, 1857-10-23
NO. 48.

3, our nave ICCciNOu AudSH NeA7
liable evidence on these and other subjects
connected with the injury which has been
intrusted to them, and especially have had
t the advantage of hearing tue statements of
Chief Justice Draper, who was commits
stoned by the Province of Canada to attend
the Committee on behalf Of that important
Colony, whose interests and feelings are
, entitled to the greatest weight on this oc-
casion
Your Committee have had also the opin-
ion of the Law officers Of the Crown CON-
municated to them on various points con-
nected with the charter of the Hudson's
Bay Company 500
The Territory over which the Company
now exercise rights is Of three descriptions;
l. The land held by charter, or the Ru-
perts Land 2. The land held by license,
or the Indian Territory 3. Vancouver's
Island For the nature Of the tenure by
which these countries are severally coDnec-
ted with the Company, your Counties
would refer to the evidence they have re-
ceived and the documents appended 10 their
report M rresasq
With regard to Ruperts Land, which is
held by charter, it might be very desirable
10 ascertain precisely what is the force Of
the powers claimed and exercised. under It,
and Of the extent Of the eountry over which
those powers exist. But from the expe-
rience Of 0 long series Of years, during
which there has been, from time to time,
much controversy on these questions, -
well as from the tenor Of the opinions which
they have received from the law officers Of
the Crown, your Committee are apprahen.l
siVe that there may be great difficulty and
delay in arriving by the ordinary forms Of
the law, at any certain conclusions upon
them. ~ i f5ir s'ins
On the other hand, prompt measures are
very desirable and your Committee hope
that it may be found practicable to elect
such arrangements as are required for the
satisfaction and benefit Of those concerned,
without waiting for the result Of proceed
ings Of so doubtful aud dilatory characier
as may appertain to the complete investi;
cation Of the ancient charter.
The Law officers, however, suggest q
course by which with the united consent Of,
Canada and the Company, the question Of
the actual boundary, which appears Of
present to be in a state Of uncertainty in
some respects, may be determined through
the instrumentality OF the Judicial Com
mittee OF the PriYy Council and yonr,
! Committee have been assured, BY the Hud-
sons Bay Company, in q letter which IS
appended 10 this report, that they are viii
ling to accede to this proposal. ln The
event Of this course being adopted, Il Is
impossible for your Committee now TO form
an opinion how far the award given By tie
Judicial Committee may modify the duty
Of your Committee to make, BY circumserib7
ing the extent Of country 70 which these
Recommendations may apply - ,m4.
Your committee entertain the strongest
conviction that the Grown and people Of
this country can have no other interest 10
the Territory now administered by the com
lpany, except that It should Be dealt with
in whatever manner IS most conductive 10
the prosperity and contentment Of our.
North American fellow subjects and es-
pccially IN the mode which Is best calcnla.q
ted to add to the strength Of the great col
ony Of Canada It IS On these principles
alone that the recommendations Of your
Committee will be founded, 50 far as IS con
sistent with equity and good faith. - 30
In the drst place, therefore, your com
mitlee consider that Ii Is essential 70 meet
fully the just and reasonable wishes Of Can
ada, to be enabled to annex to her TerFito-
ry any portion Of the land IN her neighbor-
hood which can be made available to her
for the purpose Of settlement, with which
she is willing TO open aud maintain comm
nieatious, aud for which she win provide
the means Of local administration Your ,
COMMITTEES apprehend that the districts on
the Red River and the Saskatchewan are
the most likely TO be desired by Canada for
early occupation Il IS also Of great lmsi
portance that the peace and good order Of i
those districts should be oifeeinally secured
We believe that some simple machinery
could be devised, by the aid Of which these
districts could be ceded TO Canada, and q
convenient boundary line laid down uponl
substantial proof being given Of her Wilsa
Iingness and ability 70 administer them p
In like manner, the b0Hndary eftks Colo-
ny IN Other directions might bsthnown baee
wherever, by 50 doing, any purpose useful
70 Canada could be obtained Within the
districts thus annexed 10 her, tis anfhoItfy
Of te HudsOa's Bay Company weald ee
course entirely osass. i % asJ sal
Your committee think Il best to contpnt
themselves with indicating The outlines of
such a scheme, leaving it to the Govern
ment to consider its details mere naturally
before the act Of Parliament Is prepared,
which will probably be Recessaryfo carry
4 it into effect. -.ina
In case, however, Canada should not Be I
willing at very early period 70 undertake
the Government Of the Red River district,
it may be proper to consider whether some
temporary provision for its administration
may not be advisable.
4 Your Committee are Of opinion that il
ioW Be proper 10 terminate ne eonnediioa ef
The Company NTH TaneoGre's Island as soon
] ne n IL l.. L.. a. ------