Stamp to Carnarvon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

Referring to the proposals which I have already submitted to His
Excellency the Governor of Vancouver's Island and British Columbia,
and to the letter which I addressed His Excellency on the 4th Novr
last on the subject of a Contract with Her Majestys Government for
the conveyance of the English Mails from San Francisco to Victoria
and Langley on the Frasers River and
vice versa, I have now the honor to state that having been
resident for the last two years on Vancouvers Island and its
neighbourhood whence I have just returned, and being practically
acquainted with the details of the postal service in question, I am
now prepared to enter into a Contract with Her Majestys Government
for the performance of the above Service on the following
conditions—viz:

To convey the Mails twice a month from San Francisco to Victoria and
Langley and
vice versa.

To leave San Francisco within twelve hours after the arrival of the
American Mail Steamer.

To allow the postmaster at Victoria forty eight hours and the
postmaster at Langley twenty four hours to prepare the return Mails.

In the Winter when the Frasers River is frozen up the Mails for
Langley to be delivered at Victoria.

Officers & Troops in Her Majestys Service to be carried at the
Customary Transport rates.

The Service to be performed by a first class Steam Ship of not less
than 800 Tons burthen and 180 nominal Horse Power.

Delays and detentions arising either from foggy weather (when it
would be impossible for any steamer to run with safety) or from
stress of weather rendering it impossible for the Mail Steamer to
enter the Fraser River, are not to be considered an infraction of
Contract.

In the event of the American Mail Steamer not arriving at San
Francisco in due time the Contractor shall not be bound to wait
longer than forty Eight hours at the expiration of which time he may
proceed to Victoria without an over due Mail.

The Contractor to be allowed to convey the Mails in Steam Ships of
any Nation until sufficient time elapses to allow him to provide a
Steam Ship from England & to have the same privilege in the event of
any temporary accident to his own Steam Ship.

The Contractor to be ready to reserve the English Outward Mails due
at San Francisco on the 28th May next ensuing.

Any other safe port in British Columbia not at a greater distance
from Victoria than Langley may be substituted for that place by the
Government.

The sum required for the performance of this service to be Twenty
thousand pounds Sterling per Annum and the duration of the Contract
not less than 7 or 10 Years.

Should the Government desire it I am further prepared to extend the
service to Fort Hope the head of the Light draft Steam Navigation on
Frasers River for the Additional Sum of Five thousand pounds Stg. per
Annum.;.nam I have the honor to be My Lord
Your Lordships Obedt Humble Servt
Edwould Stamp