Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Stamp, Edward to Carnarvon, Earl 8 June 1859, CO 60:6, no. 5837, 658.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Stamp enquires again on
the subject of the British Columbia Mail Contract,having learned that bids for tender have been postponed. Stamp argues against an overland route from Canada to British Columbia, due to winter weather and
the present absence of all roads.Finally, Stamp reiterates his request for
a very small subsidy,which Blackwood's marginal notes as £20,000, in
support of a regular Mail Service between San Francisco & British Columbia.
Stamp to Carnarvon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
8th June 1859
The Right Honorable
The Earl of Carnarvon
Under Secretary of State for the Colonies
&c &c &c
My Lord,
My Lord,
I again beg leave to address your Lordship on the subject of the
British Columbia Mail Contract. Last Saturday I had an interview
with Mr G.A. Hamilton and Mr Stephenson at the Treasury, when I
was informed that the Publication of the Advertisement calling for
tenders for the above Mail Service was postponed
for the present, in consequence of an offer having been made by
a projected North West Transit Company, to convey the Mail through
Canada to British Columbia. In the summer I believe that could be
done, altho' the time occupied would be considerably longer than by
the Panama route; but during the Winter, say from the 1st of
November to 1st April, any one acquainted with British Columbia
(in the present absence of all roads) knows it to be an utter
impossibility.
That the necessary roads cannot be made for several years to
come is equally certain.
Allow me to state, as some excuse for my again trespassing on
Your Lordships attention, that I left Vancouver Island in December
last at the urgent solicitation of the leading inhabitants of that
Colony, and with strong recommendations to your Lordship's Department
from His Excellency Governor Douglas, for the purpose of endeavouring
to induce Her Majesty's Government to grant a very
very small subsidy
in support of a regular Mail Service between San Francisco & British
Columbia, the want of which, as your Lordship is aware, is
occasioning great inconvenience to the Colonial Authorities as well
as to the Commercial public.
very small subsidy
£20,000.
After the favorable reception this subject has till lately met
with at the Colonial Office, I feel most reluctant to return to the
Colony without having attained the important object which I & my
fellow Colonists had in view.
I feel convinced that the rising prospects of the promising
Colony of British Columbia will be seriously checked by the long
delay which must take place before any Overland Mail Communication
can possibly be carried out,
with regularity and dispatch, at all seasons of the Year,
through Canada.
Before making my final preparations for departure I beg leave to
solicit the favor of your Lordship informing me for the guidance of
myself & my fellow Colonists, whether the publication of the
Advertisement calling for tenders as lately prepared by the Admiralty
is postponed
sine die or only for a few days? In the latter case I would
prolong my stay in this Country a little longer, although my
interests in the Colony are suffering seriously from my absence.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This bears upon the subject of the Letter recd a few days ago from the T-y concerning the establishment of a British postal route to B. Columbia—a matter doubtless of some present, and much future importance. The writer of this Letter declares it is impossible to Convey the mail by the overland route to B.C. during the 5 winter months. This statement corresponds with the proposal of the N.W. Coo. They offered to accomplish the service for 7 months: leaving the remainder to be completed in the course of time—which wd not answer our purpose, regular & safe communication with the Colony being demanded all the year round. Meanwhile, as you are aware, the proposal of the N.W. Co is under reference to Canada. We can, I apprehend, answer nobody definitively until the ansr be recd from the Governor. But this subject is one in which the Treasury must take a leading part, & without whose concurrence it wd scarcely be advisable for us to move.
This bears upon the subject of the Letter recd a few days ago from the T-y concerning the establishment of a British postal route to B. Columbia—a matter doubtless of some present, and much future importance. The writer of this Letter declares it is impossible to Convey the mail by the overland route to B.C. during the 5 winter months. This statement corresponds with the proposal of the N.W. Coo. They offered to accomplish the service for 7 months: leaving the remainder to be completed in the course of time—which wd not answer our purpose, regular & safe communication with the Colony being demanded all the year round. Meanwhile, as you are aware, the proposal of the N.W. Co is under reference to Canada. We can, I apprehend, answer nobody definitively until the ansr be recd from the Governor. But this subject is one in which the Treasury must take a leading part, & without whose concurrence it wd scarcely be advisable for us to move.
Accordingly I shd suggest that Mr Stamp be referred to the
Treasury for an ansr to his enquiry whether the advertisement for
"Tenders for the service is postponed sine die or only for a few
days." I have little doubt that it is deferred pending consideration
of the subject.
ABd
9 June
HM
June 9
I have minuted the Treasury letter with the substance of the
reply wh I think ought to be returned. Copy of this communication
sd be forwarded to the Treasury at the same time & they sd be
reminded that a reference has been made to Canada & the question, as
suggested by Mr Blackwood, asked. Mr Stamp's letter in the
meantime sd be acknowledged & he sd be told that we have
written to the Treasury on the subject & that we hope shortly to give
him some answer to his enquiries.
C
June 10
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Stamp, 17 June 1859, advising that his enquiry
had been referred to the Treasury for comment.