No. 48

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch marked
Separate of the 18th of May reporting upon the general state and
progress of British Columbia.

I have perused the interesting account contained in this despatch
with much satisfaction, and I agree with you that the formation of an
efficient escort for the protection of the gold from the Mines can be no
longer delayed. I have therefore to authorize you to incur the
expenditure which you propose for this purpose, and which you estimate
at ten thousand pounds (£10,000) a year, including the purchase of
equipment, to be met by a transit charge on the amount of gold exported.