Seymour, Governor Frederick to Grenville, Richard 1 August 1868, CO 60:33, no. 9922, 143.

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Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 1 August 1868, CO 60:33, no. 9922, 143.

Abstract

Despatch to London. Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (2), Marginalia (1).

Seymour encloses a report regarding the working of the Ordinance to provide for the settlement of all outstanding questions relating to the sale of land for taxes in Vancouver Island. Seymour recommends the Ordinance for favorable consideration. Holland’s minutes describe the enclosed report and how the report relates the necessity of the ordinance discussed in the despatch, which Holland recommends should be sanctioned.

No. 81

Victoria

1st August 1868

My Lord Duke,

I have had the honor to receive Your Grace's despatch No. 30 of the 24th May respecting the probable working of theOrdinance

Ordinance "to provide for the settlement of all outstanding questions relating to the sale of land for taxes in Vancouver Island."

2. I enclose a Report on the subject from the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Chairman of the Board I appointed to carry out the provisions of the law.

The question is a thoroughly unsatisfactory one, in which, once taken up, it is better not to pause. I venturerespectfully

respectfully to recommend the Ordinance for favorable consideration. Its disallowance would throw things into still greater confusion than they are in at present.

I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Holland

CC 11 Sept

Mr Elliot
So far as regards the purchasers of these lands there seems not to be much difficulty. They are ready to have the sales annulled upon receiving back the purchase money with interest. Probably the doubts which hung about the titles have influenced them considerably. Nothing is stated in the report as to those persons who had their land illegally sold, & who are now to have those lands charged with the purchase money & interest.

This is an error. No owners having remonstrated. See page 4 of Report.

HTH 16/9

But the Govr & Col. Secretary (who was chairman of the Commission) deprecate any interference with the Ordinance, and considering the complicated state of things which necessitated a rough measure, and the immense advantage of clearing away the doubts that hung about these sales & the titles to the land, I should be strongly disposed to confirm the Ordinance but to point out that such confirmation was granted in consideration of the very peculiar circumstances of the case & of the strong recommendation of the Govr & Col. Secrety.

HTH 11/9

TFE 11/9

CBA 12/9

B&C 14/9

Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)

Minute, W.A.G. Young, Acting Colonial Secretary, 1 August 1868, reporting on the working of the ordinance as per despatch.

Note on microfilm as follows: "Folios 154-155v not photographed. Newspaper extract: The Government Gazette, 1st Augt 1868, pp 5-8."

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Elliot
When writing the Minute on 9872 I overlooked a sentence in the Report which does refer to the original owners of the land, & states that none have come forward with claims.

HTH 16/9