Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 9 February 1859, CO 305:10, no. 3273, 51.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Douglas admits that the
faulty state of the Prisonhas caused him
much thought and uneasinessbut he is
well assuredby the
tenorof Lytton’s despatch on the matter to proceed with construction of a new prison.
The minutes hope that Douglas is not fishing for
pecuniary assistance. Lytton instructs his team to
reply sternlythat there will be no financial aid. Lytton muses
I suspect Govr Douglas must go very soon—in that he is a mere jobber.
Enclosed is a draft reply from Lytton to Douglas, 6 April 1859, delineating the Colonial Office’s position against offering financial assistance.
No. 5
9 February 1859
I have duly received your Despatch of the 5th October last No
27, acknowledging receipt of my Despatch of the 13th August No
33, enclosing copies of correspondence with the House of
Assembly of Vancouver's Island and conveying to me your
sentiments
sentiments respecting the faulty state of the Prison, and
trusting that measures might be carried out to remedy the evil.
sentiments respecting the faulty state of the Prison, and
trusting that measures might be carried out to remedy the evil.
2. The subject is one which has caused me much thought and
uneasiness, and it has weighed heavily upon me from the fact of
my being powerless for want of means to effect a change.
However as I feel now well assured from the tenor of your
Despatch, of the assistance of Her Majesty's Government, I have
taken immediate steps to give effect
effect to my own wishes in the
matter, and I shall forthwith cause a Prison to be constructed,
and accommodation provided for Prisoners that I trust will
result in a report of a very different character from that to
which you refer, and which I sincerely regret there should ever
have been occasion to frame.
effect to my own wishes in the
matter, and I shall forthwith cause a Prison to be constructed,
and accommodation provided for Prisoners that I trust will
result in a report of a very different character from that to
which you refer, and which I sincerely regret there should ever
have been occasion to frame.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
But what does he mean by saying that he is convinced from the
tenor of Sir E.L's despatch that he will have the "assistance of
HM's Govt"? Not pecuniary assistance surely. There is
nothing of the kind hinted at. Better leave it [as] above
perhaps.
No—reply sternly. No assistance from imperial funds. I
suspect Govr Douglas must go very soon—in that he is a mere
jobber.
EBL
4 April
