Colonial Despatches

It is so currently & confidently reported that Governor Seymour has recently died at Victoria, that I venture—with the utmost deference—to submit my name to you, offering my services as his successor.

Naturally there will be many applicants tendering claims with recommendations. On my own part I would only ask your Lordship to consider my hearty devotion to the public service for many years, and how much of it was in high office in the Colonial Department.

With respect to British Columbia I think I may submit that from a variety of circumstances there are few who know the people of that Colony and their interests better perhaps on the whole at present, and few who would nowhave have a better prospect of being able to reconcile local disagreements and to remove an irritating intensified and injurious dissatisfaction existing on the part of a strong minority.

I believe also, judging from past experience there & in similar positions—I would be found to possess some advantage in encouraging the self-reliance of all.

I entered the Public Service in 1830 and am now Fifty Six years of age, entirely unoccupied and free for any duty.

The Union of the two Colonies having been effected, and the Seat of Government determined by the Colonists themselves there is no question on which I at present entertain any special views beyond perhaps the desirability of bringing about the Confederation with the Dominion of Canada at the earliest possible date.

On this subject if your Lordship be disposed to examine me, I am ready to submit my views based on facts of much weight.