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 2 July 1859, CO 60:4, no. 8576, 550.
Abstract
Douglas, Sir James to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 2 July 1859, CO 60:4, no. 8576, 550.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (6), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (3).
No. 182
I have had the honor of receiving your Despatch No 48 of
the 11th April last, having reference to the disturbances which
occurred in January last at Fort Yale, and forwarding for my
information the copy of a letter
letter from Lord Naas, with an enclosure
from the Chief Inspector of the Constabulary in Ireland relative
to the request made for a body of the Irish Constabulary to be sent
to British Columbia, & representing the necessity for further
information upon various points of detail mentioned.
letter from Lord Naas, with an enclosure
from the Chief Inspector of the Constabulary in Ireland relative
to the request made for a body of the Irish Constabulary to be sent
to British Columbia, & representing the necessity for further
information upon various points of detail mentioned.
2. I have given immediate attention to that matter, and have
the honor to forward herewith a statement which will supply the
information required.
3. With reference to your remarks
remarks respecting the inability
of Her Majesty's Government to undertake the expense partially
or otherwise which the proposed Police Force would entail, I have
only to observe that, in such case, it will be advisable not to send
out the Force, as it is impossible to raise money in the Colony at
present to meet the expenditure that would thereby be incurred; and
moreover the Military force now in British Columbia, and the gradual
accession of a British population render the step every day less
a measure
measure of necessary safety.
remarks respecting the inability
of Her Majesty's Government to undertake the expense partially
or otherwise which the proposed Police Force would entail, I have
only to observe that, in such case, it will be advisable not to send
out the Force, as it is impossible to raise money in the Colony at
present to meet the expenditure that would thereby be incurred; and
moreover the Military force now in British Columbia, and the gradual
accession of a British population render the step every day less
a measure
measure of necessary safety.
4. The population of British Columbia would, as you correctly
surmise, zealously come forward, if required, for their own
protection; but it has always appeared to me a most dangerous policy
to put the sword into the hands of Aliens who have no love for
British institutions, and who might turn it against the Government
whenever it suited their purpose. The geographical position of
British Columbia must be remembered, & it also must not be forgotten
that until lately British Subjects formed but
but a small portion of the
multitudes that poured into the Country, and although I firmly
believe that among the thousands of persons who have since departed
from the Colony scarcely one British Subject could be found, still
even in the population that remain the proportion of British
Subjects is far from being in the ascendant. The difficulties
attendant upon the employment of a volunteer force upon occasions
of emergency are consequently great; but apart from other considerations
there is one very grave objection which particularly
particularly presents itself.
In a gold producing country men cannot and will not render their
services to the Government gratuitously, and the amount of recompense
they expect is exorbitant. Upon the occasion of the disturbances at
Fort Yale certain volunteers were employed by Colonel Moody. These
men cheerfully and most zealously afforded their Services, so much so
indeed as to call forth a warm letter of commendation from Colonel
Moody, but they demanded Five Dollars a day for their Services, and
as compensation for their loss
loss of time, and, under the circumstances,
I was compelled to meet the demand. I am strongly inclined to believe
that as a measure of wise policy, and of sound economy, it is beyond
doubt advisable to employ none but British Subjects in protecting
British Territory.
but a small portion of the
multitudes that poured into the Country, and although I firmly
believe that among the thousands of persons who have since departed
from the Colony scarcely one British Subject could be found, still
even in the population that remain the proportion of British
Subjects is far from being in the ascendant. The difficulties
attendant upon the employment of a volunteer force upon occasions
of emergency are consequently great; but apart from other considerations
there is one very grave objection which particularly
particularly presents itself.
In a gold producing country men cannot and will not render their
services to the Government gratuitously, and the amount of recompense
they expect is exorbitant. Upon the occasion of the disturbances at
Fort Yale certain volunteers were employed by Colonel Moody. These
men cheerfully and most zealously afforded their Services, so much so
indeed as to call forth a warm letter of commendation from Colonel
Moody, but they demanded Five Dollars a day for their Services, and
as compensation for their loss
loss of time, and, under the circumstances,
I was compelled to meet the demand. I am strongly inclined to believe
that as a measure of wise policy, and of sound economy, it is beyond
doubt advisable to employ none but British Subjects in protecting
British Territory.
5. I have read with due attention your remarks respecting the
provision to be made for the repayment by the Colony of the Advances
made from the Mother Country for the equipment and conveyance to
British Columbia of
of Colonel Moody's Party of Royal Engineers. The
Colony is most anxious to acquit herself of every obligation conferred
upon her, and she is quite capable of meeting all her civil
expenditures in a befitting and proper manner, but the cost of the
maintenance of the Military Force, with the heavy charge for Colonial
Pay, is at present more than her Finances can bear. The development
of the Country has been stayed for want of Funds, and the amount of
Revenue has in consequence fallen far short of my expectations. I
cannot refrain
refrain from remarking, however, that the expense of sending
the Royal Engineers to British Columbia, is a charge that can scarcely
with perfect justness be assigned to the Colony, seeing that after
all the object in view was one purely of an Imperial character.
But be that as it may, Her Majesty's Government must be lenient and
kind, and must until the Colony is in a condition to discharge her
liabilities, look for repayment in the acquisition of a magnificent
domain, which will
will give an expansion to British Trade and influence
in this part of the world that now can scarcely be sufficiently
appreciated, and which was unattainable by other means.
of Colonel Moody's Party of Royal Engineers. The
Colony is most anxious to acquit herself of every obligation conferred
upon her, and she is quite capable of meeting all her civil
expenditures in a befitting and proper manner, but the cost of the
maintenance of the Military Force, with the heavy charge for Colonial
Pay, is at present more than her Finances can bear. The development
of the Country has been stayed for want of Funds, and the amount of
Revenue has in consequence fallen far short of my expectations. I
cannot refrain
refrain from remarking, however, that the expense of sending
the Royal Engineers to British Columbia, is a charge that can scarcely
with perfect justness be assigned to the Colony, seeing that after
all the object in view was one purely of an Imperial character.
But be that as it may, Her Majesty's Government must be lenient and
kind, and must until the Colony is in a condition to discharge her
liabilities, look for repayment in the acquisition of a magnificent
domain, which will
will give an expansion to British Trade and influence
in this part of the world that now can scarcely be sufficiently
appreciated, and which was unattainable by other means.
Minutes by CO staff
See 8577.
The idea of sending out an Irish Police Force will I suppose
now be abandoned. The Irish Office should in that case be so informed
with reference to their letter of 21 March last.
With regard to the Governor's appeal to be relieved from the
expenses of the Engineers—It was originally 
intended by Sir E. Lytton that those expenses should be, at any rate for a time borne by
this Country. (Despatch of 31 July 58.)
intended by Sir E. Lytton that those expenses should be, at any rate for a time borne by
this Country. (Despatch of 31 July 58.)
Afterwards in consequence of the favorable (but as they have
proved over estimated) accounts of the probable revenue of the Colony,
it was decided that the cost should be paid from the Colonial revenue.
(Despatch 2d Sept 58.)
It was however not intended that the regimental pay should be
thrown on the Colony (as clearly appears from Sir E. Lytton's letter
to the War Office of 10 November) but this has never been distinctly
explained to the Governor and may be stated and taken credit for in
writing to him now on the subject.
The remaining expenses of the expedition however were to fall on
the Colony. The Governor was instructed that they were to be made a
first charge on the land sales and that any sums disbursed by the
Imperial Treasury must be repaid. These instructions have been
constantly adhered to and reiterated in the despatches to Governor
Douglas.
Unfortunately the revenue has fallen far short of Governor
Douglas' Estimate 
, the Colony is unable to defray the annual cost of
the Engineers and a debt is rapidly accumulating (amounting already
to upwards of £40,000 and which will probably not be less than
£60,000 by the end of the current financial year) that must impede
the development of the Colony and the ultimate amount of which it
is not easy to foresee.
, the Colony is unable to defray the annual cost of
the Engineers and a debt is rapidly accumulating (amounting already
to upwards of £40,000 and which will probably not be less than
£60,000 by the end of the current financial year) that must impede
the development of the Colony and the ultimate amount of which it
is not easy to foresee.
Under these circumstances it would seem a question whether it
is not necessary to revert to the original scheme of providing for
the cost of the Engineers from Imperial Funds until the Colonial
Revenue is able to bear the charge?
I would suggest therefore that the Governor be informed that the
Regimental Pay is intended to be defrayed by this Country—that a
copy of the Estimate taken for B. Columbia last session shd be
sent to him, pointing out that the amount of it is all that Parliament
has placed at the disposal of the Treasury for the use of B. Columbia
since
since the commencement of the Colony, conveying the decision which
the Duke of Newcastle may adopt as to the source from which the Col
Pay &c of the Engineers should be defrayed.
since the commencement of the Colony, conveying the decision which
the Duke of Newcastle may adopt as to the source from which the Col
Pay &c of the Engineers should be defrayed.
HT Irving
30 Augt
It is perfectly clear that the Colony cannot pay for the military
force, & that any attempt to make it do so can only end in disastrous
debt. The question lies between the "kind & lenient" policy advocated
by the Governor, and that of withdrawing almost all the military force
& leaving the Colony to take care of itself—which is what Col. Moody
has been lately indicating. There is no doubt this latter policy
requires firmness & nerve to follow, &, above all, that it cannot
be pursued unless we are determined to disregard the apprehensions
arising from the American character 
of the population. Probably the
experiment might be safely risked. But it is not to be forgotten,
that this corner of the world is becoming a very important point with
a view to foreign affairs. Indian hostilities & other causes have
established in Oregon a large detachment (relatively speaking) of the
small American army.
of the population. Probably the
experiment might be safely risked. But it is not to be forgotten,
that this corner of the world is becoming a very important point with
a view to foreign affairs. Indian hostilities & other causes have
established in Oregon a large detachment (relatively speaking) of the
small American army.
HM
Augt 31
Self-defense is a principle sound in its character as applied to
a Colony in time of peace when the Colony is of British origin, but
there is much truth in the objection raised by the Govr that more
than one half of the Inhabitants even now are foreigners & he might
have added belong to the Country from which in case of disturbance
there would be most cause for apprehension.
I am not disposed to withdraw the very moderate Military Force
which 
is at present assigned to British Columbia, but on the other
hand I think it would be premature to give the Govr any assurance
of relief from any portion of the expense except the Regimental Pay.
In gold-producing Countries events march rapidly & changes from
wealth to poverty or the reverse are affairs of months instead of years.
Before long we must deal with the whole question of B. Columbia
expenditure—Civil as well as Military—and to let the Govr
in the meanwhile feel the pressure of increasing debt is the best
security for economy that we can enforce.
is at present assigned to British Columbia, but on the other
hand I think it would be premature to give the Govr any assurance
of relief from any portion of the expense except the Regimental Pay.
In gold-producing Countries events march rapidly & changes from
wealth to poverty or the reverse are affairs of months instead of years.
Before long we must deal with the whole question of B. Columbia
expenditure—Civil as well as Military—and to let the Govr
in the meanwhile feel the pressure of increasing debt is the best
security for economy that we can enforce.
N
2-9
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office
to Under-Secretary for War, 10 September 1859, forwarding copy of
the despatch and draft reply and asking that they be shown to
Sidney Herbert for concurrence.
Draft, Colonial Office to Under-Secretary for the Home Office, 4
October 1859, advising it was not considered expedient to send
any of the Irish Constabulary to British Columbia.
Minutes by CO staff
The papers with the minute for this draft are in circn just now.
Other documents included in the file
*
Minutes by CO staff
Duke of Newcastle
For approval. The desp. appears to require some answer; & I am not certain whether this expresses your view?
For approval. The desp. appears to require some answer; & I am not certain whether this expresses your view?
It will meet my view perfectly. I wish to keep the Govr
"up to the collar" as to the economy till we can deal with the whole
question of expenditure—wh I hope will be soon.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Answers to questions posed by Inspector General
of the Irish Constabulary, 15 March 1859.
People in this document
Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Lea Sidney
Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer