Sproat to Granville

I respectfully beg leave to place my name before your Lordship,
and under the circumstances hereafter stated, to make
application for the appointment of Governor of British Columbia,
which office has been vacated by the lamented death of Governor Seymour.

1. My direct services under the Crown are having for four
years, been sole magistrate, also Collector of Customs and
Superintendent of Indian affairs on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

2. Under a commission from Sir Jas Douglas, I organised the
first local military force in that Colony. I was also nominated
a Member of Council.

3. In the performance of my magisterial duties I was, on one
occasion, severely wounded.

4. Having visited the colony on special business, I was unable
to take any greater part in colonial affairs.

5. I have independent means, and should not desire to remain in
the Colonial Service.

6. I am deeply sensible that the above services are not highly
important, and that under ordinary circumstances I could not
venture to urge a consideration of this application beside that
of other gentlemen of superior official and personal claims.

7. British Columbia is however, at present in a peculiar
condition, and many persons think that a special appointment
would be suitable to its circumstances. I enclose, marked A, a
short Memorandum, to illustrate this peculiar condition of the
Colony.

8. The following are the special grounds on which I make the
present application

(1) My appointment is desired by the principal persons in
this country connected with British Columbia.
In proof of this I refer in London to the Bank of British
Columbia; Messrs Anderson, Thomson & C[o], Billiter Court;
Messrs [Copistake?],

Moore & Co, Cheapside; Messrs Findlay & Durham, Great St
Helens, and the other leading merchants and property holders
connected with the Colony.

In Liverpool, to Mr Graves, M.P. In Edinburgh, to Mr
McLaren, M.P.

(2) It is believed my appointment would be acceptable to
the colonists.
On this point, I enclose Testimonials, marked B, from men of
different classes and professions and of position and
reputation, well acquainted with British Columbia and the Colonists.

(3) Circumstances have given me special knowledge of the
native population,
as appears in the above Testimonials, and also in the Press
Notices, herewith sent, marked C, of a book which I published
last year about the Indians.

(4) I am well known in Canada and acquainted with its
institutions.
I have been recommended by influential Canadians to the Privy
Council of Canada for the Lieut Governorship of the North West
Territory, and my application for that office is now before the
Privy Council. I feel, however, that I could aid the
consolidation of the Dominion more effectually in British Columbia.

9. Public opinion in British Columbia is far from ripe as
regards Confederation. A knowledge of the various sectional
interests in British Columbia, and a knowledge of Canada itself,
would probably assist a Governor in guiding British Columbian
opinion in the desired direction, without risking a reproduction
of the Nova Scotian difficulty on the Pacific side of the Continent.

10. In the enclosed paper marked D, I have stated some
additional particulars of my education and history. I refer
thereupon to Mr Maclaurin of Lock & Maclaurin, Great George St.