Murdoch to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I enclose herewith, for the consideration of the Duke of
Newcastle, the copy of a letter addressed to me by Mr W.S. Lindsay on the subject of the promotion of Emigration to B. Columbia.

2. The promotion of Emigration to VanCouvers Island was
very much desired by the Foreign Office something more than
two years ago, and I would beg to refer to the reports on the
subject from this Board dated 24 Novr 1859 and 6th Janry 1860. The success of Gold digging in British Columbia has since attracted much notice to that Colony, and the
enquiries made from time to time at this Office lead to the
belief that if there were any easy and certain means of getting
there a considerable Emigration would spring up. At present the
transport on the other side of the Isthmus of Panama is so
uncertain as to deter all but persons of an adventurous
disposition. Whether looking to the political importance of
promoting Emigration from the Mother Country to VanCouvers
Island & British Columbia it might be advisable to grant some
assistance towards the establishment of a regular Steam
communication between Panama and those Colonies I do not
venture to pronounce.