THE RT. HON. EDWARD ELLICE, M.P., ON INDIAN TITLE. 171 



occupy the lands, and to grant the lands." * This reply to 

 a question now about to assume an importance in regard 

 to the Eed Eiver Settlement of the greatest magnitude, is 

 liable to produce a very erroneous impression respecting 

 the Indian title in Canada, and the respect which has been 

 paid to it during the history of that country. It is desirable 

 that this point should be clearly stated, and with this object 

 the proclamation of 1763 as far as it relates to the Indians 

 in Canada is appended. 



44 And we do further declare it to be our royal will and 

 pleasure, for the present as aforesaid, to reserve under 

 our sovereignty, protection, and dominion, for the use of 

 the said Indians, all the lands and territories not included 

 within the limits granted to the Hudson's Bay Company ; 

 as also the lands and territories lying to the westward of 

 the sources of the rivers which fall into the sea, from the 

 west and north-west as aforesaid. And we do hereby 

 strictly forbid, on pain of our displeasure, all our loving 

 subjects from making any purchases or settlements what- 

 ever, or taking possession of the lands above reserved 

 without our special leave and license for that purpose." 



The report of the commissioners appointed to investi- 

 gate the Indian affairs in Canada in 1847, thus state their 

 views on the question of title to lands : — 



44 Although the Crown claims the territorial estate and 

 eminent dominion in Canada, as in other of the older 

 colonies ; it has, ever since its possession of the province, 

 conceded to the Indians the right of occupancy upon 

 their old hunting grounds, and their claim to compensation 

 for its surrender, reserving to itself the exclusive privilege 

 of treating with them for the surrender or purchase of 

 any portions of the land. This is distinctly laid down in 



Question 6001, Blue Book. 



