No. 53

I have the honor to state that on arrival at New Westminster
I learnt that my Predecessor, Sir James Douglas, had drawn the
full salary of Governor up to the date of my arrival. It was
stated that he had done so under instructions from the Duke of Newcastle.

2. I applied to His Grace to be allowed to defer my departure
from England until the 17th of March offering to surrender all
claim to half Salary during the voyage to British Columbia if the
indulgence was granted to me. Reasons of importance however compelled
His Grace to direct my early departure, and I considered myself,
therefore, entitled to half pay from the time I left Southampton,
the 17th of February.

3. I have drawn that allowance subject of course to your
instructions, and I should have reported the matter earlier had
I not been engaged in public duties of great importance in the
interior of the Colony.