Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Grenville, Richard 5 February 1868, CO 60:32, no. 4509, 40.
Abstract
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Grenville, Richard 5 February 1868, CO 60:32, no. 4509, 40.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Marginalia (1).
No. 6
New Westminster
5th February 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have had the honor to receive Your Grace's despatch No. 66 of
the 28th September 1867, enclosing a letter from Mr
Watson on the subject of the loss ofhis
his Office of Treasurer of
Vancouver Island on the Union of the two Western Colonies. Your
Grace observes that some of Mr
Watson's statements are in contradiction with those furnished in
my despatch No. 58 of the 6th
of April 1867, and desires me to send a further report.
his Office of Treasurer of
Vancouver Island on the Union of the two Western Colonies. Your
Grace observes that some of Mr
Watson's statements are in contradiction with those furnished in
my despatch No. 58 of the 6th
of April 1867, and desires me to send a further report.
2. The greater part of the negotiations with Mr
Watson were carried on verbally by Mr
Birch, the ColonialSecretary
Secretary. I now send a precis of all the
documents on the subject which can be found in the Colonial
Secretary's Office. I do not see that Mr
Watson's statements and my own offer any material difference.
He was to have six months leave of Absence on full salary and a
free passage Home for himself and family. I likewise promised
to bring under your notice Mr
Watson's desire forfurther
further employment. I did so in my despatch
above referred to. Of Course I could not think of asserting
that Your Grace would bestow another Office upon him. Having
stated all I could in Mr
Watson's favour I considered my promises fulfilled.
Secretary. I now send a precis of all the
documents on the subject which can be found in the Colonial
Secretary's Office. I do not see that Mr
Watson's statements and my own offer any material difference.
He was to have six months leave of Absence on full salary and a
free passage Home for himself and family. I likewise promised
to bring under your notice Mr
Watson's desire forfurther
further employment. I did so in my despatch
above referred to. Of Course I could not think of asserting
that Your Grace would bestow another Office upon him. Having
stated all I could in Mr
Watson's favour I considered my promises fulfilled.
3. He has however now returned to the Colony as Inspector of
the Bank of British Columbia and I suppose therefore that thematter
matter will be allowed by him to drop.
matter will be allowed by him to drop.
Minutes by CO staff
His Salary must be taken at the amount that was noted, namely
£400 a year.
Will it be safe to let the matter drop—he might urge his claim
hereafter.
CC
4 May
The discrepancy or misunderstanding or alleged
misunderstanding appears to be of this kind. Mr W. had 1.
600£ salary in V.C.I. He was transferred, under difficulties
to an office of 2. 400£—then he is offered another appointment
at 3. 400£, wh he refuses. Then Mr S. regrets that he shd
have refused an office (No 3) of equal value to that recently
held by him (No 2). Mr W. replies that it is
not of equal value to the office recently held by him (No 1).
And the practical issue is that he has claimed half years "full
salary" at 600£ per ann. having received it at the rate of
only 400£ per ann.
I think that if he is disposed to press his claim to 100£
he may press it
on the Govt of B.C. where he now is & that this may be put by.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Precis of correspondence relating to Alexander Watson,
prepared by the Colonial Secretary, no date.