Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer to
Douglas, Sir James 16 November 1858, LAC :, 387.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Lytton forwards to Douglas a copy of a letter from the HBC expressing concern over their property rights with
the influx of immigrants in British Columbia. Lytton requests that Douglas report back to him with any information that will help elucidate the situation. He
advises Douglas to be “liberal” with the HBC’s requests while attending to “what is due to the public
interests of the Colony.”
No. 42
Downing Street,
16 November 1858
Sir,
I enclose a Copy of a letter of the 12th October from the Deputy
Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company with respect to the possession of
land which had been occupied by the Company previous to the recent
Immigration of Gold Miners. I also enclose a Copy of the answer
returned
to the
Company.
1
to the
Company.
1
I am not prepared at this moment to return a definite answer to
the request of the Company, as I am wholly without information as to the
extent of Territory which would be included in their claim, and the
relation which in parts of British Columbia it may bear to the Gold
Fields. I further am prepared to draw a considerable distinction
between land which has been subjected to cultivation or has involved
outlay on the part
of the Company, or is necessary to the maintenance of
their existing Stock or establishment, and land which has served the
more occasional purpose of affording pasturage to herds or beasts of
burden.
of the Company, or is necessary to the maintenance of
their existing Stock or establishment, and land which has served the
more occasional purpose of affording pasturage to herds or beasts of
burden.
You will therefore at your earliest convenience be good enough to
inform me as accurately as you can of the extent and character of the
land claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company around their Forts, adding at
the same time any suggestions
which your experience and local knowledge
may enable you to furnish.
which your experience and local knowledge
may enable you to furnish.
Meanwhile you will understand that it is the wish of Her Majesty's
Government to take a liberal view of the claims of the Company,
consistently, of course, with what is due to the public interests of the
Colony, and that wherever a fair title to property can be made out by
them, Her Majesty's Government are ready to afford their support and
countenance for theprotection
protection of that property.
protection of that property.