Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Begbie, Matthew Baillie to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 31 August 1858, CO 6:27, no. 8551, 154.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Begbie regretfully informs the CO that he had a “severe bilious attack” which prevents him
to depart for Vancouver Island as scheduled.
The minutes answer that the Secretary of State requires him to proceed as soon as
his health permits.
Begbie to Lytton
40 Chancery Lane
Lincolns Inn
31st Augt.'58
Lincolns Inn
My Dear Sir,
I regret exceedingly to inform you that since I saw you yesterday I have had a severe
bilious attack which compelled me to take to my bed within three hours after leaving
you, and my doctor tells me that it is impossible for me to undertake to leave England
on thursday next, in fact I am still in bed and not allowed to get up today, and I
do not know whether I shall be allowed to leave my bed tomorrow.
As 
I have now bid most of my friends goodbye, my only anxiety is to get to the scene
of operations as soon as possible. With this view I enquired of my Doctor as to the
probability of my being able to leave by next Saturdays Cunard boat so as to proceed
via New York, but he thought it would be very imprudent my making any arrangements for travelling
for at least a week to come. I hope however most confidently to be able to leave
by saturday week via New York when perhaps I may after all be able to get on nearly as quickly as if I had started
on the 2nd proxo.
I have now bid most of my friends goodbye, my only anxiety is to get to the scene
of operations as soon as possible. With this view I enquired of my Doctor as to the
probability of my being able to leave by next Saturdays Cunard boat so as to proceed
via New York, but he thought it would be very imprudent my making any arrangements for travelling
for at least a week to come. I hope however most confidently to be able to leave
by saturday week via New York when perhaps I may after all be able to get on nearly as quickly as if I had started
on the 2nd proxo.I am exceedingly mortified at this unlucky delay but I hope that it will not be of
much impediment to the public service.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Ansr. that the S. of S. relies on his proceeding as soon as the state of his health will admit.
Ansr. that the S. of S. relies on his proceeding as soon as the state of his health will admit.
ABd.
1 Septr.
