Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Moody, Colonel Richard Clement to Merivale, Herman 24 September 1858, CO 60:3, no. 9809, 291.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Moody requests pay for his officers and men who are “actively employed on duty” but yet
to embark to British Columbia.
The minutes discuss a departmental dispute over who should fund the “extra pay” but
agree that it is necessary. The CO recommends that the Treasury “make the requisite
payment at once.”
Enclosed is the CO to the Treasury recommending that the officers and men receive
their usual working pay from the time of their appointment to the colonial service.
Moody to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Topographical Office, War Dept
4 New Street, Spring Gardens
24 Sepr 1858
4 New Street, Spring Gardens
Sir,
I venture to request you will do me the favour to draw the
attention of the Secretary of State to the circumstance that the
additional rate of pay of the British Columbian Detachment of Royal
Engineers is authorized to commence on the day of embarkation, but the
usual rates of working and extra Pay received by officers and men of
the Corps of R.E. while employed has been withdrawn by the War
Department from the date of appointment to this service. As all,
especially the officers, have been actively employed on duty, I am
quite sure the Secretary of State does not contemplate they should
suffer any "loss" during the interval.
When Lt Col. Hawkins R.E. and his party of officers and men
(North American Boundary Commission now in B. Columbia) were similarly
situated—and they did not embark for three months after date of
appointment—their special pay was accorded to them from such date
of appointment, that is to say the pay of the officers was full
allowance (being most em:ployed
ployed) and that of the men half allowance.
ployed) and that of the men half allowance.
I venture to hope in consideration of the expenses in London
and the nature of the service the Secretary of State may be disposed
to accord a like remuneration in this case.
Herman Merivale Esq
Under Secretary of State
Under Secretary of State
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
See 9909—since received. 1 In pursuance of the announcement of the War Office that they would refuse to charge themselves with the Army Pay of the Detachment of R. Engineers selected for service in B. Columbia the Authorities of that Office have stopped the payment to both Officers & men of the working & extra pay since the date of their Apptment.
See 9909—since received. 1 In pursuance of the announcement of the War Office that they would refuse to charge themselves with the Army Pay of the Detachment of R. Engineers selected for service in B. Columbia the Authorities of that Office have stopped the payment to both Officers & men of the working & extra pay since the date of their Apptment.
The discussion of the debate
between the Heads of the respective
Offices is imminent. In the mean-while the Officers—& men—the
former especially, who have had a good deal of bustling work, can
scarcely be left without their extra pay. Pending the discussion &
its result I think we might recommend the Treasury to make the
requisite payment at once adding, as has been already intimated,
that the adjustment of the proportionate amount whh it will be
proper to charge to the funds of this Country will be communicated
to the T-y with as little delay as possible.
between the Heads of the respective
Offices is imminent. In the mean-while the Officers—& men—the
former especially, who have had a good deal of bustling work, can
scarcely be left without their extra pay. Pending the discussion &
its result I think we might recommend the Treasury to make the
requisite payment at once adding, as has been already intimated,
that the adjustment of the proportionate amount whh it will be
proper to charge to the funds of this Country will be communicated
to the T-y with as little delay as possible.
ABd
24 Sepr
Yes: at the same time to me; who am ignorant of military ways in
these matters, it does seem somewhat irregular that Col. Hawkins's
party should have had "working and extra pay" for 3 months in
England before they went out.
HM
S 14
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to C.E. Trevelyan, Treasury, 30 September
1858, recommending that the officers and men receive their usual working
pay from the time of their appointment to the colonial service.