Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 24 February 1867, CO 60:27, no. 3753, 277.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (1).
Regarding Franks’s dismissal in another public despatch, Seymour discusses why it was necessary to terminate Franks from public office in British Columbia, emphasizing Franks’s behaviour outside of work. Seymour further relates that Franks’s position will not be filled. Elliot minutes that Franks
is not a fit person for the public service.Adderley and Buckingham minute their recommendations to provide Hunt with Seymour’s despatch, as Franks
pertinaciouslysolicites Hunt
for employment.Included documents describe instances of Franks behaviour in British Columbia.
Confidential
24th February 1867
My Lord,
In my despatch No. 35 of this date I had to report upon
my having, with the advice of the Executive Council, removed
Mr Franks from the Office of Treasurer of this Colony to whichhe
he was appointed by the Duke of Newcastle.
he was appointed by the Duke of Newcastle.
2. Not deficient either in education or ability Mr Franks
has proved himself during his residence in this Colony anything
but an assistance to the Government. Continually engaged in
disputes with Public Officers (which might however have been
kept within official knowledge) he has been often under the eyes of
the people as a party in street fights which took away all the
influence he mighthave
have possessed as a Public Officer.
have possessed as a Public Officer.
3. I have no wish to frame a regular indictment against
Mr Franks, but simply to show that his conduct has been such
in this Colony as to make it a matter of general rejoicing with
the Government Officials and the people when I availed myself of
the powers granted by Your Lordship's letter of the 14th of
September, and gave notice to Mr Franks that his tenure of
Office must cease.There
There is amply sufficient evidence to prove
my case against him, but I leave the more serious charges aside
and send papers enough merely to show that his conduct has been
inconsistent with the position of a Public Officer and a
Gentleman.
There is amply sufficient evidence to prove
my case against him, but I leave the more serious charges aside
and send papers enough merely to show that his conduct has been
inconsistent with the position of a Public Officer and a
Gentleman.
4. It is not my intention to fill up the Office of Treasurer
at present. The duties can I think be performed by the Collector
of Customs, an excellent Officer, without an increase of Salary.
5. I
5. I would wish your Lordship to understand that
individually I have never been engaged in any unpleasant discussion
with Mr Franks and that his removal is only one of the many
disagreeable acts which the temporary depression of the Colony
makes it incumbent on me to perform.
Minutes by CO staff
The facts disclosed by this Report will be found highly
discreditable to Mr Franks and appear to show that he is
not a fit person for the public service.
He is, I believe, very pertinaciously soliciting Mr
Hunt at the Treasury for employment, and I have heard it
said that he is trying for an appointment in connection with
some pending enquiry about Operatives, for which a man of
such a temper would be singularly unfit.
Would it not be well to send the despatch over privately
to Mr Hunt for his perusal?
TFE
16 April
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Charles Good, Acting Colonial Secretary, report on Franks'
conduct while treasurer of Vancouver Island.
Memorandum, John Graham and C.B. Reilly, Treasury, 22 January
1867, describing an incident in which Franks lost his temper in
the performance of his duties.
Memorandum, Alex Calder, Clerk in Treasury, 21 January 1867,
describing a separate incident in which Franks lost his temper in
the performance of his duties.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, Confidential, 23 April 1867,
forwarding copy of the despatch for information.