I annex the copy of the Minutes of 1863 recording the terms on whwhich leave of absence from the C.O. and the temporary apptmt at B. Columbia (with the option of keeping it) was given to Mr Birch—at his request.

The maximum salary of a Junior Clerk (whwhich Mr Birch then was) is £300—he was also Private Secretary whwhich is an addition of £150. The minimum of an assistant to whwhich class Mr Birch was likely to be soon promoted was £350.

The Salary of the Col Secy at B.C. was £800 with the chance of succeeding to the Admn of the GovtGovernment with half salary of £[blank] (both exclusive of travelling expenses). Mr Birch held the adminn for 14 months on a half salary of £2000.

I think arrangements of this kind very useful, both because it is convenient that offices in the Colonies shdshould be occasionally filled by Gentlemen who understand the transaction of business in this department and because it is still more useful that some member of this office shdshould know a little practically of the Colonies (though this has its drawbacks occasionally). But I think that arrangements of this kind should always be such that the temporary increase of Salary & pleasure & change of scene shdshould sufficiently compensate those who are thus detached for any incidental expenses involved in the change witht imposing any cost either on the Colony, or on any other Member of this Office or of the Colonial Service. I think in this case the temporary increase of Mr B's Salary and, while Admg the GovtGovernment, of position, is sufficient to cover all such incidental expenses & inconveniences: and that Mr Birch when he "elected" to give up his Colonial Secretaryship & resume his place in this Office was on the same footing as any other officer who resigns his Colonial Office after two or three years service witht any claim on the Colony for indulgence or compensation.

When he thus resigned, he had no claim on the Colony for half salary during his journey home; & still less was there any ground for permanently withholding that half salary from the officer provisionally appointed to do his work, to whom that salary wdwould become properly due if he was confirmed in his office. It appears at first sight that Mr Young—having been Coll Secretary of V.C.I. has a strong claim to the appointment though I learn from Mr Birch that his Vancouver connections or inclinations render him distasteful to the B Columbian party.

I think however that considering that the arrangement—though made at Mr Birch's request, is on principle useful a one and (particularly) useful to this Office, Mr Birch may well be considered as absent from the Colonial Office on leave (i.e. with the full salary of a junior,) from the date at which he ceased to draw Salary in B. Columbia. This will be at the rate of 300£ per ann instead of the rate £400.

On Mr Jadis' retirement a place will be vacant in the Assistant Class to whwhich Class I wdwould then propose that Mr B shdshould be advanced taking at once the place, in point of priority to whwhich he wdwould have been entitled had he remained at home & been promoted in order of seniority. Of course he cd only come in at the minimum salary.