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Piioe 26 Ctnti. i t. y" >\i4. L\ *?^. v« c 4 7 .'•- -2 H. IF- #^ .^-^ s^ i 1 *. • ■> -^ 1 > ■".''■J ^ .r'./ • <., .fUV* w^i>'ri^ >• :9 mf 4* t' « AGENTS. VICTORIA, - NEW WESTMINSTER, LANGLEY, DOUGLAS, HOPE, YALE, - - - BOSTON BAR - LYTTON, CAYOOSH. - - ALEXANDRIA, HIBBEN & CARSWELL. - Mr. BROWN. Mr. WINNARD. Messrs. FRANKLYN & CO. Mr. TILLEY. Mr. KURTZ. Mr. Mi. PETERSON. Mr. PARSON. Mr. KELLY. i ■I^JbRSRj^ yv*V " «^'^« m *■*# 1068551 iciflcN.V^AHls-^orvDf^'-^ r- A w ' -■^''•••'•"'^nr^^P'^SSKW'BT?! ■-^•'■if'i-'* -y -■ -3IS„— a- -w ^ TO THE PEOPLE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA : I have undertaken the pnblication and circulation of the following letter: I have engaged to do so willingly, and will do my best to make it known, because I believe the sentiments contained in it are entertained throughout British Columbia, and will be responded to by those whose welfare is sought to be advanced by the suggestion offered. J. H. BATTERTON, EZPKESSMAN. *<5se^iiiB^9^9^ 1 I ^ MPI ^^W WU, — .■i«^ FACTS AND ACTS. of the r, and ve the ighout whose fered. MAN. FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, I have long intended to lay before you my views respecting this Col- o»y. The only motive that has prevented me from addressing you before, was tjie conviction of my own incapacity to execute the task I have undertaken as clearly as I should wish. I have waited also to see whether abler hands woald not execute it as it deserves. My object is, not to pen an able smoothly worded Essay, but to state What has been, and what is going on tn British Columbia under the name of British rule. My wish is to awaken in the mind of every man who reads these facts, an exact idea of the political state of our Col- ony ; to make every man feel how directly the present state of pub- lic government affects him personally , and all of us collectively, and having done this, I appeal to every man in the Colony to give his best assistance, publicly and privately, in carrying through the remedies proposed. , ,., The public voice has proved successful under like grievances in England and her Colonies ; why should not that voice assert its power in a Colony like this, where a British population may be, at the present moment, few, but where individual intelligence and political interest is great ? Fellow Countrymen, Residents in British Columbia ; I agfk you WHO HAVE GOVERNED THIS COLONY ? Our Colony has been governed since the first discovery of gold and the first influx of population to its shores from the Hsister Colony of Vancouver Is- land, by nature our Ally, officially our Rival. Our Governor was the Chief Factor of a Company of Furriers, which has been at variance with immigrants to British Columbia, -ever since its formation into a recognized Colony of Great Britain. Our Governor is one in whom the people of British Columbia 5 n . * .. ^ -* a p tt KNi — " ^- '^■ i ^' J^j ty: ••». w 5 FACTS AND ACTS. have never placed confidence, whose personal and pecuniary in ' terests are wrapped up in the progress and prosperity.of Victoria andE Vancouver Island. Our Governor has taken a course publiclv and privately, just such ns might be looked for from one " raised '^ in the confined at- mosphere of the Hudson Bay Company, What's born in the bone Is ill to get out of the flesh. His "Friendship" for British Columbia, his "larg-eness" of mind, his "freedom from local prejudices," are estimated by the Brit- ish Nation, according to his own and his special pleader's represent- ations, they are estimated by us more truly through his actions, public and private. Governor Douglas, backed by the special pleaders, represented British Columbia as self-supporting from the commencement, that is, ready to make cash payments for ail internal improvement, and able to 5iupport all its burdens, civil and military, besides giving a help- ing hand to many who relied on the •• speculating writers' testimo- ny, offering to all, "red gold for the winning. " Five years hence, the pretty picture may be true. It was not true under the past administration of government, and it is not true un- der the present system. «• Never too late to mend"— better the people of England should know the truth and the whole truth, and the clique by whom this Colony is mw-ruled, should retire from public life, to spend in pri- he fruits of their labors, than we, whose stake is really grea'^er theirs, should, by our silence, endorse misrepresentation, mis- ruit and systematic selfishness. Governor Douglas was raised from comparatire obscurity by British Columbia. What has he done for its Capital— for its commerce — for its lot holders — for ii^feto resident officials ? We say, let Victoria be a a " Free Port." Let her become a *« Great City," if she will, but for Heaven's sake, let some truth be bronght to ligh';, about tne rela- tive positions and relative importance to Great Britain of the Con- tinental Colony and Douglas Island. If you are content to let others tack British Columbia to an Island, let it be so ! If you think it " all for your advantage," to be sup- plied with re-shipped goods, and if you possess as little faith in the possibility and certainty of direct commerce between Westmin- ster on the Fraser, and the rest of the world at large, as your Vic- toria Rulers state, be it so. " Be like dumb, driven cattle;'' but don't complain if a few Victorians have it all their own way, and degrade your splendid Colony, (splendid by its varied produ- cible wealth and position,) from its proper title as a "first class '" Colony to a humble, third rate appendage of the Island which yon have supported. I hope there is too much patriotism, and too much, personal interest at stake, to allow that to become a reality, which to say the least looks very like possibility. Fellow Countrymen— Our Colony is bound ta rise, will' if youl make it rise by seading home to England^ Canada, Australia, th* I ■BP ■^^ ITACTS AND ACrS. by •* the truth and the wliole truth." Reliable accounts from Frascr llher, must be sent to those who have to do with shippinj?. Those interested in commerce must be told every particular about its 13ar, and the facilities for stoam tugs towing vessels toAVf^stminstcr. Point out Burrard Inlet ns an excellent harbor. Admiral Raines' opinion is known on the subject, and the advantages which the Inlet offers should l»c widely known. Private enterprise is already demonstrating the advantages of rfi- rcct commerce between New "NVestminster ana San Francisco. Why should not this step be made a stride, and the Governor learn through the public, and the Uritish Government from yrAirselves direct- ly that, we believe in the advantages of British Columbia, maritime and commercial as well as auriferous, and demand from both, more public recognition of the fact. Who have governed the Colony of British Columbia ? A Gover- nor and time-serving Allies, whose hearts and homes have not been in our Colony. A Governor and his timc-serviny allies, whose self in- terest, personal aggrandisement and predelictions are appreciated almost as much in Vancouver Island as in British Columbia. WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN? Where our Queen and our Country never intended. Our country's gold is endued in certain cases with rare adhesiveness, when earned with the least trouble and anxiety. But while you blame selfishness and absence of patriotism ; Fellow Countrymen, give all honor to those who have earned it. While you point from the Governor of British Columbia to Judge, Attorney General, Treasurer and Colonial Secretary as unanimous Absentees, do not forget that our Lieutenant Governor and Collector of Customs (in spite of not a little influence brought against them, if ruuirr is true) have proved themselves worthy of honor, in a matter which you have not regarded as unimportant. You are told " they are coming." Let those who have so per- tinaciously declined to fulfill their duties, tchere they ought to havt J'ulfilled them, convince us of the change. A change in the •♦marctiing orders," we are informed has gone forth, but there is a very significent silence if such orders have been received. When Absenieei^m'vn. a Governor and all connected with the Gov- ernment of British Columbia is at end, common justice will only be rendered to a Colony which had a claim to other treatment from its first establishment. Traders, Merchants and Lot-holders, you must one and all, feel the benefit of an altered state of things when such an abuse is removed, why has it lasted so long ? Why were small debt courts not created before ? AVhy did so many debtors abscond? Representations were ignored; the luminury of justice was absent. He knew as much of the wants of our Colony as he cared lor its interests. Plausible arguments are palmed off. But it won't do ! Come and do your duty, say we to absentees, and per- haps you may find British Columbia is not such **a barren and desolate land" as a renegade Attorney General characterized it; but don't forget how much our capital has lost in wealth, position, and influence by unblushing Absenteeism. Fellow Countrymen, you have shown exemplary patience under more drawbacks and abuses than those I have yet alluded to, you have shown praiseworthy patience under TWXATION. i •-/ ■'^ aw^ Ji^ „ ,i!i\nm» J B lLj,, j /^ 9 FACTS AND ACTS This is the only country where Anglo-Saxon predominates, xtt which Taxes are levied, collected and expended without the consent of the People. I have read of absolute monarchies elsewhere, but the Anglo-Saxon's birthright is never to endure Absolutism long. I ask you in all sobriety, is a population in this age of England's history and the world's civilization, to have no voice in its own taxa- tion. Are we so few in numbers or so dull in intellect, that we cannot be entrusted with privileges accorded to a sister colony ? Is British Columbia to remain longer under this sort of '^Martial Law." Is "Proclamation" Taxation just, as the Colony is now constitu- ted ? Is it "just and equal" in practice ? The Governor of the Colony appeals to his Patent and the Queen'* sanction. Wc contend that what has been is not to go on, when a population "now" exista, perfectly competent to arrange its own taxation. Wo assert ♦his without fear of denial. Are there not sufficient voters and persons permanently interested in British Colum- bia, resident in New Westminster, Douglas, Hope, Yale, Lytton, Cayoosh &c., to choose a body of men who know enough about taxa- tion and are sufSciently interested in it, to Legislate on such a ques- tion "justly and equally ?" The "absolute ruler" system has surely survived its ar;e and wisdom, judging from the trial it has had in this colony. We want oomething very different. Experiments in Legislation are doubtless pleasing to the operators but certainly not to the unfortunate subjects ! Had Legislators come out from Eng- land with ready knowledge on Colonial matters, or had we been blest in trying times, with a Heud chosen from a full grown colony, in- stead of one offering no experience, British Columbians would not have complained with so much reason ; as it is, they have every reason to complain, and they ask for something very different to Ab- solutism. But let us descend to particulars ; tne first to meet us on the entrance to the Colony is Customs. CUSTOMS DUTIES are collected without regard to business habits or commercial usage. "The importer has no security." He may make a heavy importation and be ruined where no foresight could save him. Take the instance of Liquors. At present the importer pays a duty of ^1,50 per gallon. He knows his market and is prepared to pay it. Very well ; he imports 10,000 gallons of Liquor ; he pay* at Westminster $15,000 duty ; but the importer does not know that the Absolute Euler may not suddenly conceive a plan of reducing tJie duty to t)0 cents : consequently he rises next morning a loser to the tune of ^10,000. But this instance has a bright as well as a dark side. "Its an ill wind that blows nobody good." Perhaps the absolute system may raise the duty to ^2,00.— 'No proper notice is given on such occa- sions, no voice can stay the 'Fiat/ but nevertheless some favorite speculator, posted in State measures, makes a bold and safe stroke and pockets his pile ! People of British Columbia these things have been and are going on amongst us i where is it to end ? \ VkCTB AND ACTS. But t have not quite done with Absolute Rule. Very pleasant to the ruler, most destructive to your interests. Has such admin- istration, assisted by legal wisdom, developed your country and pro- Tided A GOOD LAND SYSTEM ? Many of us have been in this colony for two years, and vet there is "no publicly proclaimed in- telligible, satisfactory Land System." The recent proclamation by the side wind of clause VII directly favors the Capitalist. It does not mention what kind of improvements will be required ; it docs not meet the wants of the colony for it does not encourage immi- gration. Of course, no legal functionary could have framed it, for a Proclamation so singularly favorable to legal speculation could not be fastened on a Lawyer ! We were led to expect a good deal from the promises, admissions &c. of public functionaries, but their assay value is ascertained fractionally in more than this instance. It will be contended that nothing r;ill '^"itisfy British Columbians. What W6 demand, first and foremost, is 1st Free grants of land, under the same conditions and provisos as those in force in Canada and New Zealand. 2dly. The reduction of the up-set price of land to Five shillings an acre. 3dly. " ImprovemenV* defined and exacted. We are told that such changes rest with the Home Government — that they have been represented and refused. I am afraid. Fellow Countrymen and all who desire to settle in British Columbia, that such statements will be received with con- siderable reservation. Is it to be credited that the Huma Govern- ment would not have granted these wants, had they been sent home as the request of the People, and what they demanded as essential to their own prosperity and the encouragement of Immigration ! Do you believe it to be the case that the wants of the colony and the wishes of the colonists have been fairly represented and pertinacious- ly refused ? Have Colonial acts gone so far as to show us that the theory has been held by this colonial government from its commence- ment, "Population is Wealth, Consumers are Revenue !" Tne Governor, in his visit up the river last autumn, expressly advocated these views, and promised his influence with the Home Government in carrying them out. Again I ask, Does the late Pro- clamation bear out Promises? I refer you to the letter which appears at the close of this Address, in which the Proclamation is ably dissected. But let us see what is the Land Policy elsewhere. In all enlightened countries these first principles are acknow- ledged and acted up to, in British Columbia they will apparently be the last. In Texas the Government sold land to settlers as low as 10 cents an acre. In Oregon, the Government clearly saw the difficulties of reaehing it and adopted the wise policy, of making for a few years free grants of land to all settlers, until population was drawn thither and the country became more accessible. Canada makes free grants of land in remote places of the Colony . If the land is rich it is coupled with road making as a condition. Some definite improvement ia always insisted on and righteously « ^*3-atra 10 FACTS AND ACTS. 1-^ carried out. If the district is poor, Government makes roads, well knowing tbit, as soon as the free gifted land is cultivated and its owner a coiisumer, far more will be added to the Revenue of the country than can possibly arise from the mere sale of lands. This plan directly encourages an enlarged improvement of the Colony,while it asists in the most important manner the strong armed, strong hearted man, whose stock in trade are an axe and strength to wield it, a family with just enough to help them at the present, while hope beckons on to further industry and wealth. Australia, N«w Zealand, Cape Colony are all in this way "bidding for Immigrants," offering them a home, every inducement to settle, while British Columbia has evinced from the first an obstruc- tive policy. You hear from many "we want an Immigration:" we want a Resident Population:" and don't you wish you may get it, at this rate. Let your Governor and Proclamation Bungler throw fewer drawbacks and more encouragements in the way of that much desired Immigration, and there is some chance of their wants and wishes beiiig thought of by very many who would be glad to come, but who certainly will not come, unless these concessions which we ask are granted, that is, if they have one blessed friend at home to dissuftde them crossing the main instead of remaining at home for better and not for worse. Fellow Countrymen, we have left everything that is dear to man behind us. We have left some, England, many Canada, very many America for our own well-being we hoped and to aid in building up another Colony where Britains Flag is unfurled. We have lived on the fertile soil of California, where every agri- cultural inducement was offered us to remain, but we preferred the British Flag, and therefore we came to British Columbia. The re- ception we met with, will not be offered again, we trust, to any who may hereafter be drawn to British Columbia. Suffice it to say, un- less the reforms we advocate are carried out, and the political aspects of the colony improve, others may be expected to leave the colony as hundreds have done already. Let us not consider this matter settled until a radical change takes place in the inducements offered to immigrants to British Co- lumbia. Free grants. Five shillings an acre for rural land — culti- vation and definite improvement ensured— speculation avoided. Then we may expect a British immigration to our shores, and we will do all we can to aid immigrants on their way out, and do our best to aid them when they have arrived amongst us. Where the gold is, there immigration sets, by a sort of natural law. Now is the time. Others may wish to draw immigration else- where ; it depends on your exertions and a determined public stand, on such all important topics, whether British Columbia goes ahead or not. There is a kindred subject to this, which at the present time no one can overlook. I refer to PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. On what large views are these carried out ? How can they be car- ried out most speedily, and with the least cost to the people a large ? * FACTS AND ACTS. 11 Koads mu£t be made and workmen paid. But the question is, can no plan more equitable as to the claims of towns and localities, more speedy in operation, and less burdensome, be adopted here as well as in Canada and other Colonies ? We do object to high rates of duty being levied first on goods leav- ing Westminster, and then again on those leaving some inland town, in order to open up the country, until we know where the Revenue collected will go. "What can we do ?" '* There's nothing in the Exchequer." This is an appeal which is very touching, and apparently irresistible ; and irresistible it is under the present absolute system of Government. It is clear this present heavy taxing of the necessaries of life can- not last long. The increased taxation must go otherwise than to- wards opening roads, and improving river and land communica- tion. A moment's consideration will ehow this. Thousands of miners may throng to the country in less than three months. The Free Miner's Licence should help the revenue, and It should not be a mere humbug ; if a man is to take gold out of British Columbia as advantageously as he has done in California, he ought to pay something to the Government and the country which affords him such advantages, and if he wishes to enjoy the proceeds of his labor, and spend his life with greater peace and qui- etness than in California, he need not grumble at Executive and Judicial officers being appointed for the purpose. The proceeds, therefore, of increased taxation can only go, in part, to improvements and opening out communication. Some other means, therefore, must be resorted to, for these improvements are an immediate necessity, and as the price of flour, bacon and beans rise, so the proceeds of the miner, and the income of every resident in British Columbia decreases. I have no new theory to present ; but I can ask your attention to a system which works successfully elsewhere, and will apply equal- ly to British Columbia under a new system. I will take the instance of Canada, and the system on which it carries out improvements. When any Public Improvement is to be made for the benefit of the eountry, of a permanent character as opening a new road, building bridges, constructing canals and railroads, the people consider and their government consider that all such improvements will benefit those who succeed them as much as themselves. They proceed to issue their bonds for 20 or 30 years. These are readily taken up in London where they generally fetch a premium on account of the rate of interest, at four per cent, to six per cent, per annum. When the work i* finished, they charge tolls or not as they think fit. At the time Canada commenced her system of Canals and Public Works, she exported less than a million bushels of wheat annually, now sh'3 exports millions annually. Had Canadian Policy been the same as that of the present system in British Columbia "making the existing population bear the whole weight of improvement," had she paid for every tning in hard cash, as we are obliged to do, had this been the policy of Australia or Canada, she might have waited till doomsday for her development. This theory of internal improvement, is therefore neither fanciful or new. But speak of sueh a system to officials of this Govern- 1 M 'y ^ 13 FACTS AND flCBAPS. i -I / '< , It, m€nt, and you will probably be told "you cannot expect the British Gorernment to tax people at home to make public improrerr ents in British Columbia. For my own part, I am one of the last men to wish the poopte of England to be taxed for Colonial improvements. Those who persist in thus representing the matter, only show a lamentable ignorance of political economy and colonial legislation. The theory I have ad- vanced has nothing to do with home taxation for our benefit. Should it be carried out, the People of England will no more be taxed for our benefit than they are taxed atpresentto pay Mexican bonds 1 Colonie» with Responsible Governments make their improvements and devel- ope their resources themselves, that is, they can establish a credit with England the same as the United States or France. Thry can issue their bonds and pay the interests when due, and pay off or re- new the bonds according to the wishes of the lender. Colonies which have no Responsible Government have no Colonial credit and must depend solely on taxation. The arrangemnt I now advocate for British Columbia may be thus exemplified : Suppose we want a wagon road from some point on the Eraser River across the Cascade mountains to the rich valley of the Simil- kameen, or the Forks of the Thompson and Fraser Rivers. Would it not be better policy to borrow the money and make the bur- den not more oppressive to ourselves than is just and equal ? Would not those who arrive in the colony 20 years hence benefit by these roads ? Then why should heavy dutie;; and trying dues be laid on us, as though we only wers gainers ? There is one matter in which I perfectly agree with Governor Douglas, and that is "belief in the auriferous wealtti of the olony," THE WEALTH PRODUCIBLE NOT PRODUCED. This wealth is greater than people imagine, but proper men in proper places are requisite to develope it. Were this wealth properly represented to the capitalists of Eng- land, there would be no trouble in borrowing all we require to bring forth the varied wealth of the colony. Perhaps some sceptic may say this borrowing system must be bad. 1 refer him to Macaulay's History of England, under William and Mary, and point attention to England's prosperity under "Liberal Government and Responsible Institutions." After accounting for the rise and increase of the national debt, and informing us of the opinion of great men. that "at each stage of its increase England's ruin was predicted," he goes on to say " the prophets of evil were under a double delusion, they erroneously imagined that there was an exact analogy between the case of an individual who is in debt to another individual and the case of a society which is in debt to a part of itself, and this analogy led them into' endless mistakes about the system of Funding — they were under an error not less serious, touching the resources of the country. They made no allowance for the effect produced by the incessant progress of every experimental science, and to the incessant efforts of every mean to get on in life, they saw that the debt grew and they forgot that other things grew as well as the debt Those who confi- dently predicted that England must sink, first under a debt of forty ■«**• PACTS AMD ACTS. 13 noilUons then under a debt of eighty millions, then under a debt of a hundred and forty millions, then under a debt of two hundred and forty millions, snd lastly under a debt of two hundred and forty mil*' lions, were beyond all doubt under a two-fold mistake. They greatly overrated the pressure of the burden ; they greatly underrated the strength by which the burden was to be borne." To the next extract I would call your special attention. The thoughts it suggests to Rulers and Ruled, cannot be too deeply weighed. ** If it be true that whatever gives to intelligence an advantage over brute force and to poverty an advantage over dishonesty, has a ten'- dsncy to promote the happiness and virtue of our race, it can scarcely be denied that, in the largest view, the effect of this system has been salutary. The strength which Is derived from the confidence of capitalists, a despot never can possess. That strength — and it is a fttrength which has decided the fate of more than one great conflict—* flies, by the law of nature, from barbarism and fraud, from tyranny and anarchy, to follow civilization and virtue, liberty and order." The inference we draw from this valuable testimony, is applica- ble, I think you will agree, to our present position as residents of British Columbia. It is clear that puUic and private enter- prise and improvement, when supported and supporting by a liberal kbA responsible Government, will progress with safety and rapidity, more than can possibly be the case under an absolute ruler. England has become what she is, by the channels which we seek to open here. If she has risen to such a pitch of prosperity and credit, a gold producing Colony like British ColumbiajJudii;ing from aJI the antecedents of Australia, New Zealand, and California, has every- thing in its favor, to induce her to emulate her noble parent's glory, by walking in her steps to the best of her ability But now let «s bring matters to the point. We are Bankrupt !' We* want Money I We want Credit i Perhaps an ollcial cheerfully re- plies ; "The income of British Columbia wiJl rise to £d0,00O per annum. '^ This, no doubt, looks very promising — the sweet little image to be placed on the chimney piece of those who regard it from a pleasant point of view. The stern reality stares British Columbians m the face^t is tlte result of vigorous screwing ! The pile looks aUasing enough when accumulated, it matters not how or where ; ^ut the pile is destined to be cut up in a hundred different and re- quiaite and laieftdyrvjSf before it is expended on opening out rivers, roads and trails. Fellow Countrymen : There is no use understating this matter ; we keep it before us— we demAsd constitution al rights, but we remember how much there ie to b« done out of the revenue^ conse- quent on an influx of population. £tery rational person will be anxious to nee " msum and tttum," carried out between the Govern- ment on the one hand, and the trader, the miner, and the smuggler on the other, and this, though positively necessary, and in the end advantageous to all, is only to be gained by enlarged expenditure. Again we come to the point. WHAT IS TO BE 1>0N£ ? The Oovernment can only command a limited revenue, unless it resorts to injuttioe and oppfet«i<«. The Golcmy wants Money, and it wants Credit. r 14 PACTS AND ACTS. 1 m, I' m There is only one course that I can see. Nothing else will gain the object — we must carry our respectful, but firm prayer beyond petty absolutism and tenacious cliques, to the throne of our Gracious Queen. We must ask Her Majesty to grant us, now, that privilege which she promised to accord to us, ♦' A Legislative Assembly" elected by the people, to express our wants and wishes, and to adopt ways and means to develope the resources of our Colony. A LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY having the confidence of the country, would create confidence and respect in England and in other Colonies. Through its guarantee Colonial credit will be offered and accepted by England. Fellow-countrymen, there is a great future for this land. Depend upon it, if God spares us to remain in it for ten years longer, we shall not regret our earlier struggles. The workmen who behold a building risen before them in all its grandeur and solidity, will not lay too much stress on the numerous difficulties which so frequently attend the digging out and preparation for a good foundation. — The excavations which were to prepare the way for the foundations of British Columbia, have been going on for two years ; we now want to see that foundation of future greatness speedily and safely laid in a Legislative Assembly. WE WANT A LEGISLATURE to ask for a Governor :— A Local Governor, and our own Colonial staff of officials resident amoBJisc us. British Columbia has been for two years and is at this moment, a body without a head. If any business of importance has to be transacted ; the unfortunate client (or whatever character he may hold,) has to follow the head and members all across the Sound, over Jan^^es Bay, and up Bird i age Walk to a distant den — over its portals acute vision can discern — "Victoria Government House." "^dfl Lotipings for B. C. officials gratis ; ^®* Board across the way. N. B. Loafers respectfully invited. I express my honest doubts as to whether any of our British Columbia worthies will ever settle down in British Columbia, from the Governor downwards. They will throw dust in your eyes, cross the water for a couple of months, and then return to the old nest for nearly the rest of the year. We want a Legislature, to insist on o<|r rights in this respect. British Columbia requires a staff of Offtcefa of her own. Let them confine themselves to the country they were sent to, or give it up altogether, and put better men in their room— which is not impossible. Surely our Queen does not know that Her Attorney General for British Columbia seeks a similar appointment in Yancouvt^r Island, and is now member of the Vancouver Legislature. Does Her Majesty know that the Protean Treasurer for British Columbia can also (in his own opinion) discharge the duties of M. P. P. tor Es- quimau ? Fortunately for his own reputation, his best friends took compassion on him, and prevented his obtaining the unenviable triumph of his brother official. Is Her Majesty aware that an Acting Colonial Secretary for British Columbia has come to anchor at Victoria ? ! Th( must must embo( amon Comi BeU have sentin writer action in Bri sympi FACT AND ACTS. 15 i WE WANT A LEGISLATURE to demand the Balance Sheet of the Past and Present Income and Expenditure of this Colony ! Who knows anything about the state of our Colonial Finances ? How have all our Import duties been appropriated ? Our Mining, our Trading and our Spirit Licenses, whither are they going ? The money obtained from Town Lots, how is it appropriated ? Has any statement of the Financial Affairs of British Columbia ever been published ? What proportion of the Receipts from British Columbia have been expended in Victoria ? Has the Government Gazette ever been commanded to publish once, all this ordinary information, which in other countries appears periodically ? WE WANT A LEGISLA.TUIIK to test the vast territorial claims of the Hudson Bay Company. Fellow-countrymen, if you don't speak out now on this jobbing question, you may yet bitterly repent your silence. We protest against the claims of the Hudson Bay Company being tried by any other tribunal than a Legislative Assembly. Any claim of that Company (and they are enough in number and extent,) must be tried in and by the Assemblies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, or these Colonies, as you will agree with me, will not be bound by the decision. L^ the upholders of that Company come to Westminster and VicWHiJi Let evidence be taken there. Truth is Truth everywhere — arnd Irttth, apart from self-interest and pecuniary aggrandizement, will be tried as righteously at Westminster and Victoria as by committees of the House of Commons, with Hudson Bay Directors and Shareholders pulling at the strings. WE WANT A LEGISLATURE to enable British Columbia to confer with Canada, New BrunswicK and Nova Scotia on the one hand, and the Home Government on the other, in order to carry out that object in which the former are deeply interested — a Pacific Railroad — a project of vital importance to us. WE WANT A LEGISLATURE to enable us to take that position with respect to Victoria, by nature our Ally, officially our Rival, which we ought to have taken before, and which it is our own fault if we don't take now. HOW ARE WE TO GET OUR LEGISLATURE? Her Most Gracious Majesty has promised to grant the boon. •' God speed the day " ! The course is a plain and straightforward one. Public meetings must be held throughout our Colony. Our feelings and wishes must be expressed firmly and temperately. A unanimous prayer ^ embodying our wishes and wants, must be signed by every man amongst us, and sent, through some member of the House of Commons, to our Most Gracious Queen. Believe me. Fellow Countrymen, this address to you would never have been penned, had there been any want of confidence in the sentiments it expresses. Truth is on our side — and therefore its writer ventures to advocate an open and determined course of action. It is a reflection to cheer every man who has cast his lot in British Columbia that *' many amongst us here, and many who sympathise with us in Vancouver Island will heartily endorse a #♦« ; "•j" 111 II i F.f 16 f AOT0 AND ACTSr ."I J- I ^ < 4^ ' I /w public expression of your grants an4 wishes " — they cannot speak out in these Colonies, but they will speak through their friends at home — and their testimony is most valuable aid, for all will be done to oppose our prayer which absolutism and selfishness can devise. Although my remarks are addressed more particularly to my Fellow Countrymen and British Subjects, yet many of them are equally applicable to all others amongst us, whether home^born or sir anger. The Reforms I would ask, and the legislation we demand, will benefit you, as much as the subjects of Great Britain. This assertion hardly requires proof. Less oppressive taxes ivould benefit you as much as it would us, for we are equally misruled ; and rapid public improvements would add to your wealth and comfort ; objects i'or which you have come to this country as well as ourselves. In the event cf a "Responsible Government" being elected, you would know how to act with commercial foresight, and on the ordinary principles of taxation : which you cannot do at present. Under a truer example of British rule and British Institutions, m&ny of you, we hope, would take up here your permanent abode, and be counted in British Columbia as you are in other Colonies of x>ujr Empire, upholders of law and order, mutual improvers of a great country — united once more in our svmpatnies and in our allegiance, to our adopted country and our Fatherland. Jtt^fc^ That "one and all " of those whom I address, will we^ipPriit I liave said carefully, and if they think fit adopt my suggestion s|^e ;dily and determinately, is the earnest request and hope of ONE OF THEMSELVES. . «•->■. '* .' ■ - - .■♦.» . : > f--^ '■*-. '■ -f '' '"" k ff. 1 ':.' . *~* ,ii '. ^> ♦C; Pi§^- ,t ^: M - .'.-W \-.1 ♦ <«> / /f i«. ■.r m %«. 4fif- ^"*5 ^^' t £i»4&S=£— _;sa t speak [ends at be done levise. r to my tern are 'born or nd, will ;s ^ould isruled ; 1th and I well as ed, you on the ient. itutions, t abode, onies of r a great egiance, pPK&t I ii^e?dily VES. [;ji8'i*iiiiiffiiiif"--