Colonial Despatches

Referring to my letter of the 18th July last and to your rejoinder of the 23rd idem I have now the honor to request that you will acquaint His Lordship The Secretary of State for the Colonies

1. That through the representations of the late Governor Seymour, that my office, although necessary under the Local Laws of Vancouver Island, had been abolished by the "Officers Enabling Ordinance of British Columbia 1867" I was induced gratefully to accept the terms of His Excellency's offer to me as an equivalent for the Fiscal Office which I held, up to the date of the union of the Colonies, under the Royal Warrant of appointment the emoluments appertaining to which were £600 per annum.

2. That, the terms of the offer referred to were as follows, namely: (1) Six months leave of absence on full pay.
(2) The passage of myself and family to England.
(3) The assurance that His Excellency would lay before the Secretary of State my claims for employment elsewhere.

3. That, not only has the Ordinance alluded to never passed into law; the Colonial Secretary of British Columbia having made a statement to that effect during the last Session of the Legislature; but the third term of His Excellency's offer to me has not been implemented although a period of more than three years has elapsed since the offer was made.

4. Under the circumstances I have respectfully to state that if Her Majesty's Government is not prepared to carry out the terms of my agreement with thelate late Governor of British Columbia I am willing to accept the emoluments appertaining to the Office of Treasurer of the late Colony of Vancouver Island up to the date when I resigned the Commission into the hands of the Governor of British Columbia and which I hereby claim.

I have at the same time to request that His Lordship will be pleased to afford me a categorical reply to this letter.