Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 16 March 1865, CO 60:21, no. 5186, 137.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (2).
Seymour notifies Cardwell that he has given John Cooper, former Treasurer of the Royal Columbian Hospital, a leave of absence. Seymour transmits documents showing that Cooper left the colony without delivering an accurate summary of the accounts and that there
appears to be
a sum of six hundred and eighty seven dollars ($687 00/100) unaccounted for.Seymour requests that Cooper, now in England, be required to furnish an explanation and that his salary be withheld until then.
No. 22
16th March 1865
Sir,
I had the honor to state in my despatch No. 1 of 18th
January, that I had, with the advice of the Legislative Council,
given leave of Absence to Mr John Cooper, Chief Clerk in the
Treasury to proceed to England.
2. Mr Cooper
2. Mr Cooper had for some time previous to his departure
acted as Treasurer of the Royal Columbian Hospital, an
Institution supported by private subscription and an Annual
Grant from the Treasury.
3. I have the honor to submit paper which will shew
that Mr Cooper did not, previous to leaving the Colony, deliver
over any vouchers or accounts, and that there would appear to
be asum
sum of six hundred and eighty seven dollars ($687 00/100)
unaccounted for.
sum of six hundred and eighty seven dollars ($687 00/100)
unaccounted for.
4. I would venture to suggest that Mr Cooper, now in
England, be called upon for an explanation and that until it
be furnished, the Agents General should withhold his Salary.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Call upon Mr Cooper for an explanation? & in the meanwhile instruct the Crown Agents to make no more payments of 1/2 salary to Mr Cooper until further orders from Mr Cardwell.
Call upon Mr Cooper for an explanation? & in the meanwhile instruct the Crown Agents to make no more payments of 1/2 salary to Mr Cooper until further orders from Mr Cardwell.
ABd
30 May
Drafts.
TFE
30/5
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Charles Good, President of Board of Management, to Colonial
Secretary, 27 February 1865, forwarding pertinent information and
requesting that Cooper be called upon for an explanation.
Resolution passed at meeting of the hospital board, 24 February
1865, asking that the finance committee report and auditor's report
be forwarded to the government.
Finance committee to Board of Management, apologising for the
"loose and unsatisfactory condition" of the accounts, and expressing
dissatisfaction with Cooper's handling of his position.
Auditors report to President of the Board of Management, New Westminster, 23 February 1865.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to Crown Agents, 31 May 1865, suspending payment of
Cooper's half salary until further notification.
