Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Brown, Alex to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 28 September 1858, CO 60:2, no. 9966, 470.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Brown enquires about the price of land and terms of payment for property “within easy distance
of the sea” in either Vancouver Island or British Columbia.
The minutes inform Brown to contact the HBC in regards to Vancouver Island and that concerning British Columbia, the government does not have “sufficient” information from Douglas for them to “fix any price.”
Brown to Lytton
Steampacket Office
Fort William
28th Sept 1858
To the Right HonbleFort William
Sir E. Bulwer Lytton Bart
Secretary of State for the Colonies
London
Sir,
I take the liberty of writing you this letter to ask a
few questions respecting the New Colony of British Columbia.
I observe from a pamphlet issued by Messrs Effingham & Wilson
of London that inducements are held out to Emigrants of a
better class than those who of late years left our shores
for the other Colonies. May I therefore ask at what rate per
acre land can be purchased within easy distance of the sea either
on the mainland or on Vancouvers Island; does the whole price
of the land require to be paid before possession is got
or can part of it remain [out?] for a term of yearsand
and is there a limit to the purchases of each individual.
Apologising for this intrusion.
and is there a limit to the purchases of each individual.
Apologising for this intrusion.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Ansr that application should be addressed to the Hudson's Bay Co for information as to the price of land in V.C. Island, that Co having the disposal of land there until 30 May 1859—& that with regard to B. Columbia, where the Land belongs to the Crown, H.M. Govt are not yet in possession of sufficient infn from the Governor enabling them to fix any price.
Ansr that application should be addressed to the Hudson's Bay Co for information as to the price of land in V.C. Island, that Co having the disposal of land there until 30 May 1859—& that with regard to B. Columbia, where the Land belongs to the Crown, H.M. Govt are not yet in possession of sufficient infn from the Governor enabling them to fix any price.
ABd
1 Oct
Annex dt.
HM
O 1
Other documents included in the file
Merivale to Brown, 14 October 1858, referring him to the
Hudson's Bay Company for information on Vancouver Island, and
advising that for British Columbia, no terms had yet been decided
upon.