Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 26 January 1861, CO 60:10, no. 2753, 34.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (7), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Douglas writes to Newcastle to relate Cary's resignation as Attorney General (AG) of British Columbia, and to recommend Cary for the same position on Vancouver Island. Douglas asks Newcastle to appoint a new AG for BC, and reports that the Legislature of Vancouver Island voted to pay “Four Hundred pounds (£400) per annum” for the Island's AG position.
The minutes appear to endorse Cary as Attorney General of Vancouver Island; moreover, Elliot confirms that Newcastle is required to appoint a new AG for BC.
The file encloses three documents. The first is Cary's letter of resignation as Attorney General of BC; the second is a draft reply from Newcastle to Douglas, which approves of Cary's appointment as AG of Vancouver Island; the third is a draft reply from Newcastle to Douglas, which reports that Crease has been recommended to the Queen for the position of AG for BC.
No. 8
26 January 1861
I have the honor to forward herewith to Your Grace copy of
a letter I have received from Mr George Hunter Cary, Attorney
General for this Colony, tendering the resignation of that
appointment, with a viewto
to obtaining confirmation in the
appointment of Attorney General for Vancouver's Island.
to obtaining confirmation in the
appointment of Attorney General for Vancouver's Island.
2. Your Grace is aware that there is no Attorney General
appointed by Her Majesty's Government for Vancouver's Island,
and that I have therefore been necessitated to avail myself
of the services of Mr Cary—services which have ever been
most cheerfully rendered, and, hitherto, altogether gratuitously—and
I can scarcely express how much I feel indebted to Mr Cary for his valuable aid both as a Memberof
of the Legislature
and as an Adviser to the Government.
of the Legislature
and as an Adviser to the Government.
3. Your Grace will observe that Mr Cary expresses his
readiness to continue the performance of the duties of Attorney
General for British Columbia until a Successor is appointed,
and I would therefore ask Your Grace to select another
Gentleman to fill that most responsible position in British Columbia, and to secure the services of Mr Cary for Vancouver's Island by confirming the Acting Appointment I have given him.
A
4. A Salary of Four Hundred pounds (£400) per annum has been
voted by the Legislature of Vancouver's Island for the Attorney
General, subject however to the condition that it shall not be
payable out of the General Revenue of the Colony (i.e. the
Revenue apart from the proceeds of Land Sales) until the public
Lands of the Colony shall be placed under the control of the
Legislature. Mr Cary is of course aware of this condition,
and in accepting the appointment perfectly understands that
he willbe
be subject to it.
be subject to it.
5. I need scarcely add that Mr Cary is a gentleman of high
attainments, and good judgement, and would be found a most
valuable and useful servant to any Government.
Minutes by CO staff
VJ
25 March
Confirm Mr Cary's appointment to Vancouver's?
N
28
See despatch to Govr of 15 June 1861, provisionally appointing
Mr Creese [Crease]. The Salary has since the above minutes were
written, been increased to £500.
VJ
15 June 61
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Cary to Douglas, 25 January 1861, resigning as attorney general of British Columbia, as per despatch.
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
The Order has been prepared & forwarded for the Duke of Newcastles
Signature.