No. 33

I have had the honor to receive your despatch No 18 of
the 21st of June forwarding a letter from Mr J.B. Gaggin,
a Stipendiary Magistrate in this Colony, complaining of his
suspension from Office by my predecessor. I am directed to
furnish a report on the subject.

2. The papers enclosed in your despatch furnish a full
statement of the case, on behalf of Mr Gaggin. I have only
to say that I acknowledge that statement to be correct. He was,
it appears to me, treated without sufficient consideration for
his character by Sir James Douglas. Mr Gaggin has his faults
as a public officer, but the charge of dishonesty broke down
entirely, and it was only due to him to give the utmost publicity
to that fact. Instead of this another accusation was immediately
brought forward and Mr Gaggin was removed from Douglas and left
on my hands with a slight slur upon him and a salary, but no
sphere of duties. I sent Mr Gaggin to the important little
town of Quesnel Mouth where his services appear to give satisfaction.

3. I have now written to Mr Gaggin entirely exculpating him
from the charge of dishonesty and offering him, as the most public
refutation I could give, to restore him to his former appointment
at Douglas.

4. If you should approve of the steps I have taken, the matter
may, I conceive be allowed to drop.