Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Baird, F. C. to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 28 September 1858, CO 305:9, no. 9906, 553.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Baird requests an appointment at the proposed “Banking Establishment” on Vancouver Island.
The minutes regret that there is “no such design in contemplation” for a bank on Vancouver Island; and if there was, Lytton has no power to appoint applicants.
Enclosed is a draft from the Colonial Office to Baird advising that the government had no plans to establish a bank in the colony.
Baird to Lytton
On the faith of the accuracy of the information contained in the
public Newspapers, that it is the intention of the Government to
open a Banking Establishment in Vancouver's Island. I take the
liberty of respectfully laying the following few remarks before
your Lordship in the hope that their tenor may lead to the object
of this communication, viz of obtaining an appointment in the
Institution purposed
to be established.
I am 31 years of age. Until the last 5 1/2 yearsI was
I was engaged
in general commerce and notably
as confidential clerk in Mercantile Houses of good standing.
Since 1853 I was, firstly during two years in the Accountants
department, Teller & Sub Agent in the City of Glasgow Banks
Branch in this City, and secondly, for three years in the Bank
of British North America in Canada (Six months in St. John N.B.
and 2 1/2 years in Montreal having been removed from one Branch
of the Bank to another in the respective "cities") from whence I
returned a few months ago on private affairs.
I was engaged
in general commerce and notably
as confidential clerk in Mercantile Houses of good standing.
Since 1853 I was, firstly during two years in the Accountants
department, Teller & Sub Agent in the City of Glasgow Banks
Branch in this City, and secondly, for three years in the Bank
of British North America in Canada (Six months in St. John N.B.
and 2 1/2 years in Montreal having been removed from one Branch
of the Bank to another in the respective "cities") from whence I
returned a few months ago on private affairs.
During my residence in British North America I acquired a
thorough knowledge of the system of Banking as it is conducted
in these Provinces and likewise a practical knowledge of
Exchanges betwixt England and the U. States as well as
intercolonial exchanges.
If your Lordship deems it advisable that IShould
Should prosecute this
endeavour to attain the object in view it shall afford me much
pleasure to accord to the usual and customary mode of remitting
my application with testimonials and references and agreeably to
the stipulated regulations of which may I request the favor of
being apprised.
Should prosecute this
endeavour to attain the object in view it shall afford me much
pleasure to accord to the usual and customary mode of remitting
my application with testimonials and references and agreeably to
the stipulated regulations of which may I request the favor of
being apprised.
It would be of much advantage were I also informed of the nature
of the appointments with the contemplated emoluments and
allowances and scale of advancement.
Minutes by CO staff
Ansr that H.M. Govt have no such design in contemplation as
the establishment of a Bank in Vancouver's Island, whatever
views private parties may entertain for that object, and that
it is therefore not in Sir E Lytton's power to give the
applicant any such situation as that he applies for.
ABd
29 S
Annex draft.
C
S 29
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Baird, 8 October 1858, advising the
government had no plans to establish a bank in the colony.