Cooper to Carnarvon

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Lordship's communication of the 29th ult, and beg to
express my sincere regret that Mr Cardwell's letter was
misunderstood by me; had this not been the case, I should
most certainly have applied much earlier for extended leave
of absence from my duties as Chief Clerk of the Treasury of
British Columbia.

During my stay in this country I have endeavoured in
various ways to be of service to the Colony, with I venture
to hope some success. From the several communications with
which I was honored by Governor Seymour, I feel assured he
was well aware of this, and approved of my constant
occupation in promoting the welfare of the Colony. I had
the gratification of being asked to accompany him to the
Colonial Office, where I had the honor of an interview with
Mr Forster on vital matters connected with the Colony. In
venturing to mention the above, I only do so to show that
in thus acting in a perfectly open and straightforward
manner, I gave most conclusive evidence, that I believed I
was not exceeding the privilege granted to me in thus
prolonging my stay in England.

In February or March next at latest I hope to hear
from Governor Seymour in reference to the appointment of
 Agent General for Emigration for British Columbia. As this
is a matter of the very greatest importance to myself, I
solicit Your Lordship to permit me to remain here until
that time, subject to the approval of His Excellency the Governor.

I trust there will be the less difficulty in Your
Lordship acceding to this request, as meanwhile, as I shall
be drawing no pay whatever, it will be no expense to the Colony.

Permit me again to assure Your Lordship that I am
extremely sorry that I should in any way have misunderstood
Mr Cardwell's letter.