Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Falk, Robert to
Carnarvon, Earl 10 January 1859, CO 60:6, no. 451, 494.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Falk asks the Colonial Office to write a letter to Douglas in support of his plan to run a trade route between Victoria and the Chinese-Japanese coasts.
The minutes discuss Lytton's rule to avoid endorsing such requests unless accompanied by “strong recommendations
from persons whom he can trust.”
Falk to Carnarvon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
10 January 1859
To the Right Honorable
the Earl of Carnarvon
Under Secretary of State
Colonial Office Downing Street
My Lord
My Lord
I had in due course the honor of an reply to mine of the 20
September upon British Columbian matters. My Brig "Rapid" Thomas
Jones Mr left this already last Month for Victoria Vancouvers
Island and I propose to follow her myself next Month via N York and
St Louis over Land so as to meet her there end of April, my object
being to dispatch the Vessel from Columbia, with Deals, Spars &c the
produce of Columbia to the ports of Japan and Northern China which
will be open to British Trade early next Summer, and to bring back
Chinese Emigrants and in fact make the beginning of a regular direct
trade between Columbia, and the Chinese-Japanese Coasts.
It will under such circumstances be of importance to me and also
forward the Interests of the Trading community if I have when out in
Columbia in May next the good-will of the British Authorities at
Victoria V.I. and I hope it is not taking too great a liberty, if I
ask the Colonial Office to give me a few Lines to Governor Douglas to
forward my Views in the above Matters.
Waiting the favor of a reply,
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
The Writer, who is connected with a Trading Company, asks for a letter to the Govr of B. Columbia "to forward his views."
The Writer, who is connected with a Trading Company, asks for a letter to the Govr of B. Columbia "to forward his views."
VJ
13 Jan
Our usual rule is, either not to give such letter, for fear
Governmt should be regarded as guaranteeing to any extent the
concern, or only to give it subject to full caution on this head.
HM
Jan 14
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Printed copy of a prospectus outlining the intention of the
Victoria and British Columbia Company, Limited, to assist in the
development of trade and commerce in Vancouver Island and the Fraser River region of British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
I think the answer should be first a caution as Mr Merivale
suggests as to the effect of a letter of introduction, secondly the
statement that it has been Sir E. Lyttons invariable rule to give no
letter of introduction without receiving in the first place strong
recommendations from persons whom he can trust or with whom he is
personally acquainted, and thirdly that subject to the first
understanding 
he will be willing to give Mr Falk the ordinary
letter of introduction to Govr Douglas on the receipt of such
recommendation.
he will be willing to give Mr Falk the ordinary
letter of introduction to Govr Douglas on the receipt of such
recommendation.
