It was composed of all of the Victoria, Esquimalt and Saanich districts as defined at the time.

As there was no general federal election including the new BC seats until 1872, the original Members of Parliament (MPs) from BC were elected in a special byelection held on 20 September 1871.

In Victoria District, there were only two candidates for the two-seat riding, so both members entered the House of Commons by acclamation.

During his first term, he retained his office as Premier, and during the last, shared the seat with Prime Minister John A. Macdonald.

The other member was Henry Nathan, Jr., a local businessman and the first MP of Jewish heritage.