No. 3
Downing Street
7 January 1860
Sir,
I transmit to you herewith the copy of a letter which has been addressed to this Department by Captain Clarke R.E. late Surveyor General of the Colony of Victoria, accompanied by a proposed schemeManuscript image for the disposal of the Crown Lands in British Columbia.
My attention is at present occupied in the consideration of the best means by which the Country Lands of the Colony can be made more readily available than is the case at present for occupation by Agricultural Settlers, and I shall be glad if in the meantime you will give your consideration to the scheme suggested by Captain Clarke andwillManuscript image will furnish me with the opinion which your experience and local knowledge may lead you to form of its applicability to the circumstances of British Columbia.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your Most obedient
Humble Servant
Newcastle
Governor Douglas, C.B.
&c &c &c
British Columbia
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Clarke to Merivale, undated, forwarding his plan for a clearly defined Land system for British Columbia that, he argues, will officially secure its settlement without on the one hand playing too much into the hands of the Americans, or on the other, checking immigration from any quarter.
Manuscript image
A lengthy and detailed Land Scheme by Clarke, based on his experiences in Australia.