Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Townson, Robert to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 6 May 1862, CO 60:14, no. 4557, 86.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Townson forwards Newcastle a letter from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
requesting that postal service to Vancouver Island and British Columbia
be improved. The minutes express frustration that because the government is unwilling
to subsidize the service, improvement is unlikely.
Townson to Newcastle
Chamber of Commerce, Liverpool
6 May 1862
I have been directed by the Council of this Chamber to
forward the accompanying Memorial on the Subject of Postal
Arrangements between England and the Colonies of British Columbia and VanCouver's Island, for which I am to beg the
favor of your Grace's consideration.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I suppose it must be ansd that the subject of better postal communication with these Colonies has frequently engaged the attention of H.M.G.—that great interest is felt in the amendment of the arrangements by means of which the service is conducted, but that at present no remedy can be devised, short of applying to Parlt for a subsidy, which is impossible.
I suppose it must be ansd that the subject of better postal communication with these Colonies has frequently engaged the attention of H.M.G.—that great interest is felt in the amendment of the arrangements by means of which the service is conducted, but that at present no remedy can be devised, short of applying to Parlt for a subsidy, which is impossible.
ABd
7 May
Mr Fortescue
I suppose that some such answer is the only one that can be given. I should ackge and say that the Duke of Newcastle is fully alive to the
importance of the subject and
has given every encouragement in his power to any endeavours
of the Colonial Governments of B. Columbia and VanCouver's
Island to improve their postal communication with England,
but that with regard to the further question of a grant of
aid from the Imperial Treasury, H.M's Govt have not felt
themselves at liberty to apply to Parliament for a vote
for this purpose.
I suppose that some such answer is the only one that can be given. I should ackge and say that the Duke of Newcastle is fully alive to the
importance of the subject and
has given every encouragement in his power to any endeavours
of the Colonial Governments of B. Columbia and VanCouver's
Island to improve their postal communication with England,
but that with regard to the further question of a grant of
aid from the Imperial Treasury, H.M's Govt have not felt
themselves at liberty to apply to Parliament for a vote
for this purpose.
This is the only answer that can be sent. I regret it, for I attach the utmost importance
to the establishment of Packet communication between New Westminster & Panama.
N
8
Other documents included in the file
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Memorial, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
to Newcastle, on the question of postal service.
Minutes by CO staff
We have not heard of this. £5000 have been appropriated
for a mail service of 6 months.