Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes to Seymour, Governor Frederick 22 February 1864, NAC :, 44.
Abstract
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes to Seymour, Governor Frederick 22 February 1864, NAC :, 44.
Despatch from London.
Other documents (1).
No. 2
22nd February 1864
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from Mr.
Thos. W. Mackean enquiring on behalf of the British Columbia Mining
Company what concessions Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to grant to
that or to any other Mining company whichmay
may be formed.
may be formed.
It is no doubt very desirable that Capital should be systematically
applied in working the Mines, and therefore the formation of Companies
should not be discouraged. But in British Columbia, as in Australia, the
Mines have never been conveyed away with the lands. On the contrary
they have been reservedto
to the Crown to be leased on suitable terms;
and to this principle I think it desirable to adhere.
to the Crown to be leased on suitable terms;
and to this principle I think it desirable to adhere.
I shall be glad to consider any suggestions which may occur to you
on the terms on which companies might properly be encouraged to look for
a lease of Mines. These terms should probably be the same whether in
respect of Mines found upon landsof
of which the Company might have
acquired the freehold, or upon lands which still belong to the Crown.
of which the Company might have
acquired the freehold, or upon lands which still belong to the Crown.
I enclose for you information an Act passed by the Legislature of
Victoria in 1858 to facilitate the formation of Mining Associations.
