Park Road Belle Vue
Southampton
March 10 1858
The Right Honble
Lord Stanley
H.M. Colonial Secretary
Whitehall
My Lord,
It having been announced as the intention of your Lordships
predecessor, to cause an Ethnological Survey of
Vancouvers
Island to be made, I am desirous of ascertaining whether or not
your Lordship has determined upon proceeding with the same; as
in the event of the
appointments not being already made I purpose
submitting to your Lordship my claims for an Engagement thereon.
I am not aware whether the appointments will be made direct from
your Lordship, or mediately through the instrumentality of the
Royal Geographical Society, and I shall feel greatly obliged by
receiving such information as will enable me to forward my
application through the proper Channel.
I have the honour to be My Lord
Your Most obed
t Serv
t
Wm Read, C.E.
Minutes by CO staff
I am not: nor can imagine what an "Ethnological Survey" of so
limited a spot as Vanc. I. can be meant for.
It might be well to ascertain whether any scientific exped
n was
prop
d by Govt to
Vanc. Id. If not, we have only to tell
the writer he is mistaken.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to
Read,
20 March 1858, stating the
government had no plans to undertake an ethnological
survey of
Vancouver Island.