You must be already perfectly aware
the various Notifications which have been published regarding Crown Lands in this Colony of three points, 1stly that the Governor in Council has been positively prohibited by instructions from England, from alienating land in this Colony either in perpetuity or for any period beyond that which might be sufficient to induce persons to erect substantial Buildings &c 2ndly that Her Majesty's Government did not see fit to recognize Grants or Sales of Land that had been made by, under, or Authority whatsoever
or up to the period of the exchange of the Ratification of the Treaty of Nanking, and 3rdly That a Committee was ordered to be appointed to inquire into the equitable claims of all Holders of land, to define the classes to which particular lots should henceforward belong as well as their future annual rent, and to arrange for the disposal of further lots by Public Auction &c
That Committee, on being appointed, proceeded to fulfil the important and invidious trust reposed in it with the most anxious and painstaking impartiality, and not only did the local Government see reason to consider its valuations, arrangements and recommendations liberal and just and as such to sanction and confirm them; but it may be observed that this opinion was very shortly after absolutely demonstrated and confirmed by the public