Locke to Lytton
[Odellville?], Ballingarry
Co. Limerick
29th Sep 1858
Sir
I shall be obliged if you will inform me if H.M. Govt would sanction the formation of a Corps of Emigrants for British Columbia, they would form a nucleus forManuscript image a Police or Militia force; I could raise one hundred young and able bodied men good Artisans and workmen to be placed in the first instance under Military discipline and settled in one shot.
I am perfectlyManuscript image independent a Magistrate and Landowner of this Country, have served in H.M. 67th Reg and as Major of the 2d Reg B. [Italian?] Legion. I have also held two temporary Govt appointments in this country and should H.M. Govt entertain the proposal I have madeManuscript image the details can easily be completed and I can refer to all under whom I have served for testimonials as to my conduct and capability.
I have the Honor to be Sir
Your obt Sert
J.W.T Locke

The Rt Honble
Sir E. Bulwer Lytton
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Answer that Sir Edd Lytton thanks the Writer for the suggestion he has been so good as to offer; but that it is not intended by H.M's Government to sanction any Emigration fromthisManuscript image this Kingdom with a view to the formation of a Police or Militia force in British Columbia.
ABd 5 Octr/58
HM O 5
Annex draft.
C Oct 6
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft, Merivale to Locke, 12 October 1858, advising that the government did not intend to sanction emigration or to form a police or militia force.