Romaine to Under-Secretary of State
29 July 1861
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs a Copy of a letter dated the 10th ultimo No 165 from Rear Adml Sir Thos Maitland, representing the necessity for increasing the Force on the Pacific Station and at Vancouver's Island and I am to state that a Ship now nearly ready for Sea will be sent out in a few days to the Station.
I am etc.
W.G. Romaine
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
Sir Thos Maitland's report to the Admy points strongly to the necessity of having a military force of some sort stationed in Van C. Isld as a protection agt the Indians.
The Ship which is to sail in a few days might convey the 500 Rifles destined for the Volunteers of V.C. Isd. But it seems that to accomplish that object anManuscript image urgent appeal must be made to the War Office.
ABd 1 Augt
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Mr Blackwood
Prepare a letter to the W.O., sending Ady letter, and stating that it is will be [sic] very desirable, for the sake both of expedition and economy, to have the arms sent out, if possible, by this oppy. Write the Admy.
TFE 1 Augt
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My dear Irving
The Rifles are ready, but it is believed that tonnage has been engaged for them. However enquiry has been made by Telegraph and you shall hear the results this afternoon.
Yrs truly
H.A. Greene
l Tuesday
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Dear Irving
See your letter of the 21st June.
We were about in the application of the Colonial Agent to supply him with the particulars to enable him to take up tonnage of the 500 rifles & ammunition. I have requested that all further proceedings may be stopped and it will be for you to acquaint the Agent and let us know officially that the stores are [to] go by Queens Ship.
All will be ready in two days. Let us know soon.
Yrs etc.
H.A. Greene
l Tuesday
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Maitland to Secretary to the Admiralty, 10 June 1861, recommending the force at Vancouver Island be increased by one vessel, with explanation (four pages).
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John Work, senior member of council, to Maitland, 6 June 1861, asking him to station a gun boat at Nanaimo "for a short period" to "counteract any schemes of revenge" that the Haida may be meditating following their punishment for recent crimes.
Other documents included in the file
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Colonial Office to Secretary to the Admiralty, 1 August 1861, advising that the War Office would be communicating with them about conveying the arms.
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Colonial Office to Under-Secretary of State, War Office, 2 August 1861, advising of the imminent departure of the warship and suggesting he communicate with the Admiralty to arrange for conveyance of the arms.
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Elliot to The Colonial Agent, 5 August 1861, directing him not to act on instructions transmitted on 21 June respecting shipment of the arms.
Minutes by CO staff
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It has been ascertained that the Agent has not acted on the instructions given to him on 21 June.
Other documents included in the file
*
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Penrose G. Julyan, Office of the Crown Agents, to [Colonial Office], 31 July 1861, advising that he had "taken no steps that will prevent their being forwarded by a Queens Ship," but adding that the Colonial Office should make an "urgent appeal" to the War Office or the opportunity may be lost.