Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Moreing, Henry to Hawes, Benjamin 23 January 1849, CO 305:2, no. 910, 363.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (4), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Moreing writes Hawes on the
colonizing projectof Vancouver Island in order to, among other things, suggest that the HBC's internal and governing affairs should be subject to third-party scrutiny and reporting, perhaps, under the auspices of
New offices.
In the minutes, Blackwood is skeptical that the HBC would ever entertain Moreing's suggestion of an agent to oversee Company dealings; Hawes adds his opinion that Moreing is a
respectable Person.
This file encloses a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Moreing that reports that Grey has no intention presently of creating any new offices in the manner suggested by
Moreing.
The events which are now taking place on the North West Coast of
America, give so totally different an aspect to
any colonizing project,
in that part of the world, to what existed six months ago, that I trust
I may be excused for drawing your attention to one point in the
conveyance of Vancouver's Island to the Hudsons Bay Company, which appears worthy of consideration.
2Ansd 6 Feb/49.
The principal object had in view in using the Hudson's Bay Company
as a colonizing agent, seems to have been the more speedy occupation of
that remote portion of her Majesty's dominions
in question, by British
subjects, which might be obtained through the means offered by their
official machinery, and other resources already on the spot; by which
inducements would be held out to immigrants not attainable in any other
manner. — Circumstances have, however, so altered the case, that what a
few months since was only a fair equivalent for services to be rendered,
is likely to become a very valuable boon and to prove a source of great
and immediate profit to the grantee's.
in question, by British
subjects, which might be obtained through the means offered by their
official machinery, and other resources already on the spot; by which
inducements would be held out to immigrants not attainable in any other
manner. — Circumstances have, however, so altered the case, that what a
few months since was only a fair equivalent for services to be rendered,
is likely to become a very valuable boon and to prove a source of great
and immediate profit to the grantee's.Under these circumstances I take the liberty of bringing to your
notice the propriety of appointing some person to watch over the
proceedings of the Company, in the Colony, and to report to Government,
by every opportunity, the 
steps taken by them to fulfil the conditions
of their contract. I think the necessity of some measure of the sort
will become apparrent when it is remembered that the Government have
reserved to themselves the right of repurchasing the island in 1860 by
repayment of all sums expended. No supervision of expenditure, in the
mean time, is […] seems to be provided for; and the only information secured,
is a biennial report from the Directors of their own proceedings.
steps taken by them to fulfil the conditions
of their contract. I think the necessity of some measure of the sort
will become apparrent when it is remembered that the Government have
reserved to themselves the right of repurchasing the island in 1860 by
repayment of all sums expended. No supervision of expenditure, in the
mean time, is […] seems to be provided for; and the only information secured,
is a biennial report from the Directors of their own proceedings.I am aware that the present is not the time to propose the creation
of New offices, but as their Charter stipulates that all civil &
military officers employed, in the colony, by the Government, shall 
be
paid by the Company, no difficulty it is apprehended would exist on that
score.
be
paid by the Company, no difficulty it is apprehended would exist on that
score.With many apologies for my presumption in thus troubling you
B. Hawes, Esqr, M.P.
&c &c &c
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The writer suggests that an agent be appointed at Vancouver's Island to watch over the proceedings of the Hudson's Bay Company. I should hardly suppose the suggestion will be entertained?
The writer suggests that an agent be appointed at Vancouver's Island to watch over the proceedings of the Hudson's Bay Company. I should hardly suppose the suggestion will be entertained?
I shd think not. The writer is I believe a very respectable
Person
Jy 30
BH
Acknowledge.
G —
31
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Moreing, 6 February 1849, advising that Grey had no present intention of creating such an office as suggested.
Footnotes
- No signature is given, but this minute is presumed to be Blackwood's.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.