Separate
14th March 1864
My Lord Duke,
I have the Honor to forward herewith Copy of a Letter addressed to me by Mr Young the Colonial Secretary, applying for leave of absence for Twelve months to enable him to proceed to England upon Private affairs, and to obtain relaxation after continuous employment in the Public Service in these Colonies for a period of nearly Seven years.
2. I laid this application before The Executive Council and they concurred with me in deeming Mr Young to be entitled to this indulgence after his long and uninterrupted service; andManuscript image I therefore granted Mr Young the required leave of absence, but, upon the condition, that it should not take effect until convenient after the arrival of my Successor. In respect to this point Mr Young stated to me his reasons for making the application at the present period, instead of deferring it until after my Successor had assumed the Administration of affairs. They appeared to me quite satisfactory and related exclusively to personal considerations connected with his family.
3. In forwarding this application I think it but just—Mr Young having been employed so much under my own eye—to bear my testimony to the unremitting nature of hisManuscript image labours in transacting with only an inexperienced and insufficient Staff the complicated business arising out of the organization of all the Departments in two Infant Colonies. He has hitherto had no leave of absence, and for some time past I feared that the failure in his health, which was apparent, would compel him to seek change and quiet.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
As Mr Young is not to come away from Victoria "until some time after" the arrival of Mr Kennedy it is to be hoped that the Govr will not be inconvenienced by the absence of the Secy.
ABd 13 June
Mr Fortescue
As the despatch does not necessarily require an answer, I should put it by. When Mr Young comes away we must have some official report of it from Governor Kennedy.
Sir J. Douglas slurs the matter over in this despatch, but I think that he was guilty of an irregularity as well as of indelicacy in granting to any public Officer prospective leave of absence to take effect after his own successor should arrive. I doubt whether a Governor has any right to forestall in that way acts which in reality ought to depend on his successor, and it is much the less becoming when one is aware that this Mr Young happens to be a close connection of Governor Douglas.
TFE 14 June
I think so.
CF 15
EC 15
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Copy, W.A.G. Young to Douglas, 26 February 1864, requesting leave of absence, as per despatch.