Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 5 December 1864, CO 305:23, no. 1335, 487.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (3), Marginalia (3).
No. 102
5th December 1864
Sir
Referring to my Despatches named in the margin
and the subject of the Crown Lands and Civil List of this Colony
I have now the honor to transmit copies of communications which have
passed between the Legislative Assembly and myself.
Message of Governor Kennedy, 31st October 1864.
Resolutions of Legislative Assembly, 21st November 1864.
Message of Governor Kennedy, 3rd December 1864.
Resolutions of Legislative Assembly, 21st November 1864.
Message of Governor Kennedy, 3rd December 1864.
I do not expect that any satisfactory decision upon this question
will be come to by the present House of Assembly,
who have not yet I thinkfully
fully realized the injury and inconvenience
likely to result from the course they have adopted and which must I
think ere long work its own cure.
Elected in July/63.
[ABd]
fully realized the injury and inconvenience
likely to result from the course they have adopted and which must I
think ere long work its own cure.
I will avail myself of this decision of the Assembly to put the
administration of the Crown Lands and Revenue on a sounder footing,
reporting from time to time what I have done or propose to do.
I will of course limit the charges against the Crown Fund to those
you have authorized and which there are ample funds to meet.
£3600 for Govr & Col. [one word off microfilm].
The action of the Assembly will necessitate my addressing you Ifear
fear
at some length on the Crown Lands question which might have been
settled before I assumed the Government and which I found in a most
complicated position. I will if possible have the necessary
documents and information ready to transmit by the next Mail.
fear
at some length on the Crown Lands question which might have been
settled before I assumed the Government and which I found in a most
complicated position. I will if possible have the necessary
documents and information ready to transmit by the next Mail.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
There is a good deal of reason, I think, for what the Assembly assign as their excuse for declining to take over the Crown Lands, and grant a Civil List for firstly the transfer of Van Couver Island from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Crown has not been effected, and 2ndly there is said to be considerable doubt as to the rights of various grantees to the Lands they have acquired on the Crown Estate. So long ago as 20 Augt/63 Sir Jas Douglas was instructed to close the disputed questions between the Crown & the H.B.Co, & put this office [one line off microfilm] to Sir Jas Douglas & the late Attorney General [we] know not, the desired arrangement has been left undone.
There is a good deal of reason, I think, for what the Assembly assign as their excuse for declining to take over the Crown Lands, and grant a Civil List for firstly the transfer of Van Couver Island from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Crown has not been effected, and 2ndly there is said to be considerable doubt as to the rights of various grantees to the Lands they have acquired on the Crown Estate. So long ago as 20 Augt/63 Sir Jas Douglas was instructed to close the disputed questions between the Crown & the H.B.Co, & put this office [one line off microfilm] to Sir Jas Douglas & the late Attorney General [we] know not, the desired arrangement has been left undone.
2ndly As to the illegal grants: On this subject there sat a
Committee of the Ho: of Assembly. A great deal of evidence was
taken—persons were inculpated—& a report was drawn up. But the
case was evidently not ripe for any Executive action on the spot for
the Govr has not reported any proceedings of his own in the matter.
The chief result was the self dismissal of Mr Pemberton the Surveyor
General, whose place, I think, ought to be promptly filled up by an
appointment from home.
As the Governor says in the desph that he will write again to Mr
Cardwell on the Crown Land question we must clearly wait the arrival
of that report, when, I think, we shall be better able to see our way.
ABd
13 Feby/65
Mr Fortescue
Wait the further Report which is promised?
Wait the further Report which is promised?
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Newspaper clipping, 21 November 1864, containing resolutions
of the House outlining their concerns in the matter as noted above.
Newspaper clipping, 3 December 1864, containing an address from
Kennedy to the Legislative Assembly advising that the resolutions
would be forwarded to England but expressing concern at the position
taken by the House.