Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Grenville, Richard 29 November 1868, CO 60:33, no. 546, 482.
Abstract
Seymour, Governor Frederick to
Grenville, Richard 29 November 1868, CO 60:33, no. 546, 482.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (8), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Confidential
Victoria
29th November 1868
My Lord Duke,
The steamer that brought Your Grace's despatch No. 85 of 6th
October announcing the appointment of Mr Philip Hankin to the
office ofColonial
Colonial Secretary only waited a few hours in port and
consequently, being thus pressed for time, I fear that my
despatch, Confidential, of 21st November bears marks of the
haste in which it was written.
Colonial Secretary only waited a few hours in port and
consequently, being thus pressed for time, I fear that my
despatch, Confidential, of 21st November bears marks of the
haste in which it was written.
2. It is however my deliberate opinion that the appointment of
Mr Hankin is an unfortunate one. For many reasons:
First; because in his miningpersuits
persuits and in his police
employment he has been brought into immediate contact with the
lowest classes of the community.
persuits and in his police
employment he has been brought into immediate contact with the
lowest classes of the community.
Secondly; because, the Colony being financially embarrassed, I
bought off all Mr Hankin's claims at a very high price and
fondly imagined that I had got rid of him. He was totally
useless. The bargain was not a bad one for us.His
His passage
was paid to England and now it appears from Your Grace's
despatch that the Colony will have to pay him half Salary from
the date of his embarkation in England for this port. Your
Grace will forgive me for saying that this is but small
encouragement to me to carry out the reductions in expenditure
which have so often been urged upon me.
His passage
was paid to England and now it appears from Your Grace's
despatch that the Colony will have to pay him half Salary from
the date of his embarkation in England for this port. Your
Grace will forgive me for saying that this is but small
encouragement to me to carry out the reductions in expenditure
which have so often been urged upon me.
Thirdly; because the Officeof
of Colonial Secretary is one of very
great importance. We govern here by moral influence alone, and
the social position of the principal public officers, as well as
their official capabilities, is freely canvassed by all persons.
I send Mr O'Reilly to collect the Revenue at the Kootenay
mines, 600 miles from Victoria, and to settle all disputes. He
is respectedand
and liked by everyone. How could I send the "dead
broke" miner, Mr Hankin, on such a duty? He would be simply
made the laughing stock of the place. Yet the office of
Colonial Secretary is higher than that of Gold Commissioner.
of Colonial Secretary is one of very
great importance. We govern here by moral influence alone, and
the social position of the principal public officers, as well as
their official capabilities, is freely canvassed by all persons.
I send Mr O'Reilly to collect the Revenue at the Kootenay
mines, 600 miles from Victoria, and to settle all disputes. He
is respectedand
and liked by everyone. How could I send the "dead
broke" miner, Mr Hankin, on such a duty? He would be simply
made the laughing stock of the place. Yet the office of
Colonial Secretary is higher than that of Gold Commissioner.
Fourthly; Mr Hankin has not, as far as I am aware, shewn the
slightest aptitude for business during the time he has beenemployed
employed under the Colonial Government, and—not to make this
despatch too long—he has married into a family with which it
would not be pleasant for some ladies to associate. He is
personally extremely unpopular, being one of the two men
blackballed for the Vancouver Club, by no means an exclusive
establishment. If Mr Hankin, taken as he is, were butnew
new
to the Colony, one might make something of him, but as it is, he
seems likely to disturb everything. I do not believe that
personal violence will be offered to him on his arrival, but I
fear it will be utterly impossible for me to get through the
Legislative Session if I appoint him Colonial Secretary, and as
such, President of the LegislativeCouncil
Council. I am informed,
though not officially, that the Members for Victoria will not
take their seats in a Council presided over by Mr Hankin.
Numerous petitions are being got up praying that I will not try
the experiment.
employed under the Colonial Government, and—not to make this
despatch too long—he has married into a family with which it
would not be pleasant for some ladies to associate. He is
personally extremely unpopular, being one of the two men
blackballed for the Vancouver Club, by no means an exclusive
establishment. If Mr Hankin, taken as he is, were butnew
new
to the Colony, one might make something of him, but as it is, he
seems likely to disturb everything. I do not believe that
personal violence will be offered to him on his arrival, but I
fear it will be utterly impossible for me to get through the
Legislative Session if I appoint him Colonial Secretary, and as
such, President of the LegislativeCouncil
Council. I am informed,
though not officially, that the Members for Victoria will not
take their seats in a Council presided over by Mr Hankin.
Numerous petitions are being got up praying that I will not try
the experiment.
3. I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter from Mr
William Young whom Mr Hankin supersedes. It would be vain to
denythe
the fact that I cannot place that entire confidence in
Mr Young which it is desirable that a Colonial Secretary
should receive from his superior officer. I fear that there is
no doubt of his being mixed up in the eternal small intrigues
which stir up the Victoria community. When I am in this town
there is no great harm in his proceedings, or suspectedproceedings
proceedings, but I cannot leave Head Quarters without a slight
feeling of uneasiness. He is however shrewd, industrious,
painstaking, and in many respects able. I need hardly say that
I would infinitely rather take him—with the vague feeling of
distrust from which I cannot free myself—as Colonial Secretary
than Mr Hankin.
the fact that I cannot place that entire confidence in
Mr Young which it is desirable that a Colonial Secretary
should receive from his superior officer. I fear that there is
no doubt of his being mixed up in the eternal small intrigues
which stir up the Victoria community. When I am in this town
there is no great harm in his proceedings, or suspectedproceedings
proceedings, but I cannot leave Head Quarters without a slight
feeling of uneasiness. He is however shrewd, industrious,
painstaking, and in many respects able. I need hardly say that
I would infinitely rather take him—with the vague feeling of
distrust from which I cannot free myself—as Colonial Secretary
than Mr Hankin.
4. Mr Young certainly in his letter makes out astrong
strong case
for Your Grace's consideration. He has served nearly ten years
as Colonial Secretary of British Columbia or Vancouver Island.
He gave up his Situation in the Navy for the Civil Service and I
believe that during his tenure of office here, he has given
satisfaction to Sir James Douglas, Mr Kennedy and I know to
myself—entirely so, but for his local connections.Mr
Mr Young
has some remarkably good qualities for a public officer and
prominently amongst them I should mention his industry, zeal and
temper. I could hardly desire to have a more efficient Colonial
Secretary in a place new to himself where he could venture to
think entirely for himself.
strong case
for Your Grace's consideration. He has served nearly ten years
as Colonial Secretary of British Columbia or Vancouver Island.
He gave up his Situation in the Navy for the Civil Service and I
believe that during his tenure of office here, he has given
satisfaction to Sir James Douglas, Mr Kennedy and I know to
myself—entirely so, but for his local connections.Mr
Mr Young
has some remarkably good qualities for a public officer and
prominently amongst them I should mention his industry, zeal and
temper. I could hardly desire to have a more efficient Colonial
Secretary in a place new to himself where he could venture to
think entirely for himself.
Entertaining a strong opinion as to Mr Young's claims upon
the Government it neveroccurred
occurred to me when suggesting in
Downing Street, the mode in which the amalgamation of the civil
Establishments of the two Western Colonies, then about to be
united should be carried out, to dispense with the Services of
Mr Young. I find in the list of Public Officers for the
United Colony drawn up principally by Mr Blackwood and
myself, but submitted for the approval of the Earl of Carnarvon
thefollowing
following remark placed opposite the name of Mr Young.
It shews that the feeling of uneasiness on my part is not of
recent growth. "Mr Seymour would prefer (solely on public
grounds) that Mr Young, who will be displaced from the office
of Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island should be appointed
to be Police Magistrate at Victoria, Salary £800 and that Mr
O'Reillynow
now a Stipendiary Magistrate up the Country should be
appointed Colonial Secretary at the Salary (as before) of £800."
occurred to me when suggesting in
Downing Street, the mode in which the amalgamation of the civil
Establishments of the two Western Colonies, then about to be
united should be carried out, to dispense with the Services of
Mr Young. I find in the list of Public Officers for the
United Colony drawn up principally by Mr Blackwood and
myself, but submitted for the approval of the Earl of Carnarvon
thefollowing
following remark placed opposite the name of Mr Young.
It shews that the feeling of uneasiness on my part is not of
recent growth. "Mr Seymour would prefer (solely on public
grounds) that Mr Young, who will be displaced from the office
of Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island should be appointed
to be Police Magistrate at Victoria, Salary £800 and that Mr
O'Reillynow
now a Stipendiary Magistrate up the Country should be
appointed Colonial Secretary at the Salary (as before) of £800."
6. Mr Young therefore makes no mistake when he says that I
assured him, on my assumption of the General Government, that he
should have the Colonial Secretaryship or a situation of equal value.
7. I cannot believe thatunder
under the circumstances Your Grace
will look with indifference upon Mr Young's appeal. I
confidently state that in him you will possess a valuable public
Servant. I am quite prepared to receive him from Your Grace's
hands as Colonial Secretary trammeled though he be with
recollections of the miserable disputes which signallized the
earlyColonization
Colonization of this Coast; but I imagine that he would be
still more useful in a new scene of action where he would start
free from all prejudices and partialities.
under the circumstances Your Grace
will look with indifference upon Mr Young's appeal. I
confidently state that in him you will possess a valuable public
Servant. I am quite prepared to receive him from Your Grace's
hands as Colonial Secretary trammeled though he be with
recollections of the miserable disputes which signallized the
earlyColonization
Colonization of this Coast; but I imagine that he would be
still more useful in a new scene of action where he would start
free from all prejudices and partialities.
8. It seems to me, if I may venture to say so, that the public
faith is pledged to Mr Young by the communication which, with
the sanction of the Earl of Carnarvon, I made
to him on the
Union of the Colonies being effected.
to him on the
Union of the Colonies being effected.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
See Governor Seymour's two despatches 468 & 469 & minutes on the latter.
See Governor Seymour's two despatches 468 & 469 & minutes on the latter.
Copies of them have been sent to the D. of Buckingham (Given
to Mr Bryant for that purpose).
I can only say that in my opinion any annoyance or difficulty
that may fall to the lot of Governor Seymour as regards Mr
Young's removal from the Colonial Secretaryship he most fully
deserves. I find of Mr Young, he writes in 8195—"is so
clever & energetic, but he is so mixed up in the affairs of
Victoria" (to which place the seat of Govt had been moved)
"that I cannot give him the entire confidence which a Governor
should repose in his
"Colonial Secy"—& this was at a time
when Governor Seymour most specially needed cordial cooperation
to help him smooth down the ill feeling of many as regarded
the change of the seat of Govt, & to assist in his endeavour
to redeem the Colony from its almost Bankrupt state.
"Colonial Secy"—& this was at a time
when Governor Seymour most specially needed cordial cooperation
to help him smooth down the ill feeling of many as regarded
the change of the seat of Govt, & to assist in his endeavour
to redeem the Colony from its almost Bankrupt state.
As regards Mr Young himself it is quite another matter.
As to the appt of Lt. Hankin I can say nothing. I never
heard his name till he was appointed, & never saw him but once
which was two days before he started, on my return from my holyday.
Officially, as far as I know, testimony is in his favor.
On the 21 Dec 1866 (1330) Govr Seymour writes "the records of
your
Lordships Office shew that he has been very highly
commended by Mr Kennedy & by Rear Admiral Denman. My own more
limited knowledge of him leads me to
regret that the absolute necessity
for retrenchment in the Public Depts
compels me to deprive my Govt of his Services." See also
minutes on it.
Lordships Office shew that he has been very highly
commended by Mr Kennedy & by Rear Admiral Denman. My own more
limited knowledge of him leads me to
regret that the absolute necessity
for retrenchment in the Public Depts
compels me to deprive my Govt of his Services." See also
minutes on it.
Admiral Richards spoke in his favor whilst serving under
him—see 2968. And the testimonials sent in by Lt. Hankin
(2969/67) were so favorable that they apparently led to his
appt as Col: Secy at Honduras (Mr Kennedy, Admiral Denman,
Judge Needham), Mr Taylor remarking "if the
testimonials are true Lt. Hankin is just the man for the place."
As Governor Seymour now speaks so lightly of Lt. Hankin's
antecedents
& character I have thought right to state this much.
& character I have thought right to state this much.
As already directed wait & see the result? & let the D. of
Buckingham have a copy.
CC
17/1
Yes. Mr Seymour may very probably be right. But considering
the nature of Colonial Society he evidently makes too much of
Lieut Hankins antecedents. I do not see why a man is the worse
for having been what he somewhat unnecessarily calls a "dead
broke" miner. It really shews little else than enterprise.
His police experience is perhaps unfortunate, for if he did his
duty in that capacity he will have all the "roughs" as his
personal enemies. And of course a very little lukewarmness
in high quarters in Lieut H's behalf will give a great deal of
courage to those who would like a little violence. Mr Young's
case is very strong indeed.
FR
18/1
The Governors vague secret letter was acted on too hastily.
Revolting from the consequences of his own act he tries to get
out of them by depreciating Lt Hankin against whom, as far as I
can see there are no real & personal grounds of complaint. The
result of the governors letters & of the hasty act of this
department is that there are two men fairly entitled to the
same office. Probably the colony may be made too hot for Lt
Hankin. If so I suppose some other place should be found for
him. If he be able to hold his ground it seems to me that we
are bound to place Mr Young in as good a position as that of
which he has been unfairly deprived.
WM
21/1
I believe a snubbing letter has been sent to the Govr, if
not one should be written—but we had better wait to see how
Hankin gets on before taking any steps in the matter.
G
29/1
Sir F. Rogers
I do not at all understand Govr Seymour's proceedings about Mr Hankin's appt assuming what Mr Hankin says is correct.
I do not at all understand Govr Seymour's proceedings about Mr Hankin's appt assuming what Mr Hankin says is correct.
He cannot be waiting for answers to his two despatches of
21st/469 & 29th/546 Nov, because we have despatches from
him up to the 30th Jany & on the 14th of that month he
acknowledges the receipt of the D. of Buckingham's despatch of
the 28th Nov
—see 8195—which finally refused to respond
to his remonstrance agst the appt. Moreover his later
despatch of the 12 Dec—803—did not lead us to belief that he
intended further to resist the appt.
—see 8195—which finally refused to respond
to his remonstrance agst the appt. Moreover his later
despatch of the 12 Dec—803—did not lead us to belief that he
intended further to resist the appt.
Mr Hankin says he has now (16 Feby) been 6 weeks in the
Colony—so that altho he had been there for a month—wh to
the date of Govr Seymour's last despatch—30 Jany—Gov S
has not
even reported Mr Hankin's arrival in the Colony. It
is true that the conversation between Govr S & Mr H. is a
fortnight later than the date of the last despatch recd—but
it nevertheless appears to me quite inexcusable that he should
have remained silent even for the one month.
even reported Mr Hankin's arrival in the Colony. It
is true that the conversation between Govr S & Mr H. is a
fortnight later than the date of the last despatch recd—but
it nevertheless appears to me quite inexcusable that he should
have remained silent even for the one month.
The minutes on 469 & 546 will shew you why they have not been
answered—they in fact hardly required
any.
any.
The Colonial Secretaryship is £800 a year—the same as that of
Chief Commr of Lands.
CC
3/4
Mr Monsell
It is however a question, now that a B.C. mail has come in whether we can leave matters to take their chance much longer about the Colonial Secretaryship in B. Columbia.
It is however a question, now that a B.C. mail has come in whether we can leave matters to take their chance much longer about the Colonial Secretaryship in B. Columbia.
Govr Seymour has sent us
1. His confidential dphes of 21 & 29 Nov.
(recd Jan/16) pulling Mr Hankin to pieces and threatening
disturbance if his (Mr H's) appointment was consummated—to
wh no reply has been given.
2. His dph 12 Dec raising a difficulty about Salary—to wh a
reply has been sent to the effect that Mr H & Mr Young will
be entitled in certain proportions & Mr H. "of course" to
"full salary from the date of his arrival." This is only
important as it will have shewn Mr S
that Ld G is not
going to take any steps in a hurry to get rid of Mr Hankin.
that Ld G is not
going to take any steps in a hurry to get rid of Mr Hankin.
3. With this Mr Seymour's dphes cease. Unless a telegraphic
statement that everything is quiet is to be added.
4. We learn from private letters from Mr H to the Duke of
Buckingham the last dated Jan 16 that he has been 6 weeks in
B.C. i.e. since Dec 2 about, has not recd his Colonial apptmt as
Coll Secretary—and has been offered the place of Commr of Lands &
Works (now held by Mr Trutch a ci-devant contractor) instead of
his Col. Secretaryship—wh he has refused.
Mr Hankin, wd, as is natural, be glad to be removed to
another Colony.
5. Then a letter from Mr Young stating the hardship of his
displacement wh is doubtless considerable.
It seems to me time to let Mr Seymour know what impression his
dphes have made (vide Ld G's minutes on 469 & 546 B.C.)
I should be disposed to write that Lord G. had received his
confl dphes [and] that it appeared to H.L. that the facts
alleged by him did not at all bear out the strong opinions wh
he expressed as to Mr Hankin's unfitness for his office, and
that this fact with the evident animus of these dphes had
indisposed Ld G to adopt the apprehensions expressed by Mr
Seymour respecting the riot & disturbance to wh Mr Hankins
appointment was likely to lead. That as far as Ld G can
judge of the past it appears to him very unfortunate that Mr S
did not long ago make up his mind as to the fitness of Mr Young
for Col. Secretary, wh there seems to H.L. even on Mr S's
statement to be no sufficient reason for doubting. But that as
he has not done this and as Mr H has consequently been apptd
it is of course
Mr Seymour's duty to do all in his power to
enable Mr H. to perform his duties effectively.
Mr Seymour's duty to do all in his power to
enable Mr H. to perform his duties effectively.
That Ld G. learns from private sources that Mr H. had been
six weeks in the Colony before the mails just received were
despatched from it, but that H.L. has recd no information
from Mr S and is left to conjecture whether the disastrous
consequences foretold by Mr S have arisen or are likely to arise.
That under these circumstances it is impossible for Lord G. to
give Mr S any encouragement to suppose that he will have been
warranted in any other course than that of giving effect to the
arrangements decided upon by the D. of B. and that H.L. desires
to know whether this course has been take[n] & if not what has
been done & with what result.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
W.A.G. Young, Colonial Secretary, to Seymour, 26 November 1868,
explaining the circumstances of his past service and stating his case
regarding future employment (eleven pages).
Other documents included in the file
People in this document
Leveson-Gower, Granville George
Richards, Captain George Henry