Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes to Douglas, James 15 November 1861, LAC RG7:G8C/9, 509.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Enclosures (untranscribed) (5).
Newcastle informs Douglas of
the settlement of the Land Claims of the Hudson's Bay Company in British Columbia,forwards relevant documentation, and instructs that, should any
differencesarise between the colony and the HBC, Gosset is to act as arbitrator.
No. 90
15 November 1861
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.
35 of the 6th of May, submitting a proposal for the settlement of the
Land Claims of the Hudson's Bay Company in British Columbia.
I enclose for your information an extract ofa
a Report by the Board
of Emigration together with the Memorandum therein referred to showing
the result of the negotiation which has taken place with the Hudson's
Bay Company on the subject. I also enclose a copy of a letter which I
thereupon caused to be addressed to the Company and of their answer by
which letters you will perceive that the arrangement is adoptedby
by the
Company and by Her Majesty's Government.
a Report by the Board
of Emigration together with the Memorandum therein referred to showing
the result of the negotiation which has taken place with the Hudson's
Bay Company on the subject. I also enclose a copy of a letter which I
thereupon caused to be addressed to the Company and of their answer by
which letters you will perceive that the arrangement is adoptedby
by the
Company and by Her Majesty's Government.
You will observe that in the event of differences as to the
boundaries or other details of the different plots of land contemplated
in the agreement those difference are to be determined by Arbitrators.
As the ordinary business of carrying the whole arrangement into effect
will devolve on the Land Department of which Colonel Moody is thehead
head, it appears necessary to look to some other source for an Arbitrator to
be employed in case of need. It is fortunate that the presence of
Captain Gosset of the Royal Engineers supplies an Officer whose
acquirements and former experience render him very appropriate for this
Office. You will therefore name him as the Arbitrator to serve on
behalfof
of the Government if occasion should arise. I shall be very
happy however if the progress of the business should be so satisfactory
as not to cause a reference to arbitration.
head, it appears necessary to look to some other source for an Arbitrator to
be employed in case of need. It is fortunate that the presence of
Captain Gosset of the Royal Engineers supplies an Officer whose
acquirements and former experience render him very appropriate for this
Office. You will therefore name him as the Arbitrator to serve on
behalfof
of the Government if occasion should arise. I shall be very
happy however if the progress of the business should be so satisfactory
as not to cause a reference to arbitration.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"Extract of a Report from Mr. Walcott to T.F. Elliot, Esquire, dated Emigration Office 14th October 1861."
Copy, memorandum, "Emigration Commission," 11th October 1861," on HBC land-claims in British Columbia.
"Summary of the Land Claims of The Hudson's Bay Company in British Columbia and of the proposals to settle them."
Copy, Berens to Newcastle, 7 November 1861, on the land claims of the HBC in British Columbia, with assent to the "proposed arrangement."