Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Birch, Arthur Nonus to Cardwell, Edward 18 November 1865, CO 60:22, no. 1193, 449.
Abstract
Birch, Arthur Nonus to Cardwell, Edward 18 November 1865, CO 60:22, no. 1193, 449.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Other documents (1).
No. 122
18th November 1865
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your despatch
No. 38 of 6th July desiring me to report upon a letter from the
War Department forwarded in your despatch No. 5 of 11thMay
May
1864, respecting the disposal of the Arms and accoutrements left
in this Colony by Colonel Moody on the withdrawal of the detachment
of the Royal Engineers. I enclose a Report from the Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works and also one from the Officer
Commanding the New Westminster Rifle Volunteers. These reports
will furnish all the information required by the Secretary of State
for War.
May
1864, respecting the disposal of the Arms and accoutrements left
in this Colony by Colonel Moody on the withdrawal of the detachment
of the Royal Engineers. I enclose a Report from the Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works and also one from the Officer
Commanding the New Westminster Rifle Volunteers. These reports
will furnish all the information required by the Secretary of State
for War.
2. I am happy to be ableto
to state that the New Westminster
Volunteers are steadily increasing in number and are becoming a
very effective Corps.
to state that the New Westminster
Volunteers are steadily increasing in number and are becoming a
very effective Corps.
3. The Arms referred to by Captain Prichard as having been
handed over to Mr Ogilvy, for the use of Mr Cox's party in the
Expedition against the Chilicoten Indians are now under the charge
of the Magistrate at Quesnelmouth. The central position of thatTown
Town being considered well adapted for a depot in the event of a
further outbreak among the Chilicoten or other tribes of the Interior.
Town being considered well adapted for a depot in the event of a
further outbreak among the Chilicoten or other tribes of the Interior.
4. The Magistrate of the district has authority to issue these
Arms to the Inhabitants in case of any emergency. I enclose the
copy of a letter which will show the satisfactory manner in which
the people of Quesnelmouth prepared to defend themselves againstan
an
attack threatened by the Chilicoten Tribe.
an
attack threatened by the Chilicoten Tribe.
5. I trust that this disposal of the Arms and accoutrements
will meet with your approval, and that they will not be withdrawn
from the Colony.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
The Acting Govr reports in this desph the manner in wh: certain Military Stores have been disposed of, and begs that they may not be taken away. Now forward a copy of this desph to the W.O. and, adverting to their Letter of 30 Ap/64, say that Mr Cardwell wd wish the Colony to have the benefit of those rifles & accountrements, & that he proposes, to inform the Govr that they may be retained in the Colony on the usual terms. It wd be as well if the W.O. cd put a price on the ammunition & accoutrements. They must possess some rateable value.
The Acting Govr reports in this desph the manner in wh: certain Military Stores have been disposed of, and begs that they may not be taken away. Now forward a copy of this desph to the W.O. and, adverting to their Letter of 30 Ap/64, say that Mr Cardwell wd wish the Colony to have the benefit of those rifles & accountrements, & that he proposes, to inform the Govr that they may be retained in the Colony on the usual terms. It wd be as well if the W.O. cd put a price on the ammunition & accoutrements. They must possess some rateable value.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
J.W. Trutch, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works, to
Officer Administering the Government, 14 November 1865, reporting
on the disposition of the arms and accoutrements since they were
handed over to the colony.
Captain Prichard to Officer Administering the Government, 17
November 1865, reporting on the condition of the arms.
J.B. Gaggin to Colonial Secretary, 16 February 1865, describing
measures taken to ensure the security of Quesnel Mouth.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to Under-Secretary of State for War, 9 February 1866,
forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosure and recommending that
the materials be allowed to remain in the colony on the usual terms.