Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to call your attention to my letter of the 15th Ulto. respecting the Bute Inlet Road British Columbia, and to inform you that it is absolutely necessary certain arrangements connected therewith should be made by me in England before my return, which I am desirous should be as early as possible. The several memorials sent in on this matter will show you how desirous the Colonists are that this important undertaking should be completed without delay, as until the country is opened out by good roads, and capital invested in it, no material progress can be expected, either in population mines or agriculture.

British Columbia stands in a most unfavorable position in the money market, as instanced by the last loan for £100,000 which was advertised by the Crown Agents for about six months, shewing that unless great inducements are offered Capitalists will not invest their money in the Country, and I am advised by Gentlemen of large financial connections in the City that unless some such arrangement as proposed in my letter is carried out, it is useless to bring any British Columbian project forward.

I trust you will see the importance of this undertaking, and kindly grant all the support in your power, as in the case of the Vancouver Island Graving Dock Co (of which I am Manager) where the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have granted valuable concessions and a loan to the maximum amount allowed by their Act.