Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to
Carnarvon, Earl 25 February 1867, CO 60:27, no. 3714, 291.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2).
Seymour informs Carnarvon that Torrens, clerk of the late House of Assembly of Vancouver Island, “applied to [Seymour] for a recommendation to” Carnarvon. Seymour describes Torrens employment history with the colony of Vancouver Island and how Torrens’s position was terminated. Blackwood’s minute relates how Torrens “has no claim whatever on” the Colonial Office.
No. 37
25th February 1867
My Lord,
Mr Torrens, clerk of the late House of Assembly of Vancouver
Island has applied to me for a recommendation to Your Lordship.
2. I know scarcelyanything
anything of Mr Torrens but the facts
of the case are, I learn, as follows. Mr Torrens was appointed
in December 1863 by Sir James Douglas to be Clerk of the
Legislative Assembly to Vancouver Island because, as I am
informed, he was aware that the appointment would be agreeable
to the House. He lost his office on the Union of the two Colonies
when the Assembly was abolished.
anything of Mr Torrens but the facts
of the case are, I learn, as follows. Mr Torrens was appointed
in December 1863 by Sir James Douglas to be Clerk of the
Legislative Assembly to Vancouver Island because, as I am
informed, he was aware that the appointment would be agreeable
to the House. He lost his office on the Union of the two Colonies
when the Assembly was abolished.
3. His claim upon Her Majesty's Government does notappear
appear
to me to be very strong. He was in the Public Service of the
Island during three years. His salary during that time was 1700
dollars a year. The Assembly by their own Resolution abolished
themselves and their Clerk of Course with them. His conduct in
office was I believe entirely satisfactory to the Assembly, and
the Members headed by their late Speaker came to speak to me in
Mr Torrens' Favor.
4. Mr.
appear
to me to be very strong. He was in the Public Service of the
Island during three years. His salary during that time was 1700
dollars a year. The Assembly by their own Resolution abolished
themselves and their Clerk of Course with them. His conduct in
office was I believe entirely satisfactory to the Assembly, and
the Members headed by their late Speaker came to speak to me in
Mr Torrens' Favor.
4. Mr Torrens has been paid salary up to 31st December
1866, and has received a free passage to England.
Minutes by CO staff
See subsequent: T/4535.