Scarby to Newcastle

May it please Your Grace.

I have the honor to address Your Grace, on a subject in which, I am
sure Your Grace, must be deeply interested; viz. Telegraphic
communication throughout the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British
Columbia; and, ultimately by the proposed new roads through the Red
River Settlement to Canada; by the Aleutian Islands to China; and by
the Indian Archipelago to Australia.

It is intended to establish "The British Columbia Telegraph Company,
Limited," and at present, in order, to meet the immediate and pressing
requirements of the Colonies, of British Columbia and Vancouver Island,
It is proposed to plan the Inland towns of the former, as far North, as,
Alexandria or Richfield, in communication with New Westminster; and the
towns of the latter, with Victoria; joining, the Two Colonies by
submarine Cable, from Point Grey, B.C. to Nanaimo V.I. and, to place,
the whole, in communication with San Francisco; the United States, and
Canada; by a junction with the American lines at Whatcomb, in Washington
Territory.

Already, has, this matter been laid before His Excellency Governor
Douglas, and the scheme received his countenance and support. The
different members of the Governments, and the Colonists at large,
support the undertaking, knowing, as they do, the many advantages that
would accrue therefrom to themselves.

The importance of such an undertaking in a Political point of view,
I need not mention to Your Grace. On a commercial point of view, the
advantages to the Colonists, and to all who are connected with the
Settlements of Vancouver Island and British Columbia must be enormous.

For the due completion of this undertaking, it is necessary, that an
"Act of Assembly" should be passed in Vancouver Island, and a
"Proclamation" be issued in British Columbia, granting the necessary
powers for passing over pre-empted, and other lands.

The Projectors have already had interviews with Mr Carey, who is
the Attorney General for both Colonies, and, he has promised, on behalf
of the Colonial Governments, to support such "Act," and to grant such
"Proclamation" as the Company may require.

I have now the honor to ask Your Grace that Your Grace will take the
matter into Your Grace's favourable consideration, and give it
countenance and support,* and,

Firstly, That Your Grace will so recommend it to the notice of
H.E. The Governor, that the Company may have no difficulty in obtaining
the powers they require.

Secondly, That, as, the proposed capital of the Company at
present, is £100,000, Your Grace will be pleased to recommend to the
British Government to grant to the Company a subsidy.

**

The projectors
propose to grant to the Government the free use of their lines in both
Colonies, for ever. In consideration whereof they respectfully ask the
British Government to guarantee a dividend of Five per Centum, on the
£100,000, to the Shareholders, for the first Three years the line is in
operation, provided that trade of the Colonies is not sufficient to pay
such dividend.

***

There is little doubt that the Government, would never
be called upon for an farthing of the subsidy.

Thirdly, That Your Grace will recommend to the Colonial
Government to grant in perpetuity to the Company such town lots, and
Sections of land in the roads, as they may require, for the erection of
Stations.

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Such sections &c to be chosen by the Engineer of
the Company and an Officer appointed by Government.

Fourthly, That Your Grace will be pleased to recommend that
all wire and all necessary materials for the construction of the lines
be admitted, into, and through both Colonies, free of Customs, and other
duties.

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Fifthly, That the Company should have what assistance, could be
rendered by Her Majesty's Vessels stationed at Esquimalt, in laying the
submarine Cable across the Gulf of Georgia from Point Grey, B.C. to
Nanaimo, V.I. and across the Fraser River at New Westminster.

******