This document comprises extracts from a private, anonymous letter, from a Gentleman resident in Vancouvers Is, which alleges that Douglas's political appointments are corrupted by nepotism and financial gain, concluding
with the assertion that We are in fact governed by a Skin factory.Blackwood minutes that The contents are not far wrong.
[Anonymous] Private Letter
20 June 1859
The following extracts from the private letter dated June 20th
All the mining world & his wife are going out of the country—&
all that bad legislation can do, is being
perfected by the local governt in a way quite unattainable
in the old country.
Tories at home, become Radicals here, & Radicals at home, if in
power, Tories here. The right way for the country is to send
parties to Old Scratch & look at what the country itself wants.
I hear from no bad authority that the Governor (Douglas) has
sent to ask for £4,000 a year instead of £1,200, also that Young his
nephew-in-law has resigned
his position as Acting Col. Secy until his successor is appointed—a
mere bid I expect to raise the price. I hope they won't fall into
the trap at home.
The Speaker is Govr D's Son-in-law
—- Chief Justice ———- brother in law
—- Colonial Secy ———- nephew in law
—- Chief of the H.B.C. - Son in law
and so on throughout.
We are in fact governed by a
Skin factory.
Minutes by CO staff
Put by. The contents are not far wrong, I suspect.