Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 1 September 1862, CO 60:13, no. 10580, 406.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
No. 42
1 September 1862
With reference to my despatch No 41 of the 29th Ultimo reporting having granted 6 months leave of absence on Medical Certificate to Captain Gosset the Treasurer of British Columbia, and adverting to your Grace's despatch No 62 of the 20th November1860
1860, directing me to call upon Captain Gosset for an explanation in respect of certain defalcations discovered in the Surveyor
Generals Department at Ceylon while under Captain Gosset's charge, I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that on the 29th January 1861 I referred the matter to Captain Gosset in accordance with your Grace's instructions. I have twice since calledthe
the attention of that Officer to the subject,
and I transmit herewith copy of his replies explaining the cause
of his delay in forwarding the required report.
1860, directing me to call upon Captain Gosset for an explanation in respect of certain defalcations discovered in the Surveyor
Generals Department at Ceylon while under Captain Gosset's charge, I have the honor to acquaint your Grace that on the 29th January 1861 I referred the matter to Captain Gosset in accordance with your Grace's instructions. I have twice since calledthe
the attention of that Officer to the subject,
and I transmit herewith copy of his replies explaining the cause
of his delay in forwarding the required report.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Captn Gosset is in this Country on leave of absence from B. Columbia, & the contents of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch of the 17 Sept have not been communicated to him, as he had left the Colony before its receipt.
Captn Gosset is in this Country on leave of absence from B. Columbia, & the contents of the Duke of Newcastle's despatch of the 17 Sept have not been communicated to him, as he had left the Colony before its receipt.
Would it not be best to call upon Captn Gosset to furnish the explanation which is required, & which he expected in Aug 61 to be
able to make "at once," & looking to the inconvenience which is occasioned to Ceylon
by keeping the question open, it may be
considered necessary even to allow him a certain fixed period within which to show
why he should not be held responsible for the
defalcation.
Mr Robinson
The best way will be to frame a draft to Capt. Gosset on the terms of our despatch to the Governor. It should not be too strong, instead of "surprise" &c express "regret" &c.
The best way will be to frame a draft to Capt. Gosset on the terms of our despatch to the Governor. It should not be too strong, instead of "surprise" &c express "regret" &c.
TFE
1 Nov
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
W.D. Gosset to Colonial Secretary, 17 August 1861, advising
that he was waiting for information to arrive in support of his
case that he should not be held liable for the dishonesty of his
clerk.
Gosset to Colonial Secretary, 24 July 1862, advising he would
reply to the inquiry regarding Ceylon from England.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Gosset, 7 November 1862, advising that
unless he furnished a satisfactory explanation of his part in the matter, he would
be held responsible for the amount outstanding.