Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
A. Campbell and Company to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 10 July 1858, CO 6:26, no. 6619, 261.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3).
Campbell informs the CO that his company already has a line of “Screw Steamers” going from
England to Vancouver Island. He hopes that this will be advertised in opposition to rumours that Cunard will open up a similar line. Campbell also offers to ferry troops to New Caledonia and requests that a memorandum of their offer be circulated.
The minutes view these requests as a ploy for advertisement and “Put by.”
A. Campbell & Company to Lytton
Vancouver and North Pacific Steam Packet Office
2, Austin Friars, Old Broad St
E.C. London
10th July 1858
2, Austin Friars, Old Broad St
E.C. London
Sir,
In justice to our firm, will you permit us to notify to you with reference to your
speech in the House of Commons, upon the Second reading of the Bill for the Government
of New Caledonia, in which you remarked that Messrs Cunard proposed to run a line to Vancouvers Island by which the passage could be accomplished in 35 days Via New York and Panama, that we have already established a Line of Screw Steamers from England to Vancouvers Island (via the Isthmus of Panama) as you will perceive by our [attached] advertisement. Our first Screw Steamer will
be despatched from England for Aspinwall with Passengers on or about the first week in August. She will be followed by a first class powerful Screw Steamer, with superior passenger
accommodation (Via Cape Horn) intended to run regularly from Panama to Vancouvers Island, in conjunction with our Screws to Aspinwall from England. 
Cabin Passage fares, 1st Class £50 2nd Class £35 Steerage £20.
Cabin Passage fares, 1st Class £50 2nd Class £35 Steerage £20.As we were the first British House to establish a line of Steamers from England to
Vancouvers Island, we trust you will give us the credit, we hope you will consider due to the mercantile
spirit of our enterprise, and refer to this fact on the Bill going into Committee.
P.S. Should Her Majestys Government determine to despatch a Company of Royal Artillery
or other troops for service in New Caledonia, we should be happy to Tender for the conveyance of such in our second steamer (Via
Cape Horn) to sail in August, and request the favor of a Memorandum being made of our offer. A.C. & Co.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The writers do not state how long this line has been established. From what they say themselves the "first" vessel will not start till next month. I suspect that this is only a move to be first in the field. At any rate, there is nothing in Sir E. Lytton's speech in the Ho: of C. on this point which demands retraction or modifying. He merely stated that overtures had been made by Mr Cunard for a postal subsidy & enlarged on the advantage of such intercourse between Great Britain & the new Settlement.
The writers do not state how long this line has been established. From what they say themselves the "first" vessel will not start till next month. I suspect that this is only a move to be first in the field. At any rate, there is nothing in Sir E. Lytton's speech in the Ho: of C. on this point which demands retraction or modifying. He merely stated that overtures had been made by Mr Cunard for a postal subsidy & enlarged on the advantage of such intercourse between Great Britain & the new Settlement.
ABd.
12 July.
I do not think they ask for any modification of what Sir E Lytton has said. They simply advertise their own line.
Put by—now.
ABd 3 Augt