Howard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
Office of Woods, &c., S.W.
23rd January 1864
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant with copy of a dispatch from the Governor of Vancouver's Island reporting the shipment of a Box containing a further supply of Seed and Cones of the Douglas Pine and I have to request that you will express my thanks to the Duke of Newcastle for his compliance with my request, and as I believe His Grace takes an interest in the growth of the Douglasii Pine in this Country I transmit herewith for his information copy of a report from the Nurseryman in the New Forest, who has charge of these plants.
Having regard however to the particulars therein contained I shall be obliged if the Colonial Office will request Governor Douglas not to collect any more seed for the Office of Woods until the result of the present parcel shall havebeenManuscript image been ascertained.
I am,
Sir,
your obedient Servant
James K. Howard
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
A copy of this Letter & its enclosure shd be sent to Governor Kennedy with directions not to have more seed collected & sent home for the present.
ABd 26 Jany
At once.
CF 27
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Copy, J.E. Nelson, Rinefield Nurseries, to L.H. Cumberbatch, 19 January 1864, reporting that the recent consignments of Douglas Pines had produced less than the number of plants expected, but that both seedlings and transplants were in "the most robust and perfect health."
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Kennedy, No. 4, 3 February 1864.
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Rogers to Howard, 3 February 1864, advising that the governor had been instructed not to send any more seeds for the time being, and acknowledging receipt of the report from the nurseryman in the New Forest.