Coutts to Lytton

An article upon British Columbia in Yesterdays Times has greatly
excited my attention—and although you may think that after the Vote
in the House of Commons I ought not to trouble you, yet I should (at
your leisure), like to have your opinion, upon the points, (I am
about to submit to you) for my private guidance.

I have very good
hope that the strictly spiritual welfare of the Colony, will be well
cared for. The Bishop has so far been successful in his appeal for
assistance & sympathy—& his personal character guarantees his
selecting efficient Men both as Pastors and Administrators which will
be needful that the Clergy should be for some time—but to form a
really English Colony (such a one as the Mother Country may be
proud of) many
social arrangements will be needed to assist the
Bishop's [one word off file].

One of amongst these will be a well considered Emigration. Lord
Lyttleton took great pains about the Emigration to New Zealand
and I thought of writing to him and asking him if he would organise a
Columbian Emigration Society. I was about to write & ask you whether
you thought Government would give any & what sort of assistance to
Settlers—and supposing
Gentlemen would emigrate, taking with them a
certain number of workpeople, would any facilities be afforded for
the purchase of Land in Columbia to such persons. Would you give the
assistance of your name if any Committee for these purposes were
formed—after this I also wished to ask if Government would give any help
towards civilising & settling the Native population. Suppose Church
schools on the plan of Moravian Schools were established could any
assistance be reasonably

expected from
any Government. Excuse my troubling but I am so anxious for some
hint how to proceed in the objects I have so much at Heart.