Murdoch to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I have to acknowledge your letter of 27th inst, with a despatch from
the Governor of Vancouvers Island, enclosing an application from Mr
G.H.W. Brown for a lease of a Coal Mine in that Colony on certain
specified conditions.

2. The Governor expresses an opinion that it would cause future
embarrassment to deal with such an application until general rules
for the decision of questions of this description have been settled.
There can be no doubt that he is right. And as in Mr Cardwell's
despatch of 17th inst (also enclosed in your letter) the Governor
was desired to prepare for consideration the draft of a fresh Land
Ordinance, which would include regulations for the Lease or Sale of
Mineral Lands also, he should, I think, be informed that the decision
on Mr Brown's application will be suspended until Mr Cardwell has
had an opportunity of considering the proposed Ordinance.