Pemberton to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of
the 10th Instt informing me that his Grace the Duke of Newcastle
has been pleased to confer upon me the Office of Surveyor General of
Vancouver Island.

I find it difficult to express in words the gratitude I feel for his
Grace's condescension in complying with my request but shall
endeavour to express it by discharging the duties entrusted to me so
assiduously that his Grace will have reason to be satisfied with my
humble exertions.

As no details are stated having reference to the appointment I beg
leave most respectfully and frankly to mention [illegible] as regards

Salary, that up to the time of my quitting the Island I was paid
£500 a year, that in the present state of the Colony I do not ask for
any increase of it, but merely request that his Grace may be pleased
to confirm it, and that I may be informed from what date, as in such
cases may be customary, it should commence.

I would further respectfully inquire whether with regard to expense
of passage out his Grace may be pleased to place me on the same
footing as civil officers sent to British Columbia.

In what I have stated having reference to emoluments I hope to be
understood as not asking for any special or Exceptional privilege.

2ly I would suggest that if my experience as a civil Engineer,
which as will appear from the enclosed printed document is not
inconsiderable, could be made serviceable to Government on the
passage out; it would not cost me more to travel out by the Red River Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains than by the Isthmus of Panama.

3ly My leave of absence having nearly expired I would ask for a
small extension of it, in consideration of its shortness (8 months)
and the circumstance that the Season is now so far advanced that
however expeditious I may be in getting out, little Surveying can be
done in Vancouver Island until Spring.

That if his Grace shall be pleased to allow me this slight extension
of leave of absense and that if during my stay in London I can do any
work for the Colonial Office, so far from considering such as
laborious, I should be but too happy to exert myself to the utmost.