Phinn to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
31 Oct. 1855
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you a copy of a despatch from Rear Admiral Bruce, reporting his having visited Vancouver's Island, & pointing out the superiority of Esquimalt over Victoria for the site of a settlement; and I am to request you will call theattentionManuscript image attention of the Secretary of State to the points relating to the disposal of land at Esquimalt so particularly referred to in the Rear Admiral's letter; & to suggest whether it would not be better to resume the sites most appropriate for an establishment for the supply of Her Majesty's Ships.
I am Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant
Thos. Phinn

Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
This information may be valuable hereafter; at present I am not aware that it can be turned to any useful purpose. Shall this be reserved for future reference?
ABd 3 Novr
Communicate to the H.B.C. I think.
HM N 3
Yes.
P 4/11-55
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Palmerston to Colvile, Hudson's Bay Company, 14 November 1855, forwarding copy of Phinn's despatch.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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H.W. Bruce to Ralph Osborne, Admiralty, 11 September 1855, reporting on his recent visit to Vancouver Island, with an acccount of the condition of the colony and emphasizing the superiority of Esquimalt Harbour over that of Victoria.
Minutes by CO staff
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(The Governor) at P. 3 of desp: 4064/54 he mentions having
reserved 20 acres for Naval purposes which the Admy (see 4698) have declined.