Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Powles, J. D. to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 27 January 1863, CO 305:21, no. 943, 193.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Other documents (1).
Powles to Newcastle
Austin Friars
27 January 1863
My Lord Duke,
The directors of the Port Phillip Company (incorporated by Royal
Charter) of which I am Chairman, are about to send a small party to
Van Couvers Island and British Columbia for the purpose of taking
measures for the Establishment of a Company, to carry on the business
of Mining and the reduction of Ores there, in a systematic manner, as
is done by the Port Phillip Company in the Colony of Victoria.
Believing that the
formation of such a Company, with suitable Capital
will tend to promote the welfare of the Colony, I take the liberty to
ask the favor of a letter of introduction to His Excellency the
Governor thereof, in favor of Mr Robert Plummer Junr of Newcastle
on Tyne, who is going to the Colony as Superintendent of the
undertaking in contemplation.
formation of such a Company, with suitable Capital
will tend to promote the welfare of the Colony, I take the liberty to
ask the favor of a letter of introduction to His Excellency the
Governor thereof, in favor of Mr Robert Plummer Junr of Newcastle
on Tyne, who is going to the Colony as Superintendent of the
undertaking in contemplation.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Cox
Is anything known in the Office of the Port Phillip Company or of the gentleman who signs this letter? If not, we had better find out by a private note to Mr Julyan what may be the character of the Company and of it's Chairman.
Is anything known in the Office of the Port Phillip Company or of the gentleman who signs this letter? If not, we had better find out by a private note to Mr Julyan what may be the character of the Company and of it's Chairman.
TFE
28 Janry
Mr Elliot
See Board of
Trade letter 1150 Australia of 8 Feby 1852 & the answer
from this office. B. of Trade no doubt satisfied itself of the
respectability to whom the Charter of Incorporation was given. Mr
Julyan knows nothing of the Coy.
See Board of
Trade letter 1150 Australia of 8 Feby 1852 & the answer
from this office. B. of Trade no doubt satisfied itself of the
respectability to whom the Charter of Incorporation was given. Mr
Julyan knows nothing of the Coy.
CC
31 Jan 63
This Port Phillips company is one of the Gold Mining Companies formed
in 1852. It may be a respectable Company, but neither this
Department nor the Colonial Agents haveany
any knowledge either of the
Company or of it's Chairman who signs the present letter, and still
less of it's projected offshoot in B. Columbia. I can hardly think
that a gentleman, unknown at the Office, is entitled to ask the
Secretary of State to give a letter of introduction to another
unknown gentleman, merely because it will be acceptable. On the
other hand one should of course avoid appearing to discourage any
enterprize that may be useful.
any knowledge either of the
Company or of it's Chairman who signs the present letter, and still
less of it's projected offshoot in B. Columbia. I can hardly think
that a gentleman, unknown at the Office, is entitled to ask the
Secretary of State to give a letter of introduction to another
unknown gentleman, merely because it will be acceptable. On the
other hand one should of course avoid appearing to discourage any
enterprize that may be useful.
Perhaps the answer might be that the Secretary of State, not having
any knowledge of the projected Company or of the gentleman who is
going out on it's behalf, cannot undertake to furnish him with any
special introduction or recommendation to the Governor, but that
there can be no doubt that Mr Douglas will afford to him, if his
undertaking appears likely to be beneficial, that countenance and aid
which it is the Governor's duty to give impartially to all legitimate
Enterprize in the Colony.
TFE
31 Janry
Answer as proposed. The
name of the Writer was at one time well known to the Shipping &
Mercantile Interest in the City, but I do not know whether this is
the same individual.
N
1-2
