Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 30 August 1864, CO 60:19, no. 9647, 48.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Seymour forwards certification of a leave of absence for Joseph Trutch. The Colonial Office minutes their discussion on Trutch’s conflicting private interests in British Columbia, and Trutch’s efforts to divest himself from these holdings, as well as Holmes’s appointment as Colonial Secretary of Honduras and Holmes’s
intemperate habits.
No. 24
30th August 1864
Sir,
With reference to my despatch No 6 of the 16th of
May 1864, I have now the honor to forward a certificate
showing that I have granted seven months leave of absence
to Mr Joseph William Trutch, Surveyor General of this Colony.
2. Mr Trutch I believe to be a very good public officer but,
as stated in my despatch above mentioned, I consider his interestsin
in one of the great rival Roads of this Colony as incompatable
with his holding the Office to which the Duke of Newcastle
directed me to appoint him. I shall be very glad to hear that
Mr Trutch has divested himself of all private property the
possession of which might expose his public acts to unfavorable comment.
in one of the great rival Roads of this Colony as incompatable
with his holding the Office to which the Duke of Newcastle
directed me to appoint him. I shall be very glad to hear that
Mr Trutch has divested himself of all private property the
possession of which might expose his public acts to unfavorable comment.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Govr Seymour does not mention who is to take Mr Trutch's place. Capn Holmes has accepted the offer of Colonial Secy of Honduras.
Govr Seymour does not mention who is to take Mr Trutch's place. Capn Holmes has accepted the offer of Colonial Secy of Honduras.
ABd
20 Oct
Mr Cardwell
So far as this involves personal considerations, the subject has recently been brought under your notice with reference
to Honduras.
So far as this involves personal considerations, the subject has recently been brought under your notice with reference
to Honduras.
Mr Trutch is by general consent an able man in his
profession, but he holds private property which might possibly
conflict with his public duties as Surveyor General. He has
however undertaken to endeavour to divest himself of that property.
Capt. Holmes is an Officer for whom Mr Seymour has
shown a great wish to provide. But he is accused of
intemperate habits, and Mr Seymour admits that he was
betrayed into intemperance when last he was passing thro'
Honduras. The Authorities of that Colony seem reluctant to
have him as their Secretary—on the other hand if Mr Trutch
gets rid of the private interests which might conflict with
his duty, it could hardly be right to remove him from his
place in order to make room for another gentleman who is by
no means likely to be so skilful a Surveyor, and who has
rendered himself liable to unfavorable personal comments.
I do not see that this despatch requires any answer at the
present moment.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
