Lennox to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
30th Decr 1867
Sir,
With reference to the correspondence which has passed between the Colonial Office and this Department on the subject of Officers and Men being landed from Her Majesty's Ships to suppress disturbances amongst the Miners at Cariboo 700 miles in the interior of British Columbia and to your Letter of the 19th Inst in which you state that the Duke of Buckingham & Chandos proposes with the concurrence of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to instruct the Governor of that Colony that MarinesandManuscript image and Sailors cannot be landed from Her Majesty's Ships and still less be marched into the interior unless it is clear that it can be done without any risk to the safety of the Vessels, nor except under the purpose of some paramount necessity, in which there is imminent danger to life and property. I am commanded by their Lordships to state for the information of His Grace that the Commanding Officers of H.M. Ships will always be ready to afford local aid in support of law and order, but their Lordships cannotManuscript image sanction, as an established Regulation, the sending of Officers and Men to a distance from their Ships, thereby rendering the Ships inefficient.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Henry G. Lennox
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
It appears to me that the Admiralty admit the fairness of the suggestion made by the Duke of Buckingham, but will not allow it to be laid down as rule—but the letter is not very clear I think.
CC 2/1
FR 6/1
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They dont seem to me to agree to the proposed Instructions as laying down the ground or discretionary Rule.
CBA 7/1
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I think they intend to admit the correctness of the view but are fearful of laying down any regulations [cut off microfilm] should operate as an instruction to do that which shd only be done in very [cut off microfilm] circes. I think the Adm. shd be seen and a despatch framed with their concurrence.
B&C 7/1
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, [Buckingham to Seymour], no date, refusing to sanction the deployment of naval troops as an established regulation.
Minutes by CO staff
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Duke of Buckingham
Does this strike Your Grace as leaving the Admil sufficiently at liberty. If so, I will take it over to the Admiralty to see whether they agree.
FR 24/1
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I think so.
B&C 25/1
Other documents included in the file
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Rogers to Secretary to the Admiralty, 6 February 1868, enclosing copy of draft despatch to Seymour for consideration and asking whether it would be appropriate to send similar instructions to Admiral Hastings.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Adderley
The Duke of Buckm has in substance approved the enclosed draft, & at his desire I shewed it to Mr Romaine who concurred. I suppose therefore Admy agreement may be counted upon. Dft to Govr.
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Yes.
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 14, 24 February 1868 informing Seymour of the Admiralty’s decision regarding British naval forces being used to support colonial forces during local disturbances and the criteria for the support.