Stephenson to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
23th August 1855
Sir
I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury your letter of the 3d ulto, enclosing the Copy of a letter from Mr Robert Swainston [Swanston], in which he complains of the conduct of the Collector of Customs at Port Victoria, Vancouver's Island.
In reply, I am directed bytheirManuscript image their Lordships to transmit to you for the information of Sir William Molesworth, the Copy of a Report from the Commissioners of Customs on that subject.
I am Sir
Your obedient Servant
W.H. Stephenson

Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
Signify the approval of the S. of State as to the conduct of the local authorities towards Mr Swanston, and furnish the Governor with the remarks of the Commrs of Customs which I have noted in pencil.
ABd 24 Augt
Mr Merivale
I send this to you asManuscript image it particularly engaged your attention before. Looking to the minutes, I conclude that the Governor should be instructed that he ought to have forwarded Mr Swainston's Memorial in the first instance?
TFE 25 Augt
I think the whole of the letter of the Customs had better be
communicated to the Governor. He should also be cautioned, that it is his proper course to transmit all memorials, although in this case he gave reasonable ground for the omission. The circular proposed in the minutes on 5020 had better be postponed for the proposed revision of the Colonial Regulations.
HM Augt 27
WM Aug 28
Shown to Sir Geo Barrow.
JJN 17 Sept
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
L.R. Dawson and J. Goulburn, Custom House, to Treasury, 11 August 1855, reporting that "the proceedings of the Collector appear to have been justified and the allegations of the applicant fully and satisfactorily answered."