Douglas, Chief Factor Governor Vice-Admiral Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 26 January 1861, CO 60:10, no. 2753, 34.

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Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 26 January 1861, CO 60:10, no. 2753, 34.

Abstract

Despatch to London. Minutes (7), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).

Douglas presents Newcastle with a justification for Douglas's agreeing to Cary's request for a transfer from the position of Attorney General for British Columbia to the position of Attorney General for Vancouver Island, along with Cary's resignation from the British Columbia post.

No. 8

26 January 1861

I have the honor to forward herewith to Your Grace copy of a letter I have received from Mr George Hunter Cary, Attorney General for this Colony, tendering the resignation of that appointment, with a viewto

to obtaining confirmation in the appointment of Attorney General for Vancouver's Island.

2. Your Grace is aware that there is no Attorney General appointed by Her Majesty's Government for Vancouver's Island, and that I have therefore been necessitated to avail myself of the services of Mr Cary—services which have ever been most cheerfully rendered, and, hitherto, altogether gratuitously—and I can scarcely express how much I feel indebted to Mr Cary for his valuable aid both as a Memberof

of the Legislature and as an Adviser to the Government.

3. Your Grace will observe that Mr Cary expresses his readiness to continue the performance of the duties of Attorney General for British Columbia until a Successor is appointed, and I would therefore ask Your Grace to select another Gentleman to fill that most responsible position in British Columbia, and to secure the services of Mr Cary for Vancouver's Island by confirming the Acting Appointment I have given him.

4. A Salary of Four Hundred pounds (£400) per annum has been voted by the Legislature of Vancouver's Island for the Attorney General, subject however to the condition that it shall not be payable out of the General Revenue of the Colony (i.e. the Revenue apart from the proceeds of Land Sales) until the public Lands of the Colony shall be placed under the control of the Legislature. Mr Cary is of course aware of this condition, and in accepting the appointment perfectly understands that he willbe

be subject to it.

5. I need scarcely add that Mr Cary is a gentleman of high attainments, and good judgement, and would be found a most valuable and useful servant to any Government.

I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke
Your Grace's most obedient
and humble Servant
James Douglas

Minutes by CO staff

Mr Elliot
The Salary of the Attorney General of B. Columbia is £400 a year with private practice.

VJ 25 March

Confirm Mr Cary's appointment to Vancouver's?

With regard to Columbia, the appointment of a successor to Mr Cary will require a selection by the Duke.

TFE 25 March

CF 25

To Mr Engleheart

N 28

See despatch to Govr of 15 June 1861, provisionally appointing Mr Creese [Crease]. The Salary has since the above minutes were written, been increased to £500.

VJ 15 June 61