Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Murdoch, Thomas William Clinton to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 12 July 1862, CO 305:19, no. 6845, 403.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Murdoch writes Elliot restating his belief that the HBC is entitled to no more than
£30,000 to £32,000in compensation for costs incurred while the company was administering Vancouver Island. Murdoch adds, however, that
it would appear to me very bad economy, irrespective of all questions of policy, to incur the expense of legal proceedings for the sake of the difference between that sum and the amount which the Company are willing to accept.
Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
Emigration Office
12 July 1862
I have to acknowledge your letter of 10th instant enclosing a
further letter from the Hudsons Bay Co on the subject of the amount
to which they are entitled on the resumption of Vancouvers Island by
the Crown.
2. I do not see that I can add anything on this subject to what is
stated in my report of 18th March last. No new statements or
arguments are brought forward in the present letter from the Company,
and I continue to think that a payment
of from £30,000 to £32,000
would meet the justice of their claim. At the same time it would
appear to me very bad economy, irrespective of all questions of
policy, to incur the expense of legal proceedings for the sake of the
difference between that sum and the amount which the Company are
willing to accept—and if the Company are determined, I do not see
how, without legal proceedings, they can be compelled to retransfer
Vancouvers Island. But I presume that the Duke of Newcastle will call on Mr Andoe to report on the present letter from
the Company
before any conclusion is come to upon it.
of from £30,000 to £32,000
would meet the justice of their claim. At the same time it would
appear to me very bad economy, irrespective of all questions of
policy, to incur the expense of legal proceedings for the sake of the
difference between that sum and the amount which the Company are
willing to accept—and if the Company are determined, I do not see
how, without legal proceedings, they can be compelled to retransfer
Vancouvers Island. But I presume that the Duke of Newcastle will call on Mr Andoe to report on the present letter from
the Company
before any conclusion is come to upon it.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Refer 6657 to Mr Andoe. As Mr A. recd his instructions from the T-y the proper course wd be to refer to him through that Dept. That route will involve a day or two more delay.
Refer 6657 to Mr Andoe. As Mr A. recd his instructions from the T-y the proper course wd be to refer to him through that Dept. That route will involve a day or two more delay.
ABd
14 July
Mr Fortescue
Transmit as proposed?
Transmit as proposed?
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to F. Peel, Treasury, 15 July 1862, forwarding correspondence from the Hudson's Bay Company regarding their disputed claim, and
asking that it be referred to Andoe for his observations.