Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Berens, Henry Hulse to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 17 August 1858, CO 6:26, no. 8366, 485.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (transcribed) (2), Other documents (3), Marginalia (1).
Berens acknowledges the appointment of James Cooper as Collector of Customs in British Columbia but asserts that he is “indebted at the Company’s store,” has not paid for a tract
of land on Vancouver Island and has not settled his “pecuniary difficulties.”
The minutes do not think that this statement is “quite as serious as [the CO] were
given to understand” and hopes that Cooper “may be able to clear himself.”
Enclosed is a draft from Carnarvon to Berens seeking information about Cooper; Carnarvon to Cooper stating that Lytton feels constrained to make enquiries before appointing him Collector of Customs; draft
from the Colonial Office to Cooper enclosing an extract of the last paragraph of Berens’ letter impugning his integrity; Berens to Blackwood offering proof of the “pecuniary circumstances” of Cooper in confidentiality; and Blackwood to Berens stating the CO can’t take a confidential letter on Cooper but would hold an interview on the subject.
Berens to Lytton
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Carnarvon's letter, dated Downing Street, 16th August, stating that it is your intention to submit the name of Mr James Cooper of Vancouver's Island to the Queen for the appointment of Collector of Customs in British Columbia, and begging me previously to communicate all the information I may possess respecting
that gentleman.
In reply I have the honour to state that Mr Cooper was appointed First Mate on board one of the Hudson's Bay Companys vessels in August 1844, on account of the good opinion entertained of him
him by the Company, they promoted him to a command in 1846, he remained with them as Captain till May 1850, and at the end of that year went out, at his own request, as Supercargo of a vessel
chartered by the Company, for the purpose of settling in Vancouver's Island.
him by the Company, they promoted him to a command in 1846, he remained with them as Captain till May 1850, and at the end of that year went out, at his own request, as Supercargo of a vessel
chartered by the Company, for the purpose of settling in Vancouver's Island.From accounts sent home I find he was indebted at the Company's store, that although
he registered a tract of land in the Island, it has not been paid for, and that he returned to this Country in 1857 in pecuniary difficulties, which I have reason to believe have not yet been settled.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
I confess I do not think this statem[en]t on paper is quite so serious as we were given to understand, & further that it is very possible that Mr Cooper may be able to clear himself. I shd say that it is totally out of the question to regard Mr Beren's representation on the subject as Confidential. See his private note to me.
I confess I do not think this statem[en]t on paper is quite so serious as we were given to understand, & further that it is very possible that Mr Cooper may be able to clear himself. I shd say that it is totally out of the question to regard Mr Beren's representation on the subject as Confidential. See his private note to me.
ABd.
17 Augt/58.
Other documents included in the file
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Berens to Blackwood, Confidential, 17 August 1858
Hudsons Bay House
17 Aug 1858
My dear Sir
I send you herewith my reply to Lord Carnarvon's letter of the 16th Augt which comprises all that I am prepared to prove respecting the pecuniary circumstances
of Mr James Cooper but I must add that his circumstances were well known in the Island. So far as is possible I would request that both my official Communication as well
as this letter should be considered confidential.
of Mr James Cooper but I must add that his circumstances were well known in the Island. So far as is possible I would request that both my official Communication as well
as this letter should be considered confidential.
Copy, Blackwood to Berens, 18 August 1858, as follows:
Coll Office
18th. August 1858.
Dr Sir,
I think it would be utterly and totally impossible for the Secretary of State to regard
your statement and letter as "Confidential." Indeed I believe that we were all agreed
at the interview on Monday that we must base our demand re Mr Cooper for explanation on the communication you should make to us; and we wrote to him in
that sense (withholding at the same time the name of our informant) half an hour after
you left the office.
Under these circumstances I see no alternative except to communicate to him an extract
of your letter, which has been read to him already.
I hope this proceeding will not be distasteful to you; but it seems quite unavoidable
as a Man's good name is at stake.
I remain &c
Arthur Blackwood
Arthur Blackwood
H.H. Berens Esqe