Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Peel, Frederick to Rogers, Frederic 5 December 1864, CO 60:20, no. 11188, 244.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Peel offers the Treasury’s opinions on British Columbia’s
Ordinance No 16 of 1864—to amend the Customs Dutieswhich removed a prior Ordinance requiring vessels trading in BC north of the Fraser River to clear customs on Vancouver Island. The Treasury agrees that ships should not be obligated to clear at Vancouver Island but recommends that a clearing house be constructed at Point Roberts or at
some more continent point on the sea coastso that ships don’t have to
go out of their courseand clear customs at New Westminster.
Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
5th December 1864
Sir,
With reference to your letter of 13th October last,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you that They have had under Their
consideration the British Columbia Ordinance No 16 of
1864—to amend the Customs Duties together with the despatch
from the Governor submitting certain observations upon the
fourth Clausewhich
which repeals the existing authority for
the clearance of Vessels in Vancouver Island for any port
of British Columbia North of Fraser River—or the payment of
Customs Duties of British Columbia in any part of Vancouver Island.
which repeals the existing authority for
the clearance of Vessels in Vancouver Island for any port
of British Columbia North of Fraser River—or the payment of
Customs Duties of British Columbia in any part of Vancouver Island.
My Lords have no objection to the first three clauses
of the Ordinance.
With regard to the fourth clause My Lords see no reason
to dissent from the view taken by Mr Secretary Cardwell
that the enactment is a legitimate exercise of the Powers of
the British Columbia Legislature, but They thinkthat
that, before
the Ordinance is submitted to Her Majesty for confirmation,
full opportunity should be given for any representations
to be made from Vancouver's Island touching the probable
effect of the measure upon the trade of the two Colonies.
that, before
the Ordinance is submitted to Her Majesty for confirmation,
full opportunity should be given for any representations
to be made from Vancouver's Island touching the probable
effect of the measure upon the trade of the two Colonies.
None have as yet been received.
My Lords are not aware what ports there may be in
British Columbia North of the Fraser River and now open
for traffic or what means the Government of British Columbia
have or intend to have for levying Customs Duties at such
ports, but They observe that the Governor in the 4th
paragraphof
of his despatch of 6th June, states that
"Vessels going to engage in the very profitable Traffic
with the Northern Indians will have to clear at New Westminster."
of his despatch of 6th June, states that
"Vessels going to engage in the very profitable Traffic
with the Northern Indians will have to clear at New Westminster."
If this means that all Vessels bound to places North
of the Fraser River are in future to go up that River to
New Westminster to get a clearance and to pay the Customs
Duties, which would evidently take them out of their course,
it is not improbable that Shipowners and Traders generally
will complain of the new regulations especially considering
that the ShipChannel
Channel into the River has been described as
winding in a tortuous and narrow passage through the sand,
a navigation somewhat dangerous.
Channel into the River has been described as
winding in a tortuous and narrow passage through the sand,
a navigation somewhat dangerous.
The Despatch from Governor Douglas of 3rd November
1858, relating to the Selection of one or more Seaport Towns
for the Colony of British Columbia contains some remarks
bearing upon the question now under consideration.
The 13th paragraph of that despatch has reference to
the arrangement hitherto in force for allowing Vessels to
clear atVancouver's
Vancouver's Island, but the 11th paragraph
suggests that, for the convenience of general Trade and to
prevent the risks and delays consequent on entering the
River, a Customs Officer might be stationed at Point Roberts
or at some more convenient point on the sea coast, outside
of Fraser River, to enter ships bound to other places in the
Gulf of Georgia north of Fraser River.
Vancouver's Island, but the 11th paragraph
suggests that, for the convenience of general Trade and to
prevent the risks and delays consequent on entering the
River, a Customs Officer might be stationed at Point Roberts
or at some more convenient point on the sea coast, outside
of Fraser River, to enter ships bound to other places in the
Gulf of Georgia north of Fraser River.
In the event of its being decided to allow the Ordinance
My Lords would suggest thatsome
some provision should be made for
affording facilities to Vessels bound for places North of
the Fraser River in obtaining clearance and paying the Customs
Duties without being compelled to go out of their course.
some provision should be made for
affording facilities to Vessels bound for places North of
the Fraser River in obtaining clearance and paying the Customs
Duties without being compelled to go out of their course.
Minutes by CO staff
Write to Govr that as no representation adverse
to this Act had been received from V.C.I. or
from B.C. HM had been pleased to approve & confirm it.
Observe however that it wd
seem from Mr Seymours dph that the vessels trading
with the Northern parts of BC wd be obliged to
come to New Westminster in order to clear, wh
wd take them considerably out of their course. Refer
to the 11th parag of Gov. Douglas dph of
3 Nov. 1858 and suggest the expediency of placing a
Custom House if possible at Point Roberts &c as in
Treay letter but wait for B of Trade rep.
FR
7/12
Sir J Douglas' dph is printed in PP 12, Aug 1859, p. 19.
See Trade/11899.
