Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Shepherd, Captain, HBC Governor John to Labouchere, Henry 20 March 1856, CO 305:7, no. 2646, 325.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (transcribed) (0), Marginalia (1).
Shepherd writes to Labouchere saying he received Ball’s letter about the Reciprocity Treaty. He discusses some conditions of the Reciprocity
Treaty and that “Her Majesty’s Government” desires a report from Simpson before the conversation progresses.
The minutes question whether the HBC can request sole rights to coast and river fishing.
Shepherd to Labouchere
Hudson's Bay House
March 20th 1856
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Ball's letter
dated Downing Street 15th Instant enclosing Copy of [a] letter
addressed to the Colonial Office by direction of the Earl of Clarendon,
transmitting Copy of a Dispatch from Her Majesty's Minister at
Washington relative to the extension of the Reciprocity Treaty with the
United States to Vancouver's Island, which in accordance with his
request I have laid before the Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company.
In reply, I have the honour to state that at present the
the Directors
of the Hudson's Bay Company are not aware of any objection to the
acceptance by Her Majesty's Government of the counter Proposition that
Mr Crampton expects will be put forward by the American Government;
provided due care be taken that the right of fishing reciprocally
conceded be restricted to sea fishing, and that the right of salmon
fishing whether in bays, creeks, or along the coast generally, as
well as in rivers, and the mouths of rivers, be reserved to the Hudson's
Bay Company in the territory held under the exclusive Licence of Trade,
and also that it be understood that the said Treaty will not be
considered as giving any pretext to American Citizens to trade with the
Indians for Furs, or other articles.
the Directors
of the Hudson's Bay Company are not aware of any objection to the
acceptance by Her Majesty's Government of the counter Proposition that
Mr Crampton expects will be put forward by the American Government;
provided due care be taken that the right of fishing reciprocally
conceded be restricted to sea fishing, and that the right of salmon
fishing whether in bays, creeks, or along the coast generally, as
well as in rivers, and the mouths of rivers, be reserved to the Hudson's
Bay Company in the territory held under the exclusive Licence of Trade,
Why?
At the same time I have to remark that, before giving a definite
answer, it would be satisfactory
satisfactory to the Directors to have a Report on
the subject from Sir George Simpson who has visited the North West Coast
of America, and whose opinion on the subject would be extremely
valuable.
satisfactory to the Directors to have a Report on
the subject from Sir George Simpson who has visited the North West Coast
of America, and whose opinion on the subject would be extremely
valuable.
I propose to communicate with Sir George Simpson, who is at present
in Canada, by the first opportunity, and would respectfully request that
no steps be taken in the matter until his reply be received, which may
be expected in course of post.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Ball
I am quite at a loss to know on what grounds the H.B.C. require to have the right of coast & river fishing on the NW coast of Nth Amca secured to them in the event of a treaty. Their license gives them the right of exclusive trading with the Indians in that region, but gives them nothing else. I would by no means urge on a controversy with them, but when these pretensions are put forward it seems almost necessary to ask the grounds on which they rest, lest silence should hereafter be taken for consent?
I am quite at a loss to know on what grounds the H.B.C. require to have the right of coast & river fishing on the NW coast of Nth Amca secured to them in the event of a treaty. Their license gives them the right of exclusive trading with the Indians in that region, but gives them nothing else. I would by no means urge on a controversy with them, but when these pretensions are put forward it seems almost necessary to ask the grounds on which they rest, lest silence should hereafter be taken for consent?
HM
Mh 24
Mr Labouchere
I agree with Mr Merivale. It is quite a separate question whether the right of salmon fishing &c should be extended to the Americans and the claim here raised that it shd be reserved to the H.B.Cy.
I agree with Mr Merivale. It is quite a separate question whether the right of salmon fishing &c should be extended to the Americans and the claim here raised that it shd be reserved to the H.B.Cy.
JB
27 Mh
The H.B.C. can only speak in this matter as representing British
Interests in that part of the world—which is practically pretty much the case. I see no objection to this reference to the Governor of V.C. Island for an opinion before a decision is come to.
Interests in that part of the world—which is practically pretty much the case. I see no objection to this reference to the Governor of V.C. Island for an opinion before a decision is come to.
HL
29 M
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Draft, Elliot to Shepherd, 4 April 1856, asking on what grounds the company expected to have the right of coast and river fishing reserved to them.
4th April /56
Sir,
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 20th Ulto I am directed by Mr
Secretary Labouchere to state that he shall be happy to receive the
proposed report from Sir George Simpson on the extension of the
Reciprocity Treaty with the United States to Vancouver's Island, but that
in the meanwhile he will thank you to inform him on what grounds
grounds you
require to have the right of Coast and River fishing on the North West
Coast of America secured to the Hudson's Bay Company in the event of the
extension of the Treaty.
grounds you
require to have the right of Coast and River fishing on the North West
Coast of America secured to the Hudson's Bay Company in the event of the
extension of the Treaty.