Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 8 April 1859, CO 305:10, no. 5453, 93.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
Douglas forwards an address from the House of Assembly asking for an investigation into the
release of the Hudson’s Bay Company from their “responsible government” of Vancouver Island.
The minutes ask for “greater detail” of the questions that concerns the House of Assembly.
Included in this document is a notice of motion in House of Assembly, 22 February 1859, calling upon Douglas to urge the British government to send out commissioners to investigate the affairs
of the colony, signed by J.S. Helmcken, Speaker; Douglas to House of Assembly, 6 April 1859, advising he would transmit a copy of the motion to Her Majesty's government; and
a draft reply from Lytton to Douglas, No. 72, 1 June 1859.
No. 11
8 April 1859
I have the honor of transmitting herewith copy of an address
from the House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island dated 22d
Feby praying Her Majestys Government to send Commissioners to
to
this Island, without delay, for the purpose of investigating the
affairs of the Colony before releasing "the Hudson's Bay
Company from their responsible government", and my answer to
that address, promising to transmit, without delay, a Copy of
the Same for your information.
to
this Island, without delay, for the purpose of investigating the
affairs of the Colony before releasing "the Hudson's Bay
Company from their responsible government", and my answer to
that address, promising to transmit, without delay, a Copy of
the Same for your information.
Her Majesty's Government will decide whether it be advisable to
comply with the wishes of the House of Assembly in that
particular; for my own part, I do not see what advantage can
result
result from the measure recommended, or that any information
beyond what we now possess can be elicited respecting the Colony
or its connection with the Hudson's Bay Company.
result from the measure recommended, or that any information
beyond what we now possess can be elicited respecting the Colony
or its connection with the Hudson's Bay Company.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Would it not be desirable that the House of Assembly should state in greater detail what are the questions, connected with the administration of the affairs of V.C. Isd by the H.B.Co, which require investigation by Commissioners to be sent from England before the Govt takes any such steps? Though we may much suspect the Company I am at a loss to know what can be proved against them: and in a place where the influence of the Co has been so powerful it will be difficult to find witnesses able to substantitate statements made against them.
Would it not be desirable that the House of Assembly should state in greater detail what are the questions, connected with the administration of the affairs of V.C. Isd by the H.B.Co, which require investigation by Commissioners to be sent from England before the Govt takes any such steps? Though we may much suspect the Company I am at a loss to know what can be proved against them: and in a place where the influence of the Co has been so powerful it will be difficult to find witnesses able to substantitate statements made against them.
ABd
28/5
It seems to me the answer had better be somewhat to the effect
of Mr Blackwood's minute?
HM
May 31
Mr Blackwood
Will you be good enough to draft a desp. to this effect for this evenings mail. If any evidence worth having is to be obtained we ought to have it without Delay.
Will you be good enough to draft a desp. to this effect for this evenings mail. If any evidence worth having is to be obtained we ought to have it without Delay.
C
June 1
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Notice of motion in House of Assembly, 22 February
1859, calling upon Douglas to urge the British government to
send out commissioners to investigate the affairs of the colony,
signed by J.S. Helmcken, Speaker.
Douglas to House of Assembly, 6 April 1859, advising
he would transmit a copy of the motion to Her Majesty's government.
