Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Watson, Alexander to Wodehouse, John 8 July 1870, CO 60:42, no. 7363, 451.
Abstract
Watson, Alexander to Wodehouse, John 8 July 1870, CO 60:42, no. 7363, 451.
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Watson to Secretary of State
The "Castle and Falcon" Hotel
London
8th July 1870
London
My Lord,
I have the honor to represent the following circumstances for
Your Lordship's consideration.
From the Year 1861 up till 1867 I held the appointment of
Treasurer of the Colony of Vancouver Island under a Royal
Warrant of appointment.
During that period I discharged the duties of the Office, I have
reason to believe,with
with satisfaction to the Several Officers
Administering the Colonial Government.
with satisfaction to the Several Officers
Administering the Colonial Government.
On the faith that the Treasurership which I had been induced by
Sir James Douglas to accept was of a permanent character, I
relinquished a valuable position in the Bank of British North
America with the prospects of advancement, which lengthened
service in the Bank entitled me to expect, and subsequently
married with a view of settling in the Colony.
In the Year 1867 the Imperial Act uniting Vancouver Island with
British Columbia deprived me of the Office.
There being, at the time, no suitable employment in the Colony
for an Officer of myrank
rank and Service I was offered by the late
Governor Seymour leave of absence for Six months on full pay and
my expenses to England together with a recommendation from His
Excellency for suitable employment in the Government Service
elsewhere which offer I gratefully accepted.
rank and Service I was offered by the late
Governor Seymour leave of absence for Six months on full pay and
my expenses to England together with a recommendation from His
Excellency for suitable employment in the Government Service
elsewhere which offer I gratefully accepted.
Upon my arrival in England, with my family, I applied to the
Secretary of State for employment and was informed by the
Private Secretary (Mr Bryant) that my name had been placed on
the List but that a large number were before me. In answer to
my enquiry Mr Bryant also informed me that the acceptance of
temporary employment would not prejudice my claims on the
Service. I accordingly sought for and obtained temporary
employment as Inspector and Chief Colonial Officer in the Bank
of British Columbia.
This temporary office having been recently abolished I have been
obliged again to return to England and I now beg leave
respectfully to place these facts before Your Lordship and to
solicit a favourable consideration of my claims for
re-employment in the Colonial Service. I may add that the
sudden termination of my engagement with the Bank necessitated my
leaving my family unprovided for in British Columbia.
The right Honourable
The Secretary of State for the Colonies
Downing Street
The Secretary of State for the Colonies
Downing Street
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Herbert
A question of Patronage as Mr Watson has no claim on this Office for an appt in consequence of loss of Office in B. Columbia.
A question of Patronage as Mr Watson has no claim on this Office for an appt in consequence of loss of Office in B. Columbia.
See minutes on 58/5080/67 W/7606/67 & W/8394.
CC
11/7
The Duke of Buckingham (5080) did not think him likely to be an
eligible public servant.
? Reply that he omits in this letter to mention that on the
abolition of his former office he was offered another of equal
value, & that there is now no vacancy actual or prospective to
which he could be appointed.
(If he is to be kept on the list, I suppose itwd
wd be well to
ascertain from the Govr what reputation he bears in the Colony,
& whether he is suitable for re-employment. We seem to know
little about him.)
wd be well to
ascertain from the Govr what reputation he bears in the Colony,
& whether he is suitable for re-employment. We seem to know
little about him.)
RGWH
July 11/70
I think that Mr Watson has no claim to remain on the list, &
that the answer suggested by Mr Herbert should be made to his
application.
ERW
July 11/70
K
July 11/70
