Colonial Despatches

Amongst the subjects which will call for your attention on your arrival in British Columbia, you will find that of the lands claimable by the Hudson's Bay Company. I need scarcely say that it is desirable, for the sake of all parties, that these claims should be ascertained and settled as early as possible.

I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a despatch addressed by me to Governor Douglas on this subject on the 15th of November 1861, and of it's enclosures, which embodied an arrangement entered into with the Company in this Country for effecting a final settlement of the whole question. this arrangement was so clear that it afforded the prospect of being carried into effect on the spot without differences, but if these should occur, a mode was provided of meeting them by arbitration.

I have not, however, received any Report on the matter from Sir James Douglas, and I enclose a letter lately received by me from the new Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, Sir Edmund Head, in which he recalls attention to the subject.

I shall be glad if you will take an early opportunity after your arrival of dealing with it, and of endeavouring to bring it to a speedy conclusion.