Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hamilton, George Alexander to Merivale, Herman 10 May 1859, CO 60:6, no. 4823, 140.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Other documents (1).
Hamilton, on behalf of the Treasury, reports to Merivale on the Treasury’s decision on how best to “defray” the replacement cost for the stores
aboard Briseis, following its loss. Hamilton advises that neither the “War Office” nor the “the Funds of the Colony” will serve,
and that a parliamentary vote will be required to have “Imperial Funds” cover the
cost.
In the minutes, Blackwood and Elliot agree that the War Office should send replacement stores “with as much despatch as
possible,” and then speculate on the “question [of] who should pay for them.”
The file includes a draft letter from the Colonial Office to the War Office Under-Secretary,
which advises of the Treasury’s agreement to pay to replace the lost stores aboard
the Briseis, and requests that the replacement stores “be duly insured.”
Hamilton to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
10 May 1859
Sir,
With reference to Mr Elliot's Letter of the 25th
Ult., enclosing copies of a Correspondence between the Colonial
Office and the War Department, upon the subject of the mode of
replacing the stores lost in the "Briseis," which were intended
for the use of the Royal Engineer Force in British Columbia, I
am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury
to request that you will state to Sir E. Bulwer Lytton that My
Lords regret the expense and loss which has been incurred with
respect to the stores for British Columbia, but They do not
consider that
that there are sufficient grounds for requiring the War
Department to defray this Expense, neither could the amount be
recovered from the Funds of the Colony.
that there are sufficient grounds for requiring the War
Department to defray this Expense, neither could the amount be
recovered from the Funds of the Colony.
It appears to My Lords that the only course will be to
provide for the cost of the stores lost, in the vote to be
submitted to Parliament, for British Columbia, adding to the
Estimate an explanation of the cause of this charge upon Imperial Funds.
Minutes by CO staff
Lord Carnarvon
Now Instruct the War Office to replace, with as much despatch as possible, the lost stores, including those mentioned as "public" in the list accompanying 4081. Request the War Office to understand, with reference to the remark in Sir B. Hawes' Lr of the 11 Apl that
this Office was not "fully aware" that it was not the
practice for the War Office to insure Military Stores
sent to the B. Colonies, until after the loss of the
Briseis had called attention to the point—add that Sir E.
Lytton begs that every precaution may be taken on this
occasion for the safe arrival of the stores now ordered,
& state that Sir Edd will further be glad to be
informed when they are despatched from this Country.
Mention to the War Office that the expense of replacing the
Stores will be borne on the B. Columbia Estimate.
Now Instruct the War Office to replace, with as much despatch as possible, the lost stores, including those mentioned as "public" in the list accompanying 4081. Request the War Office to understand, with reference to the remark in Sir B. Hawes' Lr of the 11 Apl that
this Office was not "fully aware" that it was not the
practice for the War Office to insure Military Stores
sent to the B. Colonies, until after the loss of the
Briseis had called attention to the point—add that Sir E.
Lytton begs that every precaution may be taken on this
occasion for the safe arrival of the stores now ordered,
& state that Sir Edd will further be glad to be
informed when they are despatched from this Country.
Mention to the War Office that the expense of replacing the
Stores will be borne on the B. Columbia Estimate.
2. Inform the Governor that measures are being taken for
replacing the stores—with the exception of the Houses—the
Oats—& the hay.
ABd
11 May
I think that we have nothing more to do than to request
the War Office to
to furnish the required stores and to ask to
be informed when they are despatched from this Country.
to furnish the required stores and to ask to
be informed when they are despatched from this Country.
The question who should pay for them is one on which
it is fit to acquiesce silently in the arbitration of the
Treasury, and it would be highly unbecoming and inconvenient
that the Department of one Secretary of State should address
the Department of another Secretary of State in terms of a
rebuke or of peremptory instruction as if they were conveying
orders to an inferior authority.
TFE
12 May
Yes—but I think that the W.O. sd be requested to
insure this fresh supply of stores.
C
May 13
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Under-Secretary, War Office, 20 May 1859,
advising that Treasury had agreed to replace the stores lost in the
Briseis and suggesting that they be insured.