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 January 1864, CO 60:18, no. 2779, 19.
Abstract
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 30 January 1864, CO 60:18, no. 2779, 19.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
No. 4
30 January 1864
My Lord Duke,
I duly received Your Grace's Despatch No 44 of the
9th August last, transmitting an extract from a Report of
the Commissioners of Audit, upon the subject of the disallowance
of a sum of Sixty pounds (£60) from the accounts of British Columbia
forthe
the year 1861, and calling upon me for a report in respect
of the circumstances under which credit for that sum was claimed.
the year 1861, and calling upon me for a report in respect
of the circumstances under which credit for that sum was claimed.
2. The sum in question formed a portion of the Revenue
collected by Constable Seymour in May 1861, under instructions
from Mr Nind, the Magistrate in charge of the Alexandria District,
and was stolen from his person while sleeping at a way side House
near the Forks of Quesnelle. The circumstances of the loss were
declared to on oath by Constable Seymour, and were verified,so
so
far as they could be, by Mr Nind; from inquiries which he
subsequently made. When therefore, the claim for credit on
this account was first brought forward, I saw no reason to doubt
the truth of the statements made, and having a full appreciation
of all the difficulties attending the collection of revenue in a wild
and desolate country, I approved of the claim for credit being allowed.
so
far as they could be, by Mr Nind; from inquiries which he
subsequently made. When therefore, the claim for credit on
this account was first brought forward, I saw no reason to doubt
the truth of the statements made, and having a full appreciation
of all the difficulties attending the collection of revenue in a wild
and desolate country, I approved of the claim for credit being allowed.
3. Since the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch now under
reply, I have called upon Mr Nind for a special report inrespect
respect of this matter, and I have personally examined Mr
Seymour upon the same subject. I forward herewith Mr Nind's
report for Your Grace's information, and I can only express my
own conviction that the loss occurred solely as represented, and
was, under the circumstances, not the result of carelessness or
neglect of precaution, but simply the result of the risk the
custodian was compelled to incur.
respect of this matter, and I have personally examined Mr
Seymour upon the same subject. I forward herewith Mr Nind's
report for Your Grace's information, and I can only express my
own conviction that the loss occurred solely as represented, and
was, under the circumstances, not the result of carelessness or
neglect of precaution, but simply the result of the risk the
custodian was compelled to incur.
4. I trust this explanation may prove satisfactory to Your
Grace, and that the disallowanceof
of credit entry may now be removed.
of credit entry may now be removed.
5. In accordance with the requirements of the Commissioners
of Audit, I forward herewith a Certificate from Mr Nind that the
amount has been included in the sums brought to account as Revenue.
6. I have to apologize for not earlier replying to Your
Grace's Despatch; but I deferred making any report upon the matter
until I could personally gather the particulars from Mr
Seymour,
who is, Ibelieve
believe a most respectable and trustworthy man, and who
left the service of the Government about twelve months ago for
the purpose of bettering his condition.
believe a most respectable and trustworthy man, and who
left the service of the Government about twelve months ago for
the purpose of bettering his condition.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Copy to T-y with ref: to Col: Office Letter of 6 Augt/63—& saying that this explanation induces the Duke of Newcastle to recommend the allowance in the B.C. accounts of the £60 of which Constable Seymour was robbed.
Copy to T-y with ref: to Col: Office Letter of 6 Augt/63—& saying that this explanation induces the Duke of Newcastle to recommend the allowance in the B.C. accounts of the £60 of which Constable Seymour was robbed.
ABd
22-3/64
I think so. Draft.
TFE
22/3
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Philip Henry Nind to W.A.G. Young, Colonial Secretary, 20
November 1863, providing detailed explanation of the loss of the £60,
as per despatch.
Certificate of Nind, no date, stating that the sum of £60 was
entered as revenue of the Alexandria district.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 30 March 1864, forwarding copy
of the despatch and enclosure for consideration.