<orgName ref="org:arthur_co">Alex Arthur and Company</orgName> to <persName ref="prs:lytton_egeb"><surname>Lytton</surname>, <forename>Edward</forename> <forename>George</forename> <forename>Earle</forename> <forename>Bulwer</forename></persName> 10 August 1858, CO 6:26, no. 8016, 293. Alex Arthur and Company addressee Lytton

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Alex Arthur and Company to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 10 August 1858, CO 6:26, no. 8016, 293.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/V585MI21_A.html. CO 6:26 CO 6 26 8016 293 V.I. 1858 received 12 August 1858 co_6_26_00298r.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).

Arthur informs the CO of the rumours concerning merchants’ rights to do business in Victoria and the monopoly of the HBC. He hopes for a detailed description of the HBC’s rights so that parties interested in going there may know what is expected of them.

The minutes decide that, due to the large number of enquiries regarding immigration to Vancouver Island, a digest or resumé, of facts would be desirable but fear that whoever tries will be beaten by the actual paucity of intelligence.

 Alex Arthur and Company
Canada Agency Office,135 Buchanan Street,Glasgow
 Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer Inserted revisionDesc with @status="unproofed". Changed idno @type="received" into a date element. Gave existing date an @type="sent" and reordered bibl contents.
Alex Arthur and Company to Lytton 8016, CO 6/26, p. 293; received 12 August 1858
Canada Agency Office, 135 Buchanan Street, Glasgow
10 Augt 1858 To the Hon. Sir E.L. Bulwer Sir

It would appear by recent intelligence from Vancouver’s Island that none but the agents of the Hudson Bay Company are at liberty to trade in British and American merchandise at Victoria, and that the goods of those so trading have been confiscated by that Company. Also that a tax of 2 dollars is levied on every person landing at that port, and that besides this sum 5 dollars per month is charged for a licence to dig for gold. And that a British Man-of-War is stationed at the mouth of Fraser River to enforce those claims.

As there are many parties proposing to go from this city to British Columbia, it is very desirable that you would define what are the rights of the Hudson Bay Company, in the matter, so that parties proceeding thither may know what is expected of them.

We are Your obedt. Servts. Alex Arthur & Co.
Mr Merivale The numerous letters & enquiries we receive from persons desirous of obtaining information respecting V. Couver's Island and British Columbia, with the view of settling there, & the prospect before us of receiving many more such enquiries, makes me think that it wd.would be a great convenience to the public if we could draw up, & publish a digest or resumé, of facts positively known to us; heading it "Information for the use of Settlers in V.C. Island, and British Columbia." If we were to supply the Land Board with the requisite materials they would execute this design perfectly, because they are accustomed to such jobs. If Sir E. Lytton & you approved this idea, it should be put in hand at once. This letter might, in such case, be answered that the information asked for by the writer wdwould be communicated to him shortly. ABd. 13 Augt.
Sir Edward approves this suggestion, & if you concur he wishes us to put it in hand; which I will see to on Monday, when I return. ABd.
Mr Blackwood Indeed I quite agree; my only fear is, that whoever tries will be beaten by the actual paucity of intelligence. In the mean time I will add, 1. that Capt. James of the Admy is very busily engaged in the same research, 2. that you will find a very good account of Vancr Id in the last No. of the Geographical Journal—unfortunately not of the opposite coast. HM Augt 15