Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 25 October 1861, CO 305:17, no. 10954, 493.
Abstract
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 25 October 1861, CO 305:17, no. 10954, 493.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (9), Other documents (2), Marginalia (1).
No. 67
25 October 1861
I regret that it should be my unpleasant duty to report to Your Grace
that Mr John D'Ewes Acting Postmaster of Victoria, has absconded,
leaving behind him debts to a considerable amount, and being a
defaulter to theColonial
Colonial Government in the sum of between Three and
Four Hundred Pounds.
Colonial Government in the sum of between Three and
Four Hundred Pounds.
2. The greater part of the Government money which he carried off
with him, had been only advanced but a day or two previously, for him
to pay an account due for the conveyance of the Mails between San Francisco and this place.
3. I have also to report that I have beenobliged
obliged to dismiss the
Acting Harbor Master of the Port of Victoria, Mr Jeremiah Nagle, in
consequence of discovering irregularities in his accounts, and that
he had been in the habit of charging and appropriating to his own use
fees for services rendered in his official capacity.
obliged to dismiss the
Acting Harbor Master of the Port of Victoria, Mr Jeremiah Nagle, in
consequence of discovering irregularities in his accounts, and that
he had been in the habit of charging and appropriating to his own use
fees for services rendered in his official capacity.
4. With a view to decrease the existingexpenditure
expenditure, I have combined
the two offices of Post Master and Harbor Master in one, and I have
appointed thereto Mr Henry Wootton, a gentleman who has been for
some time serving as Clerk of the Writs in the Supreme Court. Mr
Wootton is a certificated Master in the Mercantile Marine, and has
earned forhimself
himself a high character for integrity and ability since
he has been in the Colony, and I believe will prove himself a very
capable and trustworthy person in the position in which I have placed
him. I have required him to give security for the faithful
performance of his duties, himself in a bond for one thousandpounds
pounds
(£1000), and two Sureties in separate Bonds for Five Hundred pounds
each.
expenditure, I have combined
the two offices of Post Master and Harbor Master in one, and I have
appointed thereto Mr Henry Wootton, a gentleman who has been for
some time serving as Clerk of the Writs in the Supreme Court. Mr
Wootton is a certificated Master in the Mercantile Marine, and has
earned forhimself
himself a high character for integrity and ability since
he has been in the Colony, and I believe will prove himself a very
capable and trustworthy person in the position in which I have placed
him. I have required him to give security for the faithful
performance of his duties, himself in a bond for one thousandpounds
pounds
(£1000), and two Sureties in separate Bonds for Five Hundred pounds
each.
Minutes by CO staff
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Sepr 1858. Mr D'Ewes received from Edward Lytton a letter of introduction [to] the Governor of Van Couver Island, on production of satisfactory testimonials from Lord Willoughby de Broke, Mr Jas. [Deardon] [cut off microfilm] Rochdale and Mr William Tooke F.R.S. [His?] letter is dated 11 Sepr 1858.
Sepr 1858. Mr D'Ewes received from Edward Lytton a letter of introduction [to] the Governor of Van Couver Island, on production of satisfactory testimonials from Lord Willoughby de Broke, Mr Jas. [Deardon] [cut off microfilm] Rochdale and Mr William Tooke F.R.S. [His?] letter is dated 11 Sepr 1858.
Subsequently Sir E. Lytton's attention was called to certain
occurrences which took place at Ballarat, Victoria, in the year 1854,
when Mr D'Ewes name was erased
from the Commission of the Peace, in
consequence of misconduct as Police Magistrate. Sir E. Lytton
communicated this information to Govr Douglas in a Despatch dated 29
Novr 1858.
from the Commission of the Peace, in
consequence of misconduct as Police Magistrate. Sir E. Lytton
communicated this information to Govr Douglas in a Despatch dated 29
Novr 1858.
The Governor did not notice this Despatch in any way—nor did he
report the appointment of Mr D'Ewes to any office in the
Colony—neither is there any report of leave of absence having been
granted to him. His address is N 39 Bedford Row.
VJ
11 Decr
This is a provoking kind of case—the Secretary of State recommended
a certain man to the Governor. Within little more than two months,
he discovered that this man was undeserving and of apparently
suspicious character and immediately warned the Governor to that
effect, and yet the Governor seems to have given him a place, which
act has been followed, as Mr Douglas tells us, by a public
defalcation as well as the defrauding of private persons by the
creation of large unpaid debts.
Some months ago I happened accidentally to learn that Govr Douglas
spoke as if the common letters of introduction from the Secretary of
State created prior claims on him to which he must postpone the
merits of any other candidates. This is precisely what the letters
themselves direct him not to understand.
I think therefore that the present opportunity ought to be taken to
conveyto
to him some suitable general explanation on the subject. As
to this Mr D'Ewes himself, it may be a question whether he ought to
be seen or called upon for explanation, but at all events no half
salary ought on any account to be issued to him in this country.
to him some suitable general explanation on the subject. As
to this Mr D'Ewes himself, it may be a question whether he ought to
be seen or called upon for explanation, but at all events no half
salary ought on any account to be issued to him in this country.
TFE
11 Decr
The desp. might be sent to the Treasury, telling them that Mr D'Ewes
is here, & asking whether any measures can be taken against him?
CF
13
Does it appear that the Confl Despatch of 29 Septr [November] /58
was received?
It ought at least to have been acked.
N
14
Mr Elliot
I learn that the appointment of Mr D'Ewes successor in the office of "acting" postmaster of Victoria has not been confirmed. And this circumstance leads me to observe upon some facts which indicate the Governors laxity of proceeding, and his carelessness in supplying the Secretary of State with complete information.
It isI learn that the appointment of Mr D'Ewes successor in the office of "acting" postmaster of Victoria has not been confirmed. And this circumstance leads me to observe upon some facts which indicate the Governors laxity of proceeding, and his carelessness in supplying the Secretary of State with complete information.
It is already known that the appointment of Mr D'Ewes was not
reported to the Secretary of State, nor consequently the amount of
his Salary. Having been obliged to report Mr D'Ewes' delinquency
the Governor, at the same time, reported the substitution of a Mr
Wootton—in whose person he has combined the office held by Mr
D'Ewes, and also that held by Mr Nagle; viz—Acting Harbour Master
of Victoria, the object of the consolidation being as he states to
diminish the expenditure. This decision is possibly a right one,
and the selection good for anything [known?]
here: but the Governor does not, as he ought to do, give the
Secretary of State the opportunity of rejecting the selection
thought
proper; for, from the terms of the despatch, the gentleman evidently
is not appointed provisionally. His sureties have given [cut off
microfilm] and he is safe in his place. Further the Governor does
not mention the salary of the offices when held separately, nor how
much it is in its present combined state. The emoluments are
probably small, but that circumstance ought not the less to render it
imperative on the Governor to furnish the Secretary of State with all
the information in his power. It seems to me as if the Governor has
told the Secretary of State as little as he can help. I submit
therefore that when the Duke of Newcastle signifies his decision on
the nomination of Mr Wootton, vice D'Ewes and Nagle, it should be
pointed out to
the Governor that he has omitted to state the amount
of salary assigned to the office, and further that he has committed
an error in conferring more than a provisional appointment on
Mr Wootton.
thought
proper; for, from the terms of the despatch, the gentleman evidently
is not appointed provisionally. His sureties have given [cut off
microfilm] and he is safe in his place. Further the Governor does
not mention the salary of the offices when held separately, nor how
much it is in its present combined state. The emoluments are
probably small, but that circumstance ought not the less to render it
imperative on the Governor to furnish the Secretary of State with all
the information in his power. It seems to me as if the Governor has
told the Secretary of State as little as he can help. I submit
therefore that when the Duke of Newcastle signifies his decision on
the nomination of Mr Wootton, vice D'Ewes and Nagle, it should be
pointed out to
the Governor that he has omitted to state the amount
of salary assigned to the office, and further that he has committed
an error in conferring more than a provisional appointment on
Mr Wootton.
ABd
11/March/62
Mr Blackwood
A draft about this appointment has gone on in Circulation to-day, which conveys a reproof, and admonition for the future, to the effect you suggest. This may therefore, I think, be "Put by."
A draft about this appointment has gone on in Circulation to-day, which conveys a reproof, and admonition for the future, to the effect you suggest. This may therefore, I think, be "Put by."
TFE
14 March
We kept this despatch about Mr D'Ewes, 1st in order to see whether
proceedings were possible (which it turned out that they were not)
and afterwards to endeavour to trace him and see what he might have
to say. The result is that we learn [of] the unhappy man's death at
Homburg by suicide.
The information has been communicated to the Messrs Tooke by the
German Authorities.
I annex the draft of a despatch telling the Governor: and as it
remains equally important to caution Governor Douglas against
treating common letters of introduction as claims on his patronage, I
submit in a separate draft the communication which was previouslysuggested
suggested to be made to him on that subject.
suggested to be made to him on that subject.
There is no record to show whether or not he received Sir E. Lytton's
second confidential despatch.
