I enclose herewith a list of the names of 18 men, late of the Royal
Engineers, who were employed on the North American Boundary Commission
and who purchased their discharge on the return of the detachment to
England.
Colonel Hawkins R.E. has represented that these men are
desirous of receiving the
same indulgence in respect of grants of land
as has been extended to the soldiers of the Royal Engineers serving
under
Colonel Moody. I have no doubt of the propriety of acceding to
this request: and I should wish you to submit to your Council a proposal
for making free grants of land in
British Columbia to the extent of
thirty acres each to such of these men as shall wish to avail themselves
of this indulgence. But you will be careful to insist on the condition
of residency and Military service, when required.