iM X t Ii I-l VMi. Hilt I li\ 111" ine.iiis »i-li ti deny that llicre is an appearand' of iinlViciidli s tcuards ilif jihu'i' from whiih von wnli lv \i I 1.11 r rec-i'iit li'u'i-l. it'oii, \Mmlil liiid cxpri'.-sions wide echo there. p\f my sanction iif this Coloiiv. to tl ijii-t and ineipiil.'ihle. Hit the iea~..iis uhiili ind iliicli le new law were e\a' llv In .f those altrilnitcd l.v voii ti iici'il nic t( .'isl.it i :ill tl It i-, 1" raiiyeiiients |i,r the jiaM jii^t ami i'i|uitalde that .-i ccmmiinily, like an iiidi\ idii.d, slioiiM It of the dclits it iii.'iv incur. a lar;;e liurrowir ol iiKniev. I.'iid nnt, \uii wi II allc re aware th. I Itiiti.^h ( olinnltia lia.i to say, almost c iilirdy in facilii.itiiii; .uci'-s there. ► Whit i> the seinrity of this ilel.t .•' We c.'in hardly llalti'r oiirsehes that the ('ol.piiv, which ino.-t of \(iii i.'eiilleim'ii le.ive hv the \erv first til the d mini an 1 tl ins reiiiiciiiLr the expeii >l livii ii|iportiiiiily when tlic iinnni;,' si II h; lave siiflicient attraitinns to induce \,i\\ to retiiin to our fjold creek" if richer temptation^ ollercd tlicin«elM.s elscw here. 'I he nunresidenl traders, who ilciiM' nearly all the prclit from the einiimercial traiisaclinn- of thi:- Colnny, .ire not, of course, in ,iny way iiahle fur its dclit-. '1 he lie-t >eciirily v.iul'.l lie in a I'e-idelit po|iul:ition, and it i« Init leas.iii.ihh' h.it those who h.ive made of thi^ ('ulnnv their hmne, at uhate\er ri-k.. shmilil have t the pr'ilits ot Its ciiinnierci.il tr.-in-actions. Coh hi to the millers Willi no' d share likewise the risk i.M i; to the aliilily of I'le ( 'ulony to meet its pre cut aid pr.ilialile prospective indchtediic-s : Init this shmild not he li'ft to i liance. The reduction in the cost of li\intr. which, I will show you, must take pi. ice at ( 'arilioo, will make yonr l.ihoiirs more priilitalile. iiii'l thousands are now ap])roacliinL; our southern houndaiy to work mir newly-iiisc oxereil f,'iild lields ami ^liare temper.'iiilv .'it lea>l ill the public burdens. You see that I do imt assent to the main prnpn-iliniis cont.'iined in your addre-s therefore I will not follow you inlij details. 1 know that the immediate operation of the new ('u>!oins 1,'iw is disairreeable ; its benclits imt yet within ymir reach. You have seleetcl th(" article of beans sjieeially for conumnt ; an article bulky, hut of small intrinsic value. Compare the price of beans at Nev W. iniiiister and Williams Creek, and see what makes them dear at the latter place. It is the tr.msport, not the ta\. If all thebe.ius for future consuniplion were to be stired in \ ictmia, introduced at the lii;.'hest duty, and ii.i improvcnier.ts were made in the ennimunications. the dirt'erence of |irice would be intinitesim.il ami utterly in.'ippreciable in llie miner's ilaily meals. liut we look for direct importation, which would, befere the se.i-on is over, reduce the jirice of all articles in Cariboo to a lower standard than yet seen there. With moderate ch.'iru-es, fide- Srapliie communication, and a road completed, as I anticipate, tliroiiirh from Xew W.'stminstir to Williams Creek, the northern mines will present more attractions to the fortunate holders of claims than they have yet doni'. I will only notice one other remark in your jietilinn. You say "a reasonable notice for the enforci'- " ment of such a measure" (the CiMouis Ordiu.'ince) "is customary in other cmintries, as it i^ " efiuilable and fair.'' You may ]ierliaps not be aware that when the Chancellor of the I'^xcheiiner's financial statement is made in the House of Cumnions, an order is at once '/trvn for the enforcement of any altoralion of duties he may ■^uir.L'e-f in anticipation ol' an .Act of Parliament fur tin' purpose. However, in the instance of the l!riti>h Coliniibi.'in Customs Onlinance there was elaborate notice ijiven. The priiiei()les were adopted by the l.eL'islative Council on tiie l.-^th l''ebrnary isC}, before I reached the Colony. I stated on the '2Hth April that 1 should consider the (pustion in the recess. On the I'ith December I f.'ave notice that a measure of the kind would be inlrodueed. On the l^tli of .January I distinctly stated the Hill to be that of last year. No appro-iching measure could widl have had more tliorouf;li ventilation. And now that it has passed it must be allowed to be lo a certain (le,i,nee teiitatiM'. Vou and I difFer widely as to its merits. Let us jiive it a fair trial, and before the next ses?ioii I shall be prepared to receive (I lio|)e, personally, on 'A'illiams Creek), with every respect, your more experienced opinion. Depend upon it the last tliinj; the Guvernment of this (.'olony would desire to do is to discoiira^re th,' miners from developing' its resources, or allow any large body of our jiopulation to lapse into a state of jiolitical discontent. The Standing Orders which I framed for the adoplioii of the Leitislativp ('oniicil ])rovide that no petition shall be presented '..itliont an endorsatiou stating that it is "iierfectly respectful and di'serving " of presentation." I am half inclined to doubt whether the terms '' iiniu-t and ineiiuitable " aii])licd to recent legislation can come within this definition, but I have no dmibt that respect for the iire-eiitcr and to the jietitioners, whom the Governor is w illiiig to consider as, to a certain extent, representing tin' miners of Cariboo, will secure for it an indulgent reception when I lay the petition, together with a copy of this letter, before the House. 1 have, kr. Messrs. J. F. Pascoe, S. Hodge, Hugh Gartland, (Signed) i''!ii:Di;iii(ic Skvmoi ii. And the other signers of the Victoria petition. D 3 Ml- ..a i»i 2R PAI'EHS KKLATIVE TO TFIK PROPOSKl) UNION 1 i lll. Kiiiiain No.» Knclosiirt' ;i in Nn. !•. Ml Mciii win M liy till' C'ki.mc loll ot'Ci -TOM-. N'rw Wi mmivstkh. A I till- riiil lit' last .liiiiuiiiy llii' sclicioiicr '•Oiiuaul" went iiil" IliirriirilV Inlet, imd llio niii-tcr, McKay, sent (inc III lii- liaiiils acrii«- tn tlic cii-liiin liim-c tu t'litiT and cli'ar lli«' m'c-i'I tnr (.Iuccii ( 'liailiitti''!, Nlaiiil. 'I'lii' man lirmi^dit a niaiiilt'^t with twnartiilr'' imly cnlrroil on it. ()l tlir |ii(i\i«liin>< on Itoanl that wniild he snliji'ct to duty hr kiii'w iintliin^', iind I tol I him to ri'tiirn to the vcsmpI and hriiiir iiic a vM'ittcii ai'iiiiint ul'thi'iii. Ili> rami' liack itlif ni'xt day, I think) with thr.list I had a-krd I'm. Imt with a mt'ssaii"' "t tin- hamr tinii' from the niactfi to >n\ that he had aiit a carjfo ol' !H at I lie iiili't to taki' to Nanainio, «hirh Miitfil him lu'ltcr lliisn (,'oin)f north, and 1 piM' him at once a clcaraiui' I'nr Nanairno. I woiilil as iradily, il he had a.-kt'd lor it, iiMvc pivpii him a clcarancp for tln> north coast. I» was a matter .'iitircly of calculation on the part of the master: and the statement of the ( lianilicr of • 'onimerce, that a clearance was refuRed unless the vessel eaine to New Westminster, is untrue. !ii the same |iaiajfra|ih of the r('|)orf of the ('Inunher of Commerce it is stated that New VVestniitisiiT ha- loiistantK nceivid su])|)lie- from Hiirrard's Inlet when the river has heen closed. It has ha|i|ieMi'l, witliin my experience of nix years, once, and once only, in IHfi'.', whin the weather was uiuisnallv severe. In this present year the weekly steamer has nii.ssed but one trip, and that was not because of ice in the river, Imt because the mail was hrou^dit to us l)y another vessel. ('ii--ioin House, (Signed) W. 1I.\mi.h v. IlOth March l>--(\n. I'.S. — On the 4th of .lanuary the ''.Mej; Mprrilies" went into the inlet with provisions for tljo workinj,' jiarty at I'ort Nefille; the duty was ]iaid here, and I sent Air. Wylde aenms to examine and pass the goods. (.Signed) W. H. Kncl.tinXii.9. Enclosure 4 in No. !». The "North Pacific Times," Friday, March 17, 18C5. Ri;soi.i!Ti()xs of the 'Vktoria Chamiikr of Cojimkhck. Iliriii'.iiro the outcry of the Victorians against the recent action of our Legislative Council lia.s seemed to sjiring from a feeling of panic — blind and without reason. Our own new tariff came close u])(in the heels of the most exciting election ever held in Victoria, and at a moment when the party who were seeking to change its entire policy liad emerged from the struggle tln.shed with success. l)e Cosniiis and McClure, in their eagerness to establish their union and tariff sentiments as the voice of the ]ieople, and undoubtedly c(mten(ling against the wiiolo moneyed power of Victoria, can well be excused for forgetting in the heat of the contest that another party must be consnited in the affair, quite as iiuicli interested in the (|uesti()n as the merchants of Wharf .Street. This party so overlooked was the s'nall (Colony of Hritish Columbia — the cause of the very existence of \'ictoria as a town of any iniportaiue, and at present the consumer of nearly thrccfourtbs of its entire exports. When, therefore, by exertions far sur])assing any that had ever been made before they had achieved their return to the Assembly, we can imagine how like a thunder-clap came our new revenue law, and can i)ass over the bitter things which have been said by them, impugning not only the judgments of our legislators, but their motives also. • Next to this came the " miners' meeting," originating in political trickery, conducted by men who have served a long apprenticeship in "wire-pulling" in the United .States, and during the whole pro- ceedings of which, although concealed by the intentional gloss of newspaper reports, we can see a very evident attempt on the part of all inlluential and sensible men to shirk tne responsibility of joining in it. Would it be a difficult matter in any community to persuade a mass of u.,thinking labouring men that nn apparent additional duty upon their supplies was a hardship, while the aim of such dutv, and tlie eventual expenditure of the money collected from it, was steadily kept out of view 'f And yet, after all the manufactured enthusiasm which was brought to bear upon these men, and the insidious appeals which were made to their selfishness, at the last accounts the whole roll of names ujjon their monster petition has reached only a little over two hundred! IJut by the last express we are put in possession of an appeal of a difTerent nature, viz., a series of resolutions by the Chamber of Commerce, addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and accompanied by a lengthy memorial explaining the causes of the resolutions. This is the voice of capital — a voice entitled to a hearing in every country, yet not apt to be more truthful or unselfish than that of the rabble. In the present instance, we think, this plausible and specious document can be shown to be onesided, not in all respects entitled to credence, and in every line breathing attachment to Victoria, without the slightest reference to the interests of our own Colony. Our limits preclude us from giving these resolutions at length. Suffice it, the first one proclaims " an equitable union between the two Colonies as essential to the maintenance of imperial and local " interests on the North Pacific." The second one declares " the maintenance of the free port system " to be of vital importance to the prosperity of Victoria and ^'ancouver Island," and " direct taxation to " be the only politic and equitable method of raising a revenue." It strikes us that in the very outset of the report a strange error was committed by gentlemen of se much intelligence, and representing as they do the commercial interests of so important a town as Victoria. They ask first ni strong terms for union with Ikitish Columbia ; then, in the whole of the OF niUTlSII cnM'MHIA AND VANCOrVKU ISLAND. -il) il llic iii.i.irr, 'hkpI uikI lirliijr '1-kcii r.ii. 1,11, 111 llic inlet clcariiiici' tor >ltll Cllil^f. It ( liiimlMT iif niriic. VVt'.^tmiii-trr liii^ lia|)|MMii'|, as uniisiiially ausf of ice in I . IIami.kv, visi(in>i for iljo u cxaniiiic and W. II. e Council lias lime close upon larty «lio were Do ('o>in()s of tin- pooijlc, L)c excused fur quite us iniicli was tlie sMiall ly iiiiportauce, L", l)y exertions Assembly, «e ! bitter things their motives by men wiio he whole pro- can see a very y of joining in abouring men uch duty, and If 'i And yet, the insidious BS ui)on their I; a series of Colonies, and is the voice of I or unselfish Jocument can ig attachment 'tie proclaims iai and local 3 port system ct taxation to tiemen of se It a town as whole of the >ser|uent report, every aririimcnl that is a'd i, ..imnly .ippli. ,iblc |.. \ am oumt I-IiihI aluie, ;mmI Itain.ii I the r.ightcst rcfcreni'c i- made tn .-my niea-ures or poliiv caliidati'd to beui-lit ns -hoidd union lie * "" ♦ »" » (fMiited. Would not their report have been far -ugu'c-tive ol their liu«in('«s h.iliits if thev bad first iirced the iwlvantaKes of iu)ion. and tlii'ii have oruposed a code "e.piitable " and fair to' l...(|i V»\...im.ii f'ojonie-- in the cmiu of -udi union tak plai e r llieir pre«.eut report i» a pieee of •penal ron>idi red, or tin pli'.Hling. to attract the aftiiitiun of tin- limine (lovennnent from the real point to I a!it\ltcm's> ot' tlie>e geutlemeii ^how^ them that union will not prnlidils lake plaee auain-l our «dl, ami that tl eir oidy hope is to retain their Iric |)ort. We aie iiubni'l to the latter view of tbi' la: I,et us eon-ider this cpie-tioii pa--ed over in >o politir a ni.tiuier li\ tl iild Im ceiitli'inen. ami see w wi>uld be an " eipiitabie union." Clearly in llieii mind-, a sin^jie (lovernnieut lor liolh Colonic hat ■t :!o kI head-i|uarters >ibouM lie in Victoria, and an amai>:aiiiation ..f their l.'iil.ooo/., to be used jointly for llie -iipport of both ('(dollies. WVll may tlicy a-k for this lor V'iil.iriii, for it at once relieves the (iovermnent of the immeii-e burden of that delicit A ui uf estimates. Hut in return for the iiceiiniarv laMiur^ reiciveil from this Coli lowu III the recent vb.it iH (.'Men : privilege of beiiiL' goveriu'd by absentees -a privilegi', tbi' value .if \v bicli has in firincr \ear- b< fully tested. A continual stnigtde against the moneyed power of \ictoria in all electi uiiscrnpuloii would 1 The s manner in which the last eleclifu I «as com tlier circiini.stancesl — a monopoly of all : * i" . . __ I • I 'IM but cu gives us the iiibl lorct.iste of uhat il I'll. ss, and all Ireedoin troni taxation for \ icioria. lev are wiUiiil' to cuuscnt to union with our reveiiii >ut to the entire ignoring of our mvn claim not to give up their pet free jiort 1 Why, if we were one Colony, should the iidialiitants of \ictoria be free from indirect taxation more than any i>lber )iart of the couutrv. Wlu're would the line lie dravMi, enclosing the favourite town within its liniils. ,iml excluding all tlic re-t of the population of Vaiicdiiver Island from its benelitsi' Or would tliev admit Nanain 1 the other li the isl.inii iito their family circle.' We should then see the anomaly ol' the residents ol one side of the iJiilf of lieorgia jiaying K") and 'JO per cent, duties on their supplies, and tl I.?' le oilier troiiig scot Irei li event could the frj'e port be continued without a gross injiiHtiee to all who were excluded from its privileges. The idea is advanced in tliis rejiort that ltriti-!i Coluriibia is indebted largelv to \'ictori;i for its pro- sperity, be<'ause, forsooth, our merchants buy their guMils of Victoria bcuises ! Js not this a strange idea for mercantile men to promulgate .' What has built up Victoria but the mines of llritish ( '.iluinliiii .■' What supports its extensive trade now but Hrilish Columbia demands .■' What makes the price of real estate rise and fall like the tides, but icpoits from Caiili'o .^ And wliiili is the most indebted - wo who may perhaps owe in dollars lor the last shipments of bacon and luaiis that were made, or they who owe their prosperity and even their very existence as a coiiiniiiuity to oiu- exertions ^ There is hc/, as they sav, a disposition on the jiart of our rulers " to sjieritieo the material interests " of Hritish Columbia at large,"' in order to elevate New Westniiiistcr alxive N'ietoria. Instead of that, before the ]iassiiig of the last laritf, the (|nestiou was carefully cimsidered, ami it was admitted on the part of the Government, that with a resident population of lo,UOu persons in this Colony, sutlicient to induce direct "friwle, the revenue would be diminished instead of increased. But (Uir limits will not iillow us to show up this report thoronghly. In addition to the points tg which we have alluded above, wc are sorry to state that in some instances they have seriously deviated from the truth. A pa])er emanating from so imiiortant a body as tiiis one does is supjiosed to be ba^ed upon /«(?<,« alone, and correct even in its minutest particulars. What weight will be attachc'd to it by tlie .Secretary for the Colonies when it is proved that statements are made which are absolutcdy incorrect ? We will refer briefly to two or three. They say, " A case recently occurred in which a schooner " bound for Queen Charlotte's Island, with supplies for some miners supposed to be short of provisions, " went to Burrard's Inlet, a distjinee of seven miles overlanil from New Weslmiuster, was refused a, " clearance unless she came to New Westminster, and ultimately returned to X'ictoria." The facts, as we obtain them from the custom house authorities, are simjily these: about a month since the schooner " Onward," Captain .McKay, came to Hiirrard lubt, and sending a man info the custom house without a manifest, asked for a clearance for Queen Charlotte's Island. lie was sent back with directions to the captain to send the manifest of the vessel, and pay the custom duties on the cargo, when a clearance would have been given him. Instead of doing this, lie louiui a car;.'o of shingles, and returned to \'ancouver Island. No clearance was refused on account of his not being in port, but one vyoiild have been granted u])oii his payment of the usual duties. Again, they declare that they are unable to avail themselves of New Westminster as a jiort of original shipment on account of "the intricate, narrow, and uncertain channel through the .sJaiid Heads at the " mouth of the Fniser, available for ships drawing in feet at the utmost,"- '' the snbse(|ueiit danger " and delay attending the river navigation, and the closing of the river by ice from time to time during '' the winter season, extending over four months." I'hus discourseth the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. About our navigation what says Captain Richards, who spent years in surveying the Ciiilf of (ieor^ia and waters in this vicinity? " Fraser river, in point of magnitude and present conimcreial importance, " is second only to the Columbian on the north-west coast of America. In its entire freedom from risk " of life and shipwreck, it possesses infinite advantages over any other river ou the coast. VcsscN of " 18 to 20 feet draught may enter the Fraser and proceed as high as Langley. or a few miles above it, " with ease, provided they have or are assisted •.vith steam jiower.'" Which will be received as worthy of evidence at home, the «■ ]iartf and interested statement of a body of men seeking to establish the stability of their own investments, or the written testimonv of a navigator whose charts are universally acknowledged to he singularly reliable and free from error ? The last paragraph, regarding the ice, is a-very grave misstatenrent. Never, except during the winter of ls()2, since New Westminster was a city, has the navigation been im|iedcd a month during the winter ; and during the present and the last two winters not a week has elapsed when it wjis impossible to reach the town. Even during the winter of 18G2, when the Columbia river was entirely closed, the ice blockade continued here but two months and four days, instead of four months. The same thing O'curred to Portland, a town situated inland more than five times the distance that we are, struggling against the D 4 i;;.. lill n 30 l'Ari;ilS RIXATIVK TO THE IMIOI'OSKI) TNION lliiiri-ii cm lifTKiiIlirx of imxicatinn, tlircc(M|c| (•iilmmcd, and yi'l rctniniinr, witliimt nil tll'ort. il» position i,( „ (nil Mlll\ rilMIIIIITlial iIi'|m'>I nl MI|>|i lir. I, W llll lli('»i' irliiiilk:* HI' will IciiM' I Ills (liM- mile lit. latinii 111' 7"',i"iU |n nplr. It VaNkiI Mil III lilct- ir it iiiiwnrtliv III tlir linilv IVoiii ^^ liirli it niiiiii.iti'il, It'- t'viili lit iiia.< uill ilotniN ii-i ilVni I'liiiii- ariiiiiiiiiit!', ami iIk jri'"^"' ini—t.iti'iiniii- IM M'. ii|iiiM tliiiM' t'l mIiihii it i< aililir—ril. in. Citi'V (iC a l)KSl*A'r(JH (loiii (iovcnior S&VMni it to tlio Higlit lion. IChwaih) Caudwku., M.l' Sill, ( Sc'paratt New Wcitmiiistcr, Mnirli •»,), H(i M Miiv ao, jsii. I AM iiwiiif tlml I Iinvc not commiitiicated with yoii ns fully and rapidly tcccntiy • ht to I d< I ui\o iKiiic. .My lii>t apoloiry must nc an I'Xiri'mc prt's'^iiiv oi diimiii^s fu;i>lativo Se»i(in ; my second, tlic extreme irregularity of the po-ta! 'I'he .American steamers nw very irremihir in tiieir iirri\al at I'.sipiiiiialt ; IS they as I ou^iit dnriiiL!; tlie iirraiiu;emiiits. 'I'he .American steamers ari- very irregular in tiieir iirri\al at and diiritif,' the winter the Hudson's Hay Company run their steamers as seldom eaii to New Westminster. I jiiesume that the Ciovcrnor of Vancouver Island will liave informed you of the elliirts made in that Colony to prneure annexation to this. Here the fii'eiinii is stronL'ly opposed to the proposed eomiexioii. Indeed I cannot see how it could in any way henetit Ih'itish Coliinihia ; and it is impossihle to avoid pereeiviiijj how, under the lormer (lovernmei t, this Colony was unduly depressed to raise Victoria to an artitieiul pro- sperity. >i'cw Westminster iiresentcd a miserable aspect of decay and disappoint ineiit, while \'ictoria, thoiij^h considerably more prosjierous in appearance, astonislied all strangers at tlie little proj^ress a town, through which had passed many millions of gold, had made. Among the means adopted by the people of \'ictoria for bringing about union has been that of trying to create in our mining jjonulation dissatisfaction with the tinaneial arrangements of this Colony, 1 enclose an achhess presented to mc by a body oi' •rii.'siMiii w Victoria shopkeepers and Cariboo miners, together with my reply.* There are but tliiee I'l,''"",,,',",'^''", names in the litJO which would carry weight in Cariboo, and it is by no means out of respect for the p.titioners that I have answered so fully. My answer appears to have given satisfaction, and I would beg leave very respectfully to call your attention to the statements it contains. I learn, on in(|iiirv from the (lovernor of V^ancouver Island, that he sent on to you witiioiit notice to me, or comment i'rom himself^ certain resolutions and statements passed and made by the so-called Chamber of Conmicree of Victoria. The statements arc very incorrect, and I have expressed to CJovernor Kennedy my regret tliat he should have sent them on without my having the opportunity of rel'uting them. There seems eveiy likelihood of our having a rush to the newly-discovered gold diggings. The season is, however, unusually unfavourable, and the upper roads blocked witli snow. The Legislative Session is progressing satisfactorily, and I expect to prorogue next week. The telegraph which will connect this place with Newfoundland will be completed in about 10 days. I trust that you will forgive this informal communication made just as the steamer is about to sail. I have, &c. The Right Hon. Edward Cardwcll, M.P., (Signed) FREDERICK SEYMOUR. &c. &c. &c. Hi'Spali'li No. Mil, i.r •Jl Miiii'li 181 page liii. No. II. No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Kunnkdv, C.R., to the Right Hon. Edwvui) Caudwell, M.P. (No. 92, Separate.) Government House, Victoria, December 1, 1865. (Hwcivcil January 24, IH6(!.) (AiiswiTcd, No. (i. Ki'liniiiry 1, IfSGG., piiffo .'i4.) I uAvii the honour to forward herewith a petition from certain merchants, traders, and others resident in Victoria, Vancouver Island, which has been entrusted to me ibr trausiuisbioD. Silt, OK niUTIsn rOMMHIA AND VANCi Vr.H ISLAND. M f" p'l-itinii f,| ,, B '2. I liiivi- immU'rcd tlir puriigraplis oftlir |Htitli)ii lo liicililiito ivliirna'. ,\. It i^ to l)c ri'u'ixtti'd tliit llii- intitioii \\;i'' not piftciiti 1 wlu'ii the n-Miliiti'iHv of the lli ((•Inuiliiii xmti' |).i>«u(l ami tiiuis- niitfi'l to yoii ill my Dcspntclifs Nos. II and Ki,* dated 21st Miirh ImCJ.'i. I. It will he witliin your ii'colli'ctim that I tlu'ii iiituniiril \nii ihat a si i v (Ktidiil majority of tin- rlcclor^ of tln'city of \ ii'tnrii wnr advoiati ■( lor tiir union of the Coionics, accompanied liy a tarill", or tin- ini|)o>ilii)n of import duties, ax cvini'ul in the rctnrn of two members to the ),e;;i»lative As^elntlly, who at that time otUred themselves ujion tliose priiiciples. ,"). I now ol)strve with >onie surprise tlii;t several intlucnliid persons wlio supported anil C'lAv/ f.'r tlm^e imiidiers, and wIioh' iniliimee contrihiiled iinterially towards liuir return, havi' appended tiieir naini's to tlu- enclosed petition, ])rayinL( for the "continuance " of the tree port jioliey i.i its lulle.'l iiitcLriity." (i. The followim;- analysis of the si'^niturcs a|)j:"ndeil to tin' memorial is suh-tantially correct : - Hritisli sulijects - - . MM Americans - . . . ;};{ (iermans - - - - 21 French - - - - M Unknown - - - - 7 157 lluircl ( i>l I \IIIU \ \N> III \l H l>l.AM>. ' !'»(»•■« 6 Jill I '. 7. You will also observe that ninny oi" the petitioners sign as the njjents for absentees, whether with or without their concurrence is not shown. 8. I will now proceed to oiler such remarks upon the ])etition as appear to me necessary tor your inforination. J). Paragraph N'o. 2. It is an undoubted fact that " great commercial depression " has existed, and still exists in both these Colonies, and I am sure that you would iiavc been glad to have learned the petitioners' opinion of the cause or causes of it. 10. These causes, in my opinion, rest with the petitioners themselves, and are beyond the reach of any remedy which you can apply. They may be found in a system of reckless credit, competition, and over-trading. It is notorious that large (piantities of goods were thrown into (Cariboo market this year by the merchants of \'ictoi in which did not realize the cost of carriage. The supply far exceeded the demand While this proved a great boon to the woiking miner, it left the ('(irl/mo traders without means of paying their debts to Victoria, and the \'ictoiian merchants without p:iynient for the goods they supplied. To this obvious cause for " depression " may be added the more stringent administration of the customs law sat San Francisco and neighbouring ,\meric;m ports where a large amount of goods were formerly introduced from Vancouver Island without going through the formr.ltics of the custom house. 11. I may liii'thcr remark that tliis " depression" is by no means confined to British Columbia and Vancouver Island. Many thousand persons are departing monthly fnnu San Francisco, owing to the same causes which my experience leads me to believe are common to all mining or gold producing countries, and will continue more or less till men become honest and prudent. 12. Paragraph 1. As regards Vancouver Island, I am of opinion that the character and small number of the population rendir the present form of government inapplicable and expensiyc. The statistics and taxes, as shown in the annual blue book, will enable you to judge whether it can be truthfully termed " a most onerous burden upon all " classes." On this subject I would refer you to a recent Despatch of mine, Ao. s|, 22nd September 186."). 13. Paragraph No. 8. The proclamation declaring Victoria and Es(juiinalt free ports, simply declares that they "shall be (free ports) until otherwise determined by proper " authority." 14. Paragraph 9. The petitioners are obviously in error in stating or thinking that «* the vote "of the House of Assembly praying Her Majesty to grant an union of these " Colonies on such terms as to Her Majesty may seem meet, is not inconsistent whh " the prayer of your petitioners for the continuance of the free port policy in this " Colony." A reference to my Despatches Nos. 14 and IG, 186."), together with the whole tenor of the debates clearly point to " union with a tariff." 1.'). I concur with ..he petitioners in thinking that the vncertainty existing on this subject is producing very ill effects upon the busines'' and prosperity of these Colonies, M 14923. £ '1. 1. i liiiintii Ciil.l Mill 1 »"«l> V*s, ami 1ms krn miiiiily iaii«liiit(li No. Ki, -M^t Mmt'h l"*'""'; I -t i' no iia«i)ii to altiT it. I)i>li on tlic nii'iit-' 111' tlu' ililVi'iiMit syti-im ..f I". I retrain tioni oUrrin^ a-iy .pinion " tnr port" or import iliitics an applicalilf to tlir (•irriiniHtivmr'* ot'tlii"* <'oloiiv,a!« it niu'i lif fontingtMit upon union or no union of tlid- ( olonit-*, on wliifli suliji'i't I look ilmly for inl'ornmtion or iiiotnictions from you. !•*. In ronclu^iion I liav< ly to ^tatf tliat I tliink tlii-. pititioii oiiirht to liavf Inn iiililriHstd to tlif loi'iil iA'gi>liiturL' rntlur tliaii llir Majc-tyV Srcirtary of .State for tin- (.'olonicH. I i III VI', Occ. The Kight lion. Ktlward t'lirilwcll. .\l.l'., (.Signal) .\. K. KKNNKDV. &c. \i'. iVc. To tlu- •|'l l!iiil(i-ij,'ii('(i Mfrcliant'", 'I'mkIith, :iiuI III Mini, 1^,1 inns V.incoiivrr I>l,'iii(l, citllrrN ll':ucc)>>-. V. Tliat voiir |ii'titi()in'rs view witli iiiiitli ai vic^y llic j;r(',it I'dimin'nial i|i|iriv-~i(iii wliiili lia^ cai-IimI fur sdiiii' liim', anil !*till cxihIs, IkiiIi in this Lu, i y .uid aUn in Uritisli ('uliimliia. 3. Yiaif pi'tiliiinci- lii'f.' further t(; >liiin, ill. ii, alll\iiii),'li till' illtl•rl'^t>i of Hiiti^h I olmnhiii and \':ni- I'ouviT l>laiid ari' identical, yet, >iiii( the ap|)oiiitiiient of a separate (in\eiiini' fir each, a |iolicy (,w instanced tiy the im]pt)!orlini>' house in that C'oliniy, up lo II1I8 lime mere is iioi a siii^ic imi|M (i. \Vith Victoria capital nearly the whole hu^illes^ of liritish Columliia is carried on, and ahno employment i I'vcry enterprise m Hritish C'olumhia, whether of trade, miniiif;, or the Imildiiig steam hoats, has heeii undertaken l>y the coinnicnial community of VicJoriu. 7. That N'anconver Island, as far as it has liccii already explored, docs not eiaitaiii much land tit for agricultural purposes, tliu {{reater ]>orti(ni of it lieinj,' mountain us, ■■md densely wooded, but it is known to be rich in de|)Osits of coal, iron, copper, jfold, ami other minerals. H. rroiii its commaiidinjr geographical position, Victoria is eminently adapted for a commercial depnt for the North I'acitic, and owinif to its free port, has attracted cdimiercc from Mexico, California, the Sandwich Islands, Orefron, Washington Territory, the Uussiaii possessions, India, China, and .lapan. 0. Your p(!titioners are of opinion that the vote of the House of .Assemlily of this Colony, jirayiiig Her .Majesty to grant an union of these Colonies on such terms as to Her Slajesty may seem meet, is not inconsistent with the prayer of your petitioners for the continuance of the free jiort policy in this Colony, a policy which they fully believed when they settled here, and invested their means in perma- nent improvements, was fixed and decided u))oii Ity Her .Majesty's Ciovcrnment, and strictly guarded by the instructions issued to Her .Majesty's representative here, and published in a proclamation of 18th Jaiuiary 1800, declaring the port of \'ictoria to be a free jiort. And your petitioners now pray that ill any union of the two Colonies wiiich may be decided upon, the continuance of the free port policy in its fullest integrity in this Colony, may bo provided for and definitely settled, so that eoii- tidence in the policy of the Governnu'iit may not be shaken, as the uncertainty existing in this respect had been for some time \. st producing most disastrous etlect« upon the bu.siness, prosperity, and pro- perty of both Colonies. 111. Tliat the imion of tlie.so Colonies that would he most advantageous for both, in the opinion of your pctitioner.s, would ber one having the nature of a federal union, having one Governor, with one civil list, as far as practicable, one code of laws, common jurisdiction of the law courts over both Colonies, with a court of appeal, and leaving the linuncial matters of either Colony separate, as at present. 11. Y'our petitioners are strengthened in their opinion of the vital importance to this Colony of the continuance of the free port policy, by the views expressed in a report and series of resolutions of the Chamber of Commerce of Victoria, and of which your petitioners desire to be allowed to append a copy, and make part of this petition.* 12. \''our petitioners lastly urge, that in this Colony there are many engaged in commercial pursuits not entitled to the exercise of the franchise, but who^e interests are bound up in the Colony iu which their capital is largely invested and employed, and whose voice cannot bo heard unless in the way of * The Report and Resolutions of the Cliiiinbci- of C'oiniucrce will be found as an I'^iu'losure to Governor Kennedy's Do.-piitcli, No. 15, oj' the 21st iMarch IMJ, printed at puj^e lo. Ol" UIUTISII (OMMIM A Wh \ A.NCorVKH ISLAM). v.^ .|HTial inriiKiriHl liki- tin- jin'-riil ; anil iIiih ymir |>flitiMiiiT!' Uu ri"-|H'rttiillv In m-I lurtli will ii(i|HMr li\ Hiiiii>ii II rrCiTt'iiri' 111 till- (iciviTimiiMit HimI I'.'t.ifi- Tax I.l«t- of \lv i ity nml ili«trift n( Vii inria. tin- lit .if trai|r» liirin !•« a|>|M'iiiln| liirrli". niid xliii'li tlif\ priiy \mi ti tiiiiki' |)iirt of tlii» |ii'lition. Iij «liiili llii'v iil!iriii iliat tin- liotia tiili'n of ihi<> {M'tition i»iil U' I'lilly >'»m.m» i'»l»|pli"li"il. Anil your |ii'tilioMrr>, a> In iliity lioinid, uill cmt prav. (Signi'th i); IImmvi.i.in ItiM.. Cliairtnini. lati Artinir AHoniov-Ciriiprnl ami Nli'iiilin 111 till' I.riii-laiiM' (ouiH'il in tin- Ailniini«- trillion of ^ir Jiimh" I) hi;;!.!-; nml 1 |o othfr*. • I. ». No. 12. ('i)P\ «(' II DKSI'A'ITH from (iovfrnor Kkn\ki)>, < '.H., to tin- Ki^lit Umi. Kdwaho Cmiiiwki.i , M.l'. (No. ;)7. Si'p iriitt'.) (iovcrnimiit llousi', Victorin, Dtcemlu'r Wl, iMfi.'). Sill, I Willi \ III Kilniiiiry i'J, iMi'i.* No. I a. I ium: the lioiioiir to cnclnsr tlif C'lpy ot' Koolutioiis pasM'il l>y tin- I.l•^i■.r_i««». Ilritish Cnliiinliiii. I havi' nuthiii^f to iiilil on this sulin'ct lii'vond fli it whii'li is contained in my Despatches, Nos. II ami Hi,* of the 21st Maicli |s(m." • ivis-.'. I also enclose, for your iiifDniiati'iii, copii's of coiiiiminicatinns which have pissed ""'''. hetwct'ii the l.e^islative Asseniiily and myscH im this siilijcct. iJ^kKiu'i'v" I have, &c. A...mi.iv The Uifrht Hon. Kdward Canhvell, M.l'. (Sifr„t.,l) A, K. KKNNKDY, M,:'.';;..',"f''"' \'C., Ike, \-c. (iovernor. <""ir""r Kr'ilU'J}'. I :/lli Die Idfi.'i. m '!> small, lliat Kni.lo>uio 1 in No, I'J. \ AM III VI, 11 l-I. WIl. Hksoi.itiov |)»ssi.i1 till' 1 ,r),'i»liitivi' .\sseiiil)ly Doioniln'i 1;{, iMl."), inul sironil tiino anil iiirroril to, Di'i'i'iiilii'i' |s(>."i. ''I. iJi'^iilvoil,- -Tliiit tlii> lloii-o fiilly omlorM's tlio union ri-oliilion> pas-oil liy this lloii«i' mi .Iiiiiiiaiy 'J"i, liSi;."), ninl woiiM iiL'ain lopoat its conviction, tli.it .•in iinniriliiitc nnioii nl N'iiiiiniivci I-laiiil ami Hritisli (oliunliia i> necessary, Iu'Voml ovory otlnr niia-nrc In impart cuiiliilirico In llio pnlilic iiiiml, and place liolli ('oloiiics mi n prospcnms rootiiiL'. "'J. Hi'soIm'iI, 'I'liat allhoiii;li this IIoiim' Ii,-i» already -Iiohh its uilliiiLMiiss In accipf wliatiM'r cmi- slitntimi ' Ilcr Majesty's (iovci iiimnt iiiav Uc plca-od to ^'lanl. it would tail in its duty to tlic | plo of this Colnny, a> wi'h as to llcr Miijcsly. dill it not osiircss it.-, conviclion that no cmi-titiitinii woiild lie adapted to the LnowiiiL' "ant« of llie«e Ci Imiies that did imt emlirace a lepreseiitative eoMrnimiit that would (five to the people the ri)_dit to iletenninc the niode ;i. well us the anionnt of t;i\atimi. and llial Would make llie olKcial heads ol departments re-ponsihle to the people of the I'liiled ( 'uluiiy. " !!. Ui'Milvcd, - That ihe aliine resnlntions he tran-niillcd to hi- K\eelleney the (iovernor with the respectful rei[iR'St that they he fiirwarded as early as imssilile to Her Majesty's Serretary of Slate tor the Colonies," (SigneiH H. W. 'roiiiii \s, t'lerk of the House. Klirl. I III Enclosure 2 ili No. 12. V.VM Divni JslASl). Ki-.soi.ri'i()\ pa.sRed the Legislative Assemhly Deeemher 7, 181.J. " Resolved, — That an humhle address he jiresented to his Kxeellency the (iovernor. praying liim to lay hefore this Ilimse copies of all piihlic iles))atches forwarded hy his Kxeellency to Mr. Card- well in reference to the resolution passed hy this lloii-e in .June iM'it, in connexion with the Crown Lands, and all L)espatclies sent to Mr. Cardwell in reference to the Union llesolutions which pa.ssed this House in January last." (Signed) H. W. 'roitiuxs, Clerk of the House. End u> ill No. U. i to Governiir Enclosure 3 in No. 12. V.\X( oivK.n Isi,.\xi). No. 92. Government House, A'ietoria, Deeemher 12, \Hi>6. To the Honourable the Si'kakeu and Mkmhkiis of the Lkimsi.ativv: Asskmim.v : GKXXr.EMKX, 1 HAVK the honour to acknowledge the receipt of an address from the Legislative Assemhly, praying that I would lay before the House "copies of all Despatches forwarded to Mr. Cardwell in " reference to the Resolution passed by this Honse in June 1804, in coanexion with the Crown Lands E2 Kiu'l. It in No. IS. ii'^i •M IVMM.IIS UKF.ATFVK TO Tlir. IMlOi'Dsr.I) TN'tON I I ( Ml I iiiiiv *MI> \ «M ••! » I II l«l \M'. S |i'. ;. I "I.', mill I'll! Im^iii « No .1, Ajiril 1.1, l«ir. ;)| • r.inr .-111. Nil. I.-! >-. I I '' Mini nil I)r>|iiil('hi'ii unit tn Mr, ('anlwcil in ri-fiTi'iii i' to ilif I'liion lti>iui|iiiii)nH wliit-li pooM'ti ihr " Iliii'-i' III .liiiiuary U«(." VV ,,i till' iiio-t rariiC't ili'nirc to imtt llir uMiin of the l.fj.'Miilin' .\-wmlily, ami all'nril llip liilli ,| in'iiriiMlinii MM I'li'T ■iilijrrt*, I ri'uri't ihiii I iiiii pri'i liiilnl In.iii i'ir iiililii'"'. witliiiiil hi' -iincti'iii 111' Iji-r MajcKlyV >i'rn'larv ol ,S|.itc lur lln- ( ploMii- |iii (iniinly ulilaii'i i|. I iiuw. iipiiii my iiwii rr<|iiiii<>iliility , liiy Im'Ihii- ijn- l(iiii (•\tiai'l'< ul |)i'<|iati'lii "< lrMii>iiiitl>'il li\ iiir MM llii' i>lil)|irt III tlir ( inwii l.aiiili III N'anriiliM'r I > I irlaiy of State Kii'lltiy laliilirlnii' llii- lliiii><>; lint llic |il'il' |)i'>|Kitrlii>ii iiililrcKMiMJ liy III)' Im Hit MajolNi* Si'i rclai \ nl' Stall' nil III Iijiil nl' llir '• riiinii lli -..In. " Imii'," I'itlii'i ill wlinli' iir ill |iiiil. Iii'lmi- I lia'l i. rritril n |ilirH lln u'ln, uniilil In- ,'i inaiiili'-l Im ;ii ji i,\ iliit\. ami uIii'IIn uitllniil |iri'( rilrnl. 'I'lii- iilijri! nl llic l.n;;i-laliM' .\--i'iiilily ill llm |iii'>t'lil iii'laiirn » ill III' |iinlial)ly altaiiiiil liy mv slaliMU tliat ill aililri'^-im: llii M iji'^ly'" .N'cri'taiy nl .^tali' in M.iiili |m..'i, ! iA|irf-i(| my iji lilii>i,iir iMliMi limi lIlMt til" lllliiill 111 tlii-i' ( nlniiiis wmilil jii i'n||(|iirivi> In t||i> lii>>t ilitrlc -t' nf lintli, Mini Illy ranii'-t ili'i-iri' tlial it ^IimiiIiI Ih' iiiii>i .ilcil. \\s M>li»M|ni lit I'SiH lii'iiri' li:i\iiiK Inrtilii I that riin\irliiiti an! M'liliini'iit, I i niitiiini' In Ke |iriiil\ i,| iitrniinti that the ( 'nl'iliirn nl Krili'li ( 'nliiinliia iiml \ aiimiii ii l-'laml ^hniilil lie niiiti'il, anil that tlir iiiiiMii nl thrill uiiiilil III' an iiii|iiii tant mr.iii'- nl' Hcriiiiii.' tlirii Mili>taiitial |irn^i, -< ami |irn^|.i'i ily. I lia\<', \r. (Si({m'ih A. !•;. Ki NM in, (illMrilnl, No. i;i. Coi'V or II DKnI'A T' 11 t'liim llic Uiglil lion. KnuAitn Cmiu'.vki i,, .M,l'., to (inviiiinr Ki.n.m;iiv, (' II. (No. ().) Sill, Downiiii^ .'itiirt, I'l-lini iiv 1, l.slKi. ! iiwi llir lioiHiiif to ;iil\ii()\vli(l';(' the ici'iijit oi" vour l)i spiitcti, No. 1)2,* ol' tin' Isl ol 1)( (.•lllllllT, t'IU'lo>il|n !1 JlC'tilioll !|l|(ll('S!l'li t O IIU' lu t 111' IllCll'lliml ■, t 1 Hill !>, iiiui other iT'^ulriits in \'it'torm, \'ancou\i f l^l;iii(l, I liiui' to r('(|iirst tli.it voii will iiiroiiii thi' iiuiii(iiiiili--t> tliiil tin' iiilrif^ts to wliiili tlu'y iulvi'it win not liiii to ivciivi" ciiii'lul coiisiili liitioii. I llllM', iVl'. (lovcmor Kiiinoily, (.15. (Si{r„..'.l) KDWWUI) ( AUDWKI.L. .lilt, ■ '-I No. II. Copv of a DKSPATCII from (Jovcriior Si;\Moiit to the Rinht lion. KnwMtD C'.vui)\vi;i.i., M.l'. Hue dc In Pftix, Paris, i'VlirmiiT I", IM'K). (Iticiivi'il Fi'liiiiiiiT ;.'!, iHlili. ) As you (lid iiu' the lionmu" of coiisultinn- luc respei'tin.u the resolutions of the l,e!•i^lative Assembly of ^'lltK•ou^■er Island, pruyiiif^ that that Colony inif;lit he united to Hritisli ('oluml)iii, I would now venture to express in writiny, 1 believe in aceordaiiee Nvith your wish, my views upon the subjeet. •J. I think lliat ihe Assembly has I'aithl'ully represented the desire of the inajority of till' population. So y;reat. is the anxiety for union existiti U- iimnifeMlv iinjuHt. niid y.iur predi ir-.-Dr, li.feiiinu' t.> flie vuiee of tiie |ii.itetlii)K ' i-dloni-l!", .irected tin- ^ellarali ii no jovnii.Iv reccivetl in Itriti-li • 'nlinnl'ia. ."). I sa\ conlidi ntl\ tint tl nt ( 'nj.niN !ru nut ii'ti'ied it, vii'\»v If li i'« Imd the one ffnat «i It ^jratiil. d and dread all cliin'ji'. I have l:«ard lliis ilcnieil l»v Mi-toini |vihliiiuns, and I litive in vain a^kcd tlifin fur any evidence to »ii|»ii.mI liieir (|i nial. It a de-tire for u Ion has arisen in the ddony, ho»v doe-* it *lio\\ jim It y 'I'hc yintlemen who sneees-fiillv apjieal to the jr nple f«>r iioiniieilinn to the I.t ni-jativf Coinii-il ii!' .^e tli(iii'-ilve'< t" ojipcsitiiin to iini' 11. The Cnnnci!, ini llm -nlrei't entinlv nnretttied hv iiie. viite uniiniiiiiMi*l\- fi^iin''t if. 'The i \as sfattcd in that disiriet !<|H'(ialIy Id advneafi' union and opposr tju' iiK'al ;.'o\eriimenl The minus nienis protested iiyain-f the s>iirnhly of their pioltsM-d or^fan, and when extraneous as-islance was withiliawii it ihed from want of fhiii' support. I am, tor manv reasons, an.xioiis tluit the desire for union should «'.xist in British ( ohimlii.i. It doe, not, ('). The efVort- of llie merehanis ol \'ietoria to ereafi' such a di viic in llie miiiinir (hstriets were, liowever, vi,i;orous and will limed ; not ver\ liiuli prim-ipled, Inil showing Con>ideralih' pojitieal (Kxterity. It was lelt that union, as \ cpaiate .pie«lion. eoiild stand no chance of ohtainiii}; aliearinu; in Caiihoo, hut it mi^lit nie«'t with souie attention on tlie hustinf>s, coupU'd with an aliroj^'ntion of the export ihity on yohl, and a ^eiaral reiUietion of tiixiition. Sysfi'iiialie auitutioii mi.'Iit. po»ili|\, >iir up the le« liny; anain-it till' gohl tax to a siitlieient «lrei)L'th t') diatj i ilo li!;lit it-i ^eir-iniposed associate, union. I (h) not deny tlie ui;po|)u!arity of tlie expoit iliit>, hut tl;e miiuis are aware that it was i'nposed with tlic consent of tlieir own Minini; Board, and voted for li\ then' elec'ed Memlicrs of Council. 'I'hey know the reipiiriuients of the (lovermnenfj hut iiliove ail the>' know that it rcpiires no eliani;(' in tiu'ir politlral condition, no as-i>tance from without, to icliiM' them from any Imnleiis un:lllimou^!y alliinied to i'O distasteful. 7. It would have liecii well it' \'icloria had cirlicr pa>sed tlie re-"!ulion- in tavour of iincoiKiitional union. It mih not until the ell'oits to olistruct the (iovernmeiit ol' Itriiish ('oluinl)ia, liy shaking the conlidenec of the jjeopie in its justice, had proved vain that tlie wise cour.=e was adopted. Thouttli, I shall prestutly show that the larujer Colony has pro^^rc^sed griatly since it attained a se]iaiate existi n(i', yet it did not escape (iitiiely uniniured from the s-elf-ilamaning attacks of the \'ictoria politici.uis. The prospeiits of lioth I'oionies depends piincipally on the ])owcr of the gold mines of llie inainland to attract a considerahle share of the large lioatinj!; j)o|)ulation which, centred in winter in California, seeks in the pulilie prints and in every rumour, a guide to direct its >teps to the most protital)le lii Id for summer liihour. Tin- X'ictoria paper« and their Carilioo representative, duriii;;- il^ >*liorf e\i.itence, represented Ihitish Columliia to \)r overtaxed and unjcstly governed. Many per.-ons, undoubtedlv, in San I'laneiseo todv tl.i' l',n|;li,h reports on Knglisli mines and management a-- correct, and turned their steps towards otiicr gold (ields wjiich .Vmerican speculators took care not to depreciate. The I'H'orts of the \'ictoria agitators were thus partially successful. The iiieat ohjects of intimidating the (lovernment and exciting (lisatleetion failed, iiut a feeling ontviile the ( 'olon\ was created against the then recent legislation. This success, once olitained, caused alarm in N'ictoria. 'I'lieii came the outcry that the miners were leaving the I'ouiitry ; mer- chants from the Island waited on t!ie {Jovernor on the suhjeet, and when the injury was done the Cariboo press was silenced. 8. Kven in Knglaud, persons connected with Victoria have had a meeting when', in their eagerness ibr union, they have rejiortcd the two (Colonic.; to he languishing or retrograding in their present separation. Reports on the subject, delicient either in candoiii' or infbrtnation, have been furnished to the leadi-ig London journals. I regret that the matter of union should not have been allowed to le.st, whenr it was properly placed, in your hands. \\ lio would emigrate from I'^ngland to C-'oloniis reported by their own reputed representatives to have early in their career entered on their decline r Who would seek invcstinents in the funds of a connnunity alleged to be daily diminishing in wealth ? 9. I am prepared to allow that Victoria is not flourishing. I maintain that B'itish Columbia is so. It may seem strange that their progress is not parallel, and I can believe that the cause has escaped the knowledge of some of the merchants ol \'ictoria. The explanation is, however, simple. U). Tlie discoveries of gold on the Lower Fraser iirst attraeteil to Driti.sh territory a large portion of the unattached population of Western America. The inmigranls came K A lliiin«ii .11 I Mill t 1-1 »HI>. 86 I'Ai'KHs uii.A'i'ivi: 'i(t iiii: riJoi'osKi) cnion life. r ir; '' I I I'-Kiriiii ( iJl.l MillA AM) \' AM )l \ 1 II 1-1. WU. i'vv.w Oregon or Culili rniii l)_v >c;i. 'I"liuir dftriition ;it tlir tir-t jilarc ot' laiuliiiLr crcativ! ^'i'.■t()ri:l. 'I'lic Imr* on the Fnistr nvitc uriidually worked out. Now thi-y arc atiandomd to 'lie lalioi:!- ol' < 'liinaniin. I'ul ye ir li\ year llie Miinnier iMnniuiaiit> jiuslied farther into the interior, >tili l(v liit- vaiK'y of tlie j^reat rivir. I'inally Carilmi) \va> iliscoviu'd, an ! it- ])roiiigioiis wealth aftractcd liirj^e nunilieis ol miners, wlio were led and siip])Hc(l from \'ittoiia. Drivin f.oin tlieir work In the severe climate in the winter, the " Oaril.ooili's " spent soini' time and nituh money in that town, and ndded to the protit*^ f)t' the merchants who had niono]iolized their marki't durliiff the working:; sea>on. 'I'lurc were no large settlements in Hriti>h C(!Uiml)ia ; it wa> onl}' a Colony in name. There wa.s a gold mine at one end ol' a line of road ; a seajiort town (under a diHerent (iovern- nicnt) at tlie opjiositc terniinn-. 11. Merc was the real cau>e of the ill-feeling U-tween tin- two Colonies. The settlers on the i'razer paid gold-miners' duties on all they consumed, wliile the peoj)le of the Island protitcd by the >ucec>.-- of the digger.s and paid no import duties. K\frything was done to foster Victoria, ^\'here ])ul)lie ollieer.s served both Colonies, the Island gave its own half-pay ; the full salary was drawn from the heavily-taxed British ( 'olund)ians, and the whole, this one salary and a hidf, was >pcnl on tln' Isl.uid. Imperial interests were assumed to he involved in the welfare of \ ii'toria, and people atlected to believe that gicat (icstiniifs were in store for the town, they had early begun to name the '' (jueen " City of the I'acific." Meanwhile every man on the mainland knew that the town wa> kei)t alive by the Hritish Columliian mines, 'i'hey petitioned for separation, and thev got it. Now, at all e\ents, the jirocecds of their ta.xation arc spenl among them. Trade is beginning to cstabli>li il>elf on the Trater. On the other hand \'ictoria, descending to counnon sense, seeks, at the sacriliee of her free port and constitution, a clo.se union with the Colony whose wealth is her support. 12. Cariboo was the great ciLstomer for Victoria; but Cariboo, with its prodigious wealth, has been found not to be " poor man's diggings," not competent, therefore, to suppor*. a very large population. The mines are of limited extent, the gold lies deep, and is expensive to extract. The number of spring immigrants began early to fall oil', and in 186") was smaller than usual. Tliere was no dearth of labourers. Cariboo warned oft' fresli comers, as every ]ilaee was full. So it seemed, for with a diminished popu- lation, the yield of gold was in t!ie i)r()portion of 9 to ."> as compared with the preceding year. Wages were steady at 40.v. a day, and the necessaries of life far lower in price than they had ever been belbre. Victoria continued to do the principal business of these mines ; but the population to feed was comparatively small, and ^'ictoria suffered. 13. So did British Columbia to a certain extent. Road-side houses on the Cariboo line became bankrupt as traffic decreased, by diminished inunigration and accelerated travelling. The general condition of the Colony was, however, prosperous. The customs' receipts at New Westminster were, by the last account which has reached nic, 15,000/. in excess of the corresponding period of 1864. 1 learn that the British Colum- bian capital " is making great progress ; houses and wharves, cleaiing and fii'ncing " going on everywhere this autunm." And the most hopeful sign of all is beginning to show itself: a disposition on the part of the miners to purchase land in New ^\'estminstcr or its neighbourhood, and commence the systematic colonization of the Lower I'raser. These benefits in no way assist A'ictoria, nor can it .appreciate the improvement in the general condition of ('ariboo, which now induces many miners to winter there instead of squandering their money in Vancouver Island or San Francisco. 14. To the merchant of Victoria the depression he felt in 1865 appeared to extend oyer British Columbia ; but he could only see the valley of the Fraser, while a vaster view lay open before the eyes of the Government of N:;w Westminster. The usual wave of immigration was seen to come to us in equal, if not larger volume than in former years. Many miners were, doubtless, prevented by the Victorian outcry from coming direct to the F]nglish Colonies, and the more luiitcd Americans secured the preference for their own gold fields of Boise or Cojur d'Helene. But disappointed hopes soon drove thoiisands in search of richer deposits. From the sea to the Rocky Mountains, on both sides of the boundary line, the country swarmed with eager prospectors, who rushed backwards and forwards as reports circulated that the gold which all knew to exist had at last been found. 15. Late in 1864 important discoveries had been made near the British Kootenay Pass of the Rocky Mountains, in our territory. It was first through American newspapers that I became aware of a rich and prosperous mining town existing within our limits, about .50J miles due east of N?w Westminster. Although the Kootenay mines could, at first, be only approached by passing through United States territory, we soon extended British institutions over the new diggings; established Courts of' Justice, and collected ' :iti:in(I(ii)((l I'l'l liinlic'r iliscdvcri'd, 111 Ml|)|)!i,(| ^^i'lttr, tlu' 'lie profit- on. 'I'Ikit inc. Tliciv ■lit (iitvfin- "lic settlers >I>lf oC the vtliinfT \vas ' gave its iil'iaiis aiul .•rests were it'lieve tliut It' " Queen town \va> iiiid they cm. Tnide seeiidiiiir to union with piodii,n'ous herei'ore, to lies deep, to I'all otr, boo w;inie(i leil popu- 'e preceding cr in priee less of these •red. lie Cariboo accelerated ous. The eacbed me, :ish Colum- nd fijiieing eginning to Westminster rter I-'raser. lent in the 13 instead of to extend le a vaster usual uave in former )m coming preference lopes .soon Mountains, 'ctors, wlio ew to exist tenay Pass icwspapers nits, about id, at first, extended 1 collected ()!" niUriSH COLIMiWA AM) V.\ N( ( iC VII{ ISLAND. ■V t:lV' On tiie di-.! I I'iioii .it iiu' uiiniiii; i.iiir.s .if liii iii.i^e eoiuilrv, Kooten'u re(n\v' ! a cunsiderai'le acei— -ion nf popiditidn, and in the >eas<.M of Is(;.-, f paying: to t' e Colonial 'I'reiivurv, in t.ixe-, upwards ot a t «Ms a tangible benefit to Mritisli Coliunbia, \\liieli bnumht \'ietoria. On the contrary, tl away miiiy pt'r-ons troni \"iet l(i. ■{■he .V (I tl le new nn'nes. which were oria's best ciistniner, Caril from tiittn.tii le new (!i::.jiii,ini| piiini(N a wee II ire 111' iniiiieiliatr adv;Ultai:es to icio'-s the frontier, t' iner can prospector- continued to pour in by everv openinc in our rniru'ed iMiitier, .111(1 the attraction of the Kootenay itself soon diiiimed before the diveover ""'"" iceiise the ruiiii iciv iMiyli-li watiT' of that river. C the Hi;,' Heud of tlie Columbia. I had fortunately consented to I steamers, iiiiiUr the .\iiieric;ui flair, in the nu ii> on arri\e(l, freights pound in, and the advent ol "winter alone prevented the ueiu'ral ni-h which is confidintly predicted for this year. I am erediblv informed tliat'tluse Litest discovered gold mines have, in some places, yielded as much' as eight iiuiidred dollars a (la v to the hand, without macliiiierv. If such be tl \'ic'oria has, however, i le case we need tear no eotiipetition. " "<> way shared, as yet, in the profits. 'I'lie customs duties levied at Fort Shepherd, on the Columbia, b'eloiig to us Hritisli Coluii.biaiis alone. In other parts of the Colony the prospectors have been suceesshil. Near Lillooet, in a fine ,nicultural district, a stretch of nearly 70 miles of ricli auriferous ground has been discovered, and hiuh ho iigain that British Columbia is flourishing, and pes arc entertained as regards the next miiiinu- season. I tills a stii irighter jirospeet in vii ^ny 17. I may ol'serve, incidentally, that the unsuccessfid miners from Hoisr, or the i\v nr (flli'lene, are as valuable to us as an eipi.il luimlier of those who come bv \'ictoiia and the Fraser. The citizens of the United .Sfatci ai e our Idest prospectors, ,iti I not the lenst law-observing portion of our population. They come to iis across tl;e frontier prepared to accept our institutions, IIk ir heads undistnrbcd by politic.il agitation. The Ciirrying out of the last sentence of a Court of Lynch Law s'o.netimc- diminishes their numbers a> they approieh the bound.iry line ; but once it is pa-sed, the revolver and liowie knife are laid aside, and perfect tr^iiiquillity ])ievails under our vigorous ailministra- tion throughout the Colony. Crimes of violence are now almo-t unknown in Hritish Columbia, and on the late circuit the .Supreme C'ourt did not find a single |irisoner for trial at the Kootenay. is. While I'rilish Columbia is reputed to be languishing, it may be interesting for mc to mention, though I write without oHicial documents, some of the" principal public works which have been accomplished by us in lisfi."). I premise with the statement that every surveyor and every engineer in the Colony was in (io\crniiieiit emplov last year. Lvery di>cliarge(! sapper, possessing anything like adeipiate knowli-dge, was likewise induced to enter our service. .\ good trail lor pack animals has lieen opened from the I'rascr to the Kootenay. The Cascade Range, the (iold iJange, the Selkirk Uanue, have been succes- sively surmounted ; with what labour may be imagined, u hen 1 state that at the end of May the cutting over the Cascade Mountains had, on each side, s(>ven feet of snow. This trail not only runs through English territory to a gold mine, hut it affords, hy the Hritish Kootenay Pass, an easy access from the Pacific to the Hudson's H 'v lands beyond the Rocky Mountains. Its principal value, however, to the colonists is that it already enables the merchants of New Westminster to undersell those of Lewiston and Walla Walla at the new diggings. A sleigh road has been opened from the seat of (io\ernment to Yale, running lor upwards of a hundred miles through the dense forests of the Lower Frascr. A britigc has, for the first time, been thrown over Tliomp-on's River, on the main road to the northern mines. Upwards of twenty thousand pounds have been expended on the completion of the high road into Cariboo, allowing machinery at last to be introduced into William's Creek. A large sum in connecting, by a long street, the three mining towns in that locality. A good road now connects New W estminstcr with the sea at Burrard Inlet, and secures the inhabitants from inconvenience should an unusually severe winter close the Fraser. A light-ship, public libraries, new school buildings, testify to the energy of the Ciovernment. If I add that in the year just passed steamers have, tor the first time, navigated the Upper Columbia, and that New U est- minstcr has been brought into connexion with the whole telegriipliic system of the United States, Canada, Newtbundland, and with Cariboo, I point out an amount of work accomplished in a single summer, I should think entirely unprecedented in so young a Colony. For the telegraphic communication, and the new line of steamers, the Ciovern- ment can only claim the credit of the earnest cHbrts it has made to second the enterprise of our republican neighbours. 19. I have endeavoured at considerable length to prove, first, that union with \'an- couver Island, or the annexation of that Colony is not desired in British Columbia ; secondly, that the larger Colony is not in a depressed condition. Possibly external E4 11 :'i 88 PAITRS UEl.ATIVi; Tf) Tllf. I'KOPOSKD UNION liiiiri-ii Cm I iii'.iA AM) Vam oi \ I. Isi \Sli, njxifatmn in connexion with tlic uolil jxpoit diitv niiw have to a certain extent impeded her proiiros. If, in the xioleiit e<)ni[)etitiiin on tlie I'acitie to imike the mines \n tlie ColoMV or till' States siijierior to each other in attraction, it he t'oimd that the Ihitisii export (hity o;i u<>hl .lets unliivoiualily to lis, I ean only say tliat tlie tax uili he at onee repealeih Our i^reat jaihhe works are d' nc, and if the cxjicit (hily, ihone see to the >trenij;theninn- of Ihitish authoritv, liritish influence, and I'rilish powi r in the Pacific, and I at once admit tint the cxistinj.^ division weak ens al three. 'l"he dissensions hetween the two Colonies are looked upon in tlu- iieii^hhourini; States, as rather a scandalous, hut novel and annisinli to us the iiioilel. 'I hndlii, tueaii^e the uncert liii nature of gold minint; idlows ot' a •' rush " Ikiv and a " riisb " there, n- rieli leads are discovered, or old eliums "ea\e in." Away LMfs the population from the " piaveii out" town. Miigistrate and const ibles follow, and the ■-iirvivor and his rdiid-naiisj lia\e to bring the new diggings into connexion with the iiiiukets of the ('olon\. 'I'he (iovenior must act at once on iiis o.vn responsd)iiit\ , and be able io nlv with eoiilidenee on the passing of a supplementary Ai)i)id])riatioii Act, to give si legal sanelion to the unforeseen expenditure. J-'niir/h/i/, because our popidition of Itidians is in a proportion of id)oiit ten to one of ourselves. 'I'liey will now obey the great white chief, 'hiev under>tand no division of authority. Lus/h/, beciuise every one in ibitish Coliimbia, Amerieaii>^, even more than Knglish, see the ueees-ity oi', juid wishes tbr a strong novernnient. All like the power to l)e maiiiy vested in one man, responsible to public opinion, and are averse to the professiomil politician. For the Colonies, if united, I would recommend an adherence to the principles of the legislative constitution of Hritish ( 'olumbiii, rather than to tho>e of that confernd on \'aneouver Island. I would, however, h;ive a much larger proportiouiite infusion of the poptihu' element than we at present |)ossess. 2-1. Her Miijesty has by Ordir in Couiieil created a b xly authorized to make laws to' British {'()luml)in. It consists of l.'j members, exclusive of the (iovernor, with whom it is optionid to take his seiit as a member of the Hjard, or to keep aloof, anil bv so doinu coi.stitute himself :m entirely separate branch of the Legislature. ( )ne-third of the ( 'ounc'l is composed of the under-mentioneil public officers, who iire, by ii separ.ite instrument, constituted likewise the Governor s K.xecutive Council : — L The Colcmial Secretary, 2. The Attorney (leneral, 3. The Trcii^urer, 4. The Surveyor General, 5. The Collector of Customs. The remaining two-tl.irds are selected by the (Jovernor, but I believe that a Despatch . from the Uuke of Newcastle directs thiit five of the ten shidl be chosen from the magistracy of the Colony, and that in the appointment of the other five the (Jovernor shall endeavour to be guided by the wishes of the jieople as signified in five distinct districts. Under this oonstitutiim the Government ciui command a majority of votes, but the power has been rarely e.vereised by "ue, save in cases where c'eniiuids were made upon the Colony by the Imperial Treasury, which the Legislature, if not coerced, would have rejected. 25. I would wish to make some observations upon the three divisions of the present Council. The five executive members are in such close communication with the Governor, that it is but rarely that one of them has an opportunity of asserting his independence by a vote against a measure introduced by the Govermnent Hence, however useful as men of business in the House, they do not, with the public, possess the same character for independence as the other two classes. I would recommend that in the new Legislature for the united Colonies the strictly official element be not increased. 26. Probably in British Columbia the section of the Legislature which possesses most the confidence of the people is that of the magistrates. It is the right of the Governor to change the stations of the paid justices of the peace whenever he shall see occasion for domg so, therefore, the best men are always selected for the most important trusts. As ihe winter closes most of the miners' operations, several of the magistrates can be spared to attend the meetings of the Legislative Council in New Westnv-nster. The under-mentioned districts are represented in this manner : — L New Westminster. 2. The Kootcnay Gold Mines in the Rocky Mountains. 3. The Gold Mines of Cariboo, nearly 500 miles north-east of New Westminster. 4. The agricultural, and now mining district of Lillooet. 5. The pastoral and mining country intersected by the Columbia, bounded on the south by the American frontier. 27. The country magistrates, whose salaries are not sufficient to enable them to enjoy any of the luxuries of life in the expensive c'"stricts in which they are stationed, live in the manly state of freedom of intercourse ,»ith all classes, characteristic of British Columbian society. The magistrates at the mines, hundreds of miles from head- t«M. F lli!iTi«n Wt k ■hi " jijs mm m i 40 I'API'US UKLATIVK TO Tfll' IMUM'OSKl) INION BiiiTisn COM.'MBIA A!ru Vaxcouvf.h Island. quarters, art- nrccssarily invotcd with diitirs of ^Toat variety and iinpdrtaiur. The repri'cntntive of the (lovernnicnt. tlie sole referee or judse in niininf; dis|nit(s, goUl commissioner, hankruptey commissioner, eoimty comt juilge, the mni^istrate is con- stantU liefbrc the pul>lie. The smaHness of the jiolice force which we can allow to carry out his decisions, and to preserve tranquillity, compels him to rely much tipon his persomd influence. It gives me great safistiictinn to Fay that under these circumstances i\ l)()dy of public ofliccrs has heen trained, ecjunlly respected hy the people and the (Jovcrmuent. The miner looks upon tiie departure of the magistrate for his legislative duties with fully as much of happy confidence us he does on that of the men he has assisted in returning to the House. '2S. I wcmld propose in the new constitution to increase the numlwr of these valuable legislators fn^ii five to nine. I would submit that the prevent discretionary power resident in the Ciovernor of making his selection from the centres of population, for the time being, be not interfered with ; nor would I withdraw the liberty granted to him by the Duke of Newcastle to appoint, should he sie fit, unpaid in the place of paid ningistrates. I venture to submit a plan for a distribution, in the first instance, of the nine seats : — ■ 1. Victoria, V. I. •2. New Westminster, R.C. ■'5. Cariboo, B.C. I. Kootenay or (,'olumbia, B.C. !"). Douglas and Lillooet, B.(/. n. ( )soyoos and Soiitlicrn Tronfier, B.C. 7. Nanaimo, V.I. s. Yale anhiiiilil be ili^poM'd to evciude both. I'ov^lMv exception nii>.'lit l)e made in favour ot tliose who took out tluir "tree ininei - (rrtilie.itt- ilM 30. Tlie election over, the each eaiuiidate lia.>< reeeivet mam-itrate reports to the (ii.vernor the luinibt-r ot' voti 1. It is 1 )v no n)e;ins iiieuiiinent mi the (iovernor to ajipoin A )iiri Iv K nuli-li Lenisiatiire is tl lus seeiireil {]. Kven if union is not to take place, I should wish to see the pupniar ileiiieiit he increased m our Legislative I ouiieil. It )> by ^jiadual eomo^icn^, iViilv made b\ tl Government, that tiie desire f<;r institutions ])raetically unsuited in lintish t 'oKimbia will be be.-t kept under. It IS in the uold iiiiiR's that I siiould s])c,iallv desire ti th representation increased. It the union of tiie Colonic-i should take pliee, I would siiiii;e>t that about 12 members of llie iii'w I,e_islatiire should b appoi iitcd b\ the (ioveniur on tiie reconnnendatioii ,>f tiie peo|)le. It' tiie ('(iloiiits reiiiaiii ■(.■]), irate I will address v'>u at a future time resiiectinj; British Columbia. I must repeat the reeoinnieiidatio'n I ventured to make wiieii treatiiu of tiie magisterial eleiiieiit, that the diseretioiiarv pov\er of the (iovernor, as to tlie di>tricts to be rep'^senti'd, slioull remain unimpaired. I, however, submit a rough suggestion a> to tlu' tirs* apportionment o!' >eats. Vict ona, V. I. _' nieiiiKer- New W'estinin-ter, 15. (' N (.'oiiu inaimn V. I. c iri;ioo, -t. H. (' Caribuo, '.'/est, B. ( ' Kootriiiii;', !>. ( '. a;e iiiK 1 Lvtloii, 15. (' Doui-l Will (1 1. •t, B. (' lams L B. C As reu'ariis Osojoos and Columbia, 15. C. the electoral franchise, in tlie tirst iiistiuiC' I won Id M'O pose to ;eavc the question us it now rests in the several districts. It might be dealt with herealii r bv tiie Council. A property ipialilication and English nationality would, I believe, be required in the electors of V'ancouver Island. ',y2. I think it would be desirable that the Governor .should have the power of apjiointing two unofficial members of the Legislative Council to the l"-xeciitive Council. ;5;5. .Should union take place in the manner contemplated by the Act of the 2'. \ 22 Vict., two important changes would take place in the condition of \'aiicoii\er I-land. Its present legislative constitution would be aboli.-.lied.. Tlu' jiartial exi'iiption Ifoin import duties would cease. The loss of the House of As.sembly would not. 1 think, be much regretted. The freedom of the port of \'ietoria has already been much impaired, duties beimi; now levied on maiiv articles of consunii)tion the idc 'J'here is a certain eliarin in ilh San 1' le Idea or a free hnglisli jjort on tlie racmc (lestiiieii to compete witli .>an ir.uicisc), and, perhaps, ultimately to establish a commercial pre-eminence for (ireat Britain on the wlern coast of America. But in reality few of the advantages cxi)ected from the free port system have been secured, and the people of Victoria, having the issu.' fairly placed before them at the last elections, liave, by a large majority, determineil that the system shall cease, and a tariff' take its place. Victoria does not lie on any o'.' the great highways of commerce, and I do not suppose that a vessel ever entered the po:L which was not specially bound for it on the commencement of the voyage. Besides, if the freedom of the ports had realized the expectations of the i)eople of \'ictoria, would they now be in so gloomy a state, or ready to make any sacrifice to secure union with British Columbia r The last statistical returns show that of the iinjiorts to Vancouver Lland only one-twelfth is exported to countries other than the neighbouring British Colony. It ma^- be said that smuggling is carried on to a great extent. I'ossibly so, but I doubt whether this advantage, of somewhat ipiestionable propriety, counterbalances the inconvenience of the restrictions placed on British commerce in the western states of America. The compulsion on every vessel to or from "uget's Sound to enter or clear at Port Angelos, 40 (?) miles to windward, is I know found a serious evil in British Columbia. The ships entering the Columbia or Golden Gate from Victoria are examined, I believe, with a minuteness and suspicion not exerci:-od on other traders. The collector of customs of California informed me that the coimnertial transactions of the British and American territories on the Pacific will never be conducted on an entirely satisfactory condition so 1492;!. G Mi!iri-ii '|| I Mill V \M' »>riiivm I-l IMi. to the Coimcii the e'eet of the peop.le, but it would rii|iiire very special eiieiini>taiu'e.>. such as have not yet presented themselves, to justify his rejiction of the man placed ai the heaii of the poll. The Councillor must take the oath of allegiance belbre his sea!. li:^ ' ii 42 I'AI'r.US IIKLATIVK I'O Till I'lloro.sKl) IMON lll:rii-ii C'oi.i .im AMI \'aN(.mI VI J.'I.AM., ^ff h)U'r ns we lodk to tlic cviisiiui til' the I'liitcd M!iti> laws as oiu' of our roi,nilar MHirccs y>tciii wliicli jontfiniilMtc-^ tin- Hoixliii!.', it |iii>^iiih'. of tiic iuiu:hipotiiiiiir tiTritorit > with MiiiiLiLrlrd poods. Finallv, Uritf^li Colnmliia cannot receive unto lurseit'u coninnmity wliicii deelines to sliarc cfinaliv in Iter taxatii>n. Victoria niiulit retain nearly all lier advaiitau'is as a distrilmtinir poit, liv the estalilistiiiient ol liondi'd wardiouses, and tin- idlowinj,' ot a draw- buck on aU iiierciiandise, over a certain valiie, pavsinfj out ol tiic Colony. ;M. In tlio event of union takniij [ihu'c, a i|i.e.>-tioii wliii'ii will In.-ally excite sonic interest is as to the scat of CJovcrinneiit. Victoria is tlie lamest town of llii' two ( 'olonics, and is, in many respects, tlic most nfircealile jilaci- of rcsid( ncc. 1 think, however, that in seckini; union with IJiitisli ('oluml)i:i, \ anconvcr Island rclin(|uislKs all claim to the possession within her limits of the seat of (iovernment. New Westminster has iucn cho'cn ns the ca])ital of Hritish ('oh; '.liiM, and it would pot Ik (iiir to the reluctant Colonv to deprive her o!' the (iovernor and stall' of ollicers. Both the>e towns are inconveniently situated on an anir'.c of the vast Hritisli teriitory ; hut New Westminster, on the mainhmd. lias the advantage over the island town. It is alieady the centre of the tcleLiraiih'c system, and is in constant conumniication with the upper country, whereas the steamers to \ictoria only rim twice a wi'ik. 'I'he seat of (iovernment should he on the maiidand ; wlKthiT it mi^ht not, with advantage, he hrought hereafter nearer to the gold mines, is a (piestion for the future. ."V). rnmixed advantaues would aci'rue from the ainalgiunation of the .Supreme Courts of the two Coloiiies. There would he ahundance of work for the judges now presidinj^ in e:icli Colony. ;?(). It is premature for me to address you respecting the disposal of the puhlic otlicers who might he thrown out of employment on the union of the two Colonics. .■{7. i have now endeavoured to lay hefore you a schcnie i'or the consoliwiis are istiiiiiister, ■litre of the |iy, wlii'rcns lioiijd he (111 aier to the i.'iiie Courts w piesidiiiiT )Iic' ollieers II of liritish antai^oiiisni that there X all parties lor resident il)k' to the t would he d probably I be;r for may lairly MOUK. the Right 3, 1866. 5.) by certain Victoria in every wall, Ive months res of 44") rtiinity has inhabitants "ailure. ny in 186") Uy as the ; that they presenting I. I rey.et I am unable to lurnisb aeciirate statistic^ to refute the statement that the Chinese and Indian |)o])ulatioii "contribute in a verv small j)roportitiale ot" this (li-triet in a letter, copy of whieii I enilo»e, that a very lariii' >haie i 1 the luxation is home by these two raees. .">. .\- regard- the one objeel of the petition the desire for union ot this ( ohmv and Vaneouvir I-land,- I ;un convineed tmni the inforniatioii 1 leeeivid dnnni; iin recent tour in the mteri n', that the people of the upper country cure little whetjier there be iinioii of tile ( oionii'-, or coiitnuied reparation, and a petition o| oppo^in; inflect to the mil' now forwarded wo'ild be >ij;neii liy at lea>L an eipial number ot the re-ideiit poiiu- lation. I have. \-e. The Right lion. Kdward Caldwell, .M.l'., (Signed) .MmUU N. MIKCII. &C. &c. &c. To Ilcr Mcst (irac M ilcsty, Kncld-ure 1 ii'tcina. (.liKM'ii ol the Kiiii;. li'Mi cit'(irc,n ll.ilii ami llie ((ilciiiii's tiicri'initii licloiiijlni.', 1 )('reiiilt'i nt'ilii' I'aitli, \c.. >vi I I Ir Tlie luiinlili' I'clitidii nl tlii' iniiifr-iiriu'il .^^•r(•llallts, .Miners, 'I'ra ]•• re.-idi'iit in Iiri(i>ii Culiiinl Hunil)lv s|,i wi'ili : 'l"liat Vdiir petitii anil (Icvclopiiin the rr tiers liaMMi: e; \])(Ml(l('(l a very larw aiiuiimt ot caiiit:! Ill' llic Ciliiny, are (ieeply iiitcrer-teil iii it> wi'lta mI 111 ami -IIICI'' I'lial in tlie al)>eni-e i'*' any ri'a^i iialile cxiiri'latioiis of a riiiiiiiic'ii>matc iiicrcise in tlic tlie wt h of the ( (luiitrv, to iiistilV new liurileiis. tliev vi lio|iulatioii or ainoMiit (it taxation pni|io?('(l to \>f niircd tins year. e\v with al.iriii tlic ^n-cat iiictim-c III II That I'titioncrs estniia tc tl of the CliiiieM- nil I I le ir:ii(li'ii ixliaii, ujiii II at alioiit •1,00(1 persons, and tiie Miiiiiin'r |ii.pnlili t iiojuilatioii III' Itritisii (iiluMil iitriliiito in a very small iiroii rtimi lo tlic iia (liiniiy III" wiiitir iiiohiIh, reirardnii.' mIikIi lliey have no fijrnres, tliey arrivi at .'i.-'^iOo as eavniir tlie aci-nrale inrnrmatioii, at aliont 7.0iiii ciicr.il reM'iH itiiiay di-trii't out of ralriii.nin ley arnvi at .'i.-'^iOo as the mean iio|)\ilation ot the ciunitiy d I ly averairm^' llic.-e In liiakiiiir any ralciilation of revenue or |io|iiilatiiili, they are led to look upon the |ii-o Knnteiiay as too |inilileinatieal to he taken into eoiisideration in allotting' the aveia:;i' >lia general reveane which will he reipiired rroiii each imfuidual resilient in the older disuiiN may he, for a week or two, S.noii or I. nun persons at these iiiiiu's, and there niav not lie In.nd ■rts (il of the I'llere iiiaiiv (iputeJ i Hiorisu ( III I Mlll« \ >Ni Ml vm I -I VM'. l| Mar. h I «"■.(■.. Illlir 111 e\|,|oi|||ir Hundreds a tew weeks later. .\i,Mni, the licence tee- and dntie-i collected at the houndarv line mav L'ive a liand>nir.e siir|ilns, r;r they may not exceed the expenses iiieiirred in collection. That the revenue of Hrnish C'onniihia from ordinary sonrees is estimated at l."i:;,61 ■">/., or '.'7/. l.s.,'. (;77/. in l.-^O;!, when the mean population eoiild not have lieeii Ic-s t'.an ti,."i(K) persons, the nnnilier of licence fees issued to free miners in that year lieiiis' l,0(iO, eoiisei|uenlly the jiroiiortion of taxation fallinliorf season that the miner ear 'lecumulate the means of living during the winter, and providinir funds to inect the demands which tl Government makes upon him in the forms of a tarilf, road tolls, licence, recording, and other fees, and a lieavy tax njion his gold. That while your petitioners are fully aware of their ohligation to contriliiite Inwards the support of the Government which affords them protection, and which they have hithc'to done without cniiiplaiiit, they cannot help expres^ing their conviction that so large an increase of expenditure as is coniemplateil this year under the head of civil list, itc., is out of all proportion to the nuniher of tlie producing population. The total amount of salaries, kc, >ot(!d in 18(1.") being 4'J,317/., against '.'.s.j'.m/. ju lHil3, and with the farther sum of l,8'i5/. for travelling expenses, the total for this year is over I7,n0ii/. That your petitioners believe that there are gold fields of vast wealth within the linundaries of IJritish Columbia undiscovered, and which will employ a 'urge population in their dcvelo|imeiit, but these w'.ll reepiire energy, industry, and enterprize to bring to light, and your petitioners believe that ■when added to tlie natural difiiculties, there are fresh, unnecessary, and vexatious taxes imposed upon the miners who are the mainstay of the country, this industrious class will heeoine discinirjiged and turn their steps to the neighbruring gold fields of Washington territory, Oregon, and California. That your petitioners are fully convinced of the necessity of legislative union between liritish Columbia and Vancouver Islav) on fair and equitabli; terms. That tlie acco .iplislnnent of this event as soon as practicable is an ind ^pensable ree^uisitc for the progress and prosperity o." both. The following are some of the reasons which have lead your petitioners to take this view of the relative position of the two Colonics : — The mean population of the Colony of Vancouver Island cannot be comt '. icl I in No 15. „...„■, JAg>> !l .*.! Dritihii Coi.l MHIA AND VaN( ol VKH Ixl.ANU, Knrl. '2 No. I J 44 PAPKHS UELATIVI-: TO BKITISH COLCMHIA, Sec. [»>rt>()ns 'iihI tliiH niinibfr aildccl to that uf lirititih C'oluiiibiii ^ivoH I3,ui)iiaii thi' uiiitcil popiilatiDii nf the t»() CiiliitiirK. Jl' ilif iinliimry nvi'iiuo dlciuli mTi' adiltii lo^rtlicr, uiul tlic Uixtition iilldttt'd lairly aiiKiriuHt till' luliiiliitiiiitft iif Imtli C'n|iiiiii'>, it uoiild mi Ihi i >|uali/i' tlii' wrl^'ht of the |ir('st'iit lnirdriiK, lu to ri'dncc llii' hliarc of ihr niincri' of rli ( 'ipliiiiil)i.i l'_\ at li'a.st 1"/. a ycai. Tlirri' would lir imiliiinf unjii^t in -urli a icdi^tril/iitioii of tlii" liiird(Mi« of tin- State, as thp proplc of \'aiint'r~ tliireloie liunil>ly pray that ynm nu»t (irai'iou!* .Maje>tv may lie pU-UMud to take hucIi Ktejis a- ari' ii(cc.«!-iMy fi'r ;iii ininudiate rediution of the e\peiiditure for tliir. f'(dony, and for an early union of l!riti.-li ( oliiiiiliia and Nam oiurr Nland under one f{oveninient. And your pi titioner> as in duty lioiind will ever pray, \i'. SSigiied hy l-J."i persons. Knelosure '-' in No. l.». 'I'lie M M.i.srii.Mi;, Ni »■ Wnvr.Mi.vsTKii, to Hi* Honoir A. N. Hilicll. ''' M\ 1)1 Ml Mil. liiiii II, New Westmini-ter, Mareh 8, Ifiifi. I )i.\\ i: made niany iiiijuirief!, hut I fii:d it nhiiost iinpossihic to a.-certuin witli aiij .'ijvproaeh to neahle artirle!- used and roiiMinied hy the Indians in the C'ol(>iiy. 'I'here are I helieve iihoni lo,n()(i Jndiaiih oil l''ra!-cr Iti\er, and all of them in greater or ler^fer i)uUiititie8 une and coiii-nine exei.-eaiile articles .Many of the young iik n i-petid ;is n.iu li as ,-;i(i() a year. 'I'lie Indians now use almost everything used hy white nun Imt the ehief (omiiK^dities vvliieh they iiurchase are blankets, flour, tea, eoff'ee, sugar, mohisi-es, liiseiiits, dritd ap( les gunpowder, shot, n'.uskets, axes, simple agriculturul implementx, veimillidi, toys, chea]) oniiiincnts, and male and female wearing apparel. In the best shops in tlii> t(,wii 1 am infdimed that the Indian women buy more dresses and finery than tile wliit(> ))eople of the plan-. A ^;reat number ol the Indians fioiii the Viiited ."^tates territory ctme here to procure their supplies. I am verv sorry that I ciiiiiiot allbrd you more iirecise information on this subjeit : but of this you may feid as>ui((l, that a \ery large proportion of the taxation is paid by tlieliidian and Chinese population of the Colony. I have, lire. (Signed) C. BiiKw. i-i^. LONDONj , , ■.'J.. :!.;./^; I'rinted by Geoikik K tviit: iiuJ Wm.i.iam S.'ottisivoodk, y;;., t ritJ' (i.'.7(. !• ; rriuttT^ .1) the Qiut'ii's most Kxallent Xlajestj-. ..j. f.Jj ", j nt,'ui. , • . For Iter Miycsty's Stationery Dtficc. ; , i t'tiiM'tiOr ■, i{£t i'