Beaulnamulla Athlone
                     
                  
               January 16th 1860
               
               My Lord Duke                                                                
                
            
            
               As Your Grace is Colonial Secretary, I venture to ask you for
               the following information namely—If there is a police force
               organized or about being organized in 
Vancouver Island or 
British
                  Columbia.
               
               My reason for asking is that I am about to retire from the Irish
               Constabulary for the purpose of Emigrating either to 
British Columbia
               or Australia And I would like to know in case I select 
British
                  Columbia, if I would have 
               

               any chance of employment as a police-man
               there.
               
               Please to let know, in case there is Such a force in existence,
               if I would be eligible to an appointment in it, or if I could get an
               appointment before going out.
               
            
            
               I have just completed a period of Eight years in the
               Constabulary and can get the best of characters from the Officers
               that I served under.
               
            
            
               I have a good deal of experience as a police-man, having Served
               in different Counties.  And I am well acquainted with all the duties
               of the Force.
               
            
            
               
               I have reason to think that there is Such Force, as I allude to
               in existence as I saw it announced some time ago in the public Press
               that 
Sub Inspr Brew of this force was appointed to be Inspector
               General of Constabulary in 
British Columbia.
               
 
            
            
               I hope the importance of this matter to Me will be a Sufficient
               excuse for the liberty I take in addressing Your Grace.
               
            
            
               Awaiting your Graces Answer
               
               I have the honor to be
               
               My Lord Duke Your Graces
               
               Most obedient Servant
               
               
James Blake S.C.
               
               Constabulary
               
               Beaulnamulla Athlone
               
               
               Minutes by CO staff
               
                
                  
                  
                     Mr Merivale
                     Mr Brew the Superintendent of Police was sent out to 
B. Columbia
                     to organize a Police Force, but we have not heard what progress he
                     has made, so that we cannot say that any force at present exists.
                     The Writer (if his Statements are accurate) would no doubt prove an
                     useful officer & would probably find employ
t.
                     
 
                  
                  
                   
                  
                  
                     Inform the writer that 
Mr Brew has gone to 
British Columbia,
                     but that until he writes as to the steps he is taking, no situations
                     are open, and that it is not at all probable his services will be
                     required.  Annex draft.
                     
 
            
            
               Other documents included in the file
               
                
                  
                  
                     Draft, 
Merivale to 
Blake, 
25 January 1860, advising that although a
                     police force was in process of organization, no promise of
                     employment could be held out at present.