No. 54
13th July 1866
Sir,
With reference to my despatch No. 51 of 9th Instant I have the honor to transmit copy of a Letter from Captain Holmes requesting me to apply to the Imperial Govt for Guns and Equipments for a Volunteer Artillery CorpsheManuscript image he has been selected to command.
2. It is worthy of remark that no application has been made to me for pecuniary assistance by any of the several corps now enrolled. All the men have come forward, purchased their uniforms and pay a monthly subscription of half a dollar each towards a Drill Instructor and other necessary expenses incurred by the Corps.
3. I would propose, shouldHerManuscript image Her Majesty's Government accede to the enclosed application that the Guns and Equipments be forwarded to Esquimalt by one of Her Majesty's Ships proceeding to the Pacific Station as the expense of freight by any other means would be considerable.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Arthur N. Birch
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
To War Office—at once—for the conson. of the Sec: Lt Genl Peel.
RSM 29 Aug
Mr Macdonald
What Reports do we possess of the number of these Volunteers, and of their proficiency?
TFE 30 August
Mr Elliot
We do not seem to possess any regular Returns about the B.C. Volunteers, but they are occasionally mentioned incidentally in Despatches.
See page 3 of 1193. Also Blue Book page 39.
FWF 4/9
The Blue Book for 1864 mentioned only 63 volunteers at New Westminster. I suppose that the numbers must have much increased since that time.
I suppose that this should be sent to the W.O. for consideration, and that if we knew enough it might be recomended, but our information seems to be very scanty. Perhaps Mr Seymour might be consulted before writing to W.O.?
When we do write, it should be with reference to our letter of Feb. 1856 and previous correspondence upon the arms & stores which were rendered available for rifle Volunteers in B.C.
TFE 4 Sept
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Enquire first of Mr Seymour whether he can give any information as to this corps.
C 5 Sep
MrBlackwood
By Lord Carnarvon's desire I have sent 8288 to Mr Seymour for information about these Volunteers. This must wait his answer.
TFE 6 Septr
Lord Carnarvon
See a letter from Mr Seymour now annexed, in which he recommends compliance. Forward the despatch and also his letter to the War Office for favorable consideration?
TFE 15 Sep
Yes, to W.O. as proposed.
C 15 Sep
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Captain Holmes, Commanding New Westminster Artillery Volunteer Corps, to Officer Administering the Government, 13 July 1866, requesting an application be forwarded to the imperial government to supply certain arms and equipment required by the corps.
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"List of Articles more immediately required for the equipment of the Volunteer Artillery Corps."
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Seymour to Elliot, 15 September 1866, recommending that the equipment be forwarded to the colony.
Other documents included in the file
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Elliot to Under-Secretary, War Office, 20 September 1866, forwarding copy of the despatch and enclosures for consideration.
Birch, Arthur Nonus to Cardwell, Edward 13 July 1866, CO 60:25, no. 8288, 39. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B66054.html.

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