Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
18th April 1867
Sir
I have the honour to transmit herewith the reconveyance to the Crown of Vancouvers Island, which has been executed by the Hudsons Bay Co under their Corporate Seal, and under the sanction of the authority contained in your letter of 29th ultimo, by us on the part of Her Majesty.
2. As it did not appear whether or not the transaction came within the scope of the Stamp Acts, we applied to theManuscript image Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and got the Deed impressed with a Stamp denoting that it was adjudged as not chargeable with any duty. This will prevent any question on the point.
3. I also enclose the original Letters Patent of 13th Janry 1849 granting the Island to the Company, which have now been delivered up to us by the Company.
4. We presume that these documents will be forwarded to the Colony in order that they may be recorded there.
5. I enclose a copy of the reconveyance forManuscript image record in the Colonial Office.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient
humble Servant
T.W.C. Murdoch
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
ABd 20 April
Sir F. Rogers
The reconveyance of Vancouvers Island is now finally executed.
Acknowledge rect of letter & state that the documents will be sent to British Columbia to be recorded—& Send out the Deed & Letters Patent to the Govr to be recorded.
This is suggested by Mr Murdoch & would seem correct. I take it that the record should be made of the Original Letters Patent & of this Reconveyance.
HTH 20/4
Proceed accordly.
FR 20/4
Duke of Buckingham
Why send to B Columbia, which represents neither of the Parties? Should be kept here I think.
CBA 23/4
Mr Holland
I do not see the reason for recording in B. Columbia.
B&C 24/4
Duke of Buckingham
I think that a record shd be made of these documents in the records of Vancouvers Island wh: is now part of British Columbia. The document need not be kept there, when once registered.
HTH 26/4
So proceed.
B&C 27/4
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Copy of the reconveyance of Vancouver Island from the Hudson's Bay Company to the crown, dated 3 April 1867, signed by W.G. Smith, T.W.C. Murdoch and S. Walcott.
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 23, 11 May 1867 transmitting a copy of the reconveyance of Vancouver Island to the British government.