Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Douglas transmits copies of his correspondence with the House of Assembly from April to June 1857. He reports that the House uniformly opposed the imposition of taxes, under any form and that an Act to enfranchise the town of Victoria was passed and will be brought before the Council.
The minutes note that the House of Assembly does not refuse to tax but that they will give consent if the revenue is transferred to their control.
Enclosed is correspondence between Douglas and the House of Assembly from April to June 1857 regarding the administration of Vancouver Island with particular emphasis on the financial status of the colony.
1. I have the honor of transmitting herewith, copies of my
correspondence with the House of Assembly, from the 7th of April, to
the 8th of June last.
2. Those papers contain nothing of much importance respecting the
Colony. The House has uniformly opposed the imposition of taxes, under
any form.
An
2 [3]. An Act to enfranchise the Town of Victoria" was read a third
time, and passed the Assembly on the 1st of the present month, and
will be brought before the Council, at an early day.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor
The Right HonbleHenry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Ho: of Assembly say P. 22 that before they can consent to impose
taxes the entire Revenue of VanCouver Island ought to be transferred to
their control. They do not refuse to tax.
These early proceedings of the Assembly are worth looking over,
although they contain no very important facts.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Correspondence between Douglas and the House of Assembly, 7 April to
8 June 1857, regarding the administration of Vancouver Island, with
particular emphasis on the financial status of the colony.