Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Corry, Henry Thomas Lowry to
Carnarvon, Earl 21 February 1859, CO 305:12, no. 2062, 9.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Corry requests that the Admiral stationed at Vancouver Island make “suitable arrangements” for “safe transmission” of mail from the Admiralty to
the colony.
The minutes consider requesting that CO despatches be sent by whatever method designed
by the Admiralty.
Enclosed is a draft from Merivale to the Secretary to the Admiralty, 4 March 1859, asking to be advised when arrangements for mail delivery were settled, so that the
Colonial Office could join in the new system.
Corry to Under-Secretary of State
Admiralty
21 February 1859
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request
you will state to Secretary Sir Edward Lytton that in consequence of
the non delivery of the Admiralty letters & despatches of September &
October last, addressed to the Admiral at VanCouver's Island, and
forwarded by the Consul at Panama on board the United States Mail
Steam Packets, My Lords have ordered the Admiral to place himself in
communication with the Consul
and make suitable arrangements for the safe transmission of the Mails
of this Department, between Panama & Van Couver.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Had we not better ask if we can send our despatches by the same means? The only precaution we need then take is to put our Mail bag to Govr Douglas in another Bag addressed to the Consul at Panama with instructions to forward it on.
Had we not better ask if we can send our despatches by the same means? The only precaution we need then take is to put our Mail bag to Govr Douglas in another Bag addressed to the Consul at Panama with instructions to forward it on.
If this arrangement can be effected acquaint the Treasury, who have
now under their consn a proposal from a Mr Stamp to conduct the
Mail Service between San Francisco & V. Couver's Isld, receiving a
very 
large subsidy.
large subsidy.
I never read a letter which less expressed what it is necessary to
know & what I believe the Admiralty wished to convey to us.
What they meant to say I believe is this.
1st that certain mail bags containing despatches of Sepr
& Oct last have gone astray & have never been heard of since.
2. That it is consequently desirable to have a common
understanding & a joint arrangement with this Office by wh all desp.
shall be transmitted without risk of failure.
3. That the best mode of doing this is by conveying all
official mail bags to the Consul at Panama to be broken up by him; &
as far as the V. Couver I. & B. Columbia letters are concerned,
forwarded by some special & Trusty messenger.
This I believe to be the real meaning of this letter and I quite
concur in the desirability of the plan.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Secretary to the Admiralty, 4 March 1859, asking to be advised when arrangements for mail delivery were settled, so
that the Colonial Office could join in the new system.