Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Moody, Colonel Richard Clement to Irving, Henry Turner 11 October 1858, CO 60:3, no. 10409, 333.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
Moody gives further instructions for provisioning the “Euphrates” and the “Briseis.” He enquires once more on whether or not his expedition will be allowed the use
of a “Boydell’s Traction Engine.”
The minutes lament that the War Office will not lend the steam engine but “insist”
on the CO buying it.
Moody to Irving (Junior Clerk)
Topographical Office, War Dept
4 New Street, Spring Gardens
11th Octr 1858
4 New Street, Spring Gardens
My dear Sir,
Will you kindly take an opportunity of mentioning to Lord Carnarvon that on my return to this office I find that under any
circumstances the balance of the ammunition and 3 or 4 boxes of
Books for the men (the whole a trifle of tonnage say 5 or 6 tons
quite at the outside) must go with the men in the Euphrates. I
have left instructions thatif
if anything beyond the Provisions would
have to be left out of the Briseis
it must be left behind altogether,
and to provide for such a contingency I have ordered
that the 2 Pontoons (small) with their apparatus shall be
selected for that purpose.
if anything beyond the Provisions would
have to be left out of the Briseis
it must be left behind altogether,
and to provide for such a contingency I have ordered
that the 2 Pontoons (small) with their apparatus shall be
selected for that purpose.
I hope sincerely that the twelvemonths provisions may not have
to be left behind. Experience has taught me the grave importance
of having Provisions in advance well secured—we ought to keep a
twelvemonth ahead. Security of food is of the first importance
in all enterprises.
P.S. If Boydell's Traction Engine be taken it would have to go on the
Euphrates. (They would like to take it in the Briseis as they want
dead weight, and they are now taking in Iron & Bricks and other
things not belonging to us because our foods are light and they must
have weight. It would not be well however to detain the loading
of the Briseis until it was ascertained whether we could have the
Engine and whether it could be taken in her without displacing other
goods.)
H.T. Irving Esq
Minutes by CO staff
I have referred the matter privately to the W.O. & they will not
lend us the Engine but insist on our buying. So this disposes
of the proposition of Col. Moody.
Answer accordingly declining.
C
Oct 13
