Colonial Despatches

Referring to the second Paragraph of my Despatch to Your Grace No 72, of the 23rd November last, wherein I mention the Sum of Two Thousand pounds (£2000) as being still available from the Parliamentary Grant for British Columbia, for the year ending 31st March 1862,I I have the honor to acquaint Your Grace that money being required to meet payments due to the Royal Engineers, I have authorized the Treasurer to draw for this Sum in the usual manner of Bills on Her Majesty's Paymaster General, which Bills I trust will be duly accepted on presentation.

2. I have been obliged to obtain this money earlier than I intended, for I had no other resource from which to pay thetroops troops. As is mentioned in my Despatch of this date marked "Separate," Fraser River has been frozen over since the beginning of the year, and the direct communication with New Westminster stopped. In consequence our usual Revenue has almost completely failed me, and we have been reduced to the necessity of effecting a temporary loan to meet current expenditure.