No. 75
Victoria
1st July 1867
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to forward a letter addressed to Your Grace by Mr James Cooper, Harbour Master of this Colony, recapitulating the circumstances under whichheManuscript image he accepted his present office from the Secretary of State; Reporting that his emoluments are insufficient for his maintainance in a state of respectability, and requesting that he might be transferred to some other Colony.
2. The particulars of Mr Cooper's appointment to Office are probably well known to Your Grace's Department. I believe his statements on the subject to be correct.
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What means can Mr Seymour possess of having any knowledge on the subject? Evidently none.
It thereforeonlyManuscript image only remains for me to testify that Mr Cooper has been a very useful Public Officer since the Union of the Colonies has increased his labours, which, through no fault of his, were formerly very light. He was, however, always ready and willing to undertake any duties which might be required of him.
3. I regret to say that the financial condition of the Colony does not allowofManuscript image of my holding out to Mr Cooper any hope of my being able to increase his emoluments. Indeed I fear that considerable reductions will have to be made next year in all the Departments of the Government if the condition of the Colony does not improve.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
I send you Lord Lytton's despatch appointing Mr Cooper. There is no trace of his letter of 21 Aug 1865 to which he refers.
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It is very natural that Mr Cooper or anybody else should wish to get promoted. But it cannot be saidManuscript image that he has any special claim to promotion on account of services rendered by him, for he happens to have had very little to do. As to his claim founded on an alleged promise to him that his present Office should be equal in value to another one which he had lost, not a trace appears of any promise to that effect (of which the improbability need hardly be mentioned) in writing, and there would be no lack of claims on the public if they could be supported by alleged impressions derived from conversations 9 years old.
Governor Seymour rids himself of troublesome applicants, but is ready enough to endorse their claims on this Office. In the present instance he 2 says that he believes Mr Cooper's statement to be correct. What possible means can Mr Seymour have of knowledge about expectations supposed to have been held out by Lord Lytton to Mr Cooper 9 years ago at a time when Mr Seymour was in the Colony of Honduras?
TFE 6 Septr
CBA 7/9
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In acknowledging the despatch call the Govrs attention to the points noted in Mr Elliot's Minute which I have marked.
B&C 7/9
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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James Cooper, Harbour Master, to Buckingham, 1 July 1867, requesting transfer to another colony, with explanation of his situation and claims upon the colonial office.
Minutes by CO staff
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This is a convenient, but a vague phrase. If given to understand in a letter, why does he not specify it? If he means given to understand in conversation, what is a statement of that kind worth from the interested party 9 years after after the date?
TFE 6/9
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 63, 17 September 1867 notifying Seymour that the Colonial Office cannot offer Cooper another position and advising Seymour to provide evidence when supporting claims.