No. 10

I transmit you copy of a letter addressed me by a gentleman of the
name of Nias, from San-Francisco in California, inclosing a petition to
the Crown on the subject of Sales of town land in Victoria Vancouver's
Island and suggesting certain measures to be taken.

The land of Vancouvers Island is at present in the disposal of the
Hudson's Bay Company and not of the Crown. And I need not add that
reports reaching me in such a form as the present are always received
with the proper allowance. Nevertheless I have thought it best to
submit this letter and petition for your report because the subject is
itself of the greatest possible importance, and it is necessary that Her
Majesty's Government should warn you against, and prevent as far as lies
within their power, any wasteful and still more any partial dealings
with public land which is now acquiring so unexpected a value.