Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Grant, Captain Walter Colquhoun
to
Hawes, Benjamin 17 November 1848, CO 305:1, no. 2155, 559.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (4).
Grant writes to Hawes regarding the Crown's grant of Vancouver Island to the HBC, which Grant is convinced will prevent the emigration interests "of several Scottish gentlemen."
Grant declares his emigration intentions, and suggests that the government revoke the HBC's
exclusive trade rights; he then bemoans the various costs of colonization.
I have the honor to acknowledge the rect of your official letter
of the 15th inst acquainting me with the decisions of Earl Grey, as
to my queries regarding the Grant by the Crown of Vancouver's island to
the Hudson's Bay Compy
I refrain from expressing my individual opinions as to the policy
pursued in this instance by Her Majesty's Government, I cannot however
avoid stating what I know to be a fact, that the grant of Vancouver's
Island to the Hudson's Bay Compy will be the means of instantaneously checking the intended emigration to that island, of several Scottish
gentlemen who were otherwise prepared to embark with all the "materials"
which wd be likely to bring about successful colonization.
As I myself purpose carrying out my intention of starting thither
very shortly, taking with me a Clergyman of the Church of Scotland, &
some mechanics, labourers, &c. I trust I may be permitted respectfully
to record my petition, a petition in which I am
convinced I shall be
seconded by every embryo emigrant to Vancouver I. That it may please Her
Majesty's Government, to exercise their power of revoking within the
limits of this New Colony all such priviliges of exclusive trade as have
been granted to the Hudson's Bay Coy in certain other parts of
British North America. The High price of land that settlers will have
to pay amtg in all to abt £ 2"4. pr acre, is surely in itself a
sufficient evil, to this will be added the overwhelming competition with
a powerful Coy against which individual colonists will have to strive
in every department of culture or traffic; Heavy Royalties that
on the exportation of timber, viz 10/ pr load, being sufficient to
annihilate any proposed traffic in that commodity are to be charged on
all kinds of available produce; and if even their settlers are debarred,
by the continuance of a monopoly, from availing themselves of one of the
principal natural resources of the island, so crushing a check may be
given to the exertions of private enterprises, as materially do impede
the success of any effort at Public improvement in the Colony.
I have
to apologize for the great liberty I take in making these suggestions and
convinced I shall be
seconded by every embryo emigrant to Vancouver I. That it may please Her
Majesty's Government, to exercise their power of revoking within the
limits of this New Colony all such priviliges of exclusive trade as have
been granted to the Hudson's Bay Coy in certain other parts of
British North America. The High price of land that settlers will have
to pay amtg in all to abt £ 2"4. pr acre, is surely in itself a
sufficient evil, to this will be added the overwhelming competition with
a powerful Coy against which individual colonists will have to strive
in every department of culture or traffic; Heavy Royalties that
on the exportation of timber, viz 10/ pr load, being sufficient to
annihilate any proposed traffic in that commodity are to be charged on
all kinds of available produce; and if even their settlers are debarred,
by the continuance of a monopoly, from availing themselves of one of the
principal natural resources of the island, so crushing a check may be
given to the exertions of private enterprises, as materially do impede
the success of any effort at Public improvement in the Colony.
I have
to apologize for the great liberty I take in making these suggestions andMinutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale —
This is another letter from Sir Capt. Grant relative to Van Couver's Island. He states the price to be paid for Land is £ 2.4. per acre — tho' in his first letter he stated to be only £1.
This is another letter from Sir Capt. Grant relative to Van Couver's Island. He states the price to be paid for Land is £ 2.4. per acre — tho' in his first letter he stated to be only £1.
21 Nov
Capt Grant means I apprehend to include in this 2d estimate
the cost of taking out emigrants. With regard to this main question, I suppose this answer will be simply in acknowledgment ?
HM N. 21. may be put by as I perceive Capt Grant does not appear to expect an answer?
HM N. 21. may be put by as I perceive Capt Grant does not appear to expect an answer?
HM
N 21
N. 24
Capt. Grant repeats only what Mr Dundas says in a letter to me
he told Capt Grant. Nevertheless Capt Grant perseveres though I cannot help thinking he was almost shaken from his purpose by
the
difficulty of the scheme. Mr Dundas however wishes a grant of land,
in trust, for an independent Settlement in the Island — which would shew that its prospects are not so bad, & which will probably mind when
the terms & conditions of the Settlet & the form of Govt are known
I have written a private note to Sir J. Pelly requesting him to
furnish the means of answering this. —
G.
27/