Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Musgrave, Anthony to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 23 May 1870, CO 60:38, no. 6783, 535.
Abstract
Musgrave, Anthony to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 23 May 1870, CO 60:38, no. 6783, 535.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4).
No. 74
23rd May 1870
My Lord,
At the request of Mr Thomas Lett Wood, late Acting Attorney
General of Vancouver Island, I forward to Your Lordship copies
of some correspondence which has passed between that Gentleman
and myself respecting a claim which he regards himself aspossessing
possessing for employment from Her Majesty's Government.
possessing for employment from Her Majesty's Government.
2. Mr Wood's service was antecedent to my acquaintance with
the Colony, and as it was temporary in its character, I do not
consider it as constituting any very strong claim. Mr Wood
however is an English Barrister of Education and local position.
But for the Union of the Colonies he might probably have been
confirmed in the appointment of Attorney General of Vancouver
Island.And
And under the circumstances of his case Your Lordship
may consider his claim as worthy of some consideration.
And under the circumstances of his case Your Lordship
may consider his claim as worthy of some consideration.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Herbert
A question of Patronage. I know nothing of Mr Wood myself. To Mr Meade who may like to consult Mr Birch.
A question of Patronage. I know nothing of Mr Wood myself. To Mr Meade who may like to consult Mr Birch.
Mr Meade
I do not think that Mr Woods has any special claims for employment. He was one of the early settlers in Vancouver & practised at the bar in that Colony where I believe he was not very successful. On the resignation of Mr Cary in 1864 Mr Wood
was selected provisionally by Mr
Kennedy as Acting Attorney Genl pending an appointment from
Home—but it was decided not to fill up the Office until the
question of the Union of the Colonies had been decided. At that
time the Assembly refused to vote any Salary for the Att Genl
but Mr Wood undertook the duties & I understood at the time
that the mere fact of holding the office of Att Genl threw more
private practice into his hands.
I do not think that Mr Woods has any special claims for employment. He was one of the early settlers in Vancouver & practised at the bar in that Colony where I believe he was not very successful. On the resignation of Mr Cary in 1864 Mr Wood
was selected provisionally by Mr
Kennedy as Acting Attorney Genl pending an appointment from
Home—but it was decided not to fill up the Office until the
question of the Union of the Colonies had been decided. At that
time the Assembly refused to vote any Salary for the Att Genl
but Mr Wood undertook the duties & I understood at the time
that the mere fact of holding the office of Att Genl threw more
private practice into his hands.
On the Union of the Colonies
the amount of Work before the newly constructed Legislature was
so heavy that the Att. Genl Mr Crease applied for
assistance
& Mr Wood accepted the position of Solicitor Genl
for the Session—it being clearly understood that at the close
of the Session his Services would be dispensed with. During
the time he was thus employed he received the full salary of the
Office he had held in Vancouver & also an allowance for drawing
Bills. There were many more capable men of the Colonial bar
anxious for the position Mr Wood held during the Session but he
was selected by Mr Seymour on account of his previous service &
as some compensation for the loss of his provisional
appointment. I do not think for a moment that if Union had not
taken place Mr Wood would have been recommended for the
permanent office of Att Genl
of Vancouver. At the same time
Mr Wood is a painstaking hard working man.
& Mr Wood accepted the position of Solicitor Genl
for the Session—it being clearly understood that at the close
of the Session his Services would be dispensed with. During
the time he was thus employed he received the full salary of the
Office he had held in Vancouver & also an allowance for drawing
Bills. There were many more capable men of the Colonial bar
anxious for the position Mr Wood held during the Session but he
was selected by Mr Seymour on account of his previous service &
as some compensation for the loss of his provisional
appointment. I do not think for a moment that if Union had not
taken place Mr Wood would have been recommended for the
permanent office of Att Genl
of Vancouver. At the same time
Mr Wood is a painstaking hard working man.
ANB
5/7
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
A. Musgrave Jr., Private Secretary to Musgrave, to Wood, 21
December 1869, advising that there was little likelihood of a suitable
position becoming available for him in the colony.
Musgrave Jr. to Wood, 5 January 1870, referring to the decision
of his previous letter as noted above.