Berens to Lytton

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Carnarvon's letter, dated Downing Street, 16th August, stating that it is your intention to submit the name of Mr James Cooper of Vancouver's Island to the Queen for the appointment of Collector of Customs in British Columbia, and begging me previously to communicate all the information I may possess respecting that gentleman.
In reply I have the honour to state that Mr Cooper was appointed First Mate on board one of the Hudson's Bay Companys vessels in August 1844, on account of the good opinion entertained of him by the Company, they promoted him to a command in 1846, he remained with them as Captain till May 1850, and at the end of that year went out, at his own request, as Supercargo of a vessel chartered by the Company, for the purpose of settling in Vancouver's Island.
From accounts sent home I find he was indebted at the Company's store, that although he registered a tract of land in the Island, it has not been paid for, and that he returned to this Country in 1857 in pecuniary difficulties, which I have reason to believe have not yet been settled.