No. 7

I have received your Despatch of the 23d May No 157 forwarding
a joint letter from the Treasurer and Collector of Customs of British
Columbia representing the inadequacy of their Salaries, and applying to
you for relief.

I much regret the inconvenience to which these Gentlemen are
exposed, though I must observe that it was by no means unknown to them
before they applied for the situations they hold that the expence of
living in Vancouvers Island and British Columbia was excessive. You will
acquaint them that as it is impossible for me to make any addition to
the Parliamentary Estimate for the service of British Columbia for this
year I can only express my readiness to entertain any proposal which you
shall make for a general increase of the Salaries of public Officers in
that Colony whenever the Colonial Revenue will bear such additional
burthen.