Colonial Despatches

Having a wish to settle as an agriculturist in Vancouvers Island, will your grace permit me to enquire what facilities the Goverment afford to bona fide settlers in that colony, for the acquirement of land &c? and whether the joint interests of the British Government & the Hudsons Bay Coy. are likely soon to cease—and the island to be placed under the same regulations as the adjoining colony of Columbia. [One line cut off microfilm] me with a copy of the suveyor's reports and Index maps of the districts [of] Victoria, North & South Saanich; Lake; Esquimault; Metchosin; Highland, & Sookes, already survey[ed]?

I shall also deem it a favour to be informed whether the Governor is making or about to make Roads on the survey'd districts, & where? and whether it is the present intention of the Goverment to assist emigration to this colony & Columbia.

My sole object being to gain all the information necessary to enable me to decide on the prudence of any proposed step. I trust your grace will not think me intrusive. All the information likely to be of service will be fully appreciated by