Corry to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
18 April 1859
Sir
With reference to Mr Elliots Letter of the 16th April, expressing the thanks of Secretary Sir E.B. Lytton for the Services of the Seamen and Marines sent to prevent disturbances in Fraser's River; and stating that the arrival of the main body of the Engineer Force and of the Gun Boats in British Columbia will relieve Her Majesty's Ships "Satellite" and Plumper from duties which necessity alone has compelled the Governor to ask their Commanding Officers to undertake; I am commanded Manuscript imageby My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to state, for the information of Sir E.B. Lytton, that unforeseen delays have detained the Gun Boats but that they will shortly be ordered to proceed to Vancouver Island—also that My Lords desire to draw attention to the great inconvenience resulting from the Employment of the Crews of Her Majesty's Ships on duties which ought properly to devolve on the Civil Power of the Colony.
I am etc.
H. Corry
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Lord Carnarvon
The Admiralty protest against our employment on shore of the Naval Crews—and yet do not fulfil the requisition made on them privately months ago for the gun boats. Do you not think it wd be best to take no notice of this Letter?
ABd 19/Ap
I agree—I do not see that any satisfactory reply can be made to this. As regards the employment of the crews of the ships stationed at V. Couver's I. & in those waters the internal condition of the country is too insecure and the force under the Govr too unreliable to admit of any great relief being afforded.
C Apl 19