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Correspondence (private letter)
Moody, Richard Clement to Merivale, Herman 24 September 1858, CO 60:3, no. 9809, 291.

Abstract
Correspondence (private letter). Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Moody requests pay for his officers and men who are actively employed on duty but yet to embark to British Columbia.
The minutes discuss a departmental dispute over who should fund the extra pay but agree that it is necessary. The CO recommends that the Treasury make the requisite payment at once.
Enclosed is the CO to the Treasury recommending that the officers and men receive their usual working pay from the time of their appointment to the colonial service.
Moody to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Topographical Office, War Dept
4 New Street, Spring Gardens
24 Sepr 1858
Sir,
I venture to request you will do me the favour to draw the attention of the Secretary of State to the circumstance that the additional rate of pay of the British Columbian Detachment of Royal Engineers is authorized to commence on the day of embarkation, but the usual rates of working and extra Pay received by officers and men of the Corps of R.E. while employed has been withdrawn by the War Department from the date of appointment to this service. As all, especially the officers, have been actively employed on duty, I am quite sure the Secretary of State does not contemplate they should suffer any "loss" during the interval.
When Lt Col. Hawkins R.E. and his party of officers and men (North American Boundary Commission now in B. Columbia) were similarly situated—and they did not embark for three months after date of appointment—their special pay was accorded to them from such date of appointment, that is to say the pay of the officers was full allowance (being most em:ployedManuscript image ployed) and that of the men half allowance.
I venture to hope in consideration of the expenses in London and the nature of the service the Secretary of State may be disposed to accord a like remuneration in this case.
I have the honor to be Sir
Yr most obedient humble Servant
R.C. Moody
Col. R.E.

Herman Merivale Esq
Under Secretary of State
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Merivale
See 9909—since received. 1 In pursuance of the announcement of the War Office that they would refuse to charge themselves with the Army Pay of the Detachment of R. Engineers selected for service in B. Columbia the Authorities of that Office have stopped the payment to both Officers & men of the working & extra pay since the date of their Apptment.
The discussion of the debateManuscript image between the Heads of the respective Offices is imminent. In the mean-while the Officers—& men—the former especially, who have had a good deal of bustling work, can scarcely be left without their extra pay. Pending the discussion & its result I think we might recommend the Treasury to make the requisite payment at once adding, as has been already intimated, that the adjustment of the proportionate amount whh it will be proper to charge to the funds of this Country will be communicated to the T-y with as little delay as possible.
ABd 24 Sepr
Yes: at the same time to me; who am ignorant of military ways in these matters, it does seem somewhat irregular that Col. Hawkins's party should have had "working and extra pay" for 3 months in England before they went out.
HM S 14
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft, Colonial Office to C.E. Trevelyan, Treasury, 30 September 1858, recommending that the officers and men receive their usual working pay from the time of their appointment to the colonial service.