<persName ref="prs:pelly_jh"><surname>Pelly</surname>, <forename>John</forename> <forename>Henry</forename> </persName> to <persName ref="prs:grey_g"><surname>Grey</surname>, <forename>George</forename></persName> 4 February 1852, CO 305:3, no. 1128, 429. Pelly addressee Grey

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Pelly, John Henry to Grey, George 4 February 1852, CO 305:3, no. 1128, 429.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/V525HB04.html. CO 305:03 CO 305 3 1128 429 V.I. 1852 received 6 February co_305_03_00437r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Public Offices document. Minutes (3), Other documents (2).

Pelly responds to a request by the Colonial Office to explain the extent of the land claimed by HBC following the establishment of the colony on Vancouver Island. Pelly adds that it is Grey’s responsibility to instruct Douglas on matters of import duties.

The minutes seek to clarify the usage of land claimed by the HBC on Vancouver Island. Grey suggests that such claims should be strictly confined to land actually occupied and made use of.

Of the two enclosures, the first is a request to Pelly for information on the HBC’s land claims on Vancouver Island, and the second is Grey’s draft reply to Douglas.

 Pelly, John Henry
Hudsons Bay House
Grey, George Inserted revisionDesc with @status="proofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
1128, CO 305/3, p. 429; received 6 February
Hudsons Bay House
February 4th 1852 My Lord,

I have had the honour of receiving Mr Peels letter dated the 2nd Instant, in which it is stated that your Lordship would be glad of some further explanation as to the distinction between the lands which the Hudson's Bay Company possessed before the "Boundary Treaty" and others, and also as to the meaning of the expression "lands which the Fur Trade of the Hudson's Bay Company propose to take."

In compliance with Your Lordship's wishes I hasten to afford you the required explanation.

During the period that elapsed between the original connection of the Hudson's Bay Company with the Country west of the Rocky Mountains and the division of the Territory by the Boundary Treaty of June 1846, while inin fact the sovereignty was in abeyance, the Company reclaimed from the Wilderness and occupied portions of land wherever their trading Establishments were planted. These lands they claim as theirs without purchase and the possessory rights thus acquired in that portion of the Territory which is situated to the south of the 49th parallel of North Latitude have been guaranteed to them by the Boundary Treaty. Among the lands occupied by the Company North of the 49th parallel is that situated at Fort Victoria in Vancouver's Island where they formed an Establishment in the year 1843 and this is the land alluded to in the 4th Paragraph of my letter of the 14th December. Its exact extent has not yet been ascertained by the Company's Surveyor, but whatever that may be the Company consider they have a right to hold that land without paying for it, while for any additional quantity that may be required to be taken by the "Fur Trade" (which is merely a subordinate branch of the Hudson's Bay Company) the same price will bebe paid as is paid by other purchasers of land.

With regard to the levying of Import Duties, of the legality of which Your Lordship still entertains doubts I need only say that it rests entirely with Your Lordship to instruct the Governor of the Island as to the extent and mode in which he is to exercise the powers conferred upon him.

I have the honour to be My Lord Your Lordship's mo. obedt humble Servant J.H. Pelly The Right Honble The Earl Grey
Mr Merivale VJ 6 Feby/52
Mr Peel This is the explanation of a passage in Sir J. Pelly's letter asked for by Lord Grey. Of course it could not be intended that land actually occupied by the HBC in Vanc. Id at the date of their agreement with Government should be charged for & paid for like other land. The only question that can arise will be as to the amount of such land. HM Feb 6 FP 6
In answer say that I am not disposed to questn the right of the Co to land actually occupied by them previously to the arrangement for constitutg Vancouvers Island a colony, but that I shdshould wish to be furnished as soon as possible with a statement of the extent, & a descriptn of the land so claimed by the Company, & I have to add that I understand the claim to be strictly confined to land actually occupied & made use of. A despatch shdshould be written to the GovrGovernor transmittg copies of the correspondence, & directg him to furnish me with any informatn in his power on the subject. G. 7/
Draft, Colonial Office to Pelly, 13 February 1852, requesting further information regarding the extent of the land claimed by the Hudson's Bay Company on Vancouver Island.
Draft reply, Grey to Douglas, No. 5, 11 February 1852.