Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Grenville, Richard 1 August 1868, CO 60:33, no. 9922, 143.
Abstract
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Grenville, Richard 1 August 1868, CO 60:33, no. 9922, 143.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (2), Marginalia (1).
No. 81
Victoria
1st August 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have had the honor to receive Your Grace's despatch No. 30 of
the 24th May respecting the probable working of theOrdinance
Ordinance "to provide for the settlement of all outstanding
questions relating to the sale of land for taxes in Vancouver
Island."
Ordinance "to provide for the settlement of all outstanding
questions relating to the sale of land for taxes in Vancouver
Island."
2. I enclose a Report on the subject from the Acting Colonial
Secretary, the Chairman of the Board I appointed to carry out
the provisions of the law.
The question is a thoroughly unsatisfactory one, in which, once
taken up, it is better not to pause. I venturerespectfully
respectfully to
recommend the Ordinance for favorable consideration. Its
disallowance would throw things into still greater confusion
than they are in at present.
respectfully to
recommend the Ordinance for favorable consideration. Its
disallowance would throw things into still greater confusion
than they are in at present.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
So far as regards the purchasers of these lands there seems not to be much difficulty. They are ready to have the sales annulled upon receiving back the purchase money with interest. Probably the doubts which hung about the titles have influenced them considerably. Nothing is stated in the report as to those persons who had their land illegally sold, & who are now to have those lands charged with the purchase money & interest. But the Govr & Col. Secretary (who was chairman of the Commission) deprecate any interference with the Ordinance, and considering the complicated state of things which necessitated a rough measure, and the immense advantage of clearing away the doubts that hung about these sales & the titles to the land, I should be strongly disposed to confirm the Ordinance but to point out that such confirmation was granted in consideration of the very peculiar circumstances of the case & of the strong recommendation of the Govr & Col. Secrety.
So far as regards the purchasers of these lands there seems not to be much difficulty. They are ready to have the sales annulled upon receiving back the purchase money with interest. Probably the doubts which hung about the titles have influenced them considerably. Nothing is stated in the report as to those persons who had their land illegally sold, & who are now to have those lands charged with the purchase money & interest. But the Govr & Col. Secretary (who was chairman of the Commission) deprecate any interference with the Ordinance, and considering the complicated state of things which necessitated a rough measure, and the immense advantage of clearing away the doubts that hung about these sales & the titles to the land, I should be strongly disposed to confirm the Ordinance but to point out that such confirmation was granted in consideration of the very peculiar circumstances of the case & of the strong recommendation of the Govr & Col. Secrety.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Minute, W.A.G. Young, Acting Colonial Secretary, 1 August 1868,
reporting on the working of the ordinance as per despatch.
Note on microfilm as follows: "Folios 154-155v not
photographed. Newspaper extract:
The Government Gazette, 1st Augt 1868, pp 5-8."
Other documents included in the file
Other documents included in the file
*
Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 3 October 1868,
forwarding copy of correspondence relating to the ordinance for
information.