Colonial Despatches

I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to call your attention to the correspondence which took place between the two Departments last Spring relative to the retention of Thetis Island, Esquimalt, Van Couver's Island for Naval purposes, from which it appeared that the sale of that Island to a Private Individual would not be completed, but that it would be reserved as desired.

Upon a late visit, however, of the Naval Commander in Chief, he was requested to give up the Island to an Individual who stated that he had purchased it, the day previously, at a public Auction.

It appearing that the purchase had been properly conducted, the Crown Solicitor was consulted as to the course most advisable to be adopted, and as that Officer reported that in the grant by the Crown to the Hudson's Bay Company of VanCouver's Island, there is an express saving clause, reserving to itself all such Land or so much thereof as may be required for public purposes, the question of right is definitively SettledSettled.

My Lords therefore request that you will move Secretary Sir E.B. Lytton to cause them to be furnished with the Title Deeds, so that the Island may be legally conveyed to the Naval Department.