Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Head, Edmund Walker to Fortescue, Chichester 14 May 1864, CO 305:24, no. 4601, 187.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (6), Other documents (3).
Head expresses his concern over newspaper reports of legislation from Vancouver Island that
grant something in the nature of exclusive privileges to an American Telegraph Company, who are organizing a line from San Francisco.Head desires communication from British territories east of the Rocky Mountains to Victoria and disapproves of any
exclusive privilegesfor a telegraph line to a single company. Blackwood’s minute notes that the House of Assembly
have not yet reached the shape of an Actand that the British government’s policy is
against granting exclusive privilegesto telegraph companies.
Head to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
Hudson's Bay House
May 14/64
Sir-
It appears from recent papers received from Vancouver's Island that
Legislation has been taking place there with a view to grant
something in the nature of exclusive privileges to an American
Telegraph Company, who are organizing a line from San Francisco.
It appears to be of the greatest importance that in the British
Colonies on the Pacific no exclusive rights should be granted which
might hereafter interfere with the Establishment of a line to be
carried eastward from the Rocky Mountains over British territory.
carried eastward from the Rocky Mountains over British territory.
So far as I can understand [from] the newspaper reports referred to there
seems to be a saving of some kind with reference to a future line
through Canada; but the matter may hereafter have such an important
bearing on British interests in North America, that I think it right
to call the attention of the Rt. Honble the
Secretary of State to the Subject.
The Legislation referred to took place in Vancouvers Island, and is,
I presume,
not binding on British Columbia. This latter colony, is of
course the most important in some respects, but a communication with
the Pacific ought to be carried to the port of Victoria. I have
already expressed to you the readiness of this Company to take early
steps for the erection of the telegraph across their own territory,
and they will also be prepared to take effectual means for securing
the completion of the line from the pass in the Rocky Mountains to
New Westminster on terms analogous to those already contemplated by
the Legislature of that Colony.
not binding on British Columbia. This latter colony, is of
course the most important in some respects, but a communication with
the Pacific ought to be carried to the port of Victoria. I have
already expressed to you the readiness of this Company to take early
steps for the erection of the telegraph across their own territory,
and they will also be prepared to take effectual means for securing
the completion of the line from the pass in the Rocky Mountains to
New Westminster on terms analogous to those already contemplated by
the Legislature of that Colony.
I have the honor to enclose the Victoria paper referred to.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I have already noticed (in the local Newspapers) the proceedings of the Ho: of Assembly on this subject—but they have not yet reached the shape of an Act.
I have already noticed (in the local Newspapers) the proceedings of the Ho: of Assembly on this subject—but they have not yet reached the shape of an Act.
I need scarcely remind you that the policy of the Imperial Govt
against granting exclusive privileges to Telegraph Cies on the
continent of B.N.A. has been publicly & distinctly announced, on which
point See P.P. Ho: Lords No 162, Sep/58. And H.M.Gt have very
recently repeated the expression of this policy in the correspondence
between
Mr Collier and this office. See 7 Section of Col: Off Letter
to Mr Collier of 14 Jan. last, which I annex. I wish, however, to
observe that though it may be inferred that H.M.Got will not grant
exclusive privileges to the
H.B.Co in its design to establish a passenger and telegraphic
route from Canada to the shores of the Pacific I fail to see any
distinct intimation that such will be its course of action. In the
territories of the H.B.Co we have at present no power to insist on
such a policy; but in Canada, B. Columbia, & V.C. Island we can
prevent exclusive privileges.
If you will take the trouble to look over the Correspondence laid
before the Ho: C (which I annex) No 438, Sep. 1863 I think you will
agree with me that the H.B.Co are not, in words at least, whatever
may be the spirit of the correspondence, positively warned that
H.M.G. will not sanction exclusive telegraphic privileges. But
perhaps it was not necessary to be so precise. I only call attention
to what seems to me to be the fact.
With regard to this particular measure to which Sir E. Head
directs
attention my belief is that the Bill will be found, when it comes
home, to contain some clause saving the rights of the British
Columbian & Canadian Line. But ought that Line to have any such
saving right?
directs
attention my belief is that the Bill will be found, when it comes
home, to contain some clause saving the rights of the British
Columbian & Canadian Line. But ought that Line to have any such
saving right?
I have only to add that I have further noticed in the local
Newspapers that the President of the California State Telegraph Co
has visited V.C.Isld for the express purpose of carrying out this
design of connecting Victoria & Washington Territory by the means of
telegraphic wires—that if the Bill be passed in the V.C.I. Legre
the line is to be commenced within 5 months, & completed within 13
months.
ABd
18 May/64
I would write to the Govr enclosing the P.P. respecting exclusive
Telegraph privileges in N. Scotia & N. Brunswick—and stating the
policy of HMG is directly opposed to the
grant of any monopoly of
Telegraphic communication—that any Law granting such a monopoly must
not be assented to by the Govr without a suspending clause—and that
Mr C thinks it most improbable that any such Law wd receive HM's
approval or (if passed witht a suspg clause) be allowed to remain
in operation.
grant of any monopoly of
Telegraphic communication—that any Law granting such a monopoly must
not be assented to by the Govr without a suspending clause—and that
Mr C thinks it most improbable that any such Law wd receive HM's
approval or (if passed witht a suspg clause) be allowed to remain
in operation.
Then send copy of the dph to the H.B.C.
Answer Sir E. Head that his suggestions will be fully considered &
that the policy of the Govt has always been opposed to exclusive
privileges.
EC
30
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Perhaps you will pass these drafts to Sir F. Rogers, on whose minutes they are written, as he has under his consn a desph from B. Columbia sending home a Law similar to this which is believed to be passing, or to have passed the Legre of V.C. Island.
Perhaps you will pass these drafts to Sir F. Rogers, on whose minutes they are written, as he has under his consn a desph from B. Columbia sending home a Law similar to this which is believed to be passing, or to have passed the Legre of V.C. Island.
ABd
31 May
Draft to Sir E. Head. The ordce renders this dph and the accompy
letter to Sir E. Head inappropriate—vide minute on 5063 B. Columbia.
Other documents included in the file
*
Minutes by CO staff
This draft was seen & approved by Mr Cardwell with the other
despatches on the subject.
despatches on the subject.
EBP
1 June/64
