Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Stephenson, William Henry to Merivale, Herman 23 August 1855, CO 305:6, no. 7987, 284.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Stephenson writes to Merivale to provide a report from the
Commissioners of Customs,which is written in response to Swanston’s complaints about the
Collector of Customs at Port Victoria.
The minutes agree that Douglas should be informed of Swanston’s memorial and that Douglas should be told to transmit to the government
all memorialsreceived.
The file encloses a report from the Custom House to the Treasury, which discusses Swanston’s incident with Victoria Customs.
Stephenson to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
23th August 1855
Sir
I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury your letter of the 3d ulto, enclosing the Copy of a
letter from Mr Robert Swainston [Swanston], in which he complains of
the conduct of the Collector of Customs at Port Victoria, Vancouver's
Island.
In reply, I am directed bytheir
their Lordships to transmit to you for
the information of Sir William Molesworth, the Copy of a Report from the
Commissioners of Customs on that subject.
their Lordships to transmit to you for
the information of Sir William Molesworth, the Copy of a Report from the
Commissioners of Customs on that subject.
H. Merivale Esqr
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Signify the approval of the S. of State as to the conduct of the local authorities towards Mr Swanston, and furnish the Governor with the remarks of the Commrs of Customs which I have noted in pencil.
Signify the approval of the S. of State as to the conduct of the local authorities towards Mr Swanston, and furnish the Governor with the remarks of the Commrs of Customs which I have noted in pencil.
ABd
24 Augt
Mr Merivale
I send this to you as
it particularly engaged your attention before.
Looking to the minutes, I conclude that the Governor should be
instructed that he ought to have forwarded Mr Swainston's Memorial in
the first instance?
I send this to you as
it particularly engaged your attention before.
Looking to the minutes, I conclude that the Governor should be
instructed that he ought to have forwarded Mr Swainston's Memorial in
the first instance?
TFE
25 Augt
I think the whole of the letter of the Customs had better be
communicated to the Governor. He should also be cautioned, that it is his proper course to transmit all memorials, although in this case he gave reasonable ground for the omission. The circular proposed in the minutes on 5020 had better be postponed for the proposed revision of the Colonial Regulations.
communicated to the Governor. He should also be cautioned, that it is his proper course to transmit all memorials, although in this case he gave reasonable ground for the omission. The circular proposed in the minutes on 5020 had better be postponed for the proposed revision of the Colonial Regulations.
Shown to Sir Geo Barrow.
JJN
17 Sept
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
L.R. Dawson and J. Goulburn, Custom House, to Treasury, 11 August
1855, reporting that "the proceedings of the Collector appear to have been
justified and the allegations of the applicant fully and satisfactorily
answered."