Colonial Despatches

I had the honor to receive in London a despatch from Mr Elliot under date of the 10th February 1864, forwarding a correspondence which had passed between the Colonial Department and Mr Collins, respecting the constructionof of a line of Telegraph across British Columbia in Connection with Russia and the United States.

2. I have now the honor to report that I believe the work will soon be taken in hand in this Colony. Mr Edmund Conway, an Officer of the Company, has already arrived, and Mr Collins may be expected next summer. The Telegraph has been already completed on this Continent, as far as Salt Lake City. It is proposed to carryit it from thence to Walla Walla in Washington Territory and to enter British Columbia at Osoyoos, where we have a Custom House.

3. The line through this Colony has not yet been determined on, but Mr Conway is in favour of carrying the wire along Lake Okanagoon, from thence by Salmon River to Lake Kamloops, then by the Thompson as far as Bonaparte, thence Northerly along the great high road of the Colony as far asQuesnel Quesnel Mouth. He would continue to follow the Fraser as far as Fort George, there strike across country to Forts Macleod and Babine and afterwards proceed down the Valley of Simpson River to the Sea at Observatory Inlet.

4. Mr Collins, I understand, will carry the Telegraph into New Westminster. Thus it is probable that we shall ere long have three distinct lines of wire connecting this place with Europe, the United States and Canada. 1st TheCalifornia California State Telegraph, which will reach New Westminster in about six weeks. 2ndly The Collins Line, and lastly, that about to be undertaken by the Hudson's Bay Company to connect all the Colonies of British North America by way of Lake Superior and the Red River Settlements.