Berens to Newcastle
Hudson's Bay House
1 March 1861
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under Secretary Fortescue's Letter of the 15th ulto. with the accompanying Copy of a despatch from Governor Douglas enclosing Copies of a Correspondence with Mr Dallas. From a communication received by this Company from Mr Dallas (who, I may observe in passing, is Son in law of His Excellency) it appears that he sent a rejoinder to the Governor's letter of which I have the honour to transmit a Copy herewithandManuscript image and from which Your Grace will observe that there appears to exist a serious misunderstanding between these Gentlemen as to what has really occurred in reference to the claims of the Hudson's Bay Company.
I have etc.
H.H. Berens
Govr
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Mr Berens here sends a copy of the ansr returned by the H.B. Company's Agent, Mr Dallas, to the Governor's Letter to that gentleman of the 5 Decr last—see 917—which letter was regarded by this Office as completely satisfactory. It is probable that the Governor will answer this communication of Mr Dallas', & send us a copy of his ansr. If so we should then be in a condition to forward the correspondence on both sides to the Land Board. The question however whichManuscript image must eventually arise is "which of the two, Governor, or Mr Dallas, rightly estimates the amount due to the Co for the lands or buildings taken from it by the Crown," and that is a matter whh some third party only can determine, seeing that the 2 persons on the spot differ so widely.
ABd 6 March
Mr Fortescue
This will be for your consideration. I should think that we had better keep the Land Board (especially as Mr Murdoch has worked so much on this subject) informed of each communication of information, at the time of it's reaching us—& not to wait for the chance of further reports, which might possibly never arrive.
TFE 6 March
Duke of Newcastle
To Mr Murdoch—for information, and for any observations he may have to make upon it?
CF 7
N 8
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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A.G. Dallas to W.A.G. Young, Acting Colonial Secretary, giving his views of the Hudson's Bay Company's land claims (eleven pages).
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 12 March 1861, forwarding copy of the company letter for observations and suggestions.