Falk to Lytton

In submitting the annexed to you and asking for your patronage, I
do so upon public grounds, the Company has been formed by steady
active men of Business in this City, who wanting no money assistance
think it would be of the last importance for the permanent success
of the undertaking to have the sanction of a statesman of your
enlightened views and who from his official position must be well
acquainted with the subject.

I happen to know a good deal of this distant region from a time
when Californian Gold was not thought of and I feel satisfied that
now when the Fraser River Gold discoveries are bringing population
to develop the resources of the country, its progress will be even
more rapid than that of California and it will be a sweet
reflection for the Statesman who has given a helping hand to the
infant Colony to see it in perhaps 10 years hence already one of
the brightest gems of the British Crown. If you wish for any
further information I shall be most happy to afford it. I have at
this moment a ship of my own loading here for Vancouvers Island
with general Cargo and in which I propose taking from Columbia a
Cargo of Deals and Spars to China, this will show you just how soon
a Trade is opened.

All what my Friends and myself ask is to have the patronage of
yourself in either private or official capacity for an undertaking,
which deserves well and ought to have the support of every well
wisher of the Colony.

Wishing the favor of a reply at your convenience.