Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Alex Arthur and Company to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 10 August 1858, CO 6:26, no. 8016, 293.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3).
Arthur informs the CO of the rumours concerning merchants’ rights to do business in Victoria and the monopoly of the HBC. He hopes for a detailed description of the HBC’s rights
so that parties interested in going there “may know what is expected of them.”
The minutes decide that, due to the large number of enquiries regarding immigration
to Vancouver Island, a “digest or resumé, of facts” would be desirable but fear that “whoever tries will
be beaten by the actual paucity of intelligence.”
Alex Arthur and Company to Lytton
It would appear by recent intelligence from Vancouver’s Island that none but the agents of the Hudson Bay Company are at liberty to trade in British
and American merchandise at Victoria, and that the goods of those so trading have been confiscated by that Company. Also
that a tax of 2 dollars is levied on every person landing at that port, and that besides
this sum 5 dollars per month is charged for a licence to dig 
for gold. And that a British Man-of-War is stationed at the mouth of Fraser River to enforce those claims.
for gold. And that a British Man-of-War is stationed at the mouth of Fraser River to enforce those claims.As there are many parties proposing to go from this city to British Columbia, it is very desirable that you would define what are the rights of the Hudson Bay
Company, in the matter, so that parties proceeding thither may know what is expected
of them.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The numerous letters & enquiries we receive from persons desirous of obtaining information respecting V. Couver's Island and British Columbia, with the view of settling there, & the prospect before us of receiving many more such enquiries, makes me think that it wd. be a great convenience to the public if we could draw up, & publish
a digest or resumé, of facts positively known to us; heading it "Information for the
use of Settlers in V.C. Island, and British Columbia." If we were to supply the Land Board with the requisite materials they would execute
this design perfectly, because they are accustomed to such jobs.
If Sir E. Lytton & you approved this idea, it should be put in hand at once.
This letter might, in such case, be answered that the information asked for by the writer wd be communicated to him shortly.
The numerous letters & enquiries we receive from persons desirous of obtaining information respecting V. Couver's Island and British Columbia, with the view of settling there, & the prospect before us of receiving many more such enquiries, makes me think that it wd. be a great convenience to the public if we could draw up, & publish
a digest or resumé, of facts positively known to us; heading it "Information for the
use of Settlers in V.C. Island, and British Columbia." If we were to supply the Land Board with the requisite materials they would execute
this design perfectly, because they are accustomed to such jobs.If Sir E. Lytton & you approved this idea, it should be put in hand at once.
This letter might, in such case, be answered that the information asked for by the writer wd be communicated to him shortly.
ABd.
13 Augt.
Sir Edward approves this suggestion, & if you concur he wishes us to put it in hand; which I
will see to on Monday, when I return.
Mr Blackwood
Indeed I quite agree; my only fear is, that whoever tries will be beaten by the actual paucity of intelligence. In the mean time I will add, 1. that Capt. James of the Admy is very busily engaged in the same research, 2. that you will find
a very good account of Vancr Id in the last No. of the Geographical Journal—unfortunately not of the opposite coast.
Indeed I quite agree; my only fear is, that whoever tries will be beaten by the actual paucity of intelligence. In the mean time I will add, 1. that Capt. James of the Admy is very busily engaged in the same research, 2. that you will find
a very good account of Vancr Id in the last No. of the Geographical Journal—unfortunately not of the opposite coast.HM
Augt 15