Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 19 February 1861, CO 60:10, no. 3643, 117.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Douglas informs Newcastle that the projected cost of the Royal Engineers in
British Columbia during 1861 is £16,750, a figure that, he argues, cannot be reduced without
the public works so imperatively demanded [being] brought to a stand still, and the progress of the Colony most disastrously retarded.He claims that the colony cannot pay this cost on its own, and asks that the Treasury provide financial assistance. Colonial Office staff minute that Parliament has only authorized £12,200 toward this expense and that the colony will have to pay any costs in excess of that amount. Fortescue writes that
I cannot but think that the time has come to remove the Engineers.Newcastle agrees, but notes that this cannot be done until a military force to replace them is found.
No. 18, Military
19 February 1861
With reference to my Despatch No 12 of the 7th Instant,
transmitting the Estimates of the Civil Expenditure of the
Colony of British Columbia, I have the honor to forward herewith
Estimates of the Expenditure necessary on behalf of the Royal
Engineers employed in this Colony, amounting in the aggregate
to the sum of Sixteen Thousand,Seven
Seven Hundred and Fifty pounds, which is the very lowest at which the annual cost
of the Royal
Engineers can be calculated.
Seven Hundred and Fifty pounds, which is the very lowest at which the annual cost
of the Royal
Engineers can be calculated.
2. From this Your Grace can readily comprehend how
impossible it is for this Colony to defray the expenditure
from her own resources unless the whole, or greater part, of
the public works so imperatively demanded be brought to a stand
still, and the progress of the Colony most disastrously retarded,
and I therefore most earnestly trust Your Grace will be able to
continue the helping handof
of the Mother Country in defraying the
expenses of this body of men, who in reality are of more value
to British Columbia on Imperial than on Colonial account.
of the Mother Country in defraying the
expenses of this body of men, who in reality are of more value
to British Columbia on Imperial than on Colonial account.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Fortescue
You will, I think, see with regret the very heavy demands for these Engineers, whose introduction into this Colony has proved so costly and been attended as far as we know by so little commensurate advantages.
You will, I think, see with regret the very heavy demands for these Engineers, whose introduction into this Colony has proved so costly and been attended as far as we know by so little commensurate advantages.
The demand for this year is £16,750, and I suppose that
the Column headed 1860 must mean that the expenditure on them
for that year was £20,966. The votes submitted to Parliament
for their Colonial pay for the corresponding periods have been
£12,200 for each year. I suppose that the only recourse will
be to tell the Governor that he must pay the difference out of
Colonial Revenue, but it certainly is very hard upon a Colony
which never has had the smallest need for their military
services, and which has been obliged to use more practical
forms of labor for its public works.
TFE
20 April
Duke of Newcastle
I cannot but think that the time has come to remove the Engineers.
I cannot but think that the time has come to remove the Engineers.
CF
25
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"Estimate of the probable sums required to defray the Expenditure of
the Military Department from January 1st 1861 to December 31st
1861," signed by Douglas.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 78, 11 May 1861,
informing Douglas that Parliament has only authorized £12,200 toward the cost of the Royal Engineers
and that the
colony of British Columbia will have to pay any costs in excess of that amount.