Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
4th August 1858
Sir
With reference to Mr Corry's Letter of the 28th June, acquainting you of the directions given to Rear Admiral Baynes either himself to proceed to Vancouver's Island or to send some Senior Officer thither with a view to protect British Interests and to support the Civil Authority in consequence of the recently discovered Gold Fields in the neighbourhood of Frazers River; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith,forManuscript image for the information of Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes dated the 25 June, No 83, and Copy of its enclosure from the Governor of Vancouver Island relative to a Naval Force being required there.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient humble
Servant
W.G. Romaine
Minutes by CO staff
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Lord Carnarvon
I should press for adequate Naval force—with plenty of Marines.
ABd 5 Augt
Sir Edward We have had verbally the promise of Confidential instructions to Admiral Baynes and the Admiralty Letter of the 28th June gives us the assurance ofManuscript image support. I hardly know that we can do much more except perhaps in acknowledging this letter to press again the great importance wh you attach to a naval force and the presence of marines in those waters.
C Augt 5
Write to press the necessity of a Naval Force at the earliest moment with Marines.
EBL Aug 5
Other documents included in the file
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Draft, Merivale to Secretary to the Admiralty, 11 August 1858, urging the importance of having a naval force at Fraser River.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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1. R.L. Baynes to Secretary of the Admiralty, 25 June 1858, forwarding copy of a letter from Douglas and advising that the Satellite and Plumper, "being already on that coast," he had no other ships available to send to the area.
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1.1. Douglas to Baynes, 12 May 1858, applying for reinforcements for the naval force already on the coast.