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.