Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Hawkins, John Summerfield to Blackwood, Arthur Johnstone 30 October 1862, CO 60:14, no. 10744, 407.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (9), Other documents (1).
Hawkins forwards Lord's request for employment in British Columbia,
along with a number of letters of recommendation, to the Colonial Office.
Hawkins to Blackwood (Senior Clerk)
I take the liberty of enclosing to you, at the request of
Mr W.B. Lord that I should do so, an application from that
gentleman to His Grace the Secretary of State for the Colonies for
a public appointment in British Columbia, to which Colony he is
thinking of emigrating with his family if he can feel assured of
his position on arriving there; which application I trust you will
feel yourself enabled to submit to the Duke of Newcastle, with
such a recommendation in Mr Lord's favour as your knowledge of
the circumstances will permit you to make.
You have met Mr Lord, who was introduced to you by myself.
My own acquaintance with him is very recent; but his brother
Mr J.K. Lord has been attached to the North American land
Boundary Commission as assistant Naturalist (zoologist) and
Veterinary Surgeon,
and under my own immediate observation for
nearly five years, during which period his services were of the
most valuable description, and his conduct was irreproachable and
gentlemanlike—he is also favourably known to Governor Douglas.
Mr W.B. Lord has been for eight years in the Royal Artillery as
a Veterinary Surgeon, and he served throughout the Crimean War and
Indian Mutiny. I believe him to be of business habits, and of an
active, mechanical, and inventive turn of mind. He is I am
informed an educated Chemist and has had some practice in
assaying, and a practical geologist, and acquainted with several
branches of natural history—principally ornithology and
schthyology. It is no disadvantage in the country towards which
he thinks of turning his steps that he is a good sportsman and horseman.
and under my own immediate observation for
nearly five years, during which period his services were of the
most valuable description, and his conduct was irreproachable and
gentlemanlike—he is also favourably known to Governor Douglas.
Mr W.B. Lord has been for eight years in the Royal Artillery as
a Veterinary Surgeon, and he served throughout the Crimean War and
Indian Mutiny. I believe him to be of business habits, and of an
active, mechanical, and inventive turn of mind. He is I am
informed an educated Chemist and has had some practice in
assaying, and a practical geologist, and acquainted with several
branches of natural history—principally ornithology and
schthyology. It is no disadvantage in the country towards which
he thinks of turning his steps that he is a good sportsman and horseman.
Mr Lord's reasons for wishing to leave the service and proceed to a distant Colony are that
in his particular line he has
little or no prospect of any further advancement, and that in a
new and rising Colony he thinks he will
have better opportunities
for making his way than in an older community. I think it will be
admitted that a gentleman of his abilities would be a most
promising colonist; and as I feel convinced of his desire to make
a practical application of his various acquirements, I do not
doubt that he would prove a valuable public servant. I believe
Mr Lord has no wish or intention to emigrate as a mere
speculator, and I trust it will be within His Grace's power to
secure his services for the Colony to which he wishes to proceed.
have better opportunities
for making his way than in an older community. I think it will be
admitted that a gentleman of his abilities would be a most
promising colonist; and as I feel convinced of his desire to make
a practical application of his various acquirements, I do not
doubt that he would prove a valuable public servant. I believe
Mr Lord has no wish or intention to emigrate as a mere
speculator, and I trust it will be within His Grace's power to
secure his services for the Colony to which he wishes to proceed.
My desire to serve Mr Lord will I trust plead my excuse
for being the channel by which he wishes to transmit his
application to the Duke, through you.
Minutes by CO staff
Private Secretary
Colonel Hawkins' account of Mr Lord, & the testimonials, lead to the conclusion that such a settler as this would be valuable in any colonial community. But I know of no vacancy in British Columbia to whh Mr Lord cd be appointed supposing even that the Duke of Newcastle's engagements & claims on his patronage permitted His Grace to look favorably on this application.
Colonel Hawkins' account of Mr Lord, & the testimonials, lead to the conclusion that such a settler as this would be valuable in any colonial community. But I know of no vacancy in British Columbia to whh Mr Lord cd be appointed supposing even that the Duke of Newcastle's engagements & claims on his patronage permitted His Grace to look favorably on this application.
Other documents included in the file
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Recommendation of Captain L.A. Addington, 23
August 1862, testifying to Lord's capabilities and worth.
Recommendation of Colonel C.S. Crofton,
testifying to Lord's high character and professional abilities.
Recommendation of Major General W.W. Hutchinson, 5 August
1862, testifying to Lord's zeal and efficiency in the performance
of his duties.
Recommendation of Colonel H. Aylmer, no date, testifying to
Lord's abilities as a veterinary surgeon, and his additional
scientific knowledge, as a great benefit during service in the
Crimea.
Recommendation of Colonel D.S. Paynter, 9 September 1857, expressing extreme satisfaction with Lord's performance while
under his command.
Recommendation of Colonel S. Gardiner, 25 November 1861, testifying to Lord's extreme professionalism while on service in
India.
Colonel A.T. Philpots, 25 November 1861, testifying to Lord's
zeal and ability during the various periods he was under his
command.
Major General D.C. Anderson, 26 November 1861, testifying to
Lord's abilities as a veterinary surgeon.