Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Gosset, William Driscoll to Carnarvon, Earl 25 October 1858, CO 60:3, no. 10964, 112.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (6), Other documents (2).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Gosset asks for clarification of his appointment in British Columbia. He also requests that his previous colonial service in Ceylon be made known to Douglas and that the CO grant him thirty to forty acres of land.
The minutes consider it
impossibleto provide Gosset with a precise definition of his job description. The CO will inform Douglas of Gosset’s prior colonial experience but cannot grant him any land as thirty to forty acres
might be in the heart of a future town.Finally, Carnarvon senses
a restless spiritin Gosset and fears if
unguardedit may
lead to a conflict of authorities.
Encloses is a Memorandum from the War Office declaring that Gosset’s salary will reflect the rank given to him; a draft from Lytton to Douglas forwarding Gosset’s letter.
Gosset to Under-Secretary of State
The Cloisters
Windsor
Octr 25.58.
Windsor
Sir,
Naturally apprehensive, without assurance to the contrary,
lest the salary of my office should be regarded as an index to
my station, in British Columbia, or that His Excellency The
Governor, if vested with discretionary power, might exclude
me from his Council, from ignorance of my past experience in
Colonial legislation, I have the honour to express a hope, that
some definition may be given me of my future position in the
Government, or, if this should be productive of embarrassment in the
presentstage
stage of arrangements, that such intimation may be conveyed
to His Excellency as shall secure me that consideration, upon which,
(judging from the constitution of the Ceylon Govt) I have
relied, when accepting the post of Treasurer or Chief Officer of Finance.
stage of arrangements, that such intimation may be conveyed
to His Excellency as shall secure me that consideration, upon which,
(judging from the constitution of the Ceylon Govt) I have
relied, when accepting the post of Treasurer or Chief Officer of Finance.
2. And, valuing my services in Ceylon, (as not to do, would
be ungrateful on my part, towards His Excellency Sir Henry Ward
& towards the people of Ceylon, European & Native, whose good
opinion both in my place in Council & as Surveyor General, it was
my great fortune to experience), I beg that the dateof
of my entry
into Colonial Service may be quoted to the Governor of British
Columbia, by which, the continuity of that service, may be
recorded, and preserved to me.
of my entry
into Colonial Service may be quoted to the Governor of British
Columbia, by which, the continuity of that service, may be
recorded, and preserved to me.
3. The peculiarities of a New Colony, requiring spécialtés
in the preparations, I have, at considerable expense, provided
myself with a house; unless however enabled to erect it, this
provision would be wasted; to secure therefore the reasonable
consideration of a roof over my head, I trust that it may seem
proper to you to direct, that thirty or 40 acres of land be granted
me, should I be desirous of obtaining them, and on my paying for them
the upsetprice
price, whatever that price may be in the locality selected.
price, whatever that price may be in the locality selected.
This I earnestly request, in order that I may be saved from
ruinous competition with speculative bidders, or spared the
discomfort and indignity which would accrue from being
compelled to retire from public Contests I might not be able to
maintain. The Commissioner of Lands and Works & his Military Officers
have been provided with houses at Government expense, which will
doubtless be erected on Government property: with me a Civil
officer the case is unfortunately different, yetin
in my humble opinion
private houses should stand in private grounds for the prevention
of doubts or disputes a future day.
in my humble opinion
private houses should stand in private grounds for the prevention
of doubts or disputes a future day.
4. By the custom of the Commissariat Department, the officers
acting as Commissaries are entitled to certain privileges in the
matter of rations for their families, horses &c &c; perhaps, as the
Governor of New Columbia may be unversed in such trifles, it may be
advisable that he should be apprised of my claims in this respect.
The Rt Honble
The Under Secy of State
for H.M. Colonies
The Under Secy of State
for H.M. Colonies
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I consider it impossible to define with the precision asked for by Capn Gossett what his position will be in B. Columbia beyond that of Treasurer & Commissary. His wish is to be in Council. And I should think he would be very useful there, and that the Governor would be only too glad to have his services at the Board. But until an Order in Council is passed, as prescribed by the Act of Parlt, the S. of State is not at liberty to empower the Governor to constitute a Legislature or form a Council. When the proper time arrives Capn Gossett's claims may be favorably considered, if the S. of S. thinks fit to put the Treasurer in the Council, whh is not, I think, the case in every Colony.
I consider it impossible to define with the precision asked for by Capn Gossett what his position will be in B. Columbia beyond that of Treasurer & Commissary. His wish is to be in Council. And I should think he would be very useful there, and that the Governor would be only too glad to have his services at the Board. But until an Order in Council is passed, as prescribed by the Act of Parlt, the S. of State is not at liberty to empower the Governor to constitute a Legislature or form a Council. When the proper time arrives Capn Gossett's claims may be favorably considered, if the S. of S. thinks fit to put the Treasurer in the Council, whh is not, I think, the case in every Colony.
2. The date of his entry into the Colonial Service of Ceylon can
of course be communicated to the Governor since it is wished.
3. I think there can be no objection to allow Capn G. & other
public Officers to purchase a small quantity of land at the upset
price, but I am sensible that it is, on principle, a privilege that
shd be conceded only on
very exceptional grounds—such as exist
in this case—viz, the belonging to the party which is sent out as
the first settlers, & the smallness of the Officer's Salaries. The
first reason appears to be strong enough as it must be undoubtedly
rough work that has to be encountered in the establishment of a
Colony in such a wild Country, entitling the first founders to some
privileges.
very exceptional grounds—such as exist
in this case—viz, the belonging to the party which is sent out as
the first settlers, & the smallness of the Officer's Salaries. The
first reason appears to be strong enough as it must be undoubtedly
rough work that has to be encountered in the establishment of a
Colony in such a wild Country, entitling the first founders to some
privileges.
ABd
27 Oct /58
Lord Carnarvon
1st On the first point it occurs to me that the simplest course will be in notifying Captain Gosset's appointment to inform the Governor of the high credit with which he served in Ceylon and to say that subject always to the Govrs discretion he would appear a very proper and useful person to introduce into the Council whenever the time for forming such a body arrives. 1
1st On the first point it occurs to me that the simplest course will be in notifying Captain Gosset's appointment to inform the Governor of the high credit with which he served in Ceylon and to say that subject always to the Govrs discretion he would appear a very proper and useful person to introduce into the Council whenever the time for forming such a body arrives. 1
2dly Communicate the date of his entry into the Ceylon service.
3dly I should certainly refuse his third request, telling him
that Sir E.B. Lytton must decline to grant to any public officers
any distinction whatever from all other British subjects in respect
of the acquisition of public Land. The adoption of a contrary
course in the formation of a new settlement has always been
attended with pernicious
consequences, and has occasioned a just
public resentment.
consequences, and has occasioned a just
public resentment.
4. Captain Gosset seems in rather an anomalous position by being
both a Commissary and not a Commissary. I annex an inquiry to the
War Departt which I have made unofficial in conformity with your
suggestions in our conversation.
TFE
17/10
I think that with reference to request number 3 it might be said,
that though all public officers in B. Columbia must in the
acquisition of land stand on the same footing as the mass of the
community, that Sir E. Lytton feels assured that Capt Gossett will
have all reasonable opportunities for the purchase of the land wh
is necessary to his personal comfort or to the efficient discharge
of his official duties.
I am not sure that it wd not be wise to strengthen the answer to
No 1 by a remark on the complete supremacy of the Govr. There
is an indication in Capn Gossetts letter of rather a restless spirit,
wh if it confines itself to its legitimate channel will be most
valuable as in Ceylon but wh if unguarded might lead to a conflict
of authorities, than wh nothing cd be more dangerous.
C
Oct 28
Other documents included in the file
*
Memorandum
The allowances to which Captain Gossett would be entitled, whilst
acting as a Commissariat Officer in British Columbia, would be
regulated according to the scales laid down for Officers of his
corresponding rank on the Staff.
Before therefore, it can be stated what would be the amount of his
allowances, it must be ascertained what rank will be accorded to
him, whilst in discharge of the duty referred to.
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
As Capn Gossett has sailed it will be in conformity with ordinary practise, & desirable on the ground of maintaining a proper subordination to the Governor that we shd send the ansr to Capn G. through that Functionary.
As Capn Gossett has sailed it will be in conformity with ordinary practise, & desirable on the ground of maintaining a proper subordination to the Governor that we shd send the ansr to Capn G. through that Functionary.
With regard to Capn Gs application for allowance as a
Commissariat officer, the fact is, I believe, that an Officer of
his rank wd be entitled to a couple
of horses, forage accy, &
a very liberal scale of allowance of rations for himself. This, I
think, we can scarcely allow. No terms were made with him that he
shd have any Commissariat rations at all, when he accepted the
Office (which he knew wd be conjoined with that of Treasurer) of
Commissary—nor can the Force conveniently afford the allowance he
asks for. With these views I have proposed the passage you will
find in this draft.
of horses, forage accy, &
a very liberal scale of allowance of rations for himself. This, I
think, we can scarcely allow. No terms were made with him that he
shd have any Commissariat rations at all, when he accepted the
Office (which he knew wd be conjoined with that of Treasurer) of
Commissary—nor can the Force conveniently afford the allowance he
asks for. With these views I have proposed the passage you will
find in this draft.