Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Watson, Jonathan to Grenville, Richard 23 August 1867, CO 60:31, no. 8394, 394.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2).
Jonathan Watson, father of Alexander Watson, describes Alexander Watson’s past service to British Columbia to press Alexander Watson’s claim for compensation from the Colonial Office for the loss of Alexander Watson’s position on Vancouver Island. Elliot’s minute discusses why Alexander Watson is not due any compensation from the Colonial Office and advises on how to respond to Jonathan Watson.
J. Watson to Buckingham
Dublin Street Chapel Edinburgh
23 Augt 1867
My Lord Duke
My Son as your Grace may know has returned from Van Couver
Island on leave of absence. He occupied an important position in the
Bank there and so highly was he esteemed that Goverr Douglas
hearing of his purpose to return home, came to him and pressed on his
acceptance the office of Treasurer of the Colony.
Thus to serve the Government he threw himself off from a
permanent position in the Bank of B.N. America.
Regarding his official standing as for life, he now united in
marriage with a young lady the daughter of a considerable proprietor
in the Island by whom he has two children. My Son with his family
are now here waiting an appointment from the Home Government or
compensation for loss of position by the amalgamation of the
Colonies.
My Son's appointment was duly confirmed by Her Majesty his
appointment therefore unrepealed.
I cannot believe that when the case isshewn
shewn to Your Grace in
these few words that you will allow my Son to come to loss by the
change which has taken place in years subsequent to his appointment
to office. I consider that the honor of our Government is involved in
this case and I shall not believe that when the hardship of it is
thus briefly laid before Your Grace, Your Grace will permit it to be
passed over without justice being done to my excellent son Alexander
Watson.
shewn to Your Grace in
these few words that you will allow my Son to come to loss by the
change which has taken place in years subsequent to his appointment
to office. I consider that the honor of our Government is involved in
this case and I shall not believe that when the hardship of it is
thus briefly laid before Your Grace, Your Grace will permit it to be
passed over without justice being done to my excellent son Alexander
Watson.
His Grace the
Duke of Buckingham
Duke of Buckingham
Minutes by CO staff
One must be very patient of the unreasonableness of people about
their personal claims: otherwise one might call the view which Mr
Watson and his father take of his case almost imprudent.
He held for a short time an appointment in Vancouver which broke
down by an inevitable consolidation of Offices. But he was then and
there offered a post of the same value in the same place, although
inevitably not bearing a designation of equally high rank. He chose
to refuse it, and was granted a passage home at thepublic
public expense:
and now he and his father write as if he were a much injured man.
public expense:
and now he and his father write as if he were a much injured man.
I should acquaint the father that when Mr Watson's former
appointment, after about 5 years service, came to an end by an
inevitable consolidation of Offices, he was offered employment at
precisely the same income in the same place. He voluntarily declined
it, and was thereupon allowed the favor of a passage home at the
public expense. The Secretary of State must therefore entirely deny
the statement that Mr Watson has been treated with any injustice.
He may or may notreceive
receive future employment if an opportunity should
happen to occur, but he has no claim whatever on this Department.
receive future employment if an opportunity should
happen to occur, but he has no claim whatever on this Department.
[TFE]
28 Augt