Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Bere, M. to Merivale, Herman 30 January 1858, CO 6:27, no. 939, 17.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Bere writes to Merivale regarding trade and boundary agreements between the Colony and the United States,
enclosing a list of all the conventions alluded to in the license of trade of 1838.
The minutes note that the letter points out important facts relating to the current
state of affairs in the region.
Enclosed is a complete list of all conventions alluded to in the license of trade
of 1838.
Bere to Merivale
January 30rd 1858
My dear Mr Merivale,
I do not know whether you are still in want of information about the Conventions alluded
to in the license trade of 1838. I believe the enclosed paper is a complete list of all those that have to do with
the matter.
Convention of Commerce still exists, and under it the subjects of the United States
would have liberty to trade in the chartered territory of the Company, unless prevented by the terms of the charter, and in the licensed territory, unless prohibited by the
grant of monopoly given by the license. 
The contemporaneous conventions relating to the North West Coast concern Oregon and the disputed boundary.
As long as the disputes about this country were unsettled both nations had liberty
to trade therein, and the power to the American citizen to trade is expressly preserved in the first license. In the second license the same ?ress was not required, as the convention might be terminated at any period by notice,
and was practically annulled by the Boundary treaty of 1846, negotiations for the settlement of which were being carried on at the time of the granting of the 2nd license between the 
country and the States.
The contemporaneous conventions relating to the North West Coast concern Oregon and the disputed boundary.
As long as the disputes about this country were unsettled both nations had liberty
to trade therein, and the power to the American citizen to trade is expressly preserved in the first license. In the second license the same ?ress was not required, as the convention might be terminated at any period by notice,
and was practically annulled by the Boundary treaty of 1846, negotiations for the settlement of which were being carried on at the time of the granting of the 2nd license between the 
country and the States.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Labouchere
I caused this to be registered as it appears to point out some very important facts in the present state of affairs as regards N. W. America, although I do not see that any steps are now required in consequence.
I caused this to be registered as it appears to point out some very important facts in the present state of affairs as regards N. W. America, although I do not see that any steps are now required in consequence.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Complete list of all conventions alluded to in the license of trade of 1838.
Footnotes
- Unclear note made next to signiature. Reads --? Co.