Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Elliot, Thomas Frederick to Douglas, James 2 February 1863, CO 410:1, 400.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
[Private]
2 February 1863
My dear Sir
At the request of Captain Prevost R.N. who was formerly a member of
the Boundary Commission on your coasts, I have placed in the bag a letter
from him to you about his son, who is going out to Vancouver's Island to
seek his fortunes. This young man was a midshipman, and I am assured by
Captain Prevost was steady and well conducted until unhappily he
absconded from his ship at the Cape of Good Hope, and has in consequence
been obliged to quit the service. I had no previous acquaintance with
Mr. Prevost, but I know that he is highly respected in the Navy, and I
need not say that readily offered him any little aid in my
power to
trace out and recover his son. Beyond this I can say nothing of my
own knowledge. If the young man should seem really well disposed,
and derserving of it, I dare say that you will out of kindness and of
regard for his father, endeavour to throw him into good hands and let
him be guided into the sort of private enterprize best suited to his
qualifications. I am bound to say that, so far as my judgment goes,
he decidedly might not to receive any public appointment whatever.
power to
trace out and recover his son. Beyond this I can say nothing of my
own knowledge. If the young man should seem really well disposed,
and derserving of it, I dare say that you will out of kindness and of
regard for his father, endeavour to throw him into good hands and let
him be guided into the sort of private enterprize best suited to his
qualifications. I am bound to say that, so far as my judgment goes,
he decidedly might not to receive any public appointment whatever.