Romaine to Under-Secretary of State
7th February 1866
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lord Commrs of the Admiralty to request you will lay before Mr Secretary Cardwell the accompanying petition from Mr Alfred Waddington of Victoria, Vancouver Island, in regard to his claim for compensation on account of the loss of his scow on the Homathco River, during certain operations against the Indians in 1864.
From the copies of the documents attached to the petition it appears that the Colonial Authorities admit their liability to afford compensation, whilst they disputetheManuscript image the amount claimed. The matter may probably be dealt with by the local Government without the intervention of their Lordships.
I am Sir,
Your very obedient servant
W.G Romaine
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
It appears from these papers that in the performance of a service on the part of B.C. Lt Verney's proceedings led to the loss of a "scow" the property of Mr Alfred Waddington. The B.C. authorities do not dispute the justice of the claim, and, on the report of their Magistrate, Mr Brew, offer to pay £50. Mr Waddington refused to accept that sum, and appeals to the Admiralty, whose officer Lt Verney was, to procure him payment.
This affair is clearly a Manuscript imageColonial & not an Admiralty one. I do not suppose much good will come out of a reference to the Colony: but we must either take that course, or inform Mr Waddington that we cannot help him. It will scarcely be proper for us to suggest the adoption of legal means agt the local Govt. This is another expense arising out of the massacre of the Bute Road party by the Indians.
ABd 8 Feb
I annex a draft in which I would recommend that we refer the case back to the Colony.
TFE 9 Feb
I have since communicated with Mr Seymour—from which a private Note is annexed—and it confirms, I think, the fitness of the proposed answer.
TFE 1 March
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Not on microfilm.
Other documents included in the file
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Seymour to Elliot, 11 February 1866, regarding a fair price for Waddington's scow.
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Draft reply, Cardwell to Acting Governor, No. 11, 1 March 1866.
Minutes by CO staff
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By the mail going tonight, prepare for Signature—subject to approval—& send it to me as soon as ready.
TFE 1 March