Colonial Despatches

I would venture to call Your Grace's particular attention to my despatch No. 127 of even date, shewing the exertions that are being made to pay the heavy interestand and Sinking fund on our London Loans, and the position in which the payment of the Salaries of the Public Officers stands.

2. For myself I have only to say that were the Salary assigned to me paid regularly I should have but little, if any, surplus at the expiration of my term of Service. As it is, any small savings I made in Honduras have long since gone and I am living on an overdrawn account at the Bankon on which eighteen per cent is charged. Yet I cannot reduce my expenditure. I have two Government Houses to keep up. Two Capitals in which I must entertain. There are now six ships in harbour and a very large number of American officers, including lately two Generals, here. Some from San Juan, others on their way to Sitka. Two on a special mission to me toarrange arrange matters respecting our Northern Boundary and to concert on Indian policy. All these visitors, at least, I am bound to invite to my house, as I know well how difficult I might find my position here, if I once allowed the present friendly terms which exist between our republican neighbours and myself to cease.

3. Additionally, I have to contribute to every Churchfund fund and charity. To give pecuniary support to every public amusement.

4. I would venture respectfully to submit that a portion, at least, of my Salary should during the present depression be paid from Imperial Funds. British Columbia is now in a position which would be called in the neighbouring Republic that of a "territory." Its population is small andscattered scattered, the majority I think consists of aliens, and I need not conceal from Your Grace that the energetic efforts now being made by the Americans to garrison the miserable territory they have recently purchased from the Russians and develop its meagre resources, causes, with some, a feeling of repining at their connection with a far distant country which does, Your Grace willforgive forgive me for saying, but little for them. A small matter such as relieving the Colony of payment of a portion of my Salary, say £2,000 or £3,000 would I am sure be looked upon as a mark of interest. It would relieve me of some embarrassment as I cannot help thinking as I receive each payment, what bridge the money would have built, what road itwould would have repaired.

5. Yet I cannot see how my pay can be reduced with the important political and social duties I have to perform, nor do I think the United Colony on the Pacific ought to be allowed to degenerate into a second rate Government.

6. I do not propose the above as a permanent arrangement. I believe that the Colony will relieveitself itself in time from the present painful embarrassment.