Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Southgate, J. J. to Grenville, Richard 26 November 1867, CO 60:31, no. 11738, 345.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
As Torrens is under consideration
for an appointment under Governmentin British Columbia, Southgate describes Torrens’s service to British Columbia and achievements in the colony. Cox’s minute mentions that
Mr Birch speaks highly of Mr Southgateand suggests forwarding the despatch to Bryant.
Southgate to Buckingham
Salisbury Hotel
Fleet St London
26th Novr 1867
Fleet St London
My Lord Duke
Having learned that an application by Mr R.W. Torrens late
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island for an
appointment under Government, will be brought under Your Grace's
consideration, I deem it to be my duty as a Member, now, of the
Legislative Council of British Columbia, and formerly of the
Legislature of Vancouver Island, to beg Your Grace to permit me, to
add my strong personal recommendation to the testimonials, which that
Gentleman already possesses.
I have known Mr Torrens now for some eight years. In 1859
Mr Torrens organised at his own expense, an Expedition to prospect
the whole North West Coast of British Columbia from 49o to
54o40 North—he was absent five months, ascending Rivers, and
visiting localities and tribes of Indians, whom White Men had never
before visited.
Mr Torrens on his return to Victoria, supplied to the
Government a report of his Trip, which report was forwarded by Sir
James Douglas to his Grace the late Duke of Newcastle, who thought so
well of it as to send it to the Royal Geographical Society, before a
meeting of which it was read, eliciting the thanks of the Society.
In
In 1865, Mr Torrens also conducted an Exploration on the West
Coast of Vancouver Island, (among hostile Indians) with a high spirit
and judgment that called forth the thanks of the Government and the
approbation of the whole community, in as much as it was undertaken
at great personal risk, under peculiar circumstances and ended in a
public benefit, by preventing the recurrence of a false gold
excitement, which on a previous instance had been attended with
disastrous results.
In 1863 Mr Torrens was appointed Clerk of the Legislative
Assembly of Vancouver Island, which Office he filled with the highest
credit to himself, until the Act of Union deprived him of his
appointment; at the closing of the Assembly in 1866, a Vote of thanks
to Mr Torrens was placed upon the records of the House.
Subsequently a deputation of the House waited upon Governor Seymour
to commend Mr Torrens to His Excellencys good offices.
Mr Torrens has proved himself to be a gentleman of good
education and abilities, of great perseverance and capacity for Work
and well qualified to fill any position of trust, for which Your
Grace may be pleased to prefer him.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Mr Birch speaks highly of Mr Southgate. See Gov 3714. Mr Torrens' last letter 7784 was put by. To Mr Bryant.
Mr Birch speaks highly of Mr Southgate. See Gov 3714. Mr Torrens' last letter 7784 was put by. To Mr Bryant.
