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 28 December 1861, CO 305:17, no. 2192, 559.
Abstract
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 December 1861, CO 305:17, no. 2192, 559.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (7).
No. 77
28 December 1861
I have to report to your Grace that the Colonial Treasurer, Mr
George Tomline Gordon, has been discovered to be a Defaulter in
respect to the public money placed in his charge, and I have
consequently suspended him from the further exercise of the functions
of his office.
The
2. The amount of defalcation at present ascertained is about Six
Hundred pounds, produced by an actual deficiency in his Cash Balance,
and by certain moneys issued to him under Advance Warrant not being
forthcoming. His sureties will be called upon to make good the
conditions of their Bonds.
3. Mr Gordon was brought before the Stipendiary Magistrate at
Victoria, charged with embezzlement of the public funds, and has been committed upon the clearest
evidence, to take his trial at the nextAssizes
Assizes.
Assizes.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I am informed by a gentleman from VanCouvr's Island who called here to day that one of Mr Gordon's Sureties is a rich man, & able to indemnify the public for the loss by this defalcation.
I am informed by a gentleman from VanCouvr's Island who called here to day that one of Mr Gordon's Sureties is a rich man, & able to indemnify the public for the loss by this defalcation.
ABd
3/3
Mr Fortescue
Another defalcation: the offender has been committed for trial.
Another defalcation: the offender has been committed for trial.
See separate papers.
N
7
Mr Blackwood
It will be useful if some one in the Division will have the goodness to look back to the report of Mr Gordon's appointment, and see all that appeared about him and especially whether he bore a recommendation from this office.
It will be useful if some one in the Division will have the goodness to look back to the report of Mr Gordon's appointment, and see all that appeared about him and especially whether he bore a recommendation from this office.
TFE
3 March
Mr Gordon carried with him a Letter of introduction or
recommendation from Sir Edd Lytton to Governor Douglas. Of that
Letter there is no record here. Neither I, nor any body in my
Division,
had any Knowledge of Mr Gordon and his antecedents, or
even saw him. Indeed, until the Duke of Newcastle remarked, after
his return from B.N.A., upon the appointment made in his absence we
had no reason to suppose that Mr Gordon was an objectionable
personage.
had any Knowledge of Mr Gordon and his antecedents, or
even saw him. Indeed, until the Duke of Newcastle remarked, after
his return from B.N.A., upon the appointment made in his absence we
had no reason to suppose that Mr Gordon was an objectionable
personage.
On the 7th Augt/60 The Governor reported the provisional
nomination of Mr Gordon as Treasurer of V.C.I. & referred to Sir E.
Lytton's introductory Letter of that gentleman. No apparent
objection existing to him, Mr [Gordon] was duly confirmed.
ABd
5 March/62
I wish Mr Blackwood would make some further enquiry. I do not
believe that Sir E. Lytton gave Mr Gordon a letter of introduction.
It is within my knowledge that Mr G. was at Boulogne several months
after I became Secy of State & I do not think he can have
contemplated going to V.C.I. till after Sir E.L. left the Office.
N
7
TFE
24 April