Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 21 December 1866, CO 60:25, no. 1930, 281.
Abstract
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 21 December 1866, CO 60:25, no. 1930, 281.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (23), Other documents (1).
No. 5
21st December 1866
My Lord,
I have the honor to forward a letter from the President of
the Chamber of Commerce of Victoria requesting that its enclosures
might be submitted for Your Lordship'sconsideration
consideration.
consideration.
2. In his despatch, No. 15 of 21st March 1865, Governor
Kennedy forwarded certain Resolutions passed and Statements made
by the Chamber of Commerce. These Resolutions and Statements
were published in the local papers and as they attributed somewhat
unworthy motives to the Government of this Colony, I commented
on them in my despatch No. 30 of 21 March 1865. This despatch
was, with myentire
entire consent, printed and presented to Parliament.
It was transmitted with other papers to Vancouver Island and laid
officially by Governor Kennedy, I know not why, before the
Legislative Assembly. My remarks having thus been made public,
the Chamber of Commerce conceived themselves challenged to take
notice of them. Hence has arisen the very unnecessary communication
I have now the honor to forward.
3. As
entire consent, printed and presented to Parliament.
It was transmitted with other papers to Vancouver Island and laid
officially by Governor Kennedy, I know not why, before the
Legislative Assembly. My remarks having thus been made public,
the Chamber of Commerce conceived themselves challenged to take
notice of them. Hence has arisen the very unnecessary communication
I have now the honor to forward.
3. As my reflections on the accuracy of the Statements made
by the Chamber of Commerce, I must say that we differ in regard
to the natural features of the Coast. These speak for themselves;
also as to the motives which governed my Administrative and Legislative
Acts. On this latter point, with all due deference to the writers,
I still claim to be the best judge.
4. I briefly notice thearguments
arguments used in the papers I forward.
arguments used in the papers I forward.
1st. No one can deny that Esquimalt possesses an excellent
harbour, but if that is to be considered a portion of the Port of
Victoria, Burrard Inlet, one still superior, should be given to
the credit of New Westminster.
2nd. I supported my description of the several Ports
on this Coast by the evidence of Captain Richards, Hydrographer
of the Navy, Vice AdmiralKingcome
Kingcome, and Captain Lord Gilford,
authorities amply sufficient in my opinion.
Kingcome, and Captain Lord Gilford,
authorities amply sufficient in my opinion.
3rd. It is sought to establish some sort of analogy
between the position of Victoria under Sir James Douglas'
administration and New Westminster under mine. This fails.
I referred to the fact that the public Establishment of Vancouver Island under the former state of things was mainly supported by
the taxation levied on another community.In
In New Westminster at
all events whatever has been expended has been raised from the
labour and capital of the Colony of which it was the Chief Town.
I dread to enter on questions of veracity with persons now brought
into official relations with me. Can I however withdraw the
charge of looseness of Statement in face of the letter I now
enclose from the Auditor General?
4. As
In New Westminster at
all events whatever has been expended has been raised from the
labour and capital of the Colony of which it was the Chief Town.
I dread to enter on questions of veracity with persons now brought
into official relations with me. Can I however withdraw the
charge of looseness of Statement in face of the letter I now
enclose from the Auditor General?
4th. As to the present condition of New Westminster
(a matter totally irrelevant to the discussion the Chamber of Commerce
would have with me) I quote the following words from the Address
presented to me by the Municipal Council on my return from England:
While we cannot point to any very great progress made by
this City during Your Excellency's absence, yet it is asatisfaction
satisfaction to know that some substantial advancement
has marked that period, and that the commercial crises
which has overtaken these Colonies, has fallen with less
severity upon this Community.
satisfaction to know that some substantial advancement
has marked that period, and that the commercial crises
which has overtaken these Colonies, has fallen with less
severity upon this Community.
5. I will not offer any further explanation. I will not find
fault with the selection of Newspaper Articles to represent Public
opinion in the Colony. I honestly believe that now the two Colonies
with conflictinginterests
interests are united under my administration I
should best meet the wishes of the Chamber of Commerce by consigning
the papers I now forward to the flames. With me the discussion as
to motives and soundings has left no bitterness.
interests are united under my administration I
should best meet the wishes of the Chamber of Commerce by consigning
the papers I now forward to the flames. With me the discussion as
to motives and soundings has left no bitterness.
6. The whole question is now out of date. Its essence was
the spirit of rivalry which prevailed between the two constituent
parts of the present Colony ofBritish
British Columbia.
British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
If you read the pamphlet—or reply of the Chamber of Commerce—you should commence at P. 18. It consists of a defence of the Chamber against certain statements made 2 years ago—March /65—by Govr Seymour in wh. he rather depreciated the chief Harbors of V.C.I., and contrasted the affairs of B.C. with those of V.C. more favorably than the Chamber liked. The whole subject is, as Govr Seymour observes now quite out of date; and the best policy we can pursue, who have nothing to do with the dispute, is to say something that will satisfy both sides, if that is possible.
If you read the pamphlet—or reply of the Chamber of Commerce—you should commence at P. 18. It consists of a defence of the Chamber against certain statements made 2 years ago—March /65—by Govr Seymour in wh. he rather depreciated the chief Harbors of V.C.I., and contrasted the affairs of B.C. with those of V.C. more favorably than the Chamber liked. The whole subject is, as Govr Seymour observes now quite out of date; and the best policy we can pursue, who have nothing to do with the dispute, is to say something that will satisfy both sides, if that is possible.
ABd
27 F
I annex a separate minute.
TFE
1/3
The Chamber of Commerce send their printed paper to the
Governor with a request that it may be forwarded to the
Secretary of State. It is indispensable therefore to
acknowledge it's receipt. But beyond this I think that it
will be judged expedient to give as little importance as
possible to this superfluous but bitter revival of old
discussions. The last despatches afford reason to hope
that Governor Seymour is in a fair way of conciliating the
good will of the Vancouver as well as the Columbia section
of the United Colony.
I should be disposed to advise some such an answer as
follows. Tell the Governorthat
that he is to inform the Chamber
of Commerce that Lord Carnarvon does not think it necessary
or advisable to enter into or prolong a controversy upon the
contents of the despatch written two years ago under circumstances
entirely different from those of the present time, and upon a
subject on which no practical question of administration now
depends. His Lordship indulges a hope that before long any
feelings of rivalry between different sections of the Colony
will disappear, and that all parties will cheerfully give that
cooperation, which is so necessary to the reputation and the
welfare of their Country, in developing the appropriate resources
ofeach
each part of the United Colony.
that he is to inform the Chamber
of Commerce that Lord Carnarvon does not think it necessary
or advisable to enter into or prolong a controversy upon the
contents of the despatch written two years ago under circumstances
entirely different from those of the present time, and upon a
subject on which no practical question of administration now
depends. His Lordship indulges a hope that before long any
feelings of rivalry between different sections of the Colony
will disappear, and that all parties will cheerfully give that
cooperation, which is so necessary to the reputation and the
welfare of their Country, in developing the appropriate resources
ofeach
each part of the United Colony.
I think this correspondence shd be omitted. It only shews
the strong feelings which
have prevailed, & whh we hope are subsiding. It adds no real
informn.
ABd
27 March
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
James Lowe, President, Chamber of Commerce, to Colonial
Secretary, 1 October 1866, forwarding documents in response to a
despatch of Seymour's dated 21 March 1865 and asking that they be
forwarded to the secretary of state.
Robert Ker, Auditor General, to Colonial Secretary, 15 December
1866, responding to allegations made by the Chamber of Commerce
with regard to the financial arrangements of British Columbia.
List of Enclosures in above report (45 pages):
2. Victoria Pilot Act 1864.
3. Statement of Vessels that have entered into and
cleared from Victoria Harbor from 1862 to 1865.
3a. Statement of Seafaring Vessels that have
entered into and departed from Victoria Harbour between 20th
November 1860 and August 1866 with their draught of water duly
certified by the pilots.
4. Statement of Imports and Exports.
5. List of Vessels discharged in Esquimalt and their tonnage.
6. List of property held by Merchants and others
on the waterside of Esquimalt Harbor .
8. Certificate from Captain Swanson.
9. Certificate from Captain Lewis.
10. Certificate from John Titcomb.
11. Certificate from Honorable Roderick Finlayson.
12. Letter from A.C. Anderson Esquire. [Pages out of order on reel].
13. Newspaper clipping, British Columbia
Government Gazette, December 1864, containing extract of
"Notices to Mariners."
14. Newspaper clipping,
San Francisco Bulletin, 20 August 1866, "The Colony of Vancouver Island to be Abolished."
15. Copies of
British Columbia Tribune, 13 August 1866 and Cariboo Sentinel,
20, 23 and 27 August 1866 (not on microfilm).
