Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Cardwell, Edward to Seymour, Frederick 12 December 1864, NAC RG7:G8C/11, 384.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Cardwell acknowledges receipt of Seymour’s despatch in which Seymour raises concerns over a clause in the Queen’s Instructions that commands the Governor to consult in matters with his Executive
Council. Cardwell assures Seymour that the clause has not
been productive of any inconvenience in other Colonies.
Separate
12th December 1864
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 51, of the
25th of September last, submitting a difficulty with reference to the
eighth clause of The Queen's Instructions of the 11th of January last.
The Instruction is intended to render a Governor circumspect in his
proceedings by imposing upon him the necessity of consulting his
Council, and Iam
am not aware that this necessity has been productive of
any inconvenience in other Colonies. It is, however, for you to judge
on your own responsibility what are the cases in which the advantage of
the Public Service requires him to act without consulting his Executive
Council, and that it is impossible for me, without reference to a
particular case, to say whether you will be right or wrong in giving a
large interpretation to your Instructions in this respect.
am not aware that this necessity has been productive of
any inconvenience in other Colonies. It is, however, for you to judge
on your own responsibility what are the cases in which the advantage of
the Public Service requires him to act without consulting his Executive
Council, and that it is impossible for me, without reference to a
particular case, to say whether you will be right or wrong in giving a
large interpretation to your Instructions in this respect.