No. 41
24 September 1863
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a Resolution conveying the thanks of the House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island to Captain Richards and the Officers of H.M.S. Hecate for the services rendered by them to the Colony during the period they were employed in carrying out the surveying duties entrusted to them in this quarter of the Globe.
2. I have much pleasure in forwarding this Document to your Grace bearing as it does such well meritedManuscript image testimony to the services of an able and energetic Officer. It is unnecessary that I should advert to the high intelligence and attainments of Captn Richards in his particular calling but I trust I may be permitted to say that during the long period Captain Richards was here I received from him on many occasions most valuable assistance and I ever found him sincerely desirous so to conduct the important service entrusted to him as to subserve the best interest of these Colonies.
3. I should have taken an earlier opportunity of transmitting this Document to your Grace had I not known that Captain Richards would return home by way of Australia and I considered it would be more convenient if the receiptManuscript image of this Despatch by your Grace were more concurrent with his arrival in England.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke
Your Graces most Obedient
Humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
I presume that this favorable testimony to Captain Richards' Services should be communicated to the Admiralty?
VJ 24 Nov
Draft.
TFE 24 Novr
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Testimonial of the Vancouver Island House Assembly expressing their thanks "to Captain Richards and his Officers for the valuable services thereby conferred on this Colony," 8 December 1862, signed by J.S. Helmcken, Speaker.
Other documents included in the file
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Elliot to Secretary to the Admiralty, 2 December 1863, forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosure.
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 24 September 1863, CO 305:20, no. 11406, 384. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/V63041.html.

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