Colonial Despatches

I have received your despatch No. 34 of the 7th May last, transmitting a Memorial addressed to me by the Revd. E. Cridge praying for the fulfilment of the agreement with the Hudson's Bay Company under which he was appointed Minister of Victoria, and also forthe the conveyance in trust of a portion of land near the Victoria Church known as the Church Reserve. I now transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Hudson's Bay which encloses a Memorial upon this subject from Mr. Cridge, and a letter from the Bishop of Columbia recommending the memorial to the favorable consideration of the Company.

After a careful perusal of these documents I am of opinion that the site of the Church ought clearly to be conveyedto to such Trustees for the Church of England, as may be agreed upon by the Bishop and yourself, and I see no obligation to a similar conveyance to Trustees of the Parsonage and Glebe for the use of the Incumbent if local circumstances present no obstacle to that course. I must however remind you that in case such a conveyance is made, great care should be taken that the questions pending between the Hudson's Bay Company and Her Majesty's Governmentrespecting respecting the ownership of land in Victoria are in no way prejudiced.

With reference to that part of the letter from the Hudson's Bay Company which relates to the conveyance to the Church of England exclusively of the Cemetery which hitherto has been used indifferently by all communities of Christian, I have to observe that the Cemetery should on no account be so disposed of as to interfere with the burial therein of persons of all religious persuasionsor or to render the mode of burying such persons in any way dependent upon the Authorities of the Church of England. If however the members of the Church desire a part of the Cemetery to be consecrated and appropriated to the use of their Communion, I see no objection to a conveyance of part of it to Trustees for this purpose.

You will inform Mr. Cridge, with regard to the removal of his engagement with the Hudsons Bay Company,that that as it rested entirely with the Legislature of VanCouvers Island to provide the necessary funds for the purpose, and as they have declined to do so, I regret that it is not in my power to comply with his request.

I have caused a copy of this despatch to be sent to the Hudsons Bay Company, with the suggestion that such instruction or authority should be given to their Agents as would render it practicable withyour your concurrence to adopt the course which I have pointed out—I annex a copy of the answer which I have received.