Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Merivale, Herman 31 August 1859, CO 60:5, no. 8786, 402.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Romaine transmits a copy of a letter from
Rear Admiral Sir M. Seymouron
the Subject of a Detachment of Royal Marines sent from China to Vancouvers Islandwho received
a promise of Double pay, allowances, & a grant of Land after a service of six years in the Colony.Among the lengthy minutes on how best to address the promises to the Marines, Irving advises that Douglas
should be instructed at once to discontinue the employment of the Marines in B. Columbia.
Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
With reference to your letter of the 11 Instant on the
Subject of a Detachment of Royal Marines sent from China
to Vancouvers Island receiving a promise of Double pay,
allowances, & a grant of Land after a service of six years
in the Colony: I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty to transmit to you, herewith, for the information
of His Grace the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a Copy of
a letter which their Lordships have received from Rear Admiral
Sir M. Seymour, late Commander in Chief of Her Majesty's
Ships & Vessels on the East India & China Stations, on the subject.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
On the 20 Augt 1858, Sir E. Lytton urged upon the Admiralty the importance of sending an additional Ship of War with Marines to VanCouvers Island.
On the 20 Augt 1858, Sir E. Lytton urged upon the Admiralty the importance of sending an additional Ship of War with Marines to VanCouvers Island.
Sir E. Lyttons object was doubtless to ensure the presence
in the neighbourhood of B. Columbia of a Military Force sufficient to
repress any disturbance 
in the Colony.
in the Colony.
The "Tribune" arrived in February 1859 and the Supernumerary
Marines were landed at Esquimalt. In April, the Governor reported
that because it was undesirable to keep the men unemployed in VanC.
Island and because that they had volunteered for service in British
Columbia, and had been actually promised the same benefits they had
enjoyed in China, together with a free grant of land at the end of 6
years service, he had sent them up to New Westminster and given them
extra pay. It does not seem that Governor Douglas felt himself compelled
by the "promise" to do this but that he pleads it as an apology
for thus employing the Marines without instructions.
It now appears from the letters 
from the War Office and Admiralty
that no such promise to the Marines was authorized by H.M's
Govt or by the Admiral on the China Station.
from the War Office and Admiralty
that no such promise to the Marines was authorized by H.M's
Govt or by the Admiral on the China Station.
Under these circes, I would suggest that
Governor Douglas should be informed of the object for
which the Marines were sent to VanCouver's Island, that
regret should be expressed that he had taken a step
without instructions involving so heavy an expense,
and that he should be instructed at once to discontinue
the employment of the Marines in B. Columbia—Adding
that the Admiralty have been apprized that in the
present state of affairs, the Supernumerary Marines
may be withdrawn from the Station. He should also be
requested to explain the circes of the
alleged promise and informed that it was unauthorized.
The Admiralty should be told that this explanation
has been called for and that the Governor will be
instructed to discontinue employing the Marines in B.
Columbia—referring at the same time to the decision
communicated to the Admiralty on 11 August that the
Supernumeraries may be withdrawn.
Send copy of the Ady letter 8786 & of our answer to the War
Dept with reference to our letters of 9 July & 13 Augt.
The expenditure that has thus been occasioned, and
for which Bills are now being drawn by the Governor
on the Treasury, must be, I suppose, borne by the Colony.
HT Irving
3d Sept
The Governor scarcely seems to have been in fault in
this matter; he could hardly have done otherwise then rely
on the very positive & circumstantial assertions of
Captain Magin. (See last Enclosure.) It is now clear
that both the Admiralty & the War Dept, and their
officers, repudiate altogether 
those assertions. That
officer is surely the person who ought to be brought to book.
I think therefore that (in addition to the
steps proposed by Mr Irving, in which I agree) this
circumstance should be strongly noticed to the War Dept
who will themselves take such notice of Capt. Maginn's
proceeding as they may think proper.
those assertions. That
officer is surely the person who ought to be brought to book.
I think therefore that (in addition to the
steps proposed by Mr Irving, in which I agree) this
circumstance should be strongly noticed to the War Dept
who will themselves take such notice of Capt. Maginn's
proceeding as they may think proper.
HM
S 3
I entirely concur. A very sore feeling will be created amongst
the Marines who will have just cause to complain & will probably
vent their anger on the Service instead of the Captain.
N
4
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Under-Secretary, War Office, 3 October 1859,
forwarding copy of the letter received by Admiralty concerning promises
made to the Marines, for information.
