Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Roscoe, Francis James to Rogers, Frederic 1 June 1868, CO 60:34, no. 5778, 518.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (4), Other documents (3).
Roscoe asks Buckingham to make a
requisition to the War Office, or proper Military authority,for rifle practice targets for the Victoria Volunteer Rifle Corps. Roscoe suggests Birch can support Roscoe’s statements pertaining to Victoria’s Volunteer Rifle Corps and further suggests Birch and Holland can act as references for Roscoe. Birch’s minute discusses the validity of Roscoe’s statements, and Cox’s minute discusses how it is strange to make a request for Vancouver Island that did not come from the Governor of British Columbia. Buckingham minutes that the application can be made but Seymour will need to receive any grants from the War Department. Included documents describe correspondence regarding processing Roscoe’s request.
Roscoe to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
8 Bedford Row W.C.
London
June 1, 1868
London
Sir
The Captain & Members of the Victoria (Vancouver Island)
Volunteer Rifle Corps have requested me, their Ensign now on a
visit to this country, to ascertain if it is possible for them
to procure (either as a gift or a loan) a set of Targets for
Rifle Practice.
I therefore take the liberty of asking you if you could kindly
make the necessary requisition to the War Office, or proper
Military authority, to enable us to get these Targets, assuming
that it is possible to do so. The Victoria (V.I.) Rifle Corps is
the only Land force on Vancouver Island, & it has been
maintained at considerable expenseto
to both officers & men. I
would submit therefore that it is well worthy of any little
assistance of this kind which Her Majesty's Government could
bestow upon it. Mr Birch having been in the Colony would
probably endorse this latter statement, and both he & Mr
Holland are acquainted with the writer.
to both officers & men. I
would submit therefore that it is well worthy of any little
assistance of this kind which Her Majesty's Government could
bestow upon it. Mr Birch having been in the Colony would
probably endorse this latter statement, and both he & Mr
Holland are acquainted with the writer.
Sir Frederick Rogers Bart &c
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Roscoe is correct in stating that the Corps has been
maintained at considerable expense to the individual Members and
any encouragement from the Home Govt would be well bestowed.
The
Corps is a very creditable & efficient one & Mr Roscoe a
very active officer.
Corps is a very creditable & efficient one & Mr Roscoe a
very active officer.
ANB
3/6/68
Mr Elliot
It would be rather unusual to make such an application to the War Office unless it came thro' the Govr, but his Grace
may
perhaps on Mr Birch's statement be disposed to make one.
It would be rather unusual to make such an application to the War Office unless it came thro' the Govr, but his Grace
may
perhaps on Mr Birch's statement be disposed to make one.
To save time I think the applicn might be made but the
fact will of course be communicated to the Govr and the grants
if given can only be given through the Govr.
B&C
9/6
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Roscoe, 16 June 1868, advising that Buckingham
would be in correspondence with the War Office regarding his
request.
Rogers to Under-Secretary of State, War Office, 16 June 1868,
forwarding copy of letter and recommending favourable consideration.
Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 32, 16 June 1868 forwarding Roscoe’s letter “applying for a set of Targets for Rifle practice” and the Colonial Office’s letter to the War Department regarding Roscoe’s application.