Moody to Under-Secretary of State
9th April 1860
Sir,
I do myself the honor of herewith transmitting copies of letters which I have addressed to His Excellency the Governor soliciting that some assistance be given to the wives and families of certain Non-Commissioned Officers & Men belonging to the Detachment of Royal Engineers to enable them to join their husbands &c in this Colony and beg to submit the matter as being worthy of the favorable consideration of His Grace Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant
R.C. Moody
Col Comg

To The Under-Secretary of State
for the Colonies
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
The Governor will probably write to us on this subject. Put by till then.
ABd 1 June
Mr Fortescue
I have forwarded to you today another paper adverting to the general question of the future disposal of the Sappers & Miners now in British Columbia. But whether or not they are retained as Soldiers the more of them that remain as Settlers the better Manuscript image and I should apprehend therefore that there will be no danger of error in sending out the families applied for in this despatch.
TFE 30 June
Yes—but ought we not to ascertain whether the men who send for their families are prepared to take their discharge & stay in the Colony?
CF Jy 2
N 3
Mr Elliot has pointed out that the women in question are very few—and no decision can be come to as to the retention of the Engineers until the Duke returns. So that I think the women may be sent out.
CF 10
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Moody to Douglas, 29 March 1860, applying on behalf of his men to have their wives and betrothed transported to the colony, the cost to be borne by the government but repaid in instalments by the men concerned.
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List of Royal Engineers who had applied to Moody for transport as noted above, seven entries.
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Moody to Douglas, 2 February 1860, forwarding an application from Serjeant McColl, "requesting me to obtain for him from the proper authorities some assistance to enable him to send to England for his wife & family of four children."
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Moody to Douglas, 3 March 1860, requesting an answer to his letter on Serjeant McColl as noted above.
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, G.C. Lewis to Douglas, No. 43, 21 July 1860.
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Draft, Rogers to Emigration Commissioners, 14 August 1860, forwarding list of seven men wishing transportation for their families and asking for a report on "what mode of conveyance these parties could be most conveniently taken to British Columbia."
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Fortescue
You have observed I suppose, that this recommendation comes from Colonel Moody—not from the Governor—from whom we have not heard on the subject.
The object is a good one, but we do not know whether the Governor will approve of the charge being thrown Manuscript image on local funds. You will say whether you wish this draft to go on, with the requisite alteration.
I confess it had escaped my notice that this application did not come from, or through, the Governor—as it ought to do. I think the Govr ought to be asked whether he recommends compliance with the expense to be paid from Colonial funds and also whether the parties are prepared to remain in B. Columbia (the men taking their discharge) in case the R. Engineers are withdrawn. Perhaps Mr Blackwood would Manuscript image draft a desp. to the Govr to the above effect.
CF 18