No. 2
12 October 1858
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 5 [Vancouver Island] of the 30th of July last, 1 announcing the intention of Her Majesty's Government to send to British Columbia, by the earliest possible opportunity an Officer of Royal Engineers, and a company of Sappers and Miners made uptoManuscript image to one hundred and fifty non-commissioned Officers and men, and at the same time conveying your instructions that I should make such arrangements in the Colony for the reception of that party, as may be deemed necessary and suitable, and also intimating that the Officer in command would be provided with general instructions for his guidance, of which a copy will be sent to me. 2
2. I shall not fail to attend to those instructions with as little delay as possible, but I have not yet decided on the point where it would be advisable to station that force,thoughManuscript image though I am now of opinion that their presence will be of more advantage to the public service at Fort Hope, than elsewhere, that being a central position from whence they can operate rapidly on any part of Fraser's River, and at the same time it is accessible to the steam vessels plying on Fraser's River, a circumstance which would be a great convenience, and a saving of expense in the transport of provisions and stores.
I will however consult Major Hawkins, and ascertain his opinion on that subject before coming to a decision, and also with respect to the extent and plan of buildings required to provide the partywithManuscript image with accommodations.
The expense of those works will be considerable, and I will be under the necessity of drawing upon you for funds to meet that outlay.
I have etc.
James Douglas
Governor
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
VJ 10 Decr
This may after being read be put by?
C D 15
Yes. I wish we could put by the expense too.
EBL D 15
Footnotes
  1. = intention to send REs Lytton to Douglas, No. 5, 30 July 1858, PABC; CO 410/1, p. 144.
  2. = Moody's Instructions as RE. Lytton's instructions to Moody as CCLW were that (1) the governor was the supreme authority; (2) Moody's duties were considered special and not to be interfered with; (3) the Royal Engineers' expenses would be paid by the government through the Treasury; (4) Moody would receive £330 in regimental pay and £1,200 as his Colonial Allowance; and (5) Moody would be required to remain one year and make regular reports to the governor. See Merivale to Moody, 23 August 1858, enclosed in Lytton to Douglas, No. 7, 2 September 1858. Did Douglas ever get these?? First citation of Merivale to Moody. ?? 534, CO 60/1, p. 353 says 18 Aug.
People in this document

Carnarvon, Earl

Douglas, James

Hawkins, John Summerfield

Jadis, Vane

Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer

Merivale, Herman

Moody, Richard Clement

Organizations in this document

Treasury

Places in this document

British Columbia

Fraser River

Hope

Vancouver Island

Victoria