Stamp to Carnarvon (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I again beg leave to address your Lordship on the subject of the
British Columbia Mail Contract. Last Saturday I had an interview
with Mr G.A. Hamilton and Mr Stephenson at the Treasury, when I
was informed that the Publication of the Advertisement calling for
tenders for the above Mail Service was postponed
for the present, in consequence of an offer having been made by
a projected North West Transit Company, to convey the Mail through
Canada to British Columbia. In the summer I believe that could be
done, altho' the time occupied would be considerably longer than by
the Panama route; but during the Winter, say from the 1st of
November to 1st April, any one acquainted with British Columbia
(in the present absence of all roads) knows it to be an utter
impossibility.

That the necessary roads cannot be made for several years to
come is equally certain.

Allow me to state, as some excuse for my again trespassing on
Your Lordships attention, that I left Vancouver Island in December
last at the urgent solicitation of the leading inhabitants of that
Colony, and with strong recommendations to your Lordship's Department
from His Excellency Governor Douglas, for the purpose of endeavouring
to induce Her Majesty's Government to grant a very small subsidy

*

in support of a regular Mail Service between San Francisco & British
Columbia, the want of which, as your Lordship is aware, is
occasioning great inconvenience to the Colonial Authorities as well
as to the Commercial public.

After the favorable reception this subject has till lately met
with at the Colonial Office, I feel most reluctant to return to the
Colony without having attained the important object which I & my
fellow Colonists had in view.

I feel convinced that the rising prospects of the promising
Colony of British Columbia will be seriously checked by the long
delay which must take place before any Overland Mail Communication
can possibly be carried out,
with regularity and dispatch, at all seasons of the Year,
through Canada.

Before making my final preparations for departure I beg leave to
solicit the favor of your Lordship informing me for the guidance of
myself & my fellow Colonists, whether the publication of the
Advertisement calling for tenders as lately prepared by the Admiralty
is postponed
sine die or only for a few days? In the latter case I would
prolong my stay in this Country a little longer, although my
interests in the Colony are suffering seriously from my absence.