Letter Robert Tomlinson to JW Trutch 25 January 1870
Page 1
[1] Letter of Revd R Tomlinson in Answer
[2] to letter from Mr Trutch. Dated Oct 26/69
[3] (Copy)
[4] Metlakahtla
[5] Jan. 25th 1870
[6] Hon. J.W. Trutch.
[7] Chief Commissioner of Lands & Works
[8] Sir
[9] Your letter dated Oct 26th only
[10] reached me yesterday ______ (here I omit
[11] the portion thanking him for the liberal manner
[12] in which the Government granted the reserve)
[13] With respect to the lease of the ground to
[14] be procured by the C.M.S. I would
[15] wish to make a few remarks. The C.M.S.
[16] sends forth its labourers to teach not only
[17] the distinctive doctrines of [Chris]tianity but
[18] also the practice of it and to further in
[19] every way the civilization and moral
[20] improvement of the natives.
[21] To overthrow dark superstition and
[22] plant instead [Chris]tian truth. To change
[23] the natives from ignorant bloodthirsty
[24] cruel savages into quiet useful subjects
[25] of our Gracious Queen has been the object
[26] of held those out to those whom the Society
[27] sends forth as its agents. Two stations have
[28] been opened and buildings erected for
[29] the purpose of carrying out this object.
[30] You have had an opportunity yourself
[31] of Judging of the progress made.
Page 2
[1] That the native population should
[2] live at peace with one another and the
[3] whites is an object of great importance
[4] in a Colony such as this. And the Government
[5] acknowledge their duty in supporting an
[6] agency in that object in view when they
[7] made the free grant to the Metlakatla
[8] Mission. Your letter informs me that it
[9] is not deemed advisable to make any further
[10] free grants of land in this colony to religious
[11] bodies. Against this decision I wish not
[12] to raise my voice as I am ignorant
[13] of the grounds in which it is I founded.
[14] but I do think it hard that the Society
[15] should be obliged to lease at a premium
[16] land sufficient to erect the Missionary
[17] buildings at stations the foundation of which
[18] is fraught with so much good to the Colony.
[19] An ordinary Bona fide settler whose erection
[20] in any one particular spot may or may not
[21] be a benefit to the colony can preempt and
[22] afterwards purchase and hold as his own
[23] property (so I understand the law) for it’s small
[24] sum of $3 three dollars a piece ^and^ for which
[25] The C.M.S. is required to pay $10 per annum
[26] Moreover the tenner of land by lease seems
[27] to me most uncertain.
[28] Your letter speaks of 7 years and for
[29] such further time as the Governor may
[30] find himself empowered to grant.
[31] Now supposing the C.M.S. took a lease
[32] of the 3 acres of ground at Kincolith for
[33] seven years at $10 per annum supposing
[34] that during that period another Governor
Page 3
[1] less graciously disposed than his Excellency
[2] appears to be, should arrive in the Colony.
[3] A man who looked upon the principles
[4] of the C.M.S. as sectarian and therefore
[5] to be discountenanced when the seven years
[6] was expired an application for a renewal
[7] of the lease should be made. He may
[8] withhold his assent and then what
[9] becomes of the buildings which have been
[10] erected which would probably be valued at some
[11] $3.000 or 4000. Moreover the Mission
[12] work comes to a stand still and in fact
[13] as far as the work of ^a^ white Missionary is
[14] concerned the station must be abandoned.
[15] Bona fide transactions in land form one
[16] of the mainstays of a Colony. but what can
[17] be more so than the tenure of land for
[18] necessary purposes by such a Society as the
[19] C.M.S. The buildings erected by the Society
[20] at its Stations are not erected for show
[21] or at a speculation they are modest substantial
[22] buildings intended to last for years and
[23] only such as the operations of the society call
[24] for. If the Society can preempt and
[25] purchase the land out right I feel
[26] sure they would willingly do so in preference
[27] to holding an uncertain lease. If this privilege
[28] is denied us then we look to the Governor
[29] of the Colony as a duty and privilege to
[30] grant us a reliable lease on moderate
[31] terms.
[32] I have not thought it necessary
[33] at this time to reply to that portion
[34] of your letter and wish you ask for a
Page 4
[1] Map. Should I receive a favourable
[2] reply to this I will then do my best to
[3] draw an accurate map of the land
[4] and ^do^ all in my power to aid in having
[5] the matter transacted in a satisfactory
[6] way
[7] I have the honour to be
[8] Your obedient servant
[9] Robert Tomlinson cl[er]k
