Colonial Despatches

Sir F. Rogers
I know not to what cause it is owing but it is, I have understood, not the less a fact that Governor Douglas consults the Commissioner of Lands & Works as little as he can. The laying out of a Town, & specially in the vicinity of the American frontier, is exclusively a service which should be performed by Coll Moody & his Staff.

If these Letters of Colonel Moody's are not forwarded to the Secy of State by the Governor we ought, I think, at least, to acke their receipt through that Authority.

Mr Fortescue
Yes. But I should add The Secretary of State takes for granted that he will shortly receive copies of these letters thru' you with such observations as you may think necessary in explanation of them.

I am however to point out that Coll Moody having been sent out from England as Commr of Lands and Works any steps which would withdraw these subjects from his effectual superintendence would defeat the whole object of his appointment. You must clearly understand that while on the one hand H.M.G. will always be ready to maintain the just authy of the Govr in relation to subordinate officers, they are distinctly of opinion that the business of every department (except on grounds almost amounting to a case of necessity) shd be transacted by the head of that department; who cannot be held responsible for the proper discharge of the duties committed to him if material parts of these duties are taken out of their hands. (It is generally better that the Govr shd even arrest or reserve his proceedings, if they are injudicious, than that he shd be anticipated by any other authority in the exercise of his function.)

You will understand that in expressing this opinion the Secy of State does not in any degree prejudge any question at issue betn yourself and Col Moody—if such there are—But he is desirous that you shd be fully aware of the principles on which H.M.G. consider that the Govt of a Colony shd , in these respects be carried on.

I would ask your careful attention to these principles of administration wh I have ventured to lay down rather broadly. Perhaps the sentence betn brackets mt be better omitted. The distance of B.C. renders it rather necessary to send out even witht any precise information, such warnings as may arrest any mischief of wh we may have reason to suspect the existence.

I quite agree in thinking it useful to write to Governor Douglas in such terms as these. As to the sentence in brackets, I think it wd. be better omitted.

Moody to Douglas, 20 August 1860, disputing the governor's action in appointing a magistrate to select and lay out a town site on the Similkameen River, such activities being properly conferred on the Department of Lands and Works.

Moody to Douglas, 22 August 1860, discussing the finances of the colony in respect to the pay and maintenance of the Royal Engineers.

Draft reply, Fortescue to Douglas, No. 57, 27 October 1860.