Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 10 January 1867, CO 60:27, no. 1943, 42.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (9), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Seymour asks for an extension of
Birch’s leave of Absence … until the conclusion of the Legislative Sessionbecause Birch
is totally unimbued with the local jealousies which prevail,and Birch’s approaching departure from the united colony
will give a weight to his opinion in controverted matters.Minutes by Rogers, Carnarvon, and Blackwood discuss whether Birch’s leave of absence can be extended.
No. 18
10th January 1867
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's despatch
No. 15 of 26th October, 1866, directing the return of Mr
Arthur N. Birch to his post in the Colonial Office.
2. I
2. I would beg Your Lordship to extend for a few months—until
the conclusion of the Legislative Session—Mr Birch's
leave of Absence. There is no one here who could so appropriately
preside over the new Legislative Council as the Officer recently
Administering the Government. There will be much irritation
evinced in the settling of many questions incidental to the Union
of the Colonies and Mr Birch has most happily escapedfrom
from
creating enmity towards himself in either section. He is totally
unimbued with the local jealousies which prevail and the mere
fact that his connexion with the Colony will soon cease will
give a weight to his opinion in controverted matters which I fear
would not attach to that of any other Public Servant at my
disposal.
from
creating enmity towards himself in either section. He is totally
unimbued with the local jealousies which prevail and the mere
fact that his connexion with the Colony will soon cease will
give a weight to his opinion in controverted matters which I fear
would not attach to that of any other Public Servant at my
disposal.
3. Under the very peculiar circumstances, I feel assuredYour
Your Lordship will pardon a delay in carrying out your orders.
Your Lordship will pardon a delay in carrying out your orders.
4. I enclose a letter which Mr Birch has addressed to me
on the subject of Your Lordship's despatch.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Birch wrote to me privately on this subject—&
I answered that it could not be done. There are now
absent from the Office Mr Irving at Jamaica, Mr
Birch in BC, Mr Hemming from illness—wh may last
some time, & it is found necessary to detach Mr Macdonald
from his department in order to assist Mr Graham.
Moreover Mr Blackwood is about to retire & the new junior
will of course not be fully useful for some time. Mean
time a redistribution of work is to take place. I should reply
by telegraph "Mr Birch's return to the office cannot be delayed."
Lord Carnarvon
I am disposed to think that I am wrong in the minute on this—& that your doubt is well founded. I find Mr Hemming is expected back soon, & I think we can get on as we are till August, (or a little before it) when Mr Jadis returns.
I am disposed to think that I am wrong in the minute on this—& that your doubt is well founded. I find Mr Hemming is expected back soon, & I think we can get on as we are till August, (or a little before it) when Mr Jadis returns.
Shall a telegraph accordingly in the contrary sense to what I
had suggested—"Mr Birch can remain in B. Columbia for the present."
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 7, 16 March 1867 agreeing to extend Birch’s leave of absence in British Columbia until the first of August.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Probably the Legislature is in session now. If it lasts 2 or even 3 months the close will be the end of May, giving Mr Birch June & July for his journey home. The beginning of the month of August wd, I think, be a fitting time to specify for his appearance at this Office.
Probably the Legislature is in session now. If it lasts 2 or even 3 months the close will be the end of May, giving Mr Birch June & July for his journey home. The beginning of the month of August wd, I think, be a fitting time to specify for his appearance at this Office.