Hudson's Bay House
15th July 1858
Sir
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Merivale's letter of the 6th Instant, requesting me to furnish the Colonial Department with a Return (from the earliest period of the possession of Vancouvers Island Colony by the Hudsons Bay Company) of all land in Vancouver's Island sold to any individual or Company, with the names of such person or Company, the extent to which such lands are under cultivation, and the localities in which they are situated.
In compliance with this request I beg to enclose a Return setting forth the quantity of land sold, the names of the several purchasers, and the Districts in which such SaleshaveManuscript image have been effected, made up to the 10th October 1857, being the latest date to which the Hudson's Bay Company have received returns of Land Sales from the Colony.
I beg at the same time to state that the Company have no information as to the extent of land which has been brought under cultivation.
I have the honour to be Sir
Your obedt humble Servant
H.H. Berens
Deputy Govr
The RightHonble Sir Edwd Bulwer Lytton Bart
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
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Parly Clerk.
ABd 15 July
Return presented to Parlmt 30 July 58.
Put by.
JCB
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Lord Carnarvon
This return seems to shew the sale of about 16000 acres to private persons, omitting those entered as "Hudson's Bay Company" "Puget Sound Company" and "James Douglas" which are considerable. Mr Douglas seems to have received a pretty good stake in the island.
HM Jy 16
C July 17
EBL July 24
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Return of land sales on Vancouver Island, no date, showing names of purchasers, amounts purchased, and localities where the lands are situated (four pages).