Pemberton to Newcastle
59 Guilford Street
Russell Square
24h December 1863
My Lord Duke
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's communication of the 23rd instant in reply to my letter of the 22nd asking on personal grounds for a small extension of leave of absence.
I deeply regret that my letter had led Your Grace to understand that my marriage was contingent upon my request being granted, a meaning which I did not intend to convey.
Cards similar to the enclosed were issued before that letter was written, fixing the day for the 2nd of January.
Your Grace had previously granted me leave to remain in this Country up to the mail of the 18h of January and had Your Grace refused me the additional leave of absence asked for in my last letter, it was my intention to quit England on the 18h of January.Manuscript image But I made application for the addition because it would have been more convenient to my wife to leave by the following mail (2nd February) and to guard against accidents.
I well know Your Grace would not now reprimand me for furloughs previously granted, and at once admit, that if Your Grace's apprehension of the circumstances had been correct, I would have justly merited Your Grace's most severe displeasure.
Under the circumstances actually existing I humbly ask that Your Grace will be pleased to withdraw the leave reluctantly granted and with it Your Grace's displeasure and the censure intended to be forwarded as my first official introduction to the new Governor.
I have the honor to be
Your Grace's most obedient
and most humble Servant
J. Despard Pemberton
Surveyor General
Vancouver Island Colony
To His Grace
The Duke of Newcastle
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
No one can find on record any letter authorizing Mr Pemberton to "remain in this country up to the 18th of January". What he received was an addition (in all) of 5 months, to a leave of 6 months, beginning from the 4th of April 1862 [1863]: the whole expires therefore, in the Colony, on the 4th of March 1864.
I annex a draft.
TFE 29 Decr
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Printed invitation from the parents of Pemberton's fiance, Theresa Grantoff, to Breakfast at St. Mary's Church on January 2, 1864.
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Elliot to Pemberton, 29 December 1863, acknowledging the withdrawal of his leave extension request.
Minutes by CO staff
Prepare for sig[nature].
I have shown this to Sir F. Rogers, who concurs.
TFE 29/12