Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 28 September 1867, CO 60:29, no. 11762, 271.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (8), Other documents (1).
Seymour discusses the financial difficulties of British Columbia, relating them partially to the storage of goods in Victoria while the city was a free port. Seymour informs Buckingham of the need to dispense Spalding from the services of British Columbia and describes Spalding’s employment history in the colony before asking Buckingham to provide another opportunity of employment for Spalding
in some other Colony.Minutes by Cox, Robinson, Blake, and Rogers discuss employment opportunities for Spalding outside of British Columbia. Rogers’s further minute suggests altering the reply to Spalding as it provides too much encouragement that the Colonial Office with support Spalding with employment.
No. 132
Victoria
28th September 1867
My Lord Duke,
The finances of the Colony are still deplorably bad,
principally on account of all the stores having been filled
with goods while Victoria was a free port, which goods on
Union being effected come free on to the Mainland. Then we
have to pay, as YourGrace
Grace is but too well aware heavy interest
and sinking funds on our London Loans. Every reduction is being
made in the expenditure on Public works, and many Government officers
have been discharged, Still the number we have at present is beyond
our requirements and means of support.
Grace is but too well aware heavy interest
and sinking funds on our London Loans. Every reduction is being
made in the expenditure on Public works, and many Government officers
have been discharged, Still the number we have at present is beyond
our requirements and means of support.
2. Among the Gentlemen whose services I am afraid I shall
have to dispense with is Mr Warner Reeve Spalding.
3. Mr Spalding arrived inthe
the Colony in the early part of
1859. He brought the ordinary letter from the Colonial Office. It
was dated 21st October 1858.
the Colony in the early part of
1859. He brought the ordinary letter from the Colonial Office. It
was dated 21st October 1858.
4. He was in March 1859 temporarily employed in the Colonial
Secretary's Office of British Columbia. In April 1859 he was sent
to New Westminster as Magistrate. The active duties of that office
were however taken out of his hands as soon as Mr Brewarrived
arrived from
England, which happened as soon as any population centred there.
Mr Spalding's principal duties at New Westminster were those of
Postmaster, and in the beginning of 1864, he was created by Sir
James Douglas, Postmaster General. In the summer of 1866 he was
detached by Mr Birch to Cariboo West, and subsequently to Cariboo
East to act as Gold Commissioner.
He was relieved by Mr Ball in MayMay
1867 and in June I sent him to
Nanaimo to take temporary charge of the district.
arrived from
England, which happened as soon as any population centred there.
Mr Spalding's principal duties at New Westminster were those of
Postmaster, and in the beginning of 1864, he was created by Sir
James Douglas, Postmaster General. In the summer of 1866 he was
detached by Mr Birch to Cariboo West, and subsequently to Cariboo
East to act as Gold Commissioner.
He was relieved by Mr Ball in MayMay
1867 and in June I sent him to
Nanaimo to take temporary charge of the district.
5. Mr Spalding served in the Army until he reached the
rank of Captain. He has performed with efficiency all the duties
which have been entrusted to him in the Colony and bears a
blameless reputation. Possibly Your Grace might find means of
providing for him in some other Colony.
I
Minutes by CO staff
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 96, 13 December 1867 informing Seymour that Buckingham has noted Spalding’s name with the other applicants seeking “Colonial appointments.”
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Bryant
I pass this on to you because the phraseology appears to me calculated to leave Mr Spalding to hope that he will be provided for, & I doubt whether this is the Duke of B's meaning. It wd be well to have some recognized form—or two or three forms of
different
degrees of promise.
I pass this on to you because the phraseology appears to me calculated to leave Mr Spalding to hope that he will be provided for, & I doubt whether this is the Duke of B's meaning. It wd be well to have some recognized form—or two or three forms of
different
degrees of promise.
I would at any rate insert the words wh used I think to be
usual wh I have suggested.
Mr Spalding has made no claim whatever on the Imperial
Govt. He went out not on an apptmt but as an adventurer—&
obtained an apptmt from the Col Govt.
I shd be inclined to say in such case that his name had been
noted "with those of other applicants for Colonial Appointments who, I
am to add, are very numerous."
Encouragement is a fault on the unkind side.
FR
13/12