October 14th 1852
Sir,
I am directed by the Earl of Malmesbury to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Sir John Packington [Pakington], the accompanying Copy of a Despatch from Her Majesty's Consul at San Francisco, reporting the arrival at that Port of Her Majesty's Ship "Thetis," from Vancouvers and Queen Charlotte's Islands, and giving theManuscript imagethe substance of information brought by the Commander and Officers of that Vessel, respecting the existence of Gold in the latter Island.
I am etc.
H.U. Addington

Herman Merivale Esq
&. &. &c
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
The accounts received from Captain Kuper through the Admiralty do not corroborate the statement as to "the certainty of vast quantities of gold" existing in Queen Charlottes Island. But that gold & other minerals are to be found there admits now, I believe, of no question. I should hardly think it is worth while sending this to the Hudson's Bay Compy—our usual place of reference.
ABd 18 Oct
TFE 18/10
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The last Report we received, & which came from Capn Kuper himself, informs us, as Mr Blackwood has said, that the actual amount of gold found has been very limited.
Put by.
JSP 19
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Aikin to Malmesbury, 30 July 1852, reporting the arrival of the "Thetis" from the Queen Charlotte Islands and the probability that "minerals there exist in great abundance."