Colvile to Labouchere
Hudson's Bay House
6th December 1855
Sir
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Merivale's letter of the 14th Ultimo, covering copy of Despatch from Rear Admiral Bruce on the subject of his visit to Vancouver's Island; and have to convey the thanks of the Hudson's Bay Company for the communication.
With reference to the superiority of Esquimalt Harbour over Victoria for the site of a Settlement, I beg to refer you to the accompanying Extract of Letter from Rear Admiral Moresby transmitted from the Colonial Office under date 3rd November 1851, with Extract from the late Sir J.H. Pelly's reply of the 7th November; and to state that directions will be transmitted to the Agent of the Hudson's Bay CompanyinManuscript image in Vancouver's Island to make no further sales of land in the vicinity of Esquimalt Harbour, so as to obviate any difficulties in the formation of a Naval Establishment, should Her Majesty's Government determine to adopt the suggestion of Rear Admiral Bruce.
I have the honour to be Sir
Your obedt humble Servant
A. Colvile
Governor

Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
Should any approval be conveyed to the Company of the directions which they propose to give respecting the Sale of Land in the vicinity of Esquimalt Harbour? The Govr in a despatch which is now in circulation with a draft to the Admiralty suggested that a Naval Store should be built at Esquimalt.
VJ 7 Decr
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Acknowledge simply, I think.
HM D 8
HL 13
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Colonial Office to Colvile, 18 December 1855, acknowledging receipt of his letter and enclosures.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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1. Extract, Rear Admiral Moresby to Secretary of the Admiralty, 3 July 1851, recommending that Esquimalt harbour and its shores be reserved as "the only place where a Naval Establishment can be formed, and admirably adapted for all its operations."
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2. Extract, Governor Sir J.H. Pelly, Hudson's Bay Company, to Earl Grey, 7 November 1851, asking that if a public reserve is needed at Esquimalt that the company be given adequate warning "as otherwise difficulties may occur from previous approriation."