Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
McMaster, J. to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 May 1862, CO 60:14, no. 5324, 446.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
McMaster asks Newcastle for a
free grant of a suitable tract of landto facilitate the establishment of a
Temperance Settlementin British Columbia. Fortescue replies that the government does not give free grants of land in the colony.
McMaster to Newcastle
17 Chatsworth Terrace
Greenkeys Manchester
28th May 1862Greenkeys Manchester
The Right Honourable the Duke of Newcastle
H.M. Principal Secy of State
for the Colonies
My Lord,
I have been in communication with a number of friends of
Temperance in Various parts of the Kingdom who have a desire to
emigrate to British Columbia with a view to forming a Temperance
Settlement in that Colony. It is intended that agriculture shall
be the chief pursuit of the settlers although there will not be
any restriction upon tradesmen to prevent them following their
ordinary calling.
We desire to receive the assistance of Govt in carrying
out the project in the shape of a free grant of a suitable tract
of land for the purposes of the intended settlement. We trust
that as the Govt of Auckland is making free grants to the
Nonconformist Settlers and others & the Govt of Queensland &
Canada free grants to Settlers from Europe, we will not be
deemed to be making an impracticable request & believing as we do
that the land is the possession of the Crown & under the control
of the Govt in Engld. This project has the countenance of
the leading temperance men of Manr & if a grant can be made to
us, steps will immediately be taken to make the project public &
it will be carried forward with vigour. Already in reply to the
enclosed advtt in one weekly newspaper
numerous replies have been received & from
present indications I have no doubt that a respectable company of
settlers will soon be got together. In admitting applicants to
join the party every care will be taken to ensure that they are of
good moral character.
Newspaper clipping attached to margin (obscured).
To induce the Govt to comply with this request I might
point to many advantages the Colony would derive from the
accession of a body of permanent settlers at a period when the
majority of immigrants are adventurers & foreigners bent only upon
the speedy acquisition of wealth & who either satisfied with
success or disgusted with failure at the diggings will return to
their homes in other lands to the manifest disadvantage of the
Colony, but I do not think you will overlook the importance of
such contingencies especially as the present system of Govt
there will soon be at an end & the necessity of a population
British in principle and sentiment is so apparent.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Wd it not be the best course to refer this to the Land Board, though the answer is simple enough.
Wd it not be the best course to refer this to the Land Board, though the answer is simple enough.
ABd
31 May
It is so simple that we may as well give it. Tell him that
the Govt does not make free grants in B. Columbia, but that all
public lands are disposed of by sale. The conditions may be seen
in the Colonization Circular published by Groombridges & Sons and
procurable through any Bookseller.
TFE
31 May
Other documents included in the file
Fortescue to McMaster, 3 June 1862, advising that there were
no free grants of land in the colony, and explaining where
information on British Columbia could be found.