I have the honor to acknowledge the rect of your official letter
of the 15th inst acquainting me with the decisions of Earl Grey, as
to my queries regar=dingregarding the Grant by the Crown of Vancouver's island to
the Hudson's Bay Compy
I refrain from expressing my individual opinions as to the policy
pursued in this instance by Her Majesty's Government, I cannot however
avoid stating what I know to be a fact, that the grant of Vancouver's
Island to the Hudson's Bay Compy will be the means of instantaneously checking the intended emigration to that island, of several Scottish
gentlemen who were otherwise prepared to embark with all the "materials"
which would be likely to bring about successful colonization.
As I myself purpose carrying out my intention of starting thither
very shortly, taking with me a Clergy=manClergyman of the Church of Scotland, &
some mechanics, la=bourerslabourers, &c. I trust I may be permitted respectfully
to record my petition, a petition in which I am convinced I shall be
seconded by every embryo emigrant to Vancouver I. That it may please Her
Majesty's Government, to exercise their power of revoking within the
limits of this New Colony all such priviliges of exclusive trade as have
been granted to the Hudson's Bay Company in certain other parts of
British North America. The High price of land that settlers will have
to pay amtg in all to abt £ 2"4. pr acre, is surely in itself a
sufficient evil, to this will be added the overwhelming competition with
a powerful Company against which individualindividual colonists will have to strive
in every departmentdepartment of culture or traffic; Heavy RoyaltiesRoyalties like that
on the exportation of timber, viz 10/ pr load, being sufficient to
annihilate any proposed traffic in that commodity are to be charged on
all kinds of available produce; and if even their settlers are debarred,
by the continuancecontinuance of a monopoly, from availing themselves of one of the
principal natural resources of the island, so crushing a check may be
given to the exertions of private enterprises, as materially do impede
the success of any effort at Public improvement in the Colony. I have
to apologize for the great liberty I take in making these suggestions and