Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Young, William Alexander George to Fortescue, Chichester 4 February 1865, CO 305:27, no. 1099, 389.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (5), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Young requests a three-month extension of leave. Blackwood’s minute suggests refusing the extension, as it would overlap with Wakeford’s return to Australia, and in a subsequent minute, Blackwood notes receipt of a despatch in which Kennedy requests that Young return as soon as possible. Elliot minutes his belief that Young is part of a
powerful cabalconnected to Douglas. Cardwell minutes for Young’s request to be refused.
Young to Under-Secretary of State
Walmer, Kent
4h February 1865
Sir,
As private affairs of importance to myself will require my presence
in England for a longer period than my present leave of absence from
the Colony of Vancouver's Island will admit, I have the honor very
respectfully to request that you will be pleased to move the Secretary
of State to grant me an extension of Three months, from the
expirationof
of my present term, viz. the 14th May proximo.
of my present term, viz. the 14th May proximo.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient
and humble Servant
William A.G. Young
Colonial Secretary of
Vancouver's Island
Sir
Your most obedient
and humble Servant
William A.G. Young
Colonial Secretary of
Vancouver's Island
The Under Secretary of State
for the Colonies
&c &c &c
for the Colonies
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
See 5469, and 6011. Governor Kennedy has not ansd the enquiry proposed to him in July whether Mr Young's absence wd subject him to any inconvenience. My impression is that he wd rather have his own friend, Mr Wakeford to act as Col: Secy & that he would willingly dispense with Mr Young's presence. But Mr Wakeford's leave from W. Australia will expire on the
14 June next (see
11920/64 & draft ansr). To enable him to reach W. Australia by
that time he will probably have to quit V.C. Island in April or
May—which—if Mr Young's Application for extension of leave be
complied with—wd most likely be inconvenient to the Governor, who
will not easily find amongst the community a suitable person to act
as Colonial Secy for even the short interval of a couple of months.
Under these circs it seems to me that there is no alternative except
to refuse Mr Young's application.
See 5469, and 6011. Governor Kennedy has not ansd the enquiry proposed to him in July whether Mr Young's absence wd subject him to any inconvenience. My impression is that he wd rather have his own friend, Mr Wakeford to act as Col: Secy & that he would willingly dispense with Mr Young's presence. But Mr Wakeford's leave from W. Australia will expire on the
14 June next (see
11920/64 & draft ansr). To enable him to reach W. Australia by
that time he will probably have to quit V.C. Island in April or
May—which—if Mr Young's Application for extension of leave be
complied with—wd most likely be inconvenient to the Governor, who
will not easily find amongst the community a suitable person to act
as Colonial Secy for even the short interval of a couple of months.
Under these circs it seems to me that there is no alternative except
to refuse Mr Young's application.
ABd
7 Feb
Since writing the preceeding minute a further important despatch from
Govr Kennedy has been shewn me in which he urges
Mr Young shd be required to return to V.C.I. at the expiration of
his leave—see 9483. This wish of Govr Kennedy's may, I think, be
regarded as conclusive
against Mr Young's application.
In the event of Mr Wakeford resuming his office in W. Australia.
against Mr Young's application.
ABd
7 Feb
So far as regards the question of leave, I am quite clear that it
ought to be refused, even if it should lead to Mr Young's resignation.
I am satisfied that it is a very great misfortune that Mr Young
should be Colonial Secretary because he is one of the numerous clique
of Sir James Douglas's family connections who have gained possession
of all the principal Offices in Vancouver Island. This will, I have
no doubt, be a serious obstacle to Governor Kennedy's doing his duty
by the Colony. He has frequently complained of the powerful cabal
which he finds established, and I feel no doubt of the correctness of
his complaints, not merely on account of their inherent probability,
but because I myself witnessed in even so large a place as Canada the
evil effects of a similar family clique in possession of all the
Offices, an evil whichcontributed
contributed to drive the Province into rebellion.
contributed to drive the Province into rebellion.
TFE
8 Feb
Mr Cardwell
Refuse the extension of leave accordingly.
Refuse the extension of leave accordingly.
CF
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