CANADA HISTORY - DOCUMENTS REGIONAL

1880 Adjacent Territories Order

Analysis of the Document - (The Document follows below the Analysis)

The "Adjacent Territories Order" of 1880 is an order-in-council issued by the government of Canada in 1880, which dealt with the administration of the North-West Territories. The North-West Territories, at the time, comprised a large part of what is now central and northern Canada, including the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the northern portions of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

The Adjacent Territories Order of 1880 established the boundaries of the North-West Territories and provided for the administration of the region, including the appointment of a lieutenant governor, the creation of a council, and the establishment of a legal system. It was one of a series of measures taken by the Canadian government in the late 19th century to assert its authority over the North-West Territories and to encourage settlement and development in the region.

(ORDER OF HER MAJESTY IN COUNCIL ADMITTING ALL BRITISH TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS IN NORTH AMERICA AND ISLANDS ADJACENT THERETO INTO THE UNION)

At the Court at Osborne House. Isle of Wight, the 31st day of July, 1880

PRESENT The QUEEN'S Most Excellent Majesty Lord President Lord Steward Lord Chamberlain Whereas it is expedient that all British Territories and Possessions in North America, and the islands adjacent to such Territories and Possessions which are not already included in the Dominion of Canada, should (with the exception of the Colony of Newfoundland and its dependencies) be annexed to and form part of the said Dominion. And whereas, the Senate and Commons of Canada in Parliament assembled, have in and by an Address, dated the 3rd day of May, 1878, represented to Her Majesty "That it is desirable that the Parliament of Canada, on the transfer of the before-mentioned Territories being completed, should have authority to legislate for their future welfare and good government, and the power to make all needful rules and regulations respecting them, the same as in the case of the other territories (of the Dominion); and that the Parliament of Canada expressed its Willingness to assume the duties and obligations consequent thereon:" And whereas, Her Majesty is graciously pleased to accede to the desire expressed in and by the said address: Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered and declared by Her Majesty, by And with the advice of Her Most Honourable Privy Council, as follows:- From and after the first day of September, 1880, all British Territories and Possessions in North America, not already included within the Dominion of Canada, and all Islands adjacent to and of such Territories or Possessions, shall (with the exception of the Colony of Newfoundland and its dependencies) become and be annexed to and form part of the said Dominion of Canada; and become and be subject to the laws for the time being in force in the said Dominion, in so far as such laws may be applicable thereto. C.L. PEEL