Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
25 September 1861
In reply to your letter of the
22 June last, I am directed by
the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint
you for the information of the
Duke of Newcastle that Their Lordships are hardly prepared to give authority for the
purchase, at the expense of this Country, for the sum of £3000,
of the Native title in certain tracts of land in
Vancouver's Island.
It is true that the Governor stated that the Treasury should be
repaid out of
the the proceeds to arise from the sales of Public
Land, but the House of Assembly assert the liability of this
country to bear the charge of extinguishing the aboriginal
title, and My Lords cannot view such a claim as amounting
merely, as the Governor considers, to an application for a Loan.
It appears from
Mr Douglas' Despatch, that the practice, till
lately has been to purchase Native Rights—so far only as the Land over
which they extended was immediately required for settlement—and My Lords
cannot but think that if a similar course were now pursued, the necessary
progress might be made in the acquisition
of of Lands without purchasing
Native Rights on so large a scale, at once, as to require that a Loan
should be raised for the purpose.
Minutes by CO staff
(Of course the duty of buying up the Indian Title rests with
those who receive the profits of Land when sold—the Crown
Revenue, I apprehend, of
V.C. Island—which is spent for the
benefit of the Settlers and will ultimately be handed over to
them.)
The Imperial Treasy has evidently nothing to do with the
matter. The fairest way (if possible) wd be to borrow the
money on the security of the Land Fund.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Emigration Commissioners,
28 September 1861, forwarding
copy of the Treasury letter for suggestions and observations. (See
full transcription below.)
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Downing Street,
28 Septr 1861
Gentlemen,
With reference to your letter of the
12th June last, I am
directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you, for any
suggestions and observations which you may have to offer, the
enclosed copy of a letter from the Treasury on the subject of the
application from the Governor of
Vancouver Island for Imperial
assistance in extinguishing the Native title to certain lands in the
Colony.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient humble Servant,
F.R.
The Emigration Commissioners
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)