Reep to Lytton
Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
No 55, Moorgate Street
London, E.C.
6 May 1859
Sir,
I am requested by the Directors of this Company to acquaint you that this Company have made arrangements in conjunction with the Panama Railroad Company, and the United States Pacific Mail Steamship Company, (the Steamers of which latter Company leave Panama every fortnight for British Columbia,) for the through conveyance, upon advantageous terms, of Passengers via the West Indies to British Columbia.
I am to add that should you have occasionManuscript imageoccasion to order Officers and others to proceed to that Colony, the Company can accordingly provide them with Passages from Southampton to Colon, (Isthmus of Panama,) by the Contract Mail Packets leaving Southampton on the 2nd and 17th of each month, from Colon, by means of the Railroad to Panama, and from that place to British Columbia by the Steamers of the United States Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company.
I have etc.
R.T. Reep
Secretary
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Acke—with thanks for the information, & apprize the Treasury, who are either asking or have asked for Tenders for the postal Service between San Francisco and B. Columbia, & who might like to know of this arrangement—though by it Letters wd, if used, still be carried by U. States Authorities.
ABd 7/5
TFE 7/5
Proceed as proposed. To the Treasury at once, as it is important & it may be advisable to let them know without delay.
C Mar 7
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft, Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 14 May 1859, forwarding copy of letter for information.
Manuscript image
Draft, Colonial Office to Reep, 13 May 1859, expressing thanks for his communication.