Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Holmes, G. W. to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 11 September 1865, CO 60:23, no. 8831, 297.
Abstract
Holmes, G. W. to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 11 September 1865, CO 60:23, no. 8831, 297.
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (5), Other documents (1).
Holmes to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
34 Eastbourne Terrace
Hyde Park
11th September 1865
Hyde Park
Sir,
When in British Columbia holding the appointments of Ag
Surveyor General and Private Secretary to Governor Seymour, I received
an intimation that His Grace the late Duke of Newcastle had honored
[me] with the offer of the appointment of Colonial Secretary of
British Honduras.
On accepting this offer I resigned the other appointments and
proceeded to British Honduras to enter upon my new duties. At this
time I had receivedno
no intimation of any kind of my suspension.
no intimation of any kind of my suspension.
Travelling at my own expense from Bh Columbia to Bh
Honduras (in accordance with the Regulations, my new Salary being
over five hundred pounds a year) I was deeply mortified to hear on my
arrival in Belize that I was suspended from office. The money I had
expended was entirely thrown away—worse than this I found myself
lying under a stigma from certain accusations made against me to
remove which would require me to continue my expensive journey toEngland
England.
England.
I have done so and parted with nearly my last shilling not
including the many expenses I have been put to during a considerable
stay in England.
Under these circumstances I now beg most respectfully to urge
that I may be re-imbursed some portion if not all of this heavy
outlay—I not having received any Salary since my appointment
to the office now upwards of a year and a half ago.
Trusting my case may obtain an early and favorable considerationas
as I am shortly leaving for British Columbia.
as I am shortly leaving for British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Capn Holmes lost his Office in Honduras through his own misconduct: but, promising amendment, got another though of inferior value. I cannot see why, under the circes, the public should defray his travelling expenses. If I were in the place of Capn Holmes I shd have considered myself fortunate in obtaining another situation—in having my expenses paid for reaching it—& should certainly not have ventured on preferring this request. But, I suspect, Capn Holmes is in very indifferent circes, which must be his apology.
Capn Holmes lost his Office in Honduras through his own misconduct: but, promising amendment, got another though of inferior value. I cannot see why, under the circes, the public should defray his travelling expenses. If I were in the place of Capn Holmes I shd have considered myself fortunate in obtaining another situation—in having my expenses paid for reaching it—& should certainly not have ventured on preferring this request. But, I suspect, Capn Holmes is in very indifferent circes, which must be his apology.
ABd
12 Sepr
TFE
12 Sep
A Letter in the sense of Mr Blackwood's observations.
EC
13
I have gone a little more closely into this matter & it does not
improve on further acquaintance.
Govr Seymour was told on the 16 Novr/64 that Capn
Holmes' appointment was suspended, with a view to being cancelled.
It was added that as he contemplated an appeal to Mr Cardwell,
Mr C did "not wish to encourage him to incur any expense or
trouble in making it; yet he left it to himself to
decide whether it
was worth his while to do so."
decide whether it
was worth his while to do so."
Whilst Capn Holmes was in B. Columbia he had not, he says,
recd notice of his suspension. So he started for Honduras to
assume his Office there.
On his way he called at Jamaica where a despatch similar in
terms & date to that sent to B.C. was in the hands of Governor Eyre.
In a desp: dated the 24 Jany/65 Govr Eyre reported that
Capn Holmes had arrived at Jamaica on the 9th inst, & that he
had informed that Officer of his suspension.
It cannot be doubted, though it is not so stated, that at the
same time Capn Holmes was apprized that he should not incur
expense in making a useless appeal to Mr Cardwell for
reinstatement at Honduras.
If the fact be as I suppose Capn Holmes has asked to be
reimbursed expenses
which he was warned could not be entertained:
and asks for them rather in the style of a man who has a good cause
of complaint.
which he was warned could not be entertained:
and asks for them rather in the style of a man who has a good cause
of complaint.
ABd
14 Sep
I do not differ, but I would submit just the degree of softening
in the subjoined substitute for the Concluding Sentence.
TFE
16/9