Blanshard, Governor Richard to Grey, Third Earl Henry George 18 November 1850, CO 305:2, no. 2726, 91.

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Despatch to London
Blanshard, Richard to Grey, Henry George 18 November 1850, CO 305:2, no. 2726, 91.

Abstract

Despatch to London. Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Marginalia (2).

Blanshard writes Grey from Vancouver Island to request leave back to England, citing medical reasons: attacks of ague. Blanshard asks for passage to Panama on a Royal Navy ship, as, he explains, the HBC vessels are enormously expensive; he adds that his time on the Island has depleted his finances.

In the minutes, Merivale supposes Blanshard's latest letter is to buttress his former resignation request. Hawes believes the resignation should be accepted, especially as there are, apparently, no settlers yet to govern on the Island. Finally, Grey confirms that Blanshard's resignation must be accepted, which, he adds, makes Blanshard's last letter moot.

Both enclosures are letters from medical doctors which advise Blanshard's immediate return to England.

2726 Vancouver's Island

Copy

Victoria Vancouvers Island.

November. 18. 1850.

My Lord,

2Ansd 3 […]/51 No 7 […] 2727

As I shall have completed two years absence from England, before your answer can reach me, may I take the liberty of requesting your Lordship to grant me leave to Visit England, as I have urgent private affairs to attend to which require my presence there, and since my arrival here I have suffered so severely from continual attacks of ague and subsequent relapses that I am now enfeebled to a degree which renders me incapable of the slightest exertion. I am not able to enclose a Medical certificate as the surgeon in the employment of the Hudsons Bay Company

Bay Company has been removed from this colony to one of their posts in Oregon.

Should your Lordship grant this application I trust you will direct a passage to be allowed me as far as Panama in one of H M Ships, as there are no direct means of communication, the indirect ones are very uncertain enormously expensive and the heavy expenses which have been thrown on me by the Hudson Bay Company, contrary to my expectation, for my passage out and during my residence here, have greatly straightened my private finances,

I have the honor to be
My Lord
Your Most Obedient Servant
Richard Blanshard
Governor of Vancouvers Island

1The Rt Honble
Earl Grey.

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Merivale
See 2727.

ABd 29/3

I suppose Govr Blanshard sent this as an alternative, in case his offer of resignation is not accepted?

Govr Blanshard's father called on me to press this request some weeks ago.

HM Mh 29

M 29. Upon the grounds stated, it can hardly be refused. As there are now no Settlers, a Govr may be dispensed with at present.

His resignatn must clearly be accepted. — Therefore this is immaterial

G. 31

Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)

John Spurgin, M.D. to Blanshard, Sr., advising that "having read extracts from Letters written by Mr Richard Blanshard from Vancouver's Island I have no hesitation in certifying to the necessity of his immediate removal from the island."

S.J. Goodfellow, MD, to Blanshard, Sr., advising that from the description given by Blanshard of his ailments, his removal back to England should be effected immediately.

Footnotes