Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Lord, W. Smith to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes November 1863, CO 60:17, no. 11129, 484.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Lord to Secretary of State
48 Brunswick Terrace
Grosvenor Park
Camberwell
November 1863
Grosvenor Park
Camberwell
My Lord
A Company is projected under "the Companies Act 1862" for
the purpose of establishing Fisheries on the Coasts of
Vancouver Island and British Columbia and before any decided
steps can be taken it is requisite to know whether the right
of granting the Fishery
appertains to Her Majesty's Government
or to that of the Colonies.
appertains to Her Majesty's Government
or to that of the Colonies.
The Company contemplates starting with a paid up Capital
of £100,000 and will provide an efficient staff to carry out
the objects of the said Company if Her Majesty or the Colonies
will give a Charter or Grant for the exclusive right of
Fishing on the East and West Coasts of Vancouver Island and
on the Mainland from the British Boundary 49o lat. N to
Sitka the Russian Frontier—the right to extend to all the
streams and Rivers inland.
I beg to request the favour to be
informed whether under
the circumstances of the case such a Grant or Charter would be
made to the Company.
informed whether under
the circumstances of the case such a Grant or Charter would be
made to the Company.
I have the honour to be My Lord
Your Lordships most obedient Servant
W. Smith Lord
late Naturalist to the British North American Boundary Commission
Your Lordships most obedient Servant
W. Smith Lord
late Naturalist to the British North American Boundary Commission
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
In any case I apprehend the Crown would not make a grant of this extensive or exclusive nature without some previous action on the part of the V.C. Island Legislature, and it is most improbable that the local Legislature would listen to any proposal for surrendering to a Company the sole right of fishing on the Coasts & in the Rivers of the Colony?
In any case I apprehend the Crown would not make a grant of this extensive or exclusive nature without some previous action on the part of the V.C. Island Legislature, and it is most improbable that the local Legislature would listen to any proposal for surrendering to a Company the sole right of fishing on the Coasts & in the Rivers of the Colony?
VJ
18 Novr
This seems to me a monstrous proposition. I shd simply
answer that the Duke cannot hold out the least prospect that
H.M's Govt would grant, or would enable the local Govt
to grant, a monopoly of the right of fishing on the Coasts
of Vancouver Island and of B. Columbia, and on all the rivers
and streams. (When will impudence cease?)
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Draft
23 Nov. 1863
Sir,
In answer to the application made by you on the subject,
I am d[irecte]d by the Duke of Newcastle to inform you that His
Grace cannot hold out the least prospect that H.M. Govt
would grant or would enable the local Govts to grant a
monopoly of the right of fishing on the coasts of Vancouvers
Island and of B. Columbia, and in all the Rivers and Streams.