No. 33
5th September 1864
Sir,
I have had the honor to receive your despatch No 18 of the 21st of June forwarding a letter from Mr J.B. Gaggin, a Stipendiary Magistrate in this Colony, complaining of his suspension from Office by my predecessor. I am directed to furnish a report on the subject.
2. The papers enclosed in your despatch furnish a fullstatementManuscript image statement of the case, on behalf of Mr Gaggin. I have only to say that I acknowledge that statement to be correct. He was, it appears to me, treated without sufficient consideration for his character by Sir James Douglas. Mr Gaggin has his faults as a public officer, but the charge of dishonesty broke down entirely, and it was only due to him to give the utmost publicity to that fact. Instead of this another accusation was immediately brought forward and Mr Gaggin was removed from Douglas and left on my hands with a slight slur upon him and a salary, butnoManuscript image no sphere of duties. I sent Mr Gaggin to the important little town of Quesnel Mouth where his services appear to give satisfaction.
3. I have now written to Mr Gaggin entirely exculpating him from the charge of dishonesty and offering him, as the most public refutation I could give, to restore him to his former appointment at Douglas.
4. If you should approve of the steps I have taken, the matter may, I conceive be allowed to drop.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
A full statement of this case will be found attached to 5067. Approve the restoration of Mr Gaggin to his former Office of Stipendiary Magistrate at Douglas?
VJ 18 N
I think so.
TFE 18/11
EC 21
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 41, 23 November 1864, approving of Seymour’s actions.