Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Shepherd, Captain, HBC Governor John to Labouchere, Henry 9 May 1856, CO 305:7, no. 4164, 352.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Shepherd writes to Labouchere about Douglas’s wish to sell the land known as Governor’s Reserve on Vancouver Island.
The minutes request a speedy report and contain an annexed draft.
Shepherd to Labouchere
Hudson's Bay House
May 9th 1856
Sir,
I have the honour to Enclose for your information the accompanying
Extract from a letter recently received from Governor Douglas dated
Victoria, Vancouver's Island, 5th March 1856, by which you will
perceive that he is anxious to dispose of the tract of land on the
Island, known as the Governor's reserve.
The Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company see no objection to the
proposed sale, the proceeds of which would of course have to be carried
to the credit of the Vancouver Island Trust Fund; on the contrary, they
consider it very desirable that this Reserve should be disposed of for
the benefit of the Colony, as it has been found "a hindrance to
to the
Settlement of the Country," and may prove, as with similar reserves in
other Colonies, a frequent subject matter of dispute hereafter.
to the
Settlement of the Country," and may prove, as with similar reserves in
other Colonies, a frequent subject matter of dispute hereafter.
Upon receiving your sanction to the proposed Sale, I shall cause
Governor Douglas to be instructed to complete the conveyance.
Minutes by CO staff
Asking for a speedy report. Annex draft.
HM
May 8 [9]
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Shepherd, 19 May 1856, expressing Labouchere's
approval of Douglas's proposal to sell the governor's reserve.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract, Douglas to W.G. Smith, Secretary of the Hudson's Bay
Company, 5 March 1856, asking permission to sell part of the governor's
reserve, "which remains unimproved and unproductive," to Augustus Pemberton.