Colonial Despatches

Mr Elliot
Acknowledge? You will recollect that Mr Begbie has already answered in a satisfactory manner the charge of speculating in Mining Claims. See 1014 & Minutes.

Sir F. Rogers
I pass this through your hands, because it involves the correctness of a Judge.

If you cast your eye over the minutes on 1014 of 1862, it may probably bring to your mind the former occasion on which the subject came under consideration and was disposed of.

If I were to suggest the answer to this, it would be somewhat as follows:

Acknowledge: Say that Governor Seymour was quite right to apprize Mr Justice Begbie of the remarks which he saw published, reflecting on the integrity of himself and of other officials in the Cariboo district. The matter however had, as Mr Begbie observes, been the subject of a correspondence before, and as Mr Seymour does not mention whether he has found the despatches on record, enclose copies of them for convenience of reference. He will find that Mr Cardwell's Predecessor felt quite satisfied with the explanations which Mr Justice Begbie furnished on the subject.

I agree.

Copy, Seymour to Chief Justice Begbie, 7 September 1864, enclosing copy of a newspaper clipping "containing a violent attack upon you."

Richfield, Chief Justice Begbie to Seymour, 21 September 1864, acknowledging receipt of Seymour's despatch and enclosure.

Newspaper clipping, British Columbian, 9 July 1864, "Official Speculators," describing the activities of certain public officials in mining speculation.

Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 2, 10 January 1865, approving of Seymour’s actions to alert Begbie and informing Seymour that Begbie’s explanation of the matter has already been accepted by the office.