As mentioned in my despatch N 1 of
this date, the
people of
New Westminster requested that I should remain
some days in
Vancouver's Island while they made preparations
to give me a ceremonious welcome to this Colony. The reception
would have lost half
its its formality had I landed from a
common trading Steamer amid a crowd of miners so it was
proposed that I should make a requisition upon the Senior
Naval Officer on this station for the services of a gunboat
to convey me to
New Westminster.
Captain Lord Gilford
accordingly placed Her Majesty's Ship "
Forward" at my disposal.
I have given
Lieutenant Lascelles of this vessel
the usual
certificate certificate of his having entertained myself,
Private Secretary and three servants for two days. I hardly
know whether the allowance to
M Lascelles for this service
should be made from Imperial funds, those of the Colony,
or from my own pocket. However that may be I would beg that
no hesitation be shewn in admitting
M Lascelles's claims,
the subsequent adjustment would present no difficulty.