Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Carnarvon, Earl to
Douglas, Sir James 11 May 1859, LAC :, 12.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Carnarvon writes to Douglas in response to Douglas’s earlier correspondence on proposed lighthouses for Juan de Fuca Strait and Esquimalt Harbour, noting that, ultimately, Douglas is responsible for their construction and the colonies their cost.
No. 63
Downing Street,
11 May 1859
Sir,
I have received your despatches No 76 of the 15th of January,
and No 90 of the 4th of February, on the subject of the erection of
Lighthouses in Fucas Straits and the approaches to Esquimalt Harbor.
I transmit for yourinformation
information and guidance the copies of a
correspondence which has passed between the Admiralty, the Board of
Trade, the Treasury and this Department on the subject.
information and guidance the copies of a
correspondence which has passed between the Admiralty, the Board of
Trade, the Treasury and this Department on the subject.
You will perceive that the expense of the construction of the two
Lighthouses suggested by Captain Richards has been estimated by Captian Sulivan of the Board of Trade at Seven thousand pounds (£7,000), and in
compliance with my recommendation the Lords Commissionersof
of the Trasury
have consented to advance this sum on condition that one moiety of it
shall be repaid by the Colonies of Vancouver's Island and British
Columbia jointly.
of the Trasury
have consented to advance this sum on condition that one moiety of it
shall be repaid by the Colonies of Vancouver's Island and British
Columbia jointly.
The Board of Trade have been requested to send out immediately from
this Country the necessary apparatus and to give you any advice or
information in their power, and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
have been requested toinstruct
instruct the Naval Officers on the spot to give
you every assistance by their advice or otherwise to facilitate the
work. But you will distinctly understand that the responsibility
of the selection of proper sites and of the superintendence of the
works rests with yourself, and I need not impress upon you the necessity
of promptness and energy in carrying out an undertaking which is
calculated so materially to promote the commercial progress of thetwo
two
Colonies under your Government.
instruct the Naval Officers on the spot to give
you every assistance by their advice or otherwise to facilitate the
work. But you will distinctly understand that the responsibility
of the selection of proper sites and of the superintendence of the
works rests with yourself, and I need not impress upon you the necessity
of promptness and energy in carrying out an undertaking which is
calculated so materially to promote the commercial progress of thetwo
two
Colonies under your Government.
With regard to the repayment by British Columbia and Vancouver's
Island to the Imperial Treasury of the Moiety of the advance of Seven
thousand pounds (£7000), I must leave it to you to decide the
proportion of that
sum which it would be equitable that each Colony should contribute, but
I must instruct you that this debt should be repaid within the earliest
practicable period.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble servant
Carnarvon
In the absence of
Sir E.B. Lytton
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble servant
Carnarvon
In the absence of
Sir E.B. Lytton
Footnotes
- Please note that this document exists as a letter-book copy.