, 1858-05-28
THE HUDsOE,s BAY COMPANY.

We copy the following interesting letter lrom
the London Morning Post Of March 9Th, in rela-
ton to the extension Of the Hudson Bay Co.'S
charter after It's expiration, on the soth of Nay,
corr or LETTER FROM Mr.. JOHN sHEPHsAD 10 faH
RIGHT HON. H. LABoUcHgRE.
HUDsoN's BAY HousE, Jan, 81, 1855
Sih-I have the honor 10 acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of Mr. Merivale's letter Of the goth inst,
communicating the result Of the consideration
which her Majesty's Government had given to
my letter Of the 22d December. 1855, and ad-
Sefting to the full attention paid to the report Of
the select committee Of the House Of Commons,
which inquired last session into the state Of the
British possessions under the administration Of
the HudsOns Bay Company, detailing the con
ditions On which her MajestS's Government are
prepared to advise her Majesty to renew the ex'
listing license for iirther term Of 81 years, and
informing mo that Il the Company should signify
their willingness 70 consent 10 these proposals,
her MajesEt Government viii prcceed fOrthwith
to submit them TO the local Government Of Gan.
ada for their consideration, and, in the event Of
their concurrenes, win be prepared to take the
necessary measures for carrying them into effect.
In reply, beg leave TO state that after full
consideration with my colleagues in the direction,
we shall be prepared to recommend to our pro-
prietary BODY
lst To agree to the reservation, as in Che pre-.
sent license, Of any territories which may be
formed BY her Majesty's Government into
colonies. j. IS
Cd. Toagree to the proposed exception Of Van
couver's Island from the license; and, upon this
subject, we beg 10 refer you to the answer to the
communication which you have forwarded to us,
containing the views Of her Majesty's Govern
ment in relation thereto.
Sd. We concur in your suggestion that, in the
event Of the Government Of Canada declining t0
be party to the proposed reference Of the bOun-
dary question to the Judicial Committee Of the
Priyy Council, upon the footing which her Ma
liesty's Government are prepared 10 recommend,
and which this Company has already expressed
their willingness to adopt the objects recon-
mended BY the committee Of the House Of Com
mons may be attained by another course, the
detailed arrangements Of which should be car
Fied out under the supervision Of three commits
sisners, enc to be appointed by the Crown, one
by the Canadian Government, and one BY the
HudsOn's Bay Company gs1 ~ ~
| I trust that the ready acquieseence Of the
Hudson's Bay Company IN the plan proposed iOr
meeting the requirements Of the Canadian Gov.
ernAAsSt VII bo accepted Is an earnest Of their
desire 10 be on terms Of harmony and friendship
with their couAtrymen In Canada
4th. In communicating this assent On The par,
Of the Hudson's Bay Company nis however,
right 10 notice that The territories msntioned q.
lthose that may probably be first desired BY the
Government Of Canada, namely, the Rcd River
and Saskatchewan districts, are not only valua'
Ible 10 the Hudson,s Bay Company as stations lbI
carrying on the fur trade, but that they are also
Of peculiar value 10 the Company ss being ths
only source from which The cOupanys annual
, stock Of provisions Is drawn, particularly the
I staple article Of pemicAn, regular supply OI
which Is absolutely necessary to enable The
officers Of the Company 10 transport their goods
10 the numerous inland and distant stations, and
10 feed and maintain the people, both European
, and Indian, stationed thereat Il Is proper
therefore, that should draw your attention b
the fAct that the ultimate loss Of these district
| IWill most probably involve the HudsOn's Bay
, Company in very serious difficulties. and cause
. great increase Of expense in conducting theil
trade. The Company assume that the Canadian
', Government viii be responsible for the preser
walton sf peacs and The maintenance Of law and
order in all the territories eeded TO them, and tha