Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Falk, Robert to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 28 October 1858, CO 60:3, no. 11245, 72.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Falk requests government assistance with his company to promote international trade in
British Columbia.
The minutes “express satisfaction” with Falk’s aspirations but are “unable to offer him any assistance in the prosecution of his
enterprize [sic].”
Enclosed is a printed prospectus, Victoria and British Columbia Limited, proposing to assist in the development of trade and commerce in Vancouver Island and the Fraser River region of British Columbia; and a draft from Carnarvon to Falk expressing satisfaction at his commercial activity in the colonies but declining
to offer any government assistance.
Falk to Lytton
28 October 1858
To the Right Honorable
Sir Edd George Bulwer Lytton M.P.
Knebworth Stevenage—Herts
Sir,
Sir,
In submitting the annexed to you and asking for your patronage, I
do so upon public grounds, the Company has been formed by steady
active men of Business in this City, who wanting no money assistance
think it would be of the last importance for the permanent success
of the undertaking to have the sanction of a statesman of your
enlightened views and who from his official position must be well
acquainted with the subject.
I happen to know a good deal of this distant region from a time
when Californian Gold was not thought of and I feel satisfied that
now when the Fraser River Gold discoveries are bringing population
to develop the resources of the country, its progress will be even
more rapid than that of California and it will be a sweet
reflection for the Statesman who has given a helping hand to the
infant Colony to see it in perhaps 10 years hence already one of
the brightest gems of the British Crown. If you wish for any
further information I shall be most happy to afford it. I have at
this moment a ship of my own loading here for Vancouvers Island
with general Cargo and in which I propose taking from Columbia a
Cargo of Deals and Spars to China, this will show you just how soon
a Trade is opened.
All what my Friends and myself ask is to have the patronage of
yourself in either private or official capacity for an undertaking,
which deserves well and ought to have the support of every well
wisher of the Colony.
Wishing the favor of a reply at your convenience.
Minutes by CO staff
Ack. rect—express satisfaction at the announcement in this
Letter that the writer has himself commenced commercial operations
with B. Columbia & VanCouver Island, but state that H.M. Govt is
unable to offer him any assistance in the prosecution of his
enterprize.
Annex dt.
C
N 3
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Printed prospectus, Victoria and British Columbia Company, Limited,
proposing to assist in the development of trade and commerce in
Vancouver Island and the Fraser River region of British Columbia.
