Berens to Newcastle
Hudson's Bay House
London
5 January 1860
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under Secretary Merivale's letter of the 30th ultimo in reference to the claims of this Company to Lands in British Columbia.
With a view to obtaining a decision on the subject from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council I will as early as possible submit for Your Grace's consideration a statement of the facts on which this Company consider their legal title to Manuscript image to the lands in question to rest; it being understood of course that the decision of the Judicial Committee shall be binding on both sides, and that if it should turn out that the Government have taken possession of any lands or buildings which may be found to have been the property of this Company the same shall either be restored or a proper compensation made in respect of them.
I have etc.
H.H. Berens
Govr
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Merivale
I understand that the draft of the last letter to the Company of 30 Ulto is with you. The other papers are annexed.
VJ 9 Jan
Wait further communication.
HM Jan 9
CF 11
N 14