Arbuthnot to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

With reference to your letter of 17th Instant, stating that the Duke
of Newcastle has no objection to such a short preliminary examination
of the Accounts of the Hudson's Bay Company as this Board may deem
indispensable before making the payment to the Company of £25,000
towards the adjustment of their claims consequent upon the resumption
of Vancouver's Island by the Crown, I am commanded by the Lords Commissoners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the
information of His Grace, that they have appointed Mr Foster, the
Assistant Paymaster General to inspect the accounts in question in
conjunction with an Officer of the Emigration Office, and that the
necessary instructions have been given to Mr Foster to lose no time
in making such a preliminary investigation and report as will satisfy
My Lords of the propriety of issuing the sum of £25,000 on account,
in accordance with the desire expressed by His Grace the Secretary of
State.