Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Head, Edmund Walker to Fortescue, Chichester 7 June 1864, CO 60:20, no. 5267, 117.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Other documents (2).
Head informs Fortescue that the
Committee of the Hudsons Bay Company have sent Dr Rae to Ruperts Land with a view to ascertaining the Best and most practicable route for an Electric Telegraph across the Company's Territory from Red River to the head of Frasers River or thereabouts.Head asks that the Governor of British Columbia
permit such an examination.Elliot minutes that
Of course this should be done.
Head to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)
I have the honour to inform you that the Committee of the
Hudsons Bay Company have sent Dr Rae to Ruperts Land with
a view to ascertaining the Best and most practicable route for
an Electric Telegraph across the Company's Territory from Red
River to the head of Frasers River or thereabouts. The Committee
are anxious that Dr Rae whilst he is in the Country may havean
an opportunity of surveying (roughly at least), the probable
route for a line of Telegraph from the head waters of the Fraser
to New Westminster, but they are apprehensive that in making an
examination of this kind without the authority of the Government
of British Columbia the Hudsons Bay Company may appear to be
assuming rights which they do not possess beyond the Rocky
Mountains. The Committee would therefore request that instructions
may be given to the Governor of British Columbia to permit such
an examination to be made by DrRae
Rae as a necessary step with
a view to future arrangements.
an opportunity of surveying (roughly at least), the probable
route for a line of Telegraph from the head waters of the Fraser
to New Westminster, but they are apprehensive that in making an
examination of this kind without the authority of the Government
of British Columbia the Hudsons Bay Company may appear to be
assuming rights which they do not possess beyond the Rocky
Mountains. The Committee would therefore request that instructions
may be given to the Governor of British Columbia to permit such
an examination to be made by DrRae
Rae as a necessary step with
a view to future arrangements.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Answer that this request will be complied with. Enclose a copy of this Letter to Govr Seymour, & request him to cause instructions to be issued to the Magistrates or Officials up the Country to enable Dr Rae to make the desired examination.
Answer that this request will be complied with. Enclose a copy of this Letter to Govr Seymour, & request him to cause instructions to be issued to the Magistrates or Officials up the Country to enable Dr Rae to make the desired examination.
ABd
8 June
Mr Fortescue
Of course this should be done. I circulate the letter for information.
Of course this should be done. I circulate the letter for information.
Desp. to Govr Seymour, accordingly.
EC
10
