Cooper to Carnarvon
Forest House Forest Row
Dalston
Novr 8th 1866
My Lord,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Lordship's communication of the 29th ult, and beg to express my sincere regret that Mr Cardwell's letter was misunderstood by me; had this not been the case, I should most certainly have applied much earlier for extended leave of absence from my duties as Chief Clerk of the Treasury of British Columbia.
During my stay in this country I have endeavoured in various ways to be of service to the Colony, with I venture to hope some success. From the several communications with which I was honored by Governor Seymour, I feel assured he was well aware of this, and approved of my constant occupation in promoting theManuscript image welfare of the Colony. I had the gratification of being asked to accompany him to the Colonial Office, where I had the honor of an interview with Mr Forster on vital matters connected with the Colony. In venturing to mention the above, I only do so to show that in thus acting in a perfectly open and straightforward manner, I gave most conclusive evidence, that I believed I was not exceeding the privilege granted to me in thus prolonging my stay in England.
In February or March next at latest I hope to hear from Governor Seymour in reference to the appointment of Agent General for Emigration for British Columbia. As this is a matter of the very greatest importance to myself, I solicit Your Lordship to permit me to remain here until that time, subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor.
I trust there will be the less difficulty in Your Lordship accedingManuscript image to this request, as meanwhile, as I shall be drawing no pay whatever, it will be no expense to the Colony.
Permit me again to assure Your Lordship that I am extremely sorry that I should in any way have misunderstood Mr Cardwell's letter.
I have the honor to be,
Your Lordship's obedt Servant
John Cooper

The Right Honourable
The Earl of Carnarvon
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
See 10628 from the Govr. Mr Cooper has received leave of absence without Salary till the end of the present legal term on 26 Novr. He now asks for a longer period. With respect to his appointment of Emigration Agent in this Country for B. Columbia, Governor Seymour has been informed that Lord Carnarvon has not disposed to entertain it. See 9896.
VJ 10 Nov