Colonial Despatches

Mr Elliot
You will see what the Governor says on the 30th June/59 (8565)—that he will pay early attention to the Col: Office instructions to him to introduce into B. Columbia the system of remitting a certain amount of the purchase money in the acquisition of Crown Land by retired officers—subject to any modification which might be requisite. But we have not since heard from him on this subject, nor do I know from any other source whether the Governor has taken any measures or not in the case. The writer, Mr King, is at VanCouver Island, & from his present enquiry I should judge that Governor Douglas has not settled what is best to be done.

I think the answer to this may be that the question whether or not to confer special privileges on Military Settlers in British Columbia has been left to the discretion of the Governor, and that Mr King, who appears to be resident at VanCouver's Island, will best and most speedily learn such decision as may be adopted on the spot by direct application to the Governor. Supposing that such privileges are conceded they will be allowed equally and without distinction to all Officers who are eligible for them under the regulations on the same subject in other Colonies and will not not be dependent on favor or on questions of individual merit.

Draft, Colonial Office to Yorke, 11 April 1860, stating the question of conferring special privileges to military settlers had been left to the governor.