Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Corry, Henry Thomas Lowry to Merivale, Herman 17 January 1859, CO 305:12, no. 592, 5.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (2).
Corry contacts the Colonial Office, on behalf of the Admiralty, to inquire about the sale
of Thetis Island to a “Private Individual,” and asks the Office to resolve the issue so the Naval
Department can legally occupy the island.
The minutes recall HBC’s promise not to sell the land. They re-send the letter outlining
this decision to the Admiralty and a copy of the correspondence to the HBC.
Corry to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
17 January 1859
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to call
your attention to the correspondence which took place between the two
Departments last Spring relative to the retention of Thetis Island,
Esquimalt, Van Couver's Island for Naval purposes, from which it
appeared that the sale of that Island to a Private Individual would
not be completed, but that it would be reserved as desired.
Upon a late visit, however, of the Naval Commander in Chief, he was requested 
to give up the Island to an Individual who stated that he
had purchased it, the day previously, at a public Auction.
to give up the Island to an Individual who stated that he
had purchased it, the day previously, at a public Auction.
It appearing that the purchase had been properly conducted, the Crown
Solicitor was consulted as to the course most advisable to be adopted,
and as that Officer reported
that in the grant by the Crown to the
Hudson's Bay Company of VanCouver's Island, there is an express
saving clause, reserving to itself all such
Land or so much thereof as may be required for public purposes,
the question of right is definitively Settled
Settled.
Settled.
My Lords therefore request that you will move Secretary Sir E.B.
Lytton to cause them to be furnished with the Title Deeds, so that
the Island may be legally conveyed to the Naval Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Company told us in 3505 that they wd decline to complete the sale of Thetis Island which would be reserved for the Naval Authorities & the Govr was so informed. I have marked the Clause in the Charter to which the Admiralty now refer.
The Company told us in 3505 that they wd decline to complete the sale of Thetis Island which would be reserved for the Naval Authorities & the Govr was so informed. I have marked the Clause in the Charter to which the Admiralty now refer.
VJ
19 Jan
The authorities at the Admiralty cannot have taken the trouble of
reading our letter of April/58 at all. I do not see what can be done
but to refer them to it, at the same time sending copy of correspce
to the HB Co. Dt annexed.
HM
Jan 19
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Secretary to the Admiralty, 24 January 1859,
advising their letter had been forwarded to the Hudson's Bay Company.
Draft, Merivale to H.H. Berens, Hudson's Bay Company, 24 January
1859, forwarding copy of the Admiralty letter and their reply.