Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Macdonald, D. G. F. to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 31 August 1858, CO 305:9, no. 8855, 641.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Macdonald announces his intention of emigrating to Vancouver Island and enquires if there will be a
system of free immigrationwhich would encourage people from rural districts of England and Scotland to move there.
Macdonald to Lytton
18 Parliament Street
Augt 31 1858
To the Right HonourableSir E. Bulwer Lytton Bart, M.P. &c &c
H.M. Secretary of State for the Colonies
Sir;
I am about to proceed to Vancouver's Island as a permanent
settler, both as a practical Agriculturist and a professional
man; and I am desirous of bringing with me Farm labourers from
Scotland as well as the necessary implements of husbandry, but
I am not prepared to be at a heavy expense in taking out these
requisites.
May I therefore request the honour to be informed whether it is
your intention, and that of Her Majesty's Government, to adopt a
system of free emigration. If so, my intimate acquaintance with
the rural districts of England and Scotland, and my influence
with the people of the northern parts of the latter country,
qualifies me for selecting and inducing that so very
indispensable help to emigrate to the above Island.
the rural districts of England and Scotland, and my influence
with the people of the northern parts of the latter country,
qualifies me for selecting and inducing that so very
indispensable help to emigrate to the above Island.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedt humble Sert
D.G.F. Macdonald
Cl[erk] and
J.P. for Rossre
Your most obedt humble Sert
D.G.F. Macdonald
Cl[erk] and
J.P. for Rossre
Minutes by CO staff
VJ
2 Sepr
I annex a draft which may serve as a precedent when similar
enquiries are made.
HM
S 2
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Macdonald, 4 September 1858, advising him to
contact the Hudson's Bay Company if immediate emigration was his object.