No. 14

I yesterday received a Telegram from Your Lordship dated 10th
February, as follows:

Her Majesty's Government have learnt with much
dissatisfaction
of the unanimous passing of the Address by the Legislative
Council for Union with Canada.

2. This Telegram was accompanied by a Message from the San
Francisco Office dated on the 17th instant stating that

Cable (Message) of 10th was repeated from terminus of Western
Union lines the same as original. If receiver desires another
repetition Cable tolls will have to be collected thereon,
notifying Cable Room, New York if you want it repeated from
London.

3. At the same time I received a Note from the Agent of the
Telegraph Company at Victoria as follows—

I enclose foregoing instructions to this Office from San
Francisco relative to Cable Telegram of the 10th instant. The
Despatch was received here on the 10th but held till now for
correction. There is scarcely a doubt the prefix "dis" is unintentional, the Cable Company being in error. Should you
wish it repeated from London, however, I will order it at once
at a cost of Forty-five Dollars ($45.00).

4. As I had no doubt about the policy and instructions of Her
Majesty's Government upon the subject of the Union, I had no
hesitation in assuming that the prefix "dis" was accidental, and
I did not therefore regard it as necessary to have the Message
repeated. My purpose had been served by ascertaining that Your
Lordship had received my Message. But as this is a striking
example of the manner in which the whole meaning of a
Telegraphic Despatch may be changed by a very trifling error, I
have thought it right to acquaint Your Lordship with these
particulars, in order that it may be ascertained at least that
there was no mistake in the original message.