Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 7 November 1859, CO 60:5, no. 12709, 227.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1).
Douglas discusses Young's position, resignation (for want of salary), and persuasion to remain as Colonial
Secretary of British Columbia, which Douglas relates as follows:
As I have found no one capable of replacing him, I have prevailed upon him to remain in Office for the time being.
No. 230, Miscellaneous
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No 6 of the 26th July, acquainting me that it was
not in your power to sanction any increase to the salary assigned
to the Colonial Secretary, and that you had therefore, no
alternative but to direct me to accept
accept Mr Young's resignation
of that Office.
accept Mr Young's resignation
of that Office.
2. I notice that your Grace leaves in my hands the selection
of a Gentleman to fill the responsible position of Colonial
Secretary, and you trust that I may be able to replace Mr Young
by a Gentleman, either well known, or well recommended, who is
now in the Colony and who may be willing to give his services
for £500 a year.
3. It is difficult to find a person so well qualified for
the office of Colonial Secretary, as is
is Mr Young, for with
considerable experience, he combines attention to business,
and suavity of manner, and his ability is undoubted, while in
all respects I can place the most perfect reliance on his
judgement and integrity; a consideration of the highest importance
in a Colony where I am necessarily often called away from the
seat of Government.
is Mr Young, for with
considerable experience, he combines attention to business,
and suavity of manner, and his ability is undoubted, while in
all respects I can place the most perfect reliance on his
judgement and integrity; a consideration of the highest importance
in a Colony where I am necessarily often called away from the
seat of Government.
4. As I have found no one capable of replacing him, I have
prevailed upon him to remain in Office for the time being; and
I
I have communicated to him the expression conveyed in your Grace's
Despatch No. 7 of the 26th, of your readiness to entertain
any proposal which I shall make for increasing the salaries of
the Public Officers of the Colony whenever the Colonial Revenue
will bear such burthen.
I have communicated to him the expression conveyed in your Grace's
Despatch No. 7 of the 26th, of your readiness to entertain
any proposal which I shall make for increasing the salaries of
the Public Officers of the Colony whenever the Colonial Revenue
will bear such burthen.
5. With respect to your Grace's remarks on Captain Gosset's
proposal to undertake the combined duties of Treasurer and
Colonial Secretary of British Columbia, I am of a like opinion
with Your Grace, that the arrangement would
would not work well, the
two offices from their nature being incompatible.
would not work well, the
two offices from their nature being incompatible.
6. I have agre[e]ably to your Grace's instructions, communicated
to Captain Gosset how irregular it is for him to correspond with
a subordinate member of the Colonial Office in reference to his
personal official position, and I have also pointed out to him
the manner in which all such correspondence should be conducted.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
Mr Young having expressed his wish to resign the appointment of Colonial Secy Governor Douglas was authorized to offer it to some other gentleman on the spot. He now reports that he has found no one capable of replacing Mr Young, and that Mr Young has been persuaded to remain in office for the time being.
Mr Young having expressed his wish to resign the appointment of Colonial Secy Governor Douglas was authorized to offer it to some other gentleman on the spot. He now reports that he has found no one capable of replacing Mr Young, and that Mr Young has been persuaded to remain in office for the time being.