Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 16 November 1868, CO 60:33, no. 468, 452.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1).
Seymour describes the reasons he had for doubting Young’s ability to be British Columbia’s colonial secretary and why Seymour wants Young to become the permanent colonial secretary now. Seymour further discusses Young’s potential employment in British Columbia if Young is not the colonial secretary. Blake’s minute suggests seeing
minutes on Confl/469 Novr 21, 1868.
Confidential
Victoria
16th November 1868
My Lord Duke,
On the 5th of June, I recommended that Mr
William A.G. Young should not be appointed to the permanent
office of ColonialSecretary
Secretary of British Columbia without some
further communication with me.
Secretary of British Columbia without some
further communication with me.
2. Your Grace informs me in reply on the 28th July that
you will endeavour to select some well qualified Gentleman for
the appointment, as Your Grace considers it of importance that
the Governor should be able to repose entire confidence in an
Officer holding thatSituation.
Situation.
Situation.
3. I am afraid I expressed myself too strongly. I did not pray
for the removal of Mr Young, but rather that his
confirmation should be delayed until I had had further
opportunities of judging of him. In this Colony every public
officer is so maligned that caution after caution has been
conveyed to me to be on myguard
guard as respects Mr Young.
After working for upwards of a year with him I have been unable
to find out the slightest unfaithfulness on his part, and I must
certainly state that I find him clever, hardworking and useful.
guard as respects Mr Young.
After working for upwards of a year with him I have been unable
to find out the slightest unfaithfulness on his part, and I must
certainly state that I find him clever, hardworking and useful.
4. I cannot suppose that Your Grace would deprive Mr Young
of Employment after his long official service.Indeed
Indeed I was
authorized by Your Grace's Predecessor to assure Mr Young
that in the event of his losing the Colonial Secretaryship he
would be provided with a situation equivalent in value. I would
refer Your Grace to the schedule of offices intended for the
United Colony in which Mr Young's name is placed down either
for the Office of Colonial Secretaryor
or that of Police
Magistrate of Victoria. That schedule was made out principally
by Mr Blackwood and myself and was submitted for the
approval of the Earl of Carnarvon.
Indeed I was
authorized by Your Grace's Predecessor to assure Mr Young
that in the event of his losing the Colonial Secretaryship he
would be provided with a situation equivalent in value. I would
refer Your Grace to the schedule of offices intended for the
United Colony in which Mr Young's name is placed down either
for the Office of Colonial Secretaryor
or that of Police
Magistrate of Victoria. That schedule was made out principally
by Mr Blackwood and myself and was submitted for the
approval of the Earl of Carnarvon.
5. The Legislative Session is approaching and it would be
difficult for a man new to the Colony to conduct the business of
Colonial Secretary. When I shallhave
have had the experience of a
second Session under Mr Young's Presidency, I shall be
prepared to submit a specific recommendation to Your Grace.
have had the experience of a
second Session under Mr Young's Presidency, I shall be
prepared to submit a specific recommendation to Your Grace.
6. I telegraphed to Your Grace on this subject in these
words: "Do not move Young yet."
