I have received your Despatch of the 
23d May N
o 157 forwarding
               a joint letter from the Treasurer and Collector of Customs of 
British
                  Columbia representing the inadequacy of their Salaries, and applying to
               you for relief.
               
               I much regret the inconvenience to which these Gentlemen are
               exposed, though I must observe that it was by no means unknown to them
               before they applied for the situations they hold that the expence of
               living in 
Vancouvers Island and 
British Columbia was excessive.  You will
               acquaint them that as it is impossible for me to make any addition to
               the Parliamentary Estimate for the service of 
British Columbia for this
               year I
can
 can only express my readiness to entertain any proposal which you
               shall make for a general increase of the Salaries of public Officers in
               that Colony whenever the Colonial Revenue will bear such additional
               burthen.