Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 2 June 1859, CO 305:10, no. 7377, 205.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (5).
Douglas reports that Cooper, as requested, has been appointed
as Harbour Master at Esquimalt for British Columbia,with the admission that
there is nothing what ever in connection with British Columbia for Mr Cooper to do at Esquimalt,and therefore Cooper has declined
any appointment which would require him to leavethe Esquimalt Harbour Master position. Blackwood minutes that
If Cooper persists in refusing to go to B.C. I suppose there is no alternative except to relieve him of a place which we [ha]d much difficulty in creating [for] him.
Confidential
2 June 1859
I duly received your Confidential Despatch of the 24h March
last, upon the subject of the appointment of Mr James Cooper as
Harbour Master at Esquimalt for British Columbia, and
acquainting me that you consider the faith of the Government is
pledged to the appointment of Mr Cooper to an office of the
value promised.
I
I feel sure that you cannot have anticipated that any action of
mine would designedly compromise the faith of Her Majesty's
Government, or that I should willingly hesitate in carrying out
any instructions they might see fit to issue to me. Mr Cooper
was, in accordance with your intention and direction, appointed
Harbour Master at Esquimalt upon his arrival here. He has since
resided at that place, and has been in the receipt of the Salary
attached to the Office.
I feel sure that you cannot have anticipated that any action of
mine would designedly compromise the faith of Her Majesty's
Government, or that I should willingly hesitate in carrying out
any instructions they might see fit to issue to me. Mr Cooper
was, in accordance with your intention and direction, appointed
Harbour Master at Esquimalt upon his arrival here. He has since
resided at that place, and has been in the receipt of the Salary
attached to the Office.
3. I cannot however conceal from you the fact that there is
nothing whatever in connection with British Columbia for Mr
Cooper to do at Esquimalt
Esquimalt, and it is difficult, if not
impracticable, to connect his Services with any office in
British Columbia for which he is fitted,
unless he occasionally resides in that Colony. I have proposed
such a course to Mr Cooper, but he declined to accept any
appointment which would require him to leave Esquimalt. He,
therefore, now remains at that place in the position of Harbour
Master receiving a Salary of Four Hundred pounds per annum out
of the Revenues of British Columbia.
Esquimalt, and it is difficult, if not
impracticable, to connect his Services with any office in
British Columbia for which he is fitted,
unless he occasionally resides in that Colony. I have proposed
such a course to Mr Cooper, but he declined to accept any
appointment which would require him to leave Esquimalt. He,
therefore, now remains at that place in the position of Harbour
Master receiving a Salary of Four Hundred pounds per annum out
of the Revenues of British Columbia.
I have etc.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
I think it will be impossible to keep Mr Cooper at Esquimalt in VanCouvers Island where he does nothing except receive his £400 per annum. [As] he is an Officer of B. Columbia the Govr must be [de]sired to find him employment there, pending [the] accession of business for a harbour Master. If Cooper persists in refusing to go to B.C. I suppose there is no alternative except to relieve him of a place which we [ha]d much difficulty in creating [for] him.
I think it will be impossible to keep Mr Cooper at Esquimalt in VanCouvers Island where he does nothing except receive his £400 per annum. [As] he is an Officer of B. Columbia the Govr must be [de]sired to find him employment there, pending [the] accession of business for a harbour Master. If Cooper persists in refusing to go to B.C. I suppose there is no alternative except to relieve him of a place which we [ha]d much difficulty in creating [for] him.
ABd
26 July
Mr Fortescue
This requires an amount of explanation which can hardly be given except in conversation, as there are I think no minutes to refer to. But though on principle agreeing with Mr Blackwood, I am not sure that the best course may not be to put this by for the present.
This requires an amount of explanation which can hardly be given except in conversation, as there are I think no minutes to refer to. But though on principle agreeing with Mr Blackwood, I am not sure that the best course may not be to put this by for the present.
HM
July 27
CF
Aug [off microfilm]
I have enquired into this case. It is most unfortunate to leave
an idle man even for a time drawing salary in a Colony without
surplus Revenue—but I must wait for further notice.
Put this despatch by for the present.
N
[off microfilm]
I think that the order of the Duke of Newcastle that all B.
Columbia Officials shall reside in that Colony will necessitate
Mr Cooper to either take up his quarters there, or else give up
his appointment. And as His Grace prefers "waiting for further
notice" to taking any instant & peremptory steps I presume that
his direction to "put this despatch by for the present" should
be obeyed.
ABd
4 Novr/59