Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Berens, Henry Hulse to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 6 August 1858, CO 6:26, no. 7961, 460.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Berens acknowledges Carnarvon’s letter and has informed his HBC colleagues that the British Government intends
to “revoke the right of exclusive trade with the Indians [...] within the Colony of
British Columbia.”
The minutes agree that a “ready compliance” by the HBC “without allusion to compensation”
will be “very satisfactory.”
Berens to Lytton
Hudson's Bay House
London,
6th August 1858
London,
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Earl of Carnarvons letter of the 5th Instant, in compliance with which, I have announced to my coleagues in the Direction
the intention of Her Majesty's government to revoke the right of exclusive trade with
the Indians, which was given to the Company in the Royal Licence of the 30th of May 1838, over so much of the Territory in question as is comprised within the Colony of British Columbia.
I have also the honour of enclosing an extract of a letter addressed to Governor Douglas under date, the 16th of July last, from which you will perceive that the wishes
wishes of Her Majesty's government upon this point have already been anticipated to
a certain extent by the Hudson's Bay Company, in a manner which you will doubtless
approve.
wishes of Her Majesty's government upon this point have already been anticipated to
a certain extent by the Hudson's Bay Company, in a manner which you will doubtless
approve.Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This ready compliance of the Hudson's Bay Company—and of course without allusion to
compensation, to which they have no valid claim—will be very satisfactory to Sir Edward Lytton. The announcement of the revocation which is intended will, I assume, be contained
in the next desph to Govr Douglas.
ABd.
11 Augt.
