Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
FitzGerald, James Edward to Merivale, Herman 21 February 1848, CO 305:1, no. 386, 517.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Marginalia (1).
Fitzgerald requests that Hawes bring this and a previous letter before Grey, both of which inquire on the Crown's intentions toward coal extraction rights for
the HBC. Fitzgerald asks if the government will entertain coal-extraction proposals from other companies.
This file encloses a printed proposal, no date, signed by Shillinglaw, for the coal extraction and colonization of Vancouver Island.
386 N. America
British Museum
Feb. 21. 1848.
Dear Sir,
Referring to the letter I had the honor to addressing to you, dated
the 14th inst;, respecting the formation of a Colony in Vancouvers Island, I beg leave now to enclose a paper, which has been printed for private Circulation.
I have to request that you will be so kind as to take the Earliest
opportunity of bringing
both this, and my former letter, under the
notice of Earl Grey.
2Ansd 24 Feb / 48.
It is obviously of greatest importance to know the intentions of
Her Majesty's Govt, at the present moment; whether they are
about to
give the right of working the Coal to the Hudsons Bay Company, or
whether they are prepared to listen to the proposals of any other
Company formed for the purpose Specified in the Enclosed Circular; and
if so upon what terms the grant will be made, or lastly whether it be
contemplated to keep the mines in the property of the Crown.
about to
give the right of working the Coal to the Hudsons Bay Company, or
whether they are prepared to listen to the proposals of any other
Company formed for the purpose Specified in the Enclosed Circular; and
if so upon what terms the grant will be made, or lastly whether it be
contemplated to keep the mines in the property of the Crown.Without having some information on these points, there is no means
of ascertaining whether it be worth while to proceed with the formation
of a Company or not.
of ascertaining whether it be worth while to proceed with the formation
of a Company or not.Herman Merivale Esq
&c. &c. &c.
&c. &c. &c.
Minutes by CO staff
1
R
Mr Merivale.
Should this be included in the Letter acknowledgg Mr Fitzgerald's former communication?
Should this be included in the Letter acknowledgg Mr Fitzgerald's former communication?
ABd
23/2/48
Mr Hawes
The draft of our answer to Mr Fitzgerald's first letter was with me when this arrived, and I have added a few lines of information which it seemed to me […] might fairly be given by way of answer to this second letter without going beyond the necessary reserve: I therefore send on the draft with this minute calling your attention to the proposed addition
The draft of our answer to Mr Fitzgerald's first letter was with me when this arrived, and I have added a few lines of information which it seemed to me […] might fairly be given by way of answer to this second letter without going beyond the necessary reserve: I therefore send on the draft with this minute calling your attention to the proposed addition
HM
Feb 23
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
For private circulation: "A Proposal to Form a Company for the Purpose of Working
the Coal,
and Establishing a Colony in Vancouver's Island." Printed report signed by John Shillinglaw, 23 Dean Street, Soho, no date.
Footnotes
- This "R" appears above the minutes, on the other side of a page fold; see image scan.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.