Williams to Secretary of State 5409, CO 305/9, p. 669; received 4 June

Aylmer, Canada West

May 8th 1858 To the Right Honorable, Secretary for the Colonies My Lord,

I beg to call your attention to the accompanying documents, which I have the honour to transmit for your consideration. They consist of; copy of letter to the late Secty for the Colonies, Mr Labouchere, with the reply to the Same; copy of letter to the Governor of Vancouvers Island; account of proceedings of a meeting held at Aylmer to consider the subject of emigration to said Island. The letter addressed to His Excellency the Governor of Vancouvers Island, together with the report of the meeting held in Aylmer C.W. there is reason to fear, have never been forwarded to their destination; the Post Office, with all its contents, having been consumed by fire, a few days after the letters were deposited therein. Your Lordship will permit me to observe, that the emigration from Canada would be of that description, most likely to Keep in check the lawless habits and wild theories of certain restless adventurers, who so abound in the neighbouring States, should they ever venture to make Vancouver Island the Scene of their operation.

In the Settlement of Canada West certain tracts of land were appropriated to certain classes or nationalities such as the "Scotch Block" "Irish Block" "Canadian Block" &c &c. I think, my Lord, that in a political point of view, such an arrangement is judicious; and if I might presume, I would suggest, that as far, at least, as Canadian emigration is concerned, the same plan be adopted in regard to Vancouvers Island. The Hudson Bay Company have hitherto held the land at one pound Stg. per acre. Free grants have only been given to their employees. When it is considered that, on the Main land, with a climate and soil equal, if not superior, land can be purchased for one fourth that price, it is not surprising that the island still remains a comparative desert. After all the hardship and expense incurred by the emigrant in reaching so distant a spot, would not the free grant of a lot of land to the actual Settler be both judicious and paternal? In this Section of Canada the System of free grants was adopted; and, under the judicious management of the late Colonel Talbot, with the happiest results. In conclusion, I would beg to remark, that for many years there has been a steady emigration from Canada; which arises not from political feeling, but from the superiority of climate, and the greater facilities offered by the neighbouring Republic for the acquisition of land. In York State alone there are upwards of 30,000 Canadians and in the western States the proportions must be far greater.

Your lordship will confer a favour by directing an early reply to this communication, so that the intentions of her Majesty's Government with respect to Settlement in Vancouvers Island and the adjoining British Coast, may be placed before the Committee appointed by the meeting of the 12th Sept 1857 with as little delay as possible.

I have the honour to be your lordship's obd Servt A. Williams