Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hammond, Edmund to Rogers, Frederic 21 January 1861, CO 305:18, no. 671, 85.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (5), Other documents (1).
Hammond writes Rogers on behalf of Russell to discuss what land-based military
forces are required for the protection of Vancouver Island and
British Columbia. Russell suggests that
whenever another Regiment is removed from China, it should be sent to Vancouver's Island.Elliot argues in the minutes that if a military force is required on Vancouver Island, it should be sent immediately.
Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
21 January 1861
I have laid before Lord John Russell your Letter of the 14th
instant, enclosing Copies of a correspondence with the War
Department, respecting the Question of detaching a Regiment from the
China Expeditionary Force to Vancouver's Island.
I am to request that you will state to the Duke of Newcastle, in
reply,that
that Lord John Russell continues to be of opinion that
advantage would result from replacing the detachment of Marines, now
doing duty on San Juan, by a similar Detachment from a Line Regiment;
but that, independently of this consideration, His Lordship cannot
but think that, a Battalion might be usefully stationed in
Vancouver's Island, where, and in the adjoining Colonyof
of British Columbia, we have large interests at stake, while, on the other hand,
the neighbouring provinces of the United States abound in a squatter
population only too ready to create disturbance, but against which, if
directed towards the British Provinces, such a force might exercise a
very salutary check.
that Lord John Russell continues to be of opinion that
advantage would result from replacing the detachment of Marines, now
doing duty on San Juan, by a similar Detachment from a Line Regiment;
but that, independently of this consideration, His Lordship cannot
but think that, a Battalion might be usefully stationed in
Vancouver's Island, where, and in the adjoining Colonyof
of British Columbia, we have large interests at stake, while, on the other hand,
the neighbouring provinces of the United States abound in a squatter
population only too ready to create disturbance, but against which, if
directed towards the British Provinces, such a force might exercise a
very salutary check.
I am, accordingly, to suggest, for the Duke of Newcastle's
consideration,that
that a further Letter should be addressed to the War
Office, requesting that whenever another Regiment is removed from
China, it should be sent to Vancouver's Island.
that a further Letter should be addressed to the War
Office, requesting that whenever another Regiment is removed from
China, it should be sent to Vancouver's Island.
Minutes by CO staff
See Minute annexed.
TFE
25 Jany
The origin of this question, it must be borne in mind, was a letter
from the Admiralty last October, telling us that the party of Marines
at San Juan had completed their term of service abroad and ought to
be relieved. This point will require a practical decision, whatever
view may be adopted on the more general topics which have since been
started.
The Foreign Office suggested that one of the Regiments set free from
China should be stationed in Vancouver's Island. The War Office have
answered that such Regiments as could be spared from China have
already been removed, and that the remainder are likely to be
required there for at least a year. The Foreign Office in their
present letter recommend that when another of them is released from
China it should go to Vancouver's Island.
No one can really know how long the force will be wanted in China;
but if the War Office anticipation be realized, it would probably be
far on in 1862 before a Regiment from thence could be established at
Vancouver's Island.
I
I would submit that the matter is needlessly complicated by bringing
in the subject of China at all. Is it or is it not, advisable to
station a Regiment at Vancouver's Island? This seems to me the real
question. If unadvisable, there is an end of the matter; if
advisable, the Regiment should be furnished from the most
conveniently disposable part of the British Army, a subject of which
the War Department and Commander in Chief could best judge.
There certainly would be some advantages in getting a different kind
of force at Vancouver's Island. The Marines ought at all events to
be released immediately. The Sappers & Miners have proved very
costly, as well as a failure for the purpose for which they were
intended, and their Officers, not having enough to do, are rather
discontented spectators and critics of the Government. On the other
hand I have accidentally heard from General Foster today that the
Horse Guards are in great need of Engineers for service elsewhere.
In
In case of it's being wished to withdraw the Sappers, I annex a
Memo. by Mr Henry Irving which shows how far any of them were led to
expect that they would have any permanent employment or settlement
there.
Should the conclusion be not to send out a Regiment, it strikes me
that as regards the Marines, the only available course will be to
ascertain from the Admiralty whether it would be too great a
deviation from the proper duties of the Corps to send out another
(and in that case probably a stronger) detachment to replace the one
which has been so long abroad.
For brevity's sake, I have mentioned only Vancouver's Island, but I
look to the service both of that Island and of British Columbia.
TFE
25 Jany
Other documents included in the file
