<persName ref="prs:smith_p"><surname>Smith</surname>, <forename>Peter</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:grey_g"><surname>Grey</surname>, <forename>George</forename></persName> 31 July 1854, CO 305:5, no. 6566, 247. Smith addressee Grey

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Smith, Peter to Grey, George 31 July 1854, CO 305:5, no. 6566, 247.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/V545MI03.html. CO 305:05 CO 305 5 6566 247 V.I. 1854 received 1 August co_305_05_00251r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

The project glossary items have xml:id attributes beginning with trm_, and we use a trm: prefix to refer to them when linking from term elements.

We link to orgs in orgs/organizations.xml using the org: prefix.

We link to places in places.xml using the plc: prefix.

We link to people in bios/*.xml using the prs: prefix.

We link to vessels in vessels/*.xml using the vsl: prefix.

We link to other documents in the collection using the cdc: prefix.

The cdt (ColDesp Document Type) prefix used on catRef/target points to a central taxonomy in the includes file.

We link to other documents in the collection using the cdc: prefix.

Public Offices document. Minutes (2).

Smith writes to Grey, as directed by the Deputy Governor and Committee, in response to Peel’s inquiries on Vancouver Island land-sales. Smith relates that the only alteration made to the original HBC-grant regulations is that each purchaser should take out labourers in the ratio of one to every twenty acres of land. Smith conveys the HBC’s belief that a Free Grants system, like that in the United States, would have increased settlement rates on the the Island, but would fail to provide coextensive government and social infrastructure.

The minutes request that the question of, presumably, land sales be sent to the Land Board, along with Smith’s letter.

 Smith, Peter
Hudson's Bay House
Grey, George Inserted revisionDesc with @status="unproofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
Smith to Grey 6566, CO 305/5, p. 247; received 1 August
Hudson's Bay House
31st July 1854 Sir

In the absence of the Governor, I am directed by the Deputy Governor and Committee, to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Under Secretary Peel's letter of the 24th instant, in which with reference to the proposed change of providing for a Clergyman on Vancouver's Island, he communicates your request to be informed what regulations respecting the Sale of Land (if any) are now in force in Vancouver's Island besides those established by the resolutions of the Hudson's Bay Company, passed at the time of the Grant of the Island.

In

In reply thereto I am to state, that no alteration has been made in those regulations with the exception of the condition, that each purchaser should take out labourers in the ratio of one to every twenty acres of land; the reason for which alteration was explained in the Governor's letter to Sir John Pakington dated 1st Decr 1852.

I am further directed to submit to you, that though the Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company, have no doubt that the Settlement of the Island would have proceeded more rapidly, had the system of Free Grants of Land been adopted there, as in the Oregon Territory of the United States, yet that Vancouver's Island is, as far as they know, the only settlement with any pretence to civilization that has met the wholeexpenses expenses of Government, Survey's, roads, Clergy, and Schools, without the imposition of any tax but that for the privilege of selling spirits.

I have the honor to be, Sir Your most Obedt humble Servant D.G. Smith Ass. Secy.companySecretary
Mr Merivale ABd 1 August
The question may now be referred (with this additional correspondence) to the Land board? HM Au 2 FP 2 GG 3