Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 11 January 1868, CO 60:32, no. 2632, 2.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1), Marginalia (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.
Seymour forwards a letter from Young to Franklyn, former Police Magistrate of Nanaimo, and states that Seymour cannot recommend Franklyn for Buckingham’s
favour.Instead, Seymour describes the achievements and efforts Brew,
Chief of the Policeof British Columbia, has accomplished as well as the praise Brew has received. Seymour asks Buckingham for a
reward,which is not in Seymour’s
power to confer,for Brew’s service to British Columbia. Buckingham’s minute suggests Seymour is not telling
the truthto officers in British Columbia who have performed below expectations. Bryant’s minute notes that Seymour’s recommendation has been observed. The included document describes correspondence between Young and Franklyn regarding making a recommendation for Franklyn to Buckingham.
No. 1
New Westminster
11th January 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to forward copy of a letter which by my
direction the Colonial Secretary has written to Mr William
Franklyn, late Police Magistrate ofNanaimo
Nanaimo, who has lost office
on account of the financial embarrassments of the Colony.
Nanaimo, who has lost office
on account of the financial embarrassments of the Colony.
2. Though I have no particular fault to find with Mr Franklyn
I have arrived at the conclusion that I cannot unreservedly
recommend him to Your Grace's favour. I therefore think I shall
act with greater candour if I bring before your notice, with aview
view to promotion a most excellent Public officer and keep to
myself the task of providing for Mr Franklyn.
view to promotion a most excellent Public officer and keep to
myself the task of providing for Mr Franklyn.
3. Mr Chartres Brew was appointed Chief of the Police of this
Colony by Sir E. Lytton. In his despatch No. 11, of 2nd
September 1858, he mentions the good services performed by Mr
Brew while serving in the Irish Constabulary and subsequently in
the Crimea. He has enjoyedthe
the entire confidence of Sir James
Douglas and myself. I should however not bring him prominently
before Your Grace were it not for the very unusual and severe
duties I have called upon him to perform and for which I have
not the means of furnishing a reward. My despatch No. 69 of 23rd
of November 1864, scarcely does justice to the hardships he
underwent in the expeditionagainst
against the Chilicoten Indians in
1864. I am informed by his Medical Attendant that his health
has been permanently injured by his sufferings on that hazardous
and arduous service. Yet when the incipient rebellion,
described in my despatches noted in the margin
occurred in Cariboo, I had no alternative but to call upon Mr Brew
to undertake another mostdisagreeable
disagreeable, dangerous and unhealthy
duty. My despatch No. 140 of 1st
November 1867, will show with what success he has performed it.
I am however full of anxiety as regards his already enfeebled
health, the thermometer having lately shown a cold of 30
degrees below zero.
the entire confidence of Sir James
Douglas and myself. I should however not bring him prominently
before Your Grace were it not for the very unusual and severe
duties I have called upon him to perform and for which I have
not the means of furnishing a reward. My despatch No. 69 of 23rd
of November 1864, scarcely does justice to the hardships he
underwent in the expeditionagainst
against the Chilicoten Indians in
1864. I am informed by his Medical Attendant that his health
has been permanently injured by his sufferings on that hazardous
and arduous service. Yet when the incipient rebellion,
described in my despatches noted in the margin
Govr to Sec: of State
Separate, 20th July 1867
No 92, 16th August
No 99, 4th September
Separate, 20th July 1867
No 92, 16th August
No 99, 4th September
disagreeable, dangerous and unhealthy
duty. My despatch No. 140 of 1st
November 1867, will show with what success he has performed it.
I am however full of anxiety as regards his already enfeebled
health, the thermometer having lately shown a cold of 30
degrees below zero.
4. I bring Mr Brew's Services under Your Grace's notice solely
with a view of possibly obtaining for hima
a reward which I have
it not in my power to confer. I cannot imagine any
circumstances which would make me deprive myself of his
assistance unless for his own advantage.
a reward which I have
it not in my power to confer. I cannot imagine any
circumstances which would make me deprive myself of his
assistance unless for his own advantage.
Minutes by CO staff
Govr Seymours Letters to officers who have not given Satisfaction
are not Satisfactory—he seems afraid to tell them the truth.
B&C
20/3
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
W.A.G. Young, Colonial Secretary, to W. Franklyn, 6 January
1868, returning testimonials and offering to recommend him to the
Secretary of State.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 19, 23 March 1868 informing Seymour that Brew’s name is noted for “employment in the Public Service” but that Buckingham cannot guarantee Brew will receive a position.”