Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Pelly, Sir John Henry
to
Hawes, Benjamin 31 March 1849, CO 305:2, no. 2777, 273.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (2), Marginalia (1).
Pelly writes to Hawes to confirm his receipt of several correspondences on the subject
of Vancouver Island colonization. In particular, Pelly stresses the HBC's opinion that Adams should, as soon as possible, begin to receive payments from and issue receipts to
emigrants who wish to purchase land grants on Vancouver Island. Pelly adds that "Company Officers" at Fort Victoria would direct each emigrant to their given “quantity of land.”
The minutes agree that a copy of Pelly's letter should be sent to the Foreign Office. Grey notes to ask Palmerston of any objections he might have to Pelly's proposal.
This file encloses a draft letter from Eddisbury to the Foreign Office that asks whether Palmerston sees any objection to Pelly and the HBC's proposal. The second enclosure, which appears in subject disconnected
from the previous documents, is a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Pelly that transmits letters on Rupert's Land, and the advice that Reverend David Anderson should serve as its Bishop.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th Instant accompanying
the copy of a Despatch from Mr Adams, H.M. Chargé d'affaires in Peru, stating the substance of enquiries which had been
made of him by British subjects residing in that country
who are desirous of settling in Vancouver's Island; and also the copy of a communication which Earl Grey has directed to be made to the Foreign Office in reference to those enquiries; —
2To Foreign Office 7 April/49
In reply to which I beg to state that Earl Grey's communication
above mentioned is entirely satisfactory to the Directors of the
Hudson's Bay Company, who are of opinion that it would save much time
and greatly facilitate emigration from Peru if Mr Adams would undertake to receive payment for grants of land, and give certificates
of purchase to intending emigrants, on the production of which the
Company's Officers at Ft Victoria would (according to instructions to be sent from England) put the purchasers in possession
of the quantity of land mentioned in the certificates.
above mentioned is entirely satisfactory to the Directors of the
Hudson's Bay Company, who are of opinion that it would save much time
and greatly facilitate emigration from Peru if Mr Adams would undertake to receive payment for grants of land, and give certificates
of purchase to intending emigrants, on the production of which the
Company's Officers at Ft Victoria would (according to instructions to be sent from England) put the purchasers in possession
of the quantity of land mentioned in the certificates.Should this suggestion meet the approbation of Her Majesty's Government, I will lose
no time in communicating with Mr Adams on the subject.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Should a copy of this Letter be communicated to the Foreign Office in reference to yours of the 27th ultimo?
Should a copy of this Letter be communicated to the Foreign Office in reference to yours of the 27th ultimo?
G.
3
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Lord Eddisbury, Foreign Office, 7 April 1849, forwarding copy of letter and asking whether Palmerston saw any objection to the company's proposal.
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 31 May 1849, transmitting copy of Letters Patent constituting Ruperts Land to be "a Bishop's See and Diocese," and advising of the appointment of Reverend David Anderson as Bishop thereof.
Footnotes
- This addressee information appears at the foot of the first page of the despatch.
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.