Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Pemberton, Joseph Despard to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 28 August 1863, CO 305:21, no. 8501, 350.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (2).
Pemberton to Newcastle
Victoria Hotel
Euston Square N.W.
28 August 1863
Euston Square N.W.
My Lord Duke
Referring to my letter to your Grace of the 6 August 63, stating in
relation to the projected improvements in Victoria Harbor, the
necessity of engaging working Engineers in this Country to construct
in the Colony the Machines now being built at Limehouse and to work
them afterward—stating also, that I have no written instructions
authorizing me to enter into engagements which will entail an expense
of £600 a year on the Colony—referring also to Your Grace's reply of
the 13h August 63—I have the honor to suggest as follows, viz. That
the Governor elect now in London, shall be authorized by Your Grace
to inquire into and to sanction or otherwise the contemplated
appointments.
I have the honor to be
Your Grace's most obedient
and most humble Servant
J. Despard Pemberton
Surveyor General
Vancouver Island Colony
Your Grace's most obedient
and most humble Servant
J. Despard Pemberton
Surveyor General
Vancouver Island Colony
To His Grace
The Duke of Newcastle
The Duke of Newcastle
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I think this Letter of Mr Pemberton, taken with the preceding one, looks very much like a desire on his part to shift the responsibility of the business—which he was specially sent home to transact—from his shoulders to those of any body else, who will assume it.
I think this Letter of Mr Pemberton, taken with the preceding one, looks very much like a desire on his part to shift the responsibility of the business—which he was specially sent home to transact—from his shoulders to those of any body else, who will assume it.
What can Mr Kennedy possibly know of the requirements of Victoria
Harbor: & whether the Dredging machines selected by Mr Pemberton are
suitable or not. And as to the men, who are to go out to work the
machines, unless he is qualified, as Mr Pemberton I suppose is, to
form some opinion as to their competency, Mr Kennedy surely will
hardly venture to express an opinion abt them?
ABd
31 Augt
Mr Fortescue
I would send a copy to Govr Kennedy & would tell him that he can refer to the correspondence on the subject at this Office, & I would then leave it to him to judge whether he would undertake any superintendence & direction of Mr Pemberton's proceedings on the subject of the present letter. I would tell Mr Pemberton that Mr Kennedy has been asked to determine for himself whether he will undertake &c &c (same as above).
I would send a copy to Govr Kennedy & would tell him that he can refer to the correspondence on the subject at this Office, & I would then leave it to him to judge whether he would undertake any superintendence & direction of Mr Pemberton's proceedings on the subject of the present letter. I would tell Mr Pemberton that Mr Kennedy has been asked to determine for himself whether he will undertake &c &c (same as above).
(I shd think Capn Kennedy will superintend: he is Govr & interested
in the success.)
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Captain A.E. Kennedy, 15 September 1863, forwarding
copies of Pemberton's correspondence and asking him to decide whether
he wanted to superintend the proceedings.