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Medical certificates, testimonials, diplomas, correspondence, 1863 and 1865, and commissions appointing Helmcken to the Legislative Council and Executive Council of British Columbia, 1867-1869.

This series consists of records of the Executive Council, 1859-1913. Records include minutes of Colonial and Provincial Executive Council, ministerial reports, State Books, orders-in-council, registers, and indices (1859-1913), along with petitions, dispatches, and correspondence inward to Lieutenant- Governor in Council (1871-1909).

The Executive Council papers are among the most important of the early provincial government records held by the B.C. Archives. The value of the papers stems from the fact that the Council itself is the most important and influential level of government in the province. It is at the Executive Council level that government policies and regulations are discussed, formulated, and implemented; it is at this level that decisions are made regarding the overall running of the province. During the the period covered by GR-0444, it was also the responsibility of the Executive Council to handle the many contentious issues which affected Dominion-Provincial and Imperial-Provincial relations.

The Executive Council received and considered virtually all of the dispatches sent to the Lieutenant-Governor from Ottawa or London. Most of the petitions and memorials submitted by individuals or groups in the province to the Lieutenant-Governor were considered by the Council, too. In addition, the Executive Council dealt with correspondence from private citizens, as well as reports emanating from government ministries, departments, and agencies. In short, the Executive Council dealt with a myriad of issues - as is evidenced by the volume, range, and diversity of the papers in this record group.

Since the cabinet is the executive arm of the government, it has the authority to enact regulations, as defined by the Regulations Act (RS 1979 c. 361), Regulations, so defined, include rules, orders, proclamations, and bylaws of a legislative nature, made under or by the authority of any act passed by the legislative assembly. Among the regulations are Orders-in-Council which are formally described as "official documents promulgating Government decisions concerned with the day-to-day operation of the Province. Researchers consulting GR-0444 should note that Orders-in-Council are made under the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor or, more precisely, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. The latter implies the Lieutenant Governor acting by and with the advice of, or by and with the advice and consent or in conjunction with, the Executive Council" (Interpretation Act, RS 1979, c.206). Thus, the term "Lieutenant-Governor in Council" occurs frequently with reference to business conducted by what is otherwise known as the Executive Council, or cabinet.

This series contains copies of British Columbia Executive Council minutes from 10 January 1865 to 7 July 1871.

This series consists of papers of the Lieutenant-Governors of British Columbia. Includes transcripts of telegrams between Victoria and Ottawa, letterbook copies of official despatches outward (1871-1881), despatches inward from Governor General, Secretary of State, and Senior Naval Officer, Esquimalt (1871-1918), along with official correspondence from British Columbia government ministries and departments (1874-1919). Also includes miscellaneous, general, and semi- official correspondence inward, addresses, petitions, and memorials, (1872-1936). Records have been organized into five sub-series:

Letterbook copies of official correspondence outward (1896-1919) are on microfilm. Volume 5 (Feb - Dec 1902) and Volume 17 (1915) were missing at the time of filming. Date ranges correspond to the microfilm box labels.

Correspondence Inward: Despatches from the Canadian Government Secretary of State for the Provinces. Official correspondence from the Dominion of Canada to the Province of British Columbia. Files include minutes and reports of Privy Council, memoranda from the Colonial Secretary (London), and other government correspondence relating to British Columbia.

Miscellaneous correspondence inward. Variously entitled "All & Sundry", and "Tout le Monde", files include communications from Colonial Secretary (London) federal and provincial government officials, British consulates and embassies, and Lieutenant Governors of other provinces. Correspondence also includes petitions, memorials, and addresses, letters from private persons and circulars.

General Correspondence inward (I): Unlike volumes 58-65 above, general correspondence files include official despatches from Secretary of State, Ottawa, with official communications from BC government ministries and departments. Files include replies to correspondents.

General Correspondence (II) - Subject Files

The series consists of volumes of indexes to Orders in Council (OIC) created between 1872 and 1984. The indexes relate to GR-0113 Orders in Council. The oversize volumes were maintained by the Provincial Secretary's office prior to the introduction of an automated indexing system in 1985 and digitization of the records, now available on the BC Laws website: http://www.bclaws.ca/. In most instances, OICs are indexed under the name of the statutes to which they relate. The series also includes ledgers recording documents issued under the Great Seal. The ledgers are arranged by Act name and list the relevant OIC as well as the name and address of the appointee mentioned in the OIC.

This series consists of one volume labelled "1872 Orders in Council 1 to 42". However, the numbers applied to these Orders are not consistent with the final approved Orders in Council. The records are certified copies of (assumed) drafts of 42 Orders in Council from 1872 created by the Clerk of the Executive Council. The Orders may be accompanied by associated material, such as other forms, correspondence, sketch maps or extracts of Council minutes.

The series consists of Orders in Council (OIC) created between 1872 and 2009, arranged numerically by year and then by OIC number. The series also includes some maps and text attachments which were transferred in 1974 from the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary. An Order in Council is a directive issued by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of Cabinet authorizing certain actions, including creating simple legislation and granting political appointments.

Containers 941119-0002, 941119-0004, and 941119-0006 contain proclamations. These ledgers include a copy of the Order in Council relating to the proclamation and a copy of the proclamation. Each book contains an index listing both the OIC number and the subject of the proclamation.

This series contains an index to orders-in-council relating to lands and public works. Information is arranged alphabetically by subject (1 vol.).

Series consists of oversize attachments to Orders in Council (OIC) that were removed from GR-0113. Some oversized maps and plans from 1896-1979 were microfilmed and are available on reels B07080 to B07085. Other items, which were too large to be microfilmed or were created after 1979, are only available as originals. These are listed in the attached finding aid. Additional oversize items may also be found in GR-0113 (1872-2009) and 91-0472-740 to 91-0472-751 (1993-1994). See the end of the attached finding aid.

Amor De Cosmos, British Columbia newspaperman and politician, was born in Nova Scotia as William Alexander Smith in 1825 and migrated to Victoria, via the California gold fields, in 1858. As editor of The Colonist, and elected representative in Vancouver Island's colonial government, De Cosmos was active in public affairs. Upon Confederation De Cosmos represented British Columbia (Victoria District) in the House of Commons at Ottawa from 1871 to 1882. During that time he was appointed a Special Agent on 14 October 1880 by George Anthony Walkem's provincial government to present the views of the provincial government to Sir John A. Macdonald's federal administration on the subject of the Vancouver Island section of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Unable to achieve positive results in Ottawa, De Cosmos proceeded to London in May 1881 to present the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord Kimberley, with a petition to the Queen on the subject of Canada's railway obligations to British Columbia. He returned to Ottawa in November 1881 to pursue discussions with the various officials concerned. The provincial government relieved De Cosmos of his special duties in May 1882 whereupon De Cosmos returned to Victoria to contest unsuccessfully the June 1882 general election.

The papers consist chiefly of manuscript copies of telegrams, notes and letters between De Cosmos and others while he was acting as Special Agent of the government of British Columbia at Ottawa and London from 1880 to 1882. Some of the correspondence has been published in the 1881 B.C. Sessional Papers, pp. 490-494; see also "Papers relating to the mission of the Hon. Amor De Cosmos to London in 1881 . . . (NW 971B/B862pa); and 'Island railway papers compiled by Amor De Cosmos' (NW971B/D296).

One plan transferred to the map collection [also filmed with correspondence on microfilm reel A00792(1)]. One plan showing a proposed railway ferry between Nanaimo Harbour and English Bay, Burrard Inlet also between Gabriola Pass and Pont Grey has been transferred to the map collection as CM/A984. For related records, see GR-1306, Lieutenant Governor's correspondence.

This series contains minutes from the Executive Council meetings. Records of interest in this series include minutes "relative to the Indian troubles on the Skeena River," from 1888.; dispatches, reports, and correspondence concerning the relocation of Songhees Indian reserve, 1893-1896. The series also includes a copy of the Report on British Columbia for Royal Colonial Institute (for use in British elementary schools), 1884.

This series consists of correspondence relating to the issuance of commissions to members of the Executive Council, to the oath of allegiance taken by cabinet ministers, and to royal toasts; index and registers of oaths of office and oaths of allegiance of members of the Executive Council.

Records related to land disputes arising from conflicting claims and applications for the purchase of unsurveyed lands and pastoral lands in the vicinity of Port Simpson, Coast Land District. Includes correspondence, applications, sketches, and a copy of a report of the Executive Council dated 13 May 1891.

This series contains copies of Minutes of Executive Council (orders-in-council), relating to lands and resources for which no approval notices received.

British Columbia, Executive Council minute book, 1910-1912; legal papers concerning the affairs and estate of William Bowser; voters list from the Cariboo electoral district, May 1931; letter inward from the Ku-Klux Klan, 1933; correspondence with John H. Turner, Agent General, concerning the Turner's resignation, 1915.

Minute books of the Executive Council of the Province of British Columbia (3 volumes): January 3, 1908 - December 30, 1909; January 3, 1912 - December 31, 1913; January 31 1914 - November 22, 1916.

The series consists of correspondence, 1913-1916, that was originally a part of the Provincial Secretary's Central Registry. The records include grant applications from charitable organizations (e.g. Salvation Army Rescue and Maternity Home, Vancouver); petitions from various citizens groups and trades organizations (e.g. re: Pacific Great Eastern railway, prohibition, and Weekly Half Holiday Act); plus files on diverse topics such as the Belgian Relief Fund (which was administered by the Provincial Secretary), the Progress Club of Vancouver, the provincial coat-of-arms, prohibition, half-day closing, the Provincial Archives and W.W. Walkem's "Stories of Early British Columbia".

This series contains papers relating to the Government Committee on ship-building. The committee was formed by Premier Sir Richard McBride in 1915, after considerable lobbying on the part of shipyards, lumber interests, and local Boards of Trade. The committee was chaired by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Charles E. Tisdall. In January 1916 the committee issued a circular letter asking ship-owners, builders, brokers, etc. their views as to the best means of developing a merchant marine. The committee received a large number of replies, offering advice on the costs of construction, hull designs, the merits of wooden vs. steel ships, marine engine types, government subsidies, and related issues. The government subsequently introduced the B.C. Shipping Act [BCS, 1916, c. 57] which established the B.C. Shipping Commission, an agency authorized to provide loans, subsidies, and other assistance to the marine industry. The act was repealed in 1922.

This series contains the minute book of the Executive Council for the period 29 November 1916 to 19 January 1917.

This series consists of a photocopy of the schedule referred to in order-in-council No. 911, approved 26 July 1923 regarding confirmation of reserves, reduction of cut-offs, new reserves as a result of work of [William E.] Ditchburn [and Col. J.W.] Clark, to amend work of the Commission on Indian Lands and Indian Affairs in General in British Columbia, 1913-1916. This document is commonly known as the Ditchburn-Clark Report.

This series consists of one volume of a record of documents retained by various government departments, 1934-1935.

This series consists of eight pages of correspondence regarding subjects arising from the convention held at Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., September 23, 24 and 25, 1946 to be submitted to the Hon. the Premier and the Cabinet by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

This series contains correspondence and briefs submitted to the Executive Council. It includes applications and appeals pertaining to the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, Seaboard Distributors Ltd., Blunden Harbour Land Company Ltd., and sundry miscellaneous organizations.

This series consists of a brief of the Mining Association of British Columbia to the premier and cabinet.

The series consists of correspondence accompanying briefs presented to the Executive Council. A chronological list appears in box 1 file 1. The briefs themselves have been removed by the Legislative Library and catalogued in their main catalogue under the organization or individual presenting the brief.

This series consists of record of appeals heard by the Executive Council.

This series contains proceedings of appeals brought before cabinet regarding the Forest Act, Motor Carrier Act, Public Utilities Commission Act, and Pollution Control Act. Appellants include Celgar Development Company, Empire Mills Ltd., CN Transportation, Westcoast Transmission, British Columbia Forests Products, Port Alberni Warehousing, and the Corporation of the District of Saanich.

This series contains transcripts of hearings before the Minister of Lands and Forests and the Cabinet regarding the application of Celgar Ltd. for a Forest Management Licence (1952) in the Arrow Lakes.

This series contains records of the Deputy Provincial Secretary relating to the operations of the Ministry's branches. Many of these records deal with heritage conservation, museums, and cultural organizations. Records also deal with the administration of Royal Canadian Humane Association awards for bravery and life-saving.

GR-1661 is a pot-pourri of records accumulated by the office of the Deputy Provincial Secretary and by his various Assistant Deputy Ministers.The diversity of this collection is testimony to the multi- faceted operations and responsibilities of the Provincial Secretary's department.

A substantial number of the files deal with Heritage Conservation policies and heritage sites, such as Craigflower Schoolhouse, Barkerville, and Fort Steele.Many of the files also deal with cultural organizations and activities, with provincial fitness and recreation programmes, and with special interest groups.Other files in this unit pertain to the Royal Canadian Humane Association awards for bravery (which were coordinated by the ministry), to specific legislation re:the provincial flag, the provincial tartan, etc., and to the organization of out-of-town cabinet meetings.

This series contains a brief submitted by the Atlin District Board of Trade on "Proposed Development for North-West British Columbia." The series also contains reports and position papers submitted by the provincial government to the Alaska-British Columbia-Yukon Conference at Whitehorse, 1964.