Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 47 of the 12th of September explaining the manner in which you had provided for the outlay incurred in the erection of public Offices in Van Couver Island.

I have at the same time received a letter on the subject from the Hudson's Bay Company, enclosing one from their Agent in the Island, copies of which I forward to you herewith. The correspondence which passed between yourself and Mr Dallas in August and September last has also been transmitted to me.

The circumstances stated in these papers agree with the supposition originally formed here that it was in the first instance intended that the cost of the Buildings should be borne by this Country, as coming within the head of expenditure incurred by the Hudson's Bay Company during their tenure of the Island. I have, therefore, to request that you will furnish me with some further explanation for this matter, and that you will apprize me of the extent of the land surrendered to the Company's Agent to meet his advance, and of the mode in which the price obtained for it was realized.