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VANCOrVEll'8 ISLAND. 
 
 IIEHIRN to an Adatess oftl.c Honoun.blc Tl.^ House of Con.n.ons, 
 dated 2,0 June 1857 i—J"i'> 
 
 - COPIES or Extracts of any 1)i.si>at( !ie9 tl.at have beon received by 
 Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, on ihv snbject of the 
 E=^tablishmentof a Repuesextative Assembly at Vaitconver's fsland." 
 
 Colonial Office, 1 
 ■Jt* July If J7. / 
 
 C. FOUTESCl E. 
 
 {Mr. Secretai-)/ Lubouchere.) 
 
 Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 
 3 Avgitst 1857. 
 
 229 — Sees. 2. 
 

 I -^ ] 
 
 SCHEDULE. 
 
 Di:si'AT(iii:8 riioM Tin: ukjut hox. ii. lauoiciikhi:, M.r. 
 
 N umber 
 
 in 
 
 Suries. 
 
 Uatu. 
 
 SUBJECT. 
 
 as Aui;. 
 No. 
 
 •.il O.t. 
 
 10 Nov, 
 
 No. 
 
 21 Jan. 
 No. 
 
 04 Mill'. 
 No. 
 
 1800 
 
 . 1850 
 10. 
 
 iKuO 
 
 IS50 
 19. 
 
 1857 
 4. 
 
 18iJ7 
 
 I Dirpctiiii; llitit .1 Hi"|ir(<-('iitiitiv(^ Assciiihlv U' oonvokcfl witlifiil 
 loss ofliiiii'. 1 list riictioiis iiiiil Suniicstioiis for lii» ijiiiiliiiici' - 
 
 AckiiowliMliriiiij his Dopiitchcs of -.'.'il May and 7tli June. 
 Instructions in rcganl to iiis |iro|nisals tor an I'ixtcnsion of 
 the Siitl'nit;u 
 
 Acknowicdi'in'; liis Dnspntch of liio -iil July, encU)sin£f Minutes 
 of C'lmiicil, and Copy of I'roclaniiilion convi'iiinj; .•Vsst'Mil)lies 
 of FruithohlcTs in the Island 
 
 Acknowli'djrin;; his Spoech on (Jponini; the Session of the 
 Lei|;islat»re. DiHiculties experienced in fonniiij; a Committee 
 to incjuirc into the validity of Disputed Elections 
 
 Acknowledijiiii,' his ])espatch of 31st October, reporting the 
 Proceedings of the House of Assembly . . . . 
 
 Acknowlediiini; lii< Uespateh of the 9th January, reporting the 
 Proceedings of the House of Assembly to the 18th Decendier 
 1850 
 
 I'age 
 
 ■\^ 
 
 
 1/ 
 
 S 
 
 Vi 
 
 DESPATCIli:S riiOM (lOVEKNOK lH)l(iLAS. 
 
 10 
 
 22 M:iy 1H,-|0 
 
 No". \-2. 
 
 (Extract.) 
 
 7 June 1856 
 
 No. n. 
 
 (Extract.) 
 
 22 July I8.J0 
 No'. 15. 
 
 (E.\tr,ici.) 
 
 20 A\i'_'. 18"i0 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 ( i:xtrrct. ) 
 
 11 Ul Oct. 1856 
 
 No. .30. 
 
 12 Jan. 1857 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Acknowledginu; Despatch of 28th February, convoying Instruc- 
 tions ill reference to the formation of a Itepresentativo Assem- 
 bly in Vancouver's Island 
 
 Hcporting the Sieps taken in carryinu' out the Instructions 
 con\ eyed in Despatch of 2»lh rdiniaiy . . - . 
 
 Enclosing Minutes of Council of 4lh and Otli June. Uep(U'tiiijr 
 the termination of the Elections, ami tliut the As-embly is 
 eoiiveiicil I'lir the 12tli Augii-t - - - - - - 
 
 Heportiiiu' the Openiiiu of the Hou-e o'' .Vsicmbly on 12tii 
 August. Enclosing bis Address on the (.)i;(.'asioii. I^icction 
 of a ^ipcal^er, and Petitions against the Heturn of certain 
 Mendjcrs -.---..... 
 
 Reporting further Proceedings of the .Assembly, and the Ad- 
 justment, witliout his interference, of Parly ditl'crerices - 
 
 Eurther Proceedings of the Assembly reported up to IStli 
 i December 1n56 
 
 I 10 
 
 iC 
 
 12 
 
 la I 21 Ecb. 1857 : Ackniiwh.diiiii'i Mr. Laboucheie's Despatches of 2Ist October 
 I No. 5. i and loth November, and reporting farther Proceedings of thi' 
 
 I Lei;i?latur(, tip to 24th rdirnarv is.')7 - . . . 
 
 IS 
 
3 J 
 
 Ci>PiE9 or Extracts of any Dkspatoiies tliat Imve h^en received by Her 
 Majesty's Secretary of State for tlie (Jolonit h, on the subject of llic estaMisli- 
 mcnt of a Rei'Rksentative Assembly at Vancouver's Island. 
 
 Despatches from tlie Right Hon. H. Labouchere, m. p. 
 
 Secrelarv of Slate. 
 
 — No. 1.— 
 
 (No. .',.) 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Coi'v of DESPATCH from the Right Honourable II. Labouchere, m. p., to Right lion. 11. La- 
 
 (Joveruor Douglas. boucl.cr(% m. p., to 
 
 (iovciiior Dciuglas, 
 Sir, Ddwning-street, -JS Februarv I860. aS IcO. x'ir/). 
 
 Uy the Commission anil Instruction* wiiich your predecessor, (jovemor 
 lihmchanl received when the cohtny of A ancouvrr's Ishind was first founded, 
 lie was directed to suuimon General AsseniMies of freeiiolders, ((ualificd liy tlu' 
 owncrsjiii) of :;o acres of land, and with tlicir advice and that of his Council, to 
 make laws and ordinances for the j^ood jj,()vernnieut of the island. 
 
 1. I am aware that tiie same Commission contain'' another clause, prolessin^' 
 to enipower the Governor to make such laws witli the advice oi' his Cmujcil only. 
 I'erha|)s this was introdueeil Mitli the view of creating a l(<iislatun' to meet the; 
 immediate wants ol'lhe et)mmunity before A- endilies could lie summoned. Hut 
 I am convinced, as well by tlie <j;cneral tenor of the doeunu^nts tliemsidves as 
 by the information which I have been able to obtain of the intention of iler 
 ^Majesty's (iovt'rnment in frainino- them, that it was then contemplated that such 
 Assemblies should be summoned as soon as if should be praeticaitle to do so. 
 
 :5. Causes over which the local (inverntuent had no control, and which are too 
 well known to need recapitulation, have hitherto prevented the settlement from 
 acquiring that development wiiicli its ibunders may have expected. Considering 
 the small number of establiished colonists, you thought it advisable to act on the 
 power a|)parently given to yourself to conduct the aft'airs of the island with the 
 atlvieeof your Council only, and to |)ass certain laws which you considered most 
 refpiired by the exiu;encics of the time. In doing so, you proceeded on a fair 
 understanding of the authority conveyed to you, and Her Majesty's Government 
 are fully satisfied with the course which you took. 
 
 \. Nevertheless, it has been iloubtcd by authorities conversant in the prin- 
 ei))ks of colonial law, whether the Crown can legally convey authority to make 
 laws in a seltlemenl founded by Englishmen, even for a temj)orary and special 
 purpose, to any legislature not elected wholly, or in part, by the settlers them- 
 selves. If this be the case, the clause in your Commission on which you relied 
 would appear to be unwarranted and invalid. 
 
 j. It appears to Her Majesty's Government, therefore, that steps should be 
 taken at once for the establishment of the only legislature authorised by the 
 present constitution of the island, i have, accordingly, to instruct you to call 
 together an Assembly in the terms of your Commission and Instructions. 
 
 6. For this purpose it will be vvithiti your power, as provided by the ninth 
 clause of your Instructions, to fi.x the number of representatives, and, if you 
 should consider it essential, to divide the colony into districts, and to establish 
 separate polling places, although with so small a number of settlers you nmy 
 find this inexpedient. 
 
 229 — Sess. :!. a 2 7. I leave 
 
4 CORIlESPONDKNCi: KEIiATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 7. I leave it to your local knoMlidfj;*' ami •liscri'tion, with tli« advice of your 
 Council, tosujjpest to tlic Assonil)ly, when thn« suininoncMl, to pass such incasurts 
 as you may yoiirHilf (iccni must required, and in particular, such ns may be 
 n(rc8«ary, in order to leave no doubt ol' the validity of proceedings already taken 
 without the authority of an Assembly. 
 
 8. But it appears to me, tluit in a community containing so very limited a 
 number of inlial)itants, the maiiitt'iuince of a constitution on the inoifel of those 
 considerable colonies, with a House of Uepresenfatives and a Council, may be 
 inexpedient : and that a smaller and more select liody will, for the present, and 
 |)robably for some years to come, j)erform in a satisfactory manner the functions 
 really required in the present stage of progress of the itsland. 
 
 0. Such a i)ody, however, can be constituted only by enactment of the Legis- 
 lature, authorised by the Commission, that is to say, of the A^»embly and 
 Council, together with yuui"self. It woidd be no unusual circumstance for a 
 legislature thus constituted to surrend«'r its powers into the hauils of a single cham- 
 ber. It has been successfully done in sonic of the smaller West India Islands. 
 
 10. I leave it to yourself to eonsiiler, with the advice of the local authorities, 
 the nund)irs and jjioper qualitication of the members of such a single Council ; 
 but in the event of your determining to introduce the elective principle into it, 
 a <'{rtain pvoportiou, not less than one-third, should be nominated by the. 
 Crown. The power of assenting to, or negativing, or suspending, for the assent 
 of the Cvown, the measures passed by such a Council, should be distinctly 
 re.-erved lo yourself. And it is very essential that a constitutional law of this 
 description sliouM contain a proviso, reserving the initiation of all money votes 
 to the local Government. 
 
 11. An additional reason in favour of the course which I now prescribe 
 (namely, that of calling together the Assembly, and then, if the Legislature so 
 created think proper, establishing a simjder form of government) is to be found 
 in the circumstance that the relati<ms of the Hudson's Bay Company with the 
 Croun must nceessiirily undergo revision before or in the year 1850. The 
 position and future government of Vancouver's Island will then unavoidably 
 j)ass under review, and it any diHiculty should be experienced in carrying into 
 execution any present instructions, a conveident opportunity will be aflbrded for 
 reconsidering tiiem. 
 
 1:2. I am aware that Her Majesty's Government are imposing on you a task 
 of some difficulty as well as responsibility in giving you these instructions, 
 especially as tliey have to be carried into execution vitli so small an amount of 
 assistance as the present circumstances of your settlement afl'ord. But I have 
 every reason to rely on your abilities and public spirit; and you may, on your 
 part, rely on the continuance of such assistance and sup])ort as Her Majesty's 
 Government can render you, and on their making full allowance for the pecu- 
 liarities of your position. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) H. Labouchrc. 
 
 'i 
 
 No. 2. 
 Right Hon. H. La. 
 Inmclieie, m. p., to 
 Govciiior Douglas, 
 2:) Aug. 185C. 
 
 • Pages ti, 7. 
 
 (No. 16.) 
 
 — No. 2. — 
 
 Copy of DESPATCH from the Right Honourable //. Labmichere, .m.p., to 
 
 Governor Douglas. 
 
 Sir, Downing-street, 23 August 1856. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches, Nos. 12 and 14,* of 
 the 22d of May and the 7th of June last. 
 
 I am very sensible of the responsibility imjjosed upon y(m by my despatch of 
 the 28th of February last, instructing you to convoke a Legislati^ e Assembly, 
 but I am satisficil from your buiguaue, that you are fully prepared to encounter 
 that responsibility, and to take the necessary steps. 
 
 With 
 
A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMIU.Y AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND. /; 
 
 \\'itli r('f>|)i'cf f(» tilt' fiamliisc, y<ni liavt", I do not donlit, virv ijood !ca>"ii for 
 ooiiMiilrrin)' tliitt it is too iiuu-li ri'Slricti'il l)y tlu! ttriiiH of your ('uiiitni''sioii. It 
 s«!rnis to iiiu, liowtvcr, that tin; best course will Iti; not for tlic present to altiT 
 the ( oniniissioii : hut tliat you shoiihl act on it iti thi; Krst instance, and hriii<r 
 upon tiie Assenii)ly eonvoked with it, a nifasun? for extending; tlie 8uirra;j;e in thu 
 manner which you propose, 
 
 I have, iic. 
 (signed) //. Lahoucliox. 
 
 — No, 3, — 
 (No. 18.) 
 
 Copy of DESPATCH from the Higlit Ilononrablo //. Lahouchcrc, Ji.p., to 
 
 (juvcrnor JJoug/iis. 
 
 Sir, Downing-strcet, 21 October 1850, 
 
 I iiAVK to acknowledge the receipt of your dcspateh dated 22d July,* No. 15, 
 onclosing ininuti s of the proceedinjiH iii the Council of Vancouver's Island, on 
 
 copy of a Proclamation con- 
 
 dlv on the state of the 
 
 the 4th and »th of .luiic last, together \»ith the 
 vening Assemblies of freeholders, and remarking genera 
 colony. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) //, Labomhcri: 
 
 No, 3. 
 Uigl t Moil, H. Lil' 
 Ijouolierc, M. F,, to 
 (iovcrnor Douglsl, 
 ■i\ Oct. i85(). 
 
 • Page 7. 
 
 — No, -J. — 
 
 (No. 19.) 
 
 Ao. 4. 
 Extract of DESP.ATCH from the Right Honourable //. Labour/icre, 11, P., to I'.mht Hon. H.Lu* 
 
 Governor Doui>lax ; dated Downing-street, 10 November 185(J. 
 
 I ii.WE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch. No. 10, j of tlie 20th of 
 August. 
 
 I liavi' read with satisfaction the si)eecli with which you opened the Session 
 of the J.egislature on the Tilh August. A\ ith resjjcct to the ditticulty you 
 experience in constitutin<>- ■ committee to inquire into the validity of the dis- 
 puted elections ; it is pro. .,i;' • that that dilficnhy will have been removed before 
 the receipt of this des|iatch. 
 
 I shidl, therefore, await your further report upon the subject. 
 
 boucl.crc, M. p., tc 
 Guvcrnoi' Douglaa, 
 10 Nov. 1S5H. 
 
 t Page 10. 
 
 I 
 
 — No. .5. — 
 (No. 4) 
 
 Copy of DESPATCH from the Right. Honourable H. Laboiichtrc, M.p., to 
 
 Governor Douglas. 
 
 Sir, Downing-street, 24 January 1857. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge your despatch. No. :}0,;j; of the 31 st October last, 
 reporting the proceedings of the House of Assembly of A ancouver's Island. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) //. Laboiichere. 
 
 No. .•;. 
 Right Hon. H, La- 
 bouclieie, m. p., tc 
 Goveri!or Douglni, 
 24 J.aii. i8j-. 
 
 {Page 13. 
 
 With 
 
 22() — Sess. 2. 
 
 A 3 
 
CORRESPONDENCK UEI-ATINO TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OP 
 
 No. iJ. 
 
 Kiglit Hon. II. 1^- 
 tinuchert', m. r., to 
 GuviTimr Duiigliiti, 
 34 Mnr. l8-,7. 
 
 'Vv'c U. 
 
 — N<j. (). — 
 (So. tl.) 
 
 Copt of DESl'A'i'ClI from thv Right Honourable //. Laiuuchtre, m.p., to 
 
 Governor Dotiglm. 
 
 Sir, Downinu-strect, 'U Marcli 1Mj7. 
 
 I iiA\F. to ackno\vl(>(l<ro your (l<s|iatcli, No. •_>,* of tlie Utii Jiuiiiiiry, reporting 
 lilt! (inid'cdinjis of the Hoii>e of AssoinMy of Vancouver's Island, from the 13tU 
 of November to the iMtJi of DceemliiT IKMJ. 
 
 I have, &o. 
 (signed) H. Lahimcherc. 
 
 D<'spatclies Ironi Governor Douglas. 
 
 — No. 7 — 
 
 X 
 
 (No. X2.) 
 
 (.ioveinoi Doivlai E.XTUACT of DESPATCH from Governor Dutiffla.s to the Rifjht Hoiionouralde 
 
 to Iti^lit lion. II. 
 L.ibouclierc, m. p., 
 M Mav 1 «.-,»). 
 
 ■ I':i5e g. 
 
 JI. Ldbiiiwlicff, M.I'.; dated A ietoriii, Vancouver's Island, 22 .May l8Jii. 
 
 (Rocuivcd, \i Aiij;ugt 1H.5«.) 
 lAii-wrrcd, \o. 1(1, 2;i .\u^nist 1H50, piiiro 4.) 
 
 I iiAVK tlic honour to aekuowledoe the receipt of your despatch No. ."),• of the 
 2« Feljniary last with its eiudo^iires. 
 
 It is, I eonl'i-s, not without a feelino- of dismay t'lat I eonteniplate the nature 
 anil auiounl of labour ai' ! it s|ionsilpi!iiy which will be iinjiosed ujion me, in the 
 process of ciirrviiii:' out the iii^tiiictious conveyed in your ilespateli. Possessing 
 a very slender knowleflue o! le^^islation, without leual advict; or intelli<>'ent 
 assistance of any kind, I approach the sidtject with dittidenee; feelinj:', however, 
 all the eueoura^cMKiit wiuch the Miully-i)rouiised assiitanee and support of Her 
 Majesty's (ioveruiuent is calculated lo inspire. 
 
 rnder tiiose lircuinstaiiecs, 1 b. e.' to assun; you that every exertion on my 
 part >liall i)i' made, to j^ive eil'ect to your said instructions, at as early a period 
 as |K)>sible. 
 
 1 have not had tiuii! since tiie arrival of your despatch, to consider the 
 -ubjects treated tiierein as thoroiio-hly as their importance rctpiires; and there- 
 fore have not arrived at any deiiuile conclusion, as to the precise; plan for 
 carryiiin- your instructions into etl'ect. I will, however, take the liberty of 
 a<ldn ssiny,- ^ou attain on the subject. I observe that the terms of my Coni- 
 mi'sioii only empower me " to summon and call <veneral assendilies of the 
 inhabitants owning 20 or more acres of I'rechold land within the saiil island," 
 api)arently restricting the elective franchise to the bidders of 20 acres of 
 linul and upuards, to the exclusion of holders of houses and other descriptions 
 of town pro])i rty, a class more lunnerons than the foriui-r. I am utterly 
 averse to miiversal suilrage, or making population the basis of reprt'sentation ; 
 but I think it expedient to extend the franchise to all persons holding a fixed 
 property stake, whether houses or lands in the colony ; the whole of that class 
 liaving interests to serve, and a di-tinct motive for seeking to im|)rove the moral 
 ami material condition of the colony. 
 
 With those renuirks, I would here take the liberty of enquiring, if it is the 
 desire of Her Majesty's (lovernment to restrict the elective franchise to the 
 holders of 20 acres of land or upwards, or to give the representation a more 
 extemled basis. 
 
 Tiie mail is on the point of having, and I am therefore compelled to bring 
 mj remarks thus abruptly to a close. 
 
 * 
 
A UEI'UESKNTATINE AbSEMBI.Y AT VANCOl VER'S ISLAND. 
 
 — No. H. — 
 (No. 14.) 
 
 Extract of DE.SFATCH from d'ovt-rnor iJmtfilti.s to the Rijilit Iloiioiimblc 
 //. Lalwuchrrt, M. P.; tinted Victoriu, \ uiicouvit's Uliiiul, 7 June Is.'iB. 
 
 (Iltccivpil, I'.' Aiigliiit 18i>i).) 
 Anvwercil, No, lii, v'\ Au^niitt iM.'itl. |>uu<: 4.) 
 
 SiNCK 1 liiid the lioiioiir of il(lll^es!^in};f yon on tlic "J-Jd May lant,' I Imvc liilil 
 u nuftinu,- of Council for the jiurposc of taking intoroiisidtration the iii>tru(:lion!i 
 (oiitaini'd in your drspati ii No. ft, rcsiHctiny thf suniinunin.; of A>sinililii'.< 
 of the fiTt'lioUicr.t of tliis colony. 1 read to Council a draft of tlic proclaniatioii 
 wliich I inti'tid to is.>*uc for <'onvcniny: tlio Assimihly; propo.scd that the i>huid 
 should li<> divided into four clfctonil districts, and »hould return !)even ineinlu rs; 
 and trial the |)ro|>erty (lualification of inetnlMM's mIiouIiI ho freehold estate of the 
 value and nut lower tlian au» /. sterlinji'. The property (jualification of voters 
 to lie a<"cor(lin;» to the terms of Iler Majesty's Commission, H) acres or upwards 
 of freehold land. 
 
 The Council adjourned without coiniu}^ to any decision till to-morrow, fur 
 the hetter consideration of the subjects laid before them. 
 
 The proclamation for conveinn<; the freeiioltlers will proiiably be issued in the 
 course of this week, and the Assembly will probably meet about the first week 
 in Aufiust. 
 
 There will be a difficulty in findin<; properly qualified representatives; an<l 
 I fear that our early attempts at legislation will make a sorry figure ; though at 
 all events, they will have the effect you contemplate, of removing all doubts as 
 to the validity of our local enactments. 
 
 No. 8. 
 (joveriiiir lioiijila" 
 to Ki|(l>i lion. II. 
 Lalxiiiclii'ii', M. I'., 
 7 JiiiH' is,,i'. 
 
 • I'nge C. 
 
 (No. 1.5.) 
 
 — No. 9. — 
 
 No. (J. 
 
 ExTKACT of DESPATCH from Governor Doni;Uix, to the Rigiit Honourable (iovcmor Douglas 
 
 II. Labouchcrc, M. i>. ; dated N'ictoria, \ ancouver's Island, -ll .lulv 1»:)U. '" '^'p*'! '^°"- ^^• 
 
 I.abouiliere, M. r., 
 
 (Rcceiveil, 14 OctoljtT ls.-,0.) Ji July i8ji;. 
 
 (Answered, No. IS, 'Jl October l.s.JC), page 5.) 
 
 I HAVK the honour of enclosing herewith minutes of the proceedings in the 
 Council of \ ancouver's Island, on the 4tli and 0th of .June last. I stated in my 
 couimuuicntion of the 7th of June, t the sulijects whicji had been laid before the 
 Council on the 4th of that nioutii. The propositions in respect to the convening |- >urra 
 
 and constitution of the Asseml)ly, were approved and j)a.-sed without alteration 
 at the meeting of the 9th of June. 
 
 In order to suit tlic circumstances of the colony, the property (lualifieation of 
 members was limited to the ownership of 30(> /. of freehold e-tate, or upwards. 
 To have fixed upon a higher standard of qualification, would have dis(iualified 
 all the present representatives, leaving mi disposable persons to replace them, 
 and it appeared to me impolitic, as well as unconstitutional, to dispense 
 altogeiher with the property (|ualifieation. 
 
 You will observe by the said minutes, that absentee proprietors of freehold 
 estates are allowed to vote through their resident agents or attorneys, after the 
 example of British Guiana. 
 
 The division of the settlements into four electoral districts, admits of a more 
 equal representation, and has given more general satisfaction to the colonists, 
 than a single poll opened in any one district. 
 
 The electors are so few in number, that the returns were mere nominations in 
 all the districts with the exception of ^'ictoria, where the contest was stoutly 
 maintained by no fewer than five rival candidates. 
 
 The elections are now over, and the Assembly is convened for the l-2th day of 
 August. 
 
 2-2\) — ijess. 2. 
 
 A4 
 
8 CORRKSPONDF.NrK ItKLATING TC) THE ESTAnMSllMENT OF 
 
 tncl. 1, in No. 9. F.nclonuro 1, in No. ». 
 
 WllK.lil'.VM It liming |)Ii'iihim| Her inn^t (inielniiM Miijcrttyi our Iiiiily the (jut-iii, inn 
 roiiuni^'<iMii iiniliT ttir (irriit Scnl nC tlic I'liitnl Kiiiploiii i>J' (iri'iit lirituin iiikI Tii'IiiikI ; 
 (■oii^titiitiii); iiir. .liiiiicA Diiiiijlus, (invcrinir of Vniicnuvrr'H IhIuihI iiiitl iIh (|('|i<'iiili'iioii!?<, tn 
 iiiitliiiri!')', i'iii|iciwrr, iiiiil ciiuiiiiiiikI me in llic iimiincj' iiiul ttTiiiH I'olliiwiii;; : In wit, 
 
 We (lit licruliy (r'lVf iinti (.'rniit unto mhi full ikiwci- ami authority, witli tlir inlvii'c iiinl 
 ('()n''i'nt of our i<iilil dtuncil, iVnni time to time iix uclmI hIiiiII riviuirc, to huuimiou iiiuI imII 
 l^i'iicnil ii^t'i'inlilio nl'iiu' inliiililtiuit.-<, ownin^r 2<> or niori' arrcs ol' iVi'i'liolil lan<l, wiiliiii tlii^ 
 -niil i-'Innil and it^ ili'|>i'n<l('n('ic!< unilcr your (iovrrnuK'nl, in hu<'Ii inanncr unci liirni, iinil 
 acconlin;: to furli iMiwerii. iuftructioU!', anil nutlioritici' an nliali lie iil any tiuic liirciirtiT 
 ■rraiiti'il or a|i|ioiiitril innlrr our Hi;;n niaiuial ami "ij^nct, or liy our order in our I'rivy 
 Couneil, or lpy u-', tlirun^'li one ol'our |irln('i|ial Seeretariei* of State, and our will and |ilea'<iir(> 
 i^, tliMt tile |ier.''oiiK tliereniHin dniv elected liy the major part of the naid iVeeliolder-', an<l ho 
 returiu'd. fliall, liel'ire their xittui;.', take the oath of alle^ianee ; whieh oulh voii hIuiII 
 l.'olnIni^<^ion tit per^un^ under the ]iulilie ."eal of our naid i.'<land and iti* de|iemlem'ief<, to 
 tender and :ulmini>'lrr unto them, and until tliu Hiiiiie hImiH bu mo taken, no peri*oii i<hull lie 
 en])alili! ol'-'ittin}.', tii(ai','li elected. 
 
 And we do lierehy deelare, that the ]ierKom< mi elected and (|ii»litied, !*hall lie called and 
 cleeuieil the (lenenil Anseiuby of oiu' Haid i.-'hiiid of Vancouver. 
 
 And wheroni*. Her moft (irncicniH MnjcHty, havini; further in hrr aforpAaid inntructluni* 
 in that hehalf, commanded and authorii<ed niu in the terini< and nmnm-r liillowiu^, viz. : — 
 
 You are therefore f"r the ]iurpose of clectiiifT the im'niherH of fucli iisHcndilicH, hereby 
 nuthoriited to i^'^ue a proclamation, de<'Iarin^ the nundier oi'reprcHentative.'i to be chosen by 
 such freeholderH. to serve in the wiid (iciieral AKHeinbly, and if you should see fit, dividing; 
 our saiil island and its dependencies into districts or counties, towns or townships, and 
 declaring' the number of representatives to be cliOHcn by caeli of such districts ur counties, 
 towns or townships rcsp»'ctlvely. 
 
 And you arc here' y authorised and empowered to noininnte ami appoint )iroper ]>erHons 
 to execute the oftice of returning officer in the said island, or in such districts or counties, 
 towns or townships respectively ; and you are, as .soon as vou shall see expedient, to issue 
 writs in our name, directed to the proper officers in the sanl island, <ir the proper officers 
 in such districts or counties, towns or townships resjiectively, directinj^ them to eummoii 
 the aforesaid freeholders to proceed to the election of persons to represent them in the 
 General Assembly, according to the re<:ulutioDii and directions to be si^rnitied in the pro- 
 clamation to be issued by you as aforesaid. 
 
 Now let it be known unto all Her Majesty's loving subjects of Vancouver's Island, and 
 its dependencies, that 1, James Dou};las, (lovernor of the said island and its dependencies, 
 with the advici' and consent of the Council, have issued out writs in due form and aceord- 
 inir to law. callinj: a ^'cneral assendily of the freeholders aforesaid of Vancouver's Island and 
 its de)iendcncies, fur the jiuriKise of electing' members to serve in the said General Asscmby, 
 wliieli writs are to be returnable on Monday the 4th day of August next, and that the siud 
 election shall be held at the several precincts hereinafter appointed and named. 
 
 And also, that the said freeholders shall thereupon proceed to elect seven fit and discreet 
 jiersons to serve in the said General Assembly. 
 
 And also, that wc have divided the said island and its dependencies into districts, as 
 follows ; to wit. 
 
 District of Victoria. 
 
 District of Esipiimalt and Mctchoscn. 
 
 District of Nanaiino. 
 District of Soke. 
 
 And also, that the number of representatives shall be as follows; to wit, 
 
 District of Victoria - . - 
 District of Es<iuimalt and Mctcbo.sen 
 District of Nanainio ... 
 District of Soke - - - - 
 
 3 members. 
 2 members. 
 1 member. 
 1 mentber. 
 
 And also, that we have hereby constituted and appointed the following persons returning 
 officers for the aforesaid districts ; to wit. 
 
 Andrew Muir - 
 Herbert AV. O. Margary 
 Charles E. Stuart - 
 John Muir, jun. 
 
 Victoria District 
 
 Esquinialt and Metchosen District 
 
 Nanaimo District. 
 
 Soke District 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 And 
 
A nnPllF.SRNTATIVK ASSF.MULY AT VANCOUVKRS ISLAND. ,, 
 
 y\iiil iiIho, tliitt the i>iiiJ rctiiriiin); nfticori hIiuII lie illrrctcil to ^ivi- iliio niul |iri)|ii'r notice 
 i<( till' pliiri' iiMil liinu at wliit'h tliu |niII ii lo lie tukiii in each otKiiih <iiM(ricl» ri'o|i«ftiv('ly. 
 
 (ii\('ii iiniici- my Imnil anil nt'iil, nt (iovi-rninnit ll.pii«c, Victuriu, liiii Kith ilny ni 
 ■liiMc, in the Vonr of our Lord ono tlioiiHund ci^lit hiintlrt'd iind lit'ty-iii.x, und in thu 
 iiinuti'i'iitli year of Her Majciity'* rci^ti. 
 
 ((•ilflicd) Jiimii l)oiiffl<i», (iovcrnor. 
 
 (Ion H.VVK TIIK (Jl KKN. 
 
 Enclosure 2, in No. I). End. 9, in No. (> 
 
 Ml NirrK of Cornell,. 
 Vuncouvor'n Ii<lnnd, 4 .hinu lH2fl. 
 
 Till'. Coimnil linviiii; ntot tliii* morning, piirMiiant tii luinmonrt, tlio Governor licing 
 iircKcnt and the foiliiwini; nieiiil>('r!< ; to >vit, .loliii Tod, Hcnior inruihcr, ■liuiiuit Couficr, 
 Uodcrick FinluyKon, .lolin Work, — 
 
 The (lovomor iirncrodcil to lay bt-foro the Cotini'il certAiii inMtrurtionM lately received hy 
 him frc.n the Secretary Cor the Colonies, ini<trii<'tin|r him to cull fjeueral aMxemhlies of tho 
 |ieo|il<' for the |iiir|ioiie of rarryinj; Her Maje.-tyV niMtrnetionN fully into eflL'et ; und tho 
 Coiineil adjourned at li o'eloek p. m. till Monday thu Dili uf June. 
 
 9 June IH-'ifi. 
 
 'I'llK Cmineil hnviiif; met thin morninp. purnuant to adjournment, the (Jovernor lieinjr 
 prexent, and the following; inendiers ; to wit, •liilin Tod, ^erlior nieinlier, .lamed Cooper, 
 .lohn Work, — 
 
 UeHume the consideration nf Her MMJccfyV inxtructiuiiH for ealliu;; general assemblies of 
 the freeholders of \'aiicouvev"s hlaiuL 
 
 The subjects under consideration on the 4tli instant were as follows ; to wit, 
 
 The property ipialiKeation of nieuihern serviiif; in the ;;encral lUiseudily. 
 
 The jiroperty i|ualiiicat!'ii) «'f voters, 
 
 Thu ripht of absentee proprietors to be repreaented in the general nssendily. 
 
 The (Jovernor laid down as a principle that the custom or practice observed in England 
 should, an fur as p'l.'siblc, be adopted in this colony in framing flic rules for elections, and 
 jiroposed. 
 
 That the ownership of 3()0/. of freehold property or immovable estate should con- 
 stitute the {|UiUification of a member of the Assembly. 
 
 That absentee proprietors shal! be permitted to vote throtigh their agents or 
 attorneys. 
 
 That the (lualification of voters should be tlie ownership of 20 acres of freehold land 
 or ujiwards, as rc(|iiircd by his instructions from the CJrown. 
 
 The Council e.ipressed their unanimous concurrence with those suggestions, and the 
 prii|H)scd regulations are finally settled and approved. 
 
 It was then resolved that the settlements should be divided into four electoral districts; 
 viz., 
 
 Victoria Distriet - - The country east of the Victoria Arm, and of a line 
 
 running in a northerly direction towards Sanitch, 
 so as to include Peer's Farm. 
 
 Esquimau District 
 
 Soke Diatriet 
 
 N 
 
 anaimo 
 
 Dist 
 
 net 
 
 The country west of Victoria .\rm and east of 
 IVdder Hay, including M'Kenzic's and the farms 
 west of Colquot's Itivcr. 
 
 From I'edder Hay to Otter Head, the headland 
 beyond Soke. 
 
 Colvilc Town. 
 
 It was then resolved, That this Council do now adjourn. 
 
 And 
 
 22g- -Sb33. 2. 
 
 B 
 
p 
 
 .\'l'. II). 
 
 CiUviiMor Douglas 
 10 l!iglit Ilnn. II. 
 l.iiboutlirro, .M P.. 
 
 •!o Aug. i8.-,c;. 
 
 10 CORIIKSPONDENCR HFX.ATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 — No. 10. — 
 (No. i(j.) 
 
 ExTK.vcT (if DI'ISP.VTCH from Governor Douglas to tlie Ri;^lit Ilonomiiblc! 
 
 //. Liibuuclure, .m.i>. ; dated Victoria, Vaiicouvcr's Island, UO Aiii^ust 
 
 1850. 
 
 (Received, -JS October 18.-j0.) 
 
 (Answered, No, 19, 10 November 1S,50, page .'>.) 
 
 The Mou^c of .Y.-tMiiiiiy wiis opoiu'd on the 12th of tiic iTOPCiit month. Tlio 
 :itVair pa-.-^od oH' riiiittly, and did not appiMr to e.xcitc niiKli iiilcivst atiiong- tho 
 lower orders. 
 
 I iierewitii ibrward a copy ol' my addresis to the As.-<'iiil)ly on that occasion, 
 w'lieh I can only iiope will meet witii your a{)prohatiori. As mentioned in one 
 of ni\ previous communications, the House of Asseinhly consists of seven 
 meiuliers, viz., 
 
 John Muir .--..-- 
 
 John .S. Helnicken 1 
 J 
 ] 
 J 
 
 Thomas Si<inner 
 J. D. I'emberton 
 James Yates - 
 E. E Lanf^ford 
 Joliii F. Keiinedv 
 
 Soke District. 
 Esciuinialt District. 
 
 Victoria District. 
 Nanaimo District. 
 
 J. S. llehncken lias been elected Speai<er of tiie House, but nothing further 
 has been (h)ne ; in consequence of objections iiaving been raised to tiu; validity 
 of the (lection in one instance, and to the property qualification in two cas(!s, 
 making three mit of tho seven mendiers at;ainst whose return petitions have 
 been sint in, leaving only the Speaker and three members at liberty to a;.'t, and 
 that miiniier i- ir'snttieient to form a cominittee of inquiry, the House, therefore, 
 liardiv know Iiow to get over the dilheulty. One of the petitions is evidently 
 got u]) fir mere j)i.rty purposes, and if that were withdrawn, there would be 
 four members and the Speaker, «ho might proceed to regulate tiie aHairs of the 
 House. In the territorial governments of the United States, the jjractiee iu 
 such cases is, for the governor to grant certificiites of (pialificatiou to a niajoiify 
 of the members, who then proceed lo constitute the House, but 1 am not certain 
 if s-ueli a course woulil l)e in harmony with English law ; nevertheless, if the 
 House should appeal to me on t!ie subject. I will have recourse to that ex|)edient. 
 
 I) 
 
 Ericl. in No. lo. 
 
 Tlie Governor' ! 
 
 Enclosure iu No. 10. 
 
 .Address on o[)eniii;r tiie (icncrui Assembly at Victoria, 
 Tue.-day, 12 August IS.jG. 
 
 (jcntleinon of the Legislative Council, and of the Ibiusc of Assembly. 
 
 I eoegratulateyou most .-incerely on this moniorabie occasion ; the meeting in fall conven- 
 tion of tlie licncral Asscmiily of A .■iiiC'iuMr'.- Island, an event fraiiglit v.itli i'onse(|nences of 
 tlio utmost iinportancc to its jiresint and future inhabitants : inid rcnuirkalilc as tlie ilrst 
 instance of ic[ircsentati\e institntioiis lieing granted in tlii' ii.fanc v of a ]5ritisli colony. 
 
 ilic history an<l actual jinsitinn of this colony art; marked bv many other remarkable 
 cir( nmstanees. Called into existence iiy an Act oi' the Supreme Ciovcrmncnt, imme- 
 diately after the discovery of gold in California, it lias maintained an anlnous ai. t incessant, 
 .struggle with the di-organising etleets on labour ol' that discovorv. lleinotc from every 
 other British settlement, with its eonnnercc trainmellud, and mot by restrictive duties oa 
 every side, its trade and resources remain unilevclo[ied. 
 
 Self-siijiporling, and dcl'raying all the cxjienses of its own (iovernincnt, it presents a 
 striking contrast to every other colony in the IJritisli empire, .and like the native ])ines of 
 its storm-beaten |iromontories, it has ac([uircd a slow but hardy growth. 
 
 Its fiitio'e progress must, uiiilcr Providence, in a great nit?asurc depend, on tho intel- 
 ligence, industry, and enterprise of its inhabitants, and u[ion the legislative wisdom of this 
 .issembly. 
 
 (icntlemeii, I look forward willi I'lmfidence and satisfaction to the aid and sui)[iort which 
 the exccdtive power may in fnlurc expect to deriv(^ from vonr local experience ami 
 knowledge ol the wishes ol' the [ico].'ie, and x\w wants of the country. I feel assured that, 
 as public men, holding a solemn and momentous trust, you will, as a governing principle, 
 strive with one accM'd to ]irumoti; the true and labstautial interc-its of the cuuulry : and 
 
 tliaU 
 
1.^ 
 
 A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMFiLY AT VANC OUVEIl'S ISLAND, ii 
 
 thut our li'irisliitivo liiliuurs will 1)0 distinj^ulslu'cl alike liy iiniilincc, tfiiipcnmi'L', and 
 
 JUSti 
 
 to all I 
 ioiitU'iiU'll, 
 
 I 
 
 III liapjiy ti 
 
 it'onn 
 
 that Her Maicstv's (io\ 
 
 ('X]in's-* tlic III >st lively interest in tin; jtrcij^ress ami wullare of tlii.^ eol 
 Noi;. ■ ■■ • • ■ -• 
 
 eliimeiit eoiitinue to 
 
 onv. 
 
 ieia"o:is are iii 
 
 )W iiendiiiii with tiie (loveriinieiit oi' the United StMl( 
 
 uliu'li nil 
 
 'y 
 
 prolialiiv terminate in an extension of the reeiproeity treaty to Voiieonvcr's 1-^laiid. 
 
 'i'o .-liow the eoniinereial advantai^es eoniieeted with that treaty, I will jnst inentioii that 
 
 an iniiinii duty of ;J() /. is levied on every l(M)/.'s worth of Hri'i-h ovoihieo wliieli is now -ent, 
 to Sa;i FiaiK'iseo, or to any other Anierieaii port : or, in other words, the Hrilish proprietor 
 pavs as a tax to the United States, nearly the value of every tliird eari^o dt' li.-h, tiinlier, or 
 coal, wliieh he s(>nds to any American jiort The reeiproeity treaty utterly aliolishes 
 those feiirliil iiii]iosts, and est;ihlishc.f a system of free trade in the produee, of IJritisli 
 colonies. 
 
 The etli'ts (if that measure, in develo[)inLi; the trade ami natural resources of the coloii\ , 
 can, thrrefnre, hanliy he over-estimated. 
 
 The eiial, the timher, ami the ]produetive fisheries of V'aneouver's I-land, will assume 
 a value Im i'ore unknown : while every branch of trade will start into activity, and heeome 
 the mean- '>f pourinir wealth into tiie eoiinlry. 
 
 So uiilnMin<led is the reliance which I place in the enterprise and intellijxenoe possessed 
 hy the jieopie of this colony, and in the advaiuaLTes of their ;;eoi;rapliical [josition, that, with 
 e(iual rijrhts and a lair lield, I think they may cuter into successful competition with the 
 jieojilc of any other country. 
 
 'Hie ( icnsion of the reciprocity treaty to this inland once jrained, the interests of the 
 colony will hecome inseparahly connected with the principles of free trade, a system which, 
 I think, il will he sound piilicv on our part to encouraixe. 
 
 (icntlenien. the colony has liecii ajjaiii visited this year by a larite jiarty of northeni 
 Indians, aiul their jircscnc'? has excited in our minds a not unreasonable deforce of alarm. 
 
 Throuj^ii the blcssinji' of (jovl, they have been kept from coiumittiuj; acts of o|ien violence, 
 and been quiet and (U-ilcrly in their (lc|iortineiit ; yet the presence of larf:;e bodies of armed 
 savaiies, who have never felt the restrainini; influences of moral and relij;;ious training', and 
 who are accnstimied to follow the impulses of their own evil natures, more than the (lictates 
 of reason or justice, fjives rise to a feclinj^ of insecurity, which must exist iis long as the 
 colony remains without military protection. 
 
 Her M;ijesly"s Ciovi'rnment, ever alive to the dantrers which beset the colonj', have 
 arranirc<l willi the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the " President" friirate 
 should be sent to Vancouver's Island ; and that measure will, I have no doubt, be carried 
 into elfect without delay. 
 
 I siiall, nevertheless, continue to conciliate the ijood will ol' the native [ndian tribes, bv 
 treatin;; them with justice and forbearance, and by rijridly protecting their civil and aLfra- 
 rian rights: many cogent reasons of humanity and sound ])olicy rucominend that course to 
 our attention, and I shall therefore rely upon your supjiort in carrying such meiisun's into 
 etti'ct. 
 
 We know, from our own exj)ericncc, that the friendship of the natives is at .all times iisefn', 
 while it is no less ccrt;iin that their enmity may become more disastrous than any other 
 cahimitv to which the colony is directly exposed. 
 
 tientlemeu of the House of Assembly, according to constitutional usage, with vou must 
 originate all Money Hills; it is, therefore, your spi'cial proviiu'c to consider the wavs and 
 means of detiaying the ordinary expenses of the government, either by levying a Cuotiinjs 
 dutv on inipoits, or by a system of direct taxation. 
 
 The poverty of the country and the limited means of a population struggling against tlie 
 jircssiire of nunibiTlcss privations, iimst necessarily restrict the amount of ta\auon: il 
 should, therefore, he our constant study to rcgidate the jiublie cxpctiditure according to the 
 means of the country, and to live strictly within our income. 
 
 The common error of running into speculative iin]iroveinents, entiiiling debts upon the 
 cohmv, tor a very uncertnin advantage. slioul<I be carefully avoided. 
 
 The demands upon the public revenue will at |iresi'iit chielly arise I'roni the im]iroveinei!t 
 of the internal ccmimunications of the country, and providing for the education ot' the vouiil", 
 the erection of places lor jiulilic worship, the del'enee of the country, and the adinini-";r,ition 
 of justice. 
 
 (ieiithinen. I feel, in all its force, the respdiislbility now resting upon us. The iiitcie-|; 
 and well-being of thoiisiuids yet unborn may be allected by our decisions, and thev wiil 
 reverence or eondeinn our acts aci!urding as they are found to iiiHucucc for good or lor e\il 
 the ev'iits of the future 
 
 (ientlemen of the House of .Vsscnibly, I have ai)pointed Chief .lusticc Cameron to adiiii- 
 nister the oath of .allegiance to the ^[embers of your House, and to receive your de<'laratioiis 
 of (lualiticatiim : you may then proceed to choose a Spi'aker, and to appoint the o(licer= 
 necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the House. 
 
 (signed) Jarms IJoi/i/las, Goveruor. 
 
 22)— S,: 
 
 U 2 
 
12 CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 No. 1 1 . 
 
 Governor Uouglas 
 to Right Hon. H. 
 Laboucliere, m. i>., 
 31 Oct. 185C. 
 
 * I'agc 4. 
 
 So. l.'i, 
 •2-i July jS.'jC. 
 
 No uj, 
 ;o August 185(5. 
 
 — No. 11,— 
 
 (No. 30.) 
 
 Copy of DESPATCH from Governor Douglas, to the Right Honourable 
 
 //. Labouchtre, a. v. 
 
 Victoria, Vancouver's Island, 31 October 1850. 
 (Riceived, 14 January 1857.) 
 Sil-j (Answered, No. 4, 24 January 18fi7, page 5.) 
 
 1. I HAVE tile lionour to acltnov.'iedge tiie receipt of your despatch. No. 16* of 
 
 tlie 23(1 of August in reply to my communications, Nos. 12 and 14 of tlie 'lit\ May, 
 
 and the 7th of June last, reporting my proceedings in respect to carrying out the 
 
 instructions contained in your despatch of the 28th of February 1850, for con- 
 
 vokinii' a Letrislative Asseniblv in this colony, and requesting advice and iiistruc- 
 
 *? ° . 1. 1.11 
 
 tioiis from vou ou various snbjecls connected witli that measure. 
 
 2. I have since, in my several despatches of the numbers and dates mentioned iu 
 the margin, reported to you the several steps taken towards carryin;^ those in- 
 structions into effect, and tlie formal opening of the House of Assembly on the 
 12tii day of Augtist last, together with the objections raised to the property 
 qualification of certain members, who took their seats on that occasion, antl the 
 consequent difficulty experienced in organising the House. 
 
 ,•?. After repeated adjournments the Speaker with much tact and address, 
 finally succeeded, without my interference, in adjusting partj' differences, and 
 forming a committee, which immediately proceeded witii an inquiry into the 
 qualifications of the members elect, and declared the return of Edward E. Lang- 
 ford null and void, in consequence of his not having sufficient property to con- 
 stitute a legal qualification, and then adjourned to the 24th day of October 
 (present). 
 
 4. A fresh writ was in consequence issued, and Jose|)h William M'Kay was 
 returned without opposition as member for the district of Victoria, in the place of 
 Edward E. Langford. 
 
 0. The House met on the 24th day of the present month (October), and after 
 some necessary arrangements adjourned to the 13th day of November next, when 
 they will be prepared for serious work. 
 
 0. Those delays have not been without their use, as the members have had 
 time to prepare for tiie proper discharge of the public duties they have to per- 
 form, and their minds have been disabused of many false notions, which were 
 common iy entertained here, concerning the powers and jurisdiction of the House 
 of Assembly, so that ou the whole I do not regret the time spent in constituting 
 the House. 
 
 7. I observe with satisfaction that in abiding by tiie terms of my Commission, 
 in respect to the franchise, 1 have acted in conformity with the instructions, on 
 thai point, contained in your despatch, and we shall furtiier carry out your in- 
 .striictious by bringing a measure before the Assembly, when it is found desirable 
 
 to extend the suffrage. 
 
 I have, &.C. 
 (sif^ned) James Douglas, 
 
 Governor, 
 
 ^1 
 
 I 
 
 w 
 
 X(. I J. 
 
 <;.,\i niiir Douglas 
 10 i:ii:lit Hon. H. 
 
 l.:il)illlfll(ll', M. 1'-, 
 
 .) .1,111. i8j7. 
 
 Siu|>ra. 
 
 (No. 2.) 
 
 — No. 12. 
 
 Corv of DESPATCH from Governor Donylas to the Right Honourable 
 
 //. LaboHchert; m. v. 
 
 Victoria, ^ aucouver's Island, » January 1857. 
 (Received, 17 Marcli 1867.) 
 Sir, (Answered, iNo. (), 124 March 1«57, puj^o 0.) 
 
 1. .My last report of the 31-t of October f, on the proceedings of the House of 
 Assembly, closed with its adjouvameiit to the 13th day of November, when it 
 again mut, and remained in stssion till the 18th of December, it then adjourned 
 fur the Ciiristmas recess. 
 
 2. The 
 
A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND. 13 
 
 U. The House has heon so far chiefly occiipiod with iiiattors of detail, con- 
 nected with the e.\|i(nditure and financial condition of tiic colony. I furnislied 
 every means of information in my power connected with those subjects, as you 
 will observe through my correspondence with the House, wiiich is herewitli for- 
 warded. 
 
 3. A Bill granting the sum of I'M I. sterling, for paying the servants, and 
 defraying the ordinary expenses of the House, was passed on the 18th day of 
 December, and the same will be brouglit before the Council at an early day. 
 
 4. I am now preparing a Hill for imposing a Custom's duty on imports, as a 
 means of meeting the ordinary ex|)enses of Government ; but the subject must 
 be approached with caution, as there is a very general feeling in both Council 
 antl Assembly agamst taxation under any form, and I am prepared to encounter 
 much clamour ami opposition in carrying so unpopular a measure through the 
 Houses. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) James Douglas, 
 
 (jovernor. 
 
 Enclosure in No. 12. 
 
 Victoria, Viiuoouver's I^iltuid. 
 
 Retukns to three addresses of the Hoiuiurtible tiie House of Assembly, uunibered 
 respectively 11, 12, 13, without date, viz. : 
 
 Address, No. 11. 
 For a new writ for the election of .a member for the district of Victoria. —(Mr. Skinner.) 
 
 Address, \o. 12. 
 
 for a corrc(;t coi>y of the Grant of Vancouver's Island, and of anv other documents of 
 a pulilie nature caleuliitcd to throw lijrlit upon the political position of Vancouver's Island. 
 Likewise a general abstract of colonial accounts, since the first formation of the colony" 
 showing the present income and expenditure.— (Mr. Pemberton.) 
 
 Address, No. 13. 
 
 That this House is prepared to receive any message from his Excellency the Governor 
 or Louncil. — (Mr. Skinner.) 
 
 SCHKUULi:. 
 
 -A writ for a new election of one citizen for the town of Victoria ; with return from 
 slicritt. 
 
 -Charter of -^rant of Vancouver's Island to the Hud.sons Rav Coiiiiiaiiv, dated 13 
 •Taniiarv 1S4!), and corresiiondence between the Colonial Office and the Hudson's 
 Bay L'onipany tlieret)n : with circular, colonization of Vancouver's Island. 
 
 -Kxt_racts fi'oni the (iovernor's despatch to William (i. Smith, Esci., Secretary, 
 Hudson s Bay t'cmipany, dated 1(5 October 1836. 
 
 -Extractj^ from the Ciovernor's desj)ateh to WUliam G. Smith, Secretary, Hudson's 
 Bay ( oiiipaiiy, dated 19 July IHj.j. 
 
 Encl. Id N<i. 1 1. 
 
 No. 
 
 1. 
 
 No. 
 
 2. 
 
 No. 
 
 3.- 
 
 No. 
 
 4.- 
 
 ^^H. 
 
 2. The 
 
 Government House. Victoria, Vancouver's Island, 
 27 November 1856. 
 Mr. Speaker and (ientlemen of the House of Assembly, 
 _ 1 IIKUKWITII transmit the documents described in the aceompanyin!^ schedule, for your 
 information. The colonial accounts, extending to the close of 1855, are not vet eomtileted, 
 and therefore cannot be hiid before the House in full. 
 
 \ou will, however, find,anionj; the documents now transmitted, a full aci-ouiit of all lands 
 
 apijertaining to the public domain of this colony, which have been sold up to the lOtli day 
 of October last, and also a classified abstract of the expenditure of the colony, for the year 
 cnduifT with the 1st day of November 1855. 
 
 In adtlition to the iiroceeds arising from sales of the jniblie domain appeaiin" in the 
 doeumenta herewith, the sum of 6,193/. has been received from the Hudson's B^y Com- 
 pany, for hinds jiurehased on their account widiin the colony. 
 
 229-Sess. 2. ^ J13 Further 
 
14 CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 Further iloininioiit.-*, rolativo to tlio financial state of the colony, will be sent to the House 
 as ttoiiii art tlicy are made up. 
 
 1 liiive ti) rccoinnuiiiil that a sufficient money appropriation he made l)y the (louse to 
 defray tiie expense of |>reparing any documents reijuireil for tiieir inforination in future, as 
 there are at present nn funds at my disposal for that purpose. 
 
 1 bei; that tiie charter of grant of Vancouver's [aland may be returned when convenient, 
 as I have no other copy. 
 
 (signed) James Tlonglas, 
 
 Governor, Vancouver's Island. 
 
 ExTKAiTS from the Governor's Despatch to IVilliam G. Smith, Esq., Secretary, Hudson's 
 Hay Company, dated 16 October 18.56. 
 
 I iiAVi; the honoiu' of transutittiiig herewith a statement of the lands, forming part of 
 the public domain, wliieh have been .-old in this colony since the 12th day of July 1855, up 
 to the lOtli day of this jiresent mouth ol" October 185ti. 
 
 You will observe, by statement N'o. 1, that the whole quantity of land sold aineo last 
 year, amounts to ii,l.'!7 acres. The extent of unimprovable rock, adileil to the allowance 
 made for roads, pomewhat exeeeils S.'JT acres, leaving 1,2!)!* acres I! roods and 26 jn'rches 
 chargeable to |)urehasers. on which ,"il2/. 17 v. (!'/. has been already ]iaid in, and there 
 reniaiiis pavalile by annual instalments the sumof 7H7/. ().«. lOi/. 
 
 The puiilic exj)enditure of the colony for the twelvemonth ending with the 1st day of 
 November 185.'), aniounts to the sum of ■1,1()7 /. 2 .v. 3(/. The income arising from the 
 dutv on licensed bouses, sales of public land, and other sources, produced the sum of 
 69:i/. '2.1. 10,/. 
 
 The balance of tin' account in this country remaining unpaid, is therefore 3,413 /. 19 .«. 5 ,/., 
 as will appear in the following exhibit of the public objects to which that outlay was ajiplied ; 
 viz. : — 
 
 (Jovernment premises --------- 
 
 Surveying department supplies ----£'. 183 18 1 
 
 „ „ wages . . - - 500 - - 
 
 Construction of bridges ----- 720 14 7 
 
 „ „ roads 6G7 10 10 
 
 Victoria church .--._._-_ 
 
 Public schools ---------- 
 
 Victoria parsonage -----_..- 
 
 Chaplain, salary and board - --._.-. 
 Collector's office ---------- 
 
 Poor-rates ----------- 
 
 Administration of justice -------- 
 
 Gaol expenses ---..---. 
 
 IMUitia 
 
 Sundry expenses ---.-.-.- 
 
 Overcharge from last account ------- 
 
 e 
 
 The sums placed to credit of the colony arc as follows ; viz. : — 
 Sundry credits - - - - - - - £. 18 5 4 
 
 liand sales, &c. 334 17 6 
 
 Dutv on licensed houses ----- 340 _ _ 
 
 £. *. d. 
 
 7 5 10 
 
 683 18 1 
 
 1,388 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 877 
 
 1 
 
 - 
 
 320 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 117 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 368 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 100 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 30 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 81 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 107 
 
 14 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 - 
 
 11 
 
 4,107 2 3 
 
 Leaving a balance unpaid as befurcsaid of - 
 
 693 2 10 
 
 3,413 19 5 
 
 There is a further sum of 65 /. 6 .1. 8 d. arising from proceeds of land sales effected last 
 year, which was omitted in the fur trade books, but will be brought forward this year. 
 
■f 
 
 A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND. 15 
 
 ExTiiACT from llie GovcrnorV Despatch to William G. Smit/i, Esq., Secretary,- Hudson's 
 
 Bay Company, dated lO.Iuly 1855. 
 
 A cosii'i-ETE account ornll the land mlcs (me No. 1 ) nuulc on Vancouver's Island, the 
 ct.n,])iiiiy'f purcliape at Naiiiiinin excepted, nine<! tlie r( ninii ncenicnt of the colony, is here- 
 with tru'nfniitted. A projioitifin of tlu^ land has been )iaid oidy in part, but the payments 
 will he coni- letcd as sood as the title-deeds arc ready for issue, otherwise the titles will not 
 be issued to the purchaser. 
 
 The amount of receipts for land sold, and stamps, as per this accoimt is - 
 
 i £. s. il. 
 Remitted jier last account, dated 10th Octohcr 1H,J3 
 
 Paid by the PafjefH Sound Coinjiany in London - 
 Paid by W. C Grant and J. liuggins in London 
 
 .3.577 
 
 5 
 
 ,574 - 
 120 - 
 
 £. 
 
 (!,871 
 
 •) 
 
 4 
 
 0,271 
 
 Remains on hand 
 As per statement No. 2 : j 
 
 200 /. of this balance was paid over to the fur trade— say 
 bill from Arthur W. Owen . - - £. 150 
 
 Transfer from W. IL M' Neil - - - 50 
 
 £. 
 
 And credited the colony in the books of outfit 1854, 
 and the balance. Bay ------ 
 
 Has been paid over to the fur trade on accoimt of outfit, 
 1855. 
 
 £. 
 
 200 - - 
 
 400 4 2 
 
 GOO 4 2 
 
 600 4 2 
 
 600 4 
 
 You will observe by statement No. 2, an account of land sales effected and monies received 
 for stamps at this place since my last report of land sales, dated 6th October 1853, the 
 amount being GOO /. 4 *. 2 (/. 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 House of Assembly, Vancouver's Island, 
 3 Dcciniber 1856. 
 TllK Spciikcr begs to inform his Excellency the Governor that the House of Assendily 
 met this day adopted the following resolutions, and ordered the same to be presented to 
 your Excellency. 
 
 1st. That the thanks of this House be presented to his Excellency the Governor for the 
 ennmuinication of November 27th, 1856, and that the subject "relating to a supply of 
 money for copying documents, tkc." shall be taken into consideration at an ( arly jieriod. 
 
 2d. It was resolved, That rcsjicctful a]i]ilication be made, on the part of the House of 
 Asscnd)ly , lo know "■ what funds are subject to its control (if any), the amount of the same, 
 and from what source derived; also, what fund is the royalty upon coal jiaid into?" 
 
 3d. That T.J. Skinner, Esti- was elected Chairman of Connuittee and Deputy Speaker. 
 
 The House stands adjourned until Saturday next, December 6th ; then to meet at 
 10 a. ni. 
 
 (signed) J. S. Ilclmcken, Speaker. 
 
 10 
 
 Government House, Victoria, Vancouver's Island, 
 6 December 1856, 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Hruse of Assembly, 
 
 I IIAVK (urtluT to transmit with this connuunicati(»n abstracts of the income and expen- 
 diture of the cohmy for the two years ending respectively with the 31st day of October 
 18-.3 and 1854. 
 
 I have received your 8[ieaker"8 address of the 3d day of December, and highly appreciate 
 your complimentary message. 
 
 In rcjily to the following r|;icstions of the House, " AVhat funds arc subject to its con- 
 trol?" " the amount of such funds?" " from what so\n-ce dcii\e<l?" and •' to what fund is 
 the royalty upon coal paid into ? "' I would observe that 1 am not at present prepared to 
 
 22;) — Sesjj. 2. B 4 give 
 
1(1 CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 •live tliP House n ivliiililc iitul ilccldod iinswcr. ^ly own iiii|irossion, liowcvor, in, flmt tlic 
 JIousc <'mi cxorcisif a direct control only over the revenne raised in the colony through tho 
 act of tho ireneral Lejiislnture. 
 
 The revenue derived from the tax on licensed houBCs is thorcforo, I conceive, the only 
 fund ahsolntely at our dis]iosal ; the jiroeeeds arisinj; from " land sales," " royalties," and 
 " timher duties" beinj; remitted and ]ilaeed to account of the Reserve Fund in ICn^land, 
 which is, however, also exclusively applicable for colonial purposes, with the exeei)tion of 
 10 per cent., allowed by virtue of tin: charter of <;rant to the Hudson's JJay Company. 
 
 The amount of revenue ilcrlvcd from tho duty on licensed houses, for the respective 
 years mentioned, is <;iven in the annexed table : — 
 
 £. .V. //. 
 
 Year 1853 220 - - 
 
 „ 1854 4fiO - - 
 
 „ 1855 340 - - 
 
 Those sums are also embodied in the abstracts of the colonial accounts transmitted to the 
 House. 
 
 (signed) Jami's Dnnghis, 
 
 (Jovernor, Vancouver's Island. 
 
 House of Assembly, Vancouver's Island, 
 The S|ioakcr, 6 Uecember 1856. 
 
 Has the honour to infonn his Kxcollency the (lovcrnor, that the House of Assembly 
 resolved this day : 
 
 " That the S])oaker l)c rcqui'stcd to thank his Excellency the (Hivernor, on behalf of this 
 House, for the information so courteously and ])rom]itly iirt'orded;" and i'urther, " to apply 
 to Ilia Excellency for similar information liir the year ending Xovember 185(>;'' as also tc 
 ask, " AVhether there is any charge against the Licence Fund, to come under their control 
 from that date." 
 
 The House of Assembly will meet again on Wednesday next, at 11 a.m., and resolve 
 itself into a Committee of Supi)ly. 
 
 (signed) ,/. ^'. Ilflmvhen, Speaker. 
 
 li 
 
 I: 
 
 Ciovcrnmont House, Victoria, 
 10 December 1856. 
 Mr. Speaker and ( ientlemon of the House of Assembly, 
 I IIAVK received your address, through Mr. Speaker's communicatlim of the 6th Decem- 
 ber, and I thank you, gentlemen, for your kind message. 
 
 I herewith transmit, for your information, an abstract of the expenditure and income of 
 the colony, made up to the 31st day of October last, excepting, however, the I'lcome de- 
 rivable from the royalty on coals, and the duty on timber, of which a statement will be 
 sent to the House as soon as the iciurns are received. 
 
 With respect to your inquiry touching tiic application of the duty on licensed lumses for 
 the year 1856, I have to inform the Hoiise that i\w whole sum derived i'mm that sotu'ce of 
 revenue was paid over to the IhuL-ion's Ray Company inunediately after collection, and was 
 carried, with the other proceeds of revenue, to the credit of the (ieneral Colony .\ccount, 
 aa shown by the abstract of the year's income transmitted with this communication. 
 
 (signed) James Dovglas, 
 
 f iovemor, Vancouver's Island. 
 
 The Speaker, 
 
 House of Assembly, Vancouver's Island, 
 me opeaKcr, 10 Dccendjcr 1H56. 
 
 On the part of the House of Assemi)ly, begs rcsiicctfully to acknowledge the receipt this 
 day of a gracious communication, and an alL-^tract of the incenie and cxpendittire for the 
 year 1856 fioni bis E.xccUency the (iovcrnor, and to inform bis Excellency that the lloutic 
 of Assembly unanimously resolved: 
 
 " That the thanks of this House be presented to his Excellency the Governor for the 
 same." 
 
 (signed) ./. S. JMmchii, Speaker. 
 
 House of .\ssembly, Victoria, 
 The Siicaker, 13 December 1856. 
 
 Has the honour respectfully to inform his Excellency the Governor, that the House of 
 Assembly resolved this day. 
 
 " That a reipiisition be made to bis Excellency the Governor, for a copy of the last 
 ' Census' of the " poimlation of Vancouver's Island,"' and fiu-ther, '• that any other informa- 
 tion connected therewith will be thankfully received." 
 
 Tne House will meetou Thursday next, the 18th instant, at 11 o'clock, a. m. 
 
 (signed) J. S. Ilelmchen, Speaker. 
 
A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND. 
 
 Vlctoriii, Vancouver':) Island, 17 DccemJjer I806. 
 Mr. Speaker and Oentlemcn of tlie 1 louse of Af.ieinhly, 
 I iiAVi; rci'.eivcd Mr. Spenkcr'a otmiinunieatlon of the 1.'} day of December, rontaining 
 the Rff|nirtitioii i>f tlic lloiine " for a copy of tlie last Census of tlic populatiou of Vaueouvor'.i 
 Island;" and 1 have in ooMae(iupnco tlie honour ol' forwarding with this letter, tlic docuuienti 
 de.icrihed in the annexed schedule. 
 
 Not havin/^f time to procure (copies, I have sent the orif^inal docunicnt.t, which the House 
 will probably cause to be returned when convenient. 
 
 (signed) Jdiiics Diiuijlas, Oovernor 
 
 Schedule No. I. — Census Return.'*, Vancouver's Island Colony, 1HJ.>. 
 „ No. 2. — Indian I'opidation, Vancouver's Islam!, 1856. 
 
 IIoui<c of Assembly of Vancouver's Lsland, 
 The Speaker, 18 Deccnibcr 18JG. 
 
 On liehnlf of the House of Assembly, begs respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of 
 "tlu^ C'ensus of the whilt; and Indian jiopulation of Vancouver's Island," from his 
 Excellency the (iovernor. and has the honour in the name of the House, " to thank his 
 Excellency for the same," and (hat they shall be returned at an early period. 
 
 Ho also begs to inform his Excellency that Mr. R. Barr wishes to resign his ofHce of 
 clerk of the House yro ton. 
 
 (signed) J. S. Helmchen, Speaker. 
 
 House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island, 
 The Speaker, 18 December 1856. 
 
 15k(;s to inform his Excellency the Governor and Council, that the enclosed Appropria- 
 tion IJill was Krst voted in Committee of Supply, and has sul)se(iuently passed through the 
 usual stages of first, second, anil third readings, and that it is now pnssented by order of 
 the House for the consideration and ajiproval of his Excellency the Governor and Council. 
 
 (signed) J. S. Helmchen, Spcakei-. 
 
 A l»ii.L for the Appropriation of certain Monies for the use of the House of Assembly ol 
 
 Vancoiiver's Island. 
 
 WiiKiM'.AS it is necessary that certain sums of money be voted for defraying the unavoid- 
 able expenses attending the conduction of the business of the House of Assembly of 
 Vancouver's Island, be it enacted: 
 
 1st. That 50/. sterling be placed at the disposal of his Excellency the Governor to defray 
 the expenses of copying statistics and documents for the use of this House. 
 
 2d. That 10/, sterling be granted to Mr. Robert Barr for his i)ast services as clerk of this 
 House. 
 
 ;}d. That ol. sterling be granted to Mr, Andrew Muir for his past service of sergeant- 
 at-arms. 
 
 4th. That 25/. be allowed for the salary of the clerk of the House, for the year 1857. 
 
 5th. That 15/. be allowed for the salary of the serjeant-at-arms and messenger, for the 
 year 1857. 
 
 Gtli. That 20/. sterling be granted for lighting, heating, and furnishing the House oi' 
 Assembly, for the year 1857. 
 
 7th. That 5/. sterling be granted for stiitlonery, for the use of the members of the House 
 of Assembly. 
 
 8tli. That the above Items be paid out of the revenue derived from the licenses of July 
 16th, 1856. 
 
 Read the third time this 18th day of Dec^ember 1856, A.i>., and ordered to be forwarded 
 to his Excellency the Governor and Council. 
 
 (signed) J. S. Ilelmvken, Speaker. 
 
 J J I) — Soss, 
 
 C 
 
 The 
 
-Km' 
 
 18 CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 The loUowing rcsdlution rclatinp; to tlio preceding Approprinliim Bill, was also ttgr"(' ! to 
 13th December 1856: 
 
 " Tlmt ill tlic opinion of this House, the revenue received on the Ifith day of , Inly Ifi.lfii 
 from the licenses to sell tipirituoiis liciuor^, &c,, ought to l)u withdrawn from the credit of 
 the " Trust Fund." 
 
 (signec) •/. S. IMinrkcn, Speaker. 
 
 To his Excellency Jamc!> Douglas, Esq., Governor, &c. &e. &c, 
 
 Sir, House of A8seml)ly, Victoria, 10 Dcccmlier IS-jfi. 
 
 I AM instructed l)y the Honouraiile the Speaker of the House of Assend)Iy to acknowlrd^je 
 the reccij)t of your Excellency's cimnnunication antl doeunientd of the 17th instant, and lo 
 thank your Kxcellency for the same; and also to infcinn your Excellency that the Houiio 
 will ngaiu meet on Wednesday next, the 24th instant, at 11 o'clock, a.m. 
 
 I have, &e. 
 (signed) Itobcrl Burr, Cicrk pro tnii. 
 
 r 
 
 
 — No. 13. 
 
 (No. 5.) 
 
 No. 13. 
 
 Gnveinor Douglas 
 to night Hon. H. 
 Laboucherc, m. p., 
 124 Feb. 1857. 
 
 • Page 5- 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 r t 
 
 ili, 
 
 Copy of a DESPATCH from Goycrnor Douglas to the Right Honourahk? 
 
 //. Laboucherc, M. p. 
 
 Victoria, Vancouver's Island, 24 February 1857. 
 
 Sir (Received, 29 April 1857.) 
 
 1. I HAVE tlie honour to acknowledge tlie receipt of your despatclies, Nos. 18 
 and 10,* of the 21st of October and the lOtli of November last. 
 
 2. It is very gratifying to learn that the speech with wliich I opened the 
 Legislature on the 12tlj of August, lias received your approval. 
 
 3. The House of Assembly not having met for regular business since my 
 report of the 9th of January, there is nothing of importance to add to the infor- 
 mation then communicated respecting its proceedings. 
 
 4. The Council was convened on the 14th day of the present montii, for the 
 consideration of an Act passed by tlie House of Assembly on the 18th day of 
 December granting the sum of 130/. sterling, chargeable to the duties on 
 licensed houses, to be applied, in tlie manner stated in the several clauses of the 
 Act, as it appears in the minutes of Council forwarded herewith. This Act, with 
 some few verbal alterations, ])assed the Council on that day, and will be trans- 
 mitted after receiving the final approval of the House of Assembly. 
 
 5. The consideration of tiie Rules and Regulations of the Supreme Court for 
 the administration of justice in civil cases, as submitted by Chief Justice 
 Cameron, with a comnuinication of wliich I Iteicwith forward a copy, was taken 
 lip on the 14th, and finally passed the Council without alteration on the 17tli of 
 February. 
 
 G. A copy of tliose rules will also be transmitted for Her Majesty's final ap- 
 probation or disallowance, as soon as transcribed and carefully revised, and by 
 that time the official seal of the court, for which I took the liberty of sending a 
 requisition with my despatcii. No. 18, of the 14th of August last, will probal)ly 
 have arrived in this country, and will be attached to the document as directed 
 by Her Majesty's Order in Council. 
 
 7. A copy of the proclamation of the Rules and Regulations of the Supreme 
 Court, published on the IStii of this mouth of February, is also forwarded with 
 this despatcii. 
 
 8. Hoping that those proceeding may meet with your approval. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (signed) James Don^lns, 
 
 CJoveriior. 
 
 \ 
 
OF 
 
 A RKPRRSENTATIVE ASSEMBLY AT VANCOUVER'S ISLAND. 19 
 
 -n! 
 
 cl to 
 
 Enclosun! 1, in No. 13. 
 
 I']n('l. I, in Nil. ij. 
 
 iikcr. 
 
 Coi'V (iC MlNiTKR oCii ('(Mincil held nt Vktorin, Vnnnmvers /.sliiiitl, (in tli<' 14tli, anti 
 riilliiwin({ tiny.-' (if Fttbrniiry \i<.u . 
 
 Saturday, 14 Fcliniary IS,*;?. 
 
 TiiK Cdiinf^il liavinn met tliin ni()rnin}» inirsiinnt to a summons ismicd on tli(! 13tli of'tliiH 
 (iicsont ijKiiitli; the (iiivcnior lii'inp; )ire.-i,iit, and the folhiwiiif^ niciiilier!<, viz.: .John T(mI, 
 ■•(•iiinr iiii'iiilier, Uddcrick FinlayHoii, .Icilin Work. 
 
 TIk? (Idveriior \)\v.n |irocecded to lay liciore the ('(iiincil, an Act gnintinff the sum (A 
 I .'to /. Cor ddViiyiii}^ the uiuivoidalile expenses of the House of Ai^senilily, whieh was read 
 for the third time, and passed the House on tlic 18th day of Deeendicr lust. 
 
 The ('oun>'il havin;; rend the several ehuises of the said Aet, it was proposed as an nmend- 
 iiioht that the followinf^ words should lie omitted in the ]ir('amlile, that is to .say " attending 
 ilir coinliiction of the linsiiiess," and the followiiifi words in tho Htli clau.se, viz. : '• Lieenees 
 (if Kith .Inly 1851; ". and that the Act he as foHows: 
 
 A IVdl grnntini; certain .'^nms of Money fortheusc of the Houscof Asscmlily of Vuncoitvtr's 
 
 I.iluml. 
 
 Whereas it is necessary that ccrtnin smns of money he voted for defraying the unavoid- 
 alilc expenses of flic House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island, lie it therefore enacted; 
 
 1st. That 50/. sterling he placed at the disposal ofhi.s Kxcellency the (iovcrnor to defray 
 the exjienscs of copying statistics and documents for the use of this House. 
 
 2d. That 10/. sterling lie granted to Mr. Kobert Barr for his past services as clerk of 
 this House. 
 
 .id. That 5 /. sterling bo granted to Mr. Andrew Muir for his past services as serjeant- 
 at-arms. 
 
 4lh. That 2.5 /. sterling bo allowed for the salary of the clerk of the House fiir the year 
 1857. 
 
 .5th. That 1.5 /. sterling be allowed for the salary of the serjcant-at-anna and messenger, 
 for the year 1857. 
 
 (ith. That 20 /. sterling be granted for lighting, heating, and furnishing the House of 
 Assembly for the year 18.57. 
 
 7 th. That 5 /. sterling be granted for stationery for the use of the Mombera of the House 
 ol' Assembly. 
 
 8th. That the above items be paid out of thcrevenue derived from the duty charged on 
 licensed houses. 
 
 The Act so amended was ajiproved, and jiassed. 
 
 The Governor then proceeded to lay before the Coimeil a letter from Chief Justice 
 Canieron, transmitting a copy of the ndes and manner of proceeding to be observed in the 
 Supreme Court of Civil Justice of Vancouver's Island, drawn up in virtue of the authority 
 vested in the Court by Her Majesty's Order in Council, dated the 4th day of April 1856, 
 which was submitted for the approval of the ' 'ouncil. 
 
 This d'icument was before the Council until evening, when an adjournment took place to 
 Monday, the (ith instant. 
 
 Monday, 16 February 1857. 
 
 The Council met this morning, pursuant to .adjournment, the Governor and the same 
 Members being ]>rc8ent, as on Saturday the 14th instant. 
 
 I'rocccded with the reading and consideration of the rules and manner of proceeding of 
 the Supreme Court for the remainder of the day, and then adjourned to Tuesday the 17th 
 instjint. 
 
 Tuesdiiy, 17 February 1857. 
 
 The Council met this morning .according to adjournment, the Governor and the same 
 Members being present, as on Monday the 16th instant. Completed the reading and con- 
 sideration of the rules and manner of proceeding of the Supreme Court, which were 
 unanimously approved and passed in Council. 
 
 The C'ouncil then luljourncd. 
 
 (signed) James Duiujlan, Goveruur. 
 
 'J'Jfj— .Sctis. 2. 
 
 D 
 
JO 
 
 COHUI'SI'ONDKNCi:, Ike. .-VANCOUVKirS ISLAND 
 
 r.iicl. ■-', ill No. I,"}. Eiiclosuro 2, in No 13. 
 
 Ciii'Y nC lii'ttcr IVoiii C'liii'l' tlustici' Cameron to (iovernor Doiit/lit.s. 
 
 Sir. ni'linont, l2 Fflinmiy 1H,'»7. 
 
 I iiKiM'iuiTii Iranrtinll, fiir tli(Mi|)|iroval of your Kxoelli'iicy iintl your llniiumiilpli' ('iniiicil, 
 a f(p|iv (iC llif niK's mill inuinicr of |ircici'C(liiij; to lit; (iIwitvimI in tin; Sn|ir('iii(! ( 'mirl of ( 'ivil 
 ilii.-itiri' dl' Viinciiiivcr's Isiuiul, ilrawii ii|i in virtiui nl" tin; nutlmrity vivtiiil in tlic ('iiurt liy 
 llcr Majesty's Onlcr in ('niiiii^il, daicd tlu- 14tli diiy of April iSTifi, 
 
 j\s nil '.(■111 liiin yd liri'ii r(('(i\((l lor the use nl' tlio (Nmrt, I have auflipnticntcil iho ropy 
 liy my ^i;;natun', which I liii|i(' may .sutlicu lor it»< |iHsi<iiiii your C'ouiicil. .And an llit'.''<! 
 ruk's cannot take clli'ct until tlircc months at leant after |iulilicatiun, 1 lioiie your Excel- 
 lency and C'ouucil will take iietion on then) ati speedily a» pot<e>iblc. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (signed) Diiiuil ('iimtrun, C. J. 
 
 li' 
 
 il 
 
 End. 3, ui Nn. 13. 
 
 EiidosiirL' 3, in No. 13. 
 
 PiKHi.AiMAi ION liy his Kxcellency Jdmcs Dniiglax, (iovernor nnd Coiniiiandcr-in-Cliicf 
 (if the Colony of Vancouver's Island and Dependencies, and Vice Admiral of the same, 
 &c. &e. &c. 
 
 Wheukas it Iiatli pleased the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice 
 of Tier Most Honourable Privy Council, in an order from the Court at Buckingham Palace, 
 lienrinif date the 4th day of Ajiril lH5fi, to constitute a court for the administration of 
 justice in civil cases in her colony of V'ancouver's Island, and to vest in the said court 
 power nnd authority to frame, constitute, and establish such rules and rejiiulations as shall 
 seem meet, touching and concerning the fonns and manner of proceeding to be observed in 
 the said court, and the practice in jileadinga and other matters, as set forth and declared 
 in Ilcr Majesty's said Order in Council. 
 
 Now, be it known unto all Ilcr Majesty's subjects, that the rules and regulations of the 
 said court, as submitted by Chief .lusticc Cameron, have been approved, and passed the 
 Council this 17th day of February 1857, and will take effect three months from the date 
 hereof. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal, at Government House, Victoria, this 18th day of 
 February in the year of our Lord 1857, and in the 20th year of Her Majesty's 
 reign. 
 
 (feigned) James Boufflas, Governor, (seal.) 
 
 By his Excellency's command, 
 
 (signed) llicliiinl Gulledyc, Secretary. 
 
 
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