Sleigh to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to request you will submit to His Grace The
Secretary of State for the Colonies the following proposition with
reference to opening up the Postal Service via Canada to British Columbia.

This Company will undertake forthwith to organize a Pony Express
from the Red River Settlement to Lytton in British Columbia and
thence to Vancouvers Island by Steamer. The time of transit for
letter to and from Great Britain and British Columbia to occupy
25 days. The Company will erect Stations at every 25 Miles on the
land route, put on an efficient Staff of Post boys and an ample
Stud of Horses.

Her Majesty's Government to undertake upon receipt from any
duly delegated Authority of the Government, of a certificate,
stating that the Stations, Horses &c are on The Spot, and in
readiness for the Postal Service, to grant to The Company
£[blank] per week for a Mail from Great Britain to British Columbia. Such Sum not to be paid unless the Post Master
General of British Columbia certifies to the due performance
of each Weekly Contract.

This Company is ready to send out in its Chartered Steamer the
"United Kingdom" to sail from Glasgow on the 31st of May Inst.
Stabling for this Service—The Company will purchase the necessary
Stud of Horses, forthwith, and employ the necessary
number of Post Boys and be in readiness to carry a Mail from England
on the 1st July, if the above offer is accepted by Her Majesty's
Government.

The Service will be conducted from England by the usual Mail
Steamers to Canada and thence per Rail to St Paul's and per
Steamer &c to Red River Settlement, from thence per Pony Express to
Lytton and from thence per Steamer to Vancouver's Island.