Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Hills, George to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 19 November 1858, CO 60:2, no. 11896, 678.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (5), Other documents (3).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Hills,
as future Bishop of British Columbia,advocates for a military chaplain to be appointed to BC.
The minutes note that the decision of appointing a military chaplain belongs to the
Secretary of State for War, and write to the War Office with this recommendation.
Enclosed is a draft from Elliot to the War Office forwarding a copy of the letter for consideration, and referring to previous correspondence
on the subject; a draft from Carnarvon to Hills stating his letter had been referred to the War Office for consideration; and a draft from Merivale to Hills advising the Secretary of State for War had decided not to appoint a military chaplain.
Hills to Lytton
23 Upper Berkeley St
Portman Sqe
Nov 19, 1858
Portman Sqe
Sir;
As future Bishop of British
Columbia
1
my attention is anxiously directed to the spiritual wants of the Colony.
2. I find that a considerable body of Engineers have been sent out,
and I venture respectfully to represent the great desirability of a
Military Chaplain being sent out also.
3. Such a body, numbering I believe 200, would in no place in
England be left without some spiritual care: much more is this necessary
in a country where there is at present no provision whatever even for the
inhabitants, and where for some time it must be scanty
and dependant
upon voluntary effort.
and dependant
upon voluntary effort.
4. In a new Colony composed of such peculiar elements it is highly
important that a good tone should be established at the first, whereas
the instance of troops sent out by the mother country without apparent
regard for their religious interest might encourage apathy upon matters
of highest civilization.
5. It is likely I presume there will be some other force, of a
militia kind, who will need the services of a Chaplain at stated periods
at least. The presence also of a Military Chaplain as an authority
and
example of what is done at home may materially influence the
feeling of the Colony as to such arrangements afterwards.
and
example of what is done at home may materially influence the
feeling of the Colony as to such arrangements afterwards.
6. The presence of no less than 50,000 Native Indians will require
on the part of the white population a degree of forbearance and
consideration hardly to be maintained except through the frequent
inculcation of their principles.
Trusting this subject may be deemed worthy of your
attention, as it does most anxiously occupy my own.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The appointment of a Military Chaplain in B. Columbia rests of course with the Secretary of State for War, but if Sir E. Lytton concurs in the proposal, it should I presume be recommended officially to the War Office?
The appointment of a Military Chaplain in B. Columbia rests of course with the Secretary of State for War, but if Sir E. Lytton concurs in the proposal, it should I presume be recommended officially to the War Office?
VJ
20 N
TFE
22/11
Lord Carnarvon
It will be seen from the annexed correspondence (of which I was not aware when I minuted this) that it was at first proposed by the Inspector-General of Fortifications to send out a Chaplain with the Detachment, but that the War Office overruled it, as unnecessary under the circumstances. See 2d paragraph of their letter 8382. 3
It will be seen from the annexed correspondence (of which I was not aware when I minuted this) that it was at first proposed by the Inspector-General of Fortifications to send out a Chaplain with the Detachment, but that the War Office overruled it, as unnecessary under the circumstances. See 2d paragraph of their letter 8382. 3
VJ
22 N
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to J.R. Godley, War Office, 2 December 1858,
forwarding copy of the letter for consideration, and referring to
previous correspondence on the subject.
Draft, Carnarvon to Hills, 2 December 1858, stating his letter
had been referred to the War Office for consideration.
Footnotes
- George Hills was consecrated Bishop of Columbia in Westminster Abbey on ?? 1859.
- Burdett Coutts to Lytton, 17 November 1858, 11874, CO 60/2, p. 676.
- War Office to Colonial Office, 17 August 1858, CO 6/26, p. ?? NEED TO GET