Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Rowlandson, Thomas to Stanley, Lord Edward Henry 4 May 1858, CO 6:29, no. 5689, 186.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Marginalia (4).
Rowlandson writes to Stanley to offer—for a fee—his “knowledge of mining & mineralogy,” and also his services
“as an agriculturalist,” should Stanley want a survey of “the Territory bordering on the pacific.”
In the minutes, Blackwood directs Merivale to thank Rowlandson for his offer, but doubts that “H.M. Govt” can hire him as a surveyor.
Included in the file is a letter to Rowlandson which informs him of the decision not
to hire him.
San Francisco Upper California
4th May, 1858.To the Right Honourable Lord Stanley
Secretary of State for the Colonies
My Lord
Deeming it probably that owing to the recent important gold discoveries made in the
Territory bordering on the Pacific now occupied by the Hudson Bay Company, that the
Colonial office might desire more precise information as to the value of those regions
not only in
a mineral but also in an agricultural point of view, I respectfully submit my lowpretensions to your Lordship for the purpose of expecting such a Commission —
The accompanying copy of testimonials I think will afford evidence sufficientmedium, of my capacity as an agriculturist — For general engineering I beg respectfully to
refer to Mr R. Stephenson M. P.medium, who is highalso acquainted with my special knowledge of mining & mineralogy — Should your Lordship
consider such a survey lowwould be of service, I shall be happy to make one on the following terms namely £500 for
expenses and £500 on handing in my report.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Thank the writer for his offer, & say that a note shall be made of it, though there is not at present [...] much probability of that H. M. Govt will be able to employ him in the capacity he suggests.
Thank the writer for his offer, & say that a note shall be made of it, though there is not at present [...] much probability of that H. M. Govt will be able to employ him in the capacity he suggests.
Annex Draft
CJune 15th
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th
of May, and to express his thanks for the offer of your services to
procure information as to the value, in a mineral & agricultural point of view, of
the Territory in British North America in which the recent Gold discoveries have been
made.
I am to add that a note will be made of
your offer, though there is not at present much probability that H. M.’s Govt will be able to employ you in the capacity you suggest.
your offer, though there is not at present much probability that H. M.’s Govt will be able to employ you in the capacity you suggest.I have
Footnotes
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