Coutts to Lytton
Torquay
April 16/59
I am much obliged by Your explicit Letter. I am glad to find You do not have office & hope Your Health may soon be benefitted. I should not trouble you now, but that I have been much pressed to point out to You, a circumstance which has arrested the attention of some Manuscript imagevery intelligent Gentlemen here, who have paid considerable attention to the American Policy. There appeared in the Times of last Monday or Tuesday, I think, a small paragraph to the effect that the well known Walker had reached California in disguise & these Gentlemen have connected this singular circumstance with possible intentions Manuscript imagein British Columbia on the part of the Americans—with or without direct support from their Govt. With, a War, probable in Europe—Indians not wholly quiet & recent disturbances in British Columbia where there are few Troops the movement would not be unfavourable—of its likelihood I can of course form no opinion. If the various pieces of intelligence respecting Walkers movements in this guise be important Manuscript imagethe circumstance has most probably attracted the attention of HM Govt. Still as it was named to me so seriously by persons of intelligence & judgement & I should be very sorry for the Bishop of Columbia to find Walker amongst his Parishioners I thought I would bring it privately under Your notice but this letter requires no answer & pray do not reply in any way.
I am
Yrs faithfully
S.A.B. Coutts
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Lord Carnarvon
Civility to Miss B. Coutts might perhaps make it proper for your Ldship, in Sir Edward's absence, to thank her for the trouble she has taken in directing the attention of HM Govt to the alleged movements of Walker—the Fillibuster, and If you thought it worth while, which I do not myself, you could send a copy of her Letter to the For: Office.
ABd 29 Apl
TFE 29/4
I will write to Miss B Coutts. I hardly think that it is necessary to send a copy to the F.O.
C Apl 30