Colonial Despatches

I venture to think that there are circumstances connected with my recal[l] from my late Government, which have not been brought under Your Grace's notice, and which I shall endeavour to state as briefly as possible.

In the Year 1863 having previously Administered the Governments of "Sierra Leone" and "Northern Australia" the late Duke of Newcastle was good enough to offer me the Government of VanCouver Island.

Having accepted His Grace's kind offer, He impressed upon me the importance of using every legitimate means to bring about the Union of that Colony with "British Columbia."

Cordially concurring (as I did) in His Grace's views, I succeeded in gaining the consent of the Legislature of VanCouver Island, as detailed in Lord Carnarvons dispatch (No 15 30th October 1866) presented to Parliament in May 1867.

Before I left England, The Duke of Newcastle again pressed the subject of union upon my attention, and very pointedly assured me, that whichever of the Governors were relieved in consequence of the union, provision would be made for the officer displaced.

Encouraged by these assurances, I laboured earnestly to accomplish His Grace's desire and I think I can with some confidence appeal to the testimonial of Mr Arthur Blackwood, for the success of my efforts in the face of great difficulties and opposition.

The union having been effected, (mainly through my instrumentality) I was recal[l]ed by the Earl of Carnarvon, who in a dispatch (laid before Parliament) No 3 dated 13h Augt 1866, "expressed his regret at the unfavorable effect which the Union of the Colonies would have upon my interests," and was pleased to say, "I regret it (my recal[l]) the more because I am aware that Your conduct in the Administration of a Government which has been by no means free from difficulty, has been distinguished by good Judgment, and has uniformly obtained the approbation of My Predecessor."

Writing on the same subject His Lordship was further pleased to say "I should besincerely sincerely sorry, if this office were to lose for more than a short time the services of one who has been so good an Administrator as you have shown yourself to be."

Previous to my departure for VanCouver Island, His Grace The Duke of Newcastle wrote to acquaint me, "that the Queen had been Graciously pleased to confer upon me the distinction of a Companion of the Bath, and that His Grace had much pleasure in conveying to me on behalf of Her Majesty, this recognition of my Service rendered to the Crown in the Administration of an arduous and responsible Government."

Notwithstanding these (and many other) flattering marks of approval, I am now after 40 years public service, (13 of which have been in connexion with the Colonial Department) unemployed, without Salary or Pension, and (what I feel still more keenly) in a very Questionable position in the Eyes of my friends and Relations, who unacquainted with the peculiar character of the Colonial Service, are at a loss to understand the reason for my enforced idleness, which they know I can ill afford.

I think it must be obvious to Your Grace, that common prudence would have forbidden my acceptance of the Government of Vancouver Island, and from labouring successfully for my own displacement, had I not placed full reliance on the frank assurance of His Grace The Duke of Newcastle, that I should not be a sufferer thereby: Nor indeed would I have incurred the great expence of immediately returning with my family to England, but for Lord Carnarvons kind and encouraging communications from which I have quoted.

I apprehend that there have been few, if any, Colonial Governors similarly circumstanced. I incurred a large, and unforeseen outlay on my outward voyage to Vancouver Island, in consequence of the want of continuous communication between "Panama" and "San Francisco," at which places I was detained at great expence. On my arrival at "VanCouver Island," I was subjected to still further expence; There was no Government House, or other provision made for my reception, and I was necessitated to reside for a considerable period (with my family) at a Hotel, where the rate of charge exceeded my official Salary.

I have travelled, & conveyed my family a distance of over Fifty thousand Miles proceeding to, and returning from, My Government. I have been obliged to break up my establishment, and sell off my furniture and personal property, twice within five years, and on the last occasion at a ruinous loss. On another occasion, returning from "Sierra Leone" on my appointment to "Western Australia" I was shipwrecked and lost every vestige of my personal property; and for none of these losses or expences have I received any recompense.

I am sure that Your Grace will excuse me bringing these matters under Your notice, seeing that I am unemployed & without Pension, in the hope that I may obtain Your Graces support in an application to the Lords of the Treasury for some indemnity for the serious pecuniary losses which I have sustained through no fault of my own, and while employed in the performance of important and difficult public service.

I beg to submit a memo of my Service under the Crown,