Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Cotton, Sam to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer October 1858, CO 60:2, no. 10227, 640.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
The minutes answer that a note will be made of this application but regrets that there
are no opportunities in British Columbia.
Enclosed is Keating to Cotton requesting assistance in transmitting his request to Lytton; Simpson to Keating advising that he can be of no assistance in helping secure a “lucrative appointment”
in British Columbia; and the Colonial Office acknowledging receipt of his letter and advising that there
is little chance of an appointment for Keating.
Cotton to Lytton
It is with much diffidence and indeed reluctance that I
venture to trouble you on a matter connected with the high
office which you hold under Her Majesty, but I have received
a letter from a Gentleman settled in Canada who has done so
much good in his District (Canada West) where he has been
settled for years, when his assistance was required, requesting
me to have his application laid before you, one who seems from
his statement which I have the honour to enclose so well
qualified from various circumstances for the duties of such
an Office as he is seeking, that I venture to be the medium of
submitting that Statement to your consideration.
I feel sensibly how utterly destitute I am of any claim
upon your attention, in this or any other matter if only on
the ground of the difference of position, and of my being an entire
Stranger. It may however happen that Mr Keating's Qualifications
may be considered by you to be such as to make him appear a party well
suited to the Office which he is so anxious to obtain.
From having been near 50 years a Solicitor in this
locality I am generally well known in a large circle and I can
give
you the most satisfactory references as to the integrity
of any Statement from myself. To that extent, but expressly
premising that I do not use his name in any manner or degree,
as party to this application, and indeed that I have no authority
whatever so to do, I feel that I may safely venture to add that
I am well known to the Rector of Knebworth with whom I have been
intimately acquainted for many years and that I have been for
a very long time and now an the Solicitor for him and for his
Family but in so doing I must repeat that I merely mention his
name as a Gentleman to whom I am well known and who I am sure
would not be offended by my so doing for that limited object.
you the most satisfactory references as to the integrity
of any Statement from myself. To that extent, but expressly
premising that I do not use his name in any manner or degree,
as party to this application, and indeed that I have no authority
whatever so to do, I feel that I may safely venture to add that
I am well known to the Rector of Knebworth with whom I have been
intimately acquainted for many years and that I have been for
a very long time and now an the Solicitor for him and for his
Family but in so doing I must repeat that I merely mention his
name as a Gentleman to whom I am well known and who I am sure
would not be offended by my so doing for that limited object.
I take the liberty to enclose a copy of Mr Keating's
Letter and of one addressed to him by Sir George Simpson the Originals
being in my possession and
Minutes by CO staff
Private Secretary
Ansr that a note shall be made of Mr Keatings wish for employment, but express Sir E. Lytton's regret that he does not see any opportunity of availing himself of this Gentleman's services in B. Columbia.
Ansr that a note shall be made of Mr Keatings wish for employment, but express Sir E. Lytton's regret that he does not see any opportunity of availing himself of this Gentleman's services in B. Columbia.
Have noted.
WFH
18.10.58
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
G. Simpson to Keating, 29 July 1858, advising that he can
be of no assistance in helping secure a "lucrative appointment"
in British Columbia.
Other documents included in the file
Colonial Office to Cotton, 28 October 1858, acknowledging
receipt of letter and advising that there is little chance of an
appointment for Mr. Keating.