Separate

Amongst the subjects which will call for your attention on your
arrival in British Columbia, you will find that of the lands claimable
by the Hudson's Bay Company. I need scarcely say that it is desirable,
for the sake of all parties, that these claims should be ascertained and
settled as early as possible.

I have the honor to transmit to you, for your information, a copy
of a despatch addressed by me to Governor Douglas on this subject on the
15th of November 1861, and of it's enclosures, which embodied an
arrangement entered into with the Company in this Country for effecting
a final settlement of the whole question. this arrangement was so clear
that it afforded the prospect of being carried into effect on the spot
without differences, but if these should occur, a mode was provided of
meeting them by arbitration.

I have not, however, received any Report on the matter from Sir
James Douglas, and I enclose a letter lately received by me from the new
Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, Sir Edmund Head, in which he
recalls attention to the subject.

I shall be glad if you will take an early opportunity after your
arrival of dealing with it, and of endeavouring to bring it to a speedy
conclusion.