Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
[Sender not known.] to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 16 September 1863, CO 60:17, no. 10840, 463.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Enclosures (transcribed) (11), Enclosures (untranscribed) (11).
Holbrook and Cormack to Newcastle
September 16th 1863
To His Grace
The Duke of Newcastle K.G.
Secretary of State, for the Colonies
&c &c &c
May it please your Grace,
May it please your Grace,
We have the honor to state, that as judges appointed by
HisExcellency
Excellency the Governor, in 1862, to adjudicate upon the
merits of Essays setting forth the capabilities, resources,
and advantages, of British Columbia, as a Colony for settlement,
in pursuance of our duties, we awarded the premium of Fifty
pounds (£50) for the "Essay" of the "Revd R.C.L. Brown, M.A.," and returned the Essay, in the same state in which it came into
our hands, unchanged in any way, to the Chief Commissioner of
Lands and Works, for His Excellency.
Excellency the Governor, in 1862, to adjudicate upon the
merits of Essays setting forth the capabilities, resources,
and advantages, of British Columbia, as a Colony for settlement,
in pursuance of our duties, we awarded the premium of Fifty
pounds (£50) for the "Essay" of the "Revd R.C.L. Brown, M.A.," and returned the Essay, in the same state in which it came into
our hands, unchanged in any way, to the Chief Commissioner of
Lands and Works, for His Excellency.
An Essay has just been issued in pamphlet form, fromthe
the
printing establishment of the Government, purporting to be the
same, (see official notice on the back of the title page) viz.
"An Essay by the Revd R.C.L. Brown, M.A."
the
printing establishment of the Government, purporting to be the
same, (see official notice on the back of the title page) viz.
"An Essay by the Revd R.C.L. Brown, M.A."
It is our duty—respectfully—to call Your Grace's attention
to this pamphlet, as being very different from the Essay in
question, when adjudicated upon, and is a document made up by
leaving out numerous important matters, that were in the
original, by manipulations, and by introducing new matter,
different and diametrically opposite to statements made in the
original,which
which, if not counteracted, would mislead parties
in England and elsewhere, and we are particularly desirous that
the truth be conveyed to Your Grace.
which, if not counteracted, would mislead parties
in England and elsewhere, and we are particularly desirous that
the truth be conveyed to Your Grace.
The Appendices (Nos 1 to 9) herewith will place this matter
more clearly before Your Grace, and we beg Your Grace's notice
especially to Nos 5 and 8.
We take the liberty of introducing here—an extract from
the British Columbian newspaper of the 12th instant,
indicating the nature of some of the changes which have been
made in the original Essay (newspaper clipping follows here).
We have the honor to be Your Grace's
most obedient and most humble Servants
Henry Holbrook
W.E. Cormack
Members of the "Board of Judges on Prize Essays"
most obedient and most humble Servants
Henry Holbrook
W.E. Cormack
Members of the "Board of Judges on Prize Essays"
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
This letter encloses copies of a correspondence between the Members of the "Board of Judges on Prize Essays," and Colonel Moody, on the subject of an Essay on B. Columbia by the Revd R.C.L. Brown. The allegation of the Board is that the printed Essay, issued from the Royal Engineer Press, differs materially from the original
Manuscript on which
they adjudged the Prize to the Author. Colonel Moody,
authorized by the Colonial Secretary, refuses to give up
the Manuscript to the Judges, but on which grounds does not
appear. I annex a copy of the Essay as printed sent home
by the Govr in a recent despatch which is now in circulation.
This letter ought, according to rule, to have been sent thro'
the Govr and I presume the Papers should now be referred to
him for report & the Writers informed that this course has been taken?
This letter encloses copies of a correspondence between the Members of the "Board of Judges on Prize Essays," and Colonel Moody, on the subject of an Essay on B. Columbia by the Revd R.C.L. Brown. The allegation of the Board is that the printed Essay, issued from the Royal Engineer Press, differs materially from the original
Manuscript on which
they adjudged the Prize to the Author. Colonel Moody,
authorized by the Colonial Secretary, refuses to give up
the Manuscript to the Judges, but on which grounds does not
appear. I annex a copy of the Essay as printed sent home
by the Govr in a recent despatch which is now in circulation.
This letter ought, according to rule, to have been sent thro'
the Govr and I presume the Papers should now be referred to
him for report & the Writers informed that this course has been taken?
See Govr/11527.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Newspaper clipping,
British Columbian, no date, showing examples of how the essay
was altered.
Schedule of appendices enclosed with letter, nine entries.
No. 2 Holbrook and Cormack to Archdeacon Wright, 5 September 1863,
advising of the alteration to the substance of the winning essay and
asking for an opinion.
No. 5 Wright to W.A.G. Young, Colonial Secretary, 8 September
1863, declining to participate in the formal request of
the other two judges for a copy of the original essay, understanding
that Brown had destroyed much of the original in the process of
condensation, but agreeing with the impropriety of the changes made
to the manuscript.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
Extract from British Columbian Newspaper
are stricken out because containing strictures upon the Government, or merited praise of the Royal Engineers, and, in the instance which we now adduce, passages containing sentiments the very opposite have been substituted. We give the following as a specimen:
PASSAGE FROM THE PRINTED ESSAY
The manner to which the Government is carried on and
the laws administered, gives general satisfaction. So long
as the Colony progresses, and its new necessities are met by
new enactments, the colonists (with the exception of an
uninfluential clique at New Westminster) are satisfied;
they have not the wish, as in the present circumstances they
would not have the time, to legislate for themselves.
PASSAGE AS CONTAINED IN THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT
PASSAGE AS CONTAINED IN THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT
The backward state of the country, the bad condition
of the roads that exist, the waste of the revenue in the
construction of roads now abandoned—because in districts
now frequented—and undeveloped state of the agricultural
resources, are owing to the misadministration of the Government.
We are indebted to the two gentlemen who were appointed
judges for the above, which is the substance of the original
passage.
Schedule of Appendices
No 1 Board of Judges on Prize Essay to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.
September 4th 1863. No 2 Letter from two members of the Prize Essay Board, to the Venbl Archdeacon the third member of the Board.
September 5th 1863. No 3 Letter from the Venbl the Archdeacon of British Columbia, to the other two members of the Prize Essay Board.
September 7th 1863.Prize
No 4 Prize Essay Board to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, requesting a reperusal
of the Original manuscript.
(see reply No. 9)
September 7th 1863. No 5 Letter from the Venbl Archdeacon Wright to W.A.G. Young Esqe Acting Colonial Secretary.
September 8th 1863. No 6 Letter from the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to the members of the Prize Essay Board.
September 9th 1863.Letter
No 7 Letter from the Venbl Archdeacon Wright to the other
two members of the Board.
September 12th 1863. No 8 Letter from the Venbl Archdeacon Wright to W.A.G. Young Esqe, Acting Col Secry.
September 11th 1863. No 9 Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works to the Members of the Prize Essay Board stating that "the Col. Secretary says he is not authorized to place the Original Essay in the hands of the Judges."
September 14th 1863.
No. 1 Holbrook and Cormack to Moody
Printed copies purporting to be of an Essay on the
"Resources &c of British Columbia by the Revd R.C.L. Brown,"
and for which Essay we—as authorized Judges—awarded a prize of
fifty pounds, having been put into our hands this afternoon, we hereby
protest against and interdict the issueof
of such printed pamphlet as
containing matter not in the original Essay, but matter entirely at
variance with what was in the original, and which will convey grossly
false impressions upon the state of the Colony as to its
political and social aspects.
of such printed pamphlet as
containing matter not in the original Essay, but matter entirely at
variance with what was in the original, and which will convey grossly
false impressions upon the state of the Colony as to its
political and social aspects.
No. 2 Holbrook and Cormack to Archdeacon Wright
The Essay on British Columbia by the Revd R.C.L. Brown,
of which yourself and the subscribers were appointed
judges, has appeared in a printed form,from
from which the following
extract is made, from "Chapter VIII, on the political and Social
aspects"
The manner in which the Government is carried
on, and the laws administered gives general Satisfaction. So
long as the Colony progresses, and its new necessities are
met by new enactments, the Colonists (with the exception of
an uninfluential clique at New Westminster) are Satisfied,
they have not the wish, as in the present circumstances they
would not have the time, to legislate for themselves.Yet
Yet,
although British Columbia has flourished under the present
Governor, it is evident that her interests can never receive
that exclusive attention which is essential to her rapid
development, so long as his Excellency has also charge of
the neighbouring colony of Vancouvers Island, and resides there.
from which the following
extract is made, from "Chapter VIII, on the political and Social
aspects"
The manner in which the Government is carried
on, and the laws administered gives general Satisfaction. So
long as the Colony progresses, and its new necessities are
met by new enactments, the Colonists (with the exception of
an uninfluential clique at New Westminster) are Satisfied,
they have not the wish, as in the present circumstances they
would not have the time, to legislate for themselves.Yet
Yet,
although British Columbia has flourished under the present
Governor, it is evident that her interests can never receive
that exclusive attention which is essential to her rapid
development, so long as his Excellency has also charge of
the neighbouring colony of Vancouvers Island, and resides there.
As no such paragraph appeared in the original manuscript,
we are at a loss to account for it in theprinted
printed essay, and
are therefore very desirous to have your opinion on the subject.
printed essay, and
are therefore very desirous to have your opinion on the subject.
No. 3 Wright to Holbrook and Cormack
I beg to acknowledge your letter dated September 5th.
The Essay by the Revd R.C.L. Brown to which we awarded a
prize of £50 was returned by me to the Chief Commrof
of
Lands and Works and passed on by him to His Excellency the
Governor. Mr Brown was informed by letter from Victoria
that previous to publication the matter must be condensed and
fitted for the press.
of
Lands and Works and passed on by him to His Excellency the
Governor. Mr Brown was informed by letter from Victoria
that previous to publication the matter must be condensed and
fitted for the press.
I observe that the Essay has been greatly changed, some
passages very interesting to the Colonists have disappeared,
and others far from acceptable to them, have been introduced.
Among the latter I place that to which you have drawn my
special attention. Theaddition
addition of an uncalled for attack
upon some of the inhabitants of this City is very much to be
regretted, and by no means just towards those who were requested
to act as judges of the Essays.
addition of an uncalled for attack
upon some of the inhabitants of this City is very much to be
regretted, and by no means just towards those who were requested
to act as judges of the Essays.
No. 4 Holbrook and Cormack to Moody
As
As we find that certain matter has been introduced into
the printed form of the Prize Essay on British Columbia by
the Revd R.C.L. Brown, which did not appear in the original
manuscript, we beg respectfully you will place the manuscript
at our disposal for a day or two, in order that we may have
an opportunity of assuring ourselves of the nature and extent
of such changes.
No. 5 Wright to W.A.G. Young
The inhabitants of New Westminster are very indignant
about the alterations made in the Essay to which a prize of
£50 was awarded. One passage which speaksof
of "an uninfluential
clique" (page 52) is an addition condemned by all. Messrs
Holbrook and Cormack have asked me to sign a letter requesting
that the manuscript may be returned to the Judges for
examination. I have not consented to their request simply
because I do not think that a formal address to the Governor
upon the matter is necessary. Further, my belief is that much
of the original Essay has been destroyed, as Mr Brown
informed me that he had rewritten much of it. I writeto
to
say that I quite feel with my fellow judges the impropriety
of the article upon New Westminster and of the numerous
unnecessary changes that have been made. Perhaps it will
be well to allow the manuscript to be seen again by the
Judges—especially as Mr Brown has said that he received
instructions from Victoria to condense the matter previous
to printing.
of "an uninfluential
clique" (page 52) is an addition condemned by all. Messrs
Holbrook and Cormack have asked me to sign a letter requesting
that the manuscript may be returned to the Judges for
examination. I have not consented to their request simply
because I do not think that a formal address to the Governor
upon the matter is necessary. Further, my belief is that much
of the original Essay has been destroyed, as Mr Brown
informed me that he had rewritten much of it. I writeto
to
say that I quite feel with my fellow judges the impropriety
of the article upon New Westminster and of the numerous
unnecessary changes that have been made. Perhaps it will
be well to allow the manuscript to be seen again by the
Judges—especially as Mr Brown has said that he received
instructions from Victoria to condense the matter previous
to printing.
No. 6 Moody to Holbrook and Cormack
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two
letters dated 4th Septr and 8th Septr and I have
referred both through the Colonial Secretary toHis
His Excellency
the Governor.
His Excellency
the Governor.
In the matter of the issue of the Prize Essay, this
Department has solely acted as
Printer; and it is not in my power to cause the Manuscript,
as received by me to print, to be laid before you without authority.
I have the honor to be Gentlemen
Your most obedient Servant
R.C. Moody
Colonel, R.E. &c
Chief Commissioner
Your most obedient Servant
R.C. Moody
Colonel, R.E. &c
Chief Commissioner
No. 7 Wright to Cormack and Holbrook
I declined joining in any formal application for a return
of the Essay M.S. to the Board of Judges, but I wrote to Mr
Young about the alterations &c. Mr Young holds that whenthe
the Judges had given their decision "their functions ceased." As
the view he takes is one which would enable any amount of good
or bad composition, of truth or falsehood to be published as
approved by the Board, I felt it my duty to show cause why I
deemed him in error. I consider it due to you that my letter
should be before you, and I therefore enclose a copy of it.
Having done all that I thought necessary touching the alterations
inthe
the Essay, I must decline saying any thing further upon the matter.
the Judges had given their decision "their functions ceased." As
the view he takes is one which would enable any amount of good
or bad composition, of truth or falsehood to be published as
approved by the Board, I felt it my duty to show cause why I
deemed him in error. I consider it due to you that my letter
should be before you, and I therefore enclose a copy of it.
Having done all that I thought necessary touching the alterations
inthe
the Essay, I must decline saying any thing further upon the matter.
No. 8 Wright to Young
I have to acknowledge your letter of the 10th September.
I quite agree with you that the Judges were not invited by
His Excellency the Governorto
to act as Censors, but I presume
it was intended they should act as honest men. They gave their
judgement in favor of an Essay which they deemed able and
useful; but to publish as that Essay a pamphlet much of which
had never been seen by them, they consider unfair to themselves,
the public at large, and to those who competed for the Prize.
By all means let there be freedom of opinion, but with it let
there be strict integrity.
to act as Censors, but I presume
it was intended they should act as honest men. They gave their
judgement in favor of an Essay which they deemed able and
useful; but to publish as that Essay a pamphlet much of which
had never been seen by them, they consider unfair to themselves,
the public at large, and to those who competed for the Prize.
By all means let there be freedom of opinion, but with it let
there be strict integrity.
I travelled from one end of this Colony to the other, andfrom
from New Westminster to Alexandria: the common cry was for
a resident Governor, Separation of the two Colonies, and some
form of Self Government, and with that cry I may say every
official in this City sympathizes; but if the writer of the
Prize Essay thinks proper to say that all are contented with
the present state of things, he has a perfect right to his
opinion, but he has no right—after the Judges have given their
decision, largely to alter and to qualify what was originally
written, and to introduce an uninvited and bitter attack upon
a portion of the inhabitants of the Colony.Your
Your letter
implies that you know certain persons who, after the Prize
had been awarded, tried to tamper with the author. I am very
sorry to hear it.
from New Westminster to Alexandria: the common cry was for
a resident Governor, Separation of the two Colonies, and some
form of Self Government, and with that cry I may say every
official in this City sympathizes; but if the writer of the
Prize Essay thinks proper to say that all are contented with
the present state of things, he has a perfect right to his
opinion, but he has no right—after the Judges have given their
decision, largely to alter and to qualify what was originally
written, and to introduce an uninvited and bitter attack upon
a portion of the inhabitants of the Colony.Your
Your letter
implies that you know certain persons who, after the Prize
had been awarded, tried to tamper with the author. I am very
sorry to hear it.
No. 9 Moody to Holbrook and Cormack
Land and Works Department, New Westminster
14th September 1863
Messrs Holbrook and Cormack,
Gentlemen,
With reference to my letter to you No 217 of the 9th
Instant, I have now the honor to acquaint you of my havingbeen
been instructed by the Colonial Secretary that I am not
authorized to accede to the requests made by you in your
letters of the 4th & 7th Instant.
been instructed by the Colonial Secretary that I am not
authorized to accede to the requests made by you in your
letters of the 4th & 7th Instant.
I have the honor to be Sirs
Your most obedient Servant,
R.C. Moody
Colonel R.E. and
Chief Commissioner
Your most obedient Servant,
R.C. Moody
Colonel R.E. and
Chief Commissioner