November 11th, 1861.

Mr. McLean, —

I. Let a Return be prepared immediately shewing every promise or eugagemeut which has been made by the Government to Natives, that they should have Crown Grants issued to them. The Return is to be divided into two classes. Ist.—Cases where reservations of land for individual chiefs have been made or promised, as part of the consideration iv Deeds of Cession; and, 2nd, cases where promises have been made not connected with cession of territory. The Return should show the date of each transaction, the Province and district in which the land is situated, the acreage promised, whether or not the land has been surveyed, iv what cases any general reserve has been individualized, and the names of the respective natives, with their tribes, who are under any promise entitled to Crown Grants. 11. Let another Return be also prepared, showing the General Reserves which have been made in every cession of territory, distinguishing the date, the block ceded, the Province and district, aud the acreage, and the tribe or section for which the reserve was made. lustruct the respective District Commissioners to send iv to you at once complete statements of the above transactions. But, in the meanwhile, as the Returns are immediately required, let them be prepared from the Deeds and other records in the Chief Office Land Purchase Department.

Hkhky Sewedl,

In Mr. Mantell's absence.

November 11th, 1861.

Me. Rogan,—

Will you have the goodness to take steps to have the returns called for prepared. Donald McLean.

12th February, 1862.

Reference to the above Memorandum will shew that a period of two months has elapsed since the accompanying Returns were called for. Lest it should be inferred that the delay has arisen through neglect in this Department, I may state that the preparation of these Returns has been attended with no ordinary difficulties. During the last mouth I have devoted unremitting attention to the subject, both during and after office hours. I found it necessary to examine the whole of the Native Deeds of Cession, registered in this office, aud most of tho originals deposited in tho Colonial Secretary's Office, —which, I consider it my duty to observe, are incomplete,—and to calculate most of the areas: to examine the whole of the maps in this and the Crown Lands Office, to search for information in the Waste Lands and other Offices, to read over nearly the whole of the correspondence of the Native Department relating to this subject, aud to consult every other available authority: which has been a work of considerable magnitude. In order more fully to record the information thus obtained, 1 beg to suggest that I may be instructed to prepare Plans of the several Provinces, showing the positiou aud extent of tho Native Reserves therein respectively, for the conveuieLce of future reference. I may take this opportunity of drawing the attention of the Government to another subject not unconnected with the above, nor of less importance. I have considered it my duty to undertake the preparation of District and Provincial Maps, showing, as nearly as can be, the boundaries of all lands acquired from the Natives, and such other information as may be useful to the Government. Such Plans aro much required in cases where boundaries are disputed by the Natives, and have to be determined by the Government. I trust I may have the full concurrence of the Government in the course I have thought fit to adopt. Andrew Sinclair.

April 4th, 1862.

Mb. Sinclair, — Please proceed, as expeditiously as possible, with these Maps. It will, I think, be best that they should be as full and descriptive as possible, distinguishing in particular,— Reserves actually ceded to the Crown, and dealt with or under the disposing power of the Crown Commissioners, —

Reserves capable of being brought under the operation of tho Native Reserves Act, over which the title is not extinguished. If possible, it may be desirable to show the circumjacent lauds over which the Native Title has bean extinguished, so as more clearly to define the exceptionable blocks. Henrt Sewell.

CROWN GRANTS & RESERVES.