Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Murray, James to Monsell, William 2 February 1869, CO 60:37, no. 1303, 164.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Murray forwards a despatch from Monck in which Monck discusses when it would be advisable to discuss including British Columbia in the reciprocity treaty with the US. Cox’s minute suggests seeing
1421 from F.O.Minutes by Cox, Sandford, and Monsell discuss how to relate the information in Monck’s letter to Seymour.
Murray to Under-Secretary of State
With reference to your letter of the 29th ultimo respecting the
wish expressed by the Governor of British Columbia to learn the
nature of the Treaty of Reciprocity which would be proposed to
the United States; I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to
request that you will bring under Earl Granville's notice the
despatch from Lord Monck of which copy was inclosed in your
letter of the 6th of Novembersetting
setting forth the Grounds on
which he considered that it would be unadvisable to make
proposals in this matter to the Government of the United States,
until that Government should have taken the initiative in regard
to it.
setting forth the Grounds on
which he considered that it would be unadvisable to make
proposals in this matter to the Government of the United States,
until that Government should have taken the initiative in regard
to it.
Since the date of your letter no further information on the
subject has been received from Mr Thornton and the whole
subject appears to be in abeyance at present.
Minutes by CO staff
Till I read this letter I was not aware of the existence of Lord
Monck's despatch 11700 herewith.
Ackn: the receipt of the Govrs despatch 538—& also 539 (with
F.O. 1421) & say that HM's Govt do not consider it advisable to
take the initiative with the Govt
of the United States at the
present moment, but that the case of B. Columbia will not be
lost sight of?
of the United States at the
present moment, but that the case of B. Columbia will not be
lost sight of?
CC
8/2
I sd merely say that the question is for the moment,
in abeyance, but that Gov. Seymours observations have been
brought under the notice of the Earl of Clarendon, who states
that they will be borne in mind.
See
1421.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Granville to Seymour, No. 12, 13 February 1869 informing Seymour that the question of British Columbia joining in any reciprocity treaty with the US is in abeyance.