Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge your letter of 4th instant enclosing a Despatch from the Governor of Vancouvers Island with an Address from the House of Assembly, on the subject of the extinction of the Native Title to Land in that Colony.

2. The Assembly represent that nearly three years ago many Colonists purchased Land over which the Native Title has not yet been extinguished, at the rate of £1 per acre, that the Natives being well aware of the sums paid to other Natives for the extinction of their Title refuse to allow the Colonists to take possession of the Land, that any attempt to do so by force would produce collisions and render the Natives, who are numerous and warlike, hostile to Settlers, and that the existence of the Native title has deterred many persons from settling on the Island. The House of Assembly express an opinion that the Imperial Government is bound to extinguish the Native Title, and pray that early steps may be taken for that purpose.

3. Governor Douglas concurs with the Assembly as to the importance of extinguishing the Native Title as early as possible. He observes that the Indians of Van Couvers Island have distinct notions of property, and would resent any attempt on the part of Settlers to occupy land over which their claims had not been extinguished. He states that up to 1859 he had made it a practice to buy up the Native rights prior to establishing a Settlement, and that he had been able to do so at a cost not exceeding £2.10. to each family, that all the settled Districts except three have been already bought up, and that even at the present enhanced value of Land, these three could probably be bought at a cost of £3 to each family, or a total, assuming the Native population at 1000 families, of £3000. He suggests that this sum should be advanced by the Imperial Government to be repaid out of the proceeds of Land Sales as soon as they are sufficient for the purpose.

4. Of the importance & practical economy of at once extinguishing a claim which must be a continual source of danger, and which can scarcely fail to grow in amount as time goes on, there can be no question. It is due moreover to the Settlers who have paid for Land of which, so long as this claim exists, they cannot take possession without risk to the peace of the Settlement. The only question is the source from which the money should in the first instance be obtained. This apparently must be either from the Imperial Treasury or by a Loan in the money market. But a Loan for so small a sum and for a Colony so little known as Vancouvers Island could not probably be obtained without an Imperial Guarantee except on very disadvantageous terms. Whether the money should be advanced from the Imperial Treasury is a question which belongs to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and I would suggest that it should be submitted to them. There cannot of course be a doubt that from whatever source the money is in the first instance drawn it must eventually be paid out of the Land Revenues of Vancouvers Island.