Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
2 September 1859
Sir,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Duke of Newcastle that in consequence of the further information conveyed by your letter of the 11th Ultimo, they have again taken into consideration the question of the establishment of an Assay Office in British Columbia, and I am to observe that the Report of the Treasurer of the Colony dated the [blank] puts their question in a practical shape, postponing the larger question of the Establishment of a Mint and confining the project to a moderate and ascertained expenditure with the view ofManuscript imageof facilitating the collection of a Revenue from an Export duty on gold, and affording advantages to the Miners in ascertaining and realizing their treasure.
Their Lordships are satisfied moreover that the example derived from the experience of California is calculated to overrule the critical objections to the work of a Refinery and assay being undertaken by a Government Establishment.
They are therefore prepared to sanction the necessary proceedings for the establishment of a Government Assay and Refinery in British Columbia, and they will communicate with the Master of the Mint, as suggested by Captain Gossett [Gosset] regardingManuscript imageregarding the arrangements to be adopted for the purpose.
I am etc.
Geo. A. Hamilton
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Merivale
Inform the Governor of this decision in answer to his Despatches on the subject?
HT Irving 5 Sept
HM S 5
N 6
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 22, 19 September 1859, on sanctioning the establishment of an assay office in British Columbia.