Bishop of Columbia to Sandford (Assistant Under-Secretary)
70 Upper Berkeley St W.
Septr 1 1869
Sir,
The Legislative Council of British Columbia, towards the end of their last Session, voted 700£ for bringing to the Colony Female Servants. The late Governor at their request appointed an Immigration Board wishing me to act as Chairman & to further the objects in England. The Board met & drew up regular terms, and the Colonial Government remitted 400£ to the Crown Agents. IManuscript image enclose a Copy of a Report of a Select Committee of the Legislative Council which was placed in my hands by Govr Seymour & by which the Board has been guided.
I have to ask Her M. Govt to authorize the Crown Agents to pay over the 400£ when required, as a ship is likely to sail in October, and it is important to secure the best season for passing Cape Horn.Manuscript image We are at present unable to do anything, and delay will cause disappointment in the Colony where the subject was taken up with great unanimity.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your very obed. Sert
G. Columbia

Sir F. Sandford
Col. Office
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Sandford
I do not think this vote could have been included in the 1869 Estimates for they were sent from the Colony in the beginning of March. The Report of the Committee wh the Bishop sends is dated 10 Feby, & the Col Secys letter 21 June 69. He states "special allowance will be made for this sum in future remittances."
The question was probably left in arrear by Mr Seymour & has since been taken up by Mr Hankin.
It should however be reported & provision must be made for the amount in the Col Estimates.
Mr Musgraves reply to the S of S despatch of 5 Augt may reach this office about the Middle of Octr?
The Bishop says any delay would cause great disappointment & that a shipfull of Emigrants is likely to sail in Octr for wh reasons he asks for the advance.
If it were not for theManuscript image Minutes on 8223 I should be inclined to recommend that his Lordships request shd be complied with & the Govr informed.
WR 2/9
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I think we have now sufficient evidence in this report to warrant our allowing the Crown Agents to make the payment of £400 requested by the Colonial Secretary. The Bishop called to report the extent to which he had proceeded in the matter (believing that he had sufficient authority) & the extreme inconvenience wh: wd be occasioned by any delay. He has engaged a lot of female Servants who are under contract to serve certain families for 2 years—repaying part of their passage money out of their wages—which are fixed at about £40 a year.
? allow—but point out a want of formality in proceedings to the Governor.
FRS 2/9
G 4/9
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Printed copy of "Report of Select Committee on Immigration," 10 February 1869, submitted by J. Robson, Chairman of Committee.
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to the Bishop of Columbia, 9 September 1869, advising that the Crown Agents had been instructed to advance the £400.
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Rogers to Crown Agents, 9 September 1869, authorizing them to release £400 to the Bishop of Columbia.
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Draft reply, Rogers (for Granville) to Musgrave, No. 90, 9 September 1869.
Hills, George to Sandford, Francis Richard 1 September 1869, CO 60:37, no. 9942, 496. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B696C03.html.

Last modified: 2020-03-30 13:22:16 -0700 (Mon, 30 Mar 2020) (SVN revision: 4193)