Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer to Douglas, James 2 September 1858, LAC RG7:G8C/6, 138.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Lytton announces his appointment of James Cooper as harbour master of Esquimalt. He clarifies that this position is for British Columbia and Cooper’s salary will be derived from BC funds. Lytton authorizes Douglas to alter the title of Cooper’s office
considering the uncertainty of the precise form which the arrangement may ultimately take.
No. 15
2 September 1858
It has appeared to Her Majesty's Government that the public service
in British Columbia will require at an early period the appointment of
an active Officer to superintend the business connected with the landing
and embarkation of passengers and goods, which will probably be of
considerable and pressing importance.
As far, however, as I am atpresent
present informed, no regular harbour
exists or is likely to be immediately established on the Coast of
British Columbia while Esquimalt in Vancouver's Island, appears to
possess qualities which will render it eventually, if they have not done
so already, of great value in the communication between the Island and
Continent.
present informed, no regular harbour
exists or is likely to be immediately established on the Coast of
British Columbia while Esquimalt in Vancouver's Island, appears to
possess qualities which will render it eventually, if they have not done
so already, of great value in the communication between the Island and
Continent.
I have therefore advised Her Majesty to appoint Mr James Cooper,
lately resident in Vancouver's Islands, to the office of harbour master
at Esquimalt. But it will be understood that this appointment is made
chiefly for the purposes of British Columbia; and I wish you to consider
with what office in that Colony, his services at Esquimalt can bestbe
be
combined, or, if you find it more convenient, to alter the title of his
Office. Considering the uncertainty of the precise form which the
arrangement may ultimately take I have not caused him to be appointed
by warrant from the Crown in the usual manner, but leave it to yourself
to issue his Commission in such style as you shall think proper. His
salary will be Four hundred pounds £400 a year, payable from British
Columbia funds, in the same manner as other salaries, and to be defrayed
out of the local revenue, as you have been already apprised.
be
combined, or, if you find it more convenient, to alter the title of his
Office. Considering the uncertainty of the precise form which the
arrangement may ultimately take I have not caused him to be appointed
by warrant from the Crown in the usual manner, but leave it to yourself
to issue his Commission in such style as you shall think proper. His
salary will be Four hundred pounds £400 a year, payable from British
Columbia funds, in the same manner as other salaries, and to be defrayed
out of the local revenue, as you have been already apprised.
I have selected Mr Cooper for this appointment on account of the
veryvaluable
valuable information which he gave to the Committee of inquiry
into the affairs of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the general
intelligence which he has shown on matters connected with North Western
America.
valuable information which he gave to the Committee of inquiry
into the affairs of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the general
intelligence which he has shown on matters connected with North Western
America.I am aware that Mr Cooper left Vancouver's Island in
circumstances of some embarrassment, which I mention lest you might
suppose that I had been in any way deceived as to his position. But I
do not find that any discreditable conduct has been proved against him
in respect of those circumstances, and I trust that his former pecuniary
position will not interfere with the advantage which may be expectedfrom
from the employment of his talents and industry in the public service
in the Colony under your Government, considering the very limited number
of persons qualified by any practical knowledge of the Country and its
requirements.
from the employment of his talents and industry in the public service
in the Colony under your Government, considering the very limited number
of persons qualified by any practical knowledge of the Country and its
requirements.