<persName ref="prs:young_wag"><surname>Young</surname>, <forename>William</forename><!--ps edit 08-06-09 --> <forename>Alexander</forename> <forename>George</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:fortescue"><surname>Fortescue</surname>, <forename>Chichester</forename></persName> 4 February 1865, CO 305:27, no. 1099, 389. Young addressee Under-Secretary of State

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Young, William Alexander George to Fortescue, Chichester 4 February 1865, CO 305:27, no. 1099, 389.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/V656Y01.html. CO 305:27 CO 305 27 1099 389 V.I. 1865 received 6 February co_305_27_00390r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Correspondence (private letter). Minutes (5), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).

Young requests a three-month extension of leave. Blackwood’s minute suggests refusing the extension, as it would overlap with Wakeford’s return to Australia, and in a subsequent minute, Blackwood notes receipt of a despatch in which Kennedy requests that Young return as soon as possible. Elliot minutes his belief that Young is part of a powerful cabal connected to Douglas. Cardwell minutes for Young’s request to be refused.

 Young, William Alexander George
Walmer, Kent
Fortescue, Chichester Inserted revisionDesc. Added abstract. Written by Josiah Snell.
Young to Under-Secretary of State 1099, CO 305/27, p. 389; received 6 February
Walmer, Kent
4h February 1865 Sir,

As private affairs of importance to myself will require my presence in England for a longer period than my present leave of absence from the Colony of Vancouver's Island will admit, I have the honor very respectfully to request that you will be pleased to move the Secretary of State to grant me an extension of Three months, from the expirationof of my present term, viz. the 14th May proximo.

I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient and humble Servant William A.G. Young Colonial Secretary of Vancouver's Island The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies &c &c &c
Mr Elliot See 5469, and 6011. Governor Kennedy has not ansd the enquiry proposed to him in July whether Mr Young's absence wdwould subject him to any inconvenience. My impression is that he wdwould rather have his own friend, Mr Wakeford to act as Col: SecycompanySecretary & that he would willingly dispense with Mr Young's presence. But Mr Wakeford's leave from W. Australia will expire on the 14 June next (see 11920/64 & draft ansr). To enable him to reach W. Australia by that time he will probably have to quit V.C. Island in April or May—which—if Mr Young's Application for extension of leave be complied with—wdwould most likely be inconvenient to the Governor, who will not easily find amongst the community a suitable person to act as Colonial SecycompanySecretary for even the short interval of a couple of months. Under these circs it seems to me that there is no alternative except to refuse Mr Young's application. ABd 7 Feb
Since writing the preceeding minute a further important despatch from GovrGovernor Kennedy has been shewn me in which he urges * Mr Young shdshould be required to return to V.C.I. at the expiration of his leave—see 9483. This wish of GovrGovernor Kennedy's may, I think, be regarded as conclusive against Mr Young's application. ABd 7 Feb
So far as regards the question of leave, I am quite clear that it ought to be refused, even if it should lead to Mr Young's resignation.

I am satisfied that it is a very great misfortune that Mr Young should be Colonial Secretary because he is one of the numerous clique of Sir James Douglas's family connections who have gained possession of all the principal Offices in Vancouver Island. This will, I have no doubt, be a serious obstacle to Governor Kennedy's doing his duty by the Colony. He has frequently complained of the powerful cabal which he finds established, and I feel no doubt of the correctness of his complaints, not merely on account of their inherent probability, but because I myself witnessed in even so large a place as Canada the evil effects of a similar family clique in possession of all the Offices, an evil whichcontributed contributed to drive the Province into rebellion.

TFE 8 Feb
Mr Cardwell Refuse the extension of leave accordingly. CF 10
Mr Young may be informed that the arrangement which now enables the Governor to supply his place is only provisional & temporary: & I am unable to comply with his request for a future extension of leave, which I have reason to consider wdwould be productive of inconvenience in the Colony. EC 13 Feb
Elliot to Young, 15 February 1865, refusing the request for an extension to his leave of absence, with explanation.
In the event of Mr Wakeford resuming his office in W. Australia. CSP