Sproat to Secretary of State 8885, CO 60/31, p. 337; received 10 September

London, 33 King William St E.C.

7th September 1867 The Right Honble The Secretary of State for The Colonies My Lord Duke,

On behalf of the Memorialists who have addressed your Grace on the subject of a selection of a Capital for British Columbia for whom Mr D. Fraser of 33 St James Square and I act as honorary Secretaries, I am asked to refer to a paragraph in Mr Frasers letter to your Grace dated the 9th August, as that Gentleman is at present absent from London.

In the paragraph referred to it is stated that Her Majestys Ship "Malacca" remained for one night aground.

I beg to mention that an account of the accident, published in the Colony, and received since Mr Fraser's letter was written varies from the statement in his letter to this extent, namely, that the "Malacca" passed a night at anchor, instead of aground, as appears from the enclosed slip cut from a Victoria Newspaper.

However the ship may have passed the night,whether whether aground where she stranded, or at anchor in deep water, the inference which was drawn from the accident was just and correct.

Either position of the ship would justify the same inference—viz, that the approach to Fraser River is dangerous to such vessels, but, nevertheless it is considered proper in candour to acquaint your Grace with this discrepancy of detail, slight though it be.

When the Admiral on the Station reports to the Admiralty, the exact fact will of course be known.

I beg to acknowledge receipt of Mr Elliots letter to Mr Fraser of the 21st August in reply to Mr Frasers letter of the 16th August.

I am aware of the practise alluded to in Mr Elliots letter in ordinary cases; but the choosing of a site for the Capital of British Columbia has been so very publicly discussed in the Colony and in England, and excites so earnest an interest in persons in this Country connected with the Colony; and is, besides, fraught with such grave consequences, that the Gentlemen, who have been moving in this matter—many of whom are thoroughly conversant with the subject—deem it important that the Secretary of State should be made aware of their anxiety, and of their readiness to furnish information with respect to the question.

They specially mention this, rememberingthat that your Grace's predecessor in Office, The Duke of Newcastle, informed several of the present Memorialists who composed a deputation which waited upon the Secretary for the Colonies in reference to questions connected with the Union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia that they came too late, and that if persons in England really interested in the Colony were themselves apathetic or dilatory, the Colonial Office could not be blamed for acting on the information that was before them, even though such information might be partial and imperfect.

I have the honor to be, My Lord Duke Your Graces most obedient humble Servant, G.M. Sproat Hon Secy to the Memorialists on the question of a Capital for British Columbia