Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 24 April 1867, CO 60:28, no. 5800, 108.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2).
Seymour acknowledges receiving Cooper’s letter sent in January and discusses his views on Cooper and Cooper’s dismissal. In particular, Seymour blames Cooper fully for not providing the most information possible regarding a lack of funds for
Columbia Hospital while Cooper was the hospital’s treasurer. Cox minutes his opinion of Cooper.
No. 70
24 thApril 1867
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's despatch
No. 6 of 20th January 1867 forwarding a letter from Mr
John Cooper in reply to the notification Your Lordship caused to
bemade
made to him that his Official connection with British Columbia
was at an end. Mr Cooper requests that a reference on the
subject may be made to me.
made to him that his Official connection with British Columbia
was at an end. Mr Cooper requests that a reference on the
subject may be made to me.
2. I think highly of Mr Cooper's practical abilities;
but any representations I made at home in his favour were to a
great extent unofficial as I consider that I have no authority
over a Public Officer of this Colony when on leave of absence
myself. Mr Birch, who was in full possession of the
Administrative Authoritydeclared
declared Mr Cooper's connection with the
Colony at an end on account of his absence without leave. I formerly
imperfectly understood the case from Mr Cooper's statement but
I now see no reason for advising the reversal of the decision at
which Your Lordship has arrived.
declared Mr Cooper's connection with the
Colony at an end on account of his absence without leave. I formerly
imperfectly understood the case from Mr Cooper's statement but
I now see no reason for advising the reversal of the decision at
which Your Lordship has arrived.
3. Mr Cooper's office is not wanted; and as regards
himself personally he is clearly to blame for not furnishing the
fullest information respecting the supposed deficiency in the
funds of the Columbia Hospital during the time he acted as Treasurer
forthe
the institution.
the institution.
4. I would beg leave to refer to my despatch No. 15 of the
8th January 1867 on this subject.