Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Lennox, Henry Gordon to Rogers, Frederic 30 December 1867, CO 60:30, no. 12854, 69.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (7), Other documents (3).
Lennox describes the conditions, which the Admiralty supports, that
Marines and Sailors [can] be landed from Her Majesty's Shipsin British colonies. Lennox states that the lords of the Admiralty
cannot sanction, as an established Regulation, the sending of Officers and Men to a distance from their Ships, thereby rendering the Ships inefficient.Initial minutes by Cox, Adderley, and Buckingham discuss to what extent the Admiralty agrees with Buckingham’s proposal of establishing a regulation for sending British marines to support disturbances in the colonies. Subsequent minutes by Rogers, Buckingham, and Adderley discuss the appropriate structure of the reply despatch to Seymour.
Lennox to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
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 Marinesand
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 cannot
sanction, as an established Regulation, the sending
of Officers and Men to a distance from their Ships, thereby rendering
the Ships inefficient.
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 cannot
sanction, as an established Regulation, the sending
of Officers and Men to a distance from their Ships, thereby rendering
the Ships inefficient.
Minutes by CO staff
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.
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.
They dont seem to me to agree to the proposed Instructions
as laying down the ground or discretionary Rule.
CBA
7/1
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
Draft reply, [Buckingham to Seymour], no date, refusing to
sanction the deployment of naval troops as an established regulation.
Minutes by CO staff
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.
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
Other documents included in the file
*
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
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.
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.
Other documents included in the file
*
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.