No. 51
               
            
            
               2 September 1863
               
            
            
               I have the honor of transmitting herewith a communication from 
Mr Young requesting, for the reasons therein stated, that he may
be
 be permitted to resign his appointment of Colonial Secretary for 
British Columbia, and to retain his appointment in 
Vancouver Island.
               
               In the early stage of the Colonies, when the Government
               was administered by one official head, it was a matter of
               great convenience to have
the
 the Office of Colonial Secretary
               for the two Colonies filled by one and the same person, but
               since the separation of the Colonies has been decided on,
               that system must soon have an end. 
Mr Young who has hitherto
               so ably attended to the duties of Colonial Secretary for both
               Colonies, desires to retain the
appointment
 appointment for 
Vancouver
                  Island, and to resign that for 
British Columbia, and I think
               his long services give him a peculiar claim to Your Grace's
               favourable consideration.  In saying that 
Mr Young has given
               me perfect satisfaction, and that his Official experience,
               unremitting attention to
business
 business, and knowledge of the Colony
               will be of the utmost advantage to my Successor, I am only
               doing 
Mr Young justice.
               
               That the appointment of 
Mr Young to 
Vancouver Island
               will give satisfaction to the public is I believe placed
               beyond a doubt by the fact of his having at the late general
               Election been
returned
 returned at the head of the Poll to represent
               the Town of 
Victoria in the Legislative Assembly, his
               nomination having been warmly supported by almost every
               person of wealth and consideration in this place.
               
               I have in other despatches made honorable mention of
               
Mr Young's public services and I may add
that
 that his tact,
               conciliatory manners, irreproachable character, and official
               experience give him a peculiar fitness for the Office he
               holds, and I have no doubt his valuable services will be
               appreciated by my successor.
               
               I have therefore in conclusion only to express
my
 my hope that Your Grace may be pleased to meet 
Mr Young's wishes and confirm him in the office of Colonial Secretary for 
Vancouver Island.
               
               I have the honor to be
               My Lord Duke
               Your Grace's most obedient
               Humble Servant
               
James Douglas
               
               Minutes by CO staff
               
                
                  
                  
                     The Secretary of Vancouver's Island—which 
Mr Young would
                     prefer being—is to have a salary under the Civil List
                     arrangement of £600 per annum. The 
Secy of 
B. Col:
                     is to have £800. See 10015 
B.C.
                     
                  
                  
                     The Laws granting the requisite salaries to these 
V.C.I. &
                     
B.C. Offices are not yet passed.
                     
 
               
               
                
            
            
               Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
               
               
                
            
            
               Other documents included in the file
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     Minutes by CO staff
                     
                     
                        
                        
                           Mr Elliot
                           The Mail will be despatched on Wednesday.
                           
 
                        
                        
                         
                     
                     
                     
                        
                        
                           This would not be done in time for the first Mail.