Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty, S.W.
4 January 1859
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies an extract of a letter from Rear Adml Baynes, dated 29th Oct. No. 141, shewing the state of affairs in British Columbia.
I am etc.
W.G. Romaine
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
The Californian Miners still continue to return to San Francisco for the winter. The lull in the affairs of the Colony which this must occasion will give the Governor opportunities to be well prepared for the fresh irruption in the spring, & to proceed with the organization of the Govt. Put by.
HT Irving 5 Jany
In Admiral Baynes's opinion it seems that the "bars" Manuscript imagecannot be worked in winter, whether owing to flood or climate he does not say. The future condition of the Colony mainly depends on this circumstance.
HM Jan 5
C Jany 5
EBL Jan 7
If on floods engineering shall may avail—it is a point which I specially commended to Col. Moody.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Extract, Baynes to Secretary of the Admiralty, 29 October 1858, reporting his arrival at Vancouver Island and the current state of affairs on the Pacific station.