Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Murdoch, Thomas William Clinton to Merivale, Herman 7 February 1859, CO 60:5, no. 1344, 493.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4).
The minutes approve of the sales but wonder if the CO should address Douglas about the position of Old Fort Langley being on the south side of the Fraser River, more vulnerable to American attack.
Murdoch to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Emigration Office
7 February 1859
Sir,
I have to acknowledge Mr Elliot's letter of 3rd
instant, enclosing a Despatch from Governor Douglas with a
report of a Sale of Town Lands at Old Fort Langley in British Columbia.
2. The Governor states that the site of Old Fort Langley
being well suited for a Town site, he had had it laid out, to
the extent of 900 Acres, in Lots of 64 x 120 feet, or nearly
one sixth of an Acre each, that these lots had been put up to
to
Auction at an upset price of 100 Dollars or £20.16.8. each,
that 187 Lots were sold on the first day and 155 on the second
day, the highest price being 725 dollars or £157, the lowest
100 Dollars, and the whole sum realized about £13000
(stated more precisely by the Surveyor General at £14.583.6.8),
that 10 per cent of the purchase money was paid down, and that
the remainder was to be paid in the course of a month. The
Governor further states that the sale was to be resumed on
the 1st of December, but as his Despatch is dated 29th
November the result of that
that sale could not be known. In the
Surveyor General's Report it is added that the actual number
of purchasers was 165 but that many of these acted as Agents
for others, and he, therefore, considers that between 400 and
500 persons have by this sale acquired an interest in the
proposed Town.
to
Auction at an upset price of 100 Dollars or £20.16.8. each,
that 187 Lots were sold on the first day and 155 on the second
day, the highest price being 725 dollars or £157, the lowest
100 Dollars, and the whole sum realized about £13000
(stated more precisely by the Surveyor General at £14.583.6.8),
that 10 per cent of the purchase money was paid down, and that
the remainder was to be paid in the course of a month. The
Governor further states that the sale was to be resumed on
the 1st of December, but as his Despatch is dated 29th
November the result of that
that sale could not be known. In the
Surveyor General's Report it is added that the actual number
of purchasers was 165 but that many of these acted as Agents
for others, and he, therefore, considers that between 400 and
500 persons have by this sale acquired an interest in the
proposed Town.
3. Governor Douglas is fairly entitled to describe this
result as highly satisfactory. His arrangements for laying
out the Town site and for disposing of the lots appear to
have been very judicious, and I have no suggestion to make
in regard to them. I presume that Sir E. Bulwer Lytton
will
will express his approval of Govr Douglas' proceedings.
will express his approval of Govr Douglas' proceedings.
4. The Governor adds that much anxiety being felt by
Foreigners as to the rights of Aliens in the acquisition of
Land in British Columbia, he had published a Memorandum,
which he encloses, and which he had caused to be publicly
read and circulated, explaining the state of the Law in
the United Kingdom and in British Columbia, and expressing
his intention to propose a measure which would secure to
aliens the full enjoyment of any Land they might purchase
during 3 years, at the end of which time they must
must either
become naturalized or part with the Land to British subjects.
I am not aware of any objection to the arrangement proposed
by the Governor, but the present state of the alien Law in
Canada is rather more favorable to Aliens, and as it may be
inferred from its repeated relaxations that it has not been
found to act injuriously in that Province, it might perhaps
be adopted without risk in British Columbia. By the
Canadian Law Aliens are capable of holding and disposing of
Land in that Province in the same manner as natural born
subjects of Her Majesty
Majesty, and after a continued residence
of three years are entitled to a Certificate of Naturalization
on taking certain Oaths or Affirmations of residence and
allegiances and persons so naturalized enjoy and transmit
to their heirs all the rights and capacities of Natural
born subjects. Aliens, therefore, under this Act would not
be liable to be deprived of their Land after the expiration
of 3 years, should they neglect or decline to take out
certificates of naturalization.
must either
become naturalized or part with the Land to British subjects.
I am not aware of any objection to the arrangement proposed
by the Governor, but the present state of the alien Law in
Canada is rather more favorable to Aliens, and as it may be
inferred from its repeated relaxations that it has not been
found to act injuriously in that Province, it might perhaps
be adopted without risk in British Columbia. By the
Canadian Law Aliens are capable of holding and disposing of
Land in that Province in the same manner as natural born
subjects of Her Majesty
Majesty, and after a continued residence
of three years are entitled to a Certificate of Naturalization
on taking certain Oaths or Affirmations of residence and
allegiances and persons so naturalized enjoy and transmit
to their heirs all the rights and capacities of Natural
born subjects. Aliens, therefore, under this Act would not
be liable to be deprived of their Land after the expiration
of 3 years, should they neglect or decline to take out
certificates of naturalization.
5. The Acts in which the Alien Law of Canada is
comprized are the
the 12th Vict. Cap 197, and the 22nd
Vict. Cap 1. I would submit that copies of those Acts
should be communicated to Governor Douglas for his
information and assistance.
the 12th Vict. Cap 197, and the 22nd
Vict. Cap 1. I would submit that copies of those Acts
should be communicated to Governor Douglas for his
information and assistance.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
In the ansr to the Govr I think something should be said to guard him from thinking that H.M. Govt have failed to notice the part that this proposed site for a Town has been fixed on the South side of the Frazer's River. In a military point of view, & with the Americans 10 or 12 miles off it wd, I think, have been more satisfactory to have had the barrier of the River as against attack upon the Town.
In the ansr to the Govr I think something should be said to guard him from thinking that H.M. Govt have failed to notice the part that this proposed site for a Town has been fixed on the South side of the Frazer's River. In a military point of view, & with the Americans 10 or 12 miles off it wd, I think, have been more satisfactory to have had the barrier of the River as against attack upon the Town.
ABd
7 Feb
I should approve of his proceedings about the sales
of land, should write to him about aliens as suggested by
Mr Murdoch, and with regard to the point noticed in
Mr Blackwood's Minute I should ask him whether he had
adverted to that consideration, but I should avoid anything
in the nature of blame, because on a matter of this kind,
and especially in addressing a man who has shewn eminently
practical qualities, I think that it behoves authorities
sitting in Downing Street to express themselves with modesty.
Yes but as to sites of Town request him to consult Col. Moody.
EBL
Feb 9