Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Blake, A. G. to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 23 August 1858, CO 305:9, no. 8592, 549.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Blake requests information on the “existing regulations” for land sales in Vancouver Island. He suggests financial benefits to British emigrants to encourage settlement and
prevent the “place from being completely americanized.”
The minutes refer Blake to the HBC.
Blake to Lytton
George Street
Croydon
August 23rd 1858
Croydon
Right Honourable Sir
Having an idea of emigrating
to Vancouver's Island I am desirous of information as to the
existing regulations
under which Town and Country Lands can now be purchased or may
be purchased on arrival at the Colony
and whether it is
contemplated to alter existing regulations and
if so when such alterations will take effect, and of the
nature of them.
and whether it is
contemplated to alter existing regulations and
if so when such alterations will take effect, and of the
nature of them.
I would respectfully suggest it would be good policy that a [cut
off microfilm] be made in the purchase money [of] actual
Settlers from this Country an amount sufficient to pay their
passage money, either Cabin or fore according to the position in
life
[of] the emigrant. This would be a boon [to] the Settler
and promote the increase in population and consequently the
revenue and thus sooner render the Colony self supporting—it
would be sowing seed [to] reap a pecuniary harvest. This would
[seem] the more necessary because the passage money is perhaps
double that [to] Australia and because it would [preserve?]
the place from being completely americanized as in all
probability
it will be unless some such arrangement be made.
[of] the emigrant. This would be a boon [to] the Settler
and promote the increase in population and consequently the
revenue and thus sooner render the Colony self supporting—it
would be sowing seed [to] reap a pecuniary harvest. This would
[seem] the more necessary because the passage money is perhaps
double that [to] Australia and because it would [preserve?]
the place from being completely americanized as in all
probability
it will be unless some such arrangement be made.
Information on the above [points?] is respectfully requested
and will be esteemed a favour.
The Rt Honble
Sir E.B.L. Bulwer [Lytton] Bart. M.P.
H.M. Principal Secretary of State
Colonial Department
Sir E.B.L. Bulwer [Lytton] Bart. M.P.
H.M. Principal Secretary of State
Colonial Department
Minutes by CO staff
Ansr that as the Hudson's Bay Company have the right of
disposing of the lands in that Colony until the 30 May 1859 it
is to that Company that the writer should apply for information
as to the present land regulations.
With respect to the future regulations it is impossible for HM
Govt to state anything that could guide the writer with safety
and certainty.
ABd
24 August
Annex dt.
HM
Augt 25
