<persName ref="prs:douglas_j"><surname>Douglas</surname>, <forename>James</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:newcastle"><surname>Pelham-Clinton</surname>, <forename>Henry</forename> <forename>Pelham</forename> <forename>Fiennes</forename></persName> 13 April 1864, CO 60:18, no. 5071, 194. Douglas addressee Newcastle

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 13 April 1864, CO 60:18, no. 5071, 194.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B64020SP.html. CO 60:18 CO 60 18 5071 194 Separate B.C. 1864 received 30 May co_60_18_00196r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Despatch to London. Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).

Douglas forwards a deputation from the inhabitants of British Columbia that praises Douglas’s colonial administration. Douglas expresses his appreciation for the kindness and good will of the colonists.

Douglas, James
New Westminster
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes Added abstract. Inserted revisionDesc.
Separate 5071, CO 60/18, p. 194; received 30 May
New Westminster
13 April 1864 My Lord Duke,

I have the honor to forward herewith the accompanying communication received by me through a deputation from the inhabitants of British Columbia, for transmission to Your Grace.

2. As it relates exclusivelyto to the character of my administration in British Columbia, it is unnecessary for me to make any observations with reference to it, except to remark that I truly appreciate the kindness and good will which prompted the Colonists to come forward so spontaneously to bear their testimony to my humble efforts faithfully to discharge the trust reposed in me by my Sovereign.

I have the honor to be My Lord Duke Your graces most obedient and humble Servant James Douglas
Mr Elliot Acke with satisfaction. (The inhabitants of V.C.I. last year paid Sir J. Douglas a similar compliment.) On some convenient oppy it will perhaps be thought right to signify to Sir J. Douglas the expression of the approval of H.M's GovtGovernment at his conduct as GovrGovernor of V.C.I. & B. Columbia.

Sir J. Douglas' career as Governor has been a remarkable one. Brought up in the service of the H.B.Co, which was a school from which it was scarcely to be expected that a man should be found capable of managing a colony, which was by no means free from the element of American notions as to GovtGovernment, he succeeded in keeping order, & maintaining liberty among the Inhabitants. And though his resolute style of governing produced occasional complaints I cannot recal to mind one single instance in which his explanations were insufficient, or any censure was administered. On the same principle on which a private individual in this Country would exceed his resources for a while in order to make a road through his property which he knew wdwould ultimately prove a great service, & increase the value of his Estates Governor Douglas for the sake of his roads in B. Columbia occasionally embarrassed us here by overdrawing his account; but after sundry cautions he became more regular. He now quits his two Govts leaving them in a state of prosperity, with every prospect of greater advancement.

ABd 3 June
Mr Fortescue There can be no question of the propriety of acknowledging with much satisfaction the Address presented to Sir James Douglas by a Deputation on the close of his GovtGovernment of British Columbia, expressive of their appreciation of the merits of his public services, and of the manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the Colony.

But I confess that I doubt whether the Secretary of State is called upon to go out of his way in so vexed a question as the merit of Sir J. Douglas' administration to write any separate despatch expressly for the purpose of pronouncing a general commendation. The Duke of Newcastle in announcing the intention to name a successor, sent out to Sir James the Order of K.C.B. which was probably the most striking method that could be adopted of signifying His Grace's general satisfaction with the Governor's administration.

TFE 16 June
I think the answer proposed by Mr Elliot will be the safer course. CF 20 EC 21
Petition from the inhabitants of British Columbia to Newcastle, praising the past administration of Douglas, various dates from around the colony, over 1,000 signatures.
Copy of the petition as noted above, signatures not appended.
Draft reply, Cardwell to Seymour, No. 20, 28 June 1864.