Peel, Sir Frederick to Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic 26 August 1862, CO 60:14, no. 8433, 280.

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Public Offices document
Peel, Frederick to Rogers, Frederic 26 August 1862, CO 60:14, no. 8433, 280.

Abstract

Public Offices document. Minutes (4), Other documents (2).

Peel writes Rogers to inform Newcastle that the Treasury will not modify their position regarding the finances of British Columbia, but, should they be presented with expenditures authorized by Douglas that exceed the amount he has been authorized to spend, they will communicate further with the Secretary of State before declining to honour them.

Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Treasury Chambers

26 August 1862

In reply to Mr Elliot's letter of the 21st July last, enclosing two Despatches from Governor Douglas praying for relief with respect to the claims of Her Majesty's Government against the Colony of British Columbia, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that having so fully stated Their views withregard

regard to the Financial Arrangements which might properly be made for the Colony of British Columbia, during the present and the next year, in Their letter of June last, Their Lordships entertain strong objections to sanction any departure from those arrangements unless under circumstances of the most pressing emergency.

My Lords do not find sufficient reason for such departure in the Governor's Despatches of May last.

They trust that the

apprehensions expressed by the Governor, with regard to the condition of a portion of the Colonists, may not be realized, and later accounts from the Colony seem rather to justify that hope.

My Lords have also to observe that the instructions sent by the Duke of Newcastle to the Governor will probably have led him to postpone some of the Works comprised in the Estimates for the present year such as the Government Houseat

at New Westminster, thereby leaving a larger proportion of the Revenue available for the objects of more pressing importance, and that it may be hoped that the receipts of Revenue may prove larger than has been estimated.

If, however, such a contingency as that apprehended by the Duke of Newcastle should arise, and the Governor finds himself under the necessity of sending home Drafts beyond the authorized amount,My

My Lords will communicate further with the Secretary of State before declining to honour them.

Their Lordships entirely concur with His Grace in the observation he has made regarding the errors of Account into which the Governor has fallen—and They trust he may be furnished with the full information, in the possession of the Colonial Office, with regard to the sums paid in this Country, andthe

the actual Financial position of the Colony.

I am,
Sir
Your obedient Servant
F. Peel

Minutes by CO staff

Sir F. Rogers
Reserve for Mr Elliot whose return to the Office is expected in a few days.

ABd 26 Augt

FR 26/8

With reference to the Governor's despatch, I should be disposed to send him the letter to the Treasury and this answer for his information & guidance, briefly

repeating in the text of the despatch the instructions and explanations which we promised the Treasury to give him.

I do not quite know what information the Treasury may allude to in the concluding sentence, but I dare say that Mr Ebden will be able to make this out by private inquiry at the Treasury.

TFE 1 Septr

So proceed.

N 2