Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Haliburton, Thomas Chandler
to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 16 May 1859, CO 60:6, no. 4997, 51.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Other documents (1).
Haliburton, in his capacity as “Chairman” of the “Canada Agency Association,” writes to Lytton to propose a commission-based land-sales scheme that would “appoint the Canada Agency
Association their Sole Agent for the Sale of Lands in British Columbia and Vancouver Island, at an upset price to be fixed by Her Majesty's Government.”
In the minutes, Blackwood, Elliot, and Carnarvon agree to send the proposal to the Land Board to remind the Board that “the plan of
selling in England any of the public lands of Columbia has been disallowed.” Elliot argues that Haliburton’s scheme “merely serves to assist schemers, and to disappoint honest purchasers,”
while Carnarvon dismisses it as “so full of objections that it might be declined at once.”
The file includes a draft reply, from Carnarvon to Haliburton, that notes the government’s position that forbids land sales outside British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
Haliburton to Lytton
On behalf of the Canada Agency Association, I have the honor
to submit to the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, the
following proposal, with a view to expedite and facilitate the
Sale of Lands in British Columbia, and Vancouver Island, on its
reversion to the Crown, and thus to promote the general improvement
of that Settlement, and the development of its great natural resources.
The proposal is this: that Her Majesty's Government should
appoint the Canada Agency Association their Sole Agent for the
Sale of Lands in British Columbia and Vancouver Island, at an
upset price to be fixed by Her Majesty's Government.
In order more readily to negociate the sale of Lands, as
contemplated in this proposal, it is submitted that all Maps,
Surveys, Reports and other Official information respecting the
Soil, Climate and Capabilities of the Settlement, should be
placed by Her Majesty's Government
Government at the service of the
Association, in order that those who intend to become Settlers,
or Purchasers, may receive from the Association, as ample
and trustworthy information as they could derive from Her
Majesty's Government, which would thus be relieved from the
burden, responsibility, and expense, as well of supplying
the preliminary information, as of conducting the subsequent
negociations: both which duties would be undertaken by the
Association, as Agent for Her Majesty's Government, within
limits defined by Government itself.
Government at the service of the
Association, in order that those who intend to become Settlers,
or Purchasers, may receive from the Association, as ample
and trustworthy information as they could derive from Her
Majesty's Government, which would thus be relieved from the
burden, responsibility, and expense, as well of supplying
the preliminary information, as of conducting the subsequent
negociations: both which duties would be undertaken by the
Association, as Agent for Her Majesty's Government, within
limits defined by Government itself.
And it is proposed, that the Sale of Lands should be
negociated either in England, or in British Columbia: in the
latter case, the Sales would be conducted by an Agent, appointed
by the Association, but subject to the approval of Her
Majesty's Government.
It is submitted, that the Association should receive a
Commission on all Sales effected by them. The remuneration
thus given to the Association would be in exact proportion
to the work done by them: and which they venture to assume is,
on National grounds, work of a very important and interesting
character.
The Association are the more encouraged to submit this
Proposal to the favorable Consideration of Her Majesty's
Government, as they have reason to believe that the subject of
affording increased facilities of Communication between the
Canadas and British Columbia has been already brought under the
notice of Her Majesty's Government: and it is obvious that
the opening of such a communication, as well as the making of
Roads within the Settlement cannot fail to exercise a very
beneficial and permanent influence on
on the fortunes of
British Columbia.
on the fortunes of
British Columbia.
The Association, on whose behalf I venture to address you,
believe that the Proposal, of which the above are the outlines,
is capable of being so moulded, as to confer great benefits both
on the Mother Country, and the Settlement: and subject to such
modifications, and improvements, as may be suggested by a more
lengthened experience, and larger views than their own, they
beg to submit their proposal to the consideration of Her
Majesty's Government.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The usual course wd be to refer this proposal for the report of the Land Board: but the correspondence which has so recently passed between Govr Douglas and this Office may enable us to dispense if it wished, with such reference.
The usual course wd be to refer this proposal for the report of the Land Board: but the correspondence which has so recently passed between Govr Douglas and this Office may enable us to dispense if it wished, with such reference.
I annex the correspce.
ABd
17/5
If the Governor's plan of reserving some lands to be sold
in England had been confirmed, it would I suppose have become
necessary to appoint either a private Agency for the purpose or
else to employ the Land Board. But the plan has been disallowed
and I must say that from extensive personal experience I entertain
the worst opinion of the course of selling in England lands
situated in the Colonies. It merely serves to assist schemers,
and to disappoint honest purchasers.
I think that we may as well refer this to the Land Board
for report, remarking to them at the same time that, as they
are aware, the plan of selling in England any of the public
lands of Columbia has been disallowed.
TFE
19 May
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Carnarvon to Haliburton, 4 June 1859, advising it had
been decided to forbid land sales outside of the colony.
Minutes by CO staff
[Referring to the title "Sir," which has been crossed out:]
The Knighting Mr Haliburton is my mistake. It is the Chief Justice Haliburton, I have since recollected, who has recd this honor.
The Knighting Mr Haliburton is my mistake. It is the Chief Justice Haliburton, I have since recollected, who has recd this honor.