In my despatch No. 92 of this date I refer to a certain
correspondence which has taken place between
Rear Admiral
Hastings and myself as regards the
position position which Her Majesty's
ships would observe towards the Colonial Authorities in the
event of any serious disturbance of the peace amounting possibly
to insurrection occuring in this Territory. I greatly regret
that the papers I had intended to forward have been left behind
during my rapid passage through
New Westminster.
2. I will now endeavor to see
Admiral Hastings' instructions,
but I may at once say that I
shall shall be sorry if I find in them
the intimation that under any circumstances the Civil authorities
of the Colony have to make arrangements for the preservation of
the public peace and the honor of the British flag without any
hope of assistance from the Mother Country. Things are not so
on the other side of the
Rocky Mountains.
Such a comparison cannot fairly be [insinuated?].
Minutes by CO staff
This might be sent to the Admiralty for any observations.
It cannot be supposed that under his instructions the Admiral
has the power, even if he had the will, to send Marines 500
miles inland to check Civil disturbances.
I do not see how it is possible to institute a comparison
between
B.C. & Canada if "the other side of the
Rocky Mountains"
refers to Canada.
I am not aware that "on the other side of the
Rocky Mountains"
the H.B.C. or Canadians are enabled [to] maintain internal
quiet at the expense of the Mother Country.
To Admiralty. If I remember right a telegram was sent
out to the effect that the Adml was to exercise his discretion
in employing marines &c. The telegram is not in the dept.
Such a telegram as arranged by [
Admiral Neyhn?] was directed
to be sent.
See subsequent 18/6290/68 forwarding the missing correspondence.