Hamilton to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
23rd Augt 1853
Sir
Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Letter of the 18th Instant with its enclosure on the subject of a Survey of the Coast and Harbours and Navigable Rivers of Vancouvers Island, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you for the information of His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, that my Lords consider a good Chart of the Georgian Strait would be a benefit to general Navigation as well as to the growing Trade along the Coast of America; but in comparison with the importance ofManuscript image of many other Places that ought to be surveyed, its turn for examination would be very remote.
When considered however with respect to the advantage it would offer to the new Colony, its importance would be great and immediate, and especially as the means of developing the rich Coal Fields on that side of Vancouver's Island. If Her Majestys Government should view it in this light, a special grant must be devoted to that purpose as the whole of the Surveying funds are already appropriated, and my Lords request to be informed, if it be more pressing than any other Colonial Survey.
I am Sir
Your most obedient Servant
W.A.B. Hamilton

T.F. Elliot Esqre
Colonial Department
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Former papers are in circulation. If the Duke of Newcastle should deem a survey of the coasts of V. Couver's Island of sufficient importance to be undertaken it would seem that a grant for the service must be procured from the House of Commons expressly for the purpose—the usual surveying vote being considerably diminished this year. As regards VanCouver's Island, the survey is no doubt desirable, but as regards the interests of English Commerce in general I should conceive that they were not so great, or urgent as to render it a matter of indispensable importance that a vote shd be taken expressly for it. But this can be better judged of after reference to the other papers.
ABd 29 Augt
I cannot believe that it would be worth while, at present, to apply for a special grant for a Survey of the Coasts of Vancouver's Island. These Naval Surveys are very costly, and there is many a more important locality without as yet any Admiralty Survey. Answer accordingly both the Governor and the Admiralty?
TFE 29 Aug
FP 30
Not desirable at present.
N 1 Sept
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Colonial Office to Secretary to the Admiralty, 15 September 1853, stating it was not advisable at present to apply for a special grant.