Shepherd to Labouchere

I have the honour to enclose a Copy of an application that has
lately been made to the Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company by a
Native of Germany with reference to Vancouver's Island.

So far as the Hudson's Bay Company is concerned, they would have
much pleasure in seeing a large number of industrious German Emigrants,
who are generally very good settlers, located in Vancouver's Island, but
it appears to the Committee that by the terms of the Grant of
Vancouver's Island, the Hudson's Bay Company is precluded from selling
land to other than British Subjects.

Under the circumstances, I beg respectfully to enquire

1st Whether, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, the
Hudson's Bay Company is Precluded from disposing of land in Vancouver's
Island to other than British Subjects, and

2nd Whether, supposing this to be the case, the Government is
prepared to modify the condition so as to allow a limited number of
German or other Foreigners, to acquire land in Vancouver's Island.