Macfie to Under-Secretary of State

I have recently returned to this country after a residence of five
years in the above Colonies,

*

as agent of "the British Colonial Missionary Society," and am now
Engaged in preparing a book containing Classified information
respecting their resources collected during the period referred to.

I have already had opportunities of perusing all Parliamentary
documents relating to these Colonies that were published to the close
of 1862. As my work is intended to be a faithful account of the
Condition and Prospects I am anxious that it should contain the most
recent information. I have applied for the blue books referring to
Vancouver Island, and British Columbia, that have been published,
since the close of 1862, at the London Institution and
British Museum but these documents I was informed had not been
received there.

As the forthcoming volume is designed for the public it will, it is
hoped, be of service to those distant parts of the Empire. May I
respectfully beg that you will do me the favor of allowing me to
examine at the Colonial Office or grant me facility to peruse
elsewhere the official papers relating to these Colonies published
since the close of 1862? May I also request Permission to obtain a
copy of the photographs of the Sooke Gold mining district which I
understand have been sent to the Colonial Office by Governor Kennedy
of Vancouver Island within the last few months?