Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to forward copy of a letter which by my direction the Colonial Secretary has written to Mr William Franklyn, late Police Magistrate ofNanaimo Nanaimo, who has lost office on account of the financial embarrassments of the Colony.

2. Though I have no particular fault to find with Mr Franklyn I have arrived at the conclusion that I cannot unreservedly recommend him to Your Grace's favour. I therefore think I shall act with greater candour if I bring before your notice, with aview view to promotion a most excellent Public officer and keep to myself the task of providing for Mr Franklyn.

3. Mr Chartres Brew was appointed Chief of the Police of this Colony by Sir E. Lytton. In his despatch No. 11, of 2nd September 1858, he mentions the good services performed by Mr Brew while serving in the Irish Constabulary and subsequently in the Crimea. He has enjoyedthe the entire confidence of Sir James Douglas and myself. I should however not bring him prominently before Your Grace were it not for the very unusual and severe duties I have called upon him to perform and for which I have not the means of furnishing a reward. My despatch No. 69 of 23rd of November 1864, scarcely does justice to the hardships he underwent in the expeditionagainst against the Chilicoten Indians in 1864. I am informed by his Medical Attendant that his health has been permanently injured by his sufferings on that hazardous and arduous service. Yet when the incipient rebellion, described in my despatches noted in the margin occurred in Cariboo, I had no alternative but to call upon Mr Brew to undertake another mostdisagreeable disagreeable, dangerous and unhealthy duty. My despatch No. 140 of 1st November 1867, will show with what success he has performed it. I am however full of anxiety as regards his already enfeebled health, the thermometer having lately shown a cold of 30 degrees below zero.

4. I bring Mr Brew's Services under Your Grace's notice solely with a view of possibly obtaining for hima a reward which I have it not in my power to confer. I cannot imagine any circumstances which would make me deprive myself of his assistance unless for his own advantage.