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Correspondence (private letter)
Collingwood, Henry J. to Rogers, Frederic 18 August 1862, CO 60:14, no. 8205, 348.

Abstract
Correspondence (private letter). Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Collingwood writes Rogers on behalf of travellers stranded by the British Columbia Overland Transit Company. Rogers replies that the government is not able to offer assistance.
Collingwood to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
41, Upper Thames Street
18th August 1862
Sir Frederic Rogers Bart:
Under Secretary of State for the Colonies
London

Sir,
With reference to a question answered by Mr Chicester S. Fortescue in the House of Commons in May last respecting the British Columbia Overland Transit Company; I beg to submit the following questions on behalf of the thirty two (32) passengers left by that Company at St Paul Minnesota, on the 27th of June last, on their own resources, no further transit having been provided.
Will His Grace the Duke of Newcastle recommend Her Majesty's Government to assist the passengers in returning to England from St Paul, or in proceeding to British Columbia via Panama or any other route?
Criminal proceedings were commenced at the Guildhall against the Company's Secretary, Mr James Henson, on Thursday last, and the "Times" and other newspapers of the 15th inst have full reports. Will His Grace advise a Government prosecution of the parties believedtoManuscript image to have been guilty of the fraud?
On Wednesday morning next at 12 o'clock I purpose waiting upon you with my powers of Attorney.
I beg to add that an early reply is of vital importance to my unfortunate fellow travellers as many of them are without the means of subsisting or of returning to England.
I have the honor to be Sir,
Your most obedient servant
Henry J. Collingwood
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
I place with this letter the correspondence with the Company, a Report from the Emign. Commissrs. & the Governor's Despatches. This office has in no way encouraged the scheme, but, on the contrary, repeatedly warned their Secretary of the difficulties & dangers the Emigrants would probably have to encounter.
VJ 19 Augt
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State that the matter does not appear to be one in which the Govt has any concern whatever or could with any prudence interfere.
FR 19/8
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to Collingwood, 20 August 1862, advising that the matter was not one in which the colonial office had any concern, or could with any propriety interfere.