Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
Emigration Office
30 June 1862
I have to acknowledge your letter of 26th instant, with one from the Treasury dissenting from the Duke of Newcastle's proposal to offer the Hudsons Bay Co £35,000, but consenting to the offer to them of £30,000, in addition to the £25,000 already paid, in full of all their claims on the resumption by the Crown of Vancouvers Island—on condition that £5000 of that amount be considered as an advance repayable by the ColonyManuscript image at the earliest possible opportunity.
2. I see no objection to the payment of a portion of the repurchase money out of the Funds of the Colony provided the essential interests of the Colony are not thereby interfered with. The expenditure of the Company must have been beneficial to the Colony and there is no injustice in requiring the Colonists to contribute towards the expense of the benefits they thus obtain. But whether the Hudson's Bay Co will be willing to accept the amount proposed by the Treasury is more open toManuscript image question. The whole amount of their outstanding claim is upwards of £49,000, and although we have reason to know that they would compromize that claim for £35,000 they have peremptorily refused to accept any less sum. It is of course needless to speculate on the steps to be taken should they refuse the proposal [marginal note: made on the (1?) June last] about to be made to them, but it would be unwise to assume that they will certainly accept it.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient
Humble Servant
T.W.C. Murdoch
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
ABd 1 July
Mr Fortescue
I forward this report for consideration. I do not offer any suggestions as the Duke of Newcastle recently saw a Deputation of the Hudson's Bay Company on the subject, and it is probable that His Grace may expect some further communication from them or may have some special directions to give.
TFE 2 July
Duke of Newcastle
This must be put by, until a final settlement shall have been effected with the H.B.Co?
CF 3
The Deputation referred to by Mr Elliot (consisting of Mr Berens, Mr Colvile & Mr Maynard) called upon me three days ago. They remonstrated strongly against the attempt to reduce the balance due to them below £35,000 and shewed by quotations from Mr Andoe that they were entitled to the sums refused in their Account. I finally told them that they must put their statements in writing & I would then refer again to Mr Andoe. I did all I could to induce them to accept the terms of the Treasury but they gave me no hopes of doing so. If they hold out & the Treasury will not give in, the result will be a worse [bargain?] for the [one word off microfilm]!