Watson to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Referring to my letter of the 18th July last and to your
rejoinder of the 23rd idem I have now the honor to request that
you will acquaint His Lordship The Secretary of State for the Colonies

1. That through the representations of the late Governor
Seymour, that my office, although necessary under the Local Laws
of Vancouver Island, had been abolished by the "Officers Enabling
Ordinance of British Columbia 1867" I was induced gratefully to
accept the terms of His Excellency's offer to me as an
equivalent for the Fiscal Office which I held, up to the date of
the union of the Colonies, under the Royal Warrant of
appointment the emoluments appertaining to which were £600 per annum.

2. That, the terms of the offer referred to were as follows,
namely:

(1) Six months leave of absence on full pay.

(2) The passage of myself and family to England.

(3) The assurance that His Excellency would lay before the
Secretary of State my claims for employment elsewhere.

3. That, not only has the Ordinance alluded to never passed
into law; the Colonial Secretary of British Columbia having
made a statement to that effect during the last Session of the
Legislature; but the third term of His Excellency's offer to me
has not been implemented although a period of more than three
years has elapsed since the offer was made.

4. Under the circumstances I have respectfully to state that if
Her Majesty's Government is not prepared to carry out the terms
of my agreement with the late Governor of British Columbia I am
willing to accept the emoluments appertaining to the Office of
Treasurer of the late Colony of Vancouver Island up to the date
when I resigned the Commission into the hands of the Governor of
British Columbia and which I hereby claim.

I have at the same time to request that His Lordship will be
pleased to afford me a categorical reply to this letter.