Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic 14 September 1865, CO 60:23, no. 8978, 21.
Abstract
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic 14 September 1865, CO 60:23, no. 8978, 21.
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Other documents (3).
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
14 Septr 1865
Sir,
I have laid before My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
your Letter of the 9th Instant, enclosing Copies of two
Despatches from the Governor of British Columbia, accompanied
by a Resolution passed by the Legislative Council, praying
that some further protection might be furnished to the Colony
by the Naval Squadron in the Pacific.
In reply, I am to acquaintyou
you for the information of
Mr Secretary Cardwell, that My Lords have referred back
to the correspondence of 1858-9, alluded to in Governor
Seymour's Letter of the 13 March 1865, and They find that
the orders given by the Admiralty were for two Gun Boats
to be fitted for Service in British Columbia. Their
Lorships believe that, at that time, British Columbiaincluded
included Vancouver's Island, and the undoubted intention
of the Admiralty was to place those two Gun Boats under
the orders of the Admiral, for the protection of
British Territory, whether on the Mainland, or the adjacent Islands.
you for the information of
Mr Secretary Cardwell, that My Lords have referred back
to the correspondence of 1858-9, alluded to in Governor
Seymour's Letter of the 13 March 1865, and They find that
the orders given by the Admiralty were for two Gun Boats
to be fitted for Service in British Columbia. Their
Lorships believe that, at that time, British Columbiaincluded
included Vancouver's Island, and the undoubted intention
of the Admiralty was to place those two Gun Boats under
the orders of the Admiral, for the protection of
British Territory, whether on the Mainland, or the adjacent Islands.
Esquimalt has now been made the Naval Head quarters,
and My Lords consider thatit
it would not be advisable to
give any orders that would remove any of the vessels
from under the Admiral's immediate control. That Officer
is instructed to give every support in his power to the
Governors of the respective Colonies, and My Lords think
that it would be most unwise to limit his discretion by
sending orders from England, to so distant a Station,
as to the disposition of his Squadron.My Lords
My Lords would
further observe that the presence of two Gun Boats in
the Fraser River would afford but little protection from any
attack that might be made from the interior, or from
inroads by the Indians, while their absence from the
straits would materially weaken the power of the Admiral
to meet any attack from without, and his means of
affording protection to the settlers in the various
creeksand
and Bays both of the Islands and Mainland.
it would not be advisable to
give any orders that would remove any of the vessels
from under the Admiral's immediate control. That Officer
is instructed to give every support in his power to the
Governors of the respective Colonies, and My Lords think
that it would be most unwise to limit his discretion by
sending orders from England, to so distant a Station,
as to the disposition of his Squadron.My Lords
My Lords would
further observe that the presence of two Gun Boats in
the Fraser River would afford but little protection from any
attack that might be made from the interior, or from
inroads by the Indians, while their absence from the
straits would materially weaken the power of the Admiral
to meet any attack from without, and his means of
affording protection to the settlers in the various
creeksand
and Bays both of the Islands and Mainland.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Copy to Govr Seymour instructing him to communicate it to the Legve Council as the decision of H.M. Govt upon their resolution of the 20 Decr requesting that a sufficient portion of H.M. Pacific Squadron might be permanently stationed in the Fraser River, & on the Coasts of B.C.
Copy to Govr Seymour instructing him to communicate it to the Legve Council as the decision of H.M. Govt upon their resolution of the 20 Decr requesting that a sufficient portion of H.M. Pacific Squadron might be permanently stationed in the Fraser River, & on the Coasts of B.C.
ABd
15 Sepr
Mr Cardwell
I agree.
I agree.
If you adopt this view, the Colony should be informed
that you concur with Their Lordships in the views they
express, and will answer accordingly the representation received
from B. Columbia on this subject.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Secretary to the Admiralty, 19 September 1865,
stating Cardwell concurred with their view on the subject of
naval protection to British Columbia.
