No. 8
21st December 1866
My Lord,
I find in the records of Vancouver Island a despatch No. 44 of the 5th September 1865 from Your Lordship's predecessor to Governor Kennedy stating that a portion of the fees paidonManuscript image on Marriage Licences might be devoted to charitable purposes by the Governor but that the principal portion should go to the Crown Revenue in aid of certain public Salaries.
2. I would venture to suggest that the system now prevailing on the mainland and formerly prevalent on this island be reverted to. Sir James Douglas and myself allowed these fees to accumulate in the hands of a Public Officer (with me the Chief Clerk in theColonialManuscript image Colonial Secretary's Office) to be devoted to charitable purposes. Your Lordship will believe that religious and humane objects form a large drain on a Governor's income, when I mention that I am a subscriber of £100 towards the erection of one church. The Crown fund will in a few weeks cease to have a separate existence inasmuch as under the present Legislative constitution I can secure the voting of the Civil List by the Council and transfer the control of theCrownManuscript image Crown lands to the Legislature.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
I suppose Governor Seymour's suggestion, Par. 2, should be agreed to. The Govr ought to have some fund to enable him to meet the heavy demands for charities on his purse.
ABd 28 Feb
Assent to his suggestion?
TFE 1 March
CBA 2/3
Yes, I know from private information how heavy are the claims upon him.
C 2 Mch
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Carnarvon to Seymour, No. 18, 6 March 1867.