No. 47
23rd September 1864
Sir,
I had the honor to receive in London a despatch marked "Separate" of the 15th of January 1864, from the Duke of Newcastle, forwarding to me, amongst other enclosures, a letter from Sir Edmund Head complaining that the Government of this Colony did not issue the grants to the Hudson's Bay Company of the lands assigned to them under the AgreementofManuscript image of the 11th of October 1861. His Grace directed me to give my early [attention] to the matter.
2. I do not find that my predecessor is to be blamed for the delay which has occurred. Under the Land Act now in force no grant can be issued for a piece of land until the "Government Survey shall extend to the land claimed." This general Government Survey has reached some of the lands claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company, and in such cases the grants have been issued to them. There are many persons aggrieved by the non receipt of their grants, and as the "Government Survey"willManuscript image will not probably for very many years be extended over the Colony, I propose making some changes in the Law at the next Session.
3. Even, however, if the Law be amended so as to allow of isolated surveys, I presume that there are many of the blocks of land claimed by the Company, which are not worth the expense which the survey would entail.
4. The Hudson's Bay Company will always find in me a desire to meet their wishes.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
Communicate a Copy of this Despatch to Sir Ed. Head?
VJ 29 Nov
And also to the Emigration Commissioners.
TFE 30/11
EC 3 Dec
Mr Jadis
The drafts: send to Sir E. Head for his infn, & to the Commrs for any remarks they may have to offer.
TFE 3/12
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 13 December 1864, forwarding copy of the despatch for suggestions and observations.
Manuscript image
Rogers to Sir E. Head, Hudson's Bay Company, 14 December 1864, forwarding copy of the despatch for information.
Seymour, Governor Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 23 September 1864, CO 60:19, no. 10946, 261. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B64247.html.

Last modified: 2020-03-30 13:22:16 -0700 (Mon, 30 Mar 2020) (SVN revision: 4193)