Henson, James to Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic 21 May 1862, CO 60:14, no. 5148, 90.

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Public Offices document
Henson, James to Rogers, Frederic 21 May 1862, CO 60:14, no. 5148, 90.

Abstract

Public Offices document. Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Marginalia (3).

Henson writes Rogers to rebut criticism of the British Columbia Overland Transit Company's plan to send passengers overland from Canada to British Columbia.

Henson to Rogers

British Columbia Overland Transit Company,
6, Copthall Court, Throgmorton Street, E.C.

21 May 1862

Having observed a notice of question intended to be put by Mr [Malcolm], M.P. on Thursday night, with reference to the Overland Route to British Columbia, and the chance of passengers Starving between Montreal & British Columbia—

I have the honor to inform you that on the 10th Inst. two gentlemen interested in this Company, had a lengthy interview with Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners, and gave full details of the steps adopted to ensure the provisioning of our Passengers to British Columbia.

The Substance of this interview was reduced to writing and forwarded from this Office to the Commissioners on the 16th instant. This letter will furnish you with every information.

The Emigratn Crs letter is in circn.

I have the honor further to state

that we have received a letter from Mr Hime, Agent of Masonic Hall, Toronto, dated April 26th in which he writes:

I attended a Meeting of intending emigrants a short time since and strongly advocated the Overland Route via St Paul and Red River, since which a party of 52 have gone from here by that route, and other parties from different places round about.

We have also advices from St. Paul's up to the 30th April announcing the arrival of another body of Emigrants from St. Thomas's Canada West, and their departure for Red River and British Columbia by this route. Numerous other parties are proceeding by the same road.

We forward with our passengers Waggons, containing provisions for 60 days subsistence not calculating upon the game and fish which abound along the Saskatchewan.

Our Agents are upon the Spot and

our Passengers are guaranteed safe transit by our Waggons and Pack Horses through the Rocky Mountains.

I have further the honor to direct your attention to a letter forwarded from this Office to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 14th instant, tendering to Contract for the establishment of a Pony Express, and which letter was entrusted to Colonel Pierce Somerset Butler, later M.P. who informs us that he laid the same before the Colonial Office on the 19th Instant.

Not registered.

I would also direct your attention to the "Canadian Memo of the 10th" inst. in which you will perceive reference to the operations in Toronto of the Committee engaged in forwarding passengers via the Red River.

The St Pauls Pioneer 30th April will also furnish you with other reliable information, irrespective of that forwarded from this Office.

Governor Douglas's despatch of the

19th December 1859

18 Octr/59.

to His Grace the Secretary of State for the Colonies, states that this Route is no mere theory. The experiment having been repeatedly made by parties of Red River people travelling to Colville from whence there is a good road to Lytton, so much so indeed that I am assured that the whole distance from Lytton to Red River, with the exception of the Coutannais Pass, may be safely travelled with carts.

In conclusion I beg to state that we have lost no opportunity in forwarding every information in our power at all times to Her Majesty's Government.

I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most Obedient Servt
James Henson
Secy

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Elliot
Probably Mr Fortescue has ackd the rect of this Letter—which has been written in view of Mr Malcolm's inquiry in the H.C. last night.

When Govr Douglas talks of an open prairie country of great beauty, & replete with objects of interest to the Tourist and the Sportsman he rather adorns his subject; for according to Palliser & other travellers in those parts the beauties are few, and the buffalo uncertain.

ABd 23/5

Mr Fortescue

TFE 24/5

Mr Birch
Ackdge simply.

CF 26

Acknowledged.

[EBP] 26 May/62