Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Lugard, Edward to Elliot, Thomas Frederick 30 April 1864, CO 60:20, no. 4147, 272.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2), Marginalia (1).
Lugard informs Elliot that the Secretary of State for War approves of the militia in British Columbia making use of
the arms and accoutrementsleft by the Royal Engineers.
Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)
30th April 1864
Sir
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to
request that you will acquaint Mr Secretary Cardwell
that it appears that on the late withdrawal from British
Columbia of the detachment of Royal Engineers, under the
command of Colonel Moody,
the arms and accoutrements
specified in the accompanying List were left in charge of
the Local Government.
the arms and accoutrements
specified in the accompanying List were left in charge of
the Local Government.
Colonel Moody states that this course was adopted at
the request of the Governor, who was desirous that the
arms should be made over to the Local Militia & Volunteers,
and who undertook to apply
for the consent of the Home
Government to this being done.
for the consent of the Home
Government to this being done.
In the event of Mr Cardwell being of opinion
that it is desirable that the Local Forces should have the
use of these arms, Earl de Grey will have no objection
to their being retained on the usual terms,
namely, the Rifles on loan,
and the accoutrements and ammunition on
payment of their Actual Value.
and the accoutrements and ammunition on
payment of their Actual Value.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
It wd be very advisable to let the "local forces" of B.C., whatever that may be, benefit by the loan of these arms. If Mr Cardwell agrees acquaint the Governor with the terms in this Letter. And inform the W.O.
It wd be very advisable to let the "local forces" of B.C., whatever that may be, benefit by the loan of these arms. If Mr Cardwell agrees acquaint the Governor with the terms in this Letter. And inform the W.O.
ABd
4 May
Mr Jadis
Have we any report from the Governor on the existence and numbers of any Volunteer force in B. Columbia?
Have we any report from the Governor on the existence and numbers of any Volunteer force in B. Columbia?
TFE
4 May
Mr Elliot
We have no such report. You will see from 9577 B. Columbia that in Augt 1862 no Militia or Volunteer Force existed. I have searched our Records since that date & do not find any further report or return.
We have no such report. You will see from 9577 B. Columbia that in Augt 1862 no Militia or Volunteer Force existed. I have searched our Records since that date & do not find any further report or return.
VJ
5 May
Mr Fortescue
But then we know for a fact that in August 1862 there were no Militia or Volunteer Corps of any kind in British Columbia, and we have
never heard of any since.
I fear that there must have been some want of clearness
in what Coll Moody may have said on this subject
to the War Office.
But then we know for a fact that in August 1862 there were no Militia or Volunteer Corps of any kind in British Columbia, and we have
never heard of any since.
I fear that there must have been some want of clearness
in what Coll Moody may have said on this subject
to the War Office.
In answer to their letter, I should tell them the
above facts, but say that we had forwarded their letter
to the Governor, and had called upon him to report the
present state of these arms, and to let us know in
whose charge they are kept, as well as to give his opinion
on the best manner of turning them to the public advantage.
And write to the Governor accordingly.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Statement on the transfer of arms and accoutrements from the
Royal Engineers to the colonial government, 11 November 1863.
Other documents included in the file
Draft reply, Cardwell to Officer Administering the Government,
No. 5, 11 May 1864.
Elliot to Under-Secretary of State, War Office, 12 May 1864,
concerning the fact that as of 1 August 1862 there
was no militia or volunteer force in the colony.