No. 12
5th February 1870
My Lord,
With reference to Your Lordship's Despatch No 63 of 28th June, on the subject of the Ordinance No 11 of 1869, "respecting Pre-emption claims," in which you transmitted for consideration a Copy of a Report upon the provisionsofManuscript image of that Ordinance by the Emigration Commissioners—I have the honor to acquaint Your Lordship that in the preparation of the Ordinance by the Attorney General and the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works the provision for the summary remedy suggested by Mr Murdoch was purposely omitted in order to ensure the easy passage of the Ordinance, and particularly to avoid the appearance in aColonyManuscript image Colony where it is so much desired to encourage settlement, of too urgent pressure on "bona fide" settlers perhaps unable to pay up promptly. It is thought that this latter reason is still operative and under the circumstances it may be inexpedient to introduce any amendment of the Ordinance until absolutely necessary.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
A. Musgrave
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Holland
The L. & E. Comrs in 6144 suggested that the Ordinance might have contained some less dilatory & expensive a mode of enforcing payment of purchase money than the ordinary course of proceedings at Law.
It is not desirable to do anything that would inManuscript image any way discourage settlement.
CC 10/3
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Sir F. Rogers
I wd acknowledge & add that under the circumstances stated in the Despatch Ld G can understand that it may be inexpedient to introduce the suggested amendment.
HTH 10.3.70
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At once. To E.C.
FR 10/3
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Answd E.C. 3042 Mar 21.70.
Musgrave, Sir Anthony to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 5 February 1870, CO 60:38, no. 2546, 133. 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/B70012.html.

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