Hamber to Lytton

A Company has been formed for the purpose of establishing Steam
Communication between Victoria or the Harbor of Esquimalt, in
Vancouver's Island and the Fraser River.

The route proposed will be from Victoria and other ports in
Vancouver's Island, to Albert City at the mouth of the Fraser
River, British Columbia, thence to Fort Langley and onwards to the
Falls at Fort Yale on the same river and to such other places as
may hereafter be agreed upon.

When the River Traffic has been fully established it is intended to
organise Mule Trains for continuing the passengers and goods
traffic from the Company's boats to the chief Mining Districts.

Previous to an immediate application to the Public it is deemed
advisable to consult the wishes of the Government and to ascertain
to what extent the Company may be able to calculate upon its
countenance and support.

The establishment of this Company was suggested by persons on the
spot, well acquainted with the country, before the receipt by the
Government of the despatch of Governor Douglas of the 8th of May
last, in which his Excellency states:

To effect that object it will be requisite to facilitate by every
possible means the transport of passengers and goods to the
farthest navigable point on Frazer River, and the obvious means of
accomplishing that end is to employ light Steamers in plying
between and connecting the port with the falls of Frazer's River,
distant 130 miles, from the discharge of that river into the Gulf
of Georgia those falls being generally believed to be at the
commencement of the remunerative gold diggings and from thence the
Miners would readily make their way on foot, or, after the summer
freshets, by the river, into the interior of the Country.

By that means also the whole trade of the gold regions would pass
through Frazer's River and be retained within the British Territory
forming a valuable outlet for British manufactured goods and at
once creating a lucrative trade between the mother country and
Vancouver's Island.

Subsequent reliable advices tend to confirm these views and
establish the importance of the gold discovery, and the necessity
for keeping open the navigation of the Frazer River.

With this view I am desired also respectfully to request that I may
be favored on behalf of the Company with an appointment of a time
when it will be convenient for you to receive a deputation from
them upon the subject.

The names of the Gentlemen forming the deputation will be
previously forwarded in accordance with what I believe is the usual
practice.