No. 57

I duly received the Duke of Buckingham's Despatch No. 62 of the
15th August 1868, and caused inquiries to be made as to the
advisability of forwarding the Mails from the Mother Country to
this Colony viâ Portland in Oregon, instead of, as at present,
by way of San Fancisco.

2. From the result of these inquiries it seems to me desirable
that no change should be made in the existing system. The
Railroad across the continent to San Francisco is fast
approaching completion and, as a general rule, Mails sent from
England to British Columbia viâ San Francisco, will reach their
destination in less time than if sent viâ Portland in Oregon.

3. It sometimes happens, however, from a want of connection in
the Mail Steamers, that it may be advisable to forward the Mails
from British Columbia to England by way of Portland and Salt
Lake City. Under such circumstances, the arrangement intimated
in the letter of 28th July 1868, from the Post Office
Department at Washington, will be adopted, and care will be
taken to label the Mail Bags as pointed out.