This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Lytton approves of Douglas’s notice and proclamations prohibiting the sale of alcohol to First Nations and cautioning
purchasers from fraudulent sales of Crown lands. However, Lytton did observe a grant form submitted by Douglas which ran in the name of the governor and not the Queen. He supplies Douglas with a grant form for his adoption that should satisfy the governor’s needs and includes
recent amendments to mineral and timber rights.
No. 6
Downing Street
20 January 1859
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches No 1 of the
12th and No 5 of the 23rd of October last—the first enclosing two Proclamations and a Notice which you had issued prohibiting
the introduction of Spirituous liquors among the natives, and cautioning purchasers
against fraudulent sales of Crown lands by unauthorised persons, and I have to convey
to you my approval of the Notice and Proclamations in question.
With
With respect to the form of Grant enclosed in your second Despatch
I have to observe that it runs in the name of the Governor and not in
the name of the Queen as is usual in all Grants made in virtue of powers
delegated by Her Majesty, and that the condition at the end of it that
the lands shall be subject to all laws and sanitary regulations now in
force is superfluous, and therefore perhaps calculated to raise a doubt
on that point rather than to settle it.
I therefore transmit a form of Grant for your adoption which
appears to me sufficient for all purposes. You willobserve observe that all
reservations of timber, minerals &c are omitted in conformity with the
policy which has been established in other Colonies of late years, but
this omission will not entitle a Grantee to appropriate Gold or Silver
which may be found on his Grant, although it will entitle him to the
baser metals and Coal.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant E B Lytton