Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
McGilvary, J. to Wodehouse, John 1870, CO 60:42, no. 12615, 370.
Abstract
McGilvary, J. to Wodehouse, John 1870, CO 60:42, no. 12615, 370.
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
McGilvary to Secretary of State
To the Right Honble The Secretary of State For the Colonies
Sir
Would you hav[e] the goodness to inform me what steps it
requires to be taken regarding my
Son James
[who] at Present (I am told) is confined in a Lunatic asylum at
Vancouvers Island and i hav[e] not the means at my disposal
to bring him home to this Place by doing so you will confer
a very great Favour on your Humble Servent.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Herbert
I fear we cannot render much assistance to this poor woman. We can write to the Governor and ascertain whether her son is in confinement in Vancouver Island, and let her know that we have done so. But even supposing that the Local Government were willing to incur the expense of his passage home in a sailing ship, in order to avoid the permanent charge of his maintenance in the Colony, neither his position nor hers would be improved. He wd have to be sent to a lunatic asylum in this country, becoming a burden on the county rates.
I fear we cannot render much assistance to this poor woman. We can write to the Governor and ascertain whether her son is in confinement in Vancouver Island, and let her know that we have done so. But even supposing that the Local Government were willing to incur the expense of his passage home in a sailing ship, in order to avoid the permanent charge of his maintenance in the Colony, neither his position nor hers would be improved. He wd have to be sent to a lunatic asylum in this country, becoming a burden on the county rates.
RSM
30/11/70
I think she might be told that it would be quite impossible to
bring him home unless he gets well, even if the great expense of
the passage could be met, and that she may rest assured that he
is receiving as much
care & kindness as if he were in this Country.
care & kindness as if he were in this Country.
At once.
RGWH
Nov 30/70
