Moody to Under-Secretary of State
Topographical Office, War Dept
4 New Street, Spring Gardens
25th Octr 1858
Sir,
I solicit instructions may be given for me to receive (paid to my agents Messrs Cox & Co) the passage allowance for myself and two Servants to B. Columbia via New York and Panama. I find on the best authority that the actual cost in the most narrow and restricted style (not including sundry unavoidable expenses on route) will not be less but probably exceed £250.0s.0d. I venture to hope the Secretary of State will sanction such amount being granted to me in aid of my actual expenses. I would go out in a manner befitting a Military command and the position of honour and trust generally of which he has done me the honour to deem me worthy.
I have the honour to be Sir
Yr most obedient humble Servant
R.C. Moody
Col. R.E.

The Under Secretary of State
for the Colonies
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Strictly speaking as a Colonial Officer Colonel Moody is only entitled to £150 to defray the expense of his journey to B. Columbia—that sum having been allowed to other Public Officers appointed to situations there.
His going out "in a manner befitting his Military Command" we have nothing toManuscript image do with. The War Office should send their Military man out in the proper manner wished for by Colonel Moody. And Colonel Moody is a very well paid man I think. However Sir Edward Lytton may view the matter in a different light, & consider it only just that the expence incurred—which can't be less than £250—with 2 Servants, should be defrayed by the public.
ABd 25 Octr
If this request be entertained I think that the most we could do would be to forward it to the Treasury stating that the expenses of undertaking a high command in a new Settlement such as British Columbia are necessarily heavy, and that with this remark Sir E.B. Lytton leaves the case for their Lordship'sManuscript image consideration, and would request to be informed of such view as they may adopt.
TFE 25 Octr
C Oct 25
As Mr E proposes.
[EBL] Oct 27
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Elliot to C.E. Trevelyan, Treasury, 4 November 1858, forwarding copy of the letter and asking for a decision on the matter.
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Draft reply, Lytton to Douglas, No. 46, 20 November 1858.