Correspondence: J.S. Helmcken to Sir J.A. Macdonald

McTavish Collections: Pearce Address on Dr. Helmcken

Victoria, August 23rd, 1871

Dear Sir:

I received you flattering, kind and patriche [sic] letter about two weeks ago, but the wish to give your request, contained therein, a full and fair consideration, induced me to avoid answering it immediately. During the interval I have had a conversation with Governor Trutch and the Honorable Hector Langeview, who urged me, like yourself to enter once again into the political arena, pointing out the advantages that might possibly accrue to the country and myself.

Pressed upon all sides, I have suffered no small anxiety and it causes me no inconsiderable pain that I dare not accede to your and their desire.

I would do much for British Columbia.

Twenty years I served her faithfully without receiving or desiring fee or reward. My position in the Hudson's Bay Company Service afforded me an income sufficient to meet my few simple and inexpensive wants.

The future, then, troubled me not.

Had I devoted myself during that period to my profession and avoided politics, I might easily have saved sufficient to enable me now to serve my country - but I did not do so.

Through changes in the Hudson's Bay Company my position in their service has been dispensed with, thus depriving me of my income.

I am now compelled to seek a lively-hood. There will always be the unfortunate sick there may not be always political offices filled by me. The one is tolerably certain and permanent, the other uncertain and precarious.

I agree with you as a matter of experience, "'that political life is not conducive either to domestic comfort or penurious advantage, still someone must undertake the task and make the sacrifice".

Were I childless, I would think nothing of making the sacrifice, but not being so, I dare not risk sacrificing the little ones.

They must have their porridge.' I must provide it. I can do so my means of my profession by means of political exertions, it is at least doubtful.

You must excuse my troubling you with domestic matters - but you will see they compel or at least induce me to follow a course contrary I regret, to your wishes.

This course, moreover, let me say, is not a sudden whim or caprice, but one determined upon long ago. My visit to Ottawa undertaken at the urgent request of Governor Musgrave and other, and my subsequent election, post proved the putting into effect this determination.

Confederation having been completed, a natural termination came to my political career.

(two more pages - the letter closes),

I feel honored at having received a letter from you and have answered it with frankness. I trust that you will not take my compulsory determination amiss. Were I undependent nothing would afford me greater pleasure that to fight for you. That may come some day, I trust soon.

Believe me

yours truly,

J. S. Helmcken