Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Hawes, Benjamin to
Carnarvon, Earl 23 February 1859, CO 60:6, no. 2096, 253.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (2).
Hawes reports that the stores for the Royal Engineers destroyed in the Briseis fire will be replaced.
The minutes enquire as to whether or not the War Office insured these stores. If they
had not the CO will be obligated to resubmit their order “at [their] own charges.”
Included in this document is a draft from Merivale to Under-Secretary, War Office, 4 March 1859, asking that Lytton be informed whether the stores aboard the Briseis were insured; and a draft from Merivale to Under-Secretary, War Office, 15 January 1859, requesting a detailed account of all War Department expenses for the Royal Engineers.
Hawes to Under-Secretary of State
War Office,
Pall Mall, S.W.
23 February 1859
Pall Mall, S.W.
Sir
In consequence of the loss by fire of the "Briseis" bound
to British Columbia with Stores for the Royal Engineer Detachment
employed in that Colony, an application has been received from
the Quarter Master General to replace them—and I am directed by
Secretary Major General Peel to state that directions will be
given to that effect if approved of by Sir E.B. Lytton.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This is most serious not alone as to the expense of renewing the supplies, if it shd so be determined, but as to the delay to the Engineers in receiving the stores. I was informed that only "Houses" had been sent in the "Briseis." On applying at the War Office for a List I find, however, that Articles of the most necessary description were sent in her. These are
all lost. But what
surprizes me most is if Mr Talbot is right, that a
public Dept, when employing a Vessel not belonging to
the Govt, should not insure. I suppose there are
good reasons against insuring: but they are not apparent
at first sight.
This is most serious not alone as to the expense of renewing the supplies, if it shd so be determined, but as to the delay to the Engineers in receiving the stores. I was informed that only "Houses" had been sent in the "Briseis." On applying at the War Office for a List I find, however, that Articles of the most necessary description were sent in her. These are
all lost. But what
surprizes me most is if Mr Talbot is right, that a
public Dept, when employing a Vessel not belonging to
the Govt, should not insure. I suppose there are
good reasons against insuring: but they are not apparent
at first sight.
It might be well to ask the War Office officially,
if they insured these stores. If they have not so done I
fear we have no alternative except to renew the order at our
own charges, omitting however the Houses—for the Engineers
will have constructed some for themselves long before the
fresh supply can reach them.
Annex draft at once to this report.
C
March 2
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Under-Secretary, War Office, 15 January 1859, requesting a detailed account of all War Department expenses for the Royal Engineers.