The New York herald., 1867-03-31
THE BRITISH Possessions.

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British Cslansbia and vaucouver's leland.
Inasmuch as the right of possession Of Ssn Saan
sand) or Haro Archipelago remains stin in condition
of subdued dispute between the United States and Great
Observation-Disclosures tho negotiations specially con-
Quoted by the late Lieutenant General sco&t the spot
with the English rcpresentatves-our COMING occupa
t0n Of Russian America may be regarded - q grand
advance towards the complete rectcasion" Of the vast
Northwestern frontier Just previous to the consolidation
OF the Kingdom Dominion Of Canada which, as will
be by the despatch of Earl Carnarvon, also pub
lished, Is to include Brn Columbia and vancouvers
Island. We thccfore append description Of both these
posscesions:-
The Outlying Constituencies or tho Kingdom
Of Canada.
Tho foiIow.S Ia copy OF despatch from Lord Car
navon to his Excellecsy dovernor seymour fcspecns
the North American Union BILL
VANCOUVER isLAHD-so l5
Do~siSc sfRhET, October 81, 1866
SR:-I have received from time to time consider
able number Of dispatches and other communications
as oed below, relating to the constitution OF Vancouver
Island and to the union which has long proposed
between that colony ana British Columbia ln acknow
edging them think i advisable 70 place on record IN
degree the motives by wicb ner Ma)esys govern
ment have been acuated in taking ssps Iof the copeto
union Of the colonies
The Duke Of Neocasqs oppressed his conpsin a the colo
mics oatgat to form government But this course was
open to three strong objections
FJst-It opposed to the prevalent feeling on the
spot
Secmdy-Tbe formal grant OF representative institu.
tions was impossible IN British Columbia while they
already existed 10 and could not be withdrawn from
Vancouver Island except by strong exercise OF Para
mcnary power or by an intmaton on tno part Of the
her Majesty 3 government.
7airdy-The commercial policy Of Vancouver Island
opposed TO the imposition Of import duties
which the government OF British Columbia obliged
10 rely for it's revenue
sidercd and indeed reasonable person could doubi
that the interests Of the colonies whether in point of
ECONOMY or IN point OF administrative Efficiency required
that they should be consolidated under legislative
and one executive government
Such were the views Of the home government In
1858 On she "a Of Marh, 1885, the ddiculty hitherto
existing disposed Of by the Assembly Of Vancouver
Island, decariOg by resolution that ..the immediate
union Of this colony with British Columbia under such
constitution her Majesty government may pleased
grant, the best means adapted to prevent permanent
causes OF Depression as well to stimulate trade foster
Industry, develop resources, augment popua-
and increase our permanent prosperity" Later,
the 18th Of December. 1865, the same Assembly
dorscd these resoutions but, while expressing their
preference for representative institutions and apparently
for what called responsible government, repeated their
conviction that the immediate union Of Vancouver
Island and British Columbia necessary bevond any
other 10 impart confidence 70 the public mind
also referred TO the Willingness which they had already
shown 70 accept whatever constitution her Majestys
government might be pleased TO grant
These addresses adopted by the Legislature an in.
torva Of nearly year. must plainly be taken repre-
senting tho deliberate opinion OF The community in
OF union at the sacrifice or their representa-
two institutions And though II Is true that certain Of
tho Inhabitants OF Vancouver Island evidently
opposed 70 the imposition OF import duties in that
island vet IL Is evident that II union was effected
tho imposition removal OF these duties must remain
question for tho decision OF the United Legislature 1t
must he supposed that the Assembly accepted this OBJ
vious consequence Of their own request
Thus tie dlcnes Of corsoIidaton, az far regards
Vancouver Island wholly removed, and or terms
which no reasonable objection could be raised on the
part Of Briish Columbia Under these circumstances
Her Malostys late Government introduced
bill into Parl lament With that object and thai bill was
subsequently adopted and carried on by me. Whom
that bill rasssng through Parliament soma. res ou.
ons tanacoonpanied by any rerort from the Governor
passed the month Of June By the House cf As
semby, and which, though they rcasserted the vital
necessity OF union, praying that this union might take
pscc under certain constitution which would be repre-
sentative in It's general character but the terms and
Assembly, however, did not specifically withdraw the
original pledges of January and December 1866, and
which inflicted both colonies by the then OF
uncertainty. Even in the absence of explanations from
the Governor evident tina, these expressions Of
opinion did not justify her Majesty government In de-
aying for another year the which tho House OF
As emby has consistently and IN the opinion Of sue
ccssve Secretaries of STATE correctly pronounced in
dispensable and in proractlng the uncertainty which
they had declared 70 be injurious.
The bill. therefore carried through Parliament,
and may perhaps have resulted In the OF the two
colonies before this despatch reach s destination
That union win render 1t ccssary for 10 enter
n variety OF subjects which src treated or In the
dispatches and letters under acknowledgment But
have thought il necessary furnish you with this
PLANTATION Of The proceedings Of her nsiesys govern
ment lest they should be thought 10 involve want
OF consideration for the then existing Legislature OF Van
Island, should be attributed any other
tive than tue desire to complete, with promptnde
arrangement which believe 10 be In accordance
with the main interests of the colonies than with
their wishes and terminate state Of uncertainty Of
which convinced mischief Is not overratod by
A'' "'''"''' : "''''' '''' CaRSARvox.