Colonial Despatches

With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of the 28th ultimo, in which it is stated that the claims on the Crown Agents in respect of British Columbia, which fall due on or before the 16th instant, amount to,
£ 6,250, Interest and Sinking Fund on Loan
10,000, the amount of two bills which mature at the latter date
£16,250 I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint youfor for the information of Mr Secretary Cardwell, that in order to enable the Crown Agents to meet these claims, My Lords have directed the payment to them of the sum of £4664.14s.11d, the balance of the Vote for British Columbia for the year 1863/4, and have also desired an advance to be made to the Agents of £2050 from Civil Contingencies, which with the balance on the Vote and the cash in the Agents' hands will be sufficient to meet the payments referred to. The remainder of the claim of £9051 will be paid to the Agents, when the Supplementary Vote, whichMy My Lords propose to submit to Parliament, has been taken.