Anonymous to Lytton

In the Military and Naval intelligence of the Times of this morning it is said that Col. Moody has been appointed Governor of the new Colony of British Columbia.
I and my Partner had good opportunity of knowing the Col in the Falkland Islands and it was well known there that he was either recalled by Earl Grey or had his conduct so severely criticized as to oblige him to resign. We have personally no complaints to make of the Governor but it was well known that he possesses neither energy nor discrimination for a place of the sort. He put himself completely into the hands of the Doctors family at Falklands who kept him always in hot water with every body and when Ships of War came the Officers and the Governor were always quarrelling they laughed and amused themselves with his pompous vanities in trying to be a great man.
I and [my] Partner had nearly resolved in investing largely in the New Colony but we have been struck with amazement at hearing of this appointment. The Col may be a very good Engineer to Map the Country but we have immediately given orders to stop our preparations until we know whether the Gov. is the Col knowing his incapacity to judge impartially or act with energy on any practical business at Law or Government. Trusting you will enquire carefully as to the former proceedings of the Coll before you place him in a situation which the writer with no personal ill will knows him to be quite unfitted for, and cannot put himself or friends under him. When a man conducts himself creditably as Col Moody has done in Scotland would it not be better to leave him in his right place.