Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Carnarvon, Earl 13 April 1867, CO 60:28, no. 5795, 72.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (6).
Seymour references
the Secretary of the [Admiralty’s proposal] to the Vancouver Island Dock Companyregarding concessions of water rights and a loan of twenty thousand pounds, and discusses the benefits of having
a dock yard in the immediate neighbourhood of Victoria.Elliot minutes that the despatch should be referred
for the consideration of the Admiraltyand that he
submitted some objections to undertaking Docks & Defences at Vancouver.Adderley minutes his doubts on building a dock on Vancouver Island. Buckingham’s minute notes that
The matter is under consideration of [the] Admiralty.
No. 66
13th April 1867
My Lord,
On the Union of the Colonies, (with other papers)
Mr Secretary Cardwell's despatch Vancouver Island, No. 10
of 2nd June 1864, came into my hands. It contains a letter
addressedby
by the Secretary of the Admiralty to the Vancouver
Island Dock Company relative to the concession of water rights
in connection with the proposed work.
by the Secretary of the Admiralty to the Vancouver
Island Dock Company relative to the concession of water rights
in connection with the proposed work.
2. I learn that in addition to the proposed concession
of water rights the Lords of the Admiralty offered to grant
twenty thousand pounds, by way of a loan. The present depressed
state of the Colony renders it very difficult to raise
sufficient money for the undertaking, but I am convincedthat
that it
would be true economy if Her Majesty's Government were to
increase the amount of the loan so as to cause the work to be
performed. Within the short time that has elapsed since my
return to the Colony two of Her Majesty's ships, the flag ship
"Sutlej" and the "Scout" have had to proceed for repairs to
the only dock yard available, at Mare Island, San Francisco,
to be repaired at an enormous expense. Two gun boats, the
"Grappler"and
and the "Forward" are lying in Esquimalt Harbour
hardly fit to go to sea.
that it
would be true economy if Her Majesty's Government were to
increase the amount of the loan so as to cause the work to be
performed. Within the short time that has elapsed since my
return to the Colony two of Her Majesty's ships, the flag ship
"Sutlej" and the "Scout" have had to proceed for repairs to
the only dock yard available, at Mare Island, San Francisco,
to be repaired at an enormous expense. Two gun boats, the
"Grappler"and
and the "Forward" are lying in Esquimalt Harbour
hardly fit to go to sea.
3. Rear Admiral Denman will shortly be in England and would
I have no doubt, if referred to, support the recommendation I now
venture to make.
4. I need hardly say how important to the interests of the
Commercial community the possession of a dock yard in the
immediate neighbourhoodof
of Victoria would be.
of Victoria would be.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I have been keeping this back for the previous papers which are in circulation with a Minute of yours. I do not like to delay it longer.
I have been keeping this back for the previous papers which are in circulation with a Minute of yours. I do not like to delay it longer.
CC
25/6
I should refer this despatch
for the consideration of the
Admiralty. The former Papers, & Minutes are annexed.
for the consideration of the
Admiralty. The former Papers, & Minutes are annexed.
TFE
26 June
I confess I think it very doubtful policy contributing from this
Treasury to a Vancouver I. Dock. Next will come the question of
defending it.
CBA
26/6
Duke of Buckingham
This despatch has been kept aside by Your Grace's order. In an minute annexed I submitted some objections to undertaking Docks & Defences at Vancouver. I believe that Your Grace has since had some conversation at the Admiralty, & possibly this paper may now be disposed of?
This despatch has been kept aside by Your Grace's order. In an minute annexed I submitted some objections to undertaking Docks & Defences at Vancouver. I believe that Your Grace has since had some conversation at the Admiralty, & possibly this paper may now be disposed of?
TFE
17 August