Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 4 May 1860, CO 60:7, no. 6338, 215.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
No. 44
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch No 1 of the 2nd January in reference to Mr James
Cooper, Harbour Master at Esquimalt for the service of British
Columbia, and I beg to forward for
your
your Grace's information copy
of a communication I have received from that Officer on the
subject of his taking up his residence in British Columbia,
whither I had instructed him to proceed agreeable to the
directions contained in your Grace's above mentioned despatch.
your Grace's information copy
of a communication I have received from that Officer on the
subject of his taking up his residence in British Columbia,
whither I had instructed him to proceed agreeable to the
directions contained in your Grace's above mentioned despatch.
2. Under the particular circumstances of Mr Cooper's case, I
have deemed it
advisable
advisable not to require him to remove from Esquimalt but
to await your Grace's express instructions with regard to this matter.
advisable not to require him to remove from Esquimalt but
to await your Grace's express instructions with regard to this matter.
Minutes by CO staff
Having in a minute on 7377/59 submitted the view I take of
this matter I have only to observe further that Mr Cooper was
nominated Harbor Master at Esquimalt "chiefly for the purposes
of British Columbia;" that, without any duties worth speaking
about, he has, since the Autumn of /58 recd salary from B.
Columbia funds—that notwithstanding the indulgence shown
him in the enjoyment thus far of a sinecure office he has
unreasonably urged an increase of salary—see 12495/59—&
that he now seeks to make terms for himself because the Govt
has required him to reside, with other Officials, in the Colony
where his duties have to be performed. Though the Governor in
2831/60 makes out as good a case as he can for keeping the
British Columbia Officers at Fort Victoria I trust that he will not
be allowed to prevail in this respect.
ABd
28/6
I never saw this case before. Since the past is past, I
shall not express here the impression which it produces on me.
But having mentioned to the Duke of Newcastle the questions
raised by the present despatches, I submit a draft founded on
His Grace's directions.
TFE
July
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Cooper to Acting Colonial Secretary, 26 March 1860, explaining
why he should be permitted to remain in Esquimalt, or at least to
have a house provided in New Westminster at government expense.
