Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Le Marchant, D. to Merivale, Herman 15 June 1850, CO 305:2, no. 4933, 193.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Le Marchant writes to Merivale, on behalf of the Privy Council for Trade, to pass on to Grey a bill regarding the proposed incorporation of the “Vancouvers Island Sawing Mill
& Agricultural Company.” Le Marchant's “Lords” wish to know if Grey has any opinions on the matter.
In the minutes, Blackwood wonders if Grey would wish first to discuss the bill with the HBC, before responding to the Privy
Council for Trade—a suggestion with which Merivale appears to agree. Grey sees no reason to contact the HBC, or any reason as to why the proposal in question
would either curry favour from, or breech the rules of, the Council.
This file encloses a draft letter from the Colonial Office to Le Marchant, which advises that Grey sees no reason to favour the proposed company over others of the same ilk. Of the
remaining enclosures, the first is a copy of a letter from Parratt and Walinisley, Parliamentary Agents, to Le Marchant, which describes the Vancouver's Island Steam Sawing Mill and Agriculture Company;
the last is a statement-of-company document intended for the Board of Trade's consideration.
4933. VanCouver's Island
Office of Committee of
Privy Council for Trade
Whitehall
15th June 1850.
Privy Council for Trade
Whitehall
Sir,
I am directed by the Lords of the
Committee of Privy Council for
Trade, to request that you will inform Earl Grey that an application has
been made to this Board for Their Lordship's sanction to the
introduction of the Bill into Parliament for the Incorporation of a
Company entitled the "Vancouvers Island Sawing Mill & Agricultural
Company," which among other privileges will confer on the Shareholders
that of limited liability. —
1Ansd 24 June/50.
Copies of the Application and accompanying Statement of the object
of the Company are enclosed for the consideration of
of Lord Grey.
of Lord Grey.It will be perceived from this Statement that the Capital with
which the Company is to commence does not exceed £ 10,000 and this
circumstance, not less than the vagueness of the description of design
of the Company induces this Board to think that no case has been
substantiated for the grant of Exclusive privileges; but before they
determine to return an unfavorable reply to the Application, My Lords
wish to know whether Lord Grey has any observations to offer on the
subject.
Herman Merivale Esqr
&c &c &c
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Perhaps Lord Grey may think proper to communicate on this subject with the Hudson's Bay Company previously to returning any answer to the Board of Trade?
Perhaps Lord Grey may think proper to communicate on this subject with the Hudson's Bay Company previously to returning any answer to the Board of Trade?
ABd
17/6.
I think so?
HM
June 17
I think this is hardly necessary — Lookg to what has so recently been done with regard to Mr Lafone's proposed Compy, I think
the ansr must be that I am aware of no reason why the Lds of the
Cee for trade shd depart in favour of the proposed Co from the
rules which usually guide them in decidg upon applicatns for power
to form Cos havg limited responsibility. —
G.
18/
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Le Marchant, 24 June 1850, advising that
Grey saw no reason to favour the proposed company over others in the
same position.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, Parratt and Walinisley, Parliamentary Agents, to Le Marchant,
11 June 1850, with statement describing the Vancouver's Island Steam
Sawing Mill and Agriculture Company for consideration by Board of Trade.
Statement of company, initiated by James Cooper, for consideration
of Board of Trade, signed 10 June 1850 by J. Dangerfield, Solicitor to the Company.
Footnotes
- This text runs perpendicular to main body text; see image scan.