In reply to your letter of yesterdays date I have the honor
to state, for the information of
Mr Secretary Cardwell,
that the amount due to the Crown Agents from the Government
of
British Columbia to the present date is £2362.5.11, and
that the interest and Sinking Funds on the loans already
raised in this Country for that Colony amount to £12,500
per annum,
half half (£6250) becoming payable at this Office on
the
1st January and
1st July in each year.
From a conversation I had with
Mr Seymour,
previous to his departure from this Country for
British
Columbia, I am aware that he is quite alive to the fact
that the regular and punctual payment of this interest
is essential to the credit of the Colony, and I attribute
the non-arrival of remittances to the supposition that
the Crown Agents would hold a large amount to the
credit credit
of the Colonial Government from the proceeds of the sale
of fresh Debentures beyond the amount required (£20,000)
to meet the bills referred to in your letter of the
2nd instant.