Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hamilton, George Alexander to Merivale, Herman 2 September 1859, CO 60:6, no. 8794, 210.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
Hamilton advises that the Treasury is
prepared to sanction the necessary proceedings for the establishment of a Government Assay and Refinery in British Columbia
Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
2 September 1859
Sir,
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to acquaint you for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle that in consequence of the further information
conveyed by your letter of the 11th Ultimo, they have again
taken into consideration the question of the establishment of
an Assay Office in British Columbia, and I am to observe that the
Report of the Treasurer of the Colony dated the [blank]
puts their question in a practical shape, postponing the larger
question of the Establishment of a Mint and confining the project
to a moderate and ascertained expenditure with the view of
of
facilitating the collection of a Revenue from an Export duty on
gold, and affording advantages to the Miners in ascertaining and
realizing their treasure.
of
facilitating the collection of a Revenue from an Export duty on
gold, and affording advantages to the Miners in ascertaining and
realizing their treasure.
Their Lordships are satisfied moreover that the example
derived from the experience of California is calculated to overrule
the critical objections to the work of a Refinery and assay being
undertaken by a Government Establishment.
They are therefore prepared to sanction the necessary proceedings
for the establishment of a Government Assay and Refinery in British
Columbia, and they will communicate with the Master of the Mint,
as suggested by Captain Gossett [Gosset] regarding
regarding the arrangements to
be adopted for the purpose.
regarding the arrangements to
be adopted for the purpose.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Inform the Governor of this decision in answer to his Despatches on the subject?
Inform the Governor of this decision in answer to his Despatches on the subject?
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 22, 19 September 1859, on sanctioning the establishment of
an assay office in British Columbia.