I have learnt with much regret, from your Despatch No.
               7, of 
24th February, that the Lords Commissioners of the
               Treasury have determined that the Colony shall pay for the
               huts and other wooden buildings erected for the
accommodation
 accommodation
               of the detachment of the Royal Engineers near 
New Westminster,
               which are utterly without value to us.
               
               2.  This decision having been concurred in by you, I must
               take it as final, and the only indulgence I now solicit is that
               the Colonial Agents may be allowed to defer the payment to the
               Imperial Treasury of the ten thousand seven hundred and four
               pounds 16/7 (£10,704.16.7), until
the
 the whole of the Loan authorized to
               be raised by the Colony has been taken up.
               
               Minutes by CO staff
               
                
                  
                  Mr Elliot
                     Par: 2 raises an awkward question: for the Debentures go
                     off slowly & unsatisfactorily as you are aware.  This request
                     of the Governor indicates that there is no margin at his Bankers,
                     or at any rate that he is driven rather closely for money.
                     
 
                  
                  
                     I suppose we have no alternative except to back up this
                     request at the T-y.
                     
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                     Mr Cardwell
                     I do not feel quite sure whether it is a subject for writing
                     to the Treasury.  They have said that they must be paid, and we
                     have agreed that they are to be paid.  The Crown Agents are
                     gradually getting money for the debentures as opportunities
                     offer, and pay off all the outstanding liabilities with the
                     proceeds in such order as seems convenient when the money is
                     realized.  We are not making the payments under the Orders of
                     the Treasury, and they will be paid in their turn.
                     
 
                  
                  
                     They have never asked to be paid before other people.  My
                     judgement therefore would be for putting this Despatch by.
                     
                  
                  
                   
               
               
                  
                  
                     The Treasury may be informed of this Despatch, & reminded that
                     the demand was unexpected & it is not surprizing, therefore that
                     there should be some difficulty in making immediate provision for it.