Clarke to Under-Secretary of State

I send you a Report on the British Columbia Papers and which I
now return.

I have written this report in the form of a proposed Order in
Council under the second section of the Act of 1858 providing for the
Government of British Columbia explaining each section as proposed.

I am aware that I have gone far beyond the intention with which
these Papers were sent me, but I found in reading them so many points
suggesting themselves as well as the difficulty of explaining an
isolated portion of a system that I have been rather forced to write
more than was perhaps necessary.

Even as it is I almost fear I have failed to explain clearly a
system which if it is adopted in B. Columbia will effectively secure
its settlement without on the one hand playing too much into the hands
of the Americans, or on the other checking Immigration from any quarter.

As I believe that but little time ought to be lost to give to
B. Columbia a clearly defined land system—whatever system may be
adopted—I have sent the Report as first written. This and as most
of last week I was engaged in Colchester, will I trust plead for me
for the very imperfect shape I send this Report.