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 GraceaManuscript image 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.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Henry G. Lennox
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
Answer that a copy of their letter of the 28 Oct was sent to Govr Seymour for his information & guidance.
CC 10/12
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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.
FR 10/12
B&C 10/12
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Rear Admiral Hastings to Admiralty, 17 October 1867, seeking further instruction regarding the deployment of marines.
Other documents included in the file
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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
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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
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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.Manuscript image 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.
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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.
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to Admiralty, 19 December 1867, commenting on instructions issued to Hastings regarding the deployment of marines in defence of the colony.