Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Doyle, J. A. to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 16 September 1858, CO 60:3, no. 9528, 3.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Other documents (2).
Doyle offers an alternative mail route, England to Vancouver Island, through Mexico via Vera Cruz to Acapulco.
The minutes acknowledge “with thanks” and transmit to the Treasury for their consideration.
Enclosed is a draft from the Colonial Office to Doyle thanking him for his letter; and a draft from Merivale to the Treasury forwarding a copy of the letter and requesting early information
on arrangements to convey mail to British Columbia.
Doyle to Secretary of State
I Beg to offer to your consideration a new route to British
Columbia namely "The Mexican Interoceanic route" from Veracruz
on the Atlantic and Acapulco on the Pacific. My name is connected
with this route and has been noticed by Several American papers
some years since. I have crossed it several times, having begun in
connection with an American Express Company who intended to run a
mail and package express from N. Orleans to San Francisco, the firm
failing. This route ceased to exist, but during its Short
existence letters were delivered in San Francisco from N. Orleans
in 13 days and news could be had by the Atlantic Telegraph from
Europe at Vancouvers Island in 15 days. But what I wish
particularly to call your kind attention to is the great Saving of
time and expense by my route. Since I could deliver a heavy mail
in the new colony within 35 days, and avoiding at the same time the
expenses of Seven days ocean navigation and
certainly gaining 10 days over the Panama route. I have been
to California and sailed from Southampton in the West India Cos
Steamers and between waiting for the American Steamer and
other
delays 43 days were consumed from England to San Francisco alone.
other
delays 43 days were consumed from England to San Francisco alone.
I could even now without altering the dates of sailing of the West
Indian Steamers and in connection with the American boats which
coal at Acapulco, and having to wait for them six days at the
latter port deliver our mails in 40 days, but by having two
Steamers on the Pacific to await the arrival of the mail at
Acapulco the distance can easily be made within 35 days.
I would undertake to transmit the mail from Veracruz and land it
at Vancouvers Island paying all minor expenses such as freight &ca
(and as the mail would be entirely British, I would only pay for it
on the American Steamers as freight) for £300 a month (and conveying
the mail twice a month from England). I am well acquainted with the
authorities at Acapulco and as I speak Spanish as a native have
every hopes of arranging for a free transit through the Mexican
Republic.
I am prepared at any time to give the most minute particulars of the
route and in conclusion of these few suggestions Beg your kind
consideration of the matter.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Acke receipt with thanks, and transmit a copy of it to the Treasury, with reference to the subject, now under the consn of that Office, of the conveyance of Letters to VanCouver's Island and British Columbia.
Acke receipt with thanks, and transmit a copy of it to the Treasury, with reference to the subject, now under the consn of that Office, of the conveyance of Letters to VanCouver's Island and British Columbia.
ABd
20 Sep
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Doyle, 1 October 1858, thanking him for
his letter.
Draft, Merivale to C.E. Trevelyan, Treasury, 2 October 1858,
forwarding copy of the letter and requesting early information on
arrangements to convey mail to British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
[Minute on above:]
This is introduced in consequence of a conversation with Sir Edward, in whh he expressed his great wish to know what the Treasury had done in the matter. Sufficient time has not elapsed for final arrangements; but it will be as well that the T-y shd know that Sir E.L. is anxious on the subject; and does not intend to let it drop.
This is introduced in consequence of a conversation with Sir Edward, in whh he expressed his great wish to know what the Treasury had done in the matter. Sufficient time has not elapsed for final arrangements; but it will be as well that the T-y shd know that Sir E.L. is anxious on the subject; and does not intend to let it drop.