No. 112, Military Expenses
Victoria Vancouver's Island
10 March 1859
Sir,
I have the honor to forward to you herewith Copy of two letters addressed to me by Colonel Moody, Commanding the Troops in British Columbia, making requisition upon me for the sum of Two Thousand FiveManuscript imageFive Hundred and Twenty pounds (£2520) to defray expenses incurred by the Military Department under his Command.
2. In consequence of there being no Funds in the Colonial Chest with which I could meet this Demand, and the necessity for obtaining the money being urgent I have been compelled to avail myself of the permission accorded to me by you, to obtain the funds as an Advance from the Imperial Treasury.
IManuscript image 3. I have accordingly instructed the Treasurer of British Columbia to draw upon Her Majesty's Paymaster General for the amount, and he in yesterday's date negociated Bills to the Amount of Twelve Hundred and Fifty pounds (£1250), the same being drawn, for the sake of obtaining a better rate of exchange, in 5 sets for the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty pounds (£250) each, of which transaction I have duly advised Her Majesty's Paymaster General.
4. I trust you will approve of this proceeding which I wouldManuscript imagewould beg to assure you I have adopted with great reluctance and to which I was only compelled by sheer necessity.
I have etc.
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Lord Carnarvon
See the passage I have marked in pencil at Page 9 of Sir Edd Lytton's desph No 6l of the 30 Decr last wherein it is said "the military pay of this Force the Govt may at present contribute." It will not escape yr Ldship's notice that this is the 1st time the Governor has drawn upon the British Manuscript imageTreasury for funds for B.C. services. And I am really disposed to give him full credit for withstanding the temptation to do so by which he must have been much beset to meet the numerous demands pressing on him in a nascent Colony. This draft on us is, happily, in the shape of a recognized advance; and as it is unmistakenly clear that money must be had to pay the Troops, as they will desert, we have no alternative except to recommend the T-y to pay the Bills, adding the amount to the running account agt the Colony.
ABd 2 May
I agree.
C May 3
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft, Elliot to G.A. Hamilton, Treasury, 10 May 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch and recommending the bills be paid and added to the account of the colony.
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Carnarvon (in the absence of Lytton) to Douglas, No. 65, 16 May 1859.
Minutes by CO staff
Lord Carnarvon
A Fair copy is annexed, for your sigre As the mail for B Columbia goes to day.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Moody to Douglas, 21 February 1859, requesting £520 working pay for sappers and miners under Captain Grant.
Manuscript image
Moody to Douglas, 17 February 1859, requesting an advance warrant of £2000 for expenses of the Royal Engineers.