Cooper to Lytton

I most respectfully beg leave to reply to a communication dated 18th Inst forwarded to me by the under Secry of State containing charges impugning the integrity of my character.
First, "That I was indebted at the Compys Store".
This statement carry's with it an impression, that I had created a debt in the country, whereas the debt alluded to was created in "England", by & with the consent of Governor & Committee.
I now beg to explain that in the year 1849 when in command of the compys vessel & previous to my departure from Vancouvers Island, I deposited a sum of two hundred pounds in their hands for land, to be selected by me on my return to that country for the purpose of colonization which amount is so entered in the books of the Company. With the view of carrying out the above Scheme on my arrival in England, I invested the whole of my money in the purchase of a Schooner, Agricultural Implements, Stores & other merchandize, & upon my representing to the Compy the difficulty of complying with the heavy requirements of their prospectus, they liberally allowed me to take credit for land, freight & passage (and thus was the debt created) & only required of me a letter stating that I would not demand the title deeds of my land, before alluded to, until I had paid all claims.
After struggling for some years against many disadvantages, consequently upon my being the only free settler & incurring many losses, I found there was little probability of my being able to pay the Compy their claim upon me and was induced to offer to Mr Douglas in 1853 my Farm for Sale, for the purpose of liquidating that claim, Mr Douglas's reply to which, will be found accompanying this Nod 7. Subsequently to this vizt in 1856, by way of still further desiring to discharge the above claim (which was a continued Source of anxiety & trouble to me) I offered to Mr Douglas my schooner for sale. Vide letter No. 8. And previously to my taking any step for quitting the country in 1856 & 7 I communicated to Mr Douglas my intention of returning to England & made certain proposals to the Board of Managet which were accepted by them for the future liquidation of their claim against me. Vide letter to Hudson Bay Co. No 9. & correspondence &c attached thereto.
Second, "That altho, I had registered a tract of land in the Island it had not been paid for."
In reply to this charge I beg to state, I have registered three tracts of land, for two of which I have paid the whole of the purchase money & hold the deeds, as to the third—that which is represented as not being paid for,—is the one upon which the £200, was paid as before stated, the balance being considered in the arrangement entered into between the Board of Management and myself as previously shown.
Third, "That I returned to this country in pecuniary difficulties which it is presumed have not yet been settled."
In reference to this charge I beg to say, that the minimum value of my property in Vancouvers Island, before the discovery of Gold (which property the Hudson Bay Co hold in trust as security) far exceeds the amount of the whole of my liabilities; it will thus be seen that this charge conveys an impression greatly calculated to mislead. I would add that the parties in England with whom I had opened trading a/c's showed their confidence in me by leaving me at liberty to remit them as I found it convenient, and on my return to England not having succeeded in my enterprise I offered them the deeds of my property as security for the balances due to them which they at once accepted & to shew their appreciation of my character & sympathy with me in my position assured me they would neither charge me interest nor press me to realize. Vide letters 10 & 11.
As the substance of these charges so seriously reflects on my reputation I beg leave to mention that on my resigning the service of the Compy they showed their estimate of my conduct by presenting me with a gratuity of £150. As a further proof that I have in all my transactions been actuated by a principle of right beg to refer you to letter No 12 showing that a small bequest left at the death of a relative to my wife was immediately handed over to my Creditors as reference to this fact please apply to Messrs Surr & Gribble Solicitors City. As a further reference to my integrity I beg leave to name Messrs James & Wright Solicitors Birmingham who are in possession of the whole of my business transactions.
Rt Honble Sir, I have preferred stating the simple facts relating to the charges brought against me, & forwarding the documentary evidence substantiating the truth thereof feeling assured that your judgement will entirely absolve me from the slightest imputation on my character.