No. 55, Legislative
               
            
            
               3 December 1862
               
            
            
               I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a Message I have
               received from the Legislative Assembly of this Colony, requesting
               Copies of all Correspondence that may have passed between the
               Governor and Her Majesty's Government, and the Hudson's Bay Company
               respecting the Town-site of 
Victoria.
               
 
            
            
               2.  As I view this matter as one which is at present confined
               exclusively between Her Majesty's Government, and the Hudson's Bay
               Company, and does not just now fall within the province of the
               Legislature, and as all questions in connection therewith are not yet
               finally settled, I have declined compliance with the request, and
               therefore beg to solicit Your Grace's instructions thereupon.
               
            
            
            
               I have the honor to be
               My Lord Duke
               Your Grace's most obedient
               and humble Servant
               
James Douglas
               
               Minutes by CO staff
               
                
                  
                  
                  
                  
                     As the arrangement of this question is not quite completed the
                     Governor had no alternative, I think, except to decline complying
                     with this request of the Leg: Assembly.
                     
                  
                  
                     Refer to Land Board?
                     
                  
                  
                   
            
            
               Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
               
                
                  
                  
                     J.S. Helmcken, Speaker, to 
Douglas, 
1 November 1862, asking the
                     governor to submit the correspondence, as per despatch.
                     
                     
 
                   
            
            
               Other documents included in the file
               
                
                  
                  
                     Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 
2 February 1862, forwarding copy
                     of the despatch and enclosure for their suggestions and observations.