No. 43
27 August 1859
The increasing necessities of this Colony having, for some time past, placed me in a very embarrassing position for want of the necessary officers to assist me in carrying on the duties of the Government, I have been glad to avail myself of the services kindly volunteered, of such officers belonging to British Columbia as were available.
2. It being necessary to giveManuscript imagegive two of these Officers due authority for performing the functions of their Office, I have to report to your Grace that I have appointed Captain W.D. Gosset, the Treasurer of British Columbia, to be Acting Treasurer for Vancouver's Island, and George H. Cary Esqre the Attorney General for British Columbia to be Acting Attorney General for Vancouver's Island.
3. I have acquainted these Gentlemen that I regret it is not in my power to guarantee them any Salary, for the additional duty thus imposed upon them, but which they are quite willing, under existing circumstances, toManuscript imageto undertake notwithstanding.
4. I therefore leave the matter in Your Grace's hands to deal with as you may think fit, but I may perhaps be pardoned for mentioning that I conceive in the present state of the two Colonies, that one Civil List would be sufficient for both, so far as the principal Officers of Government are concerned.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Merivale
Is there any reason why the Legislature of Van C. I. should not impose sufficient taxes on the community to defray the charge of such officers as the Governor requires to assist him in that Govt? The B. Columbia Officers have hitherto been helping him in V.C.I. at the Expense of this Country. Further now that the Govr, by desph of 5 Sepr, has been desired to send the B.C. officials to their own Colony the Arrangement proposed herein by the Governor would seem impossible.
ABd 12 Oct
It is clearly Govr Douglas's policy to exempt Vanc. Id from the expense of self government as long as he can. It seems to me this can hardly be allowed, & that it must be distinctly notified to him that this little colony must provide for the very trifling wants of its own government, while the officials of B. Columbia, paid by this country, must attend to the affairs of the continental colony, and, as already ordered, reside there. No executive union should take place without a legislative union also, for which Vanc. I. can by Act of Parlt provide when it chooses.
HM O. 12
N 16
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 14, 20 October 1859, acknowledging Douglas's temporary civic appointments and reiterating that Vancouver Island, like other British Communities must expect, eventually, no financial assistance from without towards these ordinary and regular expenses.
Minutes by CO staff
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Copy of this correspce to HB Co. for their information?
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Merivale to H.H. Berens, Hudson's Bay Company, 31 October 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch and draft reply.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
In pursuance of a Minute on the dft to the Govr now copying.