Mr Nicholls, Secretary of Greenwich Hospital presents his
compliments to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton and trusts he may be excused
in trespassing upon Sir Edward's time in venturing to recommend to
his notice and consideration MrHenry Ball, late Captain in Her
Majesty's 11th and 55th Foot, who is desirous of obtaining an
appointment in British Columbia or Vancouver's Island in any capacity
in which his services can be turned to account.
Captain Ball has been 15 Years in the Army, from which he has
recently retired, and is now only 33 Years of age, but having a Wife,
and increasing family with disappointed hopeshopes of future, he is desirous
of occupation. Captain Ball has the experience of some Ten years
Colonial Service in New South Wales & Van Dieman's Land, and gained
much credit when in Command of a detachment of the 11th Regt
employed for some months at the Gold diggings.
Captain Ball was selected by his Commanding Officer, Colonel
Blumfield, to assist in the organization of a Mounted Police Force,
in which he afterwards held a Command for a considerable time, and
can produce testimonials as to character and ability. Captain Ball
is not particular as to the nature of the employment in British
Columbia, but it occurs to Mr Nicholls, that his Military
experience of 15 Years, knowledge of the Australian Gold Countries
and having held a Command in a Mounted Colonial Police Force, he
might be found useful in a newly established Colony.
Mr Nicholls is induced to trouble Sir Edward on behalf of
Captain Ball, with whom he is connected by marriage, from having a
nephew at Vancouver's Island, as an Officer of H.M. Ship Satellite,
who speaks most favorably of the rising Colony.
[No signature]
Greenwich Hospital
8th February 1859
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
From minutes of Sir Edward Lytton's on other applications for
Offices in these Colonies I shd judge that it is not in his power
to comply with this request—but the Private Secy will be able to
ascertain the ansrSir Edwardwd wish to have returned to this
Letter.