, 1853-10-29
IancOnYer's Island.

we puOllSn on our lIsL pdSe, pc'llIOh
to The popular branch of the British Parlia-
mcnt from the landed proprietors and in
habitants of Vancouvcr's Island. The sub
ject matter is of great importance to those
concerned, and perusal BY our own com
munity may not be altogether improbable.
Aware of the value of the Island, and ap-
preciaIing their own interests, present and
future, the petitioners look with earnest per-
suasveness toward the Imperial Government
and request that their rights may be fairly
considered and fully conceded. By whom,
and in what manner Vancouyer's Island
shall hencelorth be ruled, is TO our popula-
tion, owing 10 their proximity thereto, al
most as interesting question, as to the pc
titioners themselves. The term five years.
for which the Island was granted to the
Hudson's Bay Company being about TO Cx-
pire, the petitioners solicit the Imperial
government to take upon itself the imme-
diate arrangement of its affairs, and we pre-
sumo there can be little doubt but that the
interests Of the crown would be thereby
promoted.
The language Of the petition is very simi.
lar to that which our own immortal sires
used in their bcseeching though vain appeals
to the same government. They "sOlemnly
and earnestly pray" Parliament to "gra
ciOusly deign." They task )" then "most
respectfully recommend and humbly shew;"
and finally, as though on bended knees, they
"IMPLoRE." Their requests arc few and
modest. Their chief desire to be taken un.
der the parental wing Of the mother govern
ment, is perfectly natural, and can be ac-
ceded 10 without sacrifice. Their aim TO
obtain a reduction in the price Of land and
change in the terms of sale, should not De
unsuccessful when so truihfully sustained
by the remark that The failure Of the attempt
10 colonize the Island, is attributable 10 the
present system. The liberality and wisdom
VI tHo AmetiVau lee euOhatlOh POiiVJJ 10
placed in bold and deserVedly favorable con-
trast with the rigid, close-fsted fve-dollars-
per-acre system in vogue on the Island -
Private capital would no doubt seek invest
ment there, and British subjects now roam
ing hithsr and yon under all flags but their
own, would secure them homes on the Is
land, il proper encouragement were offered.
To our mind, there is but one course pre-
scribed by wise foresight, to be pursued
by Parliament Grant with liberal hand
ALL the requests Of the colonists, including
that which we regard as Of paramount i'm
portance, viz: "reliable courts of justice,
presided over by efficient and upright
judges" and adequate political privileges 10
every settler. But the Parliament Of Great
Britain, as experience has shown,is not COM
posed, to any considerable extent as it should
be, Of men who know aught from actual OBJ
sorvation Of the class of evils complained of.
Wisdom would say "yield."
We are occupying much Of our space
with this theme, and shall not be surprised
10 hear il said that the subject does moi con-
Germ us; but we see differently. We feel
that we are the third party interestod-tho
colonisis first, the British crown second
and even though it were otherwise, we
should still regard our mission as requiring
US 10 plead and contend for the rights of
man against oppression, no matter by whom
imposed. When Great Britain shall turn
her back upon her natural born sons, we
will take them 10 ourselves, foster them as
our own, and the consequences be upon her
own head.
We have referred to the petitioners re-
quests, and their manner representing them;
and cannot think otherwise than that their
condition commends itself 10 the favorable
consideration Of Parliament, whom the COL
Onists pray may "graciOusly deign 10 remove
their obstacles and unleiier their enterprise"
Let Great Britain be wise for once in her
colonial policy, or she may rue ii when loo
late. We indulge in no desire for any Of
her possessions, nor do we cherish towards
her that rancOrOus spirit so commonly man
iiested in many American journals, but we
ahink it proper to intimate that the Amcri-
can revolution might have been prevented
sho might now render Australia content with
her lot, and indisposed to claim indepen.
'dence and lastly, unless the prayer of the
people OF Vancoaver's Island is granted,
who knows bat they may be driven to The
conclusion that the true remedy for all their
ais may be found under our own good flag
Of the Free and in that machless panaces,
the Cnnsiilnlinn If ihn IIn;,.A g.