Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Parsons, Robert Mann to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 27 September 1858, CO 60:3, no. 11022, 496.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (3).
Parsons reports his arrival at Panama with a detachment of Royal Engineers. He requests more money to fund their voyage
to Victoria.
Enclosed is Elliot to Trevelyan forwarding a copy of the letter and recommending that the request for additional
funds be honoured; a draft from Elliot to Hammond informing Lord Malmesbury of the assistance rendered Parsons by the consuls at Colon and Panama; and a draft from Lytton to Douglas asking him to inform Parsons that the CO has received his request.
Parsons to Lytton
I have the honour to report the arrival of my Detachment of
the Royal Engineers at Panama on 25th inst.
There being no Ship of War in Port I endeavoured but could not
obtain permission to embark at once from the railway station on board
the American Mail Steamer for California; permission was afterwards
granted to embark two days before the time of sailing, this I take
advantage of and will proceed on board tomorrow.
I have to request that you will be pleased to reconsider
the pecuniary arrangements made in England for my transit to
Victoria.One
One thousand pounds were placed at my disposal.
The Railway expenses across the
Isthmus of Darien amounted to £221.11.6
The passage money to California is 973. 2.0
From San Fransisco to Victoria about 250. 0.0
One thousand pounds were placed at my disposal.
The Railway expenses across the
Isthmus of Darien amounted to £221.11.6
The passage money to California is 973. 2.0
From San Fransisco to Victoria about 250. 0.0
Other incidental expenses such as pay advanced to Men in England,
Quarters and Messing at Panama, transfer of Baggage &c have to
be added; so that if you will kindly cause Drafts of mine to the
amount of £600 in addition to be honored by H.M. Paymaster General
(whose blank bills I have been supplied with) I shall feel that funds
will not be wanting in case of casualty or unforseen delay in
providing a passage from San Fransisco.
In proceeding to San Fransisco the men will be provided with
second class accommodation as in British Contract Steamers. I
cannot incur the responsibility of putting them inthe
the Steerage,
though the passage money would be less, as large numbers of
Steerage Passengers have to sleep on the deck with only a canvass
awning to protect them from very variable weather for 14 days,
and exposed to the prejudicial influences of the damp night air
of the tropics. I need not mention in addition, the class of persons
with whom my men would be constantly associated.
the Steerage,
though the passage money would be less, as large numbers of
Steerage Passengers have to sleep on the deck with only a canvass
awning to protect them from very variable weather for 14 days,
and exposed to the prejudicial influences of the damp night air
of the tropics. I need not mention in addition, the class of persons
with whom my men would be constantly associated.
The Steamers running North from this place have latterly been
carrying from 1200 to 1500 through passengers to San Francisco &
Victoria.
I beg to assure you that every precaution will be taken to
diminish expenditures and to procure cheap transit. Should a
British Ship of War be at San Fransisco I will communicate with her.
I have received every assistance from the British Consuls
at Colon & Panama, from Signor Hurtado, the Intendente of Panama
& from his Brothers the Agents of the British West India Mail Steamers.
I am happy to add that the health of men is good and that they
have adjusted themselves to my satisfaction. We expect to be in
Victoria about 21 October.
I have the honor to be Sir
Yr most obedient humble Servant
R.M. Parsons
Captn Rl Engs
Comg Advanced Party to British Columbia
Yr most obedient humble Servant
R.M. Parsons
Captn Rl Engs
Comg Advanced Party to British Columbia
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Considering the great doubts & fears which prevailed here as to this party gathering on the Pacific side with any thing like despatch, all the pains taken by us to guard against delays or mischances seem rewarded thus far as to this first party.
Considering the great doubts & fears which prevailed here as to this party gathering on the Pacific side with any thing like despatch, all the pains taken by us to guard against delays or mischances seem rewarded thus far as to this first party.
The second party will find improved facilities for reaching its
destination. Capn Parsons left on the 1 Sepr & hopes to arrive
at Victoria the 21 Oct.
Copy this letter to T-y, & recommend compliance with Capn
Parson's request for money.
The success of this advanced guard to the main body is very
satisfactory.
I think Capt Parson's measures sd be approved, especially as
he seems to have entertained doubts as to the propriety of taking 2nd
class fares for the detachment? This I suppose sd be through Col. Moody? It might also be worth while to inform the F.O. that every
assistance has been given by the Consuls at Colon & Panama?
As to money matters write to Treasury?
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to C.E. Trevelyan, Treasury, 15 November 1858,
forwarding copy of the letter and recommending that the request for
additional funds be honoured.
Draft, Elliot to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 15 November 1858,
informing Lord Malmesbury of the assistance rendered Parsons by the
consuls at Colon and Panama.
