Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes to Douglas, James 23 August 1861, LAC RG7:G8C/2, 528.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Enclosures (untranscribed) (4).
Newcastle forwards Douglas documents related to the
Church Reservein Victoria and informs him of several decisions that he has made: that the land in question should be transferred to the Church of England, so long as that transfer does not impact ongoing negotiations between the government and the HBC regarding other land in Victoria; that the cemetery must remain available for
persons of all religious persuasions; and that Cridge's request that the government pay his salary is denied.
No. 67
Downing Street
23 August 1861
Sir,
I have received your despatch No. 34 of the 7th May last, transmitting a Memorial addressed to me by the Revd. E. Cridge praying for the fulfilment of the agreement with the Hudson's Bay Company under
which he was appointed Minister of Victoria, and also forthe
the conveyance in trust of a portion of land near the Victoria Church known as the
Church Reserve. I now transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Hudson's Bay which
encloses a Memorial upon this subject from Mr. Cridge, and a letter from the Bishop of Columbia recommending the
memorial to the favorable consideration of the Company.
the conveyance in trust of a portion of land near the Victoria Church known as the
Church Reserve. I now transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Hudson's Bay which
encloses a Memorial upon this subject from Mr. Cridge, and a letter from the Bishop of Columbia recommending the
memorial to the favorable consideration of the Company.
After a careful perusal of these documents I am of opinion that
the site of the Church ought clearly to be conveyedto
to such Trustees
for the Church of England, as may be agreed upon by the Bishop and
yourself, and I see no obligation to a similar conveyance to Trustees
of the Parsonage and Glebe for the use of the Incumbent if local
circumstances present no obstacle to that course. I must however
remind you that in case such a conveyance is made, great care should be
taken that the questions pending between the Hudson's Bay Company and
Her Majesty's Governmentrespecting
respecting the ownership of land in Victoria
are in no way prejudiced.
to such Trustees
for the Church of England, as may be agreed upon by the Bishop and
yourself, and I see no obligation to a similar conveyance to Trustees
of the Parsonage and Glebe for the use of the Incumbent if local
circumstances present no obstacle to that course. I must however
remind you that in case such a conveyance is made, great care should be
taken that the questions pending between the Hudson's Bay Company and
Her Majesty's Governmentrespecting
respecting the ownership of land in Victoria
are in no way prejudiced.
With reference to that part of the letter from the Hudson's Bay
Company which relates to the conveyance to the Church of England
exclusively of the Cemetery which hitherto has been used indifferently
by all communities of Christian, I have to observe that the Cemetery
should on no account be so disposed of as to interfere with the burial
therein of persons of all religious persuasionsor
or to render the mode of burying such persons in any way dependent upon the Authorities
of
the Church of England. If however the members of the Church desire a
part of the Cemetery to be consecrated and appropriated to the use of
their Communion, I see no objection to a conveyance of part of it to
Trustees for this purpose.
or to render the mode of burying such persons in any way dependent upon the Authorities
of
the Church of England. If however the members of the Church desire a
part of the Cemetery to be consecrated and appropriated to the use of
their Communion, I see no objection to a conveyance of part of it to
Trustees for this purpose.
You will inform Mr. Cridge, with regard to the removal of his
engagement with the Hudsons Bay Company,that
that as it rested entirely with
the Legislature of VanCouvers Island to provide the necessary funds for
the purpose, and as they have declined to do so, I regret that it is not
in my power to comply with his request.
that as it rested entirely with
the Legislature of VanCouvers Island to provide the necessary funds for
the purpose, and as they have declined to do so, I regret that it is not
in my power to comply with his request.
I have caused a copy of this despatch to be sent to the Hudsons
Bay Company, with the suggestion that such instruction or authority
should be given to their Agents as would render it practicable withyour
your concurrence to adopt the course which I have pointed out—I annex
a copy of the answer which I have received.
your concurrence to adopt the course which I have pointed out—I annex
a copy of the answer which I have received.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, H.H. Berens to Newcastle, 22 August 1861, agreeing to transfer title
of the church reserve to trustees of the Church of England.
Copy, Edward Cridge, Rector of Christ Church, Victoria, to Governor and
Committee, Hudson's Bay Company, seeking deed to church reserve so the
"Church & burial ground may be consecrated & the land be available for
the purpose for which it was set apart."
Bishop of Columbia to Berens, 15 May 1861, urging that specific
reserves of land be conveyed to the church in trust.