Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th Novr transmitting, by direction of Earl Grey, the copy of a communication from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, enclosing the copy of a letter addressed to their Lordships by Rear Admiral Hornby on the State of affairs in Vancouvers Island and in the North West Territory.

I beg to assure Lord Grey that it affords the Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company the most lively satisfaction to learn that General Lane, the newly appointed Governor of Oregon, is disposed to carry out the provisions of the late Treaty of demarcation in the most liberal manner.

As regards the information given by Captain Shepherd, that the whole of the Companys establishment in Oregon will, in the course of the Summer, be disposed of to the Americans, I fear that this anticipated event, however desirable for both countries, can hardly be effected within the time specified, as the subject has yet to be discussed in both Houses of Congress.

With respect to the colonization of Vancouver's Island, as one of the main objects of the Company is to civilize the native tribes by fixing settlers amongst them, who will find employment for them, and shew them the advantages to be derived from cultivating the Soil; — and as in all the Company's dealings with the natives of other parts over which they have had controul, they have never come into collision with any tribe, as a tribe, they trust that by conciliatory measures they will be able to effect their object without the aid of troops: — at the Same time an occasional visit of Some of Her Majesty's Ships cannot fail to be attended with the most beneficial consequences, both as regards the natives in the Island, and the American population in the neighbourhood.