Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-16

L genuemen
suppose there should be company, any set Of
merchants who could undertake the colonzng of Vancou-
Island Immediately, and II they had the do it.
do not say, however, that this House might by adverse
voe stop colonization altogether and enable the Americans
10 become possessors of the Island.
Mr. GoULBuRS said The noble lord, 10 yindicaon Of this
grant, told the House that if they did not Immediately take
possession Of the country the Americans knowing the value
Of Vancouves Island would seize the opportunity OF possess
sing It for themselves But the island valuable TO
the Americans surely valuable us and became the
Government that they placed upon such footing
would render valuable He, for his part had fear
that, by temporary suspension OF operations which, If con-
ducted would cripple the colony forever any disadvantage to
the country could accrue he had fear that America would
occupy the colony especially when he remembered that there
fine harbor ip the island capable Of holding their fleet
and when he reflected that Great Britain maintained squad
in the Pacific capable of protecting and her
people. He believed HAT the Hudsons Bay Company had
small settlement in the island which would enable them to
possession of it in the Of the Queen Of England
in defiance Of the powers Of the American States
The result Of the debate was, the defeat Of Mr. Humes
motion suspend the proceedings Of the Government by which
the grant Of vancouyers Island is vi made.
On the 25,h this subject vas taken up in the
House Of Lords, where it excited much interest,
though the discussion was not carried to so great
length as in the Commons.
Lord MosTEAsLE said The House must bear in mind that
from the Russian possessions the north to the Isthmus of
Panama the south there coal except in the island
in question Now, the strong probability was, that at no dis
tant period passage would be effected either by railway
canal across the American shmus which the Pacific
would become the great highway of nations carrying
municaon with China. In that the possession of Van
Island would become Of the highest national
importance. The noble lord proceeded, in support Of this
view Of the case quote length the opinions of various
geographical and scientific authorities But the importance
Of Yancouves Island he resumed had been long admitted
by statesmen well by Of science In 1890 this
country had been nearly involved in for the possession Of
Noo'ka Sound and in negotiations with the United
the value had been attached the possession Of
Vancouvers Island Those of their odshps who had
tended the recent discussion emigration would recoec
the declaration Of the Government that in the disposal of land
the system of grants would for the future be given up and
system of sale adopted in its stead Well the House would
hardly imagine that in the face of these declarations il
proposed not to SELL but to make grant Of Vancouves
Island-o make grant the most lavish, the most nconsde-
rate the reprehensbe OF any made-a grant with
any praciic whateve-a grant absolutely and
perfectly gratuitous territory valuable for pur-
poses ought not TO have been lightly parted with One of
the most valuable possessions of the Crown ought not thus
have been signed away by the stroke Of Colonial Secreas
pen, without Parliament having been consulted in
the matter If the object OF the grant to exclude
nexion with foreign Powers he did think that object would
be achieved On the contrary the company had shown them
selves very willing TO enter into arrangements with the United
States when they found convenient for the purposes Of
merca transactions the object to attain dominion, he
would advise the Government seek by any other
than through the agency Of trading company. II they
DESTROYS of quarrel with America Russia they could
into ingenious arrangement effect il than by
cesson of Fancouvers Island the Hudsons Bay Com
pany They would find themselves compelled to choose be-
tween disavowng the colony supporting quarrel which
should never have been commenced
Earl GREr said 1t is sbundany evident from the symp
toms which exist that the land would become occupied with
squater whom neither the Americans ourselves would
be able restrain, and in the of few years the prac
ca possession Of the island would become lost the English
nation have lately been informed that there certain
called Mormonites, who having been forced quit the
United States thinking Of moving in body aud setting
themselves up in Vancouves Island II obvious when an
eligible territory is left TO lie waste, unsubdued the OF
man. is impossible prevent persons from taking irregular
possession Of the land We have found impossible in all
domnions restrain such persons The Government Of
the United States will equally be unable prevent such
event, and unless the island is regularly settled and regularly
colonized il is quite certain that will be regulay colo
nizcd by squatters.
The final consequence of the discussion in both
Houses Of Parliament was, that the scheme of the
Cabinet for the grant of Vancouyer's island was
approved; consequently this island may now be
regarded as the property Of the Hudson's Bay
Company.