<persName ref="prs:woodcroft_b"><surname>Woodcroft</surname>, <forename>Bennet</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:elliot_tf"><surname>Elliot</surname>, <forename>Thomas</forename> <forename>Frederick</forename></persName> 22 March 1867, CO 60:30, no. 2938, 291. Woodcroft addressee Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Woodcroft, Bennet to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 22 March 1867, CO 60:30, no. 2938, 291.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B675MI01.html. CO 60:30 CO 60 30 2938 291 B.C. 1867received 23 March co_60_30_00292r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Public Offices document. Minutes (5), Other documents (3).

Woodcroft informs Elliot that the Commissioners of Patents are willing to present a complete set of their publications to the Government of British Columbia for the use of the Public Library at New Westminster. Woodcroft explains the conditions, regarding Specifications and insurance, that are required before publications can begin. Buckingham’s minute instructs that the works are to be accepted and issued, except the Specifications, which need to be confirmed with the Governor.

Woodcroft, Bennet
Patent Office
Elliot, Thomas Frederick Added summary of draft reply. Added abstract. Inserted revisionDesc.
Woodcroft to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary) 2938, CO 60/30, p. 291; received 23 March
Patent Office
March 22nd 1867 Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th inst., enclosing the copy of a Despatch from the Governor of British Columbia, inquiring if the Commissioners of Patents would grant a set of their publications for the use of the Public Library at New Westminster, the Capital of the Colony.

In reply I am directed to acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Commissioners of Patents are willing to present a complete set of their publications to the Government of British Columbia for the use of the Public Library at New Westminster. A complete set of the Commissioners' Works consists (at the present date) of more than 2,200 volumes; and it increases at the rate of upwards of 100 volumes annually—principally Specifications. In the grant to Vancouver Island, to which reference is make in your Letter and the Despatch, the Specifications (then nearly 2,000 volumes) were not included, as the Registrar General of the Island stated that they were not required. If it be considered desirable that the same course should be followed in this instance, the Commissioners of Patents will be equally willing to present copies of all their Works except the printed Specifications.

I beg to add that in the early grants made by the Commissioners, the Specifications having been sent from this Office unarranged and unbound were found to be quite useless for reference. For this reason and on account of the great value of the Works (the cost of printing each set being nearly £2,000) and the large number of Publications comprised in each set (the Specifications now amounting to 57,769, with an annual increase of about 3,300) the Commissioners decided that the Specifications must either be bound or placed in cardboard cases (as used at this Office) at the expense of the Donees. The cases can be obtained of a Firm in London at 2s6d each. More than 2100 cases would be necessary.

The Commissioners of Patents expect that their Works will be insured when sent abroad, in order that if any are lost, they may be replaced by purchase.

On receipt of your reply, I will give instructions for the selection of the Publications required.

I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant B. Woodcroft
Mr Elliot I think it wdwould be prudent to consult the Governor before these gifts are accepted. If this course be pursued write to the GovrGovernor accly & inform Mr Woodcroft. ABd 23 March TFE 23 March
Has not the Governor asked for them? Is it necessary to delay accepting them? CBA 25/3
Accept & issue the works except the Specifications—as to which refer to the Governor. B&C 27/3
Colonial Office to Woodcroft, 30 March 1867, accepting the donation.
See last page: we must not take for granted that all the world knows the meaning of "Crown Agents," or where their office is. TFE 29/3
It mighthave have been safer to give the address, but the Patent Officers know the Agency already, having been referred to the Agents in a similar case last year. W/2597/66 V. Couver Isd. FWF
*
Elliot to Crown Agents, 30 March 1867, asking that the works be shipped to British Columbia.
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 14, 30 March 1867 informing Seymour that the Commissioners of Patents agree to sending a complete set of their publications for the public library at New Westminster and that these have been accepted, and inquiring about the “Specifications.”