Nothing peculiarly calling for statement or remark was presented in the aspect of the British American colonies in 1858-9, except Jamaica and British Columbia.

Jamaica.—This island has been well styled the Queen of the Western Indies. Slavery, bad government, the ignorance and bigotry of the colonists, had all militated against its improvement—1858-9 was no exception to these remarks. According to De Cordova’s Mercantile Intelligencer, the Commercial annals of the year “were peculiarly unhealthy.” This was the only British American colony to which such a remark would apply.

British Columbia and Vancouver’s Island.—This new settlement made great progress from the very dawn of its recognition as a colony. The capital, called Victoria, sprang up as if by magic, and became a centre of business activity and colonial enterprise. Situated on the Pacific, the climate is favourable, and the position, politically and commercially, most important. The citizens of the United States laid claim to an island near Vancouver’s Island, which was a source of alarm lest war between the two states should arise from the dispute. This question was not adjusted when this History was brought to a termination.

In 1859, the Canadian News contained the following statements illustrating the value of this colony:—“Her majesty’s ship Plumper arrived at Esquimault on the 1st of November from Nanaimo, having concluded her surveying operations on the northern part of the Strait of Georgia for the present season. During this cruise, several new anchorages have been discovered and surveyed between Nanaimo and Cape Laso (or Point Holmes, as it is sometimes called), a distance of about fifty miles. But, perhaps, the most important discovery is the existence of a considerable river in Vancouver’s Island, navigable for boats or small stern-wheel steamers, on the banks of which are extensive tracts of excellent land, varying from 20 to 100 feet in elevation, and clothed with a rich luxuriant grass. This land is ready for the plough, is entirely clear of the pine-tree, and studded here and there with a better kind of oak than is usually found on the cleared lands of Vancouver’s Island. This river, which has received the name of Courtenay, in honour of Admiral Courtenay, who formerly commanded her majesty’s ship Constance in these waters, empties itself into a good and spacious harbour, Port Augusta, which lies in about 49° 36’ north latitude, and is scarcely 50 miles from Nanaimo. Major Downie was on his way down from the Upper Fraser River region by the Lillooet trail and Port Douglas. There were reports of his having made some valuable geographical discoveries on his journey from the coast to Port Alexander, among which were a chain of lakes extending along the route 150 miles, so that steamers drawing 12 inches of water can navigate a distance of 100 miles further than steamers drawing 4 feet, which latter run on Senas River, and a practicable portage of 40 miles will then reach Fort Alexander. These reports are looked upon at Victoria as important, as, if true, the upper mining districts will be much more accessible than heretofore, being brought almost within water communication with Victoria.”