Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Storks, Major General Henry Knight to Merivale, Herman 2 October 1858, CO 60:2, no. 10081, 380.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (7), Other documents (1).
Storks expresses the War Office’s surprise that Colonel Moody and the CO were unaware that the “Thames
City” and the “Briseis” were only chartered to Vancouver Island and not to convey the troops up the Fraser River.
The minutes place the blame for the misunderstanding on the War Office. The CO cites
clauses in the original contract which leaves open the possibility, “if required,”
for a military force to be prepared to go inland “to prevent collisions between the
Diggers and Indians.” While asserting that they are “exempt from blame,” in the interest
of “peace between Public Departments,” the CO declines to bring this up with the War
Office.
Enclosed is a draft marked “not sent,” explaining in detail the course of events which
led to the contracting of the ships.
Storks to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
War Office
2 October 1858
Sir,
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request
that you will acquaint Secretary Sir E.B. Lytton that a
communication has been made to the Admiralty to the effect suggested
in your Letter of yesterday's
date
1
regarding the proposed extended employment of the freight ships "Thames
City" and Briseis.
With respect to the surprize expressed in your Letter that
these Vessels have not been chartered to proceed beyond
Vancouver's Island, I am to observe that M. General Peel is not
aware that this Office ever received any official notification
or request that the Ships to be taken up for this service, were
to convey the detachment of
Royal Engineers to the Frazer's
River. On the contrary he always understood that in accordance
with the design announced in your Letter of the 15th
July,
2
the detachment was to proceed to Vancouvers Island and there form
a depôt and make the necessary arrangements connected with their
duties inland under the directions of the Governor. I am to
add that it is scarcely possible to conceive that Colonel Moody
who is known to have been in constant communication with the
Shipowners and other parties engaged in the service, was not
perfectly aware that the Ships were only chartered for
Vancouver's Island.
Royal Engineers to the Frazer's
River. On the contrary he always understood that in accordance
with the design announced in your Letter of the 15th
July,
2
the detachment was to proceed to Vancouvers Island and there form
a depôt and make the necessary arrangements connected with their
duties inland under the directions of the Governor. I am to
add that it is scarcely possible to conceive that Colonel Moody
who is known to have been in constant communication with the
Shipowners and other parties engaged in the service, was not
perfectly aware that the Ships were only chartered for
Vancouver's Island.
M. General Peel much regrets to find that there should have
occurred any such misapprehension on the subject; but he
must repudiate the mistake, if mistake there be, being
attributed to any want of care or attention in this dept.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
You will see that in the letter addressed to the War Office on the 1st instant, whatever the inference to be drawn from it may be, we carefully abstained from imparting blame to that Department for not having taken up freight to Frazer's River. It appears to me however for the following reasons that this blame is justly attributable to the War Office and to no one else. You will notice that when, on the 13th July, 3 we first wrote to the War Office to order the despatch of a Military force, it was stated that that force was to aid the Civil power in Vancouver's Island, and "on the opposite coast of North America," to "march inland if required to prevent collisions between the Diggers and Indians". On the 20th of July 4 we directed the War Office to hold a Party of Engineers in readiness to repair to New Caledonia, as the Colony was at that date called; Vancouver's Island was not mentioned.You
You will observe that
between the 13th and 20th July a difference in our
policy had taken place. The Soldiers were abandoned,
and Royal Engineers, as a more reliable set of men,
substituted for them. Therefore the orders were really
given to the War Office on the 20th July for forwarding
Engineers to the new Colony. But those orders were precise
and distinct.
You will see that in the letter addressed to the War Office on the 1st instant, whatever the inference to be drawn from it may be, we carefully abstained from imparting blame to that Department for not having taken up freight to Frazer's River. It appears to me however for the following reasons that this blame is justly attributable to the War Office and to no one else. You will notice that when, on the 13th July, 3 we first wrote to the War Office to order the despatch of a Military force, it was stated that that force was to aid the Civil power in Vancouver's Island, and "on the opposite coast of North America," to "march inland if required to prevent collisions between the Diggers and Indians". On the 20th of July 4 we directed the War Office to hold a Party of Engineers in readiness to repair to New Caledonia, as the Colony was at that date called; Vancouver's Island was not mentioned.You
You will observe that
between the 13th and 20th July a difference in our
policy had taken place. The Soldiers were abandoned,
and Royal Engineers, as a more reliable set of men,
substituted for them. Therefore the orders were really
given to the War Office on the 20th July for forwarding
Engineers to the new Colony. But those orders were precise
and distinct.
The Act of Parliament constituting the Colony of British
Columbia was passed on the 30th July last. On the 3rd
August
5
we wrote to the War Office directing them to take up
freight for the conveyance of these Engineers to the New
Settlement. Vancouver's Island was again not mentioned in the
letter, and I, for one, was never more thoroughly astonished
than when Colonel Moody's letter of the 24th
Ultimo
6
represented that the freight Vessels were not to go beyond
Victoria. It was in view of these circumstances that Lord Carnarvon and I agreed that it would be proper to write our
letter
of the 1st instant. I cannot myself see that the
War Office has successfully defended itself from great misapprehension.
of the 1st instant. I cannot myself see that the
War Office has successfully defended itself from great misapprehension.
These facts can if it is wished be stated to the War
Office, though for the sake of peace between Public
Departments and if no advantage is sacrificed by silence I
would scarcely advise that step. It is sufficient I think
that we should have done the best that we could to remedy
the effects of the inattention of the War Office. If the
correspondence should be laid before Parliament, it will
be apparent that the Colonial Office is exempt from blame.
ABd
5 Octr
Mr Blackwood
I return this for the present with 10184: 7 it had better be circulated again with the draft on that letter.
I return this for the present with 10184: 7 it had better be circulated again with the draft on that letter.
HM
O 6
Returned to Dt 8th.
Sir Edward Lytton
Mr Blackwood suggests a complete answer to the W.O. letter, who are I think really chargeable
with the
mistake wh has taken place: but I doubt the
desirability of prolonging a controversy between two public
departments where neither will own themselves in the
wrong. I believe on the whole that it had better be
allowed to drop. If however you wish it the W.O. may
be privately reminded of what Mr Blackwood has minuted:
but I hardly think that further official correspondence can serve
any purpose.
Mr Blackwood suggests a complete answer to the W.O. letter, who are I think really chargeable
with the
mistake wh has taken place: but I doubt the
desirability of prolonging a controversy between two public
departments where neither will own themselves in the
wrong. I believe on the whole that it had better be
allowed to drop. If however you wish it the W.O. may
be privately reminded of what Mr Blackwood has minuted:
but I hardly think that further official correspondence can serve
any purpose.
C
Oct 12
I think a courteous reply as to the facts & dates will be
desirable. Draft it & let me see. It may be wanted for Parlt.
EBL
Oct 12
Other documents included in the file
Draft, with revisions, Colonial Office to Under-Secretary, War
Office, no date, marked "not sent," explaining in detail the course of
events which led to the contracting of the ships.
Minutes by CO staff
[Minute on above:]
Footnotes
- I.e., Storks to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary), 1 October 1858, 9977, CO 60/2, p. 372.
- = CO-WO, 15 Jul 58, REs to BC FIND?? Merivale to War Office, 15 July 1858, re Royal Engineers to BC.
- = Military force, 1st ordered FIND?? Colonial Office to War Office, 13 July 1858, dispatch military force to BC.
- = REs to BC FIND?? Colonial Office to War Office, 20 July 1858, to send REs to BC.
- = CO-WO, REs to BC FIND?? Colonial Office to War Office, 3 August 1858, re freight for REs.
- I.e, Moody to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary), 24 September 1858, 9808, CO 60/3, p. 289.
- Corry to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary), 5 October 1858, 10184, CO 60/2, p. 21.
- I.e, letter in this file.