Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Grafton, Douglas to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 27 July 1863, CO 60:17, no. 7351, 363.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Grafton to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
27 July 1863
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter from
Lieut Colonel Hawkins R.E. Her Majesty's Commissioner for
defining the British North American Boundary, in which he
suggests that Corporal W Hale, who is serving in British
Columbia under Colonel Moody,R. E,
RE, may advantageously be
employed in completing the inscription on the Granite Obelisk
which marks the Western terminus of the Boundary.
RE, may advantageously be
employed in completing the inscription on the Granite Obelisk
which marks the Western terminus of the Boundary.
In laying this letter before the Duke of Newcastle I
am to request that you will move His Grace to instruct the
Governor to give effect to the wishes expressed by Colonel Hawkins.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Transmit copy of these Letters to the Governor instructing him to give effect to the wishes contained in them, & inform W.O. accordingly.
Transmit copy of these Letters to the Governor instructing him to give effect to the wishes contained in them, & inform W.O. accordingly.
ABd
28 July
Draft.
TFE
28/7
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to Under-Secretary of State for War, 3 August 1863, advising that the governor had been instructed to comply with the
wish expressed by Colonel Hawkins.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
J.S. Hawkins, Royal Engineers, to Under-Secretary of State for War
H.M. Boundary Commission
2 Victoria Street, Westminster
July 23rd 1863
2 Victoria Street, Westminster
My Lord
When the granite obelisk marking the Western terminus of the
continental Boundary between the territories of HM & the United
States under the Treaty of 15 June/46 was erected it was not
practicable to complete the inscription on its Eastern face as
no agreement had been entered into between the joint Commission
as to the exact longitude of the spot. The Astronomers of the
two Commissions have recently done this by a comparison at
Washington of observations and results.
The inscriptions of the several faces of the obelisk were
executed by a manof
of the Detachment of Rl Engineers stationed
in B. Columbia (Corporal Wm Hale) whose services were temporarily
placed at my disposal for the purpose by Col Moody RE—and as
I think it is very desirable to have the one in question completed
& that it can best be done by the man who already knows the
locality &c, while I understand the Detacht is likely shortly
to be withdrawn from the Colony, I have the honor to request that
YLp will either instruct Col Moody to that effect, or will
move the Secy of State for the Colonies to do so through the
Govrr—as Point Roberts (the site of the obelisk) can be reached
from
New Westminster by boat or canoe in 3 or 4 hours, & the
work ought not to occupy more than a day or two, I think there
is no occasion to raise the question of cost—especially as the
obelisk is now of importance to the Colony as authoritatively
defining its limit.
of the Detachment of Rl Engineers stationed
in B. Columbia (Corporal Wm Hale) whose services were temporarily
placed at my disposal for the purpose by Col Moody RE—and as
I think it is very desirable to have the one in question completed
& that it can best be done by the man who already knows the
locality &c, while I understand the Detacht is likely shortly
to be withdrawn from the Colony, I have the honor to request that
YLp will either instruct Col Moody to that effect, or will
move the Secy of State for the Colonies to do so through the
Govrr—as Point Roberts (the site of the obelisk) can be reached
from
New Westminster by boat or canoe in 3 or 4 hours, & the
work ought not to occupy more than a day or two, I think there
is no occasion to raise the question of cost—especially as the
obelisk is now of importance to the Colony as authoritatively
defining its limit.
The longitude agreed upon by the Joint Commission, &
therefore not open to question is 123o 3' 53". The
figures ought to be made of the same size & character as those
indicating the latitude. It would be as well if the man employed
were to be provided with a little cement to make good the
jointing of the obelisk, if found necessary; & with some black
paint to restore the old & paint the new lettering. Perhaps
also something mightbe
be done towards keeping down the young
growth likely to have sprung up in the clearing for the monument,
but this is a question affecting all the Boundary cuttings which
will be brought prominently to notice before closing the commission.
be done towards keeping down the young
growth likely to have sprung up in the clearing for the monument,
but this is a question affecting all the Boundary cuttings which
will be brought prominently to notice before closing the commission.
I enclose a photograph of the Eastern face of the obelisk,
on which the inscription has been completed.