Colonial Despatches

I have received your despatch of the 7th February No 95 reporting generally upon the state of British Columbia to that date.

The only remark I have to offer, beyond that of expressing my satisfaction at the favorable condition of affairs in the Colony, is to guard you against entertaining the impression that Her Majesty's Government can possibly countenance your plan, in itself I do not doubt judicious for local interests, of purchasing or building a Steam Vessel for the service of the Colonial Government, on account of which you propose to draw on the British Treasury should your own funds fail. I would observe to youthat that in all my instructions, from the foundation of the Colony to the present moment the principle on which I have proceeded, and which the constantly developing mineral wealth of British Columbia has so amply justified, has been that of insisting that the Colony should defray the expense of its own requirements. It would indeed be strange that this Country should be called upon to render pecuniary assistance to supply the ever recurringwants wants of an infant Settlement which has been actually forced into existence through the ample supplies of Gold afforded by the Country it occupies. The pressing circumstances of the case have undoubtedly compelled Her Majesty's Government to advance funds for fitting out the party of Royal Engineers which was so early despatched to the Colony; but these advances must be repaid; and it should be amongst the earliest of your financialefforts efforts to do so. I can therefore only say that if you have the means of establishing a Colonial Vessel I trust that she will render you valuable service; but that I can hold out no prospect of assisting you in her purchase or construction. I may indeed add that certainly until the obligation above referred to to this Country is discharged the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury would not feel themselves at libertyto to accept Bills drawn on them for even temporary advances.