Shepherd to Labouchere
Hudsons Bay House
24th February 1858
Sir
In accordance with the request expressed in Mr Merivale's letter of the 20th Ultimo, that the Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company will at their earliest convenience furnish Her Majesty's Government with a Statement of the Sums for which they may claim repayment as laid out and expended by them in and upon Vancouver's Island and premises, and of the value of their establishments, property and effects thereon, according to the terms of the grant, I have the honor to transmit the accompanying accounts, in continuation of those forwarded on the 16th September 1856, shewing the amount to be reimbursed to the Company by Her Majesty's Government on the transfer of Vancouver's Island, so far as can be ascertained at the present time.
I have the honour to be Sir
Your obedt humble Servant
John Shepherd
Govr
The RightHonble Hy LabouchereColonial Office
Minutes by CO staff
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ABd 25 Feb
Lord Carnarvon
These accounts will not be finally settled until May 1859 when the Company's property in Vanc. Id is to cease. I scarcely know what steps we are to take, in order to check them. For we have no officer of our own on the island: the Governor himself is a servant of the Company.
Perhaps the first step might be to refer to the Land & Emn Coms who often aid us with their advice in matters of this description. They might at all events examine the account, & call for explanation either verbal or written where they deem it required.
HM Mh 4
This seems very advisable—some of the charges such as those for sending out Settlers engaged as servants to the HBC but not required for trading operations appear to me to be prima facie questionable.
C March 5
Refer to L & E Commissrs in first instance. Probably some reference to a third party, with power to arbitrate, will be the best way of settling this.
S M 6
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Colonial Office to Land and Emigration Commissioners, 11 March 1858, forwarding copy of correspondence and enclosures for examination and report.
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Draft, Colonial Office to Attorney General and Solicitor General, 31 May 1858, forwarding copy of correspondence and enclosures, with explanation, for opinion on the obligation of the government to compensate the Hudson's Bay Company.
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Draft, Carnarvon to Shepherd, 28 July 1858, advising of the government obligation as detailed by legal advisors.
Minutes by CO staff
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I send this for approval, as Hudson's Bay Co. matters are under consideration but perhaps it does not press.
Returned to the Dt the 26th.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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List of accounts rendered by the Hudson's Bay Company to Her Majesty's government:
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No. 1. Vancouver Island Trust Account, 31 January 1858.
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No. 2. Statement of colonial property at Vancouver Island, and of amount outstanding on sales of land to 31 October 1857.
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No. 3. Statement of amount to be reimbursed to Hudson's Bay Company by government in accordance with the terms of the grant of Vancouver Island, 13 January 1849.