Colonial Despatches

With reference to my Despatch, No. 57, of the 11th of October last, transmitting Copies of Correspondence with the Treasury and the Post Office, as far as it had then proceeded, on the regulation of the Post in Vancouver Island,I I have the honor to enclose, for your information, the accompanying Copy of a further communication from the Treasury.

You will see that the Lords Commissoners of the Treasury feel that there would be great inconvenience in an interference with this subject by the Government at home, and I quite share this feeling.

If the Legislature refuse to pass the laws necessary for establishing a postal system, it will be yourduty duty to exert such authority as in the opinion of your Law Officers you legally possess to supply the want of Legislation. But if you should find that your lawful powers as Governor are not sufficient to prevent public inconvenience, it will be better that you should leave the Community to suffer the consequences imposed upon them by the legislation or non-legislation of their Representatives than that you should incur the responsibility of any proceedingswhich which are not warranted by Law.