Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Berens, Henry Hulse to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 22 March 1861, CO 305:18, no. 2718, 241.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Berens writes Newcastle as part of continuing negotiations between the HBC
and the government regarding the company's claims for compensation for costs incurred
on Vancouver Island prior
to its proposed reconveyance to the Crown. The HBC's latest position is that it is owed £53,569:14:2.
Berens to Newcastle
Hudson's Bay House
22 March 1861
Referring to the Correspondences which has already passed on the subject of the
advances made by this Company on account of the Island of Vancouver
and which are to be reimbursed to this Company on the Island being
reconveyed to Her Majesty, I have now the honour to transmit herewith
the further accounts in continuation of those which I had the honour
to transmit to the then Colonial Minister, under date the 4th
November 1858, terminating with a balance infavour
favour of the Company of
£46,524:12:6. The subsequent accounts have been corrected by
charging one half only of the outlay in searching for Coal at Fort Rupert, as agreed with the Government, and after crediting all monies
received in the Colony on account of Government, and the £25,000
received on the 23rd February 1860, there remains a balance in favour
of the Company of £53,569:14:2.
favour of the Company of
£46,524:12:6. The subsequent accounts have been corrected by
charging one half only of the outlay in searching for Coal at Fort Rupert, as agreed with the Government, and after crediting all monies
received in the Colony on account of Government, and the £25,000
received on the 23rd February 1860, there remains a balance in favour
of the Company of £53,569:14:2.
I should, however, observe that in these accounts the expenditure
incurred by the Company in the erection of Offices &c for the
Government has been included. These Buildings have mainly been
erected on the Land claimed by this Company tobe
be theirs irrespective
of the Grant from Her Majesty, and should the right of the Company to
that Land be confirmed, it will be optional with Her Majesty's
Government whether they will purchase the site of the Buildings in
question in that case paying of course for the expenditure. On the
other hand should the Company's right to the Land not be established,
the outlay will of course be properly charged to the Government.
be theirs irrespective
of the Grant from Her Majesty, and should the right of the Company to
that Land be confirmed, it will be optional with Her Majesty's
Government whether they will purchase the site of the Buildings in
question in that case paying of course for the expenditure. On the
other hand should the Company's right to the Land not be established,
the outlay will of course be properly charged to the Government.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Before carrying out the directions on 2297 it would probably be advisable to refer this letter with the Accounts to Mr Murdoch?
Before carrying out the directions on 2297 it would probably be advisable to refer this letter with the Accounts to Mr Murdoch?
VJ
23 March
TFE
23/3
Yes. At once.
CF
23
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 26 March 1861, forwarding
copy of the letter and the accounts for their observations.