Scudamore to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
General Post Office
10 August 1868
Sir,
I am directed by the Duke of Montrose to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter which has been received from the Postmaster General of the United States, referring to an arrangement which, at the request of the Government of British Columbia, has been made for the transmission via Portland in Oregon, instead of viâ San Francisco, of closed mails despatched from British Columbia to England.
BeforeManuscript image
Before taking any steps for sending Mails from this country to British Columbia by the same route, I am directed by His Grace to enquire whether H.M. Secretary of State for the Colonies has received any despatch from the Governor of British Columbia on the subject, stating the advantage of the new arrangement and what means have been provided for conveying the Mails in question between Portland and Victoria.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
F.I. Scudamore
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Sir F. Rogers
There is noManuscript image other information in the Dt than that contained in 11765 Govr 1867 & the previous correspondence annexed.
See 8532. It is possible that when the despatch there referred to arrives we may be in a position to answer the P.O.
So answer.
WR 11/8/68
Manuscript image
At once.
FR 11/8
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Joseph H. Blackfan, Chief Clerk, U.S. Post Office Department, to Postmaster General, London, 23 July 1868, respecting the routing of mails from Victoria to England via Portland, Salt Lake City, and New York.
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Rogers to Secretary to the General Post Office, 15 August 1868, stating that the Secretary of State expected, but had not yet received, a despatch from the governor respecting postal arrangements.
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 62, 15 August 1868 transmitting the letter from Britain’s postmaster general regarding an arrangement with the Post Office authorities of the United States and British Columbia for transmitting mail via Portland, Oregon, and asking for information so Buckingham can respond to Britain’s postmaster general.