Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Williams, A. to Labouchere, Henry 23 April 1857, CO 305:8, no. 5178, 386.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Williams reports that “several families” in Southern Ontario “are desirous of emigrating”
but “do not wish to live under the American flag.” They are satisfied with Vancouver Island and “the adjoining British Coast.” Williams wishes to know whether there will be free land grants given and “encouragement for
the erection of mills, making of roads and such other necessary and expensive works.”
The minutes note that the HBC still controls the disposal of land on Vancouver Island until 1859 and that “they only sell the land.”
Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere to Head, asking that he inform Williams the government had “not yet taken any steps to open Van Couver’s Island to settlement nor adopted any definite terms for the disposal of Land to Immigrants.”
Williams to Secretary of State
There are several families in this Section of Canada, and I presume
in other Sections also, who are desirous of emigrating but who do not
wish to live under the American flag. Their thoughts have been turned
to Vancouver Island and the adjoining
British Coast. If upon more
minute enquiry they are Satisfied with the climate and natural
advantages of the island, it is their intention to proceed forthwith
across the American Continent to the Pacific. Before taking a step
attended with so much expense and hardship they are anxious to learn
the intentions of the Home government withrespect
respect to the granting of
land—whether free grants will be given & what encouragement for the
erection of mills, making of roads and such other necessary and expensive
works, the burthen of which, falls so heavily on the first Settlers of a
new colony. I need not say that the parties who propose going, are of
the right stamp for pioneers. They can also
master a sufficiency of
Capital; and the different trades and professions will be fully
represented.
British Coast. If upon more
minute enquiry they are Satisfied with the climate and natural
advantages of the island, it is their intention to proceed forthwith
across the American Continent to the Pacific. Before taking a step
attended with so much expense and hardship they are anxious to learn
the intentions of the Home government withrespect
respect to the granting of
land—whether free grants will be given & what encouragement for the
erection of mills, making of roads and such other necessary and expensive
works, the burthen of which, falls so heavily on the first Settlers of a
new colony. I need not say that the parties who propose going, are of
the right stamp for pioneers. They can also
master a sufficiency of
Capital; and the different trades and professions will be fully
represented.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
You know that the H.B.Co have the disposal of Land in Van Couver's Island for a few more years—till 1859—& that they only sell the land.
You know that the H.B.Co have the disposal of Land in Van Couver's Island for a few more years—till 1859—& that they only sell the land.
ABd
5 June
See answer on 3683, from Mr John Macdonald. I annex a draft.
TFE
6 June
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Labouchere to Sir E. Head, No. 82, 9 June 1857,
asking that he inform Williams the government had "not yet taken any
steps to open Van Couver's Island to settlement nor adopted any
definite terms for the disposal of Land to Immigrants."