Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Sleigh, Burrows William Arthur to Fortescue, Chichester 14 May 1862, CO 60:14, no. 5765, 92.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Other documents (2).
Sleigh sends Fortescue the British Columbia Overland Transit Company's proposal to
[open] up the Postal Service via Canada to British Columbia.The minutes reflect the Colonial Office's distrust of Sleigh and his plan. Newcastle writes that
in such hands as this project seems to be it would be worse than useless to give it any encouragement.
Sleigh to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
14 May 1862
I have the honor to request you will submit to His Grace The
Secretary of State for the Colonies the following proposition with
reference to opening up the Postal Service via Canada to British Columbia.
This Company will undertake forthwith to organize a Pony Express
from the Red River Settlement to Lytton in British Columbia and
thence to Vancouvers Island by Steamer. The time of transit for
letter to and from Great Britain and British Columbia to occupy
25 days. The Company will erect Stations at every 25 Miles on the
land route, put on an efficient Staff of Post boys and an ample
Stud of Horses.
Her Majesty's Government to undertake upon receipt from any
duly delegated Authority
of the Government, of a certificate,
stating that the Stations, Horses &c are on The Spot, and in
readiness for the Postal Service, to grant to The Company
£[blank] per week for a Mail from Great Britain to British Columbia. Such Sum not to be paid unless the Post Master
General of British Columbia certifies to the due performance
of each Weekly Contract.
of the Government, of a certificate,
stating that the Stations, Horses &c are on The Spot, and in
readiness for the Postal Service, to grant to The Company
£[blank] per week for a Mail from Great Britain to British Columbia. Such Sum not to be paid unless the Post Master
General of British Columbia certifies to the due performance
of each Weekly Contract.
This Company is ready to send out in its Chartered Steamer the
"United Kingdom" to sail from Glasgow on the 31st of May Inst.
Stabling for this Service—The Company will purchase the necessary
Stud of Horses, forthwith, and employ the necessary
number of Post Boys and be in readiness to carry a Mail from England
on the 1st July, if the above offer is accepted by Her Majesty's
Government.
The Service will be conducted from
England by the usual Mail
Steamers to Canada and thence per Rail to St Paul's and per
Steamer &c to Red River Settlement, from thence per Pony Express to
Lytton and from thence per Steamer to Vancouver's Island.
England by the usual Mail
Steamers to Canada and thence per Rail to St Paul's and per
Steamer &c to Red River Settlement, from thence per Pony Express to
Lytton and from thence per Steamer to Vancouver's Island.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I presume that to this proposal there will be but one ansr—viz: that HM Govt are not prepared to entertain it.
I presume that to this proposal there will be but one ansr—viz: that HM Govt are not prepared to entertain it.
ABd
11 June
Mr Fortescue
I forward this for your consideration.
I forward this for your consideration.
TFE
12 June
Duke of Newcastle
I suppose it can only be answered, as proposed by Mr Blackwood, mentioning that the letter was only forwarded by Mr Pierce Samuel Butler on the 5th inst.
I suppose it can only be answered, as proposed by Mr Blackwood, mentioning that the letter was only forwarded by Mr Pierce Samuel Butler on the 5th inst.
CF
14
In such hands as this project seems to be it would be worse
than useless to give it any encouragement.
N
15
Other documents included in the file
P.S. Butler to Fortescue, 5 June 1862, concerning the postal
route, and forwarding copy of Sleigh's letter.
