<persName ref="prs:watson_j"><surname>Watson</surname>, <forename>Jonathan</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:grenville_r"><surname>Grenville</surname>, <forename>Richard</forename></persName> 23 August 1867, CO 60:31, no. 8394, 394. Watson, J. addressee Buckingham

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Watson, Jonathan to Grenville, Richard 23 August 1867, CO 60:31, no. 8394, 394.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/B676W09.html. CO 60:31 CO 60 31 8394 394 B.C. 1867registered 26 August co_60_31_00395r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Correspondence (private letter). Minutes (2).

Jonathan Watson, father of Alexander Watson, describes Alexander Watson’s past service to British Columbia to press Alexander Watson’s claim for compensation from the Colonial Office for the loss of Alexander Watson’s position on Vancouver Island. Elliot’s minute discusses why Alexander Watson is not due any compensation from the Colonial Office and advises on how to respond to Jonathan Watson.

Watson, Jonathan
Dublin Street Chapel Edinburgh
Grenville, Richard Added abstract. Inserted revisionDesc.
J. Watson to Buckingham 8394, CO 60/31, p. 394; registered 26 August
Dublin Street Chapel Edinburgh
23 Augt 1867 My Lord Duke

My Son as your Grace may know has returned from Van Couver Island on leave of absence. He occupied an important position in the Bank there and so highly was he esteemed that Goverr Douglas hearing of his purpose to return home, came to him and pressed on his acceptance the office of Treasurer of the Colony.

Thus to serve the Government he threw himself off from a permanent position in the Bank of B.N. America.

Regarding his official standing as for life, he now united in marriage with a young lady the daughter of a considerable proprietor in the Island by whom he has two children. My Son with his family are now here waiting an appointment from the Home Government or compensation for loss of position by the amalgamation of the Colonies.

My Son's appointment was duly confirmed by Her Majesty his appointment therefore unrepealed.

I cannot believe that when the case isshewn shewn to Your Grace in these few words that you will allow my Son to come to loss by the change which has taken place in years subsequent to his appointment to office. I consider that the honor of our Government is involved in this case and I shall not believe that when the hardship of it is thus briefly laid before Your Grace, Your Grace will permit it to be passed over without justice being done to my excellent son Alexander Watson.

I have the honor to remain My Lord Duke Your Grace's humble St Jonathan Watson V.D.M. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham
Mr Elliot See 7606. CC 26 Aug
One must be very patient of the unreasonableness of people about their personal claims: otherwise one might call the view which Mr Watson and his father take of his case almost imprudent.

He held for a short time an appointment in Vancouver which broke down by an inevitable consolidation of Offices. But he was then and there offered a post of the same value in the same place, although inevitably not bearing a designation of equally high rank. He chose to refuse it, and was granted a passage home at thepublic public expense: and now he and his father write as if he were a much injured man.

I should acquaint the father that when Mr Watson's former appointment, after about 5 years service, came to an end by an inevitable consolidation of Offices, he was offered employment at precisely the same income in the same place. He voluntarily declined it, and was thereupon allowed the favor of a passage home at the public expense. The Secretary of State must therefore entirely deny the statement that Mr Watson has been treated with any injustice. He may or may notreceive receive future employment if an opportunity should happen to occur, but he has no claim whatever on this Department.

[TFE] 28 Augt