No. 1

In answer to the enquiry contained in your despatch of the 5th
January 1854 as to the source whence the expenses incurred in the
relief of the Master and Crew of the "Lord Western," which was
wrecked off the Coast of Vancouver's Island in November 1853,
should be defrayed, I have to inform you that Her Majesty's
Government consider that the "Trust Fund," mentioned in your
despatch, is clearly applicable to local purposes; and therefore
that the expenses you so properly incurred on this occasion should
be borne by that Fund.

I have made an intimation to this effect to the Governor of
the Hudson's Bay Company.