Northcote to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I am desired by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to state, for the information of Secretary Sir E.B.
Lytton, with reference to your letter of the 14th February
last, that My Lords have for some time had under their consideration
the necessity of endeavouring to procure a regular Postal Service
between San Francisco and British Columbia and are of opinion that
the establishment of such a Service is imperatively called for at
as early a period as circumstances will allow.

My Lords, however, are of opinion that there is no sufficient
reason for departing, in this instance, from the principle of
competition, and they, have therefore, requested the Admiralty
to take the necessary steps for advertising for tenders for this
service to be performed fortnightly between San Francisco and
Victoria, Vancouver's Island and Fort Langley, on the Frazer River.

The Vessels are to be required to leave San Francisco within
say twelve hours of the arrival at that Port of the American
Mail Steamers, and to allow a sufficient interval at Victoria and Fort Langley for preparing the Return Mail.