Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Lennox, Henry Gordon to Rogers, Frederic 6 December 1867, CO 60:30, no. 12037, 60.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Lennox sends a letter from Hastings regarding using naval forces “for the purpose of quelling disturbances in the interior
of” British Columbia. Lennox discusses the instructions of the admiralty to Hastings, which describe the circumstances for using naval forces on land in British Columbia, and asks for “any observations” from the Secretary of State. Rogers’s minute discusses the inconsistencies between the instructions of 1864 and a recent telegram from the admiralty and how the inconsistencies should be clarified.
Buckingham’s minute compares the circumstances that prompted the 1864 instructions and the circumstances that prompted Seymour to ask for Hastings’s assistance and recommends changing the instructions based on the situation. Included
documents describe the instructions Hastings’s received regarding sending naval units to shore in British Columbia and suggest ways to improve the admiralty’s instructions.
Lennox to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
6th Decr 1867
With reference to your Letter of the 11th Ultimo and previous
correspondence, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of the Duke of
Buckingham and Chandos, a copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral The Hon.
G.F. Hastings, dated the 17th Octr, No 155, relative to
landing armed Parties in British Columbia from Her Majesty's Ships
for the purpose of quelling disturbances in the interior of the Country.
My Lords on the 28th Octr last forwarded to His Gracea
a
Copy of the Orders of 18th July 1864 under which Rear Admiral
Hastings is acting with regard to landing men in the Colony, and
their Lordships propose to inform the Admiral that they see no
reason for altering those Instructions, but would be glad to
know whether the Secretary of State has any observations to offer
on the subject.
a
Copy of the Orders of 18th July 1864 under which Rear Admiral
Hastings is acting with regard to landing men in the Colony, and
their Lordships propose to inform the Admiral that they see no
reason for altering those Instructions, but would be glad to
know whether the Secretary of State has any observations to offer
on the subject.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Answer that a copy of their letter of the 28 Oct was sent to Govr Seymour for his information & guidance.
Answer that a copy of their letter of the 28 Oct was sent to Govr Seymour for his information & guidance.
CC
10/12
It appears to me that the letter of the 18th July 1864 and the
telegram are not consistent & that the Admiral should know clearly
which he ought to act upon. It seems to me that the letter of the
16th is reasonable, and that the Gov. ought not to be encouraged
to rely on being able to prevail on the Adml to detach marines or
sailors from their ships & send them 700 miles inland. But both
the Govr & Admiral, it appears to me shd be informed [whatever
ruling?]—if it is intended that this repetition of the instructions
of 1862 [sic] is to be considered as superseding the telegram.
If this is not intended then it appears to me the Admy
shd be requested to modify their instructions, in the sense
of the telegram—i.e. so as to express a strong objection to
detaching men (on the grounds stated) but permitting the Adml to do
so, provided he does not risk the safety of the Ships, & provided the
safety of the Colony absolutely requires it.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Rear Admiral Hastings to Admiralty, 17 October 1867,
seeking further instruction regarding the deployment of marines.
Other documents included in the file
Colonial Office to Secretary to the Admiralty, no date,
commenting on instructions issued to Hastings regarding the deployment
of marines in defence of the colony, extensively edited.
Minutes by CO staff
I hardly know what opinion if any HG wd wish to express about
this. This draft is in fact a suggestion to consult the telegraph
instructions.
FR
13/12
Sir F. Rogers
This hardly correctly denotes the circs on which the 1864 instructions were issued—to hunt for Indian murderers is a different matter from assisting the supremacy of the Law against a body of rioters defying the law & the Governor.
In England even—Troops would be called out to put a stop
to riots, but not to seek & hunt for criminals.
This hardly correctly denotes the circs on which the 1864 instructions were issued—to hunt for Indian murderers is a different matter from assisting the supremacy of the Law against a body of rioters defying the law & the Governor.
In England even—Troops would be called out to put a stop
to riots, but not to seek & hunt for criminals.
I think the 1864 instructions quite reasonable for the
circumstances to which they applied, but I think they require some such
words as those in the telegram—strengthening perhaps the expression
of real necessity by insertion of word 'paramount' or some such
phrase. & the Admiralty should be asked to concur & send out
identical instructions.
The Admiralty would hardly desire that
if a serious riot on shore threatened the Govrs life no
assistance beyond that to be afforded by the vessels themselves
or their boats shd be rendered to save him.
