Confidential

I duly received your Confidential Despatch of the 24h March
last, upon the subject of the appointment of Mr James Cooper as
Harbour Master at Esquimalt for British Columbia, and
acquainting me that you consider the faith of the Government is
pledged to the appointment of Mr Cooper to an office of the
value promised.

I feel sure that you cannot have anticipated that any action of
mine would designedly compromise the faith of Her Majesty's
Government, or that I should willingly hesitate in carrying out
any instructions they might see fit to issue to me. Mr Cooper
was, in accordance with your intention and direction, appointed
Harbour Master at Esquimalt upon his arrival here. He has since
resided at that place, and has been in the receipt of the Salary
attached to the Office.

3. I cannot however conceal from you the fact that there is
nothing whatever in connection with British Columbia for Mr
Cooper to do at Esquimalt, and it is difficult, if not
impracticable, to connect his Services with any office in
British Columbia for which he is fitted,
unless he occasionally resides in that Colony. I have proposed
such a course to Mr Cooper, but he declined to accept any
appointment which would require him to leave Esquimalt. He,
therefore, now remains at that place in the position of Harbour
Master receiving a Salary of Four Hundred pounds per annum out
of the Revenues of British Columbia.