Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Homer, Joshua Attwood Reynolds to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 6 March 1861, CO 60:12, no. 4653, 143.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Marginalia (1).
Homer forwards Newcastle a copy of a
memorialcontaining a number of complaints about the structure of government in British Columbia, written by
a Convention of delegates from various districts in British Columbia, held at New Westminster,and signed by eight persons.
Homer to Newcastle
6 March 1861
At a Convention of delegates from various districts
in British Columbia, held at New Westminster from the 15th
to the 20th of February, A Memorial
was forwarded from them to Your Grace, through His Excellency Governor Douglas.
Not yet received from the Governor.
ABd
23 May/61
At the same time I was directed to transmit, a duplicate
Copy of the Memorial by Mail, as the members of the Convention
were desirous, that the wishes of the People of British Columbia
should be made known toHer
Her Majesty's Government at as early a
period as possible.
Her Majesty's Government at as early a
period as possible.
I therefore beg leave most respectfully to Enclose a Copy
of the Memorial.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The Memorial stated in this Letter to have been agreed to at a Convention held at New Westminster in Feby last has not yet reached this Office thro' the Governor.
The Memorial stated in this Letter to have been agreed to at a Convention held at New Westminster in Feby last has not yet reached this Office thro' the Governor.
If he shd not send it within a month or 6 weeks from this date call for his report by the means
of the usual Lithographed Form.
The Memorial dated 1860
is not in the Dt. The
subject of it demanded deliberate consideration. Perhaps
the Duke of Newcastle has deemed it prudent to reserve entering
upon the question of any change in the Govt of B. Columbia
until we approach nearer to the time—vizt 31 Decr 1862—of
the expiration of the Act of Parlt Vict. 21-Cap. 99, in
virtue of wh. Br: Col: was erected into a Colony, when an
alteration in the present system of Govt may be requisite.
is not in the Dt. The
subject of it demanded deliberate consideration. Perhaps
the Duke of Newcastle has deemed it prudent to reserve entering
upon the question of any change in the Govt of B. Columbia
until we approach nearer to the time—vizt 31 Decr 1862—of
the expiration of the Act of Parlt Vict. 21-Cap. 99, in
virtue of wh. Br: Col: was erected into a Colony, when an
alteration in the present system of Govt may be requisite.
ABd
23/5
Mr Fortescue
Wait for a time to see whether the Governor reports? So far as regards the non-residence of Officers, I thought that instructions had been given which would put an end to this kind of complaint.
Wait for a time to see whether the Governor reports? So far as regards the non-residence of Officers, I thought that instructions had been given which would put an end to this kind of complaint.
I have the large question, and the papers connected with it,
still under consideration.
N
26
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Memorial of "British Subjects" at New Westminster to Newcastle, 20 January 1861, expressing various grievances against the government including the desire of the
people for a resident governor and public officers, 8 signatures.
Minutes by CO staff
This Memo is, I think, under the consn of His Grace.