Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 30 November 1864, CO 60:19, no. 1380, 442.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (10), Other documents (2).
Seymour recommends that the Colonial Secretary is the
proper officerto perform the duties of a Governor in their absence and that Birch is
the best man for the succession.Gairdner minutes his observation that Colonel Moody once filled this role while Lieutenant Governor of the colony but Elliot considers Seymour’s
arrangementto be suitable.
No. 75
30th November 1864
Sir,
I had the honor to receive when in London a despatch from
the Duke of Newcastle dated the 16th of January 1864, directing
me, when I had been sufficiently long in the Colony to form an
opinion, to report upon the presentarrangement
arrangement by which the
Colonial Secretary succeeds to the Administration of the Government
in the event of the death or absence of the Governor.
arrangement by which the
Colonial Secretary succeeds to the Administration of the Government
in the event of the death or absence of the Governor.
2. Having now been eight months in the Colony, I have the
honor to report that not only do I consider the Colonial Secretary
to be the proper officer to succeed to such administration, but
that I likewise think Mr Arthur Birch to be the best man for
the succession.
I
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
On this report it will probably be decided simply to leave to its operation the R. Instructions which provide for casual Administration of the Government by the Colonial Secretary?
On this report it will probably be decided simply to leave to its operation the R. Instructions which provide for casual Administration of the Government by the Colonial Secretary?
GG
14 Feby
Sir F. Rogers
There is one point connected rather with Colonel Moody's retirement from the Service of British Columbia than with the appointment of his Successor to which I ought perhaps to call your attention.
There is one point connected rather with Colonel Moody's retirement from the Service of British Columbia than with the appointment of his Successor to which I ought perhaps to call your attention.
Lt Colonel Moody had a Lieut Governors Commission
which of course falls to the ground with his
removal from
the Colony. The Governor's Commission provides, that, on
the death or absence &c of the Governor, the Government shall
be administered by such Lieut Governor or other person
as shall be specially appointed for that purpose, and that,
if there be not in the Colony any person so appointed, then
by the Senior Member of the Executive Council. The Member
whose name stands first in the Royal Instructions is the
Colonial Secretary. Is it intended to grant to Captain
Luard, or to any other officer a Lieut Governor's, or
an Administrator's Commission?
removal from
the Colony. The Governor's Commission provides, that, on
the death or absence &c of the Governor, the Government shall
be administered by such Lieut Governor or other person
as shall be specially appointed for that purpose, and that,
if there be not in the Colony any person so appointed, then
by the Senior Member of the Executive Council. The Member
whose name stands first in the Royal Instructions is the
Colonial Secretary. Is it intended to grant to Captain
Luard, or to any other officer a Lieut Governor's, or
an Administrator's Commission?
GG
28 Decr
Mr Elliot
This touches you rather than me. I shd be disposed to send out Seymour with instructions to report his opinion, as soon as he saw his way.
This touches you rather than me. I shd be disposed to send out Seymour with instructions to report his opinion, as soon as he saw his way.
FR
28/12
Mr Fortescue
I have nothing to add. I see nothing to object to in the Governor's going out with the arrangement as is now stands.
I have nothing to add. I see nothing to object to in the Governor's going out with the arrangement as is now stands.
TFE
4 Jany
Duke of Newcastle
Situated as the two Colonies of V. Isd & B.C. are, it wd. seem a natural arrangement, that either Governor sh. be appointed to administer the Govt of the other Colony, in case
of the death or absence of its Governor.
Situated as the two Colonies of V. Isd & B.C. are, it wd. seem a natural arrangement, that either Governor sh. be appointed to administer the Govt of the other Colony, in case
of the death or absence of its Governor.
CF
5
I doubt whether this would be convenient when there are separate
Govt Establishments—especially as, in those remote
Countries, the interregnum would be likely to be long.
Better let the Govr report as soon as he can after arrival.
N
7
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Newcastle to Seymour, Separate, 16 January 1864, informing Seymour that Moody once held the position of Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and would perform the duties of the Governor in his absence, but because Moody left the country and there is no Lieutenant Governor, Seymour’s approach works for the
temporary administration of the Government.
Minutes by CO staff
This would be in date after that of the Governor's Commission.
Sir F. Rogers
I have modified the last words with the view of leaving the matter wholly as an open question, which I believe is what is intended?
I have modified the last words with the view of leaving the matter wholly as an open question, which I believe is what is intended?
TFE
9/1
