Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 25 April 1859, CO 60:4, no. 5891, 322.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (2).
Douglas reports to Lytton the arrival of the Thames City in Esquimalt Harbour and explains his difficulties in transporting the “Troops” and “government freight”
to Queensborough. He “respectfully” submits that future reinforcements of “Troops
or Stores” should be chartered directly to Queensborough so that the “heavy expense”
may be avoided.
The minutes express satisfaction at the ship’s safe arrival and “communicate to the
War Office.”
No. 142, Military
I have the honor to communicate to you that the Freight
Ship "Thames City" arrived in Esquimalt Harbour on the 12th
Instant, with the main body of the Sappers and Miners for service
in British Columbia
Columbia.
Columbia.
2. The Ship touched at the Falkland Islands and at Valparaiso
on the passage out; several births occurred during the voyage,
and on arrival at Vancouver's Island the Troops together with the
women and children were in excellent health.
3. The Ship was only chartered as far as Esquimalt, but as
I considered that the Master would be quite willing to proceed
to Frasers River, I entered into arrangements with the Senior
Naval Officer that the "Thames City" might be towed by one
one of Her
Majesty's Ships to Queensborough, the Destination of the Troops,
however the Master would not consent to go for a less sum than
Twelve Hundred pounds (£1200), and as this was deemed exorbitant, a
contract was entered into with one of the Merchant Steamers for
the conveyance of the whole of the Troops, and Government Freight
from alongside the Thames City to Queensborough for the sum of
Nine Hundred pounds (£900). This amount may appear large, but,
nevertheless, it was the very lowest rate
rate at which we could
get the work performed.
one of Her
Majesty's Ships to Queensborough, the Destination of the Troops,
however the Master would not consent to go for a less sum than
Twelve Hundred pounds (£1200), and as this was deemed exorbitant, a
contract was entered into with one of the Merchant Steamers for
the conveyance of the whole of the Troops, and Government Freight
from alongside the Thames City to Queensborough for the sum of
Nine Hundred pounds (£900). This amount may appear large, but,
nevertheless, it was the very lowest rate
rate at which we could
get the work performed.
4. The Troops with the Women and Children have all been
removed to British Columbia, and the last of the government freight
will be conveyed thither in a day or two.
5. I would take this opportunity of respectfully submitting
that in all future cases of sending Troops or Stores to British
Columbia, the Vessels should be chartered to proceed to Queensborough,
so that the very heavy expense which has, in this case, been incurred
may hereafter in
in a part be avoided.
in a part be avoided.
Minutes by CO staff
The safe arrival of the men is satisfactory.
C
June 11
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Under-Secretary, War Office, 16
June 1859, forwarding copy of the despatch for information.