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 30 April 1861, CO 60:10, no. 5477, 227.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Douglas writes to Newcastle to forward Crease's application for the appointment of Attorney General of British Columbia, in anticipation of the acceptance of Cary's earlier letter of resignation from the same position. Douglas adds that he has no objection to Crease's appointment.
The minutes discuss the need, or not, for separate attorney generals for the Vancouver Island and British
Columbia colonies, respectively; however, it falls to Newcastle to decide on the matter, who confirms his intention to appoint Crease as Attorney General.
Of the two documents included in the file, the first is letter from Crease to Douglas, in which Crease writes in application for the position of Attorney General; the second is a draft
replay from Newcastle to Douglas, which acknowledges Crease's application, and confirms that it will be put before the Queen for approval.
No. 32
30 April 1861
I have the honor to forward herewith to your Grace copy of
a letter I have received from Mr Henry P. Pellew Crease, Barrister
at Law, applying for the appointment of Attorney General of British
Columbia, in the placeof
of Mr Cary, should that gentleman's resignation
of that position, under the circumstances mentioned in my Despatch
of the 26th January, No 8, be accepted.
of Mr Cary, should that gentleman's resignation
of that position, under the circumstances mentioned in my Despatch
of the 26th January, No 8, be accepted.
2. I have informed Mr Crease that in forwarding Mr Cary's
letter of resignation I requested Your Grace to select another
gentleman to succeed him, and it is therefore probable the
appointment may be already made, but Mr Crease requests me,
nevertheless, to submit his application for Your Grace's consideration.
I
3. I have a personal acquaintance with Mr Crease, he was
the first Barrister who arrived in this Colony, and is a
gentleman of character and standing, and should Your Grace
think fit to confer on him the appointment he seeks I should
have no objection to offer.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
This despatch is satisfactory as regards Mr Crease. But the question remains whether, adverting to the Governor's observation in 5766—of 22 April, respecting the inutility of an Attorney General for B. Columbia unless he resides in V. Couver Island, where there is already an Attorney G. anybody at all shd be nominated to that situation in B. Columbia. But perhaps the Duke of Newcastle may regard this desph as sufficiently conclusive as to the necessity of a separate apptment for B. Columbia.
This despatch is satisfactory as regards Mr Crease. But the question remains whether, adverting to the Governor's observation in 5766—of 22 April, respecting the inutility of an Attorney General for B. Columbia unless he resides in V. Couver Island, where there is already an Attorney G. anybody at all shd be nominated to that situation in B. Columbia. But perhaps the Duke of Newcastle may regard this desph as sufficiently conclusive as to the necessity of a separate apptment for B. Columbia.
ABd
17/6
Mr Fortescue
If there be any grounds of doubt on filling up this appointment it seems to me that they must be reduced to two.
If there be any grounds of doubt on filling up this appointment it seems to me that they must be reduced to two.
First, ought the Attorney General for Vancouver Island to be
asked to do the duty also for British Columbia, giving him perhaps
a small extra salary? I daresay that it would be economical to
combine many of the Offices for these two Colonies: but they have
not in point of fact been combined, and have on the contrary
advisedly been kept separate, and I do not think, therefore that
you could make the Attorney General the single exception.
Secondly, is the residence of the officer
at Vancouver Island
proof that he cannot be wanted to advise upon the affairs of
British Columbia? This is the point put by Mr Blackwood. I
think that it is not proof, because of course it is the Governor
who wants a legal adviser, and who must naturally wish to find him
at his side.
at Vancouver Island
proof that he cannot be wanted to advise upon the affairs of
British Columbia? This is the point put by Mr Blackwood. I
think that it is not proof, because of course it is the Governor
who wants a legal adviser, and who must naturally wish to find him
at his side.
I anticipate therefore that the appointment will be filled up.
In that case the question for the Duke of Newcastle will be whether
he will bestow it on Mr Crease, who is favorably described by the
Governor, or whether his Grace desires to send out any one from
home.
TFE
11 July
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
H.P.P. Crease to Douglas, 29 April 1861,
applying for the position of attorney general for British Columbia.
