Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 20 June 1866, CO 305:28, no. 6614, 474 [478].
Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 20 June 1866, CO 305:28, no. 6614, 474 [478].
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Telegram
House of Assembly
Victoria V.I.
20th June 1866 10 P.M.
Victoria V.I.
Viâ New York
28th June 1866
2.10 P.M.
To The Right Hon Edwd Cardwell
Her Majesty's Provincial Secty of State
for the Colonies
London Eng (mail N.Y.)
The House of Assembly of Vancouvers Island having considered the
condition of the colony is of the opinion,
First—That the country suffers intensely from causes in a great
measure attributable to the continued separation
of Vancouver Island and British Columbia and to the very Expensive
and irresponsible character of the governments of British Colonies.
Second—That the Population of Vancouver Island and British Columbia
which exclusive of Indians does not exceed Ten Thousand (10,000)
persons cannot with other weighty liabilities afford more than a
salary of Two Thousand Pounds for a Governor with proportionate
Salaries for necessary heads of Departments.
Third—In view of the above facts the House is of opinion that
nothing short of immediate Union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia under a constitution apportioning the representations
according to population and giving to the Peoples Representatives
control over the mode and amount of Taxation and Expenditure can stay
the rapid decline of both Countries and restore the confidence of the
Public.
Fourth—The House on transmitting the above to Her Majestys Principal
Secretary of State for the Colonies feeling deeply the Injury which
both Vancouver Island and British Columbia are sustaining from the
present state of uncertainty & suspense on the question of Union
would respectfully ask for a Reply by Telegraph as to the intentions
of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the matter during the
present session of the Imperial Parliament.
Fifth—By unanimous resolution the Speaker is ordered to forward the
foregoing resolutions because the Government declines Telegraphing
them unless approved by the Legislative Council, Five eights (5/8)
of whom are officials.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
These resolutions ask for "immediate Union" under a constitution with Representative Govt.
These resolutions ask for "immediate Union" under a constitution with Representative Govt.
The Speaker further requests the S.S. to telegraph the intentions of
H.M. Govt with respect to Union.
I should hope this request
would not be complied with. The Govr has
been privately informed by Mr Cardwell that H.M.G. intended
introducing a measure for uniting the two Colonies into the Houses of
Parlt and Mr Forster desired me to send unofficially a copy of the
proposed bill to Govr Kennedy and to Mr Birch at B.C. This I did
by the mail of the 15 June, taking the precaution [meo mote?]
to inform those Officers that they were not, on any account, to make
the contents of the Bill public. I suspect, however, that this
precaution will have been unavailing, for I conclude that as soon as
a Bill has been ordered to be printed by the Ho: C. any body can
purchase a Copy. If so the Bill of the late Govt will have found
its way to V.C.I. This might have been inconvenient, for Mr
Cardwell's bill contained a clause giving the V.C.I. Legre the
opportunity of not concurring
in an Address to the Crown for Union,
whilst the Bill of the present Govt proposes to give no option
whatever in the matter to the Legislature of either Colony. I trust
that no mischief will result from the knowledge in V.C.I. of the
intentions of the late Govt for the bill of Mr Cardwell cannot
reach the Colony before the 1 August—at which date the Ho: Assembly
will have died a natural death.
would not be complied with. The Govr has
been privately informed by Mr Cardwell that H.M.G. intended
introducing a measure for uniting the two Colonies into the Houses of
Parlt and Mr Forster desired me to send unofficially a copy of the
proposed bill to Govr Kennedy and to Mr Birch at B.C. This I did
by the mail of the 15 June, taking the precaution [meo mote?]
to inform those Officers that they were not, on any account, to make
the contents of the Bill public. I suspect, however, that this
precaution will have been unavailing, for I conclude that as soon as
a Bill has been ordered to be printed by the Ho: C. any body can
purchase a Copy. If so the Bill of the late Govt will have found
its way to V.C.I. This might have been inconvenient, for Mr
Cardwell's bill contained a clause giving the V.C.I. Legre the
opportunity of not concurring
in an Address to the Crown for Union,
whilst the Bill of the present Govt proposes to give no option
whatever in the matter to the Legislature of either Colony. I trust
that no mischief will result from the knowledge in V.C.I. of the
intentions of the late Govt for the bill of Mr Cardwell cannot
reach the Colony before the 1 August—at which date the Ho: Assembly
will have died a natural death.
Under the foregoing circes I shd myself be of opinion that it would
be best not to telegraph at all to the Governor, but to inform him
by next Mail that tho' the telegrams have been recd Lord Carnarvon
must, for the present refrain from entering upon the subject of the
contemplated union of the two Colonies. At the same time I think it
wd be due to both Governors to send them confidentially copies of
the new Bill, as soon as it has
been ordered to be printed by the
H.C.
been ordered to be printed by the
H.C.
ABd
12 July
No House of Assembly whatever can correspond direct with the
Secretary of State, and I apprehend that it is very undesirable to
admit any such precendent. The Legislature consists of Governor,
Council and Assembly, and the Constitutional course is for the
Assembly to address the Governor upon any matter which they wish to
bring before either the local Executive or the Queen's Government.
If they wished for greater expedition, it would have been open to
them to address the Governor, if they pleased, with a request that he
would telegraph.
We have received at the same time a telegram from the Governor
showing that he has heard of this telegram, and saying that he will
report upon it by the Mail. This isa
a sufficient indication that he
has the good sense to see that constitutional changes cannot be
conveniently discussed by telegraphing across half the Globe.
a sufficient indication that he
has the good sense to see that constitutional changes cannot be
conveniently discussed by telegraphing across half the Globe.
I agree therefore with Mr Blackwood in thinking that it would be
better to communicate with the Governor by despatch as soon as there
is anything to tell him. If indeed the Bill for Union should be
carried this Session, it may be proper that the fact itself should be
announced to the Governor by telegraph; but I should doubt the
expediency of adding any particulars or comments.
TFE
13 July
I agree with Mr Blackwood & Mr Elliot. Write to the Govr in
Mr Blackwoods terms stating the receipt of the telegraph & adding that I
understand
from the Govr that a report on the case from him will
follow by the next mail. When the bill has passed we can inform the
Governor by telegraph [of the Cast?].
from the Govr that a report on the case from him will
follow by the next mail. When the bill has passed we can inform the
Governor by telegraph [of the Cast?].
C
14 July
