Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to forward two copies of a Pamphlet entitled, "British Columbia and Vancouver Island considered as a field for commercial enterprise and emigration" (just published for gratuitous distribution), intended to inform the public mind and thus prepare the way for the reception of a scheme of Emigration to British Columbia.

Governor Seymour prior to leaving England presented to the Crystal Palace Company a Flag Pole 140 feet high, cut in British Columbia, with the understanding that an inscription should be placed upon it, stating by whom it was given, from whence it came, and further that a Pamphlet in reference to the Colony could be obtained gratuitously upon application at the Palace. The Pamphlet enclosed will be distributed through this agency amongst others, so soon as the Flag Pole now being prepared is erected.

I have endeavoured to avoid giving expression to any statement calculated to arouse the jealousy of the most sensitive residents in either Colony, and with the view of still further preserving perfect neutrality, I desired a Gentleman (Mr Churchill) who resided for several years in Vancouver Island, and is still connected with that Colony, to look through the manuscript before I sent it to the Printers, and if it met his views to permit me to use his name. To this request he was kind enough to accede.

The Pamphlet will I trust prove beneficial to the best interests of the new Colony of British Columbia.