Berens to Newcastle
Hudson's Bay House
London
10 August 1859
Referring to my letter to your Grace of the 19th ultimo, I think it right to acquaint your Grace that we have recently received advices from our manager in Vancouver's Island, from which we learn that Governor Douglas has applied to him for advances on account of the Government subsequently to the 30th of May last, when the License expired; and that in conformity with the instructions we had previously given not to make advances after that period, he refused the application.
This circumstance I think, fullyManuscript imagefully confirms the statement in my letter of the 19th ultimo, that the Company had no desire to make any advances, beyond meeting the demands of the Governor under the terms of the Grant. So soon as that obligation was removed by the expiry of the License, the representative of the Company declined to meet the Governor's requisitions, which I trust may be in accordance with your Grace's views.
I have etc.
H.H. Berens
Govr
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
It is to be hoped that the Govr will not take it into his head to be drawing upon H.M. Govt for services of Van C. Island. He has no warranty for such a proceeding; But has a local Legislature to whom he must resort for authority to levy taxes sufficient to defray the expenditure of the Colony. Considering that the House of Assembly consists, as I believe, of about 7 persons it may not be undeserving of consideration whether some efforts should not be made to augment that Body. It is probably monopolized by old Hudson's Bay Co Servants, or persons deriving interest from the Co.
ABd 11 Augt
It seems enough for the present to acknowledge this letter, saying that the D. of N. has heard with satisfaction of the conduct of the Company's agent, which is entirely in accordance with the spirit of the relations subsisting between them and Government, & send copy of corresp. to the Governor. For the rest we must wait the Governor's answer to ours of 12th July.
HM Augt 11
CF 15
N 16
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Merivale to Berens, 31 August 1859, expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the company's agent.
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 10, 3 September 1859, transmitting a copy of an HBC letter on the Company's refusal of Douglas's request to pay for advances on account of the Government.