Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, John Henry
to Grey, George 20 July 1848, CO 305:1, no. 1426, 205.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2), Marginalia (3).
Pelly refers Grey to a revised enclosure, a
Grant of Vancouver's Island to the Hudson's Bay Company.
The minutes state that if the grant is approved a formal charter will be required.
Enclosures include the following: a Colonial Office draft to Pelly which advises that Grey has approved the grant, and an enquiry to Pelly as to recommendations for an appropriate Governor; a draft letter, from Grey to the Lord President of the Council, which asks the latter to consider the proposal;
and finally, a draft of the charter in question.
No 12
1426 North America
Hudson's Bay House
July 20. 1848.
My Lord
To Parlt
With reference to Your Lordship's communication made to me through Mr Merival under the date of the 13th March last,
and to the various interviews with which you have favoured me since that
time, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith, for Your Lordship's
approval, the draft of the Grant of Vancouver's
Island to the Hudson's Bay Company in the form in which it has been settled under your
directions by Mr Merival and the Company's Solicitors.
Vide Letter to Sir J Pelly 31 July / 48.—
Minutes by CO staff
ABd 24/7./48
Mr Hawes
This is the grant of Vancouver's Island. Its provisions have been already considered. If now finally approved of, it will remain to draw the necessary Commission & Charter
This is the grant of Vancouver's Island. Its provisions have been already considered. If now finally approved of, it will remain to draw the necessary Commission & Charter
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 31 July 1848, advising that Grey has approved the grant, and "with reference to the probable circumstances
of the future Settlement, the best course which suggests itself is, to
confer on the Emigrants the same powers of local self-government which
it was usual to grant to the settlers in new colonies, in the earlier
days of our Colonial history," and asking for his opinion "as to the
person who may most properly be recommended to H.M. for the office of
Gov" of the proposed settlement. The grant contains extensive minutes and revisions.
Draft, Grey to the Lord President of the Council, 2 September 1848, forwarding the draft grant for the consideration of the Lords of the Committee of
Council.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Draft charter, "Her Majesty Queen Victoria to The Governor &
Compy of Adventurers of England trading into Hudsons Bay. Grant of
Territory in North America," prepared by Crowder & Maynard, no date.