I have the honor to request that you will be pleased to grant me an
extension of leave for a Period of Three Months, private affairs of a
most urgent and pressing nature compel this application.
Appended hereto is a Copy of the letter granting me leave.
I have been Ten Years in the Public Service of the Colony, during
which time I have only had Leave of Absence from it for two months,
and further, now have been for Two Years, Acting Surveyor General
without any extra pay whatever.
I have the honor to be My Lord Duke
Your Grace's most Obedient and humble Servant
B.W. Pearse
To His Grace the Duke of Newcastle
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary
of State for the Colonies &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The writer asks for this leave on acct of his intended marriage.
He is otherwise not at all desirous of prolonging his absence from
V.Couver's Island, having had ill-health ever since his return to
this Country.