Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Martin, Robert Montgomery
to
Hawes, Benjamin 26 October 1848, CO 305:1, no. 2035, 581.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (4), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Martin writes to Hawes for permission to have added to Martin's previous request—for documents on the HBC and Vancouver Island—the changes made on the HBC's draft charter for Vancouver Island.
Blackwood's minute notes that the amendments on the documents requested by Martin are not yet complete, and that much of what can be divulged depends upon Grey's opinion; moreover, he adds that it is against protocol to reveal such information
until it has first been put before Parliament.
This file encloses a draft of a letter from the Colonial Office to Martin which advises that the information requested is not currently available.
I solicit permission from Earl Grey to add to my exposition of the
Hudson Bay question — the
amendments which have been made on the draft
Charter for Vancouver's island, — & I have the honor to request that you will do me the favor to move His Lordship
accordingly.
3Ansd 8 Nov / 48
Minutes by CO staff
1
MrHawes.
The amendments are not yet completed, and I had written a minute on this letter asking whether this would not be the best answer. But it has since been settled that the amendments will receive a pro formâ approval tomorrow. Much must depend on Lord Grey's opinion as to the expediency of enabling Mr Martin to publish these amendments without delay. If his pamphlet is to be in favor of the policy which has been adopted, and if Lord Grey thinks that there wd be any advantage in an early disclosure of the amendments, MrMartin might be told that His Lordship cannot at the present moment put him in possession of them, but that should his work not be about immediately to appear there would be no objection to place him in possession of this information as soon as it can be done with convenience. If the contrary view be adopted I presume that it would be a sufficient ground of refusal that it is not thought proper to publish this information until there shall have been an opportunity of laying it before Parliament.
The amendments are not yet completed, and I had written a minute on this letter asking whether this would not be the best answer. But it has since been settled that the amendments will receive a pro formâ approval tomorrow. Much must depend on Lord Grey's opinion as to the expediency of enabling Mr Martin to publish these amendments without delay. If his pamphlet is to be in favor of the policy which has been adopted, and if Lord Grey thinks that there wd be any advantage in an early disclosure of the amendments, MrMartin might be told that His Lordship cannot at the present moment put him in possession of them, but that should his work not be about immediately to appear there would be no objection to place him in possession of this information as soon as it can be done with convenience. If the contrary view be adopted I presume that it would be a sufficient ground of refusal that it is not thought proper to publish this information until there shall have been an opportunity of laying it before Parliament.
I think the first ansr will be the right one. —
G.
2/
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Martin, 8 November 1848, advising that
the information was not currently available but would be provided as
soon as possible.
Footnotes
- Please note that prior to the transcribed minutes below there is a deleted entry, apparently in Blackwood's hand, which is not transcribed. See image scans at right.
- Though no signature is given, the above minute is presumed to be Blackwood's.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.