Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Shepherd, John to Labouchere, Henry 15 April 1856, CO 305:7, no. 3481, 330.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Marginalia (1).
Shepherd writes that Simpson’s report regarding “the extension of the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States”
can be expected in “about three weeks.”
Minutes discuss sending the Foreign Office copies of the “HBC Letter of 20 March, of Mr Merivale’s Letter of the 4th inst--and of his answer” to show “the steps that have been taken”
by Labouchere.
Shepherd to Labouchere
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Elliot's
letter, dated Downing Street, 4th April, stating that you would be
happy to receive Sir George Simpson's report on the extension of the
Reciprocity Treaty with the United States to Vancouver's Island; and
further, that you wish to be informed on what grounds the Directors of
the Hudson's Bay Company require to have the right of Coast and River
Fishery on the North West Coast of America reserved to them.
In reply I have the honor to state that Sir George Simpson's report
may be expected in about three weeks, and will be forthwith communicated
to you.
With reference to the second point, I beg to inform you that the
Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company have no wish to have any right as
against British subjects reserved to them, to which they are not
entitled by their License of Trade, but
but as their servants are the only
white people inhabiting those Coasts, I inadvertently made use of the
expression "reserved to the Hudson's Bay Company" instead of "to British
subjects."
but as their servants are the only
white people inhabiting those Coasts, I inadvertently made use of the
expression "reserved to the Hudson's Bay Company" instead of "to British
subjects."
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I think it would be desirable to send to the F.O. a copy of the H.B.Co Letter of 20 March, of Mr Merivale's Letter of the 4th instt—and of this ansr to shew that Dept. the steps that have been taken by Mr Labouchere on the rect of the F.O. Letters of the 3rd and 15 ulto.
I think it would be desirable to send to the F.O. a copy of the H.B.Co Letter of 20 March, of Mr Merivale's Letter of the 4th instt—and of this ansr to shew that Dept. the steps that have been taken by Mr Labouchere on the rect of the F.O. Letters of the 3rd and 15 ulto.
ABd
16/Ap
TFE
17 April
The answer 
to our question is "inadvertence." This inadvertence,
shared in by the Board of Trade, has delayed the extension of the Reciprocity Treaty to N.W. America for two years—that is, supposing the Americans would have agreed to it. There being now no claim of right on the part of the H.B.C. the negociation can proceed—but we must await at present Governor Simpson's report?
to our question is "inadvertence." This inadvertence,shared in by the Board of Trade, has delayed the extension of the Reciprocity Treaty to N.W. America for two years—that is, supposing the Americans would have agreed to it. There being now no claim of right on the part of the H.B.C. the negociation can proceed—but we must await at present Governor Simpson's report?
HM
Apl 18
I agree however with Mr Blackwood as to sending this correspe
to the Foreign office in the mean time.
to the Foreign office in the mean time.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Draft, Merivale to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 8 May 1856, forwarding copy of the letter and related correspondence, for information.
8th May /56
Sir/
Sir/
With reference to your letters of the 13 of June 1855, and the
15 of March last I am directed by Mr Secretary Labouchere to
transmit to you for the information of the Earl of Clarendon copies
of a correspondence with the Hudsons Bay Company
relative to the extension of the Reciprocity Treaty with the United
States to Van Couver's Island.
H.B.Co 20 March
C.O. 4 April
H.B.Co 15 April
C.O. 4 April
H.B.Co 15 April