Gosset to Blackwood (Senior Clerk)

In January, I took the liberty of addressing you, in the hope
that you might be good enough to place my name before Sir E. Lytton,
as a candidate for the Colonial Secretaryship of British Columbia.

Hearing this day, that Mr Young (The Governors nephew who was
temporarily appointed after the date of my note to you), hesitates to
accept the post permanently, on account of your condition that he
should resign his Naval occupation, I again venture to request the
favor of your intercession in my behalf with the Secretary of State for
the Colonies—believing, as I honestly do, that after the excellent
instruction I derived from Sir Henry Ward, whose guest I was for
months at a time in Ceylon, in all subjects of Colonial Government,
I am aufait at the details & conversant with those general measures
for a Colony's development which would come under consideration.

As a matter of economy, as I stated to Mr Douglas on my
arrival, whilst the Colony's business continues so limited as at
present, as it promises to do for some time to come—the Lands &
Works Department having, it is said on account of Colonel Moody's
failing health, failed to commence roads or make surveys of
agricultural lands for desiring settlers, wanting which population
is on the decrease—I might transact both the Col. Secrys & the
Treasurer's duties, without fear of any undue pressure upon me,
accustomed as I have been, for nearly twenty years, to deal with
extensive organization & large Departments.

Could I produce Sir Henry Wards public impressions of my
business habits and successful aid in developing Ceylon, or two
complimentary letters he was good enough to write me, one when
expecting me back, the other on hearing of my non-return, I believe
they would exhibit such testimony of my fitness for the office I
venture to solicit as would weigh favorably with the Secretary of
State. It is with pride, not out of boast, that I refer to the
opinion of so able a man as Sir Henry Ward.

The Times Reporter, probably informs you of our doings, but
there is one point referring to these Colonies which seems scarcely
to engage sufficient attention either here or at home—Union of
British Columbia & Vancouver Island.

My own conviction is that great moral good & pecuniary
advantages would result from a Union of the two Colonies—much
injurious rivalry would be extinguished, and the administration of
Government would be simplified. Less than 100 miles apart as are the
chief towns of the respective Colonies, one set of Departments would
suffice for both, and of course at half the cost of the present
double arrangement. In our infancy, we cannot afford two staffs &
two Capitals, with the double set of buildings &c &c. Should the
Colonies thrive, separation a future day, may or may not be a
subject for consideration, but in the present struggle for an
existence, Union would be economy and strength.

I am aware that Vancouver, having been granted a constitution,
cannot be violently shorn of it and that Her Majesty's proclamation
promises a Union should the Vancouver Council petition for it. So
long however, as the present Assembly exists (elected some years
since chiefly by Hudson Bay Compy settlers) no hope can be
entertained of a Vote for Union. The dissolution of this House might
however, I venture to think be fairly
pressed upon the Governor; when a new Election would impart new
blood into the House & lead, first to a revision and extension of the
franchise & increase in the number of Representatives, next to
another election; when, with larger numbers & a greater diversity of
characters, more enlarged views might be expected, the first fruits
of which would probably be a Petition for Union. Such are not merely
my own convictions, but the opinion of the most intelligent merchants
& men of business here, men, thoroughly fit to exercise a vote, but
who are now excluded from the list of qualified persons, because of
not owning 20 acres of land, although possessing wharfs & stores
worth, 500 times the value of 20 acres of (perhaps uncultivable)
country land. Our Governor is a very long headed man, but I doubt
whether he has as yet contemplated a Union—at least he has
generally waived the subject when I have brought it on the table.
He showed great forethought last year in opening the Lillooet mule
trail—the execution, by reason of wanting proper officers was
rather a failure, but the idea was a sound one—were he not tied by
instructions not to interfere in Colonel Moodys operations he would
have had it converted into a cart way by this time & have saved the
Colony. I write in great haste for the mail expected hourly. Pray
excuse my ramble & Believe me