Colonial Despatches

I have the honour to inform you that, under the regulations recently laid down by this Department, the Correspondence for Van Couver's Island and British Columbia is forwarded to its destination viâ the United States and Panama, when not specially directed to be sent by the West India Packet.

It has, however, been brought to my notice that a Bag of Despatches for Van Couvers Island is frequently received at this Office from the Colonial Office without anything on the address to indicate the route by which it is intended that it should be sent; and, according to the above regulations the BagBag should of course be forwarded by way of the United States. But, as it is usually received here on the Evening previous to the departure of the West India Packet, it is presumed to be intended for conveyance by that means.

I have thought it right, therefore, to call your attention to the circumstance, and to request that, if it is intended that the Despatches from the Colonial Office for Vancouvers Island and British Columbia should be forwarded by the British Packets viâ St Thomas and Panama, and not through the United States, such Despatches may in future be specially addressed to be sent "by West India Packet".